Chapter Seven
St Giles in the Fields

Tom and Buffy walked down the last flight of stairs side by side, occasionally glancing at one another. Neither knew what to say. He was thinking about all the reasons she wouldn't want to see him again—and why he should despise her—and she was thinking about manufacturing a time to see him again.

But not too soon, she thought as she took in his profile. She couldn't see his eyes, because he was looking down slightly, causing his dark hair to curl down over his left eye, but she knew they were dark. His nose was straight and perfect and he had a nice jawline. He really was a very good-looking young man—and not a vampire, so that's a plus! Though, he too would be much too old for her if she went back to her time. I can't get too attached, she told herself.

"Are you allowed to go out and do things?" she found herself asking him anyway. "Or is this like...a prison?"

Tom found himself chuckling and turned to look directly in her eyes. "It's not a prison and...I do get out sometimes," he said—then leaned down and whispered, "I even sneak out after hours occasionally."

She grinned and placed her hands on her chest. "A man after my own heart."

"So this is not farewell?" he asked.

Buffy scoffed. "Certainly not!" she said. "I do not scare off that easily, Tom."

"So it would seem."

She frowned. "But, I'm not sure how to contact you. No phones at home. No carrier pigeons. Should I just show up at the gate?"

Tom snorted. "Mrs Cole would have an apoplectic fit, I believe," he whispered. "Sounds perfect."

"Cruel much?"

Tom smirked. "I never said I was nice."

"True," she said, then shrugged. "Well, I'll find a way," she said as she reached up and wrapped her arms around him. He stiffened, but that only made her tighten her grip. He might not be used to hugs of farewell, but...he'd learn.

I clearing throat distracted them. They froze and turn toward those watching. Both Vin and Sophie were smiling curiously, but Mrs Cole looked dumbfounded.

"I'll see you soon, Tom," Buffy said, turning back to her new friend. "We'll do lunch!"

He scoffed. "Can't say I really know what that means, but I'll take your word for it."

She just grinned, then stepped back and joined Vin and Sophie—they were waiting patiently.

Tom looked at them and nodded. "Again. Thank you both. It was...a most interesting evening."

Sophie moved toward him and, like Buffy, put her arms around him. "You are welcome at ours anytime, Tom," she whispered. "Just show up."

Feeling full of emotion he didn't understand, Tom gave a clipped nod.

Mrs Cole looked between the boy who'd lived there since his birth and the three strangers and frowned slightly—then spoke. "Why don't you walk these ladies to the gate, Tom," she said, trying to move the awkward situation along.

Tom glanced at her. "Yes, of course, Mrs Cole," he agreed, stepping around Sophie Fairweather and pulling open the main door, then standing there waiting for them to walk through it.

Vin and Sophie understood immediately; they were being asked to leave. Buffy, on the other hand, took a moment to figure it out. When she did, she glared at Mrs Cole, then moved toward the door.

~oOo~

Outside, Buffy descended the steps and watched as Tom closed the gate. He did it quickly, then turned and disappeared into the ophanage without another word. This made her frown.

"I hate that he's stuck here," she grumbled as they started away.

"I know you do," said Vin. "But he has no parents and...this is where orphans live."

Buffy frowned. "But...neither do I," she argued. "Have parents, that is."

"Yes you do," Sophie said. "Your parents are just—"

"Not born yet?" Buffy interrupted.

"I was going to say not here," Sophie said gently.

Buffy snorted. "Same difference."

"Orphanages are not good places, Buffy," Vin put in, "but...Tom was already there. We can't change that and we can't just take him away. It would be suspicious if he just disappeared. But you...you're not a known orphan. It's better to let them think you're part of our family."

Buffy glanced at Sophie, then back at Vin. "I have no desire to move into Wools," she said. "I'm just...this sucks for Tom." She turned then and looked back at the building, her gaze going up to the line of windows on the third floor, trying to figure out which one was Tom's. She was about to turn away when she saw movement in one of the rooms—someone had appeared and she could tell that it was Tom. Now she knew exactly which room was his. Smiling sadly, she lifted her hand and waved—and saw him place his hand on the glass.

