Stolen Heaven
part 7

Oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths;
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest Consequence.
                --Shakespeare, MacBeth

        It was dark and warm, and Philip burrowed deeper into the soft down 
comforter as his mind drifted in the fuzzy greyness. Some tiny spark of worry 
flared sluggishly to life in the back of his mind, but he felt too comfortable 
to do anything about it...
        The bed was so comfortable -- he thought at first it might be Nick's, 
although Nick wasn't really the down comforter type. And the bed felt too small 
to be Derek's...
        _Derek._ The tiny spark of worry burst into a roaring conflagration as 
memory broke through the cottony fog wrapping his mind. _Oh Sweet Jesus -- where 
am I?!_ he thought, panic starting to grip him. The last thing he remembered 
was...the library! Someone had actually thrown a bag over his head and -- and 
what? That was the last thing he could remember.
        He strained back, trying to remember -- an instant of pain then...fog. 
_Someone drugged me!_ he realized with dawning horror. Suddenly awake, he sat up 
in the bed and then nearly fainted as a wave of dizziness struck him. "Mother of 
God," Philip moaned, clutching at the comforter beneath him in an attempt to 
steady himself. "This is bad..." he muttered as the room slowed -- but didn't 
cease -- its spinning.
        He gradually let go the comforter and reached out in the darkness, 
groping for a nightstand. His fingers came into contact with a lamp; by touch he 
located the switch and turned it on, groaning in pain as his eyes slowly reacted 
to the light. When he could finally look around without pain lancing through the 
back of his head, he saw that the room was elegantly furnished in dark wood and 
upholstered with deep forest green velvets and brocades. Even the curtains were 
thick and dark, blocking out any light that might be coming into the room from 
outside. 
        The room seemed to be a hotel room -- or one in an expensive bed and 
breakfast -- but something about it just wasn't right. After looking around, 
puzzled, for a few minutes, Philip realized what was different: there was no 
telephone in the room. He forced down the panic and slowly stood, leaning on the 
nightstand for a moment before relying on his own two feet. The room spun again, 
but less wildly this time, and he finally managed to make his way to the door.
        Unconsciously holding his breath, he tried the knob. His resolve 
faltered when he found the door locked, but he knelt down and checked the 
keyhole, just in case -- no key. Unbidden, thoughts of the unpleasant 
possibilities rose up in his mind: obviously if he had been the victim of some 
random criminal, he wouldn't have been drugged and brought here. That left 
either some twisted individual who had grabbed him for unknown reasons, someone 
who knew him as part of the rather wealthy Luna Foundation and planned to hold 
him for ransom, or -- the most worrisome -- someone who knew him as a member of 
the Legacy... They had more than enough enemies, both human and otherwise, and 
there were more than enough dark and greedy individuals who would be willing to 
do the dirty work for any one of them.
        _Oh God, help me..._ he thought, forcibly reining in his imagination. 
Panicking wasn't going to help him in any way. Once more under control, he 
walked carefully to the window and pushed the heavy curtains aside, his hope 
once more dashed as he encountered a shuttered window. After trying to unlock 
the window until his arm shook and sweat beaded his brow, he had to admit it -- 
he was trapped and had no idea *where* he was or who had him.
        What was it Nick had told him? The first duty of a prisoner was to 
escape? _Tha's great, Nick, but I don't know *how*..._ He walked back to the 
door, feeling steadier now, and sighed. _Maybe if I find out who, I can find out 
where, and get out o' here!_ he thought, raising his fist to pound on the door. 
"Hey! Let me out o' here!" he yelled, thumping his fist against the door as loud 
as he could. The thick door seemed to swallow the sound so he raised his other 
fist as well, pounding on the door and yelling until finally the sound of 
footsteps neared the door and a voice called to him.
        "Father Callaghan, calm down!"
