****And you thought I would be updating more. didn't ya? Well I did to,
until my pc went wacky on me and most of my programs decided to revolt. I
haven't even been able to get online until today really. Spent last night
installing all my stuff. again.
Once Upon A time: Part Two
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"I did send it Edward." Crawford assured the thin man still seated behind the desk.
"I do not doubt your word. I am simply stating a fact. We only received two of the four crates you sent over. We must recover these materials. They could be beneficial to future Watchers and Slayers. You must recover these items. I hold you responsible for them."
Crawford had just arrived, and was immediately ushered into the Head Watcher's office. He had yet to go to his apartment before the inquiry as to the location of the missing packages had begun. "The crates may simply be being held off for shipping to make room for more needed supplies." Emerson suggested.
"If so, there should be no problem obtaining them." Graves answered quickly and set back to work on the papers laid out on the desk.
Emerson began to fume, but held his temper in check. "Very well. I will begin my search in the morning."
"You will begin as of now. And you will not stop until your notes are in these walls." The Head spoke without looking up.
Crawford clenched his fists. "Of course, Sir." And turned before he said anything else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hurry!" Ashton whispered forcefully to the group huddled together.
Dark skies hung above them in the high grass. Uncut and unkempt in this area. An area not as heavily guarded but was separated by the fences that took time to cut through and climb over. The two young men, the aged man and a young woman with a toddler son were his charges in this particular trek towards the boarder.
The young man holding a piece of fence aside had a bright grin that showed a spirit not too often found anymore. He helped the old man and quieted the toddler when they had to hide.
The old man, a rabbi who hadn't been allowed to recognize the Sabbath in so long that the idea rarely even hit him to do so when the time came and went in the last few years. Now he prayed fervently to God while he lent a hand to the young mother following him with a tired boy. The last young man went through the gap in the sliced linked fence and motioned for the man guiding the group to follow as he held the fence aside.
Ashton ducked and went through, motioning for the others to run towards the woods only a few hundred meters away. They were almost to the next checkpoint.
Not always knowing what or who you were running from was something the former vampire was used to, but a scared group of humans usually weren't.
In this case though, these people had been scared for so long that the fear was now ingrained. So they ran for all they were worth, Ashton carrying the boy and pressing the others on.
Finally they were under the cover of the trees. Ashton set the boy down, who ran instantly to his mother. One of the young men helped the old man sit and rest before they had to get going again. The other young man approached Ashton.
"How much further?"
Ashton took a few deep breathes trying to slow down his heart rate and looked around before answering. "Not long. Just down that road a few hours and the boat is waiting."
The young man nodded and looked back to the others now talking amongst themselves. He saw something moving in the woods and became stiff. "Someone is out there."
Ashton squinted and looked as best he could into the darkness. Sometimes he missed his vampiric senses.
The movement was definitely getting closer. "Everyone," Ashton looked to the small band. "Take cover."
Quickly the others gathered what little they had and hid amongst the brush. Before the boy could be quieted, Ashton realized it was a false alarm. "Sam." He grinned. "You're loosing your touch. Isaac saw you coming in."
Sam smiled back and strode up to her husband. "The area is clear, and you knew I was coming. I didn't see a need to hide."
Ashton shook his head at her then pointed out the group. "They're tired, but ready to go."
"Good." Sam said and walked up to the group now out of their hiding places and gathered together waiting for the next leg of the trip to begin. The young mother and son caught her attention. Most families were like this, missing members. "We better get going." She said and led them deeper into the woods.
The young mother looked back to the road then to Sam as they headed out. "I thought we were going to follow the path?"
Sam smiled at her and began to explain while she lead. "We are, just not on the path." She pointed ahead. "A vehicle is waiting for us. We should be there in a few minutes."
"Mommy? Are we taking a boat now?" The boy pulled on the worn pant leg hanging from the mother's body.
"Soon Leonard. Very soon." The mother patted her son's head and picked him up to save his strength.
"He's adorable." Sam reached over and ruffled the boy's auburn hair.
The proud mother smiled. "Yes. Our pride and joy." She said sadly then took in a deep breath before tears could come. "I was never worried, when I carried him, if I would have a son or a daughter, but since his father." She let her sentence run off and whispered. "Is it bad to be glad he's a boy, just so he can carry on my husband's name?"
