The Dhampir IX
January 13, 1998
"Dalton.." Wheeling himself into the room, a now crippled Penn addressed a bespectacled vampire, who had his nose buried in large book. "I hope you’ve been making some progress with that translation, and don’t give me more nonsense like, debasing the beef canoe again."
"Well, it’s. . .its," Dalton stammered. "It’s not an easy translation, and in fact. . . ."
"Let me guess," Penn interrupted. "It looks like Latin, but it’s not, and you’re not even sure it’s a language. Jesus fucking Christ!" he exploded. "How fucking hard can it be to break a gypsy curse? The gypsies aren’t brain surgeons, but a race of idiots!"
"Pe-nn." Drusilla waltzed into the room carrying a bulky crate. Rejuvenated from Angel’s blood, she was now a picture of blooming health, far from the weak, fragile being she had been not long ago. "I have a surprise for you," she said in a sing-song voice.
"Not now, Dru! Penn turned his frustration on the vampiress. "Can’t you see that I’m working?" The words were no more out of his mouth, when he realized his mistake. Drusilla never took well to a raised voice. "I’m sorry, kitten, but we’ve got big brain here." He waved a hand in the direction of Dalton. "And we still aren’t even close to breaking the gypsy curse that holds our Sire prisoner."
Smiling a secret smile, Drusilla set the crate on the table. "The gift I have for you is better than breaking the curse over our daddy. Shh." She held a finger up to her lips. "He’s sleeping, and you mustn’t wake him, but if you’re quiet, you can take a peek."
"Really?" Penn was now intrigued, as he rolled himself over to the crate. "So what is it, darling?"
Carefully opening the crate a crack, Drusilla allowed Penn to take a look. "It’s wonderful, isn’t it? Reeks of death."
January 20, 1998
Exiting history class at midday, Buffy, Willow, and Xander made their way first to their lockers, and then outside to the courtyard for a much needed lunch break.
"So what’s up with the Blond Wonder?" Xander asked, as they walked out the main doors of the school. "Getting himself kicked out of History class less than a week after being grounded for a month is not one of your more strategic moves."
"Don’t know." Buffy shrugged, also puzzled by Spike’s inexplicable behavior. "But he certainly had a bug up his butt today with Mr. Toben, which is hard to understand since Mr. Toben is such a. . . ." Breaking off, she exchanged a look with Willow, and then the two of them sighed in unison.
"Oh, geez." Xander did an eye roll. "More swooning over Mr. Substitute History teacher. Doesn’t even have a teaching job of his own. To me that smacks of a big L on his forehead."
"He just moved here." Willow immediately came to the handsome history teacher’s defense. "So that’s why. . . ."
"And how do you know that he just moved here?" Xander interrupted. "Breaking into confidential teacher files again?"
"Well, it was just one, and you know, inquiring minds want to know," Willow said with a grin.
"And just what else did you find out about Mr. Toben?" Xander asked, as the three walked over to a disgruntled Spike, who was sitting morosely by himself on top of one of the lunch tables.
"Not much." Willow frowned as she sat down. "His record was surprisingly sparse. His name is Christian Toben, comes from out East. Graduated with a double major in history and teaching. He’s twenty-seven, unmarried, and has no dependents."
"He’s a robot like Ted." Spike spoke up for the first time. "Very little background history and too good to be true."
"Oh, come on." Buffy shivered a bit at the mention of Ted’s name. "What are the odds that there are two like Ted in this world, and if there were, that they would both show up here in Sunnydale."
"This is Sunnydale, love, the hell mouth, remember?" Spike moved off the table and onto the seat next to Buffy. "Weirdness and evil abound here."
"Okay, so you’re saying that that Mr. Toben is a robot like Ted." Xander pointed a carrot stick at Spike. "Well, that explains the perfect hair and teeth."
Buffy gave Willow an oh-brother look before jumping into the conversation. "Mr. Toben is not a robot. He’s a young History teacher, who came here to Southern California to probably escape the weather back east and is looking to start his career. And I’m getting a lot of jealous vibes from the two of you." She stared meaningful at both Spike and Xander.
"I’m telling you, Slayer, he’s a robot. Smells funny and is. . . ."
"You mean, he’s smells like Ted did?" Buffy asked with alarm. Another psychopathic robot with super strength was something she didn’t need.
