Dark are the Shadows 03/28/2020

Dark Are The Shadows
by Ms. Hunter Ash aka B. Cooper

a BTVS & Dark Shadows crossover

rating: PG13

pairings: Willow/Tara, Quentin/Buffy, Barnabas/Roxanne, Giles/Angelique, Xander/Anya


# # # #


SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA


Spike caught up with Buffy near the mansion.

“Buffy! Come on now, stop.”

The vampire reached her and began walking alongside her.

“You can't just walk away from this,” Spike said.

“What part of punching you in the face do you not understand?” Buffy snapped.

“So we had a fight,” Spike said easily. “It's not our first, luv, and it doesn't change anything.”

Buffy stopped and turned to him. “It changes everything, Spike! I want you out. I want you out of this town, I want you off this planet! You don't come near me, my friends, or my family again ever! Understand?”

She began walking again.

In a moment Spike shook his head and followed.

“No, it's not that easy,” he protested. “We have something, Buffy.”

Buffy turned at the mansion and headed for the front door.

“It's not pretty but it's real and there's nothing either one of us can do about it,” he declared.

“I am with someone, Spike,” Buffy repeated.

She opened the door and turned to face the vampire.

“Like it or not, I'm in your life, you can't just shut me out,” he said anxiously.

The vampire looked startled when he couldn't follow her inside.

Buffy watched him with a grim look.

“Buffy?”

Buffy closed the door.



## # # #



COLLINSPORT, MAINE


“And our friend was on the second story with an oil lamp,” Julia was saying as Barnabas and Maggie entered. “He was holding it over Nicholas Blair. One wrong move and the oil lamp would ignite the kerosene.”

“A standoff,” Joe commented and Julia nodded.

“He was very clever,” Julia agreed. “The hero that came to rescue us was a witch and got Rupert out of there.”

“He's really smart and braver than he thinks he is,” Dawn added.

Barnabas resisted smirking. As if anyone in the house would think Angelique was a hero except maybe Carolyn...

“I can't believe you were back in the 1890s,” Joe said and moved over on the sofa so Maggie could sit next to him.

Barnabas pulled off his iconic cloak and dropped it over the back of a chair and hooked his cane on top of that.

“We've been through some remarkable.... well, I'm not sure adventure is the right word,” Barnabas said.

“Adventure somehow implies... fun or excitement,” Maggie agreed.

“Some of it was not fun or exciting,” Julia said.

“We have met some remarkable people, however,” Barnabas said. “Rupert said that young Miss Elizabeth there was quite brave and amazing when she was back in time with him and Julia.”

“She was,” Julia agreed.

Elizabeth giggled and climbed up into her father's lap and rested her head on his shoulder.

“And we've kept her up very late,” Barnabas noted.

“We should be getting back to the Old House,” Julia agreed. “Barnabas...”

“I'm going to spend some more time with Carolyn and Amy,” Barnabas said. “Tomorrow evening I need to speak with the sheriff and Thornton Sr. and spend more time with family which includes Maggie and Joe. I'll say goodnight now, Julia.”

“Elizabeth, help your father out to the car,” Carolyn said.

“Julia, it's good to see you again,” Maggie said as Julia, Thomas and Elizabeth stood up. “We've missed you both.”

“Thank you, Maggie,” Julia said and hugged Maggie and then Joe. “We'll get together later on in the week.”

“I'll see Thomas to the car,” Barnabas suggested and followed the werewolf and his daughter outside. The vampire waited until Thomas had helped Elizabeth into the car and turned to talk with Barnabas.

“What?” he demanded.

“Why the hostility?” Barnabas asked. “I held you while you were dying and you professed love for both Julia and myself. I cannot change how I felt about Roxanne and I cannot change Julia's distrust of those feelings. I'm not the one that left. I still love you both. You are both very important to me.”

“You've hurt her,” Thomas said.

“You know I wasn't with Roxanne until YOU left with Julia,” Barnabas countered. “Do you regret being with her?”

“What? Of course not!”

“Then, to put it in modern terms, get over it,” Barnabas snapped. “You have Julia and a good future here in Collinwood and I haven't killed you for stepping into that vacancy brought about by Julia.”

“You'd threaten me?” Thomas asked softly.

“Your growls are as much a threat to me and we both know it,” Barnabas said. “Thomas, my feelings for you and Julia haven't changed despite the pain.”

“Pain?”

“You don't think it hurts me to lose my wife and to have a good friend, a brother that turned against me while stepping into that place?” Barnabas asked softly. “I didn't betray Julia or you.”

“You're with Roxanne,” Thomas said with a growl.

“And you're with my wife,” Barnabas countered. “You know Julia and I have traveled time on several occasions, ask Julia how she found me when I was bricked up in 1840. That's another reason she feared Roxanne's return.”

“What are you talking about, Barnabas?” Thomas demanded.

“Ask Julia,” Barnabas repeated. He glanced back towards the house when Julia stepped outside. He walked over to the door.

He kissed Julia's cheek. “Goodbye, Julia. I may not have loved you or anyone enough and I'm sorry for that.”

“I'm sorry, Barnabas,” Julia said and hugged him tightly. “I'll get Tom to make the cottage secure for me before you come back. Will you bring Roxanne with you?”

“I don't know,” Barnabas said. “I'll let you know before I return.”

Julia kissed Barnabas for several moments and then touched Barnabas' arm. Before he could say anything, she ran for the car where Thomas and a sleeping Elizabeth waited.

Barnabas watched the car pulling away and shrugged when Maggie touched his arm.

“Come back inside, Barnabas,” she urged. “Are you always destined to have tumultuous relationships?”

“The original Barnabas Collins was cursed to never know rest and any that love… loved him would die,” Barnabas said. “I don't think many in the Collins family have had happy, uneventful lives. I do have someone waiting for me that has loved me for many years.”

“Then I'm sorry for you... your namesake,” Maggie said. “A man cursed like that would probably go insane at times.”

“Yes, no doubt, perhaps many times but especially after a long imprisonment,” Barnabas said and opened the door for her and they walked back into Collinwood.



# # # #



SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA


“Buffy?” Giles exclaimed and everyone glanced up and quickly crowded around the Slayer including her mother and sister.

“Easy, guys!” Buffy urged. “I'm okay. I had a conversation with Drusilla and Spike.”

“What happened?” Giles asked anxiously. “Here, sit, I'll clean those scratches and bruises.”

“I dropped by Spike’s crypt,” Buffy said. “I didn't expect him to be there and I wanted to see what was down below that crypt.”

“And he was there?” Quentin ventured.

“He was when I came out,” Buffy said.

“What was down below?” Giles asked.

“A good sized cave,” Buffy responded. “And... two empty coffins, lots of skulls and a shrine to me.”

“Say what?” Willow asked.

“A shrine,” Buffy said.

“What does that mean?” Joyce asked.

“Lots and lots of pictures, drawings and poems to and about me,” Buffy answered. “Ow, easy with the alcohol pads, please. And some of my stakes and.... clothes.”

“Clothes?” Joyce repeated.

“Yeah, stuff I thought Dawn borrowed and didn't give back and missing underwear I thought the washer ate,” Buffy explained.

“Oh my God,” Joyce said softly.

“You're saying.... Spike has the hots for you?” Xander asked.

“Yeah, he admitted it,” Buffy said and then explained what had happened.

“Good lord,” Giles muttered.

“At least Drusilla left him,” Tara said. “Do you think she left town?”

“Yeah, most likely,” Buffy said. “Now Spike will either be really dangerous or... really pathetic.”

“Probably pathetic at first but then really dangerous,” Angelique commented. “People get... unreasonable when rejected by someone they believe they love beyond all measure.”

“But he can't hurt humans,” Xander protested.

“He can have someone else do his killing for him,” Giles suggested.

“Terrific, let's hope he doesn't think of it,” Buffy said wearily.


# # # #


COLLINSPORT, MAINE


“Tell us about Roxanne, Barnabas,” Carolyn urged. “I didn't spend much time with her when I was in California.”

“It was after the Leviathans had cursed me and we'd not found a solution yet,” Barnabas said. “I ended up in a parallel band of time through a doorway that opened to that parallel time but it was random. I met most of the same people but they were different, relationships were different and the history was as well. I relied on my own story here to explain my presence there, that I had come over from England. Julia found a way over in time to save my life from her own counterpart. We met a young psychic name Roxanne and... I fell heavily and she with me.”

“What happened?” Maggie asked. “What does she look like?”

“Like sunshine,” Barnabas said softly.

“Very Irish or Scottish looking,” Caroline said. “Pale skin, red hair and blue eyes. Somewhat pixie like.”

“Go on,” Joe urged.

“There were occult forces out to destroy the Collins family and Collinwood,” Barnabas said and looked at his hands. “They succeeded for the most part. Quentin, wife and children escaped but... Julia and I were trapped in the room with the time portal as Collinwood burned. Roxanne was being held by the last of the villains and I couldn't reach her through the flames.”

“Collinwood?” Carolyn said softly.

Barnabas nodded. “And we shall come back around to this part of the story in a bit. The next Roxanne I met was the one that was here, in our time. Maggie, you may have met her. She was also psychic but also a vampire.”

“You weren't a vampire then?” Maggie asked.

“I was but didn't realize she was,” Barnabas said. “We can't always tell and I was remembering the Roxanne I had lost. Things went wrong here and Julia escaped violent death through another time portal. Yes, I know, it seems impossible but it happened. I managed to follow when Professor Stokes and I discovered history had been changed and Julia had died in the past. I went to save her and to change the past so certain incidents didn't happen here.”

“Wasn't that taking quite a risk?” Joe asked. “If you change one thing couldn't that set off a chain of events that could make things worse?”

“Things couldn't have been worse here,” Barnabas said. “Saving Julia and changing the past were the only options.”

“Go on,” Carolyn said after a moment.

“We knew the Roxanne of our timeline here became a vampire but not who had made her one or when,” Barnabas said.

“You obviously saved Julia and changed the past,” Maggie commented.

