Part VI

WESLEY

Dear Buffy,

While I share in full measure the overwhelming grief that the others have felt since hearing the news of your death, I must confess that my primary emotion at this moment is not grief, but sheer disbelief. Perhaps it has been the constant lethal danger that I have seen Angel undertake since I began working with him almost a year and a half ago, but I had come to think of him as far more mortal and vulnerable than you. . .ironic indeed, given the historical lifespan of Slayers and the sad news which has caused me to write this letter to you.

Buffy, after I left Sunnydale, I only saw you that one time when Faith had come to town, and only for a few moments, but it meant quite a lot to me that, even when you were angry and preoccupied, the look you gave me was not the one of contempt that my actions on behalf of the Council had earned me when we both were in Sunnydale, but rather of acceptance and respect. When I came to Sunnydale, I believed that you were a stubborn young woman who had been the victim of less than adequate supervision and the beneficiary of more than her share of luck. I was wrong, and you spent the entire time of my stay in Sunnydale proving it to me over and over again. While it has been my time working with Angel that has restored my dignity and self-respect, and that has allowed me to finally start doing the good that I dreamed of accomplishing during my adolescence, it was the time when I was your Watcher-in name if not in fact-that taught me the lessons I needed to learn before I could benefit from my work with Angel. . .and for that I owe you, Mr. Giles, and your friends a debt of eternal gratitude.

Buffy, your time as the Slayer has demonstrated that the bonds of personal loyalty and the strength gained from individuality have benefits that substantially exceed those gained from following the old teachings of the Council. The Council has grown set in its ways and must be influenced to change, for the sake of us all. I have come to admire Mr. Giles greatly, and I know that he will give greatly of himself in order to try to promote change from within, if he possibly can. Though I remain estranged from the Council, I am not without contacts and resources that can be brought to bear. . .this is a worthy cause, and you have illuminated the path of reform. . .I will not rest until the lessons you have taught me have been learned by the Council as well.

Safe journey, Buffy Summers.


Wesley Wyndham-Pryce


. . .to be continued


As always, comments are welcomed and desired