Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

A Life Less Ordinary


The next night William came back from patrolling. Rupert had let him know Lizzie had slept most of the night. She had gotten up once asking Rupert some basic questions like, what year was it, how long had she been a vampire, how Dawnie was and what had occurred in her absence then she fell asleep.

Rupert had been doing research trying to make sense of Lizzie's return.

"The best I can gather Son. Was that it was the soul. Where ever she was it was not a place for beings with a soul. Which would explain why Spike did not return as well." Rupert said quietly.

"I get that. So what do we do now?" William asked.

Rupert cleared his throat.

"I...I called Cordelia Chase and Wesley Pryce. They said when Angel was souled he was a great help to humanity if you could believe that. I think Lizzie's madness might have been the result of losing her soul. Something like what happened to Angel. Without a soul he was a horrible creature who gave into the evil within. With Lizzie she lost any peace within her. The madness was a result of that and what she was feeling before.." Rupert stopped.

"The fact that she had felt so much despair before she tried to..." William stopped himself as well.

"She lost a great deal of blood. In fact, I am surprise Spike was able to turn her at all." Rupert said.

William felt a lump in his throat. Thinking about his role in that night's events. He had told his father he had assisted Spike but never gave anyone the details. Not because of his own shame but because he knew his family and friends already had to much to deal with.

"I'm going to go check on her." William announced.

"William." Rupert spoke up stopping his son.

"You need to keep a clear head Son. Despite my reluctance to harm Lizzie in any way she is still a vampire. You have to remember that." Rupert said.

"I know Da!" William snapped.

Rupert crossed his arms not flinching.

He was ready for an outburst from his normally subdued boy.

"Sorry, I know what she is. But she is still Lizzie." William said.

Rupert nodded.

"Has The Bit been to see her?" William asked.

Rupert shook his head.

"Lizzie, needs more time." Rupert said repeating Lizzie's words.

William looked up at the ceiling.

"Maybe I should go talk to Dawnie." William stated.

"It's a school night Son. I told her that Lizzie is still very ill." Rupert explained.

"And she did not go running over?" William asked surprised.

Rupert shook his head.

"I think she could sense my apprehension." Rupert replied.

William chuckled.

"She's just getting more and more acute the older she gets doesn't she?" William said.

Rupert nodded.

"Dawnie is something special. What I am not sure of just yet. I have thought to bring it up to The Council but I want her to have more time before we present her to them." Rupert said.

"Do you think she is a potential?" William asked a bit afraid for his sister.

Rupert shook his head.

"No, but I do think she is special. A matter we should deal with another time. Right now you have your plate full enough." Rupert replied.

Rupert motioned to the door. He knew William was on pins and needles wanting to go check on Lizzie. Any further conversation would have been fruitless.

"Right, then. Don't wait up for me." William said.

*

William walked into The Summer's home. He went up the stairs, lighting a candle.

He reached Lizzie's room to find her bed empty.

"Lizzie?" He called out.

He tried not to panic. He looked around not seeing her anywhere. He knew she was there the tingling on the back of his neck was strong.

He walked out into the hallway and saw a glimmer of light coming from the bathroom.

Lizzie's bathroom.

His heart began to pound out of his chest. Swiftly her ran over afraid of what he might find. Tearing the door opened he yelled for her.

“LIZZIE!” He screamed

His whole body shook at the sight before him.

Lizzie was sitting against the tub staring into it as if she was in a trance.

He walked closer to her.

“No please, not again.” William thought.

"Lizzie." William whispered.

"I remember what I did." She said softly as tears rolled down her cheeks.

William knelt by her. He was careful not to touch her afraid of what she might do.

"Who...who found me?" Lizzie asked.

William sat down and pulled his knees to his chest.

"I did." He choked out.

Lizzie gasped.

"Oh God Will, I'm so sorry." She cried.

William got on his knee again grabbing her, hugging her tightly.

"Please forgive me." William whispered.

"Forgive you? Will, I'm the one who should be begging for forgiveness." Lizzie said taking his face in her hands.

William pulled her hands away and jumped up.

"No, I was the one that did this to you! I brought you to Spike." William cried.

Lizzie shook her head.

"This isn't your fault." Lizzie said softly.

Lizzie looked around.

