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Chapter 24
Quebec Province
The three hours that followed were the longest in Giles' life. It felt like days had passed since Willow and Pilar left. He built up the fires in the living room and in the stove. He looked through the cupboards and the refrigerator for something to eat. They would all need to keep their up strength. He finally settled upon grilled cheese sandwiches. He made four, poured two glasses of milk and carried the food into the living room.In all this time, Buffy hadn't moved. She sat on the floor with her back to the fire, knees drawn up, with her arms clasped tightly around her shins, staring at Will's body. Giles placed the plate of sandwiches and glasses of milk on the rug beside her. This was rapidly becoming the most unconventional wake imaginable.
“Please eat something. Willow may need you to help . . . Will.”
She silently picked up a sandwich half and began nibbling it, never taking her eyes from the body.
“I . . . found my mother, too didn't I? I was the one who found my mother's body . . . on the couch . . . just like Will.”
Dear lord! He'd forgotten. Of course she had. Somehow, that seemed to make this current trauma just that much worse.
“Yes, he said quietly. “You returned to your home and discovered your mother had passed away.”
“Was it a vampire? Did a vampire kill my mother, too?”
“No, no! Joyce had an aneurysm—a blood vessel burst in her brain. There was nothing anyone could have done.”
“Joyce. Her name was Joyce. Somehow, Will knew.”
“Well, Spike and your mother were friends. For some reason, she had always seemed to like him. She would invite him over for hot cocoa; they watched Passions together. In spite of all the . . . permutations of his existence, perhaps his affection for your mother survived.”
Buffy turned to look at him for the first time. “I hope so. I'd like to think that's how he knew—that he cared about her so much, he never quite forgot her.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Even though it seems I did.”
“Buffy . . . you need to rest. You've had an exhausting day and tomorrow—later today—promises to be emotionally grueling as well. If you'll go into the bedroom and try to nap, I give you my solemn word of honor that no harm will come to Will. I will guard his body with my life.”
Buffy looked searchingly into his eyes and then nodded. She got stiffly to her feet and went into the bedroom to lie down.
Giles settled into the wing chair and reached for a sandwich. He would do everything in his power to prove he could be trusted—he wouldn't let her down again.
**********
It was full daylight before Willow and Pilar reappeared. They carried in brown paper bags of ingredients, and then Willow returned to the Land Rover for a cardboard box filled with Styrofoam containers.
“We stopped at the café for breakfast!” she announced, placing the box on the stove to keep warm. “Where's Buffy?”
“I convinced her to take a rest—she was completely knackered,” Giles replied. “I think we should allow her to sleep as long as she can.”
“Good idea,” Willow agreed. “I brought plenty of food and we'll just put some aside for her for later.”
Giles placed three stoneware plates in the oven to warm while Pilar started a fresh pot of coffee.
“Were you able to obtain everything you needed for the spell?” he asked.
“Yep. Though some of it will be delivered later. Pilar and I worked on it for hours—the re-ensoulment technique is the same, but we got rid of the Gypsy vengeance curse and are going through the Orisha instead of whatever powers the Gypsies used. We got the herbs we need from the convent; I phoned Althenea and she's going to get us the Orb and a few other things. As soon as she gets everything together, she'll teleport it all here to the cottage.”
They began filling plates from the selection Willow had picked up at Margaret's café. Giles helped himself to scrambled eggs, potatoes O'Brien, sausages, and was reaching for the Canadian bacon when they heard a loud THUMP followed by a groan from the living room. Giles and Willow stared at each other in horror.
“Bloody hell! I forgot to tie him up!” Giles put his plate down and started for the living room.
“Oh dear, I do so hate clichés, but . . . I've fallen and I can't seem to get up.”
Giles and Willow rushed into the living room, closely followed by Pilar. Lying in the middle of the room, flat on his back, clutching a thick Styrofoam box to his chest, a Harrods' bag over his arm, Bernard smiled up at them. He handed his box to Giles and then allowed Willow to help him to his feet. Clutching both women's forearms, he then allowed Pilar and Willow to help him to a seat in the kitchen.
Giles fixed him a plate, and they all sat down to eat. Bernie leaned forward and whispered to Willow.
“We won't mention the state of my arrival to Althenea, or she'll never let me teleport again.” He continued in his normal voice. “I promised I'd stand perfectly still, but then it sort of whooshed, and I conceived the irresistible urge to do somersaults . . . it was a glorious trip!”
