See first chapter for disclaimers.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sometimes, threats are more commonplace, but that doesn't mean there aren't surprises. Thanks to Storyseeker for his help in reviewing this. As usual, if you have any comments or preferences, please don't be shy. RandR.
PREVIOUSLY: Harry Potter
Another War Zone
The sound of gunfire caused them to dive for cover without hesitation. They'd been in too many combat situations to freeze, even for a second. From behind the small hill they took shelter behind, they watched a military jeep moving along a dirt road veer and skid to a stop. The old soldier driving and a civilian woman clambered out and took cover behind their vehicle, their backs to the pair of demon hunters. Xander examined the pair closely. The man was wearing U.S. military fatigues and was probably close to retirement judging by the white hair. Age hadn't affected his aim, though, and he emptied his pistol at the outcropping the sniper was hiding behind. Several shots struck the rocks, but the other man pulled back and waited till the ammunition ran out.
"Xan, look!" Faith pointed a little to the right of their position and about 15 meters closer to the road. Another sniper was checking his weapon and lining up a casual shot. There was no cover between that gunman and the pair hiding behind their jeep.
Faith was moving an instant after spotting the threat. Even running in a crouch, she covered the distance silently in only a couple of seconds. By the time Xander joined her, the man was unconscious and had been relived of his weapons. The small Asian man was wearing a uniform, too but not one Xander recognized immediately. Faith didn't give him time to consider it. She passed him the man's rifle while she took the pistol. The shooting from the other side of the road had started up again.
"Come on." She started to rise, but Xander put a hand on her shoulder.
"Faith. They're human."
"I know," she answered with a pained expression. "I'm not going to hit him, just make him duck."
Xander let her go with a nod. Faith's first shot rustled the leaves of a bush next to the sniper and the shooting stopped. The pair moved toward the jeep at a dead run, Faith firing every few seconds in order to keep the man down.
Xander pulled the old soldier to his feet and helped him into the jeep while Faith kept firing one handed while hoisting the woman into the backseat by the collar of her dress.
"Everybody in?" Xander called as he put the jeep in gear.
"Yeah," Faith answered. "I got the…tranny?"
Xander risked a look over his shoulder, and finally got a look at the face under the straw sunhat. It needed a shave and wore a highly offended expression. "Whatever," Xander muttered and stomped on the accelerator as Faith's borrowed gun clicked empty.