Thanks, sumi. (I tried to write something that might to justice to the musical scene, but... I can't. Between not being musical and being in a text-only medium, I decided the brief mention and people's imaginations would have to do it.)

There will be more, soon... I have to work through what the consequences of the accident are going to be; I need to know how things will develop in relation to canon s6's story arcs (particually, obviously, Willow's story), and how Xander and Anya will go in this AU (they'll break up, because part of the challenge is to write Lex/Xander slash, but it needs to be taken slow), and I need to decide how much Buffy and Spike's arcs will be affected by the changes. And when Lex gets let in on the secrets, and stuff.

Hum. Lots of thinking to do, though typing that seems to helped straighten it out some.

---

Would Lex perhaps wish to blackmail the Slayer if he caught her with Spike?

(Wouldn't a father - son duet between Lex and Lionel have been wonderful?)

---

{First round of edits (changing tense, quote tags, punctuation, some tightening) done. Still needs more.}

Enjoined, Chapter 1

Las Vegas, Nevada
An office supply warehouse
Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2003

The Nevada sun beat down on an ugly warehouse. It was nearly empty, save some detritus from a prior tenant. Florescent lighting never improves atmosphere. Two men led, and argued, as two women trailed about 20 feet behind, toward a 12'x12', dimly lit office. In it was a battered pine desk, stained a dark and depressing walnut hue, a similar chair, with a torn green vinyl seat cushion. On the desk was an old, heavy, black, rotary phone, and a coffee mug with something growing in it. Underneath the desk was a metal waste paper basket.

Xander turned, rolled his eyes in an exaggerated fashion, and in a stage whisper asked, "What are they going to do Giles, spy on our empty crates and wooden pallets?"

"Xander, we can't have cleaning people poking their noses around our facility."

As Xander opened the door, flicking on the light, roaches scattered to the shadows. "We have nothing to hide, but dirt itself. C'mon. Sunnydale had cleaner crypts."

Once the women caught up, Giles shut the office door behind them. The air in the office was stuffy--close. "Xander, if you don't mind, there is a certain protocol to establishing a cover, and I dare say it is an exercise in which I have years of experience. Given what we've just faced and hopefully defeated, but know we couldn't have completely defeated, we must take every precaution."

"Man--just a cleaning crew. Have a heart. Wil, what's that saying about mad dogs and Englishmen?"

Willow smiled in that tight way she used to, when talking to Cordelia in high school. "That's the spirit, boys. There's nothing as fun as listening to you two bicker in the heat of the day. Oh wait--the Hellmouth! That used to be just exactly this much fun, but we were able to close that gaping hole."

"Not again," said Buffy. "Willow, are they going to continue with these encores of Bitchy Boys Do Vegas until we applaud? What do ya say? Should we give them a hand? Oooh, how about a backhand? Guys, your severe case of cranky pants is harshing my mellow."

As Buffy spoke, Giles began to sit on the desk top. With a thud, four books appeared on the desk, to his right, seemingly out of nowhere. Giles missed the desk, landing on the floor.

Xander jumped. "Wait a whoa! That'll marsh your mallow."

Buffy was just as surprised, but less unnerved. "Do that again, Giles."

"I didn't do it the first time."

The three considered an oblivious Willow, as she stared out the dirty window. "What? Why are you staring? Do I have something in my teeth? I knew I shouldn't have had broccoli. Giles, get off of that floor! It's filthy. Xander's right; we need a cleaning service."

Giles rose and dusted himself off. "Willow, did you...erm...make those books appear on the desk?"

"Me? Huh? Where? Books? Oh! No. I wasn't even listening to you. You and Xander have been bickering since we left the motel. I've used my powers to the greater good and tuned you out. I was thinking toad, but in this dry heat...ewww."

"Well, something did it," said Xander. "Still, um... I'm not afraid of books."

"Not since you learned to light them afire with the spoken word."

"Buff, you're on a roll today. Share your power; up your humor. I like. Wise-ass."

"Takes one... And Giles, far be it from me to promote risky behavior, but shouldn't we dust them off and see what they are?"

"Oh dear, this can't be good."

"Giles, unless it's the latest Jennifer Cruise, that's my default reaction to books that show up outta nowhere. What are they?" Buffy opened the office door.

