See Part One For Disclaimers

"Phillip. . .!"

Hours later Derek cried out, jerking upright in bed, panic written across his face.  He gasped in pain and doubled over; the wound in his chest throbbing and protesting painfully at the sudden movement.

Having awoke out of a fitful slumber, Moira roused fully at the pain, both emotional and physical in his cry.  Pushing herself out the chair she had fallen asleep in watching over Derek, she crossed the short space to sit on the edge of their bed, tenderly brushing the damp hair out of his eyes and checking for fever.  Though he was sweating, his forehead was cool to the touch.

"He's fine, kechara.  Both he and Kat are safe."  She had known that would be his first concern and made sure someone was there to answer it.

The eyes he turned on her where haunted but full of hope.  "You're sure?  They're safe?"

Moira nodded wearily.  "The demon has been banished; trapped forever back in It's prison box.  Don't you remember?"

Derek ran his fingers through his hair in a confused gesture, visibly searching his memory.  "Not much.  Only that I deciphered the box sent over from the New York House."  He squinted, reaching for the memory.  "There was a. . .a rumble..a flash of light. . ."

The anguish on his face was enough to want the demon back in front of her so she could banish it again; only any punishment she could think of wouldn't be nearly enough.  The despair in It's voice as it had disappeared back into It's prison was nothing compared to the pure fear and guilt Derek was directing at himself.  She had left herself open to Derek as she slept, and the waves of shame and self-blame were enough to send her over the edge.

So redirect that!  You knew that would be his reaction; both the shame of somehow not stopping the demon from taking control and the fear of losing his family.  Talk him through it, turn it around before it eats him alive.  They were so much alike, he and Lissa.  Father and daughter.  They both felt so much they would never show.

"No you don't," She told him sternly.  "None of that.  I've already talked to Lissa and now I'm telling you; nothing that happened these past few days was your fault.  Nothing.  You are not to blame for what that demon did, either in or out of your body."  At his look of protest, she raised an eyebrow in arch significance.  "Unless, of course, you are going to tell me that you expect a mere mortal to somehow overcome a demon anient and powerful enough to have enslaved the will of masses to his cause in the past?"

"I should have. . .could have. . ."  He dropped his gaze helplessly.

She touched his cheek tenderly.  // No.  And you would hold no blame if it had been any other member of this House except you.  // She watched as he reluctantly admitted to that truth and willed him to believe her.  // My love, not even you can be more than you are.  I watched as you fought beside us.  You are as much responcible for ridding the world of It's presence as Alex who held the box or Phillip who chanted the words.  //

Now she chuckled and he looked at her in surprise.  "Even the mighty Derek Rayne cannot single handedly save the world every day."

"Absolut'ly.  Gives the rest 'f us mere mortals a chance t' catch up."  Phillip piped up, walking in from the hall.  "Lis'en to the woman, Derek, she knows wh't she's sayin'."

Derek's relief at seeing the younger man unhurt and smiling at him from the doorway caused her to send a look full of gratitude winging Phillip's way.

"And is that how you feel, my friend?" Derek asked quietly, unconvinced.

But Phillip was having none of that.  He snorted loudly and cast his eyes heavenward in an exaggerated plea for patience.  "Of course, 't is.  And you know better than that."

"Perhaps I do.  But an off day nearly got you all killed."

Phillip came around to the other side of the bed and sat down.  Making sure the precept gave him all of his attention, Moira sat quietly off to the side and said nothing.  The time for jokes was over and the young priest was determined to make his friend understand what they all felt.

And it wasn't blame or guilt.

He began quietly, his lilt soft and full of conviction.  "Derek, d' you remember what I told you after Julia's death?  That day you gave me her key?  The one she died tryin' to keep out of Evil's hands?" At his nod, the priest continued; for Phillip still retained the soul, if not the title of a priest.  "I told you that the final battleground must be here, " he touched his flannel shirt above his heart.  "I meant it then, Derek 'nd I still do."

Again Derek turned hazel eyes full of regret, this time on Phillip who sat patiently waiting for him to speak.  "But I lost that battle, my friend.  And as a result could have Damned you all. . ."

Phillip only shook his head, the smile reaching and transforming his blue-gray eyes.  "No.  You won that battle, Derek; I saw it.  The others did, too.  It was you wh' gave us time; time to think, time to plan."

