By Terry S. Bowers

CHAPTER I

Staring at Barnabas across the width of the Old House drawing room, Julia Hoffman tried very hard not to let her astonished anger show, but was not completely successful. She shook her head and slapped her clenched fists against her outer thighs, taking a deep breath before she spoke. Barnabas watched her reaction, puzzled and irritated.

"Julia, I do not understand your... hostility and hesitancy. I have made a simple statement."

"I do not understand how you can honestly and truly believe the... legitimacy of that statement, Barnabas."

"You doubt my sincerity?"

"No, but I am beginning to doubt your sanity!"

"I thought this to be a personal matter, Julia, not a professional one."

"The lines are becoming very blurred right now, Barnabas."

"I do not see why they should."

"Because I can't understand how - why - you still want to be with her."

"Please use her name, Julia. It is Angelique. I would hope you will become used to her presence in my life, for I intend to stay with her."

Julia gasped and forced herself not to reach for the back of the chair to support herself. How could Barnabas even consider it?

"...What?"

"I intend to stay with her, Julia. If she is unable to return to the present with us when we leave this time, I will stay with her here. We will make a life for ourselves in this era."

Julia shook her head and began to pace.

"You do not believe me?"

"I don't want to believe you, Barnabas. How? Why?"

"She is my wife."

Julia took a deep breath, ceased her pacing and turned to face Barnabas. She could not allow her own emotions to interfere; this called for her best professional manner. She had to somehow talk him out of this insanity.

"I know that Barnabas. I also know, for you yourself have told me, that she blackmailed you into marriage. She deliberately, maliciously caused the one person you cared most about in the whole world, your little sister, Sarah, to fall ill. After she forced a promise of marriage from you in exchange for helping Sarah, she worked a little magic and miraculously 'cured' the child of the illness she had deliberately caused."

"Love can often drive a person to less than honorable or honest actions."

Julia laughed harshly, bitterly. She was well aware of what love could cause a person to do. She herself had done many things out of her love for Barnabas she would normally have never considered, but she had never blackmailed him, never forced him to do something he could not bear, never used his love for someone else against him.

"I am very aware of what love can force a person to do, Barnabas, and if Angelique had stopped there, I might more easily understand your willingness to forgive her, but she did not. She viciously, cruelly, deliberately cursed you and all those who dared to love you. She has chased you through centuries, making your existence miserable; leaving fear and anger and horror in her wake. She has done everything she can to make you miserable, to torment you and those around you. I am trying to understand how, after all she has done, you believe you love her, but I find it very difficult to comprehend, Barnabas."

He studied Julia a long moment, considering his next words, listening to what Julia said, and did not say.

"Perhaps because your own emotions, your own prejudices against her will not allow you to comprehend. I know you blame Angelique, hold her responsible for... for Roxanne's attack."

Staring at Barnabas, Julia took a step closer, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

"You're damn right I hold her responsible. Barnabas, I was hours away from death while Angelique sat by my side, gloating about how brilliant her plan had been, gleefully telling me she would do nothing to help me; intending to let Roxanne feed from me again and let nature take its course. That was how she would allow you to be with another woman; when that woman was a vampire just like you. Yes, I blame her, Barnabas."

Collins released a heavy sigh, shaking his head. He disliked seeing Julia so angry and upset. He knew she cared deeply for him, but had hoped she would be as happy for him as he was for himself now that Angelique had lifted his curse; now that he was once again human.

He met Julia's gaze and closed the distance between them. Gently he reached out to take her by the shoulders, his expression tender and caring.

"I am sorry for all she has done to you, Julia. It was because she does not understand the friendship and devotion we share. I value that between us, Julia, and as my friend, can you not be happy that I have finally found the true love and happiness I have sought for so long?"

Julia swallowed down an acid reply and a tightness in her throat as she slowly shook her head. He would not allow himself to understand, he was stubbornly clinging to a falsehood he desperately wanted to be true.

"Yes, if I believed, was truly certain you have found love and happiness with her, Barnabas, I would be overjoyed for you. But I don't think you have found it with her, or ever will. You are trying to convince yourself of the delusion as much as you are trying to convince me."

Barnabas stiffened. He dropped his hands from Julia's shoulders and took a step backward. His expression grew hard and his eyes glistened with controlled anger and resentment.

"With whom do you think I could find true happiness and love, Julia?"

Julia took a deep breath. She had almost confessed her feelings to Barnabas earlier, but had stopped herself. At the time she'd not wanted to admit the reason why.

"Barnabas, I'm going to ask you to do something. I'd like you to think about, really think about... the way Angelique has loved you over the centuries, in contrast to... to the way I feel about you."

She met his gaze, hoping he understood what she was saying, what she was asking. Barnabas' eyes softened for a moment, then he pulled back, behind the years of unspoken feelings between them. He shook his head, his gaze taking on a look of sadness and... pity. Nevertheless, this voice was harsh, hurtful when he spoke.

"Do you believe, still want to believe, Julia, that I could find what I am looking for with you? I know, as must you, that what I have told you concerning myself and Angelique is true? Why can you not accept I do not - will not - return your feelings?"

Barnabas' words hit Julia with the same impact and sting as if he'd physically slapped her. He wasn't even going to consider giving her request any thought! She pulled in a deep breath and turned away, unwilling to let Barnabas see the hurt and resentment his words caused her. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and did not turn back to look at Barnabas.

"This conversation is over. It is obvious we will never agree. You need not fear my... interference in your pursuit of happiness and true love with Angelique, Barnabas. When we leave this era and return to our own time, I shall leave you in peace. I hope you find everything you think you already have with Angelique, Barnabas. I only wish... you'd had the courage to find out what we might have had... Goodbye."

Julia walked from the drawing room, through the foyer and to the front door. She paused a moment before opening the door, then left the Old House.

Barnabas listened as Julia silently left his house, hoping she would change her mind, quietly wishing he could give her what she had long deserved from him, and very much afraid this disagreement concerning Angelique had caused him to trade the loyalty, devotion and friendship of one woman for the love and happiness he was determined to have with another. Barnabas sighed. In time, Julia's hurt and anger would fade. Perhaps they could never go back to the way things had been between them for so long, but he hoped their friendship would survive.

CHAPTER II

Twenty four hours later, Angelique - Valerie - Collins was dead. Shot, murdered by a fanatically insane Lamar Trask. Julia knelt beside the former witch, examined her, then looked up at Barnabas and shook her head. There was nothing she could do.

Barnabas lowered his head in grief. Julia left the Collinwood drawing room and closed the doors behind her. She went to fetch her medical bag and returned to treat Barnabas' shoulder wound. She and Barnabas spoke very little during the time they remained in 1841, and as they ascended the stairway through time, to return to 1971, Eliot Stokes could not help but be aware of the strain between the two. He said nothing, observing quietly and wondering how long Barnabas Collins and Julia Hoffman would remain distant toward one another, their friendship strained more than ever before.

The door at the top of the stairway opened. They entered, began the downward journey and were home, in a fully restored Collinwood of 1971.

Physically and emotionally exhausted by the events of 1840/1841, Julia Hoffman slept soundly each night for the first two weeks following their return to the present. Her days were filled with making certain everyone and everything at Collinwood had returned to 'normal'. The family lived; all traces of the catastrophe that had sent them to the past were obliterated, no clues remained to even suggest something had been wrong. Only Julia, Stokes and Barnabas retained any memory of those events.

While Julia Hoffman worked to ascertain the safety and condition of the family to which she did not belong, Barnabas Collins spent his days alone in the empty quiet of the Old House. Willie reported Barnabas spent a great deal of time at the cemetery, standing by the grave of Valerie Collins. When he was not there, he sat in his chair in the drawing room, lost in the memories he fiercely held on to of his few brief hours of 'happiness and true love' with Angelique.

Otherwise Barnabas ventured out rarely. He went to Collinwood only once, to be certain his family was alive and well. Julia used that opportunity to examine Barnabas' wound and change the dressing, their only interaction being that of doctor to patient. Julia was unable, or more to the point, unwilling to return to the place where her friendship with Barnabas ended so bitterly and angrily, and did not seek him out. She knew she should, she knew he was hurting, but so was she, and could not endure giving him what he expected from her, sympathy and understanding regarding Angelique's death. The family found it odd, this abrupt estrangement between Barnabas and Julia, but did not ask and only Eliot Stokes had even a hint of a clue as to what had triggered this sudden change. He said nothing; Barnabas or Julia would most likely come to him to discuss the situation when they were ready to do so.

What Eliot Stokes did not know was that Julia Hoffman's sleep was no longer sound. Not so exhausted as she had been, Julia found her sleep was being troubled by dreams. When she awoke in the morning, Julia could not recall specific details of her dreams, only that the events revolved around the happenings of 1840. Julia knew it was her mind's subconscious way of dealing with all she had been through. The dreams would stop when her mind reconciled everything it needed to put into perspective.

CHAPTER III

Concerned by Julia Hoffman's failure to come down to breakfast at her usual time, worried that perhaps the doctor wasn't feeling well, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard made her way down the hallway to Julia's room. She paused in front of the door, listening. There was no sound of movement inside, no hurried rustling to indicate Julia had simply overslept, so Elizabeth knocked gently. When there was no response, Elizabeth knocked again more loudly and called Julia's name. Still receiving no response, hearing nothing from inside the room, Elizabeth tried the door. It opened easily and Elizabeth hesitantly stepped inside. At first glance nothing appeared amiss. She smiled fondly when she saw Julia still in bed, sound asleep. Elizabeth was about to turn and leave when something stopped her.

