AN: I don't own the characters, they are the property of Stephanie Meyers and Joss Whedon. I just like to ponder what would happen if the two worlds collided.
Chapter 11: Colliding Relalities
Willow bustled about in the kitchen, fetching more tea, while Giles, Xander, and Spike discussed Jasper's revelations. Despite his resolve, Jasper felt the toll of his wounds and the overwhelming strangeness of this new world. He began to drift towards unconsciousness.
The group's discussion deepened, but Jasper found himself lost in thought. Magic and dimensional overlaps felt alien and almost fanciful to him. His contemplation was interrupted by Willow's voice. "You mean there's a whole world where vampires choose to live hidden, avoiding sunlight not because it harms them but to remain inconspicuous?"
Jasper nodded. "Exactly. It's about choosing a less harmful path, one of discretion." Yet, he remained somewhat detached, wrestling with the enormity of his situation. Worlds colliding and the existence of magic challenged his understanding.
"I appreciate your attempts to make sense of this," Jasper said, his tone a mix of gratitude and bewilderment. "Back home, the idea of crossing worlds, of magic... it's beyond our considerations."
A thoughtful silence descended as the group pondered Jasper's perspective. He was confronting a reality fundamentally at odds with his own, where magic and multidimensional theories were part of existence.
Exhaustion pulled at Jasper stronger than before. He barely registered the warmth of the couch beneath him as his eyes closed, the hushed tones of conversation lulling him to sleep, when the shrill clang of the phone abruptly pierced the quiet.
The group exchanged looks of surprise and apprehension. Who could be calling at such an hour? As Giles reached for the phone, the room held its breath.
Jasper, despite his exhaustion, couldn't help but feel a stir of curiosity. In this world where magic and mysteries abounded, every ring of the phone seemed to herald new discoveries or challenges. He watched Giles answer the call, bracing himself for what might come next.
Giles, with trembling hands, answered. "Hello?" His voice was steady, a stark contrast to the stillness that preceded.
The response was a cacophony of static, reminiscent of an old vinyl record. "Giles? Can you hear me?" The voice of Carlisle, faint and fragmented, barely made it through.
"Yes, I can hear you. Who is this?" Giles' concern grew.
A weaker, pained voice urged, "Put it on speaker, Giles. Please." It was Jasper, his voice barely a whisper, each word soaked in fatigue and pain. He tried to raise himself up on the couch.
Complying, Giles placed the phone on speaker. Carlisle's desperate, broken attempts to communicate filled the room. "Giles...hear me?"
Jasper leaned closer, tensing with effort. "Carlisle, it's Jasper. Can you—" His voice trailed off, strength sapped.
"...Jasper... hear you. Alice... vision, fragmented…can't find," Carlisle's words were incomplete and ominous.
Jasper's brow creased with worry. "What do you mean she can't—" He stopped, strength waning, the effort overwhelming him.
Carlisle continued, unaware of Jasper's state, "...trying... piece... Jasper... wounds..." His voice was urgent but broken.
"Yes, my wounds, I found help," Jasper tried to interject, but his voice faded, as if moving away from the phone, away from consciousness.
Carlisle's voice grew more desperate, "...Serious…safety…careful…" Something dire was unfolding.
Jasper could no longer respond. As the line crackled with Carlisle's final, desperate message, Jasper's strength gave out. The phone slipped from his grasp as he collapsed onto the floor, the line going dead, leaving a haunting silence. Carlisle's static-filled warning hung heavily, a grim portent of looming danger, now made immediate by Jasper's sudden collapse.
Willow, her instincts as both a friend and a caretaker kicking in, reacted first. Her hands, steady despite the chaos of emotions within, gently checked for any immediate signs of injury. "Xander, get over here, quick!" she called out, her voice a mixture of urgency and command.
Xander, momentarily stunned into inaction by the sudden turn of events, sprung from the armchair, "What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with concern as he hovered near, ready to assist.
Willow, with a glance that conveyed both the gravity of the situation and the need for haste, directed, "Help me get him onto the couch." Together, with the practiced ease born of countless battles and crises faced as a team, they carefully lifted Jasper, laying him down on the now-vacated couch. Willow gently propped his head with a cushion, ensuring he was in a stable position. Her hands hovered over him, her fingers tracing the air inches from his skin, as if feeling for the cold emanation of vampiric energy rather than warmth.
