Next
Generation
by Chris
Nick leaned back in his chair, feeling again the weight of years pressing upon him. He closed his eyes, and found himself wondering how things could have been, if only Derek had lived longer. I wish you were here now, old friend. I need you. He sighed heavily, mind wandering in the darkness of places he wished not to go. It had been almost eighteen years since Derek's death, and yet his mind still shied away from the gruesome details. Derek Rayne, who once took his life with his own hand in order to save the lives of his friends; who had it robbed away from him a second time by a demon; had finally died in a fatal car accident that had literally ripped his body apart. Nick shuddered, and clenched his hands into fists. He remembered the phone call clearly still, the officer requesting someone who had known Derek very well to come and identify his body. When he had asked why, there was a pause before the officer replied, "Well son, there's just not that much left to identify." And that had been the truth.
"Nick?" A voice asked from the doorway. He looked up to find Kat standing there, a folder full of papers in her hands. He still marvled at the wonder of her; the little girl he had known was gone, replaced by a beautiful woman, now twenty-eight years old. "The Ruling House wants these reports, can you sign them?"
"I haven't read them yet." He said, waving a hand towards where he wanted them left on his desk. In that instant, a conversation he and Alex had laughed over came rushing back to him. Alex had gone to Derek about the quarterly reports....
"The Ruling House is screaming for the quarterly reports. I can't send until you sign."
Derek barely glanced up from his paper. "I can't sign them until I've read them."
"Is that what you want me to tell them?" Alex asked increadously. "That you haven't finished yet?"
"No, of course not. Tell them... Satan hasn't risen to take over the world, so we must be doing something right."
"You miss him." Kat said gently.
"Don't you?"
"Every day." Kat smiled, perching on the edge of his desk. "I used to hope that he and Mom would get married, did you know that? It's funny, the first time I saw them kiss, I thought my world was going to fall apart. But as I got a little older, I knew that Mom could find someone again. Derek seemed like the perfect choice. It's funny... even though he and Mom never even really had a relationship, I always felt like he was the father I didn't have anymore."
"He loved you very much." Nick said, smiling at her before carefully changing the subject. "How is your mother doing?"
Kat's smile faded slightly. "No worse, but no better, either. She keeps asking me when I'm going to bring Conner to see her."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's... she had a full life, Nick. She accomplished a lot, and that was what she'd always wanted."
Nick nodded. "I'll get on those reports soon." He assured her.
"No rush. I can tell you're troubled; what's the point of reading them if you're not even going to see them?"
"Maybe it's better that way."
Kat laughed. "I've got to get going, Darrel's coming by later this afternoon."
"Good." Nick said, then looked back at her. "Has Jessica changed her mind?"
"Not in the least, and he's very upset about that."
"Do you think it will change his mind?"
"No. This is something he wants very much. I think it just hurts him that his mother won't support him in it."
"Well, you can hardly blame her."
Kat shrugged. "I don't want to talk about that, either. I'll see you later."
Nick watched her go, understanding her meaning perfectly. Ten years before, when Kat had officially joined the Legacy, Rachel had argued with her about it strenously. That was before the Altzheimer's had really set in. Now.... He sighed, shaking his head. I never expected to be the last one standing, Derek. I guess I just thought that you'd be around forever... and I never expected to live that long, myself. And here I am now, in your place, trying to fill your shoes. If you're watching, I hope I haven't disappointed you too much.
He glanced at the reports on his desk and still didn't find any desire to deal with them. The disadvantages to being a precept seemed to show themselves in the mountain of paperwork that he had to do. He imagined taking the whole mess and just throwing it into the fireplace... tempting, but it wouldn't matter in the end. He smiled ruefully, wondering if Derek had ever felt the same way. He looked to the picture of the two of them that he still kept on his desk; Derek had been so many things to him. His precept, yes. But also a very dear friend, and sometimes -- he could admit this to himself now -- the father that he'd never had. Which brought him back to the startling reality that history seemed to be repeating itself.
