Buffy’s New-ish Watcher (FR-13?)
Buffy’s New-ish Watcher
Summary: When Giles leaves Buffy in season 6, she ends up with a new Watcher, only he isn’t really new.
Warning: I don’t know; maybe language and innuendo somewhere along the way.
Timeline: Season 6, post-‘Once More With Feeling’ BtVS, same time for AtS.
Challenge: ‘A Birthday Request: Every Slayer Needs a Watcher’ by thelogicalghost
***My challenge is to reconcile Wes with either Buffy or Faith, and by "reconcile" I mean totally and completely, with no room left for doubt. I have always wanted to and been unable to write a fic which leaves me feeling in the end that Wes has truly formed the kind of bond that is part of his bloodline, breeding, and heartfelt duty as a Watcher. It's a tough request, so I'm going to set some specific guidelines: (more)***
Rating: FR-13 or so.
A/N: To be honest, I sorta forgot where I was going with this one.
Thanks to my betas: None until I post on TtH or fanfiction.net.
Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon / Mutant Enemy. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.
Prologue: After the Dawn
After ‘Once More With Feeling’…
Spike was surprised when Buffy followed him out of the Bronze after spilling the news that she had been torn out of heaven by her friends. He was even more surprised when she pulled him into a passionate kiss. When he regained his senses, he pulled back and stared at her with a sad look in his eyes. “You don’t want to do this, pet.”
“Of course I do; that’s why I did it,” Buffy insisted, moving to grab him again to prove it.
However, the blonde vampire just kept her at arm’s length. “You only think this is what you want because you can’t talk to the others right now. If we do anything like what just happened, you’ll hate yourself…and you’ll hate me if I give in.” Spike knew he needed to explain this better. “Before you died, Buffy, you treated me like a man; like someone who mattered. It would kill me to lose that respect. I’d rather get a stake in the heart, luv.” Then he smirked at her in that insufferable way of his. “Though, I’m sure if the two of us ever decided to shag, we could bring down the house around us.”
She rolled her eyes at his obvious attempt to fluster her with his last comment. However, it was the use of her name that really struck home with the blonde Slayer. Spike hardly ever called her Buffy. Deciding to treat him like a friend, she confided, “What do I do? Like you said, I can’t talk to them about how I feel. Even Giles and Dawn. Dawn! Spike, I’m screwing up so badly with her, and I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Did you ever consider the fact you weren’t meant to become the mother of a teenager when you’re only a few years older?” he asked gently, not wanting her to feel like a failure in any way.
Still, Buffy’s eyes narrowed at him. “What are you saying?” she demanded.
“Try calling that deadbeat you call ‘Da’ and make him do right by her,” Spike suggested. “If for no other reason, it would get the ‘Bit away from the Hellmouth and all of the nasties around here.”
The idea of keeping Dawn safe appealed to her - as well as the relief she felt when she considered not having to raise her sister. Buffy bit her lip thoughtfully. “But wouldn’t she hate me for doing that?”
Spike shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. Look, you said that when he actually tries, he’s a pretty good parent, right?”
“Yeah,” Buffy agreed, remembering the happier times of her childhood.
“What your sister needs is a strong parental figure. You’re too close to do what’s sometimes necessary. Right now you’ve been having the Watcher take care of it, but she needs a full-time Da. She may fight it at first, but make it clear to her that you love her and only want the best for her. As long as you make sure she understands that you aren’t just getting rid of her to make your life easier, she’ll forgive you,” Spike explained, confident that he was telling her the truth.
~~~~~~~~~
After ‘Tabula Rasa’…
Grabbing her sister after the spell lifted, Buffy took her to the Pump to talk. Once they sat down with their hot chocolate, she started, “Dawnie, I’ve talked to Dad, and he’s agreed to take custody of you.”
“What? Why?” Dawn almost yelled, feeling hurt that Buffy wanted to get rid of her.
Buffy saw the pain in Dawn’s eyes and held her hand to keep her attention. “You know that it’s not safe for you to stay here; tonight was just the latest threat on your life.” She struggled for a moment, then decided that her sister deserved the whole truth. “I love you, Dawnie, but I’m having a hard time trying to keep myself alive right now. You aren’t the Key anymore, so we don’t have to worry about supernatural stuff - except for the normal ‘you’re the sister of the Slayer’ stuff. And that shouldn’t be an issue if you aren’t here for them to grab.”
