After the aborted attack, and after the return of the memories, Lucinda retreated. The memories had torn free. She remembered the months afterwards. . .learning that she was pregnant as a result of the rape. She had decided to name a little boy 'Adrian,' for her father. If her child was a girl, Lucinda wanted to name her 'Monica,' after her childhood best friend. Her brother Paul was going to help her raise her child. . .that had been the plan. But when she was eight months pregnant, Paul was killed. . .and it sent her into premature labor. Just before drifting into the abyss herself, Lucinda had heard the doctors say that her child was dead. And the young mother had lost the last of her will to fight. But now she had returned, more than thirty years later. Why? To protect the innocent from predators, like the. . . Lucinda stopped. An image was forming in her mind, an image of the man who had attacked her that night, the monster who had ultimately stolen her life. Gradually, the picture became clearer, until Lucinda could see his face. . . . . . Adrian was sure he would have collapsed if he had been standing up when his aunt told him the story of his conception and birth. Lucinda had been at a dinner at the church that night, Susannah said, and she was helping Father Robert Arrana, the new black curate. It had startled Adrian, hearing that St. Bart's had a black curate in the early sixties, but his aunt explaned that due to his last name, someone assumed that the young priest was Italian. Still, in the sixties, the ethnic groups had segregated themselves. . .even amongst themselves, they divided themselves into upper class and lower class. Susannah went on to explain that the pastor of St. Bart's at that time was also blind. He didn't care what color Father Arrana was. And the parishioners said nothing. They also refused to help the young priest to settle in. Only golden-haired Lucinda Hadley would do that, and she also helped him on that night to put away the remaining food. While the young priest was in the kitchen, Lucinda was brutally attacked. Adrian was the result of that rape. The young doctor was sick. . .no one ever wanted to hear that their conception was an act of violence, rather than love, and for the doctor who had committed himself to healing others, it was devastating news indeed. He fervently hoped that Cassie Summers never learned this truth from either of her mothers, no matter how old she was. Adrian asked as steadily as he could, "Did my mother want me?" It was a perfectly logical question, of course. And his aunt firmly reassured him that despite his father's brutality, Lucinda had, indeed, wanted her son. Again, there was the mention of his father. Adrian still didn't know his identity. What kind of man raped a woman. . .what kind of man raped a woman inside a church? But he asked only, "Aunt Susannah, please. . .who did that to her?" He couldn't bring himself to call the man, the monster, whoever he was, his father. His father, he understood now, was Nathan Tyler. The man who had taught him how to ride a bicycle, how to fly a kite, how to shave and how to drive. That was his father. Not the nameless, faceless beast who had assaulted an innocent young woman. The silence which had initially allowed Adrian to collect his thoughts lengthened. Only his aunt's soft breathing on the other end of the line told him that she was still alive. Adrian patiently waited, half-impatient for the final revelation, and half-dreading it. He wanted to keep this nameless, faceless beast just that. But he also wanted to know. He had to know. At last, his aunt said quietly, "Sweetheart. . .if you're thinking that it's someone you don't know, someone you can't confront, then you're wrong. You do know him." She paused, then said very quietly, "Adrian, darling boy. . .your father is Sebastian Douglas. Then a thirty-one year old priest. . .now the bishop of the diocese of San Francisco. He. . .he is the person who raped your mother all those years ago. He is your father." And with those words, Adrian Tyler's heart fractured into a thousand little pieces. Bishop Sebastian Douglas, the man who had married Adrian and Melody, the priest who baptized Kendra, the man who had given Melody last rites and performed the funeral Mass for Adrian's late wife. . .that was the man who had raped Adrian's mother. He was Adrian's biological father. Adrian wanted to scream, wanted to cry, but he didn't have the energy. He numbly thanked his aunt for levelling with him, then hung up the phone. He looked at the clock which sat beside him. . .eleven thirty. He wasn't sure if he should call Lissa or not. . .she might be asleep. But if he didn't talk to her now, Adrian wasn't sure if he would be able to sleep at all that night. Numbly, he dialed the number for her cell phone, praying that she was still awake. On the second ring, Lissa answered, sounding alert and awake. Thank God for small miracles. Adrian said numbly, "Lis, it's me. I just received some information I think you should know. Yeah. Yeah, I just finished talking with my aunt Susannah. Lissa, you won't believe whom my biological father is. Even I can't believe it. Are you sitting down?" Lissa was glad she was sitting down after Adrian Tyler dropped his bombshell about his biological father. Her hunch had been correct about the conception of Lucinda Hadley's child. . .there were times when she hated being right. But the revelation about Bishop Sebastian Douglas blew her mind. At last, Adrian said hoarsely, "I am so sorry to drop this on you, Lis, but God! I needed someone to talk to, and I knew that if I waited until morning, I would never get any sleep!" He sounded close to tears, and Lissa didn't blame him. No, she didn't blame him at all. "It's okay, Adri. . .that's what I'm here for. Listen, I know it won't be easy, but get some sleep. You're not alone in this anymore. . .you have us, and Kendra needs you awake and alert. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a very, very long day," Lissa advised. Adrian agreed and hung up, leaving Lissa to stare at the phone in her hand. Now she wouldn't be able to get to sleep until she talked to someone, dammit! But Lissa curbed her frustration. . .she rose to her feet and left her room. Philip had been returned to his own room, and he was sitting up in bed, reading. He smiled as she poked her head inside the room, saying, "Somethin' on your mind, Lis?" Lissa smiled, relieved, and joined him inside his room. . . . Philip listened as Lissa poured out her frustration and resentment from that day. She was angry with Rachel for pressing the issue, and relieved that she didn't have to carry the burden alone any more. But there was something else that was troubling Lissa. . .something different. "So what else is on your mind, Lissa? You're about t' lose your temper over somethin,' and I'd like t' know what's botherin' you," Philip said at last. Lissa didn't answer immediately, but the young priest didn't take offense. She had a lot to work through. At last, she said quietly, "You weren't very surprised when I told you that I had been raped. I saw no surprise on your face when we went to the control room. And you're not that good at hiding your emotions. How. . .did you suspect? How did you come to the conclusion you did?" "More than one thin,' actually. Michael said somethin' t' me while I was Between. Said that your step-father was payin' for what he had done t' you, both emotionally and physically. But he hesitated before sayin' 'physically,' and that gave me a clue. Plus, you jumped every time Derek touched you, and that's usually a fair indication of both physical and sexual abuse. I'm a priest, Lissa. . .I've learned about these indications," Philip replied. He paused, then added, "And. . .you might say, I realized from personal experience." Lissa's dark hazel eyes widened, then narrowed as she realized what he was saying. Her mouth tightened and Philip said, "It was a long time ago, and just happened the once. It was before you knew me, Lissa, there was nothin' you could have done." Lissa just snarled one word. . ."Bitch." Philip started to protest that it was a very uncharitable thing to say, then realized he couldn't tell her that. It would have been hypocritical, because he agreed with her. After a moment, she whispered, her eyes filling with tears, "Oh, Pip, it should have never happened to you of all people! Was it. . . was your mother still alive when this was happening?" "I honestly don't remember," Philip sighed, then winced at the pain that shot through his torso. He waited until the pain had eased, then continued, "I don't remember much, understand. Just. . .sensations. Emotions." He paused, then continued, "As I said, it happened the one time, and I was very, very young. All I really remember is the feelin' dirty and ashamed. Like I had done somethin' wrong. You never t'tally get over that feelin.' It stays wi' you, even as the years pass." He smiled gently at Lissa's stricken expression, adding, "It's not your fault, Lis. You look tired. . .get some rest. You need it." Lissa nodded woodenly and kissed his cheek, then left the room. Philip closed his eyes, falling asleep almost instantly. But his dreams were troubled. . . . . . The following morning, Derek was surprised to find Lissa already at the breakfast table. However, she looked terrible. . .her mouth was a thin white line, and there were huge circles under her hazel eyes. She looked up as Derek sat down and said quietly, "At eleven forty-five last night, I got a telephone call from Adrian Tyler." Tensing up without really knowing why, Derek asked casually, "And is this phone call the reason why you look like you slept no more than a few hours last night?" When Lissa nodded somberly, Derek continued in a decidedly less- than-casual voice, "What did he tell you?" "That my hunch was right. . .his conception was the result of a rape. He also told me the identity of his mother's rapist," Lissa replied. Her eyes were as dark as onyx now, and Derek found himself fearing what his daughter was about to say. Lissa went on, her voice barely audible, "You won't believe this, Dad. The man who raped Lucinda Hadley was none other than Sebastian Douglas." It took a few moments for his daughter's words to register, then Derek gaped at the young woman. Lissa