A/N.- This is chapter Seventeen of the ENOUGH series. Thanks to all who have read this story and reviewed. Sorry for taking so long in updating. My computer crashed and I had a tough time trying to fix it. A small advice to all of you out there, ALWAYS create startup disks. You can make them by going to your Control Panel, access Add/Remove Programs and there you will find how to make a startup disk. Of course, this is to those of you who use PC's or Windows. Now, enough talking and on with the story.
Disclaimer.- You all should know this belongs to Joss Whedon and the parties involved in getting this show on the air.
Feedback.- As you wish.
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The Year of the Predator
"So no news on the mother land?" Buffy asked. On the other side of the ocean, on a small but nicely decorated pad, an Englishman adjusted his lenses and bit his tongue once again. Hard. He had been lying to Buffy for a year now, and he was tired of it.
"Nothing new, Buffy," Giles lied, "It seems that the earth itself swallowed our blood sucking friend."
It was really a big lie, because Giles had seen Spike almost every day in the first months since the vampire had left Sunnydale and America, and most importantly, Buffy.
"You were right, huh?" Buffy asked.
"About what, Buffy?" Giles now asked.
"That he could dissappear," she softly said, "I guess it's time for us to stop looking and wait until he decides to show up."
"At least there has been no mayhem or destruction." Giles said, trying to reassure Buffy. In the twelve months that the vampire had been gone from the slayer's life, the ex-watcher had been having his doubts about Buffy'r real intentions. He had asked her about it some time before but she always answered that a chipless vampire roaming the world was her main concern.
"That's no relief, Giles," Buffy said, bringing the man back into the conversation, "he doesn't need chaos or mayhem to kill."
Giles sighed, the girl really was stubborn.
"After all we've talked, you still believe that he will return to his old ways?" He asked.
"I'm surprised, Giles, are you speaking on behalf of Spike?" Buffy teased.
"Good heavens, no," Giles immediately corrected, "it's just that if he'd turn into a murdering maniac, we would have already heard something from him."
"You're right," Buffy sighed, "I guess it's time to tell Dawn that her old buddy will not be coming back."
"She's still holding his promise of writing?" Giles asked. After all his improptu sessions with Spike, he had noticed that Spike was trying his best to get away from Buffy and the memories that came with that thought. Probably Dawn was the farthest thing on the vampire's mind.
"Yeah," Buffy answered, "every day she checks the mail. I've seen her and I know that it bothers her that he hasn't written yet. Like he ever will."
"Spike was always very protective of Dawn," Giles said, remembering the summer he worked with the vampire, "I guess there are some things that are preventing him from writing."
"Well, I won't hold my breath until he does," Buffy said, "I have to go now, Giles, work, you know?"
"Yes, Buffy," Giles said, smiling, "take care, and thanks for calling."
"No prob, call me if anything happens?" Buffy asked.
"You know I will." Giles answered, understanding the meaning of her question.
"Ok, thanks," She said, "love you."
"Love you too, bye."
Giles heard the click and the conversation ended. He slowly placed the phone back in its place and took off his glasses. His telltale sign that something was bothering him. Besides all the problems he had, all the support he gave his 'children' in Sunnydale, and his own personal issues, he was now lying to the girl he loved as his own daughter. He knew about Spike, and he had talked to the vampire, almost on a friendly status. But that had been seven months ago. Spike had been curious to know everything there was about the Council of Watchers. Everything that Giles could tell him. The ex-watcher had been cautious at the beginning, but after Spike reassured him that he wasn't planning on a murderous rampage, the watcher helped him.
Seven months ago.
And Giles feared what Spike might try to do.
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One year since he left.
Eleven months planning.
Ten months convincing himself that it was a stupid idea.
Nine months of having quit drinking and smoking.
Eight months training.
Seven months trying to obtain everything he needed.
Six months and he still couldn't place his tie correctly.
Five months of thanking whomever handled the weather for the cloudy days in London.
Four months of keeping tabs and a schedule.
Three months of working on an alibi.
Two months of hunting.
One month of eternal waiting.
But today was the day.
Today was the day for which he had been preparing. He had everything on place and all the loose ends were tied. Of course, the only variable quantity was the weather. Should today be a sunny day then he'd have to reschedule, and given his restless nature, he'd probably go nuts and the whole plan would be a waste of time.
He began his day the same way he had for the past five months. Wake up at six in the morning. Morning! A vampire waking up with the sun! All part of his plan. He showered and shaved. But not completely, he had grown a mustache and a beard. The americans called it a goatee. He had let his hair return to its natural color. Appereances had to be kept if he wanted his plan to work. Once again, as usual, he had trouble tying up the goddamned rope he used around his neck everyday. He adjusted his three-piece suit and double checked that he had everything in place. He gave one last look at the small apartment that had been his house for the past seven months. Actually it was quite empty. Only a small refrigerator and a bed. He needed nothing else and wanted nothing more. His mind was really now focused on his plan. He took out the photo and stared at it. Dawn. It was all for her.
He hid the photo and walked to the sink. In there were a lot of papers and some notebooks. He took out his old silver lighter and burned all the papers. There would be no evidence of his actions.
He walked outside and smiled a bit when he saw that it'd be a rainy day. No sun today. His apartment wasn't far away from where he worked. He walked to work everyday. 545 pases. Most people knew him by now, and greeted him everyday.
Today was no exception. As soon as he stepped out of his building he was greeted by the young lad who sold him the newspaper everyday.
"Morning, Mr. Kipling!" the young boy said, "looks like it'll be a rainy day today!"
"I know, mate," Spike answered, "any good news today?"
"Don't think so," the boy said, handing Spike the paper, "off to work?"
"Yup," Spike said, "just as everyday."
Spike paid the paper and walked away. He was now used to people calling him 'Mr. Kipling'. He had aqcuired the name from a book he read once. Kenneth Kipling. That was the name he gave when he applied for the job of research assistant five and a half months ago. Five months working on a boring, small library on downtown London. But not anymore. Not as of today. He had gathered all his information and he was ready for the plan to take action.
He looked at his watch. 7:35 am. Just as usual. He was always on time and that was essential on his plan. Most people was used to watch him walk around. That was his alibi. He wasn't a stranger on a strange place. He was a part of this place now.
At 432 pases, he altered his daily rutine. He walked away from the path that led him to his job. He was now changing the rutine. He walked now towards an old and enormous building located a few blocks away from his work place. He had seen the same building a hundred years ago and he never thought that a century later, he'd be walking head on into it.
He smiled a bit and gathered his nerve.
7:40 am.
Time to go for it.
Jump into the proverbial wolf's lair.
A vampire was about to enter the Council's headquarters.
End Of Chapter.