He had always wondered what it had felt like for Derek; Robert Boyle had died as a member of his House, and he had left a son behind him. What had it been like for Derek to ask Nick to join? Be careful what you wish for... he thought sadly. He had always felt that his relationship with Derek was a bit different than his relationship with the others'... but even now he didn't know that for sure. At any rate, it wasn't the question at hand. In truth, he wasn't sure what the question was, and his mind began to wander again.
He still remembered with painful clarity the day that Jessica Lancey had returned to the San Francisco House. He could still remember her standing there in the rain, a defiant glare on her face, as if to ward off anyone who challenged her right to be there. And what had caught at his heart upon first seeing her was the baby in her arms. "I want to see Derek Rayne." She said coldy, in a demanding tone.
"Miss...." He had floundered helplessly.
"Lancey."
"Jessica Lancey?" He asked in shock. He had heard of this woman, of course. He stared at her in disbelief, shocked that she would be here after all this time....
"Will you let us in, at least?" She asked coldly. "This weather's not good for the baby."
"Oh... of course, I'm sorry." Nick moved out of the way, showing her to the living room. She accepted the seat that he offered to her, but when she looked at him, her eyes were still furious. "I want to see Derek Rayne." She said again.
"Miss Lancey... I... I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Why not?" She demanded.
"Derek..." The words caught in his throat, and a fresh wave of pain washed over him. He still didn't know how to say it well. "He was killed, about a month ago. In a car accident. A drunk driver...." He stopped himself. She didn't seem to have any of the questions that any of the others always did. "Did you... is there something I...?"
Her expression was unreadable. "I don't know." She answered finally.
"What did you come for?" He asked, knowing it sounded rude.
"I came so that he could meet his son." Jessica replied, folding back the blanket so he could see the child in her arms. "Darrel Rayne."
The phone's ringing broke him from that train of thought, and he jumped. "Nick Boyle." He answered curtly.
"Nick?" The voice on the other end asked, and he knew instantly who it was. "Alex!" He exclaimed, feeling a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. "How are you?"
"I can't complain. But I'm not calling to talk about me."
Nick knew that already. Alex had resigned from the Legacy shortly after Derek's death. She never denied the importance of what the Legacy did, but said it hurt her too much to carry on without him. While he could have said the same, he understood and respected her decision. All this time later, she was a wife, mother, and grandmother -- and very happy. That was what he wanted for all of them.
"What's the matter, Alex?"
"What are you going to do about Darrel?"
"What am I going to do about him?" Nick echoed.
"Is he going to join the Legacy?"
"He can't, yet. He's not eighteen. But when he turns eighteen, yes, I imagine that he will. We all hope he will, at least."
"Are you sure you can do this, Nick? That's Derek's son that you're talking about."
"I'm well aware of that."
"He's got his father's gift."
"Yes."
"Do you want to see him go through the hell that Derek did?"
"The Legacy gave Derek his training."
"And then put him in situation after situation where it could actually cause him harm. Even if it didn't, if often caused him pain, you can't deny that."
Nick said nothing, he knew that she was right. The only other option would have been for Derek to quit, and he hadn't been like that. "What do you think Derek would have wanted me to do?" He asked finally.
There was a long silence before Alex answered. "It wasn't something he talked about very often, you know." She said quietly. "He didn't think he'd ever find anyone to be with. Children... there was a time when he wanted them, I know that. But he didn't think it likely that he would become a father. And he was afraid that if he did, he'd end up being like his own father."
"He could never be." Nick protested.
"I seem to remember you feeling the same way, at some point."
Nick said nothing, knowing that she was right.
"I don't know what to tell you, Nick. You're on your own."
"No... Darrel's on his own, this is his choice. And I'm going to respect whatever choice he makes."
"Good enough." Alex said, her tone clearly reassuring. "Just one thing."
