A/N: Are you still reading? Well then, here´s a new chapter. Hope you´ll like it.

Ah, Nick still isn´t mine? Never mind.

Noble Memoirs

by Nicol Leoraine

Chapter 6

Derek was heading for his room, ready to call it a night. He was tired and for once felt rather angry at himself. They read through dozen of cases and still had nothing, only eliminated the stack to last ten reports. Derek checked two of them out after sending Alex and Philip to bed then resigned, because the letters seemed to lose meaning in his tired mind. Admitting that he too needed his rest, he left the control room.

The castle was quiet, it was past midnight. He heard slight snoring coming from Philip´s room. As he passed Nick´s door, Derek paused, debating whether or not should he check on the youngest member. His hesitation was broken by the scream.

Derek jumped and for a second imagined himself on another place. It was a field, and it was raining, but even in the storm he heard the blood curling scream coming from Nick. Not losing more time, Derek entered the room. It was dark but he could still see the gasping form sitting on the bed.

While Nick fought for control over his own body, Philip and Alex appeared by the door. Derek shook his head and waved them away - this wasn´t a good time for group session. As Derek turned on the light, he saw the small bed lamp on the floor, broken. Nick probably knocked it down during his nightmare. Derek walked through the room, evading the broken lamp and slowly touched Nick´s shoulder.

"Nick? You all right?"

Nick, still not realizing his belongings, jerked from the touch and scrambled to the other side of the bed then rolled down. Standing somehow slouched but ready to fight anything, despite his aching ribs.

Derek took a step back, hands up in the open so Nick could see them. The Precept knew that Nick wasn´t with them at all and by the look of hurt and anger also knew what he´s probably seeing.

"Nick, it was a nightmare. Nothing more. You´re safe - nothing will hurt you there." Derek was trying his best to sound reassuring and calm, though he was sure that if Nick had noticed his gun lying by the bed, he won´t hesitate to use it. He could hear the gasps coming from the younger man, also felt the presence of Philip and Alex, though they didn´t try to talk. Gerry was nowhere to be seen, which Derek thought was luck because the last thing Nick needed right now was a ghost.

"You´re safe, Nick. Please... sit down."

By that time, the fog from Nick´s mind started to fade and he blinked, surprised by the light. He was even more surprised by the presence of Derek, but it took him only a moment. Then the images returned and he painfuly sobbed.

Derek let his hands fall and approached Nick, who was about ready to keel over. He helped him to the bed, while the younger man tried to decide if he should strangle Derek or cry on his shoulder. He did neither, only looked up at the Precept and in a raspy voice asked:

"Who did it!" it was no more than a whisper but Derek felt the hard words as if they were screamed. He didn´t need to ask what, but he did anyway.

"Who - killed - Julia?" Nick said slowly between trying to take a breath and not feeling like his ribcage was going to explode.

"What did you see Nick?" Derek asked, hoping to gain some time. Nick threw him an angry glance, but still repeated his dream - or rather nightmare.

"I know it was real," he added by the end, pointingly looking straight at Derek. The Precept sighed.

"I think it´s time I return you your Journals," he sighed and stood up. Nick watched his back with a frown. Could it be so easy?

"You still didn´t answer to my question."

"No, I didn´t. I´m sure you´ll find all the answers in your Journals. I´ll tell you the basics down in the living room, if you feel up to join me there."

Suddenly Nick wasn´t so sure he wanted to know all the secrets, but Derek was by the door and the image of Julia and the field was too strong.

"Can I - can I grab a quick shower? I need to change," Nick spoke and as Derek looked back, he saw that his clothes were sweated through.

"Take your time, Nick. I´ll be down if you don´t change your mind."

Nick nodded and Derek left the room. With a sigh, Nick made his way to the shower, gingerly touching his aching ribs. This will be one heck of a night, he thought.

Outside the room Derek was surrounded by an angry Philip and nervous Alex.

