Subj: A Return to the Shadows Part 7
Date: 1/1/01 10:53:33 PM Central Standard Time
From: KimD

Helen watched as Victoria kissed Quentin before disappearing down the hallway. “Quentin,” she hissed making sure no one saw her. He walked over to her.

“Well, you certainly look happy.” She said cynically as he joined her in her room.

“I must say this is quite a daunting task.”

She laughed. “You can’t deny the pleasure this gives you.”

“What am I do to next?” Helen smiled.

“Nothing, in a fortnight Victoria Winters will give herself completely to you.”

Mrs. Johnson was downstairs washing the night’s dishes when it dawned on her, she had given Victoria’s cup of tea to Roger by mistake. “Oh well.” She said, humming a song. “It’s just some herbal drink, perhaps it will do him good.”

Helen was in her room, trying to figure out her next move, when there was a knock at the door. She looked up to find Roger Collins standing in the threshold.

“My beautiful flower..” he said, smiling. “I couldn’t wait any longer.” It took a moment for Helen to realize what happened, Roger had been given Victoria’s tea! It was a spell potion to undo the magic would be overpowered by her own. But another thought hit Helen, one that made her smile and kiss Roger. Victoria Winters had given to Quentin of her own free will, making Helen’s work much simpler.

Vicki left her room and went downstairs. Barnabas stood at the bottom of the stairs with Julia, looking up at her with a look of such concern and gentleness. Vicki felt embarrassment for her actions and feeling toward Quentin. She had just met him only a few days ago. How could she have behaved so shamelessly? She’d have to try to stay away from Quentin; after all she still loved Barnabas, didn’t she? “What’s wrong?” she asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Barnabas and Julia tried to explain in as few details as possible how they were afraid she had ingested something toxic. They convinced her to go with them to Julia’s lab for tests. They tests took a few hours, but came out
fine.

“Victoria,” Barnabas said, “I need to talk to you alone.”

“Yes, of course.” They left Julia’s lab and walked outside. She felt a small fear at being alone with Barnabas, but quickly pushed it aside. She couldn’t show any fear. He would only suspect that she knew the truth. Besides he had never harmed her before, and he’d had plenty of chances. He turned to face her with that look of concern returning. “You must be very careful of Helen. She can be dangerous.”

“Dangerous? How dangerous?”

“She has special abilities that normal people don’t have. Please don’t ask me to explain any further.” She remembered David had told her that Sara said Helen was Angelique. She knew what Barnabas was trying to tell her. “Please whatever happens, just be careful.”

In his mind he saw his sweet Josette. He could see her beautiful smile, and her lovely face. Then with a sharp stab of pain he thought of how Angelique destroyed her. First by making her fall in love with Jeremiah then her fall from Widow’s Hill. He couldn’t let the same thing happen again.

Vicki saw the pain that flashed across his face and felt shame at what had almost happened with Quentin. She realized how her actions would hurt him. He loved her. No matter what he was, or else was going on he loved her. A tear slid down her face. He lifted his had and brushed it away with a finger. “Tears? Is something wrong? I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No, I’m alright. Just tired I suppose.” He escorted her back to Collinwood, and kissed her goodnight. This kiss was filled with tenderness, but she couldn’t help but think of Quentin and the passion that they had shared.

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.