Title of Chapter: The Others
Author's note: My apologies yet again for the wait. Last we talked, my muse had gone missing on me, but I'm happy to report that it's been found for good. Weird story, but I found it in a very depressed state walking the streets of L.A. No, I'm not lying. Seems, that in its quest to make Alexis Denisoff its love slave, it came to a sad realization that Alexis is madly in love with another. Goes by the name of Alyson. Poor muse. It's been depressed for days now. I tried singing to it, but apparently "I wanna sex you up" isn't appropriate to impede depression. But fret no more. I promise this bitch will be updated monthly until it's done… maybe.
Author's note 2: Thanks to everyone who gave feedback, even you too star2717, for I know that "stinky" is a term of endearment. Warms my heart really.
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CHAPTER 9
The sound of the ocean, the scene before her; beautiful clear blue water spread far and wide, the feel of the deep white sand between her toes, the soft wind blowing gingerly through her hair, all made for her fantasy world come to life.
"My love," came a voice from behind. "You take my breath away"
She turned, a smile taking its place front and center on her face "Fabio", a whisper upon her lips
"Yes my love. It's me". With a flick of his long blonde manly locks from his cheek, a curl of the lips and a sparkle in his eyes, he continued. "How I've missed you my darling. How I've longed to be here and now, standing before your splendor. You, you are a goddess"
"Oh Fabio"
He took a hand to her parted lips, pressing his fingers softly against them. "Shsssh, my love. No words are needed". Tracing his fingers from her lips across her cheek, finally coming to a strand of hair that escaped from the pack. With ease, he smoothed it behind her delicate ear and slowly pulled her into an embrace, resting his head upon her crown. "We will find a way to be together"
The embrace continued and a sound… no, music from the heavens enveloped the couple with its slow melody. A song of love, a song for lovers, a song of hope, a song of little sense.
She means the world to me
And I live for her
chica tu cres me vida la ternuda
She's my destiny I know
y alegria amor
Forever my love
y est sueno
And I'll never let her go
contigo sera verda
They parted; a sparkle of a tear adorned just so eloquently on the masculine yet oh so very feminine cheek of Fabio. It lingered, taking in the celestial feel of its owners tender skin, before gradually making its way down the vast width of an angular face, dropping, feeling the loss of the presence of a godlike entity, and becoming one with the sand below
Dream on... dream away
I think I'm gonna have to stay
Stay forever
"You complete me"
"You had me at hello"
"What?"
"Um, nothing.
I adore... mi amor
I adore... mi amor
"Oh Fabio"
"Oh Valrose! I know I am a prince and you are but just a simple peasant, but damn the kingdom to hell, I'm taking you as my wife. Father will just have to grow accustomed.
A gasp escaped her lips. "Oh Fabio"
"Oh Valrose my dear, I love ding dong"
"What?" Valrose looked up into the deep blue eyes of the one she loved, and watched as his figure became blurry. She rubbed her eyes.
"I said, I love… ding dong"
"Fabio, where are you going?" she asked as his presence flickered in and out before he completely disappeared. "Fabio, come back", she yelled, spinning around trying to find some glimpse of him afar. The oceans waves suddenly faded into nonexistence, the sand between her toes vanished, the wind on her face stopped, and she bolted up in bed to the incessant ring of the doorbell. She screamed inwardly, making her way out of bed, snatching the robe that rested on the chair, putting it on before coming to a halt in front of the door. She opened it, ready to unleash a verbal assault.
"What the heck do you think - ", she stopped mid sentence as she made visual eye contact with the ringer of said doorbell. "Dr. Preston, Sir. I uh…"
"We need to talk", he cut her off and walked in without an invitation. He looked around at her small dwelling, searching out a place to sit. He found one at the dining room table, and gestured for Valrose to join him. Valrose followed tightening the straps of her robe, feeling a bit uncomfortable and worried.
He looked up and saw fear in her eyes. "Rose, for crying out loud. Stop fretting. I'm not here to fire you if that's what you were wondering. I'm here to talk, ask you a few questions and for some favors"
Valrose relaxed knowing that she still had a job. "I, ah…If I can be of any help…"
"Well, I'm hoping you can. Listen, there is a young woman in town. Her name is Buffy Summers. You may not remember this, but you were the midwife at her birth. Jillian Mckay's daughter.
"Oh my"
"Yes, exactly! My favor of you is to give no information out to this girl. I don't care if she begs you, offers you money, cries, you know absolutely nothing. Is that clear?
"But she has a right to know Sir"
"The only right she has is to be ignorant of this whole affair. Is that understood Rose"
"But Sir"
"Rose, do not cross me. I'm no longer asking you for a favor, I'm now telling you that I don't want you talking to this girl. It is extremely important that you keep the truth from her. Now, for the final time, is that understood?
Taking in the potency his eyes beheld, she knew he was serious. Intimidated and fearful, she said "Yes. Completely understood".
With that, the man in her dining room rose from the chair, smiled, and let himself out without another word.
