Azrael could hear Tristan's breathing and heartbeat behind him, watching him train, but he ignored Faustus' right hand man. Tristan stood motionless as Azrael went through his katas, choosing not to interrupt just yet. Azrael wondered what he wanted, then figured that he would find out sooner or later. Might as well be on his own terms than Tristan's.
" How long do you plan on watching me?"
Tristan's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the blond vampire, and Azrael could fell the distrust coming from him in waves.
" I didn't want to interrupt,"
" You didn't strike me as the polite type," Azrael countered. Tristan shrugged a shoulder, taking a few slow steps into the chamber. " What brings you here?"
" I wanted to… parlay,"
Azrael's eyebrows rose. " I have no idea what that means. It's probably one of the things I don't do either ways, so I'm gonna say no,"
" Let me try again," Tristan replied, impatience gnawing at his mind.
" Be my guest,"
" I'm feeling rather… restless at the moment and I usually spend my free time sparring or training. But this place has a pitiful lack of resources and good sparring partners are rarer than a fifteen-year old virgin, so…"
" You came to me. I can't say I'm flattered,"
" Does it matter?"
" Yes, actually. You have a sword,"
Tristan looked down at his exposed sword-hilt and unhooked his belt and scabbard from his waist, letting it slide to the floor. He then pulled off his trenchcoat and spread his arms wide for Azrael to see.
" Satisfied?"
Tristan wore a pair of black jeans and a tight, long sleeved T-shirt. Azrael wore his usual black leather pants, but his jacket and muscle tee were discarded and piled in a corner.
" Not until you're dead,"
" Is that a threat?" Tristan arched an eyebrow, muscles bunching, readying for any sign of treachery from the vampire.
" Just a statement. Killing you would only make Faustus kill me, so I'll let you live a little while longer,"
" I can't say how grateful I am,"
" Then don't,"
With that, he launched himself forward at Tristan, gloved fist swinging for the man's jaw. Tristan's arm came up to ward of the blow and he sent an underhand punch of his own towards Azrael's ribs. The vampire had already started a follow up on his first attack and their knuckles met and clashed hard in mid-air.
They sprang apart, gauging and measuring each other. Both nodded, barely perceptible movements of the head and moved forward again, fists raised.
Azrael suddenly swiveled and sent his elbow crashing into Tristan's stomach. The man had just enough time to clench his stomach muscles and bear the brunt of the blow without having the breath blasted out of his lungs. Tristan responded by slamming his fist into the vampire's cheekbone before he could recover and bring up his guard again. Tristan felt it crack under his knuckles and he was surprised to see the vampire grin.
Moving apart, the blond touched his fingers to the rapidly healing fracture and rotated his shoulders, loosening the muscles there.
" Been a long time since someone hurt me," he commented, still grinning.
" Better get used to it then,"
And the clashed again with a flurry of fists and feet.
++++++
Kaine awoke with a groan and a wince of pain.
/Welcome back/
/What happened? Where am I?/
/You were severely injured during the foolhardy rescue last night. I told you not to go/
/Hush, Soveliss. I'm in enough pain as it is/
Kaine sat up gingerly, his arm clutching his bandaged stomach as if trying to keep his insides where they belonged. A blanket was draped over his body; only then did he realize he was completely nude except for his boots. Apparently no one had been able to take them off.
/You're at the Watcher Giles house/
/Remind me to thank him for his courtesy/
/He was just repaying a favor. You did rescue his Slayer/
/Tell me again? How did I bring her here?/
/You didn't/ the tone in Soveliss' voice was dry. /Faith and two of the men came in and got the both of you out/
/Remind me to thank them also/ Kaine replied, sliding to a sitting position. /Where's my skinsuit?/
/On the desk/ Soveliss pulsed. Kaine nodded absently, wrapped the blanket around his waist and padded over to the circular sheet of material. He frowned as he saw its condition. /It's undergoing repairs/ Soveliss noted helpfully.
Kaine deigned to answer and instead went about looking for his sword. He found his belt and his gloves on a chair, but there was no sign of the blade.
/Where are you?/
/Outside, in the living room. Right now, they're all wondering why my gem is glowing/ Soveliss said with a trace of amusement.
/I'd better go explain before they dismantle you/
Kaine wrapped the blanket tighter around his slim waist, grateful that there was a sheet at all. He'd suffered worse forms of hospitality in the three years he'd served. The door was slightly ajar and he could hear sounds of a discussion filtering from the living room. At least the tone this time was agreeable and rational.
