CHAPTER TWO
Xander lost too much time wandering around, by the time he took the shower and got ready he was well and truly late. The party hall was already full of people drinking and having fun.
Trying to be as inconspicuous as he could he entered the room and kipping to the shadows found himself a sweet spot where he could observe people and yet be invisible to them.
Sadly his plan didn't turn out to be so good. As soon as he settled in his spot and started to relax the massive form of his father approached him and grabbed his arm.
"Where the hell have you been!" he hissed through set teeth applying more pressure on the arm: "The old hag has been asking for you. I swear if you ruin this for me there will be hell to pay, boy!"
"Hey Xander everything okay?"
The two men turned and came face to face with Nick. His otherwise kind eyes had turned into a steely stare that was concentrated on one person - Harris senior. Tony, that at that point had his share of alcohol in his system, stared back, readying himself for a confrontation. Xander seeing the possibility of the evening going from bad to worse, since his father preferred to confront people with fists instead of talking, stepped in.
"No everything's cool. Dad just informed me that Barbara is looking for me."
Tony glanced distastefully at his son, huffed and left probably looking for his next drink. Xander just preyed that his father would be able to control himself at least for the night. He had just a couple of minutes to observe people but he had already spotted a couple of prominent politicians and businessman in the mix. This was so not a good evening to show everybody the Harris household routine.
"I see you managed to find your room after all," smirked Nick. "The way you were wandering the halls I thought you would get lost again on your way back."
"Hey, I'll have you know that I wasn't lost at all!"
"Yeah, yeah you were only exploring, seeking secret rooms and treasures."
"Exactly, my adventure spirit is comparable only to my love for the sweets." His eyes unfocused and a dreamy smile appeared on his face. "Uhmm twinkies.."
A firm hand on his shoulder brought him out of his daydream. Startled he looked up and was confronted with Nicks now serious expression. The intention of the gaze almost made him steep back from the other man.
"Are you okay?" asked Nick.
Xanders breathe cough. He had a pretty good idea where that conversation was going and he really didn't want to have it here and now, or ever.
"What do you mean?" he stalled.
"Your father…"
"Yes you are right. He said that Aunt Barbara wanted to talk to me. I better be going, I don't want to make her wait."
Before Nick could replay Xander was at the other side of the room whisking Barbara away from what appeared to be a boring conversation. The boy cast a quick glance back at Nick only to look away when he notice the others intense gaze. Those eyes carried a strong and simple message – the conversation is not over yet.
Not wanting to dwell on the future he took Barbaras hand to his elbow and guided her away from the crowd, concentrating on what she was saying: "Thank you dear. Abigail is a sweet lady but another minute with her incessant babbling and I was gonna go deaf."
"It was my pleasure. I live to save beautiful ladies in need of help."
When she didn't respond to his flirtation he stopped walking and looked back at her. She was studying him with an intensity that made him uneasy. It was like she was gazing directly into his soul. The gaze felt like the ones that Willow would give him when she would search for a way to manipulate him into doing his homework; only this one was backed up with years and years of practice.
"Ms. Rayne?" he asked confused and, to tell the truth, a little scared.
She scanned him one last time before seemingly reaching her conclusion and smiled at him.
"Do you now? You are a real knight in shining armor, helping the damsels in distress, Alexander."
Xander flinched at her words. They brought too many unpleasant memories to the surface. Memories of Angelus, hospitals and his own inability to protect what was precious to him.
"I wouldn't say that. Normally I am the one that is saved by the before mentioned damsels, not to mention that any one of them could kick my ass if they wanted to."
"I am sure you are exaggerating Alex."
"No believe me I am not. And if I have to call you Barbara can I ask you to call me Xander? It's what everybody calls me since I was five."
"How original. Very well then, Xander it is. This should prevent any misunderstandings with Alex. Have you met her?"
"Yeah, she is a researcher here, isn't she?" asked Xander.
