WCHB Chapter 7: Keeping Up Appearances
The drive to Willow's house was spent mostly in silence. Jenny makes a few attempts to try and get the girl to talk, without much success. As it where Jenny's attempts at conversation was hardly shrewd, but right now she was to caught up in her own dilemma of whatever to do as Rupert wanted or tell Willow the truth.
As they come to a stop outside the Rosenberg’s Residence she comes to the conclusion that she can't let the girl leave without at least trying to comfort her. "Listen Willow, I understand you probably want to be left alone right now and it might be hard to talk about what happened. I just want you to know that if you do need someone to talk to I'm here for you."
That earns her what seems to be a genuine smile. "Thanks Ms Calendar, I really appreciate that. And I want to say I'm sorry, about all of us being so hard on you before. And I want you to know that I don't blame you. I consider you, we all consider you part of the group and a really good friend."
"About that..." Jenny tries to interrupt her no longer caring about Rupert's warning not to say anything.
But Willow doesn't pay heed to the interruption. "Please let me finish, It feels really good to know I have friends that I can depend on right now. I don't know what I would do if it wasn't for all you guys. I'm really grateful." Felling better to have gotten all that off her chest she asks, "I'm sorry, what where you going to say?"
Realizing that Rupert was right and that telling her the truth now would only hurt her she says, "Just that, I consider you a good friend to."
Willow gives her another genuine smile. "Thanks for the lift. I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the library."
"Yeah, absolutely," Jenny answers trying to sound upbeat.
"Bye," she says as she gets out of the car. She gives Jenny a small wave before making her way up the driveway. Trying to shake of the quilt she's feeling Jenny starts the car and heads back towards the school.
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Giles was in an indignant state, pacing back and forth waiting for Jenny to return to the library, worried that she would have told Willow the truth. To be fair to her, she had never made any sort of promise that she wouldn't and he could clearly see why she would think Willow should know. But if it was one thing he had learned during his years as a watcher, especially as Buffy's watcher, it was that meddling in the slayers personal affairs could have very dire results.
His thoughts are interrupted when Jenny finally walks trough the door, but judging by the look on her face he guesses that things wasn't about to become any better. He reins in his first impulse to grill her about what happened since the last thing he wants is to cause another argument between them, especially now that things where going so well. "You told Willow," he says more stating a fact than asking a question.
"No."
"N-No?" Giles asks in honest surprise.
"I was going to but... I couldn't. You where right, she needs her friends right now and telling her would only make her feel like she has no one to turn to."
"But you're still upset," he adds noticing her detached expression. "Why?"
"Because when she finally does finds out she's going to feel betrayed."
"Is this about... the way that, that we all treated you when we found out?" he carefully inquires remembering Cordelias remark earlier
"I guess… sort of. Don't get me wrong, you had every right to be mad at me, but I didn't tell you the truth because I thought it was the right thing to do. Just like you think it's right not to tell Willow. And it probably is but, when the truth comes out that won't matter."
"You're right. We haven't talked much about that but I-I want you to now that I'm really sorry about the way I treated you."
"You don't have anything to apologize for."
"Yes I do..." he argues but before he can say anything else she cuts him off.
"No, you had a right to be upset."
"Y-Yes well, erm, still I-I took it to far and I know I hurt you I was just, mostly I was just upset, and-d worried that... everything had been a lie and that... y-you didn't really care-e about me." His tone, and the expression of pain on his face was almost to much for Jenny to endure.
"No, Rupert I never lied about my feelings for you," she urgently insists.
"I know," seeing how upset his revelation has made her he tries to reassure her, "Really Jenny I do know that now."
She reaches out and starts stroking his arm lightly. "Rupert, I need you to listen to me. Everything that happened between us was real. I had no idea that you where the Watcher until you told me, I wasn't ordered to befriend you and if my family had known they would have been furious with me. I didn't even know that you guys knew Angel before that night when the Master tried to open the Hellmouth. After that I spent the entire summer trying to convince myself to stay away and I knew I shouldn't let myself get closer to you but, I just couldn't help myself."
"I understand," he says his voice soothing. "Trust me, I couldn't doubt that, not after everything you've done to try and set things right."
"I had to correct the mistakes I'd done."
"I understand. But you weren't the only one who made mistakes. I know I hurt you and for that I am eternally sorry." As she steps closer he enfolds her in his arms, resting his chin on top of her head as he cradled her against him. "I love you Jenny."
"I love you too," she murmured into his chest. When they finally pull apart Jenny suddenly notices all the books lying on the table, "What's all this?"
"I was looking for some sort of information about the vampires Buffy ran in to yesterday. Unfortunately I don't have a clue of where to look, or for what for that matter."
"What exactly happened?"
"Buffy came across a couple of vampires digging up a grave, she staked one but two others managed to get away. All she knew was that they where apparently looking for some kind of amulet."
"What would a vampire need an amulet for? Aren't they usually used for protection?"
"Yes," he exclaims instantly excited to further relate on the subject, "it's not something common in the underworld, although there as been a few incidents where amulets have been used in rituals to communicate with demons." He hands her a book the centre spread showing a hideous looking demon as he adds as an afterthought, "Rather unpleasant prospects, especially if..." he trails of not sure if he wants to finish that thought.
"If what?"
