Willow didn't think she had been this happy since Tara died.
Ten months. Almost a year. They were right about giving it time. It has gotten easier…a little.
Too bad Tara wasn't around for this, though. She would've loved it.
"I now pronounce you, man and wife." Willow clapped with the other guests as her best friend kissed the ex-ex-vengeance demon. She never though she'd see the day… there had been so much pain and miscommunication and suppressed love between the two. However, when Tara died, everyone began to see that there were more important things than pride. Xander and Anya slowly rebuilt their relationship and now they were happier than they had ever been. Obviously.
A little while later, at the reception, Willow walked up to Buffy and Giles. The redhead gave him a quick hug.
"I'm glad you could make it this time around."
"So am I. How are you doing?
"One day at a time."
The Englishman smiled fondly at the girl, keeping one arm around her shoulder protectively.
"So, Giles, what's new?"
Giles immediately averted his eyes. When he first started answering, his voice was an octave higher than usual. He cleared his throat and tried again.
"N-nothing much. This and that, you know. Making some…friends."
"Girlfriends?" Willow asked in a sing-songy voice. Giles barked out a laugh.
"Ah, no…Oh! There's the happy couple. I'm going to go congratulate them."
The girls watched Giles practically bolt away, then looked at each other, confused.
"That was certainly strange."
"Yeah, he's not telling us something…"
* * *
In the shadows of
the alley, two darker shadows moved quickly.
Sounds of a fight were almost deafening in the otherwise quiet
night. One of the shadows knocked the
other to the ground and was about to go in for the kill when he exploded into a
pile of dust. The other shadow lay
tense on the ground for a second before letting out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks, mate. Good timin'!" Giles held a hand out to help Spike stand.
"Missed you, mate. 'ow was the States?"
"Don't you mean, how was Buffy?"
"That obvious?"
"She's fine. They all are. Xander and Anya are happy."
"Good for 'er. Don't know 'ow she could be with the Whelp, but she deserves it. 'ope 'e realizes what 'e's got."
"I think he has a fairly good idea."
"Good. Well, it's been pretty slow while you were
away."
"Good."
"Good?! Bloody borin', if you ask me!"
Giles chuckled. "Come on. Back to my place for some tea."
"In other words, you need 'elp researchin' somethin'?" Spike smirked.
"Am I that transparent?" The men chuckled and walked off toward Giles' apartment.
A few hours later found Giles on the couch, his nose in a book. Spike was sprawled on the floor, surrounded by books and fast asleep.
A knock on the door was almost too quiet to snap Giles out of his focus. It took a few minutes to register what the noise meant before he was walking over to the door. He opened it to find a young woman staring at him. Curly black hair framed a smiling face.
"Alea?" Giles exclaimed.
"Hey, Rupert!" She stepped into his waiting arms. They stood like that, lost to the world until a voice joked behind them.
"Getting' them younger and younger, eh Ripper?" Spike was now lying on his side, propped up by one arm. The hair on his left side was sticking up at angles, tousled by sleep.
"This is Alea Crawford, the daughter of my mentor when I was in training."
"Which leads to what brought me here…," Alea interrupted. Giles gave her a questioning look.
"I decided it was time to begin my training. I have an official mentor, but I know Dad always wanted you to be my mentor. I know you can't officially be, what with no longer belonging to the Council. But…would you?" The last part was so tentative and hopeful that Giles almost chuckled, despite the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Of course." They hugged again, and Spike cleared his throat.
"Alea, this is S- William." Spike quirked an eyebrow. He could play this game. Standing, he walked over and shook her hand.
"Pleased to meet you. Sorry I'm a mess." Spike ran a hand through his hair and looked down at his rumpled clothes.
"No problem – I know what researching is like." She offered a dazzling grin that Spike couldn't help but return.
"Speaking of which, do you guys need help?" Alea entered the room further. Giles quickly accepted the offer and the three sat down to work – of course, by the end of the night, more talking had been done than research.
Weeks passed. Alea spent almost every night with them researching. Spike found himself liking her a lot – she could someday be as dear to him as Giles or the Nibblet. Which is why it killed him to keep his true identity from her. He had asked Giles, after that first night, why exactly he was 'William' and not 'Spike'.
"Spike, I've known Alea for a long time, and I love her very much. However, like her father, she is very idealistic. That, coupled with being young, means she sees things as black and white, good and evil, human and demon. I want to teach her about the gray – but that will come in time. And one of the best ways to teach her is for her to get to know you before knowing your true status."
Spike understood the reasoning, but it was hard – hard to keep finding excuses as to why he's never at Giles' during the day, why he was so pale and cold all the time, why he barely ate, why he was never scared when he and Giles left for patrolling – something Giles refused to let her come along on.
Deep down, Spike desperately wanted to know if she'd be this friendly with him if she knew. Alea was pretty much the only true friend he had that didn't know the truth. He felt like he was betraying her, yet he also wondered if her friendship was a sign that he was succeeding in building a separate life for himself.
No matter what, he knew they couldn't keep it a secret forever. And more than anything, he was afraid of losing her friendship…
* * *
April 20, 2003Watcher's Journal: Alea Crawford
Well, Giles and I decided it was time for me to start keeping a journal – practice for when I finish my training and am a full Watcher.
I can't believe I've only been working with him for a month – I've learned so much from him! More than in my classes or from Edward, my official mentor.
I've also learned a lot from William, which is strange because I don't think he's had any official training. His experience and knowledge are truly amazing for someone so young. I hope he and I become better friends – I believe I still have a lot to learn about and from him. Not to mention, he's cute.
Well, that statement turned this into a high school student's journal! I won't deny I haven't thought about him like that, but not a lot. I'd rather have him as a friend. And truth be told, I think his heart belongs to another – as much as he doesn't let it show. Ah, well. All the good ones are taken.
I should finish this quickly – have to leave for class soon. I'm so excited. This week we're starting the whole Angel/Angelus thing. It's neat, since Rupert knows him and all that. Today, we're starting with Angelus and his Children. It should be interesting!
Oh no! Gotta go!
Alea Crawford