Buffy was preparing breakfast the next morning when Tyler burst
through the door.
"Are you all right?" he asked, breathlessly.
"Tyler, what's wrong? I'm fine, of course."
"We've been trying to reach you on your walkie."
"Oh, sorry. I haven't got it on me. It's in my room. What's going on?"
"Burt was going through his seismo read outs last night and found El Blanco isn't the only graboid in the valley."
"What?" Buffy was shocked.
"There are at least two more. He's trying to track them now."
"What do we do?" Buffy asked.
"You're safe here. It's probably best you stay here. Do you have any guests that are planning on staying?"
"Just Angel. Everyone else is checking out this morning."
"Good. We need to get everyone out of here. We don't how long those graboids have been active."
"It couldn't be long or Burt would have noticed." Buffy reasoned.
"Not necessarily. Burt said there was one part of the valley he couldn't monitor well. Something about fault lines and normal seismic activity. If they developed in that area they could very well be ready to morph into screechers."
"What do we do?" Buffy asked.
"Burt called Twichell. He's going to block off the road. We have to get the tourists out of here before they cut off the valley or they're stuck here."
"How long do we have?"
"About two hours."
A voice from the doorway sent chills up Buffy and Tyler, but for different reasons. Tyler's reaction was one of a little fear. Buffy's was one of pleasure. His voice could always do that to her.
"I see you two have gotten an early start." Angel commented dryly.
"Angel," Buffy said. "We don't have time to do this right now. We've got two new graboids in the area and have to get everybody out before they close off the valley. I suggest you get your stuff and head out."
"Sorry, Buffy. But I think I'll stay. I'll go wake the other guests for you though."
"Angel, please."
"I'm staying. I'll help any way I can, but I'm not leaving you." Angel said. His double meaning so clear even Tyler caught it. Buffy chose to ignore it completely.
"Fine. Go wake the guests and tell them to be ready to move in an hour." Angel moved out the door.
"Tyler, has Jody got the full scale seismos up and running?"
"Yeah. They're set up in her store and are getting feed from Burt's seismos, too."
"Great. At least they can't sneak up on us."
Tyler was watching her. "What?" Buffy demanded.
"Just wondering when you became the take charge person. You did it when this guy, Angel, showed up and did it again just now. I guess I'm just surprised. You've always just gone along with us."
"Tyler, there's a lot of things you don't know about me and right now isn't the time to go into it." Buffy said.
"Yes, ma'am." Tyler said, giving her a mock salute.
"O.K. So, is the store going to be headquarters or do we need to set up at a more secure location?" Buffy asked.
"We were hoping you would let us set up here. That way we don't have to worry about the graboids getting too smart and trying to shut us down."
"Fine. Let's get the guests gone and then we'll move the equipment. Where are the others?"
"Every one except Burt is at the store."
Angel came back through the door. "The guests are all up and pretty frightened. I told them not to worry that it was just a precaution."
"Thanks Angel." Buffy said. She turned to Tyler. "Who is going to escort them to the edge of the valley?"
"I will." Tyler said.
"Fine. What else needs to be done?" Buffy asked.
"Nothing until Burt gets here. He's always got a plan."
They heard the sounds of guests coming down the stairs. Tyler smiled at Buffy. "I guess that's my que to go.
Tyler walked into the lobby and started trying to reassure guests. He got them organized and out the door.
"So, what now?" Angel asked.
"Now we go over to the store and move the equipment over here."
"What then?" Angel asked. "These things are endangered and protected by law."
"Yes, they are, but screechers are not." Buffy smiled at Angel. "It's a little loop hole in the law. We wait for them to change and then eliminate them before they change again."
"What are screechers like?" Angel asked.
"I'll explain later. Right now we need to get that equipment over here before one of them decides to come into town."
~~ * ~~
Jody had her eyes glued to the seismo when Angel and Buffy walked into the store.
"Hey everybody." Buffy said.
"Hey, Anne." Rosalita began. "Oh, sorry, um, Buffy."
She turned to look and Angel and went pale. "Oh my God." She said. "It's you. I never thought I'd see you again."
Buffy gave Angel a look that could kill while Angel looked confused.
"Do I know you?" Angel asked.
