(Untitled)

[summers__buffy]

Continued from hereGripping my scythe I nodded in agreement to Wes. I stopped to really look at him and I saw hurt and loneliness in his eyes. A feeling I have well known for many years. Especially the loneliness. Never in my life have I been so alone when I became the slayer. But now that I'm not the only one it helps but since I'm here with alot

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[summers__buffy]

I had gotten the lid of the sewer off pretty quickly ok I know super strength and all and I have the tendency to show off. It's not like I meant to. And the sooner it's off the better right? I glanced at Wes when he said I was a show off.

I just shook my head and was in the sewer before I knew it. I waited for him to come on in too. It's not like the sewage is rotting anymore than it is. And the smell definitely isn't getting any better or worse for that matter. I'm gonna need a long shower after this.

I saw him fall straight into some slime and couldn't help but let out a slight laugh. I helped him up to his feet and told him to watch his back especially cause really not liking this firm as I continue to hear more about it. I rolled my eyes when he said 'no really' rather sarcastically. Hey I appreciate sarcasm as much as the next girl but in a time like this, I could go without it.

I nodded when I heard him mutter what sounded like an apology. "Hey let's not get cranky cause then I'd have to get cranky and that just wouldn't be pretty." I looked over in the direction he was pointing. Ok so it's not too far from where we were standing.

I looked at him and began to walk. "Well better get going then. And the leg's fine. Thanks for asking though." I said with a slight wry smile. I walked slowly with my scythe in my right hand being prepared for anything. I could see the entrance come into view as we got closer to our target.

[_wes_pryce_]

"But I'm so good at being cranky as you might recall." I glanced at her over my shoulder, the corners of my mouth quirking up a bit as I hid a smile. When she said her let was fine, I gave her a pointed look. One which told her I'd be the judge of that later on after I'd taken another look at it. Well, that's what it would've said had she been familiar with my looks. I guess no one is these days, not any more.

Feeling rather depressed at that thought again, I quickly pushed those thoughts away. They were old familiar thoughts and feelings. Ones I thought I'd dealt with everytime, only to have them rear their ugly heads again. I'd look into that later, or possibly do was I always do. Bury them deep and far, never to look at them again. They only got in the way.

Once we reached the entrance, I stopped and looked up at it. I squinted at it, surprised to find it still open. Perhaps the new firm had forgotten all about this secret passage and it was still open from when Lilah and I had gotten through? Or when we'd went back inside to...get Connor. Now there's a thought that never fails to feel like a punch in the gut. Connor, the one whose life I'd destroyed.

"Alright," I said, straightening myself. Tucking my gun under my arm, I folded up my hands into a stepladder and looked at her expectantly. "Be careful, some of the steps might be loose," I told her as she used my hands to get up there.

Which gave me a good opportunity to make sure she wasn't bleeding through her bandage. So far so good. Well, she wasn't bleeding through her jeans, and I hope the vampires at the firm don't notice fresh slayer blood. And maybe Angel smiled every day. Bugger, I should've thought about that. At least wrapped it up thicker, though I was hoping the stitches would keep it from bleeding.

[summers__buffy]

I looked over at him as it looked like he was about to crack what seemed to be a...smile? Maybe? Hmm maybe I was getting him to lighten up after all. Anger might be good in a battle but vendgenace and grudges? Not so much. And I've learned that first hand not only with me but seeing it with my friends. So yeah, had to keep good ol' Wes in some sort of check. I don't really want to see another friend go off the deep end.

"Yeah yeah. But Being cranky never gets you anywhere and not to mention I'd be the one putting up with it since we're both here together on this mission." I smiled at him jokingly.

I stopped as soon as I noticed Wes stop. I looked up to where he was staring and sort of saw the entrance. Great I'm going into a black hole that I can't even see. This'll be fun only not. It's a good thing I'm not clausterphobic. I used Wes' hands as leverage to climb up on the steps leading up. I nodded at him when he said to be careful. Careful is my middle name well sometimes anyway.

