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"Giles! What the hell is this?"
Startled, Giles jolted backwards and nearly fell off his chair. Recovering
his balance and his composure he looked up to see a very annoyed looking
Buffy glaring at him. "I'm sorry, what's what?"
She waved a piece of paper in front of his face. "This. What does it
mean?"
Giles cleared his throat and held out his hand. "May I?"
"What? Oh yeah." Buffy handed him the letter and he quickly read
it.
Then read it again. "Well?" the Slayer demanded impatiently.
"It's a letter from the Council," he said.
"You don't say?" Buffy asked, her tone dripping sarcasm. She
looked around his office, at the growing number of tomes, texts and
scrolls he had managed to acquire. "Are you sure you don't need to
look it up
in one of your books?"
"There's no need for that tone Buffy," the ex-watcher
admonished.
"I'm sorry Giles," she apologised, suitably contrite, "it's
just that I…I thought the Council was gone, destroyed by the
First."
Giles shook his head. "The Council has been around for thousands of
years Buffy," he explained, "and several times it has come under
attack by powerful creatures, intent on its destruction but each time,
like the proverbial phoenix, it has risen again." His brow creased in
a frown. "I am surprised at how quick it has happened though."
"You knew?" Buffy accused. "And you didn't tell me."
"I didn't know in the true sense of the word, I suspected."
"Now you're just splitting hairs." She snatched the letter back.
"So what do they want?"
"It seems they're trying to re-establish contact."
Buffy snorted. "Well they can go and take a run and jump, I've had
enough of the Council and its Watchers, puffed up with their own
importance."
Giles agreed, at least to a certain extent. "I don't think you should
be too hasty to dismiss them Buffy."
"What!" The young woman looked at him in shock. "You can't
be suggesting I start to take orders from them again?"
"Of course not." He wasn't suggesting that at all. "But how
long can we keep on as we are? With the two that arrived on Sunday it
brings the total number of slayers to forty three. Sooner or later we are
going to need help."
"If we need help then we'll get it." Her look was hard.
"But not from the Council."
"Then who? Who else is there? I know what you are trying to do Buffy
and you have my whole hearted support but I see no possible way that we
can do this alone, and the only people who will be inclined to
help us in the slightest are the Council."
"Why are you so eager for us to have Council help Giles?" she
asked, then frowned. "Have they already been in touch with you?"
"No they have not," he replied stiffly, more than a little
offended at her accusation. Did she think that he wouldn't tell her
something as important as that?
"I'm sorry Giles, this letter has gotten me all flustered."
The ex Watcher nodded. "That's understandable and to answer your
first question I am not eager to be involved with the Council again, I
have as much reason as you to distrust them, but they have nigh unlimited
resources and are more than capable of causing us all sorts of problems if
we don't handle them right."
Buffy was silent for several moments, mulling over what he had just told
her. "Do you really think they would?" she asked eventually.
"Cause trouble?" Buffy nodded. "You can wager your
favourite stake on it. If they feel their authority has been usurped they
will take steps to deal with it. We could find ourselves closed down in
the blink of an eye."
The blonde slayer grimaced. "And you want me to deal with them."
"A necessary evil I fear."
Buffy groaned. "I don't like this Giles."
"Neither do I but there could be advantages."
"Like what?" she asked sceptically.
"Teachers for one, many of the Watchers are good people far removed
from the machinations of the Council. Two or three of them would be a
Godsend."
"I suppose," the Slayer agreed reluctantly. "Some help
would be welcome."
"And what about when the slayers are trained?" Giles asked.
"What do you intend for them then? Will they return to their homes or
will they become part of a worldwide network of Slayers, fighting
evil?"
"I don't know, I really hadn't thought that far ahead."
The ex Watcher knew she hadn't and perhaps it was time that she did.
"And would they then have Watchers of their own?"
Frowning Buffy flopped down in the chair opposite. "Why are you
trying to make things difficult?"
"You know I'm not Buffy, these questions would have arisen sooner or
later and maybe now is a good time to start thinking about them."
"So what about this…" she looked at the letter "…Austin
Carruthers, what do you know about him? Is he someone we can deal
with?"
