Adieu, A Dew, I Do

By: Lizerrrbeathan

Summary: AU/ Seven years post Chosen Willem is sequestered hidden deep in Newcastle upon the Tyne, UK.

As is bound to happen--given the magnet of hot souls and mutual minds--he is found. Always B/S

Disclaimer: Author owns nothing of BTVS or ATS--story meant for private sharing only--no infringement intended on copyright held by official parties.

Rating: NC17

Dedicated to: Princess Di--hope I got it right.

Feedback: As my Spike would say: Watch me fall down in a girlish giggle with your bundle of flowers... ...uh...unless you can squish chocolate through cyberspace...

Happily Ever...

Giles told a story of love: of love; of the enmity in nature between natural foes. Consider the mongoose and the Cobra; almost perfect opponents of completely different origins. One warm blooded, one cold and the win, the win, is never a given.

Nag, come up and dance with death... it slipped from Willem unbidden and Giles concurred.

Ah, yes...Rikki-Tikki-Tavi... Giles smiled, just slightly, just there in his eyes--he had him, he had hooked his audience of one and almost won.

And here Willem lowered his head as he listened to a tale of terrible fate and a curse and the jealousy of Justice and her swinging sword and the energy spent to keep the love suppressed because if the cobra ever forgets his nature and cuddles too close; the love is lost, overwhelmed by the venom in fangs and nature forcing him back to black.

Quiet, for a moment as the fire crackles and Willem asks so softly.

Why cant love transform the nature? Why cant the love turn the venom sweet?

A curse. A gypsy curse.

Long pause. Willem looks at Buffy but her lids are lowered her thoughts, her own.

Finally, Willem asks/muses

A curse is from the outside.

Giles leaned back in his chair and waited, followed Willem down the path he knew so well. But he listened, tired now of old ways, old thoughts and wanted, needed now a happy end for his proxy daughter and so was willing now to hear a second opinion, to hear something new.

Please tell me something new...

Something breaking in from the outside can be...put out.

Willem sipped his tea/brandy as he slowed his breathing calmed himself, his heart, his mind, just slowed down to be all thats left...a thinker...and thinkers think.

Start the problem from the inside...from inside the house. What exists inside all beings, what is at the core of cosmic law? Here on Earth it is free will choice. Free will choice and slavery are the biggest issues on this planet throughout time. If free will is in place, every, any chain can be broken, eventually, sometimes easily. It is the law. It can be done with a proclamation called out from the heart and...thas it, thas all--goodbye is all he wrote...it may need to be repeated until the subject gains authenticity back...but there is no need for something like the Seal of Ohm.

Willem watched and Spike waited coiled but calmed, hed had the practice of a century of heartbreak, he could do this...he could, he could get through this interview without a flutter...

Them.

Giles and Buffy looked at each other and Buffy nodded almost imperceptibly.

Do you know of the Slayer?

I take it were talking somewhere outside the world of the Jabberwok.

Yes, quite...and then no, not at all--same idea, the slayer, but different gender. The legend of the Vampire Slayer. Do you know it?

Yes.

Simple.

What do you think? Giles asked

A beat.

What I think is not relative to the issue, mate. You tell me what to think and Ill see if I can fit it in to whats left of me mind after the wear and tear and all. And taxes, dont forget taxes.

Who could? Giles chuckled. He liked him; he liked this odd man, who could offer levity at surely what he must recognize to be a tender issue for his guests. Giles began without preamble.

A vampire slayer in love with an ensouled vampire--after they consummated their love, his soul was forced out; it was a condition of the curse.

No love, no joy...the having but not the holding...

Precisely...and with the Seal of Ohm, it could be possible to reconstitute the vampire, to create a double within the exact same space, all characteristics the same, the soul, all aspects the same--but rebound within the exact same space...less the curse...

Sorta like taking all the pages of a book but rebinding under a different cover.

Exactly. Giles nodded.

