Guess who's back, back again, n1ghtwing's back, tell your friends…
Okie dokey, it's time for another exciting instalment of 'The Xanman Knows' (you may have guessed this…). It has been suggested that Lindsey is too young to have received the Shadow's ring, I've put Cranston's death a single decade in the past, and Lindsey is, um, mid-twenties? Therefore, assuming that Cranston remained active for as long as possible (as I do) then he could have rescued Lindsey in his early to mid teens.
Sunnydale Cemetery. Well, one of them.
"It's Angelus!" cried the first vamp.
"The traitor!" shouted the second.
"Get him!" roared the third.
As they moved to attack their ensouled enemy, a dark mist appeared and began to enshroud them within it.
"What is this stuff?" shrieked Vamp no. 2.
"Vengeance and Justice from the Shadow." came a voice from behind them, "Vengeance for those you've killed and Justice for the soul whose face you wear." a figure appeared through the haze dressed all in black, both fedora and scarlet scarf in place.
As the three vamps turned to face this new opponent, Angel snuck up behind them and staked two immediately. (Stake in each hand, one per vamp.). The third charged at Xander, who ducked the charge and neatly staked the vamp.
"Why the scarf and hat?" queried the Souled vampire.
"If I give the impression that I really am the Shadow, my increased depredation on the supernatural community won't come to haunt the Scoobs. And my god, I just used 'depredation' in a sentence."
"Yep."
"Quiet you."
"We work well together though." commented Angel wryly
"Yeah. We'll never live it down."
"Unless no-one knows how well we can co-operate when needed?"
"Good idea. No lies, just omission?" Xander suggested.
"Agreed."
"I'm gonna swing through town, check the alleys. Then I'll drop in on Mrs S."
"Xander, it's midnight. They'll never let you in."
"They might not let Xander Harris, but they'll never even notice the Shadow."
"Alright. I'll swing though Restview and Hillingdon. I'll see you around."
"Yeah. Bring twinkies." and with that, the young man was gone.
"Heh. I just might." and the loneliest being in the world continued on his quest for redemption.
Sunnydale General - 2.00am
Two hours, ten stakings, three beheadings and a silver teaspooning later, Xander Harris breezed through the Hospital reception on his way to see Joyce. He kept his 'cloud' up, as there would no doubt be questions for a teenager visiting a middle-aged woman in the middle of the night. As he entered her private room (a combination of good insurance and the only recognition the nurses could give the mother of the girl who'd saved a couple of them.) he noticed the paucity of Nurses on duty.
Hmm, better look into that. Maybe arrange an escort for the night shift…
He stood in the corner of her room. Having read the mind of a passing doctor he gained an understanding of her charts.
Damn, they've tried everything.
"I'm going to kill Rayne. Slowly." He growled to himself, feeling immense anger toward the chaos mage. Behind him, Joyce shifted, slowly rising to consciousness. As he pondered what to do next, he became aware of two beings standing in the doorway.
"Look ducks, there's no 'shadowy shadowy man' here. Just… blimey! The Slayers mum, all helpless like. This could be fun." the blonde vampire smirked unpleasantly. As he moved forward Joyce awoke.
A low chuckle filled the room.
"I don't think so William. She is under my protection, and your kind are my prey."
"Not another one! This is the second copy of that guy in two days!"
"No. The same one. The Shadow Knows, William, knows everything there is to know about you." Xander dropped the 'cloud' "You will pay for those you've murdered William. Leave now and be spared this night, or die."
"Xander? What going on?" quavered Joyce.
"Bloody hell! The whelp is it? You're going to die here boy. Me and my girl aren't exactly here alone."
Following Spike's announcement, four more vampires entered the room, followed by a fifth in a long coat with (perhaps excessively) gelled hair…
"It'll be ok Joyce. They won't hurt you while I breathe." Xander reassured her. "So, DB Junior, prepare to die. Deadboy, same as before."
In an instant a dark shroud had fallen over the room, as the fifth vamp (Angel) staked the two in the rear. Meanwhile Xander leapt at Spike, raising his 'cloud' as he did so. Stopping short, he pulled a double pistol crossbow from under his cloak and spun, pulling both triggers. The remaining two minions who'd made a grab for Joyce dusted, but Xander was clobbered in the back of the head by Spike with a lucky blow. Spike leapt over the prone and invisible demon hunter towards Joyce. Grasping her by her throat, he lifted her from the bed.
"Who's got a scream for Spike then?" he mocked.
