"Who..?"

Disclaimer: Not mine but thine...O, Joss!

Archived at the Cicelyverse page of the Buffy Rebecca verse, . or direct to story at ...

General audience level...

Summary: Events after the great Sunnydale battle have left Buffy seeking her past and present...With help from an Immortal source.

Part XXIX...

"You sure about this?"

"Of course…What, you don't believe I can handle it?"

"The plan was to keep you out of sight…" Willow avoided a direct answer. They continued on their way, across one of the back fields of Giles' country estate where a large pre-fab building had been set up.

The new if temporary training facility of the Council…

"The plan is to keep Cicely out of sight…And Buffy quite prominent…In various locations." Buffy noted. "How better to convince our enemies that I've either recovered as Ms. Summers or gone underground, perhaps permanently. And I need to be able to operate in the world. Ergo I need to hone my skills at playing your Buffy as well as rebuild my fighting skills. Which given this puny frame and the lack of training I've had since my re-emergence…"

"…Besides…The other Slayers in my form are taking great risks. I must take my turn at Fortuna's wheel…" she gave Willow a wry look. "Not that Fortuna has been especially favorable to me in the last century."

"That was pretty what you read the other night…"

"He admired those old medieval poems. William had great belief in Fate. And understood its cruelty all too well…That's why he endured…And is enduring." Buffy said quietly. "He would have enjoyed that setting by Mr. Orff."

"He probably did. He was around the whole time, you know." Willow noted. "And Spike would have liked the idea of Fortuna torturing men endlessly while he watched eternally."

"'Fate-monstrous and empty, you whirling wheel, you are malevolent…' He knew. As I did. What waited to snatch all our happiness from our hands…" Buffy said quietly.

"I won't believe that..." Willow shook her head. "It's not doom from the start, and not forever. And we're not helpless pawns…I refuse to believe it's all for nothing…"

"Nor do I…Nor did he…But Fortuna is a cruel enemy. The cruelest of all… And if I am to beat her one day…If Will and I are to... I must know her to the depths of her soulless heart. And beat her this time, at her own game…"

She eyed Willow with a smile…Involuntarily with one hand fussing at her loose, Buffy-style hair. "And lucky am I to have a friend whose people have done that since the beginning of time…If a bit sad to hear about the fall of the German humanist spirit…I know Will was disturbed by the rise of Prussia but…"

"Nobody's hands are very clean these days…" Willow sighed. "But having seen my darkest side I'm still hopeful…And that goes back to Angel…

Buffy…Cicely…You don't know the man. He's been as great a hero as Buffy in his way. I still don't believe he's turned to Evil…"

"You yourself said he'd become Angelus again before. Multiple times… Couldn't that be the case now? He was always known for his patience in dealing with victims…"

"Maybe…But this last thing about Winifred isn't Angelus' style. He'd never fret about Darla, let alone a human minion. And we've had reports from all over suggesting he's restraining WH staffers, even making them do some good…"

"In other words, he's allowed himself to believe he can control the dark forces there. To justify his selfish action to protect his son…"

"You were willing to end the world to save Dawn…" Willow noted. "And I doubt Cicely would behave any differently than Buffy did then."

"Probably…But if you're asking me to show Angel some indulgence I would point out that I've made no move against him, nor as yet allowed the Council to do so. Even though I suspect he has something to do with William's apparent destruction at Sunnydale. And with our inability to locate his soul now…"

"Angel wouldn't keep Spike…William…From you…"

"Some ex-lover he was then…Not even jealous?" arch look.

"He'd moved on, I think. Though he did love you. Buffy, he intended to use the amulet himself, you know…"

"So we were led to believe. And yet, he hardly pressed for it. And didn't even stay to assist us…"

"You tole him to go. As Buffy, anyway…"

"Lucky for him he was less of a fool for love than William." Buffy said quietly. Willow shaking her head…. "Willow, I've taken your word for his redeemed nature and haven't harmed him. I won't if he is as you say you hope, merely trying to deceive the Partners or even twist them to the cause of good. But he is a fool if he believes he can use them as his instrument. They will corrupt him."

"…And I can wait till there's proof of that…Unless we learn he does have Will…" cool smile. Frown at ungloved hands.

"This sun is sure to ruin my hands…I don't care how much of that fancy cream we put on them…"

"If you want to be Buffy here…" Willow noted. "We're pushing it enough with the skirt…" she eyed the long skirt Buffy wore.

"I tried wearing those trousers. They were ridiculously tight…Worse than my old corset trying to move in them. Besides, I feel naked in them…" Sheepish shrug. "Maybe I could set a new fashion for wearing gloves…"

"Ummn…I don't think it's a good idea, Buf…"

"Counselor-General?..." a call from the building's door as they approached.

"Comin'…" Buffy waved. Quick revert from attempted Califorian. "You have to admit the boots were a good idea for this place…"

"Ok…True enough." Willow nodded. Eyeing the thick muck on her boots…

"The English countryside never changes…Beautiful when dry, a caution...Bitch…" she grinned at Willow. "When wet…"

"We'll make an American of you, yet." Willow nodded.

