Author: NorJC
E-mail Address: Norjc@aol.com; Steve711@concentric.net
Title: The Section Seven Chronicles - The Prodigal Son's Consort
(12700 words)
Copyrighted: April 2001
Category: Crossover/Romance
Rating: NC-17 for sexual situations
Spoilers: A few
Keywords: Highlander/Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Summary: This particular adventure involves the relationship of Jenny Calendar
and Rupert Giles in the Wandererverse.
Highlander: All rights and properties are owned by Rysher
Entertainment.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: All rights and properties are owned
by Joss Whedon, Warner Bros. and Mutant Enemy, etc.
The Legendary Adventures of Hercules/Xena-Warrior Princess: All rights
and properties are owned by Renaissance and Flat Earth Productions.
The Saint: All rights and properties belong to ITC.
Any characters, whose names and descriptions are used, are the property of their
original owners, and no copyright infringement is intended or meant.
No money can be made from this story. It may be distributed freely so long
as it is kept in its entirety, with all notices and copyright information
remains intact.
The characters Wanderer/Steven St. Wolf and Frank Iverson belong to Steve
Pantovich.
Comments and Criticisms are appreciated, please post to the above referenced
E-mail.
Special Thanks to my Beta Readers:
Author's Notes: Words expressed with the < > are
thoughts. Jenny did not die in this universe since the events of Passion
did not occur here. Jenny became an Amazon, along with Cordelia, Amy, and
Willow, in Steve's Training Blues Series - How Cordelia Got Her Amazon Groove,
so don't blame me! <G>
Sequence of Stories already written and posted for the Chronicles of the
Wanderer and the Section Seven Chronicles:
Redemption and Rebirth
Hellmouth - New Beginnings
Training Blues Series -
How Cordelia Got Her Amazon Groove
Dating - Sunnydale Style
First Date Blues
How Buffy Got Her Sword
Calling Out the Clan
Slayer Run Part 1: Libyan Assault
Council at War
Born to Raise Hellmouth
Slayer in Black
Hunter in Darkness
317 Brant Terrace
15 February 1999 - 15:00 Hours P.S.T.
She heard the rustle of leather armor a moment before she sensed her presence near the shrine where her statue stood. "Jenny Calendar, I am disappointed that you, an Amazon priestess, would consider such cruelty toward the man you claim to love."
She calmly opened her eyes, turned to Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and patron goddess to the Amazons, and sighed. "I'm surprised the troubles of my relationship warranted the attention of an Olympian."
"They do when they may destroy my daughter's chance at happiness," Artemis said, her husky voice warm and tender. The goddess brought her right hand to Jenny's face and softly stroked Jenny's cheek. "How could you break his heart before discovering whether there are valid reasons for your decision?"
"I'm sorry, Lady Goddess, but I've never been much for commitments." She frowned, unwilling to pull away from her patron's touch. "I'll always love him; I just can't marry him."
"If that's true," Artemis noted, "why do you continue to wear his ring?"
Jenny stared at the antique engagement ring on her left ring finger. The large center diamond captured the light reflected from the two one-carat diamonds that flanked it on either side. Its brilliance was overshadowed only by the love for him that lived in her heart. "It was his mother's," she said simply.
"Yes...and now it belongs to you, as does his heart."
She squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. "Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I want to be worthy of him, of his love? I betrayed him once, Lady Goddess. I won't do it again!"
Artemis glowered at her. "How can meeting his family and allowing him to present his future spouse to the Council betray him, my child?"
She raked her hand through her raven-black hair. "I don't have their pedigree, Artemis. I'm a gypsy; not landed gentry," she whined. "Worse, I'm a witch. You know how the Council hates witches. If they find out that I practice the craft, they may drum him out of the Council they might even come after all of Section Seven as they did before."
The Goddess of the Hunt pursed her lips. "That wasn't the Council, Jenny. It was a single madman."
"Yes, but we nearly lost Willow, Cordelia, and Xander that day. I couldn't live with myself if I revealed too much to the Council and placed them in danger."
Artemis scoffed. "Jenny, your argument is specious! These children reside on the Hellmouth. They live with danger daily."
She blinked three times and said nothing. Artemis had her there. These kids, her friends, held back the darkness that constantly threatened to subdue humankind neither for recognition nor reward. When she had arrived in Sunnydale last year, she was here to fulfill her family duty to the Kalendish and ensure Angelus' curse was still in force. But in the mere year or so she had come to know the Slayerettes, had endangered them by failing to warn them, and had come to love them, Janna Kalendah had ceased to exist. In her place, now and forever, stood Jenny Calendar, Amazon Witch-Priestess and Rupert Giles' beloved.
Jenny shook her head. "I was a fool to have allowed our relationship to go this far. If we go any further, we could risk everything."
Artemis gazed deeply into her eyes and gripped Jenny's shoulder. "My child, listen carefully to me. Zeus has given me leave to pass along a warning from the Oracles." She paused for effect, then continued. "If you do not journey to England with the Watcher, there is a good chance that he will not leave that country."
Jenny stared at the goddess like a deer caught in the headlights. Giles would never fail to return to Buffy unless...
<Oh Goddess...please, no!>
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Lady Goddess, he can't die! Can I save him? I'd gladly give my life to protect him."
Artemis shook her head. "I cannot say, Jenny. The Oracles only revealed what I just related to you. Beyond that, the future is clouded. However, would it not be prudent to accompany him? If you feel the same about your decision after you return to Sunnydale, you can still teminate the engagement. Thus, what do you have to lose?"
Jenny frowned. "My man, if I don't go." Then a thin smile flashed across her face. "May I journey forth with your blessing, Lady Goddess?"
"Of course, Jenny Calendar. You have my blessing...as well as my love, daughter." Artemis grabbed her into a hug, then vanished from the room. Moments later, Jenny switched off the lights, said goodbye to Steven St. Wolf and Buffy Summers as she passed through their living room, then briskly walked home to pack for the trip to England.
Final Approach to Heathrow Airport
16 February 1999 - 1500 Hours G.M.T.
As she dreamed, Jenny remembered how he had reacted last Saturday when the summons had arrived and invaded their blissful cocoon.
It came in the morning mail, along with bills, sales circulars, and his monthly subscription to the ALA newsletter...a long manila envelope bearing only the insignia of the Council of Watchers as a return address.
He picked up the envelope, leaving the other items on the kitchen counter. She saw a flash of dread cross his face, followed by a flicker of anticipation. He slipped his forefinger along the envelope's fold and ripped its seam. Giles pried open the torn edge and drew the letter out. He unfolded the classic laid stationery and read it in silence. When he finished, he placed the letter on the counter and stared into her eyes. "The Council has requested my presence to present my betrothed to the Governing Committee, Jenny. The 'request' has been countersigned by the signet of Her Royal Majesty herself." He removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a royal edict, luv. No way out."
Jenny awoke with a start when a shudder passed through Iverson Air's Xanatos Fox Jet as the pilot lowered the landing gear. Her head swiveled, bird-like, toward Giles. He noticed her movement, flashed a warm smile, and gently tightened his grip on her hand. His warmth flowed through their connection, making her feel safe and secure. She murmured, "Thanks, England," brushed his cheek with her lips, then waited for the plane to touch down. "It was nice of Steve and Frank to arrange for the Fox Jet to fly us here."
"Quite nice of them, actually," he said. "Cruising at nearly twice the speed of sound turns a rather dreary journey into a pleasant jaunt."
"I'm surprised that they'd allow such a valuable resource like this plane to be used for a social trip, though."
Giles grew pensive for a moment, before he brought her hand to his lips and placed a tender kiss on the knuckle below her middle finger. "Actually," he murmured, "this is more than a social call, Jenny. I'm afraid that my last visit to the Council after Robin empowered me ruffled a lot of feathers. Though that part doesn't bother me in the least, Steven and I both agree the Council of Watchers can be a valuable resource in our war against the darkness. It can provide research, intelligence, and other resources to us, but to do so, we need to mend some fences." Then he flashed a self-deprecating smile, the one she found so sexy, and purred, "Besides, I wanted to make them insanely jealous when they finally met the 'hottie', as Xander would say, who I love more than life itself."
