Author's Notes: Monsters from Supernatural, Angel/Buffy and the author's imagination will be making appearances. I reply to reviews whenever possible, but for reviewers who post as Guests or don't enable private messenger: Thank you kindly. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Special thanks go to my beta reader AngelfromBeyondBelow who helped make this chapter much more readable and enjoyable. Any remaining mistakes are mine.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Supernatural or Angel/Buffy. No profit was earned and only respect was intended.

Stanford's Hunters***Stanford's Hunters***Stanford's Hunters

Stanford's Hunters were all gathered together, though not in their usual meeting location in Sam's dorm room. Instead, Sam, Jessica, Luis, Connor and Abigail sat around the Reilly dinner table with Laurence Reilly waiting for Xander and Faith to arrive. Colleen Reilly also planned to be there, for the meeting could profoundly impact Abigail's future. Unfortunately, a truck fire on the highway meant her arrival remained some time away.

Connor earlier added both leaves to the table to make it large enough for everyone expected. Though two present had no need for furniture, the ethereal forms of Wesley and Officer Montgomery making chairs superfluous.

Sam set the primary books recommended by Wesley and Bobby Singer on a side table. Beside them the plans for training and educating Abigail to meet and excel at her calling were typed and organized neatly in folders ready to be reviewed. On the small table's lower shelf were the blueprints for the Lore House, where all of Stanford's Hunters college age members would live when the new school year started in the fall.

Michael Hammond had quickly ironed out the details regarding the endowment to pay for the tuition and housing of hunters/watchers/slayers attending Stanford. A former Greek sorority house was currently being repaired and remodeled, with the goal of it being ready for habitation by mid August before the fall school year begins. The older building, built back in the 1930s required more than a bit of updating to both bring it up to code and modernize it. The cost of the work while not unreasonable was enough for the sorority to choose to sell rather try to fund the expense themselves. The building, once finished, would be large enough to house all of Stanford's Hunters current members with plenty of room for them to expand.

The second part of the endowment to cover tuition costs had already gone into effect, providing a pleasant surprise for Jessica, Luis and Connor. Luis had literally jumped for joy when he learned the endowment would also cover their first two years of Stanford tuition effectively wiping out their student loan debt. At least Luis maintained enough dignity to properly thank Hammond for his patronage while avoiding any reference to 'Sugar Daddies'.

Now if only Sam could also get through the upcoming meeting without making a fool of himself or somehow creating a mess of things for Abigail, the young man worried as he shifted several of the reference books they might call on during the meeting to the larger table.

It seemed so reasonable to offer aid when they first realized Abigail's situation. Sam was not about to leave Connor to face this on his own. Only after several consecutive nights of nasty dreams providing vivid examples of how easily Sam could fail his friend, did Sam acknowledge, at least to himself, just how overwhelming he found his newest responsibility to be. The call from Dean could only be described as heaven sent; allowing Sam to vent all of his fears and get a fresh perspective.

Even Sam could admit he should have called Uncle Bobby as soon as he first considered helping Abigail by becoming a Watcher. Sam's call to Bobby went both bad and good in turn. Uncle Bobby barely allowed Sam to say hello before scolding the young man for again becoming involved with supernatural hunting after managing to escape the dangerous lifestyle for almost two years. The expected 'Idjit' being the mildest part of Bobby's rebuke. Though Bobby accepted Sam's explanation of stumbling into a werewolf attack and deciding to protect Stanford with his friends, Bobby felt less certain about Sam trying to become a Watcher. Sam eventually convinced Bobby he was serious about helping Abigail, going so far as to say, while he wanted and probably needed Bobby's help, he intended to stick to his current path whether Bobby agreed with him or not.

The declaration invoked a fair amount of grumbling from Bobby before the man started barking out the titles of several books Sam would need to acquire if he wanted to have, "better than a snowball's chance in hell, of doing right by your friend's kid sister."

Remembering Bobby's words Sam picked up the books off table and moved them over to the smaller end table. A mix of chuckles and giggles pulled Sam out of his thoughts long enough to notice all of the others were looking at him with smiles on their faces.

"Sam," Connor began in a teasing tone, "That's the fourth time you have moved that pile of books from one table to another in the last two minutes.

Sam looked down at the books while replaying his actions during the last few moments. A red heat infusing his cheeks with the realization of his unconscious nervous behavior. "Guess I'm a little nervous," Sam admitted. "I just want everything to go well."

Wesley's spirit shifted to move closer. "Such feelings are unnecessary," the former Watcher pronounced. "You have far more experience than others even a decade older than you, and your successful track record speaks for itself." Though Wesley's knowledge was a goldmine Sam eagerly drew from, Wesley tried not to fall into lecture mode too often around Connor and his friends. Though he admitted to feeling a surprisingly strong mentor connection to Sam who so loved to absorb new knowledge.

Acting as a sounding board, while asking the occasional probing question seemed to help Connor the most over the past months; almost a year now Wesley realized with a start. During the last few weeks of becoming better acquainted with Connor's friends and family Wesley tried hard to provide good advice when asked without imposing his own preferences on the others. Fortunately, Sam's intelligence and practical experience far exceeded the book learning of Wesley's own past, when he so arrogantly tried to take charge of both slayers back in Sunnydale.

