Reasons to Visit Cleveland (SPN/BtVS) ch 2
Title: Reasons to Visit Cleveland
Author: Noturbaby
Fandoms: Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: PG-13 - R
Warnings: none
Summary: Bobby sent the boys to Cleveland to retrieve something, but they come across a Slayer instead.
Disclaimer: Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer do not belong to me. This is for fun not for profit.Post series for Buffy season 3 Supernatural
Buffy and Faith watched as Keisha taught the younger slayers key defensive moves. “She’s good,” Faith admitted. “I’m glad all this training doesn’t fall on us anymore.” She shuddered, “I found having to be a role model for young girls put a cramp on my style.”
Buffy laughed, “I bet you did. We really ought to teach theses girls how to get stains out. I lost a really good coat and a new pair of shoes last night.”
Faith shook her head, “You shouldn’t have dressed for your ‘date’ until you were done with the job.”
“Whatever,” Buffy huffed as she turned from the training room. “It’s not like I was going to get another date with Ken anyway. I’m like decent man repellent or something.”
Faith chose to ignore Buffy’s pout, “Xander learn anything about the hunters?”
“Nada,” Buffy replied as they walked into a small office. “Like I said, I didn’t give him a lot to go on.” Her face grew grim, “Why do you think they wanted the chalice?”
Faith shook her head, “I don’t know, B, but it can’t be good. Didn’t Xander say it was used for channeling demons?”
Buffy shrugged, “Yeah, but hopefully we can find them before they do that.” Buffy looked away thinking they didn’t seem the channeling type.
Faith squinted at her for a minute, something else was going on with Buffy. “What’s the deal with these guys anyway? Why didn’t you just take it from them? It’s what I would have done.”
Buffy made a face. “I don’t know. I mean, they didn’t have to stay to help me. Once they got to their car, they could have taken off and left me with the zombie mess. But instead, they stayed, fought the zombies, and even stacked bodies.” She sat and crossed her arms. “They also had guns and were real good at shootin’ them.”
Faith nodded, “Guess guns kinda put the odds in their favor. But two old guys? You could have taken them after they helped and got themselves all worn out.”
Buffy laughed, “They weren’t old. More like our age.”
Faith’s eyes got big, “Really? Never met hunters our age.”
Buffy smirked, even if it was dark she could tell they weren’t bad looking either, she thought. By now, though, they were probably long gone with the chalice. She was startled out of her revelry by her ringing phone. Looking at the caller ID, she groaned, “It’s the Watcher’s Council.”
Faith gave her a sympathetic look before saying, “Good luck with that, B. I’m outta here.”
Buffy picked up the phone and braced herself for what the council would say upon learning she didn’t get the chalice.
Sam had been eagerly awaiting Dean’s return to their motel. When Dean entered, Sam stood up with their father’s journal in his hand. “Dean, do you remember being in Cleveland as a kid?”
Dean wrinkled his face in thought, “Yeah, a couple times, or nearby anyway. Why?”
“Because it’s in Dad’s journal a couple times. He called it a hellmouth and then in 2003,” he flipped a couple of pages, “he just never comes back. His note is something like hunters not needed anymore.” He scanned the page. “See, here.”
Dean made to look it over, but didn’t understand what Sam was getting at. “Okay, Sammy, so Cleveland’s a hellmouth. So what?’
“A hellmouth and hunters aren’t needed?! Come on, Dean!” Sam was frustrated wit his brother’s lack of understanding. “Here, look, in Dad’s journal,” Sam grabbed the book and flipped some pages. “Sunnydale, California. Another hellmouth. Look what happened to it.” Sam pointed at a picture of a crater.
Dean’s eyes widened, “You think Cleveland’s going to become a giant crater?”
“I don’t know, maybe. Ever hear of a Slayer?”
Dean squinted at Sam, “Show no Mercy? Hell Awaits?”
Sam shook his head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Me?! What are you talking about? You go on about hellmouths and Cleveland, then all of a sudden you’re talking about a metal band?” Dean sat on the bed. “You’ve been researching too much.”
“Dean,” Sam said in exasperation, “not the band, the person.” He sat next to his brother on the bed. “Look.” He pointed to a page in their dad’s journal, “In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”
Dean nodded but didn’t seem to understand. “So, uh…”
“The girl last night. I think she was a slayer,” Sam explained.
Dean raised a brow, “Seriously, Sam it’s just a theory in Dad’s journal,” Sam gave him a look. “Right, those theories are usually dead on.” Dean scratched his head. “You really think that chick was a slayer?”
“Dean, right here it says that Sunnydale had a slayer. No where in Dad’s journal does he have a record of going to Sunnydale even if it was a hellmouth. Now Sunnydale’s a crater and Dad no longer comes to Cleveland. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
“Okay, but did the slayer turn Sunnydale into a crater or was that because it was a hellmouth?”
“I don’t know,” Sam answered quietly. “But I know I don’t want to stay in Cleveland longer than we have to.”
Dean looked at his brother as if he were crazy, “Dude, Bobby said to sit tight and we still have to check out the Hall of Fame.”
