TITLE Laura Giles Part 11/?
AUTHOR Laura Curtis
PAIRING None so far
RATING PG
SUMMARY Laura’s world is changed when she comes back to the library from an appointment.
DISCLAIMER Don’t own them, just the ones I make up. Don’t know them. Not making any money. Just having fun with them. I promise to return them unharmed.
Authors Note: Italic indicates thought. (This denotes Rupert and Laura’s psychic talk.)
Samuel Cogley is from Star Trek: The Original Series. He defended Kirk at his Court Martial. Sam LOVED books, had a big collection. He HATED computers. Remind you of anyone we know? lol

Please send feedback.

September 2002

Dear Lord, I hate doctors. I’m glad I only have to go once a year.

Laura had gone to London yesterday to visit friends and for her yearly doctors’ appointment. Now she was back and headed to the library to do a little work before it closed for the night. But when she walked into the building, she immediately knew that something was wrong. It was quiet: too quiet for a Watchers library. Unlike a normal library, here someone was always arguing with someone else over one prophecy or another, or exclaiming in surprise when they had discovered what they were looking for.

But not today. Today was silence. And it wasn’t until she turned into the main room that she realized why. There on the floor lay three Watchers and their Potentials, dead. Laura started to panic so she ran from room to room finding two more Watchers and their Potentials. Then she thought about Elizabeth. So she ran to her room looking for her. “Elizabeth! Elizabeth!” She wasn’t there. Laura went quickly back through the rooms looking for Elizabeth.

She made it all the way back to the main room without finding her. Hope arose that maybe she had gone somewhere and wasn’t here when this happened. Then she heard it. A sound. Concentrating, she heard the noise again. It was coming from behind the desk. Going cautiously around the desk she came upon a horrible sight. There, on the floor was Elizabeth, laying in a pool of blood. When she saw her move, she knelt down beside her.

“Elizabeth, what happened here?”

Elizabeth opened her eyes and in a raspy voice said. “I was bending over picking up some papers that had fallen. The next thing I know I hear screaming and men dressed as monks came running in carrying knives. Laura, their eyes were gone, yet they fought like they could see. More came in and jumped into the fight. The boys fought like lions and the young ones did what they could but in a short time all were dead. Then one came over and stabbed me. I fell down and played dead. I’m not sure if they are all gone. I couldn’t see from back here.” Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment having a hard time breathing.

“I have to get you to the hospital.”

Elizabeth opened her eyes again. “You don’t have time. I’m dying my child. And you have to get to Rupert. You have to tell him it’s started. He has to get the girls to the Chosen One. She will need them now.”

“What do you mean it’s started? I have to get you to the hospital. I have to save you.”

“No, my dear child. My time is now. The Angel of Death is already here for me, comforting me, as well as my father. It isn‘t your time. You haven’t met him yet, your soul mate.” A look of wonder came over her face. “Oh my girl, I can see him, your soul mate. He is a handsome one isn’t he, and you two are perfect for each other. Don’t you let Rupert tell you other wise. You will find him when you aren‘t looking for him”

With tears running down her face Laura disagreed with her. “No, I have to get you out.”

Right then they heard a noise from a room above them.

In a whispered voice Elizabeth spoke. “ No! Go through the tunnels to Rupert’s house. Tell him what has happened. The Powers That Be are counting on him.”

Laura said in a choked voice, “I can’t make it to the tunnel entrance in time.”

Struggling to breath, Elizabeth pointed to her desk. “There is another way. Under my desk is a door. It leads to the tunnels. When you get to the end turn right, follow that tunnel to its end then turn left. That is the tunnel to Rupert’s house. Tell him goodbye for me, and to save the world from the First. Now go!

Laura gave her one last hug and opened the door under the desk. Just as she got in she looked one last time at Elizabeth. In a quiet voice, “Goodbye, Grandmother.”

They heard another noise and Elizabeth mouthed RUN.

Laura nodded, closed the door behind her and upon seeing a lock on it, locked it. She then turned and started running the way Elizabeth had told her. At the end of the tunnel she turned right, and at the end of that tunnel she turned left. As she ran she tried to control her emotions but it was hard. She knew she had to be strong to be able to do what Elizabeth had told her to do. As she got near to Rupert’s she tried to yell but while running it proved to be too hard so she sent out a message along their bond.

(Rupert, help me, the basement, open the door to the tunnels)

Just as she got to the door it opened and she ran right into his arms. She held on to him for dear life, breathing hard. After a few minutes she finally calmed down enough to talk. When he asked her what was wrong, she looked up at him and all the emotions she had been holding in broke loose. It was a good 10 minutes before she could calm down again. When she realized where she was she found that they had sunk to the floor and Rupert was rocking her, just like when she was a little girl.

