The Warriors

TITLE: The Warriors
AUTHOR: Willie J
EMAIL: wmj166@msn.com
WEB SITE: N/A
RATING: R with occassional NC-17 moments
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of BTVS, AtS...I wish I did
FEEDBACK: GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!
DISTRIBUTION: List Archives
SPOILERS: SPOILERS! SPOILIERS! Season 7 of Buffy, Season 4 of Angel
SUMMARY:
BETA'D BY: Echo and James

Chapter 4 con'td

Buffy was practically dancing with impatience. Why was everyone moving sooo friggin' slow, she wondered petulantly.

Looking at her watch she nearly growled, it was already 3:30! She tried to hurry them along and they ignored her! Did they forget whose was providing them with a roof over their stupid little head, she thought indignantly. Didn't they understand?! They had to seriously hurry up and get to the mansion, so she could see Ang....see Willow and Xander, make sure they were alright, she thought guiltily.

Spike eyed the restless Buffy with ill temper. He shoulda known that if the soddin' poof ever arrived, Buffy would pitch him out on 'is ear. He snorted, like his soul would make the difference in the way she saw him. He felt like a right bloody fool for even *thinking* Buffy could ever love the likes of him.

He looked at her with increasing anger, yeah she 'loved' him alright and she would 'love' him until she couldn't use him any longer then find the next poor sap to use. Spike felt like pong hng his head against the wall...he had forgotten that was what a Slayer was, what she did. It's how they were trained, how they fought...they used every weapon they could find. And he should have realized that was what he was...a weapon against the First. That Harris kid had the right of it, he thought sourly, he was the real lucky one, wasn't nothing special about him for her to get ahold of in the first place.

He stirred, pushing away from the doorway and spoke,nxionxious to git to the mansion, eh luv?" He raised a cool brow at her, watching her flush with a bland look on his face.

"Ye..yeah," Buffy stuttered under the contemplative look on Spike's face before she stiffened her spine and tried to stare him down.

"Easy there, Slayer," Spike replied calmly, "No need to gitcha feathers all ruffled, jus' askin' a question, is what."

"Well, the answer to your question," Buffy said staight forwardly, "Is 'Yes', I am anxious to see how things went in L.A."

"And to see Peaches, no doubt," Spike replied, with a tilt of his head and a trace of a sneer appeared on his face as his cold eyes bored into hers.

"Angel is beside the point. Anyway with him here he will be able to increase our strength and help us defeat the First," she said strongly, her chin raised defiantly.

"No doubt, if that's what he wants to do," Spike murmured, icy eyes narrowing on her face, "But maybe he don't wanna help, maybe he might wanna take the pup back with him to L.A, you ever think about that?"

"Xander?" Buffy looked befuddled, "Why would he want to take Xander back to L.A. with him? He can't stand Xander and Xander can't stand him."

Spike looked at her mockingly, "What do you think he wants the boy for? Angel, Angelus it don't make a bit of dif'rence, they've always wanted the boy. The only dif'rence is that Angel would treat the boy a damn sight better thagelugelus would."

Buffy's eyes narrowed at that, "What the hell are you saying?! That Angel is gay or something?"

"Pet, we're demons," Spike looked at her contemptuously, "Blokes or bints don't make that much of a dif'rence to us. We like t'shag, ya know."

"You're lying," Buffy spat out, trembling with rage and secretly fear, "Angel would never...I mean Angel...he's not like that," she stammered out, her eyes wide in disbelief.

She gasped as another thought occurred to her and her eyes shot to Spike's icy blue eyes, "You...Angel...Angleus and...," her words stuttered to a halt.

Spike shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving her eyes, "Like I said, luv, we're demons, we don't much care wha' we shag and both Angel and Angelus have always wanted the boy."

With that, he turned away and sauntered back down into the basement, a slow vicious smirk crossing his face. Not so perfect after all aou nou now, ya soddin' wanker, he thought viciously of his grandsire.

Buffy stood trembling in the entranceway as Giles opened the door.

She turned in relief at his familiar presence, he would tell her the truth!

"Giles, Spike just told me that...uhm...that Angel is...Angelus likes gu...that vampires are gay," she finally managed to get out.

"Now, what rubbish has Spike been filling your head with now," Giles sighed before saying strongly, "Vampires are most definitely not gay! Why would he tell you such a thing is beyond me," and he shook his head sadly, wondering again at Buffy's ill-conceived notion to get involved with yet another vampire.

Buffy slumped in relief, she knew it!

"Vampires are notoriously lovers of either sex, they are demons after all," Giles said casually as he strode past, sending Buffy in shock once again.

"What do you mean by that, Giles," she asked following helplessly behind him. Her beloved Angel couldn't be gay, Xander probably was, but not Angel!

"Buffy," Giles sighed as he boiled water for tea, "Your primary opponents are vampires, correct? With other occasional demons as a sideline, one could almost say that you are one of the leading authorities on vampires and their habits. Over the years we've fought numerous demons, vampires and even a Hell Goddess. We've researched their powers, their weakness, their strengths, gathering information on these creatures with almost unparallel success thereby making you the longest living Slayer in history."

"So what's your point," Buffy said impatiently, again wondering why Giles needed to use so many big words to say what was on his mind.

"You're an idiot," Giles said calmly, pouring hot water into a cup.

Buffy gasped, "Giles!"

