Despite her best efforts Layla couldn't keep Eliot from storming down the steps, walking into the kitchen and demanding answers. To punctuate his point, Eliot took the dagger that they had found and imbedded it a good inch or two in the wooden counter top.

"Eliot," Layla started gently.

"I'm not going to hurt anyone." He growled out. "I just want answers."

Layla crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. She had seen the look on his face before. It was the same one he got before he bashed one of the goons heads in, and while that was all well and good at the right place and time, now was not it.

"Remember, Dawn." Layla told him.

That seemed to take some of the anger away, but he still wanted some answers.

"Just tell me what Buffy was into, and if it had anything to do with her death."

The three sitting around the counter seemed to not know what to make of the situation. They weren't used to such a forceful and direct approach. Willow took a deep breath and gripped Tara's hand tightly, she knew this was going to happen. She looked over at Xander, who only nodded.

"You better sit down. This is going to take awhile." Xander told them, getting up to get an extra chair.

Layla stopped him as she pushed the hitter into a chair and then proceeded to sit in his lap. Xander had a feeling that move had very little to do with their relationship and more to prevent Eliot from overreacting. He had to give her credit, Eliot seemed like the kind of guy you didn't step in front of when he was pissed. Yet here was a woman who showed no fear of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, preferring to take the bull by the horns so to speak and for that earned Xander's respect.

Eliot shifted Layla so she was sitting on his left, arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

"You can start any time." Eliot informed them.

Willow nodded and started to tell the pair everything.


"They still haven't checked in?" Nate asked.

"I'm sure they're fine." Sophie replied.

"Yeah, it's not like trouble follows them around or anything." Hardison replied.

He winced and rubbed the back of his head where Parker had smacked him. He turned and glared at the blond.

"Way to go jackass." Parker glared right back at the hacker. "Now something's going to happen."

"What…"

"You never tempt fate like that, Hardison." Sophie sighed. "We can call them."

"Hardison, where were they heading to?" Nate asked rubbing the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling a headache coming on.

"L.A." Hardison replied, his fingers flying over the key board. "Wait a minute…Eliot's name just got pinged."

"By who?" Nate asked suddenly concerned.

"A law firm." Hardison paused as he continued pulling information. "A law firm here in Boston. Apparently someone is contesting the Last Will and Testament of Buffy Anne Summers."

"What does that have to do with Eliot?" Parker questioned leaning over to look at the computer.

"He's cited in the will. If you give me a bit I'll find out to what extent, but from what I'm seeing, who ever is contesting the will isn't happy that Eliot is in it."

Nate thought for a moment. "Parker, call Layla, find out what's going on. Hardison, find out everything you can on who's contesting the will."

"On it boss." Hardison replied.

Parker nodded and slipped out of the room.

Nate sighed and looked at Sophie. "Go pack. We're going to L.A."


Willow and Xander sat in shock as Eliot and Layla took their story in stride. It wasn't something that they were used to. People usually went through denial, making up some lame story just so they could avoid what was really in the dark. It was only after their psyches wouldn't process the lie then they would accept the truth. Eliot and Layla seemed to believe it like they were telling them dinner was done, like it was part of life.

"Wow." Xander commented. "We usually get more of a reaction."

"We've seen our fair share of things." Eliot replied.

Layla snorted loudly, slipping off Eliot's lap, confident that he was pacified for the moment.

"Now that, that bit of awkwardness is over with, I suggest take out." Xander announced.

"I'll go get Dawn." Eliot told them.

He kissed Layla softly, before slowly making his way upstairs. He could hear Dawn talking softly to someone. He moved silently down the hall, listening intently as Dawn's voice carried, along with an accented male voice. He stopped outside her room, hoping he was hearing things, took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Dawn turned as she heard a growl come from the doorway. She jumped when she saw Eliot standing there. She knew by the look on his face that he had gone into overprotective brother mode. She looked toward the other person in the room and groaned. Spike had moved between her and Eliot and settled into a defensive stance. A low growl rumbled deep in his chest.

"Hey, now." Dawn stepped between the two. "Eliot, this is Spike. Spike, this is Eliot, my brother."

The two relaxed their stance a bit, but continued to stare each other down.

"Willow's ordering take out." Eliot informed Dawn.

Dawn nodded moving to go downstairs. Eliot grabbed her arm gently, looking down into her soft eyes.

"We'll talk later." Her told her, letting her go.

Dawn paused briefly. "Don't hurt him, ok? He can't hit back."

Eliot nodded, just as Spike hollered in protest. Eliot waited till he heard Dawn's footsteps fade down the steps before he closed the door and turned toward Spike. The blond groaned and rolled his eyes, wishing he could smoke in the house.

"Listen, mate, I was just checking on Bit." Spike started.

Eliot raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"People usually come through the front door for that." He informed him.

"I'm not most people." Spike replied with a smirk.

Neither was Parker, but at least she had the common sense to use the front door most of the time. The door opening broke some of the building tension.

"Wow. Dawn was right, you can feel the testosterone." Layla commented as she slipped into the room. "So this is Spike. Not exactly what I was expecting."

"And what were you expecting, luv?" Spike asked with a smirk.

"Well not a Billy Idol wanna-be, that's for sure." She turned and looked at Eliot who was sporting a smirk of his own. "Parker called. It's important."

Eliot felt his stomach clinch at the look on Layla's face. She sent a look toward the blond.

"We'll that's my cue…" Spike started, turning toward the still open window.

"You," He growled, pointing at Spike. "if you want to check on my sister you come through the front door, and leave that way too."

Spike smirked, pushing past the two, and out the door. As soon as he was gone, Eliot turned toward Layla.

"Parker said that a law firm out of Boston was doing some digging on you. From what Hardison can find, so far, someone is contesting Buffy's will. He's still doing some digging, himself,"

"But?"

"Nate and Sophie are on their way out."

"Sonuvabitch." Eliot swore.

Layla placed a calming hand on his chest. "Hey, if someone is trying to keep you away from your family, we're going to need all the help we can get."

"I know." He replied quietly. "When will we know more?"

Layla shrugged. "Parker said she'd have Hardison call when they knew more."

Eliot nodded rubbing a hand over his face.

"Until we know something, try not to let Dawn know you're worried. It may be nothing." Layla replied, smiling as he looked at her.

He smirked and pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head.

"Are you two going to come down and eat or make out in my room." Dawn asked as she walked in with her eyes covered.

"We weren't making out." Eliot growled.

"And if we were we'd have more respect for your personal space." Layla replied, grinning.

"Why do I have a feeling there's more to that than I want to know." Dawn replied with a smile.

Layla laughed as Eliot growled again and walked out.

"I'll tell you when you're a little older. And when he's not within earshot."