<When I saw them waiting for me after graduation, I never imagined that they were there to offer me a job. That thought wouldnt have been first in anyones mind, actually. Given what we had just done, I was pretty sure that their presence on my doorstep meant huge trouble of the non-Apocalyptic, but personally tragic, variety. Now well, just look.>
With a chuckle and a slight grin, the former Zeppo slowly fastened all the buttons on the shirt, preparing for his first day or rather, night on the job, running through the initial conversation in his head.
<Alexander Harris?>
Yes. He was sure that they could sense his fear. The Scoobies had just blown up the high school for Petes sake, so these gentlemen couldnt possibly be here for any good reason.
Is there somewhere we could talk? He spent a moment in thought, keeping a wary eye on the two others. The sun had already set, and even if it hadnt, the house wasnt exactly the neatest home on the planet. It did not exude welcome vibes to anybody, much less people like these two gentlemen.
Theres a coffee shop down the street. Will that do? The older of the two nodded in assent.
Several minutes later, coffee in hand, the older man started speaking to Xander and he did not interrupt, absolutely astonished at what he was hearing.
You want me to do what?
Listen, Harris, weve been aware of Sunnydales night life for years but weve never known how to combat it. According to our intel, youve been helping to kick it in the ass for the past three years. Add to that, somewhere along the way, youve managed to pick up some decent skills with military grade weaponry and explosives. Were fed up with the death count in this city, and we want an instructor with first-hand experience.
Alright, so let me get this straight. Youve cleared things so that if I wish, I can get into the Academy class beginning this summer. When I graduate, I come straight back here and help you set up a pilot program that is what?
We know about the Slayer, Harris. This program would not be dependent on any one person, though we would prefer to cooperate with her where possible. We want a group of people who can handle themselves when faced with Sunnydales evening residents, who can actually help the people in this town. Thats not happening right now, because we dont know what were doing. Hell, theres no manual for this type of shit.
Not in modern English, no. Xander grinned, getting used to the idea being presented to him. It had definite possibilities. You realize that I just graduated from High School, right? And, at the moment, college isnt looking too likely.
We are quite aware of what happened at Sunnydale High, today. Weve also done a bit of checking, and know that youve been accepted to UC Sunnydale, but that money is an issue. The job comes with a tuition reimbursement package. Take it and you can go to school part time. He paused for a second. You do realize that you would be third shift?
I had figured that, yes. Hell, Ive been working third-shift for the last three years and not getting paid for it. Why do you want me? Why not the others involved?
Thats actually one of the simplest questions to answer, Harris. We did a little searching and found out a few things. You were the first member of the group to join the Slayer, despite her Watchers disapproval of the idea. You showed initiative, and you know how to work without usually drawing attention to yourself. You stood up to a master vampire and he backed down.
How?
There was a doctor within hearing range. Shes married to your future partner. The older mans gaze locked on the younger Native American man next to him. Xander nodded, and the silent man returned the greeting with a measured gaze. As of yet, no names had been mentioned save Xanders own. Will you answer a question for us?
Sure.
You were only sixteen when you started this. When you learned what was going on, why did you get involved? Why didnt you ignore it all and go on with your life?
Once you learn what lives in the darkness, you cant really turn your back on it.
A lot of people do, Harris.
Im not one of them, sir. I know whats out there, and I cant ignore it. Its not in me. I cant turn away knowing that people will die if I do.
The older man nodded. Thats just what I wanted to hear, Harris. Do you have an answer for me or do you need to think about it and talk it over with someone?
No I know my answer. Ill take the job.>
That had started him on the path that continued with him standing here now, in front of the mirror, checking the creases in his uniform slacks and shirt. <I cant believe that I actually ironed this.> His shoes were shined, the seams were straight, belt and standard issue firearm in place. Heading out the door of his new apartment, he slid into the passenger seat of the car, his partner at the wheel and the waning sunlight reflecting off his badge. Officer Harris, Sunnydale PD, was on his way to work.
