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Chapter 4
Sunnydale, California The Oceanside Hotel November 1, 11:35 AM Jack leaned forward in his chair and steepled his hands on top of the table next to his coffee mug. Shaking his head, he stated firmly. “Daniel, there’s absolutely no way that vampires are real, have ever been real, or might one day be real. No way.” But Sam interrupted, sitting down across the small round table from him, next to Daniel. “It’s true, sir.” Gesturing to Daniel with her head, she continued, “We didn’t believe our findings at first either…” Sam paused to gesture to a pile of computer print outs, news papers, and note pads. “But you’ve seen our evidence and we’ve ruled out all other possibilities.” “Apparently, they do exist,” Daniel affirmed with absolute conviction. “Whether we want them to or not. Whether we believe or not. Vampires and demons in every imaginable shape and size exist, and they seem to gather here in Sunnydale.” “Come on guys, there has to be another explanation…” Jack droned, rolling his eyes. “But Jack, you’ve seen them, Daniel insisted. “Just last night, we were in a bar filled with demons. We think that’s why Buffy went in there, to investigate a group of vampires. I went back last night before they closed and spoke with the owner…” Jack blanched, took a sip of coffee, and leaned back further in his chair. “Demons? Last night? No. Those were just… really really great costumes.” As if he had known the truth all along, Daniel drawled sarcastically, “Costumes? Not just over their faces, but also on their hands, feet, tails, and various other… appendages, I don’t think so, Jack.” Sam couldn’t just sit there and not call Daniel on his huge gaping bluff. Getting up for a refill on her coffee, she confided with a grin, “Daniel’s full of it, Colonel. It took me two hours to convince him that you guys were neck-deep in demons last night, even after he’d interviewed Willy.” With a grim expression, Teal’c sat perfectly still, as realization and acceptance warred with shock. “Perhaps these vampires are merely beings from another world?” Teal’c offered. “Many cultures refer to the Goa’uld as demons.” “No Teal’c,” Daniel began. “I wish it were that simple. But since the first publication of the Sunnydale Times, this town has been riddled with unusual murders, sometimes as many as six a week. In seventy-five percent of all cases, there were puncture wounds and tearing at the neck, bruising around the shoulders, and significant blood loss reported. In fact, it seems to be getting worse. The death rate spiked over a two month period in 1937, when the average murder per week was fifteen. But since then, there's been a steady increase, until Buffy's arrival two years ago. Also, there have been articles over the years with witnesses who insisted that they’ve seen friends and family members walking around after they have died and been buried.” Daniel hesitated for a moment while he flipped through the paperwork and handed copies of the 1937 articles to Teal’c. “It seems that Buffy is connected to these vampires and demons from before she came to Sunnydale. Her school records were virtually flawless, not just in grades and attendance, but she was a cheerleader and participated in various other student activities. Then it all stopped. She started skipping school, getting into fights... She didn’t just move here, learn to fight, and decide to go after them.” "The wrong crowd?" Jack asked. Turning to Jack, Daniel asked, “Do you remember what the Goa’ulds called her?” Jack shrugged nonchalantly, “Sorry Daniel, it escapes me.” Daniel nodded, stood up, and began to pace. Realizing that Buffy was human, well super-human, he amended in his head, had been a relief and a burden. He wasn’t quite sure how to deal with her and all of the new things he had learned, none of which could be explained scientifically. His world was tilting on its axis. His head was reeling at the frightening possibilities. At almost twice his normal speaking speed, Daniel rattled off his findings. “They called her ‘Slayer’. When I first heard it, I thought I recognized the term from something I’d read recently about Akhenaten. You see, Akhenaten was a pharaoh and a scholar who rejected the pantheon of Egyptian gods and tried rather unsuccessfully to convert his people to worship one god, Aten…” Daniel paused for a moment to see if Sam cared to comment. “So it’s possible that somehow Akhenaten learned about the Goa’ulds