--------------------------------------------------------
"Giles, I've been having these funny feelings all day, like something's going to happen." Buffy sent another powerful blow into the bag, and sent it swinging madly. "Like there's some big bad coming, and there's going to be this big fight, and I want to help but I don't who to help. Or how to help, even if I did know."
Giles mentally tabulated the cost of a new punching bag. This would be the third in the last few months, and he was beginning to wonder how he was going to afford to keep replacing them.
It does seem like that, doesn't it. However, I'm sure that once we know what is happening, and can pin point the location, there is something that we can do about it."
---------------------------------------------------
"Come, it is time."
I glanced up to see Lama Dorgi standing in my doorway, behind him, Sister Maria watched. For once, she was dressed in the full Habit, frightened wide eyes staring out from under the wimple. The shadowy night of her clothes a stark contrast against the reddish and saffron robes of the Lama.
I wore a simple white cassock.
Lama Dorgi smiled. I'm sure it was meant to be reassuring and encouraging ones, but it added to the nerves and the fear I was feeling. My life had been trained on this, and I was an arrow aimed and primed. So why was I feeling like the edges were dull, and ...and... And I would do my best, and though the opposition might win this night, we would be stronger the next time.
It would be easier if we had the Key.
"You will do fine, and we will be with you." I looked startled. I had always believed the first battle was mine alone. "In spirit, in prayer, if not in fact." He clasped a comforting arm across my shoulders.
"The Chapel is ready," Sister Maria told me. "Father Blackwell has already gone to the Sanctuary and Rabbi Thompson is there, and so is Imam, oh I can't pronounce his name, and Reverend Thompson. "
Like many old churches, St. Ignatious had a small more private Chapel, behind the main sanctuary. It wasn't used much, but Mrs. Carleson and Sister Maria had spent the day cleaning and dusting, and polishing, along with a small army of monks, until the floors and the windows and the mahogany of the pews gleamed under the candle light.
In the center of the room, a space had been cleared.
I knelt in front of the alter, and said a short prayer before taking up my position in the center of that clearing Seated in the lotus position, I took two cleansing breaths, blocking each nostril in turn. I closed my eyes, and began reciting the Twenty-third Psalm.
Lama Dorgi touched a hand to Sister Maria's shoulder. "Come," he said gently, his voice almost above a whisper. "Let us join the others."
---------------------------------------------------------
"Its happening." The punching bag sailed across the room to crash into the far wall.
"What's happening," Willow jumped up looking around wildly. "Where's it happening?"
"I don't know," raged the Slayer. 'But its something big, and its not here, and its on every nerve I got."
"Buffy, er , this isn't going to help." Giles came out of his office. "Until we know more, there is nothing we can do. We don't even know where its happening, and if you tire yourself out, you won't be able to do anything if we do."
"I know, I know, its just that I feel so helpless."
"Maybe if I tried a spell..."
"No," screamed Xander as he fairly flew through the door. "No magic, no mojo, no nothing."
"Xander, what are you talking about?"
"It's round one, not the main event which we've been focusing on, but it's probing, and if we meddle, go off half cocked we could end up passing ammunition to the baddies."
"Xander," an out of breath Anya burst through the door. "There is something going on at St. Ignatious, like you said. They got a Priest, a Rabbi an Imam and some funny guy in reddish orange and yellow robes. And there's these guys in black robes all over the place."
"An all party prayer-fest thing." Xander turned to the others. "That's where it's happening."
"Xander,, " Buffy shouted. "We...."
"Xander, she's not going to listen to you. She never does."
"Anya," protested Willow. "Buffy just needs to be..."
"No she's right." Xander stared into the Slayer's eyes. Then he broke off and sprinted for the door. "C'mon Anya, it just you and me."
"Xander! Damn, he's going to be so sorry the next time we meet." Buffy spun around and kicked at the fallen bag. "Just wait until I get my hands on him." She turned back to the table. "Willow, can you try that spell now."
"Er Buffy, what if that was the break we were looking for."
"Giles, Xander? I mean, he's good at digging out answers, once he's been told what to look for, and he's good for a back up, when we know what we're up against and it doesn't seem too dangerous. Speaking of going off half cocked, he's an expert at it. No, we need more definitive. Willow, that spell thingie."
"But what if he's right? I mean he can be, some times."
