Chapter 4

San Diego house

Alex went looking for Derek to tell him what Abi said, and show him the material she sent. She found him talking to Nick downstairs by the vault.

She handed Derek the file. "Abi said there is nothing we can do but wait," she said looking at Derek's expression as he read through the file.

"Damn," he said. "She is right. There is nothing we can do. I always thought this was a legend. I had no idea," he mumbled as if to himself.

"A legend?" asked Nick. "What kind of legend?"

Derek looked up at the two of them. "It is said that when a non human is in love with a human, he or she can make a wish before the oracles and the couple is sent to be tested. If they pass all that is presented to them, the non human can be granted his wish."

"Oracles? What are they?" asked Nick.

"We call then the powers that be. They are gods from the mythology. I always assumed this was part of the mythology that was an actual myth, a legend. We never encountered such a case before," answered the precept.

"What kind of wish do they make to have to face such a test?" asked Alex.

"To become human. To be able to spend their lives with the person they love," he answered.

"So there really is nothing we can do but wait until they get back?" asked the x-seal.

"Unfortunately yes," answered Derek. "We can only wait. It might take a few days." Derek turned his look to Alex. "Alex, I want you, Kristin and Phillip to go back to San Francisco. We have been a way too much lately. Until this matter is resolved, I'll stay here with Nick."

Alex hesitated. She didn't want to leave but Derek was right. "Ok," she said.

"Nick, come on upstairs. There is no reason to guard the vault anymore. When they return we will know." After saying that Derek followed Alex and he and Nick went upstairs to the control room. Alex told Kristin and Phillip the news, when the two of them came in.

Phillip opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, when a bright white light appeared. Everyone stared at the light. Both Nick and Tyree pulled out their guns and pointed them at the light. Then a figure appeared out of the light.

"Oh my god," said Phillip and crossed himself.

Nick's eyes widened. "Julia? He asked. "Is that really you?"

"Yes," she said. "I heard what happened. I would like to try," she said hesitantly looking at Derek.

He looked at her fearing she was about to ask what he was thinking about.

"I want that wish," she said looking at Nick. "That is if Nick wants me to."

Nick was stunned. He looked at her but couldn't say a word.

"What about Abi?" asked Derek.

"She told me about all this. She said I should try to do it, if that's what Nick and I want." She turned back to x-seal. "Nick?" she asked. "Do you want me to make the wish?"

Nick looked at her, his eyes bright from the tears he dared no shed. "Yes," was all he managed to say.

All the people in the control room looked at them as Nick reached his hand to hers. "What do we have to do?" he asked when he managed to gain back control of his voice. He tried to take her hand in his but it went through.

"Let's go down to the vault," she answered smiling.

The members of the San Diego house and The San Francisco house followed the two of them down to the vault. Once in there Julia got down on her knees and began to pray. "I wish upon the powers that be, the great oracles, to allow me the return to the earth realm. I wish to become human again so I can spent my life with the man I love," she said Looking at Nick, "The man who loves me," she finished.

A bright light went through her body. She then reached her hand to Nick. This time he was able to hold it. She became flesh and blood. Nick was surprised.

"To go through the tests, I need a physical body," she explained.

Suddenly a loud sound tore the silence of the vault room. The invisible wall then appeared. It seemed like jelly, unstable, and a big door then opened in it.

"Nick, there is no turning back from here," said Julia. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I'm sure," he said. He held her hand and they both looked at the others before they turned and passed over the threshold. As soon as they did, the door closed behind and the wall disappeared again.

Alex felt a few tears coming up in her eyes. She turned and left the vault in a hurry. Derek saw this and was about to go after her, when Kristin stopped him. "I think she needs a woman to talk to right now," she said.

Derek nodded. His eyes then looked for Phillip. When he saw him he said, "Phillip, I want you and the girls to fly back to San Francisco. There is nothing more you guys can do here. I will stay until this is over."

Phillip looked at him in agreement. "Ok," he said. "I'll go arrange a flight."

"How could you just let him go like that?" asked Tyree all of a sudden.

"It was his choice Tyree. There was nothing I could have said that would stop him," answered Derek.

Derek then noticed Sloan. "You don't have anything to say?" he asked.

"No," answered Sloan. He hated to admit it, but it seemed Derek had full control of the situation. "I think however you should also go back to San Francisco."

"I'm going nowhere with out Nick," answered Derek.

Sloan just nodded and left the vault room heading upstairs to the control room, Derek Tyree and Tanya following him.

San Diego house – Kitchen - Alex/Kristin

Kristin looked for Alex and found her in the kitchen. She was holding a glass of water sipping from it slowly. Kristin didn't see her face but could see she was whimpering. "Alex, are you ok?" she asked.

"Not really," answered Alex not turning her face.

"You must really love him," said Kristin.

"I do. And lately we became closer. After he came back from Israel I thought he finally accepted the fact Julia will never come back, but now this."

