Leveraging The Council by cjsplace

Leveraging the Council ~ 2 [PG]

As I rushed to dress, I thought over the sparse information Father Paul had told me about his friend. He had explained that Nathan was a good man who had lost his faith and was working on finding it by helping others. I could tell by the way Father Paul said it that there was a long story behind these words, but he didn't elaborate and I didn't ask. He went on to explain how Nathan had created a team of what he called other lost souls who were using there various skills to right the wrongs done to them. Their means were sometimes suspect, but always done with good intent and surprisingly effective. The ever-present twinkle in those sparkling blue eyes told me he wasn't going to tell me much more. I tried to ask questions to get a feel about the people he thought could help me. He simply shook his head and told me, "Take what I've given you, child and come to your own conclusions. Remember first impression can be deceiving."

Cryptic, and from a priest, wasn't that a sin or something? Was there some contract hidden somewhere in the cosmos that I'm unaware of? Did everyone who met me and wanting to throw some helpful information my way have to sign it before entering the Buffy Zone?

Looking in the mirror, I stepped back to critique my appearance. I had to give the right impression for Nathan and his team to take me seriously, yet feel enough sympathy for my situation to take the case. I decided to wear my favorite chocolate leather pants, and paired it with a delicate crème lace sweater, with my hair down in full loose curls. It gave me the delicate appearance I was looking for with the added edge. Slipping my boots on, I grabbed my jacket and purse, checking to make sure I had everything I needed, before heading out the door.

The doorman hailed a taxi for me. Taxis took some getting used to, taking into account where I had lived for the past five years. My Slayer felt it bad tactics to simply flag down some stranger and give them control over our body and destination. I waged my own inner war every time I stepped into the bright yellow vehicles. The drivers probably had my picture hanging on their bulletin boards with the warning - crazy, weird lady, proceed with caution. Every nerve in my body tensed, ready for action and the battle for control started, resulting in the oddest quirks. I tapped my toe with enough force my boot nearly went through the floorboard, at other times I've had to stick my fingernails into the upholstery to keep going after the cabbie.

Luckily, today my Slayer decided to stay focused on our other worries and settled for some rather benign, although irritating, foot tapping. I'm not sure what's up with her, err me, us, whatever. This two-sided thing left me feeling like Sybil. When I became the Slayer, and tried to deny that part of me, it didn't work and I ended up dying. The harder I fought against my Slayer the harder it became for me to live as simply Buffy. It was funny in a way that I did to my Slayer what the Council tried to do to me. These past few years taught me that I had to accept her as another aspect of myself, or I would never find peace. Facing off against Adam filled with the First Slayer's power from the enjoining spell; my encounter with Dracula urging me to accept my "darkness," combined with the bizarre vision quest had only proven it. But right now, I think she's as scared about facing off against the Council as I am.

My teeth worried my bottom lip as I considered my next move. I knew Nathan's team needed information on the Council, and would have trouble getting it. Their archaic ways, not to mention old and probably powerful magical wards, would prove troublesome to even the most prolific hacker. In for a penny in for a pound as the saying goes, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number I hadn't called in far too long. My stomach clenched as the phone rang. I felt torn between wanting the person on the other end to pick up or not. My luck held as usual when I heard that deep-timbered voice muffle something unintelligible across the line.

"Sorry to wake you…Yeah, it's been awhile…Sorry about that…We didn't have much time to talk with everything going on…I know you understood, just not too sure I did, not for a long time…Why, you don't think I'd call just to say hello?...Fine, be that way…Are you still getting lost in the same old places?...I'm thinking about taking a vacation…Do you know any good tour guides?...Do they give group rates?...I'm not up to anything…I'm a good girl…most the time…well at least sometimes I am…Me too…take care.

I sat back with nothing else to do but wait as we inched along on the congested streets. Traffic sucked. I'm not sure I even understand why the cars stop moving. If everyone drives the same speed then how come no one gets anywhere? Checking my watch, my foot tapped faster, tapping out a rapid staccato beat. I eyed the floorboard, hoping it would hold up against a cagey Slayer. It was already 8:50 and according to the driver, we were still roughly twenty minutes from the office, and that was if the traffic started moving. First impressions were important, coming late to the introductory meeting, not a good way to start.