/How are they faring?/ he asked his invisible companion.
/Whatever differences they had have been settled, or at least put aside for the time being. I don't think we'll see a replay of what happened two nights ago/
/Has it been two nights already?/
Time had moved so fast, one fight blurring into another, that he hadn't even realized that he was starving. He hadn't eaten in days.
/It's a wonder you manage to even stand up/
/How's Buffy?/ he asked suddenly.
/Still asleep. She'll be fine/
Kaine creaked open the door, and stepped slowly out. The conversation got clearer to his dulled senses, and he heard Xander's voice floating over to him.
" So we have a six thousand year old magic scroll, a massacre in the Bronze, a motherfuckin' lot of demons and about as many vampires. Have I missed anything?"
" Tristan,"
" Right, thanks, Gunn. So we have Tristan, who, as Spike tells us, is an ageless warrior dating back to the days of King Arthur. Am I right?"
Kaine had already walked out and saw the blonde vampire nod.
/Who is Tristan exactly?/
/One of the Knights of the Round Table/
/Who are they?/
/Wait, they're talking about you now/ Soveliss pointed out. Kaine returned his attention to the White Hats, still oblivious to his presence, and they were talking about him.
" And we also have a unknown stranger, who has a magic sword, and as far as anyone can say, is an elf,"
" I for one, doubt that," the half-demon called Doyle said. He was met by a chorus of agreement from Xander, Faith and Riley. Kaine decided to stay unnoticed for a while longer and listen.
" Why couldn't he be? He has the pointy ears," the redheaded witch countered.
" He could be Vulcan," Spike replied.
/Vulcan?/
/An obscure reference to a mythical race/
" I don't think he's an elf," Faith butted in. " I thought elves were supposed to be short and skinny. That guy was kinda tall and well-built by my standards,"
" But he has pointy ears! He's an elf!" the redhead persisted. Kaine walked forward, exposing himself to their view, wearing nothing but a blanket. On his shoulder were his belt and his gloves.
" They're right. I'm not an elf," he said as he strode in. Limped in more like it.
They started, jumped, whirled around in astonishment. Basically, they were caught off guard. Kaine quickly continued while he was still able to get a few words in.
" I'm half-elf,"
++++++
" Well, well, isn't this just yummy,"
Azrael and Tristan broke apart, turning to see a shirtless Azhael leaning against the wall. His thinly muscled body was we with sweat and a few drops of barely dried blood was still visible. Azrael could smell the spiky-haired vampire's earlier activities and his nostrils flared involuntarily.
" Two sweating, buff, men. It makes me shiver just to think about it," Azhael continued, strolling into the chamber. He seemed unperturbed by the glare Tristan had trained on him, focussing instead on the blond-haired Azrael. " Are you up to no good, oh wayward childe of mine?"
Tristan was mildly surprised to find that Azhael had sired the much more menacing Azrael. But then, Azhael looked and acted more cruelly, not to mention having much more sadistic sexual tendencies. But as usual, neither of his emotions showed on his face and he merely kept his unblinking gaze on the two contrasting vampires.
Azrael seemed like a Greek God, maybe Hercules or Aries, with his burly chest and blond locks. Muscles rippled with every move, his face was chiseled and handsome, his eyes a sky-blue.
Azhael however, had the look of a perfectly gory axe-murderer, without the axe. His canines were naturally long and his sharp piercing gaze accompanied the feral grin the way butter accompanies bread. His face was lean, with a pointed chin, his eyes narrow and darkly gleaming always with an inner fire.
" Are you running around behind my back?" the red-haired vampire continued, one hand coming up to stroke Azrael's smooth cheek. The other vampire kept completely motionless, his eyes betraying nothing. It was like he was willing himself not to be distracted by waves of lust and desire that emanated from Azhael and it looked like he was failing miserably.
Azrael was taller and he looked down on his sire with an impassive gaze. But slowly, his body started to respond, moving closer, his hand rising to rest on Azhael's hip.
Now Tristan knew why the Angel of Lust had been so chosen and named.
" I sincerely hope not, because I would be very disappointed in you indeed," Azhael continued. Tristan took a step back, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. Even he found it hard to resist Azhael's sexual come-ons.
Then Azrael's head lowered his lips brushing his sire's gently, slightly. Tristan found himself wincing at the sight, absurdly glad to know that he was still strictly straight. And still strictly homophobic.
The kiss grew and Tristan was soon looking for a way out, momentarily losing his composure. He was uncomfortably aware of the growing bulges in both vampires' pants and even more so of the one in his own crotch.
