Chapter 20

The journey had been exhausting and, due to her delicate condition, Kathleena was completely drained within the hour. With a wry smile, Barnabas held out a hand as she tried to hide a yawn. "Come, let me show you to your room." Nodding in thanks, she accepted his proffered arm climbing the vast staircase leading to the upper floor. Opening a pair of ornately carved doors, he stood aside allowing her to pass..

The enormous suite was attractively decorated in masculine shades of dark greens and deep blues. A large four-poster canopy stood on a raised dais and a cheery fire roared in the hearth, offering a cozy welcome. Many shelves lined the walls filled with dozens upon dozens of beautifully bound books focused primarily on the subjects of poetry, astronomy, science and the arts. Kathleena knew this was Barnabas' private domain. His, before the curse was placed upon him. Before he could only rest in the safety of a darkened coffin.

"Merci." She said quietly gazing deeply into sable eyes.

Striding to a handsome armoire, he opened the beautiful piece. "I've taken the liberty of ordering these for your comfort."

Kathleena's smile suddenly faltered. She recalled his plan to abduct her aboard the train and bring her here.

Reading her thoughts, Barnabas gathered her into his tight embrace, Barnabas whispered against her temple. "You are here now. As you were meant to be." He gave her a loving kiss and then stood back watching in avid admiration as she slipped from her street clothes to don a beautiful peach peignoir, sliding it past breasts and hips, now fuller with pregnancy. "A perfect fit!"

"You're so very lovely," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. To Kathleena's immense surprise he bent low to kiss her belly, the tender action bringing tears to her eyes. Clearing his throat he smiled, "Please excuse me. The work has piled up since I've been gone. Besides," he added, eyes sparkling with a wicked gleam, "should I stay, I can promise that you will get no rest tonight."

Certain he was right, Kathleena giggled and willingly slid beneath the luxurious sheets. "Good night, mon cher," she said on a sleepy sigh. Pulling the comforter over her, Barnabas chuckled softly. She was already fast asleep; a look of complete serenity on her beautiful face.

Hours later, Kathleena awoke, shuddering and confused. Still so very tired, she wondered what had disturbed her. The fire'd burned itself out but strangely she wasn't cold. Something was wrong. Casting the final dregs of sleep from her mind, she vaguely became aware of a heavy weight pressing her down, deep down into the mattress. Then she saw it - a shaft of light cast from the lone candle beside the bed glinted upon a sharp blade of steel. A lethal knife was suspended above her! Fear forcing her instantly awake, Kathleena felt the crushing palm cover her mouth, pressing her tender lips hurtfully against her teeth.

"Duncan!"

Her scream was muffled against his powerful hand. Drawing aside the coverlet, he sneered brutally as the back of the blade traveled between full breasts and thin ribs, down to the place where Barnabas' child grew. She stiffened as the stiletto lay there, unmoving. No, Mon Dieu! No! This in NOT happening! Not again!

"Vous avez été assez occupé, je vois." (You have been rather busy, I see.) Her horrified gaze met his as the knife tip pierced the lovely peignoir. "This is absolutely unacceptable! My "wife" shall not bear another man's bastard!" Duncan shrugged with a wolfish smile. "Tell me, my dear, what am I to do? Should I split you open? Should we both witness the unborn child slip dead from your womb? You should have ridded yourself of it from the very start."

Although she expected his malice, Kathleena couldn't help but flinch at the images his horrific words conjured. She must stop him. She must save herself. Were it only she, Kathleena would have possibly welcomed death, to finally put an end to her torment. But now she'd found an incentive to live. She loved Barnabas and the babe! Twisting her head to the side, she gasped for breath, "No, wait…listen. Please!"

With a sinister chuckle, Duncan shook his blonde head in disbelief. "Do you truly think to stay my hand?" Suddenly he smiled and slowly pulled away. "Very well, amuse me… beg for your life." Glancing at the mantle clock, he turned back to her, obsidian eyes glowing brightly in avid eagerness. "You have but two minutes. Convince me."

