"This might be them now." Rachel could almost feel the relief from the security chief to have both their friends back safe and sound. She swore that Nick would have shown up on their hotel doorstep after Derek's call. The young man had gone into security mode, and he wanted to get there and protect his precept. Derek was uncertain, however, that Jeroen was truly dead and told Nick to stay and protect her just in case.

She and Nick walked closer to the pier as the boat from Huahine pulled up to the dock. Scanning the passengers, she noticed Derek and Alex standing by the railing. She waved to them, but she doubted they saw her as their heads were close together. Derek then kissed Alex and they joined the group to disembark. Rachel saw her young friend suddenly stumble before the precept caught her, then shake her head at his concern.

"Well, look at you two." Nick grinned as he hugged Alex. "It seems like you guys have been gone for a week." Rachel caught a glimpse of sadness on her friend's face. Maybe reality was setting in...

Rachel smiled as she gently hugged Derek. "How is your arm? And your head," she said as she stepped back. "And what is this stubble that I see on your face? Did they not have razors where you were?"

He laughed. "I'm actually thinking of letting it grow," he said, his hand stroking his chin. "And I'm feeling fine, nothing to worry about."

"It sort of looks good on you," she said as she backed away. "Your arm must be feeling better. I don't see a sling on it." As if he'd wear one.

"Now, I've had enough of that from Alex," he said, putting his good arm around her. "My arm is fine too. A sling would only get in the way and, besides, I've had worse."

"You both look in remarkable good condition after scaring us half to death with what happened. I was stunned after I heard what Jeroen had done."

Alex's eyes went wide for a moment. "Are you all right, sweetie? He didn't hurt you, did he?" The blonde woman took her friend's hands.

"He did, but... Don't worry about me." Her voice definitely didn't sound like she was all right. Maybe later she could get Alex to talk to her about it.

"He had a darker side that he hid quite well," Derek said. "One that we don't have to worry about anymore, I'm glad to say."

"Excuse me?" The group turned to see a hotel staff member. "Dr. Rayne, sir?"

"I'm Dr. Rayne," Derek acknowledged.

"We received a call for you. The gentleman gave no name, sir. He only wished me to say 'It's from London,'" the young man said. "He asked that you call back as soon as possible."

The Legacy group exchanged looks. They were to head back to San Francisco tomorrow and something made London call today. "Why don't we all plan to meet at the restaurant about 8:45? I've got reservations for 9." After a quick wink at Alex, Derek followed the hotel employee inside.

"Wonder what that's all about," Nick said quietly. "They couldn't wait a day?" Rachel noted the look on Alex's face. The young woman said nothing; she only watched the precept walk away. Rachel didn't like the look of this, and a sense of uneasiness came over her. London calling and Alex looked upset...

"Honey, I'm sure you must need some rest. Why don't I walk you back to your room?"

"You guys go ahead," Nick said. "I'm going to try and see what's going on." He headed off after Derek.

The women were soon settled in Alex's bungalow. Rachel picked two soft drink cans from the mini bar and brought them over to the sofa where her friend was seated. "Can I get you anything else? Do you need something stronger? I can call for room service."

"No thanks." Alex popped the lid and took a sip. "It's just... It's so hard to believe all that we went through now that we're back."

"I couldn't believe the news about Jeroen when Nick told me." The blonde woman said with disbelief. "That must have been such a shock to you as well. He was so charming at our Christmas dinner. I feel terrible that I asked him to join us." She looked at Alex. "And to think he shot Derek?" she asked, trying to confirm the facts.

Alex nodded. "He did so much more, Rachel." She sighed and paused to collect her thoughts. "God, I'm so tired. We were at the police station this morning where I had to tell them the whole story because Derek didn't seem to remember very much of it."

She stopped when there was a knock at the door, and she opened it to find Nick standing there. "I came to see if you were okay after your adventure."

"Come in." Alex gestured to a chair. "I'm okay. I could use some sleep, though." She shook her head, trying to clear it.

"Guess you didn't get much sleep the past couple of days." He tried to ask it innocently enough, but he couldn't keep the smile off his face. The young man was rewarded with a small smile in return.

"No, I didn't," Alex admitted. "But now we're back and London is calling."

