Back in the Day Ficathon!
Written for mishamcm who wanted Buffy, Drusilla, set during the episode
"I Only Have Eyes for You" in a timeline where Dawn existed and
containing a cameo by the Mayor showing his reaction.
I tried to give you everything! I couldn't get Buffy to actually meet up with
Drusilla, she was very stubborn. But I hope you'll enjoy what I did manage to
cobble together.
Many, many thanks to Violetsmiles for both for poking me to signup for the
ficathon and for the beta. And thanks to stakebait for hosting the challenge -
the list of entries can be found
here.
And love to everybody else who held my hand, either for this fic or just
because they liked holding my hand :)
The title of this fic comes from the song sung in the Bronze at the beginning
of the episode.
Characters Buffy, Drusilla, Mayor, Finch
Timeline Set during "I Only Have Eyes for You"
Rating G
Title:
How Our Tryst Unfolds
Allan flinched as his pager went off. He checked it reflexively, even though
he already knew what it would say. Only the office even had the number. He
straightened his tie, glanced down at the remains of his lunch, and stood up,
throwing a twenty down on the table.
Outside the Mayor's office, he took a deep breath, braced himself. Knocked.
Heard the genial voice tell him to enter. He opened the door cautiously,
plastering a tentative smile on his face.
“You needed something, Sir?” Finch felt a muscle in his cheek twitch
nervously. He eased into the room as the Mayor gestured him forward, reminding
himself not to wipe his palms on his pants. The Mayor hated untidiness of any
sort.
“Allan, Allan,” Richard Wilkins shook his head, a welcoming smile
spreading across his face. “I'm sorry, you didn't have to rush over here.”
His gaze sharpened. “Interrupted your lunch, did I?”
Allan flushed nervously and cleared his throat. “I was finished, Sir. Carol
said you wanted to discuss a situation with me?”
The Mayor nodded, leaning back in his chair and lacing his hands together.
“Yes. At the High School. The Chief of Police just contacted me. Apparently,
they've had a rash of incidents in the school again, including the murder of a
teacher. And just now, the cafeteria was suddenly overrun with hundreds of
snakes. Snakes. Such messy creatures. Always shedding their skins and leaving
them everywhere.” He shook his head, sounding faintly appalled.
Finch gulped, nodding his head. His mind flickered through the possible
responses. He'd only been the Mayor's assistant for a few months, but he'd
already learned the wisdom of treading carefully. Not that the Mayor ever said
anything when somebody displeased him. No, he merely smiled sweetly and then
sometimes the next week there would be another funeral to go to. Closed
casket. Efficiency, he called it. It was important that civic workers be truly
dedicated to their city and its officials.
Before Finch could say anything, the Mayor continued. “A year, Allan. We
only have a year left. We need to make sure it runs smoothly. You know how
important it is to keep to a schedule. I'm sure that I can count on your
assistance.” He glanced at his watch. “Time for my photo-op. The winner of
the Sunnydale Middle School writing competition. A Miss Dawn Summers.”
* * *
Buffy wrinkled her nose. Ewww, snakes. Every time she thought that things
couldn't get ickier on the Hellmouth, they managed to gross her out even more.
Demons, fine, she was used to that. But snakes? Besides, she'd already killed
that snakey-demon guy earlier in the year. Wasn't there some sort of rule
about no repeat demons? Not that snakes counted as demon. She shook her head,
cutting off her inner monologue.
At least they got out of school. More time for researchy goodness then. And
hey, Buffy gave a little skip at the remembrance, Dawn had that thing this
afternoon. She and Mom were going to be at City Hall, with Dawn accepting some
sort of award. Which meant that with the library off limits, everybody could
gather at Casa de Summers. Better than Giles' place, anyway, because ugh,
cramped. And hopefully they would be done before her mom returned home with
any questions.
She frowned. Whatever this ghost thought it wanted, it was going down. Buffy
was getting pretty tired of stalkery ex-boyfriends that wouldn't let go.
* * *
Finch leaned back in his char, sighing. He rubbed his eyes wearily. He'd known
when he first decided to go into politics that he'd be keeping long hours at
times. He just hadn't realized exactly how odd those hours would be.
The situation at the school was complex. Snakes…he repressed a shudder. He'd
always had nightmares about them. Even after everything he'd seen since moving
to Sunnydale, snakes still made his skin crawl. Just the thought of them, the
description he'd received from the Chief of Police, was making the back of his
neck itch.
“It's a bird, inna cage…”
A low voice trailed from the doorway, causing Finch to start, jerking his hand
suddenly and sending a file of papers crashing to the floor. He glanced up,
frantically dropping to the ground and trying to gather everything together.
