A Sequel to "Even Standing"
Part 4/? - "Shoot Me, Stuff Me, Mount Me"
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters here, save for the
Scepter of Zeus and the Archon of Zerod... oh, I also 'own' Harek and Sarek...
please don't sue me, I don't intend to earn money from this unless I'm offered
a contract by the Buffy people... then I can toss this disclaimer out the
window anyway.
Rating (Series): PG-13 (a little language and violence... its like ES, not
too heavy on either, but enough to warrant a rating)
Spoilers: Same as ES.
Author's Notes/Summary - Xander knows where the dig site is, but he doesn't
tell the Slayerettes right away. When it comes out, some things are revealed
which may change their lives forever. (At least until the next big thing comes
along)
Note #2 - ES lives on in the sequel. Hopefully this is turning out enjoyable
for you all. Feedback is the lifeblood of fic writers, and suggestions are
our meat and potatoes. So, by all means, fill my plate up. :)
*FADE TO: Xander and Spike's apartment, evening. Xander is pouring through the Archon of Zerod.*
So far,
he was unable to come up with any contradictory evidence to what he knew.
It looked like he was once again holding the key to the safety of the world.
He didn't like it. He enjoyed having responsibility, but the fate of the world?
Having that in your hands too many times was liable to drive you crazy.
And it wouldn't like he'd get thanked. Time and time again, everyone from
Buffy to his best friend Willow had skirted him in the thanking department.
Would it really be worth risking his neck again?
He sighed, realizing he had no choice. Whether or not he'd get thanked, or
even acknowledged as helping out, it was something he had to do. This world
may not have been kind to him, but some people were happy here, and he had
no right to rob them of it.
He was brought out of his daze by a rough knocking on the door. He grumbled
to himself, before getting up, "Spike, if your forgot your key again,
I'm not letting you in. I told you before you need to kee..." He swung
the door open, and his rant was halted.
Instead of Spike, like he expected, it was two young gentlemen. Each had long
hair pulled back into ponytails. They had on leather jackets, and looked like
they might be a little menacing if pressed. He tried to smile a little, "Um,
whatever you're selling... I don't think I want any."
The dark-haired one addressed him, "Are you AleXander Harris?"
Xander's 'spider sense' was going hay-wire. Were they vampires? If so, he
was fine, "Uh, yeah... who wants to know?"
Both their features distorted into vampiric visages, and Xander took a step
back. The lighter-haired one's hair had come loose during the morph, and was
shown to be several different colors. Xander didn't really know why this mad
him a little more afraid. "Good."
Xander was caught even more off-guard as they both lunged at him, straight
through the front door. As the light-haired one took him to the ground with
a spearing tackle, the other one circled around. Xander knew immediately he
was in deep trouble.
*CUT TO: Spike, walking down the hallway. He's got a large shopping bag hanging on one arm, while he's using his hands to count a stack of money in his hand. He's got a satisfied smile on his face.*
He neared
the apartment door, and fished the key out of his pocket. He was a little
surprised when he got within view and saw it was wide open. He was immediately
knocked into alert mode when he heard a scuffle from inside.
He reached inside his shopping bag to grab a 'weapon.' He charged in on the
two long-haired figured pummeling Xander, bearing his weapon of choice which
was a... toilet seat. He brought the object down on the back of the multi-colored
one's head with a sad 'Hyah,' knocking him away from the prone Xander.
The other one looked up at him, game face in full-force. Spike grinned, "Y'want
some of this? C'mon, bitch... I'll take you down." He swung the toilet
seat around, almost in a martial arts style, before assuming a fighting stance.
The two vamps exchanged a look, "It would be best if we left."
"Yes, leaving would be best." The other mimicked. Before anything
else could be done, they were both running out through the balcony. Spike
ran over to the door, bearing the toilet seat menacingly, until he was sure
they wouldn't come back.
He turned back around and proceeded to throw the cushioned seat at the prone
boy, snarking in disgust, "Why the bloody hell did you invite those wanks
in?"
Xander pulled the object off his chest and sat up carefully. He cast Spike
an angry glare, "I *didn't*... they just jumped in on me." Xander
finally looked at the object in his hand, "A toilet seat? You rush to
my defense with a toilet seat?"
"You should feel bloody lucky I came to your rescue at all, Harris."
Spike said, trying to avoid the embarrassment this was bringing him.
"What were you doing with a toilet seat, Spike? Did know raid a local
diner or something?"
"No! I bought to stupid thing." Spike looked away, "The solid
one we've got in there... it, uh, hurts my ass." Xander's mouth immediately
started opening in comment, but Spike froze it with a look of pure disdain,
"Just don't even start, Harris. I don't feel like having my head stuffed
in the sand tonight."
