Genesis

A/N: Well, it's been a hectic few weeks but here's the next bit.

Dedication: Your my inspiration and my reason, you let me see through to the real you and i thank you.

Feedback: Please feed me, i need it like i need air to breathe, (ok that was a bit much but ya get me. right?) anyway "bring it on" (oh god more Eliza *drools*)

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Chapter 26

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The next morning the Scoobies had gathered in the library for the morning briefing, Kennedy had taken a couple of the SIT’s out on patrol after dinner last night and she was giving everyone a run down on what had happened.

“Well Rhona and Vi are definitely ready, I mean they sensed the vamps and without hesitation they dusted them, I really think we should look at them going out on their own.” She stated to the group.

“What do you think Buffy?” Giles turned to his most experienced slayer.

“Well I think maybe we could give them a certain area, you know one where there’s not much happening but it will be enough to test them, Xander did you get hold of those radio thingies you were talking about?” Buffy turned to the tall brunette.

“The radio headsets, yeah, I got them a couple of days ago, I’m setting up the receiver this afternoon, I thought we could keep it in here yunno this doesm tom to be Scooby central at the moment.” He replied.

“Good, we can give them one of these and maybe for the first couple of nights either me or Faith could be close by you know in case of danger or if they get in over their heads, we don’t wanna loose them on their first time out alone.” Buffy relayed her idea.

“Ok then I think that’s settled, Xander if you would be so kind as to get everything set up then I’ll tell the girls the good news.” Giles said smiling, he was pleased, he didn’t think that they would ever get to the stage that they would be able to send out ‘new’ slayers. But his ‘family’ had made him proud once more, he beamed with pride as he looked around the once group of misfits.

While the meeting had been going on Anya and Andrew were looking through the daily papers.

“Hey everyone look at this.” Anya called as she read one of the articles. As everyone gathered around she began to read.

“Last night the Museum of Peruvian Artefacts was robbed, police have no idea who the culprit is, there was only one thing stolen said the museum curator it was the largest diamond ever to be recovered from an archaeological dig, the diamond which is priceless is said to hold one solid grain of gold at it’s centre.” She finished reading and looked at everyone.

“What’s so strange about that An?” Xander asked placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Well I’m not sure but the only diamond that I’m aware of with that description is the Viascon diamond, it was lost around the fourteen or fifteen hundreds, it was believed to hold great power, no-one really knew what kind of power but many said that it had the power to create a temporal wave big enough to bleed all dimensions into one, it was also said that whoever harnessed it’s power would become ruler across the dimensions with great power.”

“Good lord!” Giles exclaimed vigorously wiping his glasses.

“So we either have a bumbling thief on our hands or there’s someone else who knows of it’s powers.” Faith spoke.

“Anya you said this diamond was called the Viascon diamond am I correct.” Giles asked walkinwardwards the stacks of books.

“Yes that’s right.”

“Well I’ll get all the books I can on Peruvian artefacts.”

“I wouldn’t bother Giles, it’s not Peruvian, it’s Balkan, or at least that’s thea toa today.” Anya offered. “It’s said to originate from the Illyrian er
“
“Good lord, that would mean it predates much of our written word, this is going to be impossible.” Giles exclaimed removing his glasses he began to clean them.

“Slow down there G, it can’t be that bad.” Faith tried to calm him.

“Well, we don’t yet know who has this diamond, we must research now, try to find out as much as possible about it, if it’s in the wrong hands it could spell disaster.” Giles replied.

“Oooh goody another apocalypse.” Buffy stated rolling eye eyes.

Faith laughed at her girlfriends attitude at the news, most people would be running for the hills, but this was second nature to Buffy.

“So what’s the plan Giles?” Dawn asked getting ready for the task at hand.

The rest of the morning was spent setting tasks for everyone, Andrew and Willow were designated to researching the web, Anya, Giles and Dawn were going through all the reference books they had while Buffy, Faith and Kennedy went to explain to the trainees what was happening, Xander was currently on the phone to Wesley asking if he had any idea where they could get information from and if possible could he send as much information as he could.

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Across the other side of town, James could hear his captors celebrating, that could only mean they had managed to get the diamond, he knew now more than ever he could not divulge the location of the book, he knew the survival of the world rested with him. He hoped that they would kill him before his will gave He He could hear footsteps approaching his cell, he listened when the footsteps stopped he heard the key in the lock and then the clanking sound as the catches unlocked.


“Ah James good to see you’re awake.” Klee spoke as he entered.

James said nothing, he kept his head bowed and stared at the ground, he was still in pain from the beating he had received before the demons had gone to steal the diamond.

“Silence again huh? Well we’ll have to do something about that, you see we have the diamond now so we can start the rituals, it’s only a matter of time before you tell us what we need to know. Now you can tell us the easy way, or I’ll let my boys continue the fun they were having last night if you like.”

“Fuck off!” James spat at him.

