FIC: Cat's in the Cradle - BtVS/M7 - (4-6/?)
Cat's in the Cradle - cont'd...
Previous parts:
Part 1 - Mourning Comes Softly
Part 2 - Pieces Kept
Part 3 - Voices in my Head
Part 4 - Dynasty
Chris Larabee blinked unseeing eyes as he reluctantly let go of the connection to his only child. He always felt disoriented and bereft when he let go of the link that connected them - almost unnatural.
Closing his eyes briefly, he let his heart mourn for his daughter’s lover, lost far too young.
Just like his own family.
Chris knew the pain Willow was going through all too well.
Sighing as he rose, the blonde moved from the sofa he had lain down on earlier, stopping in front of the large pane of glass that took the place of a wall. At twelve floors, the Dynasty hotel dwarfed the rest of Denver, giving him an unobstructed view of the city.
His city.
He didn’t know how it had happened, but after the death of his wife, Sarah, and son, Adam, he had managed to control and hold the city. A city which was quickly becoming known as a safe haven for those supernatural beings who simply wanted to live a normal life, without the fear of discovery. What had begun as a burning, all-consuming desire for revenge against the one who had killed his wife and son, had turned into something unexpected, with the help of six amazing men. None of it had been his intention, Chris had merely gone after a murderer, which resulted in a power vacuum in the city. Somehow, with the addition of each man into his circle of close confidants, the seven of them had become the new power base in the Denver demon community - the Guardians, each born with the gift of magic. Though most of them wouldn’t admit it, they were all pleased, as well as slightly annoyed with the gossip and rumours that had labelled them as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ throughout the demon world. It had only been recently that Chris had relented and officially taken the position as the Head of the City.
Now demons all over the country knew that Denver was protected by the Seven.
Thinking of the six men he affectionately referred to as his ‘boys’, made the black clad man remember that he was heading for a Hellmouth, and wanted someone to watch his back. He ran through the list in his head, trying to figure out which of his men would be the best.
Buck Wilmington would normally have been at the top of the list, and while his oldest friend fit ‘Tall, Dark and Handsome’ to perfection, he didn’t think the womaniser was the best to have around Willow at the moment. Though Buck had stayed by his side throughout his own period of black mourning and self-destructive tendencies, he wouldn’t be the best at comforting a grieving Willow. While he was the only one of the Seven to actually know about Willow - had even met her on occasion over the years - the loud, boisterous rogue had always made Willow slightly uncomfortable. Despite the many traits she had inherited from him, the ability to deal with the moustached scoundrel was not one of them. The red head had always been quiet and unsure of herself around Buck, and didn’t need that at the present time.
Josiah Sanchez would be his next logical choice, as the older man was a born listener. The big man was a full-grown teddy bear - except when he lost his temper, and then even Chris ran for cover. However, Chris knew Willow had some slight fear of being ‘loomed’ over, which the ex-Preacher would unconsciously do. Josiah also had a defined line between grey and black - though he suspected even Josiah didn’t know where it lay. Until he knew how much Willow had delved into the dark arts, he didn’t want to find out exactly where that line was.
There was a similar problem with Nathan Jackson. The black healer held very defined beliefs when it came to black magic, and Chris didn’t want to make Nathan choose between his beliefs and Chris. He planned to be at Willow’s side, no matter how far she had fallen. Though he suspected Nathan and Josiah wouldn’t raise much of a fuss, especially once Willow dried out from the black magic she’d absorbed.
Even through their brief contact, Chris could feel the dark power surging through the link. It was all he could do to remain fixed on the conversation, and not simply bask in the familiar waves of dark energy. He hadn’t lied when he’d told Willow that he couldn’t condemn her, especially for doing what he himself had done when his family had been taken from him. Chris knew the agony of losing those you loved to death, as well as the rage when nothing you did could fix it. He also knew the sweet taste of revenge against the ones that caused those deaths. That was something the others couldn’t claim.
JD Dunne was one that wouldn’t even understand the desperate need to taste vengeance against the one who had taken those closest to you. While the young man had lost his mother, it was to natural causes rather than malicious intent - if you could call slowly dying as your body turned on itself, natural causes. Chris didn’t have any doubts that though Willow would become good friends with the youngest of the Seven, now was not the time to introduce them. Despite everything that had happened in his life, JD was incapable of being anything other than a bright, shining ray of light in their lives.
For the other six hardened men, it was an annoyance at times, but none of them would change him for the world.
Despite what Ezra may claim.
The green-eyed con man would be an ideal candidate as a travel companion, and would no doubt be able to bring Willow out of her depressed state - if only for a short while. Unfortunately, there was not enough money or coffee in the hemisphere to get Ezra Standish up and out of bed at the time necessary to arrive in Sunnydale at the designated time. The consummate night owl would make the trip to California a living hell for Chris - something he had no desire to deal with currently.