"You really want to do it?" Philip asked as they walked away from Nick´s door.

"I don´t see we have a choice," Derek objected.

"But-"

"No buts, Philip. I thought you´ll be glad to tell him the truth."

"Still, did you see him? He´s not fit, he was just released yesterday, for God´s sake," hearing the words from a priest sounded almost profane, but Philip didn´t even blush.

"Nick is strong, Philip. He can take it."

"He´s not Nick right now, Derek. You know it just like I or Alex. Did you even talk with him? He doesn´t understand things about himself - God, I just tried to defend the old Nick before the new one!"

"What´s the point in there, Philip? You don´t want him to find out who he really is?"

"I just don´t want him to be hurt because of it, Derek," Philip answered with fierce and Derek sighed.

"I don´t want it either, Philip. But the facts are - we still need to find out who´s behind the accident. We still need to protect Nick and hope that there´s no one in danger. The sooner Nick´s memory returns, the sooner this will end. If this was under normal circumstances... but nothing is normal in the Legacy, Philip. And you know it."

The silence left them both contemplating their words, but it was Alex who spoke next.

"You´re talking as if the Journals solve everything. But what if Nick won´t remember and he won´t believe?"

"We´ll see," was all Derek said as he left the duo standing by the staircase. Alex looked at Philip, who looked much too tense.

"I think I should change into something more "decent"," she said with a slight smile, and Philip mirrored it with his own.

"Why, those pajamas looks good at you," Philip teased and Alex rolled her eyes.

The shower did little to relax him and Nick realized that he can´t stall the time. One of his side wanted to know everything, the other, maybe the one with more brain, wanted to let it be and just go on. And Nick knew that the other side was afraid, but he also knew that he couldn´t step back. Whatever the truth was, he needed to find it.

He slowly made it down the stairs - for a second hesitated, but then reached up and opened the door to the living room. Derek was there, watching the dancing flames in the fireplace. Alex and Philip were sitting on the couch and both looked up at him expectantly.

"I´m sorry that I woke you up," Nick started, feeling shy all of a sudden. Alex gave him an assuring smile, while Philip and Derek just waved it away.

"Take a seat," the Precept told him and Nick obeyed. On the table before him lay three thick books.

"Those are your Journals, Nick. The first one is five years old. Every member need´s to write a Journal, it´s our policy."

"Member?"

"Of the Legacy," Derek said and pointed at the ring on his finger.

"What is the Legacy?"

"Legacy is a secret society. It has been there forever, protecting the mankind from the creatures who inhabit the shadows and the night."

"You mean - like Ghostbusters?" Nick looked at Derek with doubt.

"There is nothing funny about it, Nick. We fight demons, vampires and beasts that never should exist. Yes, we help "ghosts", though I rather call them spirits - to move to other existence. We look into haunted houses, help people deal with Poltergeists. There are curses, secrets and dangerous cults as well as kids who play with fire. That´s our work, and that´s our life. Many of us died protecting this world from the darkness you can´t even imagine, Nick. And many of us will die in the future for the same thing. No Nick, there´s nothing funny about it."

And Nick really didn´t look amused anymore.

"That´s how Julia died? How my father died! Some demon just killed them!"

Now was a good time for a drink, Derek thought but didn´t walk to the bar, just wearily sit opposite Nick.

"Yes. That´s what happened," he answered with all the seriousness he felt and Nick sagged in his chair, suddenly feeling too overwhelmed by the mere act of breathing. Was this man telling the truth or was he trying to get him locked up in some psych ward? But what about the dream - or was it really a memory?

Nick wasn´t sure he wanted to regain his memories anymore, not if it contained demons killing innocent women. Could it be real, or was he still lying in some ditch, hallucinating? Nick fervently hoped for the latter.

"I can´t - believe it," he said finally, shaking his head. "Why should... what... argh, it just isn´t possible!" he exclaimed and started pacing the room.

