Fic: Sarah Slayer 3/3 Magnificent Seven/Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Title: Sarah Slayer Author: Lopaka Tanu And Erika Tanner Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent Seven or Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Characters: Sarah, The Seven, Buffy Characters, Steven Travis. Words: 27,100 Fandom: Magnificent Seven/Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Pairing: Sarah/Chris, JD/Vin - Others. Rating: Adult Warnings: Language, Violence, Character Death, Sexual Situation. Summary: Sarah knew she was a Slayer, with her Watcher is now dead, she is trying to start over in SunnyDale. This is her story. The beginning of the Vin Slayer AU. Author's Note: Unbetaed, but spellchecked, so beware. It is one of only four M7 collaborations I ever wrote. The series was never finished, so this has never been posted before. ______________________________________
Josiah tapped the face of the vampire he had bound to the desk chair. Much to his dismay, the three local highschool students had opted to stay and watch his efforts. "I know you are awake."
Chris looked up at him. "You know so much or so you think."
Pulling out a cross, Josiah held it so Chris could see. "I am not above using this to gain an edge. You said you had information on the Master and my slayer, I suggest you begin talking."
"Threats. I should have known." Chris hissed as he leaned back from the cross. He worked at getting the ropes undone.
"Well look at this from my perspective. You are a vampire, I am a Watcher, you eat my kind, I kill yours. There is not a whole lot of trust there." Kneeling down, he smacked at Chris' hands. "Stop that. They are laced with steel, you won't be breaking them any time soon."
"And why should I tell you anything after the treatment I've got since I've come willing to help."
Chris twisted his wrists.
"Again, I reiterate, you are a vampire, I am a Watcher." Looking up, he glared at the kids. "Besides, it was not I who captured you. If you prove you can be trusted, I will let you go, simple as that."
Chris sighed and glanced at the kids. "They have more guts than your slayer has."
Freezing, Josiah looked him over. Finding no hint of mirth in his body language, he sighed. "Bloody hell." He reached out and untied the ropes.
Chris brought his arms around in front of him and rubbed his wrists as he stood up.
"I knew she was weak, that losing her previous Watcher was a blow to her, but I honestly thought we could save her." Tiredly, he rubbed at his forehead. "What do you know about the Master's plans?"
"You remember a bus load of people being killed a couple of nights ago, well the anointed one was among them. The Master is going to use him to baptize Luke in his blood." Chris stood and walked passed Josiah, he turned slightly. "Luke will feed and gain power for the Master."
Xander raised his cross as Chris came near. "Uh, not to doubt someone who is supposed to be wise and all, but why are we letting the fanged bad guy walk away unstaked?"
Chris looked Xander over. "He wants to know what you idiots can't tell him as you knocked me out and I couldn't you. You could have been the hero, not me."
"Oh yeah, big hero, coming to tattle on your blood sucking buddies, you must be so proud of yourself." Dismissing the Vampire with a look, Xander faced Josiah, his hands twitching for action. "Again, since when do we let the narc's go? Last I checked, they were the bad guys, not us. Letting this one go, means we let some other innocent die."
Chris headed for the library door.
"Whoa, baddy, you ain't going anywhere, Jesse, Casey." Xander gestured for them to flank Chris and block his path for the door.
Josiah looked at the young people who surrounded the vampire. "This is Christos or Chris as he goes by now. He is one of a kind vampire, he has a soul."
"Oh, and that makes it all better how?" Smirking, Xander tilted his head. There was only a little bit of space separating him and the vampire now. "We both know a soul doesn't automatically make you a good person."
"As can be seen in most high school students." Chris replied as he turned his attention to Xander.
"I'm just itching to stick it to you, fang breath." Xander laughed, raising the cross at Chris' face level.
Chris lifted his foot as if he was going to step back, but brought it forward nailing Xander in the groin. the vampire grabbed the youth's arm and his throat. "Someone should have taught you some manners." Chris slammed him against a book case.
"And you just proved his point." Jesse slammed his cross against Chris' neck. He pulled the vampire's arm off his friend and tossed him away.
Chris rolled and ended up on his feet, rubbing his neck. "I shall go now. Have fun, kiddies."
"Yes, be on your way," Josiah said, while he frowned at Xander. "Just what were you thinking attacking that creature? Do you not think you could have been seriously hurt?"
Chris left, shaking his head and muttering about foolish humans.
Rubbing his head, Xander glared up at the old man. "I was thinking I was going to make him so much dust in the wind. I thought we were supposed to be the good guys."
"Yeah, what Xander said." Jesse spoke up.
Josiah shook his head. "He could have killed all of you, if he had chose to."
"And I was just about to kill him. If you hadn't dragged your heels on answering." Xander glared daggers at Josiah. "You need to make a decision, which side are you playing for?"
"You shouldn't be playing at all." Josiah growled at him.
