Chapter 2. A New Hope

The Next Day

Giles sat silently, watching the tall figure of the newcomer, standing motionless on the edge of the roof. Seemingly unphased by the two story drop before him, the dark figure of Anakin was silhouetted against the orange glow of the streetlights, and the first small lighting to the east that spoke of oncoming dawn.

Giles shifted slightly from his seat on a plastic chair. He really didn't want to disturb the man, but he was growing increasingly stiff. The cheap plastic of his seat offered no real support for his back, and as much as he hated to admit it, his body wasn't as young as it used to be. That and the bruises from earlier were starting to make their presence known.

He had followed silently earlier, as Anakin had scaled the circular steps to the roof, climbing onto the open space used by the Tenents for their smoking breaks. That had been almost two hours previously, and for all that time, the young man before him had not shifted his position more than an inch. Giles had sunk gratefully down into a scuffed chair that some enterprising individual had carried up the stairway some time earlier, the cheap orange plastic bleached white by the sun.

He still wasn't entirely sure why he had followed, perhaps distrust, perhaps simple curiosity. Perhaps the latter was closest to the truth, for the Englishman was still uncertain what to make of this strange young man. He was a riddle, speaking of things that Giles, for all his years of experience in the arcane, could hardly begin to understand. The tale was so fantastical at first glance, that had Giles not sensed a vain of truth and pain behind the newcomers' words, he might have dismissed it as impossible. Yet, despite the deep well of pain and anger that still dwelled inside him, following the betrayal and mistakes, many his own, that had led to Jenny's death, there remained a fragment of the hope and optimism of better days. In Anakin's dark and strangely old eyes, he sensed no malice, only weariness, and pain. Giles clutched the hilt of his sword, yes, he knew what pain looked like, it haunted his own eyes every time he looked in a mirror. This stranger, whoever he was, or whatever his past, didn't intend them harm, judging by his actions the previous evening. That might change of course, but right now, Rupert was taking life one day at a time.

He closed his hands once more about the sword that lay across his knees, and unsuccessfully tried to relax. He didn't want to move, didn't want to be the first to break the calm that had settled over the rooftop. It was a strange feeling, but he had felt more peaceful for the last few hours than he had for days. He gazed east out over the city, feeling a soft cool breeze fan pleasantly on his face. The night had been cool and warm, the absorbed heat of the day reflecting from the stone and concrete of the city. In a few hours, the sun would be high overhead, and the heat would beat down upon Sunnydale. For now, he enjoyed the sensation.

The glow in the east increased, not the harsh orange of the street lighting, but a soft warm light, the sky above growing steadily brighter, as sunrise drew near. Clouds glowed softly, as the first rays lanced over the horizon. Giles saw Anakin lift his head slightly, and gaze at the first light of day, his hair blowing softly in the morning breeze. The soft fabric of his uniform and robe appeared to shine, the light reflecting off the contours of the shoulders, picking out details that had until now been hidden by darkness. The dull red of the insignia on his arm seemed to glow, the soft circle whose meaning was unknown to Rupert shining proudly in the first light of day. Smiling slightly Rupert stiffly rose from the chair to fetch some morning tea, it would soon be time to meet up with the others.

*'You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!'*

The words echoed in his thoughts, repeating in his ears as regularly as his own heartbeats. It was both a statement of fact and an accusation, a sentence full of anger and yet also immense anguish. He could see now clearly the great depth of pain in this few simple words, the weight that was built up behind them like a dam. At the time he had been in agony, limbs severed and flesh burning on the ash of Mustafar, yet while his pain was physical Obi Wan's had been just as deep. He could see that now, he could see what his old friend and Master had lost and it was all because of him.

Anakin Skywalker stared out over this new small town, hands clasped behind his back and feet set firmly apart. It was a posture he had always stood in, as Jedi Knight and Sith Lord, immovable and imposing. He couldn't break the habit, even knowing the associations it now held. This time though his mind did not reflect his stance, for so long he had been certain of his destiny and his place in life, the role he had been forced into through Palpatine's cunning. Whether he liked it or not he was the Emperor's enforcer and simply obeyed. At least, that is what he allowed himself to think.

