"Daughter of Rosenberg..."
Summary: One year after the events of "Groom of Rosenberg" Buffy the Rosenberg Monster and her honey have returned to ask a special favor of their creators Rosenberg and Praetorius...While Tara faces the more or less Big Bad...
Disclaimer: Would Joss want his name associated with this? I think not...But anyway all BTVS characters remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series...Though his brother Mort gets nothing...
Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse...
Part XVI...
"Well, Dawn?" Giles asked, for the third time…
Her quick attempt to cover with "Jon, you didn't…Tell them we were engaged?" having failed to produce the desried evasion. Even Xander, though a bit non-plussed, hadn't bought it…
She herself having been slightly distracted by Jonathan's shocked stare at her words…
What? A resurrected daughter of a souled vampire and a souled monster, now residing in an artificial human body formed of an energy matrix, isn't good enough for you?
I mean I'm kinda pretty… And sweet, most of the time, and I'm gonna have a college degree…You could a lot worse, bucko.
And whatever else my parents are, they're heroes.
"Dawn…?" Giles, realizing her distraction was genuine…
Xander, catching her glare at Jonathan, now perhaps a mite worried, glancing at Willow…
You know…They do spend a lot of time together these days…
For her part, Willow still trying to digest that Dawn had kept the secret of her creation's continued existence for a year...The same creation who'd at their last meeting had planned to blow her to kingdom come...Or wherever her scattered body parts might have ended up...
"Huh? Oh, right. Anyway, I just thought Johnny had sprung the big news…"
"Dawn…You know we were discussing Buffy's possible reappearance in town…" Giles sighed. "Now if you have any information…You or…" he eyed Jonathan coolly.
"…your fiancée here, you've got to tell us…For Buffy's sake as well as ours…"
"If I knew she was alive and where she was, I wouldn't tell you…" Dawn shook her head. "You'd lock her up again…Or dissect her. She doesn't deserve that."
"I mean…She didn't…" she added, hastily.
"Where is she, Dawn?" Giles asked, sternly…Then turned to Jonathan… "Mr. Levinson?"
"Sorry, Mr. Giles…I can't help there." Jonathan shook his head at Giles' hard stare…
Dawn, shyly beaming glance his way…That's my guy…
"You two have been and are being incredibly foolish…"
"Guys…" Willow tried.
"Isn't anybody happy for us?" Dawn put on a frown…
"About as happy as Jonathan looks right now…" Willow noted.
"He's just hurt I thought he'd spilled…" Dawn eyed him. "Right, honey?"
"You know, they could be telling the truth…" Anya, thoughtfully. "Buffy would kill Jonathan if she found out…"
"Exactly…" Dawn nodded. Wave of arms…Matter settled…
Great…Jonathan thought. Sighing inwardly…
Well…I suppose I am due to take a bullet on the cosmic moral scale…
"It's true guys, though of course we won't make it official till Dawnie and I both graduate…"
Hmmn…Xander's poise starting to slip…
Dawnie? That does sound…
Dawnie…God, amazing how something so cloying can sound so nice…Dawn thought, contentedly.
"Do they look engaged?" Willow hissed to Tara. Who shrugged…Bit hard to say for sure, definitely something else on their minds besides their future bliss…
On the other hand…Dawn definitely looks like a girl who's…
"Have you told Buffy and William yet?" Anya asked pleasantly.
Shrewd look to Xander…Heh, ha…
"Anya…" Dawn frowned.
"Dawn…If this really is true." Faith began. Pausing…
What would Buffy do?
"You are a little young yet…" diplomatic tone.
Very young…Xander thought, frowning at the cradle-robber Levinson…
A man lacking a secure career and college degree…
Ok…But An hadn't had a fill-in "older brother" to look out for her when she'd foolishly married that jerk Harris…
Looking at it objectively, I mean. As an "older brother" fill-in must…
"Like Jon says, we'll wait till we finish our degrees…" Dawn insisted. Slight gleam to Jonathan…
It's workin' Cap't…We're pullin' away…
"Congratulations, then…Where are Buffy and William?" Giles cut in…
….
At this moment they were in fact just down the street…Skulking in the crowd…
Hey, at last I get to "skulk" Buffy noting happily to Will. I always wanted to try skulkin'…
…Outside the McNabb House of Horrors…
"I hear the Monster was spotted round here the same night Dracula got up out of his coffin and walked off with the Werewolf…" a member of the crowd noted to his companion. Repeating the statement as a question to McNabb who was standing on the steps of the museum's front entrance now, fielding a few, most planted, questions from the crowd…
"Now, now…" McNabb beamed. "I'm sure we've all heard such rumors…"
Or will, when I see it gets plastered on the front page and leads the local TV news…
"…But while anything can and will happen in the world of the supernatural."
Friendly cheer from certain, slightly odd-looking members of the crowd…Now that's the kind of respect that we've been lacking. That McNabb is all right. William cautiously taking note of them…
No one dangerous I know of…He told Buffy.
"…We wouldn't want to cause panic without proof…Proof being the hallmark of each and every exhibit in our collection. As you'll all get a chance to see later this week…" McNabb concluded, beaming.
Loud cheers…
"Bout time we got a little respect...That's one class act, eh, pal?" one of the odder figures noted to William.
A gasp...Hand to head, knocking the bowler on said head back. For an instant revealing a furry ear which was tucked back with record speed...
"Spike?" Clem stared. For the first time ever at eye level...
"Is it really you up here...?"
Christ...Will sighed.
"Uh, sorry, friend…Never carry cigs on me. Bad for the Missus, secondhand you know..." he moved off. Buffy looking up in her chair...What?
Ixnay aswe amscray...he hissed.
…..
A somewhat seedy motel on the wrong side of the tracks…Favored rendezvous of prostitutes and their clients, both latter and former of all types…
Daybreak having been too imminent to proceed further after their discussion with Willie, the job of interviewing Jonas "Jonesy" Bates had been left to the daylight capable Wesley…
The said Mr. Bates' rather talkative and friendly nature belying his last name, which he himself made a point of. Noting with smile that "Mother" was currently living it up in Acapulco. Retirement condo…
"Then business is doing well?" Wes asked. Eyeing the rather complacent-looking Bates, a large fellow in T-shirt and worn jeans…Though a bit well-manicured and with rather too careful a hair cut to quite fit the grubby clerk type he seemed anxious to portray. Not to mention rather expensive-looking shoes…
"Can't complain…We've got a couple of places…" Bates leaned back from the counter. "Folks always looking for an affordable place when they first hit town. And while I don't tolerate any trouble, being half-demon myself, I guess some of my clientele feel more comfortable here than in other places…"
"Certainly beats a crypt…" Wes smiled.
"So long as it's clear as to my no violence on the premises policy, I got no trouble with anyone or thing. So, you work with Angel of LA? And he'd like to know if I know anything about the Monster?" Jonesy, appraising, shrewd look…
"That's about the size of it. And we would be willing to show our appreciation for any help in substantial terms…"
"Eh…" wave of hand. "Glad to help if I can…" relaxed smile. "I tole ole Willie I'd seen her. Lumberin' round town last year… At least I think it was her."
"After she was supposed to have perished…?"
"That was when? Last spring? Could be, could be…" he drummed fingers. "I kinda think it was in the fall or something…"
"And was anyone with her? Possibly a short, slight blonde fellow…?"
"William the Bloody…" Bates smiled. "Everyone knows the Summers Slayer and Spike were hangin' round a bit during Glorificus' time here. So, they've become a couple?"
"Possibly…Did you see him with her?"
"Not that I remember…Just caught a view of her."
Wes nodded… "Of course, Willie seemed to think you might have had dealings with her." innocent smile…
"Dealings? Me? With a seven-foot girl monster who folks say tore guys limb from limb…?"
"Perhaps you dealt with William instead? Acting for her?"
"Me?...I'm just a guy who runs a couple of flea-bag motels." pleasant smile. But a slightly intense stare…
"Mr. Bates…" Wes, equally pleasant smile. "I'm well aware of your reputation among Sunnydale's underworld. I assure you we did some thorough background checking before I came. You're one of the best known underworld fixers and fences in this town. Which explains 'Mother's' retirement condo, as well as those lovely Italian shoes…"
Jonas blinked…
"Why not just tell me the truth? Surely you don't owe the Monster and William anything? And if they've threatened you, Angel can offer you protection…"
Frown… "Jesus…Why do you want to hound her like this? Didn't she save everybody lots?"
Wes eyed him coolly…
"Look…I don't say I have 'dealings' with her or Spike. But maybe…Maybe…They did stay here once or twice…"
"Here?" Wes blinked at him.
"Christ, they were on their honeymoon and had nowhere else. And they were both seven feet tall, what was I supposed to do?"
Honeymoon? Wes coughed.
"You ok? Need a glass of water?"
"No, fine…Thanks…When was this…Honeymoon? After the laboratory explosion?"
"He wasn't seven feet tall till then that I know of. Yeah…"
"And...?"
"They stayed a couple of nights, they left. They paid their bill and didn't cause any trouble. I didn't ask any questions. Hey I don't discriminate so long as the no violence policy gets stuck to…"
"All right…But where did they go afterwards? And they must need someone to help them get things. We've had definite reports they've remained in Sunnydale or the general area. Are you sure you've not seen them since their…" gulp…
"Honeymoon…?"
