First day at work

Barnabas woke up early in morning to hunt before long day ahead with no where to go, he found that Angelique was up already as well.
He sit up on their large bed and rubbed his eyes, pulling his morning jacket on before he walked to the door. His witchy wife was nowhere to be seen and he didn't want to wake up his children yet.
"Good morning" He heard Angelique's purring voice whispering to his ear and soon she wrapped her arms around him.
"Hm.. Morning. Why are you up so early? I woke up and you were not beside me. You know how I dislike awaking like that."
He felt her lips press against the skin of his neck, "I'm sorry my love.. I promise I'll make it up to you."
Barnabas turned around, loosely wrapping his arms around her middle.
"You did not answer the question."
Angelique sighed, "I have to get started with Angel Bay."
Barnabas raised his eyebrows, "Why can I not help you with it? You would not need to awake three a clock in morning to go do everything by yourself."
"Barnabas if you're going to keep me another lecture of your family's honor, you know I will only make you see how miserable Collins family is."
"You are a Collins, Angelique. You should value the name as well."
Angelique rolled her eyes, "I will see if there is something you could do." She leaned to kiss him and pulled back, "I already killed few rabbits so you and children will get breakfast. I will come home as soon as I get business started with."
Barnabas sighed heavily, looking down. "Thank you.. " He turned to go back to bedroom to continue sleeping, but he didn't make it far when he felt Angelique taking hold of his wrist.
He tried to hide his smirk of his successful try to make Angelique feel like she needed to do something to make him happy again.
"Is there something else I must remember?" He asked.
"No." Angelique shake her head and turned him to face her. "What if you'll just come with me to work? We can take children to back room of my office and they can play there."
Barnabas looked surprised, he had not dared to imagine Angelique would warm up to his will to work as well so soon.
"We would... Work together?" He asked.
Angelique smiled a bit, "Only if you promise to work by my rules."
Barnabas rubbed the back of his neck, "I have become rather familiar with your rules, it should not be a problem."
"Good. then you go awake the children and give them their blood while having your own, and I'll make carriage ready to take us there."
Barnabas nodded, "We shall be there soon."
 Angelique looked after him for while before she go out to get horses and carriages.
"Poor, sweet Barnabas... Believe everything so easily.." She thought aloud while getting carriages ready.
Soon enough her sleepy children came out with their father who had dressed up so well she couldn't help but smile.
"Hello handsome."She smiled and kissed Barnabas.
He smiled, looking at her rather simple but pretty dress that showed her natural curves better than many other dresses in that time did.
"You do look lovely as well."
Angelique laughed and got into carriages with her family, "Once Angel Bay starts working daily, we will gain the wealth more than Collins family business ever did."
Barnabas looked at her, narrowing his eyes, "Right now, Angel Bay will be family business as well. I consider it as we only change the name and few technical things. Job is practically the same."
Angelique didn't have a heart to tell him that Angel Bay will never work under Collins name, but only her own. She did had in mind to offer job for Barnabas to help her with paper works and to train the workers, but she didn't have any intention to make him one of the owners.
  When they got to the place, Barnabas got out of the carriages and looked shocked to see that huge, red building was already there and Collins cannery was burned.
"What on earth is this?!"
Angelique got out and go open the door to Angel Bay. "It's new beginning my love."
Barnabas kept staring at destroyed Collins cannery. "But.. Our family's hard work.. It's all gone.."
"This is new place to work hard, come along." Angelique said pulling him with her.
"When this was build?" He asked.
"I started building when I killed your parents. I ordered them to build new cannery in name of your parents will to make business larger. Well, when they died, it became useless for Collins business so I took it. And that burned little cannery you used to call work place, was destroyed by villagers when you came out to be a monster."
 "Your cruelty known no boundaries." Barnabas muttered.
"Everything is allowed in love and war." Angelique smiled sweetly. "There will soon come many people for interview to get a job. You help me choose best workers in town. And if you happen to find someone suitable for servant to Collinwood.. By all means."
Barnabas nodded just slightly to express his understatement.
"Children, you go there and entertain each other. If you need us, then call for us."
"Alright mother." Children mumbled one after another, going to back room.
Angelique looked at Barnabas, "My sweet darling, don't be so down. We are working together now."
Barnabas nodded again, "My parents.. Died for nothing."
"They died for your sake. Now Focus. We have job to do."
Barnabas looked at her, "Why won't you bring them back? For me. I swear I won't be such coward to hide us. I cannot! We have children! I would make them accept us."
Angelique folded her arms to her chest, looking at him sharply.
"Please?" He tried one last time.
"No."
"Angel, our children need their grandparents. My parents would love them."
Angelique laughed, "Of course, they'd be thrilled to have three monsters as their grandchildren."
"Please, I would make them understand."
Angelique rolled her eyes, "I will think about it, but I don't promise anything yet."
Barnabas smiled a bit, "I will make it worth it."
Angelique raised eyebrow but said nothing, sitting down next to him and took some papers, giving half of them to Barnabas.
        After good four hours, they had gathered many young, strong man to work for Angel Bay and the cannery started working during the same day.
"You certainly did not waste time." Barnabas admitted, watching people working.
"Time is money, and long time is a lot of money." Angelique smiled and kissed him. "Come now my love, we have parent-duties to take care of. There's whole new day tomorrow."
"Can we just leave them?"
"Yes. They know what the price is if they fail." Angelique nodded and go get her children.
 Barnabas looked after her. She sure did know how to make people fear her.
She came to take hold of his arm and pulled him with her, opening the door to back room just a little so they saw how their children played together.
"Aren't they adorable?" She whispered.
Barnabas smiled, "Indeed they are. Our perfect little ones."
They watched their children play for while until Angelique cleared her throat to get their attention.
"It's time to go home."
Their children followed them out of the cannery, complaining hunger.
"We will have dinner when we get home."
"There is only couple servants left." Barnabas said.
"So? I gave them orders this morning." Angelique said.
"When?!"
"While you were still sleeping."
Barnabas saw it best not to ask more. He had learned to accept that Angelique was able to get many things done at once. Perhaps it was the benefit of her witchcraft.

New beginning starts from past.

  "I don't want to time travel! Do I have to?" Jonathan complained.
"Shut it, we are all going back to the end of 1700 century." Angelique said sharply to her eldest son.
"Angel, don't be so harsh." Barnabas said, wrapping his arms around her from behind and dropped a kiss to her shoulder before he looked at his son. "But you indeed must accept that what your mother says is true. We are all returning to where we belong."
"And live up together all those centuries we lost." Angelique smiled, leaning back into his embrace.
Barnabas made slight sound of uneasiness to the thought of living forever, but he swallowed his pride to defend his will to be once again mortal, knowing Angelique won't take it well.
 Jonathan sighed and rolled his eyes, "Fine.."
Isac and Jasmine joined them shortly and Barnabas loose his hold of his wife even she didn't seem to move anywhere from him.
 "Alright, Angel Bay will keep working as it is, nothing changes the company, so all we need to worry now is that we all get into the end of 1700 century in one piece." Angelique smiled sweetly and lifted her daughter into her arms.
Barnabas nodded, taking hold of their sons hands. "Do not let go of my hand until I say so. Is that understood?" He asked.
"Yes father." Jonathan and Isac muttered.
 Angelique smiled and closed her eyes, focusing on casting the spell to her family to bring them all back in time...

 "Nothing is changed." Isac said.
Barnabas looked around, "Yes, a lot has changed." He smiled. Lights were replaced back with candles and all electric machines were gone.
Angelique placed their daughter down. "We're back." Her hair had grown back to long and dark.
"Mommy is pretty" Jasmine said.
Angelique smiled to her daughter, touching the girls cheek gently with her hand.
Barnabas let go of his sons and looked at Angelique, "How far back we are?"
Angelique raised eyebrow, "You mean is your precious Josette still alive or not?"
Their children rolled their eyes, they knew all too well not to mention Josette's name to their parents, knowing it always leads to arguments.
 Barnabas sighed, "What would it matter if she'd live? We are married!"
"It sure won't stop you from betraying me again!"
"Hush Angelique! You do not speak to me in that manner!"
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "Just try and stop me, blood sucker"
Barnabas growled, he hated it when Angelique called him like that, and she knew it very well.
"Children, you go and find your rooms" He ordered, not looking away from his wife's cold eyes.
 "Fine" All of them muttered, knowing better than trying to interrupt their parents arguments.
When children had gone up the stairs, leaving the couple alone, Barnabas took hold of Angelique's neck.
"You know how much I dislike when you talk to me like that."
"Go on, slaughtering me yet again things surely will get better!"
Barnabas growled, throwing her away from him.
"Oh no you don't." Angelique said, taking hold of his arm.
"Leave me be!" Barnabas snapped.
Angelique smiled, "Hmm. I don't want to." She turned him to face her and kissed him.
Barnabas should have seen that coming, but still she got to surprise him.
He gave up he fight he practically had lost already and kissed her back.
"I really wish you'd stop calling me like that." He muttered.
"Aw, my poor, sweet darling." Angelique purred, "I promise to try find some other way to express my anger next time."
"What if you tried not to get angry at all?"
"Could you be able to not make me angry?"
"I will certainly try."
Angelique smiled, "Then we're even" She slid her hand under his shirt to caress his chest, "No more fights my love."
"Hm.. No.. Of course not."
Angelique leaned to kiss him again before she looked around, leaving him long for her warm touches more but he seemed to accept it quite fast.
 "We better go see that our children are fine in their rooms without any electricity as they are so used to it."
"Of course, as you wish." Barnabas nodded a bit, climbing up the stairs after her.
They did not make it to their children's rooms before their children came to find them, all complaining of boredom and uselessness of the era without any fun.
Angelique looked at Barnabas who seemed to be hurt of his children's hard critic of his own time.
"Shut it!" Angelique hissed and all three got quiet, looking at their mother, knowing that tone of her voice meant that they better listen to her.
 "We can get back to our time later, but now we will stay here so get used it. Make yourself useful and go get candles to your rooms, place them somewhere safe place so you won't burn yourself. Me and your father will come soon light them up for you."
Barnabas watched his children go back to their rooms without any word to argue.
"Thank you." He said quietly, looking after the children.
Angelique placed her chin to his shoulder, "I know you loved your home as it is now. This time, manners, values... And I love you."
Small smile appeared to his lips of hearing her words, "You do make excellent wife Angel. I knew it all along."
Angelique laughed and tied her long hair, "Well we better go put the little monsters to sleep, and then I have a bath to prepare for my lord."
Barnabas lifted her up into his arms and kissed her neck, feeling her pulse and gently bite her skin with his fangs, "You will be joining me Mrs.Collins."
"Mm, as you wish my love." Angelique smiled. "Come on, parent duties first, then fun."
"They better fall asleep soon" Barnabas muttered, making Angelique laugh softly.
Lighting up candles to children's bedrooms and few candles to hallways, Barnabas decided to search for new servants following day.
"You do that, I have to get started with Angel Bay." Angelique nodded, pouring hot water to bathtub.
"Can I not work beside you? You know how this time is not females to lead" Barnabas complained.
Angelique looked at him sharply and he seemed to give up.
"You know how much my business means to me" She sighed.
"As much as mine meant to me! Until you destroyed it!" Barnabas growled.
Angelique placed her finger to his lips, "No fights."
Barnabas bite her finger gently with his fangs, "I'm starving.."
Angelique smiled, letting her dress drop to the floor, "I can imagine that you are."
"May I?" He asked, licking his lips, his eyes finding her pulse from her neck.
"Feed my love." She nodded, gasping softly of feeling his fangs sink into her neck.
She rubbed his back gently, letting him feed. She knew there would be few serious arguments coming about the leading of business.

