Fred watched Rupert pack some weapons, praying that they wouldn't need them. They were going to help a little girl for heaven's sakes. It also pained her to know what the Council had turned into that they might be willing to actually fight and force a little girl who probably didn't know what was happening to her to go somewhere she didn't want to go.
She looked up at her husband as he stepped over to her, thanking her for doing this before kissing her deeply. She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning against him until they parted. "Of course I'm going to go with you," she said softly. "That little girl needs our help, and I'd never let you go by yourself. I love you too much."
Taking his hand, they headed out to the car, and soon they were on their way to Devon. The drive took several hours, so by the time they arrived, it was after dark, after Rupert had figured. Another reason for having the weapons on hand.
They made their way to the orphanage, parking out front and heading to the door. Fred knocked and looked over at Rupert, taking a deep breath. She hoped that they had gotten here in time.
After a few moments, a nun answered the door, looking out through a small crack. "Yes? May I help you?"
"Hi. We're Rupert and Winifred Giles. Peter Greystone was supposed to call and let you know we were coming. We're here about Charlotte York?"
"Oh, yes," the nun said with a nod. "Mister Greystone did call. Won't you come in, please."
They stepped inside, and the nun closed the door behind them before taking them into a room off the entrance hall.
"Mister Greystone said you would be able to help Charlie, and I hope to God that he's right. The poor pet, she's...well, since she came to us, I knew there was something not quite right about her. Of course, she lost her parents, and that would have a horrific effect on anyone her age, but there's something... Well, perhaps I should let you talk to her. If you'll wait her, I'll go fetch her."
Fred nodded, and while the nun left the room, she turned to Rupert. "Buffy mentioned a few months ago that when she first became the Slayer, she had no idea what was happening to her, and she was fifteen. I can't imagine what a ten-year-old must be thinking."
Charlie continued to flip through the book as she held the torch up. She knew if she were caught, she'd get into a lot of trouble. The last time she'd been caught, she had spent most of the day in the laundry room, folding towels and flannels. Charlie didn't want to do that again, so when the door suddenly opened, she quickly turned the torch off and pretended to sleep.
"Charlotte? Get out of bed and put your clothes back on. Once you've done that, gather your things. There's a couple here that's going to take you home," the nun said.
Charlie stiffened a little but did as she was asked. Once she was dressed in her street clothes again, she packed the few belongings she still had, and followed the nun out the door. They went downstairs to the office area and Charlie could see a couple sitting there. She didn't know what was going on. Who came to an orphanage in the middle of the night to adopt a child?
"This is Charlie," the nun said as she ushered her into the office. "I was informed not to leave a paper trail so when you're ready to take Charlie, you may. I'll allow the three of you some time."
Charlie chewed on her bottom lip and watched the nun walk out of the room. She then turned toward the couple again. They looked nice enough. "Hi," she quietly said as she tugged at the bottom of her shirt.
Giles watched the nun walk out of the office and turned toward Fred. "Plus, there's the Slayer dreams, which can be rather disturbing, especially for a young child," he comment.
Reaching over, he took Fred's hand and held it until the nun returned with the young girl. Giles looked down at Charlie, noting how innocent and young she looked. The fact the Council wanted to hurt her, angered him more than anything. His former employer never did have much respect for human life.
"Hello, Charlie," he said with a warm smile. He crouched down so he was eye level with her. "My name is Rupert Giles and this is my wife Fred. We're here to take you home with us." Charlie just stared at him and he sighed. "I know things are rather hard on you right now, but I promise we'll take care of you. I've worked for a place that works with girls with special abilities like you. I'll be able to help you."
Charlie continued to stare at him, her eyes wide. She then looked at Fred and frowned.
Fred turned when the nun came back into the office, a little girl in tow. Immediately, she felt herself wanting to reach out and hug Charlie, to let her know that everything would be all right, especially when she quietly greeted them while toying with her blouse almost nervously. Before she could say anything, though, Rupert was saying hello and introducing himself before promising to help her.
She knew her husband meant well, but at the same time, she could see how overwhelmed Charlie was. Putting her hand on his shoulder, she sat forward, not daring to try to kneel on the floor in her current condition.
"Charlie. I like your name. It's kind of like mine - a name usually for a boy, but just right for girls like us. I've been called Fred since I was your age. And we're planning on naming our daughter Andi when she's born." She leaned forward, dropping her voice a bit. "Charlie, strange things have been happening to you, haven't they? Weird nightmares, and you can do things you've never done before, haven't you? Seen creatures you thought didn't exist?"