Mutual stares…
"If that's a gun you're thinking of reaching for under the counter…" Wes, calmly. "I would recommend you consider your next action carefully. You seem to have a good business here and a considerable lot to lose…"
"It's just my register…" Jonesy frowned. "I don't tolerate violence, I tole ya. I grew up with a demon dad, I saw enough as a kid. Not that Dad ever treated me or Mom badly…"
He pulled out the register and lifted it to the counter…Opening…
Here, he pointed. "Cicely and William Walthrop, April 19th last year. Two nights…Room 14…And that's all I can tell ya…"
Cicely?
Walthrop?
"Well, that's a help. But Angel might have a few more questions. And he tends to put them in a firmer matter than I…" Wesley, sternly.
"I said…That's all I can tell ya." Firm tone.
"It's obvious you sympathize with them, Mr. Bates. Did you help them in other ways?"
Frown…
"I thought Angel loved her…Why's he gotta go and make trouble for her? She just wants to be left alone…"
"So you've spoken with her…?"
"Look…" Jonesy sighed. "They bought a few things they needed from me. Some clothes, a few things for their place…"
"Their…Place?"
"Geesh, don't the Slayer who saved us all deserve a little comfort? I did a little shopping for them, they paid in cash, and that was that. I haven't seen them since. You can bring Angel in to beat me up if you like. I can't tell you more…"
"You don't know where they're Unliving now…?"
"I wouldn't want to know. They picked up what they bought from me here…"
"Which was…And when?"
"Exactly like I said. Some clothes, some lamps, a couple of chairs and a table…A few books…Some china and silverware…"
China?
"And when…?" Wes repeated…
"The last time I saw Walthrop…William the Bloody…Was six months ago. He was picking up a book of poems and a guide to helping stroke and brain damage victims recover their speech…"
Wes stared…
"Don't sound like a mad killer couple to me..." Bates noted. "This Monster crap is just so much discrimination. She was disoriented the first couple of days and then they lynched her, she was a little upset for a while, what do you expect…?"
"Well…Angel just wants to help her…" Wes, a tad lamely.
"I'll bet…" Bates glared. "Well, tell him I hope he never gets that chance. If you want to help her, leave her alone. She's not hurtin' a fly and she's earned a quiet retirement."
"So you've seen her recently…"
"Not in six months…I tole you and that's the truth…" firmly.
"All right…Thanks for your help. If we need to ask more questions, we'll be in touch or if you hear from them, call this number." Wes offered a card.
"I'm no stoolie…And my name's not Jonesy the Snitch." Bates handed back the card…
"Your choice, Mr. Bates…" Wesley shrugged. He made to turn but paused.
"How did she seem?. When you last spoke to her?"
"Happy…" Jonas said quietly.
"Daughter of Rosenberg..."
Summary: One year after the events of "Groom of Rosenberg" Buffy the Rosenberg Monster and her honey have returned to ask a special favor of their creators Rosenberg and Praetorius...While Tara faces the more or less Big Bad...
Disclaimer: Would Joss want his name associated with this? I think not...But anyway all BTVS characters remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series...Though his brother Mort gets nothing...
Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse,
...
Part XVII...
LA…Just outside the sewer tunnel lair of Harmony and Drusilla…Eleven am…
Where, despite a somewhat fussy concern for his shoes in the dankness of the tunnel system, Dr. Andrew Praetorius, wizard of modern cloning, was feeling a bit exhilarated.
Always something about a new project nearing its climax that brings out the adventurous side of my nature…
And while one might feel a certain caution in dealing with the current test subject…Between my own protections and the able support of the famed Dracula, I see limited cause for fear. Or at least outright panic…
And things do seem to be proceeding well…He eyed the now blank-eyed Harmony standing beside the Count who'd rather easily warded off her attack on their approaching the lair entrance.
"You are certain there is no other way out of the tunnel, Miss?" Dracula asked Harmony politely.
"No way…No other way, Master." she replied. In a flat tone…
"All right then, please go in and try to calm your friend. Assure her that all is well and no harm will come to her if she cooperates. Seize her if she seems likely to do herself harm."
"Yes, Master…" Harmony nodded. Turning…
"And do try to seem a little more natural, Miss Kendall." Andrew called. "We don't wish to unduly alarm the other poor creature…"
"Yes, Doctor…" she replied. Entering the tunnel lair. "Dru!" she called. A slightly less flat tone…
"Her powers are formidable. But she can't escape us with daylight above and no other way out here…" Dracula noted. "But do take care Dr. Praetorius, she will sense you are essential to our project and the more vulnerable of us. I should hate for you to suffer injury in this…"
"I'm fully protected but will do so, Count." Andrew nodded.
Faint screams continuing from down the tunnel lair…
Poor tormented child…Dracula shook his head. "But she will be at peace once my Elisabete is restored."
….
Angel's hotel room, downtown Sunnydale…
Where a somewhat reluctant Wesley had just finished a report on his morning's interview with Mr. Bates…
"So, she is still kicking…And Spike is with her. I might have known. " Angel nodded, grimly.
"He did say he last saw her six months ago. And she hasn't made any trouble that we know of in nearly a year, Angel." Wes noted. "Perhaps she…"
"Spike's clever enough to bide his time and settle for mere survival for now while he mentors her in Evil. Who knows how many they've killed in secret over this past year?"
(Well I should hope so…Spike noted to himself, listening…)
"Willow told us he's not a vampire. He's basically human, if immortal and rather durable, like her."
"Human? That?" Angel frowned. "You didn't see that thing Willow created, Wes. I did…" he raised his artificial arm unconsciously… "I did. I won't leave the woman I cared for trapped in that. And with a foul beast like Spike for her companion…"
"Willow also said, it was William, the soul, in there. Not Spike…"
"Willow Rosenberg is hardly an objective witness here. If it were up to me and she weren't human, I'd see she paid for her crimes. But…" he waved a hand. "I'm not a judge and jury. Let Heaven take care of her punishment. But I have a duty to help my poor Buffy…"
Hmmn…Didn't seem so much of a duty when she was battling Glorificus alone…Wes thought.
"The only question now is, how to find her. There must be something that would bring her out. Or Spike… 'Cause I'm guessin' if we have one, we have the other."
Sounds like love to me…Wes did not say…
"Lets see…They were spotted outside that new museum of supernatural oddities, right?"
"The House of Horrors…So-called…Sounds more like a freak show."
"The same night some artifacts mysteriously disappeared…"
"Well, a Dracula waxwork…Willow's already told me the other was simply poor Daniel Osborne, her werewolf friend, taken by them to a safe house."
"Then the Dracula figure must be what they were after…Or something associated with it. If it was a waxwork… "
"Are you suggesting…? Buffy did kill Dracula just before Glorificus arrived in Sunnydale."
"I've heard word to the contrary." Angel replied. A bit smugly… "At least regarding the great Vlad…"
…
At the gang's conference, Dawn and Jonathan had been granted a sudden reprieve from Giles' inquisition…Tara having suddenly, without warning, groaned and fainted…
A terrified Willow at her side, with Faith, Anya, and Xander in helpless attendance while Dawn and Jonathan stood nearer Giles. Ambulance summoned by Giles…
Tara writhing as if in agony or terror but remaining unconscious…
"Giles, is she convulsing?!" Willow looked up in fright…
"Keep her covered…Don't panic, Willow." he told her, reassuringly. "The ambulance is on its way…"
"Did she ever have this kind of fit before?" Xander asked. "Could it be epilepsy?"
"No, never…That I know of…And she never mentioned anything." Willow sighed. But calmer, seeing Tara was no longer shaking…Breathing more comfortably…
"Should I try a spell trace?" she suggested to Giles. He nodded…
"Not bitten but visions regarding Dracula…Right after the statue vanished." Anya noted to Xander…
"Could she have been exposed to something, in the museum?" Xander suggested. "An artifact that was involved with that missing statue…?"
"Possibly…" Giles agreed. "But right now unless Willow senses something, the best thing is to get her to a hospital…"
The ambulance arrived…Just as Willow relaxed from her concentration. Glancing at Giles, slight shake of head as the EMTs entered with stretcher and equipment…
…..
"Amazing the properties of vampiral matter, on a quantum level…" Praetorius noted to Dracula patting his specimen box as they made their way through the sewer network to where a covered exit led to their waiting car. "By all analysis this brain tissue sample will be nearly two hundred years old but a few moments ago it was in so energetic a state where it would have crumbled to dust if the poor creature had been staked…"
"Indeed, Professor…But you are sure you have all you need to clone the brain?"
"Quite…I managed Walthrop's brain from a few ashes. Believe me this will be quite a piece of cake…"
"Excellent…" Dracula hesitated. "I wonder if we should have left her as she was. It was difficult to contemplate destroying her…She is so much Elisabete's counterpart physically. But, I also feared severing Elisabete's link to this world. And I do owe the creature my thanks in a sense. She has preserved my Elisabete's memories, even if in buried form…"
"Yes, I quite understand your feelings, Count. But, her continued existence should not affect our work, and once our project is complete, perhaps, if the Slayer hasn't already dealt with her, Ms. Kendall could assist Drusilla in finding peace. Eh, Ms. Kendall?"