"Buffy, for you to ask me such a foolish question, a question that any of the Potentials can answer just goes to prove my point,"es ses said impatiently. Sometimes dealing with her overbearing ego was like trying to knit fog, he thought ruefully.

Seeing Emily walking into the kitchen he asked, "Emily, a question for you: Vampires...
homosexual or hetrosexual?"

Emily raised her brows, "Neither, vampires are, like, totally bi-sexual. I don't really t the they care who they fu..," she stopped catching Giles stern eyes, "Who they have sex with," she finished carefully, letting out a sigh at Giles approving nod.

"Andrew," Giles rapped out seeing the young man bounce into the room, "Vampires, homosexual or heterosexual?"

"Oooooh, I know this! I know this!" Andrew bounced excitedly, then drawing himself up proudly he intoned, "'Vampires, by definition, are neither homosexual or heterosexual. Vampires are rampantly bi-sexual', or at least according to Andrespes book on Demon Compilation," he said relaxing his posture.

"But then there's a theory in Clampton's Book of Demonology that says that because of vampires very nature they are uniquely equipped for dual sexuality, not that they have two sexes, you know," he said looking anxiously around. "I think he was just saying that they don't have a preference for either males or females when it comes to se....uhm, their potential partners. Then there's Jennson's argument about vampires...," he began to say when Giles interrupted him.

"Yes, yes, yes, we quite understand and thank you" Giles said, managing to keep the impatience from his voice and from the big smile of Andrew's face, he succeeded.

"You're welcome," Andrew chirped, going to the refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of water and bouncing out, chatting happily with Emily.

"Angel's gay," Buffy whispered, her eyes wide and stunned.

Giles rolled his eyes, "Buffy, have you listened to anything that was said?! Angel is a demon, he is a vampire...ergo he is neither homosexual or heterosexual, rather he is bi-sexual."

"But he slept with me," Buffy whined in a low voice, her eyes panicky, her breath coming fast.

"Well, perhaps at the time he was attracted to you, I don't know," Giles said, feeling highly uncomfortable with this discussion. He looked hastily around the kitchen hoping to see Willow walk through the door. maybe she could explain....he groaned silently as he remembered that she was at the mansion. A sudden thought occurred and his eyes brighten.

He said smoothly, "Why don't we go to the mansion now and you can talk to Willow or better yet, Angel."

"Spike said that Angel and Angelus both wanted Xander," Buffy turned stunned eyes to Giles and recoiled at the look on his face.

"That can not possibly be good," Giles' hand trembled, rattling the teacup.

"SPIKE!" he bellowed, making Buffy jumped.

"Blimey mate, 'old ya horses, I ain't deaf ya know," Spike came up from the basement grumbling.

"Spike," Giles said quietly, his eyes icily remote, "Buffy said that you told her that Angelus wanted Xander."

Spike raised his brow, "What, you mean the whelp never told you?!" He began to laugh and his laughter was choked off by Giles slamming him into the wall, a stake against his chest.

"You have approximately 15 seconds to answer my question," Giles breathed, frozen rage glittering in his eyes.

"What should Xander have told us," he said in a low voice, glaring into Spike's eyes.

"When Angel became Angelus, the bloody wanker took a fancy to the boy. On one of t'patrols ya took, he grabbed the boy and brought him to the mansion, wantin' to convince the kid of his love. The boy escaped the first time and made it home during the daytime."

Giles eyes burned impossibly colder, "You said the first time, how many times in all," and he shrugged Buffy irritably from him, barely aware of theer Per Potentials coming into the kitchen.

Spike's eyes narrowed, his grudging respect for the ex-Watcher growing, not many would have willingly challenged a Master vampire, "About five times, last time Angelus got a little too frustrated and desperate for the boy's affections, if you know what I mean."

"He raped him," Giles hissed, feeling a tremor settle in his hand and he desperately wanted to ram the stake home in Spike's heart.

"Yeah," Spike admitted in a low voice.

"Apparently the apple didn't fall far from the tree did it, now Spike," Giles growled low in his throat. No wonder Xander was so hostile towards Angel all the time! And, he to his eternal shame, remonstrated the boy for his behavior.

Spike looked away, shame filling him at how he almost became like Angelus. He silently cursed his soul for making him feel shame for his actions. He looked back as Giles released him.

"Xander is Angelus weakness, that's why the boy went up to L.A. with Willow, 'cause if Angelus is loose then he's coming straight here. And he'll kill everyone in his path to get to the boy. One reason why Angel stays away too, it's more difficult to control Angelus whenever he's around Xander," Spike said quietly, voluntarily giving up more information.

Buffy swallowed and said in a low voice, "I thought Angel stayed away because of me."

Spike's eyes softened slightly, "Pet, if Angelus got loose, you would be the first to die and then maybe Red. He'll try to Turn the boy and if that don't work then he'll make sure that the kid'll never, ever leave him. And you really really don't want to know how he would do that."

"Does Xander know abouts,"s," Giles asked quietly with icy rage still simmering in his eyes, "Because right now he's at the mansion with Angel."

"Probably not," Spike shrugged, "And I don't think Peaches realizes what he feels about the boy. Anyway, the poofer pro'ly already got that problem taken care of, ain't no way he would stay within 10 feet of the boy without some kinda guarantee Angelus ain't gonna make a surprise appearance."

Giles stood silent for a few minutes, thinking...his brow furrowed.

