Summary: In a time of war, there are always casualties. And even the good guys
don't win all the time
Author Notes: Thanks to Rari Coss for her beta read of the first version of this
story. Any errors remaining are entirely my fault
Story Notes: The first part of this story is set after Buffy and her friends have
graduated from High School. The second part is set between 'Checkpoint' and 'Blood Ties'
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or concept, Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy
productions et al do. I'm only playing with them
Rating: NC15 (no sex but some violence)
Feedback : Would be nice.
He stood, looking over Sunnydale. Around him, the army was quiet. Lord Rehyat’s well disciplined soldiers squatted on the ground, waiting for their orders. None of them even looked at the humans in their midst. Ethan shuddered and pushed the knowledge that they were all flesh eaters to the back of his mind. He walked up to the younger man sitting cross legged among the demons and knelt beside him.
"It’s time." he said quietly.
Robert Alexander looked across at him and nodded "I know." Ethan studied him for any sign of nervousness or fear and found none. The dark eyes held his steadily until he looked away. He couldn’t help comparing this self assured young veteran with the gawky teenager he had met seven years ago.
That Robert had had a different surname and a wide knowledge of demon languages and occult lore. He also tended to do what he was told. Ethan had taken him for a meal in an Indian restaurant where his credit was good. By the end of the main course he knew everything he wanted to about Robert. By dessert he had abandoned his original plan of lying to him. He didn’t know why. He thought it might be pity.
It was clear that the Council had already planned Robert’s life for him and that he didn’t have the sense to object. Robert had been trained from childhood to do his duty. They wanted him to channel his growing magical powers into research. If he did well, they promised, it was possible he might be a Watcher one day. Tracking Ethan down to find out about his dead parents seemed to be the only time he had ever disobeyed his guardians. It made Ethan angry - didn’t the boy know he ought to be rebelling, not conforming ?
When the youngster had asked for his family history Ethan had told him what he wanted to know, more to upset Quentin Travers than anything else. He hadn’t expected anything to come of it. He certainly hadn’t expected Robert to quarrel so violently with the council that he left home and joined the French Foreign Legion, of all things.
Ethan had laughed aloud when he had heard that detail, two weeks ago. "Why the French Foreign Legion ?"
Robert had shrugged "I tried the marines first. The council got my enlistment cancelled."
"I’m surprised they let you join the Legion."
"They tried to stop me."
"How ?"
"They tried to kidnap me on the way to France."
"What happened ?"
"I fought my way out."
"Against the council’s dirty tricks squad ?"
"I was lucky."
Robert had changed the subject then. Ethan planned to hear the full story, one day. Unfortunately he couldn’t get the other man drunk - he was fasting from alcohol, as well as meat and tea and coffee, to prepare himself for the spell he would be casting for Lord Rehyat. He’d been there for three months whereas Ethan had been brought in strictly as a subcontractor. Not that Ethan minded that. He was being well paid for his afternoon’s work. The fact that Lord Rehyat thought it was dangerous didn’t bother him. He would kidnap the Slayer any day of the week. So long as he was elsewhere when Giles caught up with the people guarding the place where she was held. Ethan was a big believer in running away to fight another day. Especially when his old pal Ripper was involved.
The sun began to rise. The demons shifted, but didn’t move. Robert looked at his watch and held out his hand. Ethan shook it.
"Bonne chance, Ethan." He stood up and jogged away. Ethan glanced back at Sunnydale and shrugged. By tonight, if everything went to plan, he would have delivered the Slayer to Lord Rehyat. Giles would be frantic with worry, the Council would be looking for the new Chosen One. And he, Ethan Rayne, would be a very rich man. So why didn’t he feel the usual sense of greedy anticipation ? And why did it bother him that he didn’t know exactly what Lord Rehyat planned ? He sighed. He very much feared that he was developing a conscience.
The drummers began to beat a rhythm, low and hypnotic. As Ethan turned away the company flags were being unfurled and the demons were moving, dressing their ranks, preparing for the journey to their base before the sun came to full strength. It would be ready, Ethan knew. Everything Lord Rehyat did was immaculately planned. He glanced back at Robert disappearing down the line and walked across to the two men he’d hand picked for his part of the job.
"Come on." he said. "Let’s get it over with."