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jesterladyficThis chapter's title is from James Houston
Chapter Eight:
“We need to formulate our plan then,” Giles suggested. “Willow, now that we know who they are, can you break the spell?”
“No biggie, they just have to be in the same place. We can use the hair from
both girls we already have and presto! your own comfortable body back.”
“Then we need to find this Ethan guy,” Keith pointed out.
“I shall be more than happy to find him,” Giles said grimly.
Veronica was slightly startled by the apparent bloodlust in the stuffy,
former librarian’s voice.
“Why don’t you let me find him? It’s kinda my job.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“As soon as you do, we can hunt him down together,” Giles said. “I insist on
being a part of the Ethan gathering.”
“Certainly,” Keith agreed good-naturedly.
“So what do we do about this Celeste character?” asked Xander.
“Duncan’s probably our best bet,” Logan mused. “Celeste probably wouldn’t
agree to come anywhere Veronica and I are, even if Veronica will not actually be
there. But if we can convince DK to bring her, it’ll be smooth sailing.”
“Why don’t you and Buffy work that end then,” Veronica suggested. “Get the
witch and let’s burn her.”
There was an awkward silence which Anya broke with laughter.
“Oh, come on,” she said when everyone else was quiet. “You know she didn’t
actually mean witches like actual witches like you. You’re just sensitive about that
time you were almost burned at the stake. You should move on.”
“Thanks, Anya,” Willow said gingerly. “Always the great therapist.”
“You’re welcome.” Anya beamed.
“Sorry,” Veronica said slowly. “Just an expression.”
“Of course,” Tara put in. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Okay, moving on,” Buffy said, sounding like she was stifling a giggle
herself. “So, we’ve got details on Ethan and details on Celeste Kane. Willow’s
working the spell mojo and we’ll reconvene when we’ve got something.”
“Someone learned a bit from America’s finest,” Spike snorted and left the
room abruptly.
“Now he’s going to pout,” Dawn said into Veronica’s ear. “But Buffy really
did sound like Riley a bit. She should know better.”
Veronica nodded without really understanding, but figured it wasn’t that
important.
***
“You sure you’re gonna be okay?” Keith asked as he slipped on his jacket. Buffy nodded reassuringly.
“Promise I won’t burn the place down. Unless there are vampires.”
“In that case I won’t blame you.”
He patted her shoulder and closed the door behind him.
Keith had managed to locate Ethan Rayne. A buddy of his from the border had
called him with a man fitting Ethan’s description. Keith had run it by Giles for
confirmation and now Keith was meeting Giles outside of Neptune.
“Mr. Mars?”
A much newer, red-er car than Keith would have imagined pulled up to the side
of the road.
“Mr. Giles?”
“Yes, please do get in.”
“Thank you. Call me Keith.”
“Rupert.”
They drove in semi-awkward silence for a little while.
“So, how long have you been a…Watcher, is it?”
“Almost all my life, I’m afraid. You might say it runs in the family.”
“How long have you been in California?”
“On my fifth year actually. I was assigned to Buffy when she moved to
Sunnydale so I acquired a position as school librarian. I became doubly unemployed
my third year here and have since opened up a magic shop.”
“Any money in that?”
“Enough to get by.”
“I hope Veronica hasn’t been any trouble.”
“No, she’s a nice girl. She’s adjusting very well to this new stress.”
“She’s used to stress, I’m afraid.”
“Yes, being around the Hellmouth these last few years has taught me a lot
about the resiliency of the younger generation.”
“Buffy’s quite tough.”
“Yes, she’s endured far more than I’d ever wanted her put through.”
“She seems to look up to you.”
Giles was silent a moment.
“Yes, when she’s not doing whatever she wants.” He laughed slightly.
“Well, if she’s anything like my Veronica, she does what she thinks is best
cause she’s capable, but inside she needs someone to tell her she’s right or wrong.”
“That’s an interesting way of looking at it.”
“I’ve only known Buffy a short time, but she’s obviously dealing with a lot.”
“More than I thought possible.”
“I’m sure she’s glad you’re on her side then since she doesn’t have her
father around.”
“Considering how many times I’ve failed her I’m not sure that’s true.”
