Of Their Past

Disclaimer- Just borrowing the characters from their rightful owners, a girl needs a little fun now and again.
Note- Thanks to GreyMatter for all the info
xxx

Chapter 12

"Well, this is certainly fascinating." Jack swung his legs nosily against the headstone upon which he was perched.

Wesley and Buffy focused on the fresh grave before them.

"In New Orleans they believe that if you knock on someone's grave three times you'll wake them." Wesley departed this gem of knowledge in complete deadpan.

Jack jumped off the headstone and looked down nervously. He had seen too much to start discounting things. "Really?"

Wesley nodded. "Of course you are meant to draw three crosses on the headstone first. I've never ready any accounts of it occurring… yet."

Jack scowled as Buffy laughed.

"Very funny," he muttered.

"You're worse than Xander used to be. I thought you military types were supposed to be patient." Buffy's voice betrayed her exasperation.

Jack shrugged. "What can I say? I get bored staring at headstones."

There was a long pause.

"Lay off Giles."

Jack looked over at the diminutive blonde, surprised by the menace and steel in her tone. "What?"

Buffy turned and met his eyes. "Stop hassling Giles about Xander and this life. Xander chose it, we all did and Giles does his damnedest to keep us safe! He's not that rebelling, angry person anymore. We couldn't have asked for a better father."

Jack nodded to himself. "I thought there was some ulterior motive to this team. You don't understand, you couldn't, you're too young. I've loved three women in my life, two I've lost and one I can never have. Because of Ripper I lost Beth."

Buffy's mouth tensed. "I don't care. We've all lost people. But what we're doing? It's too important for your petty squabbles to be getting in the way. Xander's a grown man. He can make his own decisions."

Jack's expression was carefully neutral. "I'm aware of that."

Buffy studied his face; her slayer senses no match for the black ops training and many years of having to be the hardnosed, tough as nails O'Neill. "Good."

"Al's a member of my team. I look out for my team."

Wesley piped up for the first time during this confrontation. "As would be expected of you." His tone and expression were carefully guarded. This was something in which he would take no side, though he still stood just behind Buffy, scanning their surroundings.

"Xander is one of my best friends. I've been looking out for him for over seven years."

Jack's jaw clenched, tense muscles ticking tightly. He was not going to get into a childish argument with a small blonde twenty years his junior. He was not going to get into a childish argument- "Now you see here-"

"Perhaps you two might continue this later? We have company," Wesley snapped.

Jack and Buffy both looked up, both seeing the vampire that had clawed it's way out of his grave and the few arranged vampires that showed up to welcome their new childe into the fold.

"Slayer!" The lead vampire hissed.

"Vampire!" Buffy bandied back.

The vampire jabbed an insistent finger in their direction. "I'll eat your heart, Slayer!"

Buffy eyed him up and down. The guy was scrawny with a capital scraw, it was like he never outgrew that gangly stage.

"Uh huh." She pulled out a stake and let it fly in one smooth motion. It struck the heart and the vampire dusted with an enraged cry. "Good luck with that."

Jack looked down at his open palm as he felt a smooth piece of wood get slapped into it. "What kills these guys again?"

Buffy faced off against the rest of the group. "I thought we went over this."

"Nope."

"Holy water burns like acid, beheading, fire and-"

A female screeched and rushed the slayer. Buffy side stepped and casually thrust the stake into her back, puncturing the heart. The vampire became dust in the wind.

"That works pretty well too."

"Good to know."

The remaining three vampires, four including the vampire that had just arisen, milled about. They looked apprehensively at the group. The Slayer had a fearsome reputation and she had just taken out two of their own. Finally, the newbie could take it no more, the hunger was too great. With a snarl he leapt forward.

Jack stumbled back with a muffled curse, his gaze fixed on the amber eyes, protruding brow and jagged teeth of the creature that was attacking him.