The truth was different of course; in the end he had found his strength, that ember of his past life that remained unbroken by the power of darkness. He had turned on Palpatine, destroyed the Emperor and brought about a new era in the galaxy. He hadn't expected to survive, he hadn't given any thought to the future because he hadn't expected there to be one. Yet here he was.
His confusion had given way now to a more controlled curiosity, a desire to measure and understand this place and from there define his place in it. What was instantly apparent to him was that greater powers were at work. This was no accident, destiny did not make mistakes like this. He was here for a reason, and finding that reason would be his second priority. His first priority was going to be surviving.

In that respect at least he had help. The people he had met seemed just and true, fighting against evil, darkness and corruption. He had met many people like that in his life, the few who stood against evil. He had been one of them at some point, and then he had become the darkness they had sought to destroy. Too many had died at his hands, seared on his blood red saber or crushed in his iron grip. People like these made the galaxy a better place, they were all too few and thanks to him all too fewer.

There was something here on this world, something that seemed just outside his peripheral vision, hanging like a shadow beyond him. Whatever it was it did not wish to be found, and it held within it his answers, shrouded in great darkness.

He had fought some of the creatures here and prevailed, and in doing so had proven himself an ally to this group of fighters, though trust would take some time. He understood, he had often felt on the outside of trust before, they needed time and understanding. Again he knew this was no accident, his timing, his location, in a whole world, a whole galaxy, he had woken just there and just then. It was the will of the Force, and he accepted it without question. One of his strongest memories was of Qui Gonn Jinn speaking about the Living Force, the acceptance of fate as something uncontrollable. It was best to live in the moment, savor existence day by day and do good as it appeared before you. He had rarely accepted that teaching before, but from this moment on he would. It could easily have saved him and so many others.

He took a long refreshing breath, invigorating him in body and soul. The air was cool and sweet, a tinge of the sea in its scent telling him he was in a coastal town. It had been so long since he had been able to draw breath by himself, for over two decades he had been sealed in a walking coffin or trapped in his black tomb of a meditation chamber. His lungs had subsisted on purified oxygen with no flavor to it, always the same temperature and constitution. He had been too confused and then too busy to truly savor it before, but now, now he let go of his senses and drifted in the moment.

The sun was cresting the horizon, turning the ruddy twilight into an orange dawn. He had forgotten the warmth of the sun, any sun, and after a childhood on the desert world of Tatooine it brought it all back to him far more concisely than any words. He could tell it was going to be hot, that this was an arid place, but the proximity of the sea made it comfortable, much different to his childhood home.
He let the breeze tussle his hair, felt it on the skin of his hands and face, it was just indescribable. For a brief second he even managed to feel happiness, contentment, release. All the years fell away and he was as young in mind as he was in body. Then it hit him like the prow of a Star Destroyer.

*'I don't know you anymore. Anakin, you're breaking my heart! You're going down a path I can't follow!'*

All those lives, all that death. He had killed the man who had been like a Father to him, a brother. He had maimed his own son, tortured his own daughter, wiped out the guardians of peace and justice, slaughtered good people by the millions and more. He had even murdered children too young to even understand, children who had trusted him and looked up to him, sliced them down without so much as a second glance at their terrified faces. He was their hero.
But even then, even those innocents paled in the long list of regrets when set beside his wife. It was selfish, what was one life among so many? Yet he couldn't help it, Padme had broken him and for twenty years he had been a machine, as mechanical as the limbs grafted to his body. His constant physical pain had been nothing compared to the pain of her death, and knowing he was directly responsible. Rage and jealousy had killed her, and her image had been used by Palpatine to make him do whatever the great Sith wanted.

He closed his eyes tight and turned away from the sun. He did not deserve to bask in it, could not enjoy it. Happiness was not his right; he had forfeited it in the moment he had stood with Palpitine against Mace Windu, unleashing the monster that was Darth Sidious onto a Galaxy of quadrillions of beings who would thus know only darkness for a generation. He had lost his right to walk in the light, when he had turned his hand against his love, even as she had desperately tried to pull him back into it from the darkness…

*'Your thoughts betray you Father…I feel the good in you…the conflict…'*

And yet…while he deserved nothing except hardship and pain, his son had risked everything to turn him back. There was so much he had done that could not be undone, but perhaps this was his chance and his destiny; to truly bring balance to the Force. Perhaps he could now erase the bad by doing more good, though inside he doubted he could ever truly return to what he had once been. Too much had happened, too much blood and terror.
He opened his eyes again, looking into one of the windows of an upper level apartment and catching his reflection, still taken aback by his transformation. The sun was rising behind him and in the rays he thought he saw something. He frowned, trying to adjust his eyes to the glare until he picked out a figure, a face looking over his shoulder with deep sad eyes. He felt his mouth open as he recognized the visage, the trim beard and perpetually open expression.
"Master Qui Gonn…"

"Excuse me?"
Anakin snapped round to see not his old Jedi Master, but rather Rupert Giles, two cups of tea in hand.