Julia's medical bag was on the desk, but not neat and orderly as Julia always kept it. The bag was tipped on its side, the contents spilling onto the desk top and floor. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard frowned, then walked over to the bed. Julia was sprawled beneath the covers, her face pale, her breathing shallow. Too shallow.

Elizabeth's heart began to race as panic and fear surged through her. Something was wrong, incredibly wrong. She stepped closer to Julia's bed, the adrenaline pumping through her, making her acutely alert to every little detail. Julia's hand was clasped around something; a tipped over water glass, the contents spilled to the floor, rested on the nightstand. Julia's breathing was not just shallow, it was labored and slow. It rattled in her chest, each breath coming more slowly than the one before it.

"Julia!"

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard bent over her friend, calling her name, shaking her shoulders. There was no response. Elizabeth looked around, her glance caught by Julia's clutched hand resting at her side. Gingerly Elizabeth reached for Julia's hand and pried the object from her clenched fingers. A brown plastic bottle... a pill bottle... Heart pounding, hand trembling, Elizabeth turned the bottle label toward her. No! Sleeping pills. Strong sleeping pills.

"Julia! Answer me, look at me. Julia!"

Again there was no response and Elizabeth's hands covered her mouth. She backed away, terrified by what she was seeing, by the conclusions that were jumping into her mind. It couldn't be, but...

Julia Hoffman had tried to commit suicide.

CHAPTER IV

Hands shaking, voice trembling, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard phoned the authorities.

The ambulance and a doctor arrived.

Sheriff Patterson and his men came.

Julia Hoffman was rushed to the Emergency Room.

Questions were asked.

The investigation began.

Julia's room and belongings were searched.

A note was found.

The note, in Julia's hand, written on a physician's prescription pad that came from her medical bag simply read:

     I can no longer endure the pain.
     I will always love him but
     he will never be mine.
     Forgive me.

Barnabas Collins stared at Sheriff Patterson with open mouthed anguish when the Sheriff brought him news of Julia Hoffman's suicide attempt. Collins sank into his chair by the fireplace, staring ahead of him, unable to comprehend the news. Patterson could see Collins was clearly shocked, and deeply shaken by the information. The Sheriff questioned Barnabas about his relationship with Julia Hoffman, listened as Barnabas hesitantly related their argument of several weeks before, and explained the cause of that argument was no longer a factor. Patterson nodded his thanks and his understanding; Julia Hoffman would not be the first person to react so dramatically to the emotion of jealousy; she would not be the first person to despair and become depressed, suicidal, over the ending of a long term relationship, and the loss of a loved one to another.

Barnabas stared blankly out the window of the Old House drawing room after George Patterson left. He could not believe it of Julia. She had been extremely angry, hurt and upset when they exchanged harsh words over his decision regarding Angelique, but she'd hardly been depressed or suicidal. Julia had been sincere in her expression of sympathy when Angelique died. Barnabas knew, instinctively, that Julia Hoffman would never attempt suicide, and yet... apparently she had.

Pulling in a deep breath to prevent a sob from escaping, Barnabas turned away from the window and closed his eyes. It could not be true. He had to see Julia, he had to see for himself that she would recover.

Hurrying from the room, Barnabas Collins did not see the nearly invisible image of someone - a woman - appear briefly in the drawing room, then fade away.

CHAPTER V

Barnabas found his cousins in the waiting room at the Collinsport Hospital. He waited solemnly, saying little, keeping to himself, aware the implications of Julia's note involved him. When the E.R. physician arrived, Barnabas joined the others, listening to Doctor Tolan's report.

"How is she, Doctor? Will she be all right?"

The doctor glanced at Mrs. Stoddard, who asked the questions, then allowed his gaze to take in the rest of the family. He nodded slowly.

"Right now it appears as though Doctor Hoffman will recover. We've been able to remove the contents of her stomach, and the blood work indicates her system is not as contaminated as we would expect in a case like this. However, complications may still arise, and we will be keeping her here for observation for several days after she regains consciousness."

"May we see her, Doctor?"

Again Tolan's glance took in all of the assembled Collins family members. He shook his head.

"Not until tomorrow, after she awakens. We need to complete a psychological assessment before she's allowed visitors, and that won't take place until several hours after she wakes up."

"Why the delay?"

Roger's voice was harsh with gruffness. He was trying not to convey the fear and worry he felt.

"We're waiting for a trained psychiatrist to arrive. We don't have one on staff just now so when one is needed... we usually call Doctor Hoffman in to consult... We've put in a call to Wyndecliffe, and they are sending someone, a Doctor Greene."

Elizabeth and Barnabas both nodded, recognizing the name.

"He's Julia's assistant at Wyndecliffe."

"So he said when I spoke to him."

"Will you tell Doctor Greene we'd like to speak with him after he's seen Julia?"

"Of course."

Tolan looked up as a nurse appeared and beckoned to him. He excused himself, talked with her a moment, then hurried away with no further explanation.

Fifty minutes later, Doctor Tolan returned, looking worn and worried. He faced the Collins family stoically, dreading this part of his job.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but... Doctor Hoffman has taken a turn for the worse. Some of the complications I was concerned about have occurred."

"Exactly what is Julia's condition, Doctor?"

Barnabas' voice, although extremely soft, was steady and firm, his tone leaving no doubt as to his concern for Julia Hoffman. Tolan glanced at him, then at the rest of the family.

"She's in a coma. How deep it is and how long it may last we have yet to determine. We may not know for quite some time how long it may last. She could come out of it tomorrow, or next week."

"Or never."

Tolan nodded reluctantly as he met Barnabas Collins' gaze.

"That... is a possibility that must be considered. We will do everything we possibly can for Doctor Hoffman, but with her will to live already at a low point, as indicated by her actions... the prognosis is not very hopeful."

Carolyn released a soft cry and turned away, seeking comfort from her mother. Elizabeth stared ahead of her silently as Roger shook his head and reached to embrace a confused and frightened David. Barnabas alone met Tolan's gaze, seeing in the man's eyes he, at this point, held out little hope that Julia would ever awaken.

Turning away, Barnabas walked over to the window and closed his eyes. Had he driven Julia to this? Had he caused her to attempt to take her own life, just as Josette had done, because of Angelique? Collins gripped his silver wolf's head cane tightly, tears trickling from under his tightly closed lids. Julia...

CHAPTER VI

Barnabas Collins sat in the chair by the fireplace, his gaze distant, his thoughts with Julia, in the hospital. Each of them had been allowed to see her, alone, for a few minutes. Although he'd been warned what to expect, Barnabas was nevertheless shocked by Julia's appearance. What frightened him most were the machines Julia was hooked to, monitoring her heartbeat, her respiration, making her appear frail and weak, something Barnabas knew she had never been in her life. He tried to talk to her, to tell her she needed to fight, to come back because he needed her, but Barnabas had known, before the thoughts even formed into sounds, that Julia would not believe him. He'd made it clear to her that the only woman in his life was to be Angelique. Even though she was now dead... he had hurt Julia too much to let her believe his words now, and she had given up hope, with Julia near death - again - as the result.

"Barnabas?"

Collins blinked, his thought interrupted by the sound of Eliot Stokes' voice. Slowly Barnabas rose as Stokes entered the drawing room.

"Forgive me for intruding, Barnabas. I knocked but there was no reply. When I saw you through the window... Quite frankly I am surprised to see you here. I thought you to be at the hospital, with Julia."

Barnabas raised his head slightly once, then lowered it, studying his hands as he held them in front of him at waist height. He sighed once and shook his head.

"I was there, earlier, but... there is nothing I can do for her."

"I should think there is a great deal you can do for her, beginning with letting her know you are still her friend and you care about her."

Barnabas shot Stokes an annoyed glance, then shook his head. He turned away and slowly sat back down.

"I am not at all certain we are still friends, Eliot."

"Oh, I see."

Stokes made himself at home. He poured himself a drink, then turned back to face Barnabas, studying him a long moment.

"You have reached this conclusion due to the argument you and Julia had in 1841, I presume."

Barnabas raised his head, eyes wide, a startled expression on his face. Stokes shook his head and raised his hand to still Collins' protests.

"No, Julia said nothing about it to me, or to anyone as far as I know. However it was very difficult to not be aware of the tension between the two of you, of the... anger and hurt Julia tried very hard to suppress. I realize, Barnabas, that what the two of you argued about is none of my business, but I shall ask about it anyway. You had a rather heated disagreement about Valerie - Angelique - did you not?"

Collins saw no point in denying it. He nodded his head and leaned against the back of his chair.

"Yes. Julia was troubled, upset, and disapproved of my decision to stay with Angelique, that I wished us to be man and wife. Our disagreement ended when Julia left, wishing me well and promising, when we returned to the present, she would leave me in peace. I had no idea..."

Barnabas allowed his voice to trail off as he again shook his head. Stokes watched him for another long moment, then stepped forward so he towered over Barnabas Collins in his chair, forcing him to look up at the professor.

