THE HUNTERS
Author: MeB (aka XanWill4Ever)
Email: lenoxfiles@hotmail.com
Spoiler: None. This is after Season 6, and Buffy finds a load of books that
Jonathan had written. A series called the Hunters, and everyone Buffy knew
was in it. Jonathan had seen the movie Stargate, and then he wrote-The
Hunters. Jonathan's story is in-between the (TH).
Pairing: Another mad attempt to keep Xander and Willow together. Even
Jonathan saw it.
Summary: I am bored and my mind has stopped working. So I took some of my
old stories written in 1995 and added characters from Buffy for the list. I
hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: All characters of Buffy tVS are the property of Joss. The idea
of Stargate is not mine.
Rating - PG-13
Author's Note: NHA may archive. Anyone else is free to do so as well, just
let me know. Thank you.
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"So how do you like being friends with Spike?"
Xander shot a look at Anya. "Let's get clear on something that should be painfully obvious to everyone who knows me.I'm not friends with Spike. I'll never be friends with Spike. For you to even ask a question like that is-"
"Hey," Anya said defensively, raising the book in her hand to show Xander, "I meant about the story. How do you feel about being friends with Spike in the story? I know how you feel. It's all over your face, every time I see you. You have this Xander-hates-Spike-and-Anya face and it seems to be a permanent look these days."
"Yeah, well.yeah, I can admit. I'm a member of the 'I Hate Spike Club', but." Xander stopped and he let out a sigh. "Look, Anya, I don't hate you. Okay."
Anya paused. "You don't? Really?"
He nodded. "Really."
"Oh. Well, that's good to know. And just for the record, I don't hate you either." She looked at him. "You still haven't answered my question."
Xander looked at her. "What?"
"How do you feel about being friends with Spike in the story?"
Xander just looked at her.
Dawn and Buffy returned to the porch with a tray of drinks and sandwiches. They set the trays within easy reach and gathered around for Anya to read the next chapter in Jonathan Levenson's "The Hunters."
"So read on, girl," Dawn said enthusiastically.
Anya nodded. "I will, but I have to warn you, this is a little different."
"You've already read it?" Buffy demanded.
"Well, I have to get into the story in order to read it effectively. A good reader must know the characters well because then feelings can be put into it. I want to make you feel like you're there."
"You're reading a chapter, Anya, not auditioning for a part in a play."
"Or a movie," Dawn added.
"And what do you mean, different?" Buffy asked.
"Well," Anya began, "it seems that in this chapter, Spike is having what is known as the 'flashback syndrome', so that while he is really in Allentown, he's recalling another time when Xander confided his suspicions about Jon Levon."
"Oooh, a chapter about me," Xander said with a grin.
"And Spike."
"I'm really gonna have to talk to Jonathan about this if we ever meet again."
"Well, in this flashback-"
"Anya, just read!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Okay. Relax. I'm reading." Anya opened the book and found her place in it. Then, she began to read.
___________________
(TH) Chapter Four-Renegade
Giles, Willy, and Angel were in serious trouble. Captured by the Justice Department, they were on their way to a secret base where they would be heavily interrogated. Spike had witnessed their capture. To avoid capture himself, he had remained hidden from view. He was outgunned and outnumbered, and if he was also captured, then all would be lost. He looked for an opportunity to act as he wondered what had become of Jon Levon.
From his place of cover, he saw his fellow Hunters placed inside the armored van like hardened criminals, and he realized that time was running out. He had to stop that van. As he worked out a plan in his mind, something else came to him.A memory.
A memory from years ago when Levon had first joined the Hunters. Spike remembered a conversation he had with Xander concerning the loyalty of Jon Levon. (TH)
_________________
"Okay, so here's what I was talking about," Anya began, attempting to fully explain the concept of a flashback. "Spike is still there in Allentown, but now the story goes into his past where-"
Anya!" Xander, Dawn, and Buffy exclaimed simultaneously.
"We know what a flashback is," Buffy told her. "Are you going to stop to explain every detail you read? Or are we going to get to the end of the chapter today?"
"I'm trying to set the mood," Anya explained.
"The mood is set, but you're disrupting it."
Xander shook his head. "Just read the story, An. Forget the theatrics."
Anya pouted. "The theatrics are the best part."
He grinned. "Just read."
Anya sighed. "Okay." She resumed where she left off.
__________________
(TH)"I don't trust him," Xander declared angrily as he punched the heavy- weight bag, which Spike held in place. "Not since I saw his file." Xander punched the bag again. "And not since I first laid eyes on him."
The two men were in the gym at the Hunters Hardsite. In the earlier years, the Hardsite was located in Vermont.
Spike grinned at his friend.(TH)
___________________
Xander shook his head. "I've got to have a long serious talk with Jonathan about that."
Dawn shushed him.
"Do you want me to read?" Anya asked as she looked at Xander. "Or are you gonna bitch and moan every time I read about you and Spike being friends?"
Xander held up his hands. "Sorry."
Anya looked at the book, and then she pretended to read. "Spike and Xander were such good friends that no one ever truly suspected what went on with them behind closed doors."
"Excuse me?" Xander demanded sharply.
Buffy grinned at Dawn. "Something's cooking now." Then, she frowned. "Hey, wait.Anya, is that really in there, 'cause if it is, don't read it in front of Dawn."
Dawn looked at Anya eagerly. "Anya.Read!"
Anya tried to hide her mischievous smile. "No one knew what they were truly like. No one would have believed it to be so, but it was. Their friendship went deeper than any ocean. It was a love that couldn't be broken, consummated by-"
"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! YOU'RE MAKING THIS BLOODY CHIP IN MY HEAD THROB LIKE BLOODY HELL!!"
Anya looked at Xander. Xander looked at Anya. Buffy and Dawn looked at them, and then at each other.
"Who the hell said that?" Xander wanted to know. "'Cause that sounded like Spike." He pointed at Anya. "And you STOP reading like that!"
The sun had gone down some time ago and Spike had climbed silently on top of the porch roof to listen in on the story reading. He was getting into the story in spite of all the voices in his head, but this drivel Anya was reading at the present was too much for him. He came off the rooftop and looked at the gang.
His eyes went to Anya. "That's.that's not really in there.about me and the- the soldier boy, is it?"
Xander sighed. "Stop calling me 'boy'!"
Anya laughed. "No. It's not. I just like yanking the 'boy's' chain."
Xander shot her a look.
"Well, then, can I listen in with you?" Spike looked like a kid who wanted to join in on the activities with the other kids. "I promise to behave, and-and we won't bother anyone."
"We?" Dawn inquired.
Buffy looked at her. "He has his soul back, remember? Now he's never alone.which could really be a drag I suppose. But, he was willing to take on that worm thingie.which could have been avoided altogether if Anya hadn't turned the guy into a worm."
Anya rolled her eyes.
Buffy waved Spike over. "C'mon, Spike. This chapter is about you anyway."
Spike joined them. They all filled him in on the previous chapters, and even Xander helped him catch up.
