Chapter 15
After everyone had eaten enough pizza to kill a goat they gathered around the living room to work out what to do next.
"So let's recap the situation. We've got a four square of shared power, and bonding between the individual pairs, with everyone bringing something different to the party. Did I miss anything?" Xander as usual was the first to speak.
"Well now that the bonding is complete we need to re-test Buffy and Dean to see what are their new power levels." John stated thoughtfully.
"I also want to work with Dawn some more, and Sam while we were making progress I want to continue to push your level of control." Giles added. "Willow I will need your assistance with testing Dawn."
"Buffy I think you'll find our work is going to go much smoother now." Tara mentioned with a smile.
"I hope so, cause that was just frustrating."
"Agreed." Dean voiced.
"Alright say 2 hours to work on individual powers, then a break and then we focus on group exercises. How does that sound?" John stood clapping his hands. At everyone's nod he added, "Let's get to work.
Rising from their spots everyone broke off into smaller groups. Willow went with Dawn and Anya, Giles with Sam, John with Dean and Xander tagging along, and Tara with Buffy.
The next two hours were filled with utter chaos. Shouts of encouragement rang out through the room as well as more then a few frustrated cuss words and even the occasional airborne missile. (This mainly came when Buffy got too frustrated and ended up throwing something at whoever was closest.)
By the time John called for a break significant progress had been made. Buffy was able to call up her own mental link with Sam, Dawn, and Dean. She was also able to move small objects with telepathy. Right now it was only small objects like daggers, or throwing stars, but her aim was good.
Dean's abilities were also online so to speak. He was about twice as fast as he once was, and the force behind his blows had improved as well. As far as his mental abilities John decided to wait until the next day before working on those.
Dawn was advancing so fast that at the end of the two hours she could shoot 5 energy balls every 10 seconds that were deadly in their destructiveness.
Sam who was already on his way to mastering his abilities once again was forced to perfume activities with pinpoint precision. Having traded in the apple for fixing Willow's laptop that had him scared to death of failure since he was sure Willow could and would turn him into a toad if he damaged it beyond repair.
Gathering once more in the living room Buffy, Dean, Sam and Dawn collapsed with exhaustion. The so-called teachers however were full of energy comparing notes on progress and planning out the next round of tests that would be needed.
Groaning at the look of nerd glee on Willows face Dawn said "Oh save me from scientific curiosity please. I'm pretty sure the only thing keeping Willow from dissecting me is the fact that she knows I can take her."
"I'm sorry Dawn but nothing compares to Giles. I swear that guy's brain never shuts down does it? I mean I thought I had a desire to learn, that guy puts Einstein to shame." Sam said as he rubbed his head sure it was smoking from the level of concentration he had been forced to maintain.
"All I'm saying is that Tara, not so sweet. I think she's been hanging out with John, because she's turned into a drill sergeant. " Buffy said petulantly.
"Kiss my ass all of you. I had John Winchester. Nobody knows my pain." Dean said from his position on the couch having lain down and put his head in Buffy's lap with his legs hanging over the other end.
Running her fingers through his hair Buffy teased, "Oh you poor baby, tell Buffy what she can do to take away your pain." Buffy couldn't believe how comfortable she now felt around Dean. The teasing was one thing, Buffy had always been a bit of a flirt, (all right a big flirt.) but she very rarely relaxed her guard physically. Yet she felt no desire to dump Dean off the couch and out of her lap. "Well I maybe I feel some desire." She thought to herself looking down at Dean's face. "It's just not the desire to get away." She thought as she continued to run her hands through Dean's hair.
Dean was having similar thoughts as he tried to maintain control of his body. "Don't go blowing this now by having the self-control of a teenager." He mentally scolded himself as his body began to respond to Buffy's touch. "This might not have been a good idea." He thought considering that he probably should have just lain on the floor and resisted temptation. "I mean it wasn't three hours ago that she told you she wanted to take the physical aspect slow moron. Laying down with your head in her lap is not taking it slow." He thought. Buffy hadn't ripped his head off, and the vibes he was getting from her were relaxed so he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and just tried to recoup before the next round of torture began.
