*****

Giles finished cleaning the training room, then entered the shop to see if everything was ok. He froze on the spot when he saw Anya standing stiffened, behind the cash register, her glance reflecting fear. He turned; his muscles tense and saw a man dressed in black and hooded. He held a gun in his left hand.

"You, the old man! Move closer to the girl! And give me all the money! Give it to me!"

Giles obeyed. While he opened the drawer of the cash register to take the money, he noticed Anya's hand slowly moving towards a knife, which was on the bookcase under the counter. Everything happened very fast then, Anya took the knife and threw it at the man, he jumped to one side to avoid it and fired at the ex-demon. Giles in a fraction of a second pushed her to one side and received the bullet, which was intended for Anya, sending him crashing into the shelves behind him. He was submerged by a wave of pain, he cried out and slid to the floor. He lowered his eyes and watched in dull horror blood flowing freely from a dark hole in his jacket, near his heart.

Anya' s eyes widened with horror and she stood paralysed for few seconds before kneeling next to Giles. She took his hand pressed it in hers and raised his chin. A pink froth appeared on Giles lips. The bullet had pierced his left lung. His breath had become laborious, short, and extremely painful. Anya put her hands on Giles' wound and pressed on it, but the blood always sprang between her fingers at the rate of his beating heart. It was useless. Giles could feel blood spreading in his lungs. He knew he was going to die, very soon. His face turned ashen grey and he began to have muscles spasms. He felt cold, so cold. His vision blurred and darkened. His ears were buzzing. His body had become heavy. Little by little, he drifted into unconsciousness. His head bent into his shoulder and he did not move anymore.

"Noooo!" Anya yelled.

The man grabbed the money in the drawer of the cash register and ran out of the Magic Box, satisfied.

Anya closed Giles' eyes then she burst into sobs against his immobile chest. Giles was dead.

*
* *

The rain fell in heavily on Sunnydale, ice-cold, sometimes mixed with squalls of wind. Buffy was standing immobile under the big black umbrella which belonged to Giles, she could not believe he was dead, despite looking at his gravestone.

"Buffy, you should go home." Angel said to her. "It is useless staying here much longer." The vampire took her hand and pressed it in his. "I miss him too."

She sniffed. "I miss him so, Angel. I never imagined he could die. No, never."

"Watchers are normal human beings, Buffy." Angel pointed out to her. "They are mortal."

"Why?"

Buffy cried. Angel tightened her against him.

"Buffy?"

Buffy and Angel turned around and saw Ethan Rayne moving towards them, dressed in black.

"Angel, please let me be alone with Ethan. I'll find you at home very soon, all right?"

"All right."

The vampire went away.

"Ethan! I knew that you would come to see his grave, to gloat at his death." Buffy growled, angrily. "I' m sure you were very happy to read the article about his death in the newspaper."

Ethan shook his head. "No, no, I wasn't happy at all, I cried, I sobbed for almost two days. I'd so much pain, I didn't want to come to his funeral for fear of dying from sorrow seeing his coffin lowered into his grave. You probably don't know that Ripper and I were formerly very close Buffy, we were partners, friends, brothers, we were. we were lovers. But after Eyghon and Randall, we separated. He became a Watcher and I a sorcerer. We were in conflict for more than 25 years, good against evil but I always loved him." Tears ran down his pale, hollow and bearded cheeks. "I will always love him."

"Ethan, could you resurrect him using magic?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes, I could, but I shan't do it. He finally found peace. Leave him where he is."

"But I need him!" Buffy exclaimed.

Ethan glared at her. "You! You! You think only of you! You! You! You! Have you ever thought of him? I'm going to tell you a big secret, Buffy. He loved you, as a madman, from the first day he saw you, in the library. He loved you, in spite of you breaking his heart by loving Angel, then that moron Parker and the boy scout Riley. In spite of how you made him suffer by not revealing to him that Angel had come back, or when you ran away. He spent two months looking for you everywhere, throughout the country, dying from anxiety, not eating, not sleeping. He continued to love you even when you abandoned him, not needing a Watcher and even later when again you remembered that he existed. It is only recently that he finally understood that you would never love him. He got ready to return to London to try to forget you and to restart his life when you asked him to be again your Watcher, he stayed, because it was his duty, to be your Watcher."

Buffy paled and trembled. "How do you know all this?"

