STORY TITLE: The Circle of Scooby
PART: 08 of ?
AUTHOR: Red Jacobson ( )
DISTRIBUTION: , Archive of Our Own, Twisting the Hellmouth
DISCLAIMER: None of the Characters You Recognize belong to me, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel Characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy (Grrr! Argh!), and the Boondock characters belong to the Estate of Robert A Heinlein and his publishers.
SUMMARY: The activation of the world's slayers has caused massive destruction throughout the multi-verse, and the Circle of Ouroborus is determined to prevent that happening and recruit three natives of the critical timeline to save the multi-verse!
FEEDBACK: Of course! It Makes Me Write Faster
RELATIONSHIPS: Xander/Cordelia/Tara
RATING: PG-13
WORD COUNT: 4,144
SPOILERS: A Crossover with RAH's Lazarus Long Books. I'm afraid that, while I'm going to do my best to explain things, at least a passing familiarity with Time Enough For Love, The Number of the Beast, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, and To Sail Beyond the Sunset would help you understand who these characters are. None, but if you don't know how the Buffy the Vampire Slayer story goes by now, why are you reading this story?
CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE DEPARTMENT: I'm borrowing a bit of Cordy's childhood background from my buddy IronBear's stories, specifically Rio Blanco on the Mouth of Hell, and the Hell-er-nator Stories. If you want some amazing Xander/Cordelia stories, do yourself a favor and check him out!
A QUICK NOTE ON ANONYMOUS REVIEWS: It doesn't do either of us any good if you ask me questions about the story, but don't sign in so I can reply. The guest who left an unsigned review for the first chapter asked some fairly interesting questions about the story that I would have enjoyed discussing with him or her, but as it is, there's no way that can happen. So please, if you have questions or concerns about the direction the story is going, please do us both a favor and sign in so I can respond to you. Thanks!
SPECIAL THANKS TO PAX HUMANA: For Beta and Typo-busting services.
Boondock
Time Corps Headquarters
Medical Wing
Two Minutes after Prior Scene
Jake and Hilda helped Castor and Pollux get Xander into a hoverchair while Tara and Cordelia helped another man and woman out of the hatch of Gay Deceiver when Lazarus, Maureen, Ishtar, and Deety hurried into the room.
Lazarus looked at Cordy and Tara and saw that Cordelia was holding it together slightly better than the other youngster so he walked up to her. "Okay, Cordy, Ishtar and her team will help Xander. Can you tell us what happened?"
By this point, Tara had walked over and put her arms around Cordy who drew strength from her wife's presence. Taking a breath, she nodded and said, "Okay, to start with, our guests are Tony and Jessica Harris, Xander's parents, and they are in this up to their ears. There's a lot to cover, so can we get some seats, Teena?"
"Sure thing, Cordy, and Xander's already starting to come around. It's going to be just fine." Tony and Jessica looked around for the source of the voice and missed the table and seven chairs that appeared in the corner of the room.
Lazarus looked at the two newcomers, obviously out of their depth and showing it, and said, "Mr and Mrs Harris? I'm sorry that you've been dumped into this without warning, and I promise that you will have your questions answered, but it's important that we understand what happened to Xander so we can help him."
They both nodded at him, the man a little shakily, and the woman with more assurance. After they were all sitting down around the table, Lazarus nodded to Cordy to speak, when Xander's mother spoke up, "Actually, I think it might be better for me to give you the background, since Cordelia doesn't know what happened and why it was such a shock to our son. Is that alright?"
Cordy smiled weakly, "That would be great because Tara and I are still having a hard time understanding what made our husband fall apart like that. Oh, and Jessica, Tony? This is Lazarus Long, Maureen Johnson and Deety Carter. We'll do proper introductions when we get done."
Tony just looked blank at the introductions but Jessica stared at them in shock, before blinking and shaking her head, "I'm sorry Cordelia, but could you please repeat that? I could have sworn you just introduced me to three people who I know are fictional characters! What the hell is going on here, and what are you and Xander mixed up in?"
Cordy looked surprised then gave a strained laugh, "I guess Xander had to get his taste in reading from somewhere, didn't he? Yes, Jessica, these three and most of the other people you will meet here, are fictional characters in our universe, just like Xander, Tara and I, and all Sunnydale are fictional in other universes, and wasn't that fun to get my head around. We can go over World as Myth in depth when we get finished, but please, if you can help us help Xander, isn't that more urgent?"
Jessica nodded, "Yes, yes, sorry, but it was just a shock. Anyway, Tony and I got married in September 1979, right after we graduated High School, and had a baby girl in February 1980. We named her Heather, you understand the significance of her name? We loved that little girl to death, just as much as we loved Alexander when he came along in January of the next year."
