Dawn of Destruction

By: Morrigan & Blacknblue2



A/N:  "Look!  We finally figured out how to move this fic over to the joint account!  Aren't we cool!!???  *LOL*"

Blacknblue2 says:  "Really, it was all Morrigan.  She did it, because she is the smartest, most problem solving-ee person ever."

Morrigan says:  "Not!  It wouldn't have happened if it were not for Bloodshedbaby, cause we had to run and beg her for her help...  And, then, I think she had to bug Dia for help... So, thanks, Bloodshedbaby and Dia for helping us cuckoos find our way home!  Hee-hee!"

Both:  "Thanks to everyone who has left us such great reviews.  Please keep 'em coming!  You guys are the best!"


Disclaimer:  It's all Joss Whedon's world and we know it!

---

"Pizza?  No, I wasn't calling to order a pizza.  Although, now that you mention it, that sounds pretty good!  No...  I'm looking for Agent Finn...  Are you sure?  He left us this contact number...  Oh, wait!  I get it.  It's a code thing, isn't it?  Okay. We can do this..."

Since spotting Riley on the news, Buffy had dug out the number that he and his wife had left.  She figured he *had* to know more than they did.  And, she knew that he and his team wouldn't be investigating it themselves, especially in front of a news crew, unless they believed it to be highly dangerous.  After all, covert demon hunting organizations were usually pretty, well... covert.

But, after seeing him again and meeting his new wife, Sam, she didn't want to talk to him, herself.  It had been too weird, when they were here.  It hurt.  But, why she and the group had agreed to hand the job over to Xander, was something she could no longer remember.

"Ok," Xander said, holding a finger up, as though the person on the other line would understand his intent through his body language.  "This is Xander. Xander Harris.  Yeah, that's right.  I'm ordering from the Summers' residence on Revello drive.  You should have the address and phone number on record there.  We used to order in a lot...  Ow, hey!"

After delivering a little kick to Xander's shin, Buffy folded her arms across her chest and stared at him in warning, while nodding for him to continue talking.

"Anyway," he continued, "The whole gang is over here watching the *game* and we're all getting *riled* up.  So, after much discussion, we decided to get a pizza.  Uh, huh.  Large, extra cheese and anchovies.  You, know, with the *Finns?*  Yeah, that's right...  Okay, can you call us back with the total on that?  Thanks!"

Xander hung up the phone, leaned against the wall, and, joined by Buffy, Dawn, Anya, Tara and Willow, proceeded to stare intently at the phone, willing it to ring.

After about five minutes, Dawn wandered into the living room to join Spike in watching the end of Passions, which had finally come back on.  The rest of them looked sheepishly at each other before quickly following.

The Scoobies remained on edge, constantly casting anxious glances toward the phone.  Giles tried to hide his glances by pretending to be engrossed in a book, but with little success.  Ten minutes later, it finally rang, causing them to jump.  Xander rushed to answer the phone, and listened carefully before saying, "Okay, thank you," and hanging up.  He turned to see six anxious expressions, and one look of interest that was poorly disguised behind feigned nonchalance.

"Well?"  Spike asked, impatiently, destroying his guise of apathy, "What'd Soldier Boy have to say?"

Xander looked at Buffy.  "Sorry, Buff," he said, "Looks like the pizza place really is just a pizza place.  The price was pretty good though, so, ummm...  Looks like we're having pizza."

A collective sigh of disappointment was broken by an energetic, "YAY!"

"What?"  Dawn asked, holding her hands up, questioningly, "I like anchovies."

Xander tucked his hands into the pockets of his sweatshirt and scuffed the toe of his shoe against the floor.  "They said about 90 minutes.  Do you want me to go get soda?"  He asked.

"I'll come!" Dawn announced, grabbing her jacket.

88 minutes later, they were stocked up on soda, as well as a few snack foods Dawn couldn't live without.

A knock on the door sent her scurrying to answer it.

Dawn's face fell in disappointment when the door opened to reveal a black-clad military man, rather than the pizza delivery boy she had been expecting.

"Looks like you were right, Buffy!"  She shouted toward the kitchen, before grumbling, "But I wanted pizza."

The black-clad commando's mouth tilted up in a slight smirk before he motioned toward the street.  Looking past him, Dawn saw another man exiting the large military vehicle, carrying a stack of pizzas.

"I hope you don't mind we brought extra," he said, his eyes sparkling with mirth, "We may be here a while."

---

The man introduced himself as Agent Johnson.  "But, call me, Richard," he said, turning briefly, and a little self-consciously, away from the welcoming 'hi's and handshakes when a snort, followed by a muffled chuckle came from a person who was still seated in a recliner in the far corner of the living room.

It was a man, he knew for certain, judging by the sound and the style of his shoes, but he couldn't see his face because he was, apparently, reading a newspaper.  Realizing that the laughter must have been directed at something the man had read, and not towards himself, personally, he followed the rest of his team into the house.

Some time later, after everyone had finished eating, Richard gathered with everyone, back in the living room as he and his team prepared to bring the Slayer and her group up to speed.

The man who had laughed when they first arrived hadn't moved from his spot.  And, he was still reading the newspaper.  Richard still couldn't see his face, but from his position on the couch, he could make out a quite familiar shock of platinum hair.

"Do I know you?"  Richard questioned, sitting a little straighter, and attempting to gain the aloof man's attention.

Peeking just over the top of the paper he was holding, the man replied in a strong southern drawl, "Me?  Uh, no... No sir, don't believe we've ever met," before returning his attention back to his reading.

Buffy rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what the blonde menace was doing and why.  But, seeing that he was making more of a distraction out of himself than anything, she decided to put an end to his little charade.  It wasn't like they were here to hurt him, and she certainly wasn't going to let them do something to him in her own house.

"Spike!"  She called out, "Would you cut it out?!  We don't have time for this kind of nonsense!"

Richard watched as the man behind the paper bristled visibly before lowering it.  Looking around at the room full of mini G.I. Gits, he turned back to Buffy and asked in a more natural sounding British voice, "There ya go, your royal highnass.  Are you happy now?"

Her, "Yes, thank you," was drowned out by Richard's question.

"Spike?"  What kind of a name is Spike, anyway?"  His wheels were turning.  He just *knew* he recognized this man from somewhere.

"Well, I s'pose it's the kind of name that belongs to me," Spike answered him.  "A kind of name I earned, once.  What about you, mate?"

"Me?" it was Richard's turn to ask, "What about me?"

"What kind of name is *Dick* Johnson?"  Spike questioned, with a grin.  "Your mum must have really hated you, to slap that moniker on your ticket."

Richard raised an eyebrow at Spike, and answered, in a cheerful manner, "Wow, how original.  I've never heard that my whole life.  Also, someone named *Spike* should not throw phallus shaped stones."

Spike was about to reply when he heard a muffled snort from Dawn.  Looking to Dawn, and seeing her glee at Richard's joke, he mumbled, "Little traitor."

Dawn ducked her head, letting her hair fall over her face, and became very engrossed in picking lint off the arm of her chair.  Spike turned back to the overly friendly Richard, intent on taking him down a notch, when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dawn start to scuff her toes on the floor.  Seeing the truth that lay behind her actions, he quickly looked at Richard for a moment before turning back to Dawn and saying with a smirk, "Why, you little hussy!"

Dawn turned bright red, and quickly picked up a book to hide her face.  Buffy turned to see what Spike's outburst was about, only to find Spike with a wide-eyed, innocent expression.  Snorting at the idea of an innocent Spike, she turned her attention back to the military men.

"Alright guys," she said, "What's the what?"