Willem studied the material on the arm chair, suddenly fascinated with interweave interlock of colors, of fibers of the mind and intention all leading to execution as demonstrated in the twisted complexity of weave....

He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

But the curse appears to be the binding element, how can you imagine a body without the bones...

Buffy sighed and leaned back in her chair, head resting against the back. Long slim neck, swan dive...

Ducks, surely Im not assessing something youve havent? Im sure youve already considered all this--but for the sake of hearing myself...lets cover it from the top.

Willem sipped his tea, hot liquid easing the way, making a pathway, stomach to heart to head. He went on.

The chain of events goes something like this. We are on this Earth plane bound by agreement--we would like to think its destiny, cuz that takes personal responsibility out of the equation...but thats all just rattle cans and prattle and the slavery part of it isnt it? Throw destiny, throw slavery at us like its a gifty we should keep safe but really it only makes the slayer a holy slave, right? Your Slayer bound in chains by the word destiny. This Vampire by the word curse. Same principal to maintain the illusion that you arent free--you think its the supporting beam of the house an thas what holds it all together right? You think it is so--and so it is.

Willems eyes crackled a little as he warmed to a favorite topic...well tread terrain.

Now this next part is important--the slayer fights, really, really because whatever it is that compels her or any warrior is in the nature of who she is...in her soul wants a better world MORE than...not; so she fights, couldnt stop if she tried....and as for the other: the man agrees to be a vampire--

--But he didnt--

Didnt he then? Did you ever ask him how it happened?

Beat, Buffy looks away. Willem continues.

He may not have had a clue, one single real clue about what he had agreed to...but the dark felt right didnt it then? Power. And he walks out into it, thinking...its just the night, just me in night and the moon too...but no. It doesnt happen that way, does it? Now its no more light, and thats the price for thinking, one slip with wicked wont count. So the man makes a free will decision and now hes host to a houseguest who walks about like he owns the place--because he does. The demon has full property rights by metaphysical law; that is until this curse kicks in and its thrown in the basement.

Willem took a sip of tea/brandy and then went on.

The Soul may have run roughshod and stolen the house--but the owner by rights is still there....in the cellar and no theft is gonna change the name on the deed. So the demon owns the house cuz it was sold to him fair and square and the soul is now the tyrant. The curse is in fact...the act of injustice against cosmic law and remove the unjust act, that is, the curse, and justice will be in play by the protocol of nature. That is, the demon resumes full residence.

Willem leaned forward and looked Giles dead in the eye and spoke very low.

To do this thing...they way you have just suggested...you would not be acting as liberator, you would become the slave master of the slave master. You would have to bend the gypsies to your will and hold them there. You can not invoke cosmic law--because the law would be on the demons side.

Willem put his cup of the coffee table and tapped the edge of it for emphasis.

You would have to dominate the dominators and bend the curse to your will...and that...is very, very BLACK magic and do you really want to break so many of gods laws?

He leaned back now and let this sink, sink, sunk.

When Buffy spoke her voice seemed tired but her will still strong.

How can that be? How can demons ever be right? How can they be allowed possession at all--

The law applies to good and evil alike. It is indiscriminate. Judgment exists of course...but that comes after, even if its just deserts or karma or whattall...but action itself...that is, to choose one road or another is guaranteed by law. Gods law is free will. Free will allows possession, call it a technicality but it puts God off the hook. Hey go ahead and rail and rant and whine and cry--its one of my favorite ways to spend five hours straight, but its the house rules of this dimension and you can shock the Matrix, but do really want to gamble and take on the House?

And yet the Gypsy curse works--they did it, they broke the law... Buffy insisted.

And whats makes you think they arent paying for it?

Willems soft voice cut straight through to the heart of it. He waited for a moment and then continued.

And for how many generations? Ill wager they are as bound to that Vampire as master to slave as slave is to master. Not too many happy endings in that family, Id wager--

--O.K. O.K.--got it. Got it. Buffy cut him off and looked at Giles who could only be thinking of Jenny but his gaze was fixed as he stared into the fire.