"Well it..." he hesitates again but at the slightly impatient look Jenny gives him he continues, "It did occur to me that these vampires might be, connected, to Angelus."
"And if they are?" she prods not sure if she wants to hear the answer.
"Well Angel has a history of being" he struggles for a moment to come up with an appropriate word before settling on, "atrocious. If he his the one looking for this amulet then the consequences could be catastrophic."
"I have a pretty good idea of what you mean," she breaks him of.
"Oh... right, of course."
"So did you find anything useful?"
"Well no I, I'm afraid that I don't have much to go one." That and he hadn't been able to concentrate. "Maybe I can find out something when we know who's grave it was."
Deciding to drop the discussion for now she seductively asks him, "So, you're all done here for tonight?"
"Yes, I guess so."
"Excellent! Your place or mine?" she asks giving him her best 'cat got the milk' smile. And just like that, Giles good mood from this morning returned.
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Even do Angel had been definite in his decision to go back to the warehouse he had been in an to emotional state to do so directly. He knew Spike would be suspicious of him being gone for so long but there was no way he would have been able to hide the fact that he had his soul back. He couldn't risk slipping up, especially with Spike still being so suspicious and watching his every move just waiting for him to make a mistake.
So he had spent the day hiding in the basement of an old abandoned house, trying to prepare for going back to the warehouse. Truth be told he wasn't completely sure he would be able to pull it of, if he would be able to repress the guilt and despair that was threatening to overwhelm him. There was a small part of him that wished he hadn't been cursed again, that Buffy would have just staked him. Of course he hadn't been able to tell Buffy this, she was enough upset about things as it was.
As he'd predicted, the moment he entered the warehouse he heard Spikes cutting voice calling out, "Where the hell have you been?"
Making sure his face reveals nothing but contempt he sneers in response, "Hunting." He was hoping that the less information he volunteered the better chance he would have that his long absence wouldn't cause to much speculation.
"Must have been quite a feast," Spike points out, obviously expecting some sort of explanation. When Angel doesn't offer one he changes the subject, "Well why you where out lollygagging, I have actually been doing some important work."
"Yeah, like what? You're usefulness his pretty limited these days," Angel answers gesturing towards the wheelchair not having to fake the scorn in his voice.
If it was one thing he wouldn't have to pretend about it was the hostility between him and Spike. For a moment he thinks that this might go easier than he originally thought. An assessment that his shattered as Spike announces, "I've been figuring out a way to get rid of the slayer once and for all."
Careful not to let his worry show he frowns deciding that mockery might be the best approach and says, "You might not want to be to sure about that, seeing how all you're other attempts have failed."
"You're one to talk," Spike is quick to remind him.
"Oh but this is good Angel, really really good," Drusilla interrupts them, her words full of anticipation.
"What is it?" Angel asks, making sure to direct the question at Drusilla.
But it's Spike who answers him, "We have decided to keep this under wraps for now."
"It's a surprise," Drusilla adds giggling.
"I don't like surprises."
"My, my, why so impatient?" Spike questions, clearly enjoying having the upper hand.
"Just tell me!" Angel snaps.
"Oh don't worry. I'll tell you," Spike says in a oddly comforting tone, before giving a humorless laugh, "Eventually."
Growling in frustration Angel walks away. He needed to come up with a discreet way to get them to tell him what was going on. They wouldn't question him getting angry, it was common for him and Spike to try and upstage each other, but he had to be careful not to let them see his anxiety.
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They had all agreed to meet in the library at noon the next day. Buffy purposely arrived a little earlier in hopes of finding Giles alone. She had laid awake most of the night feeling guilty for not having told the truth about Angel. She still wasn't ready for Xander and Willow to find out dreading their reactions, but she had come to a decision, she should tell Giles as soon as possible. When she first walks in it seems as if the library is empty, but then Giles steps out of is office, "Ah, Buffy, hello."
"Hey." She looks questioningly around the library, "Is anyone else here?"
"Uh, no, not yet."
She nervously starts wringing her hands as she sits down at the table, Giles takes a seat opposite her. "I need to talk to you," she begins not sure how to proceed. "About yesterday... about Angel."
"Oh," Giles sighs in resignation and looks directly at her. "Listen, Buffy, I think I know what you want to talk about."
"You do?"
"Yes. When you told me about the vampires you encountered, it occurred to me that Angel is most likely involved."
"No, Giles, that isn't w..."
She caught off suddenly by Cordelia exclaiming, "Well I hope you're all happy."
They both turn to look at her in surprise and confusion. "What are you talking about?" Buffy asks, more than a little annoyed to have been interrupted.
Cordelia however doesn't acknowledge Buffy's clear irritation and proceeds to inform them of her current complaint, "Well after my appointment at the saloon was cancelled, I phoned all my friends and every single one already had plans for the day."
"And this is our fault because?" Buffy sarcastically asks.
"Well at a time like this, I should at least be able to spend time with my boyfriend. But he had already promised to help you research dead people, witch is so not how I wanted to spend my weekend."
"Oh jeez, I'm sorry Cordelia. The next time I run in to a vampire, I'll ask them to start working around your schedule."
"Yes, well," Giles quickly breaks in wanting to stop the confrontation before it gets out of hand, "perhaps we should get started, the others should be here soon."
"Fine," Buffy finally relents, it didn't seem like she had any other choice but to postpone this conversation for now.