Down Twisted
by drkdreamer
Chapter 4
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Chapter 4
Buffy and Willow could only stand there, in stupefied silence, as the dark woman furiously opened her front door. The Slayer quickly realized that Alex was perilously close to her breaking point after seeing how jerkily she now moved, utterly bereft of her normally graceful movements. Her lips tightened, how the Hell where she and Will supposed to handle this turn of events? The Wiccan was already half inside the door when she became aware that Buffy was nowhere behind her. Turning to stare into the shifting depths of the Slayer's hazel eyes, she knew what had to be done.
"Don't spaz out on me now, Buffy, not when I'm so close to the edge myself. We need to get in there and make sure Alex is doing better, you know that as well as I do, Buffy Summers."
The blonde felt an irrepressible grin cross her mouth, she loved the way Willow Rosenberg could tell a person to piss off in the nicest of terms! Before she could respond, the green eyed girl grabbed a hold of one of her bud's limp hands to slowly draw the Slayer fully into Alexandra Roberts house. Neither teen was altogether surprised to find Alex in the living room. The woman was sitting on the couch, staring intently at the weapons spread out before her on the coffee table. The molten gray eyes of the Southerner passed over the coils of hemp hewed rope, across the six boxes of ammunition and lingered momentarily on her Dad's well cared for revolver. There where a great many memories associated with the 45. It had been her Grandpa's gun, whom then passed it on to her Pop who then put it into her possession. While it appealed to her on many different levels, Alex knew it wasn't yet time for that particular weapon.
Nope, she said to herself, I'm thinking it time for something sharp, shiny and equally as deadly instead.
Decision made, she reached out to grasp the hunting knife that had once been her 16th birthday present. Willow could only watch as Alex, unconsciously she was sure, ran her thumb over the wickedly sharp six inch blade it what could only be called the gentlest of caresses. Buffy, in the meantime, had reached down to pick up the discarded newspaper. She then spent the next few minutes searching for the key that had told the dark woman that Skyton was in town. Alex looked up and seeing the confusion on both girls' faces, motioned them closer.
"How is it Alex, that you can tell Skyton is here? There's only been one death that I read about, the old, homeless man found on the outskirts of town. Nothing in that jives with what you've already told us about Tom Skyton."
The dark woman pursed her lips and silently acknowledged that Buffy was, infact, one smart cookie. Her voice, when she spoke, was as dry as the wind.
"He was the first victim, Buffy. Skyton has a set pattern from which he never deviates and the first to die is always merely a random occurrence. They are an opportunistic kill; a taste, if you will, of what is soon to come. "
That news left the Witch gasping in disbelief. The question begged to be asked and Willow knew if was up to her because her bud had gone mute.
"Who.....who are the intended victims, Alex?"
Those frighteningly intelligent gray eyes whipped around to lock on the Wiccan's face. The red head simply stared back, silently awaiting what was sure to be bad news. Alex swallowed as she tried to figure out a way to tell Willow the horrible truth about Skyton's obsessions.
"We have about seven days before he begins to actively hunt. Hopefully, Will, I'll find him before That can occur. Skyton has a preferred type of victims that most normal people cannot even begin to comprehend. Unlike most serial killers, he doesn't target just one person. The bastard gets off on the scenario of multiple victims that, I believe is what drives him to butcher entire families. He likes your typical, middle class family. IE: mom, dad, two kids, but he will deviate if that isn't available to him."
"God, Willow, we need to contact Giles," Buffy blurted out horrified by the news.
The grass eyed girl had to agree with her best friend. Rupert Giles analytical brain was exactly what they needed in this situation.
"I'll take phone duty. After talking to Giles, I'll see if I can get ahold of Xan and Anya too."
Both the Slayer and Alex could only watch as the slender red head walked over to the phone and began dialing. A fleeting, ironic smile crossed the dark woman's face, looks like I'm gonna meet everyone tonight!
