Chapter Two 
By Lorrie 

They stood there for a moment staring at each other. She had a funny feeling this wasn't exactly a coincidence.

"Julia, what a pleasant surprise." He smiled warmly down at her, but as she looked at him she noticed something, she couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something in his eye. Worry, concern? She wasn't sure. When they had their small collision she had dropped some of her packages. He bent down and picked them up. "Allow me." He reached out to take the rest from her arms.

"Barnabas, you don't have to-"

"No I don't, but I want to." He filled his arms with her various bags and boxes. "Do you have any more stops to make?"

"Yes a couple."

"Well, if you don't mind my company, I'd like to go along. I have a car at my disposal. Why don't we put these in the trunk and let my driver earn his salary?"

He could still turn on the charm. And she found herself easily falling back under his spell. For some reason though, she didn't mind.

"A warm car sounds good." She shivered slightly as he maneuvered her towards a dark blue Lincoln, and it wasn't just from the cold. As they approached, the trunk opened and a driver jumped out. He got her settled in the back seat and then went to help Barnabas with her bags and boxes. A moment later the other back door opened and Barnabas got in beside her.

"Julia, this is Sandy. He's my driver while I'm in town. Sandy this is Dr. Hoffman. She's going to be our guest for a while."

"Doctor. Nice to meet you. Where can I take you?"

The rest of the afternoon was spent pleasantly. Sandy drove, she bought and poor Barnabas carried. By the time they got out of the last store he looked like a large package with legs and a small Christmas tree sticking out at the top. Julia took a look at him as they walked and started to laugh.

"Very funny." She heard from behind a box. "At least lead me so I don't fall over something."

"Gladly." She chuckled taking his elbow and gently leading him to the waiting car.

When they finally got back in the Lincoln, and she gave Sandy her address, settled into the warm seat, turned toward Barnabas and for the first time that day, she really had a chance to study him. Again, there was that look. As soon as he realized she was looking at him, it disappeared but not totally. After four years she could still read him like a book. Even though they had had a wonderful afternoon, she could see something was definitely bothering him.

"You never answered me." She opened the conversation as the car drove off.

"Oh, and what was that?"

"I asked you what you were doing here."

"Oh yes, you did." He sat back in the seat and looked out the window at the lights of New York City.

"Well?"

"I'm here on business for Collins Enterprises. I . . . . finally let Roger talk me into taking a position with the company." She watched as he talked. He never once looked at her and he started playing and twisting his ring. A sure sign he was nervous or upset or both.

"And that's all?"

"Why what else would there be?" Again, his voice gave him away. It had that "I'm not telling you the whole story" tone to it.

"Barnabas, I know it's been a few years, but I know you. Something is bothering you. What is it?" He turned to look at her. "I never could keep anything from you could I?" He said.

"No." She reached out and put a hand over both of his, stilling the incessant twisting of his ring.

"How about dinner and then we can talk." He asked, not looking up at her but at her hand on top of his. She was tired and the thought of battling crowds in a restaurant just didn't appeal to her. But she did want to talk to him.

"I have a better idea. I know a little place, where the food is fair, and the cook is a very good listener." He looked up at her again and realized she was inviting him to her place.

"That sounds wonderful. I will agree on one condition."

"Oh and what is that?"

"You let me bring the wine."

An hour later after a stop at a special store he knew, for the wine, they pulled up to the front of her apartment building. It was apparent that he knew his way around New York city. It made her wonder why he had never tried to contact her. Again the driver popped the trunk and he and Barnabas carried her packages up to her apartment.

"Just put them down on the floor Sandy." She told the driver. "Barnabas can help me bring them in."

"Very good Dr. Hoffman. Mr. Collins I'll be waiting at the curb. Whenever you're ready."

"It may be a while Sandy. Why don't you go get yourself some dinner? Be back in a couple hours?" He looked at Julia for confirmation. She nodded. Barnabas reached into his pocket and took a twenty out of his wallet, handing it to the young man.

"Very well sir. Thank you. It was nice meeting you Dr. Hoffman. Merry Christmas."

"Same to you Sandy." She said then turned to unlock her door. They walked in and as she turned on the lights and turned to help Barnabas the look on his face froze her in her tracks.

"Barnabas, what's wrong?"

"Don't you feel it?" He asked. It was then that she felt it too. She had almost gotten used to it. That feeling of being watched.

"Yes. Yes I do. I've been feeling it for about a week now. Barnabas what is it?"

"I don't know, but I do know that I don't want you to stay here Julia."

"Barnabas are you serious?"

"Yes, very serious." He looked at her. "Julia there's a spirit here. I can feel it. And I think you can too."

"Yes, I do."

"Julia you've been through enough with me to know that something like this is nothing to ignore."

"Yes I know, but-" she stopped in mid sentence. They looked at each other. The oppressive feeling seemed to lift and one of warmth seemed to envelope both of them. "Do you feel that Barnabas ?"

"Yes."

"That's why I haven't left." She said. "If there is a malevolent spirit out to get me, I think I have a benevolent one watching over me, as well."

He nodded and although temporarily relieved, he still didn't look totally convinced. Walking slowly around the small room, he stopped at her bedroom door. Something was urging him to go in. He opened the door and as he walked in Julia heard his breath catch in his throat and then he said one word.

"Ben!"

Part Three