A month had passed since the threesome had joined with the twosome. During that time much had happened. True to his word Ian had the scars on Dawn's face removed. All that remained was a barely discernible line. Ian hired the three; Xander and Spike as bartenders and Dawn as a hostess. Their salaries were $120, 000 a year. When they asked Ian why they were getting such a high salary, Ian merely answered "I'll tell you later." Ian also hired several individuals from the surrounding area, although their salaries were considerably lower. It came as little surprise that not all of them were entirely human. Ian explained that the club would act as a neutral zone where individuals of power, such as clan leaders and business kingpins, could meet to discuss business. Many had sent word that this was agreeable, especially when Ian informed them that anyone who violated the neutrality would be 'dealt with'.
To improve her abilities, Dawn now was being taught by a local Wicca coven. When she had turned 21 her keyness had been removed. Now she was a normal flesh and blood girl who just happened to have an incredible amount of power.
The other four trained together; Ian with Xander and Spike with faith. It had been discovered that Spike's chip didn't fire with Faith. Rather than ponder why this was so they chose to use it as an excuse to go all out.
Ian remembered what Richard had told him about Xander and kept a careful eye on the boy. The boy would get his ass kicked in hand to hand combat, there was no arguing that. However, it was due to lack of proper training, not lack of ability. He had the raw ability that would make him victorious over normal men. Now all he needed was training. Ian was quickly coming to a decision.
"Harris." Ian said, wiping his face with a towel. Xander had been learning how to use defensive tactics from Ian, who was slightly amazed at how quickly he was picking things up.
"Ian." Xander said with a grin on his face. He had grown to look to Ian as a brother. Whereas Buffy, Angel, and the others saw a Zeppo with no abilities or talents, Ian treated him as an equal. He had asked him once why he put up with his ineptitude. Ian had answered honestly. "Xander, I am the most dangerous man alive. There is no mortal who can stand toe to toe with me and last long. But even I had to start somewhere. I used to spend more time getting knocked down than standing up. But I kept getting up. Just keep getting up and you'll never fail."
"Do you know how I became as good as I am? I mean, I'm too young to be an expert in as many styles as I am. Do you know how?"
"Actually, I was curious about that."
"My master was on very good terms with the spirit world. He had ancient warriors possess me and implant their fighting knowledge in me. Cool, huh?" Ian grinned.
"Very." Clearly impressed.
"I still had to train. Just because I had the knowledge didn't mean I knew how to use it. I had to train long and hard. I had to learn ways to put my body into overdrive. I am incredibly strong, incredibly agile, and incredibly durable. I am all these things because I would accept no less of myself. It almost destroyed me. I just remembered, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger."
"The question I am asking you, boy, is do you want this for yourself?" Xander's mouth dropped. "Give me six months and I'll make you a force to be reckoned with. Inside a year I'll make you lethal. It will be hard, you will scream, and you will bleed. You may even curse my name. But if you survive the challenge, you will be one of the elite."
"Are you aware you sound like a commercial for the Marines?"
"What do you think I based the speech on?"
Xander thought for a moment. Ian was offering him something great. His insecurities came out. What if he failed, like he always failed? What if he disappointed everybody?
Seeing the look on his friend's face, Ian took Xander's hand. 'Harris, I believe in you. If I didn't we would never have had this conversation. I see something in you. I see unrealized greatness. If you train long enough and hard enough, you could surpass even me. I am willing to take as long as is needed. Remember, the only way you truly fail is if you never try."
Xander thought for a moment. Did he have it in him. "When do we start?" he said with his trademark grin.
Ian grinned right back at him. He clasped Xander's hand. "Soon, soon."
"Who knew starting a business would take so much paperwork?"
Ian sat in his office, filling out the necessary forms to open up 'The Jungle'. It seemed every form had to be filled out in triplicate. That wasn't the main problem. The problem lay in the fact that half the time he was on the phone. Everything in Miami had to be approved verbally, it seemed. 'A year ago I would have killed most of these men. And why does everybody ask if I'm going to have dancers?"
He was brought out of his thoughts by his intercom.
"Mr. MacCleod?"
"Benjamin, I've told you a dozen times. Don't call me Mister. Either Ian, Mac, of MacCleod. Never Mister."
Sounding slightly fearful. "Sorry Mis….Ian."
"It's okay. You'll get the hang of it." Ian smiled at the memory of meeting Ben. The kid was 18, three hundred ponds of muscle, and was the gentlest kid Ian had ever met. They had met when Ben had tried to mug him. Ian had seen the boy was utterly terrified. Rather than send the boy into the wall, he had offered him a job.
"Whatcha need?"
"there are some people here to see you."
Ian quickly checked his day planner and saw that he wasn't supposed to meet anyone today. A thought occurred to him.
"They're not lawyers, are they?"
"No, Ian. Though half of them look like businessmen."
"Half! How many are there?"
"Six, sir. Three of them look like kids and the others are in suits."
Ian rubbed his temples. 'What now?' "Alright Ben. Send them up."
Two minutes later he heard a knock on his office door. "Enter." As the six walked in he immediately recognized the suits for what they were. He didn't recognize the young adults.
"How may I help you?" Ian decided to play naïve.
"We understand that you are friends with a Faith Wilkins." The younger man said.
