Do you hear something calling you....

  Barnabas walked fast towards Collinwood. Knowing Angelique, he was sure she would use the most cruel and painful ways to take her revenge.
 He hurry back inside and met Victoria herself in hallway.
"My dear Victoria, what on earth you are doing awake at this time?" Barnabas asked.
"Where have you been?" Victoria asked. She was pale and serious.
Barnabas sighed and watched her carefully, "Are you alright?"
"Answer my question Barnabas, I will answer yours."
Barnabas narrowed his eyes slightly, Victoria has never given him orders, and she seemed much colder than he could recall her to ever been before.
"I went to talk to-"
"Angelique" Victoria finished.
"You knew it?"
"I did."
"May I ask, how?"
"I can feel it."
Barnabas looked at her eyes wide, "What do you feel?"
"That I'm running out of time."
"No, I shall not allow it." Barnabas said and took hold of her wrist, walking towards his room.
"Barnabas what is it?" Victoria asked, confused of his sudden actions.
"I will make sure you are safe, and for now I know only one way how Angelique will not be able to touch you anyhow."
Victoria tried to pull her hand free, "Barnabas, aren't you over reacting? There's two of us, Angelique is alone. We can fight back."
"There is two of us, that she can easily kill by throwing us out in sunlight. Trust me my dear, you are not safe."
"None of us is safe, but you cannot lock me to my room and make me sit the and wait as she destroys everything you have left."
"I am not locking you into your room."
Victorias eyes got wide, "What you mean?"
Barnabas opened the door of his room and pulled her in.
"I am very, deeply sorry my dear." He said.
"Barnabas?"
"Please understand I have no other way to keep you safe."
"Barnabas?! What is this? What are you-"
Barnabas opened the coffin he usually slept in, and pushed her in it.
"Please forgive me." He said heavily before locking the door.
He do find something to tie the coffin so she won't break free, blood tears falling down his pale cheeks and he heard Victoria screaming help and begging him not to do this to her.
 Once he was done, he looked at the coffin sadly before he wipe his tears and walked away.
Now he had to find Angelique again. He was sure that whatever she was planning to do for Victoria, she wouldn't be able to hurt her as long as she was locked away.
 He had no idea where she lived, but he had seen which direction she drive her car when she's going back home. He was almost sure he would know which house is hers if he just sees it.
 While he was lockng Victoria away, it had stopped raining. Now he won't soon find Angeliques house, sun would rise and he himself would be in danger to die.
  Desperation hit him when he was able to see the light of sun in the horizon.
That was when he saw Angeliques red sport car.
"Aha, that must be her house."
Trees offered him some protection from sunlight, but the way a to other side of the street to her house had no shadows.
Barnabas took deep breath and looked at the house.
He didn't expect Angelique to come out anytime soon, and trees won't cover him all day.
 After few minutes of considering, he run a cross the street until he was standing front of her door.
His face had got tiny burning marks, as well as his hands, but he would feel himself healing. Slowly but surely.
 He knocked the door and waited. After for while when nothing had happened, he knocked again.
 "I'm coming!" He heard her soft voice, and he could imagine he had just awaken her.
He stand straight and waited as door opened and Angelique stand front of him, wearing seemingly nothing more but bath robe. "Barnabas? What you're doing here? I thought I made myself quite clear last time."
Barnabas cleared his throat, "I want to talk to you."
"Again? Do I have to explode whole damn Collinwood before you believe that I'm serious?"
"Do no such thing! I want you to hear me out. And do not say a word until I am done."
Angelique looked angry already.
"You come to my house and expect me to take orders from you?"
Barnabas sighed, it was indeed difficult to have any kind of conversation with Angelique. He couldn't believe she was same woman he used to know centuries ago, who was so sweet and kind, easy to talk to.
 "It was not order. Request."
"And if I refuse?"
Barnabas thought about that. He couldn't take a risk and make her any more angry before he was safely inside where sunlight would not touch him.
Right now Angelique wouldn't need to do anything else but push him back two or three steps and he would burn to death.
 He had nothing to give that Angelique would want, but he wanted to trust on that he still had ability to charm her.
"Well?" Angelique asked.
"I... I will.. "
Angelique raised eye brow, but before she was able to say anything, he kissed her.
Blinking few times in surprise, she kissed him back.
"Well, that would work." Angelique smiled.
Barnabas closed his eyes for few seconds, already regretting it.
 Angelique stepped aside to let him come in.
As he stepped into her house, he was surprised how nice it was.
Well cleaned and beautiful house had few artistic paintings here and there. The painting of Angelique herself above of fireplace catched his attention.
"When is this done?" He asked curoiusly.
 Angelique watched him carefully. "1845"
"Hm.." Barnabas nodded, still looking at the painting. "Your beauty surely has not disappeared in time."
Angelique smiled, "It never will."
Barnabas looked at her, "If wouldn't know better, I might want to try argue about it. But that would be really foolish after all I have seen."
Angelique looked pleased with that and just nodded.
Barnabas decided it was time to get into the point before he would do anything else he will surely regret.
He stand straight, "Angelique. I am willing to offer you my services at business. Under your command, me and perhaps also Elizabeth, would do whatever job you have to offer."
