Xander kept his distance from his old friends, not daring to get as close as he had been lest he let something slip that would reveal the lie he was living. He was walking along with Cordy; they in turn were being shadowed by Queen C's sheep.
Xander saw Willow with Buffy and waived at them and they in turn waived back. Buffy watched Xander walk away, his hand on Cordy's hip while Cordy's was secure in Xander's back pocket.
Buffy grumbled and shook her head. "There's something just sooo not right with this picture."
Willow agreed then said. "I think that she did something to him."
Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Well duh!" She saw the look of confusion on her friends face then got what Willow had meant. "Oh, you mean like magic or something?"
"What did you..."Then Willow scrunched up her nose. "Oh eeew!" Her mind flashed on pictures of Xander/Cordelia having sex.
Buffy nods. "Yep, either way she's put a spell on him." She then shrugged and told her. "C'mon or we'll be late for computer science."
Jenny Calendar frowned as she checked her watch, five more minutes and she would have to put up with 12 bored students and a scattering of a few that were actually yearning to learn something. She recalled a very hurried call from her Uncle a few scant hours after Halloween night. He had asked her if she had felt a ripple in the psychic connection that had been reported as far north as San Francisco and as far south as San Diego. She had reported the effect was caused by a Chaos mage that had cast a spell in the name of the God Janus over Sunnydale but that she had been feeling 'aftershocks ' for several days since. Jenny pouted, now on top of her main assignment she had to also look for what was causing the ripples in the 'bigpond'. She watched the students as they walked into the classroom and she looked at a certain red haired teen as she, and the girl she knew was the slayer, walked by. * She has an untapped power bubbling just below the surface.* Then she shook her head as she realized the power that was the cause of the ripple was both very old and yet very young.
Cordelia had finally detached herself from Xander to join her 'sheep' and suddenly Jenny felt a wave of raw energy wash over her as a new member of the class entered. Her eyes went wide as she instantly recognized the youth from the many drawings of him in the various dairies and records of the era. "VAN HELSING!" She whispered in awe as all the tales the three tribes had of his single minded pursuit of evil came back to her.
She watched the teen as he walked to a seat in a row that straddled the line between the geeks and the jocks. She went straight to her class records and began to call out their names and each time she called a males name she watched for a reaction in the brown eyed boy. "Harris?"
Xander answered and she wrote exclamation marks after his name. She went through the days lesson on auto-pilot, her mind racing with the possibility that the teen had somehow been affected by the mage's spell more than the others of this town. She watched him as he tried to hide the fact he followed the course with an ease that belied his youth. She looked away when ever anyone came close to spotting her keeping an eye on Xander.
She opened her laptop and secretly scanned her files for a spell or casting that would reveal the boys true self for if he was the reincarnation of Abraham Van Helsing then by the gods the tribes needed to know about this miracle. She smiled as she found an easy yet harmless spell that suited her purpose and proceeded to prepare for a casting. While she waited for the end of class she walked up and down each aisle inspecting and assessing each student's efforts. She was impressed with Willow's speed and skill and shook her head at the ineptitude of the blonde Slayer.*Luckily they have Watchers to do their thinking for them or we'd be knee deep with dead Slayers!*
She hesitated at Xander's desk and she placed a nervous hand on his as she guided the mouse to the correct position. "You're a very quick learner Mr. Harris."
Xander's eyes flicked to the side and then traveled up the very shapely legs of the young teacher. "I try Miss Calendar." He looked into her eyes and saw something behind them, a power he hadn't seen for a long time, or so his new memories told him. This woman was from the same tribe as his Anna and as such he should try his hardest not to let her find out who he was. He watched her walk away and wondered why she was here teaching at a school that currently resided over the mouth of hell.
Cordelia watched the by play of the two and her hackles rose as she saw the raven haired teacher walk away from Xander.
Buffy grinned as she too watched the way the teacher had acted, she nudged Willow and smirked. "I guess that 'spell' isn't so strong after all."
The evening bell rang and Jenny watched the class begin to pack up. "I was wondering if Miss Rosenberg and..." She pretended to glance at the class name roll. "Mr. Harris would stay behind for a few minutes."
Xander gave Cordy a peck on the cheek but Cordelia looked Jenny in the eyes as she dragged Xander into a full-blown kiss. She broke the kiss and told him. "I'll see you at your new place; I've put the new curtains up already."
Jenny smiled at Cordelia's attempt at marking her territory and watched the head cheerleader slink seductively out of the class room.
Jenny turned and spoke with Willow. "I was wondering if you would like to assist me with the class." Her eyes went from the over excited redhead to the bemused dark haired teen. Willow nodded and began to babble but Jenny was searching Xander face as she tried to use the spell on him. She held out her hand, touching Willow on the shoulder then she used her thumb to rub the tainted water on her palm before shaking Xander's hand as he too agreed.
They both felt the tiny spark of energy discharge between them and she saw his aura change, becoming one of the oldest she had ever seen. She smiled as her mind roared.*Gotcha!*
Xander cursed as he felt her spell affect him, he quickly used one of his memories to dampen his aura but not before he knew the teacher was more than a teacher. He leaned in and whispered. "Now we both have a secret don't we..."His eyes looked into hers and she saw them become bloodshot as the small veins were expanded to allow his mind to all but walk through hers. He leaned back and whispered. "Janna of the Calderas tribe."
