Ok so maybe there is a part of this chapter that might not live to people's expectations. But the character has always let me down so he will never live up to people's expectations...but he sort of redeems himself in a way.
This chapter is again another long one (the previous one is still the longest) and which in a way will make up for the next two that will be very short since they are just episode tags. This one, is another original episode taking place in Sunnydale.
Disclaimer: I stopped watching Buffy after season 3 so I may write them a bit OOC so apologies again.
Feedback is always welcome!
Original Episode for Buffy Series between 5x17 Forever and 5x18 Intervention
Title: Proof
Buffy paced the magic shop waiting for Giles to return. Her Watcher just said that he had important business to attend too in Los Angeles. Buffy wanted to question him further but he had ended the call. Los Angeles meant only one thing, Angel. Why would Angel call Giles and not her? Was it because of recent events?
Buffy's pacing became more irritable as she waited. The sun had risen and there was still no sign of Giles. Buffy was a second from picking up the phone and calling Angel when she heard the sound of a car parking outside the shop and she immediately made to confront her Watcher.
"Giles!" shouted Buffy, coming out of the shop to see him. "You are going to be Slayer pulp if you do not tell me where the hell have you been."
Giles was too shocked to answer at Buffy's words. He hadn't even been fully out of his car when she began talking and Buffy as too busy glaring at him to notice the other man…a man she did not recognize at first, but then he spoke.
"I guess somethings never change," the man said with warm tone with a smile. Buffy turned to him and before she could ask who he was, the glasses brought her back to two years ago. "Nice to see you again, Buffy."
"Wesley?" asked Buffy, shocked to see the man. She turned to Giles. "Your business in L.A. was Wesley?"
Giles cleared his throat and glared at Buffy. "Research. Wesley is the best demonic researcher I knew. I needed his help, still do actually."
"Well maybe he could help us then because while you were away, three people were attacked by something big and scary that landed them in the psych ward," said Buffy.
"How do you know it's something demonic?" asked Wesley, his voice sounding different from the last Buffy remembered.
"They were talking in a weird language that Willow said was a mix of Latin and Sumerian," said Buffy, as she eyed Wesley. "Is this really Wesley?"
Giles and Wesley exchanged a confused look.
"The Wesley I remembered wouldn't be caught dead without a tie and wearing jeans," said Buffy. "And he usually bossed people around and wanted everyone to believe he was important."
Wesley bowed his head as Giles hissed, "Buffy!"
"What?" asked Buffy, glaring at Giles. "You hated him the most back when—"
"I hated the Council for firing me and I took it out on him," said Giles. "Which I have apologized for. It wasn't Wesley's fault that he was sent here to replace me. It was my fault for choosing to displace my anger towards the Council on him."
"Rupert," began Wesley and Buffy was surprised. Giles never really liked people calling him by his first name. "I told you, the fault was at both ends. I shouldn't have acted like well as Buffy had put it…I could have done better in working with you all."
They fell silent until Giles cleared his throat. "What were you saying about people landing themselves into psych wards?"
"Abspero's are very rare," said Wesley as he along with Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles were trying to scout for the demon.
"Humans turned into demons by their own crushed hopes and dreams," said Giles. "And now they are given the chance to turn other humans like it. Good thing the process takes longer than a vampire turning someone…or else we could have four new Absperos in the hospital."
"So what does this Abspero Demon do anyway?" asked Xander.
After Buffy had briefed the two Englishman on what happened the previous night, they had gone into full research mode back in Giles' house. Willow and Xander were surprised to see Wesley but he had greeted them with a warm smile, which made Giles even more grateful for the second chance of getting to know the man. Wesley had the same warm welcome to Tara and Dawn, who he didn't interact with that much before. Spike wasn't too keen on the research and had opted to prowl around and report in case he sees or hears anything.
After a few hours of research, Giles had seen how incredible intelligent Wesley was. He could quote from books from different languages and explain it to Willow and Tara so that they could understand. Something, Giles found it hard to do sometimes. Giles could see him doing it to Cordelia more often and maybe have had practice.
