Downtime Chapter 15.
Title: Downtime
Author: Dark Wyldchilde (wyldchilde37@yahoo.com)
Rating: Still me, NC-17.
Pairing: Faith/Tara, Ziva/Abby
Setting: My Lock series. Starting with "Life on the Farm" and progressing through "Friend of My Friend."
Summary: Gibbs NCIS team is no longer with NCIS, and has signed on to hunt monsters with the men and women of the Lock. This is their transition.
Spoilers: I've gotten so far from the established it is a source of pride. That said I won't fear touching on Buffy, Angel, Stonyman Farm/Executioner, or NCIS cannon.
Disclaimers:This is fanfic, and as such it will draw upon copyrighted material. It is a non-profit work done for the enjoyment of the author and his readers, and is no challenge to any legal properties.
Wyld's Notes: Me being me there will probably be both sex and violence at some point, but with the rich mix of my Lock AU and the NCIS people I decided to do a story where I can explore that a bit before getting back to the action.
It's almost a fluff piece, but will allow me to explore character elements so that when I get to the sixth fic the characters are able to get into the action without all these elements that are demanding my attention.
Continuing thanks to Lisa Countryman. She's like my muses' personal trainer at this point, and continuing thanks to my beta reader laura jones.
Chapter 15.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs knew his niece could take care of herself. He had actually went to the extent of training with her a bit, but between what Faith had taught her, and her earlier experience as an amateur demon hunter, and he scowled thinking of her foray into amateur demon hunting, he was sure she could ship off to Paris Island tomorrow and do just fine.
However she was also his kin as well as the mission controller for a key military facility, and he didn't like the idea of her going anywhere unescorted.
It was with that in mind that he decided to follow her when he saw her sneaking out of the Lock around midnight one night.
He waited a long count before taking up her trail and was pleased that even then it took a good deal of his skill to follow her unnoticed. His gut however wasn't as pleased as it tried to tell him that her caution went beyond simply remaining aware of her surroundings.
That didn't change anything really, because if she was engaged in something off the books of the off the books organization she may need help, and he would be there to help her. There was no way in Hell Tara would go the way of Jenny Sheppard.
The knot in his gut only tightened when she went off the well lit paths into one of the local parks. While he might trust what Tara could do with her combat training, magickal abilities, and Beretta 93-R, the foliage and poor lighting increased the danger exponentially.
So when she sat down on a park bench he took up position in some nearby bushes. As he crouched however his memory dug up the slayer patrol schedules and his body started pumping adrenaline when he realized there were no patrols anywhere near the area.
As he waited Gibbs took out a small spotters scope that had come with the new bevy of gear he was going to need for demon hunting. Putting it to his eye he was switching back and forth between the light amplification and thermographic settings.
It was the light amplification that showed him something that had him wanting to swear, whether it was at his niece or just the circumstances he didn't know.
A man was approaching Tara, tall, skinny, PALE with bleached blond hair and wearing a black leather long coat. When Gibbs switched over to thermo it was obvious the guy didn't have any body heat of his own.
Quickly stashing the spotters scope he grabbed a wooden stake in his right hand, and his new side arm in his left. Actually it could almost be called his old side arm as he had first used the Colt 45 M1911A1 when he first joined the Corps. He had started using it again when it was explained that the Lock was trying to phase out the 9mm as too many of the beasts they fought could soak up more of the smaller caliber before showing the effects.
The Colt 45 however was designed to be a man stopper, and had almost as impressive of a track record against the monsters.
It got a chance to add another to it's tally as Gibbs raised the weapon and shouted. "Tara get down!" As he put three rounds through the vampire's heart.
The vampire hadn't hit the ground before Gibbs was dashing over to drive the wooden stake through it's heart, but he was intercepted, physically, as Tara grabbed him around the waist. "Don't do it Uncle Gibbs!"
The vampire showed it's true face as it snarled and tried to get up, but Tara turned to it and spoke. "Don't do it Spike!"
