Alex's Pov
Uncle Jethro pulled up outside a coffee shop and turned the engine off, I unbuckled my belt and climbed out of the car at the same time that uncle Jethro did. We walked into the shop and uncle Jethro, directed me to an empty table
"I'll get the drinks in, you take a seat." I nodded and sat down at an empty table, just as my phone began to ring, I frowned and pulled it from my pocket, Giles was calling, I answered
"Giles?"
-ah, I'm glad you picked up Alex-
"No worries Giles, what's up?"
-I'm just checking in in how you're doing, did you speak to Angel?- I sighed
"Yeah, Giles, I did speak to him."
-From that tone of voice, I'm going to take it as, the conversation didn't go well then?-
"Well, he remembers the night, the same way I do, I haven't lost anymore memories from that night and haven't gained anymore either, he just doesn't want to talk about that night."
-oh Alex, I'm sorry-
"It's alright Giles, he coming here tomorrow too, so I can hope, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high and I know he hurt you Giles, Miss Calender was a big part of my life too."
-I know she was Alex, she spoke to me a lot about her concerns about you, from your family and from the girls, I should have listened-
I sighed as uncle Jethro sat down in the seat across from me and place a steaming cup in front of me, and gave me a concerned look, I smiled at him
"It's alright Giles, you had a lot on your mind, I don't blame you for what happened."
-But I should have realised-
"Well, it's all in the past now, how far away are you? Are you driving while talking to me?"
-I'm not driving, I stopped to get something to eat, I'll be setting back off in about an hour, by tonight I should just get to Washington DC, then I'll stop for the night.-
"Let me know when you stop alright Giles?"
-I will, see you tomorrow Alex-
"See you then." I hung up the phone and returned it to my pocket
"Everything okay kiddo?" Uncle Jethro asked, I nodded
"Yeah, just Giles checking in before he arrives tomorrow."
"The librarian right?" I nodded "Why is he coming tomorrow?" I gave him a confused look
"I didn't tell you?" He gave me a stern glare, I gulped
"Tell me what?" I sighed
"Do you remember I told you about that night?" He nodded "Well, I have two sets of memories for that night." He frowned and lent forward a bit
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that I have my memories of that night, but there are some other memories that have been put there to try and overlap the memories I have, it's already started, I can't remember what I said to Willow after that night, so I phoned Giles to ask him some questions about that night, he thinks Willow has been messing with magicks she doesn't understand, so he's arriving tomorrow afternoon, to fix it, take out the magicks and memories that don't belong." He looked at me concerned
"Do you want me to be there with you?" I shook my head
"No, you have to work, it's only Giles, I'll be fine." He nodded and leant back and I took a drink of my hot chocolate
"So, you spoken to Angel?" I set my drink back down and sighed, slumping in my seat "I'll take that as a yes." I nodded
"Yes, I phoned him earlier, he's arriving here tomorrow morning, so that we can talk about things."
"That's a good thing, right?" I sighed again "I'll take that as a no." I huffed
"He wants to talk about that night, everything, I told him my feelings for him uncle Jethro and he brushed me off, so many times, I'm not really hoping for good news, he says he doesn't want to talk about it over the phone, he told me what Angelus said was all true, but I don't know what to believe." I sighed and took a gulp of my hot chocolate, when I spotted uncle Jethro giving me a long look, I made eye contact with him, but he broke it off to take a drink of his own coffee, then he set it back on the table and met my eyes
"Alex, keep an open mind, alright? You might think he's coming here to give you bad news, but it could also be good news, just keep an open mind, okay?" I thought about it for a moment, before giving him a slow nod
"Alright, I'll listen to everything he has to say, before making a choice." He nodded
"Good." He took another drink of his coffee and set his cup down "Now what do I do about Tim and me?" I smiled at him
"You could start by talking to him, and don't change the subject on him."
"He told you about that, huh?"
"Yeah, he also told me how you two go together, you told Ducky about your feelings for Tim, have you told Ducky that you two are together now?" Uncle Jethro chuckled
"No, I didn't have to, Ducky just knew." Uncle Jethro shrugged "But that's just Ducky for you." I chuckled
"I suppose so, you really need to have a talk with Tim, about this, just like I need to speak to Angel when he arrives tomorrow morning." He nodded, with a sigh
"I'll talk to him, tonight." I nod and finish my hot chocolate, while he finished off his coffee "I'm gonna get a refill, why don't you go wait in the car, I nod and he stands and passes me the keys, I take them and get to my feet, I then head out the door and back to the car as my phone begins to ring, I frown and pull it from my pocket and saw Angel's name flashing on the screen, I frown and then sigh and answered
"Hello?"
