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.


# # # #