Giles appeared to concentrate very hard on checking his mirrors.
“I’m not trying to hit a personal nerve,” Keith said and looked out the
window for a moment. “Is it just me or did it get awkward in here? But I know she
loves you. I’d ride with that.”
Giles smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
“No sweat. Hey, turn in here.”
Giles made the turn and Keith snuck them into the back of the border station.
“Hey, Keith.”
“Brad, long time no see.”
“Sure is, man, bail jumping season is the only time we see you.”
“Gotta make a living somehow.”
“I hear you. So, is this the guy you want?”
Brad led the way to a holding cell where Giles looked very satisfied to see a
man Keith presumed must be Ethan Rayne leaning moodily against the bars.
“Either I’m following you or you’re following me, Ripper.”
“Oh, I’m following you. But you won’t be getting away this time.”
“Heaven forbid a scoundrel like me be tossed away to the government or
anything vile like that.”
“Thanks for everything, Brad,” Keith said as Brad unlocked the door and
handed Ethan over to a ready Giles.
“We’ll see ya again.”
Keith and Giles discreetly walked Ethan to the back of the car and put him in
before driving away.
“Making friends in high places?” Ethan questioned Giles.
“You know who he is, Ethan. You know why we want you. You’re going to make
sure Buffy is put back in her body or you’ll wish you were still in the government’s
possession.”
Keith hid a smile. Giles was doing all right in the parenting arena.
***
“A word of caution,” Logan said as he and Buffy left the Xterra. “Duncan and Veronica go way back. All the way back to firsts-ever-back. I’m not sure he ever got over it.”
“Never got over you cutting in?”
“Never got over the whole half-sister, incestuous storm cloud that hovered
over his head. But yeah, I did have to give my best friend charm back.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to do with you. Just thought you should know this could be a - what
would you call it? - hostile situation.”
“Consider me warned.”
Logan rapped smartly on the door and stepped back when Duncan opened it.
“Hey, man. We need to talk.”
“What do you want?” Duncan didn’t move so that they could enter.
“Just make up already,” Buffy said sharply. “It’s not Logan’s fault about
anything. It’s probably not yours either. We need to talk to you like a grown up
now.”
Duncan’s face hardened even further but he let them come in.
“What’s it about? What favor do you need, Veronica?”
“I need to talk to your mother.”
“Why? That won’t exactly end in tea and biscuits.”
“Yeah, they hate each other all right,” Logan put in. “But it’s really
important. Can you get her to meet us somewhere?”
“She won’t come if she knows it’s you two.”
“Which means she doesn’t have to know.”
“You want me to lie to my mother for you?”
“Let me think. Yes.”
“Give me a reason.”
“Listen, dude, I’m sorry about everything. Can’t we just go back to the way
things were?”
“Might be difficult since your dad murdered my sister.”
Logan hesitated.
“I hate him too, you know.”
Duncan’s face softened slightly.
Buffy tried the nice approach.
“Duncan, we all regret something. Please just let me talk to Celeste without
her knowing it’s about me. I promise it will all make sense later.”
“I know better than to push for an explanation.” Duncan sighed. “Fine, I’ll
do it.”
Buffy gave him the information and promised to call him and then they left.
“You okay?” she asked when they were outside.
“Like being back at Nam,” he quipped.
“I think he heard you if it’s any consolation.”
“Slightly. Now, how about food before detective-ing?”
“I could eat.”
***
“They’re back,” Dawn flung in the door on her way downstairs.
Veronica ceased her inspection of Buffy’s closet and followed. Three men had
just entered. Giles was leading a bound man and Keith followed behind. Veronica
flung her arms around her father.
“Hey, honey. I’m guessing you’re mine anyway. I don’t think anyone else
would be hugging me like that.”
“It’s me. I’m so glad to see you.”
“Me too. It’s not the same without you and your attitude.”
“My attitude missed you.”
He kissed the top of her head and they went into the front room with the
others.
“The other girl whose life you are invading,” Giles introduced Veronica to
Ethan who had been put on the couch and handcuffed to the window ledge.
“Gee, I’m glad to meet you,” Veronica said and sat down on the coffee table
to look him in the eye. “You know Celeste?”
