ANs: This snippet is the letter that Xavier received before he went into the meeting with Buffy and the others in chapter 14, as you can see from the date. If, like me, you've wondered how the Watcher's Counsel finds potential slayers, here's one possibility that works with the rest of this story. You'll notice that the language is a bit formal. This was deliberate, based on the characters involved and the nature of the letter. Also, do any of the writers out there know how I can fix the spacing issues in the user panel? If so, please let me know. Personalized ANs at the end. As always, hope you're intrigued and entertained.
Facts and Conclusions
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
May 25, 1999 9:40PM
Charles Xavier rubbed his forehead, took a deep, cleansing breath, and focused on releasing the tension from his body. He passed his hand over the package from Sunnydale, picked up a piece of paper, and once more read the disturbing letter from Rupert Giles.
PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Charles Xavier
c/o Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters
One Xavier Way
Westchester, NY 12865
May 24, 1999
Dear Charles,
I sincerely hope this letter finds you in the best of health. I feel that I must apologize for not sending this earlier; however, the situation in Sunnydale being what it is, I know you will understand.
As a result of several years spent building a reputation as a dissolute youth, and a certain disregard for the strictest interpretation of the codes and decrees of my association, I had few allies in Watcher's Counsel. Since being relieved of my duty as Buffy's Watcher this year, most of my former contacts have disassociated themselves from me. However, I feel obliged to confess that I am not above resorting to blackmail, when Buffy's health, welfare, and happiness are at risk. After some persuasion, I have managed to obtain a portion of Buffy's file not usually provided to field employees.
If you review the matrices and reports I've created, you will find: the biological criteria that the Watcher's Counsel utilizes to determine the identity of potential slayers, a genetic profile of what the Watcher's Counsel considers to be an 'ideal slayer', as well as Buffy's results at birth and at present.
The criteria in matrix 1 have been developed over centuries of observation and study. It touches upon all of the attributes, which when combined, create a viable potential slayer. Matrix 2 takes these criteria and assigns values to them that meet the ideal level. In matrix 3, I have described all of the genetic markers present in Buffy's test from her file. And in matrices 4 and 5, I have compared Buffy's original results to the most recent and Buffy's most recent results to that of the ideal.
Before I continue, please allow me to explain how this information is obtained. The Watcher's Counsel has paid informants in hospitals in every major city, who review and provide them with blood test results of likely female infant candidates, according to the most vital criteria set forth in matrix 1.
In studying this material, I have some rather startling news. After comparing her original test results against those with which you have provided me, the variances are minimal in some categories, but together, paint a very different picture. Further, if you review the comparison between Buffy's current genetic composition to that of a 'perfect' slayer, you will see that in almost every respect Buffy surpasses what nature has led us to expect of the ideal.
I have not yet been able to identify the spell. Unfortunately, my personal library and resources are quite limited. However, while Buffy is with you this summer, I intend to take a brief 'holiday' to England in order to obtain some of my father's more obscure spell and incantation books. I will bring them back with me to Sunnydale, where I plan to review them in earnest. I have plenty of time, as I am now without local employment as well, due to the destruction of Sunnydale High School, but more on that later.
My conclusions are as follows:
1. One or, most likely, more individuals within the highest echelons of the Watcher's Counsel are involved. As I mentioned, field employees would not have access to the files of Potentials. Also, it is possible, but unlikely, that a researcher or administrative employee could have been made aware of Stryker's secret project.
2. The parties responsible are ruthless and no doubt dangerous. After all, they willingly submitted one of their sworn charges to a hazardous experiment, conducted by men whom we know to be without conscience.
3. Had the spell not been cast, it is very likely that Buffy would not have been called as the Slayer.
4. The parties responsible could not have predicted the eventual outcome of the spell, and as yet, they may not be aware of the result. If they were intending to create the perfect slayer as a side effect of the experiment, they would have ensured vigorous and vigilant attention to Buffy's training from an early age. Furthermore, knowing the Counsel as I do, it is likely that this spell would have been cast regularly through the years from its discovery, in order to manipulate the process.
I will, of course, keep you informed of any future findings. Although I know I will live to regret this, I still believe it is too early to share what we have learned. As soon as I find the spell, we may want to reevaluate this decision depending on the possible long term effects to both Buffy and Logan.
Please feel free to ring me after reviewing all of the enclosed. I am eager to hear from you.
Respectfully,
Rupert Giles
(end chapter)
Please review!
Personal ANs: Prophetess of Hearts: Hey sweetie! I guess you can see that he didn't remember. We have four summers to go, well three, since Buffy is dead during one of them, but it'll take a while to get these two to see what's in front of them. Sorry about that, but hopefully the romantic parts will keep you reading.
Mary: Hey doll! So glad you're enjoying it. They didn't occur to me as a couple either, until I read Polgara's pairing. It's still a WIP, but it's very very good. You should check it out.
Lexi: Thanks so much, bebe! It really means a lot to me that you've taken the time to give me the thumbs up;)
Pay-day1999: Hey darlin'! Buffy and Logan will eventually get together little by little, and after this, Angel will be gone, but I'm trying to stay as true to canon as possible, so she's still got Riley and Spike to go through. As far as updating quickly, I know, can you believe it? So many scenes in such a little time, it's crazy. I just can't put this story down. I'm writing non-stop, and your endorsement makes it that much more wonderful for me.
Traci: Bebe, I'm so sorry about the chapter length. But I truly can't promise anything in that respect going forward. I try so hard to please y'all, but I feel that I must tell the story the only way I know how. I really didn't like chapter 14. It felt scatty to me. I'm just not one for a lot of details except in the love scenes, as I have a teeny tiny attention span for the rest of it. Hopefully, frequent updates are making up for it some. I started this story on the 3rd, and I've been writing an average of 12-15 hours a day; I'm a little tired, but still invested in making this the best story possible. I hope when all is said and done you'll love the results. As far as Buffy and Logan goes, yes they were engineered to be mates. The question is: why would Stryker do that? Certainly not out of the goodness of his heart. As to Logan's reaction to the news, well, we'll just have to see. Re: the Xander/Logan scene, I needed that to happen for two reasons. First because Logan needed to hear what happened between Buffy and Angel, and because I needed him to be authentically agitated by Angel's reappearance.
Thanks so much everybody for your continuing interest and support. Hugs! Sita:)