"Yeah, it didn't take them long, did it. I'm merely surprised they didn't call us every day." He chuckled.

Alex returned to the sofa. "Listen, I'm glad you're here. It will be easier to tell the both of you together."

"Tell us what?" Nick smirked as he sat. "That you and Derek are sweeties? I think we figured that out. Remember? I called your room?"

"No, what I have to tell you is a lot more serious." She took a large drink of her soda. "There's something you both need to know, and you especially, Nick, as the chief of security."

"That... sounds awfully serious, Alex." He and Rachel traded worried gazes.

"Honey, whatever it is, we'll help you."

"It's not me who'll need help." The younger woman's voice lowered to a whisper. "It's Derek."

"Derek? Why, what's the matter with him?" Rachel heard the sharp tone in Nick's voice. Alex, however, closed her eyes and the room was quiet as her friends anxiously waited.

"I know why London is calling," she finally said softly. "I had to give them the 'Doctor Jacobs' code."

"What?!" Nick sprang to his feet.

Rachel held out her hand to him. "But that's only used when there could be something of a serious psychological nature wrong with a Legacy precept."

"Don't you think I know that?! Do you really believe that I wanted to call London?!" Her anger subsided and a lone tear rolled down her face. "But I had to tell them. I had to ensure that he'd be fine because... I think Jeroen injected Derek with ketamine."

"Oh my God..." Rachel knew the devastating effects of the drug and what it could do.

"Are you positive?" the young man said, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at her. "You only think?"

"Nick, I was positive enough to call London." Even though a tear slid down Alex's face, she stood nose to nose with him. "Do you think I want anything to happen to him?!"

"Of course not, but you know how much London's going to love this. They might force him to give up being a precept. Or lock him up someplace." Nick waved his arms in frustration.

"Okay, okay, both of you." Rachel put her hands up. "We need to stay calm."

He turned to the blonde. "Rach, what if it was wrong?"

"And what if it wasn't," the psychiatrist stated quietly. "Alex did the right thing. If there is a chance that Derek was injected with ketamine, then he'll need to be thoroughly checked out no matter how much he won't like it. You couldn't take the chance; Derek has to be tested. Who knows how the ketamine will affect his abilities, his Gift?" She turned to the other woman. "Why do you think this?"

"I've had several visions. In the first, I was trying to wake Derek from a nightmare, then suddenly Horton was plunging a needle into his neck, before he morphed into Jeroen." She took another drink. "Derek woke then and was rubbing his neck. That's likely where Jeroen stabbed him." She turned away from them. "And it explains how Jeroen could manage to get Derek into a grave."

"A grave?!" Nick looked about to hit something.

"Derek was in a grave?" Rachel was horrified. They had trusted the young man, and she most of all, she brooded, feeling the guilt like a heavy chain around her shoulders. "No one mentioned that before."

Her friend closed her eyes. "After I got out of the pit, I had to find him. I feared I was too late, since I knew he would have gotten me out as he promised." Alex shivered. "I had to find him, no matter what. And I eventually did, half out of this grave."

"I wish I could get my hands on that bastard." The ex-SEAL's hands clenched.

"Well, Nick, he won't be bothering anyone anymore. He got what he deserved by the spirits of those he murdered," Alex said softly.

"Murdered!" This latest shock hit her hand.

"Jesus, he murdered more than one?"

"Jeroen had a nice hiding place for himself." The young woman's voice turned contemptuous. "Derek and I stumbled over this sacred marae, a holy area, but Jeroen turned it into this private little spot where he could bury his bodies." She started to pace. "At first, we only believed that Jeroen was stealing artifacts, but then he turned into this complete... monster. He sounded so angry, believing that we had come to steal his... treasures."

"I guess Derek sensed all along that there was a darker side to him," Rachel said sadly. "I wish I did."

"I wasn't much better, until I tripped over a body of one of his victims and had a vision. These women trusted him, were charmed by him. He derived great pleasure injecting them." Alex took a long drink. "Jeroen grabbed me around the throat and Derek ordered him to let me go. Of course he didn't, and he began to call me... these filthy names in Dutch. I've heard Derek mutter one or two of them when he was angry at London, so I knew..." She finished the drink.

