"My God," Buffy breathed in awe. "You said it was big... you told me, but you never said it was huge."
"Well, I don't like to brag," Riley deadpanned but was secretly pleased that something of his had Buffy practically speechless.
"I had no idea," Buffy continued, still in shock. "This is... unreal. I'm not sure if I can handle it all."
She leaned in closer, parting her lips...
"So, you like our little operation?" Dr Walsh asked smugly just as Buffy's lips were an inch away from Riley's. With a small groan she stepped away from Riley and faced the approaching scientist.
They were standing by the railing of a grilled metal platform high above the main area of the Initiative to which a spiralling staircase descended from their level. The underground space really was gigantic – maybe the size of half-a-football field in floor area and approximately 100' in height. Of course, underground the mind tended to exaggerate the dimensions, but that didn't take away from the fact that the cavern really was vast. And it was located directly underneath the UC Sunnydale campus.
"Yeah," Buffy nodded to Dr Walsh. "Yes. It's very, um... clean."
"Here's your visitor's pass," Walsh went straight down to business, totally non-plussed by Buffy's attempt at a compliment. She handed Buffy a clip-on plastic card which the Slayer dutifully fastened to the pocket flap of her maroon leather jacket. "I have also assembled some reading material to bring you up to speed." She handed Buffy an inch thick stack of official-looking papers.
"Oh," Buffy blinked in surprise. "And here I was thinking we were over that whole homework thingy."
"You can't take that home," Walsh shook her head. "That's highly classified material. Very sensitive. When you're through reading those pages, you'll have to eat them."
"She's joking," Riley hastily cut in after seeing the initial look of disbelief on Buffy's face.
"Don't worry. It doesn't happen very often," Walsh smiled thinly. "Shall we?"
"Our science team, headed by Dr Angleman, is in charge of the xenomorphic behaviour modification program," Walsh pointed down at a pit-like lower platform where two obviously sedated demons were being operated on by several persons in blue scrubs.
"Behaviour modification?" Buffy asked, perhaps a bit more sharply than she had intended. Both Riley and Walsh turned to look at her curiously.
"Yes," Walsh nodded with a small frown. "We've made significant advances in reconditioning the sub-terrestrials. Bringing them to a point where they don't pose a threat."
"So I've seen," Buffy muttered, but seeing the looks on Riley and Walsh's face hastened to back-pedal. "On the Discovery Channel?"
"I see," Walsh stated, still sounding suspicious. "Now, if you'll follow me, I'll show you the HST containment area."
"What do you think?" Riley asked excitedly as they were returning from the containment cells back to the main area.
Seeing the long corridor of white cells with their glass doors had come as a shock to Buffy, regardless of what she had heard from Spike. She knew she should be glad that each occupied cell meant there was one less demon roaming the streets and cemeteries of Sunnydale, but – and it was a big "but" – some of the caged demons were mostly harmless and generally did their best to stay out of the way of humans.
"Um, I couldn't help but notice that some of your... captives belong to races that are generally peaceful," she answered as neutrally as she was able.
"There're no such things as peaceful HSTs," Riley reminded her, not really paying attention to Buffy's tone of voice. "At the end of the day, they are a threat to our existence, and that threat must be eliminated one way or another."
"It isn't just black and white like that," Buffy argued back. "Just as there are evil humans, there are harmless – even pacific – demons." As she spoke these words, a vivid image of a smiling brown face with sparkling amber eyes flashed in her mind.
"It's not the same thing at all, Buffy," Riley countered, now frowning a little. "They lack the moral compass to be anything else than a force fully bent on wiping out us and what we stand for. You, as a Slayer, should be the first to understand that it's either us or them."
"So, according to you, they can't have any redeeming qualities?" Buffy asked, a tightness creeping into her voice.
Maggie had been listening to this small argument curiously. To her it further underlined the fact that, despite their common goals, the Slayer and her beliefs were potentially dangerous if allowed to spread to a wider audience.
"So, Buffy," she addressed the Slayer. "What you're suggesting is that if we were to encounter an HST who had what we regard as human qualities – outlook, above-average intelligence, benevolent disposition, and so on – we should turn a blind eye?"
"And what if it was something completely different?" Buffy countered with her arms crossed over her chest. "What if he... it was diametrically opposed to what those you label as HSTs represent?"
"What are you saying, Buffy?" Riley asked in turn, completely baffled by the stance Buffy seemed to be taking.
"Have you ever considered the fact that since there are sub-terrestrials, there might also be... anti-sub-terrestrials? You know, to balance the whole thing off?"
"It doesn't work like that, Buffy," Walsh assured her as a simple fact. "The sub-terrestrials are just all but extinct remains of a more savage era – something that's eventually coming to end, mostly through the work we do here."
"Buffy, listen to Dr Walsh," Riley attempted to smooth things over. "She really knows her stuff. You should pay more attention to what she says; maybe then you'd start seeing things our way."