from some earlier, heretical writing or oral tradition that we’ve since lost…” Daniel glanced over at Jack, to see if his friend had checked out mentally yet. Sometimes Jack had an abnormally low tolerance for the things that interested and excited Daniel. He wanted to give him the opportunity to ask for the short version. Joining his friends at the table, Daniel continued. “Anyway, a few weeks ago a friend of mine at the University of Edfu sent me copies of a cover stone from an expedition he’d just concluded near Akhenaten’s city Amarna, dating from about 1530 BC. At first, he assumed that it was the tomb of a celebrated warrior, except that there was no mummy inside, and the translation of the cover stone is unusual. Listen to this…”In secret, in silence, one dies, another is chosen. Like water, poured from the urn to the bowl, the strength and skill to fight the demons was passed, is passed, and shall be passed until the end of the world. With this power she shall go forth to defend the children of Aten. This is the demon slayer’s legacy, her sacred obligation…” Jack shook his head rapidly as if to clear the cobwebs, and Daniel knew what was coming. “Could you bottom-line it for us, Daniel?” Daniel sipped his cooling coffee and sighed. “Bottom line, I think that Buffy is part of a secret society that has hunted demons since before history was recorded; that she’s this generation’s living, breathing mythological… heroine, for lack of a better term. Late last night, I dug a little deeper and by changing the search from ‘Slayer’ to ‘girl’ and ‘demon hunter’, I was able to find a connection to myths and legends all over the world, from Babylon in 2800 BC to 19th century China.” Jack nodded absently, and turned to Teal’c. “So what do you think, T?” “I cannot find fault with their arguments, O’Neill. It seems that these ancient Earth legends must be true.” Teal’c said glumly. “I am concerned as to how these new vampire hosts will affect the Goa’ulds. It is possible that they have found almost perfect bodies in which to hide, if the legends about a vampire’s strength and stamina can be believed. If rumors are allowed to spread to the System Lords that they may no longer require the sarcophagi to regenerate, Earth could have an influx of Goa’ulds seeking a more formidable host.” “I agree, sir. This could be a disaster. Vampirism could be spread throughout the galaxy. If these Goa’uld hybrids escape, they could also spread it among the Goa’uld without bringing them here. And unchecked by a Slayer, they could easily maintain their lives indefinitely by feeding on the humans with open Stargates. What we need is more information about Vampire behavior, and Buffy seems to be the local expert,” Sam stated. Then looking over at Daniel, she continued, “But Daniel and I agree that another confrontation in an ally may not be the best method of approaching her. While we were reviewing Buffy's files on her school's intranet, we looked at her teachers’ records and the faculty in general. The CV of the school’s librarian, Rupert Giles, made us wonder...” Suddenly, Daniel inserted, “His background is very unusual for a school librarian, Jack. He has advanced degrees in history, linguistics, and archeology from Oxford, as well as documented research on various subjects in historical culture studies, mythology, and botany. Before he moved to Sunnydale, he was head of the British Museum’s Center for Anthropology. All of this adds up to someone who is grossly overqualified for his current job.” “What Daniel’s saying is that Mr. Giles may be… Buffy’s contact in this secret society, sir,” Sam explained. “Perhaps we should speak with Mr. Giles?” Teal’c suggested. “That’s what we were thinking, too,” Daniel added. “Sounds like we have a plan. And look, it only took us forty-five minutes to get to it,” Jack said with a sardonic grin. As he and the others stood and started putting things away, Jack mentioned, “Hey Danny, let’s take a walk.” As they were leaving, Teal’c recommended that they meet at a nearby restaurant for lunch. As the restaurant was within walking distance, Daniel and Jack could meet them there before they all proceeded to the school. Jack agreed; Daniel shrugged and followed Jack through the door. They crossed the hotel’s parking lot and a grassy park in silence, and headed west along the ocean front boardwalk. The wind was picking up off the water, causing both men to shiver and pull their jackets tighter. Daniel wondered what Jack wanted to say that he couldn’t say in front of the others, but he bit his tongue and waited for Jack to begin. