A/N - Just wanna ask - is there anyone reading this?

Noble Memoirs

by Nicol Leoraine

Chapter 7

Two hours later they were standing at the College grounds and waiting for Derek to return. The Precept left them in the park while he was trying to find out the whereabouts of Janet Powell. Derek mumbled something about an old colleague working there, but it took him some time to get the informations. When he returned, Nick was nervously pacing while Philip quietly sat on the small bench and watched the students mill around.

"Well?"

"Her class of English Literature should end in about fifteen minutes. Plenty of time to find it."

"Okay, just look out for a brunette," Nick said as the door to the class opened and the students poured out. After a moment of unsuccesfull search, Nick paused one girl and asked her about Janet.

"I´m Erika," the girl said and smiled at Nick. "If you´re looking for Jane, she´s there," and she pointed at the girl standing by the water fountain, holding several scripts. Nick shot her one of his own smiles and waved at his companions to follow him.

"Excuse me, are you Janet Powell?" she turned to him, uncertain.

"Yes, I am. And you are?"

"Nick Boyle. I´m sorry to interrupt but we need to talk with you."

"We?"

"Yeah, that´s Derek Rayne and Father Philip Callaghan," Nick introduced them just as they reached him. Derek nodded and Philip smiled at the girl, trying not to scare her.

"All right," she replied, throwing a look at her watch, "but only a while. Another class starts in thirty minutes."

"The coffee bar?"

She nodded and they walked in silence. Once in the bar they chose a box in the corner so no one will disturb them. After the waitress left with their orders, Janet cleared her throat and looked at them.

"So, what´s this all about?"

"It´s hard to explain it in so short time, Janet," Derek started.

"Try it."

"We´re from the Luna foundation - just like your father."

"Yeah, I remember he mentioned it once or twice. But dad is dead. What do you want from me?"

"Your father acquired some enemies in the years while working with us. And we are afraid that you´re in danger from one of them."

Janet shook her head, absently thanking the waitress who brought her coffee.

"I don´t understand. My father is dead for three years now, and if I remember correctly, he left your foundation few years after I was born. Why would someone want to hurt me now?"

"The man was just now released from the prison," Nick intervened nervously. "He already killed my friend and tried to kill me. And he´s after you."

"But why? I have nothing with your work, and I don´t know you, nor your friend!" Janet protested.

"Our parents worked together. My father, both Gerry´s parents, and your father. But they´re all dead. Lopez just get out of the jail and is pretty angry."

"You still didn´t tell me - why! What did my father do to him?"

"Killed his son."

Janet looked at him with wild uncomprehending eyes. Nick was sure she´ll just bolt and run away, probably calling the cops at them. Her body tensed and when Philip touched her shoulder, she jerked.

"You´re lying. My father didn´t kill anyone."

Derek sighed and shook his head. This wasn´t going like he wanted, and Nick wasn´t helping the matter by his forthrightness.

"I´m sorry, Janet, I said it wrong," Nick started and the girl looked up at him. "Your father stopped a man from killing an innocent girl in a ritual. He had no choice but to shoot him. Unluckily, Frederick Lopez was there and saw what happened. He went crazy and killed the teacher that informed our parents. We don´t know if he planned other murders as well, but he was put into prison and sentenced for twenty five years. Now he got out." Taking a breath, Nick continued.

"My friend Gerry is dead, and I had an accident while driving home. You´re in danger Janet and we want to protect you."

"And how do you want to do it?" Janet asked, exasperated. "I´m few months before my finals, and I need to learn and visit the lectures. I can´t play Hide and Seek, not now! I´m sorry, but I must go. I can´t help you."

With that she left a dollar on the table and was out of the bar in a moment. Nick stood to follow her, but Derek stopped him.

"What!" Nick barked. "We need to stop her. She can´t just be running around the city without any protection!"

"You heard what she said," Derek spoke, trying to calm down the young man. "She´s adult, we can´t tell her what to do. Anyway, she has another class. I doubt Lopez will try anything in the open."

"But what later? Do we just return home and leave her alone?"

"Who said we´re going home?" Derek grinned and Nick frowned, confused.

"Then what?"