"No-o." Spike thoughtfully considered his answer. "But he doesn’t smell human, and remember how you knew that Ted was a right git, but other people. . . ." He glared at Willow and Xander. "Didn’t believe you, thought that ol’ Ted was just the perfect chap. Well, that’s what’s happening here with Mr. Toben. There’s something wrong with him; I know it."
Taking a deep breath, Buffy was conflicted. So many times in the past, instinct and gut feelings had been her guides in the fight against evil, so how could she just dismiss Spike’s suspicions? "Alright, we’ll keep our eyes on Mr. Toben, and. . . ."She held up a hand, stopping Spike’s objection. "Make sure he doesn’t kill or main any innocents. I got an A on his last quiz, so the longer he can remain our history teacher the better."
"Right then." Spike could only stare at Buffy with disgust. "A total nutter can be permitted to run loose, just so you can get your A."
"Spike!" Buffy said through gritted teeth. "I said we would watch him closely, and besides I just can’t go and slay him on a gut feeling you have. We need proof. Willow." She turned to her friend. "Do more computer searches on Mr. Toben. See if you can find out anything more about him. Xander, since you have next hour free, go see Giles and tell him about. . .our suspicions; maybe he can buddy up with Mr. Toben. There." Her eyes swung back to Spike. "Happy now?"
"Yeah." Spike nodded his head, appeased. "I just know something’s wrong with that wanker."
"Then we’re in agreement." Buffy opened her lunch bag and took out a sandwich. "Now I can eat my lunch in peace, and we can talk about something more pleasant, like my birthday party tonight. Your dad going to let you come?"
"Don’t know." Spike shrugged, as he grabbed a handful of Xander’s chips, which elicited a shout of protest. "Last night I think he was wavering because of my let’s-keep-on-the-good-side-of-the-slayer argument, but now after getting kicked out of history class, he’s probably not going to be in too chipper of a mood."
"And just why did you go out of your way to antagonize Mr. Toben?" Willow asked as she bit into an apple.
"I told you; the man isn’t right. His mere presence bothers me."
"We’ll see about Mr. Toben," Buffy said firmly. "But my party won’t be the same if you can’t make it, so how about you ask your dad? That way if he’s invited, then I’m sure he’ll let you come."
"Right, Slayer," Spike snorted in disbelief and dismay. Just what he wanted, his dad around, when he was chumming with his mates. "But if you want me there so bad, then you come to my flat tonight and give him the invitation yourself."
"I’ll do that." Buffy stood up, crumpled lunch bag in her hand.
"And history is being made," Xander added, as the four of them slowly made their way back to the school entrance. "Angelus, Scourge of Europe is going to be invited to a Slayer’s birthday party. Bet that’s a first for him."
**
"This will be the best party ever!" Drusilla clapped her hands in glee, as she watched the sorcerer laid out the materials for the majiks he was about to invoke. In the center of the candles and herbs sat the most important object, a magical container that held souls. "Now there will be two guests of honour."
Even Penn, who hadn’t had much to be happy about, since the Slayer had collapsed an organ on him, breaking his spine, smiled widely. "Right, darling, and I’m sure our Sire will be more than pleased to make the acquaintance of the Judge."
**
After five minutes of knocking than pounding on Angel’s door, Buffy was becoming exasperated. She considered a moment, debating whether she should continue her pounding or look for a phone, when the door swung open to a dripping wet Spike, towel around his waist.
"Bloody hell! You’re a bit early, aren’t you, Slayer?"
"Thought we could make a quick sweep before the party." Buffy slid in past Spike, acutely aware of the amount of naked flesh. "Where’s your dad?" she asked, looking around the small apartment.
"Don’t know." Spike shrugged. "He was acting barmy, and then suddenly he just ran out of here, so. . . ." He gave Buffy big grin. "I’m free to do what I please tonight."
"Did you get his permission to be at my party?" Buffy asked doubtfully. She knew Spike was pushing the envelope behavior wise, and the last thing she wanted was Angel accusing her of instigating his Childe.
"Never had a chance," Spike said airily, totally unconcerned. "Besides, I’m in deep shit already, so what’s another infraction?"
We-ll. . . ." Buffy considered. "When you think about it like that."
