" It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but only retire a little from sight and afterwards return again. Nothing is dead; men feign themselves dead, and endure mock funerals and mournful obituaries, and there they stand looking out of the window, sound and well, in some new strange disguise..."
From the Poem, "All Return Again" By Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Jagger dropped his and Corrine's bags on the floor of the Villa's foyer, shocked at the scene before him.
"What the fuck is going on here!" He bellowed, causing everyone to stop their shouting and turn to look at him.
Lizzy was the first to react. She cried out and ran to him. Jagger opened his arms to receive her.
"Oh Jag, I'm so glad you're here! You have to help me! They won't let me go to him!" She cried into his chest.
Jagger drew her to him protectively and threw the three men responsible for his sisters distressed a furious look.
"Jag, honey what are you doing here?" Emmett was first to break the uncomfortable silence that fell over the room following Lizzy's accusation.
"What am I doing here? How about why the fuck are you three ganging up on my sister?" Jagger retorted angrily.
"Bro, take it easy. We're just trying to stop Lizzy from getting hurt." Peter interjected.
Jagger snorted.
"Calm down and listen to what's going on first before jumping to conclusions." Corrine spoke into Jagger's ear.
"Jag, something's wrong with Jason and they won't let me go to him!" Lizzy informed him.
"We don't know that for sure. All we know is Brian called Rena to come to the cabin because Jason needed her. We assume he requires medical attention, since your aunt is a doctor, but we don't know. The fact that he called Rena, and not an ambulance, is evident that what ever it is, it isn't serious. I called your Dad and he told us everyone was fine but under no circumstances were we to allow anyone to go up to the cabin. We are just following his wishes. Your sister wants to be by her boyfriends' side, understandably, but it may cause more problems then solve. We were advising her of this when you walked in." James said shedding light on the situation.
Jagger relaxed a bit. He had a good idea why Rena was called. DJ probably found out that Jason and Dad were fucking around, as he suspected all a long, and punched Jason out. He had to agree with James. Lizzy shouldn't be there. What ever happened up there at the cabin was best handled by those involved.
"Liz, I agree with Uncle James. You know how strange Dad and Jason have been acting lately. Whatever's been going on has probably come to a head. Best if you wait here. Sooner or later I'm afraid, you'll know the truth," he said.
Lizzy narrowed her eyes at her brother.
"What are you insinuating?" She asked in a dangerous tone.
Jagger sighed.
"Come on sis are you fucking blind? Jason's been following Dad around like a lovesick puppy since he's arrived! He spends more time with Dad, than you! You don't find that a little strange?" Jagger spat out ruthlessly.
Lizzy gasped in shock.
"How DARE you! Jason would NEVER! DAD WOULD NEVER!" Lizzy screamed out her denial.
"Jagger Taylor-Kinney you apologize to your sister RIGHT now!" Emmett chastised strongly.
"The fuck I will! Peter and I've suspected it for some time now, we even confronted Dad about it but he denied it!" Jagger said.
"And that should be enough for you. I'm surprised at you Jagger. After all this time, you think your Dad would ever lie to you? That's not Brian. Believe me, I've known him most my adult life and I can tell you Brian Kinney is many things, but a liar is not one of them. No matter if the truth hurt, actually, especially if the truth hurt, Brian is always honest." Emmett defended Brian passionately.
Peter was quick to come to his brother's defense.
"We know Em, and we did believe him at the time. But maybe he didn't notice Jason's infatuation with him because he was too worried about Daddy J getting his memory back. Who's to say things haven't changed since? You can't deny how close they are these days, especially since Jason moved out of the Villa and into the cabin. We hardly ever see Dad anymore; he spends all his time up at the cabin with Jason." He said.
Lizzy cried out and put her hands over her ears as she ran up to her room.
Corrine sighed.
"Was that necessary? You two have no proof yet you just crushed that girl's heart!" Corrine said.
She walked past Jagger and followed Lizzy up the stairs. She turned around and called out to Jagger.
"I'll deal with you later!" She said then disappeared up the stairs.
"Fucking great. Like this is my fault!" Jagger said throwing his hands up.
"Honey it's not your fault, but you aren't helping the situation. I can tell you for a fact that Jason and your Dad are NOT fucking around." Emmett said.
James nodded in agreement. He couldn't believe Brian would do that to his family.
"Fine. Then maybe Jason made a play for Dad and DJ caught it. What the fuck do I know? But something is going on between the three of them! Something not right, and it's hurting Lizzy!" Jagger vented.
He walked into the living area and straight to the bar. He reached under the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of vodka.
Peter and Emmett's jaws dropped open. James frowned disapprovingly.
"Are you fucking insane?" Peter yelled. He ran over to Jagger and pulled the bottle from him.
"When did you fall off the wagon?" He asked; disappointment heavy in his voice.
Jagger looked at his watch.
"In about two minutes providing you GIVE ME THAT FUCKING BOTTLE BACK!" Jagger screamed into his brothers' face.
"Give him the bottle Peter." James said.
Emmett and Peter turned shocked eyes to James.
He shrugged.
"It's his life. Do you really think you can dictate to him how he should live it?" James said then strolled over to Peter and pulled the bottle from him. He then turned and shoved it into Jagger's hands.
"Here, take it. And go. Like I said it's your life to fuck up, but do us all a favor and fuck it up somewhere else. Your family doesn't deserve this. They shouldn't suffer because of your selfishness." James said cruelly.
