Disclaimer: I own nothing. I swear.
Distribution: Yeah, cause I'm feeling generous.
They're coming faster now. I did promise.
"Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins. Twenty years old. Born on the 4th of July and don't think there weren't jokes about that my whole life Mister cause there were. 'Who's our little patriot' they'd say when I was younger and therefore smaller and shorter than I am now.
The Watcher looked bored, "So. You spell it A-N-Y-A?"
"Yes."
"Good now we can move on to the questions?"
* * *
Willow tried not to panic, "Questions, right."
Tara nodded, "We can answer questions."
The Watcher held up a clipboard, "I'll need to ask you some things about the Slayer and about the both of you. Your relationship . . .whatever you can tell me."
Tara flushed, "Our relationship?"
Willow joined her in the flushing, "We're friends."
"Good friends."
Willow swallowed and bit the bullet, "Girlfriends actually."
"Yes we're girlfriends." Tara backed up her girlfriend despite her embarrassment.
"We're in love, we're lovers. We're lesbian, gay type lovers."
The Watcher lowered his clipboard, "I meant your relationship with the slayer."
Both girls looked down, going very red as Tara almost whispered, "Just, good friends."
* * *
Xander was pleased to get an easy first question, "Best friends. Me, Willow, and Buffy. The three of us have been together since the beginning. We've always gone on patrols and done demons research with her and everything."
The Watcher nodded and made a note, "Have you mastered any fighting disciplines over the years?"
"No." That was unfair and it was something the Xander knew he was touchy about.
"So you have no special skills or power or knowledge that you bring to the group. Neither of you?"
Xander grimaced with the thought 'rub it then why dontcha?' Anya only smiled pleasantly, "Just enthusiasm for killing the demons. Go deadness for the demons."
Xander squared his shoulders and tried to redeem himself, "I don't have any powers but I do help."
The Watcher suddenly looked interested, "How? Be specific."
"Last summer Willow, Giles and me combined our essence with Buffy." Off the man's look he quickly continued, "Which isn't as weird as it sounds. We merged and I was the 'heart' part of a super Buffy."
Anya smiled and leant forwards, "I'm told it was all very professional."
The Watcher picked up his pen, "Are you saying that the Slayer needs that level of help from you often?"
* * *
Willow realised what she had just said and backtracked, "No, no she doesn't need help."
Tara nodded, "She'd be fine without us. Sometimes she goes off and does stuff without even telling us."
Tara frowned, realising how that sounded and looked at Willow who tried to cover her, "Not that she's like, a weird loner or anything."
"I'm not sure we're saying this right."
"Here's the thing. W can help because we do magic's. I'm working on this, ball of sunshine thing. See I have this theory. . ."
Tara smiled, "It's very cool."
"And if it works, easier slaying for Buffy. Not that it's hard for her now."
The Watcher raised his eyebrows, "Interesting. What level are you at?"
"Level?"
"Magical proficiency level?"
Willow looked desperate, "Oh, high with the level. Very high, one of those top levels . . ."
Tara's voice came in strong and clear, "Five."
Willow was surprised. She hadn't even known that there were levels, and she was a five? A five what? She looked at Tara hoping for inspiration but the blonde gave her a look, which clearly stated that she was making this up as she went along. The Watcher wrote down the details as he spoke, "And you're registered as practising witches under the names you gave me?"
"R . . . registered?"
Willow panicked, "Of course we're . . ."
"Registered."
* * *
Anya was gripping her knees under the table. Could this actually get any worse? She was sure that the man was suspicious. H must be guessing that she had once been a demon. Oh, God what would they do to her if they figured it out?
"Do either of you know anything about the Key?"
Anya shook her head vehemently, "Nope sounds demony to me. I don't hold with that demon nonsense. Muffin? I cooked them myself."
