Dark are the Shadows - BTVS/Dark Shadows - 05/26/2020

Dark Are the Shadows
Ms. Hunter Ash

a BTVS/Dark Shadows crossover
ripperbard7@...
frost29@...

Rating: PG13
pairings: Buffy/Quentin, Barnabas/Roxanne, Julia/Thomas, Xander/Anya, Willow/Tara, Giles/Angelique, Maggie/Joe

# # #

Willow glanced over at Buffy as the Slayer leaned into the arm Quentin had around her. Tara reached out and squeezed Willow's hand. Everyone was subdued and appeared stunned as they waited for word.

It had been two hours since they had arrived and they could tell Buffy was bordering on panic.

Giles stood up when a doctor in surgical scrubs entered.

“Summers family?”

“I'm her husband, this is her daughter,” Giles said as Buffy joined him.

“My mom, how is she?”

“We've got her past this crisis,” the doctor said. “Because of the tumor a vein weakened and began bleeding. We were able to relieve the pressure and she's responding to stimuli and whispered the names Dawn and Buffy when asked the names of her children.”

Giles sighed with relief and wrapped his arm around Buffy's shoulders. “Go on, please.”

“The tumor has been shrinking,” the doctor said. “I'll leave it to her specialist but it might be necessary to remove the tumor surgically. Right now, she's stable and there's no sign of any other bleeders. She's in recovery, give it twenty minutes and she'll be in the ICU where we can keep a close eye on her.”

“Thank you, very much, doctor,” Giles said and shook the man's hand.

Quentin got up and wrapped his arms around Buffy, holding her close.

Giles turned and saw everyone almost collapsed in relief.

“You and Giles go up and see your mom,” Quentin urged. “We'll be here.”

“Okay, thanks for being here, everyone,” Buffy said.

“Wouldn't be anywhere else, Buff,” Xander said.

Buffy and Giles went to the second flood and waited until an ICU nurse motioned for them to come closer and she pulled back a curtain to a bay on the open floor.

“She may not really respond but she'll know you're there,” the nurse said softly. “Her head is going to be bandaged and she's going to appear very pale and there's a number of machines keeping an eye on her vitals. Ten minutes only, please.”

“All right, thank you,” Buffy said and bit her lip when they saw Joyce. She agreed that her mother did look pale and... small. She squeezed one of Joyce's hands. “Mom? It's Buffy, we're here.”

Joyce swallowed and tried to open her eyes, blinking several times. She saw Buffy and smiled. “Hi, baby,” she whispered. “What happened?”

“You passed out and gave us a bit of a scare,” Giles said.

Joyce felt the bandages on her head and looked at Buffy.

“You had a vein start bleeding and they had to stop it,” Buffy explained. “It's okay now.”

“Oh,” Joyce responded. “I had a headache.”

Giles nodded. “They stopped it.”

“Sleepy,” Joyce whispered.

“Get some rest, Mom,” Buffy urged. “I'll be in the waiting room, okay?”

“All right,” Joyce said. “Tell your sister not to worry, I'm too stubborn to leave you.”

“You bet, Mom,” Buffy said and hugged her mom gently and let Giles gently touch her shoulder, urging her out of the area.

“I'm going to get everyone back to the mansion and send Quentin up, all right?” Giles suggested. “I'm going to help keep everyone stable and I will be only minutes away with one phone call. Does that work or do you want me here?”

“Take care of everybody,” Buffy said after a moment. “I know you love mom kinda but everyone needs one of us there.”

Giles nodded. “She'll be all right. We'll get her through this.”

“If she needs surgery, we'll need to get Dawn home,” Buffy said almost absently.

“We'll discuss that in the morning,” Giles said and handed her a $20 bill. “Try and eat something in a bit.”

“Giles... thanks,” Buffy said and hugged him tightly.

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“Oh rats, I forgot that other champagne bottle,” Carolyn complained.

“I'll grab it,” Barnabas offered and pulled the bottle of alcohol out of the refrigerator and started to open the bottle and almost growled. “Damnit.”

“Here,” someone said.

Barnabas turned and found Thomas standing behind him, leaning on a crutch.

“My hands work better than yours right now,” the young werewolf said and took the bottle and worked at the cork. “Are your hands going to get better?”

“They're improving each night,” Barnabas said. “Not as quickly as usual.”

“You haven't been feeding well enough,” Thomas commented. “Julia and I have noticed.”

“So have others,” Barnabas said. “We fed before sleep this morning but... I should again tonight.”

“Julia's been worried,” Thomas said and flinched when the cork popped.

“And you?” Barnabas asked.

