Reel Dynasty

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 11

DENVER-

Angela was now deeply worried.

Emma had not spent the night in this mansion! That, Angela was sure of! And if she had not been distracted by Phillip’s arrival, she would have been able to keep a better eye on her daughter! Phillip called the police station and found that Emma had gotten Joel Abrigore and Rita Lesley out of trouble and left the station with them. Where they were now, was unknown.

Sable left the mansion in good spirits and giving the false impression that she had stayed over night in a guest room, to anyone that noticed her there that early in the morning. Luckily, there weren’t that many people that fell into that category.

Angela and Phillip were the first to breakfast, though Angela had little appetite. The third person to enter was Steven. He looked like he had dressed in the dark!

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Erickson! I can’t stay I’m late for the academy. I should have stayed at the dorm last night but with all that was going on…”

“You mean all that you brought into this house, don’t you, young man?” Angela asked in a harsh tone. Phillip covered his wife’s hand with his own.

“I apologize for my wife, Steven. She’s just worried for Emma. That’s all.”

Steven took a sip of coffee, but did not accept the apology.

“Emma is just trying to have the life she never could at Falcon Crest.” Steven said pointedly. Angela smirked!

“Is that what she told you?” she asked.

“What Emma has told me about herself, is none of your business. I think she’s just looking for independence and happiness. She won’t find happiness with either Joel or Adam. But maybe if you left her alone to deal with her own problems…”

“You listen to me: Emma is not capable of dealing with her own problems! Or even getting ahead of a problem before it becomes a serious one. Is this your way of telling me that you know where Emma, that cretin she married and that blowzy red-head, are?” Angela demanded to know.

Steven finished his coffee and stood up.

“I don’t know where they are. But I do take responsibility for introducing Emma to Joel. I will find her.”

“I think you’ve done enough, young man. Between your father and myself, we’ll deal with this situation.” Angela huffed. Steven looked to Phillip for a brief second before turning to walk out of the dining room. Phillip turned in his seat to face his wife.

“I would like to think that I would be included in this search for my step-daughter.”

“Oh Phillip! Don’t be like that! Of course you are!” Angela said soothingly. Meanwhile, Michael walked into the back kitchen door as Joseph finished directing the kitchen help. He saw Michael and walked over to him.

“You certainly don’t look any worse for wear. Are you up to driving?” Joseph asked casually. Michael waited until they were alone to speak.

“Were you in on what happened yesterday?” Michael asked.

“What ‘happened’ yesterday? I don’t follow you.”

“Joseph, I followed Amanda, was supposedly ‘mugged’ and then woke up at my house.”

“Yes, Miss Carrington mentioned that. She said you didn’t want any police, a doctor had seen to you and…”

“What doctor? I was knocked out from behind, the little money I have is still with me!”

“What did Miss Carrington say?” Joseph asked, not quite following what Michael was saying. Michael set his chaueffeur's hat down on the table.

“Joseph, I didn’t wait for Mr. Carrington yesterday. I followed Amanda and found her in the woods with some big black guy with a mohawk! As soon as I laid eyes on them, someone knocked me out from behind! She was meeting with someone, for some reason and my mugging is coverup! Mr. Carrington has to know about this? Doesn’t he? I mean I didn’t wait for him so he had to wonder?”

“Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, yesterday, Michael. Mr. Carrington was distracted from looking for his daughter. When I saw you were gone, I told him that you went out to find her. She was here at the party last night.” Joseph said, taking what Michael had told him into account.

“So those men helped her cover up the fact that she was meeting them. I think Mr. Carrington needs to know what’s going on.”

Joseph nodded.

“Fine. But I will tell him. And I think you should keep away from Ms. Carrington. It will do you no more good than when you were with Fallon.” he warned the chauffeur. Michael nodded. He was beginning to think Joseph was right.


****

DELTA RHO-

Daniel Reece had been much more than a party guest the previous night.

He was an A-Team ally. Hannibal had wanted to see Amanda so he spirited her out of the mansion and brought her to Delta Rho…

Now, on this morning, Hannibal Smith and Amanda Carrington sat naked in a hot tub in Daniel’s mansion…

“I wanted to see you because we’re going to Collinsport to get Willie Loomis.” Hannibal said solemnly. He leaned back and chewed on the cigar that was in his mouth.

Amanda gave him a worried look.

“You’ll have to go through Barnabas, you know that, don’t you? He protects Willie.”

Hannibal took the cigar out of his mouth and faced her.

“I’m going to have Murdock work on him. This Collins is nuts and his family money and position, have kept him from facing prison time. I have it on good authority that you aren’t the only woman he has pulled this on. That and…”

“And what?” Amanda asked.

“Your mother has it in for him. She asked me for something that I think she wants to use against Collins.” Hannibal confided. “I don’t know how or why, but she could be in trouble. It’s the perfect time to take down Barnabas Collins and make sure your mother doesn’t get in over her head.”

Amanda suddenly glared at him!

“My ‘mother’ knows how to take care of herself just fine, Hannibal! And if you care so much for her still then you should go to her right now!” Amanda snapped childishly, and stood up abruptly! She had had quite the close call with Michael yesterday! And her help to the team was not being appreciated!

Hannibal’s response to Amanda’s fit of temper, was to reach up and grab her by the waist, then yank her down and forcefully impale her on his fiery bulk! His lips claimed hers possessively and soon, Amanda was just as lost in desire as he was.

Meanwhile, Jackie Devereaux and her father, a powerful lawyer that worked for Jason Colby by the name of Garrett Boydston, walked into Noah Bennet’s office and closed the door. Garrett had discovered his daughter’s activities and knew that she could be charged with harboring fugitives, for starters. Garrett planned to make sure that his daughter, got out of this whole thing unscathed.

Garrett was not interested in Jackie’s becoming like Amanda or that other daughter of Blake’s. If Blake Carrington didn’t care if his daughter consorted with criminals, that was on him. But HIS daughter wasn’t going to have her life ruined, just because she was friends with Amanda Carrington! And once Garrett secured a deal for Jackie, he planned to let Dominique and Brady know, just what a piss poor job they were doing with regards to looking out for his little girl!


****

Blake told Joseph to pack his things. He had decided after hanging up with Alexis, that he was not going to miss Fallon’s wedding to Jeff! He would call Alexis on the Carrington Jet and ask her if the wedding could be postponed until he arrived in Collinsport.

Angela and Phillip had come back from a stroll on the grounds, when they saw Michael putting Blake’s luggage in the trunk of the limousine. Phillip felt his body tense, as Angela pulled her arm from his and walked up to Michael.

“That’s Blake’s luggage. Is he going somewhere?” Angela asked in a tone that didn’t sound very much like a question. Before Michael could answer, Blake and Joseph walked out, in the middle of a conversation. They both noticed Angela and stopped talking. Blake smiled and walked up to them.

“Well I certainly hope you’re enjoying yourself here, Phillip.” Blake said casually.

Phillip couldn’t say that ‘enjoy’ was the term he would use, considering all that was going wrong. Angela and Emma left Falcon Crest for a purpose and now that reason had been upended at every turn.

“Yes.” he answered politely, holding Angela’s arm tightly. “I am. The grounds are beautiful.”

“Where are you going?” Angela asked.

“Alexis called. Fallon and Jeff are getting married in Collinsport and I plan to be there.” Blake replied. Phillip smiled.

“Well that’s wonderful. Congratulate the happy couple for us.” Phillip said, but Angela pulled out of her husband’s grip and continued addressing Blake as if Phillip was not there.

“I didn’t think Fallon cared all that much for the Colby boy.” Angela noted.

“I think Fallon was just trying to sow a few wild oats before settling down. Jeff went to Collinsport out of concern for Fallon and now they’re to be married. I have to assume that Fallon realized how much Jeff loved her and now she’s marrying him. Now, I have to get going. I will be back with everyone and then we can work on Emma and Adam.”

“I think I should come as well.” Angela said pointedly. “Phillip can stay here and find out where Emma is.”

Blake looked from Angela to Phillip. He could see that Phillip didn’t like the idea! Blake cleared his throat.

“Angela, I don’t think Alexis would like it every much. Now I have to consider her feelings.”

