Nocturnal Bravura

William watched as Dawn walked through the long line of Christmas trees trying to find the perfect one. The look on her face was priceless as she inspected each tree. William had observed criteria years ago , the first time the two families had went on the expedition. Dawn shook the tree making sure not too many needles fell off, then she took two steps back making sure the l wal was over powering. These two steps always took the longest. It was the third requirement that made William nervous. Last year everything was going on well until they got to the final deciding factor. Dawn broke out in tears. Rupert and William had to carry her off the Christmas tree lot. All the other patrons did not react. They seemed to know why. Sunnydale was a small town most of the residents had lived here all their lives. Everyone knew the tragic legacy left to the youngest Summer’s women.

William watched Dawnie. She stopped in front of a tree. He sensed that it had been deemed worthy to make it to the third and final requirement. William walked over to Dawn and knelt in front of her. Dawn smiled sadly.

“You know what Lil’ Bit? You sprouted a lot this summer I say your just about the right height.” William said tweaking her nose.

Dawn laughed.

“She was pretty short wasn’t she?” Dawn whispered.

William chuckled and gave her g hug hug.

A strange tingling sensation crept up William’s neck.

Vampire? Here? There were too many people...

Suddenly William stood up. He smiled at Dawn.

“You got the wiggins right?” Dawn asked.

The “wiggins” was The Bit’s term for when a vamp was around.

William nodded trying to sense where it was coming from.

“Ill go find Giles. See you at home.” Dawn said smiling.

William pulled on her hair.

“So we have a winner?” He asked.

Dawn nodded.

“Go rid the world of evil.” Dawn teased.

William hugged her and ran off.

He felt it. His Slayer senses pulled him toward it like a magnet. He found himself standing in the parking lot. It moved. William stopped trying to gage where it had move to. Strangely it seemed to be staying the same general vicinity almost like to was trapped or caged.

It was hiding in one of the cars probably waiting for some poor unsuspecting soul to slide in and start his car. It was a common vampire trick they played on gits who never locked their car doors.

William looked at the crowd at the lost making sure now one would see him. If did it quickly no one would notice except for the dust. Bollocks! He would have to pull the vamp out of the car. He closed his eyes sensing the vampire’s presence. He jumped in the air and dove over the car doing a flip. William landed on his feet and pulled out his stake. He yanked the backseat open and wrench the creature out and drew his hand back to stake the bloody thing.

His hand stopped mid flight.

“Oh God no...” William whispered.

Sitting there in a muddy white night gown was Buffy. She rocked back and forth muttering things under her breath. In the distance he heard Dawnie’s voice. William tucked his stake in his jacket again. Dawn couldn’t see Buffy. If his father saw her.. William lifted her up off the ground and ran into the darkness carrying her the same way he seen Spike do so many times before.

William got to the cemetery he kicked open a crypt door and laid Buffy down on a sarcophagus. He looked down at the girl who was off in her own world

“FUCK!” He screamed out to the air.

“I bloody well don’t need this tonight! What if Dawnie saw you huh? Or worse what if my Da caught a glimpse of you?” William yelled pacing back and forth.

He watched as Buffy curled up into a ball and began to hum.

“Where in the bloody hell is that precious Daddy of yours! I swear he better not be playing one of his damn games or else I’ll..
“Y
“Your not my oldest doll Jennifer.”

William heard. His heart skipped a beat.

He turned and saw Buffy on her side playing with the grain on the sarcophagus.

“Your dress is a fright and you can’t do a single thing but I do love you, dear Jennifer.” Buffy said.

William stop pacing and crouched down a few feet away from her.

Buffy smiled sweetly.

“You remembered. Where did you find it?” Buffy mumbled.

William rocked back and forth on his feet.
Buffy looked at him and pouted.

“Daddy please don’t be cross with me. It was too quiet at home. They were all whispering. I got wanted to feel the night. Then I saw the lights. The lights looked so pretty, all the noise stopped the pictures in my head. I was only going to watch for a moment. Got stuck in that box. ” Buffy said frowning.

William hated when this happened. She would go from somewhat lucid to so far gone she could not distinguish between himself and her Sire. You would think the heartbeat would be a dead give away. But he knew she could not. Fear crept through William. Her bouts seemed to be getting worse and worse. More frequent as well. Spike had been searching for nearly two for a way to help her. Bile began to rise up William’s throat.

Why did she still have to look so beautiful? Since the day both Spike and William met her all they both ever wanted to do was take care of her. Even now all William wanted do to was wrap her up in his arms and carry her home.

Buffy reached out for William.

Helpless er ler like he had always been William took her hand in his.

He looked in her eyes for a moment it seemed like it registered to her.

“You are warm.” She whispered.

William nodded.

Just like that her moment passed.

Her eyes clouded.

“Daddy don’t like it here. It’s hard, let’s go home to bed.” Buffy said smiling.

William cleared his throat.

Damn he hated when he had to do this....

“Not yet my Precious Princess. Daddy needs to wait getting more presents for you.” William said giving his best impression of Spike.

Buffy sighed.

“All right Daddy.” She sighed.

“Rest Pet.” He said.

William began to stand and walk away to go find his brother.

Buffy held onto his hand.

She pulled on him until he stanstanding in front of the sarcophagus.

“It’s too hard Daddy it hurts my head.” Buffy sad quietly.

William operating on instinct hopped on the slab of stone.

Buffy put her head in his lap and curled up.

“Much better Daddy.” Buffy said smiling and closing his eyes.

William reached out and began to stroke her hair.

“I think I should dream about all the pretty lights.” Buffy said with child like determination.

“Yes, Princess. You do that.” William whispered.

William sat there watching her, hoping she would find peace in her sleep.