Chapter 14

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14: Unrequited

Warnings: Coarse/ mature language.

Sibyll: So what's this, Wesley? Dinner?
Wesley: Not for you, Countess.
Sibyll: Well I see you've already had a nibble. Keeping her all to yourself?


Sibyll: I haven't seen you in over a decade, luv. Nearly two. You couldn't even think to bring me a snack as well?
Wesley: I'm sorry and I realize this is short notice. I didn't know where else to go.
Sibyll: Oh don't tell me that whore witch you've been hanging around with kicked you out.
Wesley: Not exactly. Clara wants her dead.
Sibyll: And ever the boyscout, you just have to protect her? How adorable.


Sibyll: As nice as it is for you to have brought another woman into my home, whatever do you expect me to do about this? I'm not all that fond of dealing with Clara or her kind. I'm still not sure why you do.
Wesley: I just need to keep her here for the night. We won't be long.


Sibyll: "Won't be long." Why would you assume that I wouldn't want your company for more than an hour? More than a night?
Her voice lowered to a soft, weary whisper.
Wesley: Sibyll...
Sibyll: Don't bother, dearie. Time hasn't been consequential anymore. And I've been asleep for a month, do you really expect me not to feed?


Wesley: If I asked you to, will you keep her safe? Just for tonight?


Sibyll: Damn you, Wesley.
Wesley: Please? For everything you and I have ever been.
Sibyll: Is she that important to you?


Sibyll: Very well. She can stay the night and I won't touch her. If she's still here by the time I wake, I make no promises for her well-being.


The club had shut it's doors and the last of the college kids began to scatter into the night and leave for their respective sleeping places. Meadow and Rowan had spent the last hour or so getting reacquainted as much as their limited privacy would allow for them to. Everything was unexpected. Rowan never thought he'd be holding her again, kissing her, and breathing her in. Every old feeling he held locked down broke through again and no matter how much he wanted to keep his defenses up, pressed up against her like this, it was impossible. He couldn't let her go again.


Rowan: I've missed you.
Meadow pulled back slightly. There was a hint of a smile on her lips.


Meadow: I guess at this point it's my turn to say something sentimental.
Rowan: That part isn't gonna happen, is it?


Meadow: Ro, a lot has happened in the past few years...
Rowan: And what does that have to do with the present.


Meadow: It has everything to do with the present. I don't know about you, but I've grown up a lot. It took a lot for me to forgive you... to even be with you tonight...
Rowan: But you haven't forgotten.


Meadow: It's really late and I should have been home hours ago.
Rowan: Got someone waiting for you?


Meadow: I have responsibilities, Rowan.
Rowan: Then let me walk you there.
Meadow: I'll get a cab. I'll be okay.


Rowan: Look, I know when I'm being ditched. I take it we're not hooking up again.


Meadow: I don't know, Rowan.


Rowan: So what the fuck was all this about Meadow?
Meadow: I thought you of all people would figure it out. I was bored. I wanted to have some fun without the strings attached. And I thought you did too. And really, a quick screw in the back of a club doesn't mean things have to get serious.


Meadow: I think that's a lesson I learned from you.
Rowan: Meadow... I know I fucked things up before.. and that's probably an understatement...
Meadow: And what now? Are you promising me that you've changed? That everything is different now and things won't be like they were years ago?
Rowan said nothing to that.


Meadow: I'm not gonna hang around waiting for you to figure it all out again. I'll see you around, Ro.


Rowan: Yeah. See ya.

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Gabriel: So how are you doing that?


Samantha: I'm sorry?
Gabriel: All the glowy effects. It looked pretty neat.
Samantha: Are you sure you're seeing what you think you're seeing?


Gabriel: Probably not. Maybe it's these lights...
Samantha: Yes. Maybe.
Gabriel: Is there something I can help you with?
Samantha: No thank you, I'm good.


Gabriel: Well I can't help but notice that you're just standing outside my place of residence at two in the morning. Are you waiting for someone?
Samantha: I don't see how any of that is your business.
Gabriel: It's more than just passive curiosity. I figure it'd be irresponsible of me to at least not ask. Just in case...


Samantha: Just in case I could be a burglar or some other unsavoury character. Though if that were the case, don't you think it's pretty dangerous talking to me?
Gabriel: That would involve me thinking things through, which I clearly don't have the capacity for right now.
Samantha: In other words, you're inebriated.
Gabriel: Hey my alcohol content isn't in question here.


Samantha: Well I could tell you I was out for a walk. And this building of yours is absolutely fascinating. Maybe I was drawn in by the architecture.
Gabriel: And you normally do this in the dead of night?
Samantha: It would be a good time. No one bothers me. Usually.