Emmett gasped. Peter cursed, and Jagger threw the bottle to the floor in anger. Glass shattered on the tile and the strong scent of alcohol filled the room.
"Fuck you James," he spat out.
James shook his head sadly.
"Your anger is misplaced. The choice is yours. Always has been. If you care about your family, then the choice should be simple. But if don't care, then it's pointless for any of us to try and stop you." James returned.
Jagger glared at James. He hated James for being right. He should have never reached for that bottle but it just came so naturally to him when life got out of hand, and right now, life was totally out of fucking control.
To begin with, his relationship with Corrine was on shaky ground. His fucking band, well some in his band, were making life miserable for her and it was putting a wedge between them. The stress of trying to keep everyone happy and fulfill his recording contract and concert dates were getting to be too much, but he had been dealing with it, well at least he was until he got the call from DJ.
He just knew in his gut that Jason was at the root of his Dads problems. DJ and his Dad were his lifeline. He couldn't handle it if they split, and he especially couldn't handle it if their split, and the reason for it destroyed his sister. He was glad Peter took that bottle from him; it was probably why he pulled it out in front of his family to begin with. He wanted someone to stop him, but James' words cut through him like a knife. The last thing his family needed was to be dealing with his shit.
Jagger put his elbows on the bar and placed his head in his hands. He sighed loudly, letting his anger dissipate.
"I fucking hate sobriety," he bemoaned.
"Unfortunately that's a sentiment shared by many. They believe that the world is easier navigated with chemical assistance. But that journey is a lonely one, devoid of any true emotion. Not a good trade off if you ask me." James said; his voice more consoling now.
Jagger peeked up at him.
"Yeah well emotions are over rated if you ask me." Jagger remarked.
Emmett, who was cleaning up the shattered glass and vodka, looked up a Jagger.
"Do I detect a hint of discord? Trouble with Corrine?" He asked.
Jagger pushed himself away from the bar.
"More like trouble with my whole fucking life," he said cryptically.
Emmett and James exchanged worried looks.
"Geesh, Jag what the fuck is going on?" Peter asked.
"Well let's see. I'm busting my ass day and night working on my new album, meeting concert dates, dealing with disgruntled band members, and fighting off paparazzi's! I'm putting in as much studio time as I can in between touring, signing autographs, posing for fucking magazines, appearing on every fucking talk show Janet can book me on, and believe me she fucking booked at least fifteen in London alone, and for fun I get to be mediator between my girlfriend and certain members of my band because God forbid I should spend any time with the woman I love, they think she's the reincarnation of Yoko Ono! Wait, she's not dead, is she? Anyway, right in the middle of this balancing act I've been performing, I have to fly home because my family is on the verge of being torn apart!" Jagger ended his rant with a smirk, holding his arms out wide.
It was such a Brianesque move, Emmett's heart ached. The boy was at his wits end.
"Have you called your sponsor?" Peter asked.
"Duh, I don't have a sponsor! You know how I feel about that shit. I hate talking to anyone outside the family about my problems. It's none of their fucking business!" Jagger said.
"That's unwise Jagger. You need a sponsor." James said.
"Do I? I've been clean for a year now without one." Jagger said.
"Yes, but remember you were clean for six years before that. Then fame hit you hard last year and that's when you relapsed. Your sobriety is different this time around. You've more pressure professionally, and for the first time, personally. Before Corrine, you've never been in a committed relationship. You're under a tremendous amount of pressure. You need a sponsor. If you had one, you would have reached for the phone, and not the bottle." James said.
Jagger laughed bitterly.
"That's were you're wrong Uncle James. Do you think this is the first time in the past year I've wanted a drink or a fix? Well it isn't." Jagger said.
James frowned.
"And what stopped you?" He asked, wondering if the lad had fallen off the wagon in the past year and no one had noticed.
Jagger sighed deeply.
"DJ." He answered solemnly.
The three men stared at him curiously, though they weren't surprised.
"I told you I won't talk to anyone outside the family about my addiction. DJ's the one who helped me detox the first time when I was thirteen, and he's been there for me ever since. When I'd get that feeling, that 'need', I'd always call him and he's always been able to ground me. To talk me down. I only slipped last year because I was too stubborn to reach out to him, thinking I could handle it on my own." Jagger explained then laughed bitterly at his own stupidity.
"Man was I wrong. Cost me time in rehab and a shit load of bad publicity. DJ pulled me through that time as well. But now he needs me more than I need him. I can't call him." Jagger said.
"Poor baby!" Emmett said and went over to hug him.
Jagger let his "aunty Em" comfort him because quite frankly, he needed it. He was so fucking tired. Tired of trying to make everyone happy. He hated this fucking tour, hated the music he was producing, hated that his band was giving him and Corrine a hard time, but most of all he hated that his obligations to others, were taking him away from his obligations to his family.
His family needed him, especially Lizzy and DJ if his suspicions turned out to be true.
Jagger hugged Emmett tight then released him.
"I'll be fine. You should be more worried about DJ and Lizzy right now." Jagger said.
Emmett slapped him upside the head.
"Ouch! What the hell was that for?" Jagger asked rubbing his head. Jesus he was turning more and more into Deb every day he thought.
"For being an ass! What did I tell you? Your Dad is NOT having an affair with Jason!" Emmett said.