"No…nothing." He composed himself. "Just thought I saw something, wishful thinking."

"Hmm." Giles nodded. "I brought you a drink, I find it helps me relax and, no offense of course, you look like you need it."
He took the cup of warm liquid and raised it to his lips, sipping some of the substance. He closed his eyes, the taste reminding him of the time he could eat and drink normally. One more gift now restored to him.

"Thank you."

"You're quite welcome." The Watcher set himself at ease. "Not a bad morning. Well, for California."

"Is that the name of this world?"

"Well, some people would like you to believe that." The Englishman related with a touch of sarcasm. "But no, this world is called Earth."

He took a sip of tea. "So when you indicated you were not from here, you meant that very literally?"

Anakin nodded. There were some things he couldn't talk about, things he himself was still unsure about and unable to confront. He was still getting used to being himself again, to being Anakin and not Vader. Confronting his past would require intense meditation and a lot of inner strength. He couldn't tell these people he was once the sort of monster heroes are born to defeat, but at the same time it was clear Giles knew he was more than he let on.
"I'm from another world." He said. "Out beyond there." He pointed at the sky, the unfamiliar stars fading as the sun rose.

"You mean space?"

"That's right."

Giles frowned. "Not separate dimensions or universes, but another planet?"

"That's correct."

He tilted his head. "I don't think my associates have ever encountered an actual alien before. Welcome to Earth. It has its flaws, but is actually rather a nice place."

"I noticed there are no ships in the air or in orbit." Anakin spoke. "Just a few air speeders and your land speeders seem to use wheels exclusively."

"True on all counts," Giles said. "We haven't moved into space yet, our limit was the Moon."

"So no Hyperdrive? No stellar travel?"

"No inter planetary travel even." Giles confirmed. "We exist on this world alone, however we do not exist here alone. There are many levels of existence, different dimensions parallel to our own. That is where these creatures come from. Demons of various kinds.'

"I've heard tales about demons as a child." Anakin frowned. "It's hard to believe they are real."

"And I'm finding it hard to accept that I'm talking to a man from outer space who looks like us and talks perfect English." Giles grinned. "I'm inclined to believe you saw too much Science Fiction as a child, but then you have demonstrated some rather un-Earthly abilities."

"I was well trained in the Force." He said. "For a long time I lost much of my power, but now I can feel it all coming back, stronger even. It's a great strength, and a great responsibility. This time I'll know how to use it well."

Giles raised an eyebrow. "This time?"

Anakin lowered his eyes. "I don't know how I arrived here Mr. Giles. But before I left I was dying, in fact I was dead. I had lived a long life; I was around your age, a grown man with two grown up children. Now here I am on this world, fully restored to my prime with no idea if I am in the past, the future, or on one of these dimensions you speak of."

"Yes, confusion does seem to be the order of the day." Giles nodded. "Still, you have demonstrated some particular skills, and a willingness to use them for good."

"Absolutely," Anakin answered quickly and sincerely. "Until I know why I am here I will do all I can to help you and your people. It is... what my master would have wanted.'

"What sort of Master would that be?"

"He was my first mentor, the man who took me out of slavery and brought me to the Jedi order." Anakin spoke, seeing in Giles' eyes that he wasn't really following. "I was born on a world called Tatooine, it was officially part of the galaxy spanning Republic, but the law never really touched out there and there were many slaves. A Jedi Master called Qui Gonn Jinn took me from that place and brought me to his order. He saved me."

"So who are these Jedi?"

"We were the guardians of peace and Justice in the Republic, knights, masters and learners all powerful in the Force. Fate gave us these gifts, greater speed, strength, reflexes and precognition, even the ability to levitate objects and read minds, just to name a few. I know some here would call it magic, one in particular, but it's something deeper. We studied and meditated on the Force when we could, negotiated settlements between worlds, and when necessary we fought."

