A/N: Thank you everyone who has kept up with this story - and for any newcomers who have jumped to this part out of curiosity. I hope you (continue) to enjoy it. Reviews would be really appreciated... no seriously, they really would :)

Pawns of Prophecy

Part Two

Realignment

Chapter One

The Watcher's Council was in session. There was a tone of triumph to their conversation, jubilation even, that bordered on the unseemly: cigar smoke hung thick and heavy and the finest port and the best Stilton influence could obtain was being consumed.

"This news that the new slayer is with child is the best that we have had in a long time."

"Of course, but let us not forget that it puts us in the vanguard of the conflict ahead. Having control of the weapon entails a responsibility that should neither be shrugged off nor taken lightly."

"Granted, my friend. Be assured I do not consider it lightly…."

An assistant pushing his way into the room interrupted him. The occupants looked round at the intrusion and eyed the young man with contempt.

"How dare you barge in on us unannounced? Why are you not at your workstation?"

"I am sorry, sir, but this could not wait," the acolyte stammered.

"We'll be the judges of that. What is so important?" The nearest Watcher demanded pointing to the note the young man held in his hand. "Come now, hand it over before your sweaty palm causes the ink to run."

When the young man left the room the Watcher silently read the note. He passed it to his nearest companion who also perused the contents. "How could this be?" He exclaimed barely containing control. "Our informant told us that she was dead!"

"It appears they were mistaken," the first answered reasonably.

"Mistaken! Either she has a pulse or she doesn't. What is there to mistake?"

"Let us not forget the Summers girl has died and been brought back once before."

"How can I forget? That detail is the precise circumstance which led to us being inflicted with the murderer," the

second one responded, referring to Faith's summoning.

"No," interjected a third, "Faith was called when the Jamaican was killed."

"Yes yes of course, but it all led from the blonde's resurrection. This is getting farcical; we now have three slayers in the world. Do not forget that the Council was created just as much to protect mankind from the slayers as well as the demons that plague humanity. The power the slayers wield cannot be allowed to run uncontrolled. Faith alone has more than justified our existence."

"Let us not get too overwrought," the first Watcher rejoined calmly. "From all reports Faith has reformed and the Summers girl is at least dedicated enough to continue the cause, albeit independently, and," he added with emphasis, "let us not forget she was dead long enough for our slayer to be called. It is our slayer who is pregnant. The Child of Light shall be ours."

"We must also be more vigilant now. Remember, The Child of Dark will be born as well. We will never truly be in control until he or she is found or, better still, the mother before she gives birth."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Buffy stood still, her back against the wall of her bedroom, whilst she watched Riley packing his belongings. "Were you going to say goodbye or just leave a note?" She asked quietly, her tone betraying equal parts anger as dismay.

"Buffy….I have to go. I need to."

"Where to…and why?" the petite blonde asked, desperation injecting an edge to her voice.

"Home…..Iowa," he replied simply.

"Why?"

Riley put his bag down and rubbed his eyes. It was several moments before he looked up at her. "Buffy, so much has happened to me….."

"No kidding! Recently my life has been…..eventful too. Hey, I died or did they forget to mention it."

"I know! When they said you had been killed it became so easy for me to decide to leave. After losing Maggie and Forest and… you were all that was holding me here…"

"So now I breathing again and you're still leaving," Buffy interrupted, wiping her eyes dry of the tears that threatened to reveal themselves.

"I can't live with the constant spectre of death. Buffy, you've died twice now. That freaks me out…..I can't get over thinking that you are death taking a holiday."

Buffy was shocked out of her oncoming grief. "Death?" She yelled at him. "This isn't death," she thumped her chest "This is life. A sick reality, I know, but real life. You…" she trailed off. "Go home, Riley." She left the room and went downstairs to the living room, shrinking into the sofa as though the last scene had sapped her energy.

Several minutes later Riley descended the stairs awkwardly: his leg still in plaster from the week before. "Take care, Buffy," he offered from the door.

"You too. Don't forget to write," she replied gifting him an affectionate smile for the journey.

