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.