Buffy walked passed the car twice. Big, black, shiny. Yep, she thought, this had to be it. Then she shrugged. She could hang out and see who got in the car or she could use her lunch hour to replace her shoes. Need shoes, she debated, need chalice. Ugh. Then her face brightened. Reaching into her purse she pulled out a piece of paper, wrote a note, and tucked under the wiper blade. Well, if it’s the right car, they should call. If not, then someone will just think I’m a big weirdo.
Buffy delighted in this second pair of shoes. These were beautiful, she turned her ankle this way and that to admire the shoe. Yes, these shoes were god’s gift to her feet. “So, iz theez the ones meez?” the very sleazy sales associate inquired of her.
Buffy rolled her eyes. Who was this guy kidding? He was about as close to being French as the fries she had for lunch, she laughed to herself. The ringing of her phone brought her out of her inner dialogue. Not recognizing the number, she hoped it was the guys with the car. “Hello?”
“Uh, Slime Girl?” asked a deep voice that Buffy thought she recognized.
Buffy covered her mouth piece, “I’ll take them.” Then she returned to the phone call. “This is she, can I help you?”
The caller on the other end chuckled. “Very professional sounding for a Slime Girl.”
Sam shot his brother a look. He was worried that the girl may be a slayer and if she had found their car, she was most likely watching them. He kept looking around the parking lot. “Don’t piss her off, Dean.” Sam hissed.
Dean waved him off as he listened intently. Covering the phone, “She’s at some store.” He informed his brother, making Sam look for the nearest store. “Uh, you left a note on my car?”
Buffy closed her eyes so she was better able to concentrate on the voice she heard. “Yeah, are you Sam or Dean?”
“Yeah,” Dean was a bit worried. How’d she know their names?
Buffy walked out of the store. “Um, look, I need that item you found yesterday. It’s vitally important to me.”
“Me, too, sweetheart,” Dean countered. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you have it.”
Buffy groaned in frustration. “Look, I don’t want to hunt you down and hurt you, but I will.”
“Like to see you try,” Dean snorted.
Sam recognized that tone and grabbed the phone from his brother’s grip. “Uh, sorry about that, you’re talking to the reasonable one, now.” He slapped Dean’s hand away walking quickly to the other side of the car.
“Okay,” Buffy began slowly. “Look, I need the thing you have.”
“Why?” Sam held Dean off with a glare.
“Do you know what it’s used for?” Buffy hoped the honest approach would work.
Sam wrinkled his brow; he didn’t. He looked at Dean. “What is it used for?” he whispered to Dean, who shrugged.
Buffy huffed again. “You don’t know, do you?” Then she smiled. They wouldn’t use it if they didn’t know what it was for. “It’s dangerous, you know that, right?”
“Yeah,” Sam answered.
“Then melt it down,” Buffy suggested. That was what the Council wanted.
“I would, but a friend of ours wants it,” Sam leaned against the car. “Are you a slayer?”
Buffy choked and sputtered, “Um, I, uh, that’s not the issue.” She wasn’t in the mood to divulge information to hunters. “Why does your friend want it?” She sat in her car, her voice became strident, “Does you friend know what it can do?”
“Uh, yeah,” Sam shrugged. If anyone knew what the chalice was for, it would be Bobby.
Buffy put the phone on speaker and began to drive to where she had seen their car. She was just going to have to face them and force them to give her the chalice. She swore to herself, “Your friend is going to use it, aren’t they?”
“What?! He’s going to keep it --” before Sam could finish, Dean grabbed the phone from him and disconnected.
“Dude, she doesn’t need so much information. If she is a slayer and as dangerous as you think, you don’t hand us over to her.” Dean climbed behind the wheel and started the car as he waited for Sam to get in. “Let’s get back to the motel and call Bobby again.” As he said that, his phone rang. He saw that it was her calling back and hit ignore. “Great, now she’s calling back. Time to get a new phone.”
Buffy wanted to slam her phone in frustration, but a person just can’t do that to their cell phone while they’re driving.
“Slayer, huh?” Bobby sounded exhausted, Sam felt lucky that Bobby even took the call. “She wanted you to melt it down?”
“Yeah,” Sam confirmed. “What should we do? Are Slayers as dangerous as I think they are? I found these websites that link them to the destruction of Sunnydale, California and”
“Don’t get yer panties in a twist, boy,” Bobby needed to stop Sam from talking his ear off. “Yeah, Slayers are dangerous. Don’t wanna get on her bad side. They are wicked strong and brave enough to seem crazy.”
This intel wasn’t making Sam feel better. “Great, we’re definitely on her bad side,” Sam added. In his mind, he began to list the ways he had angered her.
“I can’t believe she’d want the chalice melted down,” Bobby paced. He didn’t have time for this. He had one day to spend with Pamela and he was going to make the best of it. Why the hell did the Winchesters always seem to have urgent problems when he had a ‘date’? “Let me give you a phone number. Call it. Don’t give your name, just tell them what you have. Do whatever the guy tells you. Understand?”
“Yeah, Bobby, thanks,” Sam disconnected after writing down the number Bobby recited.
