Alright so I have had ideas for one-shots for so long that I could never figure out where to go. This is my answer. I have seen some people do this and I thought I would give it a try. This will hopefully be a series of A-Z one shots featuring any cannon RA character (but mostly just Halt, Will, Gilan, and Crowley). I am also trying to have this touch on events that are skipped over or barely mentioned in the main story line or writing scenes from the books by switching prospective. This is mostly just to get ideas out of my head that have nowhere else to go.

Disclaimer: I don't live in Australia nor am I boy so I am obviously not JF...meaning I don't own these characters

Appointment

It was the annual Ranger Gathering and after Will and Gilan had tried and failed to ambush Halt they sat together talking and laughing. Gil was still stationed at Meric Fief and had been for a while. Gilan acted as if this didn't bother him one bit however. The three Rangers were sipping mugs of warm coffee while they listen to each other tales. Halt kept Will well up to date on Redmount's happenings and teased Gil about Jenny. Anytime they mentioned the pretty blond cook Gil would turn bright red.

"Guys I will be back in a short I need to talk to Crowley," Halt said placing his mug down.

"About what?" Gilan asked.

"I am sure you will see before too long," Halt replied cryptically. Will gave Gil a look of sympathy knowing how annoying it was when Halt did that. Halt left his two former apprentices to try and figure out his cryptic meaning smirking to himself and headed for the command tent.

Crowley was hard at work with the Gathering preparations, because he had a really bad procrastination problem, and glanced up when Halt entered his tent.

"Halt good to see your grim self," Crowley said grinning. Halt snorted at him.

"Do you always have to be so unbelievably cheerful?" Halt asked. Crowley chuckled.

"If you could hurry up I have some work to finish up," Crowley said.

"Procrastinating as usual?" Halt asked wirily.

"You know sometimes I think you chose me for commandant simply so you could make fun of me for the amount of paperwork I have to do," Crowley said glaring at his old friend.

"Now why would I do that?" Halt asked with false innocence. Crowley shook his head.

"If you are going to tease me then leave," Crowley said.

"Actually I have a question for you," Halt said.

"Oh what is it? If Gil did something stupid again let me remind you that you were the person who decided to take him on as an apprentice," Crowley said.

"This isn't about Gil…. It is about Meralon," Halt said. Crowley's happy expression slipped at the mention of the Meralon.

"Yes Meralon really messed things up in Norgate didn't he," Crowley said.

"Yes you read Will's report. Meralon got to close and then became arrogant and cocky," Halt said. Crowley was nodding.

"I plan to punish him that is for sure but I assume there is more to your question," Crowley replied.

"Yes there is. Do you think it is wise to have Meralon stay in Norgate?" Halt asked. Crowley shook his head.

"No it isn't wise at all but his situation has left me in a bit of a bind. I wasn't planning on moving any Rangers this year but now I need to move Meralon from his fief and put him somewhere where he can't be such a pain," Crowley said.

"That is your problem," Halt said with surprising sympathy.

"Will has already dealt with things in Norgate and Seacliff is a pretty boring fief it would be a perfect," Crowley said. It made sense that Crowley would immediately think of Will since Will had dealt with the situation and was on his mind. Will had also dealt with the situation very well and both Crowley and Halt were slightly impressed even if neither had any intention of telling him this.

"Will is to young Crowley," Halt said. Crowley pursed his lips realizing Halt was right.

"Yea you're right….Gil?" Crowley said thoughtfully.

"Gil are you sure? You know I am very proud of Gil but Norgate and Macindaw are going to be in chaos Macindaw in particularly. Gil is good at a lot of things and I love him but are you sure he is ready? We thought Meralon was ready and look what happened to him," Halt said. Halt didn't want Gil to end up in the same situation.

"True but I think this could work. Meric Fief is a easy going fief where I can put Meralon until I figure out what the hell to do with him. Gil was trained by you so he can't possibly screw up that bad. Besides I think it is time for Gil to be moved and challenged…that is if you think he can handle it," Crowley said. Halt bit his lip for a moment considering.

"Yes I think Gil will do well there," Halt said.

"Yes problem solved now if you don't mind I have some stuff to be getting done. Oh and tell your crazy first apprentice the next time he messes with my coffee he is a dead man," Crowley said. Halt frowned.

"What did he do?" Halt asked.

"I had made a cup and then had to help a first year with something. When I got back I swear he had switched it to decaf," Crowley said. Halt hid a smile and kept a grim expression. On the inside he was laughing hysterically. When Gil turned his pranks on other people (Crowley in particular) Halt felt a surge of fondness for his former apprentice. That kept the pranks off him and gave him a laugh at the same time.

"I will be sure to tell him," Halt said in his usual grim tone. Crowley watched him curiously for any sign of laughter. He nodded seemingly satisfied and Halt left to join the group.

"Hey you are back," Will said. Halt nodded and realized Gil wasn't there.

"Where is the first knucklehead?" Halt asked. Will chuckled before answering.

"He said he had to collect a bet," Will said. Halt gave Will a funny look.

"A bet?" he asked.

