An older Kym Gardner sat up in bed, screaming. She must have screamed for a full minute until she realized where she was. She was not on Angel Island and she was not eighteen years old. Kym took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Why had these nightmares started again? They had begun right after… her father told her that she was to go to San Francisco. At thirty-six she should be able to make up her own mind. But her father, as well as the Legacy, had taken over her life. Derek had gone willingly, but Kym hadn't. Her father had never forgiven her for running out on her wedding to a man that he had selected. Derek had, or so he said. Kym had her doubts. She liked Derek, but she just couldn't have someone decide her life. Not that it mattered, Kym thought dryly. Here I am in San Francisco. Her father had ordered her here, but Derek had called her. Not with his voice of course, but with his mind. She wasn't sure if he was even aware of it, but she knew. ("You can sleep in my arms, you don't have to explain. When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name. 'Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing above, you've given me your love. *")

Kym glanced at the clock and saw that it was eight am. She got up and dressed to spring her arrival on Derek. She only hoped he would take it well.

Derek Rayne sat at his desk and tried to focus on the quarterly reports for the Legacy, but his mind kept drifting. He had the feeling that something was coming but he wasn't sure what. He had also been having nightmares, one's he couldn't remember, which was unusual for him. Every night Derek would wake up with a scream in his throat and one thought in his head. Kymberlee. That's insane! Derek thought. I haven't spoken to Kym in twenty years! Why think of her now? "Dr. Rayne?" Derek looked up. "Yes?" "There is a young woman here to see you." Young woman? Derek rose and went to meet his past.

("Walking out so self assured, yeah you were gonna change the world. Walking back a child in the rain.*")

Kym stood in the huge foyer, if it could be called that. Not much has changed, she thought. Same old Derek. He stepped into the light. "Can I help…" Their eyes met. My God! Kym thought. Derek! In twenty years the change was not great. There was some silver in his dark hair and his face seemed more serious, somehow. Still, this was Derek. She would know him anywhere. Derek recognized Kym instantly. Time had been good to her, she was still beautiful. Her long auburn hair fell to her waist and she seemed to radiate life. "Kym," was all he said. She managed a weak smile. "Hello, Derek." He appeared frozen to one spot so Kym approached him. Derek felt a surge of emotion come over him. He opened his arms. Kym felt so young again as she hugged him. Derek held her tight and Kym inhaled deeply. He still smelled like-Derek. Like safety and strength. Only now there was a certain masculinity to him that almost frightened her. Derek gently disengaged from Kym's embrace. "How have you been?" he asked softy. "Fine," Kym replied flatly. "You?" "All right." She took a deep breath. "You know why I am here." It was not a question. He nodded. "Yes." Kym felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He didn't think she was insane and he wasn't going to kick her out. Kym looked at the once familiar surroundings and tried to smile. "Well, it certainly has been a while hasn't it?" Derek studied her face carefully. "Yes, it has." "Still not one for conversation," she teased lightly. "Derek," Kym said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "I was sorry to hear about Alicia." Derek nodded. He was not sure if Kym had been informed of Alicia's death. "I would have returned for the funeral," she continued. "But I was in Greece at the time." Derek looked at her sharply. The Kym Gardner he knew would not have let a trivial detail like being on another continent stop her. "My father didn't think it would be wise," she admitted after seeing the look on his face. Of course not. "Kym," Derek began. "It's all right. You are here now." He took her hand. "Come and meet the rest of the house." "Ahh right—you're the precept here." Kym patted his arm. "That's my Derek, always the leader."

