**********
Morning found all of us gathered again in the library once again. Giles had filled Faith in on what we had talked about after she had left. When I entered the library earlier, I found her looking at me with a curious blend of surprise, respect and something else. I told them about my lack of luck with my hospital calls, and when Oz drove Willow, they didn't find Jesse at home either. No one could come up with any other places he could be at. Alive, at least.
"So now what we just give up?" Willow said in disbelief.
"Willow, we don't know where they are OR how to find them." I continued in a quieter voice, "And vamps don't keep humans around long unless as hostages or sacrifices."
She quickly collapse and withdrew after that comment. Oz, however, decided to continue.
"Are you saying he's dead? There is nothing else we can do?"
"Well you could help me research this Harvest. We still need to stop it from occurring," Giles replied.
I picked up from there. "It will give you a chance to stop them and pay them back, too."
Giles glanced over at me before turning back to Oz. "Yes, and perhaps we are wrong in that we will find something that they needed Jesse alive for. We may actually have a chance to save him then."
Willow glanced up at that. "Really? What can I do?"
"Well, you could look up information on that... machine.. over there. While I continue to look through my books," he said with a look of distaste.
"And me?" Oz asked.
"You should perhaps help Willow. I am sure that you two would be able to gather whatever information that we need if you work together. As for you, Faith, I think you should go to class since I know how much you hate doing research. Just be sure to check in after lunch for a training session." She nodded and headed out the door.
"What about me, Giles?" I asked.
"You should go to class, since this is only your second day. Oz and Willow can work on this in computer class and during their free period."
"You sure? I'm willing to help."
"Yes, I am sure," he said before turning back to the others.
"I read Latin."
Pausing, then turning back around, he handed me his book. "Read this. I'll write you a pass."
I sat down chuckling.
***
Luckily, by the end of school we had finally found what the Harvest entailed. Unluckily, it didn't say anything that might help Jesse. We had regathered around the library table to go over the information. The only exception was Oz who wasn't able to talk his way out of his band gig. He had already left a half hour ago.
"So, what do we know?" I started.
"The Harvest comes once in a century.. on this night. The master can draw power from on of his minions when it feeds. Enough power to break free from his prison and open the Hellmouth. The minion is called the vessel and he bears this mark," told Giles and pointed to a design of a three pointed star.
"So take out any deadhead with that mark and no Harvest," Faith said.
"Yes.. well.. essentially," Giles stammered. "However, we still do not know where it will occur..."
"Bronze," I blurted out.
"Are you sure? There are probably dozens of places that could work."
"Come on," I shot back. "Easily closed off area, tons of kids to feed on... It makes an ideal place for a vamp buffett."
"Oh, no! Oz!" Willow panicked. "He's playing there tonight!"
"If that is true then we must hurry, the sun will be down soon," Giles said as he grabbed his coat. Everyone else took the hint and gathered their things to head out.
Once outside, I said, "I gotta stop by my house for my gear, but I'll meet you guys there."
"Alright, hurry I have a few extra weapons in my car but not enough for everyone," Giles said before I ran off towards my house.
***
I tore through my house and up to my room. Moving right for my closet, I reached for my leather jacket and the chest of slaying gear. I repacked my jacket with the same stakes as last night, filled a new watergun, and put on the calf sheaths. Grabbing a duffel bag, I tossed in a few of my extra stakes and crosses as well as my smaller Super-Soaker that I filled with holy water.
I ran back downstairs to tell my mom I was going out for the night but found no sign of her anywhere. Typical. So much for hoping she'd notice me any more in a new town. I guess some things won't ever change.
Leaving a note on the table, I sprinted out the front door into the darkening night.
***
It didn't take me long until I reached the Bronze and found the others already there. Too bad the vampires had us beat since night had already fallen. I passed Willow a stake, cross for around her neck, and the Super-Soaker. Giles and Faith already had all of their supplies.
Faith took over as leader and directed us to the back while she headed up the fire escape on the side of the building. I guess she was going to head in through a skylight or window. We found the back door locked when we arrived.
