This story doesn't seem to be generating much response, but I still enjoy writing it. I actually thought chapter 10 was pretty solid as it had political intrigue, romance, and violence. For those that are still reading, this chapter is for you!

Chapter 11: I Spy

*****The Next Day*****

Liam went into school in a sour mood. Scott had left with Lydia and Malia on their European trip, so he was the only one left of his pack to keep things together. Of course, Scott considered Derek Hale a member of the pack, but Liam didn't know him. He wasn't about to trust him completely even if he was relieved that Derek was in town. If things got bad, it wasn't up to Liam to handle all the weighty stuff. Derek had been an alpha, and he had gifts no other werewolf had—not even Scott.

Of course, Buffy and her friends were a game changer. The woman was a force of nature blowing through the school, exposing all the dark places but unwilling to tolerate their existence anymore. Liam walked by her office and saw a line of students wanting to talk to her. Willow was sitting outside her office with a clipboard, obviously managing the group.

"Hey, Willow," he said, greeting the witch with a smile.

Willow stood up. "Oh, hi, Liam. How's Mason? Did he come to school today?" she asked.

"No, he's going to take a day to rest and regroup. His dad insisted," Liam replied.

"That's probably for the best," Willow said. "Make sure he comes to see Buffy when he returns. That was pretty traumatic what happened to him."

Liam nodded. "I will," he said.

Willow watched him walk away. She hoped that things settled down at the school. After the first bell rang, Buffy opened her office door and said goodbye to a student. Then she greeted the next one. "Go ahead and go in. I'll be right in," she said to the female student. "So you have three waiting and times schedule after nine for the rest, right?"

Willow nodded. "Yep. All good," she said.

"Oz is going to talk to the football coach today about volunteering to be help him with equipment or parents," Buffy said. "He wanted to do something to help, and we figured having someone unobtrusive like him around would be a good idea."

"Totally," Willow said. "Lacrosse is more popular, but we've not ever had problems with that team. From what Scott says, there's always been one or more wolves on that team. The coach knew and ignored it. The football team is a greater concern."

Buffy nodded. "True," she said. She turned to go back to her student. It was not an easy battle, but they'd keep working on the hearts and minds of the students.

At lunch, Buffy met with Mrs. Martin, Willow, and Oz to discuss what to do next.

"So did you meet the football coach?" Willow asked Oz as they sat around the table in Mrs. Martin's office with their lunch.

"Yea," Oz said. "He seems okay. He said that he hates dealing with the parents and would give me his first born if I became their contact person."

Buffy laughed. "They can't be that bad," she said.

Natalie Martin shook her head. "You'd be surprise. Parents can be the most challenging part of our job, and parents of athletes can be the worst," she shared.

"Do you have to go to all the practices?" Willow asked Oz.

"I don't have to, but I think I should when I can," Oz said. "That way I can start getting to know the guys."

"Good point," Buffy said. "We've got to win their hearts and minds."

"That almost sounds like a Hallmark card," Willow said with a grin.

"Ha, ha," Buffy said, sticking her tongue out at her friend. "The assembly got the kids thinking, but now we've got to make connections."

"I think you're going to need to do a meeting with the staff only, Buffy," Natalie advised. "They need to be able to talk to you about this, so they can reassure the kids."

"That's fine. I'd be glad to," Buffy said. Then she realized something. "I should probably tell you what happened last night when Derek and I were out patrolling."

"Patrolling? What do you mean?" Natalie asked.

"That's what we call going out at night looking for vamps and demons," Buffy explained.

"Vamps? Demons?" Natalie repeated, a note of hysteria in her voice.

"Vampires and demons are common attractions in hellmouths," Willow said.

"It's why we came, Natalie. We know how to keep a lid on it, and we know how to kill the things that go bump in the night," Buffy said.

"Vampires and demons are real? Werewolves are a biological creation. But you're talking about things that can't be explained in science," Natalie said.

"Not quantifiably, no," Willow agreed. "But they do have their own sets of rules and stuff that help you navigate the new reality in Beacon Hills."

"Don't be scared, Natalie. We're going to be here. My slayers are also in town to help the police," Buffy said.

"And Sheriff Stilinski is a far cry from the morons who ran our hometown, so things we'll be loads better," Willow added.

"Anyway, we actually found the recently suspended football players cutting through the graveyard that's near the football field," Buffy shared.

"That's not good," Oz said.

"No, especially since they were corned by some vamps, and I had to slay in front of them," Buffy admitted.

"They saw you kill something?" Natalie asked, alarmed.

"Well, they saw me stab the vamps with a wooden stake, and then the vamps turned to dust," Buffy explained.

"I need a drink," Natalie muttered.

