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 17: The Simplicity of Toast

As Jasper tentatively nibbled on the toast, his senses were overwhelmed by the simple yet unfamiliar flavors, a flicker of childlike excitement dancing in his eyes. Though he had been forced to eat human food before to blend in, this was the first time in 150 years he truly relished it, savoring the experience. The taste was both novel and strangely comforting, a stark contrast to his past encounters.

Sitting back on the couch, Jasper's moment of discovery was observed from different vantages in the house. Willow, seated beside him, watched with a mixture of fascination and warmth, her presence a comforting anchor in the unfamiliarity of Giles' home. Jasper sensed her relief and empathy, her eyes mirroring the same encouragement he had once seen in Rosalie's and Esme's when they coaxed Renesmee to try human food.

Giles, leaning against his desk with an air of casual interest, watched Jasper's reactions closely. "How does it taste, Jasper?" he inquired, his tone laced with genuine curiosity and a hint of concern for his guest's well-being.

Jasper paused, searching for the right words. "Different," he finally admitted, the corners of his mouth curling into a tentative smile. "But not unpleasant." He recalled how Renesmee had tentatively sampled various foods, her expressions of curiosity and occasional delight becoming cherished memories. He wondered if this was how both Bella and Renesmee had felt, with their loved ones watching closely, curious and hopeful as they expanded their respective diets.

"It's like watching someone discover the world anew," Willow whispered to Giles, her eyes sparkling with a soft, empathetic joy.

From his perch at the breakfast bar, Xander, ever the source of levity, couldn't resist a jest. "Who knew toast could spark such a spectacle?" he quipped, the playful grin evident even in his voice.

Jasper chuckled softly, the sound blending with the warm, homely atmosphere of the living room. He felt a sense of belonging here, surrounded by friends who, despite their differences, accepted him wholeheartedly. This shared moment of simplicity and discovery was a reminder of the small, profound connections that bridged their disparate worlds.

Giles, momentarily diverted by Xander's comment, redirected the conversation to more pressing curiosities. "Carlisle mentioned the Civil War. Were you involved in it, Jasper?" he asked, bridging centuries with a single question.

Jasper's eyes, momentarily caught in the candlelight of memories, met Giles' with a blend of surprise and introspection. "Yes, I served," he responded, his voice a low echo from the past.

Before the weight of history could settle too heavily upon the room, Xander's attempt at humor sliced through the tension. "Ah, the Civil War. That's the one the South lost, right?" His jest, though well-intentioned, hovered awkwardly in the air.

Giles shot Xander a reproachful look, recognizing the inappropriateness of the remark given Jasper's history. "Xander," he chided gently, "perhaps now isn't the time for jests."

Xander's grin faltered as he realized his misstep, offering an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, sorry," he muttered, his gaze shifting awkwardly.

Jasper, though taken aback by Xander's comment, managed a small smile, appreciating the attempt to lighten the mood. "It's all right," he assured them quietly, his focus returning to the toast before him.

"Carlisle said you fought for the South?" Giles tentatively asked, the question hanging in the air like a delicate thread of curiosity.

Jasper's gaze flickered with a mixture of surprise and apprehension at Giles's question. For a moment, he was transported back, the memories vivid as if painted in fresh strokes of pain and resolution. "Yes…I... I fought for the South," he admitted quietly, his voice carrying the weight of centuries.

A shadow passed over Jasper's features as he remembered the chaos of evacuation, the desperate, muddled throngs fleeing Galveston, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. He could almost hear the cacophony of orders, the cries of children, and the relentless, heart-pounding fear that coursed through him as he, too, made his escape.

It was on that road, amidst the turmoil of war and flight, that he encountered Maria. Her presence was like a sudden calm in the storm, a beacon in the turmoil that his life had become. Her eyes, fierce and commanding, had seized him with a purpose he hadn't known he was seeking.

Jasper shook his head, as if to dispel the images that clung too closely to the forefront of his mind. The memory was a ghost, persistent and haunting, a stark reminder of the path his life had taken from that moment on.

Xander couldn't resist breaking the silence. "I knew it. Mr. Marble was hiding something—he's Confederate scum!"

