AN: I figured everything was getting a bit heavy and sad and I realized I hadn't really introduced my 2nd fave character, Ryan. So, here he is full of surprises for Phade. If you get curious you can always check out how they met by going to Hiding Out in the ATS section or in my profile page.
Well, enjoy and leave a REVIEW!
Chapter 6
The chirping phone woke me at the crack of… I poked my head out of the covers and glanced at the cell phone.
"8 am." I groaned hiding under the pillow.
"Too God damn early!" I grumbled flipping the cell open. "What." I grouched because there was no reason I needed to be up so soon after just falling asleep.
"Bad morning?" he quipped just a tad too cheerful. "What's the matter baby? Those girls getting on you're bad side so soon?"
Now when did he know-.
"What? How do-?"
"I stopped by the hotel with a little something for you and found out you went on vacation to the beach. Now, why didn't you invite your husband along? Is he such a bore-?" I could tell by the teasing tone that he wasn't too happy that I hadn't told him I was in Sunnydale but there hadn't been time and then the few times we had spoken there were other things to talk about.
"I'm sorry." I cleared my throat and finally sat up. "I didn't mean not to tell you it just didn't seem all that important."
Lame, God that was so lame!
"Yep, you keep saying that maybe I'll believe it. Listen, I got another kid here-."
"Kid? Where are you?" I asked more confused than before. The only kid he should have with him is mine.
"On my way to Sunnydale."
"What!" I jumped out of the bed tripping on the tangled sheet and landing on my knees. "Ow! Mother of fuc-."
"Hey, now watch you're language." He quipped sounding way too satisfied with himself.
"Ryan, what are you doing?" I growled.
"You remember a nice woman by name of Rosalía?" he asked and now he sounded serious. I found myself nodding like a dumb ass knowing he couldn't see it.
"Yeah, why?"
"Just so happens she gave us a call. Looks like it was a good thing you made Dom leave her the SAT phone. Anyway, she calls us up, says she's got word of some weird priests hacking away at the locals. So we head down to Sunny ol' Mexico-."
"It's not Mexico if you only go to the border." I muttered once again having to correct their misconception of 'Old Mexico'.
"So we head down south." Ryan pointedly ignored me. "Turns out she was right and I remembered what you told me about those monks witch girl warned you of. About the other Slayers-."
"Potentials." I corrected.
"Those priests," his voice was down right harsh now and I wondered if maybe I shouldn't just let him tell the story. "Killed an entire family in a remote village about three hours from Rosy's place."
"How'd she know about the massacre?" I asked heading into the bathroom. I set the cell phone on speaker and placed it on the counter as I got my things together.
"Some farmer dude ran across two kids, boy and a girl. They asked for help and the guy dropped them off at her door." Ryan replied then he covered the phone.
"Hey!" I picked up my cell frowning. "Ryan, why'd they go there? Hey!"
"Sorry baby but my passenger got restless." He explained though I still didn't get why he was covering the phone. I was about to ask who was with him when he spoke. "Turns out the whole town knows to go to her house if anything weird's up. Now I got them, well her actually. I'm pretty sure she belongs with the other ones you have there."
I groaned feeling decidedly unwell. How could we have another one? And now of all the times to get a new recruit.
"How long?" I asked with a resigned sigh.
"Couple of hours. Two maybe." He was definitely relaxed. "Phade, you're not staying with all those girls…" I couldn't help the smile because it was so typical of Ryan. If I had been staying at Buffy's then there would be no privacy which meant -.
"No, I have my very own suite in some old Motel across town." I looked out into the bedroom with a rueful smile. All we needed was the bed.
An hour later I was dressed, extra cute of course because, well just cuz. Then again all I had with me were jeans and comfy cargo pants besides my hunting attire but that- no. Finally, I settled on some faded jeans that fit just a bit loose and flared at the knee so they hid my Vans. Ryan poked fun at them but I didn't care, they were comfortable and I liked the crazy polka dots though I'd never admit it to him. Then again the colors made it easy to pair a white tank with the gray quarter sleeve knitted sweater that would keep me warm. After I let my hair dry I pulled the loose waves into a side ponytail put on some light make-up and made sure I was wearing my wedding rings.
