Chapter 16

Sunrise. The time that marked a day's beginning and that for so long Barnabas Collins had come to resent, dread and most of all fear. The day's beginning was now upon him. However, not today, the persistence of the sun's advance into the sky seemed to pause for a moment to bathe him with its all-encompassing glory.

The golden embrace was like a long lost old friend reaching out with its tendrils of tenderness to caress and wrap him in its warmth. It was for him a loving embrace from an intangible lover that had been missed for far too long. Lifting his chin and closing his eyes he allowed his old friend to fill him with a sense of hope and happiness.

Sadly, he turned his back and opened his eyes. He felt empty and lost. For the only part missing from the joyful reunion with the sun as it strived in its march to reach its zenith in the morning sky.

The only thing missing was the woman that had poured her love into his life. Why had he thought he deserved this complete fulfilling joy that was his wife? Moving into their bedroom, he paused and peered with a longing he thought never to feel again.

He gaze upon the face of the woman that had filled his life with such complete unadulterated giving and love. He marveled that after nearly two hundred years of isolation, bereavement for all the ones had had lost and undeniable anguish that he had found love again.

She peered back; from a face that was beautiful, with hazel eyes that told a story of innocence and purity those same orbs that were now fixed and unseeing from the portrait that represented what she was and had been.

Inside deep down to the depths of his very soul; he wondered if she lived and a part of him grew disheartened that he would once again be standing before an inanimate portrayal of a woman that had shared his love but would never return it. Folding his hands together in front, in a prayerful pose.

Barnabas found it ironic that once again he had a reason to rejoice only to have that joy come to an anticlimactic ending. It was his love was nowhere to be found and unable to be at his side to share the happiness that would be his. Sighing softly, he moved to the portrait and looked up at the portrait.

"Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins," The knock was annoying and would continue to be persistent if he did not respond and he did not want to respond. "Mr. Collins? Are you in there?" Danielle was beginning to grate on his nerves as she continued to rap on his door. "Mr. Collins? It's Danielle Clark, Mr. Collins?"

Barnabas wanted her to go away, he did not want to see anyone especially now while he was caught up in a moment where he wanted to be alone with his melancholy. Again, 'rap, rap, rap the annoyance of a polite knock. "Mr. Collins, please, if you are in there open the door, Doctor Hoffman says you must come quickly, it's your wife."

Barnabas lifted his gaze her name on his lips, "Vicki?" he hurried to the door flinging it open. "What about Vicki?"

Danielle shrugged, "Doctor Hoffman says you must come to Josette's room and you must hurry." Barnabas pressed past Danielle and scurried along the hallway to Josette's room. Thrusting the door opened he moved into the room and was immediately overwhelmed with the scent that was Josette's.

Julia stood with her back to the door looking at the portrait of his long lost first love. Josette turned to smile as Barnabas entered the room. "Josette? Julia?"

Julia had that flush of an expectant mother surrounding her. "Oh Barnabas Mon Cheri, I have come with wonderful news of our Victoria, she is safe and will be home within the month."

Barnabas looked confused. "What ever do you mean within the month? Why is she not here now?"

Josette looked to Julia and then to Barnabas, "She was injured and is healing and where she had been taken none may enter unless they are invited. We are not invited at this time because the healing Victoria must undergo is complicated."

Barnabas cocked his head trying to digest this information. "Why is the healing complicated."

Josette motioned with her delicate shoulders then knew she owned him an explanation. "Barnabas, you do not know where she was, it was a dark and odious place of much anguish, hurt and evil. She must be purified to set the balance of nature right. Just know she is healing, and misses you very much. The baby she carries must not touch this evil so she is safe and secure too."

Barnabas knew he should be elated and to some extent he was relieved that his wife was unharmed and in the care of whom or whatever. However, it did not resolve his loneliness or the feelings of bereavement by not having her with him.

Josette felt his sadness and it struck her to the core that he was suffering with his wife's absence. "Cheri, you must be patient." Barnabas peered upon the woman that had once been his greatest love.

Her beauty and purity of soul had bedeviled him and entranced his life and she had been the reason he had at one time forfeited all his humanity. It was that love he had given to Vicki and he wanted her with every fiber of his being. Barnabas took this pittance of hope smiled his ageless sad smile and turned to leave the room.

It was a small consolation for this day to be born without his wife at his side to share. Now, he moved down the stairs and paused, his new life was leaving him unsettled and feeling desolate. Turning he looked up the stairs, standing there looking lost and forlorn was Jeff Clark.

His own demeanor reflected in the sadness that was written upon his face. "Jeff?"

Clark rested against the stair railing. "Where am I?"

He moved to the stairs in his robe and a pair of Barnabas' pajamas. "Who are you and most importantly, why am I feeling like I lost something?"

Julia appeared behind Jeff, "Oh good you are awake, how are you feeling?"

Julia and Jeff descended the stairs to pause on the last step. "I am depressed and I don't know why?"

Julia glanced to Barnabas and knew exactly why his emotions were so crestfallen. "Come on in to the drawing room. The fire will cheer you and we can talk about your feelings."