Connor reached across the table and snatched the books from Sam's hand. "Sit down and relax," he instructed Sam. "Which table the books are on isn't going to have any effect on who Xander and Faith decide to make Abigail's watcher," he pointed out reasonably. "If you keep dithering around like this you're just going to continue to embarrass yourself."

Sam wanted to protest the 'dithering' remark, but sadly it described what Sam had been doing all to well. "Fine, I'm sitting," Sam conceded under Connor's knowing smirk.

At least Connor appeared to have relaxed about his sister's future calling. Since receiving and reading Master Takeda's family journals, the champion started to hope for a long and happy life for his sister again. The hopeful countenance provided a welcome change from the continuous fight or flight tension Connor literally broadcast since the afternoon they learned of Abigail's nightmares.

"I think Sam looks cute when he is embarrassed," Abigail whispered to Jessica in a not nearly quiet enough tone.

Sam tried not to wince when Jessica appeared to smile in agreement. No guy wanted to be viewed at 'cute'.

Wesley looked towards the front door. "A vehicle has crossed the ward line of your drive way," he informed the group. "I believe our guests have arrived."

The teasing humor from a moment ago instantly evaporated, pulling nervous anticipation in to fill the void. "I'll let them in," offered Connor before leaving the room for the entrance.

Laurence also stood. "I believe it is time to find out if these Council people are as helpful in person as they seem to be on the phone," Laurence pointed out. Then he grasped his daughter's hand and led the rest of the group down the hall.

Connor was already opening the door and stepping back, giving them room to enter while remaining silent to let them prove they could pass the mystical barrier of the door's threshold. While there were demons and spirits strong enough to push through a protected threshold, the vast majority of such being would have a hard time getting past the protective runes and wards Sam and Wesley installed around the home and property.

Xander Harris and Faith Lehane crossed the threshold without issued. Xander extending a hand in greeting, "It is good to see you again, Connor."

Faith echoed Xander's actions with a friendly, "Looking good, kid."

"Thanks," Connor replied. "We really appreciate both of you coming from halfway around the world to help us get things worked out for Abby."

"Happy to help," Xander replied easily.

Connor suppress the urge to insist on further thanks, knowing the two would likely continue to shrug off their efforts despite everyone in the house knowing just what a big deal this meeting was for Abigail's future. "Okay, let's start with introductions," Connor began. "Xander Harris, Faith Lehane, I would like to formally introduce you to Laurence Reilly, father to both Abby and myself, and someone we should likely nominate for sainthood the way he has dealt with having not just one but now both of his children suddenly players in the supernatural battle between good and evil."

Laurence stepped forward offering his hand to Faith and Xander. "I'm glad we are finally meeting face to face. Not that Colleen and I didn't appreciate your willingness to take our phone calls and calm some of our fears, during the last few weeks. I don't know that we can ever put into words how thankful we are for your help and support."

The smile stayed on Xander's face, but his eyes became serious. "Sir, the most important mission of the Slayer's Council is to offer support and aid to those drafted into battling the supernatural, Slayers and their families. Any soldier can tell you it is hard to keep fighting if you don't have something waiting for you when the fighting is done. The old watchers' methods of isolation and constant deployment left previous slayers overwhelmed with battle fatigue and hopelessness. We want. . . We need to do better for every slayer we called and every potential still waiting. The time for slayers to die young and alone needs to end." Silence followed Xander's quite yet passionate declaration.

"I see now why Connor was so certain you were the person to call," said Laurence. "You clearly believe what you say and practice what you preach."

"Just don't call me a preacher," Xander asked wryly. "I really don't like those guys as much as I used to," he added while rubbing the temple next to his eye patch unconsciously.

Laurence not sure what Xander referred to simply agreed, "Certainly. Colleen intended to be here. Is in fact, still on her way, but as she is currently on the far side of a fire caused by an overturned semi-truck on the highway, she may be quite a bit later than she intended. She called to insist we don't wait on her arrival." Glancing at his daughter he explained, "Abigail has been so anxious the last few days, Colleen doesn't want her to wait any longer than necessary."

"Which is the perfect segue for me to introduce my brilliant little sister, Abigail," Connor continued to acquaint all parties.

Xander again shook hands; this time Faith saying, "It's cool to finally meet you in person. I heard Master Takeda accepted you as a student. Congratulations, he is not an easy man to impress."

Abigail replied with a blushing thanks, still nervous about meeting people whose lives would easily fit into a blockbuster movie.

Stepping to his left Connor moved to the rest of their group. "Over here we have Sam Winchester, hunter extraordinaire and leader of Stanford's little Goosebumps club," Connor grinned when Sam glared at him for bringing up Dean's nickname for their group. "Better known as Stanford's Hunters,' he hurriedly added to placate Sam's ire a bit. "Jessica Moore hunter in training and . . . divinely blessed," Connor shrugged not sure how else to describe her abilities to someone new. "Luis Jackson, another hunter in training and fledgling psychic. Also joining us tonight is Officer Montgomery, the guardian spirit of Stanford, and you both already know Wesley."

