FIC: Moving, Part 2
Oct. 14th, 2005 11:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sam_gamgeeContinued from here
"Well, it's obviously not the Slayer, now is it?" Giles asked, turning his attention to Christian, his voice icy and his gaze sharp. "I happen to think he'd do rather well as a Watcher, given everything that he's been through. He already has more field experience than most of you." Giles leaned across the table. "I think we'd all agree that the old ways of doing things went out the window when the Council was almost completely destroyed, let alone when all the potentials were activated. Now, that young man is one of the reasons why Buffy has been able to last so long. As I have said before, if working with me is too much to bear, then I suggest you find something else to occupy your time." The other man clammed up and sat back against his chair with a huff. Giles looked at the other men at the table. "So, all those in favor of trying Xander's plan, say 'aye'." There were twenty-three 'ayes'. "As there is a majority rule, I say we get started. James and Stephen, could the two of you start pulling together the contact information we'll need for our informants? Would some of you young men please help as well?" Glancing at his watch, he said, "And we'll get an early start, so that we can catch at least some of the places in the East without it being too late." The men stood. "Thank you, gentlemen."
As they started back to the flat, Giles said, "I hope today wasn't terribly boring."
"At least now I know why you and Wesley were the way you were at the beginning," Xander replied with a smile. "Well, after you got the rocker guy out of your system."
Giles also smiled. "Feel like getting some Tandoori take-away for dinner?"
"Sure…what is it?"
"Indian food." At Xander's look, he said, "It's not *that* bad. It's done much better here than in the States."
"You're the London cuisine connoisseur, so I shall defer to your expertise."
Once they were back in the flat and situated on opposite ends of the couch with plates of food and drinks, Giles said, "If you want, I can give you some things to do around here for tomorrow so you don't have to come in with me. I'm sure all the phone calls will be rather boring – especially if you don't know the language."
Xander shrugged. "Whatever you think will be best," he replied without much energy before taking a bite of bread.
Giles stared at him for a moment before asking, "Do you feel all right?"
"Yeah, why?" Xander asked, looking up.
"The kiss aside, you've just seemed a bit distant the past few days – even before we left."
Xander shrugged half-heartedly. "I guess I just thought things would be different."
"Different how?"
"I don't know." Giles could see the thoughts turning in Xander's head. "Different that we could talk about things. Different that we could be like we were back when I was in the hospital." He ate some more of the chicken curry as he thought. "Why is this always so damn hard? I know what I want to say in my head, but I’m afraid of it sounding stupid once I actually say it."
"As long as 'G-man' doesn't pass your lips, I think we'll be fine," Giles said with a smile, the mention of Xander's former nickname also bringing a smile to Xander's lips.
"No, I think we're safe there." There was another pause and Xander stared down at his plate. "I like you a lot, Giles - maybe even love, though it feels different than the way I felt for Anya." There was another pause and Giles patiently waited. "And I’m sorry if I did something to push you away after we moved to Cleveland."
"What makes you think that?" Giles asked softly, his attention focused solely on Xander.
"That you didn't talk to me as much any more. That things between us weren't the same as when we were in the hospital or at Buffy's afterwards. Did I come on too strong?"
Giles laughed heartily. "Come on too strong? Xander Harris, I don't know what gave you that idea, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. If anything, you didn't come on strong enough." Putting his half-finished plate on the floor, he leaned towards Xander. "I thought that you needed time to grieve for Anya, so that's why I gave you the space. And then when I didn't get anything further from you after a while, I just thought that it was something that had happened between us in the height of a crisis."
"Really?" Xander looked up at Giles, disbelief written on his face. "And I thought that you were trying to tell me to get a clue by not saying or doing anything."
Giles laughed again. "We're a right pair, aren't we?" He put his arm up on the back of the couch and bent his elbow so he could rest his head against his hand.
"Yeah, I'd say so." Xander put his plate down as well and leaned against the back of the couch. "So…… now what? Obviously, we're both still interested."
"I suggest we take it slow, even though we both know we're interested and that the feelings are still there - too many relationships have been ruined by rushing it. And I know things are going to be crazy for the next few days with packing and getting the Council into some sort of operational mode, but I'm sure we can still find time to spend together."
Xander nodded. "Yeah. I'd like to have at least some peace before we get home and the girls find out and we get interrogated."
Giles chuckled and rested his arm flat along the back of the couch. "That we would. Though, I will concur – a little peace to settle into the relationship before they find out would be much appreciated." He gently ran his first two fingers along Xander's shoulder.
Xander let out a tired sigh and gave Giles a soft smile. "After Jenny died, how did you know when it was time to move on?"
Giles half shrugged. "I just did. Are you afraid you're not giving yourself enough time to grieve after Anya's death?"
"Yeah, maybe a little."
"We can always wait if you want. You know that I wouldn't pressure you to start something if you weren't completely ready – even if that means having to put up with the girls while we're trying to start something." Starting to move, he said, "Let's think about it tonight and talk about it in the morning, okay?"
"Okay." Xander picked up his plate and followed Giles into the kitchen where they cleaned up the remnants of their dinner.
"Feel up to helping me clean out the master bedroom?" Giles asked as he closed the refrigerator door. "I won't take it personally if you don't."
"Nah, I don't mind." Xander followed him into the bedroom. "What would you like me to do?" he asked, surveying the disarray in the room.
"You can start by sorting out my closet and my drawers. I honestly don't need all the clothes that I have. But don't throw out any leather or denim unless it's really looking the worse for wear."
Xander feigned disbelief. "You're actually letting me take charge of your wardrobe, Giles?"
Giles gave Xander a look. "Well, now I am – though it's partly out of necessity. A few years ago, I would've just told you to go turn on the telly." Throwing a shirt that had been on the bed at him, Giles said, "Get started."
As Xander sorted through his clothing, Giles settled on the floor and began sorting through sentimental baubles and treasures that spanned his lifetime. Every once in a while, as he found something of particular sentimental value, he would let out a small gasp – which would usually draw Xander's gaze to him. And, while there was a history attached to every piece that Giles sorted, he knew in his heart that it was time to let go of them. A precious few were kept and safely put off to the side and out of harm's way, but most, such as craft projects and other little gifts that he had been given, went into the trash bag. But one item caught his eye and he held it up to examine it.
"What's that?" Xander asked, pausing in his trek back and forth between the bed and the closet.
"It's a bracelet that Ethan bought for me in Covent Garden from this old woman who had a basket of them." He gently fingered it. "I thought I'd lost it when I couldn't find it after I moved to Sunnydale."
"You loved him, didn't you?" Xander asked, sitting on the bed, and Giles was almost certain that it was at least as much a statement as a question.
"Yes, I did," Giles replied with a fond smile as he stroked the glass beads woven in with the leather thongs. "And I probably always will, if I'm truly honest. It was first love for both of us – even if he'd never admit it – and add to that the fact that we were practicing magic, it was a pretty heady relationship."
