The Death of the Zeppo

Author: strmcatchr <strmcatchr[at]yahoo.com>

Fic Started by "Jack Ellis" <JELLES21[at]YAHOO.COM>


PROLOGUE

Xander Harris was feeling conflicted as he walked into Sunnydale High's library. Last night he had lied to Buffy and saved the world, he knew that if he had told the truth, Buffy would have stalled and possibly lost. Xander just could not risk the lives of billions on a possibility.

As he entered the library, his blood began to run cold. Willow replete in he bandages from the hospital sat with Buffy and both looked 6 kinds of pissed. Cordelia looked betrayed and Giles looked contemplative. Xander had the sneaking suspicion that the gig was up and began to worry.

Standing in fury Buffy slowly stalked towards Xander and when she had thoroughly invaded his personal space she growled "You. Told.

Me. Willow. Said. To. Kick. His. Ass!!! Were you that jealous of him? That jealous that I chose someone so much better than you that you would lie to me in the hopes of what, that I would come running to you?"

In a calm voice that belied the simmering anger he held underneath Xander replied. "Willow had already failed at performing the spell once at full health so her being in the hospital did not fill me with confidence." This drew a hurt and angry expression from Willow. In her own mind she knew that in time it would blow over but Xander was hers and she needed to make sure that nobody else had a chance with him. "And you had already proven that you were incapable of doing the job you were chosen to do. Angel killed Jenny and you let him live, he attacked your mother and you let him live, he has either killed or turned 112 people since you released him and yet you gave him free reign. I could not risk the world on that track record."

"IT WAS MY DECISION! I AM THE SLAYER! I AM THE CHOSEN ONE! YOU ARE NOTHING, A LIBALITY, A ZEPPO! YOU HAD NO RIGHT YOU JEALOUS BASTARD!!!" Buffy raged into Xander's face.

"I HAD EVERY RIGHT, THE WORLD WAS AT STAKE AND YOU HAD ALLREADY PROVEN THAT AS BUFFY THE VAMPIRE LAYER YOU WERE INCAPABLE OF DOING YOUR JOB. THE WORLD WAS AT RISK. HE PLANNED ON BRINGING HELL TO EARTH AND YOU WOULD HAVE LET HIM AS LONG AS YOU GOT YOUR PRECIOUS FUCK TOY BACK IN ONE PIECE. AND AS FOR BEING JEALOUS, SLAYER" Xander all but spat "DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH. ANY AND ALL FEELINGS I HAD FOR A SELF CENTERED BITCH LIKE YOU DIED WHEN YOU ALL BUT FUCKED ME ON THE DANCE FLOOR JUST TO MAKE A FUCKING VAMPIRE JEALOUS AS YOUR WAY OF THANKING ME FOR DRAGGING HIS UNDEAD ASS INTO THE MASTERS LAIR AND SAVING YOUR WORTHLESS LIFE." Xander knew that all of his anger was being released, he knew that the carefully orchestrated mask he had worn all his life was slipping but he no longer cared. It was beyond time someone put Buffy in her place.

With a howl of rage and full slayer strength Buffy threw her tiny fist at Xander with the force of a speeding train and…missed.

Xander had slowly been retraining himself in the fighting skills he had learned from his solider possession. Which he was grateful for at the moment as he sidestepped, for if that punch had made contact with his jaw then he would be dead now. So as Buffy was still getting over the fact that she had missed Xander grabbed her arm and twisted his body thereby throwing Buffy out the doors. He then sprinted over to the book stacks and took down a copy of the collective works of William Shakespeare. During the incident with the Judge the rocket was not the only thing that Xander had stolen. He had also acquired a. 45 caliber carbon black Socom with a built in suppression system and laser sight. Which he then placed inside the book he was now holding as a precaution after the death of Kendra.

So as a howling Buffy ran back into the library screaming for blood Xander leveled the weapon loaded with a supply of. 45 titanium blessed armor piercing hollow points with a silver nitrate and napalm kicker at Buffy.

Giles, Willow, and Cordelia sat in stunned silence unable to act or even comprehend what was happening. For one they had never seen Xander angry and for another, did Xander just throw Buffy? And what was Xander doing with a god dammed hand cannon??? These questions went through all of their heads at once.

As far a Xander was concerned his friendships were over. Buffy and Willow had made their choice and he had made his. It cost him his best friends but the world needed to be saved and it had been left up to him to make a command decision and no matter the cost decide he did just as he was forced to do again it seemed. "Hold it right there slayer." Xander tone was icy calm and bore no room for argument.