"Is this the same Angelique who originally blackmailed you into marriage and then cursed you in a fit of jealous rage; the witch who worked her evil magic on your family; who caused the deaths of your uncle, your fiance, your aunt, your sister, your mother? The same Angelique who sentenced you to an eternal life of fear and loneliness because you loved another? Is this the same Angelique who sought you out through the centuries, who tormented you, who taunted you, who claimed to love you while all the while doing her very best to be certain you were miserable and unhappy? Is this the same Angelique who brought your family and friends the terror and anguish of the dream curse so as to return the vampire curse to you? This is the same Angelique with whom you believe you could find true love and happiness after so many years as hated enemies?"

Barnabas had slowly risen from his chair and stood face to face, nearly toe to toe with Eliot Stokes. The professor did not back away despite the fury and sense of betrayal flashing in Barnabas' eyes. Stokes shook his head, his eyes bright with his own fury.

"No, Barnabas, Julia Hoffman did not betray any of your secrets to me. She has kept them tightly locked in her mind and in her hear, especially in her heart, in a place where no one but you could ever hope to reach. Julia has told me nothing, but do not be so naive as to think the amusing fiction that passes as your family history is the only source of information available to me. I have known about you, and most especially about Angelique for quite some time. Your history with each other, all through the last two centuries, is well documented in sources known only to those well schooled in the occult."

Barnabas blinked first. He subtly took a step backwards, allowing that Stokes was right. In his heart, in his soul, he knew Julia would never betray him, to this man or to anyone. He sighed heavily and glanced down at his hands.

"She... refused to understand my reasons for wanting to stay with Angelique who, although responsible for all the wrongs you have mentioned, is also responsible for the final lifting of her curse, and allowing me to be human again."

"An incredibly selfless, noble act on the surface, but with sly and ultimately selfish motives under the generous facade she created. I can only rejoice that Trask killed her while she was - apparently - defenseless and stripped of her powers, before we were subjected to the next evil and cunning twist of her little game."

"That is enough, Stokes!"

"No, Barnabas, I do not believe that it is. I find it amazing that only now am I beginning to realize what an incredibly, narrow minded, self centered, arrogant fool you are. You and the witch deserve each other and whatever personal hell you may find - or create - together."

His control over his temper almost at an end, Barnabas reached up and grabbed Stokes by the lapels, bringing his face very close to that of the man who had once been his ally and friend. In his anger, Barnabas was unable to see he was about to lose another long time and trusted friend, because of Angelique.

"You will explain yourself, Stokes."

"Gladly. You believe you have finally realized - accepted - that Angelique is the woman whom you have loved all these years, despite everything she has done to you, your family, your friends. You believe that with her you would finally find the true love and happiness you have been denied for so long because of her curse. The truth is, Barnabas, that you have had both of those ideals within your grasp for years, but you have failed, or perhaps refused to recognize them. Were you but to open your eyes, and your heart, you would realize true love and happiness are yours for the taking, with Julia Hoffman. If ever a woman loved a man more than she loves you, it has been forever lost in the mists of time. I would that a woman loved me in such a way, especially a woman such as Julia Hoffman. How else do you explain all the things Julia has done to protect you and your secrets over the years? How else can you explain Julia's tolerance of you and your abhorrent treatment of her over the years?"

Collins released his grip on Stokes slowly and sank back into his chair. Stokes was right. Barnabas knew it, but feared it was now too late. Julia Hoffman was near death, because of him. He covered his eyes with his hands and shook his head.

"Dear God... Julia..."

"There is one additional item you should consider, Barnabas, and that is the type of woman Julia Hoffman has proven herself to be; the inner strength and resiliency she has displayed time and again, her resolve to endure whatever she must to remain close to you. She has continued to cling to that small, almost invisible speck of hope she holds in her heart; a hope that someday you will be able to see what she has freely and determinedly been offering you for so long. Those very qualities are the same ones which would not allow Julia Hoffman to take her own life, or even attempt to take her own life. Evidence and note aside, Julia Hoffman would not give up that hope."

Barnabas blinked and looked up to meet Stoke's intense gaze. He stood slowly, turning toward the fireplace to study the flames.

"No,... she wouldn't, not even after..."

"Finally, we are in agreement on something."

Barnabas turned back to face Stokes, who was once again his usual, stoic self. He met Collins' gaze.

"Then why would Julia...?"

Stokes shook his head and put his empty glass down on the drinks tray.

"I do not believe she did. Perhaps we will not be able to learn the real answer to that question until Julia awakens, or until whoever or whatever is responsible make themselves know."

Barnabas started a little, although why he should be startled by the Professor's implications of outside influences being involved he didn't know. Slowly Barnabas Collins nodded, his mind wondering just what was going on.

"I must be going now, Barnabas. Perhaps I shall see you at the hospital, visiting Julia. And if you should... feel the need of my assistance, I offer it freely, for Julia's sake."

Barnabas nodded mutely and saw his guest to the door. He returned to the drawing room and stood by the fireplace, studying the ever changing flames. So focused on his own thoughts and the soothing effects of the fire, that he did not notice when the room behind him changed slightly. An image of a woman, the same woman who had appeared in the drawing room before, began to take on more solid shape and form. She reached out toward Barnabas, as if trying to make physical contact and finding the effort to be almost insurmountable.

Suddenly aware he was no longer alone in the room, Barnabas' head snapped up as he turned around. He saw the fleeting image of... something just as it faded away.

"Who is it? Who is there? Please, come back..."

He stepped toward where he'd seen something, but there was nothing for him to see or touch. Whatever or whoever had been there was gone.

Barnabas shook his head and glanced around, no longer sensing anyone else in the room with him. He took a deep breath and decided he would try to read. He doubted his ability to concentrate, but perhaps he would be able to still his worry for Julia, for a little while.

CHAPTER VII

Barnabas returned to the hospital the next day. He learned that Julia's condition was unchanged, then asked if he would be permitted to see her. He was encouraged to talk to Julia, about anything, for it was believed coma patients could hear and understand what was going on around them, even if they could not respond to it or interact with it. Barnabas nodded his understanding and sat beside Julia's bed. He watched her for a long while, the carefully reached out and took her hand in his.

"Julia, it is Barnabas. I... I don't know why this has happened to you. I wish you would wake up right now and tell me, and no matter what it is, we would face it together. I know we have... distanced ourselves from each other in recent weeks, but that does not mean I care any less for you. I am still your friend, Julia, as I hope you are still mine. Never doubt that. No matter how we may disagree, or over what, I am still your friend... Everyone is very worried about you, Julia. We all want you to come back to us, to recover and let us help you through... whatever is to come... I want to help you, Julia. I want... I need you to come back to me..."

He gave her limp hand a gentle squeeze. Tears touched his eyes when there was no response from Julia. He did not even want to think that she could be like this the rest of her life.

Hesitant to leave Julia alone, even though her condition was being closely monitored by the nursing staff, Barnabas took a seat in the chair near Julia's hospital bed. He'd not slept well the night before and the steady, rhythmic beep of her heart monitor began to lull him into a doze.

Barnabas wasn't sure if he was really asleep or not, but he opened his eyes with a start. He saw a woman standing beside Julia's bed, looking down at her. The woman's back was to him and she wasn't dressed like a nurse, so Barnabas assumed her to be a doctor. He stirred in his chair then stood, moving to stand beside the woman.

"Has there been any change?"

The woman was silent. She continued to stare at Julia and Barnabas realized he was barely aware of the woman, even though he stood right next to her. She barely breathed, hardly moved, but he could see where her hand made a light depression on the mattress as it rested next to Julia's hand. Perhaps she hadn't heard him, so Barnabas asked his question again.

"Has there been any change in Julia's condition?"

Slowly the woman shook her head then turned away. As she did, Barnabas thought for a brief second that he recognized her. He tried to place her, tried to remember when he might have seen her or met her. In that brief pause he studied Julia. When he turned to speak to the woman again, she was gone. Barnabas frowned. He'd not heard her leave, he'd not sensed her movement through the room. He turned back to look at Julia and gently took her hand again.

"Don't go away from me, Julia. Come back to me."

He closed his eyes and held her hand firmly but gently. Even though he couldn't be sure Julia was aware of what he was doing, he took some comfort just being with her.

Barnabas returned to the Old House just after dusk. He'd spent most of the day at the hospital with Julia, and left only when Carolyn and Elizabeth arrived to sit with Julia until visiting hours were over. As he entered the drawing room, Barnabas realized it was not empty. He turned when he saw the woman who had been at Julia's bedside that afternoon slowly fade from the room. He'd not seen her face, either in Julia's room or just now, so did not know who she was.

"No! Wait!"

Barnabas hurried over to where she'd been standing but she was gone. He took a deep breath and shook his head, then lowered his gaze to his hands, clasped at waist height. Something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Barnabas gave his full concentration to the table near where the vanishing woman had stood. He studied it carefully and spotted something that was out of place. Partially concealed by the flowers that served as a centerpiece, Barnabas saw something yellow. It was not part of the flower arrangement and Barnabas reached for it, removing the object from under the spreading flower blooms.

