Title: The Watcher that Never Was 4/10
Author: Wickedfox
Rating: NC-17 (R for now)
Disclaimer: All Buffy stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Fox, UPN, Mutant Enemy and other entities thereof.

Next day...

"I'm sorry to say my investigation seems to point to Rayne and his associates for the robbery," Wes leaned against his small TV stand and watched the faces of his young friends.

"Thank you Mr. States the Obvious!" Xander teased.

"So what now? We aren't cops," Buffy asked.

"Can we make a citizens arrest?" Xander asked and received a quick jab in the ribs by Willow's elbow, followed by an upset glare.

"What's your proof? Do you have any evidence linking Ethan to the crime?" Willow hoped Wes hadn't gotten anything substantial.

"No but from what facts I've gathered from other crimes he's suspected to have committed, the actions taken during the heist follow Rayne's methods. I'm quite sure he and this Ripper fellow pulled off the job. I'm still at a loss for the third member of the team."

"So you have no hard evidence?" Buffy grinned.

"No."

"So we can't go to the police. So what now?" Willow seemed relieved.

"We should try and find out why they are still in town. They've already gotten the money, so what's keeping them here?" Wes suggested.

"Perhaps its our award winning donut holes?" Xander grinned.

"Or maybe our five-star magic district?" Willow smiled.

"Don't forget the worlds bestest old-fashioned Hellmouth, baked fresh daily for your apocalyptic needs," Buffy joined in.

"Might I suggest that we stop guessing and find out," Wesley stood up and began to walk to his desk. "Willow, I think it might be a good tactic to send you on a little magic tutorial."

"Spy? I get to spy?" Willow bounced excitedly in her seat. "I'll call him tonight. Goodie!" She pulled out a little slip of paper and examined the numbers scrolled across it. "Oh...ok...now I'm nervous. What'll I do? I'm no Bond girl."

"Wes, don't wanna overstep my civilian bounds here but this Rayne guy is suspected of more than a few crimes. Sending our little Willow in there alone doesn't make me feel all warm and cozy," Xander urged.

"You can accompany her."

"Darn!" Willow blurted out and quickly blushed with embarrassment, "I mean... darn!"

"We're on it," Buffy jumped up enthusiastically, followed slowly by her less animated friends.

"Not you Buffy. It's too risky. Remember you're to stay clear of this Ripper chap," Wesley ordered.

"You're side-lining me? What am I supposed to do?"

"Patrol of course. Let us handle this case. You go about your business as usual and report back to me."

"Case? Wes...your not a lawyer or a cop. What are you going to do?"

"The Council has permitted me to act on their behalf," he riffled through his desk.

"Which means..." Buffy was getting impatient.

"The Council wants me to gather intelligence on Rayne and his accomplices and when the time is right..." Wesley pulled out a pistol and set it down on the desk.

"You'll shoot 'em?" Willow got overly excited and felt her breathing quicken; thinking she might hyperventilate.

"No...this is just a precaution. The Council will send an extraction team. They have some interest in studying Rayne but are particularly interested in Ripper."

"Why?" Buffy didn't like the sound of that. Wes looked over and shook his head. "I know...need-to-know. Not liking this Wes!" Buffy threw her coat over her shoulder and stormed out. Wes peeked regretfully over at Willow and Xander who exchanged guarded glances.

"It's for..."

"Her own good...we know. But she doesn't have to like it. After all, she's the one in the trenches, not them," Xander explained and left with Willow following behind him.

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

"I need you two to make yourselves scarce tonight," Ethan yelled from the steamy bathroom as he shaved.

"Got a date?" Ripper said, lighting up a cigarette.

"He's gotta, he's shaving," Faith joked as she hopped on Ripper's back and encouraged him to finally give her that piggy-back ride she'd been waiting for. Much to her delight, he gave in, wrapping his hands around her legs and strutting playfully over to the bathroom as he puffed away on the cigarette dangling precariously from his lips.

"For you're information, I will be entertaining a beautiful red-headed would-be witch this evening. And I don't need an audience." Ethan said, grinning as Ripper and his jockey came into view, leaning against the doorframe. Ripper reached out and wiped a finger full of the shaving cream from Ethan's chin and smeared it on Faith's nose.

"Don't worry lover boy. I've got business to attend to as well," he said and felt Faith motion to let her down. He did hesitantly and turned to her.

"You're going to see her again, aren't you?" Faith stepped back and wiped the shaving cream off her nose.

"I have to," he answered frankly, as if he had no other choice; Ripper didn't want to have this conversation again.

"No...you only think you have to," Faith waved her hand in the air in complete disregard, "She doesn't even know who you are, Ripper. She doesn't know you exist, not in the way you want her to."

"It doesn't matter," Ripper sighed as he walked past her to the window, peeking around the curtain. It was getting dark; Buffy would be out patrolling soon.

"It should," Faith said plainly, not understanding why he was so obsessed with this Slayer.

"Faith has a point, my friend. Besides, you know how it will end if you continue to see her," Ethan walked out of the bathroom and searched his bag for a proper shirt.

"I can't help that. I have to see her...I have to watch out for her," Ripper headed for the door and Faith stepped in his way.

Ethan walked over and joined her in her defiant stand. "You can't change the past. You gave up your chance at that life a long time ago."

"And I'm being haunted by it," Ripper pushed his way past the human barricade and opened the door.

"You're not her Watcher, Rupert." Ethan pressed.

Ripper paused, shaken by Ethan's use of his proper name and looked back, "I should be." The door closed behind him leaving Faith and Ethan exchanging worried glances.

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

Buffy tried to be as quiet as she could, hoping to catch some beasties off guard in the known hotspot of the Western Memorial Cemetery, the Furrington Crypt. She carefully stepped on the grass, making sure to avoid any dried leaves or twigs, she was well learned in the ways of stealth.

