Note: Just wanted to establish the main characters. Two chapters for the price of one. Enjoy!!

Chapter Two – The Parents

"You missed."

"I know that darling, so get out of the way so it won't happen again."

Wesley aimed his crossbow at the snake-like demon rising out of the hole in the floor.

"Thought you said this one was an easy one."

"It would be if you could quieten down for just a few minutes, dear."

Faith watched as her husband shot the demon full of arrows. "If you want I can go . . . ." The demon fell over, dead. "Never mind. Nice shooting."

"Thank you."

"Now tell me again why we're here?"

"Because the Council feels . . . ."

"But we don't usually take orders, you know."

"Giles?"

"I know. Favors and all. Plus, money. That's a good thing."

"Yes. It does happen to pay the bills."

Faith and Wesley walked over to the grotesque sight on the floor.

"How do we get rid of it now? 'Cause, public bathroom?"

"At least it's a men's restroom this time," Wesley told her, remembering an incident from years past where the two had to hide out in a women's restroom for a while.

"Good times. A lot cleaner too. We could just leave it?"

"No. That won't due."

"We have to chop it up, don't we?"

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid that we do."

"Have I told you how much I hate this part of the job?"

"Yes and with great intensity."

Luckily they wouldn't be interrupted because the building was under renovations and devoid of most people.

"So, you nervous?"

"About hacking this thing up?" Wesley asked as they worked.

"No you dumb . . . ."

Wesley stuck his finger up to stop her.

"I know. If I don't stop saying it, then Gracie won't either. I'm tryin' here, OK?"

"I know. Not easy. And I am a little nervous, but for Liam, not Gracie."

"Been way too quiet lately."

"Isn't he always?"

"Were you like that as a kid? I mean, quiet?"

"Only because I had to be."

"Yeah, I hear ya on that one. Better to be quiet than to . . . ."

They both knew about their respective childhoods. Which made them want to be better parents, by letting their children be children. Neither wanted their children to grow up too fast.

"You know, this smell is really getting to me," Faith told him, gagging. "I need some air."

"Not just trying to get out of it."

And as Faith ran into a stall, he guessed that no, she wasn't trying to get out of it. If she was, then she was a great actress.

"Oh dear, are you alright?" he asked outside the stall door.

"Yeah, I'll live. Can you finish?"

"No problem."

Wesley finished in short order and wrapped it in plastic. "You ready?"

Faith came out of the stall looking pale and shaky. She rinsed her mouth out at the sink and patted her face dry.

"Maybe you're coming down with something?" he offered.

"Second time this week. I'm not so sure about that."

"Let me drag this down to the dumpster and we'll be on our way."

"Thanks."

Wesley dragged the dead thing down the back stairs and out the side door into an alley. Throwing it in the dumpster, he turned to look at his wife.

Ah, his wife. For seven years, they had called each other husband and wife. Who would have thought that was possible? Two kids, a house in the suburbs and a crossbow in his arms.

"Why don't I take you home so you can rest and I'll pickup the kids."

"Sounds like a plan," Faith told him as they strode out of the alley.

"Nothing like a hard day's work."

TBC

Next: Boy, they sound really ordinary, except for the demon slaying part. Well, it's not gonna stay ordinary, that's for sure. So stay tuned.