Title: My 70s Ripper
Author: Anne BookmangalPart 1
Buffy exhaled a sigh. She felt disappointed. No vampire had shown itself this evening in the cemetery. She raised her eyes towards the tall man dressed in tweed that accompanied her and smiled at him.
'It's good to patrol with you, Giles.' She said.
'I'm happy to be here with you this evening, Buffy.' He said. 'But you should be with Wesley. He's your Watcher.'
She grimaced. 'Wesley is a weakling, Giles! He's afraid of the dark, of fighting, and he screams like a girl. Besides you'll always be my Watcher, Watcher of mine.'
Giles shook his finger at her, with a stern look. 'Buffy, be respectful, please. Wesley is young, and I must admit quite inexperienced...'
'Is he? And the Council sent him to me? They want me to train him? I don't like him, Giles. He is arrogant, self-important, and he gives me orders as if I was his subordinate. He doesn't like me. And he doesn't like you either.'
She took his arm.
'You know Buffy, when I was young, during the prehistoric ages, I was like Wesley...'
She shook her head. 'I don't believe you. You were strong, courageous, and invincible, like the Giles I know.'
Giles went bright red.
Buffy chuckled. 'I love it when you blush, Giles.' She said holding his arm tightly and cuddling up to him.*
They crossed Restfield cemetery gate and made their way to the DS Citroen parked opposite the cemetery, along the sidewalk. Suddenly, two cars appeared coming full speed towards the Watcher and his Slayer. They stopped next to Buffy and Giles and a bunch of drunken men got out. Buffy suddenly felt a terrible stab of fear in her stomach. She pushed Giles towards his ancient car.
'Giles, get in the car.'
Giles felt a shiver down his spine.
'No, you get in the car Buffy. And start it up.'
'Giles!'
He glared at her. 'Obey me!'
One of the drunken men approached them. He was tall and large, black leathered and he held a beer bottle.
'Hey guys, look who's here. A sweet lovers couple! Hey, baby, you should have picked up a younger male, me, for example. Don't you want to kiss me, to see the difference?'
Buffy saw Giles clenching his jaw and his fists. His face had hardened and his eyes had become dark green. His glance was as cold as ice. He had slipped into full Ripper mode. She put a soothing hand on his shoulder, but Ripper had no intention to calm down. One option, only. She smiled broadly at the giant and told him:
'You're wrong mister, this man is not my lover, he's to old for that. He's my father.'
That was a half-lie. Giles has a father's love for her. Giles blinked.
'Suuure, you father, huh? So, he'll defend you if I want to rape you, eh little girl?'
'Yes, he will.' Ripper growled.
The man plunged his hand into his pilot jacket and raised a revolver. He aimed at Giles.
'Will he be able to stop a bullet?'
He pressed the trigger. The noise of the detonation made everybody jump. The bullet hit Ripper in the chest, sending him crashing into the side of the Citroen. He was submerged by a wave of pain, cried out and slid to the ground. He lowered his eyes and watched in dull horror blood flowing freely from a dark hole in his jacket, near his heart.
'Oh... dear Lord!' He breathed.
Buffy's eyes widened with horror and she stood paralysed for few seconds before pouncing on Giles. She took his hand pressed it in hers and raised his chin. A pink froth appeared on Giles lips. The bullet had pierced his left lung. His breath had become laborious, chopped, and extremely painful. Buffy put her hands on Giles's wound and pressed on it, so strongly that she broke a rib, but the blood always sprang between her fingers at the rate of the beatings sound of his heart. It was useless. Giles could feel blood spreading in his lungs. He knew he was going to die, very soon. His face turned to ashen grey and he began to have muscles spasms. He felt cold, so cold. His vision blurred and darkened. His ears were buzzing. His body had become heavy. Little by little, he drifted into unconsciousness. His head bent into his shoulder and he did not move anymore.
'Noooo!' Buffy yelled.
The man grabbed Buffy by her arm and pulled her to him with a groan of satisfaction. She did not resist. She was lost. Her thoughts were focused on Giles, dying next to her, or already dead.
'Let her go!'
The man looked back, surprised. He glanced at the vampire who was standing a few feet from him. His yellow eyes were gleaming. His features were fierce, and his fangs, sharp. He was angry and hungry. He started and moved back from Buffy, then rushed to his car, followed by the others. Cars and passengers quickly disappeared in the night. Angel pulled Buffy up and shook her by her shoulders, hard, in order to awaken her.
'Buffy!'
She blinked twice 'Angel? It's you? Giles, he's...'
Angel knelt by Giles and took his pulse. It was beating yes but faintly, erratically. There was blood everywhere and he did his best to not lose control and bite Giles.
'He's still alive.' He said, gritting his teeth.*
Buffy paced in the waiting room, like a caged tiger. Giles was still in surgery, it had been three hours. She was very close to a nervous breakdown, that's why she hurled herself at the doctor when he entered the waiting room. She grabbed him by his arm, tears of fear and exhaustion rolling down her paled cheeks.
'How's Giles doctor? Tell me! Giles is going to be ok, right? Why don't you tell me?' She shook the poor man. 'Tell me!'
'Buffy, please calm down.' Angel said, taking Buffy's hand, holding it tightly in his.
She nodded. 'I'm sorry.' Buffy said, with a small voice.
'Mr. Giles is still in critical condition.' The doctor said. 'He has lost a lot of blood. His left lung has suffered heavy damage. The bullet nearly hit his heart, missed it by an inch. He's in a coma. A Level III coma. Deep one. I'm really sorry.'
'He...will he make it?'
The doctor sighed. 'I don't know. Do you want to see him, for just few minutes?'
'Yes.'
'He is in room 123.'*
When Buffy returned in the waiting room 5 minutes later, she was pale as death and shaken.
'Buffy, how is he?' Angel asked, softly.
She looked up at him. 'He... He's so pale, so still, so cold... In addition, there were so many tubes and wires.'
Her eyes were so deeply sad that Angel tried to do his best not to cry. He ran a finger down her cheek.
'He'll make it, Buffy. Giles is a very strong man. It's not the first time he's been injured. Each time he's made it.'
'Yes...'
She was not convinced. She broke down into sobs. The doors opened and Willow, Xander, Faith and Wesley rushed in the waiting room. Seeing Buffy sobbing against Angel's chest, they believed that the worst had happened.
'How's Giles?' Willow asked. 'He's going to be okay? Ohmigod, is he? Is he...?'
'No, he's not dead. He's in a critical state, and in a deep coma.' Angel said to them.
'What happened?' Wesley asked.
She told them.
The Watcher frowned, upset. Giles has gone patrolling with Buffy. He had no right to. Giles was not a Watcher anymore. Just the librarian of Sunnydale High School. That was all. The Council had fired him and nevertheless he continued to assume his former role, as if nothing had happened. This must stop, and soon, or he'd lose his authority over Buffy, his Slayer, his Protégée. He'd tell the Council the story, and tell them how many times Giles has interfered in his duty as a Watcher too. He'll soon be deported back to England. So no more Giles, no more problems.
'You should go home, Buffy. You're exhausted. You need to rest.' Angel said.
Buffy shook her head. 'No, I stay. I want to be there in case he...'
She did not manage to say the word. Even less to conceive it. Giles could not die. It was Giles. Great Librarian. Giles-man! He was invincible, protected by his tweed armour.
'He'll make it!' Xander said. 'Yes, the G-man will make it. He has. He's Giles. Super Librarian!'
Wesley shook his head, with an exceeded air. For them Giles was a sort of super-hero.
'Buffy, I don't think Giles will want you to watch him die.' The vampire said, softly.
Buffy blinked. 'Why?'Angel sighed and said: 'Because you're suffering too much already, Buffy. Watching him die... You'll probably not be able to cope with. So, please. Go back home get some rest.'
'Angel's right.' Wesley said. 'Besides, we have a fencing session tomorrow morning. You have to be in good shape.'
