Fic: The Flow (5/?)

[stefzis@xxxxxxxxx]

Well this is it for today.
Please be gentle with it?
Catch you on the flipside,
Stef

Title: The Flow
Chapter 4: The Four
Rating: R (language and future naugthiness)
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns it all right?
Summary: Set after the serie's end, kind of hard to put into words 
really.

Chapter 4: The Four

We are the Four, destined to work in the darkest shadows and never be 
known to others who fight the war. While others think that they are 
saving the world it is we, the Four, whom win the battles, we are 
those that manipulate events to ensure the continued survival of this 
blue sapphire of a world. We manipulate the Flow and we pay the 
price, each in our own unique way.

Bloody hell I say and quote a good friend of mine. I hate it when 
Xander starts doing