by Terry S. Bowers

Entering the abandoned lighthouse carefully, alert to the slightest sound or movement, Barnabas knew where Julia was most likely being kept prisoner. There were few rooms in the structure, and he knew them well, having explored them himself in a search for safe hiding places for his coffin.

Slowly and quietly, Barnabas Collins began to climb the spiral staircase. He still heard no noise, no movement to indicate anyone else was there. Listening hard, he also could not hear Julia's breathing. For a moment, Barnabas almost allowed himself to panic, but then reminded himself it could be one of Angelique's tricks; an illusion she created to deceive anyone who might be looking for Julia - especially him.

Hand resting on the door knob, Barnabas Collins paused. Had he been human he would have taken a deep breath to prepare himself for what he might find on the other side. Instead he simply closed his eyes, opened them, and entered the room. His gaze rested on a still form, sprawled across a make-shift bed. The head hung over the side and he could smell the blood.

"Julia!"

His voice was a whisper but it echoed in the room as if he'd shouted as loudly as he could. Barnabas hurried over and knelt beside Julia, reaching out to take her hand. The moment he touched her skin, Barnabas knew. The blood - what very little remained - was growing cold and stale. Julia's heart no longer beat, her body no longer functioned. He was too late. Julia was dead. Had he not taken time to bother with Laszlo, perhaps he could have prevented this, for as he touched Julia, as he felt her skin, he knew she had not been dead long. A matter of minutes - or seconds - could have made a difference.

"Julia... my dear, Julia..."

Collins lowered his head and allowed his brow to rest against Julia's cooling hand. The compassion and care for others Julia had re-awakened within him, the humanity she'd restored to him had just died with her, and sat like a cold fire within his being. Julia had allowed him - forced him - to access the very best of himself. Angelique caused him to do just the opposite and she had taken more than Julia's life from him. Barnabas did not know how, but he would find some way to prevent Angelique from hurting him - or those he loved - ever again.

Raising his head, Barnabas righted Julia's body and settled her head on the pillow covered by a woolen blanket. He studied her features, realizing he would never again look upon her as...

"No!"

Barnabas' grief cleared enough so he fully remembered how Julia had died. How she would now rise as he did every night - as a vampire. And he had no one he could trust to prevent her from doing so. Julia had been his human protector. He'd never bothered to find someone else to guard him. And now Julia would pay for it. There was no way he alone could prevent it, but he would not allow her passing and change to be as terrifying as his had been. Barnabas lovingly gathered Julia's body into his arms and carried her from the lighthouse. Let Angelique wonder what had happened and where she was.

Aware Angelique knew of his safe resting places: the family mausoleum, the Old House cellar, even the secret room behind the book case in the Old House drawing room, Barnabas took Julia to a safe place he was certain Angelique knew nothing of; the tomb in which Tom Jennings hid in 1969, the same tomb where Barnabas had found Julia barely in time and kept her from becoming a vampire then. Inside the tomb, he left her body carefully hidden until he could bring his own spare coffin to her. When he saw Julia settled in the coffin - the one he at one time had intended for Josette, Barnabas Collins carefully and sadly closed the lid. He could do no more for her now. But he still had much to finish that evening. Angelique prevented Julia from saving Roxanne a life as a vampire, but he could still find a way to end her un-dead life. And he had to make some excuse for Julia's continued absence.

Bowing his head as he gently rested a hand on the closed lid of Julia's coffin, Barnabas promised himself Angelique would come to regret harming Julia.

"I shall be back, Julia. I shall not leave you alone..."

Collins turned and left the tomb, making certain Julia was as safe as possible.

Barnabas stood in the shadows and watched the unfamiliar mausoleum for quite sometime, not wanting to leave Julia there, but knowing he had to. Finally he turned and left, making his way to Rose Cottage. Once there, he encountered Randall Drew, Roxanne's brother, and was able to convince him of Roxanne's fate, letting him know how she could be given eternal rest and peace. Trask was also there, and Barnabas realized Trask was Roxanne's victim as well. The two followed Trask to find Roxanne's resting place.