Angelique raised eyebrow. "Do you think I need your services with my business? That was my offer for you Barnabas, and you turned it down."
"Regretably so. Now I ask you to reopen this deal."
"No."
"Angelique, if you have any love left for me, I beg you. Do this kindness to me."
"Will you leave Victoria?"
Barnabas closed his eyes for while, "No." He said surely but still gently, looking into her eyes. "I will not leave my one, true love."
"Then I kill her." Angelique said simply.
"No, do not." Barnabas said quickly and stepped towards her, "I have underestimated you Angelique, I admit it. Your tricks and charms upon me has their effect, and it is terribly difficult to deny them. But I will not lose the woman I love. Not again. Name your terms Witch, but leave Victoria and my family out of it."
 "I named my terms long ago, you refused. I'm not going to make same offer twice." Angelique said, looking coldly into his eyes.
"You will never have my love this way!" Barnabas said angrily, trying to stay calm and business like.
"Then no one else will either." Angelique said and walked out of the room.
Barnabas followed her, "Enough of your tricks Witch, now stop this madness!"
"Careful my love." Angelique hissed. She turned to face him and showed him something.
"What is this?" Barnabas asked.
"Don't you notice?"
Barnabas looked closer. "That was Josette's!"
"And still is, as she seemingly came back." Angelique said, holding few golden hair in her hand.
"What are you doing with those?" Barnabas asked worriedly.
Angelique light up a candle. "Now listen carefully my love." She took one of Josette's hair and burned it before looking at Barnabas.
He stepped closer, "What have you done?"
"Can't you hear? Lets try again." Angelique said and burned another hair.
Now Barnabas heared it, screaming, like someone screamed somewhere very far away. A young woman, in pain... Not just any young woman, his beloved Victoria.
He took hold of Angeliques wrist, "Stop this!"
"Let go Barnabas, I'm warning you."
Barnabas knew that ice cold look in her eyes way too well. He slowly let go of her hand and stepped back a little. "Please Angelique. Torture me if you have to torture someone, but do not hurt Victoria."
"Maybe I don't want to torture you."
Barnabas sighed, "Please, anything you want, I will do. I will work for you, I will give you anything you want."
"Anything?"
Barnabas nodded, even he knew he would surely regret this one as well.
"Well." Angelique smiled sweetly and stepped closer, "I could live with it that you're not with me if I can command you every day and... Have your child."
Barnabas looked at her eyes wide, "Anything else, but that."
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "I don't want anything else. I want you. And if I can't have you, I will destroy everything you love... I just offered you chance to escape that fate, and again you turned my offer down."
Barnabas stepped back, "I will not betray my dear Victoria so."
"Then she will die."
"She is a Vampire, do not be fool Angelique!"
"And she is just a pathetic doll, afraid of the sun!"
"You cannot burn her Angelique, she is safe from that."
"Is she?" Angelique smiled.
Barnabas got pale, "What have you done?"
"Listen Barnabas." Angelique said and burned another hair. "She is on fire. Or that is, what she feels. The wooden coffin around her is not enough to stop her from looking for water to tame that fire... And you know there is beautiful place, where you can see far away to ocean..."
Barnabas shake his head, "No.."
"Yes, Barnabas, ocean in enough to tame that fire."
"No!"
Angelique smiled and burned rest of Josettes hairs. "Can you hear something calling you? That's what Widow's Hill often do..."
Barnabas saw the flame flash pure red and he knew what had just happened.
"You devil!" He growled and run towards door.
"Think twice Barnabas." Angelique warned, "You will burn in sunlight before she is even fully out of Collinwood."
Barnabas stopped, "Release her from your curse!"
"No."
Barnabas turned around, walking to her, still looking angry. "And what if I accept your latest offer? Will you release her?"
"What offer?" Angelique smiled sweetly, looking up to his eyes.
"If I... If I agree to.." Barnabas sighed, trying to control his anger, and desperation to save Victoria. "Give you a child."
"A child?" Angelique repeated, pretending confused.
"My child." Barnabas said, obviously very unfomfortable with situation.
Angelique smiled, "And you would leave your very first own child without father?"
"I.. I would not admit it is mine."
"How cruel.."
Barnabas looked away, "You are enjoying this, are you not?"
"Very much my love."
Barnabas closed his eyes for while. "I would visit the child, only sometimes... And when it grows older I would spent.. Weekends with it. Or.. Something."
 "And what would you tell your child, who asks why you left its mother?"
Barnabas cleared his throat, "I would.. I would tell my child that  our love was not enough to keep us together. Yet I would never stop loving an innocent child of my own."
Angelique placed her hand to his chest, over his heart and looked into his eyes,
"Say it.. Say you still love me."
"Regretably so... " Barnabas answered, "But I love Victoria more."
"Or you just keep telling that to yourself..." Angelique said, leaning closer and kissed him.
 As hard as it was from Barnabas to try fight back his desire to kiss her back, he failed to resist it.
 "You... Must promise... Lift.. the curse.." Barnabas said between their passionate kisses.
"Later." Angelique said, pulling him closer.
Barnabas lost track of time for while but before he totally was lost in his own desire he pulled back and shake his head, "No.. No more until you have released her from your curse."
Angelique laughed, "Too late my darling."
Barnabas got pale and quickly took umbrella from her hallway and run towards Widow's Hill.
Angelique looked out of window and watched him go.
"Run my love, run... Her life is like a setting sun."

