The phone rang again for the third time today. It better not be Mark again. I am waiting for a call and I don't need to be worrying about the lion pride I left at home. Laura picked up her phone out of her purse.

"Hello, Laura here."

"Laura, this is Mr. Gordon. Barbara woke up about an hour ago. I knew you would want to know." There was a long pause before Laura answered. She glanced over at Helena and Sammy. Sammy perked his head up and saw Laura's expression. He curled up closer to Helena knowing the call had something to do with her.

"Laura, you there?"

"Ya, I am here." Laura managed to stutter. "Is she able to have visitors and such?"

"Yes only for a short time though, she needs lots of rest. Her mind is clear and sharp. No damage there."

"Thank goodness. Did you tell her? How did she take the news?" Laura waited in suspense.

Mr. Gordon hesitated for a minute. "Yes I told her. She took it as well as could be expected. I don't think she has fully accepted it yet. She could really use a friend right now. Don't really think she wants to talk to me about this right now."

"Of course, I will be right over. I just need to call Alfred then I am on my way."

"See you soon then."

Laura hung up with him and dialed the manor. Alfred picked up and agreed to baby-sit.

----------

When Alfred arrived he was slightly confused at the sight of the large panther on Helena's lap.

"Alfred, this is Sammy and don't worry he is perfectly safe. If I am not back by five, they both need to eat. Helena can have whatever she wants and Sammy gets three steaks and one leg of lamb. They are in the freezer down the back hall. Just cook them on high for ten min. Put it in a pan and place it on the towel on the floor in the kitchen. Fill both his water bowls and other than that he will be no problem. I will be back as soon as I can." Laura rushed through the instructions leaving Alfred still confused but nodding his head.

"Helena, Sammy, I am going out for a while. Alfred will stay with you till I get back." Helena showed no sign of hearing Laura, but Sammy lifted his head off her lap.

"We will be fine. I hope things go ok at the hospital." Laura nodded at Sammy, responding to what he said.

The drive to the hospital seemed longer than it had been last time even though it was a shorter distance. Laura wondered about what type of condition she would find Barbara in. Will she be mad over this or will she be in denial? Will she recognize her responsibility to Helena and get herself together? Does she know what happened to Selina? Does she know Bruce ran off leaving her to deal with this on her own? But she isn't alone. She has her friends to stand by her side. Laura eased into a parking spot in the visitors' lot. She casually walked into the hospital and headed straight for the elevator. She hit the number five.

Laura stepped out of the elevator and recognized the nurse as the same one who took Mr. Gordon's wrath. She smiled at the woman and walked by. She softly knocked on the door. Mr. Gordon opened it with a big smile on his face.

"Come in come in, glad you're here. She is sleeping at the moment but should wake up soon. I will leave you with her. I need to run home and take a shower. One of the nurses threatened to give me a sponge bath." Mr. Gordon grabbed his coat and walked out the door. He was happy his daughter was ok even though she still had a long way to go.

Laura took of her bright red blazer and laid it on the back of the chair before sitting down. She looked over Barbara to decide for herself how she was. Her complection was a lot better. She was no longer hooked up to as many machines. Her heartbeat was still strong and steady, and she no longer was shining with sweat. Her face seemed so peaceful but troubled at the same time. She began to call out in her sleep. She was having a nightmare.

Barbara was lying on the floor and could see the pool of blood forming around her. She knew she was going to die. It was a simple fact. Her body began to shake with shock. She was so cold. She fought to keep her eyes open, to keep herself from dying. Things were getting fuzzy. She let her eyes close and waited for death to come.

"Barbara, wake up, you're having a nightmare." Laura gently shook Barbara awake.

Barbara's eyes burst open and she gasped for air. It took a few minutes for her to calm down after her nightmare. She looked up and saw Laura Harris staring back at her. Laura stroked Barbara's hair and waited for her to calm down.

"Laura what are you doing here?"

No one told her about Selina! Laura sat down in the chair and Barbara pressed some buttons on the bed to get into a more of a sitting angle.

"How are you Babs?" Laura decided to ignore her question and see how much she remembered.

"Fine I guess. Anyway that's what the doctors tell me."

"Do you remember anything about that night?" Laura didn't want to push but she needed to know.

Barbara didn't really want to talk about it, but she trusted Laura. "I remember it was storming. I had gotten out of the shower and the news was on. There was a story..." Barbara struggled to remember what it was about.

"About Selina. She was stabbed!" Barbara suddenly remembered. "What happened? Is she ok? What about Helena? I remember I was trying to call her but the electricity went out. Then the doorbell rang." She stopped not wanting to go any farther.

Laura decided to tell her. "Barbara, Selina is dead."

Barbara gasped "Oh no! What about Helena? Is she ok?"

"Selina's lawyer couldn't reach you so he called me. It took me about three hours to get over here, but Helena is now staying with me. She is fine, but she won't talk to me. She is really hurting Babs, and I can't help her." Laura's voice dropped and you could here the pain in it.

"You know it was Selina's wish that Helena go to you if anything ever happened to her." Laura decided to get right down to business.

Barbara turned away. "I know. But look at me. I am in no condition to raise a teenager. I can't even walk anymore!" She was getting mad.

"So, what's your point? You don't have to walk to care for a human being."

"I CAN'T DO IT! Got it. If you're so worried why don't you take her?"

Laura started to get angry as well. Her eyes changed to a brilliant green. "You know as well as I do that I would never be able to raise a child. I am always moving, never in the same place for more that two months. And it is not fair for her either. Whether you can walk or not makes no difference. She needs someone to care for her."

Laura lowered her voice. "She is starting to develop her abilities Barbara. She needs someone who can help her deal with them. Remember how much Selina and I were picked on when our abilities suddenly decided to go off. We were young then and couldn't control them. High school is bad enough with out being different."

Laura sat up and took Barbara's hand. "I help cats. I tame them; find out what is bothering them. But Helena is much more than a cat. She is a person who is hurting and I don't know how to deal with that. You do. That is your gift, not mine. You may not see it now, but she needs you just as much as you need her. Helena can help you physically and you can help her emotionally. Please Barbara think about it. Don't run out on her like Bruce did to you."

Laura pulled out a manila envelope from under her blazer. "Here are the papers from Selina's lawyer. You have ten days to sign them before she becomes a ward of the state. Then she will go off to some home where no one will understand her abilities and possibly punish her for them."

"Barbara you are my friend and I realize you have a lot to deal with right now. If you need anything please call me."

Laura squeezed Barbara's hand and laid the envelope on the stand next to her bed. She walked out the door and left. Barbara I know somewhere in that heart of yours, you will take Helena. You know it would be good for you. You just need to find that part. Helena truly does need you. More than you will ever realize.