"Among other things. Tell me Xander, you are about to graduate from high school. What are your plans for the future?"
'Here it goes.' thought Xander. He really liked Barbara and he didn't want to show her what a looser he was. She probably expected A's and a brilliant athlete. Instead she will get a social outcast with low grades and sports impaired.
"Well I thought to go on a road trip after graduation. See all the states, maybe the grand canyon. They say it's magnificent, with all the colors, magnitude and …stuff….You ever been there?"
Barbara smiled indulgently at him. She knew perfectly what he was trying to do and she wouldn't let him.
"Why yes, it's truly breathtaking. But that's not what I was asking Xander. Did you choose a University yet?"
He let out a defeated sigh: "No, I think I am going to find a job when I get back. I was never a book person. You know I always liked the more practical approach to things then the theoretical."
"I see. Well to everyone its own. If you are good with your hands you should work with your hands," said Barbara smiling.
Xander responded with a smile of his own. Only his was a little forced. He didn't understand it. He should be happy that she hadn't automatically put him in the looser box, but he wasn't. Was that really him? Was that all that he would always amount to - work wise? The hesitant smile turned into a frown. He turned his head so that Barbara couldn't see it, but he was too late. A pleased smile touched her face just for a second before disappearing.
"So Xander, what do you think of this party of mine?"
Happy that she changed the subject and hoping that she didn't return to it, he launched in an animated chatter.
The rest of the party went by without major dramas, which in Xanders opinion was a miracle seeing the number of drinks his father ingested. There were a couple of heated exchanges but it never degenerated to a real fight. It seemed that his father could exert a certain degree of self control if he really wanted to and judging from his behavior he was really trying to make a good impression.
Sadly his definition of good behavior and that of the rest of the world didn't exactly mach. He noticed that Nick in several occasion left his post and ventured toward his father in case the argument went out of hand. Luckily it never did and the night was concluded with the last toast to Barbara before everyone went home, or in the case of the Harris family, to bed.
The next morning Xander was the first to wake up. Truth be told he didn't sleep all that well. Don't get him wrong the bed was very comfortable and the room was pleasantly warm. It was just…there was something wrong with the place. When they arrived he didn't notice it because of all the excitement, but latter lying on the bed, he felt it. He couldn't place it, but it was there and it was bothering the hell out of him.
So, after a sleepless night, he got up at five-thirty, got dressed and then snuck into the kitchen where he ate a piece of bred and drank some juice. Afraid that he would disturb the others he left the house and set on the outdoor steps that led to the main entrance and just enjoyed the early morning air.
Closing his eyes he concentrated on the sensation that kept him awake throughout the night. It was still there, only a little less pronounced. It wasn't like he was a psychic or something, but living all his life on a Hellmouth had equipped him with a sort of radar for the supernatural. He didn't believe that he would have been even able to feel it if it wasn't that for the past three years he had been actively involved with the 'go bump into the night' stuff.
It was like a six pack, or muscular arms, you had to exercise to develop it and since he met Buffy he exercised a lot. Mostly in running, true but he liked to believe that he had a little part too in the saving of the earth deal.
The door behind him opened and Xander looked over his shoulder to see Nick jogging down the stairs. He wasn't all that surprised that Nick was an early riser. All military men were. Hell since the Halloween party so was he, although not that early normally.
"Hey there kid. You up early." said Nick as he came to a stop next to him.
"Right back at you," replied Xander, then noticing the others attire, he frowned: "Isn't a little early to go running? Or are you one of those running nuts, that come rain or high water, had to go out? Not that there's something wrong with it. Running I mean. A lot of people jog everyday… and please stop me before I dig myself deeper."
Nick smiled. He couldn't help it. The kid was just too easy, even when he didn't try to make him uncomfortable. He got himself in those situations all by himself. The funny part was that if he stood quiet after his first sentence nobody would have spared a second thought to it. But as it was he just drew more attention to it. It was probably a case of insecurity and low self-esteem. His smile fell as he envisioned one of the most probable sources for the boys' insecurities.
