Inheriting Family
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.
07/16/2010
By: Fire Wolfe
Beta: Genuka Who rocks as a beta.
A/N: I attempted Scooby speak and hope it came out ok. It can be seen in some of the grammar mistakes and words. I hope you like the chapter.
A/N: This is an Alternate Universe where both the SGC and the Super Natural World exist as one. As always in my stories the seasons will mix and match and may not follow what you would expect. Please keep this in mind when reading.
Part Eight Heavy News
The teasing died down as a soldier brought in breakfast. It was clear he and his partner were used to doing this for this group. They set the many large bags onto the table and counter with practiced ease. They both politely refused the offer to join the group saying they had duties to attend to. Giles nodded and dismissed them.
He was glad this would just be his family. He froze as he suddenly realized that these people were his family; His family by choice and hardship. He swallowed hard as Buffy gave his hand a squeeze in silent support. She looked over at Dawn and Willow who began to hand out the food as Tara poured the coffee. They had long ago learned that the quiet Wiccan was the best person to be in charge of the morning coffee. It led to a lot fewer battles and hard feelings. Tara instinctively knew who needed it the most and handed it off to them. The group had learned that she was always right and accepting it made everyone less cranky. Tara quickly handed out coffee first to Faith then Xander and continued down the line. She poured about half a cup for Willow whose brow rose. Normally no one in the house would give her coffee unless it was apocalypse season.
"Sweetie, what is so bad that you are giving me coffee?"
Tara had merely returned to their room and woken both Oz and Willow telling them that there was an emergency. She had tossed their respective clothing at them as she pulled on her slippers. She knew Willow was not very nervous.
Giles cleared his throat as everyone froze at Willows sudden concern. Not that they did not all feel it too because they knew how powerful a caffeinated Willow could be and Tara had just gave her a Coffee with extra cream, sugar and an espresso shot. Giles looked at Buffy his eyes pleading with her to break the news.
"Giles got a telephone call a little while ago. His cousin Janet who is a military doctor was KIA. She has left her daughter Cassandra in Giles care. We are going to go with him to the funeral to pay our respects and then bring Cassie home. We are her family now."
"Oh shit. G, I am so sorry." Faith said tears welling up. Giles was a good guy and did not deserve this kind of grief.
"Yeah, Giles we are sorry." Willow said tears falling now. "I hope we can make Cassie feel at home."
"G-man er Giles we got your back. Of course we will go with you." Xander said. The others chimed in agreeing as Dawn ran to his side and hugged him. "I'm so sorry Giles we will welcome her because she belongs to you."
Giles hugged her back and said. "I know you will all make her welcome. I need your support because I may have to fight for custody of Cassandra. It seems several of Janet's co-workers are protesting the arrangement."
"Why would they do that? I mean you are family Giles." Rona said softly.
"It seems Janet was involved in a top secret project located under Cheyenne Mountain."
The group as a whole groaned but it should be noted that Faith and Xander cursed almost as one and noted Buffy was not happy either.
"So I am guessing this means me and OZ need to look into this right?" Willow said snagging a bagel and covering it with cream cheese.
"Yes, as soon as we are done eating. Then perhaps while you do that Tara could pack for you both. We will be leaving at noon. Everyone who wants to go will need to be ready by then."
"So we need to book a flight too then? I can do that." Andrew offered. He might not be up to Willow or Oz's hacking level but he could book flights and find the best deals.
"Thank you for the offer Andrew it was most kind. However, it seems Janet has impressed some important people and one of them offered us a ride." Giles said. He paused rather embarrassed at the special treatment they would be getting. "She died a hero and the president has offered us a lift in Air Force One."
"Wow, that's heavy." Xander said. "So what did Janet do that got the big guys notice? I mean it has to be important if the president knows about it and is going to the funeral."
"It is something called the SGC, I really don't know Xander which is why I want Willow and Oz to take a look into it. I would also like you and Jonathan along with Andrew to prepare for any contingencies. I want you to pick out weapons we can hide in the pocket dimension Willow and Tara made. I would love to trust the president but... we cannot afford to. To many lives depend on us. In fact maybe some of you should stay behind just on case." Giles said removing his glasses and polishing them with concern. "It would not do to have us all go and be in at the-"
Buffy broke in."Giles we are all going. This is about Family and like it or not you and Cassie are family. We will go and keep you safe. The President will be there I don't think the military will try anything and if they do we will deal. Robin and Kennedy are in Ohio and we have several other slayers who could step up. I contacted Devon and they know what has happened. By the way they send their deepest sympathies. I sent an email to Wesley, Kate, Riley, Sam and Graham. We are covered it something goes south. You need us so we will be there each step of the way."
"Yeah G. The president and his cronies will know you are covered." Faith agreed. "I mean with this group we could take that whole damned mountain with no sweat. Hell, B and I could do it even without the mini's."
There was an indignant hey from the other slayers.
