CHAPTER TWENTY
The Payback of Useful Demons
Two days after the Torrado incident, Xander was attending to his regular duties on the construction site, when he got a call from the owners of the Bronze. Interestingly enough, it was Peter who took the call. Xander had tried his best to comfort the other men who'd been on the Torrado job with him. When they'd heard the news about the big blaze, they'd all been horrified about the loss of income. Christmas and the slow season was coming and in their minds, they'd already spent the money. Xander at least had the comfort of knowing they'd destroyed the Terrado nursery. But he was also haunted by the vision of Anya's ice swans melting and her two demon girlfriends standing on either side of her with their eyes glowing, trying to talk her into turning him into a replacement swan. The thought that he might turn up as a decoration at his own wedding, slowly melting away, was not a comforting one.
"Yeah," Xander said, offhandedly as he picked up the phone in the office.
"Mr. Harris?"
"That's me. How can I help you?"
"My name is McDougall. I'm one of the owners of the Bronze. You were recommended to us. We're starting on some major renovations here and we want you to oversee it. We bought out part of the building next door and we want to break through a couple of walls. Could you come by this afternoon after your usual work hours and discuss it?"
"You want me to supervise the job?"
"Yes. One of our employees recommended you. Said they'd seen some of your work downtown."
Xander thought hard but he couldn't imagine what this McDougall guy was talking about. But he wasn't going to question it. "Sure. Sure, I can do that. I'll drop by your place right after work."
As he hung up the phone it was all he could do to keep from doing a happy dance. But rough tough men on construction sites aren't supposed to do happy dances unless there's a demon somewhere pulling the strings. This could be the extra money he was looking for. He couldn't believe his luck. Of course, it probably wouldn't pay as much money as the shady job. But at least no one would end up as an awakening monster's first meal. And it might get Anya at least one ice swan. He might also be able to hire on a couple of the other men who'd lost out on the shady job.
He showed up at the Bronze after work in record time. Mr. McDougall met him in a side office that he'd never really noticed before. It had a little window that looked out onto the Bronze's main floor. At night it was always dark and deserted. Probably this Mr. McDougall and his partner kept the office only for their occasional day visits. The manager who ran things at night had a smaller office at the back off the kitchen.
McDougall showed Xander the plans that he and his partner had already had done for the job. Xander looked them over and added some suggestions of his own, which impressed McDougall. They were coming near the end of their business, the job virtually Xander's for the taking, when Xander caught sight of one of the Galera demons moving from the kitchen area toward the main entry. He assumed it was a Galera demon because of Spike's story about the new bouncers and Mr. McDougall's obvious lack of concern about this one wandering about his establishment. Also, he and Spike had freed three of them the night before from the Terrado nursery. Xander couldn't help it, he paused to get a closer look at the creature in the brighter light of the Bronze. He wouldn't have agreed completely with Willow's assessment that they looked like a Praying Mantis. There was some of that. But, as far as he was concerned, they had a lot of space alien in them too, with their smooth slimy looking skin and more human heads. They weren't as insect-like as the adult Terrado's had been.
Mr. McDougall saw Xander's stare and said, "Do you know him?"
"No," Xander answered truthfully.
"Well, he knows you. Says he heard about how good a construction boss you were and suggested you for the job."
"Ah," Xander said noncommmitedly with a nod.
After shaking hands with McDougall and packing up the papers he would need to study in preparation for the job, Xander started out of the Bronze. The Galera demon he'd seen earlier was still near the entrance. He felt a little strange, but he thought he had to say something. He paused next to the demon uncertainly, a little afraid to look into it's large liquid eyes. Conferring with demons was not something that came easy to him. "I hear you recommended me for the job," Xander said. "I just wanted to say thank you."
"The Galera pay their debts," the demon said. "You're with the Slayer."
"Yeah," Xander said, wondering how Buffy's name had gotten into this.
"We will remember." And with that he disappeared out into the alley to take his nightly position in the alley's darkest spot.
Xander raised his eyebrows as he watched the Galera's retreating back. I guess he's not much for conversation, he said to himself.