Hed been on the job a week before he had a chance to make it down to UC-Sunnydale for an appointment with an Academic Counselor. Xander had his acceptance letter in hand, but wanted to discuss the course his education would take, here. Classes werent even set to start for another week, but he wanted a plan of some sort.
A course catalog had been mailed to him while he was at the Academy, and hed settled on two courses for the upcoming semester. Introduction to Psychology with Dr. Margaret Walsh was a morning course *early* morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which would still allow him to get a decent amount of sleep. Criminal Justice with Professor Marcus Sendi was Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and let out about thirty minutes before he would be expected at work under normal circumstances.
That settled, Xander was here to make arrangements for everything beyond this semester and a contingency plan for any emergencies that may happen during class time. <I love my job,> he thought, <but I dont particularly want to broadcast it to everyone at the moment. For some reason, I think having a cop in class might just make some of my fellow students a little nervous.> He silently smirked as he thought about it. <Gee, I wonder why? Now, to see about spreading the word quietly among the faculty, so I can leave with a minimum of fuss if I need to.>
Thirty minutes later, leaving the office with a plan in hand covering the length of his proposed academic career, he headed to the bookstore to see if the course textbooks had arrived. <Might as well see if there are any used copies available before the freshmen arrive who are actually living on campus.> Now that he was pre-registered for his courses, all he had to do was show up for registration next week, and then make it to his classes not too hard, now that he was actually used to being on time for things. <Routine the Academy was good for that.>
Even on his night off, Xander could usually be found somewhere near the police station tonight, his partner was betting that hed be in the gym. The six-foot-tall Native American man moved quickly and silently down the hall, his slight limp doing nothing to slow him. The former Marine Gunnery Sergeant had a soft spot for his rookie partner and more often than not looked on him as a younger brother occasionally irritating, but always trustworthy.
Many were the times he found himself worrying about Xander, though the quiet man usually didnt say as much. Hed been part of the clean-up crew that showed up after Graduation last year an event that would always have a capital G, in his mind. Rick knew that, despite the relative victory, the deaths resulting from that day would be something the younger man would never forget. The older officer could see that it had aged his friend, though Xander did his level best to mask it.
He slipped into the gym and simply stood there, watching as Xander worked with some of the police departments veteran officers, all engaged in a lively bit of education Harris referred to as Vampires 101. Hed heard it called by several other titles, though most notably Survival in a Hellhole and Sadism a la Harris. The younger cop already had a reputation for being a bit of a joker, but that reputation stopped once he slipped on his uniform or stepped into this gym. He was equipping his fellow cops with tools they would need to save people, with *information* they would need to save people, and they knew it. If he was a hard-ass about it, who could really blame him? <After all, whos really going to tell him that hes full of shit after what hes managed to pull off against some of the sickest SOBs in the world after what hes survived? Besides, they know hes right.>
This wasnt one of the official classes, Rick knew, but it figured that others would stop to ask Xander questions if they saw him around. Once one cop asked, a fair amount of others would stop to listen to the answer even those who werent actually part of the Night Light Pilot Program. <Of course, hed be in a better mood generally if the others would stop referring to it as the White Knight Program not sure if hes ever going to forgive Lynn for telling the guys what she witnessed in the hospital that night.>
He chuckled again, the soft sound immediately drawing his partners attention. Hey, Wolf, you need something?
Not really Lynn just ordered me to drag your sorry ass home so she could shove some food down your throat.
Somehow, I dont think thats quite the wording used by your stubborn yet incredibly compassionate wife.
Not quite, partner, but close enough. I just said what she was thinking instead of what actually came out of her mouth.
Yeah, yeah, yeah tell me another one. The younger man flashed a grin, just for a second, before he said his quick goodbyes to the veteran cops gathered in a scattered circle around him, making quiet arrangements to meet later for some further schooling.
Hey, Harris, one of the cops chimed in, catching up to Xander and Rick just outside the gym door.
Yeah, Levinson?
How the heck do you manage with this guy as a landlord, anyway?
