Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.


The days went by pretty much the same. Work during the day, teaching or slaying during the night. Both Jessica and Emily were doing well enough that Buffy was feeling pretty confident that she could leave them with their Watcher in a week or so. Though part of her didn’t seem to mind having her nights filled with vampires and demons. Things were different now. The world didn’t rest on her shoulders and just the notion that if she didn’t want to patrol she could, just made things a little easier to handle.

Collin would always come with them on patrol which she thought was a little odd. He was very protective of Emily though she could tell that he tried to hide it. He would tense up each time either of the girls faced someone. His eyes would grow stern and he would fiddle with whatever he had in his hand. He would strike up a conversation with Buffy, acting all cool and calm like them sitting in the graveyard was perfectly normal. But there was something else there that Buffy couldn’t figure out.

Buffy recalled the conversation she had with Giles about Emily Pratt. He called to make sure she was doing okay and had asked how Emily and the other girls were doing. There wasn’t much to report… a few baddies here and there. Then the conversation turned to Collin and Buffy just had to blurt out. “Where did you dig that guy from? I’ve never seen a Watcher like that before.”

“Well”, Giles said pausing for a few seconds “there are only a few who would jump at the challenge you know. Though I say, Buffy, how is he doing with the other girls?”

“Okay I guess.. though he seems to be hovering over Emily a lot.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. I thought about assigning him to someone else but given the nature of their relationship, I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Nature of their relationship?”, she asked curiously “What are you talking about Giles?”

“Didn’t I mention it to you before?”

“Uhm.. no.. I think I’d remember…”

“Collin is Emily’s older brother.”


***
Buffy looked at herself in the mirror, smiling at what she saw. Dawn peaked into her room.

“You ready yet? You know we still have to pick up Jessica and Emily.”

“I know, I know” Buffy said grabbing her purse and strapping on her heels. It was girls night out – Dawn’s idea. She was home for the weekend and like any college girl wanted to party. Amanda and Dawn were already waiting in the car when Buffy locked the door. She really didn’t like the notion of “babysitting” a couple of teenagers all night. She was already up to her neck in teens at work but it had been a while since Dawn had been home. Dawn would give her the sisterly guilt trip of not spending time with her but Buffy knew that she’d get ditched before the night was over.

When they reached Jessica’s house, she was already waiting for them and with her usual cheery personality she climbed into the car and started talking up a storm. Buffy ignored most of the conversation, concentrating more on the drive to Emily’s house. This would be the first time she would be driving there and she didn’t feel like getting lost. Based on the directions she got from the internet, it looked like Emily lived in the posh side of town but Buffy had no idea exactly how posh till she turned into the driveway and parked her car in the large estate. All of them were in awe.

“Wow, I wish I could be living here”, Jessica blurted out loud.

The front doors opened before any of them got out of the car. “You must be Ms. Summers”, a kind voice greeted them as they shuffled out of the car. “Ms. Emily will be with you shortly”, the woman said as she ushered them into the huge living room.

The floors were made of marble and the furniture was an interesting mix of antique and contemporary. There were paintings and various artifacts on the wall and each of the them took time to take their surroundings in, not really bothering to sit down as they were instructed to do.

“Oh my gosh!” Jessica exclaimed “Doesn’t that look like Buffy?!”, she said pointing at a portrait of a young woman.

Upon hearing Jessica’s remark, the other three girls made their way to the painting.

“Same hair and same color eyes but it’s not her”, Amanda proclaimed

Taking a step back Dawn started comparing her sister to that of the portrait. “It IS very similar.”

“Well whoever it is, it’s not me”, Buffy said huffily, turning her back from the painting only to find Collin watching with amusement at the four of them from the other side of the room. Buffy bit her lip feeling a little embarrassed at what she just said. Collin didn’t say a word, studying her intently.

“I’m sorry…. I didn’t mean…”, Buffy said softly

“No… don’t worry about it,” he said shaking his head. “But your sister is right. She does look like you…more than you know” he said trailing off in the end that she could barely hear what he said. He looked at the portrait with a sigh then replaced the contemplative look with his smug grin. “Didn’t know high-heels and a short skirt was standard attire for killing, Slayer?”

Before she could answer, Emily walked into the room with a smile. “I’m ready. Sorry to keep you waiting.” She announced. “Don’t wait up okay?”

“Hold on. You said nothing about going out tonight.” Collin said sternly.

“Yes I did. I said going to go out with the girls tonight. Then I said you didn’t have to come”

“You didn’t tell me you were partying tonight.”

“OH come on please? … Please? ... Please ?”

Buffy watched as brother and sister battled it out for a few more minutes. It made a little more sense now why Collin was overprotective of her. Buffy understood and knew that it might even be more difficult for Collin. Buffy wanted nothing more than to protect Dawn from all danger and she did whatever it took to keep her from harms way. But Emily was a Slayer and like any other Watcher, Collin had to let her go into the night so he did the next best thing and stayed by her. Buffy saw that as a double-edged sword. It was good to know that you could lean on someone if you really needed it but depending on that fact could get you sloppy and sloppy could easily get you killed.

Emily smiled triumphantly as Collin just raised his hands in surrender. The other girls giggled and headed towards the door but not before curious Jessica had to ask her question.

“So Emily, who is that in the painting?”, Jessica asked

“You mean the one on the far wall? Uhm… I don’t know… Collin knows more about it. All he told me was that our family inherited it together with other stuff and that painting over there,” she said pointing to a spot on the wall near the large staircase.

Buffy caught sight of a gentleman in his forties standing right next to a black horse. There was a stern look on his face and a slight air of impatience. Light brown hair and blue eyes hidden behind small spectacles didn’t soften any of his stern features. She could see the resemblance this man had to Collin and unknowingly Buffy moved closer, trying to see if there was a year on when the painting was made.

“1905”, Collin called out surmising what she was looking for.

It was the right year, right age… it could be him … Buffy caught herself and sighed. What in the world was she thinking? There was no way it could be him. He was turned years before 1905 and he died again last year. Buffy cursed her wishful thinking and hated the fact that she just couldn’t let things go.

Dawn caught the sadness in her sister’s eyes “You sure you want to come with us? I mean, we really don’t need someone to look after us or slow us down.”, she said giggling.

“Meaning what Dawnie? I’m not THAT old.”

“Well thirty isn’t that far away … Ouch.. Hey”

Buffy looked at her sheepishly “Sorry… habit” she said putting the hand that pinched Dawn behind her back.

“You could stay here if you like. Maybe the girls need a day without both of us around”, Collin suggested.

Buffy looked around and saw the eagerness in everyone else’s faces. Guess they could use a night away from the old Slayer. Handing Dawn the keys to her car, “Be careful and call me if you get in trouble.”

Smiling, Dawn gave her sister a quick hug and leaned closer to her ears “He is cute you know.. for a watcher!“ she whispered then hurriedly headed outside with the others.