"I dreamt a dream tonight." -Romeo "And so did I" -Mercuito "Well what was yours?" -Romeo "That dreamers often lie." -Mercuito "In bed asleep, while they do dream things true." -Romeo

- From "Romeo and Juliet"

This story takes place six months after "The Witching Hour"

Philip Callaghan looked at the couple standing before him. In all his years of priesthood he had never felt so certain that two people were meant for each other. He cleared his throat.

"Do you, Derek, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"

"I do," Derek whispered as he slid the ring onto her hand.

Philip smiled gently.

"And do you, Kymberlee, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"

Kym Gardner looked at Derek. "I do," she said clearly while she placed the solid gold band on his finger.

Now Philip had a full-fledged smile on his face, as did the other members of the San Francisco Legacy house. "Then by the power vested in me by the state of California I now pronounce you husband and wife." He laughed softly. "You may kiss the bride." The two of them smiled before they consummated their marriage with a passionate kiss.

("Only once in a lifetime love rushes in changing you with a tide/And dawn's ribbon of light bursts trough the dark wakening you inside."*)

"Let's do this the Irish way!" Nick Boyle exclaimed. That generated a roar of laughter from all of the Irish at the reception. Kym and Derek smiled a secret smile at each other and clinked their wineglasses together. "Here's to the happy couple," Bruce Gardner agreed. "Thank God they finally came to their senses!" Kym laughed, glad to see her father so happy. The reception went on for another few hours with plenty of laughter and liquor to go around.

Before Kym and Derek left for home, Derek's mother approached him. "Derek," she said softly. "Mother," he smiled at her. He was very glad that his mother was able to come in for his wedding. She handed him a small leather bound book. "This was your father's," she informed him. "He wanted me to give it to you." Derek accepted the book. "Thank you," he said. "This means a lot to me." Barbara nodded. "Be happy," she said. He smiled softly. "For the first time in my life I'm going to try."

("Gonna build a new life, take you with me, wanna make you my wife, raise a family."*)

Later that night Derek sat, turning the book over in his hands. Kym came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "What's that?" "Something my mother gave to me," he replied. "It belonged to my father." Kym gently removed the book from his hands. "It's locked," she noted. Derek nodded. Kym, too, turned the book over. "No key?" she asked. "Apparently not," Derek stood up and placed the book on the desk. "But why are we worrying about that now?"

"I have something else we should worry about," she agreed. He smiled at her. "And that is?" Kym softly cleared her throat. "Umm, Derek, sweetie, do you like what I'm wearing?" He looked her over. She was wearing a short cream colored negligée with a matching transparent robe. "Very much." Kym smiled sweetly at him. "Would you do anything for me?"

"Yes," he leaned over to kiss her. She gently placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away. "Good. I want you to get rid of those blue pajamas." Derek backed up, surprised. "You want me to what?"

"Get rid of those pajamas. Please," she begged. Kym tried a different approach. "I have other nighties that look like this," she bargained. Derek raised and eyebrow. He could tell that she was serious. "Very well," he said. "Consider them disposed of. Now can we please change the subject to a more intimate topic?" Kym smiled. " It is our wedding night."

"Let's celebrate," Derek agreed.

"So, your mother didn't say what this was?" Alex asked as she examined the book. "No," Derek replied. "She just said it was something that he would have wanted me to have." Nick picked it up. "There's no key," he said. "How are you supposed to open it?"

"Maybe you're not supposed to open it," Kym suggested. "Maybe Winston wanted it not to be read."

"It is possible," Derek agreed. Now it was Rachel who examined the leather bound book. "It could very easily be a diary," she said. "Containing your father's private thoughts and feelings." Derek shrugged. "I suppose we could work on it," he said. "But there's really no hurry." Nick raised an eyebrow. Derek Rayne wasn't in a hurry? This was a first. Maybe marriage really had changed Derek.

("Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight 'til tomorrow I'll be holding you tight and there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be than here in my room dreaming about you and me."*)

Nick yawned as he turned the covers back on his bed. He smiled as he climbed in and thought of Nina Camille. Nick and Nina had gotten very close recently. Maybe there'll be another wedding soon, he thought sleepily. Derek isn't the only one who deserves to be happy. A funny thought of Winston's book drifted through Nick's head before he fell into his own little dream world.

("And I'm just dreamin' bout the day when I can show you all the love I've got for you."*)

"What the hell?" Nick muttered as he awoke. He was no longer in his room in San Francisco, but rather in an arena of some kind. "Hey, James, come on!" A young man stepped up behind him. "You're up next!"