She felt her heart swell inside her chest, so full of love for this man. But she couldn't let it displace her fears and doubts. He was so sweet and kindhearted; she had to make certain that he returned to Sunnydale no matter the cost. "Rupert, believe me when I say I'm the lucky one." Then she kissed him, slowly tracing his lips with the tip of her tongue, tasting a hint of Earl Grey, leather, and smoky musk, the essence of Giles. For a moment, she smiled against his responsive lips, then deepened the kiss. Soon her doubts had left the building and nothing, other than the need to ravish him, remained. She ended the kissed and whispered against his lips, "Just wait until we get to our hotel room, England. You won't know what hit you."
He smiled and stole another kiss from her. "I can't wait, my dark Amazon."
After they landed, the lovers deplaned and proceeded to customs. Iverson Air's local representative guided them through the process, ensuring that clearance for their personal sidearms and swords had been provided by MI6. After checking her weapons, she placed her Glock 34 in the holster of her shoulder rig and slid her Walther PPK backup piece into belt holster concealed on her waist. Then she bent over to tie an errant shoelace.
"My word," she heard Giles purr breathlessly, "watching you bend over in black Leggin's is a sight any man would gladly take to his grave."
She peered at him over her shoulder and smiled coyly. "You're really going to be a goner when I do that for you sans clothing." She straightened up, slid her silver edged short sword in the hidden scabbarb sewn inside the back of her duster, and placed a wooden stake in each of the coat's side pockets. When they were ready, they followed the escort to their waiting motorcar.
5 Sumner Place, London, South Kensington
16 February 1999 - 1630 G.M.T.
London was cold in the winter, something Jenny had quite forgotten. It was cold, foggy, wet, and miserable. And busy. And crowded. And glorious.
Although she'd been here a few times, the city still seemed so foreign to her. So different from the States, the buildings here were old, weathered, dignified, and beautiful in their own right. As their Bently pulled up to a Victorian terrace house, Giles' face brightened. "Here we are," he chirped.
"What part of London is this, Rupert?"
"It's South Kensington, luv. We're south of Kensington Gardens," he said, pointing past the driver's left ear, "and Hyde Park. Although this area is a bit out of the way from the hot spots, I know it well because I used to work here. This section is rich in museums. In fact, Londoners have dubbed it 'museumland.'"
Giles exited to the right of the vehicle next to the road. He sprinted behind it to the other side and opened Jenny's door. He gently helped her out of the rear of the motorcar. "I think you'll like this hotel, luv. It's a carefully restored Victorian terrace house built around 1850, I should think. It's small but well-appointed. It even has a Victorian conservatory for breakfast dining!"
She smiled. "I'm sure it's lovely, England. Let's go in and get settled," she squeezed his hand surreptitiously, hoping he caught her drift.
"Of course, my dear," he drawled.
They entered the lobby, nodded at the uniformed doorman, and proceeded to the registration desk. An Alan Rickman look-alike in a pin-stripped suit greeted them with a prim "How may I be of service, sir...miss?" He regarded them with a veiled look of apathy.
Handing over his itinerary, Giles spoke calmly. "Reservations for two in the name of Rupert Giles... seven nights, no floor preference."
The clerk sniffed and discreetly examined the computer screen that was well hidden below the beautiful mahogany counter. After he found their reservation, the clerk changed to a more conciliatory tone. He smiled, but the expression never touched his eyes. "Ah, yes, Lord Rupert Giles. Everything is in order... however, the room isn't fully prepared yet. We can, of course, take care of that right away. If you shall allow me," he said, pointing toward the sitting area, signaling that they were to wait, "I'm sure we will have something appropriate available momentarily." He turned, dismissing them, and picked up his telephone.
Jenny stared openly at Giles as he studied the sitting area and mouthed, "Lord Rupert Giles?"
"Er...yes," he stammered, "my father is a member of the House of Lords, the Earl of Leicester. Haven't I mentioned that to you before?"
She snorted. "Hell no, England! I'm sure I'd remember that! So, you're royalty?"
He chuckled. "No, no, my dear! I'm merely a nobleman, not a royal. If I'm related to the Windsors it's distant, I assure you. Hopefully, this won't lead you to reconsider our betrothal," he teased.
She glanced away, desperately looking for a reason to change the subject. She stared at the lobby's oversized architecture and said,. "This place is amazing, Rupert. I've never seen anything like it. No wonder you thought Sunnydale was so strange! Did you grow up in places like this?"
"Not really, " he muttered. "I was raised north of here, in the country. I never entered London until after I...ran away from school." Then his green-eyed gaze fixed on two people, a young man and a young woman, who sat on an ornate settee. "En garde, my dear. There be Watchers."
They approached the couple warily and the Watchers rose to their feet. The man wore a tweed suit and a trench coat, the woman wore a smart business suit with a fashionable overcoat and sensible pumps. The man smiled at them, held out his hand to Giles, and chirped, "Rupert, it's so good to see you again! How are the colonies treating you, old chum?"
Giles returned his smile with one of his own. "I'm fine, Dickie. How's the leg holding up?"
Dickie chuckled. "It's well. Only hurts when it rains."
Giles laughed. "In England, that means all the time!" He clasped Dickie's shoulder and said, "I've missed you, my friend."
"The feelings mutual, Rupert. Oh," he gasped and playfully struck his forehead with the flat of his palm. "Where are our manners? We need to introduce the ladies."
Giles stammered, "Oh...how silly of me, yes, quite right!" He turned and gently took Jenny's left elbow into his hand and guided her forward. "This is Jenny Calendar, my fiancee. Jenny, this is Lord Richard Thorne, my cousin. His father is the Earl of Sussex."
"How do you do," Jenny said amiably to the middle-aged man.
"My lady," Dickie replied. He bowed, took her right hand into his and gently kissed it. "I am charmed. My word, Rupert, she is simply breathtaking!"
Jenny blushed in response as Dickie continued. "Rupert, Lady Jenny, may I introduce Ms. Gwendolyn Post. She's one of our field agents."
Jenny glanced at the attractive but stern looking woman and nodded a greeting. Giles smiled at her and said, "How do you do."
"I am well, Lord Giles."
"Please, my lady, call me Rupert."
The other man chortled. "Quite right! And Jenny, please call me Dickie."
"All right," Jenny said.
Giles smiled for a moment before his face clouded over. "Dickie, why are you here? I thought the meeting was scheduled for tomorrow evening?"
Dickie glanced about for a moment, then spread his arms wide around the other three people, drawing them closer. He said, in a low voice, "It is, Rupert. We're here on behalf of your father."
Giles' grip tightened uncomfortably over Jenny's hand. "What about him? Is he too preoccupied to welcome the black sheep home himself?"
Dickie grimaced. "Rupert...cut your old man some slack. He is rather fond of you, you know."
"I couldn't really say."
Gwendolyn cleared her throat and drew their attention to her. "Excuse me, Dickie, if I may?" She fired a cool look at Giles. "Rupert, I hope this isn't too forward of me, but might I suggest that you temper your disdainful attitude toward your father? Right now, he's confronting members of the Governing Committee who considered employing the Order of Teraka to assassinate both you and your Slayer." Jenny, along with Giles, gaped incredulously at the woman as she continued. "As you know, your father sat on the Committee prior to the time you were charged with the duty to watch Ms. Summers. Although he has been in semi-retirement for the past three years, he still wields much influence on the Council. When he heard about Travers' rogue attack on you, he decided to take an active part in rooting out those who wanted to interfere with your work."
