The Paladin Project 16 – It Started With A Kiss
“I’ve had enough of waiting. It’s time we hit the First good and hard.”
“Xander,” Giles spoke up, “I appreciate your impatience but translating arcane languages is a laborious process and cannot -.”
“I know that G-Man,” Xander interrupted, “but no matter what we do on patrol the numbers of Ubers are increasing. We have to knock the First back on its ugly ass.”
Giles opened his mouth to retort but Angel beat the Watcher to the punch. “What do you suggest?”
“I agree with Buffy there’s something valuable in the vineyard-.”
“As I recall you were quite vociferous in your disdain for Buffy’s strategy to raid the vineyard.”
Xander took a second to translate Giles speak into proper English before replying. “I thought her plan sucked but she could be right about something being at the vineyard that the First values. What we need is a proper plan.”
“Hate to break it to you Xand but there
is no way I’m dressing as an Avon lady to act as a decoy.”
“Damn another of my fantasies gone,” Xander winked at a grinning Faith. He was glad that their relationship was back on a more even keel but hated himself for the way he’d allowed himself to be manipulated into hurting her. “I’ll just have to stick to the nurse and cheerleader ones.”
“Yes quite,” Giles looked like he
couldn’t have any less interest in the turn the conversation had taken. “And
the plan?”
“A small team, myself, Faith, Angel, Blade, and Draven break into the building. Not a full-frontal attack just an infiltration.”
“That’s it?” O’Neill broke in, his expression incredulous. “That’s your great plan?”
“Marshall’s hacked into city hall
computers and got the vineyard blueprints, there’s a couple of entrances we can
use.” Xander grinned. “Just be grateful I’m not a soldier Pops. With my flair
for tactical genius I’d soon be your superior.”
“Indeed,” Teal’c nodded.
“Hey!”
“He has a point sir,” a straight-faced Carter broke in.
O’Neill let out a long-suffering sigh before shooting both Carter and Teal’c glares. “Teal’c, how could you develop a sense of humour right now?”
“Who says he has?” Giles put in. “After all as Major Carter said, Xander does have a point. The U.S. army are adequate, but they’re not exactly British.”
* * *
“You seem pre-occupied Wesley.”
The Englishman started at her entrance and looked up from the notes he’d been examining. “Oh hello Lad-, Lara,” the Watcher corrected. “I was a million miles away.”
“Perhaps not a million,” she softly corrected. “Perhaps just at a vineyard a few miles away.”
Her fellow demon-hunter smiled self-consciously. “You have me,” he admitted with a nod. “I was thinking about Angel and the others.”
“Rather more about Faith I suspect,”
Lara took a breath, she couldn’t believe how nervous Wesley made her. “You have
strong feelings for her.”
Her heart dropped as her suspicions were confirmed by the Englishman’s
nod. “Yes I do. When I first came to Sunnydale she was so wild, high-spirited,
and full of energy. As her Watcher I should have harnessed those attributes and
helped her fulfil her potential. Instead I pushed her into the clutches of a
dark arts mage.” The Watcher’s eyes shadowed. “My lack of understanding cost
her eight months in a coma, and three years in prison. My tenure as Faith’s
Watcher is my greatest failure. I’d give my life without a second thought if it
would repair some of the damage my stupidity caused her.”
For a second Lara just stood staring at the Englishman, rocked by the intensity in his words. “You really feel accountable for her don’t you?”
“I was her Watcher Lara,” Wesley replied, his face etched with weariness and sorrow. “And I failed her terribly.”
“Faith has to claim some responsibility for what happened,” Lara countered.
“Does she?” Wesley shook his head. “I wish I could see it that way but she was an ill-educated child from a nightmarish background with a power she didn’t understand just attempting to do the right thing, trying to prove everybody who’d told her she was worthless wrong. I should have followed Mr. Giles’ example with Miss Summers, been her friend and counsellor. Instead I treated her as little more than a tool.”
Lara decided a change in subject was in order. “But your feelings towards her are parental but nothing more?”
”Well I’m hardly old enough to be her parent,” the Englishman huffed, good lord
he was so cute when he did that, “but yes.”
“Good,” taking a breath she stepped forward, cupped the man’s face in her hands and lowered his face to his, pressing her lips to his, gently at first but slowly increasing the pressure even as she stroked his neck. At first the shocked Watcher tensed but then relaxed into the kiss, his arms wrapping around her waist, stroking at her lower back. Lara slid her tongue into the man’s eagerly waiting mouth, stabbing teasingly at his tongue before wrapping her own around his. After pulling away she smiled at the bemused man. “That wasn’t too bad at all.”
“Miss, Lady, Lara!” Wesley spluttered. “That was hardly proper!”
“Why not?” her even tone masked her inner nervousness.
“You’re a Croft, a member of one of the most renowned and esteemed families in England. While I’m merely a -.”
“I hate to break to you Toto, but we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto,” she retorted, “and even if we were I’ve never cared about status. I care about a man’s heart and mind, two areas in which you give me no cause for complaint. The only question Mr. Whyndham-Pryce,” she reached out to caress the bemused man’s cheek. “Is how you feel about me?”
Wesley’s mouth opened and shut three times before he finally spoke, a slight grin parting his lips. “I’m not quite sure Lady Croft,” the Englishman paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’ll have to experience another kiss before I come to a firm decision.”
“Oh well, in that case,” Lara stepped towards the rogue demon hunter and smiled. “I’ll have to make this one really special.”
“I can hardly wait.”
* * *
Xander stared at the building a few hundred feet away and shuddered. Somehow, in some way the building gave off an almost tangible aura of pure evil, chilling in its intensity. And he was going to walk in there with no idea of what lay in wait. “Harris, I swear you’re an idiot,” he muttered.
“I’d say that was the majority view.”
He glanced at the lithe figure beside him. “Who made you my morale officer Faith?”
The Slayer grinned. “That’s what I do best raising guy’s morale,” the brunette winked. “Amongst other things.”
Xander shook his head. “Yeah I remember.”
“What do you think’s inside?” Faith’s voice had turned serious.
“Haven’t got a clue,” he admitted.
“So we’re going into a place where we’ve already got our asses kicked with no idea what we’re looking for?”
“Yep.” Xander confirmed.
“Just checking.” The Bostonian shook her head. “Jeez Xand -.”
“In my experience vampires, demons, whatever are pretty stupid. If they’ve got a power source or a weakness they like to keep it close, makes them feel more secure.”
“I guess,” Faith still sounded less than convinced. “But last time we tried anything we got our asses kick-.”
“Correction,” he interrupted. “Last time Buffy tried anything you got your asses kicked. Piss-poor preparation equals piss-poor performance. I’m surprised you and Giles let her lead you into such an obvious trap.”
“Hey!” now the Slayer sounded defensive. “It wasn’t like she listened to anybody other than Bleach-Job and maybe Red when she wanted her ego stroked.”
“Fair nuff,” Xand rose from his crouched position, “so we ready?”
“Not quite.”
Noting the nervousness in his companion’s voice he turned to face her. “What’s up Fa-.”
