Dane

Chapter 7

A/N Many thanks for the reviews and well wishes. They are always appreciated.

A look that both Willie and Julia - if she could have seen it - would have recognised, crossed her face. A look that had more than once crossed Barnabas' face, when he didn't want to acknowledge what Julia felt for him - or what he might feel for her.

"It would never have worked between us, Dane," she said, avoiding his gaze.

Dane looked at her, and nodded his head. He folded his arms, completing the gesture of old, when he thought she wasn't being completely truthful with herself. "I see that you've added psychic abilities to your many talents," he said, in that condescending tone she hated.

Hated because she knew he was right. "The truth is," he went on, "I regretted letting you walk through that door, the second you left. But, I knew that becoming a doctor was important to you. I knew, that stopping you, from becoming the best you could be, would have ruined both our lives, and we would have ended up hating each other. But not for one minute do I believe that a marriage between us would have failed. Its true that I loved you then; enough to let you go, and do what your heart told you. And just as true now."

He stopped, and unfolded his arms. He reached out, and gently lifted her head up, making her look into his eyes. "When I found out, you had done what you set out to do, I couldn't have been more happier. I was sorry that we lost touch. So, when Diane and I went our separate ways, I thought, it was a good time to renew an old friendship. And I'll admit that the idea of renewing our relationship, did cross my mind," he stopped and smiled sadly. "Though I was aware that it might not be possible. And it isn't; there is someone in your life, and I'm not one to barge through. I hope he realises how lucky he is, whoever he might be."

Julia listened to his speech, and her heart give an unexpected lurch when she realised that he had given her up so she could pursue a medical career.

She had to admit that that first year away from him, had been the hardest.

But not as hard as the night she had told him of her plans. He had been hurt at her decision to leave him, but, putting on a brave face, he had wished her the very best of luck. They had kept in touch, through letters, but only a few years after she'd left, their letters became few and far between. He had written, just before she'd graduated, telling her, that he was getting married, to Diane, the daughter of a friend of Dane's father, whom they had both known. That had been the last she'd heard from him. She wondered what he would say, if he knew it was Barnabas that she loved; and that he chose to see her only as a friend. But, she could understand how he felt, and sympathise.

"Dane," she began, not sure of what to say or how to react to his admittance that he had hoped to renew their romance. She hadn't wanted to hurt him then, and she didn't want to hurt him now.

Before she could continue he shook his head. "I'll always be a friend to you, Julia."

"I'd like that very much," she said, with a smile, feeling a sense of relief. She knew that he was disappointed, but admired him, for not letting it show.

Elizabeth entered the drawing room, and smiled in greeting. "Julia, Dane, I didn't realise you were in here. I can use the study…"

"There's no need to do that, Mrs. Stoddard," said Dane, in his enthusiastic way. "Julia was just about to take me for a stroll around the grounds."

"Well, it's a pleasant day, for a stroll," agreed Elizabeth. "Oh, before you go, Julia. How is Barnabas today? Roger mentioned that he wasn't feeling well."

"He's much better today. He went to Bangor, to check out some findings in our research."

"How is your research coming along?"

"Slowly," sighed Julia, suddenly wanting to be away from both Dane and Elizabeth, but didn't know how, without being rude. "But when Barnabas returns later this evening, we'll be able to begin move forward."

Making their excuses, they left the house, and began the stroll around the great house.

/

The afternoon slowly turned to early evening, by the time Julia and Dane returned to Collinwood. "So, how about dinner?" asked Dane for what seemed the hundredth time, as they entered the foyer. "I promise you, I'll stop asking as soon as you agree," he assured her, in his pleasant way.

Julia sighed and shook her head. He had never been one to give up, and it was obvious that he would continue to ask; until he got the answer he wanted. And where was the harm? "Alright, I'll go to dinner with you," she said, giving up. And besides, she enjoyed his company. "But," she said sternly, and holding up a hand, "I need to see Barnabas, first. Find out what he learned in Bangor."

"Surely that can wait?" asked Dane, his previous good mood at her dinner acceptance evaporating at the mention of Barnabas. "You've said it yourself that you've been working too hard. Perhaps, it's a break you need. Let the answers come in their own time."

"I'm sorry Dane, but I must see Barnabas, before we go. It's important to both of us. I promise I won't be there long."

Dane sighed, "Alright, see your assistant if you must. And over dinner, you can tell me what it is that you're so busy researching."

/

As darkness fully descended, Barnabas stirred in his coffin, but it was a few moments, before he raised the lid, and climbed out. As he had expected, Willie was waiting for him, as he had instructed him before the dawn had forced him to the confines of his wooden prison.

"Did you get it?" he asked, as he turned and closed the lid.

"Yeah, here," said Willie as he handed over a small velvet box.

"Good!" replied Barnabas, taking it eagerly, but carefully from his friend's hand. He paused before opening it. "Does she know?" he asked suspiciously.

"No, sir," Willie replied. "I made an excuse to leave the house, but I don't think she even realised I was gone. She's been workin' on a serum, using Dr Lang's notes."

Barnabas frowned. "Dr. Lang?" he asked. "What would she want with those?"

"Beats me," said Willie with a shrug. "But she thinks she might find an answer in 'em. She was pleased when I brought, 'em down from the attic. She acted like the answer was in them diaries all along."

Barnabas looked thoughtful. "Could it be true?" he wondered. His expression changed as his superior hearing told him, they were no longer alone. "She's here," he said, and quickly thrust the velvet box, into his jacket pocket, as Julia came into view.

"Oh, Barnabas, you're awake. Good," she said, on seeing him.

Barnabas and Willie both stared at her. Her hair was swept up, in a style that neither of the two men had seen before. Around her neck, was a cluster of pearls. She wore a dress of sky blue, and pinned to the left side, was a butterfly broach, that sparkled in the candlelight.

"Julia…" muttered Barnabas, stunned by the transformation.

She looked down at herself, and a blush coloured her cheeks, as she felt his gaze on her. She laughed nervously. "Dane's taking me out for dinner," she explained, unaware of his furious glare in Willie's direction at the mention of Dane's name.