* * *
Buffy practically fell through her front door followed by Spike under a blanket. She'd had more than enough for one day. They had managed to prevent the Council discovering that she was in a relationship with a vampire. Buffy had been so angry that she had wanted to just tell them. Surprisingly, Spike had said not to. He said that it was more important for them to get information on Glory for the two of them to be recognised as a couple. Buffy guessed he was right, though the expression on their faces might just be worth it.
"Joyce?" The vampire called.
There was no answer and Buffy led the way to the front room. When she had only taken two steps in she saw her. Glory had her fingers steepled and a falsely sympathetic look on her face, "Long day, sweetie?"
Buffy and Spike looked at each other in horror as Glory turned and began examining the house, " . . .personally I need more space . . . but this is good for you, it's so quaint . . ."
Buffy grabbed the poker off the fire, but before she could do anything with it, Glory plucked it out of her fingers, "Buffy. If I wanted to fight you could tell with the being dead already." Spike looked ready to attack, but Buffy shook her head, "Place nice, both of you."
Spike came to stand next to Buffy, "What do you want."
Glory lost no time in getting straight to the point, "The Key. Why else do you think I'd come here? You see, I think that you know where it is, and that's a good thing."
Buffy fought to stop her voice from trembling. What if Dawn was here? "I'm glad you think so."
"Well, it's the only thing keeping you alive right now, cause you may be tiny queen in vampire world, but to me you're a bug. You should get down on your knees and worship me. But no you still think it's neat having superpowers. Woo, big deal, stronger than humans. Who isn't? I could crush the life from you as easy as you break a nail, but I need the Key . . ."
During this speech, Dawn had come through the door from the kitchen; Buffy felt panic and horror rise in her throat. She could feel the tension radiating off Spike, but neither gave any sign that anyone was there. Glory apparently, didn't need a sign, "Kid! Come here a sec."
Buffy went white, "Leave her out of this."
"Not asking twice."
"This is between you and me."
Glory looked furious, "NO! This is between me and my Key. You just happen to be the thing in the way." She clicked her fingers and Dawn walked forwards, "And you are just, the darlingest thing I've ever did see in my life." Dawn didn't look overly impressed with this impression of her, "What's your name honey?"
Dawn kept her face blank, "Dawn."
"Dawn? Did you know that your sister took my Key, Dawnie and she won't give it back? I bet you know where she put it don't you?"
Buffy was slightly relieved to see that there was nothing about Dawn that was setting off smoke signals for Glory about Dawn's person. But that didn't help them with the fact that a demon was sat in her front room looking at the thing she had been looking for. That thing that was her sister, "She doesn't know anything."
Dawn looked angry, "I know some stuff."
Glory smiled at the younger Summer's nerve, "I bet she takes your stuff all the time without asking."
Spike met Dawn's eyes with an urgent silent message, she saw the worry, "Go upstairs Dawn."
Buffy could see that the girl was hesitant. She was sick of being treated like a kid, "I'll figure it out you know."
Dawn stomped out of the room and up the stairs. Glory smiled, "I like her, she's sassy. And I'll kill her. I'll kill your mom, I'll kill your friends, and I'll kill him." Glory pointed at Spike, "And I'll make you watch when I do. Just give me the Key. You either have it or you know where to find it." Glory stood up; Spike automatically moved closer to Buffy, "Don't worry Blondie. We're not getting violent this time. But obviously, this is a one time only deal. The next time we meet something you love dies bloody."
Buffy's legs almost gave way beneath her as Glory walked out of the front door. She turned to Spike, "We need to get them away. Mom and Dawn."
Spike looked like he knew what was coming, "And you want me to take them somewhere?"
Buffy put her arms around his waist, "Not far, just somewhere she doesn't know about. Your crypt would do. Just until I find out what I'm fighting. Please. Spike I am begging you. If anything happens to me, they'll need you. Please Spike, please pleas . . ."
Spike pulled her to him as the tears started down her cheeks, "Okay, pet. Just breath. We'll manage this. I'll take them."
Joyce came into the room, "What's happening? Dawn's sulking again."
Spike smiled, "Pack a bag love. We're going to stay somewhere a little more dark and dank than this."