Kathleena knew it was useless but still, she had to try. "Duncan, listen to me," she pled fervently. "Angelique... She loves Barnabas. she's loved him for … a very long time. He refused her love and she… punished him. Having made a bargain with my mother…"

Bored, Duncan sighed closely examining the edge of his knife. "Tick tock...Tick Tock..."

Quickly Kathleena tried another tactic. "Please. You love another. Release me and marry. I want my life! My father will give you any amount…"

Her words faded from her lips as he sank down on top of her. "You think this is about money, you little fool?!" Keeping his voice purposefully low lest he notify someone of his presence, he continued, "This is about a birthright, damn you! It is about fulfilling a destiny!"

Kathleena shook her head. "A destiny your mother has falsely instilled in you! Don't you understand?! She doesn't love you! She never has!" Slowly, he raised the knife to her throat and Kathleena seized his wrist desperately between her two small hands. Dear God No! She had to make him believe her! "Angelique is using you, just as she'd tried to use me to cause Barnabas Collins to suffer for rejecting her!"

"Liar!" he growled.

Suddenly an evil sneer spread across Duncan's handsome face. "The fact is, Kathleena, that I must slaughter you. It has been a constant ache inside of me. Those times when I have marred your lovely body have only heightened my desire to end your life once and for all. And I believe, my luck is double fold for now I shall take two lives instead of one." Pushing through her ineffective grip, he lowered the blade to her throat taunting, "Ahh, this seems rather familiar, does it not?"

She panicked as the sharp tip pressed against her jugular. The bebe! No, not the bebe!

(Barnabas! Please! Please help me!)

He sat at his desk, fingers pressed against his temples. He couldn't concentrate for all of his thoughts were focused on her. Suddenly Kathleena's mind screamed out to his. She was in danger! Quickly materializing in his former bedroom with fangs bared, Barnabas tore Duncan away from her with a mighty roar, slamming him against the wall so violently the plaster caved. Although stunned, the Frenchman was on his feet in the next instant, viciously tearing at the air between them. Sparing a quick glance toward the bed, Barnabas could see Kathleena there, unmoving. "What have you done to her, you vile bastard?!" He must see to her immediately. Not only for her sake but for the child's as well.

"She was mine, damn you! Mine! You were not to have her!"

The vampire laughed nastily, a gloating smile splitting his face. "But I have had her, whelp and she loves me. Kathleena will never again suffer your cruelty for she is mine! Always!"

So engrossed with the thought of his catastrophic failure, Duncan never felt the bone crushing strength seize his wrist. Never saw the knife obscenely twisting downward. Never felt it slide sickeningly into his body. Only when Collins stepped away unharmed did he notice the blade in his hand covered in blood. His own. While the vampire had directed his actions, Duncan slit himself completely from waist to throat. With an look of utter incredulity pasted on his face, he fell to the floor, entrails pulsing from his body.

Rushing to the bed, Barnabas searched Kathleena for any signs of injuries. Nothing! No blood, no wounds! He'd arrived in time. If he'd hesitated for only an instant… Shaking the horrible thought from his mind, he raised his trembling fingers to her throat. Her pulse was strong and steady. Thank God! Firmly, he took her by the arms. "Come darling, it's time to awaken. You are safe now. Open your eyes and look at me. Kathleena, it's Barnabas."

Feeling his hands on her, touching her, pinning her down Kathleena'd be damned if Duncan hurt her again. "No! No! Don't touch me!" She kicked out wildly, screeching madly as she tried to free herself. She would die fighting him and deeply grieved the loss of her unborn baby. Would it have been a boy? Would he have been as handsome as his father? Hot tears of regret slid down her cheek.