I grimaced just remembering Ryan's reaction the first and only time I'd been caught without them. He's worse than a girl and I feel for those men out there who have to put up with their wives screeching wail, not that Ryan screeched because-well, no. They are pretty though, my rings. He has good taste and he picked the right cut and he used my birthstone instead of some diamond. That shows he's more original than I would've thought then again I hadn't wanted a diamond in the first place.
I had breakfast in a local diner before heading over to Potential training central. Seriously having breakfast at Buffy's was much more like scavenging for food with all those girls around. Add to that the unceasing noise and lack of privacy… God no. I prefer the din of a diner anytime.
Finally, I got in my Shelby and roared off. I seriously love this car, just hearing the purr of the engine puts a smile on my face.
When I got to the house I had to park across the street because the drive was full up. There was Buffy's Mom's jeep which I hadn't seen anyone drive and Xander's car which well; he wouldn't be driving for a while yet. Then Rupert had his junker parked in front but compared to what he'd been driving before it was a big improvement or so I'd been told. There was another big SUV parked behind it I assumed belonged to Wood but it was a school day. Why would he be here?
"Hello." I didn't even wait for someone to answer the perfunctory knock as I walked in. The usual sounds of the girls was more subdued today and maybe it was just that not all of them were here but then again maybe they were just worried.
"Phade, in the dining room." Rupert's stuffy voice echoed from my right and obediently I followed. I heard a chair scrape and the voices I'd heard when I first entered were all silent. I turned the blind corner and suddenly found myself at least a foot off the ground.
"Baby!" Ryan's voice registered and I halted mid strike. He had me in a bear hug then set me down with a short kiss that left me blushing in embarrassment. He knew better than this but he still didn't care that I preferred to keep the kissing to private quarters.
"Hi," I cleared my throat and surveyed the room noticing Rupert pointedly cleaning his glasses while Faith had this huge grin on her face. God there was going to be some teasing from that quarter. Sitting across from them and staring straight ahead was Jessica. One eyebrow rose in question as I looked up at Ryan. His face looked a bit pink and he glanced nervously at the table. Was this his restless passenger? Why would she be getting restless?
'You're jealous!'
Am not! I swear I'll kill that fucking voice one day!
"Were have you been?" Faith asked.
"Huh- I was-." Confused, really confused then the kitchen door opened.
"Those little girls don't look so tough, Giles. They're too skinny." Dom's voice boomed into the dining room. "Hey Phade." He nodded sweeping past to an empty chair and plopping down. I hadn't noticed the glasses on the table until Dom raised his and took a long drink.
"Hi, uh why didn't you call me?" I turned to Ryan who draped his arm over my shoulders and held me at his side.
"I did. You never picked up." He pointed at my feet smirking but I ignored the silent joke. Instead I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my cell.
"No one called. I never-." To my disgust I found the cell phone off and quickly switched it on. "Shit, it died on me." I looked up apologetically as it switched off again. "I forgot to charge it last night- this morning- whenever." I shook my head more than just confused I was still sleepy.
"Rough night, ey?" Dom grinned lasciviously and I thought what a nice pair he and Faith would make. They both had dirty minds.
"Not how you're thinking." I retorted dryly. Ryan leaned down to my neck. "You will tonight." He whispered and I could feel my face burning. Faith chortled with laughter seeing the blush and I wanted to strangle her.
"Yes, well we seem to have trouble with this new girl." Rupert interjected recalling the group to the reason everyone was here.
"Is she hurt?" I wondered moving so I stood in front of Ryan and we were more comfortably in each others arms.
"No, no the problem is we can't communicate with her."
"No one here speaks any Spanish." Dom added. After another drink he continued. "It wasn't a big deal back at the hive with Mr. Vartan and little Bastían around. You're boy's a regular chatter box, asks lots of questions and won't leave this one alone too long." He nodded at Ryan who shifted. "The kids took to each other right off but Ryan figured Maya would be better off here. Took you're Dad a while to get the kids to agree."