She glared at him. 'It would please you if Giles dies, wouldn't it Wesley? If he dies, I'll be your Slayer. Not Giles' Slayer anymore. If he dies, there will be no one to tread on your patch. No one to remind you how weak you are, how useless you are, how incompetent you are. His death would please the Council too. His actions were unprecedented and are a disgrace to the Council and to its traditions. What do you say, Wes?'
The Englishman was pale. Furious. He turned on his wheels and exited the room.
Buffy sighed. 'If someone needs me, I'll be with Giles.'*
Buffy spent three days and three nights at Giles' side but he showed no sign of recovery. His condition was still critical. On the morning of the fourth day, she decided to go home to take a shower and sleep. She slept soundly for two days and woke up disoriented, hungry. She headed to the kitchen.
'Hi Honey!' Joyce said. 'Slept well?'
Buffy nodded. Her mum has prepared a wonderful breakfast. Her preferred meals. She was adorable.
'News from Giles?'
'His condition is unchanged. He'll make it, Buffy. Mr. Giles is strong and he'll never abandon you.'
'I know. Mom... I was wondering... How does he make love? Is he sweet? I'm sure he is.'
Joyce Summers coloured brightly. 'I-I...'
'Please, answer me.'
She recalled his fierce kisses, his warmth. He had explored each part of her body with his hands and tongue. When making love, on the hood of the police car he was at first gentle, then brutal, savage. He was like a stevedore. She loved that! 'Well, actually, it wasn't Rupert who made love to me... but Ripper, the bad Giles.'
'Not sweet?'
'Not sweet, but... fantastic!' She grinned. 'I've got to go. See you tonight Honey, right?'
Buffy nodded.*
When she entered Giles's room on the ICU, one hour later, the room was empty. She paled and was shaken by shivers. He'd died. His corpse must be in the morgue. She looked everywhere for Doctor Plummer and eventually discovered him in the cafeteria sat in front of a coffee.
'Doctor! Where's Giles?'
The doctor frowned. 'What are you talking about, Miss Summers? Mr. Giles was never admitted here, not recently.'
Buffy blinked. 'What? He was admitted to this hospital four days ago, and you operated on him for a bullet in his chest. You remember it? '
Doctor Plummer shook his head. 'Miss Summers, Mr. Giles is not here, and I didn't operate him for a bullet in his chest four days ago. You maybe had a nightmare... you should go home, Miss Summers.'
Buffy shook her head, disoriented. What did happen? Where was Giles? Why did Doctor Plummer lie to her? She spoke to the nurses. Nobody remembered Giles's admittance and his operation. She asked one to verify the files on the computer. Mr. Rupert Giles's last admittance was two weeks ago for a light concussion. She left the hospital in a fog. She suddenly stopped next to an ambulance. Of course! Someone had cast a transportation spell on Giles to kidnap him then had cast another spell to provoke a general amnesia at the hospital. Two questions: who could want to kidnap Giles? And who can use the magic to do it?
Buffy growled: 'Ethan Rayne! He will bleed, this time, and to understand that one does not touch Giles.'
A quarter of an hour later, having visited Willy, she knew where the magician was.*
Buffy kicked down the door of room number 12 of the Blue Moon Motel and entered.
'Ethan!'
No sign of him. He had to be hiding.
'Coward!'
She discovered him in the bathroom laying on the floor, unconscious, a towel stained with blood in his hand. He had a nasty cut on his forehead. His shirt was opened and Buffy noticed that his chest was bruised. Someone had attacked him, struck him. Buffy raised Ethan, leaned him against the tub and slapped him. The magician slowly opened his eyes and recoiled.
'Don't hurt me!'
She knocked his head against the edge of the bathtub. He closed his eyes in pain.
'Where's Giles? What did you do with him? If you' ve done anything to him, stupid English ass, I'll rip you limb from limb!'
The sorcerer sighed. 'They took him, Buffy. Travers and two gorillas in suits. I cast a transportation spell on Ripper and brought him here. I had no choice. They threatened to kill me. Ripper's fine. I used magic to heal him. He made a full recovery within minutes. Travers gave him a sedative and they've gone. But before they went, one of the Council's bloody commandos hit me! Hard. He could have killed me if I hadn't cast a spell on him, making me invisible.' He sighed again. 'By now, they must be halfway to England. I'm sorry Buffy, I had no choice but to comply.'
Buffy nodded. 'What are they going to do to him?'
Ethan lowered his eyes not willing to make eye contact. Buffy raised his chin and obliged him to face her.
'I want an answer, Ethan, NOW!'
'They will do to him what they usually do to the recalcitrant Watchers, Buffy. He's going to be punished, it means tortured, then they will brainwash him and then he will be programmed as vulgar robot. He will doubtless become again a Watcher, an obedient one, he'll take up his Curator's post at the British Museum. In addition, he'll have forgotten you and your friends, forgotten all that happened these last few years in Sunnydale. So, he'll not interfere with your new Watcher's duties any more.'
Buffy frowned. 'How did you know that?'
'I always keep an eye on Ripper.'Buffy swore. 'Wesley! He called Travers... We should go to London to get Giles' back.
Ethan shook his head. 'It is impossible. Believe me, Ripper will be very well guarded and where do we look for him? The council possesses numerous buildings in London, and all over the country. '
'We go to London! Once there, I'll find a way to save Giles.'
Part 2
Ethan Rayne's apartment in London was located in South Kensington. It was big, luxurious, comfortable and smart.
'You look like surprised, Buffy.' The sorcerer said. 'You believed that I lived in a shanty?'
Buffy nodded. 'Given that you're in the habit of sleeping in rotten motels when you come to Sunnydale, yes I did.'
Ethan grinned. 'I'm stingy, it's the explanation.'
'Did Giles and you live here, when you were young?'
Ethan shook his head. 'Oh no! Not at the beginning. We had a small, cold and poorly furnished flat in Limehouse located between two pubs where Ripper spent his days playing snooker, drinking beer and womanising. But the building was destroyed for insalubrities. Then with all the money, which we had gained thanks to black magic, we moved here. Naturally, with my good taste, I decorated the apartment, except Ripper's room. He didn't want me to do it. Ripper liked living as a Spartan. A bed, a table, a chair, a lamp, bare walls, that was enough for him.'
Buffy approached a window and watched people walking on pavements, bags from Harrods in their hands. Harrods! Harrods! Oxford Street! Regent Street! Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge... She shook her head. She had not come there to shop or be a tourist, but to rescue Giles from the claws of the Council.
'You have a plan?' Asked Ethan opening his suitcase that he'd put on the Chesterfield.
'No. Not yet.'
She massaged her temples, exhausted. Her brain worked in slow motion mode. She felt completely drained.
'You're tired.' Ethan said gently. 'You need some rest. Come on, I'll show you your room. In fact, it was Ripper's room; I kept it in the state, as a reminder of the good old times. But if it doesn't suit you, there's mine, naturally. I've got a big bed.'
'In your dreams, Ethan!'
The room was small. Walls were white, bare; the ground was covered with parquet. A simple, low bed, occupied all the middle. A bedside lamp was put near it, on the floor. A cupboard very simple too filled the section of wall between two windows.
'What do you think?'
'Spartan, yes, but perfect.'
'I'm going to prepare something for dinner. During this time, take some rest.'
She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. She fell asleep almost instantaneously.*
Ethan got ready to go to bed when he heard someone knock at the door and some moans of pain. He armed himself with the Times that he had rolled in his hand and carefully opened the door. Suddenly Giles fell in his arms. He was naked and he had been beaten. His face and torso was covered with bloody scratches and cuts and with nasty bruises, his hair and skin were damp from perspiration. He was breathing in small, shallow breaths and he was trembling frantically. Ethan carried him to the sofa and rushed in his room to get a blanket in the cupboard. When he returned to the living room, Giles lay sprawled on the carpet, gasping. Before wrapping Giles in the blanket, Ethan saw dozens of tracks of stings on his arms. Suddenly Giles threw himself into Ethan's arms, holding him tight, enough to hurt, crying hysterically. Ethan managed to get free of his arms and lay Giles down on the sofa.
