Solstice by SLynn

Chapter 2: New Arrivals

"How did slaying go last night?" was the first thing out of Giles mouth upon finding Buffy at the Magic Box.

He was hardly surprised, in fact, would have been only if she had not been there.

"Unbelievable," she said in a near whine, "I think it's safe to say that the demon set of Sunnydale has decided it's time to make a return. I stopped counting vamps after twenty."

"Really?" Giles asked sounding shocked. He knew that they would return after Constance's departure, he just hadn't expected so many. "Maybe we should go out with you tonight?"

"Sounds like a plan," she said.

"What's the plan?" Xander asked, coming from the back having just finished taking their latest delivery.

"Patrolling tonight with Buffy," Giles said absentmindedly looking over the receipts from yesterday.

"Okay," Xander said, "Should we make this a shin dig and call Willow and Tara too?"

"Actually," Buffy began somewhat hesitantly, "I was thinking just Giles and me."

Giles and Xander both stared at her for a second dumbfounded. Xander then looked back to Giles, who immediately resumed work, and then back to Buffy.

"Why?"

"Because I don't really need that much help."

"Okay."

"Did everything come in like we ordered?" Giles asked, not just because he wanted to know, but to relieve some of the tension building in the room.

"Yeah," Xander said, finally looking away from Buffy, "I was just unpacking it."

"Good then."

The shop bell rang in Willow.

"Hey everyone," she said in her usual upbeat voice.

After saying hello Xander and Giles retreated to the back.

"What's going on?" she asked to Buffy.

"Nothing," Buffy sighed.

"Okay," she said nearly matching Xander's tone earlier.

"It's just," Buffy began, looked quickly back to the door, and began again, "Giles brought up patrolling tonight with me and Xander wanted to go too."

"And?"

"And?" Buffy repeated in disbelief, "Don't you think it's kind of soon?"

"Not if he feels like going. It's not like he can't do it. It might even be good for him. Pent up frustration and all."

"What if something happens?"

"Buffy, something is always going to happen."

"That's not... you don't understand."

Willow was pretty sure she did.

"Buffy," she reassuringly, "He'll be fine. We can all go and he'll be fine."

"I just don't think I could see him hurt again."

"I know what you mean."

It was just after midnight and despite Buffy's misgiving's all of the gang were with her and just now finishing patrolling the cemetery. Everything had gone well, almost everything. Xander was angry. She knew it and she knew why. He was angry that she hadn't wanted him there. She couldn't help it. Buffy was scared.

"That went well," Willow said, her usual upbeat self.

"Yes," Tara agreed, "but wasn't that a lot for one night?"

"To many," Giles said quietly.

"It's been like this for a couple weeks now," Buffy added.

"This needs to be looked into," Giles said, "This is not normal. I need to look this up in some books I have back at the shop."

"If you don't mind," Willow put in, "I think I need to skip this meeting. I have an early class tomorrow."

"No, no," Giles continued, "You and Tara go ahead back home. It's probably nothing serious. We can all discuss it in the morning."

"We'll go with you if you want," Buffy said for herself and Xander. For the first time in a long time she wasn't sure she wanted to be alone with him. She knew what he'd been brooding about and wasn't looking forward to facing him alone just yet.

"No," Giles said again more sternly, "I've got it. I'll see you back at the apartment."

Without another word he headed off in that direction.

"Goodnight," Tara said to the both of them as she and Willow did the same.

"So," Buffy said looking around quickly.

Xander just nodded and looked at his feet.

"I'm sorry about this earlier. I know I was overreacting."

"Yeah, you were. You can't do this to me, okay? I can take care of myself. I know I do stupid things and I'm not like you or Willow or anything, but I've made it this far Buffy. You'd think that after all of this..."

"Xander," she cut in, "it's not that I don't think you can't. I just don't want to see you hurt. I care so much about you. I just want to protect..."

"I don't need you to protect me," he burst out, "I don't. I'm not a child."

"I'm sorry. Okay, I'm sorry."

Xander rubbed her head and turned away in frustration.

