Better Trained Scoobies

Disclaimer: Because something like this should've happened. Set after the first season.

Summary: The Watchers Council decides that the Slayer's friends need training.

"Oh, do you need us to come back later?" Asked Buffy Summers after she, her friends, Cordelia, and Ms. Calendar came into the Library after school had ended for the day.

A few days after the Master's rising and subsequent dusting as a matter of fact. "Oh, no, quite the opposite actually. These two is why I asked you all to come by after school let out for the day." Giles told her.

Drawing quite a few looks in not only the mystery man's direction but the African American woman's as well after Giles had pointed them out to the group. "More stuffy Brits with a thing for Tweed fashion?" Cordy asked with a scoff.

The man in question merely raised his eyebrows as Giles grimaced while the woman did nothing. "I suppose you could say that, young lady. I am Quentin Travers, the head of the Watchers Council. And the lady next to me is Amanda Hemmington of the Devon Coven. A group that practices in the arts of Magic."

More than any of them, Buffy was surprised the most at this bit of news. But then her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "Oh, here to tell me how wrong I've been doing things because I'm not the typical Slayer you guys like to have under thumb?" She asked in a scathing manner.

Causing her friends to rear back in shock and for Cordy to smirk as the Cheerleader had found it amusing to see the Blonde go in for the hard bite like that. Giles, on the other hand, wasn't too happy with his young charge over her disrespect towards his boss. Now if anything, Quentin seemed amused more than offended. "If anything, I think Rupert underplayed your headstrong nature in his reports, young lady. But my reason for being here is quite the opposite in fact as my compatriot and I here are to congratulate you on all you and yours have done this past year."

"Quite right, Quentin, rare is it for any Slayer to bring down a Vampire of the caliber of Master Nest and live to tell the tale. Or for a mere untrained boy to force another Master Vampire to take him into the lair of Nest to revive you and also to live to tell the tale." Added in Amanda.

Causing several looks to go Xander's way and making him feel a bit uncomfortable with all the attention. Plus, greatly unused to being praised as it is. "I may have to reconsider all my views on you, Dweeb."

Willow scowled at Cordy, who merely smirked at her in response while Buffy just felt confused and some of her fire dwindled a tad. "But… I still died."

"That you did, young lady. And you came back and gave Nest the proper thrashing he deserved. And thanks to young Harris here saving your life, another Slayer has been called. Quite a remarkable situation I must say."

A flare of hope welled up in Buffy. "Does this mean I can finally quit the Slaying?"

Giles and the others gave her a sad look, all of them knowing how much she wanted to have a normal life but Quentin merely shook his head. "You could, but you are still the Slayer even though a new one has been Called. Besides… Ask yourself this, could you truly walk away from this life? Knowing what could happen if you did? Regardless of the fact another Slayer has been called?"

Buffy went to speak but then found herself stopping and coming to a realization. "I… No, I couldn't. Even though I'd like to think otherwise." She said quietly but still being heard by everyone present.

A nod came from the older man and silence would reign for a moment before Willow broke it. "If, if its okay to ask, why were we asked to be here? Buffy I get but us?"

"Glad you asked, young lady. It has been decided that since you lot are involved with Ms. Summers in the business of fighting against evil, that we will ensure you each have training in order to better effectively combat against the various evils." Declared Travers to the group's shock.

"But… But I don't want them to be more involved than what they already are. And even that I have trouble with."

"Understandable considering what happened to Merrick in LA, but at the end of the day, Ms. Summers, it is their choice to be involved and you can not take that away from them. It is commendable to see an individual be willing to fight against the evils of the world. Regardless if they have training or not and can always gain it if they so wish in some form." Travers said sternly.

"I'd like to NOT be involved but I keep finding myself involved." Grumbled Cordelia much to Travers' and Amanda's amusement.

"Life tends to happen that way sometimes." Commented the woman from the Devon Coven.

Xander stepped forward with a determined look on his face. "I'm in. Whatever you guys are willin' to teach us, I'm in. Vampires need to be taken out."

"You're just saying that because you don't like Angel." Willow said with a frown on her face.

But the look he gave her in return made her take a step back and missing the grimaces from the adults where Angel was concerned. "No, Willow, I'm saying that because of what happened to Jesse. I could care less about Dead Boy and if Buff wants to be with a dead guy, that's her choice. Even if it is disturbing as Hell."

Buffy glared at him but he didn't flinch away as the adults could be heard agreeing with Xander while Willow looked suitably chastised. Cordelia couldn't help but like what she was hearing from Xander, having always privately thought he had potential that was being kept locked away where a certain Softer Side is concerned. "Quentin can help provide all of you training in hand to hand, languages, and weapons whilst I can teach you all the basics of Magic to help better protect yourselves. In addition to teaching you how to respect Magic as well and if there are any of you who prove sufficient enough to go further, we can discuss that at a later time." Added in Amanda as Quentin nodded in agreement.

"And I can of course help them in whatever else that needs to be taught." Threw in Giles.

Who, to be honest, was damned relieved over this turn of events. "I can also help with the Magics too as I know some stuff." Jenny Calendar added.

"If Xander and Buffy are gonna do this, then I guess I'm gonna be doing it too." Willow said seriously but somewhat nervously.

Part of her hoping it might finally make Xander notice her in a more than friendly way as Cordy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure, I'll do it. But only so I don't end up being eaten by the freakoids out there."

Willow glared at her and felt a touch irked when she was ignored by the Brunette. Quentin smiled approvingly. "Excellent, we shall start this night and once this school is out for the Summer, we can better fully focus on everything."

Predictably, there were a few groans but no real serious complaining about it as the kids, Xander especially, wanted to be trained.

Author's Notes: Perhaps unlikely but considering they lived on a Hellmouth, they all should have been given training.