Buffy stood in a mixture of shock, anger, and fear a few feet away from Xander. Her eyes were transfixed to the large gun he had directed at her head. "I really don't want to kill you Summers, but if I even think that you will try and harm me make no mistake I will kill you." Xander said coldly.

Finding her courage she took a step and said "Like that gun is real and even if it is like you would be able to handle it." Buffy's voice was becoming increasingly confident as she spoke.

What happened next jarred Giles out of his stupor and froze Buffy to the spot. Xander moved his arm slightly and the gun bucked with a muffled bang. And the floor in front of Buffy exploded in a shower of tile and in the crater there was a small fire.

"Good Lord Xander put that away this instant!" Giles said clearly alarmed "and what exactly are you using for ammunition?" Giles alarmed as he may be still had his inner Ripper, and Ripper had loved guns and that gun just fired a bullet with an effect he had never seen before.

"Well G-man I really don't think I'll be putting this away at the moment. As for the bullets…well. 45 caliber titanium blessed armor piercing hollow points with a silver nitrate and napalm kicker will kill just about anything. But that is a story for another time. Buffy I will only say this once I am no longer a friend as you have so clearly demonstrated with your attempt to kill me. So if you come near me again you best be ready to out run a bullet." With that Xander slowly backed out of the library leaving a stunned group behind.

Chapter 1
Dark Knight and White Knight

One month later…

Xander had been busy over the last month. He had dropped out of school and got his GED. Giles had come to him and tried to get him to reconcile and even told Xander he had argued for him. He told Xander that in his opinion that what he had done was the right thing, and that he understood why Xander felt that his time with the gang was over even if it pained him to be loosing him. In a moment of emotion Xander hugged Giles and told him that it would be fine and that he thought of him as a father. Giles caught off guard had hugged him back and told Xander that he had thought of him as a son and he had always made him proud if exasperated as all hell.

Since then Xander had secretly gone through Giles' notes and books and borrowed the spells Giles discovered that Ethan had used on Halloween and a big book that he had found on possessions. His idea was to enchant a costume after casting a spell that would ensure that after the spell was complete he would keep all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the characters. Xander had chosen to dress as Bruce Wayne from the Batman Beyond cartoon. With his fighting ability, knowledge of advance technology, and talent for money Xander would be able to fight the darkness now rather than years from now after receiving the proper training.

Later that night…

Everything was ready. He had cast the spell he had found that would enable him to retain all of the skills and abilities of Bruce Wayne a.k.a. Batman. Now to cast the spell that would bring Batman to life.

Bruce Wayne sat up from where he was on the floor. He was bewildered as to how he came to be here, a second ago he could feel his life slipping away as his heart finally gave out. Looking around himself though he knew that magic was involved. He was in a strange house, before him were foul smelling herbs and tools for spell casting, and a letter that bore his name?

Dear Bruce aka Batman,

My name is Alexander Lavelle Harris. Currently you are in possession of my body, I apologize for the inconvenient nature of your arrival but in this world Demons, Vampires, and all things that go bump in the night are real. I was in need of the skills and knowledge necessary to defend this world from the dark. Before you is a bust of Janus. Shatter it and you will return home. If you are wondering how I know who you are, well, here your life is a successful comic book series. And when you return home a tip, loosen up a bit, enjoy life a little and I agree Superman is a moron. Brains over Brawn every time.

Yours Truly,

Alexander Lavelle Harris

Bewildered Bruce Wayne stood and found a mirror. It may not be his body or his dimension but he reveled in the youth for a time. It was good to be free of the aches and pains of old age. Bruce Wayne then came to a decision. He was many things but he never turned from a fight and with his pending death he began searching the room and he found the spell book Alexander had used. He decided that even with all of his knowledge the boy would need help. Bruce was glad that in his elderly years he had decided to learn magic under the tutelage of Jason Blood. It would help him now. Using what he knew he cast a spell to enhance the one he was under and that would enable him to help the boy. Then he shattered the bust and Xander Harris hit the floor screaming in pain as he was enveloped in a blinding flash of light. When the light vanished Xander Harris lay on the floor out like a light.

Xander woke-up screaming from a dream, in the dream he had watched his parents killed by a gunman in an alley. As he struggled to calm himself a lifetime of memories washed over him, not like the after affect of Halloween and solder boy. These were clear and mixed with his. Then he remembered what he/Bruce had done before smashing the bust.