Then, Anya continued.
_________________
(TH)Spike grinned at his friend. (Spike and Xander glanced at each other as Anya read.) "C'mon, Xander," he joked. "You're really upset with him because he made a pass at Willow."
Xander punched the bag so hard that it took Spike by surprise. He nearly stumbled. He looked at Xander and was even more surprised by the anger in the man's eyes.
Xander looked at him. "I'm telling you, Spike. This isn't about Willow. But you're right. I don't want the son-of-a-bitch near her. I don't trust him. There's something wrong with his file to begin with. Some things about him just don't add up.as if there's something in his past that he wants to keep covered."
Spike paused. "Like what?"
"There's nothing in the files about a wife, for example. No mention of him being married at all."
Spike chuckled. "And that surprises you?"
Xander nodded. "Yeah, it does. It does surprise me, because I've run into a few friends who were stationed at Panama at the same time he was. You know what they told me?"
"What?"
"They say that Levon married his wife in Panama. They also told me he was married to her for over a year, but then, one day, the wife disappears. A week later, Levon goes on trial. The trial lasted a few months, and whatever charges there were against him were abruptly dismissed."
Spike frowned. "What were the charges about? Did they think he had something to do with the disappearance of his wife?"
"No. The trial wasn't even about his wife."
"Then.what the hell was it about?"
Xander looked at him. "Jon Levon was on trial for aiding an international spy."
From that point on, Spike disliked Levon immensely.
Xander had asked him not to discuss their conversation with anyone, and Spike had agreed. To that day, Spike hadn't breathed a word of it. He looked up to Xander. No, he didn't worship the ground he walked on, ("That's a bloody relief," Spike said under his breath as Anya continued to read. Xander shot him a look.) but Spike was grateful to Xander because the man had helped him when no one else would.
Before Spike had become a Hunter, he had been a wrestler trying to make it in the professional league. Unfortunately, he was framed for a murder he didn't commit and his career had been forced to a halt. Xander had been there, however, and he had helped clear Spike's name, but it had been too late to salvage his career. Xander had then offered Spike the opportunity to become a Hunter. (TH)
__________________
"I was a wrestler," Spike said proudly. Then, he looked up at someone only he could see and pouted. "I was, too! Didn't you just hear what Anya read?"
Dawn, Buffy, Anya, and Xander looked to where Spike was looking, but there was no one there.
"I was a great wrestler, you know.I was going places, I was."
"Spike, you'll be going somewhere if you don't shut up," Xander promised.
Spike looked at him. "Oh. Sorry." He glared at empty space threateningly and waved a warning finger.
Anya continued to read.
__________________
(TH) Spike had taken a little "leave" time with Devon "Ace" MacLeish. They both enjoyed wrestling, so they had gone to the city to watch it live. When they had returned to the Hardsite, they had found nothing but trouble. The Hardsite had been put on a Full Alert status. They had been rushed to the briefing room without any explanation as to what the alert was all about.
There they waited.
A Full Alert was only used during an emergency. As far as Spike knew, only two events would cause such an alert. One was Armageddon-End Of The World. The second was invasion. He had never thought there would be a third event.
Renegade!
They weren't in the room longer than two minutes when the door swung open and slammed against the wall. Jon Levon stormed in and he wore a smug expression that Spike wanted to rip off his face.
Was that son-of-a-bitch gloating? Spike wondered. "What the bloody hell is going on here?" he wanted to know.
"What's going on?" Levon replied, almost bouncing on his feet in triumph. "Haven't you heard? We're going hunting!"
Shiva glared at him. "What's with the Full Alert, Levon? Quit playing bloody games and just tell us what's happening!"
"We're hunting for a wolf that's left the pack. And guess what? Our orders are to 'shoot to kill' and I sincerely hope I get him in my sights first 'cause I've been waiting for this day since I got here!"
Devon snorted. "Yeah? Well, who are we hunting?"
Levon raised his hands and laughed. "Xander! We're hunting Xander!"
"What? Did I just hear you right?"
"You heard me." Levon was looking at Spike. "So what do you think of your hero now, Spikey. He's been classified as a Renegade and we have been ordered to go after him." He took a step closer and lowered his voice. "But, well.you see, the thing you have to know is this. Our orders are very, very clear. We're not to bring him in alive. We're to terminate him with extreme prejudice." He grinned. "Now that's heavy, isn't it?"
"I know something heavier," Spike growled.
Levon chuckled. "Oh, yeah? What could possibly be heavier than that?"
"This." Spike drove his fist into Levon's face.
Spike was so furious that it took three men to pull him off from Levon. Devon, Willy, and Fritz were the three who had struggled to pull Spike away from Levon. As they pulled him away, Levon recovered from the attack and he prepared to launch his own attack, but before he could make a move he soon discovered two people who were standing in his way.
Rupert Giles, and Willow Rosenberg.
"You will cease this at once!" Giles roared in anger. "Both of you! Don't make this any harder than it already is!"
Silence filled the room.
Spike was the first to break that silence. "What's going on, Chief? What the bloody hell is this malarkey about Xander turning renegade on us?"
Giles let out a weary sigh. "S-sit down, Spike. This isn't easy.for any of us."
"No. No, I don't want to sit down until I get a straight answer." He looked at the only person in the room who would give him that answer.
Willow.
She hesitated. "Well.Spike, Xander was enjoying his vacation in Florida, at-"
"I know," Spike snapped. "He went to a wedding. He was the best man."
"Well, yes. There was something else going on at the same time the wedding took place. A man named Costanzo-a high ranking member of the Columbian Cartel-escaped from custody. Xander's friend was the man whom had captured Costanzo, so when he escaped."
"He went after Xander's friend and killed him."
She nodded. "Yes. The Cartel killed him, and his new bride."
Spike stared at her. Then, he turned to Giles. "Wait a damned minute here. I see what's happening! Xander is going after the bloody Cartel, isn't he? He's going after this Costanzo!"
Giles nodded.
"Shouldn't we be helping him?"
Giles frowned and let out another weary sigh. "Spike, it-it's not that simple. Xander is out of control. He's turned Miami in-into his own personal killing ground. Do you have any idea what the body count is now?"
Spike stared. "There's a body count?" (TH)
_______________
At the same time Anya read what the character said, Spike said at the same time, "There's a body count?"
Xander grinned. "Hey, I'm finally getting to kick some ass."
"You can do that?" Spike asked seriously. "Aren't you just a janitor?"
He sighed. "I'm a contractor with a crew, and that makes me a foreman. A damned good one, too, let me clue you."
"He is," Buffy confirmed. "But shut up you two. I want to know about this body count."
Anya read.
_______________
(TH) Spike stared. "There's a body count?"
"Fifty-eight," Giles told him.
Spike's mouth dropped open in surprise. "What?"
