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Something To Atone For. BtVS/AtS, Doyle SI.

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Well, I will admit it's nice to see Whistler do something as opposed to just be a bit of a schmuck. The train whistle teleport noise was a nice touch too.

I hope you are feeling better, glad to see the muse continues on!
 
Jasten said:
Well, I will admit it's nice to see Whistler do something as opposed to just be a bit of a schmuck. The train whistle teleport noise was a nice touch too.

I hope you are feeling better, glad to see the muse continues on!
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Doyle was supposed to be Whistler originally, so I really wanted to lean into a rivalry between them. And thanks, I almost went with a whistling kettle instead.

Painkillers got me back on schedule, thanks.
 
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Chapter 43: Cards On The Table
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    • Chapter 43: Cards On The Table​

    A head of platinum blonde hair makes my eyes widen in surprise as soon as we enter the lobby. When she turns to greet us and reveals Angel with a bigger grin than I can ever recall seeing before, I take full stock of her new look.

    Long and flowing black leather skirt, blood red corset, and fishnets are what really pop. But most importantly, I can clearly see how much she enjoys the appreciative looks from the braver members of the Gunn Show. Glad Angel's finally starting to crack out of her shell.

    As I notice the curly haired brunette beside the girl everyone thinks is my sister, I'm forced into stunned a double take.

    Guarding two pizza boxes from the hungry hands of the crew, Fred looks simply stunning. "About time you got here, these guys eat like Lorne."

    "Did you go to the salon with Angel?" Her black leather pants are tight enough that I can feel the strain and I know Fred can see me staring based on her pleased smirk.

    "You actually noticed that?" Snorts a Charles Gunn as he proves why he's the leader of the crew, his hand sneaking away with one of my Hawaiian slices. "Cause if I didn't like you so much, no way I could resist the new look."

    With no reason to get mad about such an obvious compliment, I just nod back with a knowing grin. "I know the whole world has eyes, that's why I didn't waste any time asking. Just amazed she said yes."

    "So am I." A playful smirk lets me know he's just playing around and decide to return the favour.

    "How are the Brits?" I haven't seen any of the Watchers yet and want to get an honest opinion of them.

    "Gwen got a snowplow on my truck and it's been great." To my shock, Gunn is a lot happier to be working with them than I had expected. "I can go right through a pack of vamps now and ever since she told me to replace the wheels with solid rubber, I haven't been replacing them every few nights."

    Is he talking about Gwendolyn Post? The crazy woman who wanted the lightning glove?

    A grim feeling settles in my gut as I start planning to search the cemeteries. Can't really take chances on something like this. I need to find the Glove of Myhnegon before she makes an excuse to check out Sunnydale.

    "-nd I guess Sirk's alright." While distracted I missed out on Gunn's opinion on Giles. "He's been the one handling the resale of anything we find in a nest, gives everyone a fair cut." But I do start listening again in time to hear about a name I don't recognize.

    "The junior ones? How are they?" Buffy said they're pretty green.

    "Lydia knows her vampires," Answers a contemplative Gunn. "She got us right on this guy Winter's trail."

    He noticeably doesn't have anything positive to say about the final Watcher. "Wesley is just a prick too full of himself to listen to common sense. He's too much of a pansy ass to even come on patrol with us."

    "He was supposed to take a bullet for you." Blunt with my words, I notice Gunn go slack with shock. "But I think I probably screwed that up along with Alonna getting turned. So I'm still going to call that a net positive change for you."

    "You've had visions about us?" His hand is shaking when I feel it grab my shoulder desperate for the truth.

    "You've been in a few. The crew not so much." Really hope I changed that.

    His eyes go hard and his grip tightens. "What about Alonna?"

    "It's why I gave you the apartment. Vamps couldn't get her inside the threshold." The conversation continues around us, with Fred the only one close enough to really hear the words.

    "You saved Alonna..." Gunn's lip trembles right before he pulls me into a desperate hug. "You ever need anything. Anything at all and I'm already on it."

    Before he can let go, I take him up on the offer. "Want to help me kill some demon Nazis?"