"It almost had Kat. . .It threw you into the wall; It could have killed you and I could do nothing!" Derek said harshly.

"But you didn' let tha' happ'n!  I looked into yer eyes, Derek.  I saw yer rage and yer fear then and felt yer fight fer control after that.  You kept it from killin' us all."  Phillip's mindGifts were weak things but he opened his mind to the precept anyway and spoke from his heart.  // No one blames you fer any of this, Derek.  I swear it.  //

Derek sighed in surrender.  They could see he wasn't fully convinced but at was at least willing to take the younger man's word on the subject.  For now.  "Very well, my friend.  I believe you.  But the other Houses. . ."

"Will have to go through us."  Moira spoke up firmly.  "And if they won't listen to reason, I'll bludgeon them over the head until they do."

That got a chuckle out of him.  The eyes he gave her this time were full of laughter and pride.  "I'm sure you would."

"And yer Lissa would be right beside 'er makin' sher they did!"

That brought the light returning to his eyes as he thought of his daughter.  They fairly glowed with pride.  "Did you see her?  She was beautiful, standing up to m. . .  to the demon."  

Phillip stated firmly what she had been thinking earlier.  "Like father, like daughter."

"Derek!" Kat burst into the room, all but throwing herself on the bed.  "Are you all right?" The others had told her he would be but the little girl just had to see for herself.  "You scared us, Derek."

Derek dredged up a smile for the worried little girl.  "Hello there!  I'll be more than okay, little one, just as soon as you give me a hug."

Kat hugged him carefully but tightly, with all the strength found in a nine year old's body.  After her mother had taken her away from them, she had been frantic to get back to the castle.  She wasn't sure what she could do, but what if they needed her?  

"What about me?" Phillip cast the child a forlorn look and asked plaintively, "don't I get a hug?"

"Of course you do Phillip!  But Derek needs a hug first to make him feel better."

"Katherine Corrigan, I thought I told you to wait for me."  Rachel entered the room uncertainly; warily eyeing Derek and Kat together and looking ready to snatch her daughter away from them should he make the wrong move.

"It's alright, Mom.  Nick said that Derek's all better.  And I just wanted to give him a hug."  The little girl told her, having scooted to Derek's other side to give Phillip his promised hug.

Moira came to Kat's rescue.  "It's alright, Rachel.  Everything's fine."

"You're sure about that?" The doctor asked quietly, not looking altogether convinced.

Moira wanted to echo Phillip's earlier plea for patience but all she said was, "Quite sure.  We banished the demon back to It's own dimension in the shadow worlds.  It won't be bothering anyone again."

Derek added his own assurances, speaking calmly enough but Moira saw the flash of pain in his eyes before he covered it.  "Kat is quite safe with me Rachel.  I wouldn't let her near me if it weren't safe."

Her lips tightened uncertainly but she nodded.  "Alright.  If you're sure she won't be in the way."

"She won't be in th' way."  Phillip swung the child up in his arms.  "How about you and me go fetch Derek some breakf'st, hey?"

"Okay."  Kat smiled happily.  "And Moira, too.  She looks hungry."

Phillip laughed and once again, Derek smiled.  "Okay, two big breakf'sts comin' right up!"

"Humungus."  Kat corrected him, as they were headed out the door.

"That sounds serious," Rachel spoke hesitantly, clearly uncomfortable.  "Maybe I should go down with them, make sure they don't demolish the kitchen."

"I'll handle that Rachel.  I need to stretch the kinks out of my back anyway.  If you think you'll be okay for a few minutes, love. . ."  Moira glanced at Derek.  The thoughtful expression on her husband's face had returned.  

"Hmm?  Of course, I'll be fine.  Just make sure they don't destroy the kitchen.  If Annie where to find out. . ."

Moira kissed him fondly.  "When Annie finds out it's for you, she'll forgive anything those two might do.  All the same, I'd might as well go supervise and check on Lissa while I'm out."

"I'm sure Alex will be in Lissa's room."  The precept told her.  "Find out what you can about the other Houses.  Especially the one in New York.  I want the two of you to find out everything there is to know about that box and who, specifically, sent it to us for analysis."

"Only if you promise to get some rest."  Moira countered firmly.  "You scared the hell out of us Derek, and you're still not completely well."  As she passed Rachel on her way out, Moira looked the doctor up and down in a way she knew the other woman would be able to read.  "Rachel, make sure he gets it."