"So, am I too presume that all the Scoobys will be showing up on my doorstep tonight?"
Buffy, in a wholly distracted manner, smoothed one hand over her head. Her mind was fixed squarely upon her Mom, Willow's folk's and Xander's parents, whom the boy still loved despite the fact they treated him in the crappiest of ways. None of them could afford any of those people becoming yet another statistic on Skyton's growing list of victims.
"I'm worried about my Mom, Alex. Do you believe she'll be okay while I'm over here?"
The Southerner felt a huge grimace come over her face, That question was the one thing she'd been dreading to hear since knowing full well she was coming to Sunnydale. Those haunted gray eyes zeroed in on the blonde as she gave serious consideration to allowing Joyce Summers, the Rosenbergs and Harris's leave to remain in town.
"Let me be perfectly honest, Buffy. If it where me, I'd tell anyone I loved to get the hell outta Dodge while Skyton is here. I fully believe that things will become dangerously brutal in the next couple of days but that's just me. I'm neither a Slayer nor Witch, so the decision is yours and Willow's."
The blonde could only remain standing there, utterly shocked by what Alex had just said. It was both completely honest yet concerned and, in her heart of hearts, Buffy knew what had to be done. Willow came strolling back and stopped dead in her tracks at the utterly stricken look the Slayer flashed her way. She never had a chance to ask what was wrong because Buffy grabbed her hand's and pulled her into the kitchen. Alex Roberts cocked her head sideways, silently hoping that this wouldn't be too much for the teenagers to handle.
That's just what I get, she couldn't help thinking, for allowing people to get close to me!
Ten minutes later, with Buffy and Willow still ensconced in the kitchen, Alex rose to answer the front door. In short order she became acquainted with Rupert Giles, Anya and Xander Harris. Slayer and Wiccan joined the fray and proceeded to tell the Scoobs the whole situation. After much discussion and more than a few raised voices, Alex moved everyone into the living room. The teen's where still reeling after finding out that Giles agreed with Alexandra Roberts. Being outflanked by the adults, talk soon turned to the hunting of Thomas James Skyton. Alex was careful to explain that no one, save herself, was to approach the serial killer. He would be far too dangerous in a one-on-one encounter; she simply needed reconnaissance from these people. They soon had Sunnydale divided into three separate segments. Buffy and Willow would take the outskirts of town, Xander and Anya the seedier districts and Alex would patrol the suburbs. Giles would be the phone man, he would be the one to call Alex if the quarry had been spotted. Only one thing remained undecided, where everyone would stay when nightfall returned to Sunnydale.
"Right," said the Brit, "Anya and Xander can be my guests."
The blonde and redhead said nothing though each thought that the other would stay at her house for the evenings. Alexandra Katherine Roberts floored all parties present, including herself, with these next eight words.
"Y'all can stay with me, if ya want."
Two pairs of stunned green and hazel eyes widened at that suggestion. It completely shocked both Buffy and Willow that the woman would even make such an offer.
"It's a nice thought, Alex, but where would we all be sleeping? You've only got one bed and there are 3 of us, you do the math," said the Slayer.
The older woman could only chuckle deeply at that girl's logic. There was nothing wrong with it, per say, but Alex wanted those girl's to be safe while Skyton remained in town.
Maybe I'm just a misguided fool, she couldn't help thinking, but I believe the safest place is with me.
Her voice was, therefore, subdued and low when she spoke.
"It's no sweat, Buffy. I sleep on the couch, the bed can be yours and Will's. Frankly, I've always preferred the couch, it's the same when I'm at home."
The Watcher and other young couple where very interested the muted blushes that both the Wiccan and Slayer now wore. Xander's brown eyes sparkled with hidden amusement, it was on the tip of his tongue to call his bud's on those looks. He couldn't when Alex's knowing gray gaze slanted his way. Willow felt her heart catch at the mere thought of sleeping close to Buffy's warm, totally desirable body. Then, like a perverbial rain, indecision rained supreme in the brainy red head's brain.
