Title: Unexpected Guests - 3 of 5
Author: Michelle with the help of Jadedragon
Email: mrsdrake@sff.net
Date: January 2004
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Summary: Buffy and Giles are getting married, and some unexpected guests show up.
Feedback: I love it, want it, and need it.
Distribution: If you want it, take it. Just tell me where to find it.
Spoilers: This story takes place between seasons three and four, but uses some elements from season five. If you know about the Magic Box, you'll be okay.
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. "And I Love Her" was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This is purely for fun.
Author's note 1: This is a sequel to Band Cookies, but it can be read as a stand alone. This starts a week after graduation day.
Author's note 2: Giles was put on probation after the events in Helpless, not fired. Wesley was brought in to be Faith's Watcher, not as a replacement for Giles. Wesley is supposed to report to the Council if Giles disobeys the Council again. Faith is not bad. I use these < > to denote thoughts.
Special thanks to Jadedragon for helping so much with the spells and magick scenes. Also, thanks go out to my betas, Jade and Mer.
Giles sighed in exasperation. He had exhausted all his leads. It was getting dark and he was no closer to finding Buffy. As he walked toward his apartment, he noticed someone standing outside his door. At first he thought it might be Angel, but the figure was too tall. The man turned around as he heard Giles approach. "Rupert, there you are. You're a difficult man to find."
"I don't have time for visitors. Good night." He unlocked his door and pushed it open. "Come back another time."
"I know where Nicholas has taken Buffy."
Giles dropped his bag inside and turned to the other man. "How could you know anything about this? You haven't been a part of the council for a long time."
"Let me come inside and I'll tell you what I know."
Giles was wary. "Do you need an invitation?"
"No, but you are blocking the way. I'm not a vampire. I know that's what you're thinking." He pushed the door open further and squeezed past Giles. "After what happened with your mother, I can't blame you, but that was a long time ago."
"I know, but seeing you brings back all those memories." Giles gave himself a mental shake. "Make yourself comfortable. We can't do anything tonight. Nicholas' power is stronger at night. I don't want to try anything until morning."
"Rupert, sit down and try to relax. I'll make us some tea."
Giles tried to relax, but his thoughts kept drifting to memories of his mother.
He had come home from school when he'd received the call. His mother was missing, had been for several days. His father had insisted on looking for her himself, refusing to get the authorities involved. He suspected something otherworldly had happened to her. When Giles had suggested going to the Watchers' Council for help, his father told him that the Council would not help. He left it at that.
He helped his father search for her, night and day. They were rewarded for their efforts. They found her wandering the streets near their home one evening just after dark. It was raining, and she was soaked to the skin. His father picked her up and made a comment on how cold she was. They took her home and that was when he made his mistake. He said, "Come inside quickly before you both catch cold."
That was the invitation she had needed. His father carried her inside and laid her on the couch. She looked up at him and smiled. "I've missed you, Edward." She leaned toward his neck and bit him.
"No!" Rupert screamed as he saw the blood on his father's neck. He grabbed a stake from his jacket pocket and hesitated only a second before staking his mother.
It felt like it had happened yesterday. His emotions threatened to overwhelm him. A voice brought him back to the present. "Rupert?"
He looked up and saw the cup being offered to him. "I'm sorry. I was just remembering the day that I had to kill Mother."
"She was already dead. You killed a demon. You must remember that."
He nodded and took a sip of tea. "So, Father, tell me how you know of Nicholas and Buffy."
Edward Giles sat and sipped at his tea. "I have been investigating Nicholas for several years, trying to find evidence to prove what he's done. With all he's done, there has never been any real evidence against him."
"Why do you care about Nicholas?"
"He killed someone I loved. I was seeing a wonderful woman, and it was becoming serious. There was only one problem. Nicholas had also set his sights on her. She made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. Apparently he decided that if he couldn't have her no one would. I'll spare you the details. When the Council refused to listen to my accusations, I was fired. Since that day I have done everything in my power to prove that he killed her.
"I discovered that he has a network of spies. He sent them to watch Buffy. Some are human, but most are not. One of them was responsible for killing Merrick. I was unable to find any evidence linking the murder back to Nicholas. When you were sent to replace him, I prayed that you would not suffer the same fate.
"A month later, I was living in the states. It took time, but I soon learned where all of his spies lived. I watched and waited patiently. I learned of your wedding plans the same time they did. Unfortunately, I learned of his plans too late to stop Nicholas from taking Buffy. This afternoon I found the body of one of his spies. On a hunch I drove to his house and waited. After two hours, I saw a glimpse of Nicholas as he walked past a window. I left and came to find you. Together we should be able to free Buffy."
