A/N: Hello, darlings! I am so sorry for taking so long to post this but as many of you know I was away because my uncle passed away.

A huge thank you to those who sent me encouraging messages during the previous tough week and of course to my reviewers: TinkerbellxO, blackstar778, Band131, Amelia V. Sparrow, BluecladChipmunk, MikaMikaru, 88dragon06, yvje94, Zombites, fundamentallyloathsome, SugarPlumDuckie, TheBrightsider, Jamberine, Jay D. Moore, Dionne dance, Echo M. Blake, sullsinger, Adelene Abnormal, lazymazy, Leyshla Gisel, duckie9848, BellaMarieRosaCullen, ForeverACharmedOne and to all the anonymous reviewers! You made my day.

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.

Chapter 10

Abigail jolted upright at the small noise that came from her window and quickly rubbed the sleep away from her eyes. She hastily stood up from the bed and walked over to the window. She peered outside but she saw nothing; only darkness.

She sighed and pulled her head back before she started pacing up and down. She had made it her ultimate goal to not fall asleep. She wanted to see if the man from her dreams would come again, if he was real and if he was who she suspected he was.

He hadn't come back to her dreams for over a week; whoever it was and she was getting restless. She didn't know what she would achieve if he returned. Maybe it was all the loneliness that she had bottled up inside her that made her so prone to his presence. Maybe it was the gentleness of his touch or maybe it was just the need for someone next to her.

She shivered as a cool breeze blew and messed up her hair. She shot a last look towards the window, which was more of a glare, before she groaned and headed for the door. She needed something sweet or else she would fall asleep. Yes, sugar made her sober up. Was it strange? Maybe but at the moment she didn't care.

She walked out of her room and tiptoed towards the kitchen. It took her a few minutes to arrive at her destination and when she did she headed straight for the fridge. She opened it and searched for the chocolate cake Ruth had brought the other day. She located it and with a small sigh she grabbed the plate and made to close the door of the fridge.

"Cravings for something sweet, my dear?" Barnabas' voice came out of nowhere and Abigail was so startled that she unceremoniously dropped the plate of cake. It shattered into small pieces as it fell on the marble floor.

She gasped and stepped back from the mess she had made, "I'm sorry." She muttered and in a second he was next to her as she kneeled down to pick up the pieces.

"Wait." He raised a hand to stop her while he fetched a plastic bag for the broken pieces and some kitchen paper.

Heedless of his order she leaned forward and touched a piece.

"You'll cut yourself!" he exclaimed as he severely slapped her hand away and proceeded to gather the broken pieces with the paper.

Abigail watched him in shock as he quickly cleaned up the mess, "I was careful." She said but what she really wanted to tell him was; Why? Why had he been avoiding her since that night in the rain?

He finished with the plate and she stood up. She brought a wet cloth and cleaned the chocolate from the floor while he put the bag into the garbage bin. She cleaned it and then stood up to wash her hands.

"I apologize for startling you." He said as he leaned against the table clad in a dark blue robe and dark pajama pants.

"That's okay." Abigail murmured and she took longer than necessary to wipe her hands dry before she slowly turned to face him.

"There are some chocolate bars if you still want to-…"

"No, thank you." She cut him off quite rudely and he paused, startled by her tone. He visibly drew back on himself and looked away.

"Have you been avoiding me?" she asked and he looked up at that, seemingly surprised.

"Avoiding you?" he murmured, "No, I haven't."

"I haven't seen you in a week." She said.

"I was busy at work."

"It's been a bad week in regards of the weather." Abigail commented and he paused at that.

"Yes…?"

"You do enjoy the rain and cold, don't you?" she asked and he pursed his lips.

"Why do you say that?" he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her with concentration.

"You always seem to go out when it's pouring down." She observed and he smirked.

"I do like the rain, indeed. And you don't?" he quirked an eyebrow before he pushed away from the table and approached her.

"No, I…I do." She stammered as he came to stand in front of her, his eyes dark and hooded.

"You didn't miss me, did you?" he whispered huskily and Abigail took a step back only to collide with the sink. She winced and he instinctively placed a hand between her back and the counter. His cool touch sent a shiver up and down her spine. His eyes widened when he realized it and Abigail's cheeks flushed a light pink.

"It's a large house, my dear." He murmured and she looked up at him, "I wasn't avoiding you at all…Why would I? I like being in your presence." He said quietly as he moved his fingers minutely against her lower back.

"Oh." Abigail was speechless and breathless at his close proximity.

Oh? What kind of response is that, stupid? Her inner voice screamed at her and she bit her lip.

"As a matter of fact I wanted to find you." He said and she quickly blinked up at him.

"Oh?" she winced as soon as she uttered the sound and he chuckled.

"I was wondering when we're going to begin with my painting?" he quirked an eyebrow and she hastily pushed a tendril of her hair behind her ear. The strand refused to obey but before she had the chance to tuck it back again, his hand reached up and firmly but gently placed it behind her ear.

"The p-painting?" she asked as she blinked tiredly up at him, "Um…whenever you like." She said and he nodded.

"Good…Tomorrow perhaps?" he suggested and she swallowed hard.

"Sure." She nodded her head and he smiled.

"Good."

He released her from his hold and stepped back suddenly as if remembering himself.

"How is the other painting going?" he asked casually and Abigail quickly busied herself with pouring a glass of milk.

"Um…not so well. I haven't been able to work on it with this weather and all my work." She said and Barnabas looked at her face carefully.

"You haven't been sleeping." He murmured and she could detect a hint of wariness in his tone.

Abigail stiffened and she procrastinated by sipping from the glass.

