Dark are the Shadows 03/10/2020

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

“What are you thinking?” Giles asked Buffy after she and Quentin told him what they had seen.

“Of someone that was described as bathing in blood until it ran into the gutters and it wasn't Elizabeth Bathory,” Buffy said.

“Well, we know there's no Angelus or Darla and Spike is neutered,” Giles said. “You think...?”

“I'm going to find out,” Buffy said firmly. “I'm going to go wake someone up. Quentin, can you hang here with Giles and watch over the vamps?”

“Of course,” he responded.

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Amy smiled as Barnabas held the door open for her at the diner with his foot. It was easy to spot Maggie and Joe sitting at a large table with Amy’s son Thomas and… Julia?

Carolyn and Elizabeth entered behind Amy and Carolyn smiled widely as Julia spotted them. Carolyn moved quickly through the small space to hug Julia tightly.

Amy approached Julia with a tentative smile. “Barnabas told me.”

“I’m glad he did, I’ve missed seeing you,” Julia said. “We’ve watched you from the shadows. Dawn, its so good to see you! Is everyone all right in California?”

“So far, Barnabas and Willow were hurt pretty bad but we got them back. That's one reason I'm along, I can help with heavy stuff and things he can't use his hands for.”

“His hands?”

Barnabas walked over and kissed Julia’s cheek. “I'll be fine,” he said softly.

A rumble of a growl from Thomas wasn’t lost on Carolyn.

The werewolf smiled when Elizabeth ran and hugged him.

“You being a good girl up at the big house?” he asked and the girl nodded.

Everyone sat down and gave their orders with Barnabas and Julia ordering just coffee.

“Who runs this place now?” Barnabas asked.

“I do,” Maggie said. “I own it. Roger invested in it with me when Amy started highschool and I wasn’t needed as a governess any longer.”

“I’m glad he bought in,” Julia said.

“We didn’t get a chance to talk much when we were in California,” Carolyn said. “Tell us, Barnabas.”

“I gave Maggie and Joe a short version,” Barnabas said and repeated what he had told the couple. He knew Carolyn, Thomas and Julia knew it wasn’t exactly true but… it would keep a lot of questions from being asked by Maggie and Joe that could only lead to old wounds being opened again and possibly placing Julia and Barnabas in danger.

“Barnabas, Julia, we’re so sorry this happened,” Maggie said when the man she had known for decades had finished.

“Thank you, Maggie,” Julia said softly. “Good things have come out of it, we’ve helped the family from the shadows.”

“And they helped save the world recently,” Carolyn added. “The Leviathans tried to make a try at the world again and they were essential in the fight.”

“So was Carolyn,” Barnabas added. “Her psychic insight set us on the track.”

“And you’ve helped Thomas with family things,” Amy noted. She didn’t think he had shared the knowledge of his lycanthropy with Maggie and Joe, certainly.

“And Quentin?” Maggie asked. “There are times when he doesn’t look like he hasn’t changed much the few times we’ve seen him.”

Barnabas glanced at Julia and she merely shrugged. “Well… damn, my phone is vibrating, please excuse me it may be from California.”

The vampire quickly moved outside.

“If I didn’t know better I’d swear he was dodging the question,” Maggie said with a smile.

“Most likely he is,” Carolyn agreed with a laugh.

Barnabas dialed and waited impatiently. “Quentin, it’s Barnabas. Yes, I’m fine so far. Listen, I don’t have time to explain but I’m with Maggie, Joe, Carolyn and Amy. They know about Julia and me and Maggie is asking if there’s anything unusual about you. Apparently, your age makeup didn’t hold up on occasion. If you trust them with the knowledge of your immortality, I won’t tell them about the portrait. Just that…you’ve been cursed or something. Yes, Julia agrees that I’ve lost my mind and I might agree tomorrow. Thank you, old friend. It might be advantageous to have a home to run to and people who will protect us. I’ll call back later tonight. No, I’m not sure where I’ll be staying, seems Julia doesn’t trust Thomas and me in the same house. I’ll explain later.”