"Not dissimilar to the Military orders of history, Knights Templar or Hospitaller to an extent."

"I don't know, but we tried to fight evil and injustice, and I had the privilege of learning from two of the greatest Jedi in history."

"Are they still up there? Perhaps looking for you?"

"No, they're gone." Anakin spoke heavily. "The order was destroyed, I was the last."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Giles offered.

"They were betrayed, killed by the very people they had fought alongside, fought for." Anakin shook his head. "Killed by their own friends and allies. Brother turning on brother, and while I can see how it happened I still can't see why. I don't know why we could let it happen, why I let it happen."

They stood in silence for a few moments, Anakin feeling the heat from the tea cup on his hands, one more of those tiny sensations that he had all but forgotten and which now meant so much.

"There's a lot that happened, a lot that went wrong which I am responsible for." He admitted carefully. "I can't change it, but if the Force is with me I will try and do something to make up for it."

"A quest for redemption?" Giles considered. "One of the worthier motivations."

"There isn't much else I can do." He grimaced. "You understand?"

"Very well," Giles said. "We all have moments in our youth that we wish had not occurred. Moments you regret until you die."

Anakin gave the man a thoughtful glance, catching a hint of something in his eyes, he understood. Giles could not have done what he had done, very few could claim that, but there was definitely something haunting his past. He understood the need for redemption, and perhaps his dedication here to this cause was a response to that.

"I want to fight alongside you. Whatever comes, whatever threat, I'm ready to face it. I had thought my quest would take me back out there, but its lead me to the here and now, on this world."

Giles nodded. "Then I welcome you." He extended his hand, which Anakin took in kind.
Giles for his part was still extremely wary, and until he saw and knew more he would treat this powerful stranger with care and caution. There was more beneath the surface, but if experience had taught him anything, especially regarding Angel, it was that anyone was capable of good.
Of course as Angel had more recently shown, the opposite was also very true.

"This is a good fight, and we need good people to wage it. Come on, we've got a lot to discuss."

They went inside to eat a light breakfast before heading to the school to meet the others, but it soon became apparent that a light breakfast would simply not do in Anakin's case. Initially a little wary of something called scrambled eggs, English muffins and cereal, Anakin took a speculative bite of his food before his ravenous hunger kicked in. he didn't so much as eat as he inhaled, by the time he was satisfied he had packed away three bowls of cereal, two helpings of scrambled eggs and about six English muffins along with four glasses of orange juice.

"You pack away about as much food as Buffy does." Giles shook his head with a wry smile. The sight was all too familiar to have any effect on him.

"I apologize, I usually don't eat this much. Whatever it was that regenerated my body consumed much of my energy. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until this moment."

Giles waved a hand in dismissal "Think nothing of it." Glancing at the nearby clock "Shall we be off? The others should be arriving any moment now." They left the apartment soon after; traveling down the rapidly filling streets of Sunnydale in Giles's car. The town seemed to be coming alive; with businesses and shops opening while people left their homes to face the challenges of the day. It was a stark contrast to what he had witnessed only a few hours earlier.

It proved to be a short drive, with Giles telling Anakin much about what they knew of the Slayer and the Hellmouth and how it attracted vampires and demons; ironically like a beacon in the night. Giles had also pointed out the towns many cemeteries after passing two of them. Twelve large ones in all for a town of fifty thousand in just under a hundred years, Anakin shook his head in disgust when he did the math.

"What about the law? Surely they must do something about this?" Anakin asked. Giles snorted as he turned the corner heading for the school. "Sunnydale's finest are either inept or corrupt. Very few deaths are given more than a cursory glance to say nothing of an investigation. Bodies are usually buried before nightfall." Anakin knew what Giles was implying now that he knew how vampires were created.

"And somehow the people of this town still remain unaware?" Anakin asked, his tone dripping with disbelief.

"Unfortunately," Giles sighed. Anakin shook his head and muttered a curse in Huttese under his breath. They pulled off the main street into a spacious parking lot of a large and open building with a big archway and well trimmed lawn. "Welcome to Sunnydale High school." Giles said.

