Subj: Kate -- 42
Date: 9/12/00 1:39:34 AM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen
Two days after Drs. Julia and Gerard Hoffman-Mathews left on their honeymoon to the Bahamas, the snow started to melt at Collinwood. Fortunately, the nights were above freezing, so travel wasn't treacherous. Kate drove every day to the college in Rockport without mishap, much to everyone's relief.
Kate enjoyed the camaraderie of her new colleagues and the enthusiasm of her students. Although many of the professors' ideas were archaic compared to her own 'modern' ideals, Kate found the men quite charming. With the exception of Professor Stokes, no one was under the age of 60. Whenever she entered the common room, they all stood and waited for her to find a seat before they sat again. If coffee or tea was served, Kate was asked if she would like to pour. Her 'condition', as most of her colleagues referred to her pregnancy, was spoken of in hushed tones and solicitous actions. Kate found it all rather humorous.
Kate loved her job. The students were interested in history and shared their own background knowledge. Often, the class would engage in round-table discussions that tended to go over the class time. It was difficult for Kate to say they could pick up the discussion tomorrow. She could hear students still debating as they left the room and walked down the hall. It was exciting to her. And fulfilling as an educator.
One night before the term ended, as they lay in bed together, Kate was telling Barnabas about how much she enjoyed her teaching job and the excitement of the students.
"It is so unbelievable, Barnabas. These kids are great! I can't wait for next term." she exclaimed.
Barnabas sat up and put his arms on his knees. He sat in thought for a few moments, then asked, "Will there be a next term for you?"
Kate turned to face him. "Of course, there will be a next term. What are you talking about? Did Eliot say something to you?" she asked suspiciously.
"No, he didn't. I just thought, after we married, that you wouldn't work anymore."
Kate could hardly believe what she heard. Not work? Of course, she was going to continue working. What an idea!
"Of course, I am going to continue teaching at the college. I love it. I couldn't imagine not working!" she said, laying back on the pillow.
"What about the baby and I?" Barnabas said quietly. He looked at her with a hurt expression on his face.
"Barnabas," Kate said, "I thought you understood that I would continue to work until the baby arrives, take the summer off and then back at it in the fall. That is, if the college decides to rehire me."
"I don't like the idea of my wife working. We don't need the money, Kate. Besides, I was hoping to have you at home with me. And what about the baby? He will need his mother full-time." he said.
Kate sat up and faced him. "Darling, just because I work doesn't mean I don't want to be with you and our baby. I do, you know that. I just need.... more, I guess."
Kate knew that was the wrong answer, but couldn't think of any other way to say it. She came from many generations of working women; why should she be any different? Just because her husband-to-be is from the 17th century?
Kate looked in Barnabas' eyes. She saw anger and something else, sorrow, perhaps, that he didn't understand the modern woman. Kate reached over and put her hands on his folded arms. He didn't respond to her touch, which did not bode well.
Putting her hand on his cheek, she said, "Barnabas, I love you with all my heart. I didn't mean to insult you. I just need space, to think and to wonder. A lot of women work outside the home, Barnabas. It is not meant to be shameful for their husbands."
"I am listening." Barnabas said curtly. His body was tense, his face rigid with anger.
Kate took her hand away from his face. Shit! she thought, I am not doing this very well. Aloud, she said, "I appreciate you listening, Barnabas. Thank you."
Barnabas nodded his head and she continued.
"I know we don't need the money. I understand that. I just want a little independence, that's all. I don't want to feel like I have to come to you everytime I want money. It puts both of us in a resentful position. Me, resentful because I have to ask, you, for having to give it to me."
Barnabas snorted. "If money is a problem, I will make a settlement on you. You can spend it as you wish, whenever, however you wish." Seeing Kate start to speak, he stopped her by putting up his hand. "I will be very generous, Kate. You will never run out of money. There, that's settled. I will see my banker in the morning." He lay back on the bed, turned his back to hers and pulled the blankets to his chin.
Kate sat on the bed, trying not to explode with anger. How dare Barnabas treat her like a child? She was a grown woman, a woman who didn't want to beholden to a man for anything. Damn his 17th century values! she thought. I can hardly believe this! Who the hell does he think I am?
The more Kate thought of it, the angrier she became. She got out of bed and slipped on her clothes. Barnabas turned to see her fastening her boots.
"Where are you going, Kate?" he asked. "It is cold out and a long walk back to Collinwood. I thought you were going to spend the night. Come back to bed, my love."
Kate turned to him and said, "I don't think so, Barnabas. Right now I am too angry to talk to you coherently. I need to go home. I will see you tomorrow evening. Good night." She turned abruptly, walking to the bedroom door.