"What's that?"
"Be for him what Derek was for you."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It seemed like only minutes later when Darrel came into the room, but Nick knew that it had actually been several hours. He was done most of the paperwork, at least. He smiled at the his friend's son, motioning him to take a seat.
"I haven't done anything wrong, have I, Nick?" Darrel asked. Probably one of the main differences between Derek and Darrel was the lack of self assurance that Derek's son had. He could be assertive at times, but for the most part tended to take blame for things onto himself, including the times when there was no blame to be had. A bit like your father, though... he always took the full weight of any responsibility on himself, never willing to share it if there was any danger to us.
"No, of course not." He smiled reassuringly. "I just wanted to get a take on where you're standing with things."
"I don't understand." Darrel said, with a slight frown.
"Well, in a few months, you're going to be eighteen."
"And you want to know if I'll be joining the Legacy."
Nick nodded. "I know that your mother is greatly opposed to the idea."
"She is, but... this is my life." the young man paused for a moment, frowning slightly. "It's ironic, isn't it? My mother named me after two of the greatest men in Legacy history, even though she quit herself, even though she doesn't want me to be a part of any of that."
Nick smiled slightly, remembering the orgins of Darrel's name -- a combination of Derek and Samuel. And the boy was right, those were two of the greatest men in all the history of the Legacy, each more eminent than most precepts of the Ruling House. He broke out of his reverie to continue. "Have you given any thought to going to college?"
"I want to." Darrel answered. "I just don't know what I want to do, yet."
Nick nodded. "I know you've mentioned following in your father's footsteps."
"I don't know if I'm good enough."
"I don't want to hear that. Don't doubt yourself, Darrel. You can do anything that you set your mind to."
"Mom says I'm always going to be living in the shadow of Derek Rayne."
Nick considered that. "I don't think so. People will always connect you with your father, yes. He was a well loved man, very much respected. But he was also a unique man, no one would expect you to be like him. Rather, we're interested in who you are, and what you can do."
Darrel smiled shyly. "You make it sound so easy, Nick."
"It is."
"Just like that?"
"Well, close enough. There is something I want to tell you, though."
"What's that?"
"Whatever your decision, I will respect it. I want you to know that."
"Thank you, Nick. That means a lot." Darrel got to his feet. "If that's all, I'm going to go find Kat. We're working on an interesting case... me just unofficially, of course."
"Of course." Nick answered, watching him leave. Once the doors were closed, he opened a drawer in his desk, rifling through old papers. It would be interesting, should Darrel join the Legacy. But it was going to make for some interesting situations. Jessica Lancey made no secret of the fact that she felt that Nick and the others had stolen Darrel's inheritance. But Derek had not known of Darrel prior to his death; indeed, no one had known of Darrel until a month after Derek's death. But still Jessica fought, saying they should give back all that they had inhertited. As far as the money went, they had split that up. And Nick was signing over the Luna Foundation to him when he was age twenty-one. But the island estate he had kept, for Legacy purposes; the question now was whether to relinquish his hold of it or not. He didn't want to, he knew that. Even after all this time, he still felt close to Derek here, and he wasn't willing to give up that feeling easily. But he imagined that in time, he would give it to his son, as was fitting. There was, of course, the question of one more thing, something that even Jessica Lancey didn't know about. Derek's sword. That was one thing Nick intended Darrel to have -- if and only if he joined the Legacy. Many times he had considered taking it up himself, but it just wasn't right. But then, what had ever been right about any of this?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A few months later, Nick had the satisfaction of having any of his doubts wiped away. Darrel Rayne was proving to be an extradorinary addition to the San Francisco House. He had a skill with computers that Kat couldn't even match. Nick had to laugh at the irony of that one, remembering Derek's 'fondness' for anything that involved a CPU, keyboard, and monitor. His son was the exact opposite, using the machine for everything that he could.
