Chapter Disclaimer: Please see previous chapters.

Finally able to get this up - feels like ages since I've been able to do this.

Thanks so much to Softly for betaing this as it meant it got up a lot quicker than I planned.

Oh yeah - please review - trust me your thoughts really do help!

As the old station wagon pulled up to the front of the house, the four occupants could see Sam and Xander start to unload tools and other supplies to fix the wall, from Xander's rental.

"Hello, nice to see you guys have finally decided to join us," said Xander, as he picked up a workbench.

"How you feeling?" asked a concerned Sam.

"Been better," said Dean, as he closed the car door, "You two having fun?"

"Oh yeah, having a blast," replied Sam, as he pulled a two by four out of the trunk.

He turned his head to look at Buffy, "Thanks, for the little distraction."

Buffy put her hands up in the air, "Hey, it's not my fault that the window decided to get in the way!"

"Then what did the wall do?" asked Xander.

"That's why you're here," she said, giving him a little smile.

"As always, you cut a swath of random destruction, and I try and fix what you break."

"But you still love me don't you?" Buffy asked, pouting.

"Yes, you are still my bestest buddy," said Xander, shaking his head. "Anyway you've got some 'splaining to do."

"Why?"

Xander gave her a knowing look, "Go inside and you'll see."

Dawn's face lit up as she noticed another car sitting in front of the house.

"Giles is here?"

"Yes, the G-man is currently residing within the given building." Xander nodded and continuing in his attempted upper class English brogue, "and I believe he is currently supping tea."

"Xander? What have you been told about accents?" said Dawn as she placed a hand on her hip.

"I know - Clanics," he pointed one of the tools he'd picked up at her; "You know I've always said you were the mean sister!"

Dawn stuck her tongue out at him.

"So Giles turns up and you two decide to regress to your childhood?" asked Buffy as she turned to walk up the steps.

"I wouldn't say regressed," Xander said to Sam.

John was standing side by side with his two sons.

"Well Dawn, you want to give us a hand with this stuff," asked Xander, sensing that the three men needed some time on their own.

Dawn nodded, and on picking on some tools, proceeded to follow Xander into the house.

"Who's here?" asked John, in his typical curt authoritarian tone, causing Sam to sigh, as he was not really in the mood to deal with his father right now.

"Rupert Giles, friend of Xander's. They go way back; actually he was their school librarian."

Dean raised an eyebrow, "Rupert?"

"He's English," said Sam, rolling his eyes, "turned up just before Xander went to the hardware store."

"Really?" said John suspiciously.

"He's also her Watcher, Dad."

John quieted.

"Watcher? What the hell's a watcher?" asked a confused Dean, causing both John and Sam to look at him. "Oh come on, give a guy a break, will you? I got the slayer part, and how they thought he's the human frickin' torch and that you're so pissed that you want to do I don't know what Dad. So excuse me if I missed the watcher bit."

"They look after the slayers, train them to fight." explained Sam, "Xander's one, and so is Dawn kind of."

"And so is this guy?" asked Dean.

"Yes, he's Buffy's, he's taken care of her since was sixteen. He's also the head of their council," said Sam as his brother stood there nodding while he took in the information.

"OK, is it me or is that just creepy?" Dean started.

John looked at him, "What?"

"Some old dude been following her around since she was a kid."

"He's about same age as Dad," said Sam, causing John to look at his eldest son.

Dean shuffled his feet, "Still creepy."

At that point, Sam noticed the small white paw sticking out of the gift shop bag.

"What is that?"

Dean looked down to see what Sam was pointing at, "Present - kid got it for me."

"She got you a stuffed toy?"

"What can I say, she likes me," said Dean smiling, "And the fact that someone may have mentioned something could have given her the idea."

"What?" asked Sam, "Oh, she told me about Mr. Gordo."

"So you felt the need unburden yourself about my past?"

"I remember you use to love Tharl."

John shook his head at his sons before asking, "What's this guy like?"

Sam shrugged, "Seems stand up, apologised for any problems that they caused and he gets on alright with Missouri. He seemed really concerned about the three of them."

"So this would be the father figure she talked about?"

"Still think it's creepy," said Dean. "The idea of this guy taking a bunch of little girls and training them to fight."

"I think we are all can agree on that," said John.

Dawn came back out smiling and skipped down the steps to the car.

"Sorry to break up this little meeting, but we were wondering Sam, are you going to bring that piece of wood in or have you decided to keep it as a new fashion accessory?"

Sam looked down to see he was still holding the two by four, before handing it over to her.

"Sorry."

