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Part 4
Kris woke early and started cooking breakfast when Giles got up. She had just finished when he got into the kitchen. She turned at the sound of his entry. "Sorry Mr. Giles. Hope I didn't wake ya. I'm used to being up with the sun, and getting my workout done before 8 am. I didn't see any need to change it while I am here. Staying in shape is one thing that our family has done for years. Want some tea? I just made it."&nsbp; She sat two plates of food on the table. Giles sat down after getting a cup of tea. Kris sat down on the other side. "I thought that it would be best if we met our converted slayer early this morning. This way it would be a bit harder to run from me, and give me a better chance to get to know her. I haven't yet decided on what I will tell them about her, but tonight is to be my first report back. Do you think that it would be possible to see her this morning?" Giles put down his fork and looked at her. She didn't seem like she minded at all that the slayer was a vampire, but then again, she could just be hiding her true intentions.
"Well, I'm not sure that she would even be up. She did join Buffy on patrol last night. Buffy usually takes a late patrol, and then sleeps in a bit when school's out. I'll call over and check to see if anyone is up where Dru is at. It wouldn't do to surprise her, even if she hasn't been trained as a slayer. She is different from normal slayers, I'll tell you that now. Sh.....she has a slayer's heart, and it shows. I was surprised to see her fight. For not having any formal slayer's training, she's quite good. Just give her a chance, before you decide whether or not to attack her, ok?" Giles watched Kris for a few minutes. She nodded, and then cleared the dishes from the table. He went to call Angel's and check to see if anyone was up. Kris finished the dishes and then to changed to go meet the slayer.
The phone rang at the mansion, and Buffy answered. She was the only one up. "Hello," came the quiet voice. "Giles? What's up? Oh, she wants to come over now? Well, I'm the only one up.&nnbsp; I'm not sure if I can get them up. Yea, I'll try, but no guarentees. Dru and Angel normally work on a kata after eating.&nsbp; I'll be joining them today with it.&nsbp; Sure, I'll tell him. Oh, and Giles?&nsbp; Dru wasn't too calm last night. Yea, it's this visit. She's afraid of getting killed by the new watcher. I can't blame her. Sure we'll have her calm by the time you get here.&nsbp; Ok, thanks for the warning. Bye, take care, and give me about an hour for sure." Buffy hung up the phone. She headed off to get Angel up first. He'd be the easiest. Trying to keep Dru calm and get Angel up was just something that she couldn't deal with right now.
Giles walked out and was met by Kris. "Well? Are we going?" Giles nodded and explained that they would go to see Dru in about an hour. A look that Giles couldn't quite figure out crossed her eyes. He just hoped that Kris didn't want Dru dead right away and that she gave her a chance. If she went to attack Dru, he would stop her. Giles knew that it would put him in trouble with the council, but he didn't care. He wasn't going to betray a thin line of trust that had been established with Dru. He just hoped that he was doing the right thing.
Buffy walked into Angel's room and over to the bed. She had come up with an idea that would hopefully wake him up without him being angry with her. She leaned down and kissed him. Angel slowly opened his eyes, and then reached up and grabbed Buffy pulling her down onto the bed. He kissed her for a few minutes more, and then smiled as the kiss broke. "Nice way to wake me up, is there a problem with Dru? Did she leave again?" He looked into the slayer's eyes. She smiled.&nsbp; "No, she hasn't left, but we will need to get her up. Giles is on his way over with the new watcher that is in town.&nsbp; I asked him to give us an hour, so I hope that he can hold 'em off till then. I figured that way you and I could get Dru up, and have a bit of breakfast before they get here. We'll also have to find a way to get her calmed down before then too." Angel nodded. "Why don't you go get Dru up, and I'll get some breakfast made. I went to the store last night, after you fell asleep, and bought a few things for you too." Buffy nodded. "Ok, see ya in a few." She headed off towards Dru's room. Angel got up and dressed before heading to the kitchen to get breakfast ready.
