23. Part 23 A new Day

Boston's Witch Burning

Disclaimer: Please see Part One

By: Fire Wolfe

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Part 23 A new Day

A new He sat back and sipped his cognac. It was a rare indulgence after such a trying day. Not that ridding the world of such abominations was an unworthy task but it had been messy. He hated messy. While disposing of the pretenders and their evil witch supporters was rewarding it did tend to soil ones hands and clothing. He would have to remember to wear something less important next time. Perhaps it would be wise to invest in some workman's gear. What did they call those one piece monstrosities again? Ah yes overhauls or cover-all or some such. It might also aide in his blending into the area better as well. He had felt decidedly out of place in his Armani suit. Wearing such a kit in that area was sure to draw unwanted attention and the assumption that he was involved with the local criminal element. That would never do to be considered some common thug. While dressing as a common laborer was not dignified it was far better to blend in. Not that he was overly worried but why take chances. He had a lot more work to do and he certainly did not want to have to delay it because moving about became complicated. Yes he would pick up the work gear tomorrow. The American Police are not nearly as sophisticated and as competent as Scotland Yard but why make it too easy on them just on case they got lucky. With that last thought he set his drink down. The maid would gather it up in the morning. He had to get some rest he had a city to purify and a plan to carry out. Soon the slayer line would be restored and there would once again only be one as the shadow men had intended and Buffy Summers and her traitorous gang would fall under the rightful rule of the Council his Council.

The morning came all too quickly for Constance. She rolled over and noted her beloved was sleeping curled around her protectively. She smiled at this habit of William's. It was one of his most endearing traits his deep desire for her and his protective nature. It had always been so as if he always was afraid to wake and find her to be gone. Years ago it had been his fear of her being called and his fear that the Council would somehow snatch her away from him. While he was a powerful man from a powerful and influential family his fears had been grounded in fact. The old council had made Paddy Doyle's mob even under his father seem tame in their actions and reactions. The passion well that was a gift one she never took for granted and in hindsight it had also probably made them seem inaccessible to Maura as a young child. She sighed it was too early to be having regrets. Today was a new day and miraculously she had reconnected with her daughter and her wife and wasting this gift was wrong. She carefully slipped out of William's arms and headed for her morning absolutions. She had a lot to do today and as much as she wanted to stay in bed with her beloved she had work to do. Maura and Caylin's lives might depend on it. She had to have a long over do talk with both Hope and Paddy. They all had to be united or their children would become problematic which could and would endanger them and that was not something she was about to allow.

Paddy awoke and rolled out of bed. He was sore and stiff and if he would admit it only to himself lonely. He hated that Hope was so close yet so far away from him. He hated that she believed him to be a monster even if it had been in her and Maura's best interests to believe that. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. Wishing life was different would not make it so. Instead he had to prove he was not the man everyone believed him to be. Ok he was a mobster and killer but he had a code and rules. He was also a Druid King and that had responsibilities to it. All too often his perceived crimes were merely his acting in his role as king. The idea of Americans ruling his people or the supernatural was laughable at best and downright insane at the worst. Druids had always protected humanity and his branch of it stayed true to that goal. He could admit that killing was often a part of it but, the creatures he killed were not human or even if they were they all chose to do evil. The common law of man would never be able to judge them much less hold them. So it was his job to provide justice. He just prayed that the women in his life could accept this. He wanted a relationship with his daughter and heaven help him he wanted his mate back. Patrick Doyle gathered his resolve and forced himself to move it was time to stop a killer and if that meant this time he had to work with the Council and the BPD he would do so.

Barold "Barry" Frost woke with a start. It took him a moment to realize where he was and what was going on. He almost jumped out of bed at Korsak's snoring. He sighed deeply and got up stumbling to the attached bath to shower dragging his clothing with him. The down side of being at the Isles was the bed was the most comfortable he had ever slept in. He knew he would hate his own bed after this one. Of course it might just be he had not slept for a while so deeply. He pushed that aside and he climbed into the shower. Well at least I know why Jane always spent so much time at Maura's even before they were a couple. He grinned at that turning on the water. The hot jets soothed his protesting muscles. Yes one could get used to this.

Angela woke early it was her habit to do so. Years of being a wife and mother made waking early a habit. She showered quickly and then dressed. She had a feeling today was going to be a busy one. She grabbed her phone and called in. Stanly was not going to be happy but she knew going into work was not an option given the situation. Plus if she was honest she wanted to be in the thick of things. This time she was so not allowing anyone to push her to the side. Family stuck together.

Maura padded down the steps of her childhood home with ease. She enjoyed the early mornings and knew her mother would likely be in the kitchen. She wanted to talk to Constance alone before the others awoke. She did not want her mother to feel uncomfortable in her own home so she make sure she was all right with Hope, Paddy and Caylin being here. She knew her mother well enough to know that the others the Rizzoli's and her teammates were now considered family and as such would not be an issue. She also wanted to know why. Why had her parents treated her like they had?

As she entered the kitchen she found Constance making the morning coffee having shooed off the staff.

"Good morning mother." She said.