"A school? This place of learning is where you organize and fight the dark forces that plague this town and threaten to destroy this world?" Anakin asked, exiting the vehicle. He took a long look at the building and the surrounding area with a sense of scrutiny. It wasn't exactly the rebel bases of Hoth or Yarvin IV, but then he really didn't know what to expect. But he was starting to truly grasp the situation he was now in. This group of amateur vigilantes were operating alone, without any form of support from any government or military, in fact they seemed worse off than the Rebels were in the earliest days of the Rebellion.

"I'm afraid so." Giles responded with a bit of a sigh. "It's right this way." Giles lead on into the school and through two main hallways before arriving at the library. The double doors opened without fanfare and Anakin took a moment to get a good look around. The Library was rather small compared to what he was used too, but it suited the school nicely. Off to the right there was a large counter with a computer and filing cabinets, directly opposite of that was a cage with another cabinet, both of which seemed to be locked and very secure. Anakin had a pretty good idea what they were storing in there.

While Giles moved to a nearby office Anakin stepped further into the library; he could see the walkway extended to an oval shaped common area where several heavy wooden tables and chairs resided, beyond that was a small staircase that rose to a upper level that extended around the library, protected by a ray of think wooden banisters. There where stacks of books immaculately placed on shelves in neat order. Giles position as a librarian may have been secondary to his role as a Watcher, but Anakin didn't doubt for a moment that he ran a tight ship. But even so the fact he was looking at books was almost a surreal experience, he had never been on a world that didn't use Datacards or any form of advanced computer technology…even Tatootine didn't use anything so….archaic. Anakin fought to suppress a sinking feeling in his gut.

"Hello again," Oz said with a friendly nod as he came in through the double doors followed by Willow who held several drinks and Xander who appeared to be holding a box of something that smelled as if it had been drowned in sugar.

"Good morning." Anakin bowed slightly. Willow mumbled something inaudible that could have been a greeting while Xander enthusiastically shook his hand.

"Glad to see you made it." Xander smiled.

"A lot about this town has come to my attention that I cannot ignore." Anakin said. Giles peeked his head out his office to note the arrival of the scoobies. "Ah Willow, could you come here for a moment? I need your help with this computer again." Giles said with a tone of mild annoyance.

"Sure thing Giles," Willow responded in a cheerful voice. She looked to Anakin briefly in which her cheerful visage faded somewhat as she moved to Giles's office.

"So I take it the G-man has been filling you in? You know, evil forces of darkness set to unleash hell on us unsuspecting folks?" Xander asked.

"Something like that." Anakin acknowledged.

"He tell you what the Slayer is yet?" Oz asked.

"Mystically empowered girl, one in all the world, a 'chosen one' from a line of potentials to fight the darkness, gifted with enhanced speed, strength, agility, predisposed combat instinct toward armed and unarmed combat, with enhanced constitution and healing abilities. Yes, he filled me in on the way over."

"She's also kind of MIA, which makes it safe to bring in the donuts." Xander muttered, plucking a donut from the box while sipping his coffee. "Care for one? Sugary sweetness guaranteed to put a smile on your face." Xander smiled.

Anakin took one glance and frowned. It looked about as unhealthy as something Obi-Wan would have brought from Dex's old place back on Coruscant. "I'll pass." Xander shrugged and went back to scoffing down his donut then inhale two more, a sight that made Anakin and Oz want to gag.

"Trying to put yourself in diabetic coma?" Oz demanded as he leaned back in his seat. He had just finished his first donut to Xander's three.

"The sugary sweetness of dunkin donuts cannot be denied." Xander insisted emphatically, tearing another bite off with his teeth to make the point.

"I've always been a crispy cream man myself." Oz countered, plucking a jelly filled donut from the box.

"Hey, save some of those for me!" An indignant female cry came from Giles's office.

"Sure thing babe," Oz smiled.

Giles and Willow returned with Willow sitting next to Oz and plucking a donut from the box. Giles sat on the heavy wooden table facing the scoobies.

"So now that we're all here I think we should discuss last night's disaster." Giles said.

"Yeah, I was kinda thinking about that myself." Xander spoke up with a slight rub to the purple shiner surrounding his right eye. "I mean how did we the ambushers become the ambushees? It's definitely not what we planned last night."

"Brilliant observation there Xander," Giles rolled his eyes. "But I think it's become apparent that even as heavily armed we were we were still unable to take on four fledglings."

"Buffy could have done it." Willow countered.

