The Male Slayer - A Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fanfiction

VIII. The Problem Solving and Investigations Branch (Chapter 1)

"Who's calling you?" 

"It's James."

"What does he want?" 

"I don't know." 

"You don't have to answer it, you can just stay here with me."

"I'm sure it's important." 

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Episode VIII: The Problem Solving and Investigations Branch

London, 2003

"And you're quite sure you're recovered?" Giles asked, concern very visually on his face. 

"Quite sure. To be honest, Giles, I just want to get started." James admitted, "The gang's all downstairs, ready to get to work." 

"James, fighting the First was no easy feat. This job should seem like a cake walk in comparison, I'd imagine." Giles added. 

To James, Giles had seemed more on edge lately than he was fighting against the First. He'd taken up being the new leader of the Watcher's Council, a job that wasn't ever going to be easy, especially since there were hundreds, possibly thousands, of new Slayers all over the world, every one in need of a Watcher. 

James had been on leave the past few months. Giles had discussed the idea of having James continuing in the Watcher's Council, but in a more suitable role that allowed him to slay and learn being a leader at the same time. 

"I'll manage, Giles." James said, concluding their conversation. 

"If you need any assistance, I won't have time to give you any." Giles shouted after him as he left. 

The Problem Solving and Investigation Branch, or PSI as Giles had so wittily called it, did seem like a stark change in what James had been doing prior to the battle with the First, but as he entered the small office section of the building that the team had been given, he was confident it would provide him with a few challenges, namely...

"I saw you looking at it earlier, you have to have stolen it!" Robson exclaimed, pointing his finger ferociously at Marcie.

"Look, old man, if you're going to be like this the whole ti-" Marcie began.

"Old man?!" Robson repeated in disbelief. 

A disappointed looking Doyle spotted James entering and dashed over to him quickly, "Please shut them up." he pleaded. 

"Robson, what book is it you're looking for exactly?" James asked the Watcher.

"Eh- How did you know it was a book she'd stolen?" Robson inquired.

"I didn't steal your god damned book!" Marcie interrupted.

"Robson, it's you. If anything's been stolen, it would have to be a book." James answered his question. "What book is it?" 

"Tobin's Spirit Guide, I was cross-referencing a passage I'd read yesterday in-" Robson began to ramble. 

"And where did you last see it?" James asked suddenly, wishing to get the situation over with. 

"At my desk, see." Robson told him, leading James over to his desk where about forty books were sprawled over. 

"See what? Books?" James wondered, amazed at how someone could have gotten their desk so clustered when they hadn't even started working there yet.

"Tobin's Spirit Guide is beige. It's the only bloody beige book I have in my collection, and I saw her flicking through it moments before it went missing!" Robson said, continuing his furious point at Marcie.