When I got up far enough I put my hand out to help him up and onto the steps. I climbed up slowly watching every step. Cause falling wouldn't be good. I got to what looked like another entrance and pushed it open climbing up into it. And presto I was inside. Laying on my stomach with my scythe next to me, I reached my hand out to help Wes get all the way inside.

[_wes_pryce_]

"You're not used to that? I thought after working so long with Giles," I let out a small grunt as she used my hands and pulled herself up into the entrance. "I mean, he does get a bit cranky if he doesn't get his tea on time." I held up my shotgun for her to pull up and then jumped and hauled myself into the entrance with her help. Grabbing the gun, I crawled after her as we made out way underneath the building. The passage was rather clean, which was odd, but I didn't stop to think about it.

When we finally made it, and Buffy tumbled out, I slid out a bit more carefully. We'd landed, just as I thought, in the closet. "And now we're going to see how stealthy we are." Considering the fact that the last time I was here there was beast roaming around, I'd say I've gotten pretty good. The last time I'd been in the building, wasn't something I wanted to think about to much. It had been the time I'd failed to save Lilah.

Always a failure. Perhaps I should just keep working on my own and not endanger anyone.

I walked over to the door and carefully opened it. There were people running around, obviously to busy to notice anything. I glanced over my shoulder at Buffy, giving her a once over. I guess her clothes would blend in, she can pretend to be a client. All one needed to so was walk around as though one belonged there. "Alright, let's sneak our way over to the library. Just pretend you've every right to walk here." Giving her a grin, I opened the door and stepped out, my gun hidden in it's special place in the back of my coat.

[summers__buffy]

Ok Wes did have a point. Giles started out not really being able to control his watcher mood swings but then he started to do them just to annoy me. Again not the best thing to do is to annoy me esepcially when there were bigger things going on. One of them me being able to have a social life whatsoever, but again Giles made that hard for me. I gave a slight smile at Wes. Last I recall he was never much with the crankyness only the geeky watcherness. I helped heave him up using both hands. "Well..." I said pulling him all the way up. I looked at him when he stood up.

"With Giles we all kind of ignored it. Him becoming cranky when the world was going to 'end' was an everyday not out of the blue kinda thing. Plus it's Giles. We all kind of got used to it. But the way I remember it, you weren't much with the being cranky." I gave him a slight smile. It was good to see him again with lots of changes but nonetheless. I mean we didn't exactly see eye to eye. But things have happened to change us both which is a big thing we have in common.

When he said we were going to see how stealthy we could be I took a deep breath. Ok I can do this, this time. I can't blow my cover. "Not exactly much with the stealth but I'll do my best." I said and then strapped the scythe to my back. Let's just hope no one thinks that's out of the ordinary but maybe I'll just blend in since they are evil right. I mean I'm sure they have weapons and demons around.

I nodded my head at him letting know I was ready to go. Act natural and like I belong and am not out of the ordinary. I waited for Wes to walk out first after noticing many people walking busily around in suits. Hm kinda nice except for well you know, the evil part. "Let's go." I said as he walked out and I followed him not making eye contact with any one, and walking like I am supposed to be here. I followed him until we got to the library and we walked in, closing the door behind us.

"Looks like no one's here. That's a good thing right? Just hoping we didn't get caught. Ok so where are we going to start looking first cause I have no idea. I'm not one with the research."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Good lord," I gasped, giving her a mock stunned look. "I must be hearing things. Did you just actually compliment me in a way?" Remind me to call the Slayer times. I'm sure Giles has started one. If only to keep the girl busy then for information purposes only. I chuckled at her expression and then lead the way through the throng of people and demons toward the library.

That was easy. That went far, far to easy.

I was instantly alert when we entered. I could feel the magic from some of the books reach out to me. But I was still too busy to keep myself from letting my energy touch the lingering black ones from outside. Christ, if had taken up that offer, I'd be in a lot of trouble by now.

"Yes," I chuckled glancing at her over my shoulder. I narrowed my eyes at the books and pulled out one of the templates. "I recall your amazing research skills quite well." Frowning, I raised the template to my mouth and whispered at it what I wanted. A few seconds later I opened the book to find exactly what I'd been looking for. Well, the book anyway, now I needed to find a picture of that damn knife.