Both of the men turned to look at the blonde woman, and then back to each other, and Tara sighed. "I can vouch for both of you TO both of you. Now we need to relocate before a patrol gets dispatched." She walked over to the vampire, Spike, and put his arm over her shoulder. When she gave her uncle a meaningful look he moved over and took the other arm and helped the vampire from the scene.
They relocated to a spot closer to the college campus, and Gibbs realized that while it was patrolled it was patrolled earlier in the evening for students leaving class, and their slayers would have swept on.
He felt another stab of pride as he realized Tara had the schedules memorized like he did.
Once they were all settled he turned to look at Tara and gave her his most stern expression that DIDN'T promise a head slap. "Explain."
She nodded, the vampire just took out a cigarette and watched. "Have you heard of Spike?"
He nodded in turn. "Was one of Angel's people, but went rogue after you refused to take him in." He looked between the two and realized that wasn't the real story.
Tara shook her head. "Spike was one of Angel's people, and there was some issues in taking a demon in, but I had another idea."
"You made him your mole." Gibbs tone, and expression were indecipherable.
Tara shook her head. "I had the idea, and I ASKED him to be our mole."
He looked between the two and after Spike nodded Tara continued. "While Spike could have been fairly useful as another guy carrying a stake he IS a vampire, but he DOES have a soul, and it's a soul that wants to do good. I saw a combination there that could do a LOT of good."
Gibbs tone was still a schooled neutral. "How do you know he's not stringing you along? The last report I read is that he sold that soul for power and wealth."
The two blonds grinned at each other, and Gibbs expression shifted more towards hostile. Tara held up her hands, but it was Spike who was grinning as he answered. "She knows I'm loyal because she owns me, literally, had me sign a contract and everything."
Tara was smiling, grinning in an expression Gibbs knew that meant the woman was pleased with herself. "It was an idea I had after I heard about the contract Wolfram and Heart had Angel sign to give up his chance to be human again," Gibbs looked confused, knowing Angel WAS human again, and Spike scowled when he realized he was about to hear the story again as Tara spoke. "Scooby Squad managed to intercept the contract before it could be finalized."
He nodded as she continued. "So I was able to come up with what I call the 'Soul Steward Contract'..."
Spike interrupted, with a smirk. "She had me sell my soul to her so I couldn't sell it to anyone else."
She gave the vampire a glare and he grinned. "All right, didn't SELL it, but gave her power of attorney."
Tara arched her brows. "That's essentially it. He can sign any contract they put in front of him, but without my initials they can't lay claim to a thing."
That got an appreciative nod. "But you could sell it off, and he wouldn't know until they came to collect."
Spike blew out a cloud of smoke. "Believe me Uncle Gibbs, if it was anyone but her I would never have agreed."
He frowned. "But I read you were hurt in the escape." He glared at the vampire, but as he did he could see genuine remorse on the creature's face.
He could also hear it in Spike's voice as the vampire spoke. "Broke two of her ribs, and believe me, you couldn't hate me for that any more then I could."
Tara shook her head strongly. "I TOLD you to Spike. If you were a recognized member of the Lock I would have ordered you to. It helped sell your 'turn', and Faith shattered your arm in two places, put a full clip of .45's in your chest, dislocated your jaw, and put a stake so close to your heart that if it had had any splinters you would have been dusted."
Spike was nonchalant. "Yeah and it was key in selling myself as a turn coat." He showed a flash of pain. "Much like these will be."
Gibbs frowned, almost looking embarrassed, but Spike grinned. "Don't worry bout it mate. Can tell them the truth, one of those Lock bastards nearly did me in." He then sobered. "Good to know the Bird has a good shot watching her back."
There was a moment of silence as the two men shared a silent communication, both recognizing that care for the gentle white witch in the other. The moment broke and Spike reached into his jacket, producing two optical discs. He held up one. "This is the latest report." He held up the second disc. "This is the key. I used fnarl demon tongue for the password."
