Buffy- a few moments later
I walked down the hall amongst the students. I forgot how loud they were between classes. I've been in my office all day but for lunch and just now. I really do hope Alex is going to be ok after this. Knowing that girl…when I really think about it, I don't really know much about her past. She doesn't talk about it at all. I know that she was in the system. No one likes to think about it, but some kids get it worse than others. Either way, I'm pretty sure she would have only been able to take the news from Faith without completely flipping out. I just hope Faith can break it to her easily. Alex is a lot closer with her then she is with me, which in her case is more understandable now.
"Buffy," someone yelled over the loud romping students. It's not one of the girls because they know to call me Ms. Summers at school. I turn to search for the body the voice belongs to as they continue to call my name. "Buffy, over here." I move again and spot Dawn standing against a row of lockers. As I approach her, I see her standing with a group of cheerleaders in a Trake High cheerleading uniform. I guess those defense lessons paid off. Dawn smiled widely as I reached her.
"You made it!" I declared, expressing as much excitement as she was. Two of the girls decided to join the conversation. Stacey walked up from her own locker. "Well, it was her or the others that showed… No promise there. She needs a little work, but I rather have her. At least I know her," Stacey claimed, and I rolled my eyes; knowing that she would try to manipulate Dawn into one of her little pawns. "Good job, Dawn, I'm proud of you," I boasted as I should. This is a big achievement for her, I am proud of her, and I'm pretty sure she'll put Stacey in her place if she steps out of line. I've taught Dawn that much. She's the toughest kid I know. Living in a house full of slayers, she ought to be.
"I have cheerleading practice today after school…Um…Can Lucas take me home?" Dawn asked, hesitating on the question. "Yes, just don't stay out too late, I want you home by nine or so," I demanded; giving her a little leeway. Dawn won't take advantage of it, she's normally really good about respecting curfews. Dawn smiled and hugged me as the bell rang. "Gotta go, I'll see you when I get home," Dawn said quickly before kissing me on the cheek and walking off with her squad. I continued to my office and finally got to sit at my desk to possibly have a relaxing afternoon.
I glanced at my watch to see I went twenty minutes with no incident report of detention to assign, which in case of this school is really good for a first day. Then there was a knock on the door. I looked up to see one of the school deans. I motioned for him to come in. "Got one of yours out here," he announced while peering over his shoulder at someone sitting in the chairs. Couldn't tell who because of my blinds. I got up from the desk, shuffled around it to the door, and stood next to him. Kennedy sat in the chair, uneasily grinning. "I make it ten bucks that's she's going to be the one to pull the senior prank this year," he guessed, and I shook my head; holding one finger up for Kennedy to come to the office. "I'll put down twenty on that," I stated, knowing he was right betting on Ken.
Kennedy stands and meanders into the office. "What happened?" I questioned, and he shook his head. "Giant spit wads on the chalkboard," he replied, and she stood. "Oh, it wasn't that big," Kennedy spat, and I glared at her for her to sit back down in the seat. "The English lit teacher; Mr. Yulie, wasn't having it. So he called me. But she's one of yours, so I'll let you handle it," the dean responded and left. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I closed the door and paced back over to the desk. Ken sat impatiently, waiting for me to say something.
"Detention," I ordered, knowing that if she wasn't one of mine she would get it anyway. "What about training?" she protested, and I shook my head no. "Not today, not for you. Detention and that's final," I commanded. Having her sit in a room writing sentences would make her think twice about doing this again. "I half expected to get yelled at," she muttered and I stared up from the paperwork I started. "What good would that do?" I inquired rhetorically. Ken sank down in her seat; trying to delay the inevitable of having to sit through Mrs. Faulkner's long speeches as she wrote sentences. I've heard the girls would rather stick needles through their eardrums then listen to her monotone speeches about whatever. "Hey, it's either detention or no patrolling." I see I probably just struck a chord of interest.
