Nov. 11, 2007- 4:55am Kitchen
The kitchen's noise level was at a fevered pitch due to Nick hustling around with the pots and pans trying to make a somewhat edible breakfast. He ran out of his favorite cereal, "Apple Jacks" and no one had gone grocery shopping because Derek gave the staff time off until this current case with Alex was solved. Nick had no choice but to settle for something healthy; so he grabbed Alex's leftover yogurt and granola from the refrigerator, and sat down in a huff to eat. Only God knew how Alex was able to eat this every morning…it had no taste or flavor at all! Right now Nick would give his life savings for just a bite of a Philly cheese steak, or an Italian meatball sub from Brooklyn, nah…what he really wanted was to tempt and tease Alex with all that junk food.
Damn, he missed that girl! After Julia died Alex became his refuge from the darkness. Everyone thought Rachel healed Nick from his emotional scars, but Alex also contributed to his mental stability. She picked up where Julia left off; officially becoming Nick's partner in crime. They did everything together especially when Derek was out of town on legacy business. They enjoyed their morning runs together, and playfully teased one another at the breakfast table about junk food. And when working, or investigating a case they were the first ones up, and the last to go to bed.
It was really hard to define their relationship; he knew they loved each other very much, but the chemistry between them differed than her relationships with Phillip and Derek. Perhaps the vampire situation had something to do with it; he didn't know why, but he certainly wasn't going to question their profound friendship. Alex showed brotherly love towards Phillip, and with Derek…well she loved him passionately despite her frustration at him always treating her like a child. In Nick's humbled opinion Derek didn't give Alex enough credit, and he seemed to forget that Alex was indeed capable of holding her own against the dark side. Nick witnessed this first hand when he secretly trained Alex for combat in the field without Derek's knowledge, or permission. When Derek found out he was beyond infuriated…however he decided to test Alex, and that is why he left Alex all alone to deal with the Tenement case.
Nick had to laugh as he called to mind the day he and Derek came back from the archeological project that Alex so desperately wanted to go on. It wasn't funny at the time, but Alex looked like she wanted to throw Derek across the room and murder him! The ends justified the means…she survived and proved to not only Derek but to herself that she could battle and win against the dark side. Nick always demonstrated complete faith in Alex, and this time would be no different except the stakes were higher. They were dealing with an unknown creature named Kimberlin, Devin Rayne or Peterson ousted one of their houses, and Alex remained his captive. The one person Nick feared for the most was the tiny life growing inside of Alex. No one should be exposed to the dark side that early in life; so he wondered how far is Derek willing to go to save Alex and his unborn child. More importantly how far is the dark side willing to go to stop the San Francisco team this time around? He needed answers fast, and only one person could help…
Phillip entered the kitchen haggardly; he still had sleep in his eyes, and his pajamas were wrinkled. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and flopped down on the kitchen chair across from Nick. "Is it necessary for you to make so much noise at this ungodly hour?"
Nick grinned. "Yes, it is when I'm trying to find something to eat."
Phillip ran his hands through his untidy hair. "Well next time for the sake of my restless soul please do it in a peaceful quieter manner."
Nick stood up, and walked over to the sink to wash his bowl and spoon out. Little chores such as these were done independently since the staff was gone. "You've been away too long. You forget we run a tight ship over here…we don't have the luxury of sleeping in like you nuns and priests do at the church. We can't make our own hours."
Phillip turned around to face him, and felt a little surprised at hearing Nick's icy tone directed towards him. "Am I missing something?"
"Is there something to miss?"
"Answering my question with a question is not going to help either of us so I suggest you be straightforward like you usually are when you want to know information."
Nick dried his hands on the dish towel, and sat back down in front of Phillip. "I'm sorry for my sarcasm; I'm a little on edge about Alex."
Phillip sipped his coffee slowly his eyes never breaking contact with Nick. "I'm sure we all are going through a lot of emotions. Today we rage another crusade in opposition to the dark side."
"Then you understand why I need to know Derek's mind set. There can't be any surprises out in the field. The success of this mission depends on everyone being honest…so I'm asking you to tell me what Derek confessed to you last night."
Phillip stopped drinking his coffee, and placed it on the table. He gave Nick a stern glare, and chastised him for asking such a question. "You know better not to ask me that. I can not, and will not break my confidentiality law as an ordained priest. Just because I've been reinstated as a legacy member doesn't mean I automatically forget about my worship to god!"
"This is not about you Phillip. For once stop trying to intertwine the legacy, and your priesthood. Besides, you don't have any right to keep anything secret around here…you left us high and dry too many times when we needed you most."
Phillip remained calm, and resumed drinking his coffee. "Do I detect some bitterness in your voice, my friend?"