Oz grinned. He really liked Lydia's mom. Even though she wasn't always comfortable, she was willing to do whatever it took to help her students. This wasn't anything he'd ever seen back home in Sunnydale. Of course, her progeny, Lydia was a fella redhead and a genius to boot. Oz was inclined to like her for that reason alone.

"After school—my treat," Buffy said, reaching out and giving her hand a squeeze. Buffy knew from Derek that Lydia's mom was never involved in the supernatural and only recent events had forced her into it.

Natalie was surprised by Buffy's natural affection. She was not nearly so open or expressive, but she was also grateful for the woman's presence in her school. Although Buffy wasn't comfortable and made Natalie nervous, she knew that the school and the students really needed her—the town and Noah needed her. In fact, Noah might stay alive with this woman's presence in town, so she smiled. "There's a nice little place off fifth street called Adrian's. I stop there for wine or dinner—they serve Italian," she said.

"How about you see if the Sheriff can meet us there for dinner, and we can discuss how he can prepare his men for the vampires that are coming to town?" Buffy suggested.

Natalie sighed. "I'd prefer more pleasant dinner conversation," she said.

"Well, we can save it for dessert talk," Buffy added with wink.

"Have you heard from Lydia?" Willow asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, she said they were in London and were going to spend a day touring the city before they met up with your friend Giles," she shared.

"Giles is the best," Willow said. "He was our school librarian—Buffy's Watcher."

"That means he was my mentor and trainer," Buffy explained, seeing the question in her eye.

"I'm glad that Scott decided to go with the girls," Natalie said. "I feel so much better about Lydia going—although I am still disappointed that she didn't start school."

"One semester won't set her back too much," Willow said.

"She's wicked smart, right?" Buffy asked. Natalie nodded. "She can take five or six classes in the spring and then summer school, and she'll be exactly where she needs to be."

"That's true," Natalie said. "She argued that same point, and I know she's right. I just hate to see her get distracted. For so long, she tried to pretend she wasn't the genius we both knew her to be. At college, she won't feel the need to hide her brilliance from anyone—it'll be encouraged."

"She'll get there. Don't worry," Willow said.

"I didn't graduate high school on time or finish college," Oz said. "I do okay."

"You're the free spirit kind of genius," Willow said, giving him a fond look. "Lydia is more like me except she's even more driven and confident."

"The world needs more super cute redheads," Oz said, smiling at her.

Buffy was quick to note that Willow blushed at Oz's light teasing.

Natalie laughed. "That's true," she said.

The bell rang. "Looks like lunch is over," Buffy said, shoving the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth. "I was going to ask you about the lacrosse coach. Should we get him to join us for lunch sometime? Scott told me that he was in the know."

"Bobby is a dedicated coach and passionate about lacrosse and the students," Natalie said. "I will talk to him."

They agreed to meet up later for dinner.

*****London*****

Malia grew tired of Lydia and Scott arguing over what to see next and walked toward the woman who had been following them. "Hey," she said as she stood in front of the woman. The woman was about the same size as Malia with brown hair.

"Hello," the woman said.

"Why are you following us?" Malia asked in that blunt manner of hers.

"I was told to," the woman replied.

Malia frowned, not liking the sound of that. "By who?" she asked.

"By Giles, my watcher," she said.

Malia knew that sounded familiar, so she hesitated. "Do you know Buffy?" she asked, taking a stab.

The woman nodded. "Yes," she said. "I dated her best friend Willow for about a year or so."

Malia relaxed. "So you're a slayer, not a hunter?" she asked.

"No, I'm definitely not a hunter," she replied. "I'm Kennedy."

"Malia," she said. Lydia and Scott made it to her side.

"Is everything okay?" Scott asked.

"It's fine. This is Kennedy," Malia said. "She's a friend of Buffy's, and her watcher sent her to find us."

"Are you a slayer?" Lydia asked.

Kennedy nodded. "Yes," she said. "Are you guys wolves?"

"Scott is," Malia said pointing to Scott. "I'm a werecoyote, and Lydia is a banshee."

"That's really incredible," Kennedy said. "We've never met any shapeshifter except for boring, mindless werewolves."

"My pack isn't mindless," Scott said, not liking the woman.

"Hey, I meant no offense," Kennedy said. "I think your string of werewolves might be different than the ones we're used to dealing with."

"Willow did suggest that," Lydia admitted.

"How's Willow doing?" Kennedy said. The sting of their break-up was still there even though they were an ocean a part.

"Good, I guess. She's got a job at the school my mother is principal of," Lydia said. "She's helping Oz with his baby."

"Little Will is the cutest thing ever!" Malia said, showing uncharacteristic enthusiasm. "He's got red hair, and he loves me!"

Scott gave his girlfriend a loving smile. It was clear that Malia had a maternal side neither of them knew existed. He found it very appealing every time he saw it.