"Thanks. I'll let you get back to it," she said, smiling at the three of them.

They watched her as she bounced happily back into the house.

"So what do they know?" asked Dean, wondering just how much these people knew about their life.

"Told her most of it," answered John truthfully.

"Really?" said Sam, more than slightly surprised.

"Yes, except about the colt and what happened in the cabin."

Dean looked at his father, "So what now?"

"Not sure, but it turns that out you're stronger than we thought Sam."

Sam looked unsettled, "What do you mean?"

"They found us using a witch; she wouldn't have been spotted if it weren't for you."

"The spirit thing?" asked Dean.

John nodded in acknowledgement.

"So is this good or bad?"

"Don't know," answered John, "They don't know either, that's why they came. She said that the day she found out about her mother's diary was the exact same day you almost passed out."

"And you believe her?"

"She feels legit, but this is happening way too fast."

"We could ask her to take the test again, could buy us some time," said Dean, hoping that that might be a viable plan.

"She offered that last night, said we could take it to someone we knew," replied Sam.

"Let's see what this guy wants before we cross that bridge," stated John.

Sam picked up some more of Xander's supplies before he closed the trunk and followed his father and brother into the house, passing Dawn on the way. The house was quiet, as everyone else seemed to be either out in the backyard, or in the kitchen. Missouri was standing at her sink, looking out of the window. She was watching the two people of whom were speaking quite animatedly on her lawn.

"You hear anything good?"

Missouri jumped out of her skin, causing her to drop the cup she had been holding in her hand. She turned to see Dean's grinning face.

"Lord help me boy, you gave me a scare."

"What your spider sense not working or something?"

He could see it in her eyes, she was fighting the urge to come over and cuff him round the head. He smiled a little, he knew he had a free pass. He knew he would not have it for long but he was definitely going to take advantage of it.

"How are you feeling?"

He gave a diminutive fake cough, to which his brother just rolled his eyes,

"I'm good."

The expression on her face changed to concern, "You sure?"

"You know it takes more than that to stop me," he smiled slightly pathetically, "So what they been saying?"

"I don't know, I've been talking to you."

"So what's your take on this guy?" asked John.

"Polite, very British, sure of himself, a bit nervous for his girls and the boy."

John just looked at his old friend, "So are you in agreement with Sam then?"

"From what I've seen they respect him, and from speaking to the man I can understand why."

"Am I sensing a little crush here?" said Dean cheekily.

She scowled at the boy, "Honey, don't you dare start with that. He wants what's best for them, and seeing how he's come half way round the world to see if they are doing alright, I think we all can at least give him the benefit of the doubt."

"So you think we should give him a chance?" asked John.

"The girl pulled our asses out of the fire last night John, if they all wanted us dead, she would have just left them to finish what they started, so yes I think you should talk to the man. Though knowing you, you'll probably go in there guns blazing." Missouri was sometimes too sensible.

Before John could say a word, Dawn had wandered into the kitchen, her hands full of tools and other supplies.

"Take it Xander's still setting up?" She asked while stopping beside Dean who was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter. Dawn plonked down her load before picking out the shotgun that Sam had left in the car last night.

"That, I believe, belongs to you guys," she said smiling, and catching the expression on Dean's face as she had dropped the gun, she let out a little sigh. "Don't worry it's not loaded, I'm not that stupid."

She pulled the shotgun shells out of her pocket and handed them to him, "Xander took the shells out last night, after someone else, Sam I think, left it in the back of the car. Though I'm not sure rock salt would do any real lasting damage?"

Sam shuffled uncomfortably as his father glared at him, with everything going on at the hospital the night before, he had clean forgotten it; something he wasn't brought up to do. Losing a weapon through stupidity wasn't something that happened in the Winchester family.

"You ever get it to work for arrowheads?" asked Dawn.

"Arrowheads?" asked Dean.

"Yeah, for a bow or have you tried crossbow bolts? Have you guys worked out how to get the salt to disperse without using a gun?"

"You know how to use a bow?" asked the slightly surprised Sam.

" -'Course, don't you?" she replied.

Dean smiled, "Sammy doesn't like bow hunting too much."

"Oh, I always thought it was a pretty handy skill to have," stated the girl.

John and Dean both looked at Sam, who suddenly felt like he was a chubby, awkward twelve year old again.

"So you prefer using a short bow or cross?" asked John.

"Oh, the cross, I'm more accurate with it, but I tend to use a bow in the summer. You have to alternate." Dawn stated practically.

"Really?" John said, sounding impressed.