"Well," Giles began as the sadists took seats around the exhausted four. "You all have shown great progress in the last two hours, everyone is very pleased." He finished smiling excitedly down at the bonded.
The glares he received back were beyond hostile.
"Need break." Buffy grunted not even willing to form to many words.
"Ditto." Came from Dean.
Dawn didn't even bother answering just raised her hand and then let it fall back down.
"We've discussed that and you all have worked so hard, and Rupert and I would like to analyze your strengths and weaknesses some more, you can have the rest of the afternoon to relax, but then everyone patrols tonight." John told the group is voice laced with amusement at the exhausted state of the four.
Dawn raised her head and cocked an eyebrow at John and asked "Everyone? Including me?"
"Yes Dawn including you." Giles answered then held up his hands to forestall his irate slayer who was about to upend Dean in her haste to rise from the couch and kill John and Giles. "Now Buffy you need to start working together as a group, and what better way to practice then by patrolling. Dawn will be with you, Dean and Sam, not to mention she has formidable powers of her own. If you calm down and look at the situation rationally I think you'll agree."
"Whatever." Buffy muttered knowing they were right, but not happy about it.
"Bully for me I get to patrol, can I go to sleep until it's time?" Dawn asked to exhausted to get excited about her first patrol.
"Works for me." Sam said as he stretched his lanky frame out on one end of the couch, and closed his eyes.
Dawn at the other end of the couch did the same.
The rest of the gang quickly exited the room to let the tired warriors get some much-needed rest. John motioning to Giles indicated that they should get a drink in the kitchen and continue they're previous discussion on training tactics. Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara left arguing over what to do with the rest of the afternoon. Xander's suggestion of miniature golf falling on deaf ears.
Looking down at Dean whose eyes were closed Buffy said "Hey sleepyhead how about you lift you head and let me lie down as well."
Not speaking Dean just lifted his head enough for Buffy to slip out from underneath, then wrapping an arm around her waist Dean pulled her down to the couch in front of him and snuggled his head into her neck. Finally deciding to speak as he felt Buffy's indecision Dean said "Nothing funny, you just feel real good right here, and I want you to stay. Besides if I was going to make a move it wouldn't be with my little brother 3 feet way with your little sister, and all our friends in the other room."
Letting out an unladylike snort Buffy finally relaxed and said "Good to know."
Smiling into the back of her neck Dean couldn't remember a time he'd felt this tired, and yet this relaxed in his entire life.
With that thought Dean slipped into sleep with Buffy following soon after.
BTVSSNBTVSSBTVSSBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVS
Later on that night after everyone had gotten some much needed rest. The foursome had gathered at Buffy and Dawns for dinner with Joyce, and then headed out to patrol. Giles who was in his usual position as watcher had recruited John to observe the four to better analyze where they needed work.
They made quiet a site working their way through one of the many graveyards of Sunnydale. Buffy and Sam took point with Dean and Dawn taking the rear with Giles and John in the middle.
Opening up the mental link between them so they wouldn't need to break the silence of the graveyard Sam thought to Buffy "Buffy I want to try something, can you focus your slayer senses to look for evil?"
Stopping Buffy closed her eyes and concentrated on determining if evil was near. "I'll try." She sent back to Sam.
While she was focusing Sam opened his link with Dawn and then connected Dean to the four of them, but instead of just opening up a communication link he opened up Buffy's mind to them all, so that they could all sense what she was sensing. Making four slayers for the price of one.
"Cool." Dean thought amazed at what Buffy could pick up on. Knowing that there was a vampire 30 feet ahead, and some kind of demon 45 feet to the south.
"Ditto, Buffy is this what it's always like? How do you not go crazy?" Dawn asked with awe in her voice.
"How did you even think to try this?" a shocked Buffy projected to Sam.
"I just wanted to see if it would work." Sam answered. "It's not causing you pain is it?"
"No I feel fine, my head feels kind of full, but fine otherwise." Buffy answered as they began moving towards their prey, the vampire in front of them.
"Just let me know if it starts to be a strain and I'll pull everyone out, your senses are an incredible asset, and I just wanted to see if we could all access them." Sam explained.
