None of the vampires displayed any sign of noticing the imposing figure behind them. They had been somewhat surprised when the boy decided to rise to his feet and stand his ground. They began to advance on him, completely oblivious of their impending demise until a sharp, metal sliding along metal, sound was heard.

The vampires glanced at one another, as if trying to determine which of them made that noise. Of the seven vampires there, it was an unlucky one in the middle that was the first to become dust as an extremely sharp object pierced its flesh, biting through his neck, and completely decapitating him.

The actual decapitation had followed a hiss and the sound of wire cutting through the air. The sharp metal, that seemed to be made of the night itself, was at one end of the wire. If one could actually follow the object, they would notice a silver gleaming edge to it giving it the distinguishable shape of a bat.

The remaining vampires halted their movement in horrid amazement. There was brief movement behind them when the chord suddenly changed directions, wrapping itself around the neck of a large vampire standing just to the right of the one who was dusted.

As the chord began to retract to its source, the wire was quick to saw through the unlucky, and now dusted, vampire. With no more obstacles interfering with the chord's return to its device, the sharp metallic object snapped up in the air before making its way back home.

It was difficult to see the sharp object as it moved through the night air. It was only the fast reflexes that vampires have that enabled one vampire to avoid a killing slice as it returned home. The object still bit vampiric flesh, leaving a smoking wound along its face, and a screaming vampire in its wake. As the object finally reached its destination, the remaining five vampires saw who their attacker was.

All became silent. Even the screaming vampire had halted his cries of pain from his, still smoking, wound. There were horrified whispers going between the different vampires.

"Oh my god. It's Batman!"

"What's he doing in Sunnydale?"

"I don't know…why don't you go ask him?"

The vampires looked at each other, besides wetting themselves; they weren't quite sure what to do in this situation. It was the vampire with the gash along his face, the smoke having finally dissipated, was the one to speak.

"He killed Jason and Lenny. I say we return the favor."

None of the vampires made a move towards the still figure of Batman. Another bolt of lightning lit the pitch-black night sky. The shadows that fell across his figure were short, but intense, making him appear to be far more than human, and a true predator. And while most would find themselves fleeing from such a figure, the scarred vampire decided to rush the figure with impotent rage bellowing from his lips.

Batman stood there unmoving as the vampire charged him. When the vampire finally got close enough and leapt at him, a quick flick of his wrist produced some sharp, jagged metallic spikes that had been laying flat against his arm.

Had the vampire been paying attention, he would have noticed the similarity in the metal alloy the spikes were made of to the metal that had been etched into the razor edges of the object that gave him his new scar.

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Xander stood there, watching in awe and amazement, as the scene unfolded in front of him. One of the vampires lunged at Batman, only for Batman to use a thrust of his arm, and imbed a metal spike into the vampires chest. He found himself stuck, watching as the surreal scene of a vampire becoming dust at the feet of one of his very own heroes. Xander only had a moment to come to the realization that it was a metal object that dusted a vampire, and not wood, before the other four vampires decided to avenge their friend.

Xander watched as the battle took place. They were moving in almost a choreographed dance. The speeds they were using were so far above norms. He had always felt in awe as he watched Buffy move at speeds such as this, if not faster. But seeing a hero, such as Batman, do the same was awe inspiring.

Batman may not have been as fast as a vampire, but he was damn fast. Faster than any person (if that was indeed what the Dark Knight was) had any right to be, he made up in his lack of speed with an insurmountable amount of skill.

He was able to counter the clumsy punches and kicks being sent his way. Using their own speed against them as he used their momentum against them. He used the spikes attached to his costume to inflict smoking wounds along the torso of one unlucky vampire. As that vampire reeled back in pain, another tried to attack him from behind.

Whether he was actually able to see the attack coming, or if he just sensed it, Batman was able to get under the attack, the vampires fist sailing just over his head. Batman shifted his position, and lunged upward. The pointed ears in the costume rocketing up and catching the vampire in the chin. As the rest of his body rocketed upward, both of his arms jetted out towards both vampires.

The metal spikes from both arms found their way into the non-beating hearts of the vampires, turning them into dust. The remaining two vampires looked at each other, and at the same moment, realized that there was no way they were getting out of this alive. Even if they ran, Batman would pursue them. At the same moment, they both lunged towards Batman.

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Xander hadn't moved since this had started. Not that he really had a chance to in the past 30 seconds. The entire situation seemed surreal to him. He was watching Batman take on vampires like they were nothing. If the situation hadn't been so dangerous, it would have been watching in pure amusement as the remaining two vampires lunged at his hero. It was almost comical to see that Batman had anticipated their reaction.

Batman had lunged forward as the two vampires lunged towards him. He ducked and rolled below the claws of the two vampires. And, before they could react, with his back being braced by the ground, used his feet to further propel the vampires into a near by tree.

One unlucky vampire, or perhaps he was lucky, was impaled on a branch jutting from the tree and quickly became dust. The other vampire didn't even have the time to compose itself from its daze when there was a hiss of wire coming from behind it.

The wire wrapped itself around the body of the vampire. As it began to retract, a very powerful tug propelled in through the air. The vampire sailed over Batman's head as he was released from the chord. Still air-borne, the vampire went headfirst through a tombstone rendering it unconscious.