Xander finally climbed to his feet, a little too quickly, before having a
dizzy spell. Spike sprung over and steadied you, "You alright, mate?"
"Yeah, yeah... I'm fine... we have to talk to Giles about this... they
didn't even need an invitation. This could be big..." Xander started
for the door, shrugging off Spike's supporting arm. He immediately started
to wobble again.
"How about we just call tweeder-meyer and have him come to us? It's a
long bloody walk, 'specially since SOMEONE hasn't parted with the money for
a decent car yet."
Xander nodded weakly, "Sure, sounds like a good idea..." He wobbled
over to the couch, "I think I'll just lay down here."
Spike had the cordless in his hand, as he came to check on the young man.
He gave him a quick slap to the cheek as he saw his eyes start to drift closed,
"Hey, don't go falling asleep on me. If you have a concussion, I don't
want any further brain damage to be *my* responsibility." He pulled Xander
into a seated position, as opposed to the couch-length he had just been.
Spike dialed the number quickly, waiting for it to ring. When it was finally
picked up, he quickly went to business, "Hey, Rups... I need your help."
A pause, "No, I don't need to borrow money... geez... no, the Boy Wonder
got busted up a little over here..." Another pause, "Yeah, yeah,
I know he invites it... but not this time. No invitation, and they came through
the bloody front door. Boy may have a concussion" Giles took his time
answering, "Right, I'll take care of that... see you in a few."
Spike returned to where Xander was sitting, with a cup of coffee. He made
sure he wasn't dozing off anymore, and gave him the cup to drink from, "Giles
is getting materials together, he should be over in a half-hour to fourty-five
minutes... in the meantime, he tells me I'm supposed to keep you awake and
cognizant. So let's have ourselves a talk, shall we?"
*CUT TO: Spike, Giles, Willow, and Tara... all gathered around Xander on the cough. Materials are scattered all over the floor around them.*
"...right
through the front door. No invitation." He looked to Spike, "You
vamps ought to look into counseling or at least some finishing school. I swear,
no manners whatsoever."
Giles had his patented glare prepared, "Could we get back to the matter
at hand? Could you describe the assailants?"
"Again?" Giles continued to glare, "Alright, alright... well,
they weren't much taller than me... both had longish hair... umm, they kinda
looked alike so they might be brothers."
"Yes..." Giles made a note of it, "Anything else? Any distinct
clothing, or markings, or even jewelry? We may be able to link it to a clan
or other organization."
Xander shook his head, "Only thing I noticed was a rosary dangling from
one of their necks..." His eyes shot wide, "Wait a minute... isn't
that, like, not possible?"
Giles, too, was surprised. He made another not, then reserved himself for
digging through the books he'd brought with. Xander was edgy, "Uh, Giles,
is that all we're going to do?"
Giles looked up, "Um... well I suppose I could tell Buffy to be on the
look-out for these two..."
"I don't think that's such a good idea..." Xander commented quietly.
"Why do you say that?"
Spike answered for him, "I think he means... these vamps aren't exactly
conforming to the norms of our race... Buffy might not be suited for dealing
with them if she comes upon them."
Xander nodded, "And for all we know, she's a target too... if she is,
then she's in even more trouble."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Willow asked.
Spike smirked, "Take this show to the road."
*CUT TO: Buffy, patrolling. She's more composed then the last time she was seen, but she still doesn't seem on her game.*
"Where
are all the fangoids?" Buffy asked herself, then declared to the graveyard,
"You aren't making my job very easy!" Two pairs of eyes followed
her all around the graveyard, watching her intently. She paid no attention
to the fact she was being watched.
She hated slow nights, they forced her to self-talk about things she felt
better left untouched. She didn't want to do that here, in her 'workplace.'
She'd probably never live it down in eternity that she died in the middle
of bawling her head off.
The rustling of branches to her right brought her back to attention. She scanned
the area thoroughly, but saw nothing but a wind-blown branch or two. Suddenly,
a hand clamped down on her shoulder. Instincts overcame her, and in a flash
she had grabbed the attacker's arm, spun him around a little, and proceeded
to drop him against the ground roughly.
"And a fine hello to you too." Xander managed to spit out, before
coughing painfully.
Buffy sprung up off him, his identity sinking in, and finally let her angry
side take over, "Serves you right for sneaking up on me like that."
Spike helped the poor guy up, as Xander felt his shoulder carefully. When
he was sure nothing was broken or dislocated, he decided to jibe, "You
could at least lend the Slayer strength to help put my shoulder back in place."
Buffy actually sneered, "That's not such a good idea. I might just *relocate*
it somewhere *else.*"
Xander exchanged a look with Spike, who was mouthing the word, 'Ouch.'
"Can you tell me why you're all out here? The graveyard isn't exactly
our most popular hangout."
"Sorry, the Bronze was full." Xander took a weak shot.