“Such bravado from such a little man, you will tell us eventually, you see everyone has a breaking point, we will find yours.” Klee spoke with confidence.

“wontwont get nothing from me.”

“Oh you see dear boy we have ways of getting information, trust me you’ll talk.” Klee finished as he walked out of the cell, James heard him call to a couple of his minions. “Teach him a lesson, just remember we need him alive.”

James prepared himself as two of the demons approached him he winced in pain as he felt a heavy booted foot connect with his already broken ribs. The continuous onslaught of hits and kicks just made him more determined not to give up anything, he tried to curl himself into a ball to protect his head, he knew that the demons would break every bone in his body but he could tell that they were restraining themselves so as not to kill him. As more and more punishment was received he could feel his conscious slipping, soon everything became black.

“Sir, should we continue?” One of the demons asked of Klee.

“No, leave him now, we will advise Morette of the situation I am sure she will have another way of getting the information. We must keep him alive.” Klee responded, he had a little respect for this young human who had suffered more punishment than most humans or demons would survive yet somehow he was still alive, the situation not only bemused Klee but also frustrated him, he had been left in charge of getting the whereabouts of the book, the diamond had to be used in all the rituals but without the book there was no way that they could perform the final ritual which would grant Morette and Morgath the power to open the gateway to all worlds and dimensions, he had to succeed somehow or he would loose his place at the side of his leaders.

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The intercom system buzzed alerting those in the house, to a guest at the gate. Faith intercepted the call.

“Yeah” She replied.

“Faith?” The voice called back.

“Angel? Angel is that you?” Faith looked stunned at the intercom.

“Yeah Faith, let us in will you.” Angel replied a little rushed.

“Yeah, sure Soul Boy, come on in.” Faith replied opening the gates for Angel to enter.

Faith called to the others that Angel had just buzzed and was on his way up the drive, they all gathered at the entrance watching as the blacked out SUV approach the house.

The SUV came to a stop as near to the door as possible, the rear door flew open and a large figure covered in a blanket rushed out towards them, Buffy was first to greet their visitor.

“Come in.” She stated quickly knowing that he would not be able to enter and she didn’t want to be responsible for him getting ‘sun burned’.

Throwing the blanket of his head as he entered he turned to look back at the SUV, the drivers door opened and out stepped a brunette standing around five feet six, she turned to smile at the group.

“Cordelia?” Faith screamed. “Cordy, is that you, oh my god, fuck, you were in a coma, god girl you look good.” She continued as she ran to greet her friend. Buffy looked a little put out at the display of friendship between her lover and once friend.

“I’ll explain later.” Angel whispered in her ear seeing the puzzled look on her face, she turned and smiled in gentle appreciation to her former love.

Looking back towards the two brunettes who were now engrossed in an animated conversation, she couldn’t help but smile, Faith had changed a lot since the first time they met, and these little things just made her love her even more. Noticing another figure begin to emerge from the SUV she turned her attention to see who else from the LA group had come with them.

“Spike!” She exclaimed as the figure ran to the house covered in a blanket. Spike kept running toward the house, but went flying into an invisible barrier blocking the door.

“Bloody hell pet, invite me in.” He yelled at her.

Coming out of her stupor she quickly shook her head and invited him in. Staring at him she approached him slowly.

“It’s true, you are here.” She stated placing a delicate hand on his cheek as if checking that her eyes were really seeing him.

“Yeah love I’m really here.” Spike replied enjoying the feel of Buffy’s warmth.

The last member of the LA group exited the car carrying what looked like a stack of books.

“Wesley, let me help you with those.” Giles approached the former watcher.

When they had all entered the house and situated themselves in the library, the LA gang and the now extended Scooby gang were together again.

“So, you being here means some big bad I presume.” Buffy stated while folding her arms.

“Yes Buffy you are correct, when I received the call from Xander this morning I began to research the Viascon Diamond and I found some interesting information.” Wesley replied.

“But why are you here? I mean couldn’t you have just telephoned or emailed the information? And another thing, how the hell did you get here so damn quick? The blond was a little confused at that one.

“Well we’re here so damn quick as you put it because we have the full resources of Wolfram and Hart, its rather easy to get from LA to anywhere in the world within a few hours.” Wesley answered the petite blond.

“So Wesley, what have you found?” Giles asked the once watcher trying to get to the business at hand.

“Always the watcher huh G?” Faith looked at him grinning.

“Well if I may?” Wesley gestured to the front of the group, on receiving an affirmative nod from Giles, he moved to stand at the end of the large oak table they were now seated at.

“Ok, firstly I’ll explain a little more about the Viascon Diamond. Anya you were right with the information you had, yes it is from the Illyrian era, and yes it is a ‘key’ of sorts to open all the gateways between each and every dimension.” He started looking towards the once demon.

“A Key? Like me you mean?” Dawn asked.

