Disclaimer: All BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Co. The original ones are mine.
Distribution: Sure, just let me know where it's going.
The garden was ablaze with light. A hundred candles and a dozen torches lit up the night. Music filled the air along with the scent of flowers and the sound of laughter. Buffy sat at the edge watching her friends celebrate their victory. She wasn't quite sure what she felt. Her life had changed completely in a single moment. It would take some getting used to. She suspected she would enjoy the process. Her eyes ran over the group and stopped when she saw William. As if he felt her gaze he turned to meet it. They stared at each other for a long moment until he looked away and moved to the other end of the garden.
Jezeil walked into the center and called for everyone's attention. The music stopped and all heads turned towards him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight marks a new beginning for many of you. Don't worry, I'm not going to make a speech, only some suggestions.
"First. Potentials, you are going home." He held up a hand to still the uproar that greeted his statement. "Yes, home. You all have families who are no doubt worried about you. And you all have lives to live. I know that in the past Slayers have had a short life expectancy. That is going to change. A new Watchers' Council is needed and this time it will be right. I have never agreed with the old Council's policy of isolating the Slayer. Her identity should be secret,' they said. She has to focus,' they insisted. But what she really needs is a support system and connection to the human world. When death is your only constant companion you soon decide to join it permanently. It is a relief. There were a couple of Slayers in the past who kept a few connections but Buffy is the only one to bring her friends into her working life. And that was not a mistake. Keeping this world alive is not a job for a woman alone. Amanda will not be alone.
"Mr. Giles, I suggest you return to England and gather what remains of the Council. Then you can begin to add to the number. As for Potentials, they can come for training in summer when school is out. Miss Rosenberg, I suggest that you take on the task of providing some training in magical arts for the new Slayer. Nothing extreme, just the basics. Miss Summers, I know you are looking forward to a life without Slaying but ask any war veteran or retired police officer and he'll tell you that after a life full of excitement peace may make you restless. So I think you should be a consultant to the Council. Provide suggestions for training. There is certainly no one better qualified than a former Slayer. I think you'll still have plenty of time to make the life you desire.
"Now, has everyone got a glass? Good. I propose a toast." He raised his glass high and said, "To Friendship. May we all be blessed with it."
Having drained his glass Jezeil waved a hand and the music returned. All the Potentials gathered around Amanda and laughter again filled the air.
Avoiding her friends Buffy walked to a remote corner of the garden. She stared out into the darkness until a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"It often happens that we have to accept the choices that other people make," said Lenore. She looked Buffy in the eye before she continued. "But not always. If we have a compelling reason why someone should not make a particular choice we have an obligation, no a duty, to speak up."
Buffy stared at Lenore for a moment then started to walk back to the center of the garden. She paused for a moment and looking back she said, "Thank you."
"No need. I was just making an observation."
Buffy smiled and continued on her course.
After scanning the crowd she headed for the house. Jezeil was sitting on the back steps sipping a glass of champagne. As she passed him he said, "Up the stairs, second door on the left."
Buffy paused for only a moment before going into the house. She climbed the stairs and slowly approached the second door on the left. It was open, candlelight spilling out into the hall.
William sat on the bed staring at the bag on the chair. It contained only a few things including his duster, folded neatly on top. Before the night was over he would be in London. How long would it take before he felt okay? Only time would tell.
A sound made him look up. Buffy stood in the room, a small smile on her lips. William stood and took two steps forward. "Buffy. You're just in time to say goodbye."
"I have no intention of saying goodbye. You're not going to London. You're staying here."
"I have no reason to stay here."
"Of course you do," she said and closed the gap between them.
"What would that be?" he asked. He could feel his heart speed up.
Tilting her head up to look into his eyes she answered, "I love you."
William found he couldn't speak. He had waited for so long to hear those words and now he didn't have a response.
Buffy helped him out. "This is the part where you kiss me," she said.
And so he did. It was the sweetest kiss of his life. When it was over Buffy wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. He laid his cheek on her hair and closed his eyes.
"I know exactly when it happened," she said.
"When what happened pet?"
"When I knew I was in love with you. It was last night, when you and Willow did that spell. She was so happy that it succeeded and you looked at her with such affection. Spike, he usually did things because they would get him something. But that changed after you got your soul. You were really concerned about other people, and not just me." She turned her head to look at him. "In that moment when I saw you were happy for Willow I also saw a man, a man I loved. And in the next minute I found out you were human. I could hardly believe it. That made it all possible. But then you told me you were going to London and instead of telling you how I felt I said something stupid."
