A/N I decided to try and finish this tonight. Hope you continue to enjoy it.

Chapter 23

Barnabas watched as she climbed the stairs, every nerve, throbbing with his determination not to give in to his vile hunger. Deep down in his being he felt rather than heard the dogs' howling. His clenched fists trembled violently.

Why had he ever professed his love for her, when he knew that this was what he knew would happen? He began to pace the basement, biting his hands, as he did so. He would not give in…no matter what.

The fact that this was the first night since his illness that his hunger had returned didn't make it any easier. He knew only too well, how overwhelming it could get - and so did Julia. What was he thinking of, asking her to marry him, while he was like this? Was he so afraid that he would still lose her to Dane Spencer? He hoped that it wasn't, or that Julia should ever think so.

He turned back to the stairs, where Julia had stood, not so long ago. His fangs stirred, itching and twitching. He stared at the spot, a smouldering light, burning in his eyes. Close..so close…abruptly, he turned away and headed deeper into the basement.

/

Julia gazed into the fire, a hand resting on her shoulder. Should she have left him alone, she wondered. And immediately knew the answer to her question. She knew that if she hadn't left when she had, he would have harmed her. Sometimes, his need for blood was too overpowering for him to control. And she knew all too well, how he hated to succumb to his terrible hunger. She glanced at her watch - it had been almost half an hour, since she'd left him. She turned towards the pillars, debating if she should go down to the basement, and see if he was all right. Anything might have happened to him…he still wasn't recovered from his illness, despite his returning hunger.

Her decision was made for her, as the cellar door opened, and Barnabas appeared, pale, but otherwise looking his normal, controlled self.

"Barnabas?" she queried, concern edging her voice. "How do you feel?"

He stopped several paces from her, standing rigidly, staring at her. She felt the briefest hint of fear, and then it was gone.

Outside the dogs howled in answer to her question, and she thought she saw Barnabas flinch. He visibly gathered himself, and then slowly advanced towards her.

He passed her, without saying a word, and concentrated on the flames, hands, clasped in front of him, twisting the onyx ring he wore.

"I'm all right, Julia," he said, finally answering her question. "I am in control, for now." He turned to face her; his dark eyes showed the depth of his struggle, and she felt her heart lurch against her chest. The bloodlust must have been almost over baring. An agony she couldn't ever hope to heal or understand burned in his eyes. It had been close. "After what has happened here tonight, I can't possibly hope or expect a marriage to work, as I am," he continued. He held up his hand, as she began to protest, seeing the pain, his words had brought her. "Please, Julia," he turned to face her, his fear for her safety etched on his face, and in his voice.

"I'm afraid for you, that's why a marriage now, is impossible. Surely you must see that? The reason I've held back for so long was because of this sort of thing happening."

"Barnabas," she breathed his name, stepping closer to him. He stepped back, keeping a small distance between them. She understood, and held her ground.

She should have expected something like this. He felt guilty for what had happened in the basement. But even she could understand his reasoning this time. She had seen the struggle in his eyes, a struggle he was still fighting against. But she had faced down his curse before, and she would again.

As she began an argument of why the marriage could still go ahead, he turned his usual deaf ear, his defence of old against what he felt towards her. He understood that she was hurt and confused by his actions, but it was the only way he could see of keeping her from harm. Surely, in time, she would understand that?

He turned face her again, meaning to point out the futility of what she was proposing, when he saw the tears sparkling in her eyes. Moved by the look on her face, he sighed, and shook his head. When would he ever learn that he was never alone? That she would always be at his side? All he ever thought about was himself, what he was feeling. But what about her? His curse had never mattered to her; in her eyes it didn't matter whether he was human or vampire. He made his decision.

He took a step towards her, and this time took her into his arms. "You're right once again, Julia. I can not ask you to re-consider, to wait until I am cured, for the simple reason, I can't bare to be apart from you."