What good there is left in so deeply hurted and hate filled heart?

  If there was darker place than darkness, Barnabas surely knew it. After being prison 196 years, for Angelique, for his own past, for hopelessness and sorrow of seeing his one true love dying right front of his eyes. Barnabas knew the darkness that has been around him, everywhere, through these years, but he didn't knew darkness that Angelique had lived with.
  He had started to see most terrifying dreams, nightmares of wars and terrible accidents. He often woke up for his own need to have blood he had seen so much in his dream, yet his noble mind was upset of these dreams.
Victoria was sure that Angelique was behind his nightmares, but Barnabas didn't think it was Angelique who caused them.
 "Barnabas, ever since she came back, pretending to be this new woman, you have defended her from all we suspect." Victoria said. She didn't want to believe that Barnabas felt something for Angelique, but how could she deny the truth when it was right front of her eyes.
 "My dear, I don't defend her any more than I would defend someone else if am sure she is innocent for this." Barnabas answered. "Have you seen her doing her evil curses since she returned?"
Victoria looked down "No."
"Have you seen, or ever heard, that she had come near Collinwood in order to harm us?"
"You said you fear she might.."
"I feared so, but have you seen she has done it?"
"No."
Barnabas smiled to her gently and placed his finger under her chin and made her look up to him. "I don't believe Angelique will ever change so completely that she will stop her evil doings, but I would be fool if I blamed her for something so natural as simple nightmares. She is indeed busy with her company at the moment. I doubt she has time to bother us with such little tricks."
Victoria smiled as well, "And you want to be sure before blaming her."
"Yes. It would be incredibly fool to anger her by blaming her about something we cannot be sure she has done."
"That is true." Victoria nodded. "We can't give her a reason to start another fight."
"I knew you would understand." Barnabas smiled.
Victoria took hold of his hand. Now that she thought, Barnabas was right. They couldn't blame Angelique for every unpleasant thing that happens to them, it would be downright stupid. Angelique would surely get angry and in worse case destroy all what they had left of Collinwood, or show to people in town what kind of monsters they were and lock them both away.
 Barnabas kissed her lightly and stand up, "Excuse me a minute my dear, I wish to speak with Elizabeth about rebuilding of the manor."
Victoria nodded, "Sure. I will be here."
Barnabas smiled to her and left to look for Elizabeth.
  Ever since Collinwood has burned, family has stayed in old wing. Many of old rooms were saved from fire, and they were good enough for family to live in after they had cleaned all the dust.
 Barnabas walked through the manor and suddenly stopped to look at the door at the end of the hallway. He walked closer and slowly opened the door.
 Looking in the room, filled his mind with many memories.
It was Angeliques old camber.
 He closed the door behind him and sit down on the bed. Small room was full of dust and spider webs, but it still had that slight fresh smell of sea air.
He had never fully understood how Angelique had smelled so fresh, even she lived down there, worked in dirty places and bathed with cold water that surely haven't wash her perfectly.
 Still she had always been fresh like wind from sea. Wild and free.
Maybe that was one of the reasons he had found her so interesting.
He looked at the small bedside table. Next to half burned candles, was book.
He ifted the book and wipe most dust away to see what the book was about, smiling to the memory. It was very same book he had given her when they first had started their dance lessons.
 He placed the book back to the table, but piece of paper that was fallen from between pages, catched his attention.
 He pick up the paper and figured out it was a letter. A letter, Angelique was meant to give to him.

 My dear Barnabas, 
There is something I should have tell you long time ago, but I was too afraid of losing you. I never imaginated I could love someone so much, as I love you. 
You must believe me my love, I could do anything for you. If love itself could love, I'd still love you more than that. 
 I have been burning with desire to tell you many things. 
Do you remember when your parents punished young Antonio to death? It was because I lied. I lied to protect you. My love, I was pregnant, I tried to hide it for long time but your mother noticed. I was sent to meet doctor and our child was cut out. I had to watch as they burned all that was meant to be our child. I got the ashes, and I throw them to the ocean. There our child will be free like mermaid. More free than I could ever be. 
  And something else I wanted you to know. 
I am not what you think I am. I have some abilities, many others doesn't. 
I swear, I have ever used my abilities to hurt anyone. I never will. I made you potion so you'd get better when you had fever, but I swear I wouldn't do anything that would hurt you or your beloved ones. 
 My god, I love you. If you could live with that I am more than just ordinary woman, I could do anything. Whatever you want, I would give it to you. 
 I love you my dear. 
Forgive me, I didn't told you before. 