"We´re staying. She can be protected without her knowing about it."

Now Nick grinned too.

"Okay, chief. So what now?"

"She should be safe in her class, but Gerry - you´ll follow her on every step. Understood?"

The ghost smirked and was gone.

"I think she´s in more danger on her way home. Alex can tell us what car she´s driving, and we´ll wait for her there. If anything, Gerry can alert us."

"What if nothing happens here?"

"We will need to take turns in monitoring. Philip, you and Nick have the first turn. I and Alex will change you for the night. Gerry should be with her non stop."

Nick nodded, the plan sounded good.

"Don´t wanna spoil it, Derek - but if you´re returning to the castle, we need a car."

"Take mine," Derek sighed and pulled out the keys. Nick looked at him with hope, but Derek shook his head and handed them to Philip.

"One scratch, and I´ll never lend you my car again, understood?"

Philip nodded as Derek gave him the keys, doubt visible in his eyes. Nick snorted and called the waitress to bring the bill.

They found the red Ford within minutes, after Derek informed Alex and she called back with the license plate number. After that, Derek took a taxi, reminded Philip not to allow Nick driving and not to scratch his car, and call to the house every hour. Philip promised they´ll behave and get to the Jeep, carefully parking it near the car of Janet Powell.

"I hate waiting," Nick informed the priest, then yawned.

"Tired?"

"Yeah,"

"Did you even sleep?"

"Some, I think. Before the dreams started." Nick closed his eyes.

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah," Nick sighed. "Look, if anything, Gerry will let us know."

"Just so you know, Nick - I´m not a psychic, and I don´t see Gerry." Philip warned.

"He´ll wake me, if anything," Nick mumbled.

"Did I mention how I hate waiting?" This time it was Philip speaking, but Nick was already asleep.

"This will be a long day," The Priest sighed and concentrated on the red car ahead of them.

An hour later it was really Gerry´s voice which woke up Nick from his slumber. Tiredly rubbing his eyes and yawning, Nick looked at the ghost.

"What?"

"She´s on her way home. See her?" Gerry pointed at the farther end of the parking lot. True to his words, there was the girl with short brown hair and hands full of scripts heading for the car.

"Nick?" Philip asked, looking at his companion.

"She´s here," and as Nick nodded towards Janet Powell, he caught the motion to the right.

"Damn it!" Nick cursed, leaping out of the car and running towards the girl, who wasn´t aware of the danger. Janet was almost by her car and stopped, trying to manipulate with the scripts and at the same time get out the car keys from her bag. She didn´t see the motorbike moving at her.

"Look out!" Despite the roaring engine, Nick´s shout registered in her brain and she dropped the scripts while looking at him. The surprise in her eyes was hidden by the shock, as Nick lunged himself at her, pushing them both to the ground. The motorbike caught Nick by his leg and he was thrown off Janet. The motorbike swerved, but the driver balanced it and with an angry shout drove off.

Everything happened so fast that Philip was still several yards from Nick, who lay motionless on the cold concrete, while Janet was trying to stand. Gerry followed the motorbike, memorising the licence plate number and with a look at Nick vanished.

"Are you all right?" Philip asked the girl and helped her up. She looked shocked, but not injured.

"Uh, yeah, I think so. What happened?"

"Someone tried to kill you," Philip mumbled and was by Nick´s side.

"Is he okay?" Janet asked, seeing the wide look on Nick´s face, as well as his pale features.

"Does he look like it?" Philip snapped, then shook his head. "Sorry." This wasn´t the time to snap at anyone. But where the hell was Gerry? And what was Nick thinking?

Kneeling down next to his friend, Philip gently touched Nick´s shoulder. Nick yelped and jerked away as if Philip just hit him, but at least the blank stare from his eyes vanished. The priest now saw fear and a sort of - recognition?

"W-what?" Nick stuttered and pulled away from Philip´s touch.

"Nick, are you all right?" The priest asked, trying to sound calm. Nick blinked several times and Philip was glad to see that his pupils were back to normal.

"Y-yeah, I - think so," Nick replied and coughed, trying to clear his throat. He was instantly reminded of his healing ribs as well as several new bruises he acquired. He grimaced, trying to supress the moan.

