Subj: Love's Familiar Face chap 8
Date: 5/22/99 12:09:08 PM Central Daylight Time
From: miranda

Chapter Eight

Julia was at a loss for words. Josette, a vampire? Angelique reincarnated? And here sat the man for whom she had sacrificed so much of her own life asking her to cure his "true love" so he could leave Julia forever? Julia looked around the room at Willie, Elliot, Quentin, and Beth. Was Barnabas really prepared to leave them all and live in this parallel time for the rest of his life? "I thought you would bring Josette to this time band."

"It would be better for everyone concerned for me to reside in her time," Barnabas said.

"What do you mean, Barnabas?" Willie asked.

There was no telling how Josette would react to the Angelique in this time band. The hatred Josette had for Angelique was truly greater than anything Barnabas had thought possible for his beloved to feel. With Josette's vast knowledge of the occult she could easily go into battle with this Angelique as well. This reason was not something Barnabas was willing to admit, even to himself. "For one thing, Angelique is here. She could try to kill Josette."

"That is a very valid reason," Elliot said, "but you must realize that Angelique is bound to become privy to this information sooner or later."

Barnabas replied, "We must keep this from her as long as possible."

"Well, we will help you however we can," Quentin said. "One of us will have to take the shots over to the other time."

"It will have to be me," Beth said. "From what Barnabas has said I seem to be the only one without a double over there."

Quentin wanted to object, but realized Beth was right. "I wish there was an easier way to go back and forth between these timebands. It may not be so easy for you to return. What explanation could you give to sit for hours or even days in someone else's bedroom?"

"I bet Angelique could help," Willie offered.

"Willie, I just finished explaining why she must not be told what I am doing in this parallel time," Barnabas reprimanded.

"But she don't have to know there's another Josette in that time," said Willie.

Julia leaned forward in her chair, "Willie's right. If anyone would be able to help us it would be Angelique."

Barnabas was startled to hear Julia agreeing with this absurd plan. "I feel that the risk is too great."

Thinking of Beth's safety Quentin also chimed in, "Angelique has changed. She's nothing like the way you described her as being in 1795. Even if she does find out, and no one is certain that she will, she may surprise you Barnabas."

"I still do not see the logic in taking a risk like this…but I see I am outnumbered," Barnabas conceded.

"I will approach her Barnabas," Julia offered. " I will be very careful in what I let her know. I'll lead her to believe that I am the one interested in exploring this other time band." Julia almost couldn't believe that she had spoken those words. Here she was again helping Barnabas, covering for him, and wasting her own time. And for what purpose? So he could be with another woman?

Barnabas smiled. "Thank you Julia. I can always depend on you to help me."