"Ladies, you have approximately five minutes to have yourself dressed and by the door," Giles said smoothly turning a remote face on the many half dressed girls standing in the doorway.

For a half second the was was silent before the girls erupted with squeals of alarms and then came the sound of footsteps thundering up the stairs.

Amazingly enough, it only took them four and a half minutes to get dressed and down the stairs. Some sti still buttoning their shirts, putting on their shoes and zipping up pants as they assembled at the front door.

Fortunately, Anya Rob Robin stumbled through the door just as Giles yanked it open.

He had forgotten about them and smoothly he recovered, telling them that they were on their way to the mansion, and for them to follow along.

They reached the mansion by 4:50 pm and then were stopped by a huge, imposing golden-skinned man.

Buffy strode up to the man self-importantly. Her confidence in Angel's love for her restored, after all didn't Spike say that if Angelus came back, he would kill her? Obviously, Angel didn't want her to die so that's why he made sure he stayed away from Sunnydale. And since vampires were bi-sexual, her mouth screwed up in distaste, then obviously Angelus was gay and Angel was hedder...heterosexual.

"We're invited friends of Angel," she said as she tried to strut past the man and wondered why she wasn't moving. She looked down in shock at the hand easily holding her in place.

"I beg your pardon, but who are you," the man rumbled in a deep smooth voice.

Anya face slowly whitened in dread, recognizing that voice. She tried to hurriedly get through the mass of Potentials to stave off somebody getting killed or hurt...namely her.

"I'm the Slayer," Buffy snapped, "Now let me go before I show you *why* I'm called the Slayer!"

She frowned in puzzlement as the man just lifted a brow, looking down at her with amused eyes.

Just then an achingly beautiful woman glided into the entranceway. Long, inky black hair flowed down her back like a silken waterfall, her skin the color of sunkissed ivory, her eyes a glorious purple as she regarded the awestruck people before her.

"Sus, Faith said and I quote, 'get your big fat ass back into the living room and move the couch back where she goddamn told you to put it' end quote," she said calmly, turning her attention to her Brother Warrior.

Susanawo flushed, "But Devi, I did put it where she told me too," he protested before turning and stomping into the living room, where everyone could hear him shouting and arguing.

Devi regarded the people calmly and raised brow, "May I ask your names as you seem to be trying to invade my Brother's home."

Buffy's eyes narrowed on the woman, jealouser ber beginning to stir as she looked the woman up and down. There was no friggin' way that Angel would be able to turn this woman down, any man would gladly lose his soul for her!

Her mouth opened to give the woman a withering reply just as Anya finally managed to get in front.

"Buffy!" Anya shouted, slumping in relief at stopping the snarky response she was sure was on Buffy's lips.

"Buffy, I realize that while we are not the best of friends I think that perhaps, due to my thousand years as a former vengeance demon, that I can perhaps offer you something that Giles and your mother failed to give you," Anya said slowly with a thoughtful air.

Buffy blinked, "What's that?"

"This!" She punched Buffy as hard as she could, watching with fearful satisfaction as the foolish child stumbled back and fell to the ground.

She turned to look at Devi and kowtowed, "My gracious lady of Power, please forgive the impertinent child's rash words. She knows not your magnificence, your glory or your ability to crush us all into tiny pieces of flesh."

She trembled, holding her pose praying as hard as she could that at least with her words, Devi would not kill them or at least not kill her.

Devi laughed softly, "Child, forgiveness is unnecessary, a Slayer is only a mayfly in life. Welcome to my Brother's home," she said gesturing them inside.

And taking note of how Anya acted with the beautiful woman, the Potentials carefully eased past the woman, guardedly watching her.

Giles, Spike and Robin kept a puzzled eye on Anya's odd behavior. Both Spike and Giles exchanged disbelieving looks. They never knew Anya had any tact or diplomacy skills in her bag of tricks.

Anya straightened, "Forgive my presumptuous question, my lady, but I didn't realize that Angel was your brother," she said quietly.

Devi raised a brow, "He's not," and sauntered back into the mansion.

Anya stood still, her mind racing, picking up and discarding information with increasing speed until finally only one fact remained.

"Hopping bunny rabbits! How could I have been so blind," she cursed to herself before stomping into the mansion.

Giles raised a brow at her angry back, then to Spike and Robin, "After you gentlemen."

Both men snarled at him and did a double take at their simultaneous response, then carefully ignoring each other, they walked in.

Buffy stood, her mouth hanging open at the busy, shouting people arranging furniture, laying carpet, carrying mattresses, chairs and tables.

"What the hell is going on," she whispered, then jumped at Faith's voice behind her.

"B, my girl! Wassup," Faith shouted happily. "You like what my boy is doin'," she said glancing around proudly.

"We've been working since this morning, getting things ready for you guys," she added with a slow smile at Robin.

Faith?! And out of prison and again why the hell didn't somebody tell her, Buffy wondered angrily.

"I can see that," Buffy muttered, her eyes widening as Willow and some guy coalesced out of thin air, walking towards them and talking animatedly. Buffy looked in askance at the guy's huge stomach, if she didn't know better she would swear he was pregnant! She turned her attention back to Willow and what Willow as wearing or not wearing, she thought indignantly. How dare Willow start dressing like some...some...hussy! And where in the hell did she find green leather pants and that creamy hootchie looking haltertop....that would look far better on her than Willow?

