A/N1: I don't know how many rooms the mansion has but for my purposes it now has both a library and a ballroom.
A/N2: I know in the TV show the power went out but I'm not a big fan of roughing it and neither are my characters so the power stays on.
A/N3: I don't know if my historical tidbits are accurate but they'll do.
CHAPTER 15 – Training and Research the Slayer's Two Favorite Things
Crawford Street Mansion – Master Bedroom – Early Afternoon
Bella came awake to two sounds – one close and the other coming from downstairs. The first was her stomach growling – demanding to be fed. The second was the sound of a large group of teenagers moving around the main living area of the mansion.
"Argh!" She groaned out. "Do you think if I close my eyes there won't be teenagers downstairs."
"I dinna think it works that way. And I seem to remember you telling Giles you wanted to move the girls over here."
"I know. I just can't believe I forgot how loud they were after just one day away from them. I think it's part of the First's evil plot to kill me by driving me crazy with teenagers and their incessant giggling."
"We best get up and face the evil teenagers," Duncan said laughing as Bella groaned again.
Crawford Street Mansion – Living Room
"Watcher, get these girls to close their yaps. The slayer's still asleep." Spike said with a growl. He wasn't happy about having the watcher or the potentials at the mansion but he knew it was what Bella wanted. But he sure as hell wasn't going to have them disturb the first good sleep she'd gotten in months.
"Pray tell Spike just how do you expect me to do that. They aren't exactly the most obedient lot. I'm beginning to think that the obedient council trained slayer was a myth used to convince unsuspecting Watchers to continue their duty. Because in my experience I've yet to meet one." Giles said with exasperation in his voice.
Both men, though far from trusting or liking each other, were currently united in their disdain for giggling teenagers.
Spike looked up as he heard a noise from the stairs only to see Bella and Duncan walking down engaged in a quiet conversation
"We need to work on the girl's weapon and fighting skills as well as researching the sword I found at the Vineyard."
"Right – well training shouldna be a problem. Perhaps myself, Amanda, Faith and Spike could work with the potentials while you work with Giles, Methos and Anya on researching. That boy Andrew could take the car and go for supplies. We're going to need a lot to feed these girls."
"Good plan," she said stopping at the couch were Giles and Spike were sitting. "Mornin, boys! Sleep well?"
Bella laughed at the twin disgruntled looks on the Watcher and Vampire's faces. Standing in front of the fireplace Bella gave a sharp, shrill whistle to gain everyone's attention. Everyone in the room turned to listen to what the oldest slayer had to say.
"Okay people – we've got a lot to take care of and only a little time to do it – so listen up. Ladies, I'm going to be turning over your training to Duncan, Amanda, Faith and Spike. I expect you to listen to them. Combined they have more than 1,500 years combat experience. I don't want you giving them a hard time. I know this has been hard for you – being torn from your homes and dropped in the middle of a war zone but I promise if you listen to your new teachers they will give you the skills to survive this experience."
All the girls had been quietly listening to Bella, which was a new experience for her. Kennedy stood up to speak for the potentials, "Bella – last night we talked and we all wanted to let you know that we're sorry for how we acted. We know you're only trying to do what's best for us – keep us alive. We'll do whatever you need us to."
Bella was surprised. She'd expected griping and the girls just sat there calmly waiting to hear what they needed to do.
"Well, uhm – great! The rest of us will be researching this." Bella then held out the sword she'd retrieved from the vineyard. "This sword is what the First was hiding at the vineyard. It made Caleb very, very nervous that I had it. I'm hoping that Giles, Methos, Anya and I will be able to find some reference to this. Spike already found some information on it at the Spanish Mission. He found reference to a weapon that was for 'her alone'. Before I even saw the sword I felt its power drawing me to it. It was imbedded in a large obsidian stone. I was able to pull it out easily – like slicing a hot knife through butter. When my hand touched it was like an electrical charge shot through me and the sword became part of me."
"Amazing," said Giles. "I've brought all my reference tomes and I saw there were also a large number in the library here. I suggest we set up in there. Bella, may I look more closely at the sword."