"Totally, if I don't get my positioning right when firing the crossbow, I bruise; no good for spaghetti straps. If I use the short bow for too long, my arms begin to tone up too much and, well let's just say it's not a flattering look unless you're Popeye," she said seriously, "I'd better get the rest of this stuff out the back."

As she walked out to the back porch, Sam bit his lip as he looked at his father, while his brother sniggered in the background.

"Not a word Sam, not a single word," said John emphatically.

"You know there is this girl we use to know, now upstairs, probably drinking very exclusive heavenly champagne telling everyone around them 'At least one of them listened to me,'" said Xander, standing in the doorway.

"Are you saying I have arms like Popeye the sailor man, Alexander Harris?" asked Buffy with a slightly mocking frown.

"Jesus" he said jumping.

"No - you have nice arms - little girly arms," he spluttered trying to recover.

"I think what Xander is trying to say is, that in Cordelia's opinion, those concerns have not always been high on your list of priorities - although I'm not sure where she ever could have gotten that idea from?" said the man behind her in an English accent.

Buffy stood there for a second, looking at Xander, before turning to see how Dawn was doing.

"I'm going to pay for that aren't I?" said Xander to his friend.

Giles nodded with a smile, "Yes, I believe you are."

"Thanks for the attempted save," Xander drew his eyebrows together.

"You're welcome, though as you said, it probably didn't do any good."

"It's the thought that counts." replied Xander, "Oh yeah, introductions, John and Dean Winchester, Rupert Giles"

Giles turned to the other occupants in the room and offered his hand to the older man.

"Hello, we've been told you're Buffy's watcher," John said, as he took Giles' hand.

"Yes, I am."

John carefully weighed up the other man for a second, "You taught her to fight."

"She has always possessed the ability to defend herself, it was my job to help her to become better able to meet the challenges she has had to face," answered the Englishman, "And I believe you're a hunter, with quite a reputation within your community."

"I do what I can." John said stoically.

"Yes, I've heard some of the stories," Giles pulled off his glasses, "I believe Buffy has explained what her role as slayer involves."

"Kind of, though I can't say I ever believed that there was one, or a council that trained kids to fight."

"I understand how it looks from the outside." He took a thin cloth from his pants pocket and started to clean lenses. "To be honest I wish it wasn't so, but unfortunately, as you are well aware; the other side doesn't play fair either."

"True. May I ask what you've heard?"

"That you are searching for the Demon that took your wife, though you are more than willing and able to deal with anything else that crosses your path. I have also heard that your sons are following in your footsteps."

Dean straightened up, "You've heard about us, me and Sam?"

Giles gave a little smile at the young man's reaction, "Yes, you sound surprised."

"Well, yeah." answered the older Winchester brother.

"From the stories I have been told, you and your brother have been carving out a niche of your own, and if you continue in this manner you have the makings of a solid career which might have a true impact."

"Really?" asked Dean.

"Oh yes, though I must admit, the incident in New Orleans, the one you handled yourself Dean. Though the outcome was satisfactory and the solution you came up with was definitely creative, the actual execution felt a little… rushed." Giles replied, with an analytical look in his eyes.

Dean looked at the man, slightly dejected.

"Don't take it too heart dude, consider that as high praise," said Xander.

John looked at his son.

"I had to go get Sam, you had… other business to take care of," said Dean, answering his father's silent question, causing John to nod.

"That would explain Sam's reappearance. Though I am confused about the situation in St Louis, where you appear to have been killed and your brother identified the body – I'm right in assuming that was the two of you?" questioned Giles.

Dean opened his mouth to say something.

"No offence, but from what I heard, your kind don't come out unless you want something, so what is it?" asked John abruptly, causing both Xander and Giles to look at each other.

"I can understand your apprehension at my presence. The council's previous incarnation did not hold much regard for your community. It is a situation which we are hoping to change," said Giles calmly, while looking at Xander.

"Hey I'm trying," he said before pointing a finger over to the Winchesters, "It's their lot that's stubborn."

"Indeed," Giles replied to Xander; then turned and gave his full attention to the other older man in the room, "I was concerned about the situation Buffy, Dawn, and Xander may have walked into unknowingly. Although I am well aware that they are more than capable of handling whatever is thrown at them," stated Giles and he took a breath before continuing. "From what I have been told about last night, I feel there maybe a reason to be concerned. If you were in my position I am sure you would feel the same."

"Maybe, though I'm not sure if I like the idea of a man who trains little girls for this fight, coming here to lecture to me and mine," said John in an abrupt defensive tone.

The atmosphere in the room started to turn decidedly frosty.

