Chapter five- Occupation

The three Slayers left town to move on with their lives somewhere else, and the rest were left to start fresh in the town of Cherster. Everything was running smoothly to speak. Jobs on track, money coming in for some, education being completed or getting started and living arrangements were going fine.

The first official catch up since they had started to settle down in Cherster was approaching and was going to be held at Buffy's house next Saturday. It was going to be a lunch for all to relax and talk. No news of any evil entering their new life had come up and after the lunch event occurred, Buffy was going to plan a Slayers meeting for what they were going to do, or what they wanted to do. Did they want more training and knowledge? Things like that.

There were three graveyards in total in Cherster. In the North, South and East of the town.

At least for the first two weeks in the town Buffy was obsessed with getting the newspaper everyday checking for any 'unexplained' death reports and accidents. She was thinking it as all too much, survive a battle in the Hellmouth, pass on the power and now attempt a 'normal' life without anything or anyone getting in the way, she thought there must be an evil arising somewhere, somewhere close to Cherster or in it but there were no signs at all of anything like this and finally she took everyone's advice that she listened to and only checked the 'unexplained' deaths and the numbers of deaths columns and sections once a week and not everyday.

Robin got the job as the high school English teacher at Cherster High and had started teaching straight away so he always seemed busy marking english papers and essays on the weekends and in his free time these days. Now because of this, Robin didn't notice Faith leaving the apartment of a day either to go to work. Before Robin got a letter and a phone call back saying he got the job, Faith would nick off early in the morning before he could ask where she was going and never really got the chance to ask her, even later in the day. She would somehow use the skills she had to turn the conversation around and Robin still wounded what she got up to during the day but he knew it was nothing serious. So now with his knew job he didn't even think about the Faith leaving the apartment at all during the day for some unknown reason. Of course Faith was happy for Wood for getting the job that he actually wanted and that he really liked the students he taught but because of the hours he worked at school she had to be even more careful about getting home in time before Wood did so he wouldn't get suspicious of where she was. She didn't want to be one of those girlfriends or girls, who lied and made up excuses all the times to their boyfriends but the fact was she had already lied and made up excuses before he got the job position. Faith not only was still covering her job from Robin but everyone else it was going to be only a matter of time before someone found out.

"Faith? Are you there?"

"Yeah? What? I'm in the kitchen," said Faith lying, she was really heading out for the door. She was trying to make a dash for the door without being caught.

"Is my tie and boots out in the lounge room?"

"Which tie?" she asked with a slight sigh.

"The red one. You know the one I got last week."

"No it isn't. I think you left it in the bedroom."

"Oh yep. Here it is. Thanks," said Robin who started to walking from the bedroom, down the hallway towards the lounge room which was connected to the kitchen.

Faith looked at the hallway, then at the front door, there's no way she was escaping this minute.

Faith saw him walk into the lounge room and walked towards him and placed her bag behind the coat rack.

She walked up to him while he was trying to tie up his tie. He stopped walking in the middle of the room and smiled at Faith and then looked down at the tie. Then Faith grabbed the tie and did it up for him.

"There you go."

"I could have done it you know."

"I know," she said with a smile and went to sit down on a chair.

"How come your dressed like that?"

"Like what?"

He sat down on the couch near by and went to put his shoes on.

"You know, nice coat, oh and are those high heels?"

"No," she said sharply, trying to hide them.

"You can't hide them Faith."

Faith tried to look innocent, didn't work, this time.

"Okay okay. Big deal. I'm wearing high heels."

"So what's the occasion?" said Robin sounding excited.

"Oh I'm going to meet someone for lunch," said Faith without thinking about that too much.

"At this time? It's pretty early."

"Yeah well it turns out where I'm meeting them is a little far to travel, have to catch a train so I thought I'd leave early, make sure I get there on time."

Right now Faith was sounding guilty, like she was hiding something and she was.

Robin got up and walked into the kitchen to get some cereal.

"So who you meeting up with?"

Faith blurted out with,"What's with all the questions?"

Faith then looked embarrassed and then turned all quiet.

Robin noticed her behaviour and went back to pouring milk over his cereal.

Robin then went to sit down at their dining table.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," said Robin rather dryly.

Faith got up from her chair and noticed from where she was standing and Robin was sitting, they could both see the work bag Faith had tried to hide.

"No, I'm sorry Wood. I shouldn't have acted like that. It's just I have something on my mind."

