New Witch Old Flame
Part 23
Two months had past, without to much activity. Buffy kept busy slaying the seemingly unending supply of vampires, but there weren't any more appearances of the Brogadash demons. Meg kept Anya, Tara, Willow and Dawn busy researching and studying. Willow, working with Anya, compiled a database of demons, which they put on-line. Dawn had some significant increases in the control and strength of her powers.
Xander and his crew worked tirelessly and quickly converted the Summer's basement into a combination apartment /office for Meg. The extra income ensured that Buffy was able to return to school and continue her studies. School had also started for Dawn, and contrary to the prior year, she was making a serious effort to attend school and do well.
"Meg, I've got an early class," Buffy yelled on her way out the door. "Can you make sure Dawn gets off to school ok?" "Certainly," Meg shouted back. "I don't have office hours until noon, so there shouldn't be any problem." "I keep feeling like I'm forgetting something," Buffy said as she walked out the door and made her way down the street.
Meg got Dawn off to school and was making herself another cup of tea when the doorbell rang. "Coming," she said as she tightened her robe around her and opened the door. "May I help you?" she asked. "Isn't this the Summer's household?" the woman on the other side of the door inquired. "Yes, may I help you?" "I'm Myrtle Bosworth, from the department of social services. I'm here for the Summers' in house inspection. "Oh, yes, well, Buffy is at class, and Dawn has already left for school." "Ms. Summers' has returned to school this semester? asked the social worker? "Yes, is there a problem with that?" "Perhaps you will allow me to come in," said Ms. Bosworth. "Perhaps you'd like to show my your credentials first," said Meg.
Myrtle Bosworth produced the necessary identification and Meg reluctantly allowed her into the house. "I was just fixing myself a cup of tea Ms. Bosworth, would you care for a cup?" "Fixing yourself a, oh are you living here?" "No, I just make it a habit of invading my neighbor's homes in my nightclothes and fixing myself beverages for the fun of it," snapped Meg. "Yes, I am sharing a residence with the Summers'. Does this present a problem?" "No, no, it just wasn't mentioned in the paperwork. Perhaps you could tell me what brought this about."
Meg was about to answer Ms. Bosworth in a most undignified manner when the phone rang. "If you'll excuse me," she said as she rose to answer the phone. "Hello." "Meg, it's me," said Buffy. "I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, and when I got to school, Tara reminded me of what it was. The social worker is making an in house inspection this morning. I'm going to cut class and get back there before she shows up." "There's no need to do that, besides, you'd be too late." "Oh, she's there already," Buffy said in a dejected tone. "Yes." Meg lowered her voice and whispered into the phone. "Buffy, trust me to handle this, I can make everything work out just fine. I promise."
Buffy was torn as she had grown to like Meg, but still didn't trust her one hundred percent. "Ok, have at her Meg, but please don't blow it. Dawn is too important to me." "I have no intention of blowing it," said Meg as she waved to Ms Bosworth. "Now go to class." "Bye Meg." "Good bye."
"That was Buffy," said Meg. "She was just calling to make sure you arrived ok. She said to offer her apologies for not being here, but she had an early class today and was unable to get contact you to reschedule. Now, did you wish to join me in a cup of tea?" "Yes, that would be nice," said Ms. Bosworth. "Now, perhaps you'll tell me a bit about yourself." "Certainly, my name is Mary-Margaret Farrell, and I am a Professor at Sunnydale U." "Oh really, and how did you come to be living with the Summers'. Please don't tell me they were advertising for roommates. That would be a very unsafe thing for them to do." "Hardly," said Meg. "Actually, I was distantly related to their dear mother Joyce. Last year before Joyce's death, we began corresponding when I found out I had received a tenured position here in Sunnydale. Joyce had suggested that we renovate the basement and turn it into living quarters for me. I agreed, but unfortunately, Joyce neglected to inform Buffy, so she was quite surprised when I showed up, bag and baggage." Meg poured boiling water into the teapot and allowed the fragrant brew to steep. As she spoke, she carefully placed a small amount of powder into one of the cups and then filled it with tea.