"Yes, but Buffy is the Slayer. Four fledglings would count as very little trouble for her on most nights. There is also the fact that we only expected to take on one fledgling and not four, so surprise did factor into it. But still, I believe four fledglings are a bit much for us to take on in our present state…which puts a clear limit on just what we can expect to be able to do in the absence of Buffy "Giles said.

Oz nodded. "We had trouble taking on just two fledglings three days ago; I'd say that's our limit."Willow and Xander Frowned at him, "we're not trained Demon Hunters you know. We've only been winging it."

"Which just proves how much we need Buffy back here," Xander added. "I mean carrying on the fight is fine and all, but without Buffy here I don't see us keeping up this pace, unless we start packing rocket launchers."

"Which is why I've asked Anakin to join us," Giles said. "He has volunteered to aid us in the battle against the darkness. After what he did for us last night I am inclined to accept his help."

"He's got my vote." Xander held up his hand.

"Me too," Oz seconded the motion. Willow turned to her boyfriend and glared before adding her own opinion. "I don't know... I mean it's just that it's a little fast; it feels like we're replacing Buffy, that we're saying she's not coming back. But she will, I know she will."

It's nothing of the sort Willow." Giles spoke softly and reassuringly. "In fact it's my plan to seek her out and bring her back."

"L.A, right?" Oz asked. Giles nodded.

"Proverbial needle in a haystack" Xander supplied sullenly.

"Yes, well that plan has been put on hold for the time being until we can get Anakin settled. Xander I may need your help with that."

"Me?" Xander asked, seeming to perk up at this. "What can I do?"

"Anakin has told me an admittedly astonishing tale of his origins, but his knowledge of American culture...or any culture on this planet for that matter is well, nonexistent. Which is why I want you to act as our liaison, so to speak," The scoobies shared a confused look at this statement.

"Can you run that one by us again please?" Xander asked. Giles took off his glasses and motioned Anakin forward. Anakin nodded and moved forward, having up to this point staying in the back ground. He told them much of what he had told Giles earlier that morning, about being born as slave, his rescue by the Jedi, and eventually becoming one himself. He went on to mention the Clone Wars, the fall of the Republic and the Jedi order, the rise of the Empire and his eventual death, only to awaken in Sunnydale in the hour of their great need. By the time he had finished his tale almost two hours had passed, of course like earlier with Giles he made sure to omit certain facts.

"Wow" Oz said, in a tone that passed for amazement for the taciturn musician. The others nodded numbly.

"That's the Hellmouth for you." Xander sighed.

"The Hellmouth doesn't typically drop guardian angels into our lap." Oz reminded him.

"Yeah," Willow agreed. "I mean it's usually either trying to kill us or, or make our lives really miserable... kinda like it is right now." The others looked to her. "I mean no Buffy is a bad thing, and we got beat up last night, hence the badness."

This Buffy must be a truly extraordinary person for her friends to have such strong feelings for her Anakin silently reflected. He could feel the longing and great sadness that radiated though the Force almost every time this 'Slayer' was brought up.

Anakin could sympathize with them concerning their lost friend…after all, he had just lost his Son barely minutes after they had found each other…

"So how is Anakin supposed to fill in then?" Willow asked,snapping his attentionbackto the conversation. "I mean no offense or anything, but you did take those vampires by surprise, how do we know you just didn't get lucky?"

"Luck had nothing to do with it." Anakin answered with a confident almost predatory smile.

"Oh, good enough for me..." Willow answered meekly.

"I understand your patrolling tonight, correct?" Anakin asked.

"Yup, near Kingman's cemetery then working our way towards Pikeman Street and then finishing off near Mercy's grace cemetery."

"That's a rather large bit of ground to cover." Giles mused.

"Read the paper this morning before picking up Willow and Xander," Oz related, "Two more unclaimed bodies to be buried at Kingman's and one more at Mercy's."

"Gonna be an interesting night tonight." Xander said. He rubbed a tired hand over his face and Anakin could clearly see the young man had not gotten enough sleep the previous night. He'd also suffered the worst beating of the four, yet Anakin could feel his resolve unwavering. It spoke highly of his dedication to this fight. Courage and dedication, two traits a Jedi Knight must poses to be a truly effective weapon against the darkness...