"Spikey!" wailed Drusilla, as Xander held a stake to her chest while Angel held her still.
"Drop her Spike, or Dru here is dust."
"Now look mate, don't do nothing hasty here alright. I'll let the bird go if you give your word Dru an me can leave without threat."
"You leave Joyce unharmed and neither myself nor Angel will harm or hunt you for twelve hours. I can't comment on what the others will do when they discover that you were going to hurt Joyce here, so I recommend you leave town."
"Give oath mate, an I'll let her down, gently."
"Oath?" queried Xander.
"Poof, explain it to the lad."
"You invoke a living god, state your promise and if you break your word, the god punishes you. Severely." explained Angel.
"Thanks Overbite. Spike, I accept."
"State your god and oath." insisted the undead blonde
"By Iehova, God above all, I do swear that I will allow these undead beings freedom from my wroth for twelve hours should William the Bloody release Joyce Summers unharmed."
"Good oath." commented Spike.
"Thanks." was the monosyllabic response. "Now let her go."
"Sure thing mate." and Spike dropped Joyce to the bed. "Nothing personal luv." he said to her "Just a bit of conflict between me and yer daughter." Angel released Drusilla and Xander stepped away from her.
"Get out Spike." demanded Angel
"Fine." Spike and Drusilla made for the door.
"Spike." called Xander, and the pair stopped.
"What now droopy?" demanded Spike.
"Nikki Wood had two things you should know about."
"Who? What?"
"The second slayer you killed. She had a friend and a son. The son is untouchable right now, as well as a demon hunter himself, and the friend, well, Erik took things to heart. You may have heard of him."
"Never heard of him mate." Spike said as he turned to the door.
"These days he goes by Blade. And he wants you dead."
There was a slight hitch in Spikes stride at Xander's words , then he and his undead paramour were gone. As one, Xander and Angel rushed to Joyce's bedside.
"Mrs Summers are you alright?" asked Angel.
"Well, it's two in the morning. I'm in hospital because I have no feeling in or control of my legs. The History tutor of my eldest daughter is with me for no apparent reason. The only male friend of said eldest is also here. Oh, and they just fought off six people who wanted to hurt me while displaying what can only be described as supernatural abilities. How the hell do you think I feel!" Joyce said the last sentence in a tone that was just a tad testy.
Xander glanced at Angel "History tutor?"
"It made sense at the time."
As Joyce glared at the two of them, hospital orderlies burst into the room.
"What happened in here?" demanded one of them.
"Mrs Summers was attacked…" Xander began.
The orderlies looked ready to bust heads.
"…by six 'gang members on PCP'. My associate and myself drove them off. All the room requires is some light dusting." from the winces at his emphasis on the word 'dusting', at least some of the orderlies were aware of Sunnydale's night problem. "Now, I'm a friend of the family and am shocked at the poor security in this hospital and intend to remain here until sunrise. Leave."
"But…" one of the orderlies began to protest.
"Leave."
They left. Joyce continued to glare at the two fighters left in the room.
"Explanation. Now." she ordered.
"Oh boy." sighed Xander "Angel, could you wait in the corridor? Make certain we're not disturbed?"
"Sure. Want me to call Buffy?"
"Ye…" Joyce began.
"No." Xander interrupted "If we call her, she'll rush down here and work herself into a state, making her useless for school tomorrow. Snyder's just waiting for an excuse to suspend her. I'll tell her when I see her tomorrow in the Library."
"Ok Xander." and Angel went to wait outside the door, just before he exited, he reached into an inside pocket and tossed something to Xander.
Xander caught the package and grinned Twinkies! then turned to face Joyce and pulled the scarf down from over his mouth.
"Alright Mrs S. what exactly do you want to know?"
"Who were those men? Why are you still dressed up like it's Halloween? What's this 'Spike's' grudge with my daughter? What is going on?"
"Ok then, as it was explained to me. The world is older than we know…" Xander told her everything. What he understood of the supernatural, vampires, demons, witchcraft, spells and Slayers. This led to the explanation of Halloween, and the actions of Ethan Rayne. "…neither Giles nor myself know why there are after-effects for some of us. As far as we know, it's just you, me and Dawn. We have a couple of theories, but no proof."
"And the man outside?" Joyce's voice remained remarkably calm.
"Angel. He's a vampire, but cursed with a soul. As Angelus, he was part of a quartet who earned the title 'The Scourge of Europe'. About 80-90 years ago, he fed off the favourite daughter of a gypsy tribe. In vengeance, the tribe cursed Angelus with a soul, making him feel the guilt for the pain and suffering he had partaken in so joyfully. Recently, he's been working with us to keep Sunnydale safe and the Apocalypse further off."