Jenny's temper rose to a point she doubted modern decorum could contain it, she had the sudden urge to hit him that was even more quickly followed by the desire to pull him over the desk and fu...She shook her head clear of the image of unbridled lust and stood back. She glanced at the redhead standing by the door and stood back shuffling some papers the blush rising above her neck and into her cheeks. "Same time tomorrow Mr. Harris."
Xander nodded then left, making an excuse to throw Willow off he headed straight for the Library and the only other person that knew the truth.
Xander shut the swing doors and strode over to where Giles was trying to work out the new gun. He looked up and tapped the gun. "The old gun I understood, it was the first thing we were taught in weapons class, but this new one..."
Xander was impatient and waived his question aside. "Yeah, yeah, you guys should have had this thing in the field freaking years ago." He sat by his side. "We have a problem. A bonifide 25 year old 'she knows who I am and is about to call her Gypsy Pals' hell of a problem!"
Giles placed the gun down and sighed. "I don't suppose they actually teach English in this school do they?" Xander took a moment then explained things to Giles. "See there's more to Miss Calendar than an above average IQ and a body to kill for." He suddenly jerked up and turned as the doors opened.
Jenny stood there with a smile on her face. "I'm so glad I have that effect on you Alexander Van Helsing."
Giles's mind raced through the possible scenarios trying to find an answer to their predicament until Jenny sat between them and told him. "Nothing you could do can stop the fact from at least reaching the Elders." She glanced at Xander before turning to Giles. "I suppose the Council already know of his return?"
Giles blanched and shook his head. "No I thought it best they don't, though keeping it from them has caused me several nights lost sleep, I think it best for Xander's sake no one knew."
Jenny held a hand up before the pair could speak. "My people are very good at keeping secrets Mr. Giles." She looked at Xander. "But besides that we owe the Van Helsing's such a debt it would take several millennia to repay it."
Xander nods then asks. "So now we're all best of pals do you mind if I ask you just why you are here?" Xander slapped his forehead as another memory struck him. "Jeez of course!" He looked at Giles. "It was the Calderas tribe that cursed Angel." He looked sadly at Jenny and began speaking in her tongue. "I' am deeply saddened by your loss." Anger filled his eyes. "Had I been more vigilant in my efforts the Master and his nest would have been dust long before they could have run to Europe and defile the greatest of the three tribes."
Jenny nods. "Carmen was to have been the next 'chosen one' and from the day we cursed him the Slayer was never again chosen from any of the three tribes." She motions to Xander. "We have Abraham to thank for the curse that avenged her death."
Giles looks confused and turns to Xander. "Curse?"
Xander nods. "I..."He sighed as he tried to sort his memories from those of his ancestor. "That is Van Helsing had worked out a way to return the soul of the victim back into its own body. Angelus tried to show Carmen is love for her, in other words drive her insane before he turned her, only Carman was a very strong willed girl and he tired of playing with her. In a fit of anger he drained and was about to turn her when the Elders caught him."
Jenny nods. "And they deemed him worthy of a torture so evil it would have found a home in Angelus's black heart." She glanced at Xander. "They modified one of your...Van Helsing's living curses and bade him remember his deeds for eternity!"
Giles nods. "So you were sent to watch Angel and make sure the curse held?"
Jenny glanced at Giles. "Up until this morning yes." She then looked at Xander. "But now it seems they have another task for me to do in conjunction with that."
Xander sighed. "And the fun keeps on coming!" He glared at her. "Listen lady I have enough on my plate without having to keep looking over my shoulder to make sure you're not watching me! My parents are out there somewhere doing god knows what, I've got a psychotic bleach blonde vampire and his tart after my blood..."He stood and stared her down. "You or the three tribes get in my way and you'll regret it!"
Xander stormed from the room and brushed past Willow without a word.
She looked at Giles. "Let me guess, Cordy's broke a nail?" She saw Jenny and stumbled. "Um…Hi Miss Calendar I was just Uhh..."She remembered the book in her hand. "Returning this book." She grinned nervously. "Wouldn't want to get a fine if I..." Jenny stood up and smiled at her. "I was just leaving." She turned to Giles. "Mr. Giles." As she walked past Willow she told her. "Enjoy your research session Miss Rosenberg, give the Slayer my best."
Willow watched the dark haired teacher leave before turning to Giles. "Is there anyone in this town that doesn't know who Buffy is?" XANDER'S HOME.
Xander stepped out of the shower, the still prevalent steam bore mute witness to the high temperature he had used .He wiped the fogged mirror with the towel and sighed as he closed his eyes, letting the silence attempt to calm him down. He heard the front door open then close and the familiar sounds of some one at home with their surroundings made their way to his kitchen.
He shrugged into a thick dressing gown and used the towel to dry his hair as he made his way to join his visitor. He could hear them opening packages and then the sound of the microwave start up as it nuked something. His nostrils flared as his mind took in the aroma of not only the meal but of the cook.
He grinned as he pushed open the door. "Hello Cordy, make yourself at home."
