A/N I reposted chapter 2 with a few minor corrections you may want to reread it or you don't have to. Hope you enjoy and sorry I haven't updated in so long. This chapter is thanks to me beta Essi. Thank you so much. Enjoy. Don't forget to review.
Chapter 2
Buffy stormed into her father's office slamming the door with such a force
that it splintered. Her father looked up from his desk at the noise and
motioned for her to take a seat and wait a moment. Buffy, choosing to stand
rather than sit, took that moment to look around her father's office.
There was a bookshelf, a desk, three chairs, and a painting of mountains all
in matching wood and leather. That was it. No photos of family
hanging on the wall, no personality, just barren and cold. Her eyes finally
rested on her father. He wore a typical business suit with a white
shirt and a blue tie, nothing suggested that he was the head of largest
organized crime family in the world.
"Excuse me Glory, I have a very important client in my office. Could I call
you back?" He listened to Glory's response, smiled, and hung up the phone.
The instant the phone hung up the accusations started to fly.
"What the hell have you done? Why are some pathetic assassins after me?
And who the hell was that on the phone?" Buffy fumed her arms wildly waving
about, as if to throw her anger to Hank.
Moving quickly Hank got up from his seat, walked the seven steps from his
desk and closed the door as discreetly as possible so the nosy secretaries
couldn't eavesdrop. Ignoring the crack in the door he put his hands on
Buffy's shoulders hoping to calm her but it only proved to agitate her more.
Shrugging off her father's hand she sat done in the nearest chair and
watched as her resigned father did the same. "Elizabeth, you know you can't
just storm in here like that, to everyone outside you are just
another one of my random employees, an excellent one at that, but nothing
that warrants the right to storm in here. Besides you know we never talk
about 'business stuff' with the door open."
"Frankly I don't care about your image at this moment. I demand to
know who you or the mafia pissed off to get assassins sent after me."
Although she was still fuming she managed to keep her voice at a reasonable
level.
"Honey you know I can't disclose anything about the mafia until you formally
accept your position as my successor and become an active part of the
mafia."
"You know well enough that no matter how much I love you, I can't do
that; it would break my mother's heart. I also don't support or want
anything to do with your illegal actions." This time there was no anger in
her voice, only resignation.
Hank audibly sighed "I know, but I still have to try, if you don't follow my
footsteps our dynasty will be over with my death. So who do you think sent these assassins."
"Frankly I have no idea. They were definitely amateurs, an insult.
After all you trained me better than most super spies." That earned a
chuckle from Hank "Dad, I know you can't tell me what occurred but next time
could you at least give me a heads up that I may be in danger."
"Sure thing sweetheart! How is your mother doing these days?"
"Okay." but before Buffy could explain there was a knock on the door and a
nervous secretary entered with the look of a convict walking death row.
After waiting several moments in awkward silence Hank realized the women
wasn't going to speak and asked her in what he hoped was his calmest, most
reassuring voice "What is it Dorothy?"
The sound of his voice caused the older lady to jump in her skin and speak
"There is Mister William on the phone. He says he is the leader of
Ground Zero, a band we are currently working with."
Glancing at Buffy as if in question of her permission he said "I will take
the call now."
Even though her dismissal was clear in his voice the woman continued to
stare at Buffy. Her blue eyes filled with wonder at the young woman who stormed into the boss's office without knocking.
"Dorothy that will be all." Hank added with a bit of a threat in his voice
this time. Dorothy moved slowly towards the door. Her eyes never left Buffy until she closed the door with a thud.
"Honey, isn't this one of your cases?"
"The band name sounds familiar but not the leader. So by all means take the call. If the call has nothing to do with me just motion with your hand and I'll leave."
However before Buffy had ever finished, the call light appeared and Hank
answered it, after listening for a few moments he replied "... There is no
need. As a matter of fact Ms. Gabaldon is in my office. Would you like to
speak to her?" He waited another moment before handing the phone off to
Buffy.
"Hello" Buffy said wondering who would call Hank looking for her
"Hello Mrs. Gabaldon" a man with a British accent replied.