Samantha: But there's more to it here isn't there?
Gabriel: More to what?
Samantha: More to the building. Even if I wanted to break in and steal your precious hoard of mac & cheese, I wouldn't be able to. Apparently there's something in there that would prevent me from entering at all.


Gabriel: Uh... like what? Our shitty security system?
Samantha: A "Security system"? Yes, in a manner of speaking. That's a pretty clever way of looking at it. In any case, it's a magic spell that would only affect people like me.


Gabriel: And this, ladies and gentlemen, is when the conversation gets weird.
Samantha: You were the one that asked.


Gabriel: A magic spell huh? It sounds pretty ingenius. Do you think that would work agains the cow mascot? Seriously who the fuck are you anyway?
Samantha: That's not really important now is it. I'm not a threat... unless you're the one hiding something threatening in your building. Though I really doubt you're the mastermind behind all this.
Gabriel: This is pretty awesome you know. The first hot chick I talk to all night and you're spouting craziness.
Samantha: Sorry you're way too young for me and still not my type. But thank you for the compliment.


Gabriel: Haha, of course. Even the insane lunatics don't go for me. You know I could just call the cops and tell them there's a crazy lady... which would be you, if you unclear on that... standing outside my dorm pondering how to bypass our magical security system and break in.
Samantha: But you've had a bit to much to drink. You're probably too drunk to believe me, too drunk for the police to take seriously and probably too drunk to remember things correctly in the morning.
Gabriel: Actually, I'm not that drunk. Believe me, I know when I'm way too wasted.
Samantha: I'd like to see you try to convince others of that.


Gabriel: You're right. Screw this, I'm going to bed. Have fun being spooky.
Samantha: Goodnight, Gabriel.




Gabriel: Wait a minute, how did you know my name...?
She was gone by the time he turned around and thought to ask. Nothing stirred except for crickets and even now he was starting to doubt if there was anyone there at all. I'm not that drunk, he tried to tell himself. But the strange woman was right. Who would believe him?

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She wasn't hurt badly, at least Clive could be thankful for that. She was resting quietly now, and probably may not remember too much. The doctors told him that the accident she was in knocked her cold. But nothing was broken and at least she would walk away from this.

In some ways, that gave Clive little comfort. She was still hurt and he couldn't be there to protect her.


Jasmine started awake, vaguely aware of where she was.
Jasmine: Willow?!


Clive: Hey, take it easy. You're at City General. Do you remember getting here?
Jasmine: Yeah... I think so.


Clive: How are you feeling?
Jasmine: Pretty messed up. What happened?
Clive: You were in an accident, Jasmine.


Jasmine: An accident?
A quick flash of a creature with cold, damp, flesh, open sores and the overwhelming smell of rot all went through her mind. The unwelcome memory made her wince.


Jasmine: Dad, that wasn't an accident... where is Willow?
Clive: Willow was with you?
Jasmine: Yeah... and I think she's in trouble.


Clive: Calm down... you can't do anything about it right now. Maybe she made it back to her dorm. I'll call Gabriel and find out.

It would have been nice if she were back in her dorm. All she wanted was to spend the night with homework, catching up on her reading and then fall asleep under her warm bed sheets.


Instead Willow found herself waking up somewhere unfamiliar. Her head hurt and her mouth was dry. Her eyes couldn't focus immediately so out of habit she reached for her glasses before remembering that she had lost them the night before...

...When a zombie knocked them off her head.


There was a cat behind her, giving her an inquisitive purr-meow. Friendly yellow eyes stared up at her.
Willow: Oh hello Cat. Mind telling me where I am?
The cat snubbed her question and disinterested, proceeded to lick his back


Wesley: We're at the edge of town. You'll have to get a cab to bring you home.
Willow: Wesley...?


Wesley: Are you alright?
Willow: I have a headache.
Wesley: That's expected. I suggest you have something to eat. I'm sorry there's not much around here to feed you though.
Willow: Is this your place?
Wesley: No, I don't live here. Which is why you shouldn't stay.


Willow: What did you do to me?
Wesley: Do you really want to know?
Willow: Not really... I think I should really go now... I have to find my friend.


She stood up, but her vision suddenly began to blur and her head began to spin.
Willow: Wesley...


She swooned. She didn't realize her legs giving out from under her as her head felt heavier and heavier. Wesley caught her as she fell forward.




Wesley: Just relax. You've had a rough night.
Willow: What about Jasmine?
Wesley: Your friend is safe. I saw the paramedics take her away.
Willow visibly flinched when she heard that Jasmine might have been hurt.


