AN: This next bit is going to be a bit sad, but I felt that it needed to be done, and it establishes a definite time frame of reference for the rest of the story. I'll also be making some references to season eight of Buffy, which is being played out in comics. It's quite good, and I highly recommend reading it, or at least look it up on Wikipedia. Though I haven't decided if I'm going to ignore the Dawn was a giant part. Definitely ignoring the bit about Giles getting fired by Buffy, again.
I also have since discovered that Bradford Anderson (the guy that plays Spinelli for those not in the know) can SING! Could this guy get any more perfect, I hope someday they have him sing on the show.
It was early the next morning, really only a couple hours later that Spinelli was pulling on his jacket. After returning to the apartment earlier that morning the girls had gone straight to bed. Spinelli had stayed up, staring at his one picture of Georgie. He hadn't realized it until Dawn had asked the date the night before, but today was the anniversary of Georgie's death. As soon as it was light out Spinelli was on the move heading towards the park.
It was disturbing how it all looked the same. When he closed his eyes he could still see her frail body lying on the ground. Shaking his head to dispel the unwanted images, he pulled the small candle from his pocket. Lighting it, he silently said a short prayer for his faithful friend. He missed her, but his time with the Scooby Gang had taught him some important lessons.
Even though he had only spent six months with them, at least five of the slayer he knew had been killed. The one he knew the best being Renee, Xander's almost girlfriend, who had been killed by name during their mission in Japan.
"The only thing you can do is move on with your life." Xander had said stonily after the fact when Spinelli asked him how he was doing. "If you spend your time left mourning their death then it was a waste. You need to celebrate their life, the fact that you can keep living for them, and as long as you remember them, their never really dead."
Spinelli had taken the advice to heart, and now he stood in the park. "Good bye Georgie," he said barely a whisper, "You'll never really be dead, because I will never forget you. I will live for you." A single tear escaped his eye as he turned and left the park, the candle blowing in the wind.
It was as he left the park that Spinelli was really starting to regret not sleeping the night before. Not really thinking, his feet led him to the coffee house. He was hesitant to go inside; he wanted to see his mentor but hopefully after a full night sleep and the mental fortitude to officially sever his ties with the organization. On the other hand, Dawn and Vi would kill him if and when they found out that he had a chance to get them coffee and hadn't.
Summoning the last of his energy he put a smile on his face and entered the coffee house. A girl that he didn't recognize was behind the counter, but he saw half of Milo sitting by the door to the office. He didn't know if Stone Cold was in there or Mr. Corinthos, so he waited for now. Instead he went to the counter and ordered the first of what was probably going to many cups of coffee today. While he was at the counter he was better able to see the seated Milo who, Spinelli realized with a chuckle, was asleep.
That means it's most likely Stone Cold in there, He reasoned knowing that none of the guards would take the chance to nap if Mr. Sir was in their charge. And they most likely have been here all night. He smiled brightly at the barista as he accepted his coffee, gesturing to Milo he remarked, "It seems odd to have someone sleeping in a coffee house, ya know with all the caffeine and such." He joked awkwardly.
The girl grinned anyway, "Yeah he was here when I came in this morning, he works for the boss." She replied casually, "I've only worked here about a month, I go to the college, but their pretty protective and strangely profitable, but I mean it's only a coffee shop!"
Spinelli shook his head and slipped an extra dollar into the tip jar and quietly approached Milo. Shooting one last grin at the girl behind the counter, he leaned casually against the wall beside Milo, then proceeded to take a nice long, LOUD slurp from his coffee. He fought the urge to laugh as Milo jumped awake.
"I though Mr. Sir and Stone Cold paid you brave protectors to be steadfast guards, not to nap!" He remarked chuckling. Milo looked up at him, confused slightly, but then recognization dawned on his face.
"Spinelli!" Milo cried out, leaping to his feet, embracing the younger man in the manliest of hugs. "Where have you been kid? Things have been pretty boring around here without you to lighten up things!"
Spinelli grinned, having not really anyone to have missed him; it made him feel all sorts of warm fuzzies to think that people had. "The Jackal was in Scotland, and England, and even a brief foray to Japan."
"What were you doing over there?" Milo asked, genuinely curious.
"Actually the Jackal was getting to know his family, do you remember last June when Stone Cold and the Jackal rushed off to the southern state to visit the Spinelli Matriarch?" Milo nodded, "Well she revealed the truth about the Jackal's parentage and after some clever connections the Jackal discovered that he had two wonderful sisters, the Fair Buffy and Wise Dawn." He explained, "Fair Buffy works for a school in Scotland, and Wise Dawn was finishing her master's degree at Oxford."
Milo grinned and slung an arm across Spinelli's shoulder, "That's great kid," He said as he led him into the office, "Hey Morgan look at who's back!" He said, catching Jason Morgan's attention.
Jason looked up from his work, glancing first at the clack, wincing when he realized that he had been here since late last night. Then he looked up to see who Milo was talking about, when he saw that it was Spinelli he smiled slightly, "Hey Spinelli," He greeted, stepping out from behind the desk he gave the young man a manly hug. "How was Scotland?"
"Very good Stone Cold," Spinelli replied as he took one of the chairs in the office. "The Jackal did keep a detailed account of his time with his sisters on his blog." Well, almost detailed.
Jason rolled his eyes, "So now that you're back, what's your plan?"
Spinelli swallowed nervously, having dreaded this moment, not wanting to break his mentor's heart. "The Jackal has achieved his dream and become a PI! Wise Dawn, Artemis and the Jackal have bought one of the warehouses and converted it to our needs. Jackal PI is open for business!"
Jason let one of his rare smiles graced his face, "Good for you Spinelli, so you're the ones that bought that warehouse. We were getting nervous there for a little while when all the construction crews were around." Suddenly a dark thought crossed Jason's mind. "How'd you get the money to pay for all that? You haven't been hacking bank accounts again have you?"
"No! No, of course not, the Jackal is refraining from any and all illegal activity for the sake of his family and firm." Spinelli took a deep breath, "Speaking of which, the Jackal had hoped that you would not be too upset if he did not return to work for you and Mr. Sir."
Jason shot Spinelli a vaguely amused look, "I never expected you to come back to work for us, I'm glad you've got your business up and running, and you're out of the organization. It'll be a lot safer for you that way."
That's what you think! Spinelli thought, he was about to say something else when Secret Agent Man started spewing from his pocket. Spinelli smiled apologetically at Jason as he answered his phone. "Hello Artemis."
"Yo, 'Mian, where are you?" Vi asked.
"The Jackal is at the coffee shop in town visiting with his old mentor in coolness Stone Cold." He explained.
"Oh well great, grab me and Dawn our regular and get your butt back home." Vi said. Spinelli could hear Dawn in the background yelling about an axe.
"Why?"
"We got out first case."
So not very long, and I didn't fit the Xander flashback in, but I know where I'm going to put that now. Sooo yeah, their off to their first case! What's it going to be? Damned if I know!
Stayed tuned to find out.
Reviews are most welcome