I was well on my way into reading, finger flying of the page, eyes following it, when there was a sound outside the door. My head jerked up and I glanced over at Buffy. "Bugger." Quickly, I turned around and replaced the book, while the voices stopped right outside of the door. They didn't sound familiar thank god, but still. I'd rather not get caught.

It was then I recalled how I'd gotten out last time. Of course I was alone then, and I didn’t actually needed to get out now. I just needed to be invisible if they came into the room. Buffy was keeping her eye on the door as well, ready to leap into action. Then the doorknob rattled and the door started to open slowly.

Which was when everything went rather fast.

"Hold on," I told Buffy as I flicked my wrist. The wire attached itself to the ceiling as I wrapped one arm around Buffy's waist and used the other to pull us up to the ceiling as though we'd been attached on elestic. Grabbing on to the handle, I held on tightly to Buffy and sucked in my breath as the door opened wider.

[summers__buffy]

I glanced an odd facial expression towards him when he was shocked that I'd actually gave him a compliment. Ok more mocked than anything. Which I can deal. It's not like I was that nice to him when he first came. You know with the whole trying to replace Giles. And I wasn't ever much for authority figures especially ones that you couldn't see like the watcher's council for instance. Boy I'm glad I quit.

"Ha ha. I'll have you know that I've changed more than you know. And I know I wasn't exactly welcoming to you back in Sunnydale which I didn't mean it personally just you know with wanting Giles as my watcher kind of made me stray from you. Not that you were a bad watcher. Also not very good with authority type people."

While we were in the library, I looked over at Wes who just whispered into a book, I realized that we got off easier than I would have thought. I've learned a few helpful things from being the slayer and one of them is things aren't easy. Not like this anyway.

I paced a little until I heard him make fun of my research skills. "Hey slayer remember? You watchers are supposed to do the research thing. Plus not exactly the most exciting thing to do. Which I'm sure you know what I'm talking about" I watched as he flipped through the book when I too heard voices come to the door and stop. Crap. We're caught. I was eyeing the door ready to jump at whatever came in.

Well that was until Mr. James Bond over here put some kind of wire into the ceiling then told me to hold on and then came the holding me while being brought up to the ceiling. My arms were stretched across his shoulders just to be sure I wouldn't fall. I held my breath as well. The door opened all the way and I was waiting to see who was coming in.

[_wes_pryce_]

My arm was starting to shake a little as we hung here on the ceiling. We both sucked in our breaths as the door opened and two figures came on. One demon, one human. I didn't recognize the demon, only it's species, but I did recognize the human. Rutherford Sirk, my personal guide to hell. I guess that's one thing I should've expected.

He could be easily overtaken, that wasn't much of a problem. The demon on the other hand might be. It's species were notorious warriors. And there might be a Slayer hanging around my neck at the moment, she was also wounded. Besides, if there's something we don't need at the moment, it was attention and commotions.

Gritting my teeth, I ignored the pain in my wrist and just held onto hook. Sweat was dripping down my back and making my palm slippery as the two of them discussed some books. Just go away already. Leave, there's nothing here you've not already seen Sirk. Christ but the man could natter on. Shifting a little, the holder of my wrist weapons clanged against the hook in the ceiling filling the room with a metallic echo. My eyes darted to Buffy as I froze.

"Did you hear that?" Sirks pompous, crisp voice came. Good god, I hope I never sounded like that. He sounds as though he swallowed a hot potato whole.

"Wut?" The demon asked. He tilted his head to the left, then to the right and shrugged. "Dun hear notin'," he muttered.

Still holding my breath, I glanced over at Sirk as he cast dubious glances around the library. "Hmmmm, I could've sworn I heard something. Must be all that's happening lately." he let out a dry, humorless laugh and grabbed a book. "Well anyway, I've got what I came for. Let us adjourn to my office shall we?"

The demon nodded, hanging back the sword he was looking at on the wall and stomped out of the room. I swear, they couldn't walk; all they could do is stomp. I slowly let out my breath, not yet feeling secure as Sirk glanced around the room one last time and then closed the door.

