By Jody E.
May 2007
Over the next year, William E-mailed Buffy frequently. She hardly ever answered him, but he saw that she accepted his mail, so he was encouraged to continue. He wrote her funny stories about demons he encountered, and anecdotes about some of the crazy theater people he knew. He didn’t phone her, or in any other way intrude upon her life. He received a lot of E-mail from Willow and Tara these days about their pending adoption. Willow wrote him that Buffy was having a lot of difficulty with the Watcher’s Council over Giles’ pension. They hadn’t assigned her a new watcher, since at 25, she was deemed too old to need one, but then they treated her like a wayward child, rather than a grown woman, and a widow in need of income. Fortunately, she still had Giles’ interest in the Magic Box, which Anya now managed, and which was very successful. With a small child at home, she really wasn’t in a position to go to work. It was all very difficult, but Buffy was managing like the trouper she was. Luckily, the Hellmouth was going through one of its quiet spells; most vampire activity had ceased.
William had broken up with Holly shortly after returning to New York, but she had proven helpful in one little matter. William had noticed that she had a small stuffed frog on her bed. It was made of some shiny material, and it reminded him of Emily. He asked Holly where she got it and she explained that it was a vintage Beanie Baby, toys that had been popular several years ago. With some effort, he was able to find a duplicate and send it to Emily. Thereafter, whenever he saw a funny or unusual frog, he mailed it to her. He pictured her giggling each time she received a mysterious package from "Willyum."
Meanwhile, William’s unlife continued as before. A new butcher shop opened right near his apartment, so he made a deal with the owner for fresh blood every week. The convenient blood supply was helpful, because suddenly "Spike" was so busy that he hardly had time to stop in. An increase in demonic activity, meant that his answering machine was full of messages every morning. He wished that he could find an assistant like Gunn, but where did one advertise for such a person?
One day, about a year after Giles’ death, Spike sent Buffy the following E-mail:
Hi Buffy,
It’s been a long time since I have seen anything truly frightening in a graveyard, but last night I saw something which would have made my blood run cold, if it wasn’t already. Ha Ha. I was lurking in a small graveyard, downtown, where there was a report of vampiric activity. There was a small bench in one corner of the cemetery, and as I was watching from behind a crypt, I saw a young girl, about 14 years old, accompanied by an older woman come in and sit down on it.
At first, I figured that they were mourners, but they seemed to be waiting for something, and what is there to wait for in a graveyard, except one thing? Sure enough, a vampire rose from the grave near them, and the girl took a stake out of her bag and attacked him. She wasn’t very good, clumsy as an ox, but she got the job done with much encouragement from the older woman. For one awful moment, I thought that a new Slayer had been called! But as I watched them, I realized that this girl was no slayer. She didn’t have the moves or the strength. I guess that she was a slayer in training. The woman was one of those sour faced Watcher types. No offense to Giles, he wasn’t quite standard issue. The girl was cute enough, all knees and elbows and a shock of red hair and freckles, but she didn’t have a tenth of your style. Anyway, I just wanted you to know about her, in case it means anything. Hope you are all well. Love to the Tadpole.
William
To his surprise, he actually got an answer back, the following day.
William,
It’s funny that you should mention a new Slayer in training, because I’ve just heard from the CoW on that very topic. It seems that a new Hellmouth has opened up...Guess where? That’s right, you have been complaining about being overworked...now you know why. Anyway, I guess the one in Sunnydale is dying out or closing up, or whatever they do. I haven’t even seen a vampire in a month.
Well, the CoW, in their infinite wisdom, wants to retire me, and call this new Slayer in New York. It seems to be the condition under which they will release Giles' pension. Don’t get me started on that topic. Anyway, they’ve never had to retire a Slayer...they usually just bury them, but they think they know how to accomplish it. As long as I am willing. In the meantime, they want me to come to New York for a week to meet with this girl...her name is Tina, by the way...and give her something no Slayer has ever had, which is feedback from an actual living Slayer. Her watcher’s name is Priscilla Scott. Is there some rule that Watchers have to have funny first names?
Anyway, Dawn has been bugging me about letting her move to New York to become an actress but I want her to graduate from college first. After all, I managed to graduate, even though I was so pregnant that my gown didn’t fit! But Berkeley is out for the summer so I told her that she could come with me to New York to try it out for a week. This is probably going to be a big mistake. The bad news is that I am going to have to leave Emily home. I will be too busy and it is too dangerous here for her to come. Xander and Anya are going to take her. I hate leaving her...I’ve never done it before, but it is only for a week. Anyway, I will be in New York, staying at the Hyatt Regency (at least the CoW were generous about that...guilt is a wonderful thing!) from Monday May 21 to Sunday May 27. Maybe we can get together if you are not too busy.
I also want to thank you, William. I know I have been a lousy correspondent. But your letters are all that have kept me sane this past year. Also, Emily loves the frogs. The other night we were watching this old movie, The Ten Commandments with Charton Heston. Anyway, they had this plague of frogs...frogs everywhere, and Emily said, "That looks like my room!" She is so funny. But anyway, she loves the frogs. That was so kind of you. See you soon.
