TITLE Laura Giles Part 15/?
AUTHOR Laura Curtis
PAIRING Giles/Buffy
RATING PG
SUMMARY After resting in L.A. for a few days the gang head off to Cleveland with a stop in Las Vegas for some weddings.
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.
Thanks to my sister for Beta reading this and letting me know where I messed up and how to make my words flow better.
BIG THANKS! To same sister for allowing me to use an idea of hers. She is writing a series of three stories and will post when they are all done. In one, the characters talk about Buffy and Giles having gone through five wedding ceremonies in Vegas. I’m writing how I think one of the five went.
(Denotes psychic talk)
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Author’s Note: Buffy, Giles, Xander, Kennedy, Kelly, Willow, and Laura’s outfits are from Sofi’s Stitches www.sofisstitches.com/ Dawn’s dress I describe here can be found online at a place called The Renstore.com www.renstore.com/cgi-bin/renstore.storefront go to Features then to Costume Gallery.
June 2003
The bus was loaded and waiting for everyone to get on board.
They had stayed in L.A. a little longer than they had planned to. But when Xander had playfully whined about being that close to Disneyland and not being able to go, all the girl’s eyes lit up.
Laura’s eyes even lit up with a memory of when she was eight years old. Her cousin Faye was a Marine and was assigned to El Toro near L.A. so Laura, with her parents and Mitchell had gone to visit Faye. While there they all went to Disneyland. Laura wanted to go again and see how much it had changed since she was a little girl. Laura pointed out to Rupert how much of a girl’s childhood was lost when they became Potentials so he agreed to take everyone.
Rupert went one step beyond though. Not only did they all go, he arranged, with the clout of the Council, for them all to get into the park three hours before it opened. They got to ride the rides first without the waiting times, which could be an hour or more.
By the time they left Disneyland at closing everyone had ridden every ride at least four times if not more. Although for some reason, no amount of begging, whining, attempted bribes or out and out crying could get Buffy, Xander or Willow into the Haunted Mansion.
Then someone heard about Knotts Berry Farm and all the roller coasters there. Naturally they went and had a blast. As had been the case with Buffy, Xander, and Willow at the Haunted Mansion, there were certain rides that Laura refused to go on. She declared that no one would, ever, get her onto a roller coaster that looped, twisted or flipped.
They also spent three days shopping. The first day was spent replacing the clothes that had been lost, along with daily necessities The girls wanted to buy other things as well but Giles convinced them that to travel across the country with all that stuff would take up too much space. That when they first get to Cleveland they wouldn’t be in a permanent home, and packing and unpacking the things more than once would be a chore.
The girls agreed to wait until they had a permanent place to call home.
The second day of shopping was spent buying for Buffy and Giles’ wedding: the traditional one. Buffy along with Willow, Kennedy, Faith and Laura went to one mall while Giles, Xander, Robin and Andrew went to another. Buffy had insisted on this because they were going to do the first ceremony as soon as they checked into their hotel in Vegas and wouldn’t be seeing each other until they got to the chapel. She didn’t want him seeing her in the dress until she walked down the aisle. The dress she had chose was a simple matte satin gown featuring a full A-line skirt with Basque waistline, strapless bodice embellished with sparkling beadwork in a floral motif.
The third day Angel and Wesley helped trade Laura’s car and the school bus in for two motor homes. One for Buffy, Giles and the rest who would be staying in Vegas for the other weddings. The other motor home for Robin, Faith, Andrew and the rest of the slayers so they would have a comfortable ride to Cleveland. Arrangements were also made for hotel accommodations along the way. Robin and a few of the others were worried at first about staying in a hotel where anyone could come into their rooms without an invitation, but Faith felt that with so many Slayers in the group they wouldn't have any problems.
All to soon it was time to leave L.A. All the girls and Andrew thanked Angel and company for letting them stay there while they recovered and had a little fun, then they loaded up into the second motor home.
