Title: Coming Home
Author: Dana
Content: Nothing bad really. This time I was good.
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 6
Pairings: Willow/Drusilla
Description: Part nine of Willow Mine. The watcher makes an appearance.
Setting: Post Grave
Feedback: dana@celticmuse.net
Distribution: Ask first please.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of BtVS so please do
not sue me I am only a poor rabid tech.
This feeling, this fear he had—the depth of it disturbed him. It touched something deep in his core; forever changing him. The absolute wrongness of it saturated his being, that he should be terrified of the girl he loved as a daughter. He could remember her eyes when he first met her. The beautiful innocence shining from her as she doted upon the boy she adored. Painfully shy and gawky with no confidence in her abilities, comma he watched her grow and find her way through adolescence. He watched as she stumbled blindly with dreams and hopes and learned the harsh reality that is life. He still loved her, but now it was twisted; warped by his experiences with her magic. Flinching away from the memories, he clawed his way back to consciousness, shoving the memories into the depths of his mind.
Awake now, he took stock of his body making sure everything still worked. Arms seemed to be fine. His legs were some what asleep but he could feel the painful tingling present in them. Flexing his fingers, he opened his eyes. Wincing away from the sudden shock of light, he let out a weak groan as he rolled away from it. He searched the room for any signs of life, wanting to know where he was and who had taken him in.
"You're awake."
The voice was soft and melodious; the tired man felt he should recognize it and he was irrigated by the fog still over his mind. A pale hand came into view helping him sit up as she made him drink some vile concoction. Awareness started to sweep through his mind and he realized the source of the voice. A sigh of relief reverberated through his body. He was safe. The woman was the high priestess of the coven he was staying with; it was Damania. "What happened?"
A soft chuckle made him smile weakly. "Always asking questions, Rupert?"
Giles shakily sat back up and looked at the woman before him. She was on the whole unremarkable. Her features were plain, her skin pale with mottled brown eyes and when she smiled, she almost seemed pretty. The one pride and crowning glory for her was her mass of waist length honey blonde hair. It curled around her face glowing amber in the sunlight. She radiated power as befit her station, so her appearance was generally overlooked.
He knew her well enough that he could see the stress she was trying to hide from him. Something was wrong and he felt a sinking feeling creep through him. It was something he probably should know. The ex-watcher felt as if he should start panicking but from having dealt with trouble before, he simply set his face in grim countenance and looked at her with determination. He would not be coddled, so he asked the question that he wished he didn't have to. "Where is Willow?"
Damania leaned back in her chair and gazed at her friend. She took in everything from the way he sat and hunched his shoulders as if waiting for a heavy blow, to the almost crazed look of determination on his face. This was a man who had been to hell and back. Her heart ached for him for her news would not make him feel any better and could only lead to more trouble. She also knew that he wouldn't let her try and change the subject. So with a sigh, she pushed her hair out of her face and nodded. First, she needed to find out what he already knew. "What do you remember?"
"Nothing much actually. I was walking to my house and something attacked me from behind. Someone cast a sleeping spell on me before I could tell who it was."
She nodded to herself, having not expected him to remember much. After all, she had found him passed out in the middle of the sidewalk some time after dawn. From the look of it, he had been there for an hour or two. So she had taken him back to the coven's homestead and consulted their seer. This had lead to the poor woman crying hysterically from what she had seen in the vision. After calming the girl down, they had gotten the information from her. Information they were not pleased with. The child they were helping, the girl who had almost ended the world was now part of the dark again. So now she had the job of explaining this to the distressed watcher. "Willow has been turned."
Despair deep as the ocean washed over him. His daughter, if not in blood than at least in being, was dead. Lost forever to the light and then a blind rage surged over him. He had to know who had turned her, had taken away Willow's chance at redemption. They would pay for their mistake and then he would give his beloved red head another chance. She would not have her soul taken away from her forever. Dropping his head into his hands, he shuddered with suppressed sobs. He had to think! There was no time for grief. If he knew her well enough then she would be heading back to the Hellmouth with all sorts of intentions in mind and none of them good. Ignoring the priestess's protests, he stood and made his way to the phone, he had arrangements to make before he could leave for Sunnydale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn sat curled up on the couch watching Buffy and Xander yell at each other. More like Xander yelling and Buffy staring at him blankly. She sighed softly and tried to find a more comfortable position as her legs were falling asleep. The young girl understood Xander's frustration. Buffy had been acting odd for days now—becoming much quieter. She stopped doing such a wide patrol and hadn't been paying attention to any of the rumors flying around about a new couple who had taken over Sunnydale. In fact, she was denying it out right, not seeing anything to worry about since they were just rumors. Something had happened to her sister and she felt she should be worried.