"Have you ever heard from him since the Initiative went down?"
Giles shook his head sadly. "No, I haven't. I suppose that if I really wanted to, I could track him down. But after that look he gave me when we let the Initiative take him…. I suspect I’m as much his ghost as he is mine. Even after all he's done to me, to all of us, I can't bring myself to hate him."
"I know it's nowhere near the same, but I feel the same way about Cordy. There were times when it would've been so easy to hate her for what she did to me or Willow or Jesse – or even one of the other nerds – just because she was the popular one, but I can't. There was enough good stuff to at least balance it out, if not tip the scale." Xander let out a small laugh. "And I still remember the day of the talent show rehearsal where you made the comment about her hair – it may've been mean, but…."
"You're right, it was rather cruel," Giles also let out a chuckle in spite of himself, "but at the time, well worth it – even if I shouldn't admit to that. Are you finished?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject.
"Yeah, I am. All the things I think you should keep are still in your closet or drawers."
Giles surveyed the pile of clothes behind Xander. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised at how much clothing is on the bed, and yet I am. Well, I'm sure one of the charities will appreciate them." Seeing he himself had finished the pile that he had been going through, Giles looked at his watch and, seeing that it was still relatively early, asked, "Feel up to taking a walk? It would be remiss of me to bring you to London and then not show you around."
Xander looked confused as he glanced outside. "But it's night time."
Giles stood and, without thinking, put the bracelet on his wrist behind his watch. "Trust me, that's part of London's charm."
******
"So, you're definitely planning on going to London, right?" Xander asked, looking over at Giles.
"What makes you say that?" Giles asked, looking up from one of the books he had been studying.
Xander shifted in the hospital bed. "Well, the First has been killing all the Watchers and Slayers, right? So, when we get done kicking its ass, you're going to have to go over to help get the Council back together, right?"
Giles shut the book and leaned against the arm of the chair. "I suppose so, even if only to clean out my flat, but I don't really know what's going to happen with that yet. Besides, I'd rather worry about this," he held up the book, "first. Then I'll figure out what I’m going to do about what's left of the Council – if anything. Might do them some good to let them scramble for a bit." After a slight pause, he said, "It would be nice to go back for a while, though – see the sights again and such."
"That would be cool. Not that I could see them again, since I've never been, but seeing them to begin with would be cool."
"London does have a certain charm about it," Giles replied with a smile. "Must be all the history that's still there."
"Or all the tea," Xander said with a hint of a smirk.
"If you're feeling well enough to make jokes like that, I think you're well enough to help me out." Giles plopped a book onto the bed next to Xander. "I'm sure a little light research won't hurt anything."
"Your idea of 'light research' and my idea of 'light research' are two *completely* different things, my friend."
"Just start looking. The quicker we find anything, the quicker we can defeat the First and then we can see what we're going to do about going to London and taking on the Council."
******
As they left the flat, Xander followed Giles to the Underground, where they went to the Trafalgar Square station. As they came up out of the Underground station, Xander's eyes widen slightly as he took in the large column and the black lions at its base, the whole thing lit by powerful fluorescents. Sure, he had seen pictures of Trafalgar Square and the monument, but it was completely different to be seeing it in person and also at night with all the lights. Xander's eyes then shifted first to the National Gallery to their right and then to the left of Nelson's Column to the Marble Arch. All three of the edifices were amazing, and Xander thought he could understand Giles' attraction to the city, even if there was nothing left for him here.
"Through the Arch is Buckingham Palace, if you're interested in going down and taking a gander," Giles said softly, not wanting to break Xander's gaze.
"Cool," Xander replied as he started walking towards the Arch, wanting to get a better look at it. "Let's head that way, then."
They walked down the somewhat long road, skirting the probably empty St. James Park – from which a few ducks disjointedly quacked, in comfortable silence. Once there, they stood on the base of the fountain across from the gate as Xander drank in the details. It was different than he expected. It wasn't as huge as he had expected it to be, but he'd always heard other people talking about it, so between that and always seeing throngs of people at the gate to watch the changing of the guard, it seemed smaller now – almost normal.
"We could come here in the morning, if you want," Giles said, "and see the changing of the guard."
Xander shrugged. "We don't have to. And I know that you've got things you need to do."
"I do have a cell phone. I can always call and say that I'm running late because of something with packing up the flat."
"That's evil." Xander glanced at him, even after all the changes Xander had seen him go through, he was still surprised when Giles even remotely suggested a bit of delinquent behavior.
"Maybe so, but I think it'd do them good to have to wait for someone. Though, I suppose Christian would have a fit and pop a vein. Which one do you think would go first?" he managed to ask with a completely straight face.
Xander glanced at him again, confusion on his face as to how exactly to respond and obviously trying not to laugh. A small chuckle finally escaped his lips, sending both of them into a fit of laughter. They eventually calmed down and Xander replied, "Probably the one on his left temple. That thing looks like it's doing the salsa every time we're in the same room. Do you think he really would, though?"
"I wouldn't put it past him. I think he's just upset that after what happened with the Council being almost destroyed, he's not the end-all-be-all voice of authority in what's left of the Council anymore. Maybe we should send him to outer Siberia to remind him that the primary role of the Watcher is for the Slayer and not the other way around. I wonder if it's still legal according to Council law to do that."
As they stood, Xander asked, incredulous, "The Council has laws for stuff like that?"
"The Council has laws for *everything*. Most are usually just ignored, though."
They walked for a while and talked about anything and everything. Xander felt like they were getting to know each other again and, this time, in a much deeper way.
Seeing an open ice cream shop, Giles asked, "Any interest in ice cream? My treat."
Xander half shrugged. "Sure." As they continued on their way a few minutes later, he asked, "Were you upset when you were told that you had to be a Watcher?"
"Yes. I wanted to be anything but, and even had some specific ideas, since my father had pushed it into me from the time I was a small child. The day I was to leave for the Watchers' Academy – I was about thirteen – my paternal grandmother, who had also been a Watcher, pulled me aside and said, 'Now, I know that you don't want to be a Watcher, but let me tell you something – neither did I when I was your age. You know why I ultimately did, though? I couldn't think of all those other children who were afraid of the monsters under their beds or in their closets and know I could do something to make them feel safer. So do this for them and for me, will you, Rupert?' How could you say no to that?"
"Yeah, that'd be tough."
"And then after I met you lot, I started doing it for you."
"For us? I thought you didn't like us at first."
"It wasn't that I didn't like you – I was simply bewildered. The picture the Council paints is the Watcher and his or her Slayer against the forces of darkness. What I got was the Slayer, her two new best friends, her souled vampire of a boyfriend, and, later, other respective boyfriends and girlfriends, a chipped vampire, and a mystical key disguised as a sister. Not exactly what I was expecting when I graduated from the Academy. But I wouldn't change a minute of it – being tortured by Angel aside, obviously." He ate a bit of his ice cream. "And possibly being pushed aside by Buffy."
