Something To Atone For. BtVS/AtS, Doyle SI.

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 30: Fight The Future​

Liam may not have been ecstatic about leaving town so soon. But he barely put up a token argument and that can only mean he finally believes me.

Sudden pain in my ribs reminds me to focus, getting me to wrap my arm around the attacking vampire. Once secure in my grip, I flip the demon onto his back like Liam showed me and plunge the stake into his chest.

A headstone cracks in half as Liam kicks his own foe into it, creating a cloud of ash only a moment later. "That's the last of them."

"All of this just for the car?" It was supposed to just be a light patrol around the Bronze. "What's so special about it?"

But no. The second we saw the ocean blue Camaro, you insisted it would get you to Boston faster.

"You want me to spend a few weeks looking for this girl Faith first. I'm not doing it in the Corolla, I have some self respect." Grabbing the jacket he tore off the lead vampire before dusting her, Liam searches for the keys eagerly.

"It was just an offer..." Scowling at the smug Irish vampire, I follow him to the parked car. "Could have just said no."

He hops into the driver's seat and starts adjusting everything to his liking. "You're sure I shouldn't stick around to help you deal with the preacher?"

"If the plan worked, Fred and Willow should be working on the android right now." Once Ted is up and running, we can work on getting a guard dog model. "Besides, it looks like Mayor Wilkins is pretty upset. The cops are actually out looking for Caleb in force right now."

"Not going to join the search?" Liam watches me carefully as starts the engine, very clearly trying to hold in a giddy smile.

"Got enough on my plate right now and we have no leads." For all I know, the guy caught a flight to Australia this morning. "Need to figure out a way to deal with a witch before she works her magic."

Shifting into gear, Liam still hasn't fully relaxed. "Be careful with Madison. Word around town is that she's a nasty piece of work."

"Lorne just thinks she's lonely and that I need to work my charm on her." Fred wasn't quite so amused with the suggestion. "I'm leaning more on the call her in for a parent teacher meeting and set an ambush plan." Only need to wait a few more weeks and it will be report card time.

"You really don't mind looking after my stuff?" He only has room to bring a couple suitcases and so I've offered to store everything in the attic.

I hate the feel of leather on my skin so the furniture will be safe and sound. "Your namesake may end up stealing most of the clothes, she really likes the baggy look. But everything else should still be waiting for you."

"You better keep up the training while I'm gone." Glaring at me intently, Liam shifts into fifth gear once we reach the open stretch of road near the airport.

"Oh no!" With mock horror I slap my cheeks. "I need to roll around every day with my girlfriend and she's going to be wearing work out clothes each time. The horror."

"You sure you shouldn't be coming with me?" I catch his smirk out of the corner of my eye and can only growl in frustration.

"And leave Buffy alone for over a year?" Sounds like a fantastic idea after stirring the pot.

An uncomfortable cough escapes the vampire and he concedes the point. "True."

"I know I threatened you with it before..." Trying not to piss him off too much, I make it clear he can tell me to shut up at any time. "But how do you really feel about me giving Darla back her soul?" You know, if I can convince Jenny to recreate the spell.

"Why her?" It's not an instant no, that's a good sign.

"Because I'm pretty sure the Master is protected by the Hellmouth's barrier." And if it fails, he'd know exactly what my plan was. "I don't know anything about Luke or the other minions. But you're my charge and that means more than a few of my visions had Darla in them."

Liam doesn't like my tone and hisses. "So you can manipulate her?"

"So I can convince her to let me help." Turning to my left, I don't bother holding in the derisive snort. "You mopped around for a century. I don't have that kind of time and will need her to show me how to find the Master."

"He'll kill you." It's not a warning, just a promise of what will happen if I try.

"Which is why Fred's working on a robot right now." Rig Ted to explode and I can at least keep the city safe if I fail. "But that's just the back up plan. I'm hoping one of the Chekhov's Guns work."

"The what?" Scowling at another one of my odd words, Liam really starts getting a feel for his new car as the speedometer climbs past seventy.

"Vaguely powerful artifacts you collect and find out later can save the day by pure coincidence." My vague expression comes with a smirk. "You know, stuff like a glove that controls lightning or a Letterman's jacket that seduces girls."

He nods his understanding. "Or a glowing paperweight that can hold a soul?"

"A little pricey. But with Wiley placing my bets for a thirty percent cut, I don't have to worry about money for much longer." It's probably not allowed for me to gamble with my visions. But my own memories are fair game as far as I'm concerned.

Liam scowls at me, his brow creasing with doubt. "How can you know the exact score of so many hockey games if you aren't abusing the visions?"

"Must have been a Canadian in a past life." Blowing a raspberry at the irritated vampire, I try to play it off as just being a fan. "If I was getting visions of hockey games, I'd have made sure we went to one by now."

Not fully convinced, Liam does at least turn around at the next rest stop. "... I guess that makes sense."

"Even if I did use the visions to keep myself fed, it's not like the Powers have given any of us a pay check." And until they do start paying champions, I'm completely fine using my future knowledge to feed as many as I can.

"So you're handling middle management?" Scoffing at my grin, he slows down enough to keep the cops off his tail.

"Until they send someone else down to take care of coordinating everyone." All I can do is shrug and hope for the best. "The visions make it pretty impossible to just sit back and ignore things. I feel exactly what the victims do when they die."

His expression shifts into one of empathy that would bother me from pretty much anyone else. Because from most people it would just be sympathy.

"I've known a few seers. But only one was even close to as accurate as the visions." Liam's look turns into one of newfound respect. "All lost themselves to some degree. Even Drusilla was well on her way to madness before..."

It takes a few seconds for the vampire to convince himself to continue, the words so at odds with his last hundred years of guilt ridden existence. "Before Angelus shattered her mind completely."

"First time you haven't taken responsibility for the demon's actions." Progress.

"I'm just tired of you pulling out the spray bottle." His glare pierces into me and it's hard not to chuckle at the fib of filling one with holy water.





Notes: This one just took a few tries to get right. Think this is my fifth rewrite of the chapter.
​

 

[Flightless Man]

Interlude 4: Coping Mechanisms​

The motley group of teens end up taking the city bus to the mall, the gift cards already split up among them. With only Amy frustrated at what seems like a waste of time, she suggests they split up.

"I don't really need any new clothes. But I need to get a..." Amy's lips quirk oddly as she tries to think of a mundane word. "Present for my mom. Can one of you big strong men help me carry it?"

"Jesse's taller!" Blurts out Xander as soon as physical labour is mentioned, throwing his best pal under the bus.

Annoyed, Jesse fires back with his own measurements. "You weigh forty pounds more than I do."

"Who almost 'beat up' Larry today?" Counters the slightly heavier boy, his dark curls shaking along with the chuckles. "Think that makes you the strong one here. What say you Yehonatan?"

It takes the shortest boy a moment to remember Willow had translated everyone's names into Hebrew. But when he does, Jonathon has no shame giving him the thumbs up.

"I know I'm never going to do that." Before he can feel to bad about it, Marcie gives hives hand a supportive squeeze.

"Harris one, McNally zilch." Glad to settle another pointless argument between her boys, Willow leads her charge inside the mall.

Rushing after the girls with Jonathon and Marcie only a few steps behind him, Xander practically cackles over his shoulder. "First ones done have to save a table near the Cinnabon!"

"You know this means you two get to carry our bags, don't you?" With a teasing grin, Marcie Ross revels in being part of a group.

This makes Xander stop, hands resting on his hips as the shaggy haired brunette realizes something. "I know why he has to. But what's in it for me?"

"The gratitude of someone cooler than all of us." Rolling his eyes, Jonathon brings up who she was talking to when they met. "Because I'm pretty sure Devon would have been just fine driving her here."

"He was pretty persistent," Admits the extremely nervous Angel as she starts picking at the dry skin of around her nails. "He even invited me to something called the Bronze?"

Blinking at the news, Willow notices a few cheerleaders going into a shoe store and her voice gets squeaky. "Are you sure you want to be seen with us?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Overwhelmed by all the attention, Angel only wishes she had this many friends before meeting Father Caleb. I never would have left with him.

Not bothering to sugarcoat it, Marcie lays out the pecking order. "Because once you're seen out in public with us, that reputation is as good as dead."

"I've had more than enough attention." Face paling, Angel flashes back to being on the news when Allen was in his coma. "I'd just like to make some friends. But I don't think Amy really likes me."

"She's just going through something right now. It's got nothing to do with you, I promise." Willow assures the older teen, while trying not to look completely lost in the goth clothing store.

Blinking at the choice of clothes, Jonathon finds a flaw in Angel's plan. "None of this stuff is going to help you blend in."

"But no one will really be looking at me once I'm wearing it. Angel gets all the attention and she's the brave one." With a smile full of regret, the runaway uses the money Allen gave her to replace her entire wardrobe.

Willow quickly rejects anything form fitting. But both Marcie and her boyfriend end up grabbing a few things. With the blushing Jonathon very interested in how short the skirt was.

Eventually Xander decides it's not charity and allows himself to pick out a few dress shirts of a far higher quality than his usual Hawaiians. Just need to put them on once I leave the house, so Dad doesn't throw a fit thinking I have any money.

"How about this Willow?" Holding up a corset style leather top, Marcie smirks at how quickly the nerd looks like a tomato. "What, too low cut?"

"Too everything!" Flustered at the idea of showing so much skin, the redhead just tries to keep it together until they can eat.

Not ready to give up in her attempt to push Willow, Marcie gets a salacious look in her eye. "So should we go look at the underwear instead? Only you'll know what you're wearing."

"Uh..." Realizing things are suddenly taking a turn for the uncomfortable, Xander pokes his fellow male in the ribs. "I think we should go get that table now."

The shorter boy nods fervently, only for Willow to quickly put a stop to such an idea. "I already have a drawer full!"

"That was way too easy." Rolling her eyes at her friends stammering, Marcie hands her boyfriend a red and black flannel shirt.

"Underwear isn't for the showing of people." An incredibly pale Willow shakes her head back and forth as if her life depended on it.

"And that's why you haven't gone a date since first grade." Bringing up the stolen Barbie incident, Marcie teases her genius friend with a warm grin.

Eyes suddenly wide, Xander's whisper to Jonathon is just loud enough to be overheard. "You saw Marcie's underwear already?"

Instead of answering smugly like Jesse would have, Jonathon just smirks mysteriously. This only frustrates a curious Xander even more and he almost starts whining.

"Dude?" The entire walk to the Cinnabon is filled with never answered pleading.

"And that's why you haven't had one in just as long," Groans Willow as even she tires of her crushes behaviour.

Approaching the Jesse and the table he already claimed with Amy, Xander can't help but point. "What, you think I should try throwing myself at everyone? Hasn't worked out for him yet."

"Uh, Jess?" Willow can't help but notice the new additions to the lanky teens wardrobe. "What's with all the... stuff?"

Her eyes bounce between the various good luck charms being worn. From the rabbits feet on each belt loop to a bracelet made of woven four leaf clovers, Jesse seems to have a new obsession.

"You don't like it?" Frowning at her tone, Jesse holds up the silver horseshoe necklace. "I figured it couldn't hurt."

"He already got yelled at for throwing salt over his shoulder." Scowling at her bag carrier, Amy manages to hide her book before Angel sees the cover. "I definitely picked the wrong one."

Despite the tone, Willow notices Amy is also wearing something she hadn't when they split up. "New earrings?"

"Uh..." Turning pink, the witch in training grabs one of the brass acorns dangling from her lobe. "It was the only thing Jesse suggested that didn't look stupid. I guess the luck couldn't hurt."

"That's what I thought. So I got one for each of you." Grinning like he's the smartest man on Earth, Jesse hands out a good luck charm to each of his friends.

Even Angel gets one, holding up the intricate dream catcher with misty eyes. "Thank you."

"You mentioned nightmares on the bus. Thought this could do double duty." Relieved at the jokes being over, Jesse gives Willow the next charm. "And since you never forget anything, I thought you should have the elephant."

Once he gives Marcie a golden frog with three legs, Jonathan gets a brightly painted scarab. With the best saved for last, Jesse hands his best buddy a piggy bank. "Did you know pigs are lucky in Germany? That's why kids store money in them."

After the studying and snacking is done for the afternoon, Angel doesn't even need to bother pretending she forgot the way home. Since they all used the gift-card bribes, not even Amy has a problem bringing the new girl home first.

With the conversation on the trip home being more relaxed and natural than the one to the mall, Angel leads them up the driveway with a nervous smile. Fred better have everything ready.

Turning the knob, the goth girl calls out awkwardly as she pushes it open. "I'm home!"

Just like they had planned before school this morning, Fred has the robotic body of Ted on the kitchen table. "Hey, how was the ma-"

Not giving the college aged girl in safety glasses a chance to finish, Xander unleashes a very manly shriek at the sight of what he thinks is a dead body. "What the hell is going on here?"​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 31: Partial Truths​

Everyone freezes when I step inside the house. All seven teens turn to me, each expression a varying degree of fear.

Snorting at the sight, Fred puts her wrench down beside Ted's body. "How did it go, Liam insist on picking his own car?"

"Yeah and I got a bunch of his junk to move into the attic now." Acting casual, I drop a box of the vampire's clothes in front of the boys on the couch.

They jump at the loud clap, with only Xander keeping a grip on his Super Nintendo controller. The announcer cries out his victory only a few moments later, getting frustrated curses from Jesse.

"Any of you guys want to look through this?" Even if I wanted it for myself, no of it will fit my slighter frame. "Otherwise I'm dumping it all in the lost and found tomorrow."

All three boys start to look. But pretty quick it's clear the clothes will only fit one of them and Xander makes a show of sighing.

"Fine. I guess I can take them..." He makes eye contact long enough for me to discreetly nod. "Thanks."

"Doing me a favour, don't worry about it." Knowing the proud teen would reject the gift if it seemed like pity, I keep the whole interaction casual.

Angel looks up with a fake expression of guilt. "I got a little lost and they had to show me the way home. Hope you aren't mad Allen."

"No one ran out of the house screaming and 'everything' has been explained." You did everything perfectly, I'm nothing but ecstatic right now.

Standing with Marcie beside my bookshelf, a very interested Amy strokes her chin at the collection. "Fred said this is all your stuff."

She holds up a blue tome, reading off the title with obvious intrigue in her voice. "Remedial Witchcraft. That's a curious choice for you to have Mister Doyle."

"Monsters of the Mojave..." Marcie's voice has a hint more fear as she reads off the other titles I grabbed at the Dragon's Cove. "Bloodlines to Fear, Western Wolves, and the Shaman's Drum?"

"What about these ones," Adds a smirking Amy as she grabs a couple more to show off. "Magic for Beginners and the Treatise on the Mythology and Methodology of the Vampire Slayer."

Waiting for the teen witch to make a mistake first, I find I am having far too much fun with the deception to let it end quite yet. "I have esoteric interests."

"You have glowing paperweights." The scowling blonde points at the two Orbs of Thessulah on the desk.

"Thought they looked pretty." They really do.

Grabbing a silver dagger, Marcie holds it up with a triumphant look. "You going to try calling this a letter opener? Because we aren't stupid."

"Xander is," Amy mutters with clear annoyance at the winner of the video game. "Jury's still out on Jesse."

"He's unmotivated." Shaking my head at the bickering, I remind them who grades the homework. "But Alexander is no idiot, he just needs a reason to apply himself. Can't blame him for thinking school is just a waste of time, I know I was the same way a few years ago."

"... Really?" Shocked at not being ridiculed, Xander doesn't even correct my use of the whole name.

"And my school didn't even have it's own obituary page in the paper." I had reason to believe I would have a future. "But the day I found my passion, everything just clicked into place."

Still not convinced a teacher has any of life's answers, Jesse chimes in with his own creased brow. "How long did that take?"

"About two months ago." Shrugging at the lanky teens stunned face, I can only chuckle.


"Is that when you started learning magic?" Done playing dumb, Amy decides it's time to confront me with her conclusion.

None of the teens react with anything but interest and so I decide to reward the confidence. "That's next weekend when I make a trip to Los Angeles."

"Well what happened two months ago?" Wrinkling his nose, Jonathon looks about ready to have an aneurysm.

"Decided to help save the world. No big deal or anything." Smirking at the shocked faces on display, I give Amy my full attention. "Now Miss Madison, why are you so interested in magic?"

Meeting my open eyes with her own hard stare, Amy only hesitates for a few seconds before wavering. "My mom, she's...."

"A really powerful witch?" That shocks the girl into revealing the rest.

Once I know everything and have promised to help, Amy only has a single question of her own for me. "But how did you know about my mom?"

"Cathryn has quite the reputation around town." That is something the teens hadn't known and has them exchanging worried whispers.

All but Xander that is, who's face was still screwed up in concern the whole time. "Can we please get back to this whole saving the world thing? Seems like kind of a big deal to me."

"Thousand year old vampire wants to open a portal to hell and I'm going to stop him. Don't worry about it." Of course that's the wrong thing to say and Xander just gets more riled up.

"See, now I can't do anything but worry." His friends start murmuring different levels of agreement. "In fact. I'm kind of terrified right now."

The shortest boy raises his hand and waits until I call on him. "Shouldn't you be calling the army or something?"

"Not unless you want Sunnydale turned into a glowing crater." My casual dismissal just seems to frustrate them more.

"Well let us help you," Insists Jesse, only correcting himself when he hears a stern cough. "After we stop Amy's mom of course."

"Give me a minute." I thought I had more time and now my mind is racing for a solution.

Nothing comes to me at first. But eventually my eyes roam towards the glowing orbs. That might work.

"Alright, here's the plan." Suddenly back in my stricter teacher mode, I start splitting everyone up with tasks. "Miss Ross and Mister Levinson. I need you two to check out the Incan exhibit at the museum. Take pictures of everything and get them developed."

"Okay?" Confused at the request, Jonathon accepts the offered fifty with a strange look.

I don't bother explaining and turn to Willow next. "You keep helping Fred with my 'dad'. That's pretty much my back up plan for making sure everyone survives the spring."

"Got it." Pale as paper, Willow tries not to let the panic overwhelm her.

"Amy, I need you to get a copy of the spell your mom is going to use." Realizing she may not be on board, I get some clarification on her feelings. "And I need to know how you feel about Cathryn. She wants to be you, so only fair if you choose her fate."

"What do you have in mind?" A shimmer of cruelty hides behind Amy's eyes as she follows me into the kitchen.

"We really only have a few choices." The others aren't ready for such blunt honesty, Amy however needs to make an informed choice. "Death is always an option."

Amy doesn't instantly reject the idea and I'm concerned enough to move on to the next choice. "Or we can switch her for someone else who got screwed over."

"What do you mean?" Curious at my claim, the budding witch eagerly leans closer.

I explain the process and Amy thankfully has no issue with my plan. In fact, she might be a little too eager once I tell her about the visit to the zoo.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 32: Phase One​

"Why don't I just move into the apartment until he comes back?" My ward frowns at how much junk is already in the attic. "I don't think you really have room for everything. Ted was kind of a hoarder."

"Because you're a teenager." And sorry to think this. "One I'm kind of responsible for now." But you really don't have a good track record with decisions right now.

An intrigued glint flashes in Lorne's eyes while he holds the ladder down. "Well if the place looks any better than the basement, I could always keep an eye on the place. Especially if you're going to keep having a gaggle of teens over."

"You didn't have to hide from them all night," Fred reminds him with a smirk, climbing down the ladder first.

"I notice Allen didn't tell the kids about his demon half." Crimson eyes twinkle at me when I join the others in the hallway. "So until he does, I should probably keep laying low around any of you pink mammals." What does that make you, a reptile?

Frowning as I think back, I realize awkwardly that Lorne was never introduced to anyone in the crew. "You do know we come in a few colours, don't you?"

"But you said that was just a prosthetic when I asked about Chubbs." Blinking in confusion, Lorne brings up his curiosity during movie night.

"I thought you meant his wooden hand," Admits a pink faced Fred when she catches on to the source of confusion.

With scarlet eyes shining as if he just solved the greatest mystery of the universe, Lorne strokes his chin. "No wonder all the demons want to come to Earth. You have all the flavours of people here."

The chime of the door bell startles me out of my chuckling fit. Must be Willow here to play mad scientist.

"The kids at school are already talking about the show. Don't bother hiding, I'll just tell her we're helping you move." And let the Jewish girl make her own assumption about you wearing makeup.

"Really?" Lorne is almost vibrating at my easy acceptance of the idea.

"You're an adult..." That makes me pause, a curious expression being thrown over my shoulder at the empath demon. "Aren't you?" I'm not actually sure what Lorne's life cycle is like, maybe he's really just a child.

I don't reach a conclusion by the time I open the front door, revealing Willow hasn't come alone. Xander and Jesse flank her.

"Hello?" Stepping aside so they can enter like I explained last night, the teens file into the living room.

"I thought you might like some help moving everything," Willow explains for the boys busy trying to act like it was all her idea. "I printed out the blueprints for the zoo already, so these knuckleheads don't need to waste time trying to draw a map for you."

Xander is aware his art skills are lacking. But the casual comment has Jesse looking hurt.

"Miss Perfect couldn't hack into the museum though. So Jon and Marcie are heading over with a camera right now."

The two friends exchange stuck out tongues, as I let them know the change in plan. With both guys very relieved the physical labour was only a terrible myth.

Fred gets an eager greeting from her study buddy Willow as she and Angel say hello. Only for Jesse to nearly squeal in excitement when he sees Lorne coming down the stairs.