"Good morning darling." Constance said moving to her side.

"Yes it really is a lovely day." Maura said looking out and enjoying the rising sun. It was exceptionally beautiful today or maybe it was just because she had such a close call last evening. In any case it b brightened her darker mood almost instantly.

Constance handed Maura a cup of coffee which she sipped almost reflexively. It was a surprise to Maura that it was perfect. She raised a brow at her mother.

"I am not totally unobservant my dear."

Maura nodded at that. "Thank you it is perfect."

Constance said nothing but rather picked up her own hot beverage and took a sip. The two women stood in silence for a moment before they both headed toward the back door off the kitchen. The morning sun rose and its beauty was enough to observe in silence. This was one thing that they had often shared when in the same house. Mornings looking out at the rising sun and it brought back some happy memories for Maura allowing her to consider that perhaps her mother had did the best she could.

Constance could almost see the wheels moving in her daughter's brilliant mind. It was of course making excuses for her and William and at one time she might have been grateful for that. Now however she wanted to own her life including her mistakes.

"We did try Maura but to be honest we ….we failed you on so many levels."

Maura would have protested but Constance was having none of it. "We gave you material comfort and neglected the most vital part of being a parent. Emotions are not easy to use or learn and I admit that perhaps I followed my own family's methods to much. I was scared of losing you and because of that I closed you off and pushed you away. I never considered my actions would still not protect me and that they would harm you. William and I love you dearly Maura but we were very poor at showing it. Perhaps it is because we were too absorbed in each other and we were afraid."

Maura sipped her coffee and nodded. "When I was younger I hated it. I never understood how you could be so caught up with father and leave me alone so much."

Constance winced at this painful truth.

"Now however I do understand. It was love. You love father deeply and completely and sometimes you forgot to love me."

Constance began to deny that then stopped. Sadly she reflected it was true William was her touchstone her everything. She would be lost without him. "I know, it became clear this morning to me how deeply I hurt you and how I was selfish. There is no excuse."

"No there isn't." Maura said softly "However as I said I am older, wiser and I do understand love that deep. I …Jane is my everything and I could easily shut the world out. If I could I would take her away someplace safe and secure and never let her out of bed. If you and father feel half as much then so much of our family life makes sense. Added to it your fears about me becoming a slayer, well you tried to wrap yourself up in safety and security and still you took me in. I know you both love me and that it was fear and a lack of understanding about how a family works that caused the distance. Now however you and father are working hard to make it up to us. So I forgive you and I ask you to forgive me for not being able to communicate well enough to explain my needs. Maybe it was all about communication because the love was always there even if I did not recognize it at the time."

Constance set down her cup and went to Maura giving her a deep hug. Slayer strength forgotten for the moment, Maura smiled at this and hugged her mother back. They would make this work.

TBC….

24. Part 24 So it begins….

Friday, November 01, 2013

Boston's is Burning

Disclaimers: Please See Part One

Part 24 So it begins….

Rupert Giles walked off the Council plane pulling along his bag. He knew that this situation was suddenly so much more serious then they had first thought. The addition of a Master Vampire always complicated matters deeply but add a long lost Druid King and it changed everything. He was very glad he had already decided to come to Boston. There was no way in hell he was allowing his family to face this danger along.

He wondered what gods they had offended to always end up so deep in it? The only small respite he had was the fact that Xander would be remaining in England with Andrew to overlook the Council. While Andrew had come a long way he was by no means ready to handle even the day to day affairs of the worldwide organization. So Xander's arrival from Africa had been most fortuitous.

Convincing his to stay in the United Kingdom had not been easy but, it was a needed thing. While some of the wounds of the past had healed Xander's stubborn nature and the deep hurt he had repeatedly inflicted on Buffy meant that for now at least he was better an ocean away. Giles knew Buffy still loved her friend but hurts still had to heal and until the white knight apologized he had a feeling they would remain friends but that Buffy at least would want distance in that friendship. In a way he understood but, he also understood that Xander had chosen to do what he had for reasons he believed were valid.

Rupert was not such a hypocrite as to not admit he had considered lying to Buffy about Willow's restoration spell and letting her just dust the bastard Angelus. However in the end he loved her like a daughter and would not could not deny her a chance at happiness. He sighed and knew that Buffy had forgiven him that youthful folly if never forgetting it. However the betrayal they all inflicted on her in the last days of Sunnydale went beyond that. Only Xander had yet to apologize for his role in it and that was the thing Buffy could not forget and was clearly having issues with forgiving. So for now until Xander admitted he was wrong and until Buffy fully forgave him he was better off at headquarters. There was also the fact that Giles needed him there as well. Giles moved forward through the immigration Que and handed the officer his passport. The agent brow rose but he stamped it without a word.

"Thank you." Giles said.

"Have a nice visit." Was the routine if monotone reply from the agent.

Giles nodded at him and headed out. He just hoped the car and driver were waiting for him because he honestly did not want to try to find his way around in a city he was unfamiliar with. He had a lot of information for his team and delays would not do.

