*****
Sunnydale PD
Sunnydale, California
"Detective Chen!"
Grace Chen snapped up from the file she was reading, suppressing a glare as she saw Stein approach.
"This file is NOT part of your cases."
"No Sir," Chen said, trying to cover. "I was just reviewing old cases to see how things work here."
"I don't know how things worked in the LA MCU, but here we have rules." Stein snapped, "And one of those is that you STAY AWAY FROM MY CASES!"
Officers around the room looked studiously away from where Stein was ripping out the new girl.
"Yes Sir." Chen managed, consciously emulating the stereotypical 'passive Asian' persona that tended to catch people, men especially, off their guard.
Mollified, Stein grabbed the file and stalked away from Chen's desk. As she watched his retreating back her mind slipped back to the file. As spotty as it had been it had raised many more questions then it had answered. Why keep a file on a bunch of teenagers that no one has signed any complaints against? And why would a bar have had a stakeout assigned to it for four years?
Grace Chen got up slowly, grabbing her gun, badge, and coat. I think I'll have a look at 'Willys'
*****
Orbit
Anise growled in frustration as she dug through the data they had intercepted from the backbone satellites. "What is ALL this!?"
Jacob glanced over her shoulder, turning slightly red as he did. "That's... ummm... pornography."
"I know THAT." Anise muttered, "I mean, why is it clogging your planet's data streams?"
Jacob twisted his face, trying not to grin. "Public access I guess... some people don't have anything better to do..."
"This is hopeless." Anise tossed her hands up in frustration. "None of the intercepted transmissions seems to have anything to do with 'Sunnydale.'"
"I don't suppose you can insert search parameters from here yourself?"
"No. I can only intercept data from searches initiated planetside."
"I can see where that would be a problem." Jacob grinned.
Anise mumbled something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like 'perverted bunch of savages.' but Jacob diplomatically ignored her.
*****
X&J's Residence
Sunnydale, California
"Nice setup, kid."
Xander grinned, "You can tell that to Jarod. I'm deadweight around here compared to him."
"Hardly." Jarod said as he stepped into the basement. "You must be Mr. Konzaki."
Andrzej extended a hand, "Mr...?"
Jarod smiled, a little sadly, "Just Jarod. I... grew up without a last name... Even after I found out what it was I didn't really feel comfortable with it."
Konzaki nodded and shook the man's hand. "Just Jarod then. You set this place up?"
Jarod nodded, "I've done work like this before, so when Xander asked me to join up with him I pulled out some plans I'd set up for CIA... took a little polishing to get them just right for what we do here... but I think it's worked out right."
"So you're the one who accessed my file with the Agency?"
Jarod grinned, "Yes. And I must say, its an honor to meet someone that James Greer had only two words to say about... "Trust him"... a glowing recommendation from the head of the CIA."
Konzaki smiled, "You knew Mr Greer?"
"By reputation only." Jarod responded, "The people I worked for... thought very much about him."
Konzaki raised an eyebrow, "You mean 'thought very much OF him?'"
Jarod grinned, "No. He kept screwing up their plans... he was constantly on their minds, but they didn't like him much. A glowing recommendation coming from them, I assure you."
Konzaki nodded, He'd worked for groups like that a couple times in the past himself. "Jim was a good man."
"I know." Jarod said, smiling mysteriously.
"So," Konzaki shifted on his prosthesis uncomfortably, "What exactly did the kid recruit you into, Jarod?"
"Xander... opened my eyes to the world, I guess you could say."
"That doesn't tell me much."
"You have to see it to believe it, Mr Konzaki."
"Call me Andy." Andrezj insisted, "So... Who's the boss around here?"
Jarod smiled, "That would be Xander."
Xander goggled, Konzaki looked shocked.
"Me!?" Xander managed to gurgle out.
"Him!?" Konzaki said in shock.
Jarod shrugged, "It's not me... and no one else comes close."
Konzaki looked at the stricken boy in shock, "Kid, now I know you people are insane."
"Tell me about it." Xander muttered under his breath.
*****
"So, Mr. Konzaki, we're more of a loose organization of affiliated groups. We each do the same job and it makes sense for us to be able to call on each other for help as we need it."
"Interesting. But *what* do you do exactly?"
Jarod smiled, "That will come later... Like I said..."
