A/N: 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 13: Stilled Feelings
Jasper slowly blinked his eyes open, feeling a residue of weariness but also a sense of calm he hadn't expected to find. He was still nestled on Giles' couch, though the room had changed subtly with Willow now seated in the armchair across from him, a book closed in her lap. The dim light of early morning filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow that hinted at the day ahead. Sensing movement, Willow set her book aside and turned towards him with a gentle smile.
"How are you feeling, Jasper?" she inquired, her voice soft but carrying a hint of cheerfulness in the quiet of the early morning.
Jasper rubbed the sleep from his eyes, a mix of embarrassment and residual confusion coloring his tone. "Better, I think. Though I'm not sure how to apologize for... hissing at everyone. It's an old habit," he confessed, attempting to inject a bit of humor into his words.
Willow chuckled, the sound warm in the quiet room. "Well, if it happens again, I could always turn you into a rat. Temporary solution, but effective," she teased, a twinkle in her eye. "But seriously, Jasper, no apologies needed. We've all been through our unique... let's call them 'experiences.'"
Jasper couldn't help but smile, appreciating the light-heartedness Willow brought to the moment. Encouraged by their easy rapport, he decided to open up a bit more. "You know, in my world, vampires have... talents, for lack of a better word. Some more unique than others. There was even one who was called a witch because of her ability."
Willow leaned forward, her interest visibly piqued, as she listened to Jasper. "Really? That's fascinating. I suppose every world has its own rules and magic. Speaking of which," she paused, her expression turning earnest, revealing the weight of her next confession, "I'm actually a witch. A real one, I mean. Wiccan that is. It's been quite a journey, learning to use magic responsibly." As she spoke, her fingers absentmindedly fiddled with the hem of her shirt, a sign of her nervousness and vulnerability in sharing this part of herself.
The admission sparked a deeper connection between them, bridging their worlds with the shared understanding of possessing extraordinary abilities and the burdens they carry. Jasper nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as he shifted slightly on the couch, inching closer to Willow in a subconscious gesture of solidarity and comfort. "It's strange, finding someone who understands. Not just the powers, but the weight of them, the responsibility."
"Yeah," Willow agreed, her voice soft but strong, resonating in the quiet space between them. "It's not always easy, but it's part of who we are. And it's about what we choose to do with what we've been given, right?" She hesitated for a moment, a shy curiosity lighting up her eyes, making them sparkle with a mix of excitement and caution. "So, um, do you have a... talent? I mean, something unique to you as a vampire?" Her gaze held Jasper's, seeking not just an answer but also a deeper understanding of his experience.
Jasper nodded, his movements cautious as he sensed the significance of the moment. "Yes, abilities unique to each vampire," he clarified, the weight of his next words carefully balanced with a hint of caution. "Mine... well, I can manipulate emotions." His admission, while hesitant, seemed to draw him closer to Willow, both physically as he leaned in and emotionally, as he shared a piece of himself.
Willow's expression shifted to one of confusion mixed with intrigue, a flicker of skepticism crossing her features before being replaced by a growing curiosity. "Manipulate emotions?" she repeated, her tone carrying a mix of wonder and uncertainty.
"Yes, and also... read them," Jasper added, his voice dropping to almost a whisper, betraying the vulnerability of his confession.
Her interest deepened, her eyes widening as she absorbed his words. "Read emotions?" Willow echoed, leaning even closer, the space between them charged with a palpable intensity, her curiosity palpable. "That's incredible. Could you... could you read me?"
Jasper hesitated, the magnitude of the question hanging between them. After a moment of contemplation, marked by the early morning silence around them, he nodded slowly. "Yes, I could," he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
The atmosphere shifted, filled with a new level of understanding and curiosity. Willow's gaze softened, a mix of wonder and vulnerability shining through. "What... what do you feel?" she asked tentatively, her voice laced with a cautious eagerness.
Closing his eyes, Jasper allowed himself to focus, truly focus, on the emotions emanating from Willow. It was a risk, to open himself up like this, but one he felt compelled to take. He sensed a mix of excitement, curiosity, and a hint of nervousness. But beneath it all, there was a flicker of something else — desire. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was there. Jasper considered his next words carefully. "I feel…warmth, kindness, curiosity, a touch of nervousness," he murmured softly, his words floating between them like a delicate secret shared in confidence. "But there's something else, too."
Willow's cheeks flushed, and she looked away for a moment, clearly flustered. "You can sense all that?"
"Yes," Jasper said softly. "Including the... desire."
Willow's eyes met his again, her expression a mix of surprise and embarrassment. "I... I didn't realize you could feel that too."
"It's okay," Jasper assured her, his tone gentle. "Emotions are complex, and it's natural to feel a range of them, especially in new situations."
She nodded, her cheeks still tinged with pink. "You know, when we first met, I didn't feel the same fear I usually do around vampires. It was... different."
Jasper felt a warm sense of gratitude for her honesty. "I noticed that. It's rare for a human to react the way you did."
"Maybe it's because I've been around magic and other supernatural things for so long," Willow mused, still a bit embarrassed but managing a small smile. "Or maybe it's just you."