"And you know that how?" Jagger said, determined to keep his views.
Emmett huffed.
"Ok, if you must know, I'll tell you. Jason is not... well... he's not well." Emmett concluded for lack of any other excuse.
"What the fuck does that mean?" Jagger asked.
"Sweetie, Jason was in a car wreck on his way here; remember?" Emmett said as an idea started forming in his head.
"Um yeah. But he walked away from it, unscratched." Peter confirmed.
"Actually no, he didn't, only no one knew about his injury until recently. You see he sustained a blow to his head, that's why he's been acting so strange. Your Dad and Aunt Rena believe that there's swelling in his brain that's created some sort of personality disorder." Emmett said smugly, impressed by his own lie.
Peter gave him a strange look. He was a second year med student, studying psychiatry, and though he knew that was possible, it didn't seem plausible.
"Are you fucking for real?" Jagger voiced incredulously.
"Yes, and your Dad's didn't want anyone to know until they were sure. They especially don't want to alarm Lizzy! Your Aunt's a renowned psychiatrist who specializes in these things. She's at the cabin now giving him some psychological examination to determine the reason for the drastic change in his personality. Like you said, he hasn't been acting right since he got here." Emmett said convincingly.
"Well why the fuck don't they just take him to the hospital for evaluation?" Jagger asked.
Emmett screwed his face up in thought for a moment before he answered.
"Because when Brian suggested they do that, Jason freaked. He adamantly refused. Brian was afraid if he pushed too hard the boy would disappear. That's how unstable he's been getting lately. So he called Rena hoping she could help him and maybe convince him to go to the hospital for more testing." Emmett said holding his breath to see if the boys were buying it.
Whether they were or not was uncertain, but James wasn't buying any of it. He held his opinion however until he could talk to Emmett alone and ask him why he would concoct such a lie.
"Holy fuck! So you're saying that Jason is like, suffering from multiple personality disorder?" Jagger asked.
"Sounds more like dissociative identity disorder." Peter chimed in.
Emmett breathed a sigh of relief. The boys were finding his story plausible.
"Yeah, more like what Peter said." Emmett jumped on it.
Jagger whistled low and long.
"So what should we do?" He asked.
"Nothing. Like your Dad requested. They are more than capable of handling the situation. Until they have something concrete to tell us, I suggest we keep this information to ourselves." James said.
Emmett threw him an appreciative glance. James scowled back.
"Ok, now I feel like a shit." Jagger said.
"Me too." Peter added.
Emmett put an arm around each's shoulder.
"Now, now boys don't be so hard on your selves. You were just concerned. And you were right in your suspicions. Jason isn't acting like himself right now." Emmett said. Actually, it was the first truthful thing he has said to them.
"Now why don't you two make yourself useful and go up and comfort your sister. I need to get dinner started before everyone gets back." Emmett said.
The twins were out on the town kicking up their heels with Fran and Viv, hitting every park, playground and kid oriented establishment Paris had to offer. It was a much-needed outing for them. Even at their young age they were feeling the stress in the house. Everyone was. And everyone was doing their best to keep the stress levels down to a minimum considering the situation.
Jennifer, who had flown in weeks ago when Justin was first missing, was staying with them at the Villa. She spent her days supervising Justin's class and the art exhibit while he was recuperating. Johnny was her assistant, a job Lizzy was doing up until recently when she took to her room brooding. He proved to be a tremendous help plus it took his mind off the troubles at home.
But no matter where the family was, or what they were doing, they all made it a priority to be home for dinner. Everyone was pulling together to maintain a normal family routine in the midst of Brian and Justin's recent troubles.
"If you'd let Viv's Chef do his job, you wouldn't have to cook dinner." James sighed.
Emmett huffed. "The man is insufferable, and the twins won't eat a thing he cooks. Someone should teach him how to make macaroni and cheese." Emmett said.
The boys laughed.
"Well I for one am glad for your Mac and Cheese Aunty Em!" Jagger said.
Peter agreed.
"Good, cause we're having that for dinner. Now shoo!" Emmett shooed the boys up the stairs to comfort their sister.
Once they were out of earshot, James turned to him.
"Mind telling me what that was about?" He asked.
"If I did, you wouldn't believe me." Emmett's answer was followed by a long sigh.
"Try me." James said.
Emmett gave James a doubtful look.
"Ok, but remember, you asked." Emmett said
James waited patiently.
"The reason why Jason is not acting like himself is because he isn't." Emmett said.
"Ok. That was about as an ambiguous as you can get. Specifics please." James returned.
Emmett looked at his lover and bit his bottom lip worriedly.
"He's not himself because he's someone else." He said cautiously, afraid James would think he's lost his mind.
James threw him an exasperated look.
"Emmett, what are you trying to say? If Jason isn't himself, who is he?" He asked.
"He's Andy. Brian's dead brother. He's come back in Jason's body. That's all I know. Brian doesn't know why he's here, but obviously he's on a mission." Emmett whispered in a barely audible voice.
James sucked his breath in. He blinked a few times, as if trying to decide if he heard correctly, or if he was just imagining things.
Emmett grew worried.
"Crazy huh?" Emmett said nervously.
James shook his head as if to break the spell, or dream he was having.
"Yes, crazy. But then again, what is sane about this family?" He said.
Emmett went to him and hugged him.
"Not a damn thing. Thank God," he said.
