Prison of the Soul
Parts 3 and 4
by Donna and Mary M.
Part Three
Odd, random thoughts swirled through Joyce’s mind as she and Buffy followed the young Arabic man. She thought of the Bible story of Sodom and Gomorrah and how Lot’s wife looked back only to be turned
into a pillar of salt. She thought of the Satchel Paige quote, “Don’t look back. Something may be gaining on you.”
But she couldn’t help looking back. She had to see if Rupert and Daniels and the other strangers were following them.
A quick glance over her shoulder revealed only the barren landscape they had just crossed. Gray. Bleak. Absolutely empty. Joyce stopped in her tracks.
Instantly Buffy turned and grabbed her mother’s elbow, trying to pull her along. “Mom! Come on!”
Joyce allowed herself to be led away. “Where’s Rupert?” she asked breathlessly. “And the others?”
This time Buffy stopped to look back. The young man ran back to them. “They are safe or they are gone,” he said flatly. “We must get to the caverns.”
Buffy’s features reflected her mother’s worry and indecision. Their eyes met and they silently came to the agreement that their guide was right. No matter what their feelings for Rupert Giles, they could not take the time to go back to search for him. With Garoth back there, it was much too dangerous. They continued behind the young man. Joyce knew that her daughter wanted to turn back but stayed only because of her. That was something she could understand. Joyce herself was doing the same thing.
Only a few yards farther they saw a fire. For Joyce, fires always meant warmth and comfort and bright colors. But here, in this land of gray, the fire looked cold and most definitely uninviting. A man and a woman stood on either side of the fire, watching the landscape. As the trio approached, the sentries beckoned to them. Buffy, Joyce, and the young man hurried over the last few yards.
“Joao and the other new one are inside,” the woman said as they reached the fire. Joyce had been right about the fire. As large as it was, it seemed to offer little warmth. She examined the guards. They looked alike, although the man was several years older. The woman appeared to be in her late 20s or early 30s. They were incongruously dressed in worn and faded evening attire. From years of watching old movies,
Joyce knew that the clothing was from the 1940s.
The young man with Buffy and Joyce nodded and turned back to them. “Garoth is afraid of fire,” he explained. “We always keep a fire burning near the mouth of the cave and keep two sentries on duty to make sure that it doesn’t go out. The fire serves as a beacon for anyone who has wandered away. They know that there is safety here.” He motioned toward the guards. “This is Tina Wittingham and her father George Chambers.”
Joyce nodded, still trying to catch her breath. Buffy made the introductions. “I’m Buffy Summers. This is my mother Joyce.” Buffy looked back at the guide. He smiled a little and nodded. Joyce realized that he must not be much older than Buffy.
“I am Muhyi,” he said. “And I’m sorry that you are here. Come. I’ll take you into the caverns.”
* * * * *
Daniels was stunned into silence by Francois’s announcement. “Laura?” the Frenchman said. “She is back at our main sanctuary… with her lover. You, too, I now welcome to hell.”
After a moment, Daniels spoke. “No,” he said quietly, his voice choked into near unintelligibility. “That cannot be. Laura is my wife.”
“That may be, monsieur,” Francois replied. “But she is also Jerrod’s lover.”
Giles watched as Daniels’s face fell. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t take some pleasure from the other man’s distress. Daniels had brought Giles, Buffy, Joyce, and Ethan against their will to this prison. Giles felt an old part of himself emerge from the shadows, the same side of his personality that attacked Daniels on the beach – and still wanted to beat the man until he bled. The part of Rupert Giles that lived up to the nickname he was given as a small child. The side of himself that he hated and usually kept under control.
But now, with Buffy and Joyce endangered, rage burned inside of Giles. Concentrating on Daniels, Giles didn’t notice that he himself had come under scrutiny by Francois and Karl.
Daniels sank to the ground. “No,” he muttered. “No. She is my wife. All I’ve done.”
“All you’ve done!” Giles sneered. “All you’ve done is make a fool of yourself and destroy others!”
Jumping to his feet, Daniels yelled and went for Giles’s throat. Giles was more than ready and met Daniels halfway. Before either man could inflict any injury, Karl and Francois pulled them apart.
“Enough!” Karl barked, holding onto Daniels. “There is no fighting here!”
Giles wasn’t sure he had just heard that pronouncement. His fingers still itched to tear Daniels apart, but Francois held him fast.
“Listen to me!” Francois hissed into his ear. “Listen to Karl! There is no fighting here! No matter how much you want to destroy this man, you will not!”
“Do you understand?” Karl asked Daniels. Both Giles and Daniels nodded, albeit reluctantly. Francois and Karl released them.
The men were silent. The only sound heard was Garoth, still growling at the mouth of the cave. Giles wondered how long the demon would remain there. Then he remembered Francois statement that they had nothing but time.