"Yes, Doctor Praetorius…" Harmony nodded. Wan smile…
Dracula having felt it his duty to bring Ms. Kendall home to where the Slayer could, afterwards, finally provide her peace…Or at least a restored soul…
Besides, another assistant with certain physical abilities at this stage might be very useful…Especially in dealing with Ms. Rosenberg and company, Praetorius had noted.
Stressing the guilt the Slayer's team naturally felt over failing a former classmate rather than her potential for intimidation…
"She…Will be able to care for herself after she awakens?" Dracula asked.
"Until our procedure is complete, she should make a quick recovery. Although afterwards, the effects are anyone's guess, frankly…" Andrew shrugged. "In Walthrop's case the vampiral body had been destroyed previously and the soul, while keeping unusually close, continued to drift free until Ms. Rosenberg's summoning. What the effect will be on an intact vampiral form…" he shrugged. "I suppose it depends on the degree of the soul's remaining association with the host body."
"I sensed no sign of Elisabete's soul there…" Dracula pondered.
"Well, in any case, the soul transfer should not be hindered…" Andrew noted. "And that is our chiefmost concern."
"Indeed…" Dracula nodded.
"Indeed…" Harmony repeated, wanly striving to join her new employers' club…
….
"Anything else, sir?" Gibbons, Andrew's butler politely requested of the latest house guest of his employer…
"Uh, no…" Oz shook his head. "This is just great." he nodded at the large hamburger and glass of milk on bedtray Gibbons had just brought… "Thanks so much."
"Medium rare, as you requested…"
"Looks perfect…" Oz took a bite. "Terrific…"
"Very good, sir…Just ring if you require anything else. The doctor and his guest, Dr. Alucard should be back this evening from Los Angeles…"
"Thanks, you guys and your boss have been great. Uh, ok if I walk round a bit? I need to stretch the legs a little, I think. And the doctor said I could get up if I felt like it…"
"Certainly, sir…The doctor had mentioned it would be good for you to take some exercise today. You may find the library, down the hall outside, to the left, interesting. In addition to a fine collection of books and music, Professor Praetorius keeps an excellent video library…"
"Sounds good, thanks…I guess the cloning business pays, eh?"
"Indeed, sir…" Gibbons nodded. Bowing and heading out…Quiet closing of bedroom door…
Nice…Oz looked around the room again. Taking burger in hand, he set the tray to the side of the bed, and carefully swung legs out. A gulp of milk and he cautiously got on his feet. Hmmn…He looked down where, by the side of the bed, rather elegant slippers lay…
Definitely beats Sunnydale General…He thought, munching on burger, as he slipped his feet into the soft embrace of slippers probably costing more than he made in a month with gigs. Glass in other hand, he moved slowly across the room to the door…
Easy does it…
Wonder if Willow and Tara may show today…Be kinda neat to have the run of this place with them while Andrew's out…
He opened the door and carefully strolled down the hall.
May as well check out the DVD collection…
Hmmn… "Dr. Alucard." I still get a kick outta that. But, it is silly enough to be real. And if I were a human Dracula family member, I guess I'd wanna change the name a little…
Wonder if he's got "Dracula" in here…He opened the library door…
Whoa, nice…He gazed round.
Very nice…He eyed the huge flatscreen.
Yikes…He stared at the full-length portrait on the wall before him…Willow in regal ball dress…Hair piled in elegant style...Lovely smile on her face. Leaning on Greek or Roman pillar in handsome, book-lined...Ah, right...He noted the Greek or Roman pillar to his left.
Scalpel in her hand…
Holy…That little, wild-haired son-of-a...Glare at framed portrait of his host on opposite wall.
Though to be fair...I've photoshopped a few Willows myself. But there's a difference between one's personal computer fantasies and putting up a floor-to-ceiling mural...
Sigh...Is a damned nice likeness though. I see I got a fellow sufferer.
But how'd he ever get her to pose in that dress…?
….
"Daughter of Rosenberg..."
Summary: One year after the events of "Groom of Rosenberg" Buffy the Rosenberg Monster and her honey have returned to ask a special favor of their creators Rosenberg and Praetorius...While Tara faces the more or less Big Bad...
Disclaimer: Would Joss want his name associated with this? I think not...But anyway all BTVS characters remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series...Though his brother Mort gets nothing...
Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse,
...
Part XVIII...
Drusilla's involuntary tissue donation safely deposited in Andrew's personal freezer, secure in tissue storage media, Praetorius and Dracula had returned to prepare for the next phase of their effort...
Though the brain cloning would have to be a home-based, night-time operation to keep it secret from a rather busy day staff at the corporate lab, in itself, Andrew assured his partner, it was…A piece of cake.
Twenty-first century cake, that is...He quickly added. Considering the project cake would have been right up to the twentieth...
It was, therefore, time to consider their approach to the unfortunately vital third wheel in their scientific chariot spiriting Elisabete from Hades…Dracula frowning a bit at Andrew's flight into classical allusion, considering the ill-fated choice of Orpheus. Miss Willow Rosenberg...
Well, perhaps Mrs. Willow Rosenberg might be more accurate nowadays, Andrew reluctantly conceded.
"Do you think she could be persuaded? If we were to put it to her openly?" Dracula asked as the two sat in Andrew's well-appointed study.
Hmmn...Andrew was frowning at what looked suspiciously like a grease spot on his favorite red leather armchair...
I would say either my houseguest or his attendants have been making rather free with my hospitality...
"Doctor?" Dracula, politely...
"Hmmn? Oh, yes...Willow..." Andrew nodded.
"We can try...Putting it to her as a project which, potentially, could fully restore two lost souls, end their suffering, and protect millions, at no cost to anyone, excepting the organ donations. Which were after all post facto obtained from those who'd voluntarily planned to donate...Something a bit less intrusive on the grave-robbing end than either of our last two experiments. Still...Ms. Rosenberg has been burned, so to speak...And perhaps literally, at least last time." He flashed reluctantly back to the moment of the explosion in her former, delightfully atmospheric laboratory...Ah, that lovely old laboratory...Where he'd had one magic moment of communion...In scientific and regrettably, strictly platonic, terms...With his beloved. "Twice...And her faith in me has, sadly, never been completely restored since I arranged the kidnapping of her domestic partner..."
Not that it ever was all that great...She was even a little nervous around me back in my biology classes at U Cal Sunnydale...
Possibly with reason, but still...
"Meaning we may find it necessary to use other means of persuasion..." Dracula noted quietly.
Hmmn...Yes...Now there's an...
Well, no...She'd be bound to come out of it, sooner or later. No doubt my rather surprisingly moral partner sure to prefer sooner. And minus any new romantic entanglements impressed upon her will...
Sigh...
"I would hesitate to use your own 'talents' here, Count. While I am sure you would do nothing consciously that would harm her, we will need Willow's skill in soul restoration completely intact if we are to succeed." Andrew noted. "And your abilities could affect her mental acuity..."
As in... "Oh, Andrew...My dearest, only weakness, Andrew..." stroke of wild hair…
No, no...That the way to Perdition...And I been down that road...
Not to mention likely ending with an angry wiccan spouse blasting my skin off. No, another approach is definitely called for...
Hmmn...Speaking of angry females capable of extreme mayhem...
"I suppose that is a sensible considerable, doctor. But if we choose not to rely on my powers of persuasion...?" Dracula paused, raising a hand for silence...
"I believe your other houseguest may be approaching..." he eyed Praetorius. "I sense a slightly off-human aura in the hallway outside."
"Still in human form, I trust..." Andrew, quickly. Thinking of his hand-carved wooden door frames and several valuable paintings hanging in said hallway...
"Oh, yes...But I would imagine his senses are rather heightened, particularly smell. And hearing..." hard stare.
"Indeed...Well, Dr. Alucard. Referring to our research project, I do believe we can hope to persuade our colleague to join us if we can provide something for her...In return. Quid pro quo, so to speak..."
"Really...?" Dracula eyed his host.
"Yes, you see...She...In a manner of speaking...May have misplaced some rather dangerous 'materials' following her last experiment. And you and I might just possibly be able to assist her in…Recovering them." Andrew, shrewd look. "In exchange for her assist in our own project…"
Knock at the door...
"Do come in..." Andrew called.
Oz entered, pushing the door open slowly. Bearing dvds and an apologetic look...
"Sorry to interrupt...Just wanted to return these to the library..." Oz held up the dvds.
"Mr. Osborne..." Andrew nodded. "Not at all...I'm very glad to see you up and about. Come in and meet my other houseguest, Dr. Alucard."
Very glad...If it means you'll be out of here and any place near my Willow...
Dracula had risen...Looking relatively normal if a bit overwhelming in presence in his modern suit, furnished courtesy his host. Smiling at Oz...
"Young man, I'm very pleased to meet you. Dr. Praetorius has told me of your rather harrowing incident the other day."
"I owe him my life..." Oz nodded. "And thanks for putting me up these past few."
"Not at all..." Praetorius, brightly. "How are you getting on? Any pain in moving about?"
Only when I spy ten foot portraits of the girl I loved on your library wall, you wild-haired little freak...Oz thought.
