Part 7
I just don't know what to think any more. I was more or less raised with the knowledge that what I was doing made a difference…that my being what I was meant something. Now I've lost my Charge. Not just physically, but spiritually as well. My legs curl up just a bit tighter as I try to shut out the pain. I'm not used to being alone like this. Yeah, William never knew I was there, but at least I knew he was.
My eyes finally close and I drift off into a light, fitful sleep.
-Knock, knock-
I open my eyes and struggle to see out the window. It's hard to tell if I've been asleep for minutes or hours. I see that it is now dark, and wonder who is at my door. I come to the conclusion that it must be my imagination. No one knows who I am, let alone where I am.
I must have drifted back to sleep, for the next thing I remember, a young, blonde woman is tapping me on the shoulder and standing over me with a worried expression on her face. Thank goodness I recognize her.
"Tara?" my tired voice slurs.
Now she looks more confused than concerned. "A-are you D-Danielle?" I roll over and sit up to address the girl more properly.
"In the flesh." 'For the first time in over a century,' I think to myself. Then it hits me. If Tara knows who I am, and has managed to find me, then William…oh God. He must have approached her, told her the story and requested her help. Wow! Good for him. He actually got the witch to listen to him and believe him. Wait a minute!! Good for me! He wouldn't bother looking for me if he hadn't changed his mind. My heart soars. William has finally accepted who he is. My entire being hasn't been a waste. Tears of relief and joy start to flow. To her surprise, I suddenly spring to my feet and grab my messenger of glee into an embrace.
"Oh, Tara. He believes me. He really does. Thank you so much."
It takes her a few minutes to process all this. Eventually, her questions start. She gently separates me from herself and hands me a tissue from her bag.
"So, it's all true? E-everything that Spike said?"
"As long as he told you that I am a seraph assigned to watch over him and guide him back onto his true destiny, then yes." I lower my head just a bit and speak more quietly. "Is that what he told you?"
"Oh, yes, that's it. Except he mentioned…" She stops in contemplation.
"What?"
"Well, he said you told him he…has a soul."
With as much bravado of flossing one's teeth, I answer, "Sure. He's always had it."
She falters for a second, obviously pondering the implication of this development. "W-w-wow. We all thought Angel was the only v-vampire with a soul."
This strikes me as truly hilarious and I let out a grand guffaw. "Why do people always assume that if they haven't seen it before, it's either rare or impossible?" She gives me that confused look again. "Think of it this way. Humans are born with all sorts of mutations, right? Some have too many chromosomes, like people with Down's Syndrome. It's certainly strange, and you might even think it was an isolated case if you didn't live in the era of communication and know better. There are many such humans out there. The same goes for a vampire, or any other demon, with a soul."
"So, what are you watching him for? I just don't understand all this."
"He was never supposed to be a vampire. I'm just doing small things to help right that wrong. He has a destiny to fulfill and I have to make sure he does it."
"What is his destiny?"
I begin to get a bit nervous with this line of questioning. But, then I think. If I can turn her into a true ally for William, then the rest of my job will be that much easier. "Well, the prophesies state that the demon with a soul will join with the golden Slayer to defeat the greatest threat to this dimension. Up until just recently, we had assumed the vamp referred to in the texts was Liam…or, Angel to you. Now our sources day that it may well be William. Buffy hates him. So, I have to do something about that. Of course, that's just what I've been up to recently."
"Wow. Wh-what else have…"
"Tara, I'll be happy to answer all your questions later, but for now, can you just tell me where my William is? Why are you here and not him?"
Her head bows slightly. "I didn't trust him. I thought it would be best if I found out for myself why he wanted to find you."
"Good girl." I almost imperceptibly nod my head. "Now, I really need to see him. I've never been away from him for this long before. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll just be on my way." I walk passed the girl, headed for the door.
"Wait." I do. "What should I tell the gang? I mean, what do I say to Buffy about all this?"
I smile with one side of my mouth. "Nothing would be good."
"I can't just not tell everyone that Spike has a soul!"
"Why not? He's always had it. It's not like it's something new."
I excuse myself from the dirty dishwater blonde and storm out the front door. However, my trek to William's crypt only lasts a few steps as I suddenly slam into a leather clad wall. He looks down at me apologetically. I can tell he's embarrassed. From behind me, Tara's voice scolds the vampire, "You followed me!"
"That I did, luv." That gorgeous smile appears.