"That's right. Fifty-eight. About eleven of them were important members of the Cartel. The-the rest were just thugs." He shrugged. "Okay. So it's true that Xander has single handedly taken out a lot of-of trash, but I received a phone call from the President who told me that ten years of undercover work and intelligence on the part of the Justice Department have just gone up in smoke. Un-unfortunately, we cannot allow Xander to continue and we have been ordered to stop him. Period."
Spike shook his head. "By terminating him?"
"It's the only way."
"The only way?! We can--!!"
"We can what?!" Giles snapped angrily. "Talk to him? Everyone in this room knows he won't listen!" He paused, trying to reign in his anger. "You, Jon, and Fritz will be flown to Miami. Devon will fly you there, and Willy will go to coordinate the mission and make certain you carry out your orders. Is that clear to all of you?"
Everyone nodded, except for Spike and Willow.
"Then, enough talk," Giles snapped. "Get out there and get it done. And make it fast." With that, Giles abruptly turned and stormed out of the room.
Devon broke the uncomfortable silence that followed. "I, uh, I'll go warm up the chopper."
"I'll, uh." Fritz cleared his throat, "go with you."
They rushed out of the room.
Willow and Spike looked at each other.
Willy noticed the look and he turned to Levon. "Let's go, tough guy."
Levon nodded. "I'll be along in a minute, Crazy Man."
Willy glared menacingly at Levon, and in a soft tone that spoke volumes, he said, "You'll be along now or you'll be carried out."
Levon looked at him. Without another word, he left the room, and Willy followed behind.
When Spike and Willow were alone, Spike shook his head. "I won't kill him, Red. You have to know that."
Willow nodded as she swallowed a lump in her throat. "I-I know, Spike," she said softly.
He frowned. "Well, damn it! Where the bloody hell is Riley?"
"He's already in Miami with Angel, Jesse, and Oz."
Spike shook his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable! That's nearly all of us, Red. This really is big, isn't it?"
She nodded.
He frowned. "Willow.I can't believe that Riley would follow those orders and kill his best friend. I don't believe Jesse would do it either."
Willow didn't say anything.
Spike hesitated. "Red, you don't think they'll do it, do you?"
She let out a sigh and shook her head. "I-I really don't know, Spike. I only know that if Riley does, I'll hate him for the rest of my life."
Spike paused in thought. Finally, in frustration, he exclaimed, "This is insane! No one is going to kill Xander! Riley wouldn't do it! The only bastard who wants Xander dead is Levon, and I swear to you, I'll kill him first before he gets to Xander."
"Just be careful, Spike."
"I will." Spike headed for the door with determination in his stride.
"Spike?"
In the doorway, he stopped, turned to look at her and waited.
Willow crossed her arms in front of her and pursed her lips as tears formed in her eyes. "If you can find a way.if it's at all possible.please, bring him back to me?"
Spike didn't even hesitate. "Red, you can count on it." He turned and left the room. As he headed for the chopper, he vowed that if a Hunter had to die before this was over, it wouldn't be Xander Harris.
It would be Jon Levon.(TH)
____________________
Anya sniffed. "Oh, my.I need a break."
Buffy wiped at her tears. "Me, too."
"Yeah," Dawn said, trying to keep her own tears hidden. "Let's get us some snacks or something."
The three girls got up and disappeared into the house, leaving Xander and Spike on the porch. They glanced at each other.
"What was that all about?" Xander asked innocently.
Spike snorted. "Beats me. Girls can be so sensitive, you know?"
Xander nodded. "I know."
Silence passed between them.
"I mean, it's just a story, right?"
Xander agreed. "Yeah. That's all it is."
More silence.
Spike looked away and sniffed. "It is deep, though, isn't it?"
Xander sighed. "Oh, boy."
Spike put his head in his hands and cried. "It's poetic, really. In a way, it's like its own form of poetry. Every poem tells a story, you know, and this isn't any different, except.except there's no rhyming to it, you know? But for Jonathan Levenson to write this, he was writing from his heart, and maybe this is how he saw all of us."
Xander shrugged. "Maybe." He wondered if Spike was going to start losing it.
The girls came back with snacks and drinks, and after everyone got resettled, Anya picked up the book, found her place, and began to read.
__________________
(TH)Some time later, they were in Miami. Spike was stuck with Levon, but at least he could keep an eye on him. It also helped to know that Willy was also teamed up with them. They were supposed to meet with Riley at a Marina, and they were all right on time. Riley was also accompanied by another member of the Hunters who was their top security specialist. His name was Jesse McNally.
Riley looked angry. "We've got to move fast," he said before anyone offered a greeting. "Xander's been spotted in this area. We think he's in the Bay. That's where Angel and Oz are, cruising the area in a speed boat. I've got a couple of boats reserved for us at the end of the dock, so let's go and get this over with."
They followed him.
"What makes you think he's in the Bay?" Willy inquired as they headed for their boats.
Jesse snorted. "A trail of bodies, for one. Plus, there's a yacht out there called the Diamond Princess. Guess who owns it?"
"Costanzo," Spike muttered with a curse.
"Ten-to-one it's Xander's target."
Levon chuckled. "Xander really has lost it, hasn't he? The son-of-a-bitch finally cracked."
Riley stopped in his tracks, turned around, and brought his face dangerously close to Levon's own. "Do you have a problem?"
Levon swallowed nervously. "Uh, no. No problem."
"Well, I think you're wrong, because if I hear any more comments like that from you again, I'll become the last problem you'll ever face. Do you understand me?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I do."
"Make damned sure you do." He turned to Willy. "Crazy Man, you're with me. Jesse, take the other boat with Spike and Levon. Bring them up to speed on what's been happening here." He let out a sigh. "Now let's go find Xander before he sinks Miami Bay."
Riley and Willy climbed into one speed boat, and Jesse, Spike, and Levon climbed into the second one. Jesse fired her up and he followed Riley and Willy out onto the Bay.
"Where's this Diamond Princess?" Spike wanted to know as he scanned the other surrounding boats with binoculars. "Is it a big yacht?"
"She's big enough." Jesse pointed at a yacht that was further out and away from other boats. "That is Costanzo's baby."
"Is he on it?"
Jesse shrugged. "We think so, but we're not a hundred percent sure."
Levon pointed at three speed boats that appeared to be moving away from the yacht and toward a fourth speed boat. "Hey, look at that. Those three are moving in toward that one, but it's just sitting there."
"Those four boats also belong to Costanzo. They're securing the Princess." Jesse paused. "Probably going to have a conference. The Cartel is extremely anxious to catch Xander, but no one knows where he is.or if he's even really in the area."
Spike glanced at him. "Do you think Xander is here?" He got his answer, but it wasn't from Jesse. The answer came from the explosion that ripped the Diamond Princess to pieces.
Spike reasoned out in his mind what must have happened. The four speed boats that had been around the Diamond Princess had been lured away from the yacht. One of them had been somehow taken by Xander during the night, and he somehow boarded the yacht, planted his explosives, and left the scene. But he didn't leave the area altogether. He waited until the sun rose high in the sky and Spike knew what the man had done next. Xander had used the radio on the acquired speed boat to call the security force on the yacht. He taunted them, called them out to play, and waited. When all three speed boats were heading in his direction, that's when he triggered the detonator.