“What did Quentin say?” Carolyn asked when Barnabas returned.

“That he trusts everyone at this table,” Barnabas said easily. “It wasn’t my secret to tell without permission. You are right, Maggie, Quentin isn’t aging. He has also been cursed.”

“But… we’ve seen him in the daytime,” Maggie protested.

“His curse is immortality,” Barnabas said. “He falls in love and he never ages while… Daphne and others did.”

“Many people would love to be immortal but they don’t really know what that entails,” Julia commented.

“So, he’ll disappear sometime soon and not return for another generation,” Maggie ventured and Barnabas nodded.

“You know, I’m beginning to be glad I escaped whatever was happening all those years ago,” Joe said.

“Be glad you’re human,” Thomas mumbled.

“Dawn, tell us about yourself and family,” Maggie urged.

“Well, my older sister is a vampire hunter...”

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy approached Spike's crypt cautiously. She ducked behind a tombstone when she spotted movement near the door. She glanced around the stone and her eyes widened. Harmony? Harmony all vamped out?

“Spike, you are really an idiot,” Buffy muttered. She ran to the crypt quietly once Harmony entered.

After not hearing anything for a moment the Slayer glanced inside. Given that it was daytime it wasn't like a vampire could chase her, right?

Buffy frowned when she didn't see anyone. Then her eyes narrowed when she spotted an open trapdoor. She approached it quietly and listened.

“What the heck is this?!” she heard Harmony demand.

“Oh bloody hell.”

Buffy wondered what was upsetting both of them...

“Who is... oh, wait! I get it,” Harmony continued. “Our little sex games was just the beginning. Now you've gone and picked up some cheap queen of the damned to dress up like your precious Drood-zilla.”

“Harm,” Spike tried to interject.

Buffy lost her smile.

“You'd better not be thinking what I think you're thinking!” Harmony warned. “Cause my answer is the same as always, no threesomes!”

“Harm, you moron, this IS Drusilla,” Spike said sharply.

“Oh well,” Harmony said.

Buffy moved closer to try and hear better.

“You've got some nerve showing up here like this. After all this time. After breaking my sweet boo-boo's heart.”

Boo-boo?

“Do you have any idea how hard it's been to break down the walls he put up after you left?” Harmony demanded. “I mean SERIOUS trust issues.”

“Harm...”

“So it's no use you crawling back to him, 'cause Spikey don't play that game any more, Morticia,” Harmony said firmly.

Buffy jumped slightly at the sound of Harmony gasping.

“It's been fun while it lasted, Harm,” Spike said. “But I think it'd be best now if you hit the road.”

Buffy winced at the sound of someone hitting a wall hard.

“Why? Because she's back?” Harmony wailed.

“No, because I am,” Spike said.

“And there you are, my darling, deadly boy.”

Oh boy, that was Dru's voice!

Buffy moved quietly behind the tomb as the door opened. She glanced around the corner and saw Harmony running across the graveyard in tears.

The Slayer took off in the opposite direction as fast as she could.

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

An hour later the group made their way into the Blue Whale where they grabbed two tables and pushed them together.

Barnabas ordered a round of drinks for everyone and the conversation continued from the dinner. Julia was amazed at how relaxed she felt and noticed Barnabas was the most open and relaxed she had ever seen him. Maybe having shared his biggest secret, or a version of it, had finally freed him from the self-imposed isolation and aloofness.

Then a small crowd entered the bar and Maggie, Joe and Carolyn grew quiet.

Barnabas didn’t turn around. “Thornton.”

Maggie nodded. “Don’t do anything, Barnabas, please.”

Barnabas nodded but Julia knew what the clenched jaw and fury in the eyes could mean.

The crowd of young men in their 20s made their way to the bar with a lot of loud chatter and laughter.

