Disclaimer. Characters, except for Nathanial Carpenter and Meg, belong to Joss Whedon and Fox tv, etc. Used without permission
feedback: Would be nice.
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This was a meeting she so wasn't looking forward to, and had put off as long as she could. She froze when she saw Buffy and Xander sitting over in a corner of the cafeteria. Mr. Travers from the Watchers Council was standing over them. Buffy was looking at some papers, and Travers was holding out a pen. Xander was definitely unhappy.
"Buffy No." Willow ran over forgetting her lunch on the counter. "Don't sign anything."
"Let me see that," she gasped grabbing for the paper in front of Buffy. It was an agreement where Buffy, as the Slayer, pledged to follow the instructions of her Watcher, not to indulge in any other activities that might hinder her effectiveness as a Slayer without first obtaining her Watcher's permission. Above all, she was to obey the directives of the Council.
Willow grabbed the pen from Mr. Travers and crossed out the last statement. She would have loved to strike out the second clause, but didn't think she would get away with it. Anyway, if things went right, it wouldn't matter, she didn't think. She quickly reread the document before pushing it back to Buffy with the pen.
"Okay, now you can sign it." She glared at Travers. "That was not in the agreement."
"It should have been. May I enquire when Mr. Carpenter is coming?"
"He's not. I'm his Apprentice, I'll speak for him."
"I prefer to speak with Mr. Carpenter."
"You speak with me, or no deal."
"Will it's okay," Buffy said. "I'll deal, its my problem."
"No, it's not just you, and he's trying to pull a fast one. He's not your Watcher, yet."
"No, I'm not. Yet." A smile played across Travers' lips, before they settled back into a thin line. "Very well, we will do it your way. She may live to regret your master's choice. Or die because of it."
Buffy looked confused. "What's he talking about?"
Willow turned to Xander.
"Xander, I need to talk to you alone. In private. Right now." Without waiting for an answer, Willow grabbed her friend and started dragging Xander to the door. "Buffy, don't sign anything. Else, I mean."
Outside in the hallway, Willow spun around and faced Xander, still holding on to his arm.
"You have to be Buffy's Watcher. You just have to."
Xander opened his mouth to say something. Willow plunged in before he could.
"The Watchers Council has already agreed, you know Buffy won't like anyone they send, and like you said you're the only one left, who doesn't really have a job to do. Now you do."
Willow stared at her friend, resolve face firmly in place.
"Willow, I .. I.. can't." Xander worked his mouth, pale and wide eyed. "Buffy's Watcher..I don't know ho..."
"We'll all help," Willow waded back in. "I'll deal with the physical side of her training, I can do that. We'll all help with the research."
"You heard Nat, how Giles has to choose which prophecy is right. How will I know which is the right one, Giles had years of training."
"He had to start somewhere, and anyway you won't be alone, or a real Watcher, not yet anyway. You'll be an Apprentice Watcher, so you'll have a real Watcher to help you, and you can call the Watchers Council, so they'll help..." By now Willow had widened her eyes and adopted the little girl whine she'd developed long ago, whenever she wanted something badly. Something that only Xander could do, and he didn't want to do it. "Please Xander. You have to."
Xander stared at her, knowing that he'd eventually give in, like he always did, and he wouldn't be doing them a favour if he did. Him a Watcher, the King of Cretins? He wanted so desperately to cut and run down the hallway, but he just couldn't. Willow was doing that thing she always did whenever she wanted him to do something, especially when it was against his better judgment. It wasn't often she did that, but it was impossible to resist, except somehow Nat managed to. It took one more "please" from Willow, and against his better judgment, he caved.
"Oh good," Willow near jumped for joy. She hadn't thought she could do this, but now,
"Let's go tell them." Willow grabbed an arm, turned and reentered the cafeteria.
"You didn't sign anything did you," she asked breathlessly as they reached their table.
"No," said an amused Buffy. "What's with Xander?"
Mr. Travers shook his head.
"Buffy, you have to come with me now." Again without waiting for an answer, Willow grabbed an arm and headed for the door. "Xander don't sign anything. Till I get back."
"Willow, what's the matter?" Buffy stared at her friend, once she'd allowed herself to be dragged out into the hall. "This isn't like you at all."
Willow ignored the question."
"Buffy, you have to accept Xander as your Watcher."
Buffy's mouth dropped open. "Xander, but he's..."
"Going to be your Watcher," Willow finished the sentence. "I'll help. I can do the physical training, fighting and stuff, and Xander will have the Council to back him up and help do whatever Giles did. We'll all research and ..."
"Willow," Buffy interjected. "The Council will never accept my choice of a Watcher, which would be Giles, anyway. They'd never accept Xander."
"They've already agreed to make him an Apprentice Watcher, so there'll be a real Watcher around to train him, and he'll have the backing of the Council, Xander not the Watcher."
"Xander as a Watcher? Does he know about this? Wait, that's why he looked like he was run over by a train." Buffy smiled. "That's what you dragged him out to the hall for. To tell him. Just like you did me." Buffy pursed her lips. "He's gonna do it?"