Easy, Xander responded. The rents decent, the apartments clean and in good shape, and he and Lynn insist on feeding me. That, and I save money on gas since we tend to share rides into work. I dont have to worry about noisy or nosy neighbors and once class starts, Ill even be able to study and *theres* a word I never thought Id be able to say without shuddering.
Dinner was a simple affair; the food was basic, but there was a lot of it. Xander sat next to his partners three-year-old daughter, Jessi, and absent-mindedly cut her food into bite-sized pieces while chatting with Rick and Lynn. Despite not having known her long, the little girl had wormed her way into his heart, serving as a constant reminder of why he was doing this. Buffy, Willow and the rest of the Scoobies could defend themselves in most situations, but Jessi would be helpless against the darker side of this town.
Jessi chuckled presumably at the strange faces her father was making across the table and a slight smile touched Xanders face. After a last quick look at her plate to make sure everything was the proper size for finger food, he turned back to his own dinner. Generally, Rick and Lynn would split the feeding duties for Jessi, and Xander loved when he got the chance, not having had much reason to hang around small children before this. The innocence in her eyes the certainty that everything would be okay because Daddy and Mommy and Uncle Xan said it would it astonished Xander. <I dont remember the last time I trusted like that, but it had to be sometime before my world was turned on its head.>
Deep in his thoughts on the youngest Wolf, he nearly jumped out of his seat when Rick spoke to him. So, partner, how was the meeting over at UC Sunnydale?
I went. We talked. We settled on a plan of action for the next few years.
You ok, Xan? You dont seem as excited about this as you were last week.
Yeah, Lynn, he responded. Im fine about the courses; they actually sound interesting, believe it or not. Im just not sure how to tell my friends about the new job. I mean hey, the Zeppo. As far as they know, Im not even back in town, yet, and its only pure luck that we havent managed to run across any of them on patrol.
Rick looked at his partner in shocked silence. <Who the *hell* did such a mind-fuck job on him that hes not even sure he wants to tell his *friends* about this job? Theres no reason to be ashamed of it. What is he afraid of?>
Hey, Xander, why dont we clean up this mess weve made and then talk about a few things? In the Wolf household, the person who cooked didnt clean up unless he had only been cooking for himself; Xander, as an honorary member, followed that rule as closely as everyone else.
Without a word shared between them, the two gathered up the dishes, rinsed them off and loaded the dishwasher, each apparently lost in thought. Rick couldnt tell what Xander was thinking, but the former Marine was less than pleased. He wanted answers the sooner, the better.
Once they were finished with the dishes, Rick nodded toward the basement door, and Xander followed him down into the designated mini-workout area. Despite his need for answers, he knew that the Drill Instructor attitude wouldnt go over well with Harris at the moment. He had to try something else.
Xander, take a seat. The two men watched each other, and Wolf was astonished to realize that he had absolutely *no* idea what was going through his partners mind.
Whats up?
A lot of things, Rick you know that.
I mean, partner, name the monkey thats taken up permanent residence on your back.
Which one?
Come off it, kiddo. You need to talk to somebody about whats been bothering you. Who better than your partner?
Rick would you be asking this if Id come on board as any other rookie?
Probably not, Xander. If youd been any other rookie, I wouldnt have met you until last week. I certainly wouldnt have been keeping in touch with you all through the Academy. If youd been any other rookie, you wouldnt have been recruited by the Chief of Police himself. Face it partner, if youd been any other rookie, you wouldnt *be* my partner. But youre Alexander Harris, normal guy whos survived three years of almost constant combat not to mention finding creative ways to *borrow* equipment that youre not even supposed to be able to see, much less use. Youre good at what you do. Deal with it.
He paused for a moment, seeing Xander sit a little taller, as if some of the worlds weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Now that the pep talks over, he continued, tell me what crawled up your ass and died.
Xander grinned at Ricks choice of words, the tension in the room lessening with the smile. Well, I cant remember anything crawling up my ass much less dying there but I know what you mean.
Glad somebody does.