"It was a brilliant idea genius." Dean answered focusing on the area Southwest of where they were.
"I love having a brilliant soul mate it's so handy." Dawn added focusing on the Southeast portion of the graveyard.
"Truly brilliant." Buffy added. "Not to mention it's expanded my circumference, and takes some of the pressure off me trying to pay attention to everything." Buffy finished as she focused on the Northwest.
"Good, head's up people the vamp is ten feet away." Sam answered focusing on the upcoming threat and his portion of the Northeast.
"Sam you want to take this one?" Buffy queried.
"Got it covered Buff." Sam answered back pulling out his gun loaded with UV ammo and a silencer.
"Go for it dude. I've got a demon heading in fast and furious, Buffy I can probably use your expertise in about 5 minutes." Dean answered following the demon with Buffy's senses.
A second later the vampire came into the clearing and was faced with six armed warriors. Taking in the situation in a glance the former biker started to turn to run away, but Sam was waiting for him and fired off a round before the vamp could barely move.
"Nice work Sam." John spoke up. "Your senses must have improved greatly for you to pick him up so easily."
"He shouldn't be able to though," Giles said thoughtfully. "When Buffy was telepathic for a while she couldn't read Angel's thoughts, so how was Sam able to?"
"Don't have a fit Giles, I wasn't using my senses, we're currently sharing Buffy's so we can all use her slayer senses to keep track of what's nearby." Sam answered already scanning his quadrant looking for new danger.
"Fascinating." Giles began only to be interrupted by Dean.
"Yo, study later, demon coming in, in 1 minute, so let's get ready people." Dean said pulling out the shotgun.
"Buffy you and Dean handle the demon and Sam and I will make sure nothing tries to sneak up on us." Dawn spoke up moving over to scan not only her portion but Buffy's as well.
"Good idea Dawnie, Giles we'll need a how to kill quickly, so speak up as soon as you recognize what type of demon it is." Buffy added moving over to Dean's side pulling out a short sword and getting in position.
"All my knowledge is at your disposable." Giles said wryly preparing himself for coming up with an answer quickly.
Sam and Dawn were picking up the slack and scanning the surrounding areas looking for any vamps anxious to catch prey off guard when the demon finally broke through the wood line.
"Damn." John said softly. "That sucker's big."
The rest of the group nodded in agreement. The demon was huge, standing over 8 feet tall it had horns sticking out of it's head, and 3 arms sticking out of each side of it's body. Covered in scales that reminded John of a dragon he'd read about as a child in "The Hobbit" he couldn't help but think it was going to take some serious weaponry to get through them.
Giles meanwhile was trying to determine from what species this demon came. It looked familiar, but since so many demons' shared similar characteristics it was difficult to make a positive identification. As Buffy and Dean moved to attack Giles was frantic trying to recognize any specifics about this demon that would give him a starting point. The problem was as the fighting began the demon was moving to fast for Gile's eyesight to pick up any specifics. He was granted a small reprieve as John began to fire shotgun shells at the demons head. They didn't appear to be causing that much damage, but it did force the thing to diversify its focus, which kept Buffy and Dean from getting beaten badly.
Running out of time Giles began to believe he would finally fail his slayer when he all of a sudden heard a voice in his head. "Giles it's Sam, you seem to be having some trouble, mind if I help?" Sam's voice asked.
"By all means, I can't seem to determine the exact species, and we're running out of time, what do you need me to do?" Giles asked grateful for help.
"Just relax, and keep looking at the demon, and taking in its characterizations." Sam's voice whispered.
As Giles relaxed and focused on the demon Sam began taking those markers and running through Giles's extensive memory. It was like all the knowledge in his brain was being downloaded into a computer at 1000 gygs a second. The download was able to process the information much faster then Giles. After about 30 seconds it stopped and Giles heard Sam shout to Buffy, Dean and even add John in mentally.
"Got it here goes," and then downloaded the information on the demon directly from Giles to their brains.
As Buffy processed the new Intel she began to move from attacking the demons feet to attacking the ankles as with Achilles there was a soft spot there that would literally bring the thing to it's knees.
