Then Let it Come Down...

It had to be soon now, it had to be soon...he was nearing the end...after the task, the search the mind bender, all, here brain, here comes the twister...all his eyes had left to do was look out, not in--just out at her.

Small glances, sidelong feasts to last the rest of his life--her hair was long again, longer than he ever remembered, just, fell, and fell and draped her body like a best garment. His mind quickly brought her golden hair landing on her naked flesh and wow, Venus buster. No wonder her life had been so hard--old Aphrodite kicking up a jealous: ho ha hey there mere mortal--well not mere. No Slayer was a mere or a Mare. My god, I wonder, if shes a Mam. Seven years was a long time, and he had often wondered but had never looked, never scryed...not once, no spoiler, never knowing was better and now here it all was with or without his willing.

God must really hate him.

Red Fox, opened an eye, raised his head and gave him the look...

Buffy broke the silence first.

And how do we...uh...uh...

Talk to God? Well thats the question for the miles on the road int it? You can try the Akashic records or old fashioned prayer, anyway thats your look out and good luck trying to get a return phone call from that--pardon me French--

--arhph yp!

Red Fox barked a caution yip and Spike held his tongue.

Fine. Just fine, but now he had to get rid of these two.

Is that really what you want?

Reds tongue was lolling again and Spike ignored him.

It has to be soon, soon, he felt a rip somewhere happen there like fabric bending under the strain of overload, the clock was ticking on his control.

Red got it and agreed. He barked at Giles and Giles shook his head as if to break dance into movement.

Fine, yes well...we wont take more of your time, youve been extremely helpful and may I assume...I may, might buy this book?

Willem nodded and rose and walked to the cash register without a word. He had to move, to get away...or any moment he may break down and bury his face between her breasts and beg for mercy, mercy, to cry her name, to hear his name fall from her...to feel her run her fingers through his hair like she was spinning a weave. At the spinning wheel and how the world moved beneath his feet, too fast, too fast...now that they were up and moving toward thanks and farewell it was all happening too fast...

He rang up the sale and bells bounced back like it was good news. Pounds, plenty of pounds and Giles tried to tip him but with one solid look he knew that was a no and didnt insist, didnt push...and instead Buffy stepped up close and asked

What? What can we do? How can I repay you?

He looked her in the eye and held the tears but they were there, just there on the inside of his voice and he begged the weak water to wait, she had never liked seeing him cry, but they were there, they were there and even unseen the pressure pushed behind his voice so she knew they were there.

She wanted to touch him, he knew that, could feel comfort come from her, her need to comfort this odd man in this strange moment--she was a good woman, she was a good woman, but god please dont let her touch me...

Red Fox made a yip and Buffy stilled her hand and instead asked again: How can I repay you?

Giles was by the door but he waited as well for the answer, for the topper to the evening.

Willem/Spike looked at Giles and said Be sure, be very, very sure... and then treated himself, gave himself this--he looked into Buffy, into her eyes, moist with gratitude and a glimmer of hope ignited for long lost love and Willem/Spike said.

Be grateful...

Her voice so soft it was barely there: Thank you.

Not just me...not me...something, anything...pick a thing, anything and just be...grateful...

It shouldnt make sense but she got it. She smiled a bit and he could see her need to touch him, just touch, just some small finger tap....so he stepped back away from her hand to make it easy on her...no need for her to feel obliged to be nice, and he walked to the door away from her warm hands and her electric touch and unlocked, and opened and looked down.

And she nodded at him and without trying again or looking back; followed Giles through the door.

And was it raining? Of course it was.

*

He stumble fell into the chair by the fire, door still open, still hanging ajar...and poor heart, poor heart, excruciating rip--right there in his beating heart and there was no bone in the heart was there? So what could hurt so bad it felt like breaking? And he had had plenty of bones broken over the years so he should know.

Where did the pain come from? Puzzled, he rent his shirt apart and thumped his chest and banged and knocked but the pain wouldnt stop...

Oh god, how you must hate me...bringing her here...

Red Fox leapt from the mantle to the top of the chair.

Youre a good man--

No, no, Im not...Im a monster... Spike said it aloud in his own voice, in a rasp

Whos the better man... the one that says oh yeah, right, right away Ill do that job consider it done, says Ill get right on it- but runs off. Him...or the sod who complains, and complains and complains all the way out to the field, complains all the way through the work complains all day but still, at the end--the apples are in and its pork chops and applesauce for all. So, you tell me--whos the one I want on my team?