“Yes, but at a cost,” Barnabas said. “When I was sent back in time, I was... out of control and bit Roxanne. With Julia's help, she recovered much to my relief. I was very afraid that I had actually been responsible for the Roxanne of 1970 being a vampire.”

Well, there was enough truth in that, he thought.

“What happened to her?” Joe asked. “Do things get out of control often?”

“They can, yes,” Barnabas said. “If starving or gravely injured the need for blood can be overwhelming. Roxanne did become a vampire because of the sorcerer we were trying to stop.”

“But that doesn't make sense,” Carolyn complained. “You didn't go back in time before to turn her into a vampire so you could go back in time to turn her... Do we keep repeating the same thing over and over?”

“No,” Barnabas said. “We have changed the past and things here changed. Roxanne was preying on others including Julia. I told Roxanne's brother how to destroy her.”


# # ##


SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“So what do we do about Spike?” Xander asked

“Eliminate him from our lives,” Giles suggested.

“Since he can't hurt us we can stand up to him,” Willow added.

“Where's Buffy?” Tara asked.

“Taking a shower.... a long, hot shower,” Joyce said. “She might have skin when she gets out. She feels...”

“Like she's been slimed,” Xander said.

“Exactly.”


# # # #


COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“So Roxanne wasn't a vampire here but she is now?” Joe asked. “Barnabas, this is giving me a headache.”

“We had no idea how the Roxanne of 1970 became a vampire when we returned,” Barnabas said. “We assumed she wasn't and just that she and Sebastian had left Collinsport while we were gone.”

“But she was still a vampire?” Amy asked.

“Yes, Carolyn saw when she resurfaced,” Barnabas said. “We discovered that there are several kinds of vampires and I and Julia don't seem to be common and Roxanne is like us. Roxanne herself didn't know how she became one. Julia figured it out and I was responsible.”

“But if you changed the past first by biting her and then killing her, how could she be here?” Joe asked.

“When we were in the parallel time, I did bite that Roxanne,” Barnabas said. “Not enough to even make her more than a little light headed. It's... I can't explain adequately. There was no danger of her becoming like I was, something I was very against. I did not want anyone going through what I've been through.”

“That's one heck of a love bite you've got there, Barnabas,” Carolyn teased.

“So, you bit her and then?” Maggie asked. “Collinwood burned and she was trapped in it.”

“Julia suspected that it was possible that Roxanne fell into the room with the portal behind us,” Barnabas said. “We were sent to 1995 and we're not sure what year Roxanne was sent to and somehow the portal accelerated my... my bite, poison, however you want to look at it and she was a vampire when she reached this time-line.”

“Are you sure? That's a bit of a reach,” Amy asked.

“A vampire can summon a victim to them by a psychic call,” Barnabas explained. “We can also sometimes communicate with those we've turned. To test whether Julia's theory was correct, I summoned Roxanne and she responded.”

“So, in a way you were responsible,” Carolyn surmised.

“Yes, despite never wanting Roxanne to go through this,” Barnabas said.

“But you turned Julia into a vampire,” Joe pointed out with a frown.

“She helped me become mostly human again but I became very ill and Julia cared for me,” Barnabas said. “Nicholas appeared again and reawakened the curse. When I rose, I found Julia hadn't had the strength to drive a stake through my heart and she was dying. She asked to join me. Julia, more than anyone alive, knew what she was asking. I'm also not a saint. I couldn't let her go and face the darkness alone.”

“And Tom traveled with you as a... guard?” Amy asked.

Barnabas nodded. “Yes, it was his choice after Willie became too ill to watch over us.”

“So, you go on while everyone around you grows older and dies?” Joe asked.

“Yes,” Barnabas said. “As you can see, this is a... difficult existence. We prey on others if there are no animals available. We don't kill but it doesn't change the fact that we are preying on humans. We tend not to make friends easily or stay in one place too long. It's been extremely difficult being away from all of you.”

“I'm glad you've trusted us,” Maggie said. “You're very vulnerable during the day, aren't you?”

“Yes, very,” Barnabas acknowledged. If she remembered how he had treated her when he first arrived at Collinwood... he deserved to be staked for that but he had tried to make up for it over the years.

“Some vampires can move about in the daytime as long as they stay out of the sun, others can't,” Carolyn explained.

“The vampires we usually deal with in California are the ones that can move around and they look creepier than Barnabas,” Dawn commented.

“Creepier?” Joe asked.

“We have canines that elongate into fangs,” Barnabas said. “And our eyes can be described as fierce.”

“Our vampires’ faces change, they have forehead ridges and yellow eyes,” Dawn explained.

“Where are you going to sleep tomorrow?” Joe asked.

“There are a lot of places in Collinwood where he won't be found,” Carolyn replied. “I'm not sure even David discovered them all. Dawn can have her pick of rooms.”

“We’d like to show Dawn around tomorrow, want to come along?” Joe offered.

“I’ve got some work I need to take care of here tomorrow,” Carolyn said. “You and Amy can show her the sights. All three of them.”

“How is David doing?” Maggie asked. “Are he and the family coming home for the holidays?”

Barnabas relaxed into discussion about the family.


# # #


COLLINSPORT, MAINE


“Maggie and Joe seemed really pleased to reconnect with you,” Carolyn said as she led Barnabas and Dawn down to the basement area of Collinwood.

“Yes, I'm very grateful,” he replied. “Maggie remembers something but she isn't saying what. Given her history with the family and me in particular that can be good or bad. She dismissing the memories as nightmares. Her way of giving us both an 'out', so to speak.”

“Wow,” Carolyn said and grabbed an old discarded chair. “David and I discovered this when we were moving things around and getting rid of a bunch of junk last year.”

“An old root cellar perhaps?” Barnabas ventured as she moved a box to reveal a small half door.

“Or a hiding place, there's a lock on the inside and there's plenty of air somehow,” Carolyn said. “David and I are the only ones that know about this place. There's an old bedspread here that you can lie on. It won't be very comfortable...”

“Once the sun rises I'm neither comfortable or uncomfortable,” Barnabas said. “I'm expecting a call before sunrise. Can you come back down and move the chair back in front of the door after sunrise?”

“Of course,” Carolyn said and hesitated and then hugged him.

“I am so glad you told me you remembered everything,” Barnabas said. “You, David, Elizabeth and Roger became my family not just... distant cousins. I found it very lonely not being able to see you and having to pretend to be my own son as if we'd never met.”

“I wasn't sure you wanted the contact or I would have spoken up sooner,” Carolyn replied. “I knew you were both in danger and had to tell you both that I remembered and that I love you both.”

“You and David have given us both something missing in our lives, family,” Barnabas said.

“I do have a question for you, Julia and Quentin to think on,” Carolyn said. “Do we tell my son and daughter?”

Barnabas frowned. “We will have to think on it and ask you more about them.”

“I'll leave you to your phone call,” Carolyn said and kissed his cheek. “Tell Roxanne hello.”

Barnabas smiled as Carolyn and Dawn trotted up the stairs.

His smile widened as his cellphone began vibrating.

“Hello, my love,” he said. “You remembered the time difference.”

“Of course, I did,” Roxanne said from California. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I found how Willie died and handled it with no violence,” Barnabas said.

“Your voice, you sound slightly different. You saw Julia?”

“Yes,” Barnabas said. “And Maggie, Joe and Amy. You won't remember Joe and Amy. She is the mother of Thomas.”

“You... you revealed yourself or are you the next generation Barnabas Collins from England?” Roxanne asked.

“Maggie and Joe found me at Willie's grave,” Barnabas replied. “I couldn't let them think me a ghost.”

“Given the tone of your voice it sounds as if it went well, my love,” Roxanne commented.

“Yes, very well,” Barnabas said. “With Julia, well, we were civilized and even had dinner and spent time with everyone. With Tom in tow, of course. I talked with him. I'm not sure how that went.”

“Are you safe for the day?”

“Yes, Carolyn has taken us in,” Barnabas answered. “None but Carolyn and David know about the room I'll be in. I will be safe and Thomas and Julia will leave the Old House soon.”

“You want to return to Maine after this is done here in California?” Roxanne asked.

“I don't know but I'll not be driven from the house I was born in,” Barnabas said firmly.

“When are you coming back, I miss you terribly,” Roxanne asked. “We were apart for so many years but... I'm glad you were with Julia, that you had someone, someone that loves you very much.”

“Being with you is…amazing. I may need to stay here tomorrow night to settle the aftermath of Willie's death,” Barnabas said. “We’ll fly out the next night. How are things there?”

“Much the same,” Roxanne said and her voice lost its vibrancy. “The attacks are taking a toll on everyone. Quentin didn’t even try to talk me out of seeing you. I’m not staying at the mansion. I’m keeping a low profile, as they say.”

“I'll be back as soon as I can,” Barnabas promised. “Roxanne...”

“I know, the sun is coming up soon for you,” Roxanne said. “I love you, Barnabas. Be safe tomorrow night.”

“I shall,” Barnabas promised. “Tell Quentin his secret will be safe with the family. I love you, Roxanne. Rest well.”

The vampire grabbed the bedspread and entered the hidden room and was grateful to find floorboards and not just damp, Maine earth. He spread the cloth down and closed and locked the door.


# # # #

Xena & Gabrielle - A Visit Home part 2 - Awakenings 01

A Visit Home, An Awakening, Part I

Hunter Ash

ripperbard7@...

Old fashioned rating: this part PG13

Disclaimers: the usual rundown - I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo or Gabrielle’s family. This story is written for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended. Don’t bother suing me - it really wouldn’t be worth it.

Sex/Subtext: yup and it’s between two consenting adults of the same gender

Violence: nope, just thoughts of throwing someone through a window but our warrior is patient for once.

Summary: A “first time” story with Xena and Gabrielle visiting Gabrielle’s family and the relationship between them being forced to the surface.

Pairing: Xena/Gabrielle

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gabrielle had grabbed the travel packs she’d hidden in the barn earlier that morning, and started out the barn door, when she heard Lila’s irritated voice just outside.