("You were always the mysterious one with dark eyes and careless hair. You were fashionably sensitive but too cool to care.*")

The other members of the Legacy looked up as the couple entered the room. "Everyone," Derek announced. "This is Kym Gardner, an old friend of mine." Rachel raised an eyebrow. An 'old friend' of Derek's? Derek continued, "Kym, this is Rachel Corrigan, Alex Moreau, Nick Boyle, and Philip Callaghan." Kym felt a wave of shyness come over her as she managed a soft "hello." She didn't need to worry. Kym was greeted with smiles and warmth. "Where are you from?" Philip asked her, assuming that she was a member of the Legacy. "Originally, New York," Kym replied. "Ah, the New York house," he nodded. "Oh, no no," Kym hurriedly corrected him. "I was born in New York, but I'm not of any house." "No?" Philip looked questionably at her. Kym shook her head firmly. "No." "However, Kym will be staying with us here at the house for a while," Derek said. He looked at her. "Won't you?" She opened her mouth to tell him that there were plenty of people she could stay with, but changed her mind at the last second. "Thank you," she smiled at all of them. "I'd like that very much."

("How can you retrace the steps you've been trying to forget?*")

Later that night Derek knocked on Kym's door. "Come in," she called. He poked his head in. "Hi. Settling in well?" Kym nodded. "Brings back a lot of memories." He stepped inside. "Only good I hope." "Mostly." Oh, he is so handsome, Kym thought. "I think we need to talk, if you feel up to it," Derek said. "I always love talking to you," Kym informed him. He smiled. "And I you." "So what do you want to talk about?" Kym already knew the answer and it had nothing to do with phsyic powers. "We have some catching up to do." So they caught up on each other's lives. Derek spoke of his work and Kym of her family. "How are your brothers and sister?" He inquired. Kym waved her hand. "Fine, all of them. It's surprising, though. Dad wanted so many children to help with his Legacy work, but out of all of us Raymond is the only one who stuck with it." "Is he still at the New York house?" Derek asked. Kym nodded. "He's the only one. All of my other brothers are cops." Derek raised an eyebrow. "Cops." "Yes. Aaron is raising four daughters, Kevin two sons and a daughter, and Cassie just had her sixth son." Derek grinned. "Six sons?" Kym rolled her eyes. "Six sons. Plus, you know that Raymond has three daughters." Derek thought for a moment. "What about Quentin?" Kym frowned. "Quentin hasn't married." "Does he still hate me?" Derek asked. Kym's eyes widened. "Oh, Derek, he never hated you. He hated the Legacy, but not you." Derek sighed. "I always felt so bad…" "Arial's death was not your fault," Kym said firmly. No, Derek thought. I didn't cause Arial's death and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. Kym's right. Still, Arial always was a beautiful girl. "You never married," Kym said softly. "Neither did you," Derek pointed out. Kym looked out the window. "No," Kym replied. "I didn't." Kym looked at him. "Derek, when Bernardo died you saw It too, didn't you?" Derek's eyes narrowed. "I saw It."

Now It saw them. It was watching them. Foolish girl, running back to him, It thought. Well, now they are together and they shall be mine.

("And through bad dreams I'll be right there baby, holding your hand telling you everything will be all right."*)

Kym tossed and turned in her bed. Even in her dream she could feel the sheets twisting. Another nightmare. It was there. She saw Bernardo's death. But something was different. It was in the house and It was coming after them. Her and Derek. Oh God, Derek! Kym shot up. "Derek!" she screamed. "Derek!" Derek tore into her room. "Kym! What's wrong?" She threw her arms around him. "Derek!" He held her close. "It's okay, I'm here now. It's all right." Kym closed her eyes and tried to calm down. "I-I had a nightmare, that's all. I'm sorry I woke you." "That's all right," Derek said. "Are you all right?" Kym shrugged. "I suppose so. I'm sorry. You can go back to sleep." She let go of his neck. He looked at her. What was the matter? One minute she's clinging to him, the next she pushed him away. Derek gently kissed her forehead. "Good night Kym. Sleep well." "Good night Derek," Kym said softly. She hadn't wanted to push him away, but something told her it just wasn't safe.