"Buffy will do fine. So you are the MIA ((missing in action))
leader of Ground Zero" Finally placing the man but not understanding why he
was calling.
"I guess you could say that, but most people call me William."
"Okay. What can I do for you William?"
" I wanted to apologize for missing two meetings. I hoped you would be willing
to give our band another shot before you flush our hopes and dreams down the
toilet."
With a smirk Buffy calmly said "I think not" Trying her hardest not to laugh
as the man on the phone let out an exasperated breath and began to pace
"Will you at least let me explain?"
"Sorry I don't have the time. I have important clients to meet with. Those that actually show up to scheduled meetings.
"Bloody Hell woman can't you see I am trying to make amends. I missed the
first meeting because I got lost and the second because I was busy with
another job, which caused me to be late arriving and you had already left."
Spike held his breath as he waited for her response.
If I don't patch things up the guys are going to hate me forever. Please if
there is a God help me now.
"Fine. One more meeting but if you are a no show I'll make sure you will
never work in this business again. Do I make myself clear?" But even as she
threatened there was a trace of humor in her voice.
"Yes" Spike replied trying to keep from sounding pert but failing miserably.
Choosing to ignore his tone of voice she said "Okay. Name a time and place."
Pausing to think about a time he could not miss, he came up with the perfect
idea "How about Bronze, a local club, this Friday at seven. Our band is
playing. It might be good for you to hear us live. Demos never do a band
justice."
"Sounds like a blast. Can I bring a friend who is also a business associate with me?"
"I think that would be fine. When you arrive go around to the back entrance.
I'll tell the bouncer to let you in."
"Okay. Nice talking to you Spike."
"Thank you so much Buffy this means the world to us, I have to go now. See you tomorrow." With that Spike hung up the phone and reached for the cell phone on table that had been vibrating for the last three minutes.
"Hello" Spike listened as Giles spoke before replying in anger "What! Giles mate, you mean I have to come in tomorrow. I bloody can't. I have a meeting with our agent.
If I don't there is no chance for me getting close to Mr. Summer or finding
out the identity of his allusive daughter." More muffled talking "Fine I'll be there but you better have a concrete lead on the girl's identity this time. Remember, she is the key!"
To be continued
Chapter 2
Buffy stormed into her father's office slamming the door with such a force
that it splintered. Her father looked up from his desk at the noise and
motioned for her to take a seat and wait a moment. Buffy, choosing to stand
rather than sit, took that moment to look around her father's office.
There was a bookshelf, a desk, three chairs, and a painting of mountains all
in matching wood and leather. That was it. No photos of family
hanging on the wall, no personality, just barren and cold. Her eyes finally
rested on her father. He wore a typical business suit with a white
shirt and a blue tie, nothing suggested that he was the head of largest
organized crime family in the world.
"Excuse me Glory, I have a very important client in my office. Could I call
you back?" He listened to Glory's response, smiled, and hung up the phone.
The instant the phone hung up the accusations started to fly.
"What the hell have you done? Why are some pathetic assassins after me?
And who the hell was that on the phone?" Buffy fumed her arms wildly waving
about, as if to throw her anger to Hank.
Moving quickly Hank got up from his seat, walked the seven steps from his
desk and closed the door as discreetly as possible so the nosy secretaries
couldn't eavesdrop. Ignoring the crack in the door he put his hands on
Buffy's shoulders hoping to calm her but it only proved to agitate her more.
Shrugging off her father's hand she sat done in the nearest chair and
watched as her resigned father did the same. "Elizabeth, you know you can't
just storm in here like that, to everyone outside you are just
another one of my random employees, an excellent one at that, but nothing
that warrants the right to storm in here. Besides you know we never talk
about 'business stuff' with the door open."
"Frankly I don't care about your image at this moment. I demand to
know who you or the mafia pissed off to get assassins sent after me."
Although she was still fuming she managed to keep her voice at a reasonable
level.
"Honey you know I can't disclose anything about the mafia until you formally
accept your position as my successor and become an active part of the
mafia."
"You know well enough that no matter how much I love you, I can't do
that; it would break my mother's heart. I also don't support or want
anything to do with your illegal actions." This time there was no anger in
her voice, only resignation.