Spike watched as one of the speed boats close to the explosion was suddenly engulfed in flames. The other two poured on the speed and headed for Xander's boat.
Suddenly, the remaining two speed boats simultaneously exploded. Xander had apparently placed explosives on them, too, leaving him free and clear from Costanzo's men. However, he wasn't clear from the Hunters.
Jesse's radio crackled for attention. Riley's voice then made an announcement. "All units, close in on Renegade. Don't let him escape!"
Spike looked at Levon. The man had pulled out a .444 Marlin rifle from out of Jesse's gear, and he was preparing to use it with a gleam in his eye.
Jesse gunned the boat forward. Spike glanced to one side where he saw Angel and Oz in their speeder, slapping the waves and coming very close to other boaters in their haste. There wasn't any reason for concern, however, for Angel could handle any vehicle with incredible ease, whether it were a car, boat, or plane.
On the other side of them were Riley and Willy.
Everyone was tense. This mission was not an easy one.
Spike looked up and he saw a chopper. Somehow, he had an idea that the chopper belonged to the Justice Department. He turned his head and looked straight at what was ahead of them.
There was Xander.
He was at a good distance from them, but they were gaining on him. Levon grinned as he leveled the Marlin, looking through its scope. As his finger tightened on the trigger, Spike turned to face him. The son-of-a-bitch is really going to fire! Spike thought. Just as Levon fired, Spike swung his arm and forced the rifle to level toward the sky.
BOOM!
Levon shoved at him. "What the hell are you doing?! I had a perfect shot!"
Spike wanted to kill him.
"Not here!" Jesse shouted. "You idiot! You could hit someone else, Levon! Wait until we run him aground."
Levon glared at him. "I can make the shot, Jesse."
"Wait! I'll get closer." Jesse gunned the boat and coaxed more speed from it.
Levon prepared to take another shot.
"Just wait!" Jesse shouted.
But Levon didn't wait. He aimed, and fired.
BOOM!
A direct hit. (TH)
__________________
"Okay, now.now that's not right," Xander said hoarsely. He swallowed a lump in his throat. He had been trying hard not to let it happen, but it was becoming a losing battle.
Dawn didn't understand why he was getting all choked up. "Hey, I'm sure you survive, Xander. You're a carpenter, after all." She smiled, but her smile disappeared when she saw Xander bury his face in his hands. She looked concerned. "Xander?"
"C'mon, Xander," Anya said, as she rolled her eyes. She didn't know why he was sentimental suddenly either. "It's a story."
Spike didn't say a word. He watched, but he made no moves.
Buffy was the only one who understood what was happening. She got up, moved toward him, and put her arms around him. "Hey," she said softly, "it's okay."
Xander wiped at his face, took a deep breath, and looked at her. "Yeah. I know. It's just." He took a deep breath. "It's Jesse, my bud."
"I know."
"I think of him a lot, you know, about what he would have been like if he were with us today." Xander paused. "I guess it never occurred to me that Jonathan wondered, too, otherwise why would he have put Jesse into his story."
Buffy looked at him. "Do you want to stop?"
He smiled at her. "Thanks, Buffy, but I'm good. I want to hear more about Jesse." He winked at her to show that he was okay. "I just had a moment, so let's see what happens."
She hugged him. "Okay."
He returned the hug.
Xander looked at Anya, who was staring at him. "What?"
"I'm such an insensitive bitch," she said.
He paused. "Maybe, but why are you staring at me." He smiled to show that he was joking.
"You told me about Jesse and.and, well, I should have realized that's why you got all soaking wet in your face." She pouted. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Anya."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You didn't think I was insensitive?"
"No."
She paused. "Okay. Well.then, I'll continue with the story." She brought the book up and began to read.
_____________________
(TH) It was the engine. One bullet from the Marlin struck it and it began to sputter. Xander had no choice. In spite of how fast he was going, he turned his boat and headed directly for shore.
From Jesse's boat, Spike stared in astonishment. He saw Xander's boat as it struck land and kept right on going. It went right up the beach where people scattered for safety and it disappeared into an alley between a bait & boat shop and a restaurant.
The Hunters began to slow their boats down.
Jesse, however, decided not to. He kept on the speed, heading for shore in the same way Xander had done.
Levon stared at him. "What are you doing?"
Jesse didn't answer because they hit the beach and went right into the same alley. They didn't stop until they crashed into the back of Xander's boat.
Shaking his head to clear away the cobwebs, Spike looked around. Jesse was trying to extract himself from the wreckage, but he appeared to be unscathed. Levon, however, was chasing Xander out of the alley and into a parking lot. Spike saw Levon stop running so he could aim at Xander's back with his 9m Berretta.
"No!" Spike shouted.
Spike ran and just as Levon pulled the trigger, Spike struck him like a runaway train, bringing him hard to the pavement.
Spike had saved Xander's life that day.
Costanzo had been on the yacht and Xander had accomplished his mission. The truth behind the matter was that Xander had been following Giles' orders all along. It had been a secret mission and with the Renegade labeled on him, Xander was able to act completely on his own.
In spite of it all, Spike would never forget that day years ago.
He and Levon had been enemies ever since then.
Levon had proved he would not hesitate to kill Xander. What about the other Hunters? Would Levon jump at the chance to kill Willy? Or Riley? Or Giles? Or-God forbid-would he dare to bring harm to Willow?
The bottom line was this-Could Jon Levon even be trusted?
Xander didn't believe so, and neither did Spike.
Spike remembered all that. He watched the armored van with his friends locked inside leaving the encampment that surrounded Allentown. He saw Warren Meers, Andrew Loser, and Parker Abrams walking toward their tent. They were slapping each other on the back and laughing like friggin' idiots.
Was Levon helping them? he wondered.
Many questions were running through his mind, but he knew what he had to do. Spike had to stop that van at all costs. He also knew he couldn't rely on Jon Levon and that made it clear to him that he was completely on his own. (TH)
_____________________
Anya closed the book. "This ends the chapter. The next chapter, we face the wrath of Snyder as Riley races against time to save Xander and Willow from being sacrificed to Ra."
"Ra?" Spike inquired. "I met him once. Not a lovely chap, not nice at all."
"Do you want to read the next chapter, Spike?" Anya asked.
Spike looked up at her, startled. "Me? You want me to read?"
"Why not?"
"Okay." He took the book. "Mum used to read to me, she did. We'd have milk and cookies and she would read to us."
Buffy looked at him. "Do you want milk and cookies, Spike?"
"Okay. Sprinkles are pretty and they taste good, too." He held the book and sat down. He closed his eyes, forcibly stilled the voices in his head, and then sighed with relief. He opened his eyes. "All right, children. Gather around and I'll read you a tale. Are we ready? Good, then. Not a peep as we begin the next chapter."