Willow looked and blinked at the sight of the Summer's household along with the adult members of the Scooby gang.

"Excuse me Deion," she murmured, "Looks like our guest have arrived. You guys staying or what?"

Deion raised a brow and regarded the fuming blonde Slayer, "Not if you offered me a painless way to give birth," he snorted.

He silently passed the message to the Family that it was time to go. Each finished rearranging the furniture and began disappearing one by one, with Deion giving a calm look around before vanishing as well.

"Hey Buffy, glad you guys got here in time and Dawnie said that she would be over with grocgroceries and some more clothes for everyone and we've got the bedrooms all arranged and fixed up so everyone can have their own rooms for once, but you're probably gonna have to share a bathroom anyway, cause there's not enough bathrooms in this place for everyone to have their own, ya know so we thought you guys wouldn't mind sharing, a bathroom I mean, not the bedrooms cause like I said you each have a room to yourself," Willow said in full babble mode, very much not liking the look in Buffy's eyes.

Fortunately, Angel and Xander's arrival took Buffy's attention away from her and she sighed with relief.

"Okay, maybe not a racing bike, but how about just one of the sleek babies with red and black stripes going down the side," Xander pleaded, dancing at Angel's side giving the man his best puppy dog eyes.

"No," Angel said calmly, ignoring the begging eyes of his mate. "Xander, you're not getting a motorcycle and that's final. I'm not worried about you, I'm worried about the people on the street with you astride a dangerous motorcycle."

"But Wesley has one," Xander whined, pouting at the cruel unjustness of life.

"I'm not married to Wesley," Angel retorted softly, pushing Xander subtly behind him as he got closer to Buffy. His eyes flickered to Spike, briefly turning liquid gold before returning to his human brown.

Spike eyes had narrowed at the first glimpse of Willow. He sniffed discreetly and a slow smirk appeared on his face before he cast a cold sidelong look at Kennedy.

'Ello, wot do we have here, he thought, eyeing Willow thoughtfully. Looks like the bleeding poofer done Claimed himself a right proper mate. The scent from Willow was unmistakably Angel, then he stiffened, if the bloody wanker's done Claim the Witch that means....

He inhaled softly as Angel and Xander came through the door, his brow contracting at the distinct scent of Angel's Claim on the boy, but somehow the scent was...different. His eyes shot up to Angel, seeing them flash gold and he nodded, somehow the stupid git had managed to escape the soul clause of his curse. He eyed Angel speculatively, wondering how he managed to do that and what did that mean for Buffy.

Buffy's blinked, Holy shit! When in the hell did Xander become..so..so hot! She regarded the dark blue, form fitting jeans Xander had on and the thin white shirt that fasten with just a single button. Combined with bare feet, Xander looked too fuckin' incredible. She sighed softly, watching the easy roll of his hips that stirred lots of pretty tingling sensations through her.

"Buffy, glad you guys got here in time," Angel said quietly, narrowing his eyes on Buffy before turning to Giles.

Xander and Willow sat down, each keeping a careful watch on Angel, constantly talking among themselves.

~"Okay, how are we gonna handle this," Willow asked them worriedly.~

~"Yeah, she definitely gonna go for the old standby, 'whoop Xander's ass'," Xander said with a snort.~

His expression never changed from his usual expression nor did Willow's.

~"You rather we keep this quiet until we know how she'll react?" Angel asked quietly, with a trace of hurt.~

Giles blinked as first Xander then Willow turned and fixed Angel with unreadable looks.

~"Angel, any decision you make, I am so down with it," Xander stated firmly. "I promised you that I wasn't gonna be hiding us anymore and I'm not. We're in this together! And when she tries to stake your ass, well, me and Willow will defend you." Xander vowed solemnly.~

Angel looked startled, then started laughing as he grabbed Xander into a mock headlock and ruffled the thick mop of hair.

Buffy regarded them with a blank look, then looked around the room wondering what reality she had gotten shifted into. Because in her reality Angel and Xander hated each other, they did NOT play with each other like kids.

Spike eyed Buffy sardonically, not missing the look of extreme confusion on her face. He snorted, the girl couldn't even organize a booze-up in a brewery. And this was the one that everyone was depending on to save them from the First?

He shook his head sadly, they were all gonna die.

"Buffy, did Willow tell you about what Xander and she organized, regarding the rooms?" Angel said, standing behind the couch and leaning against it.

"Actually it was Xander's idea," Willow injected softly from her seat beside Xander.

"Well, then I guess we should be thanking you then," Buffy replied, looking at Xander. "Exactly how did you manage to get Angel to agree to this idea," she added slowly glancing suspiciously between the two. Suddenly doubtful, she recalled Spike's words about Angel, Angelus and Xander.

"Yes, I would be most interested in know as well," Giles said coolly, his eyes flickering to the easy, relaxed way Xander sat below Angel. His eyes narrowed, there was something going between the two, his eyes flickered to Willow and narrowed more, between the three of them if he didn't miss his guess.

Robin watched them all with puzzled eyes, something was definitely going on and he wasn't sure if he wanted to be a part of it. He eyed Angel, so this was the vampire honey that Buffy was going crazy about. Damn, but that girl was seriously messed up in the head!

Xander opened his mouth to respond, when Dawn came running breathlessly into the mansion, "Need a little help guys!" she yelled and went back outside.