 Love, 
       Angelique


Barnabas read through the letter few times and sighed, closing his eyes.
Angelique haven't always been so twisted and cruel. She was loving and sweet woman once, not meaning to hurt anyone. She was even tried to tell him what she was, promising she wouldn't do anything bad with her powers.
He could only blame himself for that she became who she was now.
He looked at the letter again. She had been carrying their child, and she was forced to lose it. He couldn't even imagine how awful she had felt. It was most cruel thing he could know for a woman so sweet as she once was, watching her own child to rip out of her and burn.
  He placed the letter carefully in his pocket, keeping in mind to ask Angelique more about the child they lost.
 He stand up from bed and turned to leave the room, suddenly stopped as he saw her standing front of him. His black hair messy, her old dress dirty and slightly broken here and there, her hands full of bruises. Tears fall down her cheeks like waterfall.
 "Angelique.."
As he stepped closer, she disappeared.
Barnabas blinked few times, realizing it was hallusination.
He quickly left the room and closed the door behind him until he go to look for Elizabeth.
    Following night as everyone were settled down to sleep, Barnabas took Angeliques letter again and read it through.
How much Angelique had loved him indeed. She had been willing to risk her very life for him. Even though, if he thought about it, back then he was quite in love with her. He probably would have been shocked first, but in the end he would have keep her secret.
  He fell asleep, keeping the letter close to him.

... "You cannot catch me!" Angelique giggled and run through the garden.
"I only let you think so. I am a gentleman." Barnabas smiled.
"Don't be so boring my love, catch me!"
Barnabas run after her and wrap his arms around her, hugging her close.
She turned around and hugged him back.
"See, I was able to catch you." Barnabas said.
Angelique looked at him playfully and pulled back a bit. "Maybe I just let you catch me."
Barnabas pretended to be shocked. "Miss Bouchard, how dare you?!"
Angelique tried to get away from him but he hold her tighter and tickle her, making her laugh.
 "Barnabas, stop it! Stop it, I said! This is not fair."
"What did you say my dear?" Barnabas asked, not letting her go.
Angelique giggled and finally run away.
Barnabas walked after her.
"No, no. Don't come any closer" Angelique said, stepping back until her back hit tree. "Don't come near, I'm warning you."
Barnabas smiled, "What will happen if I come?"
"I.. I will refuse to spent a night in your room tonight. And you will not get in mine."
"How horrible. I wouldn't let that happen." Barnabas said and came to her.
"No, don't touch me." Angelique said, trying not to smile.
"Alright." Barnabas hold his hands up, and stopped right front of her. "I'm not touching you."
Angelique nodded, "So I see."
"May I?"
"You may."
He kissed her gently, resting his hands on her waist.
She hugged him close and closed her eyes, gently rub his back as he lean against her.
 Feeling few drops of water falling on them, they broke the kiss and looked up.
"It's going to rain, come quickly" Barnabas took her hand in his own and run with her back to Collinwood.
 As they got back inside, they both were wet and laughing.
"You need hot bath" Angelique said, calming down but smiled still.
"You will fall ill if you don't get warm as well. Will you join me for bath?" Barnabas asked, gently wipe her wet hair from her face.
"If you want me to."
"It would be my pleasure." Barnabas said, hold out his hand.
"Or mine." Angelique smiled and gave him her hand...