Robin, not really knowing the others, thanked them and was the next onto the second motor home. Faith did her usual good-byes to Fred, Gunn and Wes. With Angel she hugged him and told him that she would be seeing him, then got on.
Laura and Dawn were the next to say their good-byes, followed by Willow, Kennedy, Xander and Kelly. Then Buffy and Rupert took their time with everyone. When they got to Wesley they made him promise to think about being part of Watcher’s Council also to come if needed. He promised he would come if needed but he would think about joining the Council.
Then there was Angel. Rupert shook his hand and thanked him for everything then headed for the motor home to wait for Buffy.
Buffy come up to Angel and hugged him. “Thank you for everything.” When she pulled back from him she smiled. “You were my first love. You will always be special to me for that reason. Keep in touch, we’ll help you if we can.”
“If you need our help don’t be afraid to ask. Take care of each other. He can give to you all that I couldn’t. Bye Buffy.”
“Bye Angel.” Then she headed over and got onto the first motor home with Rupert. Two minutes later and they were gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Two hours later they pulled off the interstate to fill up with gas, change drivers and to stretch their legs. While they were there they came across a girl, a run away, who was just sitting on the curb next to the gas station. She had a lost look about her. When Willow got close to her she felt the tingling of the Slayers. Willow looked around the parking lot and when her eyes saw the girl she knew she was a Slayer. “Buffy!” When Buffy came up to her, Willow pointed the girl out to her. “She’s a Slayer.”
“How do we talk to her without frightening her away? She looks so lost.”
“Let me try something.” Then Willow reached out to the girl with her mind. (Slayer look at me.)
The girl turned and looked straight at Willow.
(It’s ok now. You’re no longer lost or alone.)
When the girl started crying Buffy and Willow both walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. The girl felt like she had been a lost drop of water finally merging with the river she had been searching for.
After a minute they walked her back to the two vehicles and started to try to get her to talk. It took another minute for her to calm down enough to talk.
“What’s your name?” Buffy asked her.
“Abigail Adams.”
“Well Abigail my name is Buffy and this is Willow. The rest you’ll meet as we go. Can you tell me why you were here looking so lost?” When she looked hesitant to continue Buffy spoke up. “It’s ok. Except for Willow and Dawn they rest of us girls are Slayers as well.”
Abigail’s eyes widened. “That’s not possible. John told me that there was only one Slayer at a time. When one died another was called.”
Buffy smiled. “It’s a long story and we’ll explain it when we’re back on the road. For now we’d like to hear your story.”
“There isn’t much to tell. Three weeks ago during training these two monk dressed guys came up to me and John. He seemed to recognize them and he turned to me and told me to run. A long time ago he told me that if I had to run for some reason that I was to go to Sunnydale. The current Slayer was there and her Watcher would help me. So I ran. I turned back and saw them stab John. I wanted to go back and help him but then they started after me. So I turned back around and ran as fast as I could. I made it to the highway and a passing driver gave me a lift. I’ve been catching rides all the way to here. I’ve been here for a couple of days trying to get a ride to Sunnydale but someone told me that Sunnydale is no longer there. That an earthquake destroyed it.”
Right then Rupert walked up to them. He’d heard what Abigail had said. “I’m Rupert Giles. You said John was stabbed. Do you know if he died?”
Abigail shook her head no.
“Alright. Where are you from?”
“Boston, Massachusetts.”
“Ok. When we get to Las Vegas I’ll call and make some inquiries. We’ll find out if he is alive or not. For now I think we are all rested and the vehicles are filled so we can be on our way.”
Buffy looking at Abigail spoke up. “I think she should ride with the others. They’ll help her to settle in and answer a lot of her questions. Abigail, you’re with family now so don’t worry.”
Abigail nodded her head.
“Well lets get loaded up and out of here. We have another two hour drive ahead of us.”