"Do you take cream and sugar, or lemon?" she asked Ms. Bosworth. "Oh cream and sugar please." Meg brought the cups over to the table and passed one to the social worker. "Would you care for a Danish?" she asked. "There quite fresh. Buffy and Dawn brought them home after their morning jog." "Ms. Summers' takes her sister jogging in the morning?" "Well, they call it jogging, but I think they use the time for gossip, and as an opportunity to spend time together." "Isn't that nice," said Ms. Bosworth, making some notes on her pad. She put her pen down and took a sip of tea. "Oh my, that is quite good," she said. "The secret is to warm the tea pot before you put the tea in," said Meg. "Now, what else can I help you with?" "Well there were several issues that were of great concern last spring. "The financial situation was quite bleak, and Dawn was getting into a lot of trouble.'
Meg poured some more tea into the social workers cup as she thought about what to say. "Well, financially, things have improved. Buffy has, as I said, gone back to school, but she also received a scholarship to pay for her tuition. I also pay rent for my accommodations here, as do Buffy's other roommates Willow and Tara." "Yes, I must say, I wasn't very pleased to find out that some of Buffy's school friends were living here as well." "Why ever not," said Meg as she put her cup down forcefully. "Willow has been a friend of Buffy's since she moved to Sunnydale. In fact, my dearly departed cousin Joyce," she paused to sniff for effect, "Loved Willow like another daughter, and was equally as fond of Tara. Both girls provided Buffy and Dawn with support during the aftermath of Joyce's death."
Ms. Bosworth took another sip of her tea and smiled. "You are quite correct Professor Farrell, I don't know what I was thinking." She made some more notations on her pad and smiled. "What about Dawn, how is she doing? I believe progress reports were handed out this week." "Yes, as a matter of fact they were. Buffy has signed all of Dawn's already and they've been returned to school, but they were so good, we made some copies. Would you care to see them?" At the social worker's nod, Meg excused herself to go get them. She went down to her room, and quickly threw some clothes on and grabbed some papers off of her desk. She returned upstairs and smiled at the social worker who was walking around the kitchen, checking the cabinets.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Meg asked. The social worker didn't even have the grace to look upset. "Yes, I just wanted to make sure there was adequate food in the house. It's been an issue before." "Well, as you can see, it's not now. Here are Dawn's progress reports," she said passing the papers to the social worker. She looked through them all and smiled. "Well, it appears as though Dawn has made some tremendous improvements in both her schoolwork and her attendance. Every teacher commented on it. That is excellent."
Just then the door burst open and Buffy rushed in. "Ms. Bosworth, I am so sorry," she began. I had a class I just couldn't afford to miss. I tried to call you, really I did." "Don't worry, Ms. Summers. Professor Farrell explained all that to me. In fact, she has been very forthcoming and provided me with a lot of useful information. I can see you quite have things under control Ms. Summers, and I congratulate you on that. In fact, I can see no reason why full and permanent custody shouldn't be given to you immediately." "Really," Buffy said grinning. "Yes really. I admit that finances were a large concern of mine, but as Professor Farrell said, she is paying rent, as are your other two roommates. There is plenty of food in the house, and I can see that you are making an effort to spend time with your sister and meet her emotional needs."
Meg smiled and decided it was time to bring things home. "I didn't get a chance to tell you about the small school Buffy is running. She is teaching self-defense in the early evenings. Buffy is a budding entrepreneur." "Well then, everything seems to be in order," said the social worker. "I'll turn in my report as soon as I get back to the office. Congratulations Ms. Summers. Professor Farrell, it was a pleasure to meet you."
