Quentin and Julia were stunned to silence.

"Roxanne!" Julia said shocked.

"Yes, Julia it is me," the young woman said, staring at a standing Quentin. He was just as shocked as she was. She looked like the vampire that Barnabas had had hidden in the room behind the bookcase at the Old House, who had disappeared when she died in 1840.

He had seen her in the room in the East Wing also. That's who that girl was calling for Barnabas in the smoke-filled room of another time band. How had she gotten here, and what was she talking about?

"What do you mean, you want to help us save Barnabas, young woman" Quentin asked her still preplexed.

After Roxanne had explained to them about the ghostly visit of Josette Collins, it made sense to Quentin and Julia.

"Roxanne, will you excuse us for just one minute. I need to talk to Quentin about something?" Julia said.

"Sure," Roxanne replied.

"Quentin, where is she going to stay?" Julia asked.

"Here at Collinwood, of course," Quenin said.

"She looks just like the Roxanne that was with Sebastian Shaw, remember?" Julia asked.

"Well, I'll just tell Roger and Elizabeth who she is and where she came from. They know all about that room in the East Wing. Now, my dear, you are worrying too much. Don't worry. I'll take care of it. " Quentin said.

"The real problem we're going to have is explaining Laura' s reappearance to Roger, and this dying desire she is displaying for Barnabas," Julia said.

"Oh, I think he'll be grateful for that," Quentin said sarcastically as one who knew.

"Well, at least he and Cassandra have reconciled, and they're expecting their baby in about two months," Julia said.

"Julia, you know what Cassandra is going to do when she sees Laura, and Laura sees her. I hope they don't start their territorial wars. She has been hard enough to get along with anyway lately,"Quentin said remembering his last encounter with Cassandra, when he had refused to go get her some weird food in the middle of the night, when Roger was on a business trip.

"Quentin, what about David?" Julia asked.

"Well, let's go get Roxanne settled in, Quentin said, and then how about me and you going into Collinsport, and going to the Blue Whale, have a drink, and talk this over." Quenint said holding Julia by the shoulders.

"That, Quentin Collins, is an excellent idea," Julia said.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to come with you to this Blue Whale," Roxanne said, some of the coloring returning to her face.

"Are you sure you feel well enough?" Julia asked.

"There are things we need to discuss away from Collinwood," she explained, pulling out the note Josette had given her and handing it to Julia. Julia read it in shocked silence and then passed it to Quentin. "I would do anything to help Barnabas," Roxanne said in a yearning tone that caused Julia to give her an odd, caustic glance.

"How much did Josette tell you?" Julia asked

"Enough for me to know that I can depend on you to help me. There are complications that I am not fully aware of. You can give me the details. Also, we can develop a plan together to save Barnabas and the little boy, David."

They'd gotten into Quentin's car, Julia getting to the back. Quentin gave Roxanne a speculative look. "We are to help you?" he asked incredulously. "Forgive me, but…"

Roxanne reached over and took his hand in hers. She looked into his eyes and said softly, "You are very old, yet you appear to be young and attractive. You carry the pain of a horrible secret, one which you prefer not to think about anymore. You are very lonely in spite of your handsome face. You've lost your true love, haven't you? I'm sorry."

Quentin felt the hairs rising along the back of his neck. Frightened, he gently disengaged his hand from Roxanne's. "How did you know all that? What makes you so sure of yourself?"

"I can't explain to you what I'm not sure I understand myself. I only know that I can help you against this Laura. I already know so much about her by holding the note written by Josette Collins. She was first married to Barnabas' uncle, was she not?"

"Boy, I need that drink now," Quentin muttered, starting the car.

"Yes, and she has returned twice since," Julia began. "Once as Quentin's sister-in-law the late nineteenth century." Roxanne wasn't shocked; she seemed to know the truth about Quentin anyway. "She tried to immolate herself and her children by Edward Collins, but she was thwarted by Barnabas. Then, more recently, she was the wife of Roger Collins and attempted to take her son David in the same way. David's governess saved him."

"She is a phoenix," Roxanne commented. "She has returned because of the poem Barnabas wrote as a boy. Do you think I might be able to touch it?" Quentin and Julia exchanged puzzled looks. "It's just that I can 'read' things from something I touch. I might be able to tell how it was that Barnabas was able to bring Laura back prematurely, or I might be able to detect a vulnerable spot in her from holding that piece of paper."

They'd arrived at the Blue Whale and took a table in the back. Quentin was quick to order some drinks for them all; the young woman Roxanne was beautiful and very desirable, but she'd totally unnerved him. Then he said, "I think we can arrange that, Roxanne."

"And I understand about Angelique as well. I got that information from Josette, but she was in 1897, too, was she not?"

"That's right!" Julia exclaimed, surprised.

Roxanne looked directly at Quentin. "There is a lot that I do know already."

Quentin looked at his hand nervously, then surreptitiously wiped it on his pants. When the drinks came, he picked his up and gulped it. "Do you know about Cassandra?" he asked.

"No--you'd better tell me about her. That's why I felt it was important for us to talk."

"Cassandra is Angelique," Julia explained. "She returned some time ago to torment Barnabas again. She was married to Roger but left him when her plans failed. However, she has--returned, and she and Roger have reconciled. They are about to have their first child together."

"And she's cranky as hell," Quentin put in. "And if you remember everything about 1897, then you know the part Angelique played in getting rid of Laura."

"Perhaps Cassandra can be an ally. I'd have to meet her to be able to tell."

"Cassandra is a very unpredictable entity," Julia said then. "She seems to have forgotten about Barnabas, and she seems to care for Roger and the baby, but I am worried about how she'll react when she realizes that Barnabas has brought Laura back somehow--and that he apparently wants her, and she wants him. She may not care; on the other hand, she could be come jealously infuriated--and then she would be a dangerous enemy, not an ally."

"I'm not sure how she'd react to you, Roxanne," Quentin added. "You love Barnabas yourself, don't you?"

"I'll have to take that chance. Won't I be meeting her--when you introduce me to Elizabeth and Roger?"

"That's true," Julia said.

"I need only shake her hand, as I did yours, Quentin," Roxanne said. "I think I'll be able to get a 'feel' for how she would react to me--and to Laura."

"Laura," Quentin said thoughtfully. "We still have to find a way to get rid of her."

"Let's start with that letter," Roxanne suggested. "Bring me to Collinwood, introduce me to the family, and then bring me that letter."

It seemed the best plan of action, and they were all agreed. They finished their drinks and went back to Collinwood.

Only Elizabeth was up and in the drawing room when they came in. As agreed, Quentin took over and made the introductions to his cousin. He explained that he had found Roxanne coming out of the East Wing hall, from the direction of the Parallel Time room. Elizabeth was intrigued. "Of course you are welcome to stay with us, my dear. All of this must be a tremendous shock for you. In that other time, Quentin mentioned that there was a fire. And you somehow survived it?"

"Yes, I did. Not much of that Collinwood remains, but there is enough of a structure left that I made my way back to the room-and it changed once again. I found myself here."

"What on earth would make you go back into such a dangerous place?" Elizabeth wondered.

"I was concerned for two friends that I thought were trapped there. I was hoping to find some-clue or remnants that would tell me what had happened to them."

"And did you?" asked Elizabeth.

"Oh, yes. Didn't you know? One of my friends was Julia, and the other was Barnabas. I can't tell you how delighted I am to find Julia alive and well." Roxanne turned and gave Julia a beautiful smile.

Just then, the door opened. Quentin got up and went into the foyer. "Roger! Cassandra! You're home!" he called out, more heartily than he might have normally.

"Oh, darling, I just want to sit down. My ankles are so swollen!" Cassandra complained in a whining tone.

"Of course, my pet. Let me help you into the drawing room."