10 Years Later

   Angelique heard noises from hallway and soon fast steps that was coming towards her room.
Soon the door of her office was opened and Jonathan, her eldest son run into the room. Followed by his younger brother Isac and baby sister Jasmine.
 Her security guard came to the door. "I'm sorry Mrs.Collins.. They were too fast."
Angelique raised eyebrow, "Really?"
 Her children laughed and she stood up. "It's alright, leave us." She told to her guard.
 When door was closed, Angelique looked at her children.
Jonathan looked so much like Barnabas, she was hardly able to believe it was their son instead of younger copy of Barnabas.  Isac reminded a lot of his father as well, when Jasmine was her own mirror image from years past.
 "Where's your father?" She asked.
"Working." Jonathan sighed. "He told us to come to you."
"He's always working. You're always working.." Isac complained.
 Angelique smiled, "We're successful because we work."
"I know." All three said at once.
 Soon enough, Barnabas came into the room as well, kissing his wife before he lifted their daughter into his arms and looked at their sons. "Shall we go?"
"Go where?" Angelique asked.
"To hunt."Barnabas answered simply.
Angelique rolled her eyes. Barnabas had taught their children to become serial killers that definitely was never going to be suspected. They innocent children certainly was everything else but innocent.
She watched them go and took her handbag before turn off the lights and locked the door.
 On her way home, she go get bottle of wine and some candles.
Getting a bath ready and lighting up candles all around the bathroom, she recalled all those times in past when they had bathed together. She poured them glasses of wine and sit down to wait until she heard their children running in hallway to their rooms and Barnabas walking around the manor looking for her, finally opening the bathroom door.
 "Angelique.. What is this?"
"Shh!" Angelique gave him a glass of wine and kissed his lips softly. "Happy anniversary."
 "Ah.. Anniversary." Barnabas smiled, kissing her back gently before looking around the bathroom.
"I thought this would be nice.. It's been way too long since we bathed together." Angelique said, taking a sip from wine before let her clothes drop to the floor and go into bathtub.
"Are you going to leave me alone in here?" She asked teasingly.
Barnabas shake his head, "No. No I certainly will not." Quickly undressing he joined her to the bath.
 "Carolyn.. She will return tomorrow." He said carefully.
"Carolyn?" Angelique asked as if she wasn't sure she had heard him right.
"Yes. Victoria has got... Engaged, and she is moving with her fiancé. Carolyn and her.. Companion, are going to come to live in Collinsport." Barnabas informed her.
"You seem to know awfully a lot about them."
"Angelique, Carolyn is my family"
"I am your family!"
"Yes, of course.. But Carolyn is also. We must give them place to stay."
"Them?"
"Carolyn and her.. Boyfriend?"
Angelique laughed, "You're still not used to modern day language."
"And I never shall!"
"Don't be too sure Barnabas, we have eternity to live together."
 Barnabas looked down to the water. "Eternity..." He repeated in tormented voice.
"Yes Barnabas, eternity." Angelique said sharply.
 Barnabas sighed and nodded, "Of course.."
Angelique looked at him for while until placing their glasses down and kissed him, running her hands down his chest and sides, caressing his skin, causing him groan slightly in surprise before he slowly wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
"I love you Barnabas.."
Those words made it quite impossible for him to resist her. Either it was in good or bad moments, those magical words made him forget everything else.
 Even Angelique had bad habit still get jealous too easily, and act over dramatically, he had to admit he was perfectly happy with her. And her passionate, unpredictable nature made their life everything else but boring.
 We was worried of that their children would get Angelique's temperament, but it was small worry compared to that their mother had so many other abilities that made him happy.
 "I love you too.. Angel." He whispered, his lips against her neck, kissing her skin.
Shivers go through her body, feeling his lips on her sensitive skin.
Angelique wasn't too sure how on earth they have managed to create 3 children already, even Barnabas was basically living dead, but she didn't care. Her dream had come true.
 The day when she was first called Mrs.Collins, she knew she had found that lost piece of herself that had never found its way back home. Losing Barnabas for two centuries had made her too cold, but she was definitely warming up already.
For a cold, living dead creature, Barnabas turned up the heat for her quite too well.
 Suddenly he froze.
"What?" Angelique pulled back, looking surprised. "What's wrong?"
"Josette!"Barnabas called, looking around.
Angelique growled, slapping his cheek angrily, her nails scratching few bruises on his face.
Barnabas hissed, rubbing his cheek until he pierced his fangs into her neck, causing her gasp in surprise and pain.
 She pushed him away, few cracks on her neck healing much faster than decade ago.
She pushed him against the bathtub, kissing him deeply, his arms soon wrapping around her.
Angelique broke the kiss and looked down to him, "How dare you say her name when it's our anniversary?"
Barnabas catch his breath, "I thought I sensed her.."
"Shh!" Angelique commanded, kissing him passionately...

  Next morning when David was preparing the lessons for Barnabas' and Angelique's children, the couple was still locked up in their own room. David knew better than even trying to go knock on their door. He had witnessed way too much for his liking already.
  "Where's mom and dad?" Isac asked when he came to kitchen.
"Sleeping." David said and kept reading the newspaper.
Isac sit down to eat his breakfast, soon getting company from his sister.
"Where's mom and dad?"
"Sleeping" Isac and David said.
Jasmine sighed and sit down to eat her breakfast.
Jonathan came to kitchen, looking around. "They're still sleeping?" He asked.
All three nodded.
"Great." Jonathan rolled his eyes and sit down.
 Knock on the door catch their all attention and David go to open.
"Can I help you?" He asked from blond, young woman with huge baby blue eyes.
"Yes, I am looking for Mr.Collins." She answered with gentle voice.
 "Which one?" David asked, feeling suddenly really dumb.
 The woman giggled, "Barnabas Collins. I am here for the housekeepers job. Help in house work."
David nodded, "Great, come on in."
"Thank you." She nodded and came in.
       Angelique kissed her husband and held back laughter to see him blink his eyes open to look at her tiredly.
"Good morning sleepy head"
Barnabas sighed, "Why must we awake now?"
"You wanted to have interviews for the housekeeper position today and it's already ten." Angelique reminded him and got up, taking simple and elegant black dress to wear.
 Barnabas watched her for while and got up with another heavy sigh, "Very well."
Angelique smiled, "Good boy"
Barnabas couldn't help but smile. "Good? And.. It was way too long time ago when I was a boy"
"Uh huh. Not too long for me to remember." Angelique said with playful wink  as she opened the door and walked through the hallway with him and downstairs.
She froze into her place as she saw who David was talking to.
Barnabas nearly pushed her down the stairs as he stopped right behind her and looked where she was looking at.
"Josette.."
Angelique took hold of his arm. "No! No.. It's not."
Barnabas pulled his arm free and go to greet this young woman, perfect copy of Josette.
 "Oh Mr.Collins, there you are. My great aunt in way back in history, used to live in Collinwood. She was-"
"Bride of Barnabas Collins." Barnabas finished.
She looked surprised but nodded, "Yes. She was. Josette DuPres."
Angelique watched the woman coldly. She knew exactly how far she was willing to go to get rid of that woman.
 Barnabas automatically gave the housekeeper job for this woman. He would not lose his beloved Josette yet again.
 "Angelique, come greet to our-" He looked around, finding his wife nowhere to be seen, he looked at David, "Where did she go?"
 "I don't know." David said and left back to kitchen.
Barnabas got bad feeling, he surely wasn't only one who had noticed how much this woman looked like Josette.
 "Excuse me for a minute. You may go to kitchen, David will introduce you to our children." He said to her and left to find Angelique.
 He took few steps away to go find her, when he heard the door opening and closing.
 Their new housekeeper was out.
He felt like stone had hit his heart.
"Angelique!" He growled, "Stop this!" Then he run after her.
 Widow's Hill.
Barnabas sighed heavily as he carefully followed the girl to the dangerous cliff and took hold of her arms.
"Do not jump.You are under the spell. Fight back Josette, fight back!"
 The girl turned around, looking at him emotionless expression on her face. "I hate you, Barnabas Collins."
Barnabas looked at her eyes wide, too shocked for while to realize that she had already fell.
"No! No! Josette!"
 "You shouldn't have try to betray me again Barnabas, I may have let her live." Angelique said, walking to him and placed her hand to his shoulder.
 Barnabas growled, taking hold of her wrist and pushed he away from him.
Angelique looked down to deathly rocks. "Barnabas, don't..."
 Barnabas looked down, Josette was gone once again. He had lost the love of his life so many times because of Angelique. Because of that cliff.
 He sighed heavily. "Goodbye Angelique."
Angelique looked at him eyes wide, "No! No! Barnabas I love you! I do, I love you!"
She cracked her chest to pull out her heart, "Barnabas... Take it.. Take my love."
Barnabas looked at her delicate heart. He had never wished to see it again. That heart was his heaven and hell. He sighed and took the heart, placing it back to her hollow chest before he pulled her into tight embrace.
 "I do love you Angelique.. With your worse and your best. You are.. My wife."