    "Hell yes I do!" His roar of encouragement is carried by the rest of the guys and it's only then that I realize the crew has actually grown in size. Even got a few girls hanging around now.

    The front doors swing open, Buffy and the tweed brigade entering with a smattering of greetings. Once I lock eyes with the Slayer, I know this is my best chance to be honest with Gunn.

    "Before you get too carried away, it's about time I told you my whole story. We're friends and I want you to trust me as much as I do all of you." Hope that helps convince them all to listen.

    "Already do, you're as good as family Doyle." The words mean a lot and I hope they aren't about to be taken back.

    "Well you see I'm not one hundred percent human." Rip the Band-Aid off fast. "My mom got taken advantage of by a Brachen demon and I popped out ten months later."

    For the first few sentences, everyone looks ready to pounce on me. But once I soften the blow with the tale of Doyle's origin, I branch out into the subject of friendly demons.

    "It's not common. But it's not a rare occurrence either." To my amazement, Wesley is the one to come to my defence with the facts. "The Council has friendly relations with several different demon clans around the world."

    "You for real?" Gunn is having a hard time rationalizing such conflicting world views. "Some demons are good?"

    Again it's Wesley who steps up to the plate and earns my gratitude. "I have made contact with the Kwaini here in Los Angeles. I could bring you to my next check in with the tribe."

    "Wait a second..." Alonna interrupts with shock pouring from her. "Is that what you do when we all patrol? You go talk to friendly demons?"

    Shrugging at all the stunned expressions, Wesley admits his own duties in the city. "... The Council wasn't sure how you would all react. So I was assigned the role of making contact with the more tolerant species and told to keep them away from the patrol routes."

    "Why?" Still not fully convinced, Gunn stares down the bespectacled Watcher.

    "Just because someone looks different, doesn't mean they're a monster. It's what we do that defines us." Allowing my demon side out, I draw the full attention of everyone in the lobby. "I kind of thought you'd know that. But if you really want me gone just say so, I'll never come back."

    Buffy looks like she wants to defend me. But Merrick silences his Slayer with a stern look she actually responds to.

    No one gives Angel any such signal though and she has issue with me possibly being kicked out. "You even think about saying anything nasty right now and you better have insurance on this place."

    The words are delivered evenly and with no hint of backing down. But instead of making Gunn or his crew furious at the threat, hoots of approval start to ring out.

    "I'm not dumb enough to argue with your sister. Even if I start winning, you got another one and that niece who can back her up." The Maclay woman give firm nods of agreement.

    "And I'd have a few angry things to say about it," Adds Buffy as she cracks her knuckles, implying her own brand of revenge would also be in store for the crew.

    "Anyone got a problem with Doyle?" The promise of violence in Gunn's voice brings a smile to my face. "You got one with me!"

    "Well if that's the case..." Something has been worming it's way through my brain every single time I see Gunn and in this moment I finally remember the cause. "After we deal with my demons, how about we go handle yours." Pulling him in for another hug, I whisper so only Gunn can hear the final part. "You know, get that soul back for you."
     
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    • When you said tolerate demons, did you mean tolerant or tolerable?

    Also, that's actually a pretty neat thing the Dread Pirate is doing.
     
    RichardWhereat said:
    When you said tolerate demons, did you mean tolerant or tolerable?

    Also, that's actually a pretty neat thing the Dread Pirate is doing.
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    It was tolerant. Thanks for the catch.

    I chose each Watcher candidate for a reason. I gave Wesley the more general demon expertise, Lydia the Vampire obsession and the Crowley name, Gwendolyn is magical artifacts, Sirk is finances/legal advice(the paperwork side of the job really), Giles was the field agent/physical trainer.

    With Doyle giving stock tips and a LA base to the Council, Roger and Quentin decided to give Wesley the extra assignment of making connections with the friendly demons. Now that he's been outed, it's going to lead to them getting daytime jobs like Lorne (Not an immediate thing, but a plan with several stages).
     
    Chapter 44: Adjusting The Deal
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    • Chapter 44: Adjusting The Deal​

    Even after I hype everyone up with the idea of taking out the Scourge, I have to admit that I only have a single piece of circumstantial evidence to lead me right now. But Gunn is happy to have busy work he can send his sister on instead of coming to the casino.