Two minutes after he had gone Buffy was startled by a figure standing in the doorway to the kitchen. "Angel !" She blurted out in surprise. Then laughed brokenly. "That's great. One boyfriend leaves by the front and the ex comes in the back. The neighbours must be painting in oils by now." She jumped up and enveloped her former lover in an embrace, and then backed away from him, her tears now allowed to fall freely. The Chosen One hurriedly wiped them away. "It's good to see you again. I'm sorry to hear about your apartment," she added.

Angel was about to say something, but paused. "I was going to say that I'm sorry about…"

"I know," Buffy intoned quietly before he could mention her mother's death.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't be there for you."

"No worries. The world is a big place and us superheroes are spread pretty thin….you're here now."

They embraced again and exchanged stories. Each catching up with other's recent past. Angel leant away from Buffy slightly after they had been sitting together for sometime. "I have a confession to make," he admitted.

"This wasn't just a social call," Buffy stated rather than asked. Her expression remained happy, though.

"I need to talk to Giles about some rumours…..more than rumours, that have been circulating the underworld."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

"Child of Light and one of Dark?" Giles questioned, looking over the rim of his glasses at Angel. "Are you sure ?"

Angel nodded.

"What's up, G Man ?" Xander brayed. Anya giggled at the abbreviated name but cut it short when Giles glared at her. She looked suitably chided.

The Scooby gang had gathered at Giles' apartment to discuss Angel's query. The ex-Watcher went straight to the sideboard that took up one wall of his living room. He fished out a leather bound, but not aged, book from a drawer.

"I've never seen that book, Giles," Willow noted, betraying a curious excitement.

"I don't actually refer to it much. It's a copy of the First Watcher's diary. It's kind of a manual for Watchers."

"You have manuals as well," Buffy butted in. "Am I the only one without a manual?"

Giles looked over to her, his expression still serious. "We…they don't tend to refer to it much. It was written a long time ago. Most of the contents are considered the ranting of a primitive mind. Some of the predictions he made are laughed at, but…."

"He makes reference to the two children," Angel completed for him.

"Giles, tell me I don't have to kill a child." Buffy asked worried. She looked around at her friends, concern clearly written on her face.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Despite the foreboding nature of the gathering, they eventually disbanded to their homes. Angel returned to Los Angeles. The year continued as it always did; Buffy patrolled and slew efficiently. Her 20th birthday came and went uneventfully. Giles' shop prospered. Willow and Tara became more versed in their Wiccan arts. Willow was pleasantly surprised at Tara's ability, if a little put out that her partner's magic appeared to better than her own. Xander helped out Giles and the two became almost a mirror image of studiousness.

Close to a year later, as everyone was gathered in Giles' apartment for their weekly meetings, there came a knock on the door. Xander offered to answer it. He stood back in surprise at finding Faith standing on the doorstep. She was not alone: holding her hand tightly was a small boy of about six. He looked up at Xander curiously. In return Xander was mesmerised.

"Err, can we come in, perhaps ?" Faith ventured with a small smile. Xander noted that it was not her usual smile; it lacked the mischief and teasing of old. Rather, she had an almost responsible air that made him want to hug her.

The little boy ran into the room excitedly as a child into a toyshop. He made straight for a pile of Giles' books and picked up the Watcher's manual. "Auntie Faith, can I read this?" He asked holding the oversized volume above his head.

"It's not mine to offer, Joss. You'd better ask the old man standing by the kitchen," Faith pointed to Giles. The old man was about to object to the moniker but was as lost as Xander by the child's actions.

Joss dropped the book and stared at the others sitting round the coffee table. His eyes latched on to Anya and he ran up to her. "You're a vengeance demon," he stated confidently. "Will you kill the people who killed my mom and dad for me," he asked without changing his mood. For once, Anya was rendered speechless.

"Now now, Joss," Faith reasoned. "Anya doesn't do that any more. Besides, she only acted on behalf of scorned women."

"Okay," Joss accepted simply and he returned to his book. He went and sat at the bottom of the stairs as Faith joined the others.

"I'm sorry to descend on you like this, but I felt this was the safest place to bring Joss."

"Faith, who are or were his parents?" Giles asked.

"Angel and Darla….or Darla, at least. Angel was his adopted father."

"But…." Buffy could not bring herself to complete her sentence. Willow looked at her friend and rescued her.

"Faith, Joss said his parents were dead…..Angel…."