The taxi driver came to an abrupt stop in front of an old distinguished building. He looked happy for me to get out, wonder if it was the toe tapping, or me asking him to hurry every five minutes. I hurried inside to find the office, and prayed Father Paul's friend was still willing to help me even though I was over more than half an hour late. My luck was holding for me, in good ole Sunnydale style, because I had left the number at home, and Father Paul wasn't answering his phone.

I went straight to the receptionist's desk and waited, and waited…and waited. My toe started its tapping thing again. I started to wonder if I had somehow picked up some nervous twitch like Willow's babble. Geesh, I hoped not. Wow, maybe I'm more blonde than I had thought. Worrying about how late I was, I had overlooked the unused appearance of the front desk. That's when I heard the voices coming from around the corner. Go, go, Slayer hearing. Yep, they're talking about little 'ole me and the nasty Council, guess I had better get in there before they decide I'm a no show.

The conference room stood just off to the left side of the reception area. Its door was open and its occupants, three men and two women, were looking at the far wall taken up entirely by media screen, where data rolled across the various screens. There was an empty chair close to the man explaining the data on the screen. His fingers flew across his computer keyboard at a speed that might even surpass Willow's amazing skills. I never thought to see anyone's fingers move that fast.

I quietly slid into the seat and waited for an opportunity to introduce myself. I couldn't determine much about the people I was dealing with, even with my enhanced sight, since their backs were to me; plus, Mr. Computer Whiz-guy blocked most of my view. The most I could say about him was that from the back he was tall, slender, with broad shoulders and African-American. The Slayer was such an intrinsic part of me that I hadn't realized how silently I had entered the room, until everyone turned around and the man next to me let out the girliest squeal I had ever heard.

"Aeeee!" He shouted and jumped from his chair to stare down at me like I was some kind of mini blonde suicide terrorist.

Damn, I didn't mean to scare him. This meeting, so not starting well. The lights came on when everyone turned around. And I got my first look at the people who were hopefully going to help go up against the Council. Man, someone hit these people over the head with the pretty stick. I sent them a small wave and what I hoped was an inviting smile.

"Uh, hi," I said, wondering if my voice had always sounded that high. Maybe, if I channel some Willow here, it will confuse them enough to forget about the stealthy entrance. "Sorry I'm late, the traffic was murder and I left your number at home. I tried to call Father Paul, 'cept he didn't answer his phone, and I was already on my way, but not really cuz if you're stuck somewhere then you're not actually going anywhere are you?… But once we were on our way and the taxi-guy dropped me off, I ran as fast as I could to your office then I waited and waited before silly me realized there's no receptionist, even though its set up to look like you have one, which's ," I scrunched my nose, "kinda confusing…then I heard people talking, not that I was snooping or anything rude but hoped I could ask someone where I might find you so I walked around the corner just a little bit. But, I don't want you to think I'm one of those people who just wander around other people's places, cuz you know I'm not, but you have no idea how happy I was to hear voices...uh...your voices." I shrugged so dramatically it sent my earrings swinging. I know I was playing it for all it was worth, but I had already committed to this and went with it. "So, I just followed them, the voices that is, and then I heard you talking about the Council and mention me, well I didn't want to be rude and interrupt…and I saw the open seat…since everyone was studying the TV wall while Mr. Whiz's fingers played his lightning round on the keyboard…so, I sat down until he finished because I didn't ya know want to be rude and interrupt since I was, you know, already so late."

They sat there stunned and staring at me for a brief moment, before a man with eyes the same pale blue as Father Paul's, except his held such deep pain and longing that I felt an immediate kinship said, "You can calm down Miss Summers, it's okay. You just startled us." I could tell he knew about loss on an intimate level. His pain-filled eyes contrasted with the boyishly handsome face surrounded by messy, brown curls. It seemed as if someone had surrounded a tortured soul within the semblance of innocence and laughter. A charming smile revealed dimples as he leaned toward me to offer his hand. "I'm Nathan Ford. And this is my Team. These lovely ladies are Sophie Devereaux and Parker." He indicated the sultry brunette to his right and the pixyish blonde next to her.