What the victims were murmuring weren't actual human languages but some demonic language that Wesley understood and helped them identify the demon in record time.
"Hope Absorber Demon as translated loosely," began Giles. "Makes you afraid and then makes you turn and hope that your savior will come and rescue you but nothing will show up…imagine that fear and that hope crushed over and over again…you'll ask for a way out…and then the demon gets inside your head and finally offers himself as the savior of your life."
"And you are turned into one," finished Wesley. "It's either you don't think about what frightens you the most because that is the initial attack but then you can't also think about what makes you not afraid because that is the second part of its attack…using your believed savior against you."
They all stopped when they heard one word from Buffy who was trailing behind, "Mom?"
They all turned to see Buffy gazing into space. Giles immediately ran up to her and tried to shake her awake. "Buffy, this is the demon attacking you, fight it."
"My mom's here," began Buffy, her voice rising a tone in excitement. "Mom!" Buffy ran forward and they all saw the demon. It was your usual demonic form, big dark orange, skin looked to be made of stone. Giles and Xander rushed at it with their swords but nothing harmed it.
Willow was trying her best to get Buffy back from her trance. Giles swung his sword once again but the demon grabbed him by the neck. Wesley had his hand over his gun a second after and aimed for its eyes and fired. The demon roared in pain and Buffy sank to her knees, a hand to her head.
"What happened?" asked Buffy as Willow helped her to her feet.
"Talk later, slay now," said Willow as she handed Buffy a sword.
"You shot it," said Xander, coming up to Wesley. "And shot it right at its eye…that is some aim Wes."
"Pity not all demons are harmed by gunshots," said Wesley as they both rejoined the fight. None of their attacks were proving useful. The gunshot had only made it angrier and Wesley could sense that Xander and Willow were being attacked by what their fears were…Buffy was being attacked by the image of her savior…he had to do something.
Wesley rushed the demon with the sword but it threw him a good distance and he was on the ground just as he saw the demon made to grab Giles.
"No!" shouted Wesley and green barrier created itself between the demon and the group. The demon made to fight through it but it was blasted a few feet. It lingered to eye all of them but then disappeared.
"Nice save, Wesley," said Giles but as he turned to look at the man who was trying to stand, worry filled his eyes. "Wesley?"
"I….I don't feel so good," began Wesley as his knees buckled under him.
"Wesley!" cried Giles as they all ran up to him.
"He doesn't look injured," said Buffy.
"He made that barrier," began Willow. "I didn't know he had magic…"
"And a good shot," said Xander. "Give him a crossbow and he could have dusted a few vampires with his aim.
Giles wasn't paying much attention seeing as he was more focused on getting the young man to wake up. Which Wesley obliged as he blinked his eyes…
"That was…" began Wesley gentling sitting up. "New."
Giles sighed and helped the man to his feet. "We better head back and do some more research."
Seeing as Abspero demons were rare, there weren't any specific details on them in Giles' books. Especially on ways to kill them. There were general descriptions and all just kept saying that they were rare.
Wesley sighed. "I think I might have a book but if may have been in our previous office when it exploded…"
A collective gasped was heard and everyone looked at Wesley who looked confused at their gazes. "What?"
"Your offices were bombed?" asked Xander.
"Previous offices," explained Wesley. "We've moved to a new one."
"Was there anyone inside?" asked Willow, concern lining her words.
"Me." said Wesley as though it was no big deal and again a collective gasp was heard. "I'm alive." He offered as to not raise alarm again at what he said. He turned to Giles, "May I use the phone? Maybe the book was salvaged."
Wesley walked over to the phone as the Buffy, Xander, Willow, Tara and Dawn looked at Giles.
"Are you sure this is the same Wesley?" asked Xander to no one in particular. "The same man who was crying for an aspirin when we fought the mayor can now talk about being inside an exploding building like it was no big deal."
Giles made to answer but the annoyed voice of Wesley could be heard and everyone listened in.