"Yeah, I guess," Buffy shrugged, not at all convinced. The thought of Rowan on a stretcher with emotionless scientists arguing over his still body with various medical instruments in their hands sent a cold shiver up and down her spine. "I'm sorry," she managed a fake smile. "It's just that... all this has been so overwhelming that my poor brain is close to short-circuiting."
"Perfectly understandable," Walsh nodded. "Before you go, there are a few more things to give you. Follow me."
"What's in there?" Buffy asked curiously and pointed at a heavy-looking security door she had missed before.
They had reached Dr Walsh's desk – which to Buffy looked more like a very well-equipped command post with multiple monitors side-by-side and on-top of each other. The scientist looked up from where she was crouched in front of a locked cabinet under her desk.
"That's our research area," Walsh answered and picked up two items from a drawer. "Very restricted for security reasons." She locked the drawer carefully before standing up again and facing Buffy. "Here's your security card and your pager."
Buffy accepted the items in question with only a small hesitation. Gwen had given her and Faith pagers the year before with clear instructions to keep the devices with them whenever they went slaying. They hadn't lasted for more than a few days.
"We are the only ones with the number," Walsh continued. "And it stays that way. Am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal," Buffy nodded and pocketed the pager.
"Lose either one of them, there'll be hell to pay," Walsh deadpanned. "And down here we mean that literally."
"Right."
"Welcome to the team," Walsh congratulated Buffy and shook her hand.
Later in the evening it was uncommonly quiet at the Neonderthal Club, so Xander had plenty of time to spend with two of his favourite girls. Anya and Willow were sitting on stools at the far end of the bar desk with two bottles of beer in front of them. He had been able to get both girls inside through the staff entrance without Manuel having noticed anything, so now they were enjoying the fruits of their little deception.
Of course, Anya had wanted to proudly march in through the front door waving her new Id at the bouncer until Xander reminded her that according to her Id card, Anya Jenkins was only 20 years old and therefore too young to legally drink. He had no idea where Anya had been able to procure an official Id for herself – a 1,200-year-old ex-demon – but he was smart enough not to inquire too deeply.
Upon Xander's gentle reminder, the ex-demon had nearly blown a gasket there and then. Out of the clear blue, Anya had basically accused him of having a fetish for older women. She had told him in no uncertain terms that she didn't want to feed his fantasies by artificially making herself a hag so that he could satisfy some weird MILF kink.
Willow had nearly collapsed with high-pitched, hysterical laughter earning herself a suspicious look from Xander. Well, she was high and in her state Anya's over-the-top act had been very close to the funniest thing she had seen in ages.
She had met with Tara earlier in the day and been nearly overwhelmed when the other Witch offered her a doll's-eye crystal as a gift. She had declined the sweet gesture upon hearing that the crystal used to belong to Tara's grandmother who, from what Willow had been able to gather, had been a great Witch in her time. She had then suggested they try out some spells with the crystal together sometime, to which Tara had immediately suggested tonight in a hopeful voice.
She had nearly squirmed in discomfort when she explained to Tara that she already had other plans for the evening, for a specific crowd. The other Witch had looked sad at this revelation and awkwardly muttered that she really had to get to class. After that there had only been a quiet exchange of "see you later?" and "ok".
As soon as Tara was out of sight, Willow had rushed outside to find relief for what felt like an oncoming, full-blown anxiety attack.
When she drew in the first lungful of relief, she suddenly realized that ever since starting to have these regular meetings with Tara, she had rarely even thought of her "medication".
"Well, it seems Buffy won't be able to make it to this little pre-party," Xander sighed as he watched the hands of the clock move slowly towards the end of his shift.
"She will come to the Bronze," Willow assured him. "She promised. Her exact words were, 'Bronze. The Gang. Are you kidding? I wouldn't be anywhere else.'"
"Guess she must be with Riley," Xander nodded. "Not that I blame her."
"Oooh, someone seems to be quite taken with Riley," Willow teased him with a wide grin. "Something resonating with Private Harris?"
"Well, I just think that Riley's kinda ok," Xander shrugged. "Maybe their way really is the future. Did I already tell you that in Cleveland...?"
"Yes," both Anya and Willow groaned in synch.
"I don't understand," Willow sighed. "She promised."
"Let's face it," Xander shook his head grimly. "She's already an hour late. Maybe we should just go."
The atmosphere at the Bronze was quite a lot livelier than it had been at the almost dead club earlier, but it wasn't really enough the lift the mood within the trio. Bronze was their place, and it was all but unthinkable to break a promise to meet there.
"Yes, let's," Anya piped in happily. "You haven't been paying any attention to me tonight, Xander. I think a good spank..."
"Anya...!" Xander cut in hurriedly to drown the rest of what his girlfriend had been about to reveal.
"Oh, here they come!" Willow suddenly exclaimed happily at seeing the blonde in question approach them from the direction of the stairs with Riley. Then her shoulder slumped. "... With Riley's soldier friends." And, surely enough, following Buffy and Riley down the stairs were Forrest and Graham, and two other tall guys, all obviously in Buffy's company.