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on with you and Buffy?” Jack asked. Daniel sighed, “It’s complicated. I can’t explain it.” “Try.” Daniel stopped and looked out over the ocean. He inhaled the salt-infused breeze and said, “There’s just something about her. Something special.” “Yeah. I can see that…” “But you don’t approve because of the age difference,” Daniel stated, as if it were a foregone conclusion. Jack took up position next to his friend looking toward the beach, and shoved his hands in his pockets. “If it were just that, I’d say she’ll grow out of it. Sam told me this morning that she’ll be eighteen in a few months.” Daniel looked stunned, “Sam said?” But Jack rushed, “Just hear me out… If you could convince Buffy’s family and friends to accept you, then I’d… we’d say more power to you. But she’s one girl fighting a very dangerous war, Danny. We saw that last night. She’s good. Great even, but one mistake…” Jack paused and looked up at a flock of seagulls overhead. “Look, all I’m saying is that it could be Sha’re all over again. We just don't want you to walk into another...” “I know that,” Daniel snapped. “Don’t you think I’ve thought of that?” Then he pivoted and started back. Jack followed and Daniel softened his tone, “Look I’m sorry. I’m a little wierded out by this, too. This... whatever it is… Anyway… it’s not worth agonizing over. She doesn’t see me like that. I’m just some guy who picked a bad time to get in the middle of a fight.” Jack cleared his throat and began walking beside Daniel. Gruffly, he replied, “Yeah… Ok. I just wanted to make sure you…” “I’ll be fine, Jack.” :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- Sunnydale, CA Sunnydale High School library November 1, 3 PM Using his credentials as an archeologist, Daniel phoned Mr. Giles and told him that he was researching local Native American legends in hopes of garnering enough interest to finance a dig. Although it was clear that Mr. Giles was skeptical, Daniel managed to secure an appointment. They arrived on campus a few minutes early to obtain guest passes at the front office, and were pleasantly surprised to learn that it was a teacher in-service day which meant that the students had a day off. Dressed casually in jeans, t-shirts, and jackets, the members of SG1 made their way through the halls to the library. Being in her school reminded Daniel sharply of Buffy’s youth. At least he wouldn’t have to face her. If classes were out for the day, most likely she’d be sleeping in late. He hadn’t been to sleep yet and was feeling it. After his late night conversation with Willy, he had gone back to his room and immediately started researching. He was anxious about what had occurred between him and Buffy. She didn’t seem effected by him at all, and while he tried to ignore it, the possibility troubled him. A part of him felt like the foolish, obsessive Humbert chasing after Lolita. Furthermore, he was riddled with guilt. He’d spent all night prying into Buffy’s life, with the smell of her on his hands and his clothes, and even now his body remembered the feel of her lithe little body moving against his at the Bronze. When the sun finally rose, he was reluctant to shower for fear of losing her scent, but he relented just before he met Sam at 07:00. As he and the others passed through the double swinging doors of the library, Jack whispered, “Looks like we found the Slayer’s war room.” Directly in front of them was a large rectangular table filled with teenagers. The two closest seats to the entrance were occupied by Buffy and the man who could only be Rupert Giles. In the back four seats, a brunette girl, a dark haired boy, and a redheaded girl and boy fell silent and stared at them. “Hi Dr. Jackson,” Buffy said with a wry smile. “Hi Major Carter, Colonel O’Neill, Teal’c. Looks like everyone’s here. Good. I really hate to repeat myself.” Daniel moaned and nodded at her greeting. Get control of yourself, man, he thought, as he watched Buffy’s long shapely legs striding toward them. Leaning past him, she reached out her hand, and for a split second he thought she was reaching for him. But instead she picked up a silver backpack from the book check-out desk. Buffy looked every inch the high school senior and not a day older, he thought remorsefully. She was wearing workout clothes: white Nikes, grey