That left the blue-eyed Texan, Vin Tanner. The ex-bounty hunter had been a calm, soothing balm to his tortured soul from the moment their eyes had met. The man would follow Chris into Hell itself without a single word of complaint, just to make sure he came out alive - a gesture which would be reciprocated with the same unquestioning loyalty. The younger man would watch both his and Willow’s back while they were on the Mouth of Hell, and ask questions later.
His decision made, Chris strode across the penthouse apartment of the Dynasty, hopping on the private elevator and headed for the bar in the basement of the hotel.
The Saloon, as someone had first named it, was one of the main gathering places for the supernatural community in Denver. It was also where he had left the boys hours earlier when Willow’s pain and anguish had ripped through him like he was tissue paper. He knew the others had felt a slight ripple through the bond that connected them all, but nothing as strong as what Chris had felt. The wave of dark magic that had swept across the senses of every magical being in the hemisphere some time later, guaranteed that they would still be in the Saloon, hours afterwards.
Stepping through the back door, Chris immediately felt a level of tension he hadn’t felt since he’d made his first appearance after Sarah and Adam died, and he’d gone out of control. Some of the demons who had been here back then had felt the familiarity of the situation, but instinctively knew that he hadn’t been behind it. Still, that level of power had everyone tense and worried.
Making his way through the bar to the table occupied by the other men, he was met with a variety of worried looks. Even Ezra looked mildly concerned, though to anyone else the green-eyed Southerner merely looked bored as he shuffled his ever-present deck of cards.
“Chris?” asked a frowning Buck, the others remaining silent.
Ignoring the question in Buck’s voice, Chris turned his attention to the Southerner.
“I need the plane fuelled and ready as soon as can be arranged.” he told Ezra. The man was in charge of finances, in fact owned the Dynasty, while Chris’ money was invested in a variety of clubs and restaurants geared towards the demons in his city. At the moment, he needed the use of the jet they all shared, and Ezra was the one in charge of that.
“Goin’ somewhere, Cowboy?” drawled a smooth voice.
“Yeah.” he replied, looking at the owner of the voice, one of two people who could call him a ‘cowboy’ and live. “Sunnydale. You’re coming with me.” A lone brow rose in question, but nothing was said at the seriousness of the situation was felt.
“Is this what I think it is?” asked Buck, the only one who knew why Sunnydale.
A quick flicker in the green eyes told Buck more than any words could.
“I want you boys to steer clear of the ranch for a few weeks.” Chris told them, garnering more than a few raised eyebrows around the table.
“Will you require the use of the jet for long, Mr. Larabee?” queried Ezra, his eyes meeting Chris’, as the cards kept up their flawless movements.
“Should be back by tomorrow afternoon.” he told the con man. “Quick turnaround.”
“Do you need our help with anything, Brother?” intoned Josiah, his deep baritone rumbling across the table.
“Just need time and space, Preacher.” he told the not-quite holy man. Though Josiah had all the teachings of a priest, the older man was as far removed from a man of the cloth, as Buck was from the term ‘monogamous relationship’. Josiah said it was due to a calling from the Goddess, and an inability to turn the other cheek. Which was as good a reason as any for Chris, especially since the big man would have been burned at the stake by certain factions of the Catholic Church for his natural way with magic.
“Pack for the unexpected. I’ll meet you at the airport.” Chris told Vin, nodding a farewell to the others and striding out of the bar, his black duster flapping it’s own farewell.
End Part 4
Part 5 - Boys and Bars
“Something I should know ‘bout Sunnydale, Buck?” Vin asked, noticing the rogue’s uneasy expression.
“Sunnydale, California.” began Buck, pausing to down half the whiskey sitting in front of him. “Home of the highest death rate per capita in the US, more cemeteries and abandoned churches than you can shake a stick at, and the strangest damn demon community I’ve ever seen. And let’s not forget, home to one of two Hellmouths in the continental US.”
“Ah, shit!” cursed Vin, already mentally doubling the number of weapons he was planning on ‘packing’ for this little trip. He’d come across a Hellmouth in South America once, while he’d been travelling with a tribe of Koresh demons. The vibes that thing had put out had warped every type of energy within a fifty-mile radius. The bounty hunter wasn’t looking forward to being around another one.
“What’s a Hellmouth?” asked JD, not quite sure if he really wanted to know.
“It’s a doorway. Literally the ‘Mouth of Hell’.” Nathan explained, speaking up for the first time. While the healer had never been near one, he’d heard enough about them from the patients he saw. Running the only ‘demon-friendly’ clinic in the city guaranteed him patients and information, even though most of that came from his receptionist, Sally Ann.
“It is a decidedly unpleasant locale to visit, Mr. Dunne.” added Ezra, sharing a look with Vin. Both had been to an area with a Hellmouth, and had none-too-pleasant experiences to show for it.