"What?" Nick asked, genuinely confused. "Who are you?" The man laughed. "I'm Alexander," he hurried Nick along. "Come along 'tis almost your turn." Nick stopped. "Wait, wait, my turn to what?" Alexander paused and looked at him. "Are you all right James? Surely you remember, you are to battle the lion today."

"Battle the lion?" Who was this freak? Nick wondered, and why is he calling me James? "Here we are," Alexander said. Nick looked at his surroundings and saw that he was inside the arena now. It reminded of him of where bullfighters often fought in Spain. He then looked down to see what he was wearing and was shocked to find that he was dressed in the traditional wear of a Greek gladiator. Nick looked into the stands. He was surrounded by thousands of people, all come to witness his inevitable demise. They were all dressed in traditional Greek garbs, except for one man who caught Nick's eye. He was dressed entirely in black and looking at Nick with a somber expression on his face. "Winston!" Nick shouted as he recognized Winston Rayne. "Winston, what's going on?" The man looked at him. "Enjoy the memory Nick." Nick heard, but Winston hadn't spoken. Then without a word he was gone, vanished into thin air. "WINSTON!" Nick shouted but it was too late. He heard a roar behind him and whirled around. A fierce lion stood there. Nick stood absolutely still, as he was petrified.

"Use your sword!" Alexander shouted at him. Nick looked down and saw the broadsword at his side. He drew the sword and thrust it at the lion. The lion roared and jumped at him, swinging it's claws. Nick jumped back and blindly thrust. The sword pierced the lion in the shoulder. It howled in pain and the crowd cheered. Nick opened his eyes just to see the beast lunge for his throat. Nick slit it's throat, spilling it's blood and watched in amazement as the great lion fell dead at his feet. The crowd went it to mayhem. Alexander approached him. "Come along, James," he said with a grin. "It is time to go meet your prize." Meet my prize? Nick thought as he numbly followed Alexander. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Surely you know," Alexander replied. "This contest was to be fought with the hand of the princess as a prize." He slapped Nick on the back. "Congratulations, my friend!" The princess, Nick thought. Okay, the princess. Where the hell am I and how do I get home?

"Your majesty," Alexander bowed and Nick did the same. Dimly he thought, when in Rome. Or rather, when in Greece… "My lord," the king said to Nick. "I present to you, my daughter Celena. You two shall be married before the sunset." Nick let his eyes meet the Princess Celena's. "Julia?" he whispered.

Nick shot up in bed covered in sweat. What kind of dream was that? He wondered as he lay back down. Although Nick made many attempts he slept no more that night.

"So what do you think it was?" Alex asked him early the next morning. Nick ran a hand through his hair. "I have no idea," he replied. "It was just so weird. It didn't seem like a dream."

"Maybe it wasn't," Alex offered. "Maybe it was really a memory like Winston said," she paused. "Maybe you should ask Derek when he wakes up."

"Ask Derek what?" Derek asked, coming up behind them. Alex smiled. "Oh, good morning. I just assumed you'd still be asleep."

"I'm an early riser," Derek replied, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Kym, however is still asleep. Now what is it you wanted to ask me?" Briefly, Nick told Derek about the dream he'd had, including seeing Winston. "You're sure it was my father?" Derek asked. Nick nodded. "Positive. I heard his voice, telling me to enjoy the memory and then he was gone." Derek considered. "That is strange. I wish I could tell you what to make of it."

"Come on, Mom," Katherine Corrigan said impatiently. Rachel laughed. "All right, all right, we can go. Why are you in such a hurry to get to the island today?" Kat sighed. "Because I think something is up. Can we go?" Rachel nodded and they hurried on their way to Angel Island.

Kym admired her reflection in the mirror as she put earrings in her ears. Well, she thought. I don't look any different. "You look lovely," Derek said. She turned to him and smiled. "Thank you. What is on the agenda for today?" He told her about Nick's odd dream. "Weird," Kym said when he finished. "Dreams can be like that sometimes." She faced the mirror again. Derek remained silent. Kym turned around. "Oh, come on, Derek," she said. "You don't think it was anything more than a dream, do you?"

"I am not sure what to think," Derek answered. "Did you have any odd dreams last night?"

"No. I slept just fine," she grinned at him wickedly. "For the hour and a half or so we actually slept." Derek grinned back. Perhaps I am making to much out of this, he thought.

"Hello!" Kat called as she ran into the house. "Hello, we're here!" Philip came down the stairs. "Hello Kat."

"Philip!" she threw herself into his arms. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," he replied, giving her a squeeze. "Where's you mom?"

