"So not wanting to leave Dawn right now."
"Buffy, it's important she stays here. We really need to maintain a semblance of normality here. It's only because we won't be able to take the statuette out of the museum for more than a few hours that mean you have to be there. If you don't come you will die. That's not an option."
"Too bloody right on that one. Come on luv it'll be fun, and we'll get you all sorted."
"Why is it all so important things look the same here. It's always quiet in the summer for some reason."
"Over to you Rupert."
"We'll fill you in later when you are back to yourself." Probably a very good decision - don't want a ballistic Slayer on our hands right now. And if know my girl we are talking Apollo X111 here. Course my little girl isn't too happy either.
"But I want to go too. Soooo not fair!"
"It should only be a couple of days - max. Besides Nibblet somebody has to look after Miss Kitty."
"Clem could! He's nice."
"Sorry, Dawn. Love to help but can't. Sophie's allergic, and I'm also trying to give up the kitties. Promised her you know. It's hard, they don't make patches for it."
Watcher takes off his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose. Was over-due I guess. Or stressed. "Xander can stay with you for a couple of days. I'm sure Clem and Sophie will be happy to pop in too."
"Of course. Actually come round for dinner tomorrow. It's goulash, and she's a dab hand with the paprika. Sophie would love to see more of you."
"Ok, guess I don't have much of a choice do I."
"Nope pet."
"But. Presents! I get presents right?"
"Too right you do pidge. Loadsa presents. But not gonna tell you what.ruins the surprise."
"You can help us all Dawn. Could you go with Buffy and help her pack for a couple of days?" Cleaning glasses so working up to something.
"Sure, happy to."
"Buffy. Please pack some smart clothes that cover your arms and legs, and well pretty much the rest" Ok spoil my fun. "Also Dawn I think Tara had some, well, more baggy clothes, and probably headscarfs, please put those in." Yep definitely out to spoil the view. But understand why. Judging by the glare from a pair of huge hazel eyes a certain Slayer doesn't.
"You're choosing my clothes now! Controlling much!"
"Practicality. I know you have CNN. I hope you are watching it. It's a volatile time in the region. Most Egyptians are lovely people, had some great times there. But there are fundamentalists who've killed westerners before, and in a handkerchief and leather trousers you will be too much of an attractive target. Also it is their culture and we should be sensitive to it. If a headscarf and some more covering clothes make you less hassled walking about you'll also have a much more enjoyable time. Plus we don't want anyone recognising you, or Spike.so he'll be in the hat."
Bugger, bugger, and double bugger. Planning to lose the dam thing. Hate it when watcher boy is right too.
"This once, and taking a lot on trust here!" At which both my girls left to go pack. Fortunately Clem offered to take my bag back and do a sock, shirts and jeans change for me. Clean socks - can't beat the feeling.
Which left us to deal with the whelp.
Rupert and I went into the training room. Red was lying, out to the world, in a ring of candles and chalk sigils. Whelp was sitting on a mat head in his hands.
Watcher took a deep breath. "Xander, we need you to stay with Dawn for a couple of days. Buffy needs to come with us, or we will all lose her again."
Lights on, face red with fury, mouth moving, but nothing coming out.
"Look you complete waste of sperm! Grow up! Get over yourself! Cut the crap, coz nobody is interested in what passes for thoughts in what you laughingly call a brain." Ok not exactly Mr Tact. But not evil anymore not blind.
Whelp manages to get something out. "Love Dawn, I'll keep an eye on her b." then the bile rises again.
"You know Harris I could still make that wish Anya was musing about. The one where you get ritually flayed, and your still beating heart is ripped from your chest." Gotta love a girl with a sense of poetic irony." Or there is the one where you get deposited on a Pylean maggot heap. or to return to the classics, Sisyphus and the food and drink forever out of reach would make a nice change from having to watch you stuff your face with your mouth open. My mother taught me better manners than that." Actually it was Nanny but I ain't saying that round the whelp.
"Spike! Not helping."