"Looking good, Wes," Faith offered to her former Watcher. "Are you enjoying riding heard on Connor and his friends?" Wesley's spirit had already been bound to Connor before she even learned of his death. Not that their relationship had been close in any traditional sense. Calling them friends would be an exaggeration. Yet despite, or perhaps because of the way they each at different times betrayed others and walked decidedly dark paths, they understood each other. Once the Battle of the Hyperion was won and Faith learned of both Wesley's death and his spirit being bound to this plane of existence, she wanted to help. Wesley assured her he was happy with his choice, but she still felt the need to check up on him and make sure he had not changed his mind. Though she seldom did right by Wesley during his lifetime, she could at least make sure he enjoyed a more pleasant afterlife.

Wesley smiled knowingly back at Faith. "Honestly, while I do offer advice as needed, Connor has selected an excellent group of friends who required little in way prompting or nagging."

Faith smiled at hearing Wesley's seldom used (at least with her) teasing tone. "Now are you implying I was a less than eager student to you all those years ago?"

"One does not need to imply facts," Wesley replied. "Not that even the most eager student would have been able to overcome my particular combination of arrogance and inexperience."

Once everyone had their chance to offer hellos they moved back to the table and sat again with their new guests joining them. With everyone settled at the table Xander started the meeting. "During our initial call I asked all of you to get to know Abigail better and think seriously about whether you are ready to become a Watcher, and more specifically her Watcher. So what have each of you decided?"

Surprisingly Luis was the first to speak up, "I still want to be involved with the Slayer Council in the future. I find the both the research and field work fascinating despite the occasional nerve racking moments. I also believe I possess a lot of valuable skills and abilities that would benefit the Council." Luis paused to glance at Abigail before continuing, "but we all agree Abigail needs a Watcher right now to give her the best chance at a long and fulfilling future. While I fully intend to help in any way I can, I lack the knowledge and experience to effectively serve as a Watcher. So I am respectfully withdrawing my name from consideration."

"So you're interesting in joining, but you don't feel ready for a leadership role yet, and want to get a bit more training before you jump headfirst into such a serious commitment, right?" Xander summarized. At Luis' nod Xander pulled a folder from his backpack and handed it to the mocha skinned man. "Here is an offer to put you on a part time retainer while you finish Stanford with a position in the Council waiting for you when you graduate."

"Seriously?" Luis asked in surprise. It never occurred to him the Council would offer him another position when he backed out of this one.

"Seriously," Xander confirmed. "Are you still interested?"

"Very," Luis confirmed, immediately opening the folder to read over the offer within.

"I am afraid I am going to have to bow out too," Connor volunteered. "Apparently it is just not cool to have your big brother as your Watcher," he continued in a long suffering tone, though his teasing grin belied his words.

"Cut it out, Connor," Abigail piped up. "I love you to death, but that doesn't mean I want you bossing me around even more than you already do. Having you as my Watcher would be a bit too much like making you my boss, and I don't think either of us would enjoy it for long." In the overwhelming fear of the initial reveal weeks ago Abigail had clung to Connor for safety in a way she had not clung to anyone since being a small child. Getting to know the others and learning about Master Takeda's ancestor went a long ways toward rebuilding her confidence. Which in turn saw her reasserting her independence in typical teenage fashion.

Thankfully, despite Connor's teasing, he did not seem bothered when Abigail asked him to back off on the idea of becoming her Watcher. His reply of, 'So long as you understand I'll be fighting beside you whether it is as your Watcher or as your brother,' let her know Connor only pursued becoming a Watcher as a way to help her.

Of course that did not mean he was above giving her grief about her request. Like the way he now set his hand on his heart and bemoaned, "I'm wounded that you might think, for even a moment, that I couldn't find a way to thoroughly enjoy bossing you around for decades to come."

The comment brought a chuckle or two from around the table, but Abigail chose to reply by sticking her tongue out at her supposedly more mature brother.

"Well," began Xander, "like I indicated to Luis, Watcher and Slayer are not the only positions in the council. You may recall when you first called me that I mentioned you were already recommended highly enough by Master Takeda to get your names on our recruitment list. Are you also interested in work on a part time basis until you graduate or other circumstances shift?"

Connor knew 'other circumstances' was a veiled reference to Abigail being called as a Slayer. Getting paid for doing what he was already doing would be a bonus, but he did need to be very clear on one point before he agreed to any position. "I want it understood that I have no interest in accepting any job that would take me away from Abigail. Even though I won't be her watcher you should still consider us a package deal."

"We can have it written into your contract, if you want," Xander offered. He pulled a second folder and handed it to Connor. "Consider this a rough draft to look over. I will give our legal department a call about having your condition added."

Then he extended a third folder to Laurence, "This is what the Council offers standard to all slayers as well as potentials: Training, education, room and board at one of our facilities. The majority of Slayers do move into either one of our schools or Slayer houses. But others have decided to only attend the school during the summer or stay with family."

"So the Council won't be too upset about our plans to keep Abigail close to Stanford for most of her training?" asked the concerned father. His talks with Wesley giving him the understanding that Sam's plan was very different from both the old council's methods and the new council's way of doing things.

"No," explained Xander. "While we usually lobby heavily for Slayers to join our schools and get council training, we do so because it is the easiest way for us to ensure the girls not only survive but thrive despite their calling. But your situation is very different than theirs. Your family already knows and accepts the supernatural, and that right there puts you ahead of 90% of the families we approach. Connor's knowledge and abilities give Abigail another huge advantage, as does training with Master Takeda. The Slayers Council is also much more geared towards training and dealing with called Slayers rather than potentials. My guess is that whatever hid Abigail from being identified by the old council also hid her from those of the First's minions who were hunting potentials. Now I am going to recommend that as a family you look over the various camps and training programs offered by the Council this summer. It will provide Abigail a great opportunity to meet some of the people she may be working with in the future, and see how we do things. But I have already let the Council know that barring a major change in circumstance Abigail is much better off where she is now. Especially once we get the issue of her Watcher settled."

