tessarin (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tessarin) wrote,@ 2008-04-24 20:36:00 |
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| Entry tags: | btvs_fic, by_eries_shore, faith/xander |
BTVSFIC - By Erie's Shore - 15 4/?
Title: By Erie's shore
Author tessarin
Rating: 15
Characters: Faith/Xander, Giles, Willow,ensemble
Summary: By the shores of Lake Erie dark forces stir within and without recovering their strength. Faith and Xander struggle towards a new understanding and the forces of the Old and New Council prepare themselves for a new battle.
Warnings; Language (Faith is in it after all)
Disclaimer: Buffy the vampire slayer is owned by Fox. All characters bar original characters are copyrighted by Fox and Mutant Enemy.
Author's Note: This fic is the sequel to 'Running on' and takes place during the following December . As such reading the earlier story is recommended.Thanks to w00hoofor the beta.
The airport terminal was chilly. At least it felt that way to Dawn. Especially after the walk from hell, more accurately named her long and arduous walk from the plane. In fact given the dull ache in her aching and pinched feet Dawn felt she had practically walked all the way from England. Rather than having spent too many hours cooped up on a flight with Andrew. Well at least the large terminal windows were dusted with a light coating of frost. Not enough to stop flights, but enough that along with the decorations dotted haphazardly around to give a pleasantly Christmassy feel to the terminal.
Still, she was finally in Cleveland and while it wasn't exactly home, nowhere really was now. At least she would get to catch up with Giles and Willow. Check in on Xander and grumble about Buffy to her family. Boy was she looking forward to that.
"Looking for someone?" Dawn asked, as she turned and quickly glanced over her shoulder at Andrew. It was something she had become used to, constantly having to keep track of him. The sudden movement of her head sent her long brunette locks swirling. Which wasn't a bad thing, although she was pretty much zonked out, she didn't miss the couple of admiring looks cast her way. Unfortunately, she had her own handy bite sized guy repellent. She sighed, her breath, certainly not minty fresh whistling between her teeth. She crossed her arms and glared at said repellent.
"No.” Andrew lied. Dawn did not believe him. His flushed face and the excited look in his eyes told her that he was. And she knew exactly who exactly the little squirt was desperately trying to gain sight of. Andrew's foot tapped out a rhythmic patter on the polished floor of the arrival lounge adding to Dawn’s irritation. She bit down a mew of disappointment, god she was so sad, she even recognised the tune of the Imperial march. She was so spending too much time around Andrew. She blamed Robin of course, Giles, Buffy and Robin. Particularly Buffy.
Well that wasn't really fair. Buffy had brought her that nice pair of low rise jeans, leading Dawn to believe that everything was right with the world. Of course that was before that moment of wonderful sisterhood had crashed and burned. Buffy being all Miss ‘do as I say’ not do as I do again. So what if she had been flirting with a couple of cute guys. Was that any reason to interrogate them so vigorously, that they had taken fright and almost fallen over themselves in their efforts to escape from her psycho sister.
She wasn't here now though and she was unlikely to be for a while. Well, at least until just before Christmas, which meant she would have plenty of time for mucho partying. At least if it weren't for the fact she was going to be stuck in boring old meetings with stuffy old men. Still she wasn't going to suffer on her own.
"I don't see him,” she teased, trying to keep her voice level. “Oh, is that him?"
"Oh, oh where?" Andrew asked. He jumped up and down excitedly, his face desperately searching the crowded terminal.
"My mistake," said Dawn, masking her grin with her hand.
"Hey not fair," complained Andrew. He scowled at her with such an air of crushed disappointment that Dawn felt like a total buzzkill.
"You didn't really think Xander would be here did you?" Dawn replied feeling, for some reason,slightly guilty for winding Andrew up, even if he had chewed her ear off on the flight regaling her with stories of his non-exploits in Europe.
If she was being honest, she was a little disappointed herself. That little hollow in the stomach that she had be stubbornly attributing to airline food was really disappointment.
She had expected Xander would have come out to meet her, with his big beaming smile and patch, smelling of sweat and tartan shirts. Just thinking about it threatened to start the waterworks. Damn it she wasn't going to tear up. She sniffed and scuffed angrily at her Italian red leather luggage with the toe of her well turned shoe and glanced over at Andrew. He would even have come to pick up Andrew as well she admitted so where was he?
She snorted; realising the likely cause, there was only one thing, a certain shaped thing called Faith.