Shaking his head, Xander pushed Jesse off him. "Come on guys, lets go see if we can catch up to Inez. This guy obviously isn't playing with a full deck."
"Chris did something you couldn't do, he gave information on a real danger. Do any of you know who the Master is?"
Xander ignored him as they walked out the exit.
Josiah walked back to his office. He had more important things to worry about then some kids and he knew Chris would leave them alone.
Steven looked up as the door opened. "What is it now?"
I need to know what you know about the Master and the anointed one." Josiah walked around his desk can sat down.
"Why?" Walking away from the desk, Steven folded his arms.
"Seems Chris knows the anointed one is been born or turned. The Master is going to use him to gain power." Josiah looked at Steven, then at his desk.
"So, that was the infamous vampire with a soul. Perhaps I was a little hasty in my knocking him unconscious." Steven leaned back against the wall. "Then again, a soul hardly makes a man out of a monster."
"He was right that a soul don't make one good or bad. It's one's actions." Josiah opened a book on his desk. "So you going to tell me what I asked about or are you just going to stand there?"
"Fine!" Steven huffed. "The Master is a vampire so ancient his face is permanently set in his demon visage and his skin is pure white. He represents your typical Bella Lugosi style vampire, claws and fangs, the entire package. Back in thirty-one, he attempted to open the hellmouth but was stopped by an earth quake and was stuck behind a dimensional barrier. Only the Anointed One shall be powerful enough to penetrate the barrier. And am I correct in assuming the Anointed One has risen?"
"You can." Josiah picked up his glasses and put them on. "What do you know about the Anointed One besides that"
"Get stuffed. You know everything I know." Flipping the old man off, Steven walked out the door and slammed it behind him.
Josiah shook his head and absently wondered if things could get worse.
END SCENE
Here We Go
Josiah grimaced as he took a sip of his large glass of what passed for tea in this country. Thankfully they had laced it with brandy to make the swill drinkable. However, the alcohol did little to soothe the headache caused by the pounding beat of the band on stage. "Good god, strike me deaf!"
"I think they will do that for you." Chris pointed at the band.
"Most certainly. I do find it curious the choice of venue you agreed to meet me on. Could you not have found a more suitable location?" Glaring at the giggling drunken woman who passed them by, Josiah took another sip. "I would have been more comfortable in a slaughter house."
"I had my reasons for here."
Josiah frowned. "I am sure you did. Now down to why we are here, what exactly is the Master planning?"
Chris nodded as he scanned the room. "The Anointed One can breach the barrier and he will get the Master's blood. The Anointed One will feed it to Luke, then he will mark Luke's head with a star. The result will be that whenever Luke feeds the Master will be able to siphon energy from Luke's victims. The Master will gain enough strength and will break free of the barrier."
Spitting out his tea, Josiah coughed. "Good lord!"
"I thought you would want to know this." Chris shifted as he looked around again, then his eyes landed on Josiah. "What is it with those kids?"
"They are a possible link to the slayer. From the beginning I knew reaching her would be difficult. They might just be enough to get through to her, if they survive long enough to have any stories, they can relate with her experiences." He knew it wasn't the best of options, but the vampire had the right to ask. "I appreciate your services in watching over her during this period. And your assistance in testing their resolve to the cause."
"You should." Chris reached up and rubbed his neck.
"Sorry about that, it should heal soon. Bringing that annoying son of Orin Travis with me gave me an invitation into their group and I still believe the risks of bringing him here out weigh the dangers of having left him behind. This way I can oversee his tutelage and the slayer's." Heaving a sigh, Josiah took another sip and finished off the drink. "I don't suppose you would care to continue on here?"
"You mean continue to be a spy for you." Chris looked away from the watcher.
Grabbing the vampire's hand, he released it when Chris was looking at him again. "No, to be an enforcer of sorts. I have brains and the slayer if I can convince her of her heritage, but I have no one with any real influence. It takes time to develop a reputation worth a bloody damn, and frankly I haven't the time or the inkling. That is where you would come in, if you accept."
"To shed fear in to the locals." Chris looked Josiah in the eyes.
Josiah stared right back at him. "Don't you even dare, your efforts won't work on me. But essentially, yes. What do you say?"
"What do I get in return?" The vampire's gazed never wavered from Josiah.
"I promise not to turn you into a frog and a pension from the Council. That is it, take it or leave it." Josiah waved a hand over the table, dropping a few bills for the waitress.
"How you are going to tell them they have to pay a vampire? That should go over well." Chris smirked and shifted in his seat, he put an arm on the back of the booth.
"That is none of their concern. They are well aware I have expenses here. The question is will you accept? Just give me a damned yes or no." He gripped the glass, knuckles whitening in anger.
"My dear man you get riled way too easy." Chris smirked as he looked over Josiah's shoulder, shifting to see the door. "A damned answer I'll give when I'm damn ready to."