Author: MeB (aka XanWill4Ever)
Email: lenoxfiles@hotmail.com
Spoiler: None. This is after Season 6, and Buffy finds a load of books that
Jonathan had written. A series called the Hunters, and everyone Buffy knew
was in it. Jonathan had seen the movie Stargate, and then he wrote-The
Hunters. Jonathan's story is in-between the (TH).
Pairing: Another mad attempt to keep Xander and Willow together. Even
Jonathan saw it.
Summary: I am bored and my mind has stopped working. So I took some of my
old stories written in 1995 and added characters from Buffy for the list. I
hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: All characters of Buffy tVS are the property of Joss. The idea
of Stargate is not mine.
Rating - PG-13
Author's Note: NHA may archive. Anyone else is free to do so as well, just
let me know. Thank you.
xwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxwxw
"So how do you like being friends with Spike?"
Xander shot a look at Anya. "Let's get clear on something that should be painfully obvious to everyone who knows me.I'm not friends with Spike. I'll never be friends with Spike. For you to even ask a question like that is-"
"Hey," Anya said defensively, raising the book in her hand to show Xander, "I meant about the story. How do you feel about being friends with Spike in the story? I know how you feel. It's all over your face, every time I see you. You have this Xander-hates-Spike-and-Anya face and it seems to be a permanent look these days."
"Yeah, well.yeah, I can admit. I'm a member of the 'I Hate Spike Club', but." Xander stopped and he let out a sigh. "Look, Anya, I don't hate you. Okay."
Anya paused. "You don't? Really?"
He nodded. "Really."
"Oh. Well, that's good to know. And just for the record, I don't hate you either." She looked at him. "You still haven't answered my question."
Xander looked at her. "What?"
"How do you feel about being friends with Spike in the story?"
Xander just looked at her.
Dawn and Buffy returned to the porch with a tray of drinks and sandwiches. They set the trays within easy reach and gathered around for Anya to read the next chapter in Jonathan Levenson's "The Hunters."
"So read on, girl," Dawn said enthusiastically.
Anya nodded. "I will, but I have to warn you, this is a little different."
"You've already read it?" Buffy demanded.
"Well, I have to get into the story in order to read it effectively. A good reader must know the characters well because then feelings can be put into it. I want to make you feel like you're there."
"You're reading a chapter, Anya, not auditioning for a part in a play."
"Or a movie," Dawn added.
"And what do you mean, different?" Buffy asked.
"Well," Anya began, "it seems that in this chapter, Spike is having what is known as the 'flashback syndrome', so that while he is really in Allentown, he's recalling another time when Xander confided his suspicions about Jon Levon."
"Oooh, a chapter about me," Xander said with a grin.
"And Spike."
"I'm really gonna have to talk to Jonathan about this if we ever meet again."
"Well, in this flashback-"
"Anya, just read!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Okay. Relax. I'm reading." Anya opened the book and found her place in it. Then, she began to read.
___________________
(TH) Chapter Four-Renegade
Giles, Willy, and Angel were in serious trouble. Captured by the Justice Department, they were on their way to a secret base where they would be heavily interrogated. Spike had witnessed their capture. To avoid capture himself, he had remained hidden from view. He was outgunned and outnumbered, and if he was also captured, then all would be lost. He looked for an opportunity to act as he wondered what had become of Jon Levon.
From his place of cover, he saw his fellow Hunters placed inside the armored van like hardened criminals, and he realized that time was running out. He had to stop that van. As he worked out a plan in his mind, something else came to him.A memory.
A memory from years ago when Levon had first joined the Hunters. Spike remembered a conversation he had with Xander concerning the loyalty of Jon Levon. (TH)
_________________
"Okay, so here's what I was talking about," Anya began, attempting to fully explain the concept of a flashback. "Spike is still there in Allentown, but now the story goes into his past where-"
Anya!" Xander, Dawn, and Buffy exclaimed simultaneously.
"We know what a flashback is," Buffy told her. "Are you going to stop to explain every detail you read? Or are we going to get to the end of the chapter today?"
"I'm trying to set the mood," Anya explained.
"The mood is set, but you're disrupting it."
Xander shook his head. "Just read the story, An. Forget the theatrics."
Anya pouted. "The theatrics are the best part."
He grinned. "Just read."
Anya sighed. "Okay." She resumed where she left off.
__________________
(TH)"I don't trust him," Xander declared angrily as he punched the heavy- weight bag, which Spike held in place. "Not since I saw his file." Xander punched the bag again. "And not since I first laid eyes on him."
The two men were in the gym at the Hunters Hardsite. In the earlier years, the Hardsite was located in Vermont.
Spike grinned at his friend.(TH)
___________________
Xander shook his head. "I've got to have a long serious talk with Jonathan about that."
Dawn shushed him.
"Do you want me to read?" Anya asked as she looked at Xander. "Or are you gonna bitch and moan every time I read about you and Spike being friends?"
Xander held up his hands. "Sorry."
Anya looked at the book, and then she pretended to read. "Spike and Xander were such good friends that no one ever truly suspected what went on with them behind closed doors."
"Excuse me?" Xander demanded sharply.
Buffy grinned at Dawn. "Something's cooking now." Then, she frowned. "Hey, wait.Anya, is that really in there, 'cause if it is, don't read it in front of Dawn."
Dawn looked at Anya eagerly. "Anya.Read!"
Anya tried to hide her mischievous smile. "No one knew what they were truly like. No one would have believed it to be so, but it was. Their friendship went deeper than any ocean. It was a love that couldn't be broken, consummated by-"
"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! YOU'RE MAKING THIS BLOODY CHIP IN MY HEAD THROB LIKE BLOODY HELL!!"
Anya looked at Xander. Xander looked at Anya. Buffy and Dawn looked at them, and then at each other.
"Who the hell said that?" Xander wanted to know. "'Cause that sounded like Spike." He pointed at Anya. "And you STOP reading like that!"
The sun had gone down some time ago and Spike had climbed silently on top of the porch roof to listen in on the story reading. He was getting into the story in spite of all the voices in his head, but this drivel Anya was reading at the present was too much for him. He came off the rooftop and looked at the gang.
His eyes went to Anya. "That's.that's not really in there.about me and the- the soldier boy, is it?"
Xander sighed. "Stop calling me 'boy'!"
Anya laughed. "No. It's not. I just like yanking the 'boy's' chain."
Xander shot her a look.
"Well, then, can I listen in with you?" Spike looked like a kid who wanted to join in on the activities with the other kids. "I promise to behave, and-and we won't bother anyone."
"We?" Dawn inquired.
Buffy looked at her. "He has his soul back, remember? Now he's never alone.which could really be a drag I suppose. But, he was willing to take on that worm thingie.which could have been avoided altogether if Anya hadn't turned the guy into a worm."
Anya rolled her eyes.
Buffy waved Spike over. "C'mon, Spike. This chapter is about you anyway."