"Hello," Sophie said, with her silky, accented voice. She sent a mega-watt smile my way that put mine to shame.

"Wow, I didn't know people could talk so long and so fast without having to stop to breathe," Parker said with complete seriousness.

She had an awkwardness about her that told me she wasn't used to talking to people, and said whatever popped into her mind. Her and Anya's lack of tact; however, did not even compare. I'm not even sure Anya knows the meaning of the word. It's not that I don't like Anya. Simply, her blurting out details about her past and the ad nauseam sex talk at the worst possible times was getting rather old. I got the feeling Parker didn't know how to interact with other people, almost as if she had lived isolated from everyone her entire life. She had no idea how or when she made a social faux pas. I noticed how she would turn to Sophie for reassurance and guidance as she tried to walk the hazardous path of human social acceptance. She fairly hummed with suppressed energy that reminded me of Willow hyped up on caffeine when she snuck too much coffee. Her dark brown eyes hid deep secrets behind the naughty twinkle she used to fool people. Those same eyes didn't miss even the minutest detail as they swept over me. I liked her, quirks and all.

Sophie was smooth, European charm and old world class, think Cordelia with tact. A dangerous combination, considering the package it came in included lush curves, sultry eyes and long, dark hair. Picturing Sophie as a vampire gave me goose bumps, she would give Dracula a run for his money. She'd have men lining up, begging her to turn them. I had to ensure this woman stayed as far away from that part of my life as possible.

"It's nice to meet you," I said, sending them a friendly smile, hoping I had at least two on my side.

Nathan continued around the table as he extended his arm toward the man next to Parker. "My other associate, Eliot Spencer."

And, what a man he was, can we say hottie? I had never seen such piercing blue eyes before. They were the deep blue of the Mediterranean and seemed to look right through me, perhaps it was straight into me. He wore his dark brown hair long and straight to his shoulder, which I had never cared for, but it suited him. Eliot held his body loose and ready, telling me more about him than I'm sure he intended for me to know.

They expected some broken and scared woman asking for help, I had to remember my role, yet not over do it. I still had to convince them to take me with them. Eliot and I played the staring game for bare moments before lowering my lids. As the Team's obvious muscle, he came in the nicest package. He was rather average height, if not almost on the short side, with wide shoulder and biceps pressing against his shirt's seams, telling their story of countless hours in the gym or some other training. His eyes also had their own story to tell. Eliot was more than muscle. My Slayer felt a kindred spirit in him. Here was a warrior, who had known war, not against demons and vampires, but against a much uglier monster than she had to face - man. Here's hoping I get the chance to work with him and learn how he's survived so long. I find it hard at times doing what I do, even knowing that what I kill are soulless creatures from Hell. It doesn't stop me from remembering their faces, their human faces.

"And, you've already met, Hardison," Nathan said with a mischievous smile.

I turned to my neighbor and put out my hand, with puppy eyes in full effect. "Forgive me?"

"That's not fair, Nathan, tell her that's not fair," Hardison protested as he tried to glare at me. I let me lower lip quiver ever so slightly, not pulling out my pout, yet. "Awe, girl, you just startled me."

I sent him my brightest smile. "Friends?"

He wrapped his large hands around my much smaller one. "Friends." We shared smiles. A clearing throat interrupted our bonding. Well, three down, two to go. Not too bad for roughly ten minutes work, yeah, for the Summers' charm.

I knew Eliot had reservations about me. He knew there was something more to me. Like knows like. I had to show him I wasn't a threat to his team. Father Paul told me he had convinced Nathan to hear my case, but Nathan was no pushover. He might like to act as if they worked as a team, but he was the real power player here, and the team followed his lead - period. He wanted to help people on his quest to heal some deeper pain, right wrongs created by Big Brother for some reason only he and his close friends knew about. It didn't mean he took just any case. I imagined he was the harder sell than the others were, although they might disagree with me. He might take the case first, but I had the feeling he was like me in the respect that he would pull out without hesitation if it in anyway endangered his team. I couldn't help but smile at the simile. Nathan was the male, human me and I had just met his Scoobies.