 Barnabas woke up hearing thunder storm outside.
He got up and placed the letter carefully back to his pocket. Wandering around the manor now, he thought about his last dream.
Dream that was clear memory. Memory of those happy days he had spent with Angelique while his parents were traveling.
 He looked at the clock on wall, 2.46AM.
Considering it carefully, he finally changed his clothes, took his umbrella and left. It was highly possible he would not find Angeliques house, but he would not be able to just stay home and wait. He had to speak with her.
  Finding her was easier than he thought, as he saw her red sport car just leaving from Angel Bay. He quickly walked front of the car to stop it.
He saw that Angelique was clearly surprised and showed the door for him to come in the car.
 "What on earth are you doing here? At this time?" She asked.
"I came to look for you. Thank goodness you had not left the office yet."
Angelique looked confused but obviously curious. "Why you came to look for me Barnabas?"
"I need to speak with you."
Angelique raised eye brow, "Changed your mind?"
Barnabas looked at her, "Changed my..? What are you talking about?"
"Are you going to leave your little girlfriend without I have to kill her?"
Barnabas sighed, for moment he had forgot how difficult it was to talk with Angelique now days.
He took the letter from his pocket, "I found this. I want to talk about it."
Angelique looked at the letter, totally confused.
"You found old piece of paper and you came to look for me? Barnabas have you lost your mind?"
He opened the letter and show it to her again, "Explain me this."
Now Angelique seemed to remember. She looked away, "There's nothing to talk about it."
"Yes there is. You have been carrying my child, you never told me."
"Things were too complicated!" Angelique said, clearly uncomfortable with subject and blinking her eyes few times to hide her tears.
Barnabas looked at her calmly and waited for while. "Why you didn't give this letter to me?"
"I changed my mind."
"No you didn't. Speak the truth Angelique, I know you are much better than this illusion you have build around yourself. In this, you said you would not hurt my beloved ones... You meant it. I believe, you wouldn't have done this all, if I, myself, wouldn't have hurt you. And I would have done things differently, if I would have known this. Why you didn't give this letter to me?"
Angelique looked down, "I was going to... But the night when I wrote it, was the night before the day you told me it would be a lie if you said you loved me." Tear fall down her cheek and she looked out of window, "I couldn't believe it first. I didn't want to believe you only used me. All that time... But the more I thought of those words you said, more I felt all my dreams shattering around me, along with all my love for you."
  Barnabas looked down now, he remembered well that day. He remembered that deeply hurt expression she had on her face when he said it wouldn't be true if he said he loved her.
 "I did love you... Back then. But I was afraid. My parents wouldn't have accept us. I was coward, I admit... I thought if I denied my love, you would have maybe slap me and tell me you didn't want to see me ever again, or maybe you would have see through me and somehow, still keep meeting me... I wasn't brave enough to tell my parents that I was in love with our maid. And after they died, I was too obsessed with finding reason to their death, I saw too lost in my sorrow, I didn't know how to fix things between us. I couldn't bear that hatred you felt for me. When I met Josette, I thought I could move on. She was my new beginning. New life.  She was sweet, sometimes nearly reminded me of you. But I thought you would never forgive me, and I decided to focus on Josette and finally I did love her."
 Angelique seemed to be in some kind of trance. She had stopped crying and she kept staring out of window like frozen.
 Barnabas turned to look at her, "Angelique? Did you hear me?"
Angelique blinked, "If I now forgive you... Would you love me again?"
Barnabas couldn't help but smile a bit, "You never give up on hope."
Angelique looked at him, "Should I?"
Barnabas looked at her for while and then quickly away. Now that Angelique acted like her old self, and they understood each other more again, something felt so good and safe. But he still deeply cared for his beloved Victoria.
 "I doubt I will never fully get over my feelings for you Angelique, but I would not bear the thought of breaking my beloved Victoria's heart."
Angelique looked hurt, but didn't say anything. Her eyes were cold as ice and if looks could kill, her look was cold enough to kill whole town.
Barnabas closed his eyes, "I wish I wouldn't have hurt you so. You could have become a wonderful wife for someone else. I don't deny, I would have been jealous to see you with someone else... But I would have want to see you happy."
"Get out." Angelique said coldly.
Barnabas looked at her, "Angelique, I cannot tell you how sorry I am. If I could turn back time, I would not-"
"Get out before I kill that pathetic little girlfriend of yours, rip out her heart and make you eat it." Angelique warned.
Barnabas got pale, her bitterness was harder to bear than her hatred.
"Angelique, you do no such thing. Victoria has not done anything for you."
Angelique hissed angrily and slap him, scratcing bruises on his pale cheek.
Barnabas placed his hand on his cheek, one last time trying to control the woman who once sweared to love him so much. "Angelique, you are better than this."
"Get out!"
"Because you are afraid that you would not be able to hurt me as much as you now wish to?! You are not born to be evil Angelique! You were sweet girl, grown up to be lovable woman. Why you let that woman disappear? Someone else could have loved you more than I did. You could have become happy, you could have got family, you could have been very much loved."
"I don't want anyone else."
"Then why you keep hurting me? I didn't fell in love with cruel witch who destroyed everything I loved. I fell in love with a woman, who was kind and caring. Who was as beautiful from inside as she was outside. I fell for you, because you was good... What good there is anymore left in you that I could love?" Barnabas asked and took his umbrella, opened the car door and left.
Angelique watched him go and felt small cracks appear to her face and neck.
"If I cannot have you... No one else will either."
She started her car again and drive back home, now ready to sent Barnabas in his darkest end he could ever imagine.