Giles stood silent for a moment, then turned toward Dickie. Dickie nodded and said, "It's true, Rupert. Every word of it. Your father wanted to be here to welcome you and Jenny; however, he's trying to discover if you're both still targets."
"Targets for whom?" Jenny asked.
Dickie shrugged. "We don't know. Look, it may just be an overreaction on our part, but it pays to be careful. When you and your blokes whipped the Council's Special Operations men and threatened them earlier this year, you didn't exactly endear yourself to them, old man."
Giles jaw jutted forward. "As for our protection, Jenny and I can take care of ourselves quite readily. As for my last visit to the Council, I wasn't there to make friends! I wanted them to let us do our work and protect humanity from the darkness."
"That's fine, old boy. But did you have to take all of the Slayers to do it?"
Giles cringed at that, but he pressed onward. "I want them to live, Dickie. To grow up and have the best chance at defeating the demons and the vampires. Having allies is the key. And that's what I'm offering the Council allies who will help us make a difference in this war. But if the Council decides to accept our offer, it must change. It must once again work for the Slayers rather than seek to control them."
Dickie stared into Giles' eyes and clasped him genially on his shoulder. "If any one can change them, dear cousin, it's you. You always had the stuff, Rupert."
Giles reached up and covered his cousin's hand with his own. "Thank you, Dickie. That means a lot to me." Giles seemed lost in thought for several moments before he yawned, turned to Jenny, and said, "Well, I think we better see if our room is ready." Then he glanced at Dickie. "What time will you come by and collect us tomorrow?"
"Oh, say...five-thirty."
"Good. Five-thirty it is."
After they said their goodbyes, Jenny and Giles returned to the registration desk. As they stood waiting patiently for the clerk to finish with another guest, she said, "I take it you don't get along with your father. Want to talk about it?"
"No," he said curtly. Then he gave her an embarrassed glance. "I'm...I'm sorry," he stammered, "I just don't want to dwell on it at the moment."
She nodded and wrapped her arms around his left arm. "Okay."
As they continued to wait, she soon felt an undercurrent of desire pull at her. She raised a provacative eyebrow at him, then looked away, composing herself and allowing him to do the same. She slid her hand down to hold his hand and glimpsed at their entangled fingers with a small grin. <You think you're tired now, you sexy thing...> She thought and watched with satisfaction as his face flushed with passion. His quick, embarrassed grin made her insides flutter. Just being next to him, touching him, caused emotions to spill out of her like water from an artesian well. A lanquid smile spread across her face and her thoughts continued, < ...just wait'll I get you upstairs...>
"Jenny, behave," he whispered. Just then, the clerk called his name. They unclasped their hands and approached him. He handed both keys to Giles with an air of disdain, then snapped his fingers and a valet appeared. In less than a minute, they and their luggage were soon on its way to the third floor.
5 Sumner Place, London, South Kensington
16 February 1999 - 1700 G.M.T.
Their room was large and elegantly appointed. After Giles tipped the valet and closed the door, Jenny admired the view of the conservatory below and tried out the furniture for comfort. After she had satisfied her curiosity, she sat on the bed. She watched him unpack for a few minutes, her eyes following him appreciatively as he moved around the room, then decided to liven things up a bit. Sliding over to the middle of the bed, she patted the spot beside her and said in her most persuasive tone, "Come here and try this out with me, Rupert. If we're gonna be here a week, we should make certain we will be comfortable."
Warm shivers of anticipation ran down her spine as he turned around. The look in his eyes was plainly provocative. "If, uhm... if we start anything now, love, we will most definitely be late for supper." The expression on his face was in direct contrast to his words. Right now, she was certain that he had forgotten the Council, the meeting, and even supper.
"We could order in," she said, her words almost a purr. She held out a hand, and his resolve melted away. He dropped the socks he held, stepped over, and took her hand in his. He crawled onto the bed beside her and her arms enveloped him. He reached back long enough to put his glasses on the night stand, then turned to give her his undivided attention. His eyes brimmed with love and her field of vision narrowed until he was all she could see, all she wanted to see. He leaned her back slowly until she lay stretched out beneath him. He rubbed his nose against hers, Eskimo style, and then kissed her forehead, brushing the hair back from her eyes.
Touching his face with her fingertips, she gazed into his eyes, watching the color deepen as he became aroused. It was one of the details that she loved...how his eyes reflected his feelings, how his breathing quickened when he looked at her, how his pulse raced under her hand, how his voice and his thoughts told her everything she wanted to know. His lips met hers softly. Even in the throes of passion, he was so gentle it always brought tears to her eyes. She responded by pulling him closer, wrapping one leg over him, unbuttoning his shirt, and slowly caressing his chest as they kissed.
His shirt and her top had just slid to the floor together when the bedside telephone rang.
Groaning, he rolled over and picked up the receiver. "Three-oh-seven, Giles speaking." He listened, trying his best not to pant into the mouthpiece. "Templar? So good to hear from you! Ah, well, thank you... who told you... oh, yes, of course. A late dinner? Where? That will be... fine. Yes, of course, you'll meet her. See you at eight, then. Yes, it'll be like old times. Thank you. Good-bye." He hung up the phone and lay on his back, trying to catch his breath. "Priceless. The fellows I used to work with at the Museum have decided to welcome me home. Looks like Dickie has been talking to Templar. He knows about you, and wants to meet us at our old pub. Not a word for over three years, and now suddenly I'm guest of the hour. Lovely."
Jenny slid over and laid her head on his chest, running her fingers through the soft curling hair. "Maybe they just woke up and realized what a great guy you are."
He laughed at that. "Oh, no, luv! They were the ones who brought me out of my shell. I had associated pub-crawling with my life as Ripper and had avoided it like the plague. But I wasn't much fun, though, until the chaps at the Museum took pity on me and invited me to come with them to the pub. It would be nice to see the old boys, even if it meant enduring enough secondary tobacco smoke to start my habit up again."
She sighed a resigned sigh. "So, I'm giving up a roll in the hay with my sexy fiancee to meet a bunch of pub-hopping, tweed-clad, museum-loving old farts? I'm such a lucky woman." She grinned and kissed him soundly. "At least you'll suffer right with me."
He growled and Jenny became excited. "There's no need to suffer, luv. I wouldn't dream of having you make-do without your 'roll in the hay.' But we musn't tarry, since we're on a tight schedule, luv. So what say I bring ol' Ripper out to play, hmm?"
Jenny felt her sex grow moist as his shy, gentle exterior melted away, leaving the pure animal force that he had wielded in his youth in its place. She rolled off his chest and arranged herself provocatively on the bed. She wet her lips with her tongue. She enjoyed this game and was happy he had thought of it. In the past, when they played like this, the outcome had always been hard-and-fast. That was good because she needed hard-and-fast and needed it now.
Jenny cupped her firm, full breasts with both hands and flicked her tongue out again to moisten her lips further. She assumed the role of gypsy temptress, a persona she carefully crafted to match the lust and sheer sensuality of Ripper. She closed her eyes to slits and felt her panties grow damp. Then she whispered, "It depends. Is he man enough to make me cum..." she paused, squeezed both cups of her bra, and thrust her breasts forward, freeing both hardened nipples for his inspection, "by sucking on these?"
Ripper smirked. "Ah, yes," he said. "I do love a challenge." Then he attacked her breast like a starving man dining on his first meal in days and drew her left nipple between his lips. Jenny gasped as his teeth gently nipped it. As her nipple grew and throbbed, he flicked his tongue over it. She shuddered and sighed. Then her fingers curled around his cock. She felt him batter against the confines of his briefs. She eased their tight band down and felt the silky hardness of his helmet.
