Author's Notes: Remember when I told you that reviewer comments sometimes triggered ideas for the next chapter? Well, it turns out that they aren't the only things. I was sitting in Mass this past Sunday, listening to the readings when a name jumped out at me … Gennesaret. It was the name of the lake where the first of the twelve apostles met Jesus. Okay … file away for future reference, if only because I really liked the name. As we head into Lent, our parish and diocese is ramping up for the Bishop's Annual Appeal for Lent, but now, my church is starting something new to take care of our parish and our larger community. As I listened to the deacon, Gennesaret took shape in my mind … and I knew how Anne and Audelais/Josie first met. And ordinarily, no, I don't mention my religion or political beliefs, but I'll make an exception this time on the former, because it's pertinent to the chapter. And because I can be a self-indulgent little brat at times, I've also included my favorite character from one of my very first fandoms (as an adult, at least) … Father Philip Callaghan from Poltergeist: The Legacy, played by Patrick Fitzgerald. So, in this chapter, Anne provides some background information for Aramis; the next clue is found; while Tristan continues to follow her mother's example.
Reviewer Responses
Debbie: Oh Lord. Tommy and d'Artagnan double-teaming Athos as the little brothers from hell? Hmm. I may just have to consider that!
Chapter Ten
Gennesaret
"So … how did you actually meet Audelais? Josie … whatever she's calling herself this week?" Aramis asked as he and Anne de Brueil surveyed the sitting room where Vincent and Eugenie de la Fere died nearly ten years earlier. Anne actually rolled her eyes at him … what? It was a fair question! Still shaking her head, she positioned herself in front of the divan where Athos was placed by his father after his mother drugged him. And that was another question … why did Eugenie drug her older son? What possible reason could she have had for doing that?
"She doesn't change her names the way everyone changes clothes, Aramis … she changed her name once, to protect herself from whoever was targeting her brothers. To me, she's Josie and she always will be Josie. Will Athos and Tommy call her 'Audelais,' along with the people of this town? Of course, because that's how they knew her. And in answer to your question, I met her at Gennesaret in San Antonio … not long after I intervened on your behalf," Anne replied. Aramis shuddered, remembering that time with painful clarity. Anne added softly, "I'm keeping watch. If Rochefort sticks his head back up, I'll take it off."
He didn't ask if she meant metaphorically or literally … mainly because he was afraid she would say literally. Instead, he asked, "So, what exactly is Gennesaret? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it probably isn't a bar or a nightclub." That earned him an amused glance from Anne … amusement which turned to a frown as she noticed something in front of the divan. She knelt and rubbed at the carpet with one finger, frowning thoughtfully. Aramis asked softly, approaching her position, "What is it? What do you see?"
"Blood. Dried blood. Someone tried to clean it up, but they missed a spot," was the thoughtful response. Aramis raised an eyebrow and Anne explained, "According to the police reports, Eugenie was standing over there," and she indicated a spot near the bookshelves, before pointing to the table near Aramis' previous position, "while Vincent was standing here. And yet, there's dried blood, in front of the divan where Athos was placed. This was only used for formal entertaining … the children weren't allowed in here until they were at least ten."
"Then, either someone has been in here since … or the person who gave that statement to the police was lying," Aramis observed and Anne nodded, looking troubled. It seemed that for every answer they were able to find, five more questions popped up. Which reminded him … he added, "And you never answered my question." Anne raised her brows questioningly, and Aramis explained, "You never told me what Gennesaret is. I know it was the lake where our Lord met the first of his Apostles, however …"
"Gennesaret is a combination of halfway house, daycare center, homeless shelter, and a shelter for abuse victims … male and female. Like I said, that's where I met Josie, right after I last saw you six. I meant what I said about not wanting to be who I was any more. The trouble was, I didn't know how to stop being Milady," she admitted. Aramis swallowed hard, because that was something he could understand. He might not trust her, but he could understand where she was coming from. Anne went on, "After I left Montreal, I went to San Francisco and helped … put some things to rights. I won't say anything more, because I'm still processing what happened. In any event, once things were resolved, he directed me to an old friend of his who founded Gennesaret in San Antonio, and remained its driving force. Gave me his name, and told me to tell him that Nick sent me. He told me that was all his friend would need to hear."