Distribution: Yeah, cause I'm feeling generous.
They're coming faster now. I did promise.
"Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins. Twenty years old. Born on the 4th of July and don't think there weren't jokes about that my whole life Mister cause there were. 'Who's our little patriot' they'd say when I was younger and therefore smaller and shorter than I am now.
The Watcher looked bored, "So. You spell it A-N-Y-A?"
"Yes."
"Good now we can move on to the questions?"
* * *
Willow tried not to panic, "Questions, right."
Tara nodded, "We can answer questions."
The Watcher held up a clipboard, "I'll need to ask you some things about the Slayer and about the both of you. Your relationship . . .whatever you can tell me."
Tara flushed, "Our relationship?"
Willow joined her in the flushing, "We're friends."
"Good friends."
Willow swallowed and bit the bullet, "Girlfriends actually."
"Yes we're girlfriends." Tara backed up her girlfriend despite her embarrassment.
"We're in love, we're lovers. We're lesbian, gay type lovers."
The Watcher lowered his clipboard, "I meant your relationship with the slayer."
Both girls looked down, going very red as Tara almost whispered, "Just, good friends."
* * *
Xander was pleased to get an easy first question, "Best friends. Me, Willow, and Buffy. The three of us have been together since the beginning. We've always gone on patrols and done demons research with her and everything."
The Watcher nodded and made a note, "Have you mastered any fighting disciplines over the years?"
"No." That was unfair and it was something the Xander knew he was touchy about.
"So you have no special skills or power or knowledge that you bring to the group. Neither of you?"
Xander grimaced with the thought 'rub it then why dontcha?' Anya only smiled pleasantly, "Just enthusiasm for killing the demons. Go deadness for the demons."
Xander squared his shoulders and tried to redeem himself, "I don't have any powers but I do help."
The Watcher suddenly looked interested, "How? Be specific."
"Last summer Willow, Giles and me combined our essence with Buffy." Off the man's look he quickly continued, "Which isn't as weird as it sounds. We merged and I was the 'heart' part of a super Buffy."
Anya smiled and leant forwards, "I'm told it was all very professional."
The Watcher picked up his pen, "Are you saying that the Slayer needs that level of help from you often?"
* * *
Willow realised what she had just said and backtracked, "No, no she doesn't need help."
Tara nodded, "She'd be fine without us. Sometimes she goes off and does stuff without even telling us."
Tara frowned, realising how that sounded and looked at Willow who tried to cover her, "Not that she's like, a weird loner or anything."
"I'm not sure we're saying this right."
"Here's the thing. W can help because we do magic's. I'm working on this, ball of sunshine thing. See I have this theory. . ."
Tara smiled, "It's very cool."
"And if it works, easier slaying for Buffy. Not that it's hard for her now."
The Watcher raised his eyebrows, "Interesting. What level are you at?"
"Level?"
"Magical proficiency level?"
Willow looked desperate, "Oh, high with the level. Very high, one of those top levels . . ."
Tara's voice came in strong and clear, "Five."
Willow was surprised. She hadn't even known that there were levels, and she was a five? A five what? She looked at Tara hoping for inspiration but the blonde gave her a look, which clearly stated that she was making this up as she went along. The Watcher wrote down the details as he spoke, "And you're registered as practising witches under the names you gave me?"
"R . . . registered?"
Willow panicked, "Of course we're . . ."
"Registered."
* * *
Anya was gripping her knees under the table. Could this actually get any worse? She was sure that the man was suspicious. H must be guessing that she had once been a demon. Oh, God what would they do to her if they figured it out?
"Do either of you know anything about the Key?"
Anya shook her head vehemently, "Nope sounds demony to me. I don't hold with that demon nonsense. Muffin? I cooked them myself."
* * *
Buffy practically fell through her front door followed by Spike under a blanket. She'd had more than enough for one day. They had managed to prevent the Council discovering that she was in a relationship with a vampire. Buffy had been so angry that she had wanted to just tell them. Surprisingly, Spike had said not to. He said that it was more important for them to get information on Glory for the two of them to be recognised as a couple. Buffy guessed he was right, though the expression on their faces might just be worth it.
