“Mr. Price thank you for your meeting with me this morning. I understand that  you are now on a short holiday after completing your final sessions of Watcher  training and no doubt would prefer to have some time to yourself.”

“On the contrary sir,” Wesley Price smiled pleasantly at the elder. “The  completion of my studies was hardly strenuous and I require no holiday to recuperate. I  was pleased by your request to meet with me this morning.” He stopped as Cummings turned  away from the window to look at him intently. Wesley looked at the elder with a  questioning glance. “Can I be of some service to you, sir?”

“Yes, Mr. Price. I believe you can.” Cummings slowly walked towards the chair  at his desk and sat down. He looked Wesley in the eye and continued.

“We have received rather disturbing news regarding the currently active  vampire slayer, Buffy Summers- news that we should have known about sooner rather than later.” Cummings’ face was unreadable as he tapped the edge of his desk and   proceeded.“ It appears that Ms. Summers has recently gotten married,” Wesley’s eyes widened  slightly in surprise. “To a vampire,” Cummings added with distaste.

Wesley started. “I beg your pardon sir, but-the vampire slayer married a  vampire? That is honestly the most absurd thing I have ever heard.”

Cummings sighed heavily and nodded. “Yes. It is. And to make the matter even  worse the bridegroom was a most notorious adversary, the vampire Angelus.” Wesley  blinked in shock. “He calls himself Angel now. Supposedly  the demon within is kept  under control by the body’s soul. Some type of curse cast over him by a band of  gypsies.”

Wesley shook his head,“Still a dangerous situation.” Good Lord did this  slayer’s  Watcher not even have the most basic common sense regarding these things? There were  strict rules about these things that Watcher’s were taught early on and that were  repeatedly emphasized throughout their training. It was apparent that this Watcher had  dropped the ball.

Cummings eyed Wesley carefully. “Obviously there is something amiss regarding  the slayer and we hold her Watcher at least in part responsible.” Wesley nodded in agreement. “Until recently the council had been satisfied with the practices  of Mr. Giles
in regards to his slayer. She has performed her duties quite well and  survived to an age rarely observed for as long as the Council has been active, which no doubt is  a testament to his guidance. However,” Cummings stated in a serious tone, “ this most  recent turn of events is greatly disturbing.”

“Did you say Rupert Giles?” Wesley asked in surprise. “Rupert Giles is this slayer’s Watcher?” Cummings acknowledged the fact and Wesley closed his mouth. No  wonder this had happened. Rupert Giles was noted as being somewhat of a rogue  Watcher. Many of his colleges thought him to be more than adequately adept to carry out   the duties of a Watcher, but lacked the proper disposition. There were many times he was  noted to have bent the rules as they say, when he felt it warranted. It seems he had  finally broken one all to pieces.

“We, here at the Council, have decided to investigate the matter. We are  sending you to the states, to Sunnydale, California,  to assess the situation. The  relationship between Miss Summers and this Angelus. The danger he poses, where her loyalties lie,  Mr. Giles’ relationship with his slayer and the performance of his duties. Make your  presence known from the beginning to Mr. Giles and his slayer. They are the ones that  must answer to us, not the other way around. Suffice it to say that you will not  receive a warm welcome.”

Wesley swallowed and nodded. “I understand, sir.” Cummings nodded and sat  back in his chair.

“There is another matter you should also look into while you are in  Sunnydale.” Wesley narrowed his eyes in thought. “Mr. Giles himself appears to be getting  married, to a woman by the name of Cordelia Chase. They have been seeing each other for a  little over a year now.” Cummings stared intently at Wesley. “Due to her association with  Mr. Giles she is also to be investigated. Determine her character, her personality if  you will. We are interested in the nature of their relationship, could this be a factor that  is interfering with his duties. What are their plans as far as a family, et cetra.” Cummings  paused at Price's questioning look and continued.

“Mr. Giles’ family has been involved with the council of the watchers for a  lengthy amount of time. It is almost certain that his children will continue in his  family’s tradition, and thus his potential wife must be examined by us to determine if  she is suitable. This is merely a formality. Your main focus should be on Mr. Giles  and the Slayer.” Wesley nodded, seeming to accept his explanation.

“Here,” Cummings gestured to a file on his desk, “is some basic information  on Mr. Giles ranging from his childhood throughout his time here at the Council, up  to his taking his position in Sunnydale. Also included is a brief dossier on Miss Summers.  I’m
afraid there is little on Miss Chase, but your investigation will complete the  picture for us.”

