Latter Days by Enigmaticblue

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Chapter 2: New Council Headquarters, Bath, England

“…I couldn’t believe it when Willow told me, not until I heard his voice. I have no idea what would have happened if she hadn’t insisted on having the amulet sent to her. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but she was right. If anyone else had found it, Spike might have wound up completely under their power. Giles wants someone to talk to Angel about where he got it…” ~Excerpt from an email from Buffy Summers to Xander Harris

“I’m very sorry, Buffy.”

She wanted to be angry with Giles, but she knew he was right. A situation like this had to be dealt with immediately, before the artifact fell into the wrong hands. “It’s okay.”

It wasn’t—not remotely—but she had no choice. That seemed to still be the story of her life.

“I can call Willow tonight,” he offered. “If Spike is up to it, he could fly to meet you. I would feel better knowing that there’s someone there who can watch your back.”

Buffy was surprised by his suggestion, mostly because she hadn’t expected Giles to be quite so accepting of her determination to renew her relationship with Spike. “That would be great.”

“I do understand how important he is to you.” His voice was low, and she could sense his sincerity. “Spike is important to our efforts as well.”

She shook her head. “One of these days, Giles, I want a real vacation. No emergencies, no demons, no apocalypses.”

“I wish I could give that to you.” Giles clasped her shoulder briefly. “I’ll make the travel arrangements.”

Buffy sank down on her bed, putting her head in her hands. She was getting a chance to travel now, which she’d always wanted to do, but this wasn’t quite what she’d had in mind. A mysterious artifact that could bring about the next apocalypse if used for the wrong purposes had to retrieved.

She dragged her duffel bag from under her bed, mentally calculating how long it would take Spike to reach Osmotherley. Even if Giles reached him immediately, there would be travel arrangements to make, and he might not be able to leave right away. It was a long flight from Brazil to England, and then he would have to reach the village.

She’d be there in mere hours, and would probably have everything under control by then.

“Hey.”

Buffy glanced up from her packing to see Dawn standing in the doorway. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Giles said you were leaving pretty soon.”

“I have to.” She shoved a pair of stakes into the suitcase, then snagged a second pair of boots. “Big evil, blah, blah, blah. You know how it goes.”

“And you can’t fly to Brazil to see Spike.”

“Dawn—”

“It’s okay, Buffy.” She sat down on the bed. “Why don’t you tell Giles to have him come here? If you’re not back, he can meet you easily enough.”

She gave her sister a look. “I thought you hated him.”

“Hate is a really strong word.” At Buffy’s expression, Dawn sighed. “I don’t hate him. I just didn’t want to forgive him too easily. After he died—I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.”

Buffy nodded, understanding immediately. Her sister wasn’t so different than she. “I get that.”

“Are you going to take anyone else with you?” Dawn asked.

She shook her head. “I don’t know. We’ll see what Giles says.”

“But you’ll be careful?” the younger girl pressed.

“I promise, Dawnie,” she replied.

~~~~~

Giles listened as the phone rang, wondering if Willow had had better luck contacting the Slayers in her corner of the world. None of them had known what the consequences of the activation spell would be, nor had they known how difficult it would be to find and recruit the girls.

The coven had been of tremendous help in finding ways to locate the new Slayers, but that only went so far. Not all the girls would care to engage in that sort of fight, and training them would take time—time they might not have.

“Hello?”

“Willow. Is Spike available?”

“Just a minute. We were out chasing down a Slayer all night, so he’s sleeping.”

“Did you find her?”

“Yes. Something else got her first, though.”

Giles heard the anguish in her voice. “I’m sorry, Willow.”

“We have some idea where a second is located, but we haven’t been able to make contact yet. I’ll send you my report when I finish it.” Her next words were brusque, a clear attempt to dismiss her regret at not being in time to save the girl. “I’ll put Spike on.”

There was a moment’s silence, and Spike’s gruff voice came on the line. “Yeah?”

“There’s been an emergency in northeastern England,” Giles said without preamble, trusting that Willow had told him who was on the phone. “Buffy is the closest, and the only one who is capable of handling this particular emergency.”

The bitterness in his voice was unmistakable. “So, she’s not coming. Is that what you’re tellin’ me?”

“I’m asking if you would like to join her,” Giles responded, trying to keep his voice even. Spike had good reason to distrust him, and so he couldn’t fault the vampire for his suspicion.

After a pause, Spike repeated, “Join her?”

“Yes. It might be best if you come here first. From what Willow said on the phone, you’ll need a kit, and I’m sending a couple of our more capable Slayers with Buffy.” When there was no immediate reply, Giles pressed his advantage. “I have no doubt that she will need your assistance, Spike.”

“Yeah, okay.” His words were abrupt, and he sounded very much like the vampire Giles had known in Sunnydale, years ago, when he had first agreed to help them on occasion, and for money. Spike’s reasons for agreeing were different this time, but Giles didn’t doubt his sincerity.

Giles let out a breath. “Good. Thank you, Spike. We’re going to need you.”

“What’s goin’ on, Watcher?” Spike asked, his voice sharpening.

He hesitated. “There’s some indication that the spell upset the balance.”

“You mean we’re goin’ to face the First Evil again?”

There was anger in his voice, and Giles understood why. Spike had sacrificed himself to take care of the First, and the idea that it might have been in vain would sting. “No, not the First. From what the coven tells me, it will be more like having multiple Hellmouths opening in the near future.”

“That’s not good news,” Spike said slowly. “And this thing you’re sendin’ Buffy off to face?”

Giles sighed. “There’s some indication that there’s an artifact of great power there, or perhaps a center of power. We need to be the ones in control of it.”

“I’ll go,” Spike said, “but Red is going to need help. She needs someone who can speak the language.”

“I’ve already made the arrangements,” Giles replied. “There’s a Watcher who speaks both Portuguese and Spanish. It’s likely that you’ll cross paths in the air. I’ll email the details to Willow today.”

“I thought you hated computers,” Spike observed wryly.

Giles laughed, a little ruefully. “It seems to be the easiest way of doing things, and Dawn has been a great help. We’ll see you soon, Spike.”

When the call had ended, he heaved a sigh of relief. Giles knew that Spike would help, and by requesting that he stop through Bath first, he would have the chance to make amends and obtain the information he had failed to get while in Sunnydale.

As the days passed, and he gathered every scrap of information he could, Giles was more and more certain that Spike might be essential.