Spike joined them. They all filled him in on the previous chapters, and even Xander helped him catch up.
Then, Anya continued.
_________________
(TH)Spike grinned at his friend. (Spike and Xander glanced at each other as Anya read.) "C'mon, Xander," he joked. "You're really upset with him because he made a pass at Willow."
Xander punched the bag so hard that it took Spike by surprise. He nearly stumbled. He looked at Xander and was even more surprised by the anger in the man's eyes.
Xander looked at him. "I'm telling you, Spike. This isn't about Willow. But you're right. I don't want the son-of-a-bitch near her. I don't trust him. There's something wrong with his file to begin with. Some things about him just don't add up.as if there's something in his past that he wants to keep covered."
Spike paused. "Like what?"
"There's nothing in the files about a wife, for example. No mention of him being married at all."
Spike chuckled. "And that surprises you?"
Xander nodded. "Yeah, it does. It does surprise me, because I've run into a few friends who were stationed at Panama at the same time he was. You know what they told me?"
"What?"
"They say that Levon married his wife in Panama. They also told me he was married to her for over a year, but then, one day, the wife disappears. A week later, Levon goes on trial. The trial lasted a few months, and whatever charges there were against him were abruptly dismissed."
Spike frowned. "What were the charges about? Did they think he had something to do with the disappearance of his wife?"
"No. The trial wasn't even about his wife."
"Then.what the hell was it about?"
Xander looked at him. "Jon Levon was on trial for aiding an international spy."
From that point on, Spike disliked Levon immensely.
Xander had asked him not to discuss their conversation with anyone, and Spike had agreed. To that day, Spike hadn't breathed a word of it. He looked up to Xander. No, he didn't worship the ground he walked on, ("That's a bloody relief," Spike said under his breath as Anya continued to read. Xander shot him a look.) but Spike was grateful to Xander because the man had helped him when no one else would.
Before Spike had become a Hunter, he had been a wrestler trying to make it in the professional league. Unfortunately, he was framed for a murder he didn't commit and his career had been forced to a halt. Xander had been there, however, and he had helped clear Spike's name, but it had been too late to salvage his career. Xander had then offered Spike the opportunity to become a Hunter. (TH)
__________________
"I was a wrestler," Spike said proudly. Then, he looked up at someone only he could see and pouted. "I was, too! Didn't you just hear what Anya read?"
Dawn, Buffy, Anya, and Xander looked to where Spike was looking, but there was no one there.
"I was a great wrestler, you know.I was going places, I was."
"Spike, you'll be going somewhere if you don't shut up," Xander promised.
Spike looked at him. "Oh. Sorry." He glared at empty space threateningly and waved a warning finger.
Anya continued to read.
__________________
(TH) Spike had taken a little "leave" time with Devon "Ace" MacLeish. They both enjoyed wrestling, so they had gone to the city to watch it live. When they had returned to the Hardsite, they had found nothing but trouble. The Hardsite had been put on a Full Alert status. They had been rushed to the briefing room without any explanation as to what the alert was all about.
There they waited.
A Full Alert was only used during an emergency. As far as Spike knew, only two events would cause such an alert. One was Armageddon-End Of The World. The second was invasion. He had never thought there would be a third event.
Renegade!
They weren't in the room longer than two minutes when the door swung open and slammed against the wall. Jon Levon stormed in and he wore a smug expression that Spike wanted to rip off his face.
Was that son-of-a-bitch gloating? Spike wondered. "What the bloody hell is going on here?" he wanted to know.
"What's going on?" Levon replied, almost bouncing on his feet in triumph. "Haven't you heard? We're going hunting!"
Shiva glared at him. "What's with the Full Alert, Levon? Quit playing bloody games and just tell us what's happening!"
"We're hunting for a wolf that's left the pack. And guess what? Our orders are to 'shoot to kill' and I sincerely hope I get him in my sights first 'cause I've been waiting for this day since I got here!"
Devon snorted. "Yeah? Well, who are we hunting?"
Levon raised his hands and laughed. "Xander! We're hunting Xander!"
"What? Did I just hear you right?"
"You heard me." Levon was looking at Spike. "So what do you think of your hero now, Spikey. He's been classified as a Renegade and we have been ordered to go after him." He took a step closer and lowered his voice. "But, well.you see, the thing you have to know is this. Our orders are very, very clear. We're not to bring him in alive. We're to terminate him with extreme prejudice." He grinned. "Now that's heavy, isn't it?"
"I know something heavier," Spike growled.
Levon chuckled. "Oh, yeah? What could possibly be heavier than that?"
"This." Spike drove his fist into Levon's face.
Spike was so furious that it took three men to pull him off from Levon. Devon, Willy, and Fritz were the three who had struggled to pull Spike away from Levon. As they pulled him away, Levon recovered from the attack and he prepared to launch his own attack, but before he could make a move he soon discovered two people who were standing in his way.
Rupert Giles, and Willow Rosenberg.
"You will cease this at once!" Giles roared in anger. "Both of you! Don't make this any harder than it already is!"
Silence filled the room.
Spike was the first to break that silence. "What's going on, Chief? What the bloody hell is this malarkey about Xander turning renegade on us?"
Giles let out a weary sigh. "S-sit down, Spike. This isn't easy.for any of us."
"No. No, I don't want to sit down until I get a straight answer." He looked at the only person in the room who would give him that answer.
Willow.
She hesitated. "Well.Spike, Xander was enjoying his vacation in Florida, at-"
"I know," Spike snapped. "He went to a wedding. He was the best man."
"Well, yes. There was something else going on at the same time the wedding took place. A man named Costanzo-a high ranking member of the Columbian Cartel-escaped from custody. Xander's friend was the man whom had captured Costanzo, so when he escaped."
"He went after Xander's friend and killed him."
She nodded. "Yes. The Cartel killed him, and his new bride."
Spike stared at her. Then, he turned to Giles. "Wait a damned minute here. I see what's happening! Xander is going after the bloody Cartel, isn't he? He's going after this Costanzo!"
Giles nodded.
"Shouldn't we be helping him?"
Giles frowned and let out another weary sigh. "Spike, it-it's not that simple. Xander is out of control. He's turned Miami in-into his own personal killing ground. Do you have any idea what the body count is now?"
Spike stared. "There's a body count?" (TH)
_______________
At the same time Anya read what the character said, Spike said at the same time, "There's a body count?"
Xander grinned. "Hey, I'm finally getting to kick some ass."
"You can do that?" Spike asked seriously. "Aren't you just a janitor?"
He sighed. "I'm a contractor with a crew, and that makes me a foreman. A damned good one, too, let me clue you."
"He is," Buffy confirmed. "But shut up you two. I want to know about this body count."
Anya read.
_______________
(TH) Spike stared. "There's a body count?"
"Fifty-eight," Giles told him.
Spike's mouth dropped open in surprise. "What?"