Sam found herself unable to give a proper answer for a moment. The question just caught her off guard. It seemed like an odd question to her. She never worried about a name carried on. It seemed like a strange point to be concerned about at such a time. But then again, she thought to herself, I've never been a young mother going to a strange new place to live, alone but for a child who would depend on her for everything.
"No, I don't think its bad at all." Sam finally decided.
The mother now with tears in her eyes and fear for the future looked down to her son. "Leonard Rosenberg, you hold your name with pride." The mother requested.
Sam nearly choked on the air. The name was instantly recognized.
Ashton walked with the young men and helped the old man as they traveled to the hidden vehicle that would take them the rest of the way. So far the rescue had gone according to plan, or at least well enough that all of the people he'd left with were still walking with him.
He looked past the trees trying to make out the form of the hidden truck and instead saw Sam stiffen.
Her steps looked forced for a few paces, then the truck was in view.
Sam ran ahead and brushed the leaves and sticks off the hood and sides before climbing into the driver's seat and testing the engine. Ashton went to the back and helped the others get into the curtain-covered cab.
Sam cut the engine and went to the back to make sure everyone got in all right. "The engine is fine. As long as we don't run into any unexpected caravans we should have you all on your way in a couple of hours. Try to get some sleep."
Ashton lifted the boy to his mother and they settled in the cab next to the Rabbi. The two young men stayed near the exit to keep an eye out.
The two rescuers drew the curtains of the cab closed before heading up front and climbing in the vehicle.
Once they were out of the woods and on the road, Ashton looked over to his wife, who somehow always ended up doing the driving. "What was that back there?"
"What was what?" Sam asked and kept her eyes on the dark dirt road ahead.
Ashton looked from the road to the woman sitting beside him. "You were cold to the mother, not at all like you. What happened?"
Sam glanced at him before shaking her head. "It's just a coincidence. I'm sure."
"What is?"
She sighed. "The mother, her last name is the same as one of Buffy's friends. I know, I made a point to remember it, all of them."
Ashton nodded more to himself than her while contemplating the 'coincidence', as Sam put it. "Well then, we'll just have to make sure she and her son make it, won't we?"
Sam turned a corner and continued. "Don't we always?" And she grinned widely at him.
True to their word, they saw the entire group board the oversized freighter passage had been arranged on before heading back to their temporary home. A makeshift bunker/meeting place for others like them. Other fighting in what little ways they could.
The air was usually stifled, and the people solemn with only one mindset. A large dimly lit room with worn wood walls and several small round tables, generally filled with maps and paper was the main entrance. Chairs were strewn about and usually the small radio sat in the back of the room.
Usually.
As soon as they came in, both knew something was wrong. Or maybe wrong wasn't the word for it. The couple had been gone for a week, and what they saw looked like a five-man celebration.
The transistor radio, that resembled a mesh of wire more than a radio, sat in front of the room going on in English. A male voice kept spewing out details but the one thing both heard was, "And it is over."
Just as the words registered a man ran up to them. His beard was scraggly, as was his brown hair, but his eyes shone. "You're back! Have you heard?"
Ashton looked at the room and the other four men singing and drinking. "Apparently we have not. What is it?"
"It's over. The German's. they're surrendered."
Sam blinked several times and crinkled her brow. "They what?"
"That's right." One of the other men came up. This one had silver hair but his face was devoid of wrinkles. "We've done it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Twelve years Later.
~~~
Sam walked into her small home unable to think properly. Each beat of her heart seemed to tare through her when she came to understand the real cost, and again she started to cry.
She dropped her handbag beside the door and leaned against the wall behind while she crumpled to the floor. "You didn't say." She began and shook her head violently. "It's not fair. We did what we were supposed to!" She screamed at the white ceiling above her before breaking out in another fit of angry tears.
Her fists pounded worthlessly against the carpeted floor while tears continued streaming down her face. She couldn't stop the shaking of her head or the mantra from continuing in light whispers between weak gasps. "We did what we were supposed to."
As her words repeated flashes of random memory hit her. Her life growing up, training. Her years fighting, hiding and saving. Leaving her life and loved ones behind forever when they came to the states and moved as far West as possible without actually moving to California.
They'd even made a good home and life for themselves. Ashton the former vampire found himself at home by once again facing one of his most ingrained immortal fears. He was now on the local fire brigade, or as the Americans called it, and he never could get right, even now, The Fire Department.
Sam went back to school, and didn't seem to want to leave. She worked part time at the museum, educating visitors on times gone by to pay for her love of learning.