Barnabas lay over her bucking body to still her, not wanting her to harm either the babe or herself. Pale eyes were open but filled with such terror she was unseeing, unfeeling. "Darling, no… Stop! It's Barnabas. Barnabas." Slowly, her frightened eyes focused on his beloved features.

"Barnabas?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Barnabas! 'Tis true! Dieu Merci!" Clutching him in desperation, she suddenly gasped. Her hands cautiously dropped to the fragile life inside of her. A clear look of dismay crossed her face.

Immediately he sought to ease her concern. "No. The baby is fine. That bastard is well and truly dead. You are free."

Certain she had misheard him, Kathleena shook her head to clear the cobwebs. Although she wished it true, she knew he couldn't be dead. She had suffered Duncan's wrath for far too long. His death could not be so simple. "No! It is impossible!"

Hesitating for only a moment, Barnabas pulled away to show her the lifeless, bloodless body lying beside the fireplace. Instead of screaming in horror, Kathleena screeched maniacally, laughing in sheer relief. It was over! She was free! Free! Her life was hers. She was finally free to love. Or… was she? What of Angelique and her plan to be used as the instrument of Barnabas' torment? What spell will the witch conjure when she learns Duncan has been dispatched to a well-deserved death?

As he held her, Barnabas felt the violent shiver ripple through her and wondered at it.

He paced the length of the drawing room, pounding a fist against the mantle in frustration. "I don't understand, my love. The bastard has been dead for over three months and still you refuse to wed me. Why?"

Staring from the large bay window, Kathleena saw nothing but her reflection in the glass. She'd no answer that would satisfy him as she splayed her hands against her burgeoning belly. She only knew that the danger was still there, ever present. She could feel it just as surely as if a dark cloud hovered directly overhead. Yes, Duncan was dead but Angelique still lurked out there, somewhere, waiting for the opportunity to strike. To take away all of their happiness.

"You will be the bane of Barnabas Collins' existence. He will love you as he had Josette. And when you die, it will destroy him. He will come to me… finally. How long I have waited!"

Raising her long fingers to the protective talisman about her throat, Kathleena shivered. No, she was neither free nor safe. She knew with absolute certainty that Angelique would find a way to get to her, get to them, even if she must employ mortal help. Although she loved Barnabas with all her heart and soul, she could not agree to marry until the danger was well and truly over.

"Barnabas, please! You must understand that I...Oh God! No!" she wailed. He spun about gasping as she doubled over, her hands pressed against her stomach as a pain tore across her lower back. "The bebe!" she ground out. Just then, a gush of water crashed to the floor. "Surely it's too soon. Some …something's wrong!" Angelique?! Was this her doing? Was this to be their punishment? To lose their babe in return for taking her son's worthless life?

Immediately scooping Kathleena up into his strong arms, Barnabas bellowed for Gregory as he carried her upstairs and placed her in the middle of the bed. The servant was at the door in an instant and taking in the situation, bolted to fetch the doctor. Grasping her hands Barnabas could only watch as she thrashed on the bed, the searing pain ripping across both her lower back and stomach. He felt so powerless. "My love, you mustn't fear the worst. Babes are born prematurely all the time." Successfully? He didn't know. Another contraction took hold and she screamed long and loud shaking her head wildly from side to side. Pouring some water into the basin, he dipped a cloth as she writhed, clenching and unclenching the sheets in her small fists. "Breathe darling," he instructed as he blotted the sweat from her brow.

"I hurt," she hissed through gritted teeth, tears sliding down her cheek.

"I know, sweetheart, I know. Just try to breathe deeply. In and out. In and out." Suddenly an even stronger pain ripped through her and Kathleena screamed, lurching up. Lifting her skirts, Barnabas gasped. Dear God! A crown of black hair appeared only to disappear a few seconds later. "My God, the babe is coming! Push if you must, darling!" Taking a deep breath, she groaned as she tried to expel the tiny being, falling back on the pillows and gasping with the exertion.