"Of course, why don't you take it into the library and I'll be there in a few minutes." Bella then turned to Duncan. "You can take the girls into the ball room. The windows are blacked out so Spike won't become a big pile of dust and it's roomy enough to spread out for training. I'd like you to divide the girls into three groups and then rotate them after an hour. They should work on hand-to-hand – probably with Spike. You and Amanda can take them through training with a sword. Faith, work with the girls on using a crossbow. I seem to remember you're wicked good with one. In the back of the room is a large closet full of all the toys you'll need along with anything the girls brought with them from Revello Drive."
Bella took a deep breath thinking over the instructions she'd just given and finding them sufficient gave Duncan a quick kiss on the lips and turned and followed Giles to the library.
Anya quickly followed. "Did you get orgasms? Duncan looks like he could give amazing orgasms. And if Methos' stamina says anything for immortals in general well then you must be feeling extremely satisfied. I know I am."
Methos blushed red again while Amanda and Spike snickered at him. Faith just gave Duncan an appraising look, "So – Mac – did you give B those orgasms?"
It was Duncan's turn to blush and gruffly order the potentials to the ballroom.
Crawford Street Mansion – Library
Bella walked into the library after getting Andrew and one of the potentials who's arm was to injured to train sent off to gather supplies.
"Giles can I speak to you privately for a moment – in the hall."
As she stood waiting for him Bella tried to compose her thoughts. She was still angry with the watcher no matter that Willow's spell had compelled him to help. She couldn't get the image of her watcher - the man Dawn thought of as a father, holding the girl down while Willow killed her out of her mind. She took a deep shuddering breath and looked at her watcher as he stood before her.
She couldn't help the tears in her eyes or the shakiness in her voice as she began to speak, "Giles, I'm still so very angry with you about what you did to Dawn."
Giles started to speak but Bella held up her hand, "Let me finish. I'm angry. But I know that Willow used a spell on you and for that I'm willing to consider forgiving you – not today and maybe not even soon – but someday. That's all I can give you. But I know we need to be able to work together and I wanted to let you know what I'm feeling. We can't do this without your research skills. You, aside from Wesley are probably the last Watcher. Even when we're done here and the First is defeated the slayer line will need you and for that I'm willing to put aside my anger. Do you understand? I don't want to hear excuses or justification or pleas for forgiveness. I just want to get this done. Can you do that?"
"Bella, I know you don't want to hear a request for forgiveness. But I do want to say that I am truly sorry. Perhaps if I hadn't been so negligent with Willow. If I'd been willing to face my own problems with magic we wouldn't be here. But I know that there is nothing I can do to change what's happened. But know this I will do everything in my power to help you here and earn your forgiveness. I am so sorry, dear girl."
Taking a deep breath, "Okay, we better get in there and start with the book looking."
"You know Bella you may be 3,000 years old but you've truly mastered California speak," Giles laughingly said.
"I aim to please, watcher."
Bella and Giles walked back into the library to see Methos closely examining the sword. "What do you think old man?"
Methos, eyes intent on the sword, "Mmm. It's definitely Roman in origin. I think before the Eastern Empire. But, I think we need to consult an expert."
Bella gave him a sharp look, "Old man you were there – I didn't think there was anything more expert than that."
"Don't forget young lady you saw some of the Empire as well. But despite the fact I may live by the sword they are not my special study. I suggest we take some digital photos and email them to Connor. I think he might be able to tell us what workshop this came from. It's exquisite and was designed by a master craftsman."
The byplay between the two immortals was fascinating. Several questions were running through Giles' mind not least of which was whether this Adam/Methos person was older than Bella. But Giles forced himself to stay on track and asked, "Who is Connor?"
Bella answered, "He's immortal and Duncan's kinsman. He's also an expert in antiquities – especially swords." She turned to Methos, "You're right. I think Andrew has a digital camera. Does anyone know where his stuff is? We can use my laptop – it's on the desk."
"His bag is in the living room. I'll look for his camera," Anya said exiting the library in the direction of the living room.
"Methos you call Connor and let him know we'll be sending him photos of the sword along with a written description. Let him know your thoughts on it. Tell him we'll call him as soon as we email the pics and I need answers as soon as possible."
Bella then turned to a shelf of books behind her desk and pulled down several volumes while Methos called Connor.