Book One: Chapter Twenty (Part 1 - 7,888 words)
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND CHARACTER DEATHS
The older man in first class sighed angrily when the plane landed at LAX. How dare he? His own child - his spawn - first disgracing himself in Sunnydale then making his failure complete by allying himself to the vampire. And then when he needed information, the boy had been nowhere to be found.
He had been furious to discover - through Travers, of all people - that Wesley was now in Sunnydale with the American woman and their...child. He nearly growled at that thought. The disgrace had reproduced. He would look the child over, however, and if he seemed to be made of tougher mettle than his father, Roger would claim him on behalf of the family.
Travers wanted to know the location of his baby Watcher, and Roger wanted the iron clad control over his disgrace of a child again. It didn’t take long to secure the rental the Council had waiting. In a few hours, he would be in Sunnydale, straightening out this mess, and possibly even straightening out that Slayer while he was at it.
*****
“Oh, dear Goddess, please explain to me why we agreed to wear...this again?” Willow asked, standing in front of the mirror with Tara and Buffy, all three of them tugging and pulling at the green monstrosities that were their bridemaids dresses.
“We look like...green demons,” Buffy groused, sticking out her tongue.
“Hey!” Lorne said from where he was sitting with Connor, trying to get the squirming little guy into his socks and shoes.
“Sorry. Green mermaid demons.”
“No, Fred, I’m not going out there,” they heard Dawn saying in the bathroom. “I’m not, and you can’t make me.”
“Oh, no...if we have to go out there wearing these fashions from hell, so does she,” Buffy announced before going over to the door and pounding on it. “Dawn Marie Summers, get your green mermaid butt out here now.”
“All right, all right.” A moment later, Dawn opened the door, followed by Fred, who was the only one of them actually wearing a normal-looking dress, blue with a skirt that ended just above her knees. “Now I know why Fred wasn’t upset at not being included in the wedding.”
Just then, Giles knocked on the door, trying to bite back a smile at the sight of the women in his family wearing those dresses. Behind him, Wesley forced himself to look at his shoes to keep from smiling.
“Um...” Giles felt the smile pull at his lips. “The limo is here, so is everyone ready?” He coughed to smother a giggle.
“Yeah,” Buffy said, looking at everyone, knowing that an apocalypse probably wasn’t going to happen and save them from this hell. “I think we are.”
“I just need to get my shoes,” Fred said, raising up one of her bare feet. “I’ll be downstairs in a moment. Connor, go on with your daddy and papa.”
“Doesn’t he look smashing?” Lorne asked, setting Connor down on the floor so he could go over to his fathers.
Wesley smiled when he came bouncing toward him, hands up, waiting for him to pick him up. “You look very smart, son,” he said, beaming proudly as he picked the boy up. Connor was clutching the ring pillow tightly, having practiced with it all week. “Are you ready to do your very important job?”
“Yep! Buffy says I have natural ‘gility, so no problem!” Connor bounced excitedly on his daddy’s hip.
“Tony is waiting downstairs for us. Halfreck took Anya to the church an hour ago, so feel free to plot her demise before we get there,” Giles mentioned with a chuckle, extending his arms to escort Buffy and Dawn downstairs. Wes held out his free arm to escort Tara. “Shall we?”
As Lorne escorted Willow out of the room, following everyone else, Fred went to the closet and pulled out her shoes, taking them back over to the bed and putting them on. She had just stood up to head downstairs when suddenly, the world tilted, and her stomach felt like it had just been twisted and pulled. Running into the bathroom, she barely managed to reach the toilet before she threw up.
“Fred?” Lorne’s voice suddenly called from the bedroom. “Fred, everyone’s wonder-oh, sweetie, are you okay?”
She felt his hands on her shoulder, pulling her hair back from her face while she coughed a bit. After a few moments, she tried to get up, so Lorne helped her up, taking her over to the sink to let her rinse her mouth out while he flushed the toilet for her.
“I’m okay,” she finally said, taking a deep breath as she leaned over the sink. “I’m just...I haven’t told Rupert and Wesley yet, but I’ve been sick every morning for the last week.”
“Fred, why haven’t you told-?” When she looked over at him, he broke off as it suddenly dawned on him. “You don’t think...?”
“I think so, but I’m not sure. It’s not like I could just go to the drugstore with everything that’s been going on, and I didn’t want to tell them until I was sure.”
“Sing for me, sweetie pie,” Lorne told her, brushing her hair back from her face.
She looked at him in amazement. “You can...you can tell?” When he nodded, she launched into a few lines of some song that she had heard Dawn listening to on the radio over the last few days. When she reached the end of what she knew of it, she glanced down at herself then back up expectantly.
“You are,” he told her, a smile tugging on his lips.
“I am?” She felt her breath catch in her throat, her hands covering her abdomen. “Oh my God...”
“When are you going to tell the guys?”
She shook her head in uncertainty, knowing that today was supposed to be about Anya and Xander. “Maybe tonight. Right now, the others are waiting.” Smiling, she took his hand and hurried downstairs to catch up with everyone.
*****
Tony looked up and had to discreetly cough into his hand to stop from smiling when he saw the girls. He should have known the former Anyanka would pick such...colors. “Mister Giles, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take one of these lovely ladies off of your hands,” he said, graciously, holding Buffy’s gaze.
“That’s up to Buffy, of course,” Giles replied with a smile.
Buffy felt like she had been caught unaware by vampires for a moment. A guy wanting to be her escort while wearing this dress? Why couldn’t it have been when she was wearing something cute and short and actually flattering? She put on a smile, though, and stepped forward to take his arm. “Thank you, Tony,” she said as they stepped outside to head to the car. She looked back at the others, then leaned over to him and whispered, “This dress doesn’t even have a place to secret a stake. And this stupid little purse isn’t big enough either.”
“I’ve got you covered,” he informed her with a smile, opening his jacket to reveal the four stakes inside. “Mister Giles’ orders. We’re also outfitted with bowie knives and an extendable baton.” He hoped the knowledge would put her a little more at ease despite being stuck in that monstrosity of a dress.
She grinned at him when she saw all the weapons there. “Ohhh, very good, Giles. I’ll be looking to you to throw me something if it becomes necessary, Tony, so be ready.”
Wes and Giles got everyone else in the limo and settled, knowing it wouldn’t take long to get to the church. Wes could tell that Giles was anxious having his family exposed and out in the open like this, but he knew his lover. Giles was determined to give this day to his loved ones, Angelus be damned. He watched the passing scenery, his body coiled for another attack by the bloodthirsty vampire. When they pulled up in front of the church, however, he resisted the urge to snicker - standing there in the doorway was the familiar platinum blonde head. And oh, did Spike look livid.
“Oh, Rupert....you didn’t,” he said, finally giving in to his urge and chuckling.
Giles smiled, the devilishness clear on his face. “Actually, I didn’t. It was the threat of turning you and Connor loose on him that got him here in a tux. We needed another man to balance the party, and he was the only one handy.” With an oh-so-innocent shrug, he then stepped from the limo, reaching in to help the ladies out.
Buffy couldn’t believe what she saw as they all piled out of the car and headed up into the building. “Oh my God.” She so owed Giles for two things today now - knowing that there were weapons to hand and Spike in a penguin suit, looking like he would have preferred to take a chance with sunlight. She could hear Willow, Tara and Dawn giggling behind her as they walked inside. “Spike, you look fantastic.”
“Not. One. More. Word. Slayer.” Spike growled between clenched teeth. “Bloody sadist of a Watcher, putting me in this nancy boy suit, dragging me out during the day. And to a church of all places! Who pissed in your Wheetabix this morning?!” He glared at Giles as if he might stake him any minute. “All for the whelp? I loathe you, Watcher!”
Everyone just ignored Spike’s threats and went into the chapel, the girls splitting up to go to the bridal room while the guys headed to the groom’s room where Xander was already waiting. On the way, they passed demons of all kinds, milling around, looking quite out of place in a church of all places. Especially since none of Xander’s family was there.
When the girls reached the bridal room, Buffy knocked on the door before opening it up and heading inside to find Anya standing in front of the mirror, wearing her dress and her hair done, but with a cold mask over her eyes. When she saw the reflections of the others in the mirror, she whirled around, jumping up and down for joy.
“Oh, my gosh, you all look beautiful!” she gushed. “I can’t believe it’s happening. We’re getting married!”
*****
It had taken Giles about ten minutes to get Xander settled down, and the groomsmen moved into position. “Wes, why don’t you go fetch the ladies since you’re stepping in to escort Anya down the aisle?” he suggested. He smiled, taking Connor from him and setting him on his feet. “And you, young man, are you ready?”
“Yes, Papa!” Connor bounced, holding the pillow up excitedly, just as they had rehearsed. Withdrawing the rings from his pocket, Giles set them on the pillow just as he saw the women approaching. “I’ll be careful!” he promised, determined that he would make his parents proud.
“Good lad.” Giles beamed proudly. “Xander, perhaps you should take your position?” Nodding toward the altar where the priest was waiting, he then extended his elbow toward the maid of honor, knowing they would be the first ones down the aisle. “Halfreck?”
They took their position at the head of the line, followed by Willow and Tara escorted by Spike, then Buffy and Tony. Dawn stood behind them next to Connor to make sure that he made it down the aisle all right with the rings.