Buffy glared around the room, Slayer eyes moving from witch to watcher. "Then she flung up her arms.
"Okay, we'll go check out this church. But if nothing's going on, you're going to owe me big. Both of you."
-------------------------------------------------------
St. Ignatious was a massive stone edifice, located on the eastern side of Sunnydale, away from the Magic Box. Giles Porsche pulled up a block away, and the three, plus Riley, who had joined them as they were coming out of the store, walked the remaining block.
"Okay, we're here. Now what?"
"Well, we cold ask one of them," Willow suggested nervously. She was starting to feel nervous, what if Xander was wrong after all.
"Oh sure, that'll go over real good." Buffy, stared across the street. "Well something's going on."
Even in the dark, it was possible to make out the figures on the lawn, surrounding the church. Every once in a while, groups of them would pace along the walls, patrolling.
"What are they watching for?"
"Us, do you think?"
Willow looked behind her, and then scrambled back at the sight of the vampires grinning at her. "Er, Buffyyy."
"Kind of busy here," came the response, as Buffy suddenly found herself the center of a swarm of vampires. Both Giles and Riley were equally busy.
Willow back pedalled fast, while frantically searching her bag for her cross and a vial of holy water.
"Down girl."
Willow shrieked as she was suddenly grabbed from behind and shoved roughly to the ground. She screwed her eyes shut, waiting, and when no thing happened, opened them to the sight of black robed men wailing into the vampires with flashing quarter staffs.
"Thanks for the assist," Buffy snarled as she ducked a staff meant for a vampire not her. "Might help if you hit your target, not me."
The young Monk said something in a language she didn't understand, then screamed as a piece of wood emerged from his chest.
"Oh great," muttered Buffy as she quickly dispatched another vampire. "Things are just getting better and better."
Fighting swirled around the church as a seemingly endless army of vampires poured out of the surrounding streets. Buffy, along with the monks were pushed back towards the building, and she lost contact with her friends.
Two massive arms grabbed her, on either side, and before she could react, she was being hauled backwards up rough stone steps, and into the Sanctuary. For the first time in over two decades, the doors were slammed shut, and heavy bars, laced with crucifixes, were placed across them.
Buffy was released, and sat up from the floor where she was dropped. "I would really appreciate it if someone told me what's going on here."
"Buffy over here." She looked to see Giles sitting in a pew a few feet away. She hurried over, to see Willow, bathing Xander's bloody face.
"Well, you were right, Xander, there is something going on here, be nice if you told us what it is."
"Tell me girl, are there any more of you out there? Need I send any more of my people to their deaths for those equally as stupid?"
Buffy turned, to see almost a wall of black cloth, under the scowling face of a black bearded monk. Somehow, she didn't think it was fat covered up by the black cassock. Nor did she think his disposition was as kindly as that of Friar Tuck.
"I don't suppose you'd care to fill us in on what's going on around here."
"I am Brother Michaud. I ask you to go remain with your friends, until it is safe for you to go."
"Now listen, " Buffy reached out and grabbed a fistful of black cloth, and pulled down, bring the monk s eyes down to a level easier for her to look at. She was about to say something, when something flashed before her eyes, and everything blacked out.
"Take her to her friends." was the last thing she heard.
------------------------------------------------------
Xander looked up to see the Slayer standing over him and groaned. It was a conversation he knew was coming, and one he dreaded having. Made all the Sooner by Sister Maria's announcement the the Blessed of the Lord wouldn't be able to see them until this afternoon. Willow, Riley, Giles and Anya drew closer. He wasn't worried about Anya, too worried about the others, but Buffy would go off half cocked and assume that he'd been holding out on her.
"How did you know what was happening here last night. We've been researching for days, and didn't have a clue."
"I have my sources Buff, and I've been researching too."
"Sources Xander, what sources? As for researching, you've been rather scarce around the store."
"I haven't been exactly welcome around there."
"You haven't been told not to come around."
"Buffy, I'm not an idiot. You think I haven't noticed the sudden silences when I enter the room, the shielded looks, the quick subject changes when I try to find out what's going on, if I can help."
"You do help."
"Sure, you throw me a few crumbs, research, or allow me to go on patrol if you don't think it'll be too dangerous, or i'll get in the way."