They loaded up into the vehicles and took off. By the time they got to Vegas Abigail’s questions had been answered.
~~~~~~~~~~~
When they got to Vegas they headed straight for the hotel/casino Circus Circus. Willow had researched and for the price they would be paying for everyone for rooms and dinners it was the best deal. Willow had reserved a whole floor in the north tower for the night.
Once everyone got checked in they headed to their rooms. They had six hours to rest then it would be time to head to the chapel where Buffy and Rupert’s first wedding would be held. All the girls were invited to attend this one. The next morning they would load up with Robin, Faith and Andrew and head on to Cleveland. Willow searched the internet for Giles and found a foreclosed hotel in Cleveland. It was a hotel called The Windsor. He used Council funds and bought it for the headquarters/home of the Slayers. Giles also had Willow put an ad in the Cleveland newspaper to try to see if any of the Watchers-in-training had made it there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Next Afternoon
“Buffy I swear if Xander wasn’t such a dear friend I would stake him right now. And I just might anyway if he comes over here one more time and calls me a wench.”
The others laughed at Laura. Ever since Xander had announced what his choice of wedding would be Laura had a feeling that she would be embarrassed somehow. As if it wasn’t embarrassing enough that the wedding took place on a fake pirate ship during the early afternoon show at Treasure Island Casino, they did it in costume. They had gone to a costume shop in Las Vegas to get their outfits.
The girls were dressed thus.
Buffy’s dress was a c. 1525 gown made of two pieces: The outer gown of cotton velveteen fully-lined in satin and the inset, cotton velveteen. The inset is worn over the Classic chemise. On her head she wore a delicate tiara of gold vines and brilliant crystal flowers.
Dawn being Buffy’s sister was dressed as a young noble woman. A blue velvet English bodice with tie-on sleeves and full-length skirt and an upper-class chemise.
Laura was dressed as a tavern wench, a burgundy twill bodice, two gathered skirts one marine blue over a true red, and ring belt over the Celtic decorated chemise with a navy blue muffin hat. Willow was dressed the same only her colors were hunter green bodice, hunter green over a marine blue gathered skirts and a hunter green muffin hat.
Kennedy and Kelly were dressed as pirates with a navy corset, royal blue ren shirt, black and whit striped sailor pants, ring belt, black capitano hat, and black knee high boots,
Giles and Xander were dressed thus.
Giles wore a silk ruffled ren shirt, navy sailor pants and black knee boots. He wore a gold hoop earring and a red bandanna was tied rakishly around his head. Xander wore a burgundy sailor’s vest, royal blue ren shirt, burgundy sailor pants and black knee boots.
Giles was going to get a simple shirt just like Xander’s only in gold. But when Buffy saw it she told him she had visions of him dressed like Kevin Kline in the Pirates of Penzance, only with glasses. He looked again and found a shirt to match her description.
The time for the ceremony was approaching. Rupert was on the deck of the pirate ship with everyone except Buffy and Dawn. A pirate climbed one of the Jacobs ladders and started yelling.
“Gather round, today is a joyous day. Our Great Pirate King is taking himself a bride. Gather round and be witness to this wondrous ceremony. For as you all know the more witnesses the less likely he’ll keel hall her for another bride in the future.”
The ceremony was typical pirate theme. The minister acting as a pirate ordered the men to bring out the blushing bride. So of course they ‘dragged’ Buffy to the alter. With Dawn right behind her.
“Arrgh. We’re gathered here today in front of this motley crew to join in matrimony the Pirate King Rupert and his blushing bride Princess Buffy. If there be any here who object to this marriage be forewarned you’ll be walking the plank later. Now great Pirate King Rupert do you take the Princess Buffy to do with as you will for as long as you both live, or until we reach the next port?”
Laughing Rupert said, “I do.”
“And do you Princess Buffy take the Pirate King Rupert for your mate until he tires of you and leaves you at the next port, or keel halls you?”
