FF::RoL II:: Revelations and Realizations (11/?)

[keeper444@xxxxxxxxx]

Hi Guys, 
Sorry about the side track the other day, but I needed to introduce a
new character, and it had to be up before I could finish this one. So as
promised here's 11. I hope y'all like it, and please fasten your seat
belts, be sure your chair is fully upright and place all tables in their
upright and locked position, this could be a bumpy ride.<eg> Later 
Alex 
++++++++++++ 
See part 1 for full disclaimers at; 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffywantswillow/message/8661
++++++++++++++++
Revelations and Realizations (11/?)
By: Alex P.
++++++++++++++++
The room was held in the grip of an ominous silence as if the entire
universe was holding its breath waiting to hear how Brigit answered 
the Chosen Ones' question. The tension in the air was so thick you 
could feel it. 

"Brigit, Morrigan," Willow spoke up breaking the oppressive silence.
"You know that Buffy and I hold you, and your fellow Druids, in the
highest respect, and that we love the two of you like family, but this
policy of hiding the truth from us is putting a real strain on our
ability to trust any of you. 
This deal with 
the identity of Buffy's 
true father is a glaring example of the unjust way we are treated and 
the unfair way we have been manipulated by those who are supposed to 
be our friends."

The angry redhead paused for a moment to be sure they were getting her
point and the message she was delivering. She wanted them to know that
if something that was important only to Buffy and had no bearing
on her mission as a Slayer shouldn't have been kept from her. She also
wanted them to know that if this kind of thing continued the alliance
between Buffy and the others was in serious jeopardy.

"I must admit I do agree wit ya'," Morrigan said, her disgust with
secrets being kept from her student was angering her as well. "I want
ya' ta understand that I'll be standin' wit ya' my darlin' girls. I've
been sayin' fer quite some time that twas high time ta be treatin' our
Slayer wit the respect she deserves, 
and ta quit hidin' the truth from
her. And so has my darlin' Brigit, I just want ya' ta know we are on 
yer side in this an after this the both of ya' will know everything 
we know, and it's late but we were bound by their rules as long as 
ya' both were guests and students. 
Ah but now ya' are equal residents 
and are entitled ta know all just like the rest of them."

The tall Irish woman gave her two friends a mischievous wink and a
conspiratorial grin. That relieved the tension in the room immensely. 
It was easy to tell when Morrigan was upset about something, her 
accent was far more pronounced than usual and right now it was 
getting hard to understand. Brigit lay a hand on her lovers' thigh, 
in an effort to calm her legendary Irish temper.

"Be calmed my love." Brigit said softly, her voice had an 
instantaneous effect on her wild-eyed lover. "I am going to explain 
all I know of the Slayers origins to the girls, and I will gladly 
share all I know with them. You know yourself I've gone far beyond 
the norm in their education as have you my sweet warrior"

The tall woman blushed brightly at her mate's endearment for her being
used in public.

"Aw now go on wit ya' woman." the embarrassed warrior said gruffly but
her loving smile at the small serene blonde gave her true feelings 
away. "Next ya' will have em thinkin' I serenade ya' under the 
balcony and such mush."

"But my love you have such a lovely voice." Brigit answered with a
beatific smile "I think all of the grove should hear it."

Morrigan leaned down and gently kissed her beloved mate's full soft
lips, interrupting the conversation and inadvertently allowing 
everyone to calm themselves a little.

"I do so love ya' my little Goddess." Morrigan whispered as they
reluctantly parted, causing the seemingly unflappable woman to smile
shyly and blush at her lover's unexpected declaration. "Ya' are the 
very best of me and the light that guides through the darkness of me 
own bloody soul."

It was the first time the ancient warrior had ever made a reference to
her own violent past. Being a warrior and a guardian of the Light for 
over three millennium had brought the tall redhead into the unenviable
position to have sent many souls on their way to their destinies. It 
was something that weighed heavily on her. 

If not for the constant presence of her long time mate and protector 
of her soul Brigit, Morrigan would have collapsed under the weight of 
her guilt long ago.

The love between the two women is what always gave Buffy hope for her
own future and the sight of the two of them expressing their affection
even after all that time made her think of her own mate and the
protector of her soul, and she snuggled back deeper into Willow's
comforting arms.

Sensing Buffy's need Willow tightened her hold on her quiet and, as 
only she new, very frightened lover.

"Morrigan my love the girls need us," Brigit said softly, knowing that
the delay was causing the Chosen Ones anxiety to escalate, and giving
the poor child undue stress. "Be at ease Elisabeth, I plan to be sure
that what my beloved and I know that pertains to you will be fully
revealed before we leave you this night."