"Why not, Nick?" Alex gently asked. "You had no problems to believe Gerry was real. What´s the difference now?"

"You really believe it!" he turned at Alex and she nodded.

"How-"

"It´s true, Nick," Philip said, thinking he was silent long enough. "We all saw things that are not normal. You had seen things, Nick. And you fought them. Even if you did it in your own, crazy way," and Philip smiled at the memory of Nick pointing a gun at something that was already dead, then flying through the room. "I think you already know that´s real, Nick," Philip continued, once again serious. "You just don´t want to believe it."

"Yeah, it scares the shit out of me," Even though Nick mumbled it, everyone in the room heard the words. Nick blushed and rubbed his temples, his headache was back.

"So - I´m a member of this secret society called Legacy?"

"Yes."

"And what´s my job? I sure as hell am not a psychic or something."

"No, you´re not. But like we told you, you´re our security chief."

Nick looked up, incredulous.

"You mean, I´m really waving with that gun and everything? That´s crazy."

"Yeah, it is sometimes," Alex grinned.

"I think you should see your work room, Nick," Derek said and led the trio out to the library. Once there, Nick cuirously and a little confused looked around. He was there before and didn´t think anything weird about the room. It was a library. Yeah, maybe bigger than any he saw before, packed full of weird books, but that was it.

"So - I work in here?" he asked with little sarcasm. Derek, who was standing by one of the empty walls looked back at him, his eyes smirking.

"No, it´s a little farther," and he took a step and vanished in the wall. Nick gasped in surprise and looked at the others, stuttering:

"Y-you saw t-that? He´s gone!"

Alex smiled at him, even Philip looked like he enjoyed it.

"Relax, Nick. It´s just a hologram." As if confirming Philip´s statement, Alex stepped into the wall, then get out, intact.

"See?"

"So where´s Derek?"

"Working on your access. If you don´t have one, the hologram is like a forcefield - you can touch the wall and you´ll feel it like real. This way we just need to be careful that no guest see us walking out or into the wall."

"You want to chat outside or take a look?" asked Derek and the wall shimmered, allowing Nick a look inside. The control room was full of computers, and screens which were dominating one of the walls. There was also the second room, looking kind of like a lab, packed with scanners and things that Nick knew, but didn´t remember.

"Amazing," he let out a sigh, his hand tracing the surface of the microscope.

"This is the Control room. Our databases are in the computers, we´re linked with the other houses, also with internet."

Nick sat by one of the computers - didn´t realize it was his place, till Alex started smirking. He just shrugged and touched the keyboard. The logo of the Legacy popped up, along with a query for the password. Nick sighed and turned around, taking in the view.

"So this is the place I work at. And you said we´re here to what - save the world from demons?" still a little dubious, though Alex had a feeling that he at least allowed the thought to penetrate his consciousness.

"Yes Nick. That´s our work. But I think now is the time to read your Journals. Perhaps they´ll help you remember something - or at least get a better perspective." With that, Derek handed him the Journals, nodded at the others and left the Control room. As Nick eyed the books, Alex gave him a quick peck on the face.

"Okay, I´m beat. I think I´ll go back to sleep. Good night, boys," she left them alone. Now that the Journals were in his hands, Nick wasn´t so sure he wanted to know what was in them. He feared the truth, almost feeling that it won´t bring any joy. Philip sensed his hesitation and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, which wasn´t shrugged of.

"Take your time, Nick. You don´t need to read them now. Get some sleep..."

"I don´t think I can sleep, not after that..."

Philip nodded, squeezing Nick´s shoulder.

"It won´t be an easy reading. Want some company?"

"I don´t think so," Nick replied after a moment, sounding more like a child now. Philip hesitated if he should leave or stay and Nick looked up at him.

"Thank you, Philip," he smiled, "but I think it will be better if I read this alone. Go get some sleep, I have a feeling we´ll need it."

