Disclaimer: The shows used aren't mine, but Dora and those I've stated before are mine.

Author's Note: I am extremely sorry about the wait everybody, but I'm still trying to spend time with my friends before they leave, as well as do the cleaning my parents demand now that I am home -- which is taking up almost all my waking moments --. At least I don't have to worry about school now. (grimace) But now I need to get a job...and out of my parent's home if I want to remain sane!

Special Dedication: This goes out to Tim Knight. It was he who got me hooked on the Wandererverse. I'll miss his writings! May the Lord and Lady watch over him.

Twilight Unicorn: The Vampiric Unicorn (who is once again wondering if she can go crawl into a hole and never come out)

Part 11

Sunnydale: Magic Box, 5pm, Day 4

"So what's the order of business tonight, Giles?"

The Watcher looked up from the book he was reading to find Xander standing in front of him. He adjusted his glasses, before replying, "The same as yesterday, Xander: we research why demons are coming here in such great numbers while Gunn's group attempts to keep those numbers down."

Xander nodded, then said, "So we're still on downtime?"

"Yes."

"Great!" Xander said sarcastically, then tiredly. "I'll just keep my wife company then, and help her finish plans on our baby's future. You know: keep her distracted from going into contractions too early again."

Giles nodded and said, "Agreed. She mustn't be excited too much considering how close her due date is."

"Yeah," Xander sighed, "only two to three weeks away according to the doctor."

"Believe me, when I say: we've all been countin' tha days," said the flame-haired Slayer Eve as she came up to the two men. "Giles, Quinton is on tha phone. Sayin' 'e needs ta talk ta ya. Somethin' abou' 'it's 'appened again.' 'E wanted me ta tell ya that."

The Watcher's lips thinned for a moment, then he nodded, stood, and went to take the call in the training room.

"Wonder what that's all about?"

"Watcher business, from wha' I can tell," Eve answered Xander, before noticing Willow and Tara enter the shop, followed by Sara and Marie. "'Scuze me, Xander, but I want ta talk to tha girls by meself."

Sunnydale: Magic Box, Training Room

"Quinton, you wish to speak with me?"

"Did Eve give you my message, Rupert?"

"Yes," Giles replied grimly.

"You understand what I meant?"

"Another Slayer has been Called."

"Yes. Her name is Dora."

"What is being done, concerning her?"

"That is what I am calling you about. The Powers have clearly shown they favor your judgment. We would call upon that. Would it be better to send her to you, or to the Warriors in Los Angeles?"

"I would not mind having her here, but I am not the one to make that decision, Quinton. The choice belongs to those who would work with Dora in battle."

"Will you do that, then?"

"Shouldn't you – as Head of the Watcher's Council – do this?"

(pause) "It is a difficult thing to speak with them, Rupert. They tend to hold our past dealings against us."

"I know. If you would only make a true effort in apologizing to them, will they consent to work with you."

"We have made efforts to apologize!"

"They don't consider that an apology, Quinton, but bribery... And I tend to agree with them."

"WHAT!"

"You forget – Head of the Watchers Council – that despite the fact that I work for you, my loyalties are to the ones I work with. You and the others do not have this priority. You're more concerned with yourselves...not the burden and responsibility placed on your charge's shoulders. Until you and the others can understand and show this, you will not be freely welcomed into our circle. This is how those I work with and I feel, Quinton."

"So the terms of our "redemption" have been set. This is no easy thing you ask of us."

"Redemption and forgiveness is never easy. Just look how long it took Angel to reach where he is now."

"The souled vampire? But that is an extreme case, is it not?"

"No, it isn't... Nor is this conversation necessary. You've known this since the demon Messenger Whistler spoke with you four years ago. You are stalling."

(pause) "I know."

"Then do what you need to do! I will at least speak with those here, but you must talk to Buffy and Angel in LA concerning the new Slayer."

"Very well, Rupert."

"I will give you one warning, though: they are having a rough time right now. Tread carefully."

Sunnydale: Magic Box, 7am, Day 5

"Why are we here, Giles? Couldn't it wait until our usual meeting time," asked Willow as she sat at the meeting table at the back of the shop.

"Due to the subject, I'm afraid not," Giles answered while taking his glasses off to clean them. "I believe we may have found a lead for the reason why the demons are coming here."

"And that would be..?" Gunn prodded from where he sat with his group.