The vampire barely paused before lunging again, this time knocking Jack to the ground. The vampire's chest rumbled as he growled, his eyes fixed on Jack's throat, obviously thinking the older man to be no threat.

That

Was

A

Big

Mistake.

At the same time Jack's knee came up as his hand formed a fist and swung in a punishing right hook. The vampire howled as he fell back, howled with pain and anger.

Jack quickly scrambled to his feet and readjusted his grip on the stake, the familiar feeding of adrenaline rushing through his veins buffering from any aches or injuries.

The newbie vamp stretched out his arms and spread his fingers looking more like claws. With a low wail he charged Jack, amber eyes reflecting his hunger.

Jack waited for him to near before stepping out of the way and plunging the borrowed stake into it's heart. The vampire dissolved into a large cloud of dust. Jack waved a hand in front of his face and coughed, inhaling vampire dust couldn't be good for his health.

Jack raised an eyebrow as he stared at the remains. "That was surprisingly… easy."

Buffy snorted with amusement. "He was newbie. Didn't have time to pick up the kung-fu moves." She eyed the remaining vamps with an experienced eye. "Unfortunately you'll see 'em real soon."

Jack knew what she meant. He could practically seem a count down flashing above the milling and whispering vampires as the tension rose. 5…4…3…2…1

As one the vampires attacked. Two charged Buffy. Buffy whirled, grabbing the collar of one and throwing it towards Wesley. Wesley flicked his right hand, a wicked looking collapsible sword slipping out and clipping into place. The vampire was bent over, his hands held in front of him as he edged around Wesley, trying to find a way to without encountering his sword. The dark-haired vampire lunged to one side. Wesley followed, bringing his sword around in an arc. With a growl the vampire stepped back. This happened several times; the vampire, lips drawn back from white teeth in a snarl, lunged at Wesley, testing his reflexes, his strengths and weaknesses, and Wesley would follow never allowing the vampire an opening.

Finally Wesley got sick of playing. He lashed out, the sword blurring in the pale moonlight. The vampire avoided the sharp blade as best he could but soon his face, arms and chest were covered in nicks, scratches and a few very serious, bone revealing cuts. Wesley swung, the blade sinking deeply into the vampire's arm. The vampire hissed and pulled away from the blade, holding the cut together with one hand.

"You'll pay for that, human." The vampire's voice was low and sounded akin to two rocks being ground together.

In one swift motion the sword raked across the vampire's throat. Instinctively he clutched at it, blood dripping between his fingers. With one hand clasping the cut on his arm and the other on his throat the vampire had no way of stopping the stake that pierced his heart.

The dust barely had time to settle before Wesley was on the move once more. Wesley ran over to where he had last seen Buffy, he hadn't realized that he had moved so far away during the fight. Wesley slowed to a stop as Buffy came into sight. He had almost forgotten this. Watching Buffy Summers fight was like nothing else on earth. The closest comparison he had was watching a ballet. Every move seem choreographed, every move faultless, grace and effortless.

He felt a smile twitch his lips. Gods, she was beautiful.

Buffy grunted as a particularly hard punch caught her in the solar plexus. The female she was fighting was clearly the leader of the clan. She was strong, fast and obviously years older than the rest of the other four.

Buffy blocked a head punch that she knew had it connected would have knocked her for a six. 'Knocked her for a six?' Where did that come from? Buffy frowned and shook her head. She had been spending way too much time around British people. Buffy caught sight of Wesley out of the corner of her eye. Not that that was such a bad thing.

Buffy let out an exclamation of surprise as the female vampire took advantage of her distraction and kicked at the Slayer's knees. She fell into a roll and sprang back to her feet. Okay. If the vamp wanted to play it that way it was fine by her.

"Buffy!" Wesley started forward.

Buffy waved a hand at him. "I'm fine. Go help Colonel O'Neill."

Wesley hesitated before he saw the set of her jaw, the tenseness of her muscles and her narrowed eyes. It reminded him somewhat of Cordelia when something really enraged her, like when that demon had ruined her $200 designer shoes, or when Angel gave away her clothes. Wesley nodded quickly and jogged off to find the Colonel.