Xander turned to Abigail with a grin. "So we seem to be down to Jessica and Sam as potential Watchers. You have had a few weeks to get to know them both, who is your preference?"

"You mean if I could choose my Watcher, who would I pick?" Abigail asked in surprise.

Faith chuckled before explaining, "There's no if about it Abby. One of the best things the Slayer's Council has done since getting our feet under us has been to give the new Slayers as much choice as possible in who becomes their Watcher. It doesn't always work out perfect, but we try." For a while after the fall of Sunnydale, Faith had been quite happy teamed up with her combination boyfriend/Watcher but as their break up became more intense Faith decided she needed a clean break. Despite Robin's offer to try maintaining their professional relationship, Faith knew herself well enough to know that wasn't going to work. Now Xander was her Watcher and she thought they worked pretty well together. Even better then with Robin thanks to Xander's insistence on getting Faith's opinion before making decisions, big or small. Not that he never made a call she disagreed with, but when they disagreed, he at least showed her the respect of explaining his reasoning. Even if those explanations were sometimes coated in a heavy dose of sarcasm.

Shaking off her stray thoughts Faith pulled back to the current conversation, "Thanks to you having several people apply to be your Watcher you get to pick. So who is it going to be?"

Abigail tried to breathe through the panic of having the choice of Watcher thrust upon her. Sure she wanted to have some input, but she did not expect to have the whole decision laid at her feet. She knew who she wanted but how could she make the call without offending someone?

Warm hands settled reassuringly on her shoulders, ask Connor instructed, "Relax, little sis, and just tell us what you're thinking."

"I'm thinking that Jessica and Sam are both incredible and totally deserve to be Watchers. Sam knows so much about the supernatural it is mind boggling. While Jessica is a black belt who can totally kick ass. Yet she is always so calm, and she never lets anything faze her. Sam is so passionate about helping and protecting others."

Abigail glanced from Sam to Jessica, who were both smiling at her words. "But if I have to choose, I think Jessica and I sync up better," she decided. Seeing both Sam and Jessica's smiles widen brought a wave of relief. It seemed they both approved of her choice.

Behind her Connor crowed knowingly, "I called it!"

"Lucky guess," Abigail countered, easily falling back to the teasing relationship with her brother.

"No, I knew as soon as I met Jessica you two would get along," Conner contented. "The two of you are going to make a hell of a team."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence," said Jessica. While she wanted to be Abigail's Watcher a whisper of doubt lingered regarding her lack of experience when compared to Sam. She could only do her best to prove worthy of the trust they were giving her. "Is it that simple?" Jessica asked Xander and Faith. "I mean, what do I need to do to qualify as a watcher?"

Xander smiled reassuringly, "While it is true that just a few years ago you would have been expected to produce a doctorate in history, ancient languages or something similar before you would even be considered for the position of watcher; that was how the old council did things. Their methods may have ensured the old councils' longevity, but they offered little benefit to their slayers. The Slayer's Council is not only trying to provide our slayers with some choice, as Faith pointed out, but also trying to place more emphasis on watchers with practical real life skills." Xander huffed as he remembered some of the watchers he trained in Africa. "You would be surprised how many people find learning Ancient Greek easier than learning common sense. I think you should realize by now I came here intending to recruit all four of you into the Slayer's Council. Your group has only been working together for a few months and you have already accomplished several impressive achievements which are echoing through the supernatural community," Xander pointed out.

"I didn't realize we had drawn so much attention," Luis commented in surprise.

"You dealt with a rabid werewolf on a crowded campus, yet avoided both death and the spread on the lycanthropic infection," Xander listed while holding up one finger. Raising a second finger while nodding towards Officer Montgomery he added, "You managed to form a solid alliance with Stanford's notoriously aloof guardian spirit. You neutralized a powerful warlock and defeated an Armis Pistris demon without any fatalities. Any one of these achievements alone is enough to get people and demons alike talking. Though at least for now no one seems to know who you are, just that there is a group at Stanford making waves."

"The point I am trying to make is that all four of you are already qualified to become watchers," Xander insisted. "Yes, you need to learn more, but being accepted into Stanford shows you're very capable of both learning new information and making use of what you have learned. So on behalf of the Slayer's Council I am formally offering you a position as Abigail's Watcher. Do you accept?"

"I accept," Jessica said. She was embraced by Abigail.

"Yes!" Abigail shouted with glee, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise I will do my best to make sure you never regret this decision."

"And I will aim to be the best Watcher you could have," Jessica promised in return.

Xander again began pulling items out of his bag. "I have a couple of books should help with that," he said handing the first to Jessica. "The newly completed Watcher's Handbook." Extending a second book to Abigail he continued, "And the greatly revised and much more practical . . ."

"And much less boring," Faith added.

". . . And much less boring," Xander agreed, "Slayer's Handbook. These should give you a basic understanding of what to expect and how we deal with things. Though don't forget you have Wesley nearby to be an adviser."