Cold, dead hands were beginning to wander, up and down naked, sweating upper bodies. As if by an unseen command, their hands never strayed below the belt, never went any lower than the waist. Then a new voice came in, and Tristan was so aware of his discomfort that he had lost his attention on his surroundings.
" What do we have here? Three half-naked men, all sweating an ready. For me? I'd like to think so," Ariel said, smirking slightly.
++++++
Tristan had quickly extricated himself from the chamber, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. No matter how long he lived, old habits died hard. So intent was he on getting away that he didn't even notice Sophiel and Lucifer until he nearly collided into them, turning a corner.
" Watch where you're going," he growled, brushing past the barrel-chested male vampire. Sophiel shot him a cheeky grin, though he couldn't see it.
" What's wrong, caught Azhael and his childe going hard at it?"
He heard her voice well enough and it hit him like a thunderbolt. He whirled around glaring suspiciously at her, noticing her lack of garments on the lower half of the body. He wondered then, if all vampires went around half-naked and fucking each other senseless all the time.
No wonder they were such fucking losers.
" I could smell the nervousness and tension coming from you like a week-old sock. You not used to gay couples?" Sophiel continued.
" Now, girl, don't tease our glorious leader. He has plans to think up," Lucifer interrupted gently, the contempt clear in his voice. Something in Tristan snapped, tension from Faustus, from working with fucking vampires, from walking around underground all the fucking time. He was a warrior for Chrissakes! He was supposed to walk in the dun, not trudge around underground like a mole!
He shot forward and had Lucifer by the throat and pinned to the wall in an eye blink. It didn't even matter that vampires didn't have to blink, neither of them even saw Tristan shift a muscle. But he had a forearm pressed to Lucifer's thick throat and another one on his sword hilt and that was what mattered.
" I hear that tone of voice again and you're fucking dust," he snarled, for once, letting his emotions free. " That includes your whole fucking family, starting with the blonde bimbo here,"
Sophiel hissed at him, but a sharp glare had her cowering backwards, terrified.
" Now, now Tristan, me and Sophiel here merely wanted to talk business with you," Lucifer said placatingly, not the least bit scared. Actually, he was almost pissing his pants but for the fact he couldn't piss. " You know, just in case this deal with Faustus goes sour,"
" That only happens if I don't get the Slayers. You don't think I can get the Slayers?"
To answer and affirmative would be to confirm all your worst nightmares.
" No, no," Lucifer replied, with a confidence he didn't feel. " But something else might foul up. The ritual, the friends might interrupt, someone might kill Faustus. Of mice and men, my friend,"
" Don't quote stupid literature. But I'm interested. So talk,"
" Aren't you going to let me go?"
" No,"
" Very well then. Well, this is what I had in mind…"
++++++
" Fuck!"
" I know baby, but we got stuff to deal with first, okay?" Azhael responded.
" Not that," Ariel shot back. " Lucifer's got Tristan listening,"
" Now that's a wrench in our plans. But not to worry, Tristan is unimportant. As long as we have our dear sire out of the way and his blonde bitch too,"
" Not a problem. The fucking bull-dyke is mine," Ariel snarled vengefully. Azhael stroked her jaw lovingly, smiling his trademark feral grin.
" That's my girl," he praised, licking his lips. " Now, my wayward childe, will you deal with the Slayers?"
" Have you chosen one yet?" came the steady reply, despite the fact the blond was on the floor, the red-haired sire straddling his chest. The fact that Azhael was completely nude was also beside the point.
" Azrael, there are better things for you to do with that mouth of your than talk, you know,' Azhael chided mockingly, then uttered a sigh as his childe followed his advice. " Yes, I have, in fact. The brunette, the new one. The line continues to her and I want there to be three Slayers when I make my move,"
" Three's a charm," Ariel commented, wrapping her arms around Azhael's chest, her legs straddling his own. She slowly pulled him out of Azrael's mouth and impaled herself on his prodigiously sized cock, groaning as her pussy was filled to the max.
" I can't agree more," Azhael replied, smiling again.
Then the fun started for real.
++++++
" Umm, excuse me?" Faith stood and closed down on the stranger, staring at him with scrutinizing eyes. He merely looked back, a small smile playing on his lips, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. " You're what?"
" I thought Slayers had enhanced hearing," he noted offhandedly, pulling the blanket up higher. The close proximity of the buxom young brunette had stirred a reaction in him he had quite forgotten about. Still, he showed no sign of discomfort, instead letting the devastating charm of his smile out in full force.
