__Bedtime Stories__
By Kath



"...the young girl jabbed the stake into the last vampire, turning him into dust. And she and her Watcher lived happily ever after. The End."

The tall, slim sixteen year old boy closed the book and peered down at the small boy in the cot. *sigh* "Aren't you asleep yet?"

"Rupert? Are there REALLY vampires?" Three year old Wesley sat up in excitement.

"Of course there are. Now go to sleep." He pushed the boy back down.

"And there's really a Slayer? And she kills them all?"

"Sure....but, you know, she can't be everywhere at once and vamps usually go after little children who are awake when they're supposed to be sleeping. I'd be careful if I were you." Rupert grinned as the little boy's eyes opened wide with fear and then squeezed tightly shut. Maybe he'd finally fall asleep so Rupert could go watch the telly. 'Top Of the Pops' was on. He got up and moved to the door, when he heard the tiny voice again.

"Rupert? Where do our mummies and daddies go at night?"

"Wesley. I keep telling you, you'll find out when you're older. You're too little now."

"I am not!" Wes was sitting up again, his bottom lip sticking out in his patented pout. "I'm three years old!"

Rupert smiled in spite of himself. "Sorry. What I meant to say was: No one is allowed to know until they're four years old. It's a secret."

"Rupert?"

<<God, how does someone so small have so many questions>> "Yes Wesley?"

"When I grow up I'm gonna be a Watcher, and I'm gonna have a Slayer and we're gonna kill all the vampires."

"That's nice."

"What are you gonna be?"

"I'm going to be a famous rock star. Now go to sleep!" Rupert flicked off the lights and shut the door.

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