As the group huddled around, offering whatever aid they could, the front door opened quietly, almost unnoticed amidst the concern for Jasper. Buffy stepped into the dimly lit room, the weight of the night's patrol evident in her posture. The sight that greeted her—a circle of worried faces, Jasper lying unconscious on the couch, Willow kneeling beside him with a look of deep concern—stopped her in her tracks.
"What happened?" Buffy's voice cut through the tension, sharp with alarm and the readiness to spring into action. Her eyes quickly took in the scene, assessing the situation with the swift precision of a seasoned Slayer.
Willow looked up from her vigil beside Jasper, meeting Buffy's anxious gaze. "It's Jasper. He collapsed while on the phone... with Carlisle talking about Alice," she explained, her voice a mix of worry and confusion. The name 'Alice' hung in the air, a new and ominous threat that none of them fully understood yet.
Buffy's brow furrowed at the mention of the unknown name, her protective instincts flaring. "Alice?" she echoed, a question and a declaration all at once. She stepped closer, her presence like a beacon of strength and resolve in the uncertain gloom.
"Yeah, and she has visions... they're fragmented. She can't find him or something. It's all a bit cryptic," Xander added, trying to piece together the information they had, his usual attempt to lighten the mood with humor absent under the seriousness of Jasper's condition.
Spike, who had been silently watching from the shadows, his face a mask of concern and thought, finally spoke, "Sounds like trouble's brewing, and it's come knocking on our door.
After Spike's remark about trouble making its presence known, Buffy turned to Giles, seeking information about their enigmatic ally. "Giles, what do we actually know about Jasper? From him, directly?"
Giles, understanding the importance of accuracy, nodded. "Let's see," he began, organizing his thoughts. "Firstly, his full name is Jasper Whitlock. That much he's shared with us."
He glanced at Buffy, noting her focused attention. "He was notably surprised by our willingness to help him, indicating perhaps an unfamiliarity with the sort of... community we've built here. He wasn't expecting our openness, nor our lack of fear towards him."
"His accent places him from the Southern United States, quite discernible," Giles continued, each point laid out with precision. "And he's made it clear he does not want magic involved in his situation. It seems he prefers to handle things without such interventions."
Buffy nodded, piecing together the image of Jasper from these snippets.
"Moreover, he's mentioned having a family—the Cullens. It appears they hold significant value to him, guiding his actions and decisions," Giles added, highlighting the importance of Jasper's connections.
"And Carlisle, presumably a family member, advised him to seek help from humans," Giles said, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "It's an interesting dynamic, suggesting a level of trust in humanity not commonly seen among vampires."
Buffy's interest piqued. "Anything else?"
"Yes, one more thing that's rather... extraordinary," Giles adjusted his glasses, a gesture Buffy recognized as him delving into the more unusual aspects of their world. "We believe Jasper comes from a different world altogether. A world where vampires sparkle in the sunlight, and where his family, the Cullens, choose not to hunt humans."
The last piece of information seemed to hang in the air, challenging Buffy's understanding of the vampire lore she was so familiar with. Buffy raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "Sparkle? Like, what, a vampire disco ball?"
Giles gave a small, amused smile. "Yes, Buffy, something like that. But it seems to be a fundamental characteristic of their kind, rather than a mere quirk."
Willow, who had been listening quietly, chimed in. "It's kind of fascinating, really. A whole different set of rules for vampires."
Buffy sighed, her mind racing to process this new information. "Okay, so we have a sparkling vampire from another dimension with a strong sense of family and a no-magic policy. Great. Just another day in Sunnydale." She shook her head slightly, a determined glint in her eyes. "We need to figure out how to help him without breaking any of his rules. Giles, see if you can dig up anything more about these Cullens and their world. Willow, let's keep an eye on Jasper and make sure he's okay. And Spike," she turned to him, "stay close. I have a feeling we're going to need all hands on deck for this one."