    Once Alonna left with Fred and Angel to go investigate the shelters, any sense of good humour fled from Gunn. "Jenoff has more than enough muscle to take us out. This is just going to get everyone killed, it's not worth it."

    "Yes you are." The first one to argue is Buffy and her glare bores right into her bald ally.

    "You all know what to do?" Trading a soul for a truck should be just enough of a loophole to get this done safely. "Mary?" Can't believe Sirk thought of it with such little information.

    The silver fox nods stiffly and looks up from her huddle with the other witches.     "Almost ready to start the ritual."

    "Any particular reason I'm not coming inside with you?" The Slayer isn't happy at being stuck with the job of keeping the witches safe in the parking lot and reminds me with yet another tense growl. "This spell should make you useless."

    Well I'm not sure you're ready to handle the truth of the Slayer's origin. "Because it's a casino and you're sixteen."

    "Well sure, if you want to be all logical." Her eyes roll in irritation, quickly followed by her tongue blowing a raspberry my way.

    "I'm hoping Jenoff will be reasonable and just let me buy what we need. But if he wants to be difficult..." Cracking my neck to loosen up, my firm stare meets Gunn's nervous one. "I'll have Wesley kick his ass." That should ruin his reputation for at least a decade.

    "Me?" Blinking in horrified shock, the youngest Watcher in Los Angeles rapidly pales. "But I've only fought one vampire before and that was under controlled circumstances!"

    "Fine, Rupert can be the useful one." I was trying to give you a chance to impress.

    Gunn interrupts with loud cough before putting the kibosh on that plan. "This is my screw up, I'll be the one who gets his hands dirty."

    "Wear this." Gwendolyn's ever present scowl softens a shade, a gaudy emerald amulet in her hand.

    "What does it do?" With no hesitation, the crew leader slips the gold chain over his neck.

    The question just makes the prim watcher snort with amusement. "Absolutely nothing except glow. But it will make the demons think it's what's stopping Jenoff from hurting you."

    "So the demons will try attacking us instead?" Gulping at the idea, Wesley's left leg starts vibrating. "That's just wonderful."

    Mary thankfully explains the specifics. "The pacifism spell will return the pain meant to be inflicted three fold. A demon tries hitting you hard enough and they may just keel over dead." Can't have Pyleans killing each others cows after all.

    "Shouldn't you bring in some support?" Trying to restore some authority, Wesley looks over the three of us warily. "This Jenoff may have humans in his employ and they will be free to commit violence."

    "You will be just as restrained by the spell," Giles admits he has found a flaw in my plan. "Shouldn't you be waiting outside?"

    Not going to happen. "It's my plan, not putting anyone else on the chopping block if things go tits up."

    "As admirable as that is, it's equally stupid," The older English man counters with a confidant smirk. "You will just be a liability Allen."

    The blunt truth makes me close my eyes and take a deep breath to steady myself. "... Alright, you win. I'll wait out here."

    With a final wish of good luck, Gunn and Giles enter the casino once Mary gives the signal. The tension among us waiting in the lot grows by the second.

    When it gets nearly unbearable, Buffy needs to distract herself with words. "Did I pick right with Giles?"

    The weight suddenly pressing down on me when I notice her desperate stare, nearly sends me to my knees. Buffy really cares what I think.

    Really need to be careful how I phrase this. "I'll always be around if you need help. But you can't depend on me to make choices for you."

    "I'm just worried about the move. Mom's having a hard time finding anything affordable." Anxiety surges through me as Buffy fills me in on the divorce proceedings. I have way less time than I thought!

    "How long?" I'm not letting you face the Master.

    "Just after the exams." So I have until the end of January.

    "Well if you want to keep being a cheerleader once you transfer, you should know the girls at Sunnydale do more than just shake tail feathers." You really need to step up your game if you want those pom poms.

    She doesn't seem nearly as bothered as I thought and shrugs it off with an easy grin. "Not really sure that's for me anymore. I've been spending most of my free time writing."