Leaving Drew to see to Roxanne's peace, Barnabas next made his way to Collinwood, hoping Angelique would not be there. She'd not yet visited that evening and he was able to tell Quentin and Gabriel that he'd heard from his sister, Julia. When questioned, Barnabas blamed it on Angelique, claiming she'd neglected to give him a note from Julia, stating she would be out of town for a few days. Barnabas didn't care if they believed him or not. It would explain Julia's continued absence until she could ... she could rise.

As midnight approached, Barnabas excused himself and returned to the Old House. He'd no more than entered the foyer when his wife's angry voice met him.

"What have you done with Julia Hoffman? Where have you taken her?"

Collins stared at the woman a long moment, then continued into the drawing room, aware she followed him closely.

"I have done nothing with Julia. I have been out looking for her."

"Don't lie to me, Barnabas! She is gone and you know where she is!"

"If she is gone from wherever you were holding her, it is not for my doing. Perhaps her guard was careless, or became frightened. Perhaps Roxanne took her elsewhere."

"She would not dare."

Barnabas sank slowly into a nearby chair, his eyes closed.

"No...."

"What is wrong now?"

Angelique's tone of exasperated impatience made Barnabas smile to himself.

"If... if you no longer know Julia's whereabouts, she is truly lost to me."

"Yes, she is lost to you, Barnabas, as she has always been."

Barnabas suddenly opened his eyes and stared hard at Angelique.

"And if you no longer control her fate, should she die and become as I am, you will do well to fear for your very existence."

Angelique's harsh, mirthless laugh filled the room.

"What do I care for an inexperienced vampire? My control over Roxanne will extend to your dear 'sister' Julia as well. You had best behave yourself, Barnabas, for you no longer have any allies, any friends who will guard your secret. No one except me. And I will betray you instantly should you give me any cause."

Furious, Angelique turned and stormed out of the room, then out of the house, slamming the front door behind her. Barnabas rose slowly and watched after her silently. He was fortunate that Angelique did not know Julia as he did; he was fortunate that Julia was strong of will and independent of thought. She would be controlled by no one now, least of all Angelique.

Glancing about the drawing room, Barnabas sighed and shook his head. He gathered up his cloak and cane, then descended the cellar stairs, closing and locking the door behind him.

Three evenings later, just after sunset, Barnabas Collins stood beside the coffin that held Julia Hoffman. He sensed her terror when she woke and realized where she was - what she was. Carefully he raised the coffin lid and looked down into her wild, terrified eyes.

"Julia."

She sprang from the coffin, half crazed, crouched as if ready to strike. Barnabas reached out to her gently, carefully, knowing he could easily frighten her into flight.

"Julia, look at me. It is Barnabas. Your friend."

"... Barnabas..."

"Yes."

He took her hand and held it as he once had his real sister's when she was terrified. Julia glanced down, then met his gaze, a calm understanding washing over her.

"Barnabas... NO!!"

Julia collapsed into his arms and sobbed for several minutes, finally calming enough to draw away and meet his gaze once again.

"Barnabas, I..."

He placed a finger to her lips, then turned her around and nodded in the direction of a small alcove. From it stepped a young woman, dressed as a servant.

Eyes wide, understanding why the woman was there, Julia spun to face Barnabas, revulsion and loathing on her face.

"No, I... I can't."

"You must, Julia She is under my control, will do as I bid. You must."

An uncontrollable need overwhelmed Julia, and she stepped forward, arms encircling the servant, fastening her lips on the woman's throat. As she drank, Julia felt the need and confusion ease. Slowly she became aware of Barnabas' firm grip on her shoulders, and she eased back. Barnabas caught the servant as she slumped in a faint, and placed her gently on a mat on the floor. He covered her with a blanket, then stood and faced Julia.

Julia glanced about at her surroundings, coming to realize where she was. The mausoleum where Tom Jennings had summoned her; where she had nearly become a vampire once before.

"How did I get here?"

"I... found you in the lighthouse, but I was too late. I dared not leave you there for Angelique to find, so I brought you here. I needed a place she didn't know of."

Julia nodded as she continued to survey her surroundings, coming to realize there were two coffins in the room. One she instantly recognized as belonging to Barnabas. The other... was now her's. Julia met Barnabas' gaze with wide, questioning eyes.