Wesley picked up the file and quickly opened it, scanning the contents. He  was shocked to see that he and Mr. Giles shared an uncanny resemblance, superficial of  course. He looked up at Cummings as he continued.

“Make sure you review all the material before arriving in the States. If you  have any questions regarding the material you are to contact me only. Is that  understood?”

“Yes, sir," Wesley affirmed closing the file and focusing back on the older  Watcher.

“You are to leave tomorrow morning. Contact me here at council on a daily  basis and also maintain a written report of all conversations and activities. You may  receive additional duties at a later date, depending on the information you report to  me, but for now you are an information gatherer. Understand me Mr. Price,” Cummings leaned forward in his chair to get his point across. “Do not let these people hide  anything from you. I want full disclosure as to the situation regarding Ms. Summers and Mr.  Giles.”

“Understood sir,” Wesley took a deep breath. “I will obtain all the  information you require and perform any other duties you bestow on me with the utmost  expediency and care.”

Cummings looked at him and nodded. “You best be on your way, then. I will  expect your initial report tomorrow evening. Good luck.”

Wesley rose from his seat.”Sir,” he nodded and then quickly left the office.

Nigel stared after the young man. Yes, he had chosen well. Price would get  all the information he needed. And probably then some. Summers and her husband were  not as of much concern as Miss Chase. If the prophecy that he and the others on the  elders’ council had uncovered was true, then the union between Miss Chase and Mr.  Giles could result in a much more dangerous situation. A great deal more dangerous.

“So you’re actually thinking about this?  I mean, seriously?” Cordelia leaned forward, her hazel eyes catching Willow’s in surprise as they both turned to look at Buffy.

Buffy shrugged, a soft smile emerging on her pretty face.  “Well... yeah. I mean, Angel and I have been talking about it for a while now. We want kids.”

“But already?” Willow breathed, unconsciously fixing her green business suit as she leaned back and crossed her arms. “Doncha want to wait? I mean, you’re only twenty five, Buffy.”

Buffy gave both of her friends a some what dimmer look.  Her mouth trembled slightly, but the Slayer’s voice remained cheerful as she explained her reasons. “Look, me, Slayer, Angel, vampire. These are serious odds, guys. I mean, according to the Watcher’s Council’s bell curve, I’m way above average as far as living. Eighteen is old for a Slayer. And well, some times I feel fifty.”

Willow bit her lip, while Cordelia’s eyes remained on the floor.  The two woman could say nothing, they both knew she was right.

“Okay.” Cordelia Chase finally spoke up, her eyes darker.  “Have you given any thought as to *how*  and when you two are gonna be able to make Mr. Baby Angelus happen? It’s not like he’s Mr. Virility.”

Buffy blushed, shook her head a soft no.  “There’s always adopting, I guess.  But I don’t know.” Her eyes sparkled slightly. “It would be nice to have a baby, you know, growing inside of me.” Her hands went to her stomach, and she smiled at her two friends.  “It won’t be for a while, another year at least, we want to get used to it being just the two of us, but  it is a goal. I mean, haven’t you two thought about it?”

Cordelia raised an eyebrow and turned to Willow.  Willow immediately blushed.

“Truthfully?” She asked. Both woman nodded.  “Yes.” She admitted, flushing immediately.  “But I know that right now, I can’t. I mean, with Oz on the road so much and me and my business. We don’t have time. Cor?”

Cordelia immediately shook her head no.  “Look, at the rate Rupert and my relationship twists and turns, I’d be surprised if we actually *make* it to our wedding day without another incident. I don’t even want to *think* about children at this point.” She sighed, shrugging. “Plus, there’s that whole lovely business of being in *law* school, not to mention getting out, establishing a career, moving to Sunnydale, and oh yeah, that whole little bit with  my man being more than twice my age, and in the thick of demons,  monsters and all that icky stuff. Plus getting pregnant causes stretch marks.”

Willow burst out loud laughing, and even Buffy managed a grin as Cordelia looked completely put out as she rounded up her life in a complicated, if compact, nutshell.

“Who knows, Cordy.” Buffy mused. “You yourself said that you weren’t planning on getting married any time soon and here you are, planning out the wedding invitations.”

Cordelia wrinkled her nose at the samples before her. “ And they all suck.” She informed both of her friends.  “Any luck on your end?”

Willow shook her head, tossing her packet of samples on the table.  “Nothing that screams stuck up snob and hoity toity librarian here.”