~oOo~

Six days later, Buffy was sitting on the mustard yellow sofa in Vin and Sophie's main level lounge—reading a book while she waited for the sisters to come downstairs. They'd said they were going out—something they did often apparently—so she'd be left at home on her own for the evening. It was fine with her. She could definitely use the alone time. Besides, they'd spent every day and night with her since she'd arrived and she was feeling totally at ease in their house.

They'd also taken her out a few times, to show her some of the city. It didn't look as she'd imagined, but then, she'd imagined 1997 London, not the war-torn London of 1942. It was all so shocking. The things humans could do. The unnecessary destruction—and the death caused by it.

Their sight-seeing was for the purposes of making sure Buffy knew where things were, just in case. In case of what, Buffy didn't know. She supposed anything could happen. There was a war going on, after all.

Tonight though, she'd be on her own. They'd told her that she could come and go as she pleased—which was good, because Buffy had plans to find herself a nice cemetery to patrol—or somewhere to patrol. Maybe just a park. She needed to see if there was anything out there. Her Slayer senses were tingling.

Snapping her book closed when they walked into the room—she'd been doing less reading and more thinking anyway—Buffy looked up and smiled. "Don't you two look nice," she commented with a grin.

Sophie preened. "We do, don't we?"

"Of course, we do," Vin responded confidently.

In the week that she'd been there, Buffy had learned that her hosts were pleasure seekers. They often over-indulged. Buffy had watched them use their magic to do just about everything, so that they really didn't have to do anything, but sit around and talk and laugh and eat—and drink wine—and play parlor games and listen to the radio and dance around. It was no wonder they weren't concerned about how much she'd eaten that first morning, they just used their magic to produce more. It would be humorous if so many others weren't going without.

Buffy wasn't going to complain about it though. They'd been so generous to her and, well, she was struggling with being out of her element. It was ridiculous how many things she took for granted in her own time. Here, there was no microwave in the kitchen, no telephone in the house, and no decent sneakers for her feet!

Buffy had done a little poking around the house—with their permission, of course. They'd told her she could use anything she'd like, so when she found some discarded younger person's clothing packed away in a basement storage room, she dragged it all out and put together a better wardrobe for herself.

Vin had commented that it looked like the closet had exploded in her room and she countered with, "Well, I need outfits that work better for slayage."

Sophie had laughed, using her magic to alter some of the clothing to give Buffy some long pants—for slaying—then sorted everything into neat piles and stacked the piles on the shelves in Buffy's bedroom.

The house was full of magics, making Buffy wonder how she'd missed that this was not a normal household when she first woke up. Now that they were all getting comfortable with each other, the sisters had stopped hiding their lifestyle.

Buffy had even seen them using magic against each other—all in good fun, of course—a zap here and there. A purposely moved object of desire. The women were quite playful. Almost childlike sometimes.

Only one time did Sophie act as if she were going to use her magic on Buffy. Buffy, of course, didn't think it was amusing at all and cautioned the other blonde that she'd be sorry. Her warning came with a raised stake—that she'd been whittling each evening to keep herself busy.

Vin had chuckled at the empty threat, but Sophie looked completely taken aback. Did she really think Buffy would stake her? In moments though, Sophie's shocked expression smoothed out and she nodded her acquiescence.

"Someone is no fun!" she'd complained with a pout.

"So, I see you've got your boy outfit on," Vin said, eyeing Buffy's attire. "What do you have planned?

Buffy laughed. "Oh. I thought I'd hit the streets and find somewhere to patrol," she responded. "Now that I have something more sporty to wear. And a servicable stake," she said, holding up the item again.

Vin wrinkled her nose. "The trousers are hideous."