"Yeah yeah... see it to believe it." Konzaki sighed.
Jarod quirked a lopsided smile, "Sorry." He said, completely unapologetically.
"Yeah, right." Andrezj sighed. "So, show me your internal security... I may as well see the whole pitch as long as I'm here."
"Right this way..." Jarod waved his hand and led the man away.
*****
Outside Willy's Bar
Sunnydale, California
Grace Chen looked at the sign on the bar. Open from dusk till dawn... well, this was a wasted trip.
She looked around the area, noting the depressed buildings and surroundings. It was definitely a bad part of town.
Ok. I'll have to come back later then.
Detective Grace Chen walked away from the ragged old building, not noticing the eyes that followed her movement from behind the heavily shaded windows.
*****
Sunnydale Park
Sunnydale, California
"Why are we here?" Willow asked as she walked along with miss Calender and Tara.
Jenny looked around the natural expanse, taking a deep breath as she did. "If feels so good to breathe again. I love the air here in the park, it's been a few years."
"Oh... ummmm.." Willow blushed a little, not sure how to address the woman's 'death'.
"It's alright, Willow." Jenny smiled, "It wasn't unpleasant, being dead. I was told that I could move on... or I could help watch over you guys. So I stuck around."
"You did?" Willow asked in confusion.
"I did." Jenny said softly, "It's not easy, you know... Being a Guardian is frustrating work. You can only provide suggestions... support... and then, only if your charges will let you."
Willow and Tara watched as the older woman sighed, "You know, out of the bunch of you, Xander was the only one who ever listened. And he rarely believed what he was hearing."
"Xander?"
"There was this one night... all of you were pushing him out... trying to keep him safe. You know, he was really depressed for a while."
Willow thought about it, "The Apocalypse demons?"
Jenny nodded, "It took me hours of whispering to him, cajoling him, even threatening him to get him to pull it together enough to do what he had to."
"What? He stayed out of it that night."
Jenny smiled and shook her head.
"He... He didn't?"
"Since when does Xander ever stay out of anything?" Jenny laughed lightly, her face open and carefree. "That night he saved Faith first, then saved all of your lives with one stroke. And the world was the icing on the cake."
"W... world?" Tara asked hesitantly.
Jenny just smiled mysteriously and continued on her walk.
*****
Willy's Bar
Later
"Vampires?"
Jarod and Xander looked at each other in confusion as Andrezj stared chuckling over his drink. His laughter didn't sound disbelieveing.
"You're vampire hunters?"
"Among other... things."
That brought Konzaki up, "What other things?"
"First, why don't you explain your reaction." Xander said slowly.
"I ran into a vampire a few years ago. Nasty little bugger tried to have me for lunch. Took me a full drum from my Atchisson to kill the bugger... got lucky, too. The last eight rounds ripped his head off." Konzaki grimaced at the thought of how close that thing had gotten. "I searched for hunter groups to work with then, but the best I could find was a small group of street kids in LA. I supply them with weapons as I can, but its tough figuring out what kills the bloodsuckers."
Xander nodded, "We use these right now." And he rolled a bullet across the table.
Konzaki picked it up, eyeing the small round with a practiced glance. "What is this?"
"Magnesium Flare." Jarod said simply, "Uses a thermite fuse to ignite a few feet after it leaves the barrel of the gun."
"Nice craftsmanship. You do this?"
Jarod nodded.
"Why do you need me?"
"Jarod is a... generalist. He's damned good at a lot of things, but we need a specialist to keep things moving."
"You said that you hunt other things?"
Xander nodded, "Demons, various supernatural threats, some terrestrial threats, and occasional ET's."
"ET's?" Konzaki stuttered, a little shocked.
Xander smiled, "That's a long story... but there are other groups that handle that usually, so it's a minor problem for us."
"ET's?"
Xander chuckled, shaking his head. "I know... I know, tough to believe. But it's true, I swear."
Konzaki stared at Xander for along moment before he shook his own head, "If you say so kid."
The three men chuckled a little for a moment until a commotion at the bar distracted them.
Xander looked up, seeing a vampire accosting a woman. He undid his coat and slipped out a .45, holding up clear for the bar to see. A quiet sort of registered as the vampire glanced over and stared at him in shock. The vamp nodded once, and Xander smiled at him. Evilly.
