Fic: Ultimate Slayer - Issue 5

Author: mkcrl120

Disclaimer: All the characters mentioned in this story belong to Joss Whedon or Mutant Enemy or some other people. I own nothing and wrote this just to get it out of my system. The Ultimate idea comes from Marvel's use of revamping (pardon the pun) some of it's older titles.

Summary: Fresh universe… it all starts here folks

Rating: 15 by English standards (mainly for language)

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Ultimate Slayer #5 - Chosen part four

Outside of Rome

Dawn rose, and the three colleagues looked at one another.

"Well, the first night went okay." Doug said. They had all been up all night and were showing signs of tiredness.

"I think I need sleep." Merrick mentioned from next to them.

"I'm not sure about this..." Marie looked worried, "Sleeping next to our daughter's grave... it seems so..."

"I was going to suggest using the van." Merricked informed her, as they exited the large tent.

"Should one of us stay awake... you know... just in case..?" Doug asked hesistantly.

Merrick shook his head, "There's no risk until after dark."

"Oh..." Marie nodded, "I'll be asleep if anyone needs me." She opened the van door and climbed inside. Using spare coats and blankets she tried to make a comfortable bed for herself.

"I'm worried for my wife."

"It's just two more days. Then you can go back knowing this part of your life is over."

"You mean, the part with our daughter in it..."

"I didn't think you'd be returning to work..."

"We won't be... but we don't really have anything else to do."

Merrick put a strong hand on his shoulder, "Worry about taking care of your family first. The council should see you right..."

Doug smiled, "Thank you. I think I should be with my wife."

And with that Doug climbed into the back of the van and lay down next to Marie.

Merrick shut the door behind him. Turning to face the tent he made a silent wish. Walking around to the front of the van he climbed into the drivers seat and spread himself across the seat. Resting his back against one door and his feet on the other, he tried to make himself comfortable. Pulling his hat over his head slightly he started to doze off.

But at no point did his line of sight ever leave the tent.

=====

England

"So have they been identified yet?"

"None of them are showing signs of..."

"None?"

"No Sir."

"We must prepare for the possibility that she is not amongst them."

"Yes Sir."

"Inform all active people to be on the lookout for anyone who could be the one."

"Certainly Sir. And if that fails?"

"Then we would have to request that Merrick find her for us again."

"He does have a habit of locating them, Sir."

"As have all of his family. Pity he is the last of his line. Would have liked to have known how they do it so fast."

=====

Los Angeles

Several hours later.

"Still no sign of Benny." Pike muttered to himself. He was parked outside Benny's house again. Benny's mother was looking at him suspiciously through the curtains.

This time however she had not come out and not shouted at him. They were simply looking at each other. "Probably thinking the same thing I am... if he's not here and he's not with me, then where is he?"

'So what can it be? Last time, Benny had had a falling out with his parents, he'd stayed on my sofa. Dan had moaned of course, 'nother punk kid wanting a free ride.' he'd complained. But never actually kicked him out. He's only five years older than me, I know mom leaving made him grow up fast but come on. He had finished high school before that happened, surely he can give me the same break.'

Pike noticed Benny's mother had closed the curtains. He stared at the door waiting for the accusations to start.

After a few minutes, he realised that she wasn't coming outside.

'Looks like it's up to me to find him then.' Pike thought. "Shit... looks like the first stops Lisa's... I really hope her sister isn't in."

=====

Los Angeles

Hemery High School

Buffy's arrived at the high school. Nicole had given her a lift as usual. They got out and walked over to where Jennifer was sitting talking to Tyler. They stopped a few feet from the bench.

"Hey Buffy." Tyler began, looking up to see her face. "Changed your mind about breaking it off with me yet?"

Buffy managed to give a fake smile. "And why would I do that?"

Tyler gave a cocky grin, "Just saying is all... I'm getting a few offers in... wondering if I should take them."

"He's asking your permission... that's so sweet." Nicole whispered next to her.

"Do what you want... You're a free agent." Buffy told him, his grin was starting to get to her so she added. "And so am I!"

Tyler's smirk vanished, "Oh don't worry, I'll do who I want." He got up and began storming off.

Jennifer smiled from her spot. Because of the direction she was facing, she was having to use one of her hands to shield the sun from her eyes.

