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.