Im just not sure how well my friends will take the concept of a Xander whos well not the same as he was the last time they saw him one thats foregoing clubbing for a full-time job and, you know, studying.
So they havent quite seen the same side of you that the department has.
Not as such no. And they might be a little suspicious of the way I suddenly joined the authority figures. The whole cooperation thing between the Scoobies and pretty much anyone in a position of authority doesnt tend to go so well. Then again, I never actually told them a few things, so I can understand that.
Like what?
Like the fact that I think weve had tacit government approval of what weve been doing at least up to a certain level. I mean, partner, look at the facts for a second. The chief and a fair portion of the Sunnydale PD knew what was going on in this town and who was stopping it and none of you ever really tried to interfere. Actually, depending on how you look at it, it really doesnt speak well of the Sunnydale PD, but were changing that now. And when the situation with the Judge came up Rick was pretty sure that his expression was one of confusion, as Xander stopped to explain.
The Judge nasty demon, could be killed with no weapon forged by man the rocket launcher in the mall.
Ah.
Anyway, the sentry at the base got a *damned* good look at both myself and the other individual directly involved but no one ever came knocking on our doors. It would have been almost pathetically easy to find us. Now, what possible reason could the military have for *not* hunting down individuals who appropriate their weaponry without the proper authorization? Add to that the fact that the sentry should have reported me just for being on the base without ID, and you start to question whether he was just incompetent or had an interesting set of orders.
Rick nodded, easily understanding the point that Xander had been trying to make. Hed wondered the same thing on occasion, and now, answered the question. The only reason they would have to forego an investigation is if someone fairly well-placed made sure it wasnt an issue. So, either an officer arranged it so that you did have clearance or a clerk fudged the paperwork so that the weapon wasnt on the base at all technically. Same thing goes as far as orders are concerned, depending on who passed them on. For all we know, if there were unconventional orders, the paperwork could have been forged or there could have been a face to face with a senior level officer. Either way
Someone on that base knows whats up with this town, theyve known for a while, and theyre apparently content to let us handle things.
Xan I cant quite decide if thats actually a good thing. The world finding out about this place would probably start a panic but, *damn,* Id like to have some of that equipment on-hand.
Still got the rocket launcher, partner.
<Ok, I wasnt expecting to hear him say that.> What the hell?
Returning it would have been a little difficult, and since no one bothered to make an issue of it its stored. Dont have any ammo for it, though.
Please tell me you didnt leave it in someones house.
Hell, no, Rick! I wasnt the brightest student at SunnyD, but I wasnt exactly on the football team, either. I know where it is if we ever need it. Xander ran a hand through his dark hair, and Rick saw his partners shoulders slump. <And the weight of the world returns damn.>
Alright, so we have probable government knowledge of the Hellmouth, and friends who may not deal well with both that and your current job. So what are you going to do about it?
I *do* have to tell them eventually. Otherwise well, it probably wouldnt be pretty. Ok Id prefer to have some backup around when Im telling the Slayer
Xander you do realize that we know who the Slayer is, right? You *can* actually use her name.
Sorry, partner. Its kind of a habit that I got myself into never mention her name in connection to her identity as the Slayer unless I knew for certain that anyone listening was aware of what was going on.
Would it make you feel better if I said who she was?
Frankly yes.
The Slayer is Buffy Summers, expelled from Hemery High in LA after the gym burned to the ground. She came here to guard the Hellmouth. Her Watcher is Rupert Giles, who apparently got into some kind of trouble with his superiors who, from all appearances, seem to be real pricks due to some relatively recent events. The Slayerettes in question could be presumed to be you, Daniel Oz Osbourne, Willow Rosenberg, and the young woman who helped you abscond with the rocket launcher that you just *so kindly* informed me was still in your possession Cordelia Chase. That enough info for you? Wolf chuckled a bit at the slightly stunned expression on Xanders face.
Yeah yeah, Rick. Thatll do. I take it we werent quite as quiet about some things as wed like?
