New try

   Angelique blinked her eyes open and sit up.
 She looked around dark room, searching for Barnabas. Finally she got up and walked around the house.
"Barnabas?"
She stopped. "It was a dream... " She buried her face in her hands "It was a dream.."
After feeling sorry for herself for while, she go to kitchen to make some coffee for herself, stopping as she saw the teacup in sink.
"Victorias cup..." She looked around, finding empty bottle of wine, but she didn't see any glass.
She needed to find Barnabas, and fast. She had to talk to him.
  It didn't take long from Angelique to get into her office at Angel Bay, making perfect plan for the day.
First on her list was to find Barnabas and talk to him. He was haunting her dreams like he haunted her centuries ago before they actually got together.
 She needed to talk to him. She had to get him by her side somehow.
"Miss Bouchard" She heard knock from the door.
"Yes?"
The door opened and one her workers came in. "Mr.Collins is now here."
Angelique stand up. "Barnabas Collins?"
"Yes. You were already gone last night when he came, so we suggested him to come again in morning."
"Of course. Sent him in."
 She sit down and tried to focus. "So it was a dream... "
"Angelique." Barnabas walked in the room and shut the door behind him.
Angelique stand up again and pointed the chair on the other side of her desk. "Sit"
"No." Barnabas shake his head. "You must listen."
"I do... What's wrong with you?"
"I am still a monster! For little moment, this morning... I thought you did made me human."
Angelique blinked few times. "It was a dream.."
"Indeed it was. I have noticed that many times by now!"
Angelique walked around the desk and stopped in front of him, "I saw it too... For little while, I thought we're happily together and you're a human... I saw it too."
Barnabas took tight hold of her arms, "Change me back to human Angelique."
"You're hurting me.."
"Change me back!"
"I can't!"
Barnabas looked at her in shock and slowly let go of her arms, stepping back. "You don't know how to fix this curse?"
"I know how.. I can do it... But I can't make it happen when you're still leaving me."
Barnabas narrowed his eyes, looking down as the truth hit him. "You still love me?"
Angelique placed her hand on his cheek, looking as gentle and kind as she once was.
"I've always loved you Barnabas... I tried not to, and it didn't work. You haunt my dreams every night, I cry after you when I don't see you there when I wake up... I still love you."
Barnabas took deep breath, "I made a promise.. When you saved Victoria."
Angelique pulled her hand away, "I don't want you to be with me because I  saved your little girlfriend... I want you to marry me because you love me."
Barnabas took hold of her hand, stopping her. "I do love you Angelique... But I do not love this creature you have become. What I have become." He stepped closer to her, studying her eyes which looked up to him as admiring as they were at the time when he most loved her. "Turn me back to human Angelique, give up on this hateful nature of yours. It is not who you are... Give us our life back as it was before I made my mistake. Then I love you again, and it is forever. I will make you my wife, loving you until death do us apart. And I will still be waiting for you there. I shall not leave you again."
Angelique blinked few times, suddenly breaking to cry helplessly, hugging him tightly.
Barnabas closed his eyes and slowly hugged her back.
"I will try.. I will"
"I do not want your try Angelique, I want your promise."
Angelique pulled back, looking up to him with teary eyes. "I can do it, but I need you.. I can't do it alone."
Barnabas smiled a bit, wiping her tears. "I did not say that I would not do my part. It is true, that you would have never come this way if I did not hurt you so. Perhaps you over reacted a little, being overwhelmed, but it does not make me innocent. I did hurt you. And I did not bear my responsibility to apologize soon enough. It was wrong as well. And I must never do such thing again."
"What about Victoria?"
"She is getting better, and she is much better already. Thanks to you."
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "You're not going to give up on her?"
Barnabas sighed. "She shall always remain to be my friend."
Angelique stepped back now, and Barnabas knew that angry look in her eyes.
"You must not hurt her out of your suspicious and jealous imagination!"
"Is it my imagination now? She is Josette, don't keep  me stupid... You will not have both."
"You must trust me Angelique."
"How can I?"
Barnabas stand straight. "Then I suppose this conversation is over."
Angelique looked shocked for while, until taking tight hold of his wrist. "Barnabas no! I don't.. I mean... "She looked around helplessly to find words, "I didn't mean it. I trust you.. I do!"