She was why he wasn't here to pick them up!
Of course Buffy had dished the dirt about Xander's latest flirtation with the dark side. Although, when she thought back, Dawn was surprised at how non-judgemental Buffy had been about this latest hook-up. Mild would have been an understatement, she didn't quite know how to put her finger on it. Certainly whilst Buffy and Faith had patched things up they weren't best buds and if there was one thing you could count on her sister for it was to be overprotective to the point of... Well, the point was her reaction was so not typical that Dawn had checked to see if her sister wasn't a doppelganger. She winced, remembering the hair pulling that had lead to. She would have to check with Willow if there was an easier way of casting that spell than dumping a whole bag of flour over your targets head.
So if little Miss Slutorama thought she was going to mess with her Xander then she had another thing coming. Although if she was honest Dawn wasn't quite sure what she was going to do about it. Sure she loved Xander, but in that older brother sort of way. Especially given how she had found Xander in Dakar. A wry smile played on her lips as she remembered back to their shared laughter in that rickety tent in the Sahel scrub lands. So what if the laughter had erupted when she had desperately reached for her crush as a way to snap Xander out of his downwards spiral.
"Well, I do have all this," replied Andrew. He gestured proudly at his hugely expensive pile of excess luggage. God, he was even worse than Buffy thought Dawn and she had thought that her sisters pile of hand stitched by Tibetan lamas or whatever it was, Chinese knockoffs more likely, had been heavy. Now she knew better and had the aching arms to prove it. It wasn't even stuffed with useful stuff no just reams of crap he had picked up in some geeky store in London.
The Arrivals Lounge continued to empty out, as couple after couple were greeted by family and friends. A great big crowd of German tourists were met by a pair of screaming girls and there was still no sign of their ride. Andrew had long since settled down, perched on top of his self made mountain like a little geeky non cool Yoda. Dawn watched grumpily as his fingers leafed through the pages of a comic book although Dawn could tell he wasn't really reading it.
"So much for our ride," she said, flipping open her cell. She started to search for the number she needed to call. God had it been so long she couldn't even remember that.
And then he was there, same wry slight apologetic smile, same warm voice, and the same strong arms enfolding her in a welcome home hug.
"Hi Dawnster, sorry we're late. We kind of got caught up," said Xander. His words were partially muffled by her hair, but she could feel his goofy grin through her crown. She resisted the urge to tilt her head upwards and instead nestled closer, content just to bask in her friend.
Eventually though he stepped back, holding her at arms length a playful smile on his face. He looked a little dishevelled and there were the beginnings of a nasty bruise on the side of his face, but other than that he was her Xander complete with beaming smile.
"Sorry we're late," repeated Xander. “We sort of got held up."
"Oh was it demons?" Andrew asked.
“Sort of,” said Xander.
“And this?” Dawn asked, she indicated the bruise.
"No that was bikers." Faith corrected as she swaggered up from behind Xander and fixed the pair of them with a knowing grin.
"So are you ready to go?" asked Xander.
"Of course," answered Dawn. She rolled her eyes to emphasis how so ready to go she actually was.
"Hey Andy, these yours?" Faith asked, she was grinning like a Cheshire cat, until she caught sign of Dawn watching her and a little edge of the grin went off. Not much, but enough for Dawn to notice as Faith hefted a pair of Andrew's huge cases as if they were bags of groceries.
Faith snorted at Xander's worried look round and then shook her head ruefully as he relaxed.
"Relax babe, I've got the place fully scoped, sides we're so late no ones exactly seeing twenty twenty," said Faith. She glanced over towards where Dawn still lounged against Xander's side.
"Hey bite size," greeted Faith.
She was so hyped and bouncy that Dawn wondered whether she had picked up Willow's caffeine addiction.
She was so hyped and bouncy that Dawn wondered whether she had picked up Willow's caffeine addiction.
"Faith," replied Dawn, her tone full of partially chewed wasps causing the smile on the Slayers face to die a little and for some reason making Dawn feel like a total buzz kill.
Since when had Faith, of all people given a damn what people thought. Hell, Dawn had even braced in anticipation of the in your face explosion. But other than a thoughtful look and a sad shrug as she picked up Andrew's bags the Slayer did nothing.
Which was so not natural? Maybe Faith was a pod person. I mean she looked like Faith and talked like Faith but something was off about her. She was obviously going to have to buy another bag of flour. Although she had best check with Willow first. She doubted Faith would resort to giggling after a bit of hair pulling.