Robin turned around to face her in his chair.

"Would you like to talk about it with me?"

"Not right this minute but maybe tonight," replied Faith as she walked closer to him.

"Well whatever it is I don't want it to distract you today. I want you to have a good time. You deserve it."

Robin got up from his chair.

Faith came a bit closer and then automatically rested her head on his shoulder.

"You sure you are okay?"

Faith looked up at him but still had her head on his shoulder.

"I'll be okay for ..lunch."

Faith had to force out that last word. Lying to Robin really got to her lately. She felt it was wrong and dirty. It was because it was wrong but also because she had a place for him in her heart even if she didn't admit it out loud, it was the truth.

They had a small hug and then they kissed each other on the lips.

Faith pulled out from the kiss and stood back looking at Robin.

"Well I should go get ready for work and prepare for my first english lesson for the day."

Robin then walked off back into the bedroom.

Faith stood there silently for a second and totally lost. She didn't know if her mind was playing tricks on her or what. She didn't know what was up with Robin. That got pushed to the back of her mind when she looked at the clock in the kitchen and realised she was going to be late for work. She rushed to the door as quick as she could, opened it and then turned around and called out, "I'm going now! Robin?"

"Yeah Faith?"

"I love you. You know that?"

A small smile formed on Wood's face and in a happy sounding voice he said, "Have a great day sweetie." It was in fact the first time she had actually said the love word and it was without any hesitation.

Wood slowly came out of the bedroom, down the hallway into the main living area as Faith was preparing herself mentally for work, she bent over, picked up her suitcase, not noticing Robin watching from a far as she picked up some bag, and walked out the door.

Today Giles and Buffy had planned a meeting at her work, Cuppa Tea, which was actually like a little cafe, with tea, coffee, cakes, pastry foods, sweet and savory foods. Giles was coming in just before lunch which was when Buffy had her twenty minute break.

Buffy was cleaning down some of the tables in one of the corners when she noticed Giles walk in and she smiled but she still had five minutes till her break and went over to see if he would like anything to order.

"Hey Giles."

"Hello Buffy. How has your day been so far?"

"Tiring," she said with a sigh and placed her hand on her hand, "but it's okay."

"Have I come a bit early?"

"Yeah but only five minutes. Would you like to eat or drink anything in the next five minutes? Because that is when my break starts."

"Oh, okay I'm just some tea, thanks."

Buffy smiled and went off to make some tea.

When she was behind the counter she noticed the new guy Jayden trying to serve a customer, he was actually doing a pretty good job. Like Jayden, the rest of the staff at Cuppa Tea were rather nice and pleasant to work with and that's part of why Buffy actually liked going to work each day.

Buffy came back to Giles's table and placed the cup and saucer down in front of him and sat down in the opposite seat across from him.

"Is it your break time already?"

"You sound disappointed," said Buffy jokingly

"Of course I'm not, why would I have come in the first place then?"
"Because your stupid."

"Possibly."

"Okay so we got twenty minutes, shoot."

"Through any connections that I have left with the council,"

"You mean Watchers?"

"Yes. In the Europe district there are at least six to be counted of or have been sighted. It appears even in the very few that survived the explosion or where they were on the day, some have chosen to not stay on as active Watchers meaning they are in hiding and want to have nothing to do with the job in the future and know nothing about what has happened. I plan to go visit and track done the names we do know of and find out what they know and want to do. I have Willow currently looking up some of the names I have already found to find out their exact location for now. As soon as we get at least three reliable locations I will have to head out straight away. Some may be on the move."

"So will this all lead to a new council be constructed? Or are we like resurrecting the old one?"

"No resurrecting, we don't want one like the last one. Do you?"

Buffy laughed, "I think you already know that answer Giles."

He smiled, "The possibility of a new council at the moment seems grim. Not many Slayers that we know of have come forward, well none and we only have the ones that survived and Watchers well, like I said we only have a few names and it all depends on what these people actually want to do. We can't force people to do this."

"No like the last council."

"I guess so but it is different this time. Not only because of what has happened over the years and the council being blown up and the first but we gave them the power Buffy all at once. They weren't picked generation by generation, all at once, we don't rely on one Buffy,"

"We don't rely on me," she added.

"There are tons out there, but we need to know if there willing to help just like the Watchers that still exist, are they willing to help."

"So that is what we have to wait to find out before final conversations about a new council?"