"Next thing I realized, that asshole's pulled a gun on us." Rachel watched as her friend turned away and crushed the can. "He bragged that he was related to the man who was considered the father of Apartheid as he held the gun to my head. Derek tried a softer approach to get that creep let me go, but Jeroen shot him instead."

"If only I..." The blonde placed her hand on Nick's arm to stop him. He didn't look pleased when she shook her head. Alex needed to get this out of her, especially this part of her story.

Alex spun back to them and her eyes bored into Rachel's. "That prick that we all trusted, all except Derek, shot him! I don't think either one of them blinked afterwards. Derek had his hand over the wound even as he tried to trade himself for me! Oh, no, Jeroen wasn't *about* to agree to that!" Her voice rose, "But then in next minute, he made an offer to Derek that maybe they can go into business together after I'm buried!" She looked away, seemingly to the view beyond the window.

"They argued again..." she continued in a softer tone, "and I tried to get Jeroen to let Derek go if I stayed to..." A reddish tinge appeared on the young woman's face.

"That was very brave of you," the psychiatrist said softly.

"It was probably a useless gesture." Alex sighed. "He would have killed the both of us as he almost proved shortly after that." She laughed bitterly. "At least he said that I would have fetched a good price if his ancestors had sold me."

Rachel reached out for Nick's hand as much for comfort as to try to keep his anger level down. She knew the ex-SEAL would have loved to use his training, even come up with new ideas on making Jeroen suffer for the pain of their friends.

"I tried again to fake him out, this time using the old fainting trick." She grinned at Nick. "And he fell for it. I hit him in the gut as hard as I could and ran to Derek." Her face fell. "But I was so... intent on reaching him that I forgot about the pit."

"A pit?" Rachel couldn't believe all this. "Where did that come from?"

"It's a ceremonial pit in which the native people would toss down a few sacred relics of their ancestors who had died. Jeroen told Derek that he wouldn't have much time getting me out if there was a downpour, that the pit would fill up fast."

"Oh my God..." Rachel could only imagine how her friend felt at being in such a place.

"I was too busy worrying what was going on above me, whether Derek would try and do something stupid with Jeroen holding that gun." Her tone darkened. "And then I heard a shot." After a moment of silence, her voice lowered. "I screamed Derek's name..." Her fists tightened. "And then that bastard's ugly face was looking down at me, saying that Derek wouldn't be able to help me ever again."

"Thank God he was wrong." Nick's voice was slightly calmer as he sat down.

Taking a deep breath, she resumed her story. "I fought the urge to crumple into unconsciousness, and I told Jeroen that if it was the last thing I ever did in this life that I would get out of that pit and make him pay."

"That a girl." The blonde gave Alex a small smile. "And you got out."

"You bet your ass." They laughed and Rachel could see a bit of the tension lifting from her face. "Then you found Derek?"

"Not an easy thing, but I ultimately did. I knew that I just couldn't stay in that hole and let Jeroen get away with Derek's murder." Alex closed her eyes once more and the psychiatrist knew that the younger woman was reliving it.

"When did you know Derek was alive?" she asked gently.

Alex gave her a sad smile. "A short time after I found his body partially out of the grave. I dragged him into this cave since a terrifying storm blew up. I was..." Another tear rolled down her face. "I haven't felt so alone like that since Gramma Rose died. And I felt as responsible now as I did then."

"Don't you dare," Rachel said as she stood and hugged her friend. "You simply went on a hike with Derek, anything else was Jeroen's fault... the man was absolutely evil."

"So you think that he injected Derek to get him into the grave?" Nick broke in then. "The bastard buried him alive?"

"That didn't occur to me until later, since I was so damn happy and grateful that he was alive." She nodded to him. "But I think that was Jeroen's intention. He despised Derek. I could feel the waves of hatred from him."

"You said you had multiple visions of him injecting Derek."

Rachel wished Nick would drop it, but she supposed that he needed to know as security chief, and Alex needed to tell it. The young woman went over and sat beside him.

"When I was telling Inspector Williamson the whole story, he said that his men had been up to the marae... and they had found a used syringe. I didn't want to believe it, but when he asked if Derek and I had experienced any symptoms..." Again the sad smile. "I could hear your voice telling me what the effects were. I knew Derek had some of them, but I wanted to believe they were due to his head injury."