"Although I have several safe hiding places, Angelique knows of them all. I have left her and I have left the Old House. To my knowledge, she is not aware of your death, thinking only that you were able to get away from your guard. Although I am certain she is by now aware of Roxanne's final death."

"How did you accomplish that?"

"I was able to convince her brother, Randall, of her fate. He kept Roxanne from her coffin at sunrise the same night that you... Julia, forgive me, please!"

He stepped close to her, his gaze pleading, terrified she would turn against him and he would truly be friendless amongst his enemies. Julia reached out and took his hand with a boldness she'd never displayed while human.

"This is not your doing, Barnabas."

"It is. I... I made Roxanne what she was, and she in turn..."

"Barnabas, Roxanne would never have risen had Angelique not kept me from her tomb until it was too late. I would never have encountered Roxanne were it not for Angelique's contriving to make me Roxanne's victim. If anyone is responsible, it is Angelique."

Julia's voice hardened, her eyes narrowing with a determined hatred Barnabas had rarely seen in her when she was alive. Now that Julia was a vampire, that determination was frightening. But Barnabas matched her sentiment, his own voice growing hard and cold.

"Yes, and she will regret ever having harmed you."

Julia eyed him closely, aware of the same coldness and ruthlessness she'd experienced in him during the early days of their relationship. She knew Barnabas would not back down, nor soften whatever revenge he had planned.

"What good will that do, Barnabas?"

"It will show her I am no longer content to allow her to rule my life through her vindictive jealousy, through fear, her curse, nor any other action on her part."

"It won't matter, Barnabas."

"It will."

"No, it won't. Barnabas, why am I here now, why am I a vampire instead of human?"

"Because Angelique will never be content until she has destroyed everyone I have ever cared about. She is determined to make me a part of her life, and if she can not do so through love and kindness, she will do so by killing everyone in my life, until she is the only one left. But I will never turn to her - for anything, least of all companionship, compassion or love. I do not care that she wants me in a way she can never have - as her loving husband."

Collins spat out the last words of his sentence, his eyes growing even more hard and cold.

"She's past that, Barnabas. When Angelique contrived for Roxanne to attack me, she realized she can never have you as she would like. But it no longer matters to her. Now all she cares about is that there is never another woman in your life - no matter what your feelings for that woman might be. If Angelique cannot have you, neither can anyone else."

"How do you know this?"

"She told me."

"What?"

"Not in so many words, but Angelique promised me the only way she would ever allow us to be together would be when I too was a vampire."

"So, it appears Angelique has again gotten what she wants."

"Yes."

Julia's tone was angry and bitter. She had never desired this existence, never welcomed nor embraced the possibility as some victims did. She understood the reality of it too well, but had been given no choice.

Barnabas laid a gentle hand on Julia's arm and met her troubled gaze.

"You have become a vampire because you are so very important to me and because it is what Angelique wants."

"Yes... Am I that important to you, Barnabas?"

He met her gaze and stepped close, arms going about her in an embrace that was more than friendly.

"Yes, always. And now that Angelique has done her worst to you - to us - we can turn it to our advantage."

"Has she done her worst?"

Barnabas met Julia's gaze for a long minute, then glanced down, shaking his head.

"I do not know. But when Angelique realizes what has happened to you, she will panic. She will realize she must fear you. To avoid that, she will try to control you, reasoning that it will be easy. She was able to control Roxanne, and because Roxanne made you, believes she will be able to extend her influence to you as well."

Julia brought a trembling hand to her throat, eyes wide with fear.

"Can she?"

Barnabas smiled, chuckled, and shook his head, taking Julia's hands and meeting her troubled gaze.

"I have yet to encounter the force that could truly and completely control you. Tom Jennings, Judah Zachary, Roxanne. All have tried and all have ultimately failed."

Hoffman breathed a slight sigh of relief, meeting Barnabas' gaze, realizing he had touched her, held her hand, held her, and told her more about his feelings for her now, in the past few minutes, than he had ever done in all the years they had known one another. Perhaps... because now she had nothing to lose. She'd fallen victim to Angelique's curse and now shared with Barnabas that which she had only been partially able to understand before - what it was like to be a vampire. Slowly she nodded.