Buffy walked into Dru's room. She walked over to the bed, and lightly shook Dru trying to wake her. Dru woke startled.&nsbp; Buffy was expecting her to swing, but Dru didn't. Her eyes ran across the slayer, and she knew better than to swing. Buffy was glad that Dru had enough pressence of mind to realize who it was. She quickly explained her reasons for waking her up, and Dru nodded. She had expected that the watcher wouldn't want to wait on the visit. She got up and got changed. She pulled out a pair of jeans, and t-shirt. She dressed like she did when she was following Buffy and Angel before her return to the mansion. Buffy had joined Angel in the kitchen and didn't see the change that Dru was making. Dru slipped on the tennis shoes and pulled her hair back. She was going to make sure that she was ready to face this new watcher, and that they understood she was different than she had been earlier as Drusilla without a soul. She went to go find Buffy and Angel, and headed to the kitchen.
When she entered the kitchen, Buffy and Angel turned to look at her. She saw the surprised look on their faces. Dru explained that she had bought these clothes when she was following them. She told them that she felt that she needed something that was a bit easier to move around in, and better to hide slaying items in. Buffy smiled. She seemed to like the change in Dru. They all sat down and ate breakfast. Buffy had a bowl of cereal, and Angel and Dru had their usual. Once they finished, they headed to the library.
Angel, Buffy, and Dru took their places and started a kata to help calm Dru for this visit.&nsbp; Buffy and Angel knew that Dru was still on edge. They almost had to force her to eat breakfast. They still had about a half an hour before Giles arrived with the new watcher, so they took the time to relax. As Angel guided the girls in the kata, he took the time to correct any problems that they were having, and show them a few new moves to add to it. Dru and Buffy both caught on to the new moves quickly, and Dru seemed to calm down more with every move. Angel had left the door unlocked, with a note for Giles taped to the outside telling him to come on in. He didn't want to interupt the workout with the girls till after he got there, because he was afraid that Dru would lose her focus again.
Giles arrived a little early, and saw the note. He pulled it off and motioned for Kris to follow him. She did so quietly. They walked in and saw the workout that all three of them were doing. Kris watched them and asked which one was Drusilla. Giles told her, and explained that she just went by Dru now. Kris watched Dru, and was surprised by how calm she seemed to be. Kris thought for certain that she would have been extremely on edge, but she was totally calm. She quietly questioned Giles about it, and he explained that it was the kata that allowed her to find the balance needed to be both a slayer and vampire. Kris nodded understanding. She continued to watch, not wanting to disturb them.
Buffy was the first one to notice the watchers, and started over towards them. She knew that Angel had seen them too, but he was busy helping Dru with a move that she had been having a bit of trouble with. Buffy walked out of the library, and closed the glass door behind her.&nsbp; "Hi Giles, we were just working out with Dru.&nsbp; She's really getting the hang of it." She turned to the new watcher. "Hi, I'm Buffy, and you are?" Kris told her who she was and why she was there.&nsbp; "Dru should be just about ready to meet ya. She is just finishing up with Angel. He's trying to correct a few problems that she was having with the katas that we have been doing. Just give her a chance, you may be surprised. Angel does know you're here, so come on in."&nsbp; Buffy turned and went back into the library, holding the door open for the watchers to follow her.
Kris and Giles entered and took a seat in the corner. They watched as Buffy went back over to help Angel with Dru. It took about 10 minutes, but Dru finally got it right. Giles watched as a smile crossed her face. He was curious as to the change in outfit, but would ask her later on about it when they were away from Kris.&nsbp; The trio walked over to a circle of chairs that were in the corner near Kris and Giles. Dru took the one that was near Giles, and Buffy near Kris. Angel sat in the middle of the girls, unsure of what either would do at this point. A silence descended on the group, and Kris broke it.