"Sorry, just grumpy you know," said Dawn. She rolled her eyes theatrically in Andrew's direction causing Faith to smirk.
"So you and Faith huh?" asked Dawn. She smiled at Xander all the while watching the retreating back of the Slayer. Faith was heading for their ride with Andrew trailing behind like a squawking chicken.
"Yeah," replied Xander.
"How's that going?" she asked. But Xander was elsewhere, his eye clearly watching the picture of a laughing Faith running and spinning Andrew's precious luggage.
"Sorry Dawnster, what was that?" He asked, he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze as they walked towards the waiting cab.
"Oh nothing," replied Dawn.
****
"I trust your trip was a pleasant one Gentleman?" Giles asked, he reached out making certain his grip was firm as he shook the hands of the weary travellers. He couldn't afford any sign of weakness. It didn’t matter that he had counted both men amongst his allies on the council in the past. These were new times and the old alliances were shifting. He couldn't count on their support especially given what he would be asking.
He pondered his two guests as they divested themselves of their coats and scarves. Slazenger looked the more tired of the two. His usual understated energy shrouded in an air of weariness, his every movement slow and deliberate. Giles could see the bags under his eyes, his usually carefully coiffed blond hair was doing its best to do an impromptu impression of Albert Einstein. The unkempt stubble told him that Slazenger had come straight away on hearing the call. Not even having the time to visit a bathroom on the way. Most likely the poor man had slept on the long haul flight over.
Hartford, on the other hand, looked quite dapper. Giles could see the young Watcher was obviously spending too much of his meagre Watchers salary in Saville row. His single breasted suit complete with a monogrammed handkerchief discretely tucked in the top pocket practically screamed conspicuous spending. It was a concern, but Willow assured him it was the innocent result of an addiction to labels rather than anything more sinister. He hadn’t asked how she had been quite so sure but he thought he knew anyway. Still it was a nagging doubt, unfair as it may be? It wasn’t like he was from an old family. His Vietnamese heritage was clearly evident in his smiling boyishly oval face. His eyes though sparkled with barely concealed excitement and glee. But Giles knew the strength of the mind that lurked behind the spectacles. The spectacles, that even now the young Watcher was busy cleaning. All of which was why, when he had been sounding out the survivors of the council he had raised no objections when Hartford’s name had been suggested as one of the new members of the High Council.
"Yes thank you," replied Slazenger. Giles watched as his colleague gathered himself, clearly taking his time as he surveyed the room. His eyes widened as they alighted on the scythe set above the fireplace of the hall.
"Is that?" Hartford asked his eyes wide and staring but his tone inquiring.
"Ah, I see you've noticed the change in the decor since your last visit," answered Giles.
"Yes it’s exactly what you think it is. We felt that we really should stop hiding stuff away. Actually, Buffy felt and I agreed it gave the wrong impression of the new era.”
"Well, she also said she wasn't going down in that gross basement again," said Willow. She smiled kindly at the pair of Watchers.
"Well, you know my thoughts on that," said Hartford.
"Yes, and it looks like you were right," replied Giles. He smiled ruefully.
"I don't see Miss Summers, will she be joining us?" asked Slazenger. His Austrian accent reminding Giles that he still had to clear the new rosters with Rowena.
"Actually no, Buffy is still tied up dealing with the Moyra demon infestation in Mexico so Dawn will be acting as a substitute for her during the meeting," replied Giles.
"Ah.” Slazenger’s reply clearly conveyed disappointment and Giles understood why. Slazenger may be old school but he clearly thought very highly of Buffy.
"You needn't worry Dawn is a very capable deputy," answered Giles.
"Oh I wasn't questioning the younger Miss Summers capabilities. In fact I think very highly of her. I did after all have the pleasure of working with her resolving the problem with the recent Gorgon activity in Athens. No it was because I understood our meeting was to discuss matters of great import and I thought we would need the Slayer Prime present to discuss them, "replied Slazenger.
Giles suppressed an involuntarily wince at Slazenger's use of Buffy's title. It wasn't exactly his fault although he did blame himself for not objecting more vigorously when Xander and Andrews's suggestion had been so enthusiastically embraced by the surviving members of the old guard. Much to Buffy’s annoyance. He grinned as he tried and failed to contemplate the reaction Faith would have to her suggested title.
"Well, I suggest we leave such matters to the full council," said Giles.
