Prologue
The game was beginning. Centuries old plans were drawing to a close. Now in the final days this particular game, a last ditch effort was being made. If one side won, it meant the enslavement of mankind, if the other won, it was their freedom. Each game had come down to a final confrontation between a representative of humanity against a being of pure evil. The game played was how to get that human in the best or worst position it could be in for the fight.
The being grinned, toying with it's new plaything. In this move he had won for his master a particularly nice soul for his amusement. But if he was right, the best soul possible would come begging to him. "All I have to do is wait." It thought. "My quarry will come to me, and then we will win the game!"
Chapter 1
Philip walked into the lighted circle. He was trembling in fear, but he knew if he didn't do this, Derek would very likely be lost forever. The decision had not been made lightly. Nick had argued long and hard against this rash act of his, but Alex had understood. Alex always understood. And here he was, ready to do what he must to save his godfather.
They had been arguing of late. Mostly about Philip's continued absence from the Legacy. Derek had thought that Philip should at least come by once in awhile to visit, but Philip just stayed away. Philip knew if he went to the House, he would again be involved in Legacy business, and his soul was tired already, he didn't need any more burdens on him. Derek disagreed.
Philip longed to tell his godfather to just leave him alone, but he knew he would never do that. Philip would never sever all ties to his family in the Legacy, it would cost him too much. He loved Derek as a son loves a father, but he couldn't be strong every minute of every day dealing with evil, like him. Why couldn't Derek see that? Then , one day, it happened.
Derek had been taken by dark forces. Nick had said a being of darkness had come out of nowhere issuing a challenge to Derek. He had accepted....and lost. Nick, Alex and Rachel had tried to come to his aid, but to no avail, and they were cast aside. Nick said the last thing he saw was the being taking Derek way, disappearing. The symbol left imprinted on the floor leaving the only clue to what took him.
Philip remembered Kat's frantic call for help. He also remembered walking through the ruined front doors of the Legacy house and finding Nick, Alex and Rachel in an unconscious heap on the foyer floor. Kat was sitting next to them, a blank expression on her face. He remembered the hopeless feeling he had when Nick had told him Derek was gone.....forever.
Philip had refused to give up. For endless days he drove himself to find something, anything that would bring Derek back to them. Nick was in severe depression, Alex a robot, and Rachel had lost herself in her work and they hadn't seen her or Kat in days. Philip alone kept the House going, but it was costing him. His collapse three days earlier had shocked Nick out of his mood. Philip had woke up to Nick cradling him in his arms, crying, and saying how he couldn't lose another. It was the first time in days Philip had seen any expression on his friends face. Philip had tried to apologize for scaring him, but Nick became angry and merely picked him up and carried him to his room. Nick had stayed there in a chair by his bed until Philip woke up from his exhausted slumber.
Then it had been the two of them, working in tag team shifts, to find the elusive data Philip remembered from long ago. Alex finally came around and started helping them. To Philip, it seemed they too, were under some spell. Two days later, Philip found it...and the arguments began. Philip had won out in the end. Only he hoped his soul was attractive enough to challenge the demons of hell for . Philip had resolutely drove himself to the isolated glen and began the incantations. The circle of light appeared and he stepped inside..........
"What do you want of us?" A voice came from above.
"I came t' find a way t' get my friend Derek Rayne back from you." Philip spoke, knowing that a price was soon to be asked...he hoped he had the strength to meet it.
"You know what you ask?" The voice was surprised.
"I do." Philip knew now, it was too late to turn back, he had just sealed his fate.
"What would you give for his soul?" Another voice intruded on the conversation, this voice had a cruel edge to it that sent shivers down Philip's spine.
"Anything." Philip asked, his conviction showing in his steady tone.
"So be it!" The second voice said in glee, and Philip felt his whole world turn inside out. But he felt his spirit brush against Derek's briefly, and knew the trade had been made. Now all Philip had to do was survive the price.........
* * *
Nick received the call and sped out of the House, Alex , on the phone with Rachel, speeding after him. Derek had called, confused as to where he was and how he had gotten to the wooded clearing. Nick didn't explain, but knew Philip had succeeded. Derek was home. The utter joy he experienced when he realized it was Derek's voice on the other end of the phone, was tinged with guilt and worry. What about Philip? As he drove, Alex filled Derek in on what had happened to him, and how Philip had gotten him back. Upon hearing of Philip's sacrifice, Derek had shut off the phone.
Nick raced to the location and ground the Mustang to a halt. Derek sat on a fallen tree, looking dazed and lost. Philip was nowhere in sight. Nick's heart fell as he realized Philip might never come back. This was a one shot deal. One rescue per century. Nick felt a deep pang of loss. Losing Philip would hurt, but losing Derek would have hurt more. Philip had pointed that out to him, and Nick had rejected the idea in anger, but Philip had been right. Nick hated him for it, but he had been right. The Legacy house couldn't go on without Derek Rayne, and Philip had sacrificed everything he had to ensure that the House survived. Nick felt something lift from his soul, and suddenly he could think clearly again.
What the hell had they all been thinking! Letting Philip go off by himself! They must have been insane! Then a white light shone from overhead, blinding the three. Just as quickly it snapped off. When Nick could see again, a man dressed in black crumpled slowly to the earth.
"Philip!" Alex screamed.
Nick supported Derek to where Philip had fallen. Philip's eyes were closed, he didn't look to be hurt. Alex checked his pulse and nodded, he was alive!
The Philip awoke with a start, shying away from them.
"Philip?" Derek asked, voice heavy with concern. "What happened? Are you Al right?"
Nick and Alex had filled Derek in on what had happened to him over the phone. They all knew Philip would have to sacrifice SOMETHING for his Precept and friends life.
"What?" The confused, scared man asked the unfamiliar people in front of him . "Who are you?"
"Oh Gott." Derek blanched. Philip didn't know them...any of them.....
The dark being laughed, enjoying the fits of his opponents as they realized what he had done. Now all they could hope to do was watch and wait to see what would happen. And look for a place to implement their next strike.
Chapter 2
They had convinced the terrified Philip to come with them to Angel Island. It seemed the price he had to pay for Derek's soul had been all of his memories of the Legacy...and since he had been a part of it since he was a boy, nearly all his memories were gone. He didn't even remember Derek was his godfather. His last memory was of living in his grandmothers house. Nick looked sick, knowing what had happened to his friend there. He remembered going to school, college, the Seminary and all his Church related things. But when it came down to where his home was when he was coming home from school, it was a total blank. Philip had seemed on the verge of panic, until they pulled up to the doorway of the House and stepped inside.
"So tell m' again what I'm doin' here?" Philip looked around the house in awe. He felt like he should know something...anything about what these people were saying to him, but for the life of him, NOTHING seemed familiar.
"We are a philanthropic organization. We curate the Luna Foundations Museum, and ..." Derek paused, still shocked by Nick's revelation of what Philip had done for him. "We help people"
"An' I'm a part of it all?" Philip swallowed nervously.
"Yeah." Nick supports Derek as they make their way into the Library.
None of them miss Philip's' look of amazement and awe at the sight of so many books. It seemed this Philip also liked books. It reassured them.
"Philip..." Derek began and then swayed as his vision blurred. Nick grabbed at his Precept , as did Philip. But before Derek could thank him, Philip broke away from his touch as if burned.
"What's wrong?" Nick asked, puzzled over why Philip pulled away so suddenly.
"I don't know any of you! I can't remember anythin' about m' life here." Philip felt the panic rise in his chest, this was all too much, too soon.. "Wha' if your lyin' t;' me."
Nick was taken aback by the accusation. He would never lie to Philip! Then he realized, THIS Philip didn't know that.
"We would never lie to you, Philip." Alex answered softly, trying to reassure the man in front of her. "You may not remember us, but know this. None of us would ever hurt you, lie to you, or in any other way cause you harm. Do you hear me?"
