Ripping Confessions 13
A Visitation

Jack sat up in bed; his gritty eyes were reluctant to open. He yawned and heard from far away the music that had woken him. He pulled his robe close round him and set out to investigate.

He opened his door and went out onto the landing to meet the remaining Slayerettes similarly attired. They had all heard the guitars. Xander looked uneasily at Jack and Cordelia. Jenny crept forward between them all and peeked down the stairs.

"It’s coming from down there." She pointed and went downstairs. Jack followed his Slayer and the gang followed him.

"Anyone else got Déjà vu?" Cordelia asked.

Xander nodded. "Anyone got a stake?" he asked, Jenny held her hand aloft. "What you do, sleep with it?"

The music was louder downstairs it drifted from the library. They entered the room warily peering into the darkness. Someone was there.

Cordelia shrieked as lightning briefly lit up the room illuminating Spike’s angular face. He stood stock-still staring at the paintings he’d been instructed to move. At Cordelia’s shriek, his hand clasped his unbeating heart in fright.

"Gawd, don’t do that girl! Nearly shocked some life into me!"

The guitars stopped playing. It was eerily silent. More lightning played about the room and it grew colder. The chill drew the group together for warmth. They were fearful staring at each other.

With a gentle ’Phutt’, the fire spluttered into life and they all jumped. Jack heard murmuring voices coming nearer and footsteps echoing hollow round the room. His breath quickened; his heart was in his mouth. They were walking over the bridge in his father’s painting.

"Look…" He whispered, pointing.

Everyone focused on the painting. At first, there were just indefinite shapes that moved and shifted under the surface. Oz tumbled out and sprang to his feet smiling at them. Ethan stepped gracefully from the painting holding Buffy by the hand helping her the small step to the floor. All three looked back into the canvas waiting for the late arrivals. Giles and Willow came through together hand in hand.

Cordelia sank down onto one of the chairs breathing hard. Spike couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. Xander and Anya also sat down their mouths agape. Jenny looked confused.

"Hello Jack." His parents greeted him warmly. Jack swallowed hard trying not to let new tears fall.

"Jack don’t cry Darling, we’re fine really." Willow stroked her small hand over his brow curling into his hair that refused to behave. He caught his breath at her familiar gesture and tears fell unashamedly down his cheeks.

Buffy gazed at her friends her own eyes becoming bright. It had been so long since she’d seen them all. She smiled at the young girl clutching the stake.

"Hi, you’re the Slayer? I’m Buffy; I was a Slayer. Hey, Spike. "She shifted her gaze to take in the vampire standing behind the girl. He nodded. Curt, no love lost. She went over to Ethan and shared the second arm of the chair he was sitting on.

"Oz." The name was strangled from Xander’s lips. He coughed and started again. "Oz, why did you do it? I mean didn’t you think what it would do to us. Blowing your brains out like that!" Xander was angry with him.

Giles looked at the were-wolf and saw the pain sweep over his soul. He moved to protect him from further pain.

"Xander…Oz didn’t want to kill anymore. I gave him the means to end his life. He was meant to kill me this week. We don’t know why. I’ve given him sanctuary in this house. I won’t have him hurt again is that clear?" His voice was calm, his eyes’ kind as they bored into Xander’s soul.

"Yes sir." Xander replied hanging his head. Giles smiled at him.

"Good. Now, I know I left very suddenly. We just came back to say there’s nothing to fear." He looked round to where Willow still cradled Jack’s head in her arms. "Willow, wanted to see you again. We’re happy, I’m happy. We really don’t have long this time round. The paintings are set for Christmas time…"

"Set?" Spike questioned. "What are they Watcher, a bloody alarm clock?"

"Yes, that’s exactly what they are Spike. We can come back every Christmas until there isn’t a reason to come back."

"When will that be, Dad?" Jack questioned

"When everyone present is in the family crypt, Jack." He smiled at the shocked faces. "That’s a long, long time. You’re all my family y’know; I couldn’t split you up. That’s if you want it?" He suddenly realised they might want to be buried with their own families and he was disturbed by his thoughtlessness.

One by one, they nodded. Even Jenny who knew in her heart of hearts she might be the first one to die. Buffy got up and gave her a hug.

The slow guitar playing started again. Giles looked back at the painting. Already? He smiled sadly.

"Jack put the paintings in the crypt, come and see us though. Have a chat; we’ll hear you. Oh, and the patch of garden up by the tree? Don’t come in it’s our patch, you might see something your innocent eyes were never meant to see!" He grinned and gave his son a hug. He parted from him reluctantly, his eyes shining.

"Bye. See you next year." Giles took Willow’s hand and they went back into the painting in reverse order. The guitar faded as Oz stepped into the canvas.

They all stared at the oil painting. It was flat. Just a painting. Now all they had to do was explain why there were only four people waiting on the bridge because Giles had joined Willow in the garden painting.

The End

Prequel: Seal of fate

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