"Right, Slayer." Spike grinned again. As far as he was concerned, the evening was perfect, no Sire, a chance to kick some demon arse, and a party afterward. "Just let me get some clothes, and I’m ready to patrol."
**
"Ooh." Drusilla, who was sitting on top of Penn in his wheelchair, leaned forward, her eyes glued to the magical container, which was now glowing. "It’s shiny."
"Shh, darling." Penn held a finger up to his lips. "Don’t disturb the man. We don’t want him messing up this spell; our Sire is counting on us."
Drusilla nodded in agreement, her luminous eyes matching the gleaming container. Behind them, a minion entered the room silently. Bending down, he whispered in Penn’s ear.
"Good, tell Dalton to take a few bodyguards and retrieve that package." Penn dismissed the minion, while speaking quietly to Dru. "The last part of him has just arrived."
**
"Interesting route you’ve decided to take tonight," Spike observed as he surveyed Sunnydale’s downtown docks. "We don’t usually pass through this part of town."
Buffy shrugged. "Just had a feeling, and also was getting a bit tired of our usual haunts. Thought we should do something different."
"Well, love. . . ." Spike grinned, as they turned the corner, spotting a group of vampires unloading a box from a cargo ship. "Look’s like your hunch was correct, demons at ten o’clock."
"Just what the hell are they having shipped here?" Buffy frowned in concentration, hands on hips. "And isn’t that. . . ?" She squinted in the darkness at a vampire with glasses. "One of Penn and Drusilla’s minions?"
Studying the vampires, Spike nodded in agreement. "Yeah, think his name is Dalton. Wonder why he’s still hanging around Sunnydale with the master and mistress now dust?"
"Up to no good, I’m sure," Buffy said, while pulling out her stake. "And how is it that you know his name?"
"My Sire knows all their names; you know, from the same Clan and everything." Spike followed Buffy’s lead, pulling out his stake and then held out a hand, as he felt a few drops from the sky. "Bloody hell, it’s starting to rain."
"Of course." Buffy stared down at the new sweater she had just bought. "New birthday clothes, and they’re going to get soaked in the rain," she said with dismay. "Well, all I can say is those vamps better not put any tears or holes in my new clothes, or they’ll be dealing with one pissed-off slayer."
"Right, love," Spike agreed, as he ran after Buffy into battle.
**
Falling down on the wet pavement, Angel couldn’t keep on his feet because of the pain. Excruciating, horrible pain! The rain beat down on him, as all he could think about was his William, his son. If he were to die, who would care for his Childe?
"William!" he screamed out, as another jolt of pain shot through him. "William, my Childe."
Standing in a doorway to keep dry, a hooker cursed at the rain; there went any hope of some business. A cry to her left caught her attention, as she saw a man lying on the ground. "Mister?" she called out, as she ran toward him. "Hey. You okay?" Reaching Angel, she bent down to check on him. "You want me to call 911?"
As suddenly as it started, the pain disappeared, and the demon within him, which had been kept prisoner by a soul, was set free. Standing up, Angelus turned to the woman. "No. The pain is gone."
"You sure?"
"Yeah." he answered, spinning around and grabbing her. Fangs viciously biting into her neck, he fed on the warm human blood, something which he had denied himself for too long. The body was drained in no time; he had been so very hungry. After the last drop was drunk, he casually dropped the body, blowing out the cigarette smoke he inhaled from it. "I feel just fine."
**
Dispatching the vampires had been easy, as two of them, Dalton, and an unknown vamp ran off as soon as Buffy and Spike attacked. The others were dust within a matter of minutes.
"So what’s in the box?" Buffy asked, as she felt the rain start to beat down harder.
"Don’t know." Spike fumbled around looking for a latch to open it. "Can’t figure out how the bloody thing opens."
"Let’s just take it to Giles," Buffy urged as she felt her hair and clothes becoming wetter by the minute. "He can study whatever’s in it at my party, give him something to do."
"Right." Spike stood-up, clumsily lifting the box with him. "Bloody thing is heavy. It’s too bad I don’t have the car tonight."
"Do you want me to carry it?" Buffy offered, knowing that with her slayer strength, the box would weigh nothing.
"I know you’re stronger than I am, but at least allow me to cling to the illusion that you’re not."