“Laura tell me, what happened?”

“Oh God Rupert! They’re dead, Elizabeth, all of them, they’re dead.”

“What do you mean they’re all dead? Who? How?

For the next 5 minutes Laura told him all that had happened. “What did she mean Rupert? What’s started? What is this First? And why do you need to take the Potentials to Buffy?”

Looking off into space Rupert spoke, “Good Lord! The war has begun.”

“What war? Rupert talk to me!”

Rupert looked at Laura. Getting up he said, “Come on, I’ll explain on the way. Pack all the clothes you can into one bag. Grab your passport, you’ll need it. We’ll also stop at the bank and get all the money we can carry for now.”

“What about weapons? On the way to where? Rupert, what war?”

“We’ll bring Fathers’ sword, my sword and Albion. They’re all antiques and we have carrying cases for them.” Rupert started up the stairs, speaking as he went. “The war between good and evil. The Watchers Council always knew this day would come. When evil would openly declare war. It’s begun. We have to find all the Watchers and get the Potentials to Buffy. We have to go to Council Headquarters and get all the information on the First.”

“The First?”

“The First Evil, all other evil is derived from it. Come, on we have to hurry. Was Robson one of the ones at the library?“

Thinking back to all she had seen there she shook her head no.

“We have to stop at Robson’s, it’s on the way.”

On the way to Robson’s Rupert explained all they would have to do. Laura said that she would go where ever a Potential was and bring her to Buffy.

They drove into town and pulled up in front of a building. Rupert got out and came around to Laura’s side of the car. “You stay here. I’ll only be a minute.” Then he entered the building.

Normally Laura would have stayed in the car but something was telling her to follow him. She grabbed their father’s sword and entered the building. Just as she reached Robson’s flat she saw a ‘monk’ welding an axe headed towards Rupert. She ran in raising her sword. Just as the ‘monk’ started to swing she called through their bond (Rupert roll). After years of patrolling with Buffy, Rupert rolled on instinct, just as Laura swung her sword, chopping off the ‘monks’ head.

Rupert got up and went to Laura hugging her. “Come on, we have to go.”

“What about Robson?”

Rupert picked up the phone and called for an ambulance. Once he was done doing that, he turned to her. Taking their father’s sword from Laura, he placed it in Robson’s hand. “He’s alive. The ambulance is on it’s way. It will look like self defense, that he got one before another got him.”

“Will he live?”

“I don’t know. We don’t have time to wait and see. We have to get to Council Headquarters. It’s the only place with any information on the First. We also need to get the list of known Potentials.”

They started to walk out the door and head back to his car when Laura stopped. She looked back through the door to the girl. In a sad, quiet voice she asked, “What was her name?”

Rupert looked at the girl and in a sad voice said. “I believe her name was Irene.”

With a determined look on her face Laura turned to Rupert. “This is for her, and any others we lose along the way. I remember seeing stuff that talked about the First, when we were looking for Buffy, but no one would tell me what it meant.”

“How about the list of known Potentials?”

“I don’t remember seeing anything like that. Maybe it’s in Travers’ safe?”

Nodding his head, Rupert said, “We’ll see when we get there. Let‘s go.”

Reception Desk, Watcher Council Headquarters, London

“Miss Giles. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine Carol. How are you?”

“I’m fine Thank you. How can I help you this evening?”

“Elizabeth called this morning and requested a book from Samuel Cogley on the fifth floor. I called her a hour ago and asked if I could get anything for her while I was here and she asked me to pick it up. Also I’m hoping he can help me find some information I’m researching. I’ve read about this ‘interesting’ vampire and I want to see what he can tell me.”

Carol laughed. “Oh you and your research. Who is this handsome gentleman next to you?”

“Oh, forgive my manners. Carol Davis, this is my brother Rupert Giles. Rupert, this is the receptionist Carol Davis.”

Rupert took her hand and shook it. “A pleasure to meet you. I’ve been away for a while”

Carol’s eyes widened when she realized who she was talking to. “THE Rupert Giles? The Slayer’s Watcher?”

Rupert smiled at her. “I’m not sure I’m THE anything but yes, I am Buffy’s Watcher.”

“Oh Mr. Giles don’t take this wrong but you’ve become a legend to some of the younger Watchers and some of the trainers have started to train them by using you as an example.” In a whispered voice. “They have started to go back to the old training where their job is to also assist the Slayer in anyway possible. Not just prepare her and then stand back and do nothing. Much to the annoyance of Mr. Travers.”