"This is the friend you've been letting crash in the basement?" Rushing over to the green demon, Jesse starts pumping his hand with enthusiasm. "It is so nice to meet you Sir. I'm a huge fan!"

"How come Lorne gets Sir and I only get called Mister?" Trying to keep the whine out of my voice, I think I managed to succeed when Fred laughs.

"Because singers get babes," Xander explains as his friend asks for Lorne's autograph. "And Jesse's been listening every night."

"The show only started a couple weeks ago though?" How can Lorne already have people so invested in him?

Nodding fervently, Willow's answer sets my mind at ease. "And Jesse's already gone from tone deaf to bearable."

"Really?" That's praise worthy I guess.

"Now girls wait until he starts talking before they decide to ignore my pal." Xander teases his friend and realizes he doesn't really have much reason to be here now. "Uh, do you still need help?"

"You want to help me steal a magic jacket tonight?" Lance should be at the Bronze almost every night if his bragging around campus has any truth to it.

Doubting my claim, Xander tilts his head to one side. "What, does it keep you dry?"

"Probably better if you don't know." Either you or Jesse will definitely try borrowing it once I'm finished. "Don't want to tempt you with it."

"Amy's been able to prove she has magical powers." The dark haired teen in Liam's clothing tries to phrase his disbelief carefully. "But vampires, werewolves, and demons? I'm not sure I really buy that nonsense."

Snorting at his claim, Fred stops her discussion with with Willow to point at the radio host. "That's not make up."

"Yeah right." Now thinking he's being screwed with, Xander asks Lorne for permission before running a finger along his flesh. His eyes go wide when no paint comes off and Lorne just smirks.

"Satisfied?" Lorne's tone isn't mean, just amused at the gaping face of Xander.

"I'm not exactly one hundred percent human myself." Knowing it's the kind of secret that would tear a group apart, I make this transformation my slowest one yet.

"Whoa..." Jesse gets over his shock first, his eyes roaming my barbed face with open curiosity. "You look so cool."

Wait, what? "Really?"

"Dude, you have a face full of spikes. That's metal as hell." The McNally snorts as if it's obvious, his short brown hair plastered to his brow from the already intense sun outside.

With it decided Lorne is the one moving instead of all the furniture, we get him and his radio gear moved by dinner time. The offer of pizza was more than enough to get the guys to stop grumbling and Jesse eventually gets that autograph once Lorne's settled into the apartment.

"No offence Allen. But I just need a place of my own to relax." Lorne tries to let me down easily once the last slice is gone. "Even in the basement, I couldn't stop picking up the girls' emotions."

"You trying to say something?" Glaring at the Pylean immigrant, Fred caught that I was excluded from the complaint.

"Just that all humans are a little bit psychic and you really project when dreaming." Lorne's explanation comes with a wince as he picks up on the annoyance in Fred. "The Brachen half muffles Allen so I can sleep."

A look of guilt flickers across my girlfriend's face. "Sorry Lorne. Thought you had already picked up on some Eathly misogyny."

"Are you kidding Winnie? Mr Prickle-Pants here is nothing but tumultuous emotions, you and Angel at least talk about what bothers you." Faking hurt, Lorne slaps a hand onto his left ass cheek. "Cross my and hope to die."

Jesse ends up being convinced to sing some Pearl Jam for the empath demon, his voice admittedly not terrible. But when I see Lorne's expression, it only reinforces my decision to save him from Darla.

"You really need to stop hitting on everything that moves." Lorne is careful not to say anything about a pulse. "It's going to be the death of you one day unless you can learn some self control."

Hearing his possible fate, Jesse decides to stay at the apartment for more answers. So while Fred and Willow take my car back to house, Xander and I walk over to the Bronze.

When I see a guy wearing clothes right out of the movie Grease, I lead the teen into the alley behind the club. The vampire is already in game face and is about to sink his fangs into one of my student's throat.

But when Xander bellows like a very brave man, I take the chance to shove my half a pool cue through the blood demon's back. The cloud of ash makes me sneeze and sends the girl running off before we can be recognized.

"Uh..." Trying not to hyperventilate, Xander forces himself to start breathing normally. "That just happened."

Rolling my eyes, I don't have the patience to keep all of the annoyance from my voice. "Told you about the vampires. That's why you lot should never go out after dark unless you're in a group."

It's no guarantee of safety. But it should at least make most fledges look for a meal somewhere else.

"But you didn't have to stalk out the alley, he was just going to kill her!" His face is white enough I'm starting to worry Xander might pass out. "Is the whole town infested with monsters?"

"Portal to hell is buried in the library." And why I try to avoid the place. "And the Mayor has been planning to sacrifice your grad class for a century."

His jaw hangs low as I shatter his reality with terrifying facts. "Oh."

"Yeah." realizing the teen is close to breaking, I send him inside to keep watch for Lance. "Let me know when he's leaving so I can get ahead of the guy."

May as well take advantage of having such a scary second face. It's not like the kid will recognize me as a teacher, so I just need to do a snatch and grab.

Forced to lurk in the alley until well past midnight, I end up taking care of four more vampires while I wait. It's only when I start thinking Xander got caught up with his new look and the interest I'd seen sent his way during the day that he dashes out the side door.

"Lance and his buddies are walking the Cordettes home!" Crap, that's more people than I was expecting.

"Which way are they going first?"Knowing it's pointless to waste time, I grab Xander by the shoulders and shake him back into coherence.

"You really think Cordelia would let anyone else go first?" The teen snorts and leads me towards the rich part of Sunnydale. "We can cut through Hammersmith Park, it's a shortcut!"

Impressed at how quickly he gets over his own panic and focuses on the matter at hand, I follow Xander's sprint through the park. "Just make sure the girls don't scatter!" Don't want them getting picked off by any vampires just so I can steal the jacket.

Charging ahead of Xander, I let the spikes emerge as I catch sight of the distracted teens. Harmony and Aphrodisia are practically clinging to Lance, even with his horrible mullet his only real standout feature.

Shrieks of fear greet me as I slam into the shocked Lance Brooks, sending him tumbling to the ground in terror. His two friends on the baseball team aren't any braver and take off into the night with one of the rich girls. Aura I think.

But once more I'm impressed by some of the teens. Even as I start tearing the Letterman jacket from the sobbing jock, Cordelia starts smacking me in the head with a very heavy purse.

It's not enough to hurt, only slow me down long enough for Xander to 'save' the day with a tackle. The force of it sends me rolling away with my prize in hand and I don't bother sticking around for the rest of the show.

"Harris?" The shocked gasp makes me peer over my shoulder just long enough to catch a stunned Cordelia Chase staring at her protector. Not sure if she's more shocked Xander was brave or well dressed.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 33: Read Something​

The next day at work while watching the sophomores sit down, I find Xander has become a hot commodity overnight. Lance has already gotten a replacement jacket and insisted the joker take the desk beside him.

"I'm telling you Larry, we've had this guy all wrong for years." Talking up his new favourite person to the other jocks, Lance doesn't even seem to mind that his dates from last night are no longer simpering over him. "Chet and Steve just took off when the gang banger jumped me."

The whole section of popular teens glare at the jocks exiled to the front row, making both boys shrink in on themselves even more. In the moment of distraction, Cordelia takes her chance to really get a good look at Xander's new look.

He's taken to wearing Liam's spare leather duster at all times, with a deep crimson button down underneath it for pop. How is he not sweltering in this heat?

Thinking back on the mean girl with a heart of gold's essays, I can easily see why her face is so conflicted right now. She spent so much time focusing on his lack of fashion, the sudden change must be hard to comprehend.

Getting saved by the guy she also called crueller than half the bullies in school. That's probably left Cordelia's very idea of Xander in shambles.

Not one put off by attention, Xander seems to be thriving under all the praise. "It was no big deal. I just did what any man should have when he heard some beautiful ladies screaming."

"I wasn't screaming Harris." Not willing to let the comment stand unchallenged, Cordelia smirks at the teen she's bickered with for most of her life.

"Guess I wasn't calling you cute," Counters Xander, his eyes flashing with some of that cruelty I read about. "Just the hotties you're friends with."

Glancing at Xander's usual group, I notice the glare Willow has had all day is briefly replaced with a pleased smirk. Jesse's own expression of frustration at how close his friend is sitting to his obsession, seems to shift into a plotting grin with the snarky comment.

"I'm telling you, this guy's face was all messed up like he ran into a porcupine." Lance brings the classes attention back to his 'champion' last night. "But Lex just charged the guy and saved my ass."

"Lance!" Snapping at the teen, I startle him out of his cocky mood with the gruffness. "You want detention with me at lunch scrapping gum off chairs or do you want to hand in an essay on donkeys tomorrow?"

Not daring to challenge me with his wit, Lance lets me finally start teaching the class."Essay sir!"

"Eight hundred words on my desk by first bell." Growling the instructions, I start pacing in front of the class for dramatic effect. "No one likes book reports. It's the same fifty books on the list for every school and I've already marked them all a dozen times."

The students exchange nervous murmurs of agreement, with a couple even trying to start a clap when I tear said list in half. "I'm not marking another report that can be copied from an older sibling. So you are all going to create this classes list."

"What do you mean?" Eager to please, Willow's hand is already in the air before I'm finished speaking. "Write a list of the best books?"

"Literature isn't just in books. I want each student to write down the best thing they ever read, no matter what it is." The comment stuns her into silence and I have to clarify myself before I get in a heap of trouble with Flutie. "No Jesse, it can't be a porno magazine."

Smirking as if he's figured out the answer, Larry waits for me to call on his raised arm. "Does that mean I could write down my favourite birthday card?"

"If it mattered to you, go for it." The closeted jock blinks at my answer. "I don't care if it's a comic book, poem, or a fashion magazine. I care that you read something."

The list I end up getting is quite varied and I grin when I tell them all to select a choice they didn't provide for the class. "Don't groan. I have to read them all before I can mark anything."

Once the bell rings, they all dash away before I can assign any more homework. The sideways glances I get on the way to the teachers lounge come with whispers about me being strict but at least fair.

My regular spot has been saved beside Russel and it takes me a few moments to realize I'm not thinking of Snyder by last name anymore. Oh shit... I'm actually friends with the Troll.

Most of the teachers seem to find a reason to be elsewhere once I pop my food in the microwave and I find only the new swim coach chatting up the nurse. Really need to take care of that creep once I have a chance.

With the room suddenly cleared out, Russel seems to decide now is a good time to share his life story. "So once my.... growth spurt never came in, Mom kicked me right to the curb. It's when I realized the only fairness in the world was the kind I enforced with my will."

"She kicked you out for being short?" That seems a little petty even for Sunnydale.

Glancing around the room to make sure the lovebirds aren't listening, Russel's voice becomes a hissed whisper. "You say you're supposed to keep things safe at the school. But how much do you really know about things here?"

"Enough to wear one of these even though I'm not sure what I believe in anymore." Pulling my collar down to reveal the silver crucifix, I can practically feel Russel relax at the sight of it.

"And you think it's all just scary stuff?" The way the balding man hesitates, has my curiosity surging.

"What, are you a werewolf or something?" Giving him an out, I reassure him I know it's only a three night a month thing.

Russel's mouth twists in a way that must be uncomfortable, his hands wringing as he tries to work up to the truth. "You know how the students like to call me a troll?"

"Yeah..." No way!

"Well that's the growth spurt that never came in." He watches me carefully for any sign of scorn, happy to find not a single shred. "And every time I hear the students call me one, I want to wring those scrawny necks. One eighth was just enough to make me ugly and bald."

Do I actually feel bad for him? The realization that I do, makes me take a very stupid risk.

"Well I'm half Brachen. You really don't want to see what I look like when I don't take my allergy medication."

The admission stuns the normally vindictive man. Eventually his lips turn upwards just enough to call it a genuine smile.

"Really?" The desperation is palpable in his voice.

In for a penny, in for a pound. "Must be why we clicked so fast."

"Glad we did." His smile shifts into a more familiar smirk. "The kids aren't giving me quite so much lip this week."

The door swings open to reveal the frowning face of the techno pagan Jenny. Her eyes dart between the only two occupied tables and I decide to put my own conversation on hold.

"Over her Miss Calendar. I think we can make some room for you." And give me a chance to figure out your schedule.

Russel snickers under his breath at first, only to swallow it when the woman accepts the offer gratefully. "Thanks. I was starting to think I had missed a fire drill or something."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 34: Phase Two​

Waiting for the Sunnydale zoo to close, I'm starting to wish I had just told Jesse to stay at the house. At least Marcie and Jon are quiet.

"It's not fair, Xander should be here helping." Ducked down so no one can see us, Jesse starts repeating himself.

"Xander already helped me get the jacket." I remind him with a raised eyebrow. "And these two already got pictures of the museum. So really it's just you who has to pull his own weight." If I can't trust you to take care of the small stuff, why would I ever bring you out patrolling?

The boy covered with good luck charms crosses his arms, a massive scowl taking over his face. "Ooh, sit in the car and keep watch. Take some pictures and steal a book from Amy's mom, like any of that really matters."

"I didn't ask you to help." In fact I was the one who got begged. "You lot came to me and until I know you can defend yourself, you only get busy work." I refuse to let you come out until you've taken at least a few self defence classes.

"You said the world needed saving." Points out a far less snarky Jonathon.

"I said it was being handled. You want get involved, you need to actually think about how dangerous this will be." I don't want a gaggle of teens only treating this like a social club, that's just going to get a bunch of them killed.

Grumbling from his place squashed between his girlfriend and the budding witch, the shortest boy in the group points out how many seats the car has. "Not like Xander would have any room in here. Unless of course you want him sitting on your lap."

"He's going to the Bronze without me. It's supposed to be bros before hoes, you know?" The whine is pitiful and just makes me more frustrated.

"I know that's only true for one night stands and if that's how you talk to girls..." Scowling sternly, I realize it's time to stuff some actual sense into the pervert's head. "You'll be lucky to even get one of those before college."

Snickers from the backseat are quiet, so I don't bother making the trio stop. But Jesse goes beet red and tries to hold in his anger.

"Hey!" He fails miserably and hisses back at me with hurt in his eyes.

"Confidence is good, you should let someone know you're interested..." Holding up a hand, I make Jesse wait for the rest of my point. "But I've heard Cordelia very clearly state her lack of interest. At this point it's harassment and I'm giving you a final warning."

"But-" Desperate to defend himself, Jesse tries to explain how wrong I've got things.

"No buts!" My voice comes out almost loud enough to be called a yell and Jesse flinches back. "If a girl says no, move on. Otherwise you're going to end up on a watch list one day."

Stunned into silence, Jesse turns away to look out the window. His reflection is nothing but a miserable scowl and I decide it's best if he stays in the car.

"I'm going over the wall. Set off a flare if the cops show up and hoof it back to the house." No point in you all getting arrested.

"Uh, Mister Doyle..." Marcie's sudden reminder almost makes me gasp. "That's like fifteen feet. How are you going to climb that?"

That makes me blink a few times before I let my lips twist into a smirk. "I was going to try jumping first." It's not that high, should be able to grab onto the ledge.

"I think this spell could help," Amy interrupts her frantic reading to hold up the open page of 'Remedial Witchcraft'. "It should muffle any sound you make until the candle stops burning. I just need some help with the ritual."

"What kind of help?" Eager to do magic, Jonathon's foot starts tapping rapidly.

"You three get to do the chanting," The slightly overweight girl explains before telling them the phrase. "I have to focus on the magic, otherwise all the sound will be heard at the same time."

Not liking the sound of that, I try not to let it rattle me. None of these kids think anyone believes in them and sometimes that's all you need to pull off the impossible.

"You can do it Amy." Feigning confidence, I try reassuring her.

It doesn't work as well as I would have like though and she starts wringing her hands nervously. "How can you be so sure?"

I'm not." The honest admission stuns her into silence, her jaw hanging low enough to catch flies. "It's not the end of the world if you screw up, I'm pretty fast. So just give it your best shot and know I appreciate the help."

"All this for some book?" Grunts a very nervous Marcie, my eyes nearly sliding over her until she says something.

"We need a way to lock down her magic." Which the book on Primals should have an answer for. "Otherwise Cathryn might decide she wants revenge on all of you."

The explanation is almost enough to satisfy all of my students, with it surprisingly being Jonathon who questions me. "So why did we have to take pictures at the museum?"

"Unrelated." Or at least that's what I'm telling anyone without Madison blood. "But the Mummy's seal is going to come in handy one day."

Once the last of the day staff leave, the three teens start to chant as soon as Amy lights the yellow candle. With a running start I'm easily able to leap up and grab onto the top of the wall.

The lack of noise is a little disconcerting at first. But once I focus, I realize I can still hear everything. It's just as muffled as I assume my own sounds are right now.

Glancing back at the car, I give the chanting teens a salute and drop down to the grass. I don't bother trying the stupid three point landing and just let myself drop into a roll. Now lets find the Hyena house.

The plans Willow printed off have been roughly memorized and I dart towards the largest landmark she marked down. Taking up most of the west side of the zoo, the zebra pen is filled with the stinky beasts. Definitely calling in sick if Flutie wants me to chaperone the field trip here.

Knowing the special hyenas are still in Africa is comforting as I reach the locked doors. But when I snap the lock with a flick of my wrist, the entire place is just bare rock.

I find no symbols painted on anything and get frustrated by my screw up. Why the hell did I think he just left his spell books at work?

Growling to myself, I don't notice when I step through a red light. The clutter I find in the zoo keepers office is almost as bad as what I woke up to the first day and it takes valuable minutes to riffle through everything for a clue.

When I finally do find something with an address on it, I double check to make sure it has the right name on it. Doctor Weirick is apparently a world renowned expert on spotted Hyenas and that's really all I have to narrow down the search.

"If the books not at his house, I might need to confront Jenny a little earlier than I had planned." Shoving the guy's prescription into my pocket, I decide it's probably time to get back to the teens.

OF course I only make it halfway back around the zebra pen before all that muffled sound releases with a thunderous bang. Every single animal is instantly awake and shrieking like it's the end of the world, forcing me to turn my jog into a sprint.

Using a bench for a boost, my desperate leap brings me clear over the brick wall. Thankfully the bush on the other side cushions my fall and the animals are still making enough of a racket to blanket my own noise.

Sirens can be heard approaching from downtown and I frantically dash across the street. Amy tries to apologize about how fast the wax melted. But I ignore her until we're a few blocks away.

"No more testing out spells in the field. We practice with them first." Trying not to bite her head off, I force myself to thank Amy for the nearly twenty minutes of silence.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Interlude 5: Wolf Watch​

Waiting outside Hemery High as the last of the buses drive off, Billy Fordham is nothing but confident in his decision. "You have no idea what it's like Buffy, how much pain I go through every day."

"But I told you the odds. Is it really worth going rabid?" The petite slayer hasn't been able to come up with any other ideas and is really just complaining about how unfair life is.

"Of course it is." Shrugging at his childhood friend's expression of anguish, Billy attempts to keep the mood light. "Should you really be going out every night to hang out with a gang leader?"

Suddenly pink at the accusation, Buffy looks anywhere but at Billy. "... It's not every night."

"Buffy needs back up," Tara defends her hero with more passion than her classmates usually see from the meek witch.

"We could help her." Crossing his arms, Billy is getting a little defensive. "The Slayer, a witch, and a werewolf, would be a kick ass vampire hunting team!"

Tara tries to say correct him and it ends up taking her a few moments to work up the nerve. "I kind of already have been. Charles wants my mom to turn the main floor into a walk in clinic. And we've been stopping in most nights to stitch them up after patrol."

"I thought the Council was going to use it for mystical rehab?" A very confused Buffy points out.

Turning to her friend with a blush, Tara explains what she was told of the zoning bylaws. "Mister Sirk said they need to run some kind of legitimate business to keep the bills low. So until they have enough patients to go private practice, Charles thought this would keep the city off his back."

Before much more time has passed, Mary pulls up in her second hand minivan. The trio climbs inside to greet the mother already in her scrubs.

"You better be careful tonight Buffy," Cautions the grey haired mother, knowing how much more dangerous a lycanthrope is than the Slayer's normal foes.

"Gunn and Giles will both have tranquilizers ready." Impressed at the Watcher she first thought the stuffiest and his willingness to go into the field with her, Buffy has already given Merrick her answer. "I just need to play bait and go for a little night jog."

"It could take up to twenty minutes before the drugs kick in," Mary's explanation finally gets a look of concern on Buffy's face. "You might need to turn it into a marathon."

Now anxious about the hunt tonight, Buffy is desperate for answers when they arrive at the Hyperion. "Why didn't anyone tell me how long these things could take?"

Holding up one of the rifles, Buffy thrusts it into a nervous Wesley's face. It doesn't get an answer out of the junior Watcher any faster. But it makes the cheerleader feel a whole lot better.

"We um..." Once the Slayer backs away, Wesley starts furiously cleaning his glasses in an attempt to distance himself from the anger. "The Council doesn't usually bother ourselves with werewolves. We don't exactly have extensive records on the beasts."

"You definitely all come with a different set of skills." Chuckles Charles Gunn as he saunters down the stairs with the prim and proper Gwendolyn Post. "Giles might be the only one of you with any balls. But damn does Gwendolyn know how to tune up a guy's ride."

"Now see here!" The youngest Watcher on staff gets red in the face when he notices Alonna snickering with some of the crew. "Just because we aren't all trained for field work, does not mean the rest of us are of any less value to the crusade against evil."

Shaking his bald head, Gunn fires back with just a hint of heat at the guy he knows is trying to make a move on his baby sister. "Post knows her stuff, she's like an encyclopedia on any kind of mystical artifact."

