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Derek opened the door to the Legacy house and his mouth dropped open. "Derek, aren't you going to let me in?" Derek grins and moves aside quickly.
"I'm sorry, this is quite unexpected." Nick and Alex came down the stairs at that time. They both walk up to Derek and the older gentleman at his side.
Nick saw the anxious look on his face and nodded to him. "Nick, Alex, this is Harrison Pendal, Head of the Legacy." Nick's eyes widen, but he shakes the man's hand after Alex.
"Is there a place where we might talk, Derek?"
"Yes, of course, this way." Derek points toward the living room, but Pendal caught his arm.
"I'd prefer privacy," He glances toward Nick and Alex. "Total privacy." Nick and Alex bow out and head toward the kitchen.
Derek leads the older man up the stairs and into the control room.
"It's been too many years since I've been in the field Derek." He sinks into the chair Derek provides.
"What can I do for you?"
"I believe there is something I can do, for you." Derek flashes a fake grin and sinks into a chair across the desk.
"Go on."
*********************************************************************
"I wonder what that was all about?" Alex says making a sandwich.
"I don't know, but I didn't like the look that Derek gave me."
Alex shoots up one eyebrow. "You and Derek have been fighting for weeks now. What was it about his, particular look this time."
Nick growled at her. "I don't know. He just didn't look right."
Alex pushed a plate his way and he picked up the sandwich, biting
into it.
"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough. Mr. Pendal doesn't usually make house calls and when he does, they aren't good and don't last long."
"Great, bad news comes in threes."
"Threes?"
"Yeah, Kristen, Derek and now this guy. Threes."
Alex patted his arm. "Derek, you can fix."
"No, I can't. He won't even talk to me."
"So don't talk." Alex laughs as Nick's face turns beet red. "Sorry."
***********************************************************
Derek closes the front door behind Mr. Pendal. *My God, what do I do?* He shakes himself out of his trance to see Alex and Nick standing behind him.
"So, what did he want?" Nick asks.
"Business. He needs me to take care of some things. Legacy business."
Nick crosses his arms across his chest. "Yeah, we figured that much, what kind of business?" He leans forward slightly and catches Derek's eyes. It's the longest moment Derek has allowed in many weeks.
"I can't discuss it right now, I'll let you know when I can..." His voice trails off as he walks away.
"Derek." Alex follows him into the other room. "Derek, stop this."
"I'm sorry Alex," He forces a smile and pats her hand. "Everything will turn out for the best. Don't worry."
*************************************
Later that afternoon Nick finds Alex in the kitchen making tea. "Hey."
"Hey, have you seen Derek?"
"No, I've been running. How's he doing?" Alex pours the tea and stirs in the sugar.
"He's been in his office all afternoon. I can't get a word out of him."
"Hello, everyone." Kristen bursts into the room, her hair pulled back, lightly perspiring. "Did I miss anything?"
"Well, if you count the head of the Legacy, paying us a visit, something, then yeah." Alex grins and pinches Nick's arm. "Ouch."
"Oh, Uncle Harry was here already. Maybe I can still catch him on the plane."
"Uncle Harry?" Nick's mouth gapes open for a moment.
"Yeah, I called him the other day. I didn't know he'd make it so soon." She wipes her brow and heads out of the kitchen.
"What's up with that?" Nick turns to Alex.
"I don't know, but if that little wench, has anything to do with that guy visiting, then it can't be good. I'm talking to Derek, now."
***********************************************
Derek stood, staring out the window. Nick pushed the door open, but he didn't turn. "Derek, can I talk to you?"
"It's not a good time, Nick." Nick shut the door behind himself.
"It never is." Derek turns and his eyes start low and work their way up, drinking in Nick's frame. "I was wondering, what Mr. Pendal had to say." Derek said nothing, just stared at Nick. "Derek, are you okay?"
Derek snapped from his trance. "Not now."
