by Rob Sorenson

***************London, East End-March 1975***************

Hans Katzenbach, Rupert Giles and Inge Steiner were three very nervous people.

Giles had been away now for nearly two months, and his virtually isolated experience with the current Slayer and his fellow Watcher had changed his outlook dramatically. What had felt like a banishment 60 days ago had turned into something of an epiphany. He had a place in life; all he had to do was find it again.

His admiration for Katzenbach had risen dramatically over recent days. Giles knew damned well that putting his Slayer through this had been torturous. It amazed him that the old man possessed the fortitude to see it through. Rupert knew perfectly well that he could never have done so, and he'd known Inge for a much shorter period of time.

Now if he could get out of the East End without running into any of his old mates, he could move on with his life. He longed to remain with Hans and Inge, if only as an assistant and researcher. This was where the action was, and by God, he wanted to be there.

Travers had insisted that Giles facilitate matters in his home country, and he'd complied, of course. Still, the place where he'd tempted death one too many times was not a preferred destination by any measure.

Giles knew his way around the city. It was as simple as that. It could be stated without exaggeration that he knew the seedier parts of London far too well. Some part of him just knew that old bastard Travers took pleasure in forcing young Rupert to return to the scene of his rebellious acts.

So there they were, making their way through the crowded streets in a Mini that Inge had a difficult time fitting her long legs into.

For her part, she was still totally at a loss. Her Slayer powers were nonexistent; at his point she would have done almost anything to retrieve them. One might think that this would present a release to her burden; a chance to have a normal life. She'd never even considered that part of the equation. Inge Steiner knew what went bump in the night, and she would be damned before facing the world without powers. When her panic had muted to the point of simple desperation, she marveled anew at the courage of Hans...and even Rupert. They faced the darkness with no advantages as she did. She would remind herself to recognize that fact once things returned to normal, as Hans had assured her they would.

Thank God she had him. If there was one person she knew would never let her down, it was her Watcher. Personal feelings had been put aside, and rightfully so. She swore to herself that she would never broach uncomfortable subjects with him again. She needed him far too much.

Hans Katzenbach was at least partially convinced that he had gone insane. He had shown his counterparts as little as possible in terms of facial _expression, but Inge knew him far too well. She had sensed his discomfort, and had more than once gripped his hand, offering solace through the haze of her own feelings of despair.

This had done little more than make him fervently wish to drive a stake through his own heart. Still, Travers had left him with no choice. When he had been called to England in the previous month, he'd been given very simple terms: either go through with the Cruciamentum or be removed as Watcher without notice. The only hope he had of staying with her was intentionally putting her at great peril.

At last they pulled up to the two story home. Giles parked on the street and sat, saying nothing. His eyes darted about nervously. It would be just his luck that Ethan would show up right about now. He had no desire to see that stupid git for the rest of his life.

Hans looked at Inge.

"I need you to stay here while I go speak to the Council. Travers says he may have some answers for us."

"I don't understand why we can't go together."

He smiled apologetically.

"Only Watchers are allowed in Council meetings. Don't worry. We'll be back soon."

"All right."

Inge untangled herself from the cramped vehicle, wincing slightly as she straightened her long legs. Hans followed her out from the back. She looked at him with some amusement as he prepared to walk her across the street.

"Hans, are you all right?"

"Of course."

She smiled uncertainly and stepped toward the house. Hans took her arm after one step. She turned to him, _expression still pleasantly confused. Giles ticked his eyes toward them nervously from his vantage point in the driver's seat.

"Inge, be careful."

"I know that I'm only human at the moment, but I believe I can still cross the street without help."

He forced a smile in return.

"Well, you know, these foreigners drive on the wrong side of the road."

Forgetting herself for a moment, she pulled him into a tight embrace. Alarmed at her sudden decision, she tried to pull back in embarrassment, but Hans held on to her tightly. Inge felt a fluttering deep within the base of her abdomen as her body reacted to his touch.

Giles was beginning to ease his way out of the seat...for what, he didn't know. He simply couldn't sit still at that moment.

Finally letting her go, Hans took one long look into her eyes.

"When I return, we must talk."

She stared back, almost afraid to comprehend what she saw. His hug had been far more than simple affection. Both knew it. Eyes shining, she nodded.

"Then we will."

Inge Steiner, Vampire Slayer, walked across the street, smiling broadly. Suddenly things didn't seem so bad. She opened the front door and walked in to the Council-owned home.

Without a word, Giles left the vehicle and quickly crossed the street, padlocking the front door and double checking the bars over the boarded windows. Satisfied that everything was secure, he made his way back across, finding Katzenbach already seated. He slid in and glanced over at his friend.

Hans Katzenbach's eyes spoke volumes. Wisely, Giles remained silent as he started the car and left the East End of London, toward Council Headquarters.