Reaching out, she brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead and gave her a soft smile. "I've had strange things happen to me too. I found out that those creatures in my books really did exist, and I didn't know what to do for a long time, but then I found people who did, and they helped me. It's not quiet the same with you, but we want to help you. You can come live with us at our house, and we promise to keep you safe."
She held her hand out to Charlie. "Would you like to come with us? Rupert and I promise to take good care of you."
Charlie didn't know what to say as Giles continue to speak to her. Was she in trouble for seeing the monsters? What if they were there to take her to wherever they took little girls that they thought were naughty? She didn't want to go there and almost started to cry but when Fred started to speak to her, Charlie started to relax.
"My mum always called me Charlie," she quietly told Fred. "I like the name Andi. It's pretty." She looked down at Fred's stomach and sighed. "My mummy was supposed to have a baby once but it went to heaven before it was born." She frowned at that and looked down at the floor as she remembered how sad her mother had been.
When Fred reached out to brush a strand of hair from her forehead, Charlie's eyes welled up with tears and she nodded her head. "There's monsters out there and I can kill them with pieces of wood," she quietly said. "I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"Not at all," Giles said as he stood up straight.
Charlie let out the breath she was holding and saw Fred's hand. She took it and stepped forward before wrapping her arms around her. "I'll go with you if you're going to help because I'm scared and the nightmares are scary too," she whispered against Fred's shoulder.
"We'll do everything in our power to protect you, sweetheart," Giles said as he picked up the lone suitcase Charlie had brought with her. "Is this all of your things?" When she nodded, Giles decided they needed to buy her a few things when he went out to replace the rocking chair. "Shall we go? You can sleep in the backseat if you like. And, if it makes you feel better, Fred can sit back there with you."
"All right," Charlie quietly said as she pulled away from Fred.
Fred felt her heart ache for Charlie when she mentioned her mother, especially when she mentioned that her sibling had been either miscarried or stillborn. Putting her hand over her abdomen, she hoped that wouldn't happen to her and Rupert. To them, Andi was already so important to them and a part of their lives.
When Charlie then asked if she was in trouble, Fred bit her lip. This was why she hated that fact that all those Slayers were in the hands of those jerks who were running the Council now. Girls who didn't know what was happening to them and thought that they had somehow been bad and were being punished were going to be met by these men who had no clue just how scary being pulled into this world unawares could be.
She was so glad that her husband was so unlike them.
When Charlie wrapped her arms around her, Fred held her tight, cupping the back of her head. She nodded at Rupert's suggestion that she ride in back with Charlie on the return to London. It was obvious that this girl had been without support for a long time, and she was going to need all the assurances they could give her.
"Come on, sweetie," she said, taking Charlie's hand in hers.
The nun was waiting outside the door when they opened it, and she let them out the front door. Keeping their eyes peeled for any Council members or even vampires, they hurried to the car. Fred opened the back door for Charlie once Rupert had unlocked the car and slid in next to her once she was in.
"If you want to lie down and put your head on my lap...or what I have left of it now, you can," she told her. "We have a guest room at our house for you. It's not much right now, but it has a nice bed, and we can get you some more things later."
Giles was rather glad Fred had came along to the orphanage. He had dealt with girls before, but sometimes what they needed most was an older female for them to take care of them. And, watching Fred with Charlie did his heart good. He knew she was going to be a wonderful mother - it was something he'd always known and seeing her with Charlie solidified what he knew.
He took them out to his auto and once they were situated, he placed the suitcase in the boot and got behind the wheel, knowing they had a long drive ahead of them. They were barely outside of Devon when he noticed Charlie had fallen asleep, her head on Fred's lap. He smiled at the sight and decided to remain silent. He didn't want to say something that might upset Charlie in case she woke up.
Several hours later, they were finally back in London and Charlie started to stir. "Where are we?" she tiredly asked.
"London," Giles answered as he pulled up beside the house. "And this is where we live."
Charlie peeked out the car window and smiled. Giles then helped the both of them out of the car before grabbing his bag of weapons and Charlie's suitcase. He then led the two to the front door, making sure no one was hanging about, and unlocked it. Molly came running and looked at Charlie before jumping up on her.
"What's your puppy's name?" Charlie said as she started to giggle and pet Molly.
"Molly," Giles answered.
"Hi, Molly," Charlie said as she scratched the dog behind the ears.
During the drive back to London, Fred ran her fingers through Charlie's hair comforting while the girl slept. Going through what she had gone through when she had been twenty had been bad enough. Being introduced to this world so young had to be even worse. She glanced up at her husband, thinking that it must have been similar for him since he had been told so early that he would become a Watcher and would deal with monsters on an almost daily basis.