Everyone scrambled to help unload the groceries. And amid laughter, shouts and silly jokes they managed to turn the event into an impromptu party. The music was turned on....loud, the succulent smell of pizza was in the air, sodas were poured and it was party time.


Buffyod wod with her back against the wall watching Xander in confusion, still in shock at his appearance. But what really threw her was the easy apparent friendliness between Angel and Xander. Her eyes darted to where Angel was talking to Spike, and that was another thing, why wasn't Angel trying to kill Spike. Something was seriously wrong in Whoville, her lips tightened and a gleam of determination lit her eyes, and she was just the person to find out what was wrong.

She started looking around for Willow, positive that the red-headed witch would know the answer. Wandering over the room, her eyes landed on a familiar red-headed witch moving towards Kennedy. She walked over quickly, hoping to intercept her friend reaching her and just in time to see Kennedy walk forward to kiss Willow.

"No," Willow said and stepped back, her eyes dark and shamed, glistening with tears. "You don't know what I've done, what Xander and Angel made me do."

Buffy gasped, a horrified look on her face at hearing the low shameful whisper, secretly delighted that fly Wly Willow had been put in her place. Despite what she had said or how she had acted, she had never forgiven the witch for beating the shit out of her when Willow went evil. As far as she was concerned, Giles should have killed the bitch when he took her to England with him.

"Willow, what happened," Buffy demanded harshly, "What did Xander do to you?"

Willow looked at her, her eyes awash with tears, "Oh God, Buffy it was horrible! I never knew Xander hated me that much! He forced me to Bond him to Angel...like...like they're married or something. He and Angel came up with this craex sex spell that would let Angel walk in daylight and allow Xander to get some of Angel's strength and power."

Kennedy was livid as she listened to Willow.

Willow broke down, sobbing, "Buffy...oh God...Buf...fy...it...it.. it hurt...me so bad...and...
they..they..just laughed at meeeee," her words came out in a low wail of pain.

"But..but..the soul clause," Buffy stammered, her eyes were wide in shock and surprise.

"That's what...the...spell...did," Willow hiccuped out, "It...it..removed the c..c...clause on...Angel's....s...s..s...soul."

At that Buffy's eyes narrowed in hot burning rage, "XANDER HARRIS get your ass over here, RIGHT NOW!" she roared whirling around at the laughing, talking crowd of people.

Kennedy hid a secret smile, finally that little tie between Willow and Xander was broken for good.

And at Buffy's roar of rage, a hush came over the room and Xander looked up from talking to Giles, over to her. His eyes flickered over the three women and his mouth tightened in anger and annoyance.

Calmly excusing himself, he strolled casually over to the enraged slayer and pissed off Potential.

Coolly looking them over, his head tilted to the side as he surveyed them.

"Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I definitely don't remember inviting you here," he said quietly, feeling Angel come up behind him.

Buffy had her mouth opened to yell and rip him to shreds, blinked, "Huh? What do you mean, you called us earlier and told us to come over," she said in confusion.

Xander looked at her impatiently, "Not you, that one," he said gesturing to Willow.

Buffy turned, "Willow?" Then she blinked seeing Willow coming around the corner.

She looked at the Willow behind her, seeing a malicious smile crossed the red-headed witch's face.

"Can't blame me for trying," it said and its form shimmered into Joyce Summers.

Willow came and stood by her men, watching with cold eyes as the First appearance shimmered again, reforming into Darla's.

Buffy and Kennedy backed away quickly in alarm.

"What the...," Buffy's words were cut off as windows began shattering around the room as uber-vamps and Bringers charged into the room, throwing the Potentials into a screaming frenzy as the girls grabbed at weapons. Their attitude and posture held in an aggressive stance against the Bringers and uber-vamps. They might be going down, but not without a fight.

The First regarded Xander with a smug look, "I challenge you, Alexander by the rules Katawuyk for Sunnydale or forfeit the town."

Xander's eyes narrowed, he knew this was a trap but by the rules technically he couldn't decline, "I accept," he growled his eyes hot.

"Then I ask that my Champion fight you as my proxy," the First smiled mockingly as Caleb sauntered through the broken door.

The First shook it's head in feigned sympathy, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, too bad you can't fight a human and neither can your vampire. Your brother told me about your little Bond with the vampire. I win!"

Willow smiled coldly, "Not so fast, Numero Uno....I accept the challenge."

"What the hell do you mean, you accept the challenge?! You can't accept the challenge, only Xander or his mate can accept the challenge, you idiot!" The First said angrily.

"Too bad Anda'makta didn't last long enough to tell you that we are a Tri-bond," Willow laughed at the flummoxed look on the First's face. Xander and Angel leaned against each other as they snickered.

"That's impossible," it said flatly, "You would have to be de...," it peered at Willow closer, "Oh shit!"

Buffy and Kennedy looked back and forth between the warring party, "Uh, guys you know about TMI....well, how about a little *I*," Buffy said hesitantly, her eyes flickering nervously from Xander, to Angel and then to Willow.

"The choice is yours," Xander said mockingly, bowing to the First. "Withdraw the challenge or I'll let Willow kick your champion's ass!"

The First looked at Willow, it's eyes narrowed in thought then a cold humorless smile crossed it face....

"Enough," came a low voice.

The First stiffened in recognition at that low powerful voice.

The Potentials parted and Dawn paced coolly towards them.

Arrogance, power flowed from her with every step she took....it was all about the attitude.