Ethan sighed. "He phoned me in London and told me, revealing the story of his life since his arrival in Sunnydale. He spoke for more than four hours! He wanted us to meet in person, to make peace."

Buffy blinked, unbelieving. "He loved me? He loved me? But he loved Miss Calendar!"

She turned around and looked at the gravestone placed beside Giles' one. It was Jenny's.

"Naturally, he was only human! As he could not have you, he loved this woman, but Angelus killed her before they were able to make love. Poor Rupert."

"I just can't manage to believe that. he loved me. Why didn't he tell me?"

"He was afraid of your reaction, afraid of being taken for a pervert, afraid of being rejected, afraid of losing you, afraid that the Council would learn of it and have him deported to England, having spent almost half his life preparing himself to be your Watcher. It almost happened after he helped you during the Cruciamentum. But he was able to stay with you, and was so happy about it! Because he hoped that one day you could love him. Here we are, you know everything Buffy, and you also know why I do not want him to return to this world. I do not want him to suffer again. He has already suffered enough, yes, bloody enough!"

"My God." Buffy breathed, tears in her eyes. "I." She plunged her hand into the pocket of her coat and took a letter from it. "Giles left this letter for you Ethan."

Ethan tore the envelope open and removed a sheet of yellow paper from it folded in two. He unfolded it and read these words:

"Ethan,

Room 214. Sub-level 6. Watchers' Compound. Be happy with him.

Giles."

Ethan blinked, confused. < Be happy with him? With whom? > He was going to find out quickly.

"I have to leave now." The sorcerer said to Buffy.

Buffy nodded. "What did Giles say to you?"

"It's personal."

He glanced at Giles' grave a last time (he will never return here. Too many bad memories were associated with this city) then he started to cry and murmured:

"Be happy Rupert. I'm afraid but I'm not going to say "be seeing you" this time. Because. after my death, I'll go to Hell." He burst into tears. "Oh bloody hell! I'm sobbing like a lad! I loved you Rupert, and I will always love you."

He then he turned on his heels and rapidly went away. Buffy began to sob in her turn, she sank to her knees, hating herself for all she had done to Giles. She was a monster.

*

Once in his motel room Ethan prepared the different ingredients to make a transportation spell, then stood up in the center of the magic circle. He closed his eyes, concentrated and began to cast the spell. He disappeared on the last word pronounced. He materialised a handful of seconds later in room 214. Sub-level 6 of the Watcher's Compound in London.

"Oh! Bloody hell!"

Ripper was laid on a bed, the only object of the room. He thought he was going insane. His heart felt like it was going to explode in his chest.

"Oh Ripper."

His voice broke with the emotions that were overwhelming him. He felt tears of immense joy rolling down his cheeks. He staggered to his feet and took two steps in Ripper's direction. He could not breathe.

Ripper was naked, his eyes were closed. Ethan estimated his age at approximately 25 years. A cocoon of blue energy surrounded him. The sorcerer knew immediately what it was: a magical stasis field. It had preserved Ripper intact for more than 20 years.

His face wet with tears of joy, a large smile spread on his lips, Ethan approached his "sleeping beauty" and cast a spell to remove the magical stasis field. When it had disappeared, the sorcerer moved a trembling hand in towards the quiet and relaxed face of the sleeper. He needed to know if he was real. He touched his face everywhere he could, reverently. Yes, he was real. He then kissed Ripper on his forehead, then the lips, his neck and cheeks and embraced him tightening him against his chest. He abruptly burst into sobs. It was the most beautiful day of his life. No, the second he rectified in his mind. The first one had been meeting Ripper in a pub in Soho. He smiled at the vivid memory and his smile got bigger when Ripper moaned and slowly opened his eyes. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to his, hard.

"Hello Ripper."

Ethan then helped Ripper to sit-up on the bed. The young man immediately touched the older man's face and gently traced his wrinkles with a finger.

"I was sure that I would see you again one day Ethan. You're old. Well not so old. But you are still so beautiful. Maybe even more. How long did I remain in stasis?"

"More than 20 years. How do you feel?"

"I'm fine. I'm a little disoriented that's all. I remained in stasis for more than 20 years? Oh my God! I have the feeling of falling asleep. well yesterday."

Ethan grinned. "Ripper, my Ripper, I can't believe that you are in front of me, intact . "

Ripper suddenly began crying, but not out of joy. He wrapped his arms around the surprised sorcerer, rested his head on his chest and let his grief consume him. "I was awful with you Ethan. I scolded you, I hit you, and I cursed you. I'm sorry."

