Subj: A More Consistent Origin Parts 14-16
Date: 12/28/98 12:11:03 AM Central Standard Time
From: Whitey Pale

Part 14

As the dawn slowly rose over the Du Pres plantation in Martinique, a deeply troubled Barnabas Collins trudged back to his room. The fact that he would have to talk business with Andre Du Pres after a sleepless night was the least of his problems. . .

"What have I done?" he thought aloud as he closed the door to his room, then continued in a low hiss, "I have just spent the night making love to the maid of my host, the man whom my father has trusted me to negotiate a major business contract with. If Monsieur Du Pres learns of this, I shall be the laughing stock of his household, and will have lost face for my family."

Barnabas gripped his hands on the dresser and stared at himself squarely in the mirror. Then again, Barnabas mused, the French are very forgiving about love and accepting of passion. The fact that he had made love to a servant of such beauty and quality as Angelique would be no shame. Had he made love to Andre Du Pres' daughter, the situation would be much worse. Besides it would not be the first time that an aristocrat had taken
advantage of a lovely servant.

Barnabas grimaced. One of the reasons his father had sent Barnabas to Martinique instead of his uncle, Jeremiah, was that Joshua Collins was wary of Jeremiah's reputation as a womanizer, and feared that Jeremiah would find himself in a compromising position. And yet, now Barnabas had put himself in such a position.

Barnabas shook his head, and his expression softened. He remembered Angelique's rich lips, her supple body, her lithe movements while they were making love. His breath quickened and he knew that he could not end it now. He had to see her again, had to touch her again, had to make love to her again.

Barnabas clenched his teeth. "Angelique. . .oh, Angelique! Why did you have to come into my life? You are so right for me, but oh so wrong!" Barnabas realized that his feelings for Angelique extended beyond the passion of the previous night. He thought that Angelique had many of the finest qualities of the wealthy young women in Collinsport, and while she was more independent, Angelique did not put on airs as they did. Barnabas mused that he would do very well and be very lucky to have a woman like Angelique as his wife.

Barnabas frowned and began to pace the room. "But, then again, the fact remains that she is a servant. How can I possibly go on courting this woman. What can possibly come of it? Even if I took Angelique back to America with me for a bride, my father would scorn me as a fool at best, and disinherit me at worst. I will have disgraced the family name. Betrayed the Collins trust. As much as I wish that things could work out between Angelique and myself, it is just not possible!"

Barnabas began changing his clothes for the workday ahead. As he did so, he began to think of ways to rationalize ending his nascent affair with Angelique. "She has tried to trap me all along! She has studied the traits of the gentry, learned to read and has schemed, probably with her mother, to snare the first naive, impressionable young man of means she could find." Which happened to be himself. Barnabas felt himself used, a fool.

"No." Barnabas shook his head sadly as he tied his ascot, "I am being a hypocrite. I encouraged Angelique to rise above her station. In fact, I admire her for her attempts. I said that I wished that I could help her find a suitable position for her talents, and I truly do. But more than that I cannot do!" Suddenly, Barnabas was seized with a terrifying thought. What if he had impregnated Angelique? What would happen then? Barnabas shuddered at the thought.

Barnabas was subdued during breakfast, finding it difficult to make even small talk with his hosts. After breakfast, as Barnabas rode by carriage to Andre Du Pre's office in town to review important papers, he agonized at what to do about Angelique. He would be leaving Martinique in about a week's time. Barnabas could continue the affair until then, callously breaking it off before he left, or even convincing Angelique that he would be back for her. He would never see her again and she would eventually get over it.

Barnabas could not believe that he was thinking like this. He ached to be in Angelique's arms again, and his desire to press against her flesh was leading him to be selfish and cruel. Much as he wanted to continue the affair, Barnabas knew that Angelique deserved honesty and to have the situation explained to her. If she took it badly, well, this would be unfortunate, but Barnabas reasoned that he would explain to Angelique that it was only because of his great respect and admiration for her that would not permit him to lead her on. Barnabas felt his pulse race and his palms sweat as he thought of confronting Angelique in this fashion. He knew that she would hate him.

Barnabas half-heartedly looked at the papers at Andre Du Pres' office, but obviously had other things on his mind. Claiming illness, he left for the plantation before lunch, and went to his room to continue to think. All of his thoughts from the morning continued to swirl in his head. He wavered back and forth on continuing the affair and breaking it off.

Finally, Barnabas decided what he must do. He truly wanted to be with Angelique, maybe even could see himself marrying her, but such a course was impossible. And the sooner Angelique knew this, the better. To do otherwise, to lead her on for the sake of glorious nights of pleasure, would be cruel and conduct unbefitting of a gentleman. Besides, he cared for and respected Angelique too much to treat her in such a manner. Barnabas was determined to let Angelique know his decision that night, when they would meet again at the gazebo. Satisfied at last, Barnabas fell off to a restful sleep.