It was Bruce's essence and all the knowledge and experience and prowess had been merged with him. Xander now had a great many things to do. Looking at the clock he realized it was now 9:30 at night. Time to go on patrol, dressing all in black and moving in silence with a grace and fluidity of motion he had not previously possessed he entered the shadows of the night. A plan started to form as he watched the night prowling members of Sunnydale. Following a trio of vampires as they leave their lairs he confronts them in a narrow alley. The first vamp to see him says "look a slayerette and no slayer to save him." One of he others says "Look he's so scared he ain't even running." Xander's eyes narrow as the vamps come at him, he drops under the first vamp's grab, staking him and then spinning into the 2nd one before the first one's dust had cleared the air staking him as well. Then looking at the last vamp. Xander growled in a low voice "Next." The third vampire realizing that something was very wrong turned and ran. Xander running after him. As the vampire slowly out distanced him Xander stopped and while trying to catch his breath, gasping he realized his body couldn't support the skills it now had, he had to get in shape. And a voice in the back of his head knew exactly what to do.

As the sun came up Xander was emptying the lairs of the vampires he had tracked, removing and cataloging everything he found. Then heading to the third vamps lair he used mirrors he had brought to light the inside of the crypt with a bright ray of sunlight. Then looking in the doorway he saw the vamp's coffin. Placing another mirror to shine a bright beam of sunlight on the coffin he entered and silently placed several ropes around the coffin. Then taking a chainsaw he had gotten from the shed where his dad kept it. He cut a hole in the side of it. The vamp unable to lift the lid tried to grab at Xander through the hole. Xander just moved and let the sun light hit the hole. As the vamp started to smoke Xander moved back in place blocking the sun light, saying "now you and I are going to have a little chat." "First you are going to give me the location of every lair you know of," Xander said. The Vamp tried to threaten him saying "let me out of here or I will drain you and your family dry." Xander simply smiled and said "wrong answer" then let a little sunlight hit the vamp. As the smoke started rising from the coffin the vamp screamed "Ok, I'll tell you whatever you want!"

Chapter 2
The Once and Future Knight

Xander was sitting in the apartment he had rented, going over the map on the wall taking notes and marking the lairs he had cleaned out.

Working construction during the day and the items he had found in the vampires' lairs, had helped him to have a modest apartment and even get some books and equipment. He had sent a lot of stuff to the various survivor's families. But some things he just didn't have enough information about to find an owner. Part of him wanted to wear a cape and cowl, but he could hardly dress as Batman could he. But still an image to strike fear in the hearts of evil would be a worthwhile pursuit. The merging with Bruce had given him more than he could have ever imagined. He now had a daily routine, every day after work he would take a 5 mile run and then work through a few different fighting styles, work with weights for an hour then stretch out and go on patrol. He had started right after Giles had called to ask if he would keep an eye out for news on Buffy. He could feel Bruce's spirit driving him to patrol every night honing his body and mind closer to the level that he would need to use his gifts.

He wasn't sure where his wants and needs ended and Bruce's began, but it felt right.

Giles, Willow and Oz passed through another row of headstones, hearing a noise up ahead and some yelling they hurried. They arrived to see a person dressed in black vaulting over tombstones fighting vampires. His movements were swift and deadly, two vamps were already dusted in the few seconds it took them to see what was going on. The vamps were diving after him, cursing him and trying to rip him limb from limb. Xander wore a grim smile as the 3rd vamp became a cloud of dust, spinning fluidly a stake in one hand and a modified taser in the other. Dodging one vamp to plant the taser in the chest of another, the coil on the end so hot it caught the vamp on fire as it stunned him. Then sweeping the legs out from under another vamp and staking him as he fell. Spinning around and nailing the last vamp in the foot with the taser and staking him as he dropped. All this taking only the time it took Giles and the gang to move closer.

Only to see a face they knew all too well rise from behind a tombstone and dust himself off.

Willow looking shocked said "Xander?" Oz just said "cool."

*****

Xander simply smiled and said "Hi." Giles and Willow simply looked at him speechless. Oz said "nice moves." Xander said "Thanks, been practicing" Giles finding his voice said "no doubt, excellent work." Xander said "Thanks G-man" being careful to not alter his speech patterns from the boy they knew. Giles asked "Would you care to come back with us and have some tea and sandwiches, this was the last cemetery on our patrol" Giles still trying to bring him back into the group after the falling out a few months ago. Xander's face darkened for a few seconds, hearing Bruce's voice in his head, then he smiled and said "Sure, why not."