He was surprised when the raven-haired beauty snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her, lowering his head to hers. “Relax Xan,” the Slayer muttered. “Just go with it.” The woman’s right hand began stroking his neck and running her other hand through his hair. He felt the girl’s lips press against his, gently at first but gradually cranking up the intensity.
After a few shocked seconds he started to get into it, wrapping his arms around the girl’s tiny waist he pulled her against him, loving the feel of her soft curves against him and savouring her scent in his hyena-enhanced nostrils. The Bostonian slowly slid her wonderfully moist tongue across the length of his bottom lip before turning his attention to the top one. Next she eased her tongue into his mouth, lightly stroking his tongue against hers. That accomplished the brunette pulled away, an almost frightened look on her face. “Faith I-.”
“No Xand,” the east coast Slayer shook her head before placing a trembling finger across his open mouth, “don’t say anything. I know you don’t feel the same way I do, and that’s five by five. I just wanted to kiss you one last time, show ya I could be gentle that I wasn’t all just lust and passion.” The Slayer’s voice shook slightly as she hurried past him. “We gonna kick the First’s ass or what?”
Xander stared at the brunette’s shapely behind for a moment before shaking his head clear. “Oh great, just great,” he muttered. Not only was he leading a small army of warriors against the evil that predated all other evil, a reformed murderess who’d once tried to kill him was now crazy about him. And after that kiss… He shook his head again. “Stick to the demon-hunting, it’s simpler. Less hazardous too.”
The Paladin Project 17 – Birthright
Faith stared at her companion, her heart thundering with passion. “Fuck,” she muttered under her breath. “What have I done?” She couldn’t believe that she’d flung herself at Xander like that. It had been a while since she got some, hell, if she thought about it the last time she got to do the beast with two backs was probably Xander. But she never chased guys; she waited for them to come to her. She wasn’t some desperate bookworm; she was Faith, the hottest of the hot. If Xan didn’t want her, fuck him, she could have anybody – that Wood had been giving her looks, he was too old really, he had to be 35 at least, but still.
Except she didn’t want anybody, she wanted him. “Concentrate girl,” she muttered. “Not paying attention could get you killed quicker than a heart attack.”
Faith glanced around her surroundings, resisting the urge to shudder at the stygian shadows jumping around her and her companion, the darkness’ movement prompted by the leaping flames in the wall-mounted torches. “So where we heading Xander?” she was proud how steady her voice remained, giving no hint to her inner pain.
“According to the plans there’s meant to be a trapdoor in the ground floor,” her fellow demon hunter replied.
Xand seemed distracted, ‘course it probably wasn’t every day he got grabbed by a babe who’d once tried to kill him but had now developed a stalker fetish. If she was in his position she’d probably be fucking terrified too. “What we looking for?”
“I don’t know exactly,” her partner replied, his voice a murmur. “A weapon, a book, or a spell maybe.”
“Just as long as you’ve got a clear idea,” Faith muttered before slightly raising her voice, “and the others?”
“They’re clearing the upper levels, making sure we’re not disturbed and that if we need back-up we’ve got it.”
Faith refrained from shaking her head. The scheme had kinda of an ad hoc feel to it but it wasn’t like they knew enough or had time to make a better one. “Let’s get it done.”
* * *
They made their way down to the trapdoor indicated on the blueprints, unhindered by any security. Xander took a breath, this was it. He hadn’t a clue what lay beneath. He didn’t know if there was anything down there, or if the First was just sitting, waiting, for them. “One way to find out,” he muttered. Xander glanced across at Faith’s taut face. “You ready?” he whispered.
Faith nodded, her cockiness not entirely concealing her nervousness. “You know me Xman, I was born ready.”
“Here goes.” Grabbing the trapdoor he pulled it open, gasping in relief when the half-expected demon didn’t burst out and attack them. Looking down he saw a runway leading into the basement and little more. Swallowing nervously he stepped down on the runway, followed by the raven-haired Slayer, and strode down, glancing left and right into the inky darkness surrounding them. “What I want to know,” Xander half-jumped at Faith’s whispered voice in his ear, “is why we never run into any super-villains living in penthouses.”
“Met a couple,” he replied, his voice
hoarse with tension. “Although they were human. It’s only the demons and vamps
who go into the underground dwelling minus interior decorating look.”
“Good to know.” Faith suddenly gasped. “What the fuck is that!”
“That’s power, that’s what that is,” he replied, his body crying out at the sight before him. “Can’t you sense it?”
At the far end of the cellar there stood a black wooden plinth upon which there stood a huge granite rock with a gleaming halberd sticking out of it, the light emitted by it illuminating the area surrounding the weapon. Xander stared at the armament, enthralled by the aura he felt surrounded it, pulling at his being. “Xand,” he started at the brunette’s hand on his arm. Turning he looked down into the Slayer’s concerned eyes. “Xman you zoned out for a while there. You five by five?”
Xander forced a smile. “I’m fine Faith. It’s just the halberd.”
His companion’s concern changed to puzzlement. “What about it?” Faith’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not getting a bad vibe from it are you?”
Still distracted it took him a few seconds to answer. “No.” Quite the opposite in fact, it felt as if his veins were pumping with energy and his senses were somehow more attuned than they’d ever been before. He had to get his hands on it.
Heart pounding, he started down the runway only to stop as a troubling thought hit him. What if like Tolkien’s ring, the weapon was evil? Xander swallowed, given that the halberd was being held by a creature of supreme malevolence it was far from impossible – it was even likely. But it wasn’t like they had a choice.
His hands suddenly sweaty he continued over to the plinth, the Slayer quietly following. “Xand, you recognise the writing?”
Xander’s eyes narrowed as he inspected the strange writing on the plinth’s gleaming plaque. He started to shake his head only to start when the letters suddenly made sense. “I..it says, it says,” Xander said before stopping in wonder and shaking his head. How could he read it, he’d never even seen the language before? “The chosen weapon for the chosen one. Let it never be raised in anger only in justice.”
“Whoa Xman,” his companion sounded impressed. “Pretty wicked. I didn’t know you could speak the lingo, what language is it anyway?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. Seeing the Slayer’s eyes widen he hurried on. “Are you going to get it?”
“Me?” the brunette looked confused. “Why me?”
Xander raised an eyebrow. “Chosen one remember?” God, he wished it was his to wield.
Faith nodded. “Five by five,” the east coast native grabbed the hilt of the weapon and pulled. The halberd didn’t shift. Her teeth clenched and the writhing of her arm muscles visible even under her denim shirt, Faith struggled on for another minute or so before releasing her grip and shaking her head. “Nothing Xand,” the Slayer turned towards him. “You wanna give it a try?”
Xander blinked. “Me? But I’m not a Slayer.”
Faith shrugged. “You might as well give it a try. After all,” the brunette pointed at the plaque, “you read the writing.”
After a second he nodded and stepped forward. “Good point.” For a few seconds he stared at the halberd, his mouth drying with desire. Part of him wanted to grab the halberd shaft, feel its power running through him, but another part was afraid, scared of the responsibility that he somehow knew came with it.