    "Oh?" I really do need to watch what I say around these kids, they're like sponges.

    "It really does help me calm down after a patrol and Mom loves my new hobby. So thanks for suggesting it Doyle." She's dropped the Mister for now and I make a note to remind her she'll need to bring it back in the classroom. "Dad was even talking about sending it to one of his publisher friends once I finish."

    "Giles is a good choice, I couldn't have picked better myself." Admitting that gets Buffy to sigh with relief.

    Her tapping foot finally stops and Buffy tries to hide the full scope of her smile. "Really?"

    "He's not as stuffy as you think." My words only get Buffy to snort in disbelief. "I mean it. He's an actual person under all the tweed and you'll probably even like him."

    "I just don't want him to get hurt." The guilt in her voice leads to a question I've been dreading. "Why can't you just be my Watcher?"

    "I'm not really qualified." You and Liam need different kinds of guidance. "I was actually going to ask if I could join you for training. Since I seem to keep ending up in the hospital, figured I should learn how to fight like a girl."

    "Oh..." The petite powerhouse frowns for a few seconds, only for the expression to morph rapidly back into one of triumph. "So does that mean I'll be the teacher?" Her eyes go wide with delight. "You'll have to call me Miss Summers!"

    Before I have a chance to correct her assumption, the doors of the casino swing open. The sight of Gunn and Giles with arms around each others shoulders is strange. But we Giles actually kicks his heels on the way down the stairs, I realize something unexpected happened.

    "That was fast..." Checking my watch to see only forty minutes have passed, my only clue is the way Giles scratches at his forearm.

    "Ended up having something more valuable than a truck." Gunn grins up at the British man, the gratitude so thick I can taste it.
     
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    • RichardWhereat said:
    Gods damn, that was my exact thought.

    Although, I wonder if it's gone for his mates as well.
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    I was really happy to give Giles and Gunn a way to bond. As much as Buffy has liked having adults to rely on, so has Charles. He's getting quite interested in getting his GED now.

    That answer will have to wait until Giles and Doyle have a better bond/something forces the information.
     
    Chapter 45: This Is Going To Hurt
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    • Chapter 45: This Is Going To Hurt​

    "You get this thing and I have to take away all your cool points..." Gunn stares incredulously at the brown minivan with a strip of wood paneling. "This is for soccer moms."

    Ignoring his attitude, I focus on the fact it has seven seats. "I have to drive a bunch of teenagers around, pretty much am one now."

    "Can you keep a secret?" He's tense enough that I don't take offence and wait for Gunn to gather his thoughts. "Being around all you smart guys has got me thinking maybe I should think about getting my grade twelve."

    "You need any help?" Ecstatic at the news, I try my hardest not to overwhelm the eighteen year old.

    Gunn shakes his head and lets me know his plan. "Didn't you say to give Wesley a chance? I figure he helps me with the books, I help him not be such a wuss."

    "Why you want that kept quiet?" Wouldn't Alonna love to hear that she's not the only one going back to school?

    "Not sure I can do it." It takes a lot of courage for Gunn to admit that and his fingers dance across the side of the van. "Never been anything but the muscle before."

    He's been tense even with his soul restored. But I can't quite put my finger on the reason and try to feel the guy out carefully.

    "Takes more than muscle to plan everything." Scowling at his self defeatist tone, my hand firmly grips his shoulder in support. "An idiot couldn't have done everything you have."

    "But I still would have gotten Alonna killed!" Unable to shake my words from last night, Gunn locks frantic eyes with me.

    Guess it's time for some cold hard truth. "It could still happen, world's a dangerous place. I know it's only a matter of time before I make the wrong call and someone winds up dead." And I have to figure out how to live with that guilt.

    Once the paperwork is signed, the two of us make a few stops on the way back to the Hyperion. I make sure to replace my bat with a pair of metal ones before getting a few things with sharp edges.

    The address Merrick gave me is one of the few places with combat ready weapons instead of just fancy props. It takes all my resolve to only get what I need. But I know this will become one of my regular stops each month.