Philip looked into the beautiful woman's eyes and saw nothing but compassion. He felt safe looking into those eyes. He looked back at "Nick" and wasn't so sure. He seemed so fierce! And "Derek" well...he saw a sadness in those eyes that Philip couldn't ignore. He also knew the sadness was caused by HIM. Philip looked deep into Derek's eyes.
"Who am I t' you?" Philip hears his voice quiver, uncertain he would like the answer. "Why are ya all helpin' m'?"
Nick looked and saw the war going on in Derek's eyes. Should he tell Philip the truth? Or would it be better for them to keep part of it back.
"Th' truth, please." Philip saw the same war going on.
Derek sighed and Nick saved him from the hard decision.
"Your mine and Alex's best friend, Derek's your boss here....and" Nick paused, getting a go-ahead nod from Derek. "your Derek's godson."
Philip snaps his head to look back at Derek in shock his eyes huge and lost. "I don't remember....."
"No, obviously not." Nick says, a little sharper than he intended.
Philip flinches and turns away from them, trying to quell the overwhelming urge to run away and think.
"Philip?" Alex asks softly, touching his shoulder.
Philip flashes back to his Grandmother touching him, and he violently shoves Alex away, then, horrified at his actions, he turns and bolts from the room, oh God! what had he done!
"Damn it!" Nick was about to give chase with Derek, but the Precept's knees buckled and Nick had to guide him to a chair.
"I'll get him." Alex reassured Nick with a small smile, as she got up off the floor. Something was terribly wrong. Philip would never react like that to anyone. Or had having his memories taken made him a different person entirely? Alex ran out into the hallway, the front door was open so she peered into the predawn darkness. She faintly saw a figure disappearing through the gardens. Cursing softly, she followed.
* * *
Derek sat trembling in his chair, Nick hovering anxiously at his side.
"Tell me again what happened after I disappeared." Derek immediately saw Nick's eyes cloud over with guilt.
"Philip came home. He worked for days trying to find a way to get you back. Alex, Rachel and I were so clouded by what happened , it was like we were lost in ourselves and couldn't get out." Nick swallowed hard, not quite believing he had wandered around for almost ten days like he had, not feeling or caring about anyone or anything.
"What brought you out of it?" Derek asked, a faint idea that they, too had some of their soul taken forming in his mind.
"Philip cornered me one day and we got into a fight. I was yelling at him to leave me alone, when...." Nick paused.
"Go on." Derek gently prodded as Nick faltered.
"He collapsed." Nick's voice was now hard, he was blaming himself for all that had happened. " He just fell Derek! I just stood there and I let him! How could I!"
Derek sighed and shook Nick's arm. "I think you were under the same influence as I. " Derek's theory stunned Nick. "I think you, Alex and Rachel had pieces of your soul stolen along with my whole one. Since Philip was not here when it happened, he was not involved."
"So that explains why I couldn't seem to think right until...." Nick looked startled.
"Until Philip made his bargain and it was implemented." Derek finished for him, nodding in sympathy as Nick turned white.
"Philip worked himself almost to death for us." Nick whispered. "And then he sacrificed all his memories of us? I don't get it."
"I don't think it was his choice, Nick." Derek looked out the window into the approaching dawn, it was beginning to rain. "But think for a minute. He sacrifices for those he loves the most, and they take away all knowledge of those people from him. Now he neither trusts us, nor knows us."
"The sacrifice was his, but the punishment is ours." Nick looks angrily out the window, praying Alex would bring their friend back.
"Ja" Derek says softly, and he too, settles down to wait.
* * *
Alex ran on until it began to rain, then she cursed herself, wondering what she was thinking tearing after him like this. He must be scared and overwhelmed not to remember most of his life. She paused and looked around. Philip had ran into the woods, unconsciously following the path to the rocky cove on the eastern side of the Island. Maybe he was there.
She wandered down the rock strewn path, slipping on some loose rocks. She noticed a scrap of black cloth clinging to a sharp outcropping of rock. The sun was just coming up and she could see he had fallen here and kept going. Scrambling, she hurried down to the beach below.
He was there sitting on some rocks, looking sick and tired. She could see he had been upset, his face and eyes red. She felt his pain, suddenly, and his loss. He was feeling so empty inside. She also felt his shame, shame over pushing her like he did. She also saw images of what his life had been like living at his Grandmothers house and the abuses he had suffered as a small child. Before he had come to live here, with his godfather. But he knew nothing about that, all he knew was that reality, and it made him sick.
"Philip." Alex gently called, knowing he hadn't heard her approach.
"Wha'?" Philip spun to face her, as soon as he saw who it was, his face turned red in embarrassment. "Alex, I'm so sorry...."
"It's Al right." Alex soothed him with her voice, walking forward and sitting on the rocks next to him. "This is all a little much to take all in one shot."
Philip gave a half-laugh. "Tha' an understatement."
Alex smiled at him, and saw him relax a little. It was all she could do to restrain herself from taking him in her arms and hugging him. But in his confused state, he would never stand for it.
"I am truly sorry fer pushin' you th' way I did, I don't know what came over me." Philip looked off at the ocean, it began to rain a little.
"It's Al right , Philip." Alex cough his gaze as he turned his head to look at her. "I understand. And remember, just because you don't remember me, doesn't mean I'll abandon you. Your home is here, with us, even if you don't remember that."
"I wish I could." Philip's pain in his tone struck a chord in Alex. Here was her best friend in the whole world, the man who, when no one else could get her to talk, he could. Who held her when she cried. Who supported her even if it meant trouble coming on to him. Now he needed her. She wouldn't let him down.
"You will." Alex took his hand and pulled him to his feet. It was raining harder now and the temperature was dropping. "I promise! Now lets get back before we freeze into popsicles!"
Philip grinned and didn't remove his hand from hers as they walked back up the path towards the house.
Philip and Alex return to the house, soaking wet. Philip had seemed to relax somewhat on the way home, asking Alex about the beautiful gardens they walked through. As soon as they get through the door, a blur of motion runs towards Philip, who instinctively drops to one knee to catch the child running into him.
"Philip!" Kat cried out, practically sobbing into his chest.
Philip looked up into an unfamiliar woman's face who gazed fondly at them from the doorway with Nick and Derek.
Rachel wore a soft smile as she met the lost looking gaze of the man who had become a stranger to them all. Once again,she had Philip to thank for something. She noticed him swallow nervously and hesitantly return her daughters hug.
"Philip, I was so worried!" Kat held on to the soaked man for a long time.
"I'm sorry.." He said softly, "But I don't..."
"I know, Derek told me." Kat looked him in the eyes. "But I remember you!"
Philip looked back into this remarkable little girl's eyes and smiled shyly back into them.
"Your soaked!" Kat said matter-of -factly, "You need to get out of these wet clothes before you get sick!"
From the doorway, Derek, Nick and Rachel watched Kat work her magic, drawing the young man out of his fear and taking his hand and leading him upstairs to his room. Trust her to work miracles!
"Derek," Rachel turns to her Precept. "It's like he's a totally different person!"
"Ja" Derek replies, still weak, but concerned for Philip. "Alex, you need to get dry as well."
Alex nods and squelches up to her own room to get warm and change into dry clothes. Derek looked thoughtful as he watched both her and Philip disappear up the stairs.
"We need to find a way for Philip to regain his lost memories. Rachel?" Derek looked to his psychiatrist for her input.
"Well, theres a few different therapies, just talking, trying to trigger something. A good start is having him here where he can confront familiar surroundings. Or we could try hypnosis?" Rachel's thoughts were racing, trying to come up with the best way to help her friend.
"Great, mess with his mind some more!" Nick says sarcastically
"It's not messing with his mind, Nick. . ." Rachel began, but Derek shook his head.
"Philip is frightened and confused right now, Rachel. In order for hypnosis to work, the subject has to trust the hypnotist, yes?" Rachel nodded and Derek continued, "He trusts none of us. He knows none of us. Hypnosis, for now, is out of the question."
And both Rachel and Nick knew, hearing that steely tone in Derek's voice, that there would be no arguments.
