by Jericho

Amanda turned in Cameron's arms and they clung together in a deep kiss. He tore his lips from hers and rained soft kisses down her neck stopping at the pulse point on her throat.

"So did Jordan's tail see you get on the train?"

Cameron smirked, "Yeah, what an idiot? Stark would kill him if he knew what he'd done. As soon as he saw me get on the train, the guy turned and walked away. I'm not complaining because we've created yet another illusion that Stark knows nothing about. It won't be long."

"I haven't seen this disguise of yours yet. Mom says you look like Errol Flynn."

Cameron shook his head, "Is that a compliment?"

Amanda laughed, "He was a very handsome, romantic man. Yeah, I'd say it's a compliment."

"But didn't he wear tights? I'm not wearing tights," he told her with determination.

Amanda met his sober expression with one of her own, "All the great super heroes do, you know."

They both burst out in laughter and Cameron leaned his forehead against hers. They stood there silently for a few moments just enjoying the serenity of the atmosphere. This was a safe place where they could laugh and be themselves. It would be very easy to forget that they were both in danger. But they couldn't.

"Mom, told me what you found out today," Amanda broke out of his embrace and walked toward the window. She stared out at the stars twinkling so brightly.

Cameron said nothing. He was puzzled by her withdrawal. There was something weighing on her mind. She would tell him when she was ready. When her shoulders slumped, Cameron pulled at her hand compelling her to turn toward him. He looked into her eyes silently pleading with her to tell him what was bothering her so much.

"You're going to think this is silly, but I had a dream today. It was terrifying.. ."

Cameron listened silently as she told him about the dream. He was shocked at her vivid descriptions of Amalie and Clayton.

". . .It seemed more like a memory that a dream."

"Maybe it was."

Amanda slowly shook her head, "I'm having a hard time believing in this reincarnation theory. I know you and Mom are sold on it but this is just so hard to accept."

"I know, but this is what Stark believes in so we have to take it seriously to protect ourselves."

Amanda intertwined her fingers with Cameron's.

"There's something else."

"What?"

"When David was here today, I had this dream about a ball. Everyone was dressed in 18th century dresses. It must have been some sort of costume ball."

"This was a dream? You had a dream while you were awake?"

"Yeah, what are you getting at?"

"Amanda, what has triggered these things?"

"Nothing that I know of. It's probably just all the conversations we've been having about Stark and Amalie and Clayton. That's all."

Cameron could see that she didn't want to talk about it any more. She was spooked by all of it. He understood. He was having a hard time believing all of it himself. They had proof that this was what Stark was into and therefore they had to take it seriously.

"So, do you approve of your mother's choice in a new driver?"

Amanda quickly looked him up and down, "What experience do you have?"

"I used to drive this woman around whose only purpose was to distract me from my duties. She was very judgmental and enjoyed giving me the third degree at every opportunity. But she was one hot babe and all I ever wanted to do was crawl in the back seat with her."

"I just want to make sure that you know what your duties are because the last chauffeur we had didn't like his duties at all. He was stubborn, smart mouthed and extremely opinionated. His attitude was the worst."

"Did you break him?" Cameron inquired with a deep, sexy tone.

"Oh yeah, he didn't know what hit him."

"Mmmm. . I expect the same treatment."

Amanda smiled, "Oh, I think you'll work out just fine."

"So tell me how we're going to hide my presence from Alli."

"You know better than me. I think you can handle it."

"She's a smart kid. And she's stubborn like her mother. How are you going to explain why you're spending so much time in the driver's room?"

"Hmmm? I'll have to think about it. Right after I do this."

Amanda flipped the lights out letting the moonlight illuminate the room. Cameron watched her walk toward him with a single purpose in mind.

"So tell me where are you spending the night, Ms. Cory?"

"Like you don't know."

