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"Why didn't you tell us?" The blonde was half out of her seat,as I entered the dining room, where they were all assembled around the table. I spotted the empty seat at the head, beside Sister Maria, and the steaming coffee cup there.
"Tell you what?" I ignored the fact that she was out of her chair, and moving, and sat down, grabbing the coffee. Usually I creamed and sugared it, but this time I needed the heat.
"Oh I don't know," she said. "How about the fact that you're the Blessed of the Lord. We've only been researching for a week now."
"Nobody told me." Okay, it wasn't the brightest of answers, but I had been totally drained when I came out of the Chapel this morning. I'd had four hours sleep, when I needed sixteen to completely recover, and I really wasn't in the mood for witty repartee.
I speared her with an eye." Let's see, you are Buffy Summers right?"
She nodded, reclaiming her seat.
"You were involved with two murder investigations, one of which you admitted to committing, the other, well let's say they believe you with held pertinent information. You burned down the gym of your first school and are strongly suspected of having something to do with the explosion at your second. You are believed to be behind several b&e's, there's even a note about you escaping lawful custody after damaging a police vehicle. Hardly the type of person I'd walk up to and say 'Hi, I'm the Blessed of the Lord."'
"If I were disposed to do that sort of thing."
"But you're not denying it," Willow shot at me.
"Is there a reason why I should?"
"Er, this might go better if we try not to let ourselves be distracted." I glanced at the Englishman, whom I now knew as Rupert Giles. "It appears that we are striving towards the same end, and we might best pool our efforts."
"What end would that be."
Giles looked at me, considering for a moment.
"The Blessed of he Lord will drive back the Legions of Hell, but without the powers of the Key, he will not succeed."
"So, you know of the prophecy, and my part in it. What is your part in it?"
"We have, er, formed a fighting unit , we do try to keep a lid on the evil that goes on here. Surely, being who you are, you are aware of the Hellmouth, and the Slayer."
"I know that Sunnydale sit atop a Hellmouth. As for the Slayer, I understand she is in this area, and would perhaps be an asset. I was also told that she was somewhat unreliable. I was not told who she was."
Giles looked at Buffy, who nodded, and turned back to me.
"Buffy Summers, here, is the Slayer."
"And she is not unreliable." Willow wanted to make sure I knew that.
I said nothing while Brother Michaud set a bowl of porridge in front of me, refilled my coffee cup, and refreshed their drinks, from the mess of plates, they had eaten earlier. While he was doing so, I whispered into Sister Maria's ears, and she nodded.
"What did you just ask her," Buffy asked suspiciously.
"Sister Maria has a very good memory for conversations. I wished to make sure she was getting this one."
Buffy didn't look pleased, but said nothing.
"Perhaps, if you could tell us a little about yourself."
I swallowed two spoonfuls of unsweetened porridge while I considered the problem. If she was the Slayer, this Buffy Summers could be a help, but if she followed her own agenda, as I had been led to believe, could I really trust her, and through her, any of them. I decided to take a leap of faith.
I laid everything on them.
I described my first eight years in a monastery in Italy, followed by an equal number in a Monastery in Bhutan. Followed by two and half years divided between Jerusalem and Mecca. Then back to Rome then to the Diocese in LA, where I was raised to the Priesthood, shortly before coming to Sunnydale. Finally, I described my part in the prophecy."
"But you haven't found the Key yet, have you?"
"Yes." Sister Maria aped at me, and I thought Buffy and Giles looked worried. "During last night's meditation, I discovered the identity of the Key, and her location."
"Well you won't have her," Buffy said, determined, cold. "That's never going to happen."
I looked at her, caught her eyes.
"Then you condemn the world to an eternity of Hell, and the one who will suffer the most is the Key."
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"Buffy, Xander's not with us." After our discussion, the Scoobies, as they called themselves, went off to a corner to caucus among themselves. Xander, feeling persona non grata, stayed away, though clearly, he wanted to get in .on the discussion. This made Willow very upset, and she just didn't know what to do about it." "Don't you think he..."
