Passing the Torch
After my unfortunate run in with Willow at the Summers' house, I headed back to my own apartment. As I drove back, I kept replaying in my head what I'd said to her, trying to work out where I had gone wrong, where I'd mistepped in my attempts to make her realise how reckless she had been in trying to resurrect Buffy. Eventually I gave up, and
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I growled at his next words and I really wished I had some whiskey here. Or something else strong. But no suck luck at the office, apparently. Where was that bottle I had hidden in the desk drawer? Picking up the phone I started to make my way over to my desk, barely reaching it. "Well, I see your opinion of me has not really changed." Pride. Huh, as if I had any left there.
Ah! Whiskey. Finally thank god. But no glass. I glanced at the phone when I heard Giles swallow something. Perhaps he's drinking as well. It's highly possible. Oh, teacup. There's no one else around anyway, I'll use that. Pouring a few fingers in it, I take a few sips while I listen to Giles talk.
He dug up Buffy? Why on earth would he dig up Buffy. I'm sure I don't really want to know. "I'm not going to ask why you felt the need to torment yourself by digging up your Slayer. I'm sure you had a good reason." Did he think she was turned? wouldn't they have know that sooner? Sighing, I leaned back against the counter and took a few more sips while I hung my head. He's not going to give up is he.
Guardian, talk about your heavy loaded word. Was Giles a guardian there? Yes, he was. Over those children, he's probably worried about them. Even though they're all quite adult. Ah, the fact that he needed someone to protect them would indicate that he was very worried about those children. Err...well, I suppose we'll always see them as children, even though they're not.
"Mister Giles," I sigh, rubbing my tired eyes. Wasn't Gunn supposed to be back by now? Getting a bit worried. "I still don't think I'm your best choice, or even your only one." I think Angel for example would be better at protecting them. But he's already there. "But you...they probably need someone to help out with the identification of the various demons, do research and such. Maybe do some magical...oh wait no, you've Willow for that. Anyway, I can do that sort of work."
Quickly gulping down the last of the whiskey I pour two more fingers in the cup. "And just so we make it clear. I still think they'll laugh at me, I still think they won't listen to me, and least of all Faith. But I'm doing this as a favor for you." And no one else. The rest of Angel Investigations is there already. "It would appear most of my books are packed anyway," I add dryly.
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That was where Wesley was wrong, would I have contacted him and asked him to undertake this monumental task if it had not in fact changed? I refrained from replying to him though, for I suspected that telling him as much would still be construed in a negative light.
"Mister Giles. I still don't think I'm your best choice, or even your only one. But you...they probably need someone to help out with the identification of the various demons, do research and such. Maybe do some magical...oh wait no, you've Willow for that. Anyway, I can do that sort of work."
I breathed an audible sigh of relief, and some of the tension in my body began to drain away to be replaced with a weariness I had been trying to ignore.
"And just so we make it clear. I still think they'll laugh at me, I still think they won't listen to me, and least of all Faith. But I'm doing this as a favor for you. It would appear most of my books are packed anyway."
"Thank you, Wesley. This means a great deal to me, they mean a great deal to me. You know, it is possible that they may just surprise you. And you might even surprise yourself."
I leaned back into the sofa, and reached for the tumbler again, finally allowing myself to relax a little.
"I suppose I had better apprize you of the situation. Activity around the hellmouth has been getting worse these past few weeks. And last night I was attacked by a demon who was hired to kill the 'friends of the dead slayer'.It would seem that despite our best efforts with the robot replica of Buffy, the word has gotten out that Buffy is indeed dead. What irks me is the fact that the demon was hired by a law firm, I believe you have heard of them? Wolfram and Hart. Angel filled me in a little about your dealings with them, sounds positively dreadful."
I poured myself another glass, and sipped at it slowly, wondering if I should have prepared a supper. When was the last time I had eaten?
"The reason I exhumed Buffy was because Angel and I discovered someone had tried to resurrect her using dark magic. I have since found out it was Willow. I've tried to talk some sense into her, but I'm afraid she's letting her burgeoning powers go to her head. She'll need a firm hand. Apparently Dawn has run off somewhere, but the others are fairly certain she hasn't gone far and just needs a time out. That's about it really. How soon do you think you can make it here? I still need to let the other's know you that you are expected..."
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I am, however, slightly surprised that Mister Giles and Angel managed to get along so well. Considering their history. Then again, they may have been gratingly polite to each other, I can see them do that easily. I'm not sure I can do that with Faith. Of course that's different. She didn't have an evil alter ego when she tied me to that chair and amused herself trying out all the five basic groups of torture on me. Was she even aware Giles was asking me to be her...what...not he watcher, that's for certain. I'm to afraid to ask really. Let's face it, I'm afraid of Faith, and I'll be damned if I'm going to show that to anyone. Including Mister Giles.
I opened my mouth to ask about this robot replica of Buffy, but decided against it for now. It really wasn't important. What did seem very important was the fact that Willow had tried to resurrect Buffy. Quite disturbing that. And he expected me to be that firm hand? That was another thing to laugh about. Then again, this was Willow, she was just about the only one who was civil to me in a way. Until I almost sacrificed her to that mayor. Damn.
"Well, I need some more things to pack. Talk to Gunn...that's an associate of ours...about taking over here for a while." Which I already had of course. About twelve times, he must be getting sick of that. "...pack some more books," liar, they're all packed. You're stalling, Pryce. "..."I'd say a day, two at the most?" Which wasn't long enough for me at all. "And then I'd need to look for a hotelroom, a place to put all my books...uh, oh. Angel mentioned he was staying at the mansion, I suppose that might work..." I trailed off.
Glancing at the whiskey in my glass, I quickly downed it and then glanced at the door. I think I heard a noise, I hope that's Gunn. I'm getting a bit worried by now. I let out a relieved sigh when it was indeed Gunn who strode into room, looking battered, bruised and bloodied, but very triumphant. "Mister Giles? I've to go now, Gunn just arrived and he looked a bit worse for wear. I'd better to make certain it's nothing more then scrapes and bruises. I'll see you probably in a day or two. And please do tell your children about what you've asked me hm? I really would hate to have a repeat performance of the first time I came to Sunnydale." Me, a guardian. If Gunn wasn't standing there dripping blood on the floor, I'd laugh.
"Thank you for informing me and I'm honored that you asked me. I still think I'm not the right person but we've been over that. Goodbye, Mister Giles." I waited for his muttered reply, the man sounded godaweful tired. He should go get some bloody sleep. Putting the phone down, I turned toward Gunn and sighed.
Right, I've a job to do here as well.
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