"Julia, do you wish revenge on Angelique?"

"Yes."

There was no moment of hesitation to consider before Julia answered, and Collins detected more than a trace of hard edged anger and hatred in her voice. It was so easy to lose touch with all the gentler qualities of being a human and give in to the dark, angry, almost evil urges that came with a vampire's existence. Slowly, subtly Julia had made Barnabas see that in himself; had helped him to once again tap into the kinder and gentler aspects of his personality. He would have to take care that Julia stayed in touch with those very same qualities in herself.

"You are certain?"

"Yes, Barnabas. Angelique forced this upon me the same way she forced it upon you. I wanted it - welcomed it - no more than you did. But we are here now - we are both vampires now - and we must make that work to our advantage... Barnabas, are we safe here, with no one to guard us during the day?"

"Yes, I believe so, but to be certain, we will move our coffins into those alcoves, to hide them from view should anyone wander in. Then we must find someone for you before sunrise."

Julia nodded, willing to be guided and taught by Barnabas and his experience.

"Barnabas,... how did you know where to look for me?"

"Laszlo. He came to the Old House looking for Angelique and was foolish enough to wear this openly."

Barnabas took Julia's large pearl ring from his pocket and returned it to her.

"He was reluctant to admit any knowledge of your location, but I was able to convince him to share what he knew."

"Did you kill him?"

"No, although I was tempted."

"I want him."

Collins' curious gaze caused Julia to elaborate.

"Toward the end, when I was too weak to do anything, he was taunting and tormenting me. I was nearly unconscious when he took this from me and made a comment about having to fear me as well - when I was dead. I'd hate to make his gypsy prediction inaccurate."

"He is your's - after Angelique."

"After Angelique. Barnabas, are you certain her powers will be ineffective on me?"

He nodded, then touched Julia's chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. Their gazes locked and Julia felt his strength, his resolve, his knowledge and his determination become a part of her. She felt something more, something she had longed for as a human, but knew this was not the time to explore it. They had to deal with Angelique first. Later there would be time to discover and explore all the things they now shared.

* * * * *

Julia Hoffman's first night as a vampire was spent in learning the subtle art of hunting. She watched Barnabas carefully, adapted his methods to suit her own style, and by morning was confident enough to know she could survive as a vampire. She would never enjoy it, would always despise having to exist this way, even though she knew it was no more of her own choosing than it had been for Barnabas, and Julia was certain she would never - could never - be content with her fate, even though she was certain she would come to accept it. But she also took comfort in the fact she was not alone. Barnabas was there to guide her, to instruct her, to assist her through the changes she was so abruptly forced to make - the changes he had endured alone. As her first dawn approached, Julia's last memory was of Barnabas standing beside her coffin, his hand holding hers, a gentle smile on his face that let her know he would be right there beside her when dusk came. He said nothing but she knew. Julia closed her cold fingers around Barnabas' equally cold hand, then knew no more.

"I don't think I'm ready for this, Barnabas."

Collins and Hoffman stood in the shadows a few hundred feet from the front door of Collinwood.

"You must, Julia. It is the only way to detract from your changed lifestyle. Avoid mirrors, stand to the side of windows, and do nothing that will make them suspicious."

Julia closed her eyes and took what would have been a deep breath had she still breathed, then nodded once. It was a gesture of determined resignation - one Barnabas had often seen. He placed a supportive hand on her arm and as one they turned and started for the front door.

"Barnabas, what if Angelique is there?"

"Do nothing that will allow her to sense your changed status."

"She won't be able to tell?"

"I do not know, but we shall do nothing to help her. Julia, you should be aware that the night I found you, Angelique accused me of rescuing you. I denied it, but I doubt she believed me."

"I am prepared for her hostility, Barnabas. When I was human, she saw me as a rival."

Barnabas met Julia's gaze and again she was aware of the fact their relationship had taken on a new meaning. He didn't seem surprised by that information, and even smiled slightly as he considered it.

"And we shall allow her to continue thinking that of you, for if she is occupied with such thoughts, she will be less attuned to our true motives and desires."

