See Part One (A) For Disclaimers

Dani murmured, breaking into Tatya's reverie, "Poor Andy.  And he never fell in love again after that."  Tatya took a deep breath, but didn't speak.  Dani asked, "Tatya?  What else is to the story?"  Tatya glanced around the foyer, and made a quick decision.  She dragged her friend into the study, where they would have more privacy.

Tatya told her friend, "About five years later, Andy did fall in love again, when he moved to San Francisco briefly.  She was an instructor at an all-girls school, which Dr. Corrigan had attended as a child.  She fell from a building, during an investigation by the Legacy into allegations of sorcery.  So, twice, Andy lost a woman he loved because of the Legacy."

"Were the allegations of sorcery true?" Dani asked and Tatya nodded.  She had found an account of the case in the psychological profiles of the Legacy database.  She wasn't comfortable with a woman as emotionally fragile as Rachel Corrigan in the Legacy, but that wasn't her decision.  Dani continued, "So, Andy's second girlfriend was  . . .  ?"

"Andy's girlfriend sacrificed herself so Dr. Corrigan would remember the sorcery from her own childhood.  Like Dr. Corrigan, and most of the other instructors at the school, Jan's own innocence had been sacrificed for the sake of Power.  And, in a way, her death helped to set the children free. All of them," Tatya replied.

"Then it isn't really Dr. Rayne's fault, or anyone else's.  How can Andy hold him responsible for  . . .  well  . . .  for what the sorceress did?  She was the one ultimately responsible, not Dr. Rayne, and not Dr. Corrigan.  I mean, yeah, the stories I hear from the other Houses about her, I gotta shake my head, but still  . . .  " Dani replied.

"In his mind, he knows that.  But in his heart, he believes that Derek Rayne stole the two women whom he loved.  Just as in my heart, I want to believe that Andy will give our newcomer a chance  . . .  but my mind and my gut both tell me that it won't happen," Tatya replied.

Dani sighed, and leaned back against the wall.  She finally asked quietly, "Then what do we do?  You know that if the newbie is from San Francisco, a meeting will take place eventually.  It's inevitable.  Dr. Rayne will try to reclaim what he sees as his, and then there really will be an explosion, with very nasty fall-out."

Tatya sighed, answering, "Not necessarily.  After the explosion, it's hard to be sure what Dr. Rayne remembers.  And even if he does  . . .  "  What?  What could they do if there was a meeting once Derek Rayne regained more of his memory? Tatya finally added, "We make sure no more innocents are harmed.  Val has always said this House was as interested in preventing the mundane monsters as dealing with the supernatural variety.  This situation falls into that category."

Dani made no argument, and again, silence fell between the two friends.  Then Dani said quietly, "Well, then.  I guess we should get to the kitchen and help with breakfast. Because I'm determined one innocent at least won't get hurt, even before the main eruption."  Tatya knew she meant Jasmine.  She nodded, and both women went into the kitchen.

*    *    *

High above Washington DC, Nathaniel Hughes waited patiently as Renee Lawson got his niece.  He snuck a peek at his companion, who was staring out the window, looking worried.  He didn't know why the boy was so worried  . . .  he didn't know yet that he was being returned to the Legacy.  And, he did feel badly about manipulating the boy.  But Nathaniel wanted to make sure the House would be protected.

And Philip's guilt, over Kristen Adams sacrificing herself to save him, would be the key to that protection.  His actions regarding Philip went against everything Nathaniel believed in, as a priest and as a member of the Legacy, but he told himself that he was doing it for a good cause.  He was doing this for Philip, as well as for Baltimore House.

As Nathaniel tried to convince himself that he had done the right thing, his goddaughter came onto the line and Nathaniel said, "Well, it's about time  . . .  I was starting to think that you planned on sleeping the entire day!"  Philip looked away from the window, but Nathaniel smiled reassuringly.  Never mind that he didn't feel reassured.

"Oh, let's not go there, Uncle Nathaniel.  The others told me about your email last night when I got off the plane, and my last days in London weren't especially pleasant," his goddaughter said wearily.  Nathaniel felt his heart skip a beat.  Last night?  She had just gotten home from London last night?  Oh, this was not good!

Thinking back, he could now remember Val telling him that she wouldn't be returning to Baltimore until the previous day.  Nathaniel cursed himself for his poor memory, then cursed himself again for not giving her enough time.  Val asked, "So, who are you bringing to us?  Am I right?  Is it Philip Callaghan?"