“We had a brief acquaintance. I think she was bored one day at university
and wandered into my ‘extra-curricular’ study group.”
“So, you taught her witchcraft?”
“Not exactly. She wasn’t keen on the idea of learning herself. I just think
she thought it would prove useful. She was young and intoxicating in a way.”
“Color me gagging,” Veronica muttered. “So she came to you with this idea?”
“Well, the idea was mine actually. One of my more brilliant ideas if I do
say so.” Ethan subsided with his self praise as Giles looked harshly at him. “But
she was the initial brains of the operation.”
“Why? Why would she do this to me?”
“She asked for my help and in exchange I got out of prison. We were never
best mates and with what I was getting you can imagine I didn’t spend time chatting
about the morals or reasons.”
“Did she tell you why?”
“I don’t think she likes you very much. Something about you being the
ruination of everyone she loves, the product of a despicable line, and so on. You
really don’t want the details.”
“She just can’t stand me.” Veronica sat back and processed. Celeste had
always hated her. But to turn to the black arts, surely there had to be a concrete
reason. Apparently not. “I haven’t even talked to her since Aaron was arrested.”
“Don’t think about it, kiddo,” Keith said and sat down beside her. “Celeste
hasn’t been thinking right since she met our family.”
“Sounds stupid to me,” Xander snorted. “Hating someone just because of who
they are, who they came from.”
Veronica had to smile inwardly, wondering if he could recognize his
hypocrisy. She glanced at him and saw the realization start to dawn in his eyes.
But before he could deny or accept it, the front door burst open and Spike ran into
the room, dripping blood.
Dawn ran to get the first aid kit.
“Spike! What happened?”
“Glory,” he burst out, bending over and bracing himself on his knees.
“Get into the kitchen,” Tara commanded. “You’re getting blood everywhere.
We’ll patch you up. Dawnie, open the kit for me.”
“Is Glory coming?” Dawn whispered in fright.
Spike shook his head.
“No, Bit, you’re safe for the moment.”
Veronica and Keith backed up and let the Scoobies do their work. Anya began
to rinse out the blood covered cloths that Tara handed her. Veronica watched with great interest as Willow somehow made the blood on the carpet vanish.
“Spike, tell us exactly what occurred,” Giles asked.
“Was patrolling. Surrounded by all those scabby whatsits, Glory’s demons.
They talked about me being friendly with the Slayer. Decided to take me to see Her
Skankiness, fought them off, ran back here. I wasn’t followed. I see you got the
wanker back and that’s good because we need the Slayer back here bloody quick.”
“I agree,” Giles said slowly. “I will call her now.”
***
Logan cursed that he hadn’t been more careful, but he and Buffy had been focusing on their food and not the time and the motorcycles drawing up to surround the car were not a good thing.
“Still think I shouldn’t take care of these yahoos?” he queried sarcastically.
“I didn’t say you weren’t supposed to defend yourself. I said don’t take
unnecessary revenge.”
“Well, forgive me if my defending myself tonight looks like revenge because
this is getting old.”
“We could take them,” Buffy agreed. “Even with our limited abilities.”
“I’m still running on full charge,” he pointed out. “It’s you who’s all
weak.” He brought his cell phone up to his ear. “Yeah, I’m on the corner of Main
and Hofford. There are PCHers. You’re on your way? Thanks.”
He hung up the cell phone and unbuckled his seat belt. Buffy followed his
motions, but before they could do anything sirens started to sound and the gang
members drove away at full speed.
“You’re lucky we were only around the corner,” Sacks said as he got out of
his car and walked over to Logan’s Xterra.
“Thanks awfully,” Logan said sweetly.
Sacks nodded mildly and went back to his car. Logan rolled up his window and
turned to Buffy.
“Shall we?”
“We shall.”
Logan’s cell phone rang and he glanced at the caller id before tossing it to
Buffy.
“Looks like it’s someone for you.”
“Hello? Hi. What? Okay, we’ll be waiting. Hurry, Giles.” She clicked off
the cell. “They found Ethan. They’re bringing him.”
“Excellent.”
“By the way, I think she would have approved.”
He didn’t say anything but his lips turned up.