Kennedy wrenched her nose up in disgust of the statement. "I'll take detention," she told me and sat upright. "Next time you get brought here, it will be no patrolling instead," I warned, and she gawked at me wide eyed. I slid the paper across my desk, so she can get back into class. Holding it there for a second, I thought of her partner in various minor crimes they've committed together. "And if you have an accomplice, the same thing goes for her too," I informed, and she rolled her eyes. "Like I'm going to be able to stop her," Ken complained, and I cleared my throat. "Alright, alright, I'll be good," she relented as she wandered out into the now empty office leading into the hall.
I sat back and watched my phone, hoping for a text from my significant other. Possibly telling me how everything went with Alex, but there was nothing of the sorts. "Ms. Summers?" someone called out, and I peeked up to see the school resource officer. What NOW? A moment, five minutes please, is that too much to ask? "Yes?" I answered, and he took several steps in, closing the door behind him. I stood to meet his gaze. "I was just on the phone with one of my fellow officers out on the street. He said he has Alex Sanders down at the station." I shook my head in disbelief and examined my watch. I discovered that almost an hour had gone by since she had walked into Faith's office. "What happened, is she ok?" I gasped as I became more worried than upset, hoping it was only a minor offense. "The officer that attempted to pull her over is was my old partner before I got this gig. We were just talking, and he mentioned this crazy kid. So I quizzed him about who it was. He said it was Alex Sanders and that she belonged here. He was going to book her for the night, but I managed to knock it down to a warning. It's a good thing her bike is totaled. She really doesn't need one," he babbled and I groaned in somewhat of annoyance.
"I should make every one of them sell their bikes….Thanks," I mumbled and sat back down at my desk. "Anytime, um, Buffy…, may I call you Buffy?" he added as he said took another step in my direction. Great, now he wants to flirt. "I heard from a few of the teachers around here that some of these girls had a rough past…I just wanted to let you know if you ever need a stern hand, so to speak. I'm your guy," he offered, and I smiled as pleasantly as I could, with a trace of annoyance. I would have replied, 'I'm seeing someone.', but the offer sounded sincere. "Sure, if you ever want to come to a training class Faith Lehane and I lead to meet the rest of them, you can," I implied, and he smiles. "I think, I will," he agreed before nodding and leaving. I picked up my cell and called Faith.
"Hey, babe," she greeted enthusiastically as I sighed, not able to return the good vibe I was getting by just hearing the sound of her voice. "Alex is at the precinct downtown," I confessed, and there was a grumble over the phone. "Saw that one coming," Faith exclaimed and continued, "How bad is it?" "She got off with a warning… and totaled her bike," I revealed. "Wow…Damn it...Do you want me to go get her, or are you going?" she wondered. I know right now that if she hadn't told Alex what happened to her brother, she would be shaking her head and half laughing. "You go… If I get my hands on her at the moment, it won't be pretty," I admitted, but it didn't feel like me. There was silence on the other side of the line. "B…," Faith whispered. I had to stop and think for a second but shook it off. Yeah, that was weird. "You go get her, I'll see you when I get home," I requested, wanting to hang up the phone and get my head together. "Ok, B, I love you,' she reminded me, and I smiled. "I love you too," I assured her and hung up.
Few hours later- home
As I pulled up into the driveway, I turned and faced the girls in the escalade; all of my mini Scoobs minus one, who's already home. "Ok, so she's probably not going to be in a good mood. Go easy on her for the next couple of days till we figure out where her head is at," I recommended and they silently complied. "Does she know how it happened?" Ken questioned; giving me a concerned expression. "No, I read over the letter and they blacked it out in the death certificate…Look, girls, I really want you to treat this as 'tread lightly with caution'," I insisted and they repeated the same reaction from earlier. "We'll be a brick wall of support and fortitude," Rona stated, using a unique choice of words. "Ok," I sighed while getting out of the escalade and heading inside.