“Hey.” Cordelia looked slightly offended, but the gentle smile that radiated from the hacker only caused her stick her tongue out at her former nemesis.

“Any luck?” Rupert poked his head out of his office, looking curiously at the three woman who were almost buried in invitations.  They looked up at him forlornly.

“Nope.” Cordelia announced, and stuck her tongue out at him too, for the sheer hell of it.  He looked slightly taken aback, but blushed, and ducked back in. She smiled fondly, and then colored when Willow and Buffy both gave her knowing looks.  Blushing that they witnessed that little show of affection, she cleared her throat before checking her watch and grimacing.  “Yuck.” She said quickly.   “I’ve got a meeting with a law firm.”

“Another one?” Buffy whistled. “You are one wanted woman, Cordy.”

“Wanted?” Rupert’s head stuck out again. “By whom?”

“Tom Cruise, hopefully.” She answered, winking.  “A law firm, paranoid guy. I gotta go.”

Willow sighed as she got up. “Good, a person can only take too much flowers before they want to puke. I thought we were through with this when we got married.”

“Hey, if I recall, we went through hell and back in that little crazy wedding of yours.” Cordelia argued, picking up her briefcase. “You two owe me.”

“You?” Buffy raised an eyebrow. “What did YOU do? If I recall, you spent most of the time in Xander’s lap.”

Cordelia gave them a smug smile. “Well, it was my man that saved the day. So I’m partly responsible.”

Buffy clucked her tongue, shaking her head.  “You’re logic astounds me, Cordelia. I can just see THAT defense working in the courtroom.  See you later?”

“Yup.” She waved goodbye to Willow, and turned, making a quick detour into the office.  “Hey, old guy, I’m taking off. I’ll be back.”

He looked up, sliding his glasses off as he rose. “Is this an interview?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know, more like a meeting of prospects. Do I look okay?”

He leaned over, pretending to study his young fiancé with a skeptic eye. “Well...” He began, and when he noticed her face grow uncertain, he let out a gentle smile. “You look amazing, as usual.”

She rolled her eyes, but they were noticeably brighter when she leaned in and brushed her lips softly against his. “I don’t know why I bother with you, old guy.” She murmured against his lips, before rising, smiling her goodbye,  and walking out. He watched her leave, and couldn’t help a slightly goofy smile emerge on his face when he continued his work.

This was definitely the place.  Sunnydale High School:  home to hell mouth, minions, and the Watcher and the Slayer. Wesley Wyndham Price stepped out of the taxi, thanking the driver before grabbing his briefcase and looking up at the steps. He felt his heart tremor slightly, but he stilled it quickly.  He was the top graduate at Oxford, wasn’t he? He could deal with a cranky Slayer and a fool watcher. He had to prove  Cummings he had chosen well.

He would do his job. No matter  if for some odd reason, he was scared out of his mind. He straightened out his tie, swallowed, and sauntered up the steps at  a leisurely pace. He was mentally forcing his mind to calm, and he did this with ease.

He was almost to the doors when they burst open, forcing him to cry out in surprise as a red streak almost ran into him.

“Oomph! Hey, watch it!”  Price’s eyes widened. Watch it? He had almost been pummeled!  He turned to give the person who had bulldozed him a rather ungentlemanly piece of his mind when he suddenly felt his mind go blank.

He was staring at the most beautiful creature on earth.  Her hair was the color of shining chestnut, her red business suit clung to her body in ways that seemed sinful, her legs long and a lustrous tan. And when he noticed her eyes, he almost fell back from the sheer brilliance of them. Never had he seen eyes that shined that way, almost like diamonds. They seemed to blind him with their light.

Cordelia Chase raised an annoyed eyebrow at the gaping man in front of her. “Take a picture,” she drawled, crossing her arms when his gaze went to her chest. “It’ll last longer.”

That seemed to throw him out of his little trance, because he colored so fast he looked a shade redder than an apple, and gathering his wits, proceeded to apologize profusely.  She checked her watch and grimaced.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Apology accepted, just... watch it okay?” He nodded fervently, and she sighed, rolling her eyes as she continued on her way.

What a moron.

What an angel. He fumbled for his handkerchief and wiped the perspiration off of his face.  If this is what American girls all looked like, he should have come here years ago. He forced himself to breath, and allowed himself one more smile before turning back to the steps. Duty called.

He walked down the hallway, trying to find the best way to undergo this little confrontation. In the end, he decided it would be best to jump right in, intimidate if that was at all possible.

He could do it. He was afterall, from the Council. He was Wesley Wyndham Price.