"Shouldn´t we call an ambulance?" Janet asked watching Nick with growing concern. She realised that if not him, she would probably be dead right now, or at least lying there, injured.

"No!" Nick protested and tried to get up.

"Stay!" Philip ordered, pushing him back down. "I saw that the motorbike caught your leg."

Now that Philip mentioned it, Nick felt a distant throbbing in his right calf.

He propped himself up on his elbows and looked at his leg. Yep, there was a pretty long gash in his jeans, already turning crimson. He bit down the curse as the priest followed his gaze.

"No hospital,"Nick grumbled and the priest sighed.

"Janet, can you get me the First Aid kit from the car?"

The girl nodded, glad that she can do something. Philip meanwhile studied the leg. The parking lot started to fill with people as most of the classes ended. Students walked around them and threw curious glances toward the pair on the ground. One older professor even stopped and asked if they need some help. Philip smiled at the man and shook his head.

"Thanks, we´ll manage somehow. Stupid accident."

The man looked dubious, but Nick waved him away with a smile. Once they were alone for a minute, Nick´s eyes darkened.

"Did you saw him?"

"Who?"

"The rider!"

"Sorry, but he has a helmet, not to mention that I watched my friend playing hero," Philip scowled at Nick, then his face softened.

"What happened, Nick? When I touched you..."

For a moment Nick looked totally confused.

"You pulled away and yelped. You looked - scared. What did you saw?"

"Oh," Nick remembered and it wasn´t a pretty feeling. "Just some memories from the accident and about... my father. Nothing much."

Philip nodded, knowing good enough not to ask. He was aware of Nick´s troubled childhood as his friend shared it with him. He also knew that Nick didn´t need those memories right now and that there were more pressing issues to deal with. Meanwhile Janet returned with the First Aid kit and Philip quickly retrieved some bandages. Nick hissed as the Priest tightened the bandage around his leg to stop the bleeding. Philip shot him an amused look.

"Your choice, pal. I still think it would be better to take care about this in the hospital."

Nick resolutely shook his head.

"Help me up."

As Philip took his hand and pulled him up, Nick hobbled on his left leg, most of his weight on the priest´s shoulder. And for the first time he really looked at Janet.

"Sorry, I didn´t mean to lunge at you like that," he apologized as Philip helped him back to the Jeep. Janet was walking with them, suddenly losing interest in returning home.

"Don´t be silly. I should thank you for saving my life. Really, that was..."

"Crazy?" Philip tried and Janet smiled as Nick glared at him.

"Yeah, you can say that. But I´m still thankful, Nick," and she gave him a light peck on his cheek, just as Nick seated himself in the Jeep. The priest smiled and clapped Nick´s mouth shut.

"So, what are you planning now, Janet?" Philip asked in a serious tone once Nick stopped gaping.

"I-I don´t know," Janet stuttered nervously. "I mean - I know I wasn´t very... co-operating," she mumbled, looking at Nick, "but now... I don´t know."

"You can come with us. We´ll protect you. Really," Nick added, thinking she didn´t believe him. But Janet felt only relief and she smiled at him.

"Okay... thanks. I will really cooperate with you this time, I promise."

"Great."

They were about to start up the car, when Philip´s cell phone started ringing. Nick looked around and only now realised that Gerry was not there.

"Derek," he said and Philip nodded, picking up the call.

"Everyone´s okay, Derek," Philip reassured the concerned Precept.

"No, she wasn´t hurt."

Janet looked at Nick, he winked at her.

"Uhm," Philip coughed and Nick raised his eyebrow.

"Yes, but... no, he won´t go to the hospital." A moment of silence.

"Try to tell him yourself," Philip grumbled and handed Nick the cell phone. Nick frowned at him, then at the phone.

"No, Derek... I won´t... I´m-" With a sigh, Nick shook his head and simply turned off the phone. Philip stared at him in awe.

"You turned him off?"

"If something, the batteries were low."

Philip chuckled and started the engine.

"You had to knock your head harder then we thought,"the priest commented.

"I shoulda know," Nick muttered as Gerry appeared on the adjacent seat.