The praise makes the woman with the tightest bun this side of the Atlantic smirk. "Generalizing ones skills, generally ends up with a Watcher dead."

"Lydia has already gotten the crew a new target," Continuing with the praise of everyone except his rival, Gunn reminds Wesley who found out Russel Winters was a vampire. "And Sirk at least has an eye for the business side of things, even if he is slimy as all hell. But are you here to do do anything but creep on my sister?"

By the time the hunter from the streets is finished, Wesley can do little more than meekly meet Gunn's stare. "... Demonology."

"Well start finding us some and maybe I'll stop giving you such a hard time." Rolling his eyes at the timid display, Gunn joins the only person he knows can whoop him with her eyes closed. "You ready for the show? Giles has the thing tracked to Encino."

"We sure it's not just Brendan Fraser? Not that I'm going to complain if it is." Buffy quips playfully.

Giles grabs the rifle from the Slayer, a stern look of disapproval plastered across his face. "Well my expertise just so happens to be research. The only thing I have yet to determine is which breed we are dealing with."

"They have more than one kind?" Starting to get frazzled at all the last minute tidbits of information, Buffy is really wishing she wore better shoes.

"Five varieties are common to Eurasia." Trying to make up for his earlier whimpering, Wesley shows he isn't completely useless. "With another two in Africa, with the northern subspecies migrations not being unheard of."

"Well this is America, so what am I going to be dealing with?" Overwhelmed by all the possibilities, Buffy tries to focus on the plausible.

Giles is unable to ease the girl's worries and can really only stoke the fire of anxiety. "That's the problem. America is the land of immigrants and that means it could be any kind from around the world."

"Great..." Swallowing her doubt over this being a smart choice, Buffy turns to her fellow hunters. "So just be ready for anything?"

"Probably best if you get used to that," Agrees Giles as he checks to make sure the darts are loaded correctly. "It's rarely a vampire that ends the life of a Slayer."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 35: Ground Rules​

"It was too quiet last night without Lorne," Admits Fred as she grabs the other side of the orange couch, lifting carefully after she gives me the okay. "I had to turn his show on just to fall asleep."

"I kind of liked being able to have a warm shower this morning." Between the two of you, I was lucky to have five minutes to fight with Angel over.

The teen agrees with a half smile and moves to help Fred with her side of the load. "I'm just going to start taking mine at night."

"I don't think we're going to get this finished before Willow shows up." Wiping sweat from my brow with an arm once we drop the couch off on the curb, I notice a few things from the free pile have already been taken.

"That's alright. We've kind of hit a wall once we realized the entire memory was fried." Fred chuckles bashfully, knowing full well she's the reason. "I didn't think a stun gun would do much damage. But Ted had practically no insulation."

Beating me to the answer, Angel speaks up with a confidence I wish she had with anyone else. "He was built in the fifties. A lot less loose wiring he may have run into back then."

"Well until we can create new software that works on such an individualized system, we're pretty much done for now." Fred starts to wave at someone behind me, getting me to whirl on the spot.

A bushy tailed Willow is leading a very uncomfortable looking Xander towards the house. The brunette has slumped shoulders and is trying very hard to avoid meeting my eyes.

"He said it was fine Wills, why do I have to help him move some junk?" Even though he's trying to claim otherwise, it's obvious Xander feels at least a bit guilty over bailing on the break in at the zoo.

"What, rather have Harmony drooling all over you again instead?" The bite Willow delivers the cutting retort with is surprising until I notice the hurt in her emerald eyes.

"Jesse told me to say yes," He's trying to keep his whining low. "Why are you both so mad today?" But my ears are just good enough to pick it up. "He wouldn't even pick up the phone."

Before he reveals anymore, I provide what I feel is the likely answer. "That might be my fault. I kind of yelled at him in the car last night."

"Why?" Suddenly defensive of the missing teen, Xander is now fine meeting my eyes with a firm glare.

"Because if someone didn't let him know how creepy he was being, Jesse will end up with a half dozen restraining orders by the time college is over." Not concerned by Xander's growing scowl, I just shrug. "It's my job to turn you into functioning adults. Get used to me caring."

His shock quickly morphs into a playful smirk as he turns to the red head at his side. "I think you forgot to wake me up. I have to still be back in bed dreaming, because those just aren't words our teachers know how combine in that order."

"You should like the new computer teacher. I think you have a class with Miss Calendar next semester." Maybe I should see if she wants to work on a robot?

"The hottie?" Xander starts to ask, only to stop at the sight of my frown. "What, it's a compliment?"

"Do you want me to start just using a description to describe you, Mister Butt-Chin?" Already fired up from my dressing down of Jesse last night, I don't really give Xander any slack. "Because frankly, I'm thinking I need to talk to Flutie about teaching a class on communication. Any other school and half of you kids would be on permanent suspension."

"Glad someone finally told those two off," I can hear Willow hissing to the two women I live with, her voice just low enough to escape Xander's notice. "It's like they forget I'm a girl half the time."

Xander blinks a few times before shaking his head in annoyance. "You better not!"

"So does that mean I'm going to start hearing you use peoples names." Not budging on my point, I stare down the teen's dark eyes.

"... Yes." When he glances at the girls for any sign I'm being irrational, Xander is faced with three looks of firm agreement.

Once that's settled, the duo help us move the rest of Ted's antiques out of the basement. The help makes it go a lot faster and we end up finishing with hours to spare.

Willow has clearly been on the same page as Fred about the software problem. But as a local, she knows a few people who are more specialized.

"Warren is kind of obsessed with robots. He's even been bragging about working on his own the last few months, I just never believed him before." As she stares at the android on the floor, Willow is forced to admit she may have been to hasty with her judgment. "But I'm starting to think he might be telling the truth."

"I guess I can talk to the kid." See if he's already a clear lost cause or if I have enough time to intervene.

"I'm kind of relying on this plan to keep a lot of people alive." I guess if Warren's already working on April, I can just get him to give her the face I need instead.

Trying to get out of the doghouse, Xander tosses a playful grin towards his best friend. "See Wills, told you not to worry. You're helping save the world to."

"Technically she's the one paying for my services right now." You lot came to me for help with Cathryn, I didn't recruit you to my cause. "Because so far everything else has just been to help Amy."

"She made sure to tell her mom she's staying over next weekend," Angel reminds me with a voice barely above a whisper, making even me strain to hear her over the sound of Mario Kart. "So Amy can come with us to Los Angeles for the magic lessons."

"Thanks, want to make sure she has a teacher with some sense in her head." I know what Amy can turn out like. Which means I need to find her an alternative role model if I'm going to let the witch become involved.

Once a competitive Fred laps Xander, he hands off the controller with a grumble. "When can I hunt vampires with you? You said you go out and patrol for them, you should have some help."

"If you choose to fight evil, I really can't do anything to stop you." My comment gets a smirk of pride from the teen, one that I'm about to turn into a scowl. "But I'm not letting you come with me until you've taken at least a few self defence classes."

"How much is that going to cost? Concerned at trying to convince his parents, Xander gives me conflicted look.

Holding in the growl at how much I hate his parents, I force my face to stay neutral. "I'll cover the sign up fee. You just have to go to five lessons before I let any of you help out with the real stuff."

The fairness of my offer gets a relieved grin to show itself on Xander's face. "I can do that."

"Good. Because while I have my demon strength, you kids are just way too fragile." And I'm still going to be training with Buffy once she shows up.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 36: Outranked​

Once I finish explaining about the android in my basement, Warren immediately whirls on Willow for any sign of ridicule. "Are you setting me up because I beat you on one stupid math test?"

"We need help with the programming. But if you don't want to..." Knowing how to tweak a fellow nerd's interest, Willow has taken control of the conversation with a confident smirk.

"I didn't say that!" Hands shoot up in a pacifying motion as Warren interjects with just a hint of panic in his voice.

Even though her disbelief is less visible, it's clear Jenny Calendar hasn't been convinced either. "It's just an incredible claim. You can't blame either of us for being skeptical."

Pulling the pictures out of a manila envelope, I had the stack over for Jenny's examination. Warren is quick to peer over her shoulder and both pairs of eyes grow wide long before Willow hands over the schematics we found in the basement.

"He was built in fifty seven and has been running just fine the whole time." Willow has a far better grasp of the science and I happily go silent while she goes over the major points. "But nobodies been able to find any files on the programming. Not even sure if they still exist."

"This is real. You aren't just screwing with us." Finally starting to accept the insanity on film, Jenny looks over at me with a single raised eyebrow.

"As real as an angel getting cursed by gypsies." My comment draws a hiss from the undercover witch and I decide it's probably best to have the rest of this conversation privately. "Willow, can you bring Warren by after school? Sometime after six?"

Nodding slowly as she notices the chilly mood now coming from the other teacher, Willow shoves the pictures back into the envelope. "No problem."

Grabbing Warren by the arm, she drags him out of the room with barely a chance to call out his own goodbye. Jenny's glare doesn't budge an inch the entire time, she just waits for the door to slam shut behind the kids.

"Do you want to waste my time with more lies?" Jenny's hands clench at her sides. "Or would you like to tell me what this is really about?"

"Not a lie, we really do need help getting Ted working again." Shrugging at her snort of disbelief, I try my best to convince the woman only a few years my senior. "But just like you, I'm in Sunnydale for a reason. It's kind of ironic we're both here to annoy the same vampire though."

Dark eyes watch me carefully for any hint of a lie. "... What do you want with Angelus?"

"You're elders sent you to make sure he stays miserable, the Powers sent me to turn him into someone worthwhile." Ignoring her gasp of shock, I keep going with my half truth. "He got his century of vengeance, now it's time for you to finish the job."

"Kill him?" Fear fills the techno pagan's eyes at such an idea.

Shaking my head calmly, I remind her that Angelus wasn't alone in his crime against her people. "Did you know Darla is in Sunnydale right now? Why did the clan never repeat the curse on her?"

I'm not thrilled about the idea of making an innocent soul experience a blood demon's crimes. But once she gives me directions to the Master's lair, I'll give Darla a choice.

Wipe her memories with something like Lethe's bramble. Spend some time at the Hyperion learning how to be human again. Or if she just can't handle existence, I'll stake her myself.

"The knowledge was lost to us long ago." Now on the defensive, Jenny has doubt filling her face.

I had considered just using one of the newer minions so the soul had fewer horrors to witness. But Jenny's the only one I trust with the casting. It's a vengeance curse that possesses the caster. That's something I'd much rather leave to the experienced practitioners instead of a beginner like Willow.

"Well you should probably call that uncle of yours and see if he can send you whatever they have on it." Otherwise you're going to be out of a purpose pretty soon.

"Is that a threat?"

Trying not to growl in annoyance, I take a deep breath before answering. "It was supposed to be a friendly suggestion. I sent Liam to Africa a few days ago and when he comes back, that soul is finally going to be locked down for good."

"He's a monster!" Her voice rises along with her fiery temper.

"Angelus was and the Romany locked him up a hundred years ago. Now it's time for his lethal injection." Standing my ground, I make it clear my charge is out of her clan's grasp. "Sorry Janna. But my bosses outrank the Kalderash."

A challenging stare meets my own firm one. "Is that so?"

"Gods are quite a few challenge ratings above us mere mortals." Still not exactly sure which ones are responsible though. "Enyos wants to argue, he can take it up with the Powers That Be. I'll even bring him to the Oracles so he can complain directly." Well, more directly.

"You know an awful lot about us." Crossing her arms stiffly, Jenny's curiosity begins shining through the anger.

"Liam's my charge. The Powers gave me all the knowledge I was going to need to guide him." Just wish I had written it all down. "The important stuff. Like how if Liam loses his soul, you're one of the first victims."

Horror flickers across her face for a moment. But Jenny does an admirable job of shoving that concern aside for later.

"So why did you start out with the robot talk?" Her breathing has slowed back down to an almost normal pace. "Was that just so I would lower my guard?"

"It's supposed to make people like you more if you ask them for a favour." Read that in a psychology book somewhere. "Figured I should get as many brownie points as possible before this confrontation."

"So what about the students?" Jenny gets an unreadable expression as she considers Willow and Warrens presence earlier. "What dirt do you have on them?"

My turn to frown, I fill Jenny in on one of the more tame horrors concealed in Sunnydale. "Amy Madison's mom is trying to steal her body."

"The blonde who was talking to Willow?" With only a couple days under her belt and no classes with them yet, Jenny tries to place the name.

"Yeah." The fierceness of the growl surprises even me. Guess I'm really getting into the job.

She catches the one name I left out of the group of friends. "What about Warren?"

Seeing no way to sugarcoat it, I lay out the blunt truth. "He's working on a sex robot."

"Oh..." Jenny looks like she's holding in a gag.

"Not sure if he just needs some friends or serious therapy. But it's probably best if someone keeps an eye on him."

A pale Jenny nods slowly. "... Good idea."

"If he really wants one, all I care about is making sure Warren doesn't make the thing sentient." He'll make millions by the end of the decade. "And that he doesn't start thinking of people like robots."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 37: No Laughing Matter​

"I feel like an idiot." Xander pulls on the borrowed tie around his neck. "No way this is actually going to work."

Feeling bad about missing out on the zoo, Xander is starting to regret his offer of a make up assignment. The clipboard of fake survey questions his only weapon against the zookeeper.

"You two just need to keep Weireck talking as long as you can, so I'm counting on you Xander." I'm just hoping Angel manages to get through the introduction. "I'll be fast."

The four story apartment is one of the older red brick variety and comes with a black iron fire escape for an easy way to reach the top floor. Hope it's not too loud.

"Wait till I give the signal." Climbing out of the car, I carefully duck into the alley.

Nothing unusual greets me so close to dinnertime. But I make sure to pull the ladder down as quietly as possible.

With only a couple screeches hopefully dismissed by anyone inside, I start the climb towards the zookeeper's open window. When I'm ducked down just outside, I motion for the waiting teens to approach the door.

The voice inside is mid conversation. But since I can only hear one side of it, I can only assume it's a phone call. "I've gotten everything approved for the import. You just need to make sure the hyenas are replaced before February, I don't want any more regular ones."

The buzzer gets Weireck to let out a string of curses and tell the person to call back later. His grumbles about the delivery being early cut off when the door slams behind him.

Time to talk your ass off Xander. Use that superpower for good.

After a quick glance inside, I waste no time climbing through the window. The place is the very definition of a man cave, with week old dishes everywhere.

Pelts of various animals adorn the walls, with the odd skull on a shelf to really increase the creepy factor. Moving fast, I shove all four books with a strange name into my bag and move to the next room.

Urns filled with a pink paste give me an eerie feeling when the smell is far too much like blood. "Hope one of the girls can figure out what this stuff is."

One of the smaller urns goes into the bag next, once I make sure the lid is secure of course. I choose to ignore the pristine human skull on the desk and focus instead on the obsidian knife.

It has a rune covered handle made of unknown bone and looks like it could carve through pretty much anything. Mine now.

Not bothering to be neat, I rip the drawers right out of the shelves. upturning them for a faster search, everything gets poured out onto the never vacuumed carpet. A strange doll made of what looks like human hair, gives off a very strong stench of catnip.

The one bedroom apartment doesn't reveal many more secrets in my frantic search. Only a shaman's robes made from a collection of different animal hides stands out. And really that's just because of the overpowering musk.

My mad dash back down to the street is completely unnecessary. I end up being the one waiting, while Xander ad lib's through all the plank pages I used to make the questionnaire look more official.

I even start getting anxious enough to consider honking. Thankfully even Xander runs out of pointless questions and has to let the zookeeper go back inside before I give away my position.

The pair of teens power walk towards the car and I peel away the moment both asses are buckled into a seat. They try to ask questions. But I ignore each and every one of them until the apartment is gone from my mirrors.

The hammering in my chest continues for a few more blocks and I have to force myself to start breathing normally. "I think I got everything important. Good job you two."

"Really?" An expression full of self doubt is plastered on Xander's face. "But we barely gave you any time."

"You gave me plenty. Besides, it was way better than my original plan of breaking in tonight while he was sleeping." And you didn't set off a magical air horn during my escape, so you still did better than Amy. "Thanks for suggesting it."

Xander lets a grin of pride grow enough that I catch it out of the corner of my eye. "My plan worked, what do ya know."

Trying to to stomp all over his good mood, I do have to raise a concern. "Still not sure if boxing is a good idea."

"Well the self defence class was only for girls, they wouldn't let me register." Shrugging of my caution, I can tell Xander has the wrong idea in his head. "You did say this was about me getting punched in the face a lot."

"I still think Judo would be better. Pretty much everything we'll be fighting is stronger than you." Boxing would just be like bashing his face against a brick wall.

Stubborn in his choice, Xander's jaw grits with determination. "I just need to float before I try to sting."

"Why do you need to help me patrol so badly?" Frowning as I realize something is bothering the teen, I bring up how all his friends seem fine with the busy work. "You don't have to do this."

"Not smart enough to work on Ted." Shrugs a blushing brunette. "What else am I going to do?"

Angel turns back and gives Xander a supportive smile. "I'm going to start learning magic with Amy. You probably could too."

"I've seen how many books you're bring to Los Angeles..." Horrified at the amount, Xander firmly shakes his head from side to side. "That's just not enough pictures for me. You know?"

Searing pain ignites in my skull and I barely have time to pull my foot off the pedal. "I know you should probably grab the wheel."

Shocked my the sudden roar of pain, Xander still manages to safely pull us over. I'm not paying attention though and can only feel the burning sensation of acid being poured over my body.

The middle aged woman I find myself in the shoes of, only struggles for a few moments before the vision fades away. Angel's panicked shouting is the first thing I comeback to, with Xander's anxious mumbles almost going unnoticed.

"Here Allen, chew on these." Angel presses on of the herb soaked squares of bark to my lips and I gratefully bite down. "Xander, grab a pen!"

"What the hell was that?" Fumbling with his backpack, Xander eventually gets something to write with.

"That was a vision..." Panting from the adrenaline, I tell him the address before the image fades from my mind. "They really suck."

Nodding with a pale face, Xander is quick to agree. "Even that kid Morgan doesn't have migraines like that." He doesn't make mention of it when I reach up and wipe away my tears, Xander just continues with grimace of sympathy. "And he's even gone home a few times because of them."

I can't place the name as an important one and shrug once I give up trying. Got enough on my plate right now, I'll check in on this kid once Amy's safe.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 38: Park And Pool​

"We can help!" Xander tries to insist when I make a quick stop back at the house for my gear. But I don't pay it any head, only asking Jenny if she can take the students home.

"What's going on?" The not so secret Romany isn't keen on just taking some random commands.

Dialing Merrick's number, I let the group eavesdrop while I fill the Watcher in on the details of my vision. "Looked kind of like a bullfrog, just without the tongue. It was crawling around on six legs and swallows some woman whole."

The startled Watcher doesn't waste time with pleasantries and gives me the two possibilities he's encountered before. The only thing he makes sure I know, is to keep an open flame away from either.

"Be careful if it's a Grenlar." Caution fills his voice as he warns me of the more mobile subspecies. "They're not very strong, but the stomach acid is some of the strongest known to the Council. Really more of an ambush predator."

"That would explain why it's lurking in the dog park." It gets two meals for the price of one.

Making my heart pound faster, Merrick shares a final tidbit. "Well they come out at dusk, you better get moving if you want to get it tonight."

"Great," The growl I let escape only gets the older man to snort in amusement.

"You still coming by the hotel on Friday? Or is this going to keep you busy?" The way he hesitates before asking, makes me realize he's not alone right now.

"Hey Buffy, I'll see you this weekend. Things going alright?" The way I switch from impatience to an almost tender tone, gets Fred to grin with bemusement.

The sound of her fighting for the phone is soon replaced by her eager voice. "Billy hasn't had a headache since he woke up this morning. It worked!"

"Really?" The joy in her voice makes it impossible to keep a smile of my own face. "That's fantastic news!"

When I finally say goodbye and replace the phone with my bat, I realize everyone is waiting by the front door already. The looks of anticipation have me concerned though and I have to speak up.

"Uh..." I realize it's not just Fred who is planning on coming and try to put my foot down. "What are you all doing?"

"I'm getting proof you're working for who you claim." Jenny's stare doesn't waver and I'm forced to concede. "Not calling home with only some wild claims."

Weighing my options, I know the teens aren't going to just sit around my house. "Fine. Make sure the kids stay in the car." Not quite ready to lose a student.

I know four have already gone missing since I started working at the high school. But not having met any of them personally, it's just enough emotional distance for me to avoid any guilt.

Fred is thankfully the only one in my car who even tries to get out, leaving Angel and the lovebirds in the backseat. But Jenny doesn't do the same, followed out of her car by both Willow and Xander before I can say anything. A very nervous Warren is last to dart into the safety of the Corolla.

"Might as well all wait in the same car." Xander shrugs at my annoyed expression. "We made a deal, I'm sticking to it."

"Thanks, already got enough of a headache right now." Rubbing my temple, I watch a determined Jenny pull a tire iron from her trunk.

She gives it a few test swings and nods with satisfaction. "The guy on the phone just said to hit it a bunch, right?"

"That seems to work on most of them," Agrees Fred as she makes sure her own gadgets are in easy reach.

Once the teens are all waiting safely in my car, the rest of us make our way into the dog park warily. Only a handful of people are still outside at this time and it looks like most are heading back to the parking lot. Guess even the sheep can sense some kind of danger.