    A few swords of various sizes, a couple different axes, one of those fancy trench shovels, and an assortment of wicked looking knives, all get bundled into a crate for a very affordable price. I even get Gunn an authentic looking roman blade when I notice the trail of drool puddling beneath him.

    "Can't wait to try this thing out on a fang banger." He gives it a few practice swings, an expression of pure glee on his normally stern face. "It's going to hack heads right off."

    "You ever going to tell me what happened with Jenoff?" Shoulder checking as I turn back into the street, my curiosity rears it's ugly head.

    "You going to tell us what happened in Vegas?" Countering with a cocky grin, Gunn diverts away from an actual answer. "Tara just goes red whenever we try asking."


    As much as I'd like to just drop the subject, I need to know Giles is safe to be around. "Pretty sure I have a rough idea what happened. So I'm just going to ask if you think it's over."

    It takes a few minutes for my passenger to make up his mind. But eventually he decides I've earned that much at the very least.

    "It's over. Didn't even take Jenoff up on his offer of a free roll."

    "Good." Dropping the topic with a firm nod, I pull into the hotel's lot. "Saves me from having to figure out tattoo removal later."

    "You got any lotto numbers?" Gunn's grin is only teasing.

    Yet I can't resist the urge to show off. "Not great with numbers. But you want to make so fast cash, Red Wings are going to win the cup the next two years."

    "For real?" His eyes are gleaming with excitement, knowing all about my own investments this weekend.

    "Until the angels start paying us, consider this our dental plan."

    We share a laugh and head inside to find a sweat drenched Wesley sparring with Buffy. Several crew members already moaning in pain on the mats nearby as the eighteen year old Watcher somehow finds the will to stay on his feet for a whole nine minutes.

    The padded suit absorbs most of the force. But Buffy's not holding back and each of her strikes lands with precision. Each time she knocks him over, the gasping Englishman forces himself back into a ready position.

    "Is that all you got?" Swaying from what may be a concussion, Wesley has confused the Slayer with a hat rack. "Well I guess it's my turn now!"

    With a gasp I assume was supposed to be a savage roar, Wesley shuffles forward with all his pitiful speed. When he's within arm's reach, the junior Watcher throws himself at the hat rack.

    The bulky suit snaps the antique wood like a matchstick, one end flying up to smack Wesley in the face. His yelp of pain doesn't get any of the expected laughter and after he finally stays down, a few of the guys actually clap.

    "Doyle!" Noticing my presence, Buffy eagerly pulls me onto the training mats for my turn. "You got here just in time. You did say you wanted to spar with me."

    Me and my big mouth. "Well this is going to be embarrassing."

    "Don't worry," Alonna remarks from the sidelines with a teasing grin directed at her brother. "Not even my brother can last two minutes with Buffy out of the fat suit."

    "Two minutes seventeen seconds, thank you very much." Corrects an indignant Gunn, his arm crossing annoyed with a huff.

    "So I'm not allowed to leave until I can beat that." Shaking out my demon side, I know the increased strength is just going to make Buffy hit harder. "Someone set a timer."

    "Ten bucks says Buffy drops him in thirty seconds!" One of the new guys who missed out on the homecoming battle holds up his bet eagerly.

    Thankfully some people have a little faith in me and Fred proves it. "Make it twenty."

    Angel and Gunn end up making bets I know are only to spare my feelings. But Tara gives me a sorry look as she puts her allowance down on Buffy beating me down in under a minute.

    "Sorry Allen. But she's incredible, you're just awesome." Avoiding direct eye contact with either of us, Tara has turned a very interesting shade of pink.

    "Just remember I need to teach tomorrow. So no touching of the hair or face." Smirking as I make another reference only I can recognize, we begin to circle each other.
     
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    • Chapter 46: Progress
  • Threadmarks
    • Chapter 46: Progress​

    The way Buffy instantly shifts back into a ready stance has me wary. But to my surprise, I'm not torn apart in a few seconds.

    Fighting vampires and demons for a few months seems to have improved my reflexes. Enough that why Buffy's lightning quick punches start to fly, I actually manage to block about a quarter of them.