"They are...hmmm... The Tiberius Manifesto, The Pergamum Codex, The Devandiré Sibylline Codex--fantastic--it's an annotated Sanskrit to English Translation, and also, some old erm... compilation of sorts." Giles sat--successfully, this time--right on the compilation. "The Tiberius Manifesto, and The Pergamum Codex were lost ages ago, although Angel gave us Pergamum a few years back. These editions were previously housed in the Council's Headquarters--if I'm not mistaken."

Willow approached, eyes shining with interest, mouth pinched with skepticism. "Gee. Since Council HQ went splodey, Giles, don't ya think ya might be mistaken?"

"Well one would think that, if one merely found them on a desk. However, these seemed to have popped into being. Besides, the Council's Library insignia is stamped on the inside covers. Have a look."

(Chapter 1 continues in next post.)

---

(Enjoined, Chapter 1, cont'd)

As Willow examined three of the books, Buffy, clenching her fists--knuckles white--looked toward the book peeking out from under Giles' thigh. All trace of expression vanished from her face, but trickles of sweat streamed from her temples. "Okay. Look. We haven't even found our feet yet. I'm going to make some command decisions. And please, if I'm being too bossy, feel free to vote me off of this island, too."

Willow winced. "Sheesh. Kick a slayer out of her own house, just once..."

"I'm serious. Especially about the getting me outta here--I mean especially about making a command decision. It's hot. The A.C. isn't working. We're in the desert. We don't know what we're doing. Scary books are suddenly appearing. Giles hasn't yet located the necessary CoW Accounts..."

Giles squinted and cocked his head to the right. "Cow? How now?"

"C: Council, o: of, W: Watchers. That CoW, not the MOO!"

Willow smiled at that. "Aw. That reminds me of your mom. Remember--when Amy ratted herself?"

"Yeah. No. AAAaaaah! Stop. Listen. It's hot, have I mentioned that? Anyhow, Giles, you still have to get your hands on the Council's funds, to bankroll our new slayer location project. But Xander's right, there's nothing here. We get a cleaning crew. We let them do the work. Our cover, and hopefully rent-paying project, is going to be this office supply warehouse, right? That means we're going to actually have to open and run one, if it's going to work as a cover. Who wouldn't hire a cleaning crew? We'll call the realtor and get one from her, so that people know we're doing so. In the meantime, let's take these books and go back to the hotel."

"Motel." Xander leered, in a playful way. "I only mention it because I always wanted to take you to a motel. Always used to want to..."

Buffy rolled her eyes at him. "Let's go. Giles, I can carry those books for you. You've got some hefty volumes there."

"Uh...no thank you, Buffy. That's quite all right. I'm getting a bit slack. I've got it."

...

Chapter 2

Las Vegas, Nevada--outskirts The Twilight Time Motel Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2003

Her back to Dawn, Kennedy watched the sunset. "I just don't understand it at all. Demons, vamps, and thieves--fine, I get them. But magic gives me the willies."

"Wiggins."

"Pardon me?" Kennedy turned, eyebrows raised.

Dawn brightened. "Wiggins. The. Wiggins. A major wiggins. The wig. Just not 'willies' 'cause they give me a…wiggins."

"M'kay. Ya lost me."

"Guess you had to be there." Dawn sighed, and plopped on the bed.

"Well I wasn't. I am here, however. Asking."

"We have Willy issues. There have been too many 'Will' types. Billy Fordham, Willie the Snitch. Angel…"

"Angel?"

"Buffy's ex-boyfriend--vampire. You probably had to be there for that, too."

Kennedy raised her eyes, heavenward. "I was. Okay, I wasn't there, but I know that. Vamp with a soul, cursed by gypsies to walk the earth atoning for his evil deeds. Really, I've done my homework. But what does that have to do with whatever this is you're not explaining well?"

"His human name was Liam. Spike is also a William. Billy Fordham from L.A.--I said him already, didn't I? There were others there too, but I've tried to block them out. Oooh! Willow, but that might be stretching it."

"Dawn, I now know less than when I knew nothing."

"We just don't say 'willies', we say 'wiggins'. It's a thing. Willies give us a wig."

Kennedy smirked. "Well kid, I hear ya there."

"What were you talking about before anyhow, witchcraft ... wiggins?"

"Yeah--witchcraft. Look, I don't want to cross-examine you for information on my girlfriend, unless you take 'cross-examine' to mean I totally want drag a lot of stuff out of you--stuff I can't ask her."

"Don't you think you should? Ask Willow, I mean."