"Right here," Rachel replied. "She was so eager to get over here."

"Is that so?" Philip asked Kat. She nodded. "Where's Nick?" Philip smiled. "He's upstairs with Alex."

"Thank you!" Kat ran off.

One week after her wedding found Kym running her hands through her hair. There was something odd about this book, something she couldn't quite place her finger on. Number one, the lock was unbreakable. Winston had not left a key and they simply could not open it. Derek stepped up behind his wife and placed his hands on her shoulders. "It's nearly midnight," he commented. "Umm hmm," Kym murmured. "I just can't get this thing open!"

"Don't worry about it," Derek nuzzled her neck. "Let it wait." Kym laughed. "This certainly is a switch. Usually it's me trying to convince you to go to bed, not the other way around." Derek smiled. "What can I say? I'm a changed man."

"All right, all right," Kym agreed. "Let's go to bed."

Few dreamers know when they are dreaming. Alexandra Moreau was no exception. "What?" Alex whispered as she looked down at her clothing. She was dressed in a long gown that looked like something from the civil war. And she was white! A tall man stepped in the doorway. "Annabelle are you all right? You seem a little peaked my dear."

"Yes," Alex said slowly. "I'm all right."

"Very good," the man replied. "We our getting new ones today."

"Oh, new what?" Alex asked. He laughed. "Slaves m'dear. I just purchased a new family of slaves." Slaves? Alex thought. This man is bragging about just having bought slaves. "People are not things to be bought and sold," she said angrily. He turned his fierce eyes on her. "Really Annabelle, now you are sounding like one of those damned Yankees. And no woman will ever tell Thaddeus Beuford how to run his plantation!" The gall of this man! Alex thought. "When do these people arrive?" she asked. Thaddeus glared at her. "The slaves arrive in one hour," he said. "You will not be here!" Like hell I won't! Alex thought. This man has absolutely no right to do this and I won't let him. Alex waited impatiently for the hour to pass. I have to help these people, she thought desperately, and then I'll worry about what exactly is going on here. She hurried outside when she heard the sound of an approaching carriage. "Ho, now," a man shouted and a family of five stepped off the wagon. There was a father, mother, a sister, brother, and a baby. "Get back," Thaddeus yelled at them. "Go on now!" Alex felt her stomach rise in her throat. She approached the slaves. "Annabelle! Get back on in the house," Thaddeus yelled at her. "I'm going to help you," Alex whispered. They looked at her with hope in their frightened eyes.

That night Alex snuck out to the barn where the Thaddeus had placed his new "purchases."

"Hello," she said upon entering. "What are your names?" The man stepped forward. "I am Jefferson, this is my wife Marie and these are our children James, Jessica, and Lauren." Alex smiled at them. "My name is Alexandra and I want to help you. I know you shouldn't be kept like this." Little James stepped forward. "How are you gonna help us? You white."

"Shh, James," Marie scolded. "He don't mean nothin by it," she told Alex. Alex nodded. "I know. Well, James, if you follow me, I'll show you how I'm going to help." She led them into the night where a carriage was waiting. "Take these people to the state line," she ordered. The driver nodded. "Thank you," Marie said warmly. "We shall never forget you." Alex was smiling as she watched the carriage pull away. It was then that she noticed a man standing in the shadows. "Winston?" she asked. "Winston Rayne?" He smiled at her. "Say hello to my Derek for me, won't you Alexandra?" Before she could respond a voice thundered from the house. "ANNABELLE!"

(And as long as I can dream there'll be a better world, as long as I can dream."*)

Alex awoke with a jump. She sat up and began writing the strange dream in her journal. I have to tell Derek about this, she thought. First thing in the morning.

"What exactly did my father say to you?" Derek pressed the next morning. "He just asked me to say hello to 'his Derek'," Alex responded. Kym smiled gently. "Did he actually use the words 'my Derek'?" She asked. "Yes," Alex answered. "He said 'say hello to my Derek for me'." Derek paused thoughtfully. "My father never referred to me as 'his'." Kym looked at her husband. "Not even when you were little?" Derek shook his head. "Not even then." How sad, Kym thought. She remembered her own childhood, how her father had not been around a lot, but she and her siblings had always known that they were loved. "That is a strange dream," was all she said. Alex nodded and both women looked at Derek. He appeared deep in thought. Kym gently took his arm. "Come on, honey," she said. "Take a walk with me." Derek barely heard her. "Yes, all right," he murmured. Kym and Alex exchanged a look before Kym guided Derek out the door.