'I heard a noise. Ethan what...?' Buffy's eyes widened in surprise, then she smiled broadly feeling very happy. 'Oh my God! It's Giles!'
Her smile froze on her lips and she felt her blood withdrawing from her face. Giles was curled up into a trembling ball. His gaze was one of a pursued animal, at bay. It reminded her of Angel's look after his return from the demonic dimension. When she approached him, Giles roared with terror and took refuge in an angle of the room. She joined him there. He roared again, panicked and tried to climb up the wall. As he did not succeed in it, he turned round and chose attack to defend himself. His face hardened, he clenched his jaw and rushed at Buffy. He pinned her on the floor, pressing with all the weight on her and tried to strangle her.
'Ripper, that's enough!' Ethan yelled. 'Let her go, at once!'
Ripper faced Ethan who recoiled, frightened. Giles eyes were dark with something primitive in them. He was looking at him threateningly. He was perfectly capable of killing him with his bare hands. Buffy got up and looked at Ethan.
'Buffy, leave me alone with him.'
'You're sure?'
'Yes, I am.'
She nodded and made her way to the kitchen.
An almost feral growl emitted from Giles throat and he took a step, another one and another one then he collapsed, like deadweight. He was shaken by convulsions. He gasped for air then began pushing painful whispers, which bit by bit were transformed into a long agonised moan. Giles became suddenly silent and did not move any more, fixedly staring at an invisible point on the ceiling. Ethan shivered believing that he had died but Giles began to breathe again and shivered uncontrollably, crying Ethan's name in fear and pain. Ethan held him in his arms, rubbing his back, neck, and hair soothingly trying to calm him. He had never seen him so frightened.
'I'm here Rupert, I'm here.' Ethan told him softly, taking Giles hand in his. 'Don't be afraid.'
Ethan sat him on the Chesterfield and then wiped his face with his hands, gently.
'I don't want to go to an asylum, Ethan.'
'You won't go there.'
'No asylum, please. Please.'
'You'll stay here, with me, you'll be safe, I promise.'
Buffy came back in the living room and swallowed hard. Giles looked so vulnerable, like a small scared boy and she felt the irresistible urge to hug him and to protect him. But he was already in Ethan's soothing arms. She was surprised on discovering that he could show himself to be a kind and gentle protector with Giles, while it was almost generally known that these two hated each other, to death. Ethan took Giles's left arm and with his finger indicated to Buffy all the tracks left by needles.
'Oh my God!' She whispered.
Giles pronounced words in a very ancient language unknown to Ethan and Buffy that he punctuated with groans and sobs.
'It's a spell, I think.' Ethan said, frowning. 'And I don't know which one.'
Giles ended the chant for his spell then he subsided backward, burst out in hysterical laughter and finally he lost consciousness.
'Bloody Council's bastards! They made him go mad!' Ethan exclaimed, angrily, clenching his fists.
Buffy looked at him in shock. 'Giles is mad?' Ethan nodded, sadly.
'He has resisted them. They should have increased the doses of drugs to make him break. His brain couldn't bear it.' He swore. 'The Council has obtained what they wanted, Giles forgets you and Sunnydale. If he had not escaped, they would have locked him into an asylum.'
Ethan laid Giles on the Chesterfield again.
'Giles didn't forget who you are and where you live. Everything isn't lost. He can be saved.'
'No, there is nothing to do. He used his last fragments of lucidity to escape the Council and to take refuge here. Look at him, Buffy! Look at his eyes! Rupert does not exist any more.'
Buffy trembled. Ethan pushed aside the blanket and showed Buffy Giles's torso, covered with bloody scratches, cuts and with nasty bruises, like his face.
'They didn't content themselves just giving drugs to him, they tortured him as well, almost to death.'
'Travers is a dead man!' Growled Buffy. 'I'm going to find him and kill him!'
Ethan collected the first aid kit from the bathroom and stretched it out at Buffy who hesitated to take it.
'Ethan I've never touched Giles's skin. He has nasty bruises almost everywhere. Don't look so surprised! He's my Watcher, almost a second father! I can't touch him there.'
Ethan grinned. 'It would be bad, eh? Improper? Indecent?'
The sorcerer suddenly pulled down the blanket on the headrest of the sofa, revealing Giles's anatomy. Buffy's breath caught in her chest. She knew that he had to be fit to train her, but she had no idea! His shoulders were broad, his chest covered with hair. His arms were firmly muscled, his long legs too. She stopped her look on his penis, long and thick and she coloured brightly. She gulped.
'Look at him Buffy. He's a very handsome man, with all what is necessary, where is necessary.'
Ethan remembered himself that this body was now no more than an empty shell, or almost and he had a lump in his throat. Giles opened his eyes for a few seconds, just to perceive Ethan, and then too tired to keep them opened, he closed them.
'Hmm... Ethan?'
'Rupert?'
Giles growled. 'Name's Ripper! And never call me Rupert again! Tell me, what happened? It looks like you have aged 50 years! Aaah! Shit! I'm hallucinating! I probably drank too much beer, scotch, and smoked to much hash too, must have got involved in a bar fight because I'm in pain... I remember nothing. Oh... I'm so tired. I need to... sleep.'
Ethan blinked twice, and then he smiled and laughed. 'It's Ripper Buffy!' He said, excited. 'It's Ripper! My Ripper. The Ripper of the 70s. It's so extraordinary! Ripper is back. Identical to himself after all these years.'
'Huh? Impossible.'
'No! Giles did this. He knew he was going mad, so just before he went mad, he had cast the spell we both heard to bring back Ripper, the Ripper of the 70's, probably in order that he could hurt his father as much as possible like he did more than 25 years ago.'
'Why?'
'Giles's father is the Chairman of the Council, Buffy. He had ordered that his son was kidnapped, tortured and drugged. He's responsible for his madness. He has destroyed him.'
Part 3
Ripper opened his eyes and saw Ethan bent over him. He had had to drink too much alcohol and smoke too much hashish because Ethan seemed to be almost 50 years old!
'Ethan, old mate! Aw, It's hurts everywhere! What happened? A fight? Did I win?'
Ethan grinned and looked at Buffy. Ripper followed his glance and then noticed Buffy's presence next to him. He raked his eyes over her.
'Oh hullo, luv! Ethan, who is she?'
'Buffy.'
'Buffy? What kind of name is that? He asked with a laugh, then he grinned at Ethan. 'She for you, Ethan? Or is she for me?'
The sorcerer giggled. 'It's good to see you again, Ripper.' He said, his heart filled with joy. 'It's so good.'
Ripper sat down and groaned. He'd another hallucination. His body had lengthened; got thinner, got muscular and was covered with nasty bruises and cuts. Especially, he realized he was old. He chuckled.
'It looks like I'm old too!'
'Well, not quite. Physically you're 46, but your mind is aged... well between 21 and 24.' Ethan told him.
Ripper blinked. 'What? It's not an hallucination?'
Ethan shook his head. 'No, and it's not a joke either. Ripper. Buffy will explain everything to you, won't you Buffy?'
Ripper turned to Buffy who looked somewhere else, and then he grabbed her arm, hard. 'What happened, Buffy?'
'Let me!'
His grip on her tightened. 'No, answer, first.'
'Let me!'
'No'.
'Okay...'
Buffy got free and shot a punch at Ripper's cheek, he cried out, more with shock than pain or anger.
'Calm down, Ripper, or I'm going to get angry.' Buffy said, menacingly, by collecting the blanket. She threw it to him then. 'Cover you!'
Ethan grinned. 'If I were you Ripper, I would avoid making her angry. You see, Buffy, is the Slayer.'
Ripper eyebrows rose almost off his forehead. 'The Slayer?'
'In the bathroom, Ripper, at once!' Commanded Buffy by taking him by his arm.
He arranged the blanket around his waist. Ethan yawned.
'Well, I'm tired, I leave you, children. Please, try not to kill yourselves, all right? See you tomorrow morning.'*
Buffy pushed Ripper into the bathroom and stopped him in front of the big mirror.
'Oh shit!' He swore.
He touched is face, unbelieving. 'What happened?'