Laura thought to Rupert. (She’s ok Rupert. She was fired as a Watcher by Travers for something made up. Her family got her rehired but Travers has had her here ever since.)

“Carol I must be blunt. You know that someday the First would openly start attacking.”

When Carol nodded Rupert continued.

“Laura’s library was attacked this morning by the Bringers. Elizabeth is dead. Robson was attacked, his Potential is dead, he may be dead as well. One almost got me but Laura took him out before he could. Travers will convince the Council that the signs are wrong. You know that. We need to get the information on the First to Buffy”

“Its kept in the Council chambers. The stairwell door is always unlocked. Security has lapsed that much since he took over.” Carol said quietly.

Rupert stepped closer. “What about the list of known Potentials?”

Carol closed her eyes, seeing with her special ability. “It’s in his safe, in the Council chambers. Bottom shelf, just laying on the top.” She turned her head to the side. “The combination is 02-20-54.” (Authors Note: ASH’s birth date) Carol then turned back to them and opened her eyes. “The Bringers will bomb this building. I’ll try and keep everyone out.”

Laura took her hand. “Don’t risk yourself. Something big is coming and I think we will need all the Watchers we can get.”

“You had better get up there and get what you need. The upper floors are clear for now. But no telling how long that will last. The night cleaning crew is in the building.”

Rupert spoke up. “Laura you stay here with her. You can warn me if anyone is coming. I’ll move faster alone.”

Nodding Laura said, “Alright. I’ll let you know.”

And Rupert took off up the stairs.

“Laura I know what is coming. My grandfather found a book hidden in our library a long time ago. It was so old. I must tell you this, just in case I don’t make it. The prophecy we know now of the Slayer is wrong. There was once two prophecies. Some time in the past someone changed them. And that’s not the only thing. There is another one.”

Laura spoke up then. “The Champions Prophecy.”

Carols eyes widened. “How do you know this?”

“Remember Merrick Jamison-Smythe?”

“How can I forget him. He was Buffy’s first Watcher.”

“While he was looking for her, he came across a book just like you are talking about. Only it was hidden in the Council’s own library. He showed it to me. He took it to my house, where it still is. Have you read it?”

Carol nodded yes.

“You know the Champion’s Prophecy? It talks about him then it mentions his Slayer, his soul mate, the Hidden One.”

“Yes, yes it does. Who could that be? Buffy was only a lost one, so who could be the Hidden One?”

Laura looked down and playing with her fingers said. “I am. I’m the Hidden One.”

“What? How?”

“In times past often a Potential would have to be brought into the Council’s safe keeping. But once and a while one would need extra protection so they would not only bring her in they would completely change her identity, hide her. They had to do that to me. I wasn’t born Laura Giles, but I was a Potential.”

“How do you know it talks of you?”

“Uncle Merrick said that there hasn’t been a hidden one in around a hundred years. Ergo, I’m the Hidden One.”

“If you’re the Hidden One then?”

“Buffy is the one and only Chosen One and Rupert’s her soul mate.”

Carol thought for a moment. “I’ll send the new trainees out when I feel the time is near. Ones who haven’t been influenced by Travers. They idolize Rupert so they will be more open to new ways.” Carol suddenly stood straight up and looked around.

“What is it? Is Rupert ok?” Laura asked looking around.

“There is a Bringer here, in the building. I’ll keep everyone I can out tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?”

“I can feel him.”

Laura looked back at Carol. “Save as many as you can. Save yourself as well. That book talked of many Slayers at one time. Keep the book to yourself. They wouldn’t believe you anyway. Send them to Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. There is a Hellmouth there. The book said that the Sunnydale Hellmouth would be closed, we’ll head there after.”

“Ok I will. You take care as well.”

Laura nodded then thought to Rupert. (Rupert are you about done? We have to hurry. The Bringer is here now setting bombs. I told Carol what to do.)

(Just about. I have to get the list. I’ve got all the information.)

(Hurry.)

“Rupert has the information on the First. He’s going for the list of Potentials.”

Carol looked at her watch. “He had better hurry. The night cleaning crew is due any moment on that floor.”

(Rupert, the cleaning crew.)

(I’ve got it. I’m on my way now.)

“He has it and he’s on his way. Remember, save who you can. Save yourself.”

“I will. I’ll see you in Cleveland.”

A minute later Rupert came out of the stairwell and together they left to begin collecting the Potentials.

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