"Sam," said Xander, "I don't want you to feel left out. Maybe you aren't going to be Abigail's watcher but the Slayer's Council still wants to recruit you." Xander reached into his bag to grab the last of his folders. "I want to offer you the same contract as I offered the others, a retainer for part time assistance until you graduate and are ready to take up a full time position. Given your location we would most likely use your team for occasional research and perhaps back up to the San Francisco team if they were to get hit by something big. Oh, and for said research parties you should definitely make Jessica pay for the research doughnuts, as she will be the only one making full time pay until the rest of you choose to accept your full time positions."

"Research doughnuts?" asked Jessica, wondering what the phrase could be code for.

"One cannot easily spend hours searching though dusty volumes and cryptic prophesies without large doses of sugary goodness," Xander instructed sagely. "I recommend ordering extra on the jelly filled. Things can get violent if there aren't enough to go around."

"We usually don't have that problem unless there is a caffeine shortage," Jessica said, realizing Xander's reference to 'research doughnuts' essentially translated into snacks meant to supplement study sessions.

Xander smiled at the comeback. "Well, I personally, have always found sugar to be a higher priority than caffeine, but to each their own," Xander allowed with a shrug. "Usually the next few steps after pairing a watcher with a slayer or potential slayer, such as we have here," Xander nodded to Abigail with a smile, "is to form a support team around them, and make sure they are properly supplied and trained." Looking at the group in front of him Xander explained, "Since the mass calling we have been trying to pair up the slayers so there is always at least two at each location. Giving each slayer a super powered sparring partner better prepares them for fighting against demons, who almost always have enhanced strength. As much as I hated Angel's relationship with Buffy, their sparring sessions gave her an edge and contributed to her survival. We want every slayer to have that same advantage, as well as the ability to have a second heavy hitter to fight beside them. Now your situation with Connor means that when Abigail does eventually get called we already have a second powerhouse in place. However, until Abigail gets called Connor is training and operating at a disadvantage."

Several at the table seemed surprised by Xander's statement, while Sam frowned. Connor's strength so far surpassed the rest of the team it was easy to forget there were monsters out there even tougher. Though Sam worried about it quite a bit since catching up to the others in the auditorium to find everyone alive, but Connor looking bloody and bruised as he staggered over the demons corpse, just a breath away from losing consciousness. Connor might be the strongest, but if they continued sending him out to fight monsters without enough support, they were no better than the old Watcher's Council.

"What would you suggest?" asked Sam.

"Like I said before," replied Xander. "We keep your team in reserve and use you mostly for research. I also plan to schedule both of the San Francisco Slayers to meet you during your Friday night training sessions with Master Takeda. Maybe have the girls alternate weeks or something. I think everyone will benefit from Connor training with each of the slayers semi-regularly."

Faith volunteered, "I wouldn't mind sparring while I'm in town if you're up for it."

Connor accepted the offer with a lopsided grin, "I only ask that you don't humiliate me too much in front of my sister. She will never let me hear the end of it." Faith might not remember what happened the last time they faced off, but Connor remembered losing to the dark slayer quite vividly.

"Don't worry," Faith assured, "I promise to leave you with at least some of your pride still intact."

"I'm also," Xander continued, "going to leave you the contact information for everyone at the San Francisco house so you call them in if you need backup."

"Thank you," said Sam. "We really appreciate it." Hopefully, they would never need to make such a call, but better to have the back up and not need it than the reverse.

"You have a pretty well rounded team here," Xander assessed. "No dedicated magic caster, but Jessica seems to have access to a source of mojo, which while different is still clearly effective." Xander lifted the wrist bearing one of the protective talismans Jessica made. "In fact, several people have been impressed by the power of this handy little charm." Noticing the sudden tension in both Sam and Connor, Xander assured, "No one knows where I got it from besides Faith and Rupert Giles, the head of the Slayer's Council."

Meeting Jessica's eye Xander said, "I understand your abilities are faith based?" At Jessica's nod he continued, "There have been situations when we've had one person invoking Gaia, another calling upon his ancestors while another prays to Allah all seeking blessing at the same time. We just want to be sure you won't have a problem working professionally with those of alternate belief systems."

"I'm fine working with others of different faiths," Jessica promised. "I always saw a lot of wisdom in Mother Teresa's belief that we cannot know how God presents himself to others, and he wants Buddhists to be good Buddhists, Hindus to be good Hindus and Christians to be good Christians."

"Question from the newbie," Luis raised his hand with a wave. "Connor and Sam both indicated it was important to keep quiet about Jessica being the source of the bracelets, but how big of a deal is it? I mean why would the bad guys come after Jess over some protective charms? It's not like they are weapons."

Xander noticed the way Luis seemed to bite off the end of his statement as if deciding he spoke too much. Before he could respond there was a snort beside him.

"Tell that to the Jumebahgee that tried to tackle Xander," Faith countered.

"Jumebahgee are jungle demons that tried to ambush us on the way to Nairobi," explained Xander. "While Faith efficiently dealt with two of them, I was pleasantly surprised to find so much as a touch of my talisman crippled the demon allowing me to kill it with unusual ease."

"I got to admit," Faith added, "after seeing how useful Xander's little piece of jewelry proved to be, I wondered what the same blessing on a blade might be capable of."