Kennedy grew cold. "Willow is with Oz?" she asked.

"I'm not sure that's the right word," Lydia said. "You heard this his wife was slaughtered by the hunters? His son just lost his mother, so I don't think he's thinking of dating."

Kennedy was relieved. "It's just that Willow and I were together a while, so it's still a bit raw," she admitted.

"Willow is gay?" Malia asked in surprise.

"So she's not even telling people now?" Kennedy asked, annoyed.

"It's not really any of our business. We just met her," Scott reminded her.

"Do you know a good place to eat? I'm hungry," Lydia said.

"Sure. How about a pub? They're loads of fun and give you a real feel for the town," she suggested. "I can take you to our London headquarters when we're done if you want."

"Well, we wanted to see some more sights, but I guess we can go tomorrow," Scott said.

None of them noticed the other person across the street, who was keeping a sharp eye on them.

*****Adrian's*****

Buffy and Derek met up with Noah and Natalie for dinner. Xander and Deputy Jordan Parrish, joined them. Buffy was excited to spend some time with the hellhound and gave him a once over when Xander introduced her.

"Wow, Lydia wasn't kidding. You really are cute!" Buffy said with a grin.

Derek gave her a disgruntled look while Jordan blushed. "Oh, well, thanks," he said.

"Glad you guys could join us," Buffy said.

"Where's Willow?" Xander asked as they sat down at the six-top.

"She and Oz elected to stay in. I'm going to bring them back two pasta dishes," Buffy said.

They exchanged small talk and ordered their food. Xander shared his news. "I've decided to take the part-time position the sheriff has offered me," he said.

"I'm really grateful," Noah said. "I've got at least six full-time positions to fill."

"You know I could probably get two more slayers into town to do part-time on your night shift," Buffy offered.

Noah's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be amazing!" he exclaimed. It really upset him that so many of his guys had sided against. Some of his deputies he had known since they were kids.

"Neveah has finished her associates in criminal justice. She's a Seminole Indian from Oklahoma—very serious about learning and slaying," Buffy offered. "Then I have Grace. She's from New Jersey, and she's a real sweetheart. She's nineteen."

"Well, let me know when they can come to town and interview," Noah said. "Xander's going to start his training next week."

"Awesome," Buffy said, giving her best friend a beaming smile. "Giles will approve."

"So when are we going to meet this Giles you guys are always talking about?" Noah asked.

"Very true," Derek added.

"Probably at Thanksgiving," Buffy said with a shrug. "Dawn will come in with him."

"That's your sister?" Natalie asked.

Buffy nodded. "Yes," she said.

"Did Buffy tell you about the vampires we saw last night?" Derek asked Noah.

Noah looked alarmed. "You found actual vampires?" he asked in a whisper, looking around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. It was a week night, so the place wasn't very busy.

Buffy nodded. "They had cornered those football players that attacked Mason," she shared.

"That's some poetic justice," Xander said with a grin.

"Well, I couldn't let the vamps drain them no matter how horrible the boys may be," Buffy said.

"No, you couldn't," Noah agreed. "I have to protect all the citizens of this county, regardless of who they are. Some make it easier than others."

"I just can't believe that vampires are here," Natalie said.

"There's been a lot of insane things in this town the past few years, so I'm not sure vampires really make that much difference," Noah said with a shrug.

"Vampires are much better than some things as they can't enter your houses without an invitation," Xander shared.

"That's comforting," Natalie said.

Buffy looked at Jordan. "So, Jordan," she said. "Are you actually fireproof?"

He nodded. "Yes," he said.

"That's really cool," she said. "You need to come by Derek's house where the gang is living and meet Willow. I know she has a dozen questions for you. All the Council's records have nothing about hellhounds like you."

They spent another fifteen minutes speaking of various possibilities that could hit the town. Natalie seemed more and more disturbed as the spoke. Finally, she said, "Okay, I can't hear anymore of this! How can I run a school and live in this town, knowing what dangers are out there?"

"You can do it because this is our home," Noah said.

"And because you have all of us to help you protect the kids," Buffy said. "I've got a two more slayers that will be stationed here, and I can get more if things get dicey."

"There's not much, though, that Buffy and Willow can't handle," Xander assured.

Although Natalie was still anxious, she was smiling as they left the restaurant. Buffy was so confident that she wanted to believe everything would be fine.

Across the street, a lone woman was watching the group leave the restaurant with interest, taking particular note of the werewolf.

None of them noticed her interest.

*****Chapter End*****

So many ways I could go with this story that I've struggled deciding. Feel free to share things you'd like to see. I was watching Creed, the Rocky movie with Michael B. Jordan, as I wrote this. The restaurant is modeled after Rocky's restaurant in the movie.

Thanks for reading. Reviews keep me motivated.