Forcing away his fear he took hold of the halberd. His senses swam for a second as something like an electric charge ran through his body, pushing him onto a higher plane of existence, making him pulsate with energy. Taking a breath he pulled at the weapon. For a half-second it didn’t budge, but then slid effortlessly out of its constraints. After staring at the weapon for what seemed an eternity he forced his eyes to meet the raven-haired Bostonian’s, seeing the awe he felt reflected there. “Xand, you five by five?” she asked.
“I feel fine Faith,” he smiled at the Slayer. “Better than that I feel great!”
“Five by five Xand,” the brunette eyed him nervously, “maybe we should get back and see what that is.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he nodded in agreement before starting back towards, the Slayer following close behind.
They were halfway there when he sensed a presence in the shadows to their left. He spun around instantly to confront the intruder and was met by a crunching right that smashed into his jaw lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing head-first into the hard wall behind.
* * *
Faith’s heart missed a beat as Caleb lunged out of the shadows and attacked Xander, the priest’s beaming grin never shifting an inch. Forcing away any concern for Xander, she stepped towards the Jesus-nut. “Hi Rev, ready for round 2?” God, this bastard had single-handedly kicked hers, B’s, and Spike’s asses. How the fuck was she meant to handle him on her own?
Caleb cast her a scornful glance. “Ah, the sinful one, the one most in need of my cleansing touch.”
Faith raised an eyebrow. Christ, even the boss hadn’t been as pompous as this prick. “Touch this!” She moved into a right-footed spin kick only to stop and change into a left-handed backfist. The feint caught the priest unawares but the punch connected with the holy man’s jaw to depressingly little effect.
Pushing aside her disappointment, Faith attempted to follow up with a karate chop to her rival’s neck but the priest’s hand snatched up to grab her wrist in an inescapable grip. She bit back a scream when the man jerked her arm, dislocating her shoulder with a pop. Her arm flopping uselessly by her side, she kicked the priest in the right hip but the man ignored her assault to slam a right hook into the side of her head, momentarily stunning her. “HARLOT!” the rev’s fist shattered her nose. “HUSSY!” his foot smashed into her stomach, driving the air from her body and sending her crashing to the ground. “SLUT!”
A series of explosions interrupted the priest as Xander emptied a magazine into Caleb’s chest knocking him on his ass. Caleb was back to his feet almost instantly but not before Xander got between the priest and her. “You okay Faith?”
She spat out a mouthful of blood before replying. “Five by five Xand.” Faith shakily climbed to her feet.
“Good,” her rescuer’s voice hardened. “For a holy man you’ve sure got a nice mouth on you. Think you can take me, motherfucker?” Her heart pounding Faith stared at Xander, he couldn’t take Caleb, not even Kakistos hit as hard as this prick.
“I think I can,” Caleb started forward.
“Stop Caleb.” Xander paled at the appearance of some kid who looked like he was in his teens but had to be the First. “Xander old buddy,” Faith blinked, so it was someone Xander knew. “You still haven’t dumped her. Not that I blame you,” the teen leered at her. “A body that hot and a girl that easy.”
Faith flinched when Xander chuckled, a sound cold enough to freeze her heart. “You stupid prick. If you were Jesse you’d know nobody messes with my friends. I was willing to let you crawl back into your hole, but now,” Xander shook his head. “Now I’m going to rip your heart out and feed on it. Let’s get out of here.”
After a split-second Faith nodded and started to move. She didn’t know about The First but right now she was fucking terrified of Xander.
* * *
“I could have taken him!”
”Could you?” The First remained unmoved in the face of Caleb’s rage. He
glanced at his children as the other Fallen members stepped out of the shadows.
“Maybe you could but that’s not I want. The time is not quite right for my plan
to come to fruition, soon it will be time to both crush Demonsbane and open the
hellmouth in one fell swoop.”
The Paladin Project 18 – The Once & Future King
“What do you think the weapon does Xman?”
Xander shrugged. “Haven’t got a clue, maybe it gives its holder the strength to fight the First, or turns the First corporal, or acts as focus for a spell.”
“What next? Take it back for the prof squad?”
“Sounds like a plan,” he nodded.
“Xand,” he glanced across at the Slayer to see her eyes were filled with self-doubt. “Why do you think you could pull the weapon out of the stone?”
Ah, Xander knew he had to tread carefully. He sensed that the Slayer’s question was fuelled by her lack of self-worth and mass of insecurities. “I don’t know Faith,” he said slowly, considering every word before he spoke it. “Maybe G-Man or the others will recognise the weapon from some dusty old book and find out why I could lift it out and you couldn’t.”
“Five by five,” Faith nodded. “Let’s head back then. What the fuck-?”
Xander’s eyes widened as six figures brandishing gleaming scimitars melted out of the surrounding darkness. Whatever they were, they were trouble. “Faith, back to back.”
“On it Xand.”
* * *
Amore smiled even as he rushed towards the duo facing off against the six Drow, drawing his sword as he ran. In his 1,500 years he’d acted as a Watcher on no less than five occasions, but he’d never seen a Slayer with the brunette’s ferocity and spirit.
But her companion was something else entirely. At first glance he appeared to be nothing more than an average looking male in his early twenties but Amore sensed there was more to him than that, a tangible aura of power surrounded him. He was clearly destined to achieve great things. “If he lives,” he muttered, re-focusing his attention as he entered the fray.
Two of the Drow spun away from the man and the Slayer at his approach, their blades flashing in the night as they charged him. Amore’s teeth bared in a deathead’s grin. He knew of the Drow’s unparalleled reputation as assassins but he was Lance Amore, this dimension’s greatest ever swordsman.
Moving quickly, he stepped towards the left Drow, his blade slicing diagonally upwards. His adversary swung his right scimitar down to block his attack but Amore’s blade slid beneath the Drow’s attempt at defence smashing into his adversary’s hip with bone-shattering impact. Even as the Drow fell screaming to the ground he sensed the other Drow closing in on him.
Amore spun around the on-rushing killer, sliding away from the dark elf’s downward slash. Before the Drow had chance to recover his guard, Amore’s sword flashed up, ripping a bloody furrow across the killer’s shoulder. The assassin’s eyes widened but to his credit he didn’t take a back-step before charging back into the attack, his blades ripping through the air separating them. Amore leaned away from his assailant’s lead blade before grabbing the dark elf’s out-stretched arm. Holding the arm tight he drove his foot into the hired killer’s groin. The assassin let out a pain-filled gurgle before beginning to double up. Amore’s sword glinted downwards, taking the dark elf’s head off at the shoulders.
Seeing another elf charging him he leapt forward to meet him. His eyes widening at the Drow’s twin scimitars slashing at him, one aimed at the hips and one at the chest, he dropped sideways to the ground, his sword thrusting upwards between the Drow’s blades. Seeing his attack, his adversary attempted to retreat but he kicked out, his heel catching the assassin on his knee shattering the bone and sending the dark elf plummeting onto the point of his sword. The weapon tore its way out his rival’s back, sending blood and guts splattering. After pulling his blade out of the thrashing body he rolled to his feet and decapitated the first Drow. Turning he saw the Slayer and his companion staring at him with looks that combined respect with wariness. “You’re pretty good with that pig stick amigo.”