Buffy hid a grin. "Alright, but if it’s any solace to you, you’re stronger than any of my other friends."
"Oh, being stronger than Willow and Xander makes me feel a whole lot better. A Fragilis demon is stronger than the two of them put together." Hoisting the box up on his shoulder, Spike and Buffy bickered good-naturedly as they made their way to the Bronze and Buffy’s birthday party. Reaching the club, they made their way to the basement to a private room, reserved for the celebration.
"Hey, guys." Buffy breezed into the room. "Did a quick patr. . . ." She broke off quickly, as she noticed a few unexpected guests. "H-hi Ms. Calendar, Mr. Toben," she greeted her teachers. "And, and. . . ." She stammered, trying to remember the red-headed senior from Sunnydale."
"Oz," Willow broke in happily. "I mustered up the courage, like you advised me to do and asked him out."
"Only after I asked her out first," Oz added, as he stared over Buffy’s shoulder at Spike. "What’s in the box?"
"Ah, err, gift for Buffy," Spike lied, as he walked over to the present table and set it down.
"Great!" Cordelia exclaimed, totally unaware of the silent warnings both Buffy and Spike were sending out. "So Buffy, let’s start the unwrapping."
"Better idea." Buffy gave Cordy a telling glare. "Let’s have cake." With the presence of both Mr. Toben and Oz, nothing could be said about demons, vampires, and her being the slayer, and certainly they would have to put off seeing what was in the box that they had just taken from the Dalton and his crew.
"Okay, but you better at least open that present, cause it’s not too happy," Oz said, pointing to the box. Whatever was inside was shifting around, causing it to dance about.
"Spike!" Buffy thought quickly. "I told you not to buy me that puppy. My mom will never allow it. We better take it back. . .now."
"Err, right." An elbow in the stomach helped Spike to catch on quickly. "Back to the pet shop then."
"Stores are all closed now," Mr. Toben commented, his face suspicious, as he looked around the room. He was good-looking man of medium height with thick fair hair and light eyes.
"Err, yeah, of course," Buffy stammered, as the box began dancing even harder. "Then. . . ." She bent to pick it up. "You need to take it back to your place." She shoved the box at Spike. "You can take care of the puppy tonight and take it back tomorrow."
"Ye-ah. . . ." Spike started to agree, when suddenly an arm shot out of the box and grabbed Buffy by the throat. "Bloody hell!" he shouted, as the box fell to the floor, fingers still griped around Buffy’s neck.
A short battle ensured, as both Buffy and Spike grappled with the arm, fighting to dislodge it from around Buffy’s throat. A few tense moments passed, but between the two of them they managed free Buffy and stuff the arm back into the crate.
"Good heavens. Buffy." Giles put a concerned hand on Buffy’s back. "Are you all right?"
Massaging her throat, Buffy coughed, trying to catch her breath. "Man, that thing had major grip."
"What was that?" Willow asked, as the whole the group tried to assimilate what just happened.
"It looked like an arm," Oz answered matter-of-factly.
"A demon brought forth to rid the Earth of the plague of humanity, separate the righteous from the wicked, and to burn the righteous down," Mr. Toben said, sounding like he was quoting poetry.
"You’re not saying. . . ?" Giles was shocked. "I thought he was only a legend?"
Mr. Toben shook his head in the negative. "No legend, fact. It’s the Judge, or part of him."
Looking confused, Buffy raised her hand. "Still needing backstory here."
"Um," Giles stammered out. "He, he, he couldn't be killed, yes?" He looked over at Toben. "Um, a-an army was sent against him. Most of them died. . .but, uh, finally they were able to dismember him, but, uh. . .not kill him."
"The pieces were scattered, buried in every corner of the Earth," Mr. Toben finished the explanation.
"And, and how exactly do you know all this?" Giles took off his glasses, as he stared warily at Toben, now understanding why Buffy and the children had been suspicious of the man.
"He’s a demon," Spike said with certainty, as he nudged Buffy. "I told you something was wrong with him."
"This morning you said he was a psychopathic robot," she whispered loudly through gritted teeth.
"I’m neither of those." Mr. Toben’s expression was amused. "I’m an angel, an outcast angel."