"We were trying to keep you safe. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"No, there wasn't, er, isn't." Xander had to agree with the logic behind that. "As far as it goes, but I can't not be part of this, and I need more than just circling around the edges. I'm not so stupid to think I can do it alone, and I knew I wasn't going to get any more with the scoobies."
"So what did you do?"
"When the Watchers Council offered me a job, I took it."
Though he had expected it, Xander was still surprised with the speed his shirt was grabbed and he was hauled out of his chair.
"You what," Buffy snarled at him. "After what they did to me, to Angel?"
Xander lost it completely. Almost without thought, h brought his arms up between Buffy's, and broke her grip. Taking the advantage of the momentary surprise, he shoved hard, sending her over backwards.
"Xander," squeaked Willow, surprised at his audacity.
"You just don't get it do you." Xander raged down on the surprised Slayer. She had started to get up, but the approach of a group of quarterstaff armed monks persuaded her against it. "This has nothing to do with you, or Angel.
"This has to do with me, what I need, and I need to be part of this, and I'm not getting anywhere with you."
"You could take the hint," Buffy snapped. "Leave the fight to those better able to fight."
"I tried that, I left after graduation, remember?"
"You came back."
"Yes I came back, because I couldn't stand the thought that I had gotten out while my best buds were putting their lives on the line. I didn't like the me that would run out, on you, Willow, Giles. I felt like I was turning my back on Jesse, Ms. Calendar, Principal Flutie, even Snyder, who was pretty much a bastard, but didn't deserve to be eaten by a snake. So I cam e back, I need to like the person I see in the mirror every morning."
"So you came back. You didn't have to go running to the Watchers."
"I need to know, before I die, that my life meant something. Something more than the occasional bit of research, the odd patrol, the feeling that you'd rather I was elsewhere. Which was all i was getting from the scoobies."
"Well bully for you. But we're through. You don't come around the Magic Box, or me ever again. I won't be spied on."
"They don't need me to spy on you, and they aren't asking me to."
"What do you mean..."
"I mean they keep pretty much up to date on you, and aren't stupid enough to think I wouldn't be biased."
"What I said still goes."
"Buffy, no," protested Willow.
"Willow he.."
Willow felt light headed. She was being forced to make a decision. Between her two best friends. She didn't know what she was going to do.
"Giles, I've been having these funny feelings all day, like something's going to happen." Buffy sent another powerful blow into the bag, and sent it swinging madly. "Like there's some big bad coming, and there's going to be this big fight, and I want to help but I don't who to help. Or how to help, even if I did know."
Giles mentally tabulated the cost of a new punching bag. This would be the third in the last few months, and he was beginning to wonder how he was going to afford to keep replacing them.
It does seem like that, doesn't it. However, I'm sure that once we know what is happening, and can pin point the location, there is something that we can do about it."
---------------------------------------------------
"Come, it is time."
I glanced up to see Lama Dorgi standing in my doorway, behind him, Sister Maria watched. For once, she was dressed in the full Habit, frightened wide eyes staring out from under the wimple. The shadowy night of her clothes a stark contrast against the reddish and saffron robes of the Lama.
I wore a simple white cassock.
Lama Dorgi smiled. I'm sure it was meant to be reassuring and encouraging ones, but it added to the nerves and the fear I was feeling. My life had been trained on this, and I was an arrow aimed and primed. So why was I feeling like the edges were dull, and ...and... And I would do my best, and though the opposition might win this night, we would be stronger the next time.
It would be easier if we had the Key.
"You will do fine, and we will be with you." I looked startled. I had always believed the first battle was mine alone. "In spirit, in prayer, if not in fact." He clasped a comforting arm across my shoulders.
"The Chapel is ready," Sister Maria told me. "Father Blackwell has already gone to the Sanctuary and Rabbi Thompson is there, and so is Imam, oh I can't pronounce his name, and Reverend Thompson. "
Like many old churches, St. Ignatious had a small more private Chapel, behind the main sanctuary. It wasn't used much, but Mrs. Carleson and Sister Maria had spent the day cleaning and dusting, and polishing, along with a small army of monks, until the floors and the windows and the mahogany of the pews gleamed under the candle light.
In the center of the room, a space had been cleared.
I knelt in front of the alter, and said a short prayer before taking up my position in the center of that clearing Seated in the lotus position, I took two cleansing breaths, blocking each nostril in turn. I closed my eyes, and began reciting the Twenty-third Psalm.