Children hadn't really been on their minds, the prevention, nor the expectation. But Sam had always been as regular as the turning of the planet itself. So when three days had gone by and she had yet to receive the visitor most women dread, and since she had no in-laws that only leaves on thing, her first action was to make a doctors appointment without mentioning it to Ashton so she could surprise him.
But the surprise was hers. One word was all the doctor could offer. "Scarring."
Sam was sure he'd gone into more detail. She looked down at her purse and was reminded of the papers he'd given her to explain it, but the point was she would never have a child.
It was then it hit her. The Powers had taken Ashton's Immortality, and the closest thing a human can have to it. The ability to reproduce.
~~~
Sam remembered it all like it happened yesterday, but it had been more than ten years ago. She looked at the wall behind the door as she stood in the entrance to the kitchen and walked to Ashton with the young man sitting on the couch beside him while the boy described his day. "And Jason just showed her the snake. It's not like he made her hold it or anything."
Sam walked in and sat on the recliner. "Now David, I'm sure you know that isn't the point." She chastised him and looked back to Ashton.
In the last few months, she'd noticed the graying at her husband's temples, and found herself amused by it. A vampire, aging. She couldn't get over it.
Of course the first time she spotted the beginnings of a wrinkle, it was no laughing matter.
"I know Sam, but Shirly's just so. well she's not like you." He smiled at her. And the sweet look on his face told the foster parent that he was going to try to get away with the incident at school unscathed.
"Oh, how is that?" Ashton asked his foster son.
The brown haired, blue eyed boy turned so he could face the broad figure beside him. "Are you kidding? She's so. she's just so."
Sam smiled at the boy when he wasn't looking before sharing a knowing glance with her husband. "Too much of a girl?" Sam offered the boy her words.
"Yeah." He nodded agreeing wholeheartedly. "A girl. And with her curls." He made a face of disgust.
Ashton patted the boys shoulder. "Alright then, head off to your room. Sam and I'll have to talk this over while you think about how you can avoid helping Jason torture your classmates."
David stood up and walked to the hall that led to his room. He turned back with a truly sorrowful look in his eyes. "I'll stop finding the snakes, but really, Jason was right."
Sam raised her brow. "About what?"
"When she screamed her whole face turned red. Right down her neck and-" David began to explain.
"That will be enough." Ashton said and held a hand up to halt the boys sentence.
"Yes, Sir." David turned and went into the first door on the left.
Ashton looked from the hall back to Sam. "Well?"
Sam smiled and gathered up the glasses that had been filled with juice a moment before and walked into the kitchen with Ashton following. "I think it's obvious. He likes the girl." Sam explained.
Ashton pulled out a chair at he four-seat kitchen table and lowered himself into it. "Well, yes. But what are you going to tell him?"
Sam chuckled and turned from the sink now filling with bubbled water. "Me?"
He waved a hand at her. "Well yes. Isn't that what the mother does?"
Sam shook her head. "Possibly if I was his true mother, or if he'd been with us as long as the others, yes. But I am not." She took a few steps towards him and placed a hand on his arm. "He needs a man to tell him what to expect. No me."
Ashton peered past the entry to the kitchen and towards the young man's door. "But he is only thirteen." He protested.
Again Sam shook her head. "I know it's been some time for you, but thirteen isn't exactly a child. Not these days." She began scrubbing the few dishes she had and set them aside to dry on a towel still keeping up the conversation. "Besides, I have a meal to make. Kenna and Breanna will be home soon."
Ashton perked up. "Breanna is only seven, but Kenna, she's nearly twelve."
"And we've already had the discussion." Sam finished for him. "So go on before the girls come home. You know as well as I do they will want details from David."
With one final gruff Ashton stood. "I had to insist on one boy." And with that he shuffled out towards the worst moment in any parent's life. "The Talk"
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Another Ten years have passed.
Ashton sat beside his wife and watched the procession. Each young man and woman in line, ready to begin the next part of their life and among them was one of their children. Now their home had housed eleven children over the years, most permanently. Usually teens who'd been turned down by most other homes, but somehow turned around while in their care.
Breanna was an exception. The girl had been with them since her 5th year, and now was graduating from High School. Her short gold locks peaked out from under her brown cap and she looked for the filled row of family and smiled when her eyes graced Sam and Ashton's broad grins.