Back at Giles apartment, Willow asked Xander "where did you learn to fight like that?" Xander replied "Remember Halloween and Solder Boy?" Giles spoke up "Xander. That was much more than military training we saw you do." Xander said "Right but that's what I started with, I had been practicing before the Buffy episode and it allowed me to learn the more advanced stuff pretty easily." Giles said "Well yes, that does make a bit of sense and explain a lot." Then Willow said "we could really use your help since we are short a slayer and all." Oz nodded at him. Xander said "ok for the time being" and thought to himself that was easy, and there is no sense in telling them about the ritual and him using magic, or about the fact that the spell Bruce had done was merging not only Bruce's spirit with his, but the remains of solder boy and the hyena as well.

Besides, it wasn't as if he would be working any more magic for a while, he couldn't until the spirits finished merging, too high a risk until then. Giles said "well then, it's good to have you back!"

Xander then says "Sorry to have to run but I'm working construction these days and need to grab some sleep, so I'll stop by tomorrow after I go home and shower off. Ok?" Giles says "Ok, tomorrow then." Xander then goes back to the site of the fight and tracks the trail of the vampires back to their lairs. Then leaving them until sun up he goes to catch a few hours sleep.

The next morning reporting to work Xander was deep in thought. He had been averaging a few hundred a week from the findings in the various lairs between cash and items he could sell. Not to mention what he made from his day job. All he would have to do is patent a few relatively low tech items and soon he would be able to devote more time to the fight. As it was he barely had time to install the phone taps at the police department and the mayor's office, as well as the one at the summers house or the one at Giles apartment.

That afternoon as the job site starts the clean-up phase due to the job Ending, Xander is given his final check. He smiles and leaves. Over the next few days he goes over to the library in the afternoon, then patrols with the Scoobies. After the patrols he goes back to find the lairs of any vamp they stake and systematically cleans them out.

Smiling as he leaves the last crypt, it does make it a lot easier if you can see in the dark and smell the scent of your target, but the kids with dog whistles really gave him a headache. But still it was equipment he didn't have to buy or create.

Chapter 3
Return of the Slayer

Buffy got off the bus in Sunnydale. The streets looked just as she had left them, but a town like this only shows its true colors after the sun goes down. Carrying her backpack down the street to her mom's house. Opening the door and finding the house empty. She takes her bag up to her room and throws it on the bed, then starts back down the stairs as her mom comes in the door. Buffy says "mom?!?" Joyce says "You're home, finally you're home!" while taking Buffy into a large hug.

Later that night Buffy went over to Giles' apartment. The gang had gathered at Giles apartment for patrol. Willow hearing a knock at the door opens it and squeals "Buffy's here!" Then pulling Buffy into the room everyone, but Xander says welcome back. Xander simply nods and in a low voice says "Slayer." Buffy looks at Xander looking him up and down thinking to herself "He seems taller, and dressed all in black. Is that body armor? And what's with all the weapons and the strange belt?" Then saying just "Xander." Giles breaks the tension saying "Well, ah. Yes. We were about to go on patrol. Would you care to join us?" Buffy looks at Giles and says "Sure." As they are walking across Sunnydale Giles and Willow talk to Buffy asking about where she went over the summer. Oz listening as always and Xander seeming to silently float through the darkness behind them.

As the night goes they only run into two vamps. Xander just watching the slayer do her job.

The next few weeks working the same way Xander helping when needed and returning to clean out the lairs of the newly re-dead vampires. Xander had also received the paperwork on his patents. Now Xander thought "to catch Giles alone and have a chat." Giles answered his door saying "It's 2 Bloody am, what do you want?" only to look at Xander. Giles then said "What's wrong?" Xander then said using a low voice full of authority "Giles, we need to talk." Giles said well "Let me make some tea and wake-up" Xander closed the door behind him and sat down waiting on Giles to get his tea.

As Giles sat down with his cup of tea he asked "So what have we to discuss at this hour that's so important." Xander states "There are things I need to do and you're the only one who can help me make it work." Over the next few hours Xander lets Giles in on the new and improved Xander and explains that he had to wait to have this conversation until all of the spirits in him were merged. And now he could really help the group, but Giles had to help him because he didn't want anyone to know he was behind the changes.