The two blondes saw Gibbs confused expression and Tara explained. "The report is just that, what Spike has gotten since the last report. There are ways of emergency communication, but for the most part I just take what he gives me and filter it into the Lock's normal intelligence reports. The key itself has a password that comes from a list I have, but that Spike put the password in a demon language that he picks AS he's encoding."
Gibbs nodded. "Seems fairly secure."
Spike scoffed. "It's gotta be. I may be willing to take the risk, but we're talking about selling out creatures that practice torture like some practice wood working." He saw the two blue eyed humans share a look and he focused on Gibbs. "Wood worker?" At Gibbs nod Spike continued. "Then you can understand why I don't want to end up in their 'shop'. So I'll take every precaution I can."
Gibbs didn't argue. "You're taking big risks, I get that."
Spike didn't agree, but didn't argue. "I don't think you really get it, but I hope you never have to. Anyway, there you go Pet." The words were said as he handed the discs to Tara. "Hope it helps."
Tara smiled a warm, grateful expression. "Thank you Spike."
It was obvious the vampire wasn't comfortable with the moment, but he didn't break it as he nodded, and then turned to move off.
Tara however wasn't done. "Be safe Spike."
Spike laughed, his back already turned. "What fun would that be?"
The two family members turned to meet each others eyes, and Gibbs was the first to speak. "So Slayer knows?"
Tara nodded. "Just her, Spike, and I, and now you."
"He could get killed by friendly fire."
Tara frowned. "He nearly has several times, both Buffy and Angel seem to have taken his 'selling out' personally, but the more danger he faces from us the less danger he faces from the creatures he's around every day."
Gibbs gave her an arched look. "And you can do your best to direct Buffy, Angel, and anyone else away from him as much as possible."
Tara just smiled her half smile, but didn't speak as Gibbs did. "His intel any good?"
Tara smiled, both brows rising. "Who do you think told me to look into a Corporal Marty Jensen?"
Author: Dark Wyldchilde (wyldchilde37@yahoo.com)
Rating: Still me, NC-17.
Pairing: Faith/Tara, Ziva/Abby
Setting: My Lock series. Starting with "Life on the Farm" and progressing through "Friend of My Friend."
Summary: Gibbs NCIS team is no longer with NCIS, and has signed on to hunt monsters with the men and women of the Lock. This is their transition.
Spoilers: I've gotten so far from the established it is a source of pride. That said I won't fear touching on Buffy, Angel, Stonyman Farm/Executioner, or NCIS cannon.
Disclaimers:This is fanfic, and as such it will draw upon copyrighted material. It is a non-profit work done for the enjoyment of the author and his readers, and is no challenge to any legal properties.
Wyld's Notes: Me being me there will probably be both sex and violence at some point, but with the rich mix of my Lock AU and the NCIS people I decided to do a story where I can explore that a bit before getting back to the action.
It's almost a fluff piece, but will allow me to explore character elements so that when I get to the sixth fic the characters are able to get into the action without all these elements that are demanding my attention.
Continuing thanks to Lisa Countryman. She's like my muses' personal trainer at this point, and continuing thanks to my beta reader laura jones.
Chapter 15.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs knew his niece could take care of herself. He had actually went to the extent of training with her a bit, but between what Faith had taught her, and her earlier experience as an amateur demon hunter, and he scowled thinking of her foray into amateur demon hunting, he was sure she could ship off to Paris Island tomorrow and do just fine.
However she was also his kin as well as the mission controller for a key military facility, and he didn't like the idea of her going anywhere unescorted.
It was with that in mind that he decided to follow her when he saw her sneaking out of the Lock around midnight one night.
He waited a long count before taking up her trail and was pleased that even then it took a good deal of his skill to follow her unnoticed. His gut however wasn't as pleased as it tried to tell him that her caution went beyond simply remaining aware of her surroundings.