She wasn't though; her feelings towards Buffy had dimmed since she had become Drusilla's servant. Now she only felt an acceptance of the slayer. She didn't feel animosity like Dru or Willow had towards her, but also not the love it was before. Numbness was the only way to describe it. Irritated about having to sit here and listen to the fighting, she rolled her eyes and pushed the hair out of her face. Suddenly, she felt her mistress awake; she had a bond with the vampire and could often tell how the woman was feeling just from thinking about her. She had a suspicion that Drusilla had more plans for her than just a servant but it didn't bother her too much as her desire to protect and obey was overwhelming.
Shaking her head, she turned and glared at the other occupants of the living room. Raising her voice, she interrupted their fight. "Are you done yet? Because I have things to do."
Xander looked at her imploringly and gestured towards Buffy. "Dawnie, you've noticed her acting differently haven't you?"
The brunette paused and thought about this. Yes, the slayer had been acting differently and what had happened several nights ago had proved it; but she didn't know if she was supposed to tell him that. If she did tell him he would insist that her sister go out patrolling more often and that could lead to the discovery of her mistress. That was something she couldn't have until Willow or Drusilla wanted it that way. So she decided to feed him a little and just explain to her mistress what she had let them know. "Of course she's acting different! She's worried about Willow and Giles in England isn't she?"
"It's more than that and you know it!"
Sighing, she looked at Buffy who was staring at the wall blankly. She took in her sister's appearance. Her clothes were slightly rumpled as if she had slept in them and her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. It was the trembling hands that gave her away though. Dawn watched in fascination as the blonde girl shook her head and tried to refocus on the world around her. Feeling a summons in the back of her mind, Dawn stood up and gave both Buffy and Xander a glare. "Look, I have to meet a friend for a project we're doing at school. You two keep fighting if you want but I'm leaving."
Her lips turned down in a frown as her exit was cut short by the phone ringing. period Annoyed, comma she picked it up and answered tersely. "What?" Surprised filtered through her as the caller identified themselves. Giles.
Xander watched curiously as Dawn nodded and murmured softly into the phone. Casting a look towards Buffy, he felt a sharp stab of irritation. The slayer was once again staring at the long shadows on the wall cast by the setting sun. "Buffy! What is with you?" So busy was he caught up in trying to bring his friend back into the world of the focused, he missed Dawn saying that the slayer wasn't in residence.
"Yes. I'll go find her and tell her that you're coming back. Bye, Giles." Hanging up Dawn turned and looked at the again fighting pair. Buffy had snapped back to the world again and was finally starting to stand up for herself. Figuring they wouldn't hear her but not wanting to get in trouble for not letting them know, she called out softly. "Giles is coming back, now I've got to go." Yup, they were completely ignoring her. Shrugging once again, she turned and headed out into the waning sunlight. Her mistress would need to know this information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giles stared at the phone long after Dawn had already hung up. He was going back with the worst possible news. Grief tore through him again. Savagely he shoved it down and let cool analytical thought processes flow again. He had to think clearly for this, had to be at his best to defeat his old student. Deep in the back of his mind a part of him wailed at having to even think about defeating the redhead. Still, it couldn't be helped. With a heavy heart, he picked up his packed bags and left for the airport. He was overwhelmed with feeling as if this chapter of his life was closing and another chapter of horror was opening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drusilla looked up and smiled brightly at the door. Dropping her dolls, she clapped happily as her beloved little mouse walked through the crypt door. "Little mouse, you came."
Dropping on her knees beside the vampire's chair, Dawn smiled up at her mistress. Contentment flowed through her and she knew she was where she belonged. "Mistress, I bring you news." Taking Dru's nod, she told of what had happened.
A soft voice came from the shadowed corners of the room. "So the watcher is coming back?" Smirking Willow walked into the circle of candlelight. "Rather nice timing isn't it? I'll have such fun with him." Stalking over to her lover's chair, she leaned down and kissed the other vampire deeply. Gently, she ruffled Dawn's hair in hopes to annoy her. Smirking at the flash of annoyance in the younger girl's eyes, she cooed softly. "Little mouse is annoyed?"
She only got a glare for all her trouble.
Amused, she sat down next to Dawn and gave her an intense look. "Now tell me all you know about the watcher coming home."
