[Reviews - 114]
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Microsoft Word Chapter or Story | ePub eBook Chapter or Story | Printer Chapter or Story

Has been viewed 1425 times

- Text Size +




Thanks Xaphania, for the fan-tab-u-lus banner!


Author's Chapter Notes:
Thanks PB for betaing off schedule when I wrote an extra chapter out of the blue :) *hugs and twirls*
Chapter 12


Rupert Giles sat on the threadbare couch in the lobby of the Hyperion, trying to keep his mind on the task at hand. Picking lint off the knee of his perfectly pressed trousers, he reminded himself that this was a scouting mission. He needed to meet this boy, feel him out for weaknesses, and then attack. The simplicity of his plan turned the corners of his lips upward. This was the easy part. Quick in and out. Let the boy feel wanted, needed, offer him security and he should follow me to the end of the world… which has been the plan since his conception.





Spike and Buffy descended the stairs together, hand in hand, leaving no doubt to anyone that they were a united front.

Spike’s eyes searched the lobby the second it was in view, wanting to see this Watcher. Someone who had traveled across an ocean to see him, someone who wanted him, someone who would tell him he was a part of something larger. His first impression was that the man looked like a stuffy librarian. How can someone who looks so meek and nerdy be a leader?

Cordelia had entered the lobby carrying a tray with tea and pastries. “There you two are. Glad to see you could join us,” she said sarcastically. She sat opposite Giles and poured him a cup of tea, inquiring if he wanted milk or sugar. She then offered him a donut, which he graciously refused.

Angel followed Cordelia into the room. He had excused himself earlier after seating Giles, telling his guest that he wanted to turn the answering machine on so that they wouldn’t be disturbed. What he actually did was get a small digital recorder from his desk and as he entered the lobby, he cleverly placed it on the narrow table behind the sofa. Angel suspected that Giles would at some point ask to speak with Spike alone and he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss of any part of conversation.

Angel took a seat next to Cordelia, ensuring that Spike would have to sit next to Giles, close to the recorder. He felt bad listening in on private conversations, but he thought it was in everyone’s best interest.

Spike took the seat Angel had left for him, and Buffy sat on the arm of the couch with her arm around him. Spike offered his hand to Giles. “Mr. Giles, I’m happy to meet you. I know you’ve met Angel and Cordelia, and this is Buffy. She’s my… g-girlfriend.” Spike stuttered but relaxed when he looked up to Buffy’s warm gaze, verifying that his label fit.

“Hi, nice to meet you, Mr. Giles.” Buffy nodded with her greeting, and began rubbing her boyfriend’s back, helping him to relax.

Angel watched the sickeningly sweet interaction in front of him, trying to maintain his composure and not show his irritation. “Mr. Giles, why don’t you start off by telling us what you have in mind for Spike here, maybe even shed some light on how he came to be a Slayer and how you lost track of him. I’ve read through countless Watcher’s journals and not one time has there ever been a male Slayer, nor has there been one that was lost track of. Spike was able to close a Hellmouth right under your nose, and leave the country without your Council’s knowledge? The demon population certainly wasn’t hiding him. Sounds to me like your Council didn’t do their homework.”

Buffy, Spike, and Cordelia stared at him with their mouths agape. They were all shocked by the position he took as well as the words he chose.

Giles felt his blood begin to boil as the arrogant vampire aired his opinions. He will pay for that… I have every confidence that he will rue the day he spoke to me that way. Face flushed, Giles carefully responded. “Angel, we at the Watcher’s Council will be forever indebted to you for finding our missing Slayer. As far as we knew, he’d been adopted. We had been aware of his existence for some time, and when the unfortunate incident happened at the orphanage, we were told that he had simply run away. We assumed he had found work or a family to take him in. We know now he was going by a different name. I can see why you would think we should have researched his disappearance more, no offense taken. As you know, when the last Slayer expired, with no one to fill her shoes, the Watchers themselves attempted to fight the cause.” Giles paused, forcing himself to look sad, even digging out his handkerchief for effect. Once he was convinced that Spike believed his grief, he continued. “As far as him being male, it was foretold in an ancient prophecy that a male Slayer would be born, stronger than all in his line before him. We thought the orphanage was the safest place for him to grow up. I suppose in hindsight, we were wrong. Please forgive us, William. We only did what we thought was best. We are only human.” Giles turned it up a notch, forcing a tear to fall as he reached for the boy’s hand. “We needed you to be safe, we had no idea that you would be attacked by vampires.” Giles made sure to hiss out the word, wanting to remind Spike who he was keeping company with.