"I know Cordelia," said Wesley with a sigh. "Yes, of course but the agency is called 'Angel Investigations' so naturally without me there I would have asked Angel to look out for you and Charles." Wesley paused and rolled his eyes. "I'll be back as soon as I can, I just need to help Rupert…that's all water under the bridge Cordelia…has Angel found it?...No, I'm not saying that I do not want to talk to you but the matter is rather urgent."
"And he's talking to Cordelia like he didn't have a crush on her," said Willow. "He's talking to Cordelia no, he's bickering with Cordelia."
"She's rather protective of him as I have seen," said Giles.
"Well you haven't had a vision anyway," said Wesley. "I did say that you have three days off and yet there you are in the Hotel." Another pause. "How can it be my fault? I'm not the one that dictates when you have your visions."
"Visions?" asked Dawn.
"Another long story," said Giles.
"Oh please put him on," said Wesley. "Everything alright?... Yes, well Angel has always been the slowest in research…Is Cordelia alright? Was she with anyone when the vision hit?" Wesley's tone had changed dramatically from annoyance to worry. "I just need to finish a few things here…what? An actual paying customer? Well maybe we can finally eat somewhere nice instead of that Chinese place Cordelia forces us to take in."
The Scoobies where again shocked at the laughter that escaped Wesley's lips. They never heard him laugh during his stay in Sunnydale…mainly because they never gave him the time of day.
"Finally!" said Wesley and Giles assumed he was finally talking to Angel. "Well, I figured as much. Abspero demons are very rare…that book was a rare thing too and I can't believe its ashes." Wesley paused as Angel talked and then his eyes widened. "You just gave me an idea." Another pause. "Yes, I'll be back as soon as I can. Please just don't let Cordelia boss you around and vice versa…yes, thank you."
Giles thought the conversation was over but it looked as though the phone was handed over to somebody else again. "Yes, Cordelia. Yes, I know…I don't think they are any zombies cops here…Yes, Cordelia….Cordelia, they've healed. I had the stitches taken out a couple of weeks ago. You were there! … Well every time I do get either injured or beaten by a demon is when I'm around you…you and your mother hen tendencies….look, Cordelia the soon I am off the phone the sooner I finish my business in Sunnydale and the sooner you can boss me around back in L.A. happy?" Wesley once again rolled her eyes but his tone changed. "Keep safe. I'll be back." Another pause. "Always have to have the last word, don't you?" Another laugh and he finally ended the call.
"Why did you have stitches?" asked Buffy as he came back to the table.
"Oh," began Wesley, not thinking they had heard his conversation. "We had a run-in with zombie cops."
"Zombie-cops?" asked Xander.
"Police chief wanted to keep his jurisdiction crime free so he resurrected his fallen men," explained Wesley.
"And?"
"And what?" asked Wesley as Buffy didn't budge. "I came to my associate's aid and well…the cop shot me."
"You were shot?" came the surprised gasp from Willow.
"And just recently?" asked Tara, worriedly. "Shouldn't you take it easy?"
"It was give or take a couple of weeks ago already," said Wesley, not used to being fussed about especially by the people from Sunnydale. "I'm fine, I promise."
"What did Angel say?" asked Giles, hopefully steering the conversation back to the problem at hand.
"I'm afraid my reference book to the Abspero demon has been turned to ashes," began Wesley. "But I got an idea from what Angel had mentioned. Abspero demons are initially humans, just like vampires are initially humans." He let his words sink in. "Maybe if we improve on that gypsy spell Willow had found to re-ensoul Angel, we could use it to give back the Abspero demon his humanity."
"That could work," began Tara. "But wouldn't that take a lot of magical power?"
"Yes," began Wesley. "Not that I don't believe in your capabilities but I am guessing that spell can only be done by one person…and I do not like the idea of risking your lives."
"Then what are you suggesting," asked Xander, his voice and look suspicious.
"I could—"
"A word, Wesley," cut Giles as everyone else looked between the two Englishmen.
"You know I can do this," said Wesley.
"A word," said Giles, rather forcefully. "In private." He walked towards the kitchen and Wesley sighed as he shut the book in front of him and followed the older man.
Buffy and the rest all exchanged looks of confusion.
"I can do this, Rupert," said Wesley as soon as they were out of earshot. "You know I can."