Xander watched as the eye contact between Stanford's Hunters shifted to full speed. There were glances, twitches and raised brows flying from one hunter to the next before three sets of eyes locked on Sam awaiting his decision.

"We want to show you something," began Sam, "But we need to know it won't go further than this room."

Giving Sam's request a moments consideration Xander countered, "What we learn won't go farther than this room as long as the knowledge isn't needed to halt an apocalypse, and I will talk to you before revealing it to others if possible."

The reference to 'an apocalypse' surprised Sam, but he did not argue the condition. "Agreed," Sam nodded to Connor.

"You mentioned hearing about our defeat of the Armis Pistris through the supernatural grapevine. What exactly is being said?" Connor asked.

"Rumors and theories," Faith volunteered. "Some mentioned a champion moving to the area, while others suggest that it's Stanford's guardian spirit acting though a couple chosen hunters. The Armis Pistris defeat seems to have swung the debate in the favor of the champion argument for the moment, but we didn't hear any names mentioned."

Connor frowned. It was good no one seemed to be spreading names around, but he was not pleased to hear there were rumors of a champion. It was bad enough for Sam to consider him a champion, Connor really did not want everyone else referring to him that way. Maybe if things quieted down for a bit something new would take over the rumor mill. "The plan was for Sam and Luis to deal with the mage while Jessica and I tried to move Hammond, the target, to safety. Sam and Luis handled their part, but by the time we got to Hammond he already bore serious wounds from the demon. I tried to distract it enough for the others to escape but, the nasty bugger showed enough smarts to cut off our exit." Connor pulled his holy blade from the newly made sheath he carried it in. "I held it at bay for a few minutes, barely, but lost my main weapon and things started going downhill quickly until Jessica tossed me this. It was the dagger I lost earlier in the fight, but Jessica changed it, blessed it. Suddenly the blade that could barely scratch the demon's armor cut through its hide like it was butter. Just in time too, with the beating the A.P. gave me I couldn't have held out much longer."

No one noticed the growth of Laurence's worried frown as Connor described the closeness of the life and death battle. The father desperately wanted to wrap his son in a bubble of safety, as impossible as doing so would be. Knowing his daughter could be facing similar danger in a year or so churned his gut into a tight knot of terror. But the father mastered his fear, knowing parental hysterics would not help his children. They needed his unwavering support and they would have it for as long as he drew breath.

Across the table, Connor held up the dagger for the others to inspection. To Xander it looked like a sturdy blade, about ten inches long from tip to cross guard. It appeared ideal for stabbing and thrusting, such as required when in close combat. Still, Xander saw no obvious outward signs to indicate the weapon possessed unusual abilities. Instead, Faith's obvious and immediate reaction, showed its uniqueness.

"Well damn, that thing is as wicked as the scythe," Faith breathed as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up from the magic rolling off the small blade.

"You mean the Slayer's Scythe?" asked Xander, surprised by the intensity of Faith's reaction. "How so?"

Faith glanced from the dagger to Xander and back again, trying to articulate yet another slayer feeling for her Watcher. "Can I hold it?" Faith asked Connor.

After sharing a look with Jessica to make sure she did not object, he flipped the blade and extended the handle towards the Dark Slayer.

"It doesn't feel exactly like the scythe," Faith began. "When I hold the scythe it's like it was made to be held by me. There is this understanding that we were both created to destroy demons and together we are just about unstoppable. The other slayers who have fought with the scythe felt the same thing." Faith shifted her grip on the dagger's handle to progress through a short kata of attack moves dominated with stabs and thrusts. Her face lit with pleasure as she gracefully wielded the blade. "Oh yeah, this little weapon might not be mine but it was definitely meant to kill demons."

Accepting the dagger back from Faith, Connor agreed, "I have haven't tested it much yet, but I have the feeling there aren't many kinds of evil that could stand unharmed against it."

"Can I ask how you changed Connor's dagger?" Xander asked Jessica.

"I asked God to bless the blade with his divine power enabling it to cut down the demon attacking us, while offering a small blood sacrifice to show my determination and devotion," Jessica explained. "I think God's blessing allowed the dagger to become incredibly deadly against all demons, not just the Armis Pistris we were fighting. But, like Connor said, we haven't tested that theory yet."

"Well Faith agrees this thing is made to kill demons," Connor pointed out. "You turned my ordinary dagger into a holy weapon. If others find out you can make holy weapons, a lot of unholy beings might take offense."

"You realize I did not actually make it holy," Jessica clarified. "I just prayed. God made the miracle happen."

"But you were the catalyst that allowed the miracle to happen," Sam pointed out. "I'm not aware of anyone else who can ask God for a blessing on a blade and have it immediately become a holy weapon. Pastor Jim is great at making holy water and holy oil but the blessings he placed on the weapons and ammo we used were never as effect as what you did to Connor's dagger."

When Jessica continued to look unconvinced of the uniqueness of her abilities Xander spoke up, "In the last decade I have fought supernatural threats on three different continents beside some of the strongest, most experienced champions currently in the fight, yet none them can do what you have." Holding up the wrist baring the talisman Jessica made, Xander continued, "Before this arrived I wore more than four different anti-possession trinkets in addition to my tattoos and I still regularly felt the brush of entities against the edge of my mind. Since I put your bracelet on: nothing. You might see yourself as an ordinary person making ordinary prayers, but you can't deny the response you're getting is extraordinary." Xander saw Jessica accept his assessment and decided to move the conversation back on topic.

