Chapter 21: Ripper

"Giles…" Buffy groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, only to close them a moment later. The light having been a bit much.

A softly spoken word later and the lights dimmed. "That's a nifty trick to have." Buffy commented as she opened her eyes once more.

Giles chuckled as he trailed his fingers through her hair. "How are you feeling?"

She reached up to gently caress his cheek. He leaned into the touch reveling in it. "Better, now that you're here. What happened?"

"Voldemort wants Ripper to roam the world unchecked." Giles shivered slightly as Buffy continued her ministrations. She was now playing with his hair.

"Is that such a bad thing?" She wondered aloud, then kicked herself as his face fell.

"It can be. Ripper is a very volatile individual. If left unchecked, the consequences could be dire."

Buffy would give anything to erase the pain in his eyes. Reaching up, she pulled him down for a kiss. It was only meant to comfort him, but she could find him responding all the same. "Buffy…" He moaned, not wanting this moment to end, but knowing that it had to.

"No, Giles…" Buffy reached up to hold him in place. "Don't think." She kissed him again, reveling in the fact that she could make his body respond so readily.

Giles, once again, was trying to extract himself from Buffy's arms, which was proving to be rather difficult. "Please, Giles. I just…I almost lost you. I can't..." a tear trailed down her face.

AS he looked down at her his heart broke; never in his life had he felt this loved. Giles gently wiped the tears from her face and smiled gently. He knew he couldn't deny her, not when she held his heart. As usual, all rational thought went out the window where Buffy was concerned. Making up his mind, he lowered his mouth to claim hers in a sensual kiss, thereby confirming that she would be forever his, just as he was forever hers.

Dumbledore's Office

"He's up to something." Sirius was pacing like a caged animal.

Dumbledore's eyes followed him, wishing that things had turned out differently, but knowing that it was a moot point. He sighed, hopefully they could put their differences aside and learn to work together when the time came, which wouldn't be long now.

He stood, stopping Sirius mid-pace. "Relax, old friend. I'm sure Severus knows what he's doing."

If anything his scowl deepened, "He's playing a very dangerous game. Allowing himself to be captured like that."

"What makes you think it's a game?" Angelika stepped out of the shadows. She had been watching their exchange calmly, but now her eyes flashed with anger.

"You don't seriously expect me to believe that he planned to be captured, do you?" Dealing with Snape's relatives was starting to wear down on his already frazzled nerves.

"I sincerely hope not." She shrugged her shoulders and gave him a knowing smile. "But I don't doubt that he has a plan in place."

Her nonchalance only served to aggravate Sirius even more. To which he thankfully fumed silently.

"Headmaster." Angelika bowed her head slightly as a show of respect.

"Any news?" He queried, hoping she had brought good news with her. Rupert, he knew, had taken Buffy to his room and they haven't heard from them since.

"Nothing as of yet. However, I don't doubt that with Ripper back she will awaken soon."

Sirius suddenly stopped pacing and turned to face her, "Why do you insist on calling him that ridiculous nickname?"

"I understand you're angry, but this arguing will not solve anything." Angelika was trying to rein in her own anger. She had never particularly liked Sirius, but her uncle had given her strict orders. And she meant to follow them…within reason, she amended silently. Her uncle wasn't the only one who could keep secrets.

"Angelika is right." Dumbledore responded. "We must prepare ourselves for the final battle. It won't be long now."

Harry had listened with bated breath. They were keeping secrets from him…all of them. If he was to defeat Voldemort then why were they hiding things? It just didn't make any sense. He had some thinking to do and hopefully his new friends could shed some light on a few things.

Giles' Dream

Giles was walking through what appeared to be a forest, hoping he would reach his destination soon. Even though he didn't know what he was looking for, he felt certain that he needed to find her. Coming up short he realized that he was indeed looking for someone. Quickening his pace, he darted through the remains of the forest only to come upon a sole figure sitting by a lake.