shorts with a matching hoodie zipped low enough to reveal the form-fitting pink tank top beneath. Her hair was tied up messily, bound by a sliver of fabric. She even carried her backpack to the table over one shoulder like a school girl. Well, Daniel concluded as his head cleared, if she knew Teal’c’s name and Jack and Sam’s ranks, Buffy had been researching them while they were researching her. Setting her backpack on the table, Buffy unzipped the top and removed several over-stuffed folders. Then she dropped them unceremoniously on the table. Turning to Jack, who was pulling up a chair next to Mr. Giles, she accused, “So, been on any interesting trips through the Stargate lately?” Suddenly, a voice from behind her called out, “Hi Buffy!” Startled, Buffy turned around and said, “Uh… hi Scott.” I forgot a book in my locker… I was… I thought I saw you… I figured you’d be in here, because… well, you always are,” Scott gushed. Buffy sighed and met Scott near the entrance to the library before he saw what was on the table, “Yeah, my mom left to go visit my aunt in Illinois last night, so I’m trying to catch up on some things... homework, research paper-y things…” Peering around Buffy, Scott noticed the three rather large men and one very pretty woman in military issue boots, jeans, t-shirts, and jackets sitting at the table. Mr. Giles, the librarian, was also there along with Cordelia Chase, Xander Harris, Willow Rosenberg and Oz. Buffy’s friends sat at the back half of the table, flipping through books, chatting quietly, and basically ignoring him. However, the men in front seemed to be glaring in his direction for no apparent reason. He started backing toward the door, mumbling, “I’ll uh… maybe I should go. I’ll call you later.” Buffy stole a furtive glance at Giles. “That might be best. I’ll walk you out.” “Oh… Ok.” As she and Scott left the room, introductions were exchanged and Sam and Daniel started asking questions about vampires. Jack and Teal’c listened to Giles’ recital of the basics and asked for clarification at appropriate intervals. But, Xander had heard it all before and was too twitchy to concentrate. Directing everyone’s attention to Buffy and Scott, he whispered, “Sooo, Scott Hope. Guess he’s Angel’s heir to the kingdom of Buffy.” Oz nodded and glanced at the library doors with a vacant expression. “Apparently.” Daniel, who had been trying to ignore the confirmed existence of Buffy’s boyfriend, couldn’t help but eavesdrop on their conversation. He deduced that Scott was her current boyfriend; therefore, Angel must be her ex. “He looks so… normal,” Xander mused. “And oddly age-appropriate… Seems like he’s kinda sweet on her, too. Think we should tell him this relationship’s gonna tank like the Titanic any minute now?” “Xander!” Willow huffed. But Cordelia shrugged, “Why waste your time? A guy like that is just begging for a good drop kick to the curb.” “You are so cruel!” Xander announced. Then, he pulled her closer to him. “I kind of like it. Maybe you could…” “Ew!” Willow clamped her hands over both ears, “La-la-lala. La-la-la.” “It’s just sad to watch, that’s all,” Xander said sympathetically, as he eased away from Cordelia and Oz reached over and pulled Willow’s hands down. “Like seeing a multi-car pile up with ambulances en route. Sucks to be rebound guy.” “You’ve never been rebound guy,” Willow reminded him. “Ok… true,” he confessed. “But I’ve related to rebound guy on TV. That’s pretty much the same thing.” Giles pulled off his glasses, tossed them on the table, leaned back, and said, “If you’re not going to be helpful, would you four just… please go elsewhere?” “This is us… going, going, gone,” Xander remarked in a sing-song voice, as everyone got up to leave. “Hey, let’s go to your place, Will. And Giles, can Buffy come over and play later if she’s a good little slayer?” “Xander!” Giles growled. “Going now,” Willow said, as she and Cordelia grabbed Xander by each arm and pulled him from the room. As they left, Buffy returned. Ack! No, don’t do that! She thought as Daniel stood and began removing his jacket. She knew what he felt like in the dark. That didn’t mean she wanted to see it. Too late. His black t-shirt clung to his body, accenting his wide shoulders. Her footsteps slowed until she was standing perfectly still in the middle of the room, watching. He was perfect. His arms were huge but gently sculpted, as if his strength was the result of activity and struggle, not hours spent in front of