Buffy
Buffy was coming to New York! That was bloody incredible! And she sounded like she wanted to see him. Now don’t get your hopes up; he told himself, she is just being polite. Still, it would be great to see her and Dawn again and to show them around the City. New York at night was a far cry from Sunnydale or even LA. A vampire could have a full social life here. Maybe he could score some theater tickets. Of course his calendar for the next two weeks was full to overflowing thanks to this new Hellmouth. Now would be a good time for that assistant. Wonder if Buffy would feel up to a bit of slaying this trip...Kind of a busman’s holiday, but it was worth a shot.
Buffy and Dawn arrived in late afternoon. They checked into their hotel and were very impressed.
"Wow...this place is totally cool…look out the window, Buffy, you can see Times Square. Can we get room service, do you think? Wait...there’s a little refrigerator and it’s full of stuff! Is it free? " She took out a can of Diet Coke and opened it.
"Dawn, Dawn...What are you…12? Calm down, okay? I am so tired that I can’t keep my eyes open." Buffy lay down on one of the double beds. "Why don’t you read the guide book or watch TV for a while. I will be ready for action in just a little…."
"Right." Said Dawn. Her sister was asleep. She hadn’t slept last night, apparently, and saying goodbye to Emily had been very traumatic. Let her sleep for a while, but she, Dawn was going exploring. Who needs a guide book when Times Square is right outside your window?
It was full dark when Buffy awoke. Dawn was gone. Concerned, Buffy went downstairs to the lobby, which was on the 7th floor surrounding a giant atrium. This was a very confusing hotel, thought Buffy...how could she begin to find Dawn in this place? She went down to street level, and then outside the big doors. Times Square was packed with people, milling around outside on this warm spring evening; it was overwhelming for a girl used to a one Starbucks town like Sunnydale. Where could Dawn be? Why hadn’t she returned before it got dark? Could she have gotten lost? This place was crawling with demons and vampires, According to William. William. He might have some ideas. She took the glass elevator to her room, and dialed his number from the business card he had given her.
William had cancelled his appointments this evening in hope that Buffy would call when she got into New York. So when he heard her voice on the phone he rejoiced, but, "William, Dawn is missing." were not the words he had wanted to hear. He called a cab, and raced over to the Hyatt. He had removed a Gak demon from their atrium a few months ago, so he was greeted effusively by the concierge. Buffy met him in the lobby, looking very worried. Just seeing her again brought a lump to his throat. She looked much better then she had a year ago, which was to be expected. Her streaked blonde hair was tied back with a scarf, and she was dressed in a navy blue sweater and slacks. Right now, she was all business.
"William...I’m so glad you came. I can’t imagine where she could have gone. I fell asleep when we got in, and she must have gotten bored and gone to explore. But this is New York City! In Sunnydale, when Dawn disappeared, there were like three places to look! I mean, what was she thinking?"
"Don’t worry, pet, we’ll find her. She’s not a child anymore, you know."
"I know that she’s twenty years old, but she’s not a very mature twenty year old."
"She goes away to college, right?" Buffy nodded. "Well, then trust me, she’s more mature than you think!"
"Hi guys! Hi William! Isn’t this place great?" Dawn was standing there, her arms laden with shopping bags. "Sorry I was gone so long, but New York is SO exciting! I went to all these cool shops, and I got some CDs and some great posters for my room at school, and I think I saw Allan Cummings outside the theater where the musical, Hannibal is playing. But they are all sold out for the whole time that we’re here, damn it! So what are you doing down here? Am I really late?"
"Dawn!.." Buffy began. William shot her a glance and shook his head.
"Well maybe you can help me, Dawn, since you know your way around here now. I was hoping to take two beautiful women out to dinner. Do you know where I can find any?" He said, bowing with mock gallantry.
Dawn laughed. "Spike, you are so weird. I just have to drop all this stuff off upstairs. Back in a few!" she sang out as she dashed for the elevator.
"William…you really don’t have to do that. I feel bad enough calling you out here when you must be so busy."
"No problem, Buffy, I just juggled a few things. And I did want to take you two out while you were here. Now’s as good a time as any...unless you have other plans."
"Nope...I don’t have to meet Tina and Priscilla until tomorrow. Where shall we go?"
"Well, upstairs in this hotel is a revolving restaurant. With views of the whole City. They, uh, know me there."
"Oh?" Buffy raised her eyebrows.
"Killed a Gak demon in the atrium."
"Oh. Well Dawn will be thrilled."
Dawn was thrilled. She, Buffy and William had a festive dinner, looking out the windows as the restaurant slowly revolved. William ate shrimp cocktail while he told them all about all the recent demon sitings and vampire problems that had been keeping him so busy the past few months.
