Chapter 12 – Then Be Fascinated

It was just after midnight and Elizabeth was lying next to Barnabas in his bed, her head on his chest. "A girl could get used to that" she said in a soft rather breathless voice, a grin on her lips.
"So could a vampire" he replied, his long pale fingers stroking her blonde curls. A chuckle escaped her and she closed her eyes. She felt incredibly relaxed and drowsily content.
"Would you want me if I wasn't pretty anymore?" she asked softly, not voicing her secret fear of getting older and not being desirable to him anymore. Already it was hard to imagine giving him up.
"I am quite sure you have never been merely pretty Elizabeth" he said, smiling as he continued to stroke her hair. "And you are also intelligent, loyal, strong and passionate. Your beauty is only the least of your fine qualities"
"Stop it… you'll make me get a big head" she said, cheeks flushing slightly as she tried not to show how much she liked the complement. It was very flattering that he thought so highly of her. "Impossible my dear" he said with a grin.
"It's funny… but I think I admired you before I even met you" she said, shifting so she was facing him. "I read about you in the family histories… actually I read all there was about you in the family histories. And I couldn't help thinking it was such a shame… that there were no men like you in the present"
He smiled warmly at her, a soft look in those dark eyes. "I am flattered that you found the stories about me so fascinating" he said, brushing a blonde curl away from Elizabeth's cheek.
She looked at him as his long fingers brushed her cheek. "I find you fascinating Barnabas…" she said softly, leaning in towards him. His hand cupped her cheek as her lips brushed against his.

Unfortunately for them, at that moment he heard faint footsteps in the hall outside his room. "Someone's coming…" he whispered in her ear. She barely had time to duck under the rumpled covers before the door opened.

Standing framed in the doorway was Julia, her red curls mussed. All she was wearing was a strappy, clingy, green nightdress that didn't hide much and a short silk robe that was hanging open. Even from where he was he could smell the bourbon on her.

"Hello Barnabas" the psychologist purred as she took a step into the bedroom. He felt Elizabeth tense a bit next to him as she heard Julia's voice. With the darkness and the bulk of the covers Elizabeth was well hidden, along with most of Barnabas's body.
"Doctor Hoffman… what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice and expression as innocent as he could make them. "Let's not play games Barnabas. I think you know exactly what I'm doing here" she answered, moving closer to the bed.
He gulped very slightly. She was an attractive woman and he couldn't say he wasn't tempted. But she wasn't Elizabeth. "Forgive me Madam… but I do not believe that would be a good idea" he said politely.

"Don't act like you aren't tempted Barnabas" she said in what was probably meant to be a sultry voice. She deliberately leant forward to give Barnabas an eyeful of cleavage.

"I know you want m…" she said, voice trailing off when she saw a pile of white silk on the floor. A woman's nightgown. She straightened up, looking both annoyed, amused and slightly embarrassed. "You aren't alone are you?" she said in an wry, slightly accusing tone, pulling her robe shut.

"Dr Hoffman…" he said, tone begging her not to make a fuss. He truly hated to see a woman upset. "Who is the tramp?" Julia said with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders. Her tone however was distinctly bitter.

Tramp? That did it… thought Elizabeth. She sat up, making sure she kept hold of the covers so she didn't flash Julia. "Hello Julia" she said in a sweet but smug voice. The psychologist's expression was priceless.

"Lizzie?" she said once she had regained the ability to speak. She knew Elizabeth was giving him blood on the sly but she really hadn't expected that prim and proper Elizabeth would actually sleep with him.

"Nice of you to drop by but I'm afraid Barnabas is a little busy right now with his… what did you call it… tramp?" she said sweetly, a small smirk forming on her lips.

Julia looked both pissed off, and rather sheepish. "Sorry… I didn't… uh…" she started to say. "That's quite alright. I'm sure you didn't mean to be rude" Elizabeth said silkily.
The redhead went to the door and Liz couldn't help one last little dig. "Oh and Julia. Barnabas may be a little late to his appointment tomorrow morning. I'm sure you understand"
The psychiatrist stiffened then walked out the room, slamming the door behind her. They could hear her stomping down the hallway in a huff.

When the footsteps had faded Barnabas turned to Elizabeth. "You enjoyed that didn't you?" he said, looking like he wasn't sure whether to be amused or disapproving. "Maybe a little…" she admitted sheepishly. It had been very satisfying putting Julia in her place.
"Wicked woman…" he said with a grin, pulling her close to kiss her.