Subj: Kate Chapter 18
Date: 5/9/00 5:58:13 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen
Driving home from Bangor, Barnabas and Kate listened
to music by Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Barnabas was amazed that all the music
came from a tiny 1 inch disc. The disc was shiny and round and was played on
a little machine called a compact disc player.
Kate wasn’t supposed to bring any modern technology with her, but she couldn’t
be without music. Since she liked the music from the 60s, it worked out perfectly.
As the songs played, Kate sang along. Her clear high voice soared in harmony
with Joni and Bob’s lyrics.
To Barnabas, listening to Kate was magic. He could not recall hearing such a
voice before. When the CD was over, he turned to her and asked, "Do you sing
professionally in your time, Kate? You sing like an angel!" he exclaimed.
Kate threw her head back and laughed. "Singing is just a hobby for me. I love
to sing, I just don’t want to get up on a stage. Too scary!" she said, shuddering.
"I don’t think you should be scared, you sing beautifully." Barnabas replied.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I will just be an in-the-shower and in-the-car singer.
Much more comfortable!" Kate responded. "There are the gates of Collinwood!"
she cried.
Barnabas pulled into the driveway and drove silently to the garage. When they
arrived, he parked the van and turned off the engine.
Turning to Kate, he said softly, "We have been avoiding the subject all evening.
Kate, I...."
Kate’s voice interrupted him. "Please, Barnabas, I have no answers right now.
I need time to think it all through, okay?" she pleaded.
"I only wanted to say that I realize we don’t have any idea what will happen
tomorrow or the next day; I just know that I love you. That fact will never
change, no matter what happens. Do you understand?" Barnabas said as he got
out of the van.
He closed the door, but not before he heard Kate whisper softly, "Yes, I understand."
He walked around to her side of the car and opened the door.
As she stepped out, Barnabas took her in his arms and held her close. Whispering
in her ear, he said, "What does matter is that I can not conceive of a future
without you. Please don’t do anything without talking to me first. All right?"
he asked.
Kate nodded her head. "I can not imagine a future without you either, Barnabas.
I don’t know what the right thing is anymore. I am confused about everything."
she said. "I do know that Ryan needs my help. I must help him. You do understand
that, don’t you?" Kate asked.
Barnabas sighed and turned away from Kate. "Yes, I do understand your loyalty
to your friend. Now, let me walk you to the door of the house. It is very late
and I think we are both too tired to discuss anything calmly or intelligently."
he said, turning and taking her hand.
They walked to the house and stood at the door for a few minutes, holding on
to each other tightly. Barnabas kissed Kate deeply and then opened the door
to Collinwood. Reluctantly, she walked through it.
With a last loving glance at Barnabas, Kate closed the door and slowly walked
up the stairs to her room. When she arrived, she closed the bedroom door behind
her.
Falling to the bed, Kate burst into tears. She cried herself to sleep, dreaming
about Barnabas and her together.
Barnabas opened the door to the Old House and hung up his coat and cane. As
he walked in the living room, he spotted Julia sitting in a chair by the fireplace,
sleeping. She had a red journal in her hands.
She looks so peaceful, Barnabas thought, I hate to wake her. But Julia must
be here for a reason.
Shaking her, he said, "Julia, wake up. What are you doing here so late?"
Julia started. "Oh, Barnabas, what time is it? I didn’t know when you would
come back, so I waited for you. I hope that was all right?" she asked, uncertain
of her reception at this hour.
Julia’s fears were allayed when Barnabas sat in the chair opposite her and smiling,
looked at her expectantly.
Where do I begin, thought Julia. Do I tell him about Kate now? He looks very
pleased with himself, maybe now is not the time.
Julia started to rise from the chair, but Barnabas stopped her.
"Please, Julia, you have something to tell me; go ahead, tell me what it is."
Barnabas said calmly.
Julia sat back down and looked at Barnabas. He seems a bit too calm, she thought,
suspiciously. Her eyes narrowed. What is going on?
"Well, Julia, I am waiting. It must be very important if you have waited for
me so long. What is that in your hand?" he asked.
Julia looked down at her lap. The journal lay there, almost begging to be opened
and discussed. After a few moments, she said, These are the notes I wrote while
I was working on your cure. I found it and thought I would bring it with me
to read while I was waiting for you."
Julia heard a low chuckle coming from Barnabas. "You never were a very good
liar, Julia. You found it because Kate asked you to find it, didn’t you?"
Julia gasped. Barnabas continued. "Don’t bother to deny it, Julia. Kate told
me about her friend Ryan; that he is a vampire. And that she is not from 1969,
but the future."
Barnabas looked at Julia’s face. She looked disconcerted, not a thing that happened
to Julia Hoffman often.
"Kate told you about herself; how she traveled back in time to find me and the
cure for her friend? I am surprised she had the courage." Julia said scornfully.
Barnabas’ voice got dangerously quiet. "That last comment was beneath you, Julia.
You should never underestimate Kate. It took tremendous courage to come here.
You, Julia, of all people should understand how hard it is to travel to the
past; how frightening it can be." he chided.
Julia reddened, remembering her own time travel experiences. "You are right,
Barnabas. I am surprised she told, that’s all.’ she replied. "I am going to
help her, by the way."
Barnabas stood and turned towards the fireplace. "Thank you, Julia. I know this
means a great deal to Kate and her friend. It means a great deal to me, too."
"I know it does, Barnabas. That’s what makes everything so hard. You asked me
why I came here tonight. I came here because, well, I am jealous. You know how
I feel about you. It hurts me to see you turn to other women. Kate can not stay
here, she doesn’t belong to this time. I don't like to see you hurt." she cried.
Barnabas turned to Julia, who was standing behind him by now. He took her by
the shoulders and said, "Julia, I am sorry, but you and I are not meant to be.
I know Kate has to leave, but I will do everything in my power to make certain
she returns. Or doesn’t leave at all." he said vehemently.
Julia pulled away from Barnabas’ grasp. She didn’t want him to see how hurt
she was by his words. She walked towards the door, saying goodnight as she did
so.
Barnabas did not try to stop her. Julia didn’t know if his words or his actions
hurt more. All she knew was Barnabas and she had this same discussion over and
over and nothing changed. He obsessed over some woman and she was left to pick
up the pieces when the affair fell apart.
Well, this time, she said to herself, Barnabas Collins, I won’t be here to pick
up after you!