        The fact that this person knew his name did not reassure him, but he 
stopped pounding on the door and fell back a step, ready to rush the person when 
he opened the door. This plan went by the wayside immediately when the door 
opened and Philip caught his first glimpse of the man. He could easily find work 
as a bouncer in one of the rougher bars in the city, or even as a member of the 
49ers' front line. There was no way -- especially not in his still-woozy 
condition -- that Philip would ever make it past this man.
        "What is it?" the man asked, looking down at Philip with an annoyed 
expression. For all of his size and obvious strength, the man seemed to be 
well-spoken and well-dressed, but he wasn't anyone that Philip recognized. 
Philip decided he *had* to be the hired muscle, and part of his mind wondered 
absurdly whether this man had carried him out of the library tucked under one 
arm.
        "I demand t'know where I am an' why I'm here!" Philip said as boldly as 
he could, relieved when the man's expression lightened slightly and he nodded.
        "I was coming to fetch you for dinner anyway. Come with me, Father 
Callaghan. And please, don't try to run -- I *will* stop you." He rested a large 
hand on Philip's shoulder and steered him out of the room, the strength in even 
this light grip convincing Philip that the threat was very real.
        A short trip down an elegantly decorated corridor didn't help Philip 
identify his location, although he was now convinced that he had to be in a bed 
and breakfast, or some other elegant old house set up to house guests. And that 
other than his captors and himself, it was deserted. That narrowed it down to 
those who were already rich enough to rent the entire place and then send the 
staff away -- unless his captors owned the place and all the staff were loyal to 
them... He swallowed convulsively, feeling the panic rise up again. _Where *am* 
I?!_
        The large man steered him down an elegant dark wood staircase and 
through a beautifully appointed sitting room, then through a double door into a 
dining room lit by dozens of candles. Philip felt the panic jump up and grab him 
by the throat as he saw the man sitting at the head of the biggest table. "Ah, 
Father Callaghan, so good to see you. Come, join me for dinner -- I'm sure you 
must be hungry..." the man purred, a dark smile creasing his face.
        "Victor Arkadi," Philip whispered, feeling his knees suddenly go weak 
but determined to appear strong in front of the enemy. He forced himself to walk 
calmly to the only other place set at the table and sat down, refraining from 
picking up any of the utensils because he knew his hands were shaking too much. 
"What d'you want with me?"
        "Would you like some dinner? I'm sure you can't be feeling your best 
right now," Arkadi asked smoothly.
        "This is kidnappin' -- it's a federal crime," Philip answered. "If you 
think the Legacy is jus' going to let you go--"
        "Father-- may I call you Philip?" Arkadi asked, looking him in the eyes 
and seeing the fear he was trying to hide. "Good, Philip it is." He paused, 
signaling to the large man who nodded and left the room, then he continued, 
"Derek isn't going to call the authorities on me, Philip. He knows me well 
enough to recognize this invitation for what it is."
        "Wha-?" Philip blurted before he could stop himself, "*Invitation*?" He 
paused as the large man returned with a tray of food -- roast chicken with 
herbed potatoes, garden salads with some exotic vinaigrette dressing, and fresh 
baked sourdough -- then continued once the plates had been filled and the man 
left the room again. "Kidnappin' isn' Derek's idea of an invitation -- Nick'll 
come t'get me if nothin' else. An' he'll probably kill ya if you give 'im half a 
reason to."
        "I seem to remember that murder is a crime, too, Philip," Arkadi purred, 
then he calmly ate a mouthful of salad. "Mmm -- excellent. You really should 
eat, Philip. You look so pale, and I'd hate to be accused of mistreating you."
        "You drugged me, y' bastard," Philip said angrily.
        "You were in a library -- it was the best way to ensure you'd come 
quietly. Wouldn't want to upset people by making a lot of noise, now would we?" 
Arkadi answered, allowing the slightest edge of a threat to enter his tone. "Now 
eat your dinner, Philip -- you needn't worry, it isn't drugged or poisoned in 
any way."