Pause. They both watched Giles breathe in and out and oh yes it happened again...another breath and then...

Youre right. Giles said softly.

I am? Willem seemed surprised. And I wasnt even trying...

The barb fell a little hard, stung a bit and he was instantly sorry. Didnt want to hurt that hard, not really--wanted to enjoy their dead end but no, no, not this much...William was good, William had been a good man...

You are too you know.

The words didnt come from either Buffy or Giles, they didnt come formed by breath at all, but still alive, and from the side and inside too. Well if youre confused just wait until you see this:

A red fox was walking gingerly on the mantle piece over the fire place his warm brown eyes steady on Willem and a little pink tongue lolling to the side.

*

Hello Red Fox

Hello Spike.

Wish youd not call me that.

If wishes were fishes...

Wed be walking on tuna--

Red Fox yelped a yip in ecstatic appreciation of that dream day.

Havent seen you for a while.

Red Fox just smiled. As if to say well thats the point of being a fox.

Great, my luck to have a spirit guide whose time is spent in finding cunning ways to hide.

Red Fox Smiled.

Spike thought:

Dont know why you bother...hiding doesnt change who you are--

Spike stopped suddenly a little pissed at Red Fox and his student heal thyself teaching method.

You lazy sod--spose youre thinking I just told myself something there, or so youd say IF you ever did offer any advice--

Red Fox smiled and his eyes said love you too Spike and then yawned and lay on his side on the mantle and fell promptly asleep.

Spike huffed and puffed and blew his own house down--nowhere to hide. He was a good man.

He was a good man.

He looked at Buffy her eyes downcast her face slightly crumpled and there was no place to hide--he had to help. Its who he was and especially when with her. He was born to help her and thas the end of it.

*

He closed his eyes and when he opened them he found Buffy and Giles staring at him fixed, expectant and...WELL?

*

Where did you go? Buffy asked a little tremulous. You were talking and then you just stopped and stared off. Epilepsy?

Huh. I wish.

If wishes were fishes. Red Fox rolled onto his back getting comfortable.

Oh shut up, you bloody walking neck wrap. Spike snapped at his spirit guide who was lounging on the mantle. Red Fox yawned at him and fell back asleep.

And Buffy bounced a little at THE VOICE and cadence she would have recognized anywhere as...Spikes

Is there someone else here? Do...do you talk to the dead? Cuz for a moment there you sounded exactly and I mean exactly like someone I knew--

Had to cut that off

--No its just Red Fox. Willem said gently, voice pattern shifting from S back to W Sorry...he can--

Redd Foxx the actor? But hes dead, right? Buffy queried still hoping for a hot line to her departed, so many departed.

No, no Red Fox the spirit guide, spent some time with the Nez Perz Natives--and when I was there, Red and I...well...we sorta got attached to each other, but...he gets that a lot--claims to actually know Redd Foxx, but whos he kidding? The dead have better things to do than come hang round here, I expect.

I hope so. She sounded sincere.

Lost someone did you?

Might we stay on topic? Giles asked mildly but he had the high ho Sir John Guilguid on and that meant the task, the task, Buffy dropped the bereaved and looked hopefully for news for Liam.

Whatever. Bullocks. Watever.

What did...er...your guide say? Giles asked

Certainly never gives directions...you know for a guide...Id be bloody well lost on tour wouldnt I then? Willem spoke significantly to THE FOX laying indolently on the mantle piece, which just opened an eye and shit! He winked!

No I didnt-- now let me sleep.

Buffy looked defeated and...and...

Willem shook his head...incredible...just right, really and then...just then without warning...he started speaking, didnt know what was coming just wanted to stop her pain and this is what he said:

There is one, well, two things you could do...first...you could get the demon to agree...get it to coexist...timeshare, whatever, with the soul. Get the demon to want the soul, Get the demon to fight for it; to earn it...can be done...