Francois took a crude canteen from a belt around his waist and offered it to Giles. Karl was doing the same for Daniels. “I wish that I could offer you some wine,” the Frenchman said, “but water is the best we have.” The newcomers took a sip of tepid water. As difficult as it was, Giles forced back the anger he felt and took a deep breath.
Another growl from Garoth echoed in the cave. “Do not worry,” Karl said. “The beast will soon leave. He is impatient.”
Once again Daniels sat on the floor, his head in his hands. “Laura,” he whispered. Giles bit back several nasty comments that came to mind.
“Monsieur Giles,” Francois said softly. Giles met Grilliot’s eyes. “Believe me when I tell you that Karl and I know what is in your mind and heart at this moment. It appears that this man is responsible for your
being here. It was through another’s actions that Karl was brought to this place. I have no one to blame but myself. But what we have learned is that we cannot fight among ourselves. Revenge is a luxury we cannot afford.”
“There are too few of us,” Karl added. “We must work together.”
Daniels spoke up. “Why?” he asked bitterly. “Look at you! You’re from another time. Decades, centuries ago! You’re both already dead! Why do you care about working together?”
Karl drew himself up. “My body may be dead. My ~soul~ is still captive. And must be free.”
Giles looked at each of the men. Karl’s uniform was from the First World War. Francois’s clothing must date from the eighteenth century. Yet they survived in this place with the hope that one day, in some way, they would be free. And their souls would be at rest.
That might eventually be all that they could hope for. He and Buffy and Joyce.
Giles leaned his head back against the wall of the cave and closed his eyes and listened to the growls of the Soul Eater.
* * * * *
When Buffy was a little girl, her parents took her to Carlsbad Caverns one summer. She remembered well the cool, damp feeling of the caves. There was little of that in the caverns they entered now. It wasn’t hot. It wasn’t cold. The place was only slightly cooler than the outside, but there was a feeling of dampness. Buffy wondered if there was a spring somewhere providing water for the captives.
Captives. The word had come to mind automatically and it gave her a chill. But that’s what they were. Captives of the gem. Captives waiting to be devoured by a demon hungering for their very souls. Already Garoth might have taken Giles’s soul.
Buffy mentally shook herself. They couldn’t admit defeat yet. It was still early in the game.
Muhyi motioned for them to follow him deeper into the caverns, but both Buffy and her mother hung back, gazing over the land in hope of seeing Giles and the others. Their guide once again reminded them of the facts.
“If they are still well, Francois and Karl will lead them back here,” he said. “If Garoth has taken them, there is nothing to be done about it.”
Buffy met his dark eyes. “How can you be so – so –“ She paused, groping for the right word. Her mother provided it.
“Cavalier!” Joyce said.
“Yes! Cavalier. About your friends. About ~our~ friend.” Buffy fought back tears. Without Giles, she wasn’t sure that they’d have a chance of getting out of this prison. Joyce put her arm around her daughter’s shoulders.
Muhyi appeared unperturbed by the accusation, and Buffy realized that he’d probably heard the same thing from other newcomers. “I understand,” he said quietly, his voice betraying a slight accent. “If you had known the consequences, perhaps you would not have tried to release the demon.”
“We didn’t!” Joyce snapped. “It was the other man back there with our friend. He dragged us into this against our will.”
Nodding, Muhyi gestured again toward the interior of the caverns. “Then you’ll fit right in,” he told them. “Many have come here the same way. I am not one of them. I was one who tried to release the demon and now I am paying the price for my arrogance. Are you hungry?”
The abrupt change of subject took Buffy off guard. “Thirsty,” she answered.
“Then come. We will return later to wait for them.”
Joyce looked over her shoulder. “What if they’re not here before dark?” she asked.
“There is no darkness here,” Muhyi replied. “There is no light, either. It is always as you see it.”
With that news, Buffy and Joyce reluctantly followed Muhyi into the caverns.
* * * * *
A short distance from the mouth of the caves, the trio entered a large, open area. Like any cavern, the place was decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Buffy heard a gentle trickle of water nearby, confirming her suspicions of an underground spring. A few torches lit what was obviously a living area. A rough, crude, large table and a few
chairs provided the only furnishings. The young woman who had met them at the cliff sat in one chair. Ethan Rayne, looking perfectly at ease, sat in another. Like the gentleman he wasn’t, he stood and offered seats to Buffy and Joyce.
“Please,” he said smoothly. “Take my chair.”
Buffy preferred to stand. “You look right at home, Ethan,” she sneered.
He merely shrugged and sat down again. “You know the old saying. Anywhere I hang my hat.” He nodded toward Muhyi. “Ethan Rayne,” he said, introducing himself.
Muhyi acknowledged the introduction with a nod. “Muhyi,” he replied. Joyce was paying more attention to the young woman.
“I’m Joyce Summers,” she said. “This is my daughter Buffy.”