Barnabas sighed. "You are making it awfully difficult to love you"
"No! Don't say that... Don't.." Angelique hugged him, burying her teary face into his chest.Crying on his shirt.
Barnabas looked down to her and hugged her compassionately. "I must learn to support you more, I suppose. Two centuries you have been this way. How could I expect you to change it in one day. I apologize."
Angelique looked up to him hopefully. "I'm sorry.. I will try harder. I trust you Barnabas. I love you."
Barnabas placed his hand on her cheek, gently caressing her face, wiping her tears away. "I know."
"But.. I don't want you to be alone with her.. Not now."
"We are not alone. Collinwood is getting cold, old wing doesn't have any heating system and only one fire place. We are all together near it to stay warm."
Angelique blinked few times. "I can help.. You and Elizabeth can work for me. I can pay little more so you get Collinwood rebuild."
"Angelique..."
"I will help your family Barnabas... I just ask you not to be around Victoria alone. Not for while."
Barnabas nodded slowly. "Very well... I do not deny, I shall miss her. But I do not wish to have her. Not when I have you. As you were before."
"I'm yours.. I will be the woman you loved years ago."
"Mine.. Yes.. I must go to tell the news for Elizabeth. When do you want us to come to work?"
"As soon as you can. Elizabeth can take care of paper work, you can help me to make new plan. We will make this larger and we will need a plan."
Barnabas nodded. "We shall come soon."
"Good."
Barnabas knew Angelique was waiting for him to tell her he loved her. Waiting for him to kiss her and hold her close. But he couldn't. Not yet. He wanted to give her what she wanted, but first he needed to get over Victoria.
Angelique walked back to her chair and sit down. "What are you waiting for? Yesterday?"
"No.. I am watching you."
"Why?"
"I tend to watch you, when we were younger. You are fascinating when you focus on your work so deeply... Only if you focused on your love as deeply.. You would be perfect."
"But I do. I-"
"Not yet. But I am certain that day will come soon. That's the day when I will make you my bride." Barnabas left the room, quickly walking towards Collinwood.
 Angelique sighed and buried her face in her hands. She still felt the need to get Victoria out of her way.
And how on earth she could do that without Barnabas finding it out?
 "She's human... She might die in accident. Accident, that has nothing to do with me.. But Little Miss Attitude." She smiled and stand up, turning to look out of window. "For once, Carolyn will be useful."

My Angelique

      "I want to stay with you Angelique" Barnabas said, standing up and walk towards her.
 "After all you have done, will you deny your love from me?"
Angelique blinked few times, feeling first time for long time, nervous. Like she had butterflies in her stomach.
"No... " She said quietly, trying to avoid looking directly into his eyes.
Barnabas pushed her against the wall, placing his finger under her chin and made her look at him.
"Say it.. Say that you still love me like you loved me centuries ago."
"I love you" Angelique admitted desperately. "I do love you Barnabas. I have always loved you"
Barnabas kissed her gently, resting his hands on her waist.
"Barnabas... No, wait.. I have to go."
Barnabas looked hurt and stepped back. "Is this a punishment, some soft of, as well?"
"Punishment?" Angelique repeated slightly confused.
"I left you, now you are leaving me."
"I'm not leaving you... I come back."
"When?"
"I don't know but I will"
Barnabas sighed and shake his head, "You do not love me."
"I do! I love you!"
"Then do not leave me! I am willing to leave your sins in past where they belong, I am willing to give you new chance and my love, and you are leaving me!"
Angelique was speechless. Barnabas expressed his emotions much stronger than she had thought.
 "You could come with me." She suggested carefully.
Barnabas looked at her for while, "You know I cannot. What would happen if people around the world would know what I am?"
"That's why you have me." Angelique said gently, "I make sure nothing will happen to you."
"I need to feed."
"I will find some homeless people for you to feed so no one knows"
"What about sun? I burn so easily"
"We have to travel through the night, so you can rest all day long while I take care of business and evening we can have fun together."
"You have thought of this already, haven't you?" Barnabas asked.
Angelique smiled, "I always had a dream to travel around the world with you"
Barnabas thought for while. "What about my family?"
"What about them?"
"You have now what you wished, will you release them from their curse?"
Angelique narrowed her eyes. "If I don't, will you leave me again?"
Barnabas shake his head "No... I love you. Even you have become this cold hearted creature, you are still my first- and last, love.  My Angelique."