Seeing that the young man still didn’t understand the dangers, Josiah expanded on the healer’s explanation.
“A Hellmouth is a metaphysical doorway into Hell.” he explained. “The dark energies and pure evil found there leak through the doorway, sending out a call - like a bright, shining beacon in a dark room. As a result, all energies - including magical - are distorted.”
“He means nothing works like it should.” clarified Buck, still staring at the last of the amber liquid in his glass before downing it as well. “You can’t trust the simplest spell to go the way it should.”
“Though vampires seem to be the predominant species, various demons also seek out the Hellmouth to attempt to either open the doorway or harness the raw mystical energy that constantly seeps through.” added Ezra.
“Doesn’t anyone stop them?” JD asked, eyes wide with amazement. “I mean, someone had to have stopped them, or we wouldn’t be here, right?”
“Correctly so, Mr Dunne.” Ezra replied. “I believe the Hellmouth in Sunnydale boasts a Slayer as guardian, while the one in Cleveland has a clan of Qui’ria’K demons preventing any ill use.”
“How the hell did a Qui’ria’K demon - let alone a clan of them - become guardians of the Cleveland Hellmouth?” exclaimed Nathan, more than shocked and bewildered by what the Southerner had said. “They don’t do anything without a good reason, and usually it’s for their own personal gain! Just like you, Ezra!”
“I believe a life debt was called in, after a particularly dangerous attempt to open the Hellmouth.” He answered, ignoring Nathan’s backhanded insult. “Or so the rumours say.”
“So why is Chris going to Sunnydale, if a Hellmouth is so bad?” asked JD, trying to delay the inevitable argument between Ezra and Nathan. He wanted answers before those two went at each other, despite the complete lack of malice between them. While the two had started off on the wrong foot, they were now as close as the rest of the groups; though both would rather die than admit it.
“What else is in Sunnydale?” he persisted, unwilling to take silence as an answer, especially if two of his friends were heading into potential trouble. “Does it have anything to do with that wave of dark magic we felt earlier?”
“JD! Let it rest, boy!” Buck snapped, irritated that he was worried, and worried about what his oldest friend might find in Sunnydale.
Silence fell around the table at Buck’s harsh words to the now-red faced young man.
“Still, I would like to know what has two of our Brothers headed for Sunnydale.” commented Josiah in a conversational tone, eyes completely focussed on Buck, a reprimand clear in his gaze.
Sighing in defeat, Buck looked at JD as he gave the only answer he was willing to. “The only thing that kept Chris sane and in one piece after Sarah and Adam died.”
Looking up at the newest arrival through the street entrance, what could only be described as a ‘panicked’ look crossed Buck’s face as he hastily added, “And that’s all I’m willing to tell you.”
“Night, fellas!” he called over his shoulder as he hotfooted it out of the bar through the back entrance.
Calling after Buck did JD no good, the door was already swinging shut behind him. Turning to see what had made the tall man flee, JD suddenly felt a very similar desire to leave as quickly as possible.
Noting JD’s panicked look, the other men followed his gaze and suddenly found more pressing errands to run.
“Gotta get packin’.” said Vin, hastily following Buck out the back entrance.
“Edwards needs to be informed of this evening’s upcoming flight.” added Ezra, pushing away from the table while reaching for his phone. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
“Now hold up, Ezra!” called Nathan after the Southerner, determine to get some answers from the slippery man. “What did you do in Cleveland?”
“I’m sure I do not know to what you are referring, Mr. Jackson.” Ezra replied, with all the smarm of a used car salesman.
“You deal in fact, Ez - not rumour.” the healer replied as he followed the other man out of the bar.
“Please desist in that obnoxious appellation! My name is E-z-r-a, use it correctly!” came the beginning of a long-suffering argument in the wake of their exit.
Seeing that the reason for the mass exodus was almost upon him, JD shook off his frozen status and simply bolted for the door, stammering a lame excuse as he went.
“Well, I certainly can clear a room, can’t I, Josiah?” asked Mary Travis of the only man left.
“Indeed.” He replied, wishing he’d been quicker and joined the others.
“Well, that just gives us more time to talk.” The blonde pseudo-reporter/store owner smiled sweetly as she sat down. “You wouldn’t happen to know what had the customers of my store heading for higher ground, would you?”
Another round of dodging questions and giving half-answers to the woman who didn’t know it was better to leave well enough alone.
Ezra was always better at this than he was, Josiah mused. The con man was the only one known to leave Mary Travis more confused than when she started. It was truly a sight to see.
“Josiah? Are you listening to me?”
He reached for the leftover bottle of whiskey, and tried to decide whether he needed a glass or to drink straight from the bottle.
“Pay attention and tell me what’s going on!”
No glass!