“Yeah, me too,” Thomas admitted. “I'm... sorry. I can be a jerk at times.”

“We all were in this,” Barnabas said. “Neither Julia nor I reacted as well as we should have. I'm glad she has someone, Thomas. I am sorry for hurting her and you.”

“Maybe the four of us could talk before you go back to California?” Thomas suggested.

“I'll leave that up to Julia,” Barnabas said. “I'm agreeable.”

“I'll ask,” Thomas said. “I'd best get this out there.”

Barnabas nodded and watched his young friend leave the kitchen and sighed and turned to look out into the dark night. “How complicated lives can become when you throw love into the mix,” he muttered.

“That, my love, is an understatement.”

Barnabas turned from the window and found Julia watching him. “We like to think we're intelligent and rational beings. I sometimes believe that's rarely the case, especially when it comes to relationships.”

“I saw Tom heading this way and thought I'd play referee if need be,” Julia explained as she drew closer to her husband.

“We actually talked and apologized to each other,” Barnabas said. “he says you're worried about me.”

“Yes, I am,” Julia agreed. “Your hands aren't healing as quickly as they should and you're still too pale and sickly. Just how bad off were you, Barnabas?”

“I was shot with a crossbow and they didn't remove the arrow when I was bricked up in a wall,” Barnabas explained. “I had a cross around my neck as well.”

The vampire hesitated. “I was unconscious when they found me and had been from the night before.”

“How did they find you?”

“Willow picked the lock on the chain holding her and Roxanne was leading the others down the street, trying to... zero in on me,” Barnabas said. “She had my cane. When they found Willow they knew where to find me and broke the wall down.”

“Quentin said you had dropped your cane,” Julia said and touched his cheek. “Will your hands heal?”

“I believe so,” Barnabas said. “I haven't been feeding well enough since we arrived. I will again before I sleep in the morning.”

“Barnabas...”

“Are you happy with Thomas?”

“It's early in the relationship,” Julia said after a moment. “But, yes, I am.”

“Good, you deserve someone that isn't as... whatever the hell I am,” Barnabas said.

“And Roxanne loves you beyond all life and did from the beginning.... both of them,” Julia commented.

Barnabas nodded. “Between the two of you I've had more love than I ever dreamed possible with this curse and its stranglehold on me.”

“Barnabas, perhaps it's time that you... I don't know, accept what you are,” Julia said. “I'm not saying give up on finding a way out of it but stop twisting yourself up over it.”

“You know what I've done to others,” Barnabas protested.

“And I know you've paid for it for years,” Julia said firmly. “You've risked yourself so many times to save others and even the world. You couldn't have done that if you weren't a vampire or if you hadn't been a vampire. We don't have to kill to survive as long as you can maintain control. Your lover is already a vampire, you don't have to fear turning her into what you are, Barnabas. You can love someone fully as you did with me. Well, as best you could with anyone.”

Barnabas frowned and then smiled slightly and raised Julia's hand to his lips. “You always were looking out for me. Perhaps you're right.”

“I am this time,” Julia said firmly. “Now, go and find Roxanne and find a way to settle with yourself, Barnabas. We have family on two coasts and they're going to need our help eventually.”

“I love you, Julia.”

“I love you, Barnabas,” Julia said. “I always will. Come on, our lovers and family are waiting.”

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Willow turned over in the bed and let Tara pull her close as Willow began to cry.

“We could have lost her,” she whispered.

“Yes,” Tara agreed. “We didn't, though.”

“I know, it was just so... I felt so helpless!” Willow said. “I mean it wasn't a vampire, a demon or a spell or... or... anything we could fight.”

“I know,” Tara said softly.

“We can't lose her,” Willow whispered. “It'd destroy Buffy.”

Tara hugged Willow tightly.

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Roxanne walked out onto the terrace at Collinwood and saw Barnabas looking up at the night sky.

“Barnabas? What's going on?”

“Hello, darling, just thinking,” he responded and held out his hand and smiled when she moved next to him and slipped her hand into his. “Angelique says one possible reason Julia didn't fight tooth and nail for me is that she needs some freedom to spread her bat wings. It's interesting.”

“Why?”

“Because I hate being a vampire,” Barnabas said. “That I may have been holding Julia back in some way.”

“Were you?”

“I don't know,” Barnabas said. “Most likely. I think she gave up on her dream of a medical breakthrough in curing me and conquering life to death to life. After that it is possible that she wanted to become a vampire and, when I was dying, she hoped I would make her one. She had loved me for years.”

“And now?”

“She still loves me but we both know things have changed,” Barnabas said. “She knows I never stopped loving you. Julia is also encouraging me to just accept what I am. She thinks I've paid enough for my past.”