By the time we get around the small pond, only one other woman is still in the park. The dalmatian has broken free from her grip, leash bouncing along the grass as it vanishes into the gloom.

Her desperate cries are interrupted by splashing as the demon heaves itself from the pond. The wave created knocks the woman right off her feet, and sends her sliding towards a mouth opened wide enough to swallow a whole pig.

It only takes me a few seconds to close the distance. But it's more than enough time for the demon to have one of the woman's calves in it's mouth.

Her shriek of terror keeps me focused and I bring my bat down onto the Grenlar's head. The sound of cracking makes me grit my teeth in frustration, each swing recreating it with even greater volume.

By my fourth swing the bat snaps in half, the bladed side landing in the water with a splash. But I don't stop and turn my fifth into a downward thrust.

The sharpened handle goes right through the demon's skull and makes it thrash wildly. Before it finally dies, I get tossed backwards and skid along the wet grass.

Fred and Jenny use my opening to grab the woman and get her clear of the beast. The sobbing doesn't stop and I limp my way over to them.

Once I reach them, I discover why the redhead is still screaming. The skin and muscle have been eaten away in only the few seconds the demon had her. With bloody bone visible in more than a few places, shock starts to set in.

"We need to get her to the hospital!" No way an ambulance will show up tonight.

While Fred takes the teens home and Jenny races through more than a couple red lights, I do my best to keep woman stable. It's such a stressful situation, I don't realize it's the school librarian until nurses are pulling her from the car.

After she's taken away, Jenny escorts my very solemn form back to her car. "It would have been pretty hard to set that up."

"That mean you believe me?" Even though tonight wasn't a perfect win, I'm still riding high on the fact that I was on time.

"It means I'll come see these Oracles with you Irish." Her dark eyes seem to pierce right through me and I shift uncomfortably under the gaze.

"Not really a fan of the whole nickname thing." My grimace is completely genuine. "I have three names, take your pick."

Amused at the denial, Jenny does relent. "Fine Francis, be boring."

"You just watched me kill a demon..." I can't help but stare at her incredulously. "In what world am I boring?" Well I guess the one I was born in.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Interlude 6: Rumors Spread
​

The girls scent is just different enough from her peers to really make Faith stand out of the crowd. Just like when he first was graced with the sight of Buffy Summers back in Los Angeles, something primal inside Liam stirs him to stalk.

The thirteen year old stays out long after dark, her stalker passing concerned hours ago. Aren't her parents worried?

The curly haired brunette has more than enough attitude to fit in with the troublemakers and gives just as many cutting insults as she. The curses Faith flings at her friends are just as fiery and Liam has to hold in a chuckle when one is exceptionally crude.

The vampire doesn't interfere in the mischief being caused. When the spray paint come out and lookouts posted, Liam can't help but notice the artistic talent help by his target.

The smoking parrots she works on are incredible and incredibly detailed. It leaves the champion stunned, unable to understand understand how the texture was created without a brush.

And they're so fast.. Eyes wide as he absorbs how much of the brick wall has already been covered, Liam picks up the sound of sirens first.

"Sooie!" The warning call gets repeated by the whole group of teens, the vitriol coming off in palpable waves.

By the time the red and blue lights are blocking off the alley, only wet paint waits for them. The teen artists scatter with practised ease and Liam is forced to follow his target by smell alone.

Faith's strain of anxiety is mixed with her citrus shampoo and stands out from her friends. The trail leads Liam through a park he wouldn't let a crackhead play in before eventually heading behind a gas station.

Worming through a gap in the chain link fence, Liam knows the smaller girl must be back on the road by now. She's done this more than once.

The opening leads right into a thorn bush the vampire would need to be a foot shorter to crawl under safely. But knowing this is all just to slow him down, Liam charges through with a string of his own profanity.

He ignores the pricks of discomfort across his body, only bothering to shield his face with a raised arm. This ends up being the right choice as he just barely makes it to street in time to see Faith climbing onto a city bus.

The sprint he turns his jog into, doesn't close the distance in time. The bus pulls away from the curb and sends the vampire into a mad dash to beat the public transportation to it's next stop.

It takes three whole blocks before he manages the feat. But eventually a very annoyed Liam is dropping change into the meter.

Something about his presence makes Faith sit up and take notice. She even slides her headphones back far enough to hear both the music and her surroundings.

Angelus has his own way of getting close to people. So Liam does the exact opposite and feigns a look of disinterest. A scoff later and he plays the encounter off like Faith was the one bothering him instead.

Once he slips a hand into one of the straps, the bus starts moving again. The tension on the bus rises when they pass one of the squad cars from earlier, Faith ducking down in her seat until the cops are long out of sight.

When Liam senses his target is about to reach for the pull cord, he beats Faith to it with a swift motion. The girl isn't tipped off about her personal observer since he gets off first and makes a show of speed walking in his chosen direction.

The second he rounds the corner, he starts acting like he lost his wallet. Patting his jeans, Liam closely 'examines' the sidewalk as the bus pulls away. He doesn't immediately follow Faith onto her street, instead letting her relax while he 'finds' his wallet.

Hanging back long enough for Faith to be out of sight, Liam finally starts following her scent home. She feels confident enough to go straight towards a duplex with peeling blue paint and a yard overgrown with weeds.

It's a lower middle class neighbourhood and seems at odds with the hooligans Faith was with earlier. But Liam doesn't judge and slinks into the yard quiet as a cat.

Yelling from upstairs is directed at the returning teen almost the second she shuts the front door. The words filled with drunken slurring and very little love.

Faith holds her own and screams right back at the terrible parents, the words actually coherent. The slamming of a door is followed by furious stomping down the stairs. A raging Faith flicks on the light to her basement room and punches another hole into the connect a dot drywall.

Watching her for almost an hour until she lets out a yawn, Liam starts rifling through the trash for a family name he can provide Allen. When he finally does get a bill with the name and address both on it, Liam departs back for the motel.

Unknown to the champion, his presence in Boston has not gone unnoticed. The Worst of the Worst has had him watched since the second day. With the Master of Boston's patience finally burnt through, his right hoof vampire is waiting inside for Liam.

The dark skinned and incredibly suave Mister Trick greets his contemporary with a cold smile. "Angelus, what is an Aurellian doing in our turf? You must have a good reason for this breach of etiquette."

"Just passing through..." Watching Trick and the bulky vampire with him for muscle, Liam tries to inch towards a weapon.


"And I heard you aren't really on the best terms with Nest." Stroking his chin, Trick makes up his cruel mind. "So he's not going to care if I question you for the boss. Find out what really down in Los Angeles."

Grabbing the cheap white chair and swing with a single motion, Liam shatters it over the big vampire's head and drives one of the legs into his chest. The could of ash warns Trick this isn't going to be the easy feat he first thought and he roars for his goons.

The five vampires who burst in from outside are joined by another two from the bathroom. The sudden change in numbers is more than enough to overwhelm Liam in such close quarters.

A burlap hood is forced over his head, with his legs being swept out from under him shortly after. Once he's pinned on his belly, the mocking words of Trick promise plenty of pain to come.



Notes: I'm feeling better and can fully admit the chapter yesterday was subpar. This is the revision and I'm going to try getting the actual one out before midnight my time.

Spoiler: Old Version

While Liam's plan had been to spend a few weeks looking around for Faith. The vampire with a soul's arrival in Boston is discover before he can actually call his find in to Doyle.

The rumors out of Los Angeles have stirred the local master's interest and Kakistos sends his right hand vampire to determine the truth. Mister Trick the dark skinned and suave killer wastes no time finding the motel.

The gang of five stop by for a surprise visit just after sunset, the largest hammering his fist against the cheap door. "Open up Aurellian, Boss wants to talk to you!"

Knowing Kakistos by a terrible reputation nearly as ancient as his own bloodline, Liam goes right for a weapon.. It's only once a flimsy chair is secure in his grip, the wary champion responds with plenty of scorn.

"I'm not with the Master, just passing through." That ends up being the exact wrong thing to say and draws hisses of irritation from outside.

Tutting in disappointment, Mister Trick gives the signal to break down the down. "Only one master in Boston and he really doesn't like being told no. Get him boys."

The door crashes inwards, with the first vampire through trying to rush his target down. But after one quick swing, the cheap wooden chair is turned into scrap.

"Always got to make things difficult for the working demon..." Scowling at the melee, Trick motions for the shotgun.

The thunderous blast knocks the champion of his feet and gives the minions a chance to grapple Liam properly. Smirking down at the struggling Irish vampire, Trick can't help but think of his coming reward.

"I just wanted to talk." Tracing a clawed finger along the captive's cheek, Trick's tone turns sickeningly sweet. "Find out what you're searching for so desperately and maybe offer a fellow sadist some help."

Digging his nails into Liam's soft flesh, Trick revels in the blood being drawn. But the lack of any whimper of pain is very unsatisfying and he tries to twist the emotional knife instead.


"But you aren't one of us anymore Angelus. So we're going to find out why you're really after here in Boston." Releasing his bloody grip on his captive, Trick licks the crimson from his claws.

"Throw him in the trunk. We need to get out of here before the cops show up." A heavy boot slams into Liam's face, shattering the bone as his vision is replaced with black.

When he does finally come back to awareness, it's to find himself wrapped in heavy chains. The smell of the ocean hangs thick in the air and Liam realizes he's on a boat with the rocking beneath his feet.

A rough hand grabs him by the back of the neck and tears a burlap hood off Liam's head. The bright lights of the yacht make the captive wince even before he catches sight of the brutish Kakistos.

Cloven hands and a permanently monstrous face mark the massive vampire as ancient. "What is one of Nest's spawn doing here?"

"I think he's here to get an answer to the same question we've had the last couple months..." Mister Trick's calculating eyes watch the prisoner for any stray twitch. "He must be here to find out if you're the one who took out Lothos."

Growling at the words, Kakistos can perfectly picture the bald vampire's head being crushed underfoot."... Which would mean that Nest was not behind our rivals demise."

"The Slayer was trying to set you against each other," Agrees a smirking Trick.

"Such insolence will not go unpunished!" Roars the massive monster. "Once you learn anything useful, drop Angelus overboard. We have preparations to make."

Not liking the sound of that, Liam starts struggling the moment Kakistos steps off the yacht. The behemoth's loss of weight makes the boat noticeably rock and lets Liam disguise his movement.

When the Cuban vampire left behind makes a move to begin the questioning, Liam surges into action. The rusty chains snaps with a roar and he throws himself at his captor.

By the time Liam works through his frustration on the no longer moving vampire, the other minions have returned. It turns into a brawl far more desperate than the one at the motel, with Liam able to fight his way outside successfully.

Once he reaches the night air, Liam wastes no times in dropping himself into the back waves below. The splash is covered up by the minions' yells, giving Liam a chance to escape his execution.

Not requiring air, Liam stays underwater until he reaches the pier. Once he does, the crowd above covers any noise made climbing up it's frame. Not even the surprised seagulls draw any attention and let him slip away into the night.

Wet boots squelch with every step as Liam returns to the neighbourhood he found Faith. Passing more than a few houses that should have been condemned years ago, the vampire with a soul can't help but scowl.

Yelling reaches his ears long before he creeps into the overgrown yard of the duplex. Insults fly back and forth between the thirteen year old girls parents, with the vitriol making even him feel sympathy.

But the light in basement room makes him sigh in relief. Dropping down to his belly, Liam crawls to the dirty glass. His supernatural vision the only reason Liam can make out more than curse words smeared on the glass.

The girl trying to lose herself in her homework mostly fits the description he was given of Faith. But the style is completely off and it's taken him a few days to make up his mind. She's young, still time for a personality change or two.

Once the girl can't take the fighting above anymore, she makes a sudden angry move towards the window. Forced to back away fast or risk discovery, Liam barely gets himself concealed in the cedar bush separating the yards.

Yellow light spills across the lawn as the disgruntled Faith Lehane pulls herself out the window and raises a middle finger towards the fighting inside. "Let's see how long it takes you to notice I'm gone this time."



Notes: I pulled my neck while sleeping and it was really hard to write. Sorry for cutting this one so close to the end of the day.

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 40: On The Road Again​

With the car loaded for the weekend trip, we only have our last passenger to wait for. A very anxious Amy was over before I even had breakfast ready.

The relief at getting away from her mom, is something even a normally bubbly Fred picks up on. So while I set another place at the table, Amy explains what she overheard last night.

"Mom signed me up for fat camp over the Christmas break." Her face is tight with betrayal as Amy unconsciously bares her teeth. "But everything in the suitcase is her old stuff."

Angel's worried eyes shoot towards her friend. "You're running out of time."

"Tell me something that doesn't fill me with existential dread." To spite her mother's plan, Amy ignores her diet by grabbing the good syrup.

Challenge accepted. "I'm getting a new car this weekend."

Snorting at the non sequitur, Amy tries to relax enough to enjoy her waffles. The discussion slowly covers our plans in Los Angeles and how they'll have most of Saturday to themselves.

I can only smile to myself when one of Fred's feet starts brushing against my own and try not to get distracted. "Jenny and I will hit the Oracles after we drop you off at the Maclays. Get that out of the way before I introduce her to everyone."

"And we're going to have our magic lesson on Saturday?" The witch in training is eager to finally have someone who can answer all her questions.

Nodding my confirmation, I glance over at a smirking Fred. Her toes dance across the top of my foot as I try not to blush.

"Angel and Fred will have the afternoon to themselves. But we'll all meet back up at the Hyperion for dinner." Apparently Merrick wants to talk to me about something before patrol and I figure it will just be easier for me to order a dozen pizzas.

Buffy even said please when she called last night. Which means this is more important than just showing off the finished rehab room Billy has on reserve.

I let the teens take care of the clean up when they offer. Very relieved I didn't even have to make a passive aggressive remark, the peaceful moment washes over me. And I let it.

A grin spread across my face as I revel in the way things have turned out. Despite waking up in a death world only a couple of months ago, somehow I've managed to find happiness.

The bonds I'm forming may be new. But fighting beside someone really does forge them faster. Too late for me to just walk away now, I'm in this for the long haul.

Caleb isn't going to just forget me and I still have my own demon army to banish. Is that even the right choice though?

Pylea has innocent people too and the Scourge isn't going to spare any of them. It was all I could think of when I was fighting alone. But I'm not alone anymore, am I?

Maybe I should be using this trip to ask for help. The sudden honking outside pulls me from me morose thoughts and back to the moment.

"Jenny's here, last chance to pee." After a first life filled with road trips growing up, I am not taking any chances with a car cram packed with five people.

Both Angel and Amy dart out at my reminder, leaving me and Fred a rare moment alone. Not going to have many of these this weekend.

"Lorne made us a mix tape." The grinning genius pulls said cassette out of her purse and winks playfully. "He said if he's not going to be keeping the radio safe, it's the least he can do to protect us all from your terrible taste in music."

"See if I get him a present now." Grumbling to myself, I ignore Fred's snort of laughter and follow her outside.

Already waiting beside the Corolla with her Dufflebag, Jenny waves once we make our appearance in the morning sun. "You ready to put your money where your mouth is?"

After a couple bets that turned out exactly like I knew they would, Willy had gotten me enough of a nest egg that I can actually start making some real investments. It's one thing to tell people what stocks to buy, it's a whole other matter to provide the capital yourself.

If things don't turn out like I expect, that's fifty grand down the drain. But even if it does pay off, it's not like I'll see the money for at least a decade. Guess I can always fund the new Council if everything still goes to hell.

"You're always welcome to bet on a real team." Smirking at the more technically inclined teacher, I tease her for being a staunch supporter of her own hockey team. "You know, if you want to make some money this year."

"Loyalty means something where I come from." Jenny laughs off my comment, tossing her bag at me when I get close enough.

After the teens rejoin us, it doesn't actually take that long to get on the road. The ballads that start belting out once Fred slides in the tape are somehow just what we all needed. Of course Lorne knew that.

At first we just all hum low in an attempt to gauge each other's interest. But once 'The Time of My Life' plays, even I find it impossible to keep myself quiet.

The miles whiz by with laughter and I know these are the moments I'm fighting for. Being able to smile in the face of so much evil and pain in the world. That's the real battle we all need to fight and I'm finally ready to try again.

Half an hour outside Los Angeles, the tape finishes and conversation resumes. With me realizing now is probably the best chance to get some female opinions on a potential creep.

"So what do you think of Warren?" I couldn't notice anything that screamed problematic yet. "Is it alright if he comes over again with Willow on Monday?" But I wasn't the one working on the robot.

Amy is the one who's known him longest and considers her words carefully. "I think he's amazed at how many girls can keep up with him. Because he's not nearly as rude as I remember him being in chemistry last year."

Well that sounds like a good thing. "He's not creeping anyone out?"

"Not anymore than Jesse does each time he opens his mouth." Rolling her eyes in a mix of annoyance and interest, Amy doesn't say anything about Warren that I find damning.

"He still sulking?" I know he took my words hard, just hope he gets over it soon.

Black lips curl into a grin as Angel answers. "Not anymore. He's spending all his time trying to get on a team now."

"Which one?" I hope it's not swimming.

"Whichever one he can," Explains a very amused Amy. "He's already tried out for both baseball and track."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 41: Fatel Attraction​

Once we drop everyone off at the apartment, I waste no time bringing Jenny to the Oracles. I wasn't sure how to find them at first and even started to worry I was going to look like an idiot.

But the second I made finding them a conscious effort, the directions appeared in my head. Like I had always known the way, my body instinctively steers us towards an empty lot.

"So is this when you hack me to pieces?" Wary at our surroundings, Jenny gives me a scowl when I shut off the engine.

"If I really wanted you out of my way, I would have just thrown you at the Grenlar." It would have gotten rid of any evidence.

Nodding cautiously, Jenny takes a few seconds to detect the magic nearby. "... Oh."

"They like privacy." In the time it takes me to explain, the empty lot shimmers as the illusion encompasses us. "And they aren't so fond of 'lowly' mortals. So be on your best behaviour please."

While she hums her non commitment to the request, I open the trunk for the last thing we need before entering the marble door inlaid with gold. It seems to be attached to nothing and yet I know it holds a touch of divinity beyond it.

The stolen jacket is carefully removed from the dry cleaners bag I've been hiding it in. Sliding it onto my shoulders with barely a grimace of distaste for it's original purpose, I can only hope it will help today. Even an Oracle has to be lonely sometimes.

The second the jacket is on, a wave of interest surges from Jenny. It's so instant and overwhelming, I almost consider slapping her. Not worth it even if it does work.

"Stay focused. I told you about this thing already." Growling at her lack of convincing response, I can only roll my eyes in annoyance. "... Not my fault if you forget any questions."

"Nothing could ever be your fault Francis, don't be silly." The simpering is cringe inducing.

Best to just get this over with. "Can I get that in writing? Might come in handy if Enyos ever comes to town."

"My uncle will be here just after Easter. The Elders have already booked his flight." Jenny's quick infatuation only makes me more sure of my theory.

The jacket must create some kind of feedback loop. The more mystical energy a girl has, the more intense the attraction.

It would explain how half the female half of the student body could still function when Lance actually came to school. And why Willow, Anya, and Buffy have such immediate reactions when they encounter RJ. Each one is chock full of power.

The intricately carved marble splits down the middle and opens inwards. A chorus of children singing invites us to enter with any queries and we do so.

A long hallway of the same white stone eventually leads us to a round room. A single bronze brazier set in the middle casts a warm glow of orange light.

Shadows dance along the walls as the voices singing start to age. Soon wails of the elderly replace the once joyous music and I try not to shudder.

Before us the orange light morphs into an eerie green and casts it's sickly glow on us. But in the time it takes to blink, the light is once more the comforting orange.

The voices are gone and so are the dancing shadows. Both now merged into a pair of golden siblings, runes of pale blue glow faintly against the metallic sheen.

Togas of the darkest brown humbly cloth the duo as they have very intense looks focused on me. The scowling brother is about to speak first, only for his more curious sister to interrupt with a gesture.

"You intended to seduce fate?" The voice that comes out of her golden lips echoes faintly with bells. "To what end?"

"He clearly intended to bend you to his will!" The sneer of her brother slides right off me. "Just like all of the mortals, the seer is flawed." But it doesn't stop him from trying to melt me with it.

My snort thankfully is loud enough to cover up Jenny's mystically induced snark. "Of course I am."

"At least this one knows his place. How meaningless he truly is in the face of existence." Smugness fills the brother's entire being as he stares me down.

"Well see that's where you're wrong..." Confident in myself, I let the gleaming siblings know exactly why. "Someone above you thought I was worth gambling on. Because unless you think it's Jasmine sending me these visions, you know we have the same bosses."

Shock and fear mix in equal measures as the twins recoil away from the name. The entire foundation of the temple shuddering around me to make sure I know that name is forbidden.

"But you seek to change more of the plan than you are shown," Grumbles the now less pompous brother as he starts treating with me with an actual scrap of respect. "You reach too far."

"And if the Powers thought I should follow the plan closer, they wouldn't have let me see such a detailed outline of the next eight years." MY confidence roars hot as I finally vocalize my plans to someone who might actually care.

"As long as I live, I'm going to spend every single day trying to make things a little bit better!" The fear and pain I experience with every vision has made me care about strangers in a way I never thought possible before. "The Powers want me to follow the plan more closely, they better just lobotomize me."

The speech hangs in the air, both siblings examining everything about me in silence. But when they turn to each other in unison, I'm confused by the proud smiles they share.

"He is an..." The brother's voice actually sounds teasing right now and I have to blink away the shock. "Adequate choice. I withdraw my complaints dear Sister."