Ripper leaned his head on Ethan's chest. Ethan immediately slid his hands along his ex-lover's back and stopped them on his buttocks that he cupped. He felt a shiver go through his body, sending sparks down his back, right over his lower belly.

"You were right to do that to me. I pushed you to summon Eyghon one last time and it killed Randall. I'm sorry. I so regret it. I'm the murderer, not you. Ripper." He exhaled a long sigh. "I so loved you, then hated you so profoundly, because you left, to find your redemption by becoming a Watcher fighting against Evil. You left me while I loved you more than anything,

Ripper raised his eyes towards Ethan. His glance was haunted. "I never became a Watcher Ethan. I was in hell instead."

Ethan frowned, intrigued. "What?"

The door suddenly opened and Quentin Travers entered followed by two men of the Special Operations Unit. Ethan stiffened and Ripper gave a shout of joy. He launched himself into the old Watcher's chest. Quentin affectionately caressed the young man's hair and cheek then embraced him tightly.

Ethan was stunned. He believed that Giles hated Travers and vice versa. < Yes Giles, not Ripper. >

"Mr. Rayne, I did not expect to find you here." The High Chairman of the Council said. " How did you know that Ripper was here?"

Ethan took Giles' letter that he had slid in the pocket of his coat and stretched it to Travers. He read it.

"Giles is dead. Travers. He was killed two days ago."

"I know."

"The Slayer gave me this letter after his funeral. Rip. Rupert wanted me to get back Ripper, I was happy with him and it is what I plan to do. And you will not prevent me!"

Quentin exhaled a long and sad sigh. "Rupert Giles' death is a great loss for the Council, and for the forces of Good."

"Why did you create this clone?"

"Reginald Giles created this clone, not me Mr. Rayne. Having locked his son into a small cell, without light and without heat, without any piece of furniture, not even a slop pail, he said that his son had not enough suffered for all the evil that he had done, then he created this clone to deprive him of his mother, that he loved so much. Before doing it he used the magic to make a copy of his son's mind and emptied it of the dark core, which it contained. Without succeeding in it perfectly because Rupert sometimes showed himself to be violent and rebelled. He then created the clone, by using magic too and transferred Rupert's "cleaned" mind in his head. When Reginald announced to Ripper what he was going to do, Ripper had already seriously cracked up psychologically. He became crazy. Reginald then abandoned him to take charge of Rupert whom he modelled in his image. He made of him a formidable Watcher."

"But Ripper is not crazy any more, is he?"

Travers shook his head. "He is not crazy anymore because I took care of him and I loved him as if he was my own son. He became good again, kind and affectionate, as he was before he left Oxford and met you and in London. That is why I shall not let you take him with you, unless you become as him, good, kind and affectionate. By using magic I could make it happen. What do you think of my proposition Mr. Rayne?"

Ethan shivered with horror. "Do it and you will destroy me Travers. I like being the man I am. No, I refuse your proposition."

"Very well Mr. Rayne, in that case, Ripper will stay near me, and I am going to adopt him."

"Why did you place him in stasis?"

"When Reginald knew that I had managed to make Ripper a kind boy, he decided to get rid of him so that neither his wife nor his new son could learn of his existence."

"He wanted to kill him? To kill his own son?"

"The other Rupert was HIS SON. To save him I brought him here, in this abandoned sub-level and to keep him hidden food and drinks were transported here, as well as the minimum to live decently, I had to place Ripper in stasis. So, he would need nothing. If you had not deactivated the magical stasis field, I would have done it. When Reginald learnt of Rupert's death, he had a cardiac arrest and died, early this morning. I have just learnt of it."

Ripper paled and quivered. "He's dead?"

"Yes, and your mother too, 10 years ago. I'm really sorry to have to tell you this so brutally."

Ripper came to snuggle up in Ethan's arms. The sorcerer felt his heart beating at top speed and his penis starting to become erect.

"I want to remain with you, Ethan. I love you. I love you so much. Don't abandon me too!"

The sorcerer sighed. "Ripper I don't want to become good, kind and affectionate. I'm sorry luv. I like being the bad Ethan Rayne."

Ripper stepped back from Ethan's arms and took the hand of his future foster father.

"I want him Quentin. I want him. I love him so. Find a solution, I beg you, please! PLEASE!"