Buffy turned it around instantly, "Full? Or just not accepting every
creep that tries to get in?"
"Enough." Giles yelled roughly, "Buffy, Xander was attacked
earlier. A pair of vampires which didn't need to be invited to gain access
to his apartment."
Buffy had softened a little at the mention of Xander being attacked, but she
immediately hardened again, "Why is that my problem? He does kind of
ask for it."
"Buffy..." Giles warned.
"They're probably after you too... bloody Slayer... no sympathy for anyone
else.." Spike cursed, walking off to have a smoke.
She ignored his closing comment, "After me? Why?"
Xander answered, surprising everybody, "Most likely? The Old One's sent
them... assassins or something." He laughed, "I can understand they'd
be a little irked that I offed their #1 guy."
"Any easy assignment after all..."
"All the targets in one spot... we're getting good."
Everyone spun around to see where the voices came from, but could see no one.
A blur came from their blindspots, broad-siding Xander, to tackle him to the
ground. He landed on the shoulder Buffy had just roughed up, causing him to
yell.
Spike moved from his spot leaning against a crypt, when he heard a rustling
from up above. He looked up to see the brightly-colored one perched atop the
crypt. It leaped off, spinning in all directions in mid-air, to land on Spike
hard. Just as quickly as the assault had begun, they(the assassins) were both
standing side-by-side a half-dozen yards away.
They were dressed exactly the same as when they attacked Xander, but their
vampire faces were temporarily unseen. Buffy looked them over, casting a quick
glance to Giles, "What's up with Hack and Slash over there?"
"I believe they are..."
"Harek and Sarek. Vampire assassins. Brothers too." Spike spoke
up, "Didn't pick up their scent the first time. But it was quite evident
when one dropped down on top of me. Must be wearing bloody cologne."
Buffy looked at spike incredulously, "Do you know EVERY bad guy in the
world?"
Spike glared right back at her, "Not all of 'em... just the important
ones."
"Can we get back to stopping said bad guys?" Xander cried.
Giles pulled Xander back, "Your concussion... it would be best if you
didn't participate."
Xander couldn't believe what Giles had just said, "Not participate? Are
you crazy? Buffy could get hurt."
A flutter. Buffy tried not to show it, but the concern in Xander's voice made
her heart beat faster. She shook it off and returned to the task at hand,
"I'll repeat Xander... can we get back to stopping the bad guys?"
Giles nodded, "Willow, Tara... join me back..." He pointed out a
spot several yards away, "There..."
Buffy gave the assassins a mock smile and friendly attitude, "Thank you
for waiting so patiently... we'll be with you in *just* a moment."
"You'll die now."
"Death is at hand."
Buffy looked almost amused, "Look, Criss-Cross, I'm sure if we just sat
down and talked we could..." He was interrupted as the stake was knocked
out of her hand by a greenish bolt of energy. The blondish-vamp was holding
it's rosary up, which itself had a faint green glow. Buffy's eyes were as
big as saucers, as she spoke back to Giles, "Giles... is there something
you forgot to tell me?"
Giles looked up at the faint green glow, "Oh, yes... these vampires aren't
like most..."
"That update was quite refreshing, Giles..." Buffy made her sarcasm
as evident as possible.
"Buffy... just fight... we're looking up Harek and Sarek in the books."
Buffy turned back to the two vampires, who were watching the exchanges with
emotionless faces. She resumed her mock friendly attitude, "Well, you
heard them... time for us to get all friendly-like..." She assumed a
fighting stance. She was quite surprised when Spike sidled up next to her,
"Spike?"
"We gotta keep us all alive... works even better if we got more ass-kickers."
"Whatever." She observed the opponents, "These guys are *way*
too quiet."
"Of course they are... they're probably using their psychic powers to
observe our weaknesses right now."
"Psychic powers?" Buffy looked incredulous.
Harek and Sarek exchanged a chuckle between themselves. Their yellow eyes
were focused on the Slayer for a moment, before looking past her. With dizzying
agility, they both ran straight at Spike and Buffy, before taking strong rolling
jumps up and over their heads.
Buffy and Spike spun around as quickly as they could, to see both Harek and
Sarek charging for Xander and the spellcasters. Buffy screamed, "Xander!"
*CUT TO: Xander's head snapping towards Buffy's scream. He looks just in time
to see the two figures driving into him.*
He flew backwards, catching the side of a tall gravestone, before landing
roughly on the other side of it. He wasn't aware of the spin he'd taken in
mid-air, until his head connected with the headstone behind him. He immediately
felt something give way, and warmth on his neck despite the cold night air.
He was disoriented, not even aware enough to notice he was no longer being
attacked.
