"The Witching Hour"
   by Selena

"Father Callaghan?"

Philip glanced up and saw Kym Gardner standing in his office doorway. "Well, hello Kym. How are you?"

"I'm all right," she replied. Even though Kym had been at the San Francisco house for three weeks she still seemed shy around all of them.

"Feeling okay?" Philip asked, making an attempt to pull her out of her shell.

Kym stared at the floor. "Yes, Father. I'm feeling fine."

Philip laughed. "Kym, you don't have to refer to me as 'Father'. We're friends."

Kym smiled back at him. "Yes, I do. I'm Catholic. Anything else would be wrong."

Philip shrugged. "How about 'Father Philip' then?"

Kym smiled again. Very juvenile sounding, she thought.

"Sounds good. Anyway, Derek asked me to give you this," she handed him that day's newspaper with an article highlighted. "He wants to know what you think."

Philip glanced at the headline. "'Cults Quickly Becoming San Francisco's Most Popular Religion'. Disgusting. What does he want from me?" Kym shrugged. "Beats me. With Derek you never can tell. You should probably just read it." He sighed. "I guess you're right."

("Debes esta en escula. Dulce angelita. De quien eres tu?"*) ("You should be in school. Sweet little angel. Whose baby are you?*")

Muijer Campbell looked at her friends. Not one of them seemed to be bothered by what was happening. "Isn't it cool Muijer?" Claudia asked her. "We're all getting exactly what we want." Muijer smiled and tried to look encouraging. But at what price? She wondered. In truth Muijer was a little scared of what was happening. However, no one else seemed to be so she tried to let it go. For now. But, eventually, Muijer knew that she was going to have to say something. This wasn't right and she knew it.

("I'll give you everything I have, I didn't know that you would take it. Don't ever leave me with no explanation."*)

Derek Rayne tossed down the paper. "This makes me sick," he announced with that dramatic flair of his.

Kym didn't even glance up. "Why?"

He stared at her. "Because more and more people are turning to the dark side everyday, Kym. Right under our noses!"

She finally looked at him. "Turning to the dark side? According to this article they're just kids dabbling in the occult. All kids dabble. Didn't you?"

"No." Derek had never needed to "dabble" as Kym said. Occult like things always seemed to find him. Kym cleared her throat. "All children dabble," she repeated. "No need to worry."

"I suppose you're right." Derek was still worried though. Kym smiled at him. "I said 'do not worry'."

"I'm not!"

She sighed. "Yes, you are. Derek you always do this to yourself. Don't worry, it doesn't involve us. If someone needs our help, they will call."

Derek guessed she was right. No sense of pushing in where he didn't belong. "You're right," he decided it was time for a change of subject. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, fine," Kym replied. "When are you going to join me to see for yourself?"

He stared at her, mouth agape. "What?"

Kym laughed. "I'm only teasing you, Derek. Excuse me, I have to help Nick with something."

("I must be crazy now, maybe I dream to much. But when I think of you, I long to feel your touch. To whisper in your ear words that are as old as time. Words only you would hear if only you were mine."*)

Nick Boyle was swearing at his computer. Something that was useless he knew, since the computer couldn't talk back, but he swore at it nonetheless. Kym stepped into the control room. "Wow, watch your mouth young man!"

Nick glared at her. "I can't see my mouth, Mommy. Now would you please help me?"

Kym looked doubtful. "With what? I'm not any good at computers. Maybe you should ask Derek."

Nick furrowed his brow. "You can't be any worse than he is. Anyway, I don't want to ask you about computers. It's about your friend, the one who was here last week?"

Kym grinned. "You mean Nina?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah, Nina, that's it. Um, I was wondering, um," he looked down. "Is she, um, you know, involved?"

So that's it! Kym thought. He likes Nina! "No, Nick," she said slowly. "She's not involved with anyone, if that's what you mean."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that's what I mean."

Muijer and her friends sat deep in the woods. Claudia, Fairuza, and Holland were discussing their latest spell while Muijer appeared deep in thought. "So what do you think?" Fairuza flashed her trademark grin. Her smile looked evil to Muijer, but she didn't mention it.