Catching a commotion at the door, Josiah ignored the vampire. "What the hell?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah sat back in her booth, sucking back on the bottle of a raspberry wine cooler she had threatened the bar tender out of. She had seen the jerk in the gay coat enter and decided she needed something stronger than rootbeer tonight.
A dark haired young woman walked up to the booth and sat down. Her dark hair was pulled back into a pony tail.
"Excuse me, but I don't want company." Sarah tried to be nice and offer the woman an apologetic smile.
"We need to talk." The young woman leaned back.
"Sorry, not interested, you will just have to find someone else to bother. I was here first, so I suggest you leave." Sarah took a swig from the bar and swallowed with a painful grimace.
"It's about your 'friend' Chris Larabee." Ella waved the waitress away.
Sarah snorted her wine cooler. "He is no friend of mine."
"We'll that's good then you won't mind me talking about him." Ella glanced at the girl.
"Look, you blood sucking whore, I don't give to shakes of a rat's ass one way or another about the secret life of Mr. Gay Coat." Sarah pushed the table against Ella, pinning her against the booth. "Now I am only going to say this one time, either leave me alone or I will show you just what exactly a slayer is all about."
Ella smirked at what Sarah had called Chris. "Well I hope you will do the same for my Christos."
"That does it!" Sarah stood up, pulling a stake from her purse. Just as she was about to lunge across the table, the front door opened and a group of vampires entered. "Oh come on, can't you leeches play fair and fight your own battles?"
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Inez's foot connected with Paulo's ribs again. "I told you I wasn't interested."
Rafael sat up shaking his head to clear it. "Why are there six of you?"
Inez ignored him and kicked the curled up jock again.
Rushing in to the grove of trees, Steven jumped up and slammed Inez to the ground. "Xander, Jesse, grab Paulo. Casey, help the other guy!"
"Let me go." Inez said struggling against him.
"No! You can't kill him for simply doing what you charmed him into!" Steven gasped when she kneed him in the gut. "Will you hold still!"
"No! Let me go!" The witch pushed at him.
Jesse kicked Paulo in the head as he slid to a stop next to him. "Oops. Well, it looks like we won't need to restrain him."
Xander bent down and looked Paulo over. "He's still breathing and that is a good sign...I think."
Casey lifted Rafael from the ground, dusting off his rear a little too often.
"Thanks." Rafael stumbled over to Paulo.
"What do we do about them? I mean we can't just leave them here, but then again I don't wanna do anything further with either of them." Jesse massaged his shoulders from the memory of their last encounter.
"Hey Steven, what do we do with these guys?" Xander called to the young watcher.
"Leave them be, we got other things to consider!" Casey pulled out her cross as they were surrounded by vampires.
"Damn!" Xander cursed as he grabbed his cross and a stake. "Steven."
Luke stepped forward, his snarling features contorted in amusement. "Isn't this pathetic, a group of humans playing at being the slayer."
Steven pulled a stake and staked the nearest vampire. "Don't let them get behind us, stay close." Steven grabbed Inez and pushed her, so she was with the circle the scoobies were forming.
"Get out of my way!" Inez slammed Steven aside and raised her hands. A pair of pencil then wooden arrows shot out from wrist sheaths and she slammed her palm into the chest of the nearest vampire. "Stiletto Stakes go with just about every outfit!" Jerking back, she watched as it turned to dust. "Who wants the next demonstration?"
Casey and Jesse each killed a vampire, but made sure they didn't move out of the group.
Xander pulled a squirt gun and winked at Luke. "You gotta ask yourself, punk, do I feel lucky? Well, do ya?" He squeezed the trigger and fired at the vamp.
Luke dodged the water. "Let's go, we are not worried about this pests." Luke led the vampires off.
Xander kept up a constant barrage until they were gone. Glancing at the others, he smiled. "What do you say we go after them?"
"Let's go. They are up to no good." Steven took off at a run.
Xander, grinning, followed after with Jesse, Inez, Casey and Rafael.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vin sat up wiping his mouth off. Grinning at the dazed JD, he leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
JD sighed, he tried to focus on Vin. "You done?" JD asked weakly.
"You taste great!" Licking the wolf's face, Vin chuckled.
JD chuckled softly, too tired to move at the moment.
Looking into the eyes of his lover, Vin stopped and his face went slack. Smiling, he leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.
JD returned the kiss, his hands wrapping in Vin's hair.
Pulling back, Vin slid his hand up JD's body. "Well, at least we now know tickling won't set you off." Tracing his fingers down the hair around JD's navel, he smiled. "Time to test your strength."
"How's that?" JD looked into Vin's eyes trying to see what he was up to.
Reaching over JD and off the side of the bed, he picked up a small box off the floor. Taking the lid off, he set it on the bed. He made sure JD had a clear sight of the contents as he took them out. He pulled out a pair of shackles and dangled them invitingly. Next, he pulled out a feather and traced it down the wolf's face. Finally he pulled out a box of condoms and a bottle of lube.
