Spike looked out the car window, a bored expression on his face, not wanting to show that he was impressed with what he was seeing. He almost gasped out loud when the flag for the German Embassy came into view. ‘Are we where I think we are?’ he asked himself. Then he saw a sign indicating the entrance to the park across the street. ‘Yup, we are indeed. Wonder how far from the park this house of Buffy’s is…’ He continued his internal conversation with himself, engrossed to the point he didn’t notice the car slow down and come to a stop. He did however hear Rupert’s soft exclamation and then Xander’s loud comment.
“You brought us all the way to London, just to stash us in a hotel?” Xander snorted indignantly. “Could have just left us in the States if that’s the case.”
Joyce gave Xander an icy glare then turned to Buffy with excitement. “You brought us home! Oh I have so wanted to show Dawn where I grew up!” Joyce was practically bouncing in her seat with joy.
Methos reached out and slapped Xander on the back of the head, “Until you know what is going on, keep your mouth shut and listen to those who do know. You might actually learn something.” That said Methos slipped from the car and turned to help Buffy out.
The front door opened and seven people came outside to welcome them. The three younger males went and unloaded the luggage from the boot, and carried it into the house. This left two young girls, one who looked to be around Dawn’s age, the other older, and an older couple. The older lady had a smile on her face and seemed to almost quiver from excitement. The man with her had a solemn expression adorning his features, his eyes watchful and almost distrusting.
Buffy let Methos help her from the car, and then ran over to the lady and embraced her in an enthusiastic hug. “It’s so good to see you Elvara!” Buffy exclaimed as she pulled back from the woman, her eyes shining with joy. “You haven’t changed, still the same vibrant girl I know and love.” She winked at Elvara and grinned. “You simply must introduce me to the gentleman standing behind you. He looks like someone I would enjoy beating to a pulp if he upset you in anyway.”
Elvara laughed, the joyous sound ringing out across the square, causing those on the street to pause and look at around for the cause. “Bebee, you are always the same. Looking to cause trouble, and usually finding it.” She stepped back from Buffy and placed a hand on the gentleman’s arm. “This is my Soturi, Haakon.” She grinned as Haakon afforded Buffy a deep bow.
“Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Elizabetta. Elvara has told me much of you.” Haakon relaxed a little, knowing that his Elvara’s guardian would not have brought any great danger to the house. His attention was caught by the conversation between the bleached blonde and the older British gentleman, a chuckle issuing from his throat.
Spike was laughing at the expression on Giles' face as he looked around him. He couldn’t help but notice that the man had a look of disbelief in his eyes.
Giles glared at Spike, “I don’t see what is so bloody funny you prat. Do you know where we are?” Giles glanced across the street at the flag flying above the entrance to the building there. “That’s the bloody Portuguese Embassy!” He shook his head, trying to make sense of it all.
“Yup, and we are currently standing in the drive of 12 Belgrave Square. Long-time residence of the Countess of Hereford. I believe it’s the only building on this square that is still a private residence.” Spike replied with a grin. “Beats me why Buffy brought us here, but she must have had reasons.”
Giles was still exhibiting signs of shock, which was further deepened when Methos calmly stated, “Where else would Mother bring us, this is after all her home.” He then casually walked over and embraced Elvara, “Long time no see little sister.”
Cassandra brushed past the still-stunned Giles and the grinning Spike to approach the two younger girls. She enveloped them both into a double hug and pulled back, ruffling their hair. “How are my favourite sprites doing? Excited to meet your cousin?” As Cassandra spoke, Dawn slowly approached them. “Well, here she is!” Cassandra grabbed Dawn and introduced her to the other girls.
Joyce darted up and grabbed Elvara away from Methos, hugging her in a very tight embrace. Both ladies started jumping up and down, squealing like a couple of teenage girls at a rock concert.
Just as Joyce and Elvara were greeting each other, Xander, having stood back and watched the goings on, grinned as his eyes landed on the elder of the two girls with Dawn and Cassandra. He approached her, beckoning her closer. His eyes lit up as she came closer, thinking to himself that he was in luck. Xander leaned down and whispered something in the girl’s ear, causing her to jerk back in shock, an expression of disgust on her face. Before anyone else could do anything, one of the young men that had taken the bags inside, reappeared as if from nowhere, his hand wrapped around Xander’s throat, a low growl issuing from his lips.
Buffy, startled by the reappearance of the young man, and his apparent attack on Xander, moved to intercept, until she caught the words the young man was saying.
“If you EVER say such to her again, or any other girl, within my hearing, I shall rip you limb from limb and leave your carcass to the carrion birds.”