****************************************************************

Xander Harris was well aware that he wasn't the brightest bulb in the Home Depot all the time. He'd only recently come to accept the fact that his gifts were in fact not inferior to Buffy, Spike, Willow, Faith or Dawn's. They were simply different.

He had slowly built a place within the group. Xander had his niche. He did the little things that the warriors simply didn't have time to deal with. Providing food. Making repairs. Acting goofy when someone was down. Giving a serious piece of advice when the more respected people were too busy wrapped up in their own thing.

These were his strengths. His weaknesses, by contrast, involved his seemingly boundless courage. He would throw himself against anything, almost always unable to do any real damage. Most normal humans would have given up, or at least had the sense to let those who could handle those things do their job.

It is a hard lesson for anyone to learn: know your limitations, and stick to what works. Xander had figured this out, albeit slowly and with dangerous consequences to himself. There were times to do battle, and times to hang back. He knew that his role was, at times, pretty thankless. On the other hand, thanks weren't required for those who knew their own deal. Most of Xander's issues had stemmed from a misguided sense of worthless self.

Now things had changed. Suddenly his role had expanded to a new level. He had the ability to affect the outcome of things through his link with Buffy. This was unexpected. Still, their bond had made them both remarkably comfortable with one another. If anyone could make this work, it would be them.

Unfortunately, there were still times when Xander's foolish recklessness would reassert itself. Case in point:

"Dawnie!!"

Before Xander could get to the second syllable Buffy was already moving like lightning. She could literally feel Xander freaking, and he didn't do that without a good reason.

For his part, Xander moved instinctively. He raised his plaster encased leg in front of Dawn's head.

Milliseconds later shards of plaster were blasted throughout the room as the bullet zipped through the window; Xander was thrown off his bed with the impact.

The rest of the Gang simply dropped to the floor. Dawn was moaning, and for a brief, horrible moment Xander and Buffy thought she'd been hit.

In truth, she had; just not with a bullet. Buffy had landed hard on top of her younger sister when she'd tackled her. Buffy hollered out to the group, though it was unnecessary. The weapon had been silenced; very little actual noise had been made.

"Is everyone ok?"

"What in the bloody Hell is going on?"

"Xander, baby, are you all right?"

"You don't have to worry about getting that cast off me any more."

Xander had been lucky. The cast had only suffered a glancing blow. A direct hit from a high powered rifle could have blown his foot off, cast or no cast. For the sake of his future health he hoped Faith wouldn't figure that out any time soon.

"You dumbass!!!"

Too late.

Buffy quickly moved off her sister.

"Dawn, are you ok?"

"Yeah. I think so. Ummm....were they shooting at me?"

Buffy simply nodded. Dawn began visibly shaking.

"Can we just cancel everything I said a minute ago? I think I'm a little freaked."

Buffy just held on to Dawn fiercely, giving both a moment to collect themselves. Looking over toward Xander, the older Summers ticked her eyes down to his foot, then met his eyes, silently questioning.

He nodded to reassure her that he was indeed ok. She reached out and squeezed his hand, an earnest _expression on her face. Xander shrugged and grinned crookedly. As much as he'd always craved it, when Buffy did show him genuine gratitude he found it oddly humbling. As close as they'd become over the years, knowing all her faults, Buffy was still Xander's hero. There was just something about her that had always inspired awe in him.

Willow was flattened like all the rest, but she and Faith weren't behind the safety of the bed; Spike was hunched in the corner, out of the sunlight. His face was eerily calm in the face of the others' panic. He spoke quietly.

"Faith, Willow. You're in his sights. You need to move out of there. He could open fire on both of you any time."

"M-maybe if I could do a spell to...to" Buffy interrupted her redheaded friend.

"Stop bullets?"

"Well...yes. I know a spell that can actually do that, but guns kinda freak me out, and I can't remember it right now."

"Don't worry about it now, Wills. Just crawl over here by us. You're a wide open target."

"Wait!! Wait!! I can do a protection spell!"

"Willow--"

"Shush. Give me a second." The Wicca closed her eyes.

"Goddess Hecate, hear my plea. Create a net of safety around these six. Protect them from harm."

Silence. Willow took a deep breath.

"There, I think that will do it."

Faith, who had shimmied along the floor next to Spike in his corner, spoke up.

"How do you know?"

"What do you mean, how do I know? Hellooo, witch here. I think I can tell when a spell is going to--"

A bullet slammed into the wall just over Buffy's head as she'd raised up to look out the window. Both she and Dawn screamed at once as Buffy ducked back down. Dawn's voice came out slightly muffled beneath her sister.

"I think Hecate's on a break."

Xander found Dawn's eyes and winked.

"These ancient deities have great labor unions."

"You think there's a strike?"

"Could be. They may be asking for a wage increase. Have you checked the market price for ambrosia lately?"

Willow's eyes were wide, stage whispering..

"Xander, don't mock the Goddess!"

"Hey, I got issues with the Goddess right now. She just about got Buffy killed a second ago."

"Still, you just don't...wait, I have another idea."

