The Journals (3)
Date: 10/10/98
From: barnster

Early the next morning, Barnabas Jr and Cindy crept stealthily downstairs, unaware those mischievous eyes were watching them.

As they disappeared from sight, Stephanie slipped out of her hiding place, and followed them.

At the front door, they embraced. The kiss they shared, slow and meaningful.

The kiss finally ended and Barnabas glanced towards the stairs. "You'd better go, before someone catches us," he whispered.

"Will I see you later today?" whispered back Cindy.

He smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Try keeping me away. But I'll have to hit the books, first. Keep them sweet."

"But you're on holiday!"

"Still got to study," then seeing her doubtful expression, he said, "Don't worry, I won't be making a habit of it. Gotta see my girl, haven't I?"

As he finished speaking, he pulled her back into his embrace. She smiled up at him. "Yes, you do," she agreed, as they kissed once more.

"I'd better go," Cindy finally said, as she opened the door. Barnabas clad only in his pyjama bottoms, shivered slightly, at the early morning chill.

She laughed quietly. "You should go back to bed."

"Only if you come back with me," he said, grabbing for her.

She eluded his grasp, and smiled as the memory of the night they had just shared, crossed her mind. "That depends."

"On what?"

"On how much study you do. See ya later, lover!" she said as she kissed him.

He watched her as she drove away, and then closed and bolted the door.

"I'm gonna tell Daddy!"

Barnabas whirled around to face his half-sister. His eyes blazed with anger.

"You say one word, about Cindy staying here, and I'll cut your tongue out. Without putting you to sleep."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Wouldn't I?" he whispered harshly. Then, giving her a sharp jab in the arm, he continued. "Listen you little demon, I've had just about enough of you. Say one word, and I'll do it. I'm pretty handy with a sharp knife, remember that!"

"You're mean! I hate you!" stated Stephanie, her voice quivering.

"You'd better believe I'm mean. I hate you, too," he said as he climbed the stairs to his room.

When he reached his room, he crunched three of the pills Daniel had seen him take the night before, and then taking the first of five medical books from his desk, settled down to some serious studying.

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He'd been studying for four hours, when the knocking came at his door. He frowned in concentration, as the door gently opened.

"So you are up!" beamed Sarah delightedly. "Thought you were going to sleep all day!"

"Yeah well, got too much study to do," he said, as he rubbed his forehead.

"Enjoy the party?" asked Sarah, not taking the hint. "Isn't it wonderful for Daniel to have control of the entire Fleet!"

"Yeah, great!" he replied in a bored voice. "Anyway, he doesn't have all the say. He still has to answer to Cousin David."

"Aren't we grumpy this morning? What's the matter? Didn't Cindy like the party? You both left, rather hurriedly."

Her brother sighed. "Sarah," he said in a warning tone, she knew well. "Cindy and I had our own plans last night. I'm sure Father understood. Besides, I haven't seen her in almost three months, we wanted to spend sometime together."

"WE haven't seen you in months either! And Father didn't understand! He was terribly upset!"

"I'll make it up to him. But last night, I just wanted to be with her. What's wrong with that? And don't go telling me, she's all-wrong for me. I told you yesterday, that I loved her, and I meant it."

"Are you seeing her today?"

"Yes I am. Why?" he asked sharply. All during their conversation, he had felt an unreasonable anger growing in him. All he wanted was to be left alone. Left alone to study in peace.

Sarah was finally beginning to notice his agitated mood. "What's wrong with you?" she asked with a frown.

The last thing he wanted to do was lose his temper with Sarah. He clenched his fists, and took a deep breath.

"Sarah, I have heaps of studying to do," he said, fighting to keep calm. "And the last thing I need is interruptions."

"But Barnabas..!"

"Sarah, please!" he snapped, making her jump. "Look, I'm sorry," he said, in a calmer voice. "It's just I really need to work at this."

Understanding crossed her features that were so like their mother's. "I'm sorry, I didn't think. Being a doctor is very important to you, isn't it?"

"Very important. And so is Cindy," he added, in a tone that indicated that the matter was dropped.

"All right, Barnabas. But promise me one thing; that you'll think seriously about things first, before deciding that you want to marry her."

