Startled, both men turned to see Robin in the kitchen doorway, a frown marring her sweet face. She came into the room, and faced Ian, who automatically stood up.

"No, Robin, it isn't…but what is important is that we decide whether or not I accept it together." He replied in a quiet tone. Surprised, Rick glanced from husband to wife, and decided to put his two cents worth in.

"Honey, Ian just found out about this, and discussing it thoroughly is a good idea." He told her, then held up her hand as she started to protest, "Pop, wait.."

"Robin, you know your mother's and my policy, we put our opinion in once, remember? And I think it's a good opportunity for Ian, although I'm not so sure for your family."

Ian took a deep breath, then held out his hand to his wife.

"Come on, Robin, let me fill you in on what Mr. Mathews has offered."

Reluctantly Robin let Ian help her up, as Laurie came out of the kitchen and said, "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes…Let me bring you some munchies while you and Ian talk."

"Thanks, Mama. We'll just be in our room." Robin hugged Rick, then took Ian's hand and vanished down the hallway. Laurie caught the bemused look her husband gave her, then sighed.

"I knew something was up….I just hope they both listen to each other. I don't want to be selfish, but I don't want them to go so far away…" She bit her lip, then turned and went back into the pantry.

Knowing Laurie was upset, Rick got up and followed her as she pulled some dip and chips out of the fridge, then added bread and cheese and olives to a dish. Quietly Rick got a couple of sodas out of the cooler, then insisted on carrying the whole lot down the hall and into Robin and Ian's room.

"Pop, I hope I didn't upset Mom reacting like that…" Robin told him, putting the snacks on the bedside table between her and Ian.

"No, Birdie, it's not only that she doesn't want to see you leave, but that it's causing a problem between you two. And don't forget, you have to consider what the kids want." He explained, looking her firmly in the eyes.

"And Ian, if it's worrying about job security, unless the Knights make taking an out-of town position a requirement to the promotion, I don't think you have to worry about looking for another job."

At that his son-in-law looked shamefaced, and Robin instantly put a hand on his shoulder.

"We will consider what Petey and Katie want if we move, Pop…I promise. Ian, I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions."

"That's okay, I should have told you sooner.." her husband admitted, and embraced Robin. At that Rick grinned and slipped out of the room, then joined Laurie in the kitchen. She was wiping her eyes with her apron, and he came up silently in back of her, then wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her.

"Oh, Rick….you always know when I need you…" Laurie sighed and snuggled against him as he kissed her neck.

"My tenderhearted wife….of course I do….I never want to be without you."

"Me too." Laurie murmured, lifting her face for a kiss.

After a few moments alone, a couple of boisterous voices let Rick know his grandson and nephew were done with chores, so reluctantly he released his wife from his embrace.

"Rain check, darlin.."

"That's a promise I'll hold you to…" she smiled, then giggled as Ricky and Petey came into the kitchen, a muddy Jack in Petey's arms.

"Uh, Grandma….Jack kind of got into the horse's trough….can I clean him up in the bathroom?" he asked, as Ricky laughed.

"You mean Jack chased a rabbit into the water trough, then jumped right into the mud…then shook himself all over you."

"Whatever happened, yes, Petey, go ahead..I'll get you some clean things to wear…" Laurie told him, affectionately ruffling his hair. Rick turned a wry eye to his namesake, seeing he was perfectly dry.

"How did you escape a Jack shower, anyway?"

"Uh, I was up in the loft practicing falls..I mean, we'd already finished baling the hay, so I was getting ready to come down when Jacky came through. Poor Petey, he just happened to be next to Jack when he got out of the water." Ricky explained, an apologetic look on his face.

"All right, son…next time come get a towel or two to wipe things down, okay? Not fair for your cousin to have all the fun." Rick told him, trying not to grin.

Suddenly the phone rang, making Jack bark from the bedroom, and Rick grabbed up the extension.

"Simon Residence…"

"Rick, it's Barnabas..I know it's short notice, but Quentin and I would like to visit you and Laurie this week. Can you talk?"

Startled by the surprising request, Rick fumbled to answer. "Uh, sure, Barnabas…Laurie will be so excited to have you both come visit."

"Thank you, Rick…once we get here, I'll fill you in on , well, why it's so important that Quentin and I return to Arizona at this time."

At that Rick decided he needed to take the call privately, so he said "excuse me, guys" and headed into their bedroom. Finding Laurie pulling a shirt and pants from his drawers, he quietly told her, "I've got Barnabas on the phone, darlin'…"

"Barnabas? …" she echoed in a hushed voice, then sat down on the bed as Rick said, "Has it something to do with the caverns near the hospital?"

There was silence on the other end, then Barnabas replied, "Yes…has there been any disturbance of the area where Nicholas Blair was destroyed?"

Now Rick knew the feelings of evil his wife had sensed were real.

"Barnabas…something strange has been going on. A map of the caverns was found and unfortunately some excavation work was done to reopen them. No one knew the way into where Blair was going to sacrifice Laurie was unearthed,. until Rob was nearly buried by a wall collapsing . There was another cave in though.."

"And has anyone tried to get back into the caves?" the older man said tersely.

"No, Rob still wants to figure out the meaning of the markings on the walls, but the way in is blocked, so no one can get in …" Rick explained.