"Nah...I'm doing good..." he replied. Looking over across the room…
"Oh..." Andrew followed the stare...And caught the subsequent glare. "I see you've noticed my little guilty pleasure..."
"Yeah..." Oz nodded. Eyeing Willow's rather adoring beam...Targeting the chair in which his host currently perched, he noted.
"Nice job..."
"A very fine artist...I felt dear Willow deserved no less." Andrew sighed.
"She is still alive, last I checked..." Oz frowned. "Though she might be a bit peeved at this..."
Dracula looking a bit uncomfortable in his chair...
Hadn't wanted to say anything...After all, he'd had a mammoth portrait of Elisabete gracing the great hall of his castle for at least 500 years. And would do so again...Soon as he got the deed back from the new Romanian government which had at last recovered a sense of justice regarding private property. At least that little bastard of a grandnephew hadn't destroyed it, finding it...According to the faithful Roma retainers who'd reported to him since his resurrection...Too useful a seductive tool to part with.
"There she hangs, my lost love of past centuries. Only you, my dear, after all these lost years, could have awakened such...Feelings...In me, again."
Gregor, son and grandson of Gregor, pausing in his tale to the then newly-released Vlad to shake head at the little punk's farcical attempt to imitate his ancestor. An outrage, Lord Dracule…
("Now that sounds like Vladimir..." Angelus noted.)
Anyway, Elisabete had posed for it…Embarrassing as she'd found such a public display of her beauty. Whereas poor Ms. Rosenberg...
Though of course...We all have our obsessions...And no form of love is to be despised.
So long as it involves neither gruesome murder nor enslavement...
"I suppose so..." Andrew sighed, regarding the portrait. "But as one who loved Ms. Rosenberg in your own time...Daniel..." Ingratiating smile. "I hope you can forgive an old fool for love his only weakness..."
"Sure..." Oz sighed in turn. Sheepish smile at a fellow sufferer... "But I'd turn it to the wall next time she comes in to see me..."
"Point taken..." nod.
"So you know Willow pretty well...?" he asked.
"I taught her...A little of what she knows." Praetorius smiled. "The finest student I ever...Encountered."
Yeah, thanks for avoiding... "had"...Oz thought.
"She's something...A little too much, sometimes." he frowned at the portrait.
"She has given this resurrection kick up, right?" he looked at Andrew. "I mean, after Buffy...And William...She's through with it...?"
"I assure you, I've heard nothing to indicate to the contrary..."
"Good...So, Doc..." Oz turned to his fellow house guest...
Quite a figure he cuts in that suit...I guess the "Mad Men" look really is a winner...
"...You fellas are working on getting Andy's cloned organs to your neck of the woods, eh?"
'We certainly hope so, Mr. Osbourne...We stand in great need of Dr. Praetorius' services. Many lives depend on our success..." Dracula eyed Andrew.
"I can imagine...I've seen documentaries on Romania since the Wall fell. That's great of you to help out, Andrew."
"Just doing what comes naturally...To a physician..." Andrew nodded pleasantly.
Slight muffed crash...
Ox jumped a bit...
"Are you all right?" Dracula, concerned.
"Yeah...Sorry...Kinda on edge...What was that?"
"I'll see..." Andrew rose...Pulling on a bell cord...
Can't believe anyone still has one of those...Oz thought.
Gibbons, the butler, tapped at the library door, visible through the stained glass in the door frame...
"Professor?"
"Gibson? What was that noise just now?"
"I believe your new assistant had a minor mishap, Professor..." Gibson, benignly. "A dropped crate but no damage to equipment or the lady. Nothing to worry about..."
"I see...Well, tell the young lady to take care. Dr. Alucard and I will be with her shortly."
"Sir..." Gibson nodded. Leaving as quietly as he'd come...
Careful to keep the cross in his pocket well hidden...
"One of my staff from my lab bringing some equipment over for the doctor..." Praetorius explained to Oz...Who was frowning slightly at the 'young lady" reference. "Well, Dr. Alucard and I should be getting down to her. Are you quite all right?"
"Fine, fine..."
"Good…Ms. Rosenberg and Ms. Maclauy should be in later to brighten your day. If you need anything, just call Gibson over the telephone in your room or pull the bell cord." he rose, moving to where Dracula was standing by the door...
"A great pleasure to meet you, young man..." Dracula bowed, clicking heels.
"Yes..." he grinned to Oz's smile. "Some of us really do do that."
"Cool..." Oz nodded. "Thanks again, doc." he waved to Praetorius...
Young lady assistant...he frowned as the door closed.
Maybe I best check this one out...Not wanting to be ungrateful to the guy who saved my life...
But he...And Willow...Do have a history.
And they say this sort of thing is like candy. Always possible they wanted to put on one more show for the foreign visitor...
…..
Outside the McNabb House of Horrors, William was finding it difficult to end an embarrassing social encounter with an old friend...
Clem agreeably accepting his desire to remain incognito...But refusing to take increasingly bald hints that his presence was neither enthralling nor welcome.
"So, what have you been up to, Bill?" making an effort to comply with Will's hissed request not to be fingered in daylight even among such a crowd...
For Buffy, however, the suggestion of a possible friendly face, after the terrible forced severing of nearly all ties with the world last year was irresistible. Though she could not place the voice…Which agitated her still more...
Kidding as she might have been about the "brain-damaged mommy" thing...Rather disturbing if she wasn't able to remember some old friend or acquaintance. Even an old enemy acquaintance, give the demonic nature…
Will had pulled them back from the crowd, currently engaged in giving their new hero…Courtesy his charming support of things underworldly...Not to mention the free passes and rather nice appetizers offered so generously…Artemis McNabb, hearty support.
For his part, McNabb never having felt so close to his fellow Humanity...Ironically...
"Say...Is this...?" Clem looked over the figure in the wheelchair...
"Not a word, Clem...I mean it." Will, stern whisper.
"Hi..." Buffy smiled at the demon trying to conceal his long ears in a bowler perched atop a large, round...Fur carefully cut back...Head. Clem a bit startled by her emergence from veil to reveal a lightly green-skinned...Somewhat, all around, but in particular, lengthwise, heftier Buffy Summers. With a few visible scars, well-faded now...
"Sorry..." she pulled the veil back hastily. "Me...I...Forget..."
"No, not at all..." Clem smiled. "I'm sorry...Just caught me by surprise, Ms. Summers. It's a pleasure to meet ya. I've seen you and your work many times...Roundabouts..."
She smiled back, shyly...Thanks…
"Buffy..." Will hissed.
"We no meet?...Before...?" she asked, a bit anxious...
"Not in person, no, ma'am..." Clem shook his head, holding his bowler on...
"Clem's an old friend of Spike's, but a decent sort. Who's leaving...Now..." Will cut in...
"Real nice to see ya…" Buffy offered a gloved hand. Careful not to shake…
It still being rather easy to forget one's own resurrected strength, as with Angel…
"And you, Ms. Summers…" Clem, remembering his nineteenth century human manners, kissed the gloved hand. Patting gently…
"Mrs. Summers-Walthrop…" she corrected.
Clem beamed…Even Will unable to resist his friend's innocent pleasure. "That's wonderful…Hey, congrats, Sp…Bill." he patted Will's arm.
"Thanks, old fellow…"
"Oh, come and see us sometime…" Buffy, hurriedly as Clem turned. "Just up by lake…"
"Enough, sweet…" Will cut in. Lets not start inviting all the underworld…
"Sure…" Clem nodded..Waving…
"He's nice…" Buffy smiled. Waving back…
"And very talkative…" Will cautioned. Sighing at her slightly downcast look…
"Maybe if he can keep his trap shut. And wears a blindfold after we pick him up…"
"Yeah…" she nodded, content. "He like chicken?"
"He likes anything vaguely edible. Now, we should be off…" he eyed her sternly. "Enough folks living and dead have had a gander at us. Especially after Clem started spouting."
"No lynch mob…" she looked round. Noting the crowd still eagerly listening to McNabb extol the wonders within his new establishment. "Nobody…"
Will looking round as well. Well, true enough…
"We're lucky…For the moment. But lets not press it, shall we? Anyway, nothing sinister seems to be going on or hanging around just now…"
….
"Bud…" Lou, standing on the porch of the museum near where McNabb continued to pontificate, was staring out at the crowd, pausing as he caught sight of a rather tall figure standing by a wheelchair…
"What?" Bud grunted sourly, watching McNabb…Cousin Artie the showoff…Throwing good money away on the local morons…
"I think I've seen that guy before…" Lou, hesitant. "The other night at the museum…"
"Wh…attt…" Bud frowned, waving him off… "That guy?" he looked over at William, pushing wheelchair away from the crowd. And the odd fellow in bowler, rejoining the crowd…
"I think so…"
"Whadya mean, you saw him at the museum?"
"He was one of the one the police shot at I think…"
"What?" Bud perked a bit at that…
"You sure?" he peered at the very tall man now moving the wheelchair he was pushing with rather surprising speed…
"Pretty sure…Should we tell Artie?"
"Lemme handle this…" Bud shook head. "Come on…"
Come…On…He pulled at the reluctant Lou. Who hastily suggested that perhaps a call to the cops…?
Or a friend he knew who might be better suited to handling near seven foot types who seemed unusually resistant or, at least unafraid of, bullets…
"I can handle this…" Bud insisted, pulling Lou along. "Just leave it to me…"
Gladly…Lou thought…If you only would…
…..