Nick couldn't control his anger any longer…he snatched the coffee mug from Phillip's hand, and the hot liquid spilled on the table. "I don't have time for your condescending attitude! When Derek decided to play God with his life to reseal the portal, you refused to help us because of Kristen's death. So, who's really bitter?"
"We all make mistakes…let those without sin cast the first stone. You can't save all of mankind, Nick. That is God's job."
Nick sat back down and crossed his arms on his chest. "Yeah, you're right, so when is he going to start working?"
"God will take over probably when you finally choose to quit. Phillip rose to exit the kitchen, but turned around to leave Nick with a final thought. It's obvious you're hurting, and so is Derek…as for me, I live with the torture knowing I could have eased the burden for all of you if I stayed, yet this doesn't mean I'm going to betray my vows just to give you comfort. If you want the truth of Derek's confession ask him. I'll see you later in the control room."
Phillip walked out, and left Nick to process their dialogue…Nick hated to admit it, but Phillip was right in more ways than one. Now he had the daunting task of confronting Derek about his rescue plan…
Corrigan Household- 6:30am Living room
Kat documented the last scene of her vision about Kimberlin in her journal as her mother walked in the living room dressed, and ready to go in faded jeans and a white t-shirt. She felt it was best to be comfortable while working on this rescue mission to save Alex. Kat followed suit, and wore blue jeans with her Princeton sweat shirt.
Rachel silently gathered their belongings to put in the car. Kat eyed her mother suspiciously, wondering why she decided to be quiet this morning. She tapped Rachel on the shoulder to get her attention. "Ok, mom what's the deal? What's with the silent treatment?"
Rachel sighed heavily. "Kat, I'm emotionally and physically drained from arguing with you last night, and I'm still suffering from jet lag; so please do us both a favor and get your coat. Derek wants me to be early."
"No, mom, Derek wants us to be early not just you. I'm a part of this rescue plan whether you approve, or not. The sooner you come to terms with this the better off we'll both be!"
Rachel took a hold of Kat's face, and made her look into her eyes. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. This isn't a game, Kat…you can't mess up and then decide you want a do over. Fighting the dark side is a never ending battle…they don't care about being fair or playing by the rules. Now you may think by having the sight, and dabbling in a little witchcraft is going to make you victorious well I'm here to tell it won't. You'll have more failures before you even get to one success."
Kat held back her tears, and moved away from her mother. "It is so sad that you have such little faith in me, but what's really sad is that you haven't changed since I was kid. I spent half my life watching you defy the legacy…I couldn't understand why you did, and maybe I'll never know why. But I joined willingly to prove that my life has a purpose, and to say thank you to the San Francisco house for saving me countless of times. Without them you and I wouldn't be standing here."
"You're right, and I haven't acknowledged that in a long time. Kat, you're not ready to be a member of the legacy. The fact you lied to me about this speaks volumes, and I'm starting to question your maturity."
"What else is new? That's your "m.o." it's what you do best. You question everything except your actions!"
Kat stormed out of the house and jumped into the car as Rachel gritted her teeth, and rolled her eyes in aggravation. She grabbed Kat's jacket and hers along with their other stuff, and headed towards the car after locking, checking the house and setting the security alarm. While driving Rachel began to regret ever joining the legacy…too many times she had to sacrifice her relationship with Kat, now it was happening again, and she couldn't prevent it. Raising children in the legacy proved to be dangerous. Would Alex be up to the challenge?
Derek's office-7:45am
Derek was up at the crack of dawn preparing for today's mission. Yes, for the first time in two weeks his faithfulness, and hope resurfaced and he had Phillip to thank for his re-established faith. Last night proved to be a reality check…Phillip's wisdom made Derek keenly focused on his relationship with Alex. He finally wanted the truth to be known to everyone including the outside world that didn't associate, or have any connection to the Luna Foundation and Legacy about how he felt regarding Alex.
While Derek enjoyed the scenery of AngelIsland outside his office window, Nick noticed his door ajar. He seemed very hesitate to disturb Derek's peaceful state of mind. These last couple of days he saw his Precept vulnerable, and restless. But today Derek looked like his previous self again…however past experiences warned Nick that looks could often be deceiving.
Nick knocked on the door, cleared his throat, and entered slowly. He shoved his sweaty, shaky hands in the pockets of his jeans. Why, the hell was he so nervous? Nick had never been tight lipped about anything…like Phillip said; Nick had always been a straight up, blunt guy.
Derek heard Nick's footsteps, and turned around. "Ah, I knew you would come. Please sit down, we have much to discuss. What is on your mind?"
Nick sat down in front of his desk, and smiled. "You should know."
"I'm not a mind reader Nick. I can sense and feel things, but I can't pick your brain and disclose your thoughts. You have to help me with that."
