Chapter 27
"We did it! We made it through our first year as a school!" Willow exclaimed, upon turning in her grades for 2nd semester.
"That we did, and I'm amazed we did it so smoothly. Do you think the girls will approve of our summer plan?" Sebastian asked.
"A summer abroad in England at your country estate? Yeah, I think they're going to love it. You did say there were stables, right?"
"Of course!"
"Then, I think it's going to go over just fine. When are we telling them?"
"The End of the Year Banquet tomorrow. It really seemed like the best plan, since you need the time off to attend to your Guardian duties."
"Yep. I need to visit all the older girls we already know about, and locate the ones I can feel are out there somewhere. Expect to be moving into high school curriculum, if I'm successful," Willow replied.
"We knew it was coming, so we'll be ready for you."
"And Buffy's okay with going to Europe for that long?"
"Now that Dawn is going for part of time, yes. I'm hoping the change of scenery will take her mind off things…she's upset about not being pregnant yet, and the doctor said it would probably help if she can just relax. There's nothing wrong with either of us, health-wise. I just hate seeing her so unhappy," Sebastian replied.
"Me, too. Well, stuff happens for a reason, and that includes babies, so maybe…maybe you guys are meant to take care of the world's kids for a while, before you get your own."
"If you get any hints from the Powers on that, let me know," he said.
"Okay. Well, recess is over, so I better get back to my classroom."
"Thanks, Willow."
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With most of the family gone for the summer, we traveled. Mom and Dad took us to Yosemite, which was just as beautiful at night as it was in the daytime. We also went up to Vancouver, and the surrounding areas. Dad liked it for the British influence. I remember it being so odd that there was still snow in the shade under trees. We pulled up alongside the road a couple times and had snowball fights. I got Dad in the face once, and he looked so shocked – it had Lilli and me laughing for days.
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"Rupert, do you like keeping the shop?" Joyce asked her husband. They'd finally slipped off for a private ceremony earlier in the spring.
"Why wouldn't I?" he replied, puzzled.
"Well, it's just that you complain about the daily routine of it all more than you say you enjoy it, so I've come to wonder. You could sell your share to Anya. None of us would be upset over it."
"And what would I do with my time, then?"
"Well, we could travel more, and you'd have more time to work with the Council…"
"And if that happened to take us to England, you wouldn't be too put out…" he replied knowingly.
"Yes, I'll admit that I miss the girls terribly. I've never not seen my babies for two whole months before," Joyce added.
"How about I see if I can arrange some time off, and think about the rest? I also have to admit to feeling left behind, with none of the children around Sunnydale. They've grown beyond us, haven't they?"
"Not beyond us, dear. They've just taken control of their own lives. I'm pretty proud of the whole bunch," she mused. "Just think back to when Buffy, Willow, and Xander were in high school."
"How could I ever forget? I thought they'd be the death of me," he joked.
"Was it really that bad?"
"Well, I was hit in the head a lot…"
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Another September, another school year. Willow's prognostication of adding high school girls to the school had been correct. And due to Council policy changes, the adolescents were coming to Sunnydale, and the younger girls were going back to Watcher supervision. The Academy staff wasn't happy about the change, and how it would affect the little ones, but there was nothing they could do about it. The Council was the legal guardian for these Potentials. They got exactly two weeks notice before school was supposed to start that they would be teaching 5th grade and up, and boarding 200 girls.
"Who is in charge of that blasted program over there? I'd like to give them a piece of my mind," Sebastian ranted.
"Somebody new. This is their idea of reforming the system. I'm sorry, Sebastian. I tried to argue that the young ones need a stable care environment, and that we didn't mind taking care of the ones we already had, but they wouldn't go for it. This is the new department head's idea of meeting our 'no children under 10' policy," Willow replied.
"My kindergarten class was so sad," Tara added. "I don't know about the others, but my students were crying the whole way to the airport. It's not like they even really understand why they have this life! It just…it just makes me so mad."
"How are we going to teach that many high school girls this semester? None of us have taught that level before. I mean, technically, I know what years are covered for 8th and 9th grade social studies, but we don't even have textbooks for those grades. This is one messed up situation, man," Michael said.
"I agree this will be quite a challenge to be ready in time. Girls that age will take advantage of us not being prepared. They'll sense if we're floundering, and then we'll have disciplinary problems on our hands. Perhaps we should try to enroll a portion at the local high school?" Ms. Carling suggested.
Sebastian shook his head. "No time. Sunnydale High is already full. We might be able to get a couple girls accepted, but not enough to ease our burden. I want the group of you to take one of the vans down to L.A. and browse the teaching supply shops. Find us textbooks, etc. Willow is authorized to make purchases for the school, so don't worry about cost. If no one has any further questions, I suggest we get to it."
The staff nodded their assent, and left his office. Sebastian massaged his temples for a minute, trying to fight off a headache, then picked up the phone. They had a lot of work to do to prepare the dorm rooms in time.
School didn't start until the 8th this year. The new girls would be arriving over the 3-day weekend. A bus had been added to the Academy fleet of vehicles, which Giles graciously offered to drive to the airport, since he was the only person already trained to operate one. They'd all spent the past week painting, decorating, and making beds. The computer lab now held 30 computers. Sebastian had delegated full control of the kitchen to Ruby for making sure they could handle 100 more mouths to feed. While all that was going on, the 5th – 7th grade girls had been tasked to tend the garden and increase its size. With California's extended summer temperatures, they would get several more weeks of use from the crop.
"Baby, come to bed. It's late," Buffy entreated.
"In a while, sweetheart. I still have paperwork to finish," he replied without looking up from his forms.
