Subj: Fiery Forbidden Love: A Smoldering Flame -- Chapter 5
Date: 11/3/98 11:00:36 PM Central Standard Time
From: Cassie Rademacher

Quentin watched Barnabas hang up the jet phone. He turned to look out the window so that he wouldn't have to look at his cousin. He felt fear and a deep revulsion he'd never felt toward him before. "Quentin," Barnabas said in a low, menacing tone.

"Don't," Quentin said softly. "You don't have to threaten me as you did Cassandra, and you don't have to brutalize me, Barnabas. I'm cooperating with you, aren't I? I don't have to like it, though."

He felt Barnabas' hand on his shoulder, and he flinched involuntarily, pulling away. "You are afraid of me, then?" He heard Barnabas ask, and there was some of the old pain and regret in his voice. Quentin turned to look, and for just a moment, he saw a flicker of the cousin he remembered and felt affection for. He almost responded, but the look in Barnabas' eyes became cold and ruthless again.

He turned away. "Damn right," he muttered. How the hell am I going to get out of this? He wondered. It would still be hours until they arrived in Alexandria; by then Barnabas would have to retreat to his coffin. Quentin still loved him and would never betray him by killing him; however, he did intend to call Julia or Cassandra and get some help.

Elizabeth sat on a settee in one of the sitting rooms of the abbey, reading aloud to Donna and Jonathan. It was The House at Pooh Corner, which had been a favorite of Carolyn's when she was a little girl. The sisters of the abbey helped by watching over the three babies, who were all asleep in a makeshift nursery. Without their assistance, Elizabeth surely wouldn't have been able to manage with so many young children. I'm just getting old, she thought. She'd been looking forward to returning to Collinwood. She missed it; missed Carolyn, and even missed quarreling with her brother Roger. She looked up as a young novitiate approached her. "Excuse me, Madame, but you have a visitor."

"Oh?" Elizabeth was surprised. "Dr. Collins? Mrs. Collins?"

"No, Madame, it is a man."

She was even more surprised. "Where?"

"I asked him to wait there," the young woman asked, pointing outside to the garden. There was a statue of the Madonna, and nearby were several wicker chairs for meditation. Elizabeth could see a man standing with his back to her, dressed in a London Fog trenchcoat. "I will continue to read to the children for you."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said, getting up. "Excuse me, my dears," she said to the children and slowly approached the man. When she was close enough to be heard, she cleared her throat. He turned, and she gasped. It was Cassandra's brother, Nicholas!

"My dear Elizabeth," he said, smiling suavely at her. He took her two hands in his gloved ones and squeezed them lightly with affection. "I am so sorry to surprise you like this, but there really was no other choice under the circumstances." Elizabeth's mouth popped open a little in stunned surprise.

"I've come to help you," he went on.

This isn't part of the plan, Elizabeth thought, panicking a little. Nicholas looked deeply into her eyes; it was as if he could sense her fear, because he nodded his head and held up his hand as if to say, Let me explain. He led her to two of the chairs not far from the Madonna statue. "Let's talk," he said, not breaking eye contact with her for a minute. "Don't be afraid, Elizabeth. I know the whole story, and I'm here to help you." He encouraged her to sit and took the seat across from her, taking her hands again.

"How do you know what's happened? It all came about so quickly!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Ah, but you see, I'd arrived in Collinsport only last night. I was with Quentin when he called Julia. He told me everything, Elizabeth. He's very concerned about Barnabas-as we all are." Nicholas seemed intense and earnest as he continued to look into Elizabeth's eyes. "I know about the hold Laura continues to have over Barnabas. Elizabeth, I need to tell you something that is going to frighten you. I need you to trust me, though. I have a message from Cassandra."

At this, Elizabeth's expression cleared a little. Cassandra was the only one who knew where she'd really taken the children. Cassandra was afraid that Barnabas would somehow force the truth from Roxanne. "What is it?"

"The child is still in grave danger from his father," Nicholas began. "As you know, Barnabas and Quentin flew to London and from there went to the estate. Barnabas attacked his wife and got the information from her that the baby was in Paris."

"My God!" Elizabeth cried.

"Roxanne is all right," Nicholas said softly. " However, Barnabas and Quentin have landed in Paris."

"That is miles from here," Elizabeth said.

"That's true. However, what Cassandra forgot to take into consideration is the fact that Barnabas and Laura share a bond between themselves and the baby. Through that bond, he will be able to make his way here. He will find and take James if we don't act."

"What must we do?" Elizabeth wondered.

"Return to Collinsport at once with James," Nicholas stated emphatically.

"Now? What about the other children?"

"They will be safe until Cassandra and Julia can arrive to pick them up."

