Title: Life Goes On 2/12
Author: Jen
Email: Supermom11200@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Wish I did. Joss & the usual suspects do.
Rating: G (for now)
Pairing: B/G
Summary: No parents, no fatherly love
Spoilers: None, for now
Setting: AU- Summer before the Senior Year
Feedback: Please. Good or bad.
Distribution: Want it, take it. Just let me know so I can visit
Notes: If you like Jenny, I'm sorry. I treat her rather badly later.
Dedication: Jamie, you rock.
* denotes thoughts
Giles followed the moving van down the quiet street. He was still smiling inwardly, especially after reading the Council's bare-boned, cut and dried files. "The Accidental Slayer." No one had believed that she would be the "Chosen One". Merrick had been left alone in his training and raising of her.
Buffy had been sent to Merrick when she was four years old. If her parents had not been killed in a car accident, she probably would have never met a Watcher unless she had been called.
Merrick was, in essence, her father. Giles decided, as he turned a corner, that he could not be a father to her. He would settle for being her friend, if she allowed it.
He saw the van stop in front of a modest house. He pulled into the driveway, got out of his car and started for the door.
After his knock, the door opened.
"Yes?" she said questioningly.
His heart went out to her. Buffy's eyes were red and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.
"Miss Summers?" he asked with a light British accent. "Yes?" she repeated.
"I am Rupert Giles. Quinton Travers sent me."
When she heard Travers' name, she looked up at him. Whatever she had been expecting, it wasn't him.
He was wearing dress slacks, a silk shirt and a leather jacket. Her eyes widened and she felt her breath catch.
Buffy cleared her throat and said, "Please, come in."
She closed the door, led him to the living room and gestured to a chair.
"Allow me to express my sympathies. Merrick was my mentor and a dear friend."
"Thank you," she said. Unlike Travers, she could feel and hear the sincerity in his voice.
"When you feel up to it, we need to make arrangements for you," Giles told her.
"Let's just do it now, so I can get out of here," she said plainly.
"I live in Sunnydale. It is two hours southeast of here. I know from Merricks' writings that you attend school and you will be a senior. If you wish to continue school, it will not be a problem. I am the librarian at the school. I currently live in an apartment. But when I was informed of you, I began to look for a house. If you want, you can help me choose the house. Have you started to pack your belongings?"
During his speech, Buffy had watched him for any kind of signs. To her senses, he seemed on the level.
"Yes. All of my stuff is packed except for some clothes. I didn't know when you would get here, so I got ready. We can leave whenever."
Her voice caught on her next words. "It's hard staying here." He reached over and clasped her hand.
"I would imagine so. You loved him and I know that he adored you." "Yes," she said simply.
His heart wanted to break for this extraordinary girl. He continued to hold her hand as the silence surrounded them.
"Would you do something for me?" she asked quietly.
"Of course."
"Would you take me to pick up his ashes and then get me the hell away from this god-forsaken town?"
Mentally, he was taken aback by her vehement tone. His face displayed nothing but compassion.
"As you wish. Shall we load the car, Miss Summers?"
"Let's. And please, call me Buffy. What should I call you?"
"Whatever you feel comfortable with."
"I'll let you know."
She showed him the way to her room. There were more boxes than he had expected.
"Is all of this yours?"
"No, some of it was his. Not all of this goes with us. We had talked about what to do if he should go first. There are some things that he did not want others to see. I am taking that stuff with me. I don't know if I can even show them to you. Nothing personal. The movers can take the rest of it."
"That's quite all right. You do not know me and therefore should be cautious."
She looked again at him. His quiet understanding was making her teary again.
"So, how did you get stuck with me?" she asked as they started carrying boxes to the car.
"I was relatively nearby."
"That's not enough of a reason."
"I know, but it's the only one I can give right now," he looked at her meaningfully.
"Okay."
They worked silently until the last box was in Giles' red BMW.
"You aren't like other Watchers, are you? The clothes, the car, the attitude don't exactly scream Watcher."
"Not bloody likely, but that is for later as well."
She nodded at him and climbed into the car, while he went to speak to the movers. He returned soon.
"Where do we need to go to pick up the remains?"
"I'll show you."
"What about your car?"
Her voice could have cut glass. "I don't want it. Burn it, sell it, I don't care. That's what I drove him in."
He nodded, "Let me tell the movers. We won't even bring it."
"Thanks."
End