Xander then produced a contract for Giles to sign and told him he would be out of town for about a week and asked him to line up a large piece of property for viewing when he got back, handing him a list of features the property should have. Giles was quite taken aback by what Xander had done to himself and knew he had to watch the young man and hope nothing bad would happen.

Xander got out of his cab going up to yet another building in Silicon Valley, walking up to the receptionist saying "I'm Alexander Harris. I have an appointment."

At the same time Xander thought "Being able to hack into the system and set up appointments to see people really helped speed things up, only 22 appointments to go." as he smiled back at the receptionist.

A little over a week later Xander got off a plane at the airport in Sunnydale, hailed a cab and when to the library at the school to see Giles. Xander entered the library. Seeing on the clock it was just before 2 pm, Xander realized they would have some time before the rest arrived. He headed into Giles office. "Ah, Xander, how was your trip?" Giles asked. Xander said with a large smile "very well, we should have a steady income of over 40 million a year for the next 5 years then we renegotiate the contracts. And the money was transferred into the account we created as of yesterday." Giles then said "Good, we can go and look over the properties after school."

Xander smiled saying "Yes and with you having power of attorney everyone will think you are buying it and I can stay out of the spotlight."

Chapter 4
But Does It Have A Cave?

Xander walked with Giles over the grounds of the estate. As Xander listened Giles said "It has 24 bedroom rooms and 27 bathrooms including the ones in the gym and the one by the pool, a sauna, and 2 hot tubs. It also has two dining rooms each with a kitchen ,one of which is for simple dining, and the other would be for large occasions. There is also a rather large library and study area, and a 10 car garage. And if you go down the path on the left it will take you to the dock and boat house."

Xander Asked "So what's the fee for the stately manor?"

Giles replyed "Only 5 million, Its in need of a great many repairs and the last 5 owners died grizzly deaths."

Xander said "Let me guess Gang members on PCP. "

Giles said "Exactly, and we would need to make sure we don't have any active gang members left on the property. "

Xander smirked at Giles saying "So when ya moving in? It only makes sense every one will think you are the owner. Plus you get a better base of operations and financial backing for you and your slayer. "

Gile's smiled back saying "Well we should be getting over to the Realtor and get the paperwork started. We have a lot to do before moving day."

Two days later Xander was starting to work on the house, Thinking to him self as he starts to catalogue and figure the order of the repairs and changed needed. "So Giles gets to play Higgins and I'll play the grounds keeper, Who gets to play Magnum ? "

Later that afternoon Xander slips into the school to meet with Giles and the gang in the library. Slipping silently into the room and moving over near Buffy and Willow.

Buffy said "So when did Xander become mister silent and deadly?"

Willow replied "Me, Oz and Giles were on patrol and we heard a noise. We ran to see what it was and there he was. He wiped out 5 vamps in less than 3 seconds, that we saw. We don't know how many their were to begin with. But he was moving like slayer fast, or faster."

Buffy said "But that's not possible, Xander s just a normal guy."

Xander cleared his throat, startling both girls.

Buffy said "how did you get there, how long have you been there?" Xander just continued sitting on the table behind them, grinned and said "Got here a while ago."

Buffy said "So how did you get so fast ?"

Xander answered "You forgot strong and well dressed." Still smiling

Buffy looked at him and said "Ok, Where did you get the body armor and the weapons?"

Xander smiled and said "Bought them."

Buffy Said "So you're not telling?"

Xander simply smiled. After all he was the alpha of the pack.

Giles came in Saying hello to everyone, and asked how the house was coming along.

Xander Said "It coming along pretty good, I've got the bids from the contractors to show you and I've got a crew started on the spots in the concrete wall too."

Giles said "Good. Please, Come into my office and help me go over it."

About an hour and a half later they came out, Giles speaking first said "So it's agreed then?"

Xander then said with a big smile "You have a deal, partner."

Giles then moved to the table where now Buffy, Willow, Oz and Cordelia sat. Giles said "Now then, Next week we will be moving our meetings and your training on to the grounds at the new house and I have made arrangements with Xander to work on the grounds and also be our first official combat trainer. If anyone asks he's the grounds keeper. He will function as our back up in case of emergency but will not be going out on regular patrols with you."

Buffy spoke up "What can he teach me I am the slayer after all?"

Giles said "Xander has caught you by surprise and bested you, What happens when we run into a vampire or demon with a measure of skill that doesn't rely on just brute strength and power. They do exist you know. Plus he can train the rest of you on how to use your opponent's strength against them."

