Discalimer: All the Buffy and Angel characters are not mine, wouldn't dream of claiming them. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The original ones are mine though.
Sorry for the delay. Life got in the way. What're you gonna do?
This chapter is sort of an interlude. I was feeling warm and fuzzy when I wrote it.
Thanks to all the readers and reviewers.
Buffy remained on the stoop after Spike left for work. The evening air was cold but not frigid and she wanted to savor this feeling of peace for as long as she could. She barely noticed when Morgan sat down next to her.
"Planning on camping out here?"
"No, I have to meet the others at the hotel. I just wanted the moment."
"I see. All better now? Issues resolved?"
Buffy nodded. "I think so. I'm glad he's happy. I knew when he got his soul that he could be a good man."
Morgan threw back his head and laughed. "You are a silly girl."
Buffy frowned. "That's not very nice. Didn't your mother teach you any manners?"
"Buffy, I do realize that after your experience with Angel/Angelus you would form the opinion that soul equals good but that is erroneous. You only have to glance at the state of the world to know it isn't true. Fully souled human beings cause far more death and pain and destruction than demons ever have or will. Human beings are capable of things that would make the devil himself turn away. The soul is simply a connection. It connects you to other humans, to the Earth, and to time. Vampires are disconnected from humanity and then re-connected to darkness. It's that lack of connection that causes a lack of empathy and frees them from society's rules. Of course, Spike was always different."
"So how do you explain Angel?"
"First, you have to look at Liam. You wouldn't have liked him I suspect. He never did an honest days work in his life and his favorite activities were pub crawling and chasing women. He was also a bit misogynistic. On the whole, not a sparkling example of humanity. So, when Darla turned him all of those nasty character traits were increased, ten fold.
"Then he was cursed. The curse was designed to cause the maximum amount of angst and remorse. He finally saw it all clearly and the human being in him was horrified. When he lost his soul the dark part of him that had always been there took over again. He certainly didn't want to feel that pain so he did all that he could to keep his soul away, to keep himself disconnected."
"You said Spike was different."
"Oh yes. I've met few people so filled with love, and desire for love. Had his upbringing been different But he lived in Victorian England so what could you do? When he was turned that love remained. He was only loosed from society's strictures, not from the desire of his own heart. He didn't desire destruction or chaos or the pain of others, only to be allowed to love and to be loved in return. Unfortunately, all he had was Drusilla, Darla, and Angel. Not a loving group."
"He tried to kill me, kill all of us."
"Certainly. You can't eliminate the vampire demon from the equation."
"The chip stopped him."
"The chip gave him a reason to stop, a reason for his true nature to emerge and become dominant. After a year or so you could have removed the chip and he would not have hurt anyone. Really."
"When Drusilla was in town he chained me to a wall."
"That's just because he was socially inept. He had no other way to express himself. In any case, you would not have listened."
"But you would?"
"Oh, well. That's not a fair comparison. Not only am I half demon but I'm also 1,536 years old. I've managed to learn a few things in that time."
Buffy sighed. "I don't think I'll ever have a normal life."
"What is normal? Two point four kids and a dog? That's only in small town USA. If you lived in India you might be contemplating selling a kidney in order to feed your family. In several African nations you would be wondering if the killing squads would be by. In Russia you would be hoping you'd have enough to eat. In parts of the Middle East you would be praying to Allah to keep the bombs away. Even here you might be living on the street, hoping the temperature doesn't drop below freezing. You don't have the corner on sacrifice Slayer. You have food, clothing, a roof over your head, and friends and family who love you. Be thankful for what you have, don't worry about what you don't."
Buffy turned her head to look him in the face. He smiled at her and she was filled with warmth. She decided to change the subject.
"When we were at The Ether the bartender didn't seem to know that Spike, that is Will, had a girlfriend."
"That's for three reasons. First, it is our place, the Three's. Second, Rannilt and Will have been um' for only three weeks. Third, Rannilt owns The Ether. The boss shouldn't fraternize publicly with the employees." Noting the look on Buffy's face he continued. "I know, bad policy to date an employee but after 1500 years you figure, what the heck?"
"I see. What about you?"
