Latter Days by Enigmaticblue

Summary: Set post-Chosen. After the Slayers are activated, the balance between good and evil is disturbed, and the Scoobies are flung to the far corners of the world to respond to the crisis. In the midst of all of this, will they be able to keep their relationships strong? Or will they be divided by circumstances and torn apart by fate? Follows my short story Yesterday.

Author's Notes: Remember how things went after Chosen? Well, forget about all of that, and ignore the comics. This is my version. This series is comprised of Latter Days, Faithfully Dangerous, and Now and Always, and the entire series will be known by the third title. You’ll see why. (And although some of the locations mentioned in this fic exist, this is my world, which means that I’m twisting reality to my own ends.)

“What a beautiful piece of heartache/This has all turned out to be/Lord knows we've learned the hard way/All about healthy apathy…There is a me you would not recognize, dear/Call it the shadow of myself/And if the music starts before I get there/Dance without me, you dance so gracefully/I really think I'll be okay/They've taken a toll, these latter days/Nothing like sleeping on a bed of nails/Nothing much here but our broken dream/Oh, but baby, if all else fails/Nothing is ever quite what it seems…” ~Over the Rhine, “Latter Days”

Chapter 22: New Council Headquarters, Bath, England

“…Things around here have been kind of crazy. The Slayer that Spike found in London arrived a few days ago, and she’s already causing problems. I think Spike could handle her, but he’s not back from Dumfries yet. I guess that Nora is only ten, which is pretty amazing when you consider that she managed to defend herself and her little brother. Buffy and Spike should be bringing them back here today…” ~Excerpt from an email from Dawn Summers to Xander Harris

“I can smoke if I like!” Talia’s voice carried clearly. “It’s not like it’s gonna kill me.”

“It might,” Giles said, his tone indicating that he didn’t much care one way or another at that moment.

Dawn glanced up from the book she’d been reading as he marched the girl into his office. “Dawn, if you would excuse us, I think we need to have a private conversation.”

Dawn raised her eyebrows, ignoring the suggestion. Giles could take care of himself, but Talia seemed capable of pressing every one of his buttons—usually at the same time. “Why not wait until Spike gets back? Just lock her in her room for a couple of days. Or, better yet, in the dungeon.”

“You don’t have a dungeon,” Talia shot back, although there was enough uncertainty in her voice that Giles apparently decided to play along.

“Don’t tempt me,” he replied tiredly. “Talia, there are some rules that you simply must follow.”

“Why?”

Dawn could have sworn she heard Giles mutter, “Why me?” But, since his hands were in front of his face, she couldn’t be certain.

“Because we’re in a war,” Dawn said bluntly. “And we’ve been fighting it for longer than you have. We don’t want you to die any sooner than you have to.”

For the first time, Dawn saw a crack in her bravado, although it was only a small one. “I don’t see what smoking has to do with it.”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with it,” Giles admitted. “But it’s not good for you, and it sets a bad example for the others. I would prefer it if you didn’t.”

Talia considered that for a moment. “What if I only smoke outside?”

“That goes without saying,” Giles said severely. “If I catch you smoking inside again, I’ll send you back to your parents.”

Dawn thought that might have been the only threat that would make an impact on the girl. However rebellious she might be, Talia clearly liked being a Slayer, and she liked the physical training. In fact, Vi and Audra were about the only teachers at the Academy who had good things to say about her.

“I’ll try not to smoke,” Talia promised sullenly.

Giles seemed to unbend a bit at that. “I realize that it’s difficult to quit. Perhaps we can speak to Miriam. She might have some idea of how to make it easier.”

Talia grimace. “No thanks. When is Spike getting back? I thought he was a teacher here.”

Dawn had to bite her lip to hold back a snicker. She had yet to meet a Slayer who didn’t have at least a little bit of a crush on Spike, but Talia was not subtle about it. What amused her was that Spike, while certainly not oblivious, had eyes only for her sister. He was totally out of the girl’s league.

“He is a teacher here,” Giles was saying. “But he and Buffy are taking care of a small problem up north. Now, as I remember, you’re supposed to be in class.”

“Stupid literature,” Talia muttered, but she rose obediently enough.

Dawn waited until she was well out of earshot before commenting. “Spike did warn you.”

“He ought to be here,” Giles responded. “I have a feeling that only he or Faith would be capable of handling that girl.”

She grinned at his tone. “Oh?”

Giles’ look was severe. “Just wait,” he warned her. “One of these days, you’ll be in charge of your own group, and I doubt you’ll be laughing then.”

Dawn’s eyes went wide. “What?”

“You’ll have your own band of Slayers, Dawn.”

She swallowed. “Giles, I don’t think—”

“It won’t be tomorrow,” he interrupted, anticipating her objection. “You’ll need plenty of training yet, and I imagine that when you do take charge, it won’t be alone.”

“What do you mean?”

Giles leaned back in his seat. “My intention is to make certain that no Watcher is ever alone, just as no Slayer should ever be alone. It simply makes sense to create partnerships, where one person can provide the necessary backup.”