"I'm afraid I don't know much about him to tell you the truth, met
him on a couple of occasions and on the whole he seemed quite a reasonable
fellow but he was also very secretive. As far as I know he was never that
involved in the day to day workings of the Council and I can only assume
that its near destruction has forced him to take a more prominent
role."
"I'll have Willow google him then," Buffy said and then noticing
Giles' frown explained. "Check him out on the net, see what she can
find."
"Oh, the computer," Giles commented, unable to keep the
disapproving tone from his voice. While he could appreciate their many
uses he would never truly be at ease with them. And in this instance he
doubted Willow would find out very much at all. People like Austin
Carruthers knew how to keep out of the public eye.
With the toe of his boot Crispin traced a circle in the ash. He sighed,
more than a thousand years of accumulated lore and arcane knowledge gone.
One of the greatest collections in the world, with many irreplaceable
artefacts and scrolls, destroyed. His hands clenched. And destroyed so
easily.
Even after several months Crispin still found it hard to believe. Why was
the headquarters of the foremost guardians of good and the leaders in the
fight against evil so poorly protected? Was the Council not full of
witches, magicians, warlocks and seers? Had they become so arrogant that
they believed that they were untouchable? The young man growled. It seemed
that they had and they had paid for that belief with blood. The blood of
his father included.
How this catastrophic turn of events had occurred was still to be
determined but he doubted the full truth would ever be known. If there was
one thing the Council excelled at it was covering up its own mistakes.
Those in charge would never allow anyone to learn of their incompetence.
He looked over to where a small group of men and women were talking in
what had once been the main hall. No, that would never do. He turned his
back on them in disgust. The precious Council would never admit to being
at fault.
Crispin was still silently reproaching the Council for its inadequacies
when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down into the fresh face of a
young girl, only few years younger than his own charges. Was she also a
Slayer? he wondered. "Excuse me sir, Mr Carruthers would like you to
join him."
It was about time. He gave the young girl a smile. "Thank you,"
he said but made move to follow as she skipped away. They had made him
wait, now it was their turn.
After a suitable length of time, Crispin made his way across the ash
strewn floor towards the members of the newly elected Council. Seven of
them there were, five men and two women, and not one of them was
less than sixty years old. As he got closer he could see that two of the
members were having a very animated discussion but not a word of it
reached his ears. Which was not surprising, Eleanor Harrington, the eldest
of the two women, was a powerful witch and a privacy spell would be of
little trouble to her.
"…are an old fool," he heard Diana Fellows finish as he passed
through the invisible barrier of the spell. Tall and stately she was known
for her sharp tongue and foul temper.
The object of her wrath, her brother Geoffrey, shifted uncomfortable.
"Now, now Di there's no need for that. It was only a
suggestion."
"Well it was a damn fool one, if…"
"Diana," a voice interrupted sharply. Elegantly dressed in an
expensive suit Austin Carruthers was a tall, painfully thin man and looked
like he had just come from Covent Garden. Which, Crispin had to admit,
could very well be the truth. Apart from being the foremost expert on
ancient texts Austin was also well known for his fondness of the opera.
"What is it Austin?" she demanded then noticing Crispin she
frowned. "We'll continue this later," she told her brother, who
looked less than thrilled by the prospect but nodded nonetheless.
As seven pairs of eyes turned to study him intently Crispin tried his best
to keep calm. It would do him little good to lose his temper, in fact it
would do him much harm. These men and women wielded a lot of power and
their influence spread far and wide.
"So you've finally decided to join us Crispin," Austin commented
coldly.
"Good evening, how is everyone tonight?" Crispin asked, ignoring
his snide remark, he should have known that his petulance wouldn't go
unnoticed.
"You can drop the small talk right away Crispin," Diana told
him. "What is it you want?"
Seeing only hard faces and impatient expressions he decided to take her
advice and get straight to the point. "I want what is mine."
"And what might that be young man?" Wheelchair bound he may be
but Cardis Harrington was not to be trifled with. Owner of the biggest
magical supplies company in Europe he was rumoured to have prolonged
his life through powerful spells. Or, if one believed the wildest gossip,
to be the son of a Warphana demon.