"What?" Janet asked, confused by the note.

"Nothing. Just tired."

"You know that Derek is pissed, right?" Gerry asked and Nick closed his eyes, resting his head on the window.

"Ah, can´t talk, huh?" Gerry grinned.

"So now´s the good time to sing you my favorite songs," And after five minutes, Nick was sure this was Derek´s way of revenge. He asked Philip to turn on the radio and Gerry vanished with a satisfied chuckle.

The rest of the ride was quiet and Janet admired the view. Nick was feigning sleep while trying to stay alert. It was too close, he thought. The worst thing was he wasn´t so much scared from Lopez and the attempt, as by the images running through his head at the moment. He saw his father, probably drunk. They were shouting at each other though Nick knew it wasn´t the smartest thing to do. He saw the fist only a moment late. But the pain didn´t come and he was back in his red Mustang, driving towards the Legacy House, wanting to talk with Philip. He now clearly remembered the accident, even had a distinct feeling that Gerry was with him the whole time he was trapped in the car. But those were not happy memories and Nick wasn´t sure if he even had them. That scared him the most.

Hobbling to the door supported by Janet, Nick saw another car parking there.

"Whose is this?"

"Rachel. Good, she can take a look at your leg,"

Nick shot Philip a nasty look and prepared himself for Derek´s wrath.

There was he, standing in the middle of the hall, arms crossed, a frowning look on his face. Next to him was Rachel Corrigan, the woman Nick heard of, but didn´t really had a chance to talk with. Alex was just coming down the stairs. They were all scowling and Nick had the grace to blush.

"Uhm," he cleared his throat and introduced Janet.

"I´m glad that you wasn´t hurt, Miss Powell. It would be a real shame," a look of disapproval at Philip, and Nick wondered just what the Priest did to anger Derek. "If you would follow us, I think we need to discuss some things."

Janet hesitantly looked at Nick.

"Dr. Corrigan will take good care about him, won´t you, Rachel?" Derek said, seeing the look. Rachel smiled and Nick had a vision of a very big needle heading his way. He gulped but released his hold on Janet and watched with some trepidation as she vanished along with Alex and Derek in the living room.

"I think I´ll take a shower," Nick started and limped toward the staircase. He could swear that he heard Philip chuckle but when he turned, the Priest had a look of innocence plastered on his face. Nick grimaced at him, then resumed his walk.

"That´s a good idea. And while you´re at undressing, I can check out that leg."

Nick could´ve sweared that even his earlobes turned pink and this time, the holy priest didn´t even try to cover his laugh.

"I´ll join Derek and the others. Have fun, Nick," Philip said and was gone before Nick could throw the nearest statue at him. Just as well.

Nick somehow managed the stairs, hoping that he won´t leave any blood stains on the carpet. Rachel walked next to him in silence, ready to help if he´d asked. But Nick didn´t and felt a relief when he had a chance to sit down on his bed. Rachel left him for a minute and Nick thought she changed her mind, but she was back soon and he sighed.

"You know the others are talking about interesting things," he tried. Rachel gave him a smile that told him not to mess around. It somehow reminded him of his mother... Nick blinked.

"Down with your pants, Mister,"

Nick blushed.

"What?"

"Or I can cut them, but I think you would prefer the first."

"I - don´t think it´s so bad, really. Philip already took care of it," Nick babbled and Rachel shot him one of her warning looks.

"Look, Madam - we don´t know each other very well,"

"Bullshit. I saw your butt before, Nick. Don´t get squirmy on me."

"Can I ask under what occassions?"

Rachel laughed.

"The same as now."

"Turn around," Nick asked and Rachel did, though she rolled her eyes and sighed.

Nick as quickly as he could pulled off his pants and sit back down. Rachel turned and looking at the already red bandage, started rummaging through her medical bag.

"I thought you´re a psychiatrist," Nick constated, shivering when he saw a really big needle in her hand, but she wasn´t looking for it.

"Yeah, well, but I still had to study medicine, Nick." Rachel pulled out a little sciccors and cut away the soaked bandage. Nick hissed as she pressed a new one on the cut, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Okay, what about you lie down? I will need to work on this,"

So Nick now lie on his stomach, looking at the headboard of his bed, while Rachel was messing with his leg. He ocassionally hissed or groaned, but kept still.