James returned the hug briefly then went over to the bar and pulled out another bottle of vodka.
He shot Emmett a stern look before pouring himself a glass.
"Tell Jagger and you won't be getting fucked for a long time," he said then poured himself a healthy portion of the strong liquor.
PART 2
Rena tip toed back out of the room and closed the door quietly. She turned to her brother and broke down.
"Fuck!" Brian cursed under his breath and went to consol his sister.
"Don't you dare lose it on me now! I can't have you a fucking mess. Andy needs you. I need you." Brian said with a shaky voice.
"He didn't know who I was just now! He's so scared and confused. I had to give him a sedative." She said pulling away from him.
Rena arrived about a half hour ago. Andy recognized her, but was stunned, and a little baffled at her appearance. He last remembered her at the tender age of thirteen. He started asking her and Brian a barrage of questions that neither could answer to his satisfaction. He was getting more agitated by the minute. Brian suggested he lay down for a while and they would talk when he was calmer. Andy followed him to the cabin, which he didn't remember ever being in, and was guided to the bedroom. Rena stayed with him while Brian talked to Justin outside. Apparently in the short time they were in there, Andy had gotten worse.
"I'll go talk to him." Justin said.
"Maybe we should just let him rest for a while." Brian said.
"Bri, I understand exactly what he's going through. It was just last week I had no memory of my life or who I was. I know what he's feeling." Justin said.
Brian nodded his head in agreement.
"Justin..." He said, not able to voice his thoughts, but knowing Justin would hear them just the same.
"I know. I'm afraid too, but it's going to be fine Brian. Just hold on to that, believe it. Everything is going to be fine." Justin repeated then turned and walked into bedroom.
Andy's heart had stopped racing a bit with the aid of the sedative that woman had given him. At least his breathing was back to normal. He was really starting to freak out. He didn't know what was happening to him.
The sound of the door opening caught his attention. He turned his head and saw a blond man enter the room.
"Are you a doctor?" He asked anxiously.
Justin's heart clenched painfully in his chest. He forced a smile on his face and approached the bed.
Andy's spirit lifted at the sight of the beautiful smile. It was comforting in a way he didn't understand.
"No, I'm not a doctor. My name is Justin. I'm a friend. A friend who not too long ago experienced the same thing you are now. I lost my memory. All of it." Justin said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Andy turned on his side to face the man.
"Were you scared?" Andy asked.
"Very. I feared I was going insane. The worse was the silence." Justin said, his eyes holding Andy's in total understanding.
"Oh God you do understand! It just keeps getting quieter in my head. Everything is disappearing. I barely remember coming into this room." Andy said.
"You are Andy Cardie. And if you forget that, I'll keep reminding you. Having an identity, even if it's one you don't remember, helps you hold on. You are Andy Cardie, and you are very much loved." Justin said.
He reached out and grabbed Andy's hand and held it tight.
Andy closed his eyes and held on to the warmth, and the illusion of sanity Justin offered.
"Will it come back?" He asked, his eyes still closed.
"Yes. Do you remember the woman who was just here with you?" Justin asked.
Andy opened his eyes.
"Yes. I think," he said.
"Well she's your sister, and a doctor. She's very good at what she does. She helped me get my memory back." Justin said reassuringly.
Andy's eyes widened with hope. Again, Justin's heart clenched.
"How?" He asked.
"She hypnotized me. And if you're willing, she can do the same to you." Justin answered.
"I don't know, that sounds dangerous." Andy said.
"She would never harm you, I can promise you that. And there is nothing to it, really." Justin said.
"What would I have to do?" Andy asked.
"Just relax, and open your mind to her. Don't be afraid, have faith." Justin said.
'Faith...'
Andy instinctively knew he was a man of great faith.
"I believe my faith is strong." Andy stated definitively.
"Yes, it is, very much so." Justin said smiling. Some things were never forgotten.
"Ok, I'll do it. Anything is better than this. I feel...I feel...lost..." Andy said in a pitiful voice.
Justin reached over with his free hand and brushed the hair back from his forehead.
"You're not lost. We won't let you get lost, I promise," he said then leaned over and kissed Andy gently on the forehead.
When he pulled back, Andy looked up at him oddly.
"I know you," he stated.
"Yes, you know me." Justin said.
"No, I mean, I know you. Like, you're part of me. Inside of me. It's weird, and hard to explain. I know, that doesn't make sense. But I feel it." Andy said.
Justin looked at him curiously. What did he mean by that? Could it be his soul was remembering touching him, pulling him from the river? That surely was it. There was no other explanation.
"Well if you're ready, I'll call your sister back in and we can find out exactly how you know me, and everything else you've forgotten." Justin said.
"Yes, I think I'm ready. But ..." Andy trailed off.
"What? Tell me." Justin urged.
"What if some things are best left forgotten? I can't imagine anything being worse then this blackness inside of me. This emptiness. Yet I feel that maybe knowing might be worse than not knowing." Andy confessed.
"Nothing, no matter how bad, is worse than not knowing. Andy, don't be afraid. One thing you do know is that you have faith. Hold on to that, and I promise you, what ever happens, I'll be there for you. I won't leave you." Justin said.
"...Noooooo! I won't go! I won't leave you!..."
The words echoed in Andy's head.
...'I won't leave you!'...
The blond man in front of him had said those words to him before. He remembered.
He smiled brightly at Justin.
"I know you won't. I trust you. I'm ready now." Andy said.