"We do what we did before"

   When Angelique opened her eyes, she saw Barnabas laying next to her, reading an old book.
 "How long did I sleep?" She asked.
 Barnabas blinked and looked at her, "Ah, you're awaken."
"How long?"
Barnabas shake his head, "I didn't count hours. I may guess an hour or two."
 Angelique sit up, rubbing her forehead. "I felt dizzy.."
Barnabas nodded a bit. "You have lost too much blood."
"No. It's not that... I don't need blood to run through my body."
"You haven't eaten. Nor slept well. You were exhausted."
"Maybe..."
 "Angelique?"
"Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
Angelique turned to look at him, "I'm fine."
Barnabas looked at her curiously.
"What?"
"Nothing.." He looked back to the book.
Angelique got up but stopped right then, leaning against the wall.
Barnabas looked at her, but didn't say anything.
When she finally looked at him, he realized that she was just as surprised as he was.
"Angelique... Is this-?"
Angelique looked down and then back to Barnabas. "I.. I don't know."
Barnabas took hold of her arms, holding her on her feet, watching her carefully.
Angelique placed her hand on her lower stomach, narrowing her eyes. "It's impossible..."
Barnabas' eyes got wide, "You are not-"
"Carrying your child?" Angelique finished his line and nodded, "I think I am."
 Barnabas looked down to her stomach, "How-?"
"Exactly what I would like to know, but it's supernatural creature anyway. Vampires are basically dead, Witches isn't so something weird is in this and I am going to find out what it is. I'm not going to give a birth of a zombie."
Barnabas seemed to be frozen.
Angelique snapped her fingers in front of his eyes and he looked at her, "A- A zombie?"
"I doubt that, but some kind of magical vampire it must be.. "
Barnabas nodded weakly, suddenly pulling her closer into tight embrace. "Now you must marry me Angelique."
 Angelique blinked few times in surprise and slowly hugged him back.
"Uncle Barnabas." They heard quiet voice from doorway and they both turned to look at David.
"Young master David, what is it? You should be sleeping at this hour"
 "Yes but... Neighborhood is on fire." David said, pointing the direction of the door.
 Angelique and Barnabas followed him to look out of the window.
 "It's not neighborhood... It's whole town" Angelique gasped.
 Barnabas could sense her getting tense. Obviously Angelique still held fear of fire, as Witches were typically burned to death.
 "How this could have happen?" He asked.
They go outside to see how huge the damage really was.
Angelique turned David to go back inside, "Go to kitchen, pack all food you can find. I take some clothes, towels and blankets."
Barnabas looked surprised, but waited for them at the door.
 David brought few bags of food, Angelique had all other necessary.
"Lets go. We'll take one of Angel Bay's boats and leave. They will never be able to control that fire before this town is destroyed." Angelique said, leading Collinses to the beach.
 Barnabas helped David to climb into the boat, then he go there by himself and lastly pulled Angelique there.
Tears run down David's cheeks and Barnabas placed his hand on the boys shoulder, wrapping his other hand around Angelique as they sailed away from Collinsport.
  "What may be remaining there after the fire is tamed?" He wondered.
"I don't know.. "Angelique whispered.
Barnabas looked at her, she seemed unusually humanly. As if she was really sorry for what she saw.
 "It was our home.. "He said.
"It was... And it will be again. Some day."
They watched burning Collinsport for while until David broke the silence.
"What we'll do now?"
Barnabas looked at the boy. "We do what we did before, we build our own town."
 David looked confused for while but nodded then.

  They returned to Collinsport after couple of days. Badly burned town was full of dead bodies and destroyed houses.
 Angelique found it no big surprise that Angel Bay wasn't completely destroyed.
Barnabas on the other hand found it very suspicious.
"It's so near to the water. They have been able to use water all the time to protect the building." Angelique said.
Her workers were suffered great loss, but she still had many enough so they were able to start rebuilding of the town. They lived in Angelique's office for while, spending a lot of time to rebuild of Collinwood.
 The more the town was fixed and rebuild, more people returned and those who had died, were buried.
 Supernatural child that Angelique was carrying, seemed to grow faster than normal human child, that was, at first. After couple months, Angelique found that her child was getting quite normal, growing little by little as all other children.
  It took no less than half year from them to rebuild Collinwood in that condition they were able to move in.
Naturally rest of the manor was still in process, but all three of them didn't need too much space at once.
  And so, within few months after that, Angelique gave a birth to their own son. Pale, little creature had obviously need for blood, but it still craved for milk from his mother.
 Barnabas was proud of this new little Collins. He felt like their life was now as it was before, and it was completed with the child of his own.
 He insisted Angelique to marry him and leave her place as a boss of Angel Bay.
This was something that was hard for Angelique to accept. She didn't want to give up on her successful business, and so she came up with higher offer: Barnabas was going to lead the business with her, or he will not have his wife at all.
 After few arguments and destroyed furnitures, Barnabas accepted her terms and so.. They started a new life. Life that was rightfully theirs, had been centuries ago, and now they just claimed it.

Little more blood

  Whole room was stained with blood mixed up with tears that Angelique couldn't stop from falling down her cheeks like small waterfall.
 Barnabas hadn't shown any sign of being alive. He hadn't swallowed any of the blood that Angelique had been trying to give him all the time little by little. She was getting too exhausted to cry but she couldn't stop either. It was like the pain she had felt when her child was ripped out of her, but now it was as if her heart was ripped out.
 She lay on the ground, next to the coffin, listening carefully if Barnabas would make any sound. He hair had got red mask of blood, her clothes were all around covered with blood, and her face had bloody prints where she had tried to wipe her tears away.
 This tragic sight wasn't something she had ever expected to experience. She should have thought of that Roger could come back some day. She had always had so perfect plans for everything, plan-B was always ready and if it was necessary there was plan-C. Now she hadn't given a slightest thought to Roger, and that mistake now cost her beloved ones life.
 She closed her eyes, smelling and tasting blood, her own breath shaking. Suddenly she felt so cold. So lost and lonely. Hot tears run down her cheeks again. Barnabas was not there to hold her until her fears were gone. She sobbed helplessly and pulled her knees against her chest, keeping her eyes tightly closed.

 ... "Angelique" Barnabas sighed patiently. "I know something is bothering you, why  won't you share your burden?"
 "It's nothing" Angelique said and flashed sweet smile. "I'm just tired. Maid's work never ends."
Barnabas shake his head, "No, you have been restless so many nights now. I know something serious is bothering you."
 Angelique sighed. "You know me too well."
Barnabas smiled and wrapped his arms around her middle, making her wince, he looked at her curiously, "What is the matter?"
"Nothing.. Nothing.." Angelique said, stepping away from him.
Barnabas didn't swallow this. "Angel. What is the matter?"
Angelique looked at him, he seemed serious and worried, and he called her Angel only very late at night when they were going to sleep and when they wake up, or when he has something personal to discus with her.
She smiled a bit, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm just worried."
"About what?"
"Your parents are selling us to other families is confusing enough. I feel like smallest mistake will cause them to sell me away and I don't want away from you."
 Barnabas smiled and kissed her, "I have spoken with my parents about it, all young servants here will stay here. You are young Angelique. No one will take you from me"
"Really?"
"Really, now come back to bed. It is too early to wake up yet." Barnabas said, going back to bed.
Angelique followed him and lay down beside him, resting her head against his chest.
 Barnabas wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair to make her fall back to sleep.
She listened his heart beat, closing her eyes. There she was safe, in his loving arms. He would protect her.
She opened her eyes, "Barnabas.. I should tell you something.."
"Hm.." He said sleepily, not opening his eyes anymore.
Angelique looked up to his face and lay back down then. "I'll tell you in the morning."
Barnabas smiled and kissed her forehead. "Sleep Angel, sleep."
 But next morning they both had been so busy, Angelique never got chance to tell him what she wanted him to know, and that cost her the life of her child...

  Coughing.
Angelique opened her eyes, she heard coughing. For while she thought it was her dream, but now she was positive, she heard coughing.
 She stumbled on her knees and look into the coffin, "Barnabas? Barnabas can you hear me?"
 "Blood.. B.. Blood.."
Angelique looked around and reached for one half empty bottle.
"Here, open your mouth, here is still some." She held the bottle for him to drink.
He reach out to take tight hold of her wrist, trying to have more blood.
Angelique smiled, "You're getting stronger. Barnabas you will be fine my love!.. Barnabas?"
He soon throw the bottle from her hand, piercing his fangs into her wrist.
"No! Barnabas... " Angelique tried to pull her hand free, and when he didn't get blood from her, he pulled her closer, biting into her neck.
 Without thinking it twice, Angelique casted a spell to make her heart beat blood into her system, and as fast as it beat, Barnabas seemed to suck it all out right away.
 "Barnabas.. Barnabas let go. I will find someone else for you to slaughter."
He growled, holding on to her tighter, sucking everything out of her that he was able to.
When he finally let go of her, he stood up and left the room without saying a word.
Angelique stumbled back to her feet and followed him.
 "Barnabas, what are you doing?"
He growled again and throw a chair out of his way, going to hallway and right away out.
 "Barnabas! You can't show yourself to everyone!" Angelique said, trying to pull him back inside.
He pushed her violently against the wall and left, leaving her fall to the ground.
"Barnabas come back... " She tried to stand up, but the hit she got to her back when he pushed her to the wall, has made her sore. She saw few slight cracks on her skin and decided to sit there little moment to gather her strength.
When she heard screaming somewhere near by she looked up.
"Damn you Barnabas.." She got up, biting her lip against the pain and go out.
Finding him was easy enough, making group of people to forget what they saw was more difficult.
When Angelique finally got him back home, she had no other choice but chain him to his coffin.
"Blood! I want blood!"
"And you will get it. I take care of you."
"Take care of me? Give me blood!"
Angelique sighed. "I will find you more blood." She turned to leave the room, suddenly feeling sharp pain at her side. She stopped and placed her hand to her side.
"What are you hideous servant waiting for! Bring me blood!" Barnabas growled.
"I'm not your servant and I..  I just don't feel well"
Barnabas narrowed his eyes, suddenly seeming to realize something. "Angelique?"
"I'm going! Wait for little while.. I will find someone.."
"Angelique, are you alright?"
Angelique turned to look at him. He didn't seem so harsh anymore.
"Barnabas?"
"Yes?"
"You need blood.. I go get you some more before you become insane bloodthirsty monster again. You need more blood to be able to control yourself."
Barnabas nodded slowly. "What is wrong with you Angelique? Have you been hurt?"
"Nothing.. Nothing."
"Angelique."
"It's nothing." Angelique insisted and left the room. The pain was gone as fast as it came. She made her mind to check later had she got another crack there. She knew that if she was cracking, some movements made it worse.
 She go out without caring about that she was covered with blood. First old man she saw, was her victim.
When she pulled him into the house and brought him to Barnabas, it didn't take long from him to suck all the blood out of this old man.
 "How are you feeling?"
"I would be better if I was not chained."
Angelique kneel down to free him from his chains.
Once he was free, he raised his hand to wipe her blood stained hair from her face.
"You look terribly exhausted."
"You are difficult to look after when you have no control over yourself. But I rather have you as crazy vampire than dead."
 Barnabas opened his mouth and closed it, thinking over his answer until simply said, "Thank you."
"You welcome."
"Will you now tell me what was wrong with you little earlier? You seemed like you were in pain"
"It's nothing. Probably just a crack that got little worse when I moved so much. It's fine now."
Barnabas nodded slowly.
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "Barnabas?What's wrong?"
"I feel little dizzy." He admit simply.
"You need more blood."
"No. Rest. I need rest."
Fear flashed in Angelique's eyes. "No, Barnabas.. Try to have a little more blood."
"I am not feeling weak Angelique, I am dizzy. As if I have not slept for long time."
 Knocking from front door catch their attention.
"Who could it be?" Barnabas asked.
Angelique go to living room, looking out of window. "David"
"Let the boy in." Barnabas said.
"Are you sure?"
"Let the boy in."
Angelique nodded slowly, going to open the door.
David came inside, looking around, frightened expression on his face.
"Young master David. You must be spooked by all this but don't worry, everything will be fine.."
Barnabas placed his hand to David's shoulder, walking with the boy to the living room.
 Sudden loud noise made him stop and look around. "Angelique?"
He looked to behind, seeing Angelique laying on the floor unconscious.
 He hurry and kneel down beside her, "Angelique? Angelique?"
When she didn't answer he took her into his arms and carried to bedroom.
"Uncle Barnabas, why is Miss Bouchard so bloody?"
"She.. It is not her blood. Don't worry. It is my fault."
Angelique's hollow body felt different now when he lifted her into his arms, and when he settle her down to the bed, he could swear he felt something moving within her.
His dark eyes scanned her from head to toe curiously. Something was changed in her.