Everyone’s jaw dropped, including Oz’, who up to this point, had been taking all the weird events in stride. Looks were exchanged, and then Xander raised his hand.
"Uh, now I know I haven’t been to Sunday school lately, but isn’t an outcast angel the same as a demon?"
"I wasn’t exiled because of, of. . . ." Mr. Toben paused, choosing his words carefully. "Wanting to overthrow Anyone, but. . . ." He trailed off, shrugging. "It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you about it sometime, but now there’s more important matters, like getting that out of town. " He nodded at the box with the Judge’s arm in it.
"Spike." Giles tapped his glassed on the side of his face, as he thought hard. "You can take the. . .ahem, arm to your father, perhaps he will know what to do with it."
"Oh, no!" Mr. Toben immediately protested. "You are not going to put one of the Judge’s limbs in a the care of a vampire."
"Vampire?" Oz questioned as he stared at Spike, while the rest of the group’s eyes turned to Toben. "Your dad is a vampire? How cool is that."
"I saw your mark." Toben pointed at the branded tattoo on Spike’s neck. "You’re a dhampir, son of a vampire, and just out of curiosity and for clarification, who is your Sire, boy?"
Spike bristled at being called boy, by a being, who was his natural enemy, but before he could mouth off, Giles quickly interjected.
"His Sire is Angelus of the Order of Aurelius."
"And he’s a souled vampire," Willow swiftly added, as she sensed the antagonism between Toben and Spike. "A good guy."
"Angelus, Scourge of Europe." Toben now eyed Spike with less hostility. "Yes, I heard about him being cursed by gypsies, back. . . ." He frowned in concentration. "In the nineteenth century, wasn’t it?"
"1898." Spike sighed, while rolling his eyes. He could recite the date backward and forward; he had heard the story of his Sire’s cursing so many times.
"Yes, Romania, right?" Toben was now looking at Spike with great interest. "I’ve heard so much about the notorious Angelus; I would like to meet him. May I. . . ." He turned to Giles. "Take William back home. Between the two of us, I think we can get the Judge safely to his Sire’s."
"Perhaps I should go too." Buffy volunteered hastily. She could act as mediator between Spike and Toben. "Just to make sure nothing happens to it. . .him. . .the arm."
"Splendid idea," Giles agreed. "And afterward, come to the school library, because. . . ." He looked over the rest of the group. "The rest of us need to do start researching the Judge."
**
Part 2
“So-o.” Sitting in the front seat of a small compact car, Buffy stared at the profile of her history teacher. “Do angels have special powers?”
“Course he does,” Spike piped up from the back, where Buffy had ordered him sit. She was doing her best to keep the two men separated. “Like Xander said, angels are just another name for demons; they just fight for the other side.”
“Spike!” Buffy glared in the backseat before turning back to Toben. “Is that true?”
“Angels and demons do have a common lineage, but throughout the centuries we have evolved very differently. Do I turn here?” Toben twisted his head around to ask Spike for directions to his apartment.
“Yeah,” Spike answered sullenly. Toben still rubbed him the wrong way, and Buffy relegating him to the backseat didn’t help his mood.
Pulling into an alleyway, Toben drove up to the downtown apartments and parked off to the side. Scrambling out of the car, the three carefully hoisted the box out of the trunk. Holding it away from her body, Buffy kept a wary eye. She didn’t want a repeat performance of detached arm choking her to death.
Opening the door to the apartment, Spike entered first followed by Buffy and Toben. “Sire,” he called out as he switched on the lights.
“William,” a voice purred, as Angel rose from a chair in the far corner of the room. “I’ve been waiting. . . .” He broke off at the sight of Buffy and Christian Toben.
“Giles sent us here with this. . .this. . . .” Buffy set the box down on the floor and then gestured toward it. Opening her mouth, she started to continue her explanation, but was cut-off by a menacing growl from Angelus. Demon emerging, he grabbed Spike by the front of the shirt.
“How dare you let him. . . .” He glared over at Toben. “In my home.” A hard backhand sent Spike crashing into the small dinette.
Buffy reacted instinctively, moving to grab Angel to prevent any further violence, but another swing of his strong arm sent her sprawling in the opposite direction.
“Little girl,” he hissed at her. “You think you’re the queen around here because you’re the Slayer. But you’ve never fought one such as I; a big surprise awaits you.”