Julia nodded and they entered Collinwood together. Gabriel was in the drawing room, his wife Edith with him. Gabriel expressed his skeptical concern in regards to Julia's absence, but neither she nor Barnabas would rise to his baiting. Quentin soon joined them and welcomed Julia back properly, politely curious about her trip out of town. With Barnabas' help, Julia was able to hold her own and an hour later, claiming fatigue from her journey, Julia excused herself, intending to turn in early.

Barnabas walked her to the stairs and paused at the bottom.

"Do everything as you normally would. I shall meet you half an hour before dawn... I am pleased you are back, Julia."

Barnabas raised his voice slightly for the last part of his statement, then kissed his 'sister' lightly on the cheek. She met his gaze and smiled, then said goodnight and ascended the stairs. Barnabas watched until she disappeared behind the upper doorway, and returned to the drawing room.

"I wonder, cousin Barnabas, if your wife will be as pleased by your sister's return as you are. Valerie seems to dislike Julia. Have you any idea as to why?"

Barnabas glanced down at Gabriel as he wheeled himself closer.

"Perhaps Valerie does not fully understand the sibling affection Julia and I share."

"Yes, perhaps, but... I somehow feel it is something more."

"Really, Gabriel? I can't imagine what it might be. If you will all excuse me, it is getting rather late. I should be going. Goodnight."

Quentin, Edith and Gabriel all said their good nights and Barnabas let himself out.

Julia stood beside her coffin and waited for Barnabas' return. She glanced slowly around the well concealed alcove. She didn't allow herself to dwell on the eternity of the life she now faced. She had distant and far off hopes of someday being able to treat herself, to cure herself as she had Barnabas. But that would do nothing for him. He was a vampire now because of the Leviathans. Julia knew she might be able to cure herself, but she'd tried - and failed - to make Barnabas human again. As much as she despised being a vampire, Julia knew she could never leave Barnabas alone. He was horrified that she too was a vampire and Julia knew he would urge her to become human again if she could, but she also knew he was - subconsciously - relieved to have someone with whom to share his life. Barnabas would never realize it, and be appalled at his reaction if he did, but Julia knew that Barnabas - finally - no longer felt so lonely. After years of isolation and solitude, he now had someone whom he trusted, relied upon, and cared about that fully understood what his existence was like. As a human Julia had tried but she could not totally and completely understand what he was forced to endure. Now she did, and she wouldn't trade that understanding for anything. Perhaps, not even to be human again, for she knew she could not leave Barnabas to endure such an existence alone again when he'd had someone to share it with, someone who understood him better than he understood himself. Shaking her head, Julia closed her eyes, resigned to spending the rest of her unnatural life as a vampire.

A hand on her shoulder and her name spoken softly in her ear caused Julia to jump, her fangs barred, eyes cold and hard, defensive, until she realized it was Barnabas behind her. She'd not heard him approach.

"Julia, I did not mean to startle you."

"I wasn't paying attention, Barnabas. I'm sorry. How long have you been here?"

"A few minutes, you were deep in thought. I hesitated to disturb you, but dawn is nearly here."

Julia nodded and watched while Barnabas raised the coffin lid for her. She got in and settled back against the satin. He rested his hand on her's and when their gazes met, he gave her a firm nod.

"Tonight we shall discuss our revenge on Angelique."

Julia smiled while the vampire's sleep claimed her. As he had every night since she'd risen as a vampire, Barnabas Collins watched Julia Hoffman for several moments, then closed her coffin lid and retreated to his own for the daylight hours.

Standing beside Julia's coffin, as he had every night since her life was so drastically altered, Barnabas watched her gradual change from death to a precious few hours of non-life. He knew well the sensations she was experiencing, knew well the needs she would have when she rose. He knew them himself, but years and experience had taught Barnabas how to control them. He was passing this knowledge and skill on to Julia. She was an apt pupil and had adapted to the requirements of being a vampire far better and easier than Barnabas had anticipated. Julia Hoffman never ceased to amaze Barnabas Collins with her abilities to adjust to any given situation. He smiled and reached for her hand, wrapping his fingers about her's.

"What should I ever do without you, Julia?"