Buffy shugged and glanced at her gray covered legs. "I rather like them. And they'll be more conducive to slaying," she countered. "If I wear a skirt, it'll be harder to defend myself with a kick."

Sophie frowned. "I'm not sure traipsing all over London alone is such a good idea."

Buffy snorted. "I go out alone all the time, Soph. Well, my friends do join me sometimes, but they're really only there for the moral support." She grinned. "Really, I'm good at this."

"You were bitten by that Master fellow," Sophie pointed out. They'd talked extensively over the last few days—about what had happened in Buffy's time. The sisters knew a lot about the lives of Slayers, particularly that they were not long lived.

Buffy raised a hand to the bite mark on her neck, but shrugged. "It's all good. I mean, obviously I wish my friends were here, but what can I do?" She shrugged.

And she did wish her friends were there. It was so weird to not have Willow and Xander at her side. Even Angel, who was oddly sarcastic and not the most friendly, was missed. She wondered what they were doing. Were they all okay? Or had the Master risen and slaughtered them all? She hated thinking about that. Every time the thoughts creeped up, she stamped them down. Thinking about that did her no good! At the moment, she was trapped here.

Sophie glanced at her sister for some support—but didn't get it.

"Okay. Well, I've drawn you a rough map," Vin said as she opened her purse and pulled out a folded paper. "This will give you the basics. City layout, parks, churches, cemeteries...seven large private ones on the outskirts...and other main buildings," she said as she unfolded the homemade map and handed it over to Buffy. "Also, closest trains stations and the different available lines...and a few places you could get some food, if you need to." Vin leaned in and pointed. "Steer clear of this area; this is where the Watchers Council is." She grimaced.

Sophie snorted. "Are you serious? You know the moment she dusts a vampire, the Council will be all over her. All over us!"

Vin sighed. "I've thought about it, Sophie. I don't think it can't be helped. She's a Slayer. It's her job to slay. We can't stop her and we shouldn't try."

Sophie pouted. "I still don't like it. What if they show up and try to take her away?"

"Try, being the operative word there," Buffy cut in. "I'll keep slaying because it's what I do and I'm good at it, but those silly Watchers have another thing coming if they think they can take me anywhere!"

Vin smiled. "See Sophie."

Throwing her hands up in the air, Sophie huffed. "All right. You win. We shall release the Slayer onto the streets of London and allow her to slay her little heart out!" she said. Then she turned on Buffy. "But you be careful, you hear? They just hanged the Blackout Killer, but I'm certain there are other bad men out there waiting to take advantage of some pretty young girl."

Buffy scoffed. "Please. First, I don't doubt there are more baddies out there. There always are! Second, I slay the forces of darkness all the time and live to tell the tale. I doubt the bad humans have a chance against me. And third, do I even want to know who this "Blackout Killer" dude was?" She shuddered.

"Let's just say that, though he was not a vampire, he was a monster. But he's now dead, so..." Vin concluded with a shrug.

"You can read about him if you wish," Sophie offered. "It's all there in the papers." She gestured at a pile across the room.

Buffy cringed. "Eesh! I'd rather not have all the gory details, thanks," she said. "That's what I like about vampires. I stake them and they turn to dust. It's all very tidy. No fuss, no muss."

Vin shook her head. "You're surprisingly calm about this," she said.

Buffy shrugged. "Don't really have a choice," she said as she jumped up off the sofa. "It's either me or them. Eventually it'll be me, but until then, it's them!"

"That's very fatalistic," Sophie said with a frown.

"It's realistic," Buffy corrected. "I don't want to die, but I have to accept what will eventually come. Slayers don't last long. They just don't."

The sisters look very sad.

~oOo~

Buffy waited for Vin and Sophie to be gone before she left the house, then she pocketed the money they'd given her, stowed her stake, and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

She didn't have a set plan, so she just wandered, occasionally glancing at the map Vin had given her. After a few minutes she reached a small square park, but didn't see anyone hanging around, so she kept moving. There was very little open and next to nothing she was interested in.