He approached slowly, trying not to startle her. Kneeling beside her, he gingerly touched her shoulder, "Buffy?"

Despite his best efforts, he did indeed startle her. She jumped nearly falling into the lake. Only Giles' strong arms prevented her fate. Buffy smiled shyly at Giles and leaned into his touch. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Her breathing was evening out and he knew it wouldn't be long until she was fast asleep. Kissing her cheek he was content to hold her and watch over her as she slept.

Snapping her eyes open, she turned to face her Watcher, as though she had just thought of something extremely unsettling. Which worried Giles even more. Seeing his concern, she smiled to try and ease his fears. She twined her fingers through his conscious of the electric jolt coursing through her system. "Giles, do you trust me?"

Looking at her now, he couldn't remember a time when he was less certain. Placing her hand over his heart, he smiled shyly. "With everything that I am."

Buffy's smile lit up her whole face. He reached out tentatively to stroke her cheek lovingly. Hating to break this moment, Buffy knew that she had to tell him about her dream and hopefully he would know what Ethan had meant. "I had a dream."

"A dream?" He queried when she had fallen silent.

"Is Ripper really as bad as you say?"

Giles frowned, not really knowing where she was going with this, but he answered regardless. "Not as such. But if I lose complete control, such as a demon taking over, there's no telling what Ripper would do."

"But Ripper's just a mask. He's still you." It was clear that Buffy was trying to understand, but she couldn't. Not really; not without knowing what had happened. That was a bridge Giles was not prepared to cross, as of yet.

Before Giles could respond there was shouting off to their left. Standing quickly they found several vampires running out of the forest. Standing back to back, they were surrounded by at least 8 vampires. Moving as one the vampires attacked.

Pulling out a stake, Giles rushed the first one he saw, effectively dusting him. A few spoken words later and he held a sword in his hands. Buffy had been right. With so many lives at stake, Giles had to call on Ripper. Hopefully it wouldn't prove to be a mistake.

"Buffy!" He tossed her the sword and watched as she caught it deftly, before beheading the 3 vampires in front of her.

"Stop!"

The fury in his voice carried throughout the meadow, forcing Buffy to stop. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around to see Voldemort holding Giles in a death grip.

"Giles…" Buffy glared at Voldemort.

Almost subconsciously Buffy had started creeping towards the wizard. "Move and he dies." Voldemort tightened his grip and Buffy instantly stopped moving. She hefted her sword up, trying to think of something that she could do. She couldn't lose Giles; not now, not ever.

Voldemort grinned, knowing he had her right where he wanted her. "Drop it."

Buffy faltered, but slowly started to lower the sword. "Buffy! No!" Giles shouted, not believing his eyes. What was she doing?

"I can't let you die. I won't." She stated just as calmly as if she were discussing the weather.

From out of nowhere, angel tackled Voldemort, throwing him off balance and making him drop Giles. "Buffy, get Giles out of here."

Buffy moved forward, but someone latched onto her dragging her backwards. With a cry for help, Buffy was gone. Following her departure was Voldemort. "Until next time…"

Giles awoke drenched in sweat, the dread shooting through his system. It had felt so real, almost as if they had really been in that place fighting for their lives. But what scared him the most was that Buffy had been taken and there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

Now that the adrenaline had dissipated he glanced around, making not that he was in his room, but Buffy was nowhere to be found. Just like his dream, Voldemort had taken her and he had no idea as to how he would get her back. But he would not rest until she was once again by his side. It was time to call to take the fight to Voldemort.

Voldemort's Lair

Buffy yelped as she fell, seemingly from nowhere. Quickly gaining her balance she glared at her enemy. Rushing Voldemort was stupid and foolish, but all she could think about was Giles…her Giles.

"What did you do to Giles?" She went on the attack.

Voldemort turned suddenly and thrust out his arm the magic already flowing. Buffy flew back and hit the cave wall where shackles locked on her wrists. Her strength momentarily sapped, all she could do was glare at her captor. "Ripper is no longer an issue."