"In fact, it's because of that response I am willing to forgo the magic caster required for every team. There are some basic rituals and magical know how you will all be expected to learn, but you have Wesley to answer any questions about those. I see from the books on the table you already have the start of a nice occult library." Scanning the titles Xander asked, "Dangers of the West" by Colt? I don't think I'm familiar with that one."

"It's a collection of accounts regarding monster and supernatural creatures much like Hillson's "Monsters of America". "Dangers of the West" focuses heavily on the area west of the Mississippi, while "Monsters of America", written back in 1843, spotlights the eastern part of the United States." Sam rattled off with knowledgeable ease.

Xander smiled at Sam's eagerness to share information. "Clearly you know of what you speak," he said in a teasing tone.

"Actually, it was recommended by a family friend and mentor, Bobby Singer," Sam admitted.

"Bobby Singer of Singer Salvage, Sioux Falls, South Dakota?" asked Faith. "Takes nearby hunts and acts as an adviser to other hunters."

"Yeah," agreed Sam, "that describes Bobby."

"He was one of the Hunters, Robin was supposed to recruit for the new council," Faith explained. "I wasn't at their meeting, but apparently they did not hit it off well, Singer declined the job offer and a lot of other hunters followed Singers lead."

"So you're saying that by successfully recruiting one of Singer's protégés I managed to one up your ex-boyfriend?" When Faith's only reply consisted of a wicked grin, Xander shrugged his shoulder and decided, "I'm good with that."

"I believe Mrs. Reilly has arrived home," Wesley informed the group as he felt the wards tied to the house flicker.

"Come on, Jessica," Abigail grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the garage door. "I can't wait to tell her you're my new Watcher!" The others chuckled as the teen dragged to college student from the room with no time to protest.

"I shall leave now," spoke Officer Montgomery, startling several who forget the quiet guardian spirit remained with them. "Thank you for allowing me into your home. You have my congratulations on the choice of your daughter's Watcher and my promise to aid them in whatever way I can when they do their work at Stanford." The ghost nodded respectfully to Laurence, who owned the house, and granted permission for the spirit to enter the protective wards surrounding the house, when Montgomery expressed interest in the meeting. Sam still did not know why Montgomery wished to attend, but he seemed satisfied with the outcome.

"We were happy to have you," Laurence assured. "If there is ever anything we can do to thank you for your help, please just ask."

The spirit stared at the father intently for several long seconds. "My granddaughter spends too much time working at the university. She needs friends outside of academia."

A little surprised by the ghost's response Laurence thought quickly, "Colleen and I have been planning the host a get to know the neighbors barbecue. We will be sure to invite her."

Stanford's guardian spirit smiled slightly and nodded to Laurence again before vanishing.

"So," began Connor after Montgomery disappeared, "am I the only one wondering if Montgomery only showed up here to get his granddaughter invited to a party?"

"Good for him if he did!" Laurence answered his son. "We do owe him for all the ways he has already helped you and agreed to help Abigail. You might see Dean Willoughby as an accomplished professor in no need of coddling, but she is still his grandchild. While protecting Stanford is his duty, helping his family is both an honor and a joy. Now I can hear Abigail starting to update Colleen in the front room, so let's join them."

The group moved out of the dining room. Greetings and conversations flowed easily between Stanford's Hunters, the Reilly family and the two council representatives for another two hours before the evening's lateness forced most of the college students to depart to prepare for early classes the next morning. Faith reiterated her desire to spar with Connor under Master Takeda's supervision the next evening. Something everyone seemed interested in seeing, cementing their plans. Soon only the Reilly family members remained. Colleen and Abigail filling the dishwasher in the kitchen while Connor and Laurence broke down the dining room table and removing the center extensions before compressing it back to a table for four.

"Connor, there is something I wanted to talk to you about, now that we have a moment alone," Laurence spoke seriously, hoping his son would understand the request he was about to make.

"Yeah, sure Dad," Connor replied.

"First, I want you to know how thankful Colleen and I have felt the last few weeks as you have helped us sort out this situation with your sister," Laurence said. "When your abilities first surfaced last year, your mother and I hardly knew how to react. So many times I wondered why God would send such an extraordinarily gifted child to a couple of clueless parents like ourselves."

"You and Mom are hardly clueless," Connor protested.

"Connor, you know as well as I, that what your Mother and I knew about supernatural threats, this time a year ago, wouldn't have been enough to fill the summary page of a report, much less keep any of us alive or safe," Laurence insisted. Connor frowned when he could not counter Laurence's point giving Laurence a chance to press on. "I always thought the whole point of being a parent involved not just loving your kids but also teaching and protecting them until they were ready to go out on their own. I arrogantly believed I'd done a pretty good job when we sent you off to Stanford. Then your abilities were revealed and demons were attacking us." Laurence shook his head at the memory. "Suddenly, not only was I incapable of protecting you, but you were protecting us. In fact, I don't think a moment has passed in the past year when you weren't doing your best to protect Abigail, your mother and me from the threats you know are out there. And now you're not only protecting your family but the whole of Stanford too. As a parent, listening to the things you are doing makes me both enormously proud and absolutely terrified."

"Dad, you don't have to worry," Connor reassured, "I know how to handle these things."