Giles, who had been the recipient of one of Althenea's transportation spells several years ago, grinned at Bernard. “You actually did somersaults?”
Bernard's eyes twinkled. “Well, Rupert, the very definition of 'irresistible urge' clarifies that I failed to resist. It was great fun.”
“I almost regret that I managed to resist.”
Willow scolded, “If you'd landed on your head, it could have killed you!”
Bernie patted her arm. “Thank you for your concern, my dear, but what is life if not a series of incidents trying to kill you? You might as well have some fun while you're here. But I do apologize for my irresponsible endangering of the Orb of Thesulah by my behavior. I accepted the mission to deliver the Orb safely and that should have been my priority.”
Willow laughed. Bernie wore an expression of mischievous guilt and he looked exactly like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Well, since both you and the Orb arrived undamaged; no harm—no foul. I won't tell on you.”
His eyes twinkled. “Thank you. That was the most fun I've had in a long time. Now, tell me all that has been happening.
**********
They were nearing the end of the recital when Buffy staggered into the kitchen. Giles immediately offered her his chair.
“Thanks.” She gave him a wan smile. “I'm sorry I was so . . . hard on you earlier. I just. . .”
“We all understand. This is a terrible ordeal for you and, although you may not remember us, please believe that we are your friends and want to help you.”
“Well, getting some sleep helped. I feel a little better now.” She looked at Bernard. “Do I know you?”
“You don't yet know me, but I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms. Summers. My name is Bernard Addison and I've long admired your spunk and unconventional choices. I hope you will eventually consider me a friend.”
Buffy smiled. “I hope so, too.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I've been thinking . . . about everything you've said. I may not remember you in my mind, but it feels like I remember you in my heart, so . . . I trust you guys. I've decided to go with the mind meld, Willow, but . . .” Buffy took a deep breath and looked at each of them in turn. “I'm scared. I'm scared I'll lose what I felt for Will. You said I knew him before, but I don't know how I felt about him then. I know how I feel about him now. I . . . love Will, but Will's . . . dead, and . . . this is all so confusing.”
Willow reached for Buffy's hand. “Buffy and Spike had a sort of . . . complicated relationship. From what you've said, Will and Anne had a good one. But neither of you are the people you were. I'm sorry, Buff, I know you've been happy being Anne, but just 'Anne' isn't who you are. And just 'Will' isn't who Spike is anymore, either. But you both have the chance to build a whole new relationship based on the people you are now. And that can be scary—but also kinda exciting—so whenever you're ready, we'll get this misty water-colored memory show on the road.”
Buffy's mouth was suddenly dry and her heart beat faster. “Are you sure this a good time? I mean, it won't tire you out too much before you do the soul-thing?”
Willow shook her head. “I used to think that magic was power—something you grabbed with both hands and took for yourself. I've learned that magic isn't about taking—it's giving. Althenea and Miss Hartness taught me that if you put a seed in the earth, the earth gives back a plant. It's all connected and when you're connected—when you tap into that energy, you get back what you need. Plus, I've got some pretty powerful back-up here.” She grinned at Pilar and Bernie. “In all honesty, I don't think 'Anne' has any idea of what you're gonna have to deal with when Spike rises. You're going to need Buffy's strength—Buffy's memories of Spike—to help him, and right now, I don't think you're prepared.”
Buffy nodded and squared her shoulders. “Okay. Let's get this over with.”
Willow pushed back her chair and held out her hand. Buffy took it. Willow gathered her into her arms and hugged her tightly. Buffy smiled nervously at the others, and turned to lead the way into the bedroom.
Bernard turned to Giles. “The young ladies may be occupied for quite some time. I believe this would be a good opportunity for us to procure the nourishment our incipient vampire will require.”
“Sorry?”
“Your Spike will rise with a raging hunger, yes? It would be a good idea to have a supply of animal blood on hand for the safety of all.”
“You're quite right, Bernard. I hadn't even thought of it.”
“Well, you all have quite a bit on your minds. I was able to convince Althenea to allow me to messenger the Orb by suggesting that an outside perspective might be of use. Now, where do you think we should begin our quest?”