Buffy put her hand down on the papers, blocking his view. "Sebastian, it's after midnight. You can tackle this again in the morning."
"I suppose you're right. Is this new?" he asked, plucking at her nightgown.
"I got it a month ago. You've just been too distracted to notice," she pouted.
"I'm sorry, love. The Council really threw us for a loop. I don't mean to neglect you. Once we get this mess sorted, I'll take you out for a romantic dinner. Sound good?"
"Mmm-hmm. Will you come to bed now? I can't fall asleep without you there."
"I'll be right in. I just have to wash up."
"Okay. Don't take long."
Buffy sighed contentedly when he finally joined her in bed.
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Two hundred pre-teens and teens were assembled in the dining hall. Sebastian stepped up to the mic on the small stage and addressed the student body.
"Welcome to Pierce Academy. I am Mr. Pierce, your headmaster. Some of you are returning students, and are familiar with the rules. For the rest of you, we run a fair, but firm, environment. You all will find an allotment of uniforms in your dorm rooms. Your uniform must be worn to class every day, and be neat and tidy. You are required to launder your own clothing. If you don't know how to work the machines, ask. Miss Maclay and Miss Rosenberg are your RA's, as well as your teachers. They will check that all of you are in bed each night, so don't think you can get past curfew. You will also be responsible for putting your dishes and trash in the appropriate receptacles after each meal.
A copy of the full set of rules is posted on the inside of the door to each of your rooms. You should all have your class schedules as well as your room number. If you somehow missed check-in, see Miss Maclay or Miss Rosenberg after the assembly. Any questions…? Good…Classes start at 7:55 AM on Tuesday. Don't be late!"
Only a few girls had arrived that day, so the rest headed back to their rooms, or outside to play.
"They're a lively bunch, sir. We're going to have our hands full," Ruby stated.
"Oh, I know, Ruby. I'm suddenly feeling very old," Sebastian replied.
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Some of the new girls were gathered in the common room on the dorm floor.
"I can't believe we have to wear uniforms every day. How boring is that? This is so going to suppress my individuality."
"At least they're not some hideous color. It could be worse."
"I heard they have a Slayer here."
"That's not right! The Slayer's in Cleveland. Everybody knows that."
"My Watcher said there are two now, so it's possible."
"I think that's just a myth. How could there be two Slayers at the same time? We've all heard the 'one girl in all the world' speech."
Willow and Tara listened from around the corner, stifling their giggles.
"Evening, ladies. Have you all finished unpacking?" Willow asked, in her teacher voice.
They all sat up straight, hoping they weren't in trouble for something, yet. "Yes, Miss Rosenberg. We've just been getting to know each other," one of the braver ones answered.
"Good. We want you girls to make friends here. This will be your home until you graduate high school, so we want you to make the best of it. Do you girls have any questions?" Willow said, sounding more friendly.
"We heard that there's a Slayer here? Is that true?"
"Yes indeedy. Buffy the Vampire Slayer guarded the Hellmouth for 10 years, until it was closed. You'll know her as Buffy Pierce, around here."
One of the girls quickly made the connection. "So, she's married to the headmaster? I didn't know Slayers could have families."
"Sweetie, there's a lot you have to learn about Slayers. And you all will, during your time here at the Academy. Our goal is not just to educate you, but prepare you to defend the world against Evil. And you don't have to be a Slayer to do that," Tara added.
"Remember, ladies, you have school tomorrow. Be in bed by 10 pm," Willow instructed.
"Yes, Miss Rosenberg."
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Kara walked the twins to their classroom on the first day of 1st grade.
"You girls be good, now. Your lunches are in your backpacks. Lillian, remember to have the teacher put sunscreen on your face and arms before you play at recess."
"I know, Mommy!"
"Okay. No powers while at school. Obey the teacher, and don't be afraid to go to the nurse's office if you need to. Now, give me a hug and kiss."
They both gave the shortest bit of affection possible, and ran into the classroom. Kara sighed, and walked back to her car in the parking lot.
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"Hey," Spike greeted her, when she climbed back into bed. "What's this?"
"Just feel like cuddling, that's all."
"They didn't want you around at school, huh?" he said knowingly.
"Not really. It's like I have some nasty Mom disease. How come they still like you? It's not fair," she pouted.
"Hell if I know, luv. I'm no expert on the female mind, at any age."
"You're pretty good at sussing me out."
"That's because I have an inside track to your emotions. Without the claim, I'd fumble about much more than I do now."
"Was I that confusing before we mated?"
"Well, only because I didn't know all your issues. After seven years, even my grandsire could read you like a book."
"Great…I've become boring."
"Luv, you'll never be boring to me. Who else would I argue about philosophy with?"
"Sebastian."
"True…but I don't want to be in bed with my bloody cousin. My cousin doesn't have your gorgeous body. Doesn't have your laugh, or your smile, and he certainly didn't give me two beautiful little girls that are a bleedin' miracle in my unlife. Kitten, there's no need to doubt your worth just because they don't need you 24-7 anymore. You'll always be their mother, and they'll always need you for somethin'."
"Logically, I know all that is true…"
"But the rest of you gets panicky. It's alright to be vulnerable, luv. I'll always be here to let you just be Kara. Look on the bright side – we have until 2:30 to do anything we want," Spike said sensibly. "We could sleep, or…"
"Have wild, kinky sex because we won't be interrupted?"
"I like how your mind works, kitten," he leered.
"It was your idea."
"And you plucked it out of my head. So who's really the naughty one, hmm?"
"Maybe I want to sleep in…"
"As you wish. What I had in mind requires equipment we don't have, anyways."
"Spike…"