It wasn't until a minute later I lowered us both down to the floor again. "I'm sorry about the...uhm...sudden action," I said in a low voice, frowning up at the ceiling. Tugging on the wire I let it fall down and slipped it back on the wrist weapon. Then a shook my hand and arm with a wince. "It was rather a spur of the moment thing." And lets hope there aren't any more of those. I'm not sure my arm will be very grateful with that.

[summers__buffy]

My arms were wrapped around Wesley's neck and his one hand around my waist. I could feel his grip tighten on me knowing he was struggling a bit to stay up here and not to mention not drop me flat on my face. Not exactly looking foreward to that which hence the holding of him. But I could tell that he was struggling to keep his grip on the hook in the ceiling.

Keeping himself and me at the same time hovered in the air by way of ceiling wasn't exactly an easy thing to do. I'm surprised and mostly glad that he was doing well and kept us both in the air. Cause being both dropped on the floor would cause a buig noise with many people rushing in. I kept concentrated though. If I broke so would he. I still kept my breath held and looked straight at the floor.

I watched as two guys came in the room. One was a demon and the other a human. If they saw us I could probably take the demon and Wes could take out the guy but again that would cause unwanted attention from everyone in the lawfirm. And then we'd either be caught or have to fight plus the running.

I looked closely and it looked like they were getting some books. Great they better not be getting the ones that we need. I kept watching them not trying to make any movements and keeping my legs up and not swinging. I had to monuever them just right and was hoping Wes was doing the same thing. Well that was until I felt his wrists begin to shake. I couldn't blame him, this would have been hard even for me.

Then came some kind of clanking noise from the hook in the ceiling. I wasn't exactly sure what it was but as soon as I heard it I looked over at Wes who instantly looked at me and froze. Doing the same thing I just stayed as still as I could really hoping they didn't hear that. My eyes looked down and to the side as I heard them talking about what the noise was. Ok we're caught. I braced myself but then nothing happened and they left. The demon said he didn't hear anything. I always knew demons were dumb just didn't know they were this dumb.

We got back on the floor after they left and I let out my breath as I shook my arms out. I gave a slight smile to Wes as he told me he was sorry about the whole wire gag. Sorry? More like I'm very grateful. "Actually I should probably be the one thanking you for that. I mean you did save our butts. So thank you." I said as I walked back to the books. "Just remind me later to get one of those things." Yeah I know a slayer has to use old weapons but hey, you have to get on with the times right?

[_wes_pryce_]

Rubbing my arm, I rolled my wrist a bit. Oh yes, I was going to feel this in the morning. But I'd rather feel this then never feel anything again on account of being dead. Or worse yet, feel a whole lot more because the caught us. Thanks to Lilah I was well versed in their interrogation methods. They were far from pretty and quite messy.

"You're quite welcome," I smiled at her. I followed her back to the books, hoping they didn't take the one we needed. "I'll make sure to get you one at a discount price. The supplier and I are on very good terms." We should be, most of my weapons supply came from Emil. He had weapons I'd have never dreamed of using at the Agency. Mostly because there was no need for them with Angel on your side. Without Angel? You had to do what you could to stay on the ball. And alive.

Scanning the shelves again, I trusted Buffy to keep our backs save. As well as our fronts of course. Years of experience told her what she needed to do as well as instinct. I let out a small relieved noise when I discovered the book I'd been reading before they came in. Grabbing it, I opened it and raised my eyebrow at the empty pages. Oh, right, is that how it works. Once again I whispered at it what I wanted to read, opened it and started to thumb through it. I knew there had to be a picture of that knife in here. I'd seen it once in the original book. At the Watcher's Council. Which reminds me.

"So, how are Giles and the new Council coming along?" I asked curiously. What can I say? Blood will crawl where it cannot go.

[summers__buffy]

Ugh this was no use. I had no idea where to even begin researching. I should probably be more concerned with watching our backs and the doors. Not to mention any other entrances into this room there might be.

