CHAPTER 27: The U.S. invasion

Her forehead against the cool, thick glass, Buffy was staring outside at the tiny houses growing bigger and bigger as the flight reached its final approach stage. The blue and pink light of dawn made everything look crisp yet slightly dewy. It reminded Buffy of an early morning in the mountains when the grass is cold and wet beneath your toes and the air you breathe is so refreshing that it makes you feel like a new person. She looked in awe at the British landscape, admiring the green hills and abundant trees, the tiny red roofs of the houses, and the little cars going the wrong way in the streets. The sun was just rising, sitting lazily on the horizon like a ball of fire. In the two seats facing her, Willow and Tara had a matching look of fascination on their faces. Buffy turned to Giles, who was sitting to her left, across a narrow aisle.

"Where's the rain?" She asked teasingly. "The brochure said lots and lots of rain. I want my money back."

The Watcher gave her a look, but quickly returned his attention to his homeland with a happy smile on his face.

Buffy put her hand on the window and refocused on the landscape. "It's pretty. We better get the 'Quentin problem' out of the way fast because there's no way I'm going back home without visiting first."

Anya, who was sitting in front of Giles, agreed with her. "Absolutely. I would like to do some shopping. I especially want to find a magic shop. It would be great to see how they do business here so I can compare. I'd like to find ways to improve my store and possibly increase profits."

She kept talking but seeing that Buffy had already lost interest, redirected her comments to Giles, to the Slayer's greatest relief. Relief that didn't last too long. Loud cheers, followed by American curses and British insults, made her narrow her eyes in anger.

"That's IT. It's been nine hours of this, I've had enough. I'm going back there, open a door and push them both out."

Willow reached from across the small table separating them and put her hand on Buffy's to stop her from standing up. "At least they're getting along... Kinda." The redhead smiled sheepishly. "Better they kill each other as fictional characters in a video game than in real life."

Tara gave her a sympathetic look and added "We're almost there, sweetie."

Buffy turned and knelt to look over the headrest of her seat. The back of the plane was dark, all the window shades having been shut for Spike's benefit. The only source of light was a giant TV screen that was currently casting flickering shadows on the two bickering males. They were holding controls in their hands, pressing frantically on buttons while trying to push each other with their shoulders and elbows like teenagers.

"Last warning!" Buffy yelled at her lover and her best friend. "If you don't cut it out right the hell now, you'll have to find your own way back home."

"Sorry!" They answered simultaneously before continuing to insult each other under their breath.

The voice of the captain came on the P.A. "We've been cleared for landing. We'll be at Gatwick airport in five minutes. Fasten your seatbelts."

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This was insane. Pure chaos. Buffy had been in airports before, but nothing like this. Nothing made sense in the maze that was Gatwick airport. People as lost as they were bumping into each other while trying to find their way, suitcases on wheels running over feet--Buffy's included--and she could tell by the look on Spike's face that if they didn't find Ben right now, he could probably snap and bite someone. Good thing Giles knew where he was going. Too bad they'd lost him and the others when Buffy had stopped to look at perfume in the duty free shop.

A very freaked out Buffy grabbed Spike's arm, silently vowing never to let go.

"If you get me out of here in one piece," She said through gritted teeth "I promise to do any crazy dirty things you want in the bedroom."

Spike smirked. "You already do that, pet."

"Shut up and get us out of here before I end up killing someone. British prison is not on my list of things I want to visit."

"Let's just forget about the others, grab our luggage and go find Ben. They know about the meeting point so they'll find us there."

She nodded stiffly. Spike started walking fast, zigzagging between people and pushing some a little roughly. Polite was over rated anyway and the Brits didn't seem to know anything about personal space, so why not.

By the time they reached the carousel, their suitcases were the only ones left there. They picked them up and made their way toward the exit. They spotted the Scoobies and Benjamin almost immediately and waved. Giles looked relieved.

"Good Lord! Where have you two been?"

"Got into a fight with some rude passengers. Spike killed two, I killed one. But mine was a really fat and angry Man U fan, so he counted for two." She said with a straight face "Those soccer fans are vicious."

She rolled her eyes at the look on Giles' face, then turned to Benjamin. "Hey Ben, nice to see you again."

He stiffened and stuttered when she gave him a quick hug, clearly not expecting the familiarity.

"Nice to see you again, Miss Summers." He blushed slightly and looked down. "Shall we go to the car, then?"

"Uh, just a question." Xander raised his hand like a kid in school. "How are we gonna fit eight people and eight suitcases in one car?"

Ben smiled. "Mr. Giles informed me that you were all coming. I borrowed the Council's limousine. It will be large enough to fit everybody I believe."

Buffy's eyes widened in disbelief. "They have a limo? They can't afford to pay me, but they can afford a limousine? Now that's a slap in the face."

Ben opened his mouth to answer, but Giles raised a hand and shook his head, indicating that it was better to just drop it.

"Very well, let's go then."

They followed Benjamin out of the airport. As they walked, he informed them that he rented a flat for them not too far from the Council's headquarters and they could discuss the plan once they were settled in.

The first ten minutes of the ride was punctuated by ohs and ahs, but eventually, the inside of the limo grew quiet. Willow was fast asleep against Tara's shoulder, Giles was reading the London Time and was nearly drooling in ecstasy, Spike was reading over his shoulder, and the others were just staring out the window.

After half an hour, Buffy let out a long, over dramatic sigh. "Why in the world would they build an airport so far outside the city?"

"We've almost reached the flat, Miss Summers." Ben said.

"It's Buffy. You've tried to kill me, I think that puts us on first name basis."

The reminder of what he'd almost done not too long ago made Ben turn bright red in guilty shame.

Buffy laughed. "No worries, Benji, it's all behind us." She winked at him.

