Thanks to Rob Clark, Bill Haden, Chorlton, Red Jacobson, Paradox 761 and Brin Londo 5 for their feedback. All very much appreciated.
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For the Love of...
Chapter Three: Compromise
July 17th 2003
Slowly her eyelids flicked open. The sun that was pouring through the small gap in the curtain lit up half the room, while the rest remained in semi-darkness. Sitting up, Dawn Summers shook herself slightly to wake up, before pulling the covers back and swinging her body around to place her feet on the floor.
"Nope, definitely don't feel any different," she said to herself. Getting up off the bed, she slowly made her way to the wardrobe doors, which were open and unhooked her dressing gown off the hanger and slipped it around her shoulders. She looked at herself in the mirror as she tied the robe together, and couldn't help but think back to America and the one person she wished that was here with her on this day.
Trying to shake the thoughts away, she walked across her bedroom to the bathroom, turning the shower on when she got there. The room quickly filled with steam, warming her body as she let the robe fall, and slipped out of her nightshirt and panties. The hot water rushed over her body, as she dipped her head under the spray and let it envelope her, washing away the sleep and invigorating her for the day to come. Something she was looking forward to very much.
To her surprise, she had found that she loved it in England. Well beyond her expectations, Dawn enjoyed almost every day with a passion she'd forgotten she'd had. They'd spent the first few days staying at Giles's family estate, while he took care of his personal business. Then after that they'd gone on what was pretty much a three-week non-stop tour of Great Britain. She knew Giles was doubling up, meeting with various people he needed to, but he never let it interfere with the holiday he had promised both her and her sister.
One of the marvels of the time spent in England was that Dawn was able to see the sister she'd long since thought gone. The Buffy that remembered fun. The Buffy that truly wanted to enjoy the world. All that Dawn had feared was lost from Buffy, since she'd been pulled back from Heaven, was rediscovered in those weeks. Dawn loved being in Buffy's company as she truly discovered what it was like to live again.
She knew it had to end however, and so when they arrived at their final destination, a small cottage on the outskirts of, Aylesford, Kent, she wondered if her love affair with the country would be over. It didn't take to many days for her to know that it wouldn't. She thought it was a little naughty for Giles to keep spending the Council's money on them. But when she found out how much they had, the financial crap they'd put up with over the last few years and the fact that they needed somewhere to stay, she got over it pretty quickly.
There was such a homely feel to this house, that she felt right at ease straight away. It was mainly brick and mortar based, with a small garden at the front and back. The real joy came when you walked in. The wooden walls, fireplace, old style furnishings and designs on the ceiling all contributed to the feel of the place. She had a very luxurious queen sized bed in her own room, which actually had four posts on it, something that she never thought she'd have. Added to it, was the en-suite, a godsend, after the sharing of the single bathroom in Sunnydale.
The village they were living in was friendly and very laid back. There was plenty of history about the village, and unlike most of the history at school, she found it interesting. She was a little worried that it might be a bit slow for her after the hustle and bustle of California, but Giles seemed to know what they needed and after being here for two weeks, she could only agree on how right he was.
Yes, life was pretty much perfect for Dawn Summers.
If you didn't count the Xander Harris size hole in her heart.
Almost every day she'd receive an e-mail from him, and she loved each one. But as soon as she'd finished reading it, it would just remind her of the distance between them.
And today was her birthday, and he wasn't going to be here to celebrate it with her.
She turned the water off, and stepped out of the shower. She reached over and grabbed her towel, to dry off, and tried as hard as she could to remember that today was a happy day.
And that Xander Harris was the one missing out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A little more than thirty minutes later, Dawn walked down the stairs of her home, and into the kitchen. She still needed her cup of coffee, and doubted that she'd ever be switched over to tea no matter how long she stayed in the 'Mother Country'.
She'd just poured herself a cup of coffee, when there was a knock at the door. Dawn glanced at her watch and frowned wondering who felt it necessary to visit at 8.00am in the morning.
"Coming!" she called out, as she stood up and walked to the front door. Opening it, she didn't see anyone for a moment, till she looked down and saw a box, wrapped in gift paper and a bow, on the doorstep. She put aside her fears of a trap, and reached down to pick the card up off the box. Opening the envelope she pulled it out and read the front cover.
It simply said, "I'm sorry."
Opening it up, she gasped a startled breath as the writing made it clear to her, who'd sent it. "Xander," she whispered, truly touched by it.
"Yes, milady."
She gasped again at the sound of his voice, and looked up, to her right and left searching for him. "Xander!" she called out loudly this time, hoping that her mind wasn't making her hear things that she only dared dream about.
"Happy Birthday, Dawn."
This time there was no confusion as to where the voice came from. She spun around with the biggest grin on her face, and just beamed at the man who stood behind her. "Oh my god!" she screamed and jumped into his arms, making sure that he was actually there. He'd looked much the same as he had when she'd last seen him. Except it had been weeks and that was too long.
"I'm sorry," he told her again, as he hugged her back just as hard.
"It doesn't matter," she replied into his chest. She pulled away and looked up at him, sure that he had never looked so good to her. "I can't believe that you are here."
"I couldn't miss your birthday, could I?" he replied.
"I'm so glad you couldn't," she told him. "Are you..."
"Here for good? Well indefinitely would be a better way of describing it," he told her. "I'm going to have a long talk with Giles, Buffy and yourself and see what happens."
"Sounds okay to me," Dawn told him. She could tell that she was still gushing, but she couldn't care. "Hey, how did you get inside?" she asked.
"Ahh, well you see I had some help," he answered and then as if on cue, Buffy came out from around the corner.
"Happy Birthday Dawn," she said, with the biggest shit eating grin, Dawn had seen on her face in years. She knew at once that Buffy had known about this for quite a while and had kept it secret from her.
"You...you..." Dawn said.
"Great wonderful sister?" Buffy answered, clearly enjoying herself.
"Yeah, lots of that stuff," Dawn replied. Then looking at both of them, she told them, "Thank you."
"Well, I've got a few suitcases outside, do you have somewhere for an out of work American to bunk down for a few days?" Xander asked.
"Oh, I think we do," Buffy responded, then paused looking at Xander. "It's really good to see you again, Xan."
There was a spark in Buffy's eyes that Xander hadn't seen in so long, and when he replied, he meant everything he said. "It's really good to see you again, Buffy."
"Oh My God! Xander!"
He didn't have to turn around to know that Dawn had opened her present. He'd wondered about what to get her. Remembering that, like them all, they'd lost so much when Sunnydale became it's own sink-hole, he'd remembered her favourite necklace, and during one of his last days in Los Angeles, he'd traversed from jeweller to jeweller looking for something similar. Finally he'd found it. It was gold, the necklace itself made of small and thin tiny links. It looked too delicate to wear, and when Xander had handled it, he was a little afraid of breaking it. But the saleswoman assured him that if he treated it carefully it wouldn't just fall apart on him.
The charm that sat in the middle of the necklace, which was now hanging down on the top of Dawn's chest, was a simple gold star, with a small diamond in the middle. It wasn't an expensive stone, but it suited the necklace well, and when the sunlight caught the diamond, it made the star sparkle. Something that Xander felt Dawn needed no help in doing, especially with the smile she was beaming at him now.
Dawn crossed the few feet between them and kissed him on the cheek. "It's beautiful," she told him. "Can you put it on?"
"Of course," Xander replied, taking the necklace from her, and when Dawn spun around she gathered her beautiful sheet of long brown hair to one side. When Xander leaned down to loop the chain around her neck, he became dizzy with the intoxicating scent of vanilla as he leaned in close to Dawn's shoulders to fasten the delicate clasp. As soon as he was done, Dawn turned around again to face him, and reached up and held the star in the palm of her hand. After a few moments, she looked up into his eyes, and Xander knew she could see how pleased he was that she liked it.
"Thank you," she told him again. Though Xander needed no words to tell him that. Her eyes had already thanked him many times in those seconds.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The spare room that Xander had been set up in thankfully had a bed in it, and though it wasn't the most comfortable of mattresses, he'd definitely slept on worse over his lifetime. The jetlag that had been added to his lack of sleep of course sent him off to la-la land before he could really notice any bumps in the mattress anyway.
Sometime later, he awoke, and for a moment had no real idea of where he was. The mainly white curtains on the windows had been drawn back, letting the sunlight stream into the room, but it was a light that seemed a lot softer than the harsher morning light when he arrived. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and saw that his jeans were neatly folded and sitting nearly on the chair, by the side of the bed. Standing up, he then reached down and picked them up, slipping one leg into them, then the other. He shook his head to try and clear the cobwebs, and let everything become clear to him again.
For the first time in almost three months, and even in a foreign country in a bed that he had never slept in before, he felt at peace.
As he opened the door to his room, and stepped out onto the landing, he could hear the sounds of music wafting up the staircase. He checked his watch, hoping that he hadn't slept through the start of Dawn's birthday party, and was grateful that he hadn't.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs he saw that some of the preparations had obviously been completed and others were in progress. The music was a welcome accompaniment.
Rounding the corner and walking into where he assumed the kitchen was, he stopped in his tracks, watching as Dawn danced away while preparing some of the food for the party. It was almost hypnotic the way she swayed her hips moving her body in rhythm to the beat. He didn't however want to embarrass Dawn by having her think he was staring at her, even though he so was. Quietly he backed a few steps around the corner and then when he was out of sight, he announced his presence.
"Hello! Dawn! Buffy!"
Having thought that he was loud enough, and hearing that she'd turned the music down a little, he then stepped around the corner again. This time Dawn had stopped her dancing and had obviously followed his voice and had started to come looking for him.
"Hey!" he said as he came into eye contact with her.
It was amazing to watch how her face could just light up when she was happy. It was almost intoxicating to Xander and he couldn't believe that he almost said goodbye to that vision.
"How you feeling?" she asked as she walked up to him and gave him a quick hug.