"Brigit, darlin'," Morrigan stated her eyes focused on the blonde 
haired blue eyed center of her universe, "I think we have put this 
off far too long and so I swear in the name of the true Goddess and 
mother of us all that I'll not interrupt you again unless it is to 
add to the tale you must tell the young ones this night."

With a sigh of resignation the woman that had once been worshipped as
the Goddess of healing and compassion nodded her head solemnly and
turned her dark blue attention on her two students. She had hoped that
the Slayer would have learned of all this before and that she wouldn't
be put in the very position she found herself in at that moment.

"If you are ready dear," Brigit asked softly even her voice gave the
listener a sense of comfort. "We can began our little excursion into 
the past."

Frightened but determined to know Buffy nodded her head as a signal to
the small blonde woman that she was ready. Sensing her mates 
heightened anxiety Willow held her lover closer as Brigit began the 
convoluted tale of the birth of a Slayer.

"You must understand Elisabeth," Brigit began, "There are 
circumstances that surround this tale that even the best of our Druid 
mystics do not know. The only promise I can give you is that we will 
relate the story as we know it, and as we have learned it through our 
connections with the outer realms. There are bits and pieces that 
will seem out of place but only those actually involved know the 
entire story, and then they only know of their part of it."

She paused for a moment when someone knocked on the door. It was the
older Druid woman, Branwen, and she wanted to be sure that her friend,
the Sorceress, was recovered from her experience and to bring her a 
pot of Willow's favorite herbal tea. The bent old woman went over 
next to Willow and placed the pot on the table by the girls and gave 
Willow a comforting pat on the hand as she handed the redhead a cup 
of the steaming aromatic drink.

"Thank you, Wenny," Buffy said as she too took a cup from the old 
woman. "We appreciate the way you watch over us. You are a true gift 
from the Goddess."

"Yes Grams," Willow agreed using the endearment she always used when
speaking to the woman that had sort of adopted the two young women, 
she was the only one they allowed to call them girls. "Thank you for 
your kindness."

"Think nothing of it child," the ancient woman answered blushing under
their gratitude. "It is a joy to be around some youth for a change
instead of all these old codgers."

All four laughed as the older woman began her exit, but she saw the
terrified look on Buffy's face and felt the anxiety coming from them
both. Deciding her friends could do with a friendly presence the
perceptive old woman pulled up a chair and sat down next to the two
nervous young people, instead of leaving. 

She reached out and took Buffy's hand in hers and held it lightly so 
the younger woman would realize that she and her wife didn't have to 
face this alone.

"Twill be alright child" the silver haired old woman told the 
frightened Slayer, her voice soft and comforting. "Your loving wife 
and me will see to you if you need it. You just calm yerself little 
one and every thing will work out for the best."

"T-thanks Wenny," the Slayer answered her trembling voice showing her
fear, "but I-I'll be okay as long as Wills is with me, but I 
appreciate all the help we can get right now."

"Right here sweet cheeks." Willow quipped in a voice lighter and more
confident than she really felt. "You're stuck with me and you already
know that."

She gave the blonde sitting between her legs a hug pulling her wife
tighter against her chest and holding her there.

"Well Brigit, I suppose that's your cue." Buffy sighed resigned to her
fate. "Go ahead and tell me whatever it is that you think I should
know."

Brigit leaned forward and looked into Buffys' eyes. Piercing Cobalt
locked onto and held brilliant Hazel as waves of serenity and 
compassion radiated from one blonde to another, engulfing Buffy in a 
blanket of peace and security. Once she was sure she had her young 
friends mind settled and receptive she began her long and convoluted 
tale of the mysterious birth of a Slayer.

"Elisabeth, I want you to understand that what you are about to hear 
is the truth as we know it surrounding your conception and birth." 
Brigit began, her soft melodic voice nearly mesmerizing her 
listeners "Several of your years ago, a young man that had been 
raised and educated by an organization known as the Watchers Council, 
was sent from the safety and comfort of his world of academia in the 
land of the Britons, to a place on the far western coast of North 
America, called, California. He wasn't very happy about this 
assignment but he was raised to give total obedience to his superiors 
on the Council, so he packed his belongings and traveled to that far 
away place. His new assignment was to observe and record the 
happenings in an obscure little hamlet called Sunnydale, it was a 
known as the location of a possibly-reactivating Hellmouth." 

Brigit stopped for a moment to take a sip of her tea and to let the
story so far sink in. She knew she was about to give the Chosen One
information that would change the way she looked at the world she 
lived in.

