Chapter 19
Hey! Happy times are here again! FF.net is back up. I had a bit of a break and got chapters written so feedback on them is always appreciated. Man this story is starting to look like a long one but I'm having the time of my life writing it! ( I know, I need a life) Anyway... back to the story!
.........................................................
Preview: Bored with researching some of the gang decide to go on patrol. Buffy runs into an old chum from Sunnydale.
The Watchers were all pouring over maps and books. Buffy, after trying to help for a few hours, sighed and closed her book. Wesley looked over at her.
"Anything wrong?" he asked.
"No. Unless you count me being so bored my head is about to explode." She said dryly.
"Yes, well that does sound like a bad thing." Wesley chuckled "Are you perhaps up for a patrol?"
"Why you sweet talker you!" Buffy teased happily "I am definitely up for patrol."
"And to think." Gunn said "I always thought offering candy or flowers was the way to a woman's heart. Turns out it's violence and demons."
"Well it's a topsy turvey world." Willow said "At least now you know what you were doing wrong."
"If I may add something here." Emerald said "Flowers and candy are more appealing to this girl. Not to take away from the obvious romance of a severed demon head of course."
Gunn smiled at Emerald and thought again how pretty she was. There was something different about her than everyone else he knew. It was almost like he felt his blood humming under his skin. He thought maybe it had to do with the magic inside her but made a vow to find out.He thought it kind of strange because he normally wasn't attracted to redheads, and mysterious ones at that.
"So? Anyone else up for patrol?" Buffy asked breaking Gunns reverie
"A world of yes." Gunn said practically throwing his book down. "Research. Not my thing."
"I'm in." Kennedy declared. "Xander? what about you?"
"Not this time." Xander said "I'm still getting used to the blind spot in my vision. Maybe next time."
Rona and Vi decided they were in and the Watcher Emerald chose to go as well. After stocking up on weapons the group headed towards the busier hunting grounds of vampires. Emerald carefully observed the new Slayers as they dusted the first four vamps.
"They have been well trained so far." She said to Buffy "I assume that's due to you?"
"Yes, I guess so." Buffy said "They are still rough though. Maybe you could start instructing them now?"
Emerald smiled at Buffy's offering of the generals cap to her. She started by gently making suggestions of how to maximize their power and strength. Kennedy balked a little at taking orders until a vamp came directly at the Watcher. She waved off help and dispatched the vamp with precise moves that even Buffy approved of. Gunn was impressed also.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked admiringly "Did the Council teach you?"
Wesley and Emerald shared an amused look at the thought of the Councils old training methods for Watchers before bursting into laughter.
"No. Not the Council." Emerald managed to say through chuckles. To Wesley she asked "Did you have the cage?"
Wesley laughed even harder "With five men surrounding you and a sedated vampire? Controlled environment"
It was a good five minutes and two vampires dusted before they stopped laughing enough to give details of the pathetic old training of Watchers on killing vampires.
"You see." Wesley said "A Watcher was never supposed to get involved in his or her Slayers fights."
"We know better now." Emerald said "Mr. Giles proved it long ago. It was a shame the Council was to pigheaded to see it."
"So can all you Watchers here kick a little demon ass?" Gunn asked.
"Actually Mr. Giles has a plan to retrain the Watchers in demon defense." Wesley said "I assume Faith and Buffy would be doing the training."
About this time two large demons came out of an alley and knocked Kennedy, Rona, and Vi headfirst into a brick wall. They retreated back into the alley growling. Buffy ran in first and witnessed them go back to beating another demon. The demon was laying on the ground covering his head.
"Hey!" Buffy said "Didn't anyone teach you any manners? Hit and run? Not polite."
The two demons moved to reveal the fallen demon. Buffy sucked in her breath.
"Clem? She said disbelieving.
"Slayer!" He answered weakly "Good to see you."
The demons took advantage of her momentary distraction to throw her back four feet. Wesley rushed in, his sword quickly slicing at the stomach of one while it screamed in pain. Gunn used his ax to hack at the other demon while Emerald ran to guard the Slayers brandishing a sword to warn the demon to stay back. Buffy, seeing the situation under control, crawled over to Clem, checking for serious injuries. He seemed OK, his excess skin seemed to have kept him protected from their blows.