Bloody hell, he would have to do a better job of being cryptic!  His goddaughter wasn't thirteen years old any longer.  As if reading his mind, Val continued, "It wasn't much of a guess, Uncle Nathaniel.  Boston House has two people in common with San Francisco House  . . .   one of them is dead.  The other is Philip Callaghan."

"You are becoming more like your mother every day, dear girl.  Yes, Valerie, I have convinced Philip to join us in Baltimore.  I trust that you were seeing to your end?" Nathaniel asked, referring to Andy Ramirez.  A hot-headed lad, but one with a good heart.

"Now that I know I was right all along, I will.  Uncle Nathaniel, no offense to your replacement, but are you sure about this?" Val asked.  Nathaniel looked at the younger man, who was studying him with intense eyes.  Philip was quiet, but Nathaniel had no doubt he could be a formidable enemy.

With that in mind, Nathaniel answered in a soft, even voice, "I'm absolutely positive, Valerie.  Your parents would have liked him.  And your sister, even with her disdain for  . . .  what I stand for  . . .  would have approved of him."  There was another long silence, and Nathaniel worried he might have gone too far.

Val said quietly, "It's not that she was contemptuous of your faith, Uncle Nathaniel, or your beliefs.  But she was contemptuous of the sacrileges which are made in the name of the Creator.  You Christians claim to have a religion based on love and compassion, but in reality, you're no better than the rest of us."

As one of Nathaniel's parishioners would have said, slam dunk.  The bishop was silent for several moments, then answered in an equally quiet voice, "You've made some valid points, Valerie, but this is neither the time, nor the circumstances, for that discussion.  Philip and I will journey to Washington DC for a few days before returning."

"That's fine, Uncle Nathaniel.  I'm sure you haven't informed Father Callaghan that he's being returned to the Legacy against his will.  Now,  if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.  I'll see you in a few days," Val told him quietly.  She hung up, and Nathaniel slowly replaced the phone in its cradle.  He ignored Philip for the moment, who watched him curiously.

To give his goddaughter time to prepare her House, Nathaniel would take the younger priest to the nation's capital.  It was a pilgrimage he often took when he started doubting himself, doubting both of his callings.  And, it would give him time to formulate an apology to Valerie.

The religion topic was a sore one between the Barton family and Nathaniel, and had been for more than thirty years.  Even before he had met Deirdre McCormick, Douglas had questioned the Catholic faith of his family.  But when he fell in love with a witch, his friendship with Nathaniel, then a young seminarian, was tested.

In time, Nathaniel had come to accept and love Deirdre.  She was a good woman, who loved her husband and their daughters.  But he couldn't accept her faith, even as he realized that it wasn't that different from his own.  He had been taught one way.  How could he turn against what he was now teaching young people?

And then, Deirdre's life had been snuffed out, by one claiming to be a Christian.  Jonathan Boyle, that abuser of women and children, whom Nathaniel hoped with all of his heart was now in hell.  The death of that lovely wife and mother had rocked Nathaniel's faith.  As had the emptiness in the eyes of his then-twelve year old goddaughter.

In that moment, he had sworn another vow . . . that he would take care of his friend's daughters.  It was because of Douglas and his three daughters that Nathaniel had officially joined the Legacy.  Someone had to watch over Valerie, Melanie, and Kerry.  And for the last eighteen years, he had done that.

There were times when Nathaniel could have sworn he felt Deirdre's presence, especially in the last few years.  If he was right, if Douglas was still alive, then Nathaniel guessed that Deirdre was trying to guide him to her husband.  It was rather amusing when he thought about it.  The witch was coming to him after her death, to protect her husband.

"Bishop Hughes?  Is everything all right wi' your niece?" Philip asked hesitantly, and Nathaniel turned his attention back to the younger man.  There was genuine concern in the pale blue eyes, and once more, Nathaniel regretted lying to Philip, regretted manipulating him.

"Yes, lad.  Valerie is sensitive about the memory of her older sister, just as her niece is sensitive about the memory of her mother.  Melanie Barton had little use for us . . . not just priests, but anyone from an organized religion.  She was very free-spirited, like her mother," Nathaniel replied. Best not to say too much.