"Well, you know Willow's at a really good place now where her power is concerned. I might seem as though I doubt her, when really, I'm confused. All this magic stuff is too out there for me."

"Well, if your questions don't require me to break Willow's confidence, I might be able to help, as long as there's no math involved."

"No math. I wouldn't dream of it. I don't understand the power jump, Dawn. One day, she can't make teeny tiny Tinkerbell lights heed her will, or she's accidentally blinding Giles--or so the stories go. Next, she's flying, flaying people, poofing in and out, all because she went to some crack--excuse me--magic dealer. Yet, he was sucking power from her? I don't get it."

"You have done your homework. I've got a theory, but nobody's ever bought into it. It's the little sister gig--cursed by gypsies, or possibly the monks that made me, to walk the earth knowing everything, but never being believed."

"I can't guarantee I'll buy your theory, but I am willing to take it for a test drive."

Dawn wandered to the window. "Kennedy, it's long, and takes a lot of explaining and you sort of..."

"If you tell me one more time, that I 'had to be there', I'm going to start honing my newly acquired slayer skills."

"Eeek! Okay, but it looks like the gang is back. Want to table this 'til the next time they leave us out?"

...

(chapter 2 cont'd in next post)

---

(Enjoined, Chapter 2, cont'd)

Xander opened the door for Buffy, Willow, and Giles. Looking hot and tired, Buffy threw herself down on one bed, Willow did the same on the other. Dawn, seeing Giles' arms full of books said, "Neat. Did you pack them in the school bus before the battle?"

"Um...yes. Dawn, I...what you..." Giles walked directly to the closet, stuck the books on the upper shelf, and almost slammed the door.

Kennedy lied down next to Willow, who quickly sat up. Xander looked around uncertainly, and ended up leaning against the dresser.

"Giles," said Buffy, "Why are you lying? Knowledge is power. Share the power. Share the...um...knowledge."

"I don't..."

Dawn joined her sister on the bed. "S'okay Giles, I'm used to it, and Kennedy had better get used to it."

"Dawn. It's not okay. We want to...Giles...I...are you okay? You look pale."

"Buffy, I mean it. I have no idea why I...We...in the car... Dawn and Kennedy about... And yet I... Even now, I..."

Willow stood. "Giles, it was hot in that warehouse. Have some water, and take off your shirt."

"I will not take off my shirt in a room full of...young wom...well, that's not entirely true, but I refuse to take off my shirt in front of you people. Water sounds like an excellent idea, until Xander goes out to the car and gets some brandy out of the boot."

"Giles, if you're hiding liquor in footwear, I'm fast approaching the solution of the mystery of your weirdness."

Buffy bolted off the bed, gesturing wildly. "Boot. Trunk. He means it's in the trunk of the car. Get the brandy out of the car trunk, please Xander, and no puns."

Willow placed her hand to Giles forehead. "Wait. Giles, water you can have. If this was the heat, alcohol is no-no. Xander, go to the office and ask the desk clerk where to buy some fresh fruit. Oranges would be great because of the potassium. And bananas! And get some pretzels or something else salty, and some Gatorade, too."

"I'll be back before you miss me, and before Willow finishes dictating the shopping list."

Giles jerked his head away from Willow's hand. "Xander wait. Considering what... I don't... not the heat. We've been in an air-conditioned car. Give me a few moments, please, if you don't mind."

"Giles, I don't know what's wrong with you, but you're giving me a heart attack; drink the water, and I'll go get the brandy."

Willow donned her resolve face. "A big 'yes' to the water. A big 'no' to the spirits, not until we're sure, at least. Besides, the brandy must be too warm." said Willow.

Buffy paced. "I am getting a wiggins, a major wiggins. Kennedy, hand me those books."

Giles rose from the tacky orange chair, as if it were burning. "NO!"

Buffy raised her eyebrows at him. Kennedy, who had bristled under Buffy's command in Sunnydale, had already gotten the books. All eyes were on Giles, who had backed away from the girls, and as if he were expecting fraternal support, stood near Xander.

With a metallic tinkle, jewelry landed on the dresser, between the men.

The third book slid out of Kennedy's hand. "Whoa! Those weren't there before, were they?"

"I didn't do that, either," said Willow. "Dawn, are your fingers still sticky?"

Dawn took in the collection of jewelry, mouth agape. "No. Hey! No. I didn't take anything. At least a couple of those things should be..."