“I don’t want to fight you.” Buffy scrambled to sit-up, wondering what the hell was wrong with Angel.
“Oh, but I do.” He advanced slowly, his tall, broad frame looking even bigger from Buffy’s vantage point.
Her brain worked furiously, as she tried to figure out a battle plan that involved not staking her good friend’s father. Lashing out with her right foot, she landed a solid kick to his left shin. The attack paused Angel for just an instant, which gave Toben the opportunity to attack from behind. He placed both hands on Angel’s shoulders, which caused the vampire to recoil as if being burned.
Snarling with anger, Angel twisted violently, throwing Toben off of him. “We’re not done here,” he growled out, as he picked up the crate, which held the Judge’s arm and ran out of the apartment.
“Jesus!” Buffy picked herself up off the floor. “What’s up with your dad?” she asked, walking over to give Spike a hand. “Too much to drink or was it drugs?”
“Don’t know.” Spike shook his head, as he allowed Buffy to help him up. “He’s never acted like this, and the hitting me part is something completely new.” He rubbed a reddened cheek, where a hand print was clearly visible.
“You shouldn’t stay here tonight.” Toben now had a chance to look around the apartment with interest, getting a glimpse into the notorious Angelus’ home life.
“Grab a change of clothes. I’ll ask my mom if you can spend the night.” Buffy gave Spike a small push toward the partitioned bedroom area. “And you.” She turned to Toben. “Why did Angel run from you just touching him?”
“An angel’s touch has the same effect as holy water to demons.”
“That’s useful.” Buffy nodded her head, speculating why the Powers-That-Be didn’t give slayers that helpful tool.
“They’re repulsed by my touch, but that’s all. It’s certainly not a sure fire defense.”
“Well, aren’t angels soldiers of God?” Buffy asked, as watched Spike grab his backpack and stuff a clean shirt and a pair of underwear in it.
“Some.” Toben pulled out his car keys, as he saw that Spike was ready to go. “But I was an envoy, negotiating between the Powers of Good and the Powers of Evil.”
“So you had a nancy-boy job up in heaven.” Spike couldn’t help goad Toben. “That why you can’t throw a punch?”
“I’m not a warrior,” Toben admitted. “But I have had a few lessons in the art of combat. I’ve thrown a punch or two in my time.”
“Right.” The sneer was evident in Spike’s voice, as he led them out of the apartment. “So what’s the plan?” he asked Buffy.
“You and I need to track down your dad and that box and just hope whatever’s he’s on has worn off, and you,” she addressed Toben again. “Go to the school library and tell Giles what happened here, and that I’ll see him tomorrow before school.”
“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a bossy cow?” Spike asked, as Buffy motioned for him to once again climb into the back of Toben’s car. “And by-the-way,” he said, as Toben slid into the driver’s seat. “Am I still expelled from your class?”
**
January 21, 1998
“Buffy.” A concerned Giles took several steps toward her, as she and Spike entered the library the next afternoon. “I’ve been worried sick, when you didn’t appear for school this morning.”
“Well, you have good reason or reasons to be worried.” A glum Buffy threw her backpack in a chair, before throwing herself in another. “We tracked Angel last night, and he led us to Penn and Drusilla’s lair.”
“Penn and Drusilla!” Giles pulled his glasses off, as he looked around the people, who were gathered in the library: Xander, Willow, Cordelia, and Jenny Calendar. “So they didn’t die in the church fire.” Agitated, he began pacing back and forth.
“I haven’t gotten to the good part yet,” Buffy said, while watching Spike take a seat next to her. “Seems that Penn and Drusilla have been busy. They’ve assembled the Judge, and. . . .”
“He’s been activated?” Giles sank down into the nearest chair. The news just kept getting worse.
“Big Blue is activated and ready to kill,” Spike added, as he pushed back his chair and put his booted feet on the table. He was angry, hurt, and confused, so he dared, dared anyone to tell him to take his feet off the table.
“Damn it!” Giles swore.
“And Angel,” Buffy paused, as she gave Spike a consoling look. “Penn and Dru found a way to desoul him, so he‘s all Mr. Big-Teeth Vampire now. Looks like he reunited with them, and together with the Judge they’re planning to destroy the world.”