"I would have to agree with you on that point Derek." Rachel sighed. "Until he learns he can trust us, none of it will work. "
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Nick looked up the stairs where his friend had disappeared with Kat.
"Right now, all we can do is support him, and quietly try to enforce the feeling that he can trust us." Derek too looked up at his godson's room, of all the punishments, this was the hardest to take. But it was better than his death
Nick spoke those thoughts a moment later, when he sighed, "Well, at least he's still with us. If we'd lost him for good. . ."
The young man couldn't finish his sentence, but he didn't have to. Derek didn't want to think about what this House would have been like without any hope of his godson's return. Derek didn't think he could take one more funeral. Recovering from Julia's had been hard enough, Philip's would be impossible
"What happens if he never remembers us?" Nick's thought was out before he could take it back.
"Then we give him new memories of us." Rachel said softly, she had been thinking the same thing
"New memories," Nick whispered, then he looked up at Derek, a fiercely determined look in the green eyes. He repeated, "New memories, and better ones."
Derek nodded. Yes. . .new memories and better ones.
Just then Kat came running down the stairs, she looked worried.
"Kat?" Rachel asked, "What's wrong?"
"I think Philip go too cold. He won't stop shaking!" Kat looked panicked. "He took a hot shower and got into some dry clothes, but he's started shaking something awful, and the he fell!"
Despite his weakness, Derek went upstairs to his godson's room. Now, his immense will was starting to override the weakness of his body. . .his godson needed him, and Derek was determined not to let him down. Nick was at his side, and was in fact taking the stairs two at a time. Rachel was following behind them, Kat firmly esconsced in her arms.
Derek and Nick reached the room at the same time. Philip lay on the floor between the bed and the doorway, shaking violently. But when Nick knelt down to touch him, he shied violently away.
"Don' touch m'" Philip cried out.
To Nick he looked to be cough in a terrible nightmare, and maybe he was.
In her mother's arms, Kat began to wriggle, forcing Rachel to set her on the floor. The little girl ran to Philip's side. While Philip tensed, he didn't shy away. Nick wondered about that. . .then something clicked in his mind. His grandmother had molested him. . .an adult. But Kat was a child.
Nick stepped back as Kat folded her arms around the trembling man.
"Philip?" She whispered into his ear. "Come back to us! Please!"
Derek closed his eyes as Philip's voice trembled as he replied. "Kat?"
Kat whispered, "I'm here, Philip, it's okay. I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise." She tightened her arms around her friend.
She had been so worried for Philip. . .even more worried than when Cally had made him fall down the stairs. It hurt a little that he didn't remember her, but Kat knew it wasn't Philip's fault. She understood a little of what had happened.
Abruptly Philip stopped shaking and sat up, blushing as he noticed the crowd in his room.
"Wha' happened?" he looked confused, sitting up but not breaking Kat's hold on him.
Derek sighed with relief. . .his godson was back. But what had happened to him? However, it was Nick who replied gently, "I think you just had a panic attack, Philip. Can I help you into bed?" Philip looked even more confused.
Nick held out his hand to his friend, giving him the opportunity to refuse it. Philip looked into his eyes and hesitantly grasped the offered helping hand. Gently Nick pulled him to his feet, taking Kat with him.
"Thanks." Philip gently murmured his thanks, feeling the strength behind the hand. It was comforting.
"Feeling better?" Rachel asked , concerned.
"Yes, thank you." Philip was blushing again, which made Nick grin. Some things never changed!
Together, Nick and Kat helped Philip to the bed. Kat gently drew the covers to Philip's waist, and Rachel sat down on the bed beside the young man. He looked very nervous, and Rachel said gently, "I'd like to examine you if that's all right."
Philip looked up into her eyes, weighing what he should do. Finally he looked at Kat who nodded, and he nodded to Rachel, consenting.
"Was I hurt?" Philip asked. "Is tha' why I can't remember anythin'?"
"You. . .you could say that," Rachel admitted as she carefully unbuttoned his shirt. She honestly didn't know what else to say. And she had to be very careful now. . .Derek had quietly explained to her, in addition to Philip's sacrifice, what he recalled. Namely, the abuse he had suffered while living with his grandmother, and the nature of that abuse.
"What exactly does that mean?" Philip asked, sounding worried.
"You were helping me, and got cough in the backlash." Derek spoke up, not really lying, but not divulging details either.
"Did I help you?" Philip looked up into Dereks face. "I didn't ....fail"
The last word was a tortured whisper, it melted Derek's heart to hear the pain behind it.
"No, Philip." Derek assured him "Without you I would be dead."
Philip had lowered his eyes as soon as he asked if he had failed, so he didn't see Rachel's expression. Derek did. . . .Rachel's face was a mask of rage and compassion. But she said gently, "Not only that, but you saved the rest of us as well, Philip."
Some of the tension left Philip's slender body at that statement. Rachel concluded her exam and said, "You seem to be in good shape. . .you just need to rest."
"Yeah, buddy." Nick cough Philip's gaze, grinning. " Rest up, tomorrow's another day. If you need anything holler, my rooms two doors down."
Philip nodded and gave a shy smile, buttoning up his shirt.
"Yes, rest up. We'll see you tomorrow." Derek nodded and left the room with Nick and Rachel.
Kat remained behind, giving Philip a big hug. "I'm so glad you came back. I was afraid you'd leave me like everyone else has."
Philip frowned, instantly alarmed by the pain in her voice.
"Who did you lose?" He asked softly, kissing the top of her head, and tightening his hold on her.
"Daddy and Connor died last year when I was seven. Mom and I came to live here with you earlier this year. Please, promise me you won't leave!" Kat started crying into his shirt.
It broke Philip's heart, obviously this little girl had come to trust and love him, and he couldn't even remember anything about her! All he could do now was comfort her in any way he could.
"My parents died when I was seven too." Philip whispered to her, "I know how it feels to be all alone."
"But Derek took care of you." Kat looked into his eyes. "I know you don't remember it, but he did. And now Nick and Alex and Mom and I care for you too."
"Well, I'm glad you do." Philip smiled at the beautiful girl and was rewarded by a return smile.
"I'm just so scared, Philip." She sniffed, wiping her earlier tears away with her hand. "This is worse than when Cally threw you down the stairs!"
Philip just looked at the girl in astonishment. Thrown down stairs? What had caused this "Cally" to do that to him?
"I'm probably not supposed to mention anything like that." Kat suddenly looked worried. "Promise not to tell?"
Philip smiled at the childish plea. "I promise...."
Kat hugged him, just before she pulled away , he yawned, Lord was he getting tired.
Kat squeezed him one more time and then let go.
"I had better go and let you sleep." Kat giggled as he stifled a yawn just as he was beginning to protest he was fine. "Besides, tomorrow is another day! G'night!"
"Good night Kitten." Philip said sleepily.
He was out before she closed his door.
One being watched the scene with growing despair. If their chosen was lost like this, how could the game be won. Then he felt it. Someone was tampering with the game! With a thought, he was in front of his opponent.
"You are tampering!" He thundered. "The agreement was that after this move, NO MORE interference in his life!"
"Who said I was tampering? The move was made, and I am leaving him alone" The figure smirked.
"But you also did something else to him!" The being waved his hand and suddenly they were looking down on the object of their discussion. "Why is his mental condition deteriorating!"
"Oh, did I neglect to mention that?" The other being was openly laughing at his counterpart now. "His memories will continue to degrade down to nothing, as the deadline draws near."
"That was NOT agreed upon!" It shouted, growing angry.
"He did say he would do 'anything ' and take 'any' judgment I desired. That took it right out of your hands!" Suddenly the being grimaced.
"It seems your master and mine do not agree with your point!" The being shook his head. So close. If he had done something that stupid so close to the end of the game, he would have been fried by now!
His counterpart grimaced again and looked upwards, head cocked as if listening to someone. Finally he turned back to his foe.
"It seems you are correct and I am wrong. You are to be given one last move. Only one! And it cannot be giving him his memory back, then we are both out of it and the mortals take over." It's voice was sour, the words choppy.