"Gone..." Buffy's voice was barely audible. "They should be gone."

Xander was ashen. "At the warehouse, the books just appeared. We were talking about nothing one minute, and the next minute, it was raining books."

"Books that should be gone, but now are back," said Buffy, still whispering.

"It's not the heat that's got me, unless it's got us all. With this jewelry appearing or reappearing, as it were, and the..."

"Books..." Xander shouted.

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Books... Talk about the books Giles. Tell us the titles again."

Giles, looking helpless, stared at Buffy, but only said, "Willow, warm brandy is nice." The six looked at one another, then the jewelry, then the books, over and over, as if they were watching a three-way Ping Pong game.

"Okay, I can't take the silence. Giles, can you talk about the jewelry?"

"Amulet, amulet, ring, necklace! I can talk about the jewelry. I can talk about the bloody jewelry. Oh. Intriguing jewelry."

Kennedy shuddered. "I'm freaked. What's the story on the jewelry? What is it?"

"Well," said Giles, reveling in ability to participate, "this amulet belonged to Sweet. Almost two years ago, Dawn summoned Sweet to Sunnydale."

"I. DID. NOT! It was Xander."

"Oh, right. You stole the amulet after Xander summoned Sweet to Sunnydale. Sweet enchanted the entire town. Everywhere, people were singing out their innermost feelings."

"His name was Sweet?" asked Buffy.

"Yes, I did some research after you di...when I brought Willow to Bath."

Kennedy probed no further. The groaning of the cheap, rattling motel air conditioner overtook the room.

Dawn finally spoke. "Well, Sweet wasn't so very. Eventually, people ran out of reasons to sing, and would dance until they burned. We almost lost Buffy, 'til Spike…"

"...gave me something to sing about." Buffy seemed intent on studying her sandals.

Dawn looked sadly at her sister. "Anyhow, in addition to Sweet's amulet, that piece with the center stone is Anya's amulet, from when she was a Vengeance Demon. Angel gave Buffy a Claddagh ring; I'm assuming that one, right before he lost his soul. I don't know what the other... Hey! Weren't there four pieces?"

Willow and Kennedy answered, "Yes," simultaneously.

(chapter two cont'd in next post)

---

Blackmail... there's an idea.

Actually, that's a good idea. Lex meets Spike-- finds out that he knows Buffy (and oh, boy, how he knows Buffy, in that good old Biblical sense)-- and puts it together. She's the Slayer; she's hiding something from her friends; she can be blackmailed. Blackmailed into doing what, though? Helping Lex somehow... helping him-- with the business? with Xander?

(Yes, it would. Oh, Goddess, I think I may die laughing at that image. starts filking to the tune of 'I'll Never Tell'

He's bald.

He's evil.

duct tapes own mouth shut

It would make an interesting counterpoint to Giles' words to Buffy, too: "wish I could play the father...")

---

(Enjoined, Chapter 2, cont'd)

Buffy finally met the eyes of her friends. "Giles, cough it up."

"Pardon, cough up what? How should I know where the fourth piece got to?"

"Well, can you tell me where the fourth book got to?"

"I don't know where the fourth piece of jewelry is, Buffy."

"I didn't ask you that, Giles."

Willow gestured for them to calm down. "Buffy, I don't think Giles can tell you anything about the books. But there were four books, and now there are three."

"I'll check the car, and get the brandy out of the trunk." Before his words registered, Xander was gone, door slamming behind him.

Buffy had been on her hands and knees searching the floor around the dresser. Rising, she looked first to the door, and then to the group. "The person nearest the jewelry was Xander. Willow, go outside now. Make sure he's not losing it somewhere."

"Buffy, Xander would never... Scratch that. Giles would never, either."

Willow rushed out into the twilight, and the Twilight Time Motel parking lot. Xander didn't seem to notice her. He shut the little door that covered the opening to the gas tank, retrieved a book from the roof of the car, and opened the trunk. Approaching silently, Willow opened the door Xander had just shut. Hanging from a little wire tied to a hinge, was the missing necklace. Seeing Willow, necklace in hand, Xander started to cry. His left eye now gone, tears only ran down his right cheek. Willow's face crumbled as she took this in.

"Xander, why did you take it?"

"I don't know, Willow. I had to get that necklace out of there."

