by Rob Sorenson

******************Bavaria-Late Feb, 1975***************

For the first time in nearly a month, young Rupert was at last allowed to make his way into the forest with Inge for patrol.

Also for the for the first time ever, Hans Katzenbach was not accompanying them. He anxiously watched them disappear into the woods, hoping Rupert's recent behavior hadn't been a sham. He'd actually behaved with something approaching decency since the unfortunate confrontation in the kitchen. He hadn't lit a cigarette in the house since that time, and had actually prepared breakfast every morning after all night patrols. Research, something the youngster had studiously avoided, was slowly becoming far easier with his involvement. Katzenbach hadn't been lied to about Giles's capabilities: he indeed possessed a superb mind when properly motivated. Still, Katzenbach was troubled. If only Giles were his lone concern, he could deal with that. No, things were actually much more serious than a prodigal son of the Watcher's Council.

The German had been called away to London for urgent Council business. Dutifully he followed orders, though somewhat reluctantly; he had no desire to leave Inge alone. More importantly he had little illusions regarding the nature of his London visit.

In his more honest moments, he reflected that he didn't want to leave Inge at any time. Their bond had only grown more intense in the isolation of the Black Forest, and for Katzenbach it was comparable to torture.

As a child, he'd read the Christian version of creation. Visions had cascaded through his young mind of the beauty of the Garden of Eden. Life was perfect in the story; the existence was idyllic. Clothing was not needed, food was plentiful, sickness and disease simply did not occur. What more could one ask for?

There had been only one requirement: the fruit from one lone tree was not to be eaten. As he'd matured, serious thought had been given to why God would wish to place a forbidden tree there at all. It had come to him as he'd spent time within the corridors of Council headquarters: Power. God had placed something forbidden in the midst of perfection to demonstrate his power over them. He'd needed them to know who was in control.

Unfortunately for them, when He'd built the man, shortly followed by the woman from his rib, curiosity had somehow worked it's way into the blueprint of humanity. Strange, Katzenbach thought, that an all-powerful being would create such an imperfection in His most gifted creatures.

One would think that the First People had been set up to fail. No matter the circumstances, what human being would not feel the desire to touch and taste the one thing that was forbidden to them? The more Katzenbach learned about himself, the more he wondered why a serpent had been needed. He strongly suspected that this had been added to the story to make people feel better about themselves.

Katzenbach had no such illusions. Humans were responsible for their own actions. He'd spent too much time among the best and worst of society to feel differently.

Now, at the age of 38, he felt he fully understood Eve's plight. He felt very alone....and sorely tempted by that which he was not destined to have. It simply wasn't allowed.

That made him want it all the more.

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

Two hours had passed with no demonic activity in the Black Forest. Barely a word had been spoken between Inge and Giles in that time. For his part, he found himself glad to be back in action. As much as he'd hated it originally, he found himself strangely moved by the sheer dedication of these people....especially the girl.

<Actually, she makes several of my parts move,> he thought with a smile as he walked behind her. Putting aside his juvenile lust, he decided to make conversation. Anything to distract his mind from his seemingly frozen hands and feet.

"May I call you Inge?"

She stopped and turned to him, face expressionless. Patrol mode, he supposed.

"It is my name, Mr. Giles."

She resumed walking. Encouraged by her response, he went on.

"When I'm out with my mates, they call me Ripper. You can call me that, if you want."

"Wasn't a famous killer known by that title?"

"Yes. In London, actually."

"You want me to refer to you using the name of a mass murderer? If you were truly that, I may have to kill you."

Giles considered this nervously.

"All right then, Rupert would be fine."

He thought he'd spotted her back moving slightly, as if she'd chuckled. <She wants to play, does she? Fine then, we'll play.>

"Of course, based on your logic, you would have to strongly consider killing everyone on Earth named Adolf. I daresay you have some relatives with that name. How will you manage?"

She turned to him, only to see a smirking Giles, arms folded. She smiled slightly.

"You may have a point. Still, I plan to call you Rupert. I'm sorry if this offends you. On the other hand, I could wrap you around that tree, so perhaps you could indulge me."

Giles laughed out loud at that one.

"What is this then? Inge The Vampire Slayer has a sense of humor?"

"Not really. Wrapping you around a tree just sounded like a good way to pass the time."

"Sod off---Inge, above you!!"

The vampires leapt out of their hiding place above, swooping toward the Slayer.

Who wasn't there. Inge had sensed them before Giles had said a word and dove into the darkness of the trees. The two creatures of the night swiveled their heads frantically, having lost sight of their prey. Outside of Giles's heavy breathing, not a sound could be heard in the Black Forest night. It was as if she'd disappeared.

Giles stood on the path, 15 feet away. His eyes were terrified and outraged.

"That bloody bitch left me!!"