        Reluctantly, Philip admitted to himself that he was very hungry and the 
food smelled delicious -- he wasn't going to be able to escape if he was 
fainting from hunger... He missed the triumphant gleam in Arkadi's eyes as he 
picked up his utensils and began to eat.
        _So trusting, Philip. You let your guard down so easily,_ Arkadi 
thought, continuing with his own meal and watching Philip carefully. The man was 
relaxing somewhat, which was just the effect he had wanted.
        Philip paused after a few bites of the salad and looked up to see Arkadi 
studying him. He frowned and asked, "Now what on earth makes ya think Derek's 
not gonna call the cops on you? Soon as he knows where y've got me, he'll do it! 
The Legacy isn' gonna risk itself for me, and neither is Derek." The slight 
smile curling Arkadi's lips made him feel very uncomfortable all of a sudden.
        "Derek would risk it for *you*," Arkadi said with certainty. When Philip 
shook his head, he continued, "I know how close the two of you are..."
        "I don'--"
        "Don't insult me by claiming you have no idea what I'm talking about, 
Philip," Arkadi said, the threat now more prominent in his tone. "Why do you 
think I chose you? Nick could probably get out on his own, and Derek isn't 
involved with either of the women -- you are the perfect invitation."
        As Arkadi said this, Philip felt a cold dread spear his guts and spread 
through him -- the fact that Arkadi knew this terrified him. What else did he 
know -- and how did he know it? Then a third question made the icy fear clutch 
at his heart: *Why* did he want Derek in the first place? Philip shuddered, the 
hair on the back of his neck standing up. Nick had told him about their last 
encounter with Arkadi, and the fact that he had all but confessed to the murders 
that brought down the Cairo House -- did he want to destroy San Francisco House 
the same way? Or did he want to finish that ritual he'd attempted years ago that 
Sloan and Nick's father had interrupted? Or--
        "Derek still doesn't tell you much about himself or his past, does he?" 
Arkadi said softly. "It's funny how he keeps so much to himself, despite the 
fact that he has two lovers who would stay with him no matter what..."
        "What do you want with him?" Philip asked, praying he'd sounded angry 
instead of afraid. "I know what you did -- in Cairo, and here, tryin' t'grow 
that demon..."
        "So, Derek told you *all* about me, Philip?" Arkadi asked, amusement now 
colouring his tone. "Or did he perhaps neglect to mention that he and I were 
lovers?"
        Arkadi smiled darkly as all the colour drained from Philip's face, then 
continued, "Well, you *are* a priest -- perhaps he was too afraid to tell you he 
enjoys being tied down and whipped. After all, we *know* how the Church feels 
about these things..."
        Philip swallowed hard, tried to speak but no sound came out. He shook 
his head and tried again, his voice trembling. "No. You're lyin'. Derek's 
no'...you're lyin'!"
        Arkadi laughed, watching the horror in Philip's eyes and knowing he was 
fervently praying he was imagining the entire thing. "So, he neglected to tell 
you he used to wear a collar for me and beg to be fucked? That the sight of a 
cat'o'nine tails makes him so hard it hurts? He must be really suffering 
then..."
        Philip whispered, "No, you're lyin'," but Arkadi continued talking over 
him.
        "But then again, you're not the type to give him what he wants -- 
perhaps he's told Nick and the two of them have indulged his baser instincts 
while you've been away from the House."
        "Derek's no' *like* that," Philip whispered, shaking his head again.
        "Oh but he *is*, Philip," Arkadi said. "I wonder how well any of you 
truly know your exalted Precept..."
        _Mother of God!_ Philip thought, his blood running cold as Arkadi sat 
back and calmly returned to his dinner.
        "I have proof, if you'd like to see," Arkadi added, watching his 
reaction with amusement.
        Philip shook his head vehemently and said, "No, thank you." He looked at 
his half-eaten meal and realized his appetite was gone, put his utensils down 
and stared at the wall. His head was spinning with the possibilities -- if 
Arkadi was lying, then he had obviously done it to upset him and unsteady him. 