"How is Kat?"

Rachel stopped what she was doing and darted a look at him.

"Better. Still sick, but she´s gonna be okay. Nick, how did you-"

"Derek and the others told me about her. Don´t be afraid, no memories concerning you."

Or at least not real, thought Nick.

"Did you remember something?"

Nick hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"That´s great!" Rachel was excited, but quickly calmed when she saw his reaction.

"Say, the worst are coming first?"

"Yeah. I just don´t know if there ever were better, Rachel. And that´s the problem."

"Okay, I´m finished," she patted his leg and Nick turned, looking into her face.

"If you need-"

"Sorry, I don´t need a shrink - no offence."

"None taken. But I meant it like your friend, Nick. If you want to talk, we´re here. Derek, Alex, Philip, I... or even Gerry," Nick chuckled at that.

"Yeah, it can be pretty frustrating if you can´t see him," Rachel said.

"Do you think I... changed?" Nick blurted out the question.

"In what matter, Nick?"

"I don´t know... do I act differently?"

"Hm, let´ s see. You´re still the caring man I know. Risking to save someone without a backward glance if it will hurt you. Crazy like ever. But also more open with your thoughts and emotions. Which I don´t think is wrong," Rachel quickly added, seeing the grimace on his face.

"You didn´t build up the walls that protected you in the past, though I think you´re slowly starting to. But it would be good if something stayed uncovered - do you understand?"

"Not really."

"But you will, once your memories return."

"So you believe they will?"

"Yeah," Rachel sighed, not at all so excited as before. "They will; only now I´m not so sure if it will help you or not."

Seeing his puzzlement, Rachel shook her head.

"Never mind my rambling, Nick. Come on, dress up, I think someone will want to talk with you. Try not to put much pressure on that leg and don´t go jumping in the way of any vehicle, if I can advise you."

"Aye, sir," Nick saluted and Rachel left him to dress.

He took his time, limping down the stairs - not so much from discomfort like an uneasy feeling of the discussion lying ahead of him. Derek really looked pissed off and even though Nick didn´t remember what it was like, he knew well enough not to cross his way.

A man, with a receding hair sitting on the couch between Alex and Janet really took him by surprise. He surely wasn´t here when they came, and Nick wondered how he couldn´t hear the door bell or the car coming up.

The stranger looked up at him as the conversation died away and smiled.

Nick questioningly looked at Derek, uncertain if he should know this man or not.

"Ah, glad to see you alive, Mr. Boyle," the man stood and shook Nick´s hand. "Detective Jim Preston. I was investigating your accident."

Nick nodded and seated himself, studying the man before him, just as Jim Preston was studying Nick.

"I gathered that there was another attempt at your life, Mr. Boyle?"

"What? No, not my life. He tried to kill Janet. I just got in the way."

"Your luck is starting to amaze me," Preston stated with a light smile. "Okay, I heard the statement of Ms. Powell and Father Callaghan, can you give me yours?"

Nick repeated the event, getting light around the risk he took, though Derek was still eyeing him dangerously. The detective scribbled something in his notebook, where he already wrote the statements of Philip and Janet.

"So you were following Ms. Powell?"

"Well, yes, but-" Nick blushed.

"That´s allright, Detective. If not for them, I would be probably dead," Janet smiled at Nick and he felt as if his face caught on fire. Preston shook his head.

"Dr. Rayne, you was saying something about identifying the man?"

"Yes," Derek nodded and handed the detective a file of Frederick and Riki Lopez. Preston listed through it and the room was silent till he clapped the file closed and looked up at Derek.

"Interesting. You think it is Frederick Lopez or some other member of the cult?"

The surprised looks around would be funny, but there was nothing to laugh at.

"W-we didn´t thought about the other members..."

"No? But there´s some possibility,"

"Yeah, well... but Lopez get out of jail three months ago, and Gerry was killed last month. I think it´s too much of a coincidence," Nick tried to defend their actions. Preston raised his hands with a smile as if showing them no threat.