"That's right. Fifty-eight. About eleven of them were important members of the Cartel. The-the rest were just thugs." He shrugged. "Okay. So it's true that Xander has single handedly taken out a lot of-of trash, but I received a phone call from the President who told me that ten years of undercover work and intelligence on the part of the Justice Department have just gone up in smoke. Un-unfortunately, we cannot allow Xander to continue and we have been ordered to stop him. Period."
Spike shook his head. "By terminating him?"
"It's the only way."
"The only way?! We can--!!"
"We can what?!" Giles snapped angrily. "Talk to him? Everyone in this room knows he won't listen!" He paused, trying to reign in his anger. "You, Jon, and Fritz will be flown to Miami. Devon will fly you there, and Willy will go to coordinate the mission and make certain you carry out your orders. Is that clear to all of you?"
Everyone nodded, except for Spike and Willow.
"Then, enough talk," Giles snapped. "Get out there and get it done. And make it fast." With that, Giles abruptly turned and stormed out of the room.
Devon broke the uncomfortable silence that followed. "I, uh, I'll go warm up the chopper."
"I'll, uh." Fritz cleared his throat, "go with you."
They rushed out of the room.
Willow and Spike looked at each other.
Willy noticed the look and he turned to Levon. "Let's go, tough guy."
Levon nodded. "I'll be along in a minute, Crazy Man."
Willy glared menacingly at Levon, and in a soft tone that spoke volumes, he said, "You'll be along now or you'll be carried out."
Levon looked at him. Without another word, he left the room, and Willy followed behind.
When Spike and Willow were alone, Spike shook his head. "I won't kill him, Red. You have to know that."
Willow nodded as she swallowed a lump in her throat. "I-I know, Spike," she said softly.
He frowned. "Well, damn it! Where the bloody hell is Riley?"
"He's already in Miami with Angel, Jesse, and Oz."
Spike shook his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable! That's nearly all of us, Red. This really is big, isn't it?"
She nodded.
He frowned. "Willow.I can't believe that Riley would follow those orders and kill his best friend. I don't believe Jesse would do it either."
Willow didn't say anything.
Spike hesitated. "Red, you don't think they'll do it, do you?"
She let out a sigh and shook her head. "I-I really don't know, Spike. I only know that if Riley does, I'll hate him for the rest of my life."
Spike paused in thought. Finally, in frustration, he exclaimed, "This is insane! No one is going to kill Xander! Riley wouldn't do it! The only bastard who wants Xander dead is Levon, and I swear to you, I'll kill him first before he gets to Xander."
"Just be careful, Spike."
"I will." Spike headed for the door with determination in his stride.
"Spike?"
In the doorway, he stopped, turned to look at her and waited.
Willow crossed her arms in front of her and pursed her lips as tears formed in her eyes. "If you can find a way.if it's at all possible.please, bring him back to me?"
Spike didn't even hesitate. "Red, you can count on it." He turned and left the room. As he headed for the chopper, he vowed that if a Hunter had to die before this was over, it wouldn't be Xander Harris.
It would be Jon Levon.(TH)
____________________
Anya sniffed. "Oh, my.I need a break."
Buffy wiped at her tears. "Me, too."
"Yeah," Dawn said, trying to keep her own tears hidden. "Let's get us some snacks or something."
The three girls got up and disappeared into the house, leaving Xander and Spike on the porch. They glanced at each other.
"What was that all about?" Xander asked innocently.
Spike snorted. "Beats me. Girls can be so sensitive, you know?"
Xander nodded. "I know."
Silence passed between them.
"I mean, it's just a story, right?"
Xander agreed. "Yeah. That's all it is."
More silence.
Spike looked away and sniffed. "It is deep, though, isn't it?"
Xander sighed. "Oh, boy."
Spike put his head in his hands and cried. "It's poetic, really. In a way, it's like its own form of poetry. Every poem tells a story, you know, and this isn't any different, except.except there's no rhyming to it, you know? But for Jonathan Levenson to write this, he was writing from his heart, and maybe this is how he saw all of us."
Xander shrugged. "Maybe." He wondered if Spike was going to start losing it.
The girls came back with snacks and drinks, and after everyone got resettled, Anya picked up the book, found her place, and began to read.
__________________
(TH)Some time later, they were in Miami. Spike was stuck with Levon, but at least he could keep an eye on him. It also helped to know that Willy was also teamed up with them. They were supposed to meet with Riley at a Marina, and they were all right on time. Riley was also accompanied by another member of the Hunters who was their top security specialist. His name was Jesse McNally.
Riley looked angry. "We've got to move fast," he said before anyone offered a greeting. "Xander's been spotted in this area. We think he's in the Bay. That's where Angel and Oz are, cruising the area in a speed boat. I've got a couple of boats reserved for us at the end of the dock, so let's go and get this over with."
They followed him.
"What makes you think he's in the Bay?" Willy inquired as they headed for their boats.
Jesse snorted. "A trail of bodies, for one. Plus, there's a yacht out there called the Diamond Princess. Guess who owns it?"
"Costanzo," Spike muttered with a curse.
"Ten-to-one it's Xander's target."
Levon chuckled. "Xander really has lost it, hasn't he? The son-of-a-bitch finally cracked."
Riley stopped in his tracks, turned around, and brought his face dangerously close to Levon's own. "Do you have a problem?"
Levon swallowed nervously. "Uh, no. No problem."
"Well, I think you're wrong, because if I hear any more comments like that from you again, I'll become the last problem you'll ever face. Do you understand me?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I do."
"Make damned sure you do." He turned to Willy. "Crazy Man, you're with me. Jesse, take the other boat with Spike and Levon. Bring them up to speed on what's been happening here." He let out a sigh. "Now let's go find Xander before he sinks Miami Bay."
Riley and Willy climbed into one speed boat, and Jesse, Spike, and Levon climbed into the second one. Jesse fired her up and he followed Riley and Willy out onto the Bay.
"Where's this Diamond Princess?" Spike wanted to know as he scanned the other surrounding boats with binoculars. "Is it a big yacht?"
"She's big enough." Jesse pointed at a yacht that was further out and away from other boats. "That is Costanzo's baby."
"Is he on it?"
Jesse shrugged. "We think so, but we're not a hundred percent sure."
Levon pointed at three speed boats that appeared to be moving away from the yacht and toward a fourth speed boat. "Hey, look at that. Those three are moving in toward that one, but it's just sitting there."
"Those four boats also belong to Costanzo. They're securing the Princess." Jesse paused. "Probably going to have a conference. The Cartel is extremely anxious to catch Xander, but no one knows where he is.or if he's even really in the area."
Spike glanced at him. "Do you think Xander is here?" He got his answer, but it wasn't from Jesse. The answer came from the explosion that ripped the Diamond Princess to pieces.
Spike reasoned out in his mind what must have happened. The four speed boats that had been around the Diamond Princess had been lured away from the yacht. One of them had been somehow taken by Xander during the night, and he somehow boarded the yacht, planted his explosives, and left the scene. But he didn't leave the area altogether. He waited until the sun rose high in the sky and Spike knew what the man had done next. Xander had used the radio on the acquired speed boat to call the security force on the yacht. He taunted them, called them out to play, and waited. When all three speed boats were heading in his direction, that's when he triggered the detonator.