"Same goes to you, my friend," Philip muttered and was gone. Nick lingered in the Control room for several minutes, but the twinge in his side reminded him, that sitting in the chair wasn´t what his ribs appreciated, so he stood and gingerly stretched. Taking another look around the control room, he let out a sigh and shook his head - somehow unable to believe this was all true. But the Journals were in his hands... and he needed to go on.

The handwriting was his, there was no mistake. With a weary sigh, he tried to make himself comfortable and started to read. Several hours later, he clamped the last of the Journals closed. While reading them, he wanted to laugh, cry or kill someone. All in all, it left him wiped, physically as much as mentally. He lied down and closed his eyes, though despite his tiredness, sleep didn´t come. Too much was on his mind - words, he didn´t understood, stories he couldn´t believe.

Was it really true? Was he some kind of crazy ghostbuster?

Even if Derek didn´t like the comparison, Nick couldn´t think of anything else. He didn´t feel like some savior or hero - he just felt crazy. Or should he really believe that he talked with his father - so much time after he died? Or that the others had the same kind of experience?

If not for the presence of Gerry, he would´ve just slipped out of the castle right in the middle of the night and get lost. But Gerry was there, once in a time appearing then disappearing from his room, as if letting him know that he´s still there, or simply check if he didn´t fled.

Crazy - yeah, that pretty much summed it up.

But he read the Journals and knew one thing - he loved those people. They were his family, the place he belonged to. He dedicated his life to protect them and he couldn´t let them down right now. After he read the last notes of the "old" Nick about Gerry, he was convinced that it´s his responsibility to help with this case. Anything can happen after that and Nick wasn´t really keen to find out how will his life continue if his memory won´t return, but he also knew that he wasn´t one to linger in self pity - not in the past, and definitely not now. With another sigh he broke his pretense of sleep and get up from the bed. There was no time to waste.

PASSWORD

The word blicked on the screen threateningly and Nick frowned. He sure should know the password. But there was nothing popping up his mind. He nervously hit the keyboard and shook his head when the computer beeped, stating that it was a false password. Nick knew he could try once again, but how many times he´ll have? He was afraid that another bad attempt will block the system, possibly also alarming the others.

With a deepest sigh he could muster, he closed his eyes and tried to relax. He waited for the first word. After a minute he opened his eyes and gingerly touched the keyboard, one by one hitting the letters, then Enter.

To his surprise, the table with Password was replaced by the logo of the Legacy. Nick clicked once again and this time entered the database. Taking no time to orientate himself, he searched for the files of his own and the others from "his team".

Soon he was reading through Derek´s file, and even if there were some dark places, undoubtedly accessible only for Derek or his chiefs, Nick get a pretty good picture of the Precept. The file of his own father followed and Nick disgusted turned off the computer. It was too much for one day, his head was ready to explode but he won´t return to sleep. Looking around, he found the casefiles that Derek left - eight thick files. And plenty of time, as Nick looked at the clocks and realized it was only six a.m.

He left the control room to pour himself some coffee - on the way grabbed some cookies, probably stashed away for unexpected guests. The house was quiet and dark, but Nick didn´t felt anxious or tense. It was somehow natural for him to ramble the house at this time.

Returning to the control room, he made himself comfortable and started to read. He was through the first file, stuffing another cookie into his mouth while opening the second file, when someone almost shouted into his ear:

"Nick!"

Nick jumped, eyes wide and almost immediately started coughing at the cookie. Gerry laughed as Nick grabbed the hot cup of coffee and drowned it down in one gulp, then succesfully imitated the fish gasping for breath, because the coffee was really hot.

"Shit," was the first word that came from Nick as he glared at the ghost, while looking for a cup of water or juice. Gerry still laughed when Nick drank the water.

"Geez, Nick - sorry, didn´t mean to scare the crap out of you," Gerry smirked.

"Yeah, and I believe you," Nick snorted and returned to his place. Gerry only shrugged.