She turned from watching their meal cook and smiled. "Oh I intend to."
He watched her body move, the material of the ever so expensive and even skimpier dress showed off her teenage body.
She heard him enter then bent over to retrieve some plates, making sure she hesitated for just the right amount of time before standing up. He took the plates from her hands and set them on the kitchen counter. She smiled and asked. "So you like?"
She held her arms apart and to give him the full affect. He looked into her eyes and nodded. "Oh yeah!" Before he pressed his lips against hers. He broke the kiss and whispered into her ear. "You could wear sack cloth and garbage bags and still outshine any catwalk queen."
She sighed into his arms then pushed him away. "Even better looking than that new computer teacher all the boys are going Neanderthal over?"
"Your beauty makes all others pale into nothingness." He kissed her ear and nipped her lobe. "If this were ancient times the very Gods would clamber to make you theirs." He ran butterfly kisses down her throat before resting his lips in the crook of her neck.
Right then the microwave beeped and it was if it had announced a decision had been made. She rested her palms against his chest and gently pushed him away , she saw the look of confusion on his face then smiled as she took his hand and began to lead him out of the kitchen.
He had expected to be lead into the lounge for another of their make out sessions but instead she pulled him towards the stairs.She felt him stop at the base as if knowing what treading on them would mean. She stopped and turned to him, walking backwards up the stairs as she began unbuttoning her dress.
He watched the silken dress slide down her body and pool at her feet leaving her standing in nothing but her underwear. She held out her hand to him and told him. "If you knew how many times I've dreamed of this since Halloween it would shock you."
Xander felt his basest urges come to the fore. "I thought we might make out like usual then you'd go home like usual."
She grinned at him and ran her fingers along the banister and she replied. "This is a nice house, nice furniture…"She looked into his eyes. "I want to make it a home..." She then ran her fingers up across her belly and traced the sides of her bra. "Our home."
Xander gulped and took another step towards her. "I can live with that."
She raised an eyebrow. "But your thinking 'can I live with you' right?"
Now it was Xander's turn to look her in the eyes. "No...I was thinking could I live with out you."
He stopped as their body's touched. Cordelia felt so nervous she thought she might ruin the moment by yakking over her lover. "And your answer?"
He molded his body to hers and she was surprised at how easy he lifted her into his arms. "Not this side of heaven!"
She licked her top lip with the tip of her tongue. "Right answer."
They kissed until she pushed the door to the master bedroom behind them and took their strange relationship to a higher level.
Xander knelt and scooped up a hand full of soil and smelt it before looking around the old crypt. He was here. He stood and brushed his hands together removing all trace of the black soil.
Giles nods as another layer of the youth he formally knew as Alexander was revealed. How do you know, not even a Slayer can track a vampire...Oh yes well...He pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose as Xanders stare revealed his eyes were as black as obsidian.
Xander taped his nose and smiled, his teeth were feral like almost wolf like in appearance. The nose knows. He pointed to a corner and told him. Three there. Then pointed with his chin to the marble sarcophagus. And Francine there has a guest.
Just as he stated his news they both heard the grating of stone against stone and Xander held his palm out to the moving lid. Dads been a busy little beaver, shes a class three. He takes out his gun and flicks the safety on before throwing it to Giles. The other three will rise to protect their mistress.
Giles nods and snaps the safety off. What about you?
Xander drew a strange blade from behind his head and hefted it from his left to his right hand. Wood doesnt cut it with a class three. He taps his chest with the point of the blade. The devil gave them a plate of bone to cover the heart front and ...He hesitated as the woman came to view. His eyes went wide. Christ!
The woman smiled at him as she slid out of the tomb. Hello Alexander...Mommies been waiting a long time.
Xander had known this day would come, some nights he prayed for it whilst others he prayed she had been drained and discarded by the monster that been her husband and his father. Hello Jessica. His words were more a curse than a greeting.
She turned to look at Giles and her eyes began to turn blood red as the veins engorged themselves of stolen blood. Xander turned to see Giles stagger and his lips began to tremble. Sheshes beauty itself. He almost dropped the gun as he shuffled towards her and his certain doom until Xander stepped in front of him shaking a finger at her. No fair mommy...He gripped the blade tighter and talons emerged from where he once had nails. His mouth protruded slightly to allow room for his jaw to distend, revealing yet another part of his heritage he inherited on Halloween night. Didnt daddy tell you not to play with your food?
Giles staggered against the wall as his mind was returned to him; he gripped the gun tighter and turned in time to see the three vampires emerge from their new sleeping quarters. He smiled and held the heavy gun in both hands, aiming for the spot directly over their undead hearts. Give my regards to King Tut assholes!
Xander heard the *pop* of his gun firing and then the whoosh as one after another the three vamps were turned to dust. Get out of here Giles.
Giles shook his head. I can help.
Xander closed his eyes as he dug deeper into the genetic makeup of Van Helsing. Im not worried about her...He turned to face his mentor and Giles blanched, and began backing towards the door. Its whatll happen if I cant control the beast! Jessica took that moment to launch her attack she lifted the lid of her sleeping chamber and swung it like it was a baseball bat. The lid shattered against Xanders body and the force threw him across the room and into the wall where he slumped to the ground. Jessica rubbed her hands and flicked an errant hair from her eyes. Well that was easier than he had said. She tapped her chin as she approached Giles. Now do we bring you into the fold or just drain you and leave you as a present for Mizz Summers?