“I would agree with that,” Roxanne said softly.

“You don't know how many I've killed, mostly because I couldn't control the hunger,” Barnabas said. “Some I intentionally murdered out of revenge such as Lamar Trask's father.”

“What do you think happened to me when I rose as a vampire?” Roxanne asked. “Several died at my fangs, my love. What else, there's more.”

“She suggests that one my greatest fears has been settled for me,” Barnabas said. “I don't have the guilt of wanting to make you vampire and putting myself through the angst of trying to ensure you don't go through what I did. It's already happened.”

“So, we both embrace what we are while clinging to our humanity? I would agree with that,” Roxanne said. “What does it mean, though?”

“By exploring the extent of our powers, for one,” Barnabas said. “When I first rose... I discovered quickly the dematerializing and reforming at will and changing into a bat and back. I also had powers to terrorize others, such as Trask. He heard ghostly voices telling him to go to the Old House to find the truth of things. He saw visions of a death's head and blood. I was waiting for him. He was in such a mental state that he never thought to pull his cross out and confront me with it.”

Barnabas sighed. “I also raised Josette from the grave. That wasn't something either of us could live with. It was to her shattered body after the fall from Widow's Hill.”

“You raised the dead?”

“Yes,” Barnabas whispered. “Perhaps the curse includes some of Angelique's magic, I don't know. Shortly after that a cross was placed in my coffin above me and my coffin was chained closed and hidden away. I've not tried some of those since being freed. I don't even know if you and I can communicate mentally. We know I can summon you but we've not tried talking back and forth.”

“We most likely can, especially since I'm psychic,” Roxanne said. “Why do I feel there's more?”

“I've held back.... biting those I love except when the thirst was too much,” Barnabas said with a frown. “I know it can be quite common between vampire couples and it did happen between Julia and myself occasionally but not often.”

“Because you hate being a vampire to your core?”

“Yes,” Barnabas agreed.

“And now?”

“I do think I need to settle with myself,” Barnabas said. “If... you're willing, that might include...”

“Being a vampire in the bedroom as well?” Roxanne asked with a smile. “I'm more than willing, my love.”

“You are amazing,” Barnabas whispered.

“I will show you how much I am willing later,” Roxanne promised. “Now, come join your family again.”

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“Hey,” Buffy said softly as she walked back into the waiting room to find Quentin staring at a late night tv show.

“Hey,” he said and stood up. “How’s your mother doing?”

“She woke up for a little bit but went back to sleep after a couple of minutes,” Buffy said and smiled at the sight of Giles sleeping in a chair with his legs kicked out in front of him. “Everyone else is asleep at the mansion?”

“Yes, he said he couldn’t stay away,” Quentin said. “Angelique will pick him up before sunrise, he said.”

“He’s…special,” Buffy said softly. “You wouldn’t believe that he tried to never show any emotions around us for years, would you?”

“No, he obviously loves you all very much,” Quentin agreed. “Something was bothering you before your mom collapsed, what was it?”

Buffy tugged on his hand and pulled him out into the hallway. “Let’s walk, stretch those long legs of yours. When we were fighting those demons that were trying to recapture Spike one of them was trying to choke Giles with his own crossbow.”

“Yes, and he shot that robot inadvertently,” Quentin noted.

“Yeah,” Buffy said with a nod. “He was a bit stressed and angry. When he sat up…I saw fangs.”

“Fangs…he’s becoming a vampire?”

“He doesn’t think so but he also realizes he’s not really human at this point,” Buffy said. “Being this connected to Angelique seems to mean he’s almost a vampire. Kinda really weird and scary. At least if he does, he’ll have his soul.”

“This entire thing has been complicated,” Quentin said as they walked quietly in the halls of the hospital.

“Even for Sunnydale,” Buffy agreed. “It’s not real late in Maine right now and I know Barnabas stays up late. I’m going to call Dawn and tell her what’s going on. I was wrong to try and keep her origins secret from her.”

“All right, I’m going to keep an eye on Giles so he doesn’t fall out of that chair,” Quentin offered.

“Thanks,” Buffy said. “I mean it, thank you for everything especially for…not running for the hills.”

“My pleasure,” Quentin said and slipped back into the waiting room.

Buffy pulled out her phone and stepped into the stairwell.

# # # #

COLLINWOOD, COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Dawn was giggling at a story about David that Carolyn was telling everyone about an incident with a bicycle that was too big for him in the old abandoned pool when the phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and pressed the button. “Hey, Buff, what's up?”

Dawn got up and went out into the foyer.