Dean and John following suit began to fire at the things feet. After 3 minutes of dodging and trying to get just the right shot in Buffy was able to nick the ankle, and Dean followed through with a shot gun blast that had the demon falling like a large oak.
Shouting "Timber." As it went down Buffy was ready for it and with a swing of her sword cut off its head once it reached the ground.
Breathing heavy Dean and making eye contact with Buffy to guarantee the demon was actually dead. Dean then turned to Sam and said, "What the hell was that? Not that it wasn't dead ass useful, but warn a guy will you? I damn near had a heart attack."
"It was a little discerning." Buffy said as she cut both of the demons feet off for good measure.
"Sorry, I didn't even think about how it would seem I just knew you needed the information quickly." Sam answered sheepishly.
Giggling at Sam's embarrassment Dawn piped up. "I hardly think they can be to mad Sam-sam, you did save their collective butts.'
"Agreed." Giles added his two cents. "I was worried I wouldn't be able to determine the demon's weaknesses in time to prevent anyone from getting seriously hurt. I am curious as to how you did what you did though. We will need to test this tomorrow. I want to see how much information you are able to take, and how much you are able to share."
"Wait you mean he could like potentially share all that you know with us." Buffy asked. "I don't know if I want to know everything you know Giles. No offense, but talk about an overcrowding of info."
"See that's my point. We will need to do more tests to determine what is to much, and if it will unduly strain the person receiving the information." Giles expounded.
"Better not tell Willow." Dean joked. "She'll be the first in line to get a download from all of us, and that girl is scary when she gets on an information bender."
"Talk more later guys, two vamps to the west about 50 feet, and three humans are heading in their direction." Dawn spoke up suddenly.
"Time to go save lives." Buffy said as she took off running in the direction of the vamps. With everyone following close behind.
BTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSNBTBTVSSNBTVSSNBTVSSN
Later on that night Buffy, Dean, Sam and Dawn gathered at the Summer's house for some post patrol snacking and commentary. Giles and John had begged off saying they weren't as young as they used to be and needed some much-needed rest since they hadn't napped that afternoon.
After sending Joyce off to bed once she was reassured that everyone came through the patrol unscathed. The foursome gathered up a pile of junk food and headed for the living room.
"Hey Sam-sam," Dawn asked around a mouth of popcorn. "Do you think you could download some algebra to me, cause I've got this test on Friday?"
Throwing a handful of popcorn at her head Sam answered. "Nope you're just going to have to study kiddo, and what's with the Sam-sam, like I need another nickname." Sam groused.
"It's my special nickname all for you." Dawn answered. "Please just a little, I can't get graphs. Please please I'll be your best-friend." Dawn begged.
"You already are my best friend dork." Sam joked.
"So what are best friends for?" Dawn answered back clasping her hands and smiling brightly.
"Nice try, but no." Sam laughed.
"Damn." Dawn pouted.
"Hey watch your language." Buffy spoke up having been highly entertained by the banter.
"So what are we watching tonight?" Dean asked from the couch ready to relax and enjoy some downtime.
"Ohh, I vote for "Pretty in Pink"." Buffy voted.
Looking at his brother incredulously Dean answered with a firm. "No way, am I sitting through that chick flick."
Dawn couldn't help but giggle at the look of outrage on Buffy's face. "Pretty in Pink is a classic. It defines a generation." Buffy defended.
"Yeah a generation of pus… I mean pansy's." Dean retorted quickly correcting himself before he said something Dawn didn't need to hear.
Buffy's squeak of anger was high enough to alert dogs, and as she geared up for rebuttal Sam jumped in. "How about a compromised guys, Dean you don't mind "The Breakfast Club.""
"Judd Nelson is a bad ass." Dean acquiesced.
"Oh please you're so predictable, but I know you Dean Winchester, and whether you like it or not you're actually a nice guy." Buffy taunted knowing it would drive Dean crazy.
"Nice guy, hey princess I'm nobody's nice guy." Dean shot back in his best Judd Nelson impression.