Buffy raised her guards, cheeky smirk in place. She opened her outermost fist and did the Bruce Lee 'come and get me' gesture. The vampire growled and charged forward.

Buffy grinned as she blocked a punch and jumped over a low sweeping kick. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun.

xxxxx

Jack blocked a punch to his face, wincing at the painful impact. The three remaining vampires had each picked a victim, intent on separating them and killing them one by one.

So far they had succeeded with the separating. He hadn't seen hide nor hair of either Buffy or Wesley for at least five minutes.

Jack kicked at the knees of the large vampire he was fighting, grimacing at the loud crack. The vampire fell on his back, crying out in pain and gripped his knees. Maybe he had kicked a little hard, he was sure that he had heard a snap as well when the fell.

Jack watched as the vampire writhed and cursed on the ground.

Wesley ran up. "Stake him," he called out.

Jack shook himself out of his daze and looked blankly down at his hands. The stake was gone. He must have lost it some time during the fight, during the dodging, ducking, weaving and blocking.

Upon seeing Jack's dilemma Wesley pulled out one of his many secreted away stakes and tossed it towards him. Jack caught it with ease.

The vampire tried to haul himself to his feet. "I'll make you pay for that, old man."

The quip left Jack's mouth before he had time to process it. "Do ya take credit card? I'm flat outa cash."

This lips were peeled back from sharp, jagged teeth as the vampire tried to find exposed skin.

Jack's eyes widened slightly, very slightly. With one heavy boot he kicked the vampire in the mouth, shattering several teeth. While it was still in a daze Jack quickly crouched down and staked it, ignoring the groaning in his own knees.

"Good job," Wesley congratulated him. "Nice to know our tax money is well spent."

Jack looked up. His face was set in a grim expression. "I hesitated."

Wesley nodded; he couldn't deny that. "Still, rather good for your second unassisted staking."

Jack frowned, still unpleased with himself. Perhaps he would have said more, or made a sarcastic quip had the sounds of a fight not drifted closer to them.

Wesley looked up immediately. "Buffy."

Jack scowled. That little girl was going to get herself killed one of these days. Ignoring any protests that his tired, aching body could have lodged with his mind. Jack coaxed his knees into a run.

He came to a sudden stop when he saw the fight. The tiny girl he had been arguing with not half an hour ago had just take a hit with a tree branch the size of Teal'c's arm, and she had barely stumbled back before she was on the offensive again.

Jack felt his jaw drop open.

Wesley slowly wandered up beside him and stopped to watch the fight. "Buffy is quite capable. I assure you she does not need our protection, it's rather the other way around."

"I can see that," Jack managed to force out.

Seeing that she was about to lose, the vampire Buffy was fighting resorted to the last thing a person would ordinarily do in a fight to the death against a slayer. She pulled her hair.

Buffy screeched in protest as she felt several strand rip out of her head. "How… many… times… do I…. have to… tell you? Not… the… hair!" Each word was punctuated by a punch to the face, followed by a very swift stake to the heart.

"Oww!" Buffy rubbed her head and pouted. "That hurt!"

Jack's eyebrows decided to visit his hairline as he watched the pouting slayer.

Wesley grinned and chuckled to himself.

Buffy's bottom lip stuck out further. "What?" She demanded of them.

Wesley shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

Jack's eyebrows, having decided that his hairline wasn't all that fun, returned to it's rightful place and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"That was… impressive."

Her pout magically turned into a grin. "That was nothing. Let's go see if we can find something fun."

xxxxx

Sam placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles as Angel gave them a mock glare. She couldn't help it. Cordelia had really loosened up over the last hour and had started making quips at the expense of her friends, Al and Angel especially. They might have seemed harsh and cruel had there not been a playful twinkle in her eye and, after making Angel wince, something about L.A. in the '50s and… fury, Sam didn't quite get that one; had she not grabbed Angel's arm and shook it, grinning madly.

