Blood Tears 11 - Settling In
"I like his eyes the most. Or maybe his smile, yes definitely his smile."
Willow rolled her eyes. Kendra's one woman campaign to have Xander installed as president of the universe was in full flow again. Had she ever been that infatuated with him?
"I prefer his bum." Oz commented gravely.
"Yes," Kendra nodded enthusiastically. "He has a wonderfully pert -. You're making fun of me."
"Probably," the guitarist agreed expressionlessly. "But I do think it's a nice bum."
The red-head collapsed in gales of laughter as Kendra stormed off. "That was mean," she gasped.
"Yes it was. But you liked it."
"So," Willow fluttered her eyelashes at her boyfriend as she leaned into him. "Who's bum do you like best mine or Xander's?"
The guitarist gave her a long look before replying. "I think Xander's an eight, but you, you're a ten."
Still laughing, Willow kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. "Good answer."
* * *
"You're doing real good, Kendra."
"You really think so, Xander?"
Faith grinned as she peered through the door crack to check what the two kids were up to. Soon after her arrival, they'd discovered Kendra had only a very basic education. Enraged, Xander had immediately taken it upon himself to teach her to read and write properly. After checking some books out of the town library, he'd apologised to Giles but still avoided the Watcher as much as possible, he'd begun to teach the young girl.
The grin on the sultry brunette's face disappeared as she remembered her own tutoring by Angelus. While Xander taught with gentle encouragement and kind praise, Angelus' method had been to brutally beat her to the floor for every mistake she made. On the whole she thought Xander's method definitely had more going for it.
Another problem was developing, complicating her already confusing life. Although the big dumbo hadn't realised it she had, Kendra was developing feelings for him. Even without the scent the second Slayer gave off, she couldn't fail to notice the adoring looks she sent the youth's way. Two Slayers and a vampiress in love with him - just what did the boy have?
Forcing a smile, she pushed the door open. "Grab your coats kids," she instructed. "Time for patrol."
* * *
Faith glanced watchfully around the darkened cemetery. The first two graveyards they'd gone through had been deserted, but this one... "Vamps, ten maybe," her words sliced through the cold night air.
Instantly the two youngsters moved into flanking positions. The vampiress nodded approvingly, whatever her reservations about having the newest Slayer living in her house, her presence meant there was another skilled fighter to help protect Xander. Which was why she had come to the Hellmouth in the first place.
Suddenly the night's tense quiet erupted. Vampires charged at them from all sides, their demonic faces showing.
Faith's foot flickered out, smashing into the face of the first vamp stupid enough to get close enough. The vampire roared in pain as he flew back into the darkness. Out of the corner of her eye, Faith saw a fist heading towards her. Bending her knees, she allowed the punch to pass harmlessly over her head before standing up and butting her attacker full in the face. As the injured vampire screamed in agony, she drove a stake into its chest.
A split-second after the vampire in front of her had exploded into dust, a brawny arm encircled her neck from behind in a crushing grip. "Time to die bitch!" a Creole accent drawled in her ear.
The vampiress' eyes widened in shock as she saw the stake racing down towards her heart. Thrusting backwards with her right foot, she connected powerfully with her attacker's shin, snapping the bone. Taking advantage of the resulting loosening around her neck, she grabbed the vamp's beefy forearm, threw him over her shoulder and to the ground. Grabbing her adversary's dropped stake, she plunged it into his heart. "No, you die fatboy," she corrected before looking how the others were doing.
* * *
As soon as Faith had warned them of the approach of the vampires, Xander's hand had dropped to the water pistol filled with holy water he carried in his inside jacket pocket. Pulling out the pistol, he shot the first vampire to approach him square in the face. Instantly the vampire's face began to steam and burn. Screaming wildly, the vampire forgot all about attacking him and instead reached up for his eyes. Taking advantage of the distraction, the boy plunged a stake into the shrieking vamp's heart.
Grinning slightly at his success, Xander glanced around for another vampire. A fist came smashing out of the darkness, thudding into his jaw with bruising impact. The youth stumbled backwards as the owner of the fist stepped out of the shadows and charged him. Remembering all Faith's lessons, Xander attempted to use his adversary's superior power against him. As the vampire rushed at him, he sidestepped the lunge and tripped the vampire sending his opponent flying through the air to land half a dozen feet away.
Xander rushed over to stake the stunned vampire. He plunged his stake down, only for his heart to miss a pounding beat when his arm was grabbed by his would-be victim. His face contorted with effort, he struggled in vain to drive the stake home, all too aware of the vampire's mocking grin. "I'm going to enjoy killing you boy. Arggh!"
Xander glanced up and smiled gratefully. "Thanks Kendra, if you hadn't turned up then..."
The Slayer beamed. "It's my pleasure Xander."
"How many did you get?" demanded the vampiress.
Xander turned to face Faith. God, she looked amazing. Realising the vampiress was staring at him impatiently, he flushed. "One."
"Three," Kendra put in, her eyes gleaming proudly.
"And I got two." The vampiress' lips pursed in thought. "Their numbers are increasing. I wonder if the others ran into trouble?"