The next morning dawned on bright and sunny. Kym felt refreshed and decidedly less scared. She dressed and went downstairs to see if Derek was awake yet. "Good morning," Derek said smiling brightly at her. "Hi," Kym replied. "How are you?" "I'm fine. Kym, what did you dream last night?" She looked right at him. "I don't remember, exactly. The same old thing probably." Suddenly a vision came over her. It was here. It was in the room with them, she saw It, and It saw her. Kym felt herself falling to the ground. Derek jumped up and caught her in his arms before she hit the ground. "Kym," he said. "Kym, what did you see?" Kym took a deep breath and struggled to keep conscious. "Derek, It's here," she choked out before she passed out.

"Okay, so what exactly is It?" Alex asked after Derek had explained the situation to them. "I'm not exactly sure," he replied. "A demon of some sort." Nick jumped up. "Beautiful. A demon of some sort. Derek, how do you know this woman?" Derek inhaled deeply. "I suppose you all should know. Kym and I were supposed to be married when she was eighteen. Not by our own will, of course, but by the wills of our fathers. At the age of eighteen Kym was deeply involved with a young man named Bernardo Fuentes, whom her father detested. One day, while they were here on the island Bernardo was murdered by It. We still aren't sure why. Kym was devastated, but her father was elated. Now he could continue her Legacy work starting with her marriage to me. However, Kym ran off to Mexico. She called me and said she simply couldn't live the way someone expected her to; she had to be free. This is the first I've seen of her in twenty years." After Derek finished his story he studied his friend's faces to see their reactions. They were all equally shocked. Philip was the first to break the silence. "What a story," he said. "So it's been twenty years?" Rachel asked. "Why would Kym come back now?" "Well," Derek said. "I suppose because her father said she should. Also, It is back, there's no doubt about that. It is only a matter of time before It's presence becomes known to all of us, not just Kym." "Well, how will we know?" Nick asked. "You'll know," said a voice in the doorway. They all turned. Kym was standing there looking pale and disheveled. "Oh you will know."

("And in my mind, in my mind, it lives."*)

Derek looked at her, but chose to ignore that last comment. "How are you?" Kym dismissed his concern with a wave of her hand. "I'll live. I have before, haven't I?" Derek smiled that little smile that was so endearing and replied softly, "Yes, you have." Kym smiled at him. She was glad that if she had to go through this, at least Derek was there to help her. "So, what is It?" Nick asked breaking into her thoughts. Kym shrugged. "Near as I can figure, It's a demon from hell." Derek gave her a 'duh' look. Kym smiled sweetly at him. "Anyway," she continued. "It's a demon from hell that kills. I'm not sure why, so don't ask. I'm not sure how, so don't ask. And I'm not sure why It's come back now…" "So don't ask," Alex finished with a grin. "What can we ask?" "I have a question," Philip said. "What sort of nightmares have you been having, Kym?" Kym shifted. "Well, they're not really nightmares, Father Callaghan, they're more like memories." "Well, than how can you be sure that this demonic force is really back?" Philip reasoned. Kym looked right into his eyes. "Believe me, Father, I know. I have never been more terrified in my entire life." Philip cleared his throat and looked away. He had never seen eyes like Kym's. Emerald green, they seemed to sparkle and glow, almost like the eyes of a cat. "I believe you," he said softly. Derek took a deep breath. "What should we do?" He asked. Kym sighed. "I wish I could tell you, Derek. I shouldn't have come here." "Yes," Nick said firmly, "you should have. This is what we do, this is the whole purpose of the Legacy." Kym smiled. "Thank you, that means a lot. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I'm going to find out." "Who would know?" Alex asked. "Only one person knows," Kym said.