Jeff let her lead him to the fireside chair. Sitting he glanced around the room and then to the other two occupants. "I know this place, but I don't know why?"

Julia glanced to Barnabas who had taken up his thoughtful pose in front of the bay window of the drawing room. "That is because you have been here on several occasions." This explanation appeared to satisfy his curiosity.

"Why do I feel drawn to him?" He nodded his head to Barnabas.

Julia thought and then smiled, "Because he saved your life. He is the reason you are here and alive."

Jeff frowned, "I nearly died?"

Julia did not wish to over whelm him with too much information nodding she smiled with a look of motherly concern. "You recovery is very important to Barnabas and to yourself, so later today, I am taking you and your wife to a place that will help you remember and get better."

Barnabas did not turn, "Are you taking him to Wyndecliff?" Julia stood and moved to Barnabas' side, "I thought it best to take him and Danielle there, I can take Adam there if you wish."

Barnabas shook his head, "No, let Adam stay, he will wish to see Vicki when she returns."

Julia moved to the fireplace folding her arms over her chest. "Jeff, why don't you go find Danielle and then the two of you can gather your personal items and we will go to this new place."

Jeff was loathed to leave the house or Barnabas. "I need to understand what is this Wyndecliff?"

Julia moved to gently pat his shoulder, "it's a clinic I own, and we call them sanitariums a place where you can do your convalesces."

Jeff looked confused over the word convalesces. "What does that mean?"

Julia being Julia wanted to be helpful offered, "A place where you can rest and get well." Jeff nodded this seemed to make sense. "Now why don't you go back up to your room, find Danielle and then we can be on our way."

Barnabas turned and watched him move back up the stairs and he glanced at Julia, "He is feeling my emotions isn't he?"

Julia nodded; "It will take time for him to build up a defense against reacting to your moods, just as it had with Adam, which brings me to what are your intentions in regards to Adam?"

Barnabas moved to sit in the chair by the fireplace he had come to think as his chair. "I had not really given much thought to Adam other than his connection to Vicki he feels we are his parents."

Julia nodded, "I see and let me ask you do you think this is a healthy situation to be the parents to a man that is obviously close to your wife's age?"

Barnabas was finding Julia's questions tedious at most, "I did not give it much thought Julia. You know as well as I do in this house nothing is normal or healthy or conducive to a status quo."

Julia stood walking to stand over Barnabas, looking down at his soulful brown eyes she smiled, "Barnabas, I am aware that this is a special circumstance. Which is why Elliott and I have a proposal for you in regards to Adam. Elliott wishes to further his education and we would like to take Adam with us to our home."

Barnabas glanced up from his contemplation of his fingernails. "You would not find it an inconvenience."

Julia shook her head, "No as a matter of fact Elliott has been sequestered with Adam in the library giving him various lessons and has found his intelligence to be extraordinary. Which is why I am presenting this proposal to you now."

Barnabas considered the offer, "I would think the final decision should rest with Adam and what he wishes."

"I would like to go with the Professor and Doctor Stokes, if that would be ok with you Father Barnabas."

Julia turned to face and walk to Adam; while Barnabas stood to face the young man. "Adam, I am not going to inhibit you from doing what you wish to do unless it is something that will harm you. It is my intentions to see to your well-being until Vicki returns."

Adam nodded and then smiled, "There was something that happened last night that made me happy."

Julia and Barnabas were immediately interested in what he was about to impart. "What might that have been Adam?" Barnabas stepped forward to awaiting his response.

"Vicki came to me last night, she felt happy and secure and wanted me to know she was ok and that she would be home in a while. I wanted to hug her but she said she would not be able to feel the hug because she was . . ."

His brow wrinkled as he tried to recall and then say right the word she used. "She said she was just a pro. . . pro . . . "

Julia offered, "Projection?"

Adam immediately brighten and nodded, "Yes, she said she was a pro-jek-shon: He sounded the word out making sure he said it right.

"Do you know what that meant Adam?"

Adam nodded, "Professor Stokes explained and then showed me the definition of the word."

Barnabas studied Adam noted the look of excitement in his eyes as he spoke of his lessons with Elliott. "Adam, why don't you go ask Willie to find you a suitcase, so you can pack your things."

Adam paused a moment and in his child like thinking looked conflicted. "Why do I feel sad thinking about leaving you and Vicki?"

Julia went to Adam and laid his hand on his arm. "Adam it's natural, just think of it as an adventure to learn something new so you can come home and tell everyone about what you learned."

He reasoned this in his mind, thought a little longer than smiled and nodded as he realized that was exactly what it was; an adventure to learn. "Thank you Doctor Stokes, that helps me over my sadness. Father Barnabas may I come and visit?"

Barnabas was touched; this would be his practice at being a new father in how he was dealing with Adam. "Adam you may always consider this your home and you are welcome to return whenever you wish."

Adam showed his elation in moving to hug Barnabas in his bear like fashion. "I love you and Mother Vicki."

Barnabas returned his hug knowing this was how he had planned to treat his son some day. Releasing Adam he stepped back and wondered about his son and daughters to come.

