Carpe Diem - The Novel Version: Part 2 completed
by Gaius Petronius

Carpe Diem



Carpe Diem, Part 2 continued, Chapter 8

by Gaius Petronius

Disclaimer: Joss and Fox own it all!

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"Hermes Trismegistos!" Jonathan begged. "Do
you have a copy of Hermes Trismegistos?!"

"The Dialecticon!" Giles exclaimed, recognizing the
ancient alchemist's study on spell reinforcement. Before Jonathan
could speak again, Giles was on his feet, zeroing in on one section
of the bookshelf. He immediately snatched out a small black volume.

"Book twenty-three, verse seventeen!" Jonathan called
out, his voice weakening.

Giles spun the pages effortlessly to the needed section and
held the book open in front of Jonathan so he could read.

Quickly, Jonathan began speaking the strengthening spell inaudibly
to himself. The words of the incantation on the pages droned with
a desperate intensity as if pleading with the forces of time and
nature. Shortly, the spell began to work, as Jonathan's hands
become solid again and he ceased trembling. Exhausted, he collapsed
full out on the sofa.

"Are you going to be all right," Giles asked, relieved
as he closed the small volume.

"That was close," Jonathan muttered, "The power
in the spell that's holding me here, it's slowly dispersing."

"Is there anything I can do?" Giles hovered over
the sofa as if standing guard.

"I have to rest right now," Jonathan said in a whisper.

"Tomorrow," Giles spoke calmly trying to reassure
the young telekinetic, "I'll do some research tomorrow. We'll
find a way."

Jonathan nodded and closed his eyes.

Suddenly the old rotary dial phone in the apartment rang, the
clatter piercing the silence. Giles picked up to answer.

"Giles?!" Buffy's voice called out urgently from
the receiver.

"Yes, oh, Buffy, hello," her Watcher replied, nervously
studying Jonathan for guidance.

"Are you guys okay?" Buffy asked as she brushed a
long strand of her hair out of her face. Giles could sense the
concern in her voice and realized it was from more than just friendship.

"Are we all right?" he stuttered, stalling for time.
He looked over at Jonathan who nodded in the affirmative.

"Why yes, of course," he lied over the phone.

"Is Jonathan okay?" she asked, desperately seeking
reassurance.

"Jonathan, yes, I think so," Giles glanced at Jonathan
again, who signaled that he didn't want to talk to Buffy.

"He's asleep right now," Giles fibbed again, "Is
anything the matter?"

"No, . . . I guess not," Buffy replied, discouraged,
"I had one of those creepy dreams, the kind that seem like
they're real. Jonathan was gone. I think he was dead."

"Oh my," Giles struggled to conceal what he really
wanted to say, "Well, it was just a dream. I'll tell him
you called, and we'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, Good night." Buffy hung up the phone slowly.
She stared down at her lap as she sat on the edge of the bed and
suddenly realized her cheeks were wet. Slowly she curled up again
under her comforter and squeezed the pillow tightly.

At the apartment, a worried Giles stared over at Jonathan who
now was immobile from exhaustion on the sofa.

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