Dear friend

 Next couple days Angelique was way too busy with her work to even think about
her plan to get Barnabas back. She was stressed enough with all paper work and meetings, acting like new person to everyone, that she strongly considered to give Barnabas bit more time. She wasn't in mood for another fight yet, and knowing Victoria, she was too shy to even try to fight, letting Barnabas do dirty work.
  Though it seemed like she didn't need to give him more time, as he came to look for her late one evening as she was finishing her paperwork.
  Hearing knocking on her door, made her narrow her eyes and look up,
"Yes?"
She didn't expect anyone to be working anymore, and her only idea was that it could be cleaner.
 Instead, Barnabas walked in her office.
She couldn't perfectly hide that she was surprised to see him, but her sweet smile did trick for him so he didn't mention it.
 "Barnabas, what brings you here? And at this time... It's terribly late."
Barnabas sit down and looked down, "Yes... It is."
Angelique watchd him carefully, "Oh my.. Are you nervous?"
Barnabas looked up, "No, of course not."
Angelique raised eyebrow but left the subject anyway.
"Why are you here Barnabas? Missed me?"
Barnabas stand straight, looking around the office. "Perhaps."
Angelique stan up and walked behind him, wrapped her arms around him to caress his chest. "Say it... You did miss me."
Barnabas's eyes fell closed, "Hm, I did."
Angelique opened first button of his shirt and slid her hand under his shirt, "It's terribly late, I would hate to destroy my office again... Do you want to come home with me?"
 Barnabas blinked few times, unable to think so fast, feeling her warm hand caressing his chest. "I... No, I would not.. I can't."
Angelique pulled her hand away and go get her handbag, "Fine"
Barnabas looked at her longingly, "Where are you going?"
"Home." Angelique said coldly and shut the lights. "If you're going to sleep in my office, don't mess the whole place up."
Barnabas walked after her, "Angelique!"
"What? It's late. Other than you who spent days hiding in your destroyed manor, I  work all day long and I'm tired! I'm not in mood to hear your complaining of your miserable life and pathetic little girlfriend! I could give you so much more... a life, successful business and my love! And you give it all away for some stupid doll!"
Barnabas stood there, not really knowing what to say for while. Bitterness in her voice and her teary eyes had made him think.
Obviously she was still hurt, perhaps she was so lonely. After all, if he didn't count himself, Carolyn and Victoria, Angelique was only supernatural creature in Collinsport.
He sighed, gently calling her name.
Angelique stopped and turned to look at him, "What you want Barnabas? If you came here to tell me you can't leave your little girlfriend, fine. I kill her. Now let me go home, I'm tired."
Barnabas shake his head, walking towards her. "You shall not harm Victoria, Angelique. And I will not give you reason to. We can live in peace, without fighting."
Angelique blinked, "What you mean?"
Barnabas placed his hand on her cheek, "You could be better than this Angelique. I am aware it is partly my own fault, you have become like this... I am sorry."
Angelique was touched of his words. She hugged him, resting her head against his chest.
Barnabas blinked few times, slowly hugging her back, "We could be, partnes, in work. As you wished some time ago. We might work together."
Angelique looked up into his eyes, "We could?"
"Yes. You do work hard, some help would probably be welcomed. And our family needs job. It would be benefit for both, if we worked together."
Angelique pulled back, "But you're not going to leave Vicky..."
Barnabas sighed, "I am sure you would be able to find someone. You are beautiful Angelique, surely it will be no problem for you to find a man who will love you. And I will offer you, friendship. We were friends when we were children, we could be friends again."
Angelique looked angry, "No. If I can't have you, then no one else will have you either."
"Angelique, do not start this again"
"I don't ask your permission!"
Barnabas realized it was too late trying to talk her out of this. Knowing Victoria was in danger now, he quickly left in order to make sure she was safe.
 Angelique watched him go and get in her car, driving back home.
"You can run... But not hide."
She was willing to curse Victoria like she was cursed Josette. The fact that Victoria was a vampire, only slow her plan a little, but not stop it anyhow.
"Until two weeks has passed, she will be dead. There's no escape, her fate is what I said"
  As she now made her plan to kill Victoria, she remembered time when Barnabas indeed was her friend.