* * * * *
Rupert and his father spent the rest of the night planning their attack. They knew they would only get one chance at this. It had to be done properly. "I've called Willow and Wesley. They are meeting us there. Nicholas will have barriers in place. We will need their help to bring them down. Once the barriers are removed, they will concentrate on getting Buffy out of the house. After she is safe, we will perform the binding spell." Rupert looked to his father for confirmation.
"Won't Buffy be able to escape on her own once the barrier is removed?" Edward replied.
"Buffy is not in a position to fight." He sighed as he removed his glasses to clean them. "Buffy is pregnant, and it has not been an easy pregnancy. She is frequently sick."
"She's pregnant?"
"Yes. Father, I know you won't approve, but I love her. There were unusual circumstances surrounding the conception. We were forced to admit our feelings for one another."
"Rupert, you don't need to explain anything to me. I loved a slayer, once. I know what it's like. If you truly love each other, don't let anything stand in your way."
"You loved a slayer?" His father nodded. "Did she love you in return?"
"She did."
"What happened?"
"I married her. Although we kept it a secret from the Council."
"I never knew. When did this happen? Was this before you met Mother?"
"Rupert, she was your mother." Rupert just stared at him in disbelief. "She was eighteen when I became her watcher. Her previous watcher had been killed. I fell in love with her the moment I first laid eyes on her. Soon, I learned that she felt the same for me. There was a connection we couldn't explain. We became closer during the following months and secretly married. Less than a month later she died, and much like Buffy, she was revived. The Council called a new slayer. I never told them that she was still alive. I refused to be a watcher again. I remained employed by the Council, but I would never again be a watcher.
"I kept your mother hidden from them. When she became pregnant, I had to think of a story to tell them. I told the Council that you had been left on my doorstep with a note telling me that I was your father and to take good care of you. I let them believe that I didn't know who the mother was, let them believe that I'd had so many women that I couldn't know. In truth, your mother was the only one. So, you see. I understand completely."
He couldn't believe it. He had always thought it odd that his mother and one of the slayers would have the same name. Now he understood why. He looked at his watch. "It's time to go."
His father laid a hand on his shoulder. "We'll save her. You must believe that."
He could only nod.
* * * * *
Nicholas woke Buffy. She was still on the couch. She looked at her watch. It was 11:15. "Did I sleep here all night?"
"I didn't want to disturb you. You were sleeping so well. How are you feeling?"
"Better," she said as she sat up.
"Why don't you freshen up while I make you some tea? Maybe you can try to eat something."
She locked the bathroom door behind her and took a deep breath. <At least he didn't try anything while I was asleep. I hope.> She splashed some water on her face. <I've been in worse situations than this. I can handle one guy.>
After cleaning herself up a bit, Buffy walked back to the living room and sat on the couch. Nicholas had some tea and toast ready for her. He watched her as she ate. "This is good. Thanks." She sipped at her tea. "This tastes different."
"I added some fresh mint. It will help settle your stomach. If you feel better, we could try some training exercises."
She didn't see a way out of this. <I don't want to make him suspect anything.> "If we start slow and stop if I get dizzy again."
"There's a training area in the basement. I'll change my clothes and meet you down there."
She finished her tea and headed to the basement. She stretched before sitting on the mat to focus her thoughts. She took a deep breath and tried not to think about Nicholas. If she pretended, she could almost believe she was training with Rupert.
Like the day before, she knew when Nicholas entered the room. She could feel it. He brought a chill to the air. She felt his eyes on her and she had to fight the urge to vomit.
He walked up to stand behind her. She rose slightly and spun, extending one leg, knocking him off his feet. He landed flat on his back. "You shouldn't sneak up on a girl like that." Buffy said as she offered him a hand to help him up.
"I didn't mean to startle you." He smiled at her. "Before we start the training exercises, there is something we need to do. Just sit down and relax. This won't take long."
"What are we going to do?"
"We need to get rid of the love spell that Mr. Giles put on you."
"There is no love spell."
"That's what he wants you to believe. You'll understand later, after the bond is broken."
Buffy had heard that term before. She remembered Rupert and Wesley talking to her about the bond between watchers and their slayers. <Nicholas must be trying to break my bond with Rupert. I thought that dying was the only way to break the bond.> Sudden revelation came to her. <He's going to use my bond with Rupert to try to kill him.> She tried not to panic. "How will you do that? Break the spell. Will I have to do anything?"
"No, just relax. It won't hurt you. I promise." He took her arm and sat her down on the mat. "I'll be right back I need to get something."
She couldn't think of a way to stop him. Her only hope was that Rupert would feel what was happening and be able to stop it somehow. She was lost in thought when Nicholas came back. As he sat down across from her, she saw that he held something in his hand. He inched closer to her until their knees were touching. At the contact, Buffy felt a coldness wash over her. For a moment, she thought she could feel Rupert, but the feeling was gone so suddenly that she thought she might have imagined it.