Wild Horses
Part 16
By Jeconais
"Can I ask a question?" Xander asked, as they looked around the second floor.
"Sure."
"What did you feel like, when you were with Buffy?"
"What do you mean?" Angel asked, his voice curt.
"Don’t get all broody on me," Xander said casually. "You’re the only person I know who’s been in a similar situation to me."
"Oh, you and Dawn?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"Why does everyone say that?"
"Where I come from, there was no such thing as under-age sex. Back in the old days, a girl made her own choice when she hit puberty. Even now, the legal age of consent in the U.K. is sixteen."
"So you didn’t have a problem with it?"
"Nope. When you’re brought up thinking that as soon as girl thinks she’s ready, she is, the current laws seem ridiculous. Of course, if I’d even suspected that there was a happiness clause, I’d’ve not gone near her with a barge pole."
"I hated you so much," Xander said as he paused and stared intently at the wall. He frowned, pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Get the foreman to floor three immediately," he snarled.
"What’s going on?" Angel asked, a bemused look on his face.
"How’s that vampire strength of yours?" Xander asked, ignoring the question.
"You are still irritating," Angel sighed.
"It takes practice," Xander grinned. "But do me a favor, and rip out this panel."
"That’s going to cost a lot to fix," Angel warned.
"I know," the younger man agreed cheerfully. "But do it, anyway."
Angel shrugged, grabbed the edge of the large panel and ripped it off with ease.
"Mr. Harris?" A new voice said as a man in a pair of dirty jeans and a plaster stained t-shirt jogged down the hall.
"Ahh, Stephen," Xander nodded. "Good of you to come so quickly. Would you be as kind as to tell me what you think of this?" he asked, as he indicated the panel in front of him.
Stephen moved to the side and peered in, before losing all color in his face, and then going bright red. "Will you allow me to deal with this, Mr. Harris?"
Xander looked at the leaking hot water pipe and nodded. "If you don’t get a satisfactory answer from the sub-contractor, let me know. I’ll be here all afternoon."
"Yes, sir," Stephen said, already pulling out a mobile phone. "I’ll have everything double checked."
Xander nodded and turned with Angel, walking away.
"Okay, what the hell was that? How did you know that pipe was leaking?"
Xander turned and smirked, sending the mental commands to change his eye.
Angel looked confused, and then surprised as the golden eye appeared.
"What is that?"
"The Orb of Isis."
"I thought that was a myth."
"Obviously not. It was a gift from the Sunnydale Demon Council."
"Is Simon still in charge?" Angel asked.
"Yeah," Xander said, as he opened a door and stepped into a luxurious room, looking around. "One of the things this thing can do is allow me to see hot and cold. I could see the heat moving in two directions, so I knew something was wrong."
"You know, that’s going to be really useful in your job."
"Not just that, I can see that you’re a vampire now. No body heat."
Angel nodded. "And demons?"
"Yep, pretty much everything. I’ve only been able to do it since last night, and it still gives me a bit of a headache. I’m sure there is more the orb can do, but I get the feeling that it’s following its own schedule."
"Doesn’t that bother you?"
"Not really. I’m stuck with it, and it’s better than going around with a parrot on my shoulder drinking rum."
Angel sighed.
"So, back to my original question. You weren’t worried about the age difference between you?"
"I was in love, Xander. The sort of love that makes you feel like you can do anything, and ultimately gives you the strength to walk away when you have to. It wouldn’t have mattered if she was fifteen, twenty five, or fifty five."
"You still feel for her, don’t you?"
"I feel for who she was, not who she is now."
"I never thought I’d say this, but I wish you’d stayed. It might have been better for her in the long run."
"We were never meant to be," Angel replied as they walked towards the elevator. "To turn this around and get back to the point, what about you and Dawn?"
"Well, she’s Buffy’s little sister to start with, and she’s five years younger than me."
"I had two hundred odd years on Buffy," Angel said dryly. "And closer to ten, if you don’t consider the vampire years. The question is, what do you feel for her?"
"I’ve always liked her, even when she had her crush on me. And you know, I secretly liked it, having someone look up to me like that. I was a little upset when she turned to Spike for a bit, but then everything changed. She grew up without me noticing.
"All of a sudden, little Dawnie had gone, to be replaced by a devastatingly attractive young woman."
"So, you do find her attractive?"
"I’m not dead," Xander replied. "Damn it, that’s the second time I’ve said that today. That wasn’t a dig at you."
Angel looked amused. "Right."
"I’m living with her, looking after her, and I kinda feel like I shouldn’t be thinking of her like that, you know?"
"A little. What you’ve got to think about is, whether you’re making up excuses to make yourself feel like you can’t, or whether they are genuine reasons. If you know how you feel, and you know how she feels, then I can’t really see what’s stopping you."
"The law," Xander replied dryly. "But thanks."
"What are you going to do?"
"Wait for the next four weeks, five days."
"Uh huh. And you’re not counting the days?"
"Not at all. I wouldn’t be so sad." Xander raised his head proudly. "I’m counting the hours."
Angel groaned and pushed him into a wall.
"Have you ever had the feeling that everyone else knows what is going on long before you do?"
"All the time," Angel agreed. "It comes from hanging around strong women. They only tell you what they think you need to know, not what you actually need to know."
"So what about you? Who are you brooding for these days?"
"At the moment, no one. Cordy and I came close, but that didn’t happen for a variety of reasons, and I’ve been close to a few people, but no one important."
"I hear Darla made an appearance?"
"She did, and Cordy shot her with a crossbow before she could open her mouth."
"How did that make you feel?"
"Well, I was a little peeved with that law firm till I found out why they had brought her back."
"Why was that?"
"It was a weird plot to get me to have a child."
"I can think of at least two things wrong with that."
"Yeah," Angel sighed. "You do know that we’re going to have to do something about them?"
"You mean a takeover?"
"Not even your company has that much money," Angel pointed out.
"Not financially. I was thinking more along the lines of using most of the XTech personnel, and every big hitter I could find, and doing a more traditional hostile take over."
"You mean storm their offices and kill everyone not human?"
Xander nodded, a large grin appearing on his face. "Yeah. Sound like fun?"
Angel vamped out and grinned. "Oh yeah," he agreed.
Xander jumped straight at Angel. "You’re so sexy when you do that."
Angel groaned loudly and dropped Xander onto the floor.
"What’s the matter, don’t you love me anymore?"
"Yo," Faith said, reaching out and grabbing a passing assistant by his jacket and lifting him in the air. "We’ve been waiting for three minutes now. You might want to get someone to assist us before I get upset."
"Isn’t she wonderful?" Cordelia said with a smile. "All this time I’d stand politely in line like a good girl, flashing the cash with everyone else. Then I dragged Faith with me, and she’d just grab someone and we’d be served instantly."
Dawn shook her head and laughed. This was the fourth shop they’d been in so far, but the first where they hadn’t been served instantly. She was having a surprisingly large amount of fun, and was studiously avoiding looking at how much things cost.
"Can I help you?" A tall attendant said stiffly as he approached them.
Faith wandered up to him, and pressed herself firmly against his side. "My little friend wants to try that dress in the front," she purred. "Why don’t you go get it for her?"
The attendant gulped, "Right away, ma’am."
Faith released him and smirked at the other two. "Five’ll get you ten I can get him limping."
"I only bet when I’m going to win."
"But you do bet?"
Dawn grinned and slinked her way over to Faith.
"Sure, I do, Faithie" she whispered into the dark Slayer’s ear. "And I always win."
"Your dress," The attendant said as he returned.
"Thank you," Dawn said with a bright smile, as she took it and walked into a dressing room.
"I bet she is gonna be a wildcat in bed. Boytoy’s a lucky man," she heard Faith say, and smiled to herself in the mirror. She idly wondered what being a wildcat entailed, as she removed the skirt and blouse she was wearing, and pulled the dress over her head. She opened the door and stepped out.