"Yes," Willow nearly screamed. "But only if you agree and we get back in there before he stops to think about it."
"But, the Council won't accept him anyway."
"They already did, and you agreed to accept any Watcher they sent, which is Xander, so its not like you really have a choice, or anything." Willow paused, breathing. "But it would be so much better if you agreed. Now, rather than later."
Buffy narrowed her eyes. She hated not knowing what was going on, especially when it involved a big part of her life, and here she was, hauled out of her lunch period, told by her best friend that she had to accept her other best friend as her Watcher. But she did agree to work with a Watcher, and she'd rather it be someone she knew rather than another tweed stuffed shirt. But Xander..?"
"Don't they have another choice?"
"Well there's Travers."
Buffy's eyes widened, then it was her turn to grab Willow.
"Come on, we got to get back before Xander changes his mind."
"I trust we can get on with this now." Mr. Travers looked smug as Willow and Buffy returned to the table. Mr. Harris has consented to withdraw from this travesty and..."
"Xander," bleated Willow. "You didn't "You promised."
"But he, Buffy..."
"No buts. You promised, and I won't let you back out of a promise." Willow turned to glare at Mr. Travers. "The deal was made with the Council President, not you."
"I speak for the Council, and I cannot believe they willingly agreed to this."
"I speak for Nathaniel Carpenter, " Willow told him. "I know what the deal is. He told me. He also told me not to accept anything else."
"The active Watcher is chosen by the Council. Mr. Carpenter's wished are not considered. Surely Ms. Summers will agree that a properly trained Watcher is best. For everything concerned."
Ms. Summers was in somewhat of a daze.
"This is between the Watcher's Council, whom you represent and Nathaniel Carpenter, whom I represent My instructions were to agree to the deal as set out, or not to agree at all, and I won't."
"Very well, I merely hoped to avoid a monumental mistake. One which could be disastrous for all." Mr. Travers withdrew some papers from his valise. "If Ms. Summers would kindly sign the document I've already presented to her."
"No, she won't, not until everything else is signed."
"Very well." He removed a sheet and placed it before Xander, prodding him with a tip. "This is an agreement between you and the Watchers Council of Great Britain. Wherein you agree to assume the position of Apprentice, and accept instruction from whomever the Council sees fit to be your teacher."
Xander signed on the dotted line. Mr. Travers took back the document, and signed as a witness. He glanced up at Buffy.
"I presume you will go along with this foolishness."
"Yep. I promise to love honour and obey Xander as my Watcher." She grinned.
"I see." Mr. Traverse picked up another document, and filled in Alexander LaVelle Harris in the appropriate spot.
"This document confirms Mr. Harris as your Watcher. It will require four signatures. Mr. Harris as the Active Watcher. Yours, as the Slayer. Mine on behalf of the Council, and Ms. Rosenberg as Mr. Carpenter's representative." He looked at her. "I trust you can sign for him."
Willow nodded.
The paper went around the table.
"Now Ms. Summers, if you would be so kind."
Buffy grabbed the final document, the one Willow had stopped her from signing, and scanned it. With an evil smile, she grabbed the proffered pen and scrawled her name on it. "There, all set."
"Not quite," said Mr. Traverse, glancing at yet another document. "This details the agreement under which the Council gains consultative status with Mr. Carpenter. I trust you will find everything in order. Mr. Wesley Wyndham-Price will act as the Council's liaison, and as Mr. Harris' instructor. He should be here within the week."
"As the active Watcher, Mr. Harris, you may count on full cooperation from the Council and its members and associates."
Willow read and reread the document, looking for anything that might differ from the agreement as it was explained to her. Not finding any, she signed the document, and passed it back to Mr. Travers.
"Excellent," smiled Mr. Travers. He withdrew two pieces of equipment from his valise. One was a portable document scanner, which he plugged into the IBM Thinkpad. Quickly he fed the documents through the scanner, and started playing with a small aerial, that extended out from the side of the Thinkpad, while squinting at the screen.
After some frustrated mutterings, and some help from Willow, he pressed a button.
"I have just faxed the documents to Great Britain. A copy has also been faxed to your farm, as per agreement." He returned the items and documents to his valise. "Putting aside any animosity between us, I wish you good fortune."
"This I believe finishes our business."
"Oh good." Buffy raised her hand. "I can go now?"
"I wouldn't know. I'm not your Watcher."
"You were going to break your promise," Willow screamed at Xander, after she was sure that Travers had gone.
"Willow, I..I..", Xander stared at the furious witch stunned, not knowing what to do next. "I so can't do this."
"Well you got to."
"Willow, calm. Do the calm thing."
"Don't tell me to do the calm thing. You promised. You were going to be Buffy's Watcher, and you were trying to get out of it."
"I don't need this either," Xander shouted, shoving his chair back. "I'm outta here."
"Xander! I'm not finished."