"Clem?" She said "What are you doing in LA?"
"Well, my sister moved here so I came to visit her. With Sunnydale a big pit now I was thinking of moving here. What are you doing here?" He asked his favorite Slayer.
"Starting a new Watchers Council. Everyone's with me and almost all are going to help out." Buffy answered. She vaguely noticed the fight was over and everyone was standing behind her listening.
Clem perked up. "They are? That's great! I told you after the apocalypse was diverted I'd take you out for a drink."
Buffy smiled and gave Clem a hug before helping him to his feet. Kennedy, Rona, and Vi waved hello and told him how smart it was for him to have left Sunnydale when he did. Gunn stood back with Emerald and Wesley a little wary of the new demon.
"So did you and Spike work things out? Clem asked starting to babble "And how is Anya? Still a human? I know Xander is a great guy but man, is Anya beautiful. I had quite the crush on her when she was Anyanka."
Buffy stopped in her tracks.
"Oh god you don't know." She said her eyes welling with tears.
"Know what?" Clem asked suddenly tense.
"Clem, Spikes gone. And Anya too. They didn't make it." Buffy said. She watched the demon take that in and felt her break all over again when she saw the look on Clems face as he stumbled over to a bench and sat down.
"They're..... both....gone?" he asked shakily. "Spikes gone?"
"I'm so sorry Clem." Buffy said as the demon put his face in his hands and started sobbing. The other Slayers sat down and started to try to comfort him. Buffy, after taking a deep breath, walked a few feet to where the others were watching the sobbing demon and said quietly
"Clem and Spike were good friends. When Spike got the chip put in his head he spend more time with Clem than even me. He even brought him to my birthday party and when Spike was in Africa getting his soul, Clem watched over Dawn a few times for Spike. He really loved him and Clem was the only demon Spike could stand, other than Anya."
They all looked sad and even Gunn was surprised to feel sympathy for the brokenhearted demon. Buffy walked back over to Clem and softly told him about Spikes, and Anya's sacrifices for the world. When his tears stopped he looked at Buffy with what could best be described as pride.
"I always knew they had it in them." He said. "Even though most people don't think much of demons, not that I blame them in most cases, I always knew those two were different. They loved with everything they had. That's something at least isn't it?"
"Indeed it is." Wesley said softly. "Most humans could do with a bit of that love."
Clem pulled himself together and introduced himself to Gunn, Wesley and Emerald. They all, even Gunn, smiled and shook his hand. Buffy said it would be a good idea to walk Clem home and then return to the Council. At Clems she gave him the address and made him promise to stop by the next day which he agreed to happily. They said goodnight and started back towards the Council with the girls telling the story of meeting Clem and Buffy making them laugh at her description of Clem's addiction to Knight Rider and hotwings. When they returned home they told everyone about meeting Clem and that he was stopping by the next day. Dawn was especially happy and went off to find her sleeping bag telling Andrew about the times she, Spike, and Clem sat around and watched TV while Buffy patrolled.As everyone else got ready for bed Wesley was left in the main library with Buffy.
"Are you really OK?" He asked her.
"Yeah." She answered "It was just a shock to have to remember it all again." She said quietly.
"As I'd imagine." Wesley said sympathetically. "I do have a surprise for you if you are interested."
Buffy looked up at once
"A surprise? For me?" She asked "What is it?"
Wesley smiled and lead her through the house to a room on the second floor.He opened the door revealing a beautifully furnished bedroom with a large four poster bed with a rich looking comforter that matched the fabric covering the bed. A large Armoire and dresser with a polished mirror were placed along a wall and a small windowseat was covered with bright pillows for Buffy to look out over the garden.
"How?" Buffy asked, enchanted by the room.
"Quite easily." Wesley said. "It was a matter of knowing the right decorator who can work on a one hour notice. Do you like it?" Wesley asked a little nervously "If you don't you can always change it."
Buffy looked at Wesley in awe "I love it! I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you Wesley, for doing this, all of this, not just the room. No one has ever done something like this before. Thank you."