“Hey look, Alex, the Losers Club from Collinwood,” someone said loudly.

“Joe,” Maggie said and grabbed his hand tightly.

“Well, well, well,” a voice said as someone drew close behind Barnabas.

Julia saw her husband pull the cane off his arm and lean it against the table and Dawn's hand moved slowly to grab it so it wouldn't fall.

“Is this the wake for the drunk old man?” the voice demanded.

“He wasn’t drunk, you idiot,” Thomas snapped.

“Everyone knows he could put away the booze like old Steve,” Alex said with a laugh.

Barnabas turned slightly in his chair to look at the young man.

“Tell me something, Mr. Thornton, what makes you think Willie was drunk?” he asked.

“He was slurring his words,” Alex Thornton answered.

“And he threw a punch? With which hand? I know his right was in front of him as he tried to calm things down,” Barnabas asked.

“With his left,” Thornton said and began frowning.

“I’ve heard that your father owns this bar,” Barnabas continued. “And you were drinking with your friends that night. I find that very interesting.”

“Why?”

“Because, Mr. Thornton, the autopsy is going to prove that Willie hadn’t been drinking,” Barnabas said with a slight smile. “He hadn’t had a drink since the late 1960s, long before you were born.”

The vampire looked at Joe and smiled. “How would you like to own this bar, Joe?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Thornton demanded.

“Just that we can prove Willie hadn’t been drinking, we can also prove that he didn’t throw a punch,” Barnabas said. “You said, in front of many people, that he threw a punch with his left hand. Willie couldn’t raise his left arm or hand. His speech was slightly slurred because he was recovering from a stroke, something that is well documented in recent medical records. Now, I suspect that you’re not actually worth much, monetarily, I mean, but I do suspect your father is.”

“What’s my father got to do with this?”

“He owns this bar where you were drinking the night you killed a man,” Barnabas said. “A crippled and sober old man. That means that your father’s bar contributed to the death of Willie. It’s called a wrongful death lawsuit. The authorities will probably arrest you after the autopsy and medical records prove what I’m saying but you’re also facing a hefty lawsuit that could seriously damage your father’s wealth and position in town. In other words, my friend, you’re in some serious trouble.”

“Wow,” Barnabas heard Joe whisper.

It took Alex Thornton several moments to process what Barnabas had said but then his reaction was swift. He pulled Barnabas up out of his chair and hit him.

# # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“This is.... oh bloody hell,” Giles muttered. “I'm surprised Harmony made it out of the graveyard. This is...”

“So we have Glory and Nicholas and now two master vampires in the mix?” Quentin asked.

“Yes,” Buffy said.” Spike can't harm anyone human but Drusilla can and she delights in it.”

“The sun will be setting soon,” Giles said. “Perhaps with Tara and Angelique's help we can stop Drusilla before she does any more damage.”

“It's after sunset.”

Giles looked up and smiled as Angelique started down the stairs. “Sorry, luv, I'll warm some blood for you.”

“What's happened?” she asked as Willow and Tara joined them.

“Drusilla,” Buffy said.

“Oh no!” Willow exclaimed.

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Barnabas fell into a neighboring table and customers and was hauled to his feet again by Thornton and hit again, sending him to the floor as people yelled and pulled away from the fight.

“Joe, no!” he heard Maggie yell.

“Uncle Barnabas!” Elizabeth screamed.

“Barnabas!” several people yelled.

Thornton again pulled Barnabas to his feet and started to throw another punch only Barnabas caught the man’s hand and stopped it, wrapping his hand around the man’s fist.

Slowly the bigger and younger man went to his knees as his friends stared in disbelief and confusion, unsure if they should try and help their friend.

Barnabas leaned in close to Alex Thornton.

“I’m not going to kill you,” he whispered. “Just know that I could.”

Barnabas stepped back when the sheriff and a deputy rushed in. They hesitated a moment and then dragged Alex Thornton to his feet.