Buffy and Nicole moved closer to provide some shade.

"Ladies!!!" a voice from behind them shouted, just before they both had their bottoms groped.

Nicole was the first to speak. "Andy! You pig!" As she turned however, she noticed Andy was doubled over clutching his stomach. "What the..?"

Andy gestured towards Buffy. "Sh... elb... d... m..."

"What?" Nicole asked again, bending down to hear him better.

"Buffy elbowed him." Jennifer said from where she was sitting.

"I did not."

"You did, right in the stomach."

"Th... sri.... In... sto... ch..." Andy wheezed.

"It must have been reflex." Buffy explained. Bending down to look him in the face, she lifted his chin and waggled her finger at him. "That's what you get for touching without permission."

"Girls!!!" Jeffrey called as he pulled up in his car.

Waiting for him to get out, Buffy gave him her best smile.

Jeffrey strolled over, looking at Andy, who had sat down next to Jennifer but was still holding his stomach. "Okay..? So what happened to you?"

"Never mind." Andy called out.

"Right." Turning to Buffy he looked her in the eyes. "So..?"

"So." She mimicked back.

He raised an eyebrow.

She smiled back.

He grinned and offered his hand.

She took it.

Then they started to make their way inside the building.

Jennifer and Nicole followed, speaking between themselves.

Andy walked alongside, still clutching at his stomach. "I don't want to sound like a wimp, but that really hurt you know."

Jennifer and Nicole broke out laughing as they entered the building.
=====

Los Angeles

Same Time

"I don't know." Pike said for the fifth time.

The girl at the door stared back, she was wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt. "Why?"

"Can't you even answer a question?"

"I asked first."

"You didn't."

"I did... I asked when you finished with me."

"Oh for god's sake Anne. I'm not interested in pursuing anything serious with you."

"So... how about non-serious then? Just some fun... like we used to do."

"All I came round for was to find out where Lisa was."

Changing subject, Anne continued. "Talking of siblings... how is Dan these days?"

"He's fine... he'll be at work around now... so what about Lisa?"

"He seeing anyone?"

"I don't know... I'm not his keeper."

"And I'm not Lisa's."

Forcing himself to calm down Pike continued, "If you don't know if Lisa's with Benny... do you at least know where Lisa is?"

"Yes."

"Finally. Where..?"

"So about that fun..."

=====

Outside of Rome

"I don't think I can take another two nights like last night." Marie confided to her husband.

"I know... it was difficult for all of us." Doug admitted, moving away from the little barbeque he'd constructed.

Marie thought about it, "I don't think Merrick found it that difficult."

"Merrick's been doing this a long time... I think actually having us with him might be making it easier on him."

"I don't..."

"Normally he's on his own... when he's... you know."

"Staking out the morgue?"

"Or graveyard. But essentially."

"That must be terrible. It might be why he never had children of his own." Marie thought outloud.

"He's coming back."

"Do you think he's been assigned the ne..?" Marie began, but began crying again.

Comforting her, Doug explained. "I'm not sure the council even favour his opinion any more. There were rumours that he was getting too old."

"I'm still glad we asked for him though..."

"Annie lasted longer than she would have otherwise."

Marie dabbed at her tears, "I can't believe they ignored his requests to accompany those assigned to the last two."

"If he is too old, then I fear for the future."

"Me too. There will never be another like him."

The van pulled up. Merrick got out and opened the rear doors, he'd been to fetch provisions. Handing out assortments of burgers and sausages to be placed on the grill, he smiled at Marie.

"Don't worry... I'm sure everything will be okay."

She forcibly composed herself, "Have they identified Annie's replacement?"

"She's not amongst those deemed most likely... a further search hasn't produced anything either."

Marie looked horrified, "How will they find the poor girl before it's too late?"

"I'm looking into it."

"I thought you were going to stay and help us?" Marie was getting upset again.

"They called you back?" Doug said, from where he was arranging the food to be cooked.

"I'll probably only stay for tonight. If after one more night, there's no change..." Merrick drifted off.

"Then we can go back?" Marie said hopefully.