-Alex, I've stopped driving for the minute, but I thought I should ring you and hear the air a little bit-
"I thought we were going to clear the air tomorrow?"
Tomorrow?"
-I know, well clear the most of it tomorrow, but I just wanted to talk, how are your memories doing?-
"Well, I've not lost nor gained any memories, so I'm taking that as a plus for the minute, I just need Giles to removed this spell on me."
-Is Giles coming soon? To remove that spell?- I sighed
"Yeah, he's arriving tomorrow afternoon."
-You mean he's going to be there while I'm there?-
"It's probably better that you are here, just in case this spell affects my memories even more, before it's removed." I heard him sigh
-Why would Willow do this to you? I thought you two were best friends-
"We were, at least I thought we were until Buffy came along."
-I did notice, a lot of dismissal towards you, I believe that's why I first took an interest in you.-
"I didn't know that." I heard him chuckle
-Well, we have a lot to talk about tomorrow, what time is Giles getting there?-
"At some point tomorrow afternoon, after you arrive."
-Well at least we'll have cleared the air by the time he arrives-
"How far away are you anyway?"
-I'm not that far away-
"That doesn't tell me how far away you are Angel." I spotted Uncle Jethro heading out of the coffee shop carrying a take away cup
-Lets just say, I'm gonna find a place to crash tonight and I'll see you in the morning-
"But you don't even know the address of where I'm staying."
-Text me it later then, I've got to get going-
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then." Then the phone hung up and I looked up at uncle Jethro who had an eyebrow raised "It was Angel."
"Yeah? What did he have to say?"
"He just wanted to clear the air a bit without delving too deep into anything we were going to talk about tomorrow." He nodded
"He need our address?" He asked as he moved round to the drivers door
"Our address?" He grinned at me
"Well, you do live there don't you?" I blushed
"You mean I can stay?" He gave me a serious look
"I wouldn't have you living anywhere else, you are my family, you are, more than welcome to stay for as long as you like." I smiled at him
"Thanks Uncle Jethro." He smiled
"Come on, lets get you back home before I head to the yard." I nodded and climbed into the car and buckled in as he climbed into the drivers seat and fastened himself in "I'll speak to Tim, smooth things over with him."
"You better, he does love you Uncle Jethro, and you two look really good together, I don't want either of you to loose out." He nodded and started the car
"I won't lose Tim, beside you he's all I have and I refuse to let him go without a fight." I nod
"Good."
Uncle Jethro dropped me back off at the house and headed off to the Yard, I headed inside and was greeted by an enthusiastic Jett
"Hey boy." I fussed him and then headed to the back door, with him trotting behind me, I opened the back door from him and he shot out into the yard, I chuckled and headed into dining room to find my sketch book where I'd left it the other day. I sat down at the table and began to draw, while Jett ran about in the back garden.
—Next Day—
Alex Pov
I woke early the next morning to movements outside my room, I sighed, knowing that uncle Jethro was sneaking around as to no anger Tim. I though back on last night, what I heard.
Flashback
I was still sat at the dining table, with Jett curled at my feet, when we both jumped as the door slammed open.
"Tim, we need to talk." I heard uncle Jethro call as we heard the door shut
"I'm not in the mood Jethro."
"Well, get in the mood, this has been going on for far too long, we need to talk, I won't let you shut me out."
"Shut you out? Are you kidding me? You've been doing that to me since day one!"
"Tim-"
"No Jethro, I have tried to talk to you about this, time and time again, it's only now that Alex is here that you want to talk to me about it." I frowned, why would Tim bring me into this, I haven't done anything wrong
"Don't bring Alex into this Tim, he's done nothing wrong, except made me open my eyes a little wider to see the big picture."
"The big picture? Yeah, what's that then?"
"I want you Tim, I want you here with me, I want Jett here with you, I don't want to lose you Tim, I want to be a family, me, you, Jett and Alex."
"And you're willing to tell the team about us?"
"Wherever it takes, just so I don't lose you."
"So, the only reason you'd tell the team is so you don't lose me? Not because you love me?"
