Chapter Six

Kate's eyes widened as Roman pushed past her into the house. She shut the door feeling thoroughly confused by his words then slowly turned and waited for him to explain. He was glaring at her but there was something in his eyes that eased her worry. His apparent irritation could not mask that twinkle of amusement he was trying to hide.

Roman couldn't seem to stand still and Kate followed him as he paced around the room, "So Kate how was your day, hmm? I bet it wasn't nearly as much fun as mine was!" he began. She watched him with a curious eye, not sure whether he expected an answer or not. Roman kept walking and sort of wriggling around as he moved, "He looks like he's got fleas or something," Kate thought trying not to laugh out loud at Roman's obvious discomfort.

Breaking another lengthy moment of silence Kate spoke, "Okay Roman, I've apparently done something to annoy you, which I am certainly unaware of, so could you maybe get to the point and tell me what's got you so uptight?" Roman continued to pace around so she reached out and grabbed his arm to try and stop him.

Roman froze with her hand wrapped around his forearm, "Ah ha! Would you look at that," he pointed at her hand. "This is your fault, see those little red bumps Kate."

She glanced at her hand and was surprised to see that it was covered in some sort of rash. Now that she realized it was there her hand started to feel itchy and she let go of Roman's arm and began to scratch. Roman sighed, "Don't scratch Kate, it'll spread. Here put this on it." He pulled a bottle of Calamine lotion from his pocket and handed it to her.

She accepted it and looked at the label, "Well aren't you just a walking drug store! Do you make a habit of carrying this stuff around?"

"Only when I need it!" he shot back.

"So you have this rash too? Where?" Kate asked innocently.

Groaning in frustration Roman gave her another one of those glares, "Well thanks to you and your magic fingers last night it just so happens that I have those little red bumps pretty much everywhere!"

"Everywhere," Kate said slowly as his words sunk in, "even..." Roman nodded and she couldn't hold the giggles any longer. "I'm so sorry," she said through her laughter.

"Kate, it's not funny," he said with a pout.

She gave him a sheepish grin, "Aw you poor thing. Do you need me to put some more lotion on for you?" Kate snickered.

When their eyes met Roman finally gave in and they both started to laugh. He pulled Kate into his embrace trapping her arms at her sides. "I'm not letting those lethal weapons anywhere near the few Poison Ivy free zones I have left." He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers and they kissed passionately. When they parted he leaned in again and kissed the tip of her nose before releasing her.

Roman's expression changed as began to speak solemnly, "I did a little research today and I found some rather strange information. Apparently James O'Malley was not buried here in Salem. His body was shipped to his family in Ireland."

"What? How can that be? That grave I was lying beside had his name on it?" Kate bewilderedly replied.

Roman shook his head, "I don't know but it gets even weirder Kate. I checked out the county and city maps from the early 1900's right up until present and that graveyard we were in does not appear on any of them."

Before Kate had a chance to reply a door slammed somewhere upstairs and she screamed reaching for Roman. "Oh my God, what was that?" Another loud noise made them both jump as the same kitchen window that had busted before suddenly flew open. The wind was whistling through as the curtains flapped in the strong breeze.

Clinging tightly to Roman's side Kate began to shake, she was covered in goosebumps, her eyes open wide with fear on the verge of tears. "I'm going to go upstairs and check it out," Roman whispered.

"I'm coming too," Kate hissed and clutched the back of his shirt following him up the stairs. When they reached the landing they could see that Kate's bedroom door was the only one shut. They only took one step then froze in shock as the door began to creak open. Kate let out a whimper as the tears wet her cheeks. Roman took another couple of steps forward and she was forced to follow or she'd have to let go of her secure hold on his body.

The lights flickered as the door crept open even more. Kate gasped when she caught a glimpse of the three ghostly figures in her room. Suddenly they were plunged into complete darkness and the silence was shattered by a gunshot followed by a mournful wail that filled the entire house.