"Ah, we have a guest," Quentin said, preceding them into the room. Roger came in, holding Cassandra's arm to support her. Almost eight months pregnant, she didn't seem to have gained any weight; however, she looked ungainly and uncomfortable. She was carrying the baby high, and her face and ankles were swollen. She looked with annoyance at Julia and Elizabeth, her eyes coming to rest suspiciously on Roxanne.

"Roger, Cassandra, may I present Roxanne Drew," Quentin began. "Roxanne, my cousin Roger and his lovely wife, Cassandra Collins."

Roxanne stepped forward with a pleasant smile and held her hand out to Cassandra. "How do you do?"

Cassandra really didn't want to meet anyone knew right now, but it looked as though she had no choice. Shaking the young woman's hand, and inviting her to sit down, and had Roger fix drinks for everyone. Cassandra told Roger to give her plain water, accepting milk after his affectionate cajoling. Cassandra couldn't seem to keep her eyes off her husband. How could she have ever left him? She was thankful every moment that he had agreed to reconciliation, and had spent every second trying to make up to him any unhappiness she had caused.

"What an experience for you, Miss Drew," Cassandra said, once it was explained to her how Roxanne had ended up in their house. Quentin had left out the parts about Laura and Josette. Cassandra looked tired, no need to cause her any undue stress until it was necessary, Quentin thought to himself. The fireworks will begin soon enough.

"Cassandra, Roxanne knew Barnabas and Julia quite well," Elizabeth said.

"Has Barnabas been told about Roxanne?" Cassandra asked.

"No. No, he hasn't." Julia replied.

"Well, don't you think it would be a good idea to tell him as soon as possible that this young lady is okay?" Roger asked.

"Well, he has unexpected company, Roger. I don't think now is the time," Quentin said fidgeting.

"Honey, where is David?" Cassandra asked.

"I believe he's upstairs preparing for dinner," Roger said stroking Cassandra's hair.

"If you all will excuse me, I'm going to check on David, and freshen up a little before dinner," Cassandra said.

"Do you need me to come with you?" Roger asked looking adoringly at his wife.

"Oh, yes, very much so, Cassandra replied."

"Ms. Drew, it was nice meeting you, and we will see you at dinner. Quentin, Julia, Elizabeth, excuse us, please," Roger said taking his wife's hand to help her rise from the divan.

"Well, I'd better go check with Mrs. Johnson about dinner, and tell her we have another person that will dine with us," Elizabeth said as she was already walking out of the drawing room.

"Well, what did you surmise from Cassandra? Friend or foe? Quentin asked sarcastically, actually relieved Roger was back. The last trip into Collinsport looking for a special ice cream for the very pregnant Mrs. Roger Collins had been anything but pleasant. He couldn't make up his mind if he preferred her as a practicing witch, it was running a very close second.

"Neither," Roxanne replied.

"Oh boy," Quentin said as he and Julia gazed at one another, all his plans of an evening of baccarat with Julia were dashed when he heard Laura's voice.

"I swear, that man has the worst timing in the world! Why couldn't he have stayed home until tomorrow when we could have better prepared for this!" grumbled Julia.

"Hello Elizabeth. It's been a while," coolly remarked Laura.

"Laura! It can't be! You died in the fire four years ago! How did you come to be here with Barnabas?"

"In due time, Elizabeth. Is David in? I do so want to see him again."

"I'll bet," Quentin remarked dryly. "I bet she has a really burning desire to see him again."

"Shh! We don't want to blow anything. This could work out for the best. Roxanne, are you ready?" said Julia, while secretly praying for things to go smoothly.

"I am ready, Julia," remarked Roxanne with determination in her voice.

"Cousin Barnabas, I have some good news for you," said Quentin, coming to the rescue of the still bewildered Elizabeth. "Someone else you know has come to visit us."

"Hello Barnabas," said Roxanne as she stepped into the foyer. "I had thought that I wouldn't be able to see you until tomorrow because Quentin and Julia told me that you were busy with company of your own. I am glad to know that I was mistaken." With that she went over to Barnabas and enveloped him in a bear hug.

Now it was Barnabas' turn to be stunned. This was the absolute last thing he expected. He, like Julia had believed that Roxanne had died in the fire. Now to discover that she was not only alive, but here! And after he had done some really delicious things (in his opinion) with Laura! Life just wasn't fair, he thought to himself.

"Roxanne, I thought that you were killed in the fire at Collinwood? How did you get here?"

"I escaped the fire after you and Julia disappeared and afterwards I came back to see what had happened to you and I ended up being transported here by that strange room."

The happy reunion was interrrupted by a sharp clearing of the thoat next to Barnabas.

"Barnabas dear, you haven't introduced me to your friend yet," remarked an irritated Laura.

"Sorry. Laura, this is Roxanne Drew. We met each other when I traveled to a parallel time band a year ago."

"Nice to meet you," Roxanne said as she extened her hand out to Laura.

Hesitantly, Laura reached out and shook the proffered hand. "I am Laura Collins, Roger's wife."

"Don't you mean, 'ex-wife?'" said a very irritated Cassandra at the top of the stairs. "I am the current Mrs. Roger Collins. You forfitted your right to being Roger's wife long ago."

"Great, just what we need. Cassandra and Laura getting into a cat fight," Quentin whispered to Julia.

"This might be good. This could get Cassandra to help us get rid of her. She hated Laura as much as you did." suggested Julia.

"Good point," agreed Quentin.

"And who are you?" asked an now angry Laura.

"I, my dear Laura, am Cassandra Collins. I want you to understand now that you are not welcome here in this house. I want you to leave right now."

"I will have you know that I will not be ordered about by you or anyone here--"

"And I will have you know that I know just what you were planning to do to David during your last 'visit' to Collinwood. I will not let that happen. I've dealt with people like you before, and I will do so again if I must," Cassandra coolly replied. "Now kindly leave before Roger gets here or I shall have you thrown out."

"I believe Cassanda is correct. I think it is time for you to leave. You've caused enough trouble here for one day," said Elizabeth as she opened the door. "Cousin Barnabas, may I speak with you for a moment in the study?"

"This is not the end of this, Cassandra Collins. Not by a long shot!" said Laura as she quickly turned towards the door. "Barnabas, the evening was fun. I will speak to you later." With that, Laura was gone.

Barnabas, who had just been standing and watching the two women exchange heated words, finally spoke. "Um...yes, Cousin Elizabeth. I will join you shortly."

Quentin, Julia and Roxanne all glanced at each other and smiled. It turns out that good old cranky Cassandra may be an ally after all.

A short time later in the cottage on the estate, Laura Collins sat in front of a roaring fire holding an ancient Egyptian artifact shaped like a beetle.

"Oh great Ra, your humble servant seeks your help in dealing with an enemy who would stop me from delivering upon my promise to you. Show me how to defeat Cassandra Collins."

Elizabeth was anything but a dense woman. She saw the looks passing between her cousins, Julia, Cassandra, and the strange young woman from the Parallel Time room, Roxanne. "Would someone mind explaining to me just what is going on here?"

"Nothing, other than the fact that a very unpleasant person has chosen to return to Collinwood," Cassandra replied coolly. She looked at Barnabas. "She came in with you, dear cousin. What is she doing here?"

"Well," Barnabas said with obvious discomfort, "I was walking on Widow's Hill, and she just appeared out of the gloom." He felt disloyal, somehow, and very confused and torn between his feelings for Laura and his long-lost love, Roxanne.

"Like so many of our proverbial ghosts," Cassandra said with cold asperity. "She is no ghost, though. She is very real. How did she get here?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out," Julia answered. She looked at Elizabeth kindly. "Would you mind excusing us? This is all so confusing for you, I'm sure…"

"Excuse me, but I do mind," Elizabeth interrupted sharply. "I resent being left out of everything as if I was some mindless idiot. This is my house. Anything you discuss, you will discuss in front of me. We are a family, and I am determined to not only know what's going on but to help my family in anyway I can. I suggest we all go into the drawing room and sit down."