"Kate, wait! What are you upset about? I thought we solved the money problem." Barnabas got out of bed and put on his robe. He stopped Kate before she went out the door.
"Kate, what is going on?" he asked anxiously. He could feel Kate go stiff under his grasp. "Please come back and we can discuss anything you want."
Kate looked at Barnabas and said through gritted teeth, "I don't want to come back in the room. I want to go home. I won't be able to talk to you until tomorrow. Please let me go, Barnabas." Her look was pleading. Barnabas sighed.
Letting go of her arm, he acquiesced to her request. "All right, Kate, I will see you tomorrow. Wait for me to dress and I will walk you to Collinwood."
Without waiting to see if she agreed, Barnabas started putting his clothes on. As he pulled up his trousers, he could see Kate silhouetted in the doorway. She wasn't looking at him, but off into space. He couldn't figure out what was the matter with her. Why was she angry? He thought he came up with a solution to the problem with money. He thought it was a admirable idea. Certainly not something his father would have done for his mother.
Barnabas finished tying his shoes and stood. He walked to the doorway to find Kate already heading downstairs. He rushed to catch up with her. As he got to the bottom of the stairs, he grabbed his coat and cane, while Kate walked ahead of him. Barnabas could see her about 20 feet ahead. He called to her as he hastily closed the door, but she pretended not to hear him.
Damn the woman! he thought. What the hell is she playing at? He ran to catch up with her.
"Kate, slow down! I am supposed to be walking you to Collinwood, not following you." he said as he caught up to her. Barnabas decided it was better if he didn't touch her.
Kate was relieved that Barnabas didn't take her arm while they walked. She knew that if he touched her, all the emotions she was trying to hold back would come out. Now was not the time for an argument. When she had time to breath normally and think clearly, then she would talk to him.
The night was cold and clear. The night sky was filled with winter stars. The snow under their feet crunched as they walked in silence. Kate slipped at one point, but was able to keep from falling through sheer willpower.
Barnabas broke the silence by asking if she was all right.
"I'm fine, thank you." Kate answered. "I can see Collinwood's lights from here. You can go back to the Old House. I can make it from here."
"No, I will walk you to the front door, Kate." Barnabas replied. Kate knew it was useless to suggest he not go to the door. Barnabas was too old-fashioned.
As the silent couple approached the doors of Collinwood, Barnabas walked ahead to open the door. Kate thanked him and started into the house. Barnabas' voice stopped her.
"Kate, sleep well, my love." His voice was low and seductive. His dark eyes had that familiar mesmerizing look in them.
Kate didn't turn around. She just said, "Good night, Barnabas. I will see you tomorrow." She wasn't about to be seduced by that voice. She knew exactly what would happen if she succumbed to his voice and the look she knew had to be in his eyes. She would forget about her anger and take him to her bed. Sometimes, it scared her to think that this man had only to speak a certain way or look at her with those dark eyes, and she would act like a wanton woman.
Snap out of it! Kate said to herself. Walk up those stairs and go to your room. Don't look back, not for one second. She hurried to the stairs, taking them two at a time. As she walked down the corridor, she stole a glance down to the foyer. Barnabas stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching her. He looked absolutely sexy, with his cream shirt hanging open at the neck, his suit jacket collar up and his Inverness coat thrown on so casually; his mouth with a slight smile, which made his face so gentle-looking.
Okay, Kate, go to bed! she told herself again. Go to bed! But she couldn't. Barnabas' pull on her was too strong. Her anger vanished, as did any desire to sleep apart from him.
"Barnabas!" Kate cried.
Barnabas stood expectantly. She could tell from his body language he was a little tense. She leaned over the railing, beckoning him to come to her. He didn't hesitate. He ran up the stairs and took Kate in his arms, kissing her deeply.
When they finally came up for air, Kate whispered to him, "I cannot stay angry with you for long, Barnabas Collins. What kind of spell have you put me under?"
Barnabas laughed softly in her ear. "A love spell, my dearest. Only a love spell."
Kate kissed him, pulling him down the hall to her room. She opened the door and drew him in. They continued to kiss as they undressed each other. Fumbling with buttons and zippers, they broke their kiss only to help the other disrobe. Naked, they began to caress each other's bodies.
Kate moaned as Barnabas dropped his mouth to her breasts. As he worked his magic, she kneaded his buttocks and shoulders. Reaching between his legs, she felt his stiff organ as it poked her in the stomach. She stroked him as he continued sucking her breasts and played with her clit.
"Oh my god, Kate! You are so beautiful." Barnabas moaned as he felt her hand increase its tempo on his cock. Suddenly, he picked her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. She reached up and guided his cock toward her mouth.
"Not this time!" Barnabas said. "I just want to fuck you, as you would say."