nodded and Derek continued, "That explains the dreams I had last night, liefje. I saw a man in black attacking a blonde- haired woman, but I didn't see his face." "The bastard must have been wearing his collar at the time. . .God, you wanna talk about a sacrilege?" Lissa choked out, her eyes blazing with contempt and rage. She shook her head, continuing, "Just the act of raping a woman is sacrilegious. . .but a priest raping a woman in a church? My God, Dad. . .that goes beyond sacrilegious!" "That is vile. . .and it's what was troublin' you last night, wasn't it?" Philip said in a quiet voice. Derek and Lissa both looked up to find the young priest and Nick entering the dining room together. Philip was white, though Derek wasn't certain if it was from pain or shock. "Someone needs to teach Bishop Sebastian Douglas a lesson, but I'm sure it won't be me," Nick said tightly. Derek shook his head. . .no, Sebastian Douglas would face a fate far worse than a beating at Nick Boyle's hands. Just as he was certain that a similar fate was in store for the man who had raped Derek's child. Nick continued, "So what now? What do we do now?" . . . The dream awakened Kendra. . .she sat straight up in bed, and it was only her breathlessness which kept her from screaming. It took her several moments to return her heart beat to normal. . .and even then, she shuddered as she remembered the dream. For the second time in less than a month, Kendra had seen her priest, Father Philip, attacked in her dreams. the first time, she had ignored the dream. . .and Father Philip was nearly beaten to death. Kendra was determined not to allow that to happen this time. This time, she would do anything within her power to protect him. She got out of bed and dressed quickly. She wasn't even hungry. Her father was in the living room, looking hollow- eyed and exhausted, and Kendra asked, "Dad, should I stay home? You don't look like you're feeling very well." He smiled weakly and replied. "No, baby doll. . .do whatever you have to. I'm fine," he replied. Kendra looked at him anxiously. . .he certainly wasn't acting fine, and her father continued after a moment, "Honestly, sweetheart, I'm fine. Where are you off to? Can I fix you anything to eat?" "I'm going over to the rectory," Kendra replied. Despite her conversations with Dr. Corrigan and Detective Rayne the previous day, Kendra was still shy about talking to her father about her ability to See things. So, instead of telling her father about her dream, Kendra went on, "I want to talk to Father Philip and see when he's coming back." "If he's wise, he'll wait a few more weeks. . .but you know Father Philip. He's just as stubborn as Lissa is," Kendra's father replied. Kendra laughed. . .as if her father had any room to talk? He was just as stubborn as Detective Rayne, if not more so. Her dad continued, "But see what he has to say. Father Luke is getting a bit harried." Kendra nodded and dropped a kiss on her father's forehead, then left the house. She lived just down the street from the bus station, and would take a bus to St. Bart's. It would take longer, but Kendra was feeling too jumpy to walk. Ever since the encounter at the jail only a few days earlier. . .it seemed like a lifetime now. . .Kendra had been feeling jittery about being alone. As she walked, she thought about what she had found out the previous night. Lucinda, the woman she had been seeing in her dreams, was her grandmother. Kendra understood the reason for the dreams, and even the reason for the attacks. Sort of. At least, she understood the reason for the first attack, but why was there another attack after that one? . . . It was decided that Philip would go to the rectory after breakfast and tell Cardinal Arrana the rest of the story. Derek wasn't happy, but the young priest insisted on telling the cardinal in person. Lissa had offered to drive him, since she wanted to check on Adrian, and Derek consoled himself with the idea that Philip couldn't get into trouble at the rectory. As long as he didn't push himself. . . Meanwhile, Derek and Nick would go to the police station, and see if there had been any link between Lucinda's two victims. . .aside from their predatory tendencies. Lissa had already phoned ahead to Sgt. Chesney Harrison from the Sex Crimes Division, so she would give Nick and Derek her full cooperation. But before that was done, Molly, Rachel, and Alex would have to be briefed about the latest news. This was all settled in a matter of minutes, while the four ate breakfast. Once Philip and Lissa were finished, they headed out, Lissa kissing Derek's cheek as they left the dining room. Nick looked at Derek and asked very quietly, "How are you doing this morning?" The precept sighed and Nick continued, "You, too, huh? I swear, Derek, I slept maybe three hours last night. All I could think about was Lissa. I guess she's had longer to deal with this, but she's handling it a lot better than any of us are." "Yes," Derek said quietly. In the distance, he could hear Lissa's car sputtering to life against its will, and he shook his head. It was long past time Lissa had a new car. Her birthday was coming up. . .Derek thought he would ask Alex's advice about what kind of car he should get Lissa. Nick continued, "Derek, whom do you think will be Lucinda's next victim? Is there any particular rhyme or reason?" In the very next breath, he added, "I suppose not. But just knowing that she goes after rapists and child molesters. . .that doesn't help much." "Hopefully," Derek replied, turning his attention back to the case at hand, "we'll have more information after we talk with Sergeant Harrison. But rest easy, Nick. . .we do this not for the criminals, but for a child seeking peace." . . . Lissa dropped Philip off at the rectory as soon as Luke Quinlan came outside. . .she wanted to make sure someone would take care of him. Once she saw Father Luke, she smiled and waved, then drove away. It was only about ten minutes to the Tyler house from the rectory, and she passed a bus going in the opposite direction. She pulled up in front of the house and shut off the engine, something she was starting to hate to do. . .she was never sure she would be able to get it started again. Pulling the keys from the ignition, Lissa walked toward the house and up the front steps. She rapped lightly on the door and a monotone bid her to enter. Lissa pushed open the door to find Adrian sitting on the couch. . .just sitting there. He looked at her and said, "You look like hell, Lissa." "So do you," Lissa replied dryly, "and I don't imagine you got any more sleep than I did last night." Adrian shook his head, sighing, and Lissa sat down on the sofa beside him. She asked quietly, "Kendra doesn't know yet, does she?" Adrian shook his head, tears shining in his eyes. "I couldn't tell her, Lis. . .how can I tell her that the man who baptized her, the man who gave Melody Last Rites, who performed her funeral Mass is also the man who raped an innocent young woman. How could he have done such a thing, Lissa? What kind of monster does that to a woman?" Adrian cried out, his voice raw with anguish. "I don't know, Adri. . .I've been trying to figure that out for the last seven years. I don't know what kind of man does that. To a woman, to a child. I don't know," Lissa replied. Adrian closed his eyes at the reminder, then the ex-cop continued, "Speaking of Kendra, where is she?" Adrian waved a hand, sighing, and answered, "She went to the rectory. Wanted to ask Father Philip when he would be coming back, so to speak." Lissa nodded vaguely, then realized what Adrian had just said. Philip. . .at the rectory. With the other priests. . .and Kendra. She blanched as something occurred to her. "Oh, God. . .Philip. Oh God, we've gotta get over there now! Come, Adrian. . .Lucinda is going to strike again!" she cried out, jumping to her feet. Adrian bounded to his feet as well, though he looked more than a little confused. Lissa barely paid attention to that, however. "What is it, what's wrong?" he asked as they raced out of the house together. Lissa didn't answer. . .she just ran as fast as she could to her car. Of course. Lucinda had been raped by a priest, it was just a matter of time before she went after a priest. She started her car. . .as usual, it didn't want to behave. Not now, dammit, she thought, don't do this to me now! Adrian got in the car and slapped the dashboard. . .the car started right up. "Thanks. Think about it, Adrian. . .Lucinda was raped by a priest. She has killed two men already for attacking or threatening an innocent. . .it's just a matter of time before she goes after a priest, as payback," Lissa replied as she backed her car up. Adrian nodded, still looking confused, and Lissa went on, "Come on, Adri. . .Douglas was thirty-one when he raped Lucinda. Which priest is closer to that age, Father Quinlan or Philip?" Now he understood. . .from the corner of her eye, Lissa saw understanding slowly dawn in Adrian's eyes. He moaned, "Oh God. . .and she would attack Father Philip to protect Kendra, even if Father Philip made no move to threaten Kendra. Step on it, Lis!" The young woman nodded and Adrian added, "Do you need me to call anyone?" "Yeah, get my cellular out of my purse and phone my father. Hit 'star' then seven. His number is already programmed in," Lissa replied. Adrian nodded and the ex-cop muttered, "Damn, and I don't even have my gun with me. Not that I really need it, I'm not the one who goes around shooting ghosts." Rachel had finally told her the whole story behind that the previous night. Adrian looked at her, his eyes wide and Lissa sighed, "It's a Nick thing. . .you wouldn't understand. Give me the phone. Dad, it's Lis. We got a major crisis, and that's no joke!" . . . Derek listened in silence, his hand curling around the phone as his daughter rapidly outlined what she had just learned. When Lissa ran out of steam, Derek replied, "We're on our way. Buy as much time as you can, Lissa." She assented and hung up, and Derek turned to the others. Molly, Rachel, and Alex were downstairs. . .Nick and Derek had been getting ready to leave for the police station when Lissa called. Nick asked as soon as Derek hung up the phone, "What's going on, Derek? I couldn't hear the particulars, but Lissa sounded kinda frantic." "She