Xander caught on the change of atmosphere and stood up ready to fly the scene. However Nick's next words stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey do you want to accompany me?"
Xander eyes almost jumped out. "What?"
"Would you like to go running with me? I see that you are already dressed for it."
"I… uhm no, thank you but I don't like to run when my life doesn't depend on it."
Even if Nick didn't like the sound of that he faked a smile and playfully grabbed Xander for the scalp and guided him to the end of the steps.
"Come on it's gonna be fun," grinned Nick already dragging him on a well traveled path.
"Yeah, yeah the last famous words." mumbled Xander as he unwillingly followed the other man.
Twenty minutes later Xander was asking himself who the hell made him do it. True hunting vampires and assorted baddies required a lot of running, lots of which was for his life, but he didn't have to keep it up for more then a couple of minutes, as usually Buffy came to the rescue or something else intervene. This, this was just torture. His lungs were in flames, his breath was short and he felt like he was gonna puke sooner then later.
Just as he was intending to stop and beg for mercy Nick slowed his running to a fast walk. Xander wanted to cry for the joy, that's if he had some energy to spear. As it was he just took the gift and didn't look into the horse's mouth which he should have considering his past experiences with gifts.
A couple of minutes later Nick slowed down and Xander caught up with him, walking side by side. Nick's face was serous and closed, his jaw set. Xander was getting a bad felling about that.
"So did you get in touch with your friend last night?" he asked.
Xander was taken aback for a moment. He didn't expect that question which made him only more suspicious.
"Yeah we talked."
"That's good."
They walked some more without talking. Xander was becoming increasingly more agitated. If the ex-soldier wanted to talk he was taking his sweet time in breaching the topic. In a normal situation Xander would be pacing right about now but since he was already walking all he could do was to increase his speed.
"Hey, Xander! Slow down!" called Nick, effortlessly matching his pace. "Where's the fire?"
"Don't want …. to slow ….. you down," explained Xander, between ragged breaths.
"Really?" asked Nick amused. "Cause I could swear that you are trying to avoid me."
When the only reaction he got from that was Xander stubbornly setting his jaw and increasing the jog, he had enough. He grabbed the boy's arm with the intention to stop him from running but then something unexpected happened.
Xander turned around and with the precision of a snake stuck out with his free hand, going straight for his neck, while the other hand, taking advantage of the surprise, liberated itself and was ready to strike Nick on the face.
The only thing that saved Nick from a broken nose was his military training. Instead of going for the arm around his throat he blocked the fist that was approaching his face and then with a practiced move twisted Xanders arm so that he had to released his throat and turn around, completely immobilized. Nick waited a couple of seconds to make sure that Xander won't attack him again and then he let him go.
He needn't worry about that. When Xander faced him again he was pale like a ghost and his eyes were huge with fright. It was obvious that he hasn't had any intention to attack him. Xander was only responding to an unexpected touch which caused a new wave of anger to surge through Nick.
"I… I am sorry. I didn't mean to attack you like that. It was just that I didn't expect you to grab me like that. You must think that I am some kind of psycho, but I am not and I wish that I could prove to you that …"
"Xander stop!" commanded Nick a little too forcefully then he intended, but it seems to do the trick. The boy stopped babbling, all right, but now he was looking at him like he was expecting a punch or something.
"Look Xander it wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have grabbed you like that without warning. Are you okay?"
"Am I okay? I don't know if it escaped you but I was the one that attacked you. If you hadn't stopped me with that fancy move of yours I would have hurt you."
"But I have stopped you and no one was hurt," he took a moment to collect his thoughts and Xander knew what was coming next, what he had been trying to avoid since last night. The talk.
"Xander yesterday I noticed something when your father approached you. The way he spoke to you made me suspicious and the way you reacted to me right now only made me more certain that he is not the best of fathers."