Philip Callaghan was stumped. He had no idea what sort of metal the lock on Winston's book was made of, but it certainly was strong. He had tried everything to break it with no luck. Kym stood on the top step and poked her head into the library. "Father Callaghan," she called. He looked up. "Well, hello, Kym. How may I help you and what have I told you about my name?" She smiled at him. "Philip, it's almost one. Maybe you should get some sleep."

"One?" Philip couldn't believe it. Hadn't he just sat down fifteen minutes ago? Kym nodded. "I'll go up right now," Philip said, rising out of his chair. "Good night," Kym said. "Dulce suen~os." He smiled at her. "What does that mean?"

"Sweet dreams," Kym replied. "Well, then dulce suen~os to you too." Unfortunately for Father Philip Callaghan his dreams were not sweet.

"NOO!" Philip awoke with a start. Who was screaming? He wondered. "Hello?" he called. A horrible face appeared. "Well, well," the man growled. "Look who's awake! Noel O'Malley, serial killer extrordinare!" Philip shook his head. What on earth were these men talking about? He wondered. He was a priest, not a serial killer.

"No," he said firmly. "I'm not a killer." The man laughed a horrible laugh. "Sure you are, Noel. So am I. So are all these people." What is going on? Philip thought to himself. "I am a priest." Laughter erupted through out the prison. "A priest!" they roared. "Noel O'Malley is a priest!" A guard stepped inside. "What's going on in here?" he walked up to Philip's cell. "You causing trouble, O'Malley?" Philip shook his head. "No sir." He started to explain who he was, but the guard interrupted. "All of you shut up or I'll shut you up!" he yelled before leaving. Philip started to shake. What was going on? "God, help me," he moaned. "Please." The inmates laughed. "The devil incarnate wants God to help him. That's a good one."

"The devil incarnate?" NO! Philip thought. I am a priest, not a killer! "Come on O'Malley!" the guard said. He grinned a horrible toothless grin. "It's time to meet your destiny."

"W-what?" Philip stammered. "What are you talking about?"

"You've got an appointment!" someone shouted. "With the electric chair!"

"What?" Philip said. "What, what?" they mocked him. "NO!" Philip yelled. His eye caught the one person not laughing. It was Winston Rayne. "Winston?" Philip yelled. "Winston, please help me!" Rayne's eyes remained sad. "I'm sorry Philip. I had hoped this would be more pleasant for you." Then he vanished.

(I dreamed I was a demon, it caused me to awake."*)

"Winston!" Philip shouted as he awoke. "NO!"

"Philip!" Kym and Derek threw open the door. "Philip are you all right?" He nodded. "Yes, Kym, Derek. I'm all right. It was just a nightmare." Derek nodded. Kym smiled. "Go back to sleep," she whispered. He smiled weakly. "I will." Philip lay down and tried to get to sleep. He remained awake until the dawn.

"Did you hear what Philip said?" Derek asked Kym as they lay in bed. "He called for my father." Kym draped her arm across Derek's chest. "He did not."

"Yes, he did," Derek insisted. "He said 'Winston, no!"' Kym suddenly felt exhausted. "If you say so, hon. Good night." Derek remained awake long after Kym had fallen asleep in his arms. He knew what he had heard and he wondered what it meant. All of his friends dreaming about his father? That was practically unheard of. I have to find out what's going on. Derek thought. He looked down at his wife and sighed. Just once, why can't I have a normal life? That's all I really want.

"So Philip, what exactly did you dream?" Kym asked him the next morning. "You looked absolutely terrified." Philip looked deep into her eyes. "I dreamt that I was a criminal," he informed her. There has to be some connection between these dreams, Kym thought. But what? "Philip," she said softly. "Was Winston Rayne in your dream?" Philip's eyes widened. "How did you know?" he asked. Kym sighed. "Call it a hunch."

Kym waited while the hologram checked her eyes. When it cleared she quickly stepped through. Nick and Derek were leaning over the computers and they both looked up at her entrance. "Hey, how's it going?" Nick asked her. Kym waved her hand. "Yes, fine." Nick grinned. "Not one for conversation today?"

"I think I've discovered a connection between these dreams," Kym said, choosing to ignore Nick. "Oh, yes?" Derek asked. "What is that?"

"Who else has had these dreams?" Nick asked at the same time. "Philip, Alex and Winston Rayne," Kym managed to answer both of them.

"What?" Derek said.

"Let me rephrase that. Philip and Alex have had these dreams and Winston Rayne is the connection."

Derek smiled. "Quite a bright wife I've got, eh?" he said to Nick. Nick grinned. "We figured that out awhile ago, Sherlock." Kym felt heat rise in her face. Derek put an arm around her. "Don't worry, you can figure out something else." She sighed. "Gee, thanks."