"Uh Wills," a nervous Buffy said. "You're not going to do something are you. Cause he's my Watcher and I, sort of, have to protect him. You know."
"I know Buffy," Willow said, taking deep breaths. "No, I'm not going to do something."
A smile played across Willow's lips, growing to a full fledged giggle. "God that felt good. Did you see the look on his face?"
Buffy smiled, relieved that this particular storm had passed.
"Poor Xander, he really doesn't know what hit him."
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"Ah," Xander dropped into the empty chair, across from Buffy and beside Willow. "The usual suspects are all here."
"Where have you been the last two days," demanded Willow.
"Yeah, isn't it about time we started playing Watcher - Slayer?" Buffy grinned at him.
"I needed to think about what I'm going to do. I mean, Giles did a great job as Buffy's Watcher, and I know I'm never going to be half as good, but I want to be as good as I can be.
"So I've been around thinking, getting a computer to help with the research and the diaries I have to write, getting it hooked up to the net, and coming up with a plan."
"Buffy, you're right, you lucky girl. It is time we started playing Watcher-Slayer, and we will, starting six am tomorrow morning."
"Six AM," Buffy frowned. "But I'm never up that early."
"Which is why you miss some great sunrises. That won't be a problem any more. We'll meet in that open space just in front of the barn. There's that room across from Willow's Loft, or you can stay with her, whichever you prefer. We'll just have some fun with calisthenics."
"Calisthenics?"
"yah, you know, push ups, jumping jacks, that kind of stuff. Get your blood moving, all ready for another day of college and slayage."
"My blood moves just fine, thank you very much. If you think that..."
"Buffy, he is your Watcher, and isn't this like part of his job? You did agree."
"Okay, okay, six am she-ee-eesh, I'll be there. But I'd like to know why Nat thinks Xander would make a good Watcher?"
"Which is something we'd all like to know. Including Nat."
Xander turned his attention to Willow, with a lopsided grin. "Care to tell us about it Will?"
"I er ah..." Willow coloured under the eyes of her two best friends.
"You mean," Buffy gestured vaguely.
"Would you have picked me as your Watcher? If the idea hadn't been suggested."
Buffy thought a moment, then, almost reluctantly, shook her head.
"I thought not, neither was I Nat's first choice, though he seems to think I can do the job. So, it appeares that someone was being really really persuasive."
Willow hid her face in her arms.
"Now Nat doesn't know, not for sure, but he does suspect. He , sort of, asked me to help Willow along with her physical training. Which is why she will be joining us for our early morning festivities."
Willow jerked her head up and stared, wide eyed, at him.
"As an active and enthusiastic participant."
"Right Willow?"
"Right," she sighed.
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"Six days." Willow hauled her aching body up the stairs to her loft. "Six days of calisthenics every morning, and I've still got sore muscles where I didn't know I had any."
Buffy grinned as she flopped down on her bed. Being the Slayer an hour of exercises every morning was a snap, though she wished that she didn't have to do them.
Still she was getting to see some good sunrises.
She'd never tell Xander that.
"You'll get used to it, once you stop using your magick."
"What, I don't cheat."
Buffy grinned at the outrage in Willow's eyes. "You think I haven't noticed a thing or two, training with you?"
"Okay, a little. I guess." Willow stripped off her sweat soaked clothes. "Just enough so I can keep up. Still sore though. I thought Xander was my friend."
"It's only an hour." Buffy lay back on her bed. "We get an hour break before we have to get ready for school."
"You mean you get an hour's break," Willow groused, pulling clean clothes out of her closet. "I have to go help Xander with his computer."
"How's that going," Buffy asked.
"Great, just great." Willow finished dressing and turned towards the door. "It would go even better if he'd gotten a good computer, instead of some dinky little Macintosh that he lifted out of someone's garbage."
"Well, next time, don't be so persuasive."
Willow slammed the door shut behind her.
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"Hello."
Willow jerked, reaching automatically for her staff. As she had done for the last few nights, she had climbed the hill behind the farm, to just about the top, where there was a moss covered rock, she liked to sit on and think. And when she wanted to get away from the others.
"A - Angel." Willow stared at the tall vampire standing at the top of the hill.
"Pretty risky, out here in the dark, all alone." Angel moved down the hill towards her.
"Uh no, not really. No vampires here, except you're here and I uh got my staff, and um..."
"Saw three of Spike's boy down below, in the trees at the edge of your farm." Willow's eyes grew big, and she frantically looking around. "They said they had orders, strictly enforced, no one hunts on this farm. No one harms the Slayer or her friends."
"That's nice, I think. You didn't..."
"Nope, their still there. I thought I'd see what's going on before drawing too much attention to myself." Angel gazed at Willow. "What's going on Willow?"
So Willow told him. Letting it all come out in one stream of words, broken only by her need to breathe.
"Xander's her Watcher? How'd that happen?"
"I, sort of, uh, suggested him. Buffy wouldn't have liked anyone the Council picked, and we needed someone who already knew what's going on, and .."