"As I knew you would." Her response is equally playful as the sister turns back to me. "Now I believe you came here for a purpose Seer."

Nodding carefully, my voice comes out filled with trepidation. "I did."

"So ask." Now seeming to be amused by me, the sister runs a a golden hand along my cheek. "And we may answer."

"But not until he offers proper tribute first. We are not a charity." Her brother stares me down with a smirk taking over his every feature.

"Uh..." Kind of forgot about that. "You want anything in particular?"

Stepping away with a sorry look, the sister explains with a gentle whisper. "It must be gold."

Only have one thing that fits the bill. "Alright."

Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pull out the wedding ring. Regret fills me for a moment until I remind myself the ring is Doyle's past and the answer to the question my future.

"Will this do?"

Taking the ring without a word, the brother closes his eyes to focus on something. "It will. You may ask your questions now."

"What makes the visions transfer?" Blunt with my words, I can barely contain my anticipation right now.

"Love," Explains the sister at the exact moment her brother contradicts the answer with his own.

"Death."

Growling at the vague non answer, I cross my arms to stop myself from getting physical. "I gave you one ring. I want one answer."

"When you make the choice that leads to death, love will ensure the visions endure." Smiling even as her brother grumbles, the golden sister explains in more clear terms. Still not crystal though.

"So Fred and I just have to worry about the other kind of accident?" That's a strangely mundane relief.

"And can you let Jenny know Liam's off limits to her family." Remembering the reason I'm not here alone, I tune out while the Oracles explain things to her.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 42: Magical Morality​

The awkwardness felt when Fred presses a goodbye kiss to my lips is more than worth it after the wait. Angel's giggles don't even bother me. But before I can get carried away, she pulls away with a grin that promises more later.

"You all better still be in this dimension by dinner." Her eyes dart to the book I recovered from Seidel back when we first met and shift into a concerned frown. "That book doesn't give me any good feelings and I don't want to have to come looking for y'all."

"I've decided good old fashioned violence will probably be effective against the Scourge..." Everyone looks horrified when I finally reveal what happened with Lucas. "Besides, they'd probably just come back with a bigger army."

But to my great relief, none of them seem upset with my failure to act. They all have varying degrees of hatred expressed towards the demon supremacists.

"That's what you need Liam's help with?" Jenny took the words of the siblings' well enough and has the Book of Kelsor ready for study on the kitchen table.

It was all the Oracles would give me when I asked for information on Mohra demons. So it better have something useful inside those pages.

"One of them." Admitting that out loud makes Jenny's expression soften unexpectedly.

"I'll help anyway I can." My fellow teacher's voice is filled with conviction as she meets my gaze. "And I bet Willow will even help make you a whole pack of those robot dogs." Wonder how the search for that dalmatian is going?

It's only her mention of the Jewish girl that makes me realize the source of her sudden passion for my cause. Her people went through the exact same thing.

"We actually deal with my mom and you can count me in." Amy doesn't hesitate to add her own voice to the mix.

"We should probably let you get on with that," Interrupts a blushing Fred. "Meet you all at the hotel around six?"

"Make sure to get a Hawaiian for me." Easiest way to get nearly a whole pizza to myself is cover it in pineapple.

Gags of disgust great my request just making a smirk take over my face. "You don't like the order, you can always pay."

Jenny actually seems to consider it until she adds it all up in her head. "As long as the rest are edible."

The door closes behind my girlfriend and ward, leaving me alone with four eager witches. Tara has been devouring the book on primal magic all night and though Mary seems most interested in the museum photos, she gives me her full attention.

"Lets start with a few basic rituals. Some simple stuff to gauge your potential." The mother studying to retake her nursing exam puts away the more advanced books I brought and leaves only two on the table.

"Glad you had the sense to ignore the title." Opening up the copy of 'Remedial Witchcraft' that Amy has been using, Mary smiles at all the sticky notes marking certain pages. "Only a few spells actually care about male and female. This is one of the better books to start out with."

Amy and I exchange intrigued looks before I respond with curiosity flowing from me in a torrent. "Really? I thought that kind of thing would have been important."

"A few care about the body. But those all have very specific results." Mary's explanation doesn't get any argument from Jenny and I soak in the information. "Some care about the soul, really only a handful though."

The pages stop flipping as Mary finds the ritual Amy performed at the zoo, the book being held up towards a chuckling Jenny. "Do we all learn this spell first?"

"Any witch with thin walls," Agrees Jenny, her dark hair shaking with each laugh.

"What are you talki-" About to ask for clarification, Amy suddenly stops as her face goes cherry red. "... Oh."

Deciding it's best to play dumb, I force any look of understanding from my face. "Must really help with sneaking out to do those midnight rituals under the moon."

"Exactly." Winking at the smirking mother behind me, Jenny deftly avoids any further awkward discussion on the subject.

"If you're going to be my tutor..." Frowning at the insisted upon delay, Amy turns to the techno pagan with a frown. "Why did you make me wait until today before you'd teach me anything?"

"It's too easy for beginners to reach beyond themselves on a Hellmouth. So many demons are waiting to fill the gap if a spell's power is too far beyond the caster, it's safer to find yourself at a distance first."

Good time to answer my own concerns. "I'm not going to get hooked on magic, am I?"

"Only the darker magics will give you withdrawal symptoms. But in general, the dependence comes from how easy everything becomes." Mary gives her daughter a stern look that implies previous conversations on the subject.

Taking over while the family have a silent back and forth, Jenny finishes the warning. "People are lazy and most will take the easy way out. That's what is truly so addicting about magic."

Incense is lit and a cloud of chalk tossed on me. The sneeze bringing out my spikes is nearly instant and is followed by my annoyed mutters.

Forced to sit through over twenty minutes of meditation, I barely feel more than a slight tickle on my skin. "Is something supposed to be happening? I mean besides the headache."

"Just like I thought..." Giving me a look of pity, Mary tries finding the words that will let me down gently. "Most of your potential is being used to make the visions clearer."

"Most of my magic is being used like rabbit ears?" That's incredibly lame.

"You're the only case in recent record where a seer has more than just the visual." Jenny's look is completely lacking any of her former distrust. "And the only one I know of who got all five senses." Snorting at her assessment, I still can't help but be jealous of everyone in the room.

"Point of view horror movies aren't really that much fun." Would definitely trade a few senses for the ability to make a fireball.

Trying to soften the news, Tara proves she's the sweetest one of the whole lot. "You use your magic to make helping people easier. You really are a hero, auras don't lie."

"Since I'm not going to be learning how to do it myself, this is my plan..." I explain how all the different pieces are supposed to go together, with Mary being surprisingly fine with it.

"A mother tries taking her daughter's body to regain her lost youth?" A devious look fills her eyes as Mary agrees to help. "I can't think of a punishment more fitting."

When Jenny is focused on her own studies with Amy, I take the chance ask for help with the memory spell. Don't want Jenny to know it was me who ruined her second vengeance.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Interlude 7: Boston Breakout​

Iron chains dig into Liam's wrists, suspending him over a dunk tank apparently filled with holy water. The week long interrogation has left him moaning with inarticulate pain each morning. But he is allowed no respite, the agonizing process just begins once again at sunset.

The shadows growing on the warehouse walls are Liam's only sense of time as he waits for the torture to resume. Another hour and Trick will be back.

The pain coursing through him is nothing compared to the feeling of failure. They have Faith's address.

Whenever Liam gathers enough strength to make another attempt at escape, his muscles just strain uselessly against the restraints. Unable to use his increased strength without leverage, the champion still gives it his all each time.

"Almost..." Teeth grit against the burning in his shoulder blades, Liam tries with all his might to snap the metal.

Even with all his remaining effort, he soon hangs feebly in the air. Groans are the only sound the distraught vampire can make as he waits for Trick's eventual return.

The sound of a bird whistling goes unnoticed for a few minutes, the despondent Liam ignoring anything but his own discomfort. But when the music gets both sharper and picks up an accompanying chorus, it becomes impossible to miss.

"Well isn't this quit the bind you found yourself in." The smirking face of Whistler is suddenly in the warehouse, the hacksaw he has making short work of the chain.

With incredible reaction time, the balance demon snatches the chain before Liam can plummet into the possibly acidic water. Strength far beyond a normal human's is used to carefully lower the champion to the floor.

"Whistler?" Disbelief at his saviour's sudden appearance fills his voice as Liam accepts the hand up. "What are you doing here?"

"Saving you..." Smirks the guide sent by the Powers, his smarmy voice straight out of a fifties detective movie. "Can't let Allen get away with all that slander."

Blinking as his pain washes away as quickly as Whislter arrived, Liam strains his ears for any sound of Trick's minions. When he doesn't hear anything, the champion can finally relax a single degree.

"Slander is lies. You really didn't tell me anything important."

"Wasn't my call to make at the time." Shrugging off the ire, Whistler doesn't have a single shred of shame below his tacky fedora. "But things have changed and it looks like you don't need me anymore. I probably wasn't supposed to interfere, just figured you deserved a face to face goodbye."

"... Thanks?" The vampire with a soul gives his former guide a wary look.

"Don't look so glum. Things are looking a whole lot better for you now, if not everyone else involved." Walking him out of the warehouse, Whistler casually steps over a few piles of ash on the way.

Something about the tone triggers a warning bell in his head and has Liam's brow crease into a scowl. "Who?" Buffy better be fine!

"You used to have such a cram packed destiny, I really didn't know how one vampire was supposed to pull it all off." Whistler hands Liam a patio umbrella, after transforming the a drink one to full size with just a snap of his fingers. "But now I get it. Not sure I approve of the ethics personally though."

"What are you talking about?" Confused and growing more annoyed by the second, Liam barely controls his glee at the sight of his Camaro waiting on the boardwalk.

"Well I hope you know how to share. Because by the time you're back in America, that destiny will be split three ways." The words should be lighting a competitive fire inside him, Liam is fully aware of the balance demon's intent.

But he doesn't care and snatches the keys from his former guide. "Vampire used to be both the plural and singular. The prophecy doesn't have to be talking about the same vampire, Doyle already explained it to me."

"Did he explain his plan to deal with the Master is going to get somebody killed?" As a last ditch effort to steer him back to California, Whistler attempts to create a rift between the Irish demons. "Or how the prophecy says it's supposed to be the Slayer?"

Grit teeth and a snort are Liam's initial response, his following words just as conclusive. "Yep. That's why he's dealing with the Master before she moves."

"Alright. Good luck Liam." Whistler doesn't get in the passenger seat and gives a visibly sad wave goodbye. "Sorry I wasn't allowed to tell you anymore. But I was always rooting for you, please know that."

In the space of a blink, Liam is nearly deafened by a shrieking train whistle. But when his eyes flicker back open, nothing is different on the pier except for the absence of Whistler. Guy sure knows how to make an exit.

Angry yelling notices him and when Liam sees Trick with his minions, a feral smirk fills his face. Oh... This is going to be satisfying.

Roaring towards the vampires at top speed, the champion internally cheers at how many go over his hood. His only regret is that Trick managed to avoid the road rage and he actually considers switching into reverse for a second try.

When guns come out however, Liam decides it's not worth replacing his car and continues back onto the pavement. Faith's home takes nineteen minutes to reach, with every single second feeling like agony to the vampire with a soul. She has to be okay!

The two extra cars in the driveway are far too fancy to be any of the Lehanes' friends, making Liam realize with roaring guilt it may already be too late. He slams against an invisible barrier, not relaxing in the slightest when it happens. Only one of them still needs to be alive.

The noise brings company from inside. With two burly vampires already in game face ready to fight by the time Liam is back on his feet.

"Thought it was the girl..." The Cuban vampire snorts at the sight of the roughed up Liam. "You better get inside if you want a drink of the mom, she's only got a couple litres left. Dad kicked the bucket a few hours ago."

"Thanks." Liam feigns gratitude only to stake the pair when they turn back inside.

He does the same to the female vampire drinking from the moaning mother, only to watch Mrs Lehane fade before he can reach her. With a growl of self hate, Liam grabs a few of Faith's things before leaving. Better be able to pick up her scent before Trick finds her.





Notes: If this interlude wasn't any better, I'm going to try doing the next one in 1st​ person.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 43: Cards On The Table​

A head of platinum blonde hair makes my eyes widen in surprise as soon as we enter the lobby. When she turns to greet us and reveals Angel with a bigger grin than I can ever recall seeing before, I take full stock of her new look.

Long and flowing black leather skirt, blood red corset, and fishnets are what really pop. But most importantly, I can clearly see how much she enjoys the appreciative looks from the braver members of the Gunn Show. Glad Angel's finally starting to crack out of her shell.

As I notice the curly haired brunette beside the girl everyone thinks is my sister, I'm forced into stunned a double take.

Guarding two pizza boxes from the hungry hands of the crew, Fred looks simply stunning. "About time you got here, these guys eat like Lorne."

"Did you go to the salon with Angel?" Her black leather pants are tight enough that I can feel the strain and I know Fred can see me staring based on her pleased smirk.

"You actually noticed that?" Snorts a Charles Gunn as he proves why he's the leader of the crew, his hand sneaking away with one of my Hawaiian slices. "Cause if I didn't like you so much, no way I could resist the new look."

With no reason to get mad about such an obvious compliment, I just nod back with a knowing grin. "I know the whole world has eyes, that's why I didn't waste any time asking. Just amazed she said yes."

"So am I." A playful smirk lets me know he's just playing around and decide to return the favour.

"How are the Brits?" I haven't seen any of the Watchers yet and want to get an honest opinion of them.

"Gwen got a snowplow on my truck and it's been great." To my shock, Gunn is a lot happier to be working with them than I had expected. "I can go right through a pack of vamps now and ever since she told me to replace the wheels with solid rubber, I haven't been replacing them every few nights."

Is he talking about Gwendolyn Post? The crazy woman who wanted the lightning glove?

A grim feeling settles in my gut as I start planning to search the cemeteries. Can't really take chances on something like this. I need to find the Glove of Myhnegon before she makes an excuse to check out Sunnydale.

"-nd I guess Sirk's alright." While distracted I missed out on Gunn's opinion on Giles. "He's been the one handling the resale of anything we find in a nest, gives everyone a fair cut." But I do start listening again in time to hear about a name I don't recognize.

"The junior ones? How are they?" Buffy said they're pretty green.

"Lydia knows her vampires," Answers a contemplative Gunn. "She got us right on this guy Winter's trail."

He noticeably doesn't have anything positive to say about the final Watcher. "Wesley is just a prick too full of himself to listen to common sense. He's too much of a pansy ass to even come on patrol with us."

"He was supposed to take a bullet for you." Blunt with my words, I notice Gunn go slack with shock. "But I think I probably screwed that up along with Alonna getting turned. So I'm still going to call that a net positive change for you."

"You've had visions about us?" His hand is shaking when I feel it grab my shoulder desperate for the truth.

"You've been in a few. The crew not so much." Really hope I changed that.

His eyes go hard and his grip tightens. "What about Alonna?"

"It's why I gave you the apartment. Vamps couldn't get her inside the threshold." The conversation continues around us, with Fred the only one close enough to really hear the words.

"You saved Alonna..." Gunn's lip trembles right before he pulls me into a desperate hug. "You ever need anything. Anything at all and I'm already on it."

Before he can let go, I take him up on the offer. "Want to help me kill some demon Nazis?"

"Hell yes I do!" His roar of encouragement is carried by the rest of the guys and it's only then that I realize the crew has actually grown in size. Even got a few girls hanging around now.

The front doors swing open, Buffy and the tweed brigade entering with a smattering of greetings. Once I lock eyes with the Slayer, I know this is my best chance to be honest with Gunn.

"Before you get too carried away, it's about time I told you my whole story. We're friends and I want you to trust me as much as I do all of you." Hope that helps convince them all to listen.

"Already do, you're as good as family Doyle." The words mean a lot and I hope they aren't about to be taken back.

"Well you see I'm not one hundred percent human." Rip the Band-Aid off fast. "My mom got taken advantage of by a Brachen demon and I popped out ten months later."

For the first few sentences, everyone looks ready to pounce on me. But once I soften the blow with the tale of Doyle's origin, I branch out into the subject of friendly demons.

"It's not common. But it's not a rare occurrence either." To my amazement, Wesley is the one to come to my defence with the facts. "The Council has friendly relations with several different demon clans around the world."

"You for real?" Gunn is having a hard time rationalizing such conflicting world views. "Some demons are good?"

Again it's Wesley who steps up to the plate and earns my gratitude. "I have made contact with the Kwaini here in Los Angeles. I could bring you to my next check in with the tribe."

"Wait a second..." Alonna interrupts with shock pouring from her. "Is that what you do when we all patrol? You go talk to friendly demons?"

Shrugging at all the stunned expressions, Wesley admits his own duties in the city. "... The Council wasn't sure how you would all react. So I was assigned the role of making contact with the more tolerant species and told to keep them away from the patrol routes."

"Why?" Still not fully convinced, Gunn stares down the bespectacled Watcher.

"Just because someone looks different, doesn't mean they're a monster. It's what we do that defines us." Allowing my demon side out, I draw the full attention of everyone in the lobby. "I kind of thought you'd know that. But if you really want me gone just say so, I'll never come back."

Buffy looks like she wants to defend me. But Merrick silences his Slayer with a stern look she actually responds to.

No one gives Angel any such signal though and she has issue with me possibly being kicked out. "You even think about saying anything nasty right now and you better have insurance on this place."

The words are delivered evenly and with no hint of backing down. But instead of making Gunn or his crew furious at the threat, hoots of approval start to ring out.

"I'm not dumb enough to argue with your sister. Even if I start winning, you got another one and that niece who can back her up." The Maclay woman give firm nods of agreement.

"And I'd have a few angry things to say about it," Adds Buffy as she cracks her knuckles, implying her own brand of revenge would also be in store for the crew.

"Anyone got a problem with Doyle?" The promise of violence in Gunn's voice brings a smile to my face. "You got one with me!"

"Well if that's the case..." Something has been worming it's way through my brain every single time I see Gunn and in this moment I finally remember the cause. "After we deal with my demons, how about we go handle yours." Pulling him in for another hug, I whisper so only Gunn can hear the final part. "You know, get that soul back for you."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 44: Adjusting The Deal​

Even after I hype everyone up with the idea of taking out the Scourge, I have to admit that I only have a single piece of circumstantial evidence to lead me right now. But Gunn is happy to have busy work he can send his sister on instead of coming to the casino.

Once Alonna left with Fred and Angel to go investigate the shelters, any sense of good humour fled from Gunn. "Jenoff has more than enough muscle to take us out. This is just going to get everyone killed, it's not worth it."

"Yes you are." The first one to argue is Buffy and her glare bores right into her bald ally.

"You all know what to do?" Trading a soul for a truck should be just enough of a loophole to get this done safely. "Mary?" Can't believe Sirk thought of it with such little information.

The silver fox nods stiffly and looks up from her huddle with the other witches. "Almost ready to start the ritual."

"Any particular reason I'm not coming inside with you?" The Slayer isn't happy at being stuck with the job of keeping the witches safe in the parking lot and reminds me with yet another tense growl. "This spell should make you useless."

Well I'm not sure you're ready to handle the truth of the Slayer's origin. "Because it's a casino and you're sixteen."

"Well sure, if you want to be all logical." Her eyes roll in irritation, quickly followed by her tongue blowing a raspberry my way.

"I'm hoping Jenoff will be reasonable and just let me buy what we need. But if he wants to be difficult..." Cracking my neck to loosen up, my firm stare meets Gunn's nervous one. "I'll have Wesley kick his ass." That should ruin his reputation for at least a decade.

"Me?" Blinking in horrified shock, the youngest Watcher in Los Angeles rapidly pales. "But I've only fought one vampire before and that was under controlled circumstances!"

"Fine, Rupert can be the useful one." I was trying to give you a chance to impress.

Gunn interrupts with loud cough before putting the kibosh on that plan. "This is my screw up, I'll be the one who gets his hands dirty."

"Wear this." Gwendolyn's ever present scowl softens a shade, a gaudy emerald amulet in her hand.

"What does it do?" With no hesitation, the crew leader slips the gold chain over his neck.

The question just makes the prim watcher snort with amusement. "Absolutely nothing except glow. But it will make the demons think it's what's stopping Jenoff from hurting you."

"So the demons will try attacking us instead?" Gulping at the idea, Wesley's left leg starts vibrating. "That's just wonderful."

Mary thankfully explains the specifics. "The pacifism spell will return the pain meant to be inflicted three fold. A demon tries hitting you hard enough and they may just keel over dead." Can't have Pyleans killing each others cows after all.

"Shouldn't you bring in some support?" Trying to restore some authority, Wesley looks over the three of us warily. "This Jenoff may have humans in his employ and they will be free to commit violence."

"You will be just as restrained by the spell," Giles admits he has found a flaw in my plan. "Shouldn't you be waiting outside?"

Not going to happen. "It's my plan, not putting anyone else on the chopping block if things go tits up."

"As admirable as that is, it's equally stupid," The older English man counters with a confidant smirk. "You will just be a liability Allen."

The blunt truth makes me close my eyes and take a deep breath to steady myself. "... Alright, you win. I'll wait out here."

With a final wish of good luck, Gunn and Giles enter the casino once Mary gives the signal. The tension among us waiting in the lot grows by the second.

When it gets nearly unbearable, Buffy needs to distract herself with words. "Did I pick right with Giles?"

The weight suddenly pressing down on me when I notice her desperate stare, nearly sends me to my knees. Buffy really cares what I think.