Family is the worst.

  Barnabas knew that Angelique was not going to leave rest of his family unharmed either. Something had gone wrong very badly and he had no idea what it was. He couldn't understand why his family had messed with Angelique at the moment like this. He searched for answers to his trouble from every possible place of Collinwood, from David, from Mrs.Johnson, he even called out for Josette's spirit to help him.
 He wasn't allowed to go see Willie, who still haven't got out from Angel Bay. He had tried to go there to meet Willie, but Angelique's men had turned him around and told him to go home.
 Out of his frustration and fear for his family's safety, he decided to go meet Angelique to her house.
Late that evening when he saw Angelique coming from Angel Bay with her blood red sport car, he stepped out of the shadows and stopped Angelique.
"We must talk at once!"
Angelique raised eyebrow, "Talk about what?"
"Name your terms Witch, I want you to free Willie Loomis and promise to not harm my family."
"You have nothing I want Barnabas. You just have to accept whatever I do."
Barnabas shake his head, "We are to be married Angelique. You have not broken our engagement and neither have I, even your actions does not speak of love, I may marry you out of gratitude if you save my family."
 Angelique laughed, making him suddenly feel like he had just walked into terrible trap.
He remained calm and watched her carefully. "You have not broke our engagement Angelique. You are still my bride."
 "Your bride? Am I really, or are you just saying it so I would save your miserable family?"
 Barnabas nodded, "We are engaged.. You accepted my proposal.."
"Yes, so I did... "Angelique sighed and took the key, walking to the door. "Come in. Maybe we better talk this trough"
Barnabas quickly followed her in.
 "Do you want something?" Angelique asked as she go right away to kitchen.
"I.. I am fine." Barnabas answered, following her.
 "Not this?" She showed glass of crimson red liquid.
Barnabas looked at the glass, licking his lips. "Well.. Perhaps, a little."
 "I thought so." Angelique nodded, handing the glass to him which he quickly drunk empty.
Angelique watched him carefully. She couldn't trust him. Not a word he was saying. Not now since she had no idea why Willie was found spying on her business. And since Barnabas still undoubtedly wanted to revenge Elizabeth's death. But still... Still something in that pale, cold creature fascinated her.
That handsome but cruel blood sucker was her weakness. He was her heaven and her destruction.
  Barnabas placed the glass to the table and licked his blood covered lips.
"What is in your mind?" He asked as he noticed her watching him so carefully.
"Shut up." Angelique said, walking to him and before he was able to say anything, she kissed him with all her love and passion she had held back for so long.
 Barnabas was surprised by her sudden affections, slowly kissing her back, his hands resting on her waist.
Soon enough he found himself be pressed against the wall, his coat thrown away and buttons of his shirt ripped open. Within few seconds his own self control failed and he ripped her clothes to get rid of them.
 Angelique's mind was filled with memories of those so many nights they spent together centuries ago. All that passion, all that love and all those dreams they had.. It all came back to her now. His long, cold fingers running on her skin were like water washing through wasteland, making her skin more sensitive.
His passionate kisses took her breath away, making her totally powerless to resist him.
Her soft moaning and whimpers seemed only encourage his desire for her.
She hold him tightly, like dearest her whole life was depended on him, and at the moment it wasn't far from truth.
 "Je t'aime mon ange noir" She whispered breathlessly.
Barnabas groaned, shivering at the feeling her hot breath on his skin. "As I love you, Angelique."
 Angelique took deep breath, holding him close, tear escaping from corner of her eye, she smiled to his words. "You don't know how long I'm waited for this"
"Hm.. Very long.. I suppose."
"Yes.. Too long."
"Then we must not keep you waiting any longer."
"No. Don't let me wait.. Stay with me."
"Forever. Till my time comes to its end."
"I love you Barnabas.. "She admitted, slowly falling asleep, holding him near.
     When Angelique opened her eyes, she was laying on the floor where they had lay down, falling asleep into each others arms. She sit up and looked around.
"Barnabas?.. Barnabas?!" She got up and go take bathrobe around herself, walking through the house, looking for him.
 "Barnabas!" She called, without getting any answer.
 Anger filled her within few seconds. He had left her again. She made her mind to go and find him, turning around to go get new clothes, she saw him standing right in front of her.
"Where may you be going at this hour?" He asked.
"To find you. Where did you go?" She said.
"Only.. Take life from those poor rabbits I saw running at your backyard." He said, looking at his blood covered nails.
 Angelique sighed in re-leaf and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Did you got enough? I could find someone for you to slaughter."
"I did get quite enough. Perhaps later then."
"Alright. Later."
  Soon doorbell ring and they both turned to look at the door.
"Who might be coming to visit you so early?" Barnabas asked curiously.
"I have no idea." Angelique said and go to the door.
 They both surprised when they saw Roger Collins standing there, David hiding behind his back.
"What you want?" Angelique asked.
"A word with Barnabas. Nothing else."
Angelique looked at Barnabas and stepped aside then, giving them little space.
"Why are you here Roger?" Barnabas asked.
"You.. You told me to leave. I left. And I expected you to look after the family. But what I find when I come to visit my sister? I find exploded manor, my own son sitting there alone and my sister dead!"
Barnabas looked down, "I can understand your feelings Roger.. I did try to protect our family."
"And still I find you here from that Witch.. This is for you" Roger said hatefully, throwing a wooden stake to Barnabas' chest before anyone was able to do anything.
 Angelique looked shocked for while until she turned to look Roger. "You will be sorry for the day you was born. I give you very fast trip to go same place with your sister." She hissed, holding her hand against his chest, over his heart. And with no time, Roger was dead as well as Elizabeth.
 David kept staring at his dead father for while until he run away as fast as he could.
Angelique pulled Roger's body inside and throw it out of her way as she go and kneel down next to Barnabas, pulling the stake out of his chest.
"Barnabas! Barnabas, stay with me. Listen to me! You'll be alright once you get some blood."
"Day..Daylight.. Angelique.. The coffin.."
Angelique looked out of the window. He was right. Sun was rising and Vampires didn't survive well during the day.
She helped him to his feet and walked him to her bedroom, taking coffin from under her bed and opened it for him.
 "Blood.. Blood.."
"I'll bring you blood. Give me a little moment, I get you blood."
"Blood.. Don't.. Leave me, Angel.. " His eyes fell closed.
 Angelique took blood from Roger's body to few glasses and carried them to bedroom, kneeling down next to the coffin.
 "Barnabas.. I have blood. Open your mouth."
He was barely able to move, only the scent of blood making his fangs be bared.
Angelique poured the blood to his mouth, and he seemed to get better enough to open his eyes.
She let him drink all glasses empty and looked at him carefully. "How do you feel?"
"Blood.. Blood.."
"I'll get you more.. Somewhere.. Keep fighting Barnabas, I find you more blood."
 She left quickly, calling one of her workers to come over. Once he did, she broke his neck and took all his blood to bottles.
 "Barnabas, I have more blood for you." She kneel down next to the coffin. "Barnabas? Barnabas open your eyes.. Barnabas!" She opened his lips enough to get some blood to his mouth, but he didn't seem to swallow it anymore.
 "Barnabas! Wake up! Wake up... Barnabas come back to me."
Tears fell down her cheeks as she kept trying to feed him with the blood. Refusing to give up on hope he won't recover.
 

Old wounds dripping blood.

  Sharp knocks against the floor told clearly that Angelique was coming in hallway.
One of security guards grinned to Willie, "She ain't in good mood."
Willie, seemingly totally drunk, looked at the guard, "Is she ever?"
 The door opened and Angelique slammed it closed as she entered the room.
"Why are you here?"
"Just checking."
"Checking what?" Angelique hissed.
Willie looked around the room, "Fancy design. You lady, no doubt you have money"
Angelique run her nail down Willie's cheek, scratching blood dripping wound to his face and he winced.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!! Hey lady! It hurts"
"Too damn good thing you still feel pain. You're going to get a lot more of it if you don't tell me why are you spying on my business." Angelique said, smiling sweetly.
  Willie, whose hands were tied behind his back, was obviously getting nervous.
 Angelique leaned down to whisper coldly to his ear, "Tell me what I want to know.. And you may be saved from Hell on earth"
 Instead of focusing on Angelique's threat, Willie seemed to be fascinated by her looks and femininity.
Angelique slapped his wounded cheek, causing him whimper.
"Last chance. My patience is running out."
"Lady, you ain't have a patience."
Angelique slapped him again, this time scratching few more wounds to his face.
Through Willies whimpering, Angelique leaned towards one of her security guard,
"I want the answer out of him, no matter how, no matter if he'll die afterwards, just get that answer out of him"
Her worker nodded and left to prepare another room for more affective methods to make man speak.
When there was no sign of answer, Angelique nodded to her workers. "Deal with it."
 Couple men nodded, taking hold of Willie's arms and pulled him away.
 Angelique could hear Willie crying out in pain several times before she turned around to leave and go to Collinwood, to find out by herself what her beloved Collins family was up to now.
  As she stopped in front of damaged manor, she heard Elizabeth yelling to David that he must hide.
Angelique smiled. "You couldn't have been more obvious, old woman."
Elizabeth stand still, waiting as she came closer.
"Angelique, now what gives us the pleasure of your visit?"
Angelique smiled wickedly. "My desire to kill the whole family."
Elizabeth got tense but stood still. "You'll never have Barnabas to yourself if you kill us now"
"What makes you think I still want him?"
"You wouldn't have gone through so much trouble if you didn't love him"
"It all was worth it.. To see him fall down on his knees, begging and crying, knowing that he has faced his end."
Elizabeth's eyes got wide. "You loved him!"
"Shh.. Mind the blood pressure old woman." Angelique pressed her hand to Elizabeth's chest, right over the heart. "Listen... The drums. It keeps drumming faster, and faster.. It gets harder, louder.. No, it's you. Your heart. It'll not be able to stand it much longer. Feel it Elizabeth! Feel it beating faster, harder.. Feel it bursting into the flames and explode within you!"
"No!.. Please! No! Help me!" Elizabeth screamed in panic, pain and fear dancing in her wide eyes.
Angelique smiled sweetly, "Don't fight back you fool, it will just get worse if you fight it"
"Please.. Save me.." Elizabeth said desperately.
"Never."
Angelique could see how fear in Elizabeth's eyes turned into pure pain.
Elizabeth tried one last time to get free, but Angelique was too strong, keeping her under the spell.
 At the same moment when Elizabeth fell on her knees, crying out in pain, soon laying on the ground lifeless, Barnabas came to them.
He stood there, watching in shock what just had happened. Then he run to Elizabeth's side, desperately trying to awake her.
"No, no, no.. You cannot be dead. Open your eyes Elizabeth, be so kind.. Open your eyes.."
Nothing happened.
 "You killed her!" He growled to Angelique.
"Good point my love. You shouldn't have try to betray me again."
"Betray you?! I did nothing!" Barnabas answered hatefully, taking tight hold of Angelique's neck.
"Why your drunken servant was spying on Angel Bay then?" She asked, hissing like a snake.
Barnabas blinked, totally confused, loosing his hold of her. "Willie was at your cannery?"
"Yes. Now tell me why and he may stay alive."
"Angelique... I have no idea why he was there.."
"Stop lying to me!"
"I am not lying.. " Barnabas sighed and looked at his dead relative. "May you rest in peace, cousin Elizabeth."
 He run his demonic finger on Elizabeth's cheek until he stand up, facing Angelique. "Stop this now, I beg you. Let my family go, you may do whatever you want for me."
"I want your love. If you're unable to give it, then blame yourself for destroying your own family."
"Angelique! You were so good, you got so much better.. Why you must do this again now?"
"To keep things in order my love. I rule this town now, and no one is going to come in my way. Not even you Barnabas. You either join me, or you lose everything."
Barnabas sighed, "Angelique, reconsider this. We need not open old wounds and-"
"Too late my love. Way too late." Angelique hissed and left back to her car. She heard Barnabas calling her name, but she didn't turn back.
Barnabas was left in his damaged manor, next to his murdered relative.
He sighed heavily and kneel back down to the side of Elizabeth. "Why you had to challenge Angelique so?" He asked from her lifeless face until he picked the corpse into his arms, carrying it farther away to bury her.
 The sight of his dead relative brought so vividly the memory of his dead parents into his mind, that he wouldn't fight back bloody tears that run down to his cheeks.
Only if had been smart enough centuries ago, none of his beloved family members would have suffer.
He let himself bath in his own misery for while until he came to accept cruel fact. No matter what he'd do, Angelique would be always one step ahead of him.
  Angelique's plan was now completed, and Barnabas would be begging her on his knees for rest of his eternal life. That she was going to make sure of.
 Once she got at her house, she took a coffin, placing a curse on it that would capture Barnabas for good, if he ever did even one more mistake towards her. She'd make sure that his prison was total Hell for him.
She sit down and thought about her plan. Now Elizabeth was no longer on her way, but she couldn't underestimate David again. His mother had way too strong affect on her powers.
It had been proven when they had their battle in Collinwood.
 And then there were Victoria and Carolyn. Those little bastards would come back after they notice Carolyn hasn't got back into normal human.
 If Angelique was in luck, Victoria would get killed by Carolyn. Then she had to only worry of Collins bastards, and her own beloved Barnabas.
 Soon her phone ring and she picked it up.
"What?"
"He passed out. We couldn't get any better answer from him but that he met a stranger." She heard her security guard say.
"Stranger?"
"Yes. Some thinks that stranger was the one who ordered this guy here."
"I figured that much out by myself!" Angelique hissed.
"I apologize Miss."
"Good, keep an eye on him. And all suspicious new people around. We will have to find that bastard who sent Collins family servant in my cannery."
"Yes Miss."
 Angelique put her phone away. "Well my beloved Barnabas, that got your punishment little milder."
It still didn't mean she didn't need perfect plan to capture Barnabas and destroy his family. And that was exactly what she was going to do.