Chapter 22: Ripper's Awakening

Dumbledore's Office

Giles was mumbling to himself whilst pacing. Everyone else was watching him warily; the energy was crackling along his skin. "Rupert, you must calm down."

He glanced at Dumbledore sharply, but didn't stop pacing. "How can I calm down? He has her." His words were punctuated by a crack of thunder, which caused everyone to jump.

"Giles, you're scaring us." Willow whispered, hoping he wouldn't lash out.

"I'm sorry, that was not my intention." He gazed at her sadly. He was feeling powerless, even though he knew that to be furthest from the truth. "You know what to do." The voice whispered through his mind. "It's time."

Yes, Giles relented, it was time. Buffy was right. He was no longer Ripper, that man who played with things he knew not of. But still the magick surged through him. It was time to see how much control he really exerted.

Chanting a few words the globe flew into Giles' waiting hands. "G-man, what are you doing?" Xander glanced around nervously. He really didn't like this side of Giles. It was like he was a different person entirely. Totally freaky.

"What I must." He spoke a few more words and the globe glowed brightly. Giles gasped and fell to his knees. Willow went to help him stand, but he held up his hand, stopping her in mid motion. "I'm fine, Willow. Just a bit of a magick high." His smile looked pained, but he stood.

"What happens now?" Hermione could see the change in Giles. She didn't like it, but she could hardly argue his reasoning.

"Now I go after Voldemort." Giles stated with grim determination.

"Not without me!" Angelika rushed forward intent on joining Ripper in this fight.

"Angelika…" It was clear to all that Giles meant to warn her off, but she would have nothing of it.

"He has my uncle." She stated with vehemence.

Knowing it was a losing battle, he relented. "Very well, but we must hurry."

"What about Buffy?!" Dawn demanded.

Placing his hands on her shoulders, he looked into her eyes. "I will find her, Dawn. You have my word."

"But…but if Voldemort has her, he's…he's…" The tears started to flow freely, "What if he's torturing her?" She finished in a quiet whisper.

"She's fine, Dawn. You have to believe that. I do."

"How can you be so sure?" Dawn's tears were quieting as she gazed at Giles with hope.

"It's hard to explain, but I'll try." He kneeled down in front of her. "I can feel Buffy, her energy…her strength."

"Because you're her Watcher?"

"No, it runs deeper than that." Dawn grinned at him and much to his surprise she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Giles wished there was more he could do to ease Dawn's fears. Perhaps…yes, there was something he could do, or rather Willow could do in his stead. Grapping a piece of paper, he wrote quickly, knowing that they were out of time. He watched as Willow's eyes opened in recognition.

"A spell?"

"Yes, Willow. You must do this spell for Buffy."

Willow knew he had put his faith in her and if he really felt she could do this then who was she to argue? Her resolve face firmly in place she looked at him with determination in her eyes, "I won't let you down." She vowed.

"I know."

"Ripper, we must go. Before we are too late." Angelika insisted, before they could get even further off track.

"Right you are." Giles conceded before fading out of sight.

"And where's Angel in all this mess?!" Xander demanded.

"He stayed behind." Angelika stated helpfully, before leaving, much the same way as Giles had. "Someone has to take Voldemort out from the inside."

Outside, by the lake

"Are you sure about this, Will?" Xander watched as his friend gathered the necessary supplies.

Willow's eyes flashed in anger. How could he ask her that? Just because she made on small mistake it was like he expected her to fail. Well, this time, she was going to get it right. She had to; Giles was depending on her. "Xand, I have to do this. They're counting on me."

"I know," He grabbed her hands and held them loosely, "I just…I worry about you."

"I know you do. But I can do this." Willow replied with far more confidence than she felt.