Beside her foster parents were David and his wife with their child, and Kenna of course, but now there were also Kate; 15 years old, along with Gavin and Stuart: 9-year-old twins. The room David had once lived in now held two new brothers, and she would be sharing her room with Kate for another few months before she headed off to University herself.
Each face, new and old, were her connection and when she took the scroll of paper from the dean and shook his hand she was thankful for the chance she was given.
After the ceremony was over, The Emersons and their charges waited for the newest graduate to share hugs and good wishes with friends before heading out with her family for a dinner celebration.
"Now Bree, when all those college boys start hitting on you, I want you to let them in on the fact you have a big brother." David joked with her and walked t one of the cars lined up at the back of the parking lot of the High School.
"Sam, would you tell David I'm not ten anymore, and to leave me be." The young blonde said to her mother while opening the door to the van Ashton owned.
David unlocked his sedan and waited for his wife and child to get in before turning around and sticking his tongue out at her.
Kenna laughed.
"I would, but you both are acting like children." Sam stated simply and waited for the twins and Kate to seat themselves before giving Breanna a hand so she wouldn't ruin her gown. She shut the door and turned to open the passenger side door before realizing she didn't have her purse.
"Lose something?" Ashton asked when he saw her looking at the ground.
"My purse." She said and looked back to the school. "I'll be right back." She said and turned to head back.
Sam made the short walk back in no time and soon found her purse stuffed under the seat she'd been in. Nothing was missing so she headed back out with out even noticing the young man walking behind her. Not until she passed a row of shelves filled with trophies and plaques the school had earned that was shielded by glass. The man's reflection was there, which was a good sign, but she knew he was following her, which was not.
After turning a corner she stopped and waited for him. He did.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the wall, holding him there with very little trouble. "Why are you following me?"
The young man, dressed in a leather Jacket and a flannel shirt with worn black trousers just looked more fearful than threatening.
"Should I repeat myself?" Sam asked and pressed the boy against the wall with what she knew was all of her strength. The young man didn't seem aware of this fact though.
"My God. You are her." He said in a breathy whisper.
Sam loosened her grip but didn't let go. "Who?"
He eyed her and tried to give her a bad boy grin, but when she tightened her grip on his lapels he only cringed. "Her. The lost Slayer." He said as if that answered it all.
Sam tired to act confused. "A what. Slaver?"
This time the young man did chuckle. "Don't play dumb with me swee'eart. Oh yea, I've got your number, Sam."
This time Sam let him go. "Young man, whatever you think you know, I suggest you forget."
The boy straightened his jacket out and shook his head. "I can't. They expect me to. But I won't." He grinned again. "And it's all due to you." He pulled a cigarette from his ear and went to light it. "You and your watcher that is."
Sam's eyes widened. "Who are you?"
The kid took a long drag and looked back at her. "'M no one you'd know." He said but held out his hand anyway. "Name's Ripper by reputation, Rupert Giles if you ask the ol' man."
Sam hadn't felt this sinking feeling in a long time. The sound of a familiar name she shouldn't know. "Rupert? Giles?"
Rupert leaned against the wall and flicked the ash off his smoke. "Yeah, 'eard of me 'ave ya?"
Sam was about to say something, but then thought better of it and started again. "I know the name Giles. Your mother is a watcher isn't she?"
"At's right."
Sam looked around again and saw they were alone except for a few lingering students. "Why are you here then? Shouldn't you be, training or something?"
"Should be, but not." Ripper grinned again, then tossed what was left of his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out uncaring of the tiles lining the hallway floor. "Heading off to meet a few mates here ina bit, but 'ad to see for myself."
Sam shook her head. "See what? Does the Council know about-?"
"Don't worry your pretty head 'bout it. Came across a lost shipment of books few months back. Had to see it for myself. Took me a spell to find you though."
"Books? Diaries!" Sam nearly yelped.
"Some. Keepin it though. My own personal collection." He said snidely before turning to walk away.
"Wait!" Sam ran to him. "You can't keep them. Some one could find them. If The Council finds me."
Giles looked back at her. 'They won't. Don't much care for 'elpin' them out. Specially just to find some old woman."
"Old!?" Sam placed her hands on her hips.
"Though you have aged well." He winked at her.
"I need those books." Sam tossed off his comment.
Giles studied her a moment, then nodded. "One."
"What?"
"Choose one, I'll get it to ya." Rupert stated.
Sam looked out the double doors on the other side of the hall to a van waiting for her. "Alright."