“So, they called you?” Buffy had that look on her face that told Xander he was lucky. Lucky the slayer wasn’t angry with him. Yeah, she looked like she wanted to hurt something. “They offered to meet with you and destroy the chalice,” she shrugged, “no questions asked. Just whatever you say.”
Xander nodded, “Yep, Buff. They just wanted to deal with me, and no slayers.”
She narrowed her eyes, “That doesn’t worry you at all?”
“No, why should it?” Xander hadn’t told her that the guy he spoke to admitted to being afraid of Slayers. “I think I’ve proven I can handle myself.”
“I think I’ll tag along.”
“No,” Xander was adamant. “Buffy, I wouldn’t want anyone else to be my back up. But, I have it from the G man himself, that I shouldn’t screw with these guys that --”
“That’s what I’ve been saying, I’ll make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”
Xander took Buffy by the hand and sat her down. “Buffy, Giles said that they have friends we trust.” To her exasperated huff, he added, “We have no reason to believe they won’t be good to their word; which was no slayers or the deal is off.”
“Fine,” Buffy grumbled as she slumped back in her seat.
Dean pulled into the strip mall parking lot. “Why are we meeting at the Potter’s Barn?”
“This guy said we’re gonna use the kiln to melt the chalice. I guess he knows the manager or something,” Sam answered before getting out of the car with the chalice. “You think that’s him?” Sam indicated a man standing by a door at the rear of the building.
“Must be, he’s got an eye patch,” Dean looked over at his brother. “I mean how many guys do you think have an eye patch?”
Sam nodded, “Right.”
“Winchester?” Eye patch asked.
“Yep. Harris?” Dean responded and Xander nodded. “Good, let’s get this over with.”
Inside the store, Xander said, “Before we melt this thing down. We’re going to break off these gem stones.” Xander handed Dean a chisel and hammer, since Dean hadn’t relinquished the chalice. “We each keep a couple stones. Without them, the chalice is worthless.”
“Sounds good,” Dean replied as he knocked a stone loose.
“What is the chalice used for? Why did the slayer want it?” Sam hoped this Harris guy would give a straight answer about the girl being a slayer.
Xander studied Sam, and took a deep breath. If Giles said they should be trusted, then he’d trust them. So far they had been doing everything he asked of them. “Uh, well, the chalice can be used to summon demons. Around a hundred years ago some masons hid it in that factory’s foundation.” He paused to pocket the stones Dean handed to him. He nodded his thanks and continued. “We found out a Yaunti was around and trying to summon a more powerful demon, so we decided to get to it first. More importantly, to me,” Xander took the chalice from Dean and placed it in the preheated kiln, “why were the two of you looking for it?”
“A friend told us it was important and that this Yaunti being around looking for it was bad news. He asked us to get it for him,” Dean answered. This Harris guy seemed to be pretty straight forward. He saw Xander’s next question, “We don’t know why he wanted it, but he is the one that gave us the English guy’s number. So we figure we’re all on the same side.”
Xander looked them over again, “All right.” He peered into the kiln’s window for momentarily, the chalice was nearly melted. “Well I guess we’re done here. Keep the stones or destroy them. Up to you. As long as all four of these don’t come together again, the chalice can’t be remade.”
“That girl really was a slayer, wasn’t she?” Sam asked as they prepared to leave.
“Yep, she’s the best of all of them.”
Sam stopped in his tracks, “I thought there was only one.”
“Well, that’s how it used to work,” Xander responded. “Then there were two. Then we did a spell and made a bunch more.”
Dean and Sam exchanged worried looks. “Spell? Like in witch?” Dean began.
“Bunch more?” Sam added.
Xander sighed, hunters and their prejudice against witches, he thought. “Look, we’re on the same side, remember?” He pointed to himself. “Good guy.” Seeing that they hadn’t relaxed yet, “The slayers are good and the witch that did the spell is good. No worries, guys.” But Sam and Dean looked at each other like they were not convinced causing Xander to sigh again. “Look, believe me, if she wanted, she could have taken you down and not broken a sweat. But, she’s “good”, got it?” Just then his phone rang. Looking at the ID, then at them, he smiled, “Speak of the devil. Hey, I was just singing your praises.” Xander listened for a moment. “Well, I answered my phone proving they have not shoved me in the kiln. I think you need to work on your trust issues.” Xander looked at Sam and Dean thinking they probably did, too. “Hey, since we’re all on the same side, why don’t we go get some beers and some food?”
Dean shrugged, “I could go for a beer. Sammy?” And if the other slayers were as hot as the girl from the other night, well that’s just a bonus, he thought.
“Sure,” Sam answered meekly thinking beers with slayers may not be such a good thing.
“Okay, the guys are in. What about you?” Xander listened while the other end of the line debated. “Perfect. We’ll meet you there.” Xander pocketed his phone, “Guys, the bar is called The Office. It’s on the east side of town. We’ll meet there in an hour, okay?”
“Sure, we’ll be there,” Dean nodded. But, Sam felt his nerves jump up another level. Socializing with a slayer sounded scary.
“I can’t believe you want to do this.” Sam was giving Dean the best bitch face he could.
Dean rolled his eyes, “Sammy, what could go wrong? That Harris guy seemed alright. Right?”