"One move" The being murmured, and he pondered what to do.
Chapter 3
After Nick and Derek left Philip's room, Derek began to sag, all adrenalin gone from his body. Nick silently hoisted an arm over his shoulder and supported his Precept to his room. Gently he placed him on the edge of the bed.
"Thank you , Nick." Derek sounded tired, and something more. Desolate.
"No sweat, boss-man!" Nick gave a half-smile of his own. "Now, do I have to stay and make sure you sleep? Or do I trust you not to go back to work."
"Nick!" Derek looked slightly outraged. "I'm not that much of a workaholic!"
Derek looks up into Nick nodding face, then sighs, he had been thinking of just that. "Al right, you win."
Nick smiles in triumph and moves to leave the room. "Don't worry Derek. It will be better tomorrow."
Derek shakes his head as his Security Chief and dear friend leaves the room. He hoped, at least, it couldn't get worse! He prepared for bed, and by the time he slipped into the sheets, he was shaking with exhaustion. It had been a rough couple of weeks, and God willing, tomorrow, as Nick said, would be a better day.
* * *
After Nick left Derek's room, he found he could not sleep. So he padded down to the pool and started laps, thinking about the last few days. He wondered if he could have done something different, prevented Philip from making the sacrifice he did. As he swam on he tried to recall the fuzzy days he had spent while Philip ran the house single-handedly as he searched endlessly for a clue to Derek's whearabouts.
Philip had taken the time to make sure he, Rachel and Alex ate. Once Rachel left to go back to work, Philip concentrated soley on him and Alex. Nick remembered with vivid clarity the argument , three days after Philip came back and Derek disappeared. Every day, Philip had tried to coax him out of his single minded depression and back into life. Never prodding too hard, never pushing him into something. The more he did it, the angrier Nick became.
Nick swam faster as he remembered his uncharitable thoughts. He remembered thinking "Who the Hell does Philip think he is anyway? Derek? If he thinks he can be anything like him, he's dead wrong. There's NO WAY I'll let him think that! He's NOT Derek, he can't BE Derek, and to Hell with him for leaving us anyway!"
At that point Philip had come into the room, hoping to coax Nick into helping him run a search on a new batch of names he had come up with.
"Nick?" Philip frowned, sensing something was different about his friend. "I could use some help here, I have some new leads."
"Why the Hell do you care if he comes back." Nick had snarled, "Seems to me your just having a dandy time trying to replace him!"
"Nick" Philip started, shocked at the words coming out of the man who had been silent for days. "I don't..."
"That's right!" Nick continued his verbal assault, moving Philip into the corner of the room." You won't either! I won't let you think you can even begin to take his place here!"
Philip's back hit the wall. He had nowhere left to go. Suddenly the days of no sleep and no food took their toll. As Philip pushed off the wall, attempting to retaliate to Nicks words, his knees gave way and he fell. Nick remembered with vivid clarity, his face going white, eyes unfocusing and his feeble, and useless, attempt to catch himself on the chair.
Nick remembered standing there, letting him hit the ground in a dead faint, when he could easily have caught him. Now the shame of what he had said and done fueled his agitation, and Nick swam until he was exhausted. finally, he admitted it was getting him nowhere, and he decided to try sleep again.
Nick wearily climbed the stairs, heading towards his room, when a sudden movement cough his attention. Philip had opened his door and was blearily looking around, trying to find his bearings. He looked as if he needed to find something.
"Need some help, buddy." The last word came out by habit, and Nick cringed. "Great," he thought, "remind him one more time of what he's lost!"
Philip , startled, turned quickly around to face him, taking a step backwards.
"Sorry," Nick said sheepishly, chagrin coloring his words.
"It's alrigh'" Philip hesitantly smiled.
"It looked like you needed a hand." Nick tried again.
"I was getting hungry." Philip blushed, "An' I just realized I didn't know where th' kitchen is..."
Nick grinned, looking at his watch, it was 4:00 in the afternoon. Philip had been asleep 10 hours, no wonder he was hungry. Derek was still not up yet, and Nick hadn't seen Alex, Rachel or Kat.
"C'mon." Nick gestured, his own belly rumbling. "I'll cook us breakfast."
"You...." Philip hesitated, falling in beside Nick as they made their way to the kitchen. "Cook?"
"Don't look so surprised!" Nick said in mock injustice. "I happen to make one mean omelette!"
Philip considered his words. Then nodded ,almost to himself. The two continued the trip in silence. Then.
"Do I like your omelettes?' Philip asked, the most puzzled expression on his face.
Nick laughed out loud. "Oh yeah, buddy! You most definitely do! And if Cook has all the ingredients, I'll even make your favorite."
"An' what might that be?" Philip's smile was wider then Nick would have expected from teasing like that. Hmm...maybe this wasn't so bad after all!
* * *
Derek awoke , stretched , and felt much better for his sleep. It was now 6:00 and he had slept a whopping 12 hours! By the renewed strength he felt within himself, he knew it was worth it. The rumbling in his belly also told him he needed to eat.
The scene that greeted him when he got to the kitchen however, was not one he ever would have expected. Nick and Philip were clearing up dish after dish as Alex, Rachel and Kat voraciously ate what looked suspiciously like one of Nick's famous omelettes. The smell that greeted him as he entered the room confirmed it. He looked around, Philip was grinning at something Nick whispered to him. It looked like a scene out of the past. Before Philip left them the first time. Derek smiled, indeed the day was getting better already!
"Hey Boss!" Nick greeted him with a cup of coffee and a wave to sit himself at the empty chair by Kat. "Chow time. Sit!"
"Yes sir!" Derek gave a mock salute to which Nick snorted disdainfully.
"Don't do that, Derek!" He was grinning, "It makes you look dopey!"
Alex nearly spat out her food when she heard Nick call Derek 'dopey'. Kat had no such inhibitions and began giggling. Derek made a face at her which set all three ladies off.
Nick was chortling too as he looked at Philip, and his smile ended. Philip was clinging to the sink, growing pale.
"Shit! Philip!" he reached for the slowly sinking Priest. Before he could get a good hold on him, Philip fell in a heap shaking. Just like he had the night before. All laughter was forgotten as they crowded around their stricken friend. Derek reached out and touched Philip on the forehead, and was suddenly assaulted by a vision.
He saw Philip bound in silver chains, a strange yellow light was flowing into him. He looked up at Derek.
"Ya have t' get away! It can't take you too." This Philip seemed to remember him!
"Philip, what has happened?" Derek took a step forward.
"It's a game , Derek! All a stupid game." Philip's voice was filled with anger and disappointment. "They don't care one little bit about us, we're just toys to them!"
"Game? Toys?" Derek repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Oh God, Derek." Philip was crying now, silent tears running down his face. "I'm th' pawn in a game that will decide the future. ME! An' I'm stuck here, being used to siphon off m' own memories! You have t' tell him everything! Now before it's too late!"
"Your Philip's soul!" Derek put the pieces together. Philip was cough, trapped in this dimension by his soul. Every time he had an attack, this part of him was gaining memory from the other. "How long?"
"I don' know." Philip's soul shook his head, "but I do know th' game is drawing t' a close an without me at full strength, we're sure t' lose!"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" A voice thundered from nowhere. "GET OUT!"
Derek felt himself picked up and tossed through a veil of shadows......and then he woke up, on the floor beside Philip, in the kitchen.
"Geez, Derek." Nick was kneeling beside him. "What the Hell happened?"
"I saw...." Derek broke off not quite sure what he really saw.
"Saw what?" Alex asked, she was cradling Philip in her arms. He was no longer shaking, but his eyes were closed.
"Philip." Derek stood.
"But he's here." Rachel looked him over, checking for any signs of damage.
"Not all of him." Derek gazed down at Philip, wondering if what he saw was truth, or was it all just a dream?
"It was not a dream, Derek Rayne." A figure shimmered into existence.
