Half Breed: Prologue
by JeanetteB
Buffy entered the Sunnydale High library and dropped her bag onto a table. “Giles!” she called out, dropping into a chair that sat in a sunbeam. She indulged in a bone-cracking stretch as her Watcher came out of his office holding a book. “What’s the word?”

“Ah, the word?” Buffy’s forays into the land of modern slang usually left Giles wondering if he had missed an important part of the conversation.

“Yeah, the word. As in, what’s going on? I mean, don’t get me wrong or anything, but things have been really un-hectic undead-wise around here. Actually, everything’s been really quiet, considering where we live. No computer demons, or fish guys, or witchcraft gone wrong. Not that I’m complaining.” Buffy stopped and examined her nails in the light.

When she didn’t continue, Giles prompted her. “And…”

“Hm? Oh, right. It’s just that when things get quiet, it usually bodes ill for my nearest and dearest.” She mouthed the words “bodes ill” with a disgusted expression on her face. “See what you’ve done to me? I’m talking like you now!”

“That might not be a bad thing you know.”

“Well, as long as I don’t start dressing like you.” She smiled up at him. “So have you read anything in those books of yours?”

Giles opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the arrival of Willow, Xander, and Cordelia. “Oooh, looks like we’re breaking up a war party,” Xander observed, throwing himself into a chair beside Buffy’s. “Who are we staking tonight?”

“Oh, do you need me to look stuff up?” Willow asked helpfully. “I’m good at that, if not at the actual slaying part.”

“Hang on, Will, before you go rounding up the information posse. Giles and I were just discussing the decided lack of vampire activity.”

“Yeah,” Xander agreed. “Even Angel and his fang gang aren’t putting in their usual appearances.”

At Buffy’s pained look, Cordelia swatted Xander upside his head. “Is it possible for you to be more of a dimwit?” She turned to Buffy. “You know how he is. Sometimes he doesn’t engage his brain before he speaks.”

“I really hate it when you talk about me like I’m not here,” Xander complained.

Giles headed off the forthcoming argument. “As stimulating as this discussion is, I think it best if we focused on the problem, or lack thereof, at hand. I haven’t read anything concerning an impending supernatural disaster, but I can go back and check the lesser known books of prophecy if that would be of help.” He took off his glasses and wiped them with a cloth. “But for now, might I suggest that we enjoy this much needed rest? I for one could certainly benefit.” Replacing his glasses, Giles gave Buffy a stern look. “However, I am not suggesting that you be lax in your patrols. We do not wish to become complacent, despite the calm. I expect you to maintain your regular schedule.”

“Heil,” Willow murmured.

“Ya, ya, I get the point Giles. A Slayer must be ever vigilant and all that jazz. I’ll make a sweep tonight.”

“After the Bronze,” Cordelia added. “We’ll all sweep, or whatever, with you.”

“I…I…never suggested…” Giles sputtered.

“Cool it, Mr. Tweed,” Cordelia interrupted, cutting him off. “You just said that we should all enjoy the relative non-weirdness around here.”

“Yep. So we’ll go dance, and then we’ll scour the town for the forces of darkness. It’s a plan.” Buffy bounced out of her seat, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door. The rest followed close behind.

Giles watched them go, then returned to his books. He wondered what hideous thing he had done in a former incarnation that had him saddled with teenagers in this one.

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