"Oh no, then tonight when you came to see me and you found me here...." Lizzie stopped standing up.

"I just keep hurting you." Lizzie whispered.

William looked down at Lizzie. She looked so thin, pale.

"When I saw you sitting there. All I could think was if I had woken up sooner. If I was quicker. Maybe I would have made it in time. Instead I...I handed you over to Spike. Just like I always have." William confessed.

Lizzie touched his face.

"Don't do this to yourself. We all made choices. I made choices. A lot of them I'm not proud of." Lizzie said looking down.

"Lizzie, I promise I will never leave you again." William said.

Lizzie took two steps back.

"You have to Will." Lizzie said.

"I won't." William said shaking his head.

Lizzie took a deep unneeded breath and said

"You don't understand Will, I'll...."

"Ruin me?" William interrupted.

Lizzie nodded slowly.

"I told you already Lizzie. I'm already ruined." William said.

Lizzie turned around looking out at the window.

"Thanks for putting up the black cloth over my windows in my room." Lizzie said trying to change the subject.

"No problem." William said leaning against the sink.

"I don't think I should stay here. The neighbors will start talking." Lizzie said.

"You could stay with us. I know The Bit would love it." William encouraged.

"Will, I'm a vampire. I may not feel like one or particularly live like one but I am a creature of the night." Lizzie said somberly.

"I know that." William said softly.

"Do you Will?" Lizzie asked turning to face him.

"When you look at me do you still see Lizzie…the girl that moved in across the way…your best friend…but Will, I'm not her anymore…I am a demon." Lizzie said shaking a bit.

"You're still my best friend." William answered.

"And before I had a soul? Was I your best friend then? I don't remember much Will. I remember fighting with you, torturing you. I remember you called me....Buffy." Lizzie said as if she had come to another realization.

She sat on the edge of the tub closing her eyes.

"Perfect Princess Buffy." She mumbled.

William knelt in front of her taking her hands. He watched as she searched the deep recesses of her mind.

"Lizzie." He said trying to bring her back.

Lizzie looked at him with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Spike and I were together." Lizzie said.

William nodded.

Lizzie began to cry.

“Spike’s gone. He’s gone I mean really gone this time.” She cried.

William held her for a moment allowing her to cry.

Lizzie looked up, reached out and touched William's face.

"God Will, you must hate me." Lizzie whispered.

"Could never hate you Pet." William said smiling at her.

"You should I'm your enemy." Lizzie replied.

"You're a vampire and I'm a Slayer. Not the most conventional of friendships but you still are my best friend." William said firmly.

Lizzie chuckled.

"Just as stubborn as ever." She laughed rolling her eyes.

"Lizzie. My life isn't exactly what you would call ordinary or normal. A lot has happened while you have been away. The people you know are not even the same. Anya alone is a doozy." William said.

"Anya? Is she your girlfriend?" Lizzie asked quietly.

William laughed.

"God No Luv. She's Xander's issue. Besides I already have a girl." William said.

Lizzie looked down.

"My sister." William said.

Lizzie looked up at him confused.

"Dawnie, our sister. She's been the only girl in my life." William said.

Lizzie smiled at him.

"I promised you I would always protect her." William stated.

William tipped Lizzie's chin so she was looking into his eyes.

"I couldn't let my other girl down." William said his eyes filled with love.

Lizzie stood up.

"I'm tired." Lizzie said.

William took her by the hand and led her back into her bedroom.

Lizzie laid down.

"I'll come check on you in the morning." William announced.

"Wait." Lizzie called out.

William turned around. He watched as Lizzie played with the blanket nervously.

He laughed, walking over and laying down beside her.

"Just don't hog the covers." William griped.

"I do not hog the covers." Lizzie pouted.

"I bet you I wake up cold." William groaned.

"I bet I wake up colder." Lizzie quipped obviously referencing her vampiric state.

William cocked his eyebrow at her.

Both the friends laughed wrapping themselves up in the covers. Just like they had done before.

"Lizzie, there is one more thing. You said you knew I was The Slayer. That you remembered but not in the way I think. I don't understand." William said.

Lizzie closed her eyes.

"Later." She said taking William's arm and wrapping it around her.

William laid there watching her sleep trying to not let his question burn inside his mind.