“I am Joao,” the woman replied. Buffy suspected that Joao was not much older than Buffy was. Muhyi brought water to them and Joyce and Buffy drank thirstily. As the young man set the cups down and moved to join them at the table, Buffy couldn’t help watching him. He moved in ways that could almost be described as graceful. Totally unlike the other men near her own age. Even Oz, with his laid back style, could not match the easy catlike movements of Muhyi’s tall frame. Added to that was a handsome, mature face with eyes that reached depths she could not even imagine.
And he knew that she was staring at him. Buffy blushed and glanced away as Muhyi’s dark eyes swept over her, sizing her up just as she had done with him. At the same time, she wondered what exactly he saw when he looked at her. And what he felt. Buffy’s attention was drawn away as her mother sat down facing Ethan but spoke to Joao.
“Is this where everyone lives?” Joyce asked.
“Not everyone,” Joao replied. “We do not know how many are here. We’re scattered into different groups.”
“This is one place of sanctuary,” Muhyi explained. “Some of us stay here at all times. But no one ‘lives’ in this place.”
“I don’t understand.”
Ethan spoke up. “What he means, I believe, is that it’s hard to define this as living when our bodies are as good as ~dead~. I meant everything I said to Daniels down there on the beach.”
“Shut up!” Buffy ground out.
“Why?” Ethan stood and strolled about the underground room. “How long have you been here, Joao?”
The young woman met his eyes. “Over 300 years.”
“And you?” Ethan addressed Muhyi.
“Longer,” he answered. He looked toward Buffy. “Much longer.”
Buffy tried to keep from wincing. What was it with her and ~much~ older men? Immediately she pushed aside such thoughts. This was no time to be pondering such things. This was a serious, deadly situation. And Ethan’s observations weren’t making it any easier.
“That means,” Ethan said, “that you’re both already dead, for all intents and purposes. Of course,” he continued, leaning closer to Joyce, “I’d like to think that we’ll escape before our bodies have completely withered away to nothing.”
Joyce met his eyes but didn’t say anything. It was Joao who spoke up.
“We know that our bodies are nothing now.” Joao’s voice was soft yet full of emotion. “We know that all around us might be an illusion. Our minds holding on to memories. Yet we are here. We still feel. We still think. And we still want to be free. But not for the reasons that you do. Our souls must be at rest. That is why we still survive.”
More and more the full impact of their situation was settling on Buffy. She saw the same realization in her mother’s soft brown eyes. This was only the beginning. They might be here for years, decades, centuries. Always hiding from Garoth. Always wanting rest.
She reached for her mother’s hand. Joyce grasped Buffy’s hands with both of hers. They were both trembling and held each other tightly and did not try to wipe away the tears that slipped down their cheeks.
* * * * *
Daniels wasn’t sure when Garoth’s growls subsided. They seemed to grow ever fainter, until there was only the sound of Francois and Karl talking quietly. He was only aware that Francois had moved to the mouth of the cave and was now gesturing for Giles and Daniels to stand. Slowly, they exited the small sanctuary, with Karl bringing up the rear.
During the time they had spent, listening to the wordless threats of the demon, Everette Daniels had thought about the past seven years. He thought of how much he had loved his wife. Of how empty his life had been without her. Of the long hours spent at her bedside, longing for some miraculous cure. Of the measures he had taken to try to bring her out of the coma.
And all that time, she had been fucking Jerrod. And not giving a damn about her husband.
The shock of hearing about Laura and Jerrod had begun to wear off. Daniels now considered something besides rescuing his wife. It was obvious that he was trapped in the same hell that Laura and Jerrod had made a sort of heaven for themselves.
That wouldn’t last much longer.
His drive and motivation for existence had changed. No longer was he thinking of saving his precious Laura. Now, his only motivation was revenge.
* * * * *
As they journeyed toward the other cave, Giles kept an eye on Daniels. He would never trust the man. And in spite of the rules that Francois and Karl had laid out, Giles doubted that Daniels would abide by them. A man who had spent seven years with one goal in mind was not likely to accept graciously the news that he’d been given.
And Giles really didn’t give a damn about Daniels or his wife or her lover. He only cared in as much as Daniels might be able to help them escape from the gem.
Of course, Giles himself possessed knowledge that might help free them. With Ethan there as well, the two of them working together…
Ethan. Giles didn’t give a damn about him either. But if his friend turned enemy knew of spell or incantation, Giles would make certain that Ethan would share the information. Community rules not withstanding. As for the present, Giles only hoped that Joyce and Buffy were safe with the others.
Ethan watched as the Slayer and her mother walked back out toward the mouth of the caverns. He allowed a few minutes before following them. As he reached the opening, he saw that Joyce had stayed just inside the cave. Buffy had gone out to the fire. They were both waiting for Ripper. How sweet.