Lama Dorgi touched a hand to Sister Maria's shoulder. "Come," he said gently, his voice almost above a whisper. "Let us join the others."
---------------------------------------------------------
"Its happening." The punching bag sailed across the room to crash into the far wall.
"What's happening," Willow jumped up looking around wildly. "Where's it happening?"
"I don't know," raged the Slayer. 'But its something big, and its not here, and its on every nerve I got."
"Buffy, er , this isn't going to help." Giles came out of his office. "Until we know more, there is nothing we can do. We don't even know where its happening, and if you tire yourself out, you won't be able to do anything if we do."
"I know, I know, its just that I feel so helpless."
"Maybe if I tried a spell..."
"No," screamed Xander as he fairly flew through the door. "No magic, no mojo, no nothing."
"Xander, what are you talking about?"
"It's round one, not the main event which we've been focusing on, but it's probing, and if we meddle, go off half cocked we could end up passing ammunition to the baddies."
"Xander," an out of breath Anya burst through the door. "There is something going on at St. Ignatious, like you said. They got a Priest, a Rabbi an Imam and some funny guy in reddish orange and yellow robes. And there's these guys in black robes all over the place."
"An all party prayer-fest thing." Xander turned to the others. "That's where it's happening."
"Xander,, " Buffy shouted. "We...."
"Xander, she's not going to listen to you. She never does."
"Anya," protested Willow. "Buffy just needs to be..."
"No she's right." Xander stared into the Slayer's eyes. Then he broke off and sprinted for the door. "C'mon Anya, it just you and me."
"Xander! Damn, he's going to be so sorry the next time we meet." Buffy spun around and kicked at the fallen bag. "Just wait until I get my hands on him." She turned back to the table. "Willow, can you try that spell now."
"Er Buffy, what if that was the break we were looking for."
"Giles, Xander? I mean, he's good at digging out answers, once he's been told what to look for, and he's good for a back up, when we know what we're up against and it doesn't seem too dangerous. Speaking of going off half cocked, he's an expert at it. No, we need more definitive. Willow, that spell thingie."
"But what if he's right? I mean he can be, some times."
Buffy glared around the room, Slayer eyes moving from witch to watcher. "Then she flung up her arms.
"Okay, we'll go check out this church. But if nothing's going on, you're going to owe me big. Both of you."
-------------------------------------------------------
St. Ignatious was a massive stone edifice, located on the eastern side of Sunnydale, away from the Magic Box. Giles Porsche pulled up a block away, and the three, plus Riley, who had joined them as they were coming out of the store, walked the remaining block.
"Okay, we're here. Now what?"
"Well, we cold ask one of them," Willow suggested nervously. She was starting to feel nervous, what if Xander was wrong after all.
"Oh sure, that'll go over real good." Buffy, stared across the street. "Well something's going on."
Even in the dark, it was possible to make out the figures on the lawn, surrounding the church. Every once in a while, groups of them would pace along the walls, patrolling.
"What are they watching for?"
"Us, do you think?"
Willow looked behind her, and then scrambled back at the sight of the vampires grinning at her. "Er, Buffyyy."
"Kind of busy here," came the response, as Buffy suddenly found herself the center of a swarm of vampires. Both Giles and Riley were equally busy.
Willow back pedalled fast, while frantically searching her bag for her cross and a vial of holy water.
"Down girl."
Willow shrieked as she was suddenly grabbed from behind and shoved roughly to the ground. She screwed her eyes shut, waiting, and when no thing happened, opened them to the sight of black robed men wailing into the vampires with flashing quarter staffs.
"Thanks for the assist," Buffy snarled as she ducked a staff meant for a vampire not her. "Might help if you hit your target, not me."
The young Monk said something in a language she didn't understand, then screamed as a piece of wood emerged from his chest.
"Oh great," muttered Buffy as she quickly dispatched another vampire. "Things are just getting better and better."
Fighting swirled around the church as a seemingly endless army of vampires poured out of the surrounding streets. Buffy, along with the monks were pushed back towards the building, and she lost contact with her friends.
Two massive arms grabbed her, on either side, and before she could react, she was being hauled backwards up rough stone steps, and into the Sanctuary. For the first time in over two decades, the doors were slammed shut, and heavy bars, laced with crucifixes, were placed across them.