Buffy smiled at Tony as she took his arm. She still hated the dress but couldn’t be upset at the company. She was actually glad that Travers had sent him.
Anya took a deep breath before walking over to Wesley while the others entered the chapel. “I just want to say, thank you for doing this. I know we don’t really know each other well, and I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with, but still...it means a lot to me.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Wesley told her with a smile. “This day is important to you, so I’m glad I could be a part of it.” As the music began to play, he nodded. “Ready to get married?”
As they walked down the aisle, he could see Xander shifting his weight, his dark eyes lit on the lovely woman on his arm. As they approached, the priest addressed him.
“Who gives this woman to this man?”
“I do,” Wesley replied, stepping back and joining the men’s side behind Rupert. He could see the tip of Connor’s tongue against his lips while he concentrated on balancing the rings on the pillow.
As the priest started the ceremony, his eyes flicking over to the “circus folk” that made up the bride’s family every so often, Fred, who was sitting with Lorne as the sole members of the groom’s family, found her attention wandering from the bride and groom to Wesley and Rupert as they stood together. They looked so handsome in their tuxedos, and she could feel her stomach fluttering.
Covering her hand with his, Lorne leaned over to her. “Are you all right, buttercup?” he whispered.
She nodded, knowing it wasn’t morning sickness this time but instead anticipation at telling them the news about the baby. She couldn’t wait to tell them. Catching Wesley’s eye, she gave him a smile before forcing herself to turn her attention to Xander and Anya.
Wesley lifted his head when he felt the loving pair of eyes on him and found his lips curling up in reply when he saw Fred’s smile. He had to force himself to focus on what the priest was saying.
“If there is anyone who thinks that these two should not be married, may you speak now or forever hold your peace.” The priest paused briefly, not expecting anyone to interrupt.
“Good God, this is a new low, even for you,” Roger Wyndam-Pryce scowled, coming down the aisle toward his son. “Attending a marriage between these things.”
Wesley’s eyes widened in shock as he felt his stomach plummet into his shoes. “Father! Not now! Sit down, please! We can talk afterwards!” he pleaded with the older man.
“We can talk now since you decided to hide behind this disgrace, get him and his renegade Slayer to fight your battles for you! You were born pathetic, and it’s clear that hasn’t changed. Maybe if this son I keep hearing about is raised by a real Watcher, instead of a spineless git, he might have a chance to become a man.” He was so focused on demolishing the pathetic man in front of him, he failed to hear the dangerous growl from Giles.
Fred watched in shock. This was the man Rupert had told her about - this was the man who had made Wesley’s life a living hell. When he started talking to him like he was a child, she found her hands balling into fists by her side, only Lorne’s hand on her keeping her from standing up. When he threatened Connor, however, she was on her feet, reaching out for her little boy and pulling him close to her. The pillow and the rings fell to the floor, but nobody noticed or cared. “You stay away from my child, you bastard.”
Buffy stepped forward. “You’re not welcome here. Get out.”
“What is the saying you Colonials are so fond of?” Roger smirked, pretending to think. “It’s a free country. This is my family, girl, and I will deal with them as I see fit.” He glared at the young Watcher who moved to stand with the Slayer. “And you, failing to call Travers was a mistake.”
“It must have slipped my mind,” Tony replied dryly, not impressed in the slightest by the man before him.
“We’ve been protecting him from Angelus’ wrath. Unlike the Council, these people don’t sacrifice their own,” Wesley managed, feeling his body wound tight. He was trembling with the effort to meet his father’s gaze, every instinct telling him to back down. “Connor is my son, and he’s going nowhere with you.” He tried, but his voice broke under the strain of his emotion. Wesley was horrified when he saw his father smile, knowing his son didn’t have the courage to defy him.
“I’ve never hit an old man in my life,” Xander began, moving in front of Roger. “But if you keep interrupting my wedding, there’s a first time for everything.”
Buffy saw Giles about to move forward on Wesley’s father and put her arm out, keeping him back. She motioned to Fred, who picked Connor up and moved to stand next to Wesley and Giles, putting Buffy and Tony between them and the hateful man before them.
“We Colonials are also rather fond of something else - called the second amendment and the right to keep and bear arms,” she said, holding out her hand. Tony immediately handed over the bowie knife, which she held up. “This isn’t a gun, but it’s close enough. You even try to take Wesley and Fred’s son from them, and I swear you won’t have your hands much longer.”
“And you know me, I don’t need a reason to gut a Watcher,” Spike said with a smirk. “Might even be worth the headache to see what kind of candy spills out of this piñata.” He tapped the old man on the shoulder, and when he looked at him, Spike vamped out, blowing him a kiss. “Boo!”
Roger flinched instinctively, reaching for a stake. “So this is how it is going to be, Wesley? Getting the older boys at school to fight your battles for sexual favors? So who is the beneficiary of those skills this time? Rupert Giles? Or perhaps young Antony here?”
“Stop saying mean things about my daddy!” Connor yelled at the stranger, not knowing who he was but seeing that he was hurting his father.
Fred gasped in disgust at what Wesley’s father said about him, wanting badly to lash out. Rupert beat her to it, however, moving before anyone could stop him and flattening the older man. Seeing the look in Wesley’s eyes, she grabbed his arm with her free hand, moving closer to him to let him know that she was there.
Roger, meanwhile, flailed back, stars of pain exploding behind his eyes when he felt the fist impact against his jaw. He looked up into the face of an incredibly irate Rupert Giles. “I believe my question was just answered.”
“Yay, Papa!” Connor yelled excitedly, bouncing on Fred’s hip.
Lorne could see how horrific this was for Wesley - the vibes coming off him were enough to cause a migraine. This man had done enough damage to his friend to last a lifetime. He wasn’t going to get to him now. Getting up, he joined the group standing against this man.
“There are no ten-year-old boys here for you to terrorize, Roger. Grown men with Napoleon complexes have no place in this town. Leave under your own steam or leave on a stretcher. For Wesley’s sake, I’m giving you a choice,” Giles growled.
“Rupert, you always were a problem child, weren’t you?” Roger asked with a smirk. “I always regretted that your father never let me take a lash to you. Knock some of that stubbornness out of you. I’m not leaving without what is mine - my family. You can keep the girl, but my son and grandson are coming with me.”
“No,” Wesley rasped, feeling tears of shame fill his blue eyes. His shame wasn’t for his father, though; it was at himself, that he would stand here, a fully grown man, taking such things from his father, in front of his lovers and family. “My...my place is here now. I think you should leave.”
“You heard, Wesley,” Fred said, feeling sick at all this - that this man could even be threatening to take the man she loved and her child away from her. “You’re not his family, and you’re not taking him away from us.”
Anya had been so shocked at the interruption to her wedding that it took her until that moment to realize who the man was. She wanted to say something, to warn someone that this was what she had seen, but she couldn’t do it.
Because it was already too late.
A figure suddenly darted in from the back of the chapel while Roger began to rant again, and before anyone could really process what was happening, Angelus had grabbed Roger Wyndam-Pryce from behind. “As fun as listening to this is, you’re not taking my prey away from me,” he growled before sinking his fangs into Roger’s neck.
“NO!” Wes cried, instinctively pulling Fred and Connor behind him.
He saw Giles grab Angelus from behind, trying to pull the vampire off of his father. As the fangs tugged back, Roger instinctively jerked forward in an attempt to get away, ripping a big chunk of flesh out of his throat.
Wesley caught him as he went down. “Father! Hang on,” he said, pressing the handkerchief to the older man’s neck.
“I’m sorry for this,” Tony said, needing something he suspected was in the little handbag Buffy had slung over her shoulder. He felt like a heel digging through it without permission but yelped triumphantly when he withdrew the desired item. “Giles!”
At his cry, the older man turned his way, dragging Angelus with him. The moment he did, Tony lit his zippo, spraying the hairspray from the small can Buffy had been carrying right across the flame, causing it act like a flamethrower directed into the vampire’s face.
It was then that the chaos started - all the demons sitting in the chapel made a run for it, not wanting to be caught in a fight. Fred immediately turned to Dawn, pulling her over and pushing Connor into her arms. “Take him to the vestry now! Go!”
Dawn didn’t even pause to argue, instead running as fast as she could up the stairs, disappearing into the back. Once they were gone, Fred immediately made a grab for the bowl of holy water from the altar just as Tony threw the hairspray fireball at Angelus. Roaring, the vampire lashed out, hitting Tony in the gut and sending him crashing into Buffy. He then made a grab for Giles, trying to pull him off his back and flip him in front of him.
Giles felt this, though, so he hooked his leg in the vampire’s, blocking the move. Pivoting, he turned the tables, planting his foot and putting Angelus on his back. As he reached for his stake to finish the job once and for all, he felt his feet swept out from underneath him. He barely managed to stop himself from falling on his stake. Suddenly, hands closed around his throat, crushing with superhuman strength.
“I may not get them, but I’ll get you, old man,” Angelus growled, wanting to finish off the bane of his existence, once and for all.
“No!” Fred screamed when Angelus took Rupert down. Without thinking, she scooped up the stake as it skittered across the floor towards her and ran forward. “ANGELUS!”
Her calling his name got his attention for a moment, and as he turned to look in her direction, she tossed the holy water in his face, hitting him directly in the eyes. With a pained yell, Angelus let go of Giles’ throat and reeled back just as Fred reached him.
