Becoming and Going
The house was dark save for the glow of the computer screen, and silent save for the sound of fingernails clattering across a keyboard at ninety words-per-minute. Jenny mouthed various words to herself, going over what she'd created on the screen thus-far and re-reading for any mistakes.
With just a little more work, she could have the ritual completely translated from the Romanian liturgy. She could finally complete what she'd been working on before Angelus brought everything in her life to a screeching halt.
And not a moment too soon. He was getting more daring; more restless, as was Buffy. Rupert was hard to read, on the subject. On one hand, she knew he wanted Angel dead, dusted and forgotten. On the other, she also knew he was worrying about his Slayer and the obvious conflicting emotions she was suffering due to Angel's change.
Jenny felt herself getting restless, as well. It seemed like since that awful night... despite many wonderful things happening between her and Rupert... it put such a damper on their relationship; a nearly perpetual storm cloud hanging over them, threatening to open up and unleash a downpour at any moment. She was tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The computer screen swam back into focus, thoughts dissipating slowly as a new e-mail popped up, from a former colleague who'd gone to work out on the east coast. Jenny smiled at the familiar nickname, 'Jen,' bestowed upon her during the days they worked together as teaching assistants, and her heart fluttered straight up into her throat at the mention of a new opportunity. She read the line over a couple times:
"...and they're looking for a new computer networking teacher for their summer semester night school courses. Naturally, I thought of you."
Jenny drew in a breath, sharply. A change in location could be exactly what she needed to soothe her restless soul. But... then there was her job here. Her house. Her students. Rupert.
God, Rupert. She couldn't leave him. Not for three months. Being without him the previous summer was bad enough and that was before they had dated. Before they had gotten as close as two people could possibly get. Before they fell completely in love.
"Jenny?"
His soft voice floating down the stairs drew her attention, and she looked up from the computer to see him padding barefoot down the stairs, tying his robe shut over his bare chest and boxers. "It's late, my love. What are you still doing up?"
Smiling, Jenny quickly closed out of the e-mail and saved it for another time, butterflies still going wild at the prospect of what she'd just been presented with. "I just... had some extra stuff to work on before class tomorrow." Arching an eyebrow at him, she turned his question back onto him. "What are you doing up?"
With just a little more work, she could have the ritual completely translated from the Romanian liturgy. She could finally complete what she'd been working on before Angelus brought everything in her life to a screeching halt.
And not a moment too soon. He was getting more daring; more restless, as was Buffy. Rupert was hard to read, on the subject. On one hand, she knew he wanted Angel dead, dusted and forgotten. On the other, she also knew he was worrying about his Slayer and the obvious conflicting emotions she was suffering due to Angel's change.
Jenny felt herself getting restless, as well. It seemed like since that awful night... despite many wonderful things happening between her and Rupert... it put such a damper on their relationship; a nearly perpetual storm cloud hanging over them, threatening to open up and unleash a downpour at any moment. She was tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The computer screen swam back into focus, thoughts dissipating slowly as a new e-mail popped up, from a former colleague who'd gone to work out on the east coast. Jenny smiled at the familiar nickname, 'Jen,' bestowed upon her during the days they worked together as teaching assistants, and her heart fluttered straight up into her throat at the mention of a new opportunity. She read the line over a couple times:
"...and they're looking for a new computer networking teacher for their summer semester night school courses. Naturally, I thought of you."
Jenny drew in a breath, sharply. A change in location could be exactly what she needed to soothe her restless soul. But... then there was her job here. Her house. Her students. Rupert.
God, Rupert. She couldn't leave him. Not for three months. Being without him the previous summer was bad enough and that was before they had dated. Before they had gotten as close as two people could possibly get. Before they fell completely in love.
"Jenny?"
His soft voice floating down the stairs drew her attention, and she looked up from the computer to see him padding barefoot down the stairs, tying his robe shut over his bare chest and boxers. "It's late, my love. What are you still doing up?"
Smiling, Jenny quickly closed out of the e-mail and saved it for another time, butterflies still going wild at the prospect of what she'd just been presented with. "I just... had some extra stuff to work on before class tomorrow." Arching an eyebrow at him, she turned his question back onto him. "What are you doing up?"