"About what?"

Fairuza never lost her smile, but her eyes turned cold. "Your spell. Did Scott call you or what?"

"Yes," Muijer replied slowly. Scott had called her and she had agreed to go out with him. "Do you think that he likes me because I'm me or because of the spell?"

Holland sighed. "Who cares, Muijer? You are going out with him, he likes you. What does it matter?"

"I guess it really doesn't, but still, wouldn't you guys like to know the truth?" Muijer was doubtful. She really wanted Scott to like her for who she was.

"Let's move on," Fairuza said suddenly. "Let's talk about our next little project." The others quickly agreed. We're all such followers, Muijer thought, nobody ever stands up to her. Fairuza grinned at all of them. "We are going to do the ultimate. We are going to call up Gamaakta."

Claudia, Muijer, and Holland gasped. Gamaakta? As in the demon?

"Why do I think that this is not such a good idea?" Holland said, laughing nervously. Claudia was familiar with the ritual. "Um, Fairuza," she said. "Don't we need the pendant of Oenone for that? Supposedly, that's where Gamaakta is imprisoned."

"Yeah," Muijer chimed in, glad that they were finally protesting against Fairuza. "Where on Earth are we going to get that?" Thank God, she thought, we can't get it and then nothing bad can happen to us.

"Well," Fairuza smiled evilly. "I know where it is. The Winston Rayne Hall of Antiquities."

Claudia laughed. "We can't get in there! It is loaded down with security and alarms and stuff. Why don't we just forget it?"

Fairuza glared at her. "We will not forget it."

"I will," Muijer said flatly. "I don't want to."

Fairuza turned on her. "You don't want to? You don't want to? Why dear sweet Muijer, you have no choice." Muijer gulped. She knew Fairuza spoke the truth.

Kym hummed a song to herself as she worked. Despite the fact that she and Derek were constantly arguing she actually enjoyed being here. She liked all of them, Philip was a sweetheart, Rachel was a confidante, Nick reminded her of her brother Aaron, and Alex seemed to be a strong person. Which now left only Derek. Kym wasn't sure how she felt about Derek Rayne. She liked him, no doubt about that, but she thought she might be developing feelings that were more than friendship. Kym only wished she knew how Derek felt about her. She also had a horrible feeling that if Derek ever knew the entire truth about her past he would hate her and she couldn't bear that. This is one secret I have to keep, Kym thought. Derek must never know who I really was. Besides what would it matter? I'm totally changed. Fighting off fear Kym continued working on her translation. But, what if? She thought. I can't let Derek find out. It would destroy him. When my father found out he sent me away. What would Derek do? Feeling like a child Kym thought, I don't want Derek to send me away. I like it here. I like being with him. I think I love him. No! I won't leave; I won't let my past chase me out!

("She's a lot like you, the dangerous type"*)

"How are we going to pull this off?" Holland whispered. The girls were standing outside of the Winston Rayne Hall of Antiquities at midnight. They were all dressed entirely in black and waiting patiently for Fairuza's advice. "Don't worry about that," Fairuza replied softly. "I have that under control."

"Well, how are we going to get in?" Claudia asked nervously. "I mean, there are security guards all over the place."

Fairuza remained totally calm. "Don't worry. I have everything under control. We can do this. However," she grinned evilly at Muijer. "Muijer needs to help me out with this one." Muijer couldn't think of anything she wouldn't rather do. This whole idea didn't sit well with her. There was the fact that they were breaking and entering, not to mention stealing, but that wasn't what truly terrified her. What truly terrified her was the fact that they were planning on calling up a demon. A demon from hell. Still, these were her friends and they wouldn't steer her wrong. Muijer took a deep breath. "What do you want me to do?" Fairuza smiled a humorless grin. "That's more like it." She pointed. "Open the door." Muijer concentrated hard on the door. Suddenly it flew open. The girls all waited, holding their breath. No alarm went off. "All right," Holland breathed. "Let's go," Fairuza said.

The girls stepped quietly into the entranceway. "This is not going to work," Holland muttered to herself. "Are you not trusting in us?" Claudia asked. "No," Holland stammered. "It's not that, it's just that…"

"Shut up. All of you just shut up," Muijer commanded. "We don't want to get caught."