"Yea something about Crowley's coffee," Will said with a shrug.

"Oh yea Crowley mentioned something about someone switching his coffee…with Gil life is never dull just don't tell him I said that," Halt said. Will grinned.

Once the Gathering drew to a close everyone had gathered around the table and ate happily. There was singing (which Halt of course complained about) and much laughter. As everything settled down Crowley stood up and got everyone's attention.

"Alright last official business is reassignments," Crowley said. "I hadn't planned on moving anyone this year but something drastic came up that must be addressed," Crowley continued.

"I wonder if he means Meralon," Gilan whispered through his mouth.

"Gil be quiet would you," Halt hissed back.

"Some of you may not be aware but a situation emerged in Norgate that caused some…problems. To avoid any more problems I will be moving two Rangers around," Crowley continued. All eyes fell on Meralon who glared back at them.

"Gilan you and Meralon will be switching fiefs. Gilan you will take Norgate and Meralon you will take Gil's old fief Meric," Crowley said. There was instant commotion. Most of the Rangers assumed Will would take the post seeing how he had just dealt with the problem. Gilan had two conflicting emotions on his face, shock and fear. Meralon just looked angry.

"You are ok Gil go," Halt hissed trying to push the terrified Ranger out of his seat. It was standard practice for a Ranger to get a written commission from Crowley and shake his hand when promoted to a new fief. Will knew this angered Meralon in more ways than one. Gil was younger then Meralon and he was also Halt's first apprentice.

"Come on chicken," Crowley said well naturedly over the commotion. Still terrified Gil went quickly up to Crowley. Gilan took his commission, shook Crowley's hand and was back in his seat in a matter of seconds. Will felt a rush of sympathy for his friend. Meralon followed suit and glared at Gil as he passed. It was ironic for a Ranger to be demoted but that was what had happened.

"Guys shut up," Crowley said when the commotion didn't die down. All the Rangers stopped mid-sentence and closed their mouths. "Thank you," Crowley said sarcastically. "Now that concludes the Gathering. Things may chance next year but for now the Gathering is over," Crowley finished.

Everyone parted and headed off into small groups. Gilan quickly fled and went straight towards the tents. Halt, Will, and Crowley followed and quickly caught up.

"Will I know you want to help but can you please head back to Seacliff?' Halt said. Will nodded.

"Would you tell him I say congrats," Will asked.

"We will," Crowley replied. Will nodded and left to grab Tug and his gear and head out. Halt and Crowley waited till he was gone then went to Gil.

The tall Ranger was talking softly to Blaze. "Gil are you ok?" Halt asked when he and Crowley were surrounding him.

"No I am not ok! I know Rangers can get swapped around from time to time but nothing like this. Meralon is older than me and he messed up so bad you had to send Will to fix it. Why can't you give it to him," Gilan complained. Halt squeezed his shoulder. He then made a small move with his head asking for Crowley to leave them. The commandant hesitated for a second, obviously debating how much help he would be, then nodded leaving the two alone.

"Will is far too young Gil. I know Meralon screwed up…badly but that has nothing to do with age. Meralon forgot what it meant to be a Ranger. He screwed up because he got to close and then became arrogant about it. I know you will not screw up that bad because I trained you better. Norgate is a chance to test you Gil and most Rangers would leap at the challenge," Halt told him gently.

"I am not most Rangers," Gilan replied softly. Halt nodded.

"True but I have faith in you. We sent Will because he had that lute for a cover but we could have just as easily sent you. Crowley wouldn't give you the chance unless he thought you could handle it. Besides Will doesn't have very many trump cards to use. You do and you may well need them. I am sure Meralon has let them get soft over there and you may need to whip them into shape," Halt said. Gilan frowned.

"I thought you hated rank pulling?" Gilan asked.

"I am unless it serves a greater purpose. Norgate is in chaos at the moment with all that has happened and your organization skills rival Crowley's and that could be very helpful," Halt said. Gilan considered for a moment.

"You sure I am going to be ok? I am scared I will end up like Meralon…I am scared I am not ready," Gialn said.

"Remember what I have always told you Gil. We can't control the future. If you think you are going to mess up you are. I know you are ready for Norgate and I would love to hear all the stories you come back and tell next Gathering," Halt said.

"Thanks I needed that," Gilan said.

"You're welcome I suppose. Oh Will says congrats," Halt added.

"Of course he would he doesn't have to clean up the mess," Gilan said.

"Personally I think this is karma at work. Even if I am not there I know you are going to have a lovely time cleaning that mess up and I can think of all the times you made my life hell when you are an apprentice," Halt said gruffly, satisfied now that his first apprentice would be ok.

"Love you too Halt," Gilan said sarcastically but he was grinning.

Here is letter A. I felt like this was a good start. It contains Crowley, Will, Halt and Gil (all my favs) and helps with an idea I have had in my head ever since reading book eight a while ago. Gil is said to be stationed in Norgate in that book but it never explains how he got there nor what happened to Meralon (who I really don't like). This is my take on it. Please review and I hope this is different then other ones out there.