"Good, great even," he answered. "Doing stuff for the party?"
Dawn nodded as she went back to the kitchen bench. "Yeah. I mean it's not going to be a huge party or anything. Just you, Buffy, Giles and a few people that we've met so far. Probably won't even break a dozen."
Xander shrugged. "It'll be fun though."
As she answered that smile reappeared, and Xander felt like he was under a spell again. "Of course it will be. You're here."
He could feel his face getting hot and he could only imagine how red it must be, but he had the good grace to accept he compliment. "I'm glad that I am."
She walked over to him. "I need to go and grab some stuff, can you take over," she said indicating where she was preparing the food.
Xander nodded, "sure." He picked up the knife and was about to slice into some of the various vegetables when, he heard Dawn call him.
"Hey Xan."
"Yeah," he replied looking straight ahead into the window, seeing her clearly in the reflection. She was laughing slightly at him and then spun around and walked away.
About five seconds later, Xander realised what the implications of that was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I must say, I'm very happy to have you in England, Xander," Giles told him.
The party had been going for a few hours and while it was a small affair, everyone was in a very good mood and Xander had found himself totally enjoying himself. He'd had plenty of time to talk to Dawn, Buffy, and even some of the people he'd not met before. Some of them were from the local village and others were some of the people they'd met while getting support for the new Watchers' Council. He could tell that Dawn cared little for most of them, she was happy to have her family with her, and to see her so happy was more than enough joy for Xander.
"It's good to be here, Giles," he replied, setting his drink down on the top of the fireplace. He looked over to where Buffy and Dawn were talking animatedly with a couple of the other party attendees. "I'd forgotten how they look when they are so happy."
Giles nodded. "You look happier yourself."
Xander nodded. "I have moments, but I feel like I'm in the right place."
Giles paused before responding, and Xander was almost certain as to what he was about to ask. "Have you given any thought to the other part of my offer?"
"Giles, my good man, why spoil a party on such matters," Xander replied, his voice carrying an almost regal edge as he tried to palm off Giles's question. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, okay?"
Giles nodded, realising that Xander was having all together too much fun mocking the English accent, and that more importantly, now wasn't the best time.
"Can I drag him away from you?" Dawn asked, having appeared almost out of thin air in front of them. She reached for Xander's hand and pulled him away and onto what was the impromptu dance floor, just as a slower song came over the speakers.
"Well this is a nice co-incidence, isn't it," Dawn told him, the sparkle in her eye, glinting just a little more than usual.
Xander had to laugh a little. "Yes, it is."
Dawn wrapped her arms around Xander's neck, while Xander wrapped his around her waist, resting his hands on the small of her back. She was still looking up at him, so there was a small gap between their bodies, but not by much. "You looked like you could do with rescuing."
"Nah, I was okay, but feel free to rescue me anytime you want," he told her, savouring having her arms around him as he swayed to the music.
"Have you..." Dawn stopped herself, and then relaxed and laid her head on Xander's chest. "Thank you for being here," she said softly, just loud enough for Xander to hear.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," he replied, as they started moving to the beat of the music, no longer noticing anyone else in the room.
"They look very happy," Giles said, looking at the dancing duo, when Buffy came over to him.
Buffy looked over and had to agree. "Yes, they do."
"So, you still think that they aren't involved?" Giles asked.
Buffy looked a little shocked, holding her hand up to her chest in mock surprise. "Why, Giles, I didn't know you were into gossip."
She let Giles splutter for a few moments, before letting him off the hook, by waving her hand, telling him that she was kidding. She glanced back at the twosome and smiled. "I don't know if they are, but seeing them so happy, I really wouldn't care if they were."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
August 26th 2003
It amazed Xander just how much Giles seemed to have achieved in the almost two months since they left Los Angeles. He knew that this was all part of Giles's hard sell at getting Xander to start training to be a Watcher. Though he had yet to make up his mind on that point, he had to admit that the facility he, Buffy and Giles were walking around was pretty impressive.
The old Manor house, situated part of the way between Aylesford and Chatham, looked to have been built hundreds of years ago, and with its adjoining buildings there certainly was enough room for what Giles had told them he wanted to facilitate. The first building they went too was the smallest, which was in the middle to being converted to a new three level gymnasium. While it would hold the usual assortments of equipment any modern gym would have, it also had a level specifically for live action drills, and another one for sparring.
"The Slayers that are in England, and in some cases Europe will all spend some time here training and learning," Giles told them both, though Xander could tell that this wasn't news to Buffy. Something that was confirmed when she spoke.
"Part of my job will be overseeing all the Slayer Training," she added, at which Xander simply nodded, not saying anything.
"Unfortunately it won't be possible for every Slayer to come here. For the moment we have no exact idea how many there are. But even when we do know where they all are, it would be more feasible to replicate the training around the world, versus bringing them all here," Giles said, as they all walked through the bottom level and out to the open areas again.
They continued their tour, with Xander just following silently with them. He could tell that they were both casting little glances his way to see if there was any indication of what his opinion was, but he gave none. He'd started to get some nasty suspicions as soon as the tour had started and wanted to remain quiet till he had gathered all his thoughts on the subject.
They walked through the entrance to the next building, and Xander could tell that it was being made up to house various people. His own expertise at carpentry made that a no-brainer.
"This will be the dormitories for all students that require it, whether they be Watchers or Slayers. Top floor will be for females, middle for Males and the bottom floor," Giles said as he opened a big wooden door, indicating for them to look inside, "will be for the cafeteria and recreational rooms."
Xander nodded. "Looks good."
It was his first comment on anything that he'd been shown, and it was all he was going to say for the moment.
"Umm right," Giles spoke after realising that Xander wasn't going to add anything else. "Well, the main building is this way."
Giles led Buffy and Xander out and up the fairly wide path, almost a mini road, which led to the huge Manor House. It was a rather daunting place. The council building may have been blown to smithereens almost a year ago, but as he had seen so far, the Watchers' Council obviously had other significant assets.
The main building was definitely intimidating. He'd never seen anything like it in America. It looked to be at least three levels high, though he was sure there would be a level below ground as well. Each level was lined with huge windows, and against the reddish tinged outside walls, the stonework on the entrances and white edges, it was striking in how much it dominated the landscape. It wasn't Buckingham Palace big, but it was big.
They walked through the columned and arched entrance, seeing a huge marble staircase taking pride of place in the middle of the foyer. The floors were polished wood, and the walls were all covered in varied range of portraits and landscapes.
"This will be where everything else happens," Giles told them. "In this building, will be where all theory based training will happen, there is an extensive library being stocked on the second level, as well as other resources. The actual Council will sit here as well, it's offices and Chambers are this way."
As Xander followed them both, the one thing that stuck out to him was that this part of the building was already completed. And to his trained eye there was no expense spared, from the furnishings, the carpet, the drapes, the doors, absolutely everything looked incredibly opulent.
It merely confirmed something that he'd hoped wouldn't be the case.
"Well, so that's the complex," Giles started. "There is still lots to do before we become operational, but we can't put it off indefinitely." He looked at Xander before asking, "what do you think?"
Xander held his gaze when replying. "Who has funded all of this?"
"The Watchers' Council has significant funds available to it," Giles replied.
"I'd say," Xander muttered a little under his breath. "I don't like how this is being spent."
"What do you mean, Xander?" Giles asked.
Xander shook his head, signalling with his arms around him. "Look at this place. How much was spent in here. Thousands, hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of pounds, I don't know. But nothing seems to be spared."
"Yes, well, some of the council is used to such things," Giles replied, and Xander could tell he understood exactly what Xander was saying.
"I thought you wanted things to change? Why are they even still on the council?" Xander challenged.
Giles looked stressed as he replied. "That's a very long story, Xander." Seeing the steeling look Xander gave him in response he added, "one you obviously want to hear."
Xander watched as Giles took a deep breath. "Okay for the sake of myself who actually wants to be home for dinner sometime today, I will summarise it for you. The Watchers' Council as we know it has existed for about 700 years. Obviously it's genesis was hundreds, perhaps thousands of years before that, but this organisation can be traced back till the 1300's. What's your English history like?"
Xander rolled his eyes. "Pretend I know squat."
"Okay, well Europe from that time and up till less than 200 years ago, one of the main sources of power was held by the Catholic Church. They controlled countries, Kings, and more importantly had huge levels of land and money. To this day the Vatican is extremely rich. Over time of course different religions branched off, and countries asserted their own power, and the Catholic Church today is an all-together different institution. The Watchers' Council was set up with funds from the Catholic Church, and since, at the time, the majority of demonic activity seemed to be based in England, they set up here.
"As happens with history, in England, through a number of ruling families, the Anglican religion was born. The Catholic Church tried to overthrow Kings and Queens, but through it all, they still funded the Watchers' Council."
"You mean we're going to be working for the Pope?" Xander asked, the idea sounding ludicrous.
Giles shook his disapprovingly. "Around 300 years ago, the people who ran the Watchers' Council decided that they'd had enough of being dictated to by the church and they struck out on their own. By then the ruling families had gathered quite considerable wealth on their own, and no longer needed any funding. Those families have been the backbone of the council since then."
"Well they've been doing a bang up job then, haven't they?" Xander replied. "So let me guess, even though good ol' eye poker, Caleb, blew up the Council headquarters, these people still survived."
"No, some didn't. And might I remind you that I'm part of this history, you're deriding," Giles told him, obviously a little hurt from Xander's outburst.
"What's got you so upset, Xander?" Buffy asked. She'd remained silent through Giles's talk, but felt the need to speak, if only to provide a buffer to the others.
"You told me, both of you, that you were determined to make a different Council. To actually look after the Slayers, help the world," Xander replied.
"And we are," Giles defended his role. "There are lots of changes that we are putting in place."
"I will never let them experience the hell I went through," Buffy added.
Xander shook his head. "Take a look around, guys. What is the first thing that was completed here? And at a totally over the top level of luxury. What makes this Council so different from the other, apart from a Slayer being on it?"