“My God! This is terrible.” Giles stood up and began pacing again. “And you’re absolutely certain that. . . .”
The library door swinging open cutting Giles off, as Christian Toben walked in. “The two of you didn’t show for my class today.” He looked directly at both Buffy and Spike. “So I thought I would come and see if. . . .”
“You!” Suspicion suddenly flowed through Buffy, as she jumped up and walked purposely over to Toben. “What do you know?”
“Know?” Toben asked with bewilderment.
Grabbing him by the throat, Buffy pushed him down on the library counter. “You come here with some bizarre story that you’re an angel outcast from heaven, and suddenly Angel loses his soul and the Judge shows up in town. So. What. Do. You. Know?”
“Buffy!” Giles seized her shoulder from behind, giving a tug to pull her off of the history teacher.
Releasing Toben, Buffy still stood toe-to-toe with him. “Explain!”
Eyeing her warily, Toben rubbed his throat. “I had nothing to do with the Judge being here, and Angel losing his soul, but this doesn’t surprise me, because the brief contact I had with him last night I felt no indication of a spiritual essence.”
“You never bothered to mention that to us.” Spike now stood behind Buffy, staring at Toben distrustfully.
“It was just a brief feeling; I wasn’t sure.” Toben took a step sideways, to escape being hemmed in by Buffy and the library counter. “But I haven’t lied to you. I am an angel, who came to this dimension to escape my owner.”
“Owner?” Buffy and the rest of the gang exchanged looks, while Xander raised a hand.
“You were escaping God?”
“No.” Toben’s mouth curled up in a sad smile at Xander’s question. “I was given to a demon, a demon, who’s been known by many names, but lately he’s been going by the name of Chax. He’s been around since the beginning; he’s manipulative, powerful, and cunning.” Opening his shirt, he showed them a symbol burnt into his flesh. “It’s his mark.”
“So God just gives you guys away willy-nilly?” Xander asked.
“Like I told you, I was an envoy, and I was negotiating with Chax with the hope to keep him out of a recent war, convince him to stay neutral. He agreed, but with the condition that I be given to him. In war, sacrifices have to be made.”
Another round of exchanged looks, before Buffy asked, “so wouldn’t the Hellmouth be the first place Chax looks for you?”
“I don’t think he’ll be searching for me. He has a short attention span, and I do believe I was starting to bore him, which is why I was able to escape in the first place. But even so, there are many demons here and in other dimensions who know me, or know of me, and since I’m an outcast from heaven and was once owned by a brethren, I’d be fair game for all of them.”
“So you came here because. . . ?” Buffy enunciated slowly.
“I came here specifically looking for you,” Toben answered honestly. “The Slayer.”
“Because you were hoping I would protect you?” Buffy again spoke slowly.
“Well.” Toben fair skin flushed red. “Yes, but I-I, I can be helpful. I am familiar with. . . .”
“Can you recurse Angel?” Hope surged through Buffy.
“No, unfortunately not.” Toben shook his head regretfully. “I’m an angel; we don’t deal with curses, but. . . .” His gaze swung over to Jenny Calendar. “She could. Descendant from the Clan of Romani, the Kalderash, no?”
Now all eyes turned to Jenny. “Well, yes, I, um,” she stammered out.
“Blo-ody hell!” Spike exploded. “Surrounded by traitors.”
“I was sent here, yes, by my people.” Jenny found her tongue. “But it was just to watch Angel, and actually try to make sure he didn’t lose his soul.”
“Bang up job you did,” Spike said with a sigh. So many adults with so many well-meaning intentions, but all of them were pretty much good for nothing.
“But as far as recursing Angel, those makijs are very ancient, but perhaps I can contact an uncle of mine. He may be able to help,” Jenny added quickly with the hope to make amends.
“Do it,” Buffy ordered. “Now what about the Judge? Where do we stand?”
“On a pile of really boring books that say exactly the same thing,” Xander jumped up to sit on the library counter. “No weapon forged, blah, blah, blah. It took an army.”
“Yeah,” Willow piped in with a light tone, trying to defuse some of the tension in the room. “Where's an army when you need one?”
“Well perhaps. . . .” Giles stared over at Toben. “You know something that would help with the Judge?”