    The rest still get delivered with painful force that knocks me around the mat, getting hoots from everyone who bet against me. But when Buffy switches things up with a kick, I do what Liam already showed me.

    My arms clamp around her calf and the valley girl gasps when I use her momentum to toss her over my shoulder. The silence in the lobby is deafening and it takes Fred's excited cheering to snap the crowd out of the shared stupor.

    "You use that on Allen all the time!" Her good mood is infectious and soon Angel is calling out her own encouragement.

    Gritting her teeth, Buffy just springs back up ready for more. "You've gotten better."

    She launches at me with no more sign of holding back. Her punches are coming faster by the second, leaving me few openings to even look up.

    After she lands one that I know my ribs will be complaining about tonight, I stop acting like it's even possible for me to win. Once I give up on blocking focus on my own strikes, a few start slipping through Buffy's guard.

    "We can all be better than yesterday and I've had a few." Panting for breath, I can't hold back the grin even as Buffy tries her best to wipe it off my face.

    "It's just weird thinking you did homework." Hopping over a desperate leg sweep, Buffy is clearly enjoying this just as much. "And it was for gym."

    A sharp pain in my gut is followed by all my air being forcibly expelled. Buffy's knee drives into my chest as she catches me off guard, sending me down hard as Tara lets out an excited squeal. Traitor.

    While at first I think Buffy lets me have a few seconds to recover out of kindness, when I manage to get back on my feet, I see her signs of exhaustion.

    Red in the face and panting like I've never seen before, Buffy has actually broken a sweat. "Brachen have incredible stamina Miss Summers. Don't give Allen a chance to catch his breath!"

    Wesley's warning isn't ignored and send the Slayer right back towards me. The punches are a little slower than before. But I'm not in a condition to still match the pace and quickly get pushed to the edge of the mat.

    The chain of attacks ends with a snap kick to my jaw, making me smash through some of the new drywall when I do finally stop flying through the air. Cackles of laughter are mixed with a smattering of groans as bets are claimed.

    "Wait!" Interrupts the action with a thoughtful expression. "Didn't you say no face shots?"

    "Indeed we did." Scowling at her wrist, Gwendolyn reminds us the other term. "He was only supposed to last two minutes..." Everyone glances at the clock long forgotten over on the counter. "The Seer nearly managed four."

    Forced to agree, Giles starts cleaning his glasses to avoid making eye contact with his soon to be Slayer. "I do believe that means Allen wins the bet."

    Watching him pull a crisp fifty out of his wallet and hand it over to Jenny makes me do a double take. Was her initial interest in his bumbling genuine? It wasn't just some way to get closer to the vampire with a soul?

    "This was a lot of fun. When are you coming back for round two?" Trying not to look to hopeful, Buffy gives me a cautious look from the corner of her eyes instead.

    "Just before Christmas," My explanation is quickly followed by my intention to bring the Maclays to Sunnydale for the winter break. "One of my students has a pretty shit night planned and I'll feel terrible if they have to sleep outside."

    Fred's already got a flight booked to go see her parents back in Texas. But I managed to correctly argue it was too soon me me to join her for a family holiday.

    Not that I actually had to try very hard. I think she needs a break from all the strange.

    "We should have the pool filled. This place might actually start looking decent by the time you come back." Alonna stares with crossed arms at her now twitchy brother.

    "But it's going to cost so much and for what?" Not seeing the same potential reward as his sister, Gunn blinks in surprise when Buffy speaks up.

    "Well I'd start going for a swim after most patrols. Especially if you get the hot tub cleaned out."

    Her casual comment gets a few of the other watching girlfriends to voice agreement. The shift in mood makes Gunn realize why people waste money on such a luxury and he stops arguing.

    "Guess it's not such a terrible idea..." His eyes dart over to the Watcher only a few months older than him and his voice becomes a whispered threat only I end up hearing. "As long as Wesley keeps his eyes to himself."

    Rolling my eyes at the rivalry, I try not to let the amusement reach my face. "You want her kept safe, I already told you the safest place in America."

    "Already got her an open ended bus ticket," Retorts a grumbling Gunn, one hand rubbing his smooth head anxiously. "She wasn't too happy about that."