"Unfortunately we are reliant on the support of the older families. While I may have access to the purse strings, they could stop that if they weren't being listened to." Xander could tell that Giles was trying to make him understand. "There has to be compromise for this to work, Xander."
"As there should be, Mr. Giles!"
The bellowing voice from the entrance way caused them all to turn. Standing there, looking as though he was trying to come across as regal, stood a very upright middle aged man. The receding grey hairline, spectacles and foxhunter outfit made him look more like a joke in Xander's eyes.
"Ahh, may I introduce, Simon Worthsworld," Giles said speaking to Buffy and Xander. "Member of the Inner Council and one of the main backers of the rebuilding.
"Miss Summers," Worthsworld said approaching her. "A privilege to meet you at last." He pulled the charming act off quite well.
Xander didn't buy any of it. Especially when he turned and regarded Xander as if he was dirt. Xander knew that he'd been listening in outside for quite a while. "And this is?"
"Harris, Xander Harris. One of people from Sunnydale, whom I'm hoping will join us here at the Council," Giles told him.
Xander watched Giles's reactions and body language as he talked to Worthsworld. Whoever this guy was, Giles was making damn sure that he didn't offend him. Xander could care less.
"So, you've been on the Watchers' Council for years, I take it?" Xander asked.
"Yes, young man," was the reply he got.
"Great, just what we need. Another impotent politician." Xander turned away from the startled man and spoke to Giles and Buffy. "I'm out of here. But thanks, you've given me plenty to think about."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Xander!"
Sitting peacefully on his bed, reading the latest Harry Potter book, Xander chuckled to himself as he heard the door slam below and Giles's voice bellow up the staircase. He was actually surprised that it had taken this long for Giles to turn up.
Thankfully Dawn was out with friends, cause Xander doubted this would be all that silent.
"Xander!" The second call was even louder than the first.
He could hear the footsteps thundering up the steps, and wasn't surprised that when his name was called again, the door opened at the same time, banging a scant second later on the wall, from the force of Giles's hand.
"Xander!"
Xander put his book down, and looked across at him. "Yes, Giles," he answered.
Giles seemed to be shaking his head, trying to work out how to put into words what he wanted to say. "How could you? You just insulted..."
"I just insulted a fat rich prick who has made his livelihood off the blood of girls like Buffy, Faith and every other Slayer," Xander replied cutting Giles off with his own venom.
He could see Giles deflate, seeing the truth in Xander's words. "You're right of course." Giles walked over and took a seat. "But damn, Xander, do you realise the tightrope I'm walking here?"
Xander held his tongue and thought about what he wanted to say. He respected Giles more than any other male figure in his life, and even though he was pissed at him, he still wanted to show that respect by at least arguing his points well.
"Why is the Watchers' Council in England, Giles?" he asked, his tone a lot more conciliatory than earlier.
Giles looked a little puzzled. "I thought I explained it..."
Xander nodded. "Yeah you said why it came here. And that made sense. England and Europe were the centres of world trade and power for so long. But at least for the last one hundred years, it makes no sense being here. How long was the Sunnydale Hellmouth in existence? Didn't Wilkins create Sunnydale just over a century ago? And the second Hellmouth, in Cleveland? I think you will find that's in the USA as well."
"Yes, well Vampires and demons to tend to follow where the world power moves too," Giles told him.
"And it would make sense for the Watchers' Council and Slayer's to be there as well." Xander sat up straight. "You know why they haven't moved? You do don't you?"
Giles nodded. "Because this is their powerbase."
Xander agreed. "They don't give a flying fuck about Buffy or any of the other Slayers, or Watchers who aren't part of their families. This is their own personal powerbase, giving them money to burn, a secret government, and girls who were practically slaves in their service."
"Xander, I hope you don't think..." Giles started to say, protesting his difference.
"I know Giles, you were an exception. As are a number of the Watchers, I'm sure. But it is the Watcher's out there in the field, they are the ones who see the reality."
"I understand and agree with what you've said, but I don't..."
Once again, Xander interrupted him. "How can *this* council be any different if the majority are still made up with the Men and Women who resided over the previous one. I know you and Buffy are on it, but how many others can you honestly say without any hesitation have the Slayer's best interest at heart?"
"It's true there is a lot of the old guard, but we need their influence to make sure it all happens. Do I wish I didn't need them? You're damn right I do. Does it make me sick to have to treat people like Worthsworld with respect, when I'd like to walk over his fat arse? Of course it does," Giles told him.
"Then why?"
"Cause if I didn't, then I wouldn't be involved, they would control everything, and then the Slayers would really have no-one to look after them," Giles replied heatedly. He took a breath and added, "I may be in charge but I know well enough that I'm here as a compromise they've made. If I don't show as much flexibility, then I will find myself getting fired once again."
Xander was silent at this, and after a few moments, Giles continued. "We can't look after anyone from the outside. Sure I could keep Buffy and a couple of others safe, like we all did in Sunnydale, but there are hundreds, maybe thousands of girls out there. We need to be on the Council to help."
"I understand," Xander responded. "You can only change the system from the inside."
Giles nodded. "That's why I want you there. I know implicitly that not only will you have the skills, but you will also make sure that the slayer you are assigned to will be looked after and not left to fend for herself."
Xander nodded again, deep in thought.
"Whatever you decide the first course will be starting in four weeks," Giles told him. "Some people have been sent into the field already, but only to Cleveland."
Xander frowned. "Why? I would've thought that Robin would've been a perfect candidate for Watcher?"
"Yes, well he would've," Giles admitted, then laughing. "Would've, Wood."
Xander shook his head at the appalling pun.
"Right, well...because of Robin and Faith's relationship someone else needed to be assigned." Seeing that Xander was still looking for more information, Giles added, "If you are a Watcher, it is forbidden to be in a relationship with a Slayer."
Xander nodded. "I suppose considering that they freaked at the Father-like relationship you had with Buffy, I shouldn't be surprised."
"And so, apart from the two Watchers that have been sent there, your class, if you join will be the first of the new group of Watchers." Giles paused, before asking, "So, are you in?"
"You think Worthsworld, would let that happen?" Xander asked.
Giles smiled. "I think he'll have to compromise."
Xander couldn't help smiling in return. "Well, I still have a lot to think about, but if you can get him to be okay with it, then maybe you *will* have the clout to make the changes we both want."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been a few days since Xander and Giles's talk, and the younger man had yet to make up his mind about what he wanted to do. And to be honest, at the moment he was thinking about more immediate and important things
There was a multitude of emotions running through his head as he sat on the couch in the living room, waiting for Dawn to come down the stairs so they could go out. He'd asked her as any very good friend would. However as the day came closer and the hours ticked away, he began to realise that the little butterflies that were running wild in his stomach were because he had started to think of Dawn as something more than just a very good friend.
It confused him, what they had. There wasn't any way to really describe it. Sure they were as close as family and over the years he'd wanted to protect her like any big brother would. Of course thinking like that got very weird these days. On the other hand they'd become very close this last year, and she was way more than 'just a friend' to him. Not that being a friend should be marginalised. Just that Dawn was in this special category, and he liked her being there, which only served to confuse him more.
He had stated to himself on a number of occasions that he wasn't ready for a new girlfriend yet. It wasn't just that Anya had passed away this year. He'd been in some sort of relationship for years now, and with his life in such a state of flux, he decided that he should get it all together before jumping into a new relationship.
It was at about the same time, when those thoughts were running through his head, that Dawn made her entrance down the stairs. Any thoughts were now an incoherent mess.
It was still relatively warm in England in late August. Not Californian warm, but England warm. The type of warm where a weather report could say it was a warm and windy 50 degrees and no one would dispute. Unless of course they were from California, which is why Dawn had a coat with her. But for now, she was floating down the stairs, taking Xander's breath away. Her chestnut hair flowing freely down past her shoulders, seemingly to catch the wind, even though there wasn't any blowing inside. Her Burgundy coloured blouse, contrasting nicely with her black skirt, which reached half way down her thighs.
And suddenly Xander wondered if she'd seen him looking too hard.
His own jeans and jacket ensemble wasn't formal in any way, but it looked good and Xander knew they would make a very attractive couple tonight.
"You look really nice," he told her as she reached the bottom of the stairs, feeling it was safe enough to open his mouth.
"Thank you," she replied as her lips separated into that smile that seemed to melt his moods, even on the frostiest of occasions.
"Shall we?" he asked, and when she nodded, he held the door open and waited for her to walk out.
They drove into the city listening to some music on the radio, commenting on various things, but mainly just enjoying the normalcy of the situation. They were two young people, going out to dinner and a movie. Something both of them were very much looking forward to.
The small café that Xander had chosen was not too busy when they arrived. It looked very cosy, and inviting. They followed the waiter and took their seats, then started perusing the menu. A short time later the waiter duly took their orders and then they were by themselves.
"Have you made any decision yet?" Dawn asked.
Xander wasn't surprised that she'd asked. They'd talked about it, after Buffy had asked Dawn if Xander had said anything to her. Of course Xander hadn't, so Dawn wanted to know all the details about his visit. Xander could tell the shock on her face was real, but she also understood his reasons for getting so worked up over it.
He shook his head. "Not yet." He could tell that she was anxiously awaiting his decision, and even though it was up to him, he did want to know what she thought. "What do you think?"
There was a look of shock that passed Dawn's face for a moment, then happiness at being asked. "Well, I want you to stay, but that's something separate," she admitted, with a slightly shy grin.
"If that was all I needed to decide, I would've done that the first day I arrived, Dawn," Xander told her. His heart pulsed a little at the way her face lit up in reaction to his words. "But this is sort of a life decision, or at least a number of years decision."
"You could get posted anywhere?" Dawn said, though she was more thinking out loud.
"Yeah, though I'd probably be in the States. Easier that way," he answered. "Think of it this way, you'd have a place to visit anytime you wanted to."