 Angelique looked down, "Maybe... in time, I will release them."
"In time..." Barnabas repeated, thinking of her words. "When we're wed, you will no longer harm my family with your witchcraft"
"Wed?"
"Are you not going to accept marriage to me?"
"Of course I am... I just didn't think you'd want it."
"I do."
Angelique smiled, "Will you come with me to the trip?"
Barnabas opened his mouth to say something but sighed then, "I cannot. Collinwood is not even nearly ready, my family needs all help I can give."
Angelique rolled her eyes, "Fine, I give job to your family so they get money to build their beloved Collinwood back"
Barnabas looked at her hopefully, "You will?"
"I will."
Barnabas kissed her, "You have saved my family!"  He hurry to the door, "I will tell to Elizabeth right away, and get some of my personal things with me. How much you think we will need with us to our trip?"
"Not much. We can buy new clothes and such"
"Very well." Barnabas nodded and left.
  Angelique looked out of window, seeing him walk quickly towards Collinwood.
She get back in her bedroom to finish packing. While she walked around room, taking her clothes and others, she turned to see old painting of Barnabas.
"It took over two hundred years, but finally you're mine... Two hundred years, and it was all worth it."
She heard knock on her door and run to open it, letting Barnabas come in.
" We will leave very early in morning, it will still be dark. You can go to sleep when we get into the ship."
Barnabas nodded, "Sounds very good."
 "I'm almost done, you can go to kitchen and have another glass of wine, I will join you when I'm ready."
Barnabas nodded again and go to kitchen, not to bother to ask her what took her so long.
 As she finally did join him, they made plans for their trip, and as Barnabas insisted, their wedding, until it was time to leave.
 Once they got to the ship and open waters, Barnabas saw it best to got to sleep as Angelique was suggested.
 Angelique watched him sleeping for while, "When you wake up my love, you will have a surprise... You'll see, I'm not as cruel as you think."
  She kissed his forehead softly and left the room, going to the deck to enjoy fresh air and gentle sea wind which played with her hair.
 "May I join you, Miss Bouchard?" She heard voice behind her and smiled, feeling strong arms wrap gently around her behind, soft whisper against her neck making her shiver slightly "I am most pleased with your kindness my sweet. Thank you."
She turned around and smiled. "You welcome."
Barnabas smiled and kissed her, "Now you're the Angelique I knew. My Angelique."
"And I will be yours forever."
"I will make sure of it." Barnabas nodded, smiling with slight playfulness.
Angelique hugged him, listening his strong, calm heart beats and closed her eyes, enjoying the fact he loved her again.

Choices.

 
  Couple weeks was passed since Angelique last time saw Barnabas. She was sure that he wasn't going come to see her anymore. Victoria has already got back home for sure, and Barnabas has been taking care of her. Thought of that Barnabas was doing everything he can to please Victoria, made Angelique jealous for sure, and she hated Victoria enough to kill her all over again, but she loved Barnabas. She knew Barnabas's happiness was up to Victoria, and if she wanted to do any good for him, she had to let Victoria live. At least Barnabas was thankful for her, which was way better than he hating her.
   Angelique called few of her best workers in her office, making a plan with them. She would leave Collinwood for while, travel around the world and create connections to her company in outside world, with hopes she could make her company even bigger.
 After this meeting, making sure her workers will keep things going while she's traveling, she left to pack.
Her house seemed already lonely with no lights. As she go inside, getting lights on and looking around, she came to think of Collinwood. Sure it was ruined when she last time saw it, but once it was her home too. Even her room was small and cold, she had liked living in Collinwood. And especially after her relationship with Barnabas had got deeper, she had spent a lot of time in his room which was huge and really warm, always really comfortable.
  She sigh and go to her bedroom, packing some clothes. She didn't hear that someone was knocking her door, until it sounded like her door was kicked really hard.
 She narrowed her eyes and go the door, opening it slightly, surprising more than little when she saw Victoria standing behind her door.
 "Why are you here?" Angelique asked coldly.
"May I.. Come inside?" Victoria asked with weak voice, still recovering from her burning wounds.
"Why?"
"I need to.. Speak with you"
"About what?"
"Barnabas.. His family.."
Angelique watched the girl carefully until step aside. "You have ten minutes."
Victoria came in and Angelique closed the door.
"You have lovely house." Victoria said, looking shyly around.