~~~~~

Vi slung her bag over her shoulder. The Council Headquarters were a huge step up from the house on Revello Drive, as far as space and privacy—and available bathrooms—went. Her parents had been thrilled at the idea that she had an all-expenses paid scholarship to an exclusive private school in England.

She had tried to hint at the truth, but they were really good at doing denial; Buffy had said that her mom had done the same thing.

“I don’t see why I can’t go,” Rose pouted. She didn’t look much like a Slayer, not that most of them did. She was one of the few who had known she was a potential and had been trained since early childhood in the event that she was Chosen. Now that she had been, she was all ready to throw herself into the fray.

She was also twelve, which Giles had deemed a little young. Her Watcher may have successfully hidden her from the Bringers, but that wouldn’t do Rose much good if she was killed in the first fight due to her youth and size.

“You’ve got school,” Vi pointed out ruthlessly. “And training. And a lot more growing to do.”

Rose snorted. “Please. I have more training than most of the Slayers out there.”

“And they have six inches and fifty pounds on you, kid.” Vi smiled encouragingly. “Trust me. There will be plenty of apocalypses to go around.”

The little girl sighed. “I guess. It’s just that Miss Ryan still thinks that I’m going to be killed at any moment.”

“Paranoia keeps you alive,” Vi replied wisely, deciding not to point out that her Watcher was still right. It might be less likely, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen. There were still plenty of enemies out there, and plenty of evil to fight.

Buffy stuck her head in the room. “You ready to go?”

“All packed,” Vi assured her.

“Hey, Buffy,” Rose said a little breathlessly. It was clear to everyone that most of the younger Slayers—the few that there were—worshipped the oldest living Slayer. Vi had to give Buffy credit; in the midst of all the moving, the crises, her grief, everything—she was trying.

“Hey, Rose.” Buffy sounded distracted, but she mustered up a smile. “Vi?”

“Right behind you.”

Vi had heard the news, of course; there weren’t a lot of secrets at Council HQ. When phones rang in the middle of the night, big things were going on, and it hadn’t been long before everyone had heard that Spike was back from the dead. Then came the news of trouble up north, and that Buffy was the one picked to take care of it.

She wasn’t surprised that the other Slayer looked a little pissed off.

“Audra is going, too,” Buffy told her in a low voice. “She’s pretty well trained.”

“Is Spike coming?”

“When he can.” Buffy’s mouth twisted. “Giles thinks that it will be better if he comes through here first, just in case we wrap things up before he arrives.”

“Are you okay?”

Buffy shook her head. “I would have liked a little more time.”

Vi knew what she meant. Only a week after Sunnydale had disappeared into a crater, and they already had their first emergency on the Cleveland Hellmouth. Since then, it had been one thing after another between locating Slayers, trying to get the new Council set up, and dealing with demonic interference. From what Vi had picked up on, it appeared that the entire demon world knew that there had been a sudden increase in the Slayer population, and they had declared open season.

The untrained Slayers were in worse danger than they had been before being Chosen, and they couldn’t always find them fast enough.

Audra was waiting by the front door, her bag at her feet. She was another potential who had survived the Bringers, although her Watcher hadn’t. Vi wasn’t sure what to think of her; she seemed a little too robotic.

Giles entered the foyer, looking a little harried. “The driver has your tickets and itinerary,” he said. “I’ll send Spike along as soon as I can, Buffy. Call me if you have any trouble.”

“Do we know what we’re looking for?” Vi asked. “Other than something powerful?”

“The coven couldn’t see clearly enough,” Giles responded. “As soon as we know more, I’ll call.”

Buffy looked around. “Where’s Dawn?”

“Working on making travel arrangements on that infernal machine,” Giles replied.

Vi hid a grin. Giles’ dislike for computers was legendary, although he was getting better.