"….is gone. Not dead, I think," Faith added quickly at Buffy's sharp intake of breath. "There was an accident or…..not an accident more like. Darla was killed outright and Angel was seriously hurt. I think the Oracles took him, or their replacements did at any rate. I'm pretty sure, though he was taken to protect him from further harm."

"And the child?"

"He escaped and found me," Faith looked over at Joss affectionately as he continued to read Giles' book.

"Faith," Giles brought her out of her reverie. She looked round at him. "Darla was slain over four years ago. She never had a child with her then. Vampires can't have children."

"She was brought back somehow. I don't know how they did it, but Wolfram and Hart were involved. She sought out Angel and discovered she was pregnant. The same night he was born, despite her only being two months into her term." None of the others wanted to venture the obvious question so Faith offered the answer anyway. "A few days later he mysteriously grew up."

"Is anyone thinking the Midwich Cuckoos here?" Xander remarked.

They all looked over at Joss He had fallen asleep on his perch. Faith walked over to him and lifted the still-open book from his lap. She read the page it was open at, her expression turning into concern.

"Faith, what's wrong?" a perturbed Buffy asked.

Faith walked up to Giles and showed the open page to him, which he read out aloud to the assembled group.

"There shall come a time when the Child of Light and The Child of Dark will war against each other for dominion over the Hellmouth."

They all looked over at the child sleeping oblivious to the attention he was eliciting.

Chapter two

It was decided that Joss would attend a local private school: where better to hide a small boy than in the midst of other small boys? Giles took him there every morning. It was a ritual he could live with: an opportunity to experience something normal he knew would not present itself again soon. The rest of the group then took turns in watching over him. A chore everyone jumped at performing except Buffy. She seemed to take her turn with reluctance.

Joss did not seem to have many memories. Perhaps, by growing up so rapidly he did not retain memories like others did. What was it like being a six year old with only six months worth of memories to fall back on? Giles thought. Less than that even, considering no one remembers being a baby.

"Do you remember your mother?" Giles asked in a matter-of-fact way as though he was asking him what he had for breakfast that morning. "Do you remember Darla?"

Joss had lived with Darla and Angel for several months before the accident. It hadn't been an accident, of course. Of this Faith was certain, and the secondary Slayer was not prone to paranoia. Cynicism – always, and as of lately, bouts of guilt - but never paranoia.

A little girl, who appeared to be about Joss's age, ran up to father-figure and son in front of the school building. "Hello, Joss and Mr Giles," she added politely looking up at Giles and fixing him with that off- putting, scrutinising stare that small children always gave adults.

Giles felt she was trying to read his mind; pick some secret out of this old person that accompanied her friend to school every morning. He smiled a welcome and knelt down to Joss's eye level. "Be good, Joss and remember that Tara will be close," he added whilst straightening his ward's tie. Giles imagined he caught a look of recognition from Joss's companion at the mention of the blonde witch's name, but put it down to his heightened senses. "Now, go and play with your friend….Gaya is it?" Giles asked the girl.

She nodded seriously. The two children then ran to the swings and jumped into the seats. After moving forwards and backwards a couple of times they were soon swinging; their legs pumping furiously to keep them in motion.

"Who's Tara?" Gaya asked her companion.

"One of my protectors. Its her turn to look after me today." Joss answered simply. "I don't need them, of course," he added.

"Why not?"

"That's why you're here."

"So you've guessed that already" Gaya stated rather than asked.

"Yes. I know your real name as well." Joss boasted.

"Do you, Joss? Best not tell anyone, eh?"

"A secret? I'm good at keeping secrets," he said with young enthusiasm.

"Very good, Joss"

"Do you know who I am?" He asked earnestly.

"Yes, dear."

"Will you tell me?"

"No. You'll remember soon. Hello who's this?" Gaya requested in her childlike voice to a newcomer to the playground.

"This is Tara, Willow's friend. It's her turn to look after me. I know her real name as well," he whispered to his female companion. "I can't tell you, though, cos it's a secret."

"Why don't you go and play with your other friends," Gaya instructed.

"Okay, but they're not my friends. They're just children." Joss skipped off in the direction of a large group of boys.