Amore smiled at the young woman’s praise. “As are you fair Slayer,” his eyes widened as he noticed the weapon carried by the man. “Justice.” His legs suddenly shaky, he dropped down onto one knee and bowed his head in supplication. “My liege lord.”
* * *
Xander exchanged stunned glances with Faith. Just two minutes ago they’d been battling for their lives against half a dozen ebony skinned warriors. And then their rescuer had arrived, tearing through their attackers with a skill not equalled by either of the MacLeods or Blade, the finest swordsmen he’d previously seen. “Fuck Xand, that’s one who can seriously go,” Faith commented before continuing in a puzzled murmur. “What was that liege lord crap though?”
“No idea,” he muttered in reply as he inspected the knelt man. The man was close to six feet tall in height with the powerfully muscled body of someone who worked in manual labour. His wavy sandy-brown hair hung down to his shoulders and parted down the middle, while his friendly grey eyes were set in a square face with a healthy tan that suggested he spent considerable time in the sun. “So not a vampire,” he muttered to himself, which didn’t mean he wasn’t unfriendly. After a minute he spoke, his tone tentative. “My name’s Xander Harris, she’s Faith-.”
“Nice intro Xand-.”
He ignored the interruption. “Thanks for the help,” he hesitated. “Who are you?”
* * *
“Good lord.”
“I think you covered that the first two
times G.”
Giles glared at Faith’s cheerful comment. “Yes thank you Faith, very helpful,” he sniffed. “Your input is as always appreciated.” The brunette sniggered and winked. Suppressing the urge to throw something, maybe an axe, at the Slayer he turned back to the newcomer. “Could you repeat your story?”
The sandy-haired man nodded. “Certainly Mr. Giles. My name is Lance Amore, but my name was Lancelot du Lac.” Giles groaned, oh bloody hell he’d said that again. “I was,” the man’s face shone with pride, “the foremost knight of The Round Table, my king’s champion.”
“Good lord,” he muttered again, careful to keep his voice so that the Slayer wouldn’t hear and comment again. From her widening smirk he guessed he hadn’t been wholly successful. He felt the beginnings of a throbbing headache. Not only had he to contend with the fact his surrogate son was now the legendary Demonsbane, the return of the ultimate bad girl in Faith, the expulsion of Buffy and Willow, and the supreme evil in the First he also had to cope with the apparent resurrection of Sir Lancelot! “And might I ask-.”
“If I can make a suggestion?” After a second he glanced at Angel and nodded. “Lance-,” the vampire shook his head. “Sir Lancelot could sing for Lorne, that would tell us if he was telling the truth.”
Giles looked across at Wesley. “Would you agree Wesley?”
“Lorne is rarely wrong-.”
“Never,” broke in the green-skinned demon from a corner of the crowded conference room. “Never wrong.”
“Very well,” Giles sighed as he glanced up at their newcomer. “Would you mind Sir. Lancelot?”
“Certainly,” the knight moved to the centre of the hushed room where he was met by a keen-eyed Lorne flanked by a protective looking Angel and Gunn. After a quick look around Lancelot began to sing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’, his voice a rich, deep baritone.
“Oh dear, oh dear,” Lorne muttered, his expression queasy. “I don’t get this sort of headache listening to 50 Cents.” The suddenly grey demon looked towards him. “He’s telling the truth,” Lorne waved weakly. “Please, please stop.”
Giles turned at the sandy-haired man for a few seconds before shaking his head clear. “And how,” he was proud of how steady his voice was, “have you managed to live for 1,500 years. Are you an Immortal?”
“Not in the way you mean,” the newcomer’s genial smile was replaced by a thin grin line. “I was born in the year of our lord 490 AD. By 510 AD I was renowned as the finest knight in Brittany but always I heard tales of the peerless King Arthur, the greatest knight in Christendom so I travelled to England to test my mettle against him.” The knight’s eyes began to sparkle with the recollection. “I was just days from Camelot when I was met by a challenger. He was nearly seven foot tall, with a flowing brown beard that hung onto his thick chest, hard grey eyes, and the widest shoulders I’ve ever seen. This giant of a man said he’d heard that the knight Lancelot was coming to Camelot and was I he? When I confirmed I was the man challenged me. I agreed and we fought.” Lancelot’s smile returned. “The man was technically not my match, but his ferocity and spirit surpassed anything I’d ever faced.”
The Round Table legend paused, obviously lost in the past. “After what seemed hours the man pulled back and asked why I wished to kill Arthur. I replied that I didn’t, merely test his skill in battle. The man revealed that he was in fact Arthur. I immediately dropped to one knee and pledged my allegiance. Soon I was my king’s champion. Then in 518, Arthur met and fell in love with Gwen.” The man glanced at the floor. “I was 28, Arthur 34, and Gwen 16. But it made no difference, both Arthur and I fell in love with her.”
“A couple of men taking advantage of a kid half their age. Fuck, like I haven’t heard that before.”
The knight flinched at Faith’s disapproving tone. “Faith,” Giles interrupted. “The laws of society were somewhat different -.”
The brunette snorted. “Oh yeah G, teen babe gets perved on by a bunch of older guys. Sounds real familiar to me,” she commented bitterly.
Forcing aside his worries about Faith’s continuing issues, he nodded and smiled at the newcomer. “Please continue.”
“In the summer of 519 Gwen married Arthur. I was best man.” Faith snorted derisively. “For four years we managed to keep our mutual attraction under control. But then Arthur was injured in a hunting accident and grew angry, depressed by his injuries. Gwen became upset and sought solace in my arms.
“I bet.”
This time Lancelot ignored Faith’s muttered comment. “For over two years we carried on our affair. Then Mordred found out about it, shortly after I found but was unable to touch the Holy Grail.” Giles fought back the urge to utter another ‘good lord’. “And used the situation to engineer a split and a war between myself and Arthur.”
Giles took a moment to stare around the
room, examining the looks of astonishment on the others’ faces that he felt
inside. And his headache was getting worse. “How have you managed to last
fifteen centuries?”
“After I died I was judged unfit for hell or heaven and returned to earth to either redeem or condemn myself, however long it took for my good lord to pass judgement for my actions.”
“Quite.” Giles resisted the urge to rip off his glasses and give them a good rubbing. “And,” he turned his attention to the weapon in Xander’s hands. “Where did that come from?”
“This?” Xander lifted the halberd to chest level. “Faith and I found it in an underground cavern beneath the vineyard. It was stuck in a rock. Faith couldn’t get it out but,” the young man shrugged. “I could.”
Giles felt the colour drain from his face. He opened his mouth but couldn’t force any words out. Eventually he heard a dazed-sounding Angel from his left. “But that was a sword in the stone. You’re not telling us you’re The Once & Future King?”
The vampire’s question was answered not by a confused-looking Xander but by a seemingly calm Lancelot. “As I’m sure you know Mr. Giles, a halberd is an unwieldy weapon to use. While it was this halberd Arthur,” Lancelot glanced towards Xander, “pulled out of the stone to prove his worthiness he always fought with a broadsword. As a result the halberd was forgotten and replaced by a sword in Arthurian lore.”