The older woman contested that look but averted her eyes as Moira let some of her impatience show.  

"I will."  

"Thank you."  Moira said, asking Derek, "Back soon, love.  Any particular message you want me to give Lissa, if she's awake?" He shook his head but the proud gleam in his eyes was answer enough.  That will mean everything to Lissa, she thought sadly.  She needs to hear it as badly as her Father.

Moira headed out of the bedroom, a small part of her wishing that Rachel had pushed just a little further.  She was so angry with that woman!

Angry for protesting the only choice Lissa could have made.  Angry at her for being so blind.

She shook her head wearily.  I'll deal with Dr.  Rachel 'my way is best' Corrigan later.  Right now I need to see about Lissa, then make sure those two imps really haven't torn up the kitchen.  A soft smile touched her lips as she thought about the way the young man had deftly handled Rachel.  She would never be able to repay him for his encouraging words to Derek; for the way he had taken Derek's guilt and shame and turned it around, making certain his second father knew where he stood.

Making sure Derek understood that, not only did his godson not blame him for the demon's actions, but praising him for his silent but not unnoticed struggle.

First she checked in on Rose but the young Healer was still sound asleep, curled up like a little girl in the large bed.  She didn't wake her.

Moira slipped inside Lissa's room.  Sure enough, Alex was sitting on the younger woman's bed, gently humming a lullabye as she caressed Lissa's dark brown hair.  Actually older by a few months, nevertheless -- at this moment in time -- her step-daughter looked scarcely older than young Rose.  The former detective was also sound asleep, her arms curled around Bear.  

Derek's gift to her as a child.  Unexpectedly, tears pricked Moira's eyes, thinking of the children yet to come, knowing that they would love their older sister.

Alex looked up as she closed the door, whispering quietly, "How is she?"

The researcher smiled tenderly.  "Good, I think."  The smile turned wry as she looked at Derek's wife.  "It didn't take her long to get to sleep."

Claiming the chair Alex had vacated earlier, Moira sprawled into it ungracefully and rubbed her eyes.  "I didn't think it would.  Derek woke a few minutes ago. . .I think, between the two of us, Phillip and I have him convinced he's not responcible for any of this.  For now, at any rate."  She eyed her friend gratefully.  "I don't remember if I said so earlier, but thanks again for contacting Rachel.  I needed. . ."

"You needed to be with Derek."  Alex responded firmly.  "You were as worn as he was, and I knew you didn't have the patience to handle Rachel.  And I didn't either, not really.  God, they are so much alike, you know?  Lissa may never forgive herself for what she had to do."

Moira grimaced, shaking her hair back out of her eyes tiredly.  "And Rachel didn't help matters any.  Even though she probably couldn't understand all of what we were planning. . ."  The mage grimaced again.

Alex nodded grimly.  "We follow our precept.  And Lissa made the only choice she could.  We could hardly have surrendered the Legacy to. . ."  Suddenly Alex looked at Moira sharply.  "You're exhausted.  You have no reserves left. . ."

"Oh I have a few.  Enough to get me down to the kitchen at any rate to check on Phillip and Kat."

"Oh?"

"They decided Derek and I looked hungry."  Moira chuckled.  "It seems I have a 'humugus' breakfast waiting for me when I arrive."

"Huh.  I'll go with you.  I think it's safe to leave Lissa for a little while."

The two walked down to the first floor, Alex keeping an eye on her as the mage negociated the stairs.  "How's Rose?" Surely Phillip wouldn't have left her if she was in danger. . .

"She's fine."  Phillip spoke as they entered Annie's domain.  Having heard the question, he hastened to reassure Alex.  "As soon as I take this up t' Derek I'll come back 'nd mix up some tea.  There are some herbs. . .  " The former priest blushed faintly.  A year ago he would have balked at going anywhere near Rose's witch's implements or mixing up something the church would call a 'devil's potion'.  But he liked to think he -- if not the church -- had grown a little since then.  "They will help t' get her stren'th back."

"I'm glad.  Phillip. . .if you need. . ."  

"No."  Smiling Phillip knew what it was Moira was offering.  But the mage was worn down to nothing as it was.  In fact. . .  "Don't go anywhere."  He told her severely.  "And apply yerself to yer breakf'st.  When I get back, I'll make two 'f those teas.  Alex. . ."

