A/N - This chapter's a little bit shorter, but I hope you like it. Thank you again for any reviews and please keep them coming. Enjoy x
Barnabas watched as the door closed, his hand lingering in front of him; grabbing thin air. He'd wanted her to stay, he'd wanted to pull her back into the room and lock the door. He'd wanted to stay with her all day. Barnabas didn't know why he kept feeling these things for Julia; she'd deceived him, he should hate her. But he didn't found he could not hate her. He felt a sudden sense of loss rush over him, as if something was missing.
Barnabas pushed his hands through his hair like a frustrated teenager; he started to pace the room. He walked back and forth, forcing thoughts of Victoria into his mind. Barnabas tried to think of the past. Josette's blonde hair floating in the wind, as they walked together in the grounds of Collinwood, the building of Collinwood, the pain he felt when he'd seen Josette plummet to the rocks at the base of Widows Hill. Barnabas then bought thoughts of finding Victoria. His thoughts when she'd walked into the dining room that time; the sound of her name as it escaped his lips. The feel of her hand when he'd placed his lips upon it. The feeling of relief when she had opened her eyes after attempting to commit suicide. The beauty he saw in those wide eyes; and the look of love that she gave him. Barnabas felt happy. He felt as if he was completely free of Julia.
Julia. That one name brought thoughts flooding to him. The scent of her hair as he'd kissed her neck. The way that her brown eyes lit up when she saw him. The softness of the skin on her hands when she tried to pull him closer. The sadness that illuminated her eyes when he'd pushed her away. The anger in her features when he sent her away and her strength when she'd pushed him against the wall. The way her new outfit clung to her figure, making her look even more appealing than she already was. Barnabas tried to mentally shake himself. He can't think about her in that way. He needed to find Victoria; he needed to get Julia out of his head.
"Victoria." Barnabas said as he saw her walk out of the elevator. Barnabas smiled at her as she began to walk towards him. He took her in his arms forcing himself to feel something for her. He dug his face into her hair and tightened his grip around her waist; hoping to feel something stronger than what he felt for Julia.
"Barnabas, are you alright?" Victoria said, pulling herself away slightly so that she could look into his face. She cupped her hands around his face and kissed him. Barnabas felt a small stirring in his stomach. It was tiny, but it was there. Barnabas latched onto this feeling, he felt like his troubles were lifting.
"I'm fine." Barnabas said as she pulled away. He took her hand in his and led her towards the sofas that had been placed at the die of the hotel lobby. The police were walking in to the hotel as they both sat down. They were rushing about, agitated and nervous. They spotted Barnabas and dropped their eye line. One of the men ran his hand through his hair, while letting out a puff of air. He began to walk over to the couple, his hand still in his hair.
"Mr Collins we need to speak to you alone for a moment." The police officer said, looking him in the eye. Barnabas could see a small bead of sweat beginning to drip down his forehead.
"Anything you need to ask me you can say in front of my dear Victoria." Barnabas said, placing his hand on Victoria's knee. He moved his thumb back and forth in a comforting gesture. Victoria placed her hand over Barnabas'.
"Fine. We've found a body, with a very suspicious marking on her neck. It looked similar to the ones found on those men that were killed at the construction site. We also found several bodies near Widows Hill." The police officer said, "A few people said they saw you heading in the direction of Widows Hill earlier that evening. Did you see anything?"
Barnabas' thoughts immediately went to Julia. She'd been down at Widows Hill when he had been. She was in the hotel at this very moment. It had to be her. His panic began to rise; he could just say that he knew it was Julia. They would arrest her and his problems would be over. He opened his mouth to tell them when Julia appeared from the stair way. She was looking around the lobby area at all of the police officers. She had sunglasses on, and her hair was perfectly parted. She no longer needed make-up her skin was flawless, with the pale tint that marked her as a vampire. Her lips were a tinted red. She took off her sunglasses and Barnabas was able to see dark rimmed eyes. It accentuated her eyes, she looked at him. Her eyes focusing completely on him. She stopped walking and smiled at him, before putting her sunglasses back on and beginning to walk towards the doors.
"I have no idea, officer."