"Dawn," Cordy groaned. "You can’t do that. I swear, I’m going to slap your sister the next time I see her. She’s sorely neglected teaching you the important things about being a girl."
"Huh?" Dawn asked.
Cordelia pushed her back into the cubicle. "You’re nearly eighteen, and your boobs aren’t that big. You don’t need a bra, especially with that dress."
"But…" Dawn started, blushing furiously.
"No buts," Cordelia replied, as she turned Dawn around, unzipped the dress, and then undid her bra, removing it with swift movements. She reached forward and shifted the front of the dress up a bit.
"There, you look much better without it," Cordelia declared firmly.
Cordelia stared over Dawn’s shoulder at the reflection in the mirror. "We’re going to have to get your hair cut next," she decided.
"I like it long," Dawn protested. "And so does Xander."
"We’re not going to cut it off, just give it a bit more shape," Cordelia explained. "Now, let’s see what Faith thinks of this." She pushed Dawn out the door.
Dawn stumbled, and looked up at Faith.
Faith returned her look, and then wolf whistled loudly. "Damn Dawnie, are you sure you don’t want to ditch the X-man and hop into the sack with me?"
"Faith!" Dawn called, blushing again.
"I’m kidding," Faith smirked. "A bit anyway. I’d say that dress is a definite yes. Xander’s eyes will stand out on stalks when he sees you in that."
"Really?"
"Damn straight."
"Okay, I’ll take it," Dawn smiled, and turned to take it off.
"Faith," she heard Cordelia say as she started to change back into her normal clothes.
"Yeah?"
"You’re going to have to teach that girl some of the basics."
"I know. B shoulda done that some time ago."
"Are you okay doing it?"
"Never had a sis," Faith said. "Always wanted one, you know? Teach her all the important stuff, how to play pool, how to drink without losing control, and how to drive a guy wild with a look. Her makeup’s not bad, but could be better, and her dress sense is pretty damn good, if a little conservative."
"You know that’s going to fit nicely with the sort of circles Xander moves in these days?"
"Who would have thought that he’d end up where he did."
"Not me," Cordelia sighed. "I still owe him for my prom dress."
"What, money?"
"No. That doesn’t matter; he gave me back some of my pride. Can’t repay that."
"Ahh," she heard Faith reply, and then go silent.
She looked at herself in the mirror, wondering what was wrong with her makeup. As much as she hated to admit it, they were kinda of right. Since her Mom had died, she hadn’t really had anyone to look after her like that, show her how to do girl stuff properly. Buffy and Willow had been too far away, and it wasn’t as if there was anyone she could ask.
She walked out of the changing room, and smiled at the two women.
"Here, give me that," Faith said, relieving her of the dress. She looked around, spotted the attendant from earlier and let out a piercing whistle. "Yo, commission on offer here, jump to it."
"I used to be embarrassed when she did that," Cordelia whispered. "But it sure saves a lot of time."
The dress purchased — Dawn signing for it without looking at the total — they headed towards a hair salon.
"I thought you needed an appointment in one of these places?" Dawn asked.
"Normal people do," Faith agreed with a jaunty smile. She pushed open the door, strolled in, and walked straight up to one of the hair dressers. She grabbed him, bent him over backwards and kissed him hard.
The hairdresser’s hands shot up into the air stiffly, then went limp across Faith’s back.
"I swear," Faith smirked. "Gay guys are the best kissers. Now, you gonna be a good boy and do my gal’s hair for me?"
Antonio, as his picture on the wall named him, sighed loudly. "You think you can come here just like that, and get what you want? Movie stars have to wait for weeks to see the genius my hands can produce."
"Dawnie’s not a movie star," Faith pointed out.
Antonio looked at Dawn, and winced. "Oh, you poor girl. Come, sit. Quickly!"
Dawn looked around, and slowly sat where he indicated.
"The butcher who did your hair last needs to be shot. Faith, I expect you to have serious words with this charlatan who thinks he can cut hair. Giorgio! Giorgio! Come quickly."
Another man came out the back in a hurry; he was tall, thin, and had a pencil moustache.
"Quickly, wash this poor child’s hair. She’s been the victim of a mugging."
Dawn saw Giorgio look at her in the mirror, and the expression of distaste that appeared on his face. "Lean back, dear, and just relax" he said soothingly. "Antonio will make it all better."
"Of course I will," Antonio smiled. "I am a genius."
"Thanks," Faith said, as she took a seat next to Cordelia, who was already reading a magazine.
"I am not doing it for you, your scarlet woman," Antonio sniffed. "I am doing it to repair the damage that the fraud who cut this poor child’s hair in the first place did."
"It’s coming along nicely," Xander said. "There are a couple of problems that Stephen can fix, but in all, I’m happy."
"Good," Angel replied as they entered his office. "What are the chances of getting some of that new ammunition your techies have come up with?"
"I’ve got a case load in the trunk," Xander smiled.
"Oh, cool. You know, it feels weird to hunt vampires and demons with guns."
"This isn’t a TV show, Angel. You don’t have a worldwide audience to impress with your dramatic kung-foolery. Killing them from a distance makes them just as dead."
"I know," Angel agreed. "I guess I’m just a little old fashioned."
"A little?"
"Well, maybe a lot."
Xander smirked. "Okay, can you see about getting some blue prints to the Wolfram and Hart building faxed down to me? I’ll get Andrew to see what he can do magically, to see inside it."
Angel nodded and made a note on the paper pad that covered half his desk. "Will do. Is there anything else you need while you’re up here?"
Xander thought for a second. "How do you feel about spending a week or two in Sunnydale?"
"Why?"
"I’ve got the Trainee Slayers coming home next week, and I’m going to integrate them into XTech, as they can all fight. But, they’re all pretty much as arrogant as hell, and you’re the best fighter I know and trust who can knock some humility into them."
Angel looked a little surprised. "You know, that might be fun," he said with a grin.
"And we’re really going to have to do something about your soul."
"What?"
"We can’t have you turning all grr’y again, and the thought of an eternity of celibacy? No way."
"Why are you doing this?"
"You’re a friend now," Xander shrugged.
Angel raised an eyebrow and remained silent.
"Alright. Spike," he explained. "Seeing him get a soul and how he acted made me realize what you were like and what you did."
"Ahh," Angel nodded. "I can accept that."
"Want to get the stuff out of my car?"
"Sure."
They walked out together, and into the car park.
"What the hell is this?"
"A Bentley Continental GT," Xander replied with a grin. "Would you like a tissue?"
"Shush, this is a moment for respect and reverence," Angel replied absently, as he stroked his fingers along the smooth metal. "How fast?"
"I got her up to a buck fifty coming here."
"Handles?"
"Felt like sixty."
"How much?"
"With all the extras, six hundred."
"Yours?" Angel asked as he bent down to stare from another angle.
"Borrowed from Kyle."
"Want one?"
Xander laughed under his breath. "Actually, I’m thinking of getting one of the new DB9s. Possibly the most beautiful car in the world."
"Engine?"
"Six liter V12."
"I have got to get a new job," Angel muttered.
"It’s only one-eighty," Xander explained. "And my insurance payout for my eye will cover it."
"Isn’t that a little immoral?" Angel asked dryly.
Xander shrugged. "I’ve got proof this is a fake eye. I had the insurance policy, in case anything happened, and it did. I never took you for a petrol head."
"Even a vampire has to have some hobbies."
Xander grinned, and pressed the button that popped the trunk. "I’ll let the big strong vampire carry the weapons."
Angel nodded, and lifted the case out of the back. The car rose visibly a few inches. "I wonder how fast I can get it, without that in the back," he mused.
They went back into the hotel, and Xander pulled out one of the guns. "How much experience do you have with guns?"
"Not that much. I’m a pretty good shot, but that’s it."
Xander nodded and opened a pouch in the case. "This is a cleaning kit. You look after your gun, and it will look after you."
"Sounds like a sword."