“You’re saying that X..Xander,” Giles was finding it difficult to breath. “Xander is the reincarnation of Arthur?” There was a thud as Xander’s fainting body hit the ground. The knight cast the crumpled body an amused glance before speaking. “No,” he shook his head. “Xander is of the blood, I sense Arthur’s touch on him. The reason he was able to,” the knight chuckled as a bemused looking Xander was helped to his feet by Faith, “lift the halberd from the stone is two-fold. Firstly, he of Arthur’s line.” Faith gasped. “And he shares many of his fore-father’s qualities – bravery, loyalty, and determination. He is a fitting carrier for Justice.”
”Quite.” Giles found his emotions split. On the one hand, Xander was a fine
young man but he was still an American, the idea of him being King Arthur… On
the other, Arthur would be most welcome in Britain right now. Anything would be
better the prat running his country right now and the EU. Giles shook his head,
it was impossible for his headache to get any worse.
“Hey!” it was Colonel O’ Neill. “I’m related to King Arthur, no wonder I’m such a military genius!”
“Oh dear,” Giles cradled his head in his hands. “I was wrong, it could be worse.”
* * *
Faith’s body shook as she lay crying on her bed. As a kid she’d only ever had the bible to read but when Linda had taken her in she’d taken the opportunity to read every book available including all those relating to King Arthur. No wonder Xander couldn’t love her. How could a descendant of one of history’s greatest ever heroes love a low-class skank like her?
Warning: Torture scenes ahead.
The Paladin Project (19/23)
“Servant.”
Caleb dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “Master,” his heart pounded with excitement. Could this be the time?
“The Slayer is in position. Take her.”
Caleb’s smile widened. Finally it was beginning, the Slayer herself would be a rare prize but after her… The women of the world would be his playthings – begging for his cleansing touch. Oh, his missionary work was only just starting.
* * *
“Your skills have progressed considerably,” Connor complimented his training partner.
“Plenty of field experience,” Xander slid the wooden training sword back into the stand.
His eyes narrowed. There it was again, the general listlessness. During training there’d been an astonishing ferocity almost as if venting but now. “Xander laddie, what’s up?” The younger man shrugged. “A problem shared is a problem halved.”
“How about this?” Xander countered his tone humourless and his eyes sad. “A friend in need is a pain in the ass.”
“Xander,” Connor allowed an edge to
enter his voice. “You’ve been like a bear with a sore head for days. It’s been
affecting morale. Talk.”
After a moment the younger man began. “It’s Faith. Before we entered
the vineyard she kissed me,” the Project leader sighed. “Since I left Sunnydale
four years ago I’ve been involved with a few women but none of them serious.
But Faith, Faith’s different. When I saw her the first time I felt so guilty.”
Connor’s brow furrowed. “Guilty?”
“If I hadn’t been such a blind worshipper of Buffy,” Xander looked down at the ground. “Stood up for Faith in the early days maybe she’d have trusted me more when Finch died.”
“Xander,” Connor commented reprovingly. “You take on rather too much responsibility.”
“Maybe,” his training partner shrugged. “When Faith first came to Sunnydale she was this sexy, funny, and confident girl but even then I could sense that deep inside she was lonely, longing to belong, and that loneliness is still there.” Xander shook his head. “When she came back I wanted to keep her at a distance, just be professional. But she was so damn happy when I gave her the pardon and offered a place to stay after this business is over. Then the First tricked me into treating her like crap, I wanted to convince myself that we couldn’t take our relationship any further because of the past. After the kiss though,” Xander looked down at the floor. “I knew the truth. I’m scared to love. The business doesn’t lend itself to long lives or stable relationships so I’d more or less decided against it. But then Faith turned up.. I can’t just use her, she’s been used too many-.”
“Xander,” Connor struggled for something to say before deciding to use his own experiences. “Just after I first discovered my immortality I met my Heather. She was mortal but I couldn’t help falling in love with the bonny lass,” his Scots brogue unconsciously thickened as it always did when he talked about the olden days. “Every day with her was a blissful joy but when she died,” he paused to wipe away the misting tears. “It was agony, I thought about ending it but then even the memory of what we had shared would be gone. Love can’t be explained or controlled, just embraced. Faith’s a beautiful, spirited young woman who’s had a terrible life she deserves some happiness. You both do. Just bear in mind, you hurt that fine girl and you’ll have more than Angel to worry about.”
Xander grinned. “Faith’s got a way of collecting fans hasn’t she?” The man turned serious and nodded. “I’ll take what you said under advisement.”
“Xander,” he grabbed at the younger man’s arm as he stood. “A life lived without love is a mockery of life.”
* * *
Faith waited impatiently for her companion to jimmy the door lock. “Fuck Mand, I don’t see why you don’t let me punch the window in.” She glanced disdainfully around the deserted shopping mall, Sunnydale’s inhabitants having begun to evacuate the town. “It’s not like there’s anyone to hear us.”
“That’s hardly the point dear,” the immortal thief didn’t look up from the door. “Professional pride is at stake.” The woman chuckled at the sound of the lock springing open before straightening and looking her in the eye. “Let’s go in.”
Faith was unable to prevent an awed gasp from escaping as she looked around the racks of the lingerie shop. Back in the day she’d been forced to wear costumes for her ‘boyfriends’, but this was quality shit. “I thought we were meant to be grocery shopping?” she commented idly as she eyed a black silk negligee with a plunging neckline and white lace trimming on the hem. Man, if Xman saw her in that he’d drown in his drool.
“No,” Amanda corrected with a glint in her eye. “That’s what we told Xander. That boy can be such a stuffed shirt at times. I thought we needed to get you something to aid your seduction of him.”
“Seduction?” For possibly the first time since the onset of puberty, she felt unsure about her ability to get a man, it usually only needed a sly smile or a knowing wink. There was too much riding on this, having Xander in her life meant a hell of a lot to her and not just for a quick fumble. “What ya talking about?”
“Dear,” Amanda raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been working cons for centuries, seen hundreds of people in love, and spotted liars. I know how you feel.”
Faith’s high-boned cheeks flamed. Fuck, it was bad enough having these feelings without having other people know about them. “I sorta got get him into a position where I can use the underwear.”
“Leave that to me dear. I’m sure I can engineer something.”
“I was searching and then I thought,” Faith’s blood chilled at the all too recognisable voice. Her heart thumping she turned to face its owner. “Where would a whore go but a den of iniquity?”
“Again with the name-calling,” Faith drawled, her casualness masking her fear. It wasn’t just Caleb but three other guys, all with a similar aura of power around them. They were fucked. Faith drew her knife, god she wished the others were here. “We gonna get this done?”
As she finished speaking, she surged forward, the ball of her foot snapping up to collide with the holy man’s jaw. Caleb laughed before grabbing her foot and flinging her into the far wall. Groaning at the impact she staggered back to her feet only to catch a right to the head that sent her back down to one knee. Her head spinning she threw an uppercut at the preacher’s groin but her rival blocked her attack on his thigh.