"I'm guessing you helped the idea along."
Willow nodded mortified. Were her bad things that easy to find out? Except, she didn't really think she'd done a bad thing.
"He can do it," she said firmly. "It's been a week, and Buffy's cooperating with him and everything. We all help. He's learning. Angel, how long can they stay mad at me. I really hate jumping jacks."
"Jumping jacks?"
It was fortunate for the Vampire that the Magus' Apprentice couldn't see the smile on his face.
"Calisthenics. Xander has Buffy and me out every morning at six, doing exercises."
"I can see Buffy, but why you?"
"Because they're mad at me, for what I did."
"People don't like having their thoughts manipulated. It's an invasion at a really basic level. It'll blow over in time."
"Yeah, when I'm old and gray."
"Long before that," Angel assured her. He got to his feet and stretched. "Think I'll go talk to Xander."
"Don't stay out too long."
"I won't"
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Xander cursed as he scrolled down the list of email. Most were from fellow Watchers, congratulating him on becoming the Watcher of the Current Slayer, wishing him the best of luck, and promising their help and support. He slammed a floppy into the drive and sent them all there. Later he'd get Willow to show him how to do a one letter fits all, and do a mass mailing. Right now, he had more important things to do.
Like getting through the Watchers Manual that Wesley had sent down. Like all this reading up on prophecies, trying to decide which ones were real and which ones were just wishful thinking. Like turning Buffy's reports into something he could send in to the Council without them asking him to translate them into English. Like getting out of bed early enough so that he could exercise with them each morning, and, no, he wasn't going to do one less push up or jumping jack than he made them do. Even if they finished before he did.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in, its open."
"It's Angel."
"Dead boy?"
There was a growl from the door.
"You're invited." Xander ran a hand through his hair.
Angel glanced around the room, at the stacks of open books piled everywhere. He crossed the room to look over Xander's shoulder.
"What's that," he asked indicating the computer.
"Macintosh Plus. Found it in someone's garbage and took it home years ago. Never had a use for it until now."
"Can it do graphics?"
"Naw, and most of what I read I don't want to see. My imagination's scary enough." Xander waved at Angel. "Clear off a chair if you want, or sit on the table. Don't matter to me. Too tired to care." He turned back to the computer. "Someone, probably Willow, sold the Council on modern technology. Now they think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kind of makes me appreciate Giles view of the thing."
"Don't be too hard on her. She has good ideas."
"Most of the time."
"Most of the time?"
"Making me Buffy's Watcher wasn't one of her better ones."
"Not her worst either."
Xander craned his neck around to look at Angel. "Huh?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong, there's lots of better choices for Buffy's Watcher. You were here, and they weren't. It's not like you can't do it. You just have to apply yourself. Take it, and yourself, seriously."
"That's what I've been trying to do. I'm not Giles."
"No one expects you to be."
"Much as I appreciate your input, I so don't need this."
"Yes you do, you're pushing too hard."
"I'm not pushing Buffy any harder than Giles ever did."
"Not Buffy, you." Angel smiled. "She probably needs it. But you're not doing her, or yourself, any favour if you burn yourself out when she really needs you."
Xander opened his mouth to protest, and then snapped it shut. Angel wasn't finished yet.
"No secret, I like you about as much as you like me, maybe even less. That doesn't mean that I haven't learned anything about you and gained some respect for your abilities, when you choose to apply them. You have two reactions to difficult situations. You run and hide behind these lame jokes of yours, or you charge bull-headed right at it. You got to find a place in between the two, where you can relax, and still move forward."
"No matter what Willow has done, they wouldn't have given you the job if they didn't think you could do it. You just need to loosen up a bit."
The door opened and Buffy entered.
"He's right you know. I like my Watchers relaxed and loose." She turned to Angel. "What brings you to town, or close to it anyway? Cordy and Wes here?"
"They'll be down in a couple days. I came a little early. Willow told me what's happening, and I want to help."
"That's great, isn't it Xand," she turned to look at Xander. Who only nodded.
"What's the deal between you and Spike?"
"Deal," Buffy looked confused. "I haven't talked to, or seen, Spike in a while."
"I ran into three of his boys keeping watch over Willow."
"What," cried Buffy and Xander in unison. "Where is she, how is she?"
"She was fine when I left her. She's most of the way up the hill behind here. She seems to think you guy are mad at her."
"Mad at her, well a little I guess. But..."
"What were they doing," demanded Buffy.
"Watching her. They say Spike's orders are that none of you are to be harmed, or allowed to be harmed. It's being enforced."
"Probably saving me for the Horsemen," muttered Buffy. "But it does explain one thing." Buffy turned to face Xander. "When I was in the park, I was attacked by these two werewolves. I was just about to fight when these two vamps grabbed me and dragged me back against a tree. Then a bunch of vamps came out of the bushes and attacked the werewolves killing them. They left right after, and I got thrown into the bushes. By the time I got out, they'd made a clean get a way."
feedback: Would be nice.