Nick stopped and looked at him trying to gauge his reaction. Xander really didn't know what to say or do. He never found himself in the position to have to explain his home life. Not even to Willow. She was sweet and smart, but by the time she was old enough to understand what was going on with him, he had already become a master in hiding bruises and welts.
And now here he was standing in front of a virtual stranger, trying to come up with a satisfying answer that didn't put his father in a spotlight or expose his nightly activities with the Scooby gang.
Even when he knew this was coming he didn't really consider it a possibility in his mind. People never talk about stuff like that. It was taboo. Like talking about your parents having a sex life or your uncles jail time.
He thought for a minute to tell him off, Nick through seemed serious about it and unlikely to drop the subject. In fact he had a feeling that if he didn't reassure him, Nick would start to dig deeper and maybe found something that he shouldn't. Running through all possibilities he opted for a half truth that he hoped would satisfy the other man.
"Yeah it's true, my father isn't all that great, but he isn't the worst either. On the scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the worst father possible and 5 being the norm I would give him 3,5 points. So you see it's not that bad."
"Xander your reaction…"
"Has nothing to do with my father. Some time ago I was mugged. When the tugs found out that I didn't have any money they decided to have some fun with me. They beat me up pretty good and if my friends hadn't arrived when they did I don't know what would have happened," he smiled a little. "I guess I am not all that good when it comes to fighting." He finished, looking at Nick for a reaction, much the same way Nick had looked at him only a few minutes ago, silently praying that the ex-soldier believed him.
"Xander…" he sighed.
"Look the point is that the worst is over has been for some time. It doesn't matter anymore what kind of father he has been, this year I turn eighteen and I intent to move out of that house. End of story," concluded Xander starting to move away only to stop after a couple of steps and turn around: "Oh and I would really appreciate if this conversation stayed between us. No point in upsetting the others with old stories that no one is interested in hearing anyway."
Nick stared at the kid for a moment in wonder. One moment he was talking to a scared teenager next to a man sure of himself and what he wanted. He practically ordered him to keep his mouth shut.
Some of his thought must have shown on his face because the scared kid was back full force:
"Uhm Nick you still in there?"
"Yeah, don't worry I won't tell, unless I think it's absolutely necessary."
Xander bowed his head in relief. "Thank you." He murmured then as if nothing happened smiled a 1000 dollar smile and started to run.
"Hurry up Nick, it's already late. You are going to get scolded for being late for work!" and just like that he was gone swallowed by the forest.
Nick shook his head. The kid changes his moods and personalities easier than a person affected by MPD. Than the words sunk in and he looked at his watch: "Son of a bitch!" he cursed. Who knew it was already this late.
As it turned out, after yesterdays party nobody was up yet. While Xander decided to take a shower Nick entered the command room and decided to do a little digging. He had promised Xander that he wouldn't share their conversation with anyone, that didn't mean he couldn't try and found out more about him. Thanks to the Legacy connections he accessed the files of one Alexander L. Harris. School records, medical records and police records.
With painstaking precision he navigated through the files taking what was relevant and ignored the rest. Piece by piece he reconstructed the boy's life, from his very first steps to the present day. After more then two hours he had a pretty good picture of what his life had been like and he didn't like it one bit.
Sighing he saved the research to his password protected files and deleted it from the main computer so no one could see it. Just as he was finished Derek entered the room with a sour expression on his face.
"Everything okay, boss?" asked Nick.
"No, everything is not okay. Those, those people… I wonder what my mother is plotting."
"What do you mean by plotting?"
"Jessica left this house almost eighteen year ago and she never came back, not even for a short visit. I am not sure what was going on at the time, I am guessing it has something to do with her boyfriend – well husband now. There was a big fight and Jess left with Tony."
"So she wanted to be reunited with her niece. I don't see anything strange in it."