Not by him. Giles said coldly.

Buffy looked at Giles and spoke a shade lower as if this made the conversation private.

It can...it has been done...but no...not him...that wouldnt work, Angelus would never want it. No, that wouldnt work,

Alright this was it then this next idea that had suddenly popped into Willems head was the real thing, the thing that could make it all the way to the top of the Matterhorn.

Silence, the beat before the band begins to play the song so striking it will change the march to Forward ho!

Willem took in a deep breath and said it.

A divorce.

Buffy and Giles stared at him with similar little caterpillar eyebrows doing the scurry up...and Willem thinking hurry up man get it out before you change your mind.

The demon is unhappy, unjustly imprisoned an al, the soul is unhappy, never able to have the experiences it needs to grow. Appeal for a divorce.

Death? Buffys voice was even

No...well; of a kind...maybe...The Seal of Ohm could, might be used to restore balance that is invoking justice by granting a divorce to your Vampire. It would have to be mutual of course. Uncontested. The soul made human gets the body, possession of the house...and...and...the demon gets...set free...

Angelus set frr...free? Stuttered Giles

Angel...a man? Wondered Buffy.

It could be done. It...it might not break the laws as I understand them, Ive only five years on those particular laws so you should definitely get the opinion of a top Shaman--I could recommend someone if it comes to that...and...and you would have to get permission of course...but justice...go this way and justice will be done but that means its a blade that cuts two ways. Thats all I can offer.

Pause.

Its...quite a bit actually. Giles spoke softly, gaze already turned inward to implications, imperfections of potential plans.

How do you know all this? Buffy asked. Strange, that she was curious about him but it didnt matter, nothing mattered and his answer was brief.

Sorry...its personal...

She accepted that.

The Seal of Ohm--where might we find it, do you know?

Right there in your hands, mate.

This? Giles seemed shocked: In bloody circulation of the public at large?

Well, not in total, the Navajo, the Nez Perz, so many indigenous peoples--

--Ah yes, of course Giles chimed in excited now that he picked up the thread Oh of course, shamans, medicine people would draw the symbol but keep one part, one very small but vital part secret. So here you have the secret hidden in plain view. The symbol was there, the people could feel the power and be impressed by the authenticity of the intention...but the full force was hidden for their own good...

Yeah, thas right, you got it--somewhat like The Bomb I except, a bloke, even a good bloke might be tempted to drop it just to see if it works.

People are born button pushers... Buffy observed Willem chuckled and replied.

That would be a fact. So the key is kept secret and handed down mind to mind.

What is the key? Buffy asked

Their voices were quiet now, as if on some inner auto redirect to caution. Yellow light flashing.

Oh bloody hell, I dont know that...look at me--Im just a silly shopkeeper...

And suddenly Buffy did and Willem was instantly sorry he asked for this scrutiny. He certainly did not seem like just a shop keeper. More like a retired soldier, a tiger hiding behind kitten cloth.

Ohm Ripper said it and it stopped the room, and moved the world as it has for eons...

Willem leaned in and spoke softly Yeah, I think so...

Whats in a name? Giles wondered

Everything. Its the Seal of Ohm; logic says you ask the guy whos holding the copyright. You need to ask Ohm.

Buffy leaned in from the chair just left of Willems her knees almost touching his, she reached in then and touched his the sleeve of his shirt on his forearm to get his attention, felt him stiffen and shrink from her touch and she withdrew. Huh. Was just trying to get his attention, wasnt trying to steal butter from the Queen. She shook off the rejection and asked quickly.

And who is this Ohm? Is there a speed dial?

Buffy Giles cautioned Ohm is the universally accepted phonetic sound for...God...

Stunned.

We...we have to ask God...like the God?

Willem looked down and said nothing.

Oh god...er...gosh...I mean gosh... Buffy breathed

Yes...Yes...Quite... Giles removed his glasses for a fine flossing of fabric in the cracks and crannies and a good old fashioned wipe and swipe.

*