Barnabas studied the item carefully. It was pale yellow and made of soft plastic in the shape of a bracelet. As Barnabas looked at it more closely, he realized it was a hospital identification bracelet. Turning it around, Barnabas found the name of the person to whom it belonged; Julia Hoffman.

Gasping, Barnabas looked around the room quickly, as if expecting to see his mysterious woman visitor again, then he stared at the bracelet. What could it mean? He remembered seeing a bracelet such as this on Julia's wrist earlier that day. He was well aware this could be a duplicate bracelet, but why would someone go to the trouble of concealing it under the flower arrangement? Perhaps this was a practical joke of some kind - a very poor practical joke, or the work of some kind of spirit or ghost. It could also be the work of the someone or something Eliot Stokes had alluded to.

Frowning, Barnabas slipped the bracelet into the pocket of his suit jacket and made his way to the library. He'd decided he would try reading aloud to Julia as he sat with her. He had several books in mind and wanted to decide which he would read to her the next day. He would take the bracelet with him in the morning and see if he could learn any more about it then.

CHAPTER VIII

Barnabas woke to the feeling of being watched. He blinked against the early morning light in his room, then looked around. No one was in the room with him, but someone had been there moments before. Barnabas got out of bed slowly, searching the room with his gaze to see if he could spot anything unusual. It wasn't until his gaze rested on the clothing he'd set out the night before that Barnabas realized what was different. The tie he'd chosen to wear that day was no longer there. In its place was the tie Julia had given him for no reason whatsoever a year or two earlier. She said she had seen it in the store window and thought of him, so she'd purchased it. He wore the tie only for special occasions, and Julia knew that.

Crossing the room to where his suit, shirt and tie were hanging, Barnabas carefully picked up the tie and held it between his fingers. This tie had special meaning for him, simply because it was a gift from Julia. Why had this tie been chosen to replace the one he'd intended to wear by whomever or whatever was responsible for the switch?

Swallowing hard, Barnabas looked around the room again, wondering if he'd see anything else changed or out of place. He did not find anything, but as he showered and prepared for his day, he had to wonder what - if anything - would be next.

At the hospital, Barnabas noted the identification bracelet Julia now wore was a pale green rather than the yellow one he'd seen on her wrist the day before. He sat with Julia much of the day, reading the works of early American authors to her. When Roger arrived to sit with her for a time, Barnabas said a quiet goodnight to her and wished her pleasant dreams. Watching Julia for a moment, Barnabas left the book on the bedside table in case Roger should like to read to her as well. He quietly left Julia's room, wishing she would wake up soon.

Barnabas returned to the Old House after stopping at Collinwood to let Elizabeth and Carolyn know Julia was the same, and that he'd begun reading to her. He asked their advise on Julia's favorite authors, silently chastising himself for not even knowing that much about her. Barnabas did not mention finding the bracelet or tie, but was not really shocked when Carolyn mentioned that Julia's ID bracelet had somehow disappeared the night before. Julia was wearing it when the nurse came in to check on her just after their arrival, but when the nurse came back an hour later, Julia's ID bracelet was no longer around her wrist. They were unable to explain it, as the bracelets were designed to be extremely difficult to remove unless cut off, but immediately replaced it with a new one. Barnabas shared their puzzlement over the bracelet, and was more certain than ever that the one he'd found was the one Julia had been wearing.

As he entered the drawing room of the Old House, Barnabas again had the sensation of being watched. He glanced around, but saw nothing until his gaze rested on the chair that was Julia's usual seat by the fireplace. A colorful puddle of material was on the bottom cushion. Taking a deep breath, Barnabas crossed to the chair and picked up the item. It was a silk neck scarf, the one he'd given Julia for her birthday last year. Holding it carefully, Barnabas again looked around the room. He was wondering what it could mean, and decided he'd best seek Stokes' advise and input as soon as possible. They were not currently on the best of terms, but Collins was certain Stokes would make good on his offer of help, for Julia's sake.

CHAPTER IX

Frustration and anger, along with desperation overwhelmed her as she lay in the hospital bed. Julia Hoffman cursed her unresponsive body and the drugs that had caused the damage: damage that was so slow to repair itself. She knew she would recover, physically, in time, but there was more at work here than she could physically overcome on her own. She needed help. She knew who could help her, if she could only make that person understand; if it weren't so difficult to reach him. Had she not needed to concentrate so hard on going to him, she knew her physical recovery would be faster. Her body was no longer in danger, it was slowly healing itself, so until he fully understood, she had to concentrate her efforts on reaching him while still protecting herself from the malignant outside influences. It was draining, exhausting, and in this case, her body's lack of response was helpful. Still, until he completely understood... Julia Hoffman concentrated, focused her mind and her energies on what she wanted to do, where she wanted to be, and closed out all other thoughts and feelings. She had to reach him.

Barnabas Collins woke abruptly from a deep sleep. He had not awakened because of a dream or a nightmare, but because, even in sleep, he knew he was no longer alone in the room. He sat up and looked around, his eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness around him. Without knowing how or why he knew, Barnabas realized his nocturnal visitor was standing by the fireplace. The fire had burned to embers, and the light it produced was too dim to see by, but he knew that was where his visitor stood. Carefully, slowly, so as not to startle or frighten his 'guest', Barnabas got out of bed and moved toward the fireplace. As he did, the visitor turned to face him.

He knew who it was! The woman he'd seen at Julia's bedside, the same woman he'd seen fade from his sight in the drawing room. He studied her carefully as he slowly moved closer toward her. She did not seem frightened or apprehensive. As he stepped closer to her, the room was suddenly bathed in moonlight as the storm clouds of earlier broke up and moved away. Barnabas gasped.

"Julia!"

He clearly saw her face this time, and knew it to be Julia, even as he realized all the items he'd found had been left by Julia. She was trying to reach him, to tell him something. She was in a coma in the hospital, yet she was here, in the same room with him. She needed to tell him something, needed him to understand what she could not voice. Barnabas carefully, hesitantly stepped closer to Julia, not wanting to frighten her or to disturb whatever force allowed her to appear to him.

"I have found the things you have left for me, Julia; the bracelet, the tie, the scarf, but I do not understand what they are to mean. I do not understand what you are trying to tell me."

He had moved close enough so he could touch her. He could take Julia's hand or hold her in his arms if he so chose, but Barnabas restrained himself, fearing any physical contact on his part would break the spell or disturb the force that kept her with him in that room. He did not want her to vanish from his sight before he understood.

Barnabas met Julia's gaze and held it, studying her eyes, the expression in them, the fear and anger and desperation she could not contain. Why was Julia afraid - of what? What had made her angry? Was he the cause of her anger or was it someone - or something - else? Barnabas understood Julia's desperation, for she wanted to recover quickly, she wanted to resume her life... Or was she desperate to make him understand what had happened and why, and what the items she'd left for him to find meant? All he had were questions and no answers.

"Julia, help me understand."

Slowly, as if it were a chore simply to make her muscles respond to her wishes, Julia Hoffman reached out to touch Barnabas Collins. Her eyes were pleading and although Barnabas saw Julia's hand touch his, he felt nothing... She was not real, she had no physical form, although she looked as solid, as real as he. Barnabas' heart suddenly began to beat faster. No! Don't let this be Julia's spirit, her ghost!

Taking a calming breath, Barnabas looked down to where Julia's hand touched his. No, she was not a ghost or spirit, but she was also not real. Again he did not understand. He met Julia's gaze once more. He had to figure out what it all meant!

A sadness crept into Julia's gaze as her image began to waver. She could not stay much longer. Barnabas gripped her hand, even though he could not feel her skin against his. He tried to hold her there with him. She gently raised her hand to touch his cheek, smiled sadly, then faded away. Barnabas stared at the place she had just been and shook his head.

"No! Julia..."

She was gone. Barnabas took a deep breath and slowly eased himself into the chair by the fireplace. As he sat, he heard the crinkle of paper. Frowning, he stood and looked in the chair. There on the seat was a sheet of paper. He knew it had not been there when he went to bed. He picked it up and looked around the room. No one else was there, Julia had not miraculously returned, yet the paper was real.

Not wanting to chance that the paper would vanish as Julia had should he put it down, Barnabas held it carefully while he lit several candles. When there was enough light by which to read, Barnabas lowered his gaze to the paper. It contained a single sentence, written with an old fashioned pen and ink, but very definitely in Julia's handwriting. It read:

*'All those who love you will die.'*

"No!!..."

Again Barnabas sank into the chair, his gaze never leaving the sheet of paper. He was the cause of Julia's coma, he was responsible for her being in the hospital, as sure as if he'd forced her to take the pills himself. Angelique's curse was still controlling his life.

"Julia... Forgive me..."

CHAPTER X

Knowing that sleep would not return to him that night, Barnabas sat in the chair by the fireplace, trying to sort through all that had happened, all the messages Julia had tried to send him. He dozed on and off, finally falling into a light sleep just before dawn. When Barnabas woke it was full daylight. He was no closer to fully understanding it all than he had been the night before, and reconfirmed his decision to talk with Professor Stokes.

He rose from the chair, stretched to work out the stiffness of muscles and popping joints, then retrieved the note he'd found from where it had fallen to the floor as he slept. Barnabas read it over again as he turned and walked back toward his bed. He was about to place the note on the bedside table, along with Julia's hospital bracelet and scarf when his gaze was caught by something on his bed.