was. . .Kendra Tyler is at the rectory, and Lissa believes that Lucinda will attack Philip there," Derek said grimly. Nick's jaw clenched and the precept went on, "Nick, with me. . .Molly, Rachel, and Alex, I want you three together. We'll meet you at the rectory." That was settled. . . . Kendra had no problem finding Father Philip once she reached the rectory. . .he was sitting in his room, talking with the Cardinal and Father Quinlan. The door was open, and Father Philip was saying quietly, "I wanted t' tell you in person, your Eminence." "You were quite right, Philip, but please stop taking chances with your health. Hello, Kendra Tyler. . .come to see about Father Callaghan?" the cardinal replied. The girl nodded shyly and Cardinal Arrana continued, "Then I'll let the two of you chat. Come along, Luke." The older priest nodded and touched Father Philip's shoulder, then followed the cardinal from the room. The young priest pushed himself to his feet and looked at Kendra, who said shyly, "I wanted to make sure you were okay. I had a dream last night, that you were hurt. I had a dream the night before you were attacked. . .and I didn't want that to happen again." In spite of herself, tears began rolling down her cheeks. Father Philip looked at her compassionately. "Oh Kendra," he whispered and held out his hand to her. Kendra threw her arms around him, and winced at his soft gasp of pain. Father Philip continued in a soft, crooning voice, "It will be all right, Kendra. . .I promise. I. . .what in the. . .?" Kendra pulled away, just in time to see the angel of death. . .her grandmother. . .materialize. Father Philip stood in front of her protectively, his good arm keeping Kendra away from the apparition. The eyes of Kendra's grandmother narrowed, then Father Philip doubled over, moaning, and collapsed to the ground. Kendra screamed. . . . It took only a few minutes to reach the rectory of St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church. As soon as Lissa stopped the car, Adrian was out and sprinting for the door. The ex-cop was only a few steps behind him, passing a startled Cardinal Arrana, but Lissa didn't pay attention to him. Once they were inside, Lissa led the way to Philip's room. He had shown her around the rectory once, not long after they had finished up the Hendricks case, including his room. Father Luke Quinlan had been with them as a chaperone, and Lissa remembered the way. They were halfway down the hall when the corridor seemed to turn upside down. Beside her, Adrian gave a choked gasp, and Lissa grasped his wrist, pulling him down. Lucinda knew they were here, there was no question of that. Once the sensation stopped, Lissa asked, "Are you all right?" Adrian nodded, still looking shaken, and the ex-cop continued, muttering in a low voice, "That woman is really starting to piss me off!" And then they heard Kendra's scream. "C'mon!" Lissa said, pulling Adrian to his feet. The pair raced down the hall to Philip's room. They could hear Kendra screaming hysterically now, begging Lucinda not to hurt Philip any more. The door wouldn't give. . .which left Lissa with only one alternative. She motioned Adrian to step back, then gave the door a hard kick. . . . "You have to understand why Lissa is so worried. Lucinda will attack if she perceives a threat to Kendra," Molly explained tersely in response to a question of Rachel's. The three women were in Alex's car, heading for St. Bart's Church. Alex said nothing. . .her entire being was focused on reaching the rectory before the ghost of Lucinda Hadley could harm Philip. Alex flashed back once more to finding Philip unconscious on the floor of the conference room. She knew there was a very good possibility that Lucinda would kill the young priest for the crimes of his bishop. And if Alex had anything to say in the matter, that wouldn't happen. In fact, Alex had a slight detour planned when they reached the church. She didn't care what she had to do to protect Philip, she would do it. . .even if it meant assaulting a bishop in his own chambers. Alex was angry, and even Derek knew enough to give her a wide berth when she was angry. "But Philip would never harm a child. . .he would only harm someone who posed a threat to Derek, or Lissa. . .well, you get the idea," Rachel objected. The researcher didn't bother correcting the psychiatrist's statement. . .she knew Molly would do that for her, and Alex was more concerned with reaching St. Bart's than with correcting Rachel. "You weren't listening, Dr. Corrigan. . .I said if she *perceives* a threat! You and I know Philip would never harm a child, or any other innocent. But Lucinda doesn't," Molly retorted. She fell silent briefly, then said quietly, "I just hope Lissa and Adrian can stop Lucinda." So do I, Alex thought, as the church came into sight, so do I! . . . Kendra placed herself between her grandmother and Father Philip, sobbing. She cried out, "Stop it, you're hurting him!" Father Philip lay on his side, barely conscious. Kendra turned back to the apparition. The ghost's eyes narrowed once more, and Father Philip's whole body stiffened. The door imploded with a shower of wood, and Kendra covered Father Philip protectively. Her father and Detective Rayne entered the room as Kendra raised her head. The girl cried out in relief, but before she could ask for help, her dad ran across the room and dragged her away from the priest. Once more, the ghost's eyes narrowed and Kendra's dad gave a strangled cry. He released her as he slammed into the opposite wall. Kendra threw herself between the ghost and her father protectively, even as Detective Rayne snarled, her dark eyes flashing with fury, "Oh, that's lovely, Lucinda. . .try to kill your own son!" "My son died with me, damn you! And you will pay for interfering with justice!" Kendra's grandmother retorted harshly. Her eyes went wide as she whispered, "I can't harm you. You are my sister. . .why do you seek to protect a man? Why do you seek to protect a priest, when they are all monsters? They are all rapists!" "No, they are not! The man lying on the floor is a good man. . .decent and kind and generous. If you don't believe me, sister, then ask the child. Your son did not die. . .he lived. He became a doctor, seeking to save lives. He has a daughter of his own, the child who stands before you now," Detective Rayne answered. . . . Alex Moreau jumped out of her car as soon as she shut the engine off, and ran for the door. She told Molly Summers tersely, "I want to find the bishop's room. . .do you think you can find him?" The older woman looked at Alex, slightly perplexed, and the researcher said, "He has to be there, Molly. Lucinda must see the man who actually raped her." "I'll find him," Molly promised. She seemed to understand what Alex meant to do, for she didn't protest further. After about a minute, Molly said quietly, "This way." Alex nodded and followed the Toronto precept. She didn't even look to see if Rachel was behind her. "Alex, let Lissa and I talk to her. She may resent us, but we have a better chance of reaching her. There's a strong possibility that she'll attack the men," Rachel commented and Alex nodded. She knew Lucinda would attack Derek and Nick if they tried to intervene. The difficulty would be in convincing Derek not to follow his natural instincts. . .namely, to protect those he loved. "She may resent you, for being alive when she's dead, but I doubt if she'll try to hurt either of you," Molly put in, then nodded to a door. Alex didn't even bother knocking. She just kicked the door in, venting some of her rage. Finding out that her college roommate, the woman who was Alex's best friend, had been raped was bad enough. Alex knew she would never totally forgive herself for not being there when Lissa needed her. Never mind that Alex hadn't known she was needed. . .she still let Lissa down. But to find out that a priest, a man of God, had viciously assaulted a woman? It made Alex sick. Just the sight of Bishop Sebastian Douglas made her sick, but she said, "You're coming with us, Bishop. It's time to settle accounts with Lucinda Hadley." She had the grim satisfaction of seeing Douglas blanch when the woman's name was mentioned, but he shook his head. Alex grabbed his arm roughly and said, "You are coming with us! Lucinda Hadley is in Philip's room right now, and I will be damned if I'll let her punish him for what you did!" "And you will be damned, woman. . .daring to touch a man of the cloth in such a way! Dr. Corrigan, Dr. Summers, will you allow this. . .this. . .this *girl* to treat me in such a way?" the bishop sputtered furiously. Alex just glared at him. . .her full contempt for him must have been reflected in her eyes, for he paled further. However, that didn't stop him from trying to struggle out of her grasp. Molly merely looked at him the way most people looked at an insect, while Rachel answered coldly, "Help a rapist? I don't think so. If anything, I'll help Alex push you down the hall to Philip's room, now move it!" It seemed the bishop finally realized that he was outnumbered and outgunned, for he began walking out of the room. It was then that Alex heard Kendra's scream, and Lissa yelling something. Her blood froze and she pushed the bishop ahead harder. He almost fell, but picked himself up and kept walking. Father Luke Quinlan emerged from his room, looking deathly pale, and asked, "What in God's name was that? Miss Moreau, what is going on. . .why is the bishop with you?" He sounded totally bewildered. Alex wished she could explain to him what was going on, but she honestly didn't have the time to do so. From behind them, Alex heard Cardinal Arrana say, "Don't interfere, Luke. Miss Moreau is doing what must be done." She smiled grimly, even as Derek appeared at the other end of the hall with Nick. The cavalry was here. . . . Philip had known as soon as Lucinda Hadley materialized that she would attack him. There was no doubt in his mind, especially after hearing Kendra's dream. Still, the knowledge did nothing to prepare him for the reality. The first shockwave of pain doubled him over. . .the second had him on the ground, on his bad arm. He was aware, somewhere in the part of his mind that was still capable of coherent thought, that Lucinda was inflicting on him the pain which she had