The two women bid Ms. Bosworth goodbye and closed the door. Buffy smiled and hugged herself tightly and spun around. "We did it, we did it. Well, actually, you did it. How did you do it Meg?" "Well, I simply presented the facts in a clear and concise manner, and I put a little something in her tea to open her mind." "You WHAT!" shouted Buffy. "You drugged her, used magic on her? That's so wrong. What about everything you're teaching Willow and Dawn, about being responsible?" "That women coming here with her mind made up was wrong too," said Meg defensively. "She was all set to make a negative report no matter what was going on here. I simply gave her an herb that allowed her to view things with an open mind. I did nothing to influence her decision."
Buffy and Meg walked out to the kitchen while Meg spoke. As she listened, Buffy picked up the sheaf of papers that had been lying on the table. "Why are these here?" asked Buffy. "I thought Dawn brought these back to school already." "Ah, well, she did, but the social worker wanted proof that Dawn was doing well in school, so I made these." "Well," you just seemed to think of everything," said Buffy. "It's like I wasn't even needed." "Nonsense, you are Dawn's guardian. I did nothing other than make sure that dreadful woman saw things in an a good light." "I suppose you are right," said Buffy. "Besides, all that matters is that Dawn gets to stay here." "I agree, now, get yourself back to school, and I'll turn myself back into a psychology professor."
Buffy left and Meg went downstairs to get ready. The light on her answering machine was flashing. She reached over to press the button to play it, but before she could, the phone rang. "Hello, Professor Farrell speaking." "Are you making any progress?" the voice on the other end of the phone asked. "Yes, I am, but don't push me. These things take time. They are a highly suspicious bunch, and very close. It's taken me this long to get them to accept me." "What about the key?" "Dawn is her name, and she is progressing nicely. She is learning to tap into her powers. She will be very powerful in time." "What about the other thing?" "There is no word on that yet. We're still trying to find more information on the demons. Now, do you have the information I asked about?" "Yes," said the voice. We have located the records on the vampire known to the initiative as Hostile 17. It is as you believed, his chip was deactivated when the initiative was destroyed." "Thank you," said Meg. "Now, I must ask you not to call me here again. I'll be in touch." She hung up the phone and began to pace. "I was afraid of that," she said.
Part 23
Two months had past, without to much activity. Buffy kept busy slaying the seemingly unending supply of vampires, but there weren't any more appearances of the Brogadash demons. Meg kept Anya, Tara, Willow and Dawn busy researching and studying. Willow, working with Anya, compiled a database of demons, which they put on-line. Dawn had some significant increases in the control and strength of her powers.
Xander and his crew worked tirelessly and quickly converted the Summer's basement into a combination apartment /office for Meg. The extra income ensured that Buffy was able to return to school and continue her studies. School had also started for Dawn, and contrary to the prior year, she was making a serious effort to attend school and do well.
"Meg, I've got an early class," Buffy yelled on her way out the door. "Can you make sure Dawn gets off to school ok?" "Certainly," Meg shouted back. "I don't have office hours until noon, so there shouldn't be any problem." "I keep feeling like I'm forgetting something," Buffy said as she walked out the door and made her way down the street.
Meg got Dawn off to school and was making herself another cup of tea when the doorbell rang. "Coming," she said as she tightened her robe around her and opened the door. "May I help you?" she asked. "Isn't this the Summer's household?" the woman on the other side of the door inquired. "Yes, may I help you?" "I'm Myrtle Bosworth, from the department of social services. I'm here for the Summers' in house inspection. "Oh, yes, well, Buffy is at class, and Dawn has already left for school." "Ms. Summers' has returned to school this semester? asked the social worker? "Yes, is there a problem with that?" "Perhaps you will allow me to come in," said Ms. Bosworth. "Perhaps you'd like to show my your credentials first," said Meg.
Myrtle Bosworth produced the necessary identification and Meg reluctantly allowed her into the house. "I was just fixing myself a cup of tea Ms. Bosworth, would you care for a cup?" "Fixing yourself a, oh are you living here?" "No, I just make it a habit of invading my neighbor's homes in my nightclothes and fixing myself beverages for the fun of it," snapped Meg. "Yes, I am sharing a residence with the Summers'. Does this present a problem?" "No, no, it just wasn't mentioned in the paperwork. Perhaps you could tell me what brought this about."