Chapter Eight:
“We need to formulate our plan then,” Giles suggested. “Willow, now that we know who they are, can you break the spell?”
“No biggie, they just have to be in the same place. We can use the hair from
both girls we already have and presto! your own comfortable body back.”
“Then we need to find this Ethan guy,” Keith pointed out.
“I shall be more than happy to find him,” Giles said grimly.
Veronica was slightly startled by the apparent bloodlust in the stuffy,
former librarian’s voice.
“Why don’t you let me find him? It’s kinda my job.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“As soon as you do, we can hunt him down together,” Giles said. “I insist on
being a part of the Ethan gathering.”
“Certainly,” Keith agreed good-naturedly.
“So what do we do about this Celeste character?” asked Xander.
“Duncan’s probably our best bet,” Logan mused. “Celeste probably wouldn’t
agree to come anywhere Veronica and I are, even if Veronica will not actually be
there. But if we can convince DK to bring her, it’ll be smooth sailing.”
“Why don’t you and Buffy work that end then,” Veronica suggested. “Get the
witch and let’s burn her.”
There was an awkward silence which Anya broke with laughter.
“Oh, come on,” she said when everyone else was quiet. “You know she didn’t
actually mean witches like actual witches like you. You’re just sensitive about that
time you were almost burned at the stake. You should move on.”
“Thanks, Anya,” Willow said gingerly. “Always the great therapist.”
“You’re welcome.” Anya beamed.
“Sorry,” Veronica said slowly. “Just an expression.”
“Of course,” Tara put in. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Okay, moving on,” Buffy said, sounding like she was stifling a giggle
herself. “So, we’ve got details on Ethan and details on Celeste Kane. Willow’s
working the spell mojo and we’ll reconvene when we’ve got something.”
“Someone learned a bit from America’s finest,” Spike snorted and left the
room abruptly.
“Now he’s going to pout,” Dawn said into Veronica’s ear. “But Buffy really
did sound like Riley a bit. She should know better.”
Veronica nodded without really understanding, but figured it wasn’t that
important.
***
“You sure you’re gonna be okay?” Keith asked as he slipped on his jacket. Buffy nodded reassuringly.
“Promise I won’t burn the place down. Unless there are vampires.”
“In that case I won’t blame you.”
He patted her shoulder and closed the door behind him.
Keith had managed to locate Ethan Rayne. A buddy of his from the border had
called him with a man fitting Ethan’s description. Keith had run it by Giles for
confirmation and now Keith was meeting Giles outside of Neptune.
“Mr. Mars?”
A much newer, red-er car than Keith would have imagined pulled up to the side
of the road.
“Mr. Giles?”
“Yes, please do get in.”
“Thank you. Call me Keith.”
“Rupert.”
They drove in semi-awkward silence for a little while.
“So, how long have you been a…Watcher, is it?”
“Almost all my life, I’m afraid. You might say it runs in the family.”
“How long have you been in California?”
“On my fifth year actually. I was assigned to Buffy when she moved to
Sunnydale so I acquired a position as school librarian. I became doubly unemployed
my third year here and have since opened up a magic shop.”
“Any money in that?”
“Enough to get by.”
“I hope Veronica hasn’t been any trouble.”
“No, she’s a nice girl. She’s adjusting very well to this new stress.”
“She’s used to stress, I’m afraid.”
“Yes, being around the Hellmouth these last few years has taught me a lot
about the resiliency of the younger generation.”
“Buffy’s quite tough.”
“Yes, she’s endured far more than I’d ever wanted her put through.”
“She seems to look up to you.”
Giles was silent a moment.
“Yes, when she’s not doing whatever she wants.” He laughed slightly.
“Well, if she’s anything like my Veronica, she does what she thinks is best
cause she’s capable, but inside she needs someone to tell her she’s right or wrong.”
“That’s an interesting way of looking at it.”
“I’ve only known Buffy a short time, but she’s obviously dealing with a lot.”
“More than I thought possible.”
“I’m sure she’s glad you’re on her side then since she doesn’t have her
father around.”
“Considering how many times I’ve failed her I’m not sure that’s true.”
Giles appeared to concentrate very hard on checking his mirrors.
