Disclaimer: All BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon & Co. Original ones are mine. Jit Kun Do belongs to Bruce Lee

Distribution: Sure, but please tell me where it goes.

I realize that a particular character's appearance is a tad gratuitous but I felt that everyone she be in on the end.

Thanks once more for the feedback. It inspires me to continue.

Two days later Jezeil and William were sparring on the lawn behind the house, illuminated by torches spread around the grounds. William was learning discipline and tactics and he was enjoying himself. Who would have thought it?

Jezeil stepped back and wiped his brow. "You're coming along quite nicely, even if I do say so myself."

"The technique you're teaching me, what did you call it?"

"Jit Kun Do. It means The Way of the Intercepting Fist. It was Bruce Lee's brainchild. He reasoned that defensive moves, blocks, were not enough. Instead, you move in to intercept your opponent at the nearest and/or weakest point. He also thought you should never limit yourself to one style, one set of moves. Use whatever is necessary. I think it's quite elegant."

"It's damned effective."

"As well. You've been looking a tiny bit preoccupied though. Worrying about your housemates?"

William sighed deeply and sat down on the lawn. "It wasn't looking so good when I was last there. They're scared. And now they probably expect me to show up to do The First's bidding. I understand we need to keep my brand spankin' new self from The First but Buffy wouldn't give it away."

"Not intentionally," said Jezeil as he sat down. "But to The First human minds can be as transparent as glass. That's why it's been feeling so confident. It can read their fear, their desperation. They are on the verge of loosing hope. We can renew that hope. But if the First learns that The Hamatra are here and that The Wielder lives it will change its plan and we will lose our advantage.

"Buffy's trouble is that she has lost sight of what she has. It's as if the lessons learned over the past six years have gone out the window. She's made the assumption that brute strength is what is needed for this fight. We're going to fix that.

"But not right this moment. I'm starving. How about you?"

"I could eat."

Jezeil stood and offered a hand to William. "Let's see what we can find in the kitchen."

As they were entering the house a raven flew down and landed on Jezeil's shoulder. It seemed to be speak and Jezeil to listen. Then it flew off into the trees.

"Dinner will have to wait for a bit. It seems an old adversary of yours has just arrived in town."

William raised an eyebrow and waited for more.

"Come on. Let's go see for ourselves. I'll have to decide whether to allow him to stay."

Jezeil snapped his fingers and they were in a grove of trees by the cemetery. Standing by William's old crypt was Riley Finn. Jezeil and William exchanged a look and then stepped out into the open.

Riley came to attention as they approached.

"I knew if I waited long enough you'd show up here. I have to say I didn't think Buffy would remove the chip. I knew she wouldn't just let you die, that's not the kind of person she is, but to take out the chip and let an ass-wipe like you loose... So I came to check up on you. And here you are in your old stomping grounds."

William looked at Jezeil. "I suppose I shouldn't run him through?"

"Mmm. Tempting but it would sort ill with your new vocation. Besides, if it weren't for his nasty little organization you might not be here now."

William nodded. "That's true. That's a kick in the head isn't it soldier boy. That chip you put in my head saved me, brought me to a new beginning."

Riley looked curiously at Jezeil. "New beginning? Right. Is this one of your new cronies Spike? I didn't think the other vamps in town liked you very much."

Jezeil cocked his head to one side. "For a field agent you are remarkably unobservant Agent Finn."

"How do you know who I am? Did ass-face here tell you? I wouldn't think he'd spread it around, that he'd had his fangs capped. Of course now the caps are gone. You know Spike, that makes you fair game."

William turned a questioning look at Jezeil who responded, "Oh, go ahead. Indulge a little. Call it practice."

Turning back to Riley William beckoned. "Come on soldier boy. Let's see what you've really got."

Riley remembered how Spike fought, no strategy, just impulse. So when his first punch missed and he received a hard blow to the kidneys he was unprepared. The first punch was followed by one to the chest and then a kick to the head that sent Riley reeling back. He recovered and moved in again, more cautiously. He aimed a punch at Spike's head but it never connected because Spike kicked his knee in and then swept his legs out from under him. He landed hard, the wind knocked out of him and his knee throbbing.

William backed away and said to Jezeil, "That felt good. Is that bad?"

"No. It's natural. I'd join in but that wouldn't be sporting.

"Agent Finn. If you want to be of use then be at the high school football field tomorrow at midnight. You can put all that military training to use."

"Why should I?"

Jezeil smiled and said, "Because by the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes.'" He snapped his fingers and he and William vanished leaving Riley to stare at the space where they had been.