Buffy was released, and sat up from the floor where she was dropped. "I would really appreciate it if someone told me what's going on here."
"Buffy over here." She looked to see Giles sitting in a pew a few feet away. She hurried over, to see Willow, bathing Xander's bloody face.
"Well, you were right, Xander, there is something going on here, be nice if you told us what it is."
"Tell me girl, are there any more of you out there? Need I send any more of my people to their deaths for those equally as stupid?"
Buffy turned, to see almost a wall of black cloth, under the scowling face of a black bearded monk. Somehow, she didn't think it was fat covered up by the black cassock. Nor did she think his disposition was as kindly as that of Friar Tuck.
"I don't suppose you'd care to fill us in on what's going on around here."
"I am Brother Michaud. I ask you to go remain with your friends, until it is safe for you to go."
"Now listen, " Buffy reached out and grabbed a fistful of black cloth, and pulled down, bring the monk s eyes down to a level easier for her to look at. She was about to say something, when something flashed before her eyes, and everything blacked out.
"Take her to her friends." was the last thing she heard.
------------------------------------------------------
Xander looked up to see the Slayer standing over him and groaned. It was a conversation he knew was coming, and one he dreaded having. Made all the Sooner by Sister Maria's announcement the the Blessed of the Lord wouldn't be able to see them until this afternoon. Willow, Riley, Giles and Anya drew closer. He wasn't worried about Anya, too worried about the others, but Buffy would go off half cocked and assume that he'd been holding out on her.
"How did you know what was happening here last night. We've been researching for days, and didn't have a clue."
"I have my sources Buff, and I've been researching too."
"Sources Xander, what sources? As for researching, you've been rather scarce around the store."
"I haven't been exactly welcome around there."
"You haven't been told not to come around."
"Buffy, I'm not an idiot. You think I haven't noticed the sudden silences when I enter the room, the shielded looks, the quick subject changes when I try to find out what's going on, if I can help."
"You do help."
"Sure, you throw me a few crumbs, research, or allow me to go on patrol if you don't think it'll be too dangerous, or i'll get in the way."
"We were trying to keep you safe. Is there anything wrong with that?"
"No, there wasn't, er, isn't." Xander had to agree with the logic behind that. "As far as it goes, but I can't not be part of this, and I need more than just circling around the edges. I'm not so stupid to think I can do it alone, and I knew I wasn't going to get any more with the scoobies."
"So what did you do?"
"When the Watchers Council offered me a job, I took it."
Though he had expected it, Xander was still surprised with the speed his shirt was grabbed and he was hauled out of his chair.
"You what," Buffy snarled at him. "After what they did to me, to Angel?"
Xander lost it completely. Almost without thought, h brought his arms up between Buffy's, and broke her grip. Taking the advantage of the momentary surprise, he shoved hard, sending her over backwards.
"Xander," squeaked Willow, surprised at his audacity.
"You just don't get it do you." Xander raged down on the surprised Slayer. She had started to get up, but the approach of a group of quarterstaff armed monks persuaded her against it. "This has nothing to do with you, or Angel.
"This has to do with me, what I need, and I need to be part of this, and I'm not getting anywhere with you."
"You could take the hint," Buffy snapped. "Leave the fight to those better able to fight."
"I tried that, I left after graduation, remember?"
"You came back."
"Yes I came back, because I couldn't stand the thought that I had gotten out while my best buds were putting their lives on the line. I didn't like the me that would run out, on you, Willow, Giles. I felt like I was turning my back on Jesse, Ms. Calendar, Principal Flutie, even Snyder, who was pretty much a bastard, but didn't deserve to be eaten by a snake. So I cam e back, I need to like the person I see in the mirror every morning."
"So you came back. You didn't have to go running to the Watchers."
"I need to know, before I die, that my life meant something. Something more than the occasional bit of research, the odd patrol, the feeling that you'd rather I was elsewhere. Which was all i was getting from the scoobies."
"Well bully for you. But we're through. You don't come around the Magic Box, or me ever again. I won't be spied on."
"They don't need me to spy on you, and they aren't asking me to."
"What do you mean..."
"I mean they keep pretty much up to date on you, and aren't stupid enough to think I wouldn't be biased."
"What I said still goes."
"Buffy, no," protested Willow.
"Willow he.."
Willow felt light headed. She was being forced to make a decision. Between her two best friends. She didn't know what she was going to do.