A sudden snap of a twig and the Slayer shot around, ready in a defensive stance for whatever the darkness offered.

"Bloody 'ell, I could hear you comin' a mile away," Ripper slipped out from the shadows.

"I don't remember ordering an escort tonight?" Buffy said and looked back at the Crypt, noticing it seemed empty of any wrong doers.

"Free of charge, my lady," Ripper strolled up to her and settled in beside her, a bit close for Buffy's comfort. She glanced over at him as he examined the scene she was investigating. "Not very lively."

"No...you missed all the fun. I've cleaned up the place already." Buffy said defensively and shuffled through the brush to begin walking down the main path. Ripper hurried to catch up and kept up pace beside her as she marched along.

"Glad to see you're back to your full potential. Mind if I join you?" He asked as he lit up a cigarette.

"Somehow I got the impression that you're asking out of formality rather than caring what I actually want."

"I will leave without delay, if you wish it."

Buffy swore she could hear a faint voice screaming 'NO!' from within her psyche at his offer. "Naw...it's been pretty quiet, I could use the company."

"I'm curious, has the Council prohibited you from seeing me?" Ripper puffed away at his cigarette as Buffy cocked her head sideways at his probing.

Buffy stopped cold in her tracks and turned to face him, "You seem to know a lot about me?"

"They haven't told you, have they? I would think that's a bad idea." He puffed on his cigarette.

"It doesn't really matter. I'll find out what I want to know." Buffy continued to walk on.

"And what is it you want to know?" Ripper asked.

"I want to know why there isn't any sign of the usual Hellmouth fun anywhere I go?"

"Luck perhaps?" Ripper smiled coyly and Buffy wondered if he had anything to do with the inactivity lately.

"I don't believe in luck."

"Pity."

"So why did you rob that bank?" Buffy asked casually, continuing to walk without showing any real interest in the answer.

"I robbed a bank?" Ripper snickered at her shortness, strutting cockily beside her.

"Give it up, I know what you did. I would like to understand why."

"Why? You don't feel the usual reasons apply in this case?"

"I'd hoped for something more noble...Robin Hood like." Buffy shot a hopeful glance at him and quickly looked away.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Ripper tossed the spent cigarette to the ground and Buffy quickly picked it up, disposing of it in a small plastic bag she had in her pocket. Ripper smirked. "Perhaps I'm just as bad as the Council would have you believe."

"Then I suggest you keep your distance," Buffy said sternly and turned down a darker path.

"Or what?" Ripper moved up and stepped into her way with a defiant grin.

Buffy backpedaled a few steps, "What do you want from me?"

"Time," He said with a determined stare. Buffy had no idea what he meant.

"About 10:05 pm," she pushed past him and continued on her way.

"Buffy...!"

She paused and turned back with an unsympathetically impatient glare.

"You deserve to know," he said softly.

"Then why not tell me yourself?"

"Why would you believe me?" he whispered, sounding almost ashamed.

"Shouldn't I judge that for myself?"

"You'll get your chance." Ripper marched up to her and grasped her arm, pulling her back toward the direction they'd just come, "But for now I think we ought to get out of here."

Buffy glanced back to a surprisingly large gang of vampires and demons coming toward them.

"I see your point," she said and turned back toward Ripper, ready to run. "Um, I think they might not want that."

Ripper turned around to face another horde of demons coming from the other direction.

"Seems my luck just ran out." Buffy sighed.

"I thought you didn't believe in luck?"

"I'd hoped you could prove me wrong right about now!"

**********

"Faith...nothing is going to happen. You know the rules. I just invited her over for a little magic banter...and that's all!" Ethan buttoned his silken collar and grinned at his absurdly nervous stomach. Why was it that abstinence could drive a man to resort to behaving like a ponce on a first date?

"I just wanna check out this so called lil' red-headed vixen that has you all hot and bothered," Faith put on her coat and slipped a knife in the hidden compartment of her boot.

"Faith, please! She could be here any moment," Ethan pleaded and heard the knock at the door. He shot back a stern glare and went to the door. With a last second straightening of his collar, he opened the door.

"How very nice to see you again..." Ethan's face quickly showed his surprise in his date's accompanying male companion's presence, "Willow...and friend. Xander, wasn't it?" Ethan offered his hand politely and Xander shook it gruffly, wanting to appear intimidating.

"Yummie..." Faith stepped forward, ready for a proper introduction. "Willow huh? And you are?" She grinned.

"I just said..." Ethan started.

"Xander...right. Cool!" She smiled, remembering Ethan's polite greeting. "Let's go get some air," she said and took his arm, leading him back down the hall before he or Willow could object.

Willow stood at the door with a panicked expression playing across her features.

"You have to excuse Faith. She's a child of the night and has been pent up here all day. Once the sun goes down, she must join the shadows," Ethan stepped aside and motioned for Willow to enter. He shut the door behind her and leaned against the wall exasperatedly, knowing he'd have to explain Faith's presence better than the vague excuse he'd offered.

"Um...yeah. I guess I know the type," she stepped in the room and turned around quickly, not knowing what to do next. "Is she a friend of yours? I mean...that's silly...of course she's a friend, she's here right? I guess I mean is she a ..."

Before Willow could finish, Ethan took her into his arms and kissed her. She was appalled at his overfriendliness at first; ready to pull away at his uninvited advances until the taste of his lips finally struck her. He tasted of tea and honey and it excited her.

Ethan slowly pulled away, fluttering his eyes open in a haze, "Forgive me. I don't know what came over me."

"I-I think I do," Willow pulled him to her, once again pressing her lips to his, inviting him to continue his advances.

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