"You don't know my mother. If she wanted to be reunited with Jessica she would ask her to dinner, not invite the entire family for her birthday and insisted that they stay for the week. Here. At the Legacy house. Something is definitely cooking."
Nick leaned back on the chair, hooking his arms behind his neck, looking pensive.
"Maybe you are right," he said, than changing the subject he grinned at Derek. "So I take it you don't like our new guests?"
"Tony is impossible. He is acting like he owns this house and treats everyone as his inferior. Anybody outside of mom and me of course. It's blatantly clear that he wants something from us. Most likely money. The sad thing is that Jess doesn't argue with him. She just docilely follows him around. This is not the girl that I remember from all that time ago. The girl in my memory was funny and full of life. If she didn't like something she wasn't afraid to express herself. The woman that stood before me this morning wasn't even a shadow of herself."
He shook his head. "I just don't know what happened but I would bet you anything that Tony has something to do with it. Why don't you check him out? See what he has been doing these past years."
"On it boss."
"But first why don't you go take a shower? I think that you dearly need one," and with this parting shot he left the room leaving a slightly embarrassed Nick behind.
After the shower Xander stayed in his room for as long as he could, delaying for as long as he could the meeting with his parents. He really didn't want to spend time with them, but on the other hand he couldn't leave the Rayne's in their hands either. There was a brief battle between what he wanted and what he should do in which the voice of duty came up victorious. He dressed up in the new clothes that they got on the way here, raced down the stairs and almost run over Derek, who was entering the room.
"Whoa…" exclaimed Xander trying to regain his balance and at the same time avoiding the collision with the older man. No easy task when you are flying down the stairs. For a moment he lost contact with the ground and right when he prepared himself for the impact, strong hands grabbed his arm and stabilized him.
When able to stay on his own feet, Xander raised his gaze to meet with the older mans severe look.
"Uhh thank you," said Xander a little intimidated by the other man. "I am Xander."
Finally the man smiled. "So you are Jess son. I heard a lot about you. I'm Derek Rayne, Barbara's son."
"So this is your house. It's really beautiful; it must be nice living here. I wanted to thank you for letting us stay here."
"You are welcome."
"Have you, maybe, seen my parents?"
"Yes they are in the sitting room."
When Xander didn't move Derek lifted an eyebrow in questioning manner.
"Could you, maybe, point me in the direction of the sitting room?" asked Xander embarrassed.
Derek did all that he could to stop himself from smiling. "Of course, it's through that door, to the left. We wouldn't want a repeat of yesterday now would we?"
"What…?" asked Xander confused and then he remembered his meeting with Nick. "I so wasn't lost! I told Nick that I was just exploring the house."
"Yes of course you were," and this time he was smiling. "Well mister Harris, it was nice meeting you," said Derek and extended his hand.
"Please call me Xander," grimaced the boy taking the offered hand.
As soon as skin hit skin a jolt of energy passed from Xander to Derek and a second later the vision hit.
~ vampires attacking some kids ~~
~ loud music, looking at a boys face ~~
~ face turning to a vampire mask ~~
~ boy crumbling to dust ~~
~ a face of a very old vampire ….~~
Abruptly the vision ended and Derek found himself looking at a scared kid, hugging himself, half for comfort, half for protection. He himself was a little shocked. It never happened before that someone was able to disconnect the vision he was having. Not ghost, vampires or demons, much less a high school kid.
He started to say something but Xander preceded him: "I better go find my parents," and then he was gone before he could stop him.
Derek watched the retreating back confused and more then a little intrigued. It was time to have a little heart to heart with his mother.
Xander beat a hasty retreat. He didn't know what was going on but as soon as he touched Dereks hand he felt some kind of energy, similar to the one emitted by Willow during her spells. It was enough to freak him out. What kind of magic was Derek into? Was he trying to probe his mind, like in those old movies?
He cursed silently.