"Anytime?" Dawn asked teasingly.
Xander was very straight in response. "Anytime. You could have your own key."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The night had gone well for both of them. The dinner was nice, and the movie fun, but more than that, they had spent the time together and enjoyed every minute of it. Without either of them thinking about it, during the movie Dawn had snuggled into Xander's side and laid her head on his shoulder, while Xander's arm wrapped around her shoulders in response. They stayed that way for most of the film, both of them enjoying the closeness they were feeling.
Now as they walked through the door, Dawn didn't want the night to end. She knew she was totally smitten with Xander. She knew it, and didn't want to hide it. But she also knew that as much as Xander seemed to be moving on, he was still hesitant about getting into another relationship. The one thing Dawn was sure of, if her and Xander did get together it wasn't going to be a fling, or bit of fun. It was going to be as serious as her feelings for him, and she hoped his feelings for her.
"Would you like a coffee?" she asked, both wanting one herself, and trying to keep him up, so they could spend more time together.
"Yes, thanks," Xander replied, flashing her that lop sided grin she thought was so cute.
She walked into the kitchen to boil the water, when she realised that Xander had followed her. He took a seat next to the kitchen bench, and watched as she got the cups ready. She didn't feel at all self-conscious at him watching her. She liked that she could have his total attention while doing something so mundane as making coffee.
"I think I'll take Giles up on his offer," Xander said, somewhat out of the blue, so much so that Dawn stopped what she was doing and walked the few steps over to where he was sitting.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Xander nodded. "Yeah, I do have major problems with some of the things going on, but in the end, Giles is right. If I want to change things, have a say, then I have to be on the inside."
"Yeah," Dawn replied softly.
"If I can make the life of one Slayer better, than it will be worth putting up with the crap that I am no doubt going to have to put up with."
Dawn giggled slightly, causing Xander to raise his eyebrows. "What?" he asked.
"Oh, I was just picturing you in tweed," she said, before stepping back quickly enough to avoid the playful swat of Xander's hand.
"Just for that, I'll never show you," he retorted playfully, though he saw a look of sadness just edge it's way onto Dawn's face. "What is it, Dawnie?" he asked.
She looked a little embarrassed. "I'm being silly," she told him.
He reached over and lightly took hold of her hand. "I don't care how you think you're being. What is it?"
"You're going to get posted somewhere, and I'll be in England for at least another year and a half." She caught herself, and realised how she must sound. "I'm sorry, I'm being selfish."
"Don't apologise. It was a consideration, you know."
Dawn's worry broke as her lips parted and the grin that she knew Xander loved broke out again. "Really?"
"Yeah," Xander replied, almost shyly.
"I just don't want to lose you, Xander," Dawn told him, softly.
"You never will, Dawn. No matter where I am, I'll still be yours," Xander replied, squeezing her hand for a moment. "You want to check out what's on the TV?" he asked, letting go of her hand.
Dawn knew that Xander didn't want the night to end either.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
September 23 2003
It didn't take long into his first day at what he was laughingly calling 'Watcher High' for Xander to wonder if he'd made the right decision. He hadn't moved into the dormitory. To be honest he didn't see the point with Buffy and Dawn's house being so close. Buffy had started University last week, something that Xander and Dawn were very happy about. They both could see the joy on her face when she came home the first day. Even though she already had some duties already with her role at the Watcher's Council, Giles had been adamant that she was going to get some of the life she'd missed out on in Sunnydale. Dawn's own classed started tomorrow and with them all studying he figured that it would be a good environment to stay in.
Also, moving in with people he didn't know and leaving the two of them was never really an option to him.
He stifled a yawn, hoping not to get lockjaw. He really doubted that Buffy or Dawn's classes would be as bad as this. He sat there on his not so comfortable chair, trying not to yawn again, as yet another totally mind numbingly boring instructor droned on about some minute demon detail. Xander seriously doubted that this instructor had spent a minute in the field. He wondered if teachers had a gene in them that made them so sleep inducing.
The décor didn't help. Much as he'd expected, the areas of the Watcher's Campus that weren't for the actual council were no more luxurious then your regular college, and sometimes even less. Considering the subject matter they would be tackling, it struck Xander as a very bad sign that there seemed to be no inspiration at all.
But as much as it grated with him, he knew he had to attend these classes. Giles had made it clear that they are required and even though he and the others in the initial intake of trainees were being given the condensed version of the course, he still needed to listen, study and pass.
The other thing that Xander quickly noticed was that he wasn't some anonymous student. He had guessed that most of the other students had met at some time or the other over the years. His impression of the upper class was that it was in-bred enough for that to happen. But what surprised him was that he kept getting stared at, pointed at and whispered about. At first he thought it may have been his eye patch. He was amazed at how quickly he'd stopped thinking about it, and it was only when someone looked at him a little longer that it played on his mind. By now his sight had compensated well enough that he didn't have that constant reminder either.
But it quickly became apparent it wasn't anything to do with that. And it also became just as apparent that it wasn't complimentary either. Something that was proven as he walked out of his latest class.
"Hey, American!"
Xander stopped and turned at the address. He hadn't met any other Americans since he'd been here, so he felt pretty safe to assume that it was meant for him. Even before he'd turned around and faced the person who'd addressed him, the snotty, full of himself, upper class voice, gave a good indication of who it was.
"Yeah," Xander replied, bored already. He drew out the word just a little more than necessary, making sure the three people walking up to him saw.
"So you're one of the famous survivors of Sunnydale?" one of them asked.
"Yeah," Xander repeated again.
The three males that stood in front of Xander laughed to themselves, as if they were aware of some amazingly funny joke that Xander hadn't been let in on. The middle one, the one who had addressed Xander, seemed to be the ringleader of the little troupe, and judging by the way his sneer and lip seemed to be hereditary, Xander gathered that he was descended from one of the families Giles had talked to him about.
"Well, as interesting as this has been," Xander spoke, as he turned to walk away, before a hand grabbed him on the arm to hold him still.
"Don't you turn your back on me," the middle one told him.
Xander chuckled, thinking it funny that a snot nosed English Upper class twat could actually think that line would make Xander do anything other than laugh. "Yeah, right," he replied.
"You have no idea who I am, do you?"
Xander studied the man. He was almost six feet tall, Xander estimated. His blonde hair cut short and conservative, his build slight, and his nose slightly pronounced. He was truly unremarkable, till he opened his mouth and then Xander thought he sounded too much like a characterture of every funny toffee nosed Brit he'd ever seen in movies.
"No, should I?" Xander responded, making sure he sounded suitably unimpressed.
"He's the son of Simon Worthsworld," The stooge to his right responded. Xander was almost certain this guy was only kept around to make the leader feel big. He was short, overweight, had glasses that were horribly out of style, as was his mop of black hair. Apart from the same upper class accent, he could see no similarity between the two.
"He's on the Watcher's Council," the one on the left added; though Xander noticed he spoke without the usual sneer of the other two. In fact, compared to the first two speakers, this third person seemed almost restrained. Sure he had the same 'full of himself' accent, but unlike the others, he seemed to lack the demeanour the others oozed all over you. He too wasn't all that remarkably looking either, with his dark brown hair and freckled face. But without the sneer of the others, Xander felt that he at least could look at him without laughing at the ridiculous attitude.
"Oh yeah, I ran into him a while back," Xander replied. "When I was being shown around by the *head* of the Watchers' Council." Xander couldn't help but add that part. In truth he could care less for whatever political points these three were wanting to score. He just liked rubbing their noses in it.
"The names Edward. Edward Worthsworld," the middle guy said with the air of someone that expected Xander to react to those words. "This is Reginald Rainsworth," he continued, indicating to the guy on his right, "and Charles Sutton," to the left.
Xander nodded his head at each, "Well, fascinating as this has been, I have somewhere to be." He turned and walked away, not bothering to look back even though he was sorely tempted to see the spluttering on their faces. He'd walked down the hall and was about to turn a corner, when a voice spoke to him.
"You may want to be careful of them."
Xander stopped and looked to the open doorway, at who he guessed was another trainee. "Those three? I don't see the threat."
"It won't come up front, you know. They never do."
Xander nodded, thinking that not a truer word was spoken. "Xander Harris," he said holding out his hand, which was duly taken with a firm handshake.
"William Dorscet," the fellow student replied. While his clothes made him blend into the rest of the casual sports jacket and trouser wearing set, the pleasant inflictions in his voice were in stark contrast to the others. He stood just over six feet tall, had mid brown wavy hair that was cut mid length, and also had the confidence of someone that was sure of their position in life, without having to stomp on others.
"Well thanks for showing me a friendly face," Xander replied. "Most people have either wanted to sneer at me, or simply look through me."
"Ahh," William said, walking out the door and joining Xander as they proceeded down the hall. "Most of the people here have very long ties, family ties, to the Watchers' Council. You may have gathered that you aren't all that popular with them."
"Really?" Xander replied sarcastically. "I never thought saving the world would make me *unpopular*."
"Well as ridiculous as it sounds, what you and the rest of the people in Sunnydale accomplished is almost irrelevant as far as some people are concerned." William stopped and pointed to a picture that was on the wall. Underneath it was the name, 'Edward Worthsworld.'
"That is Worthsworld's Grandfather. The man that he was named after. He was head of the Watchers' council, and had a tremendous amount of power and wealth. What you and the others did, directly impacts those two things. Consequently, you aren't wanted in this establishment."
Xander shrugged. "Well, they better get used to me, cause I plan to pass this course and help out. I could care less about the money and power."
Xander noticed that William seemed to be looking him up and down, appraising him a little. "I guessed as much. Good to hear, though you may have gathered it won't be the popular theory. But then again, you aren't like them."
Xander nodded. "Probably helped that I wasn't born with a silver spoon."
"I *was* born with a silver spoon, I'll have you know," William replied with mock indignation.