Buffy told him everything from A to Z. From her arrival in Sunnydale up to Ripper's rebirth. She made it a summary because the entire story would have taken several hundred hours. Ripper sat down heavily on the edge of the bathtub. Buffy sat down next to him.
'Damn! I'm stunned!' He said. He looked at Buffy. 'I have no memories of Rupert, after Ripper. How was he?'
Buffy's eyes got a far away expression. 'Giles was serious, reserved, quiet, very-very-smart, loyal, kind, gentle, and a compassionate man. He was a softly spoken man, head-in-a-book man, and tea-drinking man. He was Tweedy man.'
Ripper grinned. 'All the opposite of me, then.' He looked again at his reflection and giggled. 'A mature man of 46 years with the mind of a young man of 24. It's one calls to be young of mind.' He smiled broadly then laughed. 'Ethan could certainly restore me a body which will be convenient for my mental age. In the meantime...'
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and began chanting something in Latin. A spell. Some moment's later his skin was intact again.
'Wow!' Commented Buffy, amazed.
Someone knocked suddenly on the front door. Loud knocks, almost enough to kick it down. Ripper opened the cupboard placed over the sink and took out a revolver. He rushed into the living room, pointed the gun in the direction of the door, which opened wide, revealing an old man leaning on a stick and two gorillas in suits.
'I was expecting you!' Ripper said. 'You're very old, father. Close to death I hope?'
'Put your gun down, Rupert!' ordered Edward Giles in passing between the two brutes which had kicked down the door.
Ripper shook his head. 'I'm not Rupert, but Ripper. Rupert has gone mad and disappeared, somewhere (with his finger he touched his head) there. Travers made him crazy torturing him and filling his veins with fucking drugs! But before he went mad, Rupert brought me back, using a spell, me, the Ripper of the 70's in order that I shall make you pay for all his sufferings, for his destruction. He knew that I would do it, and that I would enjoy it. So, I'm going to make your last years hell, father!'
'I didn't know that Rupert was... destroyed.' Giles Sr. Said. 'When he escaped, he was still himself.'
'Do you realize that you gave order to torture your own son? Do you realise you have destroyed him?'Edward Giles remained as impassive as a Vulcan. 'I didn't want to hurt him, believe me, just make him forget the Slayer and his new Watcher, that he could become again the man he was, before I sent him to Sunnydale.'
'Before he became a rebel Watcher who fucking greatly embarrassed the Council.'
'And his father.'
'Oh yes, the honour of the family! Fucking bullshit! You have never loved Rupert. All that counted for you, was that he become the best of all the Watchers and later that he succeeded you at your post. You made his childhood a hell, depriving him of everything, toys, and friends and especially of his mother's love, who you chased away from the house after his birth so that she couldn't contaminate him with feelings. She died from sorrow some months later because of you and you didn't shed a single tear at her funeral. You didn't love her. She just served your purpose, giving you an heir, and it's everything! You also deprived Rupert of any choices in his life. You made him work like a slave, granting him almost no rest. And he said nothing, worked hard, to please you. You were his father. He worshipped you. And you, you fucking bastard, you never said a kind word! Nothing. You were not even there during the ceremonies, but he still loved you. But it changed when he went to Oxford. He was a model student until he was exhausted because of his courses and his training as a Watcher. He quit. He phoned you to tell you, and he added that he didn't want to be a Watcher any more. He went to London and looked for a job. You were furious and you ordered Travers to find him in order to make him undergo your 'treatment' to make of him a model student and a future Watcher again. Travers found him and sent three of his men to capture him, but he escaped them, thanks to Ethan. Ethan and his sister saved his life. They became great friends, almost a family. Rupert practiced black magic with Ethan, he let his dark side out and became Ripper, became me. I lived happily with my friends until you managed to kidnap me. You tortured me...'
Images of his own torture broke out in his mind. He remembered the scalpels, which had cut his skin, the needles, which had touched his gristle, the vines which had penetrated his flesh, to dig holes there. He remembered himself as well the warmth of the blood on his skin, the smell of his mixed blood and sweat, the smell of his flesh burned by the red hot iron but especially the ceaseless waves of terrible, abominable, unbearable pain which had assailed and submerged him, which he had punctuated with it his shouts, with his screams, with his groans and with his sobs.
He paled and staggered, gasping.
'Then you made me undergo brainwashing. It worked. I disappeared and Rupert reappeared. He returned to Oxford to continue his studies. He continued his training as a Watcher too and years later he became what you expected from him, a perfect Watcher. He found a post as Curator at the British Museum and then, when the last Slayer died, you sent him to Sunnydale to train and to prepare the new one. But, he again turned himself against the Council, against you, and again he threw dishonour on your name, on the Council. We both know what happened then. But this time, you went too far. Rupert's brilliant mind was annihilated and he offered me his body in order that I could make you suffer, as much as you made him suffer. Father.'
Ripper looked at Buffy who was standing next to him. She could not move, petrified with horror. He guessed that Rupert had never spoken to her about this entire story. It was much too painful.
'Then, you're the Ripper of the 70's.' Giles Sr. said. 'Well, I've managed to make you disappear once, and to make Rupert a good boy again. I can do it again.'
Ripper quivered. 'Never!'
'You are going to come with us, Ripper.' Commanded Giles Sr. 'One way or another.'
He made a sign with his hand and the two men who were accompanying him entered. They took out their guns from their holsters.
'Never!' Ripper said.
Barnes, one bullet in his shoulder.' The Chairman ordered. 'Edwards. Another one in his leg. Fire.'
They fired.
'Nooo!' Buffy yelled throwing herself on Ripper. They both crashed on the ground.
She began frantically checking him over, her hands exploring his torso, his shoulders, hips and back. No wound. She raised her eyes and jumped when she saw the two bullets, immobile, suspended in the air. Ethan appeared. His face was as hard as marble. He pushed aside the palm of his right hand and the bullets fell on the carpet. Both gorillas in suits immediately pointed their guns at the sorcerer, who grinned and said:
'Oh I'm shaking in my boots! Figure of speech, of course.'
He was naked.
'Fire at me if you want, but you can't harm me. I'm invulnerable.' Ethan said. 'It's Magic!' He clenched his jaw. 'Now get out of here before I get angry and I change you into toads!'
Buffy collected Ripper's revolver and pointed it at the old man, who moved back. She looked at him. Her gaze was burning with anger, with fury and with sorrow all mixed.
'You destroyed Giles, and I should kill you, but I shan't. I'm not an assassin, like you. You'd better leave here, before I give the gun to Ripper, and never hurt him again, ever! He's going to come with me to Sunnydale, and will be under my protection. Hurt him and you will have to face a very-very angry Slayer. Now get out of here!'
Edward Giles turned on his heel and walked away, followed by his two thugs. Buffy lowered the gun, took a deep breath and fell to her knees, suddenly exhausted. Ripper raised her and sat her on the sofa. He covered her shoulders with the blanket in which he was draped. He
then took her hand and gently stroked her cheek.
'Thank you, Buffy.' He said to her.
Ripper exhaled a long sigh and rubbed his eyes. He was tired as if he had run a marathon. 'I need...' He began.
Ethan handed him a glass of Scotch. 'I need a Scotch... Ethan, old chap, you are the best friend one could have.'
'It's so true.'
Ripper swallowed the alcohol in one go and put the empty glass on the table of the living room. He then got closer to Ethan, wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him against him. He nuzzled his face to Ethan's chest, purring, rubbing his hands on his back. He then stilled, savouring the contact of his skin against Ethan's, their warmth, their mixed smells, searching out the love and reassurance he needed.
Buffy turned around and saw them. Her eyes widened with surprise and she said, disgust on her face: 'Eww!'
Ethan kissed Ripper on his forehead, caressed his cheek then returned to his room.
'Ripper you... you and Ethan are lovers?' Buffy asked, a little shaken.
Ripper shook his head with horror. 'What? Oh, bloody hell, no! I have a great deal of affection for Ethan, of tenderness, of love, but we don't have sex! God! I could never make love with a man. I need Ethan, I need to touch him, to caress him, because I can't bear to be alone and I want to be loved. You understand?'
