Dane

Chapter 11

A/N As this story will have a lot of chapters; I'm taking advantage of the strong painkillers to post multiple chapters while I can. I hope you will continue to r&r, and enjoy the ride.

/

"I've made a slight change to the serum, Barnabas," Julia explained, as she administered his injection. "You should start to feel the effects soon."

Barnabas grimaced as the serum entered his blood stream, and he clenched his fist and teeth against the pain. He disliked showing his discomfort too much, in front of Julia. She hid it well, but he knew it bothered her.

She turned away from him, intending to replace the vial in her medical bag, when a glint caught his eye.

To distract himself, against the lingering pain of his injection, he reached out a hand, and gently touched the object.

"What's this?" he asked fingering the locket, gently.

Julia looked down, at first puzzled, and the smiled. "Oh this? Dane bought it for me."

"I see," said Barnabas with a slight frown. "You and he seem to be getting quite close. He's bought you several gifts since he arrived here, last week."

"Oh I wouldn't say that we're close, Barnabas," responded Julia, brushing off his concerns. "Dane and I are just good friends. I enjoy his company."

"You haven't told me much about him," hazarded Barnabas, hoping to find out more information about this "friend".

Julia paused, and turned to face him. "You never asked, before," she said matter-of-factly. "Now, you'll need another dose in about three hours," she said, quickly changing the subject.

"Will you tell me now?" he asked, rolling down his sleeve and shrugging into his jacket.

"We grew up as children. What more is there to know?" she asked, again turning away from him.

"He seems very fond of you. After all, he spent years trying to find you," he probed.

"We were close once; very close," said Julia, snapping her bag closed, with a decisive snap. The message was clear - she didn't want to discuss it.

"Do you have plans tonight, Julia?" he asked suddenly. "I'd like to discuss something with you."

"I am sorry, Barnabas, but -."

"You've made plans with Dane," he finished for her. "I understand," he said bowing his head, and studying his hands.

Julia reached out to touch his arm. "I'm truly sorry, Barnabas," she said, softly. "But we don't plan to be out very late. We're just going to Rockport to see a movie. Perhaps we can talk when I return. It'll be time for your injection by then."

"No, it's not important," said Barnabas, giving in gracefully, for her benefit alone. Inside he was shaking with fury; Dane was proving to be a bigger problem than he had anticipated. Something must be done, and quickly.

Barnabas paced the drawing room angrily, as Willie entered the room. "Have they gone?" he snapped.

"Yeah, they went," sighed Willie, running his hand through his hair. "I don't know why ya gettin so worked up for," continued Willie. "She can't very well ignore him. They've known each other since they were kids. It stands to reason that she'd wanna spend some time with him."

Barnabas continued to pace the drawing room, wringing his hands, as he did so. "He's more than a friend to her, Willie," he stated. "She admitted as much to me earlier."

Willie folded his arms across his narrow chest. "That's what's really botherin ya; that fact that she might be in love him."

"Nonsense!"

"Come on, Barnabas!" insisted Willie, spreading his arms. "You're afraid that he'll ask her to go away with him. And you're afraid that she just might do it."

"Be quiet, Willie!" snapped Barnabas furiously.

"I know how ya feel, Barnabas. What I can't understand is why you haven't told her."

"As usual, Willie, you have no idea what you're talking about."

Willie nodded his head. "Alright, Barnabas, have it your way. Deny it all ya want. But I know, an' so do you. There's a matter of a ring you asked me to get. An' that was no ordinary ring."

"Not another word, Willie," said Barnabas, looking at him furiously. "Before I silence you, myself!"

Willie nodded his head again, and turned to leave. "Alright, I'll be quiet. But we both know I'm right. And I'll tell you this; ya gonna loose her, Barnabas."

/

Julia and Dane strolled arm in arm, towards Collinwood. The night had been pleasant for the time of year, and summer wouldn't be far off.

As they walked, they talked about the movie, and the meal they'd had beforehand.

Julia laughed at a comment he made, and it sounded like music to his ears.

In the week he had been at Collinwood, he had enjoyed her company enormously. It had been almost like old times, before she had left to pursue her medical career. He longed for those days again, but knew that while Barnabas Collins held her heart, he didn't have a hope. But he was willing to try.

He stopped, and turned to face her. She looked at him enquiringly. "I enjoyed tonight, Julia," he said quietly.

She smiled. "I did too. It reminded me of when we young. I haven't been to a movie in years."

"Then I'll just have to make sure that it happens more often," he promised.

Continuing to look at her, he gently brushed a wisp of hair from her cheek. As he leaned forward, an angry sounding squeak issued from the darkness. A moment later, a giant of a bat swooped out of the darkness directly towards them. It swooped low, aiming at Dane's head. He ducked, and the bat missed him, by inches. It wheeled around, squeaking furiously, and dove for him again. Then just as suddenly, it disappeared into the night.

At the same instant, Dane heard a rustling from the bush. Furiously, he headed towards the sound, and with a triumphant cry, pulled a very startled Willie, from his hiding place.

"Willie!" gasped Julia, completely shocked.