Part Fourteen
“Hello?”
“Mr. Giles, it’s me, Jesse. Can I talk to Xander?”
“Jesse! Certainly. How is your new home?”
Jesse gulped and looked at the man who was watching him make the call. “Good, it’s good. Mr. Cambridge, I mean Vincent, is really nice. He took me to his office today.”
“That’s good. I’m glad you’re doing well. Ahh, here’s Xander.” Sound of the phone being passed over.
“Jesse?”
“Xander!”
“How are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Jesse tried to reassure Xander. “How are you doing?”
“Okay, I guess. I wish you were still here.”
“Hey, I’m sure I’ll be able to visit once I’m totally settled in here.”
“Yeah,” said Xander without conviction.
“None of that, Xander,” said Jesse. “You know I would never leave you. We’re gonna get through this.”
“So, what did you do today?”
“Um, I went to Vincent’s office.”
“Was it cool? Did he do lots of neat legal stuff?”
Even though Xander couldn’t see him, Jess blushed. “Actually, I spent the day with one of his interns. Lindsey.”
“Is she nice?”
“He is, yeah. Bought me pop, and some chips.”
“Does he know you’re like a dog? Once you’re given food, you’ll follow anyone,” joked Xander.
Jesse laughed weakly, then noticed Vincent was giving him ‘kill’ signals. “Um, Xander, I hafta go now. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Bye.”
“Thanks for walking me home, Iam. That was very sweet,” said Willow, pausing outside her house.
Iam grinned at her, “Anytime.”
Willow started to go into the house, then turned back around. “Oh, by the way, Iam.”
“Yes?” he asked, turning innocent blue eyes on her.
“What do you think of Xander?”
Iam blushed, then said, “He’s nice. He’s the first friend I’ve ever really had.”
“Good,” said Willow. Then she got a determined look on her face, “But if you ever hurt him, I will hunt you down and beat you to a bloody pulp with a shovel. And then I will use that same shovel to bury your mutilated corpse.” She took a breath and smiled, “I think you’re going to be really good for Xander.
Iam stared at the closed door of the Rosenburgs’ house, stunned. Wondering what that was all about, he headed home.
“Jesse called,” said Xander, when Iam flopped down onto the couch next to him.
“Hmm, what did he say?” asked Iam.
“He said he likes it where he is, but I don’t think he does. He didn’t sound like he was happy.”
“What do you mean?”
“I dunno, I guess maybe he was forced into saying he was happy,” said Xander, unconsciously making anime eyes at Iam.
Iam gulped nervously, “M-maybe you’re over-reacting. This IS the first time you’ve ever been apart.”
“Maybe,” said Xander. Then his voice dropped, “He met someone.”
“What?” asked Iam, confused. “Met someone?”
Xander stared at Iam for a second, “This intern at his guardian’s law office. I think Jesse likes him.”
“Oh, oh!” said Iam, catching on. “Well, you don’t know for sure, do you?”
“No, I guess not.”
“Then why worry?”
“Good point.”
“Did he say anything about his guardian?”
“Yeah, he sounds okay. But, I don’t know. The way Jesse said his name, kinda like he was scared.”
“What was the name?” Iam asked, a little apprehensive.
“Vincent Cambridge, maybe. Wasn’t paying that much attention.”
Iam let out a sigh of relief.
Xander watched Iam for a second, “What was the sigh for?”
“The lawyer, I was scared for a minute that it was my da. But his name is Nathaniel Giles.”
“That makes me feel a little better,” said Xander. “But I’m still worried.”
“There, don’t you feel better now?” asked Vincent, patting Jesse on his hand.
“I guess,” mumbled Jesse.
“Enunciate boy. I want to be able to understand what you’re saying.”
“Yes, I feel better now,” said Jesse automatically, wishing Xander were here with him, or even Lindsey. Someone who could protect him.
“Well, that’s better. What say we go over the rules of the house?”
“Okay.”
“You already know several of the rules. But I will recap. Don’t talk back, answer my questions immediately and truthfully, when I have guests you will act respectfully, if I take you anywhere, you will behave. Once you are enrolled in school, I will drop you off. After school, you will be picked up and brought tp the office, where you will do your studies and any work I choose to give you.
“If you go anywhere without me, you first ask my permission. If you receive it, you will tell me where you are going, who you are going with, when you will be back, and how I may contact you if the need arises. You will keep your room tidy. If you don’t obey the rules, you will be punished. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” said Jesse quietly.
“Oh, and please refer to me as Father,” said Vincent, smiling at the boy.
“Thank you. May I go to my room, please?” asked Jesse.
“Certainly.” Jesse stood and started walking out of the room. “Oh, two more things, Jesse.” Jesse stopped and looked at Vincent. “You may only call your friends when I am with you. And you’re welcome to spend as much time with Lindsey that you like. Eventually you will be enrolled in law school, and he can teach you a lot.”
“Alright.”