Lazarus noticed the way the woman was tensing up and leaned forward slightly, he already suspected what he was going to hear and he could tell that Mama Maureen was ready to help the woman when she needed it. He was pleased to see that Tony had reached over and put his arm around her, and took her hand to support her. That was good, there was more to Xander's parents than his memories had suggested.
Jessica continued, "Things were good for a couple of years, I was busy raising the kids and Tony was working his way up the ladder in City Hall when things went bad in mid '83. I was sitting in the backyard in the early evening, the sun was still out, when Alexander came up to me, he was just over two years old, holding up his sippy cup and asking me for a drink." Her voice started quivering, and tears pooled in her eyes, as she whispered, "I got up and went inside to get him some water and when I came back outside, my baby was gone! It was less than a minute, less than a fucking minute and my baby girl was gone! Why? Why did something take her? She was just a baby!"
She was sobbing by this point and Maureen had moved around the table, her arms around Tony and Jessica both as they cried. Lazarus didn't know what to say to help, even after thousands of years, some things there just weren't words for.
He was distracted by a strangled sob from Cordelia and he turned to look at her. The girl was paler than he had ever seen her, and she was saying to herself, "Oh my God! That's why he started talking like that! 'D'ink, mamma? D'ink?'" before she and Tara were both stumbling to their feet and rushing from the room.
A quick glance at Deety, she was already following the women, and Lazarus softly said, "Did Ishtar and the Hamadear get that, Teena?"
She responded in his ear, "They did, and Ish says that she isn't going to let any of them go back until this has been healed and dealt with. They are going to put the family back together and she's put out a call for Tamara to join us, she would be the best to help, with Mama Maureen of course."
He nodded, "Agreed, if getting the family back together will improve the chances of this mission succeeding, I'm all for it."
Lazarus heard Ishtar's voice in his ear, approval in her tone, "You're getting better, Lazarus, not even trying to argue with us. When we get home tonight, the Hamadear and I are going to reward you quite nicely. For now, concentrate on Xander's parents, they deserve some answers."
He chuckled quietly and said, "I'm looking forward to it, you big arsed bitch!"
The connection closed on Ishtar's delighted laughter, and he turned to Tony and Jessica, who were cuddling against Maureen. "Okay, I think you could use a break and we promised you some answers.
To start with, yes, I am that Lazarus Long, born Woodrow Wilson Smith in Kansas City, Missouri in 1912..."
TCOS & TCOS & TCOS
Tara held Cordy as she shook, her head over the toilet. She could understand, she wanted to be sick too when she realized exactly what had happened to Xander and his sister. But she could break down later, her wife was depending on her to hold it together and that was all that mattered right now.
Hearing rushing footsteps, she looked up and saw Deety coming toward them and smiled at her, grateful for the help, especially since Deety was probably her and Cordy's closest friend, both in Boondock or back in Sunnydale. Deety knelt down on the other side and was rubbing Cordy's back and speaking soothingly in her ear.
Eventually, Cordy calmed down and was able to stand. They helped her to the sink and she rinsed her mouth and washed her face before the room provided a makeup table so she could fix her face. Tara couldn't help but share a grin with Deety as they watched. It was just so Cordy. She refused to let anybody see any sign of weakness if she could help it.
When she finished, Cordy stood and turned to Deety, "I think we need to see Xander now. Now that we understand what happened, we can help Ish and Hamadryad."
Deety nodded, "Sure Cordy, he's in the same room as he was when he woke up the first time. Do you want me to go with you?"
"Thanks, Deety, but I think we've got it. I appreciate your help, both of you, but I'm back in the driver's seat now and can handle things."
Deety smiled and gave both of them a kiss before leaving them alone. Tara reached out and took her wife's hand and the two of them headed to Xander's room, only to be interrupted on the way by a voice she hadn't expected to hear yet.
They had just turned a corner when Tara noticed a woman walking toward them, wearing exercise clothing and drinking from a water bottle. Tara couldn't help but notice that the woman looked about the same physical age as her and Cordy, and wondered who she was. That is until the woman lowered the water bottle and gave Tara a good look at her face. The woman was staring at her as well before a smile lit up her face and Tara knew who the woman was.
"Tara?"
"Mama?"
She couldn't help it, she dropped Cordy's hand and rushed forward, pulling her mother into her arms, tears of happiness pouring down her cheeks as she hugged her. Cordy just laughed, hugged both of them and kissed Tara on the cheek, saying "I'll see you later, babe, bring your mom with you, Xander and I will want an introduction, understood?"
Tara managed to nod, still focused on hugging her mother, until the older woman released the hug and looked at her, "It's great to see you, Tara, but I think we need to sit down and have a talk, don't you? Especially about you being married, at your age!"