Vicki sat draped in a gown of the purest white chiffon. Her appearance was angelic as she held her eyes closed and meditated. Since her arrival on nature's plane of balance she had felt peace. The light that had shone and was taken from her by Baal was slowly being replenished by her surroundings.

She had shared in her rebirth to nature with many days of calm shared with her sisters Aerith, Sorcha, Canice, and Aerwyana. Michael had joined them in the commune. Vicki knew she had crossed into a newer plane of existence.

She had accepted the new powers that were given and she relished as her child continue to grow within her body. Though she had not heard from that small being in sometime, she knew she was happy and preparing herself for birth.

Michael had come to her, "Victoria, the time is fast approaching for you to return to your former existence. You will be stronger for your stay here and I know you have learned much. Your child will be born soon."

Vicki glanced up frowning, "But it is too early, I have another 2 months."

Michael's smile was all encompassing and his voice celestially sweet, "It matters not, and your time here has made her term shorter to birth. She will be borne and she will further our agenda to keep the place we call Torrel safe from the darkness that would invade our existence." He cupped her cheek and peered into her gaze, "Your time of healing and learning is coming to an end."

Vicki pressed her cheek into his touch. "I thank you for this gift Michael. I only hope to do you honor and make you proud of me."

He looked with tenderness then leaned to kiss her forehead. "I will always watch out for you my sweet protégé. You shall bare greatness into this world and your progeny shall keep us all-safe and make us proud. Your daughter Jeanette has been reborn with new skills, her selfless sacrifice that offered her life for you and your child, made her worthy of our attention and help."

Vicki looked confused but listened. She watched Michael pace across the room with his hands clasped behind his back. "She will soon learn she has more gifts than she believed she had. During her journey through her life scape she showed her courage and undying love. Her sacrifice by giving her life for her family she earned the right and blessings of nature's balance."

Michael turned to peer at Vicki, "Josette will keep the hellmouth closed and the world safe, Jeanette shall be her champion and a force to be reckoned with for an eternity, she has earned the right when she passes to be a harbinger such as I for the next generation to continue our work."

Vicki knew without asking that this was an honor rarely bestowed on many and now she knew her child would live on and bring good to the world. "Thank you Michael, this warms my heart to know I shall have children to further the good and justice in this world."

He nodded, "Now, you must prepare yourself for your return." Vicki looked up and the light of purity that now showed through her eyes was her gift and her curse. He wanted so desperately to tell her the reason that she was always sought out by the powerful denizens of darkness was her pureness of spirit and heart.

It had been the intrinsic part of their make-up to corrupt and spoil those of the purest nature. It was her light that drew them to her like a moth to a flame. It was also that light that fed them and left them wanting her and wanting more of her light.

Thus, why she was blessed and cursed. He knew she could take the corruptible and change them with her presence and touch. That is how he knew what she had done to Barnabas, Sorin, and Radu. It was Baal that had soiled that light putting her at risk and danger. Her powers had been drained and the interference of her daughters had created a rift, which put Josette and Vicki at risk.

When she had called upon the power of the Guardian's light he was then allowed to take the next steps to cleanse and purify her. His concerned had been with the reckless but ill-conceived intentions of her daughters to protect their mother; was if would he be able to grant her life and Josette's life.

The time-honored rule had been a life for a life. If that individual would give up their life to save the life of the one requesting the guardian's light, they would die and be reborn to higher and nobler purpose. That had been Jeanette's fate when she gave up her essence, her life to protect the ones she loved. Now she would be reborn to assume that new purpose

He knew she would only know that purpose would be revealed at their true death and they would assume the mantle of a harbinger of good. He had become thrilled when Jeanette had made that decision when she offered in such a cavalier manner her own life.

The test had come when he allowed her to die and be reborn and her reaction has been as he had hoped. He had done what he could to see Vicki reached her full potential and only time would tell if she would full fill her destiny as it was pre ordained at her birth.

The council had decided a long time ago, that Vicki would be brought into this world through an act of passion and she would be the vessel to bring the first guardian of the hellmouth to fruition. That vessel would be an extraordinary female of great beauty, intelligence and strength.

She would need the powers of her father's abilities but without his afflictions. To the council they deemed she would be a day walker able to know instinctively the darker powers and the ability to face them and destroy or convert them to the greater good.

That same council had placed ideas in the heads of a few politicians that a special organization needed to be established. This plan had been put in place eons ago and passed down from one generation to another.

Each passing had brought higher qualified participants with a more sophisticated means of dispatching the dark powers that would try and control the world. Michael had been given the honor to guide Victoria and her children. He had waited and watched hoping that it would never come that he would need to take the life of one of his postulants. He had not been disappointed.

Now, he watched Vicki prepare herself for her return to her husband and family and he knew she was ready to face the next deadly challenge that would come. He had already seen the future he had not seen the outcome.

He had confidence in his harbinger and her abilities; her biggest and most challenging obstacle was going to come in the form of her greatest temptation. He held to his confidence she would beat that challenge and emerge unscathed.