Justin tilted his head and smiled back at Andy. There was an odd look in his eyes, yet a trusting one. Justin meant every word he said. He would not let Andy go through this alone. Whatever horrid memory came back to Andy, Justin would be there to help him through it, and hopefully, to shield Brian from it. Brian would feel every ounce of pain Andy would feel and that, more than anything, scared the Hell out of Justin.
For all the reassurances Justin gave Andy about not being afraid, he was very much afraid himself. For all of them. Having faith was one thing, but having the strength and courage to face that which had damned them all for so long, were attributes he didn't know if any of them possessed.
He patted Andy's hand, got up from the bed and left the room.
Brian stood outside the door, as if he'd been waiting there for Justin to emerge.
"How is he?" He asked.
"He's your brother. How else would he be? Unfucking believably brave. Ready to get his memory back. He wants Rena to hypnotize him." Justin said.
Brian breathed a sigh of relief, mixed with anxiety. He turned to his sister.
"Are you sure you can handle this?" he asked, a bit of censor in his voice.
Rena's spine straightened at Brian's tone.
"He's my fucking brother too. I can handle it," she said.
Brian nodded his head, satisfied with her answer. He needed her to be strong. Andy was about to remember a time in his life, or more accurately, his past life that was very painful. Perhaps even more painful than the one they shared together, if that were possible. And his pain was going to affect both of them. There was too much love, too much of a bond between them for it not too. They all had to be strong for Andy's sake.
"Good." He said then opened the bedroom door.
He steeled himself emotionally and mentally then turned to his sister and Justin and motioned for them to go in ahead.
"Stay strong, and be ready for anything." Brian said to them as they walked past him and into the room.
Once inside, Brian raised his eyes to the ceiling.
'You better be right about this. I can't lose him.'
His thoughts were meant for Elliot, but it was another voice that answered him.
"... Then let go of your selfish ways. Walk with faith, not with sight... Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see... Remember this my child. Remember..."
The cryptic words sent a chill down Brian' spine. He knew the orator of those words. It was the Arch Angel Gabriel, but what was he telling him? Was it a warning? Or did his words have a more prophetic meaning?
"Andy, this is Rena, your sister."
Justin's voice interrupted Brian's thoughts, and they broke his heart. Andy had forgotten them. He approached the bed slowly and smiled.
"And I'm Brian, your brother. Though you like to call me Bean." Brian said to his brother.
Andy looked up at him, then down, then up again.
He smiled.
"As in string bean," he said making reference to Brian's tall lean frame.
Brian's heart soared. It may not be an actual memory, but on some level, Andy, his brother, recognized him. Andy had dubbed him 'String Bean' when they were children due to his long skinny frame. Later in life the nick name got shorten to just "Bean".
"Yes, as in string bean," he said with a little laugh.
"Andy, are you ready to be hypnotized?" Rena asked.
Andy looked over at Justin.
"Will you sit with me?" He said, holding out his hand.
"Of course." Justin answered and took his hand as he sat down on the bed next to him.
Andy squeezed his hand tightly, let out a long sigh, then turned back to Rena.
"Yes, I'm ready," he said.
Rena brought her hands up behind her head and unlatched the chain that held the golden cross pendant than hung from her neck. She held it up in front of Andy's eyes.
"I want you to focus on this pendant Andy, and relax..." She began
…..
Several minutes later Andy was deep under. His breathing was steady, his eye's fluttered shut. His hand grasped firmly in Justin's.
Rena turned to Brian.
"Where do you want to begin?" She asked.
Brian had filled her in on the curse, and its history. He told her of Andy's past life as Alexander O'Hara, and of his involvement in the curse. However, he left out the conversations they have had with demons and angels. There was only so much Rena could take in one shot.
"I want you to take him back to when he was Alexander O'Hara." Brian said.
"Brian, you understand that in order to do that, I have to take him back to his most recent life first. He has to remember his life as Andy, before I can get him to recount any past lives." Rena said.
"Is there anyway you can avoid the time around his death?" Brian asked hopefully.
Rena frowned.
"No. But I won't let him linger too long in that time," she said.
It wasn't very reassuring, but it was something. Brian nodded his head and Rena began.
"Andy, I want you to think back to a time when you were Andy Cardie and you lived in New York, with me, your sister Rena, and our brother Brian. Do you remember that time?" She asked.
Andy's head thrashed back and forth on the pillow he was lying on. A light sheen broke out on his forehead.
"No, please, don't..." He whispered out in pain.
"Andy, what is happening?" Rena asked concern heavy in her voice.
Justin looked over at Brian to see his reaction. His face was stoic. Not a good sign.
"Don't touch me... Leave me alone." Andy whimpered.
"Re pull him out now!" Brian commanded in a deep, hoarse voice.
"Bean?" Andy's voice broke through his fear.
"Yes Andy, I'm here." Brian answered, leaning over his brother and gently brushing his hair from his forehead.
"I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me." The regret was clear in his voice.
A tear slipped from Brian's eye.
"The ego needs forgiving, love has no need." Brian repeated the words Gabriel said to him when he prayed for Justin to forgive him, hoping Andy would understand their meaning.
He did. A peaceful look feel across Andy's face. His body relaxed, and it looked like he was sleeping.
After a few minutes, Andy started turning and twisting again in bed, as another imagine, from another time took form in his mind.
