Dark are the Shadows - 07/03/2020

Dark are the Shadows
Ms. Hunter Ash
ripperbard7@yahoo.com
frost29@post.com

A BTVS & Dark Shadows crossover

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

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy held a finger up to her mouth when Quentin Collins walked into her mother's room.

“Are you sure you're okay?” Joyce was asking into the phone. “Yes, I'm fine, honestly. You stick close to Barnabas or someone, all right? It does sound like Nicholas Blair might be there if the other two were. No, don't rush home. We'll see what the doctor says in the morning. Yes, we'll be okay here. We love you, too, baby. Try and get some sleep tonight. I love you.”

Joyce hung up the phone and looked at Buffy and Quentin.

“She's trying to sound brave,” she commented.

“Dawn called, that vampire that was helping Nicholas and the bartender showed up in Maine,” Buffy told Quentin. “They tried to drain Roxanne and threw Barnabas over a cliff but he managed to hang on and was rescued.”

“Are they all right? What happened to the vampires?” Quentin asked anxiously.

“They will be, Dawn says,” Joyce said. “The vampires were killed. There's no sign of Blair yet.”

“The biggest danger is Glory,” Quentin said slowly. “Right?”

Buffy nodded. “Yeah so we're thinking even if Nicholas is running around that Dawn should stay there. I wish we had a witch there to counter him.”

“Maybe Giles knows someone he can call on?” Quentin suggested.

Buffy smiled. “Good idea. I'll talk to him.”

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“I never dreamed that I'd be in my own woods burying two bodies at this age,” Carolyn said as she and Julia dug two graves. “That's a good idea you had about burying Thornton's shotgun with the bodies.”

“Mutual deterrence,” Julia said. “We buried Barnabas once, you know. Willie and me.”

“What?!”

“It was the end of the dream curse,” Julia began explaining. “Barnabas survived the dream but was attacked by a bat immediately afterwards. Every time he's turned into a vampire was because of a bat carrying the curse. Anyway, he died. No pulse, no breath, no reaction to pain, nothing.”

“Oh my God,” Carolyn muttered. “What happened?”

“That was when we discovered that Adam and Barnabas were connected in a very physical way,” Julia said.

“That's when Adam couldn't breathe!” Carolyn exclaimed. “But if Barnabas was dead...”

“Because of Adam's strength, Barnabas started breathing again,” Julia continued. “In a coffin underground.”

“That's why you and Stokes disappeared so quickly,” Carolyn surmised. “You obviously got to Barnabas in time.”

“Yes, and he was human,” Julia said.

“Wow,” Carolyn whispered. “We have got to sit down and go over each supernatural occurrence! Think these are good enough? I am definitely not going to the gym tomorrow.”

“They should be,” Julia said. “I can't believe you climbed partly down Widow's hill.”

“It was the only solution right then,” Carolyn said as she climbed out of one of the graves. “He couldn't hold on much longer. He needs to double up on the blood or something.”

Julia blinked. “That's... insightful. I'll go get Thornton and Dawn and I will lead him here.”

“I'll be here.”

# # # #

Barnabas raised his head from the edge of the coffin as the secret door opened. “Julia, what's happened?”

“Thornton helped us bury Tom Jennings and Cindy along with his shotgun,” Julia said. “He's shaken by all of this.”

“Good,” Barnabas said and stood up slowly and touched Roxanne's cheek gently. “She should be all right tomorrow night.”

Julia nodded. “You, on the other hand... we need to really focus on getting you healed, Barnabas. Can you even button your shirt right now?”

“I doubt it,” he admitted. “Nor grip my cane unless it's an emergency, I suspect. What do you suggest?”

“A transfusion and doubling on your blood intake for several nights,” Julia said. “Even if it means you sleeping through the day with an iv in your arm.”

“All right,” Barnabas agreed.

“You two could stay here and I could set up an iv before sunrise,” she suggested. “Dawn can stay here with Thomas and watch over all of us since Amy and Carolyn will be at work.”

“Thank you, Julia,” Barnabas said and walked over to his wife and kissed her gently. “I know this still hurts both of us.”

“I love you, Barnabas,” Julia whispered. “I want you happy and I need to be apart from you at least for a time. Are you still determined to confront Thornton?”

