Here's a new fanfic I've been working on. I'm not quite sure where it's headed yet, but I plan on warming Barnalia/Sweenett hearts plus not knowing is part of the fun I suppose. Enjoy and please R&R

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows

Barnabas sat on the sofa staring with fascination at the television, watching the tiny pixels work together to create life. So much has changed over the years he thought. He'd been sitting motionlessly for over an hour just observing the screen wondering what magic possessed the object, forgetting his surroundings until Elizabeth interrupted his concentration.

She sauntered down the marvelous stairs with a basket in hand as she spoke. "Hello Barnabas. What are you watching?" His eyes remained fixed on the television. "I'm not quite sure, madam," he said, "But whatever it is, it's riddled with poppycock. How can a creature covered with nothing but long hair be related to people? His vocabulary is nonexistent and yet they can still understand every syllable coming out of what I assume is his mouth though there's no evidence that he has one. Nonsense."

She walked to him watching over his shoulder. The grim setting was all too familiar to her. "That's Cousin Itt from The Addams Family," she informed him, "How did you know how to turn on the TV?" "I didn't. Your daughter, Carolyn, suggested that I 'get in touch with the real world' and then she used a wand to power this bewitched box." She almost wanted to laugh, but she knew he didn't know better.

"Well, it's almost noon. The rest of the family is already outside for a picnic. Would you like to come?" she asked. He shifted, finally out of the television's trance and looked at her as if she'd gone mad. "I'm not certain if you're aware of this, but vampires cannot be out in sunlight, especially not when it's at its highest. Additionally, I'm not very fond of the mortal cuisine – I prefer rubies dripping from man's throat. I'm afraid I have to decline your offer, though I do appreciate it."

"Gross," she muttered, "All right then, we'll be back later. Don't watch TV for too long, it will rot your brain." She left the vampire alone with his thoughts. Rot my brain? Of course he didn't realize that she'd exaggerated so he abruptly left the room and entered the dining room to avoid the box.

As Barnabas walked through the arch he noticed that the key to the cellar – where Dr. Hoffman's stash of wine and miscellaneous alcoholic beverages stay - had been left on the table. He picked up the key and put it in his coat pocket. "This could save her life," he mumbled and sat down.

It was awfully quiet – something he became accustomed to over the past two centuries. The silence made it inevitable to avoid his sorrow train of thought. Josette crawled back into his mind. He missed her grace, her beauty, her affection. He could remember how happy and alive he was with her as everything else around him became a blur. He could vividly recall being with her in his bedroom where they shared their first small, tender kiss and how they broke apart for only a moment and reconnected in a deeper, longer, more passionate one.

But of course, he also remembers the tragedy. His one and only walking to her own death under the witch's spell. Her last words rang through his head. Help me...

"Oh how time flies," he grieved, "Time dies."

He needed a distraction. Moving at a brisk pace, he went to his bedroom to find something to occupy his time until the family returned. The room had a TV which he didn't even know how to turn on and books that he'd already read. "Not much to do in here is there?" he muttered to himself. There was a knock at his door. That's odd he thought. Everybody was supposed to at the picnic.

When he didn't answer there was a knock again. "Barnabas? It's Julia." Drat. I thought I had a meal. "Come in." She opened the door and let herself in. Her flaming red hair contrasting against her pale skin. "Did you need something, madam?" She blushed at his politeness. His pale physique was oddly attractive to her, yet she was still wary of her feelings due to his... abnormalities. "I thought you would be at the picnic with the rest of the family."

"God no. I'm finally getting over this hangover," she said cooly, "I don't want the chance of getting a headache by the damn sunlight." "I see. What brings you here, may I ask?"

"I was just wondering if you've seen the key to the cellar. Do you know where it is?" she asked. He hated lying, but it was for her own good. "I'm afraid not." She knows a liar when she sees one, but honestly couldn't confront him even if she wanted to.

"Alright, I'll keep looking then." She left clumsily and closed the door behind her. When it was silent again, he kept searching for something to do to no avail. Little did he know that there was a radio he could listen to, an etch-a-sketch, and a slinky to play with.

He lost interest with searching in his room and left to explore the rest of the house, although he knew every nook and cranny of the place. He passed Elizabeth's bedroom, David's room, and saw that Carolyn's room was still open. Of course he wouldn't go into a young lady's room without permission, but something caught his eye.

He stalked up the steps leading to her room like a cat about to pounce. After a couple steps he stopped and merely stared intently at the chamber of bubbling wonder.

Julia walked down the hall and stopped in her tracks as she noticed Barnabas. "Barnabas, why are you staring into Carolyn's room?" "What is that thing?" he asked. "It's a lamp." "It looks like a pulsating blood urn," he stated as he craved the taste of blood on his tongue.

Julia took this as an opportunity to dissect him. "I think it's time I showed you my office, Barnabas."

So that's chapter one! I'll update when I can, but in the meantime please leave a review!

btw Who else is devastated from Tim and Helena breaking up? :(