End Part 5
Part 6 - History Raises
“You gonna tell me why we’re headed for a Hellmouth, Cowboy?” Vin asked. They were the first words he’d spoken since they’d met at the airport in Denver. Chris had been very intense and dark since the start, and Vin knew enough to leave the man to his thoughts. However, seeing as they were merely minutes from landing he decided that it was now or never.
Chris’ eyes flew up to meet Vin’s calm gaze, and the bounty hunter knew he’d drawn Chris out of something important. The man had been seated in the same place since takeoff, eyes closed as if asleep, but the warm waves of power washing through the cabin told him differently. Chris was concentrating on something very hard, and though Vin normally wouldn’t question his friend, he felt in need of some information.
Glancing out the window, Chris realized it had been dark the last time he looked. It was now past dawn.
“We close?” he asked Vin, his gaze swinging back to be met by piercing blue eyes.
“‘Bout to land.”
Silence followed, as Chris tried to sort through everything he knew.
“That wave of magic that about knocked half of Denver on its ass?” Chris began, not really needing an answer - everyone had felt it. “It was caused by a witch who was trying to destroy us all.”
“All?”
“Everyone on the planet.” confirmed Chris.
“One witch?” A raised brow accompanying the question.
“Only one.” Which made Vin all the more uncomfortable. Most covens couldn’t hope to generate that much power.
“Who is she?” he asked, knowing they weren’t hunting this witch - more of the boys would have come if that were the case. That, and Buck’s words still echoed in his head. ‘The only thing that kept Chris sane and in one piece after Sarah and Adam died.’
“My daughter.”
Two raised brows were the only outward sign of surprise Vin showed. “Didn’t think you’d be up for anymore kids after what happened.” Referring to the devastating deaths of his wife and son.
“She’s older.”
‘Before Sarah’ was left unsaid.
“I didn’t know about her ‘till she was eight, and by then her mother was married and didn’t want her husband to know. Sheila told him I’d died, and Willow didn’t know the difference. I kept pushing to be allowed to spend time with her; threatened to go to court before she relented. After that, Willow spent a few weeks every summer at the ranch. Sheila told everyone Willow was at her grandmother’s.”
“Sheila?”
“High school girlfriend. We broke up before she knew she was pregnant, and didn’t tell me.” the anger and resentment still evident in his voice.
“She’s powerful.” Vin remarked. The pulse of magic felt in Denver had been intense - he could only imagine what people in Sunnydale had felt.
“She doesn’t have much control, either.” added Chris, silently cursing Sheila for never telling him about Willow. The woman had no idea about the powers Willow had inherited from him, so she had gotten no formal training. Two weeks a year was nowhere close to constant supervision. Maybe if he’d pushed harder, Chris could have gotten partial custody, or simply more time with Willow.
Looking at Vin, Chris clearly read the look on the Texan’s face. It said ‘And you’re bringing her to Denver?’.
“I tried to teach her the basics, but only having two weeks a year . . .” he trailed off, and Vin understood. It took months, if not years, to gain understanding and control, especially given the levels of power she’d displayed.
“She doesn’t have a mentor?” asked Vin, not understanding why no one would take the girl in and teach her.
“There was a gypsy, once, but she was killed by a vampire shortly after she began to teach Willow. The only other candidate was a British Watcher, and from what Willow has said, he kept trying to dissuade her from magic.” The tone of voice conveyed exactly what he though of the man and his ideas.
“That level of power didn’t emerge overnight.” Vin commented.
“No. It’s been building up for some time.” Chris explained. Ever since the plane had taken off, he’d been in contact with Willow through the link he’d forged between them when her powers had just begun to emerge. She’d been telling him about the last few months of her life, and the rage was still boiling within. The idiots could have killed her. “Her powers began to fully emerge after the gypsy’s death. I remember being that age, and the hormones had nothing on the magic surging through my blood, trying to find release.”
“So this was her ‘big bang’?”
“Yeah. Her friends convinced her she was addicted to dark magic, and made her give it up.”
“Ain’t that kinda dangerous?” Vin asked. He knew that black magic could be addictive, but didn’t think that was what had happened. Chris wasn’t like other magic users. He didn’t harness the magical energy around him, which was either black or white, positive or negative. Instead, the blonde seemed to tap into the Earth’s energy, which wasn’t good or bad, simply . . . natural. Vin figured Willow would be the same way.
“Extremely.”
He’d explained all this to Willow, saying that Rack had only been ‘releasing the pressure’, so to speak. She was not addicted to black magic, her body just needed the release of energy build-up. But it still acted the same way.
“So that’s what made her pop?” referring to the reason behind the trip.
“Partly. Her lover was hit with a stray bullet, after they got back together. Died instantly.”
That’s when Vin understood. The daughter had followed in the father’s footsteps, though unintentionally.
“She gonna be dressed in black and glowering at everyone, too?” Vin joked, drawing a slight smile from the other man.
“Worse. Babble and Resolve Face.”