"Principle’s the same," Xander said, as he mentally entered 'work mode’. "You trust these weapons with your life, so you better be sure you’ve looked after it." With a few swift movements, he took the gun apart, and placed the bits in front of him.
"Impressive," Angel noted.
Xander shrugged. "Not mine. I got it from Soldier boy at Halloween. I’m going to show you two ways of doing it. The proper way and the quick way."
Angel nodded, and watched as Xander set to work.
Cordelia slid the privacy shield in the back of the limo securely shut. "Okay, you need to put that new dress on, now, and the new shoes. I want Xander’s tongue to hit the floor when he sees you."
Dawn nodded, and started to undo her shirt, determined not to blush. She removed the shirt and folded it neatly on the side, and then smiled as Cordelia sighed and refolded it again properly.
"It took me nearly three weeks to teach Faith how to fold clothes."
"Hey," Faith complained. "T-shirts don’t normally need folding."
"I expect you to pass the skill on to Dawn," she continued, as if Faith hadn’t said anything at all. "Actually, I bet you my leather jacket you can’t get Xander to learn to fold."
"Does that go for me as well?" Dawn asked.
"Sure," Cordelia said confidently.
"You’re on," Faith and Dawn said together, and then grinned at each other.
"Faith?" Dawn asked, as she slid her skirt down her legs.
"Yeah?"
"What does Cordy’s jacket look like?"
"First lesson I’m going to have to teach you is, not to accept a bet till you know the prize is something you want."
Dawn laughed, and slipped her bra off. She reached for her new dress, and lifted it over her head.
"Oh, to be seventeen again," Cordelia sighed.
"To be seventeen and waiting for the X-man to show what a thousand years worth of experience is like," Faith agreed. "She’s smarter than we were at that age, Cor."
Dawn lowered the dress and lifted her bum to slide it down.
Cordelia grinned suddenly, "She’d find it hard not to be. All she had to do was avoid the mistakes we all made, over and over again."
Dawn nodded, and looked up as she bent to put on her shoes.
"Don’t move," Faith said sharply. "Come here," she said to Cordelia.
The older brunette slid to the other side of the limo and followed Faith’s gaze.
"Goo?"
"Ashes."
"Yeah, you’re probably right. Dawn, I want you to think of Xander and smile."
Dawn shrugged, and flicked her mind back to when she first realized she was in love with him. The smile came automatically.
"I wish we had a camera."
"Damn right," Faith agreed. "We’d make a fortune. She’d be above the bed of every teenage boy in the country."
"Huh?"
"Don’t worry about it, Dawn," Cordelia smiled. "But when we get back to the hotel, I want you to bend down like you are now, play with your shoe, then look up and smile at Xander."
"Okay," Dawn said slowly, as she sat back, uncertain of what the other two were talking about, but decided that she trusted them.
The rest of the journey didn’t take long.
"Now you try," Xander said, as he put the gun back together and handed it to Angel.
Angel nodded, and slowly started to take it apart, following the movements Xander had made.
"Hi, boys," Faith said, as she opened the door and walked in, followed by Cordelia, and Dawn.
Xander smiled up, and then felt his mouth go dry. The light blue dress she was wearing seemed to throw highlights into her eyes that hadn’t been there before. The dress emphasized and hinted at far more than it covered.
She bent down before him, playing with her strappy white shoe, and then looked him directly into the eye, and smiled softly. He gulped, and suddenly felt like time stood still. The dress had opened a little, giving him a tantalizing glimpse down her front, and for the first time he consciously admitted that he wanted her. Badly.
"Xander," he heard someone say from a distance, but he ignored the voice, not wanting this moment to end.
"Xander, breathe, damn it."
The voice seemed to be giving some advice, and almost absently he followed it. He quickly found that breathing was of the good.
Dawn slowly stood up, not losing eye contact with him, and shook her head a little, letting her hair drop down, and he realized it had been styled and given more body. Where it had hung straight down before, it now curved gently from her head, and down her back. He stood stock still, realizing that the next five weeks were going to be almost impossible to endure.
"Okay, let him go, now," he heard someone else say.
Dawn smiled and blew him a kiss, then winked.
Xander shook himself, as Cordy and Faith both hugged Dawn.
"I’m so proud of you," Cordelia crowed.
Xander blushed and look at Angel, who merely smirked back at him.
"I’m beginning to think that bringing Dawn here was a bad idea," Xander sighed.
Cordelia, Faith, and Dawn all shot him identical grins.
"Scratch that," he said. "I’m certain it was a bad idea."
"Well, I’m gonna go pack," Faith smiled. "Dawn, coming?"
"Sure," the brunette smiled.
"I’m going to stay and talk to the heroes," Cordy said
"I don’t mind you going," Xander said hopefully.
"I’ll know you wouldn’t, dweeb boy."
"Skank," Xander replied with a grin.
"Oh, please," Cordelia groaned. "Is that the best you can come up with?"
"He saves his best for me," Angel said dryly.
"When did he acquire a sense of humor?" Xander asked.
"It’s been a recent development, although I wouldn’t quite call it a sense of humor yet."
"Hey," Angel interrupted. "I thought we were picking on Xander?"
"Nah," Xander smiled. "You’re more fun. Do you want to learn how to do this as well?" he asked Cordelia, indicating the pieces of the gun in front of Angel.
Cordelia grinned and walked around the table. Her hands flew in concise movements, and a few seconds later, she cocked the gun and pointed it straight at Angel.
"You’ve got some practicing to do," she smirked, before turned on her heel and walking down towards her office.
"Cordy," Xander yelled.
"What?"
"How much?"
"Considering your reaction, does it matter?"
Xander thought for a second. "No. Thanks."
"You’re welcome."
"Dawn?" Faith asked, looking concerned as Dawn had collapsed against a wall, and was now bright red.
"Are you okay?"
The smile Dawn had on her face was freaking the Brunette Slayer out a little.
"I’ve got a connection with Xander," Dawn whispered.
"Uh huh?"
"A mental connection," Dawn continued.
Faith frowned, and then looked at Dawn closer. What she had thought was laughter, wasn’t. She smiled to herself and reached down and heaved the younger girl up. "So, little Dawnie just got both barrels of the X-man’s lust?"
Dawn nodded, and almost fell again.
"I can’t believe I’m doing this," Faith muttered, as she picked Dawn up and carried her towards her room. "Still, at least you didn’t show him your weakness."
"Trying hard not to pass it down the link," Dawn muttered. "Okay, I think I can walk now. Is that what sex is like?"
"Dunno, what did it feel like?"
"Like every part of my being was being injected with pure pleasure, and my mind was happily on its way to another country."
Faith smirked, "Something like that. Just wait till you can feel him touch you as well."
"It gets better than that?" Dawn gasped.
"Yep."
"Oh god, how the hell do you survive it?"
"Practice is a good start, the more you do it, the more you get used to it. Of course," Faith paused as she started to think. "You also get better at it, so it kinda keeps the same. Scared?"
Dawn collapsed on Faith’s bed and looked thoughtful. "A little, yeah. I kinda like my brain intact."
Faith laughed wickedly, and started shoving some clothes into a bag.
"Faith!" Dawn moaned as she sat up. "You can’t do that; it’ll ruin your clothes."
"Shush," Faith replied with a grin. "Cordy’s not here, so I can pack normally. Besides, I expect to get some new rags when I’m in good ol’ Sunnyhell. I’m gonna be able to afford it for the first time ever, so I’m gonna get an all new wardrobe."
Dawn nodded. "In that case, I know the perfect shopping companion to take with us."
"Who?"
"Molly?"
"Miranda Beauchamp-Michaels?" Faith shook her head. "Me and rich people don’t mix, unless there is sex involved."
Dawn smiled confidently. "You’ll be fine, she’ll love you. Trust me on this."
"If you say so," Faith said doubtfully, as she finished. "So, we gonna grab the Boytoy and hit the road?"
"Are you that eager to go?"