"I am quite unattached. You know, it's hard for us to have relationships. If you take one, you end up with all three. If a choice has to be made, we will stick with each other, that's simply the way it is. We are forever."
"Lindsey's human. He'll die."
Morgan shook his head. "Not entirely. A transformation of sorts took place when we took up our swords. He is still basically human but he's faster, stronger and his aging has slowed a lot. In a year he ages less than a week. So it will be more than 520 years before he is ten years older. A great deal can happen in that time. Perhaps another three will come along to take our place. Don't think about it too much it'll give you a headache."
"Don't want one of those. Headache, bad."
"Do you know what today is?" Morgan asked.
"It's the 21st of December."
"It is the solstice. We are having a celebration tonight. First some dinner, and then to Ether for some music and dancing. You and your friends are invited to join us."
"Oh, I don't know"
"There is nothing to know. Come inside, we'll call them."
Buffy felt her mouth drop open when she stepped inside. The house had been transformed. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe adorned the walls and doorways, the smell of cloves and cinnamon filled the air and a hundred candles filled the rooms with light. Rannilt was setting the table with silver, china and crystal. She had changed out of her jeans and into a flowing red dress that fell to her ankles.
Looking up at her brother she said, "You should get changed. Dinner is almost ready. Rebecca is just checking on the pudding."
Buffy noticed that the table was set for nine. She said, "You're expecting a lot of people. Are you sure you want all of us too?"
Rannilt laughed. "You're already included in the count. I know my own brother."
Morgan smiled and kissed his sister on the cheek. "That you do love. I must change now. The phone is in the next room Buffy. Help yourself."
Buffy dialed Angel's cell phone. He answered after the first ring.
"Hi, it's Buffy. We've been invited to a solstice dinner here at Morgan's house. So put on your nicest duds and come down."
"Okay. Are you sure, maybe we should..."
"Whatever it is, we can do it later. You'll understand when you see what the house looks like."
Buffy hung up the phone and made her way to the kitchen. A small red-haired woman was peering into a pot on the stove. She turned as Buffy entered and smiled.
"You must be Buffy. I'm Rebecca."
"Hi. Are you related to Morgan too?"
"Oh no," said Rebecca, laughing. "I'm Lindsey's girlfriend. I own an occult shop not too far from here."
"Oh. Are you a Wicca?"
"Oh yes. I knew something was up a year and a half ago when Will and Lindsey came to live here. I could feel a shift, a change in the energy around here. After various attempts, over six months, to figure it out I finally came here to investigate. I'd narrowed it down to this house but I still didn't see the source. Little did I know..."
"Do you understand it, I mean what they are?"
Rebecca shook her head. "I'm not sure they know. Not exactly anyway. They claim it's hard to describe. Of course it doesn't really matter. They're so content, so at peace. I envy them a little. It's like they've come home."
"Who's come home?" asked Rannilt from the doorway.
"The Three."
Rannilt nodded her head vigorously. "That's exactly right. Lucky bastards." She shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well girls, at least we're beautiful."
She and Rebecca carried the food out to the table, they're laughter echoing down the hallway.
A knock sounded at the door and Buffy went to answer it. Angel and company stood on the doorstep. Somewhere along the way they had acquired a bottle of wine. Buffy led them into the dining room and introduced everyone to Rannilt and Rebecca.
Rannilt raised an eyebrow at Angel. "Goodness. You do clean up well don't you?"
"I try."
"There will be broken hearts at The Ether tonight, even more than usual with so many beautiful people in the room. I may have to hand out tissues."
"Don't worry, the liquor will keep the sobbing to a minimum."
Morgan stood in the doorway his head cocked to one side. He had changed into a white silk shirt and black pants that hugged his body. Buffy and Cordelia exchanged a look. Rannilt was right, there would be broken hearts, or at least a lot of drooling at The Ether that night.
Angel extended the bottle of wine to his host.
"Thank you very much. Please, be seated."
After they were seated and wine had been poured Morgan stood and raised his glass.
"Tonight we begin another turn of the wheel of the year. We ask the blessing of the Goddess and the God at this time of rebirth. May our lives be rich and filled with warmth and light and may our friends always grace our lives."