Spike snorted. “Benji... Good one, pet.”

The limousine came to a stop in front of a narrow three story apartment building connected to other similar ones in a street bordered by tall trees. They all got out of the car, collected their luggage and followed Ben inside.

After dropping their bags in a corner, they all looked around without a word until Anya broke the silence with one of her trademarked blunt comments.

“I would say it’s small, but that would actually be nice of me.”

“Things are different in Europe, Miss..?”

“Anya.” She smiled brightly, unconcerned by the fact he forgot her name.

“Contrary to the States, space is a luxury here. They build small to save it. To buy a flat like this one would be around 250,000 pounds. So around 500,000 US. But it belongs to a friend of mine who rents it to tourists, which is how I got it.”

“That’s fine, Ben. It will do.” Buffy interrupted before Anya could get into numbers.

“There are three small bedrooms and a pull out couch.” He informed them.

“And I believe I’ll be the one relegated to the couch.” Giles commented, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

“Hey, not our fault you’re not in a couple.” Willow said brightly, patting the older Brit comfortingly on the shoulder. “If you‘re feeling lonely, Xander can sleep with you on the couch.”

Giles, Xander and Anya all looked at one another in horror at the idea.

“I will not... Dear Lord!”

“No way! Are you crazy?”

“Xander will sleep with me, and only me!.. Unless I’m invited to sleep on the couch with them.” Anya seemed pleased with her idea, to everyone's horror.

“Anya!” Tara exclaimed in shock, blushing wildly.

“What? A girl can fantasize, can't she?”

“Ew!” Buffy shook her head to clear it of unwanted images. “Guys, enough already. We need to talk about what we’re going to do.”

“Yeah.” Spike said while standing from where he was sitting on the couch, obviously more than ready for action. “When can we get this bloody show on the road?”

“No time like now.” Ben said, a slow smile stretching his lips.

“Is that possible?” Giles asked.

“Well, maybe not this minute. I have a few phone calls to make first. Quentin will be at the headquarters this afternoon. I will call all the members and schedule an emergency meeting at 3pm today. Once they’re all there, I'll get Quentin and we can start.”

“Sounds great, mate.” Spike nodded his head in approval.

“Are you sure it’s that easy?” Buffy asked.

“Yes, won’t they wonder why you’re the one calling the meeting?” Tara asked shyly.

“That won’t be a problem. I’m often in charge of calling everybody for meetings. My uncle likes to use me as his secretary.” There was bitterness in Ben’s tone.

“All right then. If we all agree, we’ll do it this afternoon.” Giles concluded.

“I will go take care of the details, meanwhile, may I suggest you get some rest? I will get you this afternoon around 2pm.”

They all nodded, then Ben left.

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"Are you all right, luv?"

That question was whispered only for Buffy's ear. Sitting in a big leather chair, her knuckles were white from where she was gripping the armrests. She swiveled the chair to face Spike and nodded briefly.

"Yes. Just a bit of an adrenaline overload. I'll be better when it's done."

"You've faced the wanker before, you'll be fine."

"Yeah, but this is different. If he doesn't take the bait, I don't know what we can do to get him off our backs."

He reached up to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. "Worst comes to worst, the witches will come up with something."

"I know. I just want this to be over already."

Ben had picked them up from the apartment at 2pm and snuck them into the Council's headquarter. They were now all waiting for the showdown in a small office adjacent to the meeting room where the Watchers were slowly gathering. Benjamin would contact them through the intercom as soon as Quentin was in place.

They fell back into silence and waited for the signal.

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In the meeting room, a large crowd was gathering. Benjamin Travers was standing at the door, politely greeting new comers.

"Benjamin, how nice seeing you again." Bernard Lafond said warmly while shaking Ben's hand. With a twinkle in his eye, he got closer to Ben and whispered in a conspirational way "Where's the devil?"

Ben smirked. "He'll be here. Please have a seat, Mr. Lafond, we're almost ready to start.

Bernard smiled. "Very well. You got me quite intrigued." He walked into the room and took a seat at the large table where the rest of the Watchers were waiting patiently for the meeting to start.

Seeing that everybody was there, Ben took a deep calming breath and left to go find Quentin Travers.

When in front of the office door, Benjamin knocked lightly. Quentin looked up. The questioning look on his face quickly turned to annoyance when he noticed his nephew standing there.

"What is it?"

"Your presence is requested, uncle."

"Regarding..?"

Ben didn't bother answering. He simply said: "Everybody is waiting in the meeting room. Please follow me."

He turned around and started walking away, praying that the pride of the almighty Quentin Travers wouldn't get in the way of him obeying his nephew.

Back in the room, Ben made his way to the other end of the table and waited. Sure enough, Quentin Travers came marching through the door, looking above everything and everyone as usual. The other Watchers were now looking curiously between the two of them, but too polite to ask questions, they waited for the meeting to start.

Ben reached for the intercom on the table and pressed the button. "We're ready for you," is all he said.

The superior look on Quentin's face was flickering in and out as he obviously tried hard not to look out of the loop.

He quickly lost the battle when the double doors at the other end of the room crashed open and the Slayer stood there in all her glory, her friends and Watcher standing behind her.

"... Miss Summers?"

Eyes blazing, face hard as stone, the Slayer nodded briefly. "Travers. Surprised to see me?"

A smirk slowly stretched her lips. Giles came to stand to her left, documents in hands, and Spike planted himself to her right, a menacing look on his face.

"I think we need to talk."

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A/N: I'm such a bad girl. I knew I hadn't updated in a while, but didn't realize that it has been almost two months. My muse refused to get to work, and life got really busy for me. I hope you're still enjoying the story because seriously, it's almost over :( Take a minute to let me know by leaving a reviews. I'll worship you forever. By the way... that was me begging lol