Priorities

November 30, 2000

"Barnabas, forget the girl. Find Quentin."

"No! The girl comes first."

Julia stared at Barnabas for a brief second, then slowly turned away and walked toward the entrance to the drawing room. Why did she even try? There was a pretty young woman involved and Barnabas wasn't using his brain to think when it came to her. Julia had never had the opportunity to examine or explore the effects of hormones on the vampire, but she was seeing them in action now. Barnabas was never the easiest to reason with when he had his mind set on something, and the fact his hormones were ruling his head made it even more difficult. Since she couldn't get Barnabas to understand the folly of this plan using reason and logic, Julia knew she would have to try another approach. She paused by the support pillar and leaned against it.

"You'll have to figure out a way to control that girl yourself, Barnabas. I will not help you."

There. She'd said it, she'd meant it. Although she couldn't see him, Julia could feel Barnabas was startled by her declaration. She heard his footsteps close the distance between them. Julia took a deep breath and closed her eyes as Barnabas stood close behind her. She felt the not so gentle brush of his mind in hers. Their link was still intact and apparently could be strengthened by strong emotions mixed with a close proximity to one another. Julia felt the brush of his Inverness cape against her arm.

"I could... force you to assist me, Julia."

"Yes, Barnabas, you could, and I know I could do nothing to resist you. But if you do that, you'll destroy everything we have between us - whatever that may be. You'll destroy the trust - on both sides - that was so hard to establish."

Julia felt Barnabas back off slightly, both physically and mentally. She sensed a touch of regret from Barnabas. He'd not tried to intimidate her in such a way for a very long time, perhaps because he realized he'd not needed to for a very long time. She'd been willing to comply with his plans for months now, but in this she just could not cooperate. Julia hoped Barnabas realized her reasons, but knew he would not. His hormones would get in the way.

"You forget, Julia, I have had some experience with the life force, with Adam. It would be easier if you helped, but if you won't, I will do it alone."

"Barnabas..."

"I have someone who will help me. We will get that girl tonight."

Barnabas did not want to hear any of Julia's arguments or reasons, or explanations. He did not want to think about why Julia was being so stubborn and resisting the opportunity to save an innocent young woman from an unimaginable fate. Barnabas crossed to the staircase and shouted for Will. He had no qualms about using his powers on the writer. Julia was right, however. If he forced her to help, he would destroy all they had built and shared. He would not allow that to happen, not for anything. He hoped Julia understood his reasons, but for now he had to go ahead with his plans, with her or without her. That girl's safety was his top priority.

Staring down at the motionless body of the young woman who was keeping Angelique walking and talking, Julia again considered how it was accomplished. Not by any medical procedure with which she was familiar. Given it was Stokes and his daughter, Julia was nearly certain some kind of black magic had to be involved. These things were beyond her experience and expertise.

In a way it was very ironic. Barnabas had every confidence that medical science could conquer mysticism, yet he was proof that it could not. Perhaps... it was Barnabas' confidence in her that allowed him to be so certain she could affect this woman's condition. Julia would like to believe that, but knew better. Barnabas was desperate for this woman to live, and probably had some crazy idea of taking her back to their own time band with him. Therefore he would manipulate anyone and everyone if he thought it would help achieve his goal. His priorities were more than slightly askew, and not just because he was a vampire. His human priorities were usually determined by his hormones as well.

"Julia, I know you are against this, but it is done now."

"No, Barnabas, it is just beginning."

A distance knock on the front door of Loomis House was heard, and Barnabas and Julia both moved to listen at the closed entrance to the secret room behind the bookcase in the drawing room. The caller was Angelique, and Will Loomis made a valiant effort to get rid of her. The woman was deliberately not taking the hint, but finally had no choice when Will all but told her to leave. His warning to stay where they were because she might come back was well intentioned and appreciated.

Barnabas glanced at Julia just before he walked away from her. She just stood by the entrance, thinking. Once again Barnabas had maneuvered her to where he wanted her. Angelique had come to see Barnabas for only one purpose, and they both knew it. Julia had warned him about Angelique, but he had not listened. Now she could either do as he wanted, or let him fend for himself.

"I know you want to say it, Julia, say 'I told you so'."

"No, Barnabas, not at all."

She studied Barnabas for a brief moment, then took the few steps needed to put her standing beside the body. She took no satisfaction from being right and knew she was about to lose what little ground she'd gained earlier in the evening. But she could not stand by and allow Barnabas to battle Angelique alone.

"I'd better start to work here."

"But Julia, you..."

"I changed my mind."

"You know what has to be done here, because of the danger now."

Julia's gaze was resting on the sheet covered body, but snapped to her hand, then up to meet Barnabas' gaze when he gently took her hand and held it tenderly.

"Thank you, Julia."

Julia stared at Barnabas a long moment, then looked away, back to the body. She didn't fully understand. That innocent expression of thanks had been genuine on Barnabas' part, but she thought she'd seen, for a moment, a flicker of something more in Barnabas' gaze. The man confounded her, and infuriated her at times, and continually surprised her. Julia mentally shook her head. She'd work it out later. Right then her priorities were clear - to protect Barnabas from Angelique and keep the woman from causing any more damage to the lives of everyone around her.