Tears running down her face from laughter Buffy said, “I do.”
“Then by the power invested in me by everything lawful I now pronounce you Mates for life, or until he tires of you. You may now kiss the blushing bride.”
Still laughing Rupert and Buffy kissed.
“Arrgh break it up maties theres celebrating to be done.”
When the ceremony was over everyone on the two ships as well as the crowd gathered to watch the early evening show applauded and shouted their congratulations. Then they went inside to change out of the outfits to return them. Buffy whispered something in Rupert’s ear, For an instant he looked startled, then he pulled her to him for a passionate kiss. They kept their outfits on while they returned to the hotel.
The rest of the group went exploring the Vegas Strip. They saw the gondolas at the Venetian, the ‘volcano’ fountain show at the Mirage, Fountain Show in front of the Bellagio. They also did some shopping in the strip malls as well as a few unique stores like the M&M museum.
By the time they got back to the hotel it was time to head off for the next ceremony. This one had been Willow’s idea. The dinner show at The Excalibur. Laura couldn’t wait to see Rupert in tights. That was going to be months worth of jibes.
It was late the next afternoon before everyone was ready to leave. All the ceremonies were over the last one having taken place at midnight. With the partying afterwards no one got to bed before 3 a.m. Besides the traditional, Laura’s favorite one was the ceremony at The Excalibur. And the months of teasing she was going to give to Rupert would be priceless.
They were going to head southeast first so they could take 40 across to Oklahoma. Not knowing when they would be back this way again there was a few things on the way they wanted to see.
First stop was Hover Dam, then they headed over to spend the night at the Grand Canyon.
The next morning Buffy, Rupert and Laura woke up early and went to the edge lookout point and saw the sunrise. The colors were breath taking.
Once everyone else woke they ate breakfast then left on their trip. By 11 they were through Flagstaff and to Winslow where the Meteor Crater was. Looking at it, they were reminded of the hole that was now Sunnydale. An hour later they were on their way to the Painted Desert.
Once they crossed into New Mexico they stopped at a rest area. There they found pamphlets to attractions along the way. Not really seeing anything that they would want to drive out of the way to look at they started to leave when a pamphlet caught Laura’s eye.
“Oh my God. It’s here, in New Mexico.”
Buffy and Rupert having heard her speak stopped and turned back to her. Rupert seeing the look on her face asked. “What’s here? Laura, what are you looking at?”
“The Loretto Chapel.” At seeing the confused looks on their faces she explained. “The Loretto Chapel is a small church in Santa Fe. I heard about it on the Discovery Channel. The story goes that it was built in the 1870s by nuns. The chapel was nearly complete when it became apparent the choir loft stairs would not fit. The sisters' prayed for help and were answered when a mysterious carpenter arrived, built the "miraculous" staircase, and then disappeared without being paid. The staircase is a double helix with no visible support. It's 23 feet tall and makes two 360 degree spirals. I‘ve always wanted to see this. Can we take the time to go to the Loretto Chapel?”
Rupert and Buffy took the pamphlet from Laura and read it. After a minute Rupert said, “I don’t see why not. It sounds interesting. What do you think, Luv?”
Buffy looked up smiling. “I’ve heard of the Chapel. I would love to see it too.”
They all got back into the motor home and headed for Santa Fe. It would be the first of many stops along the way. Most of the stops could be deemed nothing more than tourist traps. But they had fun seeing the things anyway.
By the time they got to Cleveland all were ready to stay in one place for a while. At the old Windsor hotel they found things underway to make it the Cleveland Headquarters of the Watchers Council. Xander’s construction skills came in handy for fixing up rooms. It was an old 10 story hotel that had been turned into apartments. The top floor would be suites for Buffy-Giles-and Dawn, Faith-Robin, Willow-Kennedy, Xander-Kelly, and Andrew and his soul mate slayer Amy. Buffy and Giles offered Laura a room in their suite but she turned them down. She instead took a room on the next floor down. She wanted a place to call her own.