"I’m itchy, yeah. I don’t like long goodbyes. As soon as something comes up, I wanna be on my way as quick as poss, dig?"
Dawn nodded. "Now that I think I can walk again normally, let’ go. You’re a little taller than I am, so I’ll squeeze in the back."
"Huh?"
"Xander’s borrowed a Bentley, the back seat isn’t huge. I can fit in there."
"And spend the drive shooting Xander little looks in the mirror?"
"I hadn’t thought about that."
"Well, don’t," Faith grinned. "Don’t wanna die before my first pay check."
Dawn smiled and nodded. "Mind if I freshen up in your bathroom."
"Sure, want a clean pair?"
"Huh?"
"Panties."
"Faith!" Dawn yelled, blushing bright red.
The dark haired Slayer just laughed.
"Cordelia Chase," Cordy said, as she answered her cell phone.
"Greetings, Cordelia. How are you, my dear?"
"Oh, hi Molly. I’m fine. How are you?"
"I’m expecting my sister and niece for a quite chat shortly, so I’m a little excited."
"Should I ask?"
"We’re going to be having a chat about their attitudes."
"Ahh," Cordy said, smiling.
"So, how did it go?"
"Very well. According to Faith, Xander wasn’t even tempted when she threw herself at him, and Dawn, after a little prodding, told me quite clearly where I could go and what I could do there."
"Excellent," Molly replied, sounding pleased.
"I don’t know if I would have been so open to their relationship if you hadn’t warned me," Cordelia confessed.
"I know, which is exactly why I did it. They make a lovely couple, and I won’t let anything stand in their way."
"Well, I don’t think that is going to be a problem any more. Angel is still cleaning up the drool Xander left on the floor when he saw Dawn."
"Good. Did Angel do his bit?"
"He did. He drooled over the car as instructed, and asked the questions you wanted."
"And?"
"He wants an Aston Martin DB9."
"Excellent. Thank Angel for me."
"Isn’t that a bit of an expensive present to get him?"
Cordy could hear the frown in Molly’s voice. "Not at all, dear. Not for Kyle’s life. And this will teach him a lesson; that when I say I am going to buy him something, that he better let me, or I’ll just buy him something a little more expensive.
"Now, what color do you think he will like?"
"Silver, definitely. And I’d get him the Volante as well."
"The Volante?"
"It’s the convertible."
"Thank you. I’m very proud of the person you have become, Cordelia. I would have given up on Porsche a long time ago if you hadn’t shown me that spoilt brats can become good people."
Cordy blushed brightly, and stammered, "Thank you."
"I do expect you and Angel to come see us soon."
"Erm, you do know that Angel is sunlight challenged, right?"
"Of course." Molly sounded amused. "You will come for dinner."
"Okay," Cordy said, recognizing a command when she was given one.
"I’ll talk to you soon to organize a date; it was nice talking to you again."
"You too," Cordy replied, before saying good bye and hanging up.
"Sunlight challenged?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, well, I didn’t want to come out and say vampire. So we’re invited to dinner shortly."
"Okay, Xander’s invited us to spend a week or two down there shortly. He wants me to teach the trainee Slayers some humility."
Cordy smirked, "Sounds like fun."
"That’s what I said. We could also bring Lorne down, I’m sure he’d want to see his cousin again."
"Hello? Hello? Blasted thing, is it working?"
"Hi, Giles," Andrew said, sounding amused.
"Ahh. Andrew. I just thought that I should let you know that we will be arriving at the Airport at nine pm this evening."
"Okay, I’ll have a couple of mini-vans ready to pick you up."
"Thank you."
"No problem, Giles. See you tonight."
"Where did you get to, last night?" Buffy asked, as Spike walked in to their house.
"Sorry about that, luv," Spike said with an apologetic smile. "I spotted a small nest of vampires, and by the time I had finished with them, the sun was coming up, so I dived into the crypt. I was going to call you, but the phone line has been disconnected."
"I was worried," Buffy said, with a frown.
"I know, luv, but there’s nothing to worry about."
"Is that blood I can smell?"
"One of them got a lucky shot in," Spike said, his voice becoming smooth. "There’s nothing to worry about."
"Can we go patrolling tonight? I’m a little antsy since I’ve been stuck here all day, watching bad TV."
"Of course we can, luv, just let me grab a quick shower first."
"Okay," Buffy said, dropping a quick kiss on his cheek, as he walked upstairs.
Once inside the bathroom, Spike collapsed and crawled into the shower. He turned the water on, and waited for the pain to stop.
Kennedy walked into the foyer of Xander’s building, and smiled at the guard.
"Hi, can I see Xander Harris please?"
"I’m afraid he’s not in at the moment."
Kennedy frowned. "I kinda need his help," she said, trying for a helpless puppy dog look.
"I’ll see if I can get hold of him for you," the guard said with a smile. "What’s your name?"
"Kennedy."
"Take a seat over there."
Kennedy nodded, and sat as close as she could to the desk, so that she could listen in. She picked up one of the magazines from the tables and studied it blankly.
She heard as the guard picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hi boss," the guard said. "I’ve got one of your girls here." She had to strain to hear, as the conversation was as low as the guard could make it.
"It’s obvious she’s one of your girls, she’s another super model. Kennedy."
There was a pause, and then the guard said. "Okay, if you say so. Thanks," before hanging up.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"Yes?" Kennedy asked, flashing her best smile.
"Xander is due back in five minutes, so if you don’t mind waiting?"
"Not at all, thank you."
Kennedy sat, still idly perusing the magazine, mentally polishing her story. She knew she looked good at the moment, the t-shirt she was wearing emphasized all the important parts of her chest — it had been one of Willow’s favorites.
She didn’t think it would be too hard to seduce Xander; any guy living alone in a place like this would be open to an attractive willing female. And from what she knew of him, he wasn’t the best at spotting when he was being used.
A fact she was pinning most of her hopes on.
"That’s weird," Xander said, as he pulled the wire attached to his cell phone out of his ear.
"What is?" Dawn asked from the back of the car.
"Kennedy is at the Fortress, asking for help."
"Who’s Kennedy?" Faith asked.
"Willow’s girlfriend, and one of the potential Slayers," Xander explained.
"So what’s the surprise?"
"She should be in New York with Giles and the others."
"Oh. Right."
Xander shrugged, and put his foot down. He was very curious to know what the girl wanted. They had never been close before, so he was a little surprised she would turn to him. The journey from L.A. had been spent with him doing most of the talking, explaining as much as he could about XTech to Faith.
A few minutes later, they pulled up outside the building, and climbed out. Dawn paused and stretched her legs, sighing in pleasure, while Faith got her bag out of the small boot.
"You know, it’s a good thing I’ve not got many clothes," Faith muttered. "You couldn’t fit anything else in here."
"I didn’t really plan that in advance," Xander admitted ruefully. "My SUV would have been better."
"But not as sexy," Faith grinned. "Are you sure you don’t want me to leave you and D alone with the car for a few hours?"
Dawn reached out and pushed Faith. "Shush you."
Faith saluted and looked up at the building. "You have the Penthouse here?"
Xander nodded.
She whistled and strolled into the building, looking around. Xander shrugged, smiled at Dawn, and the two of them followed the brunette Slayer into the foyer.
"Hi, Xander, Dawn," Kennedy said, as she got to her feet.
"Faith," Faith introduced herself confidently, looking the girl up and down.
"How can I help?" Xander asked.
"Can we talk in private?" Kennedy asked, looking down, her eyes suddenly bright.
Xander shrugged, "Come up with us."
They walked into the elevator and stood silently as the lift ascended to the top floor.
Xander opened the door, and invited them in. "Dawn, can you show Faith her room?"
"Sure," Dawn smiled. "Second on the left."
Faith grinned, "Thanks kiddo," and bounced away. "Jesus, this room is huge," she yelled, and a second later, rejoined them.
Xander sat down on the couch.
"Would you like a drink?" Dawn asked Kennedy.
"A soft drink would be nice," Kennedy replied quietly.