Plans failed

 
 "Will you accept?" Barnabas asked.
"You still haven't answered my question, and I need your answer before I can give mine."
Barnabas sighed, he should have known that nothing was simple with Angelique.
"I do not marry you only because the deal we made. Your... Actions lately, are proven that you are getting better. As.. As you were, when I fell in love with you."
"So you love me?"
"I... Yes, I do."
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "If you'd love me, you wouldn't hesitate to say it like you just did."
"I only thought of that.. I am falling in love with you again. All the same I still love you at the moment."
"What about tomorrow? Will you love me then? Or is it just moments here and there when you love me?"
"Angelique.. Do not make this so difficult. I love you. Is that not what you wished?"
"It was, and still is."
"Then accept my proposal."
 Angelique took deep breath, "Fine, I accept it. Lets see if you really do love me enough to marry me."
"Is this... A test?" Barnabas asked, raising eyebrow curiously.
"So to speak."
"Hm.. Strange woman." Barnabas said and turned to leave.
"Where you're going?"
"To inform my family of wedding to come." Barnabas said, nodded shortly for goodbye and left.
 Angelique looked after him for while. "Oh no, you don't... You don't make it so easy for me to get you.. Whatever you're planning Barnabas Collins, it will not work. And you indeed will be mine."
 
   .... Angelique pulled her long dark hair up and looked at her reflection from old dusty piece of mirror. She didn't really feel like going to kitchen and start yet again to make breakfast for Collins family.
She had been feeling strange few days now and she doubt all the hurry and stress did no good for her situation.
 "Angelique, goodness sake you came." Old Mrs.Bennett whispered to Angelique.
Angelique lowered her head a bit, "Why? Has something happened?" She asked whispering.
Mrs.Bennett nodded, "Mr. and Mrs. Collins are going to sell two of us to this old couple who has just arrived."
Angelique looked at older woman, "Sell us?"
"Yes, this couple is going to move to countryside and they need two servants. Master had promised to sell two from Collinwood."
Angelique rolled her eyes, "Like Collins family didn't have money enough..."
Mrs.Bennett laughed, "Yes, yes, but so has this couple. You see they has no children. They most probably shall leave their house to maids after they die. I have a feeling you will soon get new home Angelique"
"What, why me?"
"You're young and most beautiful of us. They could easily even say you are their daughter. Yes, yes my dear, you have fine face and lovely form that you carry with pride. They will surely take you with them."
Angelique looked away, "I don't want new home. Collinwood is my home."
Mrs.Bennett nodded, "Such change may feel frightening, but trust me child, it will be best thing that has ever happened to you."
 "I dare to doubt that." Angelique said, suddenly feeling more sick than earlier. "Excuse me.." She run to nearest bathroom but even she felt really sick, nothing happened.
She leaned against the wall and held her both hands on her stomach, thinking hardly what all she had eaten past few days. Could she have eaten something that was not anymore good to eat.
 Nothing came into her mind and she go back to kitchen.
Mrs.Bennett seemed to know right away what was going on, "Angelique.." She whispered, pulling Angelique aside, "Who is it?"
"Who is what?"
"Angelique. Don't try to fool me, I have lived that through too when I got my son."
Angelique stepped back, "Excuse me?"
"For god's sake Angelique, you are pregnant."
"What?! I'm not. I can't, it's... It's.. Impossible."
"Come, come now child, you don't notice it by yourself but I do notice that you have acted very strangely past few days. It must have been few weeks since you.. You were-"
"Right, I got the point Mrs.Bennett." Angelique said quickly. She didn't want to hear about her own love life from others.
"So who is it?"
"N-no one you know.. I just.. Met someone while I was going to town to get more food."
"And you end up sleeping with him? A man you didn't know? Angelique, I know you're better than that.. It's Young Master Barnabas, isn't it?"
"No! It's not. He has nothing to do with it." Angelique said and left.
   Indeed, later that day, all servants were called to dining room and old couple watched carefully all of them.
Angelique who was serving tea for these visitors, could easily notice that old man hardly could get his eyes off of her.
 "I am terribly sorry I am late" Barnabas said as he came to dining room and sit down. "At the Company, there was little error to solve, but now everything is working as usually."
Barnabas' father looked proud of his son, "Our Barnabas here leads our company by himself. Of course I help him as much as I can, but I also know that our business is in good hands when my wife and I are traveling."
 Old couple looked at Barnabas, who smiled charmingly, "My father is flattering me. I only try my best."
 Angelique brought him teacup and poured some tea.
Barnabas looked at her and nodded his thanks to her as she left again.
 His father cleared his throat, "Barnabas, this gentleman and his lovely wife has come to buy few of our servants."
Barnabas looked at his father, "Our servants?" He looked at the couple and smiled a bit, "I apologize, I was not aware of this. I am little confused."
 "That girl looks like something we are looking for." Old man said, pointing to Angelique who brought tray of pies to table.
"What, me?" She asked, looking slightly shocked.
"Yes, you my dear." Old man said.
Angelique looked at all Collinses one after another to find support from them so she didn't have to go.
Finally her pleading looks did a trick to Barnabas, who cleared his throat.
"I'm afraid, my good gentleman, that Angelique is not for sale. She has been with us very early on and she is trusted to stay with us to take a lead to our other servants in time." He said, sounding very business like.
 "What a pity." Old man said.
Angelique managed to smile a bit and left the room.
 "I told you they would pick you." Mrs.Bennett said.
"Collinwood is my home." Angelique said and left to her own room.
Later that evening Barnabas came to her room.
"It was close." He sighed and sit down to her bed.
"Yes, it was. Your parents would have love to sell me."
"Indeed they would. You are young, you would have been treasure for them."
"My place is here. With you."
Barnabas smiled a bit, "Your loyalty is admirable."
Angelique wrapped her arms around him, "Hold me Barnabas.. Please hold me. Just for while."
Barnabas pulled her into tight embrace, burying his face to her hair.
 Angelique closed her eyes for while, imagining already how they could be happy family once she gives a birth to his child. She didn't dare to say a word to him yet, but she was sure he would be excited once he'd find out. She just didn't know how terribly wrong her plan would go....

  She snapped out of her memories when her phone ring.
"Yes?"
"Miss Bouchard, security guard has catch suspicious man spying from our windows and trying to get into your office."
"Is there any idea who he is?" Angelique asked.
"His name is Willie Loomis."
Angelique hissed angrily, "I will be right there." She said and left.
Collins family was still trying to ruin her plans, just when she thought for little moment that everything would be fine and she and Barnabas could become the family she's always dreamed about.
 "They'll pay for this. Everything is allowed in love and war.. And this is both"

Dream or not

   ... "Let me hear you say I love you Angelique.. I want you"
"Angelique... I'm sorry my dear but, you'd be hearing a lie"
Angelique opened her eyes. It had been 50 years since Barnabas was buried and she still saw dreams of him. Usually they were good, but now she had been seeing nightmares of the day when he broke her heart. 

 She got up and go to get glass of water.
It was still way too early to go to see how her business was going at the Angel Bay, so she go back to her bedroom and choose beautiful, classy dress to wear.
 She did her hair elegantly curly and looked at herself from mirror for while, trying to smile to herself, with not so great success.
 She turned around and took her keys, going out.
Without really even thinking about it, she soon found herself walking to the direction of Barnabas' grave.
She wondered could he actually sense her presence if she really tried to reach for him? Could he hear her?
Did he ever even thought about her?
 When she finally came to the spot where Barnabas was buried, she kneel down and gently touched the ground, knowing Barnabas was right under.
 "Can you hear me my love? Can you feel me?... 50 years has passed and here we are. I can't forget you.. Only if you'd have loved me, none of this would have happen.. One day, I'll give you another chance. I'll come to get you.. Rest now my love, rest, under this cold ground."
 She stand up and sighed. It felt surprisingly difficult to leave him there again.
She wished she could see him. Just once. Touch him. Maybe give a kiss to him.
Knowing all that was impossible, she left back home, recalling all their moments together....