"Ancient One, how pleased I am to see you," the First watched her, it's head held proudly and with a cold, set face as it stubbornly refused to bow, to show her respect.

The Bringers and the Turok-han glanced among themselves hesitantly, then slowly lowered themselves to the floor as even Xander, Willow and Angel bowed to her respectfully.

Kennedy's lips curved upward in a lurid smile, a lascivious look in her eyes as they traveled lewdly up and down Dawn's body. Her smile abruptly disappearing with the First next words...

"You are nothing," it hissed spitefully at Dawn as it glanced around at it's kneeling followers, "You have no power he You You are nothing but a little child in that form, playing at power," it laughed mockingly at her.

Buffy's mouth dropped open, her eyes rounding in shock...Dawn?!

Dawn's lips curved up in a smile that never reached her eyes, "That maybe so, but I have plenty of people that will do anything for me."

She stared coldly at the First, "Zeus!"

There was a quick flash of light and a huge inky black man appeared, "Ancient One, how may I be of service," he bowed respectfully.

Without taking her eyes off the First, Dawn rapped out, "A Potential...select one...kill her!"

"As you command," he said bowing again before turning to the disbelieving knot of Potentials.

They took one look at empty expression on his face and scattered, screaming as they tried to find weapons or a place to hide.

Giles mouth had dropped open in shock and he took an angry step forward, but was halted by Anya's iron grip on his arm.

"Don't interfere," she hissed in warning, watching the scrambling commotion as the girls ran about in confusion.

Xander, Willow and Angel watched silently...no emotion on their frozen faces.

Wesley put out a hand restraining Spike and silently shook his head as Faith held Robin back from interfering.

Zeus looked around at the yelling, milling girls. Raising his hand, lightening lit up the room...

...and one girl was not as fast as the others.

Her anguished scream easily overrode the terrified yells of the Potentials. They turned sl in in fearful horror, their mouths closing...silenced at the ghastly sight.

Body jerking...convulsing in the bolt of power that Zeus slammed into her. She was lifted up in the air, jolting spasmodically... involuntary movement giving her the illusion of life..of health.

They could hear skin cracking...cooking in the deadly silence of the room.

And the stench of flesh burning filled the air and the humans gagged, their stomachs roiling from the sweet sickening smell.

Zeus closed his hand, no expression on his face as the girl fell to the floor with an audible thud. Fluids leaking from the various cracks in her skin.

He turned to Dawn his face empty of pity or remorse and his hands began to glow...to crackle with energy as he waited patiently, silently for further instructions.

Dawn merely cocked a brow at the First, silently waiting as well.

And slowly the First inclined it's upper body...bowing.

"Thaaaaat's better," Dawn said approvingly. Then her tone became grating as the First faced her implacable gaze.

"Now take your people and get the hell out of here....NOW!"

It growled low in it's throat, it's eyes slowly becoming blood red, "This is not over, Ancient One."

"You're damn right it's not over," Dawn said harshly, "When I chop off your head, then it'll be over! Get out!"

"Challenge withdrawn," the First gro. W. Whirling around, the First summoned it's people with an enraged snarl and they all departed the house.

Dawn held her cold, angry stance, "Are they gone," she whispered out of the corner of her mouth to Xander.

Xander's eyes were distant as he too held his pose as he cast around the grounds, sighing in relief, "Yes."

Zeus and Dawn broke from their cold stance and rushed to the downed Potential.

Both slid to their knees on either side.

"Give me a count," Zeus shouted urgently, laying his hand over the charred unmoving body.

Dawn quickly gave him the count, her face tight with fear.

300

Deion appe and and looked on, his face cold and withdrawn. His hands held protectively over his bulging belly, feeling the minute ripples that signaled the approach of his last child.

Naolin shimmered into existence, quickly followed by almost the entire assembly of Keys.

200

Xander took a quick look at Deion, at the lines of stress that appeared on the man's face, "Willow, Angel, take Deion upstairs and help him, he's gone into labor!"

Willow looked up, startled, before rushing to Deion's side, "C'mon, let's get you upstairs. You don't need to be down here," she said softly, looking gratefully at Angel as he scooped the man into his arms.

"No, I need to stay down here," Deion announced quietly, his eyes intent on the gathering of people surrounding the downed body.

100

"I will be fine, don't worry," he said, a fake smile on his face and patted their hands comfortingly. "This is my second child, I know what I'm tal abo about."

Angel looked uncertain before slowly putting the laboring man down, standing protectively at Deion's side.

80

"I need you to keep the heart working," Zeus said urgently to Xander.

Xander simply nodded, "On it," and he dove deep inside, his eyes turning vague as he struggled to keep the heart moving, pumping blood through the body.

70

"Naolin, get the lungs moving," Zeus said quietly, his eyes turning distant as he focused his energy and power on the charred body.

60

Naolin ghosted his fingers in the non-functioning lungs, frantically repairing them, rebuilding cells at near impossible speed. It was rough but it would have to do.

The room grew silent except for Dawn's quiet voice counting down the seconds.

50

"Zeus, needs more energy," Deion said quietly, looking at his Brothers and Sisters.

40

Five nodded and stepped forward, connecting...feeding Zeus the necessary energy to continue repairing the damaged body, the brain and other organs.

20

"Xander's failing," Deion stated, his eyes going vague, in tune with the struggling people.