"I'm worried Derek…very worried. And I need to know what you confessed to Phillip."
Derek looked at Nick and raised his left eyebrow. "My confession is secret, but if you must know it has no bearing on our mission to save Alex."
Nick shook his head. "I'm still not convinced, but I'll accept your answer for now."
"You have no choice, Derek said bluntly."
Nick looked confused as Derek handed him a manila envelope with documents, and his precept ring. "What the hell is going on?"
"Those documents are my last will, and testament. You will take over as Precept, and everything will be left to you, Alex, and my child. Watch over them…protect them. If you have to marry Alex to keep her from running astray then you have my permission to do so."
Nick couldn't believe what was coming out Derek's mouth! He was so flabbergasted that he threw the envelope, and ring back at Derek. "You got it all figured out, don't you? You like to play God, and it doesn't matter if you turn everyone's lives in this house upside down just so you can carry out your agenda. I'm not down with your heroics this time. Once was enough when you sealed the portal…I'm not going through this again!"
At this point both men couldn't contain their emotions, and Derek's anger reached the boiling point. "There has to be a sacrifice! In the past Lana sacrificed herself for Richard and their child. Alex probably thinks, or feels the same way. I can't allow her to make the ultimate sacrifice again! Do not ignore my authority; you must carry out my wishes!"
"Since when do you ever follow the rules, Derek? There doesn't have to be a sacrifice! I may not have the sight, but my gut feeling is telling me we can all walk away from this alive. We did it before in the caves with those stinky vampires…we can do it again. Kicking the dark side's ass is what we do best that's why they are constantly trying to kill us."
Derek had to laugh at Nick's enthusiasm, and it pained him to declare that Nick was indeed right. "I find it insufferable to acknowledge that I may be wrong this time around."
"You have always said there are cunning ways to fight the dark side, and I believe your suicide mission to save Alex would have been a disservice to her, and to us. She loves you, and you planning to leave her a single parent was really selfish."
Derek suddenly got very serious. "Do you know how I recruited Alex to the legacy?"
"Yeah, you found out she possessed the gift of sight."
"Yes, but the circumstances surrounding her gift were perilous, and until this day Alex and I have never revealed or spoke about it to anyone. You are the first, and the last that will ever know the truth behind her recruitment."
Nick's interest was peaked as he watched Derek close his eyes, and he listened intently as Derek narrated events of his and Alex's past…
Their relationship had always been complicated from the very beginning. Trouble was the perfect word to describe Alex back then along with intelligent, shy, and stubborn. Looking at Alex in the present it was hard to believe that she displayed any shyness. Back then in his class Alex not only was shy, but subdued and quiet. Beneath all of that was an eagerness to please Derek. If he wanted a fifty page research paper about the Trojan War, she would hand in a seventy page paper without asking for extra credit. Alex also held free tutoring sessions for her fellow classmates who couldn't quite grasp Derek's deep historical lectures.
She went above and beyond what was expected of her. In her quest to please Derek without realizing it Alex developed a crush which would eventually turn into love…
Derek knew of her crush, and instead of confronting her about it he took full advantage of the situation by inviting Alex on an archeological dig in Johannesburg, South Africa during the summer. She was one of the five students out of sixty whom Derek chose to accompany him on this trip, paid and sponsored by the Luna Foundation. Each of those five students deserved to go to South Africa including Alex who had worked tremendously hard all semester, and her grades reflected that.
Derek liked the idea of Alex hanging around making him the center of attention, and it was one of many reasons why Derek wanted Alex to go with him. So when she turned down his invitation his male ego was more than a little bruised. Of course he would never openly admit this to anyone not even to Alex.
That "no" led to a series of events that changed their relationship forever...how both Derek and Alex's gift of sight were revealed to each other, and how Derek blackmailed Alex to work for the legacy.
~Flashback~ May, 1992
Alex slowly walked up to Derek's desk in front of the black board. She was petrified at his reaction to her not going to South Africa, but she had no other choice. He looked handsome in his elbow patched Burberry jacket…his head popped up from grading papers and his eyes danced with sparkles when he saw Alex approach him. She visually looked stunning in her yellow sundress with brown sandals, and a sunflower tucked in her curly hair behind her ear.
"Ms. Moreau, I assume you're here to discuss the invitation sent to you. Please have a seat."
Alex sat her books down, and pulled a chair closer towards his desk. "Yes, Dr. Rayne, I'm more than flattered…"
"And you should be. Only you and four others were chosen to be part of this archeological project. I don't have to tell you what a privilege it is to be among the selected few."
Alex played with her hands nervously. "I'm well aware of how lucky I am to be part of this historic dig, and that's why it's so difficult for me to turn down your offer."
