Greater Good Part 11/27: The Unwelcome
Rated R
Spoilers to Season 7.
Summary: This is quickly becoming a rollercoaster ride... or a very badly written soap opera. A mysterious new foe arrives in Sunnydale and Giles finds it hard to follow Buffy's orders.
Feedback: Live on it, love it.
Disclaimer: All ME, Joss, etc...not mine just playing in the sandbox if you will.
Notes: Forgive my Latin. I know nothing and made it up with help from a handy website.


"You must be her?" The tall, dark preacher stepped out from behind the growing horde of the First's minions and approached Buffy with a hospitable smile. "I've been waiting so long to meet you."

"Here I am," Buffy slanted her head, clearly interested as to who the fresh blood was.
"You want an autograph?"

"You see, boys..." Caleb glanced at the Bringers and uber vamps, "She'd a feisty one. Looks like you might be avoiding such activities for the time being," he motioned toward her bandaged hand and snickered. "Heard your faithful Watcher gave you that little nibble. And now you've taken him back within the ranks. Nice group of allies you have there."

Buffy already knew she couldn't stand the wicked tongue presented by the preacher taunting her. "So who are you? Some reject from the local satanic church or are you a freelance type of bad guy?"

'Get out of there, Buffy!' Giles instincts told him to attack but he wanted to follow her orders, he needed to win back her trust. Spike stormed out to stand vigilant by her side and Giles couldn't help but feel relieved by his allegiance to Buffy. For all his faults, the vampire did truly believe he loved the Slayer. He probably did in his own twisted way. Giles could relate, but he was determined to heed her wishes and stand guard to protect the Potentials.

"Stay alert," Giles warned the young Slayers-to-be. "I sense something."

"Vague that up for me, would ya," Kennedy quipped and Giles remembered a similar phrase being offered from Buffy early on in their relationship, serving to strengthen his resolve to protect the Potentials as best he could.

"Who's this then?" Spike asked as he lit up a cigarette and offered Buffy a confident wink. "You been steppin' out on me again, luv?"

Buffy was furious that Spike hadn't followed her orders, but the vampire remained consistent with his loyalties. She couldn't argue with that.

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Caleb," the preacher said pleasantly. "And I'll be the death of you this fine evening." With a snap of his fingers, the small army of uber vamps and Bringers attacked. Giles tensed, instinctively nudging forward to protect his Slayer. Dawn stopped his momentum with a gentle grip of his hand and Giles paused to gaze down into her pleading eyes. Without a word spoken, he knew what she said and remained hesitantly with the Potentials and Dawn.

He watched impatiently as Buffy expertly dispatched a couple of Bringers and moved toward the preacher. An uber vamp blocked her way and she focused on getting rid of the more dangerous demons first. She attempted to use a stake on the brute but quickly found the weapon slipping clumsily from her handicapped hand. As the monster counterattacked, Buffy managed to outmaneuver him with a sly dodge and get around behind him, wrapping a band saw blade around his neck. With a forceful tug, the toothy metal ribbon decapitated the beast and Buffy targeted another ferocious vamp. Faith immediately rushed out swinging, managing to take out a few unsuspecting Bringers as she joined Buffy and Spike in battle. They were successfully keeping the small gang of minions at bay, but Giles' gut warned that there was something more to come.

"We can't just watch, Giles!" Xander fidgeted.

"Stand fast," he ordered and looked to Willow for a quick opinion. She offered a weak shrug, visibly uncertain of what to do. No one wanted to go against the Slayer's orders but there was obviously more to this preacher than met the eye.

Giles saw Buffy dust the other uber vamp, duplicating the maneuver with the band saw blade. Faith managed to cut through the Bringers with ease as Spike took on the third vampire. The curious preacher remained untouched and apparently uninterested in joining in on the brawl. It troubled Giles that he conveyed such confidence. Then he realized why the man showed no fear as two more uber vamps and four more Bringers made their way toward the skirmish from the opposing end of the street.

"It's a bloody trap!" Giles growled and glanced back, unaware he'd already vamped.

