Dark Are The Shadows
Ms Hunter Ash
ripperbard7@yahoo.com
frost29@post.com
rating: PG13
pairings: Buffy/Quentin, Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya, Giles/Angelique, Barnabas/Roxanne, Julia/Tom, Maggie/Joe
# # ##
Next Morning
'Thank you for joining us, Mr. Travers," Carolyn said as serving dishes were passed around the breakfast table at Collinwood.
"Thank you for having me," Travers responded. "From all you tell me you have two extraordinary young women, Mrs. Summers."
Dawn began blushing as Buffy struggled not to roll her eyes.
"I agree," Joyce said. "They were both willing to kill themselves to close that gate. Do you think we can make this agreement work between the Council and our group?"
"We have to," Travers said. "I've given my word and I'd rather not draw the attention of Her Majesty or her advisors."
"Rupert is that connected?" Joyce asked.
"His father is," Travers answered. "I don't believe that Rupert has had much contact with his father. That in itself shows how dedicated he is to all of you."
"What's the deal between them?" Dawn asked.
"When Rupert rebelled against becoming a Watcher his father was not in agreement," Travers said. "He had the police looking for Rupert. They were always one step behind, usually getting to a club 20 minutes after the band Rupert was with left, things like that."
"I can't believe he lived on the streets and played in a band," Dawn commented.
Travers nodded and took a sip of his tea. "He was extremely good, I'm told. Then he was side-tracked with the magic. By the time things went wrong, his father was livid. When the police found Rupert practically living on the streets in a box and drowning the memories with alcohol, they brought him to us and the Council worked at drying him out and...well, mold him into being a decent Watcher."
"What does that mean?" Joyce asked with a frown.
"It could be described as brain-washing," Travers said. "I protested loudly but I was merely an aide to the Head Watcher and I was told that Rupert would be vital in the success of a future Slayer so drastic means were justified."
"Like what?" Dawn asked.
"I'll let Rupert describe it if he desires or can," Travers said after a moment. "The Council no longer considers measures to that level. Coming back around to his father, they haven't spoken much since Rupert was pulled back into the fold. He viewed Rupert's collapse as weakness and his rebellion as... a personal affront."
"Does he know what Giles went through?" Buffy asked. "I mean he said a good friend was killed by all of them to protect the world from the demon."
"He didn't want details," Travers said. "I'm sure Rupert is dreading having to now tell his father that he is something of a hybrid between vampire and human and that he will become a full vampire upon his death. I think Rupert would have rather have disappeared without his father finding out about that but he had to step forward to protect your friends and you from going to war with the Council."
"Damn," Joyce said softly. "That doesn't sound like it will end well."
"No, it doesn't," Travers agreed. "Keeping it a secret will bind Lord Oliver's hands. It's not like he'd want that to get out among the Council and certain branches of MI-5 and MI-6."
"This just keeps getting more complicated by the day," Carolyn commented.
"Welcome to the battle against evil outside of your investigations, Mrs. Stoddard-Hawks."
# # # #
SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA
Xander smiled as Raquel pulled back and wiped at her forehead, the practice sword in her hand dropping as they both tried to catch their breath.
“You're doing good,” he commented. “Wait until Giles gets back and you can spend a day or two practicing with him and Buffy. They're both amazing. I've picked up stuff along the way but nowhere near the level they're at.”
“I can't wait,” Raquel said. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her Watchers taking notes. They were observing without offering any criticism. That had been one of the conditions in watching the Scooby gang work with Raquel, they wouldn't criticize or belittle the gang and their methods.
“Here, let's switch to knives,” Xander suggested. “There are times when a stake won't work against a demon or zombie and a knife might get through their skin. Giles is really fantastic with a knife and he's shown us some of the stuff he picked up on the streets.”
“And Buffy learned from Angel and others too,” Willow added. “So, different training than Potentials get.”
“More training is always a good thing,” Raquel said. “How did Buffy get through school and stuff? I mean her mom didn't know right away, right?”
“No, not until shortly after Buffy's 17th birthday,” Xander said.
“Fortunately, Slayers don't need a lot of sleep,” Willow responded. “She would sneak out of the house and go on patrol and then sneak back in. She'd train with Giles at school, after classes.”
“Okay, most demons go for this kind of move,” Xander said and demonstrated. “Notice how the underarm is vulnerable? Just be sure to jump back because they usually swing with the other paw and they are really pissed off at that point.”
“Don't get cocky and don't drag it out,” Anya added. “You
never know when one will spit venom or green bile at you. That's
really hard to get out of clothing.”
“Good advice, thanks!”
# # # #
COLLINSPORT, MAINE
Joyce looked up as Roxanne stepped inside the large mansion from the patio. “Hello, you've been roaming around most of the day. Dinner will be ready in about 20 minutes.”
“Thanks,” Roxanne said and sat down across from Joyce. “I've been walking in what little sunshine there is. Barnabas wants me to explore being human again before we....change that.”
“You're wanting to be a vampire again?” Joyce asked. “If that's okay to ask, I mean.”
“It's fine,” Roxanne said. “I... yes, I do. Are the limitations a drag to deal with? Yes. Does the thought of living for at least decades with Barnabas outweigh that? Yes.”
“It's odd to me, I'll admit,” Joyce said. “I didn't believe in vampires, then I found out my daughter fights vampires and demons and only two aren't out to kill humans. Then I learned not all vampires kill humans but most do. Now we've learned that there are a handful of vampires that can be dangerous but not to those they care about most of the time.”
“And Tara being a vampire and Rupert destined to become a vampire adds to the confusion,” Roxanne suggested.
“Yes,” Joyce said. “I could almost wish...”
