Chapter 75: Two Months Later
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Chapter 75: Two Months Later
The guilt over how everything turned out with the Master has finally lessened enough that I can meet Angel's concerned eyes in the passenger seat. I haven't Fred very much since she had Graham help her move her things to campus.
It's finally sunk in that she really getting away from all the crazy since the last time we spoke was when Dennis got his new body. Glad someone I care about is able to have a normal life.
"You have enough chew tabs?" Worried about how fast she's going through the latest batch the Maclays sent, I have absolutely no idea how to fix this mistake of mine.
She's pure human... The visions will kill her in just a couple years and I still haven't figured out something better than slipping some Mohra blood in her coffee once a week.
Determination to avoid that has had me taking advantage of Jenny's online expertise and my growing wealth has been put towards quite the collection of esoteric books. Giles might even think I'm a proper educator when he sees how many shelves have been filled.
"As long as I don't have more than one vision today." Winces my brave passenger as the front door swings open the reveal a waving pair of Summers women. I really need to start recording stuff before Dawn changes all my memories.
"If you do have one?" My voice demands with worry filling it.
Angel rolls her eyes and the dark eyeliner really makes the expression sting more than it should. "I go straight to you, Jenny, or Snyder."
Can't believe he's the one who said they can call him that, just because he thinks it's cool to just go by only a last name. As strange as it is to even think about, it seems like Russel is actually being accepted by the group.
Darla gives him less lip than anyone besides Jesse and the teens have stopped sassing him all the time. Of course they still give him his fair share of teasing, it's just spoken without actual hatred now.
Hell, Snyder's even taken over coaching the swim team ever since the fish guy vanished without a trace. Fred couldn't even find a trail, so I'm really thinking he just got unlucky one night.
Since Nest's defeat, Vander has been laying so low I was worried he left Sunnydale. It wasn't until he started leaving Willow 'love' notes, that I knew for sure he was still around.
"Or Buffy." I know you and the other teens have started staking vampires at the Bronze without me.
At least if Buffy helps I can stop asking Darla to keep an eye on you all. I'd prefer if she helped Lorne keep the Sunset Club safe anyway.
No matter how many facts I spouted, the teens latched onto the idea of Darla, Liam, Dennis, Lorne, Clem, and I, being the true 'Lonely Ones'. They don't think all vampires are just misunderstood now and the costumes at the club have become more varied. But It's really strange to see the one guy who really seems to be trying to cosplay a Brachen.
Of course Lorne loves his little clutch of groupies who insist on covering themselves in green body paint every night. Do they start the second they get home from school?
The owner was quick to offer him a nightly spot to host his radio show live and the greedy gleam in Lorne's eye had me slightly concerned. But it's given both Dennis and Darla something to do each night too.
Dennis is just as good a cook as the show claimed he was and has turned the Sunset's kitchen into something of actual quality. Of course Darla refused to have anything to do with that part of the business and took the bouncer's position eagerly.
Enough of the teens liked Frankenstein enough that Jenny's been able to start a science club. With Willow helping Warren take charge of the club, it seems like the girl is starting to open up again.
Giles really was even more disappointed by Dennis' performance than I thought. He made it very clear the Council can't afford to be replacing all of it's robots each patrol and I was able to sleep soundly once that phone call was over.
"As long as we can keep making it seem like it's me who has the visions," It was Jesse's idea and I have to admit it was quite brilliant. "The Mayor shouldn't care about you at all."
"You're really going to that meeting with him?" Her face scrunches up at the idea. "And just with Snyder?"
"After our help making sure the Aurelians became an endangered species, Wilkins apparently just wants to find out what other ways I intend to help." The cheque Russel handed me on Friday was big enough to make it clear the Mayor seems to think I'm on his payroll now.
"It's probably best if we split the teams up and you lot handle the stuff at the school." I've dealt with enough of the filler that you shouldn't be completely overwhelmed by it now.
Joyce follows her daughter to my van with a warm smile. "Thanks for all of the help Allen. It's made the move so much easier on us both."
"We're already going right past the place, no reason you need to leave early." My shrug is casual as Buffy pulls open the sliding door with her own 'good morning'. "And hey yourself. Ready for hell on Earth?"
"He's exaggerating. I've been to way worse schools." Didn't Angel pretty much get 'home schooled' by Caleb? "We'll let you know which teachers to stay on the good side of."
Conceding the point with a chuckle, I wink so Buffy knows I was just referring to why she should avoid the library. "Not quite as many extra curriculars at this school and the teachers might not be as highly acclaimed as the ones you had at Hemery. But the cliques intermingle more than you would think."
Even in the show, Cordelia and her friends knew far too much about the 'cretins'. And for such an apparent loser even Jonathon was getting invited to some of the parties.
"Angel's friends usually come over after school to study. What time do you want Buffy home?" Leaving the power entirely with Joyce, I can practically feel Buffy's irritation coming off in waves.
Joyce considers the question for moment and goes over how much work she has to do at the gallery before it's ready for opening day. "I'll be home around six."
My expression twists into one of sympathy. "Why don't you just stop by and join us for dinner? That's way too late in the day to worry about food and I pretty much have to have enough food to feed an army."
Glad to avoid dishes tonight, Joyce gratefully accepts the offer and lets me back out of the driveway. I keep the conversation basic until I turn off Revello Drive before giving Buffy a serious look in the rearview mirror.
"It's going to be a whole lot safer if you tell your mom about everything..." Her face goes pale at the idea hanging in the suddenly tense van. "Want to do that that tonight at dinner?" Should make patrolling a whole lot less stressful for the next two years.