Two Weeks Later

Amanda was still having nightmares. Sometimes she told Cameron about them. She didn't tell him that they were getting increasingly more disturbing. Cameron had managed to move around in Bay City and the Cory household undetected. He watched Stark carefully still puzzled that he hadn't made a move. David Halliday had been a frequent visitor to the Cory house. He and Amanda were working closely together. Even though Cameron didn't believe he was a threat, they didn't leave Amanda alone with him. Amanda wasn't left alone with anyone outside those who knew the danger she was in. Halliday had pressed her more than once to go out to the symphony or dinner with him. Amanda always declined.

Jordan stood just outside the front door to the Cory house in his disguise as David Halliday. Tonight he would ask Amanda once again to go somewhere with him. He was becoming increasingly agitated by her refusals. He knew he had to get her away from her house so they could have the privacy he needed to bring forth Amalie's soul. He pressed the bell and waited for an answer.

Amanda stood on the terrace. Everything was beginning to bloom. Although the air was crisp, she enjoyed the clean, fresh smell. She smiled as she looked out over the grounds. She clutched her engagement ring in her hand pulling the necklace taut as she did so. Cameron. She loved him more every day. Even though she knew he was extremely worried for her, he always remained strong, gentle, and kind. She touched her stomach lightly. What would he say when she told him? Would he be excited or would it worry him more? She would tell him soon. She stroked her belly and felt a welling of pure joy that she hadn't experienced in so long. She had suspected for a while.

"Don't worry little one. Your daddy is going to be very happy."

"David" stood in the middle of the Cory living room watching Amanda where she stood on the terrace. She looked very peaceful, serene. She turned slightly. What was that she was clutching? No!!! He continued watching her. He saw her touch her flat stomach. It was if a ton of bricks had fallen on him. He flashed back to another time.

Jordan couldn't hold his visage of David Halliday as the most painful memory in his life flashed through his mind nor could he control the strangled cry that escaped his lips.

Cameron walked quickly from the library trying to make it to the back stairs before Alli or one of the servants caught him without his disguise. He paused in the door to the living room. David Halliday was here. Again. Who was he watching? Ah, Amanda was on the terrace. Cameron started to turn away when something occurred that transfixed him. He willed himself not to make a sound as he watched "David" transform into a hideous, scarred monster. My God! What was he witnessing? A slight movement caught his eye. Alli! No, he couldn't know that Alli had seen him.

Alli stood terrified as she saw David Halliday turn into a monster from her worst nightmares. She started to cry out when a hand covered her mouth from behind and she was dragged away.

Jordan turned when he heard a shuffling noise. Had someone seen him? He ran into the foyer. No one was there. He couldn't stay here. Not now. He had to gather his thoughts.

Alli hadn't made a sound since Cameron had hissed in her ear, "Don't make a sound. He can't know what you saw."

They stood just inside the room beside the stairs. The door was barely cracked. Cameron released Alli from his hold when he saw "David" run out the door. They both ran to the front door to make sure he was really gone.

When Cameron turned around, he could see the fear and the questions on Alli's face. He'd had no choice but to reveal himself to her. He didn't know what to do now. He moved his hand slightly and suddenly Alli was in his arms with her own arms clutched tightly around him and her face buried in his chest. She cried softly. He stroked her hair. She was trembling. Cameron didn't mistake the display as acceptance of him or for anything other than what it was. She was scared.

"Shhh. It's going to be all right. I won't let him hurt you."

Cameron looked over her head out onto the terrace to make sure Amanda was still there, still safe. His head was so full of thoughts. What had they witnessed? It was like something straight out of a science fiction or horror movie. The only reason he'd been able to look away from the whole metamorphosis was his need to make sure Alli was safe from him. How was he going to explain something to Alli or anyone when he wasn't even sure what he'd seen?

"Wh--wh--what happened? What do he do?"

Cameron shook his head over the top of hers, "I don't know."