“Yes, before things really get out of hand,” Barnabas said.

“Then let's give Alex Junior a ride,” Julia responded. “He walked here so his car wouldn't be seen near the property.”

“Amazing, he really was willing to shoot me?”

“I don't know if he could have gone through with it without some proof,” Julia said as they walked out of the secret room. “Tom will remain here while we're gone but Dawn is insisting that she come with us. She pointed out that someone should be with us who isn't affected by crosses.”

“Smart.”

Fifteen minutes later Julia was driving Barnabas, Dawn and Alex Junior towards town.

“What happens now?” Junior asked.

“I have a discussion with your father before you walk in,” Barnabas said.

“How do you all know about vampires?” Junior asked.

“Friends of mine are vampire hunters,” Dawn said.

“And my family has had unfortunate encounters with some, such as Tom Jennings there,” Barnabas said. “my father prevented him from attacking the governess of the house in the late 60s or early 70s. As for the other Barnabas Collins men, all were seen in the daytime and they all died a long time ago, are you willing to sacrifice your life and future for them?|

Thornton was quiet for several moments.

“No.”

“Good, now, let's see if I can talk some sense into your father,” Barnabas said as they pulled up to Thornton's home. “Stay here, please.”

“Why?” Thornton asked.

“Because I want to shock your father with my presence,” Barnabas said as Dawn opened the door for him. The vampire adjusted the black gloves covering his hands and Dawn hooked his iconic cane over his arm. The gloves had been Thomas' idea in an attempt to hide just how badly Barnabas was injured.

“Barnabas....” Julia got out of the car and leaned against the roof.

“I won't kill him, I promise,” Barnabas said and walked quickly to the door and knocked with his cane.

# # # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“Hey, what's up, baby?” Willow asked as she walked out of the mansion and hugged Tara.

“Not much,” Tara said softly. “Buffy called Giles. The vampire that Nicholas Blair brought back and that bartender showed up in Maine and attacked Barnabas and Roxanne and then tried to attack Thomas' mother and Dawnie.”

“What?! Are they okay?”

“Dawn says Barnabas was hurt and Roxanne was drained into unconsciousness but they should be okay,” Tara said. “They're worried Nicholas Blair is in Maine and there's no magic users to counter him so Giles is going to reach out to contacts for references.”

“We can too,” Willow said. “Jenny Calendar had an online community thing that I've kept in touch with. I can see if any of them are actually talented and somewhere up there.”

“Good idea! Let's try it.”

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

Alex Thornton Sr. opened the door and did an obvious double take. “Mr. Collins, I wasn't expecting you.”

“No, you were no doubt expecting your son to come home soon,” Barnabas agreed.

“My son... what's happened?”

“You believe me to be a vampire,” Barnabas said. “You sent your son out to kill me. If I were a vampire and standing here in front of you instead of him, what would you think happened to him?”

“If he's been hurt....”

“You'd do nothing,” Barnabas said firmly. “Or run the risk of sounding insane while trying to explain why your son was attempting to assassinate me. Your son is fine. In fact, he's a hero, he saved four people tonight from two people attempting to kill several of us. We were attacked by actual vampires and he shot one and then rescued me from the side of a cliff and then he saved a woman and a teenage girl.”

“Where is he?” Thornton asked after a moment's hesitation.

“Waiting until you and I finish our conversation,” Barnabas said. “Your wife is a descendant of the Trask family and think my ancestors were responsible for three of them being murdered or disappearing. You are incorrect. You believe that I am the only Barnabas Collins and that I bricked up two of them and killed the third?”

“The skeleton of the Rev. Trask that disappeared in 1795 was found in your house.”

“You apparently didn't examine the dates close enough,” Barnabas said. “My ancestor had already left for England before the Rev. Trask disappeared, before Victoria Winters went to the gallows.”

“The Rev. Trask wrote that Barnabas was fond of Miss Winters, it's hard to believe he'd leave,” Thornton commented.

“That Barnabas wrote that he couldn't keep running into his former fiancée and he had no hope to save Miss Winters.”

“And Lamar Trask, his son?”