* * *
His eyes bulging with fury and his demonic face showing, Angelus slammed a fist into the table before him, the impact smashing the wooden table in front of him in two. "Nine dead in total last night! I can't believe it! Why I am surrounded by such bloody incompetents!"
"Two Slayers, never been two of those bitches before," Spike remarked gravely. "Faith's a real pain in the bloody arse too."
"I want the boy," pouted Darla. "I want to make him scream."
Angelus glanced at his childe in disdain. She'd fallen steeply in his estimation after her abject performance the night Faith had snatched the little bastard back. He turned towards his lieutenant. "Spread the word, I'm sending for the Order Of Takara." Spike's eyes widened. "You sure boss?"
"I'm fast running out of patience and options. These bitches have been laughing at us for too long."
"So which one do you want them to kill - Faith, Summers, or the new Slayer bint?"
Angelus paused in thought. Ideally he'd like to see three all of them dead, but the Order were just too expensive to hire for three jobs, although their high price was justified, they'd never failed to complete a contract in centuries. Finally, he decided on his answer. "Oh, I think we'll keep it in the family."
* * *
"Right, that's all for tonight. Thank you everybody. Xander, could you stay behind please?"
Xander nodded, the youth turned to the girl hovering protectively behind him. "Kendra, go with the others. Enjoy yourself."
"Are you sure Xander?" At the boy's nod the girl set off after the others.
Once the girl had left, the boy turned back to him. "So what do you want Giles?"
The librarian sighed with hurt at the now ever present animosity he heard in the youth's voice, he almost missed being 'G-Man'. He understood the youth's anger and suspected that it came from his need to protect and unresolved issues about his abused childhood. However for the sake of the group it could no longer be tolerated. "Wait there," he ordered before disappearing into his office. Minutes later he returned carrying a thick bundle of papers. "Read these." He dropped the papers on the desk before the boy.
Xander paled. "Uh, isn't there a demon I could fight instead?"
The Watcher hid a smile, despite his newly improved grades the boy still really didn't like academic work. "Very well, I'll summarise. These are papers I wrote just after qualifying as a Watcher deploring the treatment of potentials on both moral and effectiveness grounds. Unfortunately I was too junior at that time and my opinions were discarded."
The youth's face flushed red. "Uh, Giles," the boy stuttered. "I'm sorry."
Giles smiled. "That's all right son. Your anger is wholly justified, if misdirected. I admit to being more than a little uncomfortable about Kendra's previous situation. I must say you and Faith are doing an excellent job with her." "Thanks G-Man."
The librarian sighed with relief, back to normal and time for his customary response. "Don't call me that."
"I like his eyes the most. Or maybe his smile, yes definitely his smile."
Willow rolled her eyes. Kendra's one woman campaign to have Xander installed as president of the universe was in full flow again. Had she ever been that infatuated with him?
"I prefer his bum." Oz commented gravely.
"Yes," Kendra nodded enthusiastically. "He has a wonderfully pert -. You're making fun of me."
"Probably," the guitarist agreed expressionlessly. "But I do think it's a nice bum."
The red-head collapsed in gales of laughter as Kendra stormed off. "That was mean," she gasped.
"Yes it was. But you liked it."
"So," Willow fluttered her eyelashes at her boyfriend as she leaned into him. "Who's bum do you like best mine or Xander's?"
The guitarist gave her a long look before replying. "I think Xander's an eight, but you, you're a ten."
Still laughing, Willow kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. "Good answer."
* * *
"You're doing real good, Kendra."
"You really think so, Xander?"
Faith grinned as she peered through the door crack to check what the two kids were up to. Soon after her arrival, they'd discovered Kendra had only a very basic education. Enraged, Xander had immediately taken it upon himself to teach her to read and write properly. After checking some books out of the town library, he'd apologised to Giles but still avoided the Watcher as much as possible, he'd begun to teach the young girl.
The grin on the sultry brunette's face disappeared as she remembered her own tutoring by Angelus. While Xander taught with gentle encouragement and kind praise, Angelus' method had been to brutally beat her to the floor for every mistake she made. On the whole she thought Xander's method definitely had more going for it.
Another problem was developing, complicating her already confusing life. Although the big dumbo hadn't realised it she had, Kendra was developing feelings for him. Even without the scent the second Slayer gave off, she couldn't fail to notice the adoring looks she sent the youth's way. Two Slayers and a vampiress in love with him - just what did the boy have?
Forcing a smile, she pushed the door open. "Grab your coats kids," she instructed. "Time for patrol."
* * *
Faith glanced watchfully around the darkened cemetery. The first two graveyards they'd gone through had been deserted, but this one... "Vamps, ten maybe," her words sliced through the cold night air.
Instantly the two youngsters moved into flanking positions. The vampiress nodded approvingly, whatever her reservations about having the newest Slayer living in her house, her presence meant there was another skilled fighter to help protect Xander. Which was why she had come to the Hellmouth in the first place.
Suddenly the night's tense quiet erupted. Vampires charged at them from all sides, their demonic faces showing.