Chastened, everyone followed Elizabeth into the drawing room. Before settling herself on the couch, Barnabas caught Roxanne's hands in his. "I don't understand how this is possible-Quentin told me he'd seen you in the fire…"

"I am sure he did, my love," Roxanne said softly, noting the intent expression on Cassandra's face. "I will explain it to you in just a moment." She looked to Julia to take the lead.

"Somehow Josette went into the parallel time room and met Roxanne," Julia began. Elizabeth started at the name. She knew who Josette was, of course. The legend of Josette's benevolent spirit watching over the family was no secret to anyone. "She knew of Roxanne's psychic abilities and was able to bring her through to our time so that she could help us with Laura."

"Excuse me," Cassandra interrupted. She didn't like to be left out of anything and even more, she didn't like not knowing about a secret. "Just what is this 'parallel time room?'" Julia spent a few minutes bring Cassandra up to date on the adventures in the parallel time room, leaving out any references to Angelique or Alexis. "I see. Please continue." She looked directly at Roxanne as she spoke.

"When I touched your hand, I was able to perceive many things about you," Roxanne explained softly. "That is my gift. For example, I could feel the love you have for the child within you. I could also feel the fact that there is a true love you had for someone once that you were willing to let go of-for his sake."

Cassandra's large blue eyes flashed first with suspicion and then softened at the non-threatening tone and gentle manner in which Roxanne spoke. "You are talented."

"And I also know that you can help us against Laura because you still care for your old love-as a friend-and also because of your concern for your step- son, David."

"That is true," Cassandra agreed, looking at Barnabas.

"Is Laura back to try and reclaim David?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm afraid so," Julia said. "And worse-Barnabas, too."

"Barnabas?" Elizabeth gasped, incredulously.

"When I touched Laura's hand-in that very brief moment-I was able to detect that this is her last chance to appease her god. She has failed three times now in her mission to sacrifice herself and her children to Ra," Roxanne explained.

"Ra?" Elizabeth asked. This time, Quentin explained about Ra and phoenixes. He thought to himself that things would progress so much more quickly without Elizabeth's presence, but he also knew that it was only fair to include his cousin so that she knew the whole truth. "How can she be here now if you say that phoenixes rise once during a century?"

Quentin and Julia looked at Barnabas, who looked away, clearly uncomfortable with the entire topic of conversation.

"She was drawn back by the pure, innocent love that only a child can feel for a someone," Roxanne answered softly. She, too, looked at Barnabas, and her eyes were filled with compassion and understanding.

"That's obscene!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Describing Laura as obscene is putting it in mild terms," Quentin said dryly.

"At any rate," Roxanne continued, "her purpose is to carry another child, Barnabas, and David back with her to Ra."

"Another child?" Cassandra asked, putting her hand over her abdomen in alarm.

"Not your child, Cassandra," Julia reassured her. "Hers."

"She is pregnant?"

"Not yet-but the opportunity is there for her to become pregnant, and so we have a limited amount of time to work in send her back to the place she came from," Roxanne answered.

"Oh!" Barnabas groaned, in obvious pain and distress. He heard the truth of what everyone was saying and yet, now that he had joined with Laura, found himself unable to harden his heart against her.

"Barnabas," Julia said soothingly. "We are your friends and your family. Please trust us and know that we will do whatever we need to in order to protect you and David."

"I know! I know!" Barnabas covered his face with his hands.

Elizabeth got up and put her arm around Barnabas. She didn't really understand the reason for his pain but wanted to comfort him. "What is it, Barnabas?"

"I knew her-before…" Barnabas began to confess and then halted, realizing the can of worms he might be opening up.

Quentin stepped in swiftly to cover. "You met her in England-before she met and married Roger, isn't that right, Barnabas?"

Barnabas looked at his cousin gratefully and nodded slightly.

"Can we trust you not to tell Laura about all this, Barnabas?" Julia asked, troubled.

"I don't know, Julia," he replied truthfully.

"Barnabas!"

"I am sorry, Elizabeth. My feelings for Laura are complex-and they are overpowering."

"Then perhaps you should leave us," Cassandra said coldly.

"Ummm…I don't think he should be alone," Quentin objected.

"I have an idea," Elizabeth suggested. "I only wanted to know what was going on so that I could help. I don't feel I have the expertise or the knowledge that you all have. Perhaps I can help by distracting Barnabas while the rest of you talk. Would you mind, Barnabas?"

"I suppose not-I have no choice. If I stay here, I may betray you all," Barnabas said with despair.

"It's all right," Elizabeth soothed. "Come to the study with me. It would help if you talked about it, I'm sure."

Watching them go, Quentin was not so sure. He leaned over and whispered into Barnabas' ear, "Be careful how much you tell her." He thought he saw Barnabas give a bare nod of his head.

After his cousins left the room, Quentin shut and locked the drawing room doors. He came back and sat down across from Julia, Cassandra, and Roxanne. Rubbing his hands together, he looked at Roxanne and asked, "What do you think we should do now?"

Roxanne found them all looking at her, and she felt momentarily thrown off balance. She wasn't used to be the leader, and she felt very uncomfortable. Then she thought of Barnabas. This is for my love, she thought. I've got to help him…

Suddenly, Cassandra doubled over, gasping in pain. Julia was immediately at her side. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Cassandra had blanched, tears streaming from her eyes. "My baby!" she gasped out in terror. "She's-she's doing something to-to-my baby! Ohhh!" She screamed and fell back against Julia. "Help me! Don't let her take my baby!"

Julia looked up and met the horrified eyes of Quentin and Roxanne. "Quentin- my bag! Get it!" she barked. Quentin leaped for the doors, fumbling at the lock. He finally got it open, tore the doors open and bolted up the stairs. Julia was trying to soothe Cassandra and, at the same time, was trying to determine exactly what was going on. "What does the pain feel like Cassandra?"

"Like severe cramping pain!" Cassandra gasped. "It's as if the baby is being torn from me! Julia-it's too early! It can't happen now! Please, please help me!"

Julia stroked Cassandra's hair and looked up at Roxanne in mute appeal.

Barnabas was shocked at seeing Roxanne. He had thought her dead. She is back, Barnabas thought to himself. And the truly sad thing is I wished she would go back to where she came from. I only want Laura. I have loved her since a boy, and now I know it was only her I loved. I need to go and be with her, but first I have to do something about Elizabeth. This will be easy enough, Barnabas thought with a twinge of guilt pervading his conscious, but his desire for Laura was too strong to listen to anything other than the call of her blood for him.

"Barnabas, I have to tell you, Roger is going to be very upset at this sudden appearance of Laura," Elizabeth said looking at her cousin.

"Elizabeth, look at me," Barnabas said in a very deep soft hypnotic tone.

"Barnabas" -- Elizabeth said, and she felt herself drawn into Barnabas' eyes, and she could not pull away. His voice was commanding her to do something, and she wanted to -- to please him.

Satisfied that Elizabeth was asleep and would remember nothing, Barnabas vanished. He headed toward the cottage where he knew Laura would be. In human form, he stood at the door, and knocked, knowing it was unnecesarry, he could Laura's need for him. Thinking about her, he was aroused again.

Inside Laura had been waiting, thinking about the information her god Ra had told her after she had told him about Barnabas being a vampire. It was very heady information, and information she planned to use to carry out her plan to rein with Ra, only Barnabas would be by her side. The beautiful poem of love that he had written to her as a boy had been the means to bring her back, and into the arms of the man she loved as much as he loved her.

According to Ra the unnatural fire of the Phoenix would warm the cold unnatural blood of the vampire to the degree that his metabolism would be that of a human male at the climax of their lovemaking, thereby creating the way for her to have Barnabas' child. It was the only way Ra had explained to her, and had never been done before. It would be a very coveted prize for a Phoenix to do such a feat. Well, she was going to do it. She needed David too, of course, but it wasn't as urgent as it had been before when she was here. Oh dear god, to run into that self-rightous Elizabeth would have been amusing had it not been for - what she calling herself these days -- Cassandra, and Roger's wife!