**********
Pilar was in the kitchen, sorting and chopping herbs when they returned. Giles carefully placed a two-liter jug in the fridge and then put the water on for tea. Willow entered the kitchen and sank into a chair. Pilar put her hand on Willow's shoulder.
“Are you all right?” she asked. “Do you need anything?”
Willow smiled. “I'm fine. Buffy's not exactly fine, but she's Buffy. She wanted a little time to herself to adjust. She'll join us soon. I could definitely use some of that tea and . . . pancakes, if there's any left.” She noticed Bernard removing his coat. “What were you guys up to?”
“Bernard reminded me that Spike would be in need of . . . blood, when he rose, so we went out to locate some.”
“Yay, Bernie! I hadn't even thought of that. Any problems?”
Giles removed his coat and sat down. “You have no idea! I had never realized how unique Sunnydale was. One could obtain bags of blood at any butcher with no questions asked. There was quite an interesting amalgam of denial and underlying knowledge prevalent in Sunnydale that doesn't seem to be operating elsewhere.”
Bernard broke in. “No one actually keeps blood on hand here. I had to tell them that I had an anemic condition and my doctor recommended that I eat blood sausage on at least a weekly basis. Of course, the people at the grocery store had no idea what blood sausage was, so I convinced them that it needed to be simmered in a pot of animal blood. The poor woman looked positively faint with disgust, but she was trying to be helpful to a frail old man. She finally directed us to a farm, we negotiated a purchase, obtained the blood . . . and a side of beef's worth of roasts, steaks and what-have-you will be delivered here early next week!”
Willow burst into laughter. “Ewww. You rock, Bernie! Very ingenious, but again with the ewww. Be right back, I'm just gonna check on Buffy.”
They heard the shower running as Willow returned to the kitchen. Giles brought the pot of tea to the table and Pilar took a plate of pancakes from the microwave for Willow. They sat in companionable silence while she ate.
“Hi, guys.” With a tremulous smile, Buffy entered the kitchen. Pilar vacated her chair and leaned against the counter so Buffy could sit at the table. Giles looked at her with concern.
“How are you feeling? Is there anything you need?”
“I'm okay. A little disoriented. Sad. Pissed off. Nervous. Worried. Twitchy. And, did I mention pissed off? I really wish you guys could have known Will. All my life, all I ever wanted was to be a normal girl with a normal boyfriend. I finally got that and it was . . . Well, at least I got to live the dream for a little while.”
Bernard looked at her with compassion. “Many never realize their dreams at all.”
“You're right. That's done. I'm back. I'm me . . . and that's okay. I can deal. But Will . . . I don't understand how somebody could give Will back his life and then just take it away again. It's not fair!”
“No, it's not.” Giles agreed. “But we'll do all we can for him. At least we're here. If you hadn't met him, Buffy, it is entirely possible that he could have been killed—or sired—in Los Angeles with no support system available. I know there really isn't a bright side to this, but I don't believe this convergence of events was completely random. We were all drawn here for a reason.”
Buffy nodded. “What's done is done. What's the plan?”
Willow answered. “I have everything I need to re-ensoul him and Pilar and I have worked out the spell. We were just getting ready to talk about timing. Bernie, I definitely want your input on this. Would it be better to put his soul back while he's still dead, or after he rises? See, I originally thought I could do it now, which means he'd wake up souled, but would that trap his soul in a dead body for all day? Because, that would be terrible to be trapped . . . unable to wake up . . . to get out. But, if I wait, he might be confused and not knowing what happened and if he's all raging and grrrr . . . What do you think?”
Bernard steepled his hands and rested his chin on his fingertips while he thought. “My suggestion would be, shortly before rising. I believe I can pinpoint the time with a fair degree of accuracy. I think we can accomplish this with the least amount of trauma if we time it carefully. Immediately prior to rising, Willow will restore the soul. I will calm the soul to ease the transition; he'll wake, Ms. Summers will be right there with the animal blood to appease the hunger and we'll all be available to explain, answer any questions . . . how does that sound?”
“Perfect. Guys? Any objections?”
They were all in agreement that, although the entire experience would be disorienting for Will, they would do all they could to ease the transition.
Buffy was fidgeting. “Willow, you up for a walk? I just feel like I need to get outside. I can't just sit around and wait.”
Willow nodded. “I could definitely use some fresh air. Guys?”
“You two go ahead. We'll be fine.
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