Faith's foot flickered out, smashing into the face of the first vamp stupid enough to get close enough. The vampire roared in pain as he flew back into the darkness. Out of the corner of her eye, Faith saw a fist heading towards her. Bending her knees, she allowed the punch to pass harmlessly over her head before standing up and butting her attacker full in the face. As the injured vampire screamed in agony, she drove a stake into its chest.
A split-second after the vampire in front of her had exploded into dust, a brawny arm encircled her neck from behind in a crushing grip. "Time to die bitch!" a Creole accent drawled in her ear.
The vampiress' eyes widened in shock as she saw the stake racing down towards her heart. Thrusting backwards with her right foot, she connected powerfully with her attacker's shin, snapping the bone. Taking advantage of the resulting loosening around her neck, she grabbed the vamp's beefy forearm, threw him over her shoulder and to the ground. Grabbing her adversary's dropped stake, she plunged it into his heart. "No, you die fatboy," she corrected before looking how the others were doing.
* * *
As soon as Faith had warned them of the approach of the vampires, Xander's hand had dropped to the water pistol filled with holy water he carried in his inside jacket pocket. Pulling out the pistol, he shot the first vampire to approach him square in the face. Instantly the vampire's face began to steam and burn. Screaming wildly, the vampire forgot all about attacking him and instead reached up for his eyes. Taking advantage of the distraction, the boy plunged a stake into the shrieking vamp's heart.
Grinning slightly at his success, Xander glanced around for another vampire. A fist came smashing out of the darkness, thudding into his jaw with bruising impact. The youth stumbled backwards as the owner of the fist stepped out of the shadows and charged him. Remembering all Faith's lessons, Xander attempted to use his adversary's superior power against him. As the vampire rushed at him, he sidestepped the lunge and tripped the vampire sending his opponent flying through the air to land half a dozen feet away.
Xander rushed over to stake the stunned vampire. He plunged his stake down, only for his heart to miss a pounding beat when his arm was grabbed by his would-be victim. His face contorted with effort, he struggled in vain to drive the stake home, all too aware of the vampire's mocking grin. "I'm going to enjoy killing you boy. Arggh!"
Xander glanced up and smiled gratefully. "Thanks Kendra, if you hadn't turned up then..."
The Slayer beamed. "It's my pleasure Xander."
"How many did you get?" demanded the vampiress.
Xander turned to face Faith. God, she looked amazing. Realising the vampiress was staring at him impatiently, he flushed. "One."
"Three," Kendra put in, her eyes gleaming proudly.
"And I got two." The vampiress' lips pursed in thought. "Their numbers are increasing. I wonder if the others ran into trouble?"
* * *
His eyes bulging with fury and his demonic face showing, Angelus slammed a fist into the table before him, the impact smashing the wooden table in front of him in two. "Nine dead in total last night! I can't believe it! Why I am surrounded by such bloody incompetents!"
"Two Slayers, never been two of those bitches before," Spike remarked gravely. "Faith's a real pain in the bloody arse too."
"I want the boy," pouted Darla. "I want to make him scream."
Angelus glanced at his childe in disdain. She'd fallen steeply in his estimation after her abject performance the night Faith had snatched the little bastard back. He turned towards his lieutenant. "Spread the word, I'm sending for the Order Of Takara." Spike's eyes widened. "You sure boss?"
"I'm fast running out of patience and options. These bitches have been laughing at us for too long."
"So which one do you want them to kill - Faith, Summers, or the new Slayer bint?"
Angelus paused in thought. Ideally he'd like to see three all of them dead, but the Order were just too expensive to hire for three jobs, although their high price was justified, they'd never failed to complete a contract in centuries. Finally, he decided on his answer. "Oh, I think we'll keep it in the family."
* * *
"Right, that's all for tonight. Thank you everybody. Xander, could you stay behind please?"
Xander nodded, the youth turned to the girl hovering protectively behind him. "Kendra, go with the others. Enjoy yourself."
"Are you sure Xander?" At the boy's nod the girl set off after the others.
Once the girl had left, the boy turned back to him. "So what do you want Giles?"
The librarian sighed with hurt at the now ever present animosity he heard in the youth's voice, he almost missed being 'G-Man'. He understood the youth's anger and suspected that it came from his need to protect and unresolved issues about his abused childhood. However for the sake of the group it could no longer be tolerated. "Wait there," he ordered before disappearing into his office. Minutes later he returned carrying a thick bundle of papers. "Read these." He dropped the papers on the desk before the boy.
Xander paled. "Uh, isn't there a demon I could fight instead?"
The Watcher hid a smile, despite his newly improved grades the boy still really didn't like academic work. "Very well, I'll summarise. These are papers I wrote just after qualifying as a Watcher deploring the treatment of potentials on both moral and effectiveness grounds. Unfortunately I was too junior at that time and my opinions were discarded."
The youth's face flushed red. "Uh, Giles," the boy stuttered. "I'm sorry."
Giles smiled. "That's all right son. Your anger is wholly justified, if misdirected. I admit to being more than a little uncomfortable about Kendra's previous situation. I must say you and Faith are doing an excellent job with her." "Thanks G-Man."
The librarian sighed with relief, back to normal and time for his customary response. "Don't call me that."