Muttering a curse Faith leapt to her feet, locked her arms around her rival’s waist and attempted to take him down. Instead she received a clubbing ax handle to her upper back that sent her back to her hands and knees.
Re-grouping, Faith slammed her fist into her attacker’s knee. The man stumbled backwards giving her the time she needed to re-gain her footing and crash a left hook into the priest’s jaw. She was dismayed when the reverend just smiled before grabbing hold of her by her throat and repeatedly slamming her head into the wall until merciful unconsciousness took her.
* * *
Caleb laughed as he held up the Slayer’s limp body. Just like all the other bitches, pathetic. He glanced across the wrecked underwear stores, a devil’s playground if he ever saw one, and called out. “The other slut?”
“Dead, we broke her neck.”
“Excellent,” the First appeared beside him wearing the face of a pretty redhead. Caleb smiled, oh he recognised her, his first victim. “Now take the girl for the ceremony.”
* * *
Amanda’s eyes shot open. She cursed in half a dozen languages before stumbling to her feet, agony coursing through her body, her limbs shaking with weariness. Her breath coming in gulps, she looked around the wrecked stone. The last thing she remembered was the Jew restraining her as the Arab had crushed her throat. If not for her immortality… Suddenly she realised the brunette Slayer had disappeared. “Oh no.” She had to get back to the others.
* * *
Her head pounding Faith risked half-opening her eyes. Her stomach clenched in fear as she realised she was in the cavern containing the Hellmouth seal, hanging in the air, suspended spread-eagled by ropes fastened to her wrists and ankles. Her breath shortened as she realised she was naked except for a strange chain around her neck, a pentagonal amulet resting in the valley between her breasts. Oh god, they were going to rape her, no that would never happen again. She wasn’t a victim any more.
She looked up at Caleb’s mocking laugh. “Look at the whore,” he taunted. “All tied up and helpless.”
“Helpless!” she snarled, a surge of adrenalin pushing aside her fear. “I’ll show you helpless!” She’d go down fighting. She’d show them the true power of a Slayer before they killed her. Her heart dropped when she attempted to pull loose from the thick ropes restraining her. “What the fuck!” They shouldn’t have been able to hold her.
She couldn’t help but shudder when the priest ran a callused palm across her stomach, her flesh pimpling in fear. “In the old days, before the advent of drugs, when a Slayer reached eighteen they’d be put in a cavern like this with a vampire. With scribblings the twin of these,” Caleb pointed at the cavern’s walls. “Decorating its walls, the magic within robbing a Slayer of her power.”
Oh god, Faith thought she was frightened before, but now.. “No.”
Caleb’s grin widened at her moan. “Don’t worry Slayer.” Blood filled Faith as she bit down on her bottom lip to prevent from screaming her pain when the preacher grabbed her breast and twisted, his steel-hard fingers bruising her soft flesh. “We would not sully ourselves with your devilish body.” To her relief the bastard released his grip on her and strode to a tarpaulin-covered table. Then her terror returned as the preacher pulled the sheet off to reveal a horrifying array of instruments including leather straps, bullwhips, bamboo sticks, blowtorches, cattle prods and pliers. “There are other ways to cleanse you of your evil ways,” the holy man turned back to her, bullwhip in hand. Her mouth dried as the others picked up a variety of straps and canes. She promised herself she wouldn’t beg but soon the cavern echoed to her grovelling screams.
* * *
“No,” Xander whispered. His stomach hollowed with terror, Amanda’s news shocking him to his core. He realised too late that he loved the Slayer. Faith, his Faith, in that woman-hating sadist’s hands?
“She’ll be alright.”
Xander glanced to his side at the master vampire’s whisper. Angel didn’t look any more convinced than he felt, in fact it was the first time he could remember the vampire looking frightened. “Yeah, of course she will,” he muttered, she had to be. He looked around the crowded room and saw shocked looks on the others’ faces, especially Wes who was grey and Dawn who was trembling, tears streaking down her face. After a second he’d composed himself enough to speak, his voice shaking slightly. “Has a locater spell been tried?”
“It’s no good,” Phoebe replied with a doleful shake of her head. “The Hellmouth’s interfering.”
“Okay.” With a supreme effort of will he managed to keep his legs from folding. “We’ve no idea where they’ve taken her.” They had to find her and fast.
“That’s not strictly true.” His heart leapt at the voice of harassed-looking Giles. He could always rely on G-Man to come through in a pinch. “During our research on the First we came across a passage in a Babylonian book about a myth where the ‘blood of the one of power’ would be used to open all of the hellmouths simultaneously.”
“Excuse me?” Jonas interrupted, his expression questioning. “I thought there was just one hellmouth, this one.”
“In point of fact,” Wesley broke in. “This is merely the most active one, the nexus of demonic energy. However there’s a chain of almost hundred throughout the world. If they were opened at once, the world would be flooded with demons and humans would be conquered in a matter of days.”
For a moment Xander struggled to take in the devastating images conjured up by Wesley’s stark words. Then he turned his attention back to Faith. “That’s interesting but what about Faith?”
“Originally I discarded ‘the one of power’ as referring to a long-lost emperor who ruled the world in the days before recorded history. But,” the middle-aged Englishman paused. “Perhaps it refers to Faith. After all the Slayer is the most physically powerful human being in the world.”
“What about Buffy?” a pale-faced Dawn interrupted.
“After Buffy died at the hands of the Master what happened to the Slayer line?” Giles asked.
“Kendra was called,” Dawn replied.
”And when Kendra died?”
“Faith was called,” Angel replied, a look of comprehension in his friend’s eyes that Xander didn’t share.
”And when Buffy died the second time?”
Suddenly it dawned on Xander. “You’re saying that Faith’s the true Slayer and therefore stronger than Buffy?”
“Well not necessarily stronger but the Slayer Spirit is inside her rather than Buffy,” Giles nodded. “It’s only a theory but it is borne out by the facts.”
“So they’ll be at the school?”
“I believe so,” Giles nodded. “The only question is what do we do about it?”
“Oh that’s simple,” Xander felt a homicidal rage building up inside him replacing his earlier fears. “We kill them, we kill them all.”
* * *
Caleb looked at the brunette harlot and smiled in satisfaction. This was his greatest piece ever, a true work of art. She’d been a true beauty, with the smooth skin, ripe, curvy body, and beguiling good looks to allure any man from the path to enlightenment.
But no longer. Not with the barbed wire crown on her forehead, ripping into her once smooth skin. Not after her jaw and eye sockets had been shattered with a hammer. She’s wasn’t gorgeous any more, not now her nose had been crushed by a vice. Not after her well-rounded ass and muscular back had been shredded by a leather belt’s steel buckle and her taut stomach and full breasts had been cut to ribbons with a bullwhip. Not now her elbows and knees had been broken with baseball bats, her once shapely legs slashed repeatedly with a knife and her fingernails had been pulled out with pliers. Where once she’d been filled with defiant arrogance now she pleaded and begged for death’s release.