That didn't change anything really, because if she was engaged in something off the books of the off the books organization she may need help, and he would be there to help her. There was no way in Hell Tara would go the way of Jenny Sheppard.
The knot in his gut only tightened when she went off the well lit paths into one of the local parks. While he might trust what Tara could do with her combat training, magickal abilities, and Beretta 93-R, the foliage and poor lighting increased the danger exponentially.
So when she sat down on a park bench he took up position in some nearby bushes. As he crouched however his memory dug up the slayer patrol schedules and his body started pumping adrenaline when he realized there were no patrols anywhere near the area.
As he waited Gibbs took out a small spotters scope that had come with the new bevy of gear he was going to need for demon hunting. Putting it to his eye he was switching back and forth between the light amplification and thermographic settings.
It was the light amplification that showed him something that had him wanting to swear, whether it was at his niece or just the circumstances he didn't know.
A man was approaching Tara, tall, skinny, PALE with bleached blond hair and wearing a black leather long coat. When Gibbs switched over to thermo it was obvious the guy didn't have any body heat of his own.
Quickly stashing the spotters scope he grabbed a wooden stake in his right hand, and his new side arm in his left. Actually it could almost be called his old side arm as he had first used the Colt 45 M1911A1 when he first joined the Corps. He had started using it again when it was explained that the Lock was trying to phase out the 9mm as too many of the beasts they fought could soak up more of the smaller caliber before showing the effects.
The Colt 45 however was designed to be a man stopper, and had almost as impressive of a track record against the monsters.
It got a chance to add another to it's tally as Gibbs raised the weapon and shouted. "Tara get down!" As he put three rounds through the vampire's heart.
The vampire hadn't hit the ground before Gibbs was dashing over to drive the wooden stake through it's heart, but he was intercepted, physically, as Tara grabbed him around the waist. "Don't do it Uncle Gibbs!"
The vampire showed it's true face as it snarled and tried to get up, but Tara turned to it and spoke. "Don't do it Spike!"
Both of the men turned to look at the blonde woman, and then back to each other, and Tara sighed. "I can vouch for both of you TO both of you. Now we need to relocate before a patrol gets dispatched." She walked over to the vampire, Spike, and put his arm over her shoulder. When she gave her uncle a meaningful look he moved over and took the other arm and helped the vampire from the scene.
They relocated to a spot closer to the college campus, and Gibbs realized that while it was patrolled it was patrolled earlier in the evening for students leaving class, and their slayers would have swept on.
He felt another stab of pride as he realized Tara had the schedules memorized like he did.
Once they were all settled he turned to look at Tara and gave her his most stern expression that DIDN'T promise a head slap. "Explain."
She nodded, the vampire just took out a cigarette and watched. "Have you heard of Spike?"
He nodded in turn. "Was one of Angel's people, but went rogue after you refused to take him in." He looked between the two and realized that wasn't the real story.
Tara shook her head. "Spike was one of Angel's people, and there was some issues in taking a demon in, but I had another idea."
"You made him your mole." Gibbs tone, and expression were indecipherable.
Tara shook her head. "I had the idea, and I ASKED him to be our mole."
He looked between the two and after Spike nodded Tara continued. "While Spike could have been fairly useful as another guy carrying a stake he IS a vampire, but he DOES have a soul, and it's a soul that wants to do good. I saw a combination there that could do a LOT of good."
Gibbs tone was still a schooled neutral. "How do you know he's not stringing you along? The last report I read is that he sold that soul for power and wealth."
The two blonds grinned at each other, and Gibbs expression shifted more towards hostile. Tara held up her hands, but it was Spike who was grinning as he answered. "She knows I'm loyal because she owns me, literally, had me sign a contract and everything."
Tara was smiling, grinning in an expression Gibbs knew that meant the woman was pleased with herself. "It was an idea I had after I heard about the contract Wolfram and Heart had Angel sign to give up his chance to be human again," Gibbs looked confused, knowing Angel WAS human again, and Spike scowled when he realized he was about to hear the story again as Tara spoke. "Scooby Squad managed to intercept the contract before it could be finalized."