Finally, summer break came, and Darrel's job of juggling a schedule was over. He requested more work from Nick, and the precept gladly gave in to that request. He knew that he was testing him a bit, but it had to be done. And he was pleased to see that Darrel handled it well. Soon, he was convinced that it was time to send Darrel abroad, to Egypt.
The night before Darrel was to leave, Nick found his sleep plauged with dreams. He tossed and turned, remembering things that he had thought gone and burried years ago. Unresolved issues tore at him, ripping open scars. Finally he sat up in breathless horror, tears still streaking his face. And then his heart froze; there was someone sitting on the edge of the bed... and he knew that profile.
"Derek?" He whispered, and his former precept turned to look at him. Nick was relieved to see that he looked as he had when he had last seen him before the accident.
"It's been a long time." Derek said softly.
"Too long. But I guess that's for a reason?"
Derek nodded. "It wasn't time for me to come back. Though there were times I wanted to, when you were doubting yourself. There was no need, Nick, you've done a wonderful job."
Nick smiled, looking down. Then he looked up again. "You've been watching over us?"
"How could I not?"
"Then... you know about Darrel?"
"Yes, I do." Derek smiled again. "I only wish that I could have known him."
"You've got reason to be proud, Derek. He's a fine young man."
"Who's had a lot of guidance from you." Derek pointed out. "It would have been difficult for him to turn out badly."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Derek started to reach out, then let his hand drop.
"What's the matter?"
"I don't know if I can do it." Derek said, and sighed.
"Try." Nick said. "Please? Unless it will hurt you if you can't?"
"It won't... at least, not physically." Derek closed his eyes for a moment, and then reached out, putting his hand on Nick's shoulder for the first time in almost twenty years. None the less, the touch was so familiar that it almost brought tears to Nick's eyes. He hesitated, then reached out and grabbed Derek into a tight hug. "I've missed you."
Derek pulled back to look at him. "I've missed you, too."
"You mean you still... feel stuff like that?"
"Of course. Just because someone's life ends, it doesn't mean that their love for the people that were in that life does."
Nick smiled. "I should have known. How many times has a ghost come back out of love?"
"Right."
Nick stared at him a moment more, then gave a short laugh.
"What?" Derek asked.
"It's been almost twenty years, Derek... you look just the same."
"Of course. When you die, you stop aging."
"I know. But it also means that I'm older than you, now."
Derek smiled faintly. "Seems as if it happens that way quite a bit."
Nick nodded. He didn't want to say much, didn't want this moment to pass. But sooner or later it would. "You're here for a reason, aren't you?"
Derek nodded. "Darrel's in danger."
"What kind of danger?"
"If he goes to Egypt, Nick, he will die. And that death will be outside of the natural order of things."
"I don't understand."
"Certain things are meant to happen, Nick. And even if they're not meant, if they do happen, it doesn't cause chaos. But if Darrel dies, it will be outside of the order... it will begin a cycle of chaos. Maybe not on a large scale, but at least within the Legacy."
"Do you think some outside force wants his death?"
"I think it's possible."
"This is really true, isn't it? You wouldn't be allowed to come back for a personal vendetta to keep your son alive, would you?" It wasn't really a question.
"No, I wouldn't. And... well, let's just say that my own death has made me more accepting of certain things than I would have been in life."
"Can I ask you something?"
"I can't promise that I can answer, but yes, you can ask anything you like."
"Is everything we're doing here worth it? Does it really do any good?"
Derek smiled. "More good than I ever guessed, Nick. You'll see, one day. But until then, trust me... and above all, trust in yourself."
"This is goodbye, isn't it?"
"For now, yes. But if you think about it, it's never goodbye. I'll always be watching over you, Nick. You don't need me, but I'll be here...."
