See Chapter One (Part A) For Disclaimers

After Serena Kelly left her to attend her other guests, Moira circled around, keeping in mind what the woman had told her.  She chatted for a short time with a couple fellow reporter's; friends from her old life.  But after some false starts, she gave it up.

That was a different life.  She admitted sadly, scanning the room absently.  And one, thanks to Hamilton, I will never get back.  No one seemed exactly sure how to treat her, probably because they could not be completely sure which side of the rumors she fell on.  Moira broded on that for a few moments, but Serena had given her something else to think about besides a past and opinions that she could not change.

'The Legacy has no more claim over the supernatural than any individual has over the truth.' That was what she said, and when you thought about it, it made sense.  More sense than the entire population of the Earth's psychics clustered in one spot, at any rate.  On the other hand, Moira had no doubt that the Houses each tended to attract individuals with Gifts into their fold.  I know this House attracted me.  I've never felt so . . . so, satisfied with any other job.  It's like I've found a purpose in my lfe; a niche she never knew she had missed until it was there.

She wondered if that was what the others felt; that same sense of belonging to something important.  Worthwhile.

I know Nick does, even if he won't admit it.

Still scanning the room, Moira caught sight of Rose talking to a buxom woman dressed in red.  A vague sense of alarm flooded through her and she wondered why. . .until the taller woman turned slightly and the reporter got a good look at her face.

Damn.  What's she doing here.  But she knew the answer to that.  Chandra Thorn would be wherever there was a scandal to be found and somehow must have found out -- or stumbled upon -- the fact that Moira would be attending tonight.  Though the two women had tangled in the past, mostly over Chandra's questionable ethics (mostly the fact that she had none) and overall lack of good taste, generally Moira had nothing to do with the columnist.  The last thing she wanted was a confrontation with the woman.  But there seemed to be no help for it.

Ah well.  If I don't go pry poor Rose from Chandra's clutches there's no telling what the spiteful woman will print about her.  Although I seriously doubt she could find anything detrimental in Rose's character, that wouldn't stop her from making something up.

Reluctanly making her way across the room, she paused about half way to her goal, having spotted both Nick and Phillip converging on the tiny woman from different directions.  She watched in relief as Phillip beat Nick by half a step, and from the look of it, asked her to dance.  As Rose excepted graciously, Nick appeared to be asking Chandra the same question.  Only at that same moment, the columnist noticed Moira standing off to the side.

Declining, the redhead moved purposefully in her direction.

Damn . . . I wonder if I stood real still, I could convince her I was a statue?

"I was wondering when you were going to crawl out of the woodwork."

Guess not.

"Oh really?" Careful to keep her face and expression pleasant, Moira gave up trying to retreat.  "Must be a slow week.  The gossip business not going well?"

"On the contrary; thanks to you, my column's better than ever.  Everyone's talking, with the rumors circulating about the way you stole Hamilton's work."

"I'm sure."  Moira responded.  Sure you had absolutely nothing to do with that.

"So. . .?" The woman licked her red lips and continued in a conspiratory whisper.  "You can tell me; are the rumors true?  Is that why Bennaker fired you?  How does it feel being tossed out on your can after they have no more use for you?"

"I wasn't fired, I quit."  To spare poor Henry the pain of having to fire me.  "And I was offered a better job with the Luna Foundation."

That was a mistake, Moira saw it in the way the other woman's green eyes widened in staged speculation as she pounced on the tidbit.  "Really?  I thought that was you hanging on Derek Rayne's arm.  A little old for you, don't you think?" The sly tone of her voice implying what her words didn't -- quite -- say.

But Moira refused to take the bait.  "Dr. Rayne is my boss, Chandra; I work for him."  Moira told her patiently, in the tones one used with a five year old.  "You remember -- writing?  Journalism?"

"Are you sure that's all, kitten?" Chandra all but purred knowingly.  "You know how juicy rumors can get. . .about older men who escort yonger women.  Especially when that man is old enough to be her father."