been forced to endure. And then the agony overwhelmed him, and he was barely conscious of Kendra on her knees beside him, begging her grandmother not to hurt him. It wasn't just the pain of the attack, of course. . . pain shot up the length of his still-healing arm and reverberated through his torso from his broken ribs and internal injuries. He was vaguely aware of Lissa and Adrian entering the room. Nice job, Lissa. . .about what I'd expect of Nick, but it got the job done. And he could hear. . .somewhat. . .what was being said. Enough to realize that Lissa was trying to talk Lucinda down, trying to protect both Adrian and Philip. The young priest wasn't entirely sure why Adrian needed protection. After all, Adrian was Lucinda's son. . .there was no reason for her to hurt him. Except. . .Philip tried desperately to hang onto the thought, which would help him to remain conscious. Except, Lucinda didn't seem to realize that Adrian was her child. That would make a difference, Philip admitted fuzzily. . . . On the way over from the castle, Derek made a quick stop to tell Sandy Horowitz what they had learned. Sandy was in a slightly strange situation. . .not exactly a member of the Legacy, but aware that there was more to the world than what she could see. That awareness made her the perfect confidante for Derek in this case. After explaining the situation to Sandy, Derek and Nick continued on to the rectory. The precept was aware only that his godson was in mortal danger. . .that once more, he was faced with the possibility of losing Philip to a vengeful ghost. Not again, he thought, not again! At last, they reached the rectory and both men jumped out of the Range Rover, running into the building. They met Alex, Rachel and Molly halfway. Derek smiled coldly and nodded approvingly at Alex, who had Bishop Douglas firmly in her grasp. Good. The circle was complete. Inside Father Philip's room, Kendra held her breath following Detective Rayne's quiet assertion that Kendra's father was Lucinda's son. The ghost looked at them both and whispered, "Can it be true? Did my little boy really survive? I heard the doctors say that the child was dead as well. I thought all hope was gone." "I do not lie to you, Lucinda. . .the doctors lied to you, or maybe you let go before they knew Adrian was alive. Look at him, Lucinda. . .he looks like your brother, Paul, doesn't he? Paul was to help you raise Adrian, but he was killed when you were eight months pregnant. Remember? You went into premature labor. You didn't receive proper medical attention after the rape, and that caused complications when Adrian was born," Detective Rayne said softly. Kendra's grandmother was on the verge of tears, and she started to speak, but two men burst into the room, followed by three women and. . .Bishop Douglas? The ghost's face twisted. Kendra didn't even think. . .she placed her body between her grandmother and the younger of the two men. Detective Rayne had stepped in front of the older man. "Dad, stay put! You, too, Nick. Alex, Aunt Molly, Rachel. . .it's about time you got here! And I see you brought the actual culprit with you!" the ex-cop said. Kendra frowned, looking from the detective to the bishop. I don't understand, she thought, what did Detective Rayne mean when she said that they brought the actual culprit with them? What did Bishop Douglas do? The lady named 'Alex' replied as she and the third woman headed to Father Philip's side, "Yeah, Lis, I figured you would want him here. Told him that he was coming along with us, whether he liked it or not. And you know me. . .I have a real problem with innocents taking the blame for the sins of others!" The woman whom Detective Rayne had addressed as 'Aunt Molly' dropped to her knees beside Father Philip and drew him into her arms protectively. Alex stood in front of the pair protectively, arms folded over her chest. Kendra thought about what both Detective Rayne and Alex had said, as well as her grandmother, and the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. She raised horrified eyes to the bishop and gasped, "You raped her! You're a bishop, you're not supposed to do that!" "He was Father Sebastian Douglas at the time, Kendra, not a bishop. But you're right. . .that was conduct unbecoming a priest. Since he was a priest, Lucinda knew no one would believe her. And rape. . .well, there are always people who see it as the woman's fault. She led him on, she asked for it. That nonsense," Detective Rayne said quietly. Dr. Corrigan had crossed the room to stand in front of Nick (Kendra had just remembered his name) protectively, so Kendra slipped to her father's side. Tears once more glistened in her grandmother's eyes as she said, "But I knew I didn't deserve that, and I didn't deserve to die. Then I thought my baby was dead. . .all hope was gone. I was asleep for so long, then I saw that rapist leering at the child." Her eyes flashed more with rage. Kendra moved closer to her father, and at last, her grandmother's eyes came to rest on Nick. Dr. Corrigan spread her arms protectively, saying, "Don't do it, Lucinda. He's not the one who hurt you." Her grandmother's eyes narrowed, then widened. "You're another sister!" Lucinda whispered. Dr. Corrigan nodded grimly. Lucinda looked back at Detective Rayne, studying her for several moments, then her eyes widened further. Kendra hadn't thought it was possible, but it was turning out that nothing was impossible. Lucinda said, "You. . .you are. . .you also. . ." "Yes. I was also raped, and I also have a child from that rape. When I was nineteen, my step-father raped me. My aunt has raised my daughter. I am your sister, Lucinda, and I do understand. . .but you can't make Philip, or Father Luke, or any other priest, pay for what Bishop Douglas did," Detective Rayne said softly. "We are both your sisters, Lucinda. I was raped. . .I had a child from that rape. We both understand. . .we were given the chance for our own revenge, by surviving and not allowing the rape to destroy our lives. A chance you were never given. But these men shouldn't be punished for the crime Bishop Douglas committed," Dr. Corrigan added. "Rachel is right. Lucinda, Philip and Nick weren't even alive at the time! How can you punish them for something that happened before they were born? Where is the justice in that? And my father. . .my father was just a small boy!" Detective Rayne told the ghost passionately. She took a deep breath, then added, "I understand, Lucinda. But I will not allow you to harm my family. Alex and Aunt Molly will protect Philip. . .Rachel will protect Nick. . .I will protect my father. And Kendra will protect Adrian. Your son. The baby whom you thought died. Do you really want to kill him now?" Her voice was soft, but firm. Kendra looked at her grandmother, barely breathing. Lucinda lowered her eyes, her shoulders trembling, and Detective Rayne continued, "And what about your granddaughter? What about Kendra? She saw you kill the man in the prison. She saw you attack Philip and her father. Do you really want to do this to her?" "No. . .but that man deserved to die! You know that! I saw the way he looked at my granddaughter! I didn't even know that she was mine, but I hated it anyway!" Lucinda said through her tears. Detective Rayne merely looked at her. . . said nothing, just looked at her sadly. "Father Philip didn't deserve to be hurt," Kendra said, speaking for the first time since the arrival of the others. Her grandmother looked at her, startled, and Kendra continued, willing herself to stay calm, "You hurt Father Philip, and he was only trying to protect me. He didn't know that you wouldn't hurt me. You hurt my father, too. Detective Rayne is right. . .please stop hurting people." Lucinda lowered her eyes and Detective Rayne said, "Look into his soul. . .look into mine. That's the only way I can convince you that you have nothing to fear from the men in my life. Look into my father's soul. . .look into Nick's. Look, and be satisfied that these men don't harm innocents." Kendra looked at her father's friend, amazed. How did she know what to say? She looked back at her father. . .to her surprise, tears were streaming down his face. He whispered, "Mother. . .do as she asks. For Kendra's sake, do as Lissa asks. Look into their souls." . . . Lucinda studied the face of her son. . .her son! Her baby, her sweet little Adrian was alive, he had a daughter. She returned her attention to the dark-haired woman whom her child had addressed as 'Lissa.' Lucinda could feel her fear, though there was no visible sign of it. And the fear wasn't for her own safety. Lucinda could see into the woman's heart. No, she didn't fear for her safety. She feared for the priest, for her father, for the young one named 'Nick.' She feared for Adrian, and for Kendra. But not for herself. Lucinda braced herself and looked into the young woman's soul. She gave a little gasp at what was revealed there. She saw. . . A little girl, looking shyly at a dark-haired man, a younger version of the man who stood behind Lissa now. The corners of his mouth lifted in a tender smile as he said gravely, "I am very pleased to meet you, Elizabeth. Your mother and your aunt are both very dear friends of mine. I look forward to you becoming my friend as well." The next image was of a slim young man, no more than nineteen or twenty, with closely cropped dark hair and green eyes. His hand was outstretched as he said, "You're stronger than this, honey. I don't know who hurt you or why, but I know that you're too strong to let them win like this. Take my hand. . .while you're with me, no one will hurt you. I swear it. . .I won't let anyone hurt you!" The final image was of another young man with dark hair, the young man whom Lucinda had just attacked. He said, his voice soft and soothing with a gentle Irish lilt, "I will always be here for you, Lissa. . .always and forever." Lucinda bit down on her lower lip. She had seen enough, enough to realize that she had attacked the wrong man. . .to see that she had been wrong about all three men. But there was one man about whom she hadn't been wrong, and Lucinda turned her attention to that man. He started for the still-open door, and Lucinda slammed it before he could escape. The young one whom Lissa had called 'Nick' moved out from behind