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I'm guessing on years here. We all know Giles was not a good little watcher boy, so I'm taking liberties. LoL.
Once Upon A time: Part Two
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"I did send it Edward." Crawford assured the thin man still seated behind the desk.
"I do not doubt your word. I am simply stating a fact. We only received two of the four crates you sent over. We must recover these materials. They could be beneficial to future Watchers and Slayers. You must recover these items. I hold you responsible for them."
Crawford had just arrived, and was immediately ushered into the Head Watcher's office. He had yet to go to his apartment before the inquiry as to the location of the missing packages had begun. "The crates may simply be being held off for shipping to make room for more needed supplies." Emerson suggested.
"If so, there should be no problem obtaining them." Graves answered quickly and set back to work on the papers laid out on the desk.
Emerson began to fume, but held his temper in check. "Very well. I will begin my search in the morning."
"You will begin as of now. And you will not stop until your notes are in these walls." The Head spoke without looking up.
Crawford clenched his fists. "Of course, Sir." And turned before he said anything else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hurry!" Ashton whispered forcefully to the group huddled together.
Dark skies hung above them in the high grass. Uncut and unkempt in this area. An area not as heavily guarded but was separated by the fences that took time to cut through and climb over. The two young men, the aged man and a young woman with a toddler son were his charges in this particular trek towards the boarder.
The young man holding a piece of fence aside had a bright grin that showed a spirit not too often found anymore. He helped the old man and quieted the toddler when they had to hide.
The old man, a rabbi who hadn't been allowed to recognize the Sabbath in so long that the idea rarely even hit him to do so when the time came and went in the last few years. Now he prayed fervently to God while he lent a hand to the young mother following him with a tired boy. The last young man went through the gap in the sliced linked fence and motioned for the man guiding the group to follow as he held the fence aside.
Ashton ducked and went through, motioning for the others to run towards the woods only a few hundred meters away. They were almost to the next checkpoint.
Not always knowing what or who you were running from was something the former vampire was used to, but a scared group of humans usually weren't.
In this case though, these people had been scared for so long that the fear was now ingrained. So they ran for all they were worth, Ashton carrying the boy and pressing the others on.
Finally they were under the cover of the trees. Ashton set the boy down, who ran instantly to his mother. One of the young men helped the old man sit and rest before they had to get going again. The other young man approached Ashton.
"How much further?"
Ashton took a few deep breathes trying to slow down his heart rate and looked around before answering. "Not long. Just down that road a few hours and the boat is waiting."
The young man nodded and looked back to the others now talking amongst themselves. He saw something moving in the woods and became stiff. "Someone is out there."
Ashton squinted and looked as best he could into the darkness. Sometimes he missed his vampiric senses.
The movement was definitely getting closer. "Everyone," Ashton looked to the small band. "Take cover."
Quickly the others gathered what little they had and hid amongst the brush. Before the boy could be quieted, Ashton realized it was a false alarm. "Sam." He grinned. "You're loosing your touch. Isaac saw you coming in."
Sam smiled back and strode up to her husband. "The area is clear, and you knew I was coming. I didn't see a need to hide."
Ashton shook his head at her then pointed out the group. "They're tired, but ready to go."
"Good." Sam said and walked up to the group now out of their hiding places and gathered together waiting for the next leg of the trip to begin. The young mother and son caught her attention. Most families were like this, missing members. "We better get going." She said and led them deeper into the woods.
The young mother looked back to the road then to Sam as they headed out. "I thought we were going to follow the path?"
Sam smiled at her and began to explain while she lead. "We are, just not on the path." She pointed ahead. "A vehicle is waiting for us. We should be there in a few minutes."
"Mommy? Are we taking a boat now?" The boy pulled on the worn pant leg hanging from the mother's body.
"Soon Leonard. Very soon." The mother patted her son's head and picked him up to save his strength.
"He's adorable." Sam reached over and ruffled the boy's auburn hair.
The proud mother smiled. "Yes. Our pride and joy." She said sadly then took in a deep breath before tears could come. "I was never worried, when I carried him, if I would have a son or a daughter, but since his father." She let her sentence run off and whispered. "Is it bad to be glad he's a boy, just so he can carry on my husband's name?"
Sam found herself unable to give a proper answer for a moment. The question just caught her off guard. It seemed like an odd question to her. She never worried about a name carried on. It seemed like a strange point to be concerned about at such a time. But then again, she thought to herself, I've never been a young mother going to a strange new place to live, alone but for a child who would depend on her for everything.