 ... By the time when Angelique was old enough to help other maids in kitchen, she spent her days working and learning how to cook and clean. She didn't have much time to rest, let alone find friends, but she was not only one who didn't have much friends.
 Her youngest master, Barnabas, had home teacher, so he didn't meet many children of his own age. He was well aware of that Angelique was somewhere near by, as his parents were agreed to take her with them.
He often run to look for her after his classes, not very often even got to see her.
 As he figured out that she was working in kitchen, that's why not to be seen else where, he decided to kidnap her.
He kept an eye on kitchen door very carefully, he didn't want others to see him.
As couple other maids came out of kitchen, he go and opened the door a little to look around. He saw Angelique washing plates and glasses.
Carefully looking around, he walked quietly behind her and took hold of her arms, forcing her to keep her arms behind her back.
Angelique let out scream and tried to see who has attached on her.
"Shh! It's me. I will take you out. We can play."
Angelique knew that voice. She stayed quiet and played along.
Before he got her out of the kitchen, one of the old maids came in.
Barnabas knew this nice old lady well enough to know that he could be able to get them permission to go out for while.
 "What on earth is going on here?" Old woman asked, trying not to smile, obiously knowing very well what was going on.
"Shh! No one can know I kidnapped her." Barnabas said.
Old woman laughed, "Well if that's so, then I will tell your parents Miss Bouchard felt ill and that's why is not working today anymore."
Barnabas smiled, "Thank you!" He let go of Angeliques arms and took her hand in his own, "Come on! I know a great place to play Hide and Seek."
Angelique nodded, following him out.
  They played many hours, until sun set and Barnabas's mother came to look for him. She was obviously not glad to find her son playing with maid.
"Barnabas, why is Miss Bouchard out with you? I was told she was ill."
Barnabas looked at Angelique who was totally frightened and then at his mother, "It was my fault mother. I wanted to play with someone, and I don't have any friends here. I kidnapped her from kitchen when she was working... I just wanted to play."
Angelique hold her breath, she was sure she was in trouble.
But when Barnabas's mother spoke again, she was obviously touched by her sons words, "Of course my dear." She looked at Angelique, "Miss Bouchard, now on you will have no work at weekends after breakfast. You are allowed to go out, if my son so wishes. Not alone. Am I understood?"
Angelique nodded, "Yes Mrs.Collins."
Barnabas smiled, "Thank you mother"
"You welcome. Of course you must have someone to play with. But this will be only so long until you find new play mates. When you find friends from town, Miss Bouchard will return to her original working times."
Barnabas looked at Angelique who seemed to accept her fate well, but he didn't want her to work all the time.
"But mother, she is my friend."
"She is maid. She works for you. It's good to be friendly, talk nice and be thankful of the work she does, she works well. But she cannot be respected in same level as you are."
Barnabas looked down, "Yes mother..."
"Oh do not be so sad Barnabas, of course you find other friends. Real friends."
"Yes, but I like to play with her. She has so many great ideas, and she understand me."
His mother looked at Angelique who took few steps back, afraid that she would be punished.
"Miss Bouchard, go to your room. I must speak with my son, alone."
"Y-yes.. " Angelique nodded and quickly walked towards the manor.
Barnabas run after her and took hold of her hand, "Thank you. I had really great day."
Angelique smiled a little, "Me too."
"Don't worry, I will figure out something." Barnabas said. "I promise"
"Barnabas we can't play anymore... Your mother is right."
"No. You're my friend."
Angelique smiled, "We will always be friends."
Barnabas nodded, clearly excited, "Yeah, we will be friends forever! I will figure out something, trust me."
"Alright... But I must go now."
"Okay. Goodnight!"
"Good night." Angelique hurry towards the manor, to her room.
Barnabas looked after her, hearing his mother coming to him.
"Barnabas, you must not-"
Barnabas turned around, "Why you want to always take everything I like away from me? I know the difference between right and wrong, but it's not wrong to have friends!"
His mother looked shocked. "Barnabas!"
"I like playing with her. I like talking to her. Why you have to make it so forbidden. She is maid, I know. But isn't that one of her duties, to make her host family happy? She makes me happy when we play. She has great ideas what to play, she knows many games I don't. It's fun."
His mother sighed, "Yes, it is one of her duties to keep her host family happy. But you must understand my fear, I don't want people to know you play with maid. You should have respectful friends, those we can be proud of. Children from honorable families like you."
"No one ever comes here! And if they do, I will hide her."
"Very well. You can play with her. But you must not take her from her work again. You have weekends to play with her, and if you must get her out during the week, you ask permission from me. Understood?"
Barnabas smiled and hugged his mother, "Yes mother. Thank you!"
His mother smiled, "Good. Now it is time to get back inside."
Barnabas nodded, started to run back home, hearing his mother laugh at him.
 Angelique heared someone coming and quickly run to her room.
She had stayed in hallway, listening what Barnabas and his mother talked, just now going to her room.
She was happy for that she was allowed to spent time with her youngest master, he was such a nice boy.
When she thought about it, he was very cute as well.
Slightly blushing for her thoughts, Angelique closed her door and sit down on her bed, thinking what they could play next time...

  Angelique sighed, she did miss their plays. Even she was grown up woman, she had to admit it was fun to play with him. He had been always seeking for adventure, big or small, as long as it was adventure. She had always had very wild imagination, which had been huge benefit for her when they were thinking new adventures.
 No doubt Barnabas would love to have another adventure with her.
She suddenly stopped and looked at the painting of Barnabas.
"Exactly..." She smiled, "We will have such an adventure waitig for us my love"

Some wishes never change

  As Angelique got out of her car and looked at her house, she remembered time when she had lived in Collinwood. She could recall that part of that time, even she was just a maid, was best time of her life. Even Barnabas was hiding their relationship well, she was happy. She knew he would keep coming back to her.
He was too busy to look for future wife  because he wanted to guarantee business to be successfull. Of course he still couldn't resist Angeliques company when it was so willingly offered to him.
 She opened her door and turned lights on. Her house was clean and beautiful.
Here and there was old paintings, but otherwise it was modern and lightful.
She had fireplace in her living room, and above that was one of the old painings of herself. In her bedroom, she had painting of Barnabas. She had successfully got to steal it from Collinwood when she left there.
 She took her night clothes from her bedroom, go get glass of wine from kitchen and go to bathroom, filling bathtub with hot water.
 As she took off her clothes and got into water, she lean back in bathtub and closed her eyes to relax, every now and then sipping her wine.

