Dreams of You

The next morning Joe arrived as the group was sitting down to the breakfast Amanda and Duncan had fixed. Joe was given a plate a relieved of the books he had been carrying. Once he looked up he said good morning to Xander, Amanda, Duncan, and Adam. When he looked over at the two blonds he took on a shade of pale green.



“Joe what’s wrong” Amanda asked as she saw the frightened look on the watchers face. Joe just stared at William. Methos and Duncan were trying not to laugh. “William” Duncan asked, “Can we be candid with all present. I promise they can be trusted.” William thought for a moment. “All right Duncan but we can tell them after we eat. Joe I am who you think but I am no longer what you think. You have no reason to fear me.” Joe gulped and nodded.



They all finished breakfast and retired to the living room to wait the information William was to give them. “Many of you have known me as William for a while. I was born to that name sometime in the 1860’s in Victorian London.” William started. Buffy took his hand knowing this was hard for him. Amanda was slightly surprised. Xander looked as if he had been sucker punched. Suddenly his crazy idea did not sound so crazy. He did not find comfort in that fact.



William took a breath as he began again, “Some of those here know that around 1880 I was bitten by a vampire and turned. For over fifty years I was part of the most feared foursome in the world, since the four horsemen rode. I killed two slayers and gained the name Slayer of Slayers. I found myself in Sunnydale California about eight years ago where I was looking for my grand sire so I could save my sire. While there I met a slayer I could not kill. After a long hard journey and help from her, her friend, a little government plastic, and the Powers the Be I became a man again. I won my soul and died to help her save the world. The Powers sent me back to what I will call my fourth life. I awoke to find myself here as an immortal. The rest most of you know.” William finished. Methos had glared to William for mentioning the four horsemen. Buffy stifled a giggle at the man. If any of the rest noticed this they did not show it. Most where trying to digest the information William had given them.



“I knew I had met you before.” Amanda smiled but William just looked at her. “I was at that party. I was planning on stealing some works of art from a friend of the Underwood’s. I was getting to know one of the girls there to use the information. What ever happened to that upstart you had a crush on.” William blinked for a moment before Buffy answered, “She became a Vengeance Demon though she prefers to be called a Justice demon. We have dealt with her once or twice. She was a friend of an ex-vengeance demon we use to know.” Buffy said sounding a little sad.



William wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. “We all miss Anya, luv. I wish we could have saved her and the others we lost to the hellmouth. We did what we could and we made their sacrifices count. So stop blaming yourself. She was over a thousand years old. She knew what she was getting into when she joined up.” William said to her.



“Well I assume that you Buffy would be the Slayer he mentioned.” Joe asked, he wondered if this was the one Duncan had spoken of. If so what would it mean to have an immortal slayer? “Very observant of you Watcher. I am not just a Slayer, I am The Slayer. I am the Master over my race. We fought the First Evil and William died sealing the hellmouth. During that time a witch I know cast a spell for me awaking the sleeping Slayers. When that happened I was the oldest and most experienced. The other Slayers saw me as their Master and that is what has happened since we were awakened into this time. I carry the first Slayer and all those since in me. It is similar to how I am told immortals feel after a quickening. I have their memories and skills to use, as I need. I pasted some on to my underlings and they teach them to the fledglings.” Buffy said.



Many hours past as the group asked questions of the two. After a while Joe left with a contact number for the council. Knowing they needed to talk Adam asked the two to join him for a walk. The finally found a quiet bar to sit in. It was his turn. Buffy explained about what he saw the other night and he explained about being Death. The three left to find a place for their minions to live. Buffy took money from her private accounts and bought a house that was reasonable priced. It had a basement with a sewer entrance. She and William laughed about how only a Slayer and Former Vamp could find a house owned by vampires. Buffy owning the house keep un wanted vamps out. They set the place up as somewhere they could go when they needed to be safe or needed a head quarters. Buffy used her connection to call forth her new childer. When they arrived she invited them in. They were told they would live at the home and would be asked to help remove other clans from the area. Once things were settled they returned to the dojo.