“Stay the fucking hell away from my guys!”
With that, she brought the stake down into Angelus’ heart, a cloud of dust exploding around them.
Giles rolled to his side, coughing hard as he tried to suck air into his bruised larynx. He felt hands on him, trying to steady him as he felt himself helped to his knees.
“Giles, you okay?” Xander asked in concern.
“Wesley,” Giles croaked. There was no way Roger could have survived the attack. The old man might be a pillock, but he was still Wesley’s father, and watching his brutal death wasn’t something he wanted for his love.
Fred had fallen over as Angelus disappeared, crashing to the ground. “Freddles, are you all right?!” a stunned Lorne cried as he and Buffy tried help her up, but she just pushed them away.
“Rupert? Wesley?” she sobbed out, stumbling over to them. She collapsed against Giles, her eyes filling with tears when she saw Wesley on the ground, holding his father, blood everywhere. “Oh, God.”
Wesley lifted his head numbly when he heard his name. He looked at Fred but wasn’t really seeing her. The only thing his eyes were seeing were his father’s, the ones passed to him by genes, closing for the last time.
Giles leaned on Fred a bit as he stood, both of them moving toward their lost love. “Wes,” he croaked again, stroking the younger man’s head. He reached a hand out to take a pulse before looking up at Fred, his green eyes sad. He shook his head.
“He’s gone,” Wesley whimpered, still cradling his father’s head.
Fred knelt down on the ground next to Wesley, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly, tears filling her eyes. She had despised what his father had done to him, despised what he had said to him and about him, but this...she never would have wanted this. “I’m sorry, Wesley,” she choked out.
Xander looked around at the Scoobies, feeling his own emotions threatening to spill. “Ahn...” He didn’t feel right having this happy day when Wes’ dad had just been murdered. Guy was a king-sized jerk, but he was still Wes’ dad. He smiled, grateful for once that he didn’t have to explain things to her when she nodded. “Giles, we don’t have to-.”
“No!” Wes snapped, his voice cracking. “You’re not canceling this wedding, not for me,” he took a few deep, gulping breaths trying to calm himself. “This is your day, Xander. I won’t ruin it.”
“You’re not ruining it,” Anya said softly, taking Xander’s hand. “We can get married later.”
“No!” Wesley said, determined. Running his hand over his father’s head one last time, he stood on shaky legs. “You can’t. He came here to ruin this day for you.”
Giles looked up as the priest passed him two sets of large service robes. He knew they would cover Roger. “Wesley, here, luv.” He held the edge out to the younger man, determined to help him.
Wesley took the other side of the robes, draping it over his father’s body. He was still taking deep, shaky breaths, but for his new family, he had to hold it together. “Go on, Father, continue,” he ground out, feeling a fresh wave of tears threatening as Giles and Fred took up vigil next to him.
“Buffy, can you find Dawn? I think Wes could use Connor down here too,” Xander suggested, looking over at the other man worriedly. “One sec, Padre, and we’ll be all set.”
While Willow and Tara retrieved the rings that had fallen to the floor, Buffy hurried into the back of the church to find Dawn sitting with Connor in one of the corners. Connor was crying against Dawn’s shoulder, scared and worried and wanting to be there to help his parents against the mean man. Dawn looked up at her sister, glad to see her alive. “Buffy...oh God...is it over?”
“Angelus is gone,” Buffy told her, kneeling down next to her. “Connor, your parents need you.”
Squirming out of Dawn’s arms, he immediately ran out of the vestry. Buffy helped Dawn up, and they followed him back into the chapel. “Daddy! Mommy! Papa!” he cried out, running straight to his parents and throwing his arms around Wesley’s legs.
Wesley felt the constriction around his heart tighten. Reaching down, he lifted the boy into his arms, hugging him desperately. He could feel the tears slide down his cheeks. Cradling the boy’s head in his hand, he just held him tightly.
“It’s okay, Daddy. I’m here,” Connor said with a slight hiccup in his voice from his own tears. His little hand raised, petting the back of his father’s head as if he were trying to soothe an upset animal.
Watching his lover and their son, Giles could feel his own emotions boiling close to the surface. He felt his pain acutely, but respected Wesley’s desire to finish the ceremony. Turning to face the priest, he nodded. “We’re ready, Father.”
While the priest continued with the ceremony, Fred wrapped her arm around Wesley, turning her head and resting her forehead against his arm. She knew why he wanted to do this, she knew that he wanted to make sure that Xander and Anya could move on with their life without wondering when they could or what else would come along to interrupt. She could feel the tension in him, however. Standing here like this, with his father’s body so close by...it had to be killing him.
As if sensing that they needed to finish this quickly, the priest skipped over the rest of the sermon he had been planning to give and went right to the wedding vows, knowing that truly, given what had happened, that was the most important part. Anya seemed almost near tears as they made their pledges, her voice cracking when it was her turn. Xander was obviously trying to hold back as well.
“I know that this is not the sort of day you want to have as the start of your married life,” the priest told them after they had exchanged rings, “but if you can come through something like this strong and willing to hold onto each other and support each other, then you can face anything together. Xander, Anya, by the power invested in me by the laws of California and the law of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Giles stepped closer to the newly married couple, leaving Fred and Connor to comfort Wesley for a moment. He turned back, waving Tony and Buffy to follow him for a moment. “Buffy, I need you and Tony to help Fred and Lorne to get Wesley and the others into the limosine. Anya, I assume Roger was the man you saw in your vision?” He didn’t need her to nod to know it was. “It’s not your fault - you had no way of knowing who it was you were seeing. Why don’t you get Halfreck and your few remaining guests to help you put the wedding gifts in the boot of Xander’s car. You can open them at the house. Under the circumstances, I think they would understand.”
While he continued to issue instructions, Fred moved to stand in front of Wesley, embracing both him and Connor. She wanted to get them both out of there but knew that for right now it was better to stay where they were until they knew what they were doing.
“Mommy, did we stop the bad man?” Connor asked.
Fred swallowed - the image of Angelus disappearing under her hand was something she didn’t think she ever be able to forget. “Yes, sweetie. We stopped the bad man.”
Wesley had barely heard Connor’s question, but it managed to filter through the numbness of his grief, along with Fred’s response. He knew how much Connor looked up to his mother -- with Angel’s demise, for all intention purposes, they were Connor’s parents, biology be damned. “Your mum took care of the bad man. The bad man killed my daddy and tried to kill your papa. Your mum made sure he would never hurt anyone ever again,” he explained to their son.
“Mommy did that?!” The boy asked, the awe clear in his voice as he pulled back to look into his father’s sad eyes.
“She sure did.” He smiled sadly when Connor’s little hands wiped the tears off his cheeks.
Fred could see that Connor thought what she had done was amazing and brave somehow, but in a way, all she could think of was the fact that she had just been forced to kill a friend. Wesley had lost his father, and they had a lost a friend. It didn’t feel like something she should be looked up to for, but she didn’t say anything. It would just complicate things.
Just then, Buffy, Tony and Lorne came over to them. “Fred, Wesley, Giles wants us to head out to the limosine.”
Fred nodded and looked up at Wesley, reaching up to touch his face gently. “Come on. We should go,” she whispered to him.
“But I...I should stay and...” He stopped when Rupert cut him off.
“I’ll take care of your father. Don’t worry. Just go out to the limo with the others. I’ll be right there,” Giles promised.
“See, Daddy? I know you’re sad, but we’ll be okay. Right, Papa?” Connor asked, looking at his other parent with questioning blue eyes.
“Right.”
“Come on,” Fred repeated softly, keeping her arm around Wesley as they walked toward the exit. She glanced over her shoulder at Rupert as he stayed behind, the covered body of Wesley’s father nearby.
Once they were outside, they went over to the limosine, Lorne opening the door for them. Fred took Connor from Wesley for a moment while Lorne helped him in, then she passed him back over, knowing that he wanted to be with his father. Once they were both settled, she crawled in next to them. A slight wave of nausea came over her as she did, but she forced it down while Dawn, Willow and Tara got into the car as well. Now was not the time.
*****
Giles approached the priest once Wesley was led out while Xander and Anya dealt with their guests with Halfreck’s help. “Father, we’ll need to borrow your car. Spike will stay here until sundown and take the body back to Buffy’s house.”
“I won’t lock the church, Rupert; you know that,” the priest replied.
When Spike began protesting loudly about having to stay, Giles gripped his collar with lightening fast reflexes and slammed him against the nearest wall, pinning his forearm against the vampire’s throat. “Shut up!” he growled, his green eyes flashing dangerously. He knew the horror of this day wasn’t over. “You will be quiet and do as you are told. I will move the body into the confessional booth before I leave, and when the sun goes down, Father McKay will move it to the boot of his car, but you will bring the body back to the house. And listen to this next part very carefully. If I find a single bite on that body when you bring it to us, I will personally giftwrap you to the Council, so they can experiment on you as they wish. He was a pillock, but he is still Wesley’s father.”
“All right! All right!” Spike protested, trying to dislodge the Watcher’s grip, seeing the seriousness in the other man’s eyes. He wondered if the Scoobies had any idea how dangerous their precious Watcher could be. “I got it! No nibbling Junior’s old man! Now hands off the monkey suit!”
When he took a step back, glaring at him, Giles just glared back for a moment before turning to the priest. “We’ll return your car in the morning, Father.”