"Really," Nick insisted. "You can help us figure out why Winston Rayne is in all these dreams." Kym shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Maybe something to do with that book?" She looked at her husband. "Have you opened it yet?" Derek frowned. "We haven't been able to break the lock on the diary yet. It's made of something we've never seen before." "We're going to keep trying though," Nick assured her. "You do that," Kym grinned at her two favorite guys. "Hey, I wonder who'll have the next dream?"

("Kiss me baby, I'm attractive baby, I'm eternal, lying in a coffin waiting for you, waiting for magic."*)

"Good night," Kym said to Alex. She looked up from her novel. "Turning in already?" Kym grinned at her. "Hey, being a newlywed is hard work!" Alex laughed. "Night then. Sweet dreams." Kym held up her crossed fingers. "Let's hope!"

"And where were you?" Derek asked her. "Saying good night to Alex, " Kym replied. "Don't worry, Dr., everything is fine!" Derek smiled and gave her a gentle kiss. When Kym kissed him back all she was thinking was I'm glad everything turned out the way it did, for the best. After they finished making love, Kym Gardner-Rayne dozed on and off. She had never intended to fall fully asleep, she was just going to wait until Derek fell asleep and then see what else she could dig up on this magic book of Winston's. Unfortunately for Kym, it didn't turn out quite as she planned.

A ringing phone awoke Kym. "Hello?" she mumbled sleepily. "Claire! How are you?" A voice boomed into her ear. "Who is this?" Kym asked. The booming voice laughed. "Who is this? You are so funny Claire! This is Al!"

"Al," Kym mumbled. "How can I help you?"

"You were supposed to be in the studio an hour ago!" Al informed her. "We're cutting your new demos remember?"

"New demos?" Kym was lost. What was this guy babbling about? Al sighed. "Listen, Claire, this is getting old. Get down here now okay?" This must be my dream, Kym thought. "Yeah, sure. Where am I going?" Kym asked. "512 Bloomington Avenue."

Twenty minutes later Kym Gardner walked into a huge music studio. She was shocked to find gold albums bearing her picture and the name, Claire Tenyant. Many of the albums had names like "La nouvelle femme" and "Amor de la moment". I sing in French! She decided.

"Claire!" A woman approached her. "Glad you're here, Al's been going crazy!"

"I know I'm sorry, um," Kym paused, realizing that she had no idea what this woman's name was.

"Marie-Anne! Is Ms. Tenyant here yet?"

"Yes, Al, here she comes!" Marie-Anne pushed Kym in the doorway. "Good luck!"

"Claire!" Al said. "Great, good, get in the studio!" Kym smiled at him. What the hell am I supposed to sing? She wondered. "Umm, do you have the lyrics?" Al tossed a sheet of paper at her. "Here, have fun." Kym looked over the sheet. "This is in English," she pointed out. "Sing it!" Al ordered. Kym went into the studio. I can do this. I will do this. Where is Derek? She cleared her throat and began to sing. "When you weren't here I felt like I would cry. When I saw you in that woman's arms I thought I would die. Now that you're gone I will be strong. I'll find a new love and I will go on." Not bad, Kym thought. Not good, but not terrible. "Wonderful!" Al exclaimed. "Just wonderful, you are going places!" I want to go back to bed with my husband, Kym thought as she smiled at Al.

After she had finished with the vocals Kym stepped on to the street. As she glanced around she noticed Winston Rayne standing across the street. She smiled at him. "Hello Winston," she said. He didn't answer her. "Winston?" Kym whispered. Suddenly, she felt strong hands grab her. "Not a word," a voice hissed in her ear. Kym panicked. "Don't scream!" Winston called to her. Instead she elbowed her attacker and began to run. "Kymberlee, don't!" Winston shouted after her. Kym screamed as the man caught up with her and jammed a knife in her back. She felt herself falling to the ground. "Derek!" she cried.

("I need a hero, I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and he's gotta be fresh from the fight"*)

"DEREK!" Kym screamed as she awoke. "Derek, where are you?" He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm right here, shh, it's okay. Did you have a nightmare?" She sighed. "You have no idea." Derek smiled. "I'll bet I do." Kym explained her dream to him and Derek listened quietly. "Well, look at it at it this way," he pointed out. "At least your turn is over." Kym rested her head against his chest. "You're right," she murmured. "I love you." Derek smiled at her. "Ik affectie je eveneens lieveling," he replied. Kym laughed. "That does not whisper well." Derek laughed along with her. "Yes, but it's true."