Which had worked, very well. If he was telling the truth, though...just how much 
*had* Derek hidden from them? He remembered Derek's confession about the ritual 
and how sad he had seemed when Nick threatened Arkadi... _My God -- Derek, tell 
me y'don't still love this bastard!_
        That possibility was bad enough -- for the moment, his mind shied away 
from the others, refusing to go further into the darkness that had suddenly 
closed in around him. He shook his head again and said, "Either let me go, or 
let me go back t'my room."
        "What's wrong, Philip?" Arkadi asked lightly, "Not hungry anymore? All 
right, you can go back to your room. If you'd like, I can have Josef bring you 
the photos -- you might like some of them."
        Philip shook his head and repeated, "No, thank you. I don' want t'see 
them."
        "Very well," Arkadi sighed, "It's your loss." Then in a slightly louder 
voice he called, "Josef, come take our guest back to his room." The large man 
returned and nodded to him, then waited for Philip to stand.
        "You're wrong, Arkadi, Derek's no' gonna fall for your tricks," Philip 
said as he walked out.
        "We'll see, Philip, we'll see..."
                                   --==**==--
This is a crisis I knew had to come
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Turning around to the next set of lies
Wondering what will come next.
                --Joy Division, "Passover"

        Alex struggled with Derek's weight, lowering him as carefully as she 
could to the floor. "Nick, I need some help in here!" she called when Derek 
remained unresponsive. "C'mon, Teach, don't do this to me -- what happened to 
Philip?" she urged, trying to get through whatever horror had Derek in its grip.
        Nick scrambled into the kitchen in time to see Derek shudder and roll 
away from Alex, then sit up unsteadily. "What the hell happened?" Nick asked as 
Derek rubbed a hand over his face and Alex watched him with great concern.
        "He had a vision, said something about Philip, then collapsed," Alex 
explained, reaching out to Derek. "You okay, Derek?"
        "Someone has him," Derek whispered, his voice strained. "He was in a 
library and someone came up behind him -- I felt an arm around my neck and then 
it went dark...he fought and -- and they drugged him!" He shook his head and 
said, "I -- he never saw who it was..."
        "He was going to the university library -- that must be where he was 
attacked," Alex said, helping Derek stand. "But I think they'd be closed by 
now..."
        "We've got to find out where he is," Derek said urgently, looking from 
Alex to Nick.
        "I don't think we can get away with breaking in," Nick said quietly, 
although both Alex and Derek could see how upset he was about the news. "What 
about Frank -- can he get us in before the morning?"
        Derek frowned thoughtfully, then said, "I'll call him. Alex, you call 
the university library and see if they're still open. If they are, see if you 
can get someone to wait for us."
        Just then, Rachel entered the kitchen, asking, "Is everyone all right?" 
She took one look at Derek's face and added, "Forget I asked -- what's wrong? 
Kat said something about trouble, and-- what is it?"
        "Someone's got Philip," Alex said softly. "We're going to see what we 
can do to find out who. We might need your skills, Rachel, Derek says he's been 
drugged..."
        "Okay -- you want me to stay here or come with you?"
        "Stay here," Derek said quickly. When Nick and Alex looked at him in 
surprise, he said, "I don't think it was anything more than a tranquilizer so he 
shouldn't need immediate treatment. However, I want you here with Kat, just in 
case it's some kind of diversionary plan. As a matter of fact, Nick, maybe you 
should stay here with them."
        "But I'd be a lot more help with you if we find out who's got Philip," 
Nick protested.
        Knowing arguing would just make them later, Alex walked over to the 
phone and called the university, hoping that by the time she was done, the 
matter would be settled. She could see that even now, Derek wasn't very steady, 
and thought perhaps she should suggest *he* stay behind with Rachel and Kat, but 
knew he'd never agree to that.