*****
Standing at the entrance to the chapel, Buffy waited silently as Giles took care of the body of Wesley’s father. Normally, she would have enjoyed watching him put Spike in his place, but today none of it was funny. Angel was gone for good. Wesley had been hurt - first by his father’s words, then by his father’s death. She was glad, though, that Xander and Anya had managed to get married, the only good thing to come out of this day, it seemed.
She glanced outside, able to see the others getting into the limo. Tony was standing next to the vehicle, and when he saw her looking his direction, he gave her a small wave. With a sad smile, she waved back. Okay, maybe there was more than one thing. Tony was definitely turning out to be a great asset to all of them.
Once Giles finished moving the body into the confessional, she walked over to him and put her hand on his arm. “You ready?”
He nodded, looking toward the door. “Yes. Let’s get everyone home,” he replied softly. On the way to the door, Xander met them in the aisle.
“Anya and I should be there in about a half an hour,” he informed them before looking down at his shoes uncomfortably. “Tell Wes-take care of him Giles,” he finished, knowing ‘I’m sorry’ just wouldn’t be enough.
“I will. I’ll see you at the house,” Giles replied softly, leading Buffy back out to the limosine and getting in. Part of him was relieved that this mess with Angelus was over, but he was angry about the cost. It would take Wesley a long time to get over seeing the murder of his father. Reaching out, he laid his hand on the younger man’s leg, letting him know that no matter what happened, he was never alone.
*****
The ride back to the house was quiet, no one knowing what to say. Fred silently rested her hand over Rupert’s on Wesley’s leg while Connor reached out and started playing with her hair, his little head resting against his father’s shoulder. Willow leaned against Tara, their hands intertwined, and Buffy reached out to brush her sister’s hair back from her face, giving her a reassuring smile. She then looked over at Tony - she would have to remember to thank him for everything later. There had been no time yet.
When the limo reached the house, everyone got out to head inside. It had been an automatic thing for the last few weeks, everyone living in the house, sharing floor space and the bathrooms. As they walked in, Willow looked around at the sheets folded and sitting on the chair. “I-uh...guess this means we can all go back to our own places again now, doesn’t it?”
”We’ll figure that out later,” Giles replied, undoing his bowtie. Stepping in front of Wes, he reached up and touched his face gently to get his attention. “Wes, let Fred and Lorne take you upstairs and get changed, all right?” He wanted his lover to get out of the tux that had to have his father’s blood on it.
Wes nodded numbly, allowing Fred to take his arm and led him up to the second floor, Lorne following close behind. Once they had disappeared, Giles picked up the phone and dialed the Council’s number.
“Quentin Travers, please. It’s Rupert Giles.”
*****
Travers was surprised when Gladys buzzed him, telling him that Rupert Giles was on the line. He considered the phone for a moment before picking it up. “Rupert? Didn’t expect to be hearing again from you so soon. There something I can help you with?”
“Yes, I’m calling to inform you that your messenger is dead. It is my duty to inform the Chairman that Senior Watcher Roger Wyndam-Pryce was killed in the line of duty against the Vampire Angelus. We all saw it happen - there was no chance for him to ingest vampiric blood, so there is no need to destroy the body. We’ll need you to send someone to collect him and take him home to his wife. As he’s put in enough time, grant him his hero’s burial. Also, we were also witness to the demise of the Vampire Angelus. He was dusted by Winifred Burkle...another one of those human civilians you are always so quick to dismiss,” he growled into the phone.
Buffy’s eyes widened when she heard Giles request for the jerk who had almost ruined Anya and Xander’s wedding and had hurt the man he loved so badly. “Giles, what are you doing?” she asked in disbelief.
Tony, having wondered what spin Giles was going to put on this, had expected her reaction once he heard the other man’s words and reached out to gently capture her shoulders and draw her back against him, letting Giles finish his call. “I know you trust your Watcher. He’s doing no more than you yourself would do for those you love. He’s putting aside his hatred for the man he loves,” he explained. “Roger Wyndam-Pryce might have been a monster and a prick of the highest order, but he’s still his lover’s father. Your own record with your father is less than sterling. Would you wish what we witnessed on him? He’s not doing it for Roger; he’s doing it for Wesley.”
Usually, Buffy wouldn’t have let anyone except maybe Giles hold her the way Tony was holding her now, but she didn’t fight it, instead closing her eyes and breathing in deeply. She hated the idea that that...man would be considered a hero when all he had wanted to do was hurt Wesley, take Connor from his own mother and tear their family apart. But if Giles was doing was doing it for Wesley...she supposed she could deal with that. It just wasn’t fair, though.
Travers, meanwhile, sat in stunned silence, digesting what Rupert had just told him. Roger was dead, but Angelus was gone? And a civilian had taken him out. He couldn’t believe it. The Council had lost a number of Watchers to Angelus, and a girl who wasn’t even a Slayer had managed to dust him? He swallowed, knowing that he had to be formal about this even though he heard the very unformal tone underlying Rupert’s words.
“Thank you for your report, Watcher Giles. I will call Watcher Fitzpatrick in Vegas and have him come out to collect the body immediately for return to England.” He paused for a moment, not looking forward to the visit he was going to have to make after this.
“We’ll expect the pick up tomorrow. Your man can pick him up at my Slayer’s house on Rovello.” Giles looked up to see Tony whispering something in Buffy’s ear. “We’ve also decided that young Antony can add another element to our group here. I’m filing an official request that he be allowed to remain on the Hellmouth and work with us. He has proven himself invaluable against Angelus, and both myself and Wesley owe our lives to his quick thinking.”
There was silence for a moment on the other end of the line, and when Travers spoke again, the formality was gone from his voice, replaced with shock. “Angelus is really gone? After all these years?”
“Yes, Quentin, he’s gone.”
Travers shook his head, still not quite believing it; he knew, though, that Rupert Giles wouldn’t lie about something like Angelus. They had their...difficulties with him, but given his personal past history with the vampire, there was no way he’d say he was gone unless he was. “I take it Antony wants to stay, considering that he hasn’t been in contact with us for a while,” he stated, trying to return to the formalities at hand. “All right, Rupert, the boy’s your responsibility now. Probably better that way, actually. I’d best go and start making arrangements for Roger’s funeral. I’ll have Fitzpatrick contact you to arrange collection of the body.”
He rolled his eyes when Travers suggested that Tony was his responsibility. Apparently, according to the Council, everything that happened in Sunnydale was his responsibility. It wouldn’t surprise him if, had Angelus not been destroyed, Travers would have found a way to blame him for Roger’s death. The demise of such a powerful vampire, however, in the Council’s eyes, made it an equitable loss. “I’ll inform him of the assignment change. And for once, have the Council spring for a rental with a GPS and program Buffy’s address into it. I know for a fact you have that.” He grit his teeth when he heard the sounds from upstairs, still worried about Wesley. “All he has to do is show up, and someone will be here to give him the body. I may be too busy to deal with him.”
Travers bristled a bit at the way Rupert spoke to him but decided it wasn’t worth it to get into things with him. He could ask Fitzpatrick to glean as much information as he could when he arrived at the house since he knew that Antony wasn’t going to be any help anymore. “Thank you for calling, Rupert.” He couldn’t bring himself to congratulate them on getting rid of Angelus once and for all. “We’ll stay in touch.”
“I expect nothing less,” Giles replied, knowing Travers wanted details about what had happened. However, he had neither the energy nor the patience to deal with the pompous windbag. He hung the phone up without bothering to say goodbye.
Turning, he undid the top two buttons on his shirt, breathing a sigh when the constriction lessened. “Tony, your official assignment as been changed. You are now assigned to the Hellmouth and report directly to me. Travers is sending Fitzpatrick from Vegas to collect Roger,” he explained to the others. “Buffy, I think Fred and I are going to have to take Wesley away this weekend if he has any chance of getting past this. Do you think you and the others can watch Connor for us?”
Even though she knew she really didn’t have to, Buffy glanced around at everyone, seeing them nodding in agreement. “Of course. Take care of Wesley. We’ll make sure Connor is all right.”
“Thank you,” he breathed, knowing even though they didn’t have Angelus hanging over their heads any longer, the next week was going to be rough. “I’ll just...” He looked up the stairs, pointing in lieu of anything else to say.
Wordlessly, he headed up the stairs, making a beeline for their room. With a single knock to announce his presence, he turned the handle, opening the door to find Wes sitting on the bed in his boxers, and Lorne putting the tux in a bag. Fred was sitting next to Wes, and Connor was on his opposite side.
Taking a knee in front of Wesley, he touched the younger man’s leg to get his attention. “I called the Council. Fitzpatrick is coming to get him, to take him home. The Council will arrange the funeral.”
“I...I should call my mother,” Wesley replied, numbly. “She should hear it from me.”
Fred caught eyes with Rupert for a moment before turning her attention back to Wesley. “Are you sure?” she asked softly, rubbing her hand gently across his back. When he nodded, she got up and got the cordless from its base, bringing it back and holding it out once she sat down again. “We’re right here with you.”
Wesley took the phone from her with a shaky hand, holding it for a moment to gather his strength. It had been too long since he talked to his mother, and now he had to call with news like this. Slowly, he dialed the number, holding the reciever up to his ear and waiting for someone to pick up. “Geoff, it’s Wesley,” he told the butler when he heard the familiar voice. “I need to talk to my mother.”