"It was there that the young man was first exposed to Slayers and the
methods the Council used to train and control them." the small blonde
continued her narrative. "To say the young man was disillusioned by 
what he saw would be a gross understatement. He continued his reports
dutifully, but he also began voicing his opinions of the council's
methods. He became more vocal until finally his superiors told him to 
be silent and keep his opinions to himself or face censure and 
possible disciplinary actions. At this point he asked for and 
received a leave of absence from his duties. The council kept him on 
the payroll and continued to handle his expenses, in an effort to 
continue to control where he went and who he met." 

"He moved into a 
small two room dwelling in the city of Los Angeles, near a large 
university. He found employment there in the universities' library, 
he was happy there back in the safe confines of academia that had 
been his home for so long. He was overjoyed when he was placed in 
charge of their rare and obscure books and texts, and he spent hours 
studying ancient texts that neither the library, nor the Watchers 
Council themselves, had any idea even existed. 
Then his safe and 
secure little world was turned upside down when he met a beautiful 
young woman with dark blonde hair, and incredibly gorgeous eyes."

Brigit gave the Slayer a gentle smile and caressed her cheek.

"You are so like your mother when she was young," the gentle woman 
said sadly as a memory slipped through her mind. "So young and 
beautiful to have to bare the weight of the world's troubles on your 
fragile shoulders."

"Y-you knew my mom?" Buffy asked her voice tiny and lost "Was she 
happy, I-I mean before everything."

"Yes child, though she never knew us." Brigit answered in a sad and 
far off voice. "She was a child of destiny and therefore marked by 
it. We try to help them when we can, to lighten their burdens, but 
alas there is only so much we are allowed to do." 

They looked at each other for a moment each lost in their own memories
of happier times. Then Brigit looked away for a second then took 
another sip of her now tepid tea. She then pulled the Chosen Ones 
gaze into her own once again so that she could finish her story. 

Brigit wanted to get through it knowing the questions and grief the 
ending would bring.

"From the moment he saw your mother the young man lost his heart."
Brigit began she could feel the strength and support coming from her
loving mate who knew how hard this story was on her. "It is a feeling
I'm sure you know well, my dear."

Brigit smiled as she noticed both young women blushing at her remark,
they did indeed know that feeling well.

"Joyce was a young, free spirited woman of her times." she 
continued "He was a man of the Old World and its ways and he courted 
her as he believed proper. She was in her last year of school as an 
Art History major when she convinced him to let her move into his 
tiny dwelling. They were young and in love for the first time and 
their lives were utter bliss. Joyce spent her days in pursuit of her 
goals, he was deep into several newly discovered books of prophecy. 
Then came the news that she was pregnant. That news sent them further
into their bliss to know that their love would be bringing another
precious life into the world. Neither could have been any happier, but
as you know the world for some reason seems to be unable to tolerate 
too much happiness."

Everyone in the room grunted in agreement and braced themselves for 
what they knew had to be coming.

"The young woman had an admirer, a well meaning but small minded bigoted
young
man in his final year of law school." Brigit continued. "He had known
her ever since she had entered her first year of college and they'd 
even dated off and on, but for Joyce there was no spark, and she 
explained that they would never be anything but friends." 

"When he heard that she was living with some unknown foreigner, he was
outraged." Brigit's disapproval of the other man was evident in her
voice, surprising both of the young women "Then the young watcher 
found an obscure book, that held an unknown, but as far as he was 
concerned a devastating prophesy."

Brigit had to stop for a moment her emotions overwhelming her, 
rendering her incapable of speaking temporarily. After a few more 
sips of tea and some deep calming breaths, she was ready to continue

"The other young man was always there, and whenever her lover was gone
he would use the opportunity to speak badly of her lover, belittling 
him for his occupation and telling her that he would desert her." 
Brigit was trying hard to keep her own feelings and emotions out of 
the story but was failing badly. "As you know, your mother, 
Elisabeth, was pregnant, it was not an easy time for her, her 
hormones were raging out of control, and her emotions were in 
constant flux, and her "friend's" words were having more of an effect 
on her than she knew. Then when her beloved came to her and told her 
that their child was going to be a girl that was destined to become 
the "Chosen One" she didn't believe him." 

"As the young watcher 
researched further he began to realize just how far his employers 
would go to gain control of a child with that much potential power. 
He also knew that if he stayed with his beloved Joyce there would be 
no way he would be able to hide the child from the misguided and 
power hungry men. 
After what he had learned and seen in his time in Sunnydale he was 
positive that he last thing he wanted for his daughter was for her to 
end up in the clutches of those cold hearted men whose only mission 
in life was to impress their will on innocent young women and force 
them to serve the Council's unknown purposes and then destroy them 
before they could reach their full potential and break away from the 
Council's control."