Of course he couldn't have a normal family! What was he thinking? Even away from the hellmouth he was still fates butt-monkey. He would have to call Giles, as soon as possible. Maybe he knew something about this Derek Rayne….wait Rayne? As in Ethan Rayne?
Xander stopped dead in his tracks.
"No it can't be" he whispered. Than remembering some of the highlights of his life, he began to bang his head on the nearest wall. "Of course it can be! This is my life we are talking about."
After a couple of seconds spent making friends with the wall he remembered what he intended to do before this new drama hit him.
Looking around the unfamiliar place he realized that he had done it again. Turning around he tried to remember where he had come from and then retrace his steps.
As it turned out he needn't worry about finding his parents. Soon after he turned back he heard his fathers booming voice and then his laugh. It was obvious that he was telling one of his jokes that nobody outside himself understood.
Taking a deep breath, Xander pushed the door open end entered the room. Instantly all the eyes were on him. His father was not a happy camper, even if he was smiling his eyes told a very different story. Xander was sure that he would hear all about it later. His mother, per her usual, had a vacant expression in her eyes. Already too much alcohol guessed Xander.
Barbara was sited on the sofa across the table from his parents, smiling. Right next to her was another woman, blonde in her mid thirties with a girl in her lap. Judging from the similarities in appearance it was her daughter.
"Hello Xander, did you sleep well?" asked Barbara inviting him to set on the free chair with her hand. Tony took her comment as a critic about his lateness and wanted to contribute his two cents: "Yeah boy if you can't wake up in the morning you should go to sleep sooner."
"Actually I am up since five; I even went to run with Nick. Experience, that I don't want to repeat any time soon. Did Nick ever consider signing up for the Olympics?" he asked only half joking.
"Well good. At least you moved your lazy bum once in a while!" Xander looked at his father confused. What had he done now? He was being good and trying to impress the relatives. Then it hit him. What his father hated more then Xander screwing up was to be made appear like a fool. Sadly his definition of fool tended to change on a daily bases.
When he noticed everyone in the room staring at him, and not in a good way he got up. "Come on dear lets take a walk around the house. We have to digest this lovely breakfast after all."
He took his wife arm and almost dragged her out of the room.
The place fell in an uncomfortable silence for a moment, until Barbara took control of the situation again.
"Well my boy what are you still doing up, on your feet? Come, sit down. I would like to introduce you to Rachel Corrigan and her lovely daughter Kat. Girls this is the young man that I have been telling you about. Isn't he handsome?"
"Nice meeting you both," said Xander and took the empty sofa his parents have vacated.
"So Xander you went running with Nick, how did that happen?" was curious Rachel.
"It was completely involuntary, I assure you. There I was, minding my own business, when Nick appeared out of the blue. I don't know really how, but the next thing I know I am running through the forest, half dead. I wasn't kidding earlier; he really should consider the Olympics."
"Yes Nick was always like this. Always pushing the envelope," nodded Barbara.
"You mean even before the military? Was his father a soldier too?" he asked.
"You and Nick talked about his military career?" was surprised Rachel.
"Ah no, I just assumed… he looks like a soldier that's all. And since I can't imagine a kid training for the marathon, or being this committed I guessed that it must be his fathers influence. Was I wrong?"
"No you weren't wrong," answered Rachel still a little confused. "It was just a big leap to assume that, since you know Nick for all of what, twelve hours?"
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have just blunted out the first thing that came to my mind. I am afraid that my mouth is faster then my brain sometimes…well most of the times," he amended himself with a lopsided smile.
"You don't have to apologize, you were right, it just surprised me how you managed to connect things."
"And that is not the only talent that he is hiding." piped in Barbara.
Xander looked at her startled. What was she getting at?
"What do you mean?"
"Alex and Philip told me all about it," smiled Barbara.
A slight redness crossed Xander face. "You mean my incredible talent to put my foot in my mouth?" he asked with an embarrassed smile.