Fairuza sighed. "We will not get caught."

('Cause love's funny that way/no matter who you are/it can shake your faith/and it can break your heart/once in a while the mountains move/ we all long for that day/cause you live, you laugh, you say love's funny that way"*)

"Dr. Rayne?" Dominick poked his head into the study where Derek and Kym were sitting. "Yes?" Derek replied. "The museum is on line three, sir," Dominick said quickly before retreating. "Do you mind if I take this?" Derek asked. "Not at all," Kym replied. Derek put the phone on speaker.

"Derek Rayne," he said briskly.

"Dr. Rayne? This is Miranda Blake. There was a break in at the museum last night." Derek looked shocked. "What?"

"Last night, a break in," Miranda patiently explained. "Someone broke in. Can you come down here right away?"

"Yes," Derek said promptly. "I'll be there immediately." He hung up the phone and looked at Kym. "Can you come with me?" he asked her.

Kym nodded. "Of course."

Derek reached over and took her hand. "Thank you."

They sat for a few moments just holding hands. "We should go," Derek said standing up abruptly. Kym nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

("First I was afraid, I was petrified"*)

"Right this way," Miranda Blake ushered them into her office.

"What exactly was taken?" Kym asked, placing a hand to her forehead. They had been here nearly half an hour and this woman had yet to explain the situation. Miranda ignored her. "I'm very sorry, Derek. We aren't sure why the alarm didn't work." He nodded. "Yes, well, we'll look into that. Now what exactly was stolen, Miranda?"

She took a deep breath. "So far all we've discovered missing is the pendant of Oenone." Kym's head jerked up. The pendant of Oenone? She knew what that was; it supposedly contained the demon Gamaakta, a common demon to call up in witchcraft. Derek apparently knew what it was too. He quickly told Miranda that he would be in touch and the two of them hurried outside. Once they were standing in the warm sunlight Derek focused his hazel eyes on Kym. "Do you still believe that this doesn't involve us?" She didn't answer.

"Let us begin," Fairuza said as she lay the pendant in the middle of the circle. The other three girls looked at each other uncertainly. I can't believe it, thought Muijer, we are actually going to call up a demon. "Now," Fairuza continued. "We must begin the ritual. Holland?" Holland cleared her throat and started the Latin chant. "O, Gamaakta, nos invocare vos. Venire iungere nostri infringere caterva." The other girls repeated the chat. "O, Gamaakta, nos invocare vos. Venire iungere nostiri infringere caterva." Fairuza and Claudia added something new to the chant, something none of the girls had ever heard before. " O Gamaakta venire homini mi dare mi ea laceti!"

Muijer and Holland all stared at her. "What was that?" Muijer asked. Fairuza's eyes flashed with an unholy glint. "Don't worry about it." Then, without warning, the tree they were standing under suddenly caught fire. Holland and Muijer screamed and ran for safety. Surprisingly, the fire did not spread but merely stayed on that one tree. It was then that Muijer noticed that the tree was on fire, yet it was not being burned or harmed in anyway. Claudia laughed. "No need to worry."

Nick Boyle glanced out the window as a glimpse of light caught his eye. . "What was that?"

Nina Camille shrugged. "I have no idea. Lightening, maybe?"

"Yeah, maybe," Nick turned back to his date. "So, Nina, how did you meet Kym?"

She smiled at him. "Kym and I grew up together. We've been friends for many, many years." Nick smiled back at her. Nina was a nice girl, he thought, someone I would like to get to know better. Wow! Nick realized. I have never thought something like that before.

"We've been through a lot together, especially that whole phase with Wicca we went through," Nina continued. Nick's head snapped up. "Phase with Wicca?"

"Oh yes," Nina replied. "We did the whole bit. Lived to tell though, so that's something." She laughed softly. Nick laughed too but he was deep in thought. Kym had never mentioned being involved in Wicca. He wondered if Derek knew.

"Anyway," Nina continued. "I was always much more into it then Kym was. She still managed to remain that good little Catholic girl." She looked at Nick. "Did you know that Kymmie is physic?"