A somewhat forlorn Harmony eyed the dropped crate before her in Praetorius' basement and home lab…
The Master and his human friend were not going to be pleased with her. Though at least the priceless specimen from Dru wasn't in there…
Though that nice Mr. Gibson had been very kind about it. Assuring her it was nothing important and he would explain to the Professor and his guest…
Still, given her task had been to move the equipment carefully and quietly, she could be said to have failed on both counts. Though she'd done her best in her enthralled state…A state prone to attacks of sudden dizziness…
Oh, well…Best to get on with picking up what could be salvaged. The Master seemed like the type who appreciated good housekeeping skills.
And she'd maintained her perfect no-human kills record so far, since entering His service…Sure, not long…But given her instincts…
Wonder if this is how it is having a soul again, she pondered vaguely while carefully sweeping up…Hard to remember now…
A little dull, to be honest…Though the thrall-induced opiate rush every time the Master appeared or spoke…A flood when praise for good work was included…Rather made it ecstatically worthwhile.
…
Will had pulled over to what he hoped was a corner storefront well out of range of most of those in the crowd gathered about the McNabb House of Horrors who might be occult sensitive or simply sharp-eyed enough to note his and Buffy's presence, yet still close enough to get some handle on what was going on. And who was showing interest in Sunnydale's latest attraction…
Buffy, careful to keep seated and veiled, likewise observing for anything…Any thing or person…Who might be worthy of investigation…
But, so far, the otherworldy contingent of the mob remained pretty much the daylight capable bit players of the underworld. More interested in the potential for new occult-related business generated by the museum or simply eager to get some free food and passes…
Uh-oh…Will had caught sight of the two men approaching…Or rather one approaching, the other pretty much being dragged along. The dragger looking their way with an intent expression…
He looked up at the storefront sign…
Don't think the fellow is all that interested in plumbing fixtures…
"Time to go, pet…" he hissed to Buffy, turning her chair around swiftly but carefully. "I think we may have been spotted…"
"Those guys?" she asked as he began pushing.
"They look like museum security or something…They may have seen us before. Anyway, lets not find out the hard way…"
"Not too fast, William. They tell." she hissed. "I play old mummie."
"Right…" he agreed, slowing. "Looks like they're human, anyway."
"Hey, you!" Bud called, still dragging Lou along. He paused at the corner across from where Will was now pushing Buffy at a reasonable, though rather speedy rate… "Stop! I wanna talk to you, pal! Lou, stop draggin' yer feet!"
"Maybe we oughta get some help, Bud." Lou tried. "We're only security guards. You know what happens to security guards when they meet up with the bad guys…"
Especially in Sunnydale…He did not say…
"Eh, that's in movies. Don't be soft. Hey, pal…" Bud pulled his partner across the street…
"Let 'em come…Just play, Will." Buffy whispered. "I do good…" squeeze of hand…
Will sighed, but halted…
"Yeah…?" he eyed the approaching pair. From his rather lofty position…
Even Bud a bit more circumspect on seeing the fellow close up…
Big m-fer, for sure…And the one in the chair not exactly petite…
"We're from the McNabb museum…" Bud frowned, swallowing a bit as Will stared down at him.
"Yeah?" Will, laconically…
"Oooooohhh…" Buffy groaned under her veil. "Sonny…"
"Mum's not feeling her best, gents. What did you boys want?"
"Just a few questions…" Bud, trying to fix his opponent with a hard stare…
Oh, Lord…Lou stared up at the face before him…
The same face he'd once seen on a much smaller frame as it was hurled across a bar floor by a lovely young brunette insisting that he was not her boyfriend Warren…
William the Bloody…As his acquaintance of that evening, a small, rather weasily fellow, named Willie by coincidence, and well up on Sunnydale's underworld, had informed him…
But what was he doing out here? Not to mention…Up there…?
Oh, Lord…Will sighed, acknowledging the look of recognition…
"Soooonnnyy…" Buffy moaned. Bit growlingly…
"Mum needs to get home. You've got quite a nice place there, we'll definitely patronize, see ya." Will turned.
"Just a minute…" Bud tapped his arm. Falling back a bit as Will faced him, frowning…
"Don't touch the goods, mate…"
"Sorry…Where you at the museum a couple of nights ago?"
"No…I thought you folks just opened…? Or are opening…?"
"OOOOOOOHHHH…" Buffy groaned. All three of the others staring at her…
"Right away, Mum…Sorry I can't help you, boys. Good luck with the place. Bye…" Will pushed off.
"The little one knew me…" he hissed to Buffy, picking up speed.
"Hey!" Bud called…Looking round for a cop. "I'm not done yet! Hey!"
"Think we'd better let 'em go, Bud…" Lou suggested. A bit desperate…
"They're runnin'…What's up here? Hey, police!" Bud shouted to the mostly empty immediate area…Making no real effort, Lou gratefully noted…To pursue.
"What's that racket? " Angel looked over to Wesley as they sat in his hotel room. He on phone to LA for his daily report from Cordelia…
"Good God…" Wesley, looking out the window. The overhead view making for a good view of the couple below moving hastily past their hotel. Will's hat off and in hand, owing to his inability to make speed and keep it on his head while Buffy's veil disturbed just enough, revealing the two as extraordinarily tall blondes. She, moved by a vague sensation, looking up just as they passed under Wesley's window…Veil falling away…
"What?" Angel stared at Wesley's astonished face…Coming over…
"Daughter of Rosenberg..."
Summary: One year after the events of "Groom of Rosenberg" Buffy the Rosenberg Monster and her honey have returned to ask a special favor of their creators Rosenberg and Praetorius...While Tara faces the more or less Big Bad...
Disclaimer: Would Joss want his name associated with this? I think not...But anyway all BTVS characters remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series...Though his brother Mort gets nothing...
Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse, www. ...
Part XIX...
On hearing Gibbons' farewell to the departing-for-corporate-lab Praetorius and Alucard, Oz had slipped out of his bedroom down to the first floor and cautiously avoiding the elevator…God, quite a little palace Andy has here…Made his way carefully down the spiral cement staircase he'd located in the rear to the lower levels. The basement of Praetorius' townhouse rather poorly lit when not in use. And surprisingly large…Apparently the good (well, at least, on probation) Dr. kept a pretty nice home lab here. With more than one level...
As yet no signs of a female or any other lab assistant…Particularly of the Rosenberg variety. He paused…Hmmn…
Definitely some…Thing…Down here, though…On the next floor down, I'd say.
He concentrated...Difficult to pin down at a distance. And now that he thought about it…His senses had been a little down since the accident. Side effect of his wounds…? Or perhaps…If the good (on probation) doc wasn't keeping his pledge to Willow and the gang to keep clear of Science of the diabolical variety. Deliberate effect of meds...?
Well, no need for paranoia…A problem in those of us of the quasi-lupine persuasion. Andy might be weird, even Willow-obsessed…But there was no reason to accuse him without proof…
Which, however, should there be any handy…I make sure I get first dibs on that giant Willow portrait.
He entered the level where a rather placid Harmony had been trying to straighten up the effects of her little accident as quickly as possible. Pleased that she'd confirmed nothing of importance had been damaged and that the Master and his friend had taken the matter so kindly when they'd checked in…
Hmmn? She perked up her head at the scent. Not one of the staff she'd been introduced to by the Master and his human partner. Intruder? Human intruder?
Well, semi-human intruder…She frowned. Then felt a happy wave of contentment…
Surely her capture of an unannounced underworld visitor would be considerable amends toward her little mishap…And if she had to kill him/her/it in the process, no violation of orders.
….
It was clear…Angel grimly noted to Wes' suggestion that they consider the matter cautiously…That the fiend now occupying whatever was left of Buffy's body in the hideous thing Willow Rosenberg had created was deliberately toying with him. Flaunting themselves, she and that miserable Spike, in his field of vision during daylight hours. It was therefore, no time for "caution". Much less, "consideration". Action was necessary…Immediate and extreme…
"Angel? You can't pursue them in daylight…"
Well…True enough…
"You'd best get after them, Wes…" he noted.
("Some things never change, do they, Angelus?" Spike grinned at his glare.)
…..
A pacing Willow paused to glance at the seated Giles and the others as they waited outside Sunnydale Hospital's CICU…
"Can't we go in?" she asked, anxiously.
"Willow…You heard the nurse. They'll let us in as soon as Tara is settled." Giles replied.
"But as her marital partner, I oughta be in there. This is rank prejudice…"
(Angelus, Spike, Darla eyeing Dru who blinked at them…What?)
"I know if it were Xander, I'd go in. If I had to kill someone…"Anya noted. An?...Not helpin' here…Xander eyed her.
But thanks, wry smile…
"I could turn to a fly, go the wall route…" Willow suggested.