She couldn't treat this like a mission, it was more like a might out with new friends. Soon after splitting up and going their separate directions Angel had told her bits and pieces from his life, at the direction of Cordelia. It boggled the mind, even hers. This man had lived for so long and had seen so many changes. Some of the stories he told her… the man was a natural storyteller. Willow and Al had told them the story (a very abridged version) about how Angel gained, lost and regained his soul. But when Angel told it, anguish apparent in his eyes, it brought a tear to her eye.

She was really enjoying tonight, even if they had spent most of it walking through graveyards and cemeteries. Sam grinned widely, plus after tonight she had a lot of blackmail material to use against Al should a situation call for it. Not that Cordelia had any less. Obviously Sam couldn't tell them much, most of the extremely embrassing stuff had happened off world and they had made a truce not to bring up certain things ever again. There were, however, quite a few on world instances, most of them including alcohol, food and for some reason The Simpsons.

"So after that Xander was possessed by his Halloween costume, actually everyone that brought their costumes, or a prop, from this new store was possessed by their costumes. Buffy was this brainless 18th century rich lady, Xander was a soldier and Willow was a ghost-"

"A ghost?" Angel interrupted. "Ghost of what?"

"You've never seen a ghost in a midriff baring top, miniskirt and knee high boots?" Cordelia asked archly.

"Not lately."

"You know," Cordelia confided in Sam. "After seeing Willow in that costume I'm surprised that it took Xander so long to realize Willow was a girl. 'Course I woulda been happier if he had realized while he wasn't dating me."

"Oh," Sam didn't know what quite to say.

Cordelia waved a hand. "It's fine. If they hadn't I probably would of stayed in Sunnydale. Wouldn't have teamed up with Angel. Wouldn't have received the visions. Wouldn't have all these nifty half-demon powers."

Angel held up a hand to halt any further conversation. He pressed a finger against his lips. 'Something's coming,' he mouthed.

How could he know? Sam could hear a- wait. Sam tensed. There was a rustling sound about 5 yards to their left. With practiced ease she slipped into her military- Major Carter mode. She felt Cordelia tense beside her.

The rustling grew closer.

Cordelia shifted so most of her weight was the balls of her feet. She leaned close to Angel. "Demon?" She whispered.

Angel nodded. He lowered himself into a crouch. His heightened senses focused on every little sound and movement. He could hear the sharp breaths that Sam and Cordy were taking; the rapid beat of their hearts. He could smell their soaps and perfume, scents much more pleasant than the stench of death and decay that lingered here.

Cordelia grabbed his shoulder. She knew what he was about to do, and she didn't like it. Angel turned his head to look at her and covered her hand with his and squeezed. Reluctantly Cordelia let go and backed up.

The demon neared. It's footsteps could now be hears as well as the crinkling of a paper bag.

Angel pounced, legs pushing him high into the air. He sailed over the headstone and landed heavily on the demon with a growl. The demon squealed in fright from beneath him. Angel leapt to his feet, bringing the demon with him. He had a firm grip on the demon's collar, though firm wouldn't be the word to describe this guy.

The demon was a mass of skin folds. Folds of loose skin surrounded even his beady red eye and canine like ears. Luckily for them he wore clothes, obscuring what was sure to be the more obscene.

Angel tightened his hold on the demon's flannel shirt and faded red undershirt, nearly choking him. "What are you doing here?" Angel asked menacingly.

The demon shook harder in Angel's grasp. "Nothing, honest. I was just heading back to my crypt after going to the store for snacks. The Discovery channel has a special about cats."

Angel shook him.

"I'm telling you the truth. I swear! I wasn't trying to hone in on your turf or anything."

Angel growled low in his throat.

"I'm friend's with the slayer!" This came out in a high-pitched rush. "If anything happens to me she'll be very upset!"

"I don't believe you."