"I was in Vegas when you and your friends were there for Lorne. I worked at the Tropicana. I was one of the dancers then. I guess you wouldn't recognize me with out the green make up. My name is Rosalita." Rosalita responded and walked over to shake Angel's hand.
"Sorry, I don't remember you."
"Unlike some of the other girls, I knew what went on when you went into that Million Dollar game room. No one ever came out. When I saw you go in there I knew you were never coming out. Lorne was a good friend. He told me all about you. I was trying to get to you and give you a message when you went behind the curtain."
"I see. What exactly did Lorne tell you about me?" Angel asked, nervously.
"Just that you were one of the good guys. He trusted you. He knew you would come and get him out of that mess he was in. I don't know what those guys were using him for, but he didn't like it."
"Well, he's fine now. We got him out and he's back in LA." Angel said.
"Thank God for that."
"This is all very interesting." Buffy stated, coldly. "However, we have other things to take care of right now."
Buffy did take a moment to introduce Angel to Nancy. Then they gathered their things and headed for the hotel.
~~ * ~~
They got the equipment set up in the lobby of the hotel and we talking about strategy when Burt pulled up.
They all ran out to meet him. He looked grim. Burt always looked grim but now it was worse than usual.
"What's wrong, Burt?" Nancy asked.
"One of them has already changed." Burt stated. "I tracked him with my seismo into the eastern part of the valley then he disappeared from sight. I turned on my heat trackers and this is what I found." Burt turned the screen to face them and they saw 6 heat signatures on the screen.
"Oh, God. What do we do now?" Buffy asked.
"We get a team together and we go find it." Burt said. "We have to get to them before they multiply more. When I first spotted them there were only three."
"How do they multiply so fast?" Angel asked.
"They are hermaphrodites." Burt said. "They get enough to eat and bam, there's another one."
"Oh." Angel said. "It seems to me that gives them quite an edge."
Burt looked at him a moment before he grinned. "Those were my exact thoughts when I found out."
"So, what's the plan?" Angel asked. He was in his element here. He had something to fight. That should help him keep his mind off Buffy.
"When Tyler gets back, he and I are going to go hunting." Burt said.
"What about the rest of us?" Buffy asked, starting to get a little angry at the thought of being left out.
"I need someone to stay and watch over the town." Burt said.
"Rosalita and Nancy can do that." Buffy argued.
"I don't want to put you in any danger." Burt retorted.
Buffy laughed long and hard at that. Everyone but Angel was looking at her like she had lost her mind. Angel couldn't help the smirk that came across his face. They were treating her like she was some helpless female. If they only knew.
Buffy stopped laughing when she heard Rosalita's worried voice. "Burt, you better have a look at this."
They all looked back at the screen and counted 12 screechers now. "Oh shit." Jody blurted out.
"We can't wait for Tyler. We have to go now." Buffy said.
Burt took out his walkie and called for Tyler.
"Hey, Burt. What's up?" Tyler responded.
"What's your location?" Burt asked.
"About three miles outside of town. The tourists are gone and Twichell has closed off the valley."
"Great. Get back here as fast as you can." Burt said.
"Why? What's up?"
"One of the worms has changed. There are approximately twelve screechers on the loose now."
"I'll be there in a flash. Tyler out." Tyler grinned and stepped harder on the gas. He was driving an old mustang that had been abandoned in town. It didn't look like much but he built the motor himself. The 302 Boss under the hood with the four barrel carburetor drank the gas greedily and rapidly increased the speed of the car.
~~ * ~~
"All right." Burt began. "Rosalita and Nancy go to the store and gather supplies. We'll need heat dusters and food. I've got the ammunition and firepower in the truck. Jody, go inside and check the seismos. We need to know where the other graboid is."
Everyone scrambled at his orders.
"What about us?" Buffy asked.
Burt looked at Buffy and Angel. As much as he didn't want her tagging along, they could use another gun or two.
"Can you use a firearm?" Burt asked.
Buffy and Angel both nodded.
"Fine. Go get changed into long pants and shirts and hiking boots. That will help hide your body heat."
Buffy and Angel nodded and went inside.
~~ * ~~
They met in the hallway after changing.
"Buffy, can you use a gun?" Angel asked.
"I've fired one a few times. Remember the judge." Buffy snapped.
