Chapter Twelve – Now it's a Scooby Party

After dinner the group had moved to the living room. Xander had actually managed to coax a couple of embarrassing stories about Alex out of Olivia. Much to the enjoyment of the rest of the group who were glad to have a little ammunition to finally use on Alex.

"So Xandra," Xander said with a smile. "You never told me that particular detail."

"You never specially asked Alex," Alex replied.

"Damn it guys," Buffy said. "I know you two only do that when I'm around."

"What ever are you talking about Buffy?" Xander said.

Buffy shook her head. "You do remember I'm a Slayer. I could hurt the two of you."

"You wouldn't hurt your Alex-shaped-friend," Xander said.

Buffy looked about ready to make a snide comment back when her cell phone went off. "Always in the middle of a party," she muttered and then clicked on the phone. "What's up … gotcha … the new guy … got a location … ok, we'll be there in about half hour … no. Have Mags' team meet us there to cover the perimeter … thanks Anne."

"What's up?" Dawn said.

"Seems the rumors about a new master vamp in town are true," Buffy said. "One of the patrols came across something. Willow, Faith, Kennedy we need to get going. Dawn and I need you and Giles backing Andre up on the dusty books, Anne says one the fledglings was wielding some odd sickle like weapon. Said Hiko got a weird vide off of it."

"What's going on?" Olivia asked, noting the sudden shift in tone around the room. "Is there anything I can do?"

"We've got it covered," Buffy said. "Wouldn't be a Scooby party without some demon interrupting the fun. Let's get going. I'll drive."

"Willow will drive you guys," Dawn said. "I'll take Giles back to campus."

"Dawn's right," Willow said. "Give me the keys. I'll drive."

"It's my car," Buffy pouted.

"Olivia," Dawn said. "If there is one thing you need to take away from this week, it is this. Under absolutely no circumstances, even to get to the apocalypse, do you allow a Slayer to drive a car," Dawn was already out of her seat and walking towards the door.

"One accident," Buffy said following. "When I was in high school. Wasn't even my fault. And I'm branded for life."

"Come on Dawnie," Faith said as she followed Buffy. "We're not that bad. Buffy's right, we don't get in accidents."

"No," Dawn acknowledged. "You just freak out everyone else on the road by driving like maniacs."

"I've told you a dozen times," Buffy said. "It's not our fault everyone else on the road has such bad reflexes and poor situational awareness."

"Just like the heart attacks you induce in passengers aren't your fault either," Dawn noted.

Olivia was bewildered by the exchange as the Scoobies kept bantering about driving all the way out the door, trailed by Giles who just shook his head in a resigned manner as he polished his glasses.

"Alex what's going on?" she looked over at her friend.

"Sounds like one of the patrols came across something bad," Alex replied. "They don't call Buffy and Faith for anything small."

"And you guys are ok with that?" Olivia asked.

"If it was an apocalypse they'd be making worse jokes," Xander said.

"Huh?" Olivia was pushed off track.

"Relax detective," Robin said. "Buffy, Faith and Willow are probably overkill for whatever's out there." He looked over at Xander than back at Olivia. "If you want to do something we could head back to campus and help Dawn with research."

"We can stop for sugary snacks on the way," Xander said.

"I'll phone an order in with Donut King," Andrew said as he pulled out his cell phone.

"Donuts?" Olivia was still trying to keep up.

"As I mentioned last night," Xander said. "It's impossible to overstate the importance of sugary goodness in keeping the world safe from demonic threats."

-----

A short while later Olivia was crammed into the backseat of Xander's car with Andrew, Robin and three dozen assorted donuts. They arrived back at the Foundation's campus and Xander pulled the car to stop and led the group to the library. When they entered the lobby Olivia noted a different young woman on duty than earlier in the afternoon. She acknowledged the group with a nod.

When they entered the main room Olivia saw several people gathered around one of the main tables in the center of the room. The table was littered with books and several scrolls. She recognized Giles and Dawn directing the chaos and she noticed Andre and the other people from the research department gathered around.

"The weapons all bare the symbol of Am'lok'Tosh," Giles said.

"We got that Giles," Dawn replied. "We know they intended to use them to draw power from their kills. The question is why. And where are they channeling the power," she looked over at the approaching group. "Hey guys. Just put the donuts down on the other table. Who's got my espresso?"

"Right here," Alex said handing Dawn a cup.

"Thanks Alex," Dawn replied.

"Willow says between her and Faith they should be able to find the master's base of operations in a couple of hours," Andre said.

"I've got something," one of the women said. "It's a reference to Am'lok'Tosh."

"Let me see," Dawn said. She took the book and began scanning. "Says there is more information on a Scroll of Am'lok'Tosh. Don't suppose we have that here."

"Checking," anther woman said typing on a laptop. "According to the index the Council has it. But it's at the Passau office."

"Call them up. Have them scan it into the system and e-mail us a copy," Andre said.

"It's marked as 'do not scan,'" the woman replied.

"Ok then," Dawn said. "Let me check something in the archives downstairs. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Dawn," Giles looked up. Olivia noted a worried tone in his voice. "I don't think that is necessary."

"I got it covered Giles," Dawn answered and headed towards the basement entrance.

Olivia was about to ask a question when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked back and Xander shook his head. She decided to hold her questions for the time being.

"So G-man," Xander said. "What's going on?"

Giles quickly shifted his attention back to Xander, "Anne's patrol encountered two fledgling vampires attacking three college students. They stopped them. One of them mentioned being in the employ of a powerful master vampire. Hiko noticed that the weapon he was wielding had a very odd magical aura. They sent us pictures. We've matched up the markings and we believe the master is trying to perform some type of empowering ritual. That's as far we've gotten. Buffy and the others are trying to track down the master's lair."