"No, I don't think its bad at all." Sam finally decided.
The mother now with tears in her eyes and fear for the future looked down to her son. "Leonard Rosenberg, you hold your name with pride." The mother requested.
Sam nearly choked on the air. The name was instantly recognized.
Ashton walked with the young men and helped the old man as they traveled to the hidden vehicle that would take them the rest of the way. So far the rescue had gone according to plan, or at least well enough that all of the people he'd left with were still walking with him.
He looked past the trees trying to make out the form of the hidden truck and instead saw Sam stiffen.
Her steps looked forced for a few paces, then the truck was in view.
Sam ran ahead and brushed the leaves and sticks off the hood and sides before climbing into the driver's seat and testing the engine. Ashton went to the back and helped the others get into the curtain-covered cab.
Sam cut the engine and went to the back to make sure everyone got in all right. "The engine is fine. As long as we don't run into any unexpected caravans we should have you all on your way in a couple of hours. Try to get some sleep."
Ashton lifted the boy to his mother and they settled in the cab next to the Rabbi. The two young men stayed near the exit to keep an eye out.
The two rescuers drew the curtains of the cab closed before heading up front and climbing in the vehicle.
Once they were out of the woods and on the road, Ashton looked over to his wife, who somehow always ended up doing the driving. "What was that back there?"
"What was what?" Sam asked and kept her eyes on the dark dirt road ahead.
Ashton looked from the road to the woman sitting beside him. "You were cold to the mother, not at all like you. What happened?"
Sam glanced at him before shaking her head. "It's just a coincidence. I'm sure."
"What is?"
She sighed. "The mother, her last name is the same as one of Buffy's friends. I know, I made a point to remember it, all of them."
Ashton nodded more to himself than her while contemplating the 'coincidence', as Sam put it. "Well then, we'll just have to make sure she and her son make it, won't we?"
Sam turned a corner and continued. "Don't we always?" And she grinned widely at him.
True to their word, they saw the entire group board the oversized freighter passage had been arranged on before heading back to their temporary home. A makeshift bunker/meeting place for others like them. Other fighting in what little ways they could.
The air was usually stifled, and the people solemn with only one mindset. A large dimly lit room with worn wood walls and several small round tables, generally filled with maps and paper was the main entrance. Chairs were strewn about and usually the small radio sat in the back of the room.
Usually.
As soon as they came in, both knew something was wrong. Or maybe wrong wasn't the word for it. The couple had been gone for a week, and what they saw looked like a five-man celebration.
The transistor radio, that resembled a mesh of wire more than a radio, sat in front of the room going on in English. A male voice kept spewing out details but the one thing both heard was, "And it is over."
Just as the words registered a man ran up to them. His beard was scraggly, as was his brown hair, but his eyes shone. "You're back! Have you heard?"
Ashton looked at the room and the other four men singing and drinking. "Apparently we have not. What is it?"
"It's over. The German's. they're surrendered."
Sam blinked several times and crinkled her brow. "They what?"
"That's right." One of the other men came up. This one had silver hair but his face was devoid of wrinkles. "We've done it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Twelve years Later.
~~~
Sam walked into her small home unable to think properly. Each beat of her heart seemed to tare through her when she came to understand the real cost, and again she started to cry.
She dropped her handbag beside the door and leaned against the wall behind while she crumpled to the floor. "You didn't say." She began and shook her head violently. "It's not fair. We did what we were supposed to!" She screamed at the white ceiling above her before breaking out in another fit of angry tears.
Her fists pounded worthlessly against the carpeted floor while tears continued streaming down her face. She couldn't stop the shaking of her head or the mantra from continuing in light whispers between weak gasps. "We did what we were supposed to."
As her words repeated flashes of random memory hit her. Her life growing up, training. Her years fighting, hiding and saving. Leaving her life and loved ones behind forever when they came to the states and moved as far West as possible without actually moving to California.
They'd even made a good home and life for themselves. Ashton the former vampire found himself at home by once again facing one of his most ingrained immortal fears. He was now on the local fire brigade, or as the Americans called it, and he never could get right, even now, The Fire Department.
Sam went back to school, and didn't seem to want to leave. She worked part time at the museum, educating visitors on times gone by to pay for her love of learning.
