THROUGH AN ANGEL'S EYES - CHAPTER 3
I became aware of voices and knew that there were two people in the room with me and Riley. I recognized one voice, "hey Buffy", I said without opening my eyes. The other voice gave a little shriek and Buffy laughed. I opened my eyes, and saw the white coated lady from last night.
Buffy conducted the introductions "Ian, this is Dr. Felicia Bement; Dr. Bement, this is Ian."
I stood and gave her a rather flashy bow, "thank you for your efforts Dr".
She looked a bit bemused, "and just who or what are you?"
I gave Buffy a bit of a grin "I'll allow Ms Summers to explain me. Right now I'm curious about your patient. How is he?"
"Stable" she answered, "he should be coming around soon."
"I realize this is an unusual request, but could I be alone with him when he wakes up. We have a bit to talk about."
The doctor nodded; but Buffy shot a look that told me I would be explaining things to her later. I quirked an eyebrow to show that I understood and the two ladies left the room.
As soon as the door closed, a voice spoke from the bed; "I can't imagine what we have to discuss, since I have no idea who the hell you are."
"I'm surprised Buffy didn't realize you were awake, Agent Finn."
"You know me?"
"You and I move in some of the same circles, my name is Ian."
"You're with the Vatican, aren't you."
I nodded. "I just wanted to thank you for what you and your people did for Janice. Your men got extracted about an hour after we left with you. There were some wounded, but no one as serious as yourself. Your wife; however" I paused, unsure as to how to continue because repetition made it no easier.
"She didn't make it, did she?"
I just hung my head, which was answer enough. I heard a harsh gasp of breath from the bed.
"How" he asked.
"Polgara" I answered. "She was protecting you and the girl. I tried to get there to help, but I was just too late. I'm sorry."
I looked at him in the bed, he looked hurt but he didn't look like he was surprised. "We knew this was always a possibility; her body?"
"Here" I answered.
"Where's here?"
"Northern Spain, a place to train slayers." I held up my hand, "I'll answer everything soon enough, but first could you tell me what happened."
He looked a bit put off, but began: Well, we got word of this activity, I'm not sure how; estimates were placed at five hostiles; so we sent twenty in. Four for one is our usual ratio. We landed and moved in, but something was wrong. Either we mis-translated the number or it was a trap, because once we engaged them, we realized that there was about fifty. We knew that evac was two hours out so we started to fall back and keep engaging at a distance; but we still lost four men. Then they maneuvered us into a ravine, too late, we realized there was no exit. Suddenly there was this girl, about fourteen or so. She just popped up, right in the middle of us; heck, she almost got shot. Anyway she keeps saying 'help is coming' over and over. So, the bad guys were closing in and I decide to slow them down by concentrating on the leaders. I just succeeded in getting pretty roughed up. Well you can tell how bad it was. So, the demons are closing in tighter and tighter; when the girl starts glowing. The demons backed off from her and we thought we'd be OK. Then she says 'thank you Lord, help is here' and passed out right on top of me. I go 'lights-out' and wake up here.
"So Ian, what do you do for the Vatican and are you human?"
"Mostly I help wherever I can, kind of a 'Jack of All Trades'; and not entirely".
"Demon?"
"Working for the Vatican; sorry wrong direction".
"What?"
"Think up not down."
"Angel?"
"Yep".
"Rrrriiight, what is it, really".
"I told you".
"UH Huh".
"Hey, you asked, believe or not as you choose". I got up from my chair. "Again I thank you for what you did, and I'm sorry for your loss. I'll see you soon agent Finn."
I left him looking sad and went to look in on Janice. From behind I heard a voice shriek "Riley" and I knew Dawn was visiting. Janice had not moved since Faith had put her on the bed. That was worrisome. I put in a call to Daniel, asking him to swing by as soon as was convenient. After that, my stomach suggested that I find something to eat. I sat down in a dining area to an enormous breakfast. I looked around and saw that I was getting a lot of stares. Then it hit me, I was the only guy here. I began to eat feeling a bit like a museum exhibit. I prayed for someone I knew to come in soon. Almost immediately Buffy and Dawn walked in. What can I say, sometimes connections pay off. They got some breakfast and joined me.
"You saw Riley" I asked.
They both nodded and Dawn broke into a little snort of a laugh. "What did you tell him about yourself?"
"The truth".
"Well he thinks you're some kind of nut."
"Hopefully he'll learn soon enough. I asked for Daniel to stop by and help with Janice, it seems only right that we take care of Riley at the same time." I looked at Dawn "it would be helpful if you were there as well."
"Me, why?"
"I'd like you to begin learning his healing technique, you'd be good at it."
She blushed with pleasure. Buffy spoke up, "so Daniel specializes in healing, and you in fighting, does Janice have a specialty?"
"Yeah, her specialty was counsel, wisdom and subtlety. That doesn't mean she couldn't fight or heal; they just weren't her area of expertise."
Buffy nodded, then asked Dawn for details of the past year and a half. It was fascinating to me to hear about our work from another perspective. It was weird that as close as we were, our perceptions of events were so different. Dawn was just finishing up an amusing story about some Japanese tourists and a vystral demon; when Faith walked in. Not bothering with breakfast, she walked over to us and sat down. Looking at Dawn and me she asked if we were up to being hunted that night.
I shot a look at Dawn, she gave a small nod; "sure, I said, you want us packing?"
Faith thought for a moment "wood only."
"That's usual for him" Dawn chimed in.
I just blushed, Faith let out a hoot of laughter and Buffy called her sister a 'slut'.
Once I was again under control I nodded "sounds like fun".
A nasty smile bloomed on Faith's face, "don't give em a break and try and throw a curve or two. Me and B are getting too predictable, and frankly a bit too soft on em, although they would disagree about that."
I looked back at Dawn and could see a hundred dirty tricks coming instantly to her mind. I just turned to survey this roomful of poor, busted luck; slayers in training. I pitied them, but not a lot. Buffy wanted to talk to Dawn some more and Faith had training to conduct so I retreated to the Library.