Vvvvvvvvvvvvv

Vince Korsak tied his shoes. He had to admit he slept well. He noted Barry was already gone down. Oh well it was still early. He grabbed his phone and called his team in. There was no point in their heading to the station until they had a full briefing here. He had a feeling that they would need a secure place to have the conversation. Hell he knew if someone like Crow got wind of this it be in the papers in no time and they all be having to field uncomfortable questions.

Dealing with Doyle was always walking a line. Vince Korsak was an honest cop. He loved his job and liked to think he was one of the best and most decent one's on the BPD. However that being said when it came to family and Maura, Jane, Barry and Frankie were that he would and could do anything to protect them. He did not have children other than Josh is step son but these young people were family to him. Hell if he was honest he even considered Cavanah a brother. He would do what he had to, to keep them safe. If that made him dirty well, he could live with it. However that being said he still wanted no questions asked if possible because while he and Sean was close to retiring he knew the others still had long careers ahead of them. He did not want to do anything to endanger them. He called Sean and gave him the heads up. His boss would help cover them he was a good man and he too considered them family.

The last few years since the arrival of Maura Isles had dramatically changed the dynamic of the station house. Oh they were all still dedicated cops but they were more now. It was as if inside the station a family lived and worked as one. Sean would give them cover and check them in. It was all good in the end. Hopefully Paddy would not complicate matters to much because even if Sean loved Maura Korsak knew that Sean still longed to shoot Doyle.

Susie Chang ran the test on the victim's blood with care. She frowned as the results came back. The chemical mix was highly unusual. She wondered if it would mean anything to Dr. Isles? She made careful notes recognizing part of the mixture as a highly dangerous and powerful sedative. It was the other compounds in it she was having difficulty with. She wrote them down and then set her work aside. She would have to research them. Taking the list to her desk she began to look them up in the computer. With luck their data base would have some more details. She hated to give and incomplete report to Dr. Isles.

As she sent then information into the computer for a search she typed out a quick email to a friend's at NCIS and the crime lab in Los Vegas. Maybe Abby and Catherine have a clue what this stuff was. After all those ladies were some of the best. If they did not have some clue maybe the lab in Miami would. Hornito Cain's team might have information as well. Besides these three teams tended to get the wild stuff as often as they did, with luck someone would have something if t he data base came up empty.

Willow watched as Kennedy moved with lithe grace. It always fascinated her to watch her beloved go through her morning Ti Chi. It was like a dance. She was so damned graceful. Not that Buffy and Faith were not grace and beauty but she was biased because she loved Kennedy. It was completely different. It made her want to hold her close forever and never let her out to fight the baddies. She had taken a long time to really love again and it still surprised her that Kennedy had been so patient with her. She would be lying if she said she had been easy to love. Yet Kennedy had stuck through it all. Yes she still loved Tara deeply and a part of her had died with her lover. However Kennedy had helped her be reborn as it were. She was a reminder that there still was life and love after such a loss. She was her personal miracle. Willow would always mourn Tara and she could be honest enough to say she still loved Oz deeply but Kennedy was her salvation and her chance at a life partner and she would forever be glad her beloved had the courage and willingness to be patient with her.

"What?" Kennedy asked.

"I love you."

The dark haired slayer smiled shyly not something that happened often. She moved to Willow's side. "I love you too…" A kiss soon turned passionate.

Oh well who needs breakfast was Willow's last thought.

TBC…..

25. Part 25 SOS

Boston's is Burning

Friday, January 24, 2014

Disclaimers: Please See Part One

Part 25 SOS

Abbey turned on her computer to do a quick check of her emails. It was an ingrained habit to check them before her day began getting complicated. It seemed to be a good way to start the day without overly stressing herself as she woke up. She sipped the first of several large Caffe Pows she would consume throughout the day and nibbled on a Cherry Cheese Danish a rare indulgence from her favorite bakery. They had just finished closing a rather hard case and she decided that that required a reward. The Danish was wickedly good but packed with calories. Oh well she burn them off later in a run or something. As she nibbled the Danish she saw the email from Susie Chang in Boston. She smiled as she thought of the Chinese woman whom she met two years ago at a forensic conference. The woman was very quick and detailed orientated which Abbey respected plus she had a wicked if slightly off color sense of humor. Finding the girl loved nudist beaches had been fun too. Abbey opened the report and began reading the details to see what it was that stumped her rather brilliant friend.

In Miami the CSI team all gathered around as Horatio Cane had called a meeting. They did not currently have a case so it was a bit of a shock to be called into this meeting. He began by apologizing to his team as they all thought they might catch a break.

"Sorry to call everyone in early. However I just got a request in from Boston dealing with some unusual samples. As I checked them out I found they match several samples we have from a few cold cases. So I though perhaps we should reexamine the information we have and perhaps check and compare notes with Boston CSI. It seems we may have a serial killer on our hands."

There was a silence as this sunk in. Most of the team had dealt with Serial cases in the past but none of them ever liked them at all. The idea that there could be an evidence of a killer from so far away might well explain why they run into dead ends. Of course their cases were several years old but, the killer could have moved on. Yes this news was highly interesting and disturbing to Miami's top CSI team.

