Author: Sirius
Rating: PG
Pairings: Willow/Will (getting there, I promise), and Charlie/Zoey (as soon as I get rid of the annoying French guy).
Disclaimer: For disclaimers, see Part I.
Author's Note: I know this is short, but at the moment, this seemed like a good place to end this portion of the story. Also, I realize that I haven't gotten to the "Bet" or "How to Lose a Frenchman" portions of the story, yet. They're on their way, but I have to finish the set-up. Besides, I think this is funny (although I'm not certain if everyone shares my opinion on that). Anyway, on with the story…
From Part II: The identical looks of shock from the three men made her chuckle. "What? I'm not allowed to watch `Matlock' every once in a while?"
Part III
Both Bartlet and Charlie noted the slight decrease in tension after Willow's comment, but Charlie recognized and followed the silent directive given by his President. He quietly – and with subtle movements – maneuvered himself to stand between Willow and Riley.
And then, the Captain had to start in again…
"It was research, Willow. They were dangerous…"
"Some of them, yes, but most of them… The Tyreshi are vegetarians, Riley. They don't do human. The Initiative had at least twelve of them on `Research Row.' They're grumpy, but harmless. They were tortured, Riley. I saw the video; we all did. I know exactly what was done to them. You wouldn't even have subjected Hitler to that – but then, the argument could be made that he was human – superficially, at least. You don't have to be a demon to be evil, Riley, and you don't have to be human to be nice. If genetics completely governed disposition, there wouldn't be a demon running a karaoke bar in L.A., and Wolfram and Hart wouldn't work for evil incarnate… but that's another thing altogether."
Riley looked about ready to start in with a rebuttal, but abruptly closed his mouth when President Bartlet glared at him.
"Well, now that all the repressed anger's been let out of the bag – one may hope – might we get back to the original topic of discussion? Charlie, your cousin?"
"Yes, sir. Charles Andrew Gunn – both our mothers thought very highly of our grandfather, sir – lives in Los Angeles, works for Angel Investigations and recently married the love of his life, an astonishingly brilliant physicist. Gunn and I are roughly the same age, and his parents died in a car crash not too long before Mom, leaving him to take care of Elana like I looked after Deena. We wanted to get together, but neither of us really had enough to relocate to the other side of the country, so we each stayed where we were, kept in touch and hoped for the best. He never told me the details, but I know that Elana was… Changed… and Gunn was forced to stake her. He's never really gotten over that, any more than I would have been able to get over having to kill something that used to be Deena. But even Gunn, who'd had to go through that personal Hell, could see that Angel isn't your typical vampire. With all due respect, Captain Finn," and with this, Charlie turned to look at Riley, "you'd learn a lot more if you actually listened to those who had walked the path before you. Gunn has, Willow has, Angel has, but since you're so convinced that Angel is evil, you refuse to see anything that might contradict that belief. I'd be careful of that tendency, if I were you. It's a dangerous one."
Bartlet – who inwardly sided with his aide – said nothing to Riley save that he was dismissed. Riley nodded and went to leave the room, but paused at the doorway. "Sir," he said, "I have one more question, if I may?"
The President nodded.
"This one's been bothering me since I saw Willow tonight. Willow… what are you doing here?"
The young Wiccan chuckled softly, amused by the look of shear amazement on Riley's face. "I came to visit my uncle, Riley – you might know him – Toby Ziegler, White House Communications Director?"
"Well," Riley said after a moment, shock blatantly visible on his face, "that explains a lot. And now I have even more reason to be grateful that Professor Walsh didn't get the chance to finish her pet project." He shook his head and the President dismissed him for the second time that night. As he walked toward the outer office door, he doubtless didn't realize that his words were perfectly audible to the three still standing in the Oval. "I'm getting too old for this. Presidential aide related to an investigator and demon slayer who works for a demon with a soul – doesn't make sense. And a witch with a member of White House Senior Staff for an uncle. What's next? Finding out that the new Deputy Communications Director is secretly a Druid?"
TBC…