"Willow…We really don't need the additional problem of trying to find you or peel your remains off that wall…" Giles sighed. "Be patient just a moment and they'll let you know. She was breathing normally…"
"Wil…" Faith patted her hand. Hmmn…What would Buffy say to her best friend right now? "She'll be ok and we'll get to the bottom of this…"
"This is all tied in with that Dracula statue…" Willow paused. "It must have cursed her somehow. She keeps talking about Vlad…"
"Vlad leaves a big mental footprint…" Anya agreed. "But it might be some kind of revenge thing by Buffy…"
"Anya!" Dawn glared from her seat by Jonathan… "My sis would never…"
"'Must…Do it' " Anya quoted, archly. "Doesn't sound like she was willing to draw a moral line last year. And she went straight for Tara then, too…"
Hmmn…Faith pondered. On the one hand, my role model…On the other…Having walked the Evil walk…Not necessarily a possibility to be ruled out…
What would Buffy do? She eyed Dawn's stricken face…
Right…
"Dawny…" she sighed to Dawn.
"She was upset about Will burning to death…" Dawn tried, a bit feebly, looking round. "And you guys know she's never been good at magics."
"Dawn…?" Willow eyed her with frown. "If you know anything…You and your intended, there…" she looked at Jonathan who maintained an innocent air…
Who, me?
"It would be best to tell us, Dawn…" Giles agreed.
"I don't know anything…" Dawn frowned at the stares locked on her. "Stop with the Inquisition. I already tole ya we haven't seen Buffy or Will since last year…Or maybe the other night…When we all think we saw them." A back-me-up glance to Jon. Who nodded in agreement…
"Well, if it was Buffy, following the pattern from last year, we should get a list of grunted demands shortly…" Anya noted. Willow frowning but nervously rubbing cheek…
God...You never know. Though why Buffy should take all this so to heart…What did I do except bring her and her beloved back? She really oughta be showin' a little gratitude…
A doctor came out to them. Fortyish, reassuring smile…Looks reasonably competent, Willow thought…Though I have a team of specialists flying in, courtesy Rosenberg Industries…
"Ms. Maclauy is doing fine…" he told them. "Mrs. Maclauy?..." he eyed Willow.
"Rosenberg…" Willow replied.
"Hmmn…She said to ask for Mrs. Maclauy, her missus…"
"Tell her I'll change it for he tomorrow if she'll be all right…" Willow replied.
"Then you'd better get on it since she seems perfectly fine, except for the fainting episode which seems to be due to a drop in her blood pressure…" smile. "Tell me, did she have any recent shocks or family or work incidents?"
"Well…" Anya began. Halting at Giles' look…
"Not that I know of…" Willow replied, likewise eyeing Anya. Who frowned a bit…
I'd say finding out the thing that kidnapped me and was gonna kill me if my spouse didn't revive her dead lover was still lumbering around town a year later would count as a bit of a shocker…Anya fumed. Xander patting her hand…
"Well, we've found no other problems so far. I think though we should keep her for observation overnight." the doctor said. "Just to see if we can get a better handle on what's what…"
"Yeah, absolutely…" Willow nodded. "Can I see her?"
"In just a moment…And you can stay over with her if you like, once we get her to a room."
"Great, thanks a lot…" she beamed.
"So there were no other symptoms so far…?" Giles asked. "Nothing that would explain her collapse besides the blood pressure drop…?"
"That would have been enough for her collapse…" the doctor answered. "But the cause…Can't say as yet. We'll just have to see how she does over the next day or two…"
"Right…" Willow drummed fingers nervously. Dawn taking advantage of the gang's preoccupation with the doctor to pull Jonathan away for a moment down the hall…
"We have to warn Buffy and Will. And find out about this…" she hissed. "Willow and Faith will be gunning for them now for sure unless we get some proof someone else is responsible."
He nodded…Looks like it…
"Maybe you can still get out to them…Willow and Giles are watching me too close."
She glanced back where Willow was explaining to the doctor that she was having a…Few…Specialists come in to look the patient over. Just in case…
"I can try…"
"You could also try looking a little happier, fiancée." she grinned wanly at him.
"I was just overcome by the moment…" he smiled back. "And a little disappointed to remember it wasn't true."
"Who says…?" she eyed him coolly.
….
"Well, that was an unnecessary chance taken…" Will frowned at Buffy as they sat in their "living room" of sorts in their lair at Lake Sunnydale.
"No Big Bad or signs at museum…Good to know." she noted. Carefully trying to manipulate two needles, following the instructions for knitting from a book in her lap. Good therapy for hand-eye coordination, she noted to Will's surprised stare at her new hobby at onset two months ago…A surprised stare…Buffy Summers/Cicely Walthrop, knitting? That had turned to a slight frown on learning her initial project.
Baby booties?
Lord…
"Fair enough…" he nodded, sighing slightly at the yarn in her lap…Give it a rest, girl. "But we're back to square one. Knowing nothing…And now at least Clem is out telling people about us…"
"He seem nice…" she held up the yarn. Blue for upper part, green in middle, pink bottom. Cover all ground, she noted…
He rolled eyes…
"He is nice, for a demon. But he also has a big mouth."
"Not like he go to gang and tell them…"
"Word gets round, Buffy…" Will sighed. "And we've already left a few traces."
"Could always go and talk…Tell ok." Buffy noted. "Bygones, bygone…" she suggested, a little hopefully.
He eyed her… "You were the one who wanted to stay away…"
"Time heal…Not so mad now…And happy." she smiled, winningly. "Maybe guys see ok now, straighten things out. And me got present for Anya, Xander." she lifted her knitting.
Well, maybe present…She frowned at the mass…
"Mean, if we can't use…" she put on an innocent look…
"I don't know, dear. Giles is still not likely to feel you're in the best of all possible states." he frowned…Knock off that innocent stare, girl, I know what you're about… "And who knows as to what dear ole Red might pull. She's still probably miffed about Tara and all last year…"
He sighed at the woebegone, lightly greenish face before him, leaning over her work…
Buffy…
She now clearly tearing up as she tried to avoid his look.
Oh, Lord…
"I suppose, if the chance comes…We could try and have Dawn clear things. Maybe I could meet with Giles and explain…"
"That be so neat…" she beamed at him.
"But no chances where you're concerned, all right?" he eyed her sternly.
"Ok…" she nodded happily.
Oooh, good one, she noted contentedly, lifting her work for him to see the perfect stitch…
…
"Hey there…" Harmony smiled at the intruder…A small, semi-human…With some definite demonic trace…A transformant of some kind?
Cute…Say, isn't he the nerd male mate of Buffy's geek, Willow? Before she gave in to her latent lesbianism?
Gee…It's been a while since I met a fellow classmate…Hope Master doesn't require his immediate termination. Fun to talk over old times when I was everything and he was a worm crawling in the dust under my cheerleading heels…
Though…She eyed him carefully…
A rather nice little worm at that…And Willow being taken…And me being utterly Evil anyway…
"Uh…Hi…" Oz eyed the pretty blonde in slacks and blouse. Hmmn…
While I'm not getting much, there's definitely something off about this…Wait? Do I know her from somewhere?
"Harmony Kendall?" he stared.
" You're Willow Rosenberg's boyfriend, aren't you?" she smiled. "Please don't make me kill you right away…" she took face.
…..
"Willow…" Giles stood with her outside Tara's hospital room as they paused before calling the others in…
"I'm gonna find out who's behind this, Giles…" Willow said, firmly. "And if it is Buffy or she's involved…"
He sighed…
"What?" she frowned. "Are you sayin' it's my fault? Fine, it's my fault…" she waved arms. "I'm a terrible surgeon, a mad scientist, and a bad friend. What was I thinking, bringing my friend back to life? How selfish of me…"
"In the way you did, yes…" Giles said, coolly. She stared…Angry…Then relaxed.
"Ok…You're right…" she nodded. "I was thoughtless and selfish and Tara's paying for it…"
"We don't know Buffy is behind this or what her role is here. Or if she really is still alive, more or less…"
"She's alive…" Willow sighed. "I feel it…She's alive and she's involved. Somehow…"
She looked at Giles' troubled face…Patting his arm… "I won't go off half-cocked this time. I'll take it slow and give her a chance to explain…If she wants to. But, I will find out what's going on…"
He nodded… "Just keep us in the loop. And promise me you won't act against Buffy without some proof she's dangerous. And with me there…" he eyed her.
"I promise…" Willow nodded. "Not a hex unless you say go. Anyway, I should get over to Andrew's and see how Oz is doing. Tara's more worried about him than herself…"
"A good idea…" Giles smiled. "Give him my best…"
"Sure…Stay with her until I get back? I don't want her left alone and if she has another episode I'd like someone with some ability to judge magics effects there…"
"Of course…" he nodded.
"Ummn…I'm gonna teleport. Just to save time…" she said, a bit sheepish…
"Willow? All I ask is that you try and consider the consequences of your actions in the future." Giles, gently.
"Yeah…" she sighed, eyeing the hospital room door…
"She'll be all right…We will get to the bottom of this…" he patted her.
"Yeah…" another sigh. "But Giles…What do we do if…?"
"We'll try and help her, if she'll let us. Or take what action we must…"
"Actually…" grin, glance down the hall. "I was thinking more about Dawn and Jonathan…"
"Applies in either case…" Giles, returning grin…
They headed down the hallway and turned the corner where Xander rather nervously, Faith rather uncertainly (what would Buffy do?), and Anya rather suspiciously were looking down the hall where Dawn and Jonathan had moved off…
"Should I go talk to her?" Faith asked Xander.
