Ripping Confessions 11
Death of a Watcher

"Hey, Giles." Spike shook me gently. "Look, daybreak! Birds are screechin’ their ’eads off. You made it!"

I opened my eyes and smiled wanly. Should I be pleased? Spike was impressed. I never thought I’d impress Spike!

"Morning love, Happy Christmas." I whispered to Willow. She seemed to have turned away from me. "Spike could you turn her slightly please?"

The vampire went over to the painting and adjusted it. He was caught by the spell in the painting, as if he could reach in and pull her out.

"Careful, she bites!" I chuckled.

Spike smiled. "Watcher you’re priceless!"

"Thank you." I glanced under the tree Jack had deposited everyone’s presents there. "Spike, I need you to deliver the presents when I’m gone. The flat one with the red paper is for Oz he need’s it straight away. Go and give it to him now please. I’m going into the conservatory."

Spike gathered the bundles and delivered each present as directed. Oz first. That one was quite heavy. Anya and Xander had a lightweight present, quite flat. Cordelia’s was small and bumpy and Jack’s was small and square.

Oz came out of his room. He was dressed for the outdoors. He thrust his present into his jacket pocket. Spike followed him downstairs. Oz had put the kettle on.

"I’m looking for coffee." He said as Spike came in the kitchen; Spike pointed to the far cupboard on the right.

"Did a reccy searching for food. I’m goin’ to have to get Jack to buy me a fridge for me’ own food."

Thundering steps echoed down the hall as Jack shot through he skidded by the kitchen and doubled back. His robe was flying out behind him like a cape.

"Oh, look it’s the masked Watcher. What you harin’ about for?"

Jack was catching his breath. "Dad?" one word was all he could utter.

"Conservatory." Spike answered leaning back against the counter top. Jack took off again.

He slowed his pace as he approached the back of the chair. He peeked round to look at me.

"Boo!" I smiled as he jumped. Jack smiled with relief and knelt on the floor. "You didn’t think I’d go without wishing you Happy Christmas, did you? Open your present." I leaned forward gazing down at him as he ripped the paper. I had given him my ring and hoop earring. He smiled. That was my thanks.

"You’ll have to get pierced now, left ear." I sat back. Gradually everyone came down to thank me for their presents. Jack cooked breakfast my favourite, bacon and eggs, sausage and mushrooms. The smell was delicious! I watched them eat gathered on the window seats of the conservatory. Cordelia loved the car she had driven to get the tree. That was her present an E-type Jag. Xander and Anya had the rights to the Spike stories. Oz, I saw Oz by the tree at the farthest part of the garden waiting to use his present. I suggested a snowball fight when everyone had breakfasted. Jack took the plates into the kitchen while everyone changed for the mid-morning chill.

It was a glorious morning the sky was pale blue with wispy high clouds. Ice water melted off the long icicles adorning the conservatory roof; the snow would be gone soon. Snowdrops were just beginning to peek through the earth of the tubs on the patio.

The snowballs were just the right consistency; everyone had an even number. The battle lines were drawn…Battle commenced. Anya pelted snow at Jack he was covered in freezing slush in seconds. Xander couldn’t seem to launch his snowball at anyone; he couldn’t decide who to aim at. Cordelia caught him a cruel blow to the groin and laughed. Jack aimed and she gagged on a mouthful of snow I giggled she looked so ridiculous!

"Time to go, Ripper."

I turned to look at my old friend. He didn’t look the same; he was maybe thirty years old with a merry twinkle in his eye.

"Now?" I asked. "Where’s Willow?"

"She’s looking after him." Ethan pointed out of the window to where Oz stood poised. "He’s coming with us. You painted us together."

I smiled as I stood up, looking at the action through the window. Jack waved at me. I waved back; screams of laughter filled the air then suddenly…

THWACK!

A snowball hit the window directly in front of me and slid gracefully down the pane of glass.

Oz stared at the gun. He loaded the bullet and glanced one last time at the happy, joyful scene enacted before him. Everyone having fun. Giles got up and waved. The signal. He opened his mouth and kissed the cold world goodbye.

THWACK!

Jack saw his father collapse and started to run. He heard the gunshot behind him and stopped. The battle was forgotten Cordelia screamed, the gang headed up the garden and he resumed his perilous slide toward the house. He ripped open the door and struggled out of his gloves. Too late… his father was dead.

"He stood up and waved to you. Then dropped, I’m sorry Jack." Spike’s voice came from a great distance. "Shall I get the doctor?" Jack nodded mutely. He wept silently for his father he had been dying for years, now death was finally here and he felt a cold emptiness. He was orphaned.

Jack moved away as Xander exploded into the conservatory. He fell at Giles’ side and surveyed the spare ravaged body tears blinding him. Cordelia and the others arrived all with similar reactions. It was so cruel losing two on the same day at almost the same time. Who did this? Who made it happen? Useless questions that no one can answer. Both gone at the allotted hour.

End of Pt.11

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