Sam nodded. “But, Dean, slayers, as in more than one, and they were made by a witch.” Both Winchesters shuddered.
“He didn’t say the witch was going to be there. Look, we’ll just have a couple beers and leave,” Dean offered. “But, maybe the slayers will be hot, and you’ll want to stay.”
“That sounds more like you than me, Dean.”
“Whatever. I’m just saying let’s go and hang out for a while. We can always leave whenever you want.” He put the Impala in park and cut the engine. “Look,” he said point at the sign, “place even has a happy hour.”
“Ooh, well, that makes this all worth while.” Sam’s sarcasm was ignored.
After buying beers, they grabbed a table. Facing the door, backs to the wall, as usual. The Office had a modest dance floor and a bartender/DJ that claimed he played everything. Sam scanned the crowd, mostly twenty somethings out after work. A cute waitress brought over menus and received an appreciative grin from Dean. “Thank you,” he said emphasizing the you, while once again ignoring his brother’s huff. “Here, look at the menu and relax.” Sam took the proffered menu, but it did nothing to relax him. Each time the door opened, both Winchesters would look. Every time women walked in, Sam seemed to slump in his chair, while Dean would appraise each one. The last three that walked in really got Dean’s attention. The brunette was above hot and looked like she kicked ass just for fun. The black girl was just as smokin and had a wicked smile on her face. But when he saw the blonde, Dean began to smile. He nudged Sam, “Bet you fifty, that’s them.” Sam looked at the women his brother indicated and gulped. The women looked around but didn’t notice the Winchesters.
Buffy felt someone watching her but before she saw who it was, Xander walked in and drew her attention. “Now, ladies, please be nice. These guys are on the same side as us.”
“We’ll decide that after we meet them,” Faith was going to back up whatever Buffy wanted.
Xander sighed and prayed that they wouldn’t start anything in the bar. “There they are,” he said and led them to Sam and Dean’s table.
Dean elbowed his brother again when Xander started to lead them over. When the four of them were standing in front of them, Dean and Sam stood. “Uh, Sam and Dean Winchester, this is Keisha, Faith, and Buffy, you met the other night.”
Sam held out his hand, “I’m Sam.”
Dean did the same, “I’m Dean.” Once they shook everyone’s hand they sat.
Faith grinned at them, “B, you were holding out on me. You didn’t say anything about these guys being hot.” Dean smirked, Sam blushed, Xander relaxed.
“Yes, she did,” Keisha insisted. “She said he had a nice ass.”
All eyes turned to see Buffy’s eyes grow wide and her color change to bright red. “AX, Keisha, I said he had a nice ax.” She looked at Dean whose smirk she wanted to wipe off.
Keisha shrugged and Faith laughed, “Right, sure. Sorry.”
Buffy’s color hadn’t faded. “So, enough about your ax and it’s niceness, did you order? We should order.” She grabbed a menu and buried her face in it.
Sam didn’t know where he found his voice, but he added, “Yeah, no, we haven’t ordered.” He barely knew where to look. Faith had seated herself across from him and he swore the temperature rose the moment she did.
Dean looked from his brother to Faith and grinned to himself. He hoped his little brother was going to be up for whatever that woman wanted, because she looked like she usually got what she wanted and Dean was pretty sure right now that was Sam. Faith caught Dean’s glance and smiled at him. Then she looked at Buffy and back at Dean, who raised a brow. Faith nodded to him and her smile grew. This guy would definitely get Buffy out of her slump.
It only took a couple rounds of drinks for everyone to relax. By the time they had finished dinner, the tension had evaporated. When the ladies excused themselves to the ladies room for post dinner primping, the brothers Winchester sat back in their seats and stared at Xander. “Dude, how do you do it?” Dean asked.
“Do what?”
Sam and Dean exchanged looks before Sam continued, “Work with them?”
“Why what’s wrong with them?” Xander sat forward and became defensive of his slayers.
“Nothing,” they said in unison, then Dean went on, “I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything.”
Xander chuckled. “Yeah, I know what you mean. But I’ve known Buffy forever and now she’s more like a sister. And Faith, well, that’s more complicated, but we’re just friends.”
“What about Keisha?” Sam asked. He had noticed the two of them checking each other out when the other wasn’t looking.
Xander cleared his throat, “Ah, well, haven’t figured that one out yet.”
Dean nodded to him, “Oh, dude, you’re in. Trust me.” Then he sat back to look over the crowd again.
Xander looked from him to Sam, who nodded his agreement leading Xander to shrug hopefully.
In the ladies room, Faith reapplied her lip gloss. “Buffy, that Dean guy totally wants you.”
Buffy stepped back from the mirror after checking to be sure nothing was in her teeth. “Yeah, right.”
“Look B, just ‘cause Ken was a dork, doesn’t mean you always have to settle for dorks.” Faith turned to check how she looked from the back. “If you don’t want him, that’s fine. But Sam’s mine. I’m gonna climb that boy like a lumberjack.” Keisha and Buffy laughed. Faith turned to them, “He had better like to dance. Now, B, did he have a fine ass or did you just check out Dean’s?” Buffy huffed and swatted at her, but they left the room laughing.