"So, I see you had enough of resting?"

Rolling his eyes, Nick reached for another cookie.

"Derek deemed me fit enough to read. Want to help?"

"Sure," Gerry agreed and positioned himself behind Nick. After a moment he frustratedly sighed.

"And just how can I help?"

"I´ll read aloud - you can comment, okay? Even if I read the journals, I don´t know how the Legacy operates. But you can tell me if something sucks."

"Sounds good."

It was past eight when the house awakened. Derek, Alex and Philip met in the kitchen, pouring themselves coffee and debating about Nick. They thought he was still asleep, assuming that he had a late night. What was they surprise after walking into the Control room finding both Nick and Gerry behind the computer, heatedly debating about something. Derek coughed and both men spun around, startled.

"Gosh, don´t do this to me, man. No one can knock here or what?" Nick sighed, while Gerry smirked.

Derek´s eyebrow shot up, but he too smiled slightly. It was good to see Nick in his seat.

"I´m sorry, didn´t mean to startle you. We thought you´re still in your room."

"Yeah well, I´m up and working," Nick replied and turned back to the computer.

"Are you doing all right, Nick?"

The man in question nodded, then looked back at Derek.

"I read them through, if that´s what you ask, Derek. I´m still not sure if I believe everything, but... I think I need to help out in this case. What will happen later - is in the stars."

"If you need to talk-"

"Then I´ll ask you, or Philip, or Alex. I know," Nick smiled at his Precept.

"Okay. Did you find anything interesting?"

"You can say that," Nick gave a contented smile and handed Derek the file.

"With Gerry´s help, I got through four files. This one looks really interesting."

"Frederick Lopez?" Derek frowned, then shook his head. "I don´t really remember that case."

"Because you didn´t work on it," Gerry spoke.

"Who is Frederick Lopez?" Philip inquired as Alex tried to read behind Derek´s back.

"Frederick Lopez was a normal man, up to his forties, when his only son Richard - called Riki - joined a secret cult worshiping the Greek God of War, Ares. It started out as a brotherhood on the College in New Orleans, but soon spiraled into something much worse."

"I´ll guess - they made sacrifices?" Philip asked and Nick nodded.

"Yeah. The police records from that time say about several mutilated bodies, without identification. They thought it was some wacko killing out the homeless people, but there were too many things pointing to the rituals, and they started to look for a cult."

"How does the Legacy play in?"

"Riki Lopez attended the school and didn´t really hide his beliefs about the killings. It was reckless and stupid, but one of the teachers talked with Frederick Lopez and asked him for permission to contact the Legacy. Man, I didn´t know the organization is so huge - but it looks like enough people knew about it," Nick turned at Derek.

"We are more careful now, but still - we need people to contact us if anything happens. They´re mostly academic or from the police, though."

"What about politics?"

Derek only shrugged.

"So the teacher contacted the New Orleans House," Nick continued with a sigh. "It was time for the fourth victim. The Legacy discovered the place of the ritual, but it was too late to make a safe plan. They get there just in time. Riki Lopez was holding a knife and ready to kill some teenage girl from the school."

"Oh God," Alex muttered as she read through the passage herself.

"What?" Philip asked frustrated.

"The Legacy team get there in time, but Riki was unwilling to release the girl, he held her as hostage, ready to kill her. He raised the knife and was about to strike, when one of the team shot him. Frederick Lopez was the wittness of it all."

"And Riki died?"

"In his father´s arms," Gerry sighed out, though Philip didn´t hear him. Nick only nodded.

"So that´s the reason why he tried to kill you. But why now, after twenty years?"

"Well, it´s not like he waited by his own choice," Nick commented and the computer showed an article from old newspapers. Philip got closer and read the article, while Nick talked.

