Subj: Love's Familiar Face ch 9
Date: 5/25/99 7:30:10 PM Central Daylight Time
From: miranda

Chapter Nine

Josette sat at the long brightly polished dining room table in the Collins' estate. She was invited to diner with the family and hoped to learn more about Angelique during the coarse of the meal. Everyone was there: Elizabeth Stoddard, Carolyn and her husband William, the esteemed literary professor, Daniel, Quentin and Angelique's son, friends of the family Cyrus and Sabrina, Bruno, another friend of the family (or in actuality Angelique's "friend", and Hoffman, who insisted on helping to serve. Hoffman paid particular attention to Daniel, as if in Angelique's absence he was the esteemed guest. The only member missing was Roger Collins. Although the family didn't speak of him, Josette has heard rumors that he was imprisoned for attempting to murder Angelique with a hat pin. Quite a strange way to try and murder somebody, Josette mused to herself. Angelique's death would have to be much more prolonged and painful than that.

"I have heard so much about Angelique and Quentin," Josette began. "When will they be returning?"

"Actually very soon," Elizabeth said.

Bruno stroked his unruly hair. "I wrote a piece of music for Angelique a short time ago. It's called, 'Ode to Angelique'. No one matches her beauty."

"Except her twin sister of course," Cyrus, the voice of logic, added.

Josette felt her dead heart sink. "She has a twin sister?"

"Yes," Carolyn explained, "her name is Alexis. She and her husband live here in Collinsport, but she has not been to Collinwood since Angelique's wedding."

"That seems to be a sore subject Carolyn," Elizabeth interceded. "Let's talk about something else."

Throughout the rest of the dinner, Josette's mind was elsewhere. This certainly was a point of concern she would have to investigate. It would be just like Angelique Bouchard to be reborn into this world and have a twin sister, bearing her name and likeness, to draw any attention away from her. Josette had to be sure that she was punishing the right person. She would have to pay a visit to this Alexis.

Hours Later

Josette stood perched in a large tree like an owl looking for its prey. She looked blankly into the darkness as she listened with her enhanced hearing abilities to the conversation between Alexis and her husband taking place inside the house. He was about to leave. This was the moment for which Josette was waiting. Now she could question Alexis and ascertain which twin was the reincarnation of the witch who caused all this sorrow to come into Josette's life.

Josette gazed down at the mailbox and read the name, "Haskell". It didn't seem to be like the Angelique that she knew to take a normal position in the community. She would be much more likely to pursue a place in the Collins' family. Nevertheless, she must be absolutely sure that Alexis was not the true reincarnation of Angelique Bouchard. Perhaps she had yet to realize her powers and it was just a matter of time before she wrecked havoc on Collinsport. After all, the Angelique Collins residing in Collinwood seemed to have the personality of a saint. Everyone, absolutely everyone Josette had met sung Angelique's praises.

The door to the house opened and Joe Haskell got into the car and drove away. Josette glided silently through the air from the tree to the front door. She simply opened it and walked inside. Alexis stood there, startled at first, but then demanded, "Who are you?"

"My name is Josette DuPres. Don't you know me?" Josette said slyly.

Alexis took a step backwards. "No. Should I?"

"Perhaps," Josette said as she inched closer and closer to Alexis.

"Just turn around and leave my house," Alexis demanded.

Josette intently stared at Alexis and murmured softly, "You can't look away from my eyes."

Alexis tried to resist, but very quickly fell under Josette's spell.

"You are under my power. I will give the commands and you will follow them. I want you to think back as far as you can remember. Tell me if you know who I am."

"I don't know you," Alexis answered in monotone.

"Think back in time, perhaps to another life and a time you were called Angelique Bouchard. Do you remember anything like this?"

"No," Alexis replied.

"Who are your parents?" Josette asked.

"I never knew my father. My mother's name is *Isadora Blair."

"Blair," Josette murmured. The name didn't mean anything to her. Josette frowned. She still wasn't quite positive that Alexis might be the real reincarnation of Angelique. She tried another route of questioning. Tell me about your sister, Angelique. What was she like as a child."

A sudden look of panic came over Alexis' face. "No. I don't want to talk about her."

"Why not?" Josette demanded. "Are you trying to protect her?"

"No…no…" Alexis stammered. "I can't bear to remember. I can't bear to think about it."

(*The character of Isadora Blair was created by Mark Branson.)