"Andy, where are you now?" Rena asked sensing he was traveling back further in his childhood to a happier time.
Andy laughed a joyful, youthful laugh.
"Mama's going to be real mad when she sees that!" He said as he continued to laugh.
"What will mama see?" Rena asked.
"I told you two not to play soccer in the house." Andy said. The mirth was heavy in his voice.
Rena looked over to Brian with a wry smile on her face.
"He's talking about that time you were trying to teach me how to block a pass and I missed and the ball jumped into the air and broke a lamp." she said.
Brian straightened away from the bed and made a face.
"You act like that was my fault!" He said with feigned outrage.
Justin smiled at the exchange, grateful they got through the rough patch in Andy's memory fairly quickly.
"Well you were the one who got in trouble." Rena said with an impish smile.
"Yeah, did I ever thank you for ratting me out?" Brian countered sarcastically.
Rena laughed.
"No, but you're welcomed." She answered saucily.
Brian rolled his eyes.
"Let's just stay on track here. Bring him back further." Brian said.
Rena sobered up and turned back to Andy.
"Andy, I want you to go further back now. Way back to when you were a baby." Rena instructed.
Andy shifted on the bed once again this time into a fetal position. All the while he held on tightly to Justin's hand.
"Good. Very good. Now Andy, I want you to go back even further. Back before you were born. Back to a time where you were someone else. Someone named Alexander O'Hara. Do you remember that?" Rena asked.
Andy unfurled his body slowly and stretched out like a cat. His face took on an ominous look. His nose crinkled up.
"There is a foul stench in the air.." Andy said, only it wasn't his voice. It was deeper, and accented.
Rena, Brian and Justin exchanged looks.
"Alexander?" Rena asked.
"Yes?" He answered.
Brian let out a small gasp.
"It's nice to meet you." Rena said.
"Why have you summoned me?" Alexander asked.
The question was unexpected.
"Um, well because I have some questions only you can answer." Rena said.
Andy opened his eyes, only they weren't his eyes. They were the eyes of a stranger. Hard and unforgiving. Gone was the kind, compassion eyes of the young boy Rena and Brian remembered so well. In their place were the eyes of a man. An angry man.
Andy shot up in the bed. Still clutching Justin's hand. Justin held on and fought to control his breathing.
"Why are you here? Murderer!" Andy screamed at Rena, but his eyes were not focused on her. He was somewhere else, speaking to someone else.
Rena put her hand to her throat in fear. Brian stood behind her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Ask him what is happening," he instructed.
Rena took a fortifying breath and proceeded.
"What is happening Alexander?" She asked.
Andy's, or rather Alexander's, face contorted in rage.
"You'll pay for this I swear!" He screamed out.
"Alexander, who will pay?" Rena asked.
Alexander's eyes grew dark and hateful.
"She who condemned my grandmother to die with her lies! Abigail Preston! Whore, liar, murderer!" Spittle spewed from Alexander's mouth as he raved on.
Justin cringed in fear, and guilt, at Alexander's words.
Rena was about to ask him another question when his whole demeanor shifted. It looked like he was going into a trance.
"Before the night is over, before this day is through,
For what you've done today, I cast this spell on you..
Seven generations all male their blood to spill
Pain, suffering and death, all this be my will
To feed my vengeance I have sworn
For each and every male that's born."
Alexander uttered the curse he cast all those years ago. Fear gripped the hearts of all those in the room.
"No..." Justin breathed, yet he never let go of Alexander's' hand.
"Wait, something is missing. That's not the whole curse." Brian said frantically.
Rena reacted immediately.
"Alexander, is this the curse you place on Abigail Preston?" She asked.
Alexander fell back against the bed suddenly and started twisting around in pain.
"NO NO NO NO NO...God no, what have I done!" He screamed in agony.
"What the fuck is going on?" Brian shouted.
"Alexander, what is causing you pain?" Rena asked cautiously.
"I cursed my mother! My own mother! Why didn't grandmother tell me? Oh God NOOOO! My brother! My twin!" Alexander cried out.
Suddenly, there was a sickening smell of burning flesh in the room.
Alexander lurched in the bed, dislodging Justin from the chair he was sitting on next to the bed. Their hands however remained clasped tightly together.
Brian caught Justin and righted him in his chair.
"Go! For the love of God go away, I beg you, leave me!" Alexander said then let out a blood curdling scream.
Brian turned back to Rena and grabbed a hold of her shoulders and shook her.
"Do something! He's remembering when they burned him at the stake!" He shouted.
"...you must not stop it. Have faith in the outcome..."
Elliot's words rung in his head.
"No I won't go! I won't leave you!" Justin's voice broke through the chaos in the room, resounding loud and clear, only it wasn't Justin's voice. It too had an accent. And it was directed at Alexander.
Brian's eyes widened in shock.
Justin reached over with his free hand and grabbed a hold of Alexander's leg. Brian saw smoke come off of it from the touch. He ran over and pulled Justin's hand off of Alexander's leg. There were blisters on his palms.
Justin jerked him off violently and grabbed a hold of Alexander's leg again. Smoke was now coming off of Alexander's body, and Justin's hand.
Brian grabbed on to Justin's hand with both of his and pulled with all his might but Justin was too strong. He wouldn't let go.
"Justin let go! You'll burn up with him! For God sakes, PLEASE let go!" Brian screamed trough tears as he struggled with Justin to release Alexander's burning body.