"Heavens forfend…" Buffy sighed. "I really must get Will back home quickly if I'm to avoid that fate." Smile, but slight nervous look.

"You don't think he'll want to live in America when alls done?"

Rome…

Where a rather startled Dawn watched Henri in furious argument with the owner of their apartment building. A rather pyrotechnic display of virtuosity in Italian…

A sheepish Andrew in bathrobe staring at the smoke coming from their apartment, "Buffy", also in robe beside him likewise staring…

"They told me at the airport store the adapter would work just fine…" Andrew repeated for the fifth time now, sighing. Fellow tenants standing by their possessions in the street glaring at him…A few muttering fiercely…

"Just so long as we're all ok…" "Buffy" patted his shoulder as several firemen emerged from the building.

"A little less precise…" Andrew hissed. "Buffy" slightly nodding. Right…

Frowning slightly as he went to Dawn…

I know my business, Wells. Dawn says I've got her down perfectly…

Andrew now joining Dawn in watching His Benevolence in a somewhat less benevolent mood, judging by the gesticulation and sharp tone. The building owner for his part apparently not at all overawed by his opponent. Fierce glare now toward Andrew…Fist shaken…

A policeman approached…

"Andy…" Dawn nudged. "I think the police want to talk to you…"

"Mr. Giles is not going to be happy with this…" he sighed. Heading over to the officer who eyed him and his robe carefully.

Henri gave a final fist shake at the owner who turned on heel and stalked off to the group of tenants collected near the fire trucks in the street. He went over to Dawn…

"Pretty bad?" she asked.

"Not really…And the building's fully insured. Though he's making the usual wild claims…We'll settle for half of what he wants and it's robbery at that. Bastardi!" he shook a fist at the owner as he passed, heading back into the building. The owner giving him a glare.

"Sorry…" grin to Dawn. "All part of the game. He wouldn't believe he was getting a fair deal…From his point of view…Unless I swore at him. It won't be too bad. I'd best help Andrew out there." he nodded to where Andrew was describing the events of the evening to the officer and two of the firemen who'd now joined them. Several tenants, looking rather furious, now moving in as well…

"Yeah…Thanks…" she nodded as he headed over. The police officer instantly changing tone from stern interrogator to respectful listener as the Immortal joined the group with polite nod…

"Buffy…" she went to her.

"How's it look?" "Buffy" asked.

"Henri's sorting it out. Good thing we were able to get hold of him…"

"Helps to have His Benevolence as your significant other, eh?" arch look. "Andy ok?"

"I think he'll avoid electrical appliances for the next year, but yeah. It really wasn't his fault…I get confused by the plugs here all the time. And the adapter blew out…"

"I hope this isn't going screw your plans for leaving tomorrow…"

"Nah…But we are gonna hafta find you guys a place to sleep for the next few…"

"Henri's offered to put us up at the villa."

"Whoa…The villa…" Dawn grinned. "Nice…"

"…And can't hurt…" she whispered.

"Yeah…" "Buffy" nodded, looking round. "We'd best see if they'll let us back in. If there's anything left to save…"

"You still going to start tomorrow…?" Dawn asked.

"Far as I know, yeah…Unless Henri wants to put the shoot off…"

"Just don't be too good…" Dawn hissed, grin.

"Just gotta look pretty, smile, and hold the box up…" "Buffy" smiled. "Even I can do that…"

The police official and firemen gave the Immortal polite handshakes… Andrew somewhat reluctant ones…The official turning to speak to the cluster of angry tenants…Henri winked at the downcast Andrew…

"Looks like things are winding down…" Dawn noted.

"Just the usual post-apocalyptic aftermath…" "Buffy grinned. Waving to Henri and Andrew… All set?...She mouthed. Henri nodding…And turning to speak to the group now engaged with the official…Volume of the conversation steadily increasing. Andrew looking sheepishly after Henri…

Now in intense conversation with several tenants at once…

"Andy!" Dawn waved him over to them. "We better get him away so Henri can handle them." she noted to "Buffy" who called to Andrew…

"C'mere Andy!"

He trudged sadly over, robe dragging a bit…

"We'd better get in and see if you have anything to wear left…" "Buffy" noted. "Henri has things in hand…And we should pack up whatever we can to take to his place…"

"Yeah…" he sighed. "Ladies, I'm really…"

"Buffy" waved a hand. "I've trashed a few places in my time. You should've seen my old high school in LA after I got through with it…"

LA…Dawn sighed.

"That's so awful about Angel's friend. Did Giles say if Angel tried to call him again?"

"Not a word…" "Buffy" shook her head. "I'm surprised he didn't try to reach me here. Try to get me to persuade Giles…"

"Probably thought you were still in England at the Council HQ…"

"Meaning he's not monitoring me very strictly. I'm disappointed…Some ex- boyfriend I got…You'd think with a global organization at his fingertips, completely with spy satellites and agents in every nation he'd be keepin' an eye on me."