Chapter 5
Shadow in the Knight

The next few days were pretty quiet lower than normal vamp activity. Xander still followed them as a shadow in the night on their patrols. As he was moving along he saw a large man standing in the dark, wearing a dark suit and long coat. He watched as the Scooby's went right past the man with out noticing him. Xander stopped in front of the man, and they both looked at each other.

The man in the suit started talking "I have come to help you, there is a great darkness inside you, I will help you find balance, and I will teach you how to redeem your self and others."

Xander locked eyes with the man and spoke "Who are you that I should trust you?"

The Man said "I am a man whose darkness ruled him for a part of his life. I am Lamont Cranston." And he held out a weathered hand.

Xander asked "How did you know how to find me?"

Lamont lowered his hand, thinking its never easy is it. Then he spoke "You have the darkness of several men inside you, you took on this darkness to fight other darkness. You also have a beast with in you. I also sense the shade of a soldier."

Xander's eyes darkened and he spoke "Not possible, I'm just a guy."

Lamont spoke again "Your friends might believe that fiction, but I know. Ask your friend the watcher about The Shadow. He knows!"

Then there was a low rolling laugh that seemed grow in volume and also seemed to come from every where at once and echo across the cemetery becoming quite maniacal before it ended. And the man was gone. Xander waited for everyone to finish looking in the area and leave. Then he checked the area himself. He found no foot prints or tracks of any kind, nothing to prove anyone had been there at all.

The Scooby's came running to where they had heard the laughing, Xander slid into the darkness before they got there, still thinking about his encounter.

*****

Later that night, Xander knocked on Giles door. The tired librarian came to the door.

Giles spoke, "Hello Xander, What can I do for you in the middle of the night" while moving so he could come in.

Xander said "So have you ever heard of a Guy called The Shadow?"

Giles Thought for a moment then said, "Yes there were stories about a vigilante in New York in the first half of the century, He carried a pair of pistols and was supposed to have been able to vanish into thin air. A slayer working in the area at the time mentioned him and a Doctor helping investigate a demonic incursion. "Pulling a book from the shelf on the wall he said "Ahhh yes, here it is, she was helped by the shadow and a doctor Clark Savage".

"So he's one of the good guys?" Xander said Giles replied "Yes he was, But why the questions about someone from the 30's?"

Xander said "Remember the weird laugh in the cemetery, it was him or at least he said he was."

Looking through the book Giles said, "According to this he would be in his 90's by now. What did this man look like?"

Xander spoke "About 6'1", fairly athletic looking, graying hair, Dark suit."

Xander skipped the part about him saying his name since he was a potential ally and didn't want to alienate him since he could be listening to them. Plus the whole vanishing thing could help since he was still adapting his magic to his situation. Having roughly the spirit energy of 3 people really messed his energy curve up for spells, just too much energy. It was like learning it all over again. His combat skills were improving he still had not mastered some of his old skills. His body wasn't nearly at full potential yet, but he was already stronger than Bruce ever had been and faster too. Bruce hadn't known about solder boy or the hyena when he had cast the spell, but the combined willpower of Bruce, solder boy and he counter balanced the hyena real well.

Giles interrupted Xander's thoughts saying "I will try to locate more information on him, but for now I have to get some sleep."

Chapter 6
Moving Day

The moving truck followed Giles car up the drive. It was in turn followed by Oz's Van. Xander was sitting in a lawn chair by the drive a man sitting in another lawn chair next to him.

Giles got out of the car and walked up to them, as the moving van was pulling in front of the main doors to the house.

Xander stood and Spoke to Giles saying, "Giles, This is Lamont Cranston." Then looking at the other man and saying "Lamont this is Rupert Giles."

The 2 men shook hands, Lamont saying "It's a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you"

Xander spoke saying "Lamont will be staying with us for a while, once every one leave we will all sit down and talk about it. Ok?"

Giles simply nodded as the rest of the gang came up to them.

Willow squealed, "This place is huge; you said a large house, not a Mansion."

Xander grinned and spoke up "Hey, G-man can I give them a tour?"

Giles said "certainly, go ahead."

Lamont asked "So Mr. Giles do you mind if we sit and talk while they look over your fine house?"

Giles said "Yes, I think it's a splendid idea."

