Oh my! I almost forgot to post today! The last week at work has been insanity! My store's inventory is Tuesday and I've been working a shit ton of hours...more than the 10 I already work. *sigh* I've had a string of 4am days that seem to last FOREVER! But...Tuesday is almost here and then I'll have just one more day after that of work before it's vacation time! Time off! Yay me!
Here's my week...and next week's itinerary...
Sunday (today) - 4am to 4pm
Monday - 4am until everything is ready for inventory
Tuesday - 5am until whenever inventory is finished. Eek!
Wednesday - 7am to 5pm (will probably seem short after a week of 12 hour days)
Thursday - off, but...1. coloring my hair, 2. shopping for trip (there are still a few things I need), 3. Covid test (rapid, must have for flight), 4. house cleaning, 5. laundry
Friday - picking up my house/dog sitter (30 miles away)...and anything else I need to do (like packing)!
Saturday - get up at 4am, drive to LAX (be there by 7am), flight at 9am, 2 hour layover in Atlanta
Sunday - Barcelona, Spain
Monday - Palma de Majorca, Spain
Tuesday - Cagliari, Sardinia
Wednesday - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Thursday - Naples, Italy
Friday - Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy
Saturday - At Sea (and another Covid test - yay!)
Sunday - Barcelona, Spain (and a LONG flight home...with a 4 hour layover in Miami
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - DAYS OFF WORK! The little vacay after my vacay! *grin*
Okay...so here's the next chappie! I hope you guys enjoy it...and tell me what you think!
~oOo~
Chapter Nine
A Volatile Visitor
It had taken Buffy all of ten minutes after separating from Tom to reach the Fairweather home. Frowning, she stood outside staring at three levels of blacked out windows—not the topmost floor, as it was set back—and wishing she knew if Vin and Sophie were still out on the town, partying their little hedonistic hearts out, or if they'd come home and were inside, either in bed sleeping or waiting up for her to return. She hoped for the still out or the sleeping. A definite minus to not being allowed to have your curtains open at night was that you couldn't tell if anyone was home.
Leaning over the wrought iron fence to the right of the front door and looking down into the darkness, Buffy squinted and tried to see what was down there. She could just barely make out the tops of her bedroom windows, but only because, in the moonlight, the stark white of the building contrasted brilliantly against the darkness below. There was a metal grate that basically covered the entire opening, a security measure, she supposed, but also making it difficult for her to sneak back in.
So annoying, she thought as she cased the joint.
Following the width of the fencing, Buffy ran her hand over it—counting nineteen—until she realized there was a gate at the opposite end. Smiling, she gave it a jiggle and opened it—and realized she could get in this way.
Pulling up the grate, she saw a ladder and grinned. Within moments she was on the next level down and creeping through the dark outside hallway and into her room. After shutting the external door firmly, she turned on the lights. Vin and Sophie had made sure she understood the importance of keeping everything perfectly dark at night, so that the light police—or whatever they'd called them—didn't come to punish them. Or worse, so the Nazis didn't see and start dropping bombs again.
Yanking off the lightweight jacket she'd been wearing, Buffy considered a shower. She was dirty from traipsing all over London for several hours—and from slaying. Dusting a vampire in the damp night air always left a little bit of the creature on her. She was definitely in need of a shower!
But food first, she thought as she headed for the kitchen.
At the top of the stairs, she could hear arguing. So instead of going into the kitchen, she went toward the sounds of heated conversation.
"This is madness!" snapped a female voice Buffy didn't recognize. "What could you two have been thinking?"
Frowning, Buffy approached the open doorway and saw Vin and Sophie lounging on their sofa, looking completely bored. There was another woman with them, pacing. She was dressed conservatively, had darker blonde hair than Sophie's, and looked significantly older than the other two—and she was clearly super angry.
"Is it impossible for the two of you to behave responsibly?" the woman asked.
Sophie's mouth opened to respond, but she was cut off.
"Don't answer that! As you well know, the question was rhetorical," the woman snapped. "Of course, it's impossible! So, let's see if I have all the facts. You found some unconscious girl and brought her home. You realized she was a Slayer. You did not contact me or the Council. And you went about your life of going out to nightclubs, drinking, and shagging."
Sophie scoffed, but Vin looked furious. "We may not be innocent little prudes, but we are not whores, Edna!" Vin snapped. "Don't forget you are in our home. You can just leave if you can't mind your tongue."
"This is my house too," Edna corrected.
Sophie shook her head. "It used to be, but you got married and moved out nearly two decades ago. It's our house! Our home! And if all you're going to do is come here to scold us like children, then you can bloody well piss off!" she shouted.
The one called Edna sighed. "You know I don't agree with the life you lead."
"And you know we don't care what you think," said Vin. "We are tired of you looking down on us just because you wanted us to join your cause and we refused. We are not interested. You need to get that through your head!"
Edna huffed. "Where is the girl?" she asked flatly.
"The girl is right here," Buffy said, making her presence known.