Giles looked at Xander and gulped; he lifted the gun and shouted as he emptied the bolts into her. Die bitch! Only to see each one shatter against her chest.
She caught the last in mid flight and twirled it in her hand. Bitch? Is that anyway to treat the mother of this once brave, yet foolish child?
She motioned to where her son had landed only to find him standing there apparently unharmed. You hit like a girl! He strode forward and hit her with an uppercut that sent her flying across the room and imbedded her into the wall. He bent his knees and tapped his calves. You have put your whole body into it. He bent down and picked up the blade, wiping the dust off of it so it gleamed in the torchlight.
Jessica pulled herself free and looked for a way out before she reformed the image of his mother.
Please Alex Im all better now...you defeated that horrid demon and set me free.
He kept walking towards her and Giles could see a single tear glide down his cheek as he stood in front of her, his hand bearing the blade fell to his side as he began to stroke her head with his left. She pulled her body close to him and Giles could see the claws slide out from her nails. Before he could warn Xander he heard his barely spoken words as she jerked in his arms.
Xander pulled the blade from her chest and drove it deep under her chin and into her brain. He kissed her cheek and told her. Now you are free.
The body exploded in a glutinous mass of effluent covering them both in its gore.
Giles began wiping it from his body. Well that was...
Xander turned to stare at him as if he had never seen him before, Giles saw the long tongue lick the tips of his wolf like teeth.
Giles stopped and cursed as he remembered Xanders warning. Shit! He glanced at the door and fought for a way out. Xander! Its me, remember Giles? He looked at his clothes and sighed. Yes right I bloody well must reek of her! He took his outer layer of clothing off in a desperate measure to lose her scent. He stood there in his briefs and t-shirt as Xander stalked him Bloody Hell its me! He yelled as Xander stood toe to toe with him, Giles could feel the breath puff against his face and he shook with helpless rage. Im Giles, Giles Giles!!!
He closed his eyes and prayed for a swift death until he heard the monsters jaws snap shut and then felt Xanders, now normal, hand pat his face. Next time you bloody well leave when I tell you to G-man.
GILES NODS AND LETS OUT A BREATH,A WHISPER OF SOUND SOON FOLLOWED.WANKER!
He saw the look of pain on Xanders face and then told him. She died the moment Spike drained her.
Xander looked at him and pointed at the grizzly remains. She was turned by a class three not a pity full creature like Spike. His knuckles became white as he clenched the blade. He turned her, and made sure she was found first in the hope I would...His shoulders slumped. Hesitate long enough for her to turn me.
Xander felt a hand rest then tighten on his shoulder. Know that we all are here for you Xander, we will always be your family.
Xander looked up at him and his eyes narrowed. You saw what I became? I could end up being your worst nightmare. Giles nods and turns him to face him. If you do itll be because we failed you and not that you failed us.
Xander nods and then closes his eyes. I need to find where he is before he creates others. He opens his eyes and stares at his flexing hand and then at Giles. What am I Giles? And what am I yet to become?
Giles places a hand on Xanders shoulder. We will find out but Im more than confident you will ever be our friend. He hesitates as Xander makes to leave. I believe the need for pretense has past Xander, you should tell them, tell them everything.
Xander shook his head. What? Tell those I love I am a hairs breadth from becoming what we fight? That I am becoming more Van Helsing than Harris...He shuddered. Than human!
Giles looked at the boy then realized he should stop treating him as a child, after all he had all of Abrahams memories and the same mind. Would you call Buffy a monster? Because she has been chosen which brings along its own set of baggage? Buffy...Is Buffy she would never turn, you wouldnt let her.
Giles walks Xander out of the crypt. It has happened before, it seems the older the Slayer gets the more susceptible to the darker side they become.
Giles drove Xander back to the Library; the journey was one of intense silence as they both were deep in thought. Xanders gloom seems to leave him when he saw Cordelia waiting for him in her usual spot. He looked at Giles. Thats what I fight for, shes what keeps me grounded to the here and now, the thing that pulls me back from the abyss.
Giles nods and then notices Jenny standing by his office. Hello Miss Calendar.
Jenny looks at Xander then tells him. The three tribes have made their decision. She walked forward and knelt before Xander holding out a silver medallion, her head bowed. We offer thee the safety of the Tribes, your fate is our fate. She looked up into his eyes. We made the mistake of ignoring your need and the need of our beloved Anna, this will not happen again. She took a breath. So it is written...
Xander took the medallion. So it shall be. Xander looked at the medallion and then at the rising Jenny. If your people had been more forgiving of our...Their love then the world might be a safer and better place.
Jenny rose and nodded. A mistake the three tribes have paid for and wont forget.
Xander took her hand and kissed the back before placing the medallion around his neck. I accept both the protection and love of the tribes and will defend it to my last breath. He moved towards Cordy. I really need to go home now. He smiled. I need to increase the propellant force of the thrower, I have a terrible feeling well need it soon.