    "You really want to turn this place into a clinic, you're going to need more than one nurse." That should help keep her out of the action for a few years.

    Aware of the problem already, Gunn fills me in on the current plan."Sirk's talked to a few grad students. This one guy Wilkinson, he's even agreed too check the place out next week."

    "That's great!" I'm not even faking the excitement. It's obvious one of my students has the symptoms of a brain tumour and I want to give Morgan the same chance Billy got.

    "And don't worry, I'll keep the crew looking out for the Scourge. You'll know the hour we do." After giving him back his future, Gunn has been very intent on returning the favour.

    So has Giles now that I think about it. Which is really all the confirmation I need about his tattoo being gone. Not sure if his friends are still targets, but Giles isn't going to be a beacon now.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • The safest place in America? Is it Canada? Actually, how old is Gunn at this point?

    Wilkinson? He sounds like a nice normal and safe guy to have around the place. Should invite him to come to Sunnydale, the crew there might need some nursing.
     
    RichardWhereat said:
    The safest place in America?

    Is it Canada?

    Actually, how old is Gunn at this point?

    Wilkinson? He sounds like a nice normal and safe guy to have around the place. Should invite him to come to Sunnydale, the crew there might need some nursing.
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    Broadview Heights, Ohio. It has a population of 19'500 and a crime rate of 1/1000. 2 violent crimes a year and 19 property/white collar ones.

    Seems to have a very active theatre program, a well renowned private school that works with learning disability kids, and really highly rated public schools. I'm just going to say it's canon in this story that they have a heaven mouth/nexus of good energy in Broadview Heights.

    Canadian wilderness is full of demons(at least in this story). Super low population density means it has the highest percentage of peaceful demons.

    He turned 18 about a month ago. Ages for some characters aren't actually given in canon, so Wesley, Gunn, Fredd, Anne/Angel, and Jenny, all needed ages for this fic.
    Gunn, Wesley = 18. Fredd = 19. Anne, Alonna = 17, Jenny = 29.
    Doyle was born in 1974 (making him almost 22). Giles was born in 54 (so he's 42/3)

    It was weird it's his canon last name. I wonder if the writers intended something with it and changed plans? Doctoring though, not nursing for Wilkinson.
     
    Oh right, Dr Ben Wilkinson. I keep forgetting about him. Seems a nice fellow.

    Wesley checking out Alonna now makes sense.
     
    RichardWhereat said:
    Oh right, Dr Ben Wilkinson. I keep forgetting about him. Seems a nice fellow.

    Wesley checking out Alonna now makes sense.
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    Swell guy, but his sister is a little too wild for me.

    I figured if Wesley was allowed/encouraged to go to prom with Cordelia, he had to be on the cusp of an acceptable age. 18.5+3.5=22 year old Wesley at end of S3. I've already shown my math on Gunns age on one of the story threads, not sure if it was here or SB.
     
    Interlude 8: Turnpike
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    • Interlude 8: Turnpike​

    After travelling across the country on his chopper, Pike pulled into the first well lit gas station he saw. Sleeping by day and riding straight through the nights, the Slayer's ex boyfriend has finally arrived on the East coast just a couple hours before sunrise.

    "Just enough time to scope out the area and grab some food." His eyes warily scanned the empty lot for trouble of the biting variety.

    After he finds none, a relieved sigh escaped the brunette biker. But the feeling didn't even last long enough for his tank to finish filling.

    Angry shouts are shrieked out the front door as the culprit made a dash for freedom. The teenage girl only a few years Pike's junior tried to escape with her snacks, only for her frantic steps to send her tumbling to the asphalt.

    He stared down at a face filled with raw terror. But instead of ratting her out like Faith feared he would, Pike pulled her up with a firm grip.

    "Hop on."

    The offer should have been rejected out of hand. Yet Faith seeing no other option, let the handsome stranger pull her onto the bike.

    "Names Pike." He wasted no time in roaring the engine back to life and raced into the street before the clerk could stop them.