Wesley: Willow, I have to go. I can't bring you home myself, but it's morning and you'll be safe if you just call a cab and go home directly.
Willow: Of course you'll just find out where I live and hang around to protect me... like you did when I was a kid. When I thought you were just some imaginary person because no one would believe that you existed when I told them about you. Mr. Wesley?


Willow: I can't even take myself seriously calling you by name. You're not the same person I thought you were. You should have told me.
Welsey: You were a child. I'm not sure how well you would have taken it.
Willow: I'm not a kid anymore. And you're probably right. I don't think I'm taking this whole thing well.


Willow: What do they want from me?
She didn't ask him about what he told her last night; why he was sent to kill her. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to that.

Wesley: I'm not exactly sure that I know what's going on myself.
He was never concerned about it before. He did what Clara asked unquestioningly. He seemed like he was watching himself unattached, uncommitted. But Willow being here brought him back... he wasn't sure how long that would last.


Wesley: There's a pay phone right outside. I don't suggest you stick around here too long.
Willow: So you're just going to go? Dump me in some strange place and leave?
Wesley: I wish I could take you home myself. But I don't do too well in daylight.




Quietly, he walked away leaving Willow to rest a little longer on the old tattered couch. When she found the energy, she slowly got to her feet, testing her equilibrium. She still felt faint, but Wesley was probably right. She needed some food.


She stood at the top of the stairs that she had watched Wesley descend. Her sense of curiosity got a hold of her as she looked down into the creaky darkness below. It wouldn't be too difficult for her to take a closer look...


The cat hissed as if to warn Willow off. She couldn't help but jump as the cat yowled loudly, his hackles rising in an effort to defend whatever it was at the bottom of those stairs.


Willow: Okay, okay. You're right, Kitty. I'm done with being curious. Being curious is what got me into this mess in the first place. I'm never asking questions about necromancy devices ever again if I could help it.

The cat meowed it's approval of her decision.


Willow: What is this place?
The old church looked like it had been deserted for years. Cobwebs and undisturbed dust heavily covered the pews and the random objects beneath it.


The cat meowed behind her.


Willow: Oh you really are a sweetheart aren't you?


Willow: I wish I could take you home, but I don't think they allow pets in the dorm. But I want to. I hope someone's feeding you. Maybe I'll be back...




She stepped outside into a cold, grey day. It was raining slightly, though not enough to make it uncomfortable. Willow sighed as she looked around.




Willow: A graveyard. I should have known. I really hope these guys stay dead though.

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At a point in the night, Clara somehow lost reception. She was unable to track Willow or Wesley. And there were a few places in the city where they could have gone to have simply disappeared from her observation.

It also meant that Wesley had broken the pact.


Clara was furious. Angrily she knocked down the crystal, swearing loudly.


No, this is my fault. I knew Wesley couldn't be trusted. she thought to herself as the rage somewhat subsided.


And the undead she had painstakingly reanimated was once again nothing more than rot and decay. No doubt the Circle will be on that, cleaning up the mess right away. The Coven at least was right about them. They were active too. Undoubtedly they always have been, sneaky bastards.


Angrily, she left her hidden chamber and walked back upstairs. There was nothing she could do now.


As much as she'd rather spend the day alone and brooding, unfortunately she had company, which she quickly realized as she stepped into her condo.
Clara: Oh... it's you.

"I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm. I haven't seen you in some time."


She tried to force politeness but her voice was wound tightly behind her clenched teeth. She couldn't even force a smile.
Clara: To what do I owe this honour, Sir.

"There's no need for titles, dear Clara. We've been friends for far too long for all that."

Clara: Well you know, there is some decorum when one is addressing the Head Warlock. I'm not all that uncouth.


"I appreciate that but I just thought I'd pay a visit. You seem to have been awfully busy since Kimberly Cordial's untimely demise. I hope you're not letting the mourning affect you to much."


Clara: You know what, I'm not in the mood for this. Just cut the crap, Malcolm. Why don't you tell me why you're really here?


He smiled at her, with that annoying smugness that was patently his.
"We do have a lot to discuss, Clara. Let's do brunch."


next » [ Chapter 15: Closer ]

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Notes:
* Jasmine's hospital room is part of the Mercy Hospital lot by sunny9676 @ MTS. You'll see more of it in the next chapter.
* Sorry if this chapter is a lot slower than the last. Everything is part of the bigger picture though. Except for that cat. That cat got screentime because he was just so damn perfect everywhere I placed him.
* thank you for reading all :D

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