"This is insane!" exclaimed Joyce.
"And yet, it is the truth. It is, of course, up to you what you believe. However, Buffy is the Slayer. Magic is Real. And we live over the entrance to Hell itself."
"And all that stands between the world and destruction is a group of teenagers, a reformed vampire and an English Librarian?"
"Yep."
"How can I help?"
Xander looked pensive.
"Well, it depends."
"On what? My daughter spends her nights fighting demons, I need to help."
"I understand, but as it is, you can't help the fight directly."
"You mean, because of my legs."
"Yes." Xander said bluntly, "If you'll allow a couple of questions? And a little back-story on who you dressed as?" he asked.
"Of course." responded Joyce.
"Right. First, do you have a sense of having lived two lives? The knowledge that you are Joyce Summers, but another set of memories belonging to a woman named Barbara Gordon?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
"Alright." Xander then covered her eyes. "Could you please describe the room we're in?"
After Joyce described the room near perfectly (She had trouble with the wall behind her.), Xander uncovered her eye's.
"Could you have done that before Halloween?" he asked her intently.
"Well, no." she answered "How can I now…?"
"It's one of Oracle's characteristics. It would appear that the memories are not present, or else entirely repressed, while the skills remain. Hmm."
"What does this mean?" asked Joyce tremulously.
Xander surprised her with a mischievous grin.
"That Buff and Dawnie will never get away with an evasion again?" he quipped, and Joyce gave a short bark of laughter.
"True, and I can honestly say it's because of Dawn!" she giggled, then stopped at Xander's expression.
"You might want to leave it a bit before joking about that with Dawn." he said seriously "She hasn't put it together yet, mostly because she's distracted by the whole 'supernatural is real' thing, but she may blame herself for what's happened to you."
"Why would she…oh. Because she chose my costume. That's ridiculous! She didn't know!" Joyce insisted.
"I agree with you. But if there's one thing the Shadow's memories have shown me, it's that feelings of guilt don't discriminate between what really is your fault and what isn't, you still feel the guilt, which fades only with enough time…" Xander trailed off, looking into the middle-distance, then shook himself and looked back at Joyce. "Regardless, Dawn may well feel guilty, and she'll need your support. You know that at some point Buffy will suggest it in an argument, thoughtlessly, but even so…"
"I see what you mean, but does that mean I'm supposed to sit and home waiting for my daughters to come home?"
"Interesting."
"What?"
You said 'daughters', as if you expect both of them to partake in slaying. I explained why Buffy has to, but Dawn has no innate reason to." Xander mused, secretly hoping for a certain reaction.
"Well, she knows about it, and there's no way that Dawn will let Buffy have a secret life that let's her be a hero. Besides, she's Rob…" Joyce stopped short.
Xander was pleased.
"It would appear that there's more of Oracle left behind than we'd suspected. It offers some intriguing possibilities…" Xander trailed off.
"Such as?" asked Joyce tartly "we're only discussing my future after all!"
"Become our Oracle." Xander suggested "You know the basics of computers from the gallery, Miss Calendar could help expand on that, while Willow can start you on the hacking side of things. If Oracle's skills are accessible, you could become the paramount hacker in the world in no time. Combine that with some satellite communications links to each of us and we're set! Run the Gallery on-line from a central location and employ us Scoobs as part-time labour for packing and unpacking." He was becoming more excited as he spoke "Eventually, you could branch out, aiding other hunter groups or targeting criminals or corruption worldwide!"
"Xander, while good idea's, that sort of thing would take a lot of money." Joyce cautioned, though she seemed intrigued by what he was suggesting.
"Guess who remembers some Swiss account numbers?" Xander grinned at her.
"But what about the original?" Joyce asked, aghast at the thought of stealing from anyone, let alone a crime-fighter like the Shadow.
"Dead. The last memory I have from him is a pistol to the head and the trigger being squeezed…euuch. It's one of those memories I could do without actually."
"Well, I must admit it sounds workable." Joyce admitted.
"Cool. Now I just have to sell it to Buffy and Giles. Willow will be ecstatic. I'll let you do the 'Dawn can help' bit. I value my health."
"Ok then. Now, there was some back-story you wanted to fill me in on?"
Xander shifted uncomfortably.
"It's sorta personal. If you want, I could get Wills to talk to you about it…" he ventured.
"I think I can handle it." Joyce deadpanned, suspecting what might be to come.
