Authors Note: Hello, everyone, for those of you that read my story so far and did not like it, let me know. I would like to know what you think. I realize that there is a lot of religion in this fanfic. This cannot be helped, as I am a divinity student. However, I swear that I am not doing it needlessly. I honestly think that it is necessary to the story. Please R&R.

Watchers Council: New Beginnings

Chapter 3: Faithless

This day was getting stranger and stranger. Buffy felt like she was trapped in bizzaro world. Her sister was making out with her somewhat ex-boyfriend her best friend was down stairs making out with a werewolf, and the one man she wanted to be with more than anything in the world was standing right in front of her and on top of all that she was officially watcher less. She kept pinching herself hoping that she would wake up back in Sunnydale. Back to a time when her sister was just a normal girl and Angel was just a memory. She wanted Giles to hold her and tell her everything was going to be ok. Reality started to sink in. The new watcher James had told them about was Angel. He was a vampire, how could he be a watcher. I am going to have to work with Angel everyday. God must hate me. That was the only answer she could come up with. What else could explain the past twenty-four hours?

"My word, you can cut the sexual tension in this room with a knife." James took off his hat and dusted off the top. "I think we could all do for a good cup of tea and a nice sit."

"God, you're even more English than Giles." Xander cracked. "I thought that was impossible." Xander tried to lighten the mood but as always, he failed miserably.

"I find that quite insulting." James looked almost hurt. "I'm not even from England" James passed by Xander and smiled. "I'll have you know, I am from Wales, one of the greatest and most technologically ignorant countries in the world. Why my mum just installed a coal heater last week." A wide mischievous grin spread across his face.

"What I'm I going to do with you two." Buffy cupped her head in her hands and shook it disapprovingly.

"I think it's refreshing that a man of his age has kept his sense of humour intact." Angel said picking up his suitcase. "You should have heard him a hundred years ago, nothing but witless banter." He smiled and let his statement sink in. "How about we all find a place more relaxing to talk this over. The stooges behind me are driving me nuts.'

After a few minutes, the misfit gang had retreated up stairs to the conference room off Giles office. The room was of good size a large conference table sat in the middle surrounded by executive chairs. At the head of the table, James stood arms crossed behind his back. He looked like he belonged on a reality TV show. He had shed his hat and coat though he did not look any less intimidating. The Scoobies had taken seats at his right. Oz and Willow had been waiting for them. Willow swore that nothing had happened and she felt they needed to be here just in case he had decided to come early. Xander had laughed and Buffy patted willows back and took a seat next to her. Giles and Angel sat next to each other at his right Lorne was standing up trying to warm up his horns and Fred was hiding in a corner. It had taken several minutes for Dawn and Spike to realize that they needed to follow them. Naturally, they were the last to arrive. Walking into the room Dawn noticed all eyes were on her and Spike. Quickly she rounded the table and sat down next to angel.

"Well I'm sure you will all agree that this has been a very strange day." Nods came from all around. "I'm afraid that it may become stranger before the night is out." James waited to collect his thoughts. "I know many of you have questions concerning exactly who I am. I am not going to go into all five hundred odd years I have been on earth. Let us suffice it to say I am the oldest person in this room and no, I am not what you would classify as being wholly alive. I am not however undead. I have been known by many names in the past few centuries but my favourite is Reaper. I am not sure why exactly but the name does spread well among the masses. I used to be flesh and blood just like all of you but due to unfortunate circumstances, I died. My death was not in vain, though I sacrificed my life for the one woman I loved. Due to the way I had both lived and died I was granted the job of returning to earth and continuing the fight against evil." James wiped sweat from his brow. "Do you have any questions?"

"You mean to say you're an angel." Xander had a knack for making obvious and wrong statements.

"No I'm not. Humans cannot become angels. God created angels long before he created people." James glanced around the table they were all being very quiet. "Dawn do you think you could explain it better."

"I could try." Dawn sat up and her chair. "You see when god created earth he created angels and men, two completely different species of organism. Angels were given god like power and worshiped god in everything they did however, god was not satisfied he wanted children that would worship him freely under no pretence other than a desire to worship him. That is why he created humankind. God had neglected to give angels one gift, choice. Angels had to worship god and do what he says. If they do not they become fallen and are sent to any of the numerous hell dimensions. Therefore, god created man and gave him freedom of choice. Humans aren't as powerful as angels but they can freely choose what they do and who they believe in. now I won't lie and tell you that there isn't consequence for the actions men take when they are on earth but they are given every opportunity to make the choice to follow god." Dawn slunk back into her chair.

"How do you know all of this Dawn?" Xander had a look on his face that resembled that of a lost puppy.

Dawn sat back up she was not sure if she wanted to tell them or not. "Because, I am an angel Xander."

The group as a whole looked shocked. She felt an uneasiness in the pit of her stomach. She was afraid that she had made the wrong decision. She looked to James and he just stood and smiled. The kind of paternal smile that made children feel like everything was going to be ok. His smile wrapped her in a blanket of security. She knew instantly that she had made the right choice.

"I'm afraid her statement wasn't wholly accurate. Dawn is not an angel. Dawn is the Key, a celestial being created for the soul purpose of leading the Chosen One to final battle against hell. Now though she retains all of the memory of her past self, she is in fact human and in every sense of the word she is Buffy's sister." James began to pace around the room.