"So, she's here and her brother stayed behind?" at Dom's nod I sighed knowing the girl was definitely feeling the separation of the only member who survived the murder of their family.
"Where is she?" I asked softly.
"Back yard with the other Potentials." Faith replied.
"Well, I'll leave you to it then." Rupert stood moving towards the door. "I have something to take care of with Willow. I'll be back later." Then he was gone.
Once in the back yard it was easy to spot who the girl was. She stood apart from the other Potentials watching them go through their techniques. She looked lost and out of place. A lily in a vase of roses.
I watched her for a moment taking in her appearance and frowned. Her jet black hair was combed back and pulled severely into a braid that reached past her waist. Her features reminded me of Gia, so indigenous and her skin though not as dark as other Indians was still darker than the girls here, excepting Rona who was upstairs.
"You couldn't buy her any clothes?" I snapped at Ryan seeing the thin home spun dress she wore and the leather sandals on her feet.
"But I-." Ryan didn't get to finish his excuse as I walked over to the girl. She was thin as a reed and tall, for a kid anyway.
"Vienes de lejos." I said by way of greeting and offered her a gentle smile. She looked surprised and I guessed no one had spoken to her in her native tongue for a while. She nodded still not speaking. "Me llamo, Phade. Y tu?"
Her eyes shifted glancing about the yard nervously then she ducked her head and softly said; "Mayahuel de Garzés." Then she did a little curtsy. "Para servirle a usted."
Oh they raised this one in the old style, very proper and formal. I'd bet money my Dad had been pleased with the girls manners and I had no doubt this girl had weighted on all the guys hand and foot just the way she'd been taught. Well, that was going to change. No one was taking advantage of this girl, not while I'm around and by the time I'm done with her she's gonna make sure the guys are waiting on her hand and foot.
"Cuantos años tienes?" because if she was twelve like the other two around here somewhere I was gonna have to have words with those stupid Powers That Be.
"Catorce." She answered even softer than before. I made her look at me, raising her head with a finger under her chin.
"Primero, nunca agaches la cabeza, eso dice que eres débil y tu no eres débil. Segundo, aquí tu eres igual que cualquiera de esas muchachas y vas a entrenar con ellas." She looked frightened at the prospect of joining the Potentials. "Pero primero vamos a darnos una vuelta. Ven con migo." I smiled reassuring her that she'd be fine. At least this one was fourteen almost a young lady and in my culture that means you get a big party with a fancy dress when you turn fifteen. Only Mayahuel wasn't going to have her Dad waltz with her or have her mother teary eyed as she helped her get into the party dress. The again, she was here, at the HellMouth and with no guarantee that she would turn fifteen.
"Baby don't you have enough yet?" Ryan asked. I glared at him over my shoulder as we continued walking through the mall. Mayahuel wore her hair loose now, cut and styled so she looked like any other teenager at Buffy's. I'd bought her some clothes and she'd eagerly gotten rid of her dress thanking me for the gifts.
Now that was embarrassing and I made her knock it off immediately. I wasn't going to have her be all grateful just for some clothes, she should be grateful when they save her life.
Ryan clumped along behind us carrying all the bags managing to behave himself and clutching the little bag from Freddie's like it was gold. Oh, yeah. He knew if he wanted to see that he better not piss me off before we got back to the house. Dom and Jessica took the SUV back to the motel and got their own rooms. I'd noticed he'd been eyeing Faith and before we left they were cozying up to each other. Guess I wasn't the only one having fun tonight.
"She needs a suitcase." I said pointing Ryan to the luggage. He rolled his eyes sighing dramatically but he went in there anyway. I could trust him to get her a good one and I took Mayahuel into Victoria's. Hey, she's almost fifteen and actually has more cleavage than Gia so I figure its time she gets some nice underwear.
By the time we got out of there Ryan was sitting in one of the benches sipping a smoothie. He winked seeing us approach then spotting the pink bags arched an eyebrow.
"Not for you." I scolded and chuckled at the forlorn look on his face.
"She's just a kid, honey." He whined obviously hoping they were for him-me-us! Jeez! Men make life complicated. Sometimes they behave like children- what am I saying? They always behave like kids!