Author: Noturbaby
Fandoms: Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Rating: PG-13 - R
Warnings: none
Summary: Bobby sent the boys to Cleveland to retrieve something, but they come across a Slayer instead.
Disclaimer: Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer do not belong to me. This is for fun not for profit.Post series for Buffy season 3 Supernatural
Buffy and Faith watched as Keisha taught the younger slayers key defensive moves. “She’s good,” Faith admitted. “I’m glad all this training doesn’t fall on us anymore.” She shuddered, “I found having to be a role model for young girls put a cramp on my style.”
Buffy laughed, “I bet you did. We really ought to teach theses girls how to get stains out. I lost a really good coat and a new pair of shoes last night.”
Faith shook her head, “You shouldn’t have dressed for your ‘date’ until you were done with the job.”
“Whatever,” Buffy huffed as she turned from the training room. “It’s not like I was going to get another date with Ken anyway. I’m like decent man repellent or something.”
Faith chose to ignore Buffy’s pout, “Xander learn anything about the hunters?”
“Nada,” Buffy replied as they walked into a small office. “Like I said, I didn’t give him a lot to go on.” Her face grew grim, “Why do you think they wanted the chalice?”
Faith shook her head, “I don’t know, B, but it can’t be good. Didn’t Xander say it was used for channeling demons?”
Buffy shrugged, “Yeah, but hopefully we can find them before they do that.” Buffy looked away thinking they didn’t seem the channeling type.
Faith squinted at her for a minute, something else was going on with Buffy. “What’s the deal with these guys anyway? Why didn’t you just take it from them? It’s what I would have done.”
Buffy made a face. “I don’t know. I mean, they didn’t have to stay to help me. Once they got to their car, they could have taken off and left me with the zombie mess. But instead, they stayed, fought the zombies, and even stacked bodies.” She sat and crossed her arms. “They also had guns and were real good at shootin’ them.”
Faith nodded, “Guess guns kinda put the odds in their favor. But two old guys? You could have taken them after they helped and got themselves all worn out.”
Buffy laughed, “They weren’t old. More like our age.”
Faith’s eyes got big, “Really? Never met hunters our age.”
Buffy smirked, even if it was dark she could tell they weren’t bad looking either, she thought. By now, though, they were probably long gone with the chalice. She was startled out of her revelry by her ringing phone. Looking at the caller ID, she groaned, “It’s the Watcher’s Council.”
Faith gave her a sympathetic look before saying, “Good luck with that, B. I’m outta here.”
Buffy picked up the phone and braced herself for what the council would say upon learning she didn’t get the chalice.
Sam had been eagerly awaiting Dean’s return to their motel. When Dean entered, Sam stood up with their father’s journal in his hand. “Dean, do you remember being in Cleveland as a kid?”
Dean wrinkled his face in thought, “Yeah, a couple times, or nearby anyway. Why?”
“Because it’s in Dad’s journal a couple times. He called it a hellmouth and then in 2003,” he flipped a couple of pages, “he just never comes back. His note is something like hunters not needed anymore.” He scanned the page. “See, here.”
Dean made to look it over, but didn’t understand what Sam was getting at. “Okay, Sammy, so Cleveland’s a hellmouth. So what?’
“A hellmouth and hunters aren’t needed?! Come on, Dean!” Sam was frustrated wit his brother’s lack of understanding. “Here, look, in Dad’s journal,” Sam grabbed the book and flipped some pages. “Sunnydale, California. Another hellmouth. Look what happened to it.” Sam pointed at a picture of a crater.
Dean’s eyes widened, “You think Cleveland’s going to become a giant crater?”
“I don’t know, maybe. Ever hear of a Slayer?”
Dean squinted at Sam, “Show no Mercy? Hell Awaits?”
Sam shook his head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Me?! What are you talking about? You go on about hellmouths and Cleveland, then all of a sudden you’re talking about a metal band?” Dean sat on the bed. “You’ve been researching too much.”
“Dean,” Sam said in exasperation, “not the band, the person.” He sat next to his brother on the bed. “Look.” He pointed to a page in their dad’s journal, “In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”
Dean nodded but didn’t seem to understand. “So, uh…”
“The girl last night. I think she was a slayer,” Sam explained.
Dean raised a brow, “Seriously, Sam it’s just a theory in Dad’s journal,” Sam gave him a look. “Right, those theories are usually dead on.” Dean scratched his head. “You really think that chick was a slayer?”
“Dean, right here it says that Sunnydale had a slayer. No where in Dad’s journal does he have a record of going to Sunnydale even if it was a hellmouth. Now Sunnydale’s a crater and Dad no longer comes to Cleveland. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
“Okay, but did the slayer turn Sunnydale into a crater or was that because it was a hellmouth?”
“I don’t know,” Sam answered quietly. “But I know I don’t want to stay in Cleveland longer than we have to.”
Dean looked at his brother as if he were crazy, “Dude, Bobby said to sit tight and we still have to check out the Hall of Fame.”