"Obviously." Xander licked his cone. "I'm glad you don't regret most of it. I know we don't say it or anything, but we all really do appreciate what you've done for us over the years."
"And I appreciate what you all have done for me over the years as well." At Xander's look, he continued, "You gave me a purpose – not only was I *the* Slayer's Watcher, I was able to mentor you and Willow as well and I feel very lucky for having known you both. And you all also gave me something else – a family."
"I think we all needed that. I doubt any of our families would have won the 'Best Family of the Year' award. Though, Joyce should've at least gotten a medal or something."
"That she should've," Giles agreed as he threw away his empty dish and spoon.
"I'm surprised that so many things are still open," Xander commented, finishing his cone as he looked around at all the open shops and stores, and seeing that a lot of people were still out and about.
"It is much different than Sunnydale was," Giles agreed, sliding his hands in his pockets.
"Think you'll miss it here when we go home day after tomorrow?" Xander asked, glancing over at Giles – who, despite the craziness of the past few months, actually looked a little younger than Xander remembered.
Giles frowned slightly and shook his head. "No, not really. I may have lived most of my life here before going to Sunnydale, but it's not home."
"Then where would you call home?" Xander asked, curious, but not wanting to meet Giles' gaze.
"Wherever you lot are. Home is definitely where the heart is and that's where mine's at – with all of you. And especially with you, Xander."
Xander felt himself flush at those words and, when he looked at Giles, felt a spark go through him at the way Giles was looking at him – it was incredibly hot. He visibly swallowed and looked away. "Be careful, Mr. Giles," he teased. "You may just succeed in seducing me."
"That wouldn't have been intentional, but the outcome wouldn't be unwelcome," Giles responded easily. "Want to go home?"
Still feeling a little flushed and a slight flutter in his stomach, Xander replied, "Yeah, that might be a good idea."
******
"You don't have to stay here, you know," Xander said, from where he sat on the hospital bed, a book in hand.
"I know," Giles replied absently as he flipped a page in the book he was looking at. "But I like it better here. Less distraction in the way of the girls and I feel better knowing how you're doing firsthand." He looked up at Xander and smiled. "Not that I don't trust the staff, but we men have to stick together, right?"
Xander laughed. "What about Spike and Andrew?"
Giles waved his hand dismissively as he laughed. "They don't count. Spike's a vampire and Andrew's barely out of high school."
"So, then, I guess that means I can talk to you man-to-man, right?" Giles nodded and closed his book. "What's going on between us? There's something more happening here than just you wanting to get away from all the estrogen and keep an eye on me. Don't get me wrong – I'm enjoying the company, but…"
Giles stifled a giggle. "Xander Harris, are you asking me if my intentions are pure?"
Xander smiled. "In a roundabout way, yes. So, are they?"
Giles put the book aside and moved to sit on the edge of the bed next to Xander. "Always," he replied softly. "Unless I’m being presumptuous and reading meaning into things where there aren't any?"
Xander licked his lips. "No, I'd say you're doing just fine."
Giles smiled. "Good, because –"
"Xander," a nurse said, coming into the room, "the doctor's given an 'all clear' for you to be checked out now."
Giles quickly moved and Xander quickly replied with, "Good, then let's get moving," and gave her a tight smile.
******
As soon as they got back to the flat and not even bothering to turn on a light, Giles took Xander's face in his hands and kissed him hungrily. It had been a long time since he had wanted anyone this badly and, if Xander's response was any indication, he definitely felt the same way. Xander kissed him back just as hungrily, his hands roaming over Giles' dress shirt.
Breaking the kiss, he roughly said, "Come," and led Xander back to the bedroom.
Once there, they began kissing again, with Giles easily taking control. Their hands roamed over and under clothing, learning the contours of the other's body. Soon, clothes disappeared all together and they were stretched out on the bed, the pile of clothes having been pushed hastily aside, kissing and touching each other, eager to become familiar with the new territory. Giles kept going when he felt Xander's erection press against his own, gently rubbing against it as he continued to nip, kiss, and touch. Xander groaned and began to rub against Giles as well. They both climaxed quickly – desire and need taking their toll over stamina. They continued languidly kissing and touching as they came down off their high. Giles foggily remembered to clean them off before sleep claimed them both.
***
Xander awoke the next morning in an empty bed. After taking a moment to collect his bearings, he found the note Giles had left for him. A smile spread across his face as he read it and then he got up to face the day, not caring that it was cold and misting outside. After getting dressed, Xander made a few phone calls about getting furniture moved, where to take clothes, and getting a cleaning service to come in. Once those had been taken care of, Xander quickly ate before getting started on packing up the things he knew Giles wanted to take back to the States.
At one, happy with what he'd gotten done, Xander headed over to the Council offices, dropping off the clothes on the way. Hearing voices, he poked his head into the meeting room, but didn't see Giles. Carlton smiled and waved him inside. Xander entered, but hovered by the door. A number of phones had been set up and most of the older men were there, talking in various languages and jotting things down on pads of paper.
Hanging up his phone, Carlton said to Xander, "I suspect you're looking for Rupert." Xander nodded and Carlton continued, "He's downstairs in the training room putting the apprentices through their paces. He told me to ask you to join him down there when you showed up. Just take the steps all the way down and it's the door on the left."
"Thanks," Xander said and headed downstairs.
He easily found the room and entered, waiting just inside the doorway to watch as Giles called commands to the six pairs of young men who were following his orders through various movements with their staffs. Giles got to the end of the line, turned, and barked an order, and the young men started sparring. Xander and Giles locked gazes across the room and Giles gave him a warm smile.
When the sparring was finished, Giles said, "Why don't you come join us, Xander?"
"Looks like you've got things under control," Xander replied with a smile as he entered the room more fully and greeted some of the guys.
"Some of the young men were wondering if you'd be willing to give them a demonstration."
"I guess so." Xander shrugged as some of the guys grinned. "What're the rules?" Anthony stepped forward and handed Xander a staff.
"Don't kill him," Giles replied with a smile, "other than that, do it up to speed."
The two men nodded and faced off. Xander stayed relaxed, but centered his weight on the balls of his feet. After about a minute, Anthony made the first move by swinging his staff at Xander, which Xander easily blocked. They went back and forth, Xander easily keeping up with Anthony, even though Anthony seemed to favor testing Xander's left side. Xander finally swept Anthony's feet out from under him and put the butt of his staff against Anthony's chest. Xander felt a little guilty because it had seemed almost too easy.
"Yield," Anthony huffed and Xander gave him a hand up. The other young men came over and patted them both on the back and asked Xander questions.
Giles came over and said, "Okay, time to get back to work." There were a few groans, but the guys moved to put the staffs away and head upstairs. On the way, Giles squeezed Xander's shoulder and said, "Good job. How'd this morning go?"