"That was a rocket launcher." Angel retorted.
"Angel, I can throw a stake and hit a vampire in the heart at fifty feet. I can hit a vamp with a crossbow at a couple of hundred feet. I don't think a gun is going to be much harder to aim." Buffy said.
Angel could see a point to her reasoning.
"What about you?" Buffy asked. "You haven't exactly needed a gun to protect yourself the last couple of hundred years. Have you ever fired one?"
"Of course. I'm not that old. I was quite good when I was human. Of course, they were very primitive, but I don't think I've lost my touch."
"Whatever. We'd better get going before Burt leaves us."
"What's in the bag?" Angel asked, pointing to the canvas satchel on her back.
"A nasty surprise for the screechers." Buffy replied. Angel cocked his eyebrow at her, but didn't pursue the subject. They headed downstairs and out the door.
~~ * ~~
"O.K. We're ready." Buffy called as they came out the door. "What's the status?"
Burt looked a little surprised by her actions and words. If he didn't know better, he would swear she was used to being in charge.
"Tyler arrived a couple of minutes ago. He's gone to help Rosalita and Nancy gather supplies. Jody has tracked what we believe to be El Blanco into the southern part of the valley. He's following his usual patterns. The other one is pretty close to the screecher group." Burt informed them.
Tyler, Nancy, and Rosalita came over to the hotel with their arms loaded down with supplies.
Tyler handed Buffy and Angel heat dusters then donned one himself.
"Everybody ready?" Burt asked.
"Let's go." Buffy said, on her way to Burt's SUV.
Tyler and Burt gave Angel a quizzical look. Angel knew what they were thinking. What happened to the Anne they knew. This Buffy was totally different. Angel just shrugged his shoulders and followed Buffy to the vehicle.
They were headed down the road when Angel spoke. "So, anyone care to fill me in on these screechers. I'd like to know what I'm going to be fighting."
~~ * ~~
A/N. Sorry for the short chapter. I'm trying to figure out the sequence of events from here on out. Don't worry. Buffy will have a familiar visitor soon, probably in the next chapter. Don't forget to review. I crave new ideas and suggestions.
"Are you all right?" he asked, breathlessly.
"Tyler, what's wrong? I'm fine, of course."
"We've been trying to reach you on your walkie."
"Oh, sorry. I haven't got it on me. It's in my room. What's going on?"
"Burt was going through his seismo read outs last night and found El Blanco isn't the only graboid in the valley."
"What?" Buffy was shocked.
"There are at least two more. He's trying to track them now."
"What do we do?" Buffy asked.
"You're safe here. It's probably best you stay here. Do you have any guests that are planning on staying?"
"Just Angel. Everyone else is checking out this morning."
"Good. We need to get everyone out of here. We don't how long those graboids have been active."
"It couldn't be long or Burt would have noticed." Buffy reasoned.
"Not necessarily. Burt said there was one part of the valley he couldn't monitor well. Something about fault lines and normal seismic activity. If they developed in that area they could very well be ready to morph into screechers."
"What do we do?" Buffy asked.
"Burt called Twichell. He's going to block off the road. We have to get the tourists out of here before they cut off the valley or they're stuck here."
"How long do we have?"
"About two hours."
A voice from the doorway sent chills up Buffy and Tyler, but for different reasons. Tyler's reaction was one of a little fear. Buffy's was one of pleasure. His voice could always do that to her.
"I see you two have gotten an early start." Angel commented dryly.
"Angel," Buffy said. "We don't have time to do this right now. We've got two new graboids in the area and have to get everybody out before they close off the valley. I suggest you get your stuff and head out."
"Sorry, Buffy. But I think I'll stay. I'll go wake the other guests for you though."
"Angel, please."
"I'm staying. I'll help any way I can, but I'm not leaving you." Angel said. His double meaning so clear even Tyler caught it. Buffy chose to ignore it completely.
"Fine. Go wake the guests and tell them to be ready to move in an hour." Angel moved out the door.
"Tyler, has Jody got the full scale seismos up and running?"
"Yeah. They're set up in her store and are getting feed from Burt's seismos, too."
"Great. At least they can't sneak up on us."
Tyler was watching her. "What?" Buffy demanded.
