Getting Ahead of Myself
by sailor80
Thirty-four
[reviews]
Spike left them after they all went through the all-night grocery. Buffy and Willow bought two gallons of ice cream and a variety of toppings. Spike got a carton of cigarettes and an armful of junk food.
"He's actually helping, but the whole thing makes me wig," Buffy said as they walked toward home. "Spike always wants something. I'd rather know what sooner than later."
"Right now, I say you take whatever help we get," Willow answered. "If he's bugging you that much, call Angel and get him to talk to Spike for you."
Buffy sighed and changed the subject. "Faith told you anything about what's happening at the gallery?"
Willow stiffened, as she always did when Faith was mentioned. "No."
"The day we met with the knights, some blonde woman came into the gallery and paid cash for the world's ugliest sculpture. I mean, I've seen wrecked cars with more artistic value. She's been in to buy something every week. She always pays cash, too. Anyway, Faith delivered a couple paintings over there, and she said the blonde has a bunch of deformed hobbits working for her, but they don't come up on her slaydar."
"So?"
"Kinda weird, don't you think?"
"Buffy, if we paid attention to every weird thing in this town, we'd never accomplish anything else."
"I know, Will, but I don't believe in coincidence."
"You didn't used to believe in magick, either," Willow teased.
"True. And like coincidence, it usually comes back around to kick my butt."
"I get it, Buff. I'll see what I can find out."
"I know you will. I'm just, things are getting weird and I'm worried that I'll miss that one little thing."
"You haven't missed it yet."
"Yeah." Buffy sighed.
Willow squeezed her hand, and they finished their walk home in silence.
On the last Monday in August, Faith returned early from patrol. Buffy, Willow, and Tara were watching television when she burst through the door. Buffy immediately jumped up. "What?" she asked.
"The knights are gone," Faith said.
Willow immediately got up and went to the phone while Buffy said again, "What?"
"The knights are gone. You know they've been camping behind the cemetery and they aren't there. No wood smoke, no horses, no nothing."
"Giles, Faith said the knights are gone," Willow said.
"Gone?"
"Not there, bugged out, packed their stuff and moved."
"That's a relief."
"Not if we don't know where they went."
"I'll see what I can learn."
"The cease fire ends in a couple days, Giles. I don't want to wake up one night with my head in my lap," Willow said.
"I'll let you know what I learn," Giles said, and hung up.
Willow returned to the couch, where Buffy and Faith were making plans to circle Sunnydale in search of the knights' new encampment. Buffy put her arm around Willow without looking at her, as she and Faith discussed where to search.
Willow wasn't listening to them. She was thinking about ways to set a more effective barrier spell around the house, or at least an early warning system. Tara touched her arm gently to get Willow's attention and motioned toward the kitchen. The witches slipped away, leaving the Slayers discussing the topography of Sunnydale and its environs.
"You all right?" Tara asked while she filled the kettle.
"No. I don't like this. They've been here for months and they suddenly take off? It reminds me of something from world history, a feint to draw our attention from the real attack."
"We still have a week before the truce expires," Tara said. She pulled mugs from the cabinet.
"Something isn't right," Willow insisted.
Tara got the hot chocolate mix and marshmallows from another cabinet and spoons from the drawer. "We can check it out tomorrow. M-make sure they left voluntarily."
Willow frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Maybe the Beast got to them."
Willow paled. "You are not helping."
"Sorry. But we need to consider everything, best case, worst case."
The phone rang and Willow hurried to answer. Giles said cheerfully, "Good news, Willow."
"I could use some."
"The Council found a few other prophecies that convinced the Knights of Byzantium that they are on a wild goose chase in Sunnydale."
"What?"
"The Knights are off searching for the Key in northern Africa, I believe."
"Are there really prophecies?"
"We'll discuss everything tomorrow. For now, don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
"Thanks, Giles."
"You're welcome, Willow. Good night."
Willow hung up and turned to Tara, who was mixing four mugs of hot chocolate. She put extra marshmallows in Faith's, and told Willow, "Get yours and Buffy's, and you can tell us what Giles said."
Willow followed Tara to the living room. Faith looked up when they came in, and took the mug Tara offered. "Ooo, marshmallows," she grinned.
Willow sat beside Buffy and put their mugs on the coffee table. "That was Giles."
"What did he say?"
"He said the Council sent the knights on a wild goose chase."
Faith started laughing, while Tara and Buffy looked at her and asked "What?"
"That's all he told me. He said he'll explain everything tomorrow."
"At least we don't have to go looking for them now," Buffy said to Faith.
"Wonder how long it will take them to figure it out?" Willow asked.
"Not long enough," Buffy answered.
They all met early the next evening at the Magic Box. Buffy and Dawn played in the training room while they waited for Xander, Joyce, and Faith to arrive from work. When they did, Buffy made certain the back door was securely locked. She left Dawn in there to amuse herself on the mats and mini-trampoline and left the door open so she could keep an eye on her from the table.
Anya counted the day's take and listened with half an ear to Giles. He cleared his throat before starting. "After you phoned last night, I called the Council headquarters in London and was put through to Mr. Westrope. He said he was waiting until a decent hour of the day here to call.
"The Council delivered to the Knights of Byzantium a series of prophecies about the Beast. The Knights of Byzantium are headed to Northern Africa to search for the Beast. I believe they may have left one or two men here, but the rest of them have left town."
"What prophecies?" Willow asked.
Giles removed his glasses and cleaned them while answering. "I asked the same question, Willow, but he wouldn't answer. I am supposed to receive copies of them tomorrow."
"So we don't have to worry about tall, shiny and stupid while we're patrolling?" Buffy asked.
"I believe not. But you must continue to be vigilant."
Buffy and Faith both rolled their eyes. Giles ignored them. "We will meet here tomorrow to discuss the prophecies."
"Rupert, why don't you come for dinner, and you can talk about them after," Joyce said. "Xander and Anya are invited, too."
"Ooo, home cooking, thanks Mrs. S.," Xander answered.
"That would be lovely, thank you," Giles said with a smile at Joyce.
Buffy rolled her eyes again and looked at Giles. "Don't make me have a talk with you," she warned him, and turned to her mother. "You either."
Giles blushed, but Joyce smiled at Buffy without saying anything. Buffy left the table suddenly, and joined Dawn in the training room while Willow tried to suppress a giggle.
"Well," Faith drawled, "I think we're done here. Me an' Blondie are gonna get somethin' to eat and go on patrol. See you guys later."
Willow followed Buffy to the training room after Faith and Tara left. Xander tried unsuccessfully to distract Anya from the register while Giles moved to sit next to Joyce.
"Are they really gone?" Joyce asked.
"As far as I can tell."
"Wonderful." Joyce smiled. "Anything in particular you'd like for dinner?"
"I have no preferences." Giles paused. "I don't have to worry about you serving roast demon, do I?"
Joyce laughed. "It's out of season," she teased back.
"Well, then, anything is fine." He paused for a moment. "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"
"I'd love to."
Giles smiled and stood up. He offered his arm to Joyce, who stood and put hers through his. Xander watched them walk out the door, then shook his head. When Willow came out of the training room a few minutes later, she asked, "Where's Giles?"
"He and Mrs. S. left a few minutes ago."
"They're on a date," Anya said.
"Nah," Xander disagreed. "Old people don't date." He looked at Willow. "Do they?"
She shrugged and returned to the training room.