*****
The older man in first class sighed angrily when the plane landed at LAX. How dare he? His own child - his spawn - first disgracing himself in Sunnydale then making his failure complete by allying himself to the vampire. And then when he needed information, the boy had been nowhere to be found.
He had been furious to discover - through Travers, of all people - that Wesley was now in Sunnydale with the American woman and their...child. He nearly growled at that thought. The disgrace had reproduced. He would look the child over, however, and if he seemed to be made of tougher mettle than his father, Roger would claim him on behalf of the family.
Travers wanted to know the location of his baby Watcher, and Roger wanted the iron clad control over his disgrace of a child again. It didn’t take long to secure the rental the Council had waiting. In a few hours, he would be in Sunnydale, straightening out this mess, and possibly even straightening out that Slayer while he was at it.
*****
“Oh, dear Goddess, please explain to me why we agreed to wear...this again?” Willow asked, standing in front of the mirror with Tara and Buffy, all three of them tugging and pulling at the green monstrosities that were their bridemaids dresses.
“We look like...green demons,” Buffy groused, sticking out her tongue.
“Hey!” Lorne said from where he was sitting with Connor, trying to get the squirming little guy into his socks and shoes.
“Sorry. Green mermaid demons.”
“No, Fred, I’m not going out there,” they heard Dawn saying in the bathroom. “I’m not, and you can’t make me.”
“Oh, no...if we have to go out there wearing these fashions from hell, so does she,” Buffy announced before going over to the door and pounding on it. “Dawn Marie Summers, get your green mermaid butt out here now.”
“All right, all right.” A moment later, Dawn opened the door, followed by Fred, who was the only one of them actually wearing a normal-looking dress, blue with a skirt that ended just above her knees. “Now I know why Fred wasn’t upset at not being included in the wedding.”
Just then, Giles knocked on the door, trying to bite back a smile at the sight of the women in his family wearing those dresses. Behind him, Wesley forced himself to look at his shoes to keep from smiling.
“Um...” Giles felt the smile pull at his lips. “The limo is here, so is everyone ready?” He coughed to smother a giggle.
“Yeah,” Buffy said, looking at everyone, knowing that an apocalypse probably wasn’t going to happen and save them from this hell. “I think we are.”
“I just need to get my shoes,” Fred said, raising up one of her bare feet. “I’ll be downstairs in a moment. Connor, go on with your daddy and papa.”
“Doesn’t he look smashing?” Lorne asked, setting Connor down on the floor so he could go over to his fathers.
Wesley smiled when he came bouncing toward him, hands up, waiting for him to pick him up. “You look very smart, son,” he said, beaming proudly as he picked the boy up. Connor was clutching the ring pillow tightly, having practiced with it all week. “Are you ready to do your very important job?”
“Yep! Buffy says I have natural ‘gility, so no problem!” Connor bounced excitedly on his daddy’s hip.
“Tony is waiting downstairs for us. Halfreck took Anya to the church an hour ago, so feel free to plot her demise before we get there,” Giles mentioned with a chuckle, extending his arms to escort Buffy and Dawn downstairs. Wes held out his free arm to escort Tara. “Shall we?”
As Lorne escorted Willow out of the room, following everyone else, Fred went to the closet and pulled out her shoes, taking them back over to the bed and putting them on. She had just stood up to head downstairs when suddenly, the world tilted, and her stomach felt like it had just been twisted and pulled. Running into the bathroom, she barely managed to reach the toilet before she threw up.
“Fred?” Lorne’s voice suddenly called from the bedroom. “Fred, everyone’s wonder-oh, sweetie, are you okay?”
She felt his hands on her shoulder, pulling her hair back from her face while she coughed a bit. After a few moments, she tried to get up, so Lorne helped her up, taking her over to the sink to let her rinse her mouth out while he flushed the toilet for her.
“I’m okay,” she finally said, taking a deep breath as she leaned over the sink. “I’m just...I haven’t told Rupert and Wesley yet, but I’ve been sick every morning for the last week.”
“Fred, why haven’t you told-?” When she looked over at him, he broke off as it suddenly dawned on him. “You don’t think...?”
“I think so, but I’m not sure. It’s not like I could just go to the drugstore with everything that’s been going on, and I didn’t want to tell them until I was sure.”
“Sing for me, sweetie pie,” Lorne told her, brushing her hair back from her face.
She looked at him in amazement. “You can...you can tell?” When he nodded, she launched into a few lines of some song that she had heard Dawn listening to on the radio over the last few days. When she reached the end of what she knew of it, she glanced down at herself then back up expectantly.
“You are,” he told her, a smile tugging on his lips.
“I am?” She felt her breath catch in her throat, her hands covering her abdomen. “Oh my God...”
“When are you going to tell the guys?”
She shook her head in uncertainty, knowing that today was supposed to be about Anya and Xander. “Maybe tonight. Right now, the others are waiting.” Smiling, she took his hand and hurried downstairs to catch up with everyone.
*****
Tony looked up and had to discreetly cough into his hand to stop from smiling when he saw the girls. He should have known the former Anyanka would pick such...colors. “Mister Giles, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take one of these lovely ladies off of your hands,” he said, graciously, holding Buffy’s gaze.
“That’s up to Buffy, of course,” Giles replied with a smile.
Buffy felt like she had been caught unaware by vampires for a moment. A guy wanting to be her escort while wearing this dress? Why couldn’t it have been when she was wearing something cute and short and actually flattering? She put on a smile, though, and stepped forward to take his arm. “Thank you, Tony,” she said as they stepped outside to head to the car. She looked back at the others, then leaned over to him and whispered, “This dress doesn’t even have a place to secret a stake. And this stupid little purse isn’t big enough either.”
“I’ve got you covered,” he informed her with a smile, opening his jacket to reveal the four stakes inside. “Mister Giles’ orders. We’re also outfitted with bowie knives and an extendable baton.” He hoped the knowledge would put her a little more at ease despite being stuck in that monstrosity of a dress.
She grinned at him when she saw all the weapons there. “Ohhh, very good, Giles. I’ll be looking to you to throw me something if it becomes necessary, Tony, so be ready.”
Wes and Giles got everyone else in the limo and settled, knowing it wouldn’t take long to get to the church. Wes could tell that Giles was anxious having his family exposed and out in the open like this, but he knew his lover. Giles was determined to give this day to his loved ones, Angelus be damned. He watched the passing scenery, his body coiled for another attack by the bloodthirsty vampire. When they pulled up in front of the church, however, he resisted the urge to snicker - standing there in the doorway was the familiar platinum blonde head. And oh, did Spike look livid.
“Oh, Rupert....you didn’t,” he said, finally giving in to his urge and chuckling.
Giles smiled, the devilishness clear on his face. “Actually, I didn’t. It was the threat of turning you and Connor loose on him that got him here in a tux. We needed another man to balance the party, and he was the only one handy.” With an oh-so-innocent shrug, he then stepped from the limo, reaching in to help the ladies out.
Buffy couldn’t believe what she saw as they all piled out of the car and headed up into the building. “Oh my God.” She so owed Giles for two things today now - knowing that there were weapons to hand and Spike in a penguin suit, looking like he would have preferred to take a chance with sunlight. She could hear Willow, Tara and Dawn giggling behind her as they walked inside. “Spike, you look fantastic.”
“Not. One. More. Word. Slayer.” Spike growled between clenched teeth. “Bloody sadist of a Watcher, putting me in this nancy boy suit, dragging me out during the day. And to a church of all places! Who pissed in your Wheetabix this morning?!” He glared at Giles as if he might stake him any minute. “All for the whelp? I loathe you, Watcher!”
Everyone just ignored Spike’s threats and went into the chapel, the girls splitting up to go to the bridal room while the guys headed to the groom’s room where Xander was already waiting. On the way, they passed demons of all kinds, milling around, looking quite out of place in a church of all places. Especially since none of Xander’s family was there.
When the girls reached the bridal room, Buffy knocked on the door before opening it up and heading inside to find Anya standing in front of the mirror, wearing her dress and her hair done, but with a cold mask over her eyes. When she saw the reflections of the others in the mirror, she whirled around, jumping up and down for joy.
“Oh, my gosh, you all look beautiful!” she gushed. “I can’t believe it’s happening. We’re getting married!”
*****
It had taken Giles about ten minutes to get Xander settled down, and the groomsmen moved into position. “Wes, why don’t you go fetch the ladies since you’re stepping in to escort Anya down the aisle?” he suggested. He smiled, taking Connor from him and setting him on his feet. “And you, young man, are you ready?”
“Yes, Papa!” Connor bounced, holding the pillow up excitedly, just as they had rehearsed. Withdrawing the rings from his pocket, Giles set them on the pillow just as he saw the women approaching. “I’ll be careful!” he promised, determined that he would make his parents proud.
“Good lad.” Giles beamed proudly. “Xander, perhaps you should take your position?” Nodding toward the altar where the priest was waiting, he then extended his elbow toward the maid of honor, knowing they would be the first ones down the aisle. “Halfreck?”
They took their position at the head of the line, followed by Willow and Tara escorted by Spike, then Buffy and Tony. Dawn stood behind them next to Connor to make sure that he made it down the aisle all right with the rings.
Buffy smiled at Tony as she took his arm. She still hated the dress but couldn’t be upset at the company. She was actually glad that Travers had sent him.