In Los Vegas the night crew of CSI all were preparing to go home. Just then they got the page to come to the conference call.

'Great here I thought the night was over.' Katherine thought. She sighed and pulled on her Jacket hoping that the meeting be quick.

Quentin Travers tied his tie. He had a busy day ahead of him but before he began he was hungry. He just hoped the locals had a decent breakfast. Dinner had not been up to his standards but then again it was the colonies and they were all backward buffoons. He sighed "The things I do to save humanity." He said talking to himself because the silence was annoying. Sometimes he wished he could bring others in on his mission however most of the watchers he trusted had all been killed in the bombing. 'I will make Summers pay for their deaths. Most were decent watchers if a bit of sheep. Not that that had been a bad thing for him. Oh well once the lines restored I can begin again,' He locked his door and headed to his Lexis. At least the rental agency had decent autos to rent.

"So H we got a serial Killer who may have moved up to Boston. Have you let them know that we have matching cases yet?" Eric asked.

"No as I want to be certain they match. The DNA is a bit off. The criminologist Susan Chang is highly respected and highly skilled but it is still possible that the samples were not collected properly or were somehow damaged."

"Horatio I personally do not think that is possible."

Everyone turned to look at Calleigh Duquesne who was clearly defending the Boston CSI. "I met her at a conference a few years ago and she is methodical. If she is stumped it must be something highly unusual and worrisome. The only one I know of outside our teams who is a though might be Abbey Sciuto from NCIS or Katherine Willows from CSI Los Vegas. Susan Chang runs most test twice or three times to ensure proper outcomes. She is methodical and careful while this does not rule out a mistake her almost OCD complex when handling evidence makes it highly unlikely. Plus she in a team run my Dr. Maura Isles and she makes a perfectionist look sloppy."

Horatio Caine considered this with care. Cally would rarely publicly disagree with him so he had to believe she was as concerned as he was.

"So what does this mean for us then? I mean I am all for solving these cold cases but how does it help us do that? Also is it possible this killer or killers has moved around to differing parts of the country?"

"Eric has a point Horatio if the killers moving around then we may not be the only ones with information on him. Maybe we should send out some feelers and see if anyone else has cases. I mean if Ms. Chang sent us the information maybe she sent it to other departments as well." Ryan Wolfe said. "Maybe New Orleans or Atlanta have been hit as well. I mean if he/she moving around it make sense that they hit major cities of similar size."

"That is so not a comforting thought." Eric said. "I mean what are the odds and there are a lot of good sized cities. Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago they all have large populations."

"Well if Susie sent out the alerts to people she knows or met at that conference it will include Las Vegas as well as New York. I recall meeting several people from those CSI programs. However it might not hurt to send it out to our own contacts as well. I know some people in the places Eric suggested and the rest of you may also have contacts. Horatio I think we need to contact Susan and send out a national alert." Cally said.

"Yes it may well be wise. I'll contact some old friends as well. Perhaps some in the FBI if this becomes a national case." Horatio said sadly and softly. Somehow he had a bad feeling this was a lot larger then they first thought.

The crime lab in Las Vegas was never really all that slow. It worked 24/7 and had crews that were some of the best in the nation. They were used to dealing with the strange and weird as it went with working in city that prided itself on being a Mecca for the entertainment business. Sin city never slept and catered to the darker side of human life and because of it it rarely had a peaceful week. The night crew all filed in and took their seats. Katherine Willows sighed and took a sip of her newest coffee. Thank God I bought that new IMPRESSA J9 One Touch TFT machine. It had cost more than her first car but oh it made fantastic coffee. It had been an indulgence and a thank you for her team when she had been promoted. Yes it was insanely expensive but it did in the end actually save money and help cut down on the waste she produced so she called it a win. Besides good coffee was a must in their line of work and it beat paying the local shops six dollars for the crap they sold. She sat back and waited for Gil Grissom to begin.

"We have a request from Boston. It seems that the locals have come up against some strange substances that may or may not be linked to a multiple homicide. When I compared the DNA and various other samples to our own data base and past cases I have found several similar results. It seems we may have a serial killer on our hands. I know we are all tired but if what I learned is true this killer has been killing across the nation. So I would like us to all step in to help Boston. This information was forwarded to Miami and New York as well as several other major citys. So far only Miami has found similar results but I expect that to change soon. The case we have are over 20 years old so it is quite possible this killer been operating for decades."

That news made any protest Katherine would have made stop. I such a monster was out there she wanted him caught. Sleep could wait besides she had fresh coffee and it would be a shame to waste it.

Susie Chang hummed softly as she logged into her computer. She had no worries and some small hope that other departments might find or have information to help with this case. Her gut was screaming at her that there was far more to this case then she knew and she was not about to not seek out help in solving it. It was clear that this case was important otherwise the Governor and Mayor would not be demanding their number one team work with outsiders. If she had to watch the others deal with outsiders the least she could do was use that order to check and see if similar cases happened elsewhere. Her people deserved to have all the support she could give them. She set her coffee down and froze as she found several emails from differing departments all responding to her requests. Oh boy this was so not good. It seemed they did indeed have a serial killer on their hands and somehow she opened a can of worms with her request. This case just got majorly complicated. Dr. Isles was so going to be annoyed. Not that they had more information of course but….because someone had missed the connections until now. She hated injustice and took each murder personally. The only one who was more into taking down a killer was her wife Jane. Yep they were so not going to be happy and someone was so going to hear about it….Susie was just glad it was not her foul up.

