Subj: A Return to the Shadows part 19
Date: 3/25/01 10:01:42 PM Central Standard Time
From: KimD
The song I use in this part is Breathing preformed by Lifehouse, and written
by Jason Wade. You can listen to the whole song here: http://www.lifehousemusic.com/lh_music.html
Helen watched through one of the upstairs windows, and saw Vicki returning
alone. She smiled in satisfaction. It was perfect; she couldn't have planned
it better. She looked down at the cross pendant that Vicki thought she still
had with her. She would be defenseless now. Everything would go just as she
had hoped.
The lights of Collinwood were dim as Vicki walked inside. Everybody was still
at the hospital. She walked through the darkened foyer into the drawing room.
Moonlight gave the room a pale glow. She walked over to the window and stared
out at the night, thinking over what had just happened with Barnabas. She wasn't
sure what he would do now that he knew that she knew the truth about him, but
she knew he wouldn't just leave her alone. She heard the unexpected sound of
footsteps at the other end of the room. She spun around and saw Quentin. "I'm
sorry," he said as he approached her, "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's alright. I just wasn't expecting anyone."
"You seemed preoccupied when we left the hospital, you look even more so now.
Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." His dark eyes looked into her, seeming to see more than she
was willing to tell. He stepped closer to her. His hand came to rest on her
shoulder.
"Who's Josette?"
"Josette?" she repeated.
"Yes, I heard Barnabas whisper her name at the hospital. You seemed different
when you heard it, disturbed. There seemed to be something pass between you
both."
Vicki started reluctantly. "She was someone that came to Collinwood a long time
ago to marry. She died tragically. She looked a lot like me."
She felt warmth from his hand on her shoulder. He was so close they were almost
touching. "Why does Barnabas Collins worry you so much?" She looked up at him,
and wondered how much she could tell him. "It's alright, you don't have to explain
anything to me." He knew all about the secrets that a person could be forced
to bear. Quentin turned on a nearby stereo. The music that came out was soothing,
and seemed to fill the room.
I'm finding my way back to sanity again
Though I don't really know what
I'm going to do when I get there
Take a breath and hold on tight
And gracefully fall back in the arms of grace
I'm hanging on every word you say
And even if you don't want to speak tonight
That's alright, alright with me
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit
Outside heaven's door and listen to you breathing
Is where I want to be
Quentin looked down into Vicki's troubled face and moved his hand from her shoulder
to her back, and pulled her toward him. She thought of pulling away until he
lowered his head and kissed her. He pulled her even closer until they were pressed
intimately together. His kiss was slow and tender, and his arms around her felt
warm and secure. All thoughts she had of protesting died away.
Unknown to them they were being watched. Barnabas followed Vicki back to Collinwood,
and stood hidden inside watching jealously. He could feel his animal instincts
rising up as he watched them.
Quentin leaned down to whisper in Vicki's ear. "I'll see you later," he said.
Barnabas watched as they parted. Vicki left the drawing room and continued upstairs.