"I can appreciate your feelings on this matter; I am not trying to belittle you nor what you have been through in anyway. Though from what I have heard and seen, you are hardly averse to turning little boys into soldiers."

Dean could see the hackles on the back of his father's neck rising, this was not good, not good at all. He could see both Buffy and Dawn standing in the doorway watching the same thing happening with this Giles guy.

"You know, I've always noticed that if you throw a little brother or sister into the mix, you tend to have plan more," said Xander, who had seemed to have completely missed the update on the current situation, "You have to think about absolutely everything or their off, getting into trouble all on there own some. 'Cause they've always got something to prove."

"Hey, knock it off," came a voice from the doorway.

Xander smiled, "I'm just saying that some people need to be looked after more than others."

"Look whose talking!" said the brunette as she gave Xander an insulted look.

Xander looked at her and very calmly stated, "I've never sparked off a major international incident."

"International incident, there was no incident - okay there was an incident, but it was not international, and not definitely not with the major," shrieked the offended Dawn, "Right it was international, as he was French and I'm not, but as in the major it definitely wasn't; no-one had to call the marines. And before you say anything it was an accident."

Xander looked at her, "Thought you said he deserved it."

Dawn glanced over at her sister hoping for some help, and not finding any, turned back to Xander, "Well he did, he was all with the hands."

"So you are saying it was the getting caught part was the accident?" asked Xander.

"Yes it was. The rest was totally deserved."

"He was a policeman who caught you in the Louvre the night before an official visit from the French and Italian finance ministers, he was going to search you!" stated Buffy.

"See there you go – hands. You admit there were hands involved!" said Dawn triumphantly as if that made everything alright, "He was buying the whole stupid American tourist who got dared to spend the night in the creepy museum thing."

"Until he found you had the high powered rifle." Xander said, in a matter of fact manner.

Sam looked curious, "Rifle?"

"It was only a tranq gun, and I only had it as I was following that bell ringer who had gone walkabout," Dawn explained. "And it's not as if I just left the guy there, I took him to the hospital after we got the thing back to its tower, what else did you expect me to do?"

Buffy looked at her little sister sympathetically, "One or the other, not both Dawn."

"The falling down the stairs part happened after, alright?"

"You have said that, but am not with the believery-ness," replied Xander.

"He was fine, Dieter said he was okay," she said in a put upon voice, "Jeez, you tranq one policeman and you never live it down."

"You stabbed the guy in the ass with a tranq dart Dawn," said Xander, "Anyway who's Dieter?"

"Cute med student she met at the E.R," explained Buffy

"Ah now it becomes clear. Assaulting policemen is your new pick up technique," said Xander, causing Dawn to glare at him, "Anyway Dieter doesn't sound French?"

Dawn crossed her arms, "He's originally from Strasbourg."

Xander thought for a second, "On the border, Germany right?"

Dawn nodded, before turning to her sister.

"What?" asked Buffy, reacting to her sister's glare.

"I didn't mean to do anything to him, OK?"

"Oh right - you didn't." Dawn huffed.

"Look I liked the kid, it was just that I didn't expect to meet him coming out of our bathroom first thing in the morning."

"I told you that he worked shifts and was coming round for breakfast, but no you have to forget that, and as your mind is so in the gutter, you have to just completely freak out!"

"I did not freak out! I was just a little surprised. And yes I forgot, you know me and mornings don't mix too well until the first cup of coffee hits, next time just put a big note in front of my door, so I'm sure to get the message."

"Like I'll ever see him again."

"Did I say I was sorry."

Dawn rolled her eyes, "Yes, many, many times."

"I admit he was cute," said Buffy, nudging her sister gently with her shoulder as they both stood in the doorway, "Really nice cheekbones."

"They were, weren't they, not in the Johnny Depp league, but they were real nice" said Dawn mournfully.

"No, but have you ever seen a guy in real life whose are?" Commented her sister, "I'd say they were closer to Orlando Bloom."

"Yeah," said Dawn, beginning to smile as she remembered, "and he had that really tight rear…"

Dawn and Buffy looked up, every male eye in the room, apart from Xander's, were upon them. Xander was looking at the floor with a grin on his face.

Giles turned to John, "If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them,"

"Yeah, though I think that it might be better if we do this outside."

"Certainly," said Giles, before turning to Missouri, "If you'll excuse us."

"Of course," answered the little dark woman.

As both the older men passed her at the doorway, Dawn turned a bright shade of red and glowered at Xander.

Missouri looked at the boy who was still grinning, "You are good!"

Xander gave her a small bow, "Thank you, and I have sworn never to use my powers for evil."