He nodded. "I was aware of it."

Nina smiled. "After one of our spells her powers seemed to increase. I've never been sure why. Perhaps it was just the way it was conducted." The conversation then turned to safer topics, but what Nina had said continued to replay itself in Nick's mind. Kym's past is a little darker than we realized, Nick thought.

("My brothers, they never went blind for what they did, but I may as well have."*)

Kym knew what that light in the sky meant. And she didn't like it, what it represented, seeing it again. She could practically hear her father's voice saying 'if you don't learn from the past it is doomed to repeat itself.'

Derek stepped into the room. "What the hell was that?" he asked. Kym looked at him blankly. Tell him. A little voice urged inside her head. Tell him everything. No! Kym cried inwardly. I won't lose him, I can't. "I'm not sure," she said slowly. "But I do know that the sky doesn't usually light up like that for no reason." Derek nodded. "I agree, it could mean something bad. Feel like going for a ride?"

"Sure, why not?" Kym smiled at him. "I love midnight drives through San Francisco."

Derek extended his hand. "Let's go."

They drove silently through the city for a while, until Derek broke the silence. "Kym, when Miranda said that the pendant of Oenone had been stolen you grew quite pale. Do you know something I don't?"

"Yes, I do," she replied honestly. Derek nodded. "And what is that?" He stopped the car near the edge of the woods. "I cannot tell you that."

"Why not?" Derek glanced at her.

"Please, Derek, do not ask."

He turned his eyes toward the woods. "What was that?"

Kym glanced into the woods. "What? I didn't see anything."

"Keep looking."

Kym stared hard into the forest. Suddenly she saw what appeared to be a fire. "I see that," she said.

Derek was already getting out of the car. "So did I."

Kym followed. "What I wouldn't give for a normal life."

Holland screamed. "Fairuza, what's going on?" The thing inside Fairuza's body laughed. "Don't worry Holland. Everything will be fine." Claudia too, was laughing evilly. "Are you scared Muijer?" Muijer did not look directly at her, but rather moved her lips in soft prayer. "Please God," she begged. Fairuza growled. "There is no God!" she bellowed. Another tree caught fire. Muijer was now beyond scared, she was terrified. Holland was too scared to utter a word. She just stood staring at Muijer, silently willing her to do something. "Fairuza, stop!" Muijer cried.

Kym and Derek ran through the woods toward the direction they had seen the fire coming from. As they grew closer they heard the sounds of several girls screaming. "Derek, come on!" Kym cried, running to find the source of the screams. "We have to hurry!" They ran as fast as they possibly could. Derek's feeling of dread kept growing and he tried to push it away. "Kym!" he shouted. "Kym, wait!" She didn't listen. Kym Gardner ran deeper into the woods until she reached the spot where the girls were. Kym stopped running and stared in horror. Derek skidded to a stop close behind her. "My Gott," he said. Fairuza turned and stared at them. Her eyes glowed with a horrible evil glow. Claudia turned to Derek. "Ahh, Dr. Rayne," she said. "Once again you interfere with our plans. Where were you when Dr. Gardner was in trouble?" Derek turned to Kym, a look of total shock on his face. "What?"

"Hello, Kymberlee," the thing inside Fairuza growled at her. Kym ignored it and ran over to Muijer and Holland. . "C'mon, we're going." They kept staring in horror at their friends. Kym grabbed them all and ran over to Derek. "Derek, we have to take them with us," Kym cried. Derek nodded. He took Muijer by the arm. "Let's go."

("I'm not somebody who commits the crime and leaves the scene. But when I've been dissed I don't spend much time on what might've been.*)

Alex looked up as Kym and Derek ran through the door dragging their two young companions with them. "What on Earth?" she stammered looking at the three young girls. "Alex," Derek said calmly. "Can we get something warm for these girls?" Alex stood up. "Of course. And then you will explain what's going on."

Twenty minutes later the girls were sitting in Derek's study surrounded by Derek, Kym, Alex, Nick and Philip. "We're in real trouble, aren't we?" Holland asked. Alex nodded. "Yes you are. Who are you?" The twosome exchanged a look. Finally Muijer spoke up. "I'm Muijer, this is Holland. Who are you?"