Her only response to his softly voiced question was the gentle squeezing if his fingers by her's. Barnabas smiled as Julia opened her eyes, their gazes meeting and locking. She returned the smile, then allowed him to help her from her coffin. Their gazes met again and Julia nodded.

"Thank you, Barnabas."

"Julia, I..."

"What is it, Barnabas?"

"I... No, I can not believe... Julia, it brings me great shame to admit this, but... I am pleased to have you here with me - like this - as you now are. Your friendship and companionship have always meant a great deal to me, but now... "

"Now you have someone to share your life, to understand what it is like, someone to... keep you from being lonely."

"Yes. How can you know that?"

"Because I know you, and because I've been trying to imagine what your first days in this life were like without someone to help you, to understand you, to comfort you."

"It is more than that, Julia. I tried to gain companionship before - with Josette, Maggie, Vicki, Kitty, Roxanne... but with you it is so very different. I do not understand..."

Julia met Barnabas' gaze and steeled herself for the reaction her reply could cause.

"I think you do, Barnabas, but you aren't ready to admit it yet. When you are, everything else will become clear and fall into place. Are you coming? I need to hunt."

Julia turned and left the alcove, moving into the main room of the mausoleum. Barnabas stared after her for a long moment, then joined her by the door. Carefully they moved into the early evening air and as one took wing on the breeze, their bat forms flying in unison across the ever darkening sky.

Their hunt successful, Barnabas and Julia headed toward Collinwood. They parted company at a side door. Julia went up to her room to change her attire while Barnabas made his way to the front door and let himself in. No one was in the drawing room to greet him, so he entered and looked around. He was just about to sit, intending to wait for Julia when he heard the front door open and close. Barnabas stepped to the drawing room doors, a cold hard glare of anger crossing over his face.

"Barnabas."

"Valerie."

"Where have you been?"

"That should be obvious - anywhere so long as I was not near you."

"Looking after your 'dear sister' I presume? That must be quite difficult, considering your... restrictions. And while we're at it, how did you manage to have Roxanne destroyed?"

"As I'm sure you know, Randall prevented Roxanne from reaching her coffin at dawn. She has the peace I have been denied."

"And I suppose you had nothing to do with convincing Randall it was necessary?"

"So long as she is at peace, it does not matter."

"Oh, but it does, Barnabas, for you have interfered with my plans - again. You really are slow to learn that nothing you do - nothing - will stop me from getting what I want."

Barnabas simply looked at her and shook his head, aware of movement behind Angelique, out in the foyer. He saw Julia descend the stairs and cross the floor to pause just outside the drawing room doors. A quick flick of his gaze let Julia know she was to wait there, to see what Angelique's next move was to be.

"And what I want right now is to know where you have taken Julia."

A quick smile crossed Julia's eyes, then it was gone, replaced by a look of amused tolerance.

"Barnabas has taken me no where, Valerie. I am right here."

Julia entered the room as Angelique spun around to face her.

"How did you escape?"

"Laszlo was careless. You should have a talk with him."

"Believe me I shall, as soon as I can find him."

Julia sent a quick, amused look in Barnabas' direction, both knowing Laszlo would not be found until Julia was ready to have him found. She was now his keeper, just as he had once been her's. Returning her attention to Angelique, Julia continued.

"Besides, you should know, Valerie. When Roxanne was destroyed, so was her control over me. And your's as well."

"I shouldn't be so smug and certain, 'dear sister-in-law'. Whatever hold you may have over Barnabas will end - very soon."

"I have no hold over Barnabas, except one of concern and friendship. I'm sorry you can't accept that, but it is hard to understand something you have never experienced for yourself."

Julia walked past Angelique and crossed to stand by the fireplace. She could feel Angelique doing a slow burn but did not care. The more angry the witch became with her, the better their plan would work.

"You shall both regret ever forming a friendship with each other, especially you, Julia."

Hoffman turned slowly away from the fire and looked in Barnabas' direction a quick moment, then met Angelique's ice blue glare. Julia shook her head gently.

"I could never regret being Barnabas' friend."

"Nor I Julia's."

"Then you shall both regret being my enemy."

Angelique spun and left the room, then the house as Barnabas closed the distance between himself and Julia. Their gazes met, he nodded once, and both smiled.

To Be Continued

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