"We work together -- ver-ti-cal-ly."  Her temper torn, she couldn't help but add, "And if you ever got your mind out of your crotch, you might understand the concept."

The red head's green eyes flashed dangerously.  "Jealous, honey?  Not having a man in your bed making you ansy?  Not that I'm surprised," she looked Moira up and down from head to foot, taking in the unadorned white dress and simple french twist.  "Your mommy still dress you?  Or just couldn't find a flattering style and decided to settle on old maid?  I'm not surprised Hamilton dumped you. . ."

So that's what he came up with.  Typical.  "Hardly.  I simply don't go around avertising like a walking billboard."  Or a cat in heat.  "What's the matter?  Did you run out of material making that dress -- or are you just naturally hard up?"

"You little bitch. . .!" The expertly laquered nails curled into claws.

 

 

"You know, Derek," Robert Kelly pronounced, coming up behind the Luna chairman and offering him a glass, "with that look, you remind me of a medevil feudal Lord -- ready to defend both his land and his people at a moment's notice.  The sword suits you."

The chairman only chuckled, replacing the antique Scotish sword on it's rack.  "Now Senator. . .could you possibly see me on the back of a horse, wielding a sword into battle?" Derek's eyes twinkled.  "Surely not."

"Don't you 'now senator' me, Derek.  I know you too well.  Besides, I don't see why not.  You already live in a castle."

"Yes, well. . .one false move and that would be that."  He told him, trailing a finger along the blade's edge.  "Besides, Father always used to say that to live by the sword was to die by it.  And I plan on living a long time yet!"

Both men chuckled.

"Seriously, Derek.  I'm glad you could make it.  What happened, by the way?  I was afraid you weren't coming."

"I wasn't."  The chairman protested, chuckling.  "Now don't give me that look, you know it wouldn't have been personal.  A mountain of paperwork to sign and all of it to be done yesterday."

"Especially after the University slayings."  The senator put in shrewdly.  "Any headway?"

"So you heard about that?  Well, I'm not surprised.  Yes the Luna Foundation was involved and have managed to clear up most of the mystery around the murders."

"I understand the police have a suspect in custody."

Derek shook his head, shooting the senator a chiding look.  "Now Robert, you know. . ."

"You can't talk about it.  I know.  Forgive me, Derek; forget I asked."  Senator Kelly glanced at his friend, sudden sympathy reaching his pale blue eyes.  "I heard about one of your employees, Derek.  Miss Walker.  A tragedy, that.  My sincere condolences, my friend."

Derek Rayne ducked his head sadly, willing the stubborn knot of grief to go away.  "Julia.  Thank you, Robert, I appreciate it.  It's worse, it having been a simple mugging. . ."

"Did they ever catch the man responcible?"

Taking a sip of brandy, Derek hid his grim smile behind his glass.  "No.  They didn't."

He could hardly tell the man the truth.

The Legacy in Ireland to locate the fifth Sepulchre, he and Nick had chased Shamus Bloom from Rachel's hotel room, into the neighboring fields.  There they had found Julia's body bound to a scarecrow posting as if to a cross after the demon had killed her.  On that dark and stormy night both men had then witnessed the death of the man responcible.

After an uncomfortable silence, the senator politely changed the subject.  "Well.  I see you have another beautiful young woman working for you now, Derek.  And is there something you're not telling me?"

Shaking his ghosts, Derek snorted good-naturedly, just as glad to move on to a safer, less painful topic.  "You know better than that, Robert. . .she's young enough to be my daughter."  He responded, telling the senator what he had told Moira that first night in his office.  "Miss St. John came highly recommended by her fellow colleagues as well as half of the San Francisco police department."

"You don't believe the rumors, do you?"

"Of her using Wiseman to get her stories?  Of course not.  I've met the man, Robert, He's no more a journalist that I am next in line for the British throne."