Children hadn't really been on their minds, the prevention, nor the expectation. But Sam had always been as regular as the turning of the planet itself. So when three days had gone by and she had yet to receive the visitor most women dread, and since she had no in-laws that only leaves on thing, her first action was to make a doctors appointment without mentioning it to Ashton so she could surprise him.
But the surprise was hers. One word was all the doctor could offer. "Scarring."
Sam was sure he'd gone into more detail. She looked down at her purse and was reminded of the papers he'd given her to explain it, but the point was she would never have a child.
It was then it hit her. The Powers had taken Ashton's Immortality, and the closest thing a human can have to it. The ability to reproduce.
~~~
Sam remembered it all like it happened yesterday, but it had been more than ten years ago. She looked at the wall behind the door as she stood in the entrance to the kitchen and walked to Ashton with the young man sitting on the couch beside him while the boy described his day. "And Jason just showed her the snake. It's not like he made her hold it or anything."
Sam walked in and sat on the recliner. "Now David, I'm sure you know that isn't the point." She chastised him and looked back to Ashton.
In the last few months, she'd noticed the graying at her husband's temples, and found herself amused by it. A vampire, aging. She couldn't get over it.
Of course the first time she spotted the beginnings of a wrinkle, it was no laughing matter.
"I know Sam, but Shirly's just so. well she's not like you." He smiled at her. And the sweet look on his face told the foster parent that he was going to try to get away with the incident at school unscathed.
"Oh, how is that?" Ashton asked his foster son.
The brown haired, blue eyed boy turned so he could face the broad figure beside him. "Are you kidding? She's so. she's just so."
Sam smiled at the boy when he wasn't looking before sharing a knowing glance with her husband. "Too much of a girl?" Sam offered the boy her words.
"Yeah." He nodded agreeing wholeheartedly. "A girl. And with her curls." He made a face of disgust.
Ashton patted the boys shoulder. "Alright then, head off to your room. Sam and I'll have to talk this over while you think about how you can avoid helping Jason torture your classmates."
David stood up and walked to the hall that led to his room. He turned back with a truly sorrowful look in his eyes. "I'll stop finding the snakes, but really, Jason was right."
Sam raised her brow. "About what?"
"When she screamed her whole face turned red. Right down her neck and-" David began to explain.
"That will be enough." Ashton said and held a hand up to halt the boys sentence.
"Yes, Sir." David turned and went into the first door on the left.
Ashton looked from the hall back to Sam. "Well?"
Sam smiled and gathered up the glasses that had been filled with juice a moment before and walked into the kitchen with Ashton following. "I think it's obvious. He likes the girl." Sam explained.
Ashton pulled out a chair at he four-seat kitchen table and lowered himself into it. "Well, yes. But what are you going to tell him?"
Sam chuckled and turned from the sink now filling with bubbled water. "Me?"
He waved a hand at her. "Well yes. Isn't that what the mother does?"
Sam shook her head. "Possibly if I was his true mother, or if he'd been with us as long as the others, yes. But I am not." She took a few steps towards him and placed a hand on his arm. "He needs a man to tell him what to expect. No me."
Ashton peered past the entry to the kitchen and towards the young man's door. "But he is only thirteen." He protested.
Again Sam shook her head. "I know it's been some time for you, but thirteen isn't exactly a child. Not these days." She began scrubbing the few dishes she had and set them aside to dry on a towel still keeping up the conversation. "Besides, I have a meal to make. Kenna and Breanna will be home soon."
Ashton perked up. "Breanna is only seven, but Kenna, she's nearly twelve."
"And we've already had the discussion." Sam finished for him. "So go on before the girls come home. You know as well as I do they will want details from David."
With one final gruff Ashton stood. "I had to insist on one boy." And with that he shuffled out towards the worst moment in any parent's life. "The Talk"
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Another Ten years have passed.
Ashton sat beside his wife and watched the procession. Each young man and woman in line, ready to begin the next part of their life and among them was one of their children. Now their home had housed eleven children over the years, most permanently. Usually teens who'd been turned down by most other homes, but somehow turned around while in their care.
Breanna was an exception. The girl had been with them since her 5th year, and now was graduating from High School. Her short gold locks peaked out from under her brown cap and she looked for the filled row of family and smiled when her eyes graced Sam and Ashton's broad grins.
Beside her foster parents were David and his wife with their child, and Kenna of course, but now there were also Kate; 15 years old, along with Gavin and Stuart: 9-year-old twins. The room David had once lived in now held two new brothers, and she would be sharing her room with Kate for another few months before she headed off to University herself.