"Of course," said Slazenger. Although his tight smile suggested that he still wished to pursue the matter. Still Giles could tell that he didn’t feel sure enough of his ground to push it, a feeling he was regrettably becoming too familiar with himself.
"And speaking of Slayers, I see no sign of Miss Lehane." Hartford said, his eyes darting momentarily to the door as if at any moment he expected Faith to burst through.
"No she's otherwise detained," explained Giles.
"Ah," replied Hartford. The watcher shared a knowing smirk with his colleague. Giles resisted the urge to punch the smug bastard in the face, instead settling for a slight narrowing of the eyes which he was sure Hartford picked up on as he suddenly acquired the look of someone who knows they have said too much.
"So you're probably extremely tired after your long trips. I had some rooms made up and Rowena has seen to the security of the artefacts you have brought," announced Giles.
"You're right. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow," agreed Slazenger. His hand rubbed absently at the prickly stubble on his chin.
“I hope…” Hartford started before he trailed off in embarrassment.
“Don’t concern yourself David,” replied Giles. He dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand and a cleaning of his glasses. “I must confess I’m looking forward to talking to you about your dealings with the white witches of the Nygano.”
“Shall we go?” Willow prompted, catching Giles’ eyes as she led the pair of Watchers away. Giles recognized the look on her face and understood what it meant. He knew if there had been a mirror in the hallway he would have seen it reflected on his own.
*********
“These are the last of them.” Albert puffed as he unloaded his desperately aching arms of books and slumped into the waiting chair. The sudden break in exertion caused the sweat on his brow to prickle coldly against his skin forcing him to reach into his jacket pocket and retrieve the handkerchief there and with a sigh wipe his brow down to what could only be described as sodden. And to think he had only just taken a shower before Ashley had come in, smiled her dazzling smile and then before he knew it he was lugging up pile after pile of books to her office on the 4th floor.
“I should know better,” he grumbled, not to anyone in particular but just to the world in general. Still hopefully all the exercise he was getting would do him good.
“What was that Albie?” Ashley asked, coming through the door carrying a small pile of what looked to be Decommion’s journals.
“Nothing,” answered Albert.
“Oh come on, you know you were bitching about lugging all these books up here,” replied Ashley with a teasing smile.
“So what if I was,” complained Albert. “You’re not the one who has to suffer cold water because your bathroom shares a water tank with fourteen teenage girls. I swear I’ve not had a hot shower in a month.”
“I can tell.” Ashley teased, her pretty nose wrinkled in mock indignation causing Albert to snort in poor humour.
“Okay fine, I’ll admit I’m a sorry excuse for a Watcher, but…” said Albert. His throat suddenly constricted as he saw the angry look descend on Ashley’s face.
“What have I told you about talk like that Albert Schuster,” scolded Ashley. “You’re a fine Watcher and once we whip you into shape I’m sure you’ll have no trouble qualifying for field status.”
“So you keep saying,” complained Albert.
“Yes and I’m right, besides Albie I really don’t understand how you can even think that after all that we went through in Dover,” said Ashley. Her tone was a complex mixture of wistful remembrance and scolding affection.
“So why do I keep on failing, I just can’t seem to hack the physical.” Albert groaned burying his head in his hands, not daring to look over at Ashley. He was frightened of the look that he might find there. It would be pity he knew and he could take anything from her but pity.
Then she was prying his hands open, smiling sadly in that way that she seemed to do too much of these days.
“Hey, grumpy, I said I would help didn’t I?” She grinned but her blue eyes were deadly serious.
“Yes but…” said Albert. He trailed off guilty at what he had been about to say.
“But I’ve not been around. I know and I’m sorry Mr Giles has kept me busy. But I promise after Christmas I’ll whip your flabby butt into shape,” said Ashley.
“You promise?” Albert asked, hating at how pleading he sounded, how weak.
“Definitely, of course that doesn’t stop you asking help from someone else,” suggested Ashley.
“Oh who?” Albert asked.
“Say Xander or even Faith,” prompted Ashley.
“Are you insane,” exclaimed Albert.
“No, in fact Xander asked me about it the other day. In fact he seemed to be wondering why you hadn’t asked him already,” replied Ashley.
“He did,” squeaked Albert.
“He did, in fact he seemed a little disappointed, said something about sending Faith to track you down,” teased Ashley.
“Fibber,” groaned Albert. “You had me there until the Faith bit.”