Derek was blind sighted by her rejection even though he sensed her apprehension the moment she stepped foot in the room. "Ms. Moreau must I remind you that this is an opportunity of a lifetime. You may not get a chance to examine history so closely; instead you would have to endure my lectures, or settle for a bias history book."
Alex sadly smiled. "I'll miss your lectures most of all. I'm sorry; I can't accept your invitation."
Derek caressed Alex's cheek out of concern. He knew he crossed the line, but he couldn't help himself. Touching her seemed so right and natural…Alex welcomed his tender strokes of affection, and allowed him to whisper in her ear softly. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
The sexual tension between the two was interrupted when they experienced a vision together. Alex jerked away from Derek, frightened and shaken. "Oh, my god, you have it too! Alex ran out before Derek could answer."
"Wait, Ms. Moreau!" In his haste to follow her, he accidentally knocked her books on the floor. Derek picked up a business card: "Tavern of Souls" New Orleans, Louisiana…his mind flashed to scenes where Alex was hanging from a tree by St. Louis Cemetery; while three men stripped her naked, laughing evilly. As his vision ended and he caught his breath…Derek grabbed his car keys and made a dash towards the exit!
Two weeks later in New Orleans…
Derek's view of New Orleans seemed to be an oxymoron…he hated and loved it so. His love came from the rich and lavish history: the origins of Mardi gras, the early roots of Jazz between Basin Street and the river, the beautiful Oak Alley Plantation. But even those things were marred by evil spirits, immorality, violence, and the emotional trauma of slavery. The best way to describe it was a modern version of Sodom and Gomorrah. He wished the city would be washed or swept away destroying the generations of wickedness. How true that statement proved to be more than a decade later when hurricane Katrina hit, and reminded everyone about their imperfections.
Derek contacted the New Orleans Legacy House located on "vintage" Bourbon Street in the French Quarter to investigate Alex and her family, and requested a meeting with the Precept.
Charles LaLaurie a light skinned black man, precept of the New Orleans House anxiously greeted Derek in the grand foyer of the mansion. The two legacy men exchanged pleasantries, and headed to Charles office where they could discuss privately what Derek informed him prior to his visit.
Charles handed Derek a thick folder. "All information from our investigation of Alexandra Moreau and her family are in the folder."
Derek scanned through the file quickly. "I really don't have time for details. Just give me a brief summary."
Charles eyed Derek suspiciously…he had a feeling this case was more personal than Derek was letting on. "Derek are you sure the legacy needs to be involved?"
"I can not make that call or judgment until I hear the results from your team's inquiry."
Charles sighed at Derek's impatience. "Very, well; The Moreau family are descendents of the creoles both white and African American. Their time in America began as slaves and a slave owner…what's fascinating is the fact all the Moreau women since before the Civil War have inherited the gift of sight including Alexandra, her sister Tanya, and her grandmother Rose Moreau."
"This revelation of her entire family having the sight is staggering. Tell me, where are they?"
"Tanya Moreau is studying abroad to become a nurse in Japan. However, that may end soon. She has a tendency to change careers as often as changing her underwear. Rose Moreau is across town at St. JohnMemorialHospital. She was admitted two weeks ago for complications with Pneumonia."
Derek stood up abruptly from his chair. "My god…it's more than likely why Alex didn't accept my invitation to South Africa, her grandmother is ill. Have you been able to reach Alex?"
"We have tracked her down at the "Tavern of Souls." She works there full time as a receptionist to help pay her grandmother's medical bills."
Suddenly he remembered his ghastly vision of the business card. "I must get to her. Her life is in grave danger!" Derek ran out of the office, but Charles followed closely behind detaining him from going out the door.
"Derek, I'm advising you not to go there! The Legacy has been trying for over twenty years to get that place shut down, but the local politicians along with the dark side have been cunning enough to keep it open. It's a lost cause, and quite frankly too damn risky. If Alexandra Moreau is not dead now she will be by morning. Do not expect my house to come running putting our lives in absolute peril if you refuse to heed my warning."
"How you ever became Precept, I shall never know. I'm going to issue a warning of my own…if I call for back up and the New Orleans House doesn't respond then be prepared to deal with The London Ruling House, and renounce your membership in the legacy."
Derek hurriedly walked out the mansion to hail a taxi. He decided right then and there not to deal with the New Orleans House. Charles seemed too shady for Derek's liking. He made a mental note to have Nick and Julia do a background check on him later, but as of now his first priority was to get to Rose Moreau at the hospital, then make a bee line to find and save Alex. The odds were certainly against him; he had no back up from the New Orleans House or the local authorities…Derek could only rely on his sight, and some guidance from up above.
To Be Continued…