Wesley looked a bit embarrassed "Your very welcome Buffy. It was my pleasure. Mr Giles helped pick out the colors."
"It's great! It's all perfect." She said "I've always wanted something like this, something that almost screams that this is a relax room and now I have it,"
" I almost feel bad for the others having sleeping bags on the floor." Wesley said "Tomorrow we definitely have to go furniture shopping. Or at least bed shopping."
Buffy laughed " Yeah we do. Trust me when I say you DO NOT want to deal with cranky Slayers."
"Yes well, I should head back down and let you sleep." Wesley said edging towards the door.
"No way." Buffy said "You are not sleeping on the floor after doing all this for me. We can share. I don't kick do I?"
"Not to bad." Wesley joked, thinking about the bruise on his shin he recieved when her bad dreams started. For the past two days he held her while she slept. It seemed to keep her calmer when the dreams started and he was there if she woke up crying which she did a few times a night. After they layed down and talked for a bit about the next days plans Buffy started nodding off. Wesley smiled at the sleepy slayer and thought how much he was enjoying his newfound friendship with Buffy and how his dark side that had been so apparent before she arrived seemed not quite as dark. As his own eyelids got heavy he smiled and thought that maybe "Dark Wesley" now that he felt secure in his new place, was gone forever.
Outside a lone figure stood looking up at the house. The cigarette the person was smoking slowly burned down and the figure moved illuminating the face of Justine for a brief moment before she walked into the next shadow. She had seen him earlier that night walking down the street with a group of people. She followed him here and was curious what he was doing there. She smiled bitterly. It seemed his life was a hundred times better than hers was now, barely surviving, being alone. With a disgusted sigh at herself for even caring she slowly turned to go. She had some unanswered questions for Wesley. She would keep watching him though. With a bitter laugh she thought about how she had nothing else to do nowadays.
.........................................................
OK That's 3 chapters in one night. I've gotta finish typing the next couple but they should be up soon. Nothing is set in stone so any suggestions are appreciated.
Hey! Happy times are here again! FF.net is back up. I had a bit of a break and got chapters written so feedback on them is always appreciated. Man this story is starting to look like a long one but I'm having the time of my life writing it! ( I know, I need a life) Anyway... back to the story!
.........................................................
Preview: Bored with researching some of the gang decide to go on patrol. Buffy runs into an old chum from Sunnydale.
The Watchers were all pouring over maps and books. Buffy, after trying to help for a few hours, sighed and closed her book. Wesley looked over at her.
"Anything wrong?" he asked.
"No. Unless you count me being so bored my head is about to explode." She said dryly.
"Yes, well that does sound like a bad thing." Wesley chuckled "Are you perhaps up for a patrol?"
"Why you sweet talker you!" Buffy teased happily "I am definitely up for patrol."
"And to think." Gunn said "I always thought offering candy or flowers was the way to a woman's heart. Turns out it's violence and demons."
"Well it's a topsy turvey world." Willow said "At least now you know what you were doing wrong."
"If I may add something here." Emerald said "Flowers and candy are more appealing to this girl. Not to take away from the obvious romance of a severed demon head of course."
Gunn smiled at Emerald and thought again how pretty she was. There was something different about her than everyone else he knew. It was almost like he felt his blood humming under his skin. He thought maybe it had to do with the magic inside her but made a vow to find out.He thought it kind of strange because he normally wasn't attracted to redheads, and mysterious ones at that.
"So? Anyone else up for patrol?" Buffy asked breaking Gunns reverie
"A world of yes." Gunn said practically throwing his book down. "Research. Not my thing."
"I'm in." Kennedy declared. "Xander? what about you?"
"Not this time." Xander said "I'm still getting used to the blind spot in my vision. Maybe next time."
Rona and Vi decided they were in and the Watcher Emerald chose to go as well. After stocking up on weapons the group headed towards the busier hunting grounds of vampires. Emerald carefully observed the new Slayers as they dusted the first four vamps.
"They have been well trained so far." She said to Buffy "I assume that's due to you?"