"That explains the dream I had…. But I'll tell you about it when Quentin and I get there..we'll be landing at Phoenix National about 12:30.." Barnabas said.

"That'll work, A.J. and I don't have any appointments so we can pick you both up at the terminal."

"Thank you, Rick…let me speak with my cousin for a moment, I know she'll have questions." The older man added, and he could hear the wry humor in his voice.

"Just a minute.." Rick handed the phone to his wife, then watched her smile as she heard Barnabas say her name. Relieved that they would have some support in not reopening the caves, he left the room with the change of clothes in hand. Finding his grandson feeding Jack in the kitchen, Rick grinned.

"See you decided to let bygones be bygones…"

"Can't stay mad at the little guy, …" Petey matched his smile, then accepted the dry clothes.

"Thanks, Grandpa..I'll change then go tell Mom I'll help with lunch…"

"Thanks, Petey….but I'll help Mom…" Ian came into the kitchen, followed by a smiling Robin. Rick stifled a sigh of relief; he knew his daughter and son-in-law would talk things out.

"Guys, can you come for dinner tomorrow? Cousin Barnabas and Quentin are flying in." Laurie appeared in the doorway.

"All right! Katie's been wanting to meet Cousin Quentin.." Petey beamed, then high-fived Ricky as he came in from the barn.

"That's great…let me call Mom and Dad, Auntie.." Ricky replied, bringing a smile to his namesakes face.

"Well, I think a family dinner is order…I'll get a hold of Dad and Mom." Rick put an arm around Laurie. At that moment Jack looked up from his empty food dish and barked.

"Yes, Jacky, and we'll invite Rob too….if Rudy and Doc say he can come." She said, leaning down and petting the little dog.

The next day Rick came into the living room to find Laurie on the phone, a pleased look on her face.

"That's great…Rick is picking up Barnabas and Quentin from the airport then, but I'm sure I can come get him….oh, I don't think so…" she said into the phone, then squealed with surprise when Rick put his arms around her and kissed her neck.

"Yes, that's your son-in-law…hang on."

Laurie turned in his arms and kissed him back, then handed him the phone.

"Morning, Dad."

"Good morning, Rick, I see things don't change around there.." Oscar Goldman teased, as Rick grinned and sat down next to his wife.

"Nope, she's still easy to surprise, Dad. I take it Rob's being released by Doc…"

"Yes, and he wants to come to dinner, he says he can drive but Doc says no…" Oscar added. The older Simon laughed.

"Rob's okay…Laurie can pick him up, he won't get anything past her."

"Then your mother and I will be there around 4…Rudy's driving in with A.J. and Linda and the kids about then too. Can we bring anything?"

"Just Mom's fish sauce and lemon bars for you-know-who." Rick winked at his wife, who draped an arm around him and laid her head against his shoulder.

"Already made and in the fridge." Oscar chuckled. "I'll let you two get back to getting things together."

"Thanks, Dad…see you later." Rick said goodbye then hung up the phone. Leaning down, he kissed Laurie's cheek and murmured, "Want to get back to getting things together?"

"Thought you'd never ask." She giggled, putting her arms around his neck.

Things went so smoothly in preparing rooms for Barnabas and Quentin that Rick had Laurie leave early to pick up Rob from the hospital. As he cleaned out the back seat of the truck, he was surprised by a familiar horn and looked up to see Robbie and Ramona pull into the parking area.

"Hey, son…you guys are early!" he grinned, as his grandchildren spilled out of the police cruiser.

"Jose and Andy kicked me out, said you and Mom might need help corralling Dad from doing too much…" Robbie chuckled as he helped Ramona bring in a couple of baskets.

"Oh, good…cause your mother's gone to get Rob now. I'm going to pick up your cousins now….so help yourself to stuff…" Rick said, embracing Andy, Lala and Davie as they went past him.

"We will, Pop…drive careful…" Robbie waved as he climbed into his truck and drove off.

Even with heavy traffic, Rick drove up to the airport terminal just as the two Collins stepped out of the building. It was with a pang of sadness that he noticed Barnabas's hair had gone completely gray, whereas Quentin's face was finally showing lines and wrinkles befitting his age. He was glad to see the vigor with which the younger Collins carried himself, though, along with shouldering both his and Barnabas's suitcases. Pulling up next to them, Rick called out, "Need a lift?"

"'bout time…cousin!" Quentin needled him as he parked then hopped out and shook hands. Barnabas gave him a tentative hug, then sighed with relief as Rick ushered them into the truck cab.

"I'd forgotten how much effort it is to travel these days. I didn't remember how large the airport has grown."

"No more small town atmosphere, Barnabas….Phoenix is a big city now….how was the flight, Quentin?" Rick asked as they drove towards the highway.

"Bumpy, and I agree with Barnabas….travel is no fun any more.. But….we had to come, something is terribly wrong and with what you and Laurie told us…."

Just then Rick's watch beeped, and he saw it was Robbie's frequency.

"Sorry, it's Robbie…I forgot he and Ramona got to the ranch early…Hey, son, what's up?" he said, then paled at his shaky voice.

"Pop, are you on your way home? There's been an accident….Mom's hurt."