“Goddess help us all.”
End Part 6
Next Part
Previous parts:
Part 1 - Mourning Comes Softly
Part 2 - Pieces Kept
Part 3 - Voices in my Head
Part 4 - Dynasty
Chris Larabee blinked unseeing eyes as he reluctantly let go of the connection to his only child. He always felt disoriented and bereft when he let go of the link that connected them - almost unnatural.
Closing his eyes briefly, he let his heart mourn for his daughter’s lover, lost far too young.
Just like his own family.
Chris knew the pain Willow was going through all too well.
Sighing as he rose, the blonde moved from the sofa he had lain down on earlier, stopping in front of the large pane of glass that took the place of a wall. At twelve floors, the Dynasty hotel dwarfed the rest of Denver, giving him an unobstructed view of the city.
His city.
He didn’t know how it had happened, but after the death of his wife, Sarah, and son, Adam, he had managed to control and hold the city. A city which was quickly becoming known as a safe haven for those supernatural beings who simply wanted to live a normal life, without the fear of discovery. What had begun as a burning, all-consuming desire for revenge against the one who had killed his wife and son, had turned into something unexpected, with the help of six amazing men. None of it had been his intention, Chris had merely gone after a murderer, which resulted in a power vacuum in the city. Somehow, with the addition of each man into his circle of close confidants, the seven of them had become the new power base in the Denver demon community - the Guardians, each born with the gift of magic. Though most of them wouldn’t admit it, they were all pleased, as well as slightly annoyed with the gossip and rumours that had labelled them as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ throughout the demon world. It had only been recently that Chris had relented and officially taken the position as the Head of the City.
Now demons all over the country knew that Denver was protected by the Seven.
Thinking of the six men he affectionately referred to as his ‘boys’, made the black clad man remember that he was heading for a Hellmouth, and wanted someone to watch his back. He ran through the list in his head, trying to figure out which of his men would be the best.
Buck Wilmington would normally have been at the top of the list, and while his oldest friend fit ‘Tall, Dark and Handsome’ to perfection, he didn’t think the womaniser was the best to have around Willow at the moment. Though Buck had stayed by his side throughout his own period of black mourning and self-destructive tendencies, he wouldn’t be the best at comforting a grieving Willow. While he was the only one of the Seven to actually know about Willow - had even met her on occasion over the years - the loud, boisterous rogue had always made Willow slightly uncomfortable. Despite the many traits she had inherited from him, the ability to deal with the moustached scoundrel was not one of them. The red head had always been quiet and unsure of herself around Buck, and didn’t need that at the present time.
Josiah Sanchez would be his next logical choice, as the older man was a born listener. The big man was a full-grown teddy bear - except when he lost his temper, and then even Chris ran for cover. However, Chris knew Willow had some slight fear of being ‘loomed’ over, which the ex-Preacher would unconsciously do. Josiah also had a defined line between grey and black - though he suspected even Josiah didn’t know where it lay. Until he knew how much Willow had delved into the dark arts, he didn’t want to find out exactly where that line was.
There was a similar problem with Nathan Jackson. The black healer held very defined beliefs when it came to black magic, and Chris didn’t want to make Nathan choose between his beliefs and Chris. He planned to be at Willow’s side, no matter how far she had fallen. Though he suspected Nathan and Josiah wouldn’t raise much of a fuss, especially once Willow dried out from the black magic she’d absorbed.
Even through their brief contact, Chris could feel the dark power surging through the link. It was all he could do to remain fixed on the conversation, and not simply bask in the familiar waves of dark energy. He hadn’t lied when he’d told Willow that he couldn’t condemn her, especially for doing what he himself had done when his family had been taken from him. Chris knew the agony of losing those you loved to death, as well as the rage when nothing you did could fix it. He also knew the sweet taste of revenge against the ones that caused those deaths. That was something the others couldn’t claim.
JD Dunne was one that wouldn’t even understand the desperate need to taste vengeance against the one who had taken those closest to you. While the young man had lost his mother, it was to natural causes rather than malicious intent - if you could call slowly dying as your body turned on itself, natural causes. Chris didn’t have any doubts that though Willow would become good friends with the youngest of the Seven, now was not the time to introduce them. Despite everything that had happened in his life, JD was incapable of being anything other than a bright, shining ray of light in their lives.
For the other six hardened men, it was an annoyance at times, but none of them would change him for the world.
Despite what Ezra may claim.
The green-eyed con man would be an ideal candidate as a travel companion, and would no doubt be able to bring Willow out of her depressed state - if only for a short while. Unfortunately, there was not enough money or coffee in the hemisphere to get Ezra Standish up and out of bed at the time necessary to arrive in Sunnydale at the designated time. The consummate night owl would make the trip to California a living hell for Chris - something he had no desire to deal with currently.