----------------------------

In the meantime, Angelique had returned to her room that morning to find a concerned Alexis, wondering where she had been all night. Angelique smiled and wrapped her arms around her mother's shoulders, giving her a large, loving embrace, "I told you that I went out for a walk. I sat and watched the stars for a long time. It was such a beautiful night, that I fell asleep. I'm sorry to have worried you so."

Angelique cheerily changed her dress to prepare for her duties for the day. Her mother was amazed, and somewhat disquieted by Angelique's sudden change in mood. The previous day Angelique had been sullen and impatient, now she was bright and gay. This could not have just been the result of a good night's sleep under the stars. Alexis was also surprised at Angelique's sudden devotion to her work. Angelique had been resentful of being a servant since she was prohibited from taking lessons with Josette.

Angelique left her room early to get a quick start on her duties. She reveled in her memories of Barnabas Collins' warm touch, his firm muscles, his vigorous lovemaking. She could not wait to return to the room to get a glimpse of her lover using the mirror spell. Early that afternoon, after hurriedly finishing her duties, Angelique rushed back to her room. She quietly locked the door, and eagerly opened her bottom drawer to find Barnabas Collins's ascot to begin the mirror spell. But it was not there.

Suddenly Angelique heard a voice. "Are you looking for this, Angelique?" Stunned, she spun around to see her mother, Alexis, coming out of their closet, holding Barnabas Collins's ascot in her outstretched hand.

Part 15

"Where did you get that?" Angelique exclaimed.

Alexis advanced towards Angelique and waved the ascot in her face. "A much better question is where did YOU get this?"

Angelique's expression hardened. "Mother, you had no business looking through my drawers."

Alexis snorted, "Oh, and you have business looking in other people's drawers? And taking things that do not belong to you? And risk having us both thrown out into the street if you are caught? Now tell me, Angelique, what use do you have for Monsieur Barnabas Collins's ascot. Surely, you did not want to wear it."

During this last tirade, Angelique had been thinking up a way to get out of this. "I do not need your sarcasm, mother," she replied. "I was using it to practice my mirror spell. I got tired of using our own pathetic belongings and wanted to see if the spell would work on material of quality. I was cleaning Monsieur Collins's bedroom, and there was no one else around, so I took one of his many ascots. I also thought that it was less risky than taking something from the master or the Countess."

Alexis shook her head smugly. "Is that the only reason you stole Monsieur Collins's ascot?"

"Of course, Mother," Angelique retorted. "What other reason could I have possibly had."

"What do you take me for? A fool?" Alexis replied angrily, flinging the ascot on the dresser. "The Countess told me about your encounter with Monsieur Barnabas when he arrived, how you were too familiar with him." She drew herself up to Angelique's face. "Well, you must forget about him! He is not for you. He will only bring us--you heartbreak."

Angelique giggled. Furious, Alexis asked, "what are you laughing about?"

Angelique turned away from her mother and moved to the foot of the bed they shared. "Forgive me, Mother. But I cannot help but laugh. Do you think that Monsieur Collins thinks that I am beneath him? That I am too, as you say, familiar with him?"

Alexis began to become very uneasy. "What are you trying to say?"

"I am saying, Mother," Angelique said smiling coyly, "that I think that you underestimate the talents of your only daughter."

Alexis began to shake. "Have you--have you seen Monsieur Collins?"

"Why, Mother? Are you afraid that the big, bad Countess Du Pres will throw us out into the street?"

Suddenly, the horrible truth began to dawn on Alexis. "Last night! You saw Monsieur Collins last night! That is where you were all night. Oh, Angelique, please tell me that you did not give into him! That you did not make love! Please tell me that this is not true!" Alexis pleaded, suddenly becoming very frightened.

Angelique did not notice her Mother's sudden change in mood. She was ready to crow in triumph. "Mother," she said with a mock, hurt expression on her face, "I cannot say that, for you have always taught me to tell the truth."

"You swine!" Alexis screamed, and slapped Angelique across the face, sending her sprawling across the bed. "You--you--slut! You have ruined everything! Everything!" Alexis retreated to the dressing table chair and sunk down in it, placing her head into her hands.

Angelique rubbed her face, stunned and angry. "You struck me! How dare you, Mother!"

Alexis lifted her head and wailed bitterly, "that is the least that will happen to you! To us! We are both dead! Dead!"

Angelique rose from the bed and advanced on Alexis. "Mother, you are overreacting. In the first place, Monsieur Barnabas loves me and will not let anything happen to us. Secondly, I have been polite up until now, but really, your fear of the Countess Du Pres absolutely disgusts me!"