Fred found herself dozing a bit after a while but didn't completely fall asleep, just in case Charlie woke up. She didn't, however, until they had reached the house. Once they were parked, Fred let Rupert help her out then got out herself, stretching and groaning softly. Her back was aching from the long spell of sitting down and down moving. Pressing her hand to the small of her back, she followed Rupert and Charlie into the house, smiling when Molly came bounding up to greet them.
"I think she likes you already," Fred said with a laugh as Molly pressed up against the little girl while she pet her. She glanced at the time, seeing how late it really was. "Are you hungry or thirsty? Perhaps Rupert could get you something while I go upstairs and make sure the bed in your room is ready. Then maybe we can discuss more in the morning 'cause I don't know about you two, but I'm bushed."
"I'm not hungry or thirsty," Charlie said as she continued to pet Molly. She then nodded and looked up at them. "I'm tired too."
Giles nodded and took Charlie's hand. He led her upstairs and to the guestroom. It wasn't much - just a bed, but he knew they would get some more things for her. They put Charlie to bed and he smiled when Molly jumped on the bed and snuggled next to Charlie. He knew Molly would alert them if anything happened during the night.
Once Charlie was asleep, Giles took his wife's hand and led her out of the room. "Why don't you head to bed, love. I need to do the protection spell. I'll be up in a bit." He deeply kissed her and stepped back before going down the steps. When he got to his library, he searched through his books until he found the one he needed.
An hour later, the spell was complete and Giles was drained. He locked up the house and trudged upstairs. He changed into his pajamas, cleaned up and crawled into bed. He spooned against Fred and rested his hands against her swollen stomach before falling asleep.
After helping Rupert to get Charlie settled in her room, Fred returned his kiss and headed into the bedroom. It had been a long night, so she changed into her nightgown and crawled into the bed, intending to stay awake until her husband came back upstairs. To keep herself awake, she started making a mental list of things they needed to get Charlie the next day.
However, the next thing she knew, she was waking up with Rupert's arms around her and sunlight peaking through the curtains. She heard Molly in the other room and wondered if Charlie was awake yet, so sitting up, she turned and kissed Rupert gently on the lips.
"I'm going to go see if Charlie's awake and get her some breakfast," she told him softly. "I would imagine she's hungry by now."
After giving him another kiss, she slipped out of his arms and pulled on a robe before leaving the bedroom and going to the guest room door. She stood there for a moment, not sure what etiquette would be in this situation. Should she knock? Or would be okay to peak in and see how she was doing?
Finally, she decided to knock and then cracked open the door just enough so Molly could wriggle her way out. She knew she probably needed to go outside.
"Charlie, sweetie, are you awake? I was going to go downstairs and let Molly out and make some breakfast. Would you like to come with me? Are you hungry?"
Out of habit, Charlie woke up just as the sun was starting to rise. She didn't know what was expected of her so she stayed in bed, the covers tight around her. Even when Molly started to make noise, she stayed completely still. At the orphanage, they weren't to leave their room until the nuns came to get them. At least she could make the bed.
Slipping out, she carefully made it, making sure to get the corners tight. When there was a knock on the door, Charlie stood by the bed, her hands behind her back. She felt foolish because she still had her nightgown on. None of her other clothes were clean and she didn't think Fred or Rupert would want her to walk around their clean house with dirty clothes.
"I'm hungry," she said, nodding her head. She ran her fingers through her long hair and then looked down at her nightgown. Charlie really hoped Fred wouldn't get mad at her for not being out of her night clothes yet. "All my other clothes are dirty. Today was laundry day at the orphanage. If you show me to your washer and dryer, I'll clean all my clothes and then help you with breakfast and any other chore you might have for me."
She looked up at her husband as he stepped over to her, thanking her for doing this before kissing her deeply. She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning against him until they parted. "Of course I'm going to go with you," she said softly. "That little girl needs our help, and I'd never let you go by yourself. I love you too much."
Taking his hand, they headed out to the car, and soon they were on their way to Devon. The drive took several hours, so by the time they arrived, it was after dark, after Rupert had figured. Another reason for having the weapons on hand.
They made their way to the orphanage, parking out front and heading to the door. Fred knocked and looked over at Rupert, taking a deep breath. She hoped that they had gotten here in time.
After a few moments, a nun answered the door, looking out through a small crack. "Yes? May I help you?"
"Hi. We're Rupert and Winifred Giles. Peter Greystone was supposed to call and let you know we were coming. We're here about Charlotte York?"
"Oh, yes," the nun said with a nod. "Mister Greystone did call. Won't you come in, please."