Really need to be careful how I phrase this. "I'll always be around if you need help. But you can't depend on me to make choices for you."

"I'm just worried about the move. Mom's having a hard time finding anything affordable." Anxiety surges through me as Buffy fills me in on the divorce proceedings. I have way less time than I thought!

"How long?" I'm not letting you face the Master.

"Just after the exams." So I have until the end of January.

"Well if you want to keep being a cheerleader once you transfer, you should know the girls at Sunnydale do more than just shake tail feathers." You really need to step up your game if you want those pom poms.

She doesn't seem nearly as bothered as I thought and shrugs it off with an easy grin. "Not really sure that's for me anymore. I've been spending most of my free time writing."

"Oh?" I really do need to watch what I say around these kids, they're like sponges.

"It really does help me calm down after a patrol and Mom loves my new hobby. So thanks for suggesting it Doyle." She's dropped the Mister for now and I make a note to remind her she'll need to bring it back in the classroom. "Dad was even talking about sending it to one of his publisher friends once I finish."

"Giles is a good choice, I couldn't have picked better myself." Admitting that gets Buffy to sigh with relief.

Her tapping foot finally stops and Buffy tries to hide the full scope of her smile. "Really?"

"He's not as stuffy as you think." My words only get Buffy to snort in disbelief. "I mean it. He's an actual person under all the tweed and you'll probably even like him."

"I just don't want him to get hurt." The guilt in her voice leads to a question I've been dreading. "Why can't you just be my Watcher?"

"I'm not really qualified." You and Liam need different kinds of guidance. "I was actually going to ask if I could join you for training. Since I seem to keep ending up in the hospital, figured I should learn how to fight like a girl."

"Oh..." The petite powerhouse frowns for a few seconds, only for the expression to morph rapidly back into one of triumph. "So does that mean I'll be the teacher?" Her eyes go wide with delight. "You'll have to call me Miss Summers!"

Before I have a chance to correct her assumption, the doors of the casino swing open. The sight of Gunn and Giles with arms around each others shoulders is strange. But we Giles actually kicks his heels on the way down the stairs, I realize something unexpected happened.

"That was fast..." Checking my watch to see only forty minutes have passed, my only clue is the way Giles scratches at his forearm.

"Ended up having something more valuable than a truck." Gunn grins up at the British man, the gratitude so thick I can taste it.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 45: This Is Going To Hurt​

"You get this thing and I have to take away all your cool points..." Gunn stares incredulously at the brown minivan with a strip of wood paneling. "This is for soccer moms."

Ignoring his attitude, I focus on the fact it has seven seats. "I have to drive a bunch of teenagers around, pretty much am one now."

"Can you keep a secret?" He's tense enough that I don't take offence and wait for Gunn to gather his thoughts. "Being around all you smart guys has got me thinking maybe I should think about getting my grade twelve."

"You need any help?" Ecstatic at the news, I try my hardest not to overwhelm the eighteen year old.

Gunn shakes his head and lets me know his plan. "Didn't you say to give Wesley a chance? I figure he helps me with the books, I help him not be such a wuss."

"Why you want that kept quiet?" Wouldn't Alonna love to hear that she's not the only one going back to school?

"Not sure I can do it." It takes a lot of courage for Gunn to admit that and his fingers dance across the side of the van. "Never been anything but the muscle before."

He's been tense even with his soul restored. But I can't quite put my finger on the reason and try to feel the guy out carefully.

"Takes more than muscle to plan everything." Scowling at his self defeatist tone, my hand firmly grips his shoulder in support. "An idiot couldn't have done everything you have."

"But I still would have gotten Alonna killed!" Unable to shake my words from last night, Gunn locks frantic eyes with me.

Guess it's time for some cold hard truth. "It could still happen, world's a dangerous place. I know it's only a matter of time before I make the wrong call and someone winds up dead." And I have to figure out how to live with that guilt.

Once the paperwork is signed, the two of us make a few stops on the way back to the Hyperion. I make sure to replace my bat with a pair of metal ones before getting a few things with sharp edges.

The address Merrick gave me is one of the few places with combat ready weapons instead of just fancy props. It takes all my resolve to only get what I need. But I know this will become one of my regular stops each month.

A few swords of various sizes, a couple different axes, one of those fancy trench shovels, and an assortment of wicked looking knives, all get bundled into a crate for a very affordable price. I even get Gunn an authentic looking roman blade when I notice the trail of drool puddling beneath him.

"Can't wait to try this thing out on a fang banger." He gives it a few practice swings, an expression of pure glee on his normally stern face. "It's going to hack heads right off."

"You ever going to tell me what happened with Jenoff?" Shoulder checking as I turn back into the street, my curiosity rears it's ugly head.

"You going to tell us what happened in Vegas?" Countering with a cocky grin, Gunn diverts away from an actual answer. "Tara just goes red whenever we try asking."


As much as I'd like to just drop the subject, I need to know Giles is safe to be around. "Pretty sure I have a rough idea what happened. So I'm just going to ask if you think it's over."

It takes a few minutes for my passenger to make up his mind. But eventually he decides I've earned that much at the very least.

"It's over. Didn't even take Jenoff up on his offer of a free roll."

"Good." Dropping the topic with a firm nod, I pull into the hotel's lot. "Saves me from having to figure out tattoo removal later."

"You got any lotto numbers?" Gunn's grin is only teasing.

Yet I can't resist the urge to show off. "Not great with numbers. But you want to make so fast cash, Red Wings are going to win the cup the next two years."

"For real?" His eyes are gleaming with excitement, knowing all about my own investments this weekend.

"Until the angels start paying us, consider this our dental plan."

We share a laugh and head inside to find a sweat drenched Wesley sparring with Buffy. Several crew members already moaning in pain on the mats nearby as the eighteen year old Watcher somehow finds the will to stay on his feet for a whole nine minutes.

The padded suit absorbs most of the force. But Buffy's not holding back and each of her strikes lands with precision. Each time she knocks him over, the gasping Englishman forces himself back into a ready position.

"Is that all you got?" Swaying from what may be a concussion, Wesley has confused the Slayer with a hat rack. "Well I guess it's my turn now!"

With a gasp I assume was supposed to be a savage roar, Wesley shuffles forward with all his pitiful speed. When he's within arm's reach, the junior Watcher throws himself at the hat rack.

The bulky suit snaps the antique wood like a matchstick, one end flying up to smack Wesley in the face. His yelp of pain doesn't get any of the expected laughter and after he finally stays down, a few of the guys actually clap.

"Doyle!" Noticing my presence, Buffy eagerly pulls me onto the training mats for my turn. "You got here just in time. You did say you wanted to spar with me."

Me and my big mouth. "Well this is going to be embarrassing."

"Don't worry," Alonna remarks from the sidelines with a teasing grin directed at her brother. "Not even my brother can last two minutes with Buffy out of the fat suit."

"Two minutes seventeen seconds, thank you very much." Corrects an indignant Gunn, his arm crossing annoyed with a huff.

"So I'm not allowed to leave until I can beat that." Shaking out my demon side, I know the increased strength is just going to make Buffy hit harder. "Someone set a timer."

"Ten bucks says Buffy drops him in thirty seconds!" One of the new guys who missed out on the homecoming battle holds up his bet eagerly.

Thankfully some people have a little faith in me and Fred proves it. "Make it twenty."

Angel and Gunn end up making bets I know are only to spare my feelings. But Tara gives me a sorry look as she puts her allowance down on Buffy beating me down in under a minute.

"Sorry Allen. But she's incredible, you're just awesome." Avoiding direct eye contact with either of us, Tara has turned a very interesting shade of pink.

"Just remember I need to teach tomorrow. So no touching of the hair or face." Smirking as I make another reference only I can recognize, we begin to circle each other.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 46: Progress​

The way Buffy instantly shifts back into a ready stance has me wary. But to my surprise, I'm not torn apart in a few seconds.

Fighting vampires and demons for a few months seems to have improved my reflexes. Enough that why Buffy's lightning quick punches start to fly, I actually manage to block about a quarter of them.

The rest still get delivered with painful force that knocks me around the mat, getting hoots from everyone who bet against me. But when Buffy switches things up with a kick, I do what Liam already showed me.

My arms clamp around her calf and the valley girl gasps when I use her momentum to toss her over my shoulder. The silence in the lobby is deafening and it takes Fred's excited cheering to snap the crowd out of the shared stupor.

"You use that on Allen all the time!" Her good mood is infectious and soon Angel is calling out her own encouragement.

Gritting her teeth, Buffy just springs back up ready for more. "You've gotten better."

She launches at me with no more sign of holding back. Her punches are coming faster by the second, leaving me few openings to even look up.

After she lands one that I know my ribs will be complaining about tonight, I stop acting like it's even possible for me to win. Once I give up on blocking focus on my own strikes, a few start slipping through Buffy's guard.

"We can all be better than yesterday and I've had a few." Panting for breath, I can't hold back the grin even as Buffy tries her best to wipe it off my face.

"It's just weird thinking you did homework." Hopping over a desperate leg sweep, Buffy is clearly enjoying this just as much. "And it was for gym."

A sharp pain in my gut is followed by all my air being forcibly expelled. Buffy's knee drives into my chest as she catches me off guard, sending me down hard as Tara lets out an excited squeal. Traitor.

While at first I think Buffy lets me have a few seconds to recover out of kindness, when I manage to get back on my feet, I see her signs of exhaustion.

Red in the face and panting like I've never seen before, Buffy has actually broken a sweat. "Brachen have incredible stamina Miss Summers. Don't give Allen a chance to catch his breath!"

Wesley's warning isn't ignored and send the Slayer right back towards me. The punches are a little slower than before. But I'm not in a condition to still match the pace and quickly get pushed to the edge of the mat.

The chain of attacks ends with a snap kick to my jaw, making me smash through some of the new drywall when I do finally stop flying through the air. Cackles of laughter are mixed with a smattering of groans as bets are claimed.

"Wait!" Interrupts the action with a thoughtful expression. "Didn't you say no face shots?"

"Indeed we did." Scowling at her wrist, Gwendolyn reminds us the other term. "He was only supposed to last two minutes..." Everyone glances at the clock long forgotten over on the counter. "The Seer nearly managed four."

Forced to agree, Giles starts cleaning his glasses to avoid making eye contact with his soon to be Slayer. "I do believe that means Allen wins the bet."

Watching him pull a crisp fifty out of his wallet and hand it over to Jenny makes me do a double take. Was her initial interest in his bumbling genuine? It wasn't just some way to get closer to the vampire with a soul?

"This was a lot of fun. When are you coming back for round two?" Trying not to look to hopeful, Buffy gives me a cautious look from the corner of her eyes instead.

"Just before Christmas," My explanation is quickly followed by my intention to bring the Maclays to Sunnydale for the winter break. "One of my students has a pretty shit night planned and I'll feel terrible if they have to sleep outside."

Fred's already got a flight booked to go see her parents back in Texas. But I managed to correctly argue it was too soon me me to join her for a family holiday.

Not that I actually had to try very hard. I think she needs a break from all the strange.

"We should have the pool filled. This place might actually start looking decent by the time you come back." Alonna stares with crossed arms at her now twitchy brother.

"But it's going to cost so much and for what?" Not seeing the same potential reward as his sister, Gunn blinks in surprise when Buffy speaks up.

"Well I'd start going for a swim after most patrols. Especially if you get the hot tub cleaned out."

Her casual comment gets a few of the other watching girlfriends to voice agreement. The shift in mood makes Gunn realize why people waste money on such a luxury and he stops arguing.

"Guess it's not such a terrible idea..." His eyes dart over to the Watcher only a few months older than him and his voice becomes a whispered threat only I end up hearing. "As long as Wesley keeps his eyes to himself."

Rolling my eyes at the rivalry, I try not to let the amusement reach my face. "You want her kept safe, I already told you the safest place in America."

"Already got her an open ended bus ticket," Retorts a grumbling Gunn, one hand rubbing his smooth head anxiously. "She wasn't too happy about that."

"You really want to turn this place into a clinic, you're going to need more than one nurse." That should help keep her out of the action for a few years.

Aware of the problem already, Gunn fills me in on the current plan."Sirk's talked to a few grad students. This one guy Wilkinson, he's even agreed too check the place out next week."

"That's great!" I'm not even faking the excitement. It's obvious one of my students has the symptoms of a brain tumour and I want to give Morgan the same chance Billy got.

"And don't worry, I'll keep the crew looking out for the Scourge. You'll know the hour we do." After giving him back his future, Gunn has been very intent on returning the favour.

So has Giles now that I think about it. Which is really all the confirmation I need about his tattoo being gone. Not sure if his friends are still targets, but Giles isn't going to be a beacon now. ​

 

[Flightless Man]

Interlude 8: Turnpike​

After travelling across the country on his chopper, Pike pulled into the first well lit gas station he saw. Sleeping by day and riding straight through the nights, the Slayer's ex boyfriend has finally arrived on the East coast just a couple hours before sunrise.

"Just enough time to scope out the area and grab some food." His eyes warily scanned the empty lot for trouble of the biting variety.

After he finds none, a relieved sigh escaped the brunette biker. But the feeling didn't even last long enough for his tank to finish filling.

Angry shouts are shrieked out the front door as the culprit made a dash for freedom. The teenage girl only a few years Pike's junior tried to escape with her snacks, only for her frantic steps to send her tumbling to the asphalt.

He stared down at a face filled with raw terror. But instead of ratting her out like Faith feared he would, Pike pulled her up with a firm grip.

"Hop on."

The offer should have been rejected out of hand. Yet Faith seeing no other option, let the handsome stranger pull her onto the bike.

"Names Pike." He wasted no time in roaring the engine back to life and raced into the street before the clerk could stop them.

Several blocks passed in tense silence before Faith relaxed enough to provide her own name and a brief cover story. The nervous stutter did little to convince Pike and he brought her to Quiznos for answers.

"Now you want to tell me what's got you so freaked out?" His curious stare settled on the hungry girls face mid bite and notices the way her eyes bugged out.

A tired hiss escaped the dark haired girl in grade eight, her face pale from the horror of whatever occurred."... You wouldn't believe me, the cops didn't. They just hung up and told me to stop wasting valuable resources."

"Try me." Having lived through his own brand of insanity, Pike's expression was nothing but open.

So she did. With watery eyes that occasionally became actual tears, Faith explained the recent changes in her life.

"After mom got arrested in May, her brother and his wife had been looking after me..." Grief filled the teen's entire body as she broke down in the restaurant, no care for any onlookers as she sobbed into a stranger's arms. "It hasn't been easy, Irene miscarried and I know it was because of the stress."

Not having heard a reason for the cops the hang up yet, Pike could only respond with vague words of support. None of his bog standard phrases are enough and he could only listen to the whole sad story.

"But when I was about to sneak back in tonight..." Faith's hands shake so hard it spread to the rest of her body. "I could hear her screaming and looked in the kitchen window first."

Anguished beyond anything Pike could comprehend, Faith explained the scene of horror. "They killed my uncle. He must have had every single knife in the kitchen shoved through his back."

"Who did it?" Having already made the logical conclusion, Pike only wanted to here the younger girl say it first.

"Not who..." Faith's head shook firmly from side to side, not a shred of doubt in her voice. "What."

When Pike didn't flinch away or start laughing like the police did, she relaxed enough to describe the monsters' faces. The forehead ridges and glowing yellow eyes, with deadly fangs drinking the blood from her sobbing aunt.

"If those aren't vampires, what is?" Completely sure of herself, Faith scarfed down the rest of her sandwich before she the ridicule began.

"You serious?" A tired groan escaped Pike. "I left California to get away from those freaks. I guess I really do have to go to Ohio if I want a safe life."

"Ohio? What's so great about that place?" Confused by the random complaint, Faith is desperate to find out what he meant by safe.

"Only place I know of without any vampires. They avoid the place like the plague according to the people in the know." His grumbles at the unexpected danger Boston has become, Luke realizes this is probably the person Whistler told him about. "I was going to stick around for a few days and see the sights. But now I'm not so sure."

Faith's eyes dart once more to the front door when some road workers dropped in for coffee. But once she was confident they aren't going to turn into monsters, she managed to relax again.

"But if Boston is this dangerous, I think I should probably just turn around after we finish eating." Tired fingers scratched at Pike's scruffy chin as he made a show of thinking something over carefully. "If you want, I can give you a ride out of this hellhole."

Not sure what's so special about you. But you do fit every single description that I was given when Whistler woke me up in my motel.

Still unconvinced this girl could be a hero like Buffy, Pike doesn't want to just leave her in downtown Boston. If she really is just a normal girl with shit luck, I'll leave her with foster care in Broadview Heights and start looking again.

"Uh..." Faith has swivelled around one more, only this time her voice is filled with valid concern. "People are supposed to have reflections, aren't they?"

The dark haired man who just entered looks frantic as he sniffs the air. As he comes closer to the pair's table, Pike's gaze is directed to the empty mirror beside the new guy.

"Yeah. That's a vampire." His hand slide up his sleeve to emerge with a stake. "Stay close to me and get ready to run for the bike if he makes a move. I'll deal with him if he tries anything." It's only one, I should be able to handle him.

"But he's a monster!" Shocked at the strangers bravery, Faith doesn't have enough of her own to reject the offer.

"And I'm not mean enough to ignore someone who really needs help." Pike couldn't help but think back on the words of his favourite teacher. "As long as I don't ignore the people around me, I'm doing my part."

With his signal, the duo made a frantic dash for the door. Pike ignored the mans calls to wait and led his new friend to the bike, only leaving once she has her helmet securely fastened. Mister Doyle's not even around to see, why do I care?​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 47: Alliterative Assignment Assessment​

After Russel notices how stiff I'm moving on our patrol through the halls, he actually has a bit of a scowl when he asks about my weekend. "So you I hear you've been spending an awful lot of time with Jennifer."

The perpetual grating tone I've learned to live with from my balding friend, turns up the scorn by a few degrees. But I really can't think of what I've done wrong and admit it.

"What are you talking about?" She came over once and spent the weekend doing magic with the girls.

Scoffing at my claim, Russel's face takes on a pinched look. "The librarian claims the two of you saved her."

"She's new in town. Fred and I decided to show her around." Not aware the words make his frown deepen, I allow my nose to work it's magic on the students who are trying to avoid my notice.

"Fred?" I can't tell if his voice is filled with envy or just regular irritation at all the students crowding us.

"My girlfriend, I swear I've told you about her." My quick answer gets an audible sigh of relief from the shorter man.

Nodding stiffly, Russel concedes the fact. "Just not by name. Was starting to think you had a whole group of friends I didn't know about."

"One second." Catching a whiff of something that doesn't need to be within a hundred feet of Snyder, I turn to point a stern finger at one of the smokers. "Not on campus Kyle! I've already given you one warning, now you're going help me scrub the showers after school."

"But that's not fair!" The bully slams a hand against the closest locker.

"I can always bring you down to the office and make a little phone call right now..." I let the threat hang in the hallway, his fellow smokers starting to panic behind him. "You decide who punishes you."

The overpowering scent of weed hangs around him like a cloud, his blue shades doing very little to conceal the red eyes. But as much as he tries to act tough, the teen wavers after only a few seconds of eye contact.

"Fine. You win..." Grumbling at his choice, the scruffy teen can only curse my nose.

"Better be in my class five minutes after the bell. You aren't going home until we get every single stall sparkling." Refusing to bend after having a nearly identical conversation last week, I stare down the teen until he shuffles off with his friends.

"What did he do?" Glaring at the teens' backs, Russel's voice loses some of it's earlier edge. "I didn't see anything."

Knowing the vice principal will take it way too far, I play dumb with a shrug. "He knows what he did. Otherwise he would have actually put up a fight."

"Why didn't you bring him into the office?" The first bell rings and yet Russel isn't going anywhere until I share the gossip. "I could have had the punk squealing by the end of first period."

"Because he's smart enough to hide the evidence." He didn't smell strong enough to actually have anything on him. "Just too stupid to keep his antics at home."

He chases after a straggler and lets me enter my classroom, the students nearly all seated already. It's easy to see the shift in the groups seems to becoming a more permanent thing and I feel a tad guilty about it. Those three had been best friends forever, didn't really think I could mess that up with just a few conversations.

Sitting with the jocks and cheerleaders near the window, Xander's popularity seems to be sticking. Butt even if Jesse is no longer giving him the stink eye and has followed his lead, Willow looks completely heartbroken in the back row.

Amy and Warren have replaced the two slackers at the desks flanking the redhead and the lovebirds are right in front of them. The rift between the friends is something I really have no idea how to mend, not when Jesse refuses to even talk to me outside of class. He needed to hear it.

The message seems to have stuck at least and I haven't seen the lanky teen bothering Cordelia once since the zoo. But if his new friend Percy is any clue of his intentions, I'm going just to end up pissing him off again in a few weeks. No point patching things up yet.

Jesse's going to hate me if I get rid of the new coach right after he joins the swim team. And since I'm not just going to let the guy experiment on students, I know it's an eventuality I can't avoid.

"Who likes poetry?" Starting my lesson with a question I know will mislead most of the students, I smirk when the majority fall into my trap.

Only a few hands go up with confidence and I give Willow a grateful nod when hers is the first to rise. A couple more hands only go halfway up and with a whole lot of hesitation, with nervous glances darting around the class for any sign of judgment.

"Why don't you like it Larry?" Calling out one of the many teens without a hand in the air, I let the footballer speak his mind.

"Because it's lame girl stuff." The way he instantly looks around for his friends support is incredibly telling and I have no idea how he's managed to get away with his persona for so long. "Why would I care?"