Cordelia snapped her fingers. "You're Clem!"

Clem looked over at Cordelia. "Yeah, hi. Nice to meet ya."

"Angel, out him down." Cordelia commanded. "Buffy's told me about you."

Angel let go of Clem's shirt and slunk back, unhappy but still keeping one careful eye on the other demon.

"Really?" Clem asked, pulling his shirt back into place. "How is she? I haven't seen that girl for near a week now. Last I heard Xander was coming home soon."

"Oh, he's home. There was just a distraction of the hellmouth variety. Brought us from L.A. I'm Cordelia, by the way." She held out a hand for him to shake.

Clem's eyes widened. "Oh! You're Cordelia! I've heard all about you. You've recently joined us as a half-demon yourself."

Cordelia shrugged. "Last couple of years. Wasn't like it was hard or anything. Just had to convince the PTB that I knew what I was doing." Cordelia suddenly changed tracks. "The vampire that was just throttling you is Angel."

"Hi." Clem gave him a little wave.

Angel scowled.

"And this is one of Xander's friends from work, Major Samantha Carter."

Sam held out ah and. "Just Sam, please." Her eyes were still wide with shock and as Clem took her hand her mind automatically categorized. 'Warm, slightly moist and a surprising firm handshake, considering.'

"So you work with Xander?" Clem questioned. "Must be interesting."

"It has its moments." Sam smiled to herself.

Angel crossed his arms over his chest. "I was her friend first."

Cordelia snorted. "Oh, please. You and Buffy were never friends. At least, not until last year. So, you like cats, huh?" The last was directed at Clem.

Clem bent to pick up his snacks. "Yeah, but I have to cut down. Cholesterol… Uh, morals, I meant morals." He grabbed a packet of cheesy chips.

Sam's head turned so fast she was sure she gave herself whiplash. "You eat cats!"

"Not anymore!" Clem said defensively. "I'm on a strict diet. Toning up."

"Toning up?"

Cordelia picked up a packet of chips and arched an eyebrow at him. "Strict diet?"

Clem took the packet from her. "And the occasional indulgence never hurt anyone. Oh, would you look at the time. I have to go. Tell Buffy I said hi."

"Will do. It was nice meeting you. Enjoy your program."

"Bye."

Clem gave them a jaunty wave and continued his way through the headstone.

"He seems nice," Cordelia commented.

"Yeah, real nice." Sam was shocked. He ate cats, for crying out loud!

Angel grumbled to himself.

"Stop sulking, Angel." Cordelia flashed her thousand-watt smile. "Come one, we've got more patrolling to do."

xxxxx

"This is fascinating." Daniel traced the inscription on the wall of the mausoleum. "This dialect was reputed to have died out in the 12th century."

"You'd be surprised what you can find in Sunnydale." Xander told him.

"Indeed, Captain Harris. I find this to be a most unusual town."

"You don't know the half of it, T." Xander looked up. "Got anything yet, Wills?"

Willow stood on top of the mausoleum, hands outstretched and hair flowing in the slight breeze. Her eyes snapped open.

"Xander! Behind you!" Her cry came from both her mind and her mouth.

The three men turned. And were faced with two ravenous, crazed vampires, grave dirt still clinging to their burial clothes.

Daniel couldn't help but let out a startled yelp as he saw the wild amber eyes and protruding forehead.

Teal'c whirled into action, the collapsible staff he had found at Buffy's place clicking together. The staff hit one vampire in the face, shattering her nose, and knocked the legs out from beneath the other. Xander dropped his axe and pulled out a stake. He punched the female vampire in her already broken nose. She hissed and threw a sloppy punch at him. Xander grabbed the arm in both hands and brought it over his knee. The vampire grunted and pulled her arm back, cradling it against her stomach. The vampire charged and Xander decided to use an old fallback. He let the vampire collide with him and knock him to the ground. Vampire dust showered over him.

Teal'c's large hand was thrust in his face. "Are you injured, Captain Harris?"