"Te quiero mi esposo," Kym said. "See how pretty that sounds?" Neither of them had any more dreams that night.

"So what do you think about all this?" Alex asked Rachel. The psychiatrist frowned. "Well, you know what it could be? It could be the power of suggestion. Nick has a dream, mentions it, and everyone else takes a little piece of that dream." Alex smiled to herself. Rachel was at it again. "Have you had any strange dreams?" she asked. "No," Rachel replied. Alex prodded gently. "What about Kat?" "Not that I know of." Derek came downstairs. "Good morning," he said. "Morning," both women replied. "Did you sleep well?" Alex inquired. Derek poured himself a cup of coffee. "Just fine. And you?"

"All right," Alex replied. "Do you think whatever it is has run it's course?" He sipped the coffee before replying. "Kym had a nightmare last night." Rachel sighed. "Power of suggestion."

"I don't think so, Rachel. My father was in Kymberlee's dream too," Derek said. Alex raised an eyebrow. "What did he say?" Derek sighed. "It was very strange. Perhaps you should ask her."

"Hi Kym!" Kat ran into Kym and Derek's suite. Kym looked up. "Hello, Katherine. How are you?"

"Fine! How are you?" Kat asked. "You look tired." Observant little thing isn't she? Kym thought. "It's nothing Kat. I just had a bad dream last night, that's all."

"I have bad dreams sometimes," Kat said. "Is that so?" Kym faced Kat in the mirror. "Yeah," the child replied. "But my mommy says that dreams don't mean anything." Kym raised an eyebrow. Most people's dreams don't mean anything, but she knew that Katherine's often did. "Kat," Kym said softly. "Sometimes that's true, but…" she decided to go another route. "Do you know what psychic means?" A nod. "Well, I have a gift like that. Sometimes I know about things before they happen. Do you ever know things and can't explain why?" Kat nodded vigorously. "Yes."

"That's a gift," Kym said. "You should cherish it."

Later that night as Rachel tucked her daughter into bed Kat told her about what Kym had said. "Kym says that sometimes my dreams do mean stuff," Kat announced. "Oh?" Rachel replied. I'll have to have a talk with Kym, she thought. "Yeah," Kat replied. "She says that it's a gift." Rachel kissed her forehead. "I'm sure she thinks it is. Good night sweetie."

"Night Mom," Kat replied dozing. Rachel shut the door behind her and sighed. Tonight I am going to get some sleep, she thought. Rachel climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her head. She was asleep in two minutes and dreaming in three.

("I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside."*)

Rachel Corrigan awoke at the age of eight. She looked down at herself and saw that she was wearing a pink dress and her hair was pulled back. What the hell is going on? Rachel wondered. "Marianne! Marianne, come here!" A woman called. She stepped into view and Rachel was shocked. Katherine? "Marianne! Didn't you here me calling you?" Kat asked. "Kat?" Rachel said. "Don't call your mother by her first name," Katherine scolded her. "What has gotten into you today?" Kat's my mother? Rachel thought. Impossible. Suddenly, Rachel's vision turned hazy. She saw a man grabbing Kat and hitting her. "Marianne, come on now," Kat gently took her arm. "It's time for your nap." Rachel allowed herself to be led along while she pondered what she had just seen. "Have a nice rest," Kat kissed Rachel's forehead. "Okay…Mommy," Rachel struggled with the last word. It was so odd to be calling her daughter 'mommy'. Rachel closed her eyes. And once again she saw the horrible man hitting Katherine. "Stop! Stop!" she cried, but it was no use. Kat shook her. "Marianne!"

"I had a bad dream!" Rachel cried. "A horrible man was beating you!" Kat held her. "It was only a dream. Shh, now."

"I saw it earlier too," Rachel protested. Kat sighed. "Marianne, I've told you not to make up stories." She stood up. "Brush your hair and come down for supper now." Rachel got up and she saw that standing in the corner of the room was Winston Rayne. "You're on the right track, Rachel," he said. "Marianne!" Rachel hurried downstairs. She had just sat down at the table when the door opened and the horrible man from her vision entered. Kat looked scared. "Go upstairs, Marianne," she said. "No!" Rachel screamed. "No, he'll hurt you!" With a menacing look at Rachel the man stepped toward Katherine. Rachel screamed…

Rachel screamed as she awoke. Oh, God. She thought. I'm okay. I'm the mommy now. The last thought made her laugh. What a dream, Rachel thought as she fell back asleep.