“She told me last time you were here how she felt, I thought you two would have settled this by now. Do you know she’s planning on leaving?” Lila demanded, hands on her hips, the same stubborn set to her jaw.

“No, I thought we were staying another night.”

“No, not with you,” Lila shouted. “Without you!”

Xena’s heart stopped and a chill came over her body. “Without me?” she whispered.

Could Xena care whether she stayed or went, Gabrielle wondered.

“Yes, she can’t take it any longer. It’s killing her to be near you and not touch you. She thinks you don’t want her because she’s not in your league.”

“What? I’m the one that isn’t good enough!” Xena protested. “After everything I’ve done, how could she want me?”

“Beats me, I think you’re okay.” Lila shrugged with a smile. “She thinks you’re from the gods and would do anything for you but she’s dying inside.”

Gabrielle was considering killing her young sister for telling Xena all of this. The bard wanted to crawl under the ground somewhere and hide. Xena would know everything! She wouldn’t want the bard, she wouldn’t want her around anymore!

Then Gabrielle listened to the warrior’s words.

“She’s light itself!” Xena continued to protest. “Anything I am today is because of her!”

“Then tell her, not me.” Lila snapped. “Adults! You make it so complicated!”

“Wait till you fall in love,” Xena snapped back, “and see how easy it is.”

Love? Gabrielle thought her heart had stopped.

“You love her, right?” Lila demanded.

“Yes, with all of my being. I don’t think I can live without her.” Xena whispered.

Without thinking the bard opened the door. “Xena?” a voice called, softly.

Xena and Lila spun around to see Gabrielle in the doorway of the barn, her bags in her hand.

Xena and Gabrielle found themselves caught in another frozen moment of time, both of them losing themselves in each other’s eyes. Lila finally broke the moment by shoving the warrior and bard back through the barn door and shutting it behind them.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“You mean it,” they both asked at the same time, both breaking into smiles and relaxing finally. Gabrielle sighed and sat her travel bags down, walked over to a hay bale and sat down. She brushed a lock of hair from her eyes and Xena once again found herself wanting to do that for the young woman, to touch just her hair would be enough.

Then heat spread over the warrior and she thought that maybe just touching Gabrielle’s hair might not be enough anymore. They had both heard too much to go back and she knew Gabrielle sensed that too.

The bard sat for a moment, trying to think rationally and couldn’t find a way to make any sentence hold together. She swallowed deeply and risked it.

“I love you, Xena.” Gabrielle said quietly, not lifting her eyes up.

Xena moved slowly and carefully, kneeling in front of the bard. Tenderly she lifted Gabrielle chin up until the green eyes were looking into her deep blue ones. Tears were filling both their eyes.

“I love you, so very much, Gabrielle. I’ve been in love with you for so long.” Xena said softly.

“Oh, Xena!” Gabrielle threw her arms around the warrior’s neck and grabbed her in a tight hug, tears falling.

Xena, feeling tears falling from her eyes as well, welcomed the bard into her arms and held the other woman tightly. The warrior felt months of tension easing out of her muscles and a healing of her soul beginning. She pulled back slightly to look Gabrielle in the eyes.

“I....” the warrior stammered. “I love you so much, I’ve never felt like this before.” Xena took the bard’s hands in hers. Gabrielle kept quiet, watching her warrior struggle with the words. Getting Xena to talk about emotions was like pulling a tooth from a horse, almost impossible, the bard knew.

“I’ve had lovers, many of them, but not like I want you. Not even Borias, it’s different with you. If you want me I’m yours but it has to be a commitment. If you let me love you it will be forever.”

Tears flowed freely from both women as the warrior struggled with the words.

“I love you, Xena, more than life,” Gabrielle whispered.

“You are the other half of my soul and I know if you love me that we’ll be together for eternity. I don’t want just sex, I want to marry you,” Xena managed to stammer out.

Marry me? the bard questioned in wonderment quietly.

Gabrielle was so quiet for a moment that a feeling of fear began to grab at the warrior’s heart and then the bard grabbed her again in a bone-crushing embrace.

“Yes! I love you totally and completely. I’ve wanted you as my mate for so long!” Gabrielle whispered.

Both women held each other for several moments before Xena pulled out of the embrace. She held a finger up to Gabrielle’s lips to indicate silence. She slowly stood up and unlaced her chakram and placed it at Gabrielle’s feet and then did the same with her sword and the dagger hidden between her breasts. She knelt on one knee in front of the bard and Gabrielle thought that her heart would stop forever.

“I offer you my sword and my life. I will love you forever if you’ll have me,” Xena pledged.

Gabrielle wiped tears of joy from her eyes. She knew this warrior’s pledge was the ultimate pledge Xena could make and was touched beyond words.

“I love you, and I accept your pledge and your love, warrior Xena. I pledge my love and trust in you and promise to love beyond time itself. I know that not even death will separate us from this point on,” Gabrielle pledged and pulled the warrior up to her lips.

The kiss was meant to be soft and gentle but the electric shock that passed through both women at the first contact sent both of them backwards.

“Wow,” Gabrielle whispered, touching her lips in wonderment.

“Wow? I’ll say,” Xena agreed and sat back up, reaching for her bard when angry voices brought her to her feet, chakram at the ready. Gabrielle reached up and placed a reassuring arm on Xena’s arm.

“It’s all right, it’s my father, not an army.” the bard grinned and Xena lowered the chakram, blushing that her warrior instincts had won out again. Gabrielle knew that Xena’s heightened senses and warrior instinct had only lessened slightly all the months they had been on the road together. Gabrielle had come close several times to being knocked unconscious by the warrior, when the bard had accidentally startled Xena. She didn’t think Xena would ever be totally relaxed and without those highly toned and trained muscle instincts.

Lila’s voice was shrill and answered by an angry shout from her father. The door of the barn slammed open and he stood in the doorway, obviously fuming.

Gabrielle stood up angrily. “What, Father? Expecting to find me rolling naked in the hay with her?” She certainly wasn’t going to tell her father that’s what she had been hoping for, just a moment before.

Xena blushed, that was what she had been intending with the bard as well but wasn’t going to say that to the girl’s angry father.

“I want her gone!” he demanded.

“We were just about to leave,” Gabrielle snapped back.

“You’re not going anywhere this time! You’re still my daughter and I won’t have you become the laughing stock of Greece because you sleep with her!”

Gabrielle quickly grabbed Xena by the arm as the warrior growled and took a step forward. The bard reached out and eased the chakram out of the warrior’s hand and Xena let her, trying to calm her breathing and the roaring in her head. She fought against the raging anger building up.

“If you keep this up I won’t be your daughter any longer!” Gabrielle threatened. Lila stepped into the barn, holding her cheek. Her eyes were red from crying. This time it was Gabrielle who growled. “You hit her?” she demanded.

Her father’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. “You are not leaving here,” he hissed.

“Don’t threaten her,” Xena growled back, stepping a half step in front of
Gabrielle.

“What will you do, warrior?” her father sneered. Gabrielle’s head was spinning, this was happening too fast and everything was out of control. With a moment of clarity she knew that Xena was about a moment away of injuring or killing her father and her father was going to push the warrior into it. And there was a good chance of Lila or of Gabrielle getting in the way.

Gabrielle quickly pulled Xena back and stepped in front of the warrior, the bard placing her hands behind her back to keep bodily contact with Xena.

“Father, calm down! Both of you! I love you both!” Gabrielle pleaded and felt Xena relax slightly behind her. Her father scowled but didn’t move any closer. Gabrielle almost screamed in frustration when her mother peeked in the doorway and entered.

“Fine! Everyone come in and let’s settle this!” she muttered. Her mother crossed over to Lila and began to examine the girl’s cheek.

“Xena has just asked me to bond with her, to marry her and I have accepted. What that means to us is more than just a simple bonding ceremony like I had with Perdicus. If Xena agrees, we will be bonded in an Amazon ceremony. I’ve already pledged my soul to her and plan to spend eternity with her. Accept this or lose me,” Gabrielle said simply.

“I love you, Gabrielle. I don’t understand but if she makes you happy then you’ll both be welcome here,” her mother said quietly and Lila nodded enthusiastically.

“I forbid it!” her father shouted.

“Oh shut up, Herdoctus,” her mother snapped and he looked at his wife, stunned.

“She’s our daughter and all that should matter is that Xena is a good person now and Gabrielle thinks that she will be happy with her. Accept it, I’m not going to lose my daughter because of your pride!” She approached her husband in a fury and he backed up quickly, surprised and stumbling. She poked a finger in his chest and he took it.

Gabrielle and Lila’s eyes were equally wide with surprise.

“Don’t you ever lay a hand on either Lila or Gabrielle again or you’ll never wake up again!” her mother shouted and then spun away from her husband. She approached Gabrielle and Xena slowly. With a hesitant smile she gathered her daughter into a hug and Gabrielle grinned, hugging her back. Lila, unable to resist the moment, rushed over and joined in. Xena was grateful they didn’t try to include her in the family hug although Gabrielle’s mother did hug her awkwardly after detaching herself from Gabrielle.

“Make her happy, please,” she said to the warrior.

“I will spend my life trying,” Xena promised.

“We’re leaving, Mother,” Gabrielle stated.

“I know. Let me pack your food bags before you go,” None of them were surprised to find her father had slipped out of the barn. “Don’t worry about him, he’ll fume for awhile but settle in once you two are gone,” her mother reassured them. She turned to her other daughter. “Lila, go and pack Xena’s bags, I’m sure she doesn’t want to run into your father right now. They need some time to cool off.”

Lila hugged her sister again and then surprised Xena by hugging the warrior and then dashing off quickly.

“Xena, could I have a moment with Gabrielle?”

“Of course, I’ll saddle Argo.” Xena retrieved her chakram from the bard’s hand and bent to retrieve her other weapons with panther-like grace. Gabrielle was unaware of the desire on her face as she watched her warrior move. Her mother, however, knew the look and smiled, it was just awkward to see that type of look on your daughter, she thought. She’s still my little girl. She then touched her daughter’s arm and they moved outside the door.