"Hi, all," Buffy greeted them sprightly as the newcomers gathered around their table. "Sorry about the late-itude."
"Late? Really?" Xander deadpanned. "Huh, what do you know. Hadn't noticed."
"Hope you don't mind us tagging along," Riley addressed the group, oblivious to the tension emanating from Buffy's friends.
"No, no, of course not," Willow shook her head but the smile on her face felt horribly forced. "The more, the... more."
"Graham and Forrest you know already," Riley pointed at his closest companions. "That's Kevin and Jay in the back," he introduced their companions.
"Jay, huh?" Xander nodded at the soldier in question. "I met a Jay in Cleveland over the Summer. Nice guy."
"We'll go grab some drinks," Riley told the group. "Want anything?"
"Coke, please," Buffy requested with a smile, looking up at Riley from where she was seated.
"I'm good," Willow quickly refused the offer.
"Sure," Xander nodded. "Whatever you're having."
Anya looked covertly from Willow to Buffy and from Xander to Riley. "We're going away," she announced taking Xander's hand. "To dance. Over there." She started pulling Xander determinately after her in the direction of the dance floor.
"We are?" Xander asked in bafflement as he was towed away.
"Anya seems a bit on edge," Buffy commented after she and Willow were alone at the table.
"Ex-demon, the Initiative?" Willow reminded the Slayer. "It's only natural that she feels a little antsy around a full squad of commando types."
"Oh," Buffy blinked. "You know, I didn't think you'd mind," she started, pointing in the direction of the five soldiers currently standing by the bar. "The guys decided to throw an impromptu celebration in my honour which made it, like, impossible not to invite them."
"Oh, that's neat." Willow's response was totally flat and unenthusiastic. "I-I just thought this was supposed to be, you know, us. Just the Scooby Gang – those of us currently present in Sunnydale at least – minus Giles who usually doesn't attend happenings like this anyway and... and... maybe just mutually accepted boy/girlfriends. I mean... I could have invited somebody else too had I known it was an open free-for-all."
"I'm sorry," Buffy apologised, with a slightly stricken look at seeing the disappointment on her best friend's face. "I really had no idea. My total bad. So, who did you wanna invite?"
"What?" Willow blinked, totally unprepared for the question.
"You said you wanted to invite someone," Buffy repeated.
"No, no one," Willow shook her head vigorously and started babbling again. "I mean... I meant a-a hypothetical someone, which is to say no one. So, what's the occasion? What are we... you celebrating?"
"I'm in," Buffy explained enthusiastically, leaning in closer. "The Initiative. Dr Walsh gave me the grand tour, and I mean grand... as in Canyon. You'd never believe the sheer size of it."
"Wow, that's really... again, I say 'neat'," Willow attempted to match Buffy's enthusiasm but felt it sounded horribly fake – like it was. "So, does that mean you've officially joined them?" She really didn't want to know the answer to that question, but she couldn't help herself.
"No, not exactly," Buffy shook her head. "It's... complicated and there's some stuff that I don't really... But it basically means that when I patrol, I'll have a heavily armed team backing me up."
"But what about...," Willow started but then fell silent. 'What about us? What about the Scooby Gang? We are the ones supposed to be backing you up. What about your Watcher?'
"What about what?" Buffy prompted.
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Willow asked instead of the questions she wasn't sure she really wanted answers to. "I mean, don't you think you're rushing things a little?" she probed carefully.
"But I thought you liked Riley," Buffy frowned.
"No, not with Riley. With the Initiative. There's a bunch of stuff about them we still don't know."
"I know that," Buffy nodded in agreement. The she frowned again. "Like what?"
"Well, for example, what's their ultimate agenda?" Willow asked throwing her arms wide and almost knocking her soda off the table. "Ok, yeah, they neuter vampires and demons. But then what? There's also the '314' we know nothing about."
Buffy was just about to answer and bring up the discussion with Riley and Dr Walsh regarding the Initiative's view on demons in general, but just then her handbag started beeping insistently. As she began rummaging through the contents, more beeping could be heard from the direction of the bar.
Willow gasped aloud when Buffy withdrew a pager from her bag. "A pager? I thought you hated those things."
Before Buffy could answer, Riley stepped over to their table. "That's our cue," she told Buffy who simply nodded and stood up.
"Will...?" she started, sounding apologetic.
"I know," Willow sighed. "Talk later."
Riley and his team where already halfway up the stairs when Buffy gave her friend a final wave and hurried after the commandos.
"Willow!" Tara breathed when she opened the door and saw the redhead standing in the hallway.
"A funny thing happened with my previous engagement," Willow explained, fidgeting a little. "Pretty much ended when... someone went off to do something with another crowd she hangs out with."
'Buffy,' Tara realized immediately.
"Irony is kind of ironic that way," Willow muttered quietly, looking down at her shoes. "Anyway, I know it's late, but I thought maybe... I mean if you still wanted to... do something?"
Fully prepared for a flat-out rejection, Willow was totally shell-shocked when Tara stepped aside with a nod and a genuinely happy look on her face.