"This coming from the man who last night wasn't so keen on being the Gem," replied Giles. "Also the same man who fainted after using his powers for the first time earlier."
"Things are different," said Wesley.
"Pray tell what was so different from last night to right now," demanded Giles.
"I didn't have my powers then," said Wesley. "Ever since you awakened them, I can feel all the magic around me, Rupert. And when we arrived here in Sunnydale, it magnified. I have more than enough energy to do this spell and turn the demon back to his human self…and if I do that every other human in the psych ward who are at the brink of becoming demon themselves will be out of danger."
"Wesley," began Giles, his tone softening a little. "I know how you feel. When Travers gave me the crystals, I thought I could do everything…but that is not the case. Yes you do have power but can you really focus it on one thing already? What if instead of turning this demon back you find yourself turning everyone else into demons…magic is a very dangerous thing to meddle with."
"I can do this, Rupert," said Wesley and Giles saw again how incredibly young Wesley was. Giles sighed and took off his glasses in an attempt to clean them. "Besides what better way to prove to Travers and the Council that I am truly the Gem."
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone, Wesley," began Giles. "Those things around your neck are proof enough."
"Maybe," began Wesley, leaning on the counter. "But I want to prove something to myself."
Giles remained silent and Wesley continued, "You and I are very different Rupert. You are a Watcher. A real, respected Watcher by a Slayer. Someone who has saved the world loads of times. You are more than right to have a prophetic destiny. Me? I'm a pathetic, useless man who can't do anything right…"
"That is not true Wesley," replied Giles. "You help the helpless, remember? You help Angel save people back in Los Angeles." But Wesley shook his head.
"I didn't go to Los Angeles for that," said Wesley. "I came to L.A. or wherever I may have ended up because I was running away. I was a failed Watcher with no money and no life…and I didn't want to go back to England and face my father. I was…am a coward. Cowards who run away from their duties aren't supposed to have prophetic destinies or magical powers. They should be somewhere making the world a better place by dying a horrible death."
"Wesley!" reprimanded Giles as he took a step closer to the man. "That is not true and you know it."
"I want to," said Wesley. "Believe me. I want to think that I am the right man to be the Gem…that everything I have ever studied…every spell I made up myself growing up…surviving an explosion or a gunshot wound…I want to believe that all those things have made me the right choice for the Gem. But I'm not you, or Buffy, or Angel…or even Faith. I haven't saved the world or anyone for that matter. I want to think I am strong enough but the past has nothing to prove me otherwise…and now I have a chance. I know I can do this."
Silence fell between the two of them as they stared at each other. Giles fully understood what Wesley was saying because he himself had thought the same thing. Hell, he was still thinking about it. One act that will actual prove to himself that this whole thing is not a dream…that he truly was the Gem's mentor.
"Don't tell me not to do it," began Wesley. "We both now I will do as you say, male British authority figure phobia and all…" Giles had to smile as he shook his head and looked at Wesley who had a small smile on his face.
"Don't you dare die on me, Pryce," said Giles.
"Wouldn't dream of it," said Wesley with a smile and they both headed back to the group.
"You know what to do, then?" asked Spike as they hid behind some trees and bushes, watching the demon.
Spike had found the demon as he was preparing for the last night before the humans he attacked with be transformed into something like it. Buffy was reluctant to leave Dawn without any protection but they also needed vampire strength to distract the demon long enough for Wesley to do the spell.
Giles had sternly told him to focus on the spell and not think about them as distractions which Wesley was very against.
"Distractions usually get injured," said Wesley. "If I can create the same barrier around him like I did for us before…maybe—"
"Focus on the spell," repeated Giles. "We do our part, Wesley. Don't think about us. Focus on what you have to do."
Buffy had watched them in surprise. Giles was talking to Wesley…well like how he would talk to her. It was like a teacher talking to his apprentice. Something has changed between the two men and she would like to know what. During his brief stay back in Sunnydale, Buffy had learned so many things about Wesley more than when he stayed as her Watcher. The one greatest thing she learned was that Wesley was a great big asset that she wished they had used against the Mayor. Maybe if she had asked for his opinion or for his intelligence, they would have found a way to stop the Mayor even before Graduation.