“If you examine the records of the trial of Quentin Collins you'll find that Barnabas took over for the defense of Quentin. That means he was out and about in the daytime. He was also injured when Lamar Trask murdered that Barnabas' first wife, Valerie. I'm sure you've seen the official reports. Trask ran from Collinwood as that Barnabas tried to save his wife and have his own wounds tended to. Barnabas returned to England shortly afterwards and took another wife after awhile.”

“And Gregory?” Thornton asked.

“According to the unofficial family records, a vampire was destroyed and it was found he had preyed on my ancestor, another Barnabas. Gregory Trask proclaimed that Barnabas human after that man wasn't bothered by a cross and lived in the daylight. Barnabas and Kitty Soames eloped and left Collinwood unexpectedly before Gregory Trask disappeared while chasing two assassins that had attempted to kill wife, Judith Collins-Trask. I asked your son a question, Mr. Thornton, Rev. Trask died in 1795, are you willing to throw away your life for him or the others?”

Thornton didn't respond and Barnabas shrugged.

“Let me make your decision a bit easier,” Barnabas said. “Two people were shot to death by your son tonight. His shotgun with specially filled shells, all have his fingerprints. Would you want to run the risk that an autopsy couldn't prove those two people were vampires?”

“Where are the bodies?”

“Buried in an unknown location,” Barnabas said. “I don't even know where. Your son saved my life and that of my loved ones and we owed him. It counters the fact that he was hunting me in order to kill me with no proof that I am a vampire. By the way, his shotgun was wrapped very well and buried with the bodies. If you want to pursue this on any level those bodies can be found along with the weapon that killed them.”

Thornton shook his head after a moment. “You are ruthless, Mr. Collins, and also very clever.”

“Burying the shotgun wasn't my idea,” Barnabas admitted. “There are six other people in addition to me that saw him with that shotgun and saw him shoot one of the people killed tonight. We owe him so we will keep quiet. Because of that, you owe us. The price is silence on both side and a cease fire in this ridiculous war. How could I be the same Barnabas Collins from 17.... whenever he was born? At least two other Barnabas' were seen frequently in the daylight and were injured. My own father was seen in Collinsport frequently during the day before leaving for England and other destinations around the world. Look at some of the reports from the Sheriff's office from the late 60s and early 70s that probably mention my father giving a statement or signing papers or something. He was nearly killed when Joe Haskell had a breakdown. He was attacked during the day and almost killed. That implies that he was human, does it not?”

Thornton sighed and nodded. “It does.”

“Please don't ask Joe about that, Maggie has said that he doesn't remember the break down and likely doesn't remember attacking my father,” Barnabas said. “My father understood Joe wasn’t responsible and held no grudges against him. Joe couldn't verify the account but the report with the Sheriff would. Now, do we have another agreement?”

Thornton nodded. “We do. There will be no discussion of vampires or any of the past Barnabas Collins or the three Trask men. I apologize, Mr. Collins, I should have investigated further.”

“Stop any investigations at Collinsport,” Barnabas said firmly. “My father's heartbreak, loss and unhappy marriage has no relevance to any of this. Nor does my history of traveling and... being involved with some unsavory people when I was younger.”

“As interesting as that sounds, I agree,” Thornton Sr. said and held out his hand.

Barnabas slowly pulled a glove off and shook Thornton's hand carefully.

“What happened? Another boating accident?” Thornton asked.

“I was thrown off Widow's Hill, I grabbed at any rock I could,” Barnabas said. “Your son rescued me.”

“It sounds as if he made the right decisions whereas I didn't,” Senior said. “I apologize.”

“It worked out in a twist of fate,” Barnabas said and turned slightly and waved to the car in the shadows. “Because he was there hunting a vampire, he was able to kill the actual vampires and save several of us. One of those vampires was one that had attacked family members in... in 1970, I believe. That's how we know about the creatures.”

Alex Junior approached slowly. When he stopped next to Barnabas he tried to brush off his jeans from where he had helped bury Tom Jennings and Cindy.

“Son, I am proud of you,” Alex Sr. said. “You saved lives tonight instead of following through with a very bad plan. Go inside and get cleaned up, I'll explain to your mother how we were wrong. Again, I apologize, Mr. Collins.”

“Accepted,” Barnabas said. “Tell Alex Junior that we're grateful again. Goodnight, Mr. Thornton.”

“Goodnight.”