Considering the chiefs daughter a Junior at the time went to the most recent Senior Prom with her older boyfriend, I would have to say that no, quiet didnt really work. It was more like a carefully constructed city-wide illusion of normalcy with only the truly dense actually believing it.
Ah. What clued her in that the nightlife was real?
The Chief told her about that but the Class Protector award to Miss Summers convinced her that more people knew about it than she thought. After that, she kept an eye on Summers friends. We already knew about some of them, but when Nikkis boyfriend mentioned the plan for Graduation and your role in it Well, she told her father, he talked to me, and we were suitably impressed. Your group didnt exactly make it *easy* to figure it out, but if you actually knew what was going on in this town, it wasnt that hard, either. I do have one question, though.
Just one, Rick?
Zombies, hyena people and Snyder?
Xander broke, laughing till the tears were streaming down his face and he was gasping for breath. I have to say, man that wasnt what I was expecting you to ask. Grinning, Wolf waited for his partner to get his breath back.
So, Xan, whats next?
Giles. I think Ill talk to Giles. Oh, man, I think I bruised a couple ribs. That really wasnt fair, partner. Here I was expecting a serious question and you ask *that*?
Yeah, yeah. I notice you havent answered it, yet.
It was a surprisingly quiet night, and Giles enjoyed the silence, though he had a feeling it would be ending soon. After all, too little activity on the Hellmouth generally meant that something major was in the making. In the meantime, he would take advantage of what relaxation he could get. The fact that his Slayer was busy preparing for college life certainly didnt hurt.
The Watcher groaned at hearing a knock on his door. <Oh, bloody Hell. Now what?>
He set his book on the table and moved to the door, opening it immediately when he noticed who was on the other side. Xander, I hadnt been aware that you were back from your trip.
No one is, Giles. Can we talk? Xander did not ask if they could come in, nor did Giles invite him. The older man simply moved aside and watched as Xander and another man entered.
Certainly, Xander whos your friend?
Not just a friend, Giles. This is Richard Wolf brother, mentor, partner. This is the guy I trust to watch my back. By some coincidence, he also happens to be my landlord makes for a nice carpool.
I would imagine so, yes. What is it that youre doing now, Xander?
Giles didnt miss the shared glance between the younger man and his partner. For the first time, Wolf spoke in the presence of the former Watcher. If you tell him, he becomes the connecting factor between your old life and your new one, the factor allowing you to walk in both worlds.
Youve been listening to your grandfather again, Partner.
Always. I happen to like my family theres just too little of it.
Ok easiest way to do this is to jump in the deep end. Subtle has rarely been a strong point with me. Giles, when I told the group that I was doing a cross-country trip I was lying through my teeth. I was still in the area roughly at the Police Academy.
Oh well. Temporarily at a loss for words, Giles removed his glasses and began to clean them.
Blew your mind, huh?
Well, that wouldnt have been the first phrase that comes to mind, but it suits. A little more explanation would be helpful, perhaps starting with *why*?
Simple and complicated as hell at the same time, I see. A familiar smile touched Xanders face for a moment. Mind if we sit while I explain this?
Oh, pardon me. Certainly, make yourselves at home. The three men moved into Giles living room, finding suitable seating, the two guests laying aside their jackets. Giles kept a wary eye on Wolf, not just because the man was an unknown factor in the situation. Wolf walked like a warrior, and was far more quiet than any of the Scooby Gang, save perhaps Oz. The combination made him uneasy, and would continue to do so until he had decided for himself whether this man was enemy or ally.
Ok, I believe the question of the hour was why I elected to join the illustrious Sunnydale Police Department. Short answer the Chief recruited me, I needed a job, I couldnt turn my back on the things that wander the night, and it came with a nice tuition reimbursement package. Long answer hell, where do I start?
Again, the partners shared a look before Wolf spoke. Im feeling a history lesson coming on. Why dont you start at the beginning, Partner?
