She feared that Carolyn would be in even more danger once she was back at Collinwood. It was her memory that worried Julia. Carolyn could remember perfectly almost everything that happened to her. She knew that Barnabas would go far to protect his secret, but she wasn 't sure just how far he would go. She could still see the look of relief and gratitude on Elizabeth's face when she discovered that Carolyn would be all right. Julia had worked too hard to return Carolyn too normal. She couldn't let him destroy her.

That evening Julia stood in front of the mirror in her room looking over her reflection. Her long dark hair fell loose around her shoulders. She wore the short black skirt and loose fitting red blouse. She hadn't worn either the skirt or the blouse since she had arrived here. She had gone through her whole wardrobe twice before deciding on it. She was seeing Elliot tonight. She wasn't sure why she was so anxious about seeing him, they used to spend a lot of time together. She kept telling herself he was only a friend, that her appearance shouldn't matter, but she had dressed with special care anyway. She hated this feeling of uncertainty. Before she had always been sure of herself at all times. She glanced at the clock the looked back at her reflection in the mirror. It would have to do, it was time to go now.

Elliot opened the door of the apartment he was renting. He smiled warmly at Julia as she entered. He looked even better than he normally did. He wore a dark blue shirt that matched the color of his eyes. His hair was still somewhat damp from the shower he had earlier. He looked down on her appreciatively. "You look wonderful," he said.

"Thank you," she answered. She hung her coat on a rack by the door. When she stepped into the room she could smell the spicy aroma of pasta sauce cooking. "That smells wonderful. Spaghetti?"

"Yes, with my own sauce."

"It seems like it's been a while since we've done this."

"Almost a year." Had she really been in Collinsport that long, she wondered to herself. The dinner he fixed was wonderful. Occasionally during the meal she would look up and find him looking at her with the same smile on his face that was there when he opened the door. It was gentle and warm. Julia wondered if it wasn't more than just friendship that had made him ask her to his apartment. They talked about all that had happened over the past year. Julia told him all that she could, but of course had to leave out large parts of what had happened to her.

Elliot realized that she knew who the vampire was, but he never mentioned it. He also knew that she was protecting his identity. He accepted any gaps that may have been in what she told him without questioning it. He would love to know everything that she had discovered since she had came here, but he didn't want to upset her by badgering her for answers. He had wanted tonight to be special. When they finished he cleared off the table, poured wine and they moved to the couch. He turned on the stereo and soft piano music filled the room.

Julia took a long drink of wine. "Tonight's been wonderful," she said. "I didn't realize how much I missed having you around." She really had missed him. He gave her a sense of stability. He was the one who was always there for her. Elliot had always seemed to know her better than anyone else.

"Julia, there's so much I've missed about you." He hadn't realized until she had left New York how special she was. He had felt a connection with her since he had first met her. She was one of the smartest people he had met. She was unafraid to challenge him or anyone else's ideas. She had made his life more interesting. After she had left he thought about her more often. Tonight she looked truly beautiful.

Julia looked up at Elliot as he looked intently at her. There was something different about the tone of his voice and the way he was looking at her, something she hadn't noticed before. It seemed like it had been such a long time since a man had found her attractive. She wouldn't let most men get that close. But with Elliot it was different. She found herself wondering about the possibilities. Julia looked up into his endless blue eyes. "Elliot," she said questioningly. He ran a hand through her dark hair. "Julia, I've always thought you were a beautiful woman. Not only beautiful, but intelligent. You seem so different from anyone else." He inhaled the exotic floral sent she was wearing.

"Elliot, I didn't know you felt like that."

"I only realized it when I came here and saw you again. Julia, you need someone to love you. Someone to take care of you instead of you taking care of everyone else. If that's not going to be me I can accept that. But you should be happy."

"Elliot," she started when the phone rang. He silently cursed the unknown caller for their bad timing.

"Hello," he said, perhaps a bit more briskly than he intended.

"Good evening Professor Stokes," the somewhat distraught male voice said. "This is Roger Collins. Mrs. Johnson told me that I could find Julia at your place."

"Yes," he said gently. He turned to where Julia sat on the couch. "It's Roger."

Julia got up and took the receiver from Elliot. "Yes, Roger."

"I'm sorry to bother you Julia, but it's Carolyn. She left the hospital, and no one knows where she it."

Julia thought back to the conversation she had with Carolyn earlier. "I think I know where to find her." Julia hung up the phone and turned apologetically toward Elliot. "I'm sorry..."

"But you have to go," he said finishing her sentence.

"Yes, I'm afraid I do. Carolyn disappeared from the hospital. No one knows where she is."

"Do you want my help?" he offered, disappointed that their evening had been interrupted.

"No. I may know where she is, but I'll need to go alone."

"Of course. You'll think about all I've said?"

"Yes I will," she said as she walked toward the door. She sighed as she left. She wished she had more time to tell Elliot everything she wanted, but that would have to wait until later.

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