Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

One Good Day

William sat on the edge of Dawn’s bed watching her as she slept. He smiled, envying her the peace she found in slumber. William had told her truth about the events that led up to that fateful night. Who the Master was and the identity of his mate. Dawn felt hurt and betrayed, but ultimately she understood Like Lizzie, Dawn did not judge him. Her unconditional love and support was a balm to his soul.

Shortly after the aborted apocalypse, Dawnie announced to Rupert and William that she wanted to change her last name to Giles. Her reasoning was that she never really knew her father and he certainly didn’t want to be bothered with her. She felt she was more of a Giles than a Summers anyway.

It was a simple gesture, but profound. It helped heal the fractured family; giving it them a symbol that it was time to move on and face the future. A future with just the three of them against the world.

William gently stroked her soft hair and then kissed her on the forehead. Leaving the small nightlight burning, he left to prepare for another night of slaying.

Downstairs, he found his father buried in some dusty tome. “Will Oz or Xander be accompanying you tonight, son?” he asked.

“Nah, it’s Valentine’s Day, Da. Figured I’d best give the lovers the night off.” William said with a wink.

Rupert nodded, chuckling. “Our Willow might understand if Oz went, but Anya is another story.” He commented.

“She’s an odd girl, that’s for sure. But she does love Xander. He deserves that.”
“Yes. Yes, she does. William, while we’re on the subject…”

William rolled his eyes as his father jerked his glasses off and began to clean them with his handkerchief. He knew what was coming.

“Look, William. I know I’m your father and you might not entirely comfortable talking to me about such matters, but it’s really not good for you to be alone as much as you are.” Rupert said.

“Da, I’m the Slayer. It wouldn’t be fair of me to even think about a romantic relationship. I have an early expiration date.” William stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Rupert winced at William’s comment.

Instantly William felt bad. “Besides what I am going to tell the poor bird? ‘Sorry honey, can’t go to the movies tonight gotta go save the world!’ Not exactly a solid relationship builder.” William teased.

“I see your point, but both you and I know that’s not the reason why you refuse to even consider it.” Rupert said quietly. “She’s gone Son.”

William closed his eyes tightly and shook his head. “Don’t Da, not now please.” He whispered.

“I don’t say these things to hurt you, but I know what it feels like. I know the look in a man’s eyes when he longs for someone who is not here anymore.” Rupert replied.

William looked at his father. “Then you know, Da, that there’s no way I can. There is no one that can replace her in my heart.” His voice shook with the force of his words as he gathered up his bag and opened the door. He stood there in the open door, his back to his father. Rupert had to strain to hear his firm, quiet tone.

“I know she never belonged to me, Da, but she was the only thing I have ever been sure of.” William said.

He began to walk out the door.

“She was The One.”

*

William leaped into the air dealing the closest vampire a roundhouse kick.

“Bloody Hell!” He cursed to himself.

He had walked into a nest. Seeing three vampires go in, he had a while to make sure no others were coming. The coast seemed clear, but he forgot one thing. He didn’t listen outside like he should have.

When he walked in he was greeted by six vampires instead of three.

He had slipped. Badly. He knew it.

He quickly dispatched the two by the door as he walked in, but the remaining four were giving him a run for his money. He evened out the playing field a bit more by taking out a third. The sound of his ‘inner Rupert’ scolding him filled his head. Adrenaline kicked in but he knew it wasn’t a good thing. He would need that extra strength for later in the battle.
Will pushed himself off of the three. One came charging at him. He crouched down and swept his legs out from under him. He used the few precious minutes while that one was down to take out his fourth.

He could feel his fatigue weighing him down, slowing his reactions and weakening his punches. Since it was Valentine’s Night more vamps were out than usual, looking for easy pickings among distracted young lovers. William had already fought five vamps hand to hand and dusted two fledglings before coming to take out this nest. He should have called it a night. He knew he was pushing himself to hard and he knew why.

The dance was getting old.

He heard Spike’s voice in his head.

“The thing about the dance is, you never get to stop.”

William fought with all his might. This vampire was the strongest yet. His training told him he had made another mistake. He should have taken him out first. He fought with everything he had in him, still hearing his brothers voice in his head.

“Every day you wake up, it's the same bloody question that haunts you: is today the day I die?”

William took tough vamp out finally, but he shook with exhaustion. The last vampire grabbed him from behind. He struggled, trying to find strength to throw the vamp over his shoulder, but he couldn’t...He had nothing left inside him.

“Death is on your heels, brother, and sooner or later it's gonna catch you. Just like it caught me.”

William struggled in vain not to give in but he was so tired. So tired of the pain. That moment of curiosity and the promise of peace engulfed him. He felt the sharp fangs scrape his neck and closed his eyes, resigning himself to his fate.

Suddenly William heard a growl. The vampire was yanked away from him so forcefully he nearly fell to the ground. He turned around.

On the floor the last vampire was struggling with something. They rolled and tumbled in the dust. Briefly, William wondered if it was Oz in werewolf form. The creature was tattered, it’s hair matted and dirty.

He watched as the creature gained the upper hand and with a ferocious growl it tore into the vampire’s neck. The creature reached for a stake William had dropped earlier and plunged it into the vampire’s chest.

It exploded into dust, leaving the creature crumpled on the floor. William saw now that the battle was over that it was a person. A vampire, dressed in ragged clothing and looking around the nest with feral eyes,

William swiftly moved over, grabbing the vampire from behind and ripping the stake from its hands. He let out a growl, preparing to stake the creature. The he looked down.

And gasped.

“William?” The creature asked, voice quivering.

William stared. The creature trembled. Dirt covering its face. Hair wild. Clothes torn and three sizes to big for it. With wide, frightened eyes....wide, frightened, incredibly beautiful green eyes.

“Lizzie?” William choked.

Lizzie touched his face.

“William.” She whispered as she went limp in his arms.

Author’s Note: Concept taken from Beauty and The Beasts S3. Manipulated dialogue from Fool for Love