"Yeah," Xander responded. "Difference is you aren't walking around with it shoved up your ass."
End Chapter Three
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the Love of...
Chapter Three: Compromise
July 17th 2003
Slowly her eyelids flicked open. The sun that was pouring through the small gap in the curtain lit up half the room, while the rest remained in semi-darkness. Sitting up, Dawn Summers shook herself slightly to wake up, before pulling the covers back and swinging her body around to place her feet on the floor.
"Nope, definitely don't feel any different," she said to herself. Getting up off the bed, she slowly made her way to the wardrobe doors, which were open and unhooked her dressing gown off the hanger and slipped it around her shoulders. She looked at herself in the mirror as she tied the robe together, and couldn't help but think back to America and the one person she wished that was here with her on this day.
Trying to shake the thoughts away, she walked across her bedroom to the bathroom, turning the shower on when she got there. The room quickly filled with steam, warming her body as she let the robe fall, and slipped out of her nightshirt and panties. The hot water rushed over her body, as she dipped her head under the spray and let it envelope her, washing away the sleep and invigorating her for the day to come. Something she was looking forward to very much.
To her surprise, she had found that she loved it in England. Well beyond her expectations, Dawn enjoyed almost every day with a passion she'd forgotten she'd had. They'd spent the first few days staying at Giles's family estate, while he took care of his personal business. Then after that they'd gone on what was pretty much a three-week non-stop tour of Great Britain. She knew Giles was doubling up, meeting with various people he needed to, but he never let it interfere with the holiday he had promised both her and her sister.
One of the marvels of the time spent in England was that Dawn was able to see the sister she'd long since thought gone. The Buffy that remembered fun. The Buffy that truly wanted to enjoy the world. All that Dawn had feared was lost from Buffy, since she'd been pulled back from Heaven, was rediscovered in those weeks. Dawn loved being in Buffy's company as she truly discovered what it was like to live again.
She knew it had to end however, and so when they arrived at their final destination, a small cottage on the outskirts of, Aylesford, Kent, she wondered if her love affair with the country would be over. It didn't take to many days for her to know that it wouldn't. She thought it was a little naughty for Giles to keep spending the Council's money on them. But when she found out how much they had, the financial crap they'd put up with over the last few years and the fact that they needed somewhere to stay, she got over it pretty quickly.
There was such a homely feel to this house, that she felt right at ease straight away. It was mainly brick and mortar based, with a small garden at the front and back. The real joy came when you walked in. The wooden walls, fireplace, old style furnishings and designs on the ceiling all contributed to the feel of the place. She had a very luxurious queen sized bed in her own room, which actually had four posts on it, something that she never thought she'd have. Added to it, was the en-suite, a godsend, after the sharing of the single bathroom in Sunnydale.
The village they were living in was friendly and very laid back. There was plenty of history about the village, and unlike most of the history at school, she found it interesting. She was a little worried that it might be a bit slow for her after the hustle and bustle of California, but Giles seemed to know what they needed and after being here for two weeks, she could only agree on how right he was.
Yes, life was pretty much perfect for Dawn Summers.
If you didn't count the Xander Harris size hole in her heart.
Almost every day she'd receive an e-mail from him, and she loved each one. But as soon as she'd finished reading it, it would just remind her of the distance between them.
And today was her birthday, and he wasn't going to be here to celebrate it with her.
She turned the water off, and stepped out of the shower. She reached over and grabbed her towel, to dry off, and tried as hard as she could to remember that today was a happy day.
And that Xander Harris was the one missing out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A little more than thirty minutes later, Dawn walked down the stairs of her home, and into the kitchen. She still needed her cup of coffee, and doubted that she'd ever be switched over to tea no matter how long she stayed in the 'Mother Country'.
She'd just poured herself a cup of coffee, when there was a knock at the door. Dawn glanced at her watch and frowned wondering who felt it necessary to visit at 8.00am in the morning.
"Coming!" she called out, as she stood up and walked to the front door. Opening it, she didn't see anyone for a moment, till she looked down and saw a box, wrapped in gift paper and a bow, on the doorstep. She put aside her fears of a trap, and reached down to pick the card up off the box. Opening the envelope she pulled it out and read the front cover.
It simply said, "I'm sorry."
Opening it up, she gasped a startled breath as the writing made it clear to her, who'd sent it. "Xander," she whispered, truly touched by it.
"Yes, milady."
She gasped again at the sound of his voice, and looked up, to her right and left searching for him. "Xander!" she called out loudly this time, hoping that her mind wasn't making her hear things that she only dared dream about.
"Happy Birthday, Dawn."
This time there was no confusion as to where the voice came from. She spun around with the biggest grin on her face, and just beamed at the man who stood behind her. "Oh my god!" she screamed and jumped into his arms, making sure that he was actually there. He'd looked much the same as he had when she'd last seen him. Except it had been weeks and that was too long.
"I'm sorry," he told her again, as he hugged her back just as hard.
"It doesn't matter," she replied into his chest. She pulled away and looked up at him, sure that he had never looked so good to her. "I can't believe that you are here."
"I couldn't miss your birthday, could I?" he replied.
"I'm so glad you couldn't," she told him. "Are you..."
"Here for good? Well indefinitely would be a better way of describing it," he told her. "I'm going to have a long talk with Giles, Buffy and yourself and see what happens."
"Sounds okay to me," Dawn told him. She could tell that she was still gushing, but she couldn't care. "Hey, how did you get inside?" she asked.
"Ahh, well you see I had some help," he answered and then as if on cue, Buffy came out from around the corner.
"Happy Birthday Dawn," she said, with the biggest shit eating grin, Dawn had seen on her face in years. She knew at once that Buffy had known about this for quite a while and had kept it secret from her.
"You...you..." Dawn said.
"Great wonderful sister?" Buffy answered, clearly enjoying herself.
"Yeah, lots of that stuff," Dawn replied. Then looking at both of them, she told them, "Thank you."
"Well, I've got a few suitcases outside, do you have somewhere for an out of work American to bunk down for a few days?" Xander asked.
"Oh, I think we do," Buffy responded, then paused looking at Xander. "It's really good to see you again, Xan."
There was a spark in Buffy's eyes that Xander hadn't seen in so long, and when he replied, he meant everything he said. "It's really good to see you again, Buffy."
"Oh My God! Xander!"
He didn't have to turn around to know that Dawn had opened her present. He'd wondered about what to get her. Remembering that, like them all, they'd lost so much when Sunnydale became it's own sink-hole, he'd remembered her favourite necklace, and during one of his last days in Los Angeles, he'd traversed from jeweller to jeweller looking for something similar. Finally he'd found it. It was gold, the necklace itself made of small and thin tiny links. It looked too delicate to wear, and when Xander had handled it, he was a little afraid of breaking it. But the saleswoman assured him that if he treated it carefully it wouldn't just fall apart on him.
The charm that sat in the middle of the necklace, which was now hanging down on the top of Dawn's chest, was a simple gold star, with a small diamond in the middle. It wasn't an expensive stone, but it suited the necklace well, and when the sunlight caught the diamond, it made the star sparkle. Something that Xander felt Dawn needed no help in doing, especially with the smile she was beaming at him now.
Dawn crossed the few feet between them and kissed him on the cheek. "It's beautiful," she told him. "Can you put it on?"
"Of course," Xander replied, taking the necklace from her, and when Dawn spun around she gathered her beautiful sheet of long brown hair to one side. When Xander leaned down to loop the chain around her neck, he became dizzy with the intoxicating scent of vanilla as he leaned in close to Dawn's shoulders to fasten the delicate clasp. As soon as he was done, Dawn turned around again to face him, and reached up and held the star in the palm of her hand. After a few moments, she looked up into his eyes, and Xander knew she could see how pleased he was that she liked it.
"Thank you," she told him again. Though Xander needed no words to tell him that. Her eyes had already thanked him many times in those seconds.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The spare room that Xander had been set up in thankfully had a bed in it, and though it wasn't the most comfortable of mattresses, he'd definitely slept on worse over his lifetime. The jetlag that had been added to his lack of sleep of course sent him off to la-la land before he could really notice any bumps in the mattress anyway.
Sometime later, he awoke, and for a moment had no real idea of where he was. The mainly white curtains on the windows had been drawn back, letting the sunlight stream into the room, but it was a light that seemed a lot softer than the harsher morning light when he arrived. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and saw that his jeans were neatly folded and sitting nearly on the chair, by the side of the bed. Standing up, he then reached down and picked them up, slipping one leg into them, then the other. He shook his head to try and clear the cobwebs, and let everything become clear to him again.
For the first time in almost three months, and even in a foreign country in a bed that he had never slept in before, he felt at peace.
As he opened the door to his room, and stepped out onto the landing, he could hear the sounds of music wafting up the staircase. He checked his watch, hoping that he hadn't slept through the start of Dawn's birthday party, and was grateful that he hadn't.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs he saw that some of the preparations had obviously been completed and others were in progress. The music was a welcome accompaniment.
Rounding the corner and walking into where he assumed the kitchen was, he stopped in his tracks, watching as Dawn danced away while preparing some of the food for the party. It was almost hypnotic the way she swayed her hips moving her body in rhythm to the beat. He didn't however want to embarrass Dawn by having her think he was staring at her, even though he so was. Quietly he backed a few steps around the corner and then when he was out of sight, he announced his presence.
"Hello! Dawn! Buffy!"
Having thought that he was loud enough, and hearing that she'd turned the music down a little, he then stepped around the corner again. This time Dawn had stopped her dancing and had obviously followed his voice and had started to come looking for him.
"Hey!" he said as he came into eye contact with her.
It was amazing to watch how her face could just light up when she was happy. It was almost intoxicating to Xander and he couldn't believe that he almost said goodbye to that vision.
"How you feeling?" she asked as she walked up to him and gave him a quick hug.
"Good, great even," he answered. "Doing stuff for the party?"