the mirror at the gym. And when her eyes shifted to take in his chest, a wave of touch memory washed over her. She wanted so badly to be in his arms again. How to get there? How to get there? Jack noticed Buffy checking out his friend and tried to hold back his laughter. “Well isn’t this cosy, just the six of us,” Jack chuckled as he picked two red folders, one with his name on it and another that read, ‘The Stargate Program,’ and began perusing them. Damn, he thought. She had a copy of nearly his entire service record. “I don’t know how you got this, but you need to forget what you’ve seen. These are classified documents…” “Buffy, it is clear that you obtained this information illegally. Why would you do this?” Teal’c interrupted, as Sam handed him a blue folder with his name on it. This seemed to startle Buffy and she moved forward again. She was embarrassed, but no one except Jack seemed to notice her odd behavior. Crossing the floor to the back of the alcove, Buffy dropped into the seat at the head of the table. She wasn’t about to give Willow away, if the SGC thought she had done the actual hacking. It was better that she and Giles take the heat. The Counsel could always bail them out. Wryly, she asked, “You really didn’t think we were going to let you come to our town and get in our way, did you?” Sam shook her head, “We didn’t know you existed until last night. We were just…” “Yeah, I know,” Buffy nodded. “Tracking evil glowy-eyed aliens. I get that. But now those aliens are vamps which means that you can pack up and go back to Colorado.” Go and take that Daniel-shaped treat with you, she inserted mentally, but instead, she said. “Leave me your number and I’ll call you when they’ve been dusted.” Jack was incredulous. “I really don’t think so, kiddo. Our orders stand, and by the way, they’re none of your business. So why don’t you go back to doing whatever it is you do, and we’ll go back to doing our jobs.” Buffy and Giles were clearly irritated by his rebuttal, but before she could respond, Daniel muttered, “Jack, lay off. She’s just a little out of her element.” “Heck yeah,” Buffy agreed. “The stuff in those folders is beyond the weird. We’re more than a little out of our element.” “Well, so am I,” Jack complained. “How would you like to proceed, Mr. Giles?” Sam inquired politely. Buffy shrugged and spoke first. “We’ve already been over that part. You can go. We’re handling things from here. Call the general. He’ll be thrilled to get you back.” “That may not be wise at this juncture, Buffy. General Hammond will want us to provide him with the information that Daniel Jackson and Major Carter have amassed. Including the details about you,” Teal’c offered pointedly, as he watched her grimace. Then she looked over at Daniel, her eyes softer, less accusing than when they arrived. “You mean you haven’t?” “No, not yet. At least not everything,” Daniel hedged. She was hurt. She felt betrayed by what she had learned about him and the SGC. Of course, wouldn’t you be? he asked himself. One minute you’re dancing with someone and the next they’re pulling up your birth records on their lap top. Maybe it was just sense memory, but even surrounded by four other people, he thought he could detect her fragrance. Maybe it was in the room, imprinted on the chairs, the walls, the books. No, not the books, he corrected himself, she wasn’t someone who could get lost in a book. She was someone who would be written about. Daniel’s gaze was drawn to the small journals on the table next to Giles. Was there a record of her activities as the Slayer so close at hand? His fingers itched to pick up one, but he forced his mind back to the conversation going on around him. “But I thought…” Buffy began. Sam interrupted, and Buffy turned to look at her. “No Buffy, we haven’t. We’ve briefed the Colonel and Teal’c on what Daniel and I learned from our research, but we haven’t called General Hammond yet.” Then Sam smiled gently, “We came here to find out all we can, about what we can expect from these Goa’uld vampire hybrids. I mean, once we tell him about you, he’ll be obligated to inform the President. And you have to know that neither he nor General Hammond will let us walk away from this until the job is done.” Buffy smiled in relief, pleased that she wasn’t going to be immediately exposed and dismissed. Giles wanted her to stay away from the SGC if at all possible. He and Willow had mentioned several governmental conspiracy theories in their