Tara was ready to start babbling explanations when she saw the grin on her mother's face and realized she was just teasing. It had been so long since Mama had felt well enough to tease that it took Tara by surprise. With a laugh, Tara nodded, "As long as you don't ask for details, Mama. I'm beyond thrilled to see you looking healthy so soon but I'm not going to discuss my sex life with you!"
Sara Maclay just laughed, "I don't need to know the details and I'm not going to share any details with you, sweetheart. I still don't understand how they did it but, from what I've been told, as soon as I was brought here, they moved me to somewhere that time flowed faster than here to cure the cancer and repair the damage. I was surprised as hell to find myself young again but I'm not complaining!"
She shook her head, "They explained how they did it but my head hurts trying to understand and I've just learned to accept all the time woogieing going on. My healers returned me to Boondock about two years ago and it was a mess at first, because I'd met Galahad and Tamara and the other healers I'd spent so much time with but they didn't have any idea who I was. Fortunately, now that we've all gotten caught up, it won't be a problem anymore. But anyway, I was just getting ready to rinse the sweat off and go for a soak. Care to join me?"
There was no way that Tara was going to turn that down and, with the tension and still getting used to wearing clothes, she'd worked up a sweat as well.
Ten minutes later, after stripping down and getting rid of the sweat, they were lowering themselves into the soapy water and had a tray of drinks and snacks sitting between them. Her mother had taken a sip of her drink and said, "So, the girl you were with, is she your wife?"
Tara nodded, "That's Cordy, or Cordelia, and before I get into how we met and got together, I have to ask you how much you know about my life and what I've been doing for the last several years?"
Her mother said, "I know about Sunnydale, and what happened to the three of you, and also about these so-called Powers that Be, and how you were rescued. Lazarus and Sharpie tried to explain about the Time Corps and what their missions are but I still can't get my mind around all the time travel shenanigans, so I just smile and nod. Will that be enough for the basics?"
Tara smiled, not surprised that her mama had problems with the idea. It had taken her a while to understand as well, and she had the experiences in Sunnydale to prepare her for the weirdness. Leaning back in the water, she took a drink and started talking about what had happened to her, and how she and Cordy had gotten together and then helped with the rescue of Xander.
Mama just listened, fascinated by the story, even though she cringed at some of the things that Spike and the other vampires did and winced sympathetically when Tara told her about going through puberty again.
The water was cooling off by the time she finished, and they were climbing out of the tub when Teena's voice got their attention.
"Hey, Tara, Xander is going to be waking up in about ten minutes so you'd better get moving. Have to warn you, though, that Xander's parents are in the room, so you and Sara should probably wear something. They're already having a hard time adapting and we're trying to limit the shocks until they can get acclimated."
Tara was already heading out the door when she heard Teena's last comment and she growled in annoyance, only to hear mama laugh. "I know the feeling! I've gotten so used to being in my skin, I almost hate having to get dressed. But you do want to make a good impression on your in-laws, don't you?"
She bit back her initial response and just started dressing.
TCOS & TCOS & TCOS
Earlier
"Okay, Teena, thank you, that's a big help. Now, we know where to start looking to help him." Ishtar turned back toward her patient who was curled up on the bed, almost in a fetal position and whimpering. Her heart was aching for the pain Xander was in but she pushed it aside, she had to be professional, she could cry in Hamadear's arms after he was healed.
Activating the Lethe field, she gestured to the empathetic healers to get started and backed away. Ishtar knew that she was one of the best when it came to healing physical injuries or illness but, when it came to the heart and spirit, she let the real experts take over. It was watching Hamadryad and her team, or Tamara when she was available, that made her want to take some time after her next rejuvenation to study their art. For now, she just watched and made sure she was ready if they needed her.
The healers worked in silence, with only the occasional soft murmur of one of their voices disturbing the room. Cordelia came in silently and took a seat by the door, not saying anything as she watched. Eventually, Xander relaxed, the strained expression on his face fading away, and the healers stepped back. Hamadryad lightly touched his forehead and nodded, "Okay, we've gotten him through the crisis point so he can deal with the memories but he's going to need a lot more before he can go out in the field again. We can't afford to take the chance that there's something else that could affect him like this. I'm also going to get Cordy and Tara to go through the same thing and examine their earliest memories in case there is something they are repressing."
Cordy said, "I think that's a good idea and I'm sure that Tara will agree. But, how long will it be before he wakes up, because we need to have his parents here. They really need to finish their conversation."
"I've already had Teena tell Mama Maureen, they will be here shortly, and then I'll get Tara and Sara to join us."