He was a tall man, over 6 feet. Slender build, muscular. His face was like an angel's, perfect and smooth. He had one distinguishing feature besides that. Two black wings graceful came out of his back. He came forward and stood before them.
"Who are you?" Derek asked. Nick was standing up, moving to put himself between Derek and the being.
"At ease, man." The being put out a hand and Nick stopped as if hitting a wall. "I 'm, not here to hurt or take anyone. Actually I am here to help you."
"Yeah , right." Nick growled, still on guard.
"Do you really think you can harm me?" With a wave the invisible wall was gone. "Go ahead!"
"Nick!" Derek stopped him with a word. "You didn't answer my question, 'Who are you'."
"I'm no one of consequence. A very dangerous game is being played, one which Dr.Rayne just got a glimpse of in his vision. " The being nodded to Derek. "One human is chosen every few hundred years or so, to be the nexus in this world. Moves are made by the two factions to maneuver this soul into the best, or worst position possible for the final battle."
"Philip." Kat said, from where she stood next to her mother.
"Yes, little one." The being knelt to face her. "Philip is the nexus."
"Why are you telling us this? Won't it disrupt the game?" Alex asked sarcastically.
"Not really." It shrugged, " I am only allowed this conversation because the other side.....cheated."
"Cheated!" Rachel couldn't believe her ears.
"Yes, actually. My opponent used unfair means to weaken his" It pointed to the unconscious Philip, "Strength. And in doing so, upset the balance."
"So why are you here?" Nick was still defensive. "What can you possibly do to help. Unless you can give him his memories back."
"That is forbidden." The being sighed and stood up again, gazing down on Philip. "But I can do this. You may tell him of our conversation, or not, as you see fit. He is a strong soul, so I think with or without these memories he will prevail, but you absolutely cannot tell him about his past with the Legacy. That is forbidden."
"Why?" Alex asked, beating Derek to the question.
"Because it is forbidden." The being smiled, "And not by just me!"
"Something higher?" Derek put it together. "Why are you helping us, your a fallen angel!"
"Yes, and your point is?" The being smiled. "The outcome of this game decides the role of us in your future from now until the next game concludes. The other side wants to pull away, less interference in your affairs. We see this as a mistake. Mankind is not yet ready to be let loose with less 'godly' attentions."
"So Philip will decide this?" Rachel was incredulous, "How, he can barely think strait!"
"Yes, there is that..." The being knelt besides the stricken man and put his hand on his chest. "My last move in the game. He will have no more memory degradations, but rather if it goes to long, it will crash all at once. I'm afraid it's the best I can do"
"How long does he have?" Alex asks, wondering if it meant Philip's death.
"Approximately three months, give or take." The being moved to go.
"Give or take what?" Nick asked, keeping an eye on it.
"Whatever!" With that it disappeared.
"Well that was interesting!" Alex glanced down and noticed Philip was waking up. It had terrified her when both he and Derek had totally collapsed and lay unmoving, but now it seemed they had bigger problems. Philip began to stir and she gave a small sigh of relief.
"Wha'?" Philip groaned, holding his head, and sat up.
"Easy there!" Rachel kneeled down next to him. "Take it slow, how do you feel?"
"M' head hurts, but I think I'll live." Philip whispered.
"Maybe some more sleep..." Rachel started to suggest, only to have Philip shake his head vigorously.
"No!" He said, and started to stand. "I just need t' get m' bearings, I'll be alrigh'."
"Feeling better?" Derek asked, wondering if Philip remembered anything about what just happened.
Philip nodded, then managed a small smile.
"Do you remember what just happened?" Derek asked, closely looking for Philip's reaction.
"No." Philip shook his head. "I was laughin' with th' rest of ya and suddenly I couldn't see strait. It was like someone was pullin' somethin' from m'."
"Are you sure your feeling better? Maybe a little rest..." Philip broke off Alex's concerned question by grabbing her hand gently.
"I said, I'll b' fine, Alex." He grinned. "I'd rather just let this go for now an' see what happens. I feel fine now."
"Well how about this." Nick spoke up quickly before Derek could order Philip to rest. "You sit and relax, I'll finish cooking Derek's breakfast, then while we clean up maybe you can take Kat outside for some air. Feel up to that?"
"Please Philip?" Kat looked excited at the prospect of time with Philip. Her pleading eyes were just too much, and with a sigh and a small shake of his head, Philip agreed. Wondering what he was getting himself into.
Derek looked slightly annoyed at Nick calling the shots, but nodded his agreement as well. It was settled. Nick cooked the breakfast, keeping his tone just as light as before Philip's unexpected collapse, and the merry mood soon returned.
As soon as Derek finished and dishes were cleared, Kat pulled Philip to his feet and practically drug him out the door, excitedly chattering at him the whole way. Alex stifled a laugh at the bemused expression the priest wore as he disappeared around the corner. Her smile disappeared when she noticed Derek's expression.
"What is it Derek?" Rachel asked, her smile gone as well.
"We will not tell Philip about what the angel said." Derek said without preliminaries.
"What!" Nick looked angry, surprised by this ultimatum. "What are you talking about? Philip is gonna need to know what's going on in order to stop it."
"I said NO , Nick! That's final!" Derek calmly faced Nick's rage without faltering or shrinking away from it.
"Fine!" Nick spat and left the room, grumbling under his breath.
"Derek?" Alex began.
"No arguments Alex." Derek is quieter in his voice, but the steel beneath the tone brooked no argument. Then he left the room, leaving Alex and Rachel shaking their heads in puzzlement. Not tell Philip? What could he be possibly thinking? But since he rarely didn't have a reason for his actions, Alex took it on faith he must know what he's doing......
She looked over at Rachel who shrugged, she was puzzled too. "Let's go see what we can dig up, shall we?"
"Right!" Rachel replied, following the taller woman out the door.
* * *
The being returned to his dimension with a smile, now the wheels were definitely in motion, plans put into place years ago were finally coming together. Soon, very soon, the final confrontation would be held, and the fate of mankind would be altered.
"Interesting last move." His opponent said quietly in his ear. "I didn't think you would actually tell them!"
"We've never done that before, telling man about the game. I just wondered WHAT they would do with the knowledge." He smirked, knowing he had thrown everyone for a loop with his actions.
"This is shaping up to be a very interesting climax." The other looked down on the Earth. "You know I will have to bring out the big guns for the finale, the one opponent Philip Callaghan will never be able to defeat, don't you?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way!" The two grinned, no matter the outcome, the game had finally become interesting!
* * *
Kat led the semi-protesting Philip out the door and into the east garden. She knew he didn't remember anything, but she couldn't help leading him to his favorite spot. She wondered if he liked it because of the memories he had of it, or it's beauty. She would soon find out.
"C'mon, Philip!" She called encouragement as the older man climbed up the last steep incline.
"When ya said it 'wasn't far', I should have asked ya t' elaborate!" He muttered under his breath, making Kat giggle.
The walk had been pleasant and her chatter had left no time for him to brood over what was happening to him, and why he was in this place. He should be back at the Church....shouldn't he? Or was this really home?
"Almost there!" Kat called from the top, waiting anxiously for him to arrive and look.
The scene that greeted him took his breath away. Kat was right. It was beautiful! The hill overlooked the water and the across to the GoldenGate Bridge. Waves crashed gently into the side of the cliff. Philip walked to the edge and looked out. He felt at peace here. Unconsciously, he sat down and looked across the water. Kat sat next to him and snuggled into his chest. Philip put an arm around her, holding her closer.
"It's beautiful, just like you said." He whispered.
"This is your favorite place." Kat looked up into his startled face. "I thought it might make you feel better."
Philip gazed down at her worried eyes. So many things were missing, but he knew one thing. This little girl loved him, and he knew that he must have loved her back. Maybe this was all true, they were his family. He just wished he could remember!
"Don't look so sad." Kat hugged him. "You'll remember someday!"
"An' if I don't?" Philip said, before he could censor his thoughts.
"It won't matter, we'll still be here." Kat grinned mischievously at him. "Want to see something REALLY neat?"