“Yes Dawn, much like you, this ‘key’ can open all dimensions, the power that is inside of you runs through it also, you see many millennia ago mystical energy was paramount, it was everywhere, but as time went by and demon and human became more powerful, they found ways of using the mystical energy against each other. That is how we were broughtut, ut, well by we I mean the ‘slayers’, as you found out Buffy the powers that were used to create the first slayer were dark powers, those powers came from the mystical energy. As it was trapped inside of the first slayer it has also been trapped inside of other things, other objects, each object given a specific purpose.” He looked around the group to see if they were all following what he was trying to say.

“So there’s more ‘keys’ then, but why did Glory want me if there are others?” Dawn asked a little confused.

“As I said Dawn, each object was given a sole purpose, you had been created much later than the Diamond, mystical energy comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes and can only be used in the correct manor, if Glory had tried to use another ‘key’ she would have failed, it would have destroyed her and her own dimension, she knew this which is why she was very specific in making sure she had the right one.”

“Oh so what does the Viascon Diamond do then?” Dawn enquired.

“Well, the Diamond is a little different, it’s much more powerful and used in the right rituals at specific times it can open every dimension where you Dawn would only open a handful of them.” Wesley continued to explain.

“It is stated that the Diamonds last ritual must be completed as Venus is in Line with the sun, this happens once every two hundred or so years and I’m afraid its due to happen.”

“Oh great, here we go again.” Buffy rolled her eyes looking at Faith who was smiling at her. Faith motioned for her to come closer, and as she approached the dark slayer pulled her into her lap placing a soft kiss on her bare shoulder.

“It’ll be ok B, it always is.” Faith tried to reassure her.

“Yeah but remember the last time we had to close a dimension, remember how that turned out.” Buffy held on to Faith a little tighter, the thought of loosing anyone especially Faith really got to her.

“But I’m here this time babe.” Faith nuzzled Buffy’s neck a little.

“That’s what scares me.” Buffy turned to look at the brunette.

“I’m not going anywhere B, I promise.” Faith said knowing exactly what the blond was thinking.

Angel who had been watching the exchange between the two smiled softly at them, his vampire hearing had heard their quiet conversation. He was happy for them, Buffy had told him about their new relationship and even though he was a little hurt he knew he had to let her go. He liked Faith, he saw her a bit like a sister, she like him had been through so much, they were both on the road to redemption and he knew for Faith at least she would have the help, support and unconditional love of the blond slayer currently giggling in her lap.

Looking at the other faces sat around him chatting about the revelations from Wesley he surveyed the people he classed as his extended family. He watched as Wesley and Giles started to leaf through one of the large books that they had brought from LA, Faith had been right, always a watcher. He noticed Dawn talking with Anya and Xander, he could see Andrew paying attention to them but not really joining their conversation.

He continued to look around the room he watched as Willow leaned into her new girlfriend, again he smiled he was happy that Willow was able to love again, he hated the thought of the shy red head being alone, she needed the strength that Kennedy could givr, sr, she also needed the understanding that Kennedy could offer.

His eyes finally landed on Cordelia and Spike, they were both engrossed in conversation, Spike was explaining to Cordelia what happened when Glory turned up, they all knew the story but it still held a pivotal part of all of them, the decision that Buffy had made had affected them all deeply. He watched as Cordy listened to Spike, he smiled he felt so happy that she was back and safe, he had missed her, they were starting to piece themselves together again after Connor, it was only Cordelia who remembered him, Wolfram and Hart had not cleared Cordy’s memories so she knew everything and he was a little happy about that, it helped him cope easier.

Feeling eyes upon her Cordelia raised her head and looked directly at Angel, he smiled softly at her and she couldn’t help but return it.“Ok “Ok then, what’s the plan of attack, Giles, Wesley?” Andrew asked, finally bringing himself into the mix.

“Yeah Wes, who’s likely to want this Diamond, whose gonna know how to use it?” Faith asked becoming more involved with the job at hand again.

“That’s the problem Faith, we don’t know who has the Diamond, the thing that is more of an issue is that they need the Book of Zirex to complete the last ritual, but the book was said to be lost around the same time as the Diamond, now if they have located the book we are in big trouble, there wont be anything we can do to stop them if they start the ritual.” Wesley answered.

“So what, we look for this book then, see if anyone in the underworld has it? Or maybe knows of its whereabouts?” Dawn interjected.

“Yes Dawn, that’s a good idea, at least we may be able to locate something like that.” Giles smiled at his charge.

“Ok then, Faith looks like me and you are gonna go beat up some local demons, you up for it?” Buffy asked turning to smile at Faith.

“Always up for it B, you know me.” She replied wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Buffy hit her lightly on the arm while she ducked her face to hide her blush, she felt Faith hold her a little tighter and smiled when she heard the soft chuckle emanating from the brunette.

Everyone decided that they would take a break for a while before the slayer’s had to start their own kind of investigation.


**TBC TBC
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A/N: You want more, then feed the feedback junky.