("I'll live through you I'll make you what I never was, if you're the best, then maybe so am I, compared to him, compared to her. I'm doing this for your own damn good, it'll make up for what I blew. What's the problem? Why are you crying?"*)

"Hello, Kymberlee," Bruce Gardner said, looking at his daughter. "Hello, Dad," Kym said, stepping into his office. "I need to talk to you." "Is that so?" he raised an eyebrow. "It's back, Dad." Bruce looked at her. His daughter had his eyes. "What?" "It's back," Kym repeated. "I've been staying at the San Francisco house, like you asked, and It followed me there." "At the San Francisco house you say?" Bruce scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Isn't Derek Rayne the precept there?" "You know he is," Kym was in no mood to play games. "Is that why you sent me there, Dad? Because of Derek?" He smiled at her. "You are so distrusting, always were. It doesn't become you, sweetie. I sent you there because I knew Derek could help you." "Help me with what? Dad, I have to know!" Bruce realized that it was time she knew the truth. "Kym, sit down." "I'd rather not." He sighed. His daughter could be so frustrating at times. She and Derek were perfect for each other. He proceeded to tell Kym his story and the reason this demon was after her. She listened quietly until the end.

("They said it was the wrong thing for me to do. I said it's just a boy's game, but girls play too."*)

Kym walked into the house, stunned. She was amazed that she had made it back here. At least her father's story had made one thing painfully clear. She had to get out of here, and fast. Derek heard Kym come in and went to meet her. He found her upstairs, getting her things together. "Are you going somewhere?" he asked with a smile. "Yes," she replied. "I have to, leave. I'm sorry." Derek's smile faded. "Where are you going?" "I'm not sure, I just know it's not safe for anyone if I'm here." He was frowning now. "Kym, what did your father say to you?" She turned her eyes onto him. "He told me the truth, Derek. Do you know why this thing is here?" He shook his head. "It needs a human sacrifice every twenty years!" Kym cried, near hysteria and not caring. "It was some curse placed on the Legacy and It's after me now!" "Why you?" Derek asked calmly. "Because of who I am!" Kym screamed. "I am Bruce Gardner's daughter! This is his Legacy! It wants to kill everyone I love!" She buried her face in her hands. "I don't want it to get you too!" He stared at her. A curse on the Legacy? Not unheard of, relatively speaking, but no one had ever said anything to him about it. "Kym," Derek said softly. "Don't leave. Let me help you." She looked up at him, her face streaked with tears. "I don't think you can," Kym said honestly. He brought his face close to hers. "Let me try," he pleaded. Kym didn't even have time to think about what was happening. One minute she was crying, the next she and Derek were kissing. It was all so strange. Still, his mouth was soft and warm and reassuring. She let herself get lost in that kiss. Why am I doing this? Derek wondered. He couldn't deny the fact that he was attracted to Kym, he always had been. However, now was not exactly the appropriate time to display such feelings. He broke the kiss. "I'm sorry, Kym," Derek said, pulling away. "I should not have done that." Yes you should! She wanted to cry. She wanted him to kiss her again, actually. All she said was, "I'm sorry too." "Well," Derek cleared his throat. "I suppose you should tell me what happened." "Well, I kind of did. Years ago a curse was placed on my father's house. Since then every twenty years someone he cared about died. Then I guess It got sick of him. It decided to come to me. And It did that by…" "Killing Bernardo," Derek finished. "Yes," Kym sighed. "Now, it's been twenty years and It's returned for It's next sacrifice."

Philip took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the translation he was working on. Usually ancient Greek came easily to him, but not today. It was just that he couldn't concentrate, he felt like someone was watching him. Screech. Philip jumped. Just a noise, he told himself with a smile. Old castles make funny noises. "Father Callaghan." A whisper at his back. Philip whirled around to find… nothing. He settled back and tried to concentrate on the document at hand. "Philip…" a whisper, nothing more. Philip decided that maybe it was time to quit with the translations. He stood up and turned around. A form was standing behind him, a sort of mist. Philip reached out to see if it was real but his hand went straight through and touched the books on the shelf behind it. The mist took on a seemingly human form. "Oh Father Callaghan," It sneered. "You are going to be so sorry you ever helped that little bitch." "W-what?" Philip stammered. Then suddenly the room seemed to roll. The floor met the ceiling and Philip could hear the screams of the damned. Then all he could hear was demonic laughter and the sound of his own heart beating. As suddenly as the ruckus began, it stopped. The library once again looked normal and the laughter stopped. Now all Philip could hear was his own heart pounding away in his chest. He turned and fled the library as quickly as his feet could carry him.