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This was a meeting she so wasn't looking forward to, and had put off as long as she could. She froze when she saw Buffy and Xander sitting over in a corner of the cafeteria. Mr. Travers from the Watchers Council was standing over them. Buffy was looking at some papers, and Travers was holding out a pen. Xander was definitely unhappy.
"Buffy No." Willow ran over forgetting her lunch on the counter. "Don't sign anything."
"Let me see that," she gasped grabbing for the paper in front of Buffy. It was an agreement where Buffy, as the Slayer, pledged to follow the instructions of her Watcher, not to indulge in any other activities that might hinder her effectiveness as a Slayer without first obtaining her Watcher's permission. Above all, she was to obey the directives of the Council.
Willow grabbed the pen from Mr. Travers and crossed out the last statement. She would have loved to strike out the second clause, but didn't think she would get away with it. Anyway, if things went right, it wouldn't matter, she didn't think. She quickly reread the document before pushing it back to Buffy with the pen.
"Okay, now you can sign it." She glared at Travers. "That was not in the agreement."
"It should have been. May I enquire when Mr. Carpenter is coming?"
"He's not. I'm his Apprentice, I'll speak for him."
"I prefer to speak with Mr. Carpenter."
"You speak with me, or no deal."
"Will it's okay," Buffy said. "I'll deal, its my problem."
"No, it's not just you, and he's trying to pull a fast one. He's not your Watcher, yet."
"No, I'm not. Yet." A smile played across Travers' lips, before they settled back into a thin line. "Very well, we will do it your way. She may live to regret your master's choice. Or die because of it."
Buffy looked confused. "What's he talking about?"
Willow turned to Xander.
"Xander, I need to talk to you alone. In private. Right now." Without waiting for an answer, Willow grabbed her friend and started dragging Xander to the door. "Buffy, don't sign anything. Else, I mean."
Outside in the hallway, Willow spun around and faced Xander, still holding on to his arm.
"You have to be Buffy's Watcher. You just have to."
Xander opened his mouth to say something. Willow plunged in before he could.
"The Watchers Council has already agreed, you know Buffy won't like anyone they send, and like you said you're the only one left, who doesn't really have a job to do. Now you do."
Willow stared at her friend, resolve face firmly in place.
"Willow, I .. I.. can't." Xander worked his mouth, pale and wide eyed. "Buffy's Watcher..I don't know ho..."
"We'll all help," Willow waded back in. "I'll deal with the physical side of her training, I can do that. We'll all help with the research."
"You heard Nat, how Giles has to choose which prophecy is right. How will I know which is the right one, Giles had years of training."
"He had to start somewhere, and anyway you won't be alone, or a real Watcher, not yet anyway. You'll be an Apprentice Watcher, so you'll have a real Watcher to help you, and you can call the Watchers Council, so they'll help..." By now Willow had widened her eyes and adopted the little girl whine she'd developed long ago, whenever she wanted something badly. Something that only Xander could do, and he didn't want to do it. "Please Xander. You have to."
Xander stared at her, knowing that he'd eventually give in, like he always did, and he wouldn't be doing them a favour if he did. Him a Watcher, the King of Cretins? He wanted so desperately to cut and run down the hallway, but he just couldn't. Willow was doing that thing she always did whenever she wanted him to do something, especially when it was against his better judgment. It wasn't often she did that, but it was impossible to resist, except somehow Nat managed to. It took one more "please" from Willow, and against his better judgment, he caved.
"Oh good," Willow near jumped for joy. She hadn't thought she could do this, but now,
"Let's go tell them." Willow grabbed an arm, turned and reentered the cafeteria.
"You didn't sign anything did you," she asked breathlessly as they reached their table.
"No," said an amused Buffy. "What's with Xander?"
Mr. Travers shook his head.
"Buffy, you have to come with me now." Again without waiting for an answer, Willow grabbed an arm and headed for the door. "Xander don't sign anything. Till I get back."
"Willow, what's the matter?" Buffy stared at her friend, once she'd allowed herself to be dragged out into the hall. "This isn't like you at all."
Willow ignored the question."
"Buffy, you have to accept Xander as your Watcher."
Buffy's mouth dropped open. "Xander, but he's..."
"Going to be your Watcher," Willow finished the sentence. "I'll help. I can do the physical training, fighting and stuff, and Xander will have the Council to back him up and help do whatever Giles did. We'll all research and ..."
"Willow," Buffy interjected. "The Council will never accept my choice of a Watcher, which would be Giles, anyway. They'd never accept Xander."
"They've already agreed to make him an Apprentice Watcher, so there'll be a real Watcher around to train him, and he'll have the backing of the Council, Xander not the Watcher."
"Xander as a Watcher? Does he know about this? Wait, that's why he looked like he was run over by a train." Buffy smiled. "That's what you dragged him out to the hall for. To tell him. Just like you did me." Buffy pursed her lips. "He's gonna do it?"