"No I don't," snapped the Slayer. "He made his choice and he'll have to live with it."
"But he..."
"Look, can we focus on the matter at hand."
"Er Buffy, I think we need to settle this, we can't be disunited. Not at a time like this."
"What, we are united. You, me, Willow, Riley. Let him go off with the Watchers if he wants to."
"We do need to settle this," Giles glanced at Xander, sitting at the table. "I must say, I never knew he felt that way, perhaps I should have." He re-focused his attention. 'However that may be, it is a distraction, and one we can ill afford."
"Well, I'm not distracted," declared Buffy. "If he wants to be with the Watchers then let him. We don't need him."
"But I do," whispered Willow.
"Willow," Buffy spun on her, " you heard what he did, and you know what they did to me and to Angel. Harris never liked Angel, that's probably why he did it."
"I know what they did, and what he did," Willow shouted, surprising both Buffy and Giles. "I want to help you and I want to help him but I can't help him without hurting you and I can't help you without hurting him and you're my friend and he's my friend and and and I just don't know what to do..." The last word was almost a sob.
"Willow,,,,. She'll get over it, won't she Giles?"
"Yes, she will," Giles sat on a convenient chair. "For a time."
"For a time? Giles what do you mean?"
"Willow is an intensely loyal person, and by excluding Xander, you are forcing her to choose between him and you."
"But,,,. she will choose me, won't she?"
"It is probable that she will, she has grown rather closer to you, putting more distance between her and Xander. However, Xander is her childhood friend, as well as her first love. Those are powerful influences, and we cannot discount the possibility that she will choose him over you."
"So what am I going to do?"
"That is something you'll have to figure out, and soon. It would appear thet they have the situation well in hand, however should we need Willow's abilities it would be helpful if she were not distracted by this situation between you and Xander."
Buffy looked to where her best friend was curled up on the floor, leaning against a wall. "Okay, okay. He's still part of the group. But when he's working with us, he follows orders, mine not theirs."
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"What about the Key," Sister Maria demanded. While the Scoobies, minus Xander, had gone over to a corner to discuss the situation among themselves, we had remained at our places, watching the proceedings. It wasn't lost on either of us, the reluctance with which Buffy had re-invited Xander into their group. She had had some harsh words to say, he merely nodded, and followed. "And the Slayer's refusal to let us have her."
"I can't see anything we can do about it, not to mention my own reluctance to endanger the life of a fourteen year old I think we will have to continue with plan B, and find some way we can get around this without the Key."
"But the sooner we have it, er her, the sooner she can be trained, and the better our chances of success."
"He Key could be trained in five days to a week. Longer would be better, but it gives us time to find an alternative. If no alternative presents itself, then we can discuss the Key. If it is still refused, then we shall do the best we can. One thing is certain, we shall not live to suffer the consequences."
"Oh, you've got it all planned out haven't you, going to try and make me feel guilty, so I'll hand over the Key." Neither of us had seen Buffy come up. "Well that's not going to happen."
I raised an eyebrow. "Now there's a plan I hadn't thought of. It is nice to know that it won't work, so I won't have to waste time coming up with it."
Buffy glared at me.
"Was there something you wanted?"
"Yes," Buffy looked disconcerted for a while. "I want to know what you're planning to do about this prophecy thing. You and Giles should be able to come up with some sort of plan, so you won't need the Key."
"I am willing, at least, to see if he can come up with some new ideas."
"Look, if you want our help, I'd think you'd be a little more appreciative."
I stared at her.
"You have the one piece of help that could, very probably, turn this into a success. You have already stated that that help isn't available. Without that help, I'll be going up with little or no hope for success. What other help can you offer?"
"Well, I, we've been up against this kind of thing."
"Yes you have, but never on this scale. The Slayer fights in the physical realm, and perhaps, the ones adjoining it. This battle will cross realms you can't hope to reach. For one thing, you don't have the energy. Only the Key can provide that level of power."