Entering the house, I sensed that Faith wasn't inside and neither was Alex. As I ventured down the hallway, I saw them sitting outside on the back porch. Will sat in the living room with Dom. I strolled over to them as he raised his hands towards me and smiled. Then he started giggling; wanting me to play with him. "Not right now, honey, I got to go see what's up with one of your little aunts," I confided as I kissed him on the forehead. Will eyed me and smiled uneasily. I spotted the manila folder next to her. "I uh… unblocked in the part they didn't want to tell her," Will divulged as she picked it up and handed it to me. I gave her a questioning stare, hoping she didn't show it to her. "I didn't show her," Will affirmed, obviously reading me. "I wouldn't do that. Not after how she reacted by just knowing. That's just mean. Faith knows by the way. I can put it back if you want," she rambled a bit explaining herself. I nodded and then focused on the two outside. A few of the girls noticed but didn't wander to them. Ken stood at the island. It appeared as if she was debating with herself on whether she should go out there or not. "Not sure if that's a good idea," I guessed while pulling out a few of the sheets of paper inside. I scanned it to where it had been previously been blackened out for her own viewage.
Cause of death is as follows- Victim received four stab wounds and a gunshot wound. Victim was shot once in the back of the head and stabbed four times in his chest and stomach. Body was burned post mortem.
"She does not need to see this yet," I determined, and Willow agreed. I peered back at Dom; who was set on the floor. He gazed up at me, holding his arms up and tugging on my heart strings. Willow smiled and made her way over to him. "I'm sure Faith will be in here in a minute," I assumed as Will picked him up off the floor and started playing with the ever growing, playful baby. Spying over my shoulder, I saw that ken had made up her decision to go outside and comfort Alex. I don't really know what kind of state she's in so I would honestly rather her wait for the two of them to get together. Who knows what kind of mischief they would get into? I shake my head no with a glare, and Ken stops in her tracks. Sighing, she marches into the living room to join Willow on the couch. Will picks up the paper work; gaping up at me as she blackened it out again. I don't stick around to see how the conversation plays out.
Travelling into a slightly tense atmosphere, I smell the cloves full blast. I really don't like Faith's smoking. I've gotten used to it though. I kinda like the after smell mixed with her perfume, but I honestly do wish she'd quit. There's a lot of things I wish she would stop doing but all of that takes time I guess. "Hey, B," Faith murmurs without even watching me. I sit down in the empty space between Alex and the banister and observe both of them. "Yeah…, I still really don't feel like talking all that much," Alex growled lightly as she peeked up at both of us. Faith rolled her eyes a little. "I don't see you giving up deep, dark secrets of your past, so lay off," Alex snapped; standing after seeing Faith's reaction. Alex took steps towards the door. "Kid…, sorry," Faith apologized. Alex stopped looking back at us, and I could tell how hurt she was with all this she was jus going to put up a brick wall.
"Yeah, whatever…I'm going to go train since I was detained and missed out," Alex hissed as she stormed inside and went right for the training room, not stopping to talk to anyone. I noticed Ken run after her. Ehh, it'll do both of them some good I guess. Faith faced me and indicated she didn't really get anything out of her and did most of the talking about what happened today. Instead of what happened to her brother or what he was like.
Kennedy- moments earlier
As I strolled over to the couch, Willow picked up a piece of paper and put it in a envelope. Or more like she was trying to around Dom; who steadily went after it. Her eyes glowed as it slid in, so I know she did something to it. "Death certificate," she explained as I gave her a curious stare. I nodded without saying anything as I paid attention while Will played with Dom in her arms. She beamed at him longingly, she's does that now more since we've had the future children talk. I thought at first maybe it won't be so bad, maybe I would be a good mom. Then I thought about all the time I fucked up and the idea of there being someone running around that's just like me, It kinda irks me and puts a slightly stale taste to the memory. Hopefully, I'll get the 'I want a kid.' motherly instinct, and he or she will come out like Willow instead of me.