Ohmigod, her mind was shouting, can I really sleep next to Buffy and not reveal all that I feel for her?
The blonde was experiencing similar thoughts herself and could only shift uncomfortably upon the balls of her feet.
It would be a sublime thing to lay that close to the utterly intoxicating Wiccan, she knew this from prior experience, but would I actually be able to remain on my side of the bed?!?
Alex simply awaited their answers, knowing full well the doubts that where creeping around inside those two heads. She gave them a few minutes before throwing out her own question.
"What's it gonna be, guys? Will you stay here with me until Skyton is gone or are ya gonna add yet even more pressure to my already taxed brain? If you're really worried about the sleeping situation, I'll make you this deal. One of you can take the bed, the other can have the couch. I'll just make up a pallet on the floor, 'Kay?"
Both teenagers where totally shocked that Alexandra Roberts would give up her sleeping space for them!! They where also feeling just a little guilty after hearing how that woman would feel if they simply stayed at either Buffy or Willow's home. Muted hazel eyes looked into warm green for one, endless, moment before the Witch began to speak.
"All right, you've convinced us to stay here. And, no, you won't be having to give up your couch for us. It was, however, a thoughtful gesture on your part, thanks!"
"The pleasures all mine, Darlin'," said the gently smiling Alex.
Rupert Giles was more than a little surprised by how easily this woman seemed to wear down his head strong pupil and her equally obstinate friend.
She just may be a force to be reckoned with, thought the man to himself.
He was, however, deeply concerned about Alex Roberts mental health. She was strung tighter than any guitar string and, as he well knew, she would eventually break. It could potentially be a very bad thing if either Buffy or Willow where present for that occurrence. Xander found himself smiling over at the older woman.
Not once, since the time he'd entered this home, had Alex treated him like the world's biggest fool. He admired her for that because, sometimes, even Giles acted like Xander didn't have a brain in his head! Alexander Harris couldn't help thinking that, just maybe, he and the dark woman could actually become pretty good friends.
Anya, former Vengeance demon extraordinaire, remained standing mutely at her boyfriend's side. There was just something, off, about that woman that sent cold tendrils of fear sliding down her spine. At first, she'd assumed that the Southerner's darkness was due to the usually suspects, a demon or something else from the other realm. It floored the girl with the reddish blonde hair to realize that Alexandra Robert's innate coldness came simply from her.
"You will not allow Xander to be hurt, will you Alex? He is a Great orgasm buddy and I could not exist without him."
The older woman was completely shocked by the phrasing of the other girl's speech. A thoughtful frown marred her facial features as Alex tried to figure out how to respond to that particular question. It sucked because her mind chose that moment to shut down and she had no way to restart it. In the next instance, she found herself wholly amused by the Xander's obvious discomfort. A quick glance around the room confirmed her suspicions that this seemed to be an everyday occurrence. The imp in her felt the need to tease the brown haired, brown eyed boy but Alex, successfully, put a tight lid on that emotion. Bright humor still glinted in the depths of her gaze as she looked fully into the waiting girl's deep, brown eyes.
"Anya, the truth of the matter is, I don't want any of you to be hurt in this endeavor. If I could search for Skyton myself, I would. But, since I'm clearly not from Sunnydale, I'll need all y'all's help. I'm not saying that you should confront that bastard yourself, far from it in fact. That's my job; you'll just be my eyes and ears while I'm in town. What do ya say, sugar, do we got a deal?"
The former demon could only stare at the dark woman, trying to see if evil permeated her veins. There was nothing but truth behind slowly spoken words, Anya felt ready to agree to those terms.
"All right, Alex, you have a deal. We'll get along famously, so long as Xander is safe. Should anything happen to him, you should know that things will only go from bad to worse for you."