- - - - - - -
Later that night, the entire group of Scoobies, except for Tara and Dawn, went on a vamp stake-out at the mall downtown. With all the Christmas shoppers the local bloodsuckers were grouping to take advantage. Buffy was still irritated about the loss of her job and slaying seemed the best outlet . . . next to Spike that is. They fanned out around a quiet entrance not too far from where Dawn and Janice had been "shopping" earlier that day. And they picked off the vamps as they tried to pick off the shoppers.
In-between stakings, the group faded back into the shadows to wait. Xander made a point of getting Spike to himself so he could tell him about the Galera demon's recommendation.
"Yeah, I saw one of those buggers late last night," Spike said with an offhanded roll of his shoulder. "Seems they're real grateful we saved some of their lot from a terrible death and all. A lot of those lesser demons are real clannish. You know, you do for one of my kind, you do for me and all that. That's how they survive against the real Big Bads, sticking together. A lot of them don't even consider themselves demons. They think of theirselves more as hybrids." Spike laughed and shook his head. "They can call themselves what they like. But I've found they come in handy to play a hand of poker with. And they like a good brawl as much as the next guy. Also, they can be plied for info if you play 'em right. Anyhow, this Galera heard about what happened and he said the Galera's pay their debts."
"That's what he said to me."
"I told him you were looking round for construction related work, cos you'd lost out because of the whole Terrado deal. I also told him I wouldn't mind standing in for one of 'em on the odd night over at the Bronze as a demon bouncer." Xander's eyebrows rose in surprise and Spike added quickly, "Not because I'm looking for a real job, you understand. But just in case I need some green for blood and smokes."
Xander pushed his lower lip out and nodded. An occasionally working Spike made more sense then a seriously working one. He figured Spike was doing it mostly in hopes of diving into an alley brawl. "And these Galera demons are not dangerous to humans?"
"You think the owners of the Bronze would have them working there if they were?"
"I guess not."
"They're perfect for working in a restaurant or a bar. Not only do they keep a sharp eye out. But they help keep down the usual restaurant vermin."
"You mean they eat . . ."
"They're a walking exterminating service."
"Eeww!" Xander said.
"What? You prefer they eat your lot then?"
"One other question, how come they knew I had a connection to Buffy?"
"Oh," Spike said, "they make it their job to know who hangs with who at the Bronze."
"But I haven't been there since the dancing demon came through town."
"Then I must have mentioned it. You know . . . that we were doing the Slayer's work when we were torching that crib."
Xander accepted this explanation, especially since another two vamps had jumped out of the shadows and the chase was on.
- - - - - - -
After the mall went dark for the night, Buffy officially called an end to the patrol. "One of these evenings I'm going to have to come here as an ordinary shopper," Buffy said as they walked away. "I've got to start up my own Christmas shopping. I want Dawn to have a good Christmas this year."
Anya and Xander were the first two to break off from the group. They said their good nights, followed a few blocks later by Spike.
"Well, see you ladies tomorrow maybe," he said, glancing quickly at Buffy. She barely exchanged looks with him. It was abundantly clear that she intended to go home with Willow.
"Night," Buffy said.
"Yeah, tomorrow," Willow said.
Buffy and Willow's conversation was basically about nothing as they finished their walk home alone together. They were both on their best behaviour, trying to put the incident with Rack behind them. Willow tried asking if Buffy was sad about losing her job, but Buffy passed it off as unimportant. They started running out of things to say by the time they walked through the front door of Buffy's house.
Tara was sitting up in the living room studying. It was very late by then and Dawn had already gone to bed. "Well, how did things go tonight?" Tara asked, gathering up her things.
"Good," Buffy said, "We made the world safe for shopping."
Willow and Tara exchanged uncertain looks much like the ones that Buffy and Spike had exchanged earlier. There were lots of feelings being kept under wraps. And no one wanted to expose themselves.
"So, Willow," Tara said, quickly getting herself to the door. "Are you going out with them again tomorrow on patrol?"
"Yeah, maybe. I think Buffy kinda needed me out there tonight."
"Not really," Buffy said. "We don't need you, unless you really want to come."
Willow was taken back and uncertain.
