FIC: Daddy Dearest (10?)
"The major question is how have vampires evolved differently on this other planet. And," the head Watcher glanced at Willow, Faith, and the other Slayers. "How will everyone's powers differ in this other world?"
"That is an interesting question," Daniel commented.
"Oh god," Xander moaned. "Their mutual appreciation society continues." While him and Faith had been busy getting busy, Willow had been occupied with Sam running tests to see if there was any way to scientifically measure magic, and Giles and Daniel had spent the night talking mythologies. He grinned to himself; he knew who's night he preferred.
Faith nudged him in the ribs. "Leave the geeks alone lover," she muttered with a grin. "You know they bite if you poke 'em."
"The influence of the beings you know as the Powers That Be stretch through-out the galaxy," Thor replied from his position stood by the head of the desk.
"So somebody powered by them will have the same power wherever they are?" Faith queried. Thor nodded. Faith smirked. "Shit, we really are champions of the universe."
Xander groaned at his girl-friend's comment. "And the vampires?"
"Again, because the enemies of the Powers That Be have the same influence, vampires have evolved along similar lines?"
"How sure are you of this?" Captain HairGel queried.
Thor turned to the Irish vampire. "Our scout shop has surveyed them sufficiently to be sure."
"Okay," Faith tapped her fingers on the desk. "Why not blow the fuck out of them with your ships?"
"There is a high probability of civilian casualties." Xander stared at the alien, if he didn't know better, he'd guess the alien was hiding something.
"General?" Jack stared at his CO, his gaze unreadable yet significant.
"I concur," the bald Texan glanced down at the alien. "Thor."
"Very well General Hammond," Thor nodded unwillingly. "Our forces are stretched throughout the galaxy and we are fighting a war in our home system. Even if we decided the casualties were acceptable, we could not afford the ships for such an attack."
"Damn, and there's close to one hundred thousand vampires right?"
"That is correct Miss Doolan," Thor nodded.
"Well shit," Faith swore. "And the oldest?"
"Is perhaps 10,000 years old." Xander winced, Faith gulped. "There are also perhaps a dozen vampires over 1,000 years old."
"Fucking hell!" Jack Crow swore. "This is one bitching mess and no mistake." The Vatican's killer stared around the crowded room. "'Case any one's wondering we're out-numbered."
"Well shit," Faith whispered in his ear. "Who'd have thought it! Crow can count."
"I've made provisions for a number of extra Slayers be flown here to aid us."
Faith glanced at Giles. "How many we talking G?"
"Another twenty-four, eight Watchers, and four special ops teams."
"G-Man!" Xander scowled at the Englishman. "Even with the girls here, that's only just over a tenth of the Slayers world-wide!"
"I'm aware of that Xander," as usual Head Watcher-Guy's gaze didn't falter at all. "But we have to take care of our own world first."
"Damn it G! Ain't ya been paying attention?" Faith exploded. "If we don't kick demon ass and pronto, we won't have our world."
"Yes Faith," Giles sighed wearily, "I am aware of the predicament we find ourselves in. Unfortunately, we cannot leave the world unprotected. Furthermore, many of the Council's Ruling Body-."
"Don't," Xander groaned. "I'm already getting the headache to end all headaches." The Ruling Body was largely made up of Council traditionalists who'd fought tooth and nail to keep the old ways going, Cruciatmen and all. They'd been defeated thanks to a show of strength by Willow, but still they held on. An even more troubling thought struck him. "Will the Council still be under our control when we return?"
Willow's eyes flashed. "They will if they know what's good for them."
Giles turned to General Hammond. "Arrangements have made with the US. Government," the Texan said.
"Fair nuff," he nodded. The next hour was filled with general questions relating to the world's level of civilisation, the organisation of the world's vampires, the potential allies. All very important. But very, very boring.
And then things got a lot more interesting.
Faith looked up at the sudden klaxons. "What the fuck!"
"Off-World Activation."
"Who is it?" General Hammond leaned down into the intercom.
"The Tok'ra sir."
"The who?" Her query was echoed by several of the SGC's guests.
"The Tok'ra are Goa'uld who live in true harmony and partnership with their smyboites. They are amongst our most powerful allies," Teal'c explained.
"Right," it was Fang. "So they're here to help?"
"No," General Hammond shook his head. "We weren't expecting them."
"So, I'm guessing this isn't good?" she queried.
"They don't generally make social calls." She ignored her biological father's comment but winced. More trouble, even for a thrill-seeker like herself, things were definitely getting out of hand.
"Jacob," Faith watched as General Hammond beamed at a bald guy in his early sixties but with more than a little hint of steel about him.
"George," the man nodded at the air force general before hugging Major Carter.