Buffy smiled. 'Yes, I do.' She took his arm and added: 'Your father, nor the Council will never hurt you, I promise you. I shall protect you.'
'And what about my poor ego? I'm a man, I'm strong, and I know how to fight, hard.'
'Yes, it's true, Ripper, but may I remind you that you were not able to defend yourself when the Council kidnapped you.''You're right.' He admitted.
Ripper suddenly felt immense fatigue coming down on his shoulders and pressing on them. He closed his eyes and staggered.
'Okay, Ripper, you're both very tired, I suggest we rest. Go join Ethan in his bed.'
Ripper shook his head. 'I don't sleep with Ethan. Never did it. I'll sleep in my bed, which is occupied by you, I guess.'
'Good guess.'
'I promise not to touch you.'
Buffy smiled. 'You don't love girls, admit it.' She tormented him.
Naturally, Ripper reacted immediately. 'I love girls! Sometimes I'd have three in my bed. I'm a real man!' His tone softened. 'You're different, Buffy. You're the Slayer and I respect you. I shan't touch you.'*
Ripper fell asleep as soon as he had put his head on the pillow. Buffy turned to him and observed his profile. It was Giles outside and Ripper inside. Tears poured from her eyes when she imagined all the suffering that Giles had borne before losing his mind. She would not see his quiet, serene, soft and sensitive glance again. There would be no more tea, no more cookies, no more jellies, no more tweed, no more of 'hmm'. She sighed. She needed his force to be strong, his reassuring presence to be reassured, and his love not to be alone. Everything was finished, and Giles would disappear completely when Ethan gave Ripper a young man's body. Buffy began sobbing and got up to go lock herself in the bathroom. When she came back in the bedroom, about half an hour later the bed was empty. Without a sound, she opened Ethan's room door and saw Ripper lying down in Ethan's bed. Ethan had enveloped him with his arm and his head rested against his back.
She grinned. 'I don't sleep with Ethan... ' She murmured. 'Liar.' She went back to bed.
Part 4
Ethan woke up first and noticed that Ripper was still sleeping soundly, cuddled against him, his face resting on his chest. He realized too that something hard was pressing on his hip and he was suddenly strongly aroused. He shivered violently, took a deep steadying breath, willing his body to relax and quickly chanted the 'arousal shutdown spell' to suppress it. It worked perfectly.
Ethan then ran his fingers down Ripper's unshaven cheek. Ripper murmured his name and moved into his caress like a cat. Ethan stroked his neck, his shoulders, his chest, and his stomach. Ripper sighed in his sleep and came closer to Ethan. Their penises made contact again, but Ethan felt nothing this time, and regretted it. He gently traced Ripper's features, his brow, the bridge of his nose, and the outline of his lips... He was not able to resist the temptation to lick them. He then parted them. He forced his tongue into his mouth to explore it hungrily. Ripper let out low sound, half moan and half purr and still asleep kissed Ethan back, lightly. Ethan moaned with pleasure. One of his dreams was coming true! He cupped Ripper's face and kissed him again, with more passion. Once again, Ripper kissed him back, and then he turned himself on his side, showing his back to Ethan and continued to sleep.*
Ethan entered the kitchen attracted by the smell of the omelette, the roasted bacon and the English Breakfast Tea.
'Hello, Ethan.' Buffy said making the omelette slide of the frying pan on to a plate. She added then the bacon on top.
'Hello, Buffy.'
'I prepared the breakfast.'
'I see that. You are filled with talents. You look tired. You didn't fall asleep again, did you?'
Buffy shook her head. 'No I spent all night thinking about horrible tortures, and imagining Ripper crying and screaming with pain.'
Ethan nodded sadly and sat down near the table. He planted his fork in the omelette, starved.
'Did Ripper sleep well?' Buffy asked with a mischievous smile.
Ethan nodded. 'Yes, he did. He had a nightmare last night and he came to my bed. He felt safe with me.'
'You're in love with him.' Buffy declared.
Ethan was surprised. 'How did you guess?'
'Not guessed, Watson, deduced. You kept his room intact during all these years, with all his clothes in the cupboard. If that's not proof of love. Then when you look at him it's not affection, one can read in it, but passion. He loves you too but not in the same way, you love him. He has for you a son's love, and as he has a father, I guess, he sees in you his mother, unconsciously, of course. That's why he gives you big cuddles and goes to see you after he had had a bad dream. I understand you feel frustrated, Ethan, but you're lucky to have someone who loves you so much, purely, completely.' She smiled. 'I would never have imagined that Ripper was so sweet, so pleasant. We would say a kitten.'
Ethan shook his head. 'Here, with me, yes, he's a kitten, but once out of here, in contact with the others, he's a tiger. He's cold, violent, rough, and wild. He fights dirty and practises black magic to frighten and for the thrill.'
'And when he's with you, outside? Is he as lovable as a kitten or ferocious like a tiger?
'Ferocious like the tiger. He has a reputation to maintain.'
'How did you meet? I understood that your sister and you saved his life? You have a sister?'
'Yes, her name is Helen. She's adorable. She's a doctor. She lives in Manchester with her husband and she has two lovely little girls named Sarah and Joan.' He sighed. 'How I met Ripper, Rupert... It's quite a long story. Let me eat first and then I'll tell you.'
'Done!'*
Ethan Rayne threw his empty beer bottle far out in the Thames, polluting the river a little more and watched it floating a moment before it sank under the brown water. Hands in the pockets of his black leather jacket, he followed the quay near Blackfriar's Bridge until a cry of pain froze him on the spot. He then jumped when he heard another man cry out with pain, then a long groan. He rushed to the wall and perceived four men, below, at the edge of the bed of the river, uncovered by the ebb tide. Three middle-aged men, dressed in suits of grey tweed were enclosing a young man dressed in jeans, in a T-shirt and in a black leather jacket. He pushed away his aggressors with his fists and his feet, with suppleness, using precise punches, which hurt. Ethan fascinated watched him defending himself, and he quivered when two of the three men in tweed managed to catch him. They forced him to kneel down in the mud covered with little stones. The third man then battered his face and his ribs with his fists, with all he had. He hit the young man until he lost consciousness.
Ethan felt his blood boiling in his veins. He had to help the young man who was dressed as he was and about his age. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and then he cast a 'freeze' spell. The three middle-aged men immediately froze. Ethan rushed forward to the young man and under the furious glances of the three men in tweed he lifted him on his shoulders and returned to the quay. Once next to his motorcycle, Ethan lay the young man down on the ground and examined him. His face was bruised and covered with blood. He shivered by seeing a wound near his right hip. He pulled up the T-shirt and grimaced noticing that the wound was deep. But he was not in danger of dying. He was going to take him home, give him a bath and call his sister who was a doctor. She would take care of the young man. He slapped him until he regained consciousness.
'You... save my life.' Breathed the young man. 'Thank you.'
'We have to go. Sit behind me and hold me tightly. And stay conscious, otherwise you'll fall in the middle of the street and a taxi or a bus will crush you.'
The young man nodded. He sat behind Ethan fighting to remaining conscious and rested his head against his back. Ethan started his motorcycle.*
Ethan knelt beside the young man slumped fainted on the bathroom carpet and undressed him. He found his body beautiful, perfect, magnificent, and was strongly aroused. He made hot water flow in the bathtub and once full up he plunged him in it.
He gently cleaned his bruised and bloody face with the washcloth then he cleaned the skin of his shoulders, of his torso, of his belly and stopped his hand on his penis. He removed the washcloth of his hand and closed his fingers around his sex. He slowly stroked it moaning
with pleasure. He brutally stopped when the door opened.
Helen Rayne entered the bathroom.
'How is he?' She asked her brother, her case in her hand.
'Not very well.'
She made a quick medical exam of the young man. 'He has been stabbed, but the wound is not deep. I'll stitch it. Take him out of the bath, Ethan and lay him on your bed.'
Helen stuck a big bandage on the wound that she had stitched then gave an injection to the young man.