Dawn nodded as she went back to the kitchen bench. "Yeah. I mean it's not going to be a huge party or anything. Just you, Buffy, Giles and a few people that we've met so far. Probably won't even break a dozen."
Xander shrugged. "It'll be fun though."
As she answered that smile reappeared, and Xander felt like he was under a spell again. "Of course it will be. You're here."
He could feel his face getting hot and he could only imagine how red it must be, but he had the good grace to accept he compliment. "I'm glad that I am."
She walked over to him. "I need to go and grab some stuff, can you take over," she said indicating where she was preparing the food.
Xander nodded, "sure." He picked up the knife and was about to slice into some of the various vegetables when, he heard Dawn call him.
"Hey Xan."
"Yeah," he replied looking straight ahead into the window, seeing her clearly in the reflection. She was laughing slightly at him and then spun around and walked away.
About five seconds later, Xander realised what the implications of that was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I must say, I'm very happy to have you in England, Xander," Giles told him.
The party had been going for a few hours and while it was a small affair, everyone was in a very good mood and Xander had found himself totally enjoying himself. He'd had plenty of time to talk to Dawn, Buffy, and even some of the people he'd not met before. Some of them were from the local village and others were some of the people they'd met while getting support for the new Watchers' Council. He could tell that Dawn cared little for most of them, she was happy to have her family with her, and to see her so happy was more than enough joy for Xander.
"It's good to be here, Giles," he replied, setting his drink down on the top of the fireplace. He looked over to where Buffy and Dawn were talking animatedly with a couple of the other party attendees. "I'd forgotten how they look when they are so happy."
Giles nodded. "You look happier yourself."
Xander nodded. "I have moments, but I feel like I'm in the right place."
Giles paused before responding, and Xander was almost certain as to what he was about to ask. "Have you given any thought to the other part of my offer?"
"Giles, my good man, why spoil a party on such matters," Xander replied, his voice carrying an almost regal edge as he tried to palm off Giles's question. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, okay?"
Giles nodded, realising that Xander was having all together too much fun mocking the English accent, and that more importantly, now wasn't the best time.
"Can I drag him away from you?" Dawn asked, having appeared almost out of thin air in front of them. She reached for Xander's hand and pulled him away and onto what was the impromptu dance floor, just as a slower song came over the speakers.
"Well this is a nice co-incidence, isn't it," Dawn told him, the sparkle in her eye, glinting just a little more than usual.
Xander had to laugh a little. "Yes, it is."
Dawn wrapped her arms around Xander's neck, while Xander wrapped his around her waist, resting his hands on the small of her back. She was still looking up at him, so there was a small gap between their bodies, but not by much. "You looked like you could do with rescuing."
"Nah, I was okay, but feel free to rescue me anytime you want," he told her, savouring having her arms around him as he swayed to the music.
"Have you..." Dawn stopped herself, and then relaxed and laid her head on Xander's chest. "Thank you for being here," she said softly, just loud enough for Xander to hear.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," he replied, as they started moving to the beat of the music, no longer noticing anyone else in the room.
"They look very happy," Giles said, looking at the dancing duo, when Buffy came over to him.
Buffy looked over and had to agree. "Yes, they do."
"So, you still think that they aren't involved?" Giles asked.
Buffy looked a little shocked, holding her hand up to her chest in mock surprise. "Why, Giles, I didn't know you were into gossip."
She let Giles splutter for a few moments, before letting him off the hook, by waving her hand, telling him that she was kidding. She glanced back at the twosome and smiled. "I don't know if they are, but seeing them so happy, I really wouldn't care if they were."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
August 26th 2003
It amazed Xander just how much Giles seemed to have achieved in the almost two months since they left Los Angeles. He knew that this was all part of Giles's hard sell at getting Xander to start training to be a Watcher. Though he had yet to make up his mind on that point, he had to admit that the facility he, Buffy and Giles were walking around was pretty impressive.
The old Manor house, situated part of the way between Aylesford and Chatham, looked to have been built hundreds of years ago, and with its adjoining buildings there certainly was enough room for what Giles had told them he wanted to facilitate. The first building they went too was the smallest, which was in the middle to being converted to a new three level gymnasium. While it would hold the usual assortments of equipment any modern gym would have, it also had a level specifically for live action drills, and another one for sparring.
"The Slayers that are in England, and in some cases Europe will all spend some time here training and learning," Giles told them both, though Xander could tell that this wasn't news to Buffy. Something that was confirmed when she spoke.
"Part of my job will be overseeing all the Slayer Training," she added, at which Xander simply nodded, not saying anything.
"Unfortunately it won't be possible for every Slayer to come here. For the moment we have no exact idea how many there are. But even when we do know where they all are, it would be more feasible to replicate the training around the world, versus bringing them all here," Giles said, as they all walked through the bottom level and out to the open areas again.
They continued their tour, with Xander just following silently with them. He could tell that they were both casting little glances his way to see if there was any indication of what his opinion was, but he gave none. He'd started to get some nasty suspicions as soon as the tour had started and wanted to remain quiet till he had gathered all his thoughts on the subject.
They walked through the entrance to the next building, and Xander could tell that it was being made up to house various people. His own expertise at carpentry made that a no-brainer.
"This will be the dormitories for all students that require it, whether they be Watchers or Slayers. Top floor will be for females, middle for Males and the bottom floor," Giles said as he opened a big wooden door, indicating for them to look inside, "will be for the cafeteria and recreational rooms."
Xander nodded. "Looks good."
It was his first comment on anything that he'd been shown, and it was all he was going to say for the moment.
"Umm right," Giles spoke after realising that Xander wasn't going to add anything else. "Well, the main building is this way."
Giles led Buffy and Xander out and up the fairly wide path, almost a mini road, which led to the huge Manor House. It was a rather daunting place. The council building may have been blown to smithereens almost a year ago, but as he had seen so far, the Watchers' Council obviously had other significant assets.
The main building was definitely intimidating. He'd never seen anything like it in America. It looked to be at least three levels high, though he was sure there would be a level below ground as well. Each level was lined with huge windows, and against the reddish tinged outside walls, the stonework on the entrances and white edges, it was striking in how much it dominated the landscape. It wasn't Buckingham Palace big, but it was big.
They walked through the columned and arched entrance, seeing a huge marble staircase taking pride of place in the middle of the foyer. The floors were polished wood, and the walls were all covered in varied range of portraits and landscapes.
"This will be where everything else happens," Giles told them. "In this building, will be where all theory based training will happen, there is an extensive library being stocked on the second level, as well as other resources. The actual Council will sit here as well, it's offices and Chambers are this way."
As Xander followed them both, the one thing that stuck out to him was that this part of the building was already completed. And to his trained eye there was no expense spared, from the furnishings, the carpet, the drapes, the doors, absolutely everything looked incredibly opulent.
It merely confirmed something that he'd hoped wouldn't be the case.
"Well, so that's the complex," Giles started. "There is still lots to do before we become operational, but we can't put it off indefinitely." He looked at Xander before asking, "what do you think?"
Xander held his gaze when replying. "Who has funded all of this?"
"The Watchers' Council has significant funds available to it," Giles replied.
"I'd say," Xander muttered a little under his breath. "I don't like how this is being spent."
"What do you mean, Xander?" Giles asked.
Xander shook his head, signalling with his arms around him. "Look at this place. How much was spent in here. Thousands, hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of pounds, I don't know. But nothing seems to be spared."
"Yes, well, some of the council is used to such things," Giles replied, and Xander could tell he understood exactly what Xander was saying.
"I thought you wanted things to change? Why are they even still on the council?" Xander challenged.
Giles looked stressed as he replied. "That's a very long story, Xander." Seeing the steeling look Xander gave him in response he added, "one you obviously want to hear."
Xander watched as Giles took a deep breath. "Okay for the sake of myself who actually wants to be home for dinner sometime today, I will summarise it for you. The Watchers' Council as we know it has existed for about 700 years. Obviously it's genesis was hundreds, perhaps thousands of years before that, but this organisation can be traced back till the 1300's. What's your English history like?"
Xander rolled his eyes. "Pretend I know squat."
"Okay, well Europe from that time and up till less than 200 years ago, one of the main sources of power was held by the Catholic Church. They controlled countries, Kings, and more importantly had huge levels of land and money. To this day the Vatican is extremely rich. Over time of course different religions branched off, and countries asserted their own power, and the Catholic Church today is an all-together different institution. The Watchers' Council was set up with funds from the Catholic Church, and since, at the time, the majority of demonic activity seemed to be based in England, they set up here.
"As happens with history, in England, through a number of ruling families, the Anglican religion was born. The Catholic Church tried to overthrow Kings and Queens, but through it all, they still funded the Watchers' Council."
"You mean we're going to be working for the Pope?" Xander asked, the idea sounding ludicrous.
Giles shook his disapprovingly. "Around 300 years ago, the people who ran the Watchers' Council decided that they'd had enough of being dictated to by the church and they struck out on their own. By then the ruling families had gathered quite considerable wealth on their own, and no longer needed any funding. Those families have been the backbone of the council since then."
"Well they've been doing a bang up job then, haven't they?" Xander replied. "So let me guess, even though good ol' eye poker, Caleb, blew up the Council headquarters, these people still survived."
"No, some didn't. And might I remind you that I'm part of this history, you're deriding," Giles told him, obviously a little hurt from Xander's outburst.
"What's got you so upset, Xander?" Buffy asked. She'd remained silent through Giles's talk, but felt the need to speak, if only to provide a buffer to the others.
"You told me, both of you, that you were determined to make a different Council. To actually look after the Slayers, help the world," Xander replied.
"And we are," Giles defended his role. "There are lots of changes that we are putting in place."
"I will never let them experience the hell I went through," Buffy added.
Xander shook his head. "Take a look around, guys. What is the first thing that was completed here? And at a totally over the top level of luxury. What makes this Council so different from the other, apart from a Slayer being on it?"