"Ok, well, um, you, you, youcanhavemorechildrenifyouwant." Xander rushed out, turning quite red.
Joyce arched an eyebrow "What was that?"
"Uh, if you find someone, you can physically have children. None of the nerves that deal with that stuff were damaged…" He trailed off, then glanced at her "And you're grinning. Which means that you knew what I was going to say and just wanted me embarrassed. How did you know?"
"I've always liked her as a character. Though why she doesn't just get with Nightwing…"
Xander's eyes widened to an astonishing degree. "Mrs S., you're a comics fan!" he spluttered.
From the hall there was the sound of hysterical giggling.
"Vampire hearing" Xander said at Joyce's inquiring look. He looked awestruck "All those times I was waiting for Buffy, we could have been talking about something more interesting than the weather and school!" he exclaimed.
"I'm a mother. We need to know about school."
"Yeah, I suppose…" He grinned "I can't wait. Snyder must have something shady in his past, he has to!" He said with glee in his voice "We can get rid of him!"
"Is he really that bad?" asked Joyce with a wry grin.
"Giles refers to him as 'that troll', and he's British." emphasized Xander "Plus, he has it in for Buffy. He has to go!"
"We'll see."
Lilah Morgan was going over the available files on her newest assignment, Alexander Harris. Nicknamed 'Xander' of all things since an early age, he was the only son of Anthony and Grace Harris. She had only the sketchiest of reports regarding his early years, him only coming to the attention of Wolfram and Hart recently, but it would appear from what she had that the Harris' were an unhappy household. The father a deadbeat drunk, moving from job to job. The mother an alcoholic. And young Mr Harris a low grade student. There were none of the tell-tale signs of physical abuse, that was one of the few things Mayor Wilkins genuinely abhorred, child abuse, and took steps to combat, but there were likely some issues hidden in that boy. All in all, an unremarkable individual, whose few redeeming qualities were minimal when compared with others.
All until he met the current Slayer, Buffy Summers. Overnight he became of interest to Wolfram and Hart, as 'normals' in the battle between 'good' and 'evil' were relatively rare and often potential weak points to the groups which contained them. Bafflingly, he displayed none of the normal weaknesses. No ego to notice, a semi-competent fighter and a genuine drive to exterminate demons rather than the usual 'impress-the-girl' attitude. All in all, useless to the firm. So his file had been shelved, pending his eventual 'burning-out' of the good fight and the possibility of recruiting him for one of their 'white' mercenary teams arose.
Until Halloween.
His possession by the spirit of the Shadow and the indications that he'd retained memories and abilities from that possession was far too tempting, and too dangerous, for the Senior Partners to ignore. With his abilities, he would be a favoured asset among the Firms clients, if only he could be separated from the Slayer and her group. Then, she was certain, she could erode his devotion to 'the-good-fight'. After all, he was a teenage boy, and those are easy to manipulate with her, ah, assets…
The next day - SHS Library
"You did what!" Buffy screamed.
Xander had just explained to the rest of the Scoob's what had occurred the night before. From Spike's attack to his explanation to Joyce regarding the supernatural (But carefully omitting any suggestion that Dawn accompany or aid in Slaying. He wasn't suicidal!). He'd included his suggestion that Joyce become the electronic hub of patrol co-ordination and on-line research. Not surprisingly, Buffy was greatly concerned about her mother knowing about the supernatural.
"What right did you have!" she demanded.
"The right to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." was his glib response, to which Buffy raised a threatening fist. "Calm down Buff! Angel and me had just dusted four vamps right in front of her! Of course she wanted to know what happened. I wasn't going to lie to her. Besides, we would have had to tell her something regardless."
"Why" asked Willow "I mean, why does she need to know, not why we'd have to tell her."
"She has lost the use of her legs, quite possibly forever. She deserved to know the truth about how and why it happened. And purely logically, her potential as an data repository outweighed the possibility she might freak and try to have us all committed to an institution."
"But why do we need a 'central dispatcher and data repository' during patrol anyway?" asked Buffy, quoting the phrase that Xander had used in his initial explanation. "We'll all be in the same place at the same time. We wouldn't need anyone directing us unless…" she trailed off, and her eyes widened as she realized the route Xander's thoughts had taken. "You must be joking!" she exclaimed.
"What?" asked Willow.
"He's thinking of patrolling by himself! Xander, you're a pretty fair fighter, but…"
Xander disappeared from view and dodged to the side to prevent Buffy from knowing his exact location.
