Rescue

December 21, 2000

The forlorn sobbing dismayed Barnabas Collins even as it led him to what appeared to be a recessed shelf in the cellar wall. Rarely - if ever - had he heard Julia Hoffman cry, and it took him a moment to realize that was what he was hearing.

On the other side of the wall, in the cell where Julia Hoffman was held prisoner, she wrapped her arms about herself, no longer able to control her despair. Her sobs came freely, and it took her a moment to realize someone had called her name; that it was real and not a trick of her own mind.

"Julia! Julia!!"

"Barnabas? Oh, Barnabas! You're here!"

She stood and hurried to where the door was, leaning against it in relief, trying to lessen the distance between herself and Barnabas, between herself and rescue. She'd nearly given up hope, but he was there, he'd found her! She heard Barnabas ask how to reach her, heard herself tell him there was a lever somewhere. Reluctant to step away from the door, Julia only did so when she heard Barnabas exclaim he'd found the lever. A slight click signaled the latch was free, and the door slowly began to move inward.

Julia stood with one arm wrapped around herself, the other hand resting at the base of her throat, her gaze riveted on the door. What if this was a trick, some new cruelty of Angelique designed to further torment her? She could not stand it if that were so, and Julia spun around, refusing to watch, refusing to let Angelique see the disappointment, betrayal and devastation both would know she felt.

The door opened and the rush of cooler, relatively fresher air washed over Julia, but still she did not turn around. She held her breath, refusing to believe her ears when she heard what she thought were Barnabas' footsteps.

"... Julia?"

Barnabas' voice! Or was it? Angelique was capable of anything, including finding some way to imitate Barnabas' voice, or make her believe she was hearing his voice because she so desperately wanted to.

"Julia?"

The footsteps came closer, and she felt gentle, caring hands come to rest on her trembling shoulders, turning her around. Barnabas. It was his face she saw, his gaze meeting hers, his eyes filled with happiness and relief and gratitude; his voice that caressed her name in a way she wanted him to caress her body, but knew he never would.

"Julia."

"Barnabas... oh, Barnabas!"

Julia fell into his arms, no longer able to control her emotions. He held her tightly, his eyes closed, grateful to be able to hold her in his embrace; to know she was alive, to know his heart had been right about her in spite of all the evidence against it.

"It's all right, Julia. I'm here... we found you."

Julia took a deep, gasping breath and nodded against Barnabas' shoulder. He took a quick, distasteful look around the room, then guided Julia to the door and out of the room. He was aware of the odd look Maggie gave them, but he did not care. Julia was safe, and with him again.

Julia took another deep breath and held tightly to Barnabas. 'We', he'd said 'we'. She raised her head from his shoulder and saw Maggie and Roxanne standing there, watching. A flare of anger and resentment shot through Julia. Barnabas had found a way to revive Roxanne and allowed her to intrude on what should have been their time; he had come to her rescue and brought the pom-pom squad.

Julia swallowed and mentally shook her head. Perhaps that wasn't fair, perhaps they really had helped in some way, she didn't know, and she did not have the strength or desire to confront Barnabas about it now. He'd found her, he'd not given up on her, and that was all she could care about just then.

"Come, Julia, let's leave here."

"... Yes."

He wrapped his arms about her and assisted her up several flights of stairs. Julia heard Barnabas order Maggie and Roxanne to do several things, and all she could do was take comfort from his voice, from his embrace, from being with him again.

Maggie had the car waiting when Barnabas helped Julia out the front door of Collinwood. Roxanne handed Barnabas a blanket that he wrapped around Julia just before he helped her into the back seat of the car, then sat beside her and once again gathered her into his arms.

Barnabas?

I am here, Julia.

She released a quick sob of relief and nestled further into Barnabas' embrace. Julia opened her eyes to find Roxanne watching them from the front seat. Their gazes met, and Julia understood the young woman had been instrumental in helping Barnabas find her. She gave Roxanne a grateful smile, then reached for Barnabas' hand. The look in Roxanne's eyes had been unmistakable. She did not understand what Barnabas felt or shared with Julia, but knew it did not come close to what Barnabas felt for her, despite his declarations of loving Roxanne. Again Julia smiled. When she felt better, she and Roxanne would have a serious talk.

Roxanne turned back to face the front of the car, watching Barnabas and Julia in the rear view mirror. She saw Barnabas reach up and gently brush away a smudge of dirt that spread across Julia's cheek. The gesture was casual, that of an old friend helping another old friend, but also very solicitous, very caring, very... loving and Roxanne understood that no matter how much Barnabas loved her, she would never have the importance in his life that Julia Hoffman claimed.

Hearing Roxanne call to Barnabas, Julia glanced at him as he replied, reaching out to her, trying to guide her through the flames. The room suddenly changed and Julia could not help the feeling of triumph that engulfed her. She was still with Barnabas, and Roxanne had been left behind, in her own band of time, where she belonged. Julia smiled briefly, then prepared herself to deal with Barnabas lamenting his loss of Roxanne. He would never accept that fate had stepped in and prevented Roxanne from crossing the time barrier because she did not belong in their band of time. Julia watched Barnabas as he realized what had happened, and she hoped he would, someday, realize what it all meant. Julia could not make Barnabas see the significance of the fact she was still with him - as he was with her - when he was not with any of those whom he had said he loved. Someday, Barnabas, someday... Julia knew she would never be totally content with just that, but until Barnabas came to his senses, it would do.