After a leisurely breakfast in which all the food was consumed, much to Spike’s amusement, Buffy rapped on the table to gain everyone’s attention. “Since a few, rather unacceptable things have happened in the last few days, I have made a decision to move everyone to a more secure location. One which will make the Watcher’s Council think you have disappeared off the face of the earth.
Giles raised one eyebrow and stated, “I don’t think there is any location on earth that the council cannot locate and access.”
Methos turned an icy-cold expression on Giles. “If Mother says the location is secured from outside influences, then it is.” Turning to Buffy his expression regained some of its warmth. “I am assuming you mean to use the house in London as a base of operations?”
“Exactly. It is already heavily protected, with Elvara living there with her girls.” Buffy looked around the room and nodded firmly. “Joyce, Dawn, I want you two to go upstairs and pack ONLY what you cannot do without. Cass, go with them please.” As the three ladies stood up and left the room, Buffy turned back to the group and continued, “After they return, we will proceed to each and every of yours homes and do the same thing. So I suggest you start thinking now about what you cannot leave behind. We don’t have time for you to pack up your entire life.” She was about to continue when Xander interrupted.
“I have work; I can’t just up and vanish. I’ll lose my job and …” Xander started to rant and was cut off in mid sentence by Methos. “Your place of employment has been notified of your absence. I cited a family emergency that is taking you out of town for a while. “ Methos stated calmly. “Now sit down and be quiet.”
Willow sheepishly raised a hand, “Ummm, Tara and I have classes...”she began, only to have Giles reach out and pat her hand. “I believe that has been taken care of as well.” Giles said softly.
Buffy nodded, “Yeah, your teacher’s think you have been accepted to an exchange program with Oxford, no worries.”
“Really? Oxford? You can do that?” Willow started babbling. “I mean, sure you can say it… but what if they check? Then they’d know and I’d be in sooo much trouble…” Willow tapered off, muttering to herself about lost grades and possible expulsion from class.
Buffy smirked at Willow’s babbling and shrugged. “Don’t’ worry so much firehead, I’ve got everything covered. If you school thinks to check, the paperwork is already in place.” She winked over at Tara and continued, “And if the two of wish to stay in England to continue your studies, that too can be arranged.” Leaving a stunned Willow to think over what she had just said, Buffy turned to Spike. “Best get downstairs and get your stuff Spike, the girls should be down soon and we will need to leave in a hurry.”
“Gotcha Love, “Spike said as he stood up, “won’t take but a mo’.” He sauntered out of the dining towards the kitchen and then to the basement stairs.
Okay then, after the girls come down, we will split up and do this fast, we have to be at the airstrip in less than an hour. Firstly, Methos will accompany Giles to his flat to gather his things. Spike will go with Xander and Anya to gather theirs.” Seeing Xander about to butt in Buffy glared at him. “This is not up for debate Mr. Harris.” Buffy nodded slightly as Xander seemed to subside. Cassandra and Joyce will follow Willow and Tara to their dorms to pack their essentials.” Holding up a hand to forestall the interruption she could read on Willow’s face, “I have made arrangements with the UoS to store the rest until such time as it is sent for.”
“And what will you be doing while we are all running around?” Giles demanded with a scowl on his face.
“Dawn and I will take my bike out to the airstrip. I expect you all to follow with all due haste. We ARE on a tight schedule. I don’t know when or where the council’s operatives will strike next.” Buffy said softly.
Just then Spike returned from the basement, a duffle carried in one hand. “Buffy love, I took the opportunity to call a friend of mine, to warn him what’s going down. He’s helped us out a few times and well… seems the council got to his sister and her family, killed all of them…including their little girl. He asked if he could come with, seems he wants a little payback.”
“Of course Spike, he is welcome to come. The more the merrier.” Buffy said with a wry smile.
“Already told him to meet us at the ‘strip.” Spike replied with a smirk.
“I can see you will have to keep an eye on this one, he seems like the type to get into trouble.” Cassandra said with a sarcastic drawl.
“Just like you will have to keep an eye on Methos. I KNOW he’s the type to find trouble whenever possible.” Buffy said with a grin.
Spike and Methos shared a glance and rolled their eyes. They knew that Buffy and Cass were just trying to keep things light and amusing so the younger people wouldn’t go into complete panic mode. Spike glanced up as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. “Looks like they are finished here, we should head out and get things done,” Spike said, standing up.
Buffy nodded, “You all head out, Dawn and I will clean up and then head for the airstrip. Joyce, put Dawn’s bag in jeep, she’ll be riding with me.”