Now, Aramis' brows were extending into his hairline and he couldn't help but tease, "Am I hearing this right? Did Milady de Winter have a road to Damascus conversion?" Anne once more rolled her eyes and swatted his shoulder, muttering, 'baka' under her breath. Aramis added, because there was no way he wasn't going to take an opportunity to further tease Anne (and see just how much she'd changed), "And just where did you learn even enough Japanese to call me an idiot, anyhow?"
"Same place. I learned a lot there … including just how badly I screwed up my life when I chose to follow the Cardinal. My God … the people I met. There was a woman who'd been abused by her husband, and she just took it, because she thought that was the way it was supposed to work. I asked her what changed, why she realized that she didn't have to be a victim. She told me that her husband did the one thing she couldn't forgive, couldn't ignore … he hurt their child. She picked up their little boy and walked out with just the clothes on her back, and kept walking until she collapsed. She was lucky. She collapsed in front of Gennesaret. You know what she's doing now?" Anne asked. Aramis shook his head, and Anne went on, "She's the church secretary at Father Philip's parish and her son is getting ready to start medical school."
She took a deep breath, looking at Aramis straight in the eye, and said, "If that woman, who walked out of her house with only the clothes on her back and her son in her arms, can do that … think of what I can accomplish. All the tools and things I learned to hurt people, to provide leverage for the Cardinal against his enemies and those he regarded as the enemies of Bourbon … now used to protect and help. I'm not a Musketeer. I'm not even a Red Guard. But I am Anne, and Anne is enough to protect even one person. Gennesaret is where people go to have their lives changed. Not just the people who are visibly in need of help, but those who volunteer there. I truly think that her friendship with Father Philip and her work at Gennesaret is what saved Josie after she discovered Rob cheating on her."
"Yes, I'm still amazed that both her ex-husband and his lady love are still alive, once you found out about them," Aramis answered. Anne looked up at him, the corners of her lips quirking up. He had the sense that he'd said something unintentionally funny … or funny to her … and couldn't think of what that might be. Aramis continued, "What … what's so funny? I know you, Anne, and while I don't trust you as far as I can throw you, I do know how you react when someone you hold dear has been hurt."
"True. But Rob Maddox, whatever other issues I have with him … he still loves Josie. Really, he never stopped. He certainly didn't love the … individual he cheated with," Anne answered. Ahh, like that was it? But before Aramis could get further information, his brother's ex-wife added, "And just for your information, there isn't a her for me to kill, were I so inclined … but a him." It took a moment for Aramis to process what Anne just said. She gave a small shrug, adding, "The first time, they were both drunk at the office party. The second time, Josie found them in the bed she shared with Rob. And he isn't dead yet, because as much as I despise him, Tristan doesn't deserve to grow up without a father."
MMMMMMM
Constance caught her breath as for the first time in decades, Audelais de la Fere stepped into her bedroom. It was … beautiful. Audelais smiled at her ruefully, saying, "I was my father's little princess. I fell in love with a picture I saw of a canopy bed, and at that point, my father was determined to make sure I would get it for Christmas. Fit for a fairy-tale princess, he said."
The young computer hacker could only agree as she looked around the room. The bed was amazing, but it was the white roll-top desk sitting demurely across from the bed that had her salivating. Audelais must have noticed where she was looking, because she added with a small smile, "And that is where I believe we'll find the next clue." Constance frowned and the older woman explained, "Papa left the introduction in the frame of the photograph of the three of us, right? And did you notice the portrait hanging above the picture?" Of course she did, and Audelais went on, "Papa was incredibly proud to be descended from Olivier d'Athos de la Fere … so proud, he made sure that all three of us had something that belonged to our ancestor."