"How did he hurt his head anyway?" Rachel wondered if she should be concerned about it before they left for home. She knew there was little she could do if he had been injected.

"I'm not sure," Alex told her. "I presume when he was shot the second time, when the bullet grazed his head. He must have fallen."

The psychiatrist could feel Nick's eyes on her. "So this second vision?"

Alex shrugged. "I had to find out the truth, so I asked Williamson if I could hold the syringe." The young woman shook her head. "It was as if I was Jeroen. In that moment, I could feel his emotions, the vile contempt he had for Derek... and me, and the women he killed. God, he was so vicious, so sick, and utterly twisted. The bastard was actually disappointed that he was such a poor shot, but then he took out the syringe and ketamine bottle. He muttered that he usually used it to inject his female victims so he could watch the horror on their faces, feel their fear."

"Dear God..." Rachel shuddered.

The young woman's voice trembled as she continued. "Jeroen told Derek that he had planned to use the ketamine on me, but Derek had robbed him of that 'pleasure.' Then he said something that a 'new accommodation' had opened up. I can only think that meant that he had already dug the grave!"

"He was going to kill you...?" The blonde looked at her in shock.

"I have no doubt that it was only because I fell into that pit that I wasn't raped and murdered as his other female victims were."

"And you're convinced these spirits killed him." Rachel knew that the security chief hoped the young Dutchmen was alive so he could get his hands on him for what he had done.

"I'm positive," Alex said as she turned to him. "I saw them as they began to form in this mist around him. I had to pull Derek away because they had wanted to hurt any Dutchman they could find. As we started down the mountain I heard this... horrifying... ghastly scream." Rachael noticed that her friend seemed to be growing more tired. "Derek and I later took a chopper ride with the inspector to try and find Jeroen. We found his body at the bottom of a cliff. His face... was shredded... even looked partially eaten..."

"All right," Rachel said, putting her hand on Nick's shoulder. "That's all for today. Why don't we let Alex get some rest before dinner. She needs time to begin to put this behind her."

"Okay, okay. I guess I'll need to check in with London, see what the plan is," Nick admitted as he headed out the door. "I'll see you ladies later."

"Let's both take it easy and rest before our party tonight." Rachel tried to get her friend to smile. "After all, this is our last night here, and we'll want to make it a nice, long one."

She was rewarded with a laugh from Alex. "That sounds real good," she said, hugging her. "Thank you. I think I'll have to set the alarm or something so I'll be there and not sleep through it."

"Don't worry, I'll give you a call about 6 to make sure you're up." With that, she left the young woman alone.

As Rachael walked toward her own bungalow, she remembered the things Alex had told them. How could they have been so wrong about Jeroen? Because they were on vacation and let their guard down? To think that she had believed that Derek was jealous of the man's attentions toward Alex. She was a psychiatrist; she should have known how well a sociopath can charm and manipulate others. All right, she plainly didn't expect to run into one on vacation. With a sigh she closed her door, leaving thoughts of Jeroen outside. God, she missed her daughter and a certain San Francisco detective. She needed to hear their voices...

A number of hours later, feeling refreshed and ready for the evening ahead, Rachel smoothed the black lace-over-satin skirt of her new dress as she took a look in the mirror. She had decided to splurge on a new outfit from the hotel's boutique for the occasion, using a bit of the money that Derek had so generously given them. The length of it was to her knees, which suited her for she was proud of the shape of her legs. The gold-sequined halter top, however, didn't seem as tight as she needed to avoid embarrassment so she retied it, letting the straps fall instead of making them into a bow.

With one last check and a spritz of perfume, she was ready to go. She left her room and was thankful that at least she wasn't going to be a third wheel tonight. As disappointed as she was for Nick, she was a bit grateful that Suzette had to take a flight for another flight attendant who had come down with a bad cold. It would be nice to have just the four of them for their last evening in paradise. Even though it hadn't quite been the one they had hoped for. Again pushing those thoughts away, Rachel was soon outside Alex's bungalow. Knocking gently on the door, she called out, "Alex, honey. Are you ready?"