warnings to her, including those surrounding Area 51. Buffy wondered if any of it was true, but Giles and Willow were concerned enough for all three of them. Both had argued that any further contact with the SGC might be risky. But she convinced them to sit tight until she could meet with Daniel. She was hoping that he would be willing to work with her on the latest threat to Sunnydale. She wasn’t happy about it, but if the Goa’uld, and not the demon was in control most of the time, as it was with Angel’s soul and his demon, she needed to know what to expect as well. “Yeah, I get that,” Buffy nodded slowly. “So here’s what I think. Why don’t you guys stay here with us for a while? We can talk. It’ll be a whole communication thing. Then we can make with the planning.” Sam, Daniel, and Teal’c all looked to Jack. “Well, why not?” he acquiesced. “At least we’ll be one up on the NID guys.” A few hours later, Buffy needed to go home to change and gather her weapons for patrolling with Faith. Daniel volunteered to drive her to her house. She didn’t want him to drive her. She didn’t want to be that close to him, with only the arm rest between them. It was too hard to think, too hard to breathe. But in the end it made the most sense. Daniel’s background in history and mythology made his understanding of vampire basics fairly easy. In the car on the way home, Buffy focused on telling him which legends to discount, as opposed to the ‘in the beginning’ speech that Giles had launched on the others. “So what you’re saying is that while vampires don’t cast a reflection, they can be photographed and videotaped? That doesn’t make any sense scientifically,” Daniel said, shaking his head slowly. “Yep, I know. But that’s how it works with this stuff…” Buffy replied, stopping to give directions, “oh, turn right at the next street…” “What do you mean?” he asked. “You just have to go with not understanding sometimes. I’m sure it’s hard for a scientist, but the mystical is like that…” As Daniel and Buffy turned the corner on Redello Drive, they heard a loud muffled ‘boom’ followed by a flash of light. Veering into the curb on the passenger’s side, Daniel threw the gear shift into park, fumbled with the door, and stumbled out. Buffy followed shakily behind him. Almost a block away, her house was encompassed by a huge cloud of black smoke. The houses next door seemed to still be standing, but their exteriors were charred by the explosion. Panic rising in her throat, she jumped back into the car and called Giles on her cell phone. Daniel did the same, turned the around, and drove like a bat out of hell to her mom’s gallery to make sure it was intact. On the way, she called her mom to let her know what had happened and to confirm that she was safe. She also informed her mom that Giles recommended that Joyce stay at her sister Arlene’s house in Illinois for at least another week, and that she immediately call and give her statement to the authorities and the insurance company. Her mom wanted Buffy to fly to Illinois immediately, but Buffy put her off for at least 48 hours, or until the culprits were discovered if that came sooner. After a long, tearful conversation with her mom, she called Giles to let him know what her mom had said and to ask if she could stay with him until they figured something else out. Giles informed her that their ‘guests’ were still at the school, and that he would ring Willow’s house and tell Cordelia, Willow, Xander and Oz. By the time Giles ended his call with Buffy, Jack had asked Teal’c and Sam to go to Buffy’s house to investigate. Since the houses nearby were virtually untouched, he and the others agreed that the perpetrators had mostly likely used a small amount of C4. He’d also put in a call to General Hammond. He felt certain that the explosion had been an attempt on Buffy’s life by the Goa’uld, as did everyone else on his team. In addition, Jack warned everyone that the NID agents they were casually avoiding would have learned Buffy’s name and address at the very least, and would no doubt be asserting their jurisdictional rights at the crime scene. Giles put the phone back on the receiver. “I suppose you heard?” “They’re going after Buffy,” Jack insisted. “She killed two of them last night and this is retribution. Or maybe killing two of them has the survivors spooked and they wanted her out of the way. They may not know she wasn’t caught in the blast. Either way, we need to get her out of here.” “Agreed,” Teal’c