Graile - Chapter 2 - Intermission
by Connor_Mac
[reviews]
Graile
Chapter 2 - Intermission
By, Macbeth
Disclaimers: I own Jack and a few others. The ones I don't own are easily recognized as belonging to Joss/Davis & Panzer/Universal.
Summary: A series of letters between Sunnydale and New York set between the time in Hemry and Season One. Just a little something to tide you over between chapters.
Feedback: Feedback = food. Feed the Bards.
Dear B,
The drive to New York was long and dull; and after that night in Ord's tower, it was a welcome change. Though I could have done without the endless highway in Texas. That got very boring very quickly. Stopped in New Orleans for lunch with an old acquaintance of mine, and was stopped by the police outside of Memphis. Otherwise the drive was uneventful.
Now I'm back in New York, Sitting in my study and waiting for something to do. Guess I'll head over to Murphy's for a drink. When you get a minute, drop me a line.
JC
Jack Covington slipped the paper into a stamped envelope and stepped out his front door. Taking a moment, he stood on the brownstone's landing and basked in the early morning sunlight. "Hey Jack." His eyes snapped open as a voice sounded to his left. A slim mocha skinned girl of about fifteen years sat on the stone banister of his front steps, her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her shins. Standing, she brushed off her black Levis and thrust her hands into the pockets of her bomber jacket, pulling it tighter over her white tank top, before stepping off and moving closer to Jack. "Was wonderin' when you'd be back." she said and shook her head, causing her shoulder length dreadlocks to fly. Jack grinned and set his left arm over the young girl's shoulders.
"Right. Admit it, you never even noticed I was gone." He laughed and pulled her close for a short hug. Leaning his head down he whispered in her ear. "Missed you too Aki." Standing straight, they both headed down the street, Jack's arm around her shoulders, Aki's hands thrust deep into the pockets of her jacket.
"Let's get some coffee and you can tell me about "Her" again." she said, making quotation marks with her fingers before nodding to the nearby Starbucks.
"Let me guess who's paying." He said with a mock glare.
"What? I'm broke." Aki said, suddenly fascinated by a silver ring on her finger.
"You are the reincarnation of one of the oldest sorceresses on Earth, and you spend money faster than Scotland Yard. You'd think in four thousand years you'd learn the merits of thrift," he said with a soft poke to her shoulder
"Yeah... Well... CDs aren't cheap," she said, tucking her lip down like a child ten years younger. "Besides, I can always hop over to the book shop and raid the till."
"Stealing from your own business. You are Evil." He muttered, shaking his head.
"Your point?" she grinned, flashing him her pearly whites. "C'mon, I'll get the table, you get the Java." she said, opening the door to the coffee shop.
* * *
Dear Jack,
Thanks for the letter. I for one am in complete agreement. After that night in the bell tower, tedious repetitive Slaying IS a welcome change. Merrick has taken to training me during every free moment I have and it's driving me INSANE! The tower's been closed and plans have been drawn up for its demolition. Merrick managed to return later and salvage what he could. A couple books he overlooked, an Axe, and for some reason, he had me lug that anvil Ordniconii used in the basement. Some vampire must have snuck in after we left, because Lucius' body is gone.
Bad news, I'm afraid; When that dirt thingy released my arms, it pulled off that bracelet you gave me. I can't believe it, I was robbed by a nine-foot man of dirt. I'm very sorry. I really appreciated it and I've asked Merrick to look into finding it but he just looked at me strangely and said it'd be a challenge. The vampire population around here has vacated slowly. Pike and I've actually had time to do date type things.
Pike has been bugging me to go to Caritas. It was embarrassing enough when I went there with Merrick, but to go there with Pike? No chance in hell. Tell me something, have YOU ever gone and performed there?
Well, I'm getting the evil eye from a spear wielding Brit, so I'll wait patiently for a reply.
B.
P.s. Settle an argument between Merrick and Me. Is your car a Cadillac or not?
Buffy opened the mail slot and slipped the envelope in. "Well, that's that." turning, she loped back into Merrick's mansion and grabbed her jacket. Not seeing Merrick, she started moving calmly to the front door.
"Buffy? Where are you going?" came a voice from across the hall. Buffy turned to see Merrick carrying padding and a wood tipped spear.
"Home. Where I have not been in forty-eight hours. My mother has actually called about putting my face on the milk carton."
"Yes, yes, very droll. However, perhaps you could use a break. Take the night off. But be here an hour before school tomorrow."
"Um... Merrick? It's Friday. No school tomorrow." She said, instantly regretting it.
"Well, good. Be here at eight a.m. sharp," he said, retreating back into the Ballroom turned Gymnasium. Walking through a door on the opposing wall, he slipped over to the phone and began dialing. Buffy exhaled in relief and headed out the door.
Waiting with typical British stoic patience, he absently prepped a pot of tea set up on a portable burner as the operator connected him overseas. "Hello, Ms. Andrews? This is Leland Merrick. Merrick. M E R R... Yes, In Los Angeles. I'd like to speak with Mr. Travers please. Yes, I'll wait." His eyes closed and his hand began rubbing the bridge of his nose as his head moved slowly to the badly recorded classical music the secretary switched on. "Virtually infinite finances and they can't find a decent copy of Chopin."