Crispin had a healthy respect for the man but he wasn't about to be
intimidated by him. Crispin had no little power of his own and more
importantly, at least in this instance, knowledge. "I want my
father's position."
Austin snorted. "Is that so? And what makes you think we'll give it
to you?"
"Let's just say that there are things that I know, things that might
have serious consequences if they were to get out."
Austin was unimpressed. "I don't believe you."
Crispin shrugged. "That's your prerogative and if you want to take
the risk that's up to you but let me warn you my father didn't raise any
stupid sons." Well that was a lie, he might have raised one.
"So you intend to blackmail us?" the elder man demanded angrily,
an anger that was reflected in the expressions of most of the other
councillors. "And what makes you think we won't take steps to silence
you? It would only be a moment's work."
"Oh give over Austin," Diana told him, "do you think he
wouldn't have thought of that?" She then looked at Crispin with
respect. "Quentin Travers paid the ultimate price in service of this
Council and we owe him something for that. If Crispin wants to be in
charge of our dealings with the Slayers then I say let him."
"But there are so many of them now," Geoffrey protested,
"hundreds if our eyes and ears are to be believed, popping up all
over the world."
"I don't think it is wise to give this responsibility to an outsider
Diana," Eleanor added. "One of the Councillors should have
it."
"Who do you suggest?" Diana asked, looking at the other woman.
"Do you want it Eleanor, do you want to spend your time scouring the
world for them or dealing with that girl?" She turned her sharp gaze
on her brother. "What about you Geoffrey, do you want something else
to interrupt your work? Because I know I don't and I'm sure Austin and the
others don't either." Her stare challenged any of them to disagree.
"We would have only chosen someone else to do it so we might as well
choose someone who wants to do it."
"Bah!" Austin waved his hand dismissively. "If he wants her
then let him have her, she's been nothing but trouble ever since she was
called." There was some grumbling from the other councillors but with
Austin in favour it was soon agreed. "I suppose you'll need to know
about the letter."
"Letter! What letter?"
"The letter we've sent to Buffy Summers," Geoffrey clarified.
Crispin grimaced. What had they done now? "Saying what?"
"It told her of the reformation of the Council and that she should
expect a visit from a team of Watchers in the near future."
The young man struggled to control himself. "Do you know how
difficult you've made it for me now?" Was there no end to the heavy
handedness the Council were capable of when it came to this Slayer?
Austin shrugged. "What would life be without a challenge?"
Crispin wanted nothing more than to strangle him. Involuntarily he took a
step forward but feeling a hand on his arm he stopped. "Don't be
hasty, young man," Diana warned.
Austin laughed harshly. "You'll do well to take heed young cub, you
may think you hold some sort of power but let me assure you it is of no
consequence." He looked at his fellow Councillors. "I think our
business here is concluded," he announced. "You'll keep us
informed."
It was not a question and without waiting for a reply, he turned and
walked towards his waiting car.
One by one the other Councillors followed until only Diana remained.
"Well done Crispin," she congratulated him, "you played
your hand well and you've got what you wanted, why I'm not sure yet"
her gaze turned icy "but make no mistake try to blackmail the Council
again and not only will I let Austin bury you, I'll pass him the
shovel."
In danger of crumbling under her cold stare Crispin didn't doubt that she
meant every word. "It won't happen again."
The elderly woman smiled. "Good, now about those slayers, do you have
any plans yet?"
He did but he wasn't about to tell her, no matter how helpful she seemed.
"I did have," he told her evasively.
Diana nodded knowingly, not fooled in the least. "And when will you
make contact?"
"I already have," he told her, "in a manner of
speaking."
Being so close to Los Angeles, San Bernardino didn't attract many of the
big names in fashion and consequently it wasn't what you would call a
shopper's paradise. If the townspeople wanted anything that little bit
special, then it usually meant a fifty mile trip to the big city.