"Giles... you were supposed to warn us before you do that!" Anya whined and stumbled backwards toward the nervously twitchy Potentials.

"Sorry," he concentrated for a moment and returned to his more mild appearance. "Just happens that way."

"Something tells me that this guy has all the troops he needs. They're sitting ducks out there, Giles," Xander said fearfully. "And who knows how many more invitations he's sent out."

A slight tug at his arm and he glanced down to Dawn who pointed eagerly out toward the conflict.

"One more uber and three more Bringers just came from around the intersection," Willow said excitedly. "They need help."

"We'll get the girls clear," Anya offered and motioned to Andrew. "You need to get out there."

"Xander, take Dawn..." Giles didn't manage to finish his instruction before the young lady insistently shook her head, refusing to leave. "Dawn, Buffy wants you safe. You can't be here... "

"I'll get them out. Help Buffy!" Xander started herding the edgy Potentials toward the back of the Hardware store, "Good luck." Willow, Dawn and Giles stood quiet at the remaining store window and evaluated the situation. Spike was already showing fatigue as he managed to remove another Bringer from the fight, Faith was having a rough time with three unruly Bringers as Buffy took on anything coming at her. Giles had to give them a chance to escape.

"I hate to mention it..." Willow said softly. "But it may be a good time for that game face Spike spoke about."

"This ain't so bad," Faith yelled as she brutally snapped the neck of another Bringer.

"Glad you're enjoying yourself," Spike yelled as he took out a Bringer himself and took a quick glance at Buffy. "We got more coming from the south."

"And more party crashers from the north," Faith caught a glimpse just as an uber vamp sliced his claws along her back, taking her by surprise.

"This is just the appetizer," Caleb snickered. "Wait till you see the main course!"

"Too many!" Buffy ordered and glanced over at the hardware store. Giles leapt through the busted window of the store and landed with an elegant flourish in the center of the street as his face altered into the demon. She quietly cursed his defiance of her wishes but thanked his reliable intuition; they were all quickly losing steam. He marched toward them and Buffy felt a trace of relief. But was she welcoming the beast or Giles, she wondered? She didn't have the time to find out as another vamp attacked swiftly and accurately, ripping a bloody gash into her shoulder. "Faith, go... get the girls out!"

"On it!" with an impressive burst of energy, the dark Slayer took off running toward the store.

"Girls? Those little whores are hiding in the shops?" Caleb smiled. "I should have known." He started toward the hardware store and Buffy moved in to stop him as another uber vamp blocked her approach. She was tied up with two now, and Caleb continued down the street toward the discovered hideout.

"Catch you later, VG!" Faith smiled as she passed Giles on her way to the store.

"Why do they insist on nick-naming me," he snarled as the tall preacher ambled up to him and paused with a polite nod.

"Let me guess... you were her Watcher?" Caleb smiled and offered the vampire his hand. "Little hard to recognize you now, with all the fire and brimstone of that sinful demon ruling you. But there's a shade of humanity there, the weakness of it still tainting you."

"Who are you?" The stench of the rotting flesh waft past his nose as the third wave of minions marched up from behind him. Giles sharpened sense of smell could distinguish two more uber vamps and three more Bringers. Xander may have been correct in his suggestion that more reserves were on their way.

"Oh, I do apologize... where are my manners? I'm Caleb...a friend and admirer. I like your work. A little nip and tuck and she'll be ready for retirement. Too bad you couldn't finish the job. Now me... I never leave a job undone. Reminds me of some of my sermons to the unclean whores I've saved."

"Better enjoy those memories. You won't be saving anyone anymore."

"Oh...that's where you're wrong, my friend. I've only just begun," Caleb stepped forward and Giles took hold of his arm, stopping him with an aggressive squeeze. "Come now, where's that small town hospitality? Is that any way to welcome a visitor?"

"It's quite appropriate for the Hellmouth," Giles growled. "And so is this!" He landed a combination of hearty punches, watching closely as Caleb faltered with the vicious barrage. The strange preacher collected himself with a delighted chuckle as his reinforcements moved in to attack the vampire.