The vampires looked at each other and smiled, shrugging slightly. At least their attack wouldn't be a total loss. They advanced slowly toward Giles, smiling through their demonic masks. Just out of arms reach he dove to his left, revealing Inge standing behind him with a crossbow in each hand.

Her beautiful face was the last thing they saw as she fired into their hearts.

"Damn it all. I landed on a sodding rock."

Inge smiled at him as she held her hand out to help him up.

"Well done, Rupert. You handle yourself quite well when you need to. Normally, I cannot use that strategy with Hans. He isn't tall enough to conceal my presence."

He couldn't help smiling back at a face like hers.

"Yes, well....glad to be of use."

"I think you could do that much more often if you chose to."

Giles pointed a finger at her.

"Exactly. If I chose to," he said, putting particular emphasis on the word "I". He went on, as if he'd been waiting for this to come up.

"Is there no part of you who doesn't feel cheated by all this? Being told that you're destined for this and nothing more?"

She hesitated, considering his question.

"I have been doing this for nearly two years. Walking through these forests, killing demons of all kinds. Hans and I worked together to avert an apocalypse or two in that time. I know it seems quite isolated to you here, but in the warmer months we see many people here, many of whom are alive right now because of me. Due to my efforts, and the efforts of those who came before me, the world continues to turn. That is compensation enough."

Giles shook his head.

"That was a lovely speech, Inge. I won't deny that you do great things for the world. I was told from childhood that my job was to train those like you to protect the helpless. Here's my problem: while all the people--some of which are undeserving, by the way-get to live their normal lives, what do you get? What is the Slayer's reward?"

"I believe I just told you. The world remains."

"And you don't?"

She smiled at him as she sat on a tree stump.

"I am very much alive, Rupert."

"I believe you understand my point."

"Actually, I do not. What do you wish to hear, exactly?"

Giles huffed in frustration.

"It's not about what I bloody want to hear! It's about this whole rotten system! You are a soldier, Inge. One of many. Your job is to fight until you die. Our job is to watch it happen. I've seen the world, Inge; I daresay a lot more of it than you. A bit of news: the people of this world don't give a damn about each other, much less the things a couple of people do on a cold sodding night in the woods. I'm uncertain they would care even if we were allowed to tell them why we do this."

"Rupert, not all people are this way. There are those who believe in something. You're smart enough to know that as well as I do. It isn't for you or me to judge."

"With all due respect, Inge....that is rubbish. You fight every day to keep the world safe from harm and no one knows but a few. Inevitably, you will die. Alone. Isolated from anyone or anything. Is that what you want?"

"There are more important things than simply what I want."

"Ah. I see. Well then, Hans will be greatly relieved that you don't want more from him than what you already have."

She stared at him, bright blue eyes widening slightly. Abruptly she rose and walked down the path. With a triumphant grin Giles went after her.

"Here now, why are you walking away? I thought you were all right being alone."

"It is best we don't speak of this, Mr. Giles."

"Heard that one before...from him."

She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to face him.

"What did he say?"

Giles shrugged. "He threw me against the wall and told me to treat you with more respect."

"Apparently you didn't listen. What did he say about...he and I?"

Giles shook his head sadly.

"Inge, he said nothing about the two of you. He can't discuss his feelings with anyone. I'm not sure he can even be honest with himself at this point. Score one for the bloody system you like so much."

For a long moment, Inge said nothing. Finally, she spoke, eyes shining with tears.

"Do you feel better?"

Giles was taken aback. "I don't understand."

"Does it make you feel good to see that I am indeed human; that I feel pain just like everyone else? Does it justify why you act the way you do?"

"Wait a moment, I--"

"No! You wanted to speak of this, so we will. I am allowed to share my life with one other, my Watcher; that is my destiny. As it happens, I have fallen in love with him. I've met enough men to know that there is no one better than Hans. He is a kind, decent person who does all he can to make this easier for me...except the one thing I want most.

I suppose your actions here are a way to make you feel better about yourself after all you've done. Yes, I am aware of some of your past. I've seen that tattoo on your arm, much as you try to hide it, and I researched what it means."

Giles's eyes widened in shock, and he suddenly looked down as she continued.

"You rebelled against your destiny, and in doing do you've developed resentment toward those who have not. Now your magics have created part of the problem that I, or some other Slayer at some time, will have to face, and you've apparently decided to soothe your guilt by tearing down others. Well, congratulations. You have succeeded in hurting me."

She walked quickly, back toward him, attempting to brush past. Giles stepped in her way.

"Inge, please.."

She responded by throwing him headfirst into the snow.

"This patrol is over."

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

Buffy watched in horror and Faith choked Xander within an inch of his life, only to be saved at the last second by Angel. Faith was carried out, presumably to the mansion where she'd been chained up.