Buffy began weeping softly, as the tremendous sacrifice her true 
father had made for her even before he had the chance to see her, 
he'd proven his unconditional love for his child.

"He finally came home and sat down with his beloved Joyce, and told 
her of the discoveries he had made, and what the future would be for 
their daughter if he stayed. He tried to get the broken hearted Joyce 
to understand how dangerous it was for him to be with her once the 
baby was born. He swore to her that he loved her and he would see to 
it that their child would never want. All this was useless against 
the seeds of doubt and suspicion planted by the vindictive "friend". 
Joyce tried to understand, she really did, but it was all simply too
much for her to absorb at once like that." 

"Two days later she packed 
her belongings and disappeared. The young Watcher was devastated, but 
decided that maybe it was for the best so he to packed his belongings 
and left. 
Two weeks later when Joyce came back to try to find the man 
she loved more than life, to try to work things out, she found he was 
gone and no one knew where. She grieved horribly and while she was in 
the grip of a deep depression her "loving friend" seized the 
opportunity and convinced Joyce that he would gladly marry her and be 
the father of her unborn child. At his insistence they were quickly 
married in a civil ceremony."

"Oh Sweet Goddess, please don't tell me." Willow whispered as the
implications of Brigit's story sunk in.

"Yes my young Sorceress." Brigit said in answer to her unspoken 
question "the small minded and deceitful young man was a young Hank 
Summers, who became a lawyer and acted as your father, insisting that 
you never hear the true story of your birth. It was because of those
attitudes that he was unable to handle the
pressures when your life went out side the boundaries he considered to
be normal." 

"Your real father never lost track of his beloved Joyce and his much
loved daughter Elisabeth, also called Buffy, and when it became known
that the next Slayer to be called was in Southern California, he
volunteered to be the Watcher to look for her. 
Using his prior knowledge of the area as leverage, he was able to
convince the council that he was the man for the job. He stalled as 
long as he could, claiming that he could not find you when he was 
really watching over you, the entire time.
It was his influence that helped convince Hank Summers that a proper,
modern young woman should take gymnastics and martial arts to improve
her poise and confidence, so she could 'find a suitable husband'."

She stopped for a drink of tea and to allow Buffy to get a handle of 
all she had been told so far. Brigit knew it wasn't easy for Buffy to 
accept what she knew was coming.

"The by now much older Watcher felt very fortunate to have been able 
to follow the growth of the daughter he could never acknowledge, but 
dearly loved. 
He had hoped to avoid having his beloved daughter called into service,
but when Lothor and his minions came hunting for the Slayer, he knew 
he had to act.
He trained you as best he could Elisabeth. Because of him you were 
never really controlled by the Council, he even arranged that a 
student of his became your next Watcher, in case he failed. 
In the end he was able to give you the greatest expression of parental
love a father can leave his child. He sacrificed himself so that you
could live to become a fine young woman, and with the help of his
student Rupert Giles, he guaranteed that his daughter would live to
fulfill her destiny."

"As I am sure you have already surmised. James Merrick was your true
father and I want you to know that he would be so very proud of you, 
my dear child, and he would want you to stop letting Hank Summers 
make you feel less than we all know you to be." 

The room was silent for several moments as the news that Brigit had
given them sank in. Then quietly Buffy began to cry, slowly she went 
from quiet weeping to a body wrenching wailing, grieving howl, as the 
events of her short time spent with her first watcher flashed through 
her mind, it was like seeing him die all over again. 

This time though it was her long estranged and unknown father laying
there with a gaping hole in his chest, from the wooden stake that 
Lothor had plunged into the older man's chest. 

Then she remembered something that hadn't rung a bell before but now
were of singular importance. Buffy remembered holding Merrick in her
arms as his life's blood pumped out of is body, and with his last 
breath he had whispered;

"Tell my beloved Joy, that her Jim said goodbye, and that he is very
proud of 
their daughter."

Then he quietly slipped away, it had hurt her the first time but this
time it was tearing her insides to shreds.

"I am so very sorry my child," Brigit whispered, "but I know of no way
to lessen that pain other than time. Think of him with kindness, 
Elisabeth, he did what he believed best for you and your mother, and 
in the end he did not have the chance to reveal his true self to you. 
Let out your grief child such a man is worthy of his daughter's 
tears."

As always. and with Willow's and Wenny's support, the grief stricken
Chosen One did as her gentle and wise mentor advised.

++++++++
END 11
TBC
+++++++
So what cha think? Please let me know, I'm getting kind of paranoid
here, the story has taken on a life of it's own, and I need to know
whether to slay the beast, or let it grow wild and unchecked. All
opinions are welcome as always.

Alex