Author: Dana
Content: Nothing bad really. This time I was good.
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 6
Pairings: Willow/Drusilla
Description: Part nine of Willow Mine. The watcher makes an appearance.
Setting: Post Grave
Feedback: dana@celticmuse.net
Distribution: Ask first please.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of BtVS so please do
not sue me I am only a poor rabid tech.
This feeling, this fear he had—the depth of it disturbed him. It touched something deep in his core; forever changing him. The absolute wrongness of it saturated his being, that he should be terrified of the girl he loved as a daughter. He could remember her eyes when he first met her. The beautiful innocence shining from her as she doted upon the boy she adored. Painfully shy and gawky with no confidence in her abilities, comma he watched her grow and find her way through adolescence. He watched as she stumbled blindly with dreams and hopes and learned the harsh reality that is life. He still loved her, but now it was twisted; warped by his experiences with her magic. Flinching away from the memories, he clawed his way back to consciousness, shoving the memories into the depths of his mind.
Awake now, he took stock of his body making sure everything still worked. Arms seemed to be fine. His legs were some what asleep but he could feel the painful tingling present in them. Flexing his fingers, he opened his eyes. Wincing away from the sudden shock of light, he let out a weak groan as he rolled away from it. He searched the room for any signs of life, wanting to know where he was and who had taken him in.
"You're awake."
The voice was soft and melodious; the tired man felt he should recognize it and he was irrigated by the fog still over his mind. A pale hand came into view helping him sit up as she made him drink some vile concoction. Awareness started to sweep through his mind and he realized the source of the voice. A sigh of relief reverberated through his body. He was safe. The woman was the high priestess of the coven he was staying with; it was Damania. "What happened?"
A soft chuckle made him smile weakly. "Always asking questions, Rupert?"
Giles shakily sat back up and looked at the woman before him. She was on the whole unremarkable. Her features were plain, her skin pale with mottled brown eyes and when she smiled, she almost seemed pretty. The one pride and crowning glory for her was her mass of waist length honey blonde hair. It curled around her face glowing amber in the sunlight. She radiated power as befit her station, so her appearance was generally overlooked.
He knew her well enough that he could see the stress she was trying to hide from him. Something was wrong and he felt a sinking feeling creep through him. It was something he probably should know. The ex-watcher felt as if he should start panicking but from having dealt with trouble before, he simply set his face in grim countenance and looked at her with determination. He would not be coddled, so he asked the question that he wished he didn't have to. "Where is Willow?"
Damania leaned back in her chair and gazed at her friend. She took in everything from the way he sat and hunched his shoulders as if waiting for a heavy blow, to the almost crazed look of determination on his face. This was a man who had been to hell and back. Her heart ached for him for her news would not make him feel any better and could only lead to more trouble. She also knew that he wouldn't let her try and change the subject. So with a sigh, she pushed her hair out of her face and nodded. First, she needed to find out what he already knew. "What do you remember?"
"Nothing much actually. I was walking to my house and something attacked me from behind. Someone cast a sleeping spell on me before I could tell who it was."
She nodded to herself, having not expected him to remember much. After all, she had found him passed out in the middle of the sidewalk some time after dawn. From the look of it, he had been there for an hour or two. So she had taken him back to the coven's homestead and consulted their seer. This had lead to the poor woman crying hysterically from what she had seen in the vision. After calming the girl down, they had gotten the information from her. Information they were not pleased with. The child they were helping, the girl who had almost ended the world was now part of the dark again. So now she had the job of explaining this to the distressed watcher. "Willow has been turned."
Despair deep as the ocean washed over him. His daughter, if not in blood than at least in being, was dead. Lost forever to the light and then a blind rage surged over him. He had to know who had turned her, had taken away Willow's chance at redemption. They would pay for their mistake and then he would give his beloved red head another chance. She would not have her soul taken away from her forever. Dropping his head into his hands, he shuddered with suppressed sobs. He had to think! There was no time for grief. If he knew her well enough then she would be heading back to the Hellmouth with all sorts of intentions in mind and none of them good. Ignoring the priestess's protests, he stood and made his way to the phone, he had arrangements to make before he could leave for Sunnydale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn sat curled up on the couch watching Buffy and Xander yell at each other. More like Xander yelling and Buffy staring at him blankly. She sighed softly and tried to find a more comfortable position as her legs were falling asleep. The young girl understood Xander's frustration. Buffy had been acting odd for days now—becoming much quieter. She stopped doing such a wide patrol and hadn't been paying attention to any of the rumors flying around about a new couple who had taken over Sunnydale. In fact, she was denying it out right, not seeing anything to worry about since they were just rumors. Something had happened to her sister and she felt she should be worried.