Barnabas put the paper down and carefully reached for the object that lay on the far side of the bed, the side on which he did not sleep. His hand began to shake when he carefully picked up the crudely made cloth doll. He knew what it was - a voodoo doll, and as he more closely examined it, he knew what the doll meant.

"No..."

Putting the doll down, Barnabas looked away, his heart racing with fear, his anger beginning to grow. He took a deep breath, checked the time and quickly prepared for the day. He hoped to be able to talk with Stokes before the professor left for the university.

Eliot Stokes was just finishing his breakfast when Barnabas Collins arrived at his door. He could see the man was terribly upset, and immediately feared a worsening of Julia's condition. Barnabas assured Stokes she had not gotten worse, but neither had she gotten any better.

Stoked urged Barnabas to sit and placed a cup of coffee in front of him. He sipped it absently and calmed visibly. When Stokes asked what the problem was, Barnabas carefully and concisely related his experiences of the past few days, and showed Stokes Julia's note and the doll.

Releasing a deep breath, Stokes sat back in his chair as he read and re-read Julia's note. He eyed Collins carefully, then sat forward and met his gaze.

"I presume you know the meaning of this rather dire declaration."

Barnabas nodded. His instinct was to deny it, but as Stokes already knew his history - his true history - there was no sense in doing so.

"Yes, It was part of Angelique's curse. First it claimed my little sister, then my Aunt Abigail, Josette and finally my mother."

"And now Julia may become a victim of the curse as well."

"Yes..."

Barnabas' voice was barely audible and Stokes took some small satisfaction in realizing Collins had indeed given some thought to their earlier conversation. This was not the time to return to that subject however. Instead he nodded and turned his scrutiny on the voodoo doll.

"Would I be correct in assuming Angelique was familiar with voodoo practices?"

"Yes, she was. I once found a doll very similar to this in her old servants' room at the Old House after she and I were wed in 1795. I have always suspected it was that doll which she used to cause Sarah to become 'ill' so that Angelique could 'cure' her and I would make good on my agreement to marry her as payment for her good deed."

Stokes nodded as he studied the doll carefully, choosing not to comment on the bitter and sarcastic tone of Barnabas' voice. This was not about the past, but about the present. The doll wore a skirt fashioned from a neck scarf Stokes recognized as belonging to Julia, but it contained no pins of any kind to cause pain or death, nor anything that could be used to cause choking. It did however have a rudimentary representation of the human digestive system drawn on it, and several circles that were marked with the universal symbol for poison, the skull and crossbones. The Professor frowned as he nodded.

"Allow me to re-cap, Barnabas. You have received at least five visits of which you are aware from the spirit of a woman - Julia - who is in a deep coma in the hospital. After each visit you have found a personal item which we are interpreting to be Julia trying to leave some kind of message or signal. She is unable to speak with you directly, so leaves items that hold some significance for the two of you. Two of these message items point directly to some kind of involvement by Angelique."

"Yes. Julia is asking for help the only way she can, Eliot. The doctors seem unable to provide what she needs, so she has turned to me... knowing I would come to you."

"Perhaps the doctors are unable to provide Julia with the help she needs because they are unable to fully recognize the problem. Barnabas, it is my belief Julia is under a voodoo spell."

Barnabas was not completely surprised. He had wondered about the possibility ever since finding the doll.

"But the pills they pumped out of her stomach, the medication that had already been absorbed by her system..."

"Oh, I do not dispute the fact Julia took an overdose of sleeping pills in what appears to be a suicide attempt. Barnabas, do you truly believe Julia is capable of taking her own life, or trying to take her own life, no matter what the circumstances?"

"No."

The firmness and determination in Barnabas' voice confirmed for Eliot that belief on his part.

"We both know Julia would do no such thing, no matter what her mental state might have been. It is my theory, based on the representation on this voodoo doll, that Julia was somehow compelled to take those pills. Now, whether the taking of the pills was intended to actually kill her or whether Julia reasoned it was a way to... place herself in limbo, a sort of protective coma against the voodoo spell, I do not know. However, I do believe it is that spell which prevents Julia from making any progress toward recovery."

A mixture of relief and intense, angry, hatred washed over Barnabas. He was relieved that Julia had not been so lost and full of despair because of him and his foolish decision regarding Angelique that she would try to end her own life. He was also intensely angry; an anger that burned into hatred for Angelique. Even from beyond the grave she was trying to eliminate all those who cared about him, all those who loved him. She had failed to removed Julia from his life in 1840, so she was attempting to do so now. Julia recognized that, had tried to warn him against his misguided feelings for Angelique, but he stubbornly refused to hear her. Now Julia was suffering because of his obstinacy; she was near death because he was so unwilling to acknowledge the obvious fact that, appearances to the contrary, Angelique - alive or dead - had not changed and never would. Barnabas released a heavy sigh that bordered on a sob and met Stokes' penetrating gaze. The man knew exactly what was going through his mind.

"What can we do to help her?"

"I am not certain we can help, Barnabas. I am not as conversant in voodoo practices as I am with the more traditional, European and New England forms of witchcraft, but I shall endeavor to learn all I can. In the mean time, may I suggest you spend as much time with Julia at the hospital as you can. Let her know her messages have been received and understood. Urge her to turn her energies on healing herself, on doing whatever she can to resist or even break the voodoo spell from within herself."

Barnabas nodded and began to gather up the items he'd brought along. As he reached for the voodoo doll, not really wanting to touch it, Stokes intercepted him.

"Would you mind if I retained this for the time being? It may provide valuable information that will lead to helping Julia."

"Of course, Professor."

"One other thought has occurred to me, Barnabas. Have any of Angelique's belongings survived into present the time? If I were able to examine something that was uniquely hers, I might learn at least part of what we need to know."

Barnabas frowned as he concentrated. Slowly he shook his head.

"I don't know. There may be a box or trunk in the attic. I shall go home and look before I go see Julia."

"Thank you... Barnabas, we may have to accept there is nothing we can do to help free Julia from this limbo, but the very fact we are aware of the problem, recognize it and have begun to make plans to thwart it is a positive step. I also believe that, because we have recognized it relatively soon after the spell was placed, we will be more successful than if a lengthy amount of time had passed."

Again Barnabas nodded. He stood and met Stokes' gaze as his host also stood.

"I thank you for whatever efforts and inquiries you make, Eliot. I must retain hope of a successful outcome, if for no other reason than I have much to explain to Julia and even more for which I must apologize, but I also understand the great odds you face."

"I am not alone in this, Barnabas."

Collins smiled sadly, nodded, then took his leave of Stokes. Eliot watched after him, believing that Barnabas Collins had finally come to realize what Julia Hoffman meant to him. Stokes only hoped it wasn't too late.

CHAPTER XI

All the way back to the Old House, Barnabas thought about his conversation with Eliot, and about how his own failure to let go of the past, his fear of living in the present was the cause of Julia's condition. It was true he no longer wished to replace his dear Josette, and he found himself longing for the modern comforts of central heating, electricity, and indoor plumbing at the Old House from time to time, but had he not been so stubborn about holding on to his 'true love' for Angelique... Desperate and absurd though it was, Barnabas' belief that he'd loved Angelique all along was really nothing more than another vain attempt to hold on to his past, to cling to that which he found familiar and comfortable. In truth he knew better, knew he could never regain or recreate that which was lost to him in the mists of time. He'd thought he could - through Angelique. Now he knew how desperately wrong he had been.

Barnabas wanted nothing more than to go to Julia in the hospital right then and confess all this to her, but he knew he would not be allowed to see her before visiting hours began. So Barnabas turned his focus on finding anything he could that might help Stokes combat this latest attempt by Angelique to take all those who loved him - to take Julia - from him.

Just before noon Barnabas found a trunk that he did not recognize in a back corner of the attic. It looked quite old, but was not in the same corner of the attic as those trunks which had belonged to his contemporaries; to his mother, to Abigail, to Sarah, to Jeremiah. Curious and concerned, Barnabas pulled the trunk into the middle of the attic floor and opened it. The contents of the trunk had belonged to a woman, and a relatively well-to-do woman by the look of the gowns that were at the top of the chest. Barnabas ran his gaze over the clothing quickly, deciding it was not what he was looking for. About to close the lid and continue his search, Barnabas spotted a flash of material that was very familiar to him, or had been in his original life. Pushing the lid back open, Barnabas knelt before the trunk to have a better look at what it contained.

He carefully lifted out a number of dresses that had him quite puzzled. Some of them were of extremely good quality, the kind a lady such as his mother or Josette would have worn. Some were obviously simple and practical dresses that he would expect a maid or servant to have worn. In fact the dress that caught his eye was one he had seen Angelique wear on a number of occasions in her capacity as maid.

Putting the dresses aside, Barnabas dug deeper into the trunk, finding additional items that further puzzled him; items that spoke of great wealth along side the less affluent possessions of a domestic.

Near the very bottom of the chest, Barnabas found items that confirmed for him the contents of the trunk had indeed belonged to Angelique. He located a brush and comb set he knew were hers, along with several small trinkets he'd given her as a token while they were in Martinique. He stared at the items, shaking his head. What aspirations and goals the witch had aimed for. He didn't want to know how Angelique had been able to afford the fine clothing and expensive jewelry he found in the trunk, but he did understand her methods and motivations more completely.