Dawn gave him a skeptical look. “What are you going to tell Buffy?”

“By then, you’ll be able to tell her yourself.” Giles took a deep breath. “Did you see the email that Faith sent?”

She nodded. “What are we going to do?”

“I’m planning on asking Miriam to send one of the witches from the coven,” Giles replied. “And perhaps one of the older Slayers.”

She thought about the girls she knew that might be old enough to be of service, but then shook her head. “I don’t think any of the Slayers we’ve got here would be a good fit for Kennedy. I’d send one of the younger Watchers.”

The head Watcher pulled off his glasses, rubbing his eyes wearily. “And who would you suggest?”

“Cole.”

Giles’ eyes went wide. “Oh? Why?”

“He’s competent with weapons and hand-to-hand, and he’s laid back, so he’s not going to insist on being in control.” Dawn grinned. “Plus, he’s cute, so they’re more likely to try to impress him than run him off.”

“I wouldn’t have thought about that,” he admitted. “You make a good point.”

“What about Spike and Buffy?” Dawn asked.

Giles shook his head. “I have a very young, very traumatized Slayer to deal with, as well as a child who should not be here.”

“He didn’t have anywhere else to go.” Dawn sympathized with the poor kid. In a way, she’d been in the same boat—roped into the “saving the world” gig because of her sister.

“No, there wasn’t another choice,” he agreed. “We’ll find a place for him here, and I suppose I’ll keep both Spike and Buffy here. Given a bit of time, perhaps we could locate a relative who would be willing to take the boy.”

Dawn shook her head. “That’s not fair, Giles, not unless he wants to go. You can’t split up siblings.”

His expression was compassionate. “Yes, well, I see what you’re saying.”

“We’ll figure it out, I’m sure.” Dawn took a deep breath. “It doesn’t seem fair, does it?”

“What doesn’t seem fair, my dear?”

“That these Slayers don’t even have a fighting chance.”

Giles didn’t reply; Dawn didn’t think that there was anything he could say.

~~~~~

Spike carried Harry inside; the boy had fallen asleep on the drive back to Bath, and it had seemed wrong to wake him, particularly because his sleep was interrupted almost constantly by nightmares.

Glancing behind him, he could see Buffy ushering Nora along, as she carried what luggage she could. They had gone back for some of the children’s things before leaving Dumfries, but it had felt as though too much was left behind.

Spike glanced down at Harry’s auburn curls. He was a brave little boy, and Spike couldn’t help but feel a certain protectiveness.

“Hey, Spike.” Vi came down the stairs. “We were expecting you awhile ago. Giles gave up and went somewhere with Miriam.”

He shrugged. “Had to take it slow. We’ll catch up with him later.”

Audra followed behind. “There’s a bedroom ready for the two of them upstairs. If they don’t want to share, we can change it around, but I thought they might be more comfortable like that.”

“Good plan,” Spike responded. “Thanks for that.”

Vi looked over his shoulder to see Buffy and Nora entering the house. “Are there more bags in the car?”

Buffy nodded. “A few. If you wouldn’t mind—”

“I’ll take care of it,” Vi promised, heading out the door.

Audra knelt down in front of Nora. “Hi. I’m Audra.”

“I’m Nora.” The girl’s face was solemn. She was small for her age, but that didn’t mean much, since she was only ten. As far as Spike knew, she was the youngest Slayer yet, and from what she’d said, she’d only recently been Chosen.

Which he supposed answered the question of whether or not all the Slayers had been Chosen, or whether more would be activated either as they aged or others died.

“Well, Nora, would you like to see your room?” Audra asked, holding out her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, the child slipped her hand in the older girl’s. “You know,” Audra began, “there are a bunch of us who live here, and all of us are really excited about you coming to stay.”

“What about my brother?” Nora asked.

“He’ll stay, too, if he wants,” Audra replied.

“And will I kill the monsters?” Nora sounded fierce, and Spike winced. She was a child, and her innocence had been stripped from her.

Audra knelt down in front of the child again, putting her hands on Nora’s shoulders. “Yeah. That’s what we do, and we’re going to show you how.”

Nora nodded, her hazel eyes bright with both tears and rage. “Good.”

Harry stirred in Spike’s arms, whimpering a little. Spike cradled him closer. “Hush now, Harry,” he murmured. “We’re home now.”

The boy buried his face in Spike’s shirt, and murmured something Spike just managed to catch. “Hungry, huh? Nora? You want to get somethin’ to eat once you see your room?”

She nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Spike?” Buffy’s voice caught him. “I’m going to go lie down—in our room.”

He heard the invitation in her voice, and he nodded. “Be right there, soon as I get these two fed.”

Audra held out her arms for Harry. “I’ve got him, Spike, if you want to go.”

He hesitated. “You two gonna be alright?”

When they both nodded, Spike shrugged. “Right, then. Come find us if you need anythin’.”

Spike still wasn’t quite sure he wanted to leave them alone, even though they’d be in good hands with Audra. He sighed, and turned towards what was apparently their bedroom now.

Buffy stepped into his arms as soon as the door closed behind him. Spike held her close, breathing in deeply. “You okay?”

“No,” she admitted. “This shouldn’t have happened, Spike.”

He couldn’t think of anything to say, so he kissed her, giving comfort, receiving comfort. His hands stroked her arms, her back. He pushed her shirt up slightly, stroking the soft skin of her waist and stomach.

“I love you,” she gasped in between kisses. “I don’t say that enough.”

“You say it plenty, luv.” That she said it at all was a miracle to him; Spike had no idea how he’d managed a second chance, but he was going to take advantage of it.

When they made it to the bed, their lovemaking was slow and easy, more about comfort than anything else. She gripped his shoulders, her fingers digging into bone and muscle. If he’d been anyone else, she would have left bruises. As it was, the pain simply heightened his pleasure.

“I can’t lose you,” Buffy said. “It would destroy me.”

Spike stopped, pulling back. “What makes you say that?”

She searched his face, as though imprinting his features on her memory. “I just wonder sometimes. The coven gave you that ring for a reason. They said I’d always be able to find you.”

“Doesn’t that mean that you always will?” Spike asked. “No matter what happens, Buffy, I’m yours. I won’t stop fighting for you, an’ that means livin’ for you, too.”

Buffy didn’t answer in words; her hands and her lips spoke volumes.

