Ch. 3

When the gang walked into the library Giles and Wesley looked up in surprise. Willow went over and told them both about their class as Angel led Buffy over to the steps leading up to the stacks and sat her down on his lap. Buffy buried her head inside Angel's duster and wrapped her arms around him under the duster. Angel lent his head against hers and whispered into her ear. No one could understand what he was saying but they were positive that Buffy understood every word.

"WHAT!!!"

Buffy's head snapped up almost catching Angel's as Wesley's shout echoed throughout the library.

"Real smooth Wes." Cordelia frowned at him
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked.
"I'm sorry Buffy, I have only just been told the circumstances of your um…well your death."
"You're a watcher. Buffy's Watcher. How come you don't know?"
"I'm sorry; I don't believe that I have been fully, forthcoming about my role here. I am a watcher yes, but not a Watcher for a Slayer, not primarily."
"What do you mean?" Giles asked getting up
"Well…" Wesley shrunk back from the icy glare coming from nearly everyone "As you know, there are many factions in the Watchers Council, The primary one is for those watchers who become the Slayers Watcher. But there are many other factions. I was actually sent here to watch all of you."
"Watch us why?"
"Well for the last three years, Buffy has enlisted the help of civilians. No one on the council understands the word 'friend' they believe that you Buffy are becoming anarchist. The incident with mr Giles on your birthday only helped to fuel the councils way of thinking. I was sent here because I cross over every faction in the council. I am here to watch all of you and see what type of abilities you all have because the council believes that you are all some sort of rebellious group that is coercing the slayer against her will."
"COERCING ME! Oh you've got to be kidding me."
"I'm afraid he's right Buffy."

Buffy backed away from Giles

"Don't tell me you knew about this as well. Don't you DARE tell me you knew about this."
"Buffy dear I swear I didn't. At least not to this extent. There was talk the year before you were called of this sort of thing happening. You see, you Buffy are a lot like your immediate predecessor, India."
"India as in the country?" Sydney asked
"No it's pronounced Indeea. She was a 90's girl just like you. A little more controlled but still, not like Kendra."
"I've never thought about the girl before me. She was just a nameless person who died leaving me with the Slayer gig."
"Yes well, because she didn't except the Slayers roll like every other girl before her, suspicion grew about a group of rebels that were hurting her. Then she died and I was sent here to you."
"But you are even more unruly than her so once again suspicions were raised and I was sent here to watch you and report anything unusual."

Buffy let go of Angel's hand and walked slowly up to Wesley, Xander upon seeing Buffy's look, raced behind Willow and used her as a shield

"And did you find anything Mr Wyndem-Price?"
"Well yes actually."
"And?"

Buffy's voice was dangerously low and everyone in the room began to fear for Wesley's life.

"What I found Miss Summers is a spirited teenager with a great circle of friends who do possess very unique talents. But who are in no way out to hurt you and are in no way corrupting you what so ever."

Buffy glared at him some more

"And what are you going to tell the Mothership?"
"That you are probably the best Slayer on record and can they please bring me up to date on your whole Slayer history, especially your death. The fact that I wasn't told about the is quite strange to say the least."

Buffy nodded slightly before lighting up the room with a huge smile and giving Wesley a hug. The gang all let out a breath that they didn't know they had been holding. Wesley looked shocked at Buffy's reaction but quickly got over it and gave her a small hug back.

"So you said you cover all the factions of the Council. What factions are there?" Willow asked
"Well there is Wicca, by the way Willow, I have some things you might be interested in, just don't tell anyone you got them from me."

Willows eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Then there is Military intelligence, Lycanthropy and Shape Shifters." Oz raised his eyebrows, "Vampires and Demons, Slayers, Dimensions, Poisons and Medicines, weaponry. Then the usual, health cover, a bank, groceries."
"Wow." Xander exclaimed
"And you cover all of them?" Willow exclaimed
"My man of many talents." Cordelia murmured affectionately
"So you said lycanthropy. You don't by any chance have a cure do you?" Oz spoke for the first time
"No we don't I'm sorry. We are working on one but as yet…"
"Okay then."
"If we find one you will be the first to know."
"Thankyou."
"I understand why you lied to me." Buffy said slowly, "But I don't understand why you told us now?"
"Well. I was getting quite sick of pretending actually. I mean, I mat seem dull and boring but do you have any idea how hard it was to see you dancing at the Bronze the first few days I was here and not being able to even enjoy it a bit. I love to go clubbing. I love everything about today's culture. And I love American food."

Everyone stared at him

"What, a guy can't have layers?"

Buffy looked at Angel and they both smiled at Wesley.

"I'm glads you came clean so to speak." Angel told him while getting up.
"Yes it is like a load has been lifted."
"Um about this morning…" Buffy started. Wesley held up his hand,
"It's okay Buffy. I know what you were talking about. Giles filled me in. I'm sorry as well, you deserve a break. Just next time, tell me."
"Sure thing. Okay guys I'm ready for some lunch."
"Yeah, I'm up for gourmet sandwiches now that everyone can eat outside." Willow grinned at Angel
"Yeah. There's a shop down the road." Sydney told them all."
"Okay but it's only…yikes…we've been her for nearly three hours." Xander exclaimed
"Time is an illusion." Angel said
"Douglas Adams?" Giles asked him

When Angel nodded Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Come on. People over 20 are buying."

Buffy ran out of the library as Angel took off after her. The rest of the gang smiled at their two friends and walked out after them.