Joseph came out of the house and looked at Phillip.

“Mr. Erickson, there is a call for you. You can take it in the front hallway.” Joseph told him. Phillip thanked Joseph and Joseph followed him back inside, leaving Blake and Angela alone.

“Blake, you’re being absurd. Of course Alexis won’t mind seeing me there. And I haven’t seen Elizabeth in years…or Barnabas.” Angela demurred.

Blake shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but no. That and I need to you to find Emma and make sure that she understands what it means to a member of the Carrington family.”

“Emma has to understand that but Adam doesn’t? Is he there to walk Fallon down the aisle in your place?” Angela asked sarcastically.

Blake clenched his jaw before speaking.

“You know, don’t you?”

“About Kirby and Adam? Yes. So you see WE have a problem and WE are going to correct it. I’m coming with you to Collinsport and by the time you return, Emma and AND Adam will know what it means to be a Carrington. I’ll have Phillip stay here and go about the business of getting Emma free from that Abrigore character.” Angela said.

Meanwhile, Phillip took a call…from Tony Cumson, Angela’s former son-in-law…

“Tony,” Phillip said carefully as he glanced out of the front door, “I’m sure Angela never expected to hear from you again.”

Tony paused before answering.

“Mr. Erickson. I am calling to let you know that Emma is with me. You will tell Angela that Emma is headed home to Falcon Crest.”

“What? Why would she be with you? I didn’t realize you lived in Denver now?”

“Where I live now is none of Angela’s business.” Tony said calmly. “But I plan to make sure Emma gets back home safely.”


Phillip felt his patience wane severely!


“When my wife finds out that you have abducted Emma, she will not just go about her merry way and forget what you’ve done here!”

Tony smiled on his end. This was typical Angela Channing crap! And this poor slob that she had just married, was just as much under her thumb as his son Lance was.

And Julia. The woman that would’ve still been his wife if not for Angela. Angela had destroyed Julia. He was not about to let that happen to Emma too.

“No one has been abducted. You know that, Erickson. Just tell Angela what I said.”

“Where are those other two? Joel Arbrigore and Rita Lesley?” Phillip asked.

Tony hung up on and from afar, Joseph could tell that Mr. Erickson had taken a phone call about Emma and that it was not good. He said nothing and walked towards the stairs. Angela told him she would be accompanying Mr. Carrington to Collinsport and leaving Mr. Erickson behind here. He was going to pack some of Angela’s things. As Joseph headed to her room, he could not help but feel a bit sorry for Phillip Erickson. Angela Erickson was definitely more Channing, than Erickson on this visit.

*****

COLLINSPORT—

Fallon stared at the portrait that she had taken from her mother’s room. She had taken the covering off and could see that the painting was of some woman. She raised a brow, not quite understanding why her mother would buy a painting of some random woman?

Barnabas was convinced that Alexis was in Collinsport to destroy him over some past slight. That Fallon could believe. But this portrait was the only item Alexis had brought with her, that Fallon did not recognize. This portrait or even the woman in it, in some way, could possibly hurt Barnabas. But how?

Fallon was still staring at it when there was a knock at the front door. She looked around. Willie had let her in so he had to be around someplace. But the knocking persisted and Fallon realized Willie was someplace where he could not hear it. She boldly walked to the door and answered it.

It was Frank Hardy.

“Hi!” Fallon chirped, then turned to walk back into the front room. Frank walked in in disbelief, slamming the door behind him! He followed Fallon.

“Why are YOU answering Barnabas Collins front door?”

“Because his servant didn’t hear it.” Fallon replied, her attention now on the painting again. Frank walked further in the room and stared at the painting.

“What is that? That wasn’t here when we were here before.” he noted.

“Mother brought it here from Denver. I found it in her room.”

Frank raised a brow. That sentence made no sense!

“You found this painting in your mother’s room at the main house and brought it here? Why?” Frank asked. Fallon decided to give him her full attention now.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, ignoring his question.

“Concerned. About you. Randall said you attacked her when she tried to find out if you were okay.”

Fallon grinned!

“Is that what you call what she did? She was asking after my welfare?”

Frank put his hands on her shoulders!

“Yes! Look, you lied to the police about what happened here yesterday! Why? Did Barnabas hurt you? Was he hiding in this house the whole time?”

Fallon removed his hands from her shoulders and took one of his hands.

“Barnabas was in the basement.”

“So he knocked me out?” Frank asked.

“No. That as Willie.”

“Fallon, I’m not following…”

“You will.” Fallon said and lead him by the hand to the basement door. She opened it and together, they both crept down the stairs to the basement. Frank looked around when they got down there. This area was all he remembered before he was knocked out from behind.

The lighting was dim but Fallon knew her way around, something that made Frank uneasy. He had been unconscious. The last thing he remembered was Fallon going upstairs. SOMETHING happened. They were not assaulted by some phantom gang that left them in the woods around here.

Fallon lead him to a well lit area of the basement and saw…

Frank pulled away from Fallon and walked right up to Barnabas’s closed coffin!

“What is this?” Frank asked, dragging his eyes off of the coffin to look at Fallon, who did not look phased.

“It’s Barnabas Collins’s coffin. He sleeps in it during the day.”

Frank blinked.

“Okay, Fallon, is this is some kind of joke…”

Fallon impatiently moved past him and opened up the coffin! Frank took two steps backwards as he stared at the now sleeping Barnabas. Fallon then closed the lid quickly and turned to face Frank!

“Barnabas Collins sleeps in that coffin during the day. And once the sun goes down, he gets out of it.”

Frank now rolled his eyes, moved past her and whipped open the top of the coffin! He then reached down to pinch Barnabas’s nose!

“What are you doing?” Fallon asked, amused.

“He’s clearly faking! And when he can’t breathe this whole show will end.” Frank told her. But Barnabas’s mouth did not open, nor did his eyes. Frank slowly released his nose, taking a few steps back to stare. Fallon moved to close the top of the coffin again!

“Now do you believe me?”

“He’s clearly drugged. Does anyone else know about this?” Frank asked in a no nonsense manner.

“Only Willie. And maybe my mother.” Fallon lied. “And why do you think Barnabas is drugged?”

“Oh come on, Fallon! What is this? Are Collins and you in on this together? I thought you cared about your sister? Collins is the one that abducted and traumatized her and Maggie Evans! There are missing women in this town that Collins is responsible for and all I need to do is prove it!”

Fallon walked up to him and put her arms around his neck.

“I’m getting married today, Frank. Do you care?”

Frank forced his body not to respond to Fallon.

“Randall told me this morning. We won’t be attending.”

“That’s all you have to say? No, ‘Fallon run away with me and let’s get married’? Nothing at all?”

“You knew that this case was important to me. And no one is forcing you to do anything. You tell Jeff you don’t want to marry him…”

“GET OUT OF HERE!!! GET OUT!” Fallon screamed, letting go of him and shoving him away from her! Frank held up his hands in a motion of surrender before speaking.

“Randall thinks that you had sex with Barnabas. She thinks you’re in on every…”

“Randall thinks she’s me as well, Frank! Think about that before you try and bring a case against anyone on your ‘fiancee/wife’s’ word!” Fallon snapped with contempt.

Frank’s response to her was to pull her to him hard and cover her lips in a brutal kiss! Before Frank could stop himself, he was removing his clothing and helping Fallon remove her own, letting their garments fall to their feet, before Fallon pulled Frank by the hand and walked back over to Barnabas, who was still slumbering peacefully in his coffin. It would not be long before she would find herself gripping the top lip of the coffin, tightly, as she willingly accepted Frank’s bulbous penetration deeply within her. Soon, Frank began and kept up, a seamless and punishing rhythm while his hands clutched her hips tightly. Suddenly, Fallon was angry. Angrier than she had been in a long while!

“DAMN YOU, FRANK HARDY! STOP ME FROM MARRYING JEFF!” Fallon screamed, while looking down at Barnabas’s inert form. Frank’s response to her almost deafening scream, was to bend her over into the coffin so that her breasts now vaulted up and down against the vampire’s cold lips!

When it was over, they both quietly dressed. Fallon was going to marry Jeff. Frank would try with Randall and in all probability, their affair would continue. Such is life.