Several hours later, Jasper stirred, his eyes fluttering open to find Buffy sitting nearby, watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern. The room was dimly lit, and the quiet hum of activity from the rest of the house filled the background. Jasper slumped back on the couch, consciousness returning to him in echoes and murmurs. As clarity seeped in, he shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position that would also allow him to observe the group gathered in Giles's living room. The ambiance of his home was a comforting blend of scholarly clutter and homely warmth, embodying the life of a man at the crossroads of the arcane and the mundane. Soft lamp light mingled with the glow of the street lamps outside, filtering through the windows, casting a gentle glow over the ancient texts and mystical artifacts that lined the walls.
"Buffy, it's good to finally meet you. I've heard quite a bit about you," Jasper said, his voice carrying a subtle, Southern drawl. He pushed himself up into a sitting position, his discomfort momentarily forgotten amidst the warmth of tea and old books.
Buffy, leaning against the couch's armrest with a warm smile, responded, "Back at ya, Jasper. But what's with all the secrecy? What's going on?"
Spike, standing close with a protective air, casually draped his arms around Buffy's shoulders. "Oi, what's with the staring? Got a thing for Slayers, do you?" His teasing tone filled the space, softening the edges of their uncertain gathering.
"No, it's not that. It's just... intriguing to see a human and vampire together like this, given the usual animosity between our spieces," Jasper clarified, his drawl smoothing over the words, as if trying to blend into the room's eclectic mix of comfort and mystery.
Buffy and Spike exchanged a glance, Buffy rolling her eyes with a hint of amusement. "It's complicated," Buffy said, her tone lightening. "Spike and I have... history. We've fought, we've saved the world a few times, and somewhere along the line, we found common ground."
"Common ground?" Jasper echoed, clearly intrigued.
Spike grinned. "Yeah, common ground. Like a mutual interest in not seeing the world go to hell."
Buffy decided to steer the conversation toward something Jasper might find more relevant. "So, Jasper, you're from a world where vampires sparkle in the sunlight and don't hunt humans. But what about Slayers? Do they exist where you're from?"
Giles, having set aside a book, took a seat, signaling the shift from casual reunion to a graver discussion. "In my world, the dynamics between vampires and humans... they're different. And as for the Slayer, we don't have someone like you," Jasper began, his gaze sweeping the room, touching upon each face that was illuminated in the soft light.
Buffy looked at Jasper, concern evident in her eyes. "Really?"
"Yes, really. It's all... new to me," Jasper admitted, then corrected himself, "Well, actually, that's not true. Slayers are new, but where I'm from, vampires do hunt humans, but it's usually to build an army of newborns."
Willow, sensing the tension and the need for a comforting gesture, bustled around the kitchenette area, setting up the tea kettle. "I'll just get some tea going. It sounds like we have a lot to discuss," she said, her voice bright but carrying an undercurrent of concern.
Buffy nodded, absorbing this. "Well, I'll start with telling you about me: A Slayer is a girl chosen to fight the forces of darkness. One girl in all the world with the strength and skill to hunt vampires, demons, and the like. It's been my job for a while now."
Jasper's eyes widened slightly. "One girl against all that? That's... remarkable. And you do this without any powers beyond your own abilities?"
Buffy shrugged, a modest smile playing on her lips. "I have some extra strength and speed, but mostly it's a lot of training and a lot of help from friends."
Spike, who had gone back to leaning against the wall, pushed off and moved closer, wrapping his arms protectively around Buffy's waist. "Don't let her fool you," he said with a smirk. "She's saved all our arses more times than I can count."
Buffy lightly tapped Spike's arm before giving him a gentle kiss. She turned back to Jasper, a playful glint in her eyes. "He likes to exaggerate, but it's been a team effort."
Jasper mused aloud, his mind wandering to his only other significant experience with a human-vampire relationship. "You remind me of someone from my world. Bella, she's always finding herself in danger, but unlike her, you seem fully capable of defending yourself. Bella's strong in her own way, but... fragile. You're not nearly as fragile as she is."
Buffy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Bella sounds like she's been through a lot."
Jasper nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "She has, but she has Edward. They protect each other in different ways. Although... Edward can be quite... brooding and difficult."
He quickly shifted his tone, looking at Buffy and Spike with genuine admiration. "But you and Spike, you're different. You're both fighters. It's impressive."