"Yes, now. I'm not leaving until we have a conversation. Something this man said, has upset you. Please Derek, tell me what he said."
"He ahhh," Derek turned away. "He told me he's looking for a replacement for William." Nick swallows hard.
"You?" Derek nods and Nick swears under his breath. "What did you say?"
"It's quite an honor. I could a lot of good. Help
a lot of people."
"I know, it's just..." Derek turns now and faces him.
"Nothing. You've decided then?"
"He's expecting my call." Derek sits down at his desk and stares at the phone.
"You'll be living in London?" Nick steps close and touches Derek's cheek, with the back of his hand.
"Don't." He pulls away and heads out the door quickly.
He almost stumbles down the stairs , his legs trembling with emotion. He pushes past Alex. "Nick, what is it?"
He's outside instantly, he hurries to the helicopter and warms
it up. The radio lights up and he can hear Alex's voice. "Nick,
stop this. Come back here." He pulls back on the stick and it
lifts off. He heads up the coast, trying to forget the Legacy,
Derek and his feelings.
******************************************************
Alex rushes into Derek's office, panting something about the helicopter. "Alex, calm down. What's wrong?"
"It's Nick, he took off, in the helicopter."
"It's all right, he's a good pilot."
"No, he's upset about something, you know how he gets.
Shouldn't we call the coast guard or something?" Derek rubs her
ams, trying to
calm her.
"Nick is upset, so let's leave him alone and let him work it out."
"Did he talk to you?" Derek nods and she steps away.
"What did you say to him?"
"Pendal has asked me to replace Sloane. Take over his position in London." Alex shakes her head.
"Derek, no."
"Alex, this is a wonderful opportunity for me. There are so many things my father started, that I want to finish. With this I'll have the freedom and resources of all the Legacy houses. I can do so much good with position. Don't you see that?" Alex nods and wraps her arms around his neck.
"I just don't want you to go, that's all. It's selfish of me." She steps back. "I'm sorry. Of course you should go."
"Thank you, now you'll have to help me convince Nick that it's the right thing for everyone."
"Not for everyone. You've broken his heart Derek. I don't know if he'll ever get over it."
"It would have ended anyway. He's so young Alex, he deserves to settle down, get married, have children. I never had that and I don't want Nick regretting his decision to love me, when he gets older. And he would. I know he would."
"I don't think you're giving him enough credit. It should be his decision, not just some regret you have rattling around in your brain. Nick loves you Derek, fiercely. It's not the kind of love you just toss away. Certinly not the kind of love you can push away, like you have been." She had to calm herself a moment. She takes a deep breath and walks away. "I'm sorry Derek, but I needed to say that."
"It's all right, maybe you're right. Maybe it is just me..."
"No, I think you're right Derek. Nick deserves to have a family and you can't provide that for him." They both jump as Kristen walks into the room.
"Kristen, I would appreciate it if you woulnd't come into my office, without knocking. "
"The door was open and besides I could hear you down the hall. Didn't my uncle speak to you about relationships inside the Legacy houses?" Alex crosses her arms and stares at Kristen. "He doesn't approve of them, if you're wondering."
"My relationship with Nick is none of your business Kristen and I'll thank you to keep your nose out of this houses's business as well."
Kristen turns on her heels and heads out. Alex grabs Derek's arm as he sways forward. "Derek!" He collapses to the floor. "Help me." Kristen grabs the phone.
"Where's Nick?"
"He's gone, here stay with Derek, he's breathing." Alex hurries to the communication center and tries to raise Nick. "NIck, please answer, it's Derek, he's collapsed."
Nick listens to Alex's voice, trying to decide wether or not she's lying. "How is he?"
"Not good, we've got to get him to a hospital Nick and the chopper is the fastest way to do that."
"Call the medical chopper, I think they'll make it there, before I will. I'll find you Alex, take care of him."
"I will, hurry home."
continued in part 3
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