"Sorry, Rupert. Not evil, but still me you know. Not gonna do it.probably. Unless driven to it."
"Understandable after those comments earlier. But if we could get back to the task in hand."
Whelp says "Willow? What's going to happen with Willow." Glad to see he finally realises he has to play along.
Rupert told him. I was wrong. Some people just don't get things even when they are spelt out in words of very few syllables. But at least it means quiet. With those sigils he can't touch Red and he will look after Nibblet. Glad Clem will be keeping an eye out too though.
We went back into the main room, and Giles visibly breathed easier. Must be hard. Know it is.
"So we flyin' or what? And does Buffy even have a passport, know most yanks don't. Certainly don't have the right visas in my passport."
"She has one provided by the COW, which she doesn't know about. But I don't want to use it. It will cause alarms to go off, which is the last thing we want. If she has one of her own it would still raise alarms. Mine also possibly.but less so. You have a passport?"
"Yeah, 'course. Might be dead but still mobile countrywise. Hate these new ones though. Wrong bloody colour!"
"I know. Burgundy! Hmpf. Only proper ones are blue. Guess we're both showing our age."
"As the oldest here I also have the solution", piped up the unusually quiet vengeance demon. Guess all the relationship woes are still tying her up in knots too.
"Make a wish either of you, for each of you and Buffy to hold a mzukshem."
"Uh?"
"Vengeance demons often assume identities to grant wishes. For the last century at least we've needed identity and travel papers that pass any scrutiny or inspection. It's a real pain in the butt. Hence the mzukshem. They show whatever identity you want, always have all the right stamps, and change at will."
"Know what you mean luv. The number of border guards I've had to eat over the years. Hungry or not, just to avoid the bloody form filling. Not that I'd do it now, course. Any preference which of us does the wishing? We ain't gonna run out of wishes are we, coz give us some warning."
"Both of you have so much pain, no, I.you won't run out. I wish you could. Wish later for a portal to Cairo. But no preference, just get on with it."
So I do and bingo. Shiny new (actually battered looking for authenticity) passport. My real name, a not too bad photo, and a dramatically different birth-date. One for Giles and Buffy too, both under false names.
Giles didn't want to call his mate in Cairo from the Magic Box in case of bugs. I mean I think they found 'em all, felt like it anyway. Said he'd do it from the hotel. Anya got on the computer and booked the Hilton Cairo, nice and central. Might have gone back to demonhood but she's still good with the net.
Giles, Anyanka and the shaman had a long discussion about the spell he'd have to perform. In the meantime I popped 'round to the butchers for a well- earned meal and some takeaway for the trip.
When I got back they'd finished, and the shaman opened a portal back to Tanzania. We hugged him, and he told Rupert and me to bring Buffy back to see him after we had restored her. Said he'd seen a number of failed epiphanies on her aura, and his wasn't going to be wasted.
The Shaman carried the unconscious, chained, and magically bound Red back through the portal. I could see the landrover and the lake with its flamingos shimmering in the background as they went through. Hope he can help her. Helped me, must be hope.
Whelp had come to see Red off with tears coursing down his face. Then he just slumped in a corner.
Clem returned with my clean clobber. He's turned out to be a good mate. Lucky there; know that. Buffy and Dawn arrived much later. Since most of her wardrobe wasn't in the running for the trip think they must have spent most of the time talking. Good, she's been ignoring the bit for too long. Both were pissed off to have missed Red, but I promised Buffy she'd see her soon, and I just hugged Dawn 'til she calmed down.
Anyanka had to leave. She had a job come through from D'Hoffryn. Charming London girl cruelly dumped by cheating LA journalist for a Slovakian slut. Anyanka looked quite chipper at the prospects of some really juicy vengeance, but still looked like she'd prefer to be with Rupert under some starry minarets and pyramids.
Giles looked so torn at seeing her off to do that, when all he clearly wanted to do was hold her. Know how he feels.
Before she left I did the wish, and she opened a portal to Cairo.