19

Eight stepped forward and Xander began siphoning their energy, sweat pouring off his body. His breath was coming hoarsely as he struggled to repair the child's heart. It can't end like this!

18

Buffy shook, trembling in reaction as she looked on, her expression one of shock at what had transpired.

15

Kennedy swallowed hard, her face was pale and she was no longer certain that she wanted to be THE Slayer.

13

Giles watched intently, this was extremely troubling. He took off his glasses and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, there was some faint memory teasing at his mind....

12

Zeus gritted his teeth, forcing more power into the body, he would NOT fail!

"Naolin is at the end of his strength," Deion's hissed between clenched teeth, his eyes closed against tntenntense pressure from the baby. It wanted out NOW!

11

Five more stepped forward giving new strength to the belaboring people.

10

Spike watched Niblet and the ex-Watcher the poofer brought with him, with cold narrowed eyes. He could see a connection between Dawn and Wesley, and he was definitely not pleased.

Slowly, they saw charred flesh falling from the body, revealing the unmarred skin below. The chest lift once...tthen again. Three times in slow succession. Breathing.

Xander collapsed, his head hanging low as he rested his hands on his knees. "Heart's beating," he said simply, in a ragged whisper.

"Come on, baby you can do it," Zeus whispered hoarsely, he couldn't lose his child!

Dawn sighed, "That was too close."

Blinking slowly, the body on the floor slowly sat up, "Dad, gotta tell ya, I don't ever want to do that again," he said faintly.

Zeus swept his son into a hug, "You big idiot, why didn't you shield like I told you?!" he roared pulling back and shaking Nenet.

"Dad! Dad! Remember I was dead...go easy on the shaking," Nenet stammered out, his eyes wide with fright.

He had thought it would be fun to play the role of one of the Potential when they had first come up with this plan. They all knew that the First wouldn't be able to resist Xander's return to Sunnydale. But with Dawn unBonded and somewhat powerless an alternate show of strength, of power *had* to be presented to the First. And what better way to show that while powerless, you had a whole bunch of people willing to do anything for you...even kill for you.

The only reason why he had volunteered to play a Potential was because, he figured it was time the adults recognized him as one of them...an adult. He just wanted to make it more realistic but he hadn't realized how bad it would hor tor that he would die.

He shuddered, remembering the agony that slammed into him when his father hit him with that bolt. Being a chwas was definitely looking better and better, he thought, eyeing his other father stalking towards him.

Deion walked forward, "Don't worry about him, you worry about ME!," he grated out. "If you ever pull another dumbass stunt like that again, you will not be leaving your room until your sister reach puberty," he shouted angrily, then yelled and doubled over in pain.

"Dad?!" Nenet jumped to his feet, long blond hair falling to the ground revealing his familiar orange striped hair.

"Deion!" Zeus jumped up in panic, clutching at his husband.

"Xander, we gotta go," he said urgently, picking the moaning Deion up in his arms before all three disappeared.

Angel helped Xander to his feet as Willow examined him from head to toe before they swept him in a hug.

"Can't breathe," he managed to rasp out from their tight embrace.

Giles regarded the three, "It was just a ruse," he said in tones of won

"Yeah, we kinda figured that ole Number One was gonna show up," Dawn explained as Spike glared venomously at Wesley, pushing him out of the way and helping her to her feet.

Buffy, recovering her powers of speech, stormed forward. Sliding between Xander and Angel, she firmly tried to push Xander away. Not in the least liking their unnecessary closeness, she didn't care what the First said, Angel belonged to HER!

"What the hell is going on and why are you two being so...so...Bert and Ernie," she shouted glaring at the duo. "And what's up with you and the First," she shouted rounding on Dawn.

"Here we go again," Willow muttered with a roll of her eyes.

Xander snickered, before straightening his face, "Look Buffy, to make a very long story short, you're not supposed to fight the First. You and the Potentials are supposed to be fighting the Bringers, while me, Dawnie and our Brothers and Sisters bust up the First and his gang of Freaky Friday Night Vamps."

Buffy looked him up and down, "Yeah, and how you gonna do that, fall on 'em?" she laughed scornfully.

"In order of creation first, Angels, Keys, Warriors and Guardian. Angel's are the messengers, Keys are the link between Angels and Warriors, while Warriors mostly fight and protect, and the Guardians simply guard. Xander is last Warrior born," Dawn explained quietly, her eyes glittering with increasing wrath at her blind sister.

"Xander's some kinda superbeing," Buffy gasped out disbelievingly, then she laughed mockingly, firmly clutching at Angel's arm. Her laughter choked off into a squeak of dismay and her eyes growing wide as Xander stepped back and stretched.

Beautiful, silky black wings slowly emerged from behind his back, gently beating the air before encircling him like a cape.

"Well, not quite a superbeing," Xander said with a modest, self-depreciatingly smile. "I can still get my ass kicked by my Brothers and Sisters. But I'm just not quite as useless as you apparently believe I am," he said quietly, watching Buffy.

"I should say not," Giles said softly, regarding Xander's wings.

"And you're still holding on to our husband," Xander added softly, his eyes turning hard.

Kennedy, totally ignorihe che conversation, had sidled over to Willow. "Hey baby," she murmured, she definitely didn't like the closeness between Xander and Willow.