Each face, new and old, were her connection and when she took the scroll of paper from the dean and shook his hand she was thankful for the chance she was given.
After the ceremony was over, The Emersons and their charges waited for the newest graduate to share hugs and good wishes with friends before heading out with her family for a dinner celebration.
"Now Bree, when all those college boys start hitting on you, I want you to let them in on the fact you have a big brother." David joked with her and walked t one of the cars lined up at the back of the parking lot of the High School.
"Sam, would you tell David I'm not ten anymore, and to leave me be." The young blonde said to her mother while opening the door to the van Ashton owned.
David unlocked his sedan and waited for his wife and child to get in before turning around and sticking his tongue out at her.
Kenna laughed.
"I would, but you both are acting like children." Sam stated simply and waited for the twins and Kate to seat themselves before giving Breanna a hand so she wouldn't ruin her gown. She shut the door and turned to open the passenger side door before realizing she didn't have her purse.
"Lose something?" Ashton asked when he saw her looking at the ground.
"My purse." She said and looked back to the school. "I'll be right back." She said and turned to head back.
Sam made the short walk back in no time and soon found her purse stuffed under the seat she'd been in. Nothing was missing so she headed back out with out even noticing the young man walking behind her. Not until she passed a row of shelves filled with trophies and plaques the school had earned that was shielded by glass. The man's reflection was there, which was a good sign, but she knew he was following her, which was not.
After turning a corner she stopped and waited for him. He did.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the wall, holding him there with very little trouble. "Why are you following me?"
The young man, dressed in a leather Jacket and a flannel shirt with worn black trousers just looked more fearful than threatening.
"Should I repeat myself?" Sam asked and pressed the boy against the wall with what she knew was all of her strength. The young man didn't seem aware of this fact though.
"My God. You are her." He said in a breathy whisper.
Sam loosened her grip but didn't let go. "Who?"
He eyed her and tried to give her a bad boy grin, but when she tightened her grip on his lapels he only cringed. "Her. The lost Slayer." He said as if that answered it all.
Sam tired to act confused. "A what. Slaver?"
This time the young man did chuckle. "Don't play dumb with me swee'eart. Oh yea, I've got your number, Sam."
This time Sam let him go. "Young man, whatever you think you know, I suggest you forget."
The boy straightened his jacket out and shook his head. "I can't. They expect me to. But I won't." He grinned again. "And it's all due to you." He pulled a cigarette from his ear and went to light it. "You and your watcher that is."
Sam's eyes widened. "Who are you?"
The kid took a long drag and looked back at her. "'M no one you'd know." He said but held out his hand anyway. "Name's Ripper by reputation, Rupert Giles if you ask the ol' man."
Sam hadn't felt this sinking feeling in a long time. The sound of a familiar name she shouldn't know. "Rupert? Giles?"
Rupert leaned against the wall and flicked the ash off his smoke. "Yeah, 'eard of me 'ave ya?"
Sam was about to say something, but then thought better of it and started again. "I know the name Giles. Your mother is a watcher isn't she?"
"At's right."
Sam looked around again and saw they were alone except for a few lingering students. "Why are you here then? Shouldn't you be, training or something?"
"Should be, but not." Ripper grinned again, then tossed what was left of his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out uncaring of the tiles lining the hallway floor. "Heading off to meet a few mates here ina bit, but 'ad to see for myself."
Sam shook her head. "See what? Does the Council know about-?"
"Don't worry your pretty head 'bout it. Came across a lost shipment of books few months back. Had to see it for myself. Took me a spell to find you though."
"Books? Diaries!" Sam nearly yelped.
"Some. Keepin it though. My own personal collection." He said snidely before turning to walk away.
"Wait!" Sam ran to him. "You can't keep them. Some one could find them. If The Council finds me."
Giles looked back at her. 'They won't. Don't much care for 'elpin' them out. Specially just to find some old woman."
"Old!?" Sam placed her hands on her hips.
"Though you have aged well." He winked at her.
"I need those books." Sam tossed off his comment.
Giles studied her a moment, then nodded. "One."
"What?"
"Choose one, I'll get it to ya." Rupert stated.
Sam looked out the double doors on the other side of the hall to a van waiting for her. "Alright."
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I'm guessing on years here. We all know Giles was not a good little watcher boy, so I'm taking liberties. LoL.