After staring at her mug for a minute, Dawn looked up with wet eyes. “So you’re not doing this ‘cause you resent me?”
Truly confused, Buffy asked, “Why would I resent you?”
“You had to die to save me,” the former Key whispered, just loud enough for only the Slayer to hear.
Buffy moved over to embrace her sister tightly. “Oh Dawnie…I would do it again in a second if I needed to. I died so that you could live, and that’s the same reason I asked Dad to take you. If you stay here, chances are you’ll get hurt or die. At the very least, you’ll probably have to watch me die again. You deserve a better life than that. Now that Dad’s gotten rid of that bitch who didn’t tell him about Mom dying, he wants the chance to make things up to us…especially you.”
Quickly warming up to the idea of being with her dad, Dawn still wanted some reassurance from Buffy. “We’ll keep in touch, though?”
Smiling widely, Buffy replied, “You got it. Dad said that he’d get us cell phones for that very reason. And who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to sneak away from the Hellmouth for a few days every once in a while to visit you.” They both knew those visits would be few and far between, though.
Dawn was surprised. “All the way to Spain?”
“Oh, that’s the other thing; Dad got transferred back to the States. You get to live in the Big Apple, baby sis,” Buffy announced, knowing her sister’s love of New York City. If there was any doubt, a person would only have to look at the posters adorning the younger Summers’ bedroom to see that.
And just like that, Dawn’s expression was one of utter joy. “Really?!” she squealed.
“Uh-huh, and if you think I’m gonna give up the chance to go shopping there, you’re crazy!” Buffy teased.
Dawn made her decision - if she truly had one to make - and said, “Okay, I’ll go. But if I don’t like it, I want to be able to come home, ‘k?”
Buffy smiled, happy that this had gone so well. “Fine with me. We’ll tell Dad that this is a trial thing. And if you ever need me, just call and I’ll have Spike cover the slaying while I’m gone. Got it?”
“Spike? Do you really trust him that much?” Dawn knew that the two blondes were close, but she didn’t realize they were that close. She wondered what was going on between them.
Guessing where Dawn was going with her question, Buffy simply responded, “You know, since I found out about Mom, he’s tried to be a friend to not just me, but both of us.”
Dawn nodded before she added, “And he did stick around to protect me after you died.”
Buffy considered whether she should tell Dawn the whole truth, then figured it wouldn’t hurt at this point. “After Sweet got me to confess where I really was, I went after Spike and kissed him.”
The sight of Dawn’s eyes bugging out made Buffy giggle. “What?!”
“But he stopped me from doing anything that I’d regret,” Buffy went on before Dawn could say anything else.
“But why? That would be his greatest fantasy!” Dawn exclaimed, monumentally confused now.
“Because he knew that I’m not in the best place mentally or emotionally right now. He didn’t want to risk me hating him and myself by getting involved that way. That proves to me even more that he’s a good friend.” Buffy looked almost happy at the thought she had a friend she could trust like that.
Dawn was still stuck on Spike saying no. “Wow. I just can’t believe he’d turn down the chance to be with you, not matter the reason why.”
Buffy shrugged. “It would only be a sex thing; just like when he had the Buffybot. He wants more than that.”
Staring intently at her older sister, Dawn asked seriously, “Do you think you’d ever care for him like that?”
Not wanting to be glib about it, Buffy thought for a second, then answered, “I don’t know. Easy answer would be no. I’ve done the doomed romance with a vamp, and it’s not that much fun. I know it would be different with Spike, but…” she trailed off.
“It’s still weird?” Dawn finished for her.
“Yup.”
Wanting to know if it was just Spike or not, Dawn pressed on, “What about Angel? You know, if he didn’t have to worry about the clause?”
Buffy turned a little sad at the question, but still replied, “No. When I saw him a few weeks ago, it was clear that we have different lives now. Even if I were the same girl who fell in love with him five years ago, he’s not the same guy I fell in love with. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Really, how many people end up with the first person they fell in love with?” she asked rhetorically.
“Good point.” Wanting to get off the depressing topic, Dawn asked, “So when’s Dad coming to get me?”
“In a week or so. Should we get you packed? Then we can focus on having as much fun as sisters can in the time left,” Buffy vowed, not wanting Dawn to think she couldn’t stand to be around her.
Dawn looked positively mischievous when she inquired, “Ooo, will you let me pick some of the things we do?”
Fighting a chuckle, Buffy said, “As long as you don’t pick patrolling.”