"There's been some evidence of surveillance…" the Watcher in Andrew kicked in. "Our Slayers are sure the building has been watched several nights in a row."

"Could be almost anyone…Even photographers trying to catch His Benevolence…" "Buffy" noted.

"Speaking of photos…Sorry to screw up just before you go to work." Andrew, apologetically.

"It'll be fine…Though I am a leetle nervous. Buffy the model's a career I hadn't planned on…"

"Like you said…Just gotta look pretty and hold things up to the camera." Dawn grinned.

"Not exactly Slaying…But it does beat Doublemeat Palace." "Buffy" grinned back. "C'mon, Andrew…Lets go see what's still left…"

"Hang on…" Andrew waved an arm. Ummn…Sorry…He hastily folded his robe back in place with one hand while putting cell phone to his right ear…

Star Trek underwear? Dawn eyed 'Buffy'...Who gave a mild shrug…

"Yes, Mr. Chairman?" he said glumly.

"Fast work…Giles does have us well-monitored." Dawn noted to "Buffy"…

"What?" Andrew asked the phone.

The girls stared at each other…Uh-oh…

"Yes, Mr. Chairman…" brisk tone. "It'll be an honor, sir."

"Sounds ok…Don't worry…" "Buffy" hissed. Dawn watching Andrew carefully…

"I'll leave for the airport immediately, sir."

Dawn looking anxiously over…

"It's ok…" he hissed to her, covering phone. "Not Cicely…"

Phew…

"Download to my computer, sir? Ummn…" Andrew paused.

"Sir, I beg to report we had a minor problem tonight, sir…"

Library at Giles' estate…

"And this 'Dana' is definitely a Slayer…?" Buffy asked.

"There's no doubt…" Giles nodded. "But a severely troubled one…"

"I don't like this idea of sending Andrew." she frowned. "I should go… It's a perfect chance for me to evaluate the situation in Los Angeles…"

"Buffy…We've agreed that you'd refrain from any attempt to seek out Angel until we know the situation better. This whole strategy was conceived with your input…" Giles sighed. "And we both know this could be a trick to bring you out and into the Partners' clutches."

"I dunno Giles…" Willow, hesitant. "To let Andy do this on his own?"

"He'll have a full complement of Slayers. A dozen of our best…"

"I'm sure Wells can accomplish this one with his support…" Roger spoke up. "The Chairman is right, Cicely. We must know what's going on regards this girl before we risk you."

"I could disguise myself. Willow? You could return me to my natural form. You said Angel never met Halfreck. He never met me as Angelus."

"The Partners would know you, Cicely…" Roger noted. "And even if Willow gave you another form by magics, the glam would stand out like a red flag."

"If anything goes wrong we could send you in…" Giles suggested. "But it would be foolish to risk you at the outset. If all goes well, Andrew will return with valuable information as to what Angel's doing and if his personality has changed…"

"I think the guys are right, Buffy…" Willow, reluctantly. "They probably would pick up any magics I could use. And even a make-over wouldn't fool Angel. But we oughta monitor Andy 24/7 until this is over. What about this girl, Giles? You said Wesley called you about her?"

"She's been in a psychiatric hospital for years. Apparently the victim of a maniac who murdered her family and tortured her. But she clearly has acquired Slayer abilities. There's no other way to explain her escape."

"Yeah…But…" Willow eyed Roger briefly. "If Wes called about her…"

"Bait…" Buffy frowned. "Perhaps you're right, Rupert…"

"It could mean Angel's still with us…" Willow shook her head. "They'd've handed her over to the Partners if he weren't, wouldn't they?"

"Impossible to say…" Giles said quietly. Roger, impassive look…

"In any case we have to secure the poor girl. She's killed already, she's sure to kill again…" Buffy noted. "All right, lets send Andrew as planned. But Willow's right as well. I want this operation monitored constantly. And I will go in if any problem develops…"

"I still think it's a good sign…" Willow, firmly.

"Perhaps…" Buffy, nodded. "But lets see how things develop…Andrew will be in London by this afternoon, you think?" she addressed Giles.

"If he makes his flight, yes. There were some problems at his and the girls' place last night…"

"…just a minor fire." he explained to Willow's and Buffy's worried faces… "Electrical malfunction, apparently…They've moved in with the Immortal temporarily."

Nice…Willow nodded.

"I want to be there and go over the mission with him as well." Buffy said, emphatically.

"Me too…" Willow chimed in…

"We'll all go…" Giles agreed. "I've arranged for the other members of the Slayer force to meet us there as well…Beth, Irani, Gong Li, and Saundra will come with us…"

"Fine…" Buffy rose. Pausing by Roger's chair… "Doctor, I hope you know I want to believe it is a good sign about your son." she said quietly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Walthrop…" he nodded…Looking at the row of books across from where he sat. Giles rising…A brief glance at Roger…

Buffy and Giles went out the door. Willow hanging back by the library table…At which Roger still sat, quietly staring at nothing…

"I believe in Wes…" she said quietly. He looked up at her…Blinking quickly…

"Willow?" call.