Rena jumped up and grabbed Brian's body, crying hysterically, she tried to lend her support in dislodging Justin from Alexander's body.
"...You will lose them both..."
Elliot.
Fuck you Elliot! Brian thought.
And then, in the middle of the panic, chaos and fear came clarity. Just like it did that night he set Andys' soul free. He knew in that instant, what he had to do.
He made his choice.
Brian let go of Justin's burning hand and stepped back. Tears, quiet tears, streamed down his face.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy! We must stop this!" Rena shrieked, incredulous to the fact her brother was giving up.
"Alexander, when I count to five..."
Brian slammed his palm over her mouth to shut her up.
"You will NOT bring him out of this! They must play this out." Brian hissed in Rena's ear.
Rena thought Brian lost his mind, but she couldn't stop him. He held on to her too tight, she couldn't move. All she could do was watch in horror as the two men in front of her lived through their hell.
"Jonathon, please, go. I won't have your death on my soul. I've sinned enough. I need you to Live. Live for us. I beg of you." Alexander pleaded with his brother.
Justin looked at him with glazed, tear filled eyes.
"I can't. Whatever sins you have I share. All that matters is we are together now. I choose to die with you!" Justin spoke the words and Brian's heart clenched in pain.
Rena's body jerked and twisted in his arms as she tried to free herself to stop this madness, but Brian was not letting her go.
Somewhere deep, so deep it was astonishing that he was even aware of it, but he was, he knew whatever choice Justin's soul made, would be the right one.
Love was not selfish, it was selfless. Gabriel told him to let go of his selfish ways. He was always very selfish when it came to the love of his life. He breathed because Justin breathed. But if his soul mate chose to stop breathing, then Brian would respect that choice. It meant nothing. Their love lived with, or without breath.
True love has no boundaries, no locks or limits. True love dwelled in faith. And for the first time in his life, Brian had faith.
"Brother, forgive me..." Alexander said in a weak voice, and then sank back into the mattress. His body went still.
The room grew eerily silent, the air cleared, taking away with it the foul stench of burning flesh.
'Jonathon' cried out his denial, his one hand still clasped with Alexander's, while his other hand lay firmly on his thigh. He dropped his head down and buried his face in the mattress as deep, painful sobs wracked his body.
Brian stood back with Rena, and waited.
"Mother why? Why did you do this?"
Jonathon's muffled voice could be heard through his sobs.
Brian whispered into Rena's ear.
"I'm going to take my hand away from your mouth. I want you to ask him what happened. Obviously he didn't die in the fire with Alexander. Get him to tell you what happened after Alexander died. But promise me you won't try to wake him or Andy up yet. Ok?" Brian said.
Rena nodded her head.
"Good." Brian said then released her.
Rena took a deep steadying breath and turned to glare at her brother.
"I need to check if Andy is..." She let her words trail off.
"He's alive, but go check if you want." Brian said. He motioned for her to go to him. Though he believed his brother still lived, Rena needed reassurance.
Rena checked for a pulse and when satisfied when she found one, she breathed easier.
She pulled a chair up in front of Justin and sat down.
"Jonathon, what happened?" Rena asked.
"I was there at the burnings. Something drew me there. I didn't know at the time what it was, but I soon found out as that woman confessed my mothers adultery, and the existence of my twin. I saw him through the crowd speaking to my mother, and then, the mob descended on him. It happened so quickly. They tied him to the stake and lit the fire. I tried to save him. I tried to pull him down from the stake. My hands were burning but I felt nothing. My brother was dying. He begged me to leave, but I wouldn't. How could I? They tore us apart once; I was not going to let them tear us apart again. But they pulled me away. I wanted to die with my brother, but they wouldn't let me. I was heir to my father's fortune. My mother had some men pull me from the embers. I cursed her for it!" 'Jonathon' said in a venomous voice that shocked Brian and Rena.
"Wait, I thought Alexander placed the curse on our family." Brian asked, but 'Jonathon' didn't hear him. He could only hear Rena's voice.
Brian turned to Rena and motion for her to ask him to explain.
"Jonathon, are you aware that Alexander had cursed your mother, and all her male descendants before he died?" She asked.
'Jonathon' wiped his tear soaked face on the mattress then lifted his head to look at his brother, not letting go of his grip on him.
"Yes. My mother told me. She said I should hold no loyalty to my own brother because he had cursed our family for seven generations. As if that matter. He was my brother. My twin brother. She didn't understand I felt his pain, not just the physical, but the emotional. I now carried his grief, and need for vengeance. I scoffed at her and swore Alexander's death would be avenged. I told her that he was being kind in cursing us for only seven generations. I told her that the curse would never be lifted until the wrong that was done was righted!" Jonathon recounted the events of that day.
"Until the wrong is right again...This curse will never ever end..."
"He added on to the curse." Brian whispered.
"Ask him what was the wrong." Brian said to Rena.
"I think that's obvious." Rena snorted.
"Just fucking ask him!" Brian snapped. It was Justin who suggested that the wrong might not be the execution.
"Jonathon, what wrong needed to be righted?" Rena asked.
'Jonathon' turned to look at her with pained eyes.
"They took my brother from me. Separated us at birth. They had no right... He answered soulfully.
Brian furrowed his brow in confusion. How the fuck were they to right that now? After all this time?
"Ask him how to break the curse." Brian instructed.
