"Yes, Amy."

She was in his arms in an instant, sobbing. "Chris. He - I saw him raise the gun, but I - couldn't - couldn't make any noise - or - or - move -"

"It's alright now, Amy. I'll take care of you."

"P-Promise?"

"I promise."

"Forever?"

"Forever and ever," he said solemnly. They talked most of the evening, until Amy's eyes began to droop. Very gently, Barnabas lifted her from the chair and carried her to the bed. "Rest now. We'll talk again tomorrow evening."

"You'll be here?" He could hear the insecurity in her voice.

"You have my word." He stayed at her side until she slept, then followed Julia and Lee from the room. "How soon can I take her back to Collinwood, Julia?"

"You're going back home?" Julia asked.

"Amy needs the security of being back at Collinwood. I'm sure Elizabeth will agree to let her stay there."

"Would you excuse us, Lee?"

"I have night rounds anyway. I'll check in on Amy later."

At her house, Julia poured herself a gla.s.s of wine. "What reason will you give Amy for her not moving into the Old House?"

"My - depression over Angelique's death; the fact that she will have David at Collinwood, someone her own age instead of two bachelors. I'll convince her, Julia."

"Give me another day at least to work through any residual effects that night might have left."

There was a knock on the door, and Willie let Quentin in. His blue eyes held a myriad of feelings - most prominently guilt. "What the devil is going on up here?"

Julia gave him a large measure of brandy, glad in a way that his first meeting with Barnabas since the episode with Maggie was coming in this way. It tended to keep Quentin from taking his cousin to task. "If you'll calm down, we'll tell you."

He downed another full brandy while listening and reading the letter. "The coward's way out? I wish I had had the48.

courage to do it a long time ago. Then none of this would have happened."

"But it would have. The curse wouldn't have ended with your death, Quentin," Julia said.

"Then I should've found a way to end it."

"We tried, Quentin," Barnabas reminded him. "Even Magda tried. There was simply no way."

"That doesn't stop the guilt. Every time I look at Amy, I see Jenny, Lenore. That child doesn't deserve any of what's happened to her. Is she going to be alright?"

"After her reaction to Barnabas?" Julia asked with a slight smile. "I think so. As long as he's there for her."

Julia was called away to the hospital a few minutes later, leaving Quentin alone with Barnabas. "Quentin, I think we need to talk," Barnabas said.

"Oh, really, cousin? About what?" He'd had a few more drinks, and now his anger at Barnabas was returning.

"Maggie."

"Don't you even talk to me about her. After what you did -"

"I never intended to hurt her, Quentin. I needed - someone, Maggie was there. If I had known that it would have the effect it did -"

"You still would have done it. She's not Josette, Barnabas. Josette is dead - just like Angelique." Quentin paused when he saw the stricken expression on his cousin's face. "Look, I'm sorry. That was a low blow. It's just - Maggie's - special."

"I agree. But, Quentin, is it wise for you to become so - involved with Maggie?"

"No. No, cousin, it's not wise. But then, when have I ever done anything wise? And I wish I could say that I know what I'm doing. But I don't. All I know is that Maggie says she's not looking for a long-term relationship right now, and is willing to accept whatever we have." He smiled. "You know, right now, I think I'd do just about anything to be able to stay at Collinwood.

He picked up the brandy decanter. "I'm going up to bed and try to get some sleep."

Barnabas watched him go with troubled eyes.

Amy smiled happily when Quentin entered the room the next afternoon. "Dr. Hoffman told me you were here," she said, giving him hug.

"I drove up last night. How are you?"

"I want to go home. To Collinwood."

"You will. I'm sorry about Chris and Sabrina, Amy."

She looked down at her hands. "Thank you. Uh, Quentin,"

"What is it, Princess?"

"Chris told me something a couple of months ago. Maybe you can tell me if it's true."

Quentin was immediately on his guard. "What did he tell?"

"That we're related to the Collins Family."

Quentin relaxed. "He was right, Amy. Did he explain how?"

"Not really."

"Then let me try. You remember the first Quentin?"

"Of course I do. He nearly killed David."

"Yes. Well, he had two children. Twins. A boy and a girl. The boy was my grandfather. The daughter was your grandmother Lenore."

She frowned. "Why weren't they raised at Collinwood?"