Cordy kissed Xander then told him. Ill meet you at your place. She glared at Jenny. I need to iron out a few bumps in our new family.
Xander was both working on the bugs the update for his ancestors stake gun and working off some residual anger when he heard the front doorbell ring. He placed his work in the bag it was resting on and placed it in a draw before going to the front door. He peered through the eyepiece and grimaced before unlocking the door and opening it. He placed a fake smile on his face as he saw Buffy. Hey Buff, whats the what?
Buffy shrugged. I dont know why dont you tell me? She walked in uninvited and Xander muttered under his breath. Even vampires wait till theyre invited in!
Buffy looked around the old house and noticed the little touches that had to be Cordelias handiwork. Nice curtains.
Xander shrugged. Yeah Cordy dragged me around the Dales only two malls before she found the look.
Buffy nods. Okay Im not known for my long winded speeches... She looked at Xander. Why have you dumped us and about that kiss?
She saw Xander blush. I havent dumped anybody. He looked into her eyes. People grow up, they move on and ...He shrugged. Sometimes they forget their childhood friends.
Buffy leaned against the table. Yeah and you grew up around the same time Van Hallen possessed you. She shook her head. So is it still there? Is it making you fall for Cordelia?
Xander shook his head. No my ancestors memories vanished when the spell was broken just like Lady McBuff and Willow the friendly ghost, and Ill admit I may have been influenced by Abrahams feelings for her but now theyre mine.
Buffy tilted her head to one side. And the kiss?
Xander blushed. I...I woke up in the closet with you and. He gulped. Ill admit it was something I wanted to do from the first day I saw you. He moved away from her and smiled. And now its in the done side of my list of things to do before I croak I can move on to the next item.
Buffy felt her heart drop as his words struck her, her heart told her it didnt matter, she had the man she wanted and Xanders kiss meant nothing to her. But her mind had replayed the kiss over in her dreams, the kiss and oh so much more. Xander was puzzled as he saw her blush then shook it off and told her. I havent totally forgotten you guys, I even remember that its Wills birthday this Saturday and...
The door bell rang again and Xander left her to answer it. She looked around the kitchen and her foot kicked against something that then rolled out from under the table. She bent down and retrieved one of the weird stakes she had been finding while out on patrol. She frowned then palmed the stake as Xander returned carrying a Fed-Ex satchel.
Somebody cares. She told him as he ripped open the top.
He looked at her as he tipped the document bag upside down and shook it. Thatll be the day. He told her as several newspaper clippings fell to the table. He picked up the first. Well this isinteresting. He glanced up from it. It seems someone cares enough to let me know JC Pennies is having a sale.
Buffy reached over and turned the paper around. I think youre looking at the wrong side.
The news clipping told of a bloodbath at a small hotel just outside of Oxnard. While he was reading the story Buffy riffled through the others and told him. Looks like somethings on a road trip.
Xander was reading the last clipping when he saw a note written in a familiar scrawl as he picked it up and read it, his face burned with anger before he screwed it into a ball and threw it to one side before grabbing a coat and rushing outside. Buffy couldnt even ask a question before she heard the sounds of him driving away. She stood up and went over to the misused note and flattened it against the table top. Im still waiting son. Come get me!
She scooped up the clippings along with the note and the palmed stake then dropped them into the document bag before she left for Giless.
Xander thumbed his cell into life and waited for Cordy to answer but all he received was her answering service. Hey Cor I need to get out of town for a while...Dad sent me a parcel.He paused as he neared the warehouse district and turned into a car park. I need to take care of some business, see you soon, love Ya.
Cordelia was looking from Giles to the new computer teacher and back again. Are you going to answer me or are you stalling for time to think up something you think a ditzy moron would believe?
Jenny looked at her then sighed. Yes Miss Chase my family are Romanies, what of it?
She took out a note and slammed it on the table. Well for one thing I want you to keep your gypsy hands off of my boyfriend!
Jenny picked up the note. Its not what you think Miss Chase we were...
I believe the word youre looking for is having an affair!
Giles could barely conceal the chuckle that escaped his lips and that only attracted a death glare from Cordelia. Apart from the fact that having an affair is actually three words the very idea of Miss Calendar having impure thoughts about a student... His smile froze as he saw Jenny blush. Isuh laughable?
Jenny sat a little straighter in her chair. Van Helsing is a legend amongst our people, he freed us of the curse of the werewolf, his knowledge of the magics and the three traits of honor, loyalty and duty made him very desirable to be embraced by any of the three tribes, but the very fact he was unattainable by even our finest... enchantresses made him the stuff of every teenage girls fantasies. She looked at Giles. Alexander is the very image of Abraham at his age and yet you never once imagined he had some link with the Van Helsing line?
Giles shrugged. He was the supreme example of American youth, so of course being the progeny of Abraham Van Helsing was the very last thing I would have ever thought of him.
Cordy waived away their words. Hey lets get back to whats important here can we? She looked back at Jenny. So youre saying you have no intention of going all Mrs. Robinson on Xander?
Giles raised an eyebrow until Jenny shook her head. No I have no intention of doing it...
Cordelia began to smile until Jenny finished. Ill leave that up to the younger members of the three tribes. Jenny smiled as she saw the barb strike home.