Rena turned back to Justin.
"Jonathon, how can we right the wrong? The curse still exists; many have suffered over the years because of it, and continue to suffer. Tell us how to break the curse." Rena asked.
Justin looked at her with a blank stare.
"I don't know." 'Jonathon' said dejectedly.
"Fuck!" Brian cursed.
"I know." Came Alexander's voice from the bed.
All eyes turned to him. He laid still, eyes closed. Brian was starting to wonder if they heard him, or if it was their imagination.
"Will you tell us Alexander?" Rena asked the prone body.
Alexander slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to look at his brother. His gaze traveled along his face, down to their hands, which were still clasped tightly together. He smiled and lifted their hands up.
"This is how. The curse was lifted the moment my brother took my hand in his. We are rejoined now. The wrong, has been righted." Alexander proclaimed.
'Jonathon' smiled at Alexander and brought their hands up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on their entwined fingers.
"I don't understand." Rena said.
"Justin and Andy were together for weeks now. Did that mean the curse has been broken all this time?" She asked Brian.
"No. The curse wasn't broken until 'Jonathon' and 'Alexander' came together again. Look at them Re. Have you ever seen Justin look at Andy like that? Or Andy look at Justin like that? No. These are two long lost brothers who have finally, found each other. Elliot was right all along. All it took was for them, for all of us, to know ourselves. For Justin to remember he was Jonathon in his past life, for Andy to remember his life as Alexander, and for me to remember that nothing, not even death, could take my love from me." Brian said. His voice was thick with emotion.
Rena looked back at the two brothers holding each other's hand. Her heart melted at the look of love and joy in their eyes.
"It's time for me to go brother." Alexander said holding 'Jonathon's gaze.
"Take me with you." Jonathon made the sincere request, and again, Brian's heart pained at hearing it. But he reminded himself of their love, and its' strength. If 'Jonathon' decided to go with his brother, then it was only time before he would join him.
"I cannot. You have a life here, mine is gone. You must fulfill your destiny here. In time we will be together again." Alexander said then looked over at Brian.
"All of us," he added.
Brian's eyes widened at his words. He directed them to him!
"Yes, we will." Brian answered, wondering if Alexander would hear him.
Alexander just smiled in response and turned his attention back to 'Jonathon'.
"I will miss you." 'Jonathon said.
"And I you. Until then, know you are always with me, as I am with you." Alexander said.
Alexander gently pulled his hand away from 'Jonathon's' and turned his head away. He immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Justin got a little dizzy when the contact was broken. He felt cold suddenly, and confused.
"Brian..." He called out in his own voice. Jonathon now gone.
Brian rushed to his side and took him in his arms.
"I'm here Sunshine," e whispered against his temple as he place a gentle kiss there.
Justin held on to him and tried to regain his equilibrium.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Alexander was reunited with his brother, Jonathon. The curse is broken." Brian said in a choked voice.
"The curse is broken," he repeated quietly.
Justin cried out and hugged Brian closer.
"Oh God, thank you. Thank you!" He said.
Brian pulled back from Justin and took his hand in his own and turned it over. The palm was blistered. Justin looked down at his own hand noticing the burn, and registering the pain.
"Fuck this hurts! How did this happen?" Justin asked.
"It's a long story. Wait here while I get you a wet cloth," he said.
Brian disappeared into the bathroom. Rena got up and examined Justin's hand.
"It's not so bad. It will hurt like a bitch, but it will heal quickly," she said.
Brian came out of the bathroom with a cold wet rag.
"There's no first aid kit in there. We need to get him to a hospital," he said as he wrapped the cool cloth around Justin's hand.
Justin sighed in relief at the feel of it.
"He'll be fine Bean. Stop over reacting," she said and winked at Justin.
Brian snorted.
"I don't over react," he stated.
Both Rena and Justin rolled their eyes.
"So you got him to remember." Justin asked Rena.
"Yes, I did." Rena replied.
"And? How is he?" Just said turning his gaze to the sleeping man on the bed.
"Well, that's yet to be seen. I need to bring him out. He's still under. I'm surprised you came out of it without my aid. Though you went under without my aid, so maybe it's not so surprising." Rena said.
Justin looked at her confused.
"What do you mean I went under? I was hypnotized?" He asked.
"I'll fill you in later Sunshine. But yes, you were, well kind of," he said.
"So can I bring him out of it now or are you going to muzzle me again?" Rena asked.
Brian laughed.
"No more muzzling. You may bring him out. I hope Andy is as much at peace with everything as Alexander is now." Brian said.
"Well we're about to find out." Rena said.
Rena proceeded to say the words to bring Andy out of his hypnotic state.
"...4...3...2...1..." She ended her count.
Brian watched as Andy slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times then looked at Brian with confused eyes.
Brian leaned over and smiled into his brother's face.
"Hey there bro. How are you feeling?" He asked.
Andy rubbed his eyes then turned them to Justin.
"Andy?" Brian called his name, getting more concerned by the second.
"Andy? Mr. Kinney, why are you calling me Andy?" Jason said.
Brian snapped his body upright and took a step back. His eyes widened in horror, and his heart pounded in his chest. He heard Rena gasp beside him.
Justin ran to his side and held him. Brian turned hurt, pained eyes to him.
"He's gone. My brother's gone and I never got to say goodbye." He said then broke down in Justin's arms and cried.