"Yes." Digging in his coat pocket, Merrick pulled out a piece of paper. "This is the number for a man in town called Alessandro. He knows what happened to Annie. He has some sons who can help you move your daughter..." Handing some more official looking documents. "These are the travel arrangements for your daughter. Alessandro's sons will get you to this person, who'll put you on this ship. If I have to leave tomorrow, do not do anything in Italy without consulting Alessandro first... he's a very useful man."

"Thank you." Marie said.

Doug went back to check on the food. "Won't be dark for a while yet."

"I'm not hungry." Marie responded.

"We need our strength in case... in case we don't need to contact this Alessandro." he finished.

=====

Los Angeles

"You're home early." Pike said, as he came out of the shower.

"No work on... they're not taking anything on in preparation for the mass order on Thursday..."

"So you'll be off tomorrow then too?"

"Half day again most likely... why you had anything planned?" Dan asked.

"Nahh..."

"No school today?"

"Benny's still missing." at his brother's look he expanded. "I went yesterday when he wasn't there, and it was incredibly dull."

"You need to finish high school, bro."

"I'm on it, bro."

"Thought you said Benny was shacking up with that Lisa again..."

"I went round... Lisa was in on her own, no sign of him."

"You went round Lisa's? Are you insane?" Dan looked on incredulously.

"She was in."

"Anne?"

"Yep."

"So how is the psycho bitch..? Still a raving nympho?"

"She was in... let's leave it at that."

"Dude, you didn't."

"You're the one who set me up with her in the first place."

"That was cos I was worried you'd turn out to be a fag... I mean you don't play any sports..."

"You never played any sports."

"I wasn't in the shape you were... man, there were people on the teams that aren't in the shape you are."

"And showering with lots of other men is a sign of non-homosexuality?"

"Least I watch the games."

"I watch the games. So instead of risking my becoming a queer, which isn't a crime by the way, you set me up with a psycho bitch."

"She was in the year below me at school. Knew she was a goer... thought you might like a definite, instead of playing with all the kids your own age."

"She asked about you."

"Crap."

Their conversation met a dead end... neither wanting to think about Anne or her sister any longer.

"So what you gonna do on your day off?"

Pike looked suspicious, "What you gonna do on yours?"

"Well you could help me fix the car."

"You mean, could I fix the car while you stand around bitching that it doesn't sound right."

Dan grinned, "Sounds good to me, lets do that."

They walked into the garage, Pike backed the van out to allow more room.

Dan lifted the remains of the motorbike up. "You still got this piece of shit?"

"It's got more hope of ever working again that the Vette. Least I know what's wrong with it."

"Dude, I know nothing and I know what's wrong with it. It's got no front wheel." He pointed at the part in question.

"See, just superficial shit... Get a new wheel, replace the brakes and it'll work."

"It'll still look like crap."

"So the bodywork is a little dented... it'll be faster than this." Pike banged his fist on the 'Vette.

Dan draped himself over the bonnet in a protective manner, "Leave my baby alone."

Pike lifted the bonnet up, "So what's wrong with it now?"

Dan started the engine, "Does that sound right to you?"

Pike peered under the hood. "What the hell do you do to this thing?"

=====

Outside of Rome.

They'd been standing inside the tent again from the moment it went dark.

Merrick took a look around them. They were all appropriately armed for the occasion. Doug was looking more confident than he had done the previous night. Marie seemed to be holding up well too. 'Nighttime brings uncertainty, and uncertainty puts everything on edge.' Merrick thought to himself. 'They should be okay. I won't be gone long.'

"I need to check something." He said suddenly, surprising the others.

Doug was the first to react, it had been the first time anyone had broken the silence since they entered the tent. "Certainly."

"It'll involve me being gone for an hour or two..."

Marie stared at him.

"If you don't wish me to leave say so now. I can always do it in the morning."

"Is it important?" Marie asked. When Merrick nodded, she provided the answer. "Then by all means, but please hurry back."

Merrick smiled and left the tent. Marie watched as he went to the van, seemingly looking in the gloveback for a while, Merrick returned to view carrying two bags. One of them seemed to have a large book or magazine sticking out of it.

Merrick examined his surroundings and headed further up the hill. Where there were less trees. Marie closed the tent flap and rejoined her husband as they stood vigil over their daughter's grave.

=====

End Issue 5 - Chosen part four.

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