"Just wondering when you became the take charge person. You did it when this guy, Angel, showed up and did it again just now. I guess I'm just surprised. You've always just gone along with us."
"Tyler, there's a lot of things you don't know about me and right now isn't the time to go into it." Buffy said.
"Yes, ma'am." Tyler said, giving her a mock salute.
"O.K. So, is the store going to be headquarters or do we need to set up at a more secure location?" Buffy asked.
"We were hoping you would let us set up here. That way we don't have to worry about the graboids getting too smart and trying to shut us down."
"Fine. Let's get the guests gone and then we'll move the equipment. Where are the others?"
"Every one except Burt is at the store."
Angel came back through the door. "The guests are all up and pretty frightened. I told them not to worry that it was just a precaution."
"Thanks Angel." Buffy said. She turned to Tyler. "Who is going to escort them to the edge of the valley?"
"I will." Tyler said.
"Fine. What else needs to be done?" Buffy asked.
"Nothing until Burt gets here. He's always got a plan."
They heard the sounds of guests coming down the stairs. Tyler smiled at Buffy. "I guess that's my que to go.
Tyler walked into the lobby and started trying to reassure guests. He got them organized and out the door.
"So, what now?" Angel asked.
"Now we go over to the store and move the equipment over here."
"What then?" Angel asked. "These things are endangered and protected by law."
"Yes, they are, but screechers are not." Buffy smiled at Angel. "It's a little loop hole in the law. We wait for them to change and then eliminate them before they change again."
"What are screechers like?" Angel asked.
"I'll explain later. Right now we need to get that equipment over here before one of them decides to come into town."
~~ * ~~
Jody had her eyes glued to the seismo when Angel and Buffy walked into the store.
"Hey everybody." Buffy said.
"Hey, Anne." Rosalita began. "Oh, sorry, um, Buffy."
She turned to look and Angel and went pale. "Oh my God." She said. "It's you. I never thought I'd see you again."
Buffy gave Angel a look that could kill while Angel looked confused.
"Do I know you?" Angel asked.
"I was in Vegas when you and your friends were there for Lorne. I worked at the Tropicana. I was one of the dancers then. I guess you wouldn't recognize me with out the green make up. My name is Rosalita." Rosalita responded and walked over to shake Angel's hand.
"Sorry, I don't remember you."
"Unlike some of the other girls, I knew what went on when you went into that Million Dollar game room. No one ever came out. When I saw you go in there I knew you were never coming out. Lorne was a good friend. He told me all about you. I was trying to get to you and give you a message when you went behind the curtain."
"I see. What exactly did Lorne tell you about me?" Angel asked, nervously.
"Just that you were one of the good guys. He trusted you. He knew you would come and get him out of that mess he was in. I don't know what those guys were using him for, but he didn't like it."
"Well, he's fine now. We got him out and he's back in LA." Angel said.
"Thank God for that."
"This is all very interesting." Buffy stated, coldly. "However, we have other things to take care of right now."
Buffy did take a moment to introduce Angel to Nancy. Then they gathered their things and headed for the hotel.
~~ * ~~
They got the equipment set up in the lobby of the hotel and we talking about strategy when Burt pulled up.
They all ran out to meet him. He looked grim. Burt always looked grim but now it was worse than usual.
"What's wrong, Burt?" Nancy asked.
"One of them has already changed." Burt stated. "I tracked him with my seismo into the eastern part of the valley then he disappeared from sight. I turned on my heat trackers and this is what I found." Burt turned the screen to face them and they saw 6 heat signatures on the screen.
"Oh, God. What do we do now?" Buffy asked.
"We get a team together and we go find it." Burt said. "We have to get to them before they multiply more. When I first spotted them there were only three."
"How do they multiply so fast?" Angel asked.
"They are hermaphrodites." Burt said. "They get enough to eat and bam, there's another one."
"Oh." Angel said. "It seems to me that gives them quite an edge."
Burt looked at him a moment before he grinned. "Those were my exact thoughts when I found out."
"So, what's the plan?" Angel asked. He was in his element here. He had something to fight. That should help him keep his mind off Buffy.
"When Tyler gets back, he and I are going to go hunting." Burt said.
