Disclaimer in chapter one.
**********
Sunnydale,
CA.
Rupert Giles hung up
the phone and turned to the assembled "Scoobies." "That
was a colleague from
England. I – it appears there were some mystical artifacts bound for the States from England. She
believes someone will go after one of these ar – artifacts. The Blade of Morgal, a sword with the
ability to drain the
soul of whomever it touches, transforming it into pure power that is
contained in the
sword."
Buffy Summers nodded.
"So this Sword of Morgan . . ."
"Blade of
Morgal," Giles corrected.
"It kills
whoever it touches," she continued, not missing a beat, "and makes
the sword into the
ultimate weapon. So whoever wants to be the next big bad will go for this blade?"
"Well ye – yes.
Unfortunately, the ship is bound for Miami. In fact it should have already arrived."
"Oh great,"
Xander Harris said. "A sword that steals your soul and it's on the
other side of the
country."
Giles removed his
glasses and began wiping them. "Well, yes, that is the case. Which
is why I plan to leave tomorrow for Miami. We cannot afford to let this
blade fall into the
wrong hands." He slid his glasses back on and studied the group.
"I could see
where that could be bad," Willow Rosenberg agreed.
"So G-man gets
to go to Miami for vacation," Xander teased, with a goofy grin.
"Xander, this is
not a vacation. It – it is serious business," the ex-watcher snapped and frowned at the young man.
Xander's grin faded.
"I know this is serious," he said quietly.
"I'm sorry for
being so harsh, but I feel understandably uneasy about this situation. And a part of me is loath to
leave Sunnydale, however briefly, with this threat looming. And Spike himself is barely stable. He
could easily become a
threat."
"I could
go," Xander offered. "I have a couple weeks off before our next
project. It might be
safer for you to be here as Buff's back-up."
"Xander,"
Giles sighed. "I appreciate your offer, but I don't know if I'm
entirely comfortable
with your going."
"Giles, I've
fought by Buffy's side for seven years now. I know I'm no slayer, but I've learned how to fight. And I've
also learned how to piece some of the bigger picture together. I can handle it."
"He's
right," Willow said. "And I could afford to miss a couple days of
classes to
go with him. To help him put together the rest of the picture when he needs
it."
Buffy sat up in her
chair. "They do have a point. You and I can handle things around here for a few days while they
retrieve the sword. And if we need help Spike can help, as much as I can't believe I saying
that." The slayer looked
almost ill at the
prospect of what she admitted.
Giles pinched the
bridge of his nose. "I suppose there's no arguing with any of you on this point."
The three friends
shook their heads and smiled as one. "Good lord," Giles muttered.
"How are we
going to take our weapons on the plane?" Willow questioned suddenly.
"I believe I
know someone who can help," Giles smiled for the first time that
evening.
*******
TBC . . .
What happens when
Xander & Willow arrive in Miami? What weird discoveries will the CSIs make in their murder case?