"So, you're coming with us, right?" Xander asked. Anakin gave Xander an assessing gaze before nodding his accent. "Good, cause I'd feel a whole lot better with you around," Seeing that his fellow scoobies were eyeing him curiously. "Well, it's not to say that we don't kick major evil butt on our own, it's just that we'd do better with the terminator watching our backs-."

The double doors slammed opened at that moment, causing everyone in the room to jump.

"Sorry I'm late, but I had a hair appointment that I just couldn't miss" a tall, young, and well dressed woman with long brown hair declared as she all but stormed into the library with all the subtlety of an AT-AT, coming up short at his presence and giving him a look he would have described as 'appreciative', before turning to face the others. "So what did I miss? And who's this?"

Xander stood up to greet his girlfriend and gave her a quick kiss on the lips which she returned before Xander motioned to Anakin. "Cordelia Chase, meet Anakin Skywalker."

"Hi, so how did you get suckered into the band of weirdoes over here?" Cordelia asked bluntly.

"He rescued us." Oz stated in a matter of fact way.

"What? I thought you guys were supposed to be good at this sort of thing by now?" Cordelia asked, turning to look at Xander. "Is that how you got that...?" She trailed off; grimacing as she pointed to Xander's right eye.

"Got tagged by a vamp last night, it's nothing Cordy." Cordelia looked him over in slight concern before nodding in acceptance.

"Just remember you're not Buffy, you don't heal as fast as she does."

Anakin had a strong suspicion that was about all Xander would get as far as sympathy from Cordelia Chase, and he suppressed a smile at the interplay before she turned again to face him.

"So what kind of special powers do you have?" Cordelia asked. She pulled out of Xander's embrace and stood facing Anakin head-on. "Practically everyone in the Scooby gang here has their own special power; it's like a signature really. For instance Oz over there is a werewolf." Cordelia said, as she pointed to Oz who just shrugged. "Willow's a real witch." Willow didn't know whether to smile or look insulted at Cordelia's comment. "Giles has half the knowledge of the occult in his head and the other half in these books." Giles smiled thinly. "Buffy is the Slayer, but she's sorta taking a sabbatical right now. Xander...." Cordelia stopped in mid-sentence to look her boyfriend over with a smirk, "Well he has a gift for being a vampire punching bag."

"Don't forget good looks and razor sharp wit." Xander smiled.

"Riiiight...." Cordelia scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "So that brings me back to you. What can you do?"

"I am trained in the ways of the Force." Anakin said.

Cordelia turned to face Giles "Where do you get these guys?"

"Anakin is something of a mystery to us." Giles began, "The tale of his origins would no doubt bore you to death, but needless to say he is quite a capable warrior."

"With an interesting sense of fashion," Cordelia added, earning Anakin's admiration for the sheer volume of sarcasm she managed to fit into that one word, as she studied Anakin's uniform. "No offense or anything, but if you keep wearing that around here you're going to get noticed by someone eventually."

"Cordy does bring up a good point, albeit with her usual sense of tact and subtlety." Xander agreed. "Your uniform isn't exactly inconspicuous. We need to get you some cloths to blend in better."

"What's wrong with this?" Anakin asked fingering the brown robe over the dark Jedi starfighter uniform.

"Everything!" Cordelia sighed. "Where did you get that getup anyway?"

"Coruscant." Anakin answered.

"Is that like French or something?"

"No, it's-"

"You know what, I don't want to know," Cordelia said holding up her hands. "Obviously you need my help, if you're going to blend in around here. I have better fashion sense then everyone in this room. God forbid I let Xander dress you." Of course, what Cordelia meant to say was that she had better fashion sense then everyone in the room combined…but needless to say the message was received loud and clear by everyone, anyway.

Xander looked at the cloths he was wearing. "What's wrong with these?"

"With those cloths?" Cordelia smiled. "Nothing, if you remember I picked that out for you, but I'll not have you murder this man's new wardrobe with your appalling sense of fashion."

"Wardrobe?" Anakin asked with raised eyebrows. To Xander he seemed slightly horrified.

"Of course, my way of saying thank you for saving my boyfriends life, and all that noble stuff you're bound to do. I can easily afford it so don't worry about the money. Besides," Cordelia circled Anakin, intently looking him over. "You're not bad looking, nice build, and good skin tone. You'd be an easier project then Xander was. I could easily make you look as good as those guys on the cover of GQ. You'd be a pet project of mine."