"Yes," Willow nearly screamed. "But only if you agree and we get back in there before he stops to think about it."
"But, the Council won't accept him anyway."
"They already did, and you agreed to accept any Watcher they sent, which is Xander, so its not like you really have a choice, or anything." Willow paused, breathing. "But it would be so much better if you agreed. Now, rather than later."
Buffy narrowed her eyes. She hated not knowing what was going on, especially when it involved a big part of her life, and here she was, hauled out of her lunch period, told by her best friend that she had to accept her other best friend as her Watcher. But she did agree to work with a Watcher, and she'd rather it be someone she knew rather than another tweed stuffed shirt. But Xander..?"
"Don't they have another choice?"
"Well there's Travers."
Buffy's eyes widened, then it was her turn to grab Willow.
"Come on, we got to get back before Xander changes his mind."
"I trust we can get on with this now." Mr. Travers looked smug as Willow and Buffy returned to the table. Mr. Harris has consented to withdraw from this travesty and..."
"Xander," bleated Willow. "You didn't "You promised."
"But he, Buffy..."
"No buts. You promised, and I won't let you back out of a promise." Willow turned to glare at Mr. Travers. "The deal was made with the Council President, not you."
"I speak for the Council, and I cannot believe they willingly agreed to this."
"I speak for Nathaniel Carpenter, " Willow told him. "I know what the deal is. He told me. He also told me not to accept anything else."
"The active Watcher is chosen by the Council. Mr. Carpenter's wished are not considered. Surely Ms. Summers will agree that a properly trained Watcher is best. For everything concerned."
Ms. Summers was in somewhat of a daze.
"This is between the Watcher's Council, whom you represent and Nathaniel Carpenter, whom I represent My instructions were to agree to the deal as set out, or not to agree at all, and I won't."
"Very well, I merely hoped to avoid a monumental mistake. One which could be disastrous for all." Mr. Travers withdrew some papers from his valise. "If Ms. Summers would kindly sign the document I've already presented to her."
"No, she won't, not until everything else is signed."
"Very well." He removed a sheet and placed it before Xander, prodding him with a tip. "This is an agreement between you and the Watchers Council of Great Britain. Wherein you agree to assume the position of Apprentice, and accept instruction from whomever the Council sees fit to be your teacher."
Xander signed on the dotted line. Mr. Travers took back the document, and signed as a witness. He glanced up at Buffy.
"I presume you will go along with this foolishness."
"Yep. I promise to love honour and obey Xander as my Watcher." She grinned.
"I see." Mr. Traverse picked up another document, and filled in Alexander LaVelle Harris in the appropriate spot.
"This document confirms Mr. Harris as your Watcher. It will require four signatures. Mr. Harris as the Active Watcher. Yours, as the Slayer. Mine on behalf of the Council, and Ms. Rosenberg as Mr. Carpenter's representative." He looked at her. "I trust you can sign for him."
Willow nodded.
The paper went around the table.
"Now Ms. Summers, if you would be so kind."
Buffy grabbed the final document, the one Willow had stopped her from signing, and scanned it. With an evil smile, she grabbed the proffered pen and scrawled her name on it. "There, all set."
"Not quite," said Mr. Traverse, glancing at yet another document. "This details the agreement under which the Council gains consultative status with Mr. Carpenter. I trust you will find everything in order. Mr. Wesley Wyndham-Price will act as the Council's liaison, and as Mr. Harris' instructor. He should be here within the week."
"As the active Watcher, Mr. Harris, you may count on full cooperation from the Council and its members and associates."
Willow read and reread the document, looking for anything that might differ from the agreement as it was explained to her. Not finding any, she signed the document, and passed it back to Mr. Travers.
"Excellent," smiled Mr. Travers. He withdrew two pieces of equipment from his valise. One was a portable document scanner, which he plugged into the IBM Thinkpad. Quickly he fed the documents through the scanner, and started playing with a small aerial, that extended out from the side of the Thinkpad, while squinting at the screen.
After some frustrated mutterings, and some help from Willow, he pressed a button.
"I have just faxed the documents to Great Britain. A copy has also been faxed to your farm, as per agreement." He returned the items and documents to his valise. "Putting aside any animosity between us, I wish you good fortune."
"This I believe finishes our business."
"Oh good." Buffy raised her hand. "I can go now?"
"I wouldn't know. I'm not your Watcher."
"You were going to break your promise," Willow screamed at Xander, after she was sure that Travers had gone.
"Willow, I..I..", Xander stared at the furious witch stunned, not knowing what to do next. "I so can't do this."
"Well you got to."
"Willow, calm. Do the calm thing."
"Don't tell me to do the calm thing. You promised. You were going to be Buffy's Watcher, and you were trying to get out of it."
"I don't need this either," Xander shouted, shoving his chair back. "I'm outta here."
"Xander! I'm not finished."
"Uh Wills," a nervous Buffy said. "You're not going to do something are you. Cause he's my Watcher and I, sort of, have to protect him. You know."