TBC…..

26. Part 26 Nightmare bad

Boston's Burning

2014-02-03

Disclaimer: Please see part One

Part 26

The smell of fresh coffee and food finally brought everyone into the main dining area. There were a few yawns as it was early but everyone seemed in relatively good spirits. Faith noted that Kennedy looked smug and relaxed a sure sign the girl had gotten lucky last night and probably this morning as well if Red's blushes were anything to go by. Damn I so hate being single she thought. She looked over at Sean and wondered how the big guy be in the sack. Her clear look over got her a glare from Paddy. Faith merely chuckled and winked then gave him a head nod toward Hope. It was saying I'm simply a chip off the old block. She was surprised when Paddy simply sipped the coffee he had been handed by the butler.

Buffy giggled and decided Faith having a father was going to be really, really entertaining. Faith scowled at that. It had been years since she had any kind of parental authority and she sure as heck did not need or want it at this point. She glanced over at her sister who was smiling.

"What's that smile for Dr. Isles?" She was still not too comfortable with calling her big sis by name. She was so different and above her.

"It's Maura Faith I am your sister. I was just thinking that with you here perhaps Paddy won't be so obsessed with me."

Paddy growled at that. "I would not count on that daughter. I love you all the same. I may have not done the best job of keeping you all safe in the past however that changed now. You are all my children and I am not letting anyone or anything hurt you, Faith, Sean, Matty or even Caylin. I lost Collin I won't lose another child."

There was a rather stunned silence at this outburst none really knowing what to say. Hope was shocked to hear him include Caylin in the mix however a small part of her was thrilled. Paddy was many things but one thing he had proven was he would do anything to protect Maura and if that protection now went to Caylin she would take it regardless of how she sometimes wanted to shoot the man.

"Ah Maura maybe teasing your old man not to wise; he loves you dearly and would do anything to keep you safe." Korsak said. He might have some issues with Paddy Doyle but the man was protective. So protective that he trusted his daughter's associates back before they become family. Yes he had a code and strangely enough that though comforted Korsak.

"What's for breakfast?" Barry asked hoping to break the tension.

"I don't know Barry but it smells really good. We should eat before Tommy and Frankie roll in. Those two are bottomless pits." Jane said with a grin.

"Hey we so are not." Tommy said as he walked in carrying T.J. with Lydia at his side.

"Yes you are." Angela said. "You three almost drove your father and I to the poor house with as much as you all ate. That includes you Janie. I swear they could eat two dozen eggs for breakfast and a gallon of milk and juice. I went through over a pound of bacon every day."

Jane blushed because she knew her mom was right they all ate a lot.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Willow said. "It gives us energy to work and think."

"Indeed it does." Maura agreed. "That means you need more than coffee and a Bagel Jane."

Jane rolled her eyes. She did not have the heart to say she normally did not eat because she ran out of time. I mean making love to Maura or eating….hum no contest.

"Willow it's more a time thing." Kennedy said. Causing her girlfriend to blush deeply because she knew why they run late.

"Yes it can be an issue." William said causing his wife to turn a deep shade of red. "However I would say it's just as invigorating."

"William really…." What every lecture Constance would have given was cut short as the door bell rang.

"I'll get it."Maura said eager to be away from her parents flirting and innuendo.

Constance rose and followed Maura out. She was blushing her lecture to her husband forgotten.

Rupert Giles straightened his tie. He hoped that there would be some good news. He had traveled all night to be here and he was not going to let his girls down. His gut was screaming that so much more was going on here than they knew.

Maura opened the door and saw a tall man in tweed waiting.

"Is this the Isle's residence. My name is Giles and I have a breakfast appointment with Dr. Isles."

"I am Dr. Isles but perhaps you mean my father William?"

"Ah yes, I believe that is so."

Maura stepped back. She did not invite him in.

Giles smiled glad she was following basic safety even if it was clear she seemed uncomfortable doing so. He noted the tense posture of the older woman behind her.

"Welcome to our home Dr. Giles she offered her hand which he shook quickly. "We are just sitting down for breakfast please join us."

"That would be most welcome." Giles said following her in.

"Giles." Came Buffy's almost shout. She ran to him and gave him a slayer hug much to the amusement of everyone and his embarrassment. "I am so glad you are here. I missed you watcher mine."

Giles blushed and pulled away and began cleaning his glasses which made all who knew him laugh.

"Everyone this is Dr. Rupert Giles my watcher and father to all of us."

Jane looked at the man. He was clearly flustered and shocked at that introduction. Yet it was clear he held deep affection for his group as he looked over them all.

"I thought you said his name was Giles?" Barry asked.