the woman named 'Rachel' and blocked the door with his own body, nodding to Lucinda as he did so. He knows what's coming, Lucinda thought, and he wants to see justice done. She smiled at him, then looked at Douglas. She said, "So, Sebastian Douglas. . .you would have hidden behind an innocent boy. Why am I not surprised? You're a coward. . .you've always been a coward. But I'm about to put an end to that. I'll put an end to your miserable life, the way you put an end to mine!" "I can't let you do that, Lucinda. He deserves to die, no question of that. But you're not a murderer. And Kendra doesn't deserve to see this," Lissa said quietly. Lucinda looked at her 'sister,' feeling betrayed, and Lissa continued, "Do you think I don't know what it feels like? Do you think I don't know about the anger and the pain, about the fear and the shame? I do, Lucinda! I know what it's like to look over your shoulder. . .I know what it's like to jump every time a man touches you!" Lucinda looked at the younger woman warily. . .she would know, but why was Lissa trying to stop her? The young woman continued after a moment, "But Lucinda. . .the other men died because they were attacking or threatening to attack someone. There is a difference between justice and revenge. God knows what Bishop Douglas did. . .let the bishop answer to God." The young woman paused, then added, "And I have it on very good authority that the monster who raped me is paying for what he did." The young priest smiled weakly, and Lissa continued, "We had our chance for revenge, Lucinda, and we took it. Rachel and I found our revenge in putting ourselves back together and not allowing the rape to ruin our lives. You were starting to do that. We know what Bishop Douglas did. . .he will answer to us as well as God." "It's time for you to go home, Lucinda. I promise, we will all look after Adrian and Kendra for you. You need to find your own peace, and when you do that, you'll have your revenge against the bishop once and for all," Rachel said quietly. Lucinda hesitated. Did she want peace? She looked at her granddaughter's tearful young face. Her granddaughter. . .she was such a beautiful child, and she reminded Lucinda of Susannah when she was that age. Kendra was staring at her, half-hopeful and half-fearful. Lucinda wished she could dry her granddaughter's tears, wished she could take away Kendra's pain and fear. And in that instant, Lucinda had her answer. Even if she didn't want peace for herself. . .she wanted it for her son and granddaughter. But there were a few things she had to do before she departed. She looked back at the bishop and said, "I want to leave him something to remember me by. You won't try to stop me, will you?" Her sisters looked at each other. Then Rachel smiled coldly and replied, "Be our guest. If it's just a souvenir you want him to have, then by all means. . .give him a souvenir. Give him a souvenir from us all." Lucinda smiled at her, understanding perfectly. Then she turned her attention back to the bishop, who once more made for the door. However, once again, Nick blocked his escape, and Lucinda said, "You have committed crimes against me and against others, Sebastian Douglas, but I will not take your life. However, I will give you something, from my sisters and me, which you will never forget. Remember this, the next time you would harm a woman or allow an innocent to pay for your crimes!" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, drawing upon every memory of the rape, and the memory of childbirth. And then she concentrated all of the pain, all of the rage, all of the shame and the fear, into Bishop Sebastian Douglas. His scream drew her back to reality, and Lucinda opened her eyes as her assailant collapsed to the ground. "Simple justice," Rachel observed, her smile still very cold. Lucinda took a deep breath. There was something else she had to do, something she had to do before she left forever. She was momentarily distracted by the door opening behind Nick, and the young man moved out of the way. Lucinda froze. . .what if someone attacked? "It was poetic justice," Lissa added, then said to the newcomers, "stay back, Father Luke. You, too, Cardinal Arrana. . .Lucinda is finishing up some business which has been waiting thirty-five years." Cardinal Arrana? Lucinda looked at the older of the two men, and smiled with delight. There were tears shimmering in the man's eyes, but he said, "We won't interfere. You've waited thirty-five years to set things to rights, Lucinda. And I promise you, Sebastian Douglas will never hurt another woman." Lucinda smiled at her old friend. . .so Father Robert had become a cardinal. Perhaps there was hope after all. "Right now, Father Robert, I want you to promise me something else. I must make amends with Father Philip. . .do you promise not to interfere with that?" she asked. The cardinal nodded and Lucinda looked at the young priest. The young woman whom Lissa had addressed as 'Alex' barred her way, arms folded over her chest. Lucinda didn't blame the girl. . .she had every right to be furious with Lucinda, and there was no reason why she shouldn't try to protect her friend in any way possible. However, Lucinda needed to make amends with the young man she had hurt so needlessly. She said very softly, "I will not harm the young priest further. Please stand aside, fierce warrior." There was no scorn in her voice, only respect. Alex stared at her hard, then nodded. Lucinda knelt beside the young man, who had struggled into a sitting position. Lissa's aunt backed away, her stance protective. Lucinda paid her no attention, but tenderly touched the young priest's cheek and said, "I hurt you, young one. . .I inflicted pain, pain which I cannot heal. You have a generous heart. . .I pray that you can forgive me for what I did." The young man swallowed hard, his face still very pale. "I forgive you, Lucinda, you were tryin' t' protect Kendra. But you must forgive yourself. . .can you do that? Can you forgive yourself? Because that holds you here, Lucinda. . .the Father has forgiven you, but you haven't forgiven yourself," the priest replied. Lucinda stared into his eyes, fascinated. She had never met such a man before. Lucinda had inflicted terrible pain on him, but there was no fear of her in his eyes. "Will. . .you pray with me, Father? Will you pray for me?" Lucinda asked, stunned by what she saw in his eyes. . . the compassion and sorrow. The young priest took her hand carefully with his left hand, and it nearly broke Lucinda's heart to see the pain which that simple movement caused. What have I done to him, Lucinda thought, horrified at her actions, what have I done to him, in the name of revenge? But the young man said simply, "I will pray with you, Lucinda. . .I will pray for you." Lucinda bowed her head and whispered the Act of Contrition, finding as she spoke that she truly meant the words. Then she confessed her sins in a low voice, admitting that she felt remorse for what she had done. At last, she raised her head and smiled at the young priest, who said, "I absolve you of your sins, which you have committed out of love. Go wi' God, Lucinda Hadley, and sin no more." Lucinda blinked. . .how had he understood that? The young priest merely smiled wearily and said, "You did nothin' more than protect innocents from demons in the flesh. I cannot condemn you for what you did, when I wanted t' do the very same thin.' And. . .God is the judge, not me." Moved by an impulse she couldn't name, Lucinda leaned forward and cupped the young priest's face in her hands, then kissed him very, very gently on the lips. He was a priest, yes, but she wanted to give him a gift, in return for the gift he had given her. As her lips brushed his, Lucinda suddenly felt light and joyous, as she had when she was a child. . .almost giddy. The young priest blushed to the very roots of his dark brown hair, which touched Lucinda deeply. I have been forgiven, she thought, I can go now. Lucinda rose to her feet and said to her son and granddaughter, "Good-bye, my little ones. . .forgive me for hurting you both?" "Of course I forgive you, Mother," her son answered in a husky voice. Tears were shimmering in his blue-green eyes, and Lucinda felt a wave of love for her child. He was living proof that good sometimes came out of evil, this child of hers. As was the little girl at his side. "Good-bye, Grandmother. . .I promise, I'll take really good care of Daddy for you," Kendra said. Lucinda smiled at her grandchild, and Kendra continued, "I'm not mad at you, either. Father Philip says that staying angry is a waste of time and energy, and it's so much more fun to love each other. Father Philip is really smart." "I know he is, darling. . .and keep listening to him," Lucinda admonished. Her granddaughter nodded happily, and the ghost turned her attention to her two sisters. For the first time, Lucinda remembered why the name 'Lissa' sounded so very familiar. . .she had heard it in her encounter with Sandy Horowitz at the bus stop. But before she could speak, Lissa said quietly, "I wanted to thank you for looking after my former partner at the bus stop. Sandy. . .she's very special." Lucinda nodded and Lissa continued, "I'll take care of Philip and Sandy both. I promise." "I know. Good-bye, Lissa. . .I hope you are as blessed with your child as I was with mine. Good-bye, Rachel. . .the Father beckons me home," Lucinda replied. Both women nodded, smiling, then Lucinda could feel the warmth in the room intensify. There was a moment of brilliance, then she saw her brother Paul holding out his hand to her. With a cry of joy, Lucinda ignored his out-stretched hand and ran straight into his arms. At last, she was home. . . . There were a few moments of silence in the room after Lucinda disappeared, then Rachel said, "Good work, sister." Lissa smiled wearily, and she could tell from her aunt's expression that Aunt Molly had noticed what Lissa had noticed. . .Rachel had left out the 'little' with sister. "Same to you, Rachel. . .I don't think I could have done it alone," Lissa replied. She looked at the still-recovering bishop and added in a low voice, "Then again. . .is everyone all right? Father Luke? Cardinal Arrana?" "We're both fine, Detective Rayne. . .Philip, what about you? Aside from being embarrassed, of