Spike pulled his hand away, “You knew about me the whole time I was in the orphanage? And left me there?” The hurt on Spike’s face let them all know without hearing any of his childhood stories that he had led anything but a happy life. He was crushed, utterly deflated. He had worked up this moment in his mind, almost like being adopted, or meeting his own father. “And what is it you think you have to offer me.” Spike was almost ready to walk away, but his curiosity kept him seated.

“I’ve come to offer you training, guidance, access to resources all previous Slayers have had. I can offer you a home and security. I hardly think, that the Chosen One should be keeping company with demons. Without the guidance of a watcher, you seem to have lost your way. You have such undiscovered greatness that would surely be lost should you decide to turn your back on your calling.” Giles knew he was losing ground, but he tried to appeal to the boy. He was leaning forward, looking rather desperate to gain the Slayer’s trust.

Angel and Cordelia had silently watched as the Watcher stuck his foot in his mouth. Cordelia cleared her throat and then jabbed her elbow into Angel’s ribs. “Aren’t you going to do something?” Cordy whispered to him.

Angel stood, giving Buffy and Spike a nod. “Mr. Giles, I think you’ve worn out your welcome. I’m sure if Spike wishes to take you up on your generous offer, he will find a way to reach you.”

Spike went to stand at Angel's side, with Buffy in tow. He was struggling to get his emotions in check, and sound as mature as possible when he spoke. He was profoundly sad and disillusioned that this hadn't worked out the way he'd dreamt. “I have no desire to continue this conversation now, or anytime in the future. It’s very unfortunate to me that what appears to have been a strong foundation for previous Slayers, is now a club of stagnant old world wannabe Watchers. It seems to me, that without a Slayer, your Council fails to exist. You came here, hoping to woo me into your fold, only to insult the very people who tried to keep your club afloat. I think Angel is right. It’s time for you to leave.”

Giles rose from his seat on the couch, defeated and angry. I’m sure that whore of a vampire he’s obviously been sleeping with has twisted his mind. She had better look over her shoulder from now on. He will return with me, and she is powerless to stop me. It has been prophesized. “Well, then. I see where your loyalties lie. Quite sad, really. Here I was, thinking you were to be the greatest Slayer of all time, only to find that you have taken up with the enemy.” He turned and walked towards the exit, uttering a jolly, “Good day to you all,” and walked away.

Spike sunk back down onto the couch, hardly believing what had just happened. He needed to be alone. He wanted to go through the morning’s events and make sure he’d made the right decision.

“Spike? Are you ok?” Buffy asked as she sat next to him. “I’m so sorry this happened. Is there anything I can do?”

“I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back around sundown. I’m sorry too, but I just need to be alone right now.” Spike walked to the same exit, hoping Giles had already gone, and left.

Buffy knew she couldn’t go after him. It was daylight. “Angel? What can I do? I can’t bear to see him so upset. What will happen to him without a Watcher?”

Angel and Cordy sat back down with her. “Let him go. He just needs some time alone to process everything. He’ll be back. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. You are his rock. Trust me, woman’s intuition.” Cordelia assured her, “But for now, get some rest. I would imagine you’re tired, this being the time you usually sleep. I can run you a bath to help you relax.”

Angel just watched as Cordy walked up the stairs with his grandchilde. Looks like Spike made the right choice. Nice to see he has a good head on his shoulders, but I think he may have just put himself and Buffy in danger. He had calls to make. He needed to find out everything he could about Rupert Giles, the Watchers Council, and this prophesy he’d mentioned.


Chapter End Notes:
I'd enjoy hearing what you're thinking after you've read the chapter. If you have a minute, let me know :)



You must login (register) to review.