On her map Vin had labeled something "St Giles in the Fields," so Buffy worked to maneuver herself there. She found it curious that there were several St Giles markings on the map—including a bakery. Very curious.

When she arrived, she was not surprised to see that "St Giles in the Fields" was a church. Seemed like they were everywhere—like Starbucks!

For several minutes she just stood there staring at the building. The area around was in rather poor condition and the general smell wasn't great. Buffy recognized the seediness of her surroundings and approached the church slowly.

St Giles was a large rectangular Palladian-style brick building with a spectacular bell tower. In the fading light of evening, Buffy could tell that all the windows were boarded up and thought that the church must have been pretty at one time. Before the war. Before it had become run down and mired in poverty and squalor. The only people she saw around were not the sort she was seeking.

Wrinkling her nose, she turned and moved away from the front of the church, hoping to find the churchyard—for just a quick look-see.

As she was circling the building, she found what she was looking for—a vampire slinking about the yard. They were so predictable!

"Hey you!" she called out.

The vampire turned and, baring its jagged teeth, hissed at her.

"You need to see a dentist," she said, readying herself as she watched it come at her, side-stepping at the last moment—whacking the vampire on the back of the head and knocking it to the ground.

Sprawled in the dirt, the vampire scrambled to its feet and stared at her. "Who are you?"

"One guess, lame brain," she quipped. "Get it right and you win this shiny new...well, freshly whittled wooden stake. Made it myself." She grinned. "Well, get it wrong and you get the same."

"Slayer," the creature growled.

"Yep! Got it in one!"

"I'd heard you were in Chicago," it said.

Buffy snorted. "Wrong!" she said, this time jamming her newly made stake into the vampire's chest as he came at her again. "Never been there!"

It was over too quickly and it wasn't at all satisfying, as far as slays went. "Well damn. That was easy. Too easy," she grumbled as she dusted herself off.

"Y-you're...the Slayer," a man said from behind Buffy.

Spinning, she looked at him—a member of the clergy. Clearly, he was in the know. "Good evening," she said.

"I s-saw you out front and thought you were a...well, never mind what I thought," he said as he eyed her clothing. "Are you all right, young lady?"

Shrugging, she smiled at him. She could guess what he thought. A lone woman out at dusk. "I'm fine, thank you," she said.

"Is your w-watcher with you...or around?" he asked as he looked about.

Buffy huffed. "Was there a press release or something, notifying anyone and everyone about my Slayerage duties?"

The man just stared at her. "Would you like to come inside, Miss...?" he prompted.

"Buffy. And no thank you. I have...other places to be," she said, tucking her stake in the back of her pants. Now she regretted her decision to come to this part of town. Sophie was right. This was too close to the Council if the local church knew of her existence.

All she'd really wanted was to distract herself from missing Tom. She should have just hopped on a train and gone down to Lambeth to see him. She glanced up at the sky. It was dark now, but the moon was shining and...it wasn't too late.

The man nodded. He could tell she was ready to run. "Well, you're always welcome here, Buffy."

"Thank you," she said. "Um. Could you tell me where I could find a train to Lambeth?"

He appraised her. "Is that where you live?"

She shook her head. "No. I'd like to go see a friend."

"I see. Would you mind telling me where you're from?" he asked.

Buffy cocked her head and shrugged. She didn't see the harm in him knowing. "If you'll give me your name."

"Of course," he said. "How rude of me. And after you've done God's house such service. I am Ernest Reginald Moore, the current rector of St Giles in the Fields.

"I'm from Los Angeles, originally," she divulged. "But I'm staying with some...aunts of mine over in...well, I don't know exactly where. I mean, I know where...I'm great with knowing how to get from place to place, but... not so great with the telling." She paused. "I'm rambling. Sorry."

The rector chuckled. "It's quite all right, dear."