"Eve should explain, as it was she who stumbled across the possible solution."

The Slayer nodded, before saying in her Irish lilt, "When I was patrolin' last night, I stopped by Willie's ta see if I could find anythin' out. An 'twas a demon there tha' decided ta talk. Said tha' its kind're bein' drawn to tha 'Ellmouth to wait for somethin'. It wouldn't say more then that."

"Did you find anything else out, Eve," Tara asked from where she rested her head on Willow's shoulder, before suppressing a yawn.

Eve nodded, before replying, "Aye, I did at that. After talkin' ta tha' demon, Willie hinted tha' its linked ta wha' 'appened in LA with tha Slayers there. 'E 'adn't been able ta find more then that."

"Either that," said Xander, "or he wasn't willing to tell you specifically anything else. Especially considering who you are and what his usual clientele are."

"You're probably right, Xander," commented Giles as he put his glasses back on. "Perhaps it would be best then to catch him at a time when those factors don't matter... When he's at home would no doubt be ideal."

"You could do that, but it might be wise to send someone who isn't well known to the area to find out what they can," said Rave from where he leaned against a wall nearby.

"You volunteerin'?" Gunn said.

"Wouldn't have suggested it otherwise, Chief," Rave shot back. "I'll do it after this meeting even. I just need to know where he lives."

"We don't know where," Willow said, "but Tara and I can easily find out."

Sunnydale: Willie's home, 10am, Day 5

Willie awoke with a sudden jolt as he fell out of his bed, the top mattress falling on top of him. Quickly, he scrambled out from underneath the mattress and blankets to find a drawn bow and arrow an inch away from his face. Suddenly sweating, the bartender followed the weapon to its owner, and swallowed.

"Wh-who are y-you?" he stammered out.

Raven Coyote – his face decorated in war-paint to the point of being unrecognizable – answered quietly, "A seeker of knowledge. And your knowledge is what I seek."

"Wha-what d-do y-you w-want t-to kn-know?"

"Why are the demons coming here in such great numbers? Do they possibly think they can overwhelm the guardians of this place...or is it the Hellmouth that they want?"

Slightly shaking his head, Willie answered, "N-neither!"

"Then why are they here? And do not lie. I will know if you do."

"Th-they w-wait f-for th-the n-new Slayer t-to c-come h-here."

"Why?"

"I don't know!"

Willie breathed a sigh of relief as the bow and arrow dropped, but quickly silenced a scream as he found himself pinned to the wall with a knife at his throat.

Gazing into Willie's terrified face, Rave asked in a deceptively calm voice, "What are you hiding? I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice."

His eyes darting around frantically, Willie answered in a rush so fast, Rave could not have possibly interrupted, "It's not really related, but I'm starting to think it is. See, Anyanka's old boss – D'Hoffryn – has been callin' demons here for somethin'. And with the new Slayer and Anyanka having a kid is somehow connected. But I don't know how. If I did, I'd tell you!"

Rave nodded once, then released the bartender as he sheathed his knife and picked up his bow. As he strapped these to his back, he casually said, "You've told me all you can, for that: I let you live." Glancing down at Willie where he lay sprawled on the floor, he continued, "It is best you forget I was ever here, White Man, as well as what we discussed."

With these words, the Indian transformed into a coyote, and leaped out of the window he had used to enter the bartender's home.

Next Part: To LA we go! How will they take the news of a new Slayer, and what's up with Wesley? Will we find out? And no: I'm NOT repeating what Joss did on Angel! Just thinking about that makes me sick. Also, what's been going on with the Order of Taraka and Wolfram & Hart? Yep, we finally get to see the other side of this complex and convoluted puzzle!

To All Those Who Waited So Patiently (as well as) All Those Who've Reviewed: You are saints! I'd reply individually, but I'm trying to get this out in a hurry.

To Any Who Want To Archive My Stories On Their Site: Go right ahead. Just let me know that you've done (or are doing) so and where, please. It's a courtesy thing, and allows me to go where you've put it and see what it looks like. I'll even link you to my website (whenever I get around to updating it!), if you want me to.

To Any Who Want Personal Update Notices: Give me an email at twilightunicorn4 yahoo. com, with the subject heading -- Emailed Updates. I'll gladly add you to my growing list. I might even make a group listing at the rate this is going.