"Yes, I guess so." Buffy said "They are still rough though. Maybe you could start instructing them now?"
Emerald smiled at Buffy's offering of the generals cap to her. She started by gently making suggestions of how to maximize their power and strength. Kennedy balked a little at taking orders until a vamp came directly at the Watcher. She waved off help and dispatched the vamp with precise moves that even Buffy approved of. Gunn was impressed also.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked admiringly "Did the Council teach you?"
Wesley and Emerald shared an amused look at the thought of the Councils old training methods for Watchers before bursting into laughter.
"No. Not the Council." Emerald managed to say through chuckles. To Wesley she asked "Did you have the cage?"
Wesley laughed even harder "With five men surrounding you and a sedated vampire? Controlled environment"
It was a good five minutes and two vampires dusted before they stopped laughing enough to give details of the pathetic old training of Watchers on killing vampires.
"You see." Wesley said "A Watcher was never supposed to get involved in his or her Slayers fights."
"We know better now." Emerald said "Mr. Giles proved it long ago. It was a shame the Council was to pigheaded to see it."
"So can all you Watchers here kick a little demon ass?" Gunn asked.
"Actually Mr. Giles has a plan to retrain the Watchers in demon defense." Wesley said "I assume Faith and Buffy would be doing the training."
About this time two large demons came out of an alley and knocked Kennedy, Rona, and Vi headfirst into a brick wall. They retreated back into the alley growling. Buffy ran in first and witnessed them go back to beating another demon. The demon was laying on the ground covering his head.
"Hey!" Buffy said "Didn't anyone teach you any manners? Hit and run? Not polite."
The two demons moved to reveal the fallen demon. Buffy sucked in her breath.
"Clem? She said disbelieving.
"Slayer!" He answered weakly "Good to see you."
The demons took advantage of her momentary distraction to throw her back four feet. Wesley rushed in, his sword quickly slicing at the stomach of one while it screamed in pain. Gunn used his ax to hack at the other demon while Emerald ran to guard the Slayers brandishing a sword to warn the demon to stay back. Buffy, seeing the situation under control, crawled over to Clem, checking for serious injuries. He seemed OK, his excess skin seemed to have kept him protected from their blows.
"Clem?" She said "What are you doing in LA?"
"Well, my sister moved here so I came to visit her. With Sunnydale a big pit now I was thinking of moving here. What are you doing here?" He asked his favorite Slayer.
"Starting a new Watchers Council. Everyone's with me and almost all are going to help out." Buffy answered. She vaguely noticed the fight was over and everyone was standing behind her listening.
Clem perked up. "They are? That's great! I told you after the apocalypse was diverted I'd take you out for a drink."
Buffy smiled and gave Clem a hug before helping him to his feet. Kennedy, Rona, and Vi waved hello and told him how smart it was for him to have left Sunnydale when he did. Gunn stood back with Emerald and Wesley a little wary of the new demon.
"So did you and Spike work things out? Clem asked starting to babble "And how is Anya? Still a human? I know Xander is a great guy but man, is Anya beautiful. I had quite the crush on her when she was Anyanka."
Buffy stopped in her tracks.
"Oh god you don't know." She said her eyes welling with tears.
"Know what?" Clem asked suddenly tense.
"Clem, Spikes gone. And Anya too. They didn't make it." Buffy said. She watched the demon take that in and felt her break all over again when she saw the look on Clems face as he stumbled over to a bench and sat down.
"They're..... both....gone?" he asked shakily. "Spikes gone?"
"I'm so sorry Clem." Buffy said as the demon put his face in his hands and started sobbing. The other Slayers sat down and started to try to comfort him. Buffy, after taking a deep breath, walked a few feet to where the others were watching the sobbing demon and said quietly
"Clem and Spike were good friends. When Spike got the chip put in his head he spend more time with Clem than even me. He even brought him to my birthday party and when Spike was in Africa getting his soul, Clem watched over Dawn a few times for Spike. He really loved him and Clem was the only demon Spike could stand, other than Anya."
