Chapter Thirteen: Breakdown

Giles rolled his eyes at Spike's comment and his use of the old nickname. When he had first gifted Ethan with his true name, his lover had been honored. As a wizard, he knew just how much power names had, especially to a being such as Ri'par. He also knew that he could never actually use that name except in private, so he'd come up with a rather brilliant solution. Using Ripper as a nickname, nobody even considered that it was Rupert Giles' true name. Even those who might suspect couldn't use it against the Faerie as the pronunciation was just different enough to not be dangerous.

"Perhaps not in the sense you mean, Spike, but yes, I suppose I am. Of course, that's certainly not something to hold against me, as I know what you did with your life before being Turned, William."

Spike's pale skin actually managed to tinge pink a bit as he thought of his past. He took one last drag on his cigarette before putting it out idly in the palm of his hand and then throwing the stub away. He watched the small burn heal, seemingly fascinated, and then started heading for the door. "Right then. I'm gone. There's still a bit of night left to prowl. Gonna join me Slayer? Nothing like killing to take your mind off things."

Buffy hesitated for a moment and looked to her Watcher, still prone on the bed. Giles, knowing she'd need time to process everything that she'd just learned, nodded. She could take her frustrations out on the demons stupid enough to get in her way and when she came back, she'd be better able to help plan their defense against the Master Vampire since it was assured that he would try again for the armband.

Permission gained, Buffy followed Spike out of the room and out of the house, intent on doing violence to the demon population of Sunnydale. Giles then looked to the remaining three teenagers, who gazed back at him questioningly.

"And perhaps you should head back home, get some sleep. Tomorrow will be time enough to plan."

Willow nodded and started out the door, herding Xander a bit, and Tara followed. "We'll be back tomorrow, Giles. You get some sleep too. You really need it."

Xander agreed, "Yeah, Fairy Man, you went through hell today. Better get some rest."

Willow shook her head in annoyance and dragged Xander out as he wondered aloud what he'd said, what he'd done wrong this time.

Finally, the two men heard the front door closing and knew they were alone in the house. Ri'par's body sagged, all energy leaving his form. Ethan noticed immediately and helped the Faerie lie back down from his position against the headboard. Then he sat leaned against the headboard himself and stroked Ri'par's long hair.

"Physically, you're almost completely healed, but the boy was right, Ripper. You went through hell and you need to rest."

Ri'par shook his head, keeping his eyes closed. "I'm not sure I can sleep. I'll just dream"

Ethan's hand paused on Ri'par's head, then resumed its motion. "You'll recover. This has happened before."

Ri'par's eyes fixed onto Ethan's seriously. "Not like this. With Eyghon, I chose to be a part of the circle."

"I meant with Angelus. I remember coming back into town, finding you just out of the hospital, your Slayer run away. He tortured you, raped you. You were jumpy for weeks. Thank the gods the children didn't know I was here"

"And that my father was in another realm and couldn't come after you?"

"I couldn't leave you alone, Ripper. Not after what happened. And I won't leave you alone now."

A tear trickled down from the Faerie's glittering eye. He smiled sadly. "Thank you. I fear I will have need of your support. This timeit was much worse than with Angelus."

Ethan turned quizzical. "How so? Your injuries this time weren't nearly as bad. Some burns, the arrow in your arm, a lot of shallow cuts, and of course the rape, but that happened before as well. But no broken bones, nothing reallycreative." He shivered a little at the memory of what had been done to his beloved.

"No, butwhen Angelus had me, it was partially my decision to remain. You see, if I had been willing to reveal what I am, I could have easily gotten away. Angelus was not prepared for a Faerie prisoner, though I have no doubt that he would have been delighted to have one. But a simple glamour would have fooled him long enough for me to escape. II allowed what happened. I willingly stayed in that situation to protect myself and to help Buffy."

"And this time?" Ethan's voice was soft.

"They had cold iron, Ethan." Ri'par's voice was that of a scared child and a tremble ran through his body. "Do you realize what that does to us? How much it hurts to be cut off from your powers, unable to create even the simplest of spells?"

Ethan shuddered just thinking about it and pulled the older, and yet somehow, younger man towards him in a comforting embrace. He pressed a kiss to Ri'par's forehead.

"You're safe now. No one will bind you, no one will hurt you. I'm here and I'll stay with you, protect you."

Ethan whispered comforting words and the man he held relaxed. Ri'par murmured indistinctly as he started to drop off to a much-needed sleep. Ethan continued stroking his hair, lying down and arranging himself next to the slumbering Faerie.

"I'll always be here for you, Ri'par. I love you."