"Thanks," Xander said, smiling. "Good. I dropped the clothes off on the way over and the moving and cleaning crews are all set to come tomorrow." Giles nodded. "How are things here?"
"Not too bad. It seems like everyone we've talked to has been relieved to know that we know what's happened to the potentials and are more than willing to help us get things back on track. We're going up now to start getting into the nitty-gritty of how we're going to operate."
They went back up to the meeting room and Giles assumed his position at the head of the table and Xander took his place at the foot. The irony wasn't lost on him that the older men were closer to the head and the younger men the foot. As Giles and the 'elders', as Xander had taken to calling them in his head, went back and forth about who was going to be dispatched where and how and a myriad of minor details, the younger men kept quiet and listened. Xander did his best to concentrate on what was being said, but found it increasingly hard as the older men – and especially Christian – argued with Giles over the most minor of details and bringing up what were probably really archaic laws. Looking around, Xander noticed that the other young men seemed to feel the same way he did and could tell that Giles was getting frustrated.
He raised his hand and said, "I'm sure this violates a lot of your 'rules' and stuff, but after everything that's happened, wouldn't it be a better idea to scrap most of it and start over? I'm sure most of you have at least one or two things that you would like to change or know of a few things that need to be fixed and now would be a great time to do it. I'm sure you'd all agree that it's about the Slayers, so can we *please* put the focus back on getting them the help they'll need?"
The other young men nodded as Giles said, "I, for one, am in agreement."
"I second that," Carlton agreed. "We've needed to change things around here for far too long and now would be the perfect time to do it. I think we should just scrap everything and start over."
"Scrap *everything*?" Christian asked, sounding almost livid. "But what about tradition?"
"Tradition's part of what got us into this mess, old man," Giles replied. Flipping to a new page on the tablet in front of him, he said, "Okay, so, where shall we begin?"
A few hours later, the meeting ended with everyone feeling at least a little brain-fried, but overall much happier with the state of the Council. Aside from making a rough draft of practically every document of importance, they also devised a plan of attack for helping the Slayers where the older men would go out in pairs, starting with the higher need areas first and working down from there. The younger men would follow Giles and Xander in a few days to the States to get some field experience and finish their Watcher training. The group then headed down the street to the pub for dinner. Xander enjoyed spending more casual time with the younger Watchers and getting to know them better.
After they finished eating, Xander took the younger men for a quick patrol of a couple nearby cemeteries to get their feet wet.
"What's it like working with Mr. Giles?" Anthony asked.
"It's good," Xander replied, sensing that the other guys were listening closely. "He's tough, but he's fair."
"What's the Slayer like?" one of the other guys asked.
"Buffy's cool. She knows her stuff and takes it seriously."
"But didn't she have an 'attitude problem' at the beginning?" another guy asked, the tone of his voice conveying his surprise that a Slayer would even think of such a thing.
"If you want to call it that," Xander responded. He stopped and turned to look at the group, which formed a little semi-circle around him. "Most, if not all, of you come from Watcher families, right?" They nodded. "Think of it this way: it's your first day in a new school, in a town you hardly even know, and some old guy you don't even know is telling you all this weird stuff about how the monsters in the movies are real and it's your *duty* to fight them and you have no say in the matter, that life as you know it is basically over, oh, and by the way, your life expectancy just got shot to hell. You guys at least had a warning what was going to happen with your lives and knew that you had a chance for some normalcy."
The other men looked duly chastised as they started moving again.
As they came out of the second cemetery and headed to the third, one of the guys asked, "Is it usually this slow?"
"I can't honestly say for here," Xander replied, "but at home it is. Sometimes we go a week or so without seeing anything. But Sunnydale was a pretty small town, so…I’m sure Cleveland will be different, but I don't think it'll be too bad with having more than one Slayer."
Just as that was said, three vampires appeared out of nowhere, rushing at them from different directions. Xander immediately moved into action, grabbing the shirt of the nearest vampire and plunging a stake into its chest. It exploded with a shocked look on its face. The to-be-Watchers had clumped together, their backs to each other, facing the other two vampires and looking as if they weren't exactly sure what to do.
"Stake them!" Xander shouted, hoping to rouse the other humans.
As the vampires moved in, some of the young men started fighting them, but were obviously not much of a match for the vampires. Xander moved quickly to the next vampire, staking it in the heart as Marvin, or at least that's who Xander thought it was, blocked a punch. The third vampire was dispatched soon after. The young men dusted themselves off and looked a little shocked, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
"Everyone okay?" Xander asked and they nodded. "Welcome to the real world of vampire slaying. It's not easy or pretty, but…"
"It's got to be done," Anthony said with a grimace.
"Exactly. Let's keep moving. We're almost done."
After dropping the guys back off at the Watcher headquarters, Xander headed back to Giles' flat, where the other man met him at the door. "How was the patrol?" he asked.
"Good," Xander replied, heading straight for the kitchen to get a drink of water. "We dusted three vamps and I think that was the first time the guys saw them outside of movies and pictures."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Giles replied, leaning against the wall. "You look tired. Want to go to bed?"
"Might be a good idea, especially since we'll be moving tomorrow. I think that the time change and the different place and everything else has really thrown me off."
"I don't doubt it."
After getting a quick shower, Xander joined Giles in his bed, slipping under the covers and settling next to the older man as if he had always done it. Giles took him in his arms and kissed him gently, wrapping his arms around him. Xander responded easily, yielding as Giles deepened the kiss and taking Giles' head in his hands. When they broke it off, they settled down and fell asleep happy.
The next morning dawned gray and rainy. Giles and Xander were both up and ready early, wanting to have everything that was getting sent to the States packed in the respective boxes and bags and set out of the way. The other Watchers started to trickle over not long after, wanting to help. Carlton arrived just before the movers, bringing breakfast with him for everyone.
"I figured we'd need it," he said, opening the boxes of doughnuts on the counter.
With all of the extra help, short work was made of the furniture and the doughnuts. After everything was cleared out, Giles enlisted help to take the boxes that were going to be mailed down to the post office.
As they walked back to the flat after that task was completed, Carlton joked, "So, where do you think you'll move next? Africa? Timbuktu?"
Giles sighed and said, "Once we get back, I'm staying put."
"But you're a Watcher, Rupert. That pretty much translates into 'nomad'."
Giles shook his head. "No, you don't understand. If I have to make sacrifices to every single god and goddess in the human pantheon, I will *not* go through this again. The next time these things will get moved will be *after* I've died."
Carlton laughed. "Okay, okay."
By the time they got back to the flat, only Carlton and Anthony were still with them. After making a sweep to make sure they had taken care of everything before the cleaning crew arrived, Giles glanced at his watch. "I guess we'd better get going," he said. "With all the new security and everything, it seems like you need to get there the night before." As the men shook hands, Giles said, "Take care of yourselves and," to Anthony, "I'll see you in a few days." Anthony nodded.
A few hours later as the plane was taking off, Xander looked over at Giles, who was engrossed in a book, and knew that things were going to be good.