“Well, the last bit was a lie, but he did ask after you. He said he had missed you at a couple of the recent field Watcher classes,” replied Ashley. “So you will talk to him?”
“Yes,” agreed Albert.
“Good,” replied Ashley. “So out of that chair Mr Lazy Bones. We’re not done yet. Still have Hazigard’s Compendium to bring up.”
“Oh you’re kidding right,” groaned Albert.
“No, since when do I ever kid,” chided Ashley.
“Since that time you had me tie that red condom to the weather vane claiming it warded off evil spirits,” complained Albert as he followed his friend out of the room and down the stairs.
“But that was true,” lied Ashley.
“I almost froze to death and they had to call out fire fighters to get me down,” scolded Albert.
“Ah but the life of a Watcher is a hard one,” said Ashley. “I was just being a friendly task master, preparing you for the times ahead.”
“An evil bitch more like,” said Albert.
“Oh at least I’m not a fat lard cake,” scolded Ashley.
“I still owe you for that you know,” replied Albert.
“I’ll have to be on my guard then,” replied Ashley. She grinned over her shoulder mischievously at him. “But promise me something.”
“What?” Albert asked.
“Don’t try anything until we get the truck unloaded.”
“Oh you’re a cruel taskmaster Ashley Simmonds. But I agree,” replied Albert.
“Besides revenge is a dish best served cold,” he whispered.
“I heard that.”
“I know,” said Albert. He didn’t care if she saw his grin.
**********
Awareness came slowly like a thief stealing away comforting warmth, the chill coolness of winter air raising goose bumps on his skin, chasing away the feathered dreams of things to come and the remembered passion of the night before.
Xander groaned, shifting slightly as he prised his eye open. The coolness of the bed and the haphazard sprawl of the covers told him that Faith was already gone. He grinned to himself in wry disappointment; Faith had told him she would be gone the previous night just before she had tossed him onto the bed before peeling off her tee and leaping on after him. Still he had hoped in that rather large and he admitted, lecherous part of his brain that she would have cried off her morning run and been waiting there for him.
She wasn’t and if he was being honest he wasn’t surprised. She rarely was there when he woke up in the morning. He supposed it was something that she stayed as long as she did, that she allowed him just to hold her, even occasionally to cuddle her, although that would often provoke snorts of amusement that would turn into something else which would lead to something more. Still he could count the number of times he had woken up with Faith by his side on the fingers of one hand.
He stumbled out of bed and headed for the en suite bathroom. It was one of the few luxuries he had allowed himself since he had moved to Cleveland from Dover. He had too much experience with living in a house full of teenage girls to have turned it down when it had been offered. Besides he grinned to himself as he glanced over at the shower cubicle, it afforded all sorts of other rewards. Who knows maybe she would be back before he needed to head off to the High Council meeting. A meeting which he was looking forward to like a hole in the head, well he’d had personal experience of holes in the head so not the same, but in the same ballpark. God, Faith was rubbing off on him and not in the good way, he was starting to use sporting analogies.
The mirror made his face look worn but healthy and as he tilted his head the light highlighted the scars from the latest bout of do it yourself surgery. At least they seemed to be healing. Still it meant that he had to wear his patch again at least until the new prosthetic was ready. Not that he was in any rush, the prospect of going through all that rigmarole again was so not appealing, plus the patch was kind of cool. Well at least Faith thought so.
He scrambled into a fresh set of jeans and a clean shirt, running a quick hand through his hair. He was going to have to talk to Dawn. They needed to catch up on all that happened since Dakar. And he needed to explain…well about everything really. He hadn’t really had the opportunity to talk to her on the way back from the airport. It had been all that he could do to get a word in edgewise with Andrew plying him with question after question.
Still Andrew had come through and big time and Xander had been happy to take the good natured teasing that Faith and Dawn had dished out; still it hadn’t stopped his girlfriend from nabbing one of his comics from the pile rolling her eyes when he had squawked that she was creasing it.
He exchanged greetings with a couple of Slayers in the hallway, a young Nigerian girl and a Norwegian who sent him shy glances as he passed them.
Of his own Slayer there was no sign, but then Trudy was most likely out with Faith.
Willow was waiting for him, a slight scolding look on her face, her arms crossed and her sneakers crossed at the ankles as she lounged in one of the comfy chairs outside the Council chamber on the top floor of the building.