"Was Kurt Kobain lame for writing it? What about Tupac or Freddie Mercury?" The jock has no verbal response and can only shake his head weakly. "If you like music, you like poems."

"I want you all to bring in the lyrics to your favourite song next class. You're each going to dissect to words of one and tell me what you think they mean." I even manage to head off any smart asses by setting a few limitations. "No curses and any sex talk better be metaphorical enough I can play dumb if Flutie asks."

Once I give the homework, we spend the rest of the class going over the various figures of speech. With the everyone getting drawn into it once I pull out the bag of candy.

"Longest example of alliteration gets a chocolate bar and everyone who gets at least seven words can grab a Halloween candy." Plopping the clear bag plastic bag I got super cheap the morning after the holiday down on my desk, I give everyone three minutes to write something down.

Calling time, I have them all pass the papers to the right to avoid any last minute additions. Quickly going around the room, I have the students read out the rushed attempts.

When I get to Cordelia and ask her to read out Xander's, the Queen of Sunnydale High blinks at the amount of words. "I don't think you want me reading this out loud."

"It can't be that bad." Walking over to her desk with an outstretched hand, I notice Xander sinking down into his seat. Maybe it can.

"Let me see it." Pink in the face, Cordelia happily hands over the sheet of loose leaf.

Instantly I'm impressed at how words he got in a single sentence that all start with the letter S. But as I start reading the words out loud, the crudeness makes me want to run the science lab and use the eye station.

"Stupid Snyder sucks slimy slugs, sensually seducing seventy six shitty sacs-" that's as far as I get before I decide to just give Xander the win.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 48: Amy's Mom​

"Just remember this when a plan needs me to go on a pretend date with George Clooney." Glaring at the magic jacket on our kitchen table, Fred exhales with more than little frustration.

"He's hot and charming as hell," Retorting without consideration for my audience, I have to roll my eyes when a few of the teens gasp. "You better let me come if that happens."

She snorts in relief before taking a deep breath. "It's not fair, you aren't jealous."

"I trust you. Doesn't mean I'm not taunting every hot guy we see in my head." That seems to do the trick and Fred's expression becomes a more relaxed grin.

"Did he just say..." Shocked at my words, Amy's eyes are darting back and forth between Warren and Willow.

Nodding slowly, Willow whispers her agreement. "I think he's a little bit gay."

"And I think you two have been staring at the screen for almost an hour. You any closer to getting a working program?"

The Jewish genius goes pale and shakes her head with a frown. "I don't think we're going to. I don't think the original Ted ever came up with one."

"The android has been walking around for a few decades. I think it's safe to say he had software written." But probably burned it once he finished.

"That's not what she means." Jenny interrupts with a frown and even Amy is nodding along beside her. "Ted wasn't just scientific. Somehow the scientist uploaded all of his memories into the metal shell."

"Like what my mom is trying to do." It looks like Amy is doing everything she can right now to hold in a scream of fury.

Going green in the gills, Fred realizes what that could imply. "Does that mean I killed Ted?"

"I think so..." Jenny pulls away Ted's scalp to reveal a cracked sapphire. "It looks like this is how he stored his essence. Going to be pretty expensive to get a replacement and experiment."

"That sounds like something straight out of a horror movie." Pulling in on herself, Willow is very unsettled by the turn in conversation.

An idea blossoms in my brain and I can't ignore it despite my best efforts. "How do you feel about animal testing?"

"Allen!" A month into her newfound vegetarianism, Fred is shocked at my blase attitude.

"Yeah, that probably sounded pretty horrible." Cringing at the looks my students are giving me, I hurry to clarify my point. "I was talking about magic animals. This would give us an off switch if they can't be reasoned with."

Not sure how intelligent a Primal actually is. But I feel bad they're just locked up in a zoo and intend to try getting them away from Weirick.

"What, something like a Chupacabra?" Trying not to laugh, Warren lets his greenness show.

"Maybe farther South. But they aren't very common on this side of the Rockies." Not realizing it was rhetorical, I repeat the same thing I found in one of the magic books in my meagre collection.

The conversation cuts of suddenly when the porch light flickers on. It doesn't become an awkward silence though as a key opens the door with no problem.

"Thanks for walking me home. I really didn't want to go to that party." Slightly dishevelled from an evening at the Bronze, Angel lets the absent Xander inside.

"Jesse was mad I didn't bring him last week. This time he can have the stories for tomorrow, maybe he'll finally get that bug out of his butt." In another one of Liam's dress shirts and slacks, Xander at least looks apologetic when he sees everyone else already here. "Oh. Hey guys."

"It's not like this was anything important." I can hear the barely concealed hurt in Amy's voice as she tries to play it off. "We're just trying to make sure I get to keep my body!"

Guilt explodes on his face as Xander does nothing to deny it. "I know and I'm really sorry. I've been letting all the attention go to my head, totally wasn't cool of me."

"So why are you here now?" Willow isn't letting him off with just a quick apology, her arms crossed with a fierceness foreign to the redhead. "Got tired of Harmony's tongue?"

"Devon wasn't really taking no for an answer. So I told him I'd walk our teacher's sister home so he could go party with Harmony." Nervously he runs a hand through his gelled back hair.

Earning at least a small favour from Fred, Amy decides to give him a chance. "Well since you turned down one sure thing tonight, want to seduce my mom?"

"Uh..." Blinking at the sudden change in topic, Xander's entire face crinkles in concern. "This is a trap, right?"

"Just grab the jacket and walk me home. She'll be so shocked I actually brought a boy home, she probably isn't going to remember you." Amy's firm words are followed without question and before he knows it, Xander is heading right back out the door.

"Just get her to the museum. I'll be waiting inside with Jenny and Amy." With everyone else far enough away to avoid making any big moral choices tonight.

"The seal will really block Cathryn's magic?" Always the curious one, Willow of course has some last minute questions.

Using the cover story we came up with in Los Angeles, Jenny takes the burden of lying off my shoulders. "Long enough so we can send her to the Hyperion for treatment."

"I guess I'll be living with my dad for a while." Amy really doesn't look upset by that realization in the slightest and soon a smile is splitting her face. "No more insane diets."

"You really aren't going to get mad at me if she gets a little grabby?" Trying to cover his bases, Xander makes Amy say yes three times before he lets them leave.

"You know all know what to do?" Handing out the walkie talkies, I give them all wary looks. Don't need any of you running inside tonight.

"Keep the kids out of sight and let you know if a Latino guy tries to get inside." Fred grins at my mothering antics and reassures me they aren't going to try fighting the Mummy's protector. "We aren't going to try stopping him, don't worry so much Al."

Letting a wheeze of dark laughter escape me, I share how much pressure I truly feel right now. "Can't help it. Anything goes wrong and it's kind of all my fault."

"Not all..." Trying to help, Jonathon blurts out the first part before he realizes how his words sound. "I just mean, Cathryn is the one doing this. So you can only take half the blame at most."

​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 49: Phase Three​

Once Fred and her group are in position around the museum, I strong arm one of the side doors open. Using the janitors cleaning supplies as a marker, I lead Jenny quietly towards the exhibit.

Finding the best spot to wait is behind the princess, we have to freeze both times a security guard checks on the room. But before my knees really start to get stiff from the awkward position I chose, familiar voices can be heard whispering.

"Looks like the plan worked." Hisses Jenny, pointing at the middle aged woman clinging to the sophomore.

Amy was supposed to tell her mom Xander was going to take her to the museum and Cathryn drove them like we figured she would. In distance from the parking lot to the museum, the mother had interposed herself on Xander's arm.

Watching Cathryn simper after the teenager is only amusing for a few minutes. Quickly growing uncomfortable at how forward the mother is being, I try to stay quite.

Waiting for our moment of confrontation, I make sure Jenny has the primal spell book ready with a quick glance. Confirming we're ready, I give Amy the signal.

A sharp whistle confuses the mother for a second. But Amy and Xander are both quick to act.

He uses his bulk to hold Cathryn in place, letting her daughter unleash a tongue lashing far beyond her literary capability. Someone helped her prepare that speech.

"First my clothes and now my boyfriend..." Amy blocks off the hallway with sternly crossed arms, while Xander has a strange expression at the title. "What's next Mom? You going to try taking my life?"

"It's not like you're using it." The security lights in the Inca room cast an eerie yellow glow over the enthralled witch as she presses herself against the rapidly paling teen. "Xander will appreciate what a real woman can do with it."

Amy's conviction filled words come only a moment after her mother tauntingly licks her friend's cheek. "I needed to hear you say it first."

"Now!" Jenny urges me into action and I throw myself over the sarcophagus just as Cathryn's eyes start to glow.

Charging at the terrible mother, Xander shoves her right into my arms before the spell can finish. She tries to keep her focus on Amy. But I know what she intends and force her face down towards the desiccated princess.

Struggling in my grip, Cathryn is soon faced with overwhelming demonic strength. Once transformed and at full power, I'm able to use one hand and lock her gaze in place.

"No!" Pure unadulterated terror pours out of Cathryn.
"You wanted to be young again Mom..." Amy growls from behind me as the magic locks onto the sacrificial soul. "Now you can be sixteen forever."

Too late to stop the transferal spell, Cathryn's last words are a terrified shriek. Her essence swaps with the princess, being put to sleep instantly due to the still unbroken seal.

But just to be sure this is permanent, Jenny rushes forward with the pigs blood and starts brushing on the sealing symbols. Amy's rage has vanished along with her mother's soul and Xander uncomfortably pats her back.

Turning towards me with a growing frown, Xander makes it clear he knows what just happened. "I thought the plan was to use the seal. But you put Cathryn in the corpse, didn't you?" His tone isn't judgmental though.

"I protect my students." The vehemence I say it with is something I wasn't prepared for. "From shitty parents and monsters, to things as simple as minimum wage jobs." But I'm not going to deny it now that I've thought it.

Disbelief gives way to respect as Xander slowly nods his understanding. When Amy starts to sniffle, he gives the distraught girl his full attention.

The confused and most likely panicking Princess has suddenly found herself in a modern museum, far away from her ritual sacrifice in both years and miles. As soon as she starts to speak, I realize a problem with my plan.

"Does anybody speak Incan?" Because I can't make heads or tails of her rapid pace use of a dead language.

Making it clear we have no weapons, I try to mime an explanation. But I'm pretty sure I just made her think I want her to eat the mummy based on the disgusted look she gives me in response.

She at least is responding positively to Xander and I get him to hand me the jacket. "Good job you two, Fred will take you home after you finish up here. I need to get the Princess out of here before the girls start falling for me."

Not waiting for them to answer, I offer my arm to a now far more willing woman. Since Cathryn drove Xander and Amy here, I can just take her car to Los Angeles tonight. And drink a couple gallons of coffee before work, otherwise I'll have to stop getting mad at kids falling asleep in my class.

To my great frustration, I find things outside have not gone nearly as well. Jonathon is clinging to the guardian's leg and is being pulled across the pavement as the Latin man pursues Warren with a curved knife.

Scanning the area for the others only makes me furious. A groaning Fred is looked after by Willow and once I make sure it's not from a stab wound, I charge at the man who did it.

I know you aren't supposed to give away the element of surprise. But when he gets close enough to slash at the terrified Warren, I'm left with no choice but to bellow.

Shocked at my arrival, the Incan protector turns to face an actual warrior. He was not prepared for an actual monster though and nearly drops his weapon at the sight of me.

The feeble attempt to cut me is stopped easily and I waste little time crushing the man's wrist in my grip. The roar of agony is darkly satisfying and I follow it up with a knee to the gut.

With his wind knocked into the parking lot, the warrior collapses at my feet gasping for air. The only other sound I can hear over my own heavy breathing, is the sobs of relief from both teen boys.

"Thank you!" Warren throws himself at me and only beats Jonathon to it because the other teen was on his belly. "I thought I was going to die."

"What happened?" Trying to control my rage so I don't hurt the fallen man anymore, I point to Fred with a growl.

"He came up behind Marcie and knocked her out. But Fred just shot him with her stun gun. Pants a shaken Jonathon. "He didn't really seem to notice and punched her out."

Nodding fervently, Warren voices his own contribution. "Willow went to check on Fred and I thought it would be great idea to throw stuff at a guy with a knife."

Finally realizing how much junk is on the ground, I can only let out an impressed whistle. I'm not only amazed they didn't run away. But I'm eternally grateful they protected Fred and can't think of anymore reason to hold Warren at arms length.

"Tell Fred I said you could have a copy of the schematics." Considering how things could go wrong, I do have a firm warning to give though. "You need to figure out how to program the software yourself, no giving the sex-bot sentience, and do not make it look like anyone we know."

Going even paler than the fear made him, Warren looks anywhere but my eyes. "... I'm not making a sex-bot."

"You're fifteen, of course you are." Not actually caring, I let him know that fact. "Everyone masturbates, I'm not judging you for making the best toy on the market. Just remember me when you're a millionaire."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 50: Princess And The Peon​

Racing South along the freeway, none of my questions get more than a defiant growl out of the guardian currently restrained in the backseat. Not willing to risk taking off the jacket quite yet, I also have to endure indecipherable flirting.

"Alright, clearly you have big brass balls. So how about I tell you what we did and you can decide if we're still enemies." And to my astonishment, the grim man actually gives me a new response.

It's not vocal. But his slow nod gives me a bit of hope.

With each sentence describing our plan, his defensive posture shifts into one of respect. When I get to the part about the evil mother's fate, he even snorts with amusement at the fitting punishment.

"As long as the seal wasn't broken, our homeland will remain safe from evil." Finally speaking, the middle aged man of Incan descent has decided we are not in fact foes. "You may call me Apo and I am Princess Qullana's guardian."

Hearing her name, the Princess starts listening to to the conversation more closely. Even though she can't make out any words, she's able to catch on to the lowered hostility.

"Didn't really seem fair that such a young girl was sacrificed by her people." Letting a bit of my own judgment show, my lips curl into a sneer. "This let me kill like four birds with one stone."

"She was not sacrificed..." Now with a frown of his own, Apo corrects my claim quickly before it can take root. "Qullana was chosen by the gods to protect us from the evil tainting the lands. When she was fatally injured, she used the last of her power to seal the darkness inside her own body."

Pride, love, and reverence, are directed at the infatuated Princess. Apo has nothing but praise for the woman I thought he hated and it makes me see some uncomfortable parallels with another sixteen year old girl. Was she a Slayer?

That's a chilling thought and makes me wonder about the evil once tainting the Inca empire. Did they seal a Hellmouth down in South America?

"Can you translate?" The tone of the whispers in my ear is getting more seductive and I'm starting to get worried Qullana can physically overpower me if she gets aggressive. "Would really like to take this jacket off before something awkward happens."

"My role was to blend in and follow the Princess around the world. I studied every culture but my own and only know a few words of the old tongue." Regret tinges his voice as Apo uses a few of those words to promise his protection to the woman the world thinks is Cathryn Madison.

"If one of the Watchers can't, I'll chew on a shoe." Those stuffy Brits are always good for useless information like this. "We've set up a rehabilitation clinic and you two can stay as long as you need. They can get Qullana caught up with what's happened and teach her English."

I would. But I've already got enough people depending on me and I really don't have the time she's going to need.

"And after?" Curious about my plans, Apo seems to be leaving the decision up to me.

"All depends on if the Qullana wants this to be a resurrection or a reincarnation." If she wants her memory wiped, the rehab is going to be focused on making her think she's Cathryn with amnesia.

But if she wants to remember who she is, she just needs to learn enough to convince the neighbours. Amy will be living with her dad no matter what happens, I guess Apo can just take her old room.

"These Watchers..." Thinking on the what I've shared, Apo's eyes take on a look of understanding. "They protect the Slayer as my family has the Princess?"

"Yeah. Evil's all over the world and we do our best to smack it down." If I do nothing in the face of my visions, can I really even still call myself a good man?

"You are one of them?" Apo's slicked back ebony hair really makes the scar on his cheek stand out.

Before he gets the wrong idea, I firmly deny the question with a shake of my head. "No, they actually get paid to look after the Slayer. I'm more of an independent contractor with a chosen one of my own to guide."

Not really sure exactly when I took the role on. But at this point it's impossible to deny my involvement in destiny.

I also seem to have picked up more than a few impressionable teens who I know could all use a stable adult. It took Giles far too long to realize he had more than just Buffy's eyes watching him and I'm not going to waste a few years ignoring everyone else.

"I would have thought you a warrior for good in your own right." Groaning for emphasis, Apo finds my claim hard to believe. "Who is this hero you guide and why are did they not help tonight?"

"I'm kind of filling in until he gets back...." Wait a second. Does that mean I'm not just a guide anymore?

Frowning at my own doubt filled tone, Apo has more questions that are increasingly difficult to answer. "When is that?"

"Um..." Shit. "I'm not actually sure, maybe a year or two. I sent him on a test to prove himself a true hero."

"I think this is just as much a test for you." Apo smirks at my sputtering. "By the time he returns to you it will be as partners facing evil together."

Sighing as I realize he's probably right, I can't even put up a token argument. Would really be hypocritical of me to try after I gave how many people the call to adventure?

"Well how come I haven't gotten a guide?" It's not fair if I'm pulling double duty and don't even get vacation time.

Snorting at my growing hysteria, Apo brings me back down to Earth with only a few words. "You said you had visions from the gods. Would that not count as guidance?"

Fine, be all logical. "And the only way I'm getting rid of them is by screwing someone I love over."

"Which is not something a hero would do." Nods the now smiling guardian as he seems to have his suspicions confirmed.

"But I don't want a destiny." I'm pretty sure it's a pitiful whine that escapes my lips. "They all suck."

"You should know better than anyone. The gods only share our fate so it can be changed." Apo's words are full of support and I relish this moment where I can be vulnerable.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Interlude 9: Future Hopes​

"Buffy? Alonna?" After a morning breath filled yawn escaped from Tara Maclay, she answered the door just after three in the morning.

Alonna at least looked calm, if a little bit confused by something. But the Slayer was a bundle of barely contained nerves

Left both nervous and a little excited to find her favourite person pacing in the hallway, Tara . "What's wrong?"

"Doyle dropped someone of at the hotel tonight..." Entering when the witch steps to the side like she's been trained, a very. "He thinks she's a Slayer from about six hundred years ago. Some kind of Incan Princess."

With the shocking news dropped on her, Tara had a hard time deciding which question to ask first. Not alone in her shock, even Phantom Dennis seemed intrigued. The temperature of the roomed rose a few degrees and the lights flashed a little brighter.

Frantic black words appeared on the white board as Dennis desperately pleaded for answers. He brought her back to life, how? Can he do it for me?

Once the phantom's questions are read by the girls, uncomfortable glances are exchanged between them. Tara isn't sure what actually happened and so it falls on the Slayer to disappoint.

"He didn't stick around long enough to say what happened. Just dropped her and some guardian off, was gone before I even finished patrol." Annoyed at the near miss, Buffy can only try to keep herself busy until the Watchers get some answers. "Since my parents haven't stopped fighting for three days, I was kind of hoping I could crash here."

"Charles wants me to talk to your mom," Adds an irritated Alonna when Tara's curious gaze landed on her. "Guess he's been talking to Doyle about getting a recommendation. Because I kind of need a ride to Hemery in the morning too now."

"You're not worried about being behind on anything?" Always trying to do her best, Tara can't help but show her concern over so many years on the street.

A firm head shake is followed by one of Alonna's trademark smirks. "Don't tell my brother we aren't just making out the whole time, it's way too much fun screwing with him. But Wesley has been helping me get caught up and he thinks I'm only a little bit behind Buffy's class right now."

"Isn't that kind of backwards?" Buffy couldn't help but snort at the image, cheeks already pink as memories flash through her mind. "I tell Mom that I'm just going to study all the time and I'm barely getting a C average."

"At first I just thought he was a wimp..." With a tired shrug, Alonna allowed herself to get a little defensive after so many days of her brother's scrutiny. "I went with him to meet a couple of the demon clans. Wesley didn't even flinch when he had to shake the slimy things hand."

"... Are you talking about the same Wussley I know?" Shocked at such a claim, Buffy is having a hard time believing the words.

With a deep blush of her own taking over her face, Alonna could do little but squirm uncomfortably. "He's not that bad anymore. He gets in the ring with you more than any of the other Watchers."

"Giles actually comes out on Patrol," Buffy reminded her with a sudden defensive tone to her voice. "Post at least makes herself useful. But Sirk creeps me out half the time and I kind of think Lydia is obsessed with that William guy."

"I think Charles is jealous that Giles will be leaving with you." Once she admits her brother's newfound closeness with the Watcher, a grin appears on Alonna's face.

"Well he's part of the reason Mom is looking for a nice quiet town." With crossed arms, Buffy reminded the younger sister about the crews reputation. "She wants me away from the gang life."

Having already looked at the statistics on Sunnydale, Tara couldn't remain silent on the matter. "It's not really a quiet town though. It has a higher death rate than some active war zones."

"But it's affordable enough for Mom to get herself a house and a gallery." Buffy's anticipation rose by the day and she had done nothing to dissuade her mother yet. "And I'll at least have help fighting vampires. Better than just starting over fresh somewhere I don't know anyone."

"Allen comes down to visit..." Sudden anxiety filled the witch with a still unrecognized crush on the hero. "Will you come with him?"

"Not really sure how I'd explain that one to my Mom." Shrugged the former cheerleader as she tried to think of a way to play it off as a normal reason. "Maybe we could get him to drop me off at my dad's for the weekend?"