"The Countess Du Pres! The Countess Du Pres!" Alexis got up and laughed hysterically. "You think that I am speaking of the Countess Du Pres!"

"Well who else--" Angelique began to say but was cutoff as Alexis grabbed Angelique's arm and pulled her daughter towards her.

"Well, it doesn't matter if I tell you now. We are all dead now anyway. How--how could you have done it?"

By now, Angelique was becoming a little scared at her mother's behavior, "Tell me what?"

"You could have had it all. You--we--could have ruled the world. We could have had had enough power to crush one thousand Nathalie Du Pres and Barnabas Collinses beneath our feet," Alexis spat out each word venomously.

"Mother, you're becoming hysterical! You're not making any sense!"

Alexis pushed Angelique back onto the bed. "You were to be the bride of the king of the Leviathans, who would return to earth to create a new super race to conquer mankind. I have trained you, groomed you almost since your birth for that moment. I have raised you to be a queen, have lied to you about your father, all to prepare you for your destiny. But you needed to be a virgin to become the bride of the Leviathans. And you ruined it all last night! Now we shall all die!"

Angelique cowered on the bed at her mother's agitation. "What are you talking about? Have you gone insane?"

"You think that you are here at the Du Pres by accident, no? You think that your learning to read is to find you a good job, no? Well, it was all part of the plan!"

Suddenly Angelique focused on one part of her Mother's puzzling tirade. "What do you mean that you lied about my father?"

"Your father!" Alexis shrieked. "Your poor, romantic father who loved me so much and was lost at sea? It is all a lie! I knew your father for one night, then I never saw him again. That is also how I was born. Your grandmother, a kitchen slut, threw me out of the flea-ridden inn I was working in when I became pregnant with you. How would your precious Barnabas Collins feel if he knew all of your noble history?" she sneered.

Angelique began crying. "No, Mother! You're lying! You must be lying!"

Alexis stopped laughing and spoke deliberately and seriously. "No, Angelique. After I was sent out, I nearly starved. I was about to throw myself into the river, when a man found me and took me to a settlement on a far deserted part of the island. There I learned how to defend myself through magic and, after you were born, learned of your destiny. I was told to guide you and shape you and prepare you. It was all going perfectly, but now you have ruined it and he will kill us."

Angelique could not believe any of this, it was too fantastic. But now she was scared. Through her tears she asked, "Who Mother? Who are you so afraid of?"

Alexis gazed directly into Angelique's eyes. "I was told that if I mentioned his name to you, we would die. But since we are sure to die now anyway, there is no point in my keeping it a secret any longer. The man who will kill us is Judah Zachary."

Angelique saw the earnestness in her Mother's eyes as she mentioned the name. She broke away and ran to the door. "No! It cannot be true, Mother! All you are saying are lies! It cannot be true!" Angelique screamed as she ran from the room.

Alexis yelled after her. "Run! Run! It will do you no good, for we are all dead--dead!" She slumped back into the dressing table chair, cradled her head and sobbed pitifully.

Part 16

Angelique ran down the hall crying, trying to get away from her mother's shrieking predictions of death. She ran down the back stairs of the servants' quarters and continued outside, down the path that led to the stables. Occasionally, one of the other servants would try to stop her and ask what was wrong, but Angelique kept on running, until she arrived, panting, at the forested outskirts of the Du Pres plantation. There she collapsed by a tree and sobbed uncontrollably.

Angelique could not believe her mother's reaction to the news that she had made love to Barnabas Collins. She had expected Alexis to be upset, perhaps even to fear for the consequences, but Angelique did not expect
her mother to strike her and yell such terrible things.

She remembered the hurtful things Alexis had said about her father, and how she had lied to Angelique about his true history. "It can't be true!" she thought. Then she recalled the bizarre rantings her mother had made about a secret plan for her to rule the world, to become the bride of some man from the Leviathans. What could possibly have possessed her mother to think up all of that?

Finally, Angelique thought of the name that had made her instinctively break away from Alexis and run from the room--Judah Zachary. She could not shake the feeling that she had heard the name before, but she could not figure out where. Alexis had never spoken of a Judah Zachary and there had been no one by that name on the Du Pres plantation since she had been there.

One thing Angelique knew--she could not wait to get to Barnabas. Barnabas would protect her. Barnabas would take her far away from her mother's madness. Still, Angelique could not shake the feeling that there might be some grain of truth in Alexis's improbable story. After all, Alexis had taught her powers that were beyond the realm of others.

Angelique shivered and cursed the day she learned those powers. She swore never to use them again. She would go away with Barnabas to America, get married, and lead a quiet, normal life as a wife and mother.

When the sun went down, Angelique went to the tysting place by the gazebo and paced restlessly waiting for Barnabas. At about the same time, Barnabas left his room following dinner and a change of clothes, and walked very slowly to what he was sure would be a difficult and unpleasant rendezvous.

