WDWG - Chapter 9: Exodus
Around the campfire that evening, Xander and Robin laid out the plans for the Scoobies and the rest of the group, leaving the rookie Slayers pleased that most of their sorority would stay together.
With the uncertainty of the last couple of days behind them, everyone felt like celebrating. Xander had a surprise up his sleeve and with a superior smirk, he took off to the supply tent to retrieve it.
"What is he up to?" Faith asked turning to face Willow from her position leaning against Robin's chest.
"It's Xander, so expect the unexpected." The Wicca answered, grinning back at the dark Slayer.
The young man made his way back to the fire circle wearing his trademark goofy grin, holding something behind his back. Several of the girls attempted to outflank him to see what he held, but he deftly side stepped a few and tripped a couple others up, laughing at them as they fell indignantly. When the antics died down, he cleared his throat dramatically and pulled the prize from behind his back.
"A CD player!" Kennedy crowed triumphantly.
"Indeed, we have tunes! Now, let's get ready to rrrrrrumble!" He bellowed enthusiastically as if he were announcing a boxing match. He found a radio station that played music from the '80's through present day, cranked the volume, and the elated Slayers immediately started dancing and singing at the top of their voices.
Laughing, Xander looked over at his fellow adults. With a wink he called out over the blaring music, "I have something for us, too," before heading back to the supply tent.
"What's that he's got?" Giles asked the group when he caught sight of his right hand man over the campfire.
Robin had a better view, "Looks like a styrofoam cooler," he pointed out.
"Anyone care for some beer?" The self-appointed quartermaster queried, obviously pleased with his offering.
"Ugh, it's gonna be all warm..." Willow complained.
"Bloody Colonials!" The resident Brit responded indignantly. "There's nothing wrong with a good room temperatured ale."
"Umm, Sweetie, in case you didn't notice... desert... not exactly ideal for keeping ale at room temperature." Buffy teased back, as she turned to look at him.
"Hey, now!" Xander chided. "I'll have you know that I am a bona fide frickin' genius! When I raided the beer section of our not-so-local grocery store, I also pillaged their supply of dry ice. We have perfectly chilled brewskies here, my friends. So, show the Xand-man some love." He boasted as he held out his arms, thrusting his chin out smugly.
The first bottles of beer were passed out with great appreciation. Buffy arched an eyebrow before taking a pull on her lager, "This stuff isn't cursed is it? Cuz, you know... cave Slayer and all."
"Just drink, Buff!" Xander rolled his eye and pushed her head down in a playful manner.
The merriment from the rookies was infectious and a couple of beers later, the adults were at total ease, laughing, joking, and reminiscing. Then, the Scoobies recognized the opening bars of a Sting song they loved and associated with Giles. Their grins widened as they all belted out at the top of their voices, "I don't drink coffee I take tea, my dear. I like my toast done on one side. You can hear it in my accent when I talk, I'm an Englishman in New York." Giles blushed. He too, loved the song and had identified with it in his early days in Sunnydale, when everything Californian seemed so alien.
As the evening wore on, more beers were consumed by the veterans. When "New Years Day" by U2 came on, Giles found his inner rocker and his inner band candy Ripper, "Bloody fantastic!" He gently nudged his lady love forward, got up, and belted out the lyrics in Bono-esque fashion. Everyone stopped what they were doing to take in the sight of the usually reserved Watcher bouncing to the music in front of the fire, using his beer bottle as a microphone. He seemed at ease and was enjoying himself immensely.
Willow leaned over to Buffy, "Oh my God! This is way better than when he sang at the Pump! And I thought that was sexy!"
His performance was raw, powerful, and provocative. Not able to take her eyes off her Watcher, the Slayer looked on wistfully. "Yeah, I'm sorry I missed that now. But... geez... that's my Giles..." Her jaw dropped as he sustained a note from the tune, maintaining that soulful wail so indicative of Bono, but with more flair and more feeling.
When he finished, there was a thunderous applause and Ripper dropped into a bow to his adoring audience. He then turned, grabbed another beer, and took his spot behind Buffy. "Gotta love U2! Favorite's 'A Sort of Homecoming', though." The rest of the party just looked on him with varying looks of shock. "Wot?" He asked shrugging his shoulders.
"You can definitely yodel, G!" Faith smirked appreciatively, "And man, those moves... had I known back then... Rocker Giles, definitely like."
"Back off, Faith!" Buffy giggled good-naturedly, flicking a bottle cap at her counterpart and missing, a sure sign of her lack of sobriety. She leaned back into her extremely relaxed Watcher, pulling his head down to rest on her shoulder, as he wound his arms around her waist.
"Hey now! I was just sayin'." The darker Slayer caught eyes with Ripper, "Do more of that? Seems you have fans." She gestured towards the appreciative newbies.
"Radio's not cooperating." He grunted, as something slow by Madonna came on.
Noticing the beer was mostly gone, Robin got up and returned with water bottles, deciding that keeping everyone hydrated would be a good idea. Maybe they could hold a hangover at bay... although the odds were - probably not.
