Armand looked at Lestat, noting how the blonde's voice had softened.  He smiled slightly, and then answered, “We happened to be in one of our night classes together, music appreciation, I believe.”  His eyes twinkled a bit, “Of course, this was before you came out with that rot you call music.” 
     Louis tried unsuccessfully to stifle a snicker, and Lestat gave Armand his prettiest, full-fanged grin.  He laughed a little, and then said, “Never mind that, Armand, go on.” 
     Armand grinned (yes grinned) at Lestat for a split second longer before his face grew serious again.  He opened his mind to Lestat and Louis and began sending them images.  “Anyway, as I was saying, we were in a music appreciation class when our topic of the evening was, I swear, rock music of the late sixties to mid-70's.........” 

One Night, Twenty or so years ago... 

     “Armand, hurry up!” Daniel shouted.  “It's almost time for class.  I've been looking forward to this lecture.” 
     I 'm coming, Daniel.  Be patient, Daniel heard in his head. 
     I'm trying, Daniel thought back at Armand. 
     “I am ready to go now,” Armand spoke up from the stairway.  He was in his student mode...hair pulled back in a tail, jeans, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. 
Daniel practically shoved Armand out the door...not a simple feat seeing that he was only mortal. 
     Armand was happy to see that Daniel was happy tonight.  He was glad that there were going to be no fights.  He intended to make sure that nothing happened to cause one. 
     When they arrived at school, the lecture was just about to begin.  The professor was passing out handouts showing an outline of rock bands from 1967-1976.  The professor proceeded to discuss songs that dealt with love gone bad, and lost loves.  All of a sudden, Armand felt an intense wave of sadness emanating from Daniel. 
     Armand looked over at Daniel, and he was shocked to see that tears were streaming down Daniel's face.  Armand looked into Daniel's thoughts, and what he saw stunned him.  A woman's face was in the center of Daniel's thoughts. 
     “Daniel,” he hissed, “what's wrong?” 
     Daniel looked with tear-filled eyes at Armand.  “What?” he asked. 

     Armand, really concerned now, put his arm around Daniel's shoulders, which were shaking with sobs.  “Let's go,” he commanded.  He helped Daniel to his feet, and he noticed that the professor was giving him a concerned look.  Armand reassured the professor that everything was all right by giving him a slight nod. 
     Armand helped Daniel out of the classroom, and when they got outside of the building, Daniel collapsed on the sidewalk.  The sobs sounded as if they were being ripped from his soul.  Armand didn't know he could help his beloved, so he just put his arm around him.  Daniel buried his head into Armand's shoulder and cried.  After a few minutes, Armand noticed that the sobs were beginning to subside.  “Are you ready to talk about it?” he asked gently. 

     Daniel looked up and smiled slightly.  He looked so child-like...smiling through his tears.  He nodded at Armand, and sat up. “Who is the woman, beloved?  The one I saw in your mind?” 
     Daniel stiffened, and then relaxed a bit.  “She is, I mean, she was, my wife.” 
Armand, surprised, said, “But you have no wife.” 
     Daniel nodded, “Not anymore.  When I began my travels with you, I made her think I was dead.” 
     “Why would you do that, beloved?” Armand asked, gently. 
     “To be completely honest, I didn't want her to be exposed to you and the other vampires out there.  I was afraid that you might hurt her if you knew of her existence,” Daniel said, the sobs still shaking his body a little. 
     “I'm hurt that you didn't tell me about her before, but that was probably wise.   I won't share you with anyone,” Armand said stubbornly. 

     That brought a smile to Daniel's face. “I know, love.  But tonight's class made me realize how desperately I miss her.  Jamie is her name.  She was my best friend,” Daniel said, “we grew up together.  We were high school and college sweethearts.  We married just after college.  We were very happy together, at least, until I began my night travels looking for stories.  That she didn't understand, but she wouldn't give me any trouble over it.  She trusted me implicitly....and look at how I've betrayed her.” 

     Armand shook his head. “You didn't betray her...you saved her.  You loved her enough to let her go, didn't you?  You showed more strength than I ever could.  I'd never give up anything I love, because I seldom find anything worth loving.  You are my beloved and my best friend, Daniel.  If I have never said that before now, please forgive me,” Armand said. 
     Daniel smiled lovingly at Armand, and then said, “Let's go home. I'm tired.” 
     “Anything you wish, beloved,” Armand said, “but one thing, would you like me to find out how she is doing and where she is?” 
     Daniel stopped walking and looked at Armand.  He violently shook his head. 
     “No,” he said, “absolutely not.  I do not want her exposed to this world I've gotten myself into at all.” 
     Armand nodded in satisfaction, “Okay, Daniel. I won't try to find her.” 

     Daniel seemed to accept this, and they began to walk back to their hotel. Armand thought to himself, if I have to keep tabs on this woman, I will. 

     Armand ceased the images coming from his mind.  Lestat and Louis looked at him with twin expressions—of understanding mixed with sadness.  Armand noticed that Louis had tears standing in his eyes, and that Lestat looked more subdued than usual.  He asked them, “Now do you know why I need your help, Lestat?  I've seen this woman with my own eyes, here in New Orleans, and she's powerful.  Very powerful.” 

     Lestat waved off Armand's question, “Of course, I'm going to help you. That was never in doubt....I'm too curious not to.”  He looked at Louis, who nodded in agreement.  “But what I want to know is, are you going to tell Daniel any of this?” 
     “Not yet....” he stated, but before Lestat could utter a single syllable, he continued, “not until I find out her intentions and exactly how much she knows.” 
     That seemed to pacify Lestat who asked, “So, Armand, what do you want to do first?”