The were's eyes got big, then passed out.
Smiling, Vin grabbed JD's hands and shackled them over his head. It always pays to be prepared.
END SCENE
Here We Go
Standing in the doorway of the Bronze, Luke glanced around at the crowd and smiled. "Well lookie here, boys, it's a buffet."
"Damn." Chris growled. "Trouble."
Josiah rose from the table, grabbing a stake and a cross from his coat. "Looks like your estimate was wrong."
"In the wrong place at the right time." Chris stood and got the stakes he had out of his pockets.
Moving towards the stage, Luke gestured at the crowds of people. "Get them, bring the most spirited to me, kill the weak." As he ascended the stage, he broke the neck of the lead singer on stage and threw his body off into a stand of decorations. The banner hanging from the stand drifted down to land on his head. Luke growled and tore it from the other side, then stomped on it.
Cordelia got on the stage. "Who do you think you're doing?"
"Whatever I choose, little girl." Spreading his arms, Luke stared at his people and laughed. "Bring them to me!"
"Get the hell out." Cordelia told him and pushed him.
"You want to play a game, puny human?" With a smile, he swung his arm back and smacked her across the stage. "Tag, you're it!"
People ran to and fro as the vampires grabbed victims. There was screaming and confusion.
Steven ran in with others behind. "You know what to do,"
Xander and the others spread out, staking vamps as they moved. He ducked under the arms of one and shot it with holy water. While shooting it in the face, he staked it in the heart. "Order up! Next customer!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ella flipped the table from between them, then lunged at Sarah.
Sarah cried out when the vampire grabbed her hair and yanked it. "Ow!" She slammed the vampire back against the booth. "Going for my hair, how mature. How do you like it?" Reaching behind her, she wrapped her fingers in the dark haired vampire's hair and pulled.
Ella growled in pain as she yanked Sarah's head back, slamming her against the wall.
Grabbing the vampire by the skirt, she jerked it up and twisted backwards. Her hand in Ella's hair jerked down again this time with a wet ripping sound. "I am going to make you bleed, bitch!"
"I'll return the favor." Using her claws to rip across Sarah's mid-section leave four open gashes.
"Okay, that does it!" Sarah bent over backwards, releasing her hold on Ella. Wrapping her hands around the vampire's waist, she stood up again and slammed Ella into the floor head first.
Ella twisted and grabbed Sarah's legs, yanking them out from under her.
Rolling over, Sarah kicked back sending Ella sprawling. She performed a back flip and landed on her feet. "Bring it on, bitch!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Josiah bounced off of Chris' back and fell to the floor. "Sorry about that!" Climbing to his feet, he kicked the vampire that was running at him.
"You do really need me, don't you?" Chris remarked as he put a stake through another vampire.
"Not as much as you might think. Your presence would be a convenience." Grimacing, Josiah pushed the vampire away again. This was the third time he had to fight to remain standing. He remembered it being a lot easier when he was a lad back in England. "Can we not talk about this now?"
"If you wish to wait. Fine." The vampire moved and staked the vampire that was going after Josiah. "I'll be around." Chris smirked.
"Fine." Josiah ducked under Chris. Using the vampire as a base, he lifted a leg and kicked a charging vampire. "Just how bloody many of them are there?"
"Too many old man?" He glanced at Josiah. "Looks like you need me to hold on to."
"Just the one time. As I said, you were convenient." Smirking, Josiah stood up and spun away. Bring out his fist as he stopped, he slammed a stake through the chest of a vampire.
"Convenient. Then I can go." Chris twisted both wrists outward and slammed them into two vampires.
"If you leave, you die, that simple. You have some time, choose carefully." Josiah sprinted across the room to help pull a vampire off Steven. They both had to duck to avoid a blast of light. "Blasted witch! Steven, stop her before she kills us all!"
Steven looked over to where Inez was at. "Can I kill her?"
"No, and you mustn't allow her to kill anymore of the athletes either. I am aware she does not care for them, but she cannot simply keep turning them into vermin and stomping them. It is unethical! Now go!" He shoved Steven towards the witch as he avoided another of her blasts.
Steven rolled his eyes and dodged one of Inez's bolts.
The witch saw him coming and shifted her hands to fire at him. "Goddess Hecate work thy will, make this creature short and shrill!"
Steven jumped behind a tipped over table. His hand landed on a glass and he tossed it in Inez's direction.
When the glass pegged her in the forehead, Inez screamed in rage and raised her hands. The magic that had built up around her grew and exploded out in waves.
Steven felt the wave when it buffed the table. "Damn witch."
Xander crawled to his feet after the wave had knocked him down. Shaking his head to clear it, he saw that most of the people were gone and so was the bulk of the vampire population. Smiling, he signal the Jesse, Casey, and Rafael to get their attention. He pulled out two squirt guns to signal it was time.