That left the blue-eyed Texan, Vin Tanner. The ex-bounty hunter had been a calm, soothing balm to his tortured soul from the moment their eyes had met. The man would follow Chris into Hell itself without a single word of complaint, just to make sure he came out alive - a gesture which would be reciprocated with the same unquestioning loyalty. The younger man would watch both his and Willow’s back while they were on the Mouth of Hell, and ask questions later.
His decision made, Chris strode across the penthouse apartment of the Dynasty, hopping on the private elevator and headed for the bar in the basement of the hotel.
The Saloon, as someone had first named it, was one of the main gathering places for the supernatural community in Denver. It was also where he had left the boys hours earlier when Willow’s pain and anguish had ripped through him like he was tissue paper. He knew the others had felt a slight ripple through the bond that connected them all, but nothing as strong as what Chris had felt. The wave of dark magic that had swept across the senses of every magical being in the hemisphere some time later, guaranteed that they would still be in the Saloon, hours afterwards.
Stepping through the back door, Chris immediately felt a level of tension he hadn’t felt since he’d made his first appearance after Sarah and Adam died, and he’d gone out of control. Some of the demons who had been here back then had felt the familiarity of the situation, but instinctively knew that he hadn’t been behind it. Still, that level of power had everyone tense and worried.
Making his way through the bar to the table occupied by the other men, he was met with a variety of worried looks. Even Ezra looked mildly concerned, though to anyone else the green-eyed Southerner merely looked bored as he shuffled his ever-present deck of cards.
“Chris?” asked a frowning Buck, the others remaining silent.
Ignoring the question in Buck’s voice, Chris turned his attention to the Southerner.
“I need the plane fuelled and ready as soon as can be arranged.” he told Ezra. The man was in charge of finances, in fact owned the Dynasty, while Chris’ money was invested in a variety of clubs and restaurants geared towards the demons in his city. At the moment, he needed the use of the jet they all shared, and Ezra was the one in charge of that.
“Goin’ somewhere, Cowboy?” drawled a smooth voice.
“Yeah.” he replied, looking at the owner of the voice, one of two people who could call him a ‘cowboy’ and live. “Sunnydale. You’re coming with me.” A lone brow rose in question, but nothing was said at the seriousness of the situation was felt.
“Is this what I think it is?” asked Buck, the only one who knew why Sunnydale.
A quick flicker in the green eyes told Buck more than any words could.
“I want you boys to steer clear of the ranch for a few weeks.” Chris told them, garnering more than a few raised eyebrows around the table.
“Will you require the use of the jet for long, Mr. Larabee?” queried Ezra, his eyes meeting Chris’, as the cards kept up their flawless movements.
“Should be back by tomorrow afternoon.” he told the con man. “Quick turnaround.”
“Do you need our help with anything, Brother?” intoned Josiah, his deep baritone rumbling across the table.
“Just need time and space, Preacher.” he told the not-quite holy man. Though Josiah had all the teachings of a priest, the older man was as far removed from a man of the cloth, as Buck was from the term ‘monogamous relationship’. Josiah said it was due to a calling from the Goddess, and an inability to turn the other cheek. Which was as good a reason as any for Chris, especially since the big man would have been burned at the stake by certain factions of the Catholic Church for his natural way with magic.
“Pack for the unexpected. I’ll meet you at the airport.” Chris told Vin, nodding a farewell to the others and striding out of the bar, his black duster flapping it’s own farewell.
End Part 4
Part 5 - Boys and Bars
“Something I should know ‘bout Sunnydale, Buck?” Vin asked, noticing the rogue’s uneasy expression.
“Sunnydale, California.” began Buck, pausing to down half the whiskey sitting in front of him. “Home of the highest death rate per capita in the US, more cemeteries and abandoned churches than you can shake a stick at, and the strangest damn demon community I’ve ever seen. And let’s not forget, home to one of two Hellmouths in the continental US.”
“Ah, shit!” cursed Vin, already mentally doubling the number of weapons he was planning on ‘packing’ for this little trip. He’d come across a Hellmouth in South America once, while he’d been travelling with a tribe of Koresh demons. The vibes that thing had put out had warped every type of energy within a fifty-mile radius. The bounty hunter wasn’t looking forward to being around another one.
“What’s a Hellmouth?” asked JD, not quite sure if he really wanted to know.
“It’s a doorway. Literally the ‘Mouth of Hell’.” Nathan explained, speaking up for the first time. While the healer had never been near one, he’d heard enough about them from the patients he saw. Running the only ‘demon-friendly’ clinic in the city guaranteed him patients and information, even though most of that came from his receptionist, Sally Ann.
“It is a decidedly unpleasant locale to visit, Mr. Dunne.” added Ezra, sharing a look with Vin. Both had been to an area with a Hellmouth, and had none-too-pleasant experiences to show for it.