  ... "Bouchard!"
 Angelique winced and turned around, "Yes master?"
"My son has fallen ill. I and my wife are now leaving to short trip, he insisted that you will be the one taking care of him."
Angelique nodded her understandment. "What may be bothering young master Barnabas?"
"Cold, last night he has got terrible fever."
"Has doctor visited him yet?"
"Yes, he has got medicine, and he must take one every day until two weeks has passed."
Angelique nodded again.
Barnabas's father looked at her carefully, "I never understood why he insisted so much that we should take you with us..."
Angelique looked at him with wide eyes, "Master... I.. I don't know, but I.."
"But you have proven yourself to be good maid." He nodded. "Obviously my son wished to have someone of his own age to help him."
Angelique didn't know was that compliment or not, but she nodded, "Thank you, sir. I try my best to help him, where ever he wants my help."
"You're doing good job Bouchard. I strongly consider that once our son gets married, and has his own children, you will no longer be a maid, but governess."
Angelique felt numb. Thinking about Barnabas marrying someone else got her blood boil, but she knew it  won't be easy to make his parents accept their love, so she tried to stay calm and smiled thankfully: "Thank you sir, that would be wonderful."
"Good job needs proper thanks. Now excuse me."
Angelique watched as he left and took deep breath. She should speak with Barnabas about that how they could get his parents blessing for their love.
Surely it would save Barnabas from a lot of trouble to look for a wife, and he already was happy with her.
  Later that day when Barnabas's parents were left, Angelique go to his room to see how he was feeling.
Gently knocking the door before going in, finding Barnabas sitting on his bed, leaning against pillows and reading a book.
 "Hey, how you feel?" Angelique asked as she sit down on edge of his bed.
Barnabas smiled a little, "I guess the fever has gone down, but I still feel ill"
Angelique placed her hand on his forehead, "I'm afraid the fever will rise again. You're hot... And I don't mean in playful way, seriously."
Barnabas laughed, "I think you have some kind of magic touch, it feels much better to have you here."
Angelique smiled, "Never know... Maybe I have. Or maybe that I'm able to make you laugh, makes you feel better."
"Maybe."
"How's the book? Is it good?"
Barnabas showed it to her, "I don't know, start seems boring."
"I guess most exciting part is always in the end." Angelique said and got up.
"Wait, where are you going?" Barnabas asked, looking lost at the thought being left alone.
Angelique kissed him quickly and smiled, "I go get you something to eat and come right back."
Barnabas seemed to relax more, knowing he won't be left alone for long time.
"Alright... But take something for yourself as well."
"Barnabas... You know I'm not allow-"
"I insist you to have dinner with me."
Angelique laughed softly and hold her hands up. "Alright, alright. As you wish."
Barnabas nodded, "Good."
Angelique left to kitchen, looking around to make sure no one was near and took small bottle from her pocket and poured potion in Barnabas's drink. She wanted to help him with every possible way, and knowing that someone may realize what she truly is, she was willing to take a risk in order to help man she loved.
She quickly hide the bottle in her pocket again and took all food with her to his room.
 "Here you are, hot soup, toast and tea. Should make you feel better."
Barnabas looked at her, "What do you eat?"
"Soup, just like you do." Angelique answered, sitting down next to him and gave him his bowl of soup.
 "Smells good." Barnabas said, carefully tasting his food.
Angelique gave him cup of tea. "Try this as well. I made this by myself, something I learned to make to take care of illness."
Barnabas raised eyebrow and took the cup, "Where did you learned such thing?"
"Back in Liverpool. The old healer who worked for your family, teached us."
"Ah, right. I remember her." Barnabas smiled and tasted the tea.
Angelique watched him carefully as he took another sip.
"Well?"
"I think... I think it works." Barnabas said, "This is miracle! I feel much better already"
Angelique smiled and placed her hand on his forehead, "Fever is gone"
Barnabas kissed her, "This is miracle my dear, thank you."
"Maybe you should still rest over the night, just in case"
"My dear, I feel better than ever!" Barnabas got up, "I feel like I could do anything!"
Angelique laughed, "Alright, then you have to do what you want."
"Angelique, my dearest, I want to thank you. What ever you want to do, we will do. We have all day time! All night!"
Angelique knew it was useless to try to talk to him now about her wish to get married with him, so she decided to enjoy her time with him now, and talk about it later...

 In 196 years, her deepest wish haven't changed. She still wanted to marry Barnabas. Angelique hold her wine glass so tightly it broke in her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at the broken glass.
 "That might as well be my heart... "
She got up and took towel. As she saw herself from mirror, she stopped to think for while. She did look exactly same as couple centuries ago. Maybe her game was not over yet. Barnabas would fall in love with her again, way or another.
 She smiled, "Well, everything is allowed in love and war."
If her sweetness once made him fall for her so well, no one said he won't fall for her again. And since Victorias innocence was so fascinating to him, all Angelique needed to do was to play same game.