The steel behind that speech caused the woman to grin crookedly at the younger girl. Cordelia had spared no details when describing this particular person, Alex had been told everything about Anya.
"You have my solemn promise, Anyanka, that I will do my level best to keep all of you safe."
Giles felt highly uncomfortable with all the tension that was now swirling in the air. His practiced eye told him that, while Anya's heart was in the right place, Alexandra Roberts would have little trouble defending herself against the former Vengeance demon. With his gift of British tact, he sought to ease uncomfortable situation.
"And on that note, I believe it's high time I drive Anya and Xander home. When would you like the hunt to begin, Alex?"
The woman smoothed back the hair from her face as she gave serious consideration to all the ramifications to that bland statement.
"I'll start as soon as dawn breaks. As for y'all...once you get everything squared away with the other people in your life, afternoon is dandy with me. Be careful on the drive home, 'kay?"
After telling the woman he would take every precaution, Giles gathered his two charges and left. In the ensuing silence, the 3 remaining people in the house simply sat in comfortable silence. Buffy Summers realized that it was time for her to start patrolling the cemeteries but, she surprised herself by actually Not wanting to go! Her duty called and the Slayer knew she better get her butt out there before the entire populace of vamps began taking the streets of Sunnydale for themselves.
"I gotta go too, Alex. What time do you want us here tomorrow?"
Alex correctly reckoned that after patrolling, Buffy would then head home for the talk with her Mom. She figured that it'd take most of the night for the Slayer to convince her parental unit to vamanos out of Sunnydale. That would mean that sleep would be a limited quantify for Buffy.
"I dunno. How 'bout I just look for you before you and Will begin the hunt for Skyton? Here, you should probably take this.'
It took Buffy a full minute before she could reach out and grasp the spare key Alex was holding out to her. The Southerner smiled as she watched the blonde pocket the key.
"If I'm not her, just let yourselves in. I'll clear out half the closet space tonight. Make sure you lock up before ya leave tomorrow. I plan on being back here by 5:30 p.m. Most likely, I'll begin dinner then. It should be ready by seven at least. I figure we deserve a few hours of down time, don't y'all? Willow, you need me to drive ya home?"
The Wiccan shook her head after glancing over at her best friend.
"That's okay, Alex, I'll just walk with Buffy for a bit. Don't worry about us because she's the best protection in all of Sunnydale. Are you absolutely sure we won't be crowding you out of your home?"
Well, damn, thought the older woman, Willow worries even more than my own Mom!
A bitterly, sweet look overtook the dark woman's face as she stared thoughtfully at the two teenagers.
"I'm sure. Believe me, Darlin', I wouldn't have made the offer if I didn't think I could handle the 2 of you here. Guess I should play the perfect host and walk y'all to the door, right?"
Despite those brave words, none of those people moved quickly towards the oaken barrier. Upon reaching the door, the woman had to sigh before opening it.
"All jokes aside, promise me y'all be careful tonight."
There was a wealth of pure concern in that voice but neither girl commented on it. Buffy grinned with utter cockiness at the older woman.
"Relax, Alex, I got us covered. Nothings going to happen to Will, not while she's on my watch. I'm the big, bad Slayer, remember?"
It's never really left my mind, thought the woman, but who watches your back, Buffy Summers?
None of that showed upon her face because Alex was anything but a stupid woman.
"All righty then, goodnight guys, catch ya on the flip side."
Alexandra's troubled eyes watched as the two girl's walked into Sunnydale's permeating night. She finally shut the door only after not being able to see Buffy and Willow anymore. Knowing full well that morning would dawn all too quickly, Alex locked her front door. She then went back to the living room and began to make out her bed. The dark Southerner lay back upon the couch while attempting to blank her mind. She felt pretty confident that all the Scoob's would be fine, at least tonight, and that Skyton would refrain from killing anyone else at this time. With that one thought on her mind and a gentle smile playing across her lips, Alexandra Katherine Roberts drifted off to sleep.