It didn't work on Faith, apparently. " You're a half-elf?"
" Yes, why?" Kaine said, cocking his head to the left.
" Elves don't exist. They're stupid idiots out of fantasy books for people who're out of touch with reality," she protested.
" They're not stupid, Faith. Just fickle," Willow pointed out, eyes locked on the mysterious half-elf. Apparently she was affected by his smile.
" Fickle! We are not fickle!" Kaine replied, in a faintly injured tone. " Flighty and unpredictable maybe, but not fickle. And I assure you, young lady, that elves are real,"
" Maybe where you came from," Faith retorted, jabbing a finger into Kaine's chest. Hard.
He winced and shrugged the point away, as if conceding defeat. Xander then raised a very interesting question.
" Where are you from anyway?"
" It's a rather long story. Do any of you mind?" the half-elf answered. Seeing no objection, he took a deep breath and began. " There are more worlds than one, as I'm sure some of you are aware. Alternate realities, parallel dimensions, different universes, all these are part of one great cosmic plan of incredible proportions. Who designed it? I don't know. Who controls it? I don't know either,"
He hitched up the blanket, limping over to an empty chair. " I am from another universe, a different world, a completely different reality. There are hundreds of such different worlds, and each world has hundred of different alternate universes. Travel from one world to another, or one alternate universe to another it quite possible, if you have the means to do so,"
He waved to his sword. " That's my mode of transport. It, as some of you already suspect, is magical. It creates portals for me, so I can easily jump from one world to another,"
" That's all very great, but that doesn't explain why you're here," Xander interrupted.
" You didn't say you wanted one," Kaine said. " But I'll tell you anyway. Although each world is different, they all have one event in common. The calling of the Slayers. They all happened at approximately the same time, though the results were slightly different. Where I come from, the Slayer was male, and so were the others that came after. I am a Slayer,"
" But Slayers don't go jumping around into parallel dimensions!" Faith interrupted.
" You've been listening, I'm impressed," Kaine remarked, grinning at Faith's glower. " Well, several centuries ago, demons and vampires alike decided to forget secrecy and take over our world. They failed. Since then, the mortals have grown aware of demons and undead and such, and all know the rudimentaries of battling such creatures. So the Slayer became sorta redundant. Instead of taking away the Slayer's responsibilities, the wizards decided instead to heap a greater burden on his shoulders,"
Kaine paused, for dramatic effect as much as to take a deep breath. " They became Planeswalkers, travelers of the worlds, the defenders and their protectors,"
There was silence in the room, as everyone processed the information that had been thrown at them. Then Willow spoke up, her voice timid.
" It must have been very powerful magic, to do something like that,"
Kaine grinned at her and nodded. " It was. Wizards from my world are very powerful,"
" I'd like to meet them someday," the redhead then said, in a rather wistful voice.
" I'm afraid they'd just regard you as gutter trash unworthy of their attention. It seems that the power they have hasn't done much for their social skills," Kaine put her down, as gently as he could. It helped that he meant what he said.
" Can you do magic?" Tara voiced out, unexpectedly. She seemed surprised by her sudden boldness and blushed.
" A bit,"
" Excuse me, can we finish twenty questions and get down to the business at hand? What do we do about Tristan?" Xander interjected, slightly annoyed. Kaine cleared his throat politely, to get his attention.
" Actually, Tristan isn't the big cheese. Faustus is,"
" Who's Faustus?"
" I would tell you, but I feel kinda stupid wearing nothing but a blanket and boots," Kaine shot back, grinning cheekily.
++++++
Tristan's stride was always brisk and businesslike, movements economized and smooth. There was no change in his gait, despite his knowledge of Faustus' rapidly souring mood and the fact that he was late.
" You're late," Faustus snapped as he entered the radius of light that encircled Faustus. If only Tristan could bask in sunlight wherever he went; he wouldn't need to feel his way around the fucking dark all the time. Tristan didn't reply, stopping a few feet away from the lich and impaling him with his impassive gaze. " I want you to get me the Slayers, all three of them, tonight. And I want all their friends dead, so no one comes to rescue them. Understand?"
" I only have six Ravagers left," he reminded softly. Faustus nostrils flared and he surged to his feet, pounding his fists on the stone armrests of his throne. Tristan waited, unperturbed.