Dawn jumped out of the car and held the door open for Barnabas.

“Thank you,” he said as she got into the car. “Let's go. The Thorntons should leave us alone from this point. I think I convinced both of them that none of the Barnabas Collins' they've read about could have been vampires and weren't responsible for the death of any Trask.”

“Despite you being a vampire and you actually being responsible for 2 of them,” Julia commented.

“Yes, and I'd do so again,” Barnabas said. “I was also human at various points which disproves his theory. I even used the fact that Joe Haskell tried to kill me during the day time to prove my 'father' wasn't a vampire.”

“And Tom and Cindy?”

“I explained they are buried along with the shotgun and not to push the issue,” Barnabas said.

“You're looking older, Barnabas,” Julia said softly.

“Do you have blood at the Old House?”

“Yes, we'll get you settled in with an IV before sunrise,” Julia suggested. “And give Roxanne some more as well. Dawn, can you call Collinwood and let Carolyn and Amy know you're going to stay at the Old House tomorrow?”

“Yep,” Dawn said and dialed the big house.

# # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

“Is there any more word about Barnabas?” Angelique asked as Giles sat down with a cup of tea in the mansion.

“Yes, Dawn called, Barnabas' hands were scraped up when he went over a cliff and grabbed for the rocks,” Giles said. “Roxanne was drained. Amy Jennings and Dawn were scared by the male vampire but they weren't hurt. Both vampires were killed.”

“Damn it! This is Nicholas' doing,” Angelique declared. “He's wanting a clear shot at Dawn and revenge against Barnabas.”

“I agree, I've got feelers out in the sorcerer community for anyone that's ethical that might be able to help on that side of the country,” Giles said. “The girls are also hitting contacts up.”

“This is all very frustrating.”

“I would agree, my love,” Giles said. “I may have an idea. You know Nicholas. He wants to grab Dawn and harm Barnabas, will he move soon?”

“Most likely, yes. Why?” Angelique asked.

“I need to talk to Buffy, Tara and Willow along with you, come on.”

# # # #

COLLINSPORT, MAINE

“Barnabas?”

“Easy,” Julia urged as Roxanne sat up. “He's right here. Thomas moved a cot in here for him.”

“Someone attacked us,” Roxanne said as she looked over the side of a coffin. She frowned at the sight of Barnabas lying on a cot with an IV in his arm.

“Yes, Tom Jennings and the bartender from California that Barnabas was seeing,” Julia said. “Sunrise is in about 10 minutes. Let me warm some blood for you.”

“Is he all right?”

“He will be,” Julia said. “I'll be right back.”

“Barnabas?”

The male vampire opened his eyes and tried to smile. “Hello, don't worry, I'll be all right. It was a rough night for both of us.”

“What happened to the vampires? Julia said we were attacked by vampires,” Roxanne asked. “I saw you go over the cliff.”

Barnabas raised his hands. “I grabbed the rocks. The vampire attacking you was killed and we were rescued. The male vampire was killed later when he tried to attack Amy and Dawn.”

“I feel so weak,” Roxanne admitted.

“You should feel better by tonight,” Barnabas said. “You were drained. I think they intended to leave you to the morning sun and I'd either be dead on the rocks or so broken I couldn't move. Same ending.”

“Two vampires from California followed and attacked us?”

“Nicholas Blair,” Barnabas answered.

“Here you go, drink this before you fall asleep again,” Julia said as she entered. “I'm going downstairs to sleep. Thomas and Dawn will be here all day. Try and rest.”

“Thank you for helping,” Roxanne said.

“My pleasure, rest well.”

Barnabas reached up and squeezed Roxanne's hand. “I love you.”

“I love you, Barnabas.”

# # # #

LOS ANGELES

“Are you sure about this, Giles?” Buffy asked as they turned away from the security check to head back to Buffy's Jeep in the airport parking lot.

“No but what can we do?” he asked. “Glory is still a major danger and so is Nicholas. We can't be in two places at once and your mother isn't up for travel. If she were I'd suggest bundling all of us up and going to Angelique's island or Collinsport.”

“Come on, let's get back to meet with the doctor. This getting up at sunrise is rough, especially when you haven't slept at all.”

“Amen.”