With this spell, Giles had been very specific in regards to the candles that needed to be used. The others were watching Willow curiously as she set up the candles, so she started to explain:

"This spell uses 5 different candles. Purple for psychic ability, Blue for protection, Gold for safety, Red for strength, and Black for binding." As she explained, she placed each candle at their designated points. Purple in North, Blue, in East, Gold in West, Red in South, and finally Black, which was put in the center. Stepping into the circle she lit all of the candles, before kneeling in front of the black one.

Thankfully the spell was fairly short and easy for Willow to memorize. Taking a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves, she closed her eyes and started to chant:

"Goddess help me in my quest

Put Lord Voldemort to the test

Bind his powers, heart and soul

Aid the Slayer in her goal."

The power coursed through her body and the chanting became faster and faster. Then she started chanting in undistinguishable Latin, too fast for anyone to even try to follow. One by one the candle flames rose up, before winking out of existence. Willow's voice tapered off as the last flame extinguished.

"Will?"

"I'm fine." Xander helped Willow to stand.

"That was bloody brilliant." Ron exclaimed as they all swarmed around her.

Willow smiled self-consciously, "I just hope it worked."

Voldemort's Lair

Buffy winced as she heard Snape scream. "You will tell me all you know about the Watcher and you will tell me now."

Snape grinned in response.

Buffy had never felt so useless. She had to do something and she had to do it now. "What makes you think he knows anything?" Buffy taunted, hoping that would stall Voldemort long enough for her to come up with a plan.

Buffy felt her heart rate increase as Voldemort's stormy eyes assessed her. She feigned disinterest as Voldemort continued to glare in her direction. Before he was able to act, however, a man barreled through the door. "My Lord!"

The man flinched away from Voldemort's steely gaze. "I thought I told you not to disturb me?"

"I-I-I…" He was at a loss for words.

"Speak up, now."

"The vampire…he's gone mad!"

Voldemort narrowed his eyes, "Explain." Without leaving room for debate, the man gulped audibly before speaking once more.

"He's killing those loyal to you."

Voldemort cursed. That vampire was proving to be more trouble than he was worth. "Go." Turning back to Buffy, he lightly traced her cheek with his fingers, "I'll deal with you later." He promised before following his lackey out.

"Well, that was riveting." Buffy muttered under her breath and once again tried to break the restraints.

"Now I know what Ripper sees in you." Snape was watching her with an amused expression.

Buffy quirked an eyebrow at him, but before she could say anything he continued, "It's no use. The shackles were spelled against brute force."

"What about magick?"

Snape could tell that her mind was working frantically, trying to get them out of this. Sadly he shook his head, "The only way out of these shackles, is with the key."

"Great," she sighed in frustration. "Now what do we do?"

"What we need is Ripper."

She glanced at him sharply. "Giles can pick locks?"

"Among other things." Snape answered with a smile.

"Telling stories again, Severus?" Giles appeared with Angelika in tow.

"Uncle Sev…" Angelika rushed to Snape's side.

"I'm fine." He insisted as Giles started the task of picking the locks.

Once Buffy was free he turned to Snape, "Got yourself in quite the pickle, haven't you?" Without waiting for a response, Giles proceeded to pick the locks holding Snape captive.

"Ripper, he fears your power."

"He should." Giles asserted as he finished releasing Snape.

Gryffindor Common Room

"They're keeping secrets." Harry insisted. He could tell that the others weren't believing him. Hell, he wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't heard it with his own two ears.

"I think your exaggerating." Hermione, once again, stated. This was getting ridiculous. Why couldn't Harry just trust that it would work out? Why did he have to play the hero?

"I'm not. I swear I'm not." If he could just make them see…it wasn't even about Giles, or Ripper, or whoever the hell he was taking over. Why couldn't they understand?

"Harry, maybe you're just reading too much into this. Things have been hectic lately and all they're trying to do is stay alive." Hermione beamed; that was the most intelligent reasoning she had ever heard Ron use. What's more, he was right. She could feel it. Harry just needed to leave well enough alone and not rock the boat.

