Dear old Dad…

"Ok, what can I expect from them?" Fury sat looking at the two people sitting opposite him in the back of the limo as it made its way through the London traffic.

"It's very complicated." Riley Finn looked as uncomfortable as his wife, "Rupert Giles is technically the head of the Watchers Council, but Buffy's the one calling a lot of the shots. Willow is without a doubt the most powerful member of the Council, but the one you need to keep a look out for is Xander."

"Mr Harris hardly struck me as a danger to anyone but himself…"

"With all due respect, sir, you would be foolish to underestimate him: Alexander Harris has survived almost a decade of near constant combat against vampires and demons, with nothing more than his wit and determination to call on. Unlike the other senior members of the Council, he has no special training or abilities to call on. He is, without a doubt, the bravest and most resourceful man I have ever met."

"Then why did they exile him to Africa?"

"He wasn't exiled: he was sent where he could do the most good."

"And what about you, Mrs Finn?" Fury turned to Sam, "Do you share your husbands views?"

"I hardly know the Council members." Sam shrugged, "Apart from a little help they've given us on difficult missions, we tend to stay out of each others way as much as possible."

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"We all set?" Buffy stood in the meeting room doorway, looking at the assembled members of the Watchers Council.

Giles was sat at one end, an empty seat to his right that was marked with a nametag reading 'Summers'. Lady Falsworth-Crichton and Joey Chapman, both dressed in the self-styled uniforms they had adopted.

Buffy noticed that Joey's nametag said 'Union Jack' rather than his real name, and that he was already wearing his hooded mask. She was slightly uneasy with the vintage Webley pistol that sat in the holster on his belt, and the very-business looking dagger that was, according to what Giles had told her, made of a Silver/Adamantium alloy that made it almost indestructible.

Willow and Kennedy were sitting next the Buffy's seat, followed closely by Xander. Andrew and Thor were sat opposite, the big Norse Thunder God looking as uncomfortable as Xander: he kept looking at the clock above the ornamental fireplace.

Buffy put that down to his history with the people they were waiting for.

"They just turned into the street." One of the Slayers on security reported, "Looks like General Fury, Captain America, Iron Man and Black Widow, along with two others we can't get an I.D. on. Hold one." Something was muttered on the other end, to low for anyone to hear.

"Repeat your last." Buffy held her radio as close to her ear as she could, "Who is it?"

"Oh shit: it's Riley and Sam." Faith reported from her vantage port at the top of the steps leading to the front door, "Look's like they're talking to Fury."

"He probably brought them in to brief him on us." Buffy stood in silent contemplation for a moment, "Ok, we go ahead as planed: Faith, try and act cordial."

"Hey, I'm just happy to see Daddy dearest and Natasha." The other Slayer laughed, "Just make sure Doc Pym keeps out of sight: they'll know he's here, but as long as we don't make a big thing about it, they'll probably let it slide, for now."

"Don't worry: last thing he wants is to be in a room with Captain America." Buffy frowned, "Ok everyone; show time."

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"Ok people: show time." Fury looked round as the limo pulled into the reserved packing space outside the Watchers Council, "No body does anything unless I say so."

"I hope you understand why we can't go in with you." Riley looked apologetic, "We need to keep a good working relationship with them."

"Relax Agent Finn; you're not even a S.H.I.E.L.D. officer." Fury opened the door and stepped out, "I couldn't order you even if I wanted to."

"Hello General." Faith smiled as she walked down the steps, "Welcome to London."

"Miss Lehane." Fury nodded curtly, earning himself an evil glance from Natasha.

"Hello Faith." Stark smiled, "I hear you're investing in land?"

"Hi dad." Faith actually smiled, "We need somewhere a little bigger to work out of these days. The Bunker will allow us to train Slayers in a more controlled environment, without risking them on an active Hellmouth like Cleveland."

"Is that all?" Fury asked.

"For now." Faith started back up the steps, "Come on; Buffy will explain everything."

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Everyone turned to face the double doors as they opened to admit Faith, followed by the representatives from S.H.I.E.L.D.

"General, Captain, Mr Stark, Miss Romanov, welcome." Giles stood, "I'm sure you already know most of the people here after reading our files, but I'd like to introduce Lady Falsworth-Crichton and Mr, well, this is Union Jack. If you don't know who he is, that's you're problem."