Gaya stopped her swing and wrapped her arms around the chains that suspended the seat from the frame above. She regarded the taller girl in front of her. "Hello, Tara. That's a nice name," she said.

"Hello, Mother," Tara returned. "I thought I asked you not to take the form of a child. It makes me feel old."

"But, my dear, you're not old. You're ageless. Anyway, shouldn't you be getting ready? You know, planting bulbs or something. It's nearly March, after all."

"They plant their own flowers now, mother."

"Of course they do. It seems like only yesterday when they discovered fire. They grew up so quick. No wonder you have so much time on your hands. Willow seems like a nice girl."

"She is."

"Try not to get too attached. It'll only make it harder for you to say goodbye when the time comes."

"I thought I might stay a while."

"But you're not needed here. I will see that the boy comes to no harm and the other child is safe as well. You have your responsibilities…unless you have plans to …oh, I see," Gaya added cryptically. "I did wonder why you intervened with the Slayers. I shall miss you when the time comes."

Chapter three

"Where's my father?" Joss asked Gaya suddenly one morning.

"He's safe. Right now he's thinking about your mother."

"Darla's dead. She died in the accident."

"It wasn't an accident."

"I know. Where's my father?" Joss asked again.

"Like I said, he's safe. He is being kept safe from harm, kept asleep. He's dreaming of the time your mother came to him, so right now he's with her."

Joss seemed to accept her reply.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Angel knew he was somewhere else. Somewhere outside the reality everyone took as the only existence. A part of him was absent, however. He searched for himself and saw his image as if it was a scene being played out on a stage. How odd, he thought, to actually see himself. It had been so long since he had last seen his reflection that he instinctively looked away in embarrassment as though self-conscious of his appearance. But, fascination returned his attention to the stage and the play that he had watched several times since finding himself suspended in this ethereal state.

The facsimile of Angel was looking at a video he had of Buffy again. He watched her play to the camera. Laid out on the table in front of him were photographs of his ex-lover: Buffy slicing a birthday cake; Buffy in her prom dress holding her award; Buffy posing with Willow. The former holding a stake in a mock-threatening pose, the latter with a wand gesturing like Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He gave a small chuckle and was shaken out of his reverie by the phone ringing.

"Wesley? Anything wrong?" Angel enquired on recognising the ex-watcher's voice.

"Possibly. Very possibly indeed."

"Wesley," Angel growled dangerously.

"We have a visitor in the office. She calls herself Darla." Angel couldn't respond for a moment. "Cordelia confirms her identity," Wesley added to Angel's unasked question.

"Darla is dead, Wesley. I was there when she died," the vampire joked humourlessly.

"She seems very much alive now and wishes to enlist our help."

"Tell her…..tell her to go elsewhere. The law offices of Wolfram and Hart, for example."

"It would seem she's come from there. She doesn't appear to be feeling very well. I was thinking about calling an ambulance and another thing, Angel….. She entered our office uninvited."

Angel jumped up from his seat. "Tell her to wait there. I'm coming round."

"She could really do with going to the hospital; she doesn't look at all well."

"Keep her there!"

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

"Don't you like me, Auntie Buffy?" Joss asked the young Slayer as she gave a firm push on his swing. Today was her turn to look after him. But he was puzzled as she only engaged in conversation when he spoke to her, and then only with one word answers wherever possible.

"Of course I like you," she responded flatly without elaboration.

"You don't have to worry; you wont kill me," he reassured innocently. "I wont let you."

Buffy staggered back in shock, a hand flew to her mouth to stifle her distress at his astuteness. Who was this child and was he Light or Dark? She stopped the swing and lifted Joss up and out. "Come on, it's time to go."

Joss obeyed and hoisted his backpack. After they'd been walking along for a few minutes, Buffy peered down at the small boy walking by her side. "I do like you, Joss," she stated warmly, hoping he believed her. "You mustn't think I don't."

"I know you do," he responded and placed his hand in her hers as they continued their journey to Giles' apartment.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Angel continued to dream. He watched himself enter his office. Cordelia and Wesley were standing awkwardly to the rear of the room. The former wore a mask of fear despite their guest looking no more dangerous than they did. Angel was shocked and immediately felt guilty when he saw Darla. She was sitting on the couch, her body hunched over, as though in pain. She was clearly not well and belonged in a hospital bed. Despite her appearance, though, she straightened up when Angel entered the room.