“I guess we have everything then.” Buffy sounded tired already, and Vi had to wonder how they were going to fare in Osmotherley.

~~~~~

Dawn printed off a copy of the itinerary and sent the information to Willow. Transportation for Spike had been arranged, as well as arrangements for the Watcher Giles had decided was best suited to help Willow.

When the First had blown up Council headquarters, it had killed most of the experienced Watchers, the ones who had field experience and specialized knowledge. Only a handful had survived, and most of them had gone to ground. They were slowly making contact, but there were still too few.

The First had left the Watcher’s Academy untouched, however, apparently not seeing it as a threat. That had been handy, since it was the only Council-owned property that could house all of them. Most of the students there had lost parents or other family members, however, and some were as young as Rose. A few—too few—were in their final year and were ready and willing to go into the field. As for the rest—

Dawn knew that Giles was still struggling to decide what to do with the rest of them.

“My dear girl! There you are.”

She heaved a deep sigh. The dearth of Watchers meant that they actually needed Andrew. She had a soft spot for the big dork, but he could be a little much at times. “Hi, Andrew.”

“Is it true? Has Spike returned from beyond the grave?” Andrew asked, still trying to sound as British as possible. He’d really gotten into his new role as Watcher.

“Not quite,” Dawn replied. “From what Giles said, he was never in the grave; he was just in the amulet.”

Andrew’s eyes widened with sheer delight. “He’s like Gandalf, the white wizard, returning to set things right!”

She didn’t reply, not wanting to put a damper on his joy. Dawn had long since given up hope that any one person could set things right. “Something like that.”

There was a brief knock on the study door, and a woman entered. “Is Mr. Giles here?”

“I don’t know where he is,” Dawn replied, recognizing Zoë Michelson immediately. “I have your travel schedule ready, though.”

“Thank you,” she replied, taking the proffered print out from Dawn. “I have to admit that I never thought I’d be going to Brazil.”

Andrew looked at her longingly. “I would love to see the rainforest.”

“You don’t speak Portuguese or Spanish,” Dawn reminded him repressively. “You don’t mind going, do you?”

Zoë shook her head. “Not at all, but I rather thought I’d be stuck doing research forever.”

Dawn knew that the young Watcher was referring to her reputation for sheer clumsiness and inability to use weapons effectively. She would have a tough time training Slayers, but Willow needed her skills with languages and magic. They would have to find a trainer later.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Dawn encouraged. “Willow really needs an interpreter, and you’re the one most fluent.”

Zoë sighed. “I just wish that I was a little better with weapons.”

Giles’ entry spared her having to come up with a response. “Zoë, there you are. Did you get your itinerary from Dawn?”

“Are you sure I should be the one to go?” she asked. “I want to, it’s just that—”

“You’ll be just fine, my dear,” Giles said, cutting her off. “I think you’ll be surprised at how well you do out in the field.”

The young woman didn’t appear convinced. “If you’re certain.”

“More than. You’d best pack. Andrew, if you’ll run an errand for me, I would appreciate it.”

Andrew straightened. “Of course!”

Giles handed him a list. “We need groceries.”

Dawn was impressed when he didn’t even argue. “I will return swiftly.”

The head Watcher waited until both Zoë and Andrew were out of the room before muttering, “Please don’t.”

Dawn smirked, then looked at him. “How bad is this thing going to be, Giles?”

“I wish I could tell you, Dawn.” He sighed. “It might not be so bad.”

She shook her head. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I really don’t know.” He collapsed into his chair. “When we activated the Slayers, it began a chain reaction, or that’s what it seems to have done. Demonic activity has increased all over the world, the Slayers are targets, and we do not have enough trained personnel to deal with it all.”

Dawn swallowed the fear that rose up. It was almost like dealing with the First Evil all over again, only worse. At least that apocalypse had been centered in Sunnydale. They were spread too thin as it was, and it was only getting worse.

“What are we going to do with all the Slayers?” she asked.

He spoke with his eyes still closed. “Many of the girls will likely be too young to be out in the field, and they probably ought to be brought to a centralized location. The only problem is that we’re facing a shortage of trainers and Watchers.”

“And the older ones?”

“Probably should be sent out in the field.” His eyes opened. “Forgive me, Dawn. I shouldn’t be burdening you with this.”

“It’s not a burden,” she hastened to assure him. Dawn loved that Giles, and many of the others, were treating her like an adult. She was old enough to be a real help now, and she had more experience than most.

He smiled a little wryly. “I’m certain that your sister would not agree with me, but as she’s not here, we won’t tell her.”

“Sounds good to me,” Dawn replied.

“How do you feel about Spike being back?” Giles asked.

She shrugged. “I guess it will give me a chance to make things right.”

“Indeed.” Giles rose from his chair. “I have to make some phone calls. There will be more people arriving today.”

“More Watchers?” Dawn asked.

“And a few Slayers,” he confirmed. “Word has spread that the new Council is located here. With any luck, we will have known locations for all of those remaining within the next week.”

Dawn looked over her shoulder at the map on the wall with the brightly colored push pins that marked the locations of Slayers, Watchers, and allies. Dawn couldn’t help think that there were too few to deal with the storm she knew was coming.

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