Joyce simply nodded her head and proceeded to the garage with the two bags. She knew things were going to be a little hectic for the next while. Everyone else also left the house, intent on their own errands. Dawn made as if to complain about the cleanup, but a stern look from Buffy killed the words before they could leave her lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Buffy pulled her bike up in front of the small group of buildings that served as the airport for Sunnydale. She glanced up and down the runway but did not see the jet, nor did she see any of the others. Looks like they were the first ones to arrive. Shutting the bike off, Buffy half-turned in her seat to talk to her passenger. “You can take the helmet off now, Dawnie. We are here, and look like we are the first ones.”
“No we aren’t Buffy, I see Clem over by the fueling shed.” Dawn pointed towards Spike’s friend who was hiding in the shadows of a large shed.
Buffy looked over where Dawn was pointing and grinned at the sight of the floppy-eared demon hiding behind a stack of crates. “Why did the council attack him and his family? The worst they could have done was eat Traver’s cat….” Buffy muttered to herself as she helped Dawn off the bike.
Dawn giggled as she slipped off the bike and ran over to give Clem a hug. “I’m sorry about your family Clem” Dawn hugged him tighter. “Clerise was so sweet, I’m gonna miss her.”
Clem didn’t say anything, just wrapped his arms around Dawn and hugged her back, thankful for her sympathy. He looked up when Buffy approached, wary of any strangers.
“Don’t worry Clem, that’s just Buffy. I’m sure Spike told you about her?” Dawn said with an inquiring tone to her voice.
Clem nodded, and then quietly inquired, “You don’t mind me tagging along? I wasn’t sure even though Spike said it would be alright.” Clem let go of Dawn and started nervously wringing his hands together.
“I don’t mind at all Clem. Spike told me what happened. I can guarantee you your revenge.” Buffy stated with a quiet but firm conviction coloring her voice. She turned her eyes to the road as her ears picked up the sound of an approaching vehicle. Not recognizing it at first, she placed herself in front of Dawn and Clem, one hand reaching up for the hilt of her sword. She relaxed when Joyce’s jeep emerged from the hazy dust of the unpaved road. Buffy moved to open the bay doors to the shed, motioning for Joyce to pull the jeep inside. When the motor was shut off and the women emerged, Buffy told them, “The jeep will be safe here for the time being.”
Cassandra turned to Buffy and said, “It’s a good thing that Samuel suggested bringing the helicopter instead. I don’t believe the jet could land here.” She shot Joyce a conspiratorial grin, “The runway is too short.”
“Aren’t you just a barrel of laughs?” Buffy muttered under her breath as everyone in the shed gave a quiet chuckle. She spun around as the sound of more vehicles approaching was heard. “I hope it’s the rest of the chuckle brigade. “ She glanced at the sky, “Because here comes the Sikorsky.”
Cassandra left the shed to signal the pilot where to land, indicating a spot not more than 20 yards from the building the vehicles were being ushered into.
Xander parked his truck and climbed out, looking around the shed with barely disguised disdain. “Lovely, I just hope my truck doesn’t get stolen…” he muttered, hoping nobody could hear him.
Unfortunately for him, Spike heard him. “Harris, if your truck gets stolen, I’ll bloody well buy you a new one. Quit your goddamned belly-aching!” Spike snapped at the young man, his patience at an end after listening to him whine and moan for the better part of the last hour. “Now get your stuff and get your arse in gear!” Spike grabbed his duffle and strode over to where Buffy was watching the helicopter land. “I take it this is our ride?”
“Yeah, we’ll be taking this to L.A. where the jet is waiting for us.” Buffy replied, shooting the still chuckling Joyce a baleful glare. “As the comedy routine over there reminded me, this airstrip is too short.”
Spike turned and shot Joyce a questioning glance, only to receive a cheeky smile and a shrug in return. HE shrugged and turned back to Buffy. “I take it that Joyce and Cass were taking the piss huh?”
Buffy nodded sharply and then turned to holler at everyone. “Get your gear, we are moving.” She motioned towards the helicopter which had just touched down on the grass not far from the shed.
Everyone grabbed their bags and hurried across to the aircraft, where Methos helped everyone onboard. He turned back to see Buffy standing and staring off towards the road. “What’s wrong,” he shouted in order to be heard over the sound of the rotors.
Buffy suddenly darted towards the aircraft shouting, “Lift off NOW!” Methos jumped on board and held out a hand to help Buffy up, as the aircraft started to lift off. Buffy jumped up and caught Methos’ hand and clambered aboard.
“Council?” Methos inquired softly.
“Yeah, which leaves me wondering how they found us?” Buffy said and frowned. “Do you think it’s possible that they have trackers on their targets?”
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Author's Chapter Notes:
You know how I said 4 more? Well... Jamies_Lady got a hold of my muse and inspired more chapters... dunno how many left now... BUT! Enjoy!