Spike watched as one of the speed boats close to the explosion was suddenly engulfed in flames. The other two poured on the speed and headed for Xander's boat.
Suddenly, the remaining two speed boats simultaneously exploded. Xander had apparently placed explosives on them, too, leaving him free and clear from Costanzo's men. However, he wasn't clear from the Hunters.
Jesse's radio crackled for attention. Riley's voice then made an announcement. "All units, close in on Renegade. Don't let him escape!"
Spike looked at Levon. The man had pulled out a .444 Marlin rifle from out of Jesse's gear, and he was preparing to use it with a gleam in his eye.
Jesse gunned the boat forward. Spike glanced to one side where he saw Angel and Oz in their speeder, slapping the waves and coming very close to other boaters in their haste. There wasn't any reason for concern, however, for Angel could handle any vehicle with incredible ease, whether it were a car, boat, or plane.
On the other side of them were Riley and Willy.
Everyone was tense. This mission was not an easy one.
Spike looked up and he saw a chopper. Somehow, he had an idea that the chopper belonged to the Justice Department. He turned his head and looked straight at what was ahead of them.
There was Xander.
He was at a good distance from them, but they were gaining on him. Levon grinned as he leveled the Marlin, looking through its scope. As his finger tightened on the trigger, Spike turned to face him. The son-of-a-bitch is really going to fire! Spike thought. Just as Levon fired, Spike swung his arm and forced the rifle to level toward the sky.
BOOM!
Levon shoved at him. "What the hell are you doing?! I had a perfect shot!"
Spike wanted to kill him.
"Not here!" Jesse shouted. "You idiot! You could hit someone else, Levon! Wait until we run him aground."
Levon glared at him. "I can make the shot, Jesse."
"Wait! I'll get closer." Jesse gunned the boat and coaxed more speed from it.
Levon prepared to take another shot.
"Just wait!" Jesse shouted.
But Levon didn't wait. He aimed, and fired.
BOOM!
A direct hit. (TH)
__________________
"Okay, now.now that's not right," Xander said hoarsely. He swallowed a lump in his throat. He had been trying hard not to let it happen, but it was becoming a losing battle.
Dawn didn't understand why he was getting all choked up. "Hey, I'm sure you survive, Xander. You're a carpenter, after all." She smiled, but her smile disappeared when she saw Xander bury his face in his hands. She looked concerned. "Xander?"
"C'mon, Xander," Anya said, as she rolled her eyes. She didn't know why he was sentimental suddenly either. "It's a story."
Spike didn't say a word. He watched, but he made no moves.
Buffy was the only one who understood what was happening. She got up, moved toward him, and put her arms around him. "Hey," she said softly, "it's okay."
Xander wiped at his face, took a deep breath, and looked at her. "Yeah. I know. It's just." He took a deep breath. "It's Jesse, my bud."
"I know."
"I think of him a lot, you know, about what he would have been like if he were with us today." Xander paused. "I guess it never occurred to me that Jonathan wondered, too, otherwise why would he have put Jesse into his story."
Buffy looked at him. "Do you want to stop?"
He smiled at her. "Thanks, Buffy, but I'm good. I want to hear more about Jesse." He winked at her to show that he was okay. "I just had a moment, so let's see what happens."
She hugged him. "Okay."
He returned the hug.
Xander looked at Anya, who was staring at him. "What?"
"I'm such an insensitive bitch," she said.
He paused. "Maybe, but why are you staring at me." He smiled to show that he was joking.
"You told me about Jesse and.and, well, I should have realized that's why you got all soaking wet in your face." She pouted. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Anya."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You didn't think I was insensitive?"
"No."
She paused. "Okay. Well.then, I'll continue with the story." She brought the book up and began to read.
_____________________
(TH) It was the engine. One bullet from the Marlin struck it and it began to sputter. Xander had no choice. In spite of how fast he was going, he turned his boat and headed directly for shore.
From Jesse's boat, Spike stared in astonishment. He saw Xander's boat as it struck land and kept right on going. It went right up the beach where people scattered for safety and it disappeared into an alley between a bait & boat shop and a restaurant.
The Hunters began to slow their boats down.
Jesse, however, decided not to. He kept on the speed, heading for shore in the same way Xander had done.
Levon stared at him. "What are you doing?"
Jesse didn't answer because they hit the beach and went right into the same alley. They didn't stop until they crashed into the back of Xander's boat.
Shaking his head to clear away the cobwebs, Spike looked around. Jesse was trying to extract himself from the wreckage, but he appeared to be unscathed. Levon, however, was chasing Xander out of the alley and into a parking lot. Spike saw Levon stop running so he could aim at Xander's back with his 9m Berretta.
"No!" Spike shouted.
Spike ran and just as Levon pulled the trigger, Spike struck him like a runaway train, bringing him hard to the pavement.
Spike had saved Xander's life that day.
Costanzo had been on the yacht and Xander had accomplished his mission. The truth behind the matter was that Xander had been following Giles' orders all along. It had been a secret mission and with the Renegade labeled on him, Xander was able to act completely on his own.
In spite of it all, Spike would never forget that day years ago.
He and Levon had been enemies ever since then.
Levon had proved he would not hesitate to kill Xander. What about the other Hunters? Would Levon jump at the chance to kill Willy? Or Riley? Or Giles? Or-God forbid-would he dare to bring harm to Willow?
The bottom line was this-Could Jon Levon even be trusted?
Xander didn't believe so, and neither did Spike.
Spike remembered all that. He watched the armored van with his friends locked inside leaving the encampment that surrounded Allentown. He saw Warren Meers, Andrew Loser, and Parker Abrams walking toward their tent. They were slapping each other on the back and laughing like friggin' idiots.
Was Levon helping them? he wondered.
Many questions were running through his mind, but he knew what he had to do. Spike had to stop that van at all costs. He also knew he couldn't rely on Jon Levon and that made it clear to him that he was completely on his own. (TH)
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Anya closed the book. "This ends the chapter. The next chapter, we face the wrath of Snyder as Riley races against time to save Xander and Willow from being sacrificed to Ra."
"Ra?" Spike inquired. "I met him once. Not a lovely chap, not nice at all."
"Do you want to read the next chapter, Spike?" Anya asked.
Spike looked up at her, startled. "Me? You want me to read?"
"Why not?"
"Okay." He took the book. "Mum used to read to me, she did. We'd have milk and cookies and she would read to us."
Buffy looked at him. "Do you want milk and cookies, Spike?"
"Okay. Sprinkles are pretty and they taste good, too." He held the book and sat down. He closed his eyes, forcibly stilled the voices in his head, and then sighed with relief. He opened his eyes. "All right, children. Gather around and I'll read you a tale. Are we ready? Good, then. Not a peep as we begin the next chapter."