"I guess you could say that. We dated a few times."
"We'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Sure. Fire away."
The first woman got a small nasty look on her face. "What has she told you about her previous life?"
"Uhh, she said she was a bit of a wild child. Made a hell of a lot of mistakes, her words. Had to leave California because some people made things rather difficult for her."
"Did she mention she killed people?'
Not as many as I have, little girl. "No." Ian tried to sound surprised. 'You mean she's killed in self defense, right?"
The young man smirked. "Cold blooded murder."
Kitty kat was naughty, he grinned internally. "I had no idea. I can't believe that she could be a murderer. I'm sorry. I have to ask. Who are you people?"
The man extended his hand. "How rude of me. Riley Finn."
"Buffy Summers." said the blond haired girl, whose outfit showed more than it hid.
"Willow Rosenburg." said the quiet redhead, dressed more moderately in shorts and a tank top. Ian made a snap decision that this was where the brains laid.
"A pleasure." Ian said. 'Considering I've never heard of any of you' He looked at the three men still standing. "And your names, Watchers?"
Everybody's eyes grew large. "How did you …"
"I've traveled extensively. I recognized the rings on their hands." I should, I've removed enough of them.
Calming down, a lean man with sandy hair began. "My name is Ezekial Travers. These are my associates Roger Connery and Sean Moore."
"Travers? That name sounds familiar."
"My uncle, Quentin, heads the Council of Watchers." Ezekial said with pride.
I'll remember that. "This is all such a shock. I mean, little Faith a killer. Why are you telling me this?"
"We want you to help us apprehend her."
"But you can't do that. The Council has no jurisdiction in the United States."
"Look, Mr. MacCloud. Mrs. Wilkins is a dangerous individual. The Council can rehabilitate her, make her a valuable member of society once more."
'And I've got boobs', Ian thought.
"Well, I don't know when I'll see her next." Which was true. He might see her at 3:30, maybe at 4:00.
"It is very important that we bring her to justice. The crimes she has committed against us, against everyone, can not go unpunished." Buffy exclaimed, turning up her charms. "If there's anything you can do to help us, I would be most appreciative." she said licking her lips.
Ian's eyebrows raised. 'Who does she think she's kidding?' Ian looked at the other two. Finn disgusted him. He seemed to get off on Buffy's flirting. Probably figures no one could resist the blond bitch. He remembered something he had learned about Finn, which made him see red. He turned his attention to the red head. She looked at her friend with disgust. Obviously she doesn't approve.
"Well, I'll give you any information I can. Where will you be staying?"
"We can be reached at the Sheridan on Murlow. Suites 419, 420, 421."
Gotcha! Now I know where to get you.
"All right, I'll keep you abreast. Now if you'll excuse me I have business to attend to. Let me see you out."
As they descended Riley and Buffy flanked Ian. "We understand that you've also taken in three of Faith's friends under employment."
"Yes, Dawn Summers, Xander Harris, and William Auerilius. Are you related to Dawn?"
"Yes, she's my sister. I think you should understand that they are nothing but trouble."
"But their work had been exceptional. I don't think I'd be this far ahead of schedule without them."
"Let me make myself clear." Riley invaded Ian's personal space. "I think it would be a good idea if you lay them off. Terrible things could happen with them around." He said with a sneer.
'Oh my god, the little shit's threatening me.' "I'll take that under advisement." As they reached the door Ian turned to Riley, extending his hand. When Riley took it Ian gripped it slightly tighter than was absolutely necessary. "I don't think I'd want you as an enemy." 'Maybe I should just kill you and get it over with.' Ian thought.
"No, you wouldn't." Riley said as he left, rubbing his hand.
Turning, Ian saw his houseguests watching him. He motioned for them to follow him upstairs. Once the three were seated he began.
"All right, obviously we have a slight problem. The council has come for Faith and I don't think they want her for monopoly. I don't think she could survive if they got her. Fortunately, she's got two things in her favor. Us and the fact that they have no idea who I am, so that should buy us some time. So, what should we do about it?"
"Kill them?" Dawn said softly.
"Good idea. Take them out before they get us." Seeing the looks on their faces he thought for a moment. "I'll try to keep Buffy and Willow out of it. All I care about now are the Trackers."
"Trackers?" Xander asked.
"Division of the Council." Spike answered. "Job is to hunt down and eliminate threats. Extremely sadistic."
"Mean as hell. Their mentality is if the Council orders them dead, the Trackers have the right to have a little' fun' before delivering the killing blow. I can only imagine what they'd like to do with Faith."
"You seem to know an awful lot about them. Why is that?" Xander asked.
"A few years back the Council approached me about joining them. I declined, telling them I didn't work for zealots. They sent the Trackers after me.'
"Well, we can handle three of them." Dawn said.
"Doubt there's only three. Going after a slayer, wankers probably brought a team. Six bloody sadists vs. one girl. Ain't justice grand?"
"I have jobs for all of you. Dawn, Faith's still at school. I need you to pick her up and occupy her. Don't tell her what's going on. Harris, they might be watching me so I need you to go to the house and bring the two cases in the shed."
After they left Ian turned to Spike. "Interested in being a get away driver?" At Spike's smirk Ian answered with one of his own. 'Time for me to hunt again.'