Of course, Ethan suspected that it was Joyce who might actually be waiting for ‘Ripper.’ He had heard her call Giles by that nickname on the night that the Sunnydale adults were transformed into irresponsible, uninhibited ‘kids.’ Ethan had certainly enjoyed that aspect of the evening. Ripper and the Slayer’s mum. Buffy had had her hands full keeping them apart. But even Ethan knew that she’d been a little too late.
The images of that night had stayed with Ethan. Seeing Giles very much as he’d known him over twenty years ago. Seeing Joyce as a teenaged girl who liked bad boys and didn’t even flinch when her ‘Ripper’ put a gun to his old friend’s neck. Ethan wondered just how much of that part of Joyce’s personality was still active today. Giles was still
very much ‘Ripper.’ Perhaps Joyce retained a bit of that young girl who wanted to be wild. Wouldn’t that appall the Slayer?
He approached Joyce quietly but not quietly enough. She turned as he walked toward her.
“Mr. Rayne,” she greeted coldly, turning her back to him.
“Please,” he replied. “Call me Ethan.” When she didn’t respond, he moved to stand beside her. “He might already to gone, you know.”
Even though they were at least three feet apart, Ethan could feel her stiffen. He went on. “Old Ripper is strong. And, as you’ve seen, quite rough and ruthless. But even he may not be able to out run a demon.”
Joyce crossed her arms and continued her silence. Suppressing a smile, Ethan continued on a slightly different tack. “I can understand why you’d be upset. After all you and he have meant to each other.”
Finally a reaction. Joyce looked at him. “What do you mean?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Well, that night. When you were both under the spell of the chocolate. It was clear that the two of you had been thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. Everything about the two of you reeked of sex. The way you looked at each other. The way you touched. The way you smelled. You’d fucked each other and were aching have at it again. Tell me. Were you lovers before that night? I wouldn’t be surprised. I’ve always suspected that the Watcher’s duties encompassed more that just looking after
the Slayer. Especially when there’s a beautiful mother around. A male Watcher might want to keep the nerves of the Slayer’s mother soothed and keep her distracted while the Slayer was out risking life and limb.”
Joyce narrowed her eyes. Her voice was low as she said, “I’m beginning to understand why Rupert pulled a gun on you.”
Ethan smiled, knowing that the gesture would further infuriate her. “You’re dressed differently now. That night, you were a woman who knew that she was attractive and wanted to sexy. Alluring. Fun. Provocative. Now, you’re looking rather matronly. Covering your body in baggy clothing that hides your shape.
“Come to think of it, that does answer one thing I was curious about. You two certainly aren’t shagging now. You’re so afraid of your own sexuality. You’re afraid to really let go, the way you did that night. Because you know that if you ever did, you might never get control again.”
Joyce stared at him, then abruptly walked away. If there had been any color in this gray world, Ethan was sure that he’d have seen her blush. He moved closer and lowered his voice to a whisper.
“What is it you really want, Joyce? What desires have you kept hidden all these years? And why are you so afraid to express them?”
She turned around to face him. “Go to hell!” she spat out.
Ethan threw back his head and laughed. “My dear Joyce, I’m already there! And so are you!”
Joyce stormed away, heading out of the cave and toward her daughter. As she drew near Buffy, Ethan saw them both point toward the horizon and run to the men walking toward the caverns. One of the men broke into a run to meet them.
“Well, Ripper,” he murmured. “You’re still here. And that makes things all the more interesting.”
Part Four
Her body trembling with anger and humiliation, Joyce Summers marched over to where her daughter was standing look out for Rupert Giles, her thoughts racing through her.[How *dare* he think that he should know me. That-that stupid son of a-Joyce, calm yourself. Calm-no, I won't be calm! I refuse to be calm! I am not afraid of my own sexuality. Of losing myself in a man. I'm not afraid of wanting a man! I'm just-cautious about a man I want to be involved with. After all,the last time I was with a man, he was a homicidal robot. It's not that I'm not attracted to Rupert, it's just that I want to be sure that he's the right man to lose myself into. I just want-]
"Mom? You know that you're talking to yourself?"
Joyce's head shot up, and she blinked when she saw her daughter's concerned face. Swallowing her anger and humiliation inside, she gave Buffy a weak smile."Sorry, honey. I was just-I was just thinking to myself."
Buffy looked at her mother and gave her a hug."Oh, Mom. It'll be okay. We'll get out of here, you'll see. Giles will figure out a way to get us all out of this crystal, defeat Garret the demon and we'll all be in time for dinner."
Joyce gave her daughter a hug back."I'm sure he will. He's the 'Super-Librarian' as you and Willow like to say."
"And worrying about this will only make you insane,"Buffy chided gently."So stop worrying, else you'll go crazy."
Joyce gave her daughter a mock look of dismay."You mean that I'm not crazy already? Heavens, did you hear that, Charles? I'm actually considered a sane person."