"Giles has been more of a father to the gang then Hank ever was to me and Buffy. Hence the father tag. Just wanted you all to know he's family too." Dawn piped in.

Barry flushed. He knew all about family by choice it should not surprise him that this group was similar. Of course he had no real idea of the dynamics. Maybe it was as much a warning as introduction. He looked over at Korsak who nodded clearly thinking the same thing.

"Ok so what's the reason Dr. Giles is here?" Jane asked."What his role in all of this?"

"Giles is my watcher and the head of The Council." Buffy said. There was no mistaking the possessive tone in her voice or her look.

Jane looked around and Faith simply shrugged. Kennedy nodded. They all got it. Giles was Buffy's watcher while he ran the council his first loyalty was always to her and hers to him. They all finally got it but explaining it to outsiders was never going to be simple or easy.

"Watchers are slayer's back up and research arm. It's a complex relationship. In recent years we become a family all of us." Giles said his hand reaching out and encompassing the whole group from the Council. "We've depended on each other for years. Buffy and I perhaps longer than most it's a difficult thing to explain other than to say we are partners."

The cops all nodded at this. That they got.

"Ok so what now?" Frankie asked he scowled a little not sure he liked the way Buffy hugged the old guy. Something in his gut stirred and growled. He bit his tongue to keep it from coming out.

Dawn grinned at his scowl; it was more than clear he was interested in Buffy and that pleased her to no end. He was human which was a good thing to her mind, however as a cop he would likely be able to hold his own. Yep looks like big sis has an admirer which is good since its been a while for her.

Giles noted the dark look the young man was giving him. He followed it and noted the young man's eyes landed on Buffy. Well this could be complicated. He thought. "We have much to discuss. When I was flying in I received a report from Andrew it seems there are far more killings then we were aware of."

"That's not good." Korsak said.

Jane rolled her eyes at that understatement even as her and Maura's phones went off. She read the message and said. "Ah fuck!"

"Jane language." Maura said as she opened the text then paled. "Then again that hardly covers it." She looked at Korsak and Barry who were equally pale.

"Yeah, it don't, maybe it's a good thing we got help." Korsak said.

"Yeah think?" Barry asked. "This killers been all over…"

The Sunnydale group paled.

"Yes the killings have been going on for years and it seems that the old council eliminated more than problematic slayers." Giles said. "Quentin ordered mass murder."

"B we should have feed him to a vamp." Faith said.

"Yeah but that be cruel to the vampire."Buffy said."Staking them one thing but…Travers is bad enough if he were turned…it be like Angelus all over again."

"So don't need reminding of that." Willow said.

Dawn nodded this was going to be bad as in nightmare bad.

TBC….

27. Part 27 Boss of me not!

Part 27 Boss of me Not!

Caylin desided enough was enough and said. "I don't need another father."Caylin said. "I old enough to take care of myself, no mobster's going to have a say in my life or my choices you are not the boss of me."

Dawn chuckled at that remark. She looked over at Buffy who was fighting a laugh. Buffy noticed Faith was barely keeping the laughter in.

"Wow little sis takes after D. I wonder if they were twins separated at Birth." Faith snarked.

Dawn looked horrified which made Buffy laugh. Horrified she could have a twin who was so childish.

"Yeah when's here birthday again?" Kennedy teased. That got her a dark look from the youngest Summers.

"Hardy har har, really she's like way younger than me." Dawn protested. "No offence Caylin but having Buffy and Faith as sisters is more than enough."

"Hey what about me don't I count?" Willow protested.

"Yeah but you are the cool adopted one." Dawn shot back.

Everyone began laughing at that the tension flying away.

"So what I miss?" Asked Frankie as he and Barry came in.

"Just family bonding time,"Jane snarked it was funny to see someone else's family go at it for once. The fact that it was Maura and her sisters was hysterical to Jane.

"Janie stop teasing poor Maura why she puts up with you I will never know." Angela said.

Jane rolled her eyes at that and Frankie laughed. He was still smiling when his eyes landed on Buffy who was smirking. The blonde was clearly amused at their teasing each other.

"I mean it, I am so not letting some two bit thug run my life. I love Luke and I am sure there some logical explanation for his doing what he did. He might be sick and need me." Caylin said. "I won't let anyone hurt him. He's been good to me and I ….I need him. He is a part of me and I won't give him up." It was clear that the night had made Caylin forget he had tried to turn her and that the draw between them was strong.

Faith groaned at that. She pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to Buffy who merely smirked.

"Hey what's that?" Frankie asked.

"Just me paying off a bet with B . Seems little sis has a vampire mate."

"No that is not possible he is a vampire a monster." Hope said. "I mean he doesn't even have a soul. Caylin you cannot love or trust him."

