This is the first part in a series of stories that are interconnected... these connections may not be visable in some of them but trust me, when the series is finished you'll see the connections between them all.

Hope you enjoy the story

Kay

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies, I don't own them all characters are the property of MGM Studio's and all afillated companies.

By Kay De'Vil.

Sat alone in the control room, Nick studied the computer screen before him. Displayed upon it was a picture of an old house, a house which had recently been experiencing paranormal activity. He rubbed warily at his temples, trying to ignore the headache that had been bothering him for that last couple of days, sighing he picked up the bottle of aspirin and took two. Sitting back he continued to massage his temples until he heard someone enter, he stopped, glanced up to see Derek "Nick, what are you still doing up?"

"Just doing a little late night reading" commented Nick as he looked back at the screen, in the reflection of which he could see Derek standing behind him, watching his every movement. He knew his friends where concerned about him, he had been short tempered these last few days, but their concerns didn't do anything to help "The old Chatterton house" commented Derek. Nick nodded as he continued to read "Any leads as to the cause of the activity?" questioned Derek trying to make idol conversation. Nick sighed. Switching off the monitor he turned to face Derek "Was there something you wanted Derek?" he questioned. Derek just shook his head "No, nothing... just wondered why you were up so late, that's all" he replied. Again Nick sighed, growing increasingly frustrated with Derek's unspoken comment "If it will make you happy I'll head up as soon as I've done a security check" he stated as he rose from his chair and looked at Derek, who had a smile on his face "What?" he questioned frustrated. Derek just shrugged; the smile remaining on his face as he headed out of the control room

"See you in the morning Nick"

"Yeah right" sighed Nick as he checked the security cameras and motion sensors. Once satisfied that everything was secure, he left the control room.

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In the morning when Derek joined Rachel, Alex and Kat at breakfast he noticed that Nick's place was still set "Where's Nick?" he questioned, not overly concerned by the young mans absence. "Perhaps he's sleeping in" suggested Kat "He was up rather late last night" agreed Derek as he sipped at his coffee and scanned the morning paper. Alex glanced up at the clock saying "I'm gonna go check on him, he might be sick", as she spoke she stood "And he has been acting rather odd these last couple of days" she added before leaving and heading upstairs to Nick's room.

Knocking on his bedroom door, Alex received no reply, and so quietly entered, expecting to find him fast asleep. As she stood in the doorway she looked at the unslept in bed with a mixture of fear and trepidation. Closing the door behind her, she hurried back downstairs and rejoined the others "He's not there" she stated adding "His bed hasn't been slept in"

"Have you checked the control room, he might have fallen asleep at the keyboard again" suggested Rachel as she stood up to help Alex in her search for Nick. "No, no I haven't... not yet" admitted Alex as she looked at Derek anxiously. He too rose and they all headed to the control room together. Entering through the side door they could see no sign of Nick, and even Derek was now becoming concerned about their missing friend "Derek, I don't like this" commented Alex anxiously "Where on Earth could he be?"

"Alex he may have gone into town last night for some reason" stated Rachel trying to keep everyone calm "You know how impetuous he can be at times" she added as they headed back out of the control room and towards the garage where Nick's Mustang was usually parked. As they opened the garage door and looked inside all three where suddenly gripped by a nervous tension. Before them was Nick's Mustang, parked in it's usual spot. "So if he didn't go into town, where is he?" questioned Rachel, now also becoming concerned. Derek just looked at the two women blankly, unable to answer them.

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Derek paced the control room, awaiting the results of Alex's' check of the security tapes "Nothing, there's nothing here" she stated frustrated as she continued to watch the tapes for a second time. "Is there anyway he could get out without being on the tapes?" questioned Rachel

"Of course there is. No systems infallible... and of course Nick designed this system... but why would he want too?" questioned Alex confused. Rachel just shrugged unable to answer. Derek stopped his pacing and turned to face the two women "I think right now we should try to carry on as normal... we don't know what's happened to him, if anything. And we have no way of finding out at the moment" he stated, surprising both women "But Derek, what if something terrible has happened to him!" objected Alex unable to believe that Derek was just going to ignore Nick's disappearance. "I'm not saying we forget about him, Alex" stated Derek defensively "I'm going to call Frank at the police station and have him keep an eye out for him. I just think we should keep ourselves busy until we have something concrete to go on" he explained, allowing his defensive tone to drop away and be replaced by one of compassion.

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Nick awoke to find himself on the beach, the Ocean lapping at his feet. Slowly sitting up he tried to remember how he got there, but couldn't. The pain in his head was becoming worse he tried to concentrate. The last thing he remembered was saying good night to Derek, then nothing. Slowly getting to his feet he struggled to remain upright, after taking a moment to steady himself he headed up the beach towards the house.

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Entering his office, Derek reached for the phone but stopped when movement outside caught his eye. Going over to the window he saw Nick, unsteadily climbing the steps to the house. Leaving his office he rushed outside to help him "Dear God Nick, are you all right?" He questioned seeing his friends bedraggled state, his hair tussled, his clothes soaking wet, and almost every part of him was covered with sand "Yeah Derek I'm fine" replied Nick crossly as he pushed past him and headed inside. Confused Derek stood watching his friend entering the house 'Something's not right', he thought to himself 'But what?' After a moment he also headed inside where he was met by Rachel and Alex "Nick's back" he stated "So we saw" replied Alex as she looked up the stairs at Nick's retreating form. "Did he say where he's been all night?" questioned Rachel as they moved into the lounge. Derek shook his head. "No, but by the look of him, I'd say he spent the night on the beach. I don't think we should press him on it either... he doesn't appear to be in a very good mood this morning" as Derek finished speaking they heard Nick's door slamming closed. "I see what you mean" agreed Rachel as she and Alex exchanged confused glances.