"And your something … you kept it on the desk, or in the desk?" Constance asked and Audelais nodded, walking purposefully toward the roll-top. The boys crowded into the room behind her, Athos running his fingers along the posts of his sister's bed with a small smile. Audelais eased the top back and Constance once more found herself catching her breath as she saw exactly what Audelais meant. She whispered, "Is that …?" Audelais actually beamed as the modern day Musketeers crowded around them.
However, it was Athos who said softly, "The hilt of our ancestor's sword. The blade is long gone … but our grandfather couldn't bear to part with the entire sword. Father gave Aude the hilt as a gift for her thirteenth birthday. And … there's something under it." Yes, Constance had noticed that, just as she noticed the care and tenderness Audelais exhibited as she picked it up and cradled it carefully in her hand. The other woman was blinking back tears, but nodded as Constance picked up the envelope which was pinned to the desk by the hilt. This one was much smaller, and Constance opened it carefully to find …
"A key? It looks like it goes to a girl's diary," Porthos observed. All eyes turned to him and he shrugged, "Flea went through a time where she kept a diary. Charon and me, we put together enough money 'tween the two of us to buy her one that locked." Constance didn't react to the observation … the topic of Charon, and his attempt to destroy the development where he, Flea, and Porthos grew up remained a sensitive one for her boys … especially given how close Porthos had come to losing his freedom and his life. For her own part, though the man was dead, Constance still hadn't forgiven him for what he'd done to Porthos and to Flea. However, Audelais was shaking her head as Constance dropped the key into her hand.
"Not a diary … a safety deposit box. So, Papa wants us to go to the bank next. What time is it? I'm not even sure what time the bank closes today … why are you laughing at me, Athos?" the older woman asked with the exasperation known to every older sibling on the planet. And yes, Athos actually was laughing. So was Tommy. Closing her fingers around the key in her hand, Audelais folded her arms over her chest, sighing, "Now you're both laughing at me. Care to share with the rest of the class?"
"How is it possible that you've forgotten? Then again, it has been a long time," Athos teased gently. A very Athos-sounding growl sounded from his sister, and Constance smirked, thoroughly amused by this glimpse of Athos' more mischievous side. He exchanged a look with his younger brother, who was snickering, and Athos evidently decided to take pity on his sister, saying, "You remember when we were kids and Mr. Wainwright would close down the bank for one day to have a picnic? He and Father worked in tandem to get vendors and entertainment up until the day Father died. Well, Mr. Wainwright and now his son have continued the tradition."
Now, understanding dawned in her expression and Audelais observed, "And today is the day of the picnic." Athos inclined his head, his smile bordering on wicked … right up until the moment his older sister swatted his shoulder, Audelais huffing, "Brat! As if I'd have any way of knowing that!" She went to swat him again, but Athos grabbed her wrist and yanked her into his arms. Tommy smirked and grabbed for her ankles, narrowly getting a foot in his nether regions in the process. Constance's other boys (aside from Aramis) moved back as Audelais shrieked, "NO! No, no, no, no … don't you dare!"
"What do you think, Tommy? Should we throw her on the bed, or ….?" Athos inquired with an impish grin. Audelais shrieked again, kicking at her youngest brother with renewed vigor. Constance blinked and looked at Treville, who looked as lost as she felt. Not just at the horseplay between the trio, but at how Athos was acting. While he'd let down his guard more and more in the last several years, he was still the most solemn out of the four Inseparables. This Athos, though … this must have been what he was like before his life was upended.
"I dunno, brother … she's not sixteen anymore. She might break the bed … OW! Dammit, Aude, that hurt!" Tommy all but whined. From what Constance could see, the eldest de la Fere sibling managed to catch her brother in the thigh … way too close to the family jewels for his comfort, obviously. Tommy muttered, "Okay, okay … not the bed. She'll kick all the way down to the pool … and we can't throw her in there, she'll break her neck. What should we do, instead, brother dear?"