"I am too," Xander relented, "I didn't mean to just now. I just don't want to be treated like this."

"Okay. I promise. No more. But just try to see my side."

"I do," he said more quietly, "I do. I see your side every time you go on patrol. But I don't try to stop you. I know it's what you have to do and this is what I have to do. I have to help my friends when I can and however I can. If you can't accept that then maybe we need to rethink this."

"No," she answered firmly, "I can. I can accept that. I'm still just getting use to this."

"Me too," he said smiling a bit.

"We're okay then?"

"Yeah," he answered.

Buffy grabbed hold of his hand and he pulled her in closer.

"Let's not fight anymore," Buffy said seriously.

"I'll do my best," Xander said as he leaned in and kissed her softly.

"That's a good start," she said beaming back up at him.

Giles had been at the Magic Box for over an hour. He wasn't sure what he'd been looking for, but like most things, was sure he'd know it when he saw it. Deeply engrossed in a rather large book, he hadn't noticed that he wasn't alone.

"You really shouldn't leave the 'Open' sign up this late," a familiar voice said from behind, causing Giles to literally jump out of his seat.

"Angel?" he asked hesitantly.

"It's me," he said with no trace of humor, stepping out of the darkness.

"I hadn't realized that I had," Giles said heading to the front to rectify the situation. "When did you get into town?"

"This evening."

"And are you..."

"Alone? Yes. I needed to talk to you."

"I assumed," Giles said as he returned to the front.

"Yes well," Angel said, finally allowing a small smile to escape his lips, "Why else come? It's about Buffy."

"What about her?"

"She's in danger. Or she could be. I can't be for certain."

"I'm listening," Giles said as he sat and beckoned Angel to do so as well, knowing he wouldn't.

"About a month ago an artifact from the Getty museum was stolen. The blade of Osiris. Have you heard of it?"

"Briefly. Human sacrifices?"

"Yes. Osiris was the Egyptian god of the dead. Some think that he was connected to the first vampires. Supposedly the Blade of Osiris can open the portal between the dead and the living. Open the hellmouth."

"Then I guess I know how this involves Buffy."

"No, you don't. The incantations to use the blade were thought to have all been lost or destroyed. But, my sources say that at least one must have survived. The sacrifice somehow involves the slayer."

Giles stood up, and in a familiar move, removed his glasses to rub his eyes.

"Oh dear."

"There's more."

"I'm listening."

"The blade was stolen by a vampire named Eamon. I've seen him before, he's powerful, smart. He's not typical. He's not vicious. Not for a vampire at least."

"And he's here?"

"Good chance."

"That would explain the unusual number of vampires lately. He's building an army."

"Or a distraction."

"True," Giles admitted. "the question is whether or not he has a copy of the incantation needed."

"No, there's no question. Eamon is methodical. He wouldn't be here, wouldn't risk getting the blade unless he already had the incantation."

"So the real question is, how does this involve Buffy?"

Narissa had watched from a safe distance. She knew that if she got to close the slayer would sense her. And she didn't want that, not yet.

She'd been near them all night. Watching how they fought as a group. The dynamics of them. It was intriguing. Narissa had never seen a slayer before. So far, she didn't think she'd have a problem.

Narissa knew all their names now. Eamon would be pleased. He always liked to know the names. She never cared. It didn't matter. Only the plan mattered. Only getting what they needed mattered.

She'd watched them all night until only the two remained. The slayer and the younger man. She'd watched them as they fought. And she'd watched them as they made up.

A small smile crept onto her face.

Perfect.

The slayer had a boyfriend.

Eamon would love this. Another thing he loved was the details. She never understood human relationships, but then again she had never been human. He had once.

Narissa followed them back to where the man lived. A small place he shared with the watcher. Maybe he was the watcher's son. She didn't know. Didn't care. She was here to do a job.

Narissa had watched them until they'd gone inside and the lights had gone out. Then she left.

There would be much to tell Eamon tonight. Plenty of good news and evidence that their plan could continue on schedule.

Soon the slayer would know of the newest arrival to Sunnydale.