Nathan looked at me before he turned back to the media screens still filled with data. He stared at them as if he was trying to move the numbers and pictures into something more tangible. His head tilted to the side as he took in his team then he turned those baby blues back on me. I have to admit they had the same affect as Giles' patented stares whenever he caught me painting my nails rather than researching.

"Miss Summers," he said then smiled to put me at ease. He was good, did I mention that before? "Would you mind telling us your story? Father Paul only told me the bare minimum, and Hardison's just gave us a brief overview of your Watcher's Council."

I had to sink my nails into my hand to keep from laughing when Hardison started muttering under his breath next to me exactly how brief his overview had been. If you considered a whole lotta not much an overview. Here goes nothing. I just hoped they'd believe my balancing act between the truth and what would keep them safe.

"I'll try to explain this, the best I can. To tell you the truth, it's still confusing to me at times," I said, returning his smile with one of my own.

Everything came rushing at me all at once and I found myself unable to sit any longer. Practically exploding from my seat, my feet started prowling across the room, measuring distances from door to window to table as I unconsciously noted the possible weapons at my disposal. If I wanted their help, I had to give them a peek into my life. They couldn't know about the Slayer. She remained ready to emerge if I needed her, but was strangely quiet and calm. The best I could do was show them me, the real me - Buffy, the one I hid from my friends and family, so they wouldn't know how much this duty I carry cost me.

The voice escaping from my lips came from that hidden place. My eyes stayed focused on the floor as I tried to find the words to explain my life.

"Imagine finding yourself in the middle of something bigger than you, and it leaves you unsure who to turn to, who you can trust. Someone to explain how this could come about, and why on Earth it had to be you. One day your life is normal and the next it's spiraling out of control. Men, who don't know you and frankly don't care to, somehow have your entire future in their grasp and you're too young or too naïve at first to understand that you can do anything about it. Those faceless men send you teachers to help you, and you think they must care about what's best for you, only to learn they consider you their property, to follow their rules or suffer the consequences. You want to do what's right without losing who you are and the Council doesn't like that, not one little bit."

My throat closed and I wasn't sure whether I could continue. Closing my eyes, I took several slow breaths before opening them again. My steps took me back toward the window, and I looked out at the older districts of Chicago.

"They started out as teachers, researchers and even bodyguards for my distant ancestor. My ancestor had talents she used to help others in those chaotic times. I think it started to change for the worse as women lost their rights as time progressed then everything went south with the Spanish Inquisition. The Council stepped forward and took over to protect my ancestor's heirs and they've remained in control to this day. With untold and near limitless resources, their ancestors and recruits have tracked my ancestor's bloodline throughout the years and ensured the Sineya's heirs learned how to handle whatever gifts they had received. Somewhere along the way, they lost sight of their calling and became corrupt and power driven. Not long ago, the Council refused to help cure someone close to me because they considered him a distraction. So, they simply wrote him off as collateral damage and he nearly died. Fortunately, he didn't, but I cut all ties with them, and told them to leave me and mine alone. They seemed relieved, or so I thought."

I turned around to see whether I had lost them. Their expressions ranged from compassion to shock. The only person who hid his feelings was Eliot. I could tell my story was nothing new to him. He had seen worse and in an up close and personal way, the others hadn't. I'm not sure his team knew about the ghosts haunting his past. I had caught the barest hint hidden deep in his eyes. They called to me because they reminded me of my own, whenever I looked in the mirror and saw the ghosts of the ones I carried with me, present there in my mind and heart. Watching these people left me feeling rather schizophrenic; each one represented an aspect of me. Oh well, once again, in for a penny in for a pound.