'It's a painkiller.' She said to Ethan. 'He won't suffer when he regains consciousness. He'll have to stay in bed several days, he needs the time to heal. It will not bother you, I suppose?'
Ethan shook his head. 'He's really very attractive, handsome and besides he possesses a very interesting aura of a magician. It's powerful. He must be endowed in magic. His aura has something dark, evil even.'
Helen was very surprised. 'He could work black magic, like you?'
'No, if he worked black magic his aura would be different, totally dark and evil, like mine. But he has a big potential for good in him. If he chooses to use it one day, he will be much better than me.'
Helen shivered. 'He would then become very dangerous.'
Ethan smiled. 'Yes he would.' The devil had just put on his road his future partner.
The young man moaned and opened his eyes. As soon as he perceived Ethan and Helen next to him, he moved back, fell of the bed, cried out with pain and found refuge in the angle, near the bedside table. He settled there, trembling with panic. Helen slowly approached him,
not wanting to frighten him any more, if it was still possible.
'Shh... calm down. I don't want to harm you.' She said to him. 'I'm a friend. Relax.'
The young man raised his emerald eyes in the direction of Ethan who smiled at him warmly. He relaxed a little. Helen noticed it and moved back.
'Ethan, go to him. He trusts you.'
Ethan knelt down close to the young man who stopped trembling bit by bit. He asked him: 'What's your name?'
'Rupert.'
'My name is Ethan, Rupert, and the young lady who is behind me, is Helen, my sister.'
Ethan took Rupert's hand and gently stroked it with his thumb. Rupert watched him doing it, astounded, then an instant later he awkwardly began stroking Ethan's hand. He then stroked his unshaven cheek with the back of his hand, and Rupert imitated him. Rupert suddenly moaned and threw himself against Ethan's chest and hugged him strongly. Ethan made his hands roam on the warm and smooth skin of his back before wanting to get free. Rupert crushed his ribs and he began to have difficulty in breathing.
'You can release me, Rupert, I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to stay with you, I promise.'
Rupert let Ethan move back a little from him but took his right hand and grasped it. He then put his head on his knees, lay down on his side, closed his eyes and fell asleep.
'Oh dear Lord! If he loves men, I'll keep him for me!' Ethan said to Helen, smiling roguishly.
'Even if he loves women, I believe that he's going to stay with you, Ethan. He needs you. He feels safe with you; he's reassured by your presence. He knows that you love him and that you will protect him.'
Ethan nodded. 'Did you notice his reaction when I stroked his hand Helen? He was stunned.'
'Do you know why? Because nobody had ever stroked his hand before, either a man, or a woman.'
'What? It's impossible!'
Rupert woke up with a start and looked around him, his look frantic, as if coming out of a nightmare. He suddenly noticed he was naked and naked in front of a woman. He violently blushed and hid his penis with his free hand the best he could.
Helen giggled. 'Don't' be bothered in front of me, Rupert, I'm a doctor, and then you don't have to be ashamed of your penis, it's... very well proportioned. And you are a very beautiful young man.'
Ethan approved by shaking his head. Helen knelt down next to Rupert and wandered her hand in his brown, smooth, curly, short hair.
'You've never been caressed, have you?'
Rupert shook his head. 'No, never. My mother left my father after my birth, and my father... He was. He's a man... and I have never had any girlfriends to... to caress me and to... make love to me.'
Ethan uttered a strangled sigh. He believed that he was going weak with happiness. Rupert was a virgin!
'If you want, I know several girls who would be delighted to get acquainted with you. They are your age and are very beautiful, and very intelligent too. Would that please you, Rupert?'
Ethan glared at his sister, who ignored it.
'Yes.'
'You do love girls, Rupert?'
'Yes I do.'
Ethan suppressed a swearword.
'All right, will see later, for now you are going to go back to bed and fall asleep again. You need rest.'
'Yes, doctor.'
'Good boy!'
Ethan helped him to get up then to lie on the bed. Rupert had not released his hand. He was able to get free only when Rupert fell asleep.
'This boy has severe emotional problems.' Noticed Helen, a little troubled.
Ethan exhaled a long sigh. 'I find him so attractive... I'm dying to make love to him and he loves me as if I was his father.'
Helen shook her head. 'He loves you as if you were his mother. Boys don't make big cuddles to their fathers, Ethan, but to their mothers, yes. He had no mother to give what every child needs, trust, affection, and tenderness, love. I think his father had brought him up the hard way. He was probably cold with him, distant, severe, to make him a man! So Rupert projected his trust, affection, tenderness, and his love on the person who saved his life, who's shown him interest. You. It's a logical reaction. He won't leave you any more, Ethan, you can be certain about it. Chase away him, and he will die from sorrow.'
Ethan lay on his bed along Rupert and caressed his chest, playing with his light hair.
Helen frowned. 'Ethan, I hope that you don't have in your twisted mind the thought to abuse this poor boy?'
Ethan looked aghast. 'Helen, you consider me capable of doing that?'
She did not answer.
'You hurt me.'
'No one can hurt you.'
Ethan snuggled up to Rupert. 'I'm cursed!' He said. 'I have under my eyes the man about whom I always dreamed of and he loves me as if I was his mother. Shit!'
Helen giggled. 'I'm going to prepare the dinner. I shall come look for you when it's ready, all right?'
She left the room. Ethan closed his eyes and fell asleep some minutes later. Rupert changed position in his sleep. He put himself on his side and closed his arm around Ethan's waist, touching his buttocks, waking him. Ethan got closer to Rupert and put his lips on his. This simple contact sent an electric shock to the spinal column. His lips felt so incredible! He swore between his teeth. It was not the devil that had sent Rupert to him, but God to punish him for being so bad.*
Ethan stopped his story.
'That's how I met Rupert, Buffy.' He said. 'He loved me dearly, and did not want to leave me. We performed some black magic together and this blackness and this small evil side which there was in him developed and Ripper was born.'
Ripper entered in the kitchen simply dressed in black boxers. 'Hello, Buffy.' He said, before yawning.
He wrapped his arms around Ethan's shoulders nestled his cheek against his neck, and then sat next to him.
Ethan smiled. 'Hello to you, Ripper.'
'How do you feel?' Buffy asked, by handing Ripper a cup of hot English breakfast tea.
'Fine. Thank you.'
'Good! Perhaps you could take Buffy visiting the city, and do some shopping after.' Ethan proposed.
Buffy smiled broadly. 'Yes, yes, yes!' She Said. 'Pleaaaaase!'
Ripper smiled broadly too. 'All right, all right, but London must have changed in 25 years. One risks getting lost.'
'Well, the plane takes off for New York at 18 o'clock from Heathrow. You have the time to lose yourself.' Ethan said. 'I'm going to take charge of your passport, your ID, your green card, etc., etc. When you get to Sunnydale, you will have all your papers; you will have work - what about having a Martial arts school? You practice all of them. You would have all the citizens of Sunnydale as learners.'
Ripper grinned. 'Great idea! Thank you, Ethan.'
'My pleasure.'*
Buffy put all her bags on the grass and stretched out with pleasure on the deck chair. She was exhausted. Visiting London and then non-stop shopping was equal to running two marathons in a row. She turned to Ripper who occupied the deckchair next to her. His head was tilted on his shoulder he was sleeping and snoring. Poor Ripper, she had worn him out!
He was wearing black jeans cut in several places and a tight white T-shirt covered by a black leather jacket. His glasses were gone and there was a silver hoop in his left ear (Ethan had kept one). He looked somehow younger. She smiled broadly. He had almost beaten to death two drunken guys in front of a pub in Soho who had undressed her with their glances. Then he had shown himself aggressive to all the men who looked at her closely and had not let any male approach her. With such a bodyguard, she risked nothing. Anyway, she risked nothing, because she was the Slayer. But it was pleasant to have Ripper to protect her. She so much wished that it was Giles who'd done it. She felt a terrible stab of sorrow in her stomach. <Oh Giles, I miss you so!> Buffy glanced around her. They were alone on Hyde Park's grass. She found it hard to believe that she was in the heart of London. It was so peaceful... She had closed her eyes for two minutes when her spider senses warned her of a danger, close. Very close. She opened his eyes to see Quentin Travers moving in their direction followed by six gorillas in suits. She shook Ripper's shoulder, who woke up in start and jumped up on his feet, ready to fight.