The doors to the new Council chamber were the only things that in any way harkened back to the old Council. Stout, old and brooding they barred the way to the inner sanctum of the High Council chamber A pair of heavy mahogany doors unmarred to the naked eye, but to those of a sorceress inclination they would have appeared as a burning sun in the darkness, so bright they would blind, all courtesy of the wards woven into their fabric by the most powerful witch for generations.
He couldn’t help the grin that broke out on his face as he gazed upon his work. He was proud of the doors. He should be having spent a fun two weeks hopping round forests with Willow, camping out under the stars. He shivered as other memories returned, images of swatting midges or mosquitoes’ as big as his arm whilst they selected the wood, storm fallen Willow had insisted. Just them and nature even if the nature had sent both of them shrieking for each other on numerous occasions, a fact that they had both sworn never to reveal. Then he had gone to Africa and he thought nothing would ever be the same again.
“There you are? Giles was about to send me to get you, we’re almost ready to start,” scolded Willow.
“Well I overslept, or at least didn’t get much sleep.” Xander grinned proudly at Willow.
“Gah, Xander remember girl here. What have I told you, mental images, mind wash,” complained Willow, although her grin gave lie to her words.
“So the usual?” asked Xander.
“The usual, but I think Giles is up to something. He has that smug little grin that he thinks no one knows about,” said Willow.
“So, this should at least be interesting,” groaned Xander.
Still at least the meeting gave him the opportunity to hang out in the High Council room. Xander didn’t know what the old one had looked like. But he knew that Giles had looked a little surprised when he and Willow had unveiled the room as one of their reasons for choosing the huge multi winged art deco house that squatted on the way into Bay city as the new headquarters of the Council. The room sat at the top of the large four storied building built during the 30’s with its sweeping walkways and curved stairways.
A large table dominated most of the room, carved from beautifully polished walnut with seats for twenty only half of which were currently filled. The far end of the room contained a trio of plasma screens all currently blank but which were usually used to video conference with the remote Slayer houses or Xander admitted with a grin to play Grand Theft Auto. Oh the scolding Willow had given him about that, not that it stopped her playing, a fact he was able to continually remind her about whenever she tried to bring itup.
The wall immediately opposite though, that always took his breath away, filled as it was with a fifty foot wall of glass. The glass was tinted with a hint blue that made everything look so pure and clean that he couldn’t help but share a told you so grin with Willow whenever they came in here. Double patio doors in the right corner lead out onto a large paved veranda surrounded with a wrought iron railing, all with a view over the grounds complete with unused pool that ran towards the low cliffs and then beyond them to the wild expanse of Lake Erie.
“Ah Xander good of you to join us,” said Robin. He shot Xander an amused grin that told him the ex-principal knew exactly why he was late.
Well he would do wouldn’t he.
Xander couldn’t help the jealous thought that rose up unbidden from his subconscious. He bit down on it chiding himself for even considering it. Robin and Faith we’re ancient history and the manner of their break up ensured there was nothing there. Still Xander couldn’t help feeling that Wood was a bit of an idiot both for the way he had treated Faith and for being clearly stupid enough to lose her. He shook his head as he suddenly realised that, of course, hadn’t he done the same thing. He swallowed letting go of Willow’s hand as she scooted around the table to talk to Dawn who sent a beaming morning smile in his direction.
“Hey Robin, sorry for being late,” he said. He shrugged his shoulders and settled down into his allocated chair. He had a nameplate and everything. Xander Harris Head of Field Operations, he saw Dawn grin as she looked at hers. Giggling as Willow snapped a photo with her camera.
“You know Buffy will ground you for life,” he said. He smiled over at the Dawnster who was looking tanned and rested and oh so grown up in her Italian suit.
“Yeah, but it will be worth it.” Dawn giggled before a sly and naughty grin creased her lips. “So long night?”
“A gentleman never tells,” he replied flicking a quick anxious glance in Robin’s direction.
“I’ll just ask Willow,” grumped Dawn.
“I wouldn’t,” said Willow sitting down besides him.
“Why?” asked Dawn.
“You’ll only be disappointed. There’s not much to tell,” said Willow.
“Hey,” complained Xander. He marshalled his thoughts when he attempted to pick out the perfect retort only to be interrupted by a gently coughing Giles.
“Shall we get started?” asked the Head of the Council.