"Gotcha," Xander said. "Anything you need us to do?"

"We have the research well covered," Giles said. "Robin, I believe Mags' team is going to be leaving soon. They were delayed gathering supplies for Willow."

Robin nodded. "I'll head out with them," he said as he turned back towards the door.

"Is there anything we can do?" Olivia asked.

"Unless you are fluent in Akkadian Greek I very much doubt it," Giles said. "Do not worry detective. We have things well in hand. Alex, why don't you take Olivia back to the main building."

Alex nodded. "Come on Olivia. They need to work," she led Olivia back out the library towards the main building.

Olivia was upset.

"Alex something is going on," Olivia said. "We need to do something."

Alex actually smiled. "Now you know how I felt every time you guys went out on an arrest while I had to sit back at the office waiting to find out what happened. Olivia, this is what they do. They are very good at it. Quite frankly, you and I would get in the way."

As they entered the main building Olivia looked back in time to see an SUV pull away from the gym with Robin at the wheel accompanied by four young women.

Alex led them to her office. When they entered the office there was only one other person present.

"William," Alex said. "I'm surprised to see you here so late."

"I wanted to make certain everything was in order before your departure Ms Cabot," he replied. "I presume you two are here because of the minor bit of excitement happening."

"Minor bit of excitement?" Olivia said.

"Detective Benson," William nodded in her direction. "My days in the field may have ended quite some time ago, but I remember what they were like. It takes quite a bit more than a single master vampire to rattle me. Particularly if he is foolish enough to draw the full force of the Slayers upon himself so soon after moving to this city. I rather suspect this matter will be cleared up in the next couple of hours. In the meantime I have some fresh tea if you would like."

"Thank you William," Alex said. She motioned Olivia to a seat at the meeting table and took the chain next to her. "I believe I will have a cup. Olivia, anything for you? William brews an excellent cup of tea."

"I'm fine thanks," Olivia answered.

"The detective is a woman of action," William observed. "She is use to being able to respond to threats directly. She is finding being kept on the sidelines most distressing."

"I'm fine," Olivia said.

"Which is precisely why you are fidgeting so much," William said as he placed a cup of tea in front of her. "Do have a sip. It is quite helpful in relaxing."

Olivia took a sip of the tea and looked at William. "This is quite good."

"Thank you," William replied. "My mother taught me at a young age the proper way to brew a pot of tea."

"So what do you do here William?" Olivia asked.

"He's my babysitter," Alex replied.

William smiled at the comment. "Ms Summers thought it appropriate that Ms Cabot have someone on her staff with experience in the field and a strong familiarity with demons to help advise her on the more esoteric portions of the job. And I must say Ms Cabot has proven a most able student."

"Technically I'm your boss," Alex said.

"Of course," William replied. "And one who shown a great willingness to learn. And, to be honest, teach. This assignment has become one of the most interesting things I have ever done for the Council."

"So you were part of the Council before the battle against the First," Olivia said.

"Yes I was," William answered. "Although I had left a couple of years before that battle. I disapproved of the way Quentin chose to employ some the men I had trained."

"Quentin?" Olivia asked.

"Quentin Travers, the last head of the old Council," Alex replied. "None of the Scoobies liked him. From what I've heard he was not a nice man."

"Do not be so quick to judge Quentin solely on what you have heard from Ms Summers and the others," William said. "I knew the man for many years. They met him after he lost his son. He was never the same after that day. You've met his grandson Eric of course."

"A couple of times," Alex replied. "Heard quite a few stories."

"He is much like Quentin was before my namesake was killed," William said. "In his early days, Quentin was something of a rebel. I did not like having to walk away from my old friend. But he left me no choice."

"What happened?" Olivia asked.

"Ever the inquisitive mind detective," William said. "Suffice it to say he took a course of action I disapprove of. I left. I returned when Dr. Giles began rebuilding the Council."

"And ended up here," Olivia said. "What qualifies you to handle legal matters?"

"Legal matters are Ms Cabot's per view," William answered. "My task is to explain the supernatural. Tell me Detective, how are you finding our humble little operation?"

"It's been interesting," Olivia answered.

William leaned back in his chair for a few seconds and studied Olivia. "You find it appalling that the universe allows young women to go into combat against monsters. And as much as you may respect the Summers sisters and value your friendship with Ms Cabot you desperately want to find a way to shut this place down and send all these girls home to a normal life."

"That's not what I said," Olivia was surprised.

"But it is what you feel?" William replied.

Olivia stopped and thought about what she had learned over the last two days. "In a way, I guess yes. The people here are good people. And they obviously care. But," she shook her head. "But things shouldn't work like this."

"No, they should not," William agreed. "But we can only deal with the universe as it comes to us. Demons exist. Like it or not, normal human beings and mortal laws are of limited to no use against such a threat. The Slayers, on the other hand, can combat the demons on their own terms. They have the power. They are the Champions. Those that stand on the line between the darkness of the world and the rest of us. You and I have choices Detective Benson about whether or not to what we do. They do not. And I agree, it is a terrible burden the world has placed upon them. But consider something."

"What?"

"The world is still here, Detective," William said. "Whatever we may think of the system. It clearly works. The Slayers have proven more than able to meet the challenge. Even when those of us whose task is to aid them, fail in our duties, the Slayers have succeeded. That is a testament to the strength of untold generations of Slayers."