"I know Buffy," Willow said, taking deep breaths. "No, I'm not going to do something."
A smile played across Willow's lips, growing to a full fledged giggle. "God that felt good. Did you see the look on his face?"
Buffy smiled, relieved that this particular storm had passed.
"Poor Xander, he really doesn't know what hit him."
**********************************************************
"Ah," Xander dropped into the empty chair, across from Buffy and beside Willow. "The usual suspects are all here."
"Where have you been the last two days," demanded Willow.
"Yeah, isn't it about time we started playing Watcher - Slayer?" Buffy grinned at him.
"I needed to think about what I'm going to do. I mean, Giles did a great job as Buffy's Watcher, and I know I'm never going to be half as good, but I want to be as good as I can be.
"So I've been around thinking, getting a computer to help with the research and the diaries I have to write, getting it hooked up to the net, and coming up with a plan."
"Buffy, you're right, you lucky girl. It is time we started playing Watcher-Slayer, and we will, starting six am tomorrow morning."
"Six AM," Buffy frowned. "But I'm never up that early."
"Which is why you miss some great sunrises. That won't be a problem any more. We'll meet in that open space just in front of the barn. There's that room across from Willow's Loft, or you can stay with her, whichever you prefer. We'll just have some fun with calisthenics."
"Calisthenics?"
"yah, you know, push ups, jumping jacks, that kind of stuff. Get your blood moving, all ready for another day of college and slayage."
"My blood moves just fine, thank you very much. If you think that..."
"Buffy, he is your Watcher, and isn't this like part of his job? You did agree."
"Okay, okay, six am she-ee-eesh, I'll be there. But I'd like to know why Nat thinks Xander would make a good Watcher?"
"Which is something we'd all like to know. Including Nat."
Xander turned his attention to Willow, with a lopsided grin. "Care to tell us about it Will?"
"I er ah..." Willow coloured under the eyes of her two best friends.
"You mean," Buffy gestured vaguely.
"Would you have picked me as your Watcher? If the idea hadn't been suggested."
Buffy thought a moment, then, almost reluctantly, shook her head.
"I thought not, neither was I Nat's first choice, though he seems to think I can do the job. So, it appeares that someone was being really really persuasive."
Willow hid her face in her arms.
"Now Nat doesn't know, not for sure, but he does suspect. He , sort of, asked me to help Willow along with her physical training. Which is why she will be joining us for our early morning festivities."
Willow jerked her head up and stared, wide eyed, at him.
"As an active and enthusiastic participant."
"Right Willow?"
"Right," she sighed.
********************************************************
"Six days." Willow hauled her aching body up the stairs to her loft. "Six days of calisthenics every morning, and I've still got sore muscles where I didn't know I had any."
Buffy grinned as she flopped down on her bed. Being the Slayer an hour of exercises every morning was a snap, though she wished that she didn't have to do them.
Still she was getting to see some good sunrises.
She'd never tell Xander that.
"You'll get used to it, once you stop using your magick."
"What, I don't cheat."
Buffy grinned at the outrage in Willow's eyes. "You think I haven't noticed a thing or two, training with you?"
"Okay, a little. I guess." Willow stripped off her sweat soaked clothes. "Just enough so I can keep up. Still sore though. I thought Xander was my friend."
"It's only an hour." Buffy lay back on her bed. "We get an hour break before we have to get ready for school."
"You mean you get an hour's break," Willow groused, pulling clean clothes out of her closet. "I have to go help Xander with his computer."
"How's that going," Buffy asked.
"Great, just great." Willow finished dressing and turned towards the door. "It would go even better if he'd gotten a good computer, instead of some dinky little Macintosh that he lifted out of someone's garbage."
"Well, next time, don't be so persuasive."
Willow slammed the door shut behind her.
**********************************************************
"Hello."
Willow jerked, reaching automatically for her staff. As she had done for the last few nights, she had climbed the hill behind the farm, to just about the top, where there was a moss covered rock, she liked to sit on and think. And when she wanted to get away from the others.
"A - Angel." Willow stared at the tall vampire standing at the top of the hill.
"Pretty risky, out here in the dark, all alone." Angel moved down the hill towards her.
"Uh no, not really. No vampires here, except you're here and I uh got my staff, and um..."
"Saw three of Spike's boy down below, in the trees at the edge of your farm." Willow's eyes grew big, and she frantically looking around. "They said they had orders, strictly enforced, no one hunts on this farm. No one harms the Slayer or her friends."
"That's nice, I think. You didn't..."
"Nope, their still there. I thought I'd see what's going on before drawing too much attention to myself." Angel gazed at Willow. "What's going on Willow?"
So Willow told him. Letting it all come out in one stream of words, broken only by her need to breathe.
"Xander's her Watcher? How'd that happen?"
"I, sort of, uh, suggested him. Buffy wouldn't have liked anyone the Council picked, and we needed someone who already knew what's going on, and .."
"I'm guessing you helped the idea along."