After a final proud gaze at the bitch, Caleb nodded towards his fellow Fallen members. Immediately they began operating the pulleys attached to the ropes holding the sobbing slut, moving her into a position directly above the Seal. Once she was in position he lifted a sword off the table. Not long now.
Suddenly his master appeared, wearing the guise of a beautiful brunette in her mid-thirties. Caleb’s smile widened, ah the irony, the bitch’s mother here to watch her daughter’s demise. How appropriate. The First looked up and nodded in approval. “Most pleasing. He’s here, do it.”
Caleb thrust his sword upwards, driving it into the woman’s stomach. She gasped, no longer having the strength to scream, her sweat-soaked body shuddering. A second later blood began to drip out, splattering down onto the Seal. It wouldn’t be long now, Harris could watch his little whore die. And then the Hellmouth would open and the uber-vampires swarm out. Oh the ecstasy.
The Paladin Project (20/23) – For Faith
The two Bringers patrolling outside the school’s front entrance turned to confront Xander as the youth stormed out of the shadows, his gleaming sword a menacing accompaniment to his murderously glittering eyes. Their daggers came up in their defence but Xander’s movements were quicksilver fast, his blade flashing right and left, tearing heads off their shoulders and covering the young man in their viscera.
Even as Xander began to lower his blade two more Bringers burst through the school doors. A feral growl burst from Xander’s lips as he surged to meet them, the pommel of his sword smashing into the right minion’s face even as he drove his knee into the demon worshipper’s stomach.
The left Bringer lunged at Xander but he twisted away from the attack and pushed the doubled-up minion into his adversary’s path. Unable to stop his upwards knife thrust, the bringer ploughed his dagger into his counterpart’s chest, sending blood spurting out of the gaping wound.
The demon worshipper barely had time to register his mistake when Xander was on him. Grabbing his opponent by the throat with one hand, the Paladin Project’s leader threw the unfortunate follower of the First into the wall.
The Bringer bounced off the wall and into Xander who grabbed hold of his rival with one hand on his forehead and one on the underside of his jaw and twisted in opposite directions. There was a crack and then the head flew off the minion’s shoulders, exploding in a torrent of blood as if blown off by a hand grenade. For a second Xander stared down at the bodies before turning to those huddled behind him, the battle rage of a few seconds ago replaced by an icy bleakness. “Inside,” he grated.
“Since you asked so nicely,” O’Neill muttered. Despite his jocularity he’d been shaken by what he’d just seen. He’d trained with his son and seen him fight on occasion so he knew how good he was. But the level of dispassionate brutality he’d displayed was spine chilling. “Say Teal’c,” he muttered to the thickly muscled alien beside him. “I ever get any doubts about Xander and Faith, remind me to keep them to myself.”
His friend nodded. “A wise tactical decision O’Neill.”
“Yeah,” he muttered. “That’s what I get for being related to King Arthur. I’m a regular military genius.”
* * *
Angel was worried. At first his entire being had been consumed with fear for Faith but now the way Xander was acting… His friend was teetering on the edge. If they lost her maybe Xander would follow suit, fall into an inescapable pit of despair.
“It doesn’t look good does it?”
Angel turned to Giles, surprised that the Englishman would speak to him. Since they’d helped Xander recover from Buffy’s assault atmosphere between them had warmed from freezing to merely cold. They communicated occasionally but always at his behest. It was the first time he could remember the Watcher actually starting a conversation between them. “No it doesn’t,” he admitted. Suddenly a terrible thought hit him. After a moment’s hesitation he decided to share his misgivings with the middle-aged Englishman. “Giles, what if this is the First’s plan? If when we enter the cavern, they kill Faith,” Angel felt his stomach hollow at the thought. “In the hopes of provoking Xander into doing something reckless. Or even perhaps turning him evil.”
“Oh good lord,” Giles looked stricken. “We’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Yes,” Angel nodded. “Yes we will.”
* * *
Xander heard the muttered conversation behind him but paid them no attention, he was too focused on what he was about to do. If Faith couldn’t be saved, then at the very least Caleb wouldn’t live a moment longer.
Sensing a presence in the in the corridor’s shadows, he pivoted to his right and, after a quick glance confirming it was a hostile, thrust his blade at the shape. His sword hit soft flesh tearing through his victim’s body. Hearing a footfall behind him he released his grip on his sword and spun around, blocking a knife thrust with his left arm while pounding his opponent’s face to a bloody ruin with a series of bone-shattering rights.
The bringer stumbled away, desperate to escape Xander’s attack, but he was relentless. Surging forward, he grabbed the demon worshipper’s wrist and twisted. The bone snapped and the minion’s knife fell, allowing Xander to snatch up the plummeting blade and thrust it deep in his rival’s throat.
As soon as the Bringer had crashed to the floor he turned back to his first assailant and retrieved his sword. After wiping his blade clean on the priest’s robes, he turned to the others. “Come on.” He didn’t care about their shock and disgust, all he was concerned about was Faith.
* * *
“They’re almost here.”
Caleb nodded at the First’s announcement. It was a shame, he’d enjoyed his time with the bitch, breaking her down, showing the error of her ways and the true meaning of power. “Pity.” He picked up a cattle prod and sent a jolt of electricity through the whore’s groin. The slut spasmed but to his disappointment didn’t scream or even whimper, she was probably too far gone to feel anything. Ah well, they’d had fun together.
Suddenly the basement door crashed open and a stormy-faced Harris charged in, followed by his cohorts. “Paige!” he bellowed.
Instantly the Slayer was consumed in a glowing white light and transported into the arms of a handsome young man. Caleb’s heart pounded with excitement when he saw the Project Leader’s look of horror at the harlot’s brutalised condition and when he realised the man who cradled his victim wasn’t a man at all but a White Rider. “Perfect, just perfect,” he taunted. “Your little angel can heal her up. And then,” he smiled at his fellow Fallen members. “We can take her apart again. And this time she’ll know exactly what we’re going to do and we can really take our time with her. Days even.”
* * *
Xander fought back the bile rising in his throat, threatening to choke him, at the sight of his destroyed friend. What had they done to her? His gaze moved from the brunette to the preacher, his pain turning to blistering rage. “That. Is. Not. Going. To. Happen,” he grated. Without moving his eyes from the smirking holy man, he began giving orders. “Blade, Eric, Lance, you deal with the holy trinity,” he nodded towards Caleb’s three accomplices. Given the choice, he’d rather deal with them all himself, one after another, but he hadn’t the time. “The rest of you get out.” He heard the sound of Leo teleporting out, the angel carrying Faith’s limp body in his arms.
“Xander.”
He shook his head at Angel’s gently protesting voice. “Faith needs you more than I do. When she comes round tell her,” Xander paused. He nearly said tell her I loved her but that would only heap more pain on her. “Tell her I’m sorry I didn’t realise what an amazing person she is.”
“Xander,” Angel tried again.
“Go Angel, me and Caleb,” Xander cracked his neck, “are going to have a little talk about the proper respect for women.”