*****
"Hey sweet cheeks, wanna come out with me? For a... bite?"
Detective Chen grimaced at the heavy handed pickup line, "Buzz off, creep." she turned away from him.
The vampire glared at her, a bare hint of yellow in his eyes. "Hey, bitch! I'm talking to you!"
Chen tensed, expecting the creep to try and grab her. When he didn't she looked at the sleaze and saw him staring over her shoulder at a table with three guys. One of them, a young kid it seemed, smiled at her in a friendly manner. She looked at him oddly before turning back to the creep.
"Hey... uhhh" he held up his hands, "Sorry, lady. I'll be going now."
Chen glanced back at the table, but the three men had turned away from her and were talking amongst themselves. What the hell?
*****
"What was that all about?" Konzaki demanded.
"We have a reputation among the local undead and demon population." Xander said, "I was reminding that vampire of the rules."
"Rules?"
"Willy's is a safe zone. Safest place in the town for a mortal. Now, anyway."
"How come?"
"Unofficial agreement of sorts. We don't mess with them here, and they have a place where they can buy blood without killing for it." Xander shrugged, "Its not much, but it keeps some of them off the streets every night... there are a few vampires who just want to live... not many, but some."
Konzaki shook his head, "I've heard rumors of a place like this..."
"Really?" Xander raised an eyebrow, "Where?"
"In LA... Some place supposedly called Caritas."
"Huh. Guess I'm not surprised... It's only logical. Even demons need a place to relax, I guess."
Konzaki nodded, "So this is what you've been so secretive about?" he grinned lightly.
Xander smiled ruefully, "Sorry, but most people..."
Andrezj waved him off, "I know. So... Does the offer still stand?"
Xander nodded, "If you want it."
Andy nodded, "You just hired yourself an Armorer."
"Cool." Xander grinned.
"Uh oh." Jarod said seriously.
"What?"
"New demon in town."
"So?"
"So, he probably doesn't know the rules."
The three men turned to watch the large bulking figure approach the slight Asian beauty at the bar.
"Shit." Xander and Konzaki said together.
*****
Sunnydale PD
Sunnydale, California
"Detective Chen!"
Grace Chen snapped up from the file she was reading, suppressing a glare as she saw Stein approach.
"This file is NOT part of your cases."
"No Sir," Chen said, trying to cover. "I was just reviewing old cases to see how things work here."
"I don't know how things worked in the LA MCU, but here we have rules." Stein snapped, "And one of those is that you STAY AWAY FROM MY CASES!"
Officers around the room looked studiously away from where Stein was ripping out the new girl.
"Yes Sir." Chen managed, consciously emulating the stereotypical 'passive Asian' persona that tended to catch people, men especially, off their guard.
Mollified, Stein grabbed the file and stalked away from Chen's desk. As she watched his retreating back her mind slipped back to the file. As spotty as it had been it had raised many more questions then it had answered. Why keep a file on a bunch of teenagers that no one has signed any complaints against? And why would a bar have had a stakeout assigned to it for four years?
Grace Chen got up slowly, grabbing her gun, badge, and coat. I think I'll have a look at 'Willys'
*****
Orbit
Anise growled in frustration as she dug through the data they had intercepted from the backbone satellites. "What is ALL this!?"
Jacob glanced over her shoulder, turning slightly red as he did. "That's... ummm... pornography."
"I know THAT." Anise muttered, "I mean, why is it clogging your planet's data streams?"
Jacob twisted his face, trying not to grin. "Public access I guess... some people don't have anything better to do..."
"This is hopeless." Anise tossed her hands up in frustration. "None of the intercepted transmissions seems to have anything to do with 'Sunnydale.'"
"I don't suppose you can insert search parameters from here yourself?"
"No. I can only intercept data from searches initiated planetside."
"I can see where that would be a problem." Jacob grinned.
Anise mumbled something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like 'perverted bunch of savages.' but Jacob diplomatically ignored her.
*****
X&J's Residence
Sunnydale, California
"Nice setup, kid."
Xander grinned, "You can tell that to Jarod. I'm deadweight around here compared to him."
"Hardly." Jarod said as he stepped into the basement. "You must be Mr. Konzaki."