"Well, it's obviously not the Slayer, now is it?" Giles asked, turning his attention to Christian, his voice icy and his gaze sharp. "I happen to think he'd do rather well as a Watcher, given everything that he's been through. He already has more field experience than most of you." Giles leaned across the table. "I think we'd all agree that the old ways of doing things went out the window when the Council was almost completely destroyed, let alone when all the potentials were activated. Now, that young man is one of the reasons why Buffy has been able to last so long. As I have said before, if working with me is too much to bear, then I suggest you find something else to occupy your time." The other man clammed up and sat back against his chair with a huff. Giles looked at the other men at the table. "So, all those in favor of trying Xander's plan, say 'aye'." There were twenty-three 'ayes'. "As there is a majority rule, I say we get started. James and Stephen, could the two of you start pulling together the contact information we'll need for our informants? Would some of you young men please help as well?" Glancing at his watch, he said, "And we'll get an early start, so that we can catch at least some of the places in the East without it being too late." The men stood. "Thank you, gentlemen."
As they started back to the flat, Giles said, "I hope today wasn't terribly boring."
"At least now I know why you and Wesley were the way you were at the beginning," Xander replied with a smile. "Well, after you got the rocker guy out of your system."
Giles also smiled. "Feel like getting some Tandoori take-away for dinner?"
"Sure…what is it?"
"Indian food." At Xander's look, he said, "It's not *that* bad. It's done much better here than in the States."
"You're the London cuisine connoisseur, so I shall defer to your expertise."
Once they were back in the flat and situated on opposite ends of the couch with plates of food and drinks, Giles said, "If you want, I can give you some things to do around here for tomorrow so you don't have to come in with me. I'm sure all the phone calls will be rather boring – especially if you don't know the language."
Xander shrugged. "Whatever you think will be best," he replied without much energy before taking a bite of bread.
Giles stared at him for a moment before asking, "Do you feel all right?"
"Yeah, why?" Xander asked, looking up.
"The kiss aside, you've just seemed a bit distant the past few days – even before we left."
Xander shrugged half-heartedly. "I guess I just thought things would be different."
"Different how?"
"I don't know." Giles could see the thoughts turning in Xander's head. "Different that we could talk about things. Different that we could be like we were back when I was in the hospital." He ate some more of the chicken curry as he thought. "Why is this always so damn hard? I know what I want to say in my head, but I’m afraid of it sounding stupid once I actually say it."
"As long as 'G-man' doesn't pass your lips, I think we'll be fine," Giles said with a smile, the mention of Xander's former nickname also bringing a smile to Xander's lips.
"No, I think we're safe there." There was another pause and Xander stared down at his plate. "I like you a lot, Giles - maybe even love, though it feels different than the way I felt for Anya." There was another pause and Giles patiently waited. "And I’m sorry if I did something to push you away after we moved to Cleveland."
"What makes you think that?" Giles asked softly, his attention focused solely on Xander.
"That you didn't talk to me as much any more. That things between us weren't the same as when we were in the hospital or at Buffy's afterwards. Did I come on too strong?"
Giles laughed heartily. "Come on too strong? Xander Harris, I don't know what gave you that idea, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. If anything, you didn't come on strong enough." Putting his half-finished plate on the floor, he leaned towards Xander. "I thought that you needed time to grieve for Anya, so that's why I gave you the space. And then when I didn't get anything further from you after a while, I just thought that it was something that had happened between us in the height of a crisis."
"Really?" Xander looked up at Giles, disbelief written on his face. "And I thought that you were trying to tell me to get a clue by not saying or doing anything."
Giles laughed again. "We're a right pair, aren't we?" He put his arm up on the back of the couch and bent his elbow so he could rest his head against his hand.
"Yeah, I'd say so." Xander put his plate down as well and leaned against the back of the couch. "So…… now what? Obviously, we're both still interested."
"I suggest we take it slow, even though we both know we're interested and that the feelings are still there - too many relationships have been ruined by rushing it. And I know things are going to be crazy for the next few days with packing and getting the Council into some sort of operational mode, but I'm sure we can still find time to spend together."
Xander nodded. "Yeah. I'd like to have at least some peace before we get home and the girls find out and we get interrogated."
Giles chuckled and rested his arm flat along the back of the couch. "That we would. Though, I will concur – a little peace to settle into the relationship before they find out would be much appreciated." He gently ran his first two fingers along Xander's shoulder.
Xander let out a tired sigh and gave Giles a soft smile. "After Jenny died, how did you know when it was time to move on?"
Giles half shrugged. "I just did. Are you afraid you're not giving yourself enough time to grieve after Anya's death?"
"Yeah, maybe a little."
"We can always wait if you want. You know that I wouldn't pressure you to start something if you weren't completely ready – even if that means having to put up with the girls while we're trying to start something." Starting to move, he said, "Let's think about it tonight and talk about it in the morning, okay?"
"Okay." Xander picked up his plate and followed Giles into the kitchen where they cleaned up the remnants of their dinner.
"Feel up to helping me clean out the master bedroom?" Giles asked as he closed the refrigerator door. "I won't take it personally if you don't."
"Nah, I don't mind." Xander followed him into the bedroom. "What would you like me to do?" he asked, surveying the disarray in the room.
"You can start by sorting out my closet and my drawers. I honestly don't need all the clothes that I have. But don't throw out any leather or denim unless it's really looking the worse for wear."
Xander feigned disbelief. "You're actually letting me take charge of your wardrobe, Giles?"
Giles gave Xander a look. "Well, now I am – though it's partly out of necessity. A few years ago, I would've just told you to go turn on the telly." Throwing a shirt that had been on the bed at him, Giles said, "Get started."
As Xander sorted through his clothing, Giles settled on the floor and began sorting through sentimental baubles and treasures that spanned his lifetime. Every once in a while, as he found something of particular sentimental value, he would let out a small gasp – which would usually draw Xander's gaze to him. And, while there was a history attached to every piece that Giles sorted, he knew in his heart that it was time to let go of them. A precious few were kept and safely put off to the side and out of harm's way, but most, such as craft projects and other little gifts that he had been given, went into the trash bag. But one item caught his eye and he held it up to examine it.
"What's that?" Xander asked, pausing in his trek back and forth between the bed and the closet.
"It's a bracelet that Ethan bought for me in Covent Garden from this old woman who had a basket of them." He gently fingered it. "I thought I'd lost it when I couldn't find it after I moved to Sunnydale."
"You loved him, didn't you?" Xander asked, sitting on the bed, and Giles was almost certain that it was at least as much a statement as a question.
"Yes, I did," Giles replied with a fond smile as he stroked the glass beads woven in with the leather thongs. "And I probably always will, if I'm truly honest. It was first love for both of us – even if he'd never admit it – and add to that the fact that we were practicing magic, it was a pretty heady relationship."
"Have you ever heard from him since the Initiative went down?"