Ripper's tears moved the old man who nodded and gestured to one of the men of the Special Operations Unit.

"Injure Rayne, not badly!"

Ethan stiffened, frightened. The bullet hit him in his right shoulder and he cried out with pain before collapsing. Ripper gave a cry, fearfully he rushed to the man he loved. He put his head on his knees and tenderly caressed his cheek.

"I'm sorry Ethan, I'm sorry.�

"When I've finished with him. He will be as good, kind and affectionate, as you Ripper." Travers said.

"Not . no, no." Ethan moaned. "Do not let him change me Ripper. I want to stay myself."

"And thanks to the magic, he will become young again, so you will be together much longer."

Ethan cried with his inability to act and passed out.

*
* *

One week later

Ethan looked in the mirror of the bedroom that he shared with Ripper, or rather Rupert because Ripper did not exist anymore. The man that he had been did not exist anymore either. He could not believe that he'd been so bad, evil and cruel now that he was the opposite. Travers had been right to use magic to change him to please Rupert, who was in love with him and wanted him so.

He came to sit down at the edge of the bed and watched Rupert sleeping. He was sprawled there on the mattress, naked, on his stomach and had a happy smile on his lips. He did not blame him for having pushed Travers to make him a new man because he felt so well now. Never had he felt so well in all his life. And, furthermore, he was young again. His life had taken a new turn: Quentin had suggested he become one of the Council's teachers, teaching magic to the Watchers in training and he had accepted. He had then found a beautiful and big apartment near Covent Garden where he had moved with Rupert. He caressed Rupert's round and firm buttocks possessively. This night he had made love to him again and again for hours using all the vitality of a 25-year-old man. He rolled his still sleeping lover one his back and murmured:

"My Rupert . "

As for Rupert, when Quentin had suggested to him finishing his training as a Watcher, he had refused at once. He had never wanted to become one. It was his father who had forced him to become a Watcher. His decision had been strengthened by his hatred for him and also by the story of Giles' life, solitary and filled with both physical and psychological sufferings. Rupert had said to Quentin that he wanted to become a musician and a singer. Quentin had accepted his decision of good heart. He wanted happiness for his foster son (he had adopted him two days before, officially). The old Watcher had then registered him in Royal Academy of music.

Ethan slid his tongue in Rupert's mouth and Rupert moaned and groggily half opened his eyes. He kissed Ethan in his turn, murmuring his name. The kiss was long and soft.

"I love you Rupert."

"I love you too Ethan."

Ethan lay down next to Ripper on the bed and made him roll on his back. Seeing his morning erection he growled with pleasure. He contemplated some moments Rupert's perfect sex and felt his blood surging in his lower stomach. He then closed his eyes and began a slow friction of up and down which brought him rapidly to the edge of ecstasy. But he did not want to explode there. He took the tube of lubricant in the drawer of the bedside table, applied it to his own full erect penis before taking some on his fingers and easing it into Rupert's loins entrance. He rubbed the tight ring of muscle, slipping first one finger in, then two finding the prostate almost immediately. Rupert emitted a low growl as Ethan moved his oiled fingers in and out, in and out.

"Ethan, I want you in me. � Rupert asked placing himself on all fours. � Please! �

"Yes, luv, and good morning. "

"Good morning Ethan."

Ethan settled behind his lover and began to push against the narrow opening, slowly and steadily. He buried himself as deep inside of him as possible savouring the sensation. Deep inside him he held still few seconds, feeling his sex throbbing then started to thrust. Rupert slid his left hand towards his straining member to rub it, sighing, and moaning. He pressed his buttocks against Ethan's stomach to participate. Ethan suddenly very excited began brutal in and out movements, short or long and Rupert believed that he was going to pass out with pure bliss, his brain numb. Blood pulsing in his temples Ethan accelerated his rhythm a little more, out of breath, and covered by sweat. He roared as he brutally exploded inside his lover, he scratched his back during his formidable orgasm and fell on him, exhausted, sated and contented. Rupert exploded a short while after with feral grunt, fingers tightened on his straining penis. He collapsed on the bed and remained lethargic for a long time, with his head pushed in the pillow, sleeping off his fabulous orgasm. Ten seconds later he was asleep again. Ethan remained laying on top of Giles, still erect, still inside him and closed his eyes, it was there he slept the best, on and in his lover.

END