Disclaimer in part 1.
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Giles lay on the hard iron cot. He’d been in the cell for almost two days now. He wasn’t sure, but he believed it was illegal to keep a prisoner that long without legal representation. He hadn’t mentioned it to his captors. He doubted if they would care.
They’d been questioning him consistently during that time. Always the same. Who had killed Jenny? Kendra? Was it the same person? Didn’t he want to confess? Where was Buffy? What had he done to her? He kept repeating the same answers over and over. To no avail. They didn’t believe him. Either that, or they wanted him to be guilty. Finally, he’d lot his temper. Told them how much he wanted to find Buffy too. That had been a mistake.
Now he was waiting. For what, he wasn’t sure. They hadn’t been near him for a few hours. Gave him a chance to clear his head. To think. And wonder. Why hadn’t Xander been to visit? Had he abandoned him too?
A noise behind him caused him to turn his head.
“Hallo Ripper.”
“Ethan.” He shouldn’t have been surprised, but he was. He hadn’t known Ethan had sunk so low.
“So. How does it feel? To be alone? Friendless? Reviled and despised? Without aid in sight?”
“Is this what it’s about, Ethan? To see how far you can push me? To make me taste, what, some of your pain and loneliness?”
“Not push, dear boy. Punish. You abandoned me! Hid behind your little Watcher role. Left me on my own.”
“There is a difference between us Ethan. You were on your own through choice. I begged you to walk away. I would have been there for you.”
“Would you?” Giles turned his head, a faint blush climbing his cheeks. He knew what Ethan was asking. The one area they had truly differed in. Their perceptions of their relationship. “I thought not.”
“So, you decided to destroy my life. Has it helped?”
“Oh, yes. Because I have proven I can do it. I have finally shown you I am the better man.”
Giles looked him in the eye. “Have you?” This time it was Ethan’s turn to look away. “Enjoy your moment of glory, Ethan. It won’t last.”
“Oh? You think your little friends will help you this time? Your Slayer? Where is she? Where are they? They’ve abandoned you Rupert.” He paused, as though in thought. “You know? I might let you go to gaol. You might learn how to treat a friend properly in there.” He laughed as he left the holding area.
Giles lay back down. Now he knew. He wasn’t worried. Seeing Ethan had restored his faith in Xander. He was also sure the others would know the truth and return to Sunnydale. His concern now was for Buffy. He hoped she stayed away a little longer.