Jasper chuckled softly. "Maybe."
Their moment of deep connection, however, was gently interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing from the staircase behind them. Both Willow and Jasper instinctively moved apart, a slight but noticeable distance now between them, as they turned to see Giles descending the stairs. Clad in his pajamas and housecoat, his expression was a blend of thoughtfulness and weariness—a stark reminder of the world that waited beyond the quiet of their early morning confidences.
"Ah, Jasper, Willow," Giles greeted them, his voice carrying the quiet authority of someone who had just been roused from sleep but was trying to piece together the scene before him. "I trust you slept well, Jasper?"
Jasper offered a small, somewhat strained smile, the intimacy of their earlier conversation still lingering in the air. "Yes, thank you," he replied, his gaze briefly meeting Willow's before they both broke eye contact, turning towards Giles. The shift was subtle but telling, a mutual decision to keep the depth of their conversation private.
Willow's attention fully shifted towards Giles, her posture straightening as if bracing for more questions. Giles, observing the slight tension and the space now between them, furrowed his brow slightly. "Is everything all right?" he asked, his concern palpable in the quiet room.
"We were just... discussing things," Jasper replied, a vague answer meant to sidestep any probing questions. Giles' skepticism was evident, though he chose not to press further, respecting their need for privacy.
Attempting to lighten the mood, Giles offered, "Would either of you care for breakfast?" His casual inquiry, juxtaposed with his formal attire of pajamas and a housecoat, seemed almost comically out of place in the charged atmosphere.
Jasper's brow furrowed in confusion at the mention of breakfast. "Breakfast?" he echoed, stumbling over the unfamiliar human concept. "I... I'm not sure."
Giles regarded him with a mix of bemusement and concern. "Do you not require sustenance?" he inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Jasper hesitated, trying to find the right words to explain. "In my world, with a vegetarian diet, we don't... eat regularly like humans do," he finally managed to say, though his explanation sounded awkward even to his own ears. "Even non vegetarian vampires don't eat frequently."
As Jasper spoke, his stomach let out an embarrassingly loud rumble, causing him to swear under his breath in frustration.
Giles and Willow exchanged puzzled glances, clearly perplexed by Jasper's response. "But how do you know when to hunt?" Willow asked, her curiosity piqued.
Jasper paused, struggling to find a suitable explanation. "It's... it's difficult to explain," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "Thirst... it's like an instinct, a primal urge," he continued, his words faltering as he struggled to articulate the sensation.
But as he spoke, a realization dawned on him. Since his arrival in Sunnydale, he hadn't felt that primal thirst, only a persistent hunger that gnawed at him incessantly, his breath catching in his throat. "Oh, shit," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper.
As the weight of his revelation settled over him, Jasper's body went rigid, frozen in an unnatural stillness. He didn't blink, he didn't breathe – it was as if time itself had come to a standstill around him.
Willow and Giles exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what had just transpired. The grumble of Jasper's stomach had ceased, replaced by an eerie silence that hung heavy in the air.
"Jasper, what's happening?" Willow asked, her voice tinged with concern as she reached out tentatively towards him.
But Jasper remained motionless, his mind consumed by the unsettling realization that something fundamental had shifted within him, leaving him in a state of suspended animation.
As Jasper's unsettling stillness cast a pall over the room, Giles pondered aloud, his gaze wandering to the shelves lined with ancient texts. "Perhaps there's something in one of my books that could shed some light on this," he mused, the wheels of his analytical mind turning.
Willow, however, was quick to counter, her disbelief mirroring her frustration. "Giles, come on," she interjected, a note of impatience in her voice. "Everything Jasper has told us about his world so far – do you really think a book is going to have the answers?" Her challenge was not just about the lack of relevance of Giles' books to Jasper's unique situation but also a reminder of the need for direct action.
Giles faltered, realizing the validity of Willow's point. He had become so accustomed to turning to his extensive collection of occult literature for answers that he had overlooked the fact that Jasper's situation was unlike anything they had encountered before.
"I... suppose you're right," Giles conceded reluctantly, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "This is uncharted territory, after all. Tea perhaps?"
~~~~~~~~
Several hours passed with Jasper remaining in his unnatural stillness, his eyes fixed in a vacant stare, unblinking and unmoving. Willow grew increasingly distressed, her worry etched on her face as she hovered anxiously beside Jasper.
"Giles, this isn't normal," she fretted, her voice tinged with concern. "He's been like this for hours. What if something's wrong?"
Giles placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm her frazzled nerves. "We'll figure this out, Willow," he said soothingly, though his own unease was palpable. "Jasper has shown remarkable resilience thus far. Let's not lose hope just yet."
Just then, Xander burst into the room, his trademark grin firmly in place as he surveyed the scene before him. "Hey, guys! What's the occasion? Did I miss the party?"
Willow shot Xander a pointed look, her expression a mixture of frustration and concern. "Xander, this is serious," she chided, gesturing towards Jasper's motionless form. "Something's happened to him, and we don't know what to do."