Spike grinned, tightening his hold on Buffy. "Fighters and lovers, mate. We're a package deal."
The kettle whistled just as Giles prompted Jasper for more details. Willow poured the steaming water into cups, her movements a quiet backdrop to the unfolding conversation. "Perhaps you could elaborate on this process of creating newborns, or this concept of a 'newborn army'?" Giles asked, his tone both curious and grave.
Jasper's expression darkened slightly as he prepared to explain. "Newborns are vampires recently turned. They're incredibly strong, but also volatile and uncontrollable. In my world, some have used newborns to create armies. It's a brutal and efficient way to amass power, but it leads to chaos and destruction – vampires hunting humans for pleasure."
Giles leaned forward, his interest piqued. "And you've encountered this firsthand?"
Jasper nodded, a shadow passing over his face. "Yes. I was part of such an army once, long ago. It's not something I'm proud of, but it's a part of my past that I can't escape." Jasper responded, his drawl soft but carrying a depth of emotion, a hint of melancholy for the life he left behind.
In that moment, a vivid, unwelcome memory from his time with Maria surged to the forefront of Jasper's mind. He was transported back to the relentless Texas sky, the stark contrast to the cozy, lamp-lit warmth of Giles's home couldn't have been more pronounced. The night air, thick with the scent of fear and blood, seemed a world away from the comforting aroma of tea and aged paper that now surrounded him. Maria's voice, a sinister melody, urged him on, a dark incantation against the backdrop of the room's scholarly calm.
"Enjoy it, Jasper," she had whispered, her presence a stark contrast to the camaraderie and gentle concern he now faced. "This is our nature. Relish in the power, in the dominion over life and death." The memory, so vivid, so real, made Jasper momentarily forget the soft glow of table lamps and the safety of the Sunnydale, transporting him back to a time of chaos and control.
Abruptly, Jasper shook his head, as if physically trying to dislodge the memory from his mind. This small, almost imperceptible movement seemed to ripple through the tranquility of the room, a silent declaration of his rejection of that past. It was a gesture laden with meaning, hinting at the battles he had waged not just against external monsters but against the ones that lurked within. Here, in the safety of Giles's living room, surrounded by the tangible reminders of a life dedicated to bridging the worlds of the arcane and the mundane, Jasper found himself at a crossroads.
As the group reconvened, Giles' next question seemed to pierce the tense atmosphere. "Jasper, can you explain why vampires in your world would hunt humans for pleasure? It's... disturbing."
Jasper's eyes, glistening unnaturally in the lamplight, finally met Giles's steady gaze. "It's a complex issue. I wouldn't expect you to understand it fully," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, heavy with unspoken sorrow. The soft ambiance of the home, with its dance of shadows and light, seemed to hold a breath, a stark reminder of the path he had walked and the choices that had led him to seek a new way of life, far from the brutality that had once defined his existence.
"Try us, Jasper. We want to understand," Buffy urged, moving closer. Her presence, a solid reassurance amidst the eclectic décor and comforting clutter, offered him a lifeline, a chance to share his truth without fear of judgment. The apartment, a sanctuary against the darkness, seemed to lean in, listening.
Taking a deep breath, he began to share, his words painting a vivid picture of his past—a past marred by violence and manipulation, yet also a past that had set him on a path toward redemption. "In my world, the hunt... it's seen as a pleasure by some, a demonstration of power. But it's a hollow pleasure, one that leaves you feeling more lost, more disconnected from the humanity that we so desperately crave." His voice, enriched by the room's warmth and the soft glow that enveloped them, carried a weight that resonated within the walls, filled with stories of their own.
For a moment, it seemed as though a tear might escape his eye—a physical impossibility, yet the intensity of his feelings made it almost seem plausible. His eyes glistened unnaturally, reflecting the room's lamplight, a stark reminder of his vampiric nature and the venom that replaced his tears. The room, a blend of comfort and mystery, with layers of history and hope, bore witness to Jasper's confession, a testament to the power of understanding and the strength found in shared vulnerabilities. When he blinked to displace the venom, it only caused the venomous tears to gather in his lashes and stream down his cheeks.