The young girl, still with that expression of disgust on her face, place a slender hand on the young man’s arm. “Let him go Wolf, let Elizabetta deal with him. She did bring him here after all.” That said, she walked over to Buffy and in a low voice told her exactly what Xander had said.
With a snarl on her face, Buffy approached Xander and motioned for Wolf to let him go. She then proceeded to backhand Xander hard enough to cause him to fall to the ground. Before Xander could say anything, he found Buffy’s sword once more pointed at his throat. “Xander, I don’t know what has gotten into you, considering how you acted when that asshole Angel said something similar about Dawn, but if you think such is acceptable, then I will leave your corpse tacked to the main doors of the Council Headquarters. Nordlys is one of my granddaughters AND is not of an age for such as you suggested.” Sheathing her sword with a flourish, she turned her back on Xander and growled to Methos, “Take him in hand, teach the whelp some damned manners, before I loose what little temper I have left.” So saying, Buffy wrapped an arm around Nordlys and walked into the house, leaving the rest to follow as they would.
Anya, Willow and Tara, having exited the car just in time to hear Buffy words, glared at Xander with disgust. Turning away from him, they entered the house gazing around in awe at the décor of the entrance hall. Spike and Giles escorted Cassandra, Dawn and the younger girl, who introduced herself as Katla, into the house and away from the glowering Methos. They were trailed by the agitated man called Wolf, who kept glaring daggers at Xander. Haakon offered both Elvara and Joyce an arm and escorted them into the house just in time to hear Giles’ exlaimation.
“Bloody Hell; is that a painting of you Buffy?” Giles exclaimed, approaching the portrait that was displayed between the sweeping arms of the grand staircase. “Looks like it was done during the early Victorian period, based on the dress and accoutrements.” He studied the painting, lost in thought.
Spike walked over and slapped Giles on the back, “I guess that clears up the whole ‘Ladyship’ business at the airport, huh Rupes?” He then turned to Buffy and said in a low voice, “Why didn’t you tell me, Love?”
“To be honest Spike, it never crossed my mind. It’s just something that is. Something that I have been for years.” Buffy shrugged. “It meant more in earlier times, than it does now.”
Elvara interrupted the conversation with a polite cough. “Bebee, I’ve prepared rooms for your guests, mayhap it would be prudent to retire for the rest of the evening and start fresh in the morning? I know my girls are past ready to sleep.” She glanced around and grinned when she noticed the two Wicca’s nodding in agreement with her. “Katla, Fahr if you would show the ladies to the green suite, and then retire?” Katla and the young man named Fahr nodded and escorted the wiccans up the stairs. “Methos, your room is ready for you and your Lady. I’ve put the young man beside you in the room next to yours, Ritchie is on the other side of him. I trust between the two of you, you can keep him away from the Mews house?” Methos bowed in acknowledgement of Elvara’s words and yanked Xander up the stairs and in the opposite direction that the Wiccans had gone. She turned to Anya and smiled, “Nordlys and Wolf will show you to your suite my dear. Anya nodded and followed the two young people up the stairs.
Buffy smiled and hugged Elvara. “What would I do without you to organize this place?”
Elvara shrugged and replied, “You would make Methos do the cooking and browbeat Ritchie into doing the cleaning?” The two shared a laugh as Methos’ voice floated down from the third floor landing “I heard that!”
Haakon approached Giles and said, “If you would follow me, I will show you to your suite. You look dead on your feet, if you will pardon me for saying.” When Giles looked about to argue he laughed and continued, “Lady Elizabetta’s painting will still be here in the morning.” So saying he led Giles up the stairs to the third floor as well.
Elvara turned to Joyce, “Your room is just as you left it, I took the liberty of putting Dawn in the room across the hall. It overlooks the garden and should be quiet for her to sleep.”
Joyce smiled and hugged Elvara before grabbing Dawn by the hand and leading her up the stairs, whispering a goodnight to everyone left in the hall.
Buffy stepped back from Elvara as Haakon came down the stairs and wrapped his arms around her. “You and your soturi should round up the young ones and head to bed. I know the way to my room and Spike will be staying with me…” she trailed off as Spike wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “Like he would go anywhere else.”
Haakon and Spike shared a look that spoke volumes of the feelings they had for the women in their arms. They were in perfect understanding as the two couples parted, Elvara and her soturi heading out the back to the Mews house, while Buffy led Spike up the stairs to the Grand Suite.
The house became quiet, as everyone sheltered within its walls drifted off into slumber.
Translations
Bebee – Aunt
Soturi – Warrior
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Author's Chapter Notes:
And here we go, another chapter. Jamies_lady is good for my writing... *grin*
Chapter End Notes:
Elvara, Haakon, Nordlys and Katla are all thanks to Jamies_Lady.