He nodded as she continued. "So I was able to come up with what I call the 'Soul Steward Contract'..."
Spike interrupted, with a smirk. "She had me sell my soul to her so I couldn't sell it to anyone else."
She gave the vampire a glare and he grinned. "All right, didn't SELL it, but gave her power of attorney."
Tara arched her brows. "That's essentially it. He can sign any contract they put in front of him, but without my initials they can't lay claim to a thing."
That got an appreciative nod. "But you could sell it off, and he wouldn't know until they came to collect."
Spike blew out a cloud of smoke. "Believe me Uncle Gibbs, if it was anyone but her I would never have agreed."
He frowned. "But I read you were hurt in the escape." He glared at the vampire, but as he did he could see genuine remorse on the creature's face.
He could also hear it in Spike's voice as the vampire spoke. "Broke two of her ribs, and believe me, you couldn't hate me for that any more then I could."
Tara shook her head strongly. "I TOLD you to Spike. If you were a recognized member of the Lock I would have ordered you to. It helped sell your 'turn', and Faith shattered your arm in two places, put a full clip of .45's in your chest, dislocated your jaw, and put a stake so close to your heart that if it had had any splinters you would have been dusted."
Spike was nonchalant. "Yeah and it was key in selling myself as a turn coat." He showed a flash of pain. "Much like these will be."
Gibbs frowned, almost looking embarrassed, but Spike grinned. "Don't worry bout it mate. Can tell them the truth, one of those Lock bastards nearly did me in." He then sobered. "Good to know the Bird has a good shot watching her back."
There was a moment of silence as the two men shared a silent communication, both recognizing that care for the gentle white witch in the other. The moment broke and Spike reached into his jacket, producing two optical discs. He held up one. "This is the latest report." He held up the second disc. "This is the key. I used fnarl demon tongue for the password."
The two blondes saw Gibbs confused expression and Tara explained. "The report is just that, what Spike has gotten since the last report. There are ways of emergency communication, but for the most part I just take what he gives me and filter it into the Lock's normal intelligence reports. The key itself has a password that comes from a list I have, but that Spike put the password in a demon language that he picks AS he's encoding."
Gibbs nodded. "Seems fairly secure."
Spike scoffed. "It's gotta be. I may be willing to take the risk, but we're talking about selling out creatures that practice torture like some practice wood working." He saw the two blue eyed humans share a look and he focused on Gibbs. "Wood worker?" At Gibbs nod Spike continued. "Then you can understand why I don't want to end up in their 'shop'. So I'll take every precaution I can."
Gibbs didn't argue. "You're taking big risks, I get that."
Spike didn't agree, but didn't argue. "I don't think you really get it, but I hope you never have to. Anyway, there you go Pet." The words were said as he handed the discs to Tara. "Hope it helps."
Tara smiled a warm, grateful expression. "Thank you Spike."
It was obvious the vampire wasn't comfortable with the moment, but he didn't break it as he nodded, and then turned to move off.
Tara however wasn't done. "Be safe Spike."
Spike laughed, his back already turned. "What fun would that be?"
The two family members turned to meet each others eyes, and Gibbs was the first to speak. "So Slayer knows?"
Tara nodded. "Just her, Spike, and I, and now you."
"He could get killed by friendly fire."
Tara frowned. "He nearly has several times, both Buffy and Angel seem to have taken his 'selling out' personally, but the more danger he faces from us the less danger he faces from the creatures he's around every day."
Gibbs gave her an arched look. "And you can do your best to direct Buffy, Angel, and anyone else away from him as much as possible."
Tara just smiled her half smile, but didn't speak as Gibbs did. "His intel any good?"
Tara smiled, both brows rising. "Who do you think told me to look into a Corporal Marty Jensen?"