Anya took a deep breath before walking over to Wesley while the others entered the chapel. “I just want to say, thank you for doing this. I know we don’t really know each other well, and I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with, but still...it means a lot to me.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Wesley told her with a smile. “This day is important to you, so I’m glad I could be a part of it.” As the music began to play, he nodded. “Ready to get married?”
As they walked down the aisle, he could see Xander shifting his weight, his dark eyes lit on the lovely woman on his arm. As they approached, the priest addressed him.
“Who gives this woman to this man?”
“I do,” Wesley replied, stepping back and joining the men’s side behind Rupert. He could see the tip of Connor’s tongue against his lips while he concentrated on balancing the rings on the pillow.
As the priest started the ceremony, his eyes flicking over to the “circus folk” that made up the bride’s family every so often, Fred, who was sitting with Lorne as the sole members of the groom’s family, found her attention wandering from the bride and groom to Wesley and Rupert as they stood together. They looked so handsome in their tuxedos, and she could feel her stomach fluttering.
Covering her hand with his, Lorne leaned over to her. “Are you all right, buttercup?” he whispered.
She nodded, knowing it wasn’t morning sickness this time but instead anticipation at telling them the news about the baby. She couldn’t wait to tell them. Catching Wesley’s eye, she gave him a smile before forcing herself to turn her attention to Xander and Anya.
Wesley lifted his head when he felt the loving pair of eyes on him and found his lips curling up in reply when he saw Fred’s smile. He had to force himself to focus on what the priest was saying.
“If there is anyone who thinks that these two should not be married, may you speak now or forever hold your peace.” The priest paused briefly, not expecting anyone to interrupt.
“Good God, this is a new low, even for you,” Roger Wyndam-Pryce scowled, coming down the aisle toward his son. “Attending a marriage between these things.”
Wesley’s eyes widened in shock as he felt his stomach plummet into his shoes. “Father! Not now! Sit down, please! We can talk afterwards!” he pleaded with the older man.
“We can talk now since you decided to hide behind this disgrace, get him and his renegade Slayer to fight your battles for you! You were born pathetic, and it’s clear that hasn’t changed. Maybe if this son I keep hearing about is raised by a real Watcher, instead of a spineless git, he might have a chance to become a man.” He was so focused on demolishing the pathetic man in front of him, he failed to hear the dangerous growl from Giles.
Fred watched in shock. This was the man Rupert had told her about - this was the man who had made Wesley’s life a living hell. When he started talking to him like he was a child, she found her hands balling into fists by her side, only Lorne’s hand on her keeping her from standing up. When he threatened Connor, however, she was on her feet, reaching out for her little boy and pulling him close to her. The pillow and the rings fell to the floor, but nobody noticed or cared. “You stay away from my child, you bastard.”
Buffy stepped forward. “You’re not welcome here. Get out.”
“What is the saying you Colonials are so fond of?” Roger smirked, pretending to think. “It’s a free country. This is my family, girl, and I will deal with them as I see fit.” He glared at the young Watcher who moved to stand with the Slayer. “And you, failing to call Travers was a mistake.”
“It must have slipped my mind,” Tony replied dryly, not impressed in the slightest by the man before him.
“We’ve been protecting him from Angelus’ wrath. Unlike the Council, these people don’t sacrifice their own,” Wesley managed, feeling his body wound tight. He was trembling with the effort to meet his father’s gaze, every instinct telling him to back down. “Connor is my son, and he’s going nowhere with you.” He tried, but his voice broke under the strain of his emotion. Wesley was horrified when he saw his father smile, knowing his son didn’t have the courage to defy him.
“I’ve never hit an old man in my life,” Xander began, moving in front of Roger. “But if you keep interrupting my wedding, there’s a first time for everything.”
Buffy saw Giles about to move forward on Wesley’s father and put her arm out, keeping him back. She motioned to Fred, who picked Connor up and moved to stand next to Wesley and Giles, putting Buffy and Tony between them and the hateful man before them.
“We Colonials are also rather fond of something else - called the second amendment and the right to keep and bear arms,” she said, holding out her hand. Tony immediately handed over the bowie knife, which she held up. “This isn’t a gun, but it’s close enough. You even try to take Wesley and Fred’s son from them, and I swear you won’t have your hands much longer.”
“And you know me, I don’t need a reason to gut a Watcher,” Spike said with a smirk. “Might even be worth the headache to see what kind of candy spills out of this piñata.” He tapped the old man on the shoulder, and when he looked at him, Spike vamped out, blowing him a kiss. “Boo!”
Roger flinched instinctively, reaching for a stake. “So this is how it is going to be, Wesley? Getting the older boys at school to fight your battles for sexual favors? So who is the beneficiary of those skills this time? Rupert Giles? Or perhaps young Antony here?”
“Stop saying mean things about my daddy!” Connor yelled at the stranger, not knowing who he was but seeing that he was hurting his father.
Fred gasped in disgust at what Wesley’s father said about him, wanting badly to lash out. Rupert beat her to it, however, moving before anyone could stop him and flattening the older man. Seeing the look in Wesley’s eyes, she grabbed his arm with her free hand, moving closer to him to let him know that she was there.
Roger, meanwhile, flailed back, stars of pain exploding behind his eyes when he felt the fist impact against his jaw. He looked up into the face of an incredibly irate Rupert Giles. “I believe my question was just answered.”
“Yay, Papa!” Connor yelled excitedly, bouncing on Fred’s hip.
Lorne could see how horrific this was for Wesley - the vibes coming off him were enough to cause a migraine. This man had done enough damage to his friend to last a lifetime. He wasn’t going to get to him now. Getting up, he joined the group standing against this man.
“There are no ten-year-old boys here for you to terrorize, Roger. Grown men with Napoleon complexes have no place in this town. Leave under your own steam or leave on a stretcher. For Wesley’s sake, I’m giving you a choice,” Giles growled.
“Rupert, you always were a problem child, weren’t you?” Roger asked with a smirk. “I always regretted that your father never let me take a lash to you. Knock some of that stubbornness out of you. I’m not leaving without what is mine - my family. You can keep the girl, but my son and grandson are coming with me.”
“No,” Wesley rasped, feeling tears of shame fill his blue eyes. His shame wasn’t for his father, though; it was at himself, that he would stand here, a fully grown man, taking such things from his father, in front of his lovers and family. “My...my place is here now. I think you should leave.”
“You heard, Wesley,” Fred said, feeling sick at all this - that this man could even be threatening to take the man she loved and her child away from her. “You’re not his family, and you’re not taking him away from us.”
Anya had been so shocked at the interruption to her wedding that it took her until that moment to realize who the man was. She wanted to say something, to warn someone that this was what she had seen, but she couldn’t do it.
Because it was already too late.
A figure suddenly darted in from the back of the chapel while Roger began to rant again, and before anyone could really process what was happening, Angelus had grabbed Roger Wyndam-Pryce from behind. “As fun as listening to this is, you’re not taking my prey away from me,” he growled before sinking his fangs into Roger’s neck.
“NO!” Wes cried, instinctively pulling Fred and Connor behind him.
He saw Giles grab Angelus from behind, trying to pull the vampire off of his father. As the fangs tugged back, Roger instinctively jerked forward in an attempt to get away, ripping a big chunk of flesh out of his throat.
Wesley caught him as he went down. “Father! Hang on,” he said, pressing the handkerchief to the older man’s neck.
“I’m sorry for this,” Tony said, needing something he suspected was in the little handbag Buffy had slung over her shoulder. He felt like a heel digging through it without permission but yelped triumphantly when he withdrew the desired item. “Giles!”
At his cry, the older man turned his way, dragging Angelus with him. The moment he did, Tony lit his zippo, spraying the hairspray from the small can Buffy had been carrying right across the flame, causing it act like a flamethrower directed into the vampire’s face.
It was then that the chaos started - all the demons sitting in the chapel made a run for it, not wanting to be caught in a fight. Fred immediately turned to Dawn, pulling her over and pushing Connor into her arms. “Take him to the vestry now! Go!”
Dawn didn’t even pause to argue, instead running as fast as she could up the stairs, disappearing into the back. Once they were gone, Fred immediately made a grab for the bowl of holy water from the altar just as Tony threw the hairspray fireball at Angelus. Roaring, the vampire lashed out, hitting Tony in the gut and sending him crashing into Buffy. He then made a grab for Giles, trying to pull him off his back and flip him in front of him.
Giles felt this, though, so he hooked his leg in the vampire’s, blocking the move. Pivoting, he turned the tables, planting his foot and putting Angelus on his back. As he reached for his stake to finish the job once and for all, he felt his feet swept out from underneath him. He barely managed to stop himself from falling on his stake. Suddenly, hands closed around his throat, crushing with superhuman strength.
“I may not get them, but I’ll get you, old man,” Angelus growled, wanting to finish off the bane of his existence, once and for all.
“No!” Fred screamed when Angelus took Rupert down. Without thinking, she scooped up the stake as it skittered across the floor towards her and ran forward. “ANGELUS!”
Her calling his name got his attention for a moment, and as he turned to look in her direction, she tossed the holy water in his face, hitting him directly in the eyes. With a pained yell, Angelus let go of Giles’ throat and reeled back just as Fred reached him.
“Stay the fucking hell away from my guys!”