Xander's grin faltered as he took in the gravity of the situation, though he couldn't resist a quip. "Well, I'm sure whatever it is, it's nothing a little duct tape and elbow grease can't fix," he joked, trying to lighten the mood. Sensing the somber mood in the room, he approached Jasper's still figure with a mix of curiosity and concern. He leaned in closer, studying Jasper's face intently before straightening up and wrinkling his nose.
"Have we considered that maybe he just needs a shower?" Xander quipped, his attempt at levity falling flat in the tense atmosphere.
Willow shot Xander a disapproving look, clearly not amused by his lack of seriousness in the situation. "Xander, this is serious," she reiterated, her voice tinged with frustration.
But Xander, undeterred by Willow's scolding, continued to examine Jasper with a determined expression. He leaned in again, this time even closer, as if trying to discern some hidden clue in Jasper's immobile form.
Giles watched Xander's antics with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, unsure whether to be impressed by his friend's determination or concerned by his lack of tact.
"Xander, I don't think a shower is going to solve this," Giles remarked dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.
Xander finally relented, stepping back from Jasper with a sigh. "Well, it was worth a shot," he admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Maybe his wound is infected," Xander ventured, his voice quieter now, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
Willow's eyes widened in alarm as she turned to Giles, where they exchanged a look of realization, both struck by the possibility they had overlooked. a sense of urgency in her voice. "We need to check his wound immediately. If it's infected, it could explain why he's in this state."
Another hour passed in the quiet confines of Giles' home, the only sound the steady hum of the ceiling fan overhead. Jasper remained in his unnaturally still state, seemingly lost in his thoughts as Willow and Giles continued to watch over him with growing concern.
Suddenly, Jasper blinked, breaking the eerie stillness that had enveloped him for what seemed like an eternity. He glanced around the room, his gaze lingering on the new bandage adorning his wound, before settling on Xander, who was standing nearby, sniffing the air with a curious expression.
Willow let out a sigh of relief at the sight of Jasper's movement, her worry dissipating slightly. "Jasper, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Jasper nodded slowly, his brow furrowing in confusion at the attention he was receiving. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice soft but steady. "Just... lost in thought."
Giles stepped forward; his curiosity piqued. "What happened just now, Jasper? You were completely still for quite some time," he inquired, his tone gentle but probing.
Jasper shrugged; his expression thoughtful. "To me, it was just a moment of contemplation," he explained, his words measured. "Stillness is quite common for vampires, you see."
Giles and Willow exchanged a glance, intrigued by Jasper's revelation. "Fascinating," Giles murmured, his mind racing with possibilities.
As Jasper continued to ponder his newfound realization, a slow smile spread across his face. Despite the uncertainty and confusion swirling around him, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was more to his existence in Sunnydale than he had initially thought.
Meanwhile, Xander couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Jasper entering another moment of stillness, finding amusement in the vampire's peculiar behaviour amidst the chaos of their situation.
"Looks like we might be here a while. Anyone up for a donut run?" Xander quipped, flashing a mischievous grin.
Giles rolled his eyes at Xander's comment, his annoyance evident. "This is hardly the time for jokes, Xander," he chided, his tone tinged with irritation.
Xander raised his hands in surrender, but his grin didn't waver. "Hey, just trying to lighten the mood," he replied, unfazed by Giles' disapproval.
Willow glanced between Xander and Giles, a small smile playing on her lips. "Maybe we should focus on figuring out what's going on with Jasper first," she suggested, her voice gentle but firm.
Giles sighed, realizing that Willow was right. "Yes, of course," he conceded, his frustration momentarily forgotten as he turned his attention back to Jasper.
As the mid-afternoon sun cast long shadows through the windows of Giles' apartment, the tension in the room remained palpable. Willow continued her vigilant watch near Jasper, her expression a mix of concern and determination. Meanwhile, Giles sat at his desk, surrounded by a haphazard array of books, furrowing his brow in concentration as he searched for answers.
Xander, seemingly unfazed by the atmosphere of worry, had made himself comfortable on the couch, snack bowl and drinks within arm's reach. However, his attempt to settle in and watch TV was thwarted when he found Jasper's still form occupying most of the space.
"Hey, houseguest," Xander quipped, shooting a playful glare at Jasper. "Mind moving over? You're hogging the couch."
Willow shot Xander a disapproving look, her voice tinged with irritation. "Xander, show some respect. he's not just a houseguest. He's... well, we don't know what he is," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But we do know Jasper's not feeling well. He shouldn't be moved."
Giles, growing increasingly exasperated by the bickering, snapped at them both. "Enough! This is hardly the time for petty squabbles."
Xander rolled his eyes in response, clearly unfazed by Giles' reprimand. "I just want to watch some TV, but Mr. Marble over here is blocking the view," he retorted, gesturing towards Jasper.
Willow shook her head, misunderstanding Xander's comment. "He's not marble, Xander. He's warm to the touch. He's got an infection," she explained, her voice tinged with concern.
Xander shook his head, unconvinced. "Nah, you're wrong, Will. He's as solid as a statue and cool to the touch," he insisted, reaching out to poke Jasper's unmoving form with a pointed finger.