"Buffy, it's important she stays here. We really need to maintain a semblance of normality here. It's only because we won't be able to take the statuette out of the museum for more than a few hours that mean you have to be there. If you don't come you will die. That's not an option."
"Too bloody right on that one. Come on luv it'll be fun, and we'll get you all sorted."
"Why is it all so important things look the same here. It's always quiet in the summer for some reason."
"Over to you Rupert."
"We'll fill you in later when you are back to yourself." Probably a very good decision - don't want a ballistic Slayer on our hands right now. And if know my girl we are talking Apollo X111 here. Course my little girl isn't too happy either.
"But I want to go too. Soooo not fair!"
"It should only be a couple of days - max. Besides Nibblet somebody has to look after Miss Kitty."
"Clem could! He's nice."
"Sorry, Dawn. Love to help but can't. Sophie's allergic, and I'm also trying to give up the kitties. Promised her you know. It's hard, they don't make patches for it."
Watcher takes off his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose. Was over-due I guess. Or stressed. "Xander can stay with you for a couple of days. I'm sure Clem and Sophie will be happy to pop in too."
"Of course. Actually come round for dinner tomorrow. It's goulash, and she's a dab hand with the paprika. Sophie would love to see more of you."
"Ok, guess I don't have much of a choice do I."
"Nope pet."
"But. Presents! I get presents right?"
"Too right you do pidge. Loadsa presents. But not gonna tell you what.ruins the surprise."
"You can help us all Dawn. Could you go with Buffy and help her pack for a couple of days?" Cleaning glasses so working up to something.
"Sure, happy to."
"Buffy. Please pack some smart clothes that cover your arms and legs, and well pretty much the rest" Ok spoil my fun. "Also Dawn I think Tara had some, well, more baggy clothes, and probably headscarfs, please put those in." Yep definitely out to spoil the view. But understand why. Judging by the glare from a pair of huge hazel eyes a certain Slayer doesn't.
"You're choosing my clothes now! Controlling much!"
"Practicality. I know you have CNN. I hope you are watching it. It's a volatile time in the region. Most Egyptians are lovely people, had some great times there. But there are fundamentalists who've killed westerners before, and in a handkerchief and leather trousers you will be too much of an attractive target. Also it is their culture and we should be sensitive to it. If a headscarf and some more covering clothes make you less hassled walking about you'll also have a much more enjoyable time. Plus we don't want anyone recognising you, or Spike.so he'll be in the hat."
Bugger, bugger, and double bugger. Planning to lose the dam thing. Hate it when watcher boy is right too.
"This once, and taking a lot on trust here!" At which both my girls left to go pack. Fortunately Clem offered to take my bag back and do a sock, shirts and jeans change for me. Clean socks - can't beat the feeling.
Which left us to deal with the whelp.
Rupert and I went into the training room. Red was lying, out to the world, in a ring of candles and chalk sigils. Whelp was sitting on a mat head in his hands.
Watcher took a deep breath. "Xander, we need you to stay with Dawn for a couple of days. Buffy needs to come with us, or we will all lose her again."
Lights on, face red with fury, mouth moving, but nothing coming out.
"Look you complete waste of sperm! Grow up! Get over yourself! Cut the crap, coz nobody is interested in what passes for thoughts in what you laughingly call a brain." Ok not exactly Mr Tact. But not evil anymore not blind.
Whelp manages to get something out. "Love Dawn, I'll keep an eye on her b." then the bile rises again.
"You know Harris I could still make that wish Anya was musing about. The one where you get ritually flayed, and your still beating heart is ripped from your chest." Gotta love a girl with a sense of poetic irony." Or there is the one where you get deposited on a Pylean maggot heap. or to return to the classics, Sisyphus and the food and drink forever out of reach would make a nice change from having to watch you stuff your face with your mouth open. My mother taught me better manners than that." Actually it was Nanny but I ain't saying that round the whelp.
"Spike! Not helping."