All three women turned toward Buffy. Sophie got up and went to her. "Are you all right, dear?" she asked as she gently took both of Buffy's hands and looked over her smudged face and disheveled hair.
"Never better, all things considered," she said with a shrug. Buffy looked from Sophie to Vin to the stranger.
"It's nearly dawn, Buffy," Vin said from the other side of the room.
Buffy shrugged. She could tell that Vin's irritation was not directed at her. "I know. I'm sorry. I went to see Tom and we were...sightseeing."
Edna scoffed. "She's been here a week and she's already exhibiting loose behavior. This is brilliant!"
"Hey!" Buffy burst, glaring at the other woman. "I wasn't being... loose! Tom's the only other person I know in London and he's...my friend. You don't get to come in here and accuse me of things I'm not!" she barked, angry now. Buffy looked at her hosts next and said, "I don't know who this charming woman is, but...I'm hungry. I'll be in the kitchen." And with that she left the three women alone.
"You're out of line, Edna," Vin said the moment Buffy was gone.
"That girl can't stay here," Edna argued, pointing in the direction that Buffy had gone. "The Council is now aware of her, so she's going to have to come with me."
With a derisive snort, Sophie flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and flopped back down on the sofa. "Good luck with that one."
"Hmm. Good news travels fast. How exactly has the Council been made aware of Buffy?" Vin asked.
Edna pursed her lips. "She was over on Denmark Street tonight. She staked a vampire at St Giles in the Fields. She spoke to the rector briefly, mentioned that she was staying on this street, asked about trains to Lambeth...I'm assuming that's where her friend lives...then disappeared into the night."
Sophie grinned. "Good on Buffy then! Get in and do her job, then get out and go have fun! "
Edna glared. "This isn't a joke, Sophronia!" she snapped. "You two can't keep the Slayer under your roof!"
Sophie blinked. "We're not keeping her here, Edna. She's welcome to come and go as she pleases."
"She's a Slayer! She needs a Watcher!" the third sister pushed.
Vin shook her head. "She's a Slayer, yes, but...she's also just a girl. A girl who's been...displaced."
Vin looked at Sophie. Neither had told Edna about where Buffy was from...and they weren't going to unless they had to. Eventually they'd have to, they knew.
"She's comfortable here, Edna," Sophie put in.
Edna turned her nose up. "That's no matter. After a week somewhere else, she'll be comfortable there as well.
Sophie rolled her eyes. "If Buffy wants to stay here, she's welcome to remain. We will not ask her to leave."
Edna looked frustrated by their adamancy. Lavinia and Sophronia never wanted anything to do with the Slayers—or anything that might impede their free lifestyle. "The Council needs to find out where she came from and why we weren't made aware of the death of the last Slayer. This one is going to need proper training."
Vin sighed. "I think you'll find that she's already trained."
Edna blinked. "What do you mean?"
Vin and Sophie glanced at each other again. "I can't deal with this. I'll be in the kitchen," the blonde said, then walked out of the room.
Vin watched Sophie leave, then looked at her remaining sister. "If Buffy wants to stay, you're not taking her!"
"You don't have the authority to stop me, Lavinia," said Edna.
Vin huffed. "We'll see about that," she said. "I'll be...with Sophie and Buffy."
~oOo~
"I don't feel like we're getting off on quite the right foot," Edna said as she stepped into the kitchen.
Buffy looked over and eyed the newcomer.
"I'm Edna Giles," she said. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Giles, huh?" Buffy glanced at Vin and Sophie.
They nodded.
"Is she evil?"
"Not in the strictest sense," Vin quipped.
Sophie giggled. "Though, it depends on which childhood story we tell you, I'd imagine."
Edna glowered. "Might it be possible to cease the mockery? This is all very serious."
Sophie snorted.
"I'm thinking that's a big no," Buffy said. "Look, it's late and I've been up all night, so...I'm going to head to bed." She started for the door, but Edna stopped her.
"Buffy, you will go pack up your belongings, so I can take you somewhere more appropriate," Edna commanded.
Buffy blinked. "I will?"
"Are you not used to being given orders?"
Buffy smirked. "Whenever my Watcher gives me a mission, he always says please. And then he gives me a cookie." She glanced up and saw Vin attempting to hide a smile. Sophie though, was out and out laughing.
"You already have a Watcher?" Edna now looked completely confused.
Buffy nodded. "Uh-huh. And I'm not going anywhere with you."
"This is... unacceptable behavior for a Slayer!" Edna snapped.
Buffy shrugged. "Then fire me," she said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed."
The sisters watched her walk out—Edna looking completely flabbergasted.
~oOo~
Downstairs in her bedroom, Buffy stripped down and went into the bathroom. She needed to get the vampire off and into clean jammies!
While showering she kept thinking about Edna Giles. It was hard to believe she was related to the Giles that Buffy knew. He must be this woman's grandson, which made Buffy wonder about Giles' father. He must be born at this point. If she had to deal with Edna, she was going to insist on meeting the woman's child.