********
The miles fell away eaten up under her steady rhythmic lope. The morning air was cool on her skin raising a pleasant sheen on her bare arms and legs. Faith grinned as she remembered her other workout of the night before. He was getting wicked good and she was finding it ever harder to rouse herself for her morning run. What’s more she couldn’t help feeling the twinge of guilty regret that she increasingly felt as she left Xander dozing like a beached guppy in their bed.
She could hear the steady breathing of her running companion and Faith picked up the pace ignoring the groan of Trudy besides her.
“Suck it up Little Red,” she teased, shooting a grin in the younger Slayers direction.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m not even winded and I can see you’re already starting to sweat.” Trudy replied picking up her pace so that she sprinted ahead of Faith.
“You’re dreaming,” taunted Faith.
“So, I hear there’s a nest down by the Ambridge marina,” said Trudy. She said it with such a studied nonchalance that Faith snorted in amusement.
“Hell girl you’re so easy to read, you know what Xander would say,” said Faith.
“Yeah, scout it out, make sure you’ve got backup, don’t die,” said Trudy. She grinned at Faith and accented it with an amused roll of the eyes.
“Yeah and he’s right.”
“Spoilsport,” grumbled Trudy.
“Hey I didn’t say we’re not going to do it,” replied Faith. She gently jostled the younger Slayer. “Sides two out of three isn’t bad. You’ve got me and I’ve got no intention of dying.”
“Great,” replied Trudy. “Race you there.”
Faith watched her go, letting the younger Slayer get a short lead before with a whoop she sprinted after her.
********
“Xander!”
Xander stirred, the hissed exclamation followed by the gentle nudging of his leg rousing him from the pleasant dream he had been having. His eye focussed then cleared as he caught a glimpse of Dawn. She was desperately trying to stifle a snigger and failing badly. His panicked hand reached up to his face to check he hadn’t drooled too much or that no one had noticed his innocent dropping off, not that the dream had been innocent.
He glared at her and then glanced along the table to see if anyone had noticed he had dozed off.
Well someone clearly had as Willow was glaring at him from beneath her bangs. Xander sent her a look he hoped was filled with apology. An apology that was clearly accepted as Willow shook her head and sent him a wry grin. It’s not like she could blame him as the first hour of the meeting had been little more than reporting on various financial aspects of the new Council’s operations.
“So Mr Harris what are your views on the appropriations for the new Slayer house in Tallinn?” asked Hartford.
Xander sent an appealing look in Willow’s direction. She just smirked and crossed her arms with a told you so look.
“Ah,” stammered Xander. He desperately looked around for help. They were all watching him, Dawn sitting in for Buffy and Rowena filling out the Slayer contingent and then the trio of Willow, Giles and Robin. The old guard of Zabuto, Hartford and Slazenger who he had briefly met whilst he had been in Africa all sat on the opposite side of the table scrutinising him with intent gazes.
“It’s just…” He trailed off as Giles gaze narrowed.
“Xander?” asked Giles.
“Actually I don’t have a view Giles, my mind sort of wandered for a moment,” he admitted. The look of disappointment that flashed across Giles face was nothing new, so why did it hurt so much?
“Sorry.”
“No thank you Mr Harris,” replied Slazenger. “We understand that you have just come off of a strenuous field assignment. In fact, I am feeling rather tired myself. I wonder if we might postpone the other matters to another time.”
“I’m afraid not Hans,” replied Giles. “We still have much to attend to including a report from Willow on our joint attempts with the coven to locate the other potential nascent or active Hellmouth’s. After what happened in Dover we have no idea of the potential threat we face.”
“A discussion which includes the matter of coven access to our archives,” said Willow. She looked pointedly at the Austrian Watcher.
“Yes, Miss Rosenberg and I assume you’re quite aware of my position on that matter,” replied Slazenger. His tired sigh told Xander exactly where he stood on the matter.
“Of course, you made your position quite clear, but I believe you’re wrong. We need to strengthen our ties with the independent practioners and with the losses recently we have as much need of them as they have of us.”
“Surely not Miss Rosenburg,” said Zabuto. “I mean do we not have more witches, warlocks and shamans in our ranks than at any time during the Council’s history? All mainly thanks to your efforts.”
“Well yes, but many of those came to us due to the understanding that Giles and myself reached with the Devon coven. That agreement forms the foundation which has allowed us to recruit so many magical practitioners into our ranks to replace the lost Watchers,” replied Willow.
“And access was one of the prices we agreed to pay,” said Giles. “We cannot go back on that agreement and if I recall you were in favour of it at the time Hans.”