"Xander, you can talk about the necklace. Let's bring it, and the book inside. Dry your ey...your cheek...tears. We're going to take care of this. Leave the brandy in the boo...trunk."

...

Chapter 3

Los Angeles, California Wolfram and Hart Head Quarters Angel Investigation Suite, Occult Library Saturday, June 7, 2003

Wesley sat in the fantastical Library.

"I'll never take this for granted. I'll never trust it, but I'll never take it for granted."

A grinning Angel, who had been lurking in the doorway, entered. "Talking to yourself, Wes?"

"Quite. Angel, I'm almost as concerned that we took this opportunity as I would be if we hadn't."

"That's how I feel. I think it was."

Wesley's wrinked his nose at that last comment. Angel opened his mouth as if to say more--as if to explain--but then shut it.

Wesley generously broke the awkward pause. "Damned if we do, damned if we don't."

"Something like that. Anyhow, how do you like this set-up?"

"Oh dear, it's... I lack the adjectives, and other modifiers, for that matter. Pick a text, any text."

"Hmmm, let's see The Pergamum Codex."

"Angel, I'm impressed. I've always known you were well read, but The Pergamum Codex disappeared ages ago. I can only hope it's available through this device. Let's check. It is a fascinating text."

"I had it."

"You had Pergamum? Dear Lord, what a risk--that Codex so close to Angelus."

"I got it from a friend, or enemy, ages ago. We saved Buffy's life with it once. Well, that's not true. Actually, it got her killed. Xander revived her. She then slayed the Master, and um..." Angel smiled a far-away smile. "Then, we partied."

"You've quite a connection there, the two of you. How was she when you were in Sunnydale?"

"Well other than fighting the most recent of a long line of apocalypse attempts, she was... Apparently, Buffy--she's half-baked."

Wesley, who had been attempting to swallow a mouthful of single malt Scotch, choked, snorted and ended up expelling it through his nose, right onto the W&H book template.

"Now, now Angel... She's a bright girl, truly. She's more intuitive than academic, but it works for her."

"Those were her words, not mine. She described herself as 'cookie dough'. And if all goes well, someday she'll be cookies and I can..."

Wesley choked again. "Angel, are you trying to make me take the temperance pledge? That's the second mouthful of Scotch I've wasted, and it's 12 year old single malt. If you finish that sentence... I can't. Sorry. I still see a school girl."

"She's 22 now, and has been sleeping with Spike."

"Spike? Spike--Spike? William the Bloody, paramour of Drusilla, protégé of… Oh. Protégé of you. And this is what brought about her latest apocalypse?"

"Heh. Oddly enough, it isn't. Or... I don't know. He's got a soul now, too. Wannabe."

"A soul. The thot plickens."

"Wes, considering Darla and I..." Angel paused, as if to choose his words carefully. "I... She was sweet. She was honest. And man, she was kicking evil ass. She was Buffy. And I...I can't do this right now. I've had enough--enough loss, enough navel gazing--enough."

"Right," said Wesley, intrigued, but patient.

They forgot about Pergamum.

...

---

Enjoined, Chapter 4

Las Vegas, Nevada
The Twilight Time Motel, room 120
Wee hours of the morning, Sunday, June 8, 2003

Kennedy and Dawn, full of sugar and caffeine, had sprawled on one of the two double beds. Dawn had been talking her shiny-haired head off. She approached droning a couple of times, but mostly managed to walk the thin line.

She explained Willow's passions, good and bad, and how her friendship with Buffy and Xander and relationship with Oz coincided with gains in her confidence, and power as well. She explained how she believes that by performing the Curse of Restoration on Angel for the first time, Willow opened a door, a door which, as Giles said at the time, might have been better left closed. She explained the parallel between Willow's break with Oz and another increase in power. She explained how Willow's love for and with Tara seemed to coincide with yet another. She explained Tara's break with Willow and Willow's magicks bender. She explained that Willow flayed Warren, not only after Warren killed Tara, but immediately on the heels of Tara and Willow's wonderful reunion. Dawn explained everything. Meanwhile, Kennedy made a full course meal of her fingernails.

Dawn reached the end of her Dr. Pepper, and her main point of concern--the enjoining spell that Willow, Giles and Xander performed when Buffy had to battle Adam--the part-demon, part-machine, full-stop-monster created by Maggie Walsh and the Initiative.

Jumping up, eyes wide from excitement, surprise or over-caffeination, Kennedy said, "So you think it's Buffy's fault!"