Xander grabbed the hand and 'ouffed' as he was pulled to his feet. "I'm fine, thanks. Just a little dusty. What happened to the other one?"

"Daniel Jackson and I dispatched him."

Daniel grinned proudly and removed his dusty glasses.

"Willow, how did you- Willow!" Xander turned in a circle. "Where's Willow? Will-"

Willow rounded the mausoleum at a run and jumped into Xander's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and burying her face in his neck.

Xander braced his weight on his back and rubbed her back. "Hey, hey. What's wrong?"

Willow sighed, her hot breath brushing his neck. "You're right. I don't want to fight any more."

"Not that I'm not grateful, but what's brought this on?"

"You could have died!"

"It was just a vampire. Nothing we haven't faced a thousand times before."

"It just takes one to kill you." Willow reminded him.

Xander knew that all too well. He held her tighter.

"I love you, Xander Harris."

"I love you too, Willow Rosenberg."

Willow unhooked her legs and slid down. "Just… just be careful okay?"

"I promise." Xander ran a thumb under her eye, expecting it her damp. Her eyes were dry, but still incredibly sad.

Xander cleared his throat and cast an embarrassed glance at Daniel and Teal'c. Daniel smiled sadly.

Willow sniffed. "Sorry, I…"

'Guys? Time to meet up. Stake any remaining vampires and return to the meeting spot. We'll be waiting.'

Sometimes Buffy's timing really didn't suck.

xxxxx

Jack smiled as he saw his 2IC round a large granite monument. "Hey, Carter. How was your patrol?"

"Uneventful, sir." She grinned. "Except for when Angel tackled one of Buffy's friends."

"Oh, Clem says hi." Cordelia told Buffy.

Buffy cast a reproving glance at Angel. Angel crossed his arms and blatantly pouted.

Jack moved closer to Sam. "They didn't organize a meeting time, did they?"

"No, sir."

"And there's no sign of radios."

"No, sir."

"This isn't the smallest town in the world."

"It only has one Starbucks, sir."

Jack gave her a look.

"Sorry, sir."

Jack ran a hand through his hair. "Betcha Al, Danny and Teal'c show up any minute now."

They both looked around expectantly.

"Any minute now," Jack repeated.

They looked around again.

"Maybe-" Sam was cut off by the arrival of Willow, Xander, Daniel and Teal'c. There was a large, excited grin on Daniel's face.

"Bet ya a dollar he found some fascinating discovery." Jack said to Sam, sotto voce.

Sam smiled. "I don't think so, sir. I recognize that grin just as well as you do."

"Rats, busted." Jack quickly took a step away from Sam as he realized how close they were.

"Jack, Sam! You guys won't believe what I've found. In 1308 the Brothers of the Turned Oak were destroyed when a fire swept through their monastery. It destroyed everything, even the rare scrolls that contained the last of an ancient Sumerian dialect. But there's a mausoleum that's covered with inscriptions that match all known records and descriptions of that dialect!"

"Interesting." Sam's eyes tracked from Willow to Buffy to Angel and Cordelia. She shared a knowing look with Jack. Something wasn't quite right here.

"Isn't it?" Daniel's eyes sparkled.

Xander bounded over, wide grin unimpeded by the cut across his cheekbone. "Hey, we're about to move out. It's been a slow night."

"Slow night?" Jack repeated incredulously.

Xander's grin got wider. "How many did she track down, sir?"

"Double digits."

Xander laughed and shook his head. "They all want to bag Slayer, sir. But they don't realize that she's the one that bags them."

"What about demons?" Daniel asked.

Xander missed how Daniel was focused on a spot just over his shoulder. "Oh, she slays 'em just as good as vamps, but they don't tend to track her as well as vamps."

Daniel raised one arm and pointed over Xander's shoulder.

Xander turned and paled at the sight of the horde of large, well muscled demons, with particularly long and vicious looking talons.

"Aww, crap."