Her thoughts were interrupted by the knocking on the door. Laura walked to the door, knowing it would be Barnabas, had on a see-through silky gown. Opening the door, Barnabas grabbed her, and crushed her to him, his fangs had descended, Laura turned her neck to him, as he plunged his fangs into her vein, tasting the hot vital blood that seemed to satisfy him as none other. Tasting her desire, and her need fr him, she disengaged his fangs, as she was pulling and tugging at his clothes, the cane had been discarded on entry, the cape was lying in the floor, she was touching him, and stroking, he was not going to wait any longer.

Ripping her gown away from her, he took a moment to admire her, she was beautiful. So enticing. He took her down to the floor and entered her roughly, but she did not seem to mind, it only seemed to increase her furor and need for him. He knew he was at the finish, because he had started to feel warm as before. He never questioned it, because he knew she was supernatural. Plunging his fangs into her once again at the climax, he tasted her hot blood, and this time it was love for him coupled with desire and need.

"I WANT ROGER! And I WANT HIM NOW!" a very distressed Cassandra Colllins was screaming. It was very obvious to Julia she was in pain, but it was not labor, she had deduced that by the strength and abnormality of the timing of the contractions. She, of course, would do a more thorough examination later. Julia would have laughed at this tough-as-nails woman she knew as a witch, and who would have stopped at nothing to have Barnabas. Now, it was Roger she was screaming for.

Funny, Julia thought, as much as I love Barnabas, I'm not in love with him any more either, looking at Quentin with that thought.

"Quentin, why don't you go get Barnabas and Elizabeth. Where did Roger go anyway?" Julia asked.

"He went to find some ice cream and some other weird concoction to go with it. It was something Spanish, you know, not found around here very easily, "Quentin answered.

After Quentin left the room, Cassandra looked at Julia and asked her if the baby was okay, when another pain hit.

"ROGER COLLINS, WHERE ARE YOU!" Cassandra screamed again.

"JULIA! Come quickly!" Quentin yelled from the study.

Julia left the screaming Cassandra in the drawing room and quickly ran into the study to join Quentin. "What is it?" Julia gasped as she saw the unconscious Elizabeth on the floor. "He must have gone to her again. What can we do?"

"I think Cassandra can help us with that one," suggested Roxanne.

"What do you mean, she can help us? Cassandra is in no shape to be fighting Laura," said Julia.

"On the contrary, she is in the perfect condition to fight Laura. Her instincts are up and right now she will channel her anger outwards at any available target. We shall make Laura the target," Roxanne calmly suggested. "There is a strong possibility that Laura will try to become pregnant tonight, now that she knows that we are on to her scheme. If we could somehow get Laura to make Barnabas permanently human instead of temporarily and make her believe that she is really winning against us..."

"I think I see where you are going with this. If Laura thinks she is winning, she will let her guard down, and then it will be easier to defeat her," said Quentin with a huge grin spreading across his face.

"ROGER! DAMMIT WHERE ARE YOU!"

"I think it is time we implemented our plan," Julia suggested to Quentin and Roxanne.

After filling in Cassandra, who was all too happy to help, the lights were dimmed in the drawing room as Operation Phoenix, as it was called, was officially underway.

"We shall use Laura's own magic against her. She will not know it is me who is making suggestions to her tonight. She will think that it is Ra and she will quickly obey. Her own beliefs shall be her downfall. Bring me a candle," commanded Cassandra.

After the candle had been retrieved and lit, it was time to begin.

"Powers of Darkness, heed the call of one who has served you faithfully in the past. I require your services again. There is one who threatens to destroy the peace at Collinwood and those who live there. She must be dealt with. I call upon you to carry my message to Laura Collins through the fires of Amman Ra. I command you to let me speak as Amman Ra!"

Meanwhile at the cottage, Barnabas was now nearly frantic with need as Laura was rubbing and stroking him in all the right places. It was nearly too much but not enough in his opinion. Laura had somehow talked him into taking the lead and she was doing things to him that he had only fantasized about before.

Laura could feel that Barnabas was nearing the point of no return. He cried out in desperation, "Laura, please. . .please. . ."

With that, Laura drew him deep with her body and began to move. She knew it wouldn't be long before she lost control. Making love to Barnabas was more than she thought it would be. She hungered for his sweet caresses, the bliss she felt when he bit her, the release of all the loneliness years of isolation in the fire had brought her.

Soon, the fires began to grow within Laura, but they were hotter and more intense than normal. Laura felt her entire body being engulfed by the white-hot flames. A voice, one that she was all too familiar with, began to speak to her.

"Servant Laura! It is I, Amman Ra, Prince of Light and Radiance, creator of things which came into being when the Earth was formed in the beginning, bright flame of fire, mighty in splendor.

"I command that you feed Barnabas Collins all of the fire. You must turn him into a completely normal human male. Barnabas Collins represents too great of danger to the plan in his current state. Do my bidding or the fire which consumes you will be hellfire and not the pure fires of Ra!"

Laura knew not to argue with Ra when he gave orders, especially when she wasn't sitting in front of a fire to receive them. With that Laura began to feed the fires of the Phoenix to Barnabas.

This proved to be too much for Barnabas to stand. With a cry of pain and passion he exploded, coming harder and longer than any orgasm he could remember. He called out her name over and over as the fire consumed him. He was burning and melting in Laura's arms as wave after wave of fire seared through his body for what seemed like eternity before finally passing out.

Back at Collinwood, Cassandra Collins sat in front of the flame of the candle. "It is done. Laura will change Barnabas back tonight. She will even think she has won. Now is the time for us to act. And this time…"

"This time, she will fail," said Roxanne with a deadly serious look in her eyes.

Laura and Barnabas lay together, still entwined from the passions of their lovemaking. Yes, this is why they call it the “little death” Laura thought with deep satisfaction as she held Barnabas tightly in her arms, stroking his hair. She was surprised and then pleased to feel the perspiration in his hair—so it had worked! He was human again! Finally, Barnabas roused himself enough to kiss her on the lips, saying tenderly, “Laura, my love.” She wasn’t sure if he realized yet what had happened to him.

Her lips curved in a greedy smile. She knew what had happened to her; knew it without a shadow of a doubt. His seed had already joined with her and soon, a baby would grow—a one-of-a-kind child who would have enormous power and bring great strength and pride to his parents. Yes—she knew she was carrying a boy, a coveted male child. “My love, what have you done? I am changed!” Barnabas whispered to her. Oh, so now he begins to realize, she thought, with some contempt toward him. The important part he had to play was over now and while he would have an important role in their future, it was not quite as “necessary” to please him and pet him.

“But of course!” she answered, in a lilting tone. “Didn’t you think I had the power, my love, granted by our god, Amman Ra?”

Barnabas looked at her with wonder. The feeling of being human again overwhelmed him. So many feelings—he didn’t think he could stand it! There were definite advantages to being a vampire—the power and influence he was able to exert on people especially. That had been the hardest thing to get used to when he’d been human before—having to give up the powers and enhanced senses he had as a vampire. Yet, to be flesh and blood again, to be able to unite with Laura again and again as he pleased….

“IN MY NAME, LAURA COLLINS, WHAT FOLLY HAVE YOU COMMITTED?” The angry roar seared their minds like a blast of heat, burning unbearably into their minds and souls.

Barnabas was momentarily paralyzed: he had no idea what was attacking them.

Laura did, however, and she was frightened. She pushed Barnabas away from her and raised herself up on her knees. “Oh, Master, Amman Ra, I have done that which you have asked! I don’t understand, oh Prince of Light and Radiance! I now carry the child of Barnabas Collins. How have I offended thee?”