Buffy giggled slightly when she heard her mother talk to her imaginary friend. It showed that her mother's quirky sense f humor was still in place, despite her soul being sucked into a gem with a soul-eating demon in it. She rolled her eyes for her mother's benefit."Oh, Mom. You know as well as I do that pretending to be a schizo does *not* mean that you're insane. Nice try."
"It was worth a shot, honey,"Joyce said as she combed the hair away from her daughter's eyes."You need a trim. We'll schedule an appointment with the hair dresser as soon as we can."
"Okay, can I get a manicure, too? My nails are shot. And a pedicure? My feet need it," Buffy asked with a cajoling smile. When her mother nodded, Buffy allowed a small sense of satisfaction go through her before her eyes focused on the horizon again."Mom, if Giles doesn't-if we don't-"
"We'll make it,"Joyce said with a determined smile. She hugged her daughter tightly."I know we will. All of us."
Buffy nodded as she laid her head on her mother's shoulder. Then her head came up, and she pointed."Hey, what's that?"
Joyce looked towards where her daughter was pointing, and huge grin formed on her face."I think that it's-oh, honey! Honey, it's Rupert! It's Rupert!"
*~*~*~*~*
"It's-it's not much farther. Come, we must hurry before Garoth senses our presence,"Karl panted as he pointed a little beyond the barren landscape towards a series of caves. Francois nodded as he hurried after his friend, leaving Giles behind with Daniels.
Keeping one eye on Daniels, and the other on the look out for Garoth, Giles stubbornly refused to let his mind wander. Refused to think that Joyce and Buffy had not made it to safety. Instead, he concentrated on this problem that was before him, 'this problem' being his soul, as well as Joyce's and Buffy's, was trapped inside a gem that imprisoned a soul-eating demon. To hell with Ethan's soul.
In fact, to hell with his, as long as it meant that Joyce and Buffy would escape from this gray prison. His soul wasn't worth much, not now. In fact, now that this has happened, he was now sure that he was a failure in every sense of the word. Let him count the ways. He was fired as a Watcher. He had no job now that the school was blown to bits. He allowed his soul, the Slayer's soul, as well as the soul of her mother to become imprisoned in this-this gray hell. He had no one waiting for him should he even return to his body. And that was the crux of the problem, as long as he could concentrate on the Ascension, he could battle his feelings of self-pity and depression. But now that it was over…It seemed like he had nothing left to offer the world. Not even his soul.[Feeling a bit sorry for yourself, old man? Because Buffy and the children have graduated, you have no job, no life, no family to care for and you’re forty. Well, put it off until you get Buffy and Joyce out of here.]
"Mon Dieu! What are they doing?"Francois cried as he saw two figures run from the caves."Elles sont fous!"
Giles looked to where Francois was looking, his heart beating faster. His legs took a life of their own as he ran towards them."No, no. They're not crazy! They're-Buffy! Joyce!"
"Giles! You're safe!"Buffy screamed as she flung herself towards her Watcher, catching him in a bear hug.
Giles winced as Buffy's arms held him tightly around his chest. He gasped,"Buffy? Ow."
"Sorry,"said Buffy as she sheepishly let him go. Smiling, Giles hugged Buffy quickly as he thanked the gods that she was unharmed. He barely had time to let her go before he was flung slightly back and his arms were filled with a soft form.
Stunned, Giles had barely enough time to acknowledge that it was Joyce Summers's soft form that was wrapped around him. Her face that was buried at the crook of his neck. Hesitantly, his arms wrapped around her as he buried his face into her hair. He held her tighter as he felt her tremble."It's all right. It's all right. I'm all right."
"We were so worried about you-we thought you were dead,"Joyce whispered as she lifted her head from his neck. Giles dropped his tight hold on her as she shifted to look at him, but didn't completely let her go, his arm was still wrapped around her waist. She gave him a wobbly smile."Glad to see that you aren't."
"Real glad, Giles,"Buffy said as she filled his other side and gave him another hard hug."Try not to worry us like that again, will you?"
"I'll do my best, Buffy,"Giles promised as he gave her shoulder a small squeeze. Joyce gave a small chuckle at the dry tone of his voice. He gave Joyce a quick smile before he pushed them ahead of him."Now we must hurry to safety before-"
"Mein Gott! Are you three insane to stand out here? Time for reunions later! When we are in the safety of the caverns!"Karl whispered as loudly as he could. Francois nodded as he came up behind his friend, Daniels merely ignored the trio and went past them."Hurry! We must go! Before Gaorok senses us!"
Karl shook his head as watched the man called Giles nod quickly, then with unspoken agreement, shove the older woman between himself and the young girl before they made their way to the caves again. "Mein Gott. What a place to have a family!"