“Hey,” Buffy said. “I, uh, don't panic but Mom's in the hospital again.”

“What?!”

Dawn was vaguely aware of Carolyn stepping out into the foyer with her.

“She passed out on us and they found a vein in her skull was bleeding,” Buffy explained. “They stopped it and she's resting okay.”

“She's gonna be okay? You wouldn't lie, right?” Dawn demanded.

“I won't lie to you,” Buffy said firmly. “The tumor is getting smaller and they're hoping they don't have to operate. We'll know more once her doctor talks with the surgeon from tonight and they'll probably do another MRI or something.”

“We can fly home tomorrow,” Dawn suggested.

“No, you can stay there, I promise I will keep you updated,” Buffy said. “I'll put you on speaker phone when I talk with the doctors.”

“What does Giles say?”

“That she should be okay and we'll be in touch with you several times a day,” Buffy promised.

“Has she been awake?” Dawn asked and bit her lip.

“Yeah, she said to tell you not to worry,” Buffy replied.

“No, she didn't,” Dawn said with a frown.

“I swear,” Buffy said. “She said she's too stubborn to leave us.”

“Oh, that sounds like her,” Dawn said. “You'll call a lot?”

“Absolutely,” Buffy said.

“Okay,” Dawn said.

“How is it going there?” Buffy asked.

“It's great,” Dawn said. “They're showing me the sights and I get to hear stories about the family and about Barnabas and Julia from like the 60s and 70s. Thomas, Julia and Barnabas are better around each other. This place is great and they'd like everyone to come over here during the Christmas break.”

“Really? That might be fun,” Buffy said. “I bet they have snow for Christmas.”

“Oh yeah and the ocean here is wild,” Dawn said.

“Do you think Barnabas wants to get back to Roxanne soon?”

“She's here,” Dawn informed her sister. “She said Blair was trying to summon her so she split and came here.”

“Oh, that's where she went,” Buffy said. “Listen, I'm going to curl up in a chair here. I'll call you tomorrow during the day.”

“Okay,” Dawn said. “Tell Mom...I miss you guys and to get better.”

“I will, I promise,” Buffy said. “Bye, runt.”

“Bye,” Dawn said and closed her phone. She looked at Carolyn as tears filled her eyes. “My Mom is in the hospital.”

Carolyn wrapped her arms around the young teenager.

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Glory sighed and splashed water from her bubble bath at her minions. “Tell me everything you've seen while watching that... bitch Slayer and I'll figure out who the key is for you.”

# # #

Giles hugged Buffy and they both glanced over at a sleeping Quentin.

“No one is getting enough rest around here,” Giles said softly. “I'll be back after a few hours of sleep. Call if there's any changes or the doctors recommend anything.”

“I will,” Buffy promised. “You and Dawn. Giles... something has to break soon. We've got to eliminate at least one or more of the threats!”

“I say we keep Barnabas, Roxanne and Dawn in Maine,” Giles suggested. “If she's not here then she can't be used to open a gate unless Glory figures out where she is.”

“Go and get some sleep,” Buffy urged as Angelique waited near the door. “Giles...Dawn sent me a text, she wants to know if she can, uh, call you Dad.”

Giles blinked in surprise and nodded. “I, I'd be honored.”

Buffy hugged him tightly. “Go,” she said softly when she pulled back.

Giles smiled at Angelique as they stepped into the hallway of the hospital.

“Let's get some rest,” Giles said.

“You seemed emotional,” Angelique commented as they stepped into an elevator.

“Dawn wants to call me Dad,” Giles said. “It's...it's nice.”

“That's very good,” Angelique agreed. “They love you very much.”

“Goes both ways,” Giles said as they stepped out of the elevator. “Something happened when we were fighting demons when we got Spike back that we should talk about... or just have it tossed out there.”

The Watcher glanced around cautiously as they exited the hospital.

“What is it, Rupert?” Angelique asked. “I parked in the 2^nd row.”

“When we were fighting the demons one had me down and was trying to choke me with the crossbow I had between us. It was a bit, well, not only a bit frightening but irritating. He was knocked off of me and handled. When I sat up, I, uh, had fangs. After the crisis had passed they receded.”

Angelique unlocked the car doors and hesitated. “We know you're connected to me. I've never been connected with anyone like this so I don't know if that is something to worry about or not.”

“I'm not craving blood or worse,” Giles said. “The sensitivity to sunlight and my cross isn't worse.”

“It is confusing,” Angelique said. “We've an hour or so before sunrise. Hold me?”

“Be my pleasure,” Giles said and leaned over and kissed her gently.

# # # #