"Well, I have to agree Giles. We want to make sure your family is safe." Tara said. She was adamant and did not stutter which shocked everyone. The look of steel in her resolve made them all take notice. The group knew Tara was powerful in her own right but her sweet and clam nature generally made them forget she was more than Willow's match. The power however that radiated off her reminded them once more not to take her for granted.
"Ah... what kind of weapons Giles?" Jonathan asked. "Lethal or not?"
"Jonathan has a point we really do not need to be starting a war."Vi said smiling at the geek.
They all looked at Giles and Buffy for direction. Buffy sighed and looked at Faith who nodded. "I say load up some of both kinds. Could you add some potions too? You know knock out gas and stuff? If it goes south we really do not want to hurt humans even if they are bad. Potions would help with that." She paused, thinking. "Xander did you get those tasers in?"
"We got about six. Not enough for everyone but, we could give us norms those. Jonathan do you still have that stun ray?"
Jonathan smiled evilly. "Oh yeah we got it. I even made two more. I figured you and Andrew might like one."
"Well then we got the non-lethal covered." Xander said. "The rest will be our normal weapons plus a few the military guys might recognize."
"Guns... no way Xander guns are bad." Willow said shaking. She had almost lost Tara to a gun and almost ended the world because of a gun. She did not want guns anywhere near her family.
"Ah, Wills we need them." Xander said. "We need them because we have to keep Giles and his family safe."
Willows eyes darkened she clearly did not agree and her temper flared. Seeing this Tara and Oz moved to her side and hugged her tight. "Stay cool baby." Oz whispered.
"We are here." Tara said sending pure love and pure innocent power into her girl friend. Willow's anger deflated and she began to sob. The idea of guns scared her more than a level 10 apocalypse.
Giles spoke with care not wanting to set her off. "As much as I loathe the idea of guns we must be prepared for any contingency. I promise you Willow they will be used only as a last resort." He polished his glasses almost snapping them in too in his own worry.
"Guns and our world are non-mixy things." Buffy said. "The problem is we will not be in our world Willow and we have to be ready for any games the NID may play. They want Cassandra and I am not losing her because we got squeamish. If the guns bother you then stay here with Tara and Oz and be our back up. None of us will think less of you honey. We just have to be ready."
Willow's head shot up. She had never sat out of a major fight willingly. She swallowed hard. Sometimes Buffy could be a cold hearted bitch even when she was trying to be nice. She saw the protective gleam in Buffy's eyes. She would use what ever she had to keep Giles and Cassandra safe. If it meant guns she would adapt. Willow swallowed hard knowing Buffy would keep her and her lovers out of it if she thought Willow could be a danger to the others. She had to get it together. "I can deal. Thanks for the offer, it means a lot. Only you might need me... and the others. I just worry."
Faith watched the bye play ready to step in if needed. She had grown to like and respect Red. She got where Buffy was coming from but it was a bit harsh if honest. She got the concern her sister slayer had. Hell she had worries too. Only hers were more about herself. She worried she might hurt another person or worse. There was no way in hell she'd let Buffy and Giles go alone. She could deal with her issues and knew Red would deal with hers. They were family and for family they would suck it up and move forward. Besides they all had to get over their issues before they became major liabilities. Red could be dangerous ok, she got that.
Then again this entire group was deadly. She glanced over at Boy Toy and the twin Geeks. Even they were dangerous. Hell the soldier in Xander was peeking out more and more and the IQ's of Jonathan and Andrew could blow your mind. Jonathan and Andrew were both mojo users. They weren't at the level of T and Red but they weren't weak either. She had seen the fire balls the pair could conjure and knew they could cause serious hurt. As for the hacking skills, well between Willow, OZ and the geeks they had gotten hold of a lot of old council money. So, it would be foolish to underestimate them. She looked over at Oz. Well, he was a wolf and not a submissive one by any means. Yeah, he tended to follow Buffy and her but only because it suited him. Her man Oz could be an alpha if he wanted to. Then there was T. Tara, powerful and shy all in one package. Faith had a feeling she was just as powerful as Red only in a different way.
Dawn was watching quietly not speaking only sipping her coffee and idly nibbling her food. The Key to the universe. Harmless teenager so not. B might fool herself into thinking her sister was normal but damn the kid had power. She pinged Faiths slaydar like crazy only in a good way. The others were slayers and that was enough said. Giles well, Faith knew next to herself and Buffy he was the most deadly of them all. He would do what he had to. It sucked and was cold and dark but he was a man driven to protect. Fortunately for them the drive had been switched from the council to his family. Faith knew full well Giles would kill anyone who dared harmed what he called his. He was a good man but an uncompromising one. Faith had worries but, it was only because they were all on edge. Maybe once they got Cassie they could all do the therapy thing. It had helped her in prison so maybe they could do it together and find sanity once more. Because this group going nuts would end the world.
TBC...
Last A/N: Two more chapters are at the Beta's they will be posted when they come in. I could never write half as well without help so be patient. They may be the last for a while as I have some real life homework to do and my job has picked up. Sadly, I need to earn the greenbacks to pay the bills so please be patient this will not be abandoned. It just may not be update as often.
Fire.