Her dream, her goal, had been to marry Barnabas Collins, heir to the great Collins fortune, and escape her role as servant, to possess everything Josette had possessed and become her equal. Her belongings, her clothing reflected the fact she had truly believed she could make that step upward and be accepted if she already dressed the part of a wealthy mans' wife. She would already have the clothing necessary to take on the role of Mistress of the Old House and had outfitted herself for the part she was certain she would always play.

Again Collins shook his head. Such arrogance on her part, to have clothing she thought worthy of a social position she could never truly attain. Had things not turned so badly, Barnabas was certain Angelique would have been shocked to realize that rather than raising herself up in society by marrying him, he had taken a step downward because he dared to marry a servant. Barnabas wondered what Angelique really thought when he was disinherited by his angry father and left a pauper. At the time she claimed it did not matter, that she was happy just being his wife, but obviously it had mattered to her. Why else would she purchase such elegant clothing for herself when she had no place or opportunity to wear them? He reasoned she must have purchased them before their marriage, perhaps while still in Martinique, for there had been no opportunity, or money, for her to do so after their wedding.

Collins took a deep breath and returned to sorting through the trunk. Dwelling on Angelique and her motives was not helping Julia, and that was his goal. Moving some of the items at the bottom of the trunk aside, Barnabas found a medium sized wooden box tucked into one corner. He lifted it out and looked at it carefully, opening the lid with caution, uncertain of what he would find.

The contents startled and angered him further. The box held items that clearly did not belong to Angelique, for they were personal items he recognized as belonging to his family; Jeremiah's gold watch chain, Aunt Abigail's pocket book of daily devotions, a sample of Sarah's needlework, a lace handkerchief of his mother's, a locket he'd given Josette that contained a small portrait of himself; items that had belonged to everyone who had died, either directly or indirectly, because of Angelique. She had kept souvenirs of all those she'd harmed in her single minded obsession to blackmail him into giving her what she wanted - him.

Barnabas released a deep breath and looked around the attic room. It was fortunate Angelique was not there now, or he would most certainly kill her again. Deciding that she had no right to these items, Barnabas was about to put the lid back on the box and take it with him when he spotted, in the bottom corner of the trunk, an item that increased his fear and his anger. With trembling fingers he reached into the corner of the trunk and picked up a small garnet and fresh water pearl brooch. It was Julia's. She had worn it in 1840 before she became Roxanne's victim. After Roxanne was destroyed and Julia freed, the brooch was no longer among her belongings. Julia decided the clasp must have broken and she'd lost it. Now Barnabas knew the truth.

He narrowed his eyes and placed the brooch in the box with the other items, put the lid back on and slipped the box into his pocket. Remembering Stokes' request for a personal item or two of Angelique's, Barnabas selected the comb and brush set, which still contained a few strands of her hair tangled in the bristles. He briefly mused that, even so much as two weeks earlier, the sight of Angelique's possessions, or the strands of her hair would have reminded him again of his misplaced love for her, his 'devotion' to her as he'd discovered it in 1840. Now these same things only served to re-enforce the fact he had, once again, been unable to see past her superficiality to the truth that Angelique would never change. That realization brought home, rather forcefully, his own incredible stupidity and blindness in regard to Julia.

Barnabas returned the rest of Angelique's belongings to the trunk and closed the lid. As he stood, a wind whipped through the attic room, accompanied by laughter that Barnabas immediately recognized. He was not going to be distracted, he was not going to be intimidated or blackmailed, and he was not going to fall into the old trap of succumbing to Angelique's charms. In short, he was no longer going to play her game.

Leaving the attic room without acknowledging Angelique's presence or even saying a word to her, Barnabas firmly closed the door behind him. The wind increased in ferocity for a moment, then died away.

CHAPTER XII

As had become his habit, Barnabas stopped by Collinwood to learn if there was any news regarding Julia. When Elizabeth told him she was still the same, Barnabas nodded with a determined look that made Elizabeth question the reason for his resolve. Barnabas explained it away by claiming that he was certain Julia would recover and knew conveying that conviction to Julia, even though she was in a coma, was vital to making her believe it as well. Mrs. Stoddard agreed.

Barnabas excused himself to make a phone call to Stokes, learning he'd stayed home to research the topic of their breakfast conversation. Barnabas related he had been successful in his quest, and wondered when he should bring the items over. Stokes replied immediately, so when Barnabas took his leave of Elizabeth a few minutes later, he told her he was on his way to the hospital.

Barnabas arrived at Stokes' home less than 30 minutes after their phone conversation, and entered in reply to the Professor's called permission. He found Stokes at his desk, reference books spread around him. He paused in his studies when Barnabas approached, nodding with satisfaction when Collins showed him the comb and hairbrush. Eliot examined them carefully, nodding his approval.

"This will do very nicely, Barnabas, excellent. Tell me, did you have any trouble obtaining this?"

"Just before I left the attic, there was a disturbance of wind. I heard Angelique's cruel, evil laughter."

"That was all?"

"Yes."

"She did not speak to you, or try to stop you?"

"I did not give her the opportunity. I left without acknowledging her presence in any way."

Stokes nodded, considering the many possibilities this could bring about. He also sensed a change in Barnabas, a... steely determination and anger that made the Professor relieved he and Collins were not on opposing sides.

"What is it, Barnabas?"

Collins met Stokes' gaze levelly and held it for several long seconds. Then he took a deep breath and glanced away, as if certain his true feelings for Angelique - and Julia - would be revealed in that gaze, and he did not want to share them with anyone.

"Eliot, is there some way, some... spell that could not just vanquish but permanently destroy Angelique for all time? Something that would bind her spirit from doing any more harm, ever, or perhaps... destroy her soul, her very essence so she could never return, never be reincarnated; so she would be confined to the depths of hell for all eternity with absolutely no hope of escaping?"

Barnabas' voice was quiet and calm as he made his request, but the cold fury of deep hatred in his eyes could not be masked.

"This is quite a change of attitude for you, Barnabas. May I ask what caused it?"

Collins nodded and removed the box containing the personal items he'd found. He handed it to Eliot.

"I found these items among Angelique's belongings."

Stokes had opened the box and was carefully examining the contents. He frowned with puzzlement and looked up to meet Barnabas' troubled, angry gaze.

"Items belonging to the persons whom she caused injury or death?"

"Yes. The brooch is Julia's."

Stokes nodded with understanding. He placed the cover back on the box.

"I am pleased you found these. It will make my task a bit easier. And to answer your earlier questions, yes, I believe there may be a way to do what you wish, but that too will require further research."

"Is there anything I can do to help you with that?"

"Not at this time, but perhaps later. Barnabas, will you allow me to retain temporary possession of these items, for safe keeping?"

"Yes, of course. Eliot, do you have any idea of when..."

Stokes shook his head. He too was anxious to begin, to release Julia from the spell and return her to them in good health, but he dared not rush any aspect of this endeavor. Barnabas silently nodded.

"Then I shall go see Julia. Shall I tell her of our plans?"

"Perhaps it would be wise to not share any of what we have discussed with her, in case Angelique should be... nearby. Simply tell Julia you - we - are looking forward to when she is back with us and in full health."

"Thank you, Eliot."

Stokes nodded and saw Barnabas out. When the door was closed, the Professor turned back to his desk and the table next to it. He placed the box of personal items inside a protection circle he had prepared earlier. Then he took the hairbrush and comb and did the same, placing them inside a protection circle he'd prepared on a table across the room. He hoped that by keeping the personal items as far apart form Angelique's belongings as he could, and warded against use, he would strengthen the forces needed to break the spell holding Julia in limbo.

Barnabas sat beside Julia's bed, talking to her, holding her hand, trying to reassure her that he understood and everything would soon be all right. He urged her to turn her strength and resolve toward fighting and overcoming her condition, pleading with Julia not to give up and allow 'her' to win; imploring Julia to know and believe he not only needed her, but wanted her in his life, in his heart. Barnabas stopped just short of telling Julia he loved her, fearing that if she did hear and understand him, she might believe he told her that for no reason other than to raise her hopes and strengthen her will to live. No, he would not manipulate her so. When he told Julia he loved her, he wanted her fully conscious, aware, and able to look into his eyes so she could see the truth of his words as they came from the very center of his soul, of his heart.

When he had no more words for Julia, Barnabas just held her hand, hoping the contact would be enough to make her fight. He was still sitting beside her, holding her hand, when the nurse arrived to tell him visiting hours were over. Barnabas nodded, stood, and placed a tender kiss on Julia's forehead.

"I shall be back tomorrow, Julia. I will continue reading to you then. Be well."

He touched her cheek then left her side, wishing he could stay to somehow guard her further. But anything he could do now would not really affect her. It was up to Eliot to find the solution, and as much as Barnabas wanted to go back to the Professor's lodgings, he knew he could not disturb him. Stokes needed time to carefully research the problem, and would let him know when he had found the information that would help them.