Kym smiled. "I'm Kym, this is Derek, and Nick. The young lady over there is Alex and the gentleman is Father Callaghan." Smart move, Nick thought, referring to Philip as Father Callaghan. Now they know that the power of God is here.

"Who were those other girls with you?" Derek asked.

"That was Fairuza and Claudia," Holland said. "I'm not sure what happened to them."

"What on Earth were you girls doing all alone in the woods at night?" Philip asked. The two girls exchanged a guilty look. "We were doing a spell," confessed Muijer. "We were trying to call up Gamaakta."

"You're the ones who took the pendant of Oenone!" Derek exclaimed.

"We're sorry, Dr. Rayne," Muijer said. "We didn't want to! Fairuza made us. We will make sure you get it back!"

Derek waved his hand. "That does not matter right now. What matters is finding out what has ahold of your friends and then finding out how to stop it."

"Maybe Kym could tell us," Nick suggested, fixing a hard stare on Kym.

"What do you mean by that?" Kym asked Nick. "I talked to Nina," he replied. "I know all about your involvement with Wicca."

"What? Is this what that thing was talking about before? Kym, is that what you didn't want to tell me about?" Derek said. Kym's eyes grew wide but her voice remained calm. "That was a long time ago, Nick. And it is also none of your business." Derek still didn't appear to grasp the concept of the conversation. "Kym, what is he talking about?" She turned to Derek. "When I was younger I was a member of a Wiccan coven. We did numerous spells and obtained various sorts of power." He raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" She averted her eyes. "I thought you would hate me."

"I would never hate you," Derek said softly. "Ahem," Alex said. "This is very nice, but please keep in mind that we do have two young girls running around who are probably possessed." Before he could respond the front doors banged open and Fairuza accompanied by Claudia stepped inside the castle. "Hello all," Claudia said. "How you doing?" Fairuza asked gleefully.

("When you call my name it's like a little prayer. I'm down on my knees I want to take you there."*)

Holland screamed. Claudia smiled at her. "Hello, Holland, m'dear. How are you?" Then her laugh echoed through the house. Kym stepped forward. "Leave them alone," she said firmly and clearly. The Fairuza thing smiled at Kym. "I remember you. What a pretty little angel you were. And how is your friend? What was her name? Christin, wasn't it?"

"Get the hell out of here!" Kym yelled feeling her temper dissolve. "I only want to give these girls the same opportunity I gave you." Nick grabbed the thing in Claudia's body. "Leave these girls alone. Who are you anyway?" She removed his hand. "My dear boy the question is what am I?" Suddenly Nick was thrown across the room by an unseen hand. Alex ran to help him. Kym closed her eyes. Suddenly without warning Claudia's body was lifted into the air. Derek stared at Kym. "Kym?" She extended her hand as if to tell him not to say anymore. Derek felt fear swell in his chest. He suddenly realized the depth of his feelings for Kym. I can't lose her, Derek thought. Not again!

"What are you doing?" Fairuza asked Kym. "I am giving every ounce of power that you ever gave to me back to you. Now let that girl go." Fairuza's dove at Philip "Oh, no, you are not! You will not defeat us! I will kill the priest!" Kym suddenly turned to Fairuza; and she flew into the air. Fairuza screamed as her body was thrown from the plate glass window. "As for you," Kym turned to Claudia. "You can have all your power back. I only hope it is enough to send you to hell!" Claudia let out an inhuman scream and her body dropped to the floor. Philip ran to see if she was alive and Kym collapsed her energy spent. Derek ran over to Kym. "Oh, Kym," Derek murmured. Kym opened her eyes "Fairuza?' she whispered. Nick shook his head. "She's dead." Kym closed her eyes and sobbed. "Oh. God, I'm sorry. I killed her!"

"No," Derek said firmly. "She would have killed you."

Kym sobbed. "I killed an innocent girl."

This time Holland spoke up. "She wasn't innocent. Please don't feel bad, Dr. Gardner." Kym continued to cry as though she would never stop.