"So you didn't admit, just a few hours ago, to nearly dying when you faced that Armis pistol demon, while rescuing Michael Hammond?" Laurence queried.

"Armis Pistris demon," Connor corrected absently, "and you don't have to worry. I had my friends backing me up."

"I'm glad your friends were there to help you. I am," assured Laurence, "but I worry that you aren't going into these fights with the right frame of mind. You know my grandfather, your great grandfather fought during World War II in the Pacific." At Connor's nod Laurence continued. "He told me that one of the things he learned in basic training that helped keep him alive was a simple lesson which too many soldiers forget. 'As a soldier it is not your job to die for your country but to make your enemy dies for theirs.' Now that you and Abigail have been drafted into this supernatural war, I think grandpa's lesson is one you both need to take to heart. I understand there are evils out there that need to be fought, but you need to go into those fights with the commitment to come out alive once you have beaten them."

"So you want Abigail and I fighting smart and not taking unnecessary risks," reasoned Connor.

"Yes," agreed Laurence, "but I especially want to make sure you don't spend so much time protecting Abigail that you forget to protect yourself."

"Dad . . ." Connor started to protest.

"I know you love your little sister. You long ago named yourself her protector, but sometimes it feels like you view your sister's place in this family as more important than your own. It's not," Laurence insisted. "Yes, we would be devastated to lose Abigail, but make no mistake; losing you would be just as devastating."

"Well, I'm the big brother," Connor countered. "I'm supposed to look out for Abigail."

"You're also supposed to teach her to look out for you," Laurence pointed out. "The same way you and your friends are already looking out for each other."

"Of course," Connor agreed, "that's what all of her training is about. To help her be the strongest and longest lived slayer of all time."

Laurence tried not to frown at Connor's response. They all wanted Abigail to have a long happy life. Laurence had to constantly remind himself that the dream of his daughter living long enough to play with her own grandchildren wasn't impossible. At least one other slayer had lived that long. But he was equally determined to make sure Connor lived, too. Yet Connor's words made Laurence fear his son was prioritizing Abigail's life over his own. "We want both of you to have long happy lives," said Laurence.

"Yeah, right," Connor agreed unconvincingly.

Laurence brows rose at the response. The tone was not flippant or patronizing, but it also was not sincere. At least not as sincere as Connor's earlier promises to ensure Abigail's safety. "Connor, I want you to promise me you will spend just as much effort keeping yourself alive as you do keeping your sister alive."

"Dad."

"Promise me, Connor," Laurence insisted. "Our family needs you."

"But Abigail is the one who really belongs in this family," Connor replied, only to immediately look like he said too much.

The comment stopped Laurence cold. "Is this about the fact that we adopted you, while Abigail is our biological child?" He asked. "Because it has never mattered how you became a part of our family. Adopted, biological, bought from a troop of Gypsies or carried in by a stork, how you came to our family is irrelevant, what matters is you are here and you are our son."

"Even if everything you think you know about me is a lie?" asked Connor quietly.

Suddenly Laurence knew exactly what caused Connor to prioritize Abigail place in the family over his own, because the look was back. The same haunted look, they caught slipping across their son's face ever since they returned home, after Wolfram & Hart helped 'fix' their problems. The look which told Laurence and Colleen, their son had been through a traumatic experience, despite his words to the contrary. Something had shaken Connor to his core. Something Laurence now realized was making Connor doubt his place in and value to their family.

Even though Laurence wanted to shout at Connor he was being ridiculous, they knew their son, the weakly masked fear on Connor's face; fear of rejection prompted Laurence to try a different tactic. "So the roses and card you sent to your mom's office on Mother's Day. The one where you told her it was her love and generosity that made you the man you are today, was a lie?"

"No, I didn't mean…" Connor began.

Laurence raised a hand to silence his son. "What about when we realized Abigail might be a potential slayer and you promised to never let her become one of those statistics slayers too often fall to?"

"I wasn't lying about that," Connor swore. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Abigail."

Laurence nodded acceptance of Connor's response. "Do you still consider me your father?"

"Yes," Connor replied sincerely. Taking a breath he added, "Even if my biological father walked into the room right now you are still my Dad."

Laurence was a bit surprised by the reference to a biological parent. Connor had never shown interest in seeking out any biological connections, but overall Connor's replies were what he hoped for. "Now that we have established you love your family, it is time for you to realize we love you just as much," Laurence declared. "So once again, Connor, will you please promise to put just as much effort into keep yourself alive as you do into protecting your sister?"

"Yeah, okay, I promise," Connor finally agreed. "Dad about what I said."

"When you're ready, you can tell us, but not before then," Laurence instructed. "It's clear you are still working through things. But, try to remember you will always be a part of this family regardless of what happened."

It hurt to see the mix of hope and uncertainty on his son's face. "I really do love you, Dad," Connor declared with open vulnerability.

Deciding they had been serious for long enough, Laurence offered a grin saying, "Of course, I'm the coolest Dad around." Pleased to hear Connor chuckle in response, he continued, "You should head upstairs and get ready for bed. Your Mom already fixed up the futon in my office hoping you would stay the night. So go on."

Connor left without further argument leaving Laurence to release a sigh of exhaustion before saying a quick prayer for patience and fortitude as he struggled to help his children not only survive but thrive on the path they were on.