Buffy walked passed the car twice. Big, black, shiny. Yep, she thought, this had to be it. Then she shrugged. She could hang out and see who got in the car or she could use her lunch hour to replace her shoes. Need shoes, she debated, need chalice. Ugh. Then her face brightened. Reaching into her purse she pulled out a piece of paper, wrote a note, and tucked under the wiper blade. Well, if it’s the right car, they should call. If not, then someone will just think I’m a big weirdo.
Buffy delighted in this second pair of shoes. These were beautiful, she turned her ankle this way and that to admire the shoe. Yes, these shoes were god’s gift to her feet. “So, iz theez the ones meez?” the very sleazy sales associate inquired of her.
Buffy rolled her eyes. Who was this guy kidding? He was about as close to being French as the fries she had for lunch, she laughed to herself. The ringing of her phone brought her out of her inner dialogue. Not recognizing the number, she hoped it was the guys with the car. “Hello?”
“Uh, Slime Girl?” asked a deep voice that Buffy thought she recognized.
Buffy covered her mouth piece, “I’ll take them.” Then she returned to the phone call. “This is she, can I help you?”
The caller on the other end chuckled. “Very professional sounding for a Slime Girl.”
Sam shot his brother a look. He was worried that the girl may be a slayer and if she had found their car, she was most likely watching them. He kept looking around the parking lot. “Don’t piss her off, Dean.” Sam hissed.
Dean waved him off as he listened intently. Covering the phone, “She’s at some store.” He informed his brother, making Sam look for the nearest store. “Uh, you left a note on my car?”
Buffy closed her eyes so she was better able to concentrate on the voice she heard. “Yeah, are you Sam or Dean?”
“Yeah,” Dean was a bit worried. How’d she know their names?
Buffy walked out of the store. “Um, look, I need that item you found yesterday. It’s vitally important to me.”
“Me, too, sweetheart,” Dean countered. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you have it.”
Buffy groaned in frustration. “Look, I don’t want to hunt you down and hurt you, but I will.”
“Like to see you try,” Dean snorted.
Sam recognized that tone and grabbed the phone from his brother’s grip. “Uh, sorry about that, you’re talking to the reasonable one, now.” He slapped Dean’s hand away walking quickly to the other side of the car.
“Okay,” Buffy began slowly. “Look, I need the thing you have.”
“Why?” Sam held Dean off with a glare.
“Do you know what it’s used for?” Buffy hoped the honest approach would work.
Sam wrinkled his brow; he didn’t. He looked at Dean. “What is it used for?” he whispered to Dean, who shrugged.
Buffy huffed again. “You don’t know, do you?” Then she smiled. They wouldn’t use it if they didn’t know what it was for. “It’s dangerous, you know that, right?”
“Yeah,” Sam answered.
“Then melt it down,” Buffy suggested. That was what the Council wanted.
“I would, but a friend of ours wants it,” Sam leaned against the car. “Are you a slayer?”
Buffy choked and sputtered, “Um, I, uh, that’s not the issue.” She wasn’t in the mood to divulge information to hunters. “Why does your friend want it?” She sat in her car, her voice became strident, “Does you friend know what it can do?”
“Uh, yeah,” Sam shrugged. If anyone knew what the chalice was for, it would be Bobby.
Buffy put the phone on speaker and began to drive to where she had seen their car. She was just going to have to face them and force them to give her the chalice. She swore to herself, “Your friend is going to use it, aren’t they?”
“What?! He’s going to keep it --” before Sam could finish, Dean grabbed the phone from him and disconnected.
“Dude, she doesn’t need so much information. If she is a slayer and as dangerous as you think, you don’t hand us over to her.” Dean climbed behind the wheel and started the car as he waited for Sam to get in. “Let’s get back to the motel and call Bobby again.” As he said that, his phone rang. He saw that it was her calling back and hit ignore. “Great, now she’s calling back. Time to get a new phone.”
Buffy wanted to slam her phone in frustration, but a person just can’t do that to their cell phone while they’re driving.
“Slayer, huh?” Bobby sounded exhausted, Sam felt lucky that Bobby even took the call. “She wanted you to melt it down?”
“Yeah,” Sam confirmed. “What should we do? Are Slayers as dangerous as I think they are? I found these websites that link them to the destruction of Sunnydale, California and”
“Don’t get yer panties in a twist, boy,” Bobby needed to stop Sam from talking his ear off. “Yeah, Slayers are dangerous. Don’t wanna get on her bad side. They are wicked strong and brave enough to seem crazy.”
This intel wasn’t making Sam feel better. “Great, we’re definitely on her bad side,” Sam added. In his mind, he began to list the ways he had angered her.
“I can’t believe she’d want the chalice melted down,” Bobby paced. He didn’t have time for this. He had one day to spend with Pamela and he was going to make the best of it. Why the hell did the Winchesters always seem to have urgent problems when he had a ‘date’? “Let me give you a phone number. Call it. Don’t give your name, just tell them what you have. Do whatever the guy tells you. Understand?”
“Yeah, Bobby, thanks,” Sam disconnected after writing down the number Bobby recited.
“So, they called you?” Buffy had that look on her face that told Xander he was lucky. Lucky the slayer wasn’t angry with him. Yeah, she looked like she wanted to hurt something. “They offered to meet with you and destroy the chalice,” she shrugged, “no questions asked. Just whatever you say.”