"Faith?"
"You boy scouts got anything stronger?"
"Nope."
"Coffee’ll do me then."
Dawn nodded and walked over to the kitchen, while Faith sprawled on to an armchair.
"So?"
"I know we’ve not been close," Kenned said quietly, "But I didn’t know who else to turn to."
Dawn returned and handed Kennedy a glass of coke, before returning to the kitchen.
"I left Giles and the other potentials because we agreed it was unlikely that I would ever be Called, considering my age. So I thought I could go home, you know?"
Xander nodded calmly.
"Only my father didn’t want me — he said that since I had left against his wishes in the first place, I wasn’t welcome any more." A single tear materialized in the corner of her left eyes.
Dawn walked back in carrying a tray, with three mugs of coffee on it. She passed one to Faith, one to Xander, and sat down next to him, curling up comfortable with her legs tucked under her.
"Go on," Faith said cheerfully. "And hey, D?"
"Yes, Faith?"
"Good coffee."
"Thanks," Dawn smiled. "Do go on," she prompted Kennedy smoothly.
"Well, with nowhere else to go, I came back to Sunnydale, and went to see Willow, but she dumped me as well. She said that as I wasn’t a Potential any more, I wasn’t any good to her."
Xander and Dawn both frowned, nodding slowly.
"So I’m stuck, I’m homeless, and I’ve not even graduated High School. And I didn’t know who else to turn to."
Xander bit his bottom lip. A few days ago he would never have believed that Willow would do that, but after the past weekend, he wasn’t so sure anymore.
He looked at Dawn, who nodded slowly, and then at Faith.
"You’re asking my opinion?" Faith asked, sounding surprised.
"Your home, too," Xander said simply.
"Sure," Faith replied, a wide smile on her face.
"You can stay here, for now," Xander said simply. "Dawn will show you and Faith around. I need to make a few telephone calls."
"Thank you," Kennedy said, a wide smile appearing on her face, as she looked up through her lashes at him.
Xander nodded, and walked out to the office, picking up the phone and calling Pete Morris.
"Okay," Dawn said, a smile on her face. "Kennedy, this is your room. The en-suite bathroom is through there."
"Wow," Kennedy said, obviously impressed.
"I said the same thing," Faith smirked.
"I’ve got a bit of girl stuff," Dawn continued. "But as I didn’t know when you were coming, Faith, we’re going to have to go shopping and pick you both up some essentials."
"I’ve got some things in the car," Kennedy said.
"Oh, cool. Why don’t you get your bags?" Dawn said with a smile.
"Okay," Kennedy said, and walked out of the room. The two remaining girls walked into Dawn’s room, and as they heard the door shut, Faith turned and looked at Dawn, her smile dropping faster than a vampire realizing his snack was a Slayer.
"Was it me, or was that story as dodgy as a three dollar bill?" Faith asked.
Dawn nodded. "She just turns up out of the blue, to see Xander. She just happens to know his new address when Willow dumps her, and then she spends all her time looking at him through her eye lashes like that?"
"Something is definitely up," Faith agreed. "Why did you agree to let her to stay here?"
"I’d rather have her close by, so I can keep an eye on her," Dawn confessed. "Thanks for not leaving her alone with Xander."
Faith smiled. "We make a good team, D. And don’t think I didn’t notice that you didn’t ask the X-man what he wanted to drink, you just got what he wanted."
"Milk, two sugars," Dawn smiled back. "And he likes his coffee strong enough to stand a spoon straight up in. I figured that with you being a Slayer, you’d like something similar."
"Yeah," Faith agreed. "I need something strong to actually get that caffeine kick. So, Kennedy was dating Willow?"
"Yeah."
"That sure as hell wasn’t lesbian vibes she was shooting at Xander," Faith warned.
"I know," Dawn frowned. "I don’t think she expected me to be here either, or you. She practically ignored us."
Faith slumped in to a chair, throwing her legs over the side. "You worried she might be making a play at boy-toy?"
Dawn sat on the edge of her bed, cross legged. "Well, yes and no. Let’s face it, if he turned you down, he’s not going to go gaga over her, and he didn’t feel anything when she was looking at him."
"That’s really useful."
"Yeah," Dawn agreed. "You know, I’m sort of finding it hard to hold a grudge against Willow. Without this connection I’d be a basket case about now."
Faith grinned. "There’s no need to worry. You got me on your side now," she said with complete confidence. "Just let me handle Kennedy."
Kennedy frowned to herself as she pulled her bags out of the back of her car. She hadn’t expected Dawn to be there, or the girl, Faith. She’d heard the name before, and knew that the girl was a Slayer. Faith might be a real problem, as she was older, and from what she had gathered from Willow while they were together, had a history with Xander.
She wasn’t worried about Dawn in the least, there was no way anything was happening between Buffy’s younger sister and Xander.
She slammed the trunk shut, and walked back into the apartment block. At least the place she was staying was a lot better than the hotel she had been in before.
"Can I speak to Andrew, please?" Willow asked out loud, hoping that someone was monitoring the room.
Nothing happened, as it hadn’t the last five times she had asked, but it didn’t stop her trying every hour or so.
Suddenly, the door opened and Andrew walked in, pushing a chair. The door slammed shut behind him, and he sat down comfortably.
"Good evening," he said with nod, his face expressionless as he looked at her.
"You came," Willow said, before sighing. Stating the obvious wasn’t always a good thing.
"I did," Andrew said dryly. "What do you want?"
Willow sat up straighter and looked him directly in the eye. "I need you to help bind my powers," she said simply.
Andrew raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You want me to bind your powers?"
Willow nodded. "It’s the only way I can start."
"Start?"
Willow looked around the featureless cell. "I’m in a prison cell; my best friend in the world hates me. My only other friend probably hasn’t even noticed I’ve gone. On the other side of that door are a lot of people who want to kill me, either for hurting Xander and Dawn, or just on principle. I have nothing left. Nothing."
Andrew nodded silently.
"Being intelligent is a curse at times," Willow said softly. "You can’t turn off your brain. I thought about suicide, but I can’t do that. It’s against both my religions, and I’m scared, anyway. If I die now, how will I ever make it up to the people who I have hurt? How will I make it up to my goddess? I won’t. I’ll be in hell for eternity, paying for my crimes." She looked up, aware that tears were running down her face. "I can’t do that, Andrew. I can’t. I need to make it up to Xander; I need to make it up to everyone. I need to say I’m sorry.
"But I’m weak. Too weak. I thought I had magic licked, you know? I thought that I was in control. But it was always there, in the background, if I ever needed it. It was my security blanket. I knew that if anything really went wrong, I could rely on it.
"When I found out Xander had gone, that Buffy was going, and that I was alone, I turned to it, as quickly as possible. I didn’t even think of trying anything else. And I can’t see myself stopping doing that, as long as my power is there. Whenever it gets hard, I’ll always try and turn to magic."
Andrew nodded. "I’ll help," he said simply.
Willow looked surprised. "Why?" she asked. She had expected it to be a lot more difficult to convince him than this.
"You’re not the only person who’s made bad mistakes," Andrew said softly. "If it hadn’t been for me, Tara might still be alive. Katrina would still be alive. Jonathan would be alive. I’m just as guilty as you are — more so, and it would be hypocritical for me not to help you, just like Xander helped me."
"Warren killed Tara," Willow said softly.
"I could have stopped it long before it got to that point, but I was too weak. I should have stood up to him before it got to that point, but I didn’t. Weakness is something I understand all to well. I wanted to be cool; I wanted to be James Bond in Octopussy. I wanted all the cool chicks hanging all over me, and didn’t really care how I got it.
"The road back is hard," he continued. "But it’s the only road you can take. But you know what? When you get half way along it, it starts to get easier, because you can see redemption ahead."
"Have you reached it?"
Andrew shook his head slowly. "You can never reach it," he said softly. "Because it’s a goal you set yourself. If you reach it, you feel like you can stop trying, and that’s just as bad."