Id like to see them try! She turned to Giles. You had better warn her if I hear him phoning even the Psychic network Ill kick her ass so fast!
Jenny smiled at Cordy and whispered. Oh if you only knew child, if you only knew. Jenny turned to Giles. My people were aware of his return the minute Mr. Reins spell was cast and did nothing more than make me aware of return. However should the Watchers Council ever find out he is still on this plain...
Giles held up a hand. You have nothing to fear from me on that matter Miss Calendar, informing the Council in regards to Xandererr Alexander will not happen as long as Im the resident Watcher.
Cordys cell rang and she took it out of her clutch purse. Hello? They watched her face go pale.No Xander listen...Hello, Hello! God damned idiot! She turned to Giles. How can some one so smart be so freaking stupid?
Giles sighs. Xander?
Cordy tried dialing his number but all she got was a message service. He was sent some clippings and a note from daddy dearest! And now hes gone off after him!
Giles remembered the battle with Xanders mother and he began moving towards the armory.
Okay, right Id best go help.
The library doors burst open to reveal one very pissed off slayer. Okay so just what the hell is going on?
Xander pulled his beat up Pinto into the car park and locked it up before heading into the storage area. He waived to Carl the security guard before using his two keys to gain entry to his lock up. He glanced around inside before locking the heavy doors behind him, Xander walked over to a wall, stepping over the few scattered packing crates he had planted to throw any one off. He pressed a small section of the wall and it clicked open to reveal a key pad.
He keyed in a 7 digit number and the wall slid to one side to reveal almost exact copies of his ancestor's weapons. He lifted the heavy leather overcoat from its resting place and began filling its multitude of pockets with what he thought he would need in his battle.
Xander then activated the latest model IBM had on the market, he waited for the computer to dial into his server then logged onto the CalTrans site. Xander smiled as his fingers flew over the keyboard entering in all the details he had on his father's attack points. When he had entered everything he knew he waited for the computer to work out the possible stronghold of his father.
A few seconds later a map of the west coast sprang into view, it then zoomed closer till it stopped on a small town about 100 miles from San Diego." Harmony Heights, population 1,589." Xander thought of what his father was capable of and then wondered." How many of those are alive?"
Xander then went online to the news website and searched for the local paper. It turned out that the area was serviced by a county paper and it revealed that a crime wave had hit the town around the same time Xander had worked out his father might have arrived. He shut down the computer and began to form a plan of battle.
Buffy looked from one person to the other until the fact Miss Calendar was there registered to her." Sorry Miss Calendar I'm having a heck of a day and I need to speak to..."
"Your watcher?" Jenny sighed." Before you go into denial mode I already know Mr. Giles is your Council assigned watcher and Cordelia is a fringe member of your group you so comically call the Scooby's."
Buffy looked at Giles and asked." So is it in the PTA weekly now or is she just a good guesser?" She shook her head." Never mind!" She then threw the package onto the table." Does it have anything to do with the weirdness that is Xander?"
Giles looked at Jenny then was about to take his glasses off when Buffy slammed the modified crossbow stake into the table." Stop stalling and answer me god damn it!"
Jenny looked at the stake and then at Giles." Sloppy work Mr. Giles."
Cordelia snorted." Little miss kiss kill walks in the room and everything just stops till she's finished!" She leaned across the table and glared at Jenny." Leave him alone and nobody needs to bleed!"
Buffy had paid no notice to what the others said and continued with her quest." So I'm guessing Xander lied about forgetting Van Hallen possessing him and you've been lying to me ever since."
Jenny leant against the table and told her." The name is Van Helsing, little girl and if you wish to remain in your present form I suggest you remember it! He was feared by the evil that roams this world before your grandmother was a glint in your great grandfather's eye and he'll still be feared long after this country becomes a footnote in history!"
Cordelia was about to join in the game when her eyes caught the paper clippings, she reached out and began reading them as the other three took their argument up a notch.
"You are supposed to be MY watcher and yet you hold out something as big as this!" Buffy walked around the table to confront Giles." My best and only male, friend has some sort of fit and suddenly he has a warped sense of grandeur! What's worse is you let him romp around at night playing games in a freaking town that has a higher murder rate than downtown Bosnia on a bad day!"
Giles tries to assure her." Buffy, Xander can, and has, taken care of himself; in fact he has dealt with a vampire as strong as the Master without any aid what so ever!"
Cordelia snapped her eyes up from the papers." He found his father?"
Giles shook his head." No...His mother. Aaand aside from a brief moment of instability he dealt with her in a very thorough manner."
Jenny looked at him." Instability?"
Giles nods." It would appear he is closer to the original Van Helsing than we thought." He looked at Cordelia and smiled." He told me that you were his anchor, the one thing that keeps him from falling into the abyss."
Buffy snorts." What abyss? The one where he becomes a drunk like his father?" She sees the look Cordelia gave her." What? I have eyes; I've seen Tony staggering home from O'Malley's..."She realized what she had said." That is until Spike and his gang...you know."
Cordelia saw Giles about to correct Buffy and she stopped him." I think the abyss Xand was talking about is the one that he inherited."