They stepped inside, and the nun closed the door behind them before taking them into a room off the entrance hall.
"Mister Greystone said you would be able to help Charlie, and I hope to God that he's right. The poor pet, she's...well, since she came to us, I knew there was something not quite right about her. Of course, she lost her parents, and that would have a horrific effect on anyone her age, but there's something... Well, perhaps I should let you talk to her. If you'll wait her, I'll go fetch her."
Fred nodded, and while the nun left the room, she turned to Rupert. "Buffy mentioned a few months ago that when she first became the Slayer, she had no idea what was happening to her, and she was fifteen. I can't imagine what a ten-year-old must be thinking."
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"Charlotte? Get out of bed and put your clothes back on. Once you've done that, gather your things. There's a couple here that's going to take you home," the nun said.
Charlie stiffened a little but did as she was asked. Once she was dressed in her street clothes again, she packed the few belongings she still had, and followed the nun out the door. They went downstairs to the office area and Charlie could see a couple sitting there. She didn't know what was going on. Who came to an orphanage in the middle of the night to adopt a child?
"This is Charlie," the nun said as she ushered her into the office. "I was informed not to leave a paper trail so when you're ready to take Charlie, you may. I'll allow the three of you some time."
Charlie chewed on her bottom lip and watched the nun walk out of the room. She then turned toward the couple again. They looked nice enough. "Hi," she quietly said as she tugged at the bottom of her shirt.
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Reaching over, he took Fred's hand and held it until the nun returned with the young girl. Giles looked down at Charlie, noting how innocent and young she looked. The fact the Council wanted to hurt her, angered him more than anything. His former employer never did have much respect for human life.
"Hello, Charlie," he said with a warm smile. He crouched down so he was eye level with her. "My name is Rupert Giles and this is my wife Fred. We're here to take you home with us." Charlie just stared at him and he sighed. "I know things are rather hard on you right now, but I promise we'll take care of you. I've worked for a place that works with girls with special abilities like you. I'll be able to help you."
Charlie continued to stare at him, her eyes wide. She then looked at Fred and frowned.
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She knew her husband meant well, but at the same time, she could see how overwhelmed Charlie was. Putting her hand on his shoulder, she sat forward, not daring to try to kneel on the floor in her current condition.
"Charlie. I like your name. It's kind of like mine - a name usually for a boy, but just right for girls like us. I've been called Fred since I was your age. And we're planning on naming our daughter Andi when she's born." She leaned forward, dropping her voice a bit. "Charlie, strange things have been happening to you, haven't they? Weird nightmares, and you can do things you've never done before, haven't you? Seen creatures you thought didn't exist?"
Reaching out, she brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead and gave her a soft smile. "I've had strange things happen to me too. I found out that those creatures in my books really did exist, and I didn't know what to do for a long time, but then I found people who did, and they helped me. It's not quiet the same with you, but we want to help you. You can come live with us at our house, and we promise to keep you safe."
She held her hand out to Charlie. "Would you like to come with us? Rupert and I promise to take good care of you."
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"My mum always called me Charlie," she quietly told Fred. "I like the name Andi. It's pretty." She looked down at Fred's stomach and sighed. "My mummy was supposed to have a baby once but it went to heaven before it was born." She frowned at that and looked down at the floor as she remembered how sad her mother had been.
When Fred reached out to brush a strand of hair from her forehead, Charlie's eyes welled up with tears and she nodded her head. "There's monsters out there and I can kill them with pieces of wood," she quietly said. "I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"Not at all," Giles said as he stood up straight.
Charlie let out the breath she was holding and saw Fred's hand. She took it and stepped forward before wrapping her arms around her. "I'll go with you if you're going to help because I'm scared and the nightmares are scary too," she whispered against Fred's shoulder.
"We'll do everything in our power to protect you, sweetheart," Giles said as he picked up the lone suitcase Charlie had brought with her. "Is this all of your things?" When she nodded, Giles decided they needed to buy her a few things when he went out to replace the rocking chair. "Shall we go? You can sleep in the backseat if you like. And, if it makes you feel better, Fred can sit back there with you."
"All right," Charlie quietly said as she pulled away from Fred.
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When Charlie then asked if she was in trouble, Fred bit her lip. This was why she hated that fact that all those Slayers were in the hands of those jerks who were running the Council now. Girls who didn't know what was happening to them and thought that they had somehow been bad and were being punished were going to be met by these men who had no clue just how scary being pulled into this world unawares could be.
She was so glad that her husband was so unlike them.
