This chapter begins into the unfortunate delving that Maggie Evans, even as a reincarnation of Josette Dupres, would still have to face the troubles of the kidnapping. So no, not a fairy tale marriage.

Prior Disturbances Come to Haunt

I'd been hoping, strange as it may seem, that my bride Maggie, acceptably proven to be Josette from reincarnation, would have forced the issue that was burdening us both. I had come to this time a broken madman and isolated by one thought: Josette was mine and had been taken from me and through it all she loved me as passionately as I loved her, if not more so.

In 1795 I'd tried to say goodbye to her one last time but she wouldn't accept it. She was letting me create her into the cursed being I'd become, not knowing what that entailed but demanding she didn't care. How I feared those nights but I let her guide me enough to change my mind, even with a sense of guilt. And it didn't turn out as we both had hoped. We had both been thwarted again by half-truths and manipulation.

I believed she died hating me, as I told Ben Stokes. Maggie put me strait on this when I mentioned it to her once. She almost snapped, "I did not! I died in fear and confusion and with plenty of reason to do so," then she quieted down, "but I've always loved you and I always will." Well, my mind was at rest on that point now.

What I could recall of my Josette when I awakened so long later, was a single but tiny point of light, as one might perceive of a single star in the night's sky, or a cell of isolation with the minutest crack to the outside world. Our human instincts call us toward that light however small but with little knowledge of what it is or what it means.

Such were my memories of Josette Dupres and what had happened to us.

Dr. Julia Hoffman entered the room as I sat by the fire one evening. I heard the door shut and my butler asking if, "Madam would like anything for refreshment". She said, "No thank you, that will be all."

Perhaps it was poor manners not to stand and face her but it was known there was a heaviness on my mind. I heard the steps of my old friend, once enemy, carefully tread and take a seat nearby.

She sighed with her usual mournful dreariness when it came to me and my problems, "Barnabas, forgive my stating the obvious, but there's something wrong, isn't there?"

I turned my head slowly towards her. Goodness, even in her concern for me she had a glow of some kind that I'd not noticed before. Oh, yes. I think there must be more loving warmth in her recent days then there currently were in mine. Her peering gaze was softer, her skin was smoother, and in general she was happier over all. That lifted my spirits some.

"Julia, did Professor Stokes propose?" I couldn't help but inquire, bleeding some form of delight into this sorrowful evening. She wasn't rejoicing over that question out of nowhere.

"Barnabas Collins, let's stick to the point. As much as it pleases me to finally come here and have a moment with friends... without so much... noise..."

I had to chuckle at this, but lowly, and so did she, smiling and then her expression dropped back to seriousness.

"Barnabas, what's been happening here? I was talking to Maggie and she suddenly dropped her cup on the saucer like she was in another world."

"Yes," I agreed, "a world that you and I remember as well, Julia."

Julia stiffened as though to defend herself, then dropped her gaze into her tweed skirted lap along with her soften fist, "I must have been almost as mad as you to cover up her kidnapping the way I did. If I had known-"

"What's past is past, Doctor," I interrupted; "Now we have to deal with what's to come."

"And what would that be, Barnabas? I've talked to her and I've let her get some things out of her system, but I don't think that's enough."

I took a breath, "She's only punished me with passion... not with anger. This worries me. She needs to punish me."

Julia began one of those confused short gasps of hers, "Wel—well... punish you? Are you serious? How do you propose she punish you? How is that going to solve anything?"

"It would set her free. She could physically know I was bound to her, that I'd do anything, be anything, go through anything..."

"Haven't you done that enough already?" Julia sounded annoyed.

"Not enough for her. I kidnapped her, I harmed her. I knew what I was doing and yet I had no idea what was going on within myself or within her."

"You... you want to be punished by her, Barnabas?" she slowly struggled to suggest.

"I have to be, Julia. And by her which by no other can I accept it. It's not like other times. I love her."

Julia Hoffman rose from her seat and spread her hands down to straighten the clothing on her, "Now I understand why Sarah's ghost hasn't been here as often. I see her sometimes at the Main House. I'm worried she'll be fading away again, too."

That was a sour point with me also. Sarah had come back once, and come back again, and had to return for our wedding, which I would have no other way. But the spirits were calling her to more peaceful ventures now that she had absolved the past pains between her and myself as well as who I'd unfortunately troubled. I'm not sure I would worry so much for her overhearing any noises upstairs. She likely heard them before in our old days and understood them. But that was a habit we had and my dear sister had more pleasure spending time with David along with everyone else who had come to accept her.

"Sarah could be fading away entirely, Julia. It's what I fear, but it also gives me hope knowing she's forgiven me, too."

"Well," Julia professed, stepping closer and I finally stood to face her, "as for your loving bride I'm not sure there is much I can do. Perhaps something is coming out of her that she can extrapolate into whatever punishment to you you seem to believe is so damn necessary."

"Isn't it?" I asked, head turning slightly, "doesn't your doctorate tell you there is a need to let it out for her?"

"Well, yes, but I'm not sure violence on you is the answer, is it?" Julia was grappling with the troubles again.

I nodded grimly, "It is, I believe. Maggie needs to act it out and I need to suffer it."

Another deep breath from my friend, rubbing her neck and releasing her shoulders, "All right... I'll wonder at how I helped you by coming all the way over here, though."

I took her by the arms and she stopped with a deep stare at me, "By listening, Dr. Julia Hoffman, if you remember, that was half of your purpose in getting your degree, wasn't it?"

Then she gave a surrendering smile and I kissed her on the forehead. We embraced and she gave me a warm clap on the back, "Good luck," she said and pulled away to step to the door, "But whatever happens, Barnabas... I'm not sure I'll want to hear about that."

This was good natured of her, I could see her laughing eyes as I closed the door behind her.

Yes, there is trouble in Paradise and there always is... It's going to be a long haul. Let me know if you want it posted quicker and I'll do what I can.