CHAPTER XIII

She dared not relax, dared not cease her struggle in spite of the reassurances he'd given her. Julia was relieved Barnabas now understood what her visits and the items she'd left behind were meant to tell him, but until she could overcome this confinement of her unresponsive and poisoned body, she dared not turn all her energies on healing herself. Her stubborn resistance and refusal to believe she would never awaken, as she'd been told over and over while she slipped into the drug coma, were what kept her from succumbing, and what kept the witch from leaving her alone. Determined that she not give in, that she not be beaten by this, Julia channeled the energy she'd been using to will her astral body to Barnabas and the Old House into further protecting herself, into fighting, into resisting. When Barnabas and Stokes were successful, when she was able to respond to outside stimuli, to awaken, healed, and walk from the hospital under her own power, when she was safe, then Julia would relax.

Barnabas continued his vigil at Julia's bedside for the next three days. The medical staff was worried because Julia had shown no physical signs of improvement; her vital signs were unchanged and they warned if this continued much longer, her chances of recovery would be greatly diminished. The rest of the family took the news soberly, lamenting there was so little they could do to actually help Julia. Barnabas said little, privately knowing he and Eliot were doing all they could and somehow sensing the reason Julia did not physically improve was because she was still using all her energies and concentration to resist whatever spell Angelique had placed over her.

On the evening of the forth day, unable to contain his worry for Julia and his need to know what could happen any longer, Barnabas Collins stopped by Eliot Stokes' house on his way home from the hospital. Stokes answered the door himself, his housekeeper having left for the day, and invited Barnabas in. He poured them each a drink, fetched himself the cheese he customarily ate with his sherry, and sat opposite Collins.

"It is fortuitous you stopped by this evening, Barnabas. I was about to call Collinwood and leave a message for you."

"Have you learned what you needed?"

"Yes, I believe I have. I had to be certain, otherwise I would have let you know sooner than this. I placed a call to a colleague of mine who is an expert on voodoo. She was unable to return my call until late this afternoon. She found my account of events most fascinating."

"Was she able to be of assistance?"

"Yes. She offered some very helpful suggestions and advice. Since we do not know the exact spell that has been cast on Julia, we will not be able to remove it in any direct, precise way. As you may know, any attempt to remove a voodoo spell by anyone other than the practioner who placed it, means almost certain death for the victim."

Barnabas nodded, remembering well the warning he had received about trying to break the love spell Angelique had placed on Josette and Jeremiah.

"Yes, I know."

"This can ultimately be used to our advantage, Barnabas."

"How?"

"My colleague advised that, in order to do as you wish - utterly destroy Angelique's spirit, her essence and prevent her from returning in any form - a spell to summon her from the depths of hell should be cast, using voodoo and a voodoo doll. This is to be immediately followed by a binding spell. This will bring her to us and force her to stay while we do what we must."

"We?"

"Yes, I will need your assistance for this plan to work, Barnabas."

Collins nodded, willing to do what he must to help Julia.

"When shall we begin?"

"I will need a few hours to prepare. In the mean time, if you could bring me a personal item belonging to Julia, something... fresh, that has not been touched, or perhaps even seen by Angelique, it will make our task later on a bit easier."

"Of course, Professor. When should I return?"

"I expect I shall be ready to begin by 11 o'clock this evening."

"Very well."

Collins stood, shook hands with Stokes, and headed back to Collinwood. He was uneasy about entering Julia's room and going through her belongings, but he would do so if it meant helping Julia.

CHAPTER XIV

Standing in the middle of Julia's bedroom, Barnabas glanced around, relieved to see that all signs of the disturbance and police activity had been tidied away, thanks to Mrs. Johnson and her compulsion to have an orderly house. The woman wasn't much of a cook, and her disposition, even when she was having a good day, was one to sour fresh milk, but she was an excellent housekeeper, despised disorder and disarray, and had no doubt seen to the cleaning and straightening of Julia's room the second after the police told her they were finished. Barnabas smiled fondly, then began to give serious thought as to what item he could take to Eliot.

At first he considered a small item of clothing, but Barnabas rejected that on the basis he had no idea of what Julia might or might not have worn that Angelique might have seen. The same could be true for a piece of jewelry. No, what he needed was a rather novel, unique item. Barnabas opened the top drawer of Julia's bureau, finding it to contain odds and ends such as mis-matched earrings, spare keys, a small sewing kit for making repairs and other assorted bits and bobs that could be quite useful when needed. He saw nothing that really fit what he felt was needed, so raised his gaze to the top of the bureau as he closed the drawer. Julia's purse sat on the back corner, probably where Mrs. Johnson had placed it when she was cleaning. Barnabas was immediately uncomfortable with the idea of going through Julia's purse, it seemed an invasion of privacy, much like rummaging through a lady's intimate apparel, but Barnabas reached for the accessory anyway. He suddenly realized the perfect item was in Julia's purse.

Carefully opening the bag, Barnabas made certain he disturbed nothing as he reached in and removed Julia's set of keys. The keys themselves were not what he was after, but rather the very unique item attached to them. Hooked through her ordinary and very utilitarian key ring, was a novelty key chain, with a green skinned, red eyed, purple haired, black caped, long fanged plastic rendition of a 'vampire'. It had been a gag gift from Willie to Julia last Halloween, and Barnabas hoped would be useful to Stokes.

Nodding his satisfaction, Barnabas put the key rings in his pocket, closed Julia's purse and returned it to its spot on the back of the bureau. He quietly left Julia's room. As he closed the door behind him, Barnabas allowed himself to hope that the next time he visited Julia's room, she would be there to invite him in.

Despite the seriousness of what they were about to attempt, Stokes chuckled appreciatively when Barnabas handed the vampire key chain to him. He examined it with a twinkle in his eye.

"What a very curious oddity, Barnabas. Do you know how Julia came to have something like this in her possession?"

"Willie gave it to her as a 'trick or treat' last Halloween, making it something Angelique would not have seen."

"I believe it to be a safe assumption. I took the liberty of calling the hospital just before visiting hours ended, and asked after Julia's condition. The nurse told me there has been no change. If we are successful this night, Barnabas, Julia's condition should greatly improve before morning."

Barnabas nodded his understanding, his expression making his feelings very clear to Stokes.

"Ideally, I should like you to be with Julia, at her bedside, to monitor her reaction and see first hand if we accomplish our goals, but I fear we will have to allow the professionals to do that for us. You are to play an important role tonight, Barnabas, and therefore you must remain here."

"I understand, Eliot. I want to do nothing that would endanger our success."

"I thought as much. Allow me to explain what will happen here tonight."

Barnabas listened carefully as Stokes outlined the procedures he would use, the incantations he would recite, and the spells he hoped to cast. Barnabas interjected with questions when he was not clear on something. When the clock began to strike the hour of eleven, Stokes was ready to begin.

CHAPTER XV

As previously instructed, Barnabas stood back, away from the Professor while Stokes began to summon the spirit and essence of Angelique. He used a voodoo doll made from clay, incorporating the hair strands from her brush, and several bristles from the brush itself.

Barnabas stepped back further, into the shadows, as wind swept through the room, disturbing papers and books. Stokes continued to concentrate, his voice rising above the howl of the wind, determined that Angelique appear to him in corporeal form. She was resisting, but he continued until finally the witch appeared, her blue eyes snapping with intense fury. She opened her mouth to speak, to demand why he had summoned her, but before Angelique could utter one sound, Stokes began to recite a powerful binding spell, using additional hairs from the brush, winding them around the voodoo doll, binding not only her spirit to the doll, but her powers as well.

Angelique realized what Stokes was doing and tried a counter spell, but he'd been prepared for that, and had warded himself against reprisals. The witch was securely restrained, and although she could verbally threaten Stokes all she wanted, he was confident any magic she attempted would be turned back on her.

Certain that Angelique's attention was tightly focused on Stokes, her malevolent laughter sending a chill through both men in the room, Barnabas watched silently. At a pre-arranged signal from Eliot, when Angelique's anger was at its height, Barnabas stepped from the shadows and made his presence known.

Angelique's gaze snapped in his direction, her eyes sparked with betrayal and the fury of imminent defeat. She forced herself to calm down and tried to smile at Barnabas, but he looked back at her with an expression of such cold, calculated, intense hatred that Angelique could not help but react. Their gazes met for a brief moment and in that instant, Angelique realized she had finally pushed Barnabas too far.

"Barnabas! No!"

He glared hard at Angelique then raised the head of his cane and smashed it down on the clay voodoo doll, inside the protection circle where Eliot had placed it. The cane split the voodoo doll into several pieces. Another blow from Barnabas' cane smashed the section of the doll that represented the head.

"No!!"

Angelique's wail rose through the room, then she began to disperse, fading from sight even as her scream of protest faded from their ears. Barnabas stood staring at the shards of the hairbrush doll even as Eliot began the final incantation, binding and condemning Angelique's spirit and essence to the deepest depths of Hell for all eternity. As he said the words, he gathered up the broken bits of the hairbrush doll, feeding them into the fire in the fireplace, piece by piece. The ashes and detritus would then be buried in consecrated ground and sprinkled with Holy Water. He was taking absolutely no chances.

Putting the last piece into the flames, Stokes watched as it was consumed. He looked up to meet Barnabas' rather shocked but satisfied gaze.

"Go to Julia. You will know immediately if we were successful."

Barnabas nodded and hurried from the room, hoping with everything he had that by utterly destroying Angelique, they had also nullified her spell over Julia Hoffman.