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Angel stood hovering over his sister, briefcase in hand, as she sat quietly on the couch, staring blankly at the TV. "Dru, I'm leaving for work, but Dawn's gonna be here with you while I'm gone. Cordelia will be stopping by later on ok". He waited for a reply, but when he got none, he sighed and turned to the young girl at the kitchen table shoving a pop tart into her mouth. "Dawn, just make sure she doesn't leave the house"
"Don't worry, I'll be watching her like a hawk" she smiled. "Wouldn't want a repeat of last week." Angel tilted his head and she clarified. "Cordelia told me about it. You must have been worried out of your mind not knowing where she'd wondered off to huh?"
"Yes. Very much. The caregiver…"
"Ms. Mary?"
"Yes. Mary stepped into the bedroom to get something and when she came back out, she found the door open and Dru gone. She was only missing for a good 10 minutes. She came back home on her own. Don't really know where she went and when I ask her, she goes off on another of her ramblings." Angel sighed, glanced at his sister still focused on the television before giving his attention once again to Dawn. "So, what time did your sister say she would be coming by? I'd like to be here before she leaves to thank her personally.
Dawn wrinkled up her nose. "Now Angel, I'm not too familiar with the slang you grown ups use now a days, but when you say 'thank her personally', you wouldn't happen to mean…
"Dawn", Angel bellowed annoyed
"I'm just saying, that if you guys plan on getting freaky, I'd rather not be here for that is all"
"Dawn, your sister and I are just friends and that's all ok" Angel said heaving a sigh
"Huh huh"
"Dawn!"
"Ok, Ok. Sheesh." Dawn exclaimed raising her hands in surrender. "I guess you've moved on to someone a bit less brunette and a lot more blonde then" she raised her brow, her eyes fixed on Angel waiting for a reaction.
"What?" Angel said caught off guard
"Buffy. That is her name right?" Dawn replied, mischief creeping into the corner of her lips, smiling deeply.
Resting his briefcase on the kitchen counter, to straighten his tie, he looked at Dawn with curiosity. "How do you know about her?"
"People talk Angel", she said. Angel gave her a look and she elaborated. "Ok, so here's the breakdown. Ms. Patty, Dana's mother, told Dana she saw you and some blonde gal, on Merrick Street the other day. Said the two of you looked friendly if you know what I mean. And well, Dana told Veronica, and Veronica told Coral and Coral told me. But see, Coral also talked to Courtney, whose sister is Eve and Eve told Courtney that she saw you and this same blonde gal, dancing very intimately at the Bronze on Wednesday. Now, I'm not the kind to pay attention to gossip, except I do, but that's beside the point. The point is, Cordy and I came by last Wednesday night to check in on Dru, and Ms. Mary told us you had called her to see if she could stay extra shifts throughout the night cause you wouldn't be back until early the next morning. I'm a young girl Angel and my kind tend to have very imaginative imaginations", she finished gleaming.
"Dawn", Angel said in warning
"What?" she drawled getting up from the table, to stand in front of Angel. "You're like a brother to me and I would just like to know where my brother figure was on Wednesday night is all. All night in fact. I worry you know."
"More like nosey", Angel said, side stepping Dawn, snatching up his briefcase and headed for the door. "I'll be back before 5"
---
Rupert looked at his watch. "Spike" he said matter-a-factly, "where's your father? It's not like him to be late".
Flipping through the recent issue of Astonishing X-men comic book, the blonde one replied without visual acknowledgement of the other occupant of the office. "He had to take care of something. Now before you go asking what. I dunno. He didn't tell me"
Shrugging, Rupert grunted. "So, where's Angel then?"
"Still engrossed in the world of his comics, Spike said "Meeting with Trenton's lawyers. Seems the bastard was really gunning to go to court, so Peaches is there now with the lawyers working out some sort of settlement."
Shrugging, Rupert grunted. "Ah, I see". He removed his glasses from his face, snatched up the handkerchief from his left pant pocket, and proceeded to clean his lenses. He opened his mouth to ask yet another question, but closed it again when William Preston Sr. entered the office looking a bit flushed.
"Is everything ok William", Rupert asked concerned.
"Wha? Oh, of course. Everything is fine Rup. Sorry I'm late. Hand to stop off at the ah… Courtney McAllister's kid had an abnormally high fever, so I just went in to check on him."
"Oh, how dreadful. Is it anything serious?"
"Nothing serious. Told Courtney to come in later today and I would write up a prescription for some anti-bodies. A day or two, Tom is sure to feel better"
Putting his glasses back on his face, Rupert Giles walked towards the door. "Good. Good. Well, I've got some paper work to rifle through, so if you need me, I'll be in my office".
Distracted, William waved him away with little notice. "Yes, speak with you later then". He looked at his son. "William" he said but got no response. Willia… Spike for gods sake"
"Bloody hell. Why you yelling my name", Spike finally responded, putting down his reading material. "I'm not bleedin' deaf you know".
"Come here"
Spike walked over to where his father stood and took a seat in the closest chair. "What?"
"You and Buffy seemed to be friendly enough the other day at dinner."
"She digs me. I don't think she can help it. Look at me", Spike finished smugly
William shoveled his way over to his son and came at a halt directly in front of Spike. He stooped, his hands resting on either side of the armrest of the chair Spike sat. "Try and help her help it". With a harden tense look plastered on his face, he went on. "I want that girl out of this town, so take your charm and appeal and impart it on someone else".
To Be Continued…