“Whoa. Whoa!” Xander broke in before Toben could answer. “I think I'm having a thought. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's a thought.” He contemplated hard. “Now I'm having a plan.”
“Xander’s the one with the plan!” Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Now we’ve really hit bottom.”
“No, this is for real!” Xander immediately protested, and then stared straight at Buffy. “This is going to be the best birthday present you’ve ever gotten.”
**
January 23, 1998
Exiting the history classroom together, Buffy and Xander both breathed a sigh of relief. The history test was over.
“Man, that’s one exam I would like to forget,” Xander huffed out, as they walked down the hallway. “For being an ex-angel, Toben sure knows how to inflict slow torture. On one of the essay questions, which I had no clue, I wrote about the brilliant plan I came up with to destroy the evil demon, the Judge, and save the world. Do ya think he‘ll give me any points for that answer?”
“Well, if that’s the case, then I should get some points for being the one, who saved the world.” Buffy was sorry that she hadn’t thought like Xander and written how she had blown the Judge to pieces using a Law Rocket Launcher as one of her essays. It would have been better than the gibberish she had written.
“Hey, guys.” Willow suddenly appeared behind them. She, as usual had been one of the first to finish and had been waiting in the lounge for her friends. “So how’d you do?”
“Do! Do!” Xander exclaimed. “If leaving most of the pages blank is a good thing, then I aced it.”
“Oh, boy.” Willow rolled her eyes. “Another exam bites the dust.”
“It’s Friday and we’re not going to think about it anymore, although I did notice that Spike was the first one finished. Do you suppose that’s because he’s now roomies with Mr. Toben, and received some special tutoring last night?” Xander asked. “Because if that’s true, I’m going to scream foul.”
“You’re going to scream fowl?” Standing at his locker, Spike only caught the part of the conversation, as the three approached him.
“Foul, foul.” Xander shouted right in Spike’s face. “Like you’re now the history teacher’s pet because you’re living with him.”
“Which by the way?” Buffy diplomatically changed the subject as the foursome headed outdoors and lunch. “How is living with Mr. Toben?”
“Alright.” Spike shrugged. “Better than old Rupert’s place, where I had to sleep on the sofa and share a bathroom. At least Toben has a two bedroom, two bath flat.”
“And just how does a substitute teacher afford a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment in southern California?” Xander asked cynically.
“My guess.” Spike pushed the door open of the school and they all stepped outside. “Is that he brought some precious gems and such over with him from whatever dimension he was in. Pawn a few here and there, and it keeps you living good, not extravagant, but okay.”
“And you would know this how?” Buffy asked, as the four found an empty table.
Spike scratched his head. “His flat has some nice things, and I figure if he was being kept by some big shot demon, he must have gotten some kind of rewards.”
“You mean he was kept like in that kind of kept?” Xander asked with shock.
“Of course, git.” Spike looked disdainfully at him. “The bloody demon wanted him, and it wasn’t to have a companion to play Parcheesi with.”
“Damn!” Xander hadn’t thought of Toben in that way.
“So,’ Buffy again steered the conversation to another topic. “How you doing?” she asked, staring straight at Spike. She knew that Spike had been depressed since Angel had been recursed.
Spike shrugged, looking away from his friends, as his eyes watered. “I miss him,” he admitted without reservation. “He’s was all I had, and now, now. . . .”
“You have us.” Willow touched his hand lightly for a moment. “And I spoke with Ms. Calendar, and she told me that she has some promising news. Her uncle sent her a copy of some kind of old text on the curse. The bad news though.” she added hastily, as she didn’t want to falsely get Spike’s hopes up. “The transliteration annals for the ritual of the undead have been lost, but Ms. Calendar thinks she still may be able to translate it.”
Xander was confused. “Come again?”
“She’ll figure it out,” Willow said confidently. “And also, Mr. Toben has agreed to try to help. I guess he has a lot of knowledge about ancient languages and such.”
“Great.” Xander opened his lunch bag. “They’ll recurse Angel, and then all your problems will be solved. “ He stared over at Spike for a moment. “Except, of course, once your dad is back to himself, he’ll probably be interested in the fact that you were kicked out of history class and skipped school all in the same week.”
Xander’s practicality brought Spike back to reality, as he look around the table.
“Bloody hell!”
****
Finis