"My family spent their lives protecting various articles from falling into the wrong hands. The Council's purpose was to ensure we continued what my ancestress started by providing resources, protection and guidance as needed. I'm unclear on the full picture about her gifts. From what I've learned these past few years, none of her heirs has ever inherited all of them." I took a cleansing breath to clear my thoughts as memories from the enjoining spell rushed forward. The sheer power at my control was indescribable. I still had dreams about it, and the First Slayer dropped into them from time to time. Shaking my head to clear it from the distracting images, I continued, "That's another way the Watchers maintained their power - knowledge. They had it and we didn't. It's what ultimately led me here. They'd come down from their ivory towers to share information, for a price. It dawned on me recently that they had no purpose without me, which allowed me to turn the tables on them. I demanded what I needed from them, which they reluctantly gave me before I sent them back to England with their tales between their legs, or so I thought, until I found this."

My hand shook as I reached into the inner pocket of my jacket; merely touching the hated letter had my fingers wanting to clench around it, to tear it to pieces and obliterate the words written there as if it would somehow reset time and return my mother to me. My feet once again moved without conscious thought as they carried my body on autopilot back to the table. I forced my fingers to release the fragile paper and let it float down onto the table. It didn't surprise me to see Sophie reach for it first. I was turning around and back across the room as far away from the seemingly benign letter in less than the blink of an eye.

Their stealth was impressive. Parker slipped from her chair to stand directly behind Sophie; no doubt reading over her shoulder. Eliot swerved his chair by roughly fifteen degrees, which enabled him to read my body language and warn the others, if need be, when I was about to turn around, while he viewed the document. Hardison stayed in place. As they finished, he leaned forward to make a swiping motion, before quickly leaning back to resume his previous position. I'm assuming he scanned the document to work his hacker mojo on its legitimacy. Nathan remained perfectly still. I could only assume he was waiting for some signal from his team, or for Hardison to flash something on his magic media wall before he did or said anything.

Any fool who came here intent on scamming these people was just that a fool. My mother, I closed my eyes, as her beautiful face stood out clear in my mind, didn't raise no fool, although at times I had acted like one.

Unable to stand still, I turned on my heel, to prowl the room once more. I passed by the media screens. An uncontrollable impulse had me waving at the images as if I could I scatter them, sending them back into the nameless black where they belonged. My audience remained silent, mesmerized by my disturbing tale. I admit it was rather Steven King-ish, even without the supernatural elements.

I drifted back over to the table. Whether it was the charged emotions filling the room, the retelling of my past or simply my Slayer sensing another alpha, I felt completely attuned to Elliot's slightest movement. Danger could come from anyone here - him most definitely. They each had different skill sets. Something warned me not to corner them, even the ever so charming Sophie. These people had done whatever they needed to in order to survive and thrive, which brought them here to me. Now came the hard part, convincing them to take me on as a temporary team member. I needed help, and after meeting them, I had no doubt they were exactly who I needed to bring down the Council. It simple wouldn't work without me, though. There were dozens of reasons why, but it all came down to one - they had messed with my family. Every undead and demon-type on the Hellmouth and beyond knew my rule. You want a slow and very painful death, step over the line I've drawn around my loved ones and I'll happily oblige.

"I know it's a lot to take in and probably isn't the normal type of case you're used to handling. What I need to know is whether you think you can help, and more importantly, will you?"

Nathan cut his eyes over to Sophie, while Parker glanced from Eliot to Hardison then completed the circuit back to Sophie. The men did that strange zone out thing where they act as if they aren't looking at each other. They stared into the media screens, and straight into each others eyes, while Sophie and Parker did simultaneous eye rolls. It was like watching hot potato with no sound, and well, no potato, just the idea I had tossed out for their consideration and the freaky empathic way they bounced it around between them.

"Exactly, how would this work? Hardison couldn't find much on the Council, and he's if not the best then he's damn close. He found their bank accounts in England, but wasn't able to get much further and that's not much to go on," Parker asked, looking from Hardison to Buffy, ignoring the hacker's outburst at her near-insult.

Parker had nothing on Anya. She kept her conversations to the brutal truth, and thankfully didn't talk about her sex life. Willow had uncovered the Council's true worth with some magic induced hacking, and wondered how far Hardison got with his impressive skills.

"Just out of curiosity, what does it say they're worth?"

