Title: Slayer Central chapter 22
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.



"Yes, I do know where to find her. What I fail to understand is why I would tell you where she is."

Travers smirked at his former employee.

"She's the Slayer, Rupert. That's why you'll tell me."

"She doesn't work for you anymore, and neither do I."

"We'll find her, you know. It's better for both of you if we don't have to look too hard."

"Is that a threat?"

"No. Not a threat; merely a statement of fact."

"So you think I'll just hand her over to you? After everything you've done to her? After everything you've done to both of us? I never thought you were a fool, Quentin."

"Well, I never thought you were one, either. Still, an English fool with no green card will have little hope of keeping us from the Slayer."

Giles laughed bitterly.

"I knew you lot were behind it. It won't work, you know. I won't be deported."

"Behind what? What in heaven's name are you talking about?"

"You're not behind it? You didn't start this investigation into my immigration status?"

"They're trying to deport you?"

"They won't succeed."

"Because you've married the Slayer?"

"As a matter of fact, that's right. I suppose you got that from your humble toady, my father."

"Cedric has seen the value of loyalty, Giles. You could learn a lesson from him."

"I already have. That's why I won't be like him."

"My dear boy, you will be. You'll be just like him. It can't be helped. Now, which Cedric will you be like? That's the only question at hand. Think it over, Rupert. I'm sure you'll come to a wise decision."

*****

"Come on, guys, you have to let me carry something. I can do it. I have superpowers."

"No way," Cordelia grunted as she shifted the packages in her arms. "You're not supposed to be lifting heavy stuff, and I'm making sure you don't."

"How about a little one, then? I could carry something little that doesn't weigh much. Just a bitty Buffy bag?"

"Stop it," Cordelia laughed. "Giles would totally have a heart attack if I let you carry a pair of socks. Speaking of Giles, what are you getting him for Christmas?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I'm not sure yet. I mean, he's book guy, but the sort of books he reads aren't on the shelves at Borders. And, yeah, there's daddy stuff, and he's really into the daddy thing, but this is our first Christmas together. I sorta wanted to give him something a little more...personal."

"You could give him sexy underwear or some massage oil," Anya suggested. That would be personal."

"Yeah, I can just see my husband, blushy guy, opening up a leopard print thong in front of Xander and Willow - not to mention my mom. Total heart attack time. Anyway, I want it to be something he can keep forever and always think of now. I want him to remember how happy we are right now. Something to remind him...in case...well, you know. Slayer. Not exactly looking at a long timeline here."

The four became quiet for a time. At last Crystal spoke.

"You could make him a scrapbook. Y'know, with pictures of you guys and your families and stuff. And maybe you could leave some blank pages at the end to put stuff about the baby and the rest of your first year together."

"Y'know, that's not a bad idea. I think I'll do that."

*****

"If you have a threat to make, just make it, Quentin. I'm not in a mood for games."

"There are no games here, Rupert; no threats either. There is something the Slayer wants. We know where to find it. We also know how to make sure she never learns the truth."

"And what precisely is it that you think Buffy wants?"

"I understand that Miss Summers is looking for her father."

"You know where Hank Summers is?"

"If the Slayer wishes to find her father, she will need to deal with us."

Giles gave a bitter laugh.

"Are you holding him prisoner? Is that it?"

"That would be telling. Inform the Slayer she has twenty-four hours to make her decision. After that, well, I shouldn't like to answer for the consequences - for either of you."

Travers headed for the door leaving a fuming Giles in his wake. As he opened the door, the old man turned.

"Oh, and Rupert? I do believe it's time you had a haircut."

As soon as Travers was gone, Giles pounded his fist on the counter.

"Bastards! Bloody bastards!"

He immediately locked the door and flipped the sign to read 'closed'. He needed to be home when Buffy got there.

*****

Four young women laughed and joked as they made their way to the door of the huge Victorian house they lived in. Buffy had even quit grumbling about not being allowed to carry anything. At least she had gotten out of the house. Besides, she was more tired than she liked to admit after two hours at the mall.

"So, what's everybody's plan for the afternoon?" Cordelia asked.

"I have to go to work and replace the money I spent today," Anya offered.

"Naptime for Buffy. That, and maybe a lunch break visit from my sweetie," chimed the Slayer, stifling a yawn.

"A nap sounds great," Crystal sighed. "I can't believe how tired I am."

"Wow. Big plans all the way around," Cordelia said. "But you know you're all spending the night in my room tonight. I need your guys' help to figure out how to use these three tasks of Wesley's to the best advantage."

"No problem, Cordy. Though you gotta realize that when I say 'no problem, Cordy', I actually mean 'arrrrgh, I just got the green light for smoochies and you're making me all frustrated'. I really hope Rupert comes home for lunch today."

Just then, the door opened and Giles stood before them.

"Ooh. I gotta make wishes more often if they come true that easy," Buffy gushed. "Hey, sweetie, whatch'a doing home so early?"

"What are you doing here, Giles? Who's watching the shop?" Anya focused on the practical.

Giles ignored his assistant. In fact, he ignored all of them except his wife.

"We need to talk privately."

He took Buffy's hand and led her upstairs. The other girls stared after the couple.

"Wow. I guess they can't wait for more sex."

Crystal shook her head.

"I don't think this is about sex, Anya. Giles looked too serious."

"Okay, as much as I don't want to go with demon girl here, the fact is Giles always looks serious. I just hope they're quiet. And what are we going to do with Buffy's bags of clothes and stuff while they're making the beast with two backs?"

Nobody answered Cordelia's question.

*****

Giles shut the door behind himself and joined Buffy sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked at the floor and laced his fingers together as he gathered his thoughts.

"Uh oh. It's bad, isn't it?"

Giles smiled ruefully. The girl could read him like a book, now she took the time to do so.

"I had a visit today, from Quentin Travers. He came by the shop."

"Travers? The guy who fired you? He's here? In Sunnydale?"

"Yes to all four of your questions. What's more, he has come to return you to the fold of the Watchers' Council. He's come to test you, Buffy."

"Test? What sort of test?"

Her voice dropped to a nervous whisper.

"I can't take tests right now, Rupert. The doctor said I'm supposed to take it easy and not have stress. How can I not have stress if they're testing me again? I can't fight now. Couldn't they give me a multiple choice test? Maybe over the phone from England? I'd like them on phones. Rupert, you have to make them not be here."

"Shhh, sweetheart, calm down," Giles told his wife as he held her close. "I won't let them hurt you or the baby."

"How can you stop them? Unless I don't take their test. I don't have to take it, do I?"

Giles hesitated before answering.

"I don't have to do it, do I?"

"Of course you may tell them to leave us in peace, Buffy, but I doubt they will. They want you back under their control. If you refuse to do this, they will simply up the stakes as it were until you do."

"If I don't have to take their test, then I won't. The last one almost got Mom and me killed. I'm not taking any more tests from them."

"I think you may change your mind, luv."

"Why? They never did a damn thing for me except send Merrick and you. What do they have to offer that would make me change my mind?"

"Buffy, they know where your father is. I think they may be holding him prisoner."


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