Challenge 5430: Family Found

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or worlds portrayed it this work of fan fiction. It is meant to be purely entertainment for anyone crazy enough to read it. The worlds and characters belong to their creators and corporations.

By: Fire Wolfe
Beta: Genuka Who truly rocks as a beta.

Inheriting Family

Part 7 Wake Up Call

Giles decided that calling the Scooby Gang was not going to work. Instead he went to each door and pounded on it calling out as he did. "Everyone up! We need you up now. Everyone up! We have a family emergency."

Giles heard Dawn groan but roll out of bed with a thump, Faith threw a boot at the door and cursed loudly. She did however shout that she was up.

Tara opened her and Willow's door and looked out."What happened, Giles?"

"There has been a death in my family and I need to fly to Colorado. I need everyone up so they can decide if they are going or staying."

"Oh, Giles, I am so sorry." Tara said she moved to his arms and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Of course we'll go with you. Let me go wake Oz and Willow."

Giles blushed but took comfort in her embrace. He tried not to think to deeply about her relationship with his other two children. "Thank you Tara I knew I could count on your support. Now, go wake them please."

Tara smiled and went to wake her partners.

Giles slipped away and headed up stairs to call Xander, Andrew, and Jonathan along with Rona and Vi two of the Sunnydale veteran slayers who were stationed with them. He pulled out his cell to call Robin Wood and let him know what was happening. Robin was in Cleveland with Kennedy, Jacki, and Joan covering the Hellmouth and ensuring evil did not try any tricks. Kennedy had volunteered to cover it because she was not far from her home in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She could catch a flight and be home in under an hour if needed. She had been broken hearted when Willow could not return her affection. They had become good friends but, it would never be more, so the young slayer had chosen to bow out gracefully. She craved action and was skilled enough to hold the Hellmouth with the back-up they had. Giles and Wood decided she deserved a shot and oddly enough Buffy and Faith agreed. While Kennedy clashed with the senior slayers both knew next to themselves Kennedy was the best choice to guard the Hellmouth. She had the skill and the desire which neither senior slayer had at this time. They both needed a break.

Buffy wanted a break and Faith was still technically wanted by the law. She was far safer inside the British consulate then on the ground in Cleveland. Then there was Faith's relationship with Robin Wood to consider.

Faith liked Wood a lot. However, she was not willing to try to build a relationship until she was free. It was not fair in her mind to let Wood fall in love and hope for forever when she could end up being back in prison for life. Faith also knew she was not ready to settle down which Wood wanted. She had said no and let Kennedy take on the duty of Head Slayer on the new Hellmouth. She liked Robin Wood enough to walk away rather than hurt him. She hated that she was growing up some but, hey it had to happen sometime. When the knock came she grabbed a boot and threw it at the door. She saw the time and a string of colorful curses came flying out of her mouth. It was only 06:30 a.m. The world had damned well better be ending or someone was going to spend quality time with her on the mats.

Dawn rolled out of bed with a groan. She almost landed on her backside but managed to land on her feet. Maybe she was finally inheriting some of Buffy's grace. She slipped and landed on her backside with a thump. Ok, maybe not. She got up and went to find out what was happening.

Xander rolled out of bed. He opened his eye reluctantly but knew something bad had happened if Giles was waking them this early. He went over to Andrew's bed and pulled the covers off, who got up with even greater reluctance then he had. Xander then grabbed Jonathan's feet and dragged him out.

"What's going on Xander?" Andrew asked. "It is only 06:34."

"Not sure but, it has to be bad if G-Man is waking us after last night."

Xander tossed him a shirt as he pulled on over his own head. "We better go see what the emergency is."

"I hope it is not another apocalypse. I am so not up for that."

"Well Andrew it is the price of being a Scooby."

"What... ah why me...it's only 6:35." Jonathan whined. "Why did we want to be white hats again?" He asked as he pulled on a robe.

Xander laughed at his roommates and said. "Because it beat jail and/or Willow making you go bye bye and into a crispy critter."

"Oh yeah, I just hate early mornings." Jonathan said. "We had better hurry though, Giles seemed upset."

"Yeah, he did. I hope it is nothing to bad." Xander was clearly worried about Giles. They had all been through so much. He knew Giles like the rest of them was close to breaking. He just prayed that they would find a way to mend fences and be a family again. Xander knew they had all messed up and he wanted a chance to make amends. Things had been getting better but this latest thing could throw a wrench into everything.

The slayers all awoke in an instant ready to fight. They relaxed as they recognized it was only Giles calling them. Rona put down the stake she had grabbed and pulled on a robe. She noted that her sister slayers had done the same thing. "We have to get down there. Giles sounds freaked."

"Yeah, he does. Rona you seen my slipper?" Vi asked. Rona reached down and grabbed it and tossed to her friend."Thanks, I appreciate it."

The slayers all hurried knowing the head of the SWC would not wake them unless it was an emergency.

Giles went back down the stairs stopping at his room to grab his wallet. He knew Buffy had ordered food and it would need to be paid for. He headed from the living area and ran into a soldier who snapped to attention. "George could you go grab our breakfast it should be arriving shortly."

Corporal George Hunter answered Sir Giles with a crisp "Yes sir, where did Buffy order from?"

"The usual place, I fear it will be a rather large order it is for the whole family. I am sure she also ordered for the staff." Giles handed him five hundred American Dollars. "Thank you George. Be sure to tip the delivery man well."

"No problem sir. I will go get one of the lads to help me."

Giles smiled and headed back inside to find Buffy. He decided to help her set the table for everyone. He walked into the kitchen to find her pulling out plates and silverware.

"What can I do to help, luv?"

"Grab the juice and coffee."

"Got them. Now, where to put it so everyone does not fight, George is getting the delivery for us."

Buffy giggled at Giles' statement. "We are not that bad. You make us sound like we are crazy or something."

"Buffy, a wise man never gets between a slayer and coffee. An even wiser one stays back when Xander and the other Scooby members joint the mad rush. You lot are like a pack of wild animals."

"You love us anyway." Buffy quipped.

Giles froze and moved to her side. He pulled her close. "I love you more then my own life."

The levity was gone as Buffy froze then leaned into her Watchers waiting arms. "I know you do Giles, I love you too."

Giles kissed her unable to resist the pull between them.

Faith came bounding in determined to get coffee today. "Holy, fucking shit! Buffy, Giles, when the hell did you two hook up!"

Xander and Willow stumbled into Faith to shocked to say a word at the unexpected sight.

Giles broke the kiss with a reluctant look at Buffy said. "We just accepted this change today, and it is one of the things we must talk about."

"Yeah think? Wow, this is weird." Dawn said coming in the other door.

"Quiet, we can talk about that later. It's so not the main issue." Buffy said cutting off the questions. "Everyone grab coffee or juice the food will be here momentarily and we have a lot to go over. I ordered from Ramies so everyone should be happy. "

Buffy's tone broke no argument so the gang all filed in and did as she said. No one dared say another word because her face looked deadly serious. This was not going to be good at all.

TBC...