With that, she brought the stake down into Angelus’ heart, a cloud of dust exploding around them.
Giles rolled to his side, coughing hard as he tried to suck air into his bruised larynx. He felt hands on him, trying to steady him as he felt himself helped to his knees.
“Giles, you okay?” Xander asked in concern.
“Wesley,” Giles croaked. There was no way Roger could have survived the attack. The old man might be a pillock, but he was still Wesley’s father, and watching his brutal death wasn’t something he wanted for his love.
Fred had fallen over as Angelus disappeared, crashing to the ground. “Freddles, are you all right?!” a stunned Lorne cried as he and Buffy tried help her up, but she just pushed them away.
“Rupert? Wesley?” she sobbed out, stumbling over to them. She collapsed against Giles, her eyes filling with tears when she saw Wesley on the ground, holding his father, blood everywhere. “Oh, God.”
Wesley lifted his head numbly when he heard his name. He looked at Fred but wasn’t really seeing her. The only thing his eyes were seeing were his father’s, the ones passed to him by genes, closing for the last time.
Giles leaned on Fred a bit as he stood, both of them moving toward their lost love. “Wes,” he croaked again, stroking the younger man’s head. He reached a hand out to take a pulse before looking up at Fred, his green eyes sad. He shook his head.
“He’s gone,” Wesley whimpered, still cradling his father’s head.
Fred knelt down on the ground next to Wesley, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly, tears filling her eyes. She had despised what his father had done to him, despised what he had said to him and about him, but this...she never would have wanted this. “I’m sorry, Wesley,” she choked out.
Xander looked around at the Scoobies, feeling his own emotions threatening to spill. “Ahn...” He didn’t feel right having this happy day when Wes’ dad had just been murdered. Guy was a king-sized jerk, but he was still Wes’ dad. He smiled, grateful for once that he didn’t have to explain things to her when she nodded. “Giles, we don’t have to-.”
“No!” Wes snapped, his voice cracking. “You’re not canceling this wedding, not for me,” he took a few deep, gulping breaths trying to calm himself. “This is your day, Xander. I won’t ruin it.”
“You’re not ruining it,” Anya said softly, taking Xander’s hand. “We can get married later.”
“No!” Wesley said, determined. Running his hand over his father’s head one last time, he stood on shaky legs. “You can’t. He came here to ruin this day for you.”
Giles looked up as the priest passed him two sets of large service robes. He knew they would cover Roger. “Wesley, here, luv.” He held the edge out to the younger man, determined to help him.
Wesley took the other side of the robes, draping it over his father’s body. He was still taking deep, shaky breaths, but for his new family, he had to hold it together. “Go on, Father, continue,” he ground out, feeling a fresh wave of tears threatening as Giles and Fred took up vigil next to him.
“Buffy, can you find Dawn? I think Wes could use Connor down here too,” Xander suggested, looking over at the other man worriedly. “One sec, Padre, and we’ll be all set.”
While Willow and Tara retrieved the rings that had fallen to the floor, Buffy hurried into the back of the church to find Dawn sitting with Connor in one of the corners. Connor was crying against Dawn’s shoulder, scared and worried and wanting to be there to help his parents against the mean man. Dawn looked up at her sister, glad to see her alive. “Buffy...oh God...is it over?”
“Angelus is gone,” Buffy told her, kneeling down next to her. “Connor, your parents need you.”
Squirming out of Dawn’s arms, he immediately ran out of the vestry. Buffy helped Dawn up, and they followed him back into the chapel. “Daddy! Mommy! Papa!” he cried out, running straight to his parents and throwing his arms around Wesley’s legs.
Wesley felt the constriction around his heart tighten. Reaching down, he lifted the boy into his arms, hugging him desperately. He could feel the tears slide down his cheeks. Cradling the boy’s head in his hand, he just held him tightly.
“It’s okay, Daddy. I’m here,” Connor said with a slight hiccup in his voice from his own tears. His little hand raised, petting the back of his father’s head as if he were trying to soothe an upset animal.
Watching his lover and their son, Giles could feel his own emotions boiling close to the surface. He felt his pain acutely, but respected Wesley’s desire to finish the ceremony. Turning to face the priest, he nodded. “We’re ready, Father.”
While the priest continued with the ceremony, Fred wrapped her arm around Wesley, turning her head and resting her forehead against his arm. She knew why he wanted to do this, she knew that he wanted to make sure that Xander and Anya could move on with their life without wondering when they could or what else would come along to interrupt. She could feel the tension in him, however. Standing here like this, with his father’s body so close by...it had to be killing him.
As if sensing that they needed to finish this quickly, the priest skipped over the rest of the sermon he had been planning to give and went right to the wedding vows, knowing that truly, given what had happened, that was the most important part. Anya seemed almost near tears as they made their pledges, her voice cracking when it was her turn. Xander was obviously trying to hold back as well.
“I know that this is not the sort of day you want to have as the start of your married life,” the priest told them after they had exchanged rings, “but if you can come through something like this strong and willing to hold onto each other and support each other, then you can face anything together. Xander, Anya, by the power invested in me by the laws of California and the law of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Giles stepped closer to the newly married couple, leaving Fred and Connor to comfort Wesley for a moment. He turned back, waving Tony and Buffy to follow him for a moment. “Buffy, I need you and Tony to help Fred and Lorne to get Wesley and the others into the limosine. Anya, I assume Roger was the man you saw in your vision?” He didn’t need her to nod to know it was. “It’s not your fault - you had no way of knowing who it was you were seeing. Why don’t you get Halfreck and your few remaining guests to help you put the wedding gifts in the boot of Xander’s car. You can open them at the house. Under the circumstances, I think they would understand.”
While he continued to issue instructions, Fred moved to stand in front of Wesley, embracing both him and Connor. She wanted to get them both out of there but knew that for right now it was better to stay where they were until they knew what they were doing.
“Mommy, did we stop the bad man?” Connor asked.
Fred swallowed - the image of Angelus disappearing under her hand was something she didn’t think she ever be able to forget. “Yes, sweetie. We stopped the bad man.”
Wesley had barely heard Connor’s question, but it managed to filter through the numbness of his grief, along with Fred’s response. He knew how much Connor looked up to his mother -- with Angel’s demise, for all intention purposes, they were Connor’s parents, biology be damned. “Your mum took care of the bad man. The bad man killed my daddy and tried to kill your papa. Your mum made sure he would never hurt anyone ever again,” he explained to their son.
“Mommy did that?!” The boy asked, the awe clear in his voice as he pulled back to look into his father’s sad eyes.
“She sure did.” He smiled sadly when Connor’s little hands wiped the tears off his cheeks.
Fred could see that Connor thought what she had done was amazing and brave somehow, but in a way, all she could think of was the fact that she had just been forced to kill a friend. Wesley had lost his father, and they had a lost a friend. It didn’t feel like something she should be looked up to for, but she didn’t say anything. It would just complicate things.
Just then, Buffy, Tony and Lorne came over to them. “Fred, Wesley, Giles wants us to head out to the limosine.”
Fred nodded and looked up at Wesley, reaching up to touch his face gently. “Come on. We should go,” she whispered to him.
“But I...I should stay and...” He stopped when Rupert cut him off.
“I’ll take care of your father. Don’t worry. Just go out to the limo with the others. I’ll be right there,” Giles promised.
“See, Daddy? I know you’re sad, but we’ll be okay. Right, Papa?” Connor asked, looking at his other parent with questioning blue eyes.
“Right.”
“Come on,” Fred repeated softly, keeping her arm around Wesley as they walked toward the exit. She glanced over her shoulder at Rupert as he stayed behind, the covered body of Wesley’s father nearby.
Once they were outside, they went over to the limosine, Lorne opening the door for them. Fred took Connor from Wesley for a moment while Lorne helped him in, then she passed him back over, knowing that he wanted to be with his father. Once they were both settled, she crawled in next to them. A slight wave of nausea came over her as she did, but she forced it down while Dawn, Willow and Tara got into the car as well. Now was not the time.
*****
Giles approached the priest once Wesley was led out while Xander and Anya dealt with their guests with Halfreck’s help. “Father, we’ll need to borrow your car. Spike will stay here until sundown and take the body back to Buffy’s house.”
“I won’t lock the church, Rupert; you know that,” the priest replied.
When Spike began protesting loudly about having to stay, Giles gripped his collar with lightening fast reflexes and slammed him against the nearest wall, pinning his forearm against the vampire’s throat. “Shut up!” he growled, his green eyes flashing dangerously. He knew the horror of this day wasn’t over. “You will be quiet and do as you are told. I will move the body into the confessional booth before I leave, and when the sun goes down, Father McKay will move it to the boot of his car, but you will bring the body back to the house. And listen to this next part very carefully. If I find a single bite on that body when you bring it to us, I will personally giftwrap you to the Council, so they can experiment on you as they wish. He was a pillock, but he is still Wesley’s father.”
“All right! All right!” Spike protested, trying to dislodge the Watcher’s grip, seeing the seriousness in the other man’s eyes. He wondered if the Scoobies had any idea how dangerous their precious Watcher could be. “I got it! No nibbling Junior’s old man! Now hands off the monkey suit!”
When he took a step back, glaring at him, Giles just glared back for a moment before turning to the priest. “We’ll return your car in the morning, Father.”