"Hey dad!" Carter exclaimed. Faith exchanged shocked glances with Xander and Angel. Sam's dad was an alien? Wicked weird.
"We have need of SG-1," announced Jacob's companion, a hot blonde number, in a metallic voice that sent shivers down her spine. "They need to go -."
General Hammond turned to the blonde. "I'm afraid that's impossible Anise," the Texan replied, his tone polite but carrying a hint of steel. "We're having a crisis of our own-."
The blonde sniffed. "The needs of the Tok'ra out-weigh whatever insignificant problem you face. Send another team."
"And she's off," Faith heard Jack mutter. "Predictable as always."
"An army of vampires is not insignificant madam," it was G at his most pompous.
"Vampires," the alien sniffed. "A myth to scare the young and the stupid."
"Is that right?" Angel vamped out. "That's a vampire."
The alien named Jacob didn't back away, Anise did. But still she continued to talk. "The needs of the Tok'ra out-weigh your mission. You will do as commanded."
Faith felt an anger begin to grow. This arrogant bitch reminded her of the cheerleading set that had always looked down on her. "Can it ET.," she growled. Jack groaned. "This is our mudpile, you don't get to give us orders here."
"Who do you think you're talking to little girl?" the alien sneered.
Faith slammed a fist into the blonde's nose, lifting her off her feet and flinging into the far wall. Before the alien had chance to move, Faith was on her, a foot on her throat pinning her to the ground. "I think I'm talking to a grade A bitch," she raised a challenging eyebrow. "Wanna disagree?" In the background she heard simultaneous groans from Hammond and Giles.
A second later, she felt Xander's hand on her shoulder. "I think your entry into the diplomatic corps is guaranteed."
"Perhaps," she looked over her shoulder to see Hammond talking to an ashen-faced Jacob, "we could send two other teams?"
"Connor's so funny."
Faith rolled her eyes at Xander's amused expression as Dana informed them of Connor's many qualities. For the twentieth time. "Dana's in love," Xander sang. Dana's face reddened and her mouth opened to shout a denial.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Hello," it was Giles. "Could I come in?"
"Door's open Tweed!" Faith called.
A second later the door swung open and the Council head walked in, a nervous look on his face. "Hello. Xander, Dana, would it be possible for me to have a word with Faith on her own?"
Xander glanced at her. She forced a weak smile and nodded, maybe this was where she got a bawling out for involving everyone in this mess. Xander stood. "Maybe we can find Connor?"
"You think Xander?" Dana's eyes lit up.
"Sure Dana," Xander paused. "But only if you promise not to suck face with him."
"XANDER!"
G chuckled as Xander led the brunette Slayer out of the room and closed the door behind him. "He's very good with her isn't he?" the Englishman commented serious.
"Yeah," she nodded before beginning a stumbling apology. "Look I didn't mean to get Xan and the rest of you-."
"No, no. It's our duty," Giles shook his head. Faith let out a relieved breath. "That's not why I'm here." Her relief turned to rage at the Council head's next words. "I know this situation with your father -."
"Ain't my pop," Faith declared, her eyes hardening. "Don't have, want, or need one."
The Council head sighed. "Faith, don't you think you should at least try-."
"This ain't none of your business!" she snapped, her anger growing.
"Perhaps not, but I care about-."
"You care about me?" Faith laughed bitterly. "My record with father-figures ain't so good. First there were all the men who wanted to call me daddy when they did me," she relished G's involuntary twitch. It must kill him that his precious son ended up with a slut like her. "Then there was this legendary Watcher who broke all the rules to actually give a shit about his Slayer. His Slayer, second-best just got fucking ignored-."
The Englishman's face blanched. "Faith I-."
She overrode the Watcher's protestations. "But at least I got a Watcher of my own, a real prize, Wussley Whyndham-Pryce. I shouldn't speak ill of the dead but why lie, he treated me about as good as you did. Then there was Wilkins," she felt her heart catch like it always did when she thought of the boss. "He treated me good, real good. As long as I did as I was told, killed who he wanted." She tilted her head to one side. "I got Xan, Fang, and Dana. They're my family," she stepped into the Watcher's space, "they're all I need and anyone who hurts them will pay. Now get out."
"I realise I made-."
"Get. Out."
The Council head's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine," he whispered.
Silent tears rolled down Giles' face as he stepped into the corridor and closed the door behind him. The ferocity of Faith's verbal attacks had shaken him, wounds he'd thought healed with time were obviously still raw.
The irony was he really cared about the brave, caring woman she'd become. But thanks to his own mistakes she'd never believe that, never respect and care for him the way he'd grown to admire her.
And that was a gaping wound he thought would never heal.