"I don't like storms." She explained shortly and his dark eyes narrowed in speculation.

"Hmm."

Abigail took another sip and then spoke, "How come you're up at this hour?" she asked and he ran a finger down the counter as he shrugged.

"I suffer from insomnia…Nothing I can do about it." He said quietly and Abigail nodded.

"Is that why you're so pale then?" she asked before she could censor her words and her eyes widened.

Barnabas' posture visibly stiffened as he formed a response, "I have low iron levels." He explained, slightly more relaxed and Abigail's eyes widened.

"Me too. I take medication…" she said and his mouth twitched but it was not a smile…It was more like a sneer and it was not directed towards her.

"I eat a lot of…red meat." He said as he gazed out of the window darkly and then turned to look at her.

"Oh…I don't like red meat." Abigail found herself saying.

"What's your favorite food then?" he asked and she shrugged.

"I love chicken…" she trailed off and then moved hastily away from the counter. She placed the empty glass in the sink and quickly washed it before she looked at him again.

"I…I am going back to bed." She said and he inclined his head.

"Of course…What time shall we meet for the painting?" he asked and she paused.

"On the afternoon. I have work to do in the morning." She replied and he grinned.

"Excellent. I shall meet you in my study then." He said as he pushed away from the counter too and headed for the door.

"Try and sleep." He called without looking back as he made his way out of the kitchen, "Sweet dreams." His voice was slightly muffled as he made his way down the hall and towards the stairs.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The next morning found Abigail cleaning and tidying up the attic at the top floor of the mansion. The room hadn't been properly cleaned in what seemed like months and dirt was covering everything; really everything. There were few pieces of furniture but there were a lot of boxes with Christmas decorations, books, clothes and other various things that Abigail was reluctant to go through. She just dusted, cleaned and did a little bit of organizing.

As she placed the last box of books in the corner her gaze turned to the closet that was near the large window of the attic. Curiously she walked over to it and opened it. Surprisingly it was unlocked. She looked on the inside and there were some heavy old fashioned coats and as she leaned further down she noticed some shoes. She was ready to close it when something in the corner of the enclosed space caught her eye.

A wooden, engraved chest.

Abigail leaned down and looked at the elegant wooden chest with curiosity. She looked around to make sure she was alone and then kneeled down in front of it. She opened it and inside was something that surprised her. She reached in and pulled out the beautiful blue dress. The design was at least two hundred years old but the fabric was new and still soft. Abigail looked at it with wonder but with increasing puzzlement. She placed it on her lap and then reached out for the other item that was inside the chest.

A beautiful waistcoat with an intricate flower design and gold embroidery was folded neatly under the dress and as Abigail gazed at it she immediately recognized it to be a man's item.

"Oh, gosh." She whispered as she studied it but when she heard a noise from the entrance of the attic she gasped and stumbled to put the clothes back in their proper place inside the chest.

"Abigail, my dear?"

At Barnabas' call she quickly pushed the chest inside the closet and stood up. She shut the closet window just as the man stepped tentatively into the room.

"I'm here." She said as she wiped at her brow and looked at him.

"You decided to clean this old nest?" his nose wrinkled as he gazed around the room and Abigail found it cute.

Cute? Get a grip! She scolded herself.

"Um, yes. What do you think?" she asked him and he pursed his lips as his eyes perused the attic and then he smirked.

"I think you should make this your studio." He announced rather proudly and Abigail's breath hitched.

"What?" she exclaimed and he grinned at her.

"Don't artist have studios where they work?" he cocked an eyebrow inquisitively.

"I guess…Yes, they do. But…are you sure?" she asked hesitantly.

"Of course. That would give us some time alone." He stepped closer and she took a small step back.

"Alone?" she almost squeaked and he chuckled.

"For the painting?" he said and she breathed a sigh.

"Oh…yes, of course. Whatever you like." She said and for some strange reason his eyes darkened at her words.

He slid even closer and looked into her eyes for a while before he spoke, "I've been thinking…" he started and she quickly nodded.

"About what?"

"About your name." he said softly and she paused.

"Excuse me?" she frowned.

"Your name…I like it but…" he fought for words, "It's a rather severe name for someone so…" he trailed off and she held her breath as he raised a hand and brushed his fingers down her cheek, causing her to shiver.

There was that cold, gentle touch again.

"Beatific." He finished and her eyes widened a fraction.

Was he for real? Her? Angelic?

"You don't like it." She stumbled over her words and he paused.

"I do like it…but it sounds harsh on you." He said with a grimace.

"One of my stepdads used to call me Abby." She blurted out before she could think and Barnabas' eyes lit up.

"And he was right." He murmured and then smiled, "Abby. I like it." He nodded to himself and then pulled his hand away from her cheek.

"Do I have your permission to call you that?" he asked with his head titled questionably to the side.

"Of course. Anything you like." She replied and the dark look was back again.

"Careful, my dear. You shouldn't say such words to men." He chuckled but his voice was filled with a dark warning.

"Um…" Abigail blushed to the roots of her hair but he waved her concern off with a pale hand.

"No matter. I shall leave you to your work. Use the room as you wish. I shall see you in a few hours here." He said and without waiting for a response he turned and walked out of the attic.

Darn it! She hadn't even asked him for the odd clothes. She would that evening.

End of chapter 10

Author's note: Thank you for reading. I know it's a bit short but I wanted to re-acquaint myself with this story after so many days of leaving it hanging. The next chapter will be longer and a rather exciting one! ;-)

So review and you shall see what I mean through your sneak peeks! What are you waiting for? Type me some love!

Until then!

Xxx Lina :)