Alli stiffened as if she realized for the first time who was with her. She stepped away from him quickly. The usual look wasn't on her face but one of terror and disbelief. She looked like a little girl not a smart mouthed teenager.

"He wants to hurt Mom."

"How do you know that he does, Alli?"

"The other day when he was here I saw him trying to---I don't know---he had this pocket watch that plays music and Mom got this weird look on her face. It was like she was in a trance or something."

"Did you tell anyone what you saw?"

"No one. I didn't think anyone would believe me."

Cameron nodded. So Stark had made his move but he'd made his move in the disguise of David Halliday. Jordan Stark was David Halliday. But how? It had to be some sort of trick. He was immediately aware of the point where Alli's attitude changed. The little girl was gone and the brat was back.

"What are you doing here? Why are you in our house?"

He'd known it was coming.

"Let's go in the living room where we can talk."

Alli thought about refusing for a second then she remembered that if Cameron hadn't been there, that thing might have done something to her. She folded her arms and walked into the living room. Cameron sighed and followed. He closed the doors to the foyer then joined her on the couch.

"Alli, I'm here to protect this family. I've been here for a while."

"After everything you've done, you're in this house. Does Mom know? Grandma? Uncle Matt?"

"They all know, Alli. "

"How? I don't under. . . .it was you. You drove me to school the other day when Mom went to talk to the principal."

Cameron nodded.

"But Mom hates you. She doesn't want anything to do with you."

"Sometimes, Alli, things aren't as they seem," Amanda said as she shut the terrace doors behind her.

Amanda came to sit on the other side of Alli. Alli turned to her with a look of anger and disbelief.

"What things, Mom?"

"I already knew about the baby, Alli. Cameron told me and I forgave him."

"Forgave him? Just like that?"

"Just like that. I love Cameron with all my heart and when you love someone the way I love Cameron, that love is unconditional. It's similar to the love I have for you."

"But the wedding. You've been moping around here for a month."

"It was all an elaborate plan to deceive Jordan Stark."

"And no one thought to tell me?"

Amanda touched Alli's cheek as she tried to explain, "We didn't know how to tell you. You haven't exactly made Cameron feel welcome and you certainly made yourself clear on the subject of our marriage."

"You should have told me."

Amanda nodded, "Maybe. There's more you need to know. This family is in extreme danger and it all seems to be orchestrated by Jordan Stark."

"What does he want?"

"We're not exactly sure."

Amanda explained everything that had happened up until this point. Alli sat there in complete silence. When Amanda was done, Cameron began talking.

"I know we need to mend some fences here but there's something that everyone involved in this plan needs to know. It's something Alli and I saw. Before I say another word, I want everyone in this room."

Chapter 11

Amanda tossed and turned in bed. She thrashed wildly in the sheets. Cameron put his arms around her trying to calm her unconscious movements. She had kept him awake with her nightmares the past three nights. He was exhausted.

Amanda bolted up. Cameron was awakened by her quick movements. He saw the fear on her face. She was shaking. He tried to reassure her with soothing words as she described this dream. Amanda smiled and smoothed his hair when she saw that he'd fallen asleep while she was talking. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She sat back down just as quickly as her head swam and her stomach protested her quick movements. She touched her stomach. She had morning sickness at night. She still hadn't told Cameron about the baby. He just thought she was having trouble eating because she was worried. Her stomach lurched again. Maybe some ginger ale would help.

Amanda found her slippers and her robe. She slipped quietly from the room and headed for the kitchen hoping there would be something to ease her nausea. She looked through the refrigerator for several minutes before she found the ginger ale. She placed some ice cubes in her glass and poured her drink. She turned to pick up her glass. . . .

"What?!" Joe Carlino shouted as Matt finished telling him what had been going on in the Cory household.

Cameron sat silently. He'd searched the grounds and the house a hundred times looking for signs of Amanda. There was nothing. Stark had left no clues. They had determined that Amanda had disappeared on Matt's watch but Matt had never seen Amanda or anything else unusual. Stark or one of his thugs had gotten past the security system. Cameron knew that Stark had her. There was no doubt. Stark had mysteriously disappeared also.

