Twice Lucky

Boca Del Inferno

Chapter 5: Changes

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

Xander threw it at Angel, and the ensouled vampire plucked it out of the air with a practiced ease. The vampire looked at the object in his hand and blinked in surprise, "What is it?"

"It's a ring…"

Xander couldn't help the sarcasm in his voice; today he was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. His hair was combed back and he was in a particularly good mood. He'd been out digging the last few nights in a place that Spike had suggested and had come up trumps.

The bleach-blonde vampire had been true to his words: the ring holding the Gem of Amarra was exactly where he said it would be. It made vampires invincible and, as much as he hated giving it to dead meat – Angel, he mentally corrected himself - it served a purpose.

"No shit…" Angel responded, scowling as he looked up. He held the ring and let the moonlight glint off it. The two were becoming something of a legend in the neighbourhood, staking only the fledglings and staying clear of the Master's territory. The last thing they needed to do was draw the old vampire's attention to them; they could never hope to beat him in a fight.

"The Gem of Amarra."

Angel breathed in deeply, making a hissing sound as he did. "This thing makes vampires invincible, where did you find it?"

"You don't wanna know."

Angel took the hint and, as the two walked through the cemetery, Angel slipped it on his finger and marvelled it.

It wasn't lost on Angel that Xander had quoted him from earlier. With Xander's knowledge, they were starting to make a lot of headway. "The Slayer will be here soon, she starts next term."

"Yes," Angel nodded in agreement. "I've heard whispers, and the underground is starting to get itchy, as though a terrible storm is coming."

The youth chuckled, "They don't know the half of it. Y'know it's funny, I didn't think about it until later, but half the things that happened, didn't happen until Buffy arrived."

"You think it happened because of her?"

"No, I think it's balance," Xander scowled, starting to sound a lot like Whistler. "Do me a favour…"

"Sure."

Xander stopped and looked at the vampire with seriousness, "If you see Whistler, twat him for me."

Angel noted that Xander used a lot of English references, this particular one he'd heard the last time he'd been home. He wondered what had happened at that great battle that had driven them out of Sunnydale.

Laughing, the two walked deeper into the night, "That can be arranged."

"God, what is it with his dress sense."

Angel smirked, "I know, he can look like anything he wants and he wears that…"

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

The school term ended on a good note; Xander had tried out for the football team, passing with flying colours, as his jogging in the mornings and general work in people's gardens were helping to build up his muscles. He kept his morning routine of jogging with Willow and Jessie, even Angel was starting to join them, in case they got attacked again or anyone else got the wrong idea. Willow was coming along in leaps and bounds. She had even performed her first magical spells, creating a ball of flame and moving pencils. It wasn't much, but Xander declared it a victory and a step in the right direction, making Willow eternally happy.

Her body was developing nicely and, thanks to the jogging, she was starting to loose a lot of baby fat and even get the beginnings of a six pack that rivalled Xander's. Her breasts, to Xander's amusement and hormone-driven fantasies, were starting to become firmer and, thanks to the regular exercise, she'd one morning gained an extra cup size. Naturally, Xander had been more than willing to examine that!

"Ah, Mister Harris." Giles looked up from book he had been looking over, wearing his tweed suit, brown trousers and matching waistcoat. Giles adjusted his glasses.

"Hello, Mister Giles." Giles was not a new Watcher, but had not had the pleasure of training either a Slayer or a Potential. This was his first, as the saying went, and, as the pun followed, it was normally the most painful. This young man had a large group of friends, which varied from several jocks to a great deal of nerds. He was polite, pleasant and easy to talk to. He also acted much more mature than someone his age should. He hoped, quietly, that the Slayer, this… Buffy, would fit in well and make the same friends.

Xander came in and picked up specific books, some on biology, chemistry and a few bits and pieces on the military. Most notably the Air force.

"The air force, thinking of joining?"

"Not sure, but I'm contemplating it, I love planes and flying and would love to learn, the military pay you well, and take you through college and everything."

"Worth thinking about Mister Harris," Giles said with a smile. Xander nodded his thanks and started walking out of the library.

The youth stopped slightly and turned around with a grin. "My friends call me Xander." And, with that, he walked out. Stepping out through the doors, Xander let loose a breath of air that he hadn't realised he'd been holding.

The long corridors were deserted at the moment. It reminded him, eerily, of when the town had been evacuated; everyone, quite literally, running for the hills. He could picture Dawn and the Potential running down the corridors, screaming for help as the First's minions chased after them; he could hear an echo of the First's laughter. Xander grimaced. It would go differently, he would make damn sure of that.

He had to be careful around Giles, not giving away to much. He wasn't certain that the Watcher was ready, just yet, to know what he knew; at least not without being carted off to the loony bin.

Or worse, the Council would get involved.