“Gabrielle, I love you and I’d like to you to visit again,” her mother brushed a tear away from her weathered face and Gabrielle hugged her mother again.

“We will. Just give us a little time, this is new for us too.”

“Gabrielle, your father....” her mother stammered and they moved to sit on two hay bales by the door. “I think he’s always sensed something about you and has fought against it since you were a baby.”

“That I prefer women to men?” Gabrielle asked, puzzled.

“No, something else. If anything happens to him or me I want you to go to your Uncle Harpalion in the next village, he has a parchment for you.”

“What is it, Mom?”

“I can’t tell you right now. Just know that it might answer some questions you’ve had during your life. It may even answer some of the questions I’ve been asking you. Is she your soulmate?” Hecuba asked gently.

“I think so. I just know that I couldn’t go on without loving her totally and I can’t live without her,” Gabrielle hesitated. “What’s in the parchment, Mom?”

Her mother smiled and held up a hand to cut off any protests. “I know your curiosity, Gabrielle. Promise you’ll wait.”

The stubborn jaw was well known to the mother but she continued to stare sternly at her daughter.

“All right, I promise.”

Lila came running out of the house with the packs. “I’ll go and pack your food bags,” her mother said with another quick hug.

Lila grinned at her big sister. “Finally got your warrior, huh? How far did you get?”

“Lila!” Gabrielle shrieked.

\\\\\\\

XWP: A Visit Home - part 01 (Awakening 1)

A Visit Home, An Awakening, Part I

Hunter Ash

ripperbard7@...

Old fashioned rating: this part PG13

Disclaimers: the usual rundown - I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo or Gabrielle’s family. This story is written for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended. Don’t bother suing me - it really wouldn’t be worth it.

Sex/Subtext: yup and it’s between two consenting adults of the same gender

Violence: nope, just thoughts of throwing someone through a window but our warrior is patient for once.

Summary: A “first time” story with Xena and Gabrielle visiting Gabrielle’s family and the relationship between them being forced to the surface.

Pairing: Xena/Gabrielle

Gabrielle had finally broken away from her mother and her endless questions. The bard was tired and irritable. She and Xena had been at Gabrielle’s home for two days and nights and the bard was more than ready to leave.

As she slowly walked around the house, heading for the barn, she stopped. The little Amazon realized that she was more than ready to leave, in more ways than one. Gabrielle stood looking at the barn door, as if trying to make a decision. The bard nodded to herself and changed direction, heading for the pen that held the goats, picking up the food bucket, as she moved.

Unknown to Gabrielle, her mother Hecuba was standing at the kitchen window watching her daughter and reading the young woman’s body language with a frown. The older woman was well aware that Xena was in the barn attending to her horse, Argo and now Gabrielle was moving away from the barn.

The last two days had been tense and it was tearing at Hecuba to see her daughter withdrawn and obviously upset. No matter what questions the worried mother asked, she wasn’t getting any answers from her daughter. The bard’s mother could sense that Gabrielle was at a crossroads.

Gabrielle was also wondering the same thing, as she fed the goats.

The bard would have also used the description of a crossroads to describe her thought process. It just seemed time for decisions and Gabrielle was not thrilled with any of the choices or paths. The blond unconsciously brushed a hair back from her forehead and reflected again on how tired she was. Countless nights of fitful sleep, long days spent feeling tense, were beginning to take a toll on the small woman. She was tired and she was tired of being tired.

She was also tired of being frustrated.

If Hecuba were a little closer she would see a familiar setting of the bard’s jaw. The bard replaced the bucket and headed for the barn.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Argo nudged the warrior when Xena’s hand stopped brushing the horse, the warrior lost in thought. Xena smiled at her horse and continued the brushing and talking.

“It’s probably a good thing you can’t talk back, girl. You’d probably tell me I’m an idiot too. Gods, this is hard.” Xena leaned her head forward and buried her face in Argo’s mane for a moment.

She hated visiting Gabrielle’s family. Gabrielle’s father barely tolerated the warrior and the bard’s mother kept trying to play matchmaker for her runaway daughter. Lila, Gabrielle’s little sister, was filled with questions, almost as curious about things as her older sister. Each family member seemed determined to drive the usually stoic warrior out of her mind.

Gabrielle had finally suggested that Xena see to Argo for awhile so she could help her mother with lunch. Xena had quickly seized the opportunity and almost dashed out the door, leaving the bard to fend for herself and now Xena was feeling guilty about that too.

Gabrielle opened the door slowly and slipped inside, not surprised to see her best friend Xena tending to Argo. Earlier the bard had given the warrior an easy out by suggesting that Xena look in on Argo and escape the bard’s mother’s endless questioning.

Gabrielle was surprised that Xena hadn’t heard her come in; this was highly unusual, and the bard decided to take advantage of it, standing a moment, watching Xena brush Argo’s coat and mane. The bard felt a familiar heat beginning in her loins and spreading throughout her body, as she watched the warrior’s muscles rippling with each long brush stroke. Gabrielle quickly fought her heartbeat back to a more regular rhythm.

“Gods, Argo, I have to be more patient. I can’t strangle her father, I can’t strangle her father, I can’t strangle her father.” Xena whispered, resuming her brushing.

The fierce warrior spun around rapidly on her heels, face blushing bright red when she heard a giggle behind her. She tried to stammer something out when she caught Gabrielle’s green eyes laughing at her. The young bard was holding her ribs, trying not to fall to the floor laughing. Xena tried glaring at her friend and that only succeeded in making the blond laugh even harder. Gabrielle finally caught her breath and closed the barn door.

“Gods, Xena. Don’t you think I feel the same way!?” she giggled, watching the warrior resume brushing the horse with a scowl on her face. .

“I know, sorry I left you alone in there.” Xena mumbled.

The battle scarred warrior was surprised but pleased when Gabrielle’s arms circled around her and she found herself in a tight hug.

“It’s okay, I figured I had to get you out of there before you threw him through the window.” the bard giggled again.

Xena was very aware of how hot she suddenly was. As her breath began to quicken, the warrior found herself closing her eyes and leaning back into the embrace.

Gabrielle leaned into the warrior, relishing the scent that was uniquely Xena: leather, soap root, and musk. With a start, the bard realized she was rubbing her face against Xena’s leather top and holding the warrior tight. A roaring filled her ears and she felt her entire body flush with heat.

The warrior suddenly realized that she was about to turn and take the bard in her arms and kiss the small woman. She straightened up and felt Gabrielle’s arms leave her.

Gabrielle quickly backed up out of the hug, trying to catch her breath.

Xena kept from whimpering but only from years of self-taught control. Then, when she thought she could face Gabrielle, she turned.

Looking deep in Gabrielle’s eyes, the warrior almost lost all that control but managed to hold firm. Gabrielle seemed just as lost in the moment as both seemed frozen in place.

The barn door slammed open, breaking the spell between the two women and both blinked in the sunlight and intrusion. Lila rushed in with a frustrated look on her face.

“There you two are! Lunch time!” and she was gone again.

Xena noticed Gabrielle blushing, eyes downcast and stammering. “I... we should go in.”

“Uh huh.” Xena agreed. Gabrielle quickly turned and was gone after her sister, leaving a stunned warrior holding a brush with a puzzled look on her face.

“Argo,” she whispered, “what just happened?”

Lila grabbed her older sister’s arm, stopping the bard, looking back at the barn door and realizing that Xena wasn’t stepping through immediately, Lila turned to Gabrielle.

“Well?” she demanded.

“Well what?”

“Did you tell her how you feel?” the youngster snapped.

“No, of course not! I’ve told you, she doesn’t care for me like that!” Gabrielle snapped back, beginning to walk back to the house again. Lila caught up with her sister.

“Looks like it to me!” Lila protested.

“We sleep under the same blankets every night, I’m in her arms every night, we eat together, bathe together, sleep together and she hasn’t shown any interest in me sexually. She thinks I’m a kid.” Gabrielle complained.

“I think you’re both hooked and won’t admit it to each other!”

“Glad you think so, I’m the one living with this!” Gabrielle stopped dead in the middle of the common yard and glared at Lila. “It’s torture, Lila. My body and soul ache just to touch her. I almost just kissed her!”

“Do it! What can you lose?”

“My best friend and I couldn’t live with that.” Gabrielle whispered.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Xena kicked at a non-existent pebble as she walked back towards the family home. She was confused and that always made her grumpy. She hated not being in control and the one thing she was NOT in control of was her feelings towards her best friend. Xena didn’t know when she had fallen totally in love with the bard but she had finally admitted it, at least to herself. To no one else, of course. Well, Argo didn’t count, she thought with a sarcastic smile.

The problem was that she knew the bard wasn’t interested in women sexually and only thought of Xena as her best friend. It was beginning to drive the warrior crazy. With the cool fall weather they were spending every night under the same blankets, the bard in Xena’s arms. The warrior had lost count of how many nights she had lain awake with the blond sleeping peacefully in her arms. Xena didn’t know how many times she had leaned down and kissed the bard softly on the hair, the forehead and finally the lips, careful not to wake the young woman. Every muscle and fiber of her being wanting to take the bard and make love to her.

It was becoming more and more of a distraction. Xena found herself thinking of the blonde every other minute. Gabrielle’s hair shining in the sun; the movement of Gabrielle’s well toned body as she dried her hair and body after a swim or bath was enough to almost bring tears to the warrior’s eyes in frustration; Gabrielle’s muscles rippling as she practiced with her staff; the thoughts of the bard’s hands as the young woman slowly removed her boots at night; the contented sigh she always gave when she settled into Xena’s arms. Xena smacked a house pillar, hoping to distract herself, somehow.

‘Some self-punishment streak,’ the warrior decided, admitting that she was torturing herself slowly.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No one seemed to notice that Gabrielle was quiet during lunch, something really unusual for the young woman. Her mother had noticed the dark circles under her daughter’s eyes and had commented on it several times with a disapproving click of her tongue, eyes glaring at the warrior.