Xander nodded, “Yep, Buff. They just wanted to deal with me, and no slayers.”
She narrowed her eyes, “That doesn’t worry you at all?”
“No, why should it?” Xander hadn’t told her that the guy he spoke to admitted to being afraid of Slayers. “I think I’ve proven I can handle myself.”
“I think I’ll tag along.”
“No,” Xander was adamant. “Buffy, I wouldn’t want anyone else to be my back up. But, I have it from the G man himself, that I shouldn’t screw with these guys that --”
“That’s what I’ve been saying, I’ll make sure they don’t do anything stupid.”
Xander took Buffy by the hand and sat her down. “Buffy, Giles said that they have friends we trust.” To her exasperated huff, he added, “We have no reason to believe they won’t be good to their word; which was no slayers or the deal is off.”
“Fine,” Buffy grumbled as she slumped back in her seat.
Dean pulled into the strip mall parking lot. “Why are we meeting at the Potter’s Barn?”
“This guy said we’re gonna use the kiln to melt the chalice. I guess he knows the manager or something,” Sam answered before getting out of the car with the chalice. “You think that’s him?” Sam indicated a man standing by a door at the rear of the building.
“Must be, he’s got an eye patch,” Dean looked over at his brother. “I mean how many guys do you think have an eye patch?”
Sam nodded, “Right.”
“Winchester?” Eye patch asked.
“Yep. Harris?” Dean responded and Xander nodded. “Good, let’s get this over with.”
Inside the store, Xander said, “Before we melt this thing down. We’re going to break off these gem stones.” Xander handed Dean a chisel and hammer, since Dean hadn’t relinquished the chalice. “We each keep a couple stones. Without them, the chalice is worthless.”
“Sounds good,” Dean replied as he knocked a stone loose.
“What is the chalice used for? Why did the slayer want it?” Sam hoped this Harris guy would give a straight answer about the girl being a slayer.
Xander studied Sam, and took a deep breath. If Giles said they should be trusted, then he’d trust them. So far they had been doing everything he asked of them. “Uh, well, the chalice can be used to summon demons. Around a hundred years ago some masons hid it in that factory’s foundation.” He paused to pocket the stones Dean handed to him. He nodded his thanks and continued. “We found out a Yaunti was around and trying to summon a more powerful demon, so we decided to get to it first. More importantly, to me,” Xander took the chalice from Dean and placed it in the preheated kiln, “why were the two of you looking for it?”
“A friend told us it was important and that this Yaunti being around looking for it was bad news. He asked us to get it for him,” Dean answered. This Harris guy seemed to be pretty straight forward. He saw Xander’s next question, “We don’t know why he wanted it, but he is the one that gave us the English guy’s number. So we figure we’re all on the same side.”
Xander looked them over again, “All right.” He peered into the kiln’s window for momentarily, the chalice was nearly melted. “Well I guess we’re done here. Keep the stones or destroy them. Up to you. As long as all four of these don’t come together again, the chalice can’t be remade.”
“That girl really was a slayer, wasn’t she?” Sam asked as they prepared to leave.
“Yep, she’s the best of all of them.”
Sam stopped in his tracks, “I thought there was only one.”
“Well, that’s how it used to work,” Xander responded. “Then there were two. Then we did a spell and made a bunch more.”
Dean and Sam exchanged worried looks. “Spell? Like in witch?” Dean began.
“Bunch more?” Sam added.
Xander sighed, hunters and their prejudice against witches, he thought. “Look, we’re on the same side, remember?” He pointed to himself. “Good guy.” Seeing that they hadn’t relaxed yet, “The slayers are good and the witch that did the spell is good. No worries, guys.” But Sam and Dean looked at each other like they were not convinced causing Xander to sigh again. “Look, believe me, if she wanted, she could have taken you down and not broken a sweat. But, she’s “good”, got it?” Just then his phone rang. Looking at the ID, then at them, he smiled, “Speak of the devil. Hey, I was just singing your praises.” Xander listened for a moment. “Well, I answered my phone proving they have not shoved me in the kiln. I think you need to work on your trust issues.” Xander looked at Sam and Dean thinking they probably did, too. “Hey, since we’re all on the same side, why don’t we go get some beers and some food?”
Dean shrugged, “I could go for a beer. Sammy?” And if the other slayers were as hot as the girl from the other night, well that’s just a bonus, he thought.
“Sure,” Sam answered meekly thinking beers with slayers may not be such a good thing.
“Okay, the guys are in. What about you?” Xander listened while the other end of the line debated. “Perfect. We’ll meet you there.” Xander pocketed his phone, “Guys, the bar is called The Office. It’s on the east side of town. We’ll meet there in an hour, okay?”
“Sure, we’ll be there,” Dean nodded. But, Sam felt his nerves jump up another level. Socializing with a slayer sounded scary.
“I can’t believe you want to do this.” Sam was giving Dean the best bitch face he could.
Dean rolled his eyes, “Sammy, what could go wrong? That Harris guy seemed alright. Right?”