It was after midnight when the party started to break up. The mood shifted as the music on the radio changed to love songs when people began calling in their dedications to those near and dear.
Recognizing the beginning of John Lennon's 'Woman', Giles asked a contented Buffy to dance. Moving to a clearing, he started to sing the words, pouring his heart into them as they began to sway together. Pulling her body closer to his, he felt her arms tighten around him, and when the song ended, he leaned down for a gentle kiss. "I don't think there is a song that more appropriately reflects what I feel at this moment than that one." He whispered thickly.
At a loss for words, Buffy looked at him with tears in her eyes, took his hand in hers and led him back to their tent, leaving Faith and Robin to find the girls who were going to pull guard duty the for rest of the night.
XxXxXxXx
Despite the lateness of the previous evening's festivities, the activity in the camp started early. The excitement was elevated with the addition of caffeine and sugared cereal for breakfast since they had run out of the pouches of scrambled eggs they procured from the camping store. Everyone was eager to strike their tents and head back to civilization.
"Remember, we need to leave this place as we found it, so make sure you pick up all the trash. Also, have all your stuff packed and ready to go, we leave in an hour and half, people!" Xander called out.
Buffy opened her eyes as she heard the man she considered her brother barking orders. She had spent the night wrapped in her Watcher's strong arms and was now relishing the feeling of waking up with her back pressed up against his chest. Looking up and over her shoulder, she noticed he was trying to ignore the onslaught of the day. "Good morning, and how are you today?" She asked, amusement tinting her voice.
Giles groaned, "Trying to fight off this bleedin' headache. Does he have to make such a cheerful racket?"
"Well, we are headed to the land of indoor plumbing, clean clothes, good food, and comfortable beds today. I am sure that has something to do with the merriment." Buffy retorted with good humor, turning towards him and planting a kiss on his chin. "Come on, Grumpy, let's go join the fun. Once we get some water and aspirin into you along with some breakfast, you'll join Xander in commanding 'Operation Get the Hell Outta Here' with the same level of glee."
With that, she unzipped the sleeping bag, got up and moved over to get dressed. Giles grunted his displeasure and joined her in getting ready. "Bloody beer!"
"I don't know, makes you a better drunk than scotch." She said winking at him.
"More to do with the circumstances than the drink, I expect, love." He mused pulling on the beige cargo pants he had taken from the store.
"Beer seems more social. You drink it with friends around a table at a bar or at football games. Scotch feels like a more solitary drink." She philosophized with a frown.
"And wine?"
Putting thought into the question, Buffy responded, "Definitely social. And celebratory. I mean, it doesn't seem right to be depressed drinking champagne, it would be a waste of the happiness that is bubbles and fermented grapes. Just seems like something to share with others." She finished with a shrug.
Letting out a hearty laugh, Giles gripped his head in pain, and replied, "Absolutely. Now, let's join the rowdy crowd out there, shall we?"
Buffy grinned. "Let's shall."
XxXxXxXx
Amazingly enough, the group pushed their departure time up by 15 minutes, which was unheard of considering it mostly consisted of teenaged girls. They found themselves in L.A. right before lunchtime, their first order of business to hit a Target for more clothes and pay-as-you-go cell phones. After that they discovered a hotel that would put them all up and Giles' was thankful to find that his Council credit card was still active, especially when the ravenous pack of Slayers and a half starved Xander descended on the hotel restaurant with a vengeance.
Rooms were assigned and Buffy and Giles decided to share a hotel suite with Dawn. Should things go right with the girls' father, the younger Summers wouldn't be staying with them long. After the girl commandeered the shower, Buffy caught Giles' eye across the room, "She wants to go find Dad this afternoon."
"How do you feel about it?" He inquired, moving to join her on the sofa.
"Honestly, I wish we didn't have to do this. I understand her need to get away, I really do, but Dad hasn't proven himself to be father of the year. In fact, he hasn't been a father for almost 7 years now... Do we have to talk about this? I mean, it's what she wants and I have to let her go." She explained blinking back tears.
Her boyfriend strolled over and sat next to her. "You're her guardian, and your father has proven himself unfit..."
"It's what she wants and if he's willing, I'll let her go, for however long she wants, Giles. Please, let's drop it." Buffy implored unhappily.
"Alright. Well, while you and Dawn are out this afternoon dealing with Hank, Willow and I are going to hit the Apple Store and pick up a few laptops."
"Umm, Giles... is that something maybe Willow can do on her own or with Xander and Andrew?" She asked, looking down, fidgeting with her hands. "I mean, I'd really like it if you would come along with me and Dawn... you know, for moral support."
Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips, and kissed her palm answering, "Of course, love, but since I am the only one who can pay for the computers, maybe we can stop on the way over to your father's office and pick them up. Then we can continue on our way and Willow can bring them back here to set them up to her satisfaction."
She smiled up at him gratefully, "Way to compromise, Watcher-mine."