"Actually I was talking about your knowledge in ancient languages. Alex told me you are quite an expert."
Xander whished for another wall, against which he could bang his head. What was with these people? First Nick with the obsession about his home life and now Barbara with the school theme.
Xander knew that he wasn't as stupid as others thought. It was just that being smart only raised the expectation other people had of him. Not his parents, no. People like Willow and … well Willow. But still, she would expect homework and a B average. It was just too much trouble.
"I already told Alex that a friend of mine is into this kind of stuff. Hanging around him I was bound to pick up bits and pieces," tried to explain Xander, bracing himself for yet another interrogation about his 'future' plans. 'Where are vampires when you need them? ...'
Derek was just about to join his mother and her guests in the sitting room when the door opened slowly and Xander walked out, his face carefully blank. His movements were slow and deliberate as if he was trying to avoid drawing attention to himself.
As soon as the click of the closing door was heard the teen legs gave way and he slided down the wall and sat on the floor. He had his eyes closed and was obviously trying to calm himself by taking deep breaths.
Derek decided to give the boy time to regain some kind of composure before inquiring what had caused this extreme reaction. He chose to spend those minutes carefully observing him and trying to make sense of the earlier episode.
Xander obviously felt the energy spike that passed between them, his shocked expression afterwards said it all, but was he aware of what it was? Living with the gift was not easy. More so if you were unaware of it. Things of the other side tend to be attracted to this kind of power signature and if you were not aware of it, it could turn deadly.
Finally the other calmed himself enough to stand up on his own and was now staring at him distrustfully. Oh yeah, thought Derek, he knew the score, which will make 'The Talk' a little more easy on him he supposed. Noticing that Xander was still shaking slightly he decided to postpone the talk to a latter time. He had to have 'The Talk' with his mother first anyway.
"Are you all right?"
Xander just nodded, not trusting himself to talk.
"Did something happen?"
Xander looked at him undecided, so Derek pushed a little. "You can tell me, I won't be mad."
Xander looked at his shoes and then back at Derek, throwing a quick glance at the still closed door he seemed to have come to a decision. He stepped closer to the other man and in a conspiratorially low voice confided: "Don't take this in a wrong way, but your mom is a really scary lady."
Derek stared at the huge innocent eyes and tried very hard not to laugh. And failed. Miserably.
If it was possible the kids eyes went even wider and were darting between the door and Derek. "Shhh, they will hear you. Shhh!!" hissed Xander his arms flapping wildly around and Derek could just see them, itching to cover his mouth.
When he had to stop for air they heard a sound coming from the incriminated room.
"Oh boy, oh boy!" chanted Xander. "You are so on your own buddy." And just like that he was gone in a blink of an eye, leaving the San Francisco Legacy house Percept laughing maniacally all alone for no apparent reason.
When Barbara, Rachel and Kat entered the hallway to investigate the strange noises they were faced with a giggling Percept with tears in his eyes.
"Are you okay, Derek?" asked his mother, preoccupied. She hadn't seen his son smiling, let alone laughing in a long time.
Derek finally got himself under control and addressed his mother: "What did you do to that poor boy? As soon as he closed the sitting room door he collapsed, and when he heard that you were opening the door he run as if the hellhounds were out for his blood."
Barbara's guilty expression washed some of his hilarity away. His mother rarely looked guilty and when she did it was for good reason.
"What did you say to the boy?"
"It was nothing, we were just talking." She defended herself.
"And what were you talking about?"
"Kat why don't you go check on Xander, sweetie?" intervened Rachel.
Kat, at that just rolled her eyes: "Mom if you don't want me to hear what you are talking about just say so." And with a huff she was gone.
"You have one very perceptive young girl there," noticed Barbara.
Rachel grinned: "A little too perceptive sometimes."
"Nonsense there is no such thing as to perceptive or too intelligent," replayed the older woman.