Dawn sat up, hugging her knees against her chest. "Hey. Whoa. What is it with you? I sooooo did not say that. I do think all of them, particularly Giles and Willow rushed into the Enjoining Spell, or well, I guess they had to rush to save Riley. So 'rush' isn't fair. I suppose it seemed pointless to them, but with that dream immediately following that spell, I could never get over the fact that they did no more research."

Kennedy sat back on the bed, keeping one foot on the floor. "Were you... real... then, when they did the spell and had the dream?"

"I... I... I'm not sure. Based on the monk's journal that Spike and I lifted, I don't think so. After Glory was defeated and Buffy died, it seemed pointless to research it further. Are you noticing a pattern? Whatever, I--I guess. I'm real now. And I don't even really understand what the monks did. They might have folded time and had me actually born. They might have rewritten Buffy's history. Um... Where was I? At any rate, I think I must have come after that dream. My kittens are on Dracula being involved, but..."

"Kittens?"

"It's a Spike-ism. He bets--used to--bet them, in poker games."

"Oh. Spike gives me a will... Suddenly on board with the Wiggins-train."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. I just wish I had been there for Dracula. That must have been unreal. I interrupted you. Why'd you say, 'after the dream' they should have done more research?"

"The dream was a total flip-out, well, what I remember hearing was. I--I..."

"Eaves-dropped a lot as a kid?"

"Yeah."

"I'm down with that. You were growing up on a Hellmouth, with a slayer sister, with an itch for vampires. I'd have bought spy-ware."

"That's a story for another night," said Dawn. She recounted what she remembered hearing about the first time the First Slayer visited Buffy and friends in their dream. Together, Kennedy and Dawn drew dotted lines between the portents in that dream and all that had happened over the last year with The First.

Now sitting Indian style, her elbows drooped until they rested on her knees. She rubbed her hands together, then clasped them together, fingers inter-laced, as if in prayer. "Buffy dreamt about the first slayer during all this business with the First Evil, you know."

"Yeah," said Kennedy, "the night Chloe killed herself."

Dawn nodded. Kennedy eased her other leg onto the bed, and mirrored Dawn's pose. "According to the other Potentials, when Giles took them out to that sacred spot in the desert, he said the First Slayer had once appeared to Buffy there as well, as some sort of spirit guide. You're right, Dawn. They should have done more research. I suppose it's hard to find sources on prehistoric events, though."

"Well, since that's what prehistoric means... But, we have that book we used when we used that shadow-puppet storytelling thing. I think we could find some direction there, even it's only directions to clues about direction."

"Dawn, you know that's so going to be your gig, right?"

"Gig? Well, yeah. I've been researching for the gang for a while, now."

"I don't only mean for the gang, Dawn. When the rest of them figure out we're finally forming a new, slayer-centric, slayer-friendly Council of Watchers, you're research girl."

"When we... Oh! Wow! You're so right, Kennedy. That is what we're doing, isn't it. We're the new CoW!"

"Yeah, can you believe Giles and Buffy think they're just opening up an office supply business on the outskirts of Vegas?"

"No sh...kidding. That's the Buffy-dream they decide to pay attention to. If I had a clue-stick, it'd be all worn out by now. They're exasperating."

(chapter 4 cont'd in next post)

---

(Enjoined, Chapter 4, cont'd)

"I thought they'd get there on their own. Willow did realize we had to find all the new slayers. But so far, it's been all talk, no action, and none of the talk seems to center on anything resembling a plan. The office supply business is just a cover for 'locating' all the slayers, and bringing them in to brief them. And you know, I'm crazy about her, but this is another thing that drives me batty with the magic stuff. 'Oh, we'll tell them they're empowered because they're part of an ancient, mystical bloodline, a sorority if you will, blah, blah, blah.' Now, as one of the 'chosen,' I'm delighted I'm not the only 'Chosen One.' But the council...well, the idea of it--getting rid of it is like throwing the baby out with the bath water."

"Why haven't you said anything?"

"Any time I've broached the subject... well let's just say little sisters may be 'cursed by gypsies to walk the earth, unrecognized as - yada, yada' but they weren't cursed to walk it alone."

...

---

Cindy, I'm liking it. There's the odd typo--

Angel's hesitates

is all that I can see at a second glance (extra 's), and I'm a little shaky about it being in the present tense, but the character voices are good.

---