A/N: Next…Not sure at this point.
Summary: When Giles leaves Buffy in season 6, she ends up with a new Watcher, only he isn’t really new.
Warning: I don’t know; maybe language and innuendo somewhere along the way.
Timeline: Season 6, post-‘Once More With Feeling’ BtVS, same time for AtS.
Challenge: ‘A Birthday Request: Every Slayer Needs a Watcher’ by thelogicalghost
***My challenge is to reconcile Wes with either Buffy or Faith, and by "reconcile" I mean totally and completely, with no room left for doubt. I have always wanted to and been unable to write a fic which leaves me feeling in the end that Wes has truly formed the kind of bond that is part of his bloodline, breeding, and heartfelt duty as a Watcher. It's a tough request, so I'm going to set some specific guidelines: (more)***
Rating: FR-13 or so.
A/N: To be honest, I sorta forgot where I was going with this one.
Thanks to my betas: None until I post on TtH or fanfiction.net.
Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon / Mutant Enemy. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.
Prologue: After the Dawn
After ‘Once More With Feeling’…
Spike was surprised when Buffy followed him out of the Bronze after spilling the news that she had been torn out of heaven by her friends. He was even more surprised when she pulled him into a passionate kiss. When he regained his senses, he pulled back and stared at her with a sad look in his eyes. “You don’t want to do this, pet.”
“Of course I do; that’s why I did it,” Buffy insisted, moving to grab him again to prove it.
However, the blonde vampire just kept her at arm’s length. “You only think this is what you want because you can’t talk to the others right now. If we do anything like what just happened, you’ll hate yourself…and you’ll hate me if I give in.” Spike knew he needed to explain this better. “Before you died, Buffy, you treated me like a man; like someone who mattered. It would kill me to lose that respect. I’d rather get a stake in the heart, luv.” Then he smirked at her in that insufferable way of his. “Though, I’m sure if the two of us ever decided to shag, we could bring down the house around us.”
She rolled her eyes at his obvious attempt to fluster her with his last comment. However, it was the use of her name that really struck home with the blonde Slayer. Spike hardly ever called her Buffy. Deciding to treat him like a friend, she confided, “What do I do? Like you said, I can’t talk to them about how I feel. Even Giles and Dawn. Dawn! Spike, I’m screwing up so badly with her, and I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Did you ever consider the fact you weren’t meant to become the mother of a teenager when you’re only a few years older?” he asked gently, not wanting her to feel like a failure in any way.
Still, Buffy’s eyes narrowed at him. “What are you saying?” she demanded.
“Try calling that deadbeat you call ‘Da’ and make him do right by her,” Spike suggested. “If for no other reason, it would get the ‘Bit away from the Hellmouth and all of the nasties around here.”
The idea of keeping Dawn safe appealed to her - as well as the relief she felt when she considered not having to raise her sister. Buffy bit her lip thoughtfully. “But wouldn’t she hate me for doing that?”
Spike shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. Look, you said that when he actually tries, he’s a pretty good parent, right?”
“Yeah,” Buffy agreed, remembering the happier times of her childhood.
“What your sister needs is a strong parental figure. You’re too close to do what’s sometimes necessary. Right now you’ve been having the Watcher take care of it, but she needs a full-time Da. She may fight it at first, but make it clear to her that you love her and only want the best for her. As long as you make sure she understands that you aren’t just getting rid of her to make your life easier, she’ll forgive you,” Spike explained, confident that he was telling her the truth.
~~~~~~~~~
After ‘Tabula Rasa’…
Grabbing her sister after the spell lifted, Buffy took her to the Pump to talk. Once they sat down with their hot chocolate, she started, “Dawnie, I’ve talked to Dad, and he’s agreed to take custody of you.”
“What? Why?” Dawn almost yelled, feeling hurt that Buffy wanted to get rid of her.
Buffy saw the pain in Dawn’s eyes and held her hand to keep her attention. “You know that it’s not safe for you to stay here; tonight was just the latest threat on your life.” She struggled for a moment, then decided that her sister deserved the whole truth. “I love you, Dawnie, but I’m having a hard time trying to keep myself alive right now. You aren’t the Key anymore, so we don’t have to worry about supernatural stuff - except for the normal ‘you’re the sister of the Slayer’ stuff. And that shouldn’t be an issue if you aren’t here for them to grab.”
After staring at her mug for a minute, Dawn looked up with wet eyes. “So you’re not doing this ‘cause you resent me?”