"Yes."

"So where abouts do you think you'll be going to in Europe?"

"Well even if the names don't get located to England I am going there first off because it was the home of the original council and i just might be able to find some clues there."

"So any big bag news?"

"No which is scaring me a little. Over the years if there isn't evil, something big is coming. The silence of no evil means something will come soon but will we be prepared is the question."

"You don't think the First will find a way to come back?"

"No Buffy, there is no way. After what happened in Sunnydale, all the destruction in the Hellmouth with the Turok-Hans."

"Just making sure," replied Buffy with a nod and she then glanced over to behind the counter and Jayden was starring at her and then quickly turned around and Buffy just smiled and turn back to face Giles.

"What is his name?"

"Huh?" asked Buffy sounding confused.

"The man behind the counter."

"Oh. Oh, he's, his name is Jayden. He is one of the new members of the staff here."

"Interesting."

"Huh?"

"Oh nothing."

"Okay if you insist Rupert."

Giles nearly choked on his tea, "I thought you stopped calling my that ages ago and only ever when you needed my attention."

"Well I thought I'd use it today. You don't mind do you?"

"I think I'm just used to Giles."

"Well I'm just going to grab myself something to eat and we can continue talking after."

"Okay Buffy."

Buffy walked up to the counter and got herself a muffin.

"Hey Jayden."

The boy got the shock of his life.

"Oh hey Buffy. Enjoying your break?"

"Yes I am. Thanks for asking."

"Not to sound rude or like I'm invading your life but, whose the person you've been talking to?"

"Oh he's..,well Giles is like the father I never had except I had a father and my mum and dad got divorced and Giles, Giles was like a family friend and always there for me when i needed a father figure and oh, you never meant to invade my life but hey I just babbled on about myself, I feel so stupid."

"It's okay Buffy. Next time it's my turn to make myself look stupid."

"Deal," replied Buffy as she smiled and walked off to sit back down with Giles.

"Do you really have to go?"

"Yes, yes I have to go. It's called getting an education. I need to go so my life means something."

"Kennedy your life does mean something already."

"You know what I mean."

"But this research is boring without you."

"I heard from a certain someone you used to love research and computers, oh and science."

"Well I guess it's true, hey are you getting your information from Xander?"

"Maybe," replied Kennedy with an innocent smile.

"Anyways," began Willow shaking her head, "I know I did and do love those things.."

"And me."

"Yes and you but I'm tired of it at this moment."

"Then why don't you come with me?"

"Well I don't have the same classes. My classes don't start till two."

"Well just hand around campus. I can't please you can I? Your being very stubborn today."

"I guess I could come. Giles wouldn't mind it i quit research early. Okay I'm going with you."

"Awesome. Grab ya coat then we're off."

"Andrew, when do you finish your shift today?"

"Andrew?"

"Oh, um five."

"See I told you he goes off into his own little world when he wants to, why did you hire him, honestly Josh?"

"He has potential plus he knows about the characters in the comics like you, that's why he basically got the job."

"Interesting."

"Plus I felt sorry for you mate."

"Good to know, good to know," replied Xander patting Josh on the back."

"So what do you guys say then, want to hit the club tonight for a guys night out?"

"I'm in."

"Good to hear Xander, Andrew?"

"Yep, definitely up to some clubbing. Do you think there will be any nice girls there?"

"Andrew."

"What?"

"Nice girls don't go to clubs."

"What nice girls are you talking about Josh?"

"Xander, I mean the nice ones that are polite, sometimes stuck up, smart and sometimes the nice ones are pretty good looking."

"What are you bloody talking about Josh? You have no idea what your talking about."

"No I really don't."

"Glad you admitted that," said Andrew, "Oh have you seen the new Spider Man comic, great graphics if you ask me."

"Andrew, customer."

Andrew turned around and a customer was standing right in front of him holding the latest Spider Man comic.

"Hi, my name is Andrew, how may I help you?"

"How many copies do you have?"

"Oh this one, oh lots, how many were you interested in buying?"

"Four."

"Cool. It's good one. The comic. Great great graphics. Shawn Hink did the drawings. He also did the drawings in the issue before this one as well."

"Really? I never knew that."

"Yeah It was written in really small writing. Too bad for Shawn, not many people would have seen it, I had to get out my magnifying glass to look at it properly."

"You used a magnifying glass to read it?"

"Yeah," replied Andrew with a nod.