"Why didn't you tell us?" The blonde was half out of her seat,as I entered the dining room, where they were all assembled around the table. I spotted the empty seat at the head, beside Sister Maria, and the steaming coffee cup there.
"Tell you what?" I ignored the fact that she was out of her chair, and moving, and sat down, grabbing the coffee. Usually I creamed and sugared it, but this time I needed the heat.
"Oh I don't know," she said. "How about the fact that you're the Blessed of the Lord. We've only been researching for a week now."
"Nobody told me." Okay, it wasn't the brightest of answers, but I had been totally drained when I came out of the Chapel this morning. I'd had four hours sleep, when I needed sixteen to completely recover, and I really wasn't in the mood for witty repartee.
I speared her with an eye." Let's see, you are Buffy Summers right?"
She nodded, reclaiming her seat.
"You were involved with two murder investigations, one of which you admitted to committing, the other, well let's say they believe you with held pertinent information. You burned down the gym of your first school and are strongly suspected of having something to do with the explosion at your second. You are believed to be behind several b&e's, there's even a note about you escaping lawful custody after damaging a police vehicle. Hardly the type of person I'd walk up to and say 'Hi, I'm the Blessed of the Lord."'
"If I were disposed to do that sort of thing."
"But you're not denying it," Willow shot at me.
"Is there a reason why I should?"
"Er, this might go better if we try not to let ourselves be distracted." I glanced at the Englishman, whom I now knew as Rupert Giles. "It appears that we are striving towards the same end, and we might best pool our efforts."
"What end would that be."
Giles looked at me, considering for a moment.
"The Blessed of he Lord will drive back the Legions of Hell, but without the powers of the Key, he will not succeed."
"So, you know of the prophecy, and my part in it. What is your part in it?"
"We have, er, formed a fighting unit , we do try to keep a lid on the evil that goes on here. Surely, being who you are, you are aware of the Hellmouth, and the Slayer."
"I know that Sunnydale sit atop a Hellmouth. As for the Slayer, I understand she is in this area, and would perhaps be an asset. I was also told that she was somewhat unreliable. I was not told who she was."
Giles looked at Buffy, who nodded, and turned back to me.
"Buffy Summers, here, is the Slayer."
"And she is not unreliable." Willow wanted to make sure I knew that.
I said nothing while Brother Michaud set a bowl of porridge in front of me, refilled my coffee cup, and refreshed their drinks, from the mess of plates, they had eaten earlier. While he was doing so, I whispered into Sister Maria's ears, and she nodded.
"What did you just ask her," Buffy asked suspiciously.
"Sister Maria has a very good memory for conversations. I wished to make sure she was getting this one."
Buffy didn't look pleased, but said nothing.
"Perhaps, if you could tell us a little about yourself."
I swallowed two spoonfuls of unsweetened porridge while I considered the problem. If she was the Slayer, this Buffy Summers could be a help, but if she followed her own agenda, as I had been led to believe, could I really trust her, and through her, any of them. I decided to take a leap of faith.
I laid everything on them.
I described my first eight years in a monastery in Italy, followed by an equal number in a Monastery in Bhutan. Followed by two and half years divided between Jerusalem and Mecca. Then back to Rome then to the Diocese in LA, where I was raised to the Priesthood, shortly before coming to Sunnydale. Finally, I described my part in the prophecy."
"But you haven't found the Key yet, have you?"
"Yes." Sister Maria aped at me, and I thought Buffy and Giles looked worried. "During last night's meditation, I discovered the identity of the Key, and her location."
"Well you won't have her," Buffy said, determined, cold. "That's never going to happen."
I looked at her, caught her eyes.
"Then you condemn the world to an eternity of Hell, and the one who will suffer the most is the Key."
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"Buffy, Xander's not with us." After our discussion, the Scoobies, as they called themselves, went off to a corner to caucus among themselves. Xander, feeling persona non grata, stayed away, though clearly, he wanted to get in .on the discussion. This made Willow very upset, and she just didn't know what to do about it." "Don't you think he..."