Gabrielle clenched her jaw, the familiar setting that warned most anyone who knew her that she was tense and her infamous stubborn streak was about to show itself. The bard looked over and saw Xena concentrating on her food, her jaw also clenched. Gabrielle was confused. At times, Hecuba questioned her about the men she met, wondering if there were any she was interested in and then her mother would turn around and ask detailed questions about Xena, as if sizing up a potential mate for Gabrielle.

The bard knew that her father could barely stand having the warrior around but tolerated her so that he could see Gabrielle. The bard knew that he still blamed Xena for his daughter running off to the road, following the warrior woman and pursuing the dream of being a bard. Hecuba was more receptive of the warrior, but uncomfortable at the same time. Gabrielle wanted to scream.

Xena clenched her jaw again. She too had noticed Gabrielle wasn’t sleeping well lately and had done everything she could think of to help her bard but she was at a loss as to what to do and having Gabrielle’s mother point out her failing didn’t help Xena’s mood any.

“Are you sure you’re all right, Gabrielle?” her mother asked again.

“I’m fine!” the bard snapped.

“Hey, don’t talk to your mother in that tone, young lady!” Herdoctus threatened, pointing a finger at his oldest daughter.

“I’m just worried about you,” Hecuba said softly.

“I’m fine, Mother.”

“You could visit your mother a little more often! You act as if you don’t care about her feelings. Leaving here with only a brief note!” Herdoctus’ voice began to rise.

“Traveling around, putting yourself in danger, of course she’s worried!”

“Stop it, both of you! I’m fine, I’m doing what I want to be doing! Can’t you let it alone?” Before tears could escape the green eyes, the bard had jumped up and rushed out through the kitchen.

Xena knew that visiting her parents had been bothering Gabrielle but now she could see it was also wearing on the bard’s nerves.

Lila kept her eyes fixed on her food and Gabrielle’s parents faces were bright red.

Xena stood up slowly, “I think I’ll take Argo out for a ride, excuse me.” she carried her dishes to the kitchen and looked out the back door. She frowned when she didn’t see her bard anywhere in sight. She sighed, hoping to find the young woman in the stable, knowing Xena would follow but she was disappointed not to find Gabrielle there.

Xena began feeding Argo an apple and tired to sort things out, especially her feelings.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gabrielle hit the back door running, and didn’t stop until she was through the fields and running by a stream. The bard finally collapsed beside a familiar old oak, gasping for air and trying not to cry.

The bard sank further to the ground with her back to the tree, welcoming the shade and the soothing sound of the water rushing by over the rocks. She crossed her arms over her knees and rested her head. It was then that she finally let loose and began crying.

After awhile the tears had finally slowed down and she leaned back against the tree. She closed her eyes and let her body relax.

“You know you were always my favorite tree when I was a kid,” she said simply to the tree behind her. “You always listened and you never told another soul of my doubts, my dreams, my fears or my pain. I’m glad you’re still here, old friend.”

“Gabrielle?” a tentative voice questioned.

The bard opened her eyes and smiled at her younger sister standing nearby. “Hey,” she answered and motioned her sibling to sit down with her.

“Hey,” Lila sat down looking around. “I come here when Dad gets angry.”

“Was my favorite spot when I was home.” Gabrielle said with a smile.

“Want to talk?” Lila picked up a rock, and tossed it into the stream.

“Yeah, I need to talk to someone.” Gabrielle hesitated, “I’m leaving tonight.”

“I didn’t know you two were leaving until tomorrow.”

“I’m leaving alone.” the bard whispered.

“What? Without Xena?!” Lila demanded, and saw Gabrielle’s eyes filling with tears.

“Yes, I can’t take it any longer!” Again the bard’s control broke and Lila took her bigger sister into her arms and held Gabrielle while she cried once again. “I love her so much but I can’t keep going the way it is and I can’t stay here!”

“Where will you go?”

“Athens, I was accepted into the Academy there once, they’ll have me again.”

“You can’t leave Xena, you two are just right for each other.” Lila protested.

“I can’t live like this!” the bard cried and Lila held her close.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Xena had only taken Argo out for a short romp through the countryside, taking it easy on the horse. The warrior knew if she released her feelings and translated them to the horse they might end up in Athens before Xena could think straight again.

She had come back before dusk, knowing the family would be expecting her for dinner and discussion afterwards. The last thing she wanted to face was another meal and discussion with Gabrielle’s family but she didn’t want the bard to think Xena was avoiding her as well. Again she had frowned when Gabrielle wasn’t in the stable or nearby waiting for Xena. Usually the bard sought her out when she needed comforting but lately the woman had been withdrawn and more quiet than usual.

Xena was wondering if Gabrielle was changing her mind about leaving the road. Was her parent’s arguments getting to the bard? She had left Xena once for marriage, for a simpler life and the warrior wondered if the bard was craving that again but struggling against her family’s overbearing wishes.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The two sisters made their way back to the farm when it started getting close to dinner time. Lila hurried off to feed and water the pack horse, while Gabrielle started towards the kitchen to help her mother with final dinner preparations.

The bard was puzzled to find the kitchen empty and voices, from the common room. She moved across the room and started to open the door and stopped at the tone of her father’s voice. She knew that tone and it chilled her to the bone. If Gabrielle had been fifteen she would have crept back out the door and headed right back to her favorite oak tree, maybe to even spend the night in its welcoming branches, but she wasn’t and she was determined not to be afraid any longer.

“She can’t leave here again! It’s time she settled down and gave us grandchildren!” he snapped.

Gabrielle moved closer to the door and opened it a crack, listening with her jaw beginning to clench.

“You can’t keep her here, Herdoctus. She’s not a farmer and she’s a grown woman.” Hecuba protested.

“You going against my wishes?” he hissed.

“No, of course not!” her mother’s voice held a familiar tone: fear. Gabrielle almost opened the door to throw her father through the window, but held tight.

“I thought this mess was behind us when she married Perdicus, but, not! Because of that damned warlord bitch, he goes and gets killed and our daughter takes up with that war-bitch again!” he yelled.

“It wasn’t Xena’s fault he died! It was that madwoman, Callisto.”

Gabrielle’s head was roaring and her eyes were hazing over with red. She could feel her body trembling with the rage that was building inside of her.

\\\\\\

Part 2

Xena had decided to enter through the kitchen, the door being the closest to the barn area when she stopped suddenly and ducked back out the door as she spotted Gabrielle standing by the door separating the kitchen from the living area of the house. Xena dared a glance around and saw her bard was listening at the door and Xena held her breath. The body language of the younger woman was readable even in the twilight. The bard was furious.

Gabrielle’s fists were clenched, one at her side and the other on the door jam as she listened at the door. Xena was surprised to see the bard’s body trembling and she recognized the stubborn set of Gabrielle’s jaw. Whenever Xena saw that familiar clenching she knew that she was in for an explosion or an unbending bard. Xena knew people called her stubborn but most of them had never gone up against Gabrielle once the smaller woman had set her mind to something. Xena smiled to herself, even the Conqueror of Nations gave in before her little bard.

Xena’s curiosity was more than intense and she quietly left the doorway and made her way around to the window on just the other side of the doorway of where Gabrielle was listening. She wanted to know what was causing Gabrielle such distress.

“I still say it’s not right!” her father was saying loudly, Xena presumed to Gabrielle’s mother.

“I agree. Who will have her when she finally decides to settle down? After traveling with that she-demon! We were fortunate that Perdicus still wanted her, but he had been a soldier, after all.” the voice of Gabrielle’s mother reached the warrior and she found herself seeing red.

Then Xena sagged against the wall and sat down with her back to it. She could still hear everything but her strength seemed to have fled.

Were they right? What man would want to settle with Gabrielle after being with Xena, one of the most feared warriors in the land. One of the most feared women warriors of the land? Was she cutting off Gabrielle’s future?

“You know what they are saying about our daughter?” her father demanded.

“Don’t,” her mother’s voice pleaded.

“You know what that stupid merchant said last week? Before he knew who I was?!” the father’s voice was loud and angry.

“Please don’t, I don’t want to hear it. We hear good stories about them, too,” her mother protested.

“Oh yes, the good that they do, rescuing people, doing good deeds but this is about the two of them together!” he raged.

“Don’t!”

“They actually think our daughter lies with that demon!” he ranted.

“Stop it!” her mother’s voice went shrill.

Gabrielle felt a growl beginning in her throat.

“I agree it’s time to stop this!” Gabrielle threw the door open and stormed into the common room, facing her father and mother, hands clenched and jaw muscles twitching. The bard felt like she could spit fire, at the moment.

Xena’s head snapped up at the sound of her bard’s voice, sharp and calm but Xena could hear the tension undertones, but the warrior didn’t dare risk a glance through the window, Gabrielle was probably right in the doorway across from her.

Xena’s heart skipped a beat and she nearly died when Lila crawled around the corner. Then the little sister signaled the warrior to keep quiet and crawled along the walkway to join the warrior. She smiled and placed a finger on Xena’s lips and pointed to the window. Xena understood what Lila was saying, that she did this often. Xena blushed a deep purple at having been busted spying on her best friend’s family and then having Gabrielle’s sister join her in that spying.

Gods, this was complicated!

“Gabrielle, please, we .... we....” her mother’s voice stammered.

“Yes, I know, just discussing my future and your concern for me.” Xena could almost see Gabrielle’s clenched jaw and she saw Lila’s eyes were wide and curious. “Yes, mother, I know. What you both need to get through your heads is that I am where I want to be! I don’t care what anyone thinks about me! I don’t care what they whisper! And I especially don’t care what some idiot farmer thinks about my marriage potential!” Gabrielle’s voice finally rose to a shout.

“But you’ll want to marry someday!” her father protested.

“I want to get married now!” the bard snapped and wished she could take back the words. This was not where she wanted the conversation to go but now it was too late.