Xander was left in the motel bed, alone. Slowly he began to breathe normally, sitting up against the headboard. He began to run his hands along the filthy sheets....and burst into tears.

Buffy's eyes welled, and she turned to the version of Xander standing next to her in the corner of the room.

"Xand, I'm so sorry."

"It's ok. It was a long time ago, and Faith was a Slayer. That was a lot more potentially dangerous than my pathetic sex life."

"You weren't pathetic. You were trying to help. I should have realized how much it meant to you."

"Doesn't matter any more."

"I think it does. Your brain wouldn't be showing it to us if it didn't. You DO realize that Faith would never hurt you now, right? She'd die first, Xand, and I'm not exaggerating. You should've seen her when we thought you were dead."

"You thought I was dead?"

She smiled at him. "Yeah. We should've known better. Somehow you always manage to survive, even when you aren't supposed to."

"Just lucky, I guess."

"Don't sell yourself short. You're tougher than you look."

"Had some practice."

They were back in the Harris family basement, now sitting on the washer and dryer, legs dangling. Buffy looked around at the depressing room, eyes falling on the sofa.

"Hey, your brain fixed the spring. You've got a pretty efficient service department. First my hair and clothes, then the-"

She was interrupted by a child's cry of pain, quickly followed by a little boy tumbling down the stairs, hitting his head hard on the bottom step Buffy instinctively began to push herself off the machine, only to find herself unable to move toward the injured child.

"Buff, this happened 15 years ago. You can't do anything about it now."

She turned and saw Xander, unmoving from his perch on the dryer. His face was devoid of emotion, eyes slightly widened as he relived the memory. Buffy recognized the _expression; it was very similar to the one he'd displayed for the past 9 days in the hospital.

"Jesus Christ, boy, I barely touched you. You just can't take your whuppin', can you. You gotta make everything into this big production."

Buffy recognized that voice. She turned back, suddenly well aware of the memory being relived.

Tony Harris came lurching down the stairs, clearly well into his daily drunken stupor. His hands were clawing at his belt, as he continued his rant.

"Everything's a big damn joke to you. You thought it was real funny when your dad got pulled over, didn't you? You thought I didn't see you laughing at me?"

"I didn't-"

8 year old Xander cried out as his father struck him with his belt.

"Shut up! Don't lie to me! You think I'm a big joke, huh? I got an even bigger one for you, Alex. You know that dirt bike you saw on TV that you wanted to bad? Your mama begged me to get it for you. I said no way I'm spending that kinda money."

He brought the belt down hard on the boy, who was now rolled into a terrified ball, hands clasped over his head. Waiting it out.

"You know what? I changed my mind. I'm gonna buy that bike. You know why?"

He brought the belt down on Xander's fingers, causing him to cry out.

"Answer me when I ask you a question, boy! Do you know why?"

Buffy's fists were clenched in impotent rage as little Xander's muffled answer came out amidst his sobs.

"N-no."

"I got a call last week from your teacher. Tells me about this kid who beat your ass up at lunch because you wouldn't give him your dessert. I'm thinkin', yeah, big fuckin deal. It happens in school, right? Then this chick tells me the next day you just gave it to him without putting up a fight."

Tony Harris was shaking his head in disbelief as he laid yet another stripe on to Xander's back.

"You just gave up, like a little girl. I blame myself. I've been too easy on you. Either way, I'm done giving a shit. You humiliated me for the last time. I'm gonna buy that bike, Alex....and then I'm gonna give it to that kid that beat your ass up. That's the type of kid who I'd want for my son. I don't know WHAT the fuck you are."

With one last lash at Xander, Tony Harris climbed the stairs, leaving the bleeding boy in his supine position.

Buffy closed her eyes and willed herself to think of something comforting to say. She found herself wishing Spike was there. He always seemed to find the right words. Finally she just hopped back on the washer and faced Xander, taking his right hand in both of hers.

When she heard the front door creaking open, with a cursing Tony Harris stumbling out, she felt deeply relieved. Less than a minute later, her relief changed to dread as she heard the telltale sound of the door reopening. Anxiously she looked to both little and big Xander, amazed to see the big version smiling slightly.

"Xand? What's going on?"

"This part is a lot easier to watch."

Buffy concentrated on the light footsteps above. After a few moments she heard a little voice that could only be one person.

"Xander? Are you here? Your door was open. I wanna play Barbies. I promise this time we'll make believe they're fighting or something if that's more fun."

When the basement door opened, Buffy heard a gasp, followed by a Ken doll flying head over heels down the steps as he'd been dropped by the shocked girl. Seconds later a little flash of plaid skirt and red hair flew down the stairs two at a time. Buffy couldn't hold back a wide smile of delight.

"Look at little Willow!!"

- End Chapter Seven-