“FOOL! FOOLISH SERVANT—HAVE YOU NO IDEA THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRICKED BY THE WITCH, ANGELIQUE? YOU HAVE BEEN BESTED AGAIN!”

Laura was horrified. “No, my Master, it cannot be!” The ugly truth was beginning to dawn on her.

“What is it, Laura?” Barnabas asked. He was ready to defend her to the death, if necessary. “What is going on? What threat is this?”

To his consternation, she snapped: “Hush! Be still! I must speak with my Master!” Again she addressed the outraged Fire God: “Oh, Amman Ra, it was your voice I heard…”

“AND I SAY TO YOU, GULLIBLE BEAUTY, THAT IT WAS ANGELIQUE YOU HEARD—NOT I! DO YOU NOT REMEMBER, WE HAD DISCUSSED WHAT YOU WERE TO DO! YOU HAVE FAILED AGAIN, LAURA COLLINS! WERE YOU NOT ONE OF MY BELOVEDS, I NEVER WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU EVEN A THIRD CHANCE…”

“Master, Master, please have pity on me, a foolish unworthy who should not even line the bottom of your urn! Master, I beg you, I will purify what I have made foul by my error in judgement! I swear it! I already carry the child—Barnabas’ seed is within me, and I already have felt the cells join! Master, I beg you!”

The roar became more muted. “You must act quickly, my beloved child, before it is too late. Already your lover has flown in terror.”

I will get him back, this I swear, Laura promised, her hands clasped in prayer. She knew she would be able to draw Barnabas back. He wouldn’t even mind the curse again—not when she explained the power the two of them would wield, and the power of the yet unborn child. That child carried the best of their combined genes: human, phoenix, and vampire. They would be a power unvanquished. And once I get Barnabas back, I will deal with them all, one by one, beginning with that cursed Cassandra! Yes, and Julia and Quentin and that disgustingly sweet pasty little girl-child, Roxanne! They will all answer to me!

Distraught and confused, Barnabas plunged through the woods back toward Collinwood. It had been a long time since he was human, and he thought he would go mad with the emotions that threatened to tear his mind apart. Love for Laura, betrayal by her, gratitude that she’d made him human mixed with resentment for it—and now she was pregnant with his child, but still answered to the voraciously greedy devourer of children, Amman-Ra! His instinct was to combine with his friends to destroy Laura but—she was to be the mother of his child! No, somehow, he must save her! He stopped where he was, distraught, and cried out in agony.

“Barnabas? Barnabas? Where are you?” Quentin called, nearby.

He almost didn’t answer. Finally, he called back, “Here.” He stood where he was; his knees felt suddenly weak and he leaned against a tree. He could hear Quentin coming through the brush, and then his cousin was beside him, supporting him on one side.

“What happened?” Quentin asked. “What’s wrong?” Barnabas was too stunned to speak. Slowly, a look of astonishment spread across Quentin’s face. “You’re burning up, Barnabas! You’re warm, and you’re sweating!”

His breathing becoming somewhat labored from the stress of everything that had happened, Barnabas finally managed to say, “Yes, Quentin—I am human again. Laura did that for me.”

Although he’d realized that was part of the plan, Quentin, ever the doubting Thomas, hadn’t been sure Laura could do it. He stared at Barnabas, wide-eyed. “It wasn’t intended to happen that way,” he explained rapidly, unmindful of the fact he was further shocking and upsetting his cousin. “You see, Cassandra went to Laura and made her believe that she was Ra, and she commanded her to make you human so that you could consummate—uh…” he broke off, embarrassed. “Laura herself never intended to do that. It was Cassandra’s idea—you have her to thank.”

“Thank?” Barnabas asked bitterly. “And do you all believe you have done me such a great favor, then? Saved me from Laura?” As the anger he felt caused adrenaline to begin pumping through his body, he felt his strength returning. This was not his super-human vampiric strength; however, he grabbed Quentin forcefully by the arms and pushed him roughly against the tree. “And just where are all the rest of my friends right now, my dear cousin? I should like to give them the good news—news that might not have been if Cassandra had not done what she did!” He paused to let the full effect of his words sink in. He still had the power to intimidate, and the intense fierce glow in his eyes frightened Quentin. “Laura is pregnant—with my child! I will not allow anyone to destroy her!”

"Barnabas, what are you talking about?" Quentin asked cautiously, almost afraid of the answer he would receive.

"Barnabas. Barnabas!" Laura called in a sobbing voice.

Quentin saw it, Barnabas was lost again to Laura's fiery love. Oh he knew only too well how easy that was. He had even betrayed his own brother under the same roof with that demon. And he had thought that they were rid of her, Quentin thought sardonically, while watching the scene in front of him play out as if watching a movie scene in slow motion.

Barnabas opened his arms to Laura, and she ran to him sobbing, apologizing, begging his forgiveness. On her knees clutching Barnabas' legs, Barnabas' cape covered her as he bent down to touch her, to bring her up, and he heard Barnabas forgive her, tell her it was okay. He understood, and yes, he still loved her as no other, not even Josette. Then Quentin watched as the strangest most bizarre event that he had ever witness take place, upon forgiving Laura, Barnabas' changed to gold, then red, and he saw Barnabas' fangs descend and plunge into Laura's carotid artery. Laura was making sounds of desire, and moaning with pleasure. He watched as she clutched at his back. Quentin felt like a voyeur, but couldn't stop looking.

Quentin heard the ruslting of the trees, and somebody walking. He stood still, hoping it wasn't a stranger or worse yet Roger. He didn't want to be here if that happened. He saw it was Julia, and was relieved. Julia got there just in time to see Barnabas disengaging his fangs and the blood from the fiery Phoenix taken by the forbidden love of the vampire. She was horrified, and was speechless. They both jumped at the sound of thunder. They both stood as outsiders watching a play, as Barnabas scooped Laura up in his powerful arms, and looked at them, and to them he appeared to be 20 feet tall. The dogs had started howling, now he wind was blowing, lightening was streaking across the heavens, the waves could be heard pounding the rocks below Widow's Hill, because that's where they were. With a last glance Barnabas took to the air with Laura in his arms.

Oh my god, Quentin, what are we going to do now?" Julia asked Quentin when Barnabas and Laura were gone. All they had heard was a whoosh, and with no warning Barnabas and Laura had disappeard.

"I honestly don't know. Julia Barnabas was human when I first found him here. He was in terrible shape. Then he got angry, and told me that Laura was pregnant with his child, and he wouldn't leave her. Then when he forgave Laura, he turned back. I watched it, Julia. I have never seen anything like that in my life. I am here to tell you, I don't like getting Barnabas mad when he's human, but what we saw just now leaves me feeling rather pessimistic. I have never had Barnabas angry at me like that before, Julia. He's scary," Quentin said.

"Well, I have had him angry at me, and trust me it is something you do not want to go through," Julia said to Quentin.

"Julia, let's go back, it's pouring down rain now, and we might as well go back with the good news. Who's going to tell them you or me" Quentin asked.

Arriving at the Old House, Barnabas went through the double doors with Laura, and put her on the divan. He had weakened her quite a bit. She was his. It would be his name she would call for when he made love to her. It would be his face she would see in her daytime fantasies while waiting for him. He tasted it in her blood, her allegiance was to him, not her god Ra.

"Barnabas, what is this all about?" Willie asked coming out of the back of the house.

"This is Laura, Willie. You know that," Barnabas answered him.

" What is she doing here? She looks awfully weak." Willie said as he noticed the fang marks on her throat.

"She is weak, Willie." Barnabas said.

"Is she going to stay her or do you want me take her back to the cottage, it's almost sunrise," Willie said.

"Yes, Willie, she is going to stay here with me." Barnabas said coldly, as he walked over to Laura and picked her up, and took her downstairs with him.

