Title: Walkabout - Voyage of Rediscovery 1/?

Author: Mike McD

Rating: R

Summary: Two bitter and lost souls on rock bottom decide to go Walkabout. Two years after 'Chosen'.

Distribution: Anywhere, just let me know.

Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer nor do I own any other characters. This is a work of fiction written for fun and enjoyment.

WARNING!!!

If you don't like fics with some Buffy bashing then move along now. Everyone else, enjoy.

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"Mmmm... a journey of self discovery... sounds like a Walkabout."

Xander looked at her in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Pack your bags Xander. We're heading Down Under."

-----

A month later saw Willow and Xander board their Qantas flight from Johannesburg to Perth. Comfortably ensconced in first class with all the free alcohol he wanted, Xander was as relaxed as he ever got these days.

Willow, on the other hand, was reading from two books she had purchased in Johannesburg and occasionally making notes. The look on her face wasn't what you'd call relaxed.

"What you got there?" he asked his travelling companion.

"Just some research." She said without taking her eyes off her work. Xander grabbed the thick book she was reading.

"Hey! I was reading that!" she protested as Xander checked out the cover.

"Deadly Creatures of Australia." Xander gave her a strange one-eyed look that made Willow shift uncomfortably in her seat.

"It pays to know stuff like this. I mean in the ads they show all these cute and fluffy animals but they conveniently skip over all the snakes, and sharks, and crocodiles, and... and spiders!"

Xander was careful to mask his hilarity at the situation. Here was Willow, ultra powerful Wicca, shit scared of snakes and creepy crawlies. Hell, he'd seen Willow vomit snakes before. Snakes should be scared of Willow, not the other way around.

With one swift movement he scooped up her books and notepad and shoved them into the overhead luggage compartment. Willow was too short to reach the overhead compartment without resorting to standing on her seat.

"But... but... Spiders!" she feebly protested.

"Willow, for god's sake, relax. We're not gonna get swamped by a seething mass of legs and venom as soon as we clear customs."

Xander's declaration helped Willow to relax a little. She was being silly about the matter. Seeing her relax somewhat, he couldn't help but take the opportunity for a laugh at Willow's expense.

"Once we get out of the airport though..."

"Xander!"

------

True to Xander's word, a seething mass of legs and venom didn't swamp them at customs.

Instead, before they could even get to the customs counter, they were dragged out of the line by a severe looking policeman and taken to an interview room. Once inside, a balding man with a large envelope greeted them.

"Miss Rosenburg, Mr Harris, I apologise for the rather... unusual... greeting." He said, his accent unmistakably English.

"No need apologise, happens all the time." Xander replied sarcastically. "Although, for the record, I don't speak Arabic and if you're gonna do a cavity search I'd like to request someone with smaller hands."

The Englishman gave Xander a small smile.

"Most amusing."

"Yeah, I'm a funny guy. Now can we cut the crap? You're Council, right? Mr..."

"Tobin. Commodore Russel Tobin. I am Her Majesty's Naval Attaché in Australia. To answer your question, no I am not a member of the Watcher's Council per se. I am, however, a part of the... support group... so to speak. Mr Giles send his regards and asked that I personally deliver this." He handed over the envelope. There was a wax seal on it, which Xander broke.

"Whoa!" Willow gasped then shook her head.

"What is it?" Xander asked the redhead.

"Magic, I could feel it. That seal was sealed magically. Looks like Giles wanted to make sure than only you or I opened it."

"Humph... Giles needs to grab a dictionary and look up the definition of the word quit." Xander grumbled but continued opening it.

In it Xander found a letter and two mobile phones. The letter was written in Giles' flowing handwriting.

Willow and Xander,

Your phone call came as something of a shock, although in retrospect it shouldn't have been.

I realise that all these years of fighting and sacrifice have taken their toll on us all, but most especially yourselves. In fighting evil for so long and in such close proximity perhaps it has affected us, all be it in different ways.

I understand some of the possible reasons for your actions and feelings on the matter. Indeed your departure has caused me to examine both my own situation as well as the wider one.

In your own crude way Xander, you were correct in that I was lacking willingness to assert my authority over Buffy. I believed that since Buffy had become an adult that I was absolved of any responsibility for and authority over her.

No longer.

This having been said, the situation has deteriorated to such a point that any attempt at re-establishing authority will be problematic at best. But it must be done.

This is my problem now, not yours.

I will respect your decision to leave and wish you all the best in whatever your futures hold. You will receive an ongoing 'retirement pension' equal to your salary and I have instructed that the full resources and aid of the Council be available to you if you request it. Should you, at anytime in the future, decide to return to the Council, you will be most definitely be welcomed back with open arms.

There is one final request I make. You are probably unaware of the falling out between Dawn and her sister. Dawn approached me some months ago for assistance in relocating away from her sister. At the time I mistook it as the natural desire on behalf of Dawn to 'spread her wings and leave the nest'.

I was a fool.

The last information that I had on her was that she was studying at the University of Sydney under the assumed name of Michelle Trachtenburg. I would be grateful if you could find the time to check on her if you ever make it that way. I'm sure that she would appreciate seeing some friendly faces right now.

Best wishes,

Your friend

Rupert Giles.

Willow and Xander read, then re-read the letter.

"The telephones have all the contact numbers programmed into them should you require assistance and the bills will automatically be paid by the High Commission." The Commodore informed the pair.

"Damn it. Giles really knows how to make a guy feel bad for telling him off." Xander grumbled.

"Not to worry, I'll help you write that apology letter." Willow comforted.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Commodore Tobin asked.

"Could we grab a lift to our hotel?"

"Which hotel are you staying at?"

"The Four Seasons."

"No worries, as the locals say."