"What would you name him or her?" I prodded; trying to distract her from the current situation. "I was thinking Philip if it was a boy…Uh, haven't really thought of a girl's name yet," she confessed. "I don't know about Phil, but I've always liked the name Kylie," I confided as cheerfully as possible. Out of the corner of my eyes, Alex stands and heads towards the door. "That's pretty." Will stated, but it's a little drawn out and distracted. Moments later, Alex opens the door and makes a B line for the training room. Not stopping or noticing anyone in the area around her. I see the girls gaping after her, unsure of what to do. Chloe attempts to chase after her girlfriend, but I'm not sure if she would be the best fight of choice. I'm glad I wore a sports bra today. Will signaled for me to go in there, so I got up and ran after her.
Alex had already started making lunch meat out of the training bag. Her strikes were violent and harder then I've seen her hit in a while. I took off my shirt and shoes and kicked them over to the side. Alex still hasn't shifted to acknowledge me. I'm pretty sure as of right now this isn't going to be pretty. Getting a black eye before the second day of school, yep, this is going to be a whole boat load of fun.
I take cautious steps towards Alex as she continues to pummel the bag. The chain was starting to buckle with every blow. "You, uh,…wanna ease up there a little," I suggested as I inspected the ceiling while stalking across the cold mat barefoot. Alex didn't say anything, she was trying to ignore me. The ceiling was starting to crack. "Alex," I almost shouted as I got closer. She hit it again a few more times; getting angrier with every punch. The slayer was starting to take over, I can feel it. There was the edge we all get, and it was putting me on edge too. I could use a release of pent up energy after sitting and listening to the monotone woman from one of hell's torture rooms Buffy put me in.
I took a deep, unnecessary breath. "Go away!" she sneered; not even bothering turn and confront me. "I don't know about you, but I know it takes two of us to put those things up, unless Willow does it. Besides the bag, I'm pretty sure Buffy is going to make you work off tearing the ceiling down," I described, and she trails her eyes up the chain to the small crack in the ceiling she caused. Her punches slow down as she stands upright and breathes hard. Bringing my arm across my chest, I stretch because I needed the work out.
"Buffy almost took me out of patrolling tonight." I said as I walked in her direction. She bounced in anticipatation of the spar. "Oh, yeah…, what ya do?" she inquired with a smirk, and I saw a smile creep across her face. "Spit wad…lit class… out of boredom," I claimed, and Alex smiled widely. "Detention with Mrs. Faulkner," I whined, and she frowned up as if it was painful to hear. Then shook her head and chuckled a little. "Downside, if either one of us get sent to the principal's office again, no patrolling," I exclaimed, and her mouth pulled up into an evil smile. "Your fault, huh?" she predicted as she approached me, and I really didn't like the look she was giving me. It could be considered crazed. "B's rules," I told her scanning back at the door that was shut. No one would hear the conversation. I breathed uneasily, realizing this wasn't going to be an easy fight. Damn it, I opened my big mouth.
Twenty minutes and a black eye later
What did I tell you? Oh, and some bruised ribs, I slammed Alex into the mat; wrenching her leg up behind her and slightly twisting her ankle. I saw it on Raw a couple of nights ago. Didn't think I'd actually pull it off. I breathed heavily, trying to regain my composure. Damn, that shit hurt like a mother fucker. "Say uncle," I dared, and Alex only grunted; moaning in pain a little. "Fuck no!" she snarled. I twisted her ankle further. I don't think I ever fought this hard in a spar. I might as well have been fighting a ubervamp. Alex is beyond pissed, and I can tell she hasn't nearly let out enough pent up energy. It's still building into something, I can feel it. "Say it!" I taunted, and she swayed her head to the side then started to try and shift her body. "AGGHH!" she screamed, and I felt Willow and Faith get close to the door. Alex fought something near close to an animal. So, yeah, scary.