"So are you a believer now?" Nick asked. Rachel laughed. "A believer in what?" she asked. "In these dreams. Rachel, we've all had them so far." She raised an eyebrow. "All of you?" Nick counted off on his fingers. "Me, Alex, Philip, Kym, and you." Rachel thought. "What about Derek?"

"No," Nick said slowly. "Derek hasn't had one, at least not that he's mentioned." Rachel and Nick sat in silence.

("Wherever you go I'll be with you."*)

"So any luck?" Kym asked Philip. "No," he replied. "None at all. I just can't figure out what this thing is made of."

"Hmm," Kym didn't know what to say. She didn't know what it was made of either. "Have you seen Derek lately?" Philip nodded. "He's in his office."

"Thanks." Kym walked down the hall to Derek's office. "Honey?" she said. Derek looked up. "Hello," he replied. "How are you?" She leaned over and kissed him briefly. "Wonderful. You should really get out of the house though." He smiled. "I suppose so. Kym, am I the only one who hasn't had a weird dream?"

"Yes," Kym said slowly. "But that doesn't mean anything. It could be a blessing. These haven't exactly been nice dreams."

"But my father has been in all of them." Derek refused to let the subject drop. "What do you think that means?" Kym walked around the desk and knelt down in front of him. "I honestly don't know Derek. It could be because of the book." He nodded thoughtfully. "You could be right." Kym felt a wave of emotion come over her. Derek looked so innocent. She couldn't help herself. She leaned over and kissed him. He was surprised by the gesture, but kissed her back. Kym let herself get lost in the kiss as Derek pulled her into his arms. "Mmm," Kym said softly. "Derek, I," Alex entered the room. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Derek and Kym broke apart and looked embarrassed. "That's all right, Alex," Derek said. "What can I do for you?"

"Um, we ran a test on that metal from the lock," Alex said, glancing at Kym. "And it turned out to be ordinary steel." Derek raised an eyebrow. "Steel?"

"Yes," Alex started to back out of the room. "Well, I'll leave you two alone now." She quickly left. "The moment's gone," Kym muttered. Derek didn't hear her. "If it's just steel why can't we break it?" he mused. Kym sighed. "I don't know. Maybe it's not 'just steel'." Derek looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"It could be that these dreams are a pattern and it has to complete. Or something," Kym shrugged. "Hell, I don't know."

You could be right," Derek said thoughtfully. "You could very well be correct."

("Be a good boy. You've got to try a little harder. That simply wasn't good enough to make me proud."*)

"Good night, Derek," Kym whispered. "Good night," he replied. "Sleep well."

"You too." Derek drifted into an uneasy sleep. He was worried; he was the only one who hadn't had an odd dream yet. What would his father show him?

("Heaven helps the man who fights his fears. Love's the only thing that keeps me here."*)

Derek Rayne rubbed his forehead. Where on earth was he? Sitting at a desk apparently and looking over some papers. "Daddy?" a little girl of about four poked her head into the room. Daddy? Derek thought. Why would a little girl be calling me Daddy? "Me and Meg want to stay up late and watch TV, but Mommy says no," the child continued. "If your mother says no…" Derek figured he better just play along. "Molly, leave your father alone," a woman Derek assumed to be the child's mother entered the room. "He has to work." Molly made a pouty face and left the room. "Sorry, hon," the woman said. "I told them not to bother you. How's it coming?"

"Oh, uh, fine," Derek replied. He looked down and shuffled the papers in front of him. Oh my God, Derek thought. This is a paper trying to disprove paranormal events! "That's wonderful," she said. "I'm so proud of you, Douglas." Derek nodded. "Yes," he replied. Douglas? "Mommy," another little girl, this one about six, that he assumed to be Meg, stepped into the room. "There's a man on the phone who wants to talk to Jasmine."