"What's tha'?" Philip grinned back, her mood infectious, drawing him out of dark thoughts.
"There's a cave just down the way near the beach. They said smugglers once hid treasure there!" Kat was pulling away and getting to her feet.
"Is it easy t' get to?" Philip had a nagging suspicion something was up.
"Sort of......" Kat grinned, and tried to pull him to his feet too. "I can go there as long as an adult is with me. Alex and Mom and I were supposed to go a few days ago, but then.........."
"I take it whatever havened t' me interrupted all tha'" Philip smiled and stood up, brushing dirt off his pants. "You sure your allowed?"
Kat nodded.
"Alrigh', lead on McDuff!" Philip grinned at her puzzled look.
"Who's McDuff?" She asked.
Philip spent the time walking to the new place explaining McBeth to the eight year old. Soon they were at the cave. The rest of the afternoon was spent in happy exploration of the abandoned hideaway. When the sun started to go down, they headed home.
* * *
Nick practically tore into Derek's office. He had spent the last two hours trying to figure out why Derek wouldn't tell Philip his very life was in danger. Nick just couldn't figure it out, and finally he realized he needed to confront his Precept to find out.
"Just what the Hell are you trying to pull." Nick said without waiting for Derek to acknowledge him.
"One is supposed to knock before entering a room." Derek said mildly, his expression unreadable.
"Don't pull your 'I'm the Precept so don't challenge me' face. It won't work. I want to know why you are playing fast and loose with Philip's life! We finally have a chance to make his life better, and here you are keeping secrets from him again!" Nick's anger made his voice shake, and Derek's reply made him even more angry.
"What do you suggest telling him?" Derek raised an eyebrow.
"The TRUTH damnit!" Nick came closer and leaned on the desk. "Is that so hard to do?"
"So I tell a person who has no memory of us, no trust in us, that an evil demon from Hell is going to come down to kill him." Derek wasted no time concealing his distaste of Nick's attitude. "What do you think he will do? How will he react? Remember, he knows nothing of us or the Legacy's work!"
"I know that, but Jesus, Derek! It's his LIFE!" Nick was beginning to see Derek might have a real reason not to tell Philip, but he wasn't ready to accept that yet.
"Don't you think I know that? Your right, we do finally have a chance to right all the wrongs we have done to him and start over. But what happens if we push to soon, he's like a scared child, Nick. As if he had just arrived from Ireland all those years ago!" Derek could see Nick was finally getting it but he pushed on. "How do I get him to trust me? By saying 'You are about to be a demon's lunch'? Is that what you want? For him to think we are lunatics. How will that help HIM. Tell me that Nick."
"I just can't see why we can't tell him eventually. One day he's going to have to be ready to accept all this." Nick swallowed, realizing he just might have made an error in judgment concerning Derek's motives.
"I am going to tell him. Just not NOW." Derek was getting the upper hand now, he saw Nick's rage turn to guilt. "He's not ready yet. We need to make sure he is before we can tell him about this and his role in the Legacy."
Nick felt like shit. Derek was right and he had overreacted. Again. He bowed his head, not able to meet Derek's eyes. "I just wanted to make things better this time around." He mumbled.
"Don't you think I do too?" Derek came around the desk and put a hand on his friends shoulder. "Do you think I WANT him to leave again? I , too, need to atone for all my mistakes. I will not make them again. But I also cannot let him have too much at once. When he is ready, I will tell him everything."
"I'm sorry Derek, I just......." Nick sighed and cursed himself for his stupidity.
"I know Nick." Derek squeezed his shoulder and released it. "Your trying to protect him. But please, do me a favor."
Nick winced, here it came.
"THINK about what reasons I might have for my actions without leaping to the conclusions I want to hurt you all." Derek sight and looked out the window. Philip and Kat were back, he was carrying her on his back, and the two looked like they were laughing. Derek smiled, and Nick came over to look as well.
"It's been a long time since I have seen him smile this much." Nick said, grinning as Philip swung Kat down and they raced into the house.
"Yes, " Derek answered, wondering just how long the universe was going to let Philip have this happiness.
Chapter 4
Nick shuffled out of the office...he had just made a total ass of himself. When was he going to stop doing that! Dejectedly, he returns to his room, yawning. He sinks to the bed, remembering all the times he and Philip spent talking and drinking stout. He remembered the times he had hurt Philip. . .God, it made Nick nauseous, remembering the pain in the light eyes.
Especially the time after Ellens death, when Philip retreated from them into a catatonic like existence...he had gotten fed up with his moping and challenged him about it. The next day Philip had left. Nick wanted to shrink within himself. What had he been THINKING, challenging Philip like that? His brother had been shattered by that bitch's death, and what did Nick do? Pushed him to his breaking point.
Nick stalked around his room, angry at himself, ...oh how close he had come to losing his friend! Both then and now! But this time he wouldn't shut him out...this time he would make all the effort...he would never leave Philip out in the cold again!! He still remembered Philip's whispered goodbye to him, just before he left to go get Derek back....Nick had never felt such dread in his whole life!
Nick's fury with himself was rekindled as he thought of his treatment of Philip before the rescue of Derek. How could he have done such a thing? He cursed himself for being such a fool! He never wanted anyone to get hurt when he could prevent it, but he always ended up causing more pain than he prevented. Nick was so lost in his misery, he didn't notice someone creep into the room, and a gentle had resting on his shoulder.
Nick turned. For a moment, when the hand descended on his shoulder, he thought it was Philip. But it was Alex and she said softly, "I thought I might find you here."
"Oh Alex!" was all he could gasp out before the tears in his throat closed it off. All he could do was huddle in her arms and wish it was him instead of Philip...
"Shhhhhh....." Alex squeezed him tighter, knowing he was going through some rough time, she knew it would be hard on them all. Even she didn't want her best friend to be hurt....but that wish might be impossible.
"How. . .how could I have hurt him like that? All Philip has ever wanted was for us to love him! He's done nothing but take care of us, and with the exception of you. . .we've done nothing but hurt him. Especially me and Derek."
Alex pondered his words and knew nothing she could say would make him feel any better about the past...a art of her knew it was true , even if she regretted even thinking that. Derek had hurt his godson by being more precept and less father than the boy needed. Alex sighed.
"It will be o.k. Nick...Philip has always been strong...far stronger than even he knows. We'll get through this!"
Nick smiled at the reminder of his brother's strength. It amused him, sometimes. . .Philip really had no idea how strong he was. He had this irritating habit of comparing himself unfavorably to him and Derek. But Nick had recently come to realize that the source of Derek's own strength was Philip.
It was too bad Philip never saw this. Alex remembered a conversation she had with him a few weeks ago when he had bungled a translation and very nearly gotten himself killed. When he mistakenly uttered the wrong incantation which led to the strengthening of the demon, not the weakening of it. Derek had chewed him out royally, and Alex had found him later overlooking the ocean, contemplating himself
Philip had noticed her approach, and said nothing. None of them had escaped the encounter unscathed, but Philip still had yet to be checked out. Instead he had helped Nick to his room, waited anxiously while Rachel checked him out, then disappeared before she could look him over.
"I'm SO sorry Alex!" he whispered, "I should never have even been there. Derek was right..."
"Philip, you made a mistake. It happens. . .especially when you're exhausted!" Alex replied, touching his shoulder gently. She frowned in concern as he flinched. She asked, "Philip? Are you okay?"
"Fine Alex." Philip pulled gently away, stifling another gasp. "Don' worry about m'. I'm fine."
Alex looked into his face, he seemed paler than normal. "You sure?"
"Damnit Alex! I just nearly got you all killed! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Philip stood up and gasped, then, before she could catch him, he strode off into the Forrest.
Alex set her jaw and ran after him. She was still reeling from the fact he had actually snarled at her! Something must be dreadfully wrong. It didn't take much to overtake him . .he had dropped to his knees at the tree line, gasping. She knelt beside him and said, "I'm taking you back to the House. . .you need medical care. Dammit, Philip, no arguments!"