It was Tara who saw what was really going on. Buffy was trying to give Willow lots of space because that's what she thought she needed. But what Willow really needed was to feel wanted. "I'm sure Buffy could really use your help, she's just trying not to crowd you," Tara suggested to her ex- lover. Then she turned to Buffy. "I'll bet Willow's help would really come in handy."
Buffy got the hint. "Oh . . . Oh, yeah. We could really use you with the Christmas rush and all. But if you'd really rather be doing other things. I don't want you to feel obligated."
"It's not an obligation," Willow said. "I want to help."
And to be needed, Tara finished to herself. She wondered if maybe she should have a talk with Buffy. It was clear that the two old friends were having trouble communicating with one another. It was a sensitive time for them both. "So, you guys go on patrol and I'll drop by sometime in the evening to look in on Dawn," Tara said.
"Sounds good," Buffy said.
"Yeah," Willow agreed.
Tara let herself out into the cool night with a sigh. Her mind was so full of thoughts about Willow that she didn't hear the footsteps coming up behind her. When Spike suddenly started walked next to her she gasped and dropped all of her books.
"Sorry, pet," he said honestly contrite, "Didn't mean to startle. I thought I was making enough noise walking up behind you."
"I . . . I was just thinking of something else."
Spike knelt with her to pick up the fallen books. Then he handed them to her one by one as she composed herself. "I wanted to ask a favor," he went on. Tara looked so spooked, he thought it was best to tell her his business as quickly as possible.
Tara avoided his eyes and concentrated on alligning her books. She couldn't imagine why Spike would be coming to ask her any favors.
"You see, I want to buy a Christmas present for Dawn and Buffy this year. And I'd like you to help me."
Now Tara looked at him . . . fully, with just a hint of shock. In fact, she was perhaps seeing him for the first time. "A Christmas present?"
"I know what I want to get Buffy. But I'm not sure of where to get it. And Dawn, well, who would know better what to get for the Niblet then you. You spend more time with her then I do nowadays."
Tara stood speechless gazing at him for a moment longer. "Sure. Sure. What kinds of things did you have in mind?"
And the two of them walked off down the street in the direction of Tara's apartment.
The Payback of Useful Demons
Two days after the Torrado incident, Xander was attending to his regular duties on the construction site, when he got a call from the owners of the Bronze. Interestingly enough, it was Peter who took the call. Xander had tried his best to comfort the other men who'd been on the Torrado job with him. When they'd heard the news about the big blaze, they'd all been horrified about the loss of income. Christmas and the slow season was coming and in their minds, they'd already spent the money. Xander at least had the comfort of knowing they'd destroyed the Terrado nursery. But he was also haunted by the vision of Anya's ice swans melting and her two demon girlfriends standing on either side of her with their eyes glowing, trying to talk her into turning him into a replacement swan. The thought that he might turn up as a decoration at his own wedding, slowly melting away, was not a comforting one.
"Yeah," Xander said, offhandedly as he picked up the phone in the office.
"Mr. Harris?"
"That's me. How can I help you?"
"My name is McDougall. I'm one of the owners of the Bronze. You were recommended to us. We're starting on some major renovations here and we want you to oversee it. We bought out part of the building next door and we want to break through a couple of walls. Could you come by this afternoon after your usual work hours and discuss it?"
"You want me to supervise the job?"
"Yes. One of our employees recommended you. Said they'd seen some of your work downtown."
Xander thought hard but he couldn't imagine what this McDougall guy was talking about. But he wasn't going to question it. "Sure. Sure, I can do that. I'll drop by your place right after work."
As he hung up the phone it was all he could do to keep from doing a happy dance. But rough tough men on construction sites aren't supposed to do happy dances unless there's a demon somewhere pulling the strings. This could be the extra money he was looking for. He couldn't believe his luck. Of course, it probably wouldn't pay as much money as the shady job. But at least no one would end up as an awakening monster's first meal. And it might get Anya at least one ice swan. He might also be able to hire on a couple of the other men who'd lost out on the shady job.
He showed up at the Bronze after work in record time. Mr. McDougall met him in a side office that he'd never really noticed before. It had a little window that looked out onto the Bronze's main floor. At night it was always dark and deserted. Probably this Mr. McDougall and his partner kept the office only for their occasional day visits. The manager who ran things at night had a smaller office at the back off the kitchen.
