Subj: Secrets and Alibis 10
Date: 4/26/00 9:51:04 PM Central Daylight Time
From: KimD
She heard a voice come from behind Lena, beyond her line of vision. It was William’s voice saying, “Leave her alone. She’s innocent.”
Lena turned toward William as he stepped into the room. “That never seemed to bother you in the past,” she said irritably.
They were now both distracted. This gave Vicki saw her chance to leave. While she ran out of the room she could still hear them arguing. “It’s different this time. I have my reasons for wanting her alive.”
In the hall out side the room Vicki found Barnabas rushing toward her. “Are you alright?” he asked as they headed outside.
“I’m fine.”
“When William ran into the house I was afraid that something happened to you.” He needed to talk to her. He had to assure himself that she was alright, and to explain himself. Although she didn’t seem afraid of him now, he wondered what she thought of him now. He felt like kicking himself for not explaining things to her in his own way when he had the chance.
He brought her to the old house instead of Collinwood. “You’re sure they didn’t hurt you?” he asked with a look of concern.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Vicki,” he said, struggling with the right words. She saw the way he struggled, and could almost feel sorry for him. “If I had only told you everything when you came to me things might be different now. I know that you have learned about me. It’s something that would have been better if I had told you.”
“But I already knew.”
“What?” he said in surprise. “You never let on.”
“I’ve known what you are ever since I came back from the past. I didn’t let you know, because it wasn’t any of my business then. It wasn’t very long after that you somehow seemed better. At lest until recently. That’s when it became my concern. I wanted you to trust me enough to tell me everything. But you couldn’t do that.”
“I only wanted to protect you. I thought it was better to keep you at a distance. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“But you did hurt me. I didn’t want protection. I wanted to talk. I want you to be able to be honest with me about everything. I know that if things didn’t happen this way, you wouldn’t feel the need to talk to me about it now.”
“I was only thinking of you.”
“I’d rather have the choice. I believe that if you could, you would still prefer for me to be left ignorant. I think that everything’s been said. I’ll go to Collinwood now.” She walked alone through the night and looked up at the endless night sky with it’s thousands of stars. A single tear rolled down her check and she and felt more insignificant and alone than ever.
“Vicki,” she heard his voice coming from behind her. “I can’t let you leave like this.” She turned to see him coming closer. “I never meant to hurt you like this, and I can’t tolerate for their to be anything between us. Please forgive me.”
She saw the earnestness and sorrow in his eyes and forgave him then. “I forgive you. But I want to take things slowly for now.”
“Anything you want,” he said grateful that he had been given a second chance.