Chapter # 8

It was a troubled Angel that stood outside the house on Revello Drive in the hour before dawn. Darla's words had left him shaken and he had waited for the sun to set to head to Buffy's house and stand outside like some overprotective guard dog. He knew that she usually rose to patrol as soon as the sun set so it was unusual that the appointed time came and went and she remained inside her house.

He was just about to go in when he noticed an unfamiliar black DeSoto pulling into the curb. Angel didn't know anybody in this neighborhood that would drive such a car so he focused all his attention on it.

The car stopped a few yards away from Buffy's home and a black cad figure stepped out. Shock was too mild a word to describe what Angel felt as Spike made his way to maple that shaded the house and calmly climbed his way in to the Slayer's room.

The older vampire stood motionless as he contemplated his options. He could storm into the Slayer's house and confront Spike (and possibly Buffy) or he could be try to learn what was the connection between the Slayer and his childe (because he had always suspected that there was one). He wisely chose the latter and climbed the same tree quietly and used the leaves as cover as he peered into the window.

What he saw confirmed his suspicions and made him seriously doubt the future. Angel was also very surprised to feel the sharp stab of jealously amidst his other emotions. Obviously what he harbored for the Slayer went deeper than he thought.

The vampire descended the tree hastily. He didn't want to see anymore.

With a heavy step the vampire faded into the night.

***

Initiative headquarters 3:23 am

"Harris"

"Yes sir!"

"We have gotten unconfirmed reports that there is a couple of class A vamps holed in the old glassware factory in sector 9. We want you to a assemble a reconnaissance team and report back any findings"

"Do we have permission to eliminate?"

"No, unless you are attacked first keep it strictly recon. You will leave tonight at 23.00 hours".

Xander acknowledged his orders and received permission to begin assembling his team. He had promised Anya that he would help her arrange the seating charts for the after-wedding reception but it looked like it would have to wait.

If he was lucky Anya would understand, if not he would just have to deal with a weeks worth of silence and accusing glances.

***

He had been looking at the page for so long that the ancient script blurred into an unreadable mass.

The watcher sighed and took off his glasses. He wiped them off with the edge of his pajamas and replaced them on the bridge of his nose. After a three-hour research marathon he was tired to the edge of unconsciousness but he wouldn't stop. He couldn't because her life might depend on it.

There had to be a loophole to the prophecy or maybe some other interpretation that would spare Buffy's life. Giles' rational mind knew how unfeasible this was. This particular prophecy tome was always accurate but he'd been dammed if he'd just accept it.

"I don't think your driving yourself to exhaustion is going to help Buffy at all"

Giles managed a tired smile for his girlfriend as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and dropped a kiss on the top of his head.

Jenny Calendar had been his salvation in many ways. She'd come into his life past the point where he'd thought he could reconcile his duties with a loving relationship. With Jenny his calling wasn't an issue. She understood that his bond with Buffy went far beyond that of Watcher/Slayer. She was the child he'd never felt stable enough to have.

But what ultimately made Jenny unique was the fact that she wasn't intimidated by the world that Buffy and Giles' maneuvered in. She always volunteered her research skills and never backed down even in those moments where her life had been in danger. This made her the perfect mate for an active Watcher.

"I just cannot accept that there isn't a way to stop this from coming to pass, Jenny. Buffy doesn't deserve this, she is too young"

"In the past Slayers rarely lived pass their sixteenth year" Jenny said quietly.

"But Buffy's predecessor lived well into her eighties. I want the same for her"

"I do too and we will find a way to advert this but not if you run yourself ragged. Now, come back to bed with me. I promise you it will all be much clearer in the morning"

Giles allowed himself to be led back into the bedroom and within minutes the strain and fatigue got the upper hand. Jenny returned to the study and retrieved the carefully translated manuscript. Her dark eyes skimmed through the ancient writings.

Giles translation was nearly flawless and his interpretation was right on target.

Jenny or rather Janna had come to Hellmouth to keep this from happening. She, like her lover, had a sacred duty.

She could only hope that they would never find themselves at odds because she would have to question where her true loyalties laid. She feared the outcome.


TBC

Author's note: You probably guessed who the Big Bad in this fic will be. But just how will the seemingly strong B/S relationship will play into all this? I guarantee that it won't be pretty with lots of heartbreaking all around. Please R/R since it really helps me focus.