chapterone

Giles sighed as they pulled up into Watcher Central’s driveway. The well-groomed lawns mocked him in their organizational appeal. His life had been anything but organized as of late. He was lucky to be returning to Watcher Central with his Slayer alive, unlike so many that had went into the Demon Lord Battle. But his Slayer was in the arms of Angel. This could get sticky. Real sticky.

Giles knew deep down that it was one thing for Angel to attend The Lady Tirla and not be known as a vampire to the general Watcher populous. It was quite another for Slayer Prime to return to Watcher Central with The Cucularaine as her consort. He knew only the Watcher Council knew he was coming to central with her. The average member of the Watcher’s Central had no idea that the man with the Slayer Prime was the infamous Angelus. He prayed it would go well.

“Welcome to Watcher Central. Enter if you are able.” The prim and proper English Butler addressed the motley crew on the doorstep as he opened the door for the Slayerettes. Xander, Giles and Willow carried in the luggage while Angel carried in Buffy.

Angel carried her gently, holding her firmly but with great care. She was pale, her normally slim body weak and frail, her recent trials etched into her face. She seemed asleep against his broad chest. Buffy awoke from her dozing slumber upon entering the hallway in disorientation and confusion. Feeling Angel's strong arms supporting her, she relaxed.

An older man in a dapper suit and gray streaked hair came up to them, his attention focused on Buffy, and with a smile that Angel just didn't like too much. “Ah Rupert Giles, this beautiful woman must be our Slayer Prime?” He knew the answer and he took Buffy’s hand and kissed it with a flourish, which made Angel bristle.

“Ah Yes, Buffy Summers-Boyle May I introduce Sir Randolph Scott, chairman of the Watcher Council. He was away on business when you were last here. Sir Scott, meet My Slayer, Slayer Prime.” Giles was all business but his uncomfortableness with the man set Angel’s teeth on edge and his defenses up. It was unlike Giles to dislike without a damned good reason. Buffy smiled at the hyphenation of their names. She liked it.

“And you sir?” Sir Randolph Scott turned to Angel, while sticking his hand out to be shaken even while Angel’s arms were full of Slayer.

Angel stuck his right hand out while holding Buffy securely. “Angelus Boyle, Slayer Prime’s Consort.” Giles almost choked as Angel gave his full birth name, every watcher knew it now, after the battle. Angel allowed Scott to take his hand; his cool one to Scott’s warm one. Angel gave him one of his friendliest lopsided smiles that Giles recognized was straight from Angelus.

Scott smiled in return until it dawned on him just what Slayer Prime’s consort was! All too late he remembered the prophecy and the reality. The man paled visibly and looked down at the cold hand in his. Fear, which was closer to raw terror, crossed his face as he dropped Angel's hand suddenly. “Uuuggghhhhh” Was all Scott could utter… This was Angelus!

Giles took the moment to push past the awe struck Scott and enter Watcher Central. Scott recovered and waived to a young woman who just walked up to the group. “Jody will be your assistant while you are here. If you need anything she will obtain it for you.” he stepped back as he waived the young woman forward. All too willing to be away from Angelus

Jody Smith stepped forward somewhat hesitant. The responsibility and honor given her to assist the Slayer Prime group awed her. This was Slayer Prime! The general watcher rank and file about the mysterious Prime knew little other than she had been severely injured in the Demon Lord Battle. She was the stuff of legends not yet told.

Even now she survived when all but one other died and her support people carried her and met her personal needs. Jody looked at the near mythical Slayer. She was pale and drawn, appearing very tired and weak. The tall dark handsome man holding her held her with such grace and care.

“This way.” She led them up the long sweeping fine wood staircase to the second floor. Jody unthinkingly set a quick pace out of habit, as was appropriate for a lowly watcher in training. When she realized what she had done, she turned in apology to find that the man carrying the slayer had climbed the stairs with his burden without apparent effort or even breathing hard. He had carried her briskly up the stairs without even breaking a sweat. She was shocked that he had climbed the stairs with ease, while Willow and Xander and the butler had worked much harder with the luggage.

Giles had been separated from the rest as they settled into their rooms and led into the councils meeting room with the door shut. He knew now was when he would be called on the carpet for the audacity of brining Angelus the Scourge of Europe into Watcher Central

“Have you lost your mind?” The head of the council rounded on Giles behind the closed doors. “You actually brought the Cucularaine HERE?” Sir Randall Scot voice was tight with fear and outrage. His fear and terror was plain in his face.

Giles knew the needs of his Slayer and stood firm. “Yes, he goes where Slayer Prime goes. Send him away, and she will leave also.” Giles looked around the room with a ripper-like challenge to his gaze. They saw he felt it was true if nothing else.

“Mr. Giles. Now that the Armageddon Battle is over, we cannot condone Slayer Prime continued dalliance with the Cucularaine.” Mrs. Barnsworth told him primly. Her sense of proprietary was grossly insulted by the Cucularaine's presence as consort to Slayer Prime, as much as the fact he was a vampire.

Giles snorted looking around the council who ruled the slayers. Their adherence to old way and antiquated paths was as much to blame for the deaths of the Slayers as the demons who killed them. “This isn’t some far away Prophecy read in dusty old books. She loves him and he loves her. Believe me, they will only be separated by death!” Giles glared around the council members seated at their table. “Mark my words. Give her an ultimatum against him, and you will lose your control and interaction with this Slayer forever. Where she goes, he goes, and vice versa.” He stared them down noticing how they dropped their eyes at his gaze. Ripper Giles was well known to these people. Buffy needed Angel, and for that reason and that reason alone, he was willing to face down the Council.

“We will need to confer.” The woman snapped crisply in reply. “Do not discuss this with anyone outside of this room.” Giles nodded his compliance to the obvious restriction. The impromptu council meeting was obviously ended and they started to go about their business. Leaving him with his thoughts as to how the star-crossed lovers would fair in the center of the Watcher community.

As they dispersed a tall dark haired heavily built man walked up to Giles. “You’re a failure Rupert. I don’t know how in bloody hell you ended up with Slayer Prime. You’re a failure and a gross disappointment.” He snarled low under his breath at Giles as he walked by.

Giles glared his hatred after his verbal abuser. He had sustained much abuse from this man over the years and none of it sat well with him. Giles had always hated this man who was the bane of his existence, his father.