He smiled, and placed an arm around her, as he guided her to the door. "I promise. Now, let me study."

"Ok, but don't work too hard!" she said, as she left the room.

When she had gone, he leaned against the door, and closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he walked over to his desk, and shook four of the tablets from the small bottle hidden near his books.

After he had crunched them, he began to feel calmer, as the tension eased.

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Barnabas glared at his father, furiously. "And I can guess who told you!"

"Then you admit it?"

"So what if she spent the night here? It's no big deal!"

"I will not have you causing a scandal..."

"Who's causing a scandal? Would it be preferable if she were a servant?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Barnabas, Snr, paling slightly.

Barnabas, Jr. smiled nastily. "Surely you haven't forgotten Angelique?" he asked innocently.

"Keep you voice down!" he hissed, checking over his shoulder to see if anyone had heard.

"Maybe you should practice what you preach," Barnabas. Jr said as he walked out the drawing room.

"Where do you think you're going? I haven't finished speaking to you."

"Well I have! And another thing, what about Julia?"

"What about her?"

A wicked glint gleamed in Barnabas Jr eyes as she stared at his father. "I'm not 14 years old, now. She spent more than one night here, before you were married. And I don't mean in Josette's room! Maybe you should look at your own actions, before condemning me!"

He turned on his heel, and left the house, slamming the front door behind him. As the roar of a car's engine sprang to life, Julia entered the drawing room.

"What was all that about?" she asked, noticing her husband's dejected mood.

He sighed, and sat in his chair. His pale face wearier than Julia had seen it, since his illness.

"Apparently, Cindy spent the night here. In Barnabas' room."

"What!"

"Stephanie saw them both sneaking out of his room, early this morning."

"And you confronted him. What did he say?"

"We fought as usual, whenever that girl's name is mentioned. Said I ought to look at my own actions, before questioning his."

"I don't follow.."

"Angelique," said Barnabas wearily.

"Oh," was all Julia could say.

Despite finding out the truth about the deaths of his mother and younger brother, and discovering the real truth about his father, Barnabas, Jr still held a grudge against his father.

And never hesitated to use it to his advantage, whenever the mood suited him.

But, since starting medical college, his vindictive moods had lessened, almost to the point where they were hopeful that he might at last forget all that had happened.

And for awhile, Julia was delighted to find that the relationship between father and son, had returned to what it had once been.

That was, until he met Cindy Lambert.

For some reason, his father and Sarah had taken an instant dislike to the girl. Though she and Daniel had found her quite charming. Sarah was adamant that Cindy would destroy any hopes of Barnabas achieving his goal, and that all she was after was his money.

But Julia didn't think that were true. It was obvious that they were in love. And until now, she had hoped that Cindy would have had a good influence over him.

She sighed, and hoped that her judgement hadn't been so wrong.

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"So Steph snitched?" asked Cindy in disbelief.

"Yeah," sighed Barnabas. "The little demon told on us."

"Don't be mean," reproved Cindy. "She's your sister."

"Half sister," he said emphasising the half.

"What difference does it make?"

"A lot!" he said raising to his feet, and striding over to the window.

Cindy put down her coffee mug. She watched him, uneasily. "You don't like her do you?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I just don't! The kid's a pain, plain and simple!"

"Don't you like kids?" she asked pensively.

"Yeah, but not her."

Silence ensued as Cindy studied her mug, while he continued to stare moodily out the window.

"Barnabas?" she said tentatively, finally ending the silence.

"What?" he asked sullenly.

"Your father and Julia, aren't exactly pleased that we're seeing each other are they?"

"Hardly, if my father's reaction to finding you stayed the night is anything to go by. But they're about to learn they can't run my life." He turned to face her. "Why?"

"I just wondered."

Barnabas frowned suspiciously. "That's never bothered you before, why should it now?"

"No reason, I was just curious. With all these arguments, it can't be all that easy for you to study."

"Meaning what, exactly?" he demanded. "Are you wanting to finish?"

"No, nothing like that!" she protested.

"Good, because I'm not going to let them win. I love you, Cindy, and they've got to accept it."

"They may have to. Barnabas, I'm pregnant."

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.