“This young man attacked me,” Barnabas said calmly.

“He started it!” Thornton protested.

“We were merely discussing a potential lawsuit,” Barnabas said. “I was sitting in my chair and he dragged me out of it and hit me twice and attempted a third blow.”

“Who are you?” the sheriff demanded.

“Barnabas Collins, son of the Barnabas Collins that lived here in the late 60s, early 70s,” Barnabas said. “My wife and I were visiting relatives and caring for Willie Loomis.”

“Barnabas didn’t do anything!” Carolyn exclaimed as Thomas held and tried to calm Elizabeth.

“He swung at me, my friends will swear to it!” Thornton argued and looked at his friends.

They suddenly didn’t want to meet his eyes and Thornton turned bright red.

“He didn’t swing,” a voice said and everyone glanced at the bartender.

“You’ll lose your job!” Thornton threatened.

“Better that than watch you try to kill another man!” the bartender yelled back.

“Mr. Collins, Carl, I’d like you both to come down and make formal statements,” the sheriff said. “If you’re pressing charges for assault that is. If not he’ll be arrested on disturbing the peace charges.”

“I’m pressing charges,” Barnabas said calmly. “Let me clean the blood off my face and I’ll be over. Carolyn or someone can direct me to your office.”

“I’d rather you not clean up, Mr. Collins,” the sheriff said. “I’d like to take pictures of you in this condition.”

“Oh yes, of course,” Barnabas said. “In that case, I’ll follow you over. I’ll also arrange for Willie Loomis’ medical files to be turned over to you and you can pass those along to the magistrate or prosecutor, whatever you have here in the States. They’ll prove that Willie couldn’t have thrown a punch that night.”

“Really?” the sheriff asked and smiled as his deputy handcuffed Alex Thornton. “That will be a big help, thank you.”

“Bar is closing!” Carl yelled. “Finish ‘em up! I have to go to the sheriff’s office.”

The customers and Collins family watched the sheriff and deputy almost drag a protesting Alex Thornton out of the bar.

Barnabas turned to his family and friends and picked up his cane.

“You could have hurt him, couldn’t you? Even with your wrists and hands being weakened, right?” Joe asked as everyone stood up and Carolyn quickly checked the vampire over.

“Yes, easily,” Barnabas admitted.

“You let yourself be hit,” Maggie surmised and Barnabas nodded.

“We are stronger and faster than most people,” he said. “Now young Mr. Thornton is facing additional assault charges and that strengthens the case involving Willie.”

“And the stuff about his father and the bar?” Joe asked.

“I made some phone calls before picking up Carolyn, Amy and Elizabeth,” Barnabas said. “I found that he owns this bar which puts him in a bad position along with his son.”

“Amazing,” Julia said softly.

“Sometimes you can destroy or injure someone without killing them,” Barnabas said. “Carolyn, take my car and head back to Collinwood. I’ll walk over to the sheriff’s office. Dawn, I'll be fine, honestly. I'm just going to fill out some forms.”

“How will you get…. Nevermind,” Carolyn said with a smile and kissed his cheek. “We’ll be waiting to hear how it goes. Maggie, Joe, come with us? It’ll be wonderful to have you two up and we can spend more time with Barnabas and Julia since Barnabas and Dawn are leaving again tomorrow night.”

The couple looked to each other and nodded.

“We’d like that,” Maggie said. “Barnabas, thank you for this, for not…. Hurting him, I mean.”

“We’ll have some sort of justice for Willie,” Barnabas said. “I can’t promise Alex Thornton won’t have an accident when he’s released from prison if he serves any time. Now, excuse me for a bit. Julia, walk me out?”

“Of course.”

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Joyce brought out a pot roast as most of the Scooby gang and Quentin and Angelique sat at the dining room table discussing how to handle all three major threats.

“Rupert, take more than just one slice, please,” Joyce urged. “You're still too thin.”

“I will,” he promised.