She wasn't though; her feelings towards Buffy had dimmed since she had become Drusilla's servant. Now she only felt an acceptance of the slayer. She didn't feel animosity like Dru or Willow had towards her, but also not the love it was before. Numbness was the only way to describe it. Irritated about having to sit here and listen to the fighting, she rolled her eyes and pushed the hair out of her face. Suddenly, she felt her mistress awake; she had a bond with the vampire and could often tell how the woman was feeling just from thinking about her. She had a suspicion that Drusilla had more plans for her than just a servant but it didn't bother her too much as her desire to protect and obey was overwhelming.
Shaking her head, she turned and glared at the other occupants of the living room. Raising her voice, she interrupted their fight. "Are you done yet? Because I have things to do."
Xander looked at her imploringly and gestured towards Buffy. "Dawnie, you've noticed her acting differently haven't you?"
The brunette paused and thought about this. Yes, the slayer had been acting differently and what had happened several nights ago had proved it; but she didn't know if she was supposed to tell him that. If she did tell him he would insist that her sister go out patrolling more often and that could lead to the discovery of her mistress. That was something she couldn't have until Willow or Drusilla wanted it that way. So she decided to feed him a little and just explain to her mistress what she had let them know. "Of course she's acting different! She's worried about Willow and Giles in England isn't she?"
"It's more than that and you know it!"
Sighing, she looked at Buffy who was staring at the wall blankly. She took in her sister's appearance. Her clothes were slightly rumpled as if she had slept in them and her hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. It was the trembling hands that gave her away though. Dawn watched in fascination as the blonde girl shook her head and tried to refocus on the world around her. Feeling a summons in the back of her mind, Dawn stood up and gave both Buffy and Xander a glare. "Look, I have to meet a friend for a project we're doing at school. You two keep fighting if you want but I'm leaving."
Her lips turned down in a frown as her exit was cut short by the phone ringing. period Annoyed, comma she picked it up and answered tersely. "What?" Surprised filtered through her as the caller identified themselves. Giles.
Xander watched curiously as Dawn nodded and murmured softly into the phone. Casting a look towards Buffy, he felt a sharp stab of irritation. The slayer was once again staring at the long shadows on the wall cast by the setting sun. "Buffy! What is with you?" So busy was he caught up in trying to bring his friend back into the world of the focused, he missed Dawn saying that the slayer wasn't in residence.
"Yes. I'll go find her and tell her that you're coming back. Bye, Giles." Hanging up Dawn turned and looked at the again fighting pair. Buffy had snapped back to the world again and was finally starting to stand up for herself. Figuring they wouldn't hear her but not wanting to get in trouble for not letting them know, she called out softly. "Giles is coming back, now I've got to go." Yup, they were completely ignoring her. Shrugging once again, she turned and headed out into the waning sunlight. Her mistress would need to know this information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giles stared at the phone long after Dawn had already hung up. He was going back with the worst possible news. Grief tore through him again. Savagely he shoved it down and let cool analytical thought processes flow again. He had to think clearly for this, had to be at his best to defeat his old student. Deep in the back of his mind a part of him wailed at having to even think about defeating the redhead. Still, it couldn't be helped. With a heavy heart, he picked up his packed bags and left for the airport. He was overwhelmed with feeling as if this chapter of his life was closing and another chapter of horror was opening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Drusilla looked up and smiled brightly at the door. Dropping her dolls, she clapped happily as her beloved little mouse walked through the crypt door. "Little mouse, you came."
Dropping on her knees beside the vampire's chair, Dawn smiled up at her mistress. Contentment flowed through her and she knew she was where she belonged. "Mistress, I bring you news." Taking Dru's nod, she told of what had happened.
A soft voice came from the shadowed corners of the room. "So the watcher is coming back?" Smirking Willow walked into the circle of candlelight. "Rather nice timing isn't it? I'll have such fun with him." Stalking over to her lover's chair, she leaned down and kissed the other vampire deeply. Gently, she ruffled Dawn's hair in hopes to annoy her. Smirking at the flash of annoyance in the younger girl's eyes, she cooed softly. "Little mouse is annoyed?"
She only got a glare for all her trouble.
Amused, she sat down next to Dawn and gave her an intense look. "Now tell me all you know about the watcher coming home."