When Angelique saw Barnabas' silhouette moving closer to her in the distance, she ran swiftly towards him. Before Barnabas could react, Angelique had embraced him hard, and began crying hysterically. "Oh, Barnabas! Barnabas! Thank heaven you're here!"

Barnabas was stunned. Angelique's grip was tight, and while her breasts were heaving against him as they had the previous night, this time it was not nearly as erotic as Angelique was shaking uncontrollably. "Angelique! What is the matter? What's wrong?"

"Hold me Barnabas! Don't let me go! Don't ever let me go again!" she wailed.

Barnabas could not believe that this was the same self-assured woman that he had previously known. Angelique was clearly terrified of something. Barnabas stroked Angelique's hair with one hand, and rubbed her back with the other. "There, there," he said soothingly, "Everything is going to be all right. Everything is going to be all
right."

Angelique began to calm down a little. "Yes," she sniffled, "I believe everything really will be all right now." Suddenly she exclaimed, "Oh, Barnabas, please take me with you! We can be married, and I will be a
very devoted wife."

Now Barnabas began to shiver. "How very awkward," he thought. He had tried to change the subject. "Angelique, I--I don't know what to say. But first you must tell me what is wrong!"

Angelique broke the embrace and looked directly into Barnabas' eyes. "I told my mother about last night." Barnabas flinched, but Angelique was too preoccupied to notice. "She went insane. I've never seen her act that way before. She struck me, cursed at me, and said things that were insane and didn't make sense!" She once again embraced Barnabas and began to cry.

"Angelique, you should not have told your mother about last night." Barnabas said firmly. Then, realizing how fragile Angelique was at the moment, he slipped back into the comforting mode, "I'm sure that your mother loves you very much. She is just very concerned for your welfare. I'm sure that is why she reacted that way that she did."

Angelique shook her head. "Oh no, Barnabas. If you could have seen the look in her eyes, heard the tone of the voice, it was pure hatred!"

Barnabas replied, "I'm sure that you are overreacting. Give your mother a chance to sleep on it, and she will feel better in the morning." Then, in an attempt to cheer her up, Barnabas added, "Now I want to see the Angelique that I know and love. The confident, but coy Mademoiselle who answered the door so serendipitously." Barnabas raised Angelique's chin and gently cradled it in his hand.

"Oh, Barnabas, I love you so much." Angelique moved her quivering lips up to his and she gave him a firm, moist, long kiss. Barnabas could not resist, as his lips parted and they indulged in a round of deep kissing. Angelique began to unbutton Barnabas' shirt, and Barnabas began kneading Angelique's breasts, sending sighs of ecstasy into the moonlit sky.

Soon, as they had the previous night, they were ferociously rolling on the green lawns of the Du Pres gardens, their bodies moving as one together, kissing, groping, furiously making love again and again. Barnabas knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he could not help himself. And Angelique was even more giving that she had been the previous night. Barnabas was all she had left, and she gave him everything.

Finally, when they were lying on each other, finally exhausted after several hours of passion, Angelique whispered, "I'll never leave you" and began to nibble on Barnabas' ear. Barnabas Collins snapped out of his fantasy and remembered the message that he had wanted to deliver to Angelique that night. He obviously could not deliver it now.

Fumbling for words, he said, "Angelique, you are magnificent."

Angelique, in a dream-like state, did not notice the awkwardness of the words, and grinned broadly, "As are you, my love."

Barnabas tried to think of a way out. "Angelique, you must reconcile with your mother."

Angelique cooed. "You will go to see her, no? When she meets you, I know that she will accept us."

This was not where Barnabas had wanted to go with this. "We must make plans." he interjected lamely, but to no notice by Angelique, "Meet me here tonight, at the same time, and we will discuss--" Barnabas tried to find the right word and failed, "everything about us."

Angelique pulled Barnabas down to her breasts and kissed him. "I cannot wait my darling! Let us make plans now."

"No, Angelique," Barnabas stammered, "I--I must make plans. I need to think of --of--the right things to do."

"Nothing you could do can possibly be wrong," Angelique said, gently kissing Barnabas' neck, "but if you want to surprise me, I will wait."

Barnabas felt more miserable than he had ever felt in his life, despite the physical pleasure that he was receiving. "I must go," he said gently breaking away from Angelique and collecting his clothes. "I have much to do. Until tonight."

Angelique kept hindering Barnabas from putting on his clothes, but finally he was able to do so. Barnabas was worried that Angelique would follow him back to his room, but instead, she lay contentedly looking up at the full moon and the flickering stars, smiling.

The next morning, Alexis Bouchard was found dead in her room, mangled horribly by a wild animal.