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Up in his room, Nick slowly began to strip off for a shower, every muscle in his body ached, and for some unexplainable reason, even to himself, he was in a bad mood. With a heavy sigh he massaged his temples, trying to calm the raging headache that gripped him. Tossing aside his damp and dirty clothes he headed for a shower. In an attempt to wash away the pain and confusion within his head.

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Over the course of the day, Nick's temper became shorter and shorter, until finally Derek couldn't stand it any longer and was forced to confront him. As he entered the control room he saw Nick sat working at the computer "Nick is something bothering you?"

"Should there be?" questioned Nick sharply, his eyes holding an anger and resentment Derek had never seen in him before. "You just don't seem yourself today" commented Derek in a gentle tone, trying not to antagonise the ex-SEAL.

Nick just scoffed at him, returning his attention to the computer screen. "If you want to talk..." began Derek but he was cut off mid sentence. "TALK! What would we have to talk about?" snapped Nick, anger and hatred lacing his voice. With his own patience wearing thin Derek's voice began to get louder "Your sudden change of attitude for one" stated Derek "And about what happened to you last night" he continued, ignoring the cold stare he was receiving from Nick.

"Nothing happened to me last night" replied Nick as he stood and tried to barge past Derek. Grabbing his arm, Derek pulled Nick round to face him "I don't agree..." Again Nick interrupted "I don't give a shit if you agree... now let go of my arm". Despite the silent threat, held in Nick's eyes, Derek maintained a tight grip on his arm "Its obvious something... uhhh!" Before Derek knew what had happened he found himself laid on the floor, Nick stood over him with a look of pure satisfaction in his eyes. Stunned Derek just looked up at Nick, then watched as the younger man turned and left the control room. Leaving Derek still on the floor confused by what had just happened.

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As Rachel headed towards the control room she saw Nick leaving "Hey Nick" she called to him, but he didn't acknowledge her, he simply continued on up the stairs. Watching him for a moment she sighed then continued on into the control room. Seeing Derek on the floor, rubbing at his jaw, she immediately went to his side and helped him to his feet.

From upstairs came the sound of Nick's bedroom door being slammed closed. "Derek, what happened?" she questioned as he began to check his jaw. "I wish I knew" was all Derek said as he sat down in the chair Nick had vacated minutes before. Confused Rachel questioned "Who did this?" the look in Derek's eyes told her all she needed to know "Dear God, he didn't!" she stated, then in a confused voice questioned "Nick did this?" Derek just nodded as he rubbed at his tender jaw. Rachel watched Derek for a moment then questioned "Derek what's happening to him?"

"I don't know Rachel, but I intend to find out" he stated as he got to his feet and left the control room.

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Still filled with rage, Nick entered his room and began destroying it. Unable to control the rage within himself he grabbed a vase from the window and threw it at the bedside table, smashing the picture of Julia he kept there. He ripped out his draws, smashing then against the walls; he tore down the pictures that hung on the walls until finally no piece of furniture remained whole within the room. Around him lay the pieces of his past; his hands closed around one of his guns, his fingers grasping the weapon, as he held it to his chest.

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Rachel and Alex met with Derek in his office. They had heard the destruction going on upstairs but none had dared to go and investigate "What in Gods name has gotten into him?" questioned Alex as she looked at the large bruise appearing on Derek's jaw. Both Rachel and Derek just shook their heads unable to answer. "Whatever is wrong with Nick has something to do with his disappearance last night" stated Derek as he looked at the two women; hoping one of them would be able to offer a suggestion. "Is it possible he's been possessed?" questioned Rachel as she paced the office, rubbing her hands together nervously "I mean, that might explain his sudden change in behaviour" she continued. Derek sighed "It is possible, but I haven't sensed anything... have you Alex?" Alex shook her head as she looked out of the window; as if trying to focus her senses for something, anything that might help explain Nick's changes in behaviour.

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Sat amongst the destruction in his room, Nick glared at the picture of Derek, Alex, Philip, Julia and himself that lay amongst the rubble. The picture had been taken six months before Julia's death. He remembered that day as if it where yesterday.

' "Come on Nick, if your not quick we'll have to leave without you" called Julia teasingly from outside the bathroom. Stood in the shower Nick smiled to himself "You know'd be ready a lot sooner if you'd come in here and scrub my back", he heard her laughing on the other side of the door "Oh no, if I come in there, then we'll definitely be late" she stated, the sound of laughter still lacing her voice. Grinning to himself he quickly finished his shower and began to dry himself off. He left the bathroom still dripping wet, dressed only in a towel. He smiled as he passed her, and headed over to the bed. As he passed she grinned commenting "Nice towel". She laughed as he suddenly grabbed one of the pillows from the bed and turned to face her, pillow raised "Oh no you don't... I'll wait for you downstairs" she stated as she backed towards the door, her eyes never leaving his dripping wet, muscular body. As reached the door he threw the pillow, as she closed the door behind her, he smiled and hurried to get dressed.'

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Clasping the smashed picture of Julia to his chest, he began to rock back and forth, tears streaming down his face "They won't get away with it... not any longer, not any longer" he repeated to himself over and over again.

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Continued in part 2