course," the cardinal replied. Lissa laughed a bit shakily, and her childhood friend turned another shade of red. However, he offered a tired smile and the cardinal said, "Then I think your friends should get you home. Father Quinlan, could you help Mr. Boyle with Father Callaghan?" "I can certainly do that. Nick, you take his right side. . .my hands are shaking so badly, I'm afraid I would end up hurting him more," Father Quinlan answered. With infinite gentleness, the ex-SEAL and the priest helped Philip to his feet and led him slowly from the room. Alex trailed behind, ready to lend an extra hand if it became necessary. Lissa allowed herself to collapse into her father's arms. The danger was past. . .it was over. . . . Derek held Lissa close. . .she was trembling in his arms, whispering, "God, that was so close. So very close." The anthropologist said nothing, just held his daughter as tightly as he could. After a moment, Lissa continued, "Dad, you have no idea how much effort it took me, trying not to encourage Lucinda when she went after the bishop." "I think I do, liefje. . .I think I do," Derek replied. His daughter smiled at him wearily, and he realized that she needed to rest just as badly as Philip did. Rachel was leading a very shaken Adrian Tyler from the room, followed by Molly with an equally shaken Kendra. However, Derek knew quite well how resilient children were. . .now that her grandmother was at rest, Kendra could start learning how to deal with her Sight with some degree of peace. But Lissa was wrong about one thing. . .it wasn't over, not yet. There was still one thing left for Dr. Derek Rayne to do. He caught the cardinal's eye and quietly requested, "Could you take my daughter to the office, Cardinal Arrana? She's exhausted, and I have unfinished business." The other man looked from Derek to the ashen-faced bishop, then he looked at Lissa. After a moment, he turned back to Derek and replied, "Of course, Dr. Rayne. Come along, Detective. . .I'll need your help to convince Philip to behave himself." Lissa took the cardinal's arm wearily, and the man led her from the room. With his daughter safely out of harm's way, Derek walked to the bishop and hauled him to his feet. In a low voice, the precept said, "Twice now, an action of yours has resulted in harm to someone I love. So know this, Sebastian Douglas, and remember it well. . .the next time you hurt my daughter or my godson, I *will* destroy you. And should you harm anyone else, you'll wish Lucinda *had* killed you." With that, he released the bishop and stalked from the room. . . . Robert Arrana had settled Lissa Rayne in the rectory office with Philip. . .as ever, the resourceful ex-detective had his pills in her purse, and after the confrontation in his room, Philip had need of them. But before giving him the pills, Adrian Tyler had insisted on seeing to Philip's broken arm. . .it seemed he had fallen on it after Lucinda's initial attack, and Adrian wanted to make sure it hadn't been broken again. After a careful examination, the doctor was satisfied that Philip was still intact, and allowed Lissa to give the pills to the pain-wracked young man. Alex Moreau, who was as lovely in person as she was on the phone, and Rachel Corrigan were looking after Kendra Tyler while her father examined Philip. The girl, with the natural resilience of the young, was already starting to recover. Molly Summers kept a watchful eye on her niece, and finally satisfied that everyone was in good hands, Robert slipped from the office into the hall. Outside, he could see Father Luke Quinlan and young Nick Boyle talking. The ex-SEAL was reassuring the priest, who was starting to recover from the visitation as well. Then again, Luke had briefed him about what happened in the cathedral office only a few weeks earlier. . .Robert supposed that beside a demon possessing a local boy, a ghost was a little bit easier to accept. On the other hand, learning of the bishop's crimes when he was a priest not much older than Philip would be rather traumatic. Robert knew that Luke had little use for the bishop. . .the man's possessive attitude toward Philip both disturbed and annoyed the priest. But until now, he hadn't realized what kind of a man the bishop really was. And the worst part is, Robert thought, there isn't a damn thing I can do to punish the bishop. He raped a woman, and there's a good chance he won't be punished by the Church. Even though the Pope has apologized to women for past abuses, there are still too many people in power who believe that female rape victims, especially women as beautiful as Lucinda Hadley, ask for it. Fools. . .rape is about power, not sex! Stupid fools! Now, Derek Rayne strode down the hall, his face an angry mask. No. . .no, it wasn't a mask. The man was enraged, and after the revelations Robert had heard in the young priest's room, he couldn't really blame him. Dr. Rayne said quietly, "I wanted you to know, Cardinal Arrana. . .I have put the bishop on notice. He has been informed that if he ever harms one of mine again, I will destroy him. I have the means, and I have the will, to do so." "There's nothing I can do about his crimes from thirty- five years ago, unfortunately. But I can tell you this, Dr. Rayne. I will keep a very, very close eye on Bishop Douglas. Should he attempt to harm Philip or your daughter, or anyone else you care for, I will help you to destroy him," Robert answered in an equally quiet voice. Derek Rayne stared at him, taking his measure, then nodded solemnly. After a moment, Robert added for good measure, "Lucinda was a good woman. In a time when many people still refused to acknowledge anyone of a different color as an equal, she treated a young black priest with the same dignity and respect as she would have treated a white priest. In her memory, I will do this. . .and for the sake of your children. Look after Philip, Dr. Rayne, while he's at your home. . .and I will look after him in God's house." . . . Once Philip was able to leave, and Derek joined them in the office after dealing with his unfinished business (Rachel had a good idea of that unfinished business), the six Legacy members left the rectory. Rachel would drive Lissa's car back to the Tyler house, and drop off Adrian and Kendra, while Lissa and Molly would ride back to the House with Alex. And the three men would go back in the Range Rover. Interviews would be conducted in a few days, Derek had decided, after everyone had a chance to rest. Rachel agreed- Lissa was physically and emotionally drained, the Tylers needed to sort some things out, and if they didn't put Philip to bed soon, the poor kid would be back in the hospital by the end of the night. Rachel shook her head, thinking of the abuse his already-battered body had sustained. Both Kendra and Adrian were silent on the way back to the house. . .as usual, Lissa's car was slow to start. Rachel thought about suggesting a new car for Lissa's birthday to Derek. . .she would be twenty-seven in a little over a week, and it would be a miracle if the little junk heap of a car lasted that long. They had almost reached the house when Kendra asked shyly, "Dr. Corrigan, will my dreams stop now?" Rachel hesitated, unsure exactly how to answer the girl. She had only her five senses, and she honestly didn't know what kinds of changes would take place in the young girl's life now that her grandmother was at peace. "I don't know, honey. . .that's something you'll have to ask Detective Rayne when you talk to her in a few days. She knows a lot more about that kind of thing than I do," Rachel replied. Privately, she doubted it, but she would leave that to Lissa, who was more of an expert than the psychiatrist was. Lissa will know what comes next, Rachel thought, she can counsel Kendra. . .I can't. . . . Only seconds after Alex and Molly bundled her into Alex's car, Lissa was asleep in the back seat. Molly looked back, murmuring, "The poor kid is drained. . .that really took a lot out of her." She reached back and touched her niece's cheek, then her hand. "Hold her hand, Molly. . .I'm worried about her having nightmares, after what just happened. Once we get home, I'll stay with her. . .you'll probably need to reassure Cassie," Alex replied, backing her car up. Molly nodded. "Yes, I know. I'm so glad you've all taken so well to Cassie. . .Alex, this is such a dangerous line of work for us. I lost both of my sisters to the Legacy, and I know there's a chance I'll die. If that happens, I can rest easily, knowing that you'll all take care of Cassie," she replied. Alex looked at her quickly, and Molly continued after a moment, "Not to worry. . .I don't have a death wish." "Good. . .Lissa has enough nightmares, I don't want anyone adding to them!" Alex replied grimly. Her eyes softened as she glanced at the sleeping young woman in the backseat. Molly followed her gaze. Lissa was mumbling something in her sleep, but she wasn't particularly restless. No, Molly thought, no, no more nightmares for my niece. Her nightmares are finished. She's finally home There was one who could create a new nightmare, however, and Molly said quietly, "Beware of Bishop Douglas, Alex. He's hated Lissa ever since she reconnected with Philip, and tonight, you made an enemy of him as well. Don't underestimate him. . .that man is capable of anything." Alex nodded grimly, and Molly turned her attention back to Lissa. I know your father, honey, she told her niece silently, and he'll do his best to make sure the nightmares are over for you and Philip, once and for all. Kendra Tyler walked at Lissa Rayne's side through the garden of Dr. Rayne's house. The girl had just finished her interviews with Alex Moreau and Dr. Corrigan, and now it was time for her question-and-answer, as Detective Rayne called it. 