        Derek sat down in one of the chairs and looked up at Nick, his worry 
visible in his expression no matter how he tried to hide it. "I know you'd be 
more help with us, Nick, I'm just worried about..." He stopped mid-sentence and 
Nick saw his eyes go blank again for a moment, then he blinked and refocused on 
Nick.
        "What was that?" Nick asked, restraining the urge to hug Derek close -- 
being unable to comfort his lover was killing him, but...
        "I think -- Rachel, I think you and Kat will be safe here by yourselves. 
I'm not sure why, but the danger is definitely not here," Derek said softly, 
looking past Nick to where Rachel stood, now working on the hot chocolate and 
tea that had been forgotten in the commotion.
        "You sure?" she asked, unsure about Derek's mental state at the moment. 
He nodded an answer, then looked over at Alex.
        "Anything helpful?"
        "The head reference librarian says he's got to work late tonight anyway, 
so he'll be there to open the doors for us when we arrive. Guess donations to 
the university always help, don't they," Alex answered. "So, all three of us are 
going, right?"
        Derek sighed and nodded, then said, "Yes, all three of us. We'll take 
the chopper to the Explorer on the mainland -- it's faster that way. Nick, why 
don't you go warm up the chopper and I'll call Frank. He might be able to 
help..."
        Nick nodded and headed for the door, pausing by Rachel on the way out. 
"Sorry -- you know where the other movies are if Kat wants to see any more."
        Rachel looked back at him and said, "I don't know -- it's pretty close 
to her bedtime. Although with all of this going on, I'll never get her to 
sleep..."
        "You two be *careful*," Nick said, suddenly very serious. Rachel nodded, 
then he headed out to get his coat and keys. A moment later, Kat walked into the 
kitchen and hugged her mother.
        "Kat? It's okay, Honey, Nick and Alex and Derek are going to go find 
Philip and everything'll be all right," Rachel said, scooping her daughter up 
into her arms for a moment. She hugged Kat, then put her back down, groaning, 
"You're getting too tall for that, young lady."
        "Well, Frank is in a meeting but he'll be there as soon as he can," 
Derek said, putting the phone down and turning back to see Alex sipping at some 
barely brewed herbal tea, and Rachel and Kat stirring hot chocolates. He walked 
to Kat and knelt before her, asking, "Kat, did you see anything specific or was 
it just a feeling?"
        Kat thought for a moment, then shook her head. Derek nodded and was 
about to stand when she grabbed his hand and said, "Wait! I did see something. 
It was blue and gold -- it made me think of Senephra..."
        Derek frowned, wondering what the Ka spirit of an Egyptian princess 
could have to do with Philip's kidnapping, then something hit him and all of the 
hairs on the back of his neck stood up. "Was it a pendant? Like a beetle with 
wings?" he asked quietly. Alex had already walked past them and was in the 
living room getting her coat on, so she didn't hear any of the discussion, and 
Rachel wasn't paying all that much attention to them, but he leaned closer to 
Kat all the same.
        Kat nodded and said, "It was -- the wings were all blue stone..."
        Derek nodded and said, "Thank you, Kat, that might be very helpful," 
then he stood and took a sip of the hot chocolate Rachel handed him. "Mine was 
supposed to be coffee, but this is good, too."
        "Doesn't sound like there's time to wait for coffee," Rachel said 
quietly. "Derek, be careful, please?"
        "I will," he answered, although his thoughts were whirling so quickly he 
wasn't even sure what he had just agreed to. He walked out to Alex, who was 
holding his coat and scarf, waiting for him. "Ready?"
        She nodded, then asked, "Did Kat see anything that might help us figure 
out who's got him?"
        "I don't know," he answered quietly, looking at his coat as he fastened 
it and thereby avoiding letting her see his face. "Come on, we've got to hurry."
        She followed him out, a vague feeling of unease washing over her. 
Something was not right.

To be continued in part 8

Poltergeist: The Legacy is (c) 1997 MGM/UA and Trilogy Entertainment. This story 
is not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Stolen Heaven is (c) 1997 
Penemuel