Giles, irritated, shot Xander a stern look. "Really, Xander, not helping." Clearing his throat, Giles turned to Jasper, ever the historian seeking understanding. "Jasper, I couldn't help but wonder about your experiences during that time."

Jasper paused mid-nibble, his gaze flickering with a mix of apprehension and introspection. "Well, Giles, it was a tumultuous time, to say the least," he began cautiously, his Texan drawl tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "As I said, I fought for the Confederate Army."

Xander couldn't help but interject. "So, did you have a plantation with slaves, Jasper?"

Willow shot Xander a reproachful look, her eyes urging him to tread more carefully on such a sensitive topic. "Xander, that's not an appropriate question," she chided softly, casting a sympathetic glance at Jasper.

Jasper, though visibly taken aback by Xander's remark, offered a wry smile. "No, Xander, I didn't have a plantation," he replied evenly, his tone tinged with restraint. "But I did fight for what I believed in, misguided as it may have been."

Giles, sensing the tension in the air, sought to steer the conversation toward a more respectful and understanding direction. "Jasper, if you're comfortable, I'd like to hear more about your perspective on the war," he said gently, his tone imbued with genuine curiosity.

Jasper, encouraged by Giles' sincere interest, nodded slowly. "Well, you see, it's complicated," he began, his eyes clouded with memories of battles long past. "I was driven by duty and honor, but looking back, I realize the flaws in my allegiance."

The front door creaked open, drawing the attention of everyone in the living room. Buffy stepped inside, her keen Slayer instincts immediately sensing the charged atmosphere. Spike followed close behind, his piercing blue eyes taking in the scene with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Hey, gang," Buffy greeted, her voice warm but alert. She took a moment to assess the room, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Jasper, a vampire, sitting on the couch and eating toast.

Spike, always quick with a witty remark, couldn't resist commenting on the unusual scene. "Well, well, what do we have here? The vampire's gone soft, eating toast like a proper human," he quipped, a smirk playing on his lips.

Xander, seizing the opportunity to inject some levity into the situation, chimed in with a grin. "Guess even vampires need their carbs, huh?"

Giles, ever the voice of reason, cleared his throat, preparing to offer an explanation. "Ah, Buffy, Spike, do come in. Jasper's... well, he's experiencing some... dietary adjustments," he explained diplomatically, casting a meaningful glance at Willow, who nodded in agreement.

Willow, eager to alleviate any tension, added with a warm smile, "Yeah, Jasper's trying out some human food for a change. It's, um, a long story."

Buffy and Spike exchanged puzzled glances, clearly intrigued by the unexpected turn of events. Buffy, ever the vigilant Slayer, couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and wariness at the sight of Jasper behaving so... humanly.

As Buffy settled into the conversation, her curiosity piqued, she turned to Willow with a questioning look. "So, Willow, what's this long story about Jasper and his... dietary adjustments? And why does it involve eating toast?" she asked, her brow furrowing with confusion.

Willow hesitated for a moment, glancing at Giles for support before offering a concise explanation. "Oh, um, well, it's a bit complicated," she began, choosing her words carefully. "You see, Jasper had a, uh, unique situation... involving a phone call and some, um, suggestions from a friend."

Xander, ever the one to interject with his own brand of humor, couldn't resist jumping in. "Yeah, and let's not forget Mr. Marble over there," he quipped, nodding in Jasper's direction. "Decided he needed a little variety in his undead diet."

Willow shot Xander a playful glare before continuing, trying to steer the conversation away from Jasper's peculiar stillness. "Right, so, long story short, Jasper's just trying out some human food. It's, uh, experimental."

Spike leaned back in his chair, sipping casually from a mug of pig's blood he had brought with him, observing the conversation with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Experimental…right Red."

Buffy's curiosity was piqued by Xander's mention of "Mr. Marble," and she turned to Giles for an explanation. "What's this about Jasper being all statue-like?"

Giles sighed, realizing that the subject couldn't be avoided any longer. "Ah, yes, well, earlier today Jasper experienced a... moment of stillness," he began, choosing his words carefully. "It's not entirely unheard of for vampires where he's from, but the duration of it was rather unusual."