Giles shook his head sadly. "No, I haven't. I suppose that if I really wanted to, I could track him down. But after that look he gave me when we let the Initiative take him…. I suspect I’m as much his ghost as he is mine. Even after all he's done to me, to all of us, I can't bring myself to hate him."
"I know it's nowhere near the same, but I feel the same way about Cordy. There were times when it would've been so easy to hate her for what she did to me or Willow or Jesse – or even one of the other nerds – just because she was the popular one, but I can't. There was enough good stuff to at least balance it out, if not tip the scale." Xander let out a small laugh. "And I still remember the day of the talent show rehearsal where you made the comment about her hair – it may've been mean, but…."
"You're right, it was rather cruel," Giles also let out a chuckle in spite of himself, "but at the time, well worth it – even if I shouldn't admit to that. Are you finished?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject.
"Yeah, I am. All the things I think you should keep are still in your closet or drawers."
Giles surveyed the pile of clothes behind Xander. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised at how much clothing is on the bed, and yet I am. Well, I'm sure one of the charities will appreciate them." Seeing he himself had finished the pile that he had been going through, Giles looked at his watch and, seeing that it was still relatively early, asked, "Feel up to taking a walk? It would be remiss of me to bring you to London and then not show you around."
Xander looked confused as he glanced outside. "But it's night time."
Giles stood and, without thinking, put the bracelet on his wrist behind his watch. "Trust me, that's part of London's charm."
******
"So, you're definitely planning on going to London, right?" Xander asked, looking over at Giles.
"What makes you say that?" Giles asked, looking up from one of the books he had been studying.
Xander shifted in the hospital bed. "Well, the First has been killing all the Watchers and Slayers, right? So, when we get done kicking its ass, you're going to have to go over to help get the Council back together, right?"
Giles shut the book and leaned against the arm of the chair. "I suppose so, even if only to clean out my flat, but I don't really know what's going to happen with that yet. Besides, I'd rather worry about this," he held up the book, "first. Then I'll figure out what I’m going to do about what's left of the Council – if anything. Might do them some good to let them scramble for a bit." After a slight pause, he said, "It would be nice to go back for a while, though – see the sights again and such."
"That would be cool. Not that I could see them again, since I've never been, but seeing them to begin with would be cool."
"London does have a certain charm about it," Giles replied with a smile. "Must be all the history that's still there."
"Or all the tea," Xander said with a hint of a smirk.
"If you're feeling well enough to make jokes like that, I think you're well enough to help me out." Giles plopped a book onto the bed next to Xander. "I'm sure a little light research won't hurt anything."
"Your idea of 'light research' and my idea of 'light research' are two *completely* different things, my friend."
"Just start looking. The quicker we find anything, the quicker we can defeat the First and then we can see what we're going to do about going to London and taking on the Council."
******
As they left the flat, Xander followed Giles to the Underground, where they went to the Trafalgar Square station. As they came up out of the Underground station, Xander's eyes widen slightly as he took in the large column and the black lions at its base, the whole thing lit by powerful fluorescents. Sure, he had seen pictures of Trafalgar Square and the monument, but it was completely different to be seeing it in person and also at night with all the lights. Xander's eyes then shifted first to the National Gallery to their right and then to the left of Nelson's Column to the Marble Arch. All three of the edifices were amazing, and Xander thought he could understand Giles' attraction to the city, even if there was nothing left for him here.
"Through the Arch is Buckingham Palace, if you're interested in going down and taking a gander," Giles said softly, not wanting to break Xander's gaze.
"Cool," Xander replied as he started walking towards the Arch, wanting to get a better look at it. "Let's head that way, then."
They walked down the somewhat long road, skirting the probably empty St. James Park – from which a few ducks disjointedly quacked, in comfortable silence. Once there, they stood on the base of the fountain across from the gate as Xander drank in the details. It was different than he expected. It wasn't as huge as he had expected it to be, but he'd always heard other people talking about it, so between that and always seeing throngs of people at the gate to watch the changing of the guard, it seemed smaller now – almost normal.
"We could come here in the morning, if you want," Giles said, "and see the changing of the guard."
Xander shrugged. "We don't have to. And I know that you've got things you need to do."
"I do have a cell phone. I can always call and say that I'm running late because of something with packing up the flat."
"That's evil." Xander glanced at him, even after all the changes Xander had seen him go through, he was still surprised when Giles even remotely suggested a bit of delinquent behavior.
"Maybe so, but I think it'd do them good to have to wait for someone. Though, I suppose Christian would have a fit and pop a vein. Which one do you think would go first?" he managed to ask with a completely straight face.
Xander glanced at him again, confusion on his face as to how exactly to respond and obviously trying not to laugh. A small chuckle finally escaped his lips, sending both of them into a fit of laughter. They eventually calmed down and Xander replied, "Probably the one on his left temple. That thing looks like it's doing the salsa every time we're in the same room. Do you think he really would, though?"
"I wouldn't put it past him. I think he's just upset that after what happened with the Council being almost destroyed, he's not the end-all-be-all voice of authority in what's left of the Council anymore. Maybe we should send him to outer Siberia to remind him that the primary role of the Watcher is for the Slayer and not the other way around. I wonder if it's still legal according to Council law to do that."
As they stood, Xander asked, incredulous, "The Council has laws for stuff like that?"
"The Council has laws for *everything*. Most are usually just ignored, though."
They walked for a while and talked about anything and everything. Xander felt like they were getting to know each other again and, this time, in a much deeper way.
Seeing an open ice cream shop, Giles asked, "Any interest in ice cream? My treat."
Xander half shrugged. "Sure." As they continued on their way a few minutes later, he asked, "Were you upset when you were told that you had to be a Watcher?"
"Yes. I wanted to be anything but, and even had some specific ideas, since my father had pushed it into me from the time I was a small child. The day I was to leave for the Watchers' Academy – I was about thirteen – my paternal grandmother, who had also been a Watcher, pulled me aside and said, 'Now, I know that you don't want to be a Watcher, but let me tell you something – neither did I when I was your age. You know why I ultimately did, though? I couldn't think of all those other children who were afraid of the monsters under their beds or in their closets and know I could do something to make them feel safer. So do this for them and for me, will you, Rupert?' How could you say no to that?"
"Yeah, that'd be tough."
"And then after I met you lot, I started doing it for you."
"For us? I thought you didn't like us at first."
"It wasn't that I didn't like you – I was simply bewildered. The picture the Council paints is the Watcher and his or her Slayer against the forces of darkness. What I got was the Slayer, her two new best friends, her souled vampire of a boyfriend, and, later, other respective boyfriends and girlfriends, a chipped vampire, and a mystical key disguised as a sister. Not exactly what I was expecting when I graduated from the Academy. But I wouldn't change a minute of it – being tortured by Angel aside, obviously." He ate a bit of his ice cream. "And possibly being pushed aside by Buffy."