"I hear ya."  Alex grinned mischieviously at her.  "I'll make sure she doesn't go anywhere."

Phillip nodded in satisfaction.  The two women waited until he had gotten out of earshot before trading knowing looks.  

"If Rose is 'Little Mother' does that make Phillip 'Little Father'?" Moira asked puckishly.

Alex laughed at the thought.  Pouring herself and Moira a fresh cup of Dominick's strong coffee, Alex admonished lightly, "I wouldn't let Nick hear you say that.  Phillip would never live that one down."

"What wouldn't Phillip live down?" Nick popped in the kitchen, heading straight for the refridgerator.  Alex rolled her eyes.

"Speak of the Devil.  Nothing. . ."  She hedged.  "It seems as if last night didn't diminish your appetite any."

Nick shrugged.  "I'm hungry."

"Did you take care of that box?"

"Yah.  Locked up tight in the vault downstairs.  It's not goin' anywhere."

Moira grew serious.  "Good.  After breakfast Alex, you and I need to get digging.  Derek wants us to try and find out everything we can about where that damned box came from."

Nick set his plate down on the table and pulled up a chair.  "Have you tried checking the database?  Or a cross-reference of the Legacy archives?"

"And who sent it."  Alex shook her head.  "No, not yet.  I stayed with Lissa last night."

"How is she?"

"She's strong, she'll be fine.  We just need to keep her spirits up for a while; until she gets through this."  Alex stared out the kitchen windows, watching the birds wing by outside.  She returned her attention to Nick who was watching her intently.  "Okay.  So I'm worried."

"I stopped by Rose's room.  Kat's staying with her."  Nick told them, giving Alex's hand a squeeze.  "She's awake and says to tell you she'll be down in a while."  Now he smiled and his eyes disappeared.  "To which Phillip says she won't and that Moira had better have that plate cleaned by the time he gets back down."

"Too late."  Phillip replied, setting the promised tea down in front of her.  "Drink."

Making a face, Moira nevertheless did what she was told.  Gulping the bitter tea down as fast as she could, she tried not to taste it.  Rose's teas were good for what ailed you, but they were notoriously nasty to the taste.  This one was no exception.

Phillip grinned widely.  "Wise lady."

"Ick."  Moira washed down the bitter taste with the last of her coffee.

"That was nicely done last night.  Where did you le'rn t' d' that?"  Helping himself to some fruit and breakfast rolls, Phillip joined them, sagely offering her another cup of coffee.

"Channeling?  On the dragon world with Nahele.  Ande discovered I had the abillity when I accidently helped him Call lightening."  At the amused and slightly incredulous expressions, Moira finished wryly.  "It seems I was concentrating too hard on what he was doing and, well. . ."

Nick flashed her a slow mocking grin.  "Remind me never to piss you off."

She flashed teeth sweetly.  "I will."

And Nick was forced to duck the roll thrown his way.


-------------------------------


"Bloody Hell!" The words exploded from the viewscreen as the dark-haired precept ran through the gauntlet of explicatives, first in engish and then in Romanian.  "Are you alright?  Do you need me to send someone?  Josie's out in the field but I can pull her back here and have her on a plane within the hour."

The two women exchanges grins.  Having contacted the New York House after breakfast, Alex had explained mostly in detail about what had happened with the box they had sent and now Joshua LeBrel was fuming at himself for not having seen it coming.

"Take it easy Josh, we're all fine."  Alex had known he would react like this and had wanted to break the news to him herself.  "Derek's upstairs resting and both Phillip and Rose are well enough to be fussing over each other."

Moira piped up when it looked like the precept would send someone over anyway.  "There's nothing to be done here, Josh.  The demon's back in It's box, no doubt cursing each of us unto our last generations and everyone's recovering.  But what you could do, if you would, is find out everything you know about that damned box."

"Consider it done."  The precept vowed gravely.  If there was one thing he didn't like about this was that it was obviously sent to him knowing he would send it on to Derek and the rest of them.  And he hated being used.  "Everything I know, you'll know."

Even if it meant contacting that soured out stone-faced Sloan over in London.

The tranmission ended and both women looked at the other, smiles fading as they realized, even as they'd won this round, the final battle was far from over.  Whoever sent that box was still out there.

And they had no clue who was gunning for them this time.

end

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