Andrzej extended a hand, "Mr...?"
Jarod smiled, a little sadly, "Just Jarod. I... grew up without a last name... Even after I found out what it was I didn't really feel comfortable with it."
Konzaki nodded and shook the man's hand. "Just Jarod then. You set this place up?"
Jarod nodded, "I've done work like this before, so when Xander asked me to join up with him I pulled out some plans I'd set up for CIA... took a little polishing to get them just right for what we do here... but I think it's worked out right."
"So you're the one who accessed my file with the Agency?"
Jarod grinned, "Yes. And I must say, its an honor to meet someone that James Greer had only two words to say about... "Trust him"... a glowing recommendation from the head of the CIA."
Konzaki smiled, "You knew Mr Greer?"
"By reputation only." Jarod responded, "The people I worked for... thought very much about him."
Konzaki raised an eyebrow, "You mean 'thought very much OF him?'"
Jarod grinned, "No. He kept screwing up their plans... he was constantly on their minds, but they didn't like him much. A glowing recommendation coming from them, I assure you."
Konzaki nodded, He'd worked for groups like that a couple times in the past himself. "Jim was a good man."
"I know." Jarod said, smiling mysteriously.
"So," Konzaki shifted on his prosthesis uncomfortably, "What exactly did the kid recruit you into, Jarod?"
"Xander... opened my eyes to the world, I guess you could say."
"That doesn't tell me much."
"You have to see it to believe it, Mr Konzaki."
"Call me Andy." Andrezj insisted, "So... Who's the boss around here?"
Jarod smiled, "That would be Xander."
Xander goggled, Konzaki looked shocked.
"Me!?" Xander managed to gurgle out.
"Him!?" Konzaki said in shock.
Jarod shrugged, "It's not me... and no one else comes close."
Konzaki looked at the stricken boy in shock, "Kid, now I know you people are insane."
"Tell me about it." Xander muttered under his breath.
*****
"So, Mr. Konzaki, we're more of a loose organization of affiliated groups. We each do the same job and it makes sense for us to be able to call on each other for help as we need it."
"Interesting. But *what* do you do exactly?"
Jarod smiled, "That will come later... Like I said..."
"Yeah yeah... see it to believe it." Konzaki sighed.
Jarod quirked a lopsided smile, "Sorry." He said, completely unapologetically.
"Yeah, right." Andrezj sighed. "So, show me your internal security... I may as well see the whole pitch as long as I'm here."
"Right this way..." Jarod waved his hand and led the man away.
*****
Outside Willy's Bar
Sunnydale, California
Grace Chen looked at the sign on the bar. Open from dusk till dawn... well, this was a wasted trip.
She looked around the area, noting the depressed buildings and surroundings. It was definitely a bad part of town.
Ok. I'll have to come back later then.
Detective Grace Chen walked away from the ragged old building, not noticing the eyes that followed her movement from behind the heavily shaded windows.
*****
Sunnydale Park
Sunnydale, California
"Why are we here?" Willow asked as she walked along with miss Calender and Tara.
Jenny looked around the natural expanse, taking a deep breath as she did. "If feels so good to breathe again. I love the air here in the park, it's been a few years."
"Oh... ummmm.." Willow blushed a little, not sure how to address the woman's 'death'.
"It's alright, Willow." Jenny smiled, "It wasn't unpleasant, being dead. I was told that I could move on... or I could help watch over you guys. So I stuck around."
"You did?" Willow asked in confusion.
"I did." Jenny said softly, "It's not easy, you know... Being a Guardian is frustrating work. You can only provide suggestions... support... and then, only if your charges will let you."
Willow and Tara watched as the older woman sighed, "You know, out of the bunch of you, Xander was the only one who ever listened. And he rarely believed what he was hearing."
"Xander?"
"There was this one night... all of you were pushing him out... trying to keep him safe. You know, he was really depressed for a while."
Willow thought about it, "The Apocalypse demons?"
Jenny nodded, "It took me hours of whispering to him, cajoling him, even threatening him to get him to pull it together enough to do what he had to."
"What? He stayed out of it that night."
Jenny smiled and shook her head.
"He... He didn't?"
"Since when does Xander ever stay out of anything?" Jenny laughed lightly, her face open and carefree. "That night he saved Faith first, then saved all of your lives with one stroke. And the world was the icing on the cake."