"Miss Bouchard? Miss Bouchard, are you listening?"
Angelique blinked, "Yes, what?"
Her workers looked at her like wondering if she was alright.
"What?" She hissed. She wasn't really in mood to explain herself anyhow.
"We.. We were telling you how our ship has been fixed little earlier than expected. This is good news Miss Bouchard."
"Of course it is.. Is it all you needed to say?"
"Yes.. "
"Good. I'm going home. I'm tired. Hawkins is in order if something happens." She said, taking her car keys and leaving, not caring about that her workers were looking after her like she had just told them something very strange.
 She got into her car and drive right away to Collinwood.
"Angelique! What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked. Clearly not happy to see her.
"Go away old woman, I didn't come here to see you."
"You came for Barnabas." Elizabeth said with mocking voice.
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "Where is he?"
Elizabeth seemed to enjoy the moment. "He's taking Vicky and Carolyn to the train."
 Angelique hissed and left again so fast Elizabeth hardly got to see her fancy car other than lights disappearing to the horizon.
 She didn't need to go far, Barnabas was already on his way back home.
She stopped the car and got out.
"Barnabas!"
He looked up and saw Angelique coming towards him. "Angelique.. What may you be wanting?"
He raised his eyebrow curiously when she didn't say anything, simply kept coming towards him until they finally met and she wrapper her arms around his neck, kissing him.
Barnabas blinked few times until he accepted her affections, slowly wrapping his arms around her.
 "Hmm, I missed you" Angelique said softly when she finally break the kiss.
Barnabas blinked his eyes open, "And that is why you were looking for me?"
"Yes. Do I need any better reason to look for you?"
"No.. No. Of course not." He shake his head and cleared his throat, "Angelique, we.. We need to talk. Alone. As soon as.. Possible."
Angelique looked curious now, "Why?"
"We just need to. I have important manner to discus with you about."
"Hm, well. You could come to me tonight and I can make us a bath. Have some wine..."
"I need you sober. What I am going to talk with you about must be taken more seriously than you are able to when you have had wine."
Angelique laughed, "What so important you'd ever have to say to me that I couldn't have some wine? Are you planning to take over the world?"
Barnabas seemed uncomfortable with her sarcasm. "No.. I have important things to say."
 "That you want me to turn you back to mortal?"
"It is one of them. Not the main reason why we must talk, I know already you are not willing to do it."
Angelique was getting restless, "Don't keep me waiting Barnabas, I don't like it. Just say what you have to say."
Barnabas shake his head, "Tonight. I shall come at 9.00 PM. Do not drink before I arrive. I do need you sober."
 He let her go and kept walking, leaving her look after him.
She sighed and got back in her car, driving towards her house.
When she finally stopped in front of the building, she got out and watched her house for while. She didn't really get it why Barnabas won't live with her there. It was beautiful house.
 Getting in, she go to her bedroom and lay down on her bed, closing her eyes for while.
It had felt good to kiss him after so long time, still she wished she could snuggle close to him and let him hold her forever. She didn't necessarily need them to get naughty, but she wanted to be near to him.
 Without really noticing it, she fell asleep, waking up next time when her doorbell ring.
She sit up, wondering if she had imagined it.
Hearing knocking from the door and Barnabas calling her name, she got up quickly and checked herself from mirror before going to open the door.
 "Where were you? I do hope you have not been drinking"
"I.. I fell asleep. It was stressful day at work."
"Ah, then that is quite alright." Barnabas nodded and got inside.
Angelique closed the door and followed him to living room. "Now what is that so important thing you need to talk with me about?"
 "Patience is not your best ability" Barnabas smiled.
Angelique shoot him sharp look and he quickly said: "I recall you were planning to travel."
"Yes, why?"
"I would like to join you."
"Join me?"
"Yes. I would like to go to Liverpool, see if there might be any of our relatives left."
"I'm not planning to go anywhere near there."
 Barnabas sighed. "Why would you not?"
"I have no business to go there. My interest is in other places." Angelique said simply and left to kitchen.
Barnabas followed her and growled under his breath, taking the glass she had taken. "You have not even listened the rest of what I have to say!"
"How much more you might have to say that I haven't heard before?! I will not release you from your curse, nor get you to Liverpool." She asked and took wine bottle from freezer.
Barnabas took the bottle from her and throw it away.
"Hey!" Angelique watched glass bottle break and wine stain her carpets. "You bastard! Look what mess it made!"
"It is small worry Angelique, now listen to me!" Barnabas said, taking hold of her arm and taking her back to living room.
Angelique sighed, "Could you finally get into the point?"
"Yes, if you are listening."
"Well you didn't exactly give me very many options, so I am."
Barnabas cleared his throat and seemed slightly uncomfortable. "I.. I would like to.. Suggest a day for.. Our marriage."
Angelique blinked few times, her heart skipping a beat until her brain told her not to take him too seriously.
"Right.. That day I doubt we will ever see."
Barnabas looked at her in shock, "You are... Refusing?"
"Refusing what?"
"To marry me."
"You're not serious. You don't love me."
Barnabas looked down, "I may have.. Acted the way that may lead you to believe I am lacking of love for you, but.. In a way, I do love you."
Angelique looked at him for while, million thoughts and memories running circle in her mind, trying to find some excuse he's trick her now to think her loved her.
"You want to marry me?"
"I do. It was.. Our deal."
"Right.. The deal." Angelique turned to leave again but her took hold of her hand. "Angelique, are you not.. going to accept my proposal?"
"Of course I would, if it was real" She said and pulled her hand free.
She didn't get to go very far until her catches  her again, lifting her up into his arms and kissing her gently.
Angelique closed her eyes, finding herself thinking if that was a dream, she didn't want to wake up.

Wish of a kiss

 
  Barnabas knew Angelique had something to do with that Victoria was leaving, and especially with Carolyn.
He was noticed the moon being nearly full, and something alarmed in his mind that Angelique had planned that all along. Making Victoria travel with Carolyn alone when she turned into her wolf form and lost control.
 He had not yet got Angelique alone with him for long time enough to make her stop her plan, but he was going to. He had successfully got Elizabeth to keep girls from leaving before week was out.
It was Friday already, one more night until full moon and girls were about to leave next morning.
   Angelique heard noises from hallway and looked up from her papers.
"Mr.Collins, you can't go there now! She does not have ti-"
The door opened and Barnabas walked right in front of her desk.
Her worker came to the doorway, "I'm sorry Miss Bouchard, I couldn't stop him."
Angelique nodded, "It's quite alright. I have little moment. Close the door."
When door closed, Barnabas took hold of Angelique's neck. "You planned to kill Victoria. Now stop your cruel plan!"
Angelique took hold of his wrist and pushed him away. "Didn't your dear Doggie tell you whole story?"
"Whole story?" Barnabas repeated slightly confused and sit down.
"Yes. I made a deal with Carolyn. She keeps Victoria Winters away from Collinsport, and I release her from her curse. I let them go Barnabas. They travel together like teenagers these days usually do. See the world and find friends and learn new things. Does that sound like I'm trying to kill them?"
 Barnabas looked completely surprised. "Why would you let them go so.. Easily?"
"For you my love." Angelique said simply. "I want Victoria away from you, and you don't want me to kill her. So I sent her away. She'll live full and healthy life else where, and I don't need to bother my thoughts with her. As for Carolyn.. I release her against the favor that she keeps Victoria away. If they return to Collinsport, her curse will return to her."
 "Now that makes more sense.. Yet, it still surprises me you allow them leave unharmed."
"I promised you I will get better, didn't I?"
"Indeed. But you will not... Release me?"
Angelique sighed and looked out of the window. "You know what it takes to make me even consider releasing you."
 Barnabas nodded, looking down at his demonic hands, "a Marriage."
"Proposal is enough for start."
"Yes.. But with no attentions to get married, it is useless to propose."
Angelique looked at him, "You're not going to marry me at all?"
Barnabas looked at her, realizing few seconds too late that he had made huge mistake. "No, no! I didn't mean it that way.. I mean.. I don't know yet when... And I won't-"
Angelique stand up and pointed the door, "Get out before I make sure that your beloved Victoria is no longer in condition to move even her finger."
Barnabas swallowed, "Angelique, we will be married, but I do not know yet when!"
"Don't test my patience Barnabas, you're already pushing it over the edge."
Barnabas looked down, "I am sorry."
"It's quite not enough anymore."
He sighed heavily and left. He should have known that Angelique would easily misunderstand him.
He should have thought more carefully what to say.
  Angelique sit back down to her chair and sighed, massaging her temples.
Why Barnabas had to play around with her? As if he didn't care about her feelings at all.
She turned to look through the window as Barnabas walked away from Angel Bay. Her fingers touched her lips unconsciously and she sighed. She couldn't even remember when he had last time kissed her as he used to kiss her when they were happy, so very long time ago.

 .... It was Christmas Eve. Angelique and all other maids were spent all day in kitchen, preparing the Christmas dinner to Collins family. Hard work it was, constantly keeping them busy, but all Angelique was able to think was her gift to Barnabas. Sure she didn't have money, nor she had any chance to go to the town even if she had, but she still wanted to give him something.
 When all was ready they left to their chambers one after another. Angelique leaving the last, making sure everything was ready for the morning when they started the same project again.
 She stretched her arms and her back before she walked downstairs to her chamber.
"Finally. I thought you never come." She heard familiar voice and felt arms coming around her waist.
"Barnabas! What are you doing here?" She asked perfectly surprised and she turned to look at him.
"I came to see you."
"See me?"
"Yes. Come to my room Angelique, I wish for your company."
"I don't know Barnabas... I have to wake up really early and-"
"So do I. We go to the town after breakfast, so much to do before we can come home to Christmas dinner."
Angelique sighed, "Fine, but don't be surprised if I'm gone when you wake up"
Barnabas smiled, "I will hold on to you so that will not happen"
Angelique couldn't help but smile.
They go to Barnabas' room and he locked the door. "Now we are safe."
"Safe? From what?"
"From the world to see us." Barnabas answered and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her lips gently.
"Sometimes I wish that we won't need to hide." Angelique said softly.
"I wish that too. But there is no much we can do about it."
Angelique held her tongue from saying that he could perfectly well do something about it.
 Barnabas still seemed to know what she was thinking. "I wish I could.. But you know how huge mess it would be. I am not ready for that."
Angelique smiled a bit, "Of course.."
He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. "I have a gift for you."
"Me?"
"Of course, who else?" He laughed.
Angelique looked shamed of herself. She still didn't know what to give to him, and he had already found something for her.
"Angelique? What is the matter?" Barnabas asked, sitting down next to her and placing his finger under her chin to make her look at him.
 "Nothing." She smiled a bit.
"I am not accepting that answer, I know something is bothering you."
Angelique shake her head, trying to hide her smile, "You know me too well."
"So share your burden." Barnabas smiled.
"It's just... I have some troubles to.. prepare my gift for you. Makes me feel like a fool."
 Barnabas laughed, "Good god Angelique, that is not a problem you need to worry about."
Angelique felt her cheeks getting warm, "I'm sorry."
Barnabas placed him hand to her cheek, caressing her face gently. "You are the gift I most wish for."
"I am?"
"You are." He nodded.
Angelique smiled, "Your wish will be granted."
"Perfect." Barnabas smiled and kissed her.
   Indeed Angelique was long gone by the time Barnabas finally woke up, and he didn't have a chance to see her until much later, right before his dinner with his family.
 "Come to my room when you are finished." He whispered to her when she brought food to the table with other servants.
She nodded slightly and kept working.
It was nearly midnight when she got to leave from kitchen and go to Barnabas' room.
She knocked carefully and waited until he opened.
"Perfect, come in." He smiled.
She entered the room and surprised to see roses everywhere and couple glass of wine, sparkling red with candle light.
 Barnabas gave her a glass, "Merry Christmas Angelique."
"Merry Christmas Barnabas."
They took small sips from their wine until Barnabas took hold of her hand, leading her to his bathroom.
"Bath with me."
Angelique looked around small bathroom and smiled. "Gladly."
  Sitting there, in hot bath water and sipping wine, Angelique felt some kind of wave of exhaustion and closed her eyes for while. She had worked two days without time to sleep much, without chance to relax at all.
 Barnabas touched her cheek, "Angelique?"
She opened her eyes and smiled to him, "Yes?"
"Are you tired?" He asked, studying her eyes.
"No. Not really. It's just that, I haven't had time to relax past few days, it feels so good to be here without any hurry."
 Barnabas smiled, "Indeed, we have no hurry."
"Good. I'd hate to ruin our perfect moment."
"You have read my thoughts."
 They drink their wine and placed the glasses to the floor.
"I figured out perfect gift for you." Angelique said, leaning towards him.
"You did? What may be that?"
"A bath.. "She smiled, kissing his lips softly until placed gentle kisses down his neck, "With love."
 Barnabas' eyes fell  closed, "Indeed.. Perfect gift." He admitted.
 She smiled of her plan working so well, playfully biting his skin.
He groaned slightly and pulled her into loving kiss. "Now I feel fool, my gift for you isn't as good as this"
"You are best gift I could get."
He laughed gently and kissed her, "Your wish will be granted." ....