“I’m not trying to hit a personal nerve,” Keith said and looked out the
window for a moment. “Is it just me or did it get awkward in here? But I know she
loves you. I’d ride with that.”
Giles smiled faintly.
“Thank you.”
“No sweat. Hey, turn in here.”
Giles made the turn and Keith snuck them into the back of the border station.
“Hey, Keith.”
“Brad, long time no see.”
“Sure is, man, bail jumping season is the only time we see you.”
“Gotta make a living somehow.”
“I hear you. So, is this the guy you want?”
Brad led the way to a holding cell where Giles looked very satisfied to see a
man Keith presumed must be Ethan Rayne leaning moodily against the bars.
“Either I’m following you or you’re following me, Ripper.”
“Oh, I’m following you. But you won’t be getting away this time.”
“Heaven forbid a scoundrel like me be tossed away to the government or
anything vile like that.”
“Thanks for everything, Brad,” Keith said as Brad unlocked the door and
handed Ethan over to a ready Giles.
“We’ll see ya again.”
Keith and Giles discreetly walked Ethan to the back of the car and put him in
before driving away.
“Making friends in high places?” Ethan questioned Giles.
“You know who he is, Ethan. You know why we want you. You’re going to make
sure Buffy is put back in her body or you’ll wish you were still in the government’s
possession.”
Keith hid a smile. Giles was doing all right in the parenting arena.
***
“A word of caution,” Logan said as he and Buffy left the Xterra. “Duncan and Veronica go way back. All the way back to firsts-ever-back. I’m not sure he ever got over it.”
“Never got over you cutting in?”
“Never got over the whole half-sister, incestuous storm cloud that hovered
over his head. But yeah, I did have to give my best friend charm back.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to do with you. Just thought you should know this could be a - what
would you call it? - hostile situation.”
“Consider me warned.”
Logan rapped smartly on the door and stepped back when Duncan opened it.
“Hey, man. We need to talk.”
“What do you want?” Duncan didn’t move so that they could enter.
“Just make up already,” Buffy said sharply. “It’s not Logan’s fault about
anything. It’s probably not yours either. We need to talk to you like a grown up
now.”
Duncan’s face hardened even further but he let them come in.
“What’s it about? What favor do you need, Veronica?”
“I need to talk to your mother.”
“Why? That won’t exactly end in tea and biscuits.”
“Yeah, they hate each other all right,” Logan put in. “But it’s really
important. Can you get her to meet us somewhere?”
“She won’t come if she knows it’s you two.”
“Which means she doesn’t have to know.”
“You want me to lie to my mother for you?”
“Let me think. Yes.”
“Give me a reason.”
“Listen, dude, I’m sorry about everything. Can’t we just go back to the way
things were?”
“Might be difficult since your dad murdered my sister.”
Logan hesitated.
“I hate him too, you know.”
Duncan’s face softened slightly.
Buffy tried the nice approach.
“Duncan, we all regret something. Please just let me talk to Celeste without
her knowing it’s about me. I promise it will all make sense later.”
“I know better than to push for an explanation.” Duncan sighed. “Fine, I’ll
do it.”
Buffy gave him the information and promised to call him and then they left.
“You okay?” she asked when they were outside.
“Like being back at Nam,” he quipped.
“I think he heard you if it’s any consolation.”
“Slightly. Now, how about food before detective-ing?”
“I could eat.”
***
“They’re back,” Dawn flung in the door on her way downstairs.
Veronica ceased her inspection of Buffy’s closet and followed. Three men had
just entered. Giles was leading a bound man and Keith followed behind. Veronica
flung her arms around her father.
“Hey, honey. I’m guessing you’re mine anyway. I don’t think anyone else
would be hugging me like that.”
“It’s me. I’m so glad to see you.”
“Me too. It’s not the same without you and your attitude.”
“My attitude missed you.”
He kissed the top of her head and they went into the front room with the
others.
“The other girl whose life you are invading,” Giles introduced Veronica to
Ethan who had been put on the couch and handcuffed to the window ledge.
“Gee, I’m glad to meet you,” Veronica said and sat down on the coffee table
to look him in the eye. “You know Celeste?”
