The Nightwatch.

[whoever_i_need]

2016 A.D. Cleveland, OH. 7:05 P.M.

“Goddamnit! I said we need back-up down here, NOW! There’s a fucking nest!”

“12 Adam, please be advised that units are in route. ETA twenty minutes."“Shit! We’re not gonna last ten minutes!” Sargeant Al Reynolds closed his eyes and said a quick prayer. He knew there wasn’t anything dispatch could do. ”OK, we’ll

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[xander_lavelle]

I fired a bolt from the crossbow, dusting the closest vamp, then hit the reload button. The string was quickly drawn back and another bolt was lifted out of the cartridge attached to the stock. I fired again.

It took 'em a couple minutes and four dusted vamps to realize that coming at me one at a time just wasn't working.

The group charged at me. I used the butt of the crossbow to crack the jaw of the lead vamp, then dropped the bow to go hand-to-hand. It seemed to throw them off guard for a few moments; not just that I was fighting them without a weapon, but that I was kicking their asses.

Each movement had a purpose, maximizing the amount of damage done, using their own bodies against them. The fact that I was slightly stronger and faster than them didn't hurt either.

I was beginning to wonder where the girls were when I heard the singing of Buffy's scythe as it was twirled through the air in a deadly rhythm. A vamp went flying over the small crowd I was fighting my way through. Ah, there they were.

A couple minutes later I caught glimpses of Buffy and Dawn, as there was now only a small contingent of vamps left betwixt us.

I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eye and turned to see Willow standing off to the side, by the wall, a pile of smoking ashes covering the floor a few feet in front of her.

I smiled; that's my girl.

But my smile vanished when I saw another vamp sneaking up on her side. I was about to yell a warning when one of the bastards jumped me, wrapping its arm around my neck.

The animal surfaced, clawing its way up into my consciousness, taking over. I let out a very non-human growl, grabbed the vamp and tossed him over my shoulder. He slammed into the far wall with a crack and fell to the floor, unmoving.

The other bloodsucker was almost on Will and I knew even if I warned her now, she wouldn't have enough time to do a defensive spell. I bolted forward in a blur of motion, reaching the vamp just as it reached Willow.

I didn't stop, letting my momentum carry me and the vamp as I caught the its face in my right hand, my arm extending just before we hit the wall. The vamp's head disappeared into the plaster up to its neck.

I stepped back, inspecting my handiwork. It looked like some back-asswards hunter had killed the damn thing and mounted the headless body. A bout of laughter bubbled up at the image. The battle behind me was temporarily forgotten.

"Xander!"

A voice cut through my amusement at the trophy-mounted vampire and I turned to see who had called to me. Willow. She was on the ground, propped up on one elbow, her brows knitted in worry as she watched me.

I closed my eyes for a second, willing the beast back down to the dark corners of my mind. In control again, I rushed over to Will and helped her to her feet.

"I'm so sorry, Will! The hyena took over and I was lost in the hunt. Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah," she nodded. "just a bruised tushy, I think, but Tara can make it better. With a healing spell, I mean!" she quickly added.

I grinned at her as a blush crept up her cheeks."Stay here, I'm gonna help Buff and Dawnie finish off the last of 'em."

She nodded and I rejoined the fray.

[whoever_i_need]

They finished off the rest of the vamps quickly, then the gang surveyed the battle scene.

“Looks like that’s it,” Buffy said. ”Burninator, confirm no more hostiles in the target zone.”

“Scanning… Confirmed. Only four warm bodies in the zone. Those being yours, of course.”

“Coolness. Nest neutralized. Yay, us,” Buffy cheered.

“This calls for cookies, and maybe a movie!”

“Whoa! Slow down there, Will, you party animal, you!” Xander grinned.

“Aren’t you supposed to have popcorn with a movie?” Dawn pointed out.

“I’m a non-conformist,” Willow replied, nodding her head.

“I second the vote for a movie. As long as its something with Hugh Grant,” Buffy added.

“Oh c’mon, Buff, all his movies are chick-flicks! Can’t we at least go with a zany comedy?” Xander pleaded. “Something with a monkey or Jim Carrey?”

“How ‘bout a musical comedy?” Willow suggested.

“Only if it’s Monty Python,” Dawn put in.

“Hey, there was that movie with Hugh Grant and Jim Carrey!” Buffy exclaimed, sure she’d found the perfect solution. “It was like a dramedy, or whatever they call ‘em. It had a lot of funny stuff.”

“I don’t know Buff, it did have that one scene with the you-know-whats,” Willow pointed out.

“Oh yeah. Forgot about that.”

“How about-“

The debate continued as they headed for the door.

THE END.