"W... world?" Tara asked hesitantly.
Jenny just smiled mysteriously and continued on her walk.
*****
Willy's Bar
Later
"Vampires?"
Jarod and Xander looked at each other in confusion as Andrezj stared chuckling over his drink. His laughter didn't sound disbelieveing.
"You're vampire hunters?"
"Among other... things."
That brought Konzaki up, "What other things?"
"First, why don't you explain your reaction." Xander said slowly.
"I ran into a vampire a few years ago. Nasty little bugger tried to have me for lunch. Took me a full drum from my Atchisson to kill the bugger... got lucky, too. The last eight rounds ripped his head off." Konzaki grimaced at the thought of how close that thing had gotten. "I searched for hunter groups to work with then, but the best I could find was a small group of street kids in LA. I supply them with weapons as I can, but its tough figuring out what kills the bloodsuckers."
Xander nodded, "We use these right now." And he rolled a bullet across the table.
Konzaki picked it up, eyeing the small round with a practiced glance. "What is this?"
"Magnesium Flare." Jarod said simply, "Uses a thermite fuse to ignite a few feet after it leaves the barrel of the gun."
"Nice craftsmanship. You do this?"
Jarod nodded.
"Why do you need me?"
"Jarod is a... generalist. He's damned good at a lot of things, but we need a specialist to keep things moving."
"You said that you hunt other things?"
Xander nodded, "Demons, various supernatural threats, some terrestrial threats, and occasional ET's."
"ET's?" Konzaki stuttered, a little shocked.
Xander smiled, "That's a long story... but there are other groups that handle that usually, so it's a minor problem for us."
"ET's?"
Xander chuckled, shaking his head. "I know... I know, tough to believe. But it's true, I swear."
Konzaki stared at Xander for along moment before he shook his own head, "If you say so kid."
The three men chuckled a little for a moment until a commotion at the bar distracted them.
Xander looked up, seeing a vampire accosting a woman. He undid his coat and slipped out a .45, holding up clear for the bar to see. A quiet sort of registered as the vampire glanced over and stared at him in shock. The vamp nodded once, and Xander smiled at him. Evilly.
*****
"Hey sweet cheeks, wanna come out with me? For a... bite?"
Detective Chen grimaced at the heavy handed pickup line, "Buzz off, creep." she turned away from him.
The vampire glared at her, a bare hint of yellow in his eyes. "Hey, bitch! I'm talking to you!"
Chen tensed, expecting the creep to try and grab her. When he didn't she looked at the sleaze and saw him staring over her shoulder at a table with three guys. One of them, a young kid it seemed, smiled at her in a friendly manner. She looked at him oddly before turning back to the creep.
"Hey... uhhh" he held up his hands, "Sorry, lady. I'll be going now."
Chen glanced back at the table, but the three men had turned away from her and were talking amongst themselves. What the hell?
*****
"What was that all about?" Konzaki demanded.
"We have a reputation among the local undead and demon population." Xander said, "I was reminding that vampire of the rules."
"Rules?"
"Willy's is a safe zone. Safest place in the town for a mortal. Now, anyway."
"How come?"
"Unofficial agreement of sorts. We don't mess with them here, and they have a place where they can buy blood without killing for it." Xander shrugged, "Its not much, but it keeps some of them off the streets every night... there are a few vampires who just want to live... not many, but some."
Konzaki shook his head, "I've heard rumors of a place like this..."
"Really?" Xander raised an eyebrow, "Where?"
"In LA... Some place supposedly called Caritas."
"Huh. Guess I'm not surprised... It's only logical. Even demons need a place to relax, I guess."
Konzaki nodded, "So this is what you've been so secretive about?" he grinned lightly.
Xander smiled ruefully, "Sorry, but most people..."
Andrezj waved him off, "I know. So... Does the offer still stand?"
Xander nodded, "If you want it."
Andy nodded, "You just hired yourself an Armorer."
"Cool." Xander grinned.
"Uh oh." Jarod said seriously.
"What?"
"New demon in town."
"So?"
"So, he probably doesn't know the rules."
The three men turned to watch the large bulking figure approach the slight Asian beauty at the bar.
"Shit." Xander and Konzaki said together.
*****