The bar quieted as the teens rounded up the vampires.
Pulling the trigger, Xander shot one of the larger vampires in the chest with the holy water making it reel backwards. He pointed at the center of the dance floor and the others nodded in acceptance. "Move it, blood breath!" When the vampire snarled at him again, he squirted directly in the mouth and laughed. "I always won this game at the fair!"
"That would be a good game, explode the vampire." Jesse commented from his side.
"What do you think the prize would be?" Stepping through the last of the tables, Xander raised an eyebrow. In the center of the room surrounded by Jesse, Casey, Rafael and himself, the six remaining vampires growled at them. "Perhaps we should find out."
"Sure." Jesse raised a stake, ready to finish this job.
"No cheating, Jess." Raising his squirt guns, his lips twitched. "Ready, aim, fire!"
The teens fired their squirt guns, dusting the vampires.
Jesse fired his squirt gun, he watched in wonder as the vampire turns to dust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sarah's head shot up, her left eye swelling shut. The silence of the room alerted her to other possible danger and took her attention from Ella.
Ella looked up and noticed that she was the only vampire, she saw. Fear shot through her. She kicked the slayer and headed for the door.
"Hey, get back here!" Sarah slowly shambled to her feet and started after the vampire. In the middle of the dance floor, she slipped on a pile of ash. Glancing around, she watched in confusion. "What happened to everybody?"
"Humans or vampires?" Chris asked as he looked up at her.
"Mr. Gay Coat!" Sarah's face lit up then twisted. "I'm not speaking to you!"
"It's not and why?" Chris asked as skirted the group.
"You implied that because I wasn't a slut I couldn't get a date!" Sarah realized she spoke and crossed her arms. Then she uncrossed them and winced. "Ouch! If I wasn't in a little pain I would go back to ignoring you."
"I didn't mean it that way." Chris walked up and rubbed her shoulders.
"Don't touch her!" Inez punched Steven in the gut, breaking his hold on her. Wrenching free, she stormed over to Chris and Sarah. "Get away from her, fang breath!"
"Chill out spell caster." Chris didn't stop what he was doing, though he did roll his eyes.
"Fang breath?" Sarah glanced up at Chris. "You're a vampire?"
"The only one with a soul." Chris told her, he didn't move, though he was ready for her to try something.
Narrowing her eyes, Sarah was about to say something when something caught her attention. She wrinkled her nose and frowned. "What's that smell? It's like burnt hair."
Chris glanced around, then turned her toward the stage. "A little fried vampire."
Cordelia stuck the stungun into Luke's side again, holding it there until the charge died. "What did you take me for, some little push over? I am not one of those stupid, whiney movie girls, buster! You do not attack me at my birthday party and expect to get away with it! This party cost more than your entire wardrobe, asshole!"
Luke moved to get away from the vengeful girl.
Cordelia pinned him down with the tazer again. "Oh no you don't! You are going to sit here and listen to me until I am through. No one walks away from me when I am yelling at them!"
Luke withered in pain as he body jerked. He writhed in pain as his body jerked.
Falling back, Cordelia growled and chased after him. "I don't think so!" She slammed into his back, knocking him off the stage and on to a broken table off the side of the stage. As she turned to dust, she glared. "Damn it, I wasn't through with you yet!"
Chris chuckled, glancing at Josiah. "So much for the Master's plan."
Cordelia looked up and glared at the assembled group. Shifting her attention from the pile of ash, she put her hands on her hips and moved towards them.
"Time to leave." Chris said and turned Sarah for the exist.
"Quite!" Josiah moved quickly, dragging Casey and Inez with him. "Come along, children!"
END SCENE
Here We Go
The sun shone brightly through the cracks in the ceiling. When their beams struck JD in the eye causing him to twist in his sleep, Vin chuckled. "Time to wake up sleepy head."
JD pulled the sheet over his head.
Bending his head forward, Vin pressed his lips to JD's.
JD blinked. "What?"
"It's morning. Time to get up. You have to go today." Vin's voice trailed off as he finished speaking.
"What if I don't want to?" JD sat up.
"We have no choice. Both of us have lives to go back to." Looking away, Vin twisted from JD and off to the side of the bed. Standing up, he stretched then winced from the pain in his backside.
"I guess." JD slid his feet off the bed.
Glancing over his shoulder, Vin stared at the other boy's back. He stood there looking at him, wanting to say something. After a while, he took a deep breath. "I'll get your stuff ready."
"I need my clothes." JD muttered.
"They're by the side of the bed." Vin headed for the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.
JD looked at the door for a moment then got dressed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pulling back from the kiss, Vin traced his fingers down the side of JD's face. "I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm going miss you." The young man told him.
Keeping his face neutral, Vin shifted so he could look over JD's shoulder. The other boy's band was watching them and Vin didn't like it. He frowned. "It's time."