Xena’s heart sank and her head dropped forward.

“You do? To whom? Do we know him?” her mother’s voice was excited.

“Yes, you know who I want for my bond-mate but it’s not going to happen.” Gabrielle muttered, trying to fight back tears. Xena and Lila barely caught the words.

“What? Why not? Aren’t you good enough?” her father demanded.

“It’s not like that, Father. I am in love, so deeply in love that no one else will ever touch my heart like this again, ever.”

“Oh, Gabrielle, then what’s the problem?” her mother wailed.

Lila rolled her eyes at her mother’s tone and Xena growled. Who could Gabrielle be talking about? Not Perdicus, could she? Was she still silently grieving that much?

“She doesn’t realize it.” Gabrielle said simply and steeled herself for the next blow, whether physical or verbal.

“She?” Gabrielle’s father, mother and Xena all asked in the same moment, fortunately Xena had whispered her question. Lila’s eyes were as wide as saucers. Xena’s heart began to pound almost loud enough to keep her from hearing the rest of the conversation.

“What!? It’s true? You do bed that demon!?” her father demanded.

“That’s enough! Right now! You say another word against Xena and you’ll never talk to me again! No, I don’t have sex with her. I sleep with her but we only share the same space but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to!”

“Gabrielle, you want.....” her mother’s voice broke and Xena could hear the woman begin to cry. Xena herself was stunned. Gabrielle wanted her? Was she hearing right? Was this a weird nightmare sent by Morpheus?

“Yes, Mother. I want her. Not just sexually but.... oh gods, talking relationships with your parents is not my idea of a good time.” the bard muttered. “I love her, do you understand? I want her as my mate, totally - emotionally, spiritually, physically, everything. She doesn’t want me in that way, though.” Gabrielle wiped an angry tear away.

“I can’t believe this! You want to travel around, fighting all the time, putting yourself in danger just to bed a woman?!” her father demanded.

“No! I travel with Xena not only because I love her but because of the good we do. I will be content to spend the rest of my life with her and not touch her, if necessary! She is the best person I’ve ever met, damnit!” Xena heard Gabrielle smack her hand on the table with a frustrated growl.

Lila was looking at the warrior with wide eyes. “You didn’t know?” she whispered.

Xena shook her head and dropped her eyes.

“You love her like that?” Lila whispered and Xena nodded.

Lila reached out and hit the warrior on the arm, hard. Xena looked up.

“That’s for making her wait.” the young teen hissed and then cocked her ears to listen.

“Why doesn’t she want you?” Gabrielle’s mother asked.

“She doesn’t, all right.” Gabrielle muttered.

“You haven’t told her?”

“What do you mean, asking her that? You approve?” her father’s voice was shrill and Gabrielle wanted to shove him through the door.

Xena resisted the urge to rush in and grab the man by the throat and throw him out the window.

“I don’t know. I want her to be happy.” her mother protested.

“Happy? How can she be happy with a female warrior? How can she be happy fighting for her life all the time? Just traveling with Xena will get her killed. You know what we’ve heard. How many times have you been attacked just traveling the road?”

“None of your business!” Gabrielle snapped. “I would spend an eternity in Tartarus just to be with her!”

“Gabrielle, don’t say that!” her mother’s voice was horrified.

Xena was stunned, surprised at the depth of the feelings the bard was voicing about her.

“It’s true! She came back from the dead for me and we aren’t even lovers.” Gabrielle fought back from having her voice break, from the tears that were filling her eyes.

Lila started to ask questions but Xena held a finger up to her lips.

“I forbid this! It’s not natural! It’s not right!” her father yelled.

“Oh shut up, Father. Who says it’s not natural, even the gods share their beds with someone of the same sex.” Gabrielle suddenly felt weary. She could sense that her father was losing his steam of anger, and she felt hers draining away as well. The bard was also wondering why she was arguing with her parents about this and explaining everything? She wouldn’t be with Xena, soon anyway.

Xena could hear the weariness in Gabrielle’s voice and ached to hold the young woman in her arms, anything to comfort her.

“Family, how can you have a family with her?” Xena sensed that the bard’s father was losing his hold on the argument and searching for any ammunition to use.

“Who says we can’t have children and we can’t raise them? Besides, all that assumes that we’re lovers. We’re not and it’s killing me!” Gabrielle’s voice cracked and Xena heard the kitchen door slam and then the outer door. Xena sat against the wall, still stunned.

Lila punched her in the arm again and motioned for Xena to follow her. When they had gotten away from the house Lila turned and punched the warrior again. Xena’s eyes narrowed, she had let the teenager hit her enough, thank you.

“You two are so damned stubborn!” Lila yelled at her and looked like she was going to hit the warrior again. Xena held up her hand warningly.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dark are the Shadows 03/18/2020

Dark Are The Shadows
by Ms. Hunter Ash aka B. Cooper

a BTVS & Dark Shadows crossover

rating: PG13

pairings: Willow/Tara, Quentin/Buffy, Barnabas/Roxanne, Giles/Angelique, Xander/Anya


# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy cautiously climbed down the wooden ladder at the trap door in Spike's tomb and found a good sized cave. She found a torch burning next to the ladder and a pyramid of human skulls next to the foot of the ladder. The Slayer took the torch down and raised it high to look around. She saw more skulls lying around and two coffins with their lids open to show they were empty.

“Spike?” she called. Did he really want Dru back? Did he actually have a crush on Buffy like she suspected but hadn't said to anyone?

Buffy saw part of a wall with a sheet hung loosely over the earth and she pulled it down and blinked in surprise. There were photos, a lot of photos of Buffy, drawings, and poems. On a small table were stakes and... her underwear?!

Buffy replaced the torch and climbed the ladder slowly. Her eyes widened when she saw Spike sitting on a coffin waiting and his lips were bloody.

“Find anything interesting?” he asked and got down.

Buffy backed up slightly. “Uh, what... what's happened?”

“Me.”

Buffy spun and found herself face to face with Dru. Before the Slayer could bring her stake up Drusilla zapped Buffy with a stun gun.

Buffy moaned as she shook her head and tried to sit up.

“You remember my ex, don't you, Slayer?” Spike asked as he walked around to put an arm around Drusilla.

Buffy sat up against the coffin with a wince of pain. Okay, that had to be one hell of a lot of volts! her mind protested.

“Came back, she did,” Spike said with a grin. “She couldn't live without me.”

“My boy's been feeding again, but I know what he really wants to eat,” Drusilla said with a smile.

Before Buffy could manage to get up she was tasered again.

“Shall we tie her up? Play with her a teensy bit first?” Dru asked.

“I'm through playing,” Spike declared.

“Oh, I like it when you're all dour and straight to business-like,” Dru commented.

Spike held out his hand and Drusilla handed him the stun gun. He turned the weapon and stunned Drusilla.

“Bloody well through playing.”


# # # #


COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Barnabas’ eyebrows rose when he walked into the Sheriff’s office and heard Alex Thornton shouting loudly.

“Let me out of here! My father will have your job!”

“Well, until then it’s mine,” the sheriff snapped. “Shut up or I’ll handcuff you to the cot in there and you won’t be able to reach the toilet. I can just see you wetting the bed like the baby you are! Oh, sorry, sir. I didn’t see you come in. Please, have a seat while I get the forms together and the camera.”

“Of course,” Barnabas said and glanced over at Alex Thornton as the young man glared at him from behind bars. The vampire dismissed him and glanced around. It was very much like the office he remembered except the lighting had been upgraded and there was a computer on each desk.

The sheriff walked in and sat down at his desk across from Barnabas. “I’m Sheriff Watkins.”

“Barnabas Collins.”

“I’ve heard that name,” Watkins said.

“My father, he and my mother moved to England in 1971,” Barnabas said. “My wife and I came to explore the States and meet our cousins recently.”

“Another Collins!” Thornton yelled. “Like cockroaches!”

“I don’t envy whoever has to stay here tonight with him,” Barnabas commented and Watkins laughed.

“I hear you. I expect his father at any moment demanding the kid’s release and charges to be dropped,” Watkins said. “You aren’t going to drop them, are you?”

“No, I’m not,” Barnabas said. “I’ve also called my solicitor; I mean lawyer, here in Maine to release Willie’s medical records to you tomorrow. Willie was recovering from a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He couldn’t have thrown a punch with his left hand and he wasn’t drinking.”

“That can be the break we need to finish this case off,” Watkins said. “How can you arrange for his medical records to be released?”

“I took care of him and his affairs after we came here,” Barnabas said. “My father and he were very good friends and kept in touch.”

“Where are you staying?”

“I’ll give you my number,” Barnabas said. “If I’m in a meeting or on the road you can leave a message at Collinwood with anyone there. I need to travel to California in the next couple of days but will be back by the time any investigation in Willie’s death is completed.”

“Could you write out a statement as to what happened tonight? I’m going to get statements from Maggie, Joe and the bartender is filling out forms in the break room,” Watkins said.

“Of course, you might get a couple from his friends, they might surprise you this time,” Barnabas suggested. “They didn’t seem as self assured when they learned Willie was a crippled old man that couldn’t even raise his arm to defend himself.”

“You’d better get out of the state, Collins!” Thornton yelled.

“Going to add threats on the long list of charges I’m going to press the prosecutor to file?” Watkins yelled. “Shut up until your daddy arranges a lawyer or I’ll see you behind bars for at least 5 to 10! Here’s a form to fill out your statement, Mr. Collins.”

“Thank you,” Barnabas said.

“Before you start, lets get some photos of those bruises that are coming up and the blood,” Watkins suggested. “Do you need medical attention, just to be safe?”

“I’ll recover,” Barnabas said. “I didn’t hit my head or anything.”

“Well, if you could hold out your hands…. what are the bandages for?”

“A boating accident,” Barnabas said. “My hands were caught in a line that tightened when the wind shifted. It took several minutes for someone to spot I was in trouble, they couldn't hear me over the sudden storm. My hands will be fine but they're weak right now.”