"You should go see if they're on the phone with Buffy now…" Anya frowned.
"An…" Xander rolled eyes. "Wil?" he looked at the approaching Willow…
"You can go in in just a mo…Where are they?" Willow looked for the missing pair…
"Probably alerting Sunnydale's new tag team of Evil right now…" Anya grumbled.
Fine…She frowned at Xander's stare. "Maybe they're just making out in one of the empty rooms like we used to when we visited Buffy's mom here…"
….
"So as soon as we see Tara and I can get away, I'll try to reach them…" Jonathan said, Dawn nodding. He turned at the sound of a passing someone…
"Quick, kiss me…" she leapt at him and he nervously responded…
"Guess we better work on that…" she frowned, pulling back. The passing nurse eyeing them a moment…
"Was someone else coming?" he stared back down the hospital side corridor to the corner round which the others awaited permission to join Tara and Willow…
"Huh? No…Why ?" she looked at him…Mona Lisa smile playing on lips…
Ummn…He blinked.
"This is gonna take you a while, isn't it?" she grinned.
….
"The Master gave me specific instructions not to harm anyone without permission…" Harmony patiently explained to the now-tape bound, seated Oz… "So you've nothing serious to worry about unless He wants you dead."
Oz struggling to get the tape off his mouth or free his bound hands and feet…
"Please stop that…" she sighed. "If you get hurt the Master might be annoyed with me. Look, if I take the tape off your mouth, you promise to calm down and be nice?"
He glared at her but nodded. She cautiously removed the tape from his mouth…
"What the hell are you doing here, Harmony? And who is the Master…Is it that Nast guy, back?"
"Who? Oh, no…" Harmony shook her head. "I work for the Big Guy now. The Dracula himself. You know, the guy from Transylvania? With all the movies?" she enthused.
"Dracula?" Oz stared.
Hmmn…Wonder if I should have mentioned that about Master? Harmony frowned. Oh, well…
"But I can't tell you any more, I think…" she added, hastily.
"So that guest of Andrew's really is Dracula?" Oz eyed her. "'Dr. Alucard'…?"
"'Dr. Alucard'…God, that is lame." Harmony giggled.
Whoops…Trash talking the Master…
"Though a brilliantly simple deception…"
Ummn… "If that were him, which probably it isn't. In fact, I'm sure the Master is nowhere near here…"
Now there's a good recovery, she thought contentedly.
"So what does Dracula want with Andrew Praetorius…?" Oz frowned.
"I tole you. The Master, if he were Dracula, is nowhere near here…" Harmony replied. Trying a look of utter honesty… "I just happened to come in, looking for blood. I'm his scout in Sunnydale now…To watch the Hellmouth, you know?"
"Then why bother to tie me up? Harmony, you better fess up or I'll get the Slayer on your and your Master's tail so fast…Now what's Dracula up to in Sunnydale?" he stared a moment at her frowning face.
Damn…Saw right through my brilliant deception…
Hmmn…If I killed him accidently on purpose…Say dropped something heavy on him while moving things…Accidently. It wouldn't exactly be breakin' my no-violence pledge. And the Master would never find out how much I screwed things with him…
"So it was him…That wax statue was the real Dracula, wasn't it?" Oz interrupted her ruminations…
"Wax what?" she asked, quite honestly confused…
"Daughter of Rosenberg..."
Summary: One year after the events of "Groom of Rosenberg" Buffy the Rosenberg Monster and her honey have returned to ask a special favor of their creators Rosenberg and Praetorius...While Tara faces the more or less Big Bad...
Disclaimer: Would Joss want his name associated with this? I think not...But anyway all BTVS characters remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series...Though his brother Mort gets nothing...
Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse, www. ...
Part XX...
I have to say…Wesley thought as he carefully polished his glasses and peered out of his rental car at the traffic intersection where he awaited a light change…On the street he'd been directed to by a passerby where the "tall man pushing a large woman in wheelchair" had been noted.
Fortunately the lady had bought his "disability transport, just missed them" story...
I really I think it's time I sat down with Angel and had a chat as to my future with the company. I'm getting a bit too much of this sort of donkey-work…
He pressed pedal slightly and moved on, scanning the sidewalks. Hmmn…May as well ask at this Doublemeat Palace…And put a coffee on my expense account. He pulled in…
Always a bit hard to say, he eyed the clientele as he stepped inside. Certainly anyone of the scruffier types could pass for a demon trying to play human… He stepped up to the counter and ordered coffee, with cream.
"Pardon me, miss…" he asked the young girl in Doublemeat regulation uniform behind the counter who smiled at his accent. He returning smile…
Always nice that little fringe benefit of being British here…Makes up for the lumpen dolts who call you gay, try to assault you, and whom you then have to beat to near death hoping they really are demonic types.
"Have you by any chance seen a tall blonde man in overcoat pushing a large woman in a wheelchair recently? Within the last hour or so? They may have passed by this place?"
The girl shrugged a no but was intrigued enough by either his accent or his question to ask her mates…
No…Nope…Huh? And a sudden crash being the responses…
Hmmn…Wes looked to the source of the sudden crash. A large fellow in Doublemeat regulation uniform…Including hat…
Hmmn…Fellow looks a bit nervous. Staring my way for an instant on overhearing my question then scurrying back to his french fry frier…
Hmmn…Rather large ears under that hat, despite the careful tucking in…
"Uh, excuse me?" he addressed the girl. "Could you ask the gentleman in back there making french fries to come up? I wonder if he might have seen my friends…"
She shrugged again… "Clem?"
"Clem?"
Vamoosed…No doubt out the back exit…He hurried outside, just in time to bang against the rushing figure of Clem…
"You ok? Sorry…" Clem stared down, apologetic. "Have to get home, family thing. See ya…"
"Come back here!" Wes picked himself up, hurrying after the whatever the fellow was, his now-exposed ears clearly revealing a non-human type…
"You!" he called. Racing to his car… Clem now in the main street…Rushing down the sidewalk…
He hopped in his car and quickly pulled out. There…He caught sight of the creature now trying to lose itself in the crowd on the sidewalk…Nervously glancing round as if expecting to be pursued. Wes pulled in to the closest open space and got out as quickly as he could…
Hmmn…The fellow had got himself off, somehow. Perhaps he'd ducked into one of these shops? Wes peered into the one closest to his last sighting of the fellow…
There…He saw Clem eyeing goods on a rack, being suspiciously watched by the store's owner. He entered, a bell tinkling as he did. Clem looking up…
Uh-oh…
"Hello, there…" Wes eyed Clem sternly…
"Hey…" Clem, all smiles. Not anxious to have trouble just right now…Spent enough time in Sunnydale lockup for those parking tickets, thanks…
"Sorry to have bumped you. Kinda family emergency… Just pickin' a few things up…"
"I see…" Wes stared at the shelf. A collection of various junk pieces…
"Might I have a moment of your time…?" he asked pleasantly. "I think we may have a mutual acquaintance or two…
…..
Harmony pondered the situation…Oz having informed her he was a personal guest of the Master's associate…Whom she'd been instructed to obey and protect as she would the Master…Dr. Praetorius.
If he were telling the truth…Killing him, even accidentally on purpose, would likely not sit well with either the doctor or the Master. And she'd been ordered to avoid violence with humans…Though this guy was definitely not a simple human.
Not to mention he was rather pretty. In a little nobody geek human sort of way…Possibly available, given Willow Rosenberg's change in orientation. And a former classmate…
Ok, keep him alive until Master or Dr. P gives the termination order…
"I'm just gonna leave you in the office here." she said, with smile to the tape-bound Oz in office chair… "Until the Master gets back and we see if your story checks out. Could I get you anything?"
"Yeah, you can let me outta here. Dr. Praetorius won't be too happy when he finds you tied up a house guest…" he frowned.
"A pretty snoopy house guest…" she replied. "No offense intended…But why were you wandering around down here?"
"The doc gave me run of the place…I just wanted to see his lab here…"
Hmmn…
"Well, we'll see…If the Master accepts your story, I'll apologize I promise. For now, how about some soda? Or do you need something else? I get that you're part demon somewhere…"
"Werewolf…Soda'd be nice, thanks."
"Just a mo…" she nodded and headed out to the lab fridge in the next room. Oz eyeing the open doorway, struggling a bit with the tape binding his arms and legs…
Well, at least Willow doesn't seem to be involved in whatever's up here. But what could Dracula…The big D, himself…Want with a specialist in cloning and raising from the dead?
Into recycling now, maybe? Shortage of victims in Transylvania these days, maybe…Or…
Redemption? Maybe he wants to be human again? Stranger things have been happening, he reflected.
Angel, Spike…And Dracula following in tow? Maybe redemption's now the in thing for vamps this year?
And becoming human again would kinda top our boys. The big D likely wanting to do things with a little style…
Blue crackle of energy in front of him…He blinked to see a smiling Willow before him…Her smile immediately changing to puzzlement…
"Oz? What are you doing…?"
"Wil!" he cried as Harmony rushed her from behind… "Look out!"
…
"And you don't remember the visions at all?" Giles asked Tara as she sat up in bed…
Feeling fine, she noted, a bit frustrated…
No need to be stuck in a hospital over a little fainting spell.