She looked up at him, not sure if she had heard him correctly. He smiled, and gently touched her cheek. "You have stood by me, risked your life for me and my family, with never a thank you from me. I have chosen to…overlook your feelings and motives, for my own selfish reasons. You have made my life worth living, Julia. Now it's my turn, to act so unselfishly. We will marry tomorrow night." He chuckled softly at her startled look, and then bent and kissed her briefly on the cheek. "We'll first go to Collinwood, and announce our engagement to the family, and then I shall go to the village and arrange a time with Judge Thomas."

She moved away from him, just enough to look up at him. "I want to tell Dane, myself, Barnabas. It would be better, that way, than just announcing it. It'll surprise everyone, I know."

Barnabas nodded. "Of course, I understand." he would have said more, but Willie chose that moment to enter the drawing room. "Barnabas, I need to go into town. Is there anything you want before, I go..." he looked up; his face registered stunned surprise to see Julia and Barnabas, standing with arms embraced. Julia reluctantly stepped out of Barnabas' arms, as he released her.

Willie's stunned surprise quickly turned to a beaming, knowing grin. "Is this what I think it is?" he asked mischievously.

Julia looked to Barnabas, and he inclined his head, giving her consent to her unspoken question.

"Willie, Barnabas has asked me to marry him. I've agreed."

His eyes danced and the grin grew wider. "Really?" he asked, still not quite believing his ears, or his eyes. "That's fantastic!" he said, rushing over to the two of them. He shook Barnabas' hand, and kissed Julia on the cheek. The news had loosened his tongue and he gushed, "Barnabas, had the ring designed special."

"Willie," intoned Barnabas, but nothing could stop Willie now.

"…when you both returned from the past," he finished.

Julia looked at Barnabas, stunned. "Is that true?" she asked. The thought that he had had the ring specially designed for her had never crossed her mind.

"Yes, " he said, looking uncomfortable, for being put on the spot. "I sent Willie to Bangor, to have it made. I'd intended to give it to you, but I reverted before I had the chance."

"So, when you gettin' married?" Willie wanted to know, breaking the awkward silence that had suddenly come between them.

"We hope to marry tomorrow night. We were about to go up to Collinwood and announce it to the family, when you came in," explained Barnabas. "Since you're heading into town anyway, you can drive me to Judge Thomas' house."

"Sure, Barnabas," said Willie eagerly. "Want me to come up to the big house, with ya?"

"Yes, but there is one more thing, I wish to ask of you," said Barnabas.

"What is it?"

"I'd like you to be my best man."

Willie's grin, stretched from one ear to the other. "I'd be honoured to, Barnabas," he said, never saying a truer word.

/

At Collinwood, Barnabas and Julia headed directly for the drawing room. Willie hung about the foyer, pacing, back and forth.

Roger and Elizabeth smiled, delighted to see them both. "Barnabas" greeted Roger, jovially, "I'm glad to see you up and about. Felling better I trust?"

Barnabas leaned on his cane, and bowed politely to Elizabeth, and addressed them both. "I'm feeling much improved, thanks to the excellent medical expertise of Julia." He said, glancing in her direction.

"How fortunate that we have a doctor in the family," observed Roger, unaware of how prophetic his comment would prove to be.

"Yes," said Barnabas, glancing surreptitiously at Julia. "We are more fortunate that you know."

Roger and Elizabeth turned expectedly towards their cousin. Something in his tone alerted them to something vastly important.

Barnabas looked at Julia, and she took her place at his side. Both looked nervous. "Julia and I have, something we want to tell you."

"Well out with it, Barnabas," interrupted Roger, eagerly, "Don't keep us in suspense."

He took a deep breath, and plunged ahead. "I've asked Julia to marry me, and she's accepted."

Anything that Roger or Elizabeth might have said was lost when a loud gasping cry came form behind them. The four of them turned towards the sound, and discovered Dane standing in the doorway. The stricken look on his face was enough to tell Julia that he had heard every word. He turned on his heels, and left the house, slamming the door behind him.

Julia turned towards Barnabas, dismay on her face. "Barnabas," she whispered.

He nodded. "I understand, Julia."

She turned, without saying a word, and followed after Dane, hoping that she wasn't too late.