"Obviously." Xander licked his cone. "I'm glad you don't regret most of it. I know we don't say it or anything, but we all really do appreciate what you've done for us over the years."
"And I appreciate what you all have done for me over the years as well." At Xander's look, he continued, "You gave me a purpose – not only was I *the* Slayer's Watcher, I was able to mentor you and Willow as well and I feel very lucky for having known you both. And you all also gave me something else – a family."
"I think we all needed that. I doubt any of our families would have won the 'Best Family of the Year' award. Though, Joyce should've at least gotten a medal or something."
"That she should've," Giles agreed as he threw away his empty dish and spoon.
"I'm surprised that so many things are still open," Xander commented, finishing his cone as he looked around at all the open shops and stores, and seeing that a lot of people were still out and about.
"It is much different than Sunnydale was," Giles agreed, sliding his hands in his pockets.
"Think you'll miss it here when we go home day after tomorrow?" Xander asked, glancing over at Giles – who, despite the craziness of the past few months, actually looked a little younger than Xander remembered.
Giles frowned slightly and shook his head. "No, not really. I may have lived most of my life here before going to Sunnydale, but it's not home."
"Then where would you call home?" Xander asked, curious, but not wanting to meet Giles' gaze.
"Wherever you lot are. Home is definitely where the heart is and that's where mine's at – with all of you. And especially with you, Xander."
Xander felt himself flush at those words and, when he looked at Giles, felt a spark go through him at the way Giles was looking at him – it was incredibly hot. He visibly swallowed and looked away. "Be careful, Mr. Giles," he teased. "You may just succeed in seducing me."
"That wouldn't have been intentional, but the outcome wouldn't be unwelcome," Giles responded easily. "Want to go home?"
Still feeling a little flushed and a slight flutter in his stomach, Xander replied, "Yeah, that might be a good idea."
******
"You don't have to stay here, you know," Xander said, from where he sat on the hospital bed, a book in hand.
"I know," Giles replied absently as he flipped a page in the book he was looking at. "But I like it better here. Less distraction in the way of the girls and I feel better knowing how you're doing firsthand." He looked up at Xander and smiled. "Not that I don't trust the staff, but we men have to stick together, right?"
Xander laughed. "What about Spike and Andrew?"
Giles waved his hand dismissively as he laughed. "They don't count. Spike's a vampire and Andrew's barely out of high school."
"So, then, I guess that means I can talk to you man-to-man, right?" Giles nodded and closed his book. "What's going on between us? There's something more happening here than just you wanting to get away from all the estrogen and keep an eye on me. Don't get me wrong – I'm enjoying the company, but…"
Giles stifled a giggle. "Xander Harris, are you asking me if my intentions are pure?"
Xander smiled. "In a roundabout way, yes. So, are they?"
Giles put the book aside and moved to sit on the edge of the bed next to Xander. "Always," he replied softly. "Unless I’m being presumptuous and reading meaning into things where there aren't any?"
Xander licked his lips. "No, I'd say you're doing just fine."
Giles smiled. "Good, because –"
"Xander," a nurse said, coming into the room, "the doctor's given an 'all clear' for you to be checked out now."
Giles quickly moved and Xander quickly replied with, "Good, then let's get moving," and gave her a tight smile.
******
As soon as they got back to the flat and not even bothering to turn on a light, Giles took Xander's face in his hands and kissed him hungrily. It had been a long time since he had wanted anyone this badly and, if Xander's response was any indication, he definitely felt the same way. Xander kissed him back just as hungrily, his hands roaming over Giles' dress shirt.
Breaking the kiss, he roughly said, "Come," and led Xander back to the bedroom.
Once there, they began kissing again, with Giles easily taking control. Their hands roamed over and under clothing, learning the contours of the other's body. Soon, clothes disappeared all together and they were stretched out on the bed, the pile of clothes having been pushed hastily aside, kissing and touching each other, eager to become familiar with the new territory. Giles kept going when he felt Xander's erection press against his own, gently rubbing against it as he continued to nip, kiss, and touch. Xander groaned and began to rub against Giles as well. They both climaxed quickly – desire and need taking their toll over stamina. They continued languidly kissing and touching as they came down off their high. Giles foggily remembered to clean them off before sleep claimed them both.
***
Xander awoke the next morning in an empty bed. After taking a moment to collect his bearings, he found the note Giles had left for him. A smile spread across his face as he read it and then he got up to face the day, not caring that it was cold and misting outside. After getting dressed, Xander made a few phone calls about getting furniture moved, where to take clothes, and getting a cleaning service to come in. Once those had been taken care of, Xander quickly ate before getting started on packing up the things he knew Giles wanted to take back to the States.
At one, happy with what he'd gotten done, Xander headed over to the Council offices, dropping off the clothes on the way. Hearing voices, he poked his head into the meeting room, but didn't see Giles. Carlton smiled and waved him inside. Xander entered, but hovered by the door. A number of phones had been set up and most of the older men were there, talking in various languages and jotting things down on pads of paper.
Hanging up his phone, Carlton said to Xander, "I suspect you're looking for Rupert." Xander nodded and Carlton continued, "He's downstairs in the training room putting the apprentices through their paces. He told me to ask you to join him down there when you showed up. Just take the steps all the way down and it's the door on the left."
"Thanks," Xander said and headed downstairs.
He easily found the room and entered, waiting just inside the doorway to watch as Giles called commands to the six pairs of young men who were following his orders through various movements with their staffs. Giles got to the end of the line, turned, and barked an order, and the young men started sparring. Xander and Giles locked gazes across the room and Giles gave him a warm smile.
When the sparring was finished, Giles said, "Why don't you come join us, Xander?"
"Looks like you've got things under control," Xander replied with a smile as he entered the room more fully and greeted some of the guys.
"Some of the young men were wondering if you'd be willing to give them a demonstration."
"I guess so." Xander shrugged as some of the guys grinned. "What're the rules?" Anthony stepped forward and handed Xander a staff.
"Don't kill him," Giles replied with a smile, "other than that, do it up to speed."
The two men nodded and faced off. Xander stayed relaxed, but centered his weight on the balls of his feet. After about a minute, Anthony made the first move by swinging his staff at Xander, which Xander easily blocked. They went back and forth, Xander easily keeping up with Anthony, even though Anthony seemed to favor testing Xander's left side. Xander finally swept Anthony's feet out from under him and put the butt of his staff against Anthony's chest. Xander felt a little guilty because it had seemed almost too easy.
"Yield," Anthony huffed and Xander gave him a hand up. The other young men came over and patted them both on the back and asked Xander questions.
Giles came over and said, "Okay, time to get back to work." There were a few groans, but the guys moved to put the staffs away and head upstairs. On the way, Giles squeezed Xander's shoulder and said, "Good job. How'd this morning go?"
"Thanks," Xander said, smiling. "Good. I dropped the clothes off on the way over and the moving and cleaning crews are all set to come tomorrow." Giles nodded. "How are things here?"
