Unexpected Arrival
Chapter 12
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy or any of its characters,
unless Joss Whedon takes pity on my poor soul and githemthem to me. Anyone who
sues shall be paid in pocket lint and dirt. Actually better make that dirt I’m
running out of lint.
AN:
or Spuffy this time. Have lots of
interesting things in mind for everyone.
Coming soon I promise.
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to move into and were now congregated in the living room waiting for the
pizza to arrive.
‘noise’ had been heard from upstairs for some time and Buffy was debating on
whether she should go and hurry the couple along.
others were watching with amusement as Buffy stared at the ceiling, rose from
her seat to walk to the stairs, stopped and muttered to herself, shaking her
head as she would return to her seat to once again to stare at the ceiling.
done this five times so far and evendernder was softly chuckling at his
friend’s antics. Buffy, of course, was
completely oblivious to what she was doing.
eventually took pity on her friend “I’ll just go get them shall I?”
looked at her startled “What?” she frowned back up at the ceiling “Maybe
someone should go get those two?” Buffy
gave the gang a confused look as they all started to laugh loudly.
almost reached the stairs when the doorbell rang “Pizza’s here guys” she
laughed as she heard Dawn and Xander racing each other to get to the door
first.
the bedroom door and listened carefully.
She could hear soft voices inside so she knocked once before opening the
door and poking her head in.
sat on the edge of the bed, eyes closed as Spike knelt behind her brushing her
hair. Both looked freshly showered and
moment to watch Spike gently tend to his wife.
“It’s nearly time to go. There’s
pizza downstairs if you’re hungry.”
stomach growled loudly “I’m starving.”
>
announced Spike as he pulled Rebecca’s hair back and leaned down to kiss a neat
bite mark on her neck. He watched
lang=EN-US style='mso-ansi-lage:age:EN-US;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>’s
reaction carefully.
flicked from the bite to Spike’s neck.
He grinned and pulled the neck of his shirt away slightly to expose a
matching human bite.
smiled before turning to leave “Oh and I think Xander reached the pizza first,
so if you want to actually get any I’d hurry.”
Dawn and Xander were in a competition to see who could stuff mostmost pizza
into their mouth. Giles was beginning to
turn green at the sight, especially as the pair were attempting to taunt each
other in the process.
began to choke as Dawn triumphantly stuffed another slice into her mouth “Imf
wfin”.
began a little victory dance as she attempted to now chew and swallow the
contents of her mouth. As she danced
around the chair she noticed Rebecca’s look of horror as she spoke to Spike
“That’s not how you’re supposed to eat that is it?”
jumped up and pulled Rebecca forward to sit before the pizza.
intricacies of pizza consumption.
eyed Xander warily as he rambled on about flipping, folding and other dubious
concepts.
rolled her eyes and leant down to scoop up a slice “Here like this” she smiled
at the Rebecca’s expression as she had her first taste.
still looked uncertain “It’s different” she took another bite her face
scrunched slightly as she contemplated the taste “it’s quite enjoyable though.”
remaof tof the day darkened into evening as the group finished their meal.
as the others armed themselves for their evening’s excursion.
soon on their way towards the cemetery, Buffy and Rebecca in the lead, Dawn,
and Xander following closely. Spike and
Giles trailed some distance behind.
cleared his throat a little before beginning to speak “I noticed the marks on
Rebecca’s neck earlier”
what of it”
that this means that you have renewed your bond with each other via a claiming.”
assuming correctly then watcher” Spike straightened defensively waiting for
words of condemnation to begin.
that was a very wise decision”
stared at him in amazemen:p><:p>
should be able to sense any changes in Rebecca’s essence, an early warning
system so to speak” Giles clasped Spike on the shoulder “It would be helpful if
you could strengthen your bond as much as possible.”
looked at Giles in shock “Watcher, did you just tell me to bite my wife more?”
with his sleeve cuff ‘Damn he missed his glasses right now’ “Yes well,
Rebecca will need to ...umm…reciprocate as well, to keep the claiming bond at
its maximum effectiveness.” He began to
tug at cuffcuffs earnestly “You will of course keep me apprised of any changes
you detect in Rebecca’s essence.”
Rupes old man” Spike strode off to catch up with his wife, coming up behind her
and lifting her from the ground and over his shoulder as she squealed at him to
put her back down.
to the appointed meeting place was uneventful, as it was still too early in the
evening for much demon activity. The
group stood and stared at the huge structure that stood before them.
/p>
have thought with all the years of patrolling I would have noticed this hulking
big mausoleum before?” Buffy stood hands
on hips as she surveyed it.
because it’s usually cloaked” Anya stepped out of the doorway. “If you’re all
ready” she held the door open and ushered them through “right this way.”
in the center of the mausoleum and looked around.
cobwebs noticeable.
the door firmly behind them, as she turned to face them the door faded away to
be replaced by stone. “Please remember
that this is a peaceful community. There
will be no slaying, and as some of the inhabitants human than other do not” she
looked pointedly at Xander “You will treat them ALL with respect.”
seemed to remember something then and she moved to a nearby sarcophagus and
withdrew a brown cloak. She handed it to
Spike “It will be daylight but this should protect you until we get
indoors. It was specially made for use
by vampires so it should provide you with better protection than a blanket.”
nodded his thanks and donned the robe, drawing the hood low over his face.
moved to the back wall, as she extended her hand a door materialized.
stepped through the door to be met with brilliant sunlight and lush
forest. A path wound its way from the
steps of the mausoleum into the forest, the sound of running water met their
ears and as they moved down the path a small stream came into view.