"I was just getting through the possibilities, Mr. Boyle. I think you got the right man, though there´s also the chance that the man is co-operating with someone from the cult."

"It´s highly unlikely," Derek finally found his voice. "I mean - the man hated the cult almost as much as he hated us for killing his son. I don´t think he would work with someone from there. But we´ll check out the whereabouts of the rest of the cult members."

"Check? Just how do you intend to do that?" Preston asked and Derek internally cursed in Dutch.

"Why, the internet, of course. And we have some friend in the force. Is that all, Detective Preston?"

"Almost. Did any one of you catch the licence plate number?"

They looked at each other and were about to shake their heads, when Gerry hastily appeared and told Nick the number. He then repeated it to the Detective, getting a surprised look from Philip. Nick just mouthed Gerry and the Priest nodded.

Preston stood up.

"Okay, thanks for your informations. It will surely help to close the investigation, if we catch him. I´ll get the license plate through the register and then let you know, but... in the meantime... if you want, I can put up some police officers to provide security for Mr. Boyle and Ms. Powell."

Nick looked at Derek, thinking about cops getting in their way, and shook his head along with the Precept.

"Thank you, Detective, but we have our security measures here on the Island. I think we can keep them safe."

Preston shrugged.

"Even though, consider it. Ms. Powell? Are you planning to stay here or you´re returning home? I would recommend the former."

Janet looked first at Nick then at Derek and they both saw the fear in her eyes.

"She´s staying here," Nick said quickly. Janet looked relieved, Preston nodded.

"In that case, try not to leave the house. I would also suggest you take a few days pause from studying," Janet was about to protest, but Preston raised his hand. "You can still get the scripts and notes from your friends or the teachers. But give us few days, Ms. Powell... it´s in your best interest."

"Thank you for your help, Detective Preston," Derek said and stood. "I´ll accompany you to your car."

Preston nodded and they left. Nick was sure Derek wanted to talk with Preston between four eyes, though he wasn´t sure what about.

"We´ll have to wait," Nick said when Derek returned. He somehow felt it wasn´t what the old Nick would say and the surprised looks that Philip and Alex threw him just confirmed this thought, but now wasn´t a good time to play hero. Not when there was Janet.

"Now, this is not something we hear from you often," Derek joked. Nick stared at him, weighing what to tell the Precept, but Janet saw his frustration and tried to avert his attention.

"So Nick, does your offer for a tour still apply?"

Nick looked at her, currently not remembering any offer, but he wasn´t about to say that.

"Of course. Wanna take a walk around?"

"Why, yes. If you´ll excuse us?" Janet stood and followed Nick out of the room.

"Just don´t get far from the house," Derek warned them, but the only reply was a closing door. He sighed and turned at Gerry.

"Watch them," he said. "And try not to be seen," Derek added as an afterthought. Nick won´t be grateful for the spying. Gerry smirked and saluted.

"Aye, sir,"

As the ghost vanished, Derek shook his head, trying to ease the building headache.

"Just how did they manage this kid in New Orleans?" he sighed.

"The same as we manage Nick," Rachel replied with a smile. Philip and Alex smirked at each other.

"I see Nick found a new interest," Rachel commented, as she stood by the window and watched the pair walking through the garden. Nick looked relaxed and the psychiatrist wondered if he didn´t fall in love once again.

"We´ll see. I just hope it won´t end like his other relationships," the Precept sighed. "It bothers me that Frederick Lopez is free and knew about the Legacy."

"He won´t tell anyone - and even if he did, how many people do you think will believe him?"

"It´s not about who he will tell, Alex. It´s about the fact that he somehow found out about Nick, Gerry and Janet. He knew where they were and when, probably watched them for a time. He had to do some research to find out that the team members responsible for the death of his son are all dead, and to hunt down their kids. That´s what troubles me, Alex. He probably knows enough to find this House. And probably knew how to get inside." As the pair get farther from the House, Derek lost them from his sight. For once, he was grateful for the fleeting presence of Gerry Stelton, following every step Nick and Janet made.

TBC

A/N - Okay, one more chapter to go. More action, I promise. Though it would be good to see more reviews - I would like to have at least twenty by the end of this story. Pleeease... read and review.