“He's lying!” Thornton yelled. “He squeezed my hand hard!”

Barnabas shook his head. “I hit a pressure point between the two bones in his wrist. That didn't require a lot of strength.”

“This will also help your case, Mr. Collins,” the sheriff said. “It would be very unlikely that a man suffering damage to his wrists and hands would pick a fight. Can you hold them out for me, I want a photo of your knuckles and those bandages. It'll show they aren't cut or bruised. Hold right there,” Watkins said. “Turn them over, please. Good, now, one with you facing the camera and I’ll move to left and right profiles…good. I got shots of junior over there when we brought him in. May I see under the bandages?”

“Do you have first aid tape to rebandage these?” Barnabas asked. “My shirt rubbing on the skin still hurts.”

“We've got a good first aid kit,” the sheriff said. “Let me help take those off and re-bandage them. One sec. Now, medical scissor to cut the bandages. Holy cow! That rope really dug into your skin and muscles. That's quite a rainbow of colors, Mr. Collins. You're fortunate you didn't lose your hands.”

“I was lucky, I agree,” Barnabas said and let the sheriff take photos of his prior injuries.

“Comparing the photos will tell quite a story,” Watkins commented as he re-bandaged the vampire's wrists.

“I hope so,” Barnabas said and glanced up when someone stormed into the office. He could see a resemblance between the older man and Alex Thornton. The vampire sat down and began filling out the forms.

“Dad! Get me out of here!”

“What happened Watkins?”

“Sheriff Watkins,” the sheriff said. “Alex there pulled Mr. Collins out of his chair, hit him and sent him to the floor. He pulled Mr. Collins up and hit him again and tried for a third when Mr. Collins grabbed Alex’s hand and they scuffled a bit. That’s when me and my deputy arrived. Alex is under arrest for assault and battery and we’ve had some information come out about the Willie Loomis case as well, that’s what upset Junior.”

“What information?” Alex Sr. demanded. “That was an unfortunate mishap, Alex didn’t mean to hit him that hard after Loomis threw that punch.”

“He didn’t throw a punch,” Barnabas said as he continued to write. “Willie couldn’t raise his arm nor form a fist. His speech was slightly slurred and his arm was crippled due to a recent stroke.”

Barnabas glanced up and saw Alex Sr. frown and turn to look at his son.

“Don’t believe him, Dad!” Junior said quickly. “Maybe I got which fist he threw wrong.”

“So did all your friends,” Watkins said. “The medical records will go into detail about his stroke and how much he had recovered and the basic autopsy shows Willie Loomis didn’t have any alcohol in his system. Mr. Collins here also couldn't throw a punch tonight.”

“Are you also recovering from a stroke?” Alex Sr. asked.

Barnabas held up his arms, revealing the bandages. “Boating accident.”

“I’d like to speak to my son, please,” Alex Sr. said.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” Watkins said. “Don’t pass anything between the bars, Mr. Thornton.”

Barnabas continued writing and then filling out the other forms as the two Thorntons talked. He finished just as Alex Sr. stepped away from the bars.

“I’ll have a lawyer for him in the morning,” Alex Sr. said.

“Dad, you can’t leave me here overnight!” Junior protested. “Have the judge set bail or OR release!”

“Not this time, Alex,” Sr. said. “Shut up until you talk with the lawyer. I mean it, shut up and don’t bother the sheriff. Sheriff Watkins, I apologize if he’s been a pain in the ass.”

“Nothing I haven’t seen before, Mr. Thornton,” the sheriff responded.

“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Collins, I hope your injuries aren’t serious,” Alex Sr. said. “Good night, gentlemen.”

Barnabas glanced at the cell and saw a stunned Alex Jr. move to sit on the cot and begin staring at his shoes.

“Well, these forms look fine,” the sheriff said as he glanced over the papers Barnabas had filled out. “I’ll have these typed up and I’d appreciate you dropping around tomorrow evening to sign them. Will you be at the Collins Old House?”
“Not at the moment,” Barnabas said.

Sheriff Watkins frowned. “Thomas Jennings said he was caretaking the place and his boss was your wife when Willie was killed.”

“My wife and I are estranged currently,” Barnabas responded. “We’re being civilized about it but not to the point of staying under the same roof.”

“Oh, too bad, I’m sorry to hear that. Thank you very much for coming over and going through with this,” the sheriff said as they both stood up and he shook Barnabas’ hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Goodnight, Sheriff, thank you for your courage.”

In minutes Barnabas stepped out of the office and glanced around. He resisted smiling at the sight of Alex Thornton Sr. leaning against a car across the street. The vampire walked up to the other man.


# # # #


SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“Oh, ow,” Buffy muttered as she opened her eyes.

“There she is!”

Buffy looked at Spike as she stood up, realizing that she was chained between two pillars with her arms outstretched. She tugged at the chains as she glared at the vampire.

“Was beginning to think you'd sleep the night away,” he commented.

“Dru... Drusilla?” Buffy asked as her brain began to clear.

Spike grinned and stepped aside and Buffy's eyes widened. Dru was tied to a pillar with her hands behind her back about ten feet away from the Slayer.

“Not nice to change the game in mid-play, Spike,” Dru scolded. “You've taken my chair and the music hasn't stopped.”

“Sorry, pet, my house, my rules,” Spike declared.

“I think I shall be very cross with you when I'm free again,” Drusilla commented.

“What's going on?” Buffy asked.

“Simple, I'm gonna prove something,” Spike said and moved close to Buffy. “I love you.”

Buffy closed her eyes and winced. “Oh my God,” she muttered.

“No!” Spike yelled and grabbed her chin. “Look at me! I love you!”

Buffy jerked her head back from him.

“You're all I bloody think about! Dream about and you're in my gut... my throat, I'm drowning in you, Summers!” Spike declared. “I'm drowning in you.”

Drusilla began to laugh.

Spike spun and glared at his ex. “I can do without the laugh track, Dru.”

“But it's so funny!” Dru declared. “I knew before you did. I knew you loved the Slayer. The pixies in my head whispered it to me.”

Spike turned back to Buffy.

“You can't tell me that there isn't anything there between you and me, I know you feel something,” he said firmly.

“It's called revulsion,” Buffy snapped. “I'm with someone and whatever you think you're feeling, it's not love. You can't love without a soul.”

“Oh we can, you know,” Dru argued. “We can love quite well, if not wisely.”

“You still don't believe?” Spike demanded from Buffy. “Still don't think I meant it? You think that wolfie is going to stick around after all of this? He'll leave, just like everyone else in your life. You want proof I love you, huh? How's this?”

Spike walked over to the small table under the pictures and grabbed a stake. He turned and pressed it against Dru's chest and looked at the Slayer.

“I'm going to kill Dru for you,” he stated.

Drusilla began laughing.

“That doesn't prove anything except that you're a sick, miserable vampire that I should've dusted a long time ago. And, hey, already there.”

“Don't mock this!” Spike yelled.

“Go mock yourself,” Buffy snapped.

“This is Drusilla, girl!” Spike yelled. “You have the slightest idea what she means to me?” It's the face of my salvation! She delivered me from mediocrity. For over a century we... we cut a swath through continents. A hundred years, she never stopped surprising me.”

He gently caressed Drusilla's cheek and she leaned into his touch.

“She never stopped taking me to new depths,” Spike said softly. “I was a lucky bloke just to touch such a black beauty.”

Buffy rolled her eyes.

“Awww,” Drusilla said softly.

Without warning Spike raised the stake and brought it down and stopped with the point just breaking the skin.

Drusilla gasped and winced. “Ow.”

“So, you see, it means something,” Spike said to Buffy.

“Not to me,” Buffy said firmly. “Kill her, why do I care?”

Spike looked surprised and lowered his hand.

He walked over to Buffy. “Here's why, if you don't admit that there's something there, some tiny feeling for me, then I'll untie Dru and let her kill you instead.”

Dru began nodding enthusiastically. “Yes, please, I like that game much more.”

“Just give me something,” Spike said softly to Buffy. “A crumb, a barest smidgen. Tell me that maybe, someday, there's a chance.”

Buffy glared as he moved closer. “Spike...”

The vampire looked hopeful.

“The only chance you had with me,” Buffy said. “Was when I was unconscious.”

“Oi!” Spike threw the stake across the cave with a yell. “What the bleeding hell is wrong with you bloody women?! What the hell does it take? Why... why do you bitches torture me?”

“Which question do you want me to answer first?” Buffy asked.

“Look, I'm... I'm at the end of my bleeding tether!” Spike yelled. “You know? I don't even know why I even bother, you know?”

He glared at Drusilla. “This is your fault! You're the one to blame for all this!”

“Am I?” Drusilla asked.

“Bloody right you are!” he yelled. “If you hadn't left me for that chaos demon, I never would have come back here! Never would have had this sodding chip in my skull!”

He turned and looked at Buffy. “And you... wouldn't be able to touch me, because this.... between us, is wrong. I know it! I'm not a complete idiot!”

“You think I like having you in here?” he demanded as he pounded his chest. “Destroying everything that was me, until all that's left is you, in a dead shell. You may hate it but you won't leave. You know what I should do? Get rid of both of you! Burn you. Cut you into little pieces!”

Buffy raised her eyebrows at the scissor gesture he made with his fingers.

“So there won't be anymore bints to cock up things for Spi....”

Spike spun around and landed on the floor on his face.

Buffy was stunned to see an arrow sticking out of his back. Even more surprising was Harmony standing behind him with a crossbow.

Spike looked up. “Oh great.”

“What about me, Spike?” she demanded. “You forget about me again? The ACTUAL girlfriend?”

Drusilla and Buffy exchanged looks as Harmony hovered over Spike.

“I gave you the best...bunch of months of my life!” she snapped.

Buffy winced as Harmony hit Spike over the head with the crossbow.

“That's right, little girl,” Drusilla urged. “Teach our naughty boy a lesson.”

“Oh, so now you're all ganging up!” Spike complained.