"Travers." Came an elderly male voice over the line.
"Quentin, It's Merrick."
"So Ms. Andrews said. What can I do for you?" The Head of the Watcher's Council asked in a blatantly bored tone.
"What did the prophecy say after the Tower of Night segment?" Merrick asked glaring at the teapot, willing it to boil faster.
"I have it right here, a bit of light reading over tea.... Ahem, and I quote: "Night falls on the Tower of the Summoner. As the arena burns He of the Open Eye shall fall and The Chosen shall journey to the Mouth of Hell and there reside, maintaining the Balance." Was that what you wanted to hear? I thought you had a copy." Quentin asked.
"I do. I was double-checking. The "He of the Open Eye shall fall" segment disturbs me slightly." Merrick muttered.
"Yes, I can see how being told of your imminent death would be a tad disturbing. Good night." Travers managed to sound almost sincere before he terminated the signal.
"Sanctimonious bastard." Merrick muttered to the now hissing teapot.
* * *
Dear B,
My condolences on your loss. I'd have sent this earlier, but I just now found out. I'll be there for the funeral. Merrick was a good man. I know several Watchers, and rarely do they have as much personality and wit as he did. I pray you believe that I wish I had been there. I'm here Buffy. If you need help, a hand, or simply a shoulder to lean on, I'm here. Give me a call.
I have to go.
Remember, Time passes, wounds heal, scars fade, but memories are forever.
JC
P.s. It's a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible
Jack signed his name to the paper and slid it neatly into the stamped envelope. Standing up from behind his cherry wood desk, he walked to the corner of his study to a brass drop tube attached to the wall and opened the slot. He popped the letter in and returned to the windowsill to watch the Saturday morning traffic, three stories below.
"Jack? You up here mate?" Aki's voice echoed form the ground floor.
"Aye. Up here." He replied. The mechanical sounds of the lift rumbled through the building followed by the shifting of the wood grate being lifted. A moment passed and Aki sat across from the Irishman on the open windowsill. "How's the bookstore?" he asked, not taking his eyes from the civilized chaos below.
"Still open."
"Funny."
"So it happened? He's dead?" she asked as casually as though she was asking about the Yankees. Aki pulled a butterfly knife from her left boot and absently manipulated the weapon with practiced ease.
"Yes, you morbid little girl. Merrick was killed by a vampire seven days ago. Please show a modicum of respect for the man." He leaned back against the brick sill and closed his eyes. "I knew him. He was a good man."
"He was a Watcher. You know my opinion about those jackasses. But I'll take your word on it. So... When is she moving?" she asked, cleaning her nails with the tip of her double-edged blade.
"In roughly a month." he answered.
"When do you leave?" she asked in a disappointed tone.
"Tonight." he turned to see her pouted lip. "Hey, As soon as I get back we'll go somewhere. Paris, Sydney, Cairo, You name it. Even I need a change of pace after this."
"Dublin?"
"What is it with you and Irish girls?" He said grinning wide.
She shrugged and adjusted the waistband of her cargo pants. "Can I help it if they find me irresistible?" she batted her amber eyes seductively
Jack shook his head in amusement, "Uh huh, I believe you."
* * *
Jack,
Thanks for the letter. I really needed to hear support from someone who knows what's going on. Thanks for coming to the funeral. Though only the four of us were there. I thought it was nice of Lorne to sing "Amazing Grace" after the Priest's eulogy.
Pike and I aren't as tight as we used to be. I don't know what's wrong, if it's something I did, or if this has been coming for a while. I feel kind of guilty, what I felt for him has slowly faded. You know things. Tell me something; does this come with the job? Slayer, I mean. Am I doomed to be alone? Merrick said that once. "The Slayer stands alone against the Evil. The one beacon of Light against the Darkness." Depressing, but did he have a point? Am I supposed to do this alone? I've lost track of how many times Pike was placed danger. And me? I'm fifteen. Will I live past sixteen?
That felt good. Just venting like that. Thanks. Mom and Dad have done it, like you said they would. Though how you knew after meeting them for five minutes is more than a little odd. The divorce is final next week. Mom and I are moving to some dirt hole about three hours away. I'll give you the address at the end.
Jot me a reply.
B,
P.s. 1630 Revello Drive, Sunnydale Ca. 90017
Buffy dropped the sealed envelope on the kitchen counter and pulled her leather jacket on tighter before opening the front door and heading out in a dead run. Joyce walked into the kitchen just as Buffy started to run. "Buffy? I swear that girl is never home anymore..." she mumbled to herself as her husband Hank walked into the kitchen and set down his briefcase on the counter. "Late night again Hank?" she asked without a hint of emotion.
"Yes, Joyce. One of us has to work, so it might as well be me. Besides, Wolfram and Hart doesn't hire the best without expecting a sacrifice or two." Hank said, managing to sound proud of himself as he filled a mug with coffee and drank slowly. "I was hoping for a little support from you on this." he muttered loud enough for her to hear as he headed out the front door.
Joyce waited until she heard her soon to be ex-husband's BMW pull out of the driveway before laughing. "Forgot your briefcase again... Asshole." Filling a glass with a dark red wine, she moved into the living room and settled down for a night of Cary Grant movies.
Fin