Seeing that the young man still didn’t understand the dangers, Josiah expanded on the healer’s explanation.
“A Hellmouth is a metaphysical doorway into Hell.” he explained. “The dark energies and pure evil found there leak through the doorway, sending out a call - like a bright, shining beacon in a dark room. As a result, all energies - including magical - are distorted.”
“He means nothing works like it should.” clarified Buck, still staring at the last of the amber liquid in his glass before downing it as well. “You can’t trust the simplest spell to go the way it should.”
“Though vampires seem to be the predominant species, various demons also seek out the Hellmouth to attempt to either open the doorway or harness the raw mystical energy that constantly seeps through.” added Ezra.
“Doesn’t anyone stop them?” JD asked, eyes wide with amazement. “I mean, someone had to have stopped them, or we wouldn’t be here, right?”
“Correctly so, Mr Dunne.” Ezra replied. “I believe the Hellmouth in Sunnydale boasts a Slayer as guardian, while the one in Cleveland has a clan of Qui’ria’K demons preventing any ill use.”
“How the hell did a Qui’ria’K demon - let alone a clan of them - become guardians of the Cleveland Hellmouth?” exclaimed Nathan, more than shocked and bewildered by what the Southerner had said. “They don’t do anything without a good reason, and usually it’s for their own personal gain! Just like you, Ezra!”
“I believe a life debt was called in, after a particularly dangerous attempt to open the Hellmouth.” He answered, ignoring Nathan’s backhanded insult. “Or so the rumours say.”
“So why is Chris going to Sunnydale, if a Hellmouth is so bad?” asked JD, trying to delay the inevitable argument between Ezra and Nathan. He wanted answers before those two went at each other, despite the complete lack of malice between them. While the two had started off on the wrong foot, they were now as close as the rest of the groups; though both would rather die than admit it.
“What else is in Sunnydale?” he persisted, unwilling to take silence as an answer, especially if two of his friends were heading into potential trouble. “Does it have anything to do with that wave of dark magic we felt earlier?”
“JD! Let it rest, boy!” Buck snapped, irritated that he was worried, and worried about what his oldest friend might find in Sunnydale.
Silence fell around the table at Buck’s harsh words to the now-red faced young man.
“Still, I would like to know what has two of our Brothers headed for Sunnydale.” commented Josiah in a conversational tone, eyes completely focussed on Buck, a reprimand clear in his gaze.
Sighing in defeat, Buck looked at JD as he gave the only answer he was willing to. “The only thing that kept Chris sane and in one piece after Sarah and Adam died.”
Looking up at the newest arrival through the street entrance, what could only be described as a ‘panicked’ look crossed Buck’s face as he hastily added, “And that’s all I’m willing to tell you.”
“Night, fellas!” he called over his shoulder as he hotfooted it out of the bar through the back entrance.
Calling after Buck did JD no good, the door was already swinging shut behind him. Turning to see what had made the tall man flee, JD suddenly felt a very similar desire to leave as quickly as possible.
Noting JD’s panicked look, the other men followed his gaze and suddenly found more pressing errands to run.
“Gotta get packin’.” said Vin, hastily following Buck out the back entrance.
“Edwards needs to be informed of this evening’s upcoming flight.” added Ezra, pushing away from the table while reaching for his phone. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
“Now hold up, Ezra!” called Nathan after the Southerner, determine to get some answers from the slippery man. “What did you do in Cleveland?”
“I’m sure I do not know to what you are referring, Mr. Jackson.” Ezra replied, with all the smarm of a used car salesman.
“You deal in fact, Ez - not rumour.” the healer replied as he followed the other man out of the bar.
“Please desist in that obnoxious appellation! My name is E-z-r-a, use it correctly!” came the beginning of a long-suffering argument in the wake of their exit.
Seeing that the reason for the mass exodus was almost upon him, JD shook off his frozen status and simply bolted for the door, stammering a lame excuse as he went.
“Well, I certainly can clear a room, can’t I, Josiah?” asked Mary Travis of the only man left.
“Indeed.” He replied, wishing he’d been quicker and joined the others.
“Well, that just gives us more time to talk.” The blonde pseudo-reporter/store owner smiled sweetly as she sat down. “You wouldn’t happen to know what had the customers of my store heading for higher ground, would you?”
Another round of dodging questions and giving half-answers to the woman who didn’t know it was better to leave well enough alone.
Ezra was always better at this than he was, Josiah mused. The con man was the only one known to leave Mary Travis more confused than when she started. It was truly a sight to see.
“Josiah? Are you listening to me?”
He reached for the leftover bottle of whiskey, and tried to decide whether he needed a glass or to drink straight from the bottle.
“Pay attention and tell me what’s going on!”
No glass!