I dropped down next to him and took the cup from his hand while he protested.
"Mmm." One of the things I love about Ryan is this little quirk of his. Offer him anything to drink and I mean anything then put a smoothie next to it and he always takes the smoothie. "It's good, pineapples?" I asked. He nodded taking the drink back and sipping.
"Pine apples, coconut and bananas." He mumbled through the straw. "Not half as good as the ones you make me though." He was loyal; then again I'm a good cook. I noticed Mayahuel still stood uncomfortably watching us.
"Siéntate." I told her motioning to Ryan's other side with a smile. He got the gist of what I said and winked offering her the empty seat. She was still uncomfortable around him and the others which is why Jessica had accompanied them on the trip here. My Dad's idea. I gotta remember to tell my Dad not to have such brilliant ideas when my husband is involved. "Tienes hambre?" then I asked Ryan as well. "You hungry?"
His eyes lit up at the mere mention of food.
"Otra vez." I was beginning to get frustrated with these two and it was showing. They just weren't trying; to be honest Mayahuel was doing great considering this was her first training session. She was a quick learner but I worried she wasn't quick enough for what time there was left.
"Do you understand what it means to be paired off?" the girls looked at me unsure of how to answer. "Her weakness is your death." I pointed from one to the other. "Su fuerza es la tulla. Tienen que estar unidas. You have to be in sinc." I watched them stumble through the second form and fall tangled in each other.
"Enough! Ya esta bueno." I threw my hands up in defeat but only for the day. "You two are joined at the hip from now on. A donde Sabine va tu vas, and where Mayahuel goes you go. Got it." Only I wasn't asking and both knew it.
"Yes, ma'am." Sabine mumbled she frowned glancing at Mayahuel most likely feeling it was the older girl's fault she was getting picked on.
"You pissed cuz I put you two together?" Sabine immediately shook her head no. "Yeah, you are. You wanna lie to yourself go ahead." I stepped up until we were face to face. "Don't lie to me." her head jerked nodding. "Now, I put you two together and I'm on your ass because I want you to live long enough to get through this mess. You don't like the training I'm giving you, fine. I can find another Potential wiling to put up with this shit in order to stay alive. Make a choice Sabine because I won't take you back once you decide to go."
The girl was red faced and furious, not exactly the best time to be making this big a decision but to her credit she sucked in a deep breath then nodded. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited. Her face contorted with mulish anger but she managed to get the words past her clenched teeth.
"I'll stay."
"Good. You have a new routine now." I said walking towards the kitchen door. "Every morning, I want you both out here, temprano. Las dos van a practicar las formas que les enseñé. After you do the forms run through the regular exercises. Sit ups, push ups, crunches, lunges. Then start the sparring." I turned to Mayahuel and explained to her what I wanted done. She was immediately acquiescent and once inside the house I had her follow me into the living room where I'd left my bag. I took out the portable DVD player and the slim cd case with all the vids I downloaded on Sesame Street. We went into the dining room and I showed her how to use it. She was smiling completely engrossed in the antics of Elmo and the Cookie Monster.
On the road to enlightenment…
Doesn't any one have a comment? Because it's hard to see how 58 readers just breezed on by without leaving a review even if it's not a good one.
Well, just thought you could do with a translation of my Spanish.
"Vienes de lejos." - You come from far.
"Me llamo, Phade. Y tu?" – My name is Phade. What's yours?
"Para servirle a usted." - At your service.
"Cuantos anos tienes?" – How old are you?
"Catorce." – Fourteen.
"Primero, nunca agaches la cabeza, eso dice que eres débil y tu no eres débil. Segundo, aquí tu eres igual que cualquiera de esas muchachas y vas a entrenar con ellas." – First off, never bow ure head. That says you're weak and you are not weak. Second, here you are just like one of those girls and you'll be training with them.
"Pero primero vamos a darnos una vuelta. Ven con migo." - But first let's go out. Come with me.
"Siéntate." – Sit down.
"Tienes hambre?" – Are you hungry?
"Otra Vez." – Again.