"Oh, I think I have an idea," Athos answered, that impish grin broadening. With those words, he began swinging his sister in the opposite direction, away from the bed … and right toward Porthos. Constance covered her mouth to stifle her giggles, already seeing where this was going. Treville muttered something under his breath about overgrown children … but there was only affection and amusement. The brothers swung their sister one, two, three times before depositing her right into Porthos' arms.
The big Musketeer glanced at the woman in his arms and then at her two brothers, asking, "She's pretty, but what exactly am I supposed to do with her? Throw her over my shoulder and carry her downstairs? Don't think she'd take kindly to that, and it hasn't been that long since she ate. Then again, Athos has thrown up on me, so …" Athos turned bright red, Tommy coughed and d'Artagnan face-palmed. But Audelais … she smirked up at the man even now holding her, and Constance could swear that she would do her damnedest to embarrass him. She'd only met the woman, but it was clear even to her.
"Well, ordinarily, I wouldn't mind eyeing a handsome man's butt, but considering you're my brother's brother Musketeer, that's borderline incest," she observed. It was Athos' turn to face-palm, Tommy doubled over laughing, while d'Artagnan just stared at Audelais in a combination of shock, amazement, and horror. But Constance was far more interested in Porthos' expression. He stared at the woman in his arms for several moments, before throwing his head back and roaring with laughter, still holding Audelais.
"Oh, I like her! Can we keep her, Captain?" Porthos asked merrily, beaming down at the newest member of the family. Treville just rolled his eyes, and Porthos added a bit wistfully, "Well, we can't keep you in Montreal … you need to go home to your little girl, after all." Oh. Oh. Of course Porthos would think of that, having lost his own mother at such a young age.
And Audelais just smiled gently, saying, "I'll go home to my little girl … but now that I've found my brothers, and their brothers … I'll also come to Montreal. And maybe you'll come to San Antonio. But since we can't go to the bank today, would you mind if I got some things out of my room … things I'd like to take with me when I go home to Texas?" Porthos gently placed her on her feet once more.
"Actually … I think I'd like to do the same. Meet downstairs in ten minutes?" Athos asked. This plan was agreed to immediately, and the men left the room … Athos and Tommy pausing long enough to kiss their sister's forehead … leaving Constance and Audelais alone in the room. The brunette looked around the room, her shoulders rising and falling in a small sigh. As the laughter died in her eyes, she began blinking back tears. Constance couldn't imagine what she was feeling, being back in her youthful sanctuary for the first time in so long.
But after a moment, she said softly, "Somewhere in here should be my dance bag. We can use that." Constance nodded, opting not to ask any of the questions on her mind … much less why she didn't take the hilt of her ancestor's sword with her. Besides, she had a feeling she knew. She'd been in shock … too stunned by her mother and father's actions to take it with her. But Constance resolved to ensure that the hilt made its way into the bag … one way or another.
MMMMMM
San Antonio, Texas
Gennesaret Main Room
Same Day
"Hi, Philip … what do you need me to do?"
He couldn't help but smile when he heard that familiar young voice … the voice that reminded him of another child whom he loved and who loved him. Tristan Maddox didn't look anything like Katherine Corrigan, but that didn't stop her from reminding Philip Callaghan of the eight year old girl he'd met, many years earlier when her mother was first recruited. He couldn't believe she was almost thirty years old now and a noted forensic anthropologist, just like Derek. He would have been so proud of her, especially now that Nick was talking about stepping down and turning the reins over to Kat.
No, Tristan didn't look like Kat … her hair was much darker, for one thing, but she had much of Kat's spirit, to say nothing of her artistic talent. And like Kat, she was devoted to her family. Granted, Tristan's family was smaller than Kat's, but she was no less attached to them. He told the pre-teen, "Y' might want t' check wi' Tia … she said somethin' earlier about needin' help in th' nursery." And then, because he was worried about the girl, he added, "And where's yer mum? I know she didn't drop y' off today."