But there was fresh sympathy in Philip's eyes, and the younger man replied in a soft voice, "It's difficult t' blame either of your nieces for feelin' like that.  Every day, you hear somethin' else about someone dyin' in the name of religion.  Someone else who has missed the point of our beliefs.  Were the Bartons originally Catholic?"

Of course, Philip had been in the Legacy at one time . . . he was no stranger to the beliefs of others.  But it was yet another sign.  Nathaniel had chosen the right man to look after his family.  And maybe, he would bring Valerie back to the faith of her ancestors.  Not that he believed that would happen, as Valerie was a mage.

"Yes, they were . .I grew up with Douglas, Valerie and Melanie's father in Baltimore.  He was my best friend, in fact.  And I was horrified when he married a witch.  Pagans were evil, after all.  It nearly destroyed my friendship with Douglas, but in time, I came to love Deirdre. How could I not?" Nathaniel replied, smiling.

He paused, then added, "My niece isn't ready to meet you yet . . . she just returned from London, and she's recovering from that.  I'm sure you understand, given your dealings with Sir Edmund during the tribunal a few years ago.  In addition, there are . . . issues . . . within her own House.  I hope you don't have a problem with touring the nation's capital?"

Philip shook his head, and Nathaniel went on, "Excellent.  I'll take you to my favorite places in our nation's capital.  And while we're touring the city, you can tell me about your experiences in the Legacy.  I'm especially interested in hearing your account of the encounter with that little princess . . . Senephra, was it?"

The younger man rolled his eyes, but Nathaniel didn't mind, even though he had already read the file involving Senephra.  He had diverted Philip's attention from the sensitive topic of Valerie's faith.  Or rather, his goddaughter's *lack* of faith.

She didn't even believe in the Legacy, and she was a precept!   Then again, Nathaniel admitted silently, she has no reason to believe in the Legacy.  They've done nothing but lie to her from the moment her father disappeared . . . and the hour of her mother's death.  I'm lucky she trusts me.  Even if I've never lied to her.  She knows what I'm capable of.

*    *    *

After she replaced the phone in its cradle, Val sat back.  She had been right . . . dammit, she had been right!  There were times when she hated being right!  And now, she had to tell Andy that an associate of his hated enemy would be a member of their House.  With bone-deep weariness,  Val pushed herself from her chair.  Time to get this over with.

*    *    *

The silence from Val's office was beginning to bother Renee.  After making sure everyone had what they wanted, Renee had gone upstairs after her friend.  Partly because she wanted to, and because Jasmine asked her to check on her aunt.  The young computer specialist quickly discovered that Val had locked the door.

She did not want to be disturbed, and Renee respected that.  But she wasn't about to leave Val alone.  She was convinced that her friend would need her.  And so, Renee sat down in the hall across from Val's office.    She was a patient woman. She would wait, for however long it was necessary.  It was part of what made her good at her job.

Finally, her patience was rewarded, and Renee heard the telltale whirring that accompanied the unlocking of the door.  A moment later, Val emerged from her office, and Renee was shocked by her friend's appearance.  She looked . . . old.  And tired.  Renee asked softly, "We were right, weren't we?"  Val nodded very slowly.

"That's the bad news," she replied in a soft voice, "the good news is, Uncle Nathaniel is taking him to Washington DC for a few days.  Give me time to tell Andy, and let the storm blow itself out somewhat."  A spark of humor returned to the dark hazel eyes, and she added dryly, "Assuming, of course, if that's possible."

Renee didn't know what to say.  After a moment, she offered lamely, "Well, maybe Andy will surprise us.  I mean, we're all supposed to be adults . . . maybe Andy won't take it out on Father Callaghan.  I mean,  what happened to Heather."  Val just smiled sadly.

"Maybe," her friend agreed, but Renee could tell that Val didn't believe it either.  The precept sighed quietly, then said, "Well, I . . . is everyone eating?"  Renee nodded and Val considered that, then said, "All right.  This is what I'll do.  I'll wait to tell everyone.  No sense in ruining everyone's breakfast."

Renee put her hand on Val's arm, saying softly, "It'll be okay, Val.  Things may get a little chaotic, but we'll make it through."  She was rewarded with another smile, and Renee continued, "Let's get something to eat.  And I need to tell you the latest.  Dani thinks she found a program to help us get Sloan back."

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