"Yeah well even the souless can love and sometimes intensely. Plus having a soul not always a guarantee of being good and pure, I mean look at the Mayor or men like Hitler and Stalin they had souls and were so not into saving humanity just the opposite really. Then there are men like William the Bloody, Spike he …he saved the world even without a soul and then again when he had one twice. So souls they may be nice and sometimes shiny but a good being may or may not have them." Buffy said looking away lost in a memory of Spike dying to save her and the world a second time. The first time had almost gutted her the second told her she would likely never get her own happy ending. However Spikes' last words still rang in her ears. "Live for me Slayer your love's going to be there when you least expect it." She had not believed him but now, now maybe he was right. She locked gaze with Frankie. Who looked a little confused but willing to accept her words.

"I don't care if he is a vampire he is mine." Caylin said with a low growl. "I will not let you hurt him." Her hands were on her hips to make a point.

"Yep he's her mate if she is all growly and stuff." Dawn said. "What is it with our family and vampires? I mean really whats that four for four now."

Buffy blushed.

"We are not family." Caylin said with a dark look. "I don't know you or want to. I only have Mom. I dont want or need anyone else other than Luc."

"Oh honey." Hope said moving to her now panicking youngest. "That is not true. We are all family."

"Yeah right, you wanted to hurt them mom. I know you still want to shoot Doyle so I am so not calling him daddy. He's evil and he thew away his kids lied to you and used you. I might not like Maura but she did not deserve that and Faith while she seems cool she clearly dont need his dumb ass either."

Doyle winced at that hit. It hurt. He might deserve it but being reminded his bonded hated him hurt badly.

"Caylin girl you listen up." Faith said. "What you feel for your boy toy…your mom feels for Paddy. Yeah they have some issues to deal with but a bond. Bonded don't run out on each other and it doesn't just end when you want it to. That need desire burn you feel for this Luc/Luke Mitchell whatever he calls himself is the bond. You want him and need him and it calls to him. It's why he wanted to claim you and turn you. He would have made you're a vampire if we had not gotten there in time. He wants you all right for an eternity I would say and if he turns you that can be hell on earth and I don't think you want that. I don't think you want to hurt or kill people to live."

Caylin shook her head in denial even as Hope held her tight.

"Yeah he would have. Then the first thing you would have done is feed on some poor smuck and maybe come after your ma and Maura. Now Maura a slayer but she's your big sis and maybe just maybe she'd have not reacted in time. You would have hurt her and maybe killed her in your blood lust the same with your ma. Now I get it's the bond thing pulling you but you have to get this. It is not a good thing and you have to be wary. If you still want to bond with the vamp then we have to work out how to do it in a way that won't make you all fangy and end up killing us all."

"There is no way to do that." William said. "He has to be ended for all our sakes. Vampires are all evil and inredeemable no matter what Paddy might think or believe they can not be trusted."

Buffy winced at that. She looked away then back at Willow. "Why? He is Paddy's ally perhaps he could become ours. We have a really important bargaining chip here. Vampires will do anything to protect their mate."

"No, No you won't use Caylin to bargain with a monster." Hope said pulling her youngest behind her.

"I have to agree Caylin not a tool to be used."Maura said darkly. She moved to protect Hope and Caylin. She pushed back the hurt that Hope would be so damned protective of her younger sister.

"Buffy we can't, I mean what about Angel and Spike?"

"Will they are gone. I loved them both but they are dead and dust. Spike he made his choice and there is still Shinso out there. We have an orb with us I know you packed a couple just on case so we can do it." Buffy said.

Faith whistled and looked at Kennedy who seemed a little shocked at Buffy Solution. Dawn had tears running down her face because like Buffy she had maybe hoped that the prophecy of a souled Vampire becoming human might apply to Spike or hell even Angel. However it seemed Buffy had given up that hope and maybe the chance for her own happy ending to solve this case. Tears flowed because she knew Buffy had truly loved Spike in the end. It had almost ended her when the vampire had been dusted a second time. She would never forget the look of agony and pain on her sister's face nor would she forget the screaming and nightmares Buffy had had until she warded her room to silence.

"Buffy are you sure?" Willow asked. "I mean if I do it then…then he could become the "One"."

Buffy looked at Frankie and then nodded. "They made their choices Willow without telling us. We don't have the right to want or need more from them they are at rest. We will leave them there. We need a way to perhaps ensure this Luke Mitchell is on our side. So we will soul him but, I think maybe we should ask him. If he really want's Caylin as a mate and really wants to be an ally it be best if he chooses this. He may choose it and then maybe just maybe we can trust he will work with us. Because really the end of the world is not good for anyone and somehow I think he will be a lot like Spike liking his happy meals on legs." Buffy said. "So Doyle can you get a message to him to do a meet and greet?"

Doyle considered the idea for a moment. It had merit and he had to admit getting the Master Vampire on their side would be a coup. It would also solve a lot of issues. He looked at Hope who was glaring at him. Of course Hope looked unhappy but in this case he had to consider the bigger picture and sadly the Queen of the slayers was right. They needed the help. It was also clear that Caylin even with the boost was going to go to the vampire. Better it be on their terms. It would also help ensure that maybe Maura and Faith would be safe.

"I can, it may take a bit for him to get the message but I can try."