"Hi, I'm Kris. I was sent by the council to check on the new slayer that is in town. I have heard of the special conditions that surround her. I won't lie to you and say that I didn't get orders on how to proceed here. They were quite specific in the matter." Kris looked over at Dru. She wanted to see what Dru was going to do with what she was about to say. "Giles has already told me that your name is Drusilla, but prefer to be called Dru. The reasoning behind that was because of who my one of my ancestors was, Kathy Howe. She has passed the story of the youngest slayer who was unable to be trained down through the generations. She also expressed a belief that because this slayer was not trained, there was a strong possibility that she could return to her calling eventually. I share that belief, the council doesn't. They sent me here to kill you on sight, but I won't, not til you give me a reason to do so. I will send them a report, but I am not yet sure of what I will say to them.&nsbp; I watched you for a while during the workout you were doing.&nsbp; I was expecting you to be extrememly upset by my visit, but you aren't. Giles told me that you have been using the workout to help you find a balance and to help you to stay calm. I can see that it has done it's job well. I have to decide what to do now that this is in my hands. Before I decide how to proceed with this, I would like to hear what you have to say about it. I just felt that you needed to know where I stood on this matter."
Kris watched as Dru looked away. She could tell that the converted slayer was upset. Dru had placed her hands in her lap to the hide shakiness, but it didn't work to well. After a few minutes, Dru's eyes found Kris's.&nsbp; Dru's voice was quiet, and slightly shaky when she spoke. "Thank you for letting me know. I thought for sure that I was dust once you arrived here. I do want a chance to become Buffy's partner, but only if it won't get her in any trouble. I have been given my soul back, so I hope that helps in your decision. I'm sorry I turned Kathy away the last time she approached me. I should have at least given her a chance, but didn't. I have been aiding Buffy and Angel on patrol, and have learned a great deal about slaying from just watching them. Unfortunately, I have probably made a very bad enemy right now as well. My ex-boyfriend Spike knows of my changes and of my decisions to return to being a slayer. He also knows that I have a soul, and may try to find a way to take it from me. I don't think he can, but that is something that should be considered as well. He hasn't been seen recently, but I have a feeling that he is either close by or on his way back.&nbps; I would understand if you decide against training me, but I will tell you now, I won't quit helping Buffy.&nsbp; I will continue to work along side of her, as long as I can."
Kris watched Dru for a while. She wan't quite sure what to do now. The fact that Dru was trying to understand everything that was going on with both the watchers and the council was definitely unexpected. Kris decided that she would have to look into this a bit more. She asked to watch one of the training sessions that Angel helped out with. Buffy and Angel agreed and moved some of the items out of the way to make enough room. Buffy talked Dru into joining them and she agreed. Buffy and Angel started their practice session as Dru watched, then it was her turn. Kris noticed that once Angel attacked her, the nervousness that she had displayed earlier while talking to the watchers had all but disappeared. Giles smiled as they went through various attacks and escapes that were a part of slayer's training. Dru had done well under Angel and Buffy guidance. The watchers allowed the practice session to continue for about 2 to 3 hours before Kris interupted it.
"Dru, I want you stop swing by Giles's place tonight after patrol. All of you are welcome. I have saw enough to make a decision on what I am going to do.&nsbp; I'll tell the council, and then you when you stop over. I will look into to finding a way to prevent your ex from ever taking your soul from you. I will need to know how it was returned, and I'm sure that I can go from there. You are quite a young lady Dru.&nsbp; They have been training you in the ways of a slayer, and appearently you didn't even know it. I understand that you didn't want anyone in trouble by training you, and I must admit you have shown a great deal of courage in this matter. Kathy was right about one thing. She said that she felt it could happen, and now I believe her. I believe that you will be the first one to survive this Dru. Don't give up, ok?"&nsbp; Dru nodded, with a smile. "Now we shouild be going, I have a feeling we woke you this morning. If we did, I'm sorry. I just didn't want you running from me.&nsbp; Take care, and Dru? Do you know the first rule of being a slayer?" Kris watched Dru smile. "Yes, don't die, right?" Kris nodded. "Always keep that in mind when you are out there with Buffy and Angel. I'll see you later, and good hunting tonight." Kris and Giles left.
Once the door was locked, everyone at the mansion returned to their rooms for some rest before patrol. They knew that there was a chance that Dru would be trained as a slayer and that Kris would allow her to live. This put everyone's mind at ease for now.&nsbp; They would cross the next few bridges once they got there.