"No, just what Wil and you guys were telling me about them…"
"I see…Well, the one common thread seems to be you mentioned Dracula each time…"
"Dracula?" Tara shook her head. "I don't get it…Unless I'm getting something from that missing statue. I've never had anything to do with any Dracula even when Buffy fought that grandnephew Anya tole us about."
"Vladimir…" Anya noted. "Could be he visited you while he was turning Buffy into his girl and Xander into his pet. Maybe you just didn't remember…And this is some residual tying you into family members…"
Audible sigh from Xander…Wish I didn't remember…
"Why would he have gone to the trouble to make me forget, this Vladimir?" Tara frowned.
"Keeping a witch in reserve thrall if things went wrong with the Slayer." Anya suggested. "Not a bad strategy…"
"I don't have any bite marks…And Willow's checked me for thrall." Tara noted.
"We clearly need to examine this further…" Giles noted. "But for now we should let the doctors do their work and observe you. Willow and I will monitor you at the same time in case any occult incidents occur…"
Tara sighed…
"Really seems like a waste of time staying here. Did Willow say when she'd be back?"
"She just wanted to see how Oz was getting on…" Giles said. "I imagine she'll be back very shortly…"
"It's a full moon tonight…" Tara noted. "I hope she makes sure he's settled properly. She shouldn't have gone alone…" she looked round anxiously…
"It's still early…" Xander patted her. "Willow knows to be careful with him…"
"She shouldn't have gone alone…" Tara shook her head. "It's almost sundown…Xander, could you go over? If she doesn't show soon?"
"Of course…" he nodded. "But we can just call first…"
"Where's Dawn…?" Tara asked. "I haven't seen her…Or Jon…"
"She claimed she had homework. And Jonathan had 'things to do'…" Anya frowned. "But unless they're making out somewhere, they're probably off to see Buffy…"
"Making what…?" Tara stared. "Dawn and Jonathan?"
"They said…" Xander sighed. "They're engaged…"
"What?" Tara blinked.
"The good news being if it's true, it's sure to get Buffy out on the streets where we can…Help…Her." Anya noted.
"Dawn and…Jonathan?"
"We don't believe it either. Which is why Giles had Faith leave to follow them just after they insisted they each had to go…" Anya explained.
Tara looked at Xander's sheepish face. Well…He reluctantly nodded…
"It's just to be safe. They might be getting involved with something they can't handle…" he shook his head.
"We thought it wise, just in case…" Giles agreed.
"You're hoping they'll lead you to Buffy and William…?"
"Or at least provide confirmation on the engagement so we can start considering options. Engagement shower, wedding plans…Whether to let Buffy kill Jonathan…That sort of thing…"Anya replied.
…
"Buffy Summers? And William the Bloody?" Clem continued to bluff… "Haven't seen either of them in years…"
"You seemed a bit nervous about them back at your workplace when I was asking around there…" Wesley noted.
"Nah…I just had a little accident. I gotta family thing, gotta go…"
"Just a minute...I wonder if you'd mind meeting a friend of mine. It'd only take a few minutes. And I'll gladly give you a ride home to deal with your 'family thing' after that..."
"You're not police..."
"No, far worse I'm afraid..." Wes said, pleasantly. "Look, I don't think you'd want either the Slayer or the person I'd like you to meet to have to come looking for you." he smiled benevolently.
Uh...Clem blinked.
….
"You braindead bimbo!" Oz yelled at Harmony, now leaning over the unconscious Willow whom she'd struck from behind with the soda bottle she'd brought in for Oz…
"Hey!" she frowned. "That's rude…I didn't kill her, yet, she's ok." she eyed Willow…Then Oz…
"Are you and she a couple again? I thought she'd gone fully gay."
Fully?...Oz blinked.
"She came to check in on me. Get a doctor, you stupid…"
"She'll be fine….She's just knocked out."
"Concussions are serious, you idiot…" Oz frowned. "This isn't a movie. She could have a skull fracture…"
Harmony looked down. Hmmn…
And human…Fully…And the Master did order no violence…
Uh-boy…I'm gonna get it.
Unless…She reflected.
No, killing them both…Not an option…
"Look, I didn't ask her to come here…" she began. Pausing… "Say? How did she get here?"
"Magics…She happens to be a kick-ass wiccan…Witch…" he explained to her puzzled look.
Wicwhat?
"Witch?" she stared down.
Great…Just what I need…Oh…
Ok…Focus…We can handle this. We're Dracula's chief minion and a new junior research assistant for the Praetorius Corporation…
Time to make an executive level decision, I'd say…
Something non-violent yet making the problem go away…
"Will you get a doctor?" Oz hollered at her. Pulling at his tape bindings…
She knelt beside Willow, gently lifting her…
"No!" Oz screamed, tearing.
"I won't kill her, don't worry…" she looked at him. "I've orders not to seriously hurt any humans…"
"This is just to keep her from making any trouble…" she took face.
He knocked over his chair to the side. But was still bound...Struggling...
She paused, sighed, turning to look at him. He kept struggling...
"Look, just think of this as a tranquillizer. I can't let someone like Willow pester the Master. She'll be fine. Hey, if you like I could even set you up with for tonight..."
"F-you, you...!" he screamed. "Let her go or I'll tear you limb from limb!"
Hmmn...She eyed him...Werewolf, eh?
Even more reason to have a little help here, she noted. Turning back to Willow's prone form...
"Harmony!"
…
"Whiskey...?" kindly put... "Or perhaps you've a taste for the brew? I've some fine Irish beer here..." pleasant smile. "From some of the real monastic breweries..."
"Uh...Beer...Thanks." the seated Clem, nodding. Nervous tic in face...Rubbing cheek...
"I hope my friend Wes didn't make you too nervous. We really just want a little information...Uh?"
"Clement...Clem'll do..." Clem replied. "Thanks..." Taking proffered beer mug...Staring briefly at the stiff arm and hand holding it out to him.
"Drink hearty, lad, as my dad would say..." Angel smiled, retracting artificial arm and lifting mug in other hand, nodding as he drank. Wes regarding them as he sipped tea in his chair...
"Ah...Nothing like the real brew..." Angel sighed. Setting mug down and resuming stance next to his guest...Who'd nervously sipped at his own…
"Now...Clement...I understand you're an acquaintance of William the Bloody. An old friend of mine...And his new significant other, likewise an old friend..." Angel beamed pleasantly.
…..
Gibbons approached the front door at the ring of the doorbell...
"Mr. Gibbons?" Willow, emerging from Oz's room, smiling... "I think it's a friend of mine. Let me get it..." she said pleasantly.
"Certainly Ms. Rosenberg..." he nodded. "Please let me know if you require anything..."
"Thanks..." she beamed. A bit wanly...Heading down the hall for the front door...
Hmmn... Poor girl looks a bit run down. Concerned about her friend, no doubt... He headed off to attend to his duties on computer and with staff.
Xander stared at Willow as she smiled at him...
"Wil? Everything ok?"
"Sure..." she nodded. "Come on in..." she waved him in. "Oz is resting...I'm just gonna see he's all set for tonight. Is everything ok at the hospital?"
"Tara's fine..." he nodded. "Giles decided to have Faith follow Jonathan and Dawn when they left. Hope it's not a mistake…"
She nodded...
"Willow?" he eyed her. "You seem a little down..."
"Teleport, long day..." she smiled. "You wanna wait while I check on Oz?"
He's got a thing about other folks seeing him getting secured for the night...She explained. "I think he'd rather it just be me..."
"Ok...I'll wait here..." he nodded.
"The butler, Mr. Gibbons can bring you some coffee or tea, if you like? I think I'll have some..."
"Coffee'd be fine..." he took a seat. "Tell Oz I hope he'll be outta here soon..."
"Few days yet I think..." Willow said. "But he's doing fine..."
She headed off...Turning to make for Oz's...And Andrew's...Bedroom...Stumbling only after she'd turned the corner and was out of Xander's view...
"It's ok Harmony..." she said, blankly to the waiting Harmony, who stood just inside the bedroom. Oz taped to the bed, held down by magics-reinforced chains, provided by Willow. His mouth again secured by tape and gag... "It's just Xander. I told him I was getting Oz settled for tonight and he would prefer privacy. I don't think there'll be any trouble..."
"That's good..." Harmony sighed. "He didn't sense anything about you...?"
"Just that I'm a little tired..." Willow said, flatly. "He believed my story about it being a long day and the teleport draining me. I think if I go with him, it should be fine..."
Hmmn...Harmony frowned.
Not all that sure of my thrall abilities...
Still...No need to complicate matters by adding Xander to our merry crew…Or going for mass slaughter. Simple a solution as that might seem...
"All right, go with him. But forget all about the stuff that happened here...All I want you to remember is you saw Oz, he was ok, and you took care of whatever for the moon thingy tonight, ok? And above all, you don't see the bite scar on your shoulder, even when you shower, ok?"
Willow nodded, absently. Vaguely looking in Oz's direction...
"I'll have the Master decide about Oz. Just do like I told you and everything'll be ok, ok?" Harmony patted her. Willow nodding again...
"I'd better get back to Xander..." she noted.
"Yeah...Uh, say...Willow?" Harmony asked. Willow pausing to regard her, blankly...
"Not that I'm into it or anything. But how's the lesbian thing working for you?"