Dane

Chapter 20

Barnabas was standing by the window, supported by his cane, when Julia returned from the downstairs laboratory. He didn't turn, though he was aware of her presence.

The examination had gone well; certainly there would be no lasting repercussions to his previous night's frightening reaction. He wasn't sure which he considered the better of the bad news; his strength would return, eventually showing no signs of illness, or the fact that he had survived only to endure an eternity of darkness. Jed and Angelique had certainly known what they had been doing, when they had condemned him to this existence.

He finally acknowledged her presence when Julia stepped close to him. "When you have fully recovered, we can try again, Barnabas," she said, hoping to alleviate his despair. "Now that I know what I'm dealing with, I can change my approach. Once I find away to destroy the new cell, then I'm sure we can succeed."

Barnabas looked down at his hands, clutching his cane. His jaw tightened as he shook his head. "No, Julia," he said quietly. "You have done enough for me. If I am to live like this, then so be it."

Julia drew herself up, determination on her face and in her voice. "No Barnabas, I will not give up. I will go on finding a cure, until I succeed. This is only a temporary setback."

He turned to her, taken aback by her vehement determination. She'd been determined before to find a cure, but never like this. No doubt she was taking this as a personal failure, he decided. But as he stared at her, he realised that it had nothing to do with failure. She was completely serious.

Suddenly, she wasn't just his friend, not just his doctor. Suddenly, he finally understood her reasons why she wanted to help him...and why she loved him. He opened his mouth, intending to tell her that he loved her too, and then closed it when she took a step away from him.

Julia stared at Barnabas, a determination she had never felt before coursed through her. She wouldn't give up on him or his cure, even if he had given up hope. She would show him that there was still a way to end this curse that had ruined so many lives, not just his own.

He continued to stare at her, unspeaking. Suddenly, he didn't seem his usual self. As though a subtle change had come over him. He opened his mouth to say something, and she involuntarily took a step away from him.

He turned, "How temporary, Julia?" he asked, the change she had thought she'd sense in him, was no longer there.

"We'll have to wait a few days, perhaps a week, before I dare attempt another try. I still recommend a stay In Wyndcliffe, perhaps during your stay there, or when you return here."

"I see," he said moving slowly towards the fire. He stumbled, and Julia went to him, but he managed to regain his balance, and made his way to the chair.

"Try not to give up hope, Barnabas," she almost pleaded with him. "We were so close this time. If not for the cell, it would almost be over now."

"Perhaps you are right, Julia," he said with a sigh. "But we have come so close before, so often that its difficult not to."

She touched his shoulder, and squeezed it gently. He raised his hand, and covered her hand with his, returning her gesture of comfort.

/

Dane approached the Old House with a sense of caution. The last time he had been here, Barnabas had been desperately ill. He hoped now, that what he was about to do, would help in making amends with Julia. She hadn't spoken to him, since the night Barnabas had taken ill, and he didn't think he could stand another instance of her walking out on him, whenever he entered a room.

He ran up the several steps, and knocked on the door. Receiving no answer, he tried the door, and found that it wasn't locked.

Willie returned from the cellar, and entered the drawing room, unaware that Dane was waiting for him until he spoke.

"Wha-!" he stammered startled out of his wits. "Dane! What do you want?"

"I came to see Barnabas, Willie. Is he here?" he asked.

"Whadya wanna see him for?"

"I just wanted to see how he was feeling, that's all. He seemed extremely ill, when I came here the other night. I was wondering if he was up to it, if I could talk to him."

"He's sleepin,'" said Willie, still on his guard.

"Oh, well, I won't disturb him. Rest is probably the best thing for him."

"Dane, what are you doing here?" asked Julia, angrily from behind him.

He turned, surprised to see her. "Julia, it's not what you think," he tried to explain. "I came here, to…"

"You shouldn't be here. Get out!"

"Julia, let me explain."

"Barnabas has been through enough, because of you. Now leave this house."

Dane turned to Willie. "You tell her, why I was here," he said, before leaving the house, and slamming the door furiously behind him.

Willie cringed at the sound of the door slamming. "Why was he here, Willie?" Julia asked, bolting the door.

"You won't believe this Julia, but he came to see how Barnabas was."

"What did you tell him?"

"That he was sleepin'. Said he wouldn't disturb him, he was just about to go, when you came in."

Julia shook her head. "I should have expected this. I'd better talk to him. I'll be back later, Willie."

/

When she returned to Collinwood, Dane was in the drawing room, brandy glass in hand. He turned to refill his tumbler, when he noticed Julia standing by the doors.

"What's this? The third degree?" he asked. "Well, I this time, I had the best of intentions."

"Willie told me," Julia admitted. "And I owe you an apology, Dane. I'm sorry, I misjudged your reasons for being at the Old House."

His anger faded, and he smiled bleakly. "Well, I can't blame you for being worried. I haven't exactly been very friendly with Barnabas, have I?" he sighed and took a sip of his drink. He's very lucky to have someone so devoted to him. I wish I knew his secret."

"I'm afraid there isn't much of a secret, Dane. I love him."

He nodded his head, and walked over to the fireplace. "I guess I knew that all along, and yet I made a complete fool of myself, didn't I?"

Julia went to him, and sat beside him. "No you didn't," she said taking his hand. "I've enjoyed the time we spent together, and catching up on old times. But it's Barnabas that I love. Can you understand that?"

"No, but I'm trying to," he looked at her, seriously. The love he still felt for her, obvious. "Will you promise me, that if ever, you change your mind, you'll think of me?"

She smiled sadly. "That would be unfair to you Dane. I couldn't make a promise like that."

"Think it over anyway," he said. "How is Barnabas, anyway?"

"He's recovering," said Julia, carefully. "Though it may be some time before he recovers fully."

"I'm sorry, Julia," said Dane contritely.

"It's not all your fault Dane. His illness is something he's had for a long time."

/

Night had fallen, when Julia returned to the Old House. Barnabas was standing by the fire, looking better than he had two nights ago. His appearance was deceptive, she knew. But she was glad to see that he was steadier on his feet.

On seeing her, he put something in his jacket pocket, and looked guiltily at the fire briefly. "Willie tells me that Dane was here, this morning," he said conversationally.

"That's right. I saw him leave the house and so I followed him here. Apparently he had the best of intentions. He wanted to see how you were feeling. Willie told him you were resting and he went back to Collinwood, satisfied."

"Are you certain he suspects nothing?"

"I'm certain, Barnabas. How do you feel?"

"Much better," he said, looking at her curiously. "You seem preoccupied Julia. What is it?"

She frowned; unaware that she intended to say anything, since she'd already told Dane he wouldn't marry him. "There's something I think you ought to know Barnabas, about Dane."

"What about him?" he asked in a strained voice.

"Well, it's not just about Dane," she tried to explain. "If I hadn't allowed him to distract me so much, I may have discovered the new cell, a lot sooner. It's my fault that the cure didn't work this time." She looked up at him, hoping that he would understand. "I suppose I should have told you, as soon as I realised that my attention wasn't just on the cure. I should have told you, that Dane asked me to marry him."