“What? That Buffy would become a vampire instead of dying young?” Roxanne asked in a soft voice. “Again?”
Joyce nodded as she fought back tears. “I lost her once already.”
“I can understand a little,” Roxanne responded. “I'm not sure how that would work with her sacred calling to be the Slayer.”
“There's another Slayer,” Joyce said. “She was called up after Buffy died for a few minutes and another Slayer was called and then she was killed. Faith is in jail for another year or so.”
“So she's died twice?” Roxanne asked, her eyes widening.
“Yes,” Joyce answered with a sigh.
“And you know one vampire that works at being a hero?”
“Yes, Buffy's ex,” Joyce said.
“It's not an easy existence,” Roxanne said after a moment. “I think Julia was probably the only one that didn't kill people when we first awakened. Along with Tara, I mean. The hunger can be very overwhelming and things get out of control very quickly.”
“Why was Julia different?”
“Barnabas was there to guide her,” Roxanne said. “I woke up with this incredible hunger and no idea what had happened or what was happening. Several people died that week. I had discovered several of the limitations and figured out what I was. I couldn't believe it. I had very few memories and didn't know how I had become a vampire.”
“That had to be frightening,” Joyce commented and Roxanne nodded.
“It was. I slowly learned how to feed without killing someone,” Roxanne said.
“Would Barnabas want to be human now?”
“He would say yes,” Roxanne said. “I'm not sure he's willing to face the fact that being a vampire can be advantageous.”
“Howso?” Joyce asked.
“He died in 1795,” Roxanne said. “He still exists and he helped save the world.”
“According to Angelique, he would be frustratingly predictable and counter that with the people he killed when he first rose.”
Joyce and Roxanne looked up as Giles and Buffy entered the room.
“I didn't realize the sun was down,” Roxanne said. “Please excuse me.”
“Hello, Joyce,” Giles said as Roxanne slid past him and Buffy. “How is everyone?”
“Everything seems to be doing well,” Joyce responded. “You are finally looking rested.”
“I slept most of the day away,” Giles said. “I needed it, I think.”
“Maybe Angelique can start making him settle down an hour or more before sunrise,” Buffy commented. “We need you around during normal human hours.”
“Speaking of human hours, dinner is ready,” Amy said from the door.
"Good, someone can tell me how it went with Travers."
# # # #
SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA
Raquel laughed as Xander blushed a bright red as Anya continued a tale of a patrol that had gone...sideways.
Then she sighed. “Why don't Willow and Tara like me?”
“What? Willow does,” Xander protested. “Tara is just shy.”
“It's not because she's afraid I'll find out she's a vampire or something?” Raquel asked.
Xander quickly squeezed Anya's hand. “What on earth gives you that idea?”
“A couple of things, seeing Willow buying blood at the butcher shop, Tara never being seen in the daytime and withdrawing from school even though she's still here,” Raquel pointed out. “Something went wrong during the fight against the Leviathans, didn't it?”
“What do your Watchers say?” Xander asked.
“They don't talk about it around me,” Raquel responded. “Come on, I won't tell them. I get lied to all the time and I know it.”
“You're right.”
The three looked towards the curtain separating the front area from the back and found Tara and Willow.
“Tara...”
“It's okay, Xan,” Tara said. “We knew we ran a risk by being here.”
“I'm guessing that there's a soul in the mix here,” Raquel said softly.
“Yes, the vampires that helped us against the Leviathan have their souls and there's no risk at losing it,” Willow explained.
“Okay,” Raquel said and shrugged.
“You're taking this well,” Anya commented.
“I've heard how unconventional Buffy Summers and crew are for months,” Raquel said and reached for another helping of fried rice and sweet and sour chicken. “We know she works with friendly vampires, you have witches and a former demon on board and the weird behavior got me to thinking.”
“Tara is still a good guy,” Xander said firmly.
“I get that,” Raquel said. “You might want to leave town tomorrow since Anya is out of the hospital and its Sunday. The Watchers are going to try and catch Willow and Tara at the mansion or here.”
“Do they suspect anything?” Willow asked as she and Tara sat down with the others.
“I don't know,” Raquel said. “They were on the phone a LOT earlier and were kinda....scowling and I heard them say the name of the Head Watcher.”
“Quentin Travers?” Willow asked and Raquel nodded. “What do we do?”
“Borrow my truck and head to the coast or LA for a romantic weekend,” Xander suggested.
“Or rent a car,” Anya added. “That way if anything happens Tara can hide in the trunk from the sun.”
Raquel's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. “Really?”
“Less obvious than painting the windows black or using tin foil or towels,” Xander said. “Cops frown on that type of stuff.”
“Wow,” Raquel said. “That's a good idea. Oh damn, gotta run. I'm patrolling near the Bronze tonight. Did I tell you, they've given me permission to back off if there's more than one vamp or if its a difficult demon.”
“That's a good thing,” Tara commented.
“Yeah, like Giles tries to teach all of us,” Xander said. “You can't save others or stake more vampires if you're dead.”
“Yeah, I get that. Thanks for dinner, guys,” Raquel said. “I'll buy dinner tomorrow night.”
“Anya and me will be here,” Xander said.
The Scooby gang watched the young potential let herself out the front door.
“Half the damned world is going to know about Giles, Tara and our vampire friends,” Willow grumbled.
“I don't think Raquel will tell her Watchers,” Tara said.
“Let's hope not,” Willow said. “Let's get to the rental place before they close and get a car. We'll leave in a few hours.”
“Where are we headed?” Tara asked as she grabbed their coats.
“I don't know,” Willow replied. “We'll figure it out.”
“We'll meet you guys at the Bronze,” Xander suggested. “One round of sodas before you hit the road.”
“Cool.”
# # # #
No comments:
Post a Comment