BAD BLOOD

A Buffy the Vampire Slayer story.

P.J. Dickinson

Part One: Sunnydale

Eleven

The briefing had ended half an hour ago. Giles was leaning against a wall beside a water fountain in one of the initiatives many corridors. Riley walked up to him.

"Now you understand?"

"Yes," sighed Giles, "Now I understand."

"And you'll help us?"

Giles ran some water into his hand and wiped the cold liquid over his face. His hand turned red.

"Yes I'll help you. I'll do whatever I can. How can I not?"

"Good. I'll have someone come for you in a few minutes."

"Superb." Giles stood up straight, stretched his shoulders and put on his glasses. "You do realize that when this is over I'm going to kill you Finn."

"Perfectly understandable Mr. Giles."

Riley slapped him on the shoulder with a metal gauntlet that had once been a hand of flesh and blood. "Wouldn't have it any other way." Commander Finn marched away attracting many salutes.

Giles watched him with a terrible weariness in his heart. He removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Where to begin?