"No!" he protested feebly. "I can't go back , Alex! Derek...how can I look him in the eyes again?"
Alex practically dragged him to his feet, noticing for the first time the gash in his shoulder and chest, the black shirt had hid blood stains from casual view. The overcoat hid the rip in his shirt.
"Damnit Philip! Stop being so stubborn!"
Unexpectedly Philip giggled, "I guess It's a family trait" he said dizzily, and fainted dead away.
Alex looked down at her unconscious friend and muttered, "Derek, I'm gonna break your neck for this!" Alex pulled out her cell phone...dialed the House. Within short order Nick and Rachel came and helped Alex stabilize Philip and get him to the house. He didn't say another word for days, and Alex never knew if Derek had apologized to him. But she did remember his stoic acceptance of the fact he needed stitches, and steadfast refusal to go to the hospital, preferring Rachel to do it.
Now, she said softly, "We all have things we want to make up to Philip. . .yes, even me. I could have been more supportive of him after Ellen was killed, instead of allowing him to shut himself off from us. I don't mean challenging him or the pain he felt. But. . .I could have let him know that I was there for him."
"But you did Alex! I know you did!" Nick looked confused, hadn't she?
Alex shook her head, "No, I thought he needed time, but I should have a t least offered...."
Nick sighed, "So much to make up for....three months...Alex, we can't let him go through with this challenge alone! We have to help him!"
Alex sighed, "How, Nick? We don't even know what the challenge is!"
"I don't know," Nick admitted unhappily, "I just know that I can't let him do this alone. Not again. Not after being such a bastard to him while Derek was. . .gone."
Alex shuddered, after Philip had left to get Derek back, Nick had told her of his and Philip's fight, Alex had been sympathetic to the ex-SEAL, but furious all the same. It was true Derek was important to the Legacy, but Philip's assertion he was much less important irked her.
Nick said softly, "He doesn't get it, does he? Philip, I mean?
He doesn't get how important he is. . .to all of us."
Alex looked out the window, seeing Philip and Kat still playing, and said softly, "Oh, I think a few of us have made him understand how special he is."
Nick followed her gaze and smiled. "I wonder if he'll ever be at ease with us like that,,,he seems only to trust her."
Alex smiled faintly and replied, "She's the only one who holds nothing back, Nick. She loves him with all of her heart, and never hesitates to tell him so. That's why he trusts her. Kat is the only one of us who can afford to be truly honest."
Nick nods, and then stifles a yawn, due to his swim, he was the only one who hadn't slept yet. Alex quietly kissed him on the check and departed, Nick was asleep almost instantly, dreams lingering on the edges coming in to fill his hours.... pleasant dreams of happier times.
* * *
Kat and Philip burst into the house, it was dark now and the two had been forced inside. Philip knew he was tired, but he didn't want the day to end. Of all the strange people here, the little girl smiling at him was his only surety. He believed her, right down to his soul. He was still unsure of the others, though. Except maybe Alex......Nick somewhat frightened him, his anger hid just below the surface. And Derek. What does one say to the man who was supposed to be his godfather when you can't remember a single thing about him?
"Katherine?" Both looked up to see Rachel smiling down at them. "Dinnertime! C'mon munchkin. You need to wash up before eating."
"Yes mom!" Kat raced up the stairs to wash, leaving Philip alone in the foyer.
"Did you have a good time out there?" Derek peeked out of the study at Philip.
Shyly Philip nodded, not knowing what to say.
"Goot." Derek gestured for Philip to join him, it was more request than order. "Do you remember how to play chess?"
"Yeah, I think I used to play with Luke sometimes...as I remember, I beat him a lot." Philip smiled and looked at the marble chessboard.
"You and I used to play since you were very little. You always had a knack for it." Derek sat on one side, Philip gingerly lowered himself into the other.
"I'm sorry, Derek." Philip said quietly. "I wish....."
"It's all right, Philip." Derek reached across to touch his arm. "I more than anyone understand what it is like to lose everything, to have nothing familiar to latch on to. But remember this if nothing else. You always will have a home here, anytime you need it."
"Thank you." Philip grinned and placed his hand over Derek's, then a mischievous grin lighted his face "Now about this chess board?"
"Yes, it seems a little too lonely." Derek grinned in response. "Shall we remedy that?"
"Absolut'ly!" Philip sat thinking about the game and all it's moves, how sacrificing one piece made the game turn from a losing one to a winning one. He couldn't help the suspicion in the back of his mind. Why did he feel like one of those pieces?
Philip tossed and turned in his bed, limbs thrashing as he warded off the demons in his sleep. After he had beaten Derek three times strait in chess, the last with Nick mocking Derek constantly, Philip began to yawn and he was told to get some sleep.
He groaned, there was something chasing him through the landscape of his dreams. It got closer and closer, and no matter what it did, he couldn't escape it! Finally it cornered him and he threw his arms in front of himself as it came at him with a rush.
With a hoarse cry of terror, Philip came awake, sitting up and finding his arms protectivly thrown over his face. Gasping, he lay back down, wondering what the dream had been, and why he didn't want to go back to sleep.
"Philip?" A womans voice came from the doorway. "Are you alright?"
"I'm o.k. Alex." Philip called out. "Just some kind o' bad dream."
"Can I come in?" Alex waited for him to say yes, and entered the room. "I was walking back to my room and heard you cry out. Was it very bad?"
"I really don't remember it." Philip shifted nervously as she sat on the edge of his bed.
Alex smiled at him. It had been ages since they last talked, really talked, and she missed it. She missed her friend. "Well, let's hope it doesn't come back. You don't remember anything at all about it?"
"No" Philip frowned a half-formed memery came to him. "Did we talk alot before...."
"Yes, we did." Alex smiled at him. "You are my best friend. I can tell you anything."
"Even if I can't remember ya?" Philip looked at the comforter, twisted around him. It must have been a real bad dream to wreck the bedding so much.
"You are still you, Philip. That will never change. Your still my friend." Alex was becoming concerned, the bedding looked as if it was twisted around Philip's body and sweat was still covering his face. "You sure your alright?"
Philip nodded, disturbed by the half-remembred teror of the dream. "It's just..."
"What?" Alex was careful not to get too close or push too hard.
"I felt as if somethin' was comin' after m', and no matter what I did, I couldn't get away." Philip shook himself and met her gaze. "I feel a bit silly, actually."
"Don't feel like that." Alex gently laid her hand on his forearm. "Dream are windows to the unconscious. Maybe something in your memory was trying to come back through."
"Then why did it feel so...." Philip looked for the right word.
"So what? Disturbing? Frightning?" lex tried to help him vocalize his feelings.
"No, more like ....evil." Philip looked puzzled. "Like somethin' was stalkin' m' and it wasn't goin' t' stop until it had m'."
Alex sighed, wanting to tell Philip about what they knew of the upcoming events, but bound by Derek not to tell him. "I think you should try to get some more sleep, do you think you can?"
Philip gve a rueful chuckle, "Actually I feel like I can sleep for the next week."
"Good." Alex smiled. "You want me to stay until you fall asleep?"
Philip retreated back into himself suddenly. "No, I'll b' fine."
Alex cursed herself for breaking the gentle, relaxed mood. "O.K., but if you need to talk, anytime, find me."
"I will." Philip lay back down and waited until she was at the door. "Thank ya, Alex."
Alex smiled warmly at him. "Sweet dreams, Philip"
And she closed the door. Within minutes, Philip was asleep again, this time his dreams were more pleasant.
----------------------------------------------------------
In the next few days, things evened out into a routine. Philip was slowly introduced back into Legacy work without knowing what it was really for. Derek started him translating and researching artifacts that had come in from London house that were said to be 'harmless'. Philip thought they were for the Winston Rayne Hall of Anitquities, and nobody told him any different.
The third shipment of artifacts held some surprises though, and the peace of the house was shattered.