  Angelique sighed and shake her head, trying to focus on her work. She shouldn't be thinking about Barnabas like that middle of work day. It messed with her thoughts way too much.
 Being in love was her weakness, but if she ought of living without him again, her heart was about to shatter.
 How can one man in whole world make her so messed up, and so in love she's ready to do anything?
Right now she could have give anything to get Barnabas back there and simply kiss her. But she knew he would not do that. Not when he was so sure she was trying to kill his precious Vicky.
So she decided to take small break until the feeling of needing him would pass by and she could focus on her work again.

Lose something good to get better, or other way around

  Collins family was expecting Angelique to release them from their curses now as she held great gratitude for them, but Angelique hadn't do anything to make their life easier.
 Elizabeth was getting angry to Barnabas for defending Angelique.
"She is busy at the moment, she will keep her promise." He kept telling them.
Barnabas himself had drown into his quilt of nearly killing Victoria. She was still in hospital, but as Carolyn had visited her, she had seemed to be alright.
 By Carolyn's words, Victoria had looked tired and somewhat sad. Barnabas could blame himself for that. Victoria had sacrificed herself for him twice already, but he was still about to leave her forever to join Angelique.
 When it was nearly night of full moon, Carolyn walked into Angelique's office by herself.
 Angelique looked up from the papers as she heard the door opening.
"Well, what you want, Dog?"
Carolyn slammed the door closed, "You promised us to release us from the curse!"
"Calm down Doggie, I'm busy woman." Angelique smiled, obviously enjoying to see Carolyn in such frustrated statement.
 "You promised!"
"And Barnabas promised to marry me, yet he hasn't proposed me."
Carolyn looked at Angelique with wide eyes. "don't tell me that was your condition to release us"
"It was, and it still is."
Carolyn sighed, "Look, my life sucks already, I don't mind if he marries you. Our family is crazy enough already. One witch in family tree doesn't bother me. Okay you got my blessing, now can't you just release me, okay?"
 Angelique laughed and Carolyn seemed to get somewhat smaller.
"Obviously not.." She said.
"No, Carolyn. I don't need your blessing for anything." Angelique laughed.
Carolyn looked down, "Well, if I ask Vicky to take me to New York? I could live with Vicky... Well, at least for while.. Mom might let me go if Vicky is babysitting me.. You could get rid of Vicky. Barnabas wouldn't have her around then."
 Angelique watched Carolyn for while, "And how you're going to make that happen?"
"Well.. I don't know yet! come on, it was just suggestion! I will figure out something if you release me from this damn curse."
 "Hm... Fine then, I will release you.. If you get Victoria Winters away from Collinsport, and keep her away. Because if she comes back, she dies. And your curse will return."
Carolyn swallowed and kept looking at Angelique. "O-okay.. I can always come and make new deal with you."
 Angelique smiled, "What makes you think you have anything I would want then?"
Carolyn didn't know what to say, so she turned to leave. "Well I go see Vicky, and make a plan to leave.."
Angelique nodded, "Once Victoria Winters is out of Collinsport, you will be released. If she comes back, your curse return to you"
"Damn fair game witch..." Carolyn said more to herself than to Angelique.
Angelique smiled and watched from window as Carolyn walked towards Collinsport hospital.
"Go my little Doggie, I never said when you will be released... Only that you will, when Victoria is gone. By that time.. Ups, you may have killed her already."
     When Angelique was finished with her work, she turn lights off and took her car keys from her handbag, but when she locked the door and turned to walk towards her car, she saw male figure waiting for her next to her car.
 She narrowed her eyes and walked closer.
"You should not work so late without any guardians around." Familiar voice said.
Angelique sighed and go to the car. "What are you doing here Thomas?"
"I came to make sure that Collins doesn't hurt you. I saw his family member walk out there and thought he may be coming too."
"Barnabas is not going to hurt me again. And I can handle him by myself."
"You need wooden stake to handle him."
"No!" Angelique hissed coldly.
"He's dangerous! If you think about the best of these people who worship you, you would get rid of him!"
"I can control him."
"How? With chains and coffins?"
"By turning him to human."
"Wha-?!" Thomas stepped one step back. "You're not going to turn him into a human... Are you?"
Angelique massaged her temples, "Maybe. I don't know.. "
 "Angelique!" Another voice called.
"Perfect.." Angelique sighed.
Barnabas came from shadows, "Is this true... Are you-?" He swallowed, asking more carefully, "Are you going to release me?"
 Thomas took wooden stake him his pocket, "You're not going to find that out Collins!"
"Thomas don't!" Angelique hissed, taking tight hold of his wrist.
Thomas looked at his wrist, soon trying to pull himself free. "No, no, no.. Stop it! Stop it!"
Barnabas looked at the man and then his wrist Angelique was holding.
His hand had deep burning marks that spread to his hand and up his arm. Slowly but surely causing serious burnings to his flesh like he had kept his hand in fire.
 Barnabas looked at Angelique, she seemed beyond angry. Her hatred, that Barnabas had witnessed so many times and so many ways, was taken over her. Barnabas couldn't still exactly judge her to be evil because of it now. She was protecting him. She did love him, in her own way that he had yet to learn understand completely.
 "Angelique.." He called softly, gently taking hold of her arm. "Let him go."
Angelique looked at Barnabas and opened her mouth first to protest, until slowly letting go of Thomas who held his burned arm like a baby.
 "He will tell-"
"No. He will not." Barnabas said and turned to look at the man, reaching out his hand to hypnotize him.
"That trick will not work!" Thomas growled, trying to attack on Barnabas again.
Before Angelique was able to do or say anything, Barnabas had sink his fangs into Thomas' neck.
With no time, Thomas was dead and Barnabas let his body drop to the ground.
 Angelique looked at the body for while before looked at Barnabas, gently wiping the blood from his chin and lips.
"You tried."
Barnabas nodded. She understood his quilt and pain of killing people, even she never showed it.
"I tried.."
"I know." Angelique said softly, leaning against him and wrap her arm around him to comforting hug.
 Slowly he wrapped his arms around her too, holding her tightly.
"Turn me into human Angelique... I beg."
"Will you marry me?"
"Angelique... I do not want my proposal to be so.. Unromantic."
Angelique pulled back, "Then no. I will not turn you into human"
Barnabas took her hands into his own, "Angelique! I said I won't ever marry you. I meant.. I want to make my proposal in a way that you will be happy to remember. This.. This is not right way to do it."
 "I'll think about your releasing then again. Good night Barnabas." Angelique said and got into her car, soon driving out of his sight.
Barnabas sighed. "Stubborn woman..." He cursed and left back to Collinwood.

 .... "Father, you promised we would have dinner with-"
"I know, I'm sorry son. You understand I have my duties. Perhaps next Sunday."
Barnabas watched as his father got on back of the horse and left.
"And then next Sunday, and then next Sunday..." He said and kicked nearest little rock like teenager who hasn't got what he wanted.
 Barnabas looked Collinwood, wondering would he become a father like his own father. He shake his head and walked back inside.
 "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see-"
"No, I apologize it's my fa-.. Angelique." Barnabas smiled. "I thought you were sent to the town."
"No, I wasn't. Your father told me to go there next week. He go now."
"I know.."
Angelique watched him carefully, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes.. "Barnabas smiled a bit, waving his hand like it was nothing. "I'm just.. Thoughtful."
Angelique raised eyebrow, "Thoughtful? You expect me to believe that?"
Barnabas sighed, but smiled still, "Why must you know me so well?"
 Angelique smiled, "You know why."
"Hm, I think so... Come, I need another dancing lesson."
Angelique laughed, "I sense a slight excuse hidden in that line Master Barnabas."
"Your senses are too good then. I didn't notice it." Barnabas winked and lead her to his room...

 Barnabas stopped in front of Collinwood. He wished he could build it back to its former glory, but now, he didn't have such fortune.  Angelique was his only hope to get so much money to build it back, but she wasn't going to help him with that very easily, if he knew her right.
 "Barnabas!" He heard voice calling.
He turned around and smiled, "Ah, Victoria! Thank god you have recovered."
Victoria came to him and smiled sadly. "How are you?" She asked softly.
"I am very glad to see you so well." Barnabas said. "But why is such sadness in your eyes?"
Victoria looked down for while and then back to Barnabas. "I'm going to go back to New York. With Carolyn."
 Barnabas looked shocked, "Absolutely not! Victoria.. Sweet Victoria, you mustn't ever go back to place that has caused such terrible pain for you."
"I will be alright. No one knows me really. And Carolyn will be with me."
Barnabas felt tears rising to his eyes, "Do not go. Please.. Stay. David needs your assistance."
"Barnabas... I have nothing left to stay.. Something was pulling me here for a reason. You were that reason Barnabas. Now, you have your own way to go with Angelique.. I have nothing left." Victoria said, tear falling down her cheek. She leaned closer to him and kissed his cheek lightly. "Goodbye Barnabas"
  "Victoria, no! Don't leave... Don't leave me.." Barnabas called after her, but she kept walking. Obviously going to pack. Blood tear run down his own cheek. He had once again lost his beloved one.