Tristan finished signing in and said, "Mom's in Canada, where she grew up. She heard that someone was trying to hurt one of her younger brothers, and you know Mom." That he did, and while he hadn't known that Josie Maddox had younger siblings, he did know that she was originally from Canada. Nor was he entirely surprised that she was an older sister. He was fifteen years older than she was, and that never stopped her from trying to look after him. Her friend Ninon told him that was typical. According to Ninon, Josie still tried to look after her ex-husband. However, rather than remark on their family, Philip changed the subject.
"She'll be fine. But y' already knew that … and even knowin' that, it won't stop y' from heading t' Canada to look after her," he observed. Tristan offered him a sheepish grin, and Philip wrapped his arm around her shoulders, asking, "So when do th' two of y' leave? Tomorrow after school?" Again, she nodded and Philip gave her a one-armed hug as they headed for the nursery together. She loved working there and whenever there was need for additional help, that's where she was sent.
"Dad has bought the tickets … I wanted to go earlier, but he reminded me of how Mom would react if I missed school. So we leave after school tomorrow. Dad bought one-way tickets, since he didn't know when we'd come back. And I can only work for two hours today, 'cause I gotta go home and pack, and finish off the last of my homework. Y'all will be okay without me, won't you?" she inquired earnestly and Philip bit back his smile. Solemnly, he assured her that they would miss her, but would be fine.
He'd suggested inviting her father to join her in the past, but Tristan always shook her head with a heavy sigh, telling him that she'd done just that, but he didn't want to come into a place where her mother was well-known. General translation … he hadn't forgiven himself for his infidelity, and expected to be condemned for it as well by the people who knew and loved her here at Gennesaret. Philip supposed he couldn't blame him for that supposition, but that wasn't the way things worked here. This place was all about second chances … whether you were the sinner or the sinned against. Still, that was something Rob Maddox had to come to terms with on his own; just as his wife was still coming to terms with her own rage and hurt.
They would find their way through this (and, Philip dared to hope, perhaps even back to each other). It wasn't his job to repair their marriage … that was something they had to do, if they wanted to. It was his job to counsel whoever would listen, whoever would ask, and pick up the pieces if things fell apart again. He'd told Derek once, many years ago, that the battles he fought were of a simple parish priest. As he and Tristan headed into the nursery, Philip realized again that he'd chosen rightly. The lives of these people were every bit as important as those impacted by the supernatural. He'd been unable to save Kristen, but he was able to save others.
As Tia welcomed Tristan with a hug, Philip thought briefly of Josie's friend Anne, who worked here whenever she was in town. She'd been rather quiet about her past, but Philip had the distinct impression that she'd done things she wasn't proud of … things she regretted. She hadn't told him and he hadn't asked. If she was inclined toward confession (or the rites of reconciliation, as it was called now), he would hear that confession … but only if she was inclined. Philip saw what happened when you pushed people too much. Wherever she was, whatever she was doing … he hoped it would help her to find peace.
But he had people to tend to here, and that was what he would do. Despite her bright smile, he knew that Tristan was worried about her mother. Tia was fretting over her son, who would be starting medical school soon. And he had others who needed him now, here at Gennesaret, where they were all about second, third, fourth, and sometimes even fifth chances. That, Philip Callaghan had long since decided, would be his Legacy. He thought it would be a fitting one.
TBC
Additional Notes: Philip knows about being pushed and how it can backfire. So, he'll make himself available, and if someone wants to talk, he's there for them. If not, he's there for them whenever they're ready. I think it's one of the things I loved most about him. If you never watched PTL, it aired from 1996-2000, first on Showtime and later on Syfy. In addition to Patrick Fitzgerald, it starred Derek de Lint as Derek Rayne; Helen Shaver as Rachel Corrigan (mother of Katherine, mentioned here); Martin Cummins as Nick Boyle, former SEAL and current head of security (later precept, after Derek sacrificed his life to save humanity); Robbi Chong as Alex Moreau, researcher and psychic; and Alexandra Purvis as Kat. I was in love with Philip by the end of the first episode … he and Athos have a lot in common.