“True, but Miss Rosenberg’s knows my concerns about some of the dark and dangerous knowledge contained in our archives and what would happen if it falls into the wrong hands,” replied Slazenger. He leaned forward on the table his hands clasped in front of him.
“I agree with Hans,” said Hartford. “There simply is too much risk and whilst I think we we’re right to have a rapprochement with the coven it could set a dangerous precedent.”
“We have to give them access,” said Xander.
“And why would that be,” asked Slazenger pinning him with an arched eyebrow and questioning look.
“Because we gave our word,” replied Xander, thinking it was obvious wasn’t it.
“Absolutely,” said Giles.
“Xander’s right,” said Dawn. She quickly glanced over at Rowena who nodded her assent.
“Fine,” replied Slazenger. He sighed and slumped back in his chair.
“We’ll take the appropriate safeguards Hans,” placated Giles. “Isn’t that correct, Willow?”
“Oh yes of course. In fact I had an idea that I wanted to run by David that should guard against most of Mr Slazenger’s concerns,” replied Willow.
“So shall we vote then?” asked Robin.
“Yes, let’s vote,” said Zabuto.
Xander listened intently as they moved through the agenda dealing with item after item. Discussing the ramifications of the Dover affair and agreeing to step up their search, here deciding who to appoint as Head Slayer of the house in Kuala Lumpur and there agreeing to send a mission to investigate a possible vampire brothel in Washington. Robin argued heatedly against Giles for what seemed like forever about an arcane matter of Council procedure and Dawn and Willow had almost come to blows about Watcher overseas training until they had both just suddenly burst into a fit of giggles and then agreed that they didn’t know what the hell they were arguing about.
“So,” said Robin. “Are we done?”
“Not quite,” said Giles with a smile that was greeted by groans and rolling eyes all around the table. It was already late.
“So what’s left?” asked Xander with a sigh. He was desperately resisting the urge to remove his patch and rub at the itching wound.
“Well, there is still the matter of filling the remaining High Council position,” said Giles.
“Ah,” replied Slazenger.
“Do we really need to address this again,” asked Hartford.
“I take it you have someone in mind?” asked Zabuto. He looked over at Giles quizzically.
“I do,” replied Giles.
“Well who Mr Giles,” asked Rowena.
From the look on her face Xander judged she was as much in the dark as he was. He was familiar with pretty much all the Slayers either by sight or by name and certainly with all the Slayers senior enough to be considered for a role on the councils governing body.
He knew Giles had been relying heavily on Rona a lot recently especially, using her in a roving troubleshooting role so most likely it was her.
“So Giles, don’t keep us in suspense who do you have in mind?” asked Willow. Her lips were slightly puckered and she suddenly grinned and settled back in her chair sending an amused look in Xander’s direction.
He couldn’t, he wouldn’t, and she wouldn’t.
Xander could feel a sweat starting to break out on his brow and he shot a desperate look in Robin’s direction. He just gave Xander a tight lipped smile but otherwise allowed nothing else to show on his calm exterior.
“I was thinking of offering the Slayer Secundus post to Faith,” said Giles. He said it so matter of factly that for a moment his announcement was greet with absolute silence.
“Outrageous,” snapped Slazenger. Zabuto leaned forward clearly bemused.
“Impossible,” said Harford. “She went rogue and murdered people.” He paled as Willow shot him an angry look.
“And!”
Xander didn’t hear much after that, just an angry snap from Dawn, followed by a lot of screaming and shouting and then suddenly the desk was coming up to meet him.
“Xander,” cried Dawn.
*******
The vamp darted underneath her forearm swipe his booted foot slamming into her side sending Faith spinning through air smashing through the rotted slatted wooden frame to land heavily on the floor.
“Aarrgh bastard,” she snapped. She struggled to her feet and grabbed a piece of the handily broken frame to use as a makeshift stake.
A quick elbow smash to the throat sent the vamp staggering backwards tripping over one of the numerous pipes that ran across the floor of the abandoned warehouse that nestled on the other side of a chain link fence from the marina.
Suddenly she staggered a woozy feeling washing over her, forcing her to her knees.
Red’s voice echoing in her head, “Faith come quick it's Xander.”
Faith pulled herself to her feet, slamming her stake in to the vamps chest as it closed on her thinking her helpless prey. But she didn’t notice the vamp or even the other three she dusted on her way out as she dragged Trudy after her.
All she could feel was a dreadful roiling knot in the pit of her stomach.