"Your mouth feels so good, Ripper," she sighed. He grunted. His tongue was too busy tasting her skin for conversation. He swooped down on her other breast, taking its nipple into his mouth, teasing it to match the throbbing hardness that she felt ripple through his cock. Soon, he began to lay butterfly kisses down her abdomen, over her hips, kissing, licking and sucking the flesh along her thighs, past her shin. Then he reversed course. He gently spread her legs apart and licked a trail along the inside of her calves up to her inner thighs. When he reached the curly hairs that guarded her pussy, Jenny squirmed against the firm mattress.
He lifted her calves onto his shoulders and buried his tongue inside her wet pussy. Jenny felt it caress her interior walls for a minute or two before he twisted his tongue within her steaming channel. Then he withdrew it from her dripping hole and traced it along the edge of her nether lips in search of her clit. He curled his tongue around her little nub and tickled it slowly. Soon, he picked up his pace and began to vibrate his tongue rapidly against it.
"Cum for me, Amazon," he commanded. She heard his words and her pussy responded. She vibrated with the resonance set up by his questing tongue. Her hips lurched toward him and she ground against his mouth. As her body shook with her impending release, she held her breath. When her orgasm ripped through her, she bucked and screamed as wave after wave of electric liquid cum flooded from her channel and engulfed the lovers in her sweet release. All the while, Ripper moaned against her sex. When she rested he gulped down her nectar, sucking her, causing small ripples of pleasure to throb through her body.
She gulped in much needed air and relaxed a bit, letting the warmth of her orgasm flood her body. He twisted his body so her face was next to his crotch and took his underwear off.
"Your turn," he growled. "Suck me."
His swollen cock bobbed before her eyes. Hungering for it, she opened her mouth wide and drew him inside. Her lips formed a tight band round his cock head as she swirled her tongue round and dove for that elusive taste of pre cum. It tasted thick and creamy and rich. She sighed around it and bobbed down a little further, her cheeks hollowing as she followed the deeply veined column to its verdant root. She then buried her nose in his springy pubic hair and dragged in his scent.
Ripper sucked in his breath and whispered harshly, "Jesus Christ!"
She smiled around him as her hand drifted down to his balls. She caressed and jiggled them gently in their sac, her tongue and lips rushing up his length once more so she could play against his silky, domed helmet. Then she drew it out of her mouth to seek out the fold of flesh on the underside of his cock. She concentrated the tip of her tongue there, teasing and running it along the sensitive flesh. Then she ran her tongue over his cock head down into its slit before she closed her teeth in small bites down on his shaft once more. Her fingers scratched his balls lightly and she tugged softly at the loose skin causing them to tighten against his body. She listened to him as he uttered unintelligible sounds and was pleased.
She rose up again and increased her suction until she reached his tip. He fought to get back into her mouth, lunging, actually. But she moved away and placed her hand tight around the base of his cock. She gazed up into his face and smiled with wicked intent. "Ready?" she asked and dipped her head to his balls to nudge them with her nose before slowly savoring them with her mouth.
He answered her with a growl. He pulled her up and gripped her shoulders firmly. Then he spun her away from him. "Like this, witch. I want you like this," he hissed as he pushed her down onto her hands and knees with her ass nestled against his crotch. She gasped as he ripped her legs apart and pressed his hand into her dripping pussy. "That's it, luv," he purred, twisting his fingers inside her until she craned her head back and let her indigo hair spill across her neck and shoulders. "You make me so very hot, do you know that? You look so vulnerable, so ripe for the taking." Then she felt and heard a smack against her right ass cheek that made her yelp in surprise. "Do you want me to take you now? If so, I'm afraid you'll have to beg for it."
Words failed Jenny as the sting from his spanking focused her attention on the wonderful things that his fingers were doing to her. "Uhhh..."
"What was that, dear? I didn't quite make that out," he purred in that controlled, soft voice that drove her wild as he smacked her left cheek.
She tried to regain some semblance of control by giving his fingers a squeeze with Amazon-powered inner muscles. When he groaned, she waved her ass seductively and smiled back at him over her shoulder. "Take me now, Ripper! I'm so damn hot! Make me cum again. And spank me some more, you bastard!"
Ripper returned her wanton smile with a wicked grin and smacked her bottom several times more. Then he gave her his all, thrusting into her hard and long, occasionally banging into her cervix with such force that Jenny shuddered from the indescribably sweet pain he inflicted upon her. As her inner walls tried to restrain him, his pistoning shaft eluded their attempt to capture it. She arched and thrashed against him, trying to swallow him whole. She babbled, mindless from the wonderful pleasure he bestowed upon her. "Oh God! England," she moaned, the game forgotten as her primal self called to him by the name it had first associated with her beloved. "Aahahah! So hard...oh, yes -- faster, Rupert! Please take me over!" she gasped, her walls swelling, slick and turgid with blood, each nerve-ending enlivened with orgasmic potential.
At that moment, she felt him spread her cheeks and press the wet tip of something fleshy and blunt against her anus. She flung her head to one side and saw that he had pressed his thumb against her. She looked up at his face and found his eyes begging the question.
"YES!!!!!" She roared and lurched back, leaving him flabbergasted. "Do it!"
"As you wish," he said. He pushed against her muscular ring and forced his thumb inside. Jenny uttered a low, guttural sound that made his cock harden even more. He matched the motion of his thumb with the motion of his cock inside her. She revolved her bottom toward him, soaking his balls with her juices as they slapped against her butt.
She was almost there when he reached up with his free hand and grabbed her hair. He gently pulled her head toward him and sucked on the artery that ran under the skin of her throat. He twirled his hand in her hair, tugged even harder, and whispered in her ear, "Moan for me, my Gypsy Queen. I love it when you moan; it makes me even harder!"
"Mmmmm," she groaned. "I feel you stretching me...ahahaa so good...so good! Keep going faster and deeeeeprrrr," she purred as he banged against her cervix now with every stroke.
Finally, he pulled his thumb out of her anus and curled his body against hers. She flung her head back and her mouth fell open in pure lust and release. Then he sank his teeth into her neck and spurted his hot seed inside her clutching sex. When she felt his cum jetting inside her, Jenny felt her orgasm explode with the force of a nuclear bomb as she soaked him with a rapid discharge of fluid and screamed, "Rupert!"
After several minutes of heavy panting and breathing, she moved into his open arms and he pulled her into a loving embrace. "I love you, Jenny."
She smiled. "I love you, too, Rupert." She snuggled into his chest and listened to the beating of his racing heart. "So, are any of those museum guys married? Or am I going to be the lone female in the bunch?"
He had to think for a moment, spent as he was. "Uh, well, I think Templar is married. Maybe Carapiet. I'm not sure about Brandeis, but Covington is a confirmed bachelor." He closed his eyes and nuzzled the top of her head. "You'd best save judgment on these gents until you meet them. They're not your stereotypical museum curators, believe me."
"Well, we better get ready, then. It's almost six-thirty and I need at least an hour to make myself beautiful."
He laughed again and stroked her delicate chin with a light touch. "You don't need an hour or even a minute. You are always beautiful."
"Maybe so, but I'll need to put on more clothes than I'm wearing right now." She looked at his bare chest under her hand. "And, so will you."
Piccadilly Circus, London
17 February 1999 - 0130 G.M.T.
The museum curators proved to be more lively than she had anticipated. Brandeis and Covington, the two younger, single men, had arrived first. Templar and Carapiet had arrived soon after and introduced their wives, personable ladies who Jenny had liked instantly. After congratulating Giles and Jenny noisily on their engagement, they all had sat down to a hearty dinner. The four attractive-looking men, resplendent in their wool suits, then had proceeded to celebrate Giles' good fortune by lighting up huge, smelly cigars and getting thoroughly drunk. They had spent the rest of the night singing ridiculous drinking songs and teasing Giles unmercifully.