Hardison's fingers flew across his keyboard, filling the media screens with data. He hit another key and an outrageously large number flashed across the middle screen. The smile he flashed my way was infectious and I couldn't help but return it. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to last too long with what I was about to tell him. It was however the perfect opening and sound reasoning for why they should allow me to become a temporary member of the team.

"Hate to burst your bubble there Hacker Boy, BUT…the Council's worth roughly about four times that much and that's not counting the ancient and priceless books and baubles they routinely acquire. I'm not exactly sure how much priceless is worth. Guess when you add it all together the puts them up there in the quadrillionaire's club."

I waited for them to absorb that tasty little tidbit of information. Their faces were priceless. They had no idea what I said at first. Parker figured it out first by using her fingers. She held them up proudly like a little girl who had just learned how to count. She displayed them proudly around the table until her team caught on and en masse turned to me. I nodded my head in confirmation.

"Let me get this straight, you're saying this Council of yours is worth not billions, not trillions, but what did you call it…quadrillions? What, the heck, is that? Is that even a number? And how could they even hide that much money without me finding? There's no way, I would have found it," Hardison said, shaking his head at what he had heard.

"Not if they had the Bank of London helping them. You have to understand how this works, how they work and have done so for years - centuries even. The Council works in secret with the help of England and Europe's most prestigious families, and with the full knowledge of those close to the Royal Family, though not necessarily the Queen herself. It's rumored that any heirs within the aristocracy "heirs" somehow managed to slip through the cracks." I raised an eyebrow, ala Spike, and left it for them to come to their own conclusions. "The Council never forgets anything or allows those they regard as theirs to stray too far from their reach. You can rest assured they use their influence to stay well under the radar. Money is power and they have lots to swing around when they need it. That's why I need you to help me take it away from them. To hit them where it hurts the most and I know exactly where that is, that's why I need you to go to London to help me do this."

Wait for it. Here it comes. Eek, I knew it wasn't what they expected, and they weren't pleased as punch; but damn, I didn't think they would hate it that much.

Chaos suddenly erupted as everyone objected simultaneously, with Nathan finally taking the floor.

"Miss Summers, Buffy, I think Father Paul must not have clearly explained to you the how this works. We work as a team to apply the right amount of leverage; if you will, against the people who wronged you, and then help you get back what you need. That's what we do," he stated, indicating himself and his team. "You however are not part of the equation," Nathan explained, sending me his best sincere and understanding smile, dimples and all.

Sophie started to speak, no doubt to try to smooth over the situation. With that said, I decided I had to go for broke and pull out all the stops. My lower lip went out just a touch as I allowed my mind to fill with thoughts of Mom and Dawn. Tears pricked my eyes when I raised them up to Nathan's.

"I know you don't normally allow the people you help to participate, but please you have to understand," I stopped to swallow back the tears clogging my throat. "These people have controlled my life for the past five years, and when I think I finally have the control, I learn they're responsible for my mother's death. They allowed her to die so they could regain control of my life. I have to help if for no other reason than to show them they haven't won. I can't, I won't allow them to continue ruining people's lives and if I'm not there when they fall, then it won't have the impact it should. Please, you have to understand I have to be there to face them or I'll never have a moment's peace."

Nathan stared into my face and I couldn't help but feel that somehow he knew how I felt. He had been where I am now, only he hadn't had the chance to exact his revenge on the people responsible for the sorrow and anger I saw sparked deep in his eyes, yet. He nodded his head and I couldn't stop myself from rushing over to hug him. I must have used a little too much pressure after all the emotional stuff the Slayer must've peeked out just a little, because he let out a loud 'oomph.' I quickly let go and stepped back then went into babble-mode thanking him and the team, talking about everything I needed to do before leaving for England and practically ran from the room.

I left the doors open as I left, pausing in the hallway, pretending to catch my breath should anyone look. Closing my eyes to complete the picture, I took long, slow breaths as I listened to what my new team had to say about me. Yes, it was sneaky but how else am I going to know.

Nathan's wingtips squeaked as he paced the conference room. It wasn't a sound ordinary hearing could pick up, but my Slayer hearing kept track of him as he circled the large table, stopping and starting only to start his circuit again. The others kept quiet as they watched. The only sound coming from their directions was the movement of their chairs as they followed him around the room. I hoped someone would speak up soon; otherwise, I'd have to move along or it would start to look suspicious. Luck, for once, was on my side and he started talking.