When Charlie wrapped her arms around her, Fred held her tight, cupping the back of her head. She nodded at Rupert's suggestion that she ride in back with Charlie on the return to London. It was obvious that this girl had been without support for a long time, and she was going to need all the assurances they could give her.
"Come on, sweetie," she said, taking Charlie's hand in hers.
The nun was waiting outside the door when they opened it, and she let them out the front door. Keeping their eyes peeled for any Council members or even vampires, they hurried to the car. Fred opened the back door for Charlie once Rupert had unlocked the car and slid in next to her once she was in.
"If you want to lie down and put your head on my lap...or what I have left of it now, you can," she told her. "We have a guest room at our house for you. It's not much right now, but it has a nice bed, and we can get you some more things later."
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He took them out to his auto and once they were situated, he placed the suitcase in the boot and got behind the wheel, knowing they had a long drive ahead of them. They were barely outside of Devon when he noticed Charlie had fallen asleep, her head on Fred's lap. He smiled at the sight and decided to remain silent. He didn't want to say something that might upset Charlie in case she woke up.
Several hours later, they were finally back in London and Charlie started to stir. "Where are we?" she tiredly asked.
"London," Giles answered as he pulled up beside the house. "And this is where we live."
Charlie peeked out the car window and smiled. Giles then helped the both of them out of the car before grabbing his bag of weapons and Charlie's suitcase. He then led the two to the front door, making sure no one was hanging about, and unlocked it. Molly came running and looked at Charlie before jumping up on her.
"What's your puppy's name?" Charlie said as she started to giggle and pet Molly.
"Molly," Giles answered.
"Hi, Molly," Charlie said as she scratched the dog behind the ears.
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Fred found herself dozing a bit after a while but didn't completely fall asleep, just in case Charlie woke up. She didn't, however, until they had reached the house. Once they were parked, Fred let Rupert help her out then got out herself, stretching and groaning softly. Her back was aching from the long spell of sitting down and down moving. Pressing her hand to the small of her back, she followed Rupert and Charlie into the house, smiling when Molly came bounding up to greet them.
"I think she likes you already," Fred said with a laugh as Molly pressed up against the little girl while she pet her. She glanced at the time, seeing how late it really was. "Are you hungry or thirsty? Perhaps Rupert could get you something while I go upstairs and make sure the bed in your room is ready. Then maybe we can discuss more in the morning 'cause I don't know about you two, but I'm bushed."
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Giles nodded and took Charlie's hand. He led her upstairs and to the guestroom. It wasn't much - just a bed, but he knew they would get some more things for her. They put Charlie to bed and he smiled when Molly jumped on the bed and snuggled next to Charlie. He knew Molly would alert them if anything happened during the night.
Once Charlie was asleep, Giles took his wife's hand and led her out of the room. "Why don't you head to bed, love. I need to do the protection spell. I'll be up in a bit." He deeply kissed her and stepped back before going down the steps. When he got to his library, he searched through his books until he found the one he needed.
An hour later, the spell was complete and Giles was drained. He locked up the house and trudged upstairs. He changed into his pajamas, cleaned up and crawled into bed. He spooned against Fred and rested his hands against her swollen stomach before falling asleep.
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However, the next thing she knew, she was waking up with Rupert's arms around her and sunlight peaking through the curtains. She heard Molly in the other room and wondered if Charlie was awake yet, so sitting up, she turned and kissed Rupert gently on the lips.
"I'm going to go see if Charlie's awake and get her some breakfast," she told him softly. "I would imagine she's hungry by now."
After giving him another kiss, she slipped out of his arms and pulled on a robe before leaving the bedroom and going to the guest room door. She stood there for a moment, not sure what etiquette would be in this situation. Should she knock? Or would be okay to peak in and see how she was doing?
Finally, she decided to knock and then cracked open the door just enough so Molly could wriggle her way out. She knew she probably needed to go outside.
"Charlie, sweetie, are you awake? I was going to go downstairs and let Molly out and make some breakfast. Would you like to come with me? Are you hungry?"
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Slipping out, she carefully made it, making sure to get the corners tight. When there was a knock on the door, Charlie stood by the bed, her hands behind her back. She felt foolish because she still had her nightgown on. None of her other clothes were clean and she didn't think Fred or Rupert would want her to walk around their clean house with dirty clothes.
"I'm hungry," she said, nodding her head. She ran her fingers through her long hair and then looked down at her nightgown. Charlie really hoped Fred wouldn't get mad at her for not being out of her night clothes yet. "All my other clothes are dirty. Today was laundry day at the orphanage. If you show me to your washer and dryer, I'll clean all my clothes and then help you with breakfast and any other chore you might have for me."
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