Frank dressed, unable to believe he had just did what he did, with some murderous freak lying in a coffin in front of them! He left the basement and found himself in the front room, staring at the painting. He then looked around, took the painting off the easil and left the house. Alexis Carrington knew what was really going on around here. And when she realized Frank had her painting, she could come to him. And when she did, he would demand answers!

Fallon left the basement and the old house, alone. She didn’t even notice the painting was gone as she passed through the front room. She then walked back to the main house, where she was greeted by Alexis and Elizabeth, who were beaming at her, Elizabeth, thinking she was happy about her upcoming nuptials, and Alexis, relieved that her oldest daughter had returned to fulfill her duties. Jeff had been ready to send out a search party if she had not returned.

Fallon quietly accepted Jeff’s proposal and pretended to be happy. That was not especially hard once Alexis informed her that Blake was coming to walk her down the aisle. The prospect of Daddy being by her side as she entered a suffocating marriage, was the only thing that made the concept bearable. Yes, she would become Mrs. Jeff Colby on this day.

 

[Karin Schill]

I'm looking forward to see Blake and Angela arrive in Collinsport.

Poor Philip, Angela was clearly the one who was wearing the pants in their relationship. But from what I remember of the show it was like that there too. So I think you've managed to capture their dynamics nicely.

Yay, Fallon will marry Jeff. I've always liked them as a couple.

Typically Emma to get married to a con artist. Somehow I don't think Angela and Blake will be successful with getting their arranged marriage with Adam and Emma to go through. I mean Adam won't divorce Kirby all that easily. He loves her. Looking forward to read whatever confrontation between Blake and Adam that is bound to come.

I also look forward to when Blake and Alexis see each other again. So far they have been mostly kept apart in this story.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Let us just say that Blake and Alexis will have their chance to be together when he arrives for the wedding.

No. Adam loves Kirby. And Blake has a lot of regard for Joseph.

Oh yes. Fallon IS marrying Jeff. They are the endgame.

Angela is strong because she had to be. When you have a family dynasty and your only sibling is too weak to do the work it takes to make it a dynasty, you have to be strong. I get what Angela has been through. She was not about to have Chase come along with his hand out, and be a partner in something he had no part in building. And while legally, he had a right to it, the whole thing was still galling.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 12


COLLINWOOD

Adam entered Fallon’s room and found her sitting in front of a dressing mirror in a bathrobe. She was looking over her cosmetics when she saw her brother enter, via the mirror. She turned and stood up.

“Are you here to congratulate me?” Fallon asked sarcastically.

“I’m here to save you. I know this marriage isn’t your idea.” Adam told her.

Fallon smirked!

“There’s no saving us, brother dear. I’m marrying Jeff Colby and you’re marrying Emma Channing.”

Adam now smirked!

“Sister dear, there is nothing Father can do about it now. I am already married to the woman I love.”

“So you think.” was Fallon’s response, before she turned and sat back down in front of the dressing mirror. Adam hated it when Fallon was like this. Cold and sure of herself. Because unfortunately, that also meant that she was usually right.

“What do you know?” Adam asked quietly.

“Oh calm yourself, brother dear! I know of no plot to rip you away from your beloved Kirby. I just hope you can make it on your own. Daddy will most likely banish you from the family.”

“I don’t think he’d do that to Joseph.” Adam said, now walking further into her room and going over to a window. He peered out. This guest room had a very good view of the old house. “Besides, all we have to do is blame everything on Barnabas Collins, and we’ll be left alone—for now.”

Fallon eyed him.

“Barnabas? What do you mean?”

Adam dragged his glance from the old house and back on to his sister.

“What happened last night? Barnabas and you arrived here telling the most appalling story about fiends attacking yourself and Frank Hardy. And yet no ‘fiends’ could be found. And in a small town such as this, I find it very hard to believe that the perpetrators were from out of town.”

Fallon shrugged.

“Why? That happens. Creeps from out of town arrive and ruin things.”

“Hmmm.” Adam said, folding his arms. “I suppose. Kirby told me that Barnabas was the one that kidnapped Amanda. He kidnapped Amanda and forced Kirby to do things so that Amanda would not be killed. Once Father hears how far Kirby was willing to go to protect a member of this family, he will leave Kirby and I alone.”

“And how does that help me?”

“You should tell him the truth: that Frank Hardy was attacked by Barnabas trying to save you and…”

“Yeah, but see, you are actually already married to Kirby. Frank Hardy can’t quite let Randall go to do the same for me. So I”m marrying Jeff Colby like a good Carrington daughter. And once we leave here, Father is going to find a way to show Kirby his gratitude and break the two of you up so that YOU can marry Emma. Now run along, I need to finish getting ready.” Fallon said wryly.

Adam said nothing. He turned and left Fallon’s room and refrained from slamming the door behind him! He decided that there was one thing Fallon had been right about: he had to prepare to live without the Carrington fortune. He did not get the feeling that Kirby cared about money but still…she was a Carrington wife. He wanted her to have what the other women in their family had access to.

Adam decided that he would talk to his mother and feel her out on the subject. But when he began to search for her, he was told by Mrs. Johnson that Alexis had went over to the old house to invite Barnabas to the wedding.


****

Alexis shook her head as she spotted a small grime of dust on one of the window sills at the old house. She looked around. Where was the painting? Maybe it was upstairs?

Willie Loomis suddenly appeared before her.

“You Carringtons think you can just walk into someone’s house without knocking, don’t you?” Willie asked in a hostile tone. Alexis eyed him.

“You’re that funny little man that works for Barbanas, aren’t you? I’ve been meaning to speak to you about my youngest daughter, Amanda. I suppose you were in on what happened to her, weren’t you? I should call the sheriff on you.” Alexis told him.

But Willie didn’t blink an eye.

“I know nothing about nothing.”

“Oh I believe that! But when it comes to kidnapping and rape, I think you know quite a lot!”

“I had nothing to do with what happened to Amanda, Mrs. Carrington!”

Alexis took a step forward towards him.

“But Barnabas did, didn’t he?”

“You should leave. The sun is going to be going down soon.”

“Hmmm, yes. I am quite aware of what happens when the sun goes down around here. I am also quite aware of what happens once it gets dark in this house.” Alexis sighed. “Tell me, Willie, where is the painting my daughter brought over here earlier? And don’t tell me you know nothing about it!”


Willie shrugged.

“Frank Hardy took it. Now I’d get out of here.”

That was the last answer Alexis expected to hear!

“Frank Hardy? That man that is with the Justice Department? What would he want with it?”

“He’s trying to bring down Barnabas. He knows you’re trying to use it in someway so he took it.”

“Damnit!” Alexis snapped. “I’m sure he’s staying someplace in town! Damnit, Fallon!”


Willie now grinned!

“When Barnabas wakes up, I’m going to have to tell him about everyone that was in this house and what they wanted. You need to leave Collinsport, tonight if you can.” Willie warned her.

Alexis grinned even wider!

“And you’ll need a good lawyer, Willie darling. Because if I can’t blame what happened to Amanda on Barnabas, you will do as a pound of flesh. Are we clear?” Alexis threatened before sauntering past him and out of the house! Willie turned and watched her walk out of the door and slam it behind her! He clenched his fists together, agitated beyond belief!

There were now too many people that knew Barnabas’s secret. And Willie doubted that the Carringtons would return home and just keep the knowledge to themselves about what Barnabas was and what he had done. He decided that maybe he did need to leave Collinsport as well.

Meanwhile, Alexis returned to the main house and was greeted by Elizabeth, who told her that Blake had called…

“Again? Has something happened to delay the plane?” Alexis asked, puzzled. Elizabeth put a hand on her arm.

“He said that Angela Channing will be here as well.”

Alexis rolled her eyes to the heavens and Elizabeth pursed her lips.

“I know she can be a bit overbearing, Alexis. But I really do think that she wishes Fallon and Jeff well.” Elizabeth told her.

Alexis pulled herself together. She still had to find that damned painting!

“I’m sure she does, Elizabeth but Angela has a husband. She should act like it and stop hanging all over Blake.”