'Travers!' Growled Ripper perceiving the man he hated the most in the world, before his father. 'I' m going to kill you!' His voice was as cold as ice.
Buffy shivered. Ripper was going be kidnapped again to be brainwashed again.< No! No! No! >
Buffy suddenly saw two police officers on horseback and waved her hand to draw their attention. 'Hey! Hey!'
Both riders came to them at the trot.
Travers smiled, amused. 'I did not come here to take your precious Ripper from you, Miss Summers, but to tell him to leave London, as quickly as possible, and to never return there, or England moreover. He's banished. If he returns one day in his country, he will be executed.' He turned to Ripper who had quivered. 'Is it clear, Ripper?'
'Very clear.' Ripper said, his jaw clenched.'Then good day.'
The Watcher turned on his heels. His 'commando group' surrounded him immediately. The police officers stopped near Buffy who smiled to them and asked them where was the Tower of London. They indicated it to her then restarted to patrol.
'I'm really sorry, Ripper.' Buffy said before collecting her numerous bags.
He sighed. 'London will miss me ... but I know how to adapt myself. I'll adapt to Sunnydale.'
Part 5
Ripper looked in the big mirror of the bathroom. His reflection sent back to him the image of a 24-years-old young man.
'Ethan, you're incredible!'
'You'll always love me, Ripper?' asked Ethan.
Ripper smiled. 'Of course, Ethan. Why do you ask?'
'I'm an old man.'
'You're Ethan.'*
Buffy, sat on the sofa raised her eyes towards Ethan when he went out of the bathroom. His opened shirt hung on his trousers. She noticed that it had no buttons any more.
She giggled. 'Small morning cuddle?'
Ethan smiled and left. He was going to cancel his room at the Blue Moon motel and to move here with Ripper.
'Ripper?'
'One minute, luv!'
Ripper came out of the bathroom five minutes later, a towel wrapped around his waist. He held a small mirror in one hand, the other hand was in his hair, pulling at one strand, and rolling another around his index finger. Buffy had noticed that his hair obsessed Ripper.
'You have very beautiful hair, Ripper.' She said to him so that he stopped fiddling with it.
Ripper nodded, happy that Buffy said that to him, he put the small mirror on an armchair and joined her on the sofa. She held in her hands a frame, which contained a photo of the Scooby Gang, with Giles.
'You miss him, don't you? I should have killed that bastard Travers in Hyde Park to revenge him!'
'And his assassins would have then killed you. I've already lost Giles, I do not want to lose you too.'
Someone knocked at the door.
'Please, come in!' Buffy called and turned around on the sofa to face the front door.
It was Wesley. Seeing young Ripper, the Watcher's eyes opened wide with surprise. 'Mr. Giles?' He squeaked. 'Mr. Giles, is it you?'
Buffy smiled ferally. 'Ah! The man whom I hoped to see.' She turned to Ripper who stared at Wesley with a visible contempt. He hated dandies. 'Ripper, here is Wesley. My new Watcher. The man who told Travers that Giles was still performing his duties despite his being fired from the Council, and who is responsible therefore, for his disappearance, as much as Travers and Giles Sr. If you want to make him bleed, be my guest.'
Ripper growled like a tiger. Wesley moved back.
'What? Giles did not disappear he's here, younger. By the way, what happened to him?'
Buffy shook her head. 'No, the big bad guy < hmmm...half naked! > Behind me is Ripper, not Giles. Long story. Ripper, hit him.'
'With great pleasure, luv!'
Ripper rushed towards Wesley, his glance cruel. Afraid, the Watcher took out his electric neutraliser from his pocket and touched Ripper with it. The discharge knocked out Ripper who fell like a deadweight.'Ripper!'
Buffy jumped out of the sofa and knelt next to Ripper whom she lifted in her arms. She laid him down on the sofa, caressed his soft cheek and tousled his curled hair. He was so cute!
'Hum! Very effective this machine!' Wesley said, with a smile of triumph over his lips. 'When you have stopped caressing your new boyfriend, Buffy, you will come with me. We have to patrol.'
< This evening, I shall not defend you if a vampire attacks you Wesley. You will die. >
Ripper opened his eyes and gasped. 'Bloody hell! What was that? I was electrocuted ... Oh my poor head! It hurts!' He closed eyes in pain.
'Try to rest Ripper. I shall not be long. A little patrol in a cemetery and I'll come back, okay?'
'Okay.'*
Buffy frowned at discovering heaps of bank notes on Giles's desk, and precious jewels. She discovered as well bloodstains, on the ground and followed them up to the bathroom. Ripper stood at the sink, a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair and skin dripped with hot water. He just come out of the shower. His left hand was bandaged.
'Ripper!'
He turned around. She was able to see while he had bruises on his shoulders and chest.
'What happened?'
'A fight in a bar. Four against me. I knocked them out at the end of the first round. One of them had a knife. He hurt my right hand. The bastard! Fortunately, I'm left-handed. I took his knife when he was K.O'd. It is very beautiful, and pointy and sharp. Then I used magic on these machines with green money inside them and I ended the evening by a small tour in a jeweller's shop. I used magic too, to bring you the most beautiful jewels. They are beautiful, aren't they? They please you?'
She charged at him, furious, and slapped him. Ripper staggered under the shock. She slapped him again, opening his lower lip. Some blood poured on his chin.
'You big English ass!'
'You expected what? I'm not Rupert, Buffy, but Ripper. I'm evil. I'm not him, and never will be. He was kind, I'm nasty, he was sweet, I'm violent, he was polite, and I like swearing and offending people...'
He grabbed Buffy by her wrist. 'But you love bad guys, Buffy, don't you? Your boyfriend is the proof.'
She quivered. 'Angel is not bad, I explained it to you.'
'Right, luv, Angel maybe again as sweet as a lamb but somewhere in his mind there is a demon. And don't tell me that this other part of him does not excite you! '
Her pulse accelerated and her throat dried out when she realized how handsome and attractive he was. He was different from Angel, thinner, more lengthened, more muscular, more hairy, warmer.
< Geez! He has such a great body! And he is so sexy! So hot! >
Ripper approached Buffy, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him.
'Do I excite you, Buffy?'
< Yes! No! Oh! What's happening to you Buffy? React! It's Giles, no, no it's Ripper. Oh it's so yummy! >
Ripper crushed his lips on Buffy's lips. She was so surprised that she didn't even try to move back. Ripper explored Buffy's mouth with his tongue and pulled her strongly against his bare chest. She almost fell, her knees getting weak.
< Wow! Major wow! >
No one had ever turned her knees to Jelly like that, not even Angel. Her brain was numbed; she couldn't manage to think clearly any more and did not want to. She wrapped her arms around Ripper's waist and scratched his back, her body trembling with excitement. He could feel the loud and rapid beatings of her heart against his chest. She perspired, shivered and hung on to him. Buffy pulled Ripper's head towards her and kissed him, for a long time, slowly, then less slowly. He began to caress Buffy's back and bit-by-bit his hand went down towards her buttocks.
Buffy put both her hands on Ripper's chest and stroked him, playing with his chest hairs. She began kissing his stomach, then her hands ventured lower. Ripper felt a delicious itch sliding along his spinal column and a sudden heat invaded his abdomen.
He suddenly realized then what he was doing and wanted to do. He took a step back.
'No!' He said.
It was Buffy. Buffy, not a girl met in a pub one evening somewhere in Soho. He respected Buffy. He had lost control. He paled, shamed, mortified.
'I'm sorry, Buffy.'
Buffy came out of the fog which had invaded her brain and became aware then of what had just happened and then what would have happened. Her face flushed into a crimson colour. She hauled back and punched him with everything she had. Ripper collapsed along the wall.