Jasper, sensing the conversation turning towards him, interjected with a nonchalant shrug. "It's nothing, really. Stillness is... normal for me."

Spike couldn't resist chiming in. "Normal? Mate, nothing about you is normal."

Giles shot Spike a reproachful glance before continuing. "In any case, it seems Jasper has recovered from his... episode, and we're now attempting to, um, address his... dietary needs." He glanced nervously at Willow, silently hoping she would steer the conversation away from Jasper's unusual behavior.

Buffy furrowed her brow, intrigued by the mention of stillness. "What do you mean by 'normal' for a vampire? And who's this friend that called?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Willow glanced nervously between Buffy and Giles, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of questions. She looked to Giles for assistance, silently pleading for him to take the lead in answering.

Giles let out a resigned sigh, realizing that the truth couldn't be avoided any longer. "Ah, well, you see, Buffy, vampires where Jasper's from have certain... characteristics that are considered... normal for their kind," he began carefully. "And, um, Jasper's father, Carlisle, called earlier. He, uh, suggested that we try giving Jasper... human food to eat."

Buffy's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of human food. "Human food? But... vampires don't eat human food, do they?"

Giles hesitated, unsure of how much information to divulge. "Well, no, not typically. But, um, Jasper's situation is rather... unique," he explained cautiously, hoping to satisfy Buffy's curiosity without revealing too much.

Spike leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I don't mind the odd bite of human food now and then, pet. But yeah, Jasper here is definitely unique. Unique in his own, uh, smelly way," he remarked with a chuckle.

Jasper furrowed his brow in confusion at Spike's comment. Vampires were supposed to have an alluring, almost intoxicating scent to humans, not something referred to as "smelly." "Smelly?" he echoed, disbelief coloring his tone as he took a hesitant sniff of himself.

Xander, never one to hold back, chimed in with his own brand of blunt honesty. "Yeah, like B.O. kind of smelly," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye, earning an amused smirk from Spike. "Guess teenage boys aren't the only ones who forget to shower."

Jasper's confusion deepened as he tentatively took a sniff of himself, his senses picking up on the faint scent that seemed to cling to him. He turned to Giles and Willow, seeking clarification, only to find them both sheepishly nodding in agreement.

Giles cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Um, yes, well, it seems Jasper has... acquired a bit of a... scent," he admitted reluctantly, exchanging a glance with Willow, who nodded in agreement.

Willow offered Jasper an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Jasper, but it's true. You kinda smell," she admitted with a sympathetic shrug.

Embarrassment flushed Jasper's cheeks, a rare show of vulnerability. "I... I need to clean up," he stated, standing abruptly, the movement swift and fluid—a reminder of his otherworldly nature even in such a human moment.

Spike, still reclining with an air of detached amusement, watched the exchange over the rim of his mug, the smirk never quite leaving his face. His casual demeanor contrasted sharply with the growing tension, yet it also lent a bizarre sense of normalcy to the supernatural gathering.

Buffy, upon hearing the exchange about Jasper's smell, couldn't help but shift her position on the arm of the couch, leaning in closer out of both concern and curiosity. Her brow was furrowed, not in judgment, but in an attempt to understand the peculiar situation unfolding before her.

Giles, taking on the role of the ever-patient mentor, stood from his leaning position against the desk, moving closer to Jasper with a gesture that was both reassuring and meant to offer some semblance of privacy in the crowded room. "Jasper, if you're uncomfortable, we have facilities you can use to freshen up," he offered kindly, embodying the role of a host trying to navigate an awkward situation with dignity.

Jasper, momentarily caught in the swell of embarrassment, looked around at the assembled group, seeing a mixture of concern, curiosity, and amusement reflected back at him. The realization prompted him to stand, a graceful movement that spoke of centuries of honed reflexes. "Thank you, Giles. I would appreciate that," he said, his voice carrying a note of gratitude and a desire to quickly remedy the situation.

Xander couldn't resist another jab, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, maybe we should get you a bubble bath and some rubber duckies," he quipped, earning an exasperated sigh from Giles.

Spike, always one for mischief, chimed in with his own teasing remark. "I can't believe we're fussing over a vampire's hygiene," he mused, a playful glint in his eyes.