"No I don't," snapped the Slayer. "He made his choice and he'll have to live with it."
"But he..."
"Look, can we focus on the matter at hand."
"Er Buffy, I think we need to settle this, we can't be disunited. Not at a time like this."
"What, we are united. You, me, Willow, Riley. Let him go off with the Watchers if he wants to."
"We do need to settle this," Giles glanced at Xander, sitting at the table. "I must say, I never knew he felt that way, perhaps I should have." He re-focused his attention. 'However that may be, it is a distraction, and one we can ill afford."
"Well, I'm not distracted," declared Buffy. "If he wants to be with the Watchers then let him. We don't need him."
"But I do," whispered Willow.
"Willow," Buffy spun on her, " you heard what he did, and you know what they did to me and to Angel. Harris never liked Angel, that's probably why he did it."
"I know what they did, and what he did," Willow shouted, surprising both Buffy and Giles. "I want to help you and I want to help him but I can't help him without hurting you and I can't help you without hurting him and you're my friend and he's my friend and and and I just don't know what to do..." The last word was almost a sob.
"Willow,,,,. She'll get over it, won't she Giles?"
"Yes, she will," Giles sat on a convenient chair. "For a time."
"For a time? Giles what do you mean?"
"Willow is an intensely loyal person, and by excluding Xander, you are forcing her to choose between him and you."
"But,,,. she will choose me, won't she?"
"It is probable that she will, she has grown rather closer to you, putting more distance between her and Xander. However, Xander is her childhood friend, as well as her first love. Those are powerful influences, and we cannot discount the possibility that she will choose him over you."
"So what am I going to do?"
"That is something you'll have to figure out, and soon. It would appear thet they have the situation well in hand, however should we need Willow's abilities it would be helpful if she were not distracted by this situation between you and Xander."
Buffy looked to where her best friend was curled up on the floor, leaning against a wall. "Okay, okay. He's still part of the group. But when he's working with us, he follows orders, mine not theirs."
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"What about the Key," Sister Maria demanded. While the Scoobies, minus Xander, had gone over to a corner to discuss the situation among themselves, we had remained at our places, watching the proceedings. It wasn't lost on either of us, the reluctance with which Buffy had re-invited Xander into their group. She had had some harsh words to say, he merely nodded, and followed. "And the Slayer's refusal to let us have her."
"I can't see anything we can do about it, not to mention my own reluctance to endanger the life of a fourteen year old I think we will have to continue with plan B, and find some way we can get around this without the Key."
"But the sooner we have it, er her, the sooner she can be trained, and the better our chances of success."
"He Key could be trained in five days to a week. Longer would be better, but it gives us time to find an alternative. If no alternative presents itself, then we can discuss the Key. If it is still refused, then we shall do the best we can. One thing is certain, we shall not live to suffer the consequences."
"Oh, you've got it all planned out haven't you, going to try and make me feel guilty, so I'll hand over the Key." Neither of us had seen Buffy come up. "Well that's not going to happen."
I raised an eyebrow. "Now there's a plan I hadn't thought of. It is nice to know that it won't work, so I won't have to waste time coming up with it."
Buffy glared at me.
"Was there something you wanted?"
"Yes," Buffy looked disconcerted for a while. "I want to know what you're planning to do about this prophecy thing. You and Giles should be able to come up with some sort of plan, so you won't need the Key."
"I am willing, at least, to see if he can come up with some new ideas."
"Look, if you want our help, I'd think you'd be a little more appreciative."
I stared at her.
"You have the one piece of help that could, very probably, turn this into a success. You have already stated that that help isn't available. Without that help, I'll be going up with little or no hope for success. What other help can you offer?"
"Well, I, we've been up against this kind of thing."
"Yes you have, but never on this scale. The Slayer fights in the physical realm, and perhaps, the ones adjoining it. This battle will cross realms you can't hope to reach. For one thing, you don't have the energy. Only the Key can provide that level of power."