Jenny and Giles both declined to get tipsy, fearing that a loss of inhibitions might render them vulnerable. Jenny chattered happily with Nikki Templar and Sharon Carapiet as the men grew increasingly noisy. The ladies seemed polite and composed, a sharp contrast to the rowdy behavior going on nearby. Jenny glanced at Giles periodically, knowing by the expression on his face that he enjoyed himself. He seemed content to watch the proceedings, laughing good-naturedly at his old friends' antics and bearing the ribald jokes they shot his way. He finally broke down and took a turn at the pub-owner's guitar, playing it well and serenading them all with his beautiful tenor voice. She watched him relax and unwind with a sense of relief. He needed the distraction.
At one-thirty in the morning, Giles' barely stifled yawns managed to catch Simon Templar's attention. He took pity on Giles and called it a night. Giles endured another round of back-slaps, not-so-subtle innuendoes, and vigorous handshakes. To Jenny's dismay, each man in turn kissed her cheek fondly, causing her to wrinkle her nose at the smell of alcohol and tobacco. The ladies hugged her like a sister and patted Giles kindly on the cheek. They said their farewells and left the pub. The tipsy men headed down the dark street singing at the top of their lungs, the two patient ladies in tow. They turned to wave cheerfully at Jenny and Giles as they rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
As the cold night air stung her face, Giles breathed deeply and said, "Ahhh... I needed a bit of fresh air to wake me up. I was beginning to think we were going to meet the papermen this morning."
Jenny snuggled against him, not used to the cold. "You never told me you were such a party animal."
"I wasn't, actually, at least not with them. I was the stodgy fellow who ruined everyone's fun by leaving early. Never was a night owl... until I became Buffy's Watcher, that is. Now, it's old hat. If it wasn't for the time difference and jet lag, I could've outlasted them all." He stifled another yawn.
Jenny looked up at his tired face and smirked. "Should I tuck you in with some milk and cookies when we get back to the room?"
"Oh, that sounds so good, 'mummy'," he teased then tightened his arm around her as they started for the hotel.
They traveled several blocks before she felt the skin crawl on the back of her neck. Stopping mid-stride, he scanned the area and whispered, "Don't look now, luv, but I think we've found some vampires."
Jenny prepared for battle. "How many?" she said lowly.
"Hmm." He acted like he was nuzzling the top of her head as he studied the area. "At least...two...possibly two more."
She nodded under his chin. "How do you want to play it?"
"Well, since we're already embracing one another, you draw my pistol while I draw yours. Then when I tell you to move, we'll spin and go back to back."
"Sounds good," she said reaching under his coat for his pistol grip. She straightened suddenly, catching shadowy movement out of the corner of her eye. "Behind you," she whispered. While the shadows came at them, they drew their mate's pistol and spun 180 degrees to face their respective targets.
The two vamps in front of Jenny stopped and blinked in confusion. "What the hell...?" said the female vampire ten feet in front of her. Then it tried to regain its swagger. "Dearie, don't you know that carrying concealed weapons is against the law in the U.K.?"
Jenny flashed a grim smile and said, "Tell it to a bobby, 'Dearie.'" Then she fired twice at 'Dearie' and swiveled to fire twice at the other vamp. The dutch-loaded Glock 34 fired a blessed silver round followed by a composite wooden one through each target's heart. As Giles fired Jenny's handgun, she watched the wind scatter her targets' ashes down the deserted street.
"I thought we left the vamps in Sunnydale. Guess I was wrong." She holstered his weapon, took Giles' arm as if nothing had happened, and they started down the street again. "I see what you mean about this not being a nice neighborhood."
Giles unlocked the door to their room and Jenny slid around him impatiently. He closed the door behind them.
"Seems cold in here," she noted with a shiver. "Oh, by the way, did I ever tell you what Faith told the girls about slaying vampires?" She let her coat drop to the floor.
"And just what did Faith say about slaying vampires?" Giles hung his coat up neatly, pointedly frowning at her until she sighed and picked up her coat. As she hung it up next to his, she continued her train of thought.
"Well, she said slaying always made her hungry and horny." Jenny watched him freeze in surprise, halfway out of his jacket. "I'm not exactly hungry, but the other..." She came up behind him and pulled the jacket off his arms. "That's what I am right now." She ran her fingers beneath his waistband, unbuttoning the hidden buttons holding his braces in place. She slid her arms around his waist, and did the same thing for the front two straps, smiling against his back as he caught his breath. "I wanna get back to what we were doing earlier, before we had to leave and meet the Good Time Gang."
"So do I." He turned to gather her into his arms. "Tomorrow." He tipped her head up with one hand and kissed her hungrily. She relished the feeling of his hands on her back, her waist, her bottom. His need for her came through loud and clear, his emotions winding with hers into the strong strands of desire they had shared a few hours before.
When Jenny pulled back slightly, she surprised him. "Rupert?" Her voice was shaky and uncertain. "Did you leave the windows open when we left?"
"No, I didn't." He turned to look at the windows, both barely cracked, but unlocked. She felt a slight chill as the cold night air filtered through. The curtains were drawn open just a few inches. He immediately opened the night stand, looking for his cross and the two stakes he had placed their earlier. His hand came away from the drawer empty. "This isn't good," he muttered. Drawing his pistol, he began to search the room. She stayed right behind him, covering his back.
"A vampire couldn't come in here, could it?" she said, keeping her voice low.
"I don't know. I'm not sure of the protocol of such things where hotels are concerned."
"What, did you blow that question on the Watcher's Test?"
He ignored the crack. "I would imagine a vampire could come in, if the windows were opened for him. Or her."
"Rupert, I have a feeling we're being set up. I don't like this at all."
"Neither do I. It seems that someone wants to see that we never make the Council meeting. Someone alive and working with the undead." He swore in disgust as he continued his search. Finding no hidden demons - or humans - he strode to the windows, closed and locked them securely.
"Well," she whispered harshly, "if they're trying to frighten us, it worked! I'm really spooked now. It's one thing to face vamps, but nasty humans as well..." She tossed him a quirky smile. "I guess getting frisky is out of the question now, huh?" She followed him into the middle of the room, her disappointment overriding her fear for a moment.
"I'm sorry, love. I think we'd better be on our guard." Reaching down into his large weapons bag, he felt for something and came away empty-handed. "As a matter of fact, I'm sure of it. My crossbow is gone."
Jenny sat on the foot of the bed, nerves jangling with the possibilities. "Somebody wants to make sure we have a rough time in London." She sighed, resigning herself to another long vigil. "I'll stand watch first...and watch you get undressed." She perked up slightly at that. "At least that'll be interesting."
5 Sumner Place, London, South Kensington
17 February 1999 - 0830 G.M.T.
Jenny decided at eight-thirty the next morning that she hated the telephone. Grabbing a pillow, she pulled it over her head with a whine. She heard Giles talking softly, but she didn't want to wake up enough to hear what he said. She barely remembered him relieving her around five a.m. She waited for him to hang up the phone and peeked out from under the pillow, afraid to ask about the subject of the call.
She didn't have to wait long. Giles turned to her with a somber expression "What is it? What's wrong?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a sure sign of weariness and stress. "That was Brandeis. Templar and his wife are missing. They never made it home. There's a police search going on right now. We should receive a call from Scotland Yard any minute."
"Oh, no... Scotland Yard? What would they want with us?" She hugged herself, suddenly feeling cold again.
"We were among the last to see them al I mean, before they disappeared. They'll want to ask us some questions." He slumped suddenly, despair evident in his manner. "We may not have been the only ones who encountered vampires last night, Jenny."
Horror crept into her voice. "Those nice people..."
"Someone doesn't want us here. Someone who values human life as little as a vampire would. And I fully intend to find out who that someone is." As he spoke, his voice became steadily quieter and colder. "And, I intend to see that they are very, very sorry when I find them."
Jenny shivered just as the telephone rang. Scotland Yard had arrived.
They left the hotel room in silence. Once in the lobby, a policeman directed them to the hotel security office. Inspector French met them at the door. He was courteous, professional, and inscrutable. Jenny and Giles told their stories separately, then together. The Inspector thanked then dismissed them.
