a/n: Remember, alternate universe. I can have Derek be as forthcoming as I please. This also means Philip can break his vows, even if it's through magical means.
Nick held the door open as Derek helped Arabella inside.
"Would you like some help?" Alex asked.
"As long as your skin doesn't touch hers," Derek answered. "Be careful of her left shoulder."
Alex nodded and went to Arabella's other side.
"I'm going to have some instructions for you once she's in bed."
"She seems a little sleepy."
"She's in a lot of pain. We had to give her something."
"I have a feeling she'd still be sleepy even if we didn't give her something," Nick commented. "I'll get Philip, tell him what you told me."
"You really think something might happen?" Alex asked. "She's practically unconscious!"
"The spell she's been put under could activate at anytime," Derek said. "It's important that if she does wake up and manage to touch him, you don't interfere. Just get out and lock the door behind you. Once she touches him, he won't want to leave."
"You know this because...?"
"It's what happened between her mother and I," Derek said after several moments hesitation. "The difference is that her mother couldn't be saved because she gave herself over willingly. Arabella hasn't. If..." he hesitated again. "She can still be saved."
"You don't want to say the words, do you?" Alex asked.
"Would you?" Derek retorted. He looked at Arabella. "I don't like it. I never will. I can't be in here for this. It's too difficult."
"So you're making me supervise?"
"Exactly." He looked to Alex and then at his daughter again.
"Why don't you get out of here? Find Philip. Nick went to tell him you were back. You might want to tell him the risk."
Derek nodded slightly. "If she does wake up before hand, just tell her everything's ok."
"You want me to lie to her?"
"It's not entirely a lie."
Alex watched as Philip readied for the rite. Arabella opened her eyes and looked over at Philip and began to reach over to him. "She's awake!" Alex warned. She attempted to restrain Arabella's sleeved arm, but Arabella acted with surprising swifness, her bare hand touched Philip's face. "I'm so sorry," Alex said as she started for the door as instructed. As she closed the door and locked it behind her, she caught a glimpse of clothing being rapidly removed.
Derek looked up as Alex rushed down the stairs. "I couldn't stop her," Alex told him. "I'm sorry. She was too fast."
Derek closed his eyes and swore softly. "I have to call in another priest."
"Philip can't do the baptism when... it's over?" Nick asked.
"No. That curse is a taint on the soul until baptism, even if you were already baptized or ordained as a priest. If he tried, it would be empty words. As far as I know, once he's baptized again, he won't have to be ordained again."
"Why don't you go in there and pull him off?"
"I can't."
"This is ridiculous!" Nick shouted. "She's your daughter! Why the hell aren't you running in there and pulling him off her?"
Derek glared at him. "You think I don't want to, Nick? I can't do that without hurting either of them. If I did that, it would only make things worse! I know from experience."
"What are you talking about?"
"Her mother decided to do the same thing to her own child that she did to me, Nick! She's being used for a fertility ritual. The Legacy should have hunted her cult down when they had the chance, but they were to focused on saving me."
"Why couldn't you just say that in the first place?" Nick demanded.