"Not a week later, the teacher who contacted the Legacy was found dead in his house. Stabbed several times with a knife. The police arrested Frederick Lopez on grounds of the evidence. Lopez left his fingerprints everywhere in the house, and they even found the knife in his car, probably ready for another murder."

"So he was in jail," Philip muttered.

"Yes, sentenced to twenty five years. I think he should serve another five, but who knows? He can be out for good behavior."

"I can look at it," Alex suggested and sit behind the computer.

"You still didn´t tell who was in the team at the time. And who shot Riki?"

"The team consisted of four people. My father, Gerry´s parents and Curtis Powell. He was the one who killed Riki Lopez."

"Did you know him, Derek?"

"Just from seeing," Derek said, frowning at the papers. "He worked in New Orleans and we met twice, when I was there. Jonathan also mentioned him few times."

"Where is he now?"

"Dead," told them Nick and Derek looked up at him.

"When?"

"Three years ago."

"So it wasn´t Lopez?"

"Doubt it. Powell died of cancer. But I found something interesting. He left the Legacy - two years after the fiasco with Lopez. I wasn´t sure you can leave the Legacy,"

"I left it too," Philip said quietly and Nick shot him a look of surprise.

"But you didn´t leave the organization - just moved. Or not?"

"No Nick, I left," Philip replied, embarrassed.

"Oh. Well, good to know you don´t kill anyone if he decides to leave, like the mafie," Nick joked. Nobody smiled and he cleared his throat.

"Okay, so... Powell left the Legacy and worked like a stockbroker, fortunate if I can say."

"Had Powell some kids?" Philip asked.

"Unfortunately, he had," Derek said grimmly as Nick nodded and handed the Priest a photo of a young girl.

"This is Janet Powell, age twenty-six. She´s just finishing her study on the College in Berkeley."

"We need to contact her, asap."

"Sure, no problem. She should be in school."

"Can´t you get a number of her cell-phone?" Philip asked and Nick shook his head.

"Doesn´t have one, at least not registered on her name. It´s crazy, I know. Everyone has a cell those times."

"Alex, you found something?" Derek asked as the woman hit the keyboard and the printer started.

"Frederick Lopez was released on parole three months ago. He didn´t contact his procurator though, and there is a wanted notice about him. Sorry, Derek - but there´s no adress altogether. No relatives, no friends."

Derek acknowledged her and turned.

"We need to find Janet Powell if she´s alive. Philip, come with me."

"I´m coming too," Nick said and stood up.

Derek stopped.

"No."

"What?"

"Nick, I don´t think you´re ready-"

"Derek, if you don´t trust my abilities now, I see no reason to stay here," Nick said heatily. "If you think I can´t handle it, tell me, and I´m outta here."

Nick wasn´t sure where he would go if Derek told him no again, but he was sure that he needed to work on this case. It was all he had right now - and he wasn´t ready to let go. Derek watched him a moment, long enough to send Nick´s stomach for a roller coaster ride, then simply nodded and headed for the hologram. Nick just stood there, not sure of what the nod meant. Was it a Yes, I trust you, or Yes, you can get the hell out.

"Nick, we don´t have all the time. If you want to come, then get moving." That was all the Precept said and he was gone. Nick impishly grinned, knowing that he looked silly but not caring a bit and followed Derek out. Philip just rolled his eyes.

"Try to find out something about Lopez," he told Alex. "Anything can help."

"Will do," replied Alex and returned to her computer.

A/N: Oh well, not much of a cliffhanger there. Two more chapters to the finish. As for my other story, The road not taken, new chapter should be up next Monday.

It would be cool to read some reviews, really...

Okay, this is probably an ad or something, but - if you like Nick /an the actor, I´m sure you would like to read some good fic with him. It´s not PTL, it´s original - science fiction. I just found it and thought you may love it, I surely do. And if you like Keanu Reeves - even better.

Check out the author:

Kristine Williams - Keeper /and the other stories/

/you´ll have to find her on the google, the link won´t show there - or you can mail me for it/