“Blake and her are old friends. I’ve known them both…”

“I do not mean to offend, Elizabeth dear, but that is part of the problem. Blake and Angela go ‘way back’, so I have to suffer her making puppy dog eyes at MY husband for eternity. Blake has known your family for years and yet when I send my youngest daughter here to spend time with your family, she is kidnapped and traumatized!”

“Alexis!” Elizabeth breathed. “You don’t mean to imply…”

“Someone here knows something! And by someone, I mean that fiend cousin of yours that lives in the old house! Now if you will excuse me, I must retrieve a lost item.” Alexis said and walked up the stairs. Fallon was going to tell her where this Frank Hardy was staying—pronto! She did not see Adam, duck into an empty room as she passed by. He had been on the stair landing and overheard his mother’s argument with Elizabeth. Mother knew Barnabas was no damned good! That meant his plan to blame everything on him and keep Kirby as his wife, had more of a chance of succeeding than he thought.

Meanwhile, down below, Elizabeth sought out her brother Roger and told him about her tiff with Alexis…

“I cannot believe she would accuse Barnabas of anything! He is a perfect gentleman!” Elizabeth said, still shocked.

“Adam accused him as well and when I told Alexis about it, she seemed to believe that it couldn’t be true.” Roger noted. He found Elizabeth’s news surprising as well.

“I don’t think she meant anything by it,” Elizabeth decided, “I think it’s the stress of Angela’s being here that is upsetting her.”

Roger smirked!

“Yes, this should be interesting. I actually wonder about Phillip. How he could allow Angela to travel here with Blake alone, is beyond me.”

Elizabeth gave her brother a look.

“Phillip Erickson could no more keep Angela from doing whatever she wanted, anymore than Douglas Channing could.” she said wryly.


****

DENVER-

Stacey awoke with a blinding headache. She slowly sat up and looked around. She could tell from the way the sun was radiating into her eyes, that she was late for her classes at the Police Academy. Good God! What had happened the other night? How did she ever get home to her apartment?

Stacey looked down at herself. She was naked.

Noise was filtering into her senses. Noise from outside of her bedroom—more specifically her kitchen. Stacey could smell food. God…she had spent the night with someone and now they were cooking breakfast?

Stacey looked around for her gun. The one her father had given her when she was fifteen! It was usually on her nightstand but she did not see it and realized that whoever was out there, probably had it! Damn!

Stacey got herself dressed and looked around for any sort of weapon she could use against her ‘breakfast assailant’. Her eyes spotted her police cadet issued baton and she grabbed it, then crept over to the bedroom door. She eased it opened and walked out into the hallway…

Noah Bennet was just setting two plates onto her dining room table when he spotted her!

“Good Morning, Cadet Sheridan! How are you feeling on this fine morning?” Noah asked in a cheerful tone. Stacey blinked and lumbered out into the open.

“I’d be as chipper as you if I knew how I got home last night!”

“That would be courtesy of myself. I ran across Matthew Blaisdel trying to revive you. He was very contrite. He told you more about Steven and his moral compass than he should have.” Noah told her pointedly. “I made some breakfast…”

“And you brought me here and stayed the whole night?”

“No. I brought you here, went home, went to work then realized you had not gotten to the academy and returned here. You were still asleep and figured you could use some breakfast when you finally arose. You know, I actually enjoyed myself last night. It’s a shame you didn’t.” Noah said and sat down to eat.

Stacey tossed her baton on the couch and walked over to sit down next to it.

“Not hungry?” Noah asked as he bit into his eggs.

“What do you want from me? I can’t help you with Steven. I don’t know anything.” Stacey sighed, pushing a hair out of her face. “And I’m assuming you took off my clothes as well?”

Noah said nothing about that.

“What I want is what I’ve always wanted, Cadet Sheridan. Your help. I found out something that made me realize that I was on the wrong track with regards to the Carringtons.”

“Good for you. Now I want you to leave.” Stacey replied, standing up.

“We picked up your mother and that Arbrigore character. I offered them a deal for their help. And I need for you to keep them in line so that they do as they are supposed to do. If you do that, I can see to it that you skip the cadet phase of policing and start as a detective.”

Stacey was now taking in what he was saying. She could become a police detective without graduating the academy and without being in uniform. What the hell had the Carringtons done???

“Okay. I’m listening. Finally. Tell me what’s going on.”

“You will agree to my terms?” Noah asked.

Stacey nodded.

“I agree.” she said. Noah smiled and wiped his mouth. He then stood up and walked over to a briefcase. He opened it and pulled out a file, before walking over to the couch and handing it to Stacey. She took it and saw that it read ‘Collinsport’.

“Familiarize yourself with the family mentioned in that file. Because I am sending Joel and Rita to a small town to help me catch four big fish. And you are going to make sure they do not betray me, or this country.” Noah said, before walking back over to the dining room table to pick up the suitcase and his jacket. He then left Stacey’s apartment.

Once he was gone, Stacey took the file and herself, over to the dining room table and began to gulp down the coffee Noah had made for her. She would need it if she was going to get up to speed on this whole Collinsport thing and deal with Rita and Joel. She then thought of something: if Noah had Joel and Rita, then what happened to Emma Channing?

Meanwhile, Noah got into his car to a waiting Jill Munroe, who was in the passenger seat!

“I know Stacey doesn’t like me very much. How did she take it when she found out I was going with her?” Jill asked Noah.

“She doesn’t know.” Noah admitted. “But I don’t expect you’ll have any problems out of her as long as Steven Carrington doesn’t come along.”

Jill rolled her eyes!


“There is nothing between Steven and I! And I don’t get why Stacey can’t see that! I have seen her rolling her eyes at me twice now!”

Noah smiled at her.

“Stacey knows there is nothing between the two of you, just like she knows that there will never be anything between herself and Steven. Not really. Once the two of you get to Collinsport and bring in the A-Team, you will practically be running the Townsend Detective Agency and Stacey will be, in all likelihood, over her own father, career wise.” Noah told her.

“I have no interest in running a detective agency, Noah.” Jill said, reaching over to pull on his tie. “But I would like to become a government agent-like you…and with you.” Jill said as her lips closed over Noah’s.


****

Amanda paid the cab driver that returned her to the mansion and watched the vehicle take off, before turning and coming face to face with Michael!

“Michael? You’re looking better.” she noted.


“Well it wasn’t hard to recover from a mugging that never happened.” Michael replied, staring after the cab. “I would have been more than happy to come and pick you up from wherever you spent the night.”

“Jackie and I had a girls night out and sleep over. Not that I owe you any explanations, Michael. Now if you don’t mind…”

“Jackie is Brady Lloyd’s step-daughter, right?”

Amanda nodded.

“Yes.”

“She was at that fancy school of yours. The one I used to pick you up from on the weekends.”

“Yes, Michael, not that she is any of your concern…”

“I just always thought she was cute. That and I sing a little…”

Amanda burst out laughing!

“You ARE kidding, right? I have never heard you sing!”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t.” Michael said coolly.

Amanda now folded her arms and regarded him closely.

“What do you want?” she asked him.

“I want to know what’s going on. Who are you seeing now that you’ve found me uninteresting? Or am I just too poor? Or what, Amanda? Did anything ever happen to you in Collinsport?”

“How dare you! I was…I was…”

“You were what? You went from being too nuts to even talk, to whoring…just like Fallon! Oh and by the way, no one is home. Your father left for Collinsport like the rest of your goddamned family! Apparently Jeff Colby and Fallon are getting married there. Adam married Kirby there as well and Joseph looks angrier than hell about it!” Michael snapped.

Amanda glanced around her, before looking at Michael again.

“Steven is around?”

“Steven has better sense. He’s actually at school trying to become a cop.”

“And Angela? Phillip?”

“Your father told Angela to go home to California with her husband. Apparently that daughter of hers that caused all of that trouble last night, is back at Falcon Crest.” Michael said and walked off. He smiled as he put distance between himself and Amanda. He sensed…opportunity. Opportunity amongst all of the trouble that was happening in the Carrington fold.

Adam was going to be kicked out of here on his ass. And he’d probably end up marrying that Channing broad.

Fallon would need someone interesting to keep her mind off of boring Colby. Michael planned to be waiting with open arms.