"I know of him." Captain America nodded, "Hello Jacqueline; I see the years have been as good to you as they have me."

"Steven." The retired Watcher nodded, "I was a little surprised to hear about your unexpected return from the dead."

"I thought Union Jack was dead." Fury looked a little confused, "Then again, I heard that Lady Falsworth-Crichton was almost 90 years old."

"First off, it is impolite to discus a lady's age." Jacqueline glared at Fury, "Secondly, you may call me either Jacqueline or Spitfire: my full title is too much of a mouthful at times like these. As for my companion: Union Jack is a tradition rather than a person, and he is the third person to assume the role since my father first donned the title in 1914."

"And his real name is?" Fury asked.

"Union Jack, or just Jack if you want to be informal." Joey folded his arms, "I see no reason for you to know my name."

"This is exactly the sort of thing this meeting is to settle." Giles took a deep breath, "There is no reason for any tension between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Watchers Council: we are, after all, both interested in the safety and protection of the human race. The only difference is your agency is set up to deal with more human threats, while we deal almost exclusively in the supernatural."

"And you expert us to just stand aside and let you carry on as before?" Captain America asked, "A little egotistical of you, isn't it?"

"We will not be continuing as before." Buffy looked at the S.H.I.E.L.D. representatives, "This are starting to happen that the human race will not be able to turn a blind eye on; the destruction of Sunnydale and what happened in L.A. are prime examples. We will need an experienced and qualified team that can intervene in situations that prove to complex or dangerous situations. Should these become public, we need a recognised team with the authority to intervene."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. could easily extend its mandate to cover the supernatural." Fury protested, "We have recourses that you lack; if you were to work for us…"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. and S.T.R.I.K.E. are government run agencies, and there are those who would find it difficult or impossible to trust you." Giles explained, "The Watchers Council is completely impartial an apolitical. We have existed, in some form or another, since before recorded history began. We know what we are doing General Fury; all we need is the freedom to act without your intervention."

"I can see your point of view." Fury admitted, "There will have to be certain assurances that you will not act in any way that could be considered against the best interests of the human race. Miss Rosenberg has already been classed as a Person of Mass Destruction, having already almost ended the world twice; once by accident."

"Believe me, I have no plans for ending the world." Willow blushed slightly, "I have already assured Buffy and Giles that I will be scaling back my experimentation."

"That would be expectable but you will remain a listed Person of Mass Destruction." Fury glanced at his team, "There is also the question of Thor…"

"The Son of Odin is under our protection until we can deal with Loki." Giles sat back in his chair, "You will have to trust us when we say that we are, by virtue of our greater understanding and experience in these matter, somewhat immune to Loki's trickery. We will deal with him in an appropriate way."

"Are you saying you can stop a god?" Stark asked.

"Loki wouldn't be the first god I've, dealt with." Giles had a very dangerous look in his eye, "If you have read Buffy's file, then you are aware of the entity known as Glory?"

"We have all read the reports submitted by the Initiative surveillance team." Fury nodded, "I will take your word that you can, deal with any such threat should it arise again."

"Then I believe we have reached an outline agreement." Giles nodded, "We have no interest in stepping on your toes, just so long as your operations do not cross into our area of responsibility."

"And I will likewise keep out of your business, unless it involves something covered by the existing S.H.I.E.L.D. mandate." Fury nodded, "We can work something formal out that will be expectable to my government, but I think we are all on the same page."

"Well then." Giles stood, "Our business here is complete."

TBC…

First off, sorry this chapter's taken so long: I'm trying to finish a work of original fiction I've been working on for over a year. Those who want to have a look can find it at FictionPress(dot)Net under the same penname (shameless plug).

Secondly, yes, Hank Pym is a member of the Ultimate universe's Defenders, but they're a bunch of no-hope want to be amateurs. I think we can all agree that he'd rather work for someone who'd give him an interesting job.

Last but not least: no connection between Buffy and Cyclops. It's been done so many times it's almost a cliché. Hell, I've done it myself at least once, maybe more; I can't remember, and I've written a lot of stuff over the years…