Title: A Very Special Christmas part 3/?
Author: Michelle
Date: April 2004
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Summary: It’s Christmas Eve in Sunnydale. What could possibly go wrong?
Disclaimer: These are not my characters. They belong to Joss, Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, WB & Mutant Enemy. This is purely for fun.
Spoilers: This story takes place in season four, but I did use some elements from season five.
Author’s notes: See part 1
Thanks to my betas Kathy and Jules. I couldn’t have done this without you.
*****
“A reward? For the baby but not for Buffy?” Edward asked.
“That’s what it says,” Willow told him, pointing to the computer screen. “Wolfram & Hart doesn’t want Buffy harmed in any way. They just want the baby.”
“They can’t expect a vampire to accomplish such a task.”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
Rupert was lost in thought as Willow and his father talked. He paced back and forth. Abruptly, he stopped and turned to them. “It’s a distraction. They expect the vampires to draw us away from their real plan and possibly kill each other in their attempt to get to Buffy. The vampires aren’t the real threat.”
“So what is?” Willow asked.
“I don’t know, but there must be a reason they want the baby.” Rupert said.
“A prophecy?” Edward asked.
“Maybe your child will grow up to be their enemy or something,” Willow suggested.
“But why come after her tonight?” Rupert asked.
When it was clear that no one could speculate on an answer, Willow asked a new question. “How do they plan on taking the baby? They don’t want Buffy hurt, and we know the vamps can’t get into the house. So how do they get the baby without Buffy?”
Edward met Rupert’s gaze. “Angel said the vampires thought Buffy would be especially vulnerable tonight.”
Rupert’s eyes grew wide as the realization struck him. “She’s going to have the baby tonight. They are going to try to take our child after it’s born.”
“Take? Or kill?” Willow asked. “What I read didn’t specify that the baby needs to be alive.”
*****
“Angel, do you know anything about the law firm Wolfram & Hart?” Rupert asked.
“They’re evil, and most of their clients are demons.”
“That would explain quite a bit. Apparently, they have offered a reward to the vampire that brings them my baby. They don’t want Buffy, just our child.”
“Where is she now?”
“We’re at her mother’s house.”
“So she’s safe.” Angel was relieved.
“From the vampires, but I think they’re only meant to be a distraction.”
There was a pause as Angel thought about that. “You’re right. They’re not stupid. They’ll send something else to get what they want.”
“Is there any way you can help us? Find out what we’re up against?”
“Cordelia and I will get on it right away.”
“Angel.” Rupert caught his attention before he could hang up. “They are offering the Amulet of Corvinus as the reward. I know that it’s named for Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary in the fifteenth century, and that it was made by a wizard under his rule. I don’t know much more about it, and I was wondering if you do.”
“It’s similar to the Gem of Amara. Any vampire that wears it will be nearly invincible. Decapitation would be the only way to kill it. The amulet also lets them enter a home without an invitation.”
“Dear Lord. You can’t be serious.”
“I only know what the legends say. Don’t worry. If Wolfram & Hart have it, I’ll get it. I won’t let it fall into the wrong hands.”
*****
Rupert thought about his conversation with Angel. The Gem of Amara was thought to be one of a kind. ‘What if that’s not the case?’ he asked himself. ‘What if this amulet is real and not just a legend? There’s no telling what would happen if a vampire were to gain possession of it.’
As he walked through the house, he reminded himself that there were more pressing matters at the moment. He found Wesley sitting at the dining room table with books and papers scattered all around. “I didn’t think Anya had brought this many book from the Magic Box.”
“She didn’t. Some of these belong to Edward. Kathryn had them in her van, and Faith went outside with her to get them for me. They’ve been quite helpful.”
“The books or Kathryn and Faith?” Rupert asked.
“Both actually,” Wesley said with a slight smile before turning serious again. “Tara and Anya have found some protection spells that might prove useful. They are gathering the ingredients now.”
“Have you found anything useful?”
“There are a few obscure references to the daughter of a watcher and a slayer. From what I’ve read so far, she will play a part in stopping a great evil from taking over the world.”
Rupert was quiet for a moment before asking, “Do you know when?”
Wesley checked his notes. “Not precisely, but I would estimate fifteen to twenty years from now. Although, one source claims it could be as early as next year. I can’t imagine that could be accurate.”
“Are you sure the reference is to a daughter?”
“In every text, the reference is to a female child.” Wesley looked up at him. “Is there a reason to suspect differently? Is the baby a boy?”
“We don’t know the sex of the baby. Buffy wants it to be a surprise.” Rupert took a seat at the table. “But that’s not the reason I asked.”
“Then why?”
“My mother was a slayer,” Rupert answered in a whisper that Wesley had to strain to hear.
“Does the Council know?”
“No, and it will remain that way,” Edward said harshly.
Wesley hadn’t known he was there and was a bit startled. Rupert, on the other hand, was once again lost in his own thoughts.
Edward took a deep breath and continued in a calmer voice. “It would complicate matters if they were told. I hid the information from them to protect my family.”
Wesley thought about asking how he could hide information of this nature from the Council. He thought better of it when he saw the look on Edward’s face.
Edward laid a hand on Rupert’s shoulder. “What did you learn from Angel?”