"This oughta be good."

"Shut up, Faith."

"You shut up, Red."

"No, YOU shut up!!"

"Oh, bollocks, would you just get on with the damned spell already!"

Properly chastened, Willow closed her eyes and mouthed another incantation. This time a bright light flashed and Willow was gone. A second later she reappeared in the spot where Xander, Buffy and Dawn lay behind his bed.

More accurately she was lying directly on top of her oldest friend.

"Ummm, hey Wills."

"Hi, Xand. Sorry to drop in like this."

Faith was now lying on her side, peering underneath Xander's bed.

"Red, what the Hell are you doing?"

"I teleported myself out of danger."

"Piece of advice? If you're layin' on top of my man, you're still in danger."

"Faith, I cant really move right now. We're sort of smooshed in here."

"You ARE still officially gay, right?"

Willow just stared daggers at the brunette Slayer. Faith pointed a finger at them.

"No Homecoming flashbacks. Got me?"

Both nodded simultaneously.

Xander couldn't resist leaning in to whisper softly in Willow's ear.

"You don't feel gay to me."

"Slayer hearing, asshole!"

Xander jerked back, peeking over at Faith's glare of death. This day had started out so well....

"Ummm, I have a question."

Another shot blasted the wall directly over the bed. Willow buried her face in Xander's neck and screeched in terror. Buffy spoke in a patient tone.

"Dawn, next time we're being targeted by a sniper using Xander's hospital bed as cover, try to remember that it isn't necessary to raise your hand when you have a question."

Xander looked at Willow with a raised eyebrow.

"You know what the sad thing is? We might actually need to apply that knowledge some other time."

Dawn spoke again. "Sooo, can I ask my question now?"

Everyone else spoke as one:

"Yes."

"Willow, why can't you just teleport all of us into the hallway?"

No one spoke for a moment. Faith found her voice first.

"Girl's got a point."

Willow closed her eyes, incanting softly again, this time with a bit more intensity.

Another flash of light, and the hospital room was empty.

The Scooby Gang were now lying together, only forty feet from where they had been, but out of the line of fire. Buffy scooped a still shaken Dawn and practically carried her to a chair in the nearby waiting room.

Xander and Willow were still lying together. The Wicca was taking a few deep breaths. Teleportation spells were pretty intense, no matter what the distance. Xander, for his part, still had his eyes closed tightly. He was terrified of any spell that involved him.

Both sensed someone exhaling very close. They turned to see Faith, who was lying next to them, inches from their faces. She spoke very slowly.

"You can get off him now."

Hastily Willow scrambled off from atop Xander and quickly left, heading for the waiting room to check on Dawn.

The Key was hunched over, arms folded. Her body rocked forward and backward quickly. Buffy was knelt in front of her sister. Dawn spoke softly, not stopping the nervous motions.

"Why would anyone shoot at me?"

Faith had entered the room.

"It's the damn Council. They must have found out that you...you know."

Dawn's face cleared in comprehension. Her physical motions stilled.

"How could they know about that?"

Faith's head went down, moving from one foot to another.

"We sorta let the French guy go so he could deliver a message."

Buffy looked up at that.

"What kind of message?"

"We wanted to let 'em know that we were on to them. Figured it might flush them out a little. Unsettle them some."

The blonde Slayer faced the brunette one squarely.

"It worked."

"Yeah. Didn't think they'd attack us. Spike and I decided that they'd probably run, and we could run 'em down."

"It nearly got my sister killed."

"Buffy, if I thought the dude would even mention that part, I wouldn't have let him go. You know none of us would do anything to put Dawn in danger."

"Well, she was."

Dawn took Buffy's hand.

"Buffy, it's not Faith's fault. She probably thought the Council would only care about you two, or maybe Willow."

The older Slayer's eyes softened a bit. "They must be soldiers. It's an honor code thing with them. I never thought the Council would have those kin of guys either. Still, no more acting alone. If we agree to do something like that we all need to know. 'Kay?"

Faith nodded; Dawn followed suit. Buffy's face changed again to a frightening glare.

"Ok, boys. You had your shot. Now it's my turn."

Buffy left the waiting room with a determined stride, Faith and Dawn close behind. Xander had just hobbled his way to the room when Buffy nearly knocked him off his feet. He called to her.

"Buffy. Those guys still have high powered rifles. You can't very well go after them."

She spun on him.

"What do you expect me to do, wait for them to attack us again? They could be trying to run right now. They are NOT getting away with trying to kill my sister."

Spike had arrived, and was ready to give his opinion when his jaw dropped open once he looked over the Slayers' shoulders.

A new voice spoke up from behind the women.

"The shooters aren't going anywhere."

Buffy and Faith turned to face the all too familiar voice. Both women's faces became transformed with joy, while Xander and Spike's changed to consternation. The two Slayers spoke to the recent arrival in one soft, reverent tone:

"Angel."

- End Chapter Twelve -