They all looked sad and even Gunn was surprised to feel sympathy for the brokenhearted demon. Buffy walked back over to Clem and softly told him about Spikes, and Anya's sacrifices for the world. When his tears stopped he looked at Buffy with what could best be described as pride.
"I always knew they had it in them." He said. "Even though most people don't think much of demons, not that I blame them in most cases, I always knew those two were different. They loved with everything they had. That's something at least isn't it?"
"Indeed it is." Wesley said softly. "Most humans could do with a bit of that love."
Clem pulled himself together and introduced himself to Gunn, Wesley and Emerald. They all, even Gunn, smiled and shook his hand. Buffy said it would be a good idea to walk Clem home and then return to the Council. At Clems she gave him the address and made him promise to stop by the next day which he agreed to happily. They said goodnight and started back towards the Council with the girls telling the story of meeting Clem and Buffy making them laugh at her description of Clem's addiction to Knight Rider and hotwings. When they returned home they told everyone about meeting Clem and that he was stopping by the next day. Dawn was especially happy and went off to find her sleeping bag telling Andrew about the times she, Spike, and Clem sat around and watched TV while Buffy patrolled.As everyone else got ready for bed Wesley was left in the main library with Buffy.
"Are you really OK?" He asked her.
"Yeah." She answered "It was just a shock to have to remember it all again." She said quietly.
"As I'd imagine." Wesley said sympathetically. "I do have a surprise for you if you are interested."
Buffy looked up at once
"A surprise? For me?" She asked "What is it?"
Wesley smiled and lead her through the house to a room on the second floor.He opened the door revealing a beautifully furnished bedroom with a large four poster bed with a rich looking comforter that matched the fabric covering the bed. A large Armoire and dresser with a polished mirror were placed along a wall and a small windowseat was covered with bright pillows for Buffy to look out over the garden.
"How?" Buffy asked, enchanted by the room.
"Quite easily." Wesley said. "It was a matter of knowing the right decorator who can work on a one hour notice. Do you like it?" Wesley asked a little nervously "If you don't you can always change it."
Buffy looked at Wesley in awe "I love it! I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you Wesley, for doing this, all of this, not just the room. No one has ever done something like this before. Thank you."
Wesley looked a bit embarrassed "Your very welcome Buffy. It was my pleasure. Mr Giles helped pick out the colors."
"It's great! It's all perfect." She said "I've always wanted something like this, something that almost screams that this is a relax room and now I have it,"
" I almost feel bad for the others having sleeping bags on the floor." Wesley said "Tomorrow we definitely have to go furniture shopping. Or at least bed shopping."
Buffy laughed " Yeah we do. Trust me when I say you DO NOT want to deal with cranky Slayers."
"Yes well, I should head back down and let you sleep." Wesley said edging towards the door.
"No way." Buffy said "You are not sleeping on the floor after doing all this for me. We can share. I don't kick do I?"
"Not to bad." Wesley joked, thinking about the bruise on his shin he recieved when her bad dreams started. For the past two days he held her while she slept. It seemed to keep her calmer when the dreams started and he was there if she woke up crying which she did a few times a night. After they layed down and talked for a bit about the next days plans Buffy started nodding off. Wesley smiled at the sleepy slayer and thought how much he was enjoying his newfound friendship with Buffy and how his dark side that had been so apparent before she arrived seemed not quite as dark. As his own eyelids got heavy he smiled and thought that maybe "Dark Wesley" now that he felt secure in his new place, was gone forever.
Outside a lone figure stood looking up at the house. The cigarette the person was smoking slowly burned down and the figure moved illuminating the face of Justine for a brief moment before she walked into the next shadow. She had seen him earlier that night walking down the street with a group of people. She followed him here and was curious what he was doing there. She smiled bitterly. It seemed his life was a hundred times better than hers was now, barely surviving, being alone. With a disgusted sigh at herself for even caring she slowly turned to go. She had some unanswered questions for Wesley. She would keep watching him though. With a bitter laugh she thought about how she had nothing else to do nowadays.
.........................................................
OK That's 3 chapters in one night. I've gotta finish typing the next couple but they should be up soon. Nothing is set in stone so any suggestions are appreciated.