Spike was crying, sobbing even and barely heard just hung on to the sides of the chair--still here, still here...still alive...

Red Fox leaned his head down and rested it on Spikes shoulder.

Go ahead curse me out if it helps, I can take it--but Im not leaving.

I dont leave you not ever and thats the deal Cammile...

Ill never, never leave you...

Spike shook his head and thwacked his chest again...

The wind banged the door a bit, and the rain was blowing in now and with nothing to stop it, the collected works of childrens author Walter Farley along with illustrations and all were in danger of permanent damage.

The door banged again bringing the possible blight to Spikes attention...and after a moment of considering to build or not to build...Noah got up to tend the ark.

Still crying, still stumbling, Willem and Spike closed the door against the storm.

*

They had made it to the rented car, just made it just before the worst of it came down. Inside, and suddenly safe against the raging lost water, they sat in silence.

The rain tested proclamations of weatherproofing, of the benefits of vehicles made of steel; the wind had an idea or two as well and threw a lick and a kick up the traces. The little car leaned a bit and jigged but remained otherwise unmoved.

They were quiet but that was all right, they had a lot to think about. Finally someone spoke, it was Buffy and what she said was unexpected and would have seemed almost a non sequitor if...Giles hadnt known her so well and for so long.

Did you notice he didnt ask where we were staying? Or where we were from or anything--like...he didnt care if he ever saw...us again.

The Romans invaded Northumberland, and the Vikings, and both left their mark on the generations.

Buffy didnt look at him but was listening.

The classic Roman profile, aquiline features, youll see that around these parts. A mix of fair hair with black or...blue eyes.

Not him. Giles was saying: not him.

So you noticed too? She asked and Giles shrugged.

Im used to seeing such variations on a theme; I wouldnt be as...surprised by it as you, I suspect...

Still...interesting person... Buffy mused

Hmm...yes...--

He is not what he seems/Theres a tiger in the tank Giles/Buffy said respectively and then looked at each other and smiled.

Well....theres nothing wrong with our radar...what are you thinking? Buffy asked.

Giles stroked the side of his face, and patted the book he had tucked under his jacket to keep safe from the rain.

I think we proceed as planned, Ill drop you at the motel and Ill head to Harrogate--

In this mess? All those twisty roads not to mentions crazy people driving on the wrong wide of the road--

--Ah yes...well...we British do have our own ways--

--Not you. Crazy American drivers. Driving on the wrong side of the road.

Hmm.. Giles stifled the smile at the righteous conviction of Anglophile zealots and squinted up through the windshield; Yes...it has gotten quite late...perhaps well head out in the morning--

--No...Ill wait here. Buffy suddenly decided. Ill hook up with Dawn, shes on her way down from Hamilton and wants to see Hades wall--

Hadrians Wall...yes, yes she would enjoy that--you might too. Beautiful countryside, the fells, the moores--

--More castles you mean.

--Inspiring land... He continued mind on a mission statement Good for hiking, thinking....

She was quiet.

I know Giles, I know...

He didnt need to say--he knew she knew but still he had to.

Perhaps mediate--perhaps it might be wise to contact your guide or First Slayer...you know whats best. This is the perfect country for it--it fairly ripples with power.

Giles started the car, and flipped on the lights and windshield wipers.

Ill visit with Midge in Harrogate, and then we talk Buffy. We brainstorm with Willow and the coven in Spilsby.

Giles, what aspect does Red Fox specialize in?

Ah...lets see... Giles squinted and he navigated through the rain...You should look it up to be sure...but I believe, well, Fox-- thats cunning of course, mental acumen, no surprise there--as he may have come up with a solution...red...well thats fire isnt it? Fire is power of course, the power of transformation; somewhat like going through the Kundalini--trial by fire.

Ouch....

Ah...yes, one might say, but as we know, all our...challenges are relative...all relative. Giles cleared his throat and then asked.

When is Angel arriving?

This Saturday. That is, if this pays off, this Seal of Omniscient--hey! I just got that. (Giles rolled his eyes at she who listens late) But...but...hes...hes getting tired Giles, I can feel it...I wanna give him something to work toward...he needs something...to focus on...

Willems warning fresh in his mind was repeated almost verbatim.

We need to be sure, very, very sure...

What could she say? It was true.

*

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