Willow felt herself go pale.
"But along the way, you do find friendship, self respect, and everything else that builds you up inside, and it means you continue to take the path, because you see that it isn’t the destination that matters, it’s the journey."
"What if it’s not enough?"
Andrew smiled slightly. "Then I’ll face the afterlife secure in the knowledge that I did my best." He paused for a second, and then grinned. "And that I know Xander is up there, badgering whoever he can to get me moved up there with him."
Willow hiccupped a small laugh. "Xander hates me." As she said those words, she gave into the tears and bowed her head.
"You hurt Dawn," Andrew said quietly. "She’s his only girl these days."
"You know that Dawn is in love with him? I could tell when she hit me."
"Of course. And I know that Xander is slowly returning her feelings."
Willow rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Xander and Dawn?"
"Something else you will have to accept," Andrew pointed out gently.
Willow shrugged. "It’s not that difficult, Remember, I was dating Kennedy till she dumped me."
Andrew nodded. "It probably bothered him a lot more than it bothered anyone else."
"It would," Willow agreed. "And that Dawn is Buffy’s sister."
"He’s terrified about that," Andrew said with a grin.
Willow suddenly felt a burst of hope. "I can help with that," she said softly, before deflating. "If it wasn’t for Spike."
"I wouldn’t worry too much about Spike," Andrew said. "I think Xander is getting ready to do something about him."
Andrew stood. "I’ll work on something to help bind your magic."
"Andrew?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Andrew shrugged. "I’m willing to help you through this. But it’s your last chance. If you fall off the wagon again, someone here will quietly put a bullet in your brain — without telling Xander. And your body will never be found."
Willow nodded and sat back against the wall.
"Do you want a shower?"
Willow nodded eagerly.
"You do know that we can’t leave you alone? It might be some time till I can get a female guard down here."
"Do you promise not to look?"
Andrew blushed and nodded.
"I really want a shower," Willow said softly. "And I’ve caused enough trouble."
"I’ll do what I can," Andrew replied. "But I can’t let you escape."
"I won’t," Willow promised.
"I’m not taking the chance."
Willow nodded.
"Follow me," Andrew sighed. "I really hope I don’t regret this."
"You won’t," Willow said softly.
"Hey, Faith," Xander called.
"Yeah?" Faith grinned, entering the kitchen.
"Do you want to go Slaying tonight, or do you want to settle in first?"
"Slaying. You know me, always up to a fight."
Xander grinned and picked up the phone again. He hit speed dial one, and waited for it to be answered.
"It’s Xander," he said cheerfully. "Is Brad around?"
"Sure, let me get him," the voice on the other end said, putting him on hold.
"I really need to get the hold music changed," Xander said idly.
"Greensleeves?" Faith asked.
"Yep. Maybe Monster Mash would be better."
Faith laughed and leaned back against the fridge.
"Brad Hooper," the voice on the other end said.
"Brad, its Xander. Assemble the guys, we’re going hunting tonight."
Xander pulled the received away from his ears as Brad’s yell of delight echoed down the line in pleasure.
"We’ll meet you at eight," Xander said as Brad quieted down, and hung up.
"So they’re looking forward to hunting?" Faith asked, a surprised look on her face.
"I’ve got a lot of ex-military personal, who’ve been training for ages, but I wouldn’t let them hunt till I had Slayer back up."
Faith nodded. "Sounds like a blast. In which case, I need to have a shower and get ready. Lots of sexy men in uniform are going to be there, and I need to look my best."
"You could turn up in a sack cloth and they’d still drool over you," Xander smiled.
"Of course they would," Faith replied cheerfully. "I take it you’re coming along?"
"Yep. But at the back," he sighed. "I’m a little out of practice with the fighting, as I’m running this thing as well. I can’t put myself in the front line."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Faith shrugged.
"So we’ll follow them around and interfere only if necessary."
"Dawnie, too?"
"Yeah. At least if she’s with me, I know she’s safe and not doing it on her own."
Faith nodded and grinned, before walking out the kitchen.
Xander picked up the phone again and dialed another number from memory.
"Hi Kyle," he said into the phone. "Mind if I pop around and return your car? I’m going to need a few more seats for tonight."
"Of course not," Kyle said. "You can tell me how things are in L.A."
"I’ll see you in ten minutes," Xander smiled as he hung up. He looked at his watch and walked into the living room. "I’m going to return Kyle’s car," he called towards the bedrooms. "I’ll pick up a couple of pizzas on the way home."
"Make mine a meat feast," Faith said, popping her head out her room.
"And mine a vegetarian, please," Kennedy added, doing the same.
Xander nodded, he didn’t wait for Dawn to answer as he knew what she wanted.
The drive to Kyle’s place didn’t take long.
"So, how was L.A.?" Kyle asked as Xander climbed out of the low slung sports car.
"One hundred and fifty on the interstate," Xander grinned. "Then the radar detector kicked in and I slowed it down."
Kyle sighed mournfully. "Molly would kill me if I drove that fast."
Xander smirked. "The price of being married."
"Don’t smirk too much," Kyle advised. "You never know when it might catch you as well."
Xander paused, and then turned to look at Kyle. "So you do approve of Dawn?"
"Of course, we do. She’s a nice, intelligent, stable girl. Exactly what you need in your life."
"And a little young," Xander pointed out dryly.
Kyle shrugged. "I’m five years older than Molly. It matters more when you’re younger, but in thirty years time, you won’t even notice."
"Okay, I’ve got the hint," Xander smiled. "The connection is still there between us. I can’t hide from what I feel."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Wait the four weeks, five days to her birthday," Xander admitted with a grin. "That way, there can be no legal comebacks."
"You do know Molly is going to be planning your wedding?"
Xander looked scared as he held up his hands. "Well, tell her to hold on a second or two, okay? I don’t think either of us is ready for marriage. Let us explore the relationship we have first, and then see if we are as compatible as Dawn thinks we are."
"What do you think?" Kyle asked softly.
Xander leaned against his SUV and rested his head on his hands. "She could be right," he said quietly. "I love living with her, and, well, it could be very good."
Kyle smiled. "Then don’t worry about it, Xander. It will either work between you or it won’t."
"Very profound," Xander grunted.
"It’s called wisdom. Now, get going, and do NOT get hurt tonight."
"Why is it that everyone knows what is going on with my life?"
Kyle’s smile turned to a smirk. "Because you’re such a wonderful fellow."
Xander shot him a foul look. "Thanks."
"Any time, son."
Xander shook his head, climbed into his car, and headed off to the Pizza Place.
Brad hung up the phone and thought for a second, before picking up the phone and pressing the button for the P.A. system. "All free personnel to the main hall," he said calmly, and hung up after repeating the message.
He walked to the front of the hall, and waited as the hall quickly filled.
"I’ve just talked to Xander," he said in his normal voice. The room was completely silent, with the vast majority standing at some form of Parade Rest. There were a few nods, indicating that everyone could hear.
"He has acquired Slayer back-up," he continued. "So tonight, we’re going hunting!"
The cheer that followed rocked him backwards.
"To make everything fair," he shouted, and waited till the room went quiet again. "We’ll pull straws to find which team is going out."
The men nodded in agreement, all pleased that one group wasn’t being shown favor above the others.
"So, if the team leaders can come up her…"
There was a brief ripple as four men walked to the front of the room. Brad held out his fist, four straws poking out. "Short straw gets to go," he said quietly.
Each of the four reached out, and a second later, one of the guys whooped loudly, holding up the short straw.
"Beta group," Brad shouted. "You’re on tonight."
There was a cheer from the members of the group, and good natured grumbling from the others.
"Everyone else, you will have your turn. Mike, Rob, you’re on camera duty. Ian?"
"Here," Ian yelled from the back.
"You’re on bodyguard duty, keep Xander out of the way, and safe."
"No problem," Ian yelled back.
"Everyone else, you’re welcome to watch from here. Beta group, go get ready."