“I thought I could change you, Spike,” Harmony said. “I thought maybe if I gave and I gave and gave, maybe you'd come around. Maybe be a little nicer. To stop treating me like your dog.”

Buffy and Dru watched as she began reloading the crossbow.

“But now I see it's you,” Harmony continued. “You're the dog. Who needs to be put d....”

Harmony glanced over at Drusilla and Spike jumped up and grabbed the crossbow away from her and hit her in the face. He threw the crossbow away.

Buffy began to really tug at her chains.

Spike aimed a kick at Harmony who managed to avoid it and punched him.

Buffy increased her efforts as she watched Dru struggling against the rope binding her.

Harmony kneed Spike in the groin and then slapped him. She swung again and Spike ducked and kneed her in the stomach and slammed her to the floor.

Buffy gritted her teeth as Drusilla worked her way free from the rope and ran at the Slayer. She hit Buffy in the stomach and tried to swing at Buffy but was blocked and head-butted.

Buffy absently noted Spike was now on top of Harmony, pinning her to the floor.

“Ow!” Harmony yelled. “You're on my hair!”

Harmony reached around Spike and grabbed the arrow in his back and twisted. Spike yelled in pain.

Buffy kicked Drusilla and flipped over while still chained and locked her legs around Dru's neck and, using a wrestling move, flung the vampire away from her.

Harmony stood over Spike with the arrow in hand as he writhed in pain. She attempted to stake Spike with it but he grabbed her arm and they began grappling.

Drusilla picked up a 2x4 board and hit Buffy several times with it while grinning.

Spike punched Harmony, knocking the girl to the ground.

Buffy gasped as Drusilla grabbed her by the throat with a smile. Spike rushed over and flung his ex-lover aside. As she shook her head, Spike took out a key and unlocked Buffy's chains. Dru got to her feet as Slayer and Spike stood side-by-side.

Drusilla appeared stunned as she touched her cheek. “Poor Spike, so lost. Even I can't help you now.”

Before either of them could move Drusilla was scrambling up the ladder.

“Oh, Spikey,” Harmony said and stood up.

“And you can say goodbye to this!” she said and pointed to her ass. “Because you're not gonna see it any more ever.... Unless you run into me somewhere and it's me walking away from you.”

Both vampire and Slayer rolled their eyes as she left.

Spike turned to Buffy, obviously anticipating....something.

Buffy punched him in the face, sending him into the Buffy shrine. She turned and headed up the ladder as Spike was covered with pictures of Buffy.


# # # #


COLLINSPORT, MAINE


“My son told me about the insight you had about the possible culpability of my bar and hence myself in the death of Willie Loomis,” Thornton Sr. said.

“There’s a potential case there, I believe,” Barnabas said.

“What are you looking for, Mr. Collins? And please don’t pretend you don’t know how to dance.”

“Justice for Willie,” Barnabas said. “Beyond that… to get you to stop trying to take over my family’s business and home. If that last bit can be handled quietly, I wouldn’t be adverse. Neither family wants tabloid reporters behind every bush digging up whatever they think might be worthy of newsprint.”

“Both families have skeletons, I agree,” Thornton said after a moment. “What was Willie Loomis to you?”

“I helped care for him over the last few years,” Barnabas said. “He was a very good friend to my parents and we came to love him very much.”

“Junior probably won’t do a lot of time and I will try to fight for probation,” Thornton Sr. said after a moment.

“I understand that,” Barnabas said. “I want Willie’s name cleared and… any probation to include restricting your son from drinking and indulging in that pack mentality he has.”

“And money?”

“None at Collinwood or the Old House need it,” Barnabas said. “Perhaps a donation to a research group working with stroke victims?”

Thornton hesitated a moment and nodded. “$50,000 in two donations, no more attempts to buy the cannery or Collinwood and my son will plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and state publicly that Willie didn’t throw a punch and he apologizes. If the prosecutor will agree to a quick case.”

“And a judge,” Barnabas added.

“That won’t be a problem,” Thornton said. “Deal?”

Barnabas nodded. “I have to ask my wife and Willie’s friends but I have no doubt we can finalize this privately tomorrow evening.”

“And your charges?”

“I believe the Sheriff won’t mind if I’m called out of state on an emergency if your son will plead guilty to the more serious charges,” Barnabas ventured.

The two men shook hands and Thornton chuckled.

“This is refreshing, Mr. Collins,” he said. “It’s not often I can work through things so straightforward. Thank you for being reasonable.”

“My pleasure, as long as Willie’s name is cleared, we’ll be happy. He worked very hard at remaining sober for decades,” Barnabas said. “If your son changes his mind or gets probation and his attitude doesn’t change the next case would most likely be very unpleasant. His insecurities leading to bullying others and it only harms everyone.”

“I agree,” Thornton said after a moment. “I think its time for my son to experience some hard work instead an unlimited credit card. Have a good evening, Mr. Collins. I’ll see you tomorrow evening outside the Blue Whale.”

“I look forward to it.”

The vampire watched as Thornton got into his car and pulled away from the curb. He glanced up the street and saw Maggie and Joe waiting by their car and walked over.

“What was that about?” Joe asked. “We thought you might like a ride or maybe you’d stay with us. We told Carolyn we'd bring you up since people might notice you don't have a ride.”

“I would appreciate a ride,” Barnabas said. “I’ll explain in the car.”

Several minutes later Joe pulled over to the side of the road and turned in his seat to look at Barnabas in the back.

“Alex Jr. will plead guilty? Willie won’t be accused of being a violent drunk?”

“He’ll plead guilty, his father and attorney will point out what could happen if he doesn’t once the sheriff has the medical reports,” Barnabas said. “He’ll state publicly that Willie didn’t throw a punch.”

“How did you manage that?” Maggie asked.

“And to get Senior to back off trying to take over the town,” Joe added.

“As Thornton said, both families have skeletons. Men don't get into his position without some questionable tactics,” Barnabas said. “Willie’s name will be cleared and, if the father and prosecutor agree, Junior will be taken down a peg or two.”

“Would Willie agree to this?” Maggie asked.

“I believe he would, as long as the family is protected,” the vampire said. “And especially the two of you. He considered you family.”

“Let’s hope they insist on at least some jail time,” Joe grumbled. “You and Julia wouldn’t want someone with Thornton’s money and influence investigating you, right?”

“It would be difficult to find out exactly what we’re hiding but he might be able to find gaps in our histories that we can’t explain,” Barnabas said. “Getting him to stop trying to take over the cannery and Collinwood was very important to me and I believe he’ll keep to his word. No violence, no threats, no illegal activity and he leaves us alone.”

“If this goes on his record, that’ll help,” Joe said after a moment. “You sure you don’t want to stay with us?”

“There’s a lot of places where I can rest at Collinwood without putting anyone out,” Barnabas said. “I do appreciate the offer. Perhaps the two of you and Carolyn could take Dawn around. This is her first trip to New England.”

“What’s happening in California that you have to get back to?” Maggie asked.

“We stopped the Leviathans and Nicholas Blair from bringing them into this world,” Barnabas said. “He came back and is wanting revenge and there’s another major threat happening at the same time that could destroy the world. There’s someone there I want to spend more time with as well.”

“You and Julia are totally quits?” Joe asked.

“Quite possibly,” Barnabas said. “Someone from my past reappeared and Julia was threatened. I didn’t ask Julia to leave and I swore that I was committed to the relationship but she wouldn’t trust that and there was someone who was ready to take my place in her life.”

“Tom,” Maggie ventured and Barnabas nodded.

“He’s been with us for years,” the vampire said and shrugged.

Joe pulled back out onto the road.

“I’m sorry, Barnabas,” Maggie said softly.

“Thank you, I’ll be all right,” Barnabas said. “The person that reappeared still cares deeply for me. We’re going to see where it goes.”

“Will you come back here?” Joe asked.

“Probably after everything is settled in California and Tom makes the caretaker’s cottage safe for Julia during the day,” Barnabas said. “I won’t give up the Old House now that I can come back. Julia and I were afraid of how you’d both react if you saw us.”

It suddenly hit Barnabas, what if Maggie remembered the vampire that had preyed on her almost to the point of death? That had been Roxanne. Damn.

But then... those incidents hadn't happened, had they? He and Julia had changed things. Gerard hadn't been able to destroy Collinwood. Daphne and David and Hallie hadn't died and Collinwood still stood even though Roxanne and Sebastian remembered both timelines. But they had changed things, how was it that Daphne had remained alive and human? Another mystery.

“Maggie, do you remember Roxanne?” Barnabas asked.

“Roxanne... wasn't she friends with Sebastian?” she responded. “They showed up and left pretty quickly. Why?”

“She was turned into what Julia and I are,” Barnabas said. “I had just found that out and Julia and I... had to handle something and Roxanne and Sebastian were gone when we got back. We had gotten close.”

“She's the one that showed back up?” Joe asked as they pulled through the gate onto the road leading to Collinwood.

“Yes,” Barnabas said. “She is psychic and knew what was waiting for me and... she didn't want to see me go through it.”

“You've been with Julia for a long time,” Joe commented.

“Yes, and she was devoted to me for years before I figured out how I felt,” Barnabas agreed. “She needs to spread her wings, I suppose, and she knows how I felt and continued to feel about Roxanne.”

“And here we are,” Joe announced as they pulled up to the main house. “Let's hope they moved the knives and swords out of the parlor.”

Maggie chuckled as the three got out of the car.

“Give us a minute, Joe,” she said.

“All right,” Joe said and kissed her cheek.

Barnabas leaned against the car as he wondered what Maggie wanted to discuss.

“I figured out later what happened to Joe,” Maggie said. “And some of my own nightmares. I'm glad we became friends, Barnabas.”

“Maggie...”

“Those nightmares, they were caused by realizing what happened to Joe and my imagination,” Maggie said firmly. “Nothing more and nothing to be afraid of.”

Barnabas raised Maggie's hand and kissed the back of it.

“Let's go inside,” Maggie suggested.


# # # #