*~*~*~*~*
Daniels seethed with anger as he silently made his way to the caverns. His anger and hatred growing with each step he took. This was all that bastard's fault. His and his friends. He never would have known about his wife's infidelity if not for him. He never would have been inside this damned gem, if not for him. He never would have started to hope to get Laura back if not for him. Damn him to hell. Damn them all to hell. He was stuck inside this hell because of them.
As he entered the cave and passed the fire, his mind was made up. After he dealt with his adulterous wife and her lover, he was going to destroy Ethan Rayne and his friends. He turned to the guard, an older man and young woman."Where the hell is Laura?"
"Nice 'tude,"the girl Buffy muttered as she entered the cave before her mother and Giles."Wake up cranky this morning?"
Daniels turned to give the girl a scathing remark when her mother entered the cave, and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Buffy. Joao and Tina here said that Laura is probably in the back of the cavern. She likes to spend her time near the smaller underground pool."
Daniels didn't acknowledge her as he marched off to look for his wife and her lover. Joyce turned to Giles and introduced him to Tina Wittingham and her father George Chambers. Giles nodded at them before looking after the path that Daniels took."We're going to have trouble with him."
George Chambers nodded thoughtfully as Francois and Karl entered the cavern. "Yes, we are. But no matter, we will deal with him when the time comes."
Francois nodded as he politely pointed the way to a different entrance than the one Daniels took."S'il vous plait, this way. I will show you the comforts of this cavern, and the chamber where you and your family can stay."
Joyce started at that."We're not-"
"Thank you,"Giles interrupted and pulled Joyce to him before she could say anything more. He squeezed her shoulders and gave Joyce an affectionate smile."My fiancee and I would appreciate that very much."
The three remained silent as Francois lead the way to a passage, different from the one Daniels took. With three sets of eyes watching the trio thoughtfully.
*~*~*~*~*
When they were alone in the small cave, Buffy rounded on her Watcher."So, what's with the guy tactics, Giles?"
Giles shrugged as he studied the cave.It had only one entrance, and was the size of his office and circulation desk combined. "There's safety in numbers, Buffy. We don't know anyone here with the exception of Ethan-"
"And we trust him as far as we can throw him,"Buffy added. Joyce echoed her agreement.
Giles gave her an understanding smile."And how these people came into the gem. And these people are from different times in the past, where the women are under supervision...I think it best that we stick together."
Confused, Buffy looked at Giles."Where the women what?"
"Before women's lib, Buffy,"Joyce said quietly as she felt for a soft spot on the hard ground. As if there were any."This looks like a good sleeping spot. Where women were locked up at home, or in this case, the cave and had no rights save for what the nearest male relation gave her."
Buffy snorted as Giles knelt to study the ground that Joyce picked for a sleeping spot."Mom, that's so neanderthal it has hair on it. I don't need a man's protection even it is from my Watcher. You forgot, I'm the Slayer."
"Yes, but your mother is not,"Giles said ruthlessly. He looked apologetically at Joyce when she started."I'm sorry Joyce, but we have no idea how this society works, and until we do-"
"There's safety in numbers,"Buffy repeated with a nod. She was willing to take chances with her own safety, but not that of her mother's."Got it. Want me to go exploring and see the what's what around here?"
Giles nodded as he looked at Joyce."Yes, that would be wise."
"Mom? Stick with Giles until we get a feel for this place,"Buffy ordered her mother with a hug. When Joyce nodded, Buffy gave Giles one hard look before she disappeared into the caverns.
In the stifling silence, Joyce wrapped her arms around herself. Giles coughed."I think that we should make a fire here. For defense, should Garoth break into the caverns and we're trapped-"
"I want to learn how to defend myself,"Joyce announced suddenly. Startled, Giles looked at Buffy's mother. Taking his silence for objection, Joyce argued her cause further."I took some defense classes while we lived in L.A. and I know how to defend myself from muggers, and I know how to use holy water and crosses but I don't know how to use a stake against a vampire or a weapon or even defend myself from a demon-"
"Not many of us known how to defend ourselves from a demon,"Giles said dryly. Joyce shook her head at him.
"But you, Buffy, Willow, Xander and Oz do for the most part, Rupert,"Joyce argued. He was about to say something, but she stopped him."I don't want to be a weakness to my daughter. And I'm so tired of being scared to go out of my house at night. Help me learn. Please?"
Giles's brow lowered as he thought about it. She had a point, and he was surprised that he hadn't thought to make it a point with Buffy before. If Buffy was constantly worried about her mother's safety, it could seriously hamper what needed to be done at a crucial moment. Plus, it would make him less concerned about Joyce's safety as well. He nodded his head."Fine, then. When would you like to start?"
Looking around her, Joyce gave him a lopsided smile."It seems like this would be a good place, but not a good time."
"Why is now not a good time?"Giles asked, surprised. This seemed like a perfectly good time to learn how to defend oneself.