"Yes," replied Wesley to Spike's question. "Just…" He looked at all of them. "Be careful."
"Like Giles, said Wes," began Buffy. "Do your part and we do ours. Team, remember?"
Wesley bowed his head, memories of his first stay in Sunnydale coming to mind…especially the incident with Faith and Angel and reluctantly nodded his head.
Buffy saw the regret in his eyes and turned to Giles. Giles could see the guilt in her face just as he had felt when he arrived in Los Angeles a couple of nights ago.
Buffy nodded to the rest and they rushed at the demon with Wesley preparing the spell. Completing the circle with the Orb of Thesulah. In all honesty, Wesley didn't know if this would work or not. He just got the idea from Angel. Technically speaking, vampires were demons too. Humans turned into demons…the spell was used to bring back their soul…maybe with enough power, they could turn demons back into humans. One difference between Abspero and vampires were that the humans turned demons were still alive inside…and the spell was called Ritual of Restoration so it could restore the human turned demon. It was a long shot but one he was willing to take.
Wesley had been creating and inventing spells since he could read…enhancing a few spells back in the Academy proved to be an easy thing to do but a lot of things could happen if you make slight adjustments to spells. Wesley looked back at the circle and finally at the orb. He couldn't about what might go wrong…he needed to thing about the spell and nothing else.
If all else fails, he could send the demon part of the Abspero to another dimension and save the human part. He just didn't know how to open a portal…what better way to learn than when your life is in danger.
As soon as he had begun chanting the first few lines of the spell, he saw the group of Xander, Willow and Giles being throw a good few feet from the demon. Spike made to attack it from behind but he too was thrown from his feet. Wesley couldn't help himself, he stretched out his hand towards the demon and a green barrier was again created.
"Wesley!" shouted Giles.
Xander studied the barrier but there was one key difference from the night before. "He's keeping us out."
Wesley continued to chant as he fired a gun towards the demon, getting a clean shot on one of its eyes but as he ran out of bullets, he grabbed a fallen sword and defended himself, all the while chanting the spell.
But the demon was fast and Wesley found himself being thrown to the ground and as the demon closed in on him, he was saved by another sword-wielder.
"Buffy!" said Wesley in relief. "You should be—"
"What did I tell you about being a team, Wes?" asked Buffy forcing the demon to take a step back. "I know you just want to protect us but I want to protect you so leave this ugly guy to me and—"
The demon managed to wrestle the sword out of Buffy's hand but Wesley had stood and got to her in time. Again, chanting as he attacked the demon. Buffy knew that Wesley would not let her attack the demon by herself so she grabbed the fallen sword and helped her previous Watcher.
Willow recognized the last lines of the spell, "Buffy get down!" She and Wesley shouted at the same time as the orb erupted in light and Wesley stretched out his hand towards the demon. A green light shot out from Wesley's palm and hit the demon at its chest. The demon roared and sunk down to its knees. It was surrounded with green and white light but was then separated into two beings, the demon and a man. An old man in periodic clothing. The green and white light focused on the demon and it exploded into ashes.
The old man on the other hand was surrounded still by the green light as he stood. "Thank you."
Wesley smiled but he could see that time was catching up to the man. "I have lived for so long…and time is catching up with me. But at least I die knowing that I am human again…thank you."
The old man faded just as the green light engulfed him and the rest of the group ran up to them.
"Think it worked?" asked Buffy to Wesley.
"Hopefully," began Wesley. "The demon didn't finish the transformation ritual so I guess we can safely assume—Ow!"
This was the point that Giles slapped him at the back of his head.
"What in heaven's name where you bloody thinking?" lectured Giles. "I told you to focus on the spell and not think about us! You could have gotten yourself killed."
Wesley ducked down his head. Willow knew all too well that looked Giles was giving him and she had the same reaction to it.