"Xander, stop that right now!" insisted Willow, while Giles watched in amusement. Xander had discussed this with him beforehand, and he was intrigued with how Buffy would react.
"Why?" Xander's question came from nowhere, but was without the haunting edge to it that so characterised the Shadow's pronouncements.
"It's freaky!" exclaimed Willow, looking around warily.
"Majorly wigsome." agreed Buffy, only to gasp as Xander appeared behind her with the blunt end of a stake poking her back.
"Gotcha!" exclaimed the teen, only to receive a hard swipe from Willow to the back of his head. "Hey!" he groused.
"See!" Buffy exclaimed "If Willow can tag you then a vampire would kill you!"
"Thanks." grumbled an indignant Willow
"Three points Buff." replied Xander, holding up one hand, and raised a finger. "One, I'd stay 'clouded', not 'de-cloud' after the first enemy is gone. Two…" he raised another "…Willow was expecting my presence, as were you. Yet I got you, the Slayer, with no problems. Complete surprise gives a much greater chance of coming out unimpaired. Third…" he raised the last finger "…it needs to be done. If we split into three groups, each group could take a third of Sunnydale, rather than the quick run through we do currently. While before we had more limited options, with only one of us immediately capable of facing vamps on more than a one-to-a-fledgling basis, there are now at least three people who can. Buffy, myself and, Angel can all each form the core, or entirety, of a patrol group. We could even set up a rotation that has two groups active each night, while the other chills in a central location, giving us both readily available re-enforcements and a break from constant conflict, providing a buffer against burning out."
"You'd accept Angel!" Buffy asked incredulously, pushing the rest to the back of her mind.
"Yes, that's the most bloody vital thing the lad's said." muttered Giles from his vantage point. He thought it an excellent proposal, especially the mental health aspect. Someone who'd 'burnt out' but was forced to remain in combat was a liability, both to themselves and others who relied on them. While it was, hah, 'watched' for in Field Watcher's, especially those who'd trained a Slayer, Slayer's rarely lasted long enough for it to be a problem so the Council did nothing.
"I would, given a few proviso's suggested by my Shadow memories." stated Xander.
"Like what?" asked a belligerent Buffy. "If you think I'm going to let you …"
"Calm down Buffy." admonished Willow "At least hear him out. Then you can go ballistic, if it's warranted."
"Thanks Will." groused the new Shadow "So reassuring… Right, well then. There are questions that need answering regarding a specific aspect of Angel's background."
"Like what?" asked Buffy belligerently.
"His Curse." was the blunt reply, "We know that he has a soul because of the curse, and what he did to merit it in the first place. What we don't know is who placed the curse and what the escape clause is. Is it something within Angel or something someone else does? We need to know."
"What do you mean? 'escape clause'? If you think I'm going to abandon him because of some imagined threat he might be to us if he loses the soul he's had for nearly a hundred years…!" Buffy ranted at the youth.
"Curses are made to be broken Buff. No punishment is intended to last forever and certain curses are, well, messy, when they're ended. This is one of them."
"What do you mean?" this was from Giles, concerned that he'd missed a potential threat to his Slayer.
"Angel freely admits that Angelus is still within him, that he keeps him submerged by force of will. His tendency to use 'I' when describing Angelus' exploits is indicative of this. So, while Angel's period eating rats in the alleyways of LA would be galling to Angelus, there are no targets. But, since coming to Sunnydale, things have changed for him. He is in love with Buffy, who reciprocates his feelings. He's got the trust of Willow and you, Giles. He's slowly beginning to feel more human, and no demon will let that go unpunished. If and when Angelus is freed, we're all at risk, as are our families, friends and acquaintances. We need to make sure that Angelus is never freed." Xander's gaze riveted them all to their place. "Whatever the cost."
"What do you mean?" demanded Buffy. "Why didn't you explain your feelings about Angel!"
"I'm, conflicted. I can understand his guilt, his quest for redemption, better than any of you, for which I pity him and am thankful for you. Yet I can see his potential for evil, the fact that he is a vampire, a creature which by it's very nature murders for food. I just don't know, and until we know about the curse, I can't afford to resolve in his favour, so that one of us could slay the demon hiding behind his face."
"Salient points." Giles cut Buffy off, not wishing to witness a clash betweenthe two (He wasn't sure who'd win, or who to root for...) "But not ones that can be answered here and now. I suggest We reconvene tonight, with Angel and perhaps Ms. Calendar present as well, to consider the problem."
"Agreed."
"Ok."
"Fine."
Whatcha think?