Ah, but then I have to figure out exactly where that is. You were there for the eye-opening moment, G-man when I overheard the conversation in the library three years ago. Id always known something was wrong with this town most of the kids living here did but you made it a finite monster. You named it, gave it a face and made it something to be defeated, something to be pushed back. I couldnt pretend that it was the monster under the bed but as of that moment, I knew I could fight it. I didnt have to give in to it. How many members of our little gang ever understood that? This was the first monster in my life that I felt I could fight, and I wasnt about to stand back and ignore it. My path started there, but at that point, I wasnt entirely set on walking it.
He paused for a moment, taking a break before moving on. I think it was set in stone when the monster stole my best friend. I have at times been rash. I have at times been downright stupid, and yet not a single member of this group ever understood why I couldnt stop fighting. Buffy claimed it was too dangerous for me. So did you. So did Willow, and Ive never ceased being amazed that you ever thought that would actually stop me. The monster stole my best friend, Giles it stole my brother, and I was forced to stake the thing that killed him and wore his face. And yet, every single one of you thought that I would simply stop fighting because you said so. Willow, at least, should have known better. The monster killed my brother, Giles. There was zero chance that Id be stopping after that.
He paused again, hesitant to speak and seeming to gain strength from Ricks hand on his shoulder. The Chief said he came to me because I never ran away from the fight, came to me because I was the person to whom the other officers could most easily relate. They came to me because I was the normal one. I wasnt Chosen and still I fought. I wasnt paid and still I fought. I was neither witch nor werewolf and still I fought. I stayed when the Slayer ran away.
He waited for Giles to comment. When the former Watcher said nothing, Xander continued. Im not ragging on the group, Giles. Youve all done good. But so have I, and they saw that. They saw that I wasnt the Zeppo and I liked it. Thats why I joined them. They saw something in me that Id never even noticed in myself that even when I was depressed as Hell, I didnt stop fighting. They understood that my role in the fight was *my* choice. They thought I was worth something something more than a doughnut guy, something more than comic relief. Cynical? Yeah, I suppose.. Probably more so considering Id just been Key Guy in a plot to blow up the school and yes, the Police Department knows about that, too. *That one* really wasnt very easy to ignore. Regardless, those are my reasons. You guys are still my friends but in Rick, I have a brother, again. Thats why the long version.
Now, Rick took over, comes the second question not Why did he join but Why are we here? Giles, at the moment, was only listening with half an ear, thinking instead on Xanders recent words. <I had forgotten about Jesse. I never really *knew* Jesse, so I suppose>
Pardon could you repeat that, please?
He couldnt quite identify the look in the officers eyes; Giles had never seen an expression precisely like that. Wolf shook it off and repeated himself before continuing.
Several minutes later, Giles still wasnt completely certain that hed heard the officer correctly. You want me to be a consultant for the Sunnydale Police Department in relation to supernatural matters?
It makes sense, Giles. You already advise Buffy. She doesnt always listen, but thats not your problem. With the Night Light Program, youd have a department full of people who would actually pay attention. The Programs diverse, Giles; it was designed that way. Not everyone whos in is field-rated for this. We have officers skilled in languages and a few who used to specialize in white-collar and tech crimes in larger cities. Some SunnyD natives and some transfers. Night Light will have a research division, Giles. Theyre good people, all of them but they dont know where to look for the information that were going to need. Thats where you come in if you want to.
Oh, well I dont know
Did I mention that youd be paid?
Normally, being paid wouldnt have mattered quite so much to Giles, but since being fired by the Council well, it was something of a concern. And this position would still be in line with Buffys Slaying duties, and his now unofficial position as her Watcher. And Xander did make several good points. <A room full of researchers under my direction? A group of people skilled with languages and that infernal machine? Co-workers who arent teenagers? I cant deny that its a tempting offer. Still>
It is a tempting offer, Xander. However, I will have to think on the matter. Is there a deadline?
No deadline more of a suggestion. Wed like to know by the end of the week. Itll make it easier to finish departmental set-up if we know for certain one way or the other.
The joys of bureaucratic red tape.
Quite, Officer Wolf.