It was late in the evening when Buffy and William returned from patrol. Duncan was asked if they could use the dojo to train the minions. He was not sure how he felt about it. Buffy explained her bond to the two and that through that bond she could work much like Spike’s chip had. She can sense evil intent and punish or dust them with a thought. Duncan finally agreed though he still did not like it.



The next morning Buffy awake to her cell phone going off. The person calling was not going to leave a message since they kept calling back. Buffy looked at the ID and groaned. Careful not to awaken William she pulled on a robe and answered the phone as she walked into the hallway. “The world had better be ending if your calling me this early.” Buffy growled thinking it was one of her Slayers. “Buffy Summer where have you been.” Giles yelled over the phone. Oops she had forgotten to check in with her watcher for almost a week. “Sorry Giles. I have been kinda busy here in Seacover. Oh you should be getting a call for a man named Joe Dawson. He can explain everything but I think it would be better if you came so you can see for yourself and start the research and everything ‘cause I know there is a prophesy about this somewhere hidden in the old records.” Buffy rambled until she paused and heard Giles calling her name, “Buffy , Buffy , Buffy…. What are you talking about?” Buffy stopped for a moment……”I found him Giles. He’s back and not just that he’s alive.” “who, What are you talking about Buffy who’s back?” Giles asked as he waved Willow over. He was worried that Buffy was going through another change do to her Slayer. He had been worried about her mental status. “William that’s who! There is more but I can’t over the phone. Talk to Joe when he calls and then bring Willow, Xander, Faith and Dawn. He’ll be happy to see you. Ohh Duncan is up I got go train. I’ll talk to you soon.” Giles here a dial tone in his ear.



Giles looked at Willow, “Call a Scooby meeting ASAP.” Willow nodded and started calling the group together. With in half an hour Dawn, Faith, Willow, and Xander all sat in Giles’ office waiting for his news. “I’m worried about Buffy. I think her Slayer side is doing something to her mind. I called her after a week of no contact and…well let me let you hear for yourselves.” Giles replayed the phone call for them to hear. They all sat back for a moment trying to figure out what she was talking about. With in seconds Dawn was looking at the still clueless group, “As always you guys are dense as bricks. She goes looking for her self, she has been out of contact for a week and then says she’s found him.” Everyone looked at Dawn waiting for an explanation. Dawn rolled her eyes, “Spike is back. That is why she wants US there and why she mentioned prophesy and research. I guess I’m the only one who speaks Buffy. For some reason the PTB brought Spike back and he is alive. That is where Buffy has been for the last week. So let’s book a flight watcher man.” With that Dawn left to pack. She was going to see her sister and Spike whether the others did or not.



The rest of the group spent the next hour discussing what had happened. Faith said that other then somehow taking Childer she could not feel anything through the Slayer connection, Willow was gathering books that might explain what was going on. Xander was wondering if maybe Anya might come back too if he believed hard enough. Then he thought about the date he had last night. He would always miss Anya but he knew he had not yet found what Buffy had once had with Spike of all creatures. Giles started making plans for them to go to Seacover. He also planed a stop over in LA to talk to Angel. It may not be a wise idea brining him into it but Giles was not sure what the situation was and if anyone else could get through to Buffy. He was lost in his thoughts when his secretary told him he had a call. “Hello this is Rupert Giles.” He said as he answered the phone. “Mr. Giles, I’m Joe Dawson. Your Master Slayer Buffy Summer gave me you number we need to talk is this a secure line?”



Giles and Joe talked as Joe let him know about the resent revelations in Seacover. He told Giles about immortals and that they think Buffy might be a future immortal. Giles sat back. As he digested all the information he had been given in the last few hours. He called Willow and told her to search the database for anything to do with immortals or an immortal slayer. Willow was confused but Giles said he would tell everyone on the flight.

Later that evening the Scoobies were on a flight and Giles was filling them in on what he had learned. He even told them he was thinking of brining Angel in but after talking with Joe he decided it was really not a good idea.



Mean while in LA



Angel was looking at reports that had been coming across his desk. He was getting worried. It seemed there was a new major player in a little town called Seacover. He had placed a call to Giles but was told that Buffy was already on it and the Scoobies had gone to join her. Angel had a bad feeling as some of the reports pointed to a member of the Aurelian clan being the Master of this new group forming. He made arrangements to go there himself. If it was an Aurelian then it was his responsibility as the oldest Master Vampire in the clan to end the threat.