"I'll handle the Watcher, boys. Go give that pesky Slayer and her pet vampire a friendly reception." Giles charged toward the gruesome gang and Caleb blocked him, landing a potent uppercut that sent Giles crashing through the residual hardware store window. Shattering glass exploded around Dawn and Willow as the stunned vampire collided into a tool display and collapsed to the floor with nails and screws raining down on him. Willow hurried over and knelt down to nurse her friend, anxiously trying to dust off the splinters of glass as Giles dizzily gazed up at her.

"What the fuck?" Faith scrambled over to Giles and watched as Caleb casually sauntered toward the store.

"Take Dawn." He mumbled and reached for Faith's outstretched hand. She helped him to get to his feet and brushed off some of the nails and screws glistening along his coat.

"Giles, what is he?" Willow asked.

"Take Dawn and go... Now!" He roared as he staggered a bit then steadied himself against a nearby display. "You as well." He growled to Faith who opened her mouth to object. "That's an order!"

"Come on, girls. That's our cue to leave!" She motioned to the back door and Willow didn't need coaxing, she was instantly bothered by his blazing gaze that threatened unsaid violence. She nodded uncomfortably and tugged on Dawn's arm as the young lady fought to remain at Giles' side. The vampire's fierce glare mellowed for a moment and Giles' concerned features pleaded for her to listen. She started to hobble backwards, keeping an anxious eye on the Watcher as he distorted back into the beast and turned to face the inexplicably powerful foe.

"Awe...looky there. You've got yourself some little girlfriends," Caleb stepped into the shambles of the store and gave a friendly wave to the departing young women. "How touching... defending them to the end."

"You stay away from them," Giles rumbled and guarded their escape.

"Not to worry...it's not them I'm after," Caleb smiled and stopped his advance. "Tell you what... I'm a fair man. Let's make a deal. I'll let your little family live if you give me those dirty girls."

"Never!"

"So you'd doom your precious family to death rather than give up some sinning whores fighting for an empty cause?" Caleb snickered as he glanced at his struggling minions. The Slayer was unfortunately holding her own with the help of that bewildering vampire. His satisfied smile faded, obviously a touch disconcerted by the unanticipated resistance and his attentions returned to the Watcher.

"The almighty evil will crush your piteous flock and then consume your soul in celebrated triumph. It shall be. And no immoral jezebels are going to stop that day of reckoning. Certainly no sub-demonic, inhuman refuse such as yourself will make any difference in the overall scheme of things."

"But, I know something you don't," Giles snarled with a hint of a grin playing along his lips.

"What's that now?"

"We'll win." The vampire attacked, wildly slashing at the preacher who dodged the first few strikes but was surprised by a swift elbow to the nose. Caleb backed away and maneuvered behind some displays to give himself a breather.

"And how'd you figure that?" the preacher smiled.

"Why else would the First try to strip her bare of all those around her. She's got you nervous, desperate. She will win, regardless of loss, regardless of the pain and torment." Giles burst forward, sending the displays crashing out of his way as he stalked the retreating man. He caught the preacher with an eager grip and pulled him in close for a quick assessment of what he was dealing with.

Caleb succumbed to Giles' grasp, accepting his control as he chucked in response to the confidence the vampire exhibited. "That's a tall tale, friend... one for the history books. But we both know the reality of this situation."

The strange being was human; Giles could smell the aroma of blood and sweat. "Enlighten me."

"But you've heard it all before, Watcher. It's destined. Your dear, sweet Slayer will die. Not from the ravages of old age or from a courageous sacrifice in battle," Caleb snickered. "Her passing will come from the immortal kiss of a vampire."

"There's no such prophecy." Giles tried to sound convinced but failed miserably. There were many prophecies telling such tales. So many so that the council decided to stop recording them for fear that the lesser known prophecies would be overlooked.

