Fic: Graile Intermission I

[Jack Xavier Warriner <connor_macbeth@xxxxxxxxx>]

Graile Intermission 1
By, Macbeth

Disclaimers: I own Jack and a few others. The ones I
don?t own are easily recognized as
belonging to Joss/Davis & Panzer/Universal
Summary: A series of letters between Buffy and Jack
set between her time in Hemry and
Season One. Just a little something to tide you over
between chapters.
Feedback: Feedback = food. Feed the Bards.

Dear B,
The drive to New York was long and dull; And after
that night in Ord?s tower, it was a welcome change.
Though I could have done without the endless highway
in
Texas. That got very boring very quickly. Stopped in
New Orleans for lunch with an old acquaintance of
mine, and was stopped by the police outside of
Memphis.
Otherwise the drive was uneventful. 
Now I?m back in New York, Sitting in my Townhouse
and waiting for something to do. Guess I?ll head over
to Murphy?s for a drink. If you need help, drop me a
line.

JC

Jack slipped the paper into an envelope and stepped
out his front door. Taking a moment, he stood on the
landing and basked in the early morning sunlight. ?Hey
Jack.? His eyes snapped open as a voice sounded to his
left. A slim mocha skinned girl of about fifteen years
sat on the stone banister of his front steps. She
brushed off her black levis and thrust her hands into
the pockets of her bomber jacket, pulling it tighter
over her white tank top, before stepping off and
moving closer to Jack. ?Was wonderin? when you?d be
back.? she said and shook her
head, causing her shoulder length dreadlocks to fly
around her head. Jack grinned and set his left arm
over the young girl?s shoulders. 
?Right. Admit it, you never even noticed I was
gone.? He laughed and pulled her close for a short
hug. Leaning his head down he whispered in her ear.
?Missed you too Aki.? Standing straight, they both
headed down the street, Jack?s arm around her
shoulders, Aki?s hands thrust deep into the pockets of
her jacket.
?Let?s get some coffee and you can tell me about
Her again.? she said, nodding to the nearby Starbucks.
?Let me guess who?s paying.? He said with a mock
glare.
?What? I?m broke.? Aki said, suddenly fascinated by
a silver ring on her finger.
?You are the reincarnation of one of the oldest
sorceresses on Earth, and you spend money faster than
Scotland Yard. You?d think in four thousand years
you?d learn the merits of thrift.? he said with a soft
poke to her shoulder
?Yeah... Well... CDs aren?t cheap.? she said,
tucking her lip down like a child ten years
younger. ?Besides, I can always hop over to the book
shop and raid the till.?
?Stealing from your own business. You are Evil.? He
muttered, shaking his head.
?Your point?? she grinned, flashing him her pearly
whites. ?C?mon, I?ll get the table, you get the Java.?
she said, opening the door to the coffee shop.

*	*	*

Dear Jack,
Thanks for the letter. I for one, am in complete
agreement. After that night in the belltower, Tedious
repetitive Slaying IS a welcome change. Merrick has
taken to training me during every free moment I have
and it?s driving me INSANE! The tower?s been closed
and plans have been drawn up for it?s demolition.
Merrick managed to return later and salvage what he
could. A couple books he overlooked, an Axe, and for
some reason, he had me lug that anvil Ordiniconii used
to summon Soil Boy. 
Bad news, I?m afraid. When that dirt thingie
released my arms, it pulled off that bracelet you gave
me. I was robbed by a nine foot man of dirt. I?m very
sorry. I really appreciated it and I?ve asked Merrick
to look into finding it but he just looked at me
strangely and said it?d be a challenge. The vampire
population around here has vacated slowly. Pike and
I?ve actually had time to do date type things. 
Pike has been bugging me to go to Caritas. It was
embarrassing enough when I went there with Merrick,
but to go there with Pike? No chance in hell. Tell me
something, have YOU ever gone and performed there? 
I?m getting the evil eye from a spear wielding
Brit, so I?ll wait patiently for a
reply.

B.

P.s. Settle an argument between Merrick and Me. Is
your car a Cadillac or not?

Buffy opened the mail slot and slipped the envelope
in. ?Well, that?s that.? turning, she loped back into
Merrick?s mansion and grabbed her jacket. Not seeing
Merrick, she started moving calmly to the front door.
?Buffy? Where are you going?? came a voice from
across the hall. Buffy turned to see Merrick carrying
padding and a wood tipped spear.
?Home. Where I have not been in forty eight hours.
My mother has actually called about putting my face on
milk carton.?
?Yes, yes, very droll. However, perhaps you could
use a break, Take the night off. But be here an hour
before school tomorrow.?
?Um.. Merrick? It?s Friday. no school tomorrow.?
She said, instantly regretting it. 
?Well, good. Be here at eight a.m. sharp.? he said,
retreating back into the Ballroom turned Gymnasium.
Walking through a door on the opposing wall, he
slipped over to the phone and began dialing.
Waiting with typical British patience, he absently
prepped a pot of tea set up on a portable burner as
the operator connected him overseas. ?Hello, Ms.
Andrews? This is Leland Merrick. Merrick. M E R R...
Yes, In Los Angeles. I?d like to speak with Mr.
Travers please. Yes, I?ll wait.? His eyes closed and
his hand began rubbing the bridge of his nose as his
head moved slowly to the classical music the secretary
switched on.
?Travers.? Came an elderly male voice over the
line.
?Quentin, It?s Merrick.?
?So Ms. Andrews said. What can I do for you?? The
Head of the Watcher?s Council asked in an almost bored
tone.
?What did the prophecy say after the Night Tower
segment?? Merrick asked glaring at
the teapot, willing it to boil faster.
?I have it right here, a bit of light reading over
tea.... Ahem, And I quote: ?Night falls on the Tower
of the Summoner. As the arena burns He shall die and
The Chosen shall journey to the Mouth of Hell and
there reside, maintaining the Balance.? Was that what
you wanted to hear? I thought you had a copy.? Quentin
asked.
?I do. I was double checking. The ?He shall die?
segment disturbs me slightly.? Merrick muttered.
?Yes, I can see how being told of your imminent
death would be a tad disturbing. Good night.? Travers
managed to sound almost sincere before he terminated
the signal.
?Sanctimonious bastard.? Merrick muttered to the
now hissing teapot.

Fin.

Macbeth,
Kamikazi Scotsman
The Kilted Moogle

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