Subj: A Return to the Shadows part 18
Date: 3/19/01 9:52:55 PM Central Standard Time
From: KimD
Barnabas walked down the hospital corridor toward the exit when he saw a couple
coming from the opposite end of the hall. As they came closer he felt shock.
Quentin and Victoria coming toward him, but all he could see were Jeremiah and
Josette as they were two hundred years ago, when they had betrayed him. As he
watched them he again felt the bitter rage of an old jealousy build up. He couldn't
let the same thing happen again.
Vicki saw Barnabas coming down the hall with a look she hadn't seen before.
It was dark, foreboding, and frightening. He whispered one word as they passed,
"Josette." She looked up at him shocked, but he didn't seem to be seeing her,
but seeing another event, another time. She turned and watched him walk down
the hall, disturbed by his behavior.
Barnabas left the hospital and returned to Collinwood. He was admitted by Mrs.
Johnson and went directly to Helen's room. Helen stood up as he entered. "Mr.
Collins," she said trying to sound surprised. Of course he came. Of course she
knew what happened at the hospital, she had been responsible for making him
so jealous. His presence here was only proof that her plan was working.
"Don't play games with me," he said advancing on her. "I know who you really
are."
"I have no idea what you mean. I do wish you wouldn't come into my room with
these strange accusations," she said angrily.
"What about Quentin and Victoria? What have you done to them to bring them together?"
"Nothing. Is it so hard for you believe that she may prefer him to you?" She
could see his anger build with her last comment and felt pleased. "You needn't
worry about me you know. I'm really harmless." He gave a cold appraising stair
before leaving. She feared that it wouldn't be long before Barnabas could prove
that she was really Angelique. There was only a few more things left for her
to do, then she could enjoy simply watching what would happen.
Helen sat down at her dressing table and lit a candle. She took several strands
of Victoria's hair, which she had taken earlier, out of an envelope. Tonight
everything would start to change.
Barnabas left Collinwood and started to go home. The wind wiped around him blowing
cold air, but he didn't seem to notice. He brooded over Quentin and Victoria.
He couldn't let his Josette leave him again for Jeremiah. Then he heard footsteps
behind him. He turned and found Victoria. "You were so strange when you left
the hospital. I thought you might want to tell me what's wrong."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't feeling like myself earlier. I promise I'll make it up
to you." He stepped closer to her.
"Please don't. I don't want to hear any more excuses." She backed away. She
drew up all her courage, and prepared for his response. "You whispered Josette's
name."
He looked down at her. He couldn't lie to her anymore. "Then you already know
all about me."
"Yes. I had hoped that none of the was real. I tried to fight against the truth,
but you can only fight for so long." She stood there facing him. She could feel
the reassuring form of the cross she wore under her blouse. She had felt somewhat
safe as long as he didn't realize that she knew the truth, but she was unsure
how he would react at having his secret discovered. She thought of Carolyn lying
helpless in the hospital, barely alive. He had done that.
He felt trapped. He had hoped that she would never know the truth, even after
she came back from the past, but he could no longer hide. "Victoria, you have
to understand. This existence wasn't my choice. It was forced upon me."
"Why didn't you tell me this yourself?"
"I nearly did once, just before you left. I was unsure of your reaction. I didn't
want to frighten you. I wanted to protect you."
"Protect me or protect yourself? You needn't bother with excuses. My time in
the past showed me a lot. I understand what you did," he seemed to relax, and
took a step closer, "but I don't like it. Everything that I thought I knew about
you before was a lie."
"Give me anther chance, we can start over again."
"No, I don't think we can. I know it's not really me you want, it's Josette.
She was a beautiful person, but I can never be her. Please don't hold this against
me." She stepped back, away from him, fearful that his control would snap, and
the monster would appear.
"It's him isn't is, the one that look like Jeremiah, Quentin?"
She was afraid to tell him the truth, but she was more afraid to lie to him.
"I don't know right now how I feel about Quentin. But this has noting to do
with him. I don't want to be loved just because I look like someone else. I'm
can't be your Josette. I want to be loved for myself." She hoped that her uncertainty
and fear didn't show. "Everything that's happened has been a lot for me. I need
time to be alone, and think."
"Yes, of course."
Barnabas watched her turn from him and return to Collinwood. She was like Josette
in so many ways. He couldn't just let her leave him, especially not for Quentin.
He wouldn't let his Josette leave him again.