"Ah hell Tim, Of course I love you, you know that I do."
Suddenly there was long period of silence, Jett sat up next to me and rested his head on my knee, I looked down at him and Gave him a sad smile and stroked his head
"I'm not hungry anymore, I'll see you in the morning." Tim said, then I heard footsteps heading upstairs, I sighed as Jett whined, I looked back down at him and said
"I know, I don't want them to fight either."
"Alex, kiddo, you hungry?" I looked up to see Uncle Jethro, looking pretty defeated stood in the door way
"I could eat, only if you're joining me." He shrugged and set the bag of take away food on the table and grabbed two forks
"No point in letting it go to waste."
Flashback end
I huffed and sat up, waking Jett in the process, he gave a doggie yawn and then laid back down to go back to sleep. I climbed out of bed and headed out of my room, leaving the door open for Jett and headed downstairs, I caught sight of the sofa that had a pillow and a spare blanket folded on it, I then headed into the kitchen to see, uncle Jethro sat at the table staring blankly into his coffee.
"Uncle Jethro?" He blinked once, before turning his head to look at me, he gave me a small grin, but it didn't quite meet his eyes
"Hey kiddo, you sleep well?" I shrugged
"Did you sleep on the sofa?" He sighed
"I didn't see the point in angering Tim more, by being in the same bed with him, when it was pretty clear that he didn't want me there." I sighed
"Why would I be angry at you for sharing our bed?" Tim asked from behind me
"Did I wake you? I was trying to be as quiet as possible." Uncel Jethro said, standing from his seat to pour his coffee down the sink
"I wasn't asleep, I couldn't sleep, you weren't there." Tim said moving further into the room, I sat down at the table as Tim stepped up in front of uncle Jethro
"You were upset last night, at me, we said when we started this, we'd never bring a case home and we'd never go to bed angry." Uncle Jethro responded
"I wasn't angry Jethro, I was sad and hurt, maybe a little angry, but mainly at myself, how could I even think of questioning the love you have for me, after everything ever been through, I hurt you when I said that to you, you didn't say anything, but I could see it."
"Well yeah, I know we haven't been open to those we work with, but I love you Tim, I don't want this to ruin us, not after all the good we have."
"It won't, I promise you, it won't."
"You sure about that?"
"I don't want to lose you either Jethro, I like what we have, Yes sometimes I may feel like a dirty little secret, but I know you love me, if you're not ready to tell the team, that's fine with me, I can't wait, because I know you're not going anywhere and neither am I." I watched as Uncle Jethro smiled before leaning down to placed a firm kiss on Tim's lips before pulling back and glancing over at me, make Tim turn to look at me "Sorry Alex." I shrugged
"It's fine, I'm just glad you two made up." They both smiled at me
"We should go get ready for work." Tim said, uncle Jethro nodded
"You go shower, I've showered already." Uncle Jethro responded, Tim nodded out of the kitchen "You want something to drink?" I shrugged
"I could go from some orange juice." He chuckled and moved over to the fridge, he pulled a carton out of the fridge and places it on the side
"Are you ready for today?" He asked as he poured a glass half full of juice, I shrugged as he returned the juice to the fridge, he then brought the juice over to me and sat down at the table.
"Do you mean about Angel coming round?" He nodded, I shrugged and took a gulp of juice "I don't see why I should be worried, it's only Deadboy." Uncle Jethro raised an eyebrow as I took a gulp of juice
"Dead Boy?" I gave him a slow nod and then looked at him in horror
"Did I just call him that?" He nodded
"Where does that name for him come from?" I sighed
"I haven't called him that since I first met him and found out what he was, I don't know why I called him that."
"Could it be the spell?" Uncle Jethro asked, I shrugged
"I need to call Giles." He nodded and I pulled my phone out of my pocket, I dialled Giles number
-Alex, I'm just having a spot of breakfast then I'll be on my way, but I have a feeling that wasn't why you were calling me-
"I just called Angel Deadboy, uncle Jethro thinks the spell might be affecting me, could it be?" I heard Uncle Jethro's phone ring, he shot me a small smile and stood from the table and headed out the kitchen, then I heard a faint "Yeah, Gibbs." As he answered his phone.
-it is highly possible that the spell it manifesting and changing itself the longer it is attached to you.-
"What do I need to do Giles?"