    Several blocks passed in tense silence before Faith relaxed enough to provide her own name and a brief cover story. The nervous stutter did little to convince Pike and he brought her to Quiznos for answers.

    "Now you want to tell me what's got you so freaked out?" His curious stare settled on the hungry girls face mid bite and notices the way her eyes bugged out.

    A tired hiss escaped the dark haired girl in grade eight, her face pale from the horror of whatever occurred."... You wouldn't believe me, the cops didn't. They just hung up and told me to stop wasting valuable resources."

    "Try me." Having lived through his own brand of insanity, Pike's expression was nothing but open.

    So she did. With watery eyes that occasionally became actual tears, Faith explained the recent changes in her life.

    "After mom got arrested in May, her brother and his wife had been looking after me..." Grief filled the teen's entire body as she broke down in the restaurant, no care for any onlookers as she sobbed into a stranger's arms. "It hasn't been easy, Irene miscarried and I know it was because of the stress."

    Not having heard a reason for the cops the hang up yet, Pike could only respond with vague words of support. None of his bog standard phrases are enough and he could only listen to the whole sad story.

    "But when I was about to sneak back in tonight..." Faith's hands shake so hard it spread to the rest of her body. "I could hear her screaming and looked in the kitchen window first."

    Anguished beyond anything Pike could comprehend, Faith explained the scene of horror. "They killed my uncle. He must have had every single knife in the kitchen shoved through his back."

    "Who did it?" Having already made the logical conclusion, Pike only wanted to here the younger girl say it first.

    "Not who..." Faith's head shook firmly from side to side, not a shred of doubt in her voice. "What."

    When Pike didn't flinch away or start laughing like the police did, she relaxed enough to describe the monsters' faces. The forehead ridges and glowing yellow eyes, with deadly fangs drinking the blood from her sobbing aunt.

    "If those aren't vampires, what is?" Completely sure of herself, Faith scarfed down the rest of her sandwich before she the ridicule began.

    "You serious?" A tired groan escaped Pike. "I left California to get away from those freaks. I guess I really do have to go to Ohio if I want a safe life."

    "Ohio? What's so great about that place?" Confused by the random complaint, Faith is desperate to find out what he meant by safe.

    "Only place I know of without any vampires. They avoid the place like the plague according to the people in the know." His grumbles at the unexpected danger Boston has become, Luke realizes this is probably the person Whistler told him about. "I was going to stick around for a few days and see the sights. But now I'm not so sure."

    Faith's eyes dart once more to the front door when some road workers dropped in for coffee. But once she was confident they aren't going to turn into monsters, she managed to relax again.

    "But if Boston is this dangerous, I think I should probably just turn around after we finish eating." Tired fingers scratched at Pike's scruffy chin as he made a show of thinking something over carefully. "If you want, I can give you a ride out of this hellhole."

    Not sure what's so special about you. But you do fit every single description that I was given when Whistler woke me up in my motel.

    Still unconvinced this girl could be a hero like Buffy, Pike doesn't want to just leave her in downtown Boston. If she really is just a normal girl with shit luck, I'll leave her with foster care in Broadview Heights and start looking again.

    "Uh..." Faith has swiveled around one more, only this time her voice is filled with valid concern. "People are supposed to have reflections, aren't they?"

    The dark haired man who just entered looks frantic as he sniffs the air. As he comes closer to the pair's table, Pike's gaze is directed to the empty mirror beside the new guy.

    "Yeah. That's a vampire." His hand slide up his sleeve to emerge with a stake. "Stay close to me and get ready to run for the bike if he makes a move. I'll deal with him if he tries anything." It's only one, I should be able to handle him.

    "But he's a monster!" Shocked at the strangers bravery, Faith doesn't have enough of her own to reject the offer.

    "And I'm not mean enough to ignore someone who really needs help." Pike couldn't help but think back on the words of his favourite teacher. "As long as I don't ignore the people around me, I'm doing my part."

    With his signal, the duo made a frantic dash for the door. Pike ignored the mans calls to wait and led his new friend to the bike, only leaving once she has her helmet securely fastened. Mister Doyle's not even around to see, why do I care?
     
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