Hank audibly sighed "I know, but I still have to try, if you don't follow my
footsteps our dynasty will be over with my death. So who do you think sent these assassins."
"Frankly I have no idea. They were definitely amateurs, an insult.
After all you trained me better than most super spies." That earned a
chuckle from Hank "Dad, I know you can't tell me what occurred but next time
could you at least give me a heads up that I may be in danger."
"Sure thing sweetheart! How is your mother doing these days?"
"Okay." but before Buffy could explain there was a knock on the door and a
nervous secretary entered with the look of a convict walking death row.
After waiting several moments in awkward silence Hank realized the women
wasn't going to speak and asked her in what he hoped was his calmest, most
reassuring voice "What is it Dorothy?"
The sound of his voice caused the older lady to jump in her skin and speak
"There is Mister William on the phone. He says he is the leader of
Ground Zero, a band we are currently working with."
Glancing at Buffy as if in question of her permission he said "I will take
the call now."
Even though her dismissal was clear in his voice the woman continued to
stare at Buffy. Her blue eyes filled with wonder at the young woman who stormed into the boss's office without knocking.
"Dorothy that will be all." Hank added with a bit of a threat in his voice
this time. Dorothy moved slowly towards the door. Her eyes never left Buffy until she closed the door with a thud.
"Honey, isn't this one of your cases?"
"The band name sounds familiar but not the leader. So by all means take the call. If the call has nothing to do with me just motion with your hand and I'll leave."
However before Buffy had ever finished, the call light appeared and Hank
answered it, after listening for a few moments he replied "... There is no
need. As a matter of fact Ms. Gabaldon is in my office. Would you like to
speak to her?" He waited another moment before handing the phone off to
Buffy.
"Hello" Buffy said wondering who would call Hank looking for her
"Hello Mrs. Gabaldon" a man with a British accent replied.
"Buffy will do fine. So you are the MIA ((missing in action))
leader of Ground Zero" Finally placing the man but not understanding why he
was calling.
"I guess you could say that, but most people call me William."
"Okay. What can I do for you William?"
" I wanted to apologize for missing two meetings. I hoped you would be willing
to give our band another shot before you flush our hopes and dreams down the
toilet."
With a smirk Buffy calmly said "I think not" Trying her hardest not to laugh
as the man on the phone let out an exasperated breath and began to pace
"Will you at least let me explain?"
"Sorry I don't have the time. I have important clients to meet with. Those that actually show up to scheduled meetings.
"Bloody Hell woman can't you see I am trying to make amends. I missed the
first meeting because I got lost and the second because I was busy with
another job, which caused me to be late arriving and you had already left."
Spike held his breath as he waited for her response.
If I don't patch things up the guys are going to hate me forever. Please if
there is a God help me now.
"Fine. One more meeting but if you are a no show I'll make sure you will
never work in this business again. Do I make myself clear?" But even as she
threatened there was a trace of humor in her voice.
"Yes" Spike replied trying to keep from sounding pert but failing miserably.
Choosing to ignore his tone of voice she said "Okay. Name a time and place."
Pausing to think about a time he could not miss, he came up with the perfect
idea "How about Bronze, a local club, this Friday at seven. Our band is
playing. It might be good for you to hear us live. Demos never do a band
justice."
"Sounds like a blast. Can I bring a friend who is also a business associate with me?"
"I think that would be fine. When you arrive go around to the back entrance.
I'll tell the bouncer to let you in."
"Okay. Nice talking to you Spike."
"Thank you so much Buffy this means the world to us, I have to go now. See you tomorrow." With that Spike hung up the phone and reached for the cell phone on table that had been vibrating for the last three minutes.
"Hello" Spike listened as Giles spoke before replying in anger "What! Giles mate, you mean I have to come in tomorrow. I bloody can't. I have a meeting with our agent.
If I don't there is no chance for me getting close to Mr. Summer or finding
out the identity of his allusive daughter." More muffled talking "Fine I'll be there but you better have a concrete lead on the girl's identity this time. Remember, she is the key!"
To be continued