*****
Standing at the entrance to the chapel, Buffy waited silently as Giles took care of the body of Wesley’s father. Normally, she would have enjoyed watching him put Spike in his place, but today none of it was funny. Angel was gone for good. Wesley had been hurt - first by his father’s words, then by his father’s death. She was glad, though, that Xander and Anya had managed to get married, the only good thing to come out of this day, it seemed.
She glanced outside, able to see the others getting into the limo. Tony was standing next to the vehicle, and when he saw her looking his direction, he gave her a small wave. With a sad smile, she waved back. Okay, maybe there was more than one thing. Tony was definitely turning out to be a great asset to all of them.
Once Giles finished moving the body into the confessional, she walked over to him and put her hand on his arm. “You ready?”
He nodded, looking toward the door. “Yes. Let’s get everyone home,” he replied softly. On the way to the door, Xander met them in the aisle.
“Anya and I should be there in about a half an hour,” he informed them before looking down at his shoes uncomfortably. “Tell Wes-take care of him Giles,” he finished, knowing ‘I’m sorry’ just wouldn’t be enough.
“I will. I’ll see you at the house,” Giles replied softly, leading Buffy back out to the limosine and getting in. Part of him was relieved that this mess with Angelus was over, but he was angry about the cost. It would take Wesley a long time to get over seeing the murder of his father. Reaching out, he laid his hand on the younger man’s leg, letting him know that no matter what happened, he was never alone.
*****
The ride back to the house was quiet, no one knowing what to say. Fred silently rested her hand over Rupert’s on Wesley’s leg while Connor reached out and started playing with her hair, his little head resting against his father’s shoulder. Willow leaned against Tara, their hands intertwined, and Buffy reached out to brush her sister’s hair back from her face, giving her a reassuring smile. She then looked over at Tony - she would have to remember to thank him for everything later. There had been no time yet.
When the limo reached the house, everyone got out to head inside. It had been an automatic thing for the last few weeks, everyone living in the house, sharing floor space and the bathrooms. As they walked in, Willow looked around at the sheets folded and sitting on the chair. “I-uh...guess this means we can all go back to our own places again now, doesn’t it?”
”We’ll figure that out later,” Giles replied, undoing his bowtie. Stepping in front of Wes, he reached up and touched his face gently to get his attention. “Wes, let Fred and Lorne take you upstairs and get changed, all right?” He wanted his lover to get out of the tux that had to have his father’s blood on it.
Wes nodded numbly, allowing Fred to take his arm and led him up to the second floor, Lorne following close behind. Once they had disappeared, Giles picked up the phone and dialed the Council’s number.
“Quentin Travers, please. It’s Rupert Giles.”
*****
Travers was surprised when Gladys buzzed him, telling him that Rupert Giles was on the line. He considered the phone for a moment before picking it up. “Rupert? Didn’t expect to be hearing again from you so soon. There something I can help you with?”
“Yes, I’m calling to inform you that your messenger is dead. It is my duty to inform the Chairman that Senior Watcher Roger Wyndam-Pryce was killed in the line of duty against the Vampire Angelus. We all saw it happen - there was no chance for him to ingest vampiric blood, so there is no need to destroy the body. We’ll need you to send someone to collect him and take him home to his wife. As he’s put in enough time, grant him his hero’s burial. Also, we were also witness to the demise of the Vampire Angelus. He was dusted by Winifred Burkle...another one of those human civilians you are always so quick to dismiss,” he growled into the phone.
Buffy’s eyes widened when she heard Giles request for the jerk who had almost ruined Anya and Xander’s wedding and had hurt the man he loved so badly. “Giles, what are you doing?” she asked in disbelief.
Tony, having wondered what spin Giles was going to put on this, had expected her reaction once he heard the other man’s words and reached out to gently capture her shoulders and draw her back against him, letting Giles finish his call. “I know you trust your Watcher. He’s doing no more than you yourself would do for those you love. He’s putting aside his hatred for the man he loves,” he explained. “Roger Wyndam-Pryce might have been a monster and a prick of the highest order, but he’s still his lover’s father. Your own record with your father is less than sterling. Would you wish what we witnessed on him? He’s not doing it for Roger; he’s doing it for Wesley.”
Usually, Buffy wouldn’t have let anyone except maybe Giles hold her the way Tony was holding her now, but she didn’t fight it, instead closing her eyes and breathing in deeply. She hated the idea that that...man would be considered a hero when all he had wanted to do was hurt Wesley, take Connor from his own mother and tear their family apart. But if Giles was doing was doing it for Wesley...she supposed she could deal with that. It just wasn’t fair, though.
Travers, meanwhile, sat in stunned silence, digesting what Rupert had just told him. Roger was dead, but Angelus was gone? And a civilian had taken him out. He couldn’t believe it. The Council had lost a number of Watchers to Angelus, and a girl who wasn’t even a Slayer had managed to dust him? He swallowed, knowing that he had to be formal about this even though he heard the very unformal tone underlying Rupert’s words.
“Thank you for your report, Watcher Giles. I will call Watcher Fitzpatrick in Vegas and have him come out to collect the body immediately for return to England.” He paused for a moment, not looking forward to the visit he was going to have to make after this.
“We’ll expect the pick up tomorrow. Your man can pick him up at my Slayer’s house on Rovello.” Giles looked up to see Tony whispering something in Buffy’s ear. “We’ve also decided that young Antony can add another element to our group here. I’m filing an official request that he be allowed to remain on the Hellmouth and work with us. He has proven himself invaluable against Angelus, and both myself and Wesley owe our lives to his quick thinking.”
There was silence for a moment on the other end of the line, and when Travers spoke again, the formality was gone from his voice, replaced with shock. “Angelus is really gone? After all these years?”
“Yes, Quentin, he’s gone.”
Travers shook his head, still not quite believing it; he knew, though, that Rupert Giles wouldn’t lie about something like Angelus. They had their...difficulties with him, but given his personal past history with the vampire, there was no way he’d say he was gone unless he was. “I take it Antony wants to stay, considering that he hasn’t been in contact with us for a while,” he stated, trying to return to the formalities at hand. “All right, Rupert, the boy’s your responsibility now. Probably better that way, actually. I’d best go and start making arrangements for Roger’s funeral. I’ll have Fitzpatrick contact you to arrange collection of the body.”
He rolled his eyes when Travers suggested that Tony was his responsibility. Apparently, according to the Council, everything that happened in Sunnydale was his responsibility. It wouldn’t surprise him if, had Angelus not been destroyed, Travers would have found a way to blame him for Roger’s death. The demise of such a powerful vampire, however, in the Council’s eyes, made it an equitable loss. “I’ll inform him of the assignment change. And for once, have the Council spring for a rental with a GPS and program Buffy’s address into it. I know for a fact you have that.” He grit his teeth when he heard the sounds from upstairs, still worried about Wesley. “All he has to do is show up, and someone will be here to give him the body. I may be too busy to deal with him.”
Travers bristled a bit at the way Rupert spoke to him but decided it wasn’t worth it to get into things with him. He could ask Fitzpatrick to glean as much information as he could when he arrived at the house since he knew that Antony wasn’t going to be any help anymore. “Thank you for calling, Rupert.” He couldn’t bring himself to congratulate them on getting rid of Angelus once and for all. “We’ll stay in touch.”
“I expect nothing less,” Giles replied, knowing Travers wanted details about what had happened. However, he had neither the energy nor the patience to deal with the pompous windbag. He hung the phone up without bothering to say goodbye.
Turning, he undid the top two buttons on his shirt, breathing a sigh when the constriction lessened. “Tony, your official assignment as been changed. You are now assigned to the Hellmouth and report directly to me. Travers is sending Fitzpatrick from Vegas to collect Roger,” he explained to the others. “Buffy, I think Fred and I are going to have to take Wesley away this weekend if he has any chance of getting past this. Do you think you and the others can watch Connor for us?”
Even though she knew she really didn’t have to, Buffy glanced around at everyone, seeing them nodding in agreement. “Of course. Take care of Wesley. We’ll make sure Connor is all right.”
“Thank you,” he breathed, knowing even though they didn’t have Angelus hanging over their heads any longer, the next week was going to be rough. “I’ll just...” He looked up the stairs, pointing in lieu of anything else to say.
Wordlessly, he headed up the stairs, making a beeline for their room. With a single knock to announce his presence, he turned the handle, opening the door to find Wes sitting on the bed in his boxers, and Lorne putting the tux in a bag. Fred was sitting next to Wes, and Connor was on his opposite side.
Taking a knee in front of Wesley, he touched the younger man’s leg to get his attention. “I called the Council. Fitzpatrick is coming to get him, to take him home. The Council will arrange the funeral.”
“I...I should call my mother,” Wesley replied, numbly. “She should hear it from me.”
Fred caught eyes with Rupert for a moment before turning her attention back to Wesley. “Are you sure?” she asked softly, rubbing her hand gently across his back. When he nodded, she got up and got the cordless from its base, bringing it back and holding it out once she sat down again. “We’re right here with you.”
Wesley took the phone from her with a shaky hand, holding it for a moment to gather his strength. It had been too long since he talked to his mother, and now he had to call with news like this. Slowly, he dialed the number, holding the reciever up to his ear and waiting for someone to pick up. “Geoff, it’s Wesley,” he told the butler when he heard the familiar voice. “I need to talk to my mother.”
*****