McDougall showed Xander the plans that he and his partner had already had done for the job. Xander looked them over and added some suggestions of his own, which impressed McDougall. They were coming near the end of their business, the job virtually Xander's for the taking, when Xander caught sight of one of the Galera demons moving from the kitchen area toward the main entry. He assumed it was a Galera demon because of Spike's story about the new bouncers and Mr. McDougall's obvious lack of concern about this one wandering about his establishment. Also, he and Spike had freed three of them the night before from the Terrado nursery. Xander couldn't help it, he paused to get a closer look at the creature in the brighter light of the Bronze. He wouldn't have agreed completely with Willow's assessment that they looked like a Praying Mantis. There was some of that. But, as far as he was concerned, they had a lot of space alien in them too, with their smooth slimy looking skin and more human heads. They weren't as insect-like as the adult Terrado's had been.
Mr. McDougall saw Xander's stare and said, "Do you know him?"
"No," Xander answered truthfully.
"Well, he knows you. Says he heard about how good a construction boss you were and suggested you for the job."
"Ah," Xander said noncommmitedly with a nod.
After shaking hands with McDougall and packing up the papers he would need to study in preparation for the job, Xander started out of the Bronze. The Galera demon he'd seen earlier was still near the entrance. He felt a little strange, but he thought he had to say something. He paused next to the demon uncertainly, a little afraid to look into it's large liquid eyes. Conferring with demons was not something that came easy to him. "I hear you recommended me for the job," Xander said. "I just wanted to say thank you."
"The Galera pay their debts," the demon said. "You're with the Slayer."
"Yeah," Xander said, wondering how Buffy's name had gotten into this.
"We will remember." And with that he disappeared out into the alley to take his nightly position in the alley's darkest spot.
Xander raised his eyebrows as he watched the Galera's retreating back. I guess he's not much for conversation, he said to himself.
- - - - - - -
Later that night, the entire group of Scoobies, except for Tara and Dawn, went on a vamp stake-out at the mall downtown. With all the Christmas shoppers the local bloodsuckers were grouping to take advantage. Buffy was still irritated about the loss of her job and slaying seemed the best outlet . . . next to Spike that is. They fanned out around a quiet entrance not too far from where Dawn and Janice had been "shopping" earlier that day. And they picked off the vamps as they tried to pick off the shoppers.
In-between stakings, the group faded back into the shadows to wait. Xander made a point of getting Spike to himself so he could tell him about the Galera demon's recommendation.
"Yeah, I saw one of those buggers late last night," Spike said with an offhanded roll of his shoulder. "Seems they're real grateful we saved some of their lot from a terrible death and all. A lot of those lesser demons are real clannish. You know, you do for one of my kind, you do for me and all that. That's how they survive against the real Big Bads, sticking together. A lot of them don't even consider themselves demons. They think of theirselves more as hybrids." Spike laughed and shook his head. "They can call themselves what they like. But I've found they come in handy to play a hand of poker with. And they like a good brawl as much as the next guy. Also, they can be plied for info if you play 'em right. Anyhow, this Galera heard about what happened and he said the Galera's pay their debts."
"That's what he said to me."
"I told him you were looking round for construction related work, cos you'd lost out because of the whole Terrado deal. I also told him I wouldn't mind standing in for one of 'em on the odd night over at the Bronze as a demon bouncer." Xander's eyebrows rose in surprise and Spike added quickly, "Not because I'm looking for a real job, you understand. But just in case I need some green for blood and smokes."
Xander pushed his lower lip out and nodded. An occasionally working Spike made more sense then a seriously working one. He figured Spike was doing it mostly in hopes of diving into an alley brawl. "And these Galera demons are not dangerous to humans?"
"You think the owners of the Bronze would have them working there if they were?"
"I guess not."
"They're perfect for working in a restaurant or a bar. Not only do they keep a sharp eye out. But they help keep down the usual restaurant vermin."
"You mean they eat . . ."
"They're a walking exterminating service."
"Eeww!" Xander said.