"Unfortunately we are reliant on the support of the older families. While I may have access to the purse strings, they could stop that if they weren't being listened to." Xander could tell that Giles was trying to make him understand. "There has to be compromise for this to work, Xander."
"As there should be, Mr. Giles!"
The bellowing voice from the entrance way caused them all to turn. Standing there, looking as though he was trying to come across as regal, stood a very upright middle aged man. The receding grey hairline, spectacles and foxhunter outfit made him look more like a joke in Xander's eyes.
"Ahh, may I introduce, Simon Worthsworld," Giles said speaking to Buffy and Xander. "Member of the Inner Council and one of the main backers of the rebuilding.
"Miss Summers," Worthsworld said approaching her. "A privilege to meet you at last." He pulled the charming act off quite well.
Xander didn't buy any of it. Especially when he turned and regarded Xander as if he was dirt. Xander knew that he'd been listening in outside for quite a while. "And this is?"
"Harris, Xander Harris. One of people from Sunnydale, whom I'm hoping will join us here at the Council," Giles told him.
Xander watched Giles's reactions and body language as he talked to Worthsworld. Whoever this guy was, Giles was making damn sure that he didn't offend him. Xander could care less.
"So, you've been on the Watchers' Council for years, I take it?" Xander asked.
"Yes, young man," was the reply he got.
"Great, just what we need. Another impotent politician." Xander turned away from the startled man and spoke to Giles and Buffy. "I'm out of here. But thanks, you've given me plenty to think about."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Xander!"
Sitting peacefully on his bed, reading the latest Harry Potter book, Xander chuckled to himself as he heard the door slam below and Giles's voice bellow up the staircase. He was actually surprised that it had taken this long for Giles to turn up.
Thankfully Dawn was out with friends, cause Xander doubted this would be all that silent.
"Xander!" The second call was even louder than the first.
He could hear the footsteps thundering up the steps, and wasn't surprised that when his name was called again, the door opened at the same time, banging a scant second later on the wall, from the force of Giles's hand.
"Xander!"
Xander put his book down, and looked across at him. "Yes, Giles," he answered.
Giles seemed to be shaking his head, trying to work out how to put into words what he wanted to say. "How could you? You just insulted..."
"I just insulted a fat rich prick who has made his livelihood off the blood of girls like Buffy, Faith and every other Slayer," Xander replied cutting Giles off with his own venom.
He could see Giles deflate, seeing the truth in Xander's words. "You're right of course." Giles walked over and took a seat. "But damn, Xander, do you realise the tightrope I'm walking here?"
Xander held his tongue and thought about what he wanted to say. He respected Giles more than any other male figure in his life, and even though he was pissed at him, he still wanted to show that respect by at least arguing his points well.
"Why is the Watchers' Council in England, Giles?" he asked, his tone a lot more conciliatory than earlier.
Giles looked a little puzzled. "I thought I explained it..."
Xander nodded. "Yeah you said why it came here. And that made sense. England and Europe were the centres of world trade and power for so long. But at least for the last one hundred years, it makes no sense being here. How long was the Sunnydale Hellmouth in existence? Didn't Wilkins create Sunnydale just over a century ago? And the second Hellmouth, in Cleveland? I think you will find that's in the USA as well."
"Yes, well Vampires and demons to tend to follow where the world power moves too," Giles told him.
"And it would make sense for the Watchers' Council and Slayer's to be there as well." Xander sat up straight. "You know why they haven't moved? You do don't you?"
Giles nodded. "Because this is their powerbase."
Xander agreed. "They don't give a flying fuck about Buffy or any of the other Slayers, or Watchers who aren't part of their families. This is their own personal powerbase, giving them money to burn, a secret government, and girls who were practically slaves in their service."
"Xander, I hope you don't think..." Giles started to say, protesting his difference.
"I know Giles, you were an exception. As are a number of the Watchers, I'm sure. But it is the Watcher's out there in the field, they are the ones who see the reality."
"I understand and agree with what you've said, but I don't..."
Once again, Xander interrupted him. "How can *this* council be any different if the majority are still made up with the Men and Women who resided over the previous one. I know you and Buffy are on it, but how many others can you honestly say without any hesitation have the Slayer's best interest at heart?"
"It's true there is a lot of the old guard, but we need their influence to make sure it all happens. Do I wish I didn't need them? You're damn right I do. Does it make me sick to have to treat people like Worthsworld with respect, when I'd like to walk over his fat arse? Of course it does," Giles told him.
"Then why?"
"Cause if I didn't, then I wouldn't be involved, they would control everything, and then the Slayers would really have no-one to look after them," Giles replied heatedly. He took a breath and added, "I may be in charge but I know well enough that I'm here as a compromise they've made. If I don't show as much flexibility, then I will find myself getting fired once again."
Xander was silent at this, and after a few moments, Giles continued. "We can't look after anyone from the outside. Sure I could keep Buffy and a couple of others safe, like we all did in Sunnydale, but there are hundreds, maybe thousands of girls out there. We need to be on the Council to help."
"I understand," Xander responded. "You can only change the system from the inside."
Giles nodded. "That's why I want you there. I know implicitly that not only will you have the skills, but you will also make sure that the slayer you are assigned to will be looked after and not left to fend for herself."
Xander nodded again, deep in thought.
"Whatever you decide the first course will be starting in four weeks," Giles told him. "Some people have been sent into the field already, but only to Cleveland."
Xander frowned. "Why? I would've thought that Robin would've been a perfect candidate for Watcher?"
"Yes, well he would've," Giles admitted, then laughing. "Would've, Wood."
Xander shook his head at the appalling pun.
"Right, well...because of Robin and Faith's relationship someone else needed to be assigned." Seeing that Xander was still looking for more information, Giles added, "If you are a Watcher, it is forbidden to be in a relationship with a Slayer."
Xander nodded. "I suppose considering that they freaked at the Father-like relationship you had with Buffy, I shouldn't be surprised."
"And so, apart from the two Watchers that have been sent there, your class, if you join will be the first of the new group of Watchers." Giles paused, before asking, "So, are you in?"
"You think Worthsworld, would let that happen?" Xander asked.
Giles smiled. "I think he'll have to compromise."
Xander couldn't help smiling in return. "Well, I still have a lot to think about, but if you can get him to be okay with it, then maybe you *will* have the clout to make the changes we both want."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been a few days since Xander and Giles's talk, and the younger man had yet to make up his mind about what he wanted to do. And to be honest, at the moment he was thinking about more immediate and important things
There was a multitude of emotions running through his head as he sat on the couch in the living room, waiting for Dawn to come down the stairs so they could go out. He'd asked her as any very good friend would. However as the day came closer and the hours ticked away, he began to realise that the little butterflies that were running wild in his stomach were because he had started to think of Dawn as something more than just a very good friend.
It confused him, what they had. There wasn't any way to really describe it. Sure they were as close as family and over the years he'd wanted to protect her like any big brother would. Of course thinking like that got very weird these days. On the other hand they'd become very close this last year, and she was way more than 'just a friend' to him. Not that being a friend should be marginalised. Just that Dawn was in this special category, and he liked her being there, which only served to confuse him more.
He had stated to himself on a number of occasions that he wasn't ready for a new girlfriend yet. It wasn't just that Anya had passed away this year. He'd been in some sort of relationship for years now, and with his life in such a state of flux, he decided that he should get it all together before jumping into a new relationship.
It was at about the same time, when those thoughts were running through his head, that Dawn made her entrance down the stairs. Any thoughts were now an incoherent mess.
It was still relatively warm in England in late August. Not Californian warm, but England warm. The type of warm where a weather report could say it was a warm and windy 50 degrees and no one would dispute. Unless of course they were from California, which is why Dawn had a coat with her. But for now, she was floating down the stairs, taking Xander's breath away. Her chestnut hair flowing freely down past her shoulders, seemingly to catch the wind, even though there wasn't any blowing inside. Her Burgundy coloured blouse, contrasting nicely with her black skirt, which reached half way down her thighs.
And suddenly Xander wondered if she'd seen him looking too hard.
His own jeans and jacket ensemble wasn't formal in any way, but it looked good and Xander knew they would make a very attractive couple tonight.
"You look really nice," he told her as she reached the bottom of the stairs, feeling it was safe enough to open his mouth.
"Thank you," she replied as her lips separated into that smile that seemed to melt his moods, even on the frostiest of occasions.
"Shall we?" he asked, and when she nodded, he held the door open and waited for her to walk out.
They drove into the city listening to some music on the radio, commenting on various things, but mainly just enjoying the normalcy of the situation. They were two young people, going out to dinner and a movie. Something both of them were very much looking forward to.
The small café that Xander had chosen was not too busy when they arrived. It looked very cosy, and inviting. They followed the waiter and took their seats, then started perusing the menu. A short time later the waiter duly took their orders and then they were by themselves.
"Have you made any decision yet?" Dawn asked.
Xander wasn't surprised that she'd asked. They'd talked about it, after Buffy had asked Dawn if Xander had said anything to her. Of course Xander hadn't, so Dawn wanted to know all the details about his visit. Xander could tell the shock on her face was real, but she also understood his reasons for getting so worked up over it.
He shook his head. "Not yet." He could tell that she was anxiously awaiting his decision, and even though it was up to him, he did want to know what she thought. "What do you think?"
There was a look of shock that passed Dawn's face for a moment, then happiness at being asked. "Well, I want you to stay, but that's something separate," she admitted, with a slightly shy grin.
"If that was all I needed to decide, I would've done that the first day I arrived, Dawn," Xander told her. His heart pulsed a little at the way her face lit up in reaction to his words. "But this is sort of a life decision, or at least a number of years decision."
"You could get posted anywhere?" Dawn said, though she was more thinking out loud.
"Yeah, though I'd probably be in the States. Easier that way," he answered. "Think of it this way, you'd have a place to visit anytime you wanted to."
"Anytime?" Dawn asked teasingly.