The senator laughed at that.  "Well I should hope not.  I would hate to lose you to the Parliment.  I'm glad to hear you say that, and I agree with you by the way.  Anyone who has had any dealings with the man knows that Hamilton Wiseman wouldn't know a story if it walked up and presented itself.  But there are other rumors not so easily dismissed. . ."

"Oh?  What have you heard?"

Seeing that he had the younger man's attention, Robert Kelly warmed to his subject. "Well, for one, that her information is never wrong and she refuses to provide reliable sources to back that information up."

Derek smiled ironically.  "I was under the impression that was called good journalism, my friend.  I would hardly expect her to give up her informants; if she did that none would ever trust her again.  And as long as her information is accurate and can be confirmed by the Foundation's archives, I am content to let her secrets remain."

Robert slapped him on the back.  "Good man."

"In fact, that is one of the reasons I wanted to attend tonight."

"How so?  What do you have brewing on that clever mind now Derek?"

"I'm making her head of public relations in Julia's place."  Having dropped the bombshell, the chairman regarded the senator with a deadpan expression.

"Appointing a social black sheep -- which she is at the moment, Derek, nevermind that we don't believe the rumors, many still do -- as the head of the Luna Foundation's publicity department?" The senator's eyebrows met at the hairline as he stared at the foundation's chairman as if Derek had lost his mind.  Suddenly his expression changed; he glanced at the younger man sharply.

And then he laughed.

Oh, I see.  I see.  That's the reason for your appearance tonight."  He chuckled again.  "Bold move, Rayne.  Very smart.  Our chess games must have paid off."

Derek cracked a smile.  "Oh, I managed to learn a few things from them.  And I must admit, I had wanted her to make an appearance; to show that she has the full backing of the foundation.  And I had rather that be in friendly surroundings."

"Oh you've done that."  Senator Kelly assured him.  "Serena will have seen to it.  If nothing else, by taking the offensive, you've managed to confuse the rumor mills and gossip mongers; at least for the time being."

"Well, that's all we can hope for.  Can I count on you, my friend?" Derek smiled, vaguely relieved by the senator's approval and support.

"Most definitely, my friend.  I wouldn't miss this, " Robert returned the smile, reminding Derek of the mischievious little boy he had known in boarding school.  "Sounds like fun.  But I do have a favor to ask of you in return."

Now Derek laughed.  "Oh I see."  He told him, returning his earlier words with a raised eyebrow.  "A favor for a favor, is that it?  I should have known."

The senator only smiled.

"So tell me, senator, what is this favor?  Ask away, Robert.  If it's in my power, consider it yours."

"I need your support, Derek; yours and that of the Luna Foundation.  You of all people know of the limited resources and manpower that hamper the local law enforcement branches.  The governor has a proposal that will change all that."  As the senator carefully outlined the governor's new budget amendment and blueprint he held for the San Francisco police department, Derek had to admit he was impressed.  Not only was what Governor Marshall proposing ambitious, it would take an incredible amount of publicity and support to accomplish.

"But it will be worth it.  Just think of it Derek; state and federal support without the endless redtape and squabbles over jurisdiction.  Just think of the good we could accomplish."  Robert Kelly gestured urgently, trying to make him understand; to see the bigger view.

"Oh I believe you, Robert and you have my support.  Whatever I can do for you I will."  Derek assured him, amused by the enthusiasm.  While he agreed with he potential benefits from the proposed amendments, he was by no means as sure of the reception the bill would get when it hit the floor for debate.  But both the senator and the governor were correct; the amount of lives wasted in the endless bickering between state and local authorities every year was a tradgedy.  If the police had responded earlier, some, if not most, or the University murders could have been prevented.

And Debbie Himes would still be alive.

"And just what are you promising my husband, Dr. Rayne?" Serena Kelly slipped an arm around her husband's waist, smiling up at the two men.

"The governor's proposal, my dear.  Derek has graciously agreed to lend us the foundation's support."

"Now wait a minute, my friend.  Mine you have; the foundation has a board of director's."  Derek cautioned him soberly.  "I have to take this up with them."