Giles shot Spike a pointed look, his patience wearing thin. "Enough, Spike," he reprimanded, before turning back to Jasper with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry about them, Jasper. They can be... insensitive at times."

Willow, ever the peacemaker, intervened before the situation could escalate further. "Giles, you were going to show Jasper where the bathroom is?" she suggested gently, casting a meaningful glance at Giles to redirect his attention. "I'll grab you some fresh towels," she continued, rising form her seat beside the now-vacated couch, her movements fluid and filled with intent.

As Jasper excused himself, following Giles's directions to the bathroom, the room felt momentarily suspended in a shared, unspoken acknowledgment of the peculiarities that often accompanied their lives entwined with the supernatural.

Spike, finally settling down his mug, allowed himself a brief chuckle before commenting, "Well, that's a first. Never thought I'd see the day when a vampire needed a bit of a wash to fit in."

Buffy, unable to resist Spike's playful jab, moved away from the couch and settled onto his lap in the chair. She nuzzled her nose against his, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You're one to talk. Remember the time with the sewer tunnel and the demon slime?"

Spike groaned, rolling his eyes. "How could I forget? Took me days to get that smell out."

Buffy laughed softly, the sound mingling with the warmth of their shared memory. "Exactly. So maybe cut Jasper some slack. Not everyone has your knack for getting into messy situations."

Spike smirked, pulling her closer. "Fair point, love. Though I do seem to have a talent for making the best of it."

Buffy smiled; her heart full as she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

The moment passed, and Giles, now back at his desk, cleared his throat, signaling a return to the evening's earlier conversations. "Now, where were we before our... olfactory detour?" he asked, a gentle attempt to steer the gathering back to some semblance of normalcy, or at least what passed for normal in the world of the Slayer and her friends.

Buffy and Spike had snuggled comfortably into the chair together, their legs intertwined and hands resting subtly together. They shared a silent, affectionate moment before turning their full attention to Giles. Buffy nodded for Giles to continue, while Spike, despite his usual facade of indifference, wore an expression of genuine interest.

"Jasper's condition, the... stillness he experiences, is not uncommon among his kind. It's a form of profound meditation, or so Carlisle explained. A state of being where they are entirely motionless, almost like a statue, hence 'Mr. Marble,'" Giles elucidated, referencing the nickname with a slight smile, acknowledging the group's penchant for naming the unusual aspects of their lives.

Willow, also finding her way back to the living room and eager to bridge gaps in understanding, chimed in. "Carlisle's call was quite enlightening. He shared insights into Jasper's unique traits, including his capacity for stillness. It's a protective mechanism, in a way, allowing them a moment of respite from the world. Quite fascinating when you think about it."

Spike shifted slightly, his hand giving Buffy's a gentle squeeze. "So, Jasper's got a bit of zen in him. Good to know. Anything else we should be aware of?"

Giles nodded. "Indeed. Carlisle also mentioned that this state can be beneficial during times of stress or when healing is required. It's an adaptive trait, honed over years of survival."

Buffy leaned into Spike; her curiosity piqued. "Does that mean he can control it, use it when he needs to?"

Willow answered, her enthusiasm evident. "Exactly. It's like a built-in reset button. He can choose to enter this state when he feels it's necessary, which can be incredibly useful for him."

Xander, leaning against the kitchen counter with a more thoughtful expression than usual, added, "Yeah Buffs, this call with Carlisle was kinda like a supernatural consult. Turns out he's a doctor too."

Giles adjusted his glasses, a small grin acknowledging Xander's remark. "Indeed, it was. Carlisle was most helpful in providing guidance on how we might assist Jasper during his stay, including the suggestion to explore... human food, as a form of acclimatization to our world's nuances."

Buffy, processing the information, turned her gaze to where Jasper had retreated. "So, trying toast and dealing with... smells are part of him getting used to being here? With us?" Her voice carried a mix of incredulity and a dawning understanding of the lengths to which Jasper, and by extension, Carlisle, were going to integrate Jasper into their world.

Spike, with a smirk, concluded, "Seems like our marble mate is more than just a pretty face. Got a bit of the human experience to catch up on, doesn't he?"