"Um. Could you tell me what station I need to head south to Lambeth?"

"Don't you think you should return home to your aunts?" he asked.

Buffy shook her head. "Not!" she said. "They're out for the evening and I have...a job to do while I'm here. I'll get back to D'Arblay Steet eventually. I promise."

The man nodded. "See that you do, child. I would hate to have to give your aunts bad news."

Buffy frowned. The realization that she'd possibly given away enough information to find her later concerned her—but not enough for her to start making up lies about where she was going and where she'd been. Instead, she just wanted to leave. "Lambeth?" she prompted.

"Oh yes. Where in Lambeth?" he asked.

"Oh. I know this!" she said with a grin. "Lambeth North. I was there last week."

The rector chuckled again. "All right. The closest underground from here is Tottenham," he said with a gesture in the direction she'd need to go. "It's just two streets away. Just continue on Denmark and turn right on Charing Cross. Underground's on Oxford. Can't miss it. You'll want to take the Northern line going south, then change to Bakerloo at either Charing Cross or Waterloo."

Buffy nodded. "I recognize most of those names," she said. "Thanks."

The man smiled. "It was my pleasure, young lady. And thank you again for your service."

"No problem."

~oOo~

Not long after her encounter with the vampire—and then the rector—at St Giles, Buffy found herself stepping off the train at Lambeth North. She hadn't memorized street names, but she wasn't at all directionally challenged. After just one visit there, finding Wools was easy peasy—even at night.

Standing outside the imposing—and dreary—orphanage, Buffy stared up at the building and shuddered at the bleakness of life in such a place.

For a moment she contemplated what she wanted to do. She wanted to see that Tom was okay, but she wasn't sure how to do that. She'd mulled over just breaking in—she'd done it in her future/past—and sneaking up to his room. The idea of getting caught—Mrs Cole wasn't too keen on her the week before and she didn't much care for that Billy character—made her consider other options. In the end, she just picked up pebbles off the street and started tossing them at his window. Thank goodness for Slayer aim!

By the light of the almost full moon, Buffy saw Tom's window open—and he could see her golden blonde hair shining in the moonlight.

"Buffy?" he hissed out.

"Who else would it be?!" she barked tersely, looking around to make sure no one had heard her. Nobody seemed to be about, but that didn't mean no one was there—human or other wise. She'd already offed one vampire, but she wasn't opposed to one or two more. Those of human kind could sometimes be more scary.

Immediately, Tom's window snapped shut. For about five minutes Buffy thought he wasn't going to come outside—and then, there he was.

"What are you doing here?" he asked from right beside her.

Buffy turned and looked up at him. She hadn't seen him come up and he hadn't come through the front gate.

"Tom," she whispered. "You came."

Tom could hear her smile and it made him feel warm inside. "Of course. I wasn't going to just leave you down here alone. Are you all right?" he asked, moving closer—too close—and not understanding the worry he felt about the girl he hardly knew.

Buffy shrugged. "Yes. I was out patroling and...I wanted to see you."

"Patroling?"

She shrugged. "Hunting. Vampires," she whispered. "I was out for a slay."

"Right." He frowned. "Slaying. Alone? Where are Lavinia and Sophronia? Do they know you're out?"

"So many questions," she said with a pout. "They're... out. They've been home with me since we dropped you off, but I think they're bored. I was bored too, so I went out too. I think they party a lot."

Tom just stared at her.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you," she said.

Tom shook his head. "You didn't. Not really. I was reading...by torch."

Buffy glanced up at his window with a frown. She had no clue what a torch was and wondered at him having a fire burning in his room, but whatever. "Okay," she responded instead as she looped her arm through his and turned them away from Wools. "Walk with me?"

Tom did the only thing he could—he walked with her.

~oOo~

My job's done...not it's your turn. Tell me what you think!

You too, JACKass...you've got a WORLD of hurt to give! I DEMAND comments from you! Haha.