"You believe all prophecies are told in dusty books, trapped within the confines of some stale aired hall of knowledge?" The preacher had Giles' undivided attention and the vampire hadn't even realized his demonic features had retreated, revealing his humanity. Caleb was fascinated as the semi-man unknowingly released his grip and waited for more information. The First was indeed correct; he was forever the Watcher. "That Council of yours was only good for one thing... barbecue!"

"It was you..." Giles said coldly. "You destroyed the Council."

"Shucks, it's so nice to be appreciated for my art," Caleb straightened his collar and took in a hearty breath. "Now I'm no fancy pants, educated scholar, so stop me if you heard this one," the charismatic preacher went into full sermon mode as he paced before the Watcher. "Goes somethin like this... echoing the silenced voice of hell, bathed under the cusp of a crimson moon, the false Chosen One will descend from grace. A victim of her own heart, she'll offer herself to a half-breed demon that will serve as her undoing. With intensions pure of...."

"Of virtue and in the spirit of love..." Giles joined in, matching word for word what Caleb spoke. "The beast will unintentionally take that which was never before stolen and the spirit of a Slayer will finally taste true evil." Giles gasped at the words filling is mind. He remembered the prophecy. Though thought to be false and of weak integrity, it was a familiar fairytale told within the pages of lore he'd read.

"Oh, see..." Caleb threw his hands up with artificial disappointment. "You have heard it. But then again, I'm no good at telling jokes."

"It's simply an anecdote passed down through the ages. Nothing more than speculation."

"Then why are you so troubled by it?"

'Could it be true,' Giles thought. "Neco de famulus..."

"To slay the servant... catchy little hymn. My blind mice love that one."

"I'd considered the repercussions of such a relationship with her attachment to Angel, but excused my concerns when nothing came of it. When Spike came into play..."

"Sorry to interrupt your little flashback episode but I have business to attend to, people to save, whores to kill. Can we get on with...."

"Can I cut in?" Buffy marched up to the preacher and landed a series of enthusiastic blows, each with heady precision that made Caleb shuffle unsteadily backwards.
Giles could tell she was growing weary; she was visibly tired from her prior skirmish. He had to think, had to act; but he couldn't move; he was lost in thought. Was it Angel who fulfilled the prophecy? Perhaps it was Spike who unknowingly did the deed. What exactly were the consequences of such a joining? Was the prophecy indicating that Buffy would be turned, losing her soul? Perhaps she would surrender to darkness, much as Willow had. As Buffy tore into the preacher, Giles racked his mind for the details surrounding the old legend.

Caleb smiled at every jab, every kick, savoring the confrontation as Buffy attacked.

"Those are some mighty fine moves you got there...." the preacher struck with a hard backhand that sent Buffy spinning erratically towards Giles. He caught her, taking her into his steady arms, holding her still for a brief moment as he stared down into her perplexed expression. A horrific thought seized his mind. What if it was he who fulfilled the prophecy?

"Thanks," she mumbled and slowly pulled away from him as his concerned eyes followed her every step. "Sorry to interrupt your little talk," Buffy turned away, focusing her attentions back on the preacher. "And that male bonding thing is so hard to come by nowadays." She let loose with another attack and Giles remained frozen with dread. Was it indeed destined for him to make her suffer? The First warned of such an outcome and the prophecy the strange preacher spoke of was a familiar one, though somewhat questionable.

"Parties over," Buffy said cockily.

"But I'm just gettin in the mood," Caleb chuckled.

Spike suddenly flew by, completely out of control, colliding into a bin of pipe insulation and falling motionless to the floor. Buffy shuffled through the mess to him as three uber vamps bounded through the opening followed by a team of Bringers.

Giles finally broke from his thoughts, weighing the dangers of trying his hand at magic or continuing to wage battle against an unknown enemy. He watched Buffy quickly evaluate Spike's condition then strain to her feet to take up a defensive stance against the next surge of minions. Her stare was hollow, drained; and he knew what he had to do.