Lamont smiled watching them enter the house then he said, "Quite a unique group of youngsters you have there, a witch, a werewolf, a slayer, and Xander. The reason I wanted to talk to you other than the fact Xander needs help finding himself. I can't stay for a long time, but you can stay and will be here. You have learned to overcome your dark side now you must learn to use it. "

Chapter 7
Dark Slayer

Xander moved through the night feeling more alive than ever before. Pulling his motorcycle up in front of the Bronze, He goes in. As he moves through the crowd the sensations wash over him. The emotions, the scents all telling a story that now he can read. Xander laughs to him self, looking across the room. This is almost too easy, that's a vampire, and that's a vampire too. Over there is Buffy and Willow, A Werewolf is near I can smell him, hope its Oz. Now that's interesting a second slayer and she's talking to a vamp, A SECOND SLAYER?!?. Now wait a minute, Giles hasn't received a notice from the council. Lets see Buffy is watching the vamp, probably doesn't know she's a slayer too, very interesting. Xander pulled his cell calling Giles.

Giles picked up his phone, "Hello?"

Xander spoke into the phone, "Giles, this is Xander. We have a new player in town, we have got a 2nd slayer showed up at the Bronze."

Giles spoke, "Does Buffy know?"

Xander replied, "Not yet, but the new slayer is baiting a vamp right now and Buffy is watching. It could get messy if they both go after it at the same time."

Giles, "Do you think you could calm the situation?"

Xander said, "I thought you would say that. I just figured I would give you a heads up on the matter, consider it handled." Then he hit the button on his phone and pocketed it.

Walking up to the vampire and the dark haired slayer at the bar, Xander slurred as if he was drunk, "Hey, Tony! It's been a long time, how's Jeanie and the kids?"

The Vamp said, "hey, My names Doug."

Xander slurred even worse saying, "oh, I'm sorry Douggy. You sure you aint Tony?"

Doug looked at the slayer saying, "But, I'm not Tony."

Xander walked to the back of the club finding a guy he used for information.

Xander looked deep into the snitch's eyes and in a voice that seemed to echo in the snitches ears said, "Mitch, go tell Doug the Vampire that Spike's back and wants him out back right now or he's dust."

Mitch said, "yeah, Spike." As he walked through the club.

Mitch walked up, "Hey Doug, Spike wants you out back, like right now, Its real urgent."

Doug said in a fearful voice, "Spike? Wants me?"

Mitch said, "Yeah, he said now or else."

Doug looked at Faith saying, "I got to go." Then he got up headed to the back of the club.

As Doug went into the back of the club passing the bathrooms on his way to meet Spike. The bathroom door opened and he felt some thing burn into his back. He looked down to see a stake come out his chest as he turned to dust. Xander held the door to the bathroom open blocking the view down the hall for a few more seconds letting Doug's dust settle to the floor.

Then as Xander let the door close the dark haired slayer came through the hall, he gave her a lopsided grin and said, "oh, excuse me, sorry."

The dark slayer pushed past opening the back door to an empty alley. She looked both ways and up, then she softly said, "shit, where did he go?" knowing her prey had escaped

Xander turned and said "what, date run out on you? I'm Xander, Your welcome to come sit with my friends and I. "pointing to the table where Buffy and the gang where sitting.

The dark slayer just looked him up and down. Thinking to her self I've done worse, besides I am short of cash, and he looks good for a meal or two. she then smiled and said, "why not."

Xander said, "Good." as he led her to the table.

Xander walked up saying, "This is Buffy and Willow. Guys this is …"

The slayer stepped forward saying, "Faith."

Xander said, "So who wants drinks? Have you guys eaten? I am starved and I'm buying."

Willow spoke, "Root beer for me, please."

Buffy said, "burger and fries, diet coke for me."

Faith said, "what do they got?"

Willow spoke, "They have burgers, fries, hotdogs, grilled type stuff."

Faith said, "Ok, double burger with mustard, large fries and a Root beer."

Xander grinned saying "I will be right back with the drinks and food."

Xander went up to the bar to place the order, and while he was there waiting on the food he called Giles again.

Giles answered the phone, "yes."

Xander said, "her name is Faith; I haven't gotten a last name. She is sitting with Buffy and Willow while I get food."

Giles said, "Good, let me see what I can find out. I will call you as soon as I have something."

Xander pocketed his cell, picking up the tray with the drinks and food on it, and heading back to the table with a big smile on his face.

Xander arrived at the table saying, "Here we are ladies, Grilled goodness from the grill."

TBC…