Even though every room had its own kitchen, most were in favor of fixing up the hotel kitchen and dining room. This would give them a place to eat and relax together. The old ball room was turned into a training room for the slayers, and by the end of the month the pool would be repaired.
Carol, who survived the Council building attack, decided to stay as a receptionist. She had been able to convince 12 of the two dozen Watchers in training to leave the building that day and head to Cleveland with her. Four had already been pair with slayers. The rest were training along side the slayers.
Willow started searching right away for the new slayers around the world. Laura helped by going to find the new slayers and helping them decide what they wanted. Most chose to stay Slayers, a few because of the bad things that were happening in their lives, life of a Slayer had to be better. A few chose to lead a normal life.
October 2003
The last four months had been hectic. Laura’s life had been non stop, on the go constantly to find the new Slayers. She just got back from a sad one. The girl had been very religious and thought that Satan had possessed her. Scared, she thought the only answer was to give herself to God and the only way to do that was to kill herself. Laura got there just as her mother found her. Laura broke down over this one. It took her a few days before she could head back to Cleveland.
She had just got into the building and walked up to Carol to talk to her. Just as she was about to speak a wave of dizziness hit her and she passed out.
When she woke up Rupert, Buffy and Dr. Cooley were over her. Dr. Cooley was one of the local doctors brought into the fold when a niece of a nurse became a Slayer.
“Laura what happened?” asked Rupert.
“I don’t know. I just got back and was going to talk to Carol when I suddenly felt dizzy. Next thing I know I’m waking up looking at you.”
Buffy spoke up at this point. “She’s been going non stop for four months. And I heard about the girl. I think the good doctor should have a look at you then I think you need a break for about a month.”
Laura sat up and started to protest when Rupert spoke up. “She’s right Laura. I heard about the girl as well. You do need a rest, and I know the perfect place. There is a new Slayer in a small town in the next state and you are the only choice to go and get her.”
“What? Why me? Can‘t anyone else go and do it?”
Rupert smiled. “Andrew and Amy went over already. They found out from the girl’s family that another family member had been a Potential.”
Laura’s eyes widened. “Who? Is she still alive, or did a Bringer kill her?”
“No a Bringer didn’t kill her. She’s a Slayer now.”
“Who? Who is she?”
Rupert’s smile widened. “Laura the Slayer, she’s you.”
Laura’s eyes bugged out at this statement. “What?”
“Laura your father and mother both had brothers and sisters. Her name is Jessica Renee and she knows about you. Her mother was your mother’s sister. I talked to Andrew and Amy. They didn’t know your history but when they said the name of the town she lives in I thought it too close to be coincidence. I called and talked to them. Jessica will only come if you go and get her. They want to get to know you, and that would be a good way for you to take your break.”
Laura look off in a daze. “I forgot all about them.” Laura closed her eyes. “I remember an Aunt Colleen and there were others. I can’t remember their names.” Laura opened her eyes and looked at Rupert and smiled. “They remember me?”
Rupert sat down beside her and hugged her. “Yes they remember you and they’re waiting on you to come and meet them. Now you need to rest some more for today. Then tomorrow Andrew and Amy are going to take you to them.”
Laura pulled back. “What do I say to them?”
Buffy sat on the other side of her bed. “Just start with hello. Everything else will follow. Now lay down and rest. You have a trip to take tomorrow.”
Laura nodded then laid down. After they left her room she had time to think. Something had happened to make her faint. It was like a part of her that was missing was back. She thought it might be because of her family. She couldn’t wait to go and meet them, again. She went to sleep and dreamed a dream of a shadowy man. She couldn’t really see him but she knew that she knew him.
The next morning she awoke with a sense of peace. But she had no memory of the dream. She got up, showered, and packed. Then she went to find Andrew and Amy to leave to meet her family and get reacquainted with them.