"Now what?" Willow said agitated. "We have to get in there, Oz is inside!"
"Oz will be fine, Wills," I said while checking my front pocket for my kit.
"You don't know that! He could be dying right now!"
"Calm down Willow. We will get inside," Giles said placatingly.
Finally fishing out my kit, I stated, "Yep, now move to the side and watch the master work." Then I stepped forward moving them aside, opened my lockpick set, and started to work on the door.
Giles looked at me curiously before asking, "Where did you learn how to do that?"
"A friend from my last school showed me how. He thought I might find it handy. He must have been Psychic, huh," I replied with a grin. "Once inside, you two make sure the people I send to you get out. Let's leave the Slayage to Faith, K?"
"Good idea," Giles said.
Ten seconds later, the door was open. I turned back to make sure they were both alright. Willow still looked like she might protest, so I said. "Don't worry. I'll find Oz. You guys just keep the way out open."
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"No prob, anything for a friend." Too bad they didn't know I meant that literally.
***
Inside, I found most of the students huddled along the walls in the darkened club. Luke was on stage holding the blonde girl that I nearly staked last night. I got ready to say something and intervene when a vamp fell from above turning into powder on the way down. That caught his attention.
"What? You guys threw a party without inviting me? Sounds like a perfect reason for me to crash if I ever heard one."
Faith.
Luke glared up at the balcony above me. "Who are you?"
"Don't know? How 'bout I come over there and show you." She then jumped down onto a pool table and then the floor before charging the stage, stake in hand.
Go Faith, I thought as I turned my attention away from the fight starting on the stage and started to herd the people towards the back entrance. I searched and spotted Oz hanging by one of the pillars right next to...
Jesse.
Jess was herding him in my general direction while Oz tried to keep him away with a small cross he had around his neck. I pulled out a couple stakes and charged past the few people who were left in the building. Oz glanced over Jesse's shoulder at me and I tossed him my stake in my left hand.
VampJesse evidently saw the motion and flinched away. This gave Oz the chance to catch the stake.
"The heart!" I shouted.
He caught on and stabbed forward. Jesse was dust the next instant. I quickly moved up to Oz.
"You gonna be okay?" I asked as I moved the two of us towards the exit.
"Yeah," was the quiet answer.
We didn't have a chance to say more since two vamps moved between us and the exit. I gave him my cross stake and pulled out another.
"Keep behind me," I ordered. Oz was all too eager to comply.
I moved forward reaching for my watergun. Hey, when it works, use it.
I forced all the confidence I had into my voice and said, "You really think you can beat us?" I smirked. "Take a hike or you're dust." Come on, come on. Run.
They glanced at each other, then looked back at us with grins.
Damn it, I work best with surprise. I hate having to go hand to hand.
Suddenly, a voice came from the side. "You guys need some help dusting these two, or can you handle it on your own?"
All of us turned towards the voice on the stage to see Faith hop down and head towards us.
"Sure, there's one for each of us. Sorry Oz, but we got first dibs," I replied with a grin.
I gotta say, those must have been the smartest fangboys that I had seen in a while. After all, they chose to run.
The three of us spotted Willow and Giles coming from the back. Willow saw Oz and barreled into him raining kisses on his face. I remembered being able to do that with HER and I felt that same sense of loss that I always got when thinking of HER.
Willow's voice broke through my dismal thoughts. "So we won?"
"It would appear so," Giles said.
"Party to celebrate?" Faith said with a glance at Giles.
"No, I know what you are thinking, and you still can't use my house to throw a party," Giles replied with a look.
"Oh, come on! It's the best time to throw a party: we averted the apocalypse!"
"Still no."
"Please." Another look. "Fine be that way. Won't even let a girl have any fun..." Faith grumbled as she led us out.
I raised my hand. "Question: Why does she need to use your place for a party?"
Willow looked over at me curiously. "You mean you don't know? She's his daughter."
"WHAT!?"
**********
The end.
***
How'd you like my little twist? I'll tell you more in the next part. Feedback please.
Oh yeah, Next up: Xander hunts for a mate.