Meg was about to answer Ms. Bosworth in a most undignified manner when the phone rang. "If you'll excuse me," she said as she rose to answer the phone. "Hello." "Meg, it's me," said Buffy. "I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, and when I got to school, Tara reminded me of what it was. The social worker is making an in house inspection this morning. I'm going to cut class and get back there before she shows up." "There's no need to do that, besides, you'd be too late." "Oh, she's there already," Buffy said in a dejected tone. "Yes." Meg lowered her voice and whispered into the phone. "Buffy, trust me to handle this, I can make everything work out just fine. I promise."
Buffy was torn as she had grown to like Meg, but still didn't trust her one hundred percent. "Ok, have at her Meg, but please don't blow it. Dawn is too important to me." "I have no intention of blowing it," said Meg as she waved to Ms Bosworth. "Now go to class." "Bye Meg." "Good bye."
"That was Buffy," said Meg. "She was just calling to make sure you arrived ok. She said to offer her apologies for not being here, but she had an early class today and was unable to get contact you to reschedule. Now, did you wish to join me in a cup of tea?" "Yes, that would be nice," said Ms. Bosworth. "Now, perhaps you'll tell me a bit about yourself." "Certainly, my name is Mary-Margaret Farrell, and I am a Professor at Sunnydale U." "Oh really, and how did you come to be living with the Summers'. Please don't tell me they were advertising for roommates. That would be a very unsafe thing for them to do." "Hardly," said Meg. "Actually, I was distantly related to their dear mother Joyce. Last year before Joyce's death, we began corresponding when I found out I had received a tenured position here in Sunnydale. Joyce had suggested that we renovate the basement and turn it into living quarters for me. I agreed, but unfortunately, Joyce neglected to inform Buffy, so she was quite surprised when I showed up, bag and baggage." Meg poured boiling water into the teapot and allowed the fragrant brew to steep. As she spoke, she carefully placed a small amount of powder into one of the cups and then filled it with tea.
"Do you take cream and sugar, or lemon?" she asked Ms. Bosworth. "Oh cream and sugar please." Meg brought the cups over to the table and passed one to the social worker. "Would you care for a Danish?" she asked. "There quite fresh. Buffy and Dawn brought them home after their morning jog." "Ms. Summers' takes her sister jogging in the morning?" "Well, they call it jogging, but I think they use the time for gossip, and as an opportunity to spend time together." "Isn't that nice," said Ms. Bosworth, making some notes on her pad. She put her pen down and took a sip of tea. "Oh my, that is quite good," she said. "The secret is to warm the tea pot before you put the tea in," said Meg. "Now, what else can I help you with?" "Well there were several issues that were of great concern last spring. "The financial situation was quite bleak, and Dawn was getting into a lot of trouble.'
Meg poured some more tea into the social workers cup as she thought about what to say. "Well, financially, things have improved. Buffy has, as I said, gone back to school, but she also received a scholarship to pay for her tuition. I also pay rent for my accommodations here, as do Buffy's other roommates Willow and Tara." "Yes, I must say, I wasn't very pleased to find out that some of Buffy's school friends were living here as well." "Why ever not," said Meg as she put her cup down forcefully. "Willow has been a friend of Buffy's since she moved to Sunnydale. In fact, my dearly departed cousin Joyce," she paused to sniff for effect, "Loved Willow like another daughter, and was equally as fond of Tara. Both girls provided Buffy and Dawn with support during the aftermath of Joyce's death."