Sam nodded. “But, Dean, slayers, as in more than one, and they were made by a witch.” Both Winchesters shuddered.
“He didn’t say the witch was going to be there. Look, we’ll just have a couple beers and leave,” Dean offered. “But, maybe the slayers will be hot, and you’ll want to stay.”
“That sounds more like you than me, Dean.”
“Whatever. I’m just saying let’s go and hang out for a while. We can always leave whenever you want.” He put the Impala in park and cut the engine. “Look,” he said point at the sign, “place even has a happy hour.”
“Ooh, well, that makes this all worth while.” Sam’s sarcasm was ignored.
After buying beers, they grabbed a table. Facing the door, backs to the wall, as usual. The Office had a modest dance floor and a bartender/DJ that claimed he played everything. Sam scanned the crowd, mostly twenty somethings out after work. A cute waitress brought over menus and received an appreciative grin from Dean. “Thank you,” he said emphasizing the you, while once again ignoring his brother’s huff. “Here, look at the menu and relax.” Sam took the proffered menu, but it did nothing to relax him. Each time the door opened, both Winchesters would look. Every time women walked in, Sam seemed to slump in his chair, while Dean would appraise each one. The last three that walked in really got Dean’s attention. The brunette was above hot and looked like she kicked ass just for fun. The black girl was just as smokin and had a wicked smile on her face. But when he saw the blonde, Dean began to smile. He nudged Sam, “Bet you fifty, that’s them.” Sam looked at the women his brother indicated and gulped. The women looked around but didn’t notice the Winchesters.
Buffy felt someone watching her but before she saw who it was, Xander walked in and drew her attention. “Now, ladies, please be nice. These guys are on the same side as us.”
“We’ll decide that after we meet them,” Faith was going to back up whatever Buffy wanted.
Xander sighed and prayed that they wouldn’t start anything in the bar. “There they are,” he said and led them to Sam and Dean’s table.
Dean elbowed his brother again when Xander started to lead them over. When the four of them were standing in front of them, Dean and Sam stood. “Uh, Sam and Dean Winchester, this is Keisha, Faith, and Buffy, you met the other night.”
Sam held out his hand, “I’m Sam.”
Dean did the same, “I’m Dean.” Once they shook everyone’s hand they sat.
Faith grinned at them, “B, you were holding out on me. You didn’t say anything about these guys being hot.” Dean smirked, Sam blushed, Xander relaxed.
“Yes, she did,” Keisha insisted. “She said he had a nice ass.”
All eyes turned to see Buffy’s eyes grow wide and her color change to bright red. “AX, Keisha, I said he had a nice ax.” She looked at Dean whose smirk she wanted to wipe off.
Keisha shrugged and Faith laughed, “Right, sure. Sorry.”
Buffy’s color hadn’t faded. “So, enough about your ax and it’s niceness, did you order? We should order.” She grabbed a menu and buried her face in it.
Sam didn’t know where he found his voice, but he added, “Yeah, no, we haven’t ordered.” He barely knew where to look. Faith had seated herself across from him and he swore the temperature rose the moment she did.
Dean looked from his brother to Faith and grinned to himself. He hoped his little brother was going to be up for whatever that woman wanted, because she looked like she usually got what she wanted and Dean was pretty sure right now that was Sam. Faith caught Dean’s glance and smiled at him. Then she looked at Buffy and back at Dean, who raised a brow. Faith nodded to him and her smile grew. This guy would definitely get Buffy out of her slump.
It only took a couple rounds of drinks for everyone to relax. By the time they had finished dinner, the tension had evaporated. When the ladies excused themselves to the ladies room for post dinner primping, the brothers Winchester sat back in their seats and stared at Xander. “Dude, how do you do it?” Dean asked.
“Do what?”
Sam and Dean exchanged looks before Sam continued, “Work with them?”
“Why what’s wrong with them?” Xander sat forward and became defensive of his slayers.
“Nothing,” they said in unison, then Dean went on, “I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything.”
Xander chuckled. “Yeah, I know what you mean. But I’ve known Buffy forever and now she’s more like a sister. And Faith, well, that’s more complicated, but we’re just friends.”
“What about Keisha?” Sam asked. He had noticed the two of them checking each other out when the other wasn’t looking.
Xander cleared his throat, “Ah, well, haven’t figured that one out yet.”
Dean nodded to him, “Oh, dude, you’re in. Trust me.” Then he sat back to look over the crowd again.
Xander looked from him to Sam, who nodded his agreement leading Xander to shrug hopefully.
In the ladies room, Faith reapplied her lip gloss. “Buffy, that Dean guy totally wants you.”
Buffy stepped back from the mirror after checking to be sure nothing was in her teeth. “Yeah, right.”
“Look B, just ‘cause Ken was a dork, doesn’t mean you always have to settle for dorks.” Faith turned to check how she looked from the back. “If you don’t want him, that’s fine. But Sam’s mine. I’m gonna climb that boy like a lumberjack.” Keisha and Buffy laughed. Faith turned to them, “He had better like to dance. Now, B, did he have a fine ass or did you just check out Dean’s?” Buffy huffed and swatted at her, but they left the room laughing.