Nick watched Derek fade away, wanting to somehow keep him there. "I do need you, Derek." He whispered. The wind started to blow just then, and he looked up as the double windows were blown open, scattering his papers across the room. He jumped up to close the windows and pick up the papers on his desk. There was one paper on the top of the pile that hadn't been there before. He wasn't surprised to see Derek's handwriting when he turned it over. "Trust the voice inside.", it read. Nick couldn't help but smile. If you say so, Derek. I just hope you're right!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Darrel stared at Nick with disbelief clearly imprinted on his face. "You're taking me off the assignment? But Nick, why?"
"I can't explain that right now." Nick felt slightly guilty about telling him that. But he couldn't face explaining the truth to him, and didn't even know that he should. The important thing was that Darrel was not going.
"What did I do?" Darrel asked after a moment.
"What?"
"If you're pulling me off of the case, then there's got to be a reason why. So I must have done something wrong."
"Darrel, no. If you'd done something wrong, believe me, I'd tell you."
"Then why won't you tell me why you're pulling me off? Is Kat more competant than I am?"
"I have my reasons, Darrel."
"That's not much of an explanation."
"That may be, but it's the only one you're going to get for the time being." Nick drew himself up to full height as Derek used to do, but it didn't do him as much good. "I'm sorry, Darrel."
Darrel didn't say anything, just stalked out of the room. Nick wanted to go after him, but there was nothing more that he could say. Still, something was needed.... And the phone rang, cutting off his thoughts on the matter. "Nick Boyle." He answered.
"I hear you put Katherine Corrigan in Darrel Rayne's place on the Egypt expedition." The voice on the other end of the phone, ignoring any need for a courteous hello or even an introduction.
"Kristin, how are you?" Nick asked, trying not to talk through his teeth.
"This isn't a social call, Nick."
"Is that any reason that it can't be a civil one?" Nick was grateful that she couldn't see him, he knew his expression showed exactly what he was feeling.
Kristin ignored that remark. "I'm curious as to why you gave the assignment to Katherine?"
"I don't see where it's any concern of yours."
"The Boston House is also sending members on this expedition, Nick. As precept, it's my right to know why you made such a sudden change in assignment. Is Darrel ill, perhaps?"
"No." Nick said. He wasn't going to give her any more than she asked for.
"Then why did you pull him from the assignment?"
"I have my reasons, Kristin. And as precept of this House, it's my right to keep them to myself if I choose." If she could throw the weight of her title around, so could he.
"I wonder if London would agree with you, Nick?"
"London already knows of my decision, Kristin. They also know why."
"But-"
"And they agreed that I am making the right choice. In addition, as the reason for my choice is no threat to any House, including my own, I'm not obligated to discuss it with anyone. Goodbye, Kristin." He hung up the phone, smiling slightly as he did so. He'd always wanted to hang up on her -- and while he hadn't quite just now, it was close enough. He almost laughed at himself, then. All this time, and he was still trying to get the one-up on Kristin. The rivalry never would end, then. But at least now he had better ways of handling it....
The doors opened, and Nick looked up to see that Darrel had returned. "Nick?"
"What?" Nick asked.
"I'm sorry. You're the precept, it's your right to make decisions without explaining them to me. I shouldn't have gotten angry."
"Don't worry about it. I used to feel the same way."
"So what happened?"
"I eventually learned that sometimes things just have to be a certain way. Seems like the Legacy works like that, sometimes."
"As long as it works." Darrel said, smiling slightly.
As long as it works, indeed... and if Derek hadn't told me that it does, I think I'd still be wondering....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nick snapped awake, heart pounding. He rolled over to look at his clock, still in a panic. Eight-thirty. He couldn't have left yet, could he have? Jumping out of bed, Nick grabbed on a robe and ran down the hall. He could hear someone moving around downstairs, and broke into a run. Sure enough, there was Derek, keys in hand, about to walk out the door. "Wait!" He yelled, and Derek turned around to look at him, surprise on his face. "Nick?"
"You can't go." Nick said, now in front of him, gasping. "You can't."
"Nick, what are you talking about?"