Nick and Alex watched in silent apprehension as the elemental force ripped out of the containment field in the controll room and got loose in the house. Derek and Rachel lay trapped in a side room, the door jam knocked slightly off kilter, preventing it from opening.
Nick stood to give chase when the wind elemental, a scirocco, Derek called it, threw the furniture by the door back through the hallway. Alex shrieked at him to 'get down' as she dove under a desk becoming trapped under it. Nick felt something hit him hard in the chest and he went flying back into the wall, hitting it with enough force to knock him senseless. His last thoughts as he slipped down the wall, were that the only one left to deal with it, was Philip.
----------------------------------------------------------
"I found the flashlight!" Rachel whispered into the hushed aftermath of the scirocco's leaving.
The noise had been high pitched and very loud, it had felt like daggers through her mind. She and Derek had sought refuge in the side office, but the door had become wedged shut. After the noise stopped, Derek had called out trying to contact the others, but no one had answered him.
"I think I have the door." Derek grunted, heaving the battered door trying to force it to open.
"Hear anything out there?" Rachel was worried, the last thing they had heard was Alex screaming for Nick to get down, then nothing.
"No" Derek grunted as he heaved and the door gave a little. "But we must find them quickly, there is no telling what the elemental will do if it get's loose from the house."
Rachel added her slight weight to his and the door burst open suddenly, both Rachel and Derek falling to the floor after it.
"You alright Derek!" She shook her head, dust went flying.
"Ja." Derek sounded winded. Then he helped her stand and togather they looked around the ruined room. "Alex!"
Rachel followed his gaze and she gasped as she saw A large piece of table trapping Alex under a desk. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." Alex coughed. "I'm fine, where's Nick? I didn't see what happened to him."
"I don't see him." Derek used a piece of timber to lever the heavy table off the desk and Alex was freed.
"He was standing in the hallway, last I saw before I hit the deck." Alex took Dereks hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Rachel looked her over, seeing no apparent injuries other that a few scrapes.
"Well" Comes a soft voice from the back of the room "I'm not in the hallway anymore"
"Nick!" Alex exclaims as she spots the crumpled form covered in dust and debris. They raced over to find Nick with a nasty gash on his arm, holding his ribs and eyes creased in pain.
"Easy Nick," Rachel soothed as she tried to examin him. "Your alright now."
"I'm o.k. Rach." Nick groaned as he tried to unfold himself. "I think I cracked a cuple of ribs, but I'll be fine."
Derek looked on concerned, as Rachel peeled the young man's arms from his waist and probed gently underneath.
"He's right, but there are at least four cracked, and alot of bruising. He'll be fine in no time." Rachel smiled as Nick rolls his eyes. Then he stiffens.
"Philip!" Nick tries to stand. "The scirocco got out of the control room! Philip's been alone in the house with that thing!"
"Nick, let Rachel help you. You search the upstairs, Alex and I will take the ground floor and the basement!" Derek gestured for Alex to join him. It was so quiet he had forgotten all about the elemental!
Rushing at full speed down the stairs, Derek stopped suddenly at the bottom. The house was completely destroyed! Vases lay smashed on the floor, rugs torn to shreds, priceless antiques and artifacts lay crushed or were imbedded in the walls. Derek stood there in shock.
"Philip!" Alex called out, even more scared after she saw the destruction. She faintly heard Nick and Rachel call out to thier friend upstairs. Ears strained to hear a reply. Nothing came.
"Let's try the basement first." Derek had a sudden impression of Philip laying against a wall, somewhere dark, surrounded by broken glass. "The wine cellar."
They both rushed to the basement and hurled themselves down the stairs. It was destroyed as well, but the carnage was far worse, only the huge support beams were left standing, the rest of the room was leveled. The scirocco's force had definately been here.
"Philip?" Derek gently called, his deep voice carrying in the stillness. "Philip, it's alright. It's over."
"Derek?" Came the meerest ghost of a whisper.
Derek spun around and strode quiely to the corner, what he saw there made him swallow hard. Alex couldn't quite contain a gasp of horror.
Philip's cloths were shredded and cuts seemed to cover all of his body. Even his face and hands looked abraded. Derek knelt next to his godson and carefully reached out and touched his arm.
"What happened? Are you hurt badly?" He kept his voice even and quiet.
Philip shook his head, blood from a cut over his eye seeping down his face. Derek took his hankerchief out and staunched the flow. "I think it looks worse than it is. It followed me. Everywhere I went, it followed me. I couldn' get it t' go away. So I brought it down here in case anyone else came down. It spent its energy here, an' then dissipated. What WAS that....thing? An' how did I know what would kill it?"
Alex remembered that entraping an elemental like this in a small enclosed space stifled it, and it wore itself out quickly. Somewhere in his mind, Philip had remembered too, and it had probably saved all of their lives.
"I'll go get Rachel." Alex stood and flew back up the stairs, calling loudly for the only medically trained person in the house. She only hoped it really did look worse than it was.
Derek knelt beside the younger man as Alex sprinted up the stairs, calling loudly for help. Philip wouldn't meet his gaze and was starting to shake, possible going into shock. With all the glass that had been flying around, it was a wonder he was still alive. He took off his coat and covered Philip with it.
"Thank ya." Philip muttered, pulling it tighter around himself. Still not meeting Derek's eyes.
"I know this must seem a bit strange..." Derek began, only to be interrupted by Philips sudden outburst.
"STRANGE!" Philip looked up into Derek's eyes, "I think this qualifies as a little more then just 'strange'. Try, unbelievable, impossible, or just plain crazy! What th' Hell is it tha' you DO, an' was I a part of this....insanity?"
Before Derek could explain, help arrived. Alex, Rachel and Nick scrambled down the stairs and then stopped dead as they noticed the tension and anger in the small room. Derek glanced reassuringly at them.
"Look, let's get you checked out to make sure you are alright, then we can talk later. ok?" Derek once again reached out to touch Philip, but this time he scrambled away.
"No, I want t' know what in God's name is this place about!" Philip stood shakily, he was not about to calm down and meekly head back to the main house.
Rachel gasped as, even though the jacket Derek had given him covered the whole of his chest, the numerous cuts from the flying glass became apparent. None looked life threatening, but without looking, one never knew. Rachel tried another approach.
"Philip, I NEED to look at you in better light. Passing out from blood loss will not get you the answeres that you need. Please, come upstairs and we will tell you everything up there. Please Philip." Rachel knew that she had to appeal to his analytic mind, not his emotional one, and she could see the softening in his eyes.
"I promise you Philip, " Derek said, extending his hand. "I will tell you everything upstairs, and if you wish, I will do it while Rachel examins you."
Philip saw their concern and took a deep breath, accepting that he might need to wait a few minutes for explainations. He reaches out and lets Derek help him up the stairs. To tell the truth, the cuts hurt badly and he was looking forward to some relief.
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The being smiled as it regarded it's prisnor. By owning this piece of the Priest, he insured the fight was tipped in his favor. No the only thing left to be decided was the manner of the challenge and the opponent. Should he use this piece of soul? or keep it locked away? Lure the others from his side by holding it out as a prize, perhaps? There were so many ideas, and the time was coming to pick one.
He hoped no one would find out he triggered the scirocco. The Priest was gettting too close to himself, but the trick seemed to work. Now Philip was once again doubting his friends. And that was the way he wanted it. He wanted the man to come into the fighting doubting all he knew and all he was. Soon would come the fight and then he would win. Nothing else mattered now, but winning the battle.
"And what to do with you, my pet." mumbled the being to his trapped prisoner.
"Let m' go!" The spectre called out. "They will come for me again!"
"You really think so?" Harsh laughter erupted in the room. "They ABANDONED you to me!"
"NO" Philip's sspectre shouted, straining against his mystical chains. "They would never do that t' me!"
"Oh really?" The being grinned, "They have already let you down so many times that you left them! Putting you in danger, letting the Darkside gain a foothold on your soul. Who do you think did all that?"
"It isn't true, you lie!" The voice was less convinced, weakened by the beings resolve and in that doubt, the being influenced his prisoners mind.
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