Dear old Dad…

"Well, this is just about the most disturbing thing I've ever read!" Hawkeye looked up from the briefing paper Langley had prepaired, "Was the guy who wrote these reports on drugs or something?"

"I'm afraid that they were very much in their right minds." Fury shook his head, "I knew Maggie Walsh personally: there's no way she would have gotten involved with something like this if there wasn't a very good chance of producing something useful."

"Yes, but it got her killed." The Wasp sat back, "I'm sorry sir, but this is just a lot to take in. it's not everyday that you're told that demons and vampires exist."

"You excepted alien invaders without a blink of your eye, yet you have a problem with this?" Scarlet Witch rolled her eyes, "Welcome to the real world sweetheart."

"It is all true." Captain America nodded, "I faced a vampire during World War 2. He went by the name 'Baron Blood'. Not the most original name, but he was very dangerous."

"So, what's this got to do with Faith?" Quicksilver asked, growing increasingly board.

"It appears that Miss Lehane is a so-called Vampire Slayer, a young woman chosen to fight vampires and demons." Fury explained, "The subject observed by the Initiative was one Elizabeth Ann Summers, Buffy to her friends. Her strength is probably on a par with Captain America, but can be substantially increased under certain conditions."

"That explains Faith's unnatural speed and strength, but not her actions." The Wasp looked up, "Anything more about this 'Watchers Council' she supposable works for?"

"It appears to be some kind of secret society, very, very old. The only way to gain entrance appears to be by being the descendant of a member." Fury looked at the files, "S.T.R.I.K.E. has attempted to turn a member into a double-agent, but they have a fanatical devotion that borders on religious fanaticism. The Watchers Council trains the active Slayer and keeps an eye on any potential Slayer that may be activated at a later date. Please bear in mind that these files are several years old. It is clear that there have been some major changes to the organizations leadership and method of operation. We believe that the school Faith worked at in Cleveland is a training center for both potential Slayers and Watchers."

"They would be expecting an attack on such an obvious target." Captain America shook his head, "We need to find one of them who is isolated."

"And there we've caught a brake." Fury handed out a series of photos, "Alexander Harris, Xander to his friends, known associate of both Faith Lehane and Buffy Summers. Formally worked as a contractor in California, until his entire hometown was swallowed up by a 'sinkhole'. Our intelligence says that he is working as some kind of educational consultant in Africa, but his passport was picked up coming thought customs at JFK two days ago. We believe him to be somewhere in New York."

"He shouldn't be too hard to find." Hawkeye looked at the photo, "Doesn't look to dangerous…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dr Hank Pym, formally a member of the Ultimates, kick closed the door to his apartment and breathed a sign of relief: another mind-numbing day done with. It was no secret that he missed being a member of the Ultimates, but General Fury had made it abundantly clear that there was no way he was ever getting back on the team.

"You know, I'd kind of expected your place to be bigger." A voice called from the living room, "I guess the new job doesn't pay as much as being head of the Super-Solider program did?"

"Who the hell are you?" Pym asked, looking at the young man who was standing in the middle of the room, "How the hell did you get in here?"

"My name is Alexander Harris, but you can call me Xander. As for how I got in here, well, that would be a little hard to explain…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"General, we've got a location on Alexander Harris." One of the numerous tech's reported, "He was picked up by one of our surveillance units 30-seconds ago."

"Excellent work people, truly excellent work!" Fury smiled, "Have the security team hold the perimeter until we get there." He lifted the intercom, "All team members to the launch bay: we have a go!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hi dad." Faith half smiled as Tony Stark opened his apartment door, "Miss me?"

"Faith! What are you doing here? Fury has half of S.H.I.E.L.D. out looking for you! He thinks you're working for some terrorist organisation called the Watchers Council."

"If he thinks the Council are terrorists, he's in for a big shock if he goes after B or Willow." Faith looked at her watch, "Look, I'm afraid I can't stay long. I only popped by to a apologise for messing up your life so much: this wasn't what I intended. I want you and Natasha to know that I'm going to miss you."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know yet, but defiantly somewhere out of the way. I'm sorry; I tried to make things work, but there are something S.H.I.E.L.D. cannot be allowed to get involved with. Trust me: it's for your own protection."

"Will we ever see you again?"

"I hope so Dad, I hope so…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"This is a lot to take in." Pym shook his head, "I'll need time."

"Take as long as you want." Xander dropped a business card onto the coffee table, "The job offer's open indefinitely." He looked at his watch, "My ride should be arriving any time now…"

The first window shattered right on cue as Captain America dropped through he skylight, followed closely by Hawkeye and Quicksilver.

"Alexander Harris, by the authority invested in my by the government of the United States of America, you are under arrest." Captain America stepped forward, "Do not make us force you."

"Nothing would be further from my mind." Xander smiled as he raised his hands, "By all means, take me to your leader…"

TBC