("I have been all around the world, marching to the beat of a different drum. But, my baby, I realized the best is yet to come. Someone like you to make it all worthwhile, someone like you to keep me satisfied, someone exactly like you."*)

Oblivious to the terror that Philip was facing in the library Kym was walking in the garden. It's so beautiful here, she thought, always was. "Penny for your thoughts." A voice behind her said. Kym turned to face Derek. "Haven't you ever heard of inflation?" she teased. He smiled at her. "I was just checking to see if you were all right." Her face darkened. "I am for now. I really should leave, Derek." He shook his head. "You shouldn't. You're better protected here." "Better protected," Kym murmured. Derek turned to face her. Kym was trying to look strong, but he could see the fear in her eyes. "You're safe here," he told her. She smiled a sad smile at him. "Yes, but are you?" "Derek!" Alex screamed from the house. "Come quick!" Derek and Kym looked at each other and bolted for the house.

"All right, Philip, tell me again what happened," Kym said patiently. Philip took a deep breath and told her again what had happened to him. Kym listened carefully and nodded thoughtfully. "Well," she said softly. "It was what I expected. This thing wants a human sacrifice." "So what are we going to do?" Nick said dryly. "Well," Kym said. "I'm just going to have to give It what It wants."

("She got to where he lay water colored roses in his hands for her. She threw them down screaming 'Damn you man don't leave me'"*)

"What are you talking about?" Derek asked. "What do you mean give it what it wants?" "I am going to make a sacrifice," Kym said with determination. Alex raised an eyebrow. "Who are you going to sacrifice?" Kym stared her directly in the eye. "Myself." Derek felt his heart drop. "Kym you can't!" He grabbed her arm. She jerked free. "Yes, I can! Maybe it will stop the curse. Let go of me Derek Rayne, I know what I am doing." He watched her leave, helplessly.

("The power touching me, the power helps us see, the power holds my hand, the power drives me crazy"*)

Nick Boyle sat in the control room translating ancient Spanish. Suddenly there was a brown out, which was uncommon in San Francisco but he thought nothing of it. "Nick…" said a teasing voice. "Nick…" He looked up. Julia was looking at him. "Julia?" Nick said, standing up. She laughed. At first it really did sound like Julia, but then her voice changed. Her sweet gentle laughter turned suddenly evil. "Julia," Nick said tentatively. It sneered at him. "Don't you wish." Suddenly Nick was thrown into the wall. His head slammed back and he fought to hold on to consciousness. "Well, well, Mr.Boyle, it seems I am going to have to make you sorry too. What fun I will have!" Then It vanished leaving Nick to wonder if It had ever actually been there. He took a deep breath to clear his head and then called for Derek.

("You took your coat off and stood in the rain. You always were crazy like that."*)

Kym listened silently to Nick's story. After he had finished she had only one thing to say. "I am so sorry." Alex stared at her. "Why?" Kym sighed. "Because I've brought this upon you. You don't deserve this and yet here you are being tortured by my father's sins." Rachel put an arm around her. "We don't see it that way," she said. "The important thing is what are we going to so about this thing," Derek announced. Kym jumped up angrily. "I told you!" She cried. "You know what we have to do, Derek, you just hate to admit it!"