Fortunately, it was nearing the end of the summer holiday, so there was hardly anyone around - mostly teachers, and they hardly paid him any mind. Xander was okay with that, as he wanted to be in and out as quickly as possible.

When he didn't have class, Xander was busy with his growing business. For a reasonable fee, he would do yardwork and other chores that folks either couldn't be bothered with, or didn't have time for. If there was too much to do on a job, he would call Jessie or Willow to help, splitting the money. Jessie came reluctantly, not wanting the hard work, or perhaps realising that Xander was growing up faster than he. Jessie still hung out with them on Fridays, around Xander's house, but was less talkative.

He would open up dialogue by talking about some hot girl in school, but it would always peter off into an uncomfortable silence. That was the trouble with growing up, Xander decided, rather quickly.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

"I'm curious about one thing." Xander and Angel were sitting in a bar. Xander, once again dressed in dark clothing, was twirling a stake in one hand while eyeing some of the rather darker denizens. "When we got into the fight, why'd you ask what the vampires are?"

"How's it gonna look if I suddenly come out with all these wondrous ways of fighting vampires? It'd draw attention to myself," Xander stopped and stared at a vampire, who was giving him an eyeful. The two looked each other in the eye until the vampire sniffed the air and turned back to his drink. Xander resumed the stake twirling. "I have to be able to explain what I know and how I know it... at least, now, I can say I researched the information."

"Point…" Angel nodded and lifted his pint of blood to his lips. While they were in the bar, Xander left the others alone; he simply respected Willy's joint. It was only when they were outside and became hunters again, did it bother him. The trouble was, there were so many places in Sunnydale where they could get the blood they needed, why bother hunting? It was the fact that they went out and stalked innocents that made Xander angry.

Angel leaned forward. "By the way, I've had some headway with Faith and her Watcher. From what I can tell, she's still alive and kickin'."

"The Watcher, too?" This drew Xander's attention. If he could get them early enough, maybe, just maybe, they all could avoid the crap she put them through.

"Yes, they're becoming something of a legend with Kakistos. I see why you wanted me to get to her as soon as possible."

Xander nodded. "Act now," he said. "Oh, remember, when you slay the big dude, use a larger stake than normal."

Angel grimaced and took the advisement for what it was.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

"The trouble with modern world is that everything is ordered."

Willow blinked in confusion and nodded at Xander's comment.

"People have everything in order, daily routines." Willow nodded. "The problem is that the world is a lot bigger than what most people can handle, so they turn a blind eye to it."

Xander winced at his choice of words as an image of Caleb flashed, the demon's thumb running through his eye socket.

"It's called delirium," Willow said as she pulled a book out of her bag and handed it over, the word 'Vampyre' written on the cover.

"Yeah, I know," Xander nodded.

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

The trouble was, every so often, something happened that was outside the ordered events; a little bit of chaos. It happened when Angelus was turned into vampire with a soul; it happened when Xander came back in time to save the future. It happened now, as well.

Things were going to be difficult, Angel knew that. He had found a Watcher and her Potential. The taller, maturer woman, with a slightly round face, hardened through years of training and combat, was panting. Her long coat was soaked from the rain, her hair plastered against her face, her breasts heaving up and down with the exertion. Angel smiled as he stood in the darkness, watching the two.

The irony of that, watching the Watcher who was watching the Slayer. So often was that the irony of his life.

"Run, Faith." A long, black limo had pulled up to the corner of the street.

"No," the younger brunette stated firmly. "I'll stay here and help you, we're cool, we'll take 'em."

"No, Faith." The woman's British accent came through clearly to the vampires heightened senses, and it sounded strained. "We won't."

Faith didn't seem to care. She pulled out a wicked looking blade and readied herself for the combat to come. Angel stepped out. "Need a hand?"

Both of them looked startled…

It was then that events took a different turn. Something fell out of the sky like a meteorite, it landed on the limo with a crashing impact, crushing whoever was inside. Only the stronger Kakistos survived… but not for much longer.

Angel was able to see the fight clearly, even through the mist of the rain. A blue woman pulled the Master out of the car and threw him to the ground. She jumped onto the pavement and smiled cruelly, at least Angel thought it was a smile. She then plunged her hand deep into the vampire's chest and turned her hand. For a second, the Master stopped and looked down with mild amusement, before bursting into fiery dust.

The blue-haired and skinned woman walked up to the trio; the Watcher standing behind Faith, putting a protective hand on her shoulder. The woman twitched and shuddered, as though she were uncomfortable with her own skin.

"You are Faith?"

The brunette looked surprised, but nodded.

"Good." The demon, he was certain of it, as she had that smell about her, looked at Angel. "Hello half-breed, Xander Harris sent me to retrieve you all."

With that, the demon ripped open a portal and dragged the three of them through it.