"So you took the law into your own hands," Joe stated in disbelief. "And you thought you would just go over to Lumina and cause some trouble? How is that helping Amanda?"

Cameron looked at him with a face void of expression. He wasn't in the mood to talk to Joe Carlino. The only reason that Carlino was here now was because Margaret Allen had called the police after Cass and Matt had bodily removed him from the building. They were wasting precious time sitting here answering Carlino's questions.

"Is the inquisition over? Can we go find Amanda now or are we going to sit around and discuss police protocol some more?" Cameron asked Joe unable to keep the disgust out of his voice.

"You better remember who's keeping you from rotting in a jail cell right now."

Cameron didn't dignify that with a response. Amanda had been gone for an entire day now. Cameron had awakened about four o'clock the morning before and discovered that Amanda was not with him. He'd immediately sensed something was wrong. He'd found the untouched glass of ginger ale and nothing else. Amanda had disappeared without a trace.

Cameron looked up as Alli walked into the room. He saw the worry in her eyes. He hadn't had to deal with her so far. Rachel had told her everything. Cameron didn't react as she stopped directly in front of him. Alli narrowed her eyes.

"You were supposed to protect her," she spat at him with all the venom of a poisonous snake.

It was something Cameron had said over and over to himself from the moment Amanda had disappeared. Cameron reached out a hand to Alli. She recoiled and Cameron dropped his hand.

"I know."

Cameron turned and walked to the other side of the room. He was disgusted with himself. He hadn't even heard Amanda leave the bedroom that night. He had been so exhausted. What was Stark doing to her? Where did he have her?

Amanda tugged at the bars again as if her attempts would free her. She lifted the skirts of her dress and moved to sit on the four poster bed. She looked in the mirror and sighed. She was dressed in a long flowing gown of red and gold. It was something directly from an 18th century painting. Her hair hung in ringlets around her face and down her back. She had awakened in this cell already dressed in this costume. She didn't even want to speculate about who had undressed and dressed her. Her head had ached for hours after she had awakened in this place. She had no idea what Stark had done to her or how she'd gotten to this place.

"It didn't have to be this way, Amanda."

Amanda jumped at the sound of his voice. She still couldn't keep her reaction to his appearance hidden. He terrified her.

"And what way did it have to be David, Jordan or whatever you're calling yourself today?"

Jordan laughed, "Ah, I've always admired that spirit of yours."

"Let me out of here," she demanded.

"Now, I could do that but it would ruin all of my plans. And I do have plans. You see everything is going to turn out differently this time. You see this time Amalie and I are going to be together forever. It will be a reunion of souls. Do you recognize your surroundings? Anything look familiar?"

"Why should I? What are you going to do to me?"

"You've been having memories haven't you? Your cell is the exact replica of Amalie's room. To answer your other question, the first thing I'm going to do is release Amalie from the prison of your body."

Amanda tried not to show any fear. She didn't know what to reveal to him.

"Why do you think Amalie wants to be released?"

"Well, you see she and I didn't get to be together for eternity like it was supposed to be. I have searched for her soul for so long. And now that I've found her I'm not going to let her go. This time I will remove all obstacles."

"How do you plan to do that?"

Jordan laughed, "I know that you were trying to deceive me. I know that Cameron Sinclair is still in your heart and I know that you are pregnant with his child."

Amanda gasped. How did he know about the baby? She hadn't told anyone.

"You seem shocked. Soon there will be no obstacles. You see Cameron Sinclair is very predictable and when he comes, I'll be ready."

"Cameron isn't in Bay City," she lied.

"Ah, ah, Amanda, I know when you're lying. He never left did he? Oh you don't have to answer. I know he'll come for you. And I'll be waiting."

CONTINUE