After they reentered the lobby, Giles said, "Hungry, darling?"
"You read my mind... again." The smile on her face widened.
He steered her toward the front door. "I know this little place where you can order breakfast dishes from four different countries. They're certain to have something you'll like."
"Great!" she chirped agreeably.
"Wait'll you taste their bacon. You may fall in lust all over again." Hugging her to him, they strode out into the cold morning.
As soon as they returned to the hotel, well fed and ready to face the day, the desk clerk called Giles over and waved a small piece of paper at him. Giles read the note and sighed. "Our appointment with the Council has been confirmed for this evening. I'll feel better when this is all over."
Jenny looked doubtful. He didn't even sound too convinced of his own theory. "As Cordelia would say, 'Hopeful, much?' But, what about the Templars, England? We have to find them!"
"Of course. I won't rest easy knowing we could have done something and failed to do so." He thrust his hands into his pockets in frustration. "We have no idea where to begin our search. We're flying blind."
"No, we're not. Not really." Jenny's eyes sparkled as she formulated a plan. "We have a resource we haven't even tapped yet the Council itself!"
After they contacted the Watcher Compound and talked to the Officer in Charge about recent vampire sightings and eyewitness reports, they began their search for the Templars, counting on daylight to give them the advantage. The first tip was ice cold. There were no vampires and no hostages to be found. They had no joy at the second site either. The day was waning before a bartender and a waitress at a local restaurant near the third site told them they had seen two people matching the Templars'description being rushed along the street the night before. They tried to piece together the puzzle and came up with a theory. He and Jenny may have been the target, but somehow the vamps had snatched the wrong couple. They only hoped they could find the Templars while they were still alive.
Underground Public Works Storage Shed
17 February 1999 - 1530 G.M.T.
Simultaneously, below street level, not two blocks away, the human master of the unlucky undead denizens of London in question was busy chastising them. The cloaked ringleader paced back and forth in front of them as they studied the dusty floor beneath their feet. The sharp words made them angry, but they couldn't raise a finger.
The Cloak of Algeron shrouded its bearer with a strong protection spell against the undead, so the cloaked figure had nothing to fear from them.
"Pray tell which one of you maggot-brained dolts decided that these two matched the description I gave you? Was it you, Tristan? You didn't notice that the woman was at least ten years older and fairer-skinned than the one I wanted, you worthless git? Have you been dead so long your eyes have rotted away in your bleeding skull? I have half a mind to stake both of your knees and leave you here to rot. No, better, I should chain you all to the wall and let you bloody well starve to death!"
Tristan glanced at his compatriot. "But, Shirl' said it was them... you know, all you humans look alike to us. Besides, Michael and Evy and their group never came back from checkin' on the other two and these two were right there... So, we took a shot."
"Did it ever occur to you, that perhaps, just perhaps, they didn't return because they had run INTO THE WATCHER AND THE GYPSY BITCH YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO ABDUCT?"
Tristan blinked. It had never occurred to him at all.
The human whirled and staked Shirley. Dust rained down on Tristan and the others as they cowered in the corner.
"In a few hours it will be dark again. Then I want you idiots to get out there and find them. Recruit as many as you need. Don't return without them."
Tristan shivered, still terrified. "But, but, I'm hungry!" it whined. "Can't we have one of them?" he gestured at the unconscious couple on the floor.
"No, you bloody fool! Leave them here! You drain them and we'll have more Watchers in London looking for us than flies on shit. Even I couldn't persuade my conspirator to look the other way. Just get OUT!"
The demoralized demons exited the shed. The human stared down at the motionless forms on the floor and smirked. "Fortunately for you, you didn't wake up from those blows to the head. If you had, well, I might have been forced to turn you...to my cause." The hooded figure strode out of the room and locked the door.
A few seconds later, one of the figures on the ground stirred, then sat up.
Simon Templar, Jr. glanced at his wife and grunted, "Dad can keep this kind of excitement all to himself." He softened his voice and said, "You all right?" She nodded. "Okay, hang on until I get these ropes loose. Splendid idea, honey, pretending to be unconscious. That bitch just put a noose around her neck."
"Did you get a good look at her, Simon?" Nikki shook her hair out of her eyes and scooted closer in the dust, intending to help with his bonds.
"Not really, but I'd know that voice anywhere, luv. And I think Rupert will be interested to know who wants him and his pretty lady dead."
A loud crash caused them jump. Simon chirped, "Ah! I do believe the cavalry has just arrived, luvvy!"
Jenny and Giles kicked the door in and burst into the room, covering everything in sight with their pistols. When they had determined that nothing undead was in the room, Jenny holstered her gun and drew her short sword. She sawed through the ropes on the Templars' wrists and feet and helped them both to stand.
After checking for pulses and their body temperatures, Giles breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God you're all right."
Jenny patted Nikki's arm in sympathy. "Welcome to our world, or, as we love to call it, 'Fear and Loathing on the Hellmouth.' Enjoyed your stay?"
Simon brushed the dust from his coat and chuckled. "Oh, occurrences like this were par for the course with my father, Jenny. The life of a chivalrous soldier of fortune could be just as interesting." He paused, catching his breath, then continued. "Rupert, old boy, let's get out of here. I believe I have some interesting information for you."
When they returned to their hotel room, they listened with horror as Simon described the person who had planned their abduction. They agreed that the person had to be a Governing Committee member or a Watcher. Whoever it was had been privy to top secret information. Giles made it known that he fervently hoped that the woman and her conspirator weren't both on the Governing Committee. He didn't even want to consider the possibility as of yet because it was too horrible to dwell on.
"Now, all we have to do is determine who these conspirators are." Giles didn't look confident. "That could take time...which is something we don't have. The meeting is tonight."
Simon looked glum. "I heard her clearly, but without a face to put to it, it's useless."
Jenny rubbed her chin, then looked at both men. "But she doesn't know that."
Simon brightened considerably. "Then she might give herself away if she sees me with you two!"
Giles considered it for a moment, then shook his head. "She or her consipirator might target you, Simon. I don't think we should risk it."
Simon gripped Giles' shoulder. "Look, old boy, I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you and I could have helped. You risked everything to find us. I can do no less."
Giles glared at Simon, then Nikki, then Jenny.
She smiled and nodded. "I'll watch out for him, England. We both will."
Giles took a deep breath and sighed. "All right. Let's drop Nikki off at your home. After we leave, Nikki, call Inspector French at Scotland Yard. Tell him that we found you and wait for him to come to you. Don't open the door for any one other than the Inspector. Simon, Jenny, we'll return to the hotel and wait for Dickie to collect us at five-thirty." After the other three nodded, signaling their understanding, they gathered their things and left the hotel room.
Council of Watchers Headquarters, London
17 February 1999 - 1830 G.M.T.
After they returned to the hotel, the Watcher, the Amazon, and the Curator met Dickie in the lobby. He ushered them out to the motorcar and had the driver take them to the Council Headquarters. As they exited the car, Giles stopped just before entering the building, nervous and worried. She caught his hesitance and hugged his arm tightly, sending reassuring thoughts to him. "Come on, England. Let's get this over with."
He chuckled. "Of course, my dear. Quite right."
A man named Smithers met them at the door and guided them down a massive mahogony paneled hallway past expensive paintings and Ming vases. They came to a halt in front of a glorious set of double doors with an arch filled with stain glass above them. A dapper elderly man stood before them, patiently waiting. He was nearly as tall as Giles and his hair was white, but well-groomed. He had piercing green eyes and an air of confidence that belied his age. Jenny could feel the tension in her lover's hand as they came near the man.
"Hello, Father."
The elder Giles flashed a self-deprecating grin at them. "Hello, boy. I hear you've been busy being a thorn in everyone's side. Just like old times, eh?" Then, he turned and regarded Jenny with a warm smile. "And you, my dear, must be the rose to his thorn. I am Edwin Giles, at your service." He bowed and brought her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.