Xander looked at the downed vampire, and the ruined grave marker. He quickly glanced at Jesse's undisturbed gravesite, and sent up a silent 'thank you.' With a few quick paces he was beside the vampire. With a quick thrust of his stake, only the destroyed grave marker showed that a battle had taken place. Xander glanced in the direction Batman had been, to find the imposing figure staring right back at him.

Xander could feel Batman's intense stare boring into him. He wasn't quite sure what to say. To say that he was nervous, and confused beyond belief would be quite the understatement. The caped crusader was still there, just staring at him, and Xander wanted to make a good impression. 'Quick, say something intelligent.'

"Uh, hi." 'Oh yea…that's great' He sighed inwardly. 'Leave it to me, well, at least I didn't ask if I could 'have him' instead of help him, like I did with Buffy, that's just too confusing and disturbing to think about. Now, Batgirl maybe…' His musings and self-berating came to a halt as Batman finally spoke.

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Batman looked at his son. A child who would most likely have died had he not been in the middle of doing a recon of this small town. He had just located the seven bodies that showed no body heat and decided to follow them in his Batmobile.

All of them had arrived at the ending scene of a man and a vampire going at it. When the picture of his son was shown in the Batmobile, fighting the vampire, he almost drove it into the graveyard to protect his son, but his son was able to stake the vampire before he had the chance. The fact that the vampire had gotten a shot off at his son, and had connected, angered him to no end. He watched as the gang of vampires slowly approached his son, who was still on his knees in front of a particular grave. With a fierceness he hadn't felt in a while, he got out of the Batmobile, knowing that none of those vampires would be making it out of this with their skin intact.

He had been quick to destroy the vampires that were threatening his son. He nodded to himself as his son staked the last one he had throw through a gravestone. Now, both father and son were staring at each other, though only one knew it. He had no idea what to say to this complete stranger looking at him. He had been so quick to get here and had so many thoughts running through his mind that he had no idea of what to do, or what to say.

"Uh, hi."

Well, that would be one way to start. He almost wanted to chuckle as he saw his son berate himself for such an introduction. But outwardly, he kept his features schooled. He certainly wanted a father/son moment. But now was not the time. Or more precisely, this was not the place. He glanced around the apparently desolate graveyard.

"This place isn't safe."

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'This place isn't safe."

Xander looked up at the voice, to see Batman making his way into the shadows. Just when he thought the imposing figure was going to vanish completely, it stopped and looked back at him.

"Are you coming?"

Xander's eyes went wide as he quickly nodded. Walking with a much quicker pace he caught up with the man. As much as Xander tried to fight it, there was a small smile creeping onto his face.

As they made their way towards the street, Batman held up a small device and depressed a small button. A small red light blinked on the device, and a short distance away, the sound of metal retracting could be heard as headlight came on.

A sleek black, and very distinguishable, car came to a screeching halt right in front of them. The cockpit hood to the Batmobile slid back with a mechanical whoosh. Batman went around the car, and with practiced movement, quickly entered his vehicle.

Batman sat there for a moment, as Xander stood with wide eyes, and his jaw almost on the pavement. It was only pure luck, on Batman's account, that Xander glanced up at the Dark Knight.

If it was at all possible, Xander's eyes became even larger as he realized that Batman was waiting for him to get in. With a shit-eating grin, Xander launched himself over the side of the car, and fell into his seat.

'Holy crap these are some comfortable seats.'

Xander watched as the cockpit hood above slid shut, sealing them off from the outside world. He looked down at the dashboard of the Batmobile, and decided that what was in front of him would probably make NASA jealous.

"Don't touch."

Xander jerked his head up at Batman to find the man smirking back at him. Before he could come up with a retort of some kind, the car jerked forwards, and soon enough they were off at great speeds. The streets and buildings were just a blur as they blasted through the small town.

There had been complete silence in the car for the past few minutes. They were driving who knew how fast, and had gone who knew how far. Both occupants had been casting quick glances at each other, and both knew the other was doing it. Xander had wanted to say something, anything to the man, but really couldn't think of anything to say. He really didn't want to come off sounding like an idiot. The only thing he could think to ask was 'Where are we going?' But by the time he had drawn up the nerve to ask, they had entered a warehouse.

The car came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the warehouse. Besides the Batmobile there was a bank of computers, a Batplane, and a whole host of equipment that Xander had no idea what it was. There were also quite a few pieces of comfortable furniture scattered around the place.

The cockpit to the Batmobile slid open, and Batman quickly exited the vehicle with Xander not too far behind.

"Do you usually go to graveyards after dark alone?"

Xander looked up at Batman. His tone wasn't accusing, or upset. It was more curious than anything else. Xander shook his head,

"No. I usually go with some other people, but they aren't here right now. It's also the summer time, called the 'Summer Lull,' we usually don't get that many, or any vampires, on most nights."

Batman stared at him for a moment, before simply nodding.

"What brings you to Sunnydale?"

Batman looked at him for a moment, not quite sure how to answer, but knew one had to be given, and it had to be given now. So, in a tone that was all business, he gave one.

"Actually, I'm here for you, Alexander."

Xander's eyes became wide and nervous. He took an involuntary step back. Batman only went after criminals. And he had stolen the rocket launcher to help Buffy defeat the Judge. Was that why Batman was here? Was he here to take him into custody? Suddenly, it was getting hard to breathe. There was only one coherent thought that passed through Xander's head.

'Oh Crap!'