They talked for hours.  The Scoobies listened as Robert explained how he had come to know about the demons and vampires that roamed the earth.  He told them that the business he worked for, The Centre, was really a front for a demon hunting organization.  In turn they told the story of Buffy coming to Sunnydale, and Willow and Xander joining in her

fight.

 

    Though he kept a serious face, in his mind Mr. Lyle was extremely happy.  They seemed to be buying his story completely.  Mr. Raines would be pleased.  More importantly, the Triumvirate would be pleased too. Good things would be in store for him when he got back to The Centre. Once he finished with Willow, who knows how far he could go in the company.  There was still one thing he needed to make sure the plan would work.

 

    "Willow, there is something you should know.  The Centre has some enemies.  One of the most dangerous really has it in for me.  He is a brilliant man, but he is quite evil.  He manages to track me down from time to time.  I'm afraid that if he finds me this time, he'll come after you.  He is a convincing man, and he's managed to turn people against me before, I just pray he doesn't come here.  I couldn't bare to see you hurt."

 

    Willow looked at him with loving eyes.  "Don't worry, Robert.  I wouldn't turn on you. I know it's only been a few weeks, but I trust you completely.  I love you, and won't let this guy hurt you."

 

    Buffy spoke up. "Yeah, Robert.  You're a white hat like us.  We'll watch your back."

 

    Xander agreed. "We won't let anyone hurt you or Wills."

 

    Anya and Dawn both nodded their agreement.  "What's this jerk's name, anyway?" Dawn asked.

 

    Mr. Lyle smiled to himself again.  "He never uses the same last name, but he always uses the same first one:  Jarod."

 

 

 

 

BLUE COVE, DEL

THE CENTRE

MISS PARKER'S OFFICE

 

    For the past few weeks, Broots had been working hard; trying to figure out what Lyle was up to in California.  He had finally found out.  Now he stood in Miss Parker's office, waiting for her and Sydney to arrive.  Broots didn't know all of the details of Lyle's plan, but he knew enough to know he didn't like it.  He didn't know exactly what The Centre wanted this Willow Rosenberg girl for, but he knew that it couldn't be good.

 

    "What do you know?"

 

    Broots turned to find Miss Parker entering the room, Sydney following closely behind her.  He swallowed nervously.

 

    "I don't know a lot.  But I do know his seducing someone named Willow Rosenberg.  She's 21, and a student at the local University in Sunnydale."

 

    Miss Parker arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow, "Willow Rosenberg?  That doesn't sound like the type of girl Lyle normally goes after.  I mean, she's not an Asian prostitute is she?"

 

    "Hardly.  And I don't think that his plan is to kill her."  Broots explained, "She's a fairly powerful witch.  She hangs with the Vampire slayer.  I believe the Centre wants her for some sort of spell, but I don't know what, exactly."

 

    "You know, I never understood why the Centre has never gone after a slayer."  Miss Parker mused. "It seems like that be someone they'd want to study.  Especially Mr. Raines."

 

    "The Centre struck a deal with the Watcher's Council years ago, though hardly anybody in either organization knows that the other group exists.  If Broots hadn't dug out the information last year, I doubt we would have ever found out that vampires exist."  Sydney explained.

 

    "But I'm worried about this Willow girl,” he continued. "They might need her to willingly do the spell, but after that, who knows what they might do."

 

    "So are we going to do anything?"  Broots asked.  He wanted to do something to help Willow.

 

    Miss Parker wasn't sure, "I don't know.  Keep researching, see if you can find out what the spell they want her to do is."

 

    Sydney stood up.  "I'm going to make a phone call.  I'll check back with you two later."  He left the office, and headed for his own. Hoping the emergency number he had was still working.  He closed his office door, and sat down at his desk.  He picked up the phone and dialed.  He let it ring several times.  He was just about to hang up, when a familiar voice answered.

 

    "Hello. Sydney?"

 

    "Hello, Jarod."