He also suspected that whoever Amanda was seeing, was in trouble with the law. He would use that to hold over her head so that he could get a meeting with Brady Lloyd. And no, he could not sing, but he was very interested in working for him.

Meanwhile, Amanda watched Michael walk off towards the house and pondered what she had been told. If Kirby and Adam had married, then Adam had to have broken Barnabas’s hold on Kirby. There was a part of her that wanted to go to Collinsport and be there to support her family—against Barnabas Collins.

Then she thought of Hannibal, Face, Murdock and B.A.. They would deal with Willie and Barnabas. Her family was safe.

Amanda began walking towards the house. She would stay right here and keep an eye on Michael Culhane. Her affair with him had clearly been a mistake and she planned to make sure that no one else suffered from her lapse of judgment.


****

COLLINSPORT—

It was odd how quickly night fell upon this town.

Alexis had confronted Fallon, but to no avail. Her daughter was coy and hostile and Alexis suspected that was because she truly did not know where Frank Hardy and the wife she could not pry him from, were actually staying. And unfortunately, she did not have the time to go chasing around town to look for him or her painting. It would have to wait until the wedding was over.

She walked into Jeff’s room to find Jason McGuire helping him with his tie! Alexis smiled brilliantly at Elizabeth’s blackmailing husband…

“Thank you, Jason, for the help. But I will help Jeff with his tie.”

Jason grinned at her, thinking how he’d love to get a woman such as Alexis Carrington into bed before she left Collinwood!

“I have some things to attend to. Jeff, good luck!”

“Thank you, Jason.” Jeff said, smiling at him. Jason walked out of the room and Jeff turned to Alexis.

“Jason only helped once Blake left.” Jeff began but Alexis stopped him!

“Blake was here? When did he get in? I haven’t seen Angela…”

“He said there was trouble at Falcon Crest and that she and Phillip flew back to California. Blake was about to help me get this tie right when he noticed the old house from the window. He said he wanted to make sure that Barnabas had been properly invited.”

Alexis felt a chill run through her! She turned away from Jeff and slowly walked over to the window. Her eyes grew huge!

Adam was now headed towards the old house as well! Alexis rubbed her throat, turned back towards Jeff and walked over to him. She fixed his tie properly and then touched his face.

“I should see how Blake is coming along over there. Soon, very soon, you will be part of our family, Jeff. Not that you weren’t already.” she smiled, before letting her hand slide off of his face. She walked out of the room and did not notice Jeff staring after her. Kirby appeared in the doorway just then and noticed the look on his face. She walked in and over to him.

“Jeff? What is it?”

“Blake is here. I think Alexis is afraid for him. He’s over talking to Barnabas.”

Kirby eyed him.

“Why would Blake go there?”

“I don’t know but Fallon and Frank Hardy were attacked in that area. Maybe I should go after Alexis and make sure she’s alright.”

Kirby gave Jeff a wry smile.

“Alexis is perfectly capable of looking after herself. And if someone is out there waiting to hurt her, THEY are the ones that are in trouble. I’ll see how Fallon is doing.”

“Thank you, Kirby. I know she must be nervous.” Jeff replied, smiling down at her. Kirby tried not to melt at the sight of his smile. She told herself she was married to Adam now and that she would be very happy with him. She also told herself not to care that Fallon Carrington would make Jeff Colby the worst wife in the world.

Meanwhile, over at the old house, Barnabas awoke and went upstairs to his living room to find…

Blake Carrington.

Blake Carrington sitting in his highjack chair. He had also helped himself to a drink.

“Mr. Collins. Nice of you to finally join me. Did you enjoy your nap?” Blake asked as he finished his drink and stood up. He walked over to the fireplace and set the glass on the mantle. Barnabas eyed Blake with interest, just as Adam entered the house, uninvited and walked into the living room.

“Father? Why are you here? Fallon’s wedding is about to start.” Adam said, as he looked from Blake over to Barnabas.

“Is Fallon getting married? I had no idea. I assume you are both here to invite me to the nuptials?” Barnabas asked.

“Actually, Mr. Collins…”

“Call me Barnabas.”

“Barnabas,” Blake said coldly, “I am here to tell you a story.”

“A story?” Barnabas asked just as coldly.

“Yes. Alexis and I were still newlyweds when we came to Collinsport for a visit with Elizabeth and Roger…who are old family friends. That should have made YOU and old family friend. But for the life of me, I could not place you in the Collins family tree. I know that one better than my own.” Blake admitted.

Adam didn’t like the sound of any of this!

“Father, everyone is waiting at the main house.” he reminded him. Blake tore his gaze off of Barnabas and looked at his son.

“You should hear this too, son.” was all Blake said as he focused on Barnabas again. “There is no record of you or your parents in the Collins Family Tree bible.”

Barnabas took Blake in before answering. He had thought this man a cuckold. The clueless husband. He had been wrong to think along those lines.

“Roger and Elizabeth are quite satisfied that I am a Collins. My resemblance to the original Barnabas is proof enough…”

“I think it’s more than just a resemblance, Barnabas, don’t you?” Blake asked in an even sounding tone. Adam eyed Blake.


“What are you saying, Father?” Adam asked.

“I am saying, Adam, that the Barnabas Collins that is in that portrait, hanging in the front foyer of Collinwood, is the same man that stands before both of us now.” Blake said firmly, just as Alexis hurried in, slamming the door behind her! She took in the three men and knew she had walked into trouble. She focused on her husband first.

“Blake, darling? Whatever are you doing down here? Fallon is eager to see you and Jeff still needs your help getting ready.” Alexis said in a light and airy tone that did not fit her mood. What she was feeling was pure panic! Why in God’s name was Blake here with Barnabas? And why was Adam with them?

Blake took a deep breath and focused on the woman that despite their many problems, was the love of his life.

“Alexis. I’m glad you’re here. Mr. Collins, you should go up to the main house. My daughter is getting married. I am sure you won’t want to miss that.”

Ordinarily, Barnabas would have been non-plussed to be ordered out of his own home. But he sensed he had lost ground here and decided that a nice, calm wedding might give him time to re-think some of his strategies.

“Of course.” was all he said and walked out of the house. Barnabas closed the door behind him and it was only then, that Blake got down to the real deal!

“Adam, your mother had an affair with that lout before you were born. He could be your real father. I want you to annul your marriage to Kirby, then fly to California and make Emma Channing an offer of marriage. If you do not do this, I will tell everyone that story and you will be cut off.” Blake told Adam.

Adam burst out laughing!

“I knew you would try something but even this is desperate for you.”

“Adam…” Alexis warned but he ignored his mother.

“He is a vampire. That means he’s dead which means he cannot procreate, something you are very aware of. And even if you do tell people that, I will then become a ‘Collins’ and will be in line to inherit from their vast fortune. So I will continue to be a Carrington and as will Kirby. Now, if you will excuse me, I must get ready for Fallon’s wedding.”

Adam mockingly bowed before Blake before turning to leave the old house. He did not spare Alexis the smallest glance as he walked out. But he did slam the door behind him!

That left Blake and Alexis alone. Alexis spoke first.

“I never betrayed you. That vampire fiend lured me down to this house and raped me!”

Blake’s facial expression did not change.

“Angela warned me that you might try and say that…” Blake began but Alexis saw red!

“ANGELA???? Angela is the one that sicced him on me! He lured me down to this house under the pretense of having a belated wedding gift for the two of us! From Angela! He wouldn’t tell me what it was and I foolishly believed him! I was taken several times by that monstrous cur and you have the unmitigated gall to bring up Angela Channing! You have the nerve to reveal that you knew I had been hurt this whole time…”

Blake took a deep breath.

“Is that your side of the story? After all of these years? Damnit, Alexis, you should have come to me! I waited and waited for you to tell me something different from what I had been told! When you didn’t…” Blake trailed off. Alexis folded her arms. She decided she would have to throw someone under the bus to add some weight to her story. Blake thought because she had not told him anything, that she had willingly taken Barnabas as a lover.

“I told Elizabeth. She assured me she would take care of it. That she knew Barnabas was dangerous and that she AND Roger would deal with him. Angela had to have known that! Do you think I would have ever sent Amanda here if I thought he was still prowling about?” Alexis sniffed.