I surveyed up but only for a second. Alex took advantage, switching her position and kicking my chest. While still trying to regain my balance, she swept my feet out from under me. Before I could move to get up, she was on top me, bringing her fist down on to my arms as I tried to cover my face. When she realized she wasn't getting anywhere with that, she pulled a classic by hitting me in a weak spot; causing me to flinch. A fist came down on my already bruised eye then she was gone. I felt Willow in an instant wrap her arms around me, pulling me tightly into her chest. I heaved and gasped for air as I was finding pain in new spots that hadn't been there when I was pinning her. "LET ME GO!" Alex cried and I caught Faith dragging her to a corner of the training room in a choke hold. Ouch.
"Wanna pick on someone your own match today or what? You wanna go again, we'll go," Faith challenged as she threw her against the wall. Willow placed her hand on the side of my face and healed it. I made facial expressions, checking to make sure there wasn't anything out of place like there was a few minutes ago. Willow kissed me on the forehead and stomped over to where Faith was standing with Alex. Alex glared past Faith at nothing in particular. I could tell she wasn't about to test Faith right now. But give it a few days, and the beast will come out to unleash some unnecessary fury. I can see it, I can feel it, and I'm sure Faith can too. "What?" Faith bellowed, pushing on Alex's shoulder slightly. "Willow," I pleaded as she stood behind Faith, backing Alex into a corner. In fighting, any slayer; especially an extremely agitated one, hates being in any kind of corner. It escalated way too fast for me. Willow inched closer; only making me uncomfortable by thinkin' about her well being. "Sleep," Willow remarked; touching Alex's shoulder. Alex collapsed into Faith's arms, and I watched as Faith carried her out of the room and down the hall past a bunch of nosy, gawking slayers. We need to do something and quick.
Next afternoon- lunch time
Alex sat at the end of the table with Chloe trying to console her in every way a girlfriend would, but Alex had this brick wall up. She'll talk but not much, mostly just sticks to herself. Now get this girl in a fight, and she handles three or four vamps before you even kill you first one. Buffy claims she's going to let her concentrate on her fighting till it gives way. Faith and I are giving her a week to mope then we're going to handle it our way. Either a serious beat down or a bottle of jack; whichever one fits in her opinion. Chloe peeks up; which makes us all glance in the same direction. Dawn and Tyler are walkin' over to us. Dawn stands at the end of the table and smiles uneasily toward Alex. Alex is pretty unfazed by the two and goes back to eating her bag of grapes.
"We, um…just wanted to see how you were doing?" Dawn revealed, and Alex showed not being interested in the convo. "I'm fine," she lied. "You know I'm here if you want to hang out…Me and da jocks want to test your skill on wing manning for us one weekend." Ty implied as Chloe glared at him, "No offense to you of course, Chloe… Strictly on a seen date kind of thing," he mentioned and raised his hands defensively. Alex nodded. "I might take ya up on that," Alex answered in clear consideration and stood. "I'm going to go," Alex commented as she stepped away from the table. Vi swerved around to Tyler and stood next to him. Tyler placed an arm over her shoulder ,and she wrapped hers around his waist; hugging into him. "Yeah…, leaving," Alex declared sarcastically before stalking away from us as we all kinda sorta watched at first. "Wait, Alex…, leave to go where?" I questioned, not knowing where wherever was worried me all of the sudden. "Don't worry, watch dog, I'm not leaving campus," she sneered. I noticed she was Mrs. Snappy Sincere today and sat back down. The rest of the girls ogled me and I hoped she wasn't about to go pick a fight or do something stupid that would get us all in trouble.
Whatever, the girl is going to have a death wish if she keeps this up. I'm used to seeing her all playful and such. I just don't want to have to go through this that much longer because Alex puts everyone on edge. I know she feels it, because we can feel it. So I just hope it changes not too long from now. If there were council members still left in the city, I bet Buffy and Faith would take her to the right area and let her let loose on them. Just to take care of them once and for all. If we could find em' that is. Even Camilla is having trouble tracking them, and I don't think they're in Cleveland anymore. In our everlasting life of villain fighting, I will gladly take the break from the council giving us time to get Alex back.