said. “Now, just one bloody minute… we don’t know if this is related to the Goa’uld threat or if it’s a demon with a…” Giles began. But before he could really get going, Sam smirked, “Of course it’s the Goa’uld… or possibly an accomplice. Where would demons learn about explosives?” Giles was not convinced, “It would have to be a human or a demon, vampires can’t enter a home without an invitation. Furthermore, there very well may be some demons that can create large explosions with magick.” “Magick is real, too?” Jack asked. Sam shrugged, completely flummoxed. “Of course it is, don’t be so naïve,” Giles answered. Jack shook his head. “Show of hands, guys, that flight we took to get here was a non-stop trip to the twilight zone?” :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- About fifteen miles away, deep underground, the pinging of steel lump hammers, picks, shovels, and hand drills against rock filled a damp, dark cave. All around the perimeter, vampires were toiling beneath flickering flames. The fires were contained in ornate Egyptian brass lanterns attached to the walls ten feet from the cave floor, every five feet. Off to one side, sitting on a dais cut into the rock face, three men sat on golden cushions and talked. “What do you think of our dream incubator, Mr. Trick?” Trick smirked, “Well, I think it’s just… peachy. But modern drilling equipment would be so much more efficient…” “True,” agreed the dark haired man, “but we like things done the old-fashioned way, don’t we, my beauty?” “We certainly do. Especially this,” replied the blond man, as he gestured to the working vampires with his hand in a sweeping motion. “It is vastly entertaining to think that even in this advanced age of Earth’s history, slaves will work so cheaply. All that’s required is a little sustenance and few ugly threats. Doesn’t it amuse you, Mr. Trick?” “Slaves?” Trick choked. “My only love,” began the dark haired man. “I believe ‘minions’ is the fashionable term these days. Isn’t that right, Mr. Trick?” “Right… So one Slayer’s homeless. She has no place to hide, and I’ve got my big fat bonus. Go team go,” he drawled. “Now what about the second?” “Have patience, Mr. Trick. First things first,” grinned the blond. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- It was still an hour until sundown. She had promised Giles that she would ride with Sam, Teal’c, Daniel and Jack back to their rooms so she would be safe. And they wanted to change into warmer clothes before they set out on patrol with her. Until then, Buffy was fidgety. She had tried to research with the others, but she was too angry to sit still, so while Giles and the others poured over the books, Buffy retrieved the wooden punching dummy and went to work. A few minutes after she had started her regimen, Jack ambled over to Buffy and nudged her shoulder with his arm. “Bored yet?” he inquired under his breath. Turning toward him, she nodded, “Oh yeah.” Tilting his head to gesture across the room to the open door of the locker, he asked, “Mind if I have a look at your vast array of archaic and obsolete weaponry?” Buffy glanced over at the table where Daniel and Giles were elbow-deep in the musty tombs and sinking fast. Flashing Jack a saucy grin, she confirmed, “For definite sure. Come on, I’ll show you how they got it done in the good old days…” Daniel watched as Jack tested the tensile strength of Buffy’s crossbows. Under his breath, Giles murmured, “I’m still not convinced that this is the best course of action. Buffy will be extremely angry.” “I know,” Daniel sighed. “I don’t like deceiving her either, but if she won’t go with us voluntarily… I just… I don’t want her to get killed. I know we can keep her safe. We’ve been very successful in protecting other people who have sought sanctuary with us. While we’re gone, I’ll teach her everything I know about the Goa’uld, and Sam and Teal’c can do the same for you and Faith.” “Faith is an excellent fighter, but she’s newly-called. She may not be able to win against this hybrid creature. I don’t want to see her killed either,” replied Giles. “Yes, but they’ve never seen her. They can’t identify her,” Sam whispered. “At least she has a better chance of finding out who is behind this and where the Goa’ulds are hiding. In a few days, Jack, Teal’c and I will be back to lend a hand. Until then, Faith should lay low.” Previous Chapter Fire and Water...Menu Next Chapter
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