"Oh, but I don't think-" Elizabeth began, confused.

"If you are uncomfortable with that, Elizabeth-which I would understand perfectly well-then I would be quite willingly to go alone with James to Collinsport. You could stay here with the other children until their mothers come for them."

Do it, do it, it makes the most sense, Elizabeth heard in her head. She shook her head, feeling more confused than ever. Nicholas frowned a little.

"I-I think I should go with you," she finally said, trying to think clearly. Why do I feel so fuzzyheaded? She shut her eyes and concentrated, shutting Nicholas' eyes out of her head. He knows too much for it not to be true. The children are here in a Catholic abbey; they'll be safe here. No one is after Jon or Donna or the twins. It's Jamie who is in the most danger. But he isn't of Jamie's blood; I can't just let him go off with him. She opened her eyes and looked at Nicholas. "I will go with you."

She missed the mild look of annoyance that crossed Nicholas' face. He smiled broadly. "Splendid! To be honest, I was really worried about traveling alone with such a young child anyway. I don't mean to sound chauvinistic, but I really do believe that women deal with babies so much better than men do."

"One thing I don't understand," Elizabeth began. Nicholas looked her in the eye again, and she felt suddenly and uncomfortably warm. She almost had the feeling he was undressing her in her mind, and she blushed. Flustered, she
almost forgot her question, but then managed to grasp it and ask it. "Why is Collinsport the safe place to go?"

"Because Barnabas is not there," Nicholas answered, arching his eyes as if in surprise. His expression seemed to say What other safe place would there be?

"We really shouldn't waste any more time, Elizabeth. He could be on his way here now."

"Perhaps we should call Cassandra," Elizabeth ventured.

"We'll do that once we're on board the jet," Nicholas assured her.

"And we need to talk to Mother Superior about taking care of the children…"

"Already covered," Nicholas said with a smile. "I think of everything, Elizabeth-especially in a crisis like this." They stood up, Nicholas putting his arm gently on the small of Elizabeth's back to propel her along. "Let's go pick up James and his things immediately, shall we?" He knew Elizabeth couldn't see his little grin of triumph.

In the bed where she was still recovering from her trauma, Roxanne sat up abruptly and screamed. Julia, who had been dozing in the chair next to her, was immediately at her side to comfort her. Roxanne pushed her away, staring wide-eyed in terror into the night. "Roxanne, Roxanne, it's all right. It's Julia, I'm here. You're all right," the doctor soothed her, believing that she was experiencing a flashback from her experience. Julia could hear the sound of hurrying footsteps. The door opened, and Cassandra stood in the doorway.

Roxanne turned to her and held her arms out in appeal. "My baby! He has my baby!" she screamed.

Cassandra's eyes became huge. "Barnabas? Impossible!"

"No! No! Not Barnabas!" Roxanne broke down and began to sob hysterically, unable to speak further.

Elizabeth preceded Nicholas onto the private jet, carrying the slumbering baby in her arms. Ever the perfect gentleman, he made sure they were both comfortably settled. He went to talk to the pilot. "I'd like to take off as soon as I've made this call and the runway is clear," she heard him say. He smiled at her. "I'll call Cassandra and let her know that we are safe."

Elizabeth nodded, and closed her eyes. She was thoroughly exhausted; it was well past midnight now. The baby was heavy in her arms and snored lightly.

"Yes, hello," she heard Nicholas saying into the phone. "All is well. The baby is safe. We are on our way home." He hung up and sat down next to Elizabeth. "Everything will be all right now, Elizabeth," he assured her. She kept her eyes closed, relaxing. "You sleep now. The baby is in safe hands." He grinned again.

The ringing phone had roused Quentin from his reverie. He heard Barnabas say with a delighted chuckle, "Good! I am delighted to hear it! We shall see you soon." He turned to look at his cousin replaced the phone in the receiver. "Ah, Quentin! Good! You are awake!" He smiled, a frightening, truly evil smile that made Quentin's blood run cold. "I have my son. You cannot stop us, and I warn you not to try again. No more stupid tricks, is that understood? You will be very sorry if you cross me." He paused. The smile went away to be replaced by the cold implacable expression. His eyes looked like two stones. "I know that you'd like to call Julia or Cassandra. Don't be a fool! "

Quentin swallowed hard, frightened, and looked back out the window again. From now on, he would have to mask all of his thoughts that had to do with Julia or his children or Cassandra or any of this…Evan Hanley had taught him a few techniques. He'd have to put them into use again. He never dreamed he'd have to defend himself against Barnabas, of all people. For the first time in many, many years, he found himself praying. Our Father who art in Heaven…It became almost like a mantra. He closed his eyes, shutting out the sound of Barnabas' evil amused chuckling.

Next…