'Lissa,' Kendra corrected herself, she told me to call her 'Lissa,' since she's not a detective anymore. In any event, she was now answering Kendra's questions about what to expect next. "So, even though Dad can't see what I'm seeing. . .that doesn't mean there's something wrong with me?" Kendra asked and Lissa nodded. Ever so often, she would rub her left shoulder and Kendra guessed that it was still sore. Still, Lissa was in far better shape than poor Father Philip! Kendra shuddered inwardly, remembering the confrontation with her grandmother in his room at the rectory. "That's exactly right. Kendra, you're thirteen years old. . .not a little girl anymore. After what happened in Philip's hospital and rectory rooms, your dad can't deny that you see more than most people do. And if he tries to do that, then send him straight to me. . .I'll straighten him out, double-time!" Lissa replied and Kendra laughed. "Okay, I will. Promise. Lissa. . .what about my grandmother? Is she okay now? I mean, after she kissed Father Philip, she looked really happy," the girl asked, blushing as she recalled the sight of her grandmother, who looked no older than thirty, kissing the young priest. Lissa smiled almost sadly, something which worried Kendra. "Your grandmother is just fine. . .she's with the rest of her family, she's happy and at peace. Kendra. . .about what was done to her. . ." the ex-detective began. Kendra stopped walking and looked at her father's friend. Lissa finally continued, "Lucinda endured one of the most devastating things that can ever happen to a woman. But she persevered, and she would have triumphed if death hadn't intervened. Try to remember that." Kendra looked at the young woman, totally confused. Evidently seeing that look of confusion, Lissa continued, "Okay. . .it would have been very easy for Lucinda to just give up. But she didn't. She decided that what the bishop did to her wasn't going to ruin her life. She picked herself up and dusted herself off. . .it was only the belief that your father was dead which destroyed her. That takes a strong woman. And Kendra, you've inherited that strength." Kendra started to shake her head, but Lissa continued, "Yes, you have. . .when your father and I came into the room, you were trying to protect Philip. You spoke up. . .oh, I know you were frightened, but you spoke up for Philip. You're every bit as strong as your grandmother. All right?" Kendra nodded shyly and Lissa smiled, saying, "Good! Are there any other questions you have for me?" "Lissa. . .I don't know if I can go to church anymore. The bishop. . .he's a bad, bad man. How can I go to church, when all I can think about is what he did? He. . .because of him, Father Philip nearly died! He's evil!" Kendra cried out and nearly burst into tears at the compassion in Lissa's dark eyes. The ex-cop put her arm around Kendra's shoulders. "I wish I had an answer for you, Kendra. . .I've distrusted the bishop for a long time, but until now. . .when your dad told me the whole story, I wanted to be sick. I was so furious, I couldn't sleep. But what we both have to remember is that Bishop Douglas is not the Church. He's not God. I know this is hard to accept, but don't turn against God for what the bishop did," Lissa replied. Kendra considered this for a few minutes, then asked, "Should I talk to Father Philip about this?" Lissa nodded and Kendra continued, "Okay. Thanks for being straight with me. You. . .you meant what you said? About, how if I ever have any questions about my visions or dreams, then I can call you or Alex?" Lissa nodded once more, now smiling, and Kendra continued with some relief, "Good! I was really scared when I had the dream about that monster hurting Father Philip. And I'm not alone anymore." . . . Upstairs in the library, Rachel Corrigan watched as Lissa and Kendra talked. She had no idea what the conversation concered, just that the ex-cop and the young girl both looked very, very serious. And the conversation she was engaged in was serious as well. Rachel turned back to Adrian Tyler, who was still having a hard time dealing with the events and revelations of the last few days. Rachel didn't blame him. . .she was feeling more than a little topsy-turvy. After returning to the House after the confrontation with Lucinda, Rachel discovered both Lissa and Philip tucked into bed, with Alex sitting with Lissa and Nick maintaining a vigil beside Philip's bed. Derek had called her and Molly into his office, and after praising their teamwork in the rectory, proceeded to ream them both for their childish behavior. It had been a long time since Rachel had been so thoroughly chewed out, and it didn't help at all knowing that she deserved it. She and Molly had avoided each other since then. . .not a hard thing to do, since it was such a big House. But for now, her mind was to be on the work at hand, and she asked, "Do you think you can deal with this knowledge? I'm not just talking about the. . .abilities your daughter has, but the knowledge of your father's sins, and what was done to your mother?" Adrian sighed, walking to the window. "I can handle Kendra's abilities. . .she's my daughter, for God's sake! She's still the girl whom I raised from infancy, she's still my child. It's just that, now I know she's even more special than anyone realized," he replied. After a moment, he continued, "But that other stuff. . .I don't know. I'm thirty-four years old, Dr. Corrigan, and I'm not old enough to deal with that. I don't know how to deal with the revelation that my father is a monster." "Your biological father, yes. Just as Cassie's biological father was a monster. Now she doesn't have a father figure. . .she didn't before she came to this House, but you do. When was the last time you talked with Nathan and Susannah?" she asked. Once more, Adrian sighed. "I called them last night. . .apologized for the way I took the news. Susannah told me that I took it rather well, all things considered. That's not how I feel. . .I feel like I'm going to break into several little pieces," Adrian replied and Rachel nodded understandingly. "Your entire world has been turned topsy-turvy, Adrian. Have you been talking with Lissa?" she asked and Adrian nodded, looking almost sheepish. Rachel asked, "What has she told you? What has she told you about Kendra's abilities, about what you've learned about your family?" The physician turned back to the window and Rachel looked outside again. Lissa and Kendra were heading back to the House. . .the ex-cop's arm was draped around Kendra's shoulders in a companionable way. Rachel had seen Lissa and Maeve do the very same thing many times earlier. "She told me that the most important thing to remember is, Kendra is still my daughter. Secondly, she's not a little girl anymore. . .so I can't put her visions or dreams down to her imagination. Kendra has never been a liar, Dr. Corrigan. . .after everything I've seen in the last two days, I can't tell Kendra that her visions aren't real. I could have written off what happened in Father Callaghan's hospital room, but not this," Adrian replied. After a moment, the young doctor continued, "About the other stuff. . .Lissa told me to give myself time. It took her a long time to settle down emotionally after she found out that Dr. Rayne was her father. She still is coming to accept the finer points of it. And her parents did care for each other. . .Lissa may not have been a love child, but she was a child born of respect and trust, rather than violence." Adrian paused, took a deep breath, then went on, "You know, I finally realized something, Dr. Corrigan. I've known Lis for almost four years, and I realized for the first time that she had a crush on me years ago. Isn't that stupid? I know we probably wouldn't have made it. . .we're too much like brother and sister. But a man who has Lissa Rayne behind him and beside him is damn lucky." Rachel nodded, thinking of a young man who would agree with that. . . . After returning Kendra to her father, who was in the library with Rachel, Lissa headed to Philip's room. Adrian and Kendra would be here for another few hours, and she hadn't seen to Philip all day long. Molly and Cassie were out on a mysterious errand with Nick, while Alex entered the interviews into the computer database. Philip was sleeping and Lissa smiled to herself. It frightened her, realizing how close she had come to losing him forever. Yes. . .she had been through some difficult times, but she had so many reasons to be grateful. Not the least of which, she was alive and free to love her daughter, if only as Cassie's beloved cousin Lissa. It was enough. She started to leave, then Philip murmured, "This has t' stop, you know." Lissa turned back to face him, and Philip opened his eyes, continuing, "This little habit of yours, of savin' my life. How many times have you saved my life now? Three?" Lissa smiled and sat down on the bed beside him, as he added, "Maybe I should take some self-defense classes." "Oh, like self-defense would protect you from the kinds of attacks you've had recently! Maybe it would have protected you from Hitchcock's attack, but you might have also ended up dead if you'd tried to fight back. Still, self-defense lessons. . .it's not a bad idea. Wait until you've healed a little more, though," Lissa advised. Philip nodded, looking very tired, and the ex-cop continued, "Listen. . .Kendra will want to talk to you. Her faith has been shaken really badly by what the bishop did, and she'll need to talk to a priest she trusts. That, by the way, is you. I tried to tell her that the bishop isn't the Church, but I don't think it came out right. Right now, she doesn't know what to believe in, who to trust." "I'll talk wi' her. . .what about you? Are you all right?" Philip asked and Lissa rose to her feet, walking to the window. All right? She wasn't too sure about that. It wasn't just the revelations of the last few days. . .although telling her father about the rapes had been every bit as hard as she imagined it would be, if not worse. No, she was also troubled by her own reaction to Lucinda. How badly she had wanted to encourage the troubled spirit to end the bishop's life. . .that had frightened her. Yes, she was a rape survivor, but she was also an ex-cop. And playing vigilante wasn't her style. At last, she replied, "What do you do, Pip, when you look into your heart and find not the rational, compassionate person you were taught to be, but an angry beast thirsting for revenge?" "So that's what's been troublin' you," Philip said softly. Lissa turned back to him, and he continued, "I should have realized that sooner. Lissa. . .you wanted t' make the bishop pay for your step-father's crimes as well as his own, but you kept those. . .desires in control." "It scared me, Pip. . .how much I hated that pathetic excuse for a