"I'm sorry. Do you wish to talk, or would you like to be left alone?" asked the blond.

"I…. I knew he loved Julia, more then he would ever be able to love me. But it didn't matter. I was willing to live with that. I never expected her to return. Some part of me wishes they'd fail. But on the other hand I love them both and hope they succeed." Alex's tears were flowing now. She turned to look at Kristin then sat at the kitchen table. Kristin sat next to her.

"You deserve a man who will love you completely Alex. You would have never been truly happy with Nick. Not while knowing his true love is for someone else," said Kristin trying to comfort her.

"I know. I'll get over this. I love him, but we were only starting to build the relationship. We didn't even sleep together yet."

Kristin looked at her, "That's the spirit," she said. "You are young and beautiful, you will find someone to love. Someone who will love you back, as you deserve. Are you sure you'll be ok?"

"Yes," said Alex. "We better get upstairs and pack to leave."

"Right," nodded Kristin.

Phillip came into the kitchen then announcing "I arranged a flight to San Francisco in 2 hours so we better get a move on."

Alex and Kristin went upstairs together not talking. Each to her own thoughts about the one she loves. The one she seems unable to have. Within 30 minutes all three of them were packed and left to the airport.

Julia/Nick

They heard the door close behind them and turned back to look at it. There was nothing. They found themselves in a big field. In the center of the field was a big cross. Julia felt shivers go up and down her spine. Remembering the day of her death.

Nick felt her shaking and took her hands in his, turning her so she would face him. "I love you Julia, and I'm not gonna allow anything to ruin this chance we got. We will get out of here. Together. I promise."

Julia looked at him smiling. "Thank you Nick," she said. "I think Alex is going to have a rough time if we make it."

"We will make it. I love Alex. But she is not you. You are my soul mate. She will handle it. She is a strong beautiful woman and she will find a love of her own some day. Someone she'll love more then she ever loved me."

Julia raised her eyes and suddenly saw the figure of Shamus coming toward her. She felt horror embracing her heart. "Nick, it's him," she .

Nick looked for his gun but it was gone. He then started running toward the center of the field Julia running in his footsteps. He reached the big cross and grabbed it. Pulling it out of the ground. When the demon approached them he made a loud roar and pushed it at him. The cross was nailed into the demon's heart and he fell down to the ground. Then he disappeared. As soon as he was gone a door opened in the field. Julia and Nick looked at each other then went through it together. "That was way too easy," said Julia.

"I see you understand the game," said a loud laughing voice. "That was just a preview of what's a head."

They were now in a corridor. Dark and long. "Your friends have chosen the write side of the corridor. You may have the left side. Find the doors. Let the cycle begin," said the voice echoing a way in laughter.

"How the hell are we supposed to find these doors?" asked Nick. "There is no sign of any door along this corridor."

"Well," said Julia, "The voice said we have to find the doors our selves. I suggest we start with the candles. They have to be the 'handle' or something like that." She moved over to one of the niches and put her hand in. she moved her hand along the sides of the candles then above. A sound was heard and a door was opened. They held on to each other and stepped in, uncertain what fate awaits them."

Abi/Ben

Ben got back from the car with the bags. He dropped them on the floor and went looking for Abi in the living room. While he was gone she spread an old sleeping bag on the carpet next to the fireplace. On the sleeping bag she spread a few blankets. She was lying on her side staring at the fire. He stood at the door looking at her for a minute. Her light white dress was almost transparent now. He could see every curve of her body.

She suddenly whispered softly, "What are you doing way over there my love?"

He smiled and moved closer to her. He sat on the sleeping bag behind her. Pulling her into a sitting position he held on to her. He kissed her neck softly. Then his hands moved up to the dress's zipper and he pulled it down, moving his mouth at the same path, kissing her back al the way from her neck to her waists. "I love you Abi," he whispered in her ear.

"Do you really?" she asked teasing him a little.

"You want me to show you just how much?" he asked.

"Yes. Why don't you show me," she said smiling.

Ben pulled down the dress from her shoulders. He then pushed her down to the improvised mattress. He lowered himself on her kissing her sweet lips. "Shouldn't we go upstairs to bed?" he asked.

"No. I want you right here right now," answered Abi.

He opened her bra and tossed it a way. Then he pulled the dress down her hips and tossed it as well. Her panties were the next to drop. He stared at her naked body for a minute. She was only 10 weeks pregnant and it did not show yet, however she started to get a little rounder and he enjoyed it.

Abi raised her hands and quietly unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. She opened his pants and tried to pull them down. Ben was lying on top of her, which made it a hard assignment. He giggled and rolled next to her kicking his pants and underwear a way.

They were lying next to each other admiring each other's body by caressing and kissing.

"Ben," she said.

"What is it sweetie?"

"Make love to me now."

She didn't have to say any more, he was so aroused he felt like he was about to explode. He climbed on top of her and slid inside in one swift move.

"I love you too Ben," whispered Abi as he dove deeper inside her.