When she got out of the shower, she pulled on the granny panties she'd been given. She had to just put them on and not think about the fact that they'd belonged to one of the three women upstairs. Hopefully not the uptight and totally annoying Edna Giles! She'd been handwashing the one pair she'd arrived in every evening and hanging them to dry so that she could wear them during the days, but she knew she'd eventually destroy them from over-washing. Her bra too, because she was not going to wear the hideous things that women of the 40s wore.
"I need to learn how to make my own clothing!" she grumbled as she wiggled around in her overly large and ridiculously conservative underwear. They looked much more like shorts than the bikini bottoms Buffy was used to. They were fine for sleeping in, but... jeepers, they looked silly as panties she'd wear under her clothing.
Exhausted, Buffy pulled on an ankle length pink nightgown and headed into the bedroom. The bed looked so inviting. Not bothering to switch off the light, she crawled into her bed and thought about her evening. It was nice to see Tom. He was an odd boy, but somehow spending time with him made her feel less lonely. Tonight had felt better than the previous five days without him.
And all of a sudden she felt a wave of emotion wash over her. She missed her mom. She missed her friends. She missed Giles. And slaying in 1997! How was this even possible?! Time travel was a thing of books and movies, not real life!
But then, so were vampires and demons and dark forces.
As she thought about all of this, tears started to well and slip down her cheeks. She wanted to go home!
~oOo~
It took Tom approximately forty five minutes to walk back to Wools from where he'd put Buffy on the train. He didn't hurry, but he didn't make any detours either. When he arrived, he took a moment to gaze up at the building where he'd lived for his entire life. He'd always hated it there and couldn't wait for the day when he was released. It was like a prison to him—despite what he'd told Buffy about it not being one.
And he resented the fact that he had no one—no family to claim him—when nearly everyone he knew at school had someone. It was only the children at Wools that were alone. Why weren't the lot of them as angry as he about it?
And Buffy. She didn't have anyone either and yet she was able to smile and laugh and tease. But then, she'd only gone a week without her people—her friends and family. It was different for Tom, wasn't it?
That's what he told himself anyway—even though he felt similarities between them. Similarities that made him do strange things, like smile at the thought of her.
Confused, he approached the building. He managed to sneak back into Wools without being caught.
Well, mostly.
As he was opening the door to his room, Billy Stubbs' door creaked open and the boy stepped out into the corridor.
"Where've you been, Riddle?" he hissed.
Tom was still feeling just a little giddy from his night with Buffy—she was just...absolutely delightful to be around.
"I was in the toilet," he responded quickly. He rubbed his stomach. "I think something we had for supper was...bad. Maybe the rabbit."
Billy glared at him, then closed his door with a snap.
Tom resisted chuckling aloud, but he did smirk.
Inside his room he quickly changed into sleepwear and got into bed. He was dirty and wanted to wash, but that would have to wait until morning when they were allowed to use the showers. His mind was on the strange, but beautiful, out of time girl he'd spent most of the night with. He wondered what she was doing now and hoped she'd gotten home safely. What was he going to do when he had to return to Hogwarts? He wouldn't be able to see her for the entire school year. If ever again! What if she disappeared while he was away at school? The thought of this caused an ache in his chest. For the first time since he found out he was a wizard, he wished he could stay in London—to be geographically close to the bizarre American girl.
It was complete insanity!
~oOo~
Vin and Sophie had seen Edna to the door. They'd had to ask her to leave—after at least another hour of argument over Buffy. But in the end, it hadn't been overly difficult to get her to go. They told her to go and she did—but assured them that she'd be back. Vin and Sophie weren't too worried. Buffy appeared more than capable of taking care of herself—and anyone else who came along.
The Watcher was overwhelmed by the encounter though. Despite what she'd heard, she hadn't truly expected the Slayer to be at their home and was stunned that she couldn't immediately take control of the girl. This Slayer was willful and insolent, unlike others in the past who did what they were told.
But Edna was already mentally planning her next move. She would speak to her husband immediately—before going into work that day. They were due at the office together at 9:00am, but she would like to have his thoughts on the matter beforehand. Rupert would have much needed input. He always did.
Afterward, she would have to let the Council know of her findings. There would most likely be several meetings to discuss the matter, meetings that only upper members would sit in on. Beyond that, she'd have to await their orders. It could take days.
But Edna wouldn't wait. She was already planning to return to her sisters' home that evening. Council orders or no, she would keep digging. When she spoke to her husband, she would tell him what she wanted to do. She was sure he would agree to go with her. By evening, she would have a better grasp on the situation. By the next day, she would have additional information for the Council.
~oOo~
I'm hoping to post again this Friday, but...it'll depend on how much time I end up with...and if I get all my shite together for the trip! I will certainly make EVERY attempt to post C10 before I got to bed on Friday! Please forgive me if I'm dreadfully behind and just cannot.
Thank you all for reading...and for reviewing. I love reading everything you have to say!