"Okay, sweetie," Jasmine said. She walked over to Derek and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Later, okay?" she whispered. "Okay," Derek whispered back. What in God's name is going on? He wondered. What happened to the Legacy? What happened to Kym? "Daddy?" Molly poked her head into the room. "Yes, Molly?" Derek replied. "There's a monster under my bed," the child whispered. Derek smiled at her. "I'm sure there isn't." Molly insisted. "There is." Derek stood up. "Well, I'll go see. How about that?" Molly nodded and took his hand. "Okay," she agreed. Upstairs in Molly's room Meg was already asleep. "He's under there," Molly told Derek. "He's waiting for me." Derek set her on the bed and then peeked under it. "No monster there," he announced. He checked the other side. "Or there. I think you're safe." Molly lay down. "Okay," she murmured sleepily. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," impulsively Derek kissed the child. My God, he thought. She looks like me. She looks so much like me. He walked over to Meg's bed. The little girl opened her eyes. "Good night Daddy," she said. Meg has my eyes! Derek thought excitedly. These are my children! "Good night, Meg. Sleep well," he kissed her too. Derek watched them for a moment and then stepped into the hallway. Jasmine was waiting for him. "Sweet little things, aren't they?" she said with a smile. "Adorable," he agreed. Meg looks more like Jasmine, Derek mused. "Come on," Jasmine said. "It's getting late. Let's call it a night." Uh oh. Derek thought. What about Kym? "I'll be right there," he said, stalling for time. "I left a light on." She smiled at him. "Don't be too long." Now what? Derek thought. I'm married with two daughters, and a career disproving paranormal events. Does anyone else see a problem here? "Hello, Derek." Derek didn't even have to turn around. "Hello, Father," he said. Winston Rayne smiled. "Are you enjoying this?" Derek faced him. "It seems to be a pleasant life," he replied. "It was yours," Winston said simply. "This was your life Derek."

"This was my life?" Derek repeated. "What do you mean?" His father smiled at him. "What you are having here, my son, is a past life remembrance. In a previous life, this is who you were. A happily married man with two children."

"So," Derek said slowly. "In past lives Nick was a gladiator, Philip was a criminal, Alex the wife of a slave trader, Rachel was Kat's daughter and Kym was a murdered singer?"

"Yes," Winston replied. "That's exactly right."

"But, how?" Derek stammered. "How can you do that?"

"My present to you, my book," Winston said. "It is a gift, it shows you your past." Derek paused. "Why?"

"Because you deserve to know. If you don't learn from the past you have to repeat it," Winston said. "It was nice to see you again, Derek." "What?" Derek cried. "What do you mean?" Then he heard Kym calling his name. "Derek? Derek? Derek!"

He jerked awake. Kym was starting at him. "Are you all right?" she asked. "I couldn't wake you up." He shook his head as if to clear it. "Yes, I'm fine. I dreamt of my father." Kym propped herself up on one arm. "What did he say?" Derek kissed her briefly. "I'll tell you later. First I want to call a Legacy meeting."

("Oh how the years go by and oh, how the love brings tears to my eyes. All through the changes the soul never dies. We fight, we laugh, we cry, as the years go by."*)

Derek finished explaining his dream to the members of the Legacy. "Wow," Alex said when he finished. "But I still don't get it," Nick said. "What does repeating the past have to do with our lives now?"

"I think I get it," Kym offered. She waited to see if they would accept her suggestion. "Enlighten us," Philip said. "Well," Kym began. "In Nick's dream he didn't appreciate the princess, Julia. So in this life he lost her. Alex lived with slaves so now she's fighting for human rights. Father Callaghan was a murderer, so now he is making up for that by being a priest. Rachel, you don't believe in the supernatural so in a past life, you were gifted. Derek, you actually had a normal life…"

"What about you?" Alex asked. "Why did you dream what you did?" Kym paused. "Maybe, it's because in my past life I didn't complete something I had too. So now I fulfilled it. Maybe the singing thing was supposed to be my marriage in this life." She looked at them with a deer in headlights look on her face, waiting for their reactions. Philip nodded. "Yes, that sounds like a reasonable explanation."

"Yes," Derek agreed. "It certainly does." He put an arm around Kym. "Good thinking." She smiled at all of them. "We'll," Nick said. "I'm glad that's over. Let's eat!"

"Wait," Alex said. "There's still one thing I don't understand. What does the book say?" Derek picked up the book and amazingly the lock fell open. He turned the pages. "It's blank," he whispered. Philip shrugged. "That's weird." Derek Rayne set the book down and took his wife's hand. "Yes," he agreed. "But I get the feeling there is nothing to be written. Now," Derek smiled at his team. "Let's get something to eat." The members of the San Francisco Legacy team walked out ready to face the next crisis.

THE END

Click on graphic at the top to email Selena.

Songs used:

Mariah Carey-When I Saw You Boyz II Men-On Bended Knee Selena-Dreaming Of You Joan Osborne- Dreamin' 'Bout The Day Expose- As Long As I Can Dream Mokolo- Fun For Me Ace Of Base- Waiting For Magic ?????-Holding Out For A Hero Whitney Houston- Greatest Love Of All Selena y Los Barrio Boyzz-Wherever You Are Alanis Morissette- Perfect Kenny Loggins- I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)

1997 by Selena

All characters, with the exception of Kym Gardner, are trademarks MGM/UA and Showtime.