Without waiting for an answer, Barnabas crawled on top of Kate and plunged his cock into her wet pussy. He heard her gasp as he took her. He began a slow rhythm at first, wanting to build her orgasm. It didn't take long. Within minutes, Kate was trying to muffle her screams as she came. Barnabas kissed her, sticking his tongue in her mouth. He could feel her nails in his back and her teeth scraping his tongue as another powerful orgasm hit Kate.
Barnabas could feel his own orgasm building as her muscles contracted around him. He lifted his head from hers and began to thrust more quickly. Kate was moving her hips faster and faster; in rhythm to his. He felt the familiar tingling in his balls as he approached orgasm. Without realizing it, he let out a loud scream as he filled Kate with his semen. She held still as he pumped into her, putting her hand on his mouth so he could not make a sound.
As Barnabas collapsed on top of her, they heard a knocking at the door.
"Kate, are you all right? I heard a scream." It was Elizabeth.
Barnabas became very red and Kate could hardly stifle her giggles. The knock came again.
"Kate, Kate, what is wrong? Is anything the matter?" Elizabeth's voice was a bit frantic.
Somehow Kate got up and threw on her robe. She opened the door a crack to see Elizabeth and Roger standing in the hall, both with concerned looks on their faces.
"Kate!" Roger said. "Are you all right? That scream, well, it frightened Elizabeth. What is going on?" The look on his face belied his statement; he looked pretty frightened, too.
Opening the door wider, but concealing the bed, Kate said calmly, "I am fine. I just saw a spider on my bed and it scared me. I am sorry if I woke you."
"A spider?" Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. "I was afraid there was something wrong with the baby. Thank goodness. Well, Roger," she said, turning away from the door, "I am going to bed. I am glad it was only a spider."
Roger absentmindedly said goodnight to his sister. He said to Kate, "That scream did not sound like a woman's scream, Kate. It sounded like a man. You aren't doing anything you shouldn't, are you?" He gave her a knowing look and a bit of a wink.
"Roger!" Kate said indignantly. "How dare you suggest such a thing? If you will excuse me, I would like to go back to bed. Goodnight, Roger."
Roger gave her a funny look, but said goodnight. Kate closed the door and fell to the floor laughing. Barnabas was standing in the corner furthest from the door, his clothes in his hands. He looked very embarrassed.
Kate walked over to him and led him to the bed. She took his clothes from him and spread them neatly on the chair. When she finished, she turned to find Barnabas with his head in his hands.
"What is the matter? They don't know you were here. And even if they did, what does it matter?" Kate asked him, sitting next to him on the bed. "Obviously, everyone knows we sleep together, Barnabas. Otherwise, how do you explain the baby?"
Barnabas took his hands from his face and looked at her. "Kate, I don't think Elizabeth would approve of me being here with you."
"Good god, Barnabas! You should have thought of that sooner." Kate admonished. "I am going to bed. Are you joining me or not?" she said as she took off her robe and crawled under the covers.
"I am being rather paranoid, aren't I?" Barnabas asked.
"No, not paranoid, just a bit weird." Kate replied. She sat up and put her arms around his; pressing her breasts into his back. She kissed his neck and shoulders. "Come to bed, my love."
Barnabas turned around without disentangling her arms and kissed her. "You are right, Kate. We are practically married anyway. It doesn't matter what people think." He lay next to her and held her close.
Kate snuggled up to Barnabas and pulled the blankets up to their chins. By the time Barnabas was close to sleep, Kate stirred.
"Wha... what is the matter?" he asked sleepily.
"Barnabas," Kate said tentatively.
"Yes, my darling?" he asked as he nuzzled her hair.
"May I keep my job?" she asked.
Barnabas lay there quietly, thinking. Why was he so adamant that Kate not work? She loved her job. It didn't take her away from home that much. She could still take care of the baby, or they could hire a nanny if they needed to. It seemed a little thing to wound his male pride. He made a sudden decision.
"Kate, your job is important to you, isn't it?" He could feel her head nod 'yes'. "And I am playing the typical chauvinistic man, aren't I?" Again the head nod, but not as strong.
Barnabas sighed and said, "Well, if it is what you want, Kate, then it is what I want, too."
Kate practically jumped out of bed. She straddled Barnabas and kissed him repeatedly about the head and face.
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Kate cried between kisses. "You don't," kiss, "know how, " kiss, "much, " kiss, kiss, "this means," kiss, kiss kiss, "to" long kiss, "me!" longer kiss. "I do love you, you 17th century man!"
Barnabas took her head in his hands and kissed her deeply. "I love you, too."
Kate rolled off him and snuggled against him again. Pulling his arm around her, she whispered, "Good night, my sweet prince."
Barnabas drew her closer to him. He kissed her hair and answered, "Good night, my beautiful love."