"Please, you totally help little old ladies across the street. Remember Texas, 3 years ago. She had groceries." Buffy joked falling on her side with laughter.
"One time, and how dare you bring that up." Dean ranted. "I guess that means I'll just have to tell Dawn and Sam about the time at the pool in the 6th grade..." Dean trailed off smirking at look of shear horror on Buffy's face.
"Dean Winchester don't you dare." Buffy threatened only to be interrupted by Dawn squealing.
"Oh tell me, tell me please. What happened? You can't leave us hanging like that." Dawn begged Dean as she bounced up and down on the couch in anticipation.
Dean started to tell, but stopped abruptly as Buffy said one word. "Conetoe."
Shooting a look at Buffy Dean quickly said "So The Breakfast Club it is, where's the tape."
"Oh come on." Dawn and Sam said in unison. "What's up with Conetoe?" Came from Sam and was overlapped with Dawn begging, "What happened in the 6th grade."
Both pleas were ignored however as Buffy and Dean found the movie and started it quickly.
Buffy adding a "Shh you can't talk during the movie." To Dawn who looked ready to continue begging for answers.
Letting out an unladylike "Humph." Dawn dropped the subject and curled up next to Sam to watch the movie.
It was barely a half and hour into the movie when Dawn began yawning. Sam quickly pulled her to her feet, and allowing her to climb on his back he said "Bedtime for bongo's, you've got school tomorrow anyway." As he carried her upstairs.
Coming back down in 5 minutes Sam motioned to Dean and said, "Man are you okay to get back on your own. I'm going to go ahead and head back if that's alright?"
"Dude, I'm not 5. Call me when you get there, and I'll see you in the morning." Dean replied.
"Now whose assuming someone's 5." Sam retorted as he walked out the door with a wave.
Buffy turned to Dean once Sam left and queried. "Did that seem a little forced to you?"
"Oh yeah we were totally set up by the youngsters." Dean replied as he rolled his eyes. Throwing an arm around Buffy's shoulder and pulling her close he added. "I can't say I'm minding to much though."
Relaxing in his embrace Buffy softly whispered, "No, I'm not minding at all. This afternoon was the best sleep I've had in years, and it was because I felt so comfortable in your arms."
"I know nightmares are a hazard of our profession, and they do interrupt a sleep cycle." Dean whispered back as he ran his hands through Buffy's hair.
"That they do." Buffy said leaning even closer to Dean her head fitting perfectly into his neck. She inhaled deeply and sighed at how good he smelled.
"Buffy?" Dean whispered after a moment.
"Yeah."
"I know you want to take things slow, but I really want to kiss you right now." Dean's voice was laced with desire, and a slight strain as he tried to control himself.
Tilting her head up Buffy replied. "Slow is one thing, but if you don't kiss me I might have to kick your ass Dean Winchester."
"Oh thank god." Dean groaned out as he lowered his lips to Buffy.
Just as his lips were lightly touching Buffy's an insistent knocking sounded from the front door, and Dean's cell phone rang.
Pulling away with a groan Dean moved to answer the phone, knowing it was the call he coerced from Sam and answered with a "Great your there I'll see you in the morning." And quickly hung up the phone. Buffy had risen quickly not wanting whomever was at the door to wake up her mom or Dawn as Dean finished his call with Sam.
Smirking over her shoulder at his terseness with his brother Buffy called. "Don't worry I'll be right back."
Crossing into the hallway Buffy started to get irritated at whomever was at her door, because they wouldn't stop knocking. "I'm coming." She said and quickly yanked the door open.
"This better be important…" Buffy started then stopped in shock at the unexpected visitor.
"Hey Buffy can we talk?" Came from the doorway.
"What are you doing here Riley?" Buffy asked in surprise.
To be continued.
Yes, I do suck, but don't worry more is coming soon. Thanks to everyone whose reviewed. It really does help me write when I know people are interested in the story. I haven't received a review in 3 chapter's over at and it's depressing. However you guys here at and Supernatural.tv have saved me, from wallowing. I'm starting the next chapter right now, so expect it either late tomorrow or mid-day Tuesday. Thanks again for all the support. Ya'll are truly wonderful.
B