Willie stared in confusion at the vanishing Barnabas and Laura. "This night is getting stranger and stranger," he offered to the air. Willie contemplated the events of the last few hours. First, Barnabas leaves in a strange mood, then comes back and raises the roof with his lovemaking with that Laura woman, then leaves, and then comes back and takes her to his coffin. Barnabas was capable of a lot of things, but this was a lot, even for him. Willie decided that it might be in his best interests to go to Collinwood and see just what was going on so he would have time to prepare.

Back at Collinwood, a stunned Quentin and Julia tried to explain things to Cassandra and Roxanne. Both were shocked at the evening's events, to put it mildly. Cassandra then told Roger to go to Boston and fetch her some cream pies, baked beans and anything else that she could think of that had "Boston" in the name, and this time sent David and Maggie to help him. Cassandra was sufficiently pleased that it would take Roger at least two days to complete his assigned tasks, in which time she could consider the Laura question.

"We must act quickly. I had hoped that Laura would not reverse the process, which made Barnabas human, but unfortunately she has. However, I believe we can safely say that Ra is upset with her. This can be used against her."

"Cassandra, we've been over this for the past hour. How can we use this to our advantage? It seems to me that Laura is winning!" said a frustrated Quentin.

"Quentin, calm down. I expected something like this might happen so I am not unprepared. We are going to destroy Laura tonight," Cassandra calmly replied.

"How, pray tell, to you intend to do that? I know you know that Barnabas will never forgive you if he found out that you killed his child. He would hate you forever if you did a thing like that."

"The child shall be unharmed. It is Laura who will die."

"I still don't understand," said Julia.

"Neither do I," said Roxanne. "How do you plan to separate them without killing the child? Is that possible?"

"For someone such as myself, it is not. You see I will not be alone in this task. I shall have assistance. My child shall lend its power to me to save one, which will become its future playmate," replied Cassandra as she sat before the fireplace. "And Laura will also help me."

"Have you lost your mind?! Since when has Laura been in the habit of willingly giving up her children to someone other than Ra? And where will the child be staying at after it has left Laura, the Collinsport Inn?" yelled Quentin as he began to pace the room again.

"I shall carry the child," said Roxanne.

The conversation was interrupted at this point by the appearance of a visitor at Collinwood. Willie Loomis had arrived and told everyone just what had happened at the Old House just prior to dawn. He was a little shocked at the sight of Roxanne, but calmed down after a quick explanation of her appearance.

"So, Laura is very weak. And you say Barnabas took her to his coffin?" asked Julia.

"Yeah. Barnabas said that she was gonna stay with him and then just carried her away. It didn't look like she could take much more without dyin'. What are we gonna do? It's enough to deal with one vampire at the Old House. I don't want to have to deal with two," said a now worked up Willie.

"Nor shall you have to, Willie," said Cassandra. "Laura's god, a being called Amman Ra is very upset with her. If she allows herself to die of her own free will because of her love for Barnabas, Ra will kill her. He will decide that the risks outweigh the rewards that such a child would have produced. When Ra comes to destroy Laura, we shall make our move to remove the child from her. If she truly loves Barnabas, she will agree to our proposal. There is one risk, though. Barnabas will have to be removed from the situation or things could get ugly. He will try to protect her from Ra, which is dangerous.

"During her last appearance to us yesterday, Josette's ghost gave a note to Roxanne. Besides explaining what was going on, the note diagrammed a method of sedating vampires."

"I see," said Julia with understanding. "That way he can be spared the final outcome."

"That may be fine and dandy for you but what about me? I live there. I don't want to have to deal with some lovesick vampire for who knows how long!"

"That is a risk we will have to take. The biggest risk is that the note says that the sedative might have some unforeseen effect on Barnabas that we may have to watch out for. If only Laura hadn't turned Barnabas into a vampire this would be a lot simpler. Are you with us Willie?" Unbeknownst to the group gathered in the drawing room, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard had come down the stairs and had been listening in on the entire conversation after Willie's arrival. She had been in shock at the information she had learned about the people involved in this strange turn of events. It was almost like a nightmare, except that this was reality. Liz wondered just how everyone came to know all of what they did and just how did one go about turning someone into a vampire? She was shocked from her reverie by Willie's response.

"Yeah, I'm in it. If this will help Barnabas, then I will help."

"And so will I," said Elizabeth as she entered the drawing room. "If Laura has done the things you say she has, I want to do everything in my power to help get her out of here and save Cousin Barnabas."

Everyone was stunned to silence.

"Why are you all just standing there?" Elizabeth demanded, stepping further into the room. "Shouldn't we be discussing what we are to do?" They all continued to stare first at her, then at each other in confusion, looking for a spokesperson. All eyes eventually settled on Julia. Even Elizabeth looked at her finally, asking in challenge: "Don't you trust me?"

Julia recovered quickly. "Of course we do, Elizabeth. Please, sit down."

Elizabeth sat down between Quentin and Roxanne, smiling at all of them. Everyone still seemed uncomfortable, so she said in a very dignified manner, "I know more than you think. I'm sorry you haven't trusted me enough to confide in me, but I do care for you all and I want to do whatever I can."

"It's not that we didn't trust you," Julia began.

"It's just that we didn't want to worry you," Quentin put in.

"Did you all think that I'm so fragile? After all that's happened?" Elizabeth asked mildly, a smile on her face. "Let me begin then. Perhaps I would be the best one to distract cousin Barnabas and slip him the, how is it phrased? mickey? By the way, what kind of sedative would it be?"

That finally broke the ice. They all put their heads together and formulated a plan.

Willie waited nervously for Barnabas to rise. As soon as he heard the familiar step on the stairs, he tried to control his trembling and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. After everything they'd been through, he still feared Barnabas not a little when he was in the vampire state. He'd been acting so strangely, too...As Barnabas came down the hall, Willie cleared his throat.

"Yes, Willie?" came the sonorous voice from the darkness of the hallway.

"Ah, Barnabas, C-Cousin Elizabeth, she stopped by looking for you, and I said you wuz out, but she, ah, said she, ah, n-needed to talk to ya, an so..."

"All right, Willie," Barnabas said, his voice sounding a little suspicious. "Did she say why she needed to speak to me?"

"No, only that she, ah, f-found out s-something and n-needed to tellya..." Willie broke off as Barnabas' eyes burned into him.

"All right, Willie. I'll go to Collinwood." He started to go out, then stopped and turned. "Willie, I need you to bring Laura something to eat and drink. She is still very weak."

"S-sure, Barnabas. Only, I d-don't know wh-where she is..." Willie answered.

"She is in the cell downstairs, resting on the cot."

Willie nodded and started back for the kitchen as if to comply with the request. Once instead the kitchen, he listened for the slamming of the front door. Then he opened the back door to admit Julia, Cassandra, Roxanne, and Quentin. "I sure hope you all know what you're doin'," he muttered as they slipped in past him. Julia carried her medical bag and Quentin carried his copy of the Book of the Dead.

"Don't worry about a thing,dear Willie," Cassandra told him with a smile.

Yeah, right, he thought, worrying anyway.

"Take us to her, Willie," Julia said, and he turned to lead the way to Laura.

Mrs. Johnson admitted Barnabas to Collinwood and brought him into the drawing room. Elizabeth gave him a large, beaming smile. "Good evening, Cousin Barnabas. I am so glad that you could come over so quickly."

Barnabas stepped into the room and crossed toward her, taking her hands in his. She realized for the first time how icy cold they felt. "I came as soon as Willie gave me the message you were looking for me."

Elizabeth pressed his hands and let go. She didn't want him to have the chance to hypnotize her again. Moving away from him to the bar, she poured herself a small glass of sherry. "May I offer you some sherry? Port? Brandy?"

"Sherry would be fine," Barnabas answered. Of all, it was the least likely to make him sick. Elizabeth turned back toward him briefly to hand him his glass, into which she had slipped the amount of curarae Julia had given her. Then she moved to the chair by the fire and indicated that he should sit down across from her.