As they used to be

  Victoria had taken care of Elizabeth and Carolyn by the time Barnabas was opening his eyes.
He looked around, trying to say something Victoria couldn't exactly understand.
She kneel down next to him, studying his eyes.
"Barnabas? Barnabas, can you hear me? Do you see me?"
"Josette?"
Victoria smiled a little, "Close enough." She helped Barnabas to sit.
Barnabas covered his eyes with his hand, suddenly falling back to lay down.
"Barnabas!" Victoria looked around, trying to figure out something to help him.
"Barnabas, listen.. You need blood, right? You haven't had any for too long time." She held her wrist for him to bite but he pushed her hand away, "No.. No.. I might- " He shake his head and looked around the room dizzily.
Victoria sighed and looked around. Angelique was laying on the floor, still unconscious.
She smiled then, reaching out to touch Angelique's hand.
"Perfect.." She whispered to herself, using Angelique's nails to make bleeding wound to her wrist before she pulled back and held her hand out for Barnabas.
"You need blood Barnabas. You won't harm me. You don't. I know it."
Barnabas winced and pulled back, "No! No! Get it away from me!"
"No! Barnabas you have to feed!" Victoria said stubbornly, pressing her wrist against his lips.
Barnabas wasn't able fight against his thirst for long. He bared his fangs, sinking them deep into Victoria's wrist, causing her cry out in pain.
Obviously Victoria haven't thought of that he was in not condition to fight against his Vampire-nature even if he didn't want to hurt her. He held her arm too tightly for her to even try to pull back, feeding from her blood, soon making her dizzy with blood loss.
 Victoria tried to call his name, ask him to stop, but he didn't seem to hear her.
She watched him feeding hungrily and smiled a bit, before she fell unconscious against his shoulder.
Barnabas felt her falling against him and he stopped for while, soon pulling his fangs from her wrist.
"Victoria! Victoria!" He shake her gently, trying to wake her up, pulling her into his arms.
"Victoria.. Sweet Victoria.. " He run his finger against her cheek,  remembering the night when she had turned into a Vampire. They were meant to be together forever.
 He blinked his eyes and looked around for Angelique.
The Witch was still dead to the world.
He lay Victoria down to the floor gently, going to Angelique and shake her a bit.
"Angelique.. Angelique.. I need your help. Awaken Angelique!"
"Hm... It hurts.."
Barnabas lean down closer to her, "What?"
"Hurts.." Angelique said and opened her eyes for while, soon closing them again.
"What hurts? Angelique, you must help. Victoria- she, she needs your help! She.. She offered her blood.. I- I couldn't.. Stop, in time."
"You killed her?"
"No! No.. Her heart beats still. You must help her."
"Barnabas I can't bring her back from the dead. She'd be zombie. She wouldn't be Victoria you knew."
"She is not dead yet! Help her!"
Elizabeth stepped closer, "I will take her to the hospital. They can give her more blood in her system there."
Barnabas looked up to her, "Thank you."
"Look after Carolyn, she is sleeping now." Elizabeth said and go to pull Victoria with her to the car.
Barnabas nodded, looking at Carolyn who was sleeping on comfortable chair until he looked back to Angelique.
 "You must be healed Angelique."
"Must be?... Then I'm not living up to your rules Barnabas.."
Barnabas pulled her to sit up, seeing that the hole in her chest wasn't got any better. In fact, her usual hollow body was now as ordinary human body, and the wound in her chest was bleeding.
"How-? Angelique, what happened?"
Angelique looked down at her chest, "Perfect... She took my ability to heal myself."
"She took your powers?"
"No.. Just my ability to heal myself."
"How?"
"Distracting my powers! That's how. I have my powers.. Otherwise I would be dead by now. They are just not.. Not working as they used to be... It's like memory loss. You have to start learning again, then you remember a little and a little more, in the end you get the memory back. Now my powers has lost its memory how to heal me."
Barnabas didn't seem to listen, his fangs were bared and he watched carefully the bleeding wound on her chest.
"Barnabas?" Angelique looked up to him, seeing him ready to attack on her. She knew it was useless to try to talk to him, he was still poisoned by werewolf and his need for blood was strong enough to make him forget who he was.
 She pulled back slowly, not breaking eye contact with him until she was few steps away from him.
She stand up and stepped to the hallway, slamming the door closed just in time to feel Barnabas hit himself against the door.
 "This is like those pathetic action movies... Trying to escape from Vampire.. "Angelique sighed and tried to keep the door closed.
 She looked around, trying to find anything to help her. The wound was making her weaker and she wouldn't be able to keep Barnabas away for long.
"Bats... Vampires are- bats... Well, in a way" She took bright flashlight and tested that it works.
When Barnabas break down the door, she pointed bright light to his face.
 He stepped back few steps, covering his face. Obviously fearing it was sunlight.
 "Barnabas?"
He looked at her carefully, "What is that thing?!"
Angelique shut down flashlight and came to him. "It's just light.. "
 "I highly dislike it." Barnabas said.
"Back to your own self again."
"I.. I couldn't help it.. I.." He looked down, obviously shamed of himself.
"You are a Vampire. Poisoned by Werewolf. You need more blood... You should go. Go out and slaughter half of the town."
"No.. I must not. You are wounded."
"And you are compelled to slaughter me. It will not help me"
He sighed. Angelique knew that his nature was fighting against his own desire to kill.
 "Barnabas, go. You get enough blood, then you will be able to help me. I will be fine.. In time"
He looked at her for while and nodded, "Very well.." He left quickly, leaving Angelique leaning against the wall in her weakened state.
 She looked after him, remembering how he always had been so dedicated to help others.
He had always put other before himself. Just like she had done before everything had gone wrong.
 She fell to sit down to the floor and covered her wound with her hand. Her heart was beating slower now.
She sighed and closed her eyes, sinking into her own memories.

  ... "Mrs.Collins, I'm sure he will come back before- Before The time." Angelique said, trying to make Mrs.Collins stop her hysterical crying.
 "No, he doesn't! Work, always work! He doesn't care!"
Angelique sighed. She knew how hard it was to lose a child, but she didn't understand why Mrs.Collins hadn't told her husband. She would have tell Barnabas about their lost child if she could, but it would have bring even more problems. Mrs.Collins on the other hand, was perfectly able to tell her husband and get his support.
 Then again, he might blame Mrs.Collins just more. She had drunk way too much while carrying the child. Now it was dead.
 Little baby girl had stayed alive two and half hours after she was born. Then it stopped breathing, eventually dying.
 Angelique was only maid Mrs.Collins had told about it. Only because Angelique had been with her when the child was going to born. How Mrs.Collins has kept her pregnancy a secret, that Angelique didn't know, but she was quite sure that Mrs.Collins had been aware that too much drinking would make baby sick, just like it made Mrs.Collins herself sick.
 "Have you paid doctor visits Mrs.Collins?"
"Few times... He said it is not growing strong enough. That I should eat more. But somehow it didn't help!"
Angelique rubbed her forehead. "Perhaps... You have vomit all out too soon."
Mrs.Collins looked at her hurt look in her eyes.
"I mean- Carrying a baby makes you feel sick in mornings- sometimes whole day, am I right?"
"Oh, yes.. Yes, yes.. It does." Mrs.Collins nodded, "Maybe I should have try to eat more even if I felt bad."
 "Maybe." Angelique nodded thoughtfully. "But there's no way of knowing now. It's too late."
Mrs.Collins started to cry again, "All too late!"
Angelique sighed, she had no idea what to do.
"Angelique, you must bury her to the forest."
 "What, me?" Angelique shocked. "No, Mrs.Collins... We should let priest keep her funeral. I mean.. It is your child, still. Even in death, it is your child. You should allow her to be blessed and sent her to her final journey safely."
 "Then come, you carry her. We go to the priest now." Mrs.Collins said.
Angelique looked at the dead baby and wrap blankets around it before lifting it into her arms, fighting back her tears or the memory of her own child loss.
   "Mother? Miss Bouchard? What is going on?" Barnabas asked as he saw two women in hallway.
Mrs.Collins looked at Angelique, clearly sending message to younger woman to make up a lie to satisfy Barnabas' curiosity.
"We... We are taking this gift to the priest, in town. Mrs.Collins has told me there has come new priest little time ago, and we are going to wish him welcome."
"May I join you?" Barnabas asked.
"Not now darling." Mrs.Collins said, pulling Angelique with her.
 Angelique looked down all the way to the town. She have never thought she'd have to lie to Barnabas. She could lie to everyone else, just to protect Barnabas, but she never thought she'd lie to him. She was going to tell him everything in time. Her Witchcraft, the child they lost.. Everything. But now how could she tell him everything? She still had to lie to him about his own mother.
 After small funeral, Mrs.Collins took bottle of wine and drink it down on their way back to Collinwood.
"I think that is enough Mrs.Collins" Angelique said carefully, taking Mrs.Collins' arm around her neck to help her walk back to Collinwood.
  "What is the meaning of this?!" They heard voice calling.
"Perfect..." Angelique sighed, turning to look at Barnabas' father.
"Mrs.Collins is very tired, I will take her to sleep."
"Mrs.Collins is tired and smells like Women of the Night! Where has she been all day?"
"You don't care" Mrs.Collins said and go to her room, leaving Angelique to make explanations.
Mr.Collins looked at Angelique and she sigh, not knowing what to do.
"Why is my wife drunk, again!"
"She... I.." Angelique rubbed her forehead, knowing she couldn't possibly make believable explanation for that.
 "You what?"
"I.. I go to the town with her.. She.. she met some friends there.. And.. they offered her a glass.. Or two.."
"What friends my wife would have? She never goes to the town without my permission!"
Angelique swallowed and looked down. This was not going to end up well.
 "Look at me!" Mr.Collins ordered.
Angelique winced and looked up to him. He was obviously going to make her suffer.
 She thought carefully about telling the truth, but then she thought about Barnabas. He would be so hurt for knowing such thing about his mother. And even more hurt about not knowing about her problems at all. That she had not trusted these things to him, but their maid.
 "Father? What is happening?" Barnabas asked behind her.
Angelique's heart skipped a beat when she heard his voice. He had yet again come to save her.
 "Nothing son.. nothing." Mr.Collins said. "You may go, Miss Bouchard."
Angelique nodded and left, avoiding to look at Barnabas even she knew he was watching her, with most questioning look in his eyes. She wished with all her heard she could tell him everything, but she wasn't able to face that how sad and hurt he would be. She rather saw him happy. And of course, she would break Mrs.Collins' trust for her by telling the truth to her son.
 "Father? I know something is the matter. First mother, now you. What is going on?"
"I said nothing!"
Barnabas looked hurt, but left back to his room anyway...

"Angelique.. Awaken, Angelique.."
"Hm.. "Angelique opened her eyes tiredly, seeing Barnabas knelt down next to her, watching her worriedly.
"Did you get enough?" She asked.
"I am alright." Barnabas nodded, "Are you-? Are you getting better?"
"I'll be fine. Don't worry." She smiled a bit and placed her hand to his cheek. "I'm sorry.."
Barnabas looked confused, "About what?"
"I hurt you so much.."
He smiled, running his long finger on her cheek, "Now, you are Angelique I love."
She nodded a bit tiredly to show her understanding and closed her eyes again.
Barnabas watched her for while and sit down next to her, letting her lean against him.
 "You will be alright... We will be alright."
Angelique made soft sound, getting more comfortable, falling into deep sleep against him.
Barnabas watched over her, thinking of those old time they were happy together. But somehow he still couldn't help but feeling strange need to have Victoria near as well..
He sighed. This was getting very complicated indeed.