Ms. Bosworth took another sip of her tea and smiled. "You are quite correct Professor Farrell, I don't know what I was thinking." She made some more notations on her pad and smiled. "What about Dawn, how is she doing? I believe progress reports were handed out this week." "Yes, as a matter of fact they were. Buffy has signed all of Dawn's already and they've been returned to school, but they were so good, we made some copies. Would you care to see them?" At the social worker's nod, Meg excused herself to go get them. She went down to her room, and quickly threw some clothes on and grabbed some papers off of her desk. She returned upstairs and smiled at the social worker who was walking around the kitchen, checking the cabinets.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Meg asked. The social worker didn't even have the grace to look upset. "Yes, I just wanted to make sure there was adequate food in the house. It's been an issue before." "Well, as you can see, it's not now. Here are Dawn's progress reports," she said passing the papers to the social worker. She looked through them all and smiled. "Well, it appears as though Dawn has made some tremendous improvements in both her schoolwork and her attendance. Every teacher commented on it. That is excellent."
Just then the door burst open and Buffy rushed in. "Ms. Bosworth, I am so sorry," she began. I had a class I just couldn't afford to miss. I tried to call you, really I did." "Don't worry, Ms. Summers. Professor Farrell explained all that to me. In fact, she has been very forthcoming and provided me with a lot of useful information. I can see you quite have things under control Ms. Summers, and I congratulate you on that. In fact, I can see no reason why full and permanent custody shouldn't be given to you immediately." "Really," Buffy said grinning. "Yes really. I admit that finances were a large concern of mine, but as Professor Farrell said, she is paying rent, as are your other two roommates. There is plenty of food in the house, and I can see that you are making an effort to spend time with your sister and meet her emotional needs."
Meg smiled and decided it was time to bring things home. "I didn't get a chance to tell you about the small school Buffy is running. She is teaching self-defense in the early evenings. Buffy is a budding entrepreneur." "Well then, everything seems to be in order," said the social worker. "I'll turn in my report as soon as I get back to the office. Congratulations Ms. Summers. Professor Farrell, it was a pleasure to meet you."
The two women bid Ms. Bosworth goodbye and closed the door. Buffy smiled and hugged herself tightly and spun around. "We did it, we did it. Well, actually, you did it. How did you do it Meg?" "Well, I simply presented the facts in a clear and concise manner, and I put a little something in her tea to open her mind." "You WHAT!" shouted Buffy. "You drugged her, used magic on her? That's so wrong. What about everything you're teaching Willow and Dawn, about being responsible?" "That women coming here with her mind made up was wrong too," said Meg defensively. "She was all set to make a negative report no matter what was going on here. I simply gave her an herb that allowed her to view things with an open mind. I did nothing to influence her decision."
Buffy and Meg walked out to the kitchen while Meg spoke. As she listened, Buffy picked up the sheaf of papers that had been lying on the table. "Why are these here?" asked Buffy. "I thought Dawn brought these back to school already." "Ah, well, she did, but the social worker wanted proof that Dawn was doing well in school, so I made these." "Well," you just seemed to think of everything," said Buffy. "It's like I wasn't even needed." "Nonsense, you are Dawn's guardian. I did nothing other than make sure that dreadful woman saw things in an a good light." "I suppose you are right," said Buffy. "Besides, all that matters is that Dawn gets to stay here." "I agree, now, get yourself back to school, and I'll turn myself back into a psychology professor."
Buffy left and Meg went downstairs to get ready. The light on her answering machine was flashing. She reached over to press the button to play it, but before she could, the phone rang. "Hello, Professor Farrell speaking." "Are you making any progress?" the voice on the other end of the phone asked. "Yes, I am, but don't push me. These things take time. They are a highly suspicious bunch, and very close. It's taken me this long to get them to accept me." "What about the key?" "Dawn is her name, and she is progressing nicely. She is learning to tap into her powers. She will be very powerful in time." "What about the other thing?" "There is no word on that yet. We're still trying to find more information on the demons. Now, do you have the information I asked about?" "Yes," said the voice. We have located the records on the vampire known to the initiative as Hostile 17. It is as you believed, his chip was deactivated when the initiative was destroyed." "Thank you," said Meg. "Now, I must ask you not to call me here again. I'll be in touch." She hung up the phone and began to pace. "I was afraid of that," she said.