Disclaimers

All characters appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are copyright Joss Whedon. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

The Slayer Squad – Origins Interlude One: Team Building

By

Celgress

California Ski Resort late-December 1996, afternoon

"The Watchers Council is paying for all this?" Xander said whistling getting out of the cab and surveying the enormous resort spread out before them. "Best start to Christmas Break ever!"

"T-They think y-you three need a team building retreat." Giles informed the three teens.

"Wow look at this place?" Willow said in awe. "Buffy what do you think?"

"Its' okay" Buffy grumbled.

"Buffy please at least try to enjoy yourself." Giles sighed. "I know you're upset about Angel however perhaps your relationship ending is for the best, you being a Slayer he being a vampire."

"Why so I can play the field, huh?" Buffy shot the others icy stares. "Maybe I can score with a cute sky instructor. I am the team slut after all. Gee I hope there'll be an orgy."

"B-Buffy you're being incredibly childish" Giles said.

"Buffy I told you I'm sorry." Willow said.

"Yeah, well I'm sorry to sorry I ever trust any of you." Buffy fumed.

"Buff lighten up" Xander said with a smile. "We're getting a free vacation, let's enjoy it."

"You love the free stuff huh Xander." Buffy said rolling her eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean Buffy?"

"Xander I swear you got yourself powers just so you could get adulation from our classmates. Don't bother denying it."

"What if I did, its' a sweet deal" Xander said his smile fading.

"Xander don't brag about exploiting your gifts." Giles admonished. "It is bad form. Buffy I'm sorry your feelings are hurt however we all care about you. Xander and Willow were very concerned about you after the incident with the vampire Absalom."

"We thought you might die." Willow said. "I was never so frightened in my life. Buffy you're special to me. I'm sorry I hurt you. I feel so bad about it."

"I know Willow." Buffy said looking at her friends. "I'm sorry I've been such a bitch. I don't know why Angel doesn't love me anymore, it hurts it hurts bad. Can you guys ever forgive me?"

Of course we can forgive you, group hug?" Xander said laughing at the looks the two girls shot him. "Buff its' Angel's loss you're a great girl any guy would be lucky to have you, er I mean date you."

"Thanks Xander." Buffy said with a small smile. "Now let's hit the slopes."

Sunnydale, night

"I'm sorry she got away." Angel apologized to Darla as the two vampires entered his apartment. "I couldn't make the kill. When I tried something inside me froze. I know the others will be disappointed don't tell the family, okay?"

"Don't worry Angelus I won't let the Master or the others know about you little slipup." Darla reassured him playfully stroking Angel's hand. "Besides I have another task in mind." Darla smiled leading Angel towards the bedroom.

Meanwhile at the Summers Residence Heinrich Joseph Nest was thoroughly enjoying himself. He hadn't had so much fun since the Salem Witch Trials. There was nothing quite like sowing suspicion, turning neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother. However breaking slayers, and other vampire/demon hunters, was a close second. Finishing his nightly feeding courtesy of his host the lovely Joyce Summers Nest sat back on the sofa contentedly. The reigning Slayer would soon be dead and all his fun would be over, dreadful pity. He really was taking pleasure in his current assignment, alas all good things must end.

California Ski Resort, the following day

"What are you losers doing here?" Cordelia Chase asked turning up her nose up at Buffy, Willow & Xander. "I was hoping my vacation would be geek free."

"We're happy to see you to princess." Xander said sarcastically. "Want to share a ride up the slope?"

"Whatever stay far away from me, you three are creepy." Cordelia said jumping into vacant lift chair.

"Charming as always Cordelia" Xander shouted after her delivering a mock salute. He, Buffy & Willow piled into the next available lift chair.

"Are you coming Giles?" Buffy asked the Watcher as the three teens began ascending the slope.

"I-I don't think so, you three have fun." Giles replied sitting down on a nearby bench with a cup of hot chocolate and a copy of the Los Angeles Times tucked under his arm.

"Catch you later then." Buffy said with a wave.

"Bye Giles" Willow added.

"See ya on the flip side G-Man" Xander yelled as the lift chair slowly climbed out of sight.

"Out of sight out of mind", Giles muttered taking a sip of his beverage.

"Are they your children?" An attractive, dark haired, fashionably attired for the slopes, woman, with a dazzling smile asked Giles.

"N-No we are merely good friends. You could say they are also my students, after a fashion." Giles answered.

"You're an educator?" The Dark Haired Woman said. "It is so nice to see a teacher taking active interest in his students, it is rare these days."

"In a way, I'm a librarian. I work at Sunnydale High School." Giles said smiling back at the friendly beauty.

"Wow I think our meeting was meant to be. I start work as the new computer teacher at Sunnydale High School in January. My name is Jenny Calendar by the way." Jenny said extending her hand.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mrs. Calendar…" Giles began unsure if Jenny was married or not due to her hands being encased in gloves.

"Its' Miss."

"Ah Miss Calendar, I'm Rupert Giles." Giles said shaking Jenny's hand.

"You're English aren't you?" Jenny said. "I simply adore English accents."

"Yes, I am originally." Giles blushed slightly.

"May I have a seat?" Jenny asked indicating the empty space next to Giles.

"B-By all means, please do." Giles said smiling. While his teen charges spent the day on the slopes Giles and Jenny got to know each better. By the time the teens returned the two adults were already acting like old friends. "Buffy, Xander, Willow y-you're back." Giles said noticing the three teens were standing beside the bench.

"Yeah, we've been back for like five minutes now", Buffy said eyeing Jenny. "Who's your new friend Giles?"

"Ah yes, allow me to introduce Jenny Calendar. She'll be your new Computer Science teacher this upcoming semester." Giles said.

"I'm pleased to meet you all." Jenny said smiling.

"No way" Willow gushed excitedly. "Finally we're getting a new Computer Science teacher, oh how I've dreamed of this day."

"I take it you like computers?" Jenny laughed.

"Like computers, I love them all technology really." Willow blabbered on.

"Will here is a regular techophile." Xander joked earning him an elbow in the ribs from Buffy.

"Xander" Buffy snorted.

"Well I'm glad I have at least one fan." Jenny said. "Tell me kids what is Sunnydale like?"

"Sunny" Buffy blurted out.

"Warm" Xander added quickly.

"Alright, do you have any more specific impressions you'd like to share?" Jenny inquired.

"Ever seen the movie the Lost Boys?" Xander said this time it was a well-placed elbow from Willow that shut him up.

"Excuse me?" Jenny asked puzzled by the boy's question.

"Inside joke" Buffy said shooting Xander a stony stare.

"It was great meeting you all, especially you Giles." Jenny said getting up from the bench. "I'll be at the resort the next two days. If I do not see you before I leave I guess we'll see each other again next month." Jenny glanced back at Giles reaching into her purse. "What the hell, I'm not usually this forward but there is something about you Rupert. I feel like we've known enough other forever. My room and cell numbers, call me." Jenny said handing Giles a slip of paper before leaving.

"Yeah G-Man got himself a date." Xander cheered.

"Way to go Giles." Buffy said.

"And a smart one to boot, yay Giles" Willow said clapping her hands.

"Um t-thank you, now who wants to help me with a little research? I read a fascinating article this morning in the Los Angeles Times on mineral divination I simply must cross reference." Giles said beaming. Xander and Buffy simultaneously groaned while Willow shot up her hand, some things it seems never change.

To Be Continued