"If you came here to spy me and my ways to live, I may have to break your neck and sent you back to hospital right away."
"I'm sorry."
Angelique pointed the chair, "Sit."
Victoria sat down and looked at Angelique, who may be cold and cruel, and obviously not happy to get Victoria in her house, was still taken small tea cup and poured tea for her visitor.
 "They need job"
Angelique settle down tea cup front of her but didn't sit down to other side of table.
Instead she took cigarette from her handbag and light it up.
"I offered them job, twice. And they turn my offer down. Why I should do same offer again?"
Victoria sipped the tea and looked at Angelique again, "Please, they need money.. Collinwood needs a lot of work before it's.. like it was. And winter is coming.. They'll get cold without help."
 "I offered Barnabas money, a lot, but he didn't want it."
Victoria looked down, realizing that making deal with Angelique was more difficult than she thought. That even Angelique had done nice things to them lately, she still haven't got over her hateful attitude.
 Angelique blow the smoke towards Victoria and smiled to her sweetly, that made hair back of Victoria's neck stand up.
"You can go back to your host family, and sent my word for them. I don't pity them any more than I have always done. They refused to accept my offers before, I don't make that offer again."
 Victoria sighed, "Barnabas needs your help."
"Funny thing he didn't came to beg my help by himself, but sent you here. Knowing I may kill you when I see you."
"He doesn't know I'm here." Victoria said quickly.
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "Why not? What you're planning?"
"They have terrible money problems.. I overheard Elizabeth and Barnabas fight about it this morning. I thought.. If you could be so kind and offer them job, I'm sure they would be eternally thankful, and serve you well."
"I don't need more workers." Angelique smiled.
Victoria watched the Witch for while and realized one thing she hadn't try yet. Use Angeliques own hatred to get her idea to work.
"Would you think about it? What would be better than order them around all day long, like their family ordered you so long time ago? You was their servant! It's never been forgotten in their family. Now you could change it. You could get rid of that servant's low mark and make their family worship the ground you walk."
Angelique laughed softly, "Do you think I care what their family thinks. Whole town worship me."
"Angelique pleace! They need job. If you love Barnabas, why won't you help him?!"
Angelique gave her warning look and put down her cigarette.
"Shut your mouth little girl before I cut your tongue. My feelings for him is none of your business."
Victoria winced, quickly looking down. "I'm sorry."
 Angelique took hold of Victorias arm, leading her back to the door.
"This conversation is over, leave before I kill you."
As she let go of Victoria, her nails scratched few bleeding bruises on Victorias arm.
Victoria gasped sharply and looked at her arm.
"My bad. I'm sure Barnabas can kiss it to make it better." Angelique said bitterly.
"No!"
"Leave!"
"He loves you!"
Angelique hissed angrily, stepping closer to Victoria when the girl opened the door, running away as fast as she was able to.
  Angelique closed the door, taking deep breath not to go after Victoria and kill the girl right away.
She took another cigarette and go back to her bedroom to pack. She had just got into her room when her phone ring in living room.
"Someone will soon get hurt.." She sighed and go to answer the phone.
"What?"
"Miss Bouchard, excuse me this late call but there's a man waiting for you in your office, he said he has a meeting with you."
"What's his name?"
"I'll ask... . Sir, what's your name?.. Ah, alright.. Miss Bouchard, he is Collins. Barnabas Collins."
Angelique blinked few times. "Tell him to meet me at my house. Sent him here in taxi. Our company pays the bill."
"Yes, Miss."
Angelique hang up and go to kitchen, took glass of wine and sit down to wait. She didn't trust herself around Barnabas now, and if she got herself drunk, she wouldn't probably remember their meeting so well.
  Though it didn't take long from Barnabas to come.
Angelique drink her glass empty and fill it again before go to open the door.
"Barnabas. Come in."
Barnabas sniffed and looked rather disgusted.. "You've been smoking."
Angelique raised eyebrow. "Did you came to look after me am I behaving like good girls should?"
Barnabas narrowed his eyes, "You have been drinking as well. Haven't you?"
Angelique sighed, "Get out. If I wanted someone to look after me like little child, I would hire a nanny."
"I am not leaving." Barnabas said and stand straight. "I need to speak with you."
"About what?"
"Many things."
"Fine.. Do you want wine? I have your favorite."
"No I- " Barnabas stopped after hearing her words, "You do?"