"I'm all set," the woman said as she opened the door. "Isn't that a beautiful dress! You look terrific."

"Thank you." Rachel smiled at her. "Oh, my goodness, yours is exquisite." Alex turned around so the blonde could get the full effect. The floor-length silk gown was sleeveless with thin straps and a pink and yellow floral design. It was low in the back, and the tiered skirt and bodice material were gathered to the side for a lovely layered look. But what were...

"Alex, have you had anyone look at those scratches on your back?"

She gave her a slight grin. "Yes, they're fine. The spirits wanted to hurt Derek, but I wasn't about to let them."

The psychiatrist didn't want her friend to explain further. "Why don't I do a quick makeup job and try and hide them a little better."

Alex stood in front of the mirror as Rachel applied a bit of dark foundation and powder. "We don't want anything to take away from how gorgeous you look in this dress." The blonde stepped back. "There, I can barely see them now."

"Thanks, Rachel. I should have considered that but..." She shrugged. "I decided that I needed to wear something tonight to brighten my frame of mind."

"Of course. Hey," Rachel said, touching the pink flower in the midst of the curls that tumbled down from the crown of Alex's head. "I love your hair like that, but why do you have the flower on the right side? Aren't you taken?" She grinned mischievously, wanting to lighten her mood.

Her friend only fingered the tiare. "I don't want Derek to feel pressured that our... affair has to continue or that he has to feel the same once we get home." She adjusted the dress, which didn't need it. "Especially in light of his new... circumstances. If he wants to leave it here as simply a holiday romance, that's fine with me."

"You know, Derek will understand why you had to do it," she replied softly.

"Even if he doesn't, Rachel, I'd do it again. I just couldn't take the chance." The worry and fear was back on Alex's face.

"Honey, I need to tell you something," Rachel began delicately. "There was a time when I was very worried about Kat, that some day soon she might be going out to rave clubs and taking drugs. It's bad enough knowing how it affects normal people, but what about someone with the Gift?" She shivered briefly. "I didn't think I'd find out too much about that aspect through... 'normal channels,' so I checked the Legacy archives. And I found a report... I suppose it's accessible as a warning. After reading it, you wouldn't think about..."

"Rachel, what did it say?" Alex's sharp tone cut through her musings.

"I'm sorry, but you need to know..." The blonde took a deep breath. "Evidently Seth Labonere of the Sydney House decided to... do an experiment. I don't know what possessed him, though that might explain it. He took several doses over several days. Ketamine can also release the barrier that makes us civilized, that controls our inner demons."

Alex clasped her hands so hard her knuckles were white. "What happened to him?"

"Well, you must remember that everyone reacts differently to medication and it naturally depends upon the dosage..."

"What happened to him?" Her friend's voice lowered, but now had a steel edge.

"Since it opens up the barriers of your psyche and leaves you with no control or ability to think, your mind will 'fill in' the missing space. Apparently over those several days he..." She put her head down and sighed. "Seth completely disassociated from himself."

"Doesn't that take a long time?" Her eyes went wide and Rachel could see the terror in them.

"Usually, yes. But there were suspicions that his was quicker because... because of his psychic abilities." Rachel grasped her friend's hands. "Remember, no one was confident how much he took, but it looked to be a syringeful for several days." She looked into the other woman's eyes. "You're pretty sure that Jeroen only gave him one, aren't you?"

Alex shook her head. "I just Saw him give Derek one, but there's no sure way of knowing."

"Listen," Rachel said, her hands moving to the younger woman's shoulders. "A syringe given intramuscularly would have knocked Derek out in no time. And what did you say, that he was partially out of that grave when you found him?" She raised Alex's chin. "He must have come to and tried to get out but the effort was too much. But that means he came out of it before he suffocated, and he did get himself somewhat out of that grave." She chuckled. "You know Derek, he defies all the odds and comes out okay. Right?"

She was glad to see the worry lift somewhat. "You're right. He looks fine now." Alex turned and grabbed her purse. "London hasn't beaten us yet."

"Exactly," Rachel said as she again squeezed Alex's hands. "So why don't we leave it behind us and go party. Are we all set? The guys are likely waiting."

"Then let's go have some fun," Alex said in a resolute voice.

End part 39