This is one thing that never seems to change which hey I can deal. I mean Giles wouldn't exactly come to me with the research and if he did I'd usually make up some kind of excuse to get out of it and then the gang would be stuck with it. Poor Willow and Xander.

I'll just keep my eye out while Wes does the research, he seems to know more about it than I did. Also very good to have in this case. And also he could probably find out more than I ever could.

I grabbed a chair and put it in the middle of the room and took a very needed sit. I looked around at where I was and bad vibe after bad vibe kept coming. Especially the one that keeps saying we really shouldn't be here. But I tend to ignore those bad vibes. But something was definitely going on here more than what meets the eye.

I took my scythe out of the strap and held it across my lap. Better be safe than dead. I watched as Wes got that talking into book again. That would greatly solve all of our research problems. But it looks like he still had it and they didn't take the one we needed which was good cause I would have had to fight and that would only lead to even more problems.

"So, how are Giles and the new Council coming along?"

Giles? Wasn't exactly sure on that one either. I mean I knew he was ok in the physical state but I had no idea how he was doing mentally. He hasn't really talked to me that much since we got here which is ok with me I guess. Maybe he just needed some alone time? It was upsetting me though, that I haven't heard much from him but then again I wasn't being very talky with everyone either. Things just seemed to get worse when we came. Not that I wouldn't have come even if I knew that, but it still took a big toll on everyone.

"Giles is good. And the new council? Haven't heard too much about it. I mean I know only that he's setting it up again. whcih I would really rather him not do. I hated the council ever since I became the slayer wi=hich is why I quit. Especially after they put me through." Yeah the whole watcher's council weren't exactly high on my list.

[_wes_pryce_]

Still thumbing my way through the book, I wondered if one couldn't just call up the damn chapter one needed instead of the whole scroll. This had been, if memory serves me, a very thick manuscript. Bugger all, we didn't have time for this, come on already. The days that I could take a few days to research something were long gone.

I frowned and looked up at her words. She sounded very bitter and worried. If I'd not known better I'd say she and Giles weren't as close as they once were. The last time I saw them it was impossible to even get a pin between them. Let alone an overly eager young watcher pratt, who was trying to hard to do a job that was already being done.

"I certainly don't blame you there," I murmured. I had my own dealings with The Council. Well, the old one, I was even on their black list. Possibly even their hit list for interfering in getting one of their Slayers back and attacking and OPS team. Not that I cared anymore. My love for the council left me the moment I realized they had used me. My father had willingly sacrificed me. Shoved into an unknown game like a disposable pawn.

Freezing, I stopped my thumbing and stared at the book. Then I blinked and moved back a few pages. I frowned, staring at the picture for a few second while I walked over to where Buffy sat. Holding the book out for her, a drawing of the - a? - knife and it's story easily readable. "Isn't this the knife?" I asked, giving her expectant look.

[summers__buffy]

I know me and Giles have always been close but ever since that one time we just seemed to move further and further away from eachother. He did a lot of things that really pissed me off. Especially when he teamed up with Wood to distract me and try to kill the only person who had faith in me and what I was doing.

Ever since that inicdent we haven't exactly been seeing eye to eye let alone chatting it up with eachother over some tea. It's partially both our faults on each end. I sighed while thinking things with Giles might never be the same. Even if we forgave eachother things would still be in the back of both our minds. Especially if he ever tried to double cross me again. That wouldn't be too great to do again.

I watched as Wes continued to go through the book. He sped up his pace. That was good cause already hearing more voices passing by the library. I was on the edge of my seat just waiting for someone to open the door and see us. Then I would have to make with the violence and fighting. Which right now I really don't have a problem with.

Looking back from the door then to Wes; I've always wondered what it would have been like if he was my watcher. What may or may not have happened. It was really odd to think about considering I've always loved Giles as a watcher and a father. He was the father I never had but I did think about Wes being my watcher and what it would have been like. Well if we didn't both kill eachother by the end of it.

And it looks like we have more in common and can relate to eachother better as of now. We've both been through alot and are going through this together. All this really does have the wierdest effect on people.