*CUT BACK TO: Spike and Buffy, nearby, fighting the vampires away from where
Xander landed.*
Where the vampire brothers had an a edge in agility, Buffy and Spike made
up for in power. They made their shots count. Roundhouse kicks and backhanded
punches were wearing both sides down.
Meanwhile, Giles and the witches were pouring through books as quickly as
they could. The situation was frustrating to Buffy, as she wanted to check
on Xander, who hadn't moved since landing behind the gravestone.
Buffy and Spike separated the two brothers, Buffy taking the light-haired
one, and Spike taking up the fight with the darker one. Spike had Sarek pinned
against a crypt, laying fists back-and-forth across the vamp's face. Buffy,
on the other hand, was driving Harek further into the graveyard.
Giles finally sprung up from his spot, holding open a book. He began chanting,
although no one could hear him from as far away as he was. Willow and Tara
were doing a supporting chant. When it was complete, a hazy mist of energy
floated away from them. It wafted in the direction of Spike and Sarek. As
they were caught up in it, the rosary around Sarek's neck glowed brightly
green. When the mist passed, the glowing faded, and Sarek seemed to weaken
visibly.
Not one to miss an opportunity, Spike drove a stake into the vampire's chest,
reducing him to dust almost instantly.
Giles rushed to repeat the chanting, in the direction of Buffy and Harek.
Spike ran over to check on Xander, looking him over quickly.
Xander had started moving a little, when Spike stopped him, seeing the blood
covering his neck. Spike suppressed his urges to vamp out, and spoke, "Bloody...
how'd you gash it open like that? Aren't you wearing the Gem of Amara."
Xander shook his head wildly, sending a painful rush through it, "I don't
want to have to... I want to be normal."
Spike shook his head, looking quickly to Buffy who was defending against Harek
still, "That's a pretty fool-hardy thing to do... where is it?"
"Pocket!" Xander declared, deliriously.
"Get it out and put it on. Don't want your death on my hands... um, yet."
Spike hopped up, dropped something near Xander, and went to 'help' Buffy.
Harek was angry. He had seen the destruction of his brother, and now vowed
to get revenge. He just didn't know if he was going to make it. The Slayer
was strong, and had determination. All stemming from her volcanic feelings
for the boy.
He heard, by his enhanced hearing, that the Watcher was nearing the end of
the dreaded dispel. His abilities would not last much longer. He decided he
would have to bail out. It might mean his death at the hands of his employer,
but he knew he could make it worthwhile.
He delivered a stiff kick to the Slayer's jaw, before the vampire could come
to help her. He darted past both of them, to where the boy laid prone. He
grabbed his cheeks, and made contact with his eyes. He quickly probed the
boys mind.
He smirked, finding the knowledge he desired. The Slayer and the vampire were
on their way over. His relocation had disturbed the Watcher's progress. He
might still have a chance.
He quickly grabbed Xander by his throat, lifting him up against the gravestone,
"Hold, or he will die."
Buffy and Spike both halted. Harek smirked, "You try so hard to defend
his boy..." He gave him a look, "And yet he continues to betray
you?"
"Betray?" Buffy cried.
"You wish to stop the Old Ones." Harek intoned, "He knows where.
He's known all along. He's..." Harek's little speech was interrupted
as a stake protruded through his chest. The stake was in the grasp of Xander's
arm. He had recovered some from his injuries as the rings effects took hold.
He did not have happy look on his face. He didn't even flinch as the dust
flew.
Buffy was immediately in his face, "You've known? Where we can stop them?
Where the scepter is?"
Xander was not happy that he had to nod, "I just..."
"No!" Her eyes were watering, "You don't get to talk right
now. You don't have the right."
"Buffy..." Spike started, trying to pull her off. He was roughly
shoved backwards for his troubles.
"You lied to us... again!" Buffy had never been so angry, "How
could you? You hurt us, and we took you back in... now you do it again?"
"Buffy..." It was Giles' turn to try to calm her, but he found himself
shoved into the already startled Spike.
Buffy took in a ragged breath. She didn't have the strength to make herself
*not* cry. She sighed, also very ragged. There was no time like the present
to say what she needed to say, and she almost enjoyed the look of fear and
guilt that was on Xander's face, "You got our trust, a second time...
and you betrayed it. You betrayed *me.*" She stepped closer, letting
him get a real good look at the anger in her eyes, "Dammit, you made
me love you... and then you broke my heart."
The silence in the cemetery was deafening. After letting it all sink in, she
turned abruptly and stalked out of the graveyard. All five people were stunned.
Giles, Willow, and Tara all walked off quietly as well, trying not to show
their disappointment in him.
Spike waited for the other to leave, before slinging Xander's arm over his
shoulder, and imparting sympathetically, "Looks like you and me have
a date with a pint or two of lager." He limped the recovering boy out
of the graveyard, and into the night.
End Part 4
