Protectors au:
"This is your fault." Cordelia growled.
"How is this my fault? I wasn't even here when this happened." Xander answered.
"You're the one who was supposed to burn those leaves. Plus, you're the one who likes to blow things up. And let's add in the fact that the other you is a pyromancer. Therefore, this is your fault."
"Other me is a pyromancer? Must be the mystical potential Grandma mentioned. So cool."
"Yeah, yeah. Not the point. The point is, this is your fault."
"I'm trying to understand how this even happened. There shouldn't have been anything in that barrel that could cause this."
"Well there must have been something. How else do you explain a barrel full of leaves exploding?"
Brave au:
"Giles have you figured anything out yet?"
"No Xander, I am afraid I have not. Nothing in my books explains how it works or why it's cursed or where the people may be going. I will continue researching, I promise."
"Damn, I forgot. Jesse had fireworks in his pocket. I was going to take them away from him when I saw them and then we ran into a Fyarl and had to deal with that. I hope he stays out of trouble."
"Would you?"
"No, probably not."
"Yes, I would say most definitely not."
Protectors au:
"They blew up a barrel full of leaves? How?" Jack asked when he called to checked on Jesse.
"Some how the decomposing leaves and a bunch of firecrackers combined to make a good sized boom."
"Man, they're definitely your kids."
"Yep, which is why it's my fault, according to Cordy."
"Well of course it is. Aside from the explosive tendencies of your kids, how are they doing?"
"Jesse's still confused. Abigail's in full on protection mode, not to mention trying to cheer him up, hence the blowing stuff up. Neither Cordy nor I want to let him go back, but will because that's what's best for Jesse. Oh and other me is a shapeshifter, thanks to a god and a pyromancer. Which means he can transform into a giant brown hyena and blow things up with his mind. Other Cordy is a werewolf and so is Jesse."
"I have no idea how to respond to any of that. Except the blowing stuff up with your mind thing. So cool."
"That's what I said. Apparently, it's part of why the blowing up the barrel full of leaves is my fault."
Brave au:
"Jesse had firecrackers and you forgot to take them away from him? Where did he get firecrackers?"
"I don't know, I didn't have a chance to ask him. He knows he's not allowed firecrackers after that thing with Mrs. Hanson's pumpkins. And Mr. Jacobs shoes."
"Damn right he's not. Why did you have to pass on your love of explosions to your son?"
"Now he's my son? When he gave Shelly Abernathy a gumball machine ring he was your son. Why is he only my son when he's misbehaving?"
"Because I'm perfect, dear."
Protectors au:
Shawn Allen and Micah Flemming, agents for the NID, were currently enroute to Sunnydale, Ca. They had decided they would take care of procuring the Harris boy themselves. They planned to watch until there was an opening. Between the two of them, they were certain, they'd be able to get the kid. Once they had him, they'd disappear. They had a scientist who also saw the value in learning everything they could about Protectors and their abilities. There was just one problem. They hadn't stopped to think about whether the boy was a Protector in the first place. After all, Protector abilities were normally not inheritable. It was an unusual and to them, unknown, process that allowed Abigail Harris-Chase to manifest Protector abilities. The 'official' version of how she had her abilities didn't quite match the reality.
But then, it has been proven that the NID hires idiots.
Still in the Protectors au:
"Where did they get the paint from?" Kyle asked.
"I don't know. We haven't had any around since before we moved in. I also don't know why they would paint your car. It was a nice shade of blue. The burnt orange, not so much. Besides, Abigail knows she's not allowed paint after she 'borrowed' Mr. Nelson's and painted the flowers on the side of his house. We'll pay to get it fixed."
"That was detailed with decals. I'll have my guy redo it and send you a bill."
"I'm looking forward to when you and Rhonda finally have a cub. You're hulk smash kinda people."
"Oh gods, we are aren't we."
"Yep."
Later, when Xander called Jack to keep him up to date:
"They painted a car? Why? And why burnt orange?"
"Abigail thought it was prettier. Her two favorite colors are pink and orange. Kyle doesn't agree on it being prettier. Neither do I. Not to mention, it'll be pricy to fix. But Jesse wanted to thank her for suggesting the boom, so somehow he got some paint. He won't tell us where."
"I have to admit, pink and orange do kinda look nice together."
"I know, but this is burnt orange. It's an eyesore now."
The idiots known as NID agents arrived in Sunnydale just before dark. Though they'd never been there before, they were fully aware of what went on after dark around here, so had timed their arrival to before the sun went down. They secured a room at the Sunnydale Arms and prepared to begin surveillance the next day. They were certain it wouldn't take long and they would have their prize.