Unknown Factors (Book One)

Ch.6: I'll take care of you

  Hiding in the dark room, we were waiting for Buffy. Willow had left to go get her a while back, so they should be on their way by now. The door finally opened in the recreation room, and in walked Buffy. Someone turned on the lights, and we all jumped up.

  "Surprise!" We all shouted as one. Xander shouted a little late but it was fine. Buffy smiled after quickly putting a stake into her bag to make sure no one else saw it, and the group dispersed. According to the banner on the wall behind everyone, this was the surprise party for Buffy's 19th birthday.

  Despite not knowing anyone at the party other than Willow, Xander, Buffy, and Giles, I had fun. The food was great, and I was able to get to know Buffy better. To tell the truth, Buffy was pretty cool. She turned out to be just as Pops had described in the letters he used to send me, including the praises on her work and mind.

  After the party, I crashed on Pops's couch while being satisfied with a full stomach.

~

  "The prince demon guy was supposed to rise at sunset, so aren't we like, late?" Willow asked as we were walking through the cemetery.

  "Of course, if I hadn't had to search the globe for our Miss Summers, and do battle with that harridan...."

  "And if you hadn't gotten lost on campus afterwards-" Xander added.

  "Never mind. I'll just have to take care of it myself. I've vanquished a few demons in my day without her. Of course, it wouldn't surprise me if we are entirely too late. Demon on the loose. Carnage everywhere." Pops said as we walked at a brisk pace towards a crypt.

  "Your better demons clean up after themselves." Xander noted when we all saw the inside looked undisturbed.

  "I don't understand. Um.... Should be ruptured earth and-and broken stone." Pops looked all around with the flashlight in his hand. "Oh, well. Apparently, it hasn't happened yet. A bit of luck." He said while putting down the bag of supplies he was carrying. 'Aw, I was ready to fight....' I thought as my tail drooped.

  "Or, you-you know what I bet? I bet the Initiative took care of it." Willow said.

  "Who?" Giles asked while setting up some candles.

  "Oh, Riley and his guys were probably all over it."

  "Yeah, it has that 'too neat' look. They must have cleaned up the place."

  "What?" Pops looked utterly confused.

  "Oh, they read hot spots. Areas of other-worldly energy. They must have picked this place up days ago."

  "Stop. Both of you." Giles rose to his feet while waving a hand. "What are you talking about? Wh-What's the Initiative? What, um, what on Earth does it have to do with Buffy's new boyfriend?" Willow and Xander exchanged glances while I covered my face with a hand.

  "You know. I'm sure you know.... Riley's one of the commandos." Willow began to fidget.

  "What?" There was a silent pause. "Well, that's marvelous, isn't it? Here I am, spent weeks trying to get a single scrap of information about our mysterious demon collectors, and no one bothers to tell me that Buffy's dating one of them?" Pops looked at us. "Who else knows?" He shined the flashlight at us.

  "No one. No one else knows this." Xander waved a hand. "Anya, and that's it."

  "And Spike." I quietly added.

  "Spike?" Pops's shoulders slumped as he gave us a look. "Spike knew?"

  "Only the basic stuff." Xander shrugged. "You know, that Riley's a commando, and Professor Walsh is in charge...." He trailed off.