"Of course I do."
"Perhaps one glass won't do any bad."
Angelique go to kitchen, Barnabas following her.
"Did you have visitors?" Barnabas asked.
"No, why?"
"This tea has certainly got cold already, I doubts it's yours."
Now Angelique remembered Victoria.
She quickly took tea cup from table and gave Barnabas wine glass, pouring some wine in it and left the bottle on table.
"Your beloved Vicky visited me some time ago.."
"Victoria?!"Barnabas asked in disbelief and obviously worried. "Why she was here?"
"Begged me to give job for your family." Angelique answered, sipping her wine and laughed softly, "She sure tried every possible way."
"Where is she now?"
"Probably back in Collinwood."
"No, she haven't been home all day."
"I don't know. Do you really think I care where she is going and when?"
"Of course not."
"Why did you came?"
Barnabas took a sip from his glass, "If I am to marry you, I insist that you move to live with me in Collinwood."
Angelique laughed, "No, you want me there because I'm rich. You want me to pay rebuilding of Collinwood."
"I did not come here to beg you to give me money. I came here to speak with a woman I am to marry."
"You won't marry me even in your worse nightmares."
"You are drunk Angelique."
"I'm not."
"Do not speak like a fool then!"
Angelique looked at him eyes wide. "I'm not a fool.."
"No, but you act like one."
Angelique looked away, "I'm going to travel."
"Where? When?" Barnabas asked sharply.
"Tomorrow morning. I travel in many places. Create connections to my company."
"When are you returning?"
"I don't know..."
Barnabas looked surpirisingly sad and slightly hurted.
"I see... You are leaving me."
"How could I leave someone, who has never even been with me?"
"It is why I came here. To be with you. Spent some time together."
"Like before?"
Barnabas smiled a little, "Yes, like before."

 .... Angelique was already fallen asleep after her long day of hard work when Barnabas came back home from his work.
He go through hallway quietly, right away down to servants part of manor, looking for Angelique. He knocked her door carefully few times before opening it, silently entering her room.
 "Angelique? Angelique, awaken."
"Hm.. Not now.."
"Angelique, wake up for little while."
Angelique sighed and opened her sleepy eyes. "What?"
Barnabas smiled to her, "Come to my room, it is nicer there."
"Why? I'm fine in here."
Barnabas lifted her into his arms, "I am in need of your ever lightful company."
Angelique laughed softly and let him carry her into his room and settle her down into his bed.
"What are you planning?" Angelique asked, wide awake already.
"I wanted to spent time with you." Barnabas answered, undressing before came to lay down next to her.
He moved her hair from her face behind her ear and kissed her forehead, "You look always so lovely when you're just awaken. So fresh, like rain after hot days. So soft, like silk."
Angelique smiled, "Did you practise that speech all day?"
"No, it came in my mind now."
"Beautiful."
"As you are." Barnabas said, kissing her lighty, pulling her gently closer.
Angelique snuggle against him, kissing him softly.
"Am I forgiven that I woke you up?" Barnabas asked.
"Yes you are. Many times over." Angelique answered, resting her head against his chest, listening his calm, strong heart beats.
  Ironically they were not tired anymore, but laying there in each others arms and talking lightfully was enough to help them to relax.
 Sooner or later falling asleep, and waking up next morning being perfectly ready for work...

 Barnabas smiled to this quick memory that filled his mind.
"Do you remember it?" He asked from Angelique.
"I do. I've often missed those times when I go to sleep alone, knowing I'll most likely wake up alone as well."
"The thought has come to my mind also, time to time."
Barnabas admitted, obviously feeling quilty of it.
Angelique drunk her glass empty and took the bottle, "Well, we can't really forget something that once made us so happy."
Barnabas looked at her, "Have you not drink enough for today?"
"Why I wouldn't drink more? It feels less bad to go to sleep alone when you're drunk. I thought Hoffman told you that."
Barnabas sighed, "I have much better choices to make bad feeling go away."
"You're only one who has a choice." Angelique said bitterly and took more wine.
"You are turning down the offer I have made for you." Barnabas said, "You do have a choice, if you'd want it."
Angelique looked at him eyes wide, "What you're saying?"
"I want to stay with you Angelique."
Angelique blinked few times in surprise. As much as she wanted to believe his words to be true, she was afraid of getting her heart broken again.