With a muted chant, he spoke the first verse and felt the familiar untamed current of majicks stinging his limbs. This magic wasn't akin to the magicks he'd used to spare Willow; it wasn't pure or clean. This power reeked of evil and darkness; he wanted nothing more than to savor its magnificence. He labored to contain his overpowering desire to cut it loose and tear the very fabric of space surrounding him until nothing remained. The simple image of Buffy grounded him and Giles focused on what he'd intended to do. He would have to risk losing his control to give Buffy a chance. He could feel his body trembling as the black essences resonated throughout his frame.

Much to the Slayer's surprise, a supernatural barrier enveloped her and Spike. She glanced over expectantly at Giles and was stunned to see his vampiric features now adorned with the all too memorable accents of dark magicks; the sinister veins and the mercilessly black eyes.

Giles repeated the spell once more to bolster the obstruction, enabling him to take extra care with the trickier spell to follow. The enchantment could be the death of him and Spike if he blundered so he struggled to concentrate as the fierce beasts surrounded him.

The final incantation sent a whirl of purplish sparks and black smoke spinning around the outer edge of the room. The mystical torrent began to flow toward the center of the space and Giles felt the first rip of the uber vamps claws at his torso as he blocked a separate attack from a Bringer.

"Buffy.... cover Spike!" Giles yelled as another set of razor sharp claws tore into his back and thigh. He didn't have time to check if Buffy had followed his order, the whirlpool of smoke and light collapsed to a singular point then exploded outward, radiating blinding light beams that illuminated the dark and turned night into day within the store. He felt his hands and face scorching with the increasing luminosity and he dove towards some collapsed shelving just as the beams reached their full brilliance.

The rushing uber vamps howled in pain as they were set ablaze. Caleb shielded his eyes at the spectacle but continued to watch with an impressed curiosity as the Bringers wandered aimlessly to find the cause of the attack. The light finally dimmed to shadows and the smoldering ash settled around him. The preacher smiled.

"Now that's what I call a welcome," he examined the remains of his super vampires and nodded with appreciation at the sight. "You still movin Watcher?" No answer.

Buffy peeked out from between her trembling fingers and saw the room seemed to be back to normal, minus the damage and ruins surrounding them. She cautiously slipped off of Spike and quickly checked him over.
"Are you... um, whole?"

Spike glanced around nervously and gave her an uncertain nod. "Seems so." They struggled to their feet and examined the wreckage for Giles. "How bout Giles?"

"I don't see him," Buffy felt panicked and rushed forward only to be stopped abruptly by the magical barrier still holding strong. "Giles?" She yelled with no answer, immediately concerned.

"Aw now... that's a real shame," Caleb shook his head. "And I was really beginning to like him."

"You better be gone before this spell gives out," Buffy seethed.

"Or what... you'll punish me? Silly child, you haven't got what it takes to touch me," Caleb approached the barrier and reached for it. The mystical wall sent him bowling backwards into his waiting Bringers and Caleb angrily worked to get upright. "Ok, a bit fool-hearty on my part. I can admit that." He whistled a few notes and the Bringers began to retreat. "Well... it's been fun. Gotta get the boys to bed now. But we'll be seeing you real soon. Don't you worry your pretty little mind... I'll have legions of those vampires to bury you all right and proper. Best get your rest Slayer, and those whores of yours too. Cause hell's coming and your fresh out of hope."

Buffy could barely contain her anger as the strange preacher strolled pompously away with his surviving minions. Spike continued to scan the darkness for Giles.

"Giles?" he yelled and gave the magical barrier a slight prod. The crackling energy dissipated and with a slight blink of light it was gone. Buffy rushed around the store in search of the missing Watcher.

"Giles!" she hollered and tossed the ruins around to clear off any possible shelter he might have found.

"Come on, Giles," Spike followed Buffy's lead and started to tear apart any possible cover. "Can't piss off on us now."

"Giles," she choked out his name, growing more fretful with the absence of a response. The interior of the store was in shambles and Buffy's heart sank with the recognition of the devastation. "Giles!" Her voice cracked as she spoke, barely audible as she gave into her emotions of possibly losing him again and started to weep. "Please..."