"Okay, this is going to take more legwork than we're used to, since Hardison's usual skills can't get us what we need," he had to pause for the loud shout from the aforementioned party, "as I was saying, there's going to be major legwork involved, if we're going to come up with and then pull off something workable. We know from experience the best plans are simply, fast and as straightforward as we can make them. Unfortunately, this case already has several factors against it from the start. One, we've agreed to allow the client to be part of the con."

I could see him in my mind, holding his hands up to stop them from interrupting him, while he leveled those baby blues at them, begging them to allow him to continue. He and Father Paul must have gone to the same school or something, maybe they practiced in the mirror, because they both had the ability to glance at you with their amazing eyes and suddenly your mouth shut, and you found yourself listening to what they had to say. I'm sure Nathan's team was biting their lips at this very moment.

"Before you bite my head off about that, could you, any of you, have told her no?" There was a heavy pause before he continued. "I didn't think so. We'll just have to figure out a way to work with her. If she turns out to be a liability to the team or the con, we'll figure out somewhere to put her while we finish up and worry about the consequences later. "

That didn't sound good, but I understood. He wasn't about to let me put them in danger. I couldn't fault him for that. I silently padded down the hallway and eased open the office door, leaving them to their plan making.

My hand slipped into my purse to pull out my phone as I exited the building. My dad picked up after the first ring. His deep voice coming over the line soothed the little girl hidden deep inside my psyche.

"Daddy, can you get free for lunch? I'm down in the Lake District and can meet you somewhere." I bit my lip then added. "It's important, Daddy."

"Baby, are you in trouble? Did something happen?" his asked as panic filled his voice.

"I'm okay. Calm down. I'll explain over lunch. Can you get away?"

"I'll meet you at Gage's Tavern. It's not too far from where you are, and the traffic won't be so bad coming from that direction. I'll see you there in about 30 minutes or so. If you get there before me, go ahead and get us a table and I'll be there as quickly as I can." I heard him about to hang up when he paused. "Buffy, I love you, princess, take care."

"I love you too, Daddy."

I couldn't stop myself from smiling like it was my birthday or Christmas morning. The relationship between my father and I had been such an important part of my earlier life, that when it was suddenly gone part of me stopped trusting people in general. The situations that came after only reinforced my attitude although I mostly kept it private. Even Giles, and especially after the fiasco of my eighteenth birthday, though he assumed he had slowly won back my trust. To a certain point, he was right, but only where it pertained to slaying, not about my personal life or my true feelings. The list continued, add nausea, leading in a circular path back to my father. My mother, although she hurt me horribly when she threw me out, was the only one who I had trusted whole-heartedly. She never abandoned me and put my heart and health before her own. I hoped should I live long enough to have a child I can do the same.

Practically skipping across the pavement to the curb, I curled my tongue upward and let loose with a most impressive whistle. It brought the desired effect when the yellow taxi came screeching up to me and I hoped inside to give him my desired address. Even my Slayer had a happy because she sat back without even so much as a one little twitch the entire ride. That should have sent off alarms, warning me of things to come, but for just this one solitary afternoon, I chose to ignore it and simply enjoy the ride.

Lunch with my father didn't go the way I had hoped. To put it mildly, it was a digestion disaster from start to finish. The place we went to was a quaint tavern-like pub that served anything from burgers to high-end menu selections. I followed the hostess to a nice corner booth where I could see the entire restaurant, each exit and any possible avenues for attacks. It was habit, an in-bred Slayer instinct that came as easy to me as breathing.