"That’s why it’s not a good idea for you to go wanderin’ off by yourself, pet, "he said to Dawn seriously. "It used to be ordinary muggers and thieves after your bread, but now there are creatures out there after your blood. Or worse. So no goin’ out by yourself after dark, okay, nibblet?"
"Okay, Spike, on one condition…that you stop calling me nibblet! I’m 20 now."
"That you are. So have you got any career opportunities lined up for when you’re here? Auditions?"
Dawn looked down. "Well, no. I didn’t know who to call or what to do."
"Well, first you’ve got to get Backstage magazine. That’ll give you some info on what’s what. Also, I have somethin’ that you might be interested in."
"What?" Dawn’s eyes lit up.
"Well, a uh, friend of mine named, uh, Holly is directing this little one act. It’s off Off-Broadway, you understand, but she’s having auditions this week, and I got you in. You have a headshot and resume?"
"Of course, " said Dawn, "Oh Spike, that is so terrific. "
"It’s only an audition, you realize, no promises."
"Of course...but a real audition! That is so great!"
Buffy looked less than thrilled. Suddenly William recalled that Buffy wasn’t any too enthusiastic about Dawn’s acting ambition. Shit...he’d probably put his foot in it again. But hell, Dawn was a big girl now...She didn’t need Buffy’s permission to be an actress. And when had Buffy ever listened to anybody about...anything? He looked Buffy right in the eye, as if challenging her to say something. She looked at him right back.
"Thank you, William," she said coolly, " That was very thoughtful of you. But now, I’m sure we’ve taken up enough of your time. The night may be young for you, but we have jet lag. Maybe we’ll see you again before we leave. "
William was crushed. He knew a dismissal when he heard one. He did have one more ace in his pocket.
"Well, if I could take up one more night of your time, while you’re here, on Thursday night I do have tickets for Hannibal. "
"Hannibal? Oh My God! With Alan Cummings? How did you get them? That show’s been sold out forever!"
" There’s always a few loose tickets around, if you know who to ask."
"And apparently you do, " said Buffy. "Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to deprive Dawn of the opportunity to see a musical about a serial killer. Not to mention the chance to be rejected off Off-Broadway. So once again, thank you Spike," She stood up, "Come on Dawn. We have a full day tomorrow." Dawn shrugged at William.
"Thanks again, and we’ll see ya Thursday. Call our room about the time and everything. We’re in room 1254 by the way. Bye William!" She had to run to catch up with Buffy who was already at the elevator.
Spike remained at the table and ordered a bourbon on the rocks. Bloody hell! He was in it with both feet now. It was no accident that Buffy had called him Spike, like it was when Dawn did it. She was pissed at him good and proper. But why? What did he do this time? Glumly, William stared out into the city.
"Okay, big sister...just what is your problem?" Dawn demanded of Buffy when they got back to the room.
"Nothing. I’m just exhausted, okay? It’s been a long day. I miss Sunnydale. I miss Emily. I miss Giles! I’m about to lose my job! And I don’t need Spike coming along and sweeping you off your feet! He’s a vampire, Dawn, and don’t you forget it! He maybe be handsome and charming and able to get you auditions and show tickets, but he spent more than a century as a cold-blooded killer. I just don’t want you to forget that! Okay, Dawn?"
Dawn looked at Buffy. "Sure, Buffy. I won’t forget it. It is pretty easy to forget though, isn’t it?"
The sisters looked at each other in understanding.
"I think we’d better get some sleep." Said Buffy.
"Buffy, I love you. You're all I bloody think about. Dream about. You're in my gut ... my throat ... I'm drowning in you, Summers, I'm drowning in you." Buffy tried to move away from that voice, but her wrists were shacked to the dungeon walls. She stared into the face of the vampire inches away from her own. "You and me, Slayer, we’re two of a kind. Two killers. Dance with me, Slayer, you know you want to."
Buffy sat up in the strange hotel room, her heart pounding. Damn it to hell! She hadn’t had that dream in years! Why now? Well, of course…Spike was back in her life again. Only this time it was worse! The old Spike was so easy to despise, with his ridiculous black duster and his silly hair and his punk attitude. He could pretend to be good all he liked, but Buffy could see right through him. Chip or no chip, he was still evil, with a capital E! But this Spike...how could she deal with a Spike who was kind and thoughtful? Who read Green Eggs and Ham to Emily, and bought her frogs, and who would probably fall in love with Dawn? Damn him to hell! How dare he change! How dare he be...nice! How dare he be so nice to Dawn! Well, he’d always liked Dawn, the bastard. He was the one who had told her the facts of life...her life anyway. And Dawn had thought he was so cool, with his scary stories, and his funky crypt. Well, she just couldn’t let it happen.
They would go to that damn musical with Spike, because Dawn was so set on it, but that was it. They would leave this horrible city and go back home where they belonged. And Dawn would move to New York City over Buffy’s dead body! If she wanted to be an actress so badly she could bloody well go to Hollywood! Full of resolution, Buffy turned over and went back to sleep.