Forced to accept the maybe, Tara hung her head in disappointment. "I'm really going to miss you."

"You're already going to Sunnydale for Christmas." Buffy tried to hold in her own worry about the coming move. "Just make sure to act like you enjoy the trip and I'm sure you'll make a bunch more. We're still going to see each other."

"He's dating that genius girl now," Alonna pointed out with a raised eyebrow directed at the pink Slayer. "You still going to play the long game?"

"I've already had three boyfriends since January, who knows how long this will last." Trying to avoid facing reality, Buffy's thoughts are never the less filled with dreams of a future with the Irish teacher. "Besides, I can't really date a teacher. That would make mom even madder than being in a gang."

Feeling sympathy for the unrequited love, Tara tried to keep her face neutral. "What are you going to do?"

"Wait until I graduate and hope they figure out they're just better off as friends." Shrugged the petite warrior as she finally admits reality may be a bit of an issue in her romance.

"You're just rebounding because Pike was such a dink." Alonna couldn't agree less with conversation being stuck on misery. "You're moving to a new city so take advantage of the fresh dating pool."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 51: Angel​

Allen drags his feet the entire walk from his van to the classroom, groaning audibly when we have to climb the stairs to the second floor. He made us stop at Blockbuster on the way and has the surprise movie ready to go.

"Bring back a television from the AV room please." Once he takes attendance and makes the entire class take a moment of silence for one girl absent all of last week, Allen sends Daniel to hand it in. Unless you'd all prefer the book instead. I really don't recommend that option, Forrest Gump is a notoriously horrible read."

Shooting my hand up, I make sure to wait before he calls on me. "Why are you letting us watch something?"

"If I mute it and put the subtitles on, it still counts as silent reading." Rubbing his bloodshot eyes, Allen is really giving off a hungover vibe.

Feeling guilty about getting half a night's sleep, I don't push the exhausted man any more and let him dim the lights before any rumours start. If I cause him and Fred too much trouble, they'll make me go back home.

"Anyone who talks loud enough to bother me, is writing lines at lunch." Slumping at his desk, Allen motions for Daniel to hit play as soon as he gets it set up.

As soon as the silent movie begins, Daniel takes his seat behind me. Before the opening scene is over, I can hear the shorter blue haired boy whispering about Allen's strangeness with his friend Devon.

"Didn't he give us a five minute speech the first day about how he's not one of those lazy teachers who just pops in a movie?" The bass player is more concerned than judgmental so I don't say anything in defence of my 'brother'.

But the lead singer is not nearly so kind and gets a warning glare when he snorts a little too loudly. "Looks like the guy got dumped and spent the whole night at the bar."

That part does get my hackles up and I whirl around in my seat to hiss at the moron who doesn't look any better right now. Is his shirt inside out?

"Like you're one to talk. Do you actually own a washing machine?" That mustard stain has to be at least a week old.

"He'd have to go home long enough to use it first," Whispers the shorter Daniel with a smirk aimed at his friend.

Shrugging off the scorn, Devon "School has a shower I can use, no reason to leave the party early."

"Who are you still partying with after I leave?" Not bothered at all and only mildly curious, Daniel's gaze turns back to his friend.

"Uh..." Caught off guard, Devon tries to come up with something cool. "College chicks."

Glancing at the more relaxed of the two, I catch Daniel shaking his head bemused. The singer gets ruffled by his friends knowing look and grumbles in annoyance.

When he does finally get over the teasing, Devon tries to recover a few cool points. "Saw you at the Bronze last night. Want to come with me tonight?"

"Definitely not." The rejection comes easy and gets another chuckle out of the bass player. "I've got at least that much self respect." But not a whole lot more.

After my firm refusal, the band mates leave me to enjoy the rest of the movie in the silence Allen intended. But once they leave me be, I can feel someone else staring at me.

The feeling of dread is back and churning my stomach with worry. He can't be here!

Frantic for answers, my eyes dart across the classroom until I seem the awkward teen with the blue cape watching me. Caleb can't still be in Sunnydale, Allen would have found him by now.

Forcing my breathing to slow down to a normal pace, I nearly miss the bell because of my deep concentration. The only reason I'm not forced to run to the computer lab is the cape wearing Martin's cough.

"Angel?" We're the last two in the room and I follow him to our next class. "I've noticed you're dressing differently. Kind of like the Lonely Ones."

"The who?" I catch him wave at a couple of people with similar fashion sense as we pass by.

Lowering his voice, Martin makes sure no one else can hear him. "You know, vampires."

"If you want to be lonely with the rest of us, you can bring your friend Harris with you. It looks like he's shopping at the same store as you." He hands me a black business card embossed with scarlet cursive. Only an address and the name 'Sunset Club' give me any clue as to what the invitation is about. "Just call me Diego if you see me. It's my name of the night and you'll need to come up with one."

Passing the library with a slightly faster pace, I try to ignore the whispers that always fill the hallway. Caleb's not here, it's just the Hellmouth. When we finally reach the lab, I start breathing easy at last.

"I'll have to ask my brother." Touched by the offer, I'm still completely horrified by the idea of turning myself into bait. "He's a little over protective." And he should probably know about a vampire club.

"I bet." Martin sits down at the computer beside the one I claim and lowers his voice to just above a whisper. "I saw you on the news."

Eyes going wide with panic, I can feel my heart trying to leap out of my throat. "You saw me where?"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone." Winking at me, Diego really tries to sell the place. "Most people at the club have things we want to escape from. Rule number one is don't ask about real lives."

That actually sounds nice. "I could pick whatever name I want? Create a whole identity?"

"It's nice to be able to just dress up and forget how much life sucks for a few hours. Most of us know it's not actually real, we like it better than whatever is waiting for us at home."

The way Martin makes sure to ask me to invite Xander three more times, makes me realize he's not interested in me as anything but a friend. His eyes haven't dropped once.




Notes: This episode of 4 chapters will each be a different perspective. Willow/Xander/Fred are still to come.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 52: Willow​

Waiting for everyone else at the table in the quad we managed to snag, I share my idea for Ted with an intrigued couple. "If Mister Doyle is trying to put a soul in a vampire, doesn't that mean ghosts are real too?"

"I don't see why not..." Unable to think of a counter, Jonathan exchanges his pudding for Marcie's milk without needing to be asked.

Catching sight of an awkward Warren, Marcie tries to wave him over. But no matter how fast she swings her hand or calls out to the robot enthusiast, he doesn't seem to notice our table.

It's not until I whistle like he's a dog, that Warren's eyes finally lock onto us. When does join us, it's with a curious look at all three cartons of milk in front of one person.

"The commercials say it's going to make me big and strong." Getting defensive, Jonathon protectively pulls his extras closer. "Next year you'll be the short one."

Ignoring the figurative chest pounding the two boys are getting up to, Marcie brings the conversation back to my idea. "I think that's a really good idea Willow. It might even let the ghost get over it's unfinished business and pass on eventually."

"Wouldn't we just have to find a new one?" Frowning at such a temporary solution, Warren doesn't seem convinced yet. "Seems like constant busy work to me and nothing more than a waste of time."

When Marcie gives him a look of support, Jonathon finds the courage to defend his point. "Well they have that rehab hotel. What if you started a business putting ghosts in robots that look like them?"

"I kind of already have a million dollar idea. Why would I even bother?" Too focuses on his nether regions, Warren doesn't see the same opportunity."

"How much money would people pay for actual closure?" Catching on to the shorter boy's idea, I break it down in a way Warren will understand the value. "Charge them by the week and once the ghost passes on, just do some plastic surgery and get it ready for a new one."

"... That's actually a good idea." Stunned at the normally quiet boy's suggestion, Warren actually apologizes for his rudeness.

"Oh!" Snapping my fingers as the ideas start to cascade, I can't stop myself from blurting another one. "Or it could be used to solve crimes. Put the murder victim in a robot and we can just ask them what happened!"

Marcie has to put a damper on my excitement with cold truth. "But that would only work if the victim is a ghost. Doyle said he's putting a soul in this one vampire because it could save a whole lot of lives."

"Yeah, I'm not really okay with ripping a soul out of the afterlife unless it's an emergency." Her boyfriend nods firmly in support. "Or I guess if we have a chance to ask them first."

"If I die, stick me in a robot. No question about it." Warren makes up his mind seemingly before Jon even finishes his sentence.

"Let me rest in peace please." Pale at the idea of either fate, Marcie makes an understanding Jonathon agree.

He takes a while to consider it and doesn't actually come up with an answer right now. But I find myself leaning more towards the vampire option and that strangely intrigues me. Deep down I want to be exciting and not the same boring Willow I've always been.

If Xander and Jesse can ditch me to do what they want, I don't have to set my nights aside to help them study anymore. I can try and find a life that isn't so lame.

To my great annoyance, this is the exact moment one of the jerks enters the courtyard with his new friends. Jesse seems to have been fully accepted by the swim team and I'm already counting the days until he forgets my name.

Except when the swimmers make a comment about the nerds, Jesse's conflicted face turns into a determined one. "They're friends with the English teacher's sister. Probably a good idea if you find someone new."

Percy West has always been one of the most eager to rub his success in our faces. But when Jesse doesn't back down from his choice to intervene, the swim captain actually chuckles.

"First day on the team and you're already proving your worth. That Doyle dick seems to have it out for anyone even slightly cool." The rest of the team laugh at Percy's words and follow him to a table reserved for the jocks.

"I'll catch up, just going to make sure they don't hold a grudge and tattle." Winking at me discreetly, Jesse is seemingly given permission to sit at our table.

"Sure we're cool enough?" Not thanking him yet, I barely keep the growl out of my voice.

Red with shame, Jesse hangs his head. "Sorry I've been such a jerk the last few weeks. But I had a lot of thinking to do and for once I wanted to do it myself."

"You've never thought about anything for that long. Except maybe Cordelia." But now that I think about it, he hasn't bothered her once since the zoo break in.

"As hard as it was to hear all that stuff. Doyle was right..." Jesse doesn't tell me about what and Warren seems just as confused. But Marcie and Jon exchange knowing looks that remind me they had been in the car that night. "I was being a creep."

"So why haven't you been coming over anymore?" I've missed you and Xander. Even if I do have a bunch of other friends now, it's just not the same.

"Doyle thinks I'm a pervert. I thought he'd be happy I was staying away from his house." Guilt and shame are intermingled on Jesse's face.

Well I'm not. "He's a teacher, he should be happy you took his lesson to heart."

Arms firmly crossed, I'm already making plans to go confront the English teacher after school. Who is Mister Doyle to just show up and make snap judgments about all of us?

"But I just bailed on you all. He must think even worse of me now." Still not convinced, Jesse's arguments are at least getting weaker.

"Would have been nice having you help us fight the guardian..." Grumbles a still sore Warren as he rubs his bruised shoulder.

With his apology delivered and mostly accepted by all of us, he decides to tell the swim team he's keeping Doyle of the jocks backs. "Should get them to cut you some slack."

"Should have just made friends with Snyder on our first day. Would have been spared all the grief." Marcie tries to keep a straight face, only for all of us to devolve into laughter before five seconds have passed.​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 53: Xander​

"Stop." Holding out a firm hand when we approach the cheerleaders' table, it looks like Cordelia is going to make me endure yet another fashion check before she allows me the privileged of joining them.

To my surprise though, Aphrodisia motions to the seat beside her. "You're fine Lex. It's Lance who needs to do something with that mullet."

"I have no idea why we ever thought it was charming. But our group insanity is over." Cordelia noticeably doesn't let Lance take his usual spot on the jock side of the table. "I can't believe I'm going to say this..."

Her eyes roam over me quickly, the clothes Doyle gave me are thankfully still enough to satisfy the judgmental Queen C. "Get Lex to take you shopping. And you better get something decent done to that nest you call hair."

It's taken awhile to get used to the new nickname and yet I'm starting to like it. It was just supposed to be another way for Cordelia to prove she's in charge. But people are starting to treat me different.

Instead of just being a cretin that gets mocked, I'm getting invited to parties. It's weird that the less I seem to say, the more the preps accept me. But that might just be because Cordelia's the only one who seems to understand all my references.

Her scorn of Lance over, Cordelia finally allows him to take a spot at the very end of the bench. She dominates the conversation almost the entire hour, barely letting anyone else get a full paragraph in.

When she does finally run out of things to say, Cordelia allows Larry to share his gossip. Really wish she had ten more minutes of nonsense.

"Lex, did I really see you out with an older woman last night?" Impressed at the claim, the rest of the table leans in eagerly.

Not realizing the mistake about to be made, I blurt out a yes. "It was just Amy's mom. We went to the museum."

"Dude!" Lance cheers, quickly giving a high five to a few of the closest jocks. "Is that why you're friends with all those geeks, you're just banging their moms?"

I try to deny to praise, I really do. But no matter what I say, no one but Cordelia seems to actually believe me.

We haven't been friends since kindergarten. But she knows I don't actually have the guts to make a move like that on a girl my own age, let alone one of my friends' mom.

The laughter turns mocking making me look over to see an awkward Amy glancing around for any of our shared friends. Not finding them, she still looks completely distraught from last night and I make up my mind. What's the point in being popular if I have to make all new friends?

"Can you guys do me a favour and not tell anyone." No matter how much it would help my reputation, I just can't do that to the witch I've known most of my life. "It's not what you think. Her mom was just asking me to look after Amy while she's getting treatment in LA, since I've known her forever."

"Oh..." Even Larry looks a bit guilty at his crude words so I don't make a big deal out of it.

Promising to save me a seat in math, the group lets me leave with no more teasing. The distraught witch has already left the East courtyard by the time I get permission and I have to dash after her.

Chasing after Amy before she gets too far away, I eventually catch up to her just outside the gym and the sound of basketball practice inside. "Amy, wait up!"

The lime green grunge shirt is covered in a bunch of different fonts. Each day of the week is repeated in at least four different styles and colours, with my eyes naturally being drawn to the Wednesday on her chest. Guess it's hump day for a reason.

"Greenday." Clearing her throat to get my eyes pulled back to her own, Amy doesn't actually seem mad about the momentary distraction. "It's a band."

The snarky tone makes me chuckle as the tension fades. "Just wanted to make sure you're doing alright. You need any help moving stuff to your dad's place?"

"Miss Calendar said I could keep all the magic stuff at her place." She decides to take me up on the offer with a sigh of relief. "But some of it's really heavy and I don't think the two of us can move it all. I'd really owe you if you saved me from asking Mister Doyle for help."

"Well you can pay me back by telling Willow not to worry. I'm not ditching my friends." I know she hates Cordelia. But I honestly can't remember what caused the rift.

The four of us had lots of fun for a couple years, then one day Cordelia and Willow are rolling around in the sandbox like wild animals. Willow even had to get a haircut to cover up the place Cordy tore out a chunk.

Whatever it was over, Cordelia's split lip was even redder than the genius' locks for a whole week. I think that's why Jesse's still so hung up on the rich girl.

It was supposed to be a double wedding with us living next door to each other until retirement. Of course at that age, we thought you retired when you got old like our parents. Something impossible for a child to really imagine, like forty five.

"I'm glad I didn't freak you out last night. It was totally the jacket that made me say that stuff." I can tell how hard it was for Amy to say that without stuttering and so I let it go with an easy grin.

"Don't worry about it. It was nothing compared to the things I was having whispered in my ear." If that's how Jesse and I make girls feel, I'm really glad Doyle talked to us.

Walking her to the computer lab, I'm about to leave the witches to the magical theory. But the jingling of change in my pocket makes me hesitate. I'm not crazy, the money really is vanishing.

"Can you check that piggy bank Jesse got me for some kind of curse?" The strange request has Jenny blinking at the randomness. "I think it's turning my money invisible because I can still hear it when I shake the damn thing. But nothing I put in will come out the bottom."

"I didn't let him get you the matched pair that would have let him steal your change." Amy is quick to clear her own involvement. "It was just supposed to change your life for the better, the more you used it."

Now intrigued by the mystery, Jenny demands I bring it to her house with Amy's stuff. "Better to be safe than sorry. I'm a little amazed at the variety of magics in Sunnydale and have no idea what you could have."​

 

[Flightless Man]

Chapter 54: Fred​

Walking into the psychology classroom of the renowned Maggie Walsh fifteen minutes early, I'm completely shocked at who I find talking to her by the blackboard. I thought Graham was supposed to be in the army. What's he doing here in Sunnydale?

The cousin who taught me how to shoot on Grandpa's farm, freezes as he catches sight of me only a dozen feet away. "Fred? Is that really you?"

The dumbfounded expression is out of place for such such a normally calm guy. Yet the way his smile lights up once I say hello, that is all Graham.

"You know Miss Burkle?" The stern professor barely let me audit the class and I'm surprised she even remembers my name.

For some reason Riley is visibly resisting the urge to salute her. "She's my cousin Mam." Interesting choice of address. "She made sure I passed high school and I made sure she never had a date."

"Not like you had to try very hard." You only had to chase away two boys before I graduated.

"Now what are you doing here? Last thing I heard from Uncle Roger, you had just gotten into school down in LA." I can see he's trying hard to avoid mentioning how much better the school was and force myself to keep a straight face.

Allowing myself to smirk, I reveal I'm not the same wallflower he grew up with back in Texas. "Transferred when my boyfriend got a job teaching at the high school.

"It was that easy?" I know he didn't get accepted to any schools the year he graduated and that was why he joined the army.

Trying not to make him feel stupid, I emphasize the effort and not natural intelligence. "The benefit of actually studying. I suggest you start."

"You want to help with that?" Flashing me a charming smile, Graham runs an anxious hand through his sandy blonde crew cut.

"As long as you're not just using it as an excuse to check up on me..." I don't need protecting anymore.

Clearing her throat as more students start to choose seats, Miss Walsh is watching me with obvious interest. "I happen to be in need of a research assistant. Would you be interested?"

Better not be another Seidel. "Maybe?"

"Graham and a few of his fraternity brothers have been helping out. But they're really only fit for the busy work..." Her words make Graham's ears turn pink from embarrassment. "I need a real brain to pick." Though he doesn't seem to be arguing the point..

"I can tell her about the project tonight, give her the proper pitch." Glancing at the clock, Graham reminds us that class is about to start.

Humming her agreement, the renowned psychology professor gestures for us to find a seat. "Just remember the nondisclosure."

Once the lesson begins, I have to admit it's not as easy as the rest of my syllabus. Walsh really does know her subject.

I only get a few minutes during class to catch up with my cousin. But he insists on taking me out for lunch once he finds out my next class isn't until one thirty.

"I've been here since August and I finally found a place with decent tacos." Once Graham says the magic words, I'm eagerly following his nearly six foot frame to a bright red jeep.

"You are a godsend!" Praising the miracle for what it is, I hope into the passenger seat before he can hear the rumbling of my stomach. "Allen's a really good cook and I'd take his food over pretty much anything I could get at a restaurant. But he has no idea how to make anything with spice." He tries so hard, I just can't tell him it's only alright.

"The boyfriend?" Protectiveness fills Graham's voice making me roll my eyes in annoyance.

"He saved my life." Growling low to let him know I mean business, don't let him start the engine until he gives up. "You don't get to scare this one off." I would kind of like to see you try though.

Of course my cousin only focuses on one part. "Saved you from what?"

"You wouldn't believe me." Sometimes I'm not actually sure I believe what my life has become.

Taking this as a challenge instead of the dismissal I wanted it to be, Graham rises to meet it with a confidant grin. "Try me. I've seen some pretty crazy stuff."

"One of my teachers tried to suck me into a portal to Hell." You asked for weird, here it is.

Stunned chuckles greet my words until he starts the jeep as a way to distract himself. "Thought I told you to stay away from the hard drugs."

"I told you it was crazy." This must be why Allen doesn't just tell people about this stuff without some kind of proof.

He goes silent, thinking deeper than I can ever remember. But just like he did all through childhood, Graham makes the choice to support me.

"Which teacher do I need to make disappear?" The gruff way he delivers the question is all I need to know he really means it.

Taking a deep breath, my last attempt to convince him seems to do the trick. "... Allen already did."

"You're serious, aren't you?" Graham is oddly calm after my confession.

Sagging in relief, it's almost impossible to think of the right thing to say on the spot. "Do you want proof?" That probably wasn't it.

"Don't need it..." Tension fills his face as he struggles with something. "But I can't really tell you why unless you sign the NDA."

"I'm guessing that means I can't tell Allen anything?" It would be nice to have something all my own.

Sometimes I just feel like an afterthought with his whole mission to save the world. I don't blame him for it, the visions are kind of urgent. But I need to prove to myself I'm useful.

Now that our progress with Ted has stalled, I need to be more than just Allen's girlfriend. I'm a genius and schools all over America wanted me. Even if I'm starting to believe I have a pretty face, I'm a hell of a lot more than that.

"Signing it doesn't mean I have to take the job, right?" Suddenly nervous, my palms get even sweatier than when I watch Allen and Liam sparring.

"It just means you can't talk about the interview." Quickly calming my nerves, Graham explains the project has a few levels of security clearance. "You'll only find out the basics unless you actually sign on with us."

With my mind already on training, I realize my cousin would be a far better choice than the self defence class I had signed up for with Angel. "I'll check it out. But only if you agree to train me."

"Train you?" Eyes widening at the sudden request, Graham isn't bothered with the idea of a girl fighting. Just the fact hat I've never shown an interest in anything so physical before.

"Monsters are real and I kind of hunt them. I'll probably last longer if you get me into shape." That should guilt him into teaching me and the other girls.​