"I…I'm sorry," began Wesley. "I didn't mean to act all heroic or what…it was just…"
"You were trying to protect us," added Willow. "Come on, Giles. You've done the same reckless thing in the past…yes we get mad at you for doing it…but it's because we worry too much. But Wesley," she turned to the younger Englishman. "We worry about you too. Don't think that you can just decide to sacrifice yourself without asking for our permission."
"Yeah," began Xander. "As much as I am grateful that you tried to protect us…I'm not all that grateful if you had been demon's chew toy and died on us."
Wesley had a small smile as Xander patted him on the back. "Noted."
They all turned to Giles who was still glaring at Wesley.
"You know he only did it because you got thrown a good twenty feet off the ground," said Spike. "So technically speaking it's your fault for not being that good of a fighter."
Giles glared at the vampire as Buffy, Willow, Xander and Wesley shared a laugh and headed back.
They had first gone to the hospital and was relieved to find out that the victims had stopped chanting and were going to be alright and human. Giles had then become a bus driver as he drove everyone home. He and Wesley were on their back to Giles' house when Giles had felt something steer inside him and stopped the car.
"What's wrong?" asked Wesley, looking at Giles.
"They've arrived in the shop," replied Giles. "Always had to be so stealthy and rude."
Wesley laughed. "How do you know?"
"I put a spell on the magic shop as an attempt to test my powers," began Giles as he drove to a new destination. "It's just Travers. I'm guessing his lackeys are back at my house, waiting for us."
"Good. I'd rather just face him and not anyone else." said Wesley, as they parked in front of the shop.
"Ready?"
Wesley sighed. Was he ready to face the life he ran away from… "I guess so."
Giles has motioned for him to stay behind and listen. He'll signal Wesley when it was time. Travers was looking through the training room at the back of the shop when Giles finally made his presence known.
"I assume a simple knock on the door wasn't appropriate," said Giles. "You really had to break into my shop."
"I had my associates wait for you back at your house," said Travers. "This shop fascinates me."
"What a great way to show it by breaking in," said Giles.
"You must have news besides the dagger showing up in L.A., Rupert." began Travers. "You wouldn't have me make a trip for just that."
"Maybe," said Giles, being all cryptic just as Travers was when he had last seen the man. "I am all alone talking to you."
"Rupert…" began Travers. "Just because you are now the most important Watcher in existence doesn't mean we come at your beck and call."
"Oh it wasn't my call," said Giles. "And I'm not the most important Watcher in existence…he is."
"Who—"
Wesley chose the right time to come into the room. "I believe he was talking about me."
Travers looked at Wesley and Giles noted the widened eyes…but it wasn't as big as a surprise to Travers as it was for the two of them. Travers' eyes wandered to the two glowing crystals around Wesley's neck.
"You knew." accused Giles. "The time you told me. You had an idea it would be Wesley."
"Just a feeling," said Travers, looking from Giles and Wesley. "If the mentor turned out to be the second greatest failure that the Council had produced…the Gem would most likely be the first."
"If we're such failures why on earth would you need us then," said Giles, anger lining his voice. "Might as well cut ties with you lot for the rest of our lives."
"Rupert," began Wesley.
"Are you seriously just going to take that, Wesley?" said Giles, looking at him.
"I've learned to take it for the past 28 years of my life," began Wesley. "But just because I have a grudge against them or because they don't accept that I am the Gem doesn't mean I am going to ignore my responsibility of saving the world. I've learned to always be the bigger man in situations like this."
Both Giles and Travers looked at the young man in surprise. Out of all three of them, Wesley looked to be the most mature of them all.
"You were always a smart man, Wesley," said Travers with a sigh. "You're academic record in the academy is still the best performance we have. Nobody has been able to take so many classes and ace them just like you did and still be part of the cricket team. It was always your leadership skills that was your weakness."
"And now he's the leader of a private investigation agency in L.A." said Giles, glaring at the man.
"Under a vampire," said Travers. "That is not something to be proud of."
"Well after you left him to fend for himself, I think that is something to be proud of," fired back Giles. "He found his place in the world without the help from the Council or anyone for that matter."
"I see the relationship has survived all these years," said Travers with a smile. "Your paternal feelings are starting to show, Rupert."