"You're going to see Father Tamanski, right?"
"Yes, I'm supposed to be there in half an hour. I'm running a bit late, actually, if I'm going to get there on time."
"Look, you've got to call and cancel, or something."
"Nick, I-"
"Derek, please, trust me on this one. If you go, something terrible is going to happen to you!"
Derek studied him carefully. "What brought this on?"
"A dream. I know that doesn't make any sense. But just trust me, if you go, you're going to get killed."
"You really believe this, don't you?"
"Yes!" Nick wondered how to convey to Derek what he was feeling. "Look, if you really have to go, at least let me drive you."
Derek continued to stare at him, obviously weighing his choices. "No, I won't do that. If I'm in any danger, I'm not going to bring you into it." He walked over to the phone, Nick tagging close behind to ensure that he did call. "Hello, Peter?.... Well, that's why I'm calling, actually. I won't be able to make it this morning, something's come up..... Yes, that will work just fine, thank you..... All right. I'll see you then. Goodbye." He hung up the phone and looked at Nick. "Now, do you care to tell me just what this is about?"
"I had a dream. It was in the future. You were dead, I was precept. You had a son... this isn't making any sense."
"Try." Derek encouraged.
"Look, the gist of it was that you had been killed today. Except then it was the past. So I knew that I had to stop you."
Derek nodded slowly. "You mentioned a son...?"
"Jessica Lancey's. In my dream, she showed up a month after you died... the baby was about a month old."
Derek sat down abruptly. "I never thought of that."
"What?"
"That she could have... oh dear God."
"You would have heard, wouldn't you? By now? She'd be in her ninth month."
"I think I'm going to make a few calls to find out."
"You seem more alarmed by this than by the possibility that you might have died."
"Well, you averted that. This... I've got to know. Excuse me." Derek left the room abruptly, Nick staring after him. He decided to go upstairs to take a shower and dress. Hopefully Derek would have some answers for him when he came back downstairs.
But when he came back downstairs, all thoughts of the possibilty of Derek and Jessica having a child fled his mind. Right before his eyes, he saw the local news detailing a terrible accident downtown. His eyes flicked to the streetname, and his heart gave a painful lurch. "Derek!" He yelled. No answer. "Derek, where are you?!?"
"Nick?" Derek asked, coming into the room.
"God, don't do that to me!"
"Do what?"
But Nick didn't answer, instead pointing at the television screen. "There. If you had gone, that would be your car that the drunk driver smashed into... your body they'd be trying to pry out of the wreckage."
Derek looked faintly ill. "I owe you." He said quietly.
"No. You're alive, that's enough." Nick glanced at him, now remembering. "Were you able to get word?"
"Yes. Nothing, she's not pregnant."
"Good, I guess."
"Considering the circumstances, I'd say so."
"But I wonder...."
"What?"
"No one ever thought to check. So if you had been killed today, would she have showed up here with a child a month from now?"
Derek considered that for a moment. "Nick... we'll never know. And I think perhaps it is meant to be that way."
"I don't mind. I don't want to know my future before my time."
"Our life dictates our future, Nick. Some of what you saw may come to be true in time... and some may not. If I were you, I wouldn't think about it, just live life one day at a time."
"Is that how you do it?"
"What?"
"Your Sight. You say that what you see is one possibility. So do you try to avert it, or just live life one day at a time?"
"A little of both... whatever seems most appropriate."
"You don't think I have it, do you?"
"I don't think so, no. Almost everyone has a flash of precognition, sometimes. Every now and then, a dream is more than a dream."
Nick nodded. "Thanks."
"No... thank you." Derek walked out.
Nick stared after him for a little while, thinking. Derek had avoided his question, in some ways, and he wondered what the future would hold. But at the very least, he hoped that Derek would live for a long time.... He was a good friend to have around.
The End
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@xxxx{}>>>>>>>>>>>>>
( 1998 Chris