"Yeah, I know."
Pulling back from JD with some reluctance, Vin took a deep breath. He blow it out with a poorly muffled sigh. Vin squeezed JD's hand one last time.
"Way to go man." Devon put his fingers to his mouth and let out a loud whistle. "Look at JD, he's a man now!"
Vin saw JD's cheeks burn with embarrassment and gave in. His hands shot up and around the other boy's neck to pull him back for one last kiss. This time he held on for dear life, tightening until he was sure the other boy would be crushed. As he could no longer hold out, he let go and fought for breath. He pushed JD away and took a step back to give the boy room. JD turned the boys. "That's enough."
"Oh come on, JD, we're only just starting!" Devon cackled with laughter.
Turning back toward Vin, JD frowned as his lover had disappeared. He looked around for his friend, but didn't see him. Giving up, JD headed for his band.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keeping to the shadows, Vin held out long enough to watch JD look one last time, then climb into the van with the other band members. He had had his fun, they were both going on with their lives. JD would be happy, he could live a semi normal life thanks to him. It was better this way. Or so he kept telling himself.
"You know dogs eventually bit their masters." Eli Joe put a hand on the young man's shoulder.
Vin shrugged Eli Joe's hand from his shoulder. Without looking back, he headed further into the shadows of the streets. "I'll accept your offer and become one yers. However, I won't do it on your terms. We'll do it my way when I'm ready."
"Which is?"
He didn't respond. Continuing down the alley, Vin stared out into the dimly lit streets, his wet face reflecting in the day light.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Josiah stood at the head of the library table, the dying sun light shinning through the back windows highlighting his face. The end of another long day of school, yet he felt it only the beginning of his true life. Around the table in front of him sat Casey, Xander, Steven, Jesse, and Sarah. Off in the shadows of the book return desk stood Chris. At the opposite end of the table stood the source of his problems, or sources as the case may be. "The three of you simply have to learn to get along. There are no may be's to it. I understand she put a spell on you, Paulo, but the time has come for you to get over this and move on."
"She shouldn't have done that." Paulo glared at Inez.
"In her defense, you have been a bane on her existence and she took a more humane step than you would have given her circumstances. However, that is not the point. She has done wrong and she has corrected her mistake. As a part of her punishment, I have stripped her powers from her. Ms. Ricielos will be under my direct tutelage in any future magical endeavors." Josiah gave her a stern look making sure she was paying attention. "There will be no further recriminations on either side from here on out, do I make myself clear?"
"Fine." Inez tossed her head.
"Fine. Now get out!" Josiah turned his attention to the new boy as he tried to follow them. "Not you, Jonathan."
The young man turned around. "It's JD."
"What? Oh yes, JD, sorry, you have a seat, we have much to discuss." He waved a hand to the only available seat at the table, next to Casey.
Walking over JD sat down and leaned back in the chair with his arm on the back of the chair.
"All right, now that we are all here and everything else has been taken care of, I shall explain why we are all here." Josiah walked over to the double doors of the library and twisted the lock shut. Heading back to the table, he offered them a knowing smile. "You are all aware of the existence of vampires. We, in fact, have one among us right now. He is not an evil vampire, but has a soul and has chosen to be with us."
Casey looked over at Chris, who gave them a nod.
"I suppose this may come as a shock to some of you, but there are good evil beings out there. Beings that choose to side with us rather than against us. It isn't frequent, but they do happen by on occasion." Josiah traced a finger down the side of his head and cupped his chin in thought. "Now you are wondering how I knew of Chris' existence and why he is involved with the slayer, his mortal enemy. It is quite simple really, he was prophesied to."
"By who?" Casey asked glancing at Chris.
Chris sighed and shifted his stance, but didn't move into the room. "That would be Aurelius who was the founder of my bloodline."
"Quite right. I am surprised they didn't kill you when they put it together. Oh well, their loss is our potential gain." Sitting down at the table, Josiah scooted a large book towards Sarah. "In this you will find all the information I have on the role of a slayer."
Sarah took the book and looked at the cover.
Josiah faced JD and adjusted his glasses. Leaning forward, he slid a silver cross to the boy. "This is why I asked you here. It is the cross of Casurie, a mystical talisman imbued with the power of some ancient deity no longer in existence which means it is little more than a pretty bauble. However, I was instructed by its deliverer to make sure you got it. The man did not say who it was from or why they sent it, just that I was too make sure it reached your hands."
JD picked up the cross and looked at it. He turned it over in his hands. "I don't know why anyone would want me to have this."
"Well then we may never know. But the cross is now yours, if there is any lingering powers, be sure to use tell us so that we can help you." Turning to the others, he met their eyes in turn. "You have been acting very foolishly these past several days and it could have gotten each of you killed."
"We did what we could." Steven told the watcher, "But we did a good job."