Giles glared at Travers just as Wesley looked at Giles in surprise. The man was defending him with such ferocity like he was his own child. Wesley had seen this when Giles would defend Buffy…he couldn't believe it was now directed at him.
"I guess we should really get down to business, then?" asked Travers.
"What happens now?" asked Wesley.
"Well," began Travers. "I'm pretty sure you both will turn down the option of returning to England. Then I will just have to keep my confidence in you two to help each other, train and harness your powers. The Council has been trying to figure out what we are going to face ever since Rupert's crystals started glowing."
"I thought you told Rupert that this was on a need to know basis?" asked Wesley.
"It is," said Travers. "Some of us old timers still know how to do research Wesley."
At the mention of old-timers, Wesley suddenly had a grave feeling and it must have shown on his face because Travers looked at him with regret. "He will find out Wesley. He is part of the higher ranks of the Council."
Wesley remained silent and Giles knew who they were referring too. "What about others? Like those Watchers you sent after Faith? They have, as I believe, one huge grudge on Wesley."
"As I have said, the knowledge of the Gem is at a need to know basis," said Travers. "We tell only those who need to know. I can't stop you if you decide to tell everyone else. It is your head that they'll be after and not mine."
Wesley just glared at him but he caught Giles having a resolved look. "You haven't told Buffy, have you?"
Giles looked at him and shook his head. "Why not?"
"She has a lot on her shoulders already," began Giles. "I don't want to trouble her as off yet."
Silence. Wesley then turned to Travers. "I'm sure people will be surprised and be doubtful once they hear but if you wouldn't mind…I don't want a swarm of Watchers visiting our offices in L.A."
"Wouldn't dream of it," replied Travers. "Although, with those glowing around your neck…we don't have any reason to doubt in the first place. Now performance reviews and assessments on the other hand might also be waved seeing—"
"Excuse me?" asked Wesley and Giles fought back the smile. Of course Giles hadn't informed Wesley that once he was the Gem, he was going to be back on the official active Watcher list, complete with all the benefits. "I'm not going be a Watcher again."
"As you are the Gem, you are," said Travers. "Besides, technically speaking you are an active Watcher already." Wesley looked at him confused. "Active slayer always needs an active Watcher."
Wesley's eyes widened in realization. "She's—"
"Faith is still currently the active Slayer," said Travers. "She is a rogue but seeing as she is the currently activated Slayer…she needs a Watcher."
"She doesn't need a Watcher," began Wesley.
"And yet I know that you visit her once a month asking if she's alright," said Travers. "Is that not what a Watcher does know? Look out for their charge?"
"We've always believed that this is 1:1," began Travers. "One slayer, one watcher. Buffy was always going to be under Rupert, whatever we say or do. Kendra had Sam. Diana was conveniently near Faith when she was called but she wasn't who we planned as her Watcher. It was always going to be the next person we sent. That turned out to be you, Wesley."
"Well then," began Giles. "If Wesley is technically Faith's Watcher and Faith is the active Slayer…you won't argue that Wesley deserves the pay you've neglected to give him since he was fired."
Wesley's shocked eyes turned to Giles. "I'm sorry did you just say 'pay'?"
"Yes," said Giles, as though it was no big deal. "I think a big increase in salary is in order for the obvious risk of being the Gem, and of course retroactively paid since you fired him."
Wesley looked at Giles like he had sprouted another head. "Don't worry Wesley. He has no right to refuse."
"Actually, he is right," said Travers. "Buffy did this for him and now he is doing it for you. And like Buffy and Giles, the Council has no right to look into them and check if their performance is at par with Council standards. You and faith, aren't in the Hellmouth so I think that is waved as well."
"And what does the Council get in all this?" asked Wesley.
"They get two very powerful magical practitioners who are willing to save the world when the circumstances needs them to be," said Travers.
"And the give the Council a high stature once again," added Giles. "May other magical groups fear and respect them." He paused and glared at Travers. "We have your word you are going to let us handle this and not have you lot come and spy on us."
"Seeing as you two can destroy us with a snap of your fingers," began Travers. "I don't see why we should even test your anger."