With another cheer of triumph, the members of Beta group dashed out and to the armory. As they entered, their faces lost the smiles as the concentrated on the evening ahead.
As the crowd dispersed, Andrew walked up to Brad. "I’ve got the Potentials arriving tonight," he said quietly. "And I’ve not told Xander yet."
"Wouldn’t that be a good idea?"
"Probably," Andrew sighed. "But I figured I’d let him have a night of fun before I drag him back down to earth."
"You’re going to tell him tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I’ve got everything covered."
"Do you even have a home?" Brad asked. "You spend more time here than anyone else."
Andrew looked around slowly. "You know, this is my home. I’ve got a nice room out back, great computers to play with; I’m making a difference, helping out, and having a good time. Why on earth would I want to spend the night in my College Dorm room?"
"Because everyone needs some downtime," Brad pointed out.
Andrew took a deep breath. "I talked to Willow today."
"And?" Brad asked coldly.
"I’m going to help her," Andrew said simply.
"But she…"
"I know what she did," Andrew interrupted. "And I’ve been there. I had Xander, and now I’m repaying him a little by helping Willow."
"Xander was pretty pissed with her."
"I know," Andrew said softly. "And I hope that he’ll regret it when he calms down."
"I don’t know if I would," Brad confessed.
Andrew nodded, "Me, either."
"I’m afraid that we’re going to have to leave you alone tonight," Xander said casually as he finished off a piece of pizza. He was sharing one with Dawn, while Kennedy and Faith each had their own.
"What are you doing?" Kennedy asked.
"We’re going to see some friends of ours," Xander explained. "They want to meet Faith."
"Oh, okay," Kennedy replied.
"So that you’re safe, I’ll put the alarm on for the hallway, and our rooms. It’s linked to the guard downstairs, and to his company."
"Oh," Kennedy said, a look of disappointment momentarily appearing on her face.
"So if you stick to the living room, kitchen, and your bedroom you’ll be fine," Xander finished cheerfully.
He stood and picked up the trash, carrying it into the kitchen, and shoved it in to chute.
"You don’t trust her?" Dawn asked, as they entered the kitchen.
"About XTech? Not at the moment," he admitted.
"Probably a good idea," Dawn agreed. "Something feels a little off with her story. She always talked about her father as being rich, real rich."
"Did she?" Xander asked. "I’ll get someone to look into it for us."
Dawn smiled. "In which case, I’m going to put on some warmer clothes."
Xander nodded. "I didn’t think you’d be staying behind."
"No chance in hell," Dawn agreed. "Where you go, I go."
Xander nodded. "We’ll pick up some equipment before at the HQ."
"I’ll tell Faith," Dawn said as she walked out of the kitchen.
It didn’t take long for them to assemble; Xander tapped a series of numbers into the alarm as they left the room.
"Remind me that’s on," he grinned.
"Dunno, might be fun not to," Faith pointed out.
Xander laughed, as they headed into the elevator, leaving Kennedy alone in the apartment.
"So what’s the plan for tonight?" Faith asked.
"Basically, we’re been keeping an eye on a couple of nests recently," Xander said, leading them out to the car. "We’re going to follow one of the teams as they try and take one of them out, and help if we need to."
"How are you going to take them out?"
"Lots of big weapons and highly skilled people."
"Cool," Faith grinned.
"So I hope," Xander said.
The drive to the XTech headquarters passed in silence.
"So you really are in charge," Faith said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"I can see your body language changing," Faith pointed out with a slight smile. "You’re taking on responsibility."
Xander nodded. "I am. I want everyone alive at the end of today."
"Things happen, Xander."
"I know," he replied. "But that doesn’t mean I won’t do everything I can to stop it."
"It doesn’t look that impressive from the outside," Faith said, as they pulled up outside the warehouse.
"It’s not supposed to," Xander smirked.
"Wait till you see what’s on the inside," Dawn grinned.
They walked through the front door, to find the main area a hive of activity. Silence slowly spread throughout the room as people noticed Xander, Dawn, and Faith.
"Come with me," Xander said softly, making his way to the front.
"Okay people," he said loudly. "This," he indicated to Faith, "is Faith, our new resident Slayer." He paused, as a massive cheer went through the room. Faith smirked and waved casually. "When it comes to fighting, if she tells you to do something, do it. You all know what Slayers can do."
There was a wave of nods from the men watching.
"Brad, who’s coming tonight?"
"Beta group," Brad called back.
"Camera men?"
"Organized."
"Recon?"
"Andrew’s done a full recon. Nest has been identified and verified. Lots of movement, no heat. We estimate ten to fifteen vampires."
"Excellent," Xander said with a grin. "We leave in twenty minutes."
After another cheer had died down, Faith turned to Xander. "Where do I get one of those cute uniforms?"
Xander laughed. "Dawn will show you where the women’s changing rooms are. I’ll see you in ten at the armory."
"Cool," Faith grinned. "Come on, Dawnie."
"Why am I not surprised?" Brad drawled, as he accompanied Xander to the dressing room.
"What?" Xander asked, as he started to change.
Brad leant against a wall. "That the Slayer is another supermodel. Do you know any girls that aren’t?"
Xander thought for a second, as he pulled on a t-shirt followed by a bullet proof vest. "You know, I don’t think I do."
Brad laughed. "Do you have any idea how lucky you are?"
Xander nodded. "Absolutely."
"And I gotta say, Dawn’s new hairstyle makes her look a lot older."
"Oh don’t you start," Xander groaned, as he pulled on the black combat trousers.
"I just want to know when," Brad said innocently.
"When what?"
"You and Dawn are getting together."
Xander froze for a second, before turning and looking straight at Brad.
"Don’t tell me there’s a book on it?"
"Of course there is! And everyone’s taking part. Now, don’t disappoint everyone."
"It hasn’t happened yet," Xander sighed. "And it won’t till her birthday."
Brad nodded. "You know, I wouldn’t expect anything else from you."
Xander did up his black boots, and shrugged on the black jacket. "How excited are they?"
"A little, but they’ve got their game faces on now. We’ve trained them well."
Xander nodded. "That’s your doing," he pointed out. "Let’s just hope it goes well."
"It will, Xander. Have faith."
"We do," Xander pointed out dryly.
"Are you ready?" Buffy yelled up the stairs, adding a second stake to her pocket.
"Yep," Spike called back, walking down the stairs. "I heard rumors about a nest across town," he said. "I think we can take them."
"I wish I knew where Willow was," Buffy said.
"Oh, she’s fine," Spike said, looking down. "I forgot to tell you she phoned. She had a big test this morning, and spent yesterday at the Library studying.
"Oh," Buffy replied. "At least she’s safe."
"Yeah," Spike nodded. He didn’t have a clue where the witch was, but her out of the way was a good thing. He just hoped she never returned.
"So, this nest?"
"It’s only about five vampires," Spike said. "It shouldn’t be a problem."
Now that he was fully healed. They had really worked him over earlier; although he was a little surprised they had let him go. He figured that they just wanted information on the Black Lady, and didn’t want to tip their hand yet. He’d mention it to her later — if she paid him some more money so he could deal with Willow’s absence.
"Xander," Faith said as she sat in the back of the XTech car, looking out at the surrounding neighborhood. "Isn’t that B and the bleached wonder?"
Xander looked where she was pointing, and frowned. "You think they’re headed to the same place?"
"Probably," Dawn said, "They look pretty determined. And Buffy’s definitely in 'fight mode’"
Xander sighed and pulled over, the van carrying Beta group doing the same a hundred yards behind him. They climbed out of the car, and approached the vampire and the Slayer, Faith merging into the background.
"I can’t let you go ahead," Xander said in lieu of a greeting.
"And whose army is going to stop us?" Spike smirked.
There was the sound of six semi-automatic rifles being cocked, which caused Spike and Buffy to turn as one. Behind them, Beta team (and Ian) - in full black uniforms and with night vision goggles firmly in place - were pointing their guns directly at them, at a far enough distance that they could cut down anyone or anything approaching long before they could reach them.