In the doorway of his office stood a woman, skin pale and translucent, dark
curls cascading around her shoulders and the largest, darkest eyes he'd ever
seen. One black tipped nail crooked at him.
“Come, pretty bird. I need to see the ruler of your kingdom. We'll have tea
and cakes, for there is much to talk about.”
Finch started to object. Disturbing the Mayor…he cringed at the thought. A
slow smile spread over the woman's face as she glided towards him, one hand
reaching out and stroking his arm lightly. Her eyes…he'd never seen eyes so
dark before. Almost unconsciously, he found himself standing up. With a coy
smile, the woman tucked her arm in his, nails raking his forearm.
“You shall be my escort, little bird. We'll brave the lion in his den and
come out without a scratch. It is not a thorn from his paw that will pierce
your heart.”
Something about her voice slid through him, and he found himself outside the
Mayor's office door again, hand raised to knock. He knew the Mayor was in
there – the Richard Wilkins III kept even later hours than everyone else.
“Come in, Allan.” The invitation was extended even before his knuckles hit
the wood. Finch shivered, then jumped as a musical laugh pealed out from the
woman beside him. The door swung open at the touch of her hand.
The Mayor looked up, then quirked an eyebrow and began to chuckle.
“Unexpected company.” He tilted his head to one side, studying the woman.
“Drusilla, isn't it? Well, well, this is a treat! Can I offer you something?
Candy? Finch?”
Allan felt his nerves start to fray, eyes darting from the Mayor to the woman
– Drusilla – nervously. The hand around his arm tightened to just beneath
the edge of pain.
The Mayor's laugh burbled out and he waved his hand. “Just kidding, Allan.
Important to maintain a sense of humor!” He gazed at Drusilla appraisingly.
“What can we do for you, my dear?”
Drusilla smiled slowly, eyes dancing. “I wanted to see you. Before you go up
in her flames. She destroys everything you know, with her fire, all sunshine
and light. One by one they all burn up, pretty, laughing figures that turn to
ash.”
The mayor cocked his head to one side inquisitively. “I'm sure that's true,
my dear. But there's no need to worry that pretty head about me, I'm not a
vampire.”
She shook her head, eyes beginning to cloud with tears. “My angel, he'll
kiss the sunlight tonight. Hateful, nasty thing. Makes his skin crawl, pain in
his chest, can't tear it out. He doesn't like it; he only wants his princess.
But instead he spreads the fire.” Drusilla pouted, her voice sulky. “But
not now, not yet…tonight it's just the buzzing, buzzing of the stars and
then he is mine again.”
Drusilla smiled, lips curving up and tone brightening. “He'll want to dance
with me when he returns, dance in blood until we can't smell the sunlight any
longer. I must get home before the kiss that releases grace awakens my prince
and brings him back to me.” One hand reached out to caress Finch's cheek,
the nail sliding down slowly and not quite breaking the skin. “Goodbye,
pretty bird. You'll try to sing but the night is too full of shadows. Your
final breath will bring the lion his greatest gift.”
Her hand slipped away, and she let out a little wave, before gliding out the
door.
“Well,” said the Mayor with a bright smile. “I wonder what the heck that
was about?” He turned to look at Finch. “Maybe,” he said very gently,
“You should tag along after her? Just to observe.”
* * *
Buffy could feel herself shaking. She pressed her hand to her lips, still
certain she could feel his touch against her. Feel his arms around her. But it
was all twisted up with the intense grief she could still feel from James, his
guilt mixing with her own. She needed to get home, to crawl into bed and close
her eyes so tightly nothing existed beyond the blackness. If she were quiet
enough, she wouldn't wake Dawn.
She quickly escaped from the library, waving goodbye to Giles and only
half-listening to the gang's goodnights. She'd been so sure, earlier, of what
she was supposed to do, who she was supposed to sympathize with. And just when
she thought she had a handle on things, just when she thought she'd figured it
out, she found herself caught up in somebody else's life. But the murderer
felt remorse and the victim still felt love and nothing had felt right or safe
or even sane since her birthday. Except for that one moment when Angel was
holding her and she could breathe him in and feel him against her. Until he
jerked away and snarled and she knew it wasn't Angel anymore. And the world
tilted sideways and she felt everything break apart again. She just needed to
get home.
Buffy didn't glance down Crawford Street as she passed it. She didn't notice
Drusilla vanishing into a decaying mansion. Or the pale, nervous man lingering
outside, hastily making a note to himself.
Buffy just raced home, trying not to remember. Refusing to let herself think
at all.
feedback welcome