“We had a brief acquaintance. I think she was bored one day at university
and wandered into my ‘extra-curricular’ study group.”
“So, you taught her witchcraft?”
“Not exactly. She wasn’t keen on the idea of learning herself. I just think
she thought it would prove useful. She was young and intoxicating in a way.”
“Color me gagging,” Veronica muttered. “So she came to you with this idea?”
“Well, the idea was mine actually. One of my more brilliant ideas if I do
say so.” Ethan subsided with his self praise as Giles looked harshly at him. “But
she was the initial brains of the operation.”
“Why? Why would she do this to me?”
“She asked for my help and in exchange I got out of prison. We were never
best mates and with what I was getting you can imagine I didn’t spend time chatting
about the morals or reasons.”
“Did she tell you why?”
“I don’t think she likes you very much. Something about you being the
ruination of everyone she loves, the product of a despicable line, and so on. You
really don’t want the details.”
“She just can’t stand me.” Veronica sat back and processed. Celeste had
always hated her. But to turn to the black arts, surely there had to be a concrete
reason. Apparently not. “I haven’t even talked to her since Aaron was arrested.”
“Don’t think about it, kiddo,” Keith said and sat down beside her. “Celeste
hasn’t been thinking right since she met our family.”
“Sounds stupid to me,” Xander snorted. “Hating someone just because of who
they are, who they came from.”
Veronica had to smile inwardly, wondering if he could recognize his
hypocrisy. She glanced at him and saw the realization start to dawn in his eyes.
But before he could deny or accept it, the front door burst open and Spike ran into
the room, dripping blood.
Dawn ran to get the first aid kit.
“Spike! What happened?”
“Glory,” he burst out, bending over and bracing himself on his knees.
“Get into the kitchen,” Tara commanded. “You’re getting blood everywhere.
We’ll patch you up. Dawnie, open the kit for me.”
“Is Glory coming?” Dawn whispered in fright.
Spike shook his head.
“No, Bit, you’re safe for the moment.”
Veronica and Keith backed up and let the Scoobies do their work. Anya began
to rinse out the blood covered cloths that Tara handed her. Veronica watched with great interest as Willow somehow made the blood on the carpet vanish.
“Spike, tell us exactly what occurred,” Giles asked.
“Was patrolling. Surrounded by all those scabby whatsits, Glory’s demons.
They talked about me being friendly with the Slayer. Decided to take me to see Her
Skankiness, fought them off, ran back here. I wasn’t followed. I see you got the
wanker back and that’s good because we need the Slayer back here bloody quick.”
“I agree,” Giles said slowly. “I will call her now.”
***
Logan cursed that he hadn’t been more careful, but he and Buffy had been focusing on their food and not the time and the motorcycles drawing up to surround the car were not a good thing.
“Still think I shouldn’t take care of these yahoos?” he queried sarcastically.
“I didn’t say you weren’t supposed to defend yourself. I said don’t take
unnecessary revenge.”
“Well, forgive me if my defending myself tonight looks like revenge because
this is getting old.”
“We could take them,” Buffy agreed. “Even with our limited abilities.”
“I’m still running on full charge,” he pointed out. “It’s you who’s all
weak.” He brought his cell phone up to his ear. “Yeah, I’m on the corner of Main
and Hofford. There are PCHers. You’re on your way? Thanks.”
He hung up the cell phone and unbuckled his seat belt. Buffy followed his
motions, but before they could do anything sirens started to sound and the gang
members drove away at full speed.
“You’re lucky we were only around the corner,” Sacks said as he got out of
his car and walked over to Logan’s Xterra.
“Thanks awfully,” Logan said sweetly.
Sacks nodded mildly and went back to his car. Logan rolled up his window and
turned to Buffy.
“Shall we?”
“We shall.”
Logan’s cell phone rang and he glanced at the caller id before tossing it to
Buffy.
“Looks like it’s someone for you.”
“Hello? Hi. What? Okay, we’ll be waiting. Hurry, Giles.” She clicked off
the cell. “They found Ethan. They’re bringing him.”
“Excellent.”
“By the way, I think she would have approved.”
He didn’t say anything but his lips turned up.