Giles and the Scoobies got off the plane. Joe was there to meet them. “Mr. Giles, I’m Joe. I must say I was not expecting so many people to come with you. I will have to work on more accommodations but it wont be a problem. I’ll take you to the hotel and we can arrange for the extra rooms. I have a car but we will also rent another if one of your people can drive it they can follow me.” Giles nodded and followed Joe. The Scoobies all fell in place moving as a unit. To the untrained they looked like a group walking but Joe could see they were covering each other’s back.



Once they reached the hotel Joe began talking with the manager about the extra rooms. The group began visual sweeps of the lobby. “Giles” Willow called out. Joe turned to see what was up as Giles turned to look at Angel walking through the doors. “I’ll be back in a moment Joe.” Giles said as he joined the Scoobies who were loosely surrounding Angel. Giles gestured for them to step off to the side. Once away from the crowds Giles turn to Angel.



“What the Bloody hell are you doing here?” Giles or rather Ripper growled at Angel. “I’m here on business. I called they said Buffy and crew were here. I have had multiple reports of and Aurelian trying to lay claim as master of the city. As the oldest Member of the Clan it is my responsibility to find out what is going on an take care of it.” Angel said. He was a bit surprised at Giles’s behavior and his agitation showed. “Okay dead boy The Slayer has it under control. It is her matter to take care of not yours. Go back to Evil inc and take care of your own playground.” Xander seemed almost as hostile as Giles had. “I was also hoping to see Buffy and see how she is doing. I don’t want to cause trouble but Giles you know as head of the clan I have a valid interest in what is going on here.” Angel said letting some of his anger slip away. “Buffy is fine Angel. Go home we will let you know what is going on and IF you are needed we will let you know. You being here will only cause problems for now.” Willow said trying to sound understanding although she agreed with the others. Angel had not offered assistance or called to see how anyone was doing in the past year, so his concern now was annoying.



Angel sighed, “I will be in town for a few days. Here is my cell number. Call me and let me know something soon. I wont do anything yet but I cannot leave knowing there is an Aurelian threat out there. For all I know it could even be Drusilla.” Angel handed Giles a card and turned to leave. Faith and Dawn blocked his way. “Don’t try to see Buffy while you are here. She has been through a lot this past year and she does not need the past haunting her right now.” Dawn said as she gave him her best evil glare. Faith just looked at him for a moment, “Buffy will let you know if she wants to see you. I’ll tell her your concerns.” Faith said softly. Angel stared at her for a moment. Something was different about her. She felt more powerful, His demon felt the presence of another Master and it was coming from Faith. “Something is different about you. Why does my demon see you as an equal and a threat?” Angel asked her as he tried to figure out his own confused thoughts. Faith smiled and allowed a bit of her Slayer to show through before answering, “Think on it Angel. I’m sure you can figure it out. I know there is a smart man behind that angelic face. Ask Wesley, what is a Slayer? What happens when instead of one you awaken hundreds. Word of advise though……You don’t want to see what I am and you really do not want to mess with My Family.” Faith said as she walked away. Angel was in shock. He wanted to demand answers but he also some how knew that if he pushed them any further Faith could and would rip him to bits. Instead he just nodded his head and left.



Giles returned to where Joe was waiting with the keys to their rooms while the others keep a watch for any more of the fang gang. Joe raised an eyebrow in question at Giles who just shrugged and told him it was an old acquaintance of Buffy’s that did not know when to let go. Joe had nodded but was seriously worried. First he had William the Bloody show up as an Immortal of the non-vamp kind, then the slayer who was suppose to be little more than myth, and if he’s memory was correct he had just seen Angelus. Life was getting stranger than fiction in Seacover. After the group got settled they followed Joe to his bar where they would meet up with Buffy and then the others.



Angel tried to follow but an inhuman growl from Faith had his demon wanting to leave. That was a first for Angel. He did not know how to act when even Angelus did not want to press his luck. Angel nodded and slipped away heading for his own rooms to brood.