-Call Angel get him to come to you sooner rather than later, the spell might stop if you two are in close contact with each other-
"Do you think that will work?"
-The spell was placed upon you while Angel was in hell, two two were very far apart, then you two didn't spend much time together when he came back-
"No, I didn't think he remembered so, we didn't talk much at all, it hurt too much."
-Therefore allowing the spell to set in but remain dormant, but then you started talking to Angel again-
"Yeah, I called him the other day."
-And that's when your memories started to change?-
"Yeah, So, I need to call Angel."
-I recommend that you do, get him there as soon as possible, and I will hurry up and get there too-
"Alright, I'll call him."
-And just be careful Alex, I don't want you getting hurt-
"I'll be careful, I promise." I then hung the phone up and looked at uncle Jethro, who looked apologetic as he entered back into the kitchen "Uncle Jethro?"
"I've got to head to work, we've got a case." I nodded
"That's okay, I'm going to call Angel see if he can get here faster." He nodded
"Let me know if you need anything kiddo, I'll have my phone on me all day." I nod and he heads out the kitchen again, I heard him yell up to Tim "Tim, we've got a case Rock Creek Park." I didn't heard what Tim said but Uncle Jethro acknowledged him and left the house, I sighed and dialed Angel's number, he answered almost instantly
-I've not set off yet, is something wrong?-
"The spell is starting to affect me more than just my memories."
-What? Are you alright?-
"I'm fine, a little bit nerve wrecked, I, um, I called you Deadboy to my uncle."
-Wow, isn't that a blast from the past, you've not called me that since we first met-
"I know, Giles says the spell was cast when you went to hell and because we didn't talk much when you came back it allowed the spell to set but remain dormant, but once we started talking-"
-The spell kicked in and started to affect your memories and way of thinking about me apparently, so what does Giles say to do?-
"He says you need to come round here sooner rather than later, we need to interact with each other, he says that it might stop the spell long enough for him to get here and remove it."
-Alright, I'm already on my way, I'll be there soon-
He then hung up, I heard footsteps on the stairs as Tim came downstairs
"Alex, I'm heading to work, you going to be alright?" Tim called from the other room
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Alright, if you need anything, give me a call, I'll have my phone on me all day."
"I will Tim, good look on your case."
"Thanks Alex." I heard the door open and shut as he left the house, I sighed and stood from my chair, not longer feeling like drinking juice, I poured myself a coffee and took a large gulp. I sat and thought for a little while, not really thinking about anything in particular, when suddenly there was a knock at the door, I heard Jett bound down the stairs and start barking, I sighed and moved over to the front door, Jett was crouched in front of it barking
"Jett! Down!" Jett immediately stopped barking and trotted over to sit at my side, I huffed and moved to open the door, to reveal Angel stood there with an amused look on his face
"Quite the guard dog you've got there." He commented, looking down at Jett, I glanced at Jett to see him wagging his tail
"Yeah, he's a retired drug dectection dog." Angel nodded in understanding
"Well, lets hope he doesn't mind me being in your house." I shrugged
"I don't think he will."
"You need to invite me in Alex, unless you want to have this conversation on the porch." I grinned
"Come in Angel." He nodded and stepped through the doorway, I shut the door behind him and then turned to watch as he knelt down and held his hand out to Jett, who cautiously sniffed his hand, before licking the tips of his fingers. Jett then stood on all fours and trotted over to his bed, before circling a few times and laying down to go back to sleep. I chuckled at Angels bewildered look
"Your safe, he stood down, he feels comfortable enough with you to go a laze in his bed." Angel chuckled and rose to his feet, looking straight at me his face gained a concern look
"Are you sure you're alright?" He asked, I nodded
"It just scares me enough to think, what else could Willow have made me do, or made me forget." He stepped forward and placed his hands on my shoulders
"Just calm down Alex, everything will be okay, we only have to wait a few hours until Giles gets here, then he'll get rid of all the spells that may or mat not be on you, so take a deep breath for me, as much as I love to hear you babble, I need to know you're going to stay conscious while we talk." I took a deep breath and then thought over what he just said
"You love to hear me babble?" He chuckled and squeezed my shoulders
"I'm glad that what you focused on." I shrugged
"Had to focus on something, would you like something to drink?" He shook his head and squeeze my shoulder again
"No thank you Alex, I do think we need to sit and talk though."