Percival Luckenbill watched the blonde slayer sprint with the wolf running at her side. They appeared to be out jogging, but easily kept pace with the car on the residential streets. The morning gloaming made the fact that her companion was a werewolf all the more startling.
"He controls the change so masterfully." Emma breathed out the words as she too watched the pair. "I never knew such transformations were possible."
"There were some tales of it, but they were assumed to be braggadocio." He smiled. "It is rather startling to discover the contrary."
"Normally she could outrun us, not just keep the pace. Watch to your left. Faith is coming up quickly." Giles smiled as Faith leapt over a car and sprang across the road like a gazelle before falling in with Buffy. He saw Cordelia's car pull into the lane behind him. "Joyce will be happy to have both of them back in her home."
"She is caring for both slayers? Why?" Luckenbill asked as he shifted his attention between the two girls.
"Travers refused us an outlay of funds. Faith only had what Diana Dormer managed to leave her. Buffy arranged for her to move in and Joyce took to the girl. She is quite engaging." Giles smiled fondly. "Both girls are when given a chance."
"We are not judging your slayers harshly, Rupert." Luckenbill turned toward him in the limited space of the Citroen's cabin.
"It wouldn't matter if you were. They know their worth." Giles turned into the Summers' Driveway, pulled in behind Oz's van, and shut down his car.
Buffy walked over to him, morning sunlight glowing in her hair and hugged him tight. Faith came and wrapped arms around them both. Luckenbill watched the girls and their watcher and felt relief flood through him. Travers had been wrong.
Cordelia walked up the driveway shyly looking at the strangers. Faith broke away from Buffy and Giles and trotted to her side. Oz milled about their legs, his tail wagging, and shoved his furry head under Buffy's hand.
"Alright, alright, I'll open the van." Buffy groused and opened the rear door wide enough for Oz to slip in. He licked the inside of her wrist and she giggled as he jumped into the van. She closed the door and leaned back against it for a moment.
"You'd think we all haven't seen him naked the way he acts." She laughed as Faith and Cordy giggled.
"Some of us have been spared, Buffy." Giles smiled.
"Did you have a busy night or what, B?" Faith giggled and wrapped an arm around Cordelia's shoulders.
"Work related." Buffy sighed.
"Too bad." Faith grinned.
"Buffy, Faith, Rupert, the three of you had better get in here with your guests of I will toss these waffles in the trash." Joyce called from the front porch.
Oz popped out the door and grabbed Buffy's hand as they led the way to the house. Joyce took in their joined hands and her daughter's shy smiles and shook her head. Her daughter had found an almost human boyfriend while pregnant with possible demon babies. She looked at Faith and saw her holding Cordelia's hand while both girls blushed.
"Oh God in Heaven, Rupert," Joyce said as she hugged each of the teens quickly. "Look at the changes in a few days."
He looked down at her with a smile and dragged her into his arms. He looked down into her lovely face and smiled wickedly.
"We will deal with it, Joycie." His voice was low and husky. He traced a finger along the side of her face and then dropped his mouth to hers. The teenagers erupted in catcalls while the visiting watchers stood dumbfounded.
"Unorthodox." Luckenbill coughed.
"Extremely." Emma giggled.
Giles set Joyce back on her feet, and smiled at her stunned expression. She looked up into his eyes and a smile broke across her face. She put a hand on either side of his face.
"Ripper." She giggled.
"We will let the children sort themselves out after breakfast. I hope you cooked for Xander. We have company." Giles smiled and beckoned to their guests.
"Willow said she and Xander had things to do this morning when I called her, but I cooked too much anyway." Joyce smiled.
"Well, it's for the best. Buffy and Oz will want to deal with telling her about their developments when they aren't exhausted from battle and clean up." Giles murmured to Joyce before turning and continuing in a louder voice. "May I present to you Percival Luckenbill and Emma."
"Hollingberry." The young woman laughed. "Spent half the night sewing our comrades back together only to discover we've never been properly introduced."
Joyce stepped back over the threshold, but refrained from inviting them in. They shared a wry glance and stepped over the threshold.
"Your home is quite lovely." Lukenbill said as he followed the noise to find the teens happily serving up plates of waffles. It was a boisterous, happy group. "Yes, Giles I do believe I see what you have been toiling toward. You will need a staff with two slayers and perhaps an older fellow to run to England for you if the events warrant."
"Are you volunteering?" Giles asked.
"Yes, I am shamelessly begging to be included." Luckenbill looked to the younger man. "I wish to serve'
"I'll discuss it with Buffy and Faith." Giles smiled. "I imagine they will be pleased with you."
"I'd like to come on as staff, sir." Emma said as Buffy looked up from the cacophony. "I think my uncle would have wanted it."
"Who was your uncle?" Giles asked.
"Merrick, my first watcher was her uncle." Buffy stared at the ring riding on the woman's hand meaningfully. "How did you wind up with Travers?"
"I was asked to come. I'm a researcher for the most part. I never expected to lay eyes on a slayer, but I couldn't resist the chance to meet you. He wrote me such glowing letters." Emma looked at the ground.
"That's why you spoke up that day in the suite." Giles shook his head. "It seemed singularly unwise."
"I say we keep them." Buffy said and Faith nodded.
"I'd like to bring over young Wyndham-Pryce. He's a good sort, but needs to learn about the realities away from Travers influence." Luckenbill said. Giles and the girls exchanged glances. Faith shrugged and Buffy nodded.
"Well, that's handled." Joyce said. "We'd best get in before they go for seconds."