William shook his head. "Don't think of it. It doesn't matter, not now. I love you Buffy, more than I ever have before, though I wouldn't have thought it possible. But it's true."
Buffy pulled back slightly and said, "Now, I think we should do something we've never done before."
"And that would be?"
"Make love," she said and started to unbutton his shirt.
"I can't think of anything I'd rather do luv, but Jezeil will come looking for me soon and I don't fancy being interrupted."
"He won't be looking for you," she said, moving on to his belt buckle
"Sure are you?"
"How do you think I knew which room was yours? Now, you're falling behind here."
"I beg your pardon," he said and lifted her shirt over her head.
It took them much longer than it ever had before to remove all their clothing but neither of them minded. The candles flickered and sent shadows dancing around the room and over their bodies. For the first time in their relationship they made love. It was gentle, but intense. No furniture was broken and they did not end up on the floor. But they were one now, no barriers left between them.
Giles wandered around the garden until he came upon Jezeil. "Have you seen Buffy?"
Jezeil's eyebrows rose up. "She needed a bit of time to herself so I gave her a room for the night. She needs a good night's rest."
"Well, I think the rest of us are ready to go home. The girls are crashing after the adrenaline overload."
"You go on. I'll let her know you've gone. She'll be back in the morning."
Giles removed his glasses, cleaned them and put them back. "I wanted to thank you."
Jezeil shook his head. "There is no need. We were just doing our job."
Giles held his hand out and Jezeil shook it.
After some lengthy goodbyes Giles led his group home. They would sleep well that night. Jezeil and the rest of the Hamatra watched them go. Soon they too said their farewells and dispersed. Amaya and Hester teleported out and Jezeil sent Philippe, Marie, and Ian back to their homes. Jezeil waved a hand and all the lights went out in the garden. He and Lenore entered the house and sat down side by side on the couch. Then they waited Lenore with her head on her husband's shoulder. They did not wait too long.
Buffy and William came down the stairs hand in hand. After looking around Buffy asked, "Where is everyone?"
"They went home," answered Jezeil. I told them you would stay here tonight. They'll be expecting you in the morning."
William stepped forward and said, "I'm not going to London."
Both Lenore and Jezeil laughed. "We never thought you would," he said. "I am going to leave you with this house. You can stay in it or not. I bought it for a song and it may be a nice place to come when we need a bit of quiet, and to visit with you of course.
"It's time for goodbye; we are not staying the night. I desperately want to sleep in my own bed."
He and Lenore stood up. Lenore hugged Buffy and then William, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "We will see you soon. There will always be work for the Hamatra to do."
Jezeil smiled down at Buffy. She hugged him tightly and said, "Thank you. For everything."
"It was my pleasure, Buffy." He turned to William then.
They hugged for a long moment. William stepped back and with a catch in his voice said, "I owe you my life. Anytime you need me, I will be there."
"We'll see you soon. Now go on up. Life is waiting."
Jezeil held out his hand to Lenore. She took it, then he snapped his fingers and they were gone.
When Buffy and William arrived at her house the next morning they found the place in an uproar. All the Potentials were packing and getting ready to go. Giles had arranged plane tickets for all of them first thing that morning. Cabs were coming to take them to the airport. Only Kennedy would be returning later after she spent some time at home.
Buffy stood by the door and hugged each one as she went out the door. Buffy wished them luck and a good life. Amanda was the last one out. She was going to walk home and then spend a few days talking to her parents before starting her training in earnest.
"I'm here for you," Buffy said. "If you have any questions, or just need a shoulder to cry on give me a call."
"Thanks. I think it's going to take a while to sink in. But I'm going to be all right."
Then she was gone and the house was quiet. Buffy entered the living room and looked around at her friends. William stood apart from the others. She walked over to him and slipped her arm through his, pulling him closer to the others. She felt blissful.
"So, who's up for some breakfast? I say we go to the diner and have someone wait on us."
All together they went out and walked down Revello Drive. The sun was climbing higher in a blue sky and a soft breeze was blowing. It was going to be a wonderful day.
The End
Well, there it is. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm grateful for all the feedback and encouragement. I've been thinking that maybe Jezeil needs his own story, outside of the Buffyverse. What do you think?