He showed up not too long after I did, and we quickly ordered the house special. My father didn't take the news that I was not only leaving Chicago, but the country. It didn't sit too well with him that I was flying over to London to visit with my friends who were undergoing a difficult time. He thought I wasn't in any condition to provide someone else support with everything I was going through in my own life. It wasn't that he wasn't right, it was just that it was the only feasible excuse I could come up with that would keep him from taking off work and traveling with me. He actually offered to do just that, but I had to explain about the retreat where Tara and Willow were studying was a women's only facility. It wasn't like I could tell him it was a coven of very powerful witches who were trying to stitch Tara's aura back together and train Willow how to handle her addictive personality about her innate magical abilities. I had no desire to tell him about my life as the Slayer or bring up the fact that without those 'friends' his daughter wouldn't have survived past the age of sixteen. He thought my leaving was to punish him for the past and there was nothing I could do, other than stay, to persuade him differently. Why did it always come down to me having to chose between a normal life and duty, what I want and what I know I need to do? Yes, I know what I'm doing is about wanting to take down the Council; I'm not kidding myself about it. I also know if I let this go they'll come back, and the next time it might be Giles, or Willow, or Xander or my Dad they may feel need eliminating to keep my focus on the job at hand.

So, here I sit, packing my things while he ignores me and sulks in the other room. Nathan called me not long ago to let me know he had arranged for us to fly out later tonight. It was great news and not so great news. I thought I'd have a few days to get ready and help my dad get used to the idea of me leaving. What, the heck, was I thinking? How could this possibly go smoothly? When had anything ever been easy or gone the way I wanted. Other than my SATs and Willow staying in Sunnydale for college, can we say almost NEVER!

I went to tell my father goodbye and he barely acknowledged me. My heart felt heavy, as if it weighed twice its normal size. Why couldn't he understand, I wasn't his little girl anymore and this wasn't about him? I had to hope when this was over that we could continue to repair our relationship, if not then I had lived without him the past few years and I could learn to do so again. I leaned down to press a soft kiss against his cheek, hoping he'd at least see me to the door. He stared at me with those intense blue eyes, Dawn's eyes, and didn't say a word.

"I'll see you when I get back, Daddy," I said, with a sigh, "that is if you're still interested in being my father. I'm sorry you're upset about me leaving, but you're going to have to understand I'm not your little girl anymore, and haven't been for a very long time. I'll call you before I'm ready to return to the States. If you're still mad at me, then I'll just head back home to Sunnydale."

My shoulders slumped when he just sat there in complete silence. I was almost to the front door when he pulled me back around and into his warm embrace. He pressed soft kisses against the top of my head, the same way he did when I was a little girl, telling me they were my princess crown. I melted into his arms.

"I'm sorry, princess. It's just that I finally got you back in my life and wasn't ready to let you go again. Forgive your stubborn old dad?"

His deep voice rumbled against my ear. I had to hiccup back the sob that clogged my throat. My arms wrapped around his waist and I breathed the spicy scent of his cologne. I captured this memory in my mind so I could replay it in the days and nights to come. Reluctantly, I pulled away, tilting my head back to look up at him.

"I'll miss you, Daddy. Promise to call when I can and to come back as soon as I know everything is okay."

He squeezed my shoulder as I turned to go and I knew we were going to be okay. The rest of my bags were already downstairs where the doorman was waiting patiently for my arrival before he waved down the next available taxi. I sent him a grateful smile. He was really a sweet man who had taken me under his wing from my first day here.

"Thanks, Ted," I said, when he stepped forward to take the large carry-on I carried. "Dad's not taking my going on this trip too well. So, I'm depending on you to watch out for him, while I'm gone."

Ted's round, merry face spread into a knowing grin and his bright eyes twinkled as he said, "I'll be sure to do just that, Miss Buffy. You make sure you don't stay away too long."

He gestured for the taxi, and when it pulled up, he bowed to me with the utmost grace and respect before opening my door and escorting me into the seat. We usually didn't act so formal, but every so often Ted enjoyed the flamboyant theatrics involved in his duties and I enjoyed the happiness it gave him. I snuggled into the seat, doing some deep breathing to try to settle my Slayer.

The extremely long trip to London was going to be interesting. Thankfully, Nathan had acquired a private plane; acquired; I liked that word. It's cool and I planned to use it every change I got. Anyhoo, he went out and got a plane. Wonder if it's so we can come and go quickly. There was something to be said for fast get aways.

PREV NEXT

Menu

Leveraging the Council ~ 2 [PG]