Once the adults were alone, they moved back to the sitting room. Derek had finally managed to calm down even if the memories of the retreating boy threaten to send him over the edge all over again.
Taking a deep breath he looked straight to his mother: "So what is going on here? What are you plotting?"
"I see that you still don't pull your punches, even for your own mother," she sighed.
"Mother I am not kidding. Why this charade? What did you think it would accomplish?"
"I just wanted to get reacquired with my family, our family. I wanted to meet my nephew."
"And why is that?" he pushed relentlessly.
"Derek do I have to have a reason to meet a nephew, that I never saw before?"
"Yes," almost screamed Derek. Normally he was calm and collected, but his mother had the gift to make him loose every semblance of control.
"Maybe it's better if I leave you two alone to discuss this." said Rachel already darting for the door.
"Rachel, thank you for your assistance," said Barbara.
Rachel just nodded and left the room.
"Assistance with what?" asked Derek more and more suspicious.
"Sit down dear. We need to talk and it's not going to be a pleasant conversation."
He did as he was told and braced himself for what was to come.
"As you remember Jessica left this house when she met the young delinquent that become her husband and never returned."
Derek nodded. This was nothing new.
"Well some time ago I heard from an acquaintance that Jessica had a son." Here Barbara took a pause and Derek knew that the main revelation was coming. "She also said that the child was treated poorly and even abused by his father."
"So you organized this little party to lure them in, have Rachel study them and then what? What was your big plan? To keep him? Isn't he almost eighteen?"
"To tell you the truth I didn't plan that far ahead," she admitted. "It all happened to fast. I just met Hallie a couple of days before my birthday. We talked of nothing in particular when the conversation slipped to Jessica and her son. I was shocked to hear how Tony treated that poor boy. I couldn't believe it. So I had a friend check his medical records."
"And what did your friend found?"
"Oh it was horrible. There were signs of abuse right from the beginning. His first trip to the E.R. was when he was 2 years old. A broken arm, then six mounts later it was a concussion, then a year latter a broken leg with bruised ribs. I don't know what the social services were thinking about. The signs were all there!" she said wiping an escaped tear.
"Hallie said that it wasn't only physical abuse either. Tony put him down again and again, called him stupid and worthless."
"Mom? Who is this Hallie? You never mentioned her before? Where did you meet her?"
"Oh, I told you she is an old friend."
"Since when?"
"I…" Barbara thought about it. "I am not really sure. What does it matter? The important thing is that she was right! I asked Rachel for an evaluation and she concurred with me. My nephew was horribly abused. He is insecure, has low self esteem and his grades are low even if he is quite intelligent. Did you know that he can read Sumerian, and Latin and that he recognizes Cuneiform writing? How many of his peers can say that? I suspect that he knew a lot more than those languages, but he undermined himself at every step. According to Rachel that is another sign of abuse….. Derek?"
"This complicates things."
"That he was abused? Derek, don't be insensitive! I didn't raise you to be a heartless man."
"What?" blinked Derek, confused. "No, I was not talking about that. A little while ago we shook hands and I had a vision."
"What it was about?"
"It was bad. There were vampires hunting kids, I also saw an old one, but what bothered me the most was that Xander was able to sever our connection and end the vision. No one was ever able to do that."
"Are you saying that he is psychic?" frowned Barbara.
"I'm almost certain of it. If you add to that his knowledge of ancient languages, my vision and his past as an abused child …… a child like that would most likely seek out a male authority figure to take the place of his father. If someone found out about his gift, he would have an easy job of turning him to the dark side."
"How certain are you of that?" asked Barbara biting her lips.
"That someone is taking advantage of him? Not sure. About the rest? Pretty certain. Why?"
When Barbara continued to bite her lips and didn't answer, Derek lost his patience. "Mother, if there is something you wish to tell me, now is the time."
"Well you see….. Gosh how can I put this? I am not sure that Tony is Xanders father."
"WHAT??!!"
TBC …
Please R&R.