Jenny nods." You seem to think you have the market cornered on unwanted destiny Miss Summers." Jenny spoke a few words in Romney then continued. "Legend has it Abraham's father was a Lycanthrope." She saw the slayer glance to Giles." That would be a werewolf in your vernacular."
Buffy shrugged." So what? Once a month he gets cranky, he should try life from our side of the chromosome!"
Giles shook his head." That would make him a Lycanthrope by birth and from what the records state from a line of ancient and powerful Uhh 'wolves'. So the moon plays no part in his lineage."
"Then when you add the fact his mother was turned by Dracula mere moments before his birth..."Jenny looked at Buffy." Well you do the math...if you can."
"So then this Van Helsing was the child of a Werewolf and a vampire." She shrugged." But what does that have to do with Xander and the fact you all lied to me?"
Cordy chuckles." My god you really are blonde aren't you!" She glares at her." It means that Helsing's blood is strong in Xander's family, but even stronger in Xander thanks to that dick's stupid spell!" Cordy looked at Giles." But we don't know for sure the beasts reside in him, all we have seen is the memories of Abraham active in his..."She saw Giles glance away." Giles?"
"I have." He looked at Cordy." We Uhh dealt with a class three."
Buffy looked puzzled." Vampires have classes? So what are the ones I deal with, class one?"
Giles nods." If we were going in reverse then yes ours are a class one."
Cordy paled." Xander faced his mother didn't he?"
Giles nods." It was the first class three I have ever faced, council records tell us they are few and far between. Dracula being a class two, the original demons a class one."
"Spike and Dru being?" Buffy asked.
"Class four; the Master would be a borderline class three." Giles hesitated." Stakes were useless against her, even the ones I fired from Xander's thrower simply bounced off of her, and Xander said it was something to do with a breastplate of bone covering both the front and back of the heart." Giles shuddered and wished he had a glass of whiskey instead of the cup of tea in front of him." I truly don't know which was more frightening, facing the demon or..."He glanced at Cordy." Or facing what Xander had to become to defeat her."
Jenny sat up in her chair." You saw? You saw him become!"
Giles nods." He was like nothing I have ever seen before, in life or in the confines of a council journal." His mind played back the events." His eyes became as black as night, his hands became claws, the nails black and razor sharp. I saw him take a strike of immense power from Jessica and, the stone lid crumbled against him as she struck him with all her might." He rubbed his eyes." It merely delayed her end, he drove a blade past the armored bone and into her heart, he then drove the blade into her ..."He shuddered."
Cordy's eyes felt dry, as if her body burned." That must have been horrible!"
Giles nods." But not as fearful as when he noticed me. My clothes were covered in her vile remains and he turned to me, he sniffed the air and he closed on me faster than I could ever have imagined. His teeth were ..."He shook his head." No we must never allow him to go so far into the abyss we cannot retrieve him.""
Cordy remembered the papers." I think I know where his father might be. We need to talk to Xander and then go after the monster before it grows any stronger."
Buffy blanches." Oh crap!" They all looked at her." He read these then just took off."
Jenny almost growled." And you decided to tell us this now because?"
"Hey!" Buffy yelled." I came here to find out why I had been lied to by my so called friends and watcher! Xander's safety was not on my mind."
Jenny had watched the two dances around each other for too long not to know there was more than just words between them." Where would Xander go?" She saw the pair look at her." I mean he would be just as unsure of where Mr. Harris has gone to ground as we are."
Cordy nods." The Bat cave."
Giles looks at her." The what?"
Cordy stands up and grabs her purse." It's what he calls the lock-up where he keeps 'his' things."
Giles and the others follow her and Buffy sighs." The Bat cave...?"She sighs." I swear to god if I see him in a cape 'n' cowl I am so going to kick his ass!"
Two cars arrived at the storage facility and Cordy led them to Xander's lock-up." We need two..."Cordelia started but Giles took out a set of picks and opened the door. He looked at the others and shrugged." misspent youth."
Buffy looked around." Just a few packing crates and some old junk."
Jenny looks at the back wall then at the front roller door." Is it me or does this room seem smaller than it should?"
Giles hurried to the back wall and tapped on it." This is a false wall; there must be a catch or a pivot point somewhere."
The others felt along the wall until Cordy's fingers brushed across the secret latch." Ahh!" She cried out then her smile dissolved." I take that back."
Giles looked at the keypad and shrugged." We don't know what the password is nor how many numbers it would require to even guess!"
Buffy pressed her hands against the wall." I could just rip it open."
Jenny concentrated then punched in seven numbers and they all heard a click as the door unlocked.
Giles asked." How did you know what to use?"
Jenny pulled the wall and it slid to one side." I made a guess at what he would use." She saw Giles waiting for her to finish." It's a date that would be burned into his mind for eternity."
Cordelia sighed." The 8th of August 1869...8101869.The day Abraham lost his wife and child."
Giles nods and motions to the now empty weapons rack." I think he knows where to go."
Jenny starts up the computer and then checks the printer log and reprints everything Xander had printed.
"Well we know where he went the thing is do we follow?"
Giles nods." I will go the rest of you are needed here."
Buffy shakes her head." Like heck! You'll need me..."
"To make sure the town is safe." Giles finished." Both you and Cordelia need to stay here and do your duty."