man, pathetic excuse for a priest! He is a priest, a man of God, and he did one of the most unholy things imaginable. And the worst part is, he has no remorse whatsoever. But his kind never do it, they rationalize it any way they can. She asked for it, she led me on, she, she, she! It's always someone else's fault!" Lissa exclaimed. "Abusers are like that, Lissa. . .they blame their victims for what they did. I wish I knew what t' say t' you, Lissa, t' convince you that you aren't evil for wantin' t' strike back at the bishop," Philip said with a soft sigh. Lissa left her place by the window and sat down on his bed beside him. She smiled at him and said, "It's okay, Philip. It showed me a part of myself which I didn't realize existed. I just have to deal with it, that's all." She noticed the way his lids were drooping and added, kissing his forehead, "Get some sleep. . .you can talk to Kendra later. She'll be here a while yet. You know if you don't get some rest, Adrian has threatened to put you back into the hospital." Philip rolled his eyes and Lissa laughed, continuing, "I'll talk to you later. . .sleep well." She rose to her feet and walked from the room, pausing at the door to look back at him one more time. He was already half- asleep. Lissa felt dizzy suddenly. . .they had nearly lost him a second time. Those lessons would be a must. . . . There was little conversation in the library after Kendra joined the adults. . .Adrian had little desire to talk. It seemed that he wanted only to hold his daughter, and Rachel took that cue to slip from the room. As she walked down the hall, she reflected how ironic it was. . . that little girl was now the most constant thing in Adrian's life, Kendra and medicine. She saw Lissa leaving Philip's room and heading for her own. Her walk told Rachel that she didn't want to talk to anyone right now, and the psychiatrist could accept that. But sooner or later, she and Lissa had to talk. Rachel contented herself with going into Philip's room to check on him. He was sleeping, looking very young and very innocent. Rachel smiled, then quietly closed the door behind her. In the intervening three days, Rachel had plenty of time to think. . .to look inside herself. She didn't like what she saw. Rachel would probably never totally accept the supernatural, but it was long past time to stop patronizing the others. Molly had been right about that at least. . . patronizing Alex and Lissa had to stop. While they were both young in years, both women had seen things and survived experiences that would have broken lesser women. And yet, neither woman ever complained about their lots in life. . .Rachel had never heard Alex complaining about the Vance incident, though she was certain the memory rankled. And Lissa. . .she wouldn't allow herself to complain, for she always reminded herself how lucky she was. That was something else Rachel had learned in the last few days. . .how a woman who had survived the things which Lissa had could complain so little. She had asked the younger woman about it one day. The answer surprised her. As a young rookie cop, Lissa had seen atrocities which made Rachel nauseous to even contemplate. . .vile acts committed against children. The psychiatrist shuddered at the memory of that conversation, but Lissa's voice rang clearly in her head. Telling her, "My step-father was a monster, Rachel. . .there's no doubt of that. But when you consider what those children went through. . .I was lucky." Now, Rachel could hear a hard, driving rock beat through the wood of Lissa's door. Give her a few more minutes, Rachel thought, then I'll go talk to her. She headed back downstairs as Duncan opened the door to Molly, Cassie, and Nick. Cassie took the butler's hand and dragged him to the kitchen. . .Cook had promised her some fudge brownies before leaving. Nick headed upstairs to his room with a package and a mysterious smile for Rachel. Which left Rachel face to face with Molly Summers, their first meeting in three days. The linguist said quietly, "I don't like you, Dr. Corrigan. I probably will never like you. But three days ago, you helped my niece in the confrontation with Lucinda Hadley. . .so maybe you have potential after all. So, for that reason. . .and out of respect for my niece, I'm willing to call a truce." "Out of respect for Lissa and for Derek?" Rachel asked and Molly inclined her head. The psychiatrist continued, "And, I would imagine that you want Cassie to get to know the rest of her family. . .her grandfather, her uncle Nick and her aunt Alex. And Philip." "Of course. Do we have a deal, then. . .do we have a truce?" Molly asked, holding out a slim hand. Rachel needed only a moment to think it over. Spend the remainder of Molly's visit in a war zone, or stay away from the House totally, or make a truce with this woman. There was really no choice to be made. She took the other woman's hand and nodded. Molly said, "Good. Well. I really should see to Cassie, then check on Philip. Assuming Nick hadn't done that for me. Be seeing you, Doctor." Then she was gone. . . . Lissa spun and danced to the driving rhythm of Survivor's 'Too Hot to Sleep.' It was probably a lousy choice, since Philip was sleeping just down the hall, but she needed something with a beat, something she could dance to, something to drive away the memories. She knew better than that, however. . .the memories were a part of her. They would never leave her. . .it was just that now, she wouldn't carry the burden alone. Still. . . there was an eleven year old girl which remained deep within Lissa's heart, an eleven year old girl who longed for safety. She had thought that little girl was gone forever, replaced by the competent police officer. . .but no. No, that little girl would probably with Lissa for the rest of her life. She had already accepted that. She would deal with it. A knock at the door startled the ex-cop. For a brief moment, Lissa glanced at her bed. . .her blouse lay there, and she wore only a tank-top. However, she shrugged. Here, she wouldn't worry about what she wore or what she looked like. This was the home of her heart. She called, "The door's open!" The door was hesitantly pushed open, and for a moment, Lissa thought her daughter had come into her room for some reason. But no, it wasn't Cassie at all, but Rachel. Controlling her disappointment. . .and her embarrassment. . .Lissa asked, "Something on your mind, Rachel?" She tried to ignore that she was hot and sweaty from dancing around the room, and that her hair made her look like Medusa's granddaughter. Rachel didn't answer immediately. . .her eyes were glued to Lissa's shoulder, and for the first time, the ex-cop realized that Rachel had never seen the scar from the gunshot wound and the subsequent surgery. She whispered, "My God. Doesn't that hurt?" Lissa shook her head. "No. . .well, it hurts, but it's more a soreness than anything else. I've had more painful gunshot wounds. This time, the bullet didn't hit any vital organs," she replied. Rachel nodded, still looking horrified, and Lissa repeated, "Was there something on your mind?" "Uh. . .oh. Yes. I came to apologize. . .hear me out, Lissa," Rachel said as soon as the ex-cop shook her head. The younger woman sighed, but remained silent. Rachel continued, "I accused you of a lot of things that weren't true, and I'm sorry for that. This was a difficult case for me. . .and I didn't realize how difficult it was for you. There was a lot I didn't realize about you." Lissa started to speak, but Rachel continued, "You know, it's amazing. . .I'm a psychiatrist. I've been trained to spot the signs of rape victims. And I never even had a clue that you. . .that. . ." She couldn't finish. "That's because I'm not a rape victim. . .I'm a rape survivor," Lissa said quietly. Rachel looked taken aback, and Lissa added, "That was something I decided once I got to Toronto. I was finished being a victim." She paused, took a deep breath, then continued, "Rachel, I've had seven years to work through what my step-father did to me. Five years of that time was spent busting criminals, testifying against child molesters and against rapists. I. . .I've dealt with it, and gone on." Rachel was silent for several moments, then asked, "The second time it happened. . .how did you get through the first few months? How did you survive that? You were nineteen years old, you had no support, no memory of a first love to sustain you. How did you hold yourself together?" Now they were in different territory and Lissa didn't know how to proceed. She was aware that Rachel was now talking about her own rape, but Lissa had been a cop, not a counselor. Still, she had worked as a volunteer on the rape crisis hotline. The ex-cop said slowly, "I think, Rachel, that how you dealt with it is much more important." Rachel laughed harshly, "I don't think I did deal with it! I thought I did. . .I thought by confronting Reverend Hawking in New Eden, I had dealt with it, but I didn't!" She was trembling now and Lissa took the older woman's wrist, leading her to the bed, where Lissa sat down. She tossed her blouse to one side. Rachel sat down beside her. "Talk to me, Rachel. . .tell me. You don't even have to start at the beginning," Lissa said compassionately. The older woman nodded, tears glimmering in her brown eyes. Rachel grasped her hands tightly, as if Lissa was a life raft in the middle of an ocean. And perhaps she was. "I thought he was Patrick. . .I thought Patrick had come back to me. I had missed him so much, missed his arms around me, missed hearing his laughter, missed the smell of his shaving cream in the bathroom. Silly little things," Rachel said. She paused, then added, "It used Patrick against me!" "That's right. . .that demon used your grief against you. You were so glad to have Patrick back," Lissa said and Rachel nodded, tears spilling over. Lissa continued, "Listen to me. You didn't ask for it. . .you didn't deserve it." Rachel was now openly weeping and Lissa put her arms around the older woman, adding, "You're not alone anymore, Rachel." Rachel clung to her, sobbing, and Lissa felt tears of her own slip down her face. Forgotten was the shrill denunciation of Lissa's mother, forgotten was the hysterical accusations about Cassie. The only thing left was the healing wounds of two women. The End