Faustus waved to a minion, waiting by the entrance of an adjoining chamber. The vampire turned inside, disappeared. He came back out, accompanied by the sound of several stamping feet. Tristan judged whoever it was behind the minion to be very big people. He just hoped they weren't completely useless.
By the looks of them, they weren't.
Huge, about seven feet on average. There were ten of them, hulking green brutes. Their faces were slightly apish, tusks jutting upwards from the protruding lower jaw. They were covered by a wrinkly green skin, tough and leathery by the looks of it. Their hair was a bright orange and thick mat of fur covered their chests and backs. No armor on them, the only form of clothing were flimsy loincloths. They all carried huge greataxes, muscles rippling as they bounced the hafts up and down on an open palm.
Tristan wondered from which primitive jungle world Faustus had gotten these creatures from.
" Orcs. Powerful, strong and tireless," Faustus said, without his usual flamboyant tone. " They can stand up to a Slayer, and more. Do not fail me this time, Tristan,"
Faustus sat back down, obviously meaning the conversation over. But Tristan had other doubts. " How do I know they can face a Slayer?"
Faustus stared hard at him, face pinched in fury. It only made him look uglier. " The world they came from, has not had a Slayer that can survive for two weeks in two millennia," he snarled, voice dreadfully quiet. " I think that's how you know,"
Tristan decided not to press the point. With a stiff nod, he turned and walked from the chamber, the orcs loyally- stupidly- following his lead.
++++++
Kaine admired himself in a mirror, dressed in Gunn and Xander's spare clothes. A hooded sweatshirt, dark blue and a pair of baggy black jeans. His belt was tucked underneath the sweatshirt, his gloves and boots remaining.
" You don't look half bad," said a voice from behind him. He turned to see Buffy leaning on he doorjamb, obviously just woken up. She smiled at him, then blushed. " I guess I should thank you for saving me,"
Kaine awarded her with a winning smile and tugged a forelock at her. " It was my pleasure, not to mention my duty,"
" Yeah, the guys filled me in. Kinda cool, half-elf and all that," she remarked, still blushing. Kaine nodded, shrugged, then waved it away.
" Come on, we still have a lot of work to do before we can fully engage ourselves in pleasantries. First on the list: Food!"
" I second that," Buffy said, grinning at the young warrior's indomitable cheer.
" Then I beg you lead the way, fair lady, for I am starving,"
" Does everyone talk like that where you come from?"
" Only the ones who have class, I'm afraid," Kaine replied, in a mock rueful tone. He dabbed the corners of his mouth with his sleeve, like some fop with dubious sexual tendencies, drawing a laugh from Buffy. He chuckled then dropped the act, turning suddenly serious. " How are you doing, Buffy?"
" I'm fine, Slayer healing and all that,"
" No, I didn't mean that. I mean are you and Xander fine? More importantly, you and Faith?"
The blonde Slayer looked down, fidgeting. " I haven't really talked to them yet. It was Wills that did most of the explaining,"
" You should do it soon, before it's too late,"
" Don't I know it. But it's hard," she admitted.
" What isn't?"
++++++
" Right, I'm going out for a walk. Maybe get a drink," Spike announced, heaving himself up from the floor, where he had been sprawled for most of the day. Now that sun had set, he was free to… do whatever it was he did in his spare time.
" I second that motion, since it involves copious amounts of alcohol," Doyle said, getting up as well. " Anyway, what else would be better than talking to my good friend Spike, eh?" he continued, clapping a hand on the vampire's shoulder.
" Touch me again and you'll be drinking through a straw the rest of your miserable life," Spike warned, eyes gleaming dangerously. " Worse yet, I'll be drinking you through a straw,"
" Come now, Spike, no need to get rough. Chip remember? You'll just be hurting yourself,"
Spike's reply was a quick jab to Doyle's nose, catching the Irishman off guard. He howled in pain, and the others howled in laughter. Surprisingly, Spike had no other reaction except for a thin smile. " Half-demon remember? Doesn't work," he said, patting the back of Doyle's head.
" Tell me again why you haven't staked him," Doyle said, voice muffled by the hands that covered his mouth and nose.
" We're fully human?" Xander hazarded, causing a fresh fit of laughing to explode from the others. Dannielle suddenly rose, then stalked to the kitchen. Eyes followed her, though none more closely than Faith, who lay cuddled up in Xander's arms. A slight smile appeared on her lips, gone as quick as it came. None but Spike noticed and he groaned inwardly.
Trouble on the horizon, he told himself.