Blake’s expression changed!

“You told Elizabeth and Roger and they did NOTHING?”

Alexis sniffed again!

“Yes! But I didn’t know they had done nothing, darling! I didn’t know until Amanda…Blake, he has put his hands on Fallon as well. She can barely hold her head up to marry Jeff!” she sniffed, now tearing up. Blake opened his arms and Alexis rushed into them! Blake held her tightly and stroked the back of her hair!

“Oh my God! Can you ever forgive me? I will kill him the moment I see him back at the house! Barnabas Collins has violated my wife and daughters! He must be dealt with NOW!”

Alexis pulled back a little and nodded.

“I know! That’s why I thought the painting would work! But Fallon’s…oh that Justice Department man she came here with, stole it!”

“What painting? What are you talking about?” Blake asked.

Alexis sighed, enamored by the fire she saw in his eyes!

“Darling, come with me! We’ll delay the wedding for an hour! We need to go into town and find Frank Hardy! He has something that will keep Barnabas Collins under control for as long as we want!” Alexis beamed, just as Blake found himself suddenly kissing her quickly, he being just as enamored with the fire in HER eyes! He hadn’t felt this way about her since…

Sable. Sable reminded him of what Alexis used to be like. Blake shoved Sable to the back of his mind as Alexis grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the old house. They would go into Collinsport and pick up the weapon that would destroy the vampire, that had come between them so many years ago.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Chapter 13

Barnabas Collins knew that Alexis Carrington had come to Collinsport to destroy him. And he could have dealt with just her.

But Blake’s arrival and his subsequent conversation with the Carrington patriarch, told Barnabas that the tenuous existence he had tried to build for himself, after being shuttered away for so many years, was about to end. And he was not about to allow that to happen.

He arrived at Collinwood, said a merry greeting to Mrs. Johnson, who had opened the door to him, then promptly found Roger and Elizabeth! They went into a rarely used study near the back of the house and closed the door…

“Blake Carrington seems of the mind that I once raped his wife and proceeded to molest both Fallon and Amanda. He has also accused me of not being a true Collins. I think I have seen this man only once and I know nothing of what he is talking about. I thought I would warn the two of you about what Carrington is alleging. I would hate to have our family’s reputation hurt.” Barnabas told them.

Roger shook his head sadly and looked over at Elizabeth, who looked too appalled to speak.

“Barnabas, I am sorry that I could not warn you sooner.” Roger told him.

“Sooner?” Barnabas asked.

“Well I was aware that accusations against you had been made. But they started with Adam Carrington.”

Barnabas nodded.


“Yes. He was there too. Blake was alleging that Adam was my son… a product of the rape accusation.”

Now Elizabeth spoke!

“What in God’s name has gotten in to those two?!”

“Those three.” Roger corrected her. “Blake, Alexis and Adam are determine to blame the misery of their lives on this family.”

“But why?” Elizabeth asked in a breathless voice. “I wonder if Angela could shed some light on this?”

“Alexis has always been threatened by her presence in Blake’s life.” Roger noted.

Barnabas scoffed!

“Oh for the love of God, Roger, I was around then, remember? Elizabeth, Angela and yourself did nothing but try and make Alexis feel welcome into your inner circle. It is certainly no one’s fault that the Collins, Carrington and Giobertti families go back generations. And to be blunt, we wouldn’t be having any of this trouble if Blake had married Angela.”

“I know.” Roger sighed. “But the heart wants what it wants. And Tom Carrington liked Alexis for Blake. I don’t think he would have wanted his son with a woman he had had for himself.”

Barnabas and Elizabeth looked at one another, before looking at Roger again.

“What did you say?” Elizabeth asked her brother. Roger’s eyes widened briefly before answering. He waved a hand.

“It was nothing I could prove, but I always suspected that Julia Cumson was Tom Carrington’s child and not Douglas Channing’s.”

Elizabeth gasped again!

“Roger! What a God awful piece of gossip to spread! Of course that isn’t true!”

“And yet you thought this why?” Barnabas asked, feigning concern. “Dr. Hoffman had been unable to treat Julia Cumson and thought some problem with Angela lay at the root of things.”

Elizabeth now turned a hard eye on her cousin.

“Julia’s life with Tony Cumson did not turn out the way she wanted and she blames Angela for everything. We all know that was why she could not be ‘treated’. Really this conversation is in such poor taste.” she sniffed, just as Mrs. Johnson came in and quietly told Elizabeth that her husband was having trouble getting dressed for the wedding and needed her help.

Roger lifted a brow as Elizabeth excused herself and slowly left the study, knowing full well that she would have to submit to her husband’s deviant lust as soon as they were alone. Barnabas did not catch on to anything untoward and continued questioning Roger about what he had said…

“Roger, Angela is a close family friend. I visit Falcon Crest in the summer and to be honest, I would hate for Alexis to hear of this and use it against her.”

“I would never dream of repeating what was only a suspicion, Barnabas.”

“And yet you did just now.” Barnabas said knowingly.

“Douglas confided in me.” Roger admitted. “It was something that HE saw between Tom Carrington when he visited Falcon Crest. Douglas didn’t know the Carringtons that well and didn’t quite understand how far back our families went. Tom’s wife was dead by then and at first, Douglas assumed that he was a father figure to Angela.”

“But that turned out to not be true?” Barnabas prodded.

“Douglas said that he stumbled upon Douglas pushing aside the opening of a blouse Angela was wearing, and that he boldly fondled one of her breasts. Douglas said they did not see him but he was stunned at how Angela just allowed him to do it. He suspected that she had ‘allowed’ him to do it before and probably much more.”

Barnabas tried to hide his shock and relief. He now had something on Blake Carrington that he would not want to get around. He decided he was going to stay and enjoy the wedding festivities without any fears or worries.


****

The last two people Frank Hardy ever expected to see outside of his door, at the Collinsport Inn, were Blake and Alexis Carrington. Alexis looked around the gaping young man and saw Randall standing in front of the portrait of Angelique Collins, seemingly entranced.

Blake spoke.

“Young man, you have something that belongs to my wife. Something you took from her. I want it back.” he said in a firm tone.

“WE want it back.” Alexis said and walked past Frank and into the room. Randall turned around to greet Alexis, who promptly ignored her and reached for the painting. They would leave the easel. Alexis was sure Roger and Elizabeth had more than a few around Collinwood.

Frank turned away from Blake and followed after Alexis!

“What are you doing, Mrs. Carrington?”

“You heard my husband. I am taking back what belongs to me.” she replied coolly.

“I know that Fallon took it from Collinwood for Barnabas. I also know that you think this painting can stop him. How?” Frank asked. Alexis looked from Frank to Blake, who shook his head at her, warning her to say nothing to Frank.

“Barnabas wanted to see it. It is a Collins family heirloom that I felt belongs over at Collinwood and not the old house, and Fallon disagreed with me.” Alexis lied.

“Yes,” Randall said, “Fallon is a disagreeable person.”

Frank closed the room to the door and confronted the Carringtons.

“I am here in Collinsport because I believe Barnabas Collins is a serial killer. I think he would have killed your daughter, Amanda, if had not been for Kirby Anders. I have no plans to leave here until I take him in.” Frank told them and Randall moved to his side, linking arms with her husband.

“Well that is quite unsettling to hear, Mr. Hardy. But that has nothing to do with our painting.” Blake said. He looked at Alexis, who moved to his side, holding the portrait of Angelique.

“I just told you that Barnabas Collins hurt Amanda and you look as if you could care less. But I don’t think that’s true, is it?” Frank asked.

“I think that what goes on in my family, is MY business alone, Mr. Hardy. Now you and your wife have a pleasant day. And do not come near Collinwood or Fallon, ever again.” Blake told them coldly and he and Alexis turned to leave.

That was when Frank Hardy pulled out a gun! Randall let go of him but did not utter a word. Blake and Alexis, however, slowly turned to face Frank.

“What is the meaning of this?” Alexis said in a low, hostile tone. Blake grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him.