Truly confused, Buffy asked, “Why would I resent you?”
“You had to die to save me,” the former Key whispered, just loud enough for only the Slayer to hear.
Buffy moved over to embrace her sister tightly. “Oh Dawnie…I would do it again in a second if I needed to. I died so that you could live, and that’s the same reason I asked Dad to take you. If you stay here, chances are you’ll get hurt or die. At the very least, you’ll probably have to watch me die again. You deserve a better life than that. Now that Dad’s gotten rid of that bitch who didn’t tell him about Mom dying, he wants the chance to make things up to us…especially you.”
Quickly warming up to the idea of being with her dad, Dawn still wanted some reassurance from Buffy. “We’ll keep in touch, though?”
Smiling widely, Buffy replied, “You got it. Dad said that he’d get us cell phones for that very reason. And who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to sneak away from the Hellmouth for a few days every once in a while to visit you.” They both knew those visits would be few and far between, though.
Dawn was surprised. “All the way to Spain?”
“Oh, that’s the other thing; Dad got transferred back to the States. You get to live in the Big Apple, baby sis,” Buffy announced, knowing her sister’s love of New York City. If there was any doubt, a person would only have to look at the posters adorning the younger Summers’ bedroom to see that.
And just like that, Dawn’s expression was one of utter joy. “Really?!” she squealed.
“Uh-huh, and if you think I’m gonna give up the chance to go shopping there, you’re crazy!” Buffy teased.
Dawn made her decision - if she truly had one to make - and said, “Okay, I’ll go. But if I don’t like it, I want to be able to come home, ‘k?”
Buffy smiled, happy that this had gone so well. “Fine with me. We’ll tell Dad that this is a trial thing. And if you ever need me, just call and I’ll have Spike cover the slaying while I’m gone. Got it?”
“Spike? Do you really trust him that much?” Dawn knew that the two blondes were close, but she didn’t realize they were that close. She wondered what was going on between them.
Guessing where Dawn was going with her question, Buffy simply responded, “You know, since I found out about Mom, he’s tried to be a friend to not just me, but both of us.”
Dawn nodded before she added, “And he did stick around to protect me after you died.”
Buffy considered whether she should tell Dawn the whole truth, then figured it wouldn’t hurt at this point. “After Sweet got me to confess where I really was, I went after Spike and kissed him.”
The sight of Dawn’s eyes bugging out made Buffy giggle. “What?!”
“But he stopped me from doing anything that I’d regret,” Buffy went on before Dawn could say anything else.
“But why? That would be his greatest fantasy!” Dawn exclaimed, monumentally confused now.
“Because he knew that I’m not in the best place mentally or emotionally right now. He didn’t want to risk me hating him and myself by getting involved that way. That proves to me even more that he’s a good friend.” Buffy looked almost happy at the thought she had a friend she could trust like that.
Dawn was still stuck on Spike saying no. “Wow. I just can’t believe he’d turn down the chance to be with you, not matter the reason why.”
Buffy shrugged. “It would only be a sex thing; just like when he had the Buffybot. He wants more than that.”
Staring intently at her older sister, Dawn asked seriously, “Do you think you’d ever care for him like that?”
Not wanting to be glib about it, Buffy thought for a second, then answered, “I don’t know. Easy answer would be no. I’ve done the doomed romance with a vamp, and it’s not that much fun. I know it would be different with Spike, but…” she trailed off.
“It’s still weird?” Dawn finished for her.
“Yup.”
Wanting to know if it was just Spike or not, Dawn pressed on, “What about Angel? You know, if he didn’t have to worry about the clause?”
Buffy turned a little sad at the question, but still replied, “No. When I saw him a few weeks ago, it was clear that we have different lives now. Even if I were the same girl who fell in love with him five years ago, he’s not the same guy I fell in love with. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Really, how many people end up with the first person they fell in love with?” she asked rhetorically.
“Good point.” Wanting to get off the depressing topic, Dawn asked, “So when’s Dad coming to get me?”
“In a week or so. Should we get you packed? Then we can focus on having as much fun as sisters can in the time left,” Buffy vowed, not wanting Dawn to think she couldn’t stand to be around her.
Dawn looked positively mischievous when she inquired, “Ooo, will you let me pick some of the things we do?”
Fighting a chuckle, Buffy said, “As long as you don’t pick patrolling.”
A/N: Next…Not sure at this point.