"Sorry, Rupert. Not evil, but still me you know. Not gonna do it.probably. Unless driven to it."
"Understandable after those comments earlier. But if we could get back to the task in hand."
Whelp says "Willow? What's going to happen with Willow." Glad to see he finally realises he has to play along.
Rupert told him. I was wrong. Some people just don't get things even when they are spelt out in words of very few syllables. But at least it means quiet. With those sigils he can't touch Red and he will look after Nibblet. Glad Clem will be keeping an eye out too though.
We went back into the main room, and Giles visibly breathed easier. Must be hard. Know it is.
"So we flyin' or what? And does Buffy even have a passport, know most yanks don't. Certainly don't have the right visas in my passport."
"She has one provided by the COW, which she doesn't know about. But I don't want to use it. It will cause alarms to go off, which is the last thing we want. If she has one of her own it would still raise alarms. Mine also possibly.but less so. You have a passport?"
"Yeah, 'course. Might be dead but still mobile countrywise. Hate these new ones though. Wrong bloody colour!"
"I know. Burgundy! Hmpf. Only proper ones are blue. Guess we're both showing our age."
"As the oldest here I also have the solution", piped up the unusually quiet vengeance demon. Guess all the relationship woes are still tying her up in knots too.
"Make a wish either of you, for each of you and Buffy to hold a mzukshem."
"Uh?"
"Vengeance demons often assume identities to grant wishes. For the last century at least we've needed identity and travel papers that pass any scrutiny or inspection. It's a real pain in the butt. Hence the mzukshem. They show whatever identity you want, always have all the right stamps, and change at will."
"Know what you mean luv. The number of border guards I've had to eat over the years. Hungry or not, just to avoid the bloody form filling. Not that I'd do it now, course. Any preference which of us does the wishing? We ain't gonna run out of wishes are we, coz give us some warning."
"Both of you have so much pain, no, I.you won't run out. I wish you could. Wish later for a portal to Cairo. But no preference, just get on with it."
So I do and bingo. Shiny new (actually battered looking for authenticity) passport. My real name, a not too bad photo, and a dramatically different birth-date. One for Giles and Buffy too, both under false names.
Giles didn't want to call his mate in Cairo from the Magic Box in case of bugs. I mean I think they found 'em all, felt like it anyway. Said he'd do it from the hotel. Anya got on the computer and booked the Hilton Cairo, nice and central. Might have gone back to demonhood but she's still good with the net.
Giles, Anyanka and the shaman had a long discussion about the spell he'd have to perform. In the meantime I popped 'round to the butchers for a well- earned meal and some takeaway for the trip.
When I got back they'd finished, and the shaman opened a portal back to Tanzania. We hugged him, and he told Rupert and me to bring Buffy back to see him after we had restored her. Said he'd seen a number of failed epiphanies on her aura, and his wasn't going to be wasted.
The Shaman carried the unconscious, chained, and magically bound Red back through the portal. I could see the landrover and the lake with its flamingos shimmering in the background as they went through. Hope he can help her. Helped me, must be hope.
Whelp had come to see Red off with tears coursing down his face. Then he just slumped in a corner.
Clem returned with my clean clobber. He's turned out to be a good mate. Lucky there; know that. Buffy and Dawn arrived much later. Since most of her wardrobe wasn't in the running for the trip think they must have spent most of the time talking. Good, she's been ignoring the bit for too long. Both were pissed off to have missed Red, but I promised Buffy she'd see her soon, and I just hugged Dawn 'til she calmed down.
Anyanka had to leave. She had a job come through from D'Hoffryn. Charming London girl cruelly dumped by cheating LA journalist for a Slovakian slut. Anyanka looked quite chipper at the prospects of some really juicy vengeance, but still looked like she'd prefer to be with Rupert under some starry minarets and pyramids.
Giles looked so torn at seeing her off to do that, when all he clearly wanted to do was hold her. Know how he feels.
Before she left I did the wish, and she opened a portal to Cairo.