"Because I'm hungry and we have to settle things like sleeping arrangements and several cave responsibilities,"Joyce said with a smile. In mock seriousness, she pointed a finger at him.."Let me tell you now, I don't do walls and I don't pick up after Buffy, so you have to know that I won't pick up after you. And can you cook?"
*~*~*~*~*
Ethan listened to the banter and division of responsibilities outside the cave that Giles and the Summers were given, and shook his head. It was always like this, somehow Ripper always managed to land on his feet.
The man could commit murder in front of everyone he knew, and there would still be those who would still believe that him innocent. He admired that ability of his as much as he hated it. No one had ever given Ethan Rayne a quarter, he had to earn every aspect of his life and take what was or what should have been his. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. And one of these days, he was going to have all that Rupert Giles held dear. It would make it even more delicious if Ripper would watch helplessly as that happened.
Hearing the couple about to leave the cave, Ethan moved quickly into the shadows.
"So, who gets to cook the first meal?"Joyce asked as she quirked her eyebrow at him."Gentlemen first?"
Innocently, Giles looked at her."I'm not sure that I can make whatever passes for food here tasty like you can, Joyce."
"Are you trying to flatter me so that you won't have to cook, Mister Giles?"Joyce demanded with a mock frown."Even Buffy can do a better snow job than that."
"Does it get her out of her responsibilities at home?"Giles asked her curiously.
Joyce smirked at him."Nope, but I really enjoy her efforts."
Giles and Joyce chuckled as they headed towards the main passage.
*~*~*~*~*
Buffy sighed as she cautiously walked along the passage. It was nice that the cave passage lit with torches, but she still had no idea where she was going."Ollie, ollie oxen free! Where the hell am I going?"
"You're going towards the main meeting hall,"answered a voice. Buffy whirled round sharply, her fists ready to fly. Joao stepped back quickly when she saw the girl's fists, then relaxed when she was given a sheepish smile."I am sorry for startling you."
Buffy smiled back."Sorry, I'm a bit on edge right now. I have no clue what I'm doing here or where I'm going."
"Allow me to be your guide, Buffy,"Joao said as they neared the main meeting hall."This is where we gather to decide important decisions, such as who is to guard the main fire, make the torches, gather the food and water, and such."
"So who's your leader in this posse?"Buffy asked as she looked around the main hall curiously. The place was empty with the exception of two people wearing cloaks. They were deeply embroiled in conversation with each other."How do you pick a leader here?"
Buffy's eyes narrowed as Joao stiffened immediately when she saw the couple. Joao turned away from them to look at Buffy, and gave her a strained smile."We are ruled by general consensus. Each works for themselves and so long as it harms no one else, we do what can be done."
"There is what we use as a gong that we use to assemble all in the cavern,"Joao said as she pointed to a large stalagmite and large rock near it."It is used only as a summons for a meeting or in case of an emergency. There are few rules to live by here-"
"You girl! Come here!"ordered the man. Joao looked at him disdainfully as she ignored him. Buffy's eyes narrowed at the arrogant man's tone. He was about Wesley's age and good-looking, in an 'I am so perfect that you should bask in my presence and beg to do me a favor' way."I said come here!"
"Maybe she's now deaf, Jerrod,"said the woman. Buffy looked at the woman. She had dark grey hair and would have been extremely pretty if she didn't have that royal Cordelia-like sneer on her face. She was about her mother's age."Girl, I believe Jerrod gave you an order."
Joao narrowed her eyes at the woman."I obey no one if I do not wish it."
"Oh, the little girl has claws,"the woman sneered as she came closer to Joao."My, my. what do you think of that, Jerrod?"
"Well, Laura, I think that's fine and dandy as long as she knows who her betters are,"Jerrod replied drolly. He looked at Buffy. "And who's this newcomer? What's your name, baby girl?"
Ignoring his leer, Buffy gave him a cold look."I don't see anyone better than Joao here. In fact, I think I see a little maggot."
Jerrod tightened his lips as Laura laughed slightly. Buffy looked at the woman with hard eyes. This had to have been Daniels's Laura. The wife that was the reason that Mom, her and Giles was trapped in this stupid gem."Or maybe two."
Laura's eyes widened, then narrowed when she looked at Buffy. A slow smile formed on her lips."Well, well. If it isn't little Buffy Summers. My, how you've grow."
Startled, Buffy looked at the woman, confused. Then her eyes narrowed."Do I even know you?"
"No, but I know a whole lot about you,"Laura smiled as her eyes glittered coldly."Tell me, how's your mother? And father?"
"You know my parents?"Buffy asked her cautiously.
Laura gave Buffy a brittle smile."Oh, I don't know much about your mother except that she's a prime bitch. And that your dad likes to promise women the world and then abandon them after he fucks them."
*~*~*~*~*
Joyce pointed towards the torches."These torches all seems to lead somewhere."