As Buffy and Spike turned back, they both took a step back as Xander and Dawn were also now pointing weapons at them.
"Do I need to say it?" Xander asked with a grin that seemed wildly out of place.
"I’m the Slayer," Buffy growled. "It’s my job to kill vampires. You can’t stop me."
Xander and Dawn looked at Spike, and then at Buffy, and then back to Spike.
"Not him," Buffy sighed, rolling her eyes.
"You’re 'a’ Slayer," Xander corrected her earlier statement.
"Huh?"
"’A’ Slayer, not 'the’ Slayer," Xander said slowly. "You always wanted out of the game; well, you’ve got it now."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hey B," Faith said, slinking into sight. "Looking like shit, babe."
"Faith," Buffy spat, her eyes going wide. She took a step forward, but was stopped by Xander swinging his weapon up and clicking the safety off. "I don’t think you want to do that," he whispered softly.
"Oh, I see," Buffy sneered. "You couldn’t get one Slayer so you went back to that slut."
Xander let the insult wash over him, and realized he had a chance here to do something. While killing Spike was always a good option, he didn’t want to do it. He was pretty convinced that if he did, Buffy would build him up in her mind as a martyr, and the damage would be permanent.
"You have five seconds to run before I open fire," Xander said to Spike.
"What?" Spike demanded, looking around him.
"Four."
"Three."
Spike turned, and without a second though, ran through the night, away from them.
"Heroic boyfriend you’ve got there, B," Faith smirked.
"Tie her to the lamppost," Xander ordered Brad.
"Put your arms around the lamppost," Brad shouted, his gun not wavering for a second as he watched the blonde Slayer.
"What the hell are you doing, Xander?" Buffy demanded.
"Don’t try and escape," Xander advised. "These restraints have been tested on all sorts of demons, and are practically unbreakable.
He took a few steps back and pulled out his cell phone, dialing a number quickly. "Evening Father," he said quietly. "Can you come practice your voodoo on Buffy?"
"Xander," Father O’Riley sighed into the other end of the phone. "Psychiatry is not voodoo, and as a priest, I would not practice that heathen religion any way."
Xander smirked. "Right. We’re near the bottom of Crawford Street."
"I can’t remember where it said in my contract that I’d come out into the cold vampire filled night to practice psychiatry on a mystical creature that my religion says doesn’t exist."
"Paragraph four, on page eight."
There was a distinct pause on the other end of the phone. "I do hope you’re joking."
"You won’t know till you read your contract, now will you?"
"Xander," Father O’Riley groaned. "I’ll be there in ten minutes."
"Excellent."
Xander hung up and dialed another number. "Send Alpha team to my location, immediately." Hanging up again, he walked over to the group. "Richard’s coming out now," he announced to the group, not wanting to let Buffy know what was happening.
"How can you hang around with her?" Buffy demanded, twisting against her bonds. "She tried to kill me."
"Me, too," Xander agreed. "However, she went to prison, and did her time. Everyone deserves a second chance, if they want it and are willing to take it."
"You would say that, you’re doing her."
"Sorry to disappoint you, B," Faith smirked as she walked into the night. "I don’t sleep with the boss. And, you know, I gotta thank you. If you didn’t have your head so deeply embedded up your ass, you’d have my job and be getting paid as much as I am to Slay."
"You’re what?"
"Getting paid to Slay," Faith repeated slowly. "As in, having large amounts of money deposited into my back account to compensate me for giving up my nights to keep the world safe."
"You can’t do that!"
"Of course I can. I’ve got lots of big hunky men with large guns as back up, more technology than I’ve seen in a Star Wars movie, and a cool place to sleep."
"Slayers work alone!"
"Not this one, toots. This Slayer now has plans to live to a ripe old age and retire to some tropical island where gorgeous houseboys can tend to my every whim."
"Slut."
"I’m not the one boinking the dead."
"Leave Spike out of this."
"Why? He’s the one who’s causing this. At least Angel was a nice guy, underneath the broody exterior."
A white car pulled up along side them, closely followed by another XTech van.
"You’re on perimeter duty," Xander ordered Alpha team. "Keep them alive and safe."
"Sir, yes, sir," The Alpha Team leader saluted.
Father O’Riley pulled out a fold-up chair from the back seat of his car, and walked over to Buffy. He sat down comfortably, just close enough for a conversation. "So, a Slayer, hmm? How’s that working for you?" he asked.
"Let’s leave him to it," Xander said. "We’ve got a nest to take out."
"Mount up," Beta Team Leader said quietly into the microphone around his neck.
"Any change in the status of the target?" Xander asked in to his microphone, as he pulled on his own communicator.
"None. We are 'go’ for action," Andrew’s voice echoed back.
"Okay, Xander out." He pushed a button and look at Faith and Dawn. "We’re just here to watch," Xander explained. "Faith, we’re hoping you won’t have to do anything. If things go right, the team will enter, take out the vampires, and exit as quickly as possible."
He turned and faced the decrepit house, concentrating hard. Slowly, his vision shifted, as he started to pick up heat. He could see what looked like a small animal near one of the windows, and what was possibly an oven inside the building. He flicked the switch on his microphone.
"Beta Team, you are cleared for entry. Good luck, guys."
Silently, the five man strong team crept towards the derelict building. With a couple of sharp hand movements, the team leader ordered two around the back. Their uniforms helped them blend into the natural darkness.
Dawn, Faith, and Ian, all had on night vision goggles now. Xander had his eye locked into heat vision mode, and was leaning back against his car. Ian was carefully, but unobtrusively, keeping an eye on the area around the car. His job was to keep Xander safe; anything else was a distraction
There were two simultaneous bangs, as the front and back doors were forced open, and then the muffled sounds of noise-suppressed weapons firing as the two teams entered in a hurry, shooting anything that moved.
"Kinda anticlimactic," Faith noted, as she watched.
"Can you sense any more vampires?"
Faith frowned. "Two more, probably up stairs."
Xander clicked on his microphone. "Two more upstairs," he said quietly.
There was a pause, a roar of pain and outrage, followed by some more quiet gunfire.
"That’s it," Faith announced.
"Good job, guys," Xander said into his microphone. "Let’s get back to base for debriefing."
Spike muttered and growled to himself as he stalked along the road, heading towards the Black Lady’s domain. He was going to get Xander, if it was the last thing he did.
He turned and corner, and stopped, fear gripping him.
"Fancy meeting you here," a demon growled.
"Guys," Spike said, backing off. "Didn’t you get enough revenge yesterday?"
"We need you out of the way," the demon said, his wet teeth gleaming in the moon light. "So, I’m afraid this isn’t for revenge."
A heavy baseball bat caught the bleached vampire in the knee, shattering it and dropping him to the ground.
"This is for pleasure," another demon growled cheerfully, as they all moved in.
Buffy stumbled into her house, and slumped down on to the couch. The house was silent and still, and she could feel that Spike wasn’t home yet.
Which was good, because she wanted time to think on her own.
One of the things the priest had stated was reverberating around and around her mind.
"But my dear Buffy, not even Satan himself could have pulled you from Heaven. Once you have been accepted into God’s graces, you are there for eternity."
"But," she had said. "I was happy and content there."
"Did you see your mother, your other relatives?" the priest had asked.
"No," she admitted softly.
"So where ever you were, you weren’t in Heaven."
Not in Heaven. But it had been so quiet and peaceful. But was that what she wanted for eternity, or would she have gotten bored eventually? Had it been heaven, or a mere illusion of it?
Her eyes focused on the coffee table, and a video tape that lay on top of it. She reached forwards, seeing her name scrawled over it.
With a barely curious shrug, she pushed it into the recorder and turned the TV on. She pressed 'play’, and gasped as she saw Spike sitting, staring straight at the camera.
Thanks to John for betaing this for me... and there's only a chapter or two left to go now...