There were of course two or three exceptions and Boutique Italia was one
of them. Though not very big it did stock the latest fashions and was the
place to go, if you had the money. It was also on Dawn's way to school and
she had been late on more than one occasion because she had lost track of
time whilst window shopping. Knowing it was highly unlikely that she would
ever be able to buy anything, at least until she got a job, didn't stop
her from looking or from dreaming.
The latest item to catch her eye was a pair of brown boots, calf high and
made from beautiful suede. She was just imagining how she would look with
them on when a familiar voice interrupted her reverie.
"Oh yes they'd suit you perfectly"
Dawn turned and found herself face to face with Julian, her erstwhile
suitor from the disastrous frat party. "Oh! Hi," she said.
Without the vampire costume and whitened face he seemed younger, only two
or three years older than herself.
"Hello stranger," he replied wryly. "I haven't seen you on
campus since the party."
"Well that's because I'm…er…actually still in High School."
She admitted. "We gate crashed the party."
"Did you now?" He laughed. "You're lucky the Zeta Beta
Thetas didn't catch you, they don't like gate crashers. On second thoughts
maybe they were lucky that they didn't catch you."
Darn! Dawn had hoped he hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary, a
vain hope as it turned out. "I'm not sure what you're trying to get
at."
"Of course you're not, that fire was a complete accident." He
winked. "Don't worry I won't say anything, I've had little accidents
like that as well."
Dawn's eyes widened and it was only through a super human effort that she
managed not to gasp. Was Julian saying he was a warlock or a magician of
some kind? Because it would be cool if he was. She wasn't about to do
anything stupid though, she'd lived with secrets all her life and wasn't
about to give one up so easily. "I'm glad you mentioned the
fire," she said trying to steer the subject away from magic,
"because I never did thank you for looking for my friends. Thank
you."
Julian smiled. "No thanks are necessary, I'm sure anyone would have
done the same in my position."
Run into a burning building? He must be kidding. "I don't think they
would have, it was very brave of you and stupid. I should never have
asked."
The young man shrugged. "Oh well, no harm done."
"No," Dawn agreed. "I was worried when I didn't see you
come out though. I thought you might have been trapped but my friend said
there was no one inside."
"Your friend was right, as soon as I saw that it was empty I found
the nearest exit, which happened to be a ground floor window. When I
spotted you with your friends I thought you were ok so I headed home. I
didn't mean to make you worry."
Dawn pouted. "Well you did."
"My humble apologies then." He knelt at her feet and bowed his
head. "Can you ever forgive me?"
Amused by his antics Dawn laughed. "Consider yourself forgiven"
she noticed several people looking at them curiously "now get up,
people are starting to stare."
"Let them stare," Julian said but nevertheless he sprang to his
feet. "Your forgiveness is all that matters to me and now that I have
it I can die content."
She shook her head. "You're mad," she told him.
"That's right," he agreed, "as mad as the March hare but
it's just part of my charm."
Mad and cocky, Dawn decided but had to admit that he was also quite
charming, in a strange sort of way. "Look, you've got yourself muddy
now as well."
He shrugged. "It was a small price to pay and anyway they're not my
favourite pair trousers."
"You really are…" Dawn began then frowned. Did he just say
trousers? And now that she thought about it his accent did remind her
Giles a little. "Are you from England?" she asked.
Julian blinked. "What a strange question? Why?"
Dawn shook her head. "No reason really, it was just when you said
trousers. I know someone who's English and he's the only other person I've
heard say trousers instead of pants."
"Well not guilty. I was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. We
did have a housekeeper who was English though, so maybe that why I say
trousers."
"Possibly," Dawn agreed, slightly embarrassed.
"Well anyway, it was nice seeing you again but I better be off. I've
got an archaeology lecture in ten minutes. A total bore but if I miss this
one I'm going to flunk it."
Oh crap, Dawn had totally forgotten about school. "What time is
it?"
"About nine."
"Damn!" Late again, Buffy was gonna kill her. "I don't mean
to be rude but…" she turned and broke into a run
"…bye."
Surprised by her abrupt departure Julian frowned "I'll see you around
then," he shouted but Dawn had already turned a corner and was out of
sight. The young man stood there for a few more seconds then shrugged and
headed off to college.
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