Part 4
What a magnificent evening. The sun is nearly gone, leaving a trail of pink fire dancing across the horizon. Peaking in the crypt window, I see that William hasn't moved a muscle from where I left him this morning. I giggle to myself as I don't remember ever being able to make him this happy. Most of what I do causes disharmony and pain within him. It's nice to finally make up for some of that.
"Breakfast is served!" I sing as the crypt door creaks open. He deftly lifts himself to his feet and walks over to me. I have to remind myself to keep calm. It's hard to get used to his eyes focused on me instead of through me. Without missing a beat, he carefully takes the brown paper bag, clears off a flat surface by sweeping everything onto the floor, then curiously opens the bag. As he lifts out the large container filled with red liquid while I narrate. "It's human and it's fresh." I hope I'm not smiling too big.
A devilish grin escapes across his lips. "You didn't."
I immediately blush and become flustered. "Oh, no. I-I didn't k-k-kill anyone. I…I…have my sources." He eyes me carefully for a minute before opening the container. "It's A negative." I shed my jacket and look around for a place to deposit it. From behind me I hear a distinct moan of pleasure.
"It doesn't get any better than this." He wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "Sorry I don't have any of those chocolate things for you."
"'S cool. I don't need to eat. Just like to."
With that bit of business out of the way, an uncomfortable silence falls on the room.
"You have to excuse me, luv. This whole thing, well it's just, weird. I mean, you just show up out of nowhere and tell me I'm not who I thought I was. Not your average night, you know."
"But, the point is, you're still here."
"OK. But what now? Am I supposed to go out rescuing cute little kitties from trees? Help old ladies across the street? What is it I'm supposed to do?"
"Don't know exactly. I don't know if your destiny lies in one single action, like staving off an apocalypse, or if it is the end product of you becoming a righteous individual. All I know is that Dru altered your path when she decided to make you her childe and I've been trying to right that somehow for the last century."
"Please don't tell me I'm doomed to live that wanker Angel."
I give a hearty laugh which kind of puts him off. "Naw. You're nothing like Liam, and never were."
"Good." He nods and stares at the floor.
"Well, that's enough of this chit chat. What do you say we get to work? You have somewhere to be tomorrow and I have to find you something sufficiently sun proof to wear." Before he can ask, I continue. "You're not going to like this, William. For more than one reason."
"Oh, bloody hell. What now?"
I start to pick at a hangnail on my thumb, bringing it to my mouth. "Danielle, get your damn fingers out of your mouth and get on with it."
I do. "It's Joyce. She died two days ago. Her funeral is tomorrow at noon and you're going."
A dozen or so emotions play across his face: surprise, anger, sorrow, regret, worry, until hurt settles in. "Buffy's mom." Surprisingly, tears well up in his eyes. "How is the Slayer? Is she okay? I mean, no, she's not okay, but…oh fuck!" He shuts his eyes tightly, willing the painful tears away. Then, as quickly as they came, they stopped and a fire filled his eyes. "Was it Glory?"
"No. It was natural causes. Or at least that's what the autopsy showed. If it had been Glorificus, she would have let everyone know. What's the point of leaving a present like that with no gift card attached?"
"No one even told me." His voice is soft and filled with pain as his head falls defeatedly.
I punch him lightly. "Stop it. This is not about you. You can't make everything about you. Buffy needs you. She will never admit it…at least not yet, but she does and you are going to be there for her. You're also going to be there to pay your respects to Joyce as she liked you and I know you liked her."
"Do you really bloody think they'll let me anywhere near them?! What kind of stupid guardian angel did I end up with anyhow?"
I glare at him. "That was just not nice. If it weren't for me, you would have long since been dust. So, you're going to listen to me and you're going to do what I say!" His eyes never leave my figure as I stomp around the room straightening up his messes.
"Now what are you doing?"
"I clean when I'm upset."
He just shakes his head slowly. "So, where do we get my 'funeral suit', ducks?"
Score another point for the home team. I stop picking up for a moment. "I'll take care of that. You just think of an especially heartfelt statement to say to Buffy. And Spike?"
"Yeah."
"Make it the bare truth. No lies, no exaggerations, no half truths. I guarantee if you make a very quick appearance and show the real you for just a minute, it will start to repair the rift you caused."
"How do you know they won't stake me on sight?"
"I got that covered."
"Are you coming with me?"
An evil smile crosses my lips. "I'll be there. You won't see me, but I'll definitely be there."
I grab my coat and prepare to leave in pursuit of some proper sun coverage for my charge, but stop short, grabbing a bag out of my pocket. "Think quick." I toss it at him and he catches it expertly.
"What's this?"
"Just follow the directions. I'll be back before you know it."
I enter the crypt to see standing before me…my William with brown hair and a sheepish grin. "You look tremendous!!" I catch myself before going in for an embrace. 'Oops.'
"Th-thanks. I kind of feel stupid."
"Why should you? You can't see yourself anyhow. Besides, the white hair was what made you look stupid. This will help to change your image in their eyes. It won't do the trick, but it will help a bit." I run my fingers through his hair, grinning all the while. He catches my hand in his and gazes at me, another question dying to surface. My hand is brought back to my side as he starts to speak.
"What all have you done in the last 100 years?"
"Mostly reading. Not much to do when you're invisible." I know that's not what he is getting at, but I can't help but have a little fun. He raises one eyebrow and glares.
"Just imagine every important turning point in your history. That was me."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the most important thing I did, I think, was immediately after you died then awoke as a vampire. I could feel that your soul was still there. If it weren't, I don't think that we'd even be here having this conversation. Anyhow, I can still remember the sheer terror you felt at the moment of your awakening. You were confused and in a great amount of pain. The blood lust had a hold of you like nothing you had ever experienced. I stayed at your side day and night, comforting your human side and convincing it that all was not lost. The demon fought so hard for control, but I could not let that happen." Now I'm getting all teary. Damn my emotions. I wish I had as much control over myself as I do Spike. At that, Spike leans in a little closer, wanting to offer me something…some sort of comfort, but he can't just yet. I scare him. Everything I stand for scares him.
"And let me tell you, I wasn't just fighting your demon. I was also fighting Angelus, Darla and Dru. They sure as hell didn't make anything easy on you. I understood though that if you showed any weakness at all, they would have killed you on the spot. There were a few times when I almost threw in the towel. But, every so often, when you were alone in the dark, you would let down your charade and listen to my voice."
I can't help but feel some pride in the work I have done as he sits before me, beautiful eyes wide and believing. "Let's see. What else." I ponder for a moment. "Ah, yes, there was the whole Acathla incident. I was the one who convinced you to go to Buffy for help in defeating your grandsire."
He shuts his eyes tightly. "Don't tell me you are also the cause if this soddin' chip." He melodramatically points to his brown haired head.
Oops again. "Best idea I ever had." 'Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me.'
"Oh, bloody hell!!!" Spike stands up with a flare and paces the room like a lone wolf. "Only I could end up with a guardian angel what neuters me."
He looks over at me, face enraged when he hears the small
giggle I let escape. "Oh, calm down. It got you closer to Buffy,
didn't it?" He stands down in silent agreement. Boy do I know
how to diffuse this guy or what? You still got it Dan.