She looked into the fire and took a slow sip. "I've always been fascinated by the flames of a fire, haven't you?" she asked.

He wondered what this was all about. "They are mesmerizing," he agreed, taking a sip of his own drink.

"There is a great mystery to a fire," Elizabeth continued. "What keeps the flames continuing to burn, for instance."

Barnabas was beginning to feel alarmed. Something was different about his cousin; he had a feeling she knew something she shouldn't. He would have to take care of her--put her under his control. He downed his drink hurriedly and set the empty glass down. "Elizabeth--" he began, intending to exert his power on her mind and turn her toward him.

"I know what you are, dear Barnabas," Elizabeth said softly, continuing to look into the fire. "I've suspected something for quite some time and didn't want to admit it to myself. I want you to know, though, how much I care about you. I intend to help you, although you may not believe that now."

"What do you mean--" Barnabas began. Suddenly, he felt very faint and dizzy. What's happening to me? he wondered.

"Don't worry," Elizabeth soothed. "Soon, you'll be all right." Barnabas collapsed back against the sofa. Gently, Elizabeth pulled him so that he was prone and would be more comfortable when he awoke. She sat back down to watch and wait.

Laura was barely conscious herself when Julia injected the sedative into her vein. Worriedly, she looked at Cassandra. "I have no idea how to go about this. There's been talk of research into this area, but it's never been done--"

"In this, you will have to trust me," Cassandra said. Her blue eyes were large and intense. "You must trust me, Julia--do you?"

Julia thought of everything they'd been through. She had a brief moment of hesitation, studying Cassandra carefully. There was no guile in those blue eyes, and suddenly Julia knew the truth. Cassandra really was in love with Roger and wanted nothing more than to help Barnabas only because he was a part of her past. "Yes, I trust you."

"Good." Cassandra then looked at Roxanne, who was stretched out on the other cot, and at Quentin, who held the book open in his hands. "Are you ready?" she asked them both. Roxanne nodded and shut her eyes tightly; she'd been sedated as well.

"How are we to know that Ra won't turn on us?" Quentin asked, a little nervously.

"He will be totally focused on Laura and her failure to do his will as he wished it," Cassandra explained once again. "Besides, I will intercede, should it become necessary."

"Okay," Quentin said nervously. "You just tell me when to begin."

"What do I do?" Willie asked nervously, from the door.

"Go upstairs and watch for Barnabas, just in case something goes wrong," Julia decided. She didn't think Willie would be able to stomach what was about to occur.

Willie was more than willing to go.

After checking once more to make sure that Laura was totally asleep, Julia turned to Cassandra and nodded that she was ready. A strange sensation came over her. She felt a tingling sensation in her limbs and heard a voice within her head. I am with you now, Julia, Cassandra said into her mind. You must prepare both Laura and then Roxanne for the transfer of the baby. I will guide you. Allow me to move through your hands. When the time is ready, Quentin will begin the incantation.

Julia felt as if she were moving in a dream; she hardly knew what she was doing. All she knew was that she had abilities now that she never dreamed possible. Such a procedure had never been attempted to accomplished before. And yet, in the future, this will be quite common place, Cassandra said assuringly. What seems like witchcraft now will become modern medical science. Julia heard Cassandra's lilting laugh in her head. It was incredible, she thought--impossible to believe! And yet..."Tell Quentin it is time."

"Quentin, begin the incantation," Julia said automatically, mechanically. She continued to move under Cassandra's control as Quentin began to call forth the great god Amman-Ra. She found herself now working on Roxanne as Quentin's voice droned on behind her. When she heard the blast of wrath behind her, she didn't flinch.

"YOU, WHO WERE ONCE THE MOST FAVORED OF MY BELOVED CHILDREN, HAVE BETRAYED ME FOR THE LAST TIME! YOU HAVE WILLINGLY GIVEN UP YOUR LIFE FOR THE LOVE OF BARNABAS COLLINS--YOU HAVE DONE THAT WHICH YOU WERE NOT TO DO! YOU WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN THAT STATE!"

There was a flash, a burst of flame from the bed not ten feet from her, but Julia didn't flinch. She continued working rapidly, one with Cassandra. Cassandra herself sat slumped on a crate in the room, deeply into her trance. Only Quentin jumped and drew back at the sight of Laura's body burning hotly. The stench of flesh being consumed filled the air, and he thought he would become sick to his stomach. He dropped the book he'd been holding and threw his arm over his face, covering his nose and eyes.

At the same time, Barnabas jumped violently and screamed. Elizabeth leaped to her feet in alarm. His body took on a violently yellow, then red, then bright orange glow, and she was sure he was going to burst into flames. My God, what have I done? she thought, anguished. Just as suddenly, he went back from orange to red to yellow and the to a pale pinkish hue. His chest rose and fell slowly, and he moaned as if in pain.

Elizabeth moved to him quickly, kneeling on the floor beside him. She took one of her hands in his and gasped. His hand was warm to the touch! Was that the effect of the sedative the note had spoken of? She began to pat his hand soothingly. "Barnabas?" she called softly. "Barnabas?"

Barnabas moaned again, crying out, "No! No!" He sounded as if he was in great pain.

Mrs. Johnson opened the doors and came in. "Mrs. Stoddard, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"He's passed out. Mrs. Johnson, would you please go get a glass of water?" Elizabeth asked. She didn't think the water would do any good, but it wouldn't do any harm. It would certainly keep Mrs. Johnson busy for the moment.

Julia turned to Quentin, who'd become pale and shaky. "Would you bring me more alcohol from my bag please? For my hands?" Nodding, Quentin numbly went through her bag and pulled out the bottle of alcohol she'd requested. "Pour it over my hands. There's no hot water here." He did as she requested and she rubbed and cleansed her hands. She turned and bent over Roxanne, smoothing back her brow.

"When can we get out of here?" Quentin asked. "I think I'm going to be sick."

"You've managed to keep everything down this long," Cassandra said softly, her head coming up to look at him. "You can manage a little while longer."

They heard footsteps on the stairs, and Willie appeared in the doorway. His nose wrinkled in disgust. "What's that awful smell?" he asked.

Quentin managed a small smile. "Barbecued offerings, my friend."

Willie looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Where's Laura?" he asked. Then his mouth dropped open, and he blanched. "Oh, geez! What's Barnabas gonna say?"

"It doesn't matter," Cassandra answered. "It's too late now."

"The odor is unpleasant, isn't it?" Julia observed. "Would one of you gentlemen please carry Roxanne upstairs? I think it would be better for all of us if we got out of here--now."

Barnabas roused very slowly, feeling confused and disoriented. He saw Elizabeth's concerned face bending over hers. Elizabeth--he had to control her somehow. He concentrated on focusing his power to bring her eyes to his but found himself too weak to accomplish the task. He suddenly realized he wasn't capable of doing it! My God, what have they done to me?

Elizabeth saw his brow furrowing. "Dear Cousin Barnabas," she began, "are you quite all right?"

"What--what has happened?" he gasped. He tried to sit up, but felt enormously weak. Elizabeth moved to sit beside him.

Mrs. Johnson brought the water. "Is there anything else I can do? Would you like me to call the doctor?"

"Would you please see if Dr. Hoffman is in her room?" Elizabeth asked, taking the glass of water. Mrs. Johnson went off on her wild goose chase so that Elizabeth could have a few moments alone to talk with Barnabas. "I just want to assure you first that your secret is safe with me," she began rapidly. "We are doing the best we can to free you from Laura's influence."

"My God! You don't understand!" Barnabas cried. He began to feel a great rage building at their interence in his business. The rage overwhelmed the consternation he felt at Elizabeth's revelation to him. "Laura is pregnant!"

"I do understand," Elizabeth soothed, putting her hand on Barnabas' arm. "That is being taken care of, too."