“You know, I am through being polite. I know much more about Fallon and the lot of you, than I have ever let on. I am not a judgy person. I just wanted the criminal I came here to capture and that’s it. And I know, Mrs. Carrington, that if you went to the trouble of having a member of the A-Team, get you this painting…one that had been in obscurity someplace, then it is indeed much more than a painting. What happens to Barnabas Collins when he lays eyes on it?”

Alexis said nothing. She stared him down before her eyes fell upon Randall.

“How does it feel to be married to someone who is in love with someone else?” Alexis asked blithely.

Randall shrugged.

“You tell me, Mrs. Carrington, since your husband is in love with your cousin.” Randall replied coolly.

Before Alexis could even think to react, Blake leaped for Frank Hardy’s gun! Randall began screaming as the two men tussled but Alexis stood stock still and watched as the gun went off and Frank dropped to the ground!

Randall tried to run around Alexis, but Alexis stopped her, then shoved her hard! Randall went flying back towards a chaise and hit her head on a her purse, which contained a small, marble statue that she had stolen from Collinwood! Her head slammed against it and she slid down to the floor!

Blake frowned and walked over to her. He felt the back of her head and it came up bloody!

“How is this possible? She didn’t fall hard enough to hit her head!” Blake groused. Alexis walked over, picked up Randall’s purse and was surprised at how heavy it was. She opened it and showed Blake the contents!

“I saw this statue in an upstairs hallway in Collinwood. My, my! Mr. Hardy’s wife has been busy!” Alexis sniffed, setting the purse back down in the spot it had been in. Blake took out a handkerchief and wiped down the purse, just as a loud knock on the door interrupted them.

“This is the Manager, Mr. Hardy! I heard a gunshot as did several other guests! Is everything alright?”

“Blake!” Alexis hissed. “What are we going to do?”

Blake wiped the gun down quickly and placed it in Randall’s hand! He then nodded to Alexis as he hurried to the door and Alexis, worked up fresh tears!

Blake opened the door to the Manager…

“Thank God you came up! My wife and I were here visiting our friends and found them in the middle of a marital fight.” Blake lied. The Manager hurried in and Blake closed the door quickly! The Manager hurried over to Frank and knelt down, before then rising and looking over at Randall.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hardy are still alive! My God! I’ll call for an ambulance!”

“Thank you, young man. We’ll wait for them right here.” Blake said in a humble tone. Blake and Alexis watched the Manager leave, closing the door behind him, before speaking again.

“You’ve been sleeping with Sable?” Alexis asked, her tone bordering on high pitched.

“Now, now, darling. This is not the time to be…”

“Oh yes, one would think that, wouldn’t they?! With two people on the floor in need of care! But I want to know how long you’ve been sleeping with my cousin, Blake?”

“Look, darling, it was something that just happened and kept happening. Maybe if you had told me the truth about what happened with Barnabas, it might not have happened.”

“What does he have to do with it?” Alexis asked, appalled.

“You changed, Alexis, with each child. You changed and you went outside of our marriage, FIRST, to look for what you should have come to me for. Your husband!”

“You were never home! You were never there! You were too damned busy building up Denver Carrington that you forgot that you had a wife!”

“I never forgot you, Alexis! But everything that I’ve achieved came with sacrifice! Nothing great comes for free…and while I was out making the name Carrington mean something, you should made sure that our children were ready to keep up our family name!”

“What does THAT mean?!” Alexis snapped.

“Let’s begin with Adam…”

“You mean the son that you think belongs to a dead vampire?”

“I mean the son that has went against me and married out of his class! He has no self control or real discipline!”

“And that is my fault?”

Blake looked at her. Hard.

“You spent more time with him than I did, sadly, so yes, it is your fault!”

“Oh that’s rich! Go on, Blake! Do tell! How am I to blame for Fallon?”

“Fallon has trampy ways! You’re a tramp so that’s your fault too!”

Alexis slapped Blake in response! Blake grabbed some of her hair and they tussled until they both fell down onto the chaise! Blake threw Randall’s heavy purse aside and it went flying some distance away onto a floor.

The statue inside cracked.

But Blake and Alexis Carrington could have cared less as they managed to claw at one another’s clothing! They were only half undressed when Blake buried himself inside of his wife’s beautiful body, and a mix of emotions filled him. Things had not been this passionate or heated between himself and Alexis in years. Maybe since Steven had been a teenager. He began to move within her assertively, grounding Alexis into the chaise with short, powerful thrusts until their bodies contorted, as if they had been hit with a succession of electric shocks.

Before Alexis could catch her breath, the sound of an ambulance approaching, along with police sirens, permeated her senses!

“Blake! What are we going to do?” she moaned and they hurriedly got up from the chaise and made their clothing look presentable, and their manner seem innocent.

“We’re going to tell the police that Frank and Randall Hardy are friends that were here for Jeff and Fallon’s wedding. We came to see them and found that they had been fighting over the fact that Randall was in love with Jeff and that Frank was in love with Fallon. There is nothing we could do before Randall pulled out a gun and shot Frank, then tripped and knocked herself out.”

Alexis raised a brow.

“She knocked herself out?”

“Well, we’ll say that they struggled for the gun, Randall shot Frank but not before Frank pushed her and she fell. Now just follow my lead, darling, and everything will be just fine.” Blake promised, reaching for his wife’s hand and squeezing it. Alexis squeezed back, just as she heard the sound of many footsteps approaching the room.


****

Things would not be just fine.

Jeff and Fallon’s wedding was postponed because Randall later died! Randall died from her head wound and Frank was fighting for his life in surgery. Also, Sheriff George Patterson wasn’t stupid. Blake and Alexis’s story just didn’t add up.

Roger and Elizabeth went down to the police station, along with Jeff, Fallon, Adam and Kirby. Elizabeth’s no count husband, Jason, had decided to take a walk(or that’s what he said) and was nowhere around as well. Carolyn, David and Mrs. Johnson were around someplace but not in the room where Barnabas was.

He was reveling in the Carrington family trouble and was now more sure than ever, that that whole family would end up leaving him alone, when he heard Mrs. Johnson open the door to someone.

It was Angela Channing!

Barnabas came out into the hallway and took in Angela’s demure appearance. Mrs. Johnson took her coat and Angela thanked her before walking up to Barnabas.

“Well, Good Evening, Barnabas. I just had to come when I heard all about Blake’s trouble.”

Barnabas frowned.

“How? I would have thought your plane would have just been getting in to California by now.” he noted. He offered his arm and Angela took it. They slowly walked into the sitting room. Angela’s eyes swept over the gothic decor.

“This place has not changed one bit since the last time I was here. I like that.” she noted as she let go of Barnabas and seated herself on the couch.

“Angela…what happened? I was told that Blake sent you on your way so he could come here alone.”

Angela smiled.


“My friendship with Blake has survived all of these years, because I have allowed him to assume that he can order me around. There was a layover in Vegas, of all places, and I caught a direct flight here.”

“Philip could not have been too pleased by the last minute change.” Barnabas noted.

“Phillip does what I say, when I say do it.” Angela replied and Mrs. Johnson walked in and asked if either of them wanted anything to drink. Barnabas requested two ice teas and the maid scurried off, remembering how sharp tongued Angela could be.

“You heard?” Barnabas asked.

“The news was on TV at an airport bar. It’s just proof that Alexis will be the death of Blake. What happened?” Angela asked in a no nonsense tone.

“I have no idea. I left them in my house to come up here to attend Jeff and Fallon’s wedding…which was canceled.”

“You left them in your house? Why?” Angela asked.

“I awoke and found Blake in my sitting room.” Barnabas said ominously. “I was so appalled I couldn’t think to kill him, before Adam and Alexis arrived.”

Angela didn’t like the sound of any of this! She slowly stood up.

“What happened?” she asked.

“What happened is that Blake implied that Adam was my son! That during my lovemaking with Alexis, she conceived a child.”

Angela rolled her eyes!

“You’re a vampire. That isn’t possible.” she said, just as Mrs. Johnson returned and dropped the tray! Barnabas looked over at her and he realized the woman had heard what Angela had just said!

Mrs. Johnson stared at Barnabas, before slipping into yet another dead faint! Angela rolled her eyes!

“Barnabas, be a dear and pick her up. Lay her on the couch so we can resume our discussion.”