"Oh...joy..." Willow muttered just loud enough to be heard.

"You could stand to gain a lot by just listening to even a few of the fashion tips I gave you." Cordelia snapped in response. Cordelia was on a roll now Xander saw, and there wasn't anything this side of an apocalypse that was going to stop her once she got into 'project mode'. Xander knew this first hand, as Cordelia had thrown out most of his wardrobe to replace it with stuff she viewed as 'acceptable'. It had been part of the pre-requisites she had demanded before they began to date openly.

"It's really not nessi-" Anakin tried to protest, picking up the dawning sense of horror and dark amusement from the people around him and correctly guessing its source…

"-Of course it is." Cordelia interrupted. "Now come on, this could take like... all day."

"All day?" Anakin asked. Once again the horrified expression returned.

"Xander, you better go with him." Giles muttered to Xander quietly. Xander look like he'd rather jump on a grenade instead.

"Are you serious?" Xander pleaded. Giles's level stare answered that question for him. "Fine, I'll go." Xander said in surrender. He managed to catch up to Cordelia as she practically dragged a confused looking Anakin out the double doors before the trio disappeared from sight.

"Well, that went well." Willow deadpanned.

"I think Cordy took to the new guy." Oz said in amusement.

"Poor fellow, I don't envy him. But at least that solves one minor problem on our agenda." Giles said.

"I think that's our cue to skidoo." Oz said. "Hey Giles, what kind of weapons should be pack for patrol tonight?"

"Xander will no doubt want his Ax, and I'm assuming you want the crossbow again?" Oz nodded. "I'll take my rapier. As for Anakin..." Giles stopped in consideration then moved to the cage. He unlocked the cage, then the weapons cabinet, and looked inside. "Hmmm...I'm not quite sure what his preferred weapon of choice is, what do you think Oz, Willow?"

"What's this?" Oz asked, as he grabbed a Katana."I've never seen this in here before." The blade was one of two Katana's Giles had recently acquired and was adorned with a white Ivory hilt and solid rounded hand guard, suggesting a Katana akin to the Samurai variant. Pulling the blade from the scabbard Oz nodded in appreciation as the light reflected from the almost perfect sheen of the blade.

"Ah yes, I acquired those a few days ago, I've been trying to expand our somewhat limited arsenal. You like?" Giles asked.

Oz held the blade to test its balance and nodded. For some reason he couldn't understand, he knew it would fit Anakin. Not perfectly, but it was close enough for what they had. For the briefest moment an image of a silver cylinder with a blue shimmering blade flashed in Oz's mind before just as quickly it vanished. Odd. "Should work," He put the blade back in the scabbard, then handed it back to Giles.

"And if it doesn't he can always choose something else next time we patrol. Assuming he's with us the next time we patrol." Willow added.

"And you Willow?" Giles asked. He locked the weapons cabinet and glanced her way.

"Oh no, I'm fine, got my magic." Willow declined.

"Didn't help you last night babe," Oz countered.

"I'll do better tonight." Willow insisted, but Oz didn't look convinced. "Really, I will, I promise."

"Ok." Oz nodded, he looked ready to argue further, but he let the matter drop.

"So, what time are we meeting up for tonight's patrol?" Willow asked.

Giles checked his watch and frowned. "About five thirty I would say. It should give us a little time to make any last minute changes, if we need too."

Ok, we'll see you then Giles." Willow said, she and Oz left the library. Giles watched them go before heading back into his office. He needed to get started on his latest report to the Council on the developing situation with Buffy; unfortunately there wasn't much to report in that regard.

The Council had been adamant that she be found, a conclusion Giles had already reached days ago. As he finished his report on the secure terminal in his office, which had nothing to do with Librarian work, Giles added a special note of interest concerning their new Jedi Knight, his name and displayed abilities. Giles however did not add his suspicions about Anakin's past; Giles could relate how such a thing was Anakin's business and not the Councils. He requested any and all resources be forwarded to him regarding anything concerning 'The Force' or any sort of magic of similar note. Taking a good look over his work with a meticulous eye before nodding in approval, he sent off his report. Looking to the wall clock in his office he noted that it was almost one in the afternoon. Time for lunch Giles thought, as he closed down the terminal and locked up the Library until tonight's patrol.