TCOS & TCOS & TCOS
1630 Revello Drive
Sunnydale, California
Saturday, November 1st, 1997
2:20 pm
The crying was over, for now, and the last of the Häagen-Dazs was in the freezer after the two of them had gorged themselves on the Chocolate Chocolate Chip and the Cherry Vanilla goodness. Buffy had deliberately turned on the stereo when they arrived and started the disc back in the beginning. She was able to conquer 'A Hard Day's Night', she could figure out what to do about Giles and what Xander and Principal Snyder had dropped on them.
She put her arm around Willow, pulling her close and cuddling with the redhead. "I'm glad you are here, Will, everything else in my life has gone topsy-turvy but, as long as I've got you, I know we'll get through it. I've still got to figure out what to do about Giles, but I want to wait until Xander can be here with us, I'm sure he'll have some ideas to help us."
Willow snorted bitterly, "If he's not too busy screwing Cordelia! I still can't believe he would marry that, that skank! After all those years when he and I and Jesse were the officers of the 'We Hate Cordelia Chase' club. How could he just ignore everything she did to us?"
Buffy was a little surprised, she'd known that things weren't good between Willow and the rich girl, but Cordy had been a lot better since she helped out on the night of the Spring Fling, the night that she... No! Not thinking about that, I don't want to remember that night, the feel of his fangs and the coldness of the water...
She couldn't breathe, why can't she breathe? She turns to Willow, who's looking at her in worry, she tried to open her mouth, to tell Willow she can't breathe, but nothing comes out, she's gasping, she's feeling dizzy but can't stop the world from spinning, and then Willow is there again, holding a paper bag against her face, and she's panting and breathing in, she can breathe again, oh sweet breath! She lowered the bag, and took a deep breath, smiling shakily at Willow. "Thanks, Will, I don't know what came over me, I was just thinking that Cordelia actually had been a bit better since the night of the Spring Fling, and my thoughts started racing and I couldn't breathe." She froze, "Oh shit! I died that night, Willow! I died! I'm only 16 years old, I don't want to die, please, don't let me die..." The tears started running down her cheeks, and all she could do was hold onto Willow as her world collapsed around her.
TCOS & TCOS & TCOS
Giles' Apartment
4616 Greenwood Place
#340
Sunnydale, California
Later that Afternoon
The two of them were stretched out on the couch, the bottle almost empty and a fresh one waiting next to it.
Jenny was leaning against him and, after taking a sip of her drink, said "And that's the whole story as I know it, English. I was sent here to keep watch on Angelus, to make sure he wasn't showing signs of being happy. I wasn't told why, or what would happen, just that I needed to contact my uncle Enyos if anything happened. So what's your story? Are you really going to go through with that thing on her birthday?"
Giles winced, he hoped that the anti-scrying charms he put in place masked this conversation. If Quentin or any of the other traditionalists ever found out... But she had been honest with him, he needed to be equally as honest. "No, no I'm not, I asked Xander as well as our guest to help me save her, and I will, even if it kills me! I hope it doesn't, I have no great desire to die."
Jenny chuckled, her hand resting on his chest, "I don't blame you, most people don't. But, you need to do something about that tattoo, I recognized it when your sleeve pulled up. Xander is right, you don't want that thing waking up, you aren't teenagers anymore, and that thing could do a lot of damage to everything before it kills you."
He signed, "I've regretted the damn thing from the minute it killed Randall back in the '70's. I think we all did, except for Ethan anyway. But I don't know anything about the ritual Xander mentioned. Do you?"
Jenny pursed her lips, thinking, and he was struck by the sudden desire to kiss her but held back. They were both too drunk at the moment, but tomorrow?
She said, "Nothing concrete. I've heard the term a couple of times, though, and I could reach out to some of my contacts, see what they can find. But are you sure that most of the others would want to get rid of the mark? From what I remember, if it's only one person who isn't willing, it can still work, but if it's two people? The ritual won't have enough magical strength to succeed, so you probably should contact the surviving members if you can when we get up in the morning."
He blinked, "In the morning? Why not now? I may be drunk, but I can still make a phone call or two."
Jenny just moved, so she was straddling his lap, and his automatic reaction pressed against her. She smirked at him, "I said 'in the morning' because you are about to be far too busy to worry about calling anybody, English. I was ready to jump you after that thing with the Master but you didn't seem to pay me any attention. Now, I've got you where I want you now and I'm still sober enough to be in my right mind. Now. Are you going to take me into the bedroom or am I going to rip your clothes off right now?"
He knew that there were probably dozens of reasons why this was an incredibly bad idea, that the two of them would regret it in the morning, but right now, he was just drunk enough not to give a damn and pulled her against him, his mouth capturing hers.
'Sod my conscience!' Was the last rational thought to go through his mind for the next several hours.
End Chapter Eight
Okay, a couple of those scenes went places I wasn't expecting, and I promise I won't make you wait quite so long for the next chapter. Happy Reading!