Barnabas did as he was told and picked up Mrs. Johnson and carried her over to the sofa. He placed her down gently then stood back upright and faced Angela again.

“Now,” Angela said, “I think we both need to find out what is going on at the police station.”

Barnabas shrugged.

“I am sure Roger and Elizabeth are making sure that Blake and Alexis’s story holds up. We don’t actually know they aren’t telling the truth.” he said.

“Everyone that knows anything about what happened at that inn, is at the police station. I think we should both pay a visit there—together.” Angela told him.


****

Willie Loomis sat in the Blue Whale Bar, nursing a scotch. He had so little time to himself these days, that Willie was actually grateful for all of the trouble the Carringtons had caused in Collinsport lately.

The TV above the bar was blaring the news of Randall Adams’s death and who Frank Hardy was. Willie shook his head. That poor bastard. When he got out of surgery he was going to be charged with killing his wife.

Or would he?

Willie had never thought that Sheriff Patterson was all that bright. And in just the few times he had come into contact with Alexis Carrington, he thought her capable of anything. It would be interesting to find out what Frank Hardy had to say when he woke up. Apparently, the man had a father and brother that were on their way to Collinsport to be with him.

Willie’s back was to the door, so he did not see the four men walk in. Three people got up and left when they spotted the big, black guy with a mohawk, turn the OPEN sign to CLOSED. The older man nodded to a younger, good looking guy and the fourth part of their party, a guy wearing a baseball hat, approached the jukebox and began playing an old song by Patsy Cline called ‘Crazy’.

When Willie looked over and saw the man, a spark of recognition burned inside of his head, but he could not think of where he had seen the man before. It was when Colonel Hannibal Smith and Lieutenant Templeton Peck a.k.a. Face, dropped on to the stools on either side of Willie, that a nightmare he had thought long forgotten, was suddenly dredged up and in his face!

“Loomis,” Hannibal said, lighting a cigar, “Private William Loomis, right? I have a memory for faces.”

Willie coughed!

“No. You have the wrong guy.” Willie said and began to slowly ease off of his stool. But Face pushed him back onto it!

“Your name is not Willie Loomis?” Face asked in a friendly tone.

“Yeah but I’m not the man you’re looking for. I’d swear it!” Willie cried out. Meanwhile, the bartender had tried to duck into the kitchen to call the sheriff, but B.A, Barracus followed him and pulled the phone off of the wall!

Hannibal grabbed Willie by the collar and pulled him off of the stool!

“Listen to me, you little weasel, you look exactly the same as you did, that day back in Nam. You remember what day I’m talking about, don’t you?” Hannibal asked.

“No.” Willie squeaked quietly.

“Oh you don’t remember being part of our unit? You don’t remember hearing the same orders that the rest of us were given about our mission, and then conveniently disappearing before we had to carry it out? You don’t remember any of that?” Hannibal asked in a low hiss, as to not attract more attention than they already were.

Willie now found his courage and said something that he knew down the road, could have damning repercussions for him.

“I was never there. That was my twin brother, Wendell.”

B.A, and Murdock, who were now at the bar as well, along with Face, gave one another looks of amused disbelief.

Hannibal still had Willie by the collar.

“You expect us to believe that your twin brother pretended to be you in Nam? That you weren’t there?”

“I didn’t want to go.” Willie said calmly. “I had things to do here. Things I wanted to do. In the end, I probably would have been better off if I had.”

Hannibal slowly let go of his collar. Face spoke.

“Why would your twin brother have went to Vietnam for you?”

“Wendell was married and regretted it. His wife had had a baby daughter and the pressure of it got on his nerves. At the same time, he had went to night school and met some woman. He had lied to her about being married and she got pregnant. He had to tell her he was already married and it just got to him.”

B.A. raised a brow.

“Didn’t the women come here, looking for you?” he asked in a growly tone.

“Yes.” Willie replied.

Murdock, who mostly uttered crazy gibberish, now asked something in a calm, succinct tone.

“What happened to them when they arrived here?”

Willie looked at all of them.

“There’s a serial killer that has been running loose in Collinsport for over twenty years. Both of Wendell’s women, ran into them, unfortunately. Wendall told me about the mission before he disappeared and left to go live in Russia. But I’m not in a position to admit anything now. Sorry.” Willie said, as he threw some money down on the bar and left. They stared after him and Face looked at Hannibal.


“Do you believe him?” Face asked, knowing the answer.

Hannibal looked around at his men.

“Yeah, unfortunately, I do. Loomis is looking at prison time for what he and his brother did. He isn’t admitting anything. Collinsport is a dead end.”

“Yeah, especially for the people.” B.A. said. “Because I bet that killer is still here today.”


****

Jeff and Kirby calmly sat in waiting room chairs and watched Adam and Fallon argue at the police station…

“Our parents need a REAL lawyer!” Fallon snapped. “You’ll just railroad them into jail!”

“I’ll have you know I have a Harvard Law Degree!” Adam snapped back. “And why would I railroad them?”

Fallon glanced at Kirby but said nothing. She turned and walked over to a clerk asking very sweetly to see Sheriff Patterson. She was told Roger and Elizabeth Collins were talking to him now and felt somewhat mollified. They could probably get this overzealous sheriff to back off.

Jeff walked up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.

“Darling, I heard Adam calling Andrew Laird. He will be here as soon as he can. This is just a horrible mistake.” he whispered, kissing the back of her head.

Fallon turned into his arms.

“This is my fault. I knew Frank had taken that painting and I did nothing to stop him.”

“You still have not told me what is so important about it.” Jeff said.

“I don’t know myself. But Mother almost had a coronary when she found out Frank had it.” Fallon sighed, thinking of her lost love with him. He was fighting for his life on the operating table and she was here, pretending to be engaged. Fallon wanted to go over to the hospital and see how he was but didn’t dare. She didn’t want to do or say anything, that would go against that atrocious story her parents had told the police. Even SHE could lie better than that!

Meanwhile, Kirby rubbed on Adam’s arm.

“What happened at the old house?” she asked quietly.

Adam looked around and placed both of his hands on her shoulders.

“I thought my mother had went over to see Barnabas. I didn’t want her with that fiend alone. When I got there, I found my father there with him. He said that he suspected Barnabas was my real father.”

Kirby gasped!

“Why would Blake say such an awful thing!”

“I suspect that was more for Barnabas’s benefit than mine. But Father made it clear that he expected me to still marry Emma Channing.”

Kirby shook her head.

“Adam, I wouldn’t want you to lose everything…”

“I will lose everything if we can’t be together! And Father is the one that’s going to lose if Andrew Laird can’t pull him out of this. His and mother’s story makes no sense. No one is going to believe that Randall shot Frank and then fell and hit her head afterwards! She was most likely pushed.” Adam said grimly.

Kirby nodded and then looked around Adam. Adam turned to see what she was looking at.

Barnabas and Angela had just entered the building. Sheriff Patterson came out of the cell area and looked at Barnabas and Angela.

“Mr. Collins. What brings you down here?” he asked.

“The Carringtons are old family friends of both of ours…this by the way, is Mrs. Angela Erickson.”

Angela walked up to Sheriff Patterson.

“I just had to come for Blake’s sake. And to let you know that if I had to guess, I’d say poor Blake is covering for his wife and that she shot Frank Hardy and killed poor Randall Adams—alone.”

THE END

FOR NOW

The follow up to this tale will be called ‘Bleak Dynasty’.

 

[Karin Schill]

Wow! I didn't expect Randall to die. Also you left us on a cliffhanger. Typically Angela trying to throw Alexis under the bus.
I hope Fallon and Jeff will go ahead with their wedding eventually.

I'll look forward to read your follow up story once you start posting it.

 

[80's Cha Cha Cha]

Yeah I hate to be like that about Randall, but that whole Pamela Sue Martin/Emma Samms switchover broke my heart. I remember when the Fallon portrait changed on the show. What's funny is that while I have nothing against Emma Samms, historically, she came on to shows and took roles that replaced actresses that I loved. And I am referring to Genie Francis on General Hospital. No, she did not become Laura Spencer but she was Luke Spencer's love interest after Genie left and I could not get into her.

Yes I hope to get part two up soon!