Suddenly, thunder rumbled just outside the window. "What the hell?" Nick said. "It's here," Kym said shakily. A black form appeared in front of them. Derek moved closer to Kym, who moved a step closer to the entity. "I know what you want," she said bravely. "Oh, do you?" It laughed. "Yes," Kym replied "And I'm willing to give it to you." It stopped laughing. "Kym, no!" Derek cried. "Well, Ms. Gardner," It said. "That's very noble of you, but I don't want to play with you today. I think I'd rather play with someone a little more exotic, I think. How about someone European? You know, if I remember correctly they really know how to party in Amsterdam." Suddenly It lifted Derek by the throat and began choking him. "No!" Kym screamed and threw herself at It. Needless to say, that pissed It off. It dropped Derek and whirled around to face Kym. "On second thought, a nice little Irish girl might do quite nicely!" Philip tossed holy water at It, hoping It's power's would diminish. Instead, they grew stronger. With one glance he was throw into the wall. "You know what they say," It grinned a humorless grin at all of them. "Those who live by the sword," Derek's sword flew off the wall. "Shall die by the sword!" The sword flew across the room at Kym. She dove out of the way and it became imbedded in the wall. The demons "eyes" widened. "Very good, Ms. Gardner. Let's see how well you do with this!" The plate glass window behind her shattered. Shards of glass flew everywhere. Kym didn't have anywhere to go, they were coming at her from all sides. With one look a large shard of glass stabbed her directly in the heart. Blood began to flow from Kym's wound. "Good bye, Ms. Gardner," It laughed. "NO!" A voice cried. Derek looked. Bernardo Fuentes was standing there looking exactly as he had the day he died. "It's over," Nardo said. He leapt at the demon and tackled It. "Kym gave her life. Now I take yours!" The members of the Legacy watched as angel wrestled with demon. Finally Bernardo let out a loud cry and tore the heart from the beast. It let out an in human scream and melted until it was nothing but ash. Bernardo picked up the ash and threw it into the wind. It vanished without a trace. The ghost stopped and stared at them. He said nothing, but rather walked over to Kym, who was lying dead on the floor. Derek, too, ran over to her. He lifted her head from the floor and cradled it in his lap. Bernardo looked at him. "Don't worry, Derek," he said finally. He placed a hand on Kym's head. "It's not her time yet," Derek told him. "She's not supposed to die." "I know," Bernardo replied. "God does too." He looked down at Kym. "Wake up Kymmie. Wake up honey." Kym opened her eyes and looked around. "Derek?" She whispered. "I'm here," he replied. "I'm fine." She looked at her dead boyfriend. "Nardo?" Bernardo stroked her hair. "It's over Kym, the nightmare's over." "That's good," Kym rested her head back in Derek's lap and closed her eyes. "That's very good." Bernardo smiled sadly. "Yes." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Then he turned his black eyes on Derek. "Take care of her." Derek nodded feverently. "Yes, I will," he promised. The ghost smiled. With one quick bow to all of them he turned to a flash of glitter and vanished. Nick, Derek, Rachel, Philip, and Alex exchanged glances. Rachel felt for a pulse in Kym's neck. "Her heartbeat is strong," she said. "But still, she should go to a hospital." The others agreed. "You know," Nick said. "No matter how many times I witness a miracle it never ceases to amaze me." No matter their differences, that was one thing all the members of the San Francisco Legacy house agreed on.

The End

Click on the graphic at the top to email Selena.

Songs used in this story In the order they appear:

"Whatever It Takes" preformed by Celine Dion "Long Way Home" preformed by Vanessa Williams "Foolish Games" preformed by Jewel "Long Way Home" preformed by Vanessa Williams "Angel Standing By" preformed by Jewel "My Mind" preformed by Ace Of Base "Perfect" preformed by Alanis Morissette "Playing With The Boys" preformed by Kenny Loggins "Someone Like You" preformed by Shawn Colvin "Painters" preformed by Jewel "The Power" preformed by Amy Grant "Foolish Games" preformed by Jewel

Thanks to the artists for letting me use these songs. Not for reuse on other pages-thanks.

(1997 I am a huge fan of the television show "Poltergeist: The Legacy" and this is my own story using the characters.)