"How--?" Barnabas began, confusion blending in with his rage. At that moment, the front door opened and Cassandra and Quentin came into the drawing room. Barnabas' face suffused with rage. "You! How dare you?" he snarled, deeply enraged.

Cassandra stepped forward to take the full brunt of Barnabas' anger. "I realize how angry you are, dear Barnabas. I just want you to know that although you don't believe it now, I hope there will come a time that you will forgive us for doing what was best for you."

"How dare you?" Barnabas grated through gritted teeth. "This is your revenge, is it not?"

"No, it is my way of making amends to you," Cassandra said softly.

"You've killed her, haven't you? Killed Laura--my first love!"

"We had to do it, Barnabas--" Quentin began but was immediately silenced by the intent look of hatred Barnabas gave him.

Cassandra picked up where Quentin had left off. "It was necessary to free you and David--and your child--from an unspeakable evil. That evil would have corrupted your very being. We all acted out of love. You can hate me if you want, but please don't hate Quentin and Julia and Elizabeth and Willie. They all love you very much."

"You say you killed Laura in order to save David and me--and the child," Barnabas retorted. "Yet, how can that be? If Laura is dead as you claim, the baby is dead as well!"

"No." Cassandra tried to take Barnabas' hand, but he threw her off angrily. She sighed, her eyes filling with grief. Then she drew her strength together so that she could look into his eyes. "The baby is not dead, Barnabas. He lives." Barnabas' eyes widened with shock. He looked to Quentin for conformation, and his cousin nodded. "Go to the Old House now, Barnabas. You will see." Barnabas found he now had the strength to get up and walk to the door. "Barnabas!" she called. He stopped and turned to look at her. "I hope that someday, when you hold your son in your arms, you will find it in your heart to finally forgive me."

vBarnabas turned without a word and walked through the foyer. Quentin called to him: "Barnabas, are you all right? I can go with you..."

"NO!" Barnabas snapped. He wanted to be alone. He walked swiftly through the woods, a thousand thoughts going through his mind. How was it possible? Did Julia have his child inside some test tube, as if she were growing a monster? There was no way that baby could be alive without Laura, he thought bitterly. No natural way, at any rate. He got to the Old House and threw the door open violently. "JULIA!" he shouted.

Willie came running. He knew that tone and was terrified; yet, he felt he had to protect Julia. "Barnabas! You're back! Are ya all right?"

"Willie!" Barnabas snarled. "Where is she?"

"Listen, Barnabas, you gotta calm down some, ya know? She done what she done to help you--"

"It's all right, Willie," Julia said calmly, from the top of the stairs. Barnabas began to mount the steps, glaring at her menacingly. Julia met his eyes fearlessly. "Before you say anything, Barnabas, I need to tell you that Roxanne is resting quietly. You mustn't create a scene and upset her. We don't want to risk her losing the baby."

Barnabas stopped, frozen to the spot, shocked. "What?" he gasped.

"Roxanne is carrying the baby you and Laura conceived," Julia explained in her infuriatingly calm manner. "I must say that it's a procedure I've never attempted before, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without Cassandra's help. I think it will work, Barnabas, but I don't want to make a definite promise."

"This is incredible!" Barnabas cried, as if in protest.

"Yes," Julia agreed. Then she leaned down toward Barnabas. "I can stand your anger, Barnabas. I can take your hatred. I only ask that you don't hate the members of your family. They acted only out of love for you."

"That's what Cassandra said," Barnabas said, a little bitterly, but still sounding stunned.

"She is right. We all love you. Cassandra and I can bear your hatred, but it would hurt the others too much. Above all, please don't hate Roxanne. She, most of all, made the greatest sacrifice out of her love for you--she now carries your son." Julia watched as Barnabas' features softened, the anger and hatred draining from his eyes. "Would you like to see her?" Mutely, he nodded.

Julia led him into Josette's old room, where Roxanne lay resting on the bed. As they entered the room, Roxanne opened her eyes and looked at Barnabas. She smiled radiantly at him and held her arms out to him. "Welcome home, darling," she said softly.

Barnabas went to her immediately, sitting beside her on the bed and taking her hand. "Are you all right, Roxanne?"

"I am just fine, my love," Roxanne answered softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "And your son is just fine, too."

Julia backed discreetly out of the room, shutting the door softly behind her. As she went down stairs to join Willie, she said a silent prayer that everything would be all right; that it was all over.

Someone once said time heals all wounds and this case was no exception. Although Barnabas was furious at his family for what they did to Laura, he did eventually begin to realize that as much as he really did care for her, they really couldn't have had a future together while Ra was still in the picture. There was an unspoken agreement between everyone to not reveal the events of the past few days to Roger or David for their own good. They all doubted that the truth would have been believed anyways.

About six weeks after Laura's demise, Cassandra gave birth to a healthy set of fraternal twins, Cassandra Angelique Collins and Edward Roger Collins II. All of the family, including Roxanne, who was thought of as part of the family by this point, was there at the hospital to celebrate the new arrivals. Looking upon the scene with Roger and Cassandra made Barnabas realize that despite all that has happened, there was still happiness to be found in the world if one sought to find it. If stick in the mud Roger, (who reminded Barnabas of cranky old Joshua all too often) could turn his life around with Angelique of all people, so could he.

Roxanne, who was beginning to believe that Barnabas would be stuck grieving for his lost Laura forever was shocked when in front of everyone at the hospital, Barnabas whipped out a diamond ring and asked her to forgive him for all the trouble he had put her through and to marry him. She quickly accepted before he had a chance to change his mind.

Quentin, always one to enjoy a festive mood decided to make a surprise announcement of his own by asking Julia Hoffman to marry him. Everyone had bet on Julia being single forever if Barnabas didn't marry her and always thought Quentin wasn't one for marrying. Quentin had laughed at that one and said that if he hadn't met a woman like Julia, he probably would have stayed a bachelor forever. Julia blushed hotly at that comment, but quickly accepted before Quentin changed his mind.

Two months later with a whirlwind of preparations, there was a large double wedding on the lawn of the Collins estate. Both sets of brides and grooms were happy and radiant as the minister went through the vows with both couples. As a wedding gift, Cassandra and Roger gave the couples round the world trips with extended stops in Martinique and Alexandria (Cassandra insisted on the stops but wouldn't explain why to Roger or Elizabeth).

Upon their return to Collinwood, Quentin and Julia moved back into the Great House of Collinwood until their house was completed four months later. They chose (for obvious reasons) not to have any children of their own, but opted to adopt a foundling child. Just prior to the completion of the house, the newest members of the family, a four-year-old girl named Donna and six-year-old named Jonathan arrived. David was happy too because now there was some one young there that he could talk to because Edward and Cassandra were still too young to do much other than cry.

Finally, nine months after the whole Laura affair ended, on a bright sunny day in August 1972, Roxanne gave birth to James Barnabas Collins. He looked a lot like Barnabas, except for the fact that he had a head of soft blonde hair on his head and familiar large crystal blue eyes. Both father and surrogate mom were happy at the miracle event. Julia and Cassandra secretly shook hands and had glasses of champagne to celebrate their success.

Meanwhile, somewhere out there, a figure sat in front of the fire looking into it and seeing the happy scene at the hospital. "I am glad you are happy, Barnabas. My love, you once said that 'even if you love someone else now, once in a while remember us in a corner of your heart.' I now find myself in the strange position of asking the same of you. You may not know it, but your love saved me from Ra and an even greater power has seen fit to forgive me and give me a genuine second chance to fix my life. I know you and Roxanne will give our son everything he needs to be the man he was destined to be even if I cannot be there to see it in person. And dear James, please know that no matter what, your mother loves you."

The End! (or is it?)

Want to know what happens next? Read the sequel, Fiery Forbidden Love II: A Smouldering Flame

Or, if you are in the holiday spirit, read the companion piece to Fiery Forbidden Love: A Collinwood Christmas

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