Cordelia glares at him." If you think for a second I'm staying here while Xander's in danger then you're as dumb as dirt!"
Jenny tells her." He needs you safe Miss Chase, can you imagine the power Mr. Harris would have over Xander if he caught you?"
Giles nods." Miss Calendar and myself will go to Xander's aid."
"What good would she be?" Buffy mocked.
Jenny simply smiled." My people have been casters for hundreds of years, I am versed in both dark and light arts and I came third in my Defense against Demons and Dark Arts class."
"And there is still the matter of Spike and Dru to resolve, the fact is I think he'll try something big to remind us he's still around." Giles tells Buffy." I'm worried he'll try something against your mother or sister as a means to get back at us." He placed a hand on Buffy's shoulder." Take care and make sure Angel has your back."
Buffy nods." You take care of yourself Giles." She looked sad as if remembering something." I've already buried one watcher; I don't need to relive that nightmare!"
Xander pulls his car up at the road sign and glances from it to the town and back again." Harmony Heights, population..."Xander sighed as he saw a hasty note scrawled across it." Welcome son, welcome to a new dawning." Xander glanced at the leather coat and sighed before flooring the accelerator." Memories don't fail me now!"
He drove over the ridge and into the small town proper, not a being stirred, neither man nor animal seemed to be moving in the glare of the noon day sun .Xander pulled up at the burnt out husk of a small building, he stepped out of his idling car and moved with a cat like grace towards the front doors. His foot struck a board and he used the boot tip to flip it over." St Augustine's Church." He sighed and looked at the ribs of the church as it seemed to rise up in supplication to its one true god. Xander saw a glint of metal in the debris and quickly uncovered it to reveal a large silver cross.
He picked it up and wiped away the ash and dirt from its features then calmly walked towards his car." I swear that one of us shall not see the dawning of a new day."
His ears picked up an almost inaudible sound and his nose flared. Xander snapped his head to his right and saw what passed for a mall in this small town. Of all the buildings this one appeared in tact and hardly damaged. He lent in to retrieve his great grandfathers coat then shrugged into it before popping the trunk. He lifted out a canvas travel bag and then simply began walking towards the building.
A man inside shifted his position to look up into the mezzanine floor above him." What's he doing?"
The look out grinned and laughed back." The fool hasn't the brains god gave a skunk!"
His partner smacked his lips." Another one for the pot!" He turned and looked at the fifty or so humans that were corralled in the centre of the mall." Don't know why He don't just let us eat our fill and turn the rest."
"Heads up! He's almost..."The demon looked puzzled." Where the hell did he go?"
The lower level guard shook his head." Never mind just stay frosty... Ralph...Damn it if you're pissing around He'll have your" He walked backwards till he could see where Ralph should have been." Ralph?" He looked from one side of the large tinted window to the other." Ralph?" He saw a small hole in the glass about the same time he saw the wind blowing through the hole stir up a pile of ash." Jesus!" His hand flashed for the radio at his hip just as the front doors were smashed inwards.
Xander fired his caster at the guard while saying." Knock, knock!"
A movement in the rafters caught his eyes and he saw the brief white flash as three 'brides' move almost faster than the human eye could follow. His hand went to an inside pocket and through a silver object towards where one of the brides would soon be. The silver stake spun with unnerving accuracy towards its mark then brief micro seconds before it hit it sprang apart forming a silver cross. The point hit the demon spike on and kept going, the cross piece digging in and slamming her into the wooden wall. The demon screamed as she struggled to remove the holy icon, her body snapping to and fro like some demented snake until it exploded into a riot of entrails.
He had began moving the second the weapon left his grasp but even then he almost too late as the two remaining brides blitzed him, the three bodies tumbling in a mess of arms and legs. Xander kicked himself away and admonished the pair." Ladies please!" He smiled." Even I can only handle one ..."He looked for the proper word. "Lady? At a time."
The two snapped spinelessly to their feet, their jaws clicking out of place as they distended their mouths." We will eat your soul alive."
Xander smiled." Oh come on...you're ripping off Evil Dead now?" He backed up and his right hand flashed to his side." Okay then, how about I reply with... I love the smell of napalm in the morning!"
He fired the short barreled flare gun and watched the magnesium flare erupt inside the demon, he looked at the other as her sister clawed at the flare with little effect." Your turn."
She morphed back to resemble the human form she once was as she saw the barrel point to her. She trailed a finger tip down her neck and across her ample breast." You wouldn't waste something as good as this?" Her eyes snapped to his and he could feel her using all her power behind the 'look' her eyes turning blood red as she slinked towards him." Why don't we go somewhere and find another way to burn off this excess energy?"
Xander gave her a lopsided grin." I would honey but Cordy would stake me out over an ants nest if I did."
She looked puzzled and poured more power into her casting then looked shocked as his eyes glowed red." Fun times over, where is he!" She felt her power sputter and collapse upon itself as something overpowered her and turned the request into a demand." He... heee's in the old mine." Her hand pointed to the recently added extension to the old mall behind her.
Xander leaned in and commanded her." Release the humans and defend them till they're out of here..."Xander paused as he passed her." Then go for a walk in the sun darlin'."