"Indeed they do,"Ethan announced as he emerged from the shadows behind Joyce and Ripper. He gave them a bright smile as Joyce stiffened and Ripper gave him a silent snarl."I passed by here earlier. After we had our delightful conversation, Joyce. They all lead towards the main hall. Or what passes for a main hall in this huge tomb we're in. Shall I lead the way?"
"And why the hell should we trust you to lead us?"Joyce asked him coldly. Ethan smiled so charmingly at her that her hand itched to slap the smile off his face, and he gave her a knowing look. His smile grew when he saw Ripper’s eyes dart from Joyce, to him, to Joyce again, the stood protectively in front of the dear woman.
"Because you need me,"Ethan said frankly. He approached the couple slowly as he smirked at them."To lead you to the main hall, get to know the place. To put our minds together and get us all out of this place alive."
Giles grabbed Ethan's shirt and shoved him against the wall. His forearm against Ethan's throat, Giles applied pressure as he snarled at his 'old mate'."You are right, Ethan, we do need you. To get out of here. Alive. But let me warn you, I'll be watching you very carefully. Any sign of mischief, and I'll rip out your entrails and dance upon them for all eternity. Got it?"
"Why, Ripper! I thought that you didn't even care anymore!"Ethan choked out. Ripper applied more pressure on his throat."Fine. I understand perfectly."
Giles nodded and Ethan fell on the ground coughing. Giles watched over him, his fists still clenched. Then he felt a cool hand touch his hand. Startled, he turned to look at Joyce and a rush of shame ran through him. After the candy incident, he had never allowed Joyce to see that violent part of him."Joyce, I-"
"Shush, it's all right,"Joyce said as she lifted her other hand to his mouth. She smiled slightly at him, her brown eyes soft and filled with understanding. When Ethan got up, Joyce looked at him. The next thing that Giles knew, Ethan was doubled over in pain and Joyce was rubbing her right hand as she stared at a groaning Ethan."And after Rupert's done with you, I get a turn. Is that clear, Mr.Rayne?"
"Perfectly, Ms. Summers,"Ethan gasped. He straightened, then gave her a cocky smile."And here I thought you were just a mild and useless mother, Little did I know that you have a fist that matches Ripper's punch. Shall we go? Ladies first."
Joyce gave him a cold smile."After you. You know the way."
"Indeed, I do,"Ethan said as he walked ahead. Joyce and Giles followed the man silently. As they walked, they started hearing loud voices from the main hall.
Joyce started as she heard her daughter's agitated voice."No, you're lying. My dad would never-"
"You could always ask your sweet mother, Buffy dear,"said as saccharine sweet voice. As it oozed with malice, Joyce stiffened as she recognized it and started hurrying towards the main hall. "But you were the cause of so many problems for your dad and so was your mother-"
*~*~*~*~*
"Damn it,"Daniels muttered as he walked along the passage. The place was so riddled with passages, he was lost. There was no way in hell that he would be able to find anyone without help. As he debated as to call out for help, he heard something. Perking his ears, he listened.
Daniels started as he recognized the musical voice of his wife. His betraying, adulterous bitch of a wife. With narrow eyes he started towards it as he listened to the words.
*~*~*~*~*
Joyce ran to the entrance of the main hall and stopped suddenly as she saw her daughter confronting her ex-husband's lover. It was a nightmare that was starting to come true."No."
Laura looked away from Buffy and looked to where Joyce was, her eyes widened in surprise. "Why, speak of the devil! Isn't it nice to see you, Joyce! Your little Buffy and I have been getting acquainted with each other!"
Joyce's lips tightened slightly as she nodded her head regally at her, knowing that it would annoy the other woman."Laura. It's been so long since we've seen you. Fancy you being here. But wait, maybe not."
Laura's smile became more brittle and her eyes glittered."Joyce. Nice to see you after all these years. How have you been after you and Hank ruined my life?"
Joyce lifted an eyebrow at the other woman and gave her a small smile."I never tried to ruin your life, you did that perfectly well on your own."
"Oh, my. Your sweet little bird has claws,"Ethan murmured into Ripper's ears. Ripper turned to glare at the man. Ethan smiled at him."I hope she tears the nasty cat to pieces."
Laura smiled as she tilted her head."But I always had help. Didn't I, Joyce? From you and Hank."
"I'm sure you like to think so,"Joyce said as she stepped closer to her daughter."You always did think that everyone else was the root of your problems."
"Mom! This bitch says that she was Daddy's lover,"Buffy blurted out. Joyce stared at her child."That's not true. Right? And she said that you got her fired from her job and ruined her life. That wasn't true was it, Mom?""
"Come on, Joyce, you can tell her the truth,"Laura taunted softly as she looked at Joyce with hard eyes."There are no lies here in hell. Especially here in hell."
“Mom?”Joyce looked at her daughter’s pleading eyes and took a deep breath...