"If she is really human how did she knock me out last night?" Oz was trying to remember the events from the night before.

"You can think of Dawn like a slayer. She is physically stronger than normal people are and has the same extra senses a slayer has." James rounded the table to stand in front of Dawn. "Does that sound accurate to you?"

"Pretty much, I also don't age the same as most humans and I heal faster than slayers." Dawn gave Spike a smirk.

"Don't get any ideas Bit." Spike grinned. "I'm not doing anything to taint my soul."

"Oh god could the two of you knock it off. I'm sitting right here." Buffy was exasperated.

"Well then I think we should get started. I appreciate you not telling Miss Faith about our little meeting." James returned to the head of the table. "I don't want her training the slayers anymore."

"Why not, she may be deranged but she knows what she's doing." Buffy did not understand.

"She's incorrigible and a negative influence on the girls. There is a reason she is referred to as the Dark Slayer." James straightened his shirt. "Don't worry I will tell her personally."

"You may want to warn us first so we can phone 9-1-1 in advance." Xander had a knack for the understatement.

"Don't worry I'll be ok. Now down to the business at hand." He unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up to his elbows. "Now as I'm sure you all know this building was designed to be a school of sorts. The training of a slayer involves more than just conditioning the body but the mind as well. For this reason I am going to require that each of contributes in an academic fashion."

"What do you mean by contribute?" willow was curious as to how they could help the slayers academically. "I mean none of us are exactly teacher material."

"I hope you can be. You all have certain expertise that could lend to the classroom." James was trying to get his point across without being blunt however that rout didn't seem to be working. "Quite frankly I want you all here but I can't justify having you just sit around. You all need to be doing something in an official capacity."

"So we either have to actually do a real job or we have to leave." Buffy didn't sound pleased.

"With the exception of you, that's exactly what I mean." James hoped he didn't sound overbearing.

"Hey I'm not sure you noticed or not but unless you want me teaching drafting and architecture I'm not going to be of much help." Xander was truly concerned that he was going to be kicked to the curb.

"Not at all, form what I hear you have extensive military training." James was willing to go to any extreme to make sure that he didn't have to split this group up. "I was hoping you could teach physical education. By that I mean more than just playing dodge ball. Giving the girl survival training, running obstacle courses, things like that."

"Oh, hell I can do that with my hands tied behind my back." Xander was relived he had been truly afraid he had to leave.

"Good, now before the rest of you start asking me what your official duties here are going to be I have already made lists of the classes I want you to teach as well as a basic curriculum." James picked up a stack of folders he had placed on the table and started to pass out packets of information. "Giles will be teaching the girls in all aspects of history focusing primarily on how the supernatural coincides with events in human history. Angle will of course be assisting me as the girl's Watcher." He pulled a file out from the pile and handed it to dawn. "As I understand it you have an extensive knowledge in ancient languages. I would like you to teach a class on encryption and deciphering as well as teaching foreign language." Moving on to spike he cocked an eye brow. "I hope you haven't lost your poetic touch. I want you to teach English and literature. After all literacy is the foundation of human intellect."

"As long as you give me room to hit something every now and then I'll be fine." Spike scowled he still loved to write and he had no problems teaching but he had worked up nearly a hundred years of aggression that need work out every now and then.

"Now moving on I would like Oz to teach a class on Practical Mythology. Your involvement in various werewolf covens should have left loads of knowledge on the civilisations of vampires and the like." He cast sideways glance to Lorne but still addressed Oz "I would also like for you to be open to teaching music classes."

Lorne had bit his hook. "What about me, I'm sure I now more about music than post-grunge over here." Lorne looked truly upset.

"I'm not giving you a job to do here because you're a demon. Half demon I'll grant you, but you and Fred need to spend some time in prayer and mediation before I will allow either of you to take on any official responsibility. With that said I think you may become invaluable to this organization." He moved on and placed a folder in front of willow.

"I can understand that, and I won't lie and tell you I don't understand the implications of having a demon working here. But I want you to know that I came here with Angel so I could do some good in this world." Lorne had said his peace and resigned to pacing again.

"I understand, now willow I want you to handle teaching the girls science. We will start with a general anatomy and biology class. I'm hoping that you and Oz can chain some of your lectures together and show the girls the difference between human anatomy and that of the various deferent half-demons they will be facing in the field." This elected a nod of approval and giddy laughter was exchanged between her and Oz. James returned to the head of the table took in the sight of them.

"What about me?" Buffy admitted that she was hurt by being passed up on the responsibility chain. "I don't have anything to do."

"Yes well, the church is signing over all legal guardianship of these girls over to you." James tried to avoid looking directly at her.

"Guardianship, you want me to be their mother!" Buffy was outraged.

"That is precisely what the crown has done. Being as this building is property of England we won't have to worry about silly American authorities however you will be responsible for the girls well being." James decided that he would leave it at that. "Now I think we should all retire for the evening so we can start fresh tomorrow morning." James began to leave but stopped just short of the door. "Oh Angel after you get your people settled I would like to see you in the work out room. I have a feeling it will take both of us to handle faith."