CHAPTER XVI

Barnabas arrived at Julia's room just as several nurses and a doctor were leaving. He tried to enter, but was stopped by Doctor Tolan.

"Mister Collins, what are you doing here? It's past midnight."

"I... I just had a feeling that something was happening to Julia. I could not wait until morning."

The doctor eyed him warily, then nodded.

"Your feeling was correct, Mister Collins. Doctor Hoffman had a mild crisis earlier, her heartbeat and respiration were... very erratic, but she's stabilized now and shows signs of coming out of the coma."

"May I see her?"

Tolan was about to refuse, but changed his mind, suspecting Collins would not leave, no matter how he answered. And perhaps his presence would be beneficial to Doctor Hoffman.

"All right. Talk to her, tell her she is beginning to get better and needs to continue that trend."

Barnabas nodded gratefully and stepped into Julia's room. She was still hooked up to the monitors, but even to his untrained eyes and ears, he could tell she was much better. Stepping up to the bed, Barnabas took Julia's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Julia, it is Barnabas. Are you able to hear me? Everything should be all right now. Professor Stokes and I have... taken care of the problem, permanently, we believe."

He studied her face, hoping for a response of some kind. Although Julia did not awaken, Barnabas could see she rested more easily, the lines that had creased her face earlier were more relaxed. Barnabas bent over and gently placed a kiss on her cheek, then drew the chair up to the bedside and sat. He would not leave her.

Barnabas was startled awake by an angry scream and something about an evil witch. He sat up straight, then stood, stepping closer to Julia's side.

"Julia!"

She tried to thrash and fight some invisible foe, demanding that someone leave her alone and go back to the depths of Hell, where she doubted any self-respecting demon would have anything to do with the witch. Barnabas' heart raced when he realized she was battling Angelique, and he hoped it was left over memory from before and not something happening then.

Grasping Julia's hand, Barnabas squeezed it firmly, hoping to break her concentration. He spoke her name again, sharply, hoping he could calm her before the medical staff arrived. He knew if they heard what she was saying, they would think her mentally imbalanced, or worse, completely insane.

"Julia Hoffman. Stop this. Look at me."

Slowly she began to calm. Barnabas held her hand tightly, and touched her cheek gently with his other hand.

"Julia, it's Barnabas. You are all right. Open your eyes, look at me."

She calmed further, took a deep, gasping breath and opened her eyes, blinking against the overhead lights in the room.

"Julia..."

Again she blinked, then turned her head toward the direction of Barnabas' voice. He watched her anxiously, waiting for a reaction, a sign of recognition, a spark of anger, anything.

"Barnabas,... what..."

"Eliot and I have taken care of it, Julia."

"How..."

"We'll explain later, when you are stronger. How do you feel?"

"Like burning a witch at the stake."

Barnabas chuckled and gave Julia's hand a gentle squeeze. He met her eyes and raised her hand to his mouth, placing a kiss on the back of it.

At that moment, the medical staff arrived. Barnabas gave Julia an affectionate smile, then stepped back out of the way to allow the doctor and nurses to do their jobs. He quietly stepped from the room, found a phone, and placed a call to Eliot.

CHAPTER XVII

Eliot Stokes, Barnabas Collins and Julia Hoffman were gathered in the drawing room of the Old House, the men relating their efforts and apparent success in defeating and destroying Angelique. Julia was dubious, knowing well the witch's penchant for returning, no matter how she had 'died'. Stokes was more optimistic, citing his colleague's expertise in voodoo and the fact she corroborated that there had never been any reports of a witch, warlock or any other supernatural being returning after the spells Eliot had cast were successfully completed. Julia hoped that was true in this case, as she had no desire to face Angelique ever again.

"I sincerely hope you shall never have to, Julia."

"So do I, Eliot, although I know a great deal more about her, about how her mind works than I did before. If I must face her again, I believe I will have a few... surprises for her."

Barnabas smiled confidentially, knowing Julia was right, while Stokes chuckled appreciatively. Then he sobered, uncertain if Julia were ready to tell them about her ordeal. She saw the doubt cross his face and smiled with understanding.

"How are you faring, Julia?"

"I believe I have my colleague, Arthur Greene, puzzled."

"In what way?"

"I am exhibiting none of the classic or text book indicators or symptoms of a post-suicide attempt. Having worked closely with me at Wyndecliffe, he knows me well enough to be certain I am not... putting on a show for him. However, he has only the police and clinical evidence to work from, so must stick to the 'facts' as indicated by that evidence."

"What have you told him, Julia?"

"Hardly the truth, Barnabas. If I were to tell him I'd been the victim of a jealous dead witch's spirit who cast a voodoo spell to make it appear as though I had made a suicide attempt, he would most likely want to have me admitted to Wyndecliffe as a dangerously deranged patient. I have not disputed any of the conclusions he's reached, and I have been as cooperative as possible within those parameters. He is being frank with me concerning his assessment and what he will report to the authorities, as a professional courtesy and out of respect for me as a person. Once the... legal requirements have been met, so the law officials are satisfied I am no longer a danger or threat to myself, I believe Arthur will leave it at that and not pursue my 'case' any further."

Stokes and Collins exchanged relieved glances, having been worried Julia might face some rather strict psychological counselling requirements as a result of actions that were beyond her control. As if she were reading their collective thoughts, Julia smiled ruefully.

"It's all right. This is hardly the first time I've been in therapy. All graduate students who are planning to attain a degree in psychiatry must see a licensed psychiatrist for a specific period of time. It gives us a look into what out future patients will be feeling."

Both men looked relieved again, and Julia glanced at Barnabas, then Stokes. It was Barnabas who finally asked what both wanted to know.

"What really happened, Julia?"

She shook her head as she took a deep breath, more to control her resentment and anger than to work up the courage to talk about it. Julia studied the carpet pattern for a moment, wondering where to start. When she looked up, Julia first met Stokes' gaze, then Barnabas', holding his a moment longer than she had Eliot's.

"About... two weeks after we returned from 1841, I began having dreams centered around the events of that time. I could never clearly remember details of the dreams, even though they were often troubling enough to wake me up. I wasn't too concerned, as I perceived the dreams to be my subconscious mind trying to reconcile all the events of the past with the circumstances of the present."

Barnabas shifted uneasily and tried not to meet Julia's gaze when she looked his way, but eye contact was inevitable. In those brief few moments, Julia saw deep and sincere regret in Barnabas' eyes, and she knew they would be talking privately very soon.

"About... ten days later, the dreams changed to images of death; of my suicide; of my death. Again I perceived them to be my mind's way of dealing with my experiences as Roxanne's victim, my mind trying to sort out my feelings of... self-betrayal because I didn't resist hard enough, fight back long enough or accepted too easily the vampire's control. The little voices in the back of my mind that told me I wanted to die because I had 'let the vampire attack me', became more persistent. They were voices I ignored, or shouted down or reasoned with consciously, but could not shut out unconsciously. What I didn't realize until too late was that the dream images were... preparing the way for what was to come."

"Angelique."

Julia nodded as she glanced at Stokes.

"Yes. The night of my 'suicide attempt', the dreams were especially disturbing, almost overpowering. I woke up in a near panic, for I had clearly seen myself taking an overdose of sedatives. It somehow seemed more than a dream, stronger than an image. As soon as I had calmed, I heard Angelique's laughter filling the room, echoing and ringing in my ears. I couldn't see her, and demanded she show herself, but the laughter continued. I got out of bed, intending to turn on the overhead light. Suddenly she was just right there, in front of me. She held a crudely made doll, and even though I was on guard and prepared to fight her, she somehow captured my will anyway. I remember seeing myself, as if from across the room, try to resist her, to fight, to order her out of my head, but she only laughed and began drawing something on the doll. Again I saw myself, from across the room, go to my medical bag, remove the sedatives, and take the entire bottle. Then I watched myself write the note, with Angelique dictating the words. I tried to resist, to break her hold, but it was as if I were... a vampire's victim all over again. I couldn't do anything but obey her commands.

"After I finished writing the note, she ordered me back to bed. I obeyed. The pills were acting very quickly and my coordination was impaired. I knocked my medical bag over, spilling the contents onto the desk and floor when I stumbled back to my bed. As my body lost consciousness and control as a result of the pills, I felt myself being... drawn back into it, so that I was trapped, unable to respond or reply."

"You were consciously aware of what was happening to your body?"

"Yes, Eliot, I was, but could do nothing about it. My mind was clear and functioning perfectly, only my body was affected by the drugs."

Again Julia met Barnabas' gaze, trying to let him know she had heard and understood everything he'd said to her at her bedside. Both men nodded their understanding and Barnabas raised his head as he nervously held his hands at waist height.

"Julia, your... appearances to me. How did you accomplish that?"

Hoffman chuckled and shook her head, smiling ruefully.

"You'd be surprised what your mind can achieve when you're locked in an unresponsive body and really, really angry about it. I just used the same kind of concentration and techniques as when I went into the I-Ching trance, and thought about where I wanted to be rather than when I wanted to be."

Stokes nodded as if her answer had been the one he was expecting. Barnabas still seemed slightly confused. 

"The first two times I actually saw you, at your bedside and then later, here in this room... I did not recognize you. It seemed as if you were... someone else."