< God! Wow! He kisses well! >*
Buffy slid a pillow under Ripper's head, which she'd brought from Giles's bed. Giles... She opened the cupboard with a trembling hand and smiled when she saw all his tweed suits. A strong feeling of emptiness suddenly came over her.
< I need you Giles. >
She took one of his tweed jackets and tightened it against her, very hard. She missed him so. She burst into sobs and fell to her knees. She curled up against the bed and cried. She finally expressed her deep sorrow that broke her heart and hurt her soul.*
When Ripper woke up, the following morning, he discovered Buffy beside him, rolled in ball. She was asleep and hugged a tweed jacket, just like a child hugged his favourite stuffed pet. He knew that she was in love with Giles, that she would never love him. He looked around him and sighed. He felt alone and did not belong to this time period. He stroked Buffy's forehead, tenderly. He'd disappear and Giles would come back. Buffy needed her Giles.
*
Ethan opened the door of his motel room and yawned. Ripper, very agitated pushed passed him to enter.
'Ripper, I was finishing the suitcases.' The magician said. 'You are going to carry two or three.'
'No!'
Ethan took Ripper by his hand. To feel his warmth made him shiver. He caressed his cheek. Ripper leaned into his caress then shoved him away, frowning. He sat down on the bed.
'Ethan, is there a way to save Rupert's mind?' He asked.
Ethan sighed. 'No. Not to my knowledge. Why Ripper? Do you want Rupert to resume his place?'
'Yes.'
Ethan looked at him blankly. 'Why? Your new life does not please you?'
Ripper sighed. 'It's not that.'
'Then what?'
'Buffy loves him, and she's so sad. I can't bear it. And... I'm not at my place here, and now. You must find a way to bring back Rupert for Buffy. She has to be happy.'
'And what about us? I don't want to lose you, Ripper. I... < love you! > I need you.'
'And Buffy needs her Giles.'
Part 6
Buffy took Ripper's hand in hers. Ripper looked at her and smiled. An oh so Ripperish smile.
'I'm so grateful... ' She said to him, tears rolling down her cheeks. 'Giles is so important for me, he's...'
'You love him.'
She blinked as she abruptly and finally understood it. Yes, she was in love with Giles.
'Rupert should return, resume his place. Ethan found a way to return him, his mental health, to return him to you. He'll soon be at your side again. As for me... well, I'll return into Rupert's memory. You will say hello to Rupert for me, all right?
'I will.'
Buffy cried. She wanted him to stay but at the same time, she wanted Giles to return to her. It was impossible. She felt her heart break. Ripper sat down in the centre of the magic circle and turned to Ethan. His face was drawn and his eyes filled with pain.
'I'm sorry to leave you, Ethan, but Buffy...'
'I know. Ripper.'
Ethan grabbed Ripper's shoulders, hard, and pulled him to him. They hugged tightly.
'Goodbye, Ethan.' Ripper told him, before kissing his forehead. 'And don't be too nasty with Rupert, all right?'
The sorcerer nodded.
'Now, close your eyes and relax.' He said. 'It won't be long, and don't be afraid. You will feel nothing.'
Ripper nodded and closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Ethan ran his hand over his face and through his hair.
'I love you Ripper. ' Ethan murmured.
'I love you too.'*
The chaos disappeared in Giles's head.
'I did it!' Ethan said with a low voice. He fell back, physically and emotionally raw. He fell asleep.
Buffy smiled, bent over Ripper and crossed the disorientated look of Rupert Giles.
'Buffy?' He said in has small weak voice.
She smiled broadly. 'It is you, Oh Giles! Giles! Giles! I'm so happy to see you again!'
She threw herself on to his the neck and kissed him with eagerness, with passion, exploring his mouth with her tongue. Hung on his shoulders, Buffy wanted this kiss to last eternally. She devoured his lips, covered his cheeks and his forehead with kisses, and kissed him again more slowly, more profoundly, with more sensualism. She quivered with pleasure when he returned her kiss moaning with pleasure. He moved his lips away from hers and licked her neck, her chin, panting, and then he unbuttoned her blouse and plunged his nose between her breasts. He stroked them, making his tongue walk on the cloth of her bra, nibbling the nipples through it. Buffy cupped his face and forced him to look at her.
'Giles, I think I love you.'
He smiled broadly to her. 'I think you love me too. And I love you too Buffy, more than anything, more than my life. You are my reason to live.'
'Why?'
He jumped. His voice was not his. Or rather, it was not his any more, for a long time. He looked at his hands. They did not belong to an old man. He touched his face. His skin was smooth, his forehead without wrinkles and he had more hair.
'Oh, dear Lord!'
He wanted to get up to go to look at himself in the mirror of the bathroom but had no strength. Exhausted, he subsided against Buffy's breast and he closed his eyes. His body appeared to him to weigh tons.
'Buffy, what happened?'
She put her finger on his lips and gently stoked his cheek. 'Sssh. Sleep.'
He fell asleep with pleasure. Buffy lay down next him, curled up against him, an arm around his waist, her face turned to his. She smiled, feeling magnificently well. Giles was back. And they had declared their love.*
Giles woke up by smelling the good smell of bergamot. He opened his eyes and noticed in astonishment that he was sprawled on the floor, in front of the fireplace.
'What the hell...'
He jumped. His voice was not his. Or rather, it was not his any more, for a long time. He looked at his hands. They did not belong to an old man. He touched his face. His skin was smooth, his forehead without wrinkles and he had more hair. He had not dreamt. He rushed
to the bathroom. The big mirror cast Ripper's reflection. He murmured: 'Oh, dear Lord!'
Buffy entered the room, a cup of tea smoking in her hand. She smiled at him roguishly. 'Hello, Ripper.' She said to him.
He looked at her, oddly. 'I'm not Ripper, but Rupert. Buffy, what the hell happened?'
Ethan joined Buffy, sipping an Earl Grey tea. 'Already grumbling!' He said smirking from ear to ear. 'Hello Ripper. Did you sleep well?'
Giles' eyes turned dark green. 'Damn you, Ethan!' he cried. Buffy grabbed Giles' wrist, friendly but firmly. If his eyes had been revolvers, Ethan would be spread on the ground, his body riddled with bullets, very, very dead.
'Calm down, Giles. I don't want you to punch Ethan's face or anything else.'
Giles blinked. 'Since when has this son of... this moron is under your protection, Buffy?' He demanded.
'Since he brought you out of hell.' She responded.
Giles looked at her blankly. 'What?'*
Buffy had just spent more than half an hour telling Giles what had happened. Ethan had added some details then left them alone. Giles was horrified, pale as death. His eyes still widened in horror. His hands were shaking.
'Giles, are you alright?'
Giles' s lips trembled and he shivered. 'I believe that I'm going to vomit.' He said, just before hurling himself into the bathroom.
He emerged from it five minutes later even paler than before, his legs like jelly. Buffy helped him to stretch out on the sofa.
'I should go, you need to rest.'
He took her hand. 'No, stay. Please. I don't want to be alone.' He was terrified.
'I'll stay.'
Giles tried to calm his heartbeat but failed. The horror and the disgust squeezed his throat and the terror oppressed his chest. He gasped. He did not remember what they had made him undergo, but could very well imagine it.
'Don't be afraid, Giles, the Council is not going to kidnap you or brainwash you again. Travers let you leave. And I'm here to protect you. I won't let anybody hurt you.'
She bent towards him, crossed her fingers behind the nape of his neck and kissed him. He returned her kiss immediately and tightened her in his arms to be better able to kiss her. He let himself drop down on the couch, Buffy against him and slid his hands under her skirt, along her thighs. She closed her hand on the bulge of his trousers and caressed him through his jeans. Giles growled with pleasure and kissed her with more fervour. Buffy quivered when she felt his fingers reaching her panties and was shaken by spasms when Giles began massaging her sex through the silk. She unbuttoned his jeans, lowered the zip and freed his erection. She ventured one hand in his boxers to stroke the pubis then came down along the impressive length of him. He gave a start and purred.
She moved back from Giles and said: 'I believe that I'm not going to go to school this morning. Nor this afternoon.'