End Part 5
Part 6 - History Raises
“You gonna tell me why we’re headed for a Hellmouth, Cowboy?” Vin asked. They were the first words he’d spoken since they’d met at the airport in Denver. Chris had been very intense and dark since the start, and Vin knew enough to leave the man to his thoughts. However, seeing as they were merely minutes from landing he decided that it was now or never.
Chris’ eyes flew up to meet Vin’s calm gaze, and the bounty hunter knew he’d drawn Chris out of something important. The man had been seated in the same place since takeoff, eyes closed as if asleep, but the warm waves of power washing through the cabin told him differently. Chris was concentrating on something very hard, and though Vin normally wouldn’t question his friend, he felt in need of some information.
Glancing out the window, Chris realized it had been dark the last time he looked. It was now past dawn.
“We close?” he asked Vin, his gaze swinging back to be met by piercing blue eyes.
“‘Bout to land.”
Silence followed, as Chris tried to sort through everything he knew.
“That wave of magic that about knocked half of Denver on its ass?” Chris began, not really needing an answer - everyone had felt it. “It was caused by a witch who was trying to destroy us all.”
“All?”
“Everyone on the planet.” confirmed Chris.
“One witch?” A raised brow accompanying the question.
“Only one.” Which made Vin all the more uncomfortable. Most covens couldn’t hope to generate that much power.
“Who is she?” he asked, knowing they weren’t hunting this witch - more of the boys would have come if that were the case. That, and Buck’s words still echoed in his head. ‘The only thing that kept Chris sane and in one piece after Sarah and Adam died.’
“My daughter.”
Two raised brows were the only outward sign of surprise Vin showed. “Didn’t think you’d be up for anymore kids after what happened.” Referring to the devastating deaths of his wife and son.
“She’s older.”
‘Before Sarah’ was left unsaid.
“I didn’t know about her ‘till she was eight, and by then her mother was married and didn’t want her husband to know. Sheila told him I’d died, and Willow didn’t know the difference. I kept pushing to be allowed to spend time with her; threatened to go to court before she relented. After that, Willow spent a few weeks every summer at the ranch. Sheila told everyone Willow was at her grandmother’s.”
“Sheila?”
“High school girlfriend. We broke up before she knew she was pregnant, and didn’t tell me.” the anger and resentment still evident in his voice.
“She’s powerful.” Vin remarked. The pulse of magic felt in Denver had been intense - he could only imagine what people in Sunnydale had felt.
“She doesn’t have much control, either.” added Chris, silently cursing Sheila for never telling him about Willow. The woman had no idea about the powers Willow had inherited from him, so she had gotten no formal training. Two weeks a year was nowhere close to constant supervision. Maybe if he’d pushed harder, Chris could have gotten partial custody, or simply more time with Willow.
Looking at Vin, Chris clearly read the look on the Texan’s face. It said ‘And you’re bringing her to Denver?’.
“I tried to teach her the basics, but only having two weeks a year . . .” he trailed off, and Vin understood. It took months, if not years, to gain understanding and control, especially given the levels of power she’d displayed.
“She doesn’t have a mentor?” asked Vin, not understanding why no one would take the girl in and teach her.
“There was a gypsy, once, but she was killed by a vampire shortly after she began to teach Willow. The only other candidate was a British Watcher, and from what Willow has said, he kept trying to dissuade her from magic.” The tone of voice conveyed exactly what he though of the man and his ideas.
“That level of power didn’t emerge overnight.” Vin commented.
“No. It’s been building up for some time.” Chris explained. Ever since the plane had taken off, he’d been in contact with Willow through the link he’d forged between them when her powers had just begun to emerge. She’d been telling him about the last few months of her life, and the rage was still boiling within. The idiots could have killed her. “Her powers began to fully emerge after the gypsy’s death. I remember being that age, and the hormones had nothing on the magic surging through my blood, trying to find release.”
“So this was her ‘big bang’?”
“Yeah. Her friends convinced her she was addicted to dark magic, and made her give it up.”
“Ain’t that kinda dangerous?” Vin asked. He knew that black magic could be addictive, but didn’t think that was what had happened. Chris wasn’t like other magic users. He didn’t harness the magical energy around him, which was either black or white, positive or negative. Instead, the blonde seemed to tap into the Earth’s energy, which wasn’t good or bad, simply . . . natural. Vin figured Willow would be the same way.
“Extremely.”
He’d explained all this to Willow, saying that Rack had only been ‘releasing the pressure’, so to speak. She was not addicted to black magic, her body just needed the release of energy build-up. But it still acted the same way.
“So that’s what made her pop?” referring to the reason behind the trip.
“Partly. Her lover was hit with a stray bullet, after they got back together. Died instantly.”
That’s when Vin understood. The daughter had followed in the father’s footsteps, though unintentionally.
“She gonna be dressed in black and glowering at everyone, too?” Vin joked, drawing a slight smile from the other man.
“Worse. Babble and Resolve Face.”
“Goddess help us all.”
End Part 6
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