Willow gave her a neutral look, "Kennedy," she said calmly enough, though a bit of temper was beginning to spark in her eyes.
nnednnedy pretended to look Willow over thoughtfully, "Ya know, I really don't think I like that outfit on you. It makes you look...kinda slutty and whorish, doncha think," she said with feigned reluctance.

She added hastily as she saw Willow's eyes cloud over with what she presumed was hurt, "Not that I'm saying you're a slut, it's just that...ah...people might get the wrong idea."

Blinking at the cool look Willow gave her, but still, smugly waiting for Willow's inevitable babble of apologies to start.

"Well, then I have two words to say to that," Willow said slowly, her eyes glittering barely concealed anger.

"What's that baby," Kennedy said softly, confident that Willow would go and change her clothing.

"Tough shit," Willow said succinctly and turned away, dismissing Kennedy from her presence.

Kennedy's eyes widened aer mer mouth dropped before slowly closing, her eyes narrowing in fury. Just who did this bitch think she was?!

"Uhm...'our' husband you said," Buffy said slowly, her eyes clouding in confusion. Angel belonged to her, he would always belong to her!

"Our husband," Willow confirmed, pulling Angel away from Buffy, her eyes darkening with menace. Xander stepped between Willow and Angel, his wings enclosing the two protectively.

"He can't be your husband," Buffy sputtered, her face darkening in rage. "Besides, he's not gay," she shouted with angry conviction.

Xander raised a brow and slipped his wing from behind Willow, "Oh, for...just watch!" He grabbed Angel, wrapping his arms around Angel's neck and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. And totally lost track of the argument under the lush, torrid kisses from Angel, becoming aroused within seconds, before Angel forcefully pulled away. Xander panted heavily, resting his head on Angel's chest, shivering as Angel buried his face in his neck.

"He's ours," he said hoarsely to Buffy, who looked like she was going faint.

Angel pulled Willow to him, kissing her just as passionately as he had consumed Xander's lips before he pulled away, leaving her with a dazed and blissful look on her face.

"And they...are mine!" he growled, his eyes dangerously cold as he regarded both the stunned Buffy and a furious Kennedy as he cradled his spouses against his sides.

"The First seemed wary of you," Giles began, ignoring Buffy to talk to Dawn, his eyes intent, "He called you Ancient One and said that you were powerless in this form."

"Well, not exactly ancient you know, just older than it," Dawn said with a slow smile. "I was the first Key ever to be given form, shape and purpose. And as for this form, it was also right, I am pretty much powerless until I'm properly Mated and Bonded."

Dawn stepped back and stretched her arms above her head and slowly, wet glistening wings emerged fror bar back. Relaxing her pose slightly, her wings pumped once, twice drying quickly before they snapped around her, closing over her in entirety.

Compressing about her like brown silken bonds....tighter....smaller....

....the wings quivered, rustled before bursting open in a shower of brown silky feathers over the watching people and Dawn was revealed, beautiful....glorious.

And Xander sang, his voice joining with his Brothers and Sisters in welcome of the First Dawn of Light.

That unearthly song sent warm shivers of joy down the spines of mortals and demons alike. And they all sighed in disappointment at the end of that wonderful paean.

Buffy's mouth dropped open in shock as she took in the new Dawn that was revealed, a Dawn that could easily pass as her older sister.

"The First Dawn of Light," Giles whispered in realization, his eyes stunned. "B...bu..but I always thought you were just a myth." He looked around at the Warriors, Guardians and other Keys. "Good God!"

"Yes?" came a chorus of amused voices before laughter rang throughout the room.

"Obviously, not myths. We just like to keep a low profile," Thor said casually, leaning against his wife, Indra.

"Devi, Hindu goddess of power; Susanowo, Japanese god of oceans, winds and storms; Naolin, the Aztec God of the Sun," Giles said in awe, then he looked at Anya, "That's why you were so terrified, you knew what...who they were!
"
"Giles," Anya sighed, "I'm over a thousand years old, so of course, I know who they are," she snapped. "I just didn't know that Xander was one of them," and she bowed respectfully to Xander.

"I should have guessed by your name," she groused, "But who knew the Protector of Humanity was growing up in an abused home?!" she threw her hands in the air.

Xander chuckled, "I gotta say that it was kinda hard not to kill the parental units once I got old enough. But the old man did finally stop beating the shit outta me by the time I was 17, I always wondered why though," he said thoughtfully.

Angel raised his hand, "That would be Angelus, he knew you were being abused and decided to 'even things up a bit'. He told your father and mother if he ever smell blood on you again that he would pay them another 'visit'."

Xander looked up at Angel, "I guess that means I owe Angelus an apology, huh," he said with a sour twist to his mouth.

"Wait...wait! Wait a minute, so you and Dawnie are some kinda angels or something," Buffy said wanting to be clear on things.

"No, not quite," Xander said dryly, his eyes flickering to Dawn, who abruptly disappeared with both Spike and Wesley.

"We were sent here to protect and to guard the Hellmouths. Then fight with the First." Xander said. "It was never supposed to be your job, it's what we are supposed to do. You and the Potentials are gonna be busy enough trying to stop the Bringers from getting to the rest of us."

"Fighting the First is Dawn's responsibility while me and my Brother and Sister Warriors keep the Turok-han away from her," Xander concluded.

Buffy looked at Xander with narrowed eyes, "Xander, I don't think you realize exactly what you're up against," she said slowly, "There are thousands of them down there."

Xander regarded her, looked at his family before looking at her again, "We know."