She blushed. "Jenny Calendar, Lord Giles. I am honored and pleased to find that your son inherited his manners from such a good teacher."
He laughed. "I'm afraid to admit that whatever charms he has, he learned them from his dear mother. Which is a good thing because no one was a more charming person than she," he said pulling them aside from the three other men.
As Jenny tittered pleasantly at the elder Giles' glowing comment about his wife, Rupert cleared his throat. "Excuse me," he said.
"Yes, my boy. What is it?"
"Can you tell me what species of alien body-snatcher you happen to belong to and what have you done with my father?"
The elder Giles laughed heartily. "I see you've regained your sense of humor, son. I suppose that's a prerequisite for this job." He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. "Rupert, they're ready for your presentation. After that, if all goes well, I will present Jenny to the Committee for their approval. Although I know they've been gits about this Section Seven business, do try to be civil and diplomatic. I've prepped the Committee as best as I can for you, so just go in there and give it a good show."
Rupert nodded. "Fine, Dad, but I want to know something. Did they contact the Order of Teraka to have me killed?"
Edwin stared at his son with a steely gaze. "Yes. And it's been handled, though you should know that the Chairman, Appleby, thought the idea was beyond contempt even though he made the call."
"How has it been 'handled?'"
"Well," Edwin drawled, "as to the bastard who made the suggestion, I'm sorry to say he's met with an...accident. Poor chap, no one's been able to find his body and they've been searching for weeks. And there are rumors that the Red Brigade in Italy mistook Antonio Carpelli for a high government official and blew up his car the other day. So sad, that."
Jenny shuddered involuntarily. If Rupert had inherited his mother's charms, she now knew who was the genesis for Ripper.
It seemed that Rupert knew as well. "Why, Father?"
The elder man shrugged. "Two reasons. First, they threatened to kill your Slayer. As you know I was the Watcher for Lilian Frommer. I would have done anything for her...and I did, Rupert. I know you've disliked me ever since I was unable to be by your mother's side when she died twenty-six years ago. That night, I was with my Slayer fighting a vampire clan bent on opening the Hellmouth near Stonehenge. One of the beasts fired a crossbow bolt at me and Lilian dived in front of it to save me. She died that night and I've had to live with the agony of losing both the girl who was like a daughter to me and the woman who was my everything."
Rupert gasped. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Edwin looked at him with misty eyes. "Because you had just lost your mum and until you've been a Watcher for a Slayer, you'd never understand the depths of that bond. Now you have Buffy. Now you understand."
Rupert nodded sullenly. "Yes...quite so. What's the second reason?"
Edwin's eyes lost the melancholy and found iron. "Because you're my boy." He paused, then continued, "I know we haven't always seen eye-to-eye, Rupert, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You've kept three slayers alive and guided them well. That hasn't been lost on those cretins in there, believe you me, so go in there and do your best, son."
Rupert gently reached for his father's hand and shook it. "Thanks, Dad."
Edwin smiled gently and said in a louder voice, "Smithers...please present my son to the Committee."
Without preamble, Giles was ushered into the Committee meeting room by Smithers and Dickie. Jenny almost laughed when she saw the single chair and lamp in the center of the room before they closed the massive doors. Smithers returned and pointed at three chairs, indicating that Jenny, Simon, and Edwin were to to sit and wait. He turned to stand guard, his face expressionless.
They sat in amiable silence for several minutes before Edwin coughed. "Dear me...I do believe my throat is parched! Simon, is it?"
"Yes, my lord?"
"I hate to be a bother, but could you go and fetch me some water? You should find a guardian down the hall at his post. He can show you where to find it."
"Right away," Simon said as he stood and hurried down the hall.
They watched him go a ways before Edwin cleared his throat. "Good, that should keep him busy for a bit. So Jenny Calendar," he said smoothly, "or should I say, Janna Kalendah? May I ask what are your intentions toward my son?"
She stared at the old man and her shock must have been evident on her face because he patted her knee, trying to comfort her. "There, there, my dear. After our earlier conversation, it must have been plain to you that I have vast resources at my disposal."
"Well, Lord Giles "
"Please," he interrupted her. "Call me Edwin."
"All right...Edwin. You seem to have me at a disadvantage."
He smiled. "Because you don't know how much I know about you, hmm? Well, let me put all my cards on the table. I know you belong to the gypsy tribe that cursed Angelus with his soul. Although that was an understandable and laudable goal, it never ceases to amaze me that the gypsy elder placed such a critical loophole in the curse that would expose future generations to the terror of that psychotic vampire. Oh well, I suppose there's no use crying over spilt milk. Let's see," he paused and tapped his forefinger against his cheek as he thought for a moment. "Ah, yes. You're an avowed Technopagan, or as we more crudely say around here, a 'witch', you were made an Amazon by Artemis, the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, and are a computer expert."
She regarded him cooly. "I congratulate you on your intelligence network, Edwin. So the reason for this discussion is to persuade me to leave your son?"
He chuckled pleasantly. "No, my dear, heaven's no! There are several reasons for this discussion, Jenny. First, I know how you failed to tell my son and his Slayer about the curse. If you are to be his wife, you must give up all else for his sacred duty as the Watcher of a Slayer. My Elsbeth had known and accepted it. I must know if you are willing to do that. Second, I have a secret that I want to share with you both. Can you detect any magic around me, Jenny?"
Surprised by the change of direction, she hesitated for a moment before she concentrated and cast a detect magic spell. "No."
"Quite right. Yet, Rupert has innate magickal abilities just as you do."
"Yes."
"So...how can that be?"
She thought hard for a moment, then gasped as he nodded his head. "His charm wasn't the only thing he inherited from his mother, my dear."
"She was a witch?"
"Yes," he said wistfully. "I'd rather think of her as an enchantress, actually. Though she had never cast a spell on me, her love wove a web of tranquility that seemed almost mystical in nature." Then his gaze returned to the present. "So you see, as long as it's not spoken of on the cocktail circuit or thrown in the Council's face, having a witch as a spouse isn't that much of a problem for us. And the third and final reason for this conversation...I'd much rather see him with a beautiful, caring, and brave woman like you than that contemptuous weasel, Ethan Rayne!"
"So you're not against our marriage?"
"Of course not! If I were, I wouldn't be here to present you to the Council."
Jenny couldn't believe her ears. All her concerns, all her worries had been dashed by one conversation with a dear, old man. She had been a fool, but she'd be a fool no longer. "Lord Edwin Giles, I swear I will never betray your son from this point forward as long as I live."
He smiled at her and clasped her hand between his leathery ones. "Thank you, my dear. It's good to know he'll have someone to love him after I'm gone."
They were about to share a hug when Simon came racing down the hall. "Jenny, Lord Giles!" he barked. "She's here! The woman who kidnapped me!"
Jenny jumped up from her seat. "Where?"
"I saw her near the guardian station. The guardian was down on the floor. I don't know if he's alive or not. She had at least six vampires with her."
She reached under her coat and drew her pistol. "Are they behind you?"
"No, I don't think so. I saw them enter a hidden door in the paneled wall."
"Oh, no..." Edwin muttered, "it sounds like they're heading for the secret entrance to the meeting room!"
"Smithers, open the door, now!" she commanded.
Smithers hesitated for a moment before Edwin snapped, "Do as she says, man!"
He unlocked the door. Jenny and Simon rushed forward and saw the cloaked figure standing in the middle of the room with Giles' crossbow trained on Rupert's chest as he sat still in the chair. She was flanked by two demon-faced vampires. A third vampire guarded the door and reached for Jenny's gun hand. She whirled and pumped two bullets into its chest. The vampire exploded into a rain of dust that wafted to the floor.
"Stop!" the cloaked figured screamed. "Drop the gun or he's dead."
Giles and Jenny gasped simultaneously, as they recognized the voice. "Gwendolyn Post..." Giles whispered.