Willow nodded mortified. Were her bad things that easy to find out? Except, she didn't really think she'd done a bad thing.
"He can do it," she said firmly. "It's been a week, and Buffy's cooperating with him and everything. We all help. He's learning. Angel, how long can they stay mad at me. I really hate jumping jacks."
"Jumping jacks?"
It was fortunate for the Vampire that the Magus' Apprentice couldn't see the smile on his face.
"Calisthenics. Xander has Buffy and me out every morning at six, doing exercises."
"I can see Buffy, but why you?"
"Because they're mad at me, for what I did."
"People don't like having their thoughts manipulated. It's an invasion at a really basic level. It'll blow over in time."
"Yeah, when I'm old and gray."
"Long before that," Angel assured her. He got to his feet and stretched. "Think I'll go talk to Xander."
"Don't stay out too long."
"I won't"
-----------------------------------------------------------
Xander cursed as he scrolled down the list of email. Most were from fellow Watchers, congratulating him on becoming the Watcher of the Current Slayer, wishing him the best of luck, and promising their help and support. He slammed a floppy into the drive and sent them all there. Later he'd get Willow to show him how to do a one letter fits all, and do a mass mailing. Right now, he had more important things to do.
Like getting through the Watchers Manual that Wesley had sent down. Like all this reading up on prophecies, trying to decide which ones were real and which ones were just wishful thinking. Like turning Buffy's reports into something he could send in to the Council without them asking him to translate them into English. Like getting out of bed early enough so that he could exercise with them each morning, and, no, he wasn't going to do one less push up or jumping jack than he made them do. Even if they finished before he did.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in, its open."
"It's Angel."
"Dead boy?"
There was a growl from the door.
"You're invited." Xander ran a hand through his hair.
Angel glanced around the room, at the stacks of open books piled everywhere. He crossed the room to look over Xander's shoulder.
"What's that," he asked indicating the computer.
"Macintosh Plus. Found it in someone's garbage and took it home years ago. Never had a use for it until now."
"Can it do graphics?"
"Naw, and most of what I read I don't want to see. My imagination's scary enough." Xander waved at Angel. "Clear off a chair if you want, or sit on the table. Don't matter to me. Too tired to care." He turned back to the computer. "Someone, probably Willow, sold the Council on modern technology. Now they think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Kind of makes me appreciate Giles view of the thing."
"Don't be too hard on her. She has good ideas."
"Most of the time."
"Most of the time?"
"Making me Buffy's Watcher wasn't one of her better ones."
"Not her worst either."
Xander craned his neck around to look at Angel. "Huh?"
"Oh, don't get me wrong, there's lots of better choices for Buffy's Watcher. You were here, and they weren't. It's not like you can't do it. You just have to apply yourself. Take it, and yourself, seriously."
"That's what I've been trying to do. I'm not Giles."
"No one expects you to be."
"Much as I appreciate your input, I so don't need this."
"Yes you do, you're pushing too hard."
"I'm not pushing Buffy any harder than Giles ever did."
"Not Buffy, you." Angel smiled. "She probably needs it. But you're not doing her, or yourself, any favour if you burn yourself out when she really needs you."
Xander opened his mouth to protest, and then snapped it shut. Angel wasn't finished yet.
"No secret, I like you about as much as you like me, maybe even less. That doesn't mean that I haven't learned anything about you and gained some respect for your abilities, when you choose to apply them. You have two reactions to difficult situations. You run and hide behind these lame jokes of yours, or you charge bull-headed right at it. You got to find a place in between the two, where you can relax, and still move forward."
"No matter what Willow has done, they wouldn't have given you the job if they didn't think you could do it. You just need to loosen up a bit."
The door opened and Buffy entered.
"He's right you know. I like my Watchers relaxed and loose." She turned to Angel. "What brings you to town, or close to it anyway? Cordy and Wes here?"
"They'll be down in a couple days. I came a little early. Willow told me what's happening, and I want to help."
"That's great, isn't it Xand," she turned to look at Xander. Who only nodded.
"What's the deal between you and Spike?"
"Deal," Buffy looked confused. "I haven't talked to, or seen, Spike in a while."
"I ran into three of his boys keeping watch over Willow."
"What," cried Buffy and Xander in unison. "Where is she, how is she?"
"She was fine when I left her. She's most of the way up the hill behind here. She seems to think you guy are mad at her."
"Mad at her, well a little I guess. But..."
"What were they doing," demanded Buffy.
"Watching her. They say Spike's orders are that none of you are to be harmed, or allowed to be harmed. It's being enforced."
"Probably saving me for the Horsemen," muttered Buffy. "But it does explain one thing." Buffy turned to face Xander. "When I was in the park, I was attacked by these two werewolves. I was just about to fight when these two vamps grabbed me and dragged me back against a tree. Then a bunch of vamps came out of the bushes and attacked the werewolves killing them. They left right after, and I got thrown into the bushes. By the time I got out, they'd made a clean get a way."