~~~~~

“I can see why you’d be concerned,” Miriam murmured. “I really do believe that it would be in the boy’s best interests to stay with his sister, however.”

“And who will care for him?” Giles asked. “He’s of an age where he needs a mother.”

“You arranged for your guardianship with the authorities?” Miriam asked.

Giles nodded. “It wasn’t too hard. There is a former Watcher living in Dumfries, and he intervened.”

“There were no relatives?”

“No. Apparently there are no living relatives capable of taking him.”

Miriam leaned back in her chair, swirling the wine in her glass thoughtfully. “I’ll come back to the school with you tonight and see what I can do.”

“What are you thinking?” Giles knew that Miriam had a soft spot for children, but he hadn’t thought of asking her to take the boy.

She shrugged. “I have a number of women who can fill my place here. I think I might be needed more at the school.”

He wasn’t sure what he thought of that. Having Miriam underfoot could end up being rather interesting. “Are you offering yourself as his caretaker?”

Miriam gave him a look. “You will need me to be there, I think.”

Giles sighed. “I see. More cryptic messages?”

She shrugged noncommittally. “Perhaps. Or perhaps I just want the opportunity to be close to you.”

He swallowed hard. “Oh?”

“I believe this is going somewhere, and I think I’d like to see where it leads us.”

“Something else you’ve seen in your bowl?”

Her smile was mysterious. “No. I don’t need to see into the future to know that.”

For some reason, that made Giles feel just a little better. “Then we really ought to see where this takes us.”

~~~~~

Talia swaggered into her weapons class. She’d heard that Spike was back, and she was planning on impressing him with her prowess.

“Talia, there you are,” Spike said as she came in. “You’re a bit late.”

“Sorry,” she said off-handedly. “Must have been lookin’ at a slow clock.”

He raised his scarred eyebrow. “Is that so? Well, then, you’re up first. Nora, luv, I want you to pay close attention.”

Talia was a little taken aback by his tone, and she realized that he was speaking to a little girl who was standing at the edge of the group. She had to wonder how a kid like that got into Spike’s good graces, although she’d heard that he’d brought back another Slayer.

“Buffy? You want to demonstrate a few disabling moves?”

Talia’s eyes went wide. She’d been hearing about the Slayer ever since she’d arrived. Tipping her chin up, she decided that there was no way that she was going to let on how intimidated she was.

At Spike’s signal, she rushed in, using the moves she’d learned from Audra and Vi in the last week. Talia actually managed to get a punch past Buffy’s defenses, but it was only a glancing blow, and she was flat on her back on the mats in no time flat.

“That was good,” Buffy said, offering her a hand up.

For a moment, Talia thought about rejecting the offer, but decided that it probably wasn’t in her best interests. “Thanks.”

“You’ll notice that Buffy took Talia out without trying very hard,” Spike said, addressing the group. “The reason for that is because she’s been an active Slayer for nearly eight years now. With training and practice, you’ll get to be that good, too, assuming that you survive.”

“Break up into pairs,” Buffy called. “Practice the hand-to-hand moves that Vi and Audra have been showing you this past week.”

Talia looked around and realized that her only possible partner was Nora, but there was no way she wanted to be saddled with a kid. Spike caught her eye as she opened her mouth to protest and gave a quick shake of his head. There was something in his expression that made her hesitate, and she glanced at the young girl.

“You, uh, want to be my partner?” she asked.

Nora shook her head. “I don’t know any of those moves.”

Talia smiled, realizing that here, at last, was someone she could impress. “That’s okay. I’ll show you.”

She was too focused on Nora to see the approving look that Spike sent her way—but maybe that was for the best.