End is only beginning for something new

 Angelique was lost, unable to move or fight back anymore.
Fire ate everything around her slowly but surely.
 Barnabas knelt down front of her, looking at her with slightly sad look in his eyes.
He may have hated her, but did he truly want her to die? He couldn't deny that Angelique had made his life Hell on earth sometimes, but same way he couldn't deny that she had been his lover and given him great joy in time.
And right now, Angelique was his only connection to his past. Only friend he had left who knew who he truly was.
 "So this is how it ends... " He said calmly, gently turning her head so she would look into his eyes. "So quiet... As in sleep"
 Angelique watched him with teary eyes, not knowing what to say.
"There was a time, when I may have loved you... And we could have spend eternity together."
"We still... Can"
"You never wanted my love... You wanted to posses me."
"No.. I love you Barnabas"
"You cannot love, Angelique. That is your curse."
Knowing there was nothing else left for her, she was ready to sacrifice herself for that Barnabas would at least believe she was able to love.
 Breaking her hand through her chest, she pulled her heart out, offering it to him.
"Take it..."
Barnabas looked at her heart, not sure what he should do. Soon her heart stopped beating and cracked. Shattering into million pieces in her hand and she turned to look away.
 Barnabas run his finger on her cheek, causing her cracked face shatter where he touched it. He watched her for while, now remembering those happy days they had shared long time ago...

 ... Barnabas and his parents had just had dinner with some fine business men from town, and now his parents were resting in their room as Barnabas himself was free for the rest of the evening. So thrilled of his success of his family business, he wanted to share his joy with only person he knew would never get boring to hear from his life.
 He silently go to knock Angeliques door and could hardly wait for her to come open.
As she finally did come, he stepped in her room and pulled her in tight embrace.
"Oh my dearest, you cannot imagine how proud I am at the moment. So happy! I couldn't wait, I had to come tell you this."
Angelique was slightly surprised and hugged him back. "What is happened?"
Barnabas pulled back a little to look into her eyes. "Our business is doing so well I cannot even tell! I have got some very fine business men from town to support us as well, and my parents are so proud! Do you understand Angelique? It is wonderful!"
Angelique nodded and smiled him, "That's great. I'm really proud of you as well. You work so hard... "
Barnabas hugged her again, "We must celebrate this!"
"Of course we do. What you suggest we do?"
"Come to my room once my parents has fallen asleep. I will find us for some wine."
Angelique nodded again.
Barnabas kisses her forehead and left as fast as he had came, leaving Angelique there to think.
   Little later, as she had just came from bath and made sure her host family was sleeping, she go to Barnabas's room. Knocking carefully couple times before opening the door.
 Barnabas came to her and locked the door after she got in.
He offered her wine glass, "Here"
"Are you sure I should be drinking? What if-"
"Shh. We must celebrate."
Angelique smiled and took the glass, taking small sip.
"Do you like it?" Barnabas asked.
"Very much." Angelique nodded.
"Great. Come."
Barnabas lead her to sit down on his bed and told her everything what was happened that day.
She listened him carefully, sipping her wine and laughing softly to his jokes and weird expression.
Barnabas poured more wine to them, "I am so happy at the moment Angelique. I feel like I have got everything man could wish."
"But you have nearly everything man could wish." Angelique anwered.
"Yes, indeed I have." Barnabas nodded and took long sip from his glass. "Only thing I have not yet got, is marriage and own children"
Angelique looked at her glass and bite her lip. She had been afraid of this conversation for long time. "Have you... Met anyone interesting?"
Barnabas thought of this question and shake his head, "No. I haven't really thought about it lately. I was so focused on our business, I wanted to guarantee its success before worrying of responsibilities of marriage. And of course I have you to keep me company if I feel lonely. I have no hurry."
Angelique looked at him for while and drunk her glass empty, feeling alcohol already starting to affect in her.
Barnabas poured her more wine, "You know Angelique, sometimes I feel like I am already married when I spent so much time with you."
Angelique smiled, "Is that bad thing?"
"Not at all."
Angelique kissed him softly, "Sometimes I dream of that."
"Being married?"
"Yes... Could you blame me for that?"
"Of course not. Some day you will make great wife Angelique."
"We can play that I'm your wife."
"What a great play that is." Barnabas nodded, pulling her closer.
She accidentally dropped her glass and they both laughed for the accident.
"I guess, best to leave these out of this play" Barnabas said and placed the wine bottle and glasses to his bedside table.
"They play it wrong anyway." Angelique giggled.
"What? My glass played very well!" Barnabas said, acting shocked.
Angelique shake her head and placed her hands on his shoulders; "No, listen love, they both play it wrong... And that bottle was really too much."
Barnabas pushed her lay down on his bed. "How dare you? My bottle was great."
"Inside or out?" Angelique asked innocently.
Barnabas laughed and shake his head, "Alright, you win."
"Of course I did. What's my price?"
Barnabas kissed her gently, "I am"
"Then it's best price I could hope for" Angelique said and kissed him back, holding him close...

 .... Barnabas looked at the shards of her heart and closed his eyes against his tears for while. He surprised of his desire to try to wake her up. Try get her back to life. Something in him had died along with that wicked but seductive witch, and it ate him inside. Maybe she did love him once, maybe he should have marry her when they were still happy together. Maybe Angelique would have never become so cruel if he had loved her back as she dreamed. Opening his eyes again, he looked around. Fire would soon destroy all what is left of her and she would be gone forever, along with the house where he had once loved her.
 "Forgive me, my dearest... I wish, you find peace. Farewell, Angelique.. Collins."
He stand up and quickly left to find Victoria, fearing he would soon have no one left to love.
 As the fire got even closer of Angeliques lifeless body, pieces of her heart melted in heat, becoming one, and her heart started to beat again.
She took deep breath and placed weakly her heart in her chest.
"So you still love me... This isn't over Barnabas.. Far from over." She looked up, the house was going to break down any minute and she was too weak to run.
She walked to nearest window and broke the glass, carefully avoiding the flames she got out of the window and turned to watch as Collinwood burned to the ground.