Disclaimers: Please see Part One
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
A/N: This one is Kind of a filler chapter to help show that the gang can play nice

Boston Is Burning

Part 44 Truce

The group soon took their seats and Jennings brought them all refreshments coffee or tea as needed. Caylin was edging closer to Lucas much to the amusement of his sire. However she was not allowed to run to him as her mother and elder sister caught her arms and pulled her down between them. Her glare of annoyance lost on both. Dawn smiled at this it was kind of funny to see someone else reigned in though a part of her was certainly sympathetic of the situation. It really was a pain when people were overly protective though she got why it was so.

Lucas forced himself not to growl. While a part of him was glad to see someone protecting his mate he wanted her at his side safe and secure however he was not so foolish as to not expect to have to negotiate the terms of that outcome. At least they were talking and not trying to kill each other. Given the company that was a start.

Giles cleaned his glasses feeling a little foolish as he recalled his past with Dracula. Only Xander had a more embarrassing time with the vampire. However he knew he had to be on top of his game as this vampire was different. He was far more dangerous and far more skilled then most.

"We have a problem in my city." Lucas said. "Someone is killing innocent witches. While I know some witches in the past were evil these are not. They were good people who should never have been harmed. I know you all consider me and my kind evil but even I would never have hurt these women. I respected the good works they did for the community. As you know from Doyle I have a very strict catch and release policy. While it may not be ideal it's a good compromise to killing. I have always seen it as practical. One does not need to kill prey to live. Large body count cause issues as we can clearly see now. I have put the world out in the areas I influence to find information. So far we not heard anything to useful. However if we can come to an accord I will instruct those in my community to be helpful and pass on information to you and the police. We don't need the attention coming to close to us."

"What does this catch and release mean to the public?" Frankie asked. "I can see that not killing is preferable but does it not still hurt people?"

Lucas scowled and Buffy smiled that someone got it however she was here to play nice so she decided to give the master vampire the benefit of the doubt in his good intentions anyway. "I suppose it's like fishing Frankie. They catch someone take a nibble then let them go. I would further guess that an experienced vampire may only take a sip or two and move on causing no real harm. The problem with it is some are young and not so skilled and may leave their dinners too weak to move about or get home."

"That can be a problem early on." Dracula said with honestly that surprised the queen of the slayers. "In this town all those turned must be approved as in my territories. Then the sire must help train the fledgling properly. It is possible to learn to control the blood lust at least for our lines. Others never bothered to try. The Aurelus clan never cared to restrain itself and you know how that turned out. My line at least since the 1700's has tried to be more restrained. There were times when it was not so and I dare say it was necessary but we all mature and learn."

Giles was cleaning his glasses now. "That is a valid point and as much as it pains me to say it I agree."

The slayers looked at Giles in shock however Willow seemed to understand and nodded in agreement.

"What when was mass slaughter acceptable?" Kennedy demanded. She looked put out.

Maura came to Dracula's defense shocking even her family. "When the Ottoman Trucks invaded his homeland, I dare say catch and release was not a good way to go as it allowed enemy troops to live."

"Well I canna say I would not have killed to defend my territory and most here know I have done so." Paddy said "So I'll not be holding that against the Count. However I agree that sometimes a nibble goes too far."

The vampires all nodded agreeing. "We try and that is more than most. We must eat after all. I have also hired many street people to donate blood."

"That is true and he pays well." Emma said shocking many. "I mean I heard that but he won't take blood from kids."

Ok that was a point in favor of the vampire. Faith thought. However she could see it annoyed the munchkin which was logical when one considered money could be scarce on the streets and you needed at least some to get by.
"Ok so how do we do a deal? I mean we have enough issues I think and B would agree that fighting you and yours would not be productive and frankly right now you seem to be the lesser of the evils no offense."

"None taken lady Faith in fact that the point isn't it. We do have some common ground to work with. I admit I was a bit of a bastard in Sunnydale but I was bored not a good excuse and hardly my finest moment but…it is the truth and we did not kill anyone nor did I turn anyone."

"Faith has a point as so do you. I suppose truce could work for now if the BPD and Doyle agree. We got a lot on our plates right now. However I can guarantee keeping Caylin safe and human will likely be part of the deal for now."

Lucas would have protested but Dracula stopped him. "It's a fair point Luc. We can always address the situation later when things calm down and everyone has time to learn to trust a bit." Dracula said.

"Well I get Luc's point honey but I think that it be safer for now if Caylin was simply human. It be easier to hide her and all. Plus a fledgling lacks control. I mean I would hate for her to get the slayers mad her sisters especially if she out of control now not the time for that. For her to learn would take time and energy and resources we need to hunt those murderous bastards down I don't think Luc wants to distract from that right now." Harmony said shocking everyone with her thought out and logical responses.
"She does have a point." Dawn said. "We need to work together on this thing. We worked with Spike and Anya and a lot of others who were not nearly as honest as Lucas and Dracula here. I say we give them the benefit of the doubt and call a true truce. We need help that knows the city and they know it at least as well as Mr. Doyle and maybe even better so we should go for it."

"They are not good people." Frankie said his goodness and concern over the average citizen coming out. He was a cop through and through and the idea of these beings eating or even nibbling on those he was to protect made him angry.

"No one is purely good Frankie." Korsak said with surprising frankness. "However I think in this case we all want the city in one piece and safe. While I am not happy with the idea of them feeding on people we still need help and they are not killing and maybe they are even protecting people a little from the other demons."

"We are and do. " Lucas said "I not a human so judging me like one is not really fair. I try to protect Boston and have since I was turned. I am a Cabot and this city is mine."

Buffy nodded at that she got the whole my city thing she looked at Faith who glared it was clear she still considered Boston hers as did Doyle but then again that was likely a slayer and blood thing. However Doyle had a share deal going so Faith if she called him Da had to go along and she would too just because it would make finding the true evil ones simpler.

"Truce and we will find the bad guys. I only ask that you wait and discuss things openly and honestly when the time comes with not only Caylin but her family. If you can do that I think we can work together. I not saying we will be best buddies but allies I can do. Mr. Doyle trusts you and oddly I find I trust him so we can make this work. I just have to ensure Caylin safe or her mum might stake you and make this complicated."

"I would do my best to do so does he harm my daughter." Hope said. "However if he can restrain himself and if he can be a proper suitor….."

"Mum how could you!" Caylin said clearly annoyed and embarrassed.

"Hey kid it's not the shovel speech so be grateful. The same goes for me Lucas. Caylin seems to want you so You get a pass for now but only if you behave. No acting like Angel or Angelus stalking or anything."

Buffy glared at her sister slayer. "I was just 15 you know."

"Yes and it was not cool." Faith said. "I liked Angel but he really should have known better. Boy toy was right on that one."

"Yeah he was not that I would admit it." Buffy said. "But let's get back on track." She noted Frankie glare at the vampires as if putting them in Angel's place. He moved to her side protectively. It was strange she suddenly felt safe as this man stood by her something to think about later.

"Ok we have a deal then." Dracula said. "Now come Lucas has prepared a meal for you all. I think we had enough business discussed for now."

The teams gathered into the abandoned office complex. It was an older one that the council had rented to use as a cover. It had gated security and they all passed through easily enough. The various men and women noted the differing people heading inside. Well at least this won't be boring or lonely. One hunter thought. Maybe we can at last start taking out the evil demons. I so hate having to kill children even if it's necessary to save the world.

TBC….