" What's up with her? That time of the month?" Xander asked, still in a rather humorous mood. Gunn however, knew as well as Spike what the matter really was, and he only answered with a frown. " What? Was it something I said?" Xander said defensively.
" It's nothing, man. You wouldn't understand," Gunn brushed him off. Though he directed his words to Xander, his eyes were locked on Faith's. the Slayer met the gaze challengingly for the first few seconds, but then she looked away, rather guiltily.
++++++
Tristan watched as the half-demon walked out of the apartment, followed closely by Spike. He signaled to the Ravagers behind him and two of them peeled away to tail the duo. Another signal, and the orcs detached themselves from the main group, circling to the building's rear. That left Tristan with four Ravagers, much more than he wanted.
Then the third Slayer walked out, turning round the corner and disappearing. A few minutes later, the young black man followed suit, obviously trying to catch up to the Slayer. Another signal, and the four Ravagers were on their way.
Tristan waited, watching at the inhabitants of the apartment, waiting for their moment of weakness. Abruptly, there was a presence by his side and he turned to see Azrael crouching by his side.
" What are you doing here?" he hissed angrily.
" I want the Slayer. I want to fight her," the vampire replied, undisturbed by Tristan's livid expression. His face was one of concentration, a man with a mission. His main pleasure in life was battle and seeing Faith fight last night was enough to convince him that he'd found a worthy opponent. It would be the fight of his life, if he only got the chance to engage her.
" Which one?"
" Faith, the brunette,"
Tristan shook his head. " No can do. She's in the house, you can't get in without an invitation. Follow the Ravagers, take on Dannielle instead," he said, waving at the direction the third Slayer had been heading.
" No!" Azrael argued, fists clenched in fury. " I want Faith!"
Tristan marveled at how much like a petulant child the blond vampire resembled. " And I say you can't have her now. If you can't face Dannielle, then trust me, you can't take Faith,"
Azrael was unconvinced, but nodded. Faith had to come later. Silently, he melted away into the shadows and Tristan forgot about him immediately. He turned back to the apartment and waited.
Just a little while longer.
++++++
Riley kept an intent stare at the sword, Soveliss, as Kaine had named it. The lapis lazuli embedded in the tear-shaped crosspiece glowed with an inner blue light every once in a while, although the blade itself remained cold and normal. Kaine had implied that the sword was magical, and Riley knew enough about witchcraft to decide that such a sword could be crafted. What he wanted to know, was how and why.
" How do you manage to stay on your feet, man?"
Riley looked away from the sword, training his gaze instead on Xander and shrugged nonchalantly. " I've had training," he deadpanned.
His head was still wrapped up, the injuries he acquired still not yet healed. But he stood rigid in the center of the room, holding the heavy sword easily in one hand.
" I think that was an insult," Faith chuckled. " Feel slighted, Xander, and pick a fight,"
" The last time I picked a fight, I ended up with a concussion. I remember that you had something to do with it,"
" It's not my fault you didn't bother to check that he was a demon first," Faith glibly replied. " Besides, he impugned my honor,"
" Did you even use that in the right context?" Xander returned in a slightly mocking voice.
" She did actually," Giles butted in, bringing in a pot of tea and several small cups.
" Giles, you forgot the crumpets!" Faith and Xander chorused, breaking down into laughter once more. Giles looked at the duo, slightly amused. It gladdened him to see both of them so joyful, able to keep up their good spirits even at a time like this. Especially when you compared them to the rather angst-ridden teenagers they once were.
" So I did," the Watcher said, joining in the festivities. It didn't hurt to let loose with the humor once in a while. He glanced at Riley, who met his eyes and shrugged, in an indulgent manner.
" Shouldn't you get some rest?" he asked, pouring a cup of tea.
" Shouldn't you?" Riley replied, placing the sword on the table and settling himself into the sofa. Giles shrugged and raised his cup of tea before taking a sip.
" Giles, where are your manners? You didn't offer us any tea," Xander admonished, sitting up on the floor.
" I didn't think you'd wanted any,"
" That's beside the point. You're supposed to ask either way,"
" Very well," Giles was still unconvinced whether Xander's attitude was merely play or not. Seeing Faith's impudent grin, from behind Xander, he relaxed. " Would you like a cup of tea, Xander?"
" No, thank you, but thanks for asking anyway, Giles, ol' chap,"
Faith and Xander collapsed into laughter- and each other's arms- yet again. Giles shook his head resignedly and raised his cup to his lips for a sip. He never got the chance as a huge boom rocked the apartment on its foundations.