Title: Slayer Central chapter 7
Author: Gileswench
Contact: gileswench@yahoo.com
Feedback: Constructive criticism always welcome. Praise abjectly sought.
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Joss, Mutant Enemy, etc., etc., etc. I just let them have all the fun Joss won't. I own nothing except my twisted mind which you really don't want. Please don't sue.



"Bred? What, you mean like racehorses or poodles?"

Leo laughed.

"A very fitting analogy, Cordelia. I can see that you and I are going to be great friends. Yes, it's exactly like racehorses. The Council keeps records of every Watcher family: births, deaths, genetic deficiencies, all of it. They don't quite choose a breeding partner for one, but they encourage marriages between members of Watcher families, and occasionally take heroic measures to discourage relationships they deem unsuitable. They also encourage large families for Watchers. You see, a Watchers' family is a target, and they need to be assured that there will be enough left to create the next generation of Watchers."

"So why don't you have a whole pack of kids? And why don't Giles and Wesley?"

"In my case, while I've been married, and been married often, none of those relationships lasted. It seems I have much more talent for platonic relationships than romantic ones. With Rupert, there were...circumstances which we won't go into, because it isn't my place to tell you. As for Wesley, I don't know. I never met him until he came to Sunnydale and moved in with us all. We three are, however, exceptions to the rule."

"So were you fired like they were, or is there some sort of Watcher retirement plan with a gold watch and stuff?"

"I left the Council of my own free will. I couldn't stay. There were too many...moral ambiguities for my taste. And then I had the very convenient excuse that my heart wasn't up to it. Good timing, the doctor finding that just when he did."

Cordelia nodded and sipped her cocoa, though she was far from understanding. Her head was beginning to spin with all the information she had received.

"Leo?"

"Yes, Cordelia?"

"Do you know what's going on with Giles and his father?"

"Yes. But it's up to him to tell you or not as he thinks best."

"Can't you even give me a hint?"

"Believe it or not, I've already given you one. Well, long day tomorrow. I think I'd better try to get some sleep, and so should you, young lady."

Leo stood and took their mugs to the sink. After a moment, Cordelia stood and climbed the stairs to her room.

*****

Quentin Travers regarded the man who sat across the desk from him with scorn and not a little loathing.

"Poppycock" was his only comment to the tale he'd been told.

"I'm telling you the truth, Quentin. He told me himself."

"Come now, Cedric, you know what a ridiculous story this is. We both know that this marriage is one of convenience at best, if it in fact exists at all. Probably afraid of losing his green card after being unemployed for so long. And I shouldn't imagine he'd want to come back here."

"Won't you at least come to Sunnydale with me? If it's such nonsense, what can it hurt?"

"Hurt? Nothing. It can, however, waste my time. I don't like to waste time. I prefer to spend it in some fruitful manner rather than traipsing around the globe chasing wild geese."

"And if my story is true, you're facing a grave danger. One Slayer is in prison, the other is pregnant. Who guards the Hellmouth, Quentin?"

Travers shook his head sadly.

"It amazes me how far you are willing to go to hurt your own son. Most fathers simply wait for a convenient moment, but you actually flew halfway around the world to do it. If it wasn't so pathetic, it would almost be impressive. Still, you do make one good point. The Hellmouth must be guarded at all costs, and Slayers cannot be allowed to bear children to their Watchers; even former ones, eh, Cedric? I'll book our flight immediately and let you know the details."

Travers jotted down several notes, then raised his head as he realized that Cedric had made no move to leave.

"You may go" he said pleasantly, but firmly.

When Cedric had gone, Travers pressed the button for his assistant.

"Sullivan, we're going to California. Oh, and we're taking an interested party with us. Please make all the arrangements. Set it for the end of the week; that will give Mr. Giles some time to sweat a bit."

*****

When Buffy woke the next morning, she reached out to find Giles' side of the bed empty. She frowned, blinking her eyes open and looked around for him. The doorknob began to turn, so Buffy shut her eyes and feigned sleep.

The door opened and shut. Soft footsteps approached the bed. Buffy could feel someone leaning over her. She grabbed his face to surprise Giles with a good morning kiss. Something felt wrong.

She opened her eyes. She shut them immediately and groaned in dismay.

"Wesley! What are you doing here?"

"Good morning to you, too, Buffy," he replied wryly. "I must say I had no idea you felt that way about me."

Buffy turned crimson and hid her face in her hands.

"I can't believe I did that."

"Was it really as bad as all that?"

"No...not...I....Wes, are you teasing me?"

"Perhaps a bit."

"When did you get a sense of humor?"

"It's a recent development. And don't worry, I shan't be the one to tell your husband. All I was trying to do was bring you breakfast."

Buffy immediately turned her attention to the tray and attacked its contents ravenously.

"So where is my husband, anyway?"

"He's gone to start researching the strange behavior of the local vampires."

Buffy nodded her understanding as she took another bite of toast.

"That's my Rupert. Responsibility guy."

"I'd best be off as well. We've a great deal of research to do. Shall I give him any message for you?" Wesley stood and moved to the door. "Pass on that kiss, perhaps?"

The door was shut before Buffy's pillow hit it.

"Great. His reflexes have improved, too."

*****

Several hours later, Giles leaned back in his chair at the tarot table and rubbed his face. His shoulders were tight and his brain foggy from reading passage after passage that shed no light on the situation at hand. For a moment, he was reminded of the frustration of trying to research Mayor Wilkins' Ascension.

"I begin to seriously doubt we'll find anything here, Wesley."

Wesley shut his tome with a thump and a small cloud of dust.

"I begin to believe you're right. Which leaves us with the question what the bloody hell is going on?"

Anya appeared with fresh tea for both men.

"Any luck?"

"None whatsoever, thank you very much. How are the sales?"

The former demon shrugged at her boss.

"We're selling lots of little charms today. Oh, and lots of candles. One woman said that they were perfect for 'secret santa', whatever that is. Giles, what is a secret santa?"

"Do you know about Santa Claus?"

"Yes. Nasty troll. Rides a sleigh with flying reindeer and eats little children. Not to mention he never brushes his teeth. You can smell his bad breath for miles."

"Yes, quite...um...perhaps this isn't the Santa Claus I was thinking of. I was thinking of the one who distributes gifts to small children on Christmas Eve."

"That's the one! That's how he lures the children out of their beds in the night. But what does it have to do with Christmas?"

The Watchers regarded one another in confusion. They were saved from further explanation by the tinkling of the bell above the door signaling a customer.

"I've an idea, Anya; why don't we discuss this tonight at home? Less interruptions there, yes?"

Giles blinked hopefully at the girl. Anya grumbled slightly, but went to greet the new patron. Wesley smiled slightly.

"You're hoping something will prevent you from having that talk, aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Don't worry; perhaps the Apocalypse will fail to be averted tonight, and you won't have to talk to her."

"One can only hope."

They shared a small smile, then looked up at the nervous figure that approached the table.

"Crystal, what can I do for you?"

The girl looked oddly at Wesley, then at Giles before she sat down.

"I need something, Rupert. I - I need someone to find Hank."

"Of course we will find him if that's what you want."

"Yeah, it's what I want. After all, it's the only way I can get a divorce, isn't it?"


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