"That is all we ask Mr. Doyle. While it may seem to be a risk if this Luc is Caylin's mate he won't really want to hurt her. Turn her maybe but that is to be expected. However if he can be offered his mate in a way that allows him to keep her safe he may go along." Buffy explained. "Vampires are very protective of those they want as mates. It is one of the things I admire about them as a species. For all their evil they can and do protect their mated one."

"Ah Buffy Angelus?" Willow asked. Clearly she remember Anglus less then kind ways.

"I was Liam/Angel's mate not his. He resented Liam mating with me Angelus knew I was not Angel's perfect mate and that angered him because he was forced to be tied to me because of Angel and it was not even a good match." Buffy waved off Willow's protest. "No Willow I was never matched to Angel at least not in a healthy way for either of us. It was all to Romeo and Juliet and frankly Angel never really got me. Spike he got me. He …he was a far better match though I was not a good one for him. I was not in a good place and our relationship at the time was not healthy either. I was not …not good enough for him. He deserved so much more but I guess after Dru he thought I was his match. I was too broken to be a good mate. I used his feelings and hurt him badly. Spike however never let me down he loved me. Loved me enough to let me go and ….well in the end I hope he found the peace he deserved and Heaven too." Buffy looked away pain hitting her sharply, Frankie watched and his option of the girl no woman went up. She was owning her mistakes and she felt guilty for not being good to her former lover. He could respect that. It took guts to admit ones mistakes. Hell he had a few of his own relationships that made him feel bad.

"We all make mistakes about love when we are young. Are you sure this guy's the one for her? I mean he's not alive right and he might well try to kill us all because we are food for them things according to Dr. Isles."

Dawn answered his inquiry."Yes we are, but even so, most vampires don't want the world to end. They want to just live and go about their lives er unlives. However that being the case they don't like the idea of someone ending the world. Hell on Earth for a vampires not a good thing because they really are not popular with other demons they are not considered full demons and most demons will not deal with them if given a choice."

"So if the vamp says yes then what?" Lydia asked. "How can you give him a soul? I mean it's gone right? Mom said vampires are demons in a human body that the soul goes on to heaven or hell and that the demons just a copy of the person they once were."

"That is true." Kennedy said. "However vampires do develop their own personalities over time and they can grow and learn. That's not always a good thing either. Fleglings are new and stupid but as they get older they can learn and grow and that makes them far more of a threat. With this vamp being over 200 years old and a Master he is likely smart and dangerous not to mention having his memories. However Willow can put his soul back. Now that is not always a great thing. I mean we don't know if the guy was good as a human but, maybe it be enough to trust him a little." Kennedy was not sure she would trust any vampire. Hell she not even liked Angel. Spike she respected as a fighter if she was wary of him, Angel he always made her skin crawl. His broodiness and his staking of Buffy as a teen wigged her out. Not that she ever said that to Buffy or Willow. However she had a feeling as Buffy grew up and reflected she had begun to reevaluate her relationships and was now a little wigged at Angel. However even so Buffy was not her best friend and she still had to work on their friendship so she kept her thoughts to herself on that.

"I am not sure it is wise." Maura said worried for Caylin. "What is a mate anyway?"

"Ones perfect match." Willow said. "We can all have several in our lives. It means we find the one we love and want to live our lives with. They are our soul mates. They make us complete."

Kennedy took her hand and kissed her fingers. She knew she was Willows love if only her third but damn it she would be the last. Willow was her soul mate and she live with being second or third in Willows heart because she now knew it hurt too much to be without her.

"Maura your father and Constance are soul mates. It's a wonderful thing and it can be a blessing but it can and does sometimes cloud one's judgment." Doyle said. He winced at the dark look Hope gave him.

"Patrick is right. It clouds your judgment but it can be wonderful as well. A mate everything to you. It's a gift and it can be more than one person." Hope said her head held high. She saw Patrick's eyes flash in anger. She knew her deceased husband was not her perfect match and she knew Patrick had ended him. However she was not about to let her former lover think she would just come crawling back. She knew in the end they would likely be together again however he had a lot to make up for and she was not about to let it be too easy for either of them. They had to find a way to love again not despite everything but because they had grown and changed and she wanted it to last this time. She had thought a lot about it and Victoria had been right she had been young and foolish and she had hurt Patrick. He deserved more just as she did and if they got back together again they would do so as equals and partners she would settle for nothing less and frankly he deserved it as well.

"So you put the vampires soul back in and he becomes safe?" Angela asked.

"Maybe, maybe not but it's a better option than a souless vampire in most cases." Faith said. "Spike was a rarity in more ways than one and most people have at least some good in them so the soul may make him think a bit. Plus if he really is Caylin's mate and does good then…then maybe there be a chance for him to not be a vampire. Though I still wish it was Spike. You sure about this B I mean there is no guarantee about this or did you have a dream about it?"

"No, but needs must. " She said. "Yes, I did and he is from Dracula and they always are different, plus if he gets a soul maybe he can keep Dracula in line. Because you know as well as I do this kind of thing will interest him."

Faith nodded and had to agree yep Drac would show up sooner or later he always did when life got interesting. At least Xander was safe in London. Cause somehow she had a feeling he so not want to see Drac again anytime soon.

TBC….