TITLE Laura Giles Part 8/?
AUTHOR Laura Curtis
PAIRING None so far
RATING G
SUMMARY Laura is helping to fine Buffy after she ran away.
DISCLAIMER Don’t own them, just the ones I make up. Don’t know them. Only going to have fun with them. I promise to return them unharmed.
< > Denotes phone conversation Italic denotes thought
September 1998
God I’m tired. I swear if Angel wasn’t dead already I’d kill him myself. He was so nice too, the couple of times I met him, before he became Angelus. I wish I could have met Jenny as well. Rupert did Love her, even if she wasn’t his soul mate.
Laura arrives at Rupert’s after spending another two weeks in L.A. It had been a long summer. First, helping Rupert recover from his injuries while helping the others to learn how to keep the vampire population down. Second, going on every tale of someone surviving an attack. And third, searching L.A. for any clues to her whereabouts.
“Hello. Any word on this end?”
“No Laura nothing. Are we being too closed minded because we can’t trace her beyond L.A.?”
“No I don’t think so. L.A. is the perfect place to lose ones self. Since I’ve been there I’ve found I don’t know how many girls who have run away. Some trying to break into Hollywood. Others who have run from abusive parents and still others who just ran away cause it seemed like a good idea at the time. All were afraid to go home. But Buffy is different. She just needs to get her head straight. She’ll be back.”
“I hope your right Laura. Right now I would give almost anything to hear her meaningless sounds while she does her aerobics.”
Looking at Rupert with understanding eyes. “You care for her.”
“Of course I do. She’s my slayer.”
“No Rupert I mean You. Care. For. Her. Really care for her.”
In a quiet voice he answered her. “Yes, I do. Since she’s been gone it’s like a part of me is missing. I feel as if I won’t be whole until she returns.”
Smiling Laura walked up and hugged him. “They say that’s what it’s like between soul mates. What you yourself told me it would be like: the bonding between Watcher and Slayer.” And in a soft voice, “What I long for.”
“He’s out there Laura. You just have to be patient, you’ll find him.”
“I know I will. But I’m tired of being alone.”
“What about, what was his name?”
Rolling her eyes Laura walked to the couch and sat down. “Which one. I made no commitments to any of them. They all knew from the start that I was only with them for the companionship, nothing more. They all accepted it. I’ve never told you this, but on the anniversary of Uncle Merrick’s death I always do the soul mate spell. Just so I can keep him in my mind. One time one of the guys caught me doing it. He asked me what I was doing and when I told him he asked me to do it for him.”
“What happened to him?”
“He is joyfully married and they just had their second child. Who, by the way, I‘m the godmother of.”
“How long are you going to be here?”
“Today and tonight. I’ll head back up tomorrow. I just had to get away from up there for a day. Why, what do you have in mind?”
“I thought I’d take you out and get a bite to eat.”
“That sounds nice Rupert and I’d really like that.”
“But?”
“A good home cooked meal to me would be heaven right now. I have had my fill of restaurants right now.”
Rupert smiled at her. “One home cooked meal coming up.”
Laura held up one finger to him. “Only, if I get to help.”
Rupert held out his hand to her. “Come on, lets get cooking.” As they walked into the kitchen Rupert asked. “Feel like a game of cards later?”
“Only if its poker.”
“Alright poker it is.”
Two weeks later and Laura walks into a diner called Helen’s Kitchen. It’s a small, sleazy diner but it was a place to eat and Laura was too tired to head back to Sunnydale today. She sat down at a table and a young girl walked up to her.
“Hi I’m Anne. What can I get for you?”
“What’s good here?”
“To be honest? Not a whole lot. Actually? Nothing.”
Laura laughed. “Well at least you’re honest about it. How about I start with a hamburger with pickle, lettuce and tomato and fries and do you have any ice tea to drink?”
“Yes we do.”
“Ok and a large glass of tea.”
Looking at Laura Anne asked, “You have a different accent than the usual ones I hear around here. Can I ask you where are you from?”
Laura smiled at her. “I’m from England. I’m here helping my brother find a friend of his. Can I ask you how long have you worked here?”
“I’ve only been working here for a couple of days.”
“Oh. Then you wouldn’t have been here long enough to possibly have seen her.”
“You never know. I’ve seen a lotof people in the past two days. Do you have a picture of who ever you’re looking for?”
“Yes I do. Now before I show it to you I want you to understand that I am not here to drag her home. I just want to get word to her and let her know that it’s ok to come home. Or for her to at least send word that she’s fine. Ok?”
“Ok. If I know her and I see her I’ll let her know. Now can I see the photo?”
Laura pulled out the photo Rupert had given her and showed it to Anne. It was one of Buffy with Willow and Xander.
Anne’s eyes widened when she saw the photo and said, “Buffy.”
Laura sat up straighter and looked at Anne, her heart beating faster. “You know her? You have seen her? Where is she? Can you get word to her?”
“Yea I know her. She helped me get away from the de…. bad men. I hate to disappoint you but she’s not here now.”
“Oh you haven’t disappointed me. You’re the first person I’ve met that has seen her. Do you know where she was headed? Wait what to you mean de bad men?” Laura looked around. “Do you know what it is that Buffy does?”
Anne looked around and not seeing anyone near said, “She kills demons and vampires. I met her in Sunnydale a while back and she saved me then. And as for where she was headed, I think she was headed home. When I first met her again here, it was like she was lost. But after she saved me and all those other people, it was like she had found herself.”
Laura dug into her purse got a $50 and a card out. “Here don’t worry about placing my order. Just ring up what I would’ve had and keep the change.” Getting up Laura said. “I’ve got to call my brother. And Anne? Call home and at least let them know that you’re alright. You don‘t have to tell them where you are, even if they‘re mean over the phone to you, just the sound of your voice will relieve their fears some.”
Anne looked down at her feet. “I’ll think about it. And I hope Buffy went home. The short time I was there, even I knew she was needed.”
Laura put her hand on Anne’s shoulder. “Think about it. And thank you. I hope she went home too. I’ve got to go.” Then she gave Anne her card. “You can call me collect at this number in about a week, if she went home. If not I’ll be at the other number on the back each weekend.”
Anne smiled and nodded.
Then Laura turned and left to go to her room and call Rupert.
The phone rang once, twice, and a third time before someone answered. “Hello? Who is this?”
<This is Xander. Laura? Is that you?>
“Yes Xander it is. Is Rupert there? Can I speak with him?”
<Just a minute. Hey Giles! Laura’s on the phone. She wants to speak to you.>
Laura laughed at Xander’s yelling for Rupert.
<Hello Laura? Are you ok?>
“I’ve got a lead Rupert. Don’t get your hopes up and don’t tell the gang but she may or may not be on her way home. I met a girl a little bit ago and she said that Buffy helped her get away from some demons here. She also said that Buffy helped her in Sunnydale once. She knows what Buffy does. She said that Buffy seemed lost when she first saw her here but when Buffy left it was like she had found herself.”
<Laura. She’s back. The whole gang is here, now.>
Laura could hear the smile in his voice. “Thank God. Well I’m going to let Anne know that she did go home. And then I’m taking a couple of days to rest and then I’m heading home.”
<Aren’t you going to come down and meet her?>
“No, I want to rest and relax then do some shopping. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know my plans.”
<Ok Laura. Take care. And Thank you for your help.>
“You’re welcome Rupert. And bye for now.”
<Bye>