"Joyce?" The vampire called.
There was no answer and Buffy led the way to the front room. When she had only taken two steps in she saw her. Glory had her fingers steepled and a falsely sympathetic look on her face, "Long day, sweetie?"
Buffy and Spike looked at each other in horror as Glory turned and began examining the house, " . . .personally I need more space . . . but this is good for you, it's so quaint . . ."
Buffy grabbed the poker off the fire, but before she could do anything with it, Glory plucked it out of her fingers, "Buffy. If I wanted to fight you could tell with the being dead already." Spike looked ready to attack, but Buffy shook her head, "Place nice, both of you."
Spike came to stand next to Buffy, "What do you want."
Glory lost no time in getting straight to the point, "The Key. Why else do you think I'd come here? You see, I think that you know where it is, and that's a good thing."
Buffy fought to stop her voice from trembling. What if Dawn was here? "I'm glad you think so."
"Well, it's the only thing keeping you alive right now, cause you may be tiny queen in vampire world, but to me you're a bug. You should get down on your knees and worship me. But no you still think it's neat having superpowers. Woo, big deal, stronger than humans. Who isn't? I could crush the life from you as easy as you break a nail, but I need the Key . . ."
During this speech, Dawn had come through the door from the kitchen; Buffy felt panic and horror rise in her throat. She could feel the tension radiating off Spike, but neither gave any sign that anyone was there. Glory apparently, didn't need a sign, "Kid! Come here a sec."
Buffy went white, "Leave her out of this."
"Not asking twice."
"This is between you and me."
Glory looked furious, "NO! This is between me and my Key. You just happen to be the thing in the way." She clicked her fingers and Dawn walked forwards, "And you are just, the darlingest thing I've ever did see in my life." Dawn didn't look overly impressed with this impression of her, "What's your name honey?"
Dawn kept her face blank, "Dawn."
"Dawn? Did you know that your sister took my Key, Dawnie and she won't give it back? I bet you know where she put it don't you?"
Buffy was slightly relieved to see that there was nothing about Dawn that was setting off smoke signals for Glory about Dawn's person. But that didn't help them with the fact that a demon was sat in her front room looking at the thing she had been looking for. That thing that was her sister, "She doesn't know anything."
Dawn looked angry, "I know some stuff."
Glory smiled at the younger Summer's nerve, "I bet she takes your stuff all the time without asking."
Spike met Dawn's eyes with an urgent silent message, she saw the worry, "Go upstairs Dawn."
Buffy could see that the girl was hesitant. She was sick of being treated like a kid, "I'll figure it out you know."
Dawn stomped out of the room and up the stairs. Glory smiled, "I like her, she's sassy. And I'll kill her. I'll kill your mom, I'll kill your friends, and I'll kill him." Glory pointed at Spike, "And I'll make you watch when I do. Just give me the Key. You either have it or you know where to find it." Glory stood up; Spike automatically moved closer to Buffy, "Don't worry Blondie. We're not getting violent this time. But obviously, this is a one time only deal. The next time we meet something you love dies bloody."
Buffy's legs almost gave way beneath her as Glory walked out of the front door. She turned to Spike, "We need to get them away. Mom and Dawn."
Spike looked like he knew what was coming, "And you want me to take them somewhere?"
Buffy put her arms around his waist, "Not far, just somewhere she doesn't know about. Your crypt would do. Just until I find out what I'm fighting. Please. Spike I am begging you. If anything happens to me, they'll need you. Please Spike, please pleas . . ."
Spike pulled her to him as the tears started down her cheeks, "Okay, pet. Just breath. We'll manage this. I'll take them."
Joyce came into the room, "What's happening? Dawn's sulking again."
Spike smiled, "Pack a bag love. We're going to stay somewhere a little more dark and dank than this."