Kris explained to Giles that she was going to tell the council that she had killed Dru, just to get them off of her back. She said that this would complete her commitment to them and leave her free to do whatever she wanted. Kris knew that if the council thought that Dru was dead, they wouldn't worry about her losing her soul and turning on Buffy. Kris told him that she would remain in Sunnydale, and aid in training the new slayer. She didn't see any real reason to get rid of a slayer that had showed such promise for the future.&nsbp; Giles liked the fact that Kris was siding with him.&nsbp; He just hoped that they weren't making a mistake with the way the were going about things though. Once they returned to his apartment, Giles called over to Willow's to have her stop over as well. He got the machine, and remembered that Willow wouldn't be back til the following day. He left a message for her to call him once she got in, about a book that she had requested to read. It was a coded message for her that had been agreed upon in advance by both of them. Kris and Giles spent the rest of the afternoon talking and trying to figure out a good routine to help with bringing Dru into more of a slayer mode so that she could defend herself a bit better.
Towards evening, a black car rolled into Sunnydale. It ran over the Welcome to Sunnydale sign, and a door opened. Spike placed one foot outside of the car, and drank the last of his whiskey before getting out. He was back in Sunnydale with one thing in mind.&nsbp; Duncan would meet him at the factory in about a week. Once that happened, his Dru would return. He couldn't wait to have his black goddess back by his side.&nsbp; This idea of her being a slayer would soon be a thing of the past. He headed to the factory, and started preparing for his visit from Duncan. He would keep things quiet for now, feed in the less frequently patrolled areas. He didn't want to startle Dru just in case she had done what she said she would and started learning to be a slayer.
After Buffy, Dru, and Angel finshed patroling, they went to see Giles and Kris. Kris met them at the door and invited them all in with a smile. She had just finished talking to the council, and they weren't very happy with her. She didn't really care, but their recent actions had led her to believe she was doing the right thing. She didn't tell them what she was going to about killing Dru. She told them that the spell that returned Dru's soul had made her human instead.&nsbp; It was a lie, but necessary for now. Once everyone was seated, she told them everything that had happened with her call to the council, including the lie. She told Dru that they would eventually find out the truth, but hopefully bt then, they would be in a little better mood to listen to reason.&nsbp; Til they found out, it would be business as usual.&nsbp; That meant that Dru was going to have to learn how to be a slayer. She looked at Angel and Buffy. Kris asked for their help with that since Dru wouldn't have to pull her punches with them. They agreed, and Kris continued. She explained that about an hour or so before patrol every night that she would stop over to get dru started on the other things that was needed as a slayer. That would include learning to think on her feet, the ability to change plans on a spur of the moment, and learning as much as she could about way to defeat the various demons that frequented this area.&nsbp; She let them leave after everything was explained so that the slayers could rest, and she could prepare for the following day's lessons.
Dru and Angel dropped Buffy off at her house, and then continued on home.
Dru was happy that she would be allowed to live. Once they got to the
mansion, Dru gave Angel a quick kiss on the cheek and headed to her room.
She was ready to just crawl in bed and get some rest.&nsbp; She promised
herself that she would write in her diary the following day. Angel was
shocked by the change in her demeaner.&nsbp; She was happy and it showed.
Dru had been quiet the whole way back, but she was smiling.&nsbp; That was
a start.&nsbp; Angel now had the go ahead to step up Dru's slayer training,
and he planned on doing just that the following day.&nsbp; He checked on her
after he locked the doors. She was already sound asleep with a small
smile on her face. He smiled at the sight. She looked like she
did the day he had first saw her asleep at the house the night he had killed
her uncle's family. He hoped that she would have many more happy days
now, but her future was still unwritten, and uncertain.&nsbp; There was still
the chance that Spike would find a way to get her back, but Angel would make
sure that he had the fight of his life doing so. Angel went to his room
and laid down.&nsbp; He fell asleep quickly, and dreamed of the days when Dru
was happy in the past.