Xander was very straight in response. "Anytime. You could have your own key."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The night had gone well for both of them. The dinner was nice, and the movie fun, but more than that, they had spent the time together and enjoyed every minute of it. Without either of them thinking about it, during the movie Dawn had snuggled into Xander's side and laid her head on his shoulder, while Xander's arm wrapped around her shoulders in response. They stayed that way for most of the film, both of them enjoying the closeness they were feeling.
Now as they walked through the door, Dawn didn't want the night to end. She knew she was totally smitten with Xander. She knew it, and didn't want to hide it. But she also knew that as much as Xander seemed to be moving on, he was still hesitant about getting into another relationship. The one thing Dawn was sure of, if her and Xander did get together it wasn't going to be a fling, or bit of fun. It was going to be as serious as her feelings for him, and she hoped his feelings for her.
"Would you like a coffee?" she asked, both wanting one herself, and trying to keep him up, so they could spend more time together.
"Yes, thanks," Xander replied, flashing her that lop sided grin she thought was so cute.
She walked into the kitchen to boil the water, when she realised that Xander had followed her. He took a seat next to the kitchen bench, and watched as she got the cups ready. She didn't feel at all self-conscious at him watching her. She liked that she could have his total attention while doing something so mundane as making coffee.
"I think I'll take Giles up on his offer," Xander said, somewhat out of the blue, so much so that Dawn stopped what she was doing and walked the few steps over to where he was sitting.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Xander nodded. "Yeah, I do have major problems with some of the things going on, but in the end, Giles is right. If I want to change things, have a say, then I have to be on the inside."
"Yeah," Dawn replied softly.
"If I can make the life of one Slayer better, than it will be worth putting up with the crap that I am no doubt going to have to put up with."
Dawn giggled slightly, causing Xander to raise his eyebrows. "What?" he asked.
"Oh, I was just picturing you in tweed," she said, before stepping back quickly enough to avoid the playful swat of Xander's hand.
"Just for that, I'll never show you," he retorted playfully, though he saw a look of sadness just edge it's way onto Dawn's face. "What is it, Dawnie?" he asked.
She looked a little embarrassed. "I'm being silly," she told him.
He reached over and lightly took hold of her hand. "I don't care how you think you're being. What is it?"
"You're going to get posted somewhere, and I'll be in England for at least another year and a half." She caught herself, and realised how she must sound. "I'm sorry, I'm being selfish."
"Don't apologise. It was a consideration, you know."
Dawn's worry broke as her lips parted and the grin that she knew Xander loved broke out again. "Really?"
"Yeah," Xander replied, almost shyly.
"I just don't want to lose you, Xander," Dawn told him, softly.
"You never will, Dawn. No matter where I am, I'll still be yours," Xander replied, squeezing her hand for a moment. "You want to check out what's on the TV?" he asked, letting go of her hand.
Dawn knew that Xander didn't want the night to end either.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
September 23 2003
It didn't take long into his first day at what he was laughingly calling 'Watcher High' for Xander to wonder if he'd made the right decision. He hadn't moved into the dormitory. To be honest he didn't see the point with Buffy and Dawn's house being so close. Buffy had started University last week, something that Xander and Dawn were very happy about. They both could see the joy on her face when she came home the first day. Even though she already had some duties already with her role at the Watcher's Council, Giles had been adamant that she was going to get some of the life she'd missed out on in Sunnydale. Dawn's own classed started tomorrow and with them all studying he figured that it would be a good environment to stay in.
Also, moving in with people he didn't know and leaving the two of them was never really an option to him.
He stifled a yawn, hoping not to get lockjaw. He really doubted that Buffy or Dawn's classes would be as bad as this. He sat there on his not so comfortable chair, trying not to yawn again, as yet another totally mind numbingly boring instructor droned on about some minute demon detail. Xander seriously doubted that this instructor had spent a minute in the field. He wondered if teachers had a gene in them that made them so sleep inducing.
The décor didn't help. Much as he'd expected, the areas of the Watcher's Campus that weren't for the actual council were no more luxurious then your regular college, and sometimes even less. Considering the subject matter they would be tackling, it struck Xander as a very bad sign that there seemed to be no inspiration at all.
But as much as it grated with him, he knew he had to attend these classes. Giles had made it clear that they are required and even though he and the others in the initial intake of trainees were being given the condensed version of the course, he still needed to listen, study and pass.
The other thing that Xander quickly noticed was that he wasn't some anonymous student. He had guessed that most of the other students had met at some time or the other over the years. His impression of the upper class was that it was in-bred enough for that to happen. But what surprised him was that he kept getting stared at, pointed at and whispered about. At first he thought it may have been his eye patch. He was amazed at how quickly he'd stopped thinking about it, and it was only when someone looked at him a little longer that it played on his mind. By now his sight had compensated well enough that he didn't have that constant reminder either.
But it quickly became apparent it wasn't anything to do with that. And it also became just as apparent that it wasn't complimentary either. Something that was proven as he walked out of his latest class.
"Hey, American!"
Xander stopped and turned at the address. He hadn't met any other Americans since he'd been here, so he felt pretty safe to assume that it was meant for him. Even before he'd turned around and faced the person who'd addressed him, the snotty, full of himself, upper class voice, gave a good indication of who it was.
"Yeah," Xander replied, bored already. He drew out the word just a little more than necessary, making sure the three people walking up to him saw.
"So you're one of the famous survivors of Sunnydale?" one of them asked.
"Yeah," Xander repeated again.
The three males that stood in front of Xander laughed to themselves, as if they were aware of some amazingly funny joke that Xander hadn't been let in on. The middle one, the one who had addressed Xander, seemed to be the ringleader of the little troupe, and judging by the way his sneer and lip seemed to be hereditary, Xander gathered that he was descended from one of the families Giles had talked to him about.
"Well, as interesting as this has been," Xander spoke, as he turned to walk away, before a hand grabbed him on the arm to hold him still.
"Don't you turn your back on me," the middle one told him.
Xander chuckled, thinking it funny that a snot nosed English Upper class twat could actually think that line would make Xander do anything other than laugh. "Yeah, right," he replied.
"You have no idea who I am, do you?"
Xander studied the man. He was almost six feet tall, Xander estimated. His blonde hair cut short and conservative, his build slight, and his nose slightly pronounced. He was truly unremarkable, till he opened his mouth and then Xander thought he sounded too much like a characterture of every funny toffee nosed Brit he'd ever seen in movies.
"No, should I?" Xander responded, making sure he sounded suitably unimpressed.
"He's the son of Simon Worthsworld," The stooge to his right responded. Xander was almost certain this guy was only kept around to make the leader feel big. He was short, overweight, had glasses that were horribly out of style, as was his mop of black hair. Apart from the same upper class accent, he could see no similarity between the two.
"He's on the Watcher's Council," the one on the left added; though Xander noticed he spoke without the usual sneer of the other two. In fact, compared to the first two speakers, this third person seemed almost restrained. Sure he had the same 'full of himself' accent, but unlike the others, he seemed to lack the demeanour the others oozed all over you. He too wasn't all that remarkably looking either, with his dark brown hair and freckled face. But without the sneer of the others, Xander felt that he at least could look at him without laughing at the ridiculous attitude.
"Oh yeah, I ran into him a while back," Xander replied. "When I was being shown around by the *head* of the Watchers' Council." Xander couldn't help but add that part. In truth he could care less for whatever political points these three were wanting to score. He just liked rubbing their noses in it.
"The names Edward. Edward Worthsworld," the middle guy said with the air of someone that expected Xander to react to those words. "This is Reginald Rainsworth," he continued, indicating to the guy on his right, "and Charles Sutton," to the left.
Xander nodded his head at each, "Well, fascinating as this has been, I have somewhere to be." He turned and walked away, not bothering to look back even though he was sorely tempted to see the spluttering on their faces. He'd walked down the hall and was about to turn a corner, when a voice spoke to him.
"You may want to be careful of them."
Xander stopped and looked to the open doorway, at who he guessed was another trainee. "Those three? I don't see the threat."
"It won't come up front, you know. They never do."
Xander nodded, thinking that not a truer word was spoken. "Xander Harris," he said holding out his hand, which was duly taken with a firm handshake.
"William Dorscet," the fellow student replied. While his clothes made him blend into the rest of the casual sports jacket and trouser wearing set, the pleasant inflictions in his voice were in stark contrast to the others. He stood just over six feet tall, had mid brown wavy hair that was cut mid length, and also had the confidence of someone that was sure of their position in life, without having to stomp on others.
"Well thanks for showing me a friendly face," Xander replied. "Most people have either wanted to sneer at me, or simply look through me."
"Ahh," William said, walking out the door and joining Xander as they proceeded down the hall. "Most of the people here have very long ties, family ties, to the Watchers' Council. You may have gathered that you aren't all that popular with them."
"Really?" Xander replied sarcastically. "I never thought saving the world would make me *unpopular*."
"Well as ridiculous as it sounds, what you and the rest of the people in Sunnydale accomplished is almost irrelevant as far as some people are concerned." William stopped and pointed to a picture that was on the wall. Underneath it was the name, 'Edward Worthsworld.'
"That is Worthsworld's Grandfather. The man that he was named after. He was head of the Watchers' council, and had a tremendous amount of power and wealth. What you and the others did, directly impacts those two things. Consequently, you aren't wanted in this establishment."
Xander shrugged. "Well, they better get used to me, cause I plan to pass this course and help out. I could care less about the money and power."
Xander noticed that William seemed to be looking him up and down, appraising him a little. "I guessed as much. Good to hear, though you may have gathered it won't be the popular theory. But then again, you aren't like them."
Xander nodded. "Probably helped that I wasn't born with a silver spoon."
"I *was* born with a silver spoon, I'll have you know," William replied with mock indignation.
"Yeah," Xander responded. "Difference is you aren't walking around with it shoved up your ass."
End Chapter Three