"You did nothing of the sort. Do not presume that because I did not directly interfere that I was doing nothing about the situation! That has been your mistake all this time, you can not believe that anyone would know better than you." Sitting up in his seat, Josiah clenched his fists. "Do you even know why I was in that despicable excuse of a pub last night?"
"I hadn't thought about it." Steven glanced at the others.
"I thought it was to see me." Chris winked at the old watcher.
"Despite what this heathen would have you believe, our meeting was far from amorous. I have been in contact with him in regards to the slayer. There was simply no other way of approaching her without causing more harm than good. Direct confrontation would only end up driving a wedge between us." He glowered at Steven's coloring cheeks, then smiled paternally at Sarah. "As things happened, I knew you were once again destined to confront the slayer about her lack of involvement and decided to test you, all of you. If you had passed, I would have invited you in on my plan, however, your actions proved you were not ready. However, ready or not, it seems you are all I now have."
"Poor you." Chris muttered.
Josiah picked up a book from the table and threw it at the vampire. "This is not a joking matter! I have been in touch with the Watcher's Council and they have made a decision in regards to our current situation. They are not sending any reinforcements to help keep the Master at bay. In fact, as of this morning, we are officially cut off from them."
The vampire catch the book. "You know how important these books are you shouldn't be throwing them around." Chris mocked in a Josiah type voice, then in his normal voice. "Why aren't I'm surprised that your little watcher group has left you alone in this mission."
"It is not a mission. In fact, you are partially responsible for this mess. Their refusal to aid us is in response to your presence. They believe I have made a mistake in allowing you to remain undead. I disagreed with them and they cut me off in the middle of my protests." Rubbing his forehead, he continued speaking. "Frankly, I am surprised they didn't demand my immediate return and replacement because of our actions, both yours and mine and that of Mr. Travis here."
"At least it's not all my fault this time." Chris looked around. "I could go."
"Why don't you, this is one pile of ash I wouldn't mind sweeping under the rug!" Josiah was close to breaking and his spine shook in rigid anger. Getting a grip on himself, he forced himself to keep calm. "Now, back to the matter at hand. I need your help, all of yours. If we are going to prevent the Master from ever rising again, we must work together."
"Well tell, we are here." Chris leaned on the book return desk waiting for Josiah to continue.
"He already told, dip shit." Xander laid back in his chair, crossing his arms and glaring at the vampire. "I vote yes."
"Well continue on then." Chris wondered how much damage he could do the young man before Josiah would say much about it.
"He is correct, you blood sucking puss bag!" Josiah cleared his throat. "This meeting was about informing them of the current situation and acquiring allies, not stratigising the downfall of the axis."
"Go on then, don't mind me." Chris sat down and put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.
"I have decided I shall stay and assist you," Steven said, his head held high.
Chris sighed and opened one eye watching Josiah. The man said he needed help.
JD looked over from finger the cross to the hand that was fingering his leg. He frowned at Casey, but didn't remove her hand. "I guess I'm in. I could be of some use to you."
"I'm in." Jesse added
"I guess that just leaves us girls." Casey tightened her grip on JD's thigh. Glancing at Josiah, she nodded. "I'm in."
"A girl and her dog is such a sweet thing. You might want to try doggie style as he probably use to that." Chris sat up and watched the group with a smirk.
Sarah stifled a laugh under the guise of a cough. Taking a deep breath, she kept her eyes on the book in front of her. "To tell the truth, I don't really want to be here."
"But..." Josiah encouraged her on.
She started tracing the word 'Vampyre' with her index finger. "All my life I was the popular girl, I was normal, I had friends, family, even a dog. I don't have that now, not even the dog. When I found out I was the slayer, I was like, whatever, and then all these weird things started happening. Suddenly no body liked me, all my dating prospects dried up in an instant, my family broke apart and the one person I could turn to was killed. This made it a pretty easy decision not to want to be the slayer anymore. But destiny called and I couldn't not answer."
Looking up, she wiped away the tears in her eyes. "However, I defeated the bad guy, saved the world and then my mom told me were moving and I figured I would be able to get a new start. No body would know who I was, there couldn't be anymore vampires. Then last night happens and I realize I couldn't be more wrong. Hell, the one guy I thought was cute, despite the seriously gay coat, turns out to be a vampire himself. God, I sure can pick'em."
"It's not a gay coat, you think I'm cute?" Chris sat up.
"And vain, real good choice on that one." Sarah tried to smile, but lowered her head to prevent them from seeing her cry. "I don't want to go through this again."
Xander got up and walked over, putting his hands on her shoulders. "You've got us."
"Yeah, but for how long? How long before you turn away from me when it gets to be too much, or end up getting killed by what I am trying to protect you from? How much must I endure before it is enough? I have lost so many people I have loved I don't want to go through with it anymore!" Standing up, she pushed Xander away. "It isn't worth it!"