# # # # #

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

Buffy held her mother’s hand while Giles stood next to the bed while a doctor showed them the results of MRI scans and doctor’s notes from the emergency surgery.

The Slayer knew that Joyce’s calm exterior was hiding just how scared her mother actually was.

“So you think surgery would be the best option?” Giles asked. “Even though the tumor is shrinking?”

“Yes, we do,” the doctor affirmed. “There is a very good chance we’ll get all of the tumor with little risk of weakening the veins which could lead to another bleed.”

“When?” Joyce asked.

“Four days from now if you agree to the surgery,” the doctor said. “You know there’s always a risk with any medical treatment, including surgery. If you don’t want to risk surgery we’ll continue with the alternative treatments of chemo and radiation.”

“What do you two think? And what about you, Dawnie?” Joyce asked into the phone Buffy was holding.

“Whatever you’re okay with, Mom,” Dawn said through the speaker on the phone.

“Well, the chemo and radiation are pretty hard on you,” Buffy said. “Which one has the better chance of totally getting it?”

“At this point I would say surgery,” the doctor said.

“Are you up for it, Joyce?” Giles asked.

“Yes,” Joyce said after a moment. “Let’s try it.”

The doctor nodded and stood up. “I’ll alert the team and schedule it. I promise to be very diligent and thorough. Here’s my number, call with any questions you have. Sometimes questions come up after this has sunk in for a bit.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Giles said as he took the doctor’s card and then shook the man’s hand.

“I’ll stop in every day to check on you,” the doctor promised. “And don’t eat the meatloaf. It’s dry.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Buffy said softly. “Hey, runt, we need to decide if you’re coming home for this.”

“I’d like to be there,” Dawn said.

“Well, Glory thinks the key will be someone that’s come into our lives recently,” Giles said. “Since you’ve had a sister for the last 14 years she won’t suspect it’s Dawn.”

Buffy looked at Joyce and her mother nodded.

“I’d like her here,” Joyce said.

“We’ll get her a flight the night before so she can spend some time with you before you go into surgery,” Giles promised.

“Okay. I’d like to write some letters and other things.”

“We’ll bring one of those word processors up this afternoon,” Giles suggested.

“Oh, don’t those cost a bit?” Joyce asked.

“Well, there’s something we should talk about, my wife,” Giles said. “Buffy, you and Dawn sit in on this as well. I’m not a poor church mouse. I’m a bit well off, actually.”

“Well off? But your car and clothes….” Joyce protested.

“I was living on my school salary,” Giles said. “I have an appointment with my solicitor, I mean lawyer next week to work up a new will and to pay off the mortgage and set up a college fund for Dawn.”

“Rupert…we’re married legally but…”

“Joyce, you and the girls are family,” Giles said gently. “Marrying you only made it legal. I don’t have children and I’m not likely to have any in the near future. You know how I feel about the girls and you.”

“All right,” Joyce said after a few moments. “Having the finances stable will help reduce the stress since I can’t be at the gallery. I know Sarah is doing a great job but she doesn’t quite have my eye on what to bring in.”

“You’ll be scouring over the papers and stuff soon,” Buffy said.

“You’re rich?” Dawn asked.

“Well, not sure if I’d say rich but Xander would likely think so,” Giles said. “Donald Trump wouldn’t even notice the family house.”

“You have a family house?” Buffy asked. “You have family? Of course you’d have family. Do you?”

“Yes, a father, an uncle and several cousins,” Giles said. “My father travels a lot on government business. I grew up mostly in boarding schools or being raised by the cook and the butler.”

“You have a cook and butler?” Buffy repeated.

“Well, yes, actually,” Giles said.

“Wow, what else haven’t you told us?” Dawn asked.

“Well, I, uh, Americans can react rather oddly with titles but…”

“You’re royalty?”

“I doubt it,” Giles said. “Being a knight isn’t exactly uncommon in England. When my father passes on I’ll inherit his title of Lord. Which means Joyce and you girls are part of this.”

“Very wow,” Buffy said softly.

“So, you’re Sir Giles?” Dawn asked.

“No, the Sir goes with the first name,” Giles answered.

“Sir Rupert,” Buffy said. “Sounds like something out of a Disney movie…. With mice.”

Dawn giggled and Giles rolled his eyes but with a smile.

## # # #