I only wish I knew what I was doing, Barnabas thought but did not say. Another urge struck and, taking a deep breath, she pushed, hard. On and on it went until Barnabas truly feared Kathleena and the babe would perish. Finally, the door swung open and the expectant father nearly collapsed with relief as the doctor rushed in. "Thank God!"

Clasping Barnabas on the shoulder, he smiled. "You're doing splendidly, Mr. Collins. Allow me to scrub up." With a wide grin, the balding man motioned with his head as he washed. "Look at your child, sir."

Glancing down, the startled vampire found himself instantly mesmerized, lost in large blue-grey eyes set in the tiny pink puckered face.

"Barnabas," Kathleena panted weakly, claiming his attention. "I must... I must..."

Sending the impending father to comfort his wife, the doctor took his place. Winding his arm around her shoulder, Barnabas dabbed her face as the physician bent her knees and spread her thighs. "Alright, you'll soon have a new addition. Now push, Mrs. Collins."

Kathleena froze for only an instant at being addressed as Barnabas's wife but then all other thoughts fled as an incredible urge overtook her. With a deep breath, she forced herself to push as the man slowly counted to ten. Manipulating the tiny shoulders, the slippery infant slid quickly from its mother's loins. A loud smack filled the room followed by a hearty wail.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Collins! You've a healthy baby boy!"

A boy?! Gently kissing Kathleena's parched lips, Barnabas brushed a damp lock of hair from her face. "A boy," she murmured breathlessly, an exhausted smile on her flushed features.

After cleaning the baby and swaddling him in a blanket, the man handed him to the new father. Having never held something so tiny before, Barnabas was at once anxious. But then his son looked up and all fear instantly melted away. He sat on the edge of the bed as the doctor cared for Kathleena. She gazed lovingly at both father and son, her eyes shining bright with tears of joy. "Il est magnifique!" (He is beautiful!) she said reverently stroking a warm finger against a soft downy cheek.

As he washed, the doctor queried, "Have you a name? I must mark it for my records."

Leaving the decision entirely up to him, Kathleena looked at Barnabas. "You've no suggestions?" She shook her head. "Jonathan. Jonathan Collins."

She smiled tiredly as he handed her their son. "Jonathan Collins," she repeated as she stared down at the little being. "A perfect name."

Suddenly the baby began to fuss as the doctor jotted information on the birth certificate. "Perhaps little Jonathan Collins is hungry," he suggested teasingly. Kathleena froze and looked apprehensively at Barnabas. What if-? Sensing her worry, he shook his head helping her to sit, placing a fluffy pillow behind her back. Watching closely as she bared a plump breast, both desperately hoped that their child would drink from her. To the parent's utter joy and immense relief, Jonathan greedily latched onto a rosy nipple, glutting himself on his mother's nutritious milk. When satiated, the baby drifted to sleep with Kathleena quickly following her son to dream land.

The doctor motioned for Barnabas to step into the hallway. "The birth record, sir." In a hushed whisper he added, somewhat embarrassed, "I sincerely apologize, Mr. Collins. I simply assumed you were man and wife."

Remaining silent he placed a large stack of bills in the old gentleman's hand. "We thank you for all you've done."

"Thank you, sir. I shall return within a week to check both mother and child."

"Very good. Allow my servant to get you some refreshments before you leave."

When Barnabas returned, both Kathleena and Jonathan were soundly asleep. The baby cradled securely in the crook of his mother's arm, tiny lips moving as though still suckling. Despite concrete proof to the contrary, he still could not fully grasp the fact that he was a father. How could a man, dead for nearly fifty years, produce a living child? Pulling a chair next to the two most cherished people in his life, Barnabas watched unblinkingly as Jonathan's little chest rose and fell with each breath. Resting his chin in his hand, he closed his eyes, praising whatever gods saw to it that his son did not share in his abysmal affliction.

A/N. Last chapter should be coming soon. Hope you enjoyed Duncan's "demise" ;-P