“Oh my phone,” Willow said and rushed to grab her phone from a table in the living room. “Oh, hey, Xan, what's up? What? Okay, passing that along now. Hang in there.”

Everyone frowned as Willow approached the table.

“What's up?” Buffy asked.

“Two college students dead at the Bronze,” Willow said. “Xan and Anya were out for a bit before coming over here. One had his throat ripped out and the other had a broken neck and neck wounds. Some people are saying they remember a dark haired girl with intense eyes and a blonde guy in a long leather coat going up to the balcony where the students were found.”

“Spike and Dru,” Buffy said with a frown.

“But Spike can't harm anyone human,” Tara said.

“Drusilla can,” Buffy pointed out.

“The student with the broken neck,” Giles ventured. “Drusilla killed the one and Spike fed from the body while she killed the other student by draining them.”

“Sounds like a good theory as to what happened,” Buffy said as she got up. “Everyone, finish dinner. I'm going to hit Willies and see what's on the grapevine and I'll come back and gather the troops.”

“Are you sure?” Giles asked with a frown.

“Yeah, I won't be long. I'll throw weapons in the Jeep just in case I have to convince someone to tell me what they know,” Buffy said.

Giles and Quentin frowned.

“Oh, hey, Will, can you and Tara do something while I'm gone?”

“Yeah, sure, what?” Willow asked.

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Julia led Barnabas to the parking lot and leaned against their car. “You said you’re going back to California.”

“Tomorrow night, if possible,” Barnabas informed her. “I’m still needed and I need to take Dawn home. I'm healing from Nicholas bricking me up in a wall every night, thankfully.”

“Back to Roxanne,” Julia said.

“While you stay here with Thomas,” Barnabas countered.

“What are we going to do, Barnabas? I love you.”

“I love you, Julia,” Barnabas said. “You’re with someone else. You need to find yourself, I understand. Your life revolved around mine for decades. It hurts but I understand it logically and I'm not walking away from Roxanne again.”

“After things are settled in California are you coming back now that Maggie, Joe and Amy know most of the truth?”

“I don’t know,” Barnabas said.

“You’re upset about the Old House,” Julia ventured.

“Very,” Barnabas acknowledged.

“I want to remain in Collinsport for awhile,” Julia said. “How do we deal with this?”

“I don’t know,” Barnabas admitted.

“Can you tolerate running into Thomas and me?” Julia asked after a moment.

“If he stops growling at me,” Barnabas said. “I didn’t ask for this, Julia. Can you tolerate seeing me with Roxanne if it progresses into something permanent or... long term?”

“I suppose we’ll find out,” Julia said. “Carolyn wants Thomas to be the handyman around the property. We could take the cottage and I can have him work up a… room or something to ensure my safety during the day before you return from California.”

“I know there’s plenty of room at the Old House but I’m not sure the four of us could actually live together and I need to trust him to protect me,” Barnabas said. “I can’t say that trust is there.”

“I agree living together with you and Roxanne would be too stressful,” Julia said. “Are you going to be safe tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’ll find somewhere. Maggie and Joe have offered to show Dawn around,” Barnabas said. “I must go and file a complaint against young Mr. Thornton. I’ll be at Collinwood afterwards. Oh, I don’t know if you heard, Willie managed to speak and said to tell you and me that he wouldn’t change a thing. Maggie and Joe thought he was delirious.”

“Oh God, I am going to miss him so much. You’re too pale, Barnabas,” Julia noted with a frown.

“I’ll manage that as well,” he responded. “Julia… be happy. I know I wasn’t the best husband someone could ask for but I did and do love you.”

“I love you, Barnabas,” Julia said and touched his cheek. “I always will, I just…”

“Need your space? Or is that too outdated a term?”

Julia chuckled and hugged him tightly. “Go file your charges. I’ll get Tom to take over the cottage while you’re gone.”

Barnabas kissed the back of her hand and headed for the sheriff’s office.

# # # #