Harry sighed, "Maybe you guys are right…I just don't know anymore."

"Come on, Harry," Hermione smiled to show there were no hard feelings, "Why don't we find the others? Giles should be back soon."

Knowing she was right and there was nothing that he could do anyway, he allowed her to lead the way. Maybe they would all live through this. One thing he knew for certain was that Voldemort had to go down, and one way or another that was exactly what was going to happen. He would see to it, himself, if he had to.

Outside, by the lake

"What are you planning?"

"What I should have done long ago." Giles responded to Willow's inquiry.

"Uh oh," Xander gulped, "You're not invoking the essence of Ripper, are you?"

"But…but," Willow was waving her arms around frantically, "Ripper's like super bad, or something."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached just in time to hear Willow's declaration. "Ripper's evil?" Hermione elbowed Harry, who had asked the question alarmingly loud. Harry glared at her, telling her with his eyes that he had known not to trust the Watcher. Inside he was elated to find out that he was right. Giles was keeping secrets from them and those secrets could get them killed.

Buffy glared at Harry; how dare he treat Giles like that. Choosing to ignore him, she turned to face Willow, "No, Will, he's not…he's just…" She faltered not sure how to explain. Then with a fit of inspiration her eyes brightened. She knew exactly what to say. It was just like Ethan had said. "Ripper's like a mask. You've often thought about hiding behind a different personality, haven't you?"

"Well, yeah…but…"

"No buts. Ripper is still Giles." She asserted with finality.

"Well put, Luv." Buffy beamed under Giles' approval.

Just then Snape barreled through, his robes torn and a slash down his arm. "Severus, what happened?"

He hissed as Dumbledore inspected the cut. "I'm fine." He looked at Giles, "But we have a problem."

"You don't say?" Xander scoffed at his understatement.

"Xander, that's enough." Giles moved to Snape's side, "Here, let me." Placing his hand over the cut, he mumbled a few words and the cut closed. "Where's Angelika?"

"Helping Spike and Angel. It's getting out of control. Kill one demon or vampire and another one is there to take its place."

"Of course, they were created by magick." Giles explained, "Therefore magick is the only thing that will permanently destroy them."

"What about Voldemort? Won't he just create more?" It seemed to Harry that the main threat was still Voldemort.

"Not as such. If Willow's spell worked as I had intended then Voldemort will no longer have access to his magick."

"How do we test that theory?"

Before Giles could answer Ron's question, Snape interrupted, "Whatever we're going to do it must be soon. They can't hold them off much longer."

"Right. Severus, have them coax the demons and vampires out of hiding. It's time to take them out of the equation."

"How?" Harry practically growled. For the life of him, he couldn't seem to trust Giles. There was so much that the Watcher kept hidden that it was hard to relinquish his hold on the situation.

Thankfully, Giles didn't notice the undercurrent or he just chose to ignore it. "First, I'm sending Angel and Spike home."

"Hold up," Xander interrupted, "You're actually saving Spike? I can understand Angel," He continued with a look to Buffy, "But Spike?" It was just too inconceivable for him to imagine.

"Angelika fancies him," Giles shrugged, "I owe her. Least I can do is make sure I don't kill him…albeit unintentionally. Then it's time for a little spell I whipped up."

"A spell?" Willow gushed happily, "Can I help?"

"I'm sorry, Willow, but this spell is very temperamental and must be performed just so. I can't risk anyone's life in this." Giles tried to explain, but he could see that she didn't understand.

Willow pouted, "But Giles, I want to help. Please?"

"I can't, Willow. This spell is very powerful and is best if cast by one person and one person only, I'm sorry."

"Rupert," up to that point Dumbledore had been quiet, but now he spoke, the concern evident in his voice, "The magick you're proposing can be very draining…" He spoke carefully hoping that Giles would understand.

"I know," Giles sighed, rubbing his hand through his hair, "but there isn't any other options left. It must end, now."