The dark figure held the crossbow steady for a long moment, then laughed and lowered it slightly. "Right you are, you bastard," she spat the words at Giles. "But, it's just as well, you bloody murderer. I wanted you to know why you're going to die, first."
Jenny smiled slightly, the corners of her lips quirking. The mark of an amateur... no self-respecting assassin would bother to explain herself. There was a chance... "Aren't you being a bit premature, Gwen? I've still got the gun and I'm a crack shot."
"I don't think so, dear. The tip of this crossbow bolt has been treated with curare. One scratch and he'd die in seconds."
Jenny's throat felt as dry as the Sahara. A bead of sweat ran down the bridge of her nose. What could she do to get him out of this?
As options ran through her mind, Giles snapped Gwendolyn's attention back to him. "Gwendolyn! Just who, pray tell, have I murdered? I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know something about me that I don't know about myself. Please, enlighten me."
"Don't insult me, 'Ripper!' You bloody well know that you murdered him, my mentor, the man who helped me get into the Council, who showed us that you had to be stopped. You murdered Quenton Travers!" The crossbow trembled as she continued her tirade and Jenny began to worry. <Wow, she's truly insane. This is a bad thing.>
As Gwendolyn ranted, Jenny prepared to fire. At that moment, Post shouted, "Gypsy! If you shoot me, I'll jerk and fire my bolt into him. I can't miss from this distance. Put the gun down...now!"
Jenny knew there was only one way out of this. She hoped Giles would understand what she was doing. "What do you take me for, Post...a fool? You don't seriously expect me to 'fall' for that you'd just shoot 'Rupert' anyway."
"Perhaps, but I'll shoot him now, if you don't." Then she glanced at Dickie and said, "Dickie, when she places the gun on the floor, pick it up and cover them."
Giles turned his head and glared at his cousin. "Dickie...?"
Lord Sussex dipped his head toward the floor. "I'm sorry, Rupert," he stammered, "I...love her and she got me into this. But I swear it was only to hold you incommunicado for a while, just so you'd miss the meeting. You never mentioned anything about killing my cousin, Gwendolyn."
Gwendolyn sneered. "Don't be such a ponce, Richard! Giles has to die. He's threatened the way of things. He has all the slayers, he's trying to dictate to the Council, and he intends to see all of the Council's work go down the drain in homage to his colossal ego. Now, shut up and get her gun!"
Jenny had only one shot at this; it had to be a good one. "All right, Gwendolyn! I'm carefully placing the gun on the floor." She pulled the gun out of her ready stance and knelt slowly. She set the gun down on the floor and slid it away from her. At that moment, Giles tilted his chair back and slammed to the floor. As he tumbled backwards out of the prone chair, Jenny grabbed the hilt of her short sword that was hidden by the hair that fell over the collar of her duster. She drew the sword and rolled forward while Gwendolyn tried to track Giles. Jenny sprang out of her tuck and flung the sword at Gwendolyn with all of her considerable Amazon strength. Just as the other woman prepared to fire, the sword pierced her abdomen and knocked her aim askew so the bolt sailed over Giles' head.
While Gwendolyn lay on the floor with blood dribbling from her mouth, Jenny reached for her pistol and brought it to bear on one of the vampires. She fired twice, sending it to oblivion. The other vampire was dispatched by Giles with his pistol. The lovers then searched the passageway but found no other vampires.
They returned to the room and found Dickie sitting on the floor in a daze, holding Gwendolyn's head in his lap, and stroking her hair. One of the Committee members examined the still woman. Jenny thought he must be a doctor. He looked up at them and shook his head.
Sir William Appleby cleared his throat and said, "Rupert, Smithers, please remove Dickie gently. We'll get someone to...clean this up."
As they left the room, Jenny held onto Rupert's arm as tight as she could. Holding him like that helped dull the pain she felt of taking the life of a human being.
5 Sumner Place, London, South Kensington
18 February 1999 - 0830 G.M.T.
When she woke up the next morning, it almost had seemed like a bad dream. However, she had the sore muscles and the gunpowder smell to remind her that it had all happened.
Although she had had enough of Council politics to last her a lifetime, the outcome of the meeting had been more than they ever could hope for. The Governing Committee had agreed to Giles' proposal the Council would agree to ally itself with Section Seven and its sister agencies. After a 'rehabilitation' period where the Council would send Watchers to train with Giles and his Slayers to learn how to battle the darkness in this new era, Section Seven would cede to the Council the responsibility of guiding and supporting the slayers. Of course, Giles would still be Buffy's Watcher and would be the Watcher for Kendra or Faith if they so chose to remain under his care. Finally, the Committee unanimously accepted Jenny as a proper spouse.
As she squinted at the daylight that filtered through their window, Giles stirred. "Good morning, beloved," he said, his voice husky from sleep.
"Morning, England," she chirped. "Sleep well?"
"Somewhat." He grew quiet. "I can't believe that Dickie would betray me."
She glanced away from him. "Love can make us do things that we'd never believe we would consider doing." She took a deep breath, then continued. "Rupert...I...back in Sunnydale, I thought about calling off the engagement."
He had a stunned look on his face. "Why?"
She sat up and the sheets shifted to reveal her ample breasts. "I was afraid...afraid I wouldn't fit in with the people you grew up with, your family would hate me, and I would have kept you from reconciling with the Council."
He stared into her eyes. "Listen to me carefully. I love you more than life itself, I'm glad that my father loves you, though it wouldn't have mattered to me if he didn't, and I'd quit the bloody Council in a heartbeat if it meant I could be with you. Now, no more of that, my future bride. Is that clear?"
She kissed him until oxygen had become an issue for them and smiled against his pliant lips. "Yes...my lord," she purred.
He drawled, "You little minx!" Suddenly, before Jenny knew what had hit her, Giles arched over her. His mouth locked onto hers, battling for both sweet dominance and blissful submission. Minutes later, when his lips left hers, Jenny's eyes flickered open searching for them again, until she found them pressed against her neck. His tongue began a slow, tantalizing journey down the entire length of her exposed flesh, provoking her gasps and moans. Soon he rubbed his face against her mound. Jenny felt his breath and shuddered, so aroused that his slightest touch burned like fire. He lapped at the dampness of her desire, causing her to thrash and wail, his tongue snaking around her nether lips, up to her swollen, aching hardness. She felt him insert a finger inside her and mewled when it began to mimic a 'come hither' motion against the interior front wall of her pussy. In no time at all, she screamed, trembling from the indescribable ecstasy.
For a moment, her senses shut down from sheer overload. She grew aware of his gentle caresses and flushed when she tasted herself on his lips. Then he growled low in his throat and placed his erection against her sex. Jenny whimpered with pleasure as she reached down and guided him inside. He slid into her tight warmth and she squeezed his large shaft as it moved within her. Looking up at his handsome face, she wrapped her arms around his neck and synchronized the rocking of her hips with the motion of his pelvis. She began to pant and her groans grew louder, causing him to accelerate, so he thrusted deep, hard, and fast.
"Deeper!" she demanded, as she began to milk him with her inner muscles. At that moment, Jenny lost all hold on rational thought. She sucked and nipped his left nipple, driving him to increase his speed even more. Then Giles reached down, cupped her firm bottom with his right hand, and pulled her hips hard against him.
She raised her legs to cradle his waist, making her even tighter around him. When she felt herself spiral out of control, he slammed into her one last time and froze deep inside of her. Then he fired his seed inside her, filling her core with his essence and her ears with his screams. His release triggered her own as she imploded deep, deep inside and held him there like a velvet vise until her orgasm erupted all around him.
Afterwards, Jenny held him close and gently stroked the hair on the back of his head. As they cradled each other, she closed her eyes and sent a prayer of thanks to Artemis.
Somehow, she knew that a goddess high on Mt. Olympus had a smile on her face.