Hearing the sound of the door leading out of the cavern closing he moved towards Caleb. The reverend’s beaming smile widened when he dropped his sword. “You think you can stand against me?” the holy man taunted.
Xander smiled coldly. He was going to enjoy this. “I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way.”
* * *
Caleb’s eyes narrowed as his rival began to chant in an arcane tongue. The youth wasn’t supposed to know magic, and powerful magic at that. Suddenly the boy burst forward, his speed supposedly unattainable by a human. At the last second the youth moved to one side, dodged under his right cross, grabbed hold of his out-stretched arm at the wrist and elbow, and flung him into the far wall. Shaking off the shock, he turned to face his adversary.
* * *
A vision of a beautiful woman, her full lips parted in a crooked grin and her luminous eyes filled with sparkling invitation filled his mind. Then he saw a picture of the same female hideously wrecked, her face misshapen and her body bent and twisted. “Hurt mate,” Beast-Xander growled as he charged the evil man. “Never hurt mate again!” He slammed a torrent of blows into the preacher’s face, repeatedly snapping his head back. The reverend responded by grabbing him around the throat and hurtling into the table laden with torture instruments, sending him and the table crashing to the ground.
Beast-Xander howled, infuriated by the pain thundering through his body. “Kill man!” Leaping to his feet, he met the on-rushing priest with a leg sweep but Caleb leapt over his attack and retaliated with a crescent kick to the face that sent flying him into the wall behind.
* * *
Caleb’s eyes widened as the boy, or whatever he was, bounded instantly to his feet. That attack should have knocked the youth out at the very least. “What are you?”
The youth’s eyes flashed yellow but he didn’t reply. Instead the boy raced to meet him only to leapfrog him at the last moment. Before Caleb had chance to turn round, his kidneys exploded in pain as the brat launched a knee into them.
He hit the floor on his hands and knees and screamed in agony as the youth slammed a foot in his ribs. The impact of the blow lifted him off the ground and sent him plummeting into the table’s remains. Seeing the young man charge him he grabbed the cattle prod he’d earlier used on the Slayer and sent a charge through the man’s left leg. The man howled hoarsely before falling to his knees.
A grin on his face, Caleb rolled to his feet and began kicking at his rival who rapidly covered up, catching most of the blows on his arms. Caleb cursed as his opponent grabbed his left ankle and pulled. Knocked off balance he fell onto his back. Before he had time to recover, the youth had gotten to his feet and was charging him. “Not hurt mate!”
As soon as the young man was in position Caleb brought his foot up into the boy’s groin, putting every ounce of power into the kick. He was pleased when the youngster’s eyes crossed and he fell to the ground. His body shaking with pain, Caleb struggled to his feet and brought his foot down, intending to stomp Harris’ skull in.
He cursed as the young man rolled to his feet, noting with trepidation the ferocious light still burning in his eyes. What did it take to stop him?
Gathering his courage he lunged at the youth but Harris’ hands shot out to grab him by his shirtfront. Then his rival dropped backwards, his feet slamming into Caleb’s stomach. The blow drove the wind out of his body and sent him flying over his adversary’s head.
Shaking away his shock, he rolled to his feet just as the youth shoulder-charged him, the impact knocking him into the wall. Again Harris ran at him but this time Caleb was able to catch his opponent with a thudding right hook that sent him crashing to the ground.
A triumphant grin twisting his face, Caleb straddled his stunned opponent and began pounding his face to a bloody pulp, every punch splintering bone and shredding flesh. He screamed as pain erupted in his stomach. Despite the beating he was enduring the unbeliever had managed to wrap his legs around his waist with agonising force. Teeth grimaced with the effort, Caleb surged upright, pulling himself loose of the hold.
Every breath tortured, he spat blood out of his mouth as he watched in disbelief as the young man clambered to his feet. As soon as the youth moved in range, Caleb shot out a thumb, gouging the boy’s eye. Even as the Sunnydale native’s hands flew up to his face Caleb leapt forward, grabbing the boy in a bear hug around his waist and began squeezing. Soon the young man’s spine would be shattered and -.
“Oow!” Caleb screamed in agony as his adversary clamped his teeth around his throat, tearing flesh, and spewing blood out. Instantly he released his grip and stumbled away from the youth, unable to concentrate on anything but the roaring pain in his neck.
* * *
“Not hurt mate again!” Beast-Xander surged forward, grabbing the preacher around the crotch and jaw before lifting Caleb above his head in a single smooth motion. After unleashing a triumphant roar he brought the helpless holy man down fast, smashing the small of the priest’s back into his upcoming knee, jack-knifing his body. Caleb screamed as his back shattered, his spine splintering.
Tossing the crippled man to the ground, Beast-Xander bent over, grabbed hold of his rival’s head and ripped it off his shoulders. Trophy in hand he straightened and lifted it above his head, blood dripping to the ground, and howled his victory. His mate was avenged!
* * *
“Oh brother!” Jack muttered, his stomach flip-flopping at what he’d just seen his son do. When Xander had ordered them all to leave he’d ignored the order, well as General Hammond could testify it was hardly the first command he’d disregarded, and stayed, together with the rest of his team.
Jonas had practically wet himself when Xander had begun reciting the unknown language, muttering something about ‘pre-dated dialects’. And then his offspring had begun moving with a speed impossible for even Teal’c to match, taking blows that should have killed him without stopping, and ruthlessly taking apart the preacher. Literally.
But now. O’Neill looked across at his team members and then at Blade, Draven, and Amore who’d all won their battles, and were now staring open-mouthed at his snarling and snorting son. Seeing the Crow move warily towards the young man he shook his head and passed his gun over to Teal’c before moving towards his child. “Xander, I know you’re in there.” Looking into his son’s wild eyes he was far from sure but he had to try.
“This is not wise O’Neill,” Teal’c cautioned.
“We’ve been friends for years Teal’c,” O’Neill smiled tightly, his gaze fixed on his howling son. “Since when have I done the wise thing?”
“Indeed,” Teal’c nodded.
“Sarcastic aliens,” he muttered as he started forward. “Don’t you just love them?”
* * *
Beast-Xander snarled at the stranger’s approach. Nobody was going to steal the glory of his kill, he had to show his trophy to his mate to prove his love. He realised the interloper was talking. “Xander, son listen to me.” He growled warningly, the grey-haired man swallowed but then stepped nearer. Beast-Xander stopped snarling, man smelt familiar. “I don’t know what you’ve done to yourself exactly but you have to come back. ‘Cause as bad as your conversational skills are they’re better than Mr. Grunt.” He cocked his head, not understanding what was being said yet strangely soothed by the man’s tone. “Look son, I need you back. We need you back,” the man paused. “Faith needs you back.”
“Faith?” The name struck a chord somewhere deep within him. “Mate,” he mumbled.
“Yeah, that’s right. You’ve killed Caleb and that’s great. But what do you think the guilt will do to her if you can’t change back, if you’re lost to us. Come back to her.”
Xander’s body spasmed as the pain from his fight with Caleb thundered through him. “Oh shit!” His head spinning he stared at O’Neill. “Faith.” Suddenly he was itching forward, vision blurring as he plunged into darkness.