"Mr. Travers," began Wesley and Giles had to roll his eyes at Wesley being all respectful and polite. "I don't…like I've told Rupert. This is all too over whelming…I have powers that are growing stronger every second…and you're telling me I have free reign on what to do with them."
Travers looked at Wesley and Giles couldn't help but see it as pride. "Wesley…without any doubt…the one reason I believe as to why you are the Gem is because of one thing…your desire to fight for what's good and right." He looked at Wesley then to Giles. "You both didn't have to stay here in America when you were fired but you did. You stayed and helped save the world multiple times. You've helped more people than the Council has. For Council standards, you two are the least likely to be considered the most important Watchers in existence but knowing your will and heart…whatever powers decide on these things…they got it right."
Wesley and Giles looked at Travers surprised…they never expected to hear that from him. "Yes, Wesley you have free reign to use your powers because I know for sure you will only use them for one thing…doing what is good. I may have had arguments with Roger about his child-ringing…but he did succeed in raising you to understand to do what is right and necessary for the greater good."
Silence fell on them as Wesley looked down on the floor and both Travers and Giles watched him. "I'd best head back to the Council and report out current standings. When you need any resources, don't hesitate to call."
Travers nodded to the two men and left. Giles couldn't stop himself from walking up to Wesley and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Wesley?" asked Giles. Travers was always a prick but he did have his moments in a way…Giles knew for sure that when Wesley heard that Travers had arguments with Wesley's father…it sparked a new impression of the man in Wesley's mind…frankly it did the same to Giles. Travers wasn't a complete prick after all.
"I'm alright…" began Wesley. "Just shocked. I've never heard Travers talk to anyone like that…especially me. He mostly acted just like my father and when he of all people tells me that he had argued with my father about his child-rearing skills…I think I just stepped into another dimension.
Giles laughed and patter Wesley on the back. Trust the young man to the turn the situation into an amusing one.
"I guess it's high time I went back to L.A." said Wesley as they left the shop and headed for Giles' house. Wesley had rented a motorbike from a friend who was near Sunnydale and he had tested it earlier that day. Buffy and Willow had a different look on their faces when Wesley wore his riding jacket and helmet and tested out the bike. "I promised Jerry, I'd return his bike after three days."
"How will you?" asked Giles as they rounded the corner.
"My associate has a truck," said Wesley. "I'm sure he'll help…he has been carrying me to and from cars lately. I'm sure he'll do me one last favor."
"And Cordelia?" asked Giles. "What will she do once she finds out you rode all by yourself back to L.A.?"
"What she doesn't know won't hurt me," said Wesley and Giles couldn't help but smile as they arrived. Wesley had packed only a few things, wanting to stay for only a short period. So he was ready to head off after a few minutes.
"I guess this is not a good-bye, Wesley," said Giles offering his hand to the young man. "I'll be pestering you for a while about practicing your powers on basic spells. Try the ones in your books from the academy and no experimenting on the spells you've invented."
Wesley had to shake his head at how Giles had easily read and gotten to know him. "I will, and you'll keep in touch and call me when you need anything…especially with Glory?"
"I will," said Giles. "Because I know you'll do the same in case you have problems in L.A."
"Of course," replied Wesley. Silence fell upon them. "This…well I hope we get more chances of working together in the future."
"You can count on it," said Giles. "Now you'd best get going."
Wesley nodded and removed his glasses to put on his helmet then placed them back on.
"Call me once you get back to L.A.?"
"You're starting to sound like Cordelia."
"I have the right since I am responsible for you," said Giles and he knew that Wesley was smiling inside his helmet. "Drive safe." Wesley nodded and was off.
Giles couldn't help but feel some small pride when he watched Wesley ride off. The man in front of him was someone he had met only a few years ago, who had changed for the better and was now an independent young man who had a huge responsibility in the world. It was a scary thought but Giles wouldn't trade up being the one responsible for Wesley for a quitter life. Giles couldn't help but be proud of Wesley…and feel a certain sense of accomplishment that they were now on the path of saving the world. Together.