"Angel…..!" she went to run to him but held back, unsure of the response she would elicit from the person she had turned centuries before. "I…thank you for coming down. I'm sorry for disturbing you….It's good to see you again," she spoke quietly.

"How….?"

"I don't know."

"Wesley mentioned Wolfram and Hart."

"I woke up in a cage in the basement of their offices. I don't know how I got there. The last thing I remembered was you pushing that stake in me…..how long ago was that?"

"Four years," Cordelia offered from behind.

"You've progressed somewhat," Darla observed looking around his office. "Do you still see that Slayer or was she killed? I imagine the latter since they don't normally live that long"

"She's still alive," he responded without emotion.

"He cries in his blood every evening over her picture," Cordelia tactlessly contributed. "Well, you do," she said defensively when Angel glared her.

"How did you get away from Wolfram and Hart?" Wesley asked.

"They let me go." She replied confused at his implication. "They gave me directions to find you."

A wave of pain and nausea came over her and she collapsed in front of the couch. Angel leapt the short gap between them and cradled Darla in his arms, the concern he felt for her surprised him. She was no longer conscious. Angel felt for a pulse and was shocked to find she had one. Cordelia, you can come to the hospital with me. It wont look so bad the both of us taking her in rather than me alone."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-

The first attack on Joss came quite unexpectedly: they had all become quite comfortable and thus were lulled into complacency with their easy routine of looking after the boy. It was a weekend and he was sitting on Giles' settee with a book on his lap. Giles sat alongside him reading another. Every now and then Joss would ask his guardian a question, pointing to a picture of a demon or other creature from the pages opened in front of him. He took no interest in children's books, preferring instead to pour over Giles' tomes of ancient and modern beasts and prophesies.

Buffy watched hypnotised by the domestic scene before her. She was not alone; Tara and Willow sat across from the ex-Watcher and his charge. She could hear Xander and Anya bickering in the kitchen. Faith was on patrol. Buffy thought of Angel and hoped he was safe and well with the Oracles.

The seconds that followed stretched out to fill the action they contained. First Xander stood in the doorway to the kitchen to announce supper was ready. Then the sound of breaking glass rang through the apartment. It was Xander, with his brief military experience, who alerted everyone - the stun grenade bounced off the coffee table on to the floor. Tara screamed and threw herself on top of it. This caused Willow to scream in turn. Buffy was poised and ready when the attack came from the front door. It was kicked open and three mortal assassins pushed their way in and immediately levelled rifle barrels at the young boy on the settee. On impulse, Buffy wedged her body in between the assassins and Joss – when the rifles fired, she took two shots to the shoulder. The second hand of the clock moved forward and real-time took over.

"Shit!" Buffy exclaimed in pain. "Superhuman strength or not, that still fucking hurts!" She high-kicked the nearest assailant. His rifle flew up into the air. Buffy caught it gracefully and fired three shots. Each of the three invaders felt searing pain lance through their shoulders. "Now get out before I kneecap you."

"You stupid bitch!" One of the raiders spat. "You should be helping us kill the monster." He pointed to Joss

"He's just a boy!"

"But, he'll become…"

"I'll deal with what he becomes. Now, get out!"

She lowered the gun barrel to knee height, which caused them to exit quickly. The seconds ticked slowly again as Buffy turned towards her friends. She studied their faces. Tara was miraculously unharmed; a spell, Buffy guessed. Everything then misted over and she keeled over backwards.

"Damn," Xander, uttered. "The pain must have kicked in." He started for her side but Joss beat him there.

Buffy woke up a few minutes later to discover Joss looking down at her. "You said a rude word," he whispered. "I don't think the others noticed."

Buffy smiled weakly and suddenly rose up. She backed up slowly to the remnants of the door.

"Buffy, you're not going out, are you?" Willow was worried.

"Yea….I…I should go check to be sure they've gone." She looked awkwardly at Joss who smiled benignly back.

"But, you're wounded."

"Don't worry, the bullets went straight through and I'm healing already." At that, Buffy back stepped out of the apartment and exited the scene.

To be continued