I smiled at his remark about the council. Yup not exactly my favorite people either. "To tell you the truth, I was kinda glad that there was no more council. It was a relief not having to worry about them and telling me what to do anymore. But if Giles wants to start it up again that's his choice. One I don't agree with, but it's not like I can really do much about it."

I saw Wes freeze and then walk over to me showing me the picture of the knife. My eyes widened as I quickly glanced over the passage about it. Oh this was not good. "Bingo thats it. And from the quick reading I did on the passage, it isn't the nicest regualr knife out there." I said as I looked at him kind of worried.

I tilted the book more towards me so I can see the writing a little better. "It seems to be called the draconia venemous." I continued to read. "It says that this knife is an ancient one that has been lost for many years. It was used by only one demon who wiped out nations with it but then he was killed and the knife was buried never to be seen again by anyone."

I looked up at Wesley. "Guess our friends here dug it up specially." I looked back down at the book. "Oh god. It says anyone that is human that is stabbed with the knife is instantly infected with the deadly poison that it harbours. The poison will slowly flow through the entire body causing damage to the person and between the poison and the constant bleeding of the wound where it's stabbed, will eventually lead to death."

I froze. Three strikes and you're out. I was going to die again and I didn't want to. I finally had gotten used to being here and now I am glad I'm alive. I wasn't about to die again and by this firm's hands. The book fell out of my hands letting Wes grab it into his hands. Tears formed in my eyes and I was hoping there was some kind of cure, if not well then I'll use my last breath to bring this place down. "I guess it's just my destiny to die and stay dead. Look enough with me we need to find out what else we came here for."

[_wes_pryce_]

Peering over the book as she read it, my eyes darted to the several pictures. It didn't sound very good. Then again, when did anything concerning the likes of us sound good? Which would be never. We did however constantly manage to beat the odds. So when she pulled away and sort of gave up, I frowned.

Ducking my head, I glanced into her face, or tried to. There were some tears flowing down which made me pause. Christ. She's crying. If there's anything I can't handle its crying girls. Which Cordelia knew and took advantage off.

"Oh but..." Making a face, I sighed and put the book down. There wasn't any way I was just going to walk out of her and let her give up. Just like that. The magic I had felt from the knife had been against me. Which meant it was afraid of my magic, meager as it was. It was still good magic. There had to be something we could do. Willow would know, or I'll just keep looking.

Running a hand through my hair, I sighed and perched on the edge of the table. "No, let's not do that," I said, frowning at her. She looked so damn lost I almost wanted to go over there and hug her. But... hugging and I didn’t usually go well. "I'm not about to give up and neither are you. We'll find a cure; we'll talk to Miss Rosenberg, or whatever it takes. I'm not going to let you die from this Buffy."

Giving her a very determined look, I raised an eyebrow and then reached out for the book. "We'll see if we can take this with us." And if that might set of the alarm? We might get some answer to our other questions fast enough.

[summers__buffy]

I could feel the tears fall down my face. I tried to keep them in but it was just too much. This, all of this had finally taken it's toll on the one person that I thought could take it. Me. Now I was weak and crying. This was no good. I can't just give up. Not in this time of need. Because if I did I would die again and knowing that would leave more grief than everybody needed right now.

But something isndie me felt like it was no use. That we couldn't stop this. I mean I have died twice. I'm not sure if I do die I will be brought back. I mean it already caused the whole first evil coming back. As much as I hated it a part of me felt like letting it happen so I could be at peace, but another part was telling me to hold on and keep fighting and to fight through the pain of everything going on.

I tried to look away when Wes tried to look at me. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and looked at him as he was tyring to reassure me. I nodded at him. Giving up wasn't the answer and if he wasn't going to, I sure wasn't going to. I looked him in the eyes. "Thanks." Was one word that pretty much sumed it all up.

I smiled a little at how he told me he wouldn't let me die agin. It made me feel a little better. I took a deep breath and looked at the floor then down at him. I stood up with my scythe in hand. Taking a deep breath I looked over at Wes. "We should probably get out of here while we can. We'll take the book with us and if we trip an alarm, I guess I'll get the fight I wanted." I said with a slight smile. "Let's motor."