"Not too bad. It seems like everyone we've talked to has been relieved to know that we know what's happened to the potentials and are more than willing to help us get things back on track. We're going up now to start getting into the nitty-gritty of how we're going to operate."
They went back up to the meeting room and Giles assumed his position at the head of the table and Xander took his place at the foot. The irony wasn't lost on him that the older men were closer to the head and the younger men the foot. As Giles and the 'elders', as Xander had taken to calling them in his head, went back and forth about who was going to be dispatched where and how and a myriad of minor details, the younger men kept quiet and listened. Xander did his best to concentrate on what was being said, but found it increasingly hard as the older men – and especially Christian – argued with Giles over the most minor of details and bringing up what were probably really archaic laws. Looking around, Xander noticed that the other young men seemed to feel the same way he did and could tell that Giles was getting frustrated.
He raised his hand and said, "I'm sure this violates a lot of your 'rules' and stuff, but after everything that's happened, wouldn't it be a better idea to scrap most of it and start over? I'm sure most of you have at least one or two things that you would like to change or know of a few things that need to be fixed and now would be a great time to do it. I'm sure you'd all agree that it's about the Slayers, so can we *please* put the focus back on getting them the help they'll need?"
The other young men nodded as Giles said, "I, for one, am in agreement."
"I second that," Carlton agreed. "We've needed to change things around here for far too long and now would be the perfect time to do it. I think we should just scrap everything and start over."
"Scrap *everything*?" Christian asked, sounding almost livid. "But what about tradition?"
"Tradition's part of what got us into this mess, old man," Giles replied. Flipping to a new page on the tablet in front of him, he said, "Okay, so, where shall we begin?"
A few hours later, the meeting ended with everyone feeling at least a little brain-fried, but overall much happier with the state of the Council. Aside from making a rough draft of practically every document of importance, they also devised a plan of attack for helping the Slayers where the older men would go out in pairs, starting with the higher need areas first and working down from there. The younger men would follow Giles and Xander in a few days to the States to get some field experience and finish their Watcher training. The group then headed down the street to the pub for dinner. Xander enjoyed spending more casual time with the younger Watchers and getting to know them better.
After they finished eating, Xander took the younger men for a quick patrol of a couple nearby cemeteries to get their feet wet.
"What's it like working with Mr. Giles?" Anthony asked.
"It's good," Xander replied, sensing that the other guys were listening closely. "He's tough, but he's fair."
"What's the Slayer like?" one of the other guys asked.
"Buffy's cool. She knows her stuff and takes it seriously."
"But didn't she have an 'attitude problem' at the beginning?" another guy asked, the tone of his voice conveying his surprise that a Slayer would even think of such a thing.
"If you want to call it that," Xander responded. He stopped and turned to look at the group, which formed a little semi-circle around him. "Most, if not all, of you come from Watcher families, right?" They nodded. "Think of it this way: it's your first day in a new school, in a town you hardly even know, and some old guy you don't even know is telling you all this weird stuff about how the monsters in the movies are real and it's your *duty* to fight them and you have no say in the matter, that life as you know it is basically over, oh, and by the way, your life expectancy just got shot to hell. You guys at least had a warning what was going to happen with your lives and knew that you had a chance for some normalcy."
The other men looked duly chastised as they started moving again.
As they came out of the second cemetery and headed to the third, one of the guys asked, "Is it usually this slow?"
"I can't honestly say for here," Xander replied, "but at home it is. Sometimes we go a week or so without seeing anything. But Sunnydale was a pretty small town, so…I’m sure Cleveland will be different, but I don't think it'll be too bad with having more than one Slayer."
Just as that was said, three vampires appeared out of nowhere, rushing at them from different directions. Xander immediately moved into action, grabbing the shirt of the nearest vampire and plunging a stake into its chest. It exploded with a shocked look on its face. The to-be-Watchers had clumped together, their backs to each other, facing the other two vampires and looking as if they weren't exactly sure what to do.
"Stake them!" Xander shouted, hoping to rouse the other humans.
As the vampires moved in, some of the young men started fighting them, but were obviously not much of a match for the vampires. Xander moved quickly to the next vampire, staking it in the heart as Marvin, or at least that's who Xander thought it was, blocked a punch. The third vampire was dispatched soon after. The young men dusted themselves off and looked a little shocked, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
"Everyone okay?" Xander asked and they nodded. "Welcome to the real world of vampire slaying. It's not easy or pretty, but…"
"It's got to be done," Anthony said with a grimace.
"Exactly. Let's keep moving. We're almost done."
After dropping the guys back off at the Watcher headquarters, Xander headed back to Giles' flat, where the other man met him at the door. "How was the patrol?" he asked.
"Good," Xander replied, heading straight for the kitchen to get a drink of water. "We dusted three vamps and I think that was the first time the guys saw them outside of movies and pictures."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Giles replied, leaning against the wall. "You look tired. Want to go to bed?"
"Might be a good idea, especially since we'll be moving tomorrow. I think that the time change and the different place and everything else has really thrown me off."
"I don't doubt it."
After getting a quick shower, Xander joined Giles in his bed, slipping under the covers and settling next to the older man as if he had always done it. Giles took him in his arms and kissed him gently, wrapping his arms around him. Xander responded easily, yielding as Giles deepened the kiss and taking Giles' head in his hands. When they broke it off, they settled down and fell asleep happy.
The next morning dawned gray and rainy. Giles and Xander were both up and ready early, wanting to have everything that was getting sent to the States packed in the respective boxes and bags and set out of the way. The other Watchers started to trickle over not long after, wanting to help. Carlton arrived just before the movers, bringing breakfast with him for everyone.
"I figured we'd need it," he said, opening the boxes of doughnuts on the counter.
With all of the extra help, short work was made of the furniture and the doughnuts. After everything was cleared out, Giles enlisted help to take the boxes that were going to be mailed down to the post office.
As they walked back to the flat after that task was completed, Carlton joked, "So, where do you think you'll move next? Africa? Timbuktu?"
Giles sighed and said, "Once we get back, I'm staying put."
"But you're a Watcher, Rupert. That pretty much translates into 'nomad'."
Giles shook his head. "No, you don't understand. If I have to make sacrifices to every single god and goddess in the human pantheon, I will *not* go through this again. The next time these things will get moved will be *after* I've died."
Carlton laughed. "Okay, okay."
By the time they got back to the flat, only Carlton and Anthony were still with them. After making a sweep to make sure they had taken care of everything before the cleaning crew arrived, Giles glanced at his watch. "I guess we'd better get going," he said. "With all the new security and everything, it seems like you need to get there the night before." As the men shook hands, Giles said, "Take care of yourselves and," to Anthony, "I'll see you in a few days." Anthony nodded.
A few hours later as the plane was taking off, Xander looked over at Giles, who was engrossed in a book, and knew that things were going to be good.