"Sarah, I know this isn't easy for you, but we are here to help. We are willing to take the chances of what will happen." The watcher told the slayer.
"But I don't want to. What part of that don't you understand?" Heading for the door, Sarah tossed her bag over her shoulder.
"None of us do, but we must." Steven called to her back.
Sarah snorted. "Well then you do what you have to, just leave me out of it."
"I know how hard it is to go against everything that you know and the way you want things to be." Chris called as he stood up. "This isn't about wants and haves, but the right thing."
Stopping at the door, she slowly turned to face him. "And who decides what is the right thing?"
"You do. As you have the power and you decide what is right...You know who you are." Chris stated watching the slayer.
"But I didn't ask for this." Twisting around, she pleaded with Josiah. "I didn't ask for this, I don't want this!"
"We can not choose our destiny." The watcher told her, he did feel for her, but she didn't have a choice and neither did he.
"He's right." JD glanced at Sarah, shifting in his seat uncomfortable under their gaze. "It's life, Sarah. We don't get these things by asking for them, we simply have to deal with our problems as they come. What's important are the people we meet who help us along the way, those who help us accept what we are and who we will become."
"That's true, Wolf boy." Chris said as he stepped around the book return, but avoided the sun.
"Don't start with me, leech, I don't know you enough to dislike you, but I can learn real quick." JD's eyes flashed yellow as he stood up. Growling, he reined in the urge to shift into a wolf.
Chris leaned back on the book return, he glanced that the were, then he's attention went back to Sarah.
JD kept up his rigid posture, but shifted his attention back to Sarah. "I can't claim to know everything you are going through, but I understand loss and I understand having your whole world turned upside down suddenly without warning. We can get through this, you just have to find someone who knows more about what you are going through than you do. And I think these people might do, they seem nice enough, despite some members attitudes."
"How would you know about having your life suddenly change?" Sarah countered glaring at the boy.
"Look at me, I wasn't born on four paws! Hell, four days ago I didn't even know werewolves existed. Just trust me on this, I know." Growling in frustration, he turned away.
Sarah looked from the boy to the older watcher, questioningly.
"This bit of information is as new to me as it is to you. I had no idea he was a were until just now." Polishing his glasses, Josiah stood up. "I guess the point we are trying to make is that despite what you might think, you are not alone. Despite our appearances, we have all suffered similarly. We can help you, now whether that is enough is up to you."
"Told you." Chris whispered, crossing arms over his chest.
"Told you," Josiah mimicked. "Oh do shut up!"
Chris resisted the urge to stick out his tongue. He was too old for that kind of display. "I came as you asked me too, I didn't have to. You said that yourself and I don't have to stay either."
"Then by all means, walk out, get a tan. Lord knows you need some color!" Giggling from the kids had Josiah glaring at them in irate airs. "What?"
"They think you are as annoying as I'm." Chris stood up.
"I am not. You are by far the most insufferable, blustering idiot! Why I even considered asking you to stay is beyond me. As a matter of fact, I have half a mind to stake you where you stand!" Josiah ignored the kids as they started howling with laughter, his ire having reached a peak. "All you do is complain, moan, and bitch about little things of no consequence. If you are so bothered by our presence, then I suggest you fall on a stake!"
"I wouldn't give you the pleasure." Chris winked at the watcher.
Sarah smacked a hand over her face to cover the grin. When Josiah started to spit and sputter over Chris' remark, she completely lost it. Clutching her side, she started laughing so hard tears came to her eyes. She started to stagger to the left and had to hang on to the wall to keep from falling.
"Someone thinks you to are funny." Xander chuckled.
The doors to the library flew open. Cordelia took in the scene with a critical eye and cleared her throat.
Chris looked up where the miffed teen stood.
Xander stopped laughing, his natural self preservation instincts kicking in and he backed away. "Cordelia!"
Sarah looked at the girl and moved away from her.
Smiling patronizingly, she adjusted her sweater. "I came to say thank you for your assistance at my party last night. That though you weren't invited, you were there to help was okay. However, if any of you ever think of pulling another stunt like that, I will be more than a little, shall we say, upset." At their answering silence, she smiled genuinely. "Good, I am glad we got that cleared up." She turned on her heel and stalked out, the doors slamming shut behind her.
Xander shuddered as Cordelia left.
"I really don't like her." JD sneezed, his eyes blinking yellow. "And her perfume stinks too!"
"Me neither, we should just stay away from her." Casey shivered.
Josiah sighed. This was getting them no where fast. "While I would agree with your assessment of Ms. Chase, can we get back to the matter at hand? Will you stay with us, Sarah?"
"Yeah, I will." Sarah said as she walked back to the table. "Just so long as I don't have to work with Cordelia."
Rubbing his forehead, Josiah smiled at her tersely. "Well, I can promise you won't have to work with her." At their relieved looks he frowned. "However, you still have two and a half years of school with her."