Disclaimer. As per Chapter One. If you recognise it……etc.

Chapter Twelve.

Check it out now….

"Xion Cheng? Lo Cheng is the head of Consulate security." Audrey mused. She tapped the name into the DoD database. Several Cheng's came up, none of them a Xion Cheng.

"I know this sounds silly, but try Google." Said Willow.

Audrey gave her a puzzled look but complied. The name came up as the second hit on the list, under the heading of Chinese Mystical Sources.

"How did you figure that?" Asked Audrey.

"We don't always operate by 'word of mouth'. This is the twenty-first century, remember." Said Willow.

"Move with the times." Said Audrey.

"Exactly." Smiled Willow. "Just 'cause what we practise is old agey, doesn't mean you have to stay in fuddy duddy land."

Audrey returned to the keyboard and tapped in the name Cheng again on the DoD database. 'Lo Cheng' came up as the security adviser at the Chinese Consulate.

"Are they related?"

"I'll give you evens on that." Said Faith, from the window, where she'd been watching Rona training a group of newly called Slayers.

Willow hit the speed to call Giles.

"Willow, how did your meeting with your mother go?"

"Later, Giles. This is about something else."

"Uhm, right, what can I do for you?"

"Xion Cheng. Do you know the name?"

"Actually, yes I do. He's the one who helped me track down Cho Ahn when I was searching out all the potentials. Why?"

"He's a good guy then?"

"Most definitely. Willow what's happened? Is there something I should be aware of?"

Willow told Giles the story.

"I see. I think the best way to proceed would be to talk to Xion Cheng first. It could be that this Lo Cheng is his brother or possibly a nephew. Not being privy to his family connections, I couldn't say; but Xion Cheng is definitely on the side of the light."

"Thanks Giles. How's Buffy?"

"Being a nuisance. The doctor told her to rest. Just lately it's not been in her vocabulary. She bought the entire stock of the local shop's lemon juice and pickled gherkins last week. Then drove to the White Horse hill, and sat and ate the lot."

"Eww, gherkins. …… Wait…She's driving?!!! ……Daniel lets her drive?!!! …..You let her drive?!!!"

"Yes. Actually that's quite a funny story……."

When the call ended, Audrey looked up from the computer. "Who's Buffy?"

"A very pregnant friend. And causing chaos, in England."

"B causin' chaos….again. There's a concept. Worst case of gas I've ever seen." Said Faith, grinning.

Willow rolled her eyes and whispered to Audrey. "Someone's not likin' the prospect of bein' called 'Auntie'."

"Faith snorted from her desk. "I heard that. …. Nah, I'm okay. Hey, it was bound to happen sooner or later, the way she's always humpin' that stud o' hers."

Audrey looked a little embarrassed at the way the conversation was going, Faith caught the look that Willow gave her and dropped the subject.

"So.. We need to contact this Xion Cheng, and find out his relationship to this Lo Cheng.

End of Chapter Twelve.