rounded a bend they saw the village, the houses seemed to sprout from the trees
themselves. Dawn gasped “it looks like
something from a fairytale.”
it is” Anya smiled as several small children ran past on their way for a
swim. “The Midian forest is a place of
magic. It expands and retracts to
accommodate those who reside here” She moved to stand before one of the massive
trunks. “Do you all want to stay
together?”
nodded their assent.
you will all need to place your palms on the trunk for a moment.”
moved to stand around the trunk, palms touching the rough bark.
touch, almost like a heartbeat. Anya
motioned for them to move away. They all
watched in awe as the giant began to shift.
pulsed and shimmered, branches moved and began to entwine.
verandahs as windows and doors began appearing; eventually a door began to form
at the base.
smiled at the expressions on their faces “Amazing isn’t it.”
the bark once more “Thank you my friend.”
She turned back to the others “The tree changes its form to accommodate
those who it will protect. The first
time you enter you must thank the spirit of the tree.”
member moved forward and gave their thanks the tree seemed to pulse and glow
once more. They moved into the heart of
the tree and found themselves standing in the centre of a large bare room.
began to explain how the tree would adapt for them “The tree has taken an
imprint of your essence, when you leave Midian the tree will revert to its
original form. However, if you return it
will sense you as soon as you step through the door and be ready by the time
you reach the village. Each room is
designed to adapt to your needs.” Anya
moved to one side “For example if you want to sit”
lush green leaves spring up as padding “A seat will appear.”
the rooms are the same.”
jumped onto the sofa beside Anya “Wow this is better then the one we have at
home.” She bounced a few times to emphasis her point.
stood “The elders will be ready for you in a few hours, so I suggest you have a
look around before the meetings start.”
She grabbed Giles’s hand and pulled him towards the stairs that spiraled
around the inner trunk. “Let me show you
to your room Rupie”
watched the couple move up the stairs “I might go and have a look around
outside, anyone want to come with?”
others declined each wanting to explore their new lodgings more fully.
stepped back outside squinting slightly at the bright sunlight.
the fact that all the buildings were formed from trees it looked like an old
English country village. People moved
about tending to their daily business, there were some demons that he’d never
seen before but all of them offered him a wave and a nod or a friendly hello as
they passed.
set of he dhe direction of the stream; he heard a large roar and turned to see
a fierce looking demon bearing down on a small human looking child.
razor sharp teeth which it was snapping hungrily at the little girl.
ran forward trying to reach the girl before the monster.
screaming child when Xander realize that the child was in fact giggling as the
creature tickled her mercilessly. He
pulled himself up self-consciously as he realized that the girl was in no
danger.
creature put the girl down and she was off running once again “Come catch me
again Unca Drew” she ran past Xander squealing with laughter.
wink as he once again chased his laughing niece.
smiled to himself as he turned back towards the stream ‘Gotta remember.
Demons good here. Demons good’ It was then that he saw her.
the village watching him. Her long black hair fell to her waist in
thick curls and she looked up at him with the prettiest brown eyes he’d ever
seen.
smiled softly at him before moving forward “Hi, you must be one of the Slayers
friends” she offered a hand “I’m Bo, short for Isabo.”
stared at her his mind blank, Bo laughed and grabbed his hand “And your name
is?”
He shook his head slightly “Alexander Harris.
Xander for short, although its not that much shorter” Xander knew he was
babbling but couldn’t help himself.
“Hello Xander, so my little niece gave you a bit of a fright?”
face started to color “Yeah um sorry about that, just used to, you know, demons
being the bad guys.”
ok Xander” Bo turned to watch her niece once again “Sometimes I think Isabella can
scream loud enough to wake the dead.”
She smiled back up at him again.
“So where were you headed?”
thought I might go find the stream”
want some company” Bo looked up at him coyly
felt heat suffuse his face again “Sure, if you want” they began to walk towards
the stream. “So that guy back there?” he
left the question hanging.
He’s Issy’s dad’s brother.” Bo went on
“Mathew, Issy’s dad, is a Shartala demon and her mum is human.”
Xander couldn’t imagine any human wanting to be married to a demon like that.
remember when Katie first met Mathew” Bo smiled at her memories “We were all
quite surprised when she bought him home.
We all thought he was far too good for her.”
her shoulder against him and Xander realized that she knew what he was
thinking. “Sorry it’s just, not used to it is all.”
alright Xander; Katie grew up here, so what someone looks like on the outside
doesn’t even register.”
about you, did you grow up here?”
her head “No I didn’t, but I’ve lived here most of my adult life.”
the stream, one of its large leaves moving to shade her.
settled down beside her “So what, that’s been a few years then”
settled back and smiled secretly “A few”
watched in appreciation as Bo lifted the hem of her dress slightly and let the
sun dance over her legs. “So what do
people do here? Do you have jobs?
Xander. Midian is like any other village,
we have shops and churches and schools.
The people here are just a little different.”
work?” Xander watched as Bo stood and
moved stand in the stream the sunlight dancing on the water around her.
teacher actually”
teacher, wow” Xander sat forward and let his eyes run over her “I wish my
teachers had looked like you.”
laughed as she splashed him “Come in the waters great” with that she fell
backwards under the water. Xanders
breathe caught in his throat as Bo stood up her dress clinging to her in all
the right places. “What’s the matter
Xander” she gave him an evil smile “You afraid of a little water.”
was not one to let a challenge pass so he sprung up and grabbed Bo by the
shoulders as he pulled her back into the water with him.