"What? You prefer they eat your lot then?"
"One other question, how come they knew I had a connection to Buffy?"
"Oh," Spike said, "they make it their job to know who hangs with who at the Bronze."
"But I haven't been there since the dancing demon came through town."
"Then I must have mentioned it. You know . . . that we were doing the Slayer's work when we were torching that crib."
Xander accepted this explanation, especially since another two vamps had jumped out of the shadows and the chase was on.
- - - - - - -
After the mall went dark for the night, Buffy officially called an end to the patrol. "One of these evenings I'm going to have to come here as an ordinary shopper," Buffy said as they walked away. "I've got to start up my own Christmas shopping. I want Dawn to have a good Christmas this year."
Anya and Xander were the first two to break off from the group. They said their good nights, followed a few blocks later by Spike.
"Well, see you ladies tomorrow maybe," he said, glancing quickly at Buffy. She barely exchanged looks with him. It was abundantly clear that she intended to go home with Willow.
"Night," Buffy said.
"Yeah, tomorrow," Willow said.
Buffy and Willow's conversation was basically about nothing as they finished their walk home alone together. They were both on their best behaviour, trying to put the incident with Rack behind them. Willow tried asking if Buffy was sad about losing her job, but Buffy passed it off as unimportant. They started running out of things to say by the time they walked through the front door of Buffy's house.
Tara was sitting up in the living room studying. It was very late by then and Dawn had already gone to bed. "Well, how did things go tonight?" Tara asked, gathering up her things.
"Good," Buffy said, "We made the world safe for shopping."
Willow and Tara exchanged uncertain looks much like the ones that Buffy and Spike had exchanged earlier. There were lots of feelings being kept under wraps. And no one wanted to expose themselves.
"So, Willow," Tara said, quickly getting herself to the door. "Are you going out with them again tomorrow on patrol?"
"Yeah, maybe. I think Buffy kinda needed me out there tonight."
"Not really," Buffy said. "We don't need you, unless you really want to come."
Willow was taken back and uncertain.
It was Tara who saw what was really going on. Buffy was trying to give Willow lots of space because that's what she thought she needed. But what Willow really needed was to feel wanted. "I'm sure Buffy could really use your help, she's just trying not to crowd you," Tara suggested to her ex- lover. Then she turned to Buffy. "I'll bet Willow's help would really come in handy."
Buffy got the hint. "Oh . . . Oh, yeah. We could really use you with the Christmas rush and all. But if you'd really rather be doing other things. I don't want you to feel obligated."
"It's not an obligation," Willow said. "I want to help."
And to be needed, Tara finished to herself. She wondered if maybe she should have a talk with Buffy. It was clear that the two old friends were having trouble communicating with one another. It was a sensitive time for them both. "So, you guys go on patrol and I'll drop by sometime in the evening to look in on Dawn," Tara said.
"Sounds good," Buffy said.
"Yeah," Willow agreed.
Tara let herself out into the cool night with a sigh. Her mind was so full of thoughts about Willow that she didn't hear the footsteps coming up behind her. When Spike suddenly started walked next to her she gasped and dropped all of her books.
"Sorry, pet," he said honestly contrite, "Didn't mean to startle. I thought I was making enough noise walking up behind you."
"I . . . I was just thinking of something else."
Spike knelt with her to pick up the fallen books. Then he handed them to her one by one as she composed herself. "I wanted to ask a favor," he went on. Tara looked so spooked, he thought it was best to tell her his business as quickly as possible.
Tara avoided his eyes and concentrated on alligning her books. She couldn't imagine why Spike would be coming to ask her any favors.
"You see, I want to buy a Christmas present for Dawn and Buffy this year. And I'd like you to help me."
Now Tara looked at him . . . fully, with just a hint of shock. In fact, she was perhaps seeing him for the first time. "A Christmas present?"
"I know what I want to get Buffy. But I'm not sure of where to get it. And Dawn, well, who would know better what to get for the Niblet then you. You spend more time with her then I do nowadays."
Tara stood speechless gazing at him for a moment longer. "Sure. Sure. What kinds of things did you have in mind?"
And the two of them walked off down the street in the direction of Tara's apartment.