"Not to worry, I have the utmost confidence in you Derek."  His friend smiled pointedly.  "There's nothing you can't do when you set your mind to it."

Derek's chuckle was wry as he realized the corner he had painted around himself.  "Indeed?  Something tells me I have been outmaneuvered."

"Oh I wouldn't say that."  The senator chuckled.  "But if you want to say so, I'll agree with you."

"What is that woman doing here?" Serena Kelly glared in disapproval at a woman in red talking to Rose.  The woman had cornered the young woman, forcing Rose into the conversation, and while Derek was vaguely displeased with such a disgusting ploy, he could find no other reason for Mrs. Kelly's obvious disapproval.  He watched as Phillip and Nick arrived, Phillip carrying the young Rose off for a dance while Nick was left standing by himself as the woman in red headed off in the opposite direction.

Derek quirked his lips at that.

"Who is that woman?"

Both the senator and his wife shook their heads, clearly liking the display as much -- or as little -- as he had.  "That woman is Chandra Thorn.  A gossip columnist for the Gazette and local pain in the. . .ah. . . ."  Robert glanced down at his wife apologetically.  "Sorry, my dear."

"No need, Robert.  I have stronger words for her than that, the well you know."  She peered off into the crowd as the columnist converged on Moira.

Derek's eyes followed her gaze, narrowing as the conversation turned heated.  "What else can you tell me about her?"

Serena Kelly loked at him speculatively, but Derek was too lost in the two women to notice.  "Only that the woman has the morals of an alleycat and the class to match.  And if I'm right, she is the one most responcible for keeping the rumors about Moira in circulation.  Miss Thorn has a different article on the subject every morning in her column."

Derek merely nodded, smiling briefly, saying.  "Excuse me, my friend.  In keeping with the medevil role you keep placing on me, it seems I must go rescue a damsel in distress."

"Of course, Derek.  But leave the sword here and your horse outside."  The senator's eyes danced much to his wife's amusement.  "I would hate to have to ask the staff to clean up the mess."

Derek's hazel-gray eyes returned the smile.  "As you wish, my Lord."  He bowed briefly to Serena, "My Lady," before heading toward the two women with a purposeful stride.

Serena chuckled softly as the mightly Derek Rayne strode off and Robert Kelly smiled down into his wife's violet eyes.  "Now what was that all about?"

"Oh, nothing."  She chuckled again.  "Just thinking he's off to rescue the wrong damsel."

The senator laughed, saying only.  "You may be right, my love.  You may be entirely too right!"




"Thank you for coming to my rescue, Phillip."  Rose told him gratefully.  She stared thoughtfully at his chest.  "Miss Thorn was not a pleasant woman to talk to."

The woman having obviously upset her, Phillip had asked her what had been said, but Rose had declined, saying she really hadn't wanted to talk about it.  Being as he had never heard Rose talk that way about anyone, Phillip could only wonder what had passed between them to make a sweet person like Rose frown so.  "I thought you could use a friend."  He responded shyly.

Rose looked up at him, smiling brightly and Phillip was glad he had managed to chase the clouds from her eyes.

They were dancing and talking softly when Nick strolled over to break in.  "Can I cut in?"

The look the priest gave him over her shoulder was less than thrilled but he handed Rose over to Nick without comment.  Before they they started dancing and Phillip could leave, Nick whistled softly.  "Uh-oh.  Cat fight."

"What?"  Phillip followed Nick's gaze until all three of them were watching the scene unfold between Moira and Chandra Thorn.

"She was coming over to help me, that's when that woman saw her."  Rose worried.  "Should we do something?"

Nick watched them a moment longer as the redhead began to look mad enough to spit nails.  "No, I don't think so.  It looks like Moira's giving as good as she gets."  He watched as Moira got off another shot.  "Besides, why spoil the fun?"

Phillip nodded grimly.  "It looks like we won't h've to.  H're comes Derek."

Continued

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