"What about the rest of us?" Buffy asked, starting to get a little angry at the thought of being left out.
"I need someone to stay and watch over the town." Burt said.
"Rosalita and Nancy can do that." Buffy argued.
"I don't want to put you in any danger." Burt retorted.
Buffy laughed long and hard at that. Everyone but Angel was looking at her like she had lost her mind. Angel couldn't help the smirk that came across his face. They were treating her like she was some helpless female. If they only knew.
Buffy stopped laughing when she heard Rosalita's worried voice. "Burt, you better have a look at this."
They all looked back at the screen and counted 12 screechers now. "Oh shit." Jody blurted out.
"We can't wait for Tyler. We have to go now." Buffy said.
Burt took out his walkie and called for Tyler.
"Hey, Burt. What's up?" Tyler responded.
"What's your location?" Burt asked.
"About three miles outside of town. The tourists are gone and Twichell has closed off the valley."
"Great. Get back here as fast as you can." Burt said.
"Why? What's up?"
"One of the worms has changed. There are approximately twelve screechers on the loose now."
"I'll be there in a flash. Tyler out." Tyler grinned and stepped harder on the gas. He was driving an old mustang that had been abandoned in town. It didn't look like much but he built the motor himself. The 302 Boss under the hood with the four barrel carburetor drank the gas greedily and rapidly increased the speed of the car.
~~ * ~~
"All right." Burt began. "Rosalita and Nancy go to the store and gather supplies. We'll need heat dusters and food. I've got the ammunition and firepower in the truck. Jody, go inside and check the seismos. We need to know where the other graboid is."
Everyone scrambled at his orders.
"What about us?" Buffy asked.
Burt looked at Buffy and Angel. As much as he didn't want her tagging along, they could use another gun or two.
"Can you use a firearm?" Burt asked.
Buffy and Angel both nodded.
"Fine. Go get changed into long pants and shirts and hiking boots. That will help hide your body heat."
Buffy and Angel nodded and went inside.
~~ * ~~
They met in the hallway after changing.
"Buffy, can you use a gun?" Angel asked.
"I've fired one a few times. Remember the judge." Buffy snapped.
"That was a rocket launcher." Angel retorted.
"Angel, I can throw a stake and hit a vampire in the heart at fifty feet. I can hit a vamp with a crossbow at a couple of hundred feet. I don't think a gun is going to be much harder to aim." Buffy said.
Angel could see a point to her reasoning.
"What about you?" Buffy asked. "You haven't exactly needed a gun to protect yourself the last couple of hundred years. Have you ever fired one?"
"Of course. I'm not that old. I was quite good when I was human. Of course, they were very primitive, but I don't think I've lost my touch."
"Whatever. We'd better get going before Burt leaves us."
"What's in the bag?" Angel asked, pointing to the canvas satchel on her back.
"A nasty surprise for the screechers." Buffy replied. Angel cocked his eyebrow at her, but didn't pursue the subject. They headed downstairs and out the door.
~~ * ~~
"O.K. We're ready." Buffy called as they came out the door. "What's the status?"
Burt looked a little surprised by her actions and words. If he didn't know better, he would swear she was used to being in charge.
"Tyler arrived a couple of minutes ago. He's gone to help Rosalita and Nancy gather supplies. Jody has tracked what we believe to be El Blanco into the southern part of the valley. He's following his usual patterns. The other one is pretty close to the screecher group." Burt informed them.
Tyler, Nancy, and Rosalita came over to the hotel with their arms loaded down with supplies.
Tyler handed Buffy and Angel heat dusters then donned one himself.
"Everybody ready?" Burt asked.
"Let's go." Buffy said, on her way to Burt's SUV.
Tyler and Burt gave Angel a quizzical look. Angel knew what they were thinking. What happened to the Anne they knew. This Buffy was totally different. Angel just shrugged his shoulders and followed Buffy to the vehicle.
They were headed down the road when Angel spoke. "So, anyone care to fill me in on these screechers. I'd like to know what I'm going to be fighting."
~~ * ~~
A/N. Sorry for the short chapter. I'm trying to figure out the sequence of events from here on out. Don't worry. Buffy will have a familiar visitor soon, probably in the next chapter. Don't forget to review. I crave new ideas and suggestions.