Three Weeks Later

Derek watched silently as Kym placed her clothes in a bag. "Are you sure you want to leave?" he finally asked her. Kym couldn't meet his eyes. "I killed a child."

"You did not kill her. Fairuza was already dead."

Kym looked up. "Then why did Claudia survive?"

Derek sighed. "I don't know. I believe you saved her."

Kym laughed bitterly. "I saved no one." She turned to him and placed a light kiss on his lips. "Good bye, Derek. Nunca te olvidare. I will never forget you." With those words, she was out the door and gone and all Derek could do was watch.

Northern Mexico

"Hola, Kym!" Maria Fuentes cried as she saw her friend pull up. Kym stepped out of the car and smiled. "Hola, Maria. Como estas?"

Maria grinned. "Estoy asi-asi. I can' complain." She studied her friend's face. "What is wrong Kym? You look troubled."

"Si, Maria, I am troubled."

Maria grew worried. "Come in and tell me all about it."

Maria had been quiet the whole time Kym had been telling her story. Finally she spoke up and told Kym, in Spanish, "Kym, this does not sound like your fault. There was nothing else you could do. And as for this Derek Rayne why do you fight that tu eres enamoradas?" Kym could not answer her friend.

Derek watched as night fell over the bay. "Derek?" Alex said. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but a new case just came in." He nodded absently. "Please just place it on my desk." Alex did as he requested. "Have you heard from Kym?" she asked gently. Derek shook his head. "No, I haven't."

"She will come around."

Derek sighed. "I hope so."

Alex looked at her friend. "You love her, don't you?" He nodded slowly. "Yes, I think that I do." Derek laughed bitterly. "Not much I can do about it now is there?"

Alex smiled softly, although she hated to see him in such pain. "Love finds a way," was all she said, while secretly praying for Kym's return.

("Es el perfume que me dan tus besos dulce fragancia en mi pecho"*) ("It is perfume that they give, your kisses, the sweet fragrance in my hair*") -I am sorry, this does not translate well! –S.

'Why do you fight that tu eres enamoradas?' Maria had asked. 'Why do you fight that you are in love?' Kym had no good solid answer, but as she drove back to San Francisco she knew she needed a plan. Something to say when she arrived back at the Legacy. What am I going to tell Derek? She wondered. What will I say? Kym felt panic rise in her throat. What if he hates me and doesn't care that I've gone? Still, she knew that she had to return.

("I'm leaving on the next plane out, gotta see my baby. It's been to long since I held him in my arms, and I just won't sleep tonight 'til he's sleeping here beside me, here beside me."*)

"Hello?" Kym called as she entered the Legacy house. "Is anyone here?"

Nick poked his head into the hallway. "Kym?"

She grinned. "Hi, Nick."

"Hey, Derek!" Nick yelled. "Get down here, Kym's back!"

Derek glanced up. Kym was back? He raced down the stairs. "Kym?"

She smiled at him. "Hello Derek." He approached her.

"Where did you go?"

"Mexico," she replied. "But I'm back now. For good."

"For good?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away," she said firmly. Then she smiled at him and his anger melted away. "Can I talk to you for a moment in my study?" he asked.

Kym nodded as she swallowed hard. Here it was the moment of truth. She silently followed Derek.

'Good luck' Nick mouthed before retreating back into the living room.

They reached the study and Kym let her eyes meet his. "Well?' she said.

He kissed her. There was no reason, he felt it was just something he had to do.

"Wow," Kym said softly. "And I thought you were going to yell at me."

Derek grew serious. "I am. I cannot believe that you would just leave like that."

She suddenly felt extremely guilty. She had been thinking only of herself. "I'm sorry, Derek. I didn't think about how this would affect the House."

He shook his head. "Not the House, Kym. Me. It affected me."

Kym could suddenly restrain herself no longer. "I love you, Derek," she blurted out.

What? Derek thought. Kym loves me? "Why?" he asked. That set her aback.

"Because I love you," she said simply.

He looked directly in her eyes and made a confession of his own. "I've been in love with you since you were eighteen. I can't help it, I can't stop it."

She smiled at him. "Then don't stop."

He wrapped his arms around her. "I promise not to leave anymore," she whispered.

"That's good," he whispered.

Kym grinned. " Kiss me again." A request he was happy to fulfil.

Derek quickly broke the embrace. "If you ever run away again, I will personally inform Philip that you will assist him in seven a.m. mass for a month."

She considered. "I think I'll stay right here." The couple smiled briefly then continued kissing.

(When I fall in love it will be forever or I'll never fall in love. When I give my heart it will be completely or I'll never give my heart. And when I feel that you feel that way too is when I fall in love with you."*)

Epilogue

4 Months Later

("Your hands are in my hair, but my heart is in your teeth, baby, and it makes me want to make you near me always. Wanna be near you always."*)

The clock chimed one a.m. as Derek stared down at the woman asleep in his arms. A lot had happened to the Legacy in the past four months. Nick and Nina had grown ever closer, Nick was actually talking about settling down, Alex had taken a much-needed vacation to Provence, and Philip had returned to the Legacy. Kym had had much to do with that last part. She had convinced Philip that he was needed here, something that Derek had been unsuccessfully trying to do for months. He had also received a call the other day from Muijer. Everything was fine, she said. There was going to be no more witchcraft in her life. Her parents had transferred her to a Catholic school in the area and were sending her to stay with her grandparents for the summer. Still, she said, it was a small price to pay for her life. Muijer had also thanked him and asked that he extend her thanks to everyone.

Much had happened to Derek over these past four months as well. He had finally let himself go and open up for once. Despite the fact that it was what their parents had wanted, Kym and Derek had built a wonderful relationship and life. Kym stirred and opened her eyes. "Hi," she whispered.

"Hi," he replied.

"What are you thinking about?" Kym asked him softly.

"Nothing in particular," Derek paused. "Kym, did Gamaakta really give you a certain gift?"

Kym nodded absently and closed her eyes. "Umm hmm."

"Did you really give it back?"

She laughed softly. "So many questions. Yes, I really gave it back." Derek's closet door had been slightly open and Kym looked at it. Upon her glance it closed without a sound. "Most of it anyway."

Derek raised an eyebrow. Kym knew opportunity when it knocked. "You know what I was just thinking?"

"What were you just thinking?"

"I was just thinking that I love your accent." He laughed softly.

"Where did that come from?"

"My accent? It's Dutch, and Dutch people come from the Netherlands, at least that's what you've led me to believe."

She grinned at him. Derek laughed and lowered his mouth to hers. This feels right, he thought. This feels good. Maybe Kym and I should have married. Kym wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened their kiss. "I love you," she whispered, against his lips. "I love you," he whispered back. Maybe we will, Derek thought to himself. There's always tomorrow…

("I love you always forever. Near and far and closer together. Everywhere I will be with you, everything I will do for you. Say you love, love me forever. Never stop, never ever. Near and far and always and everywhere."*)

("Now I'm dreaming with you tonight, till tomorrow and for all of my life. And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be, than here in my room dreaming with you endlessly.*")

THE END

SONGS USED IN THE ORDER THEY APPEAR:

"God's Child (Ven Baila Conmigo)" performed by SELENA +DAVID BRYNE "No Explanation" performed by PETER CETERA "I Love You" performed by CELINE DION "Dangerous Type" performed by LETTERS TO CLEO "Love's Funny That Way" performed by TINA ARENA "I Will Survive" performed by GLORIA GAYNOR/SELENA "Forgiven" performed by ALANIS MORISSETTE "Misled" performed by CELINE DION "Like A Prayer" performed by MADONNA "Dulce Amor (Sweet Love)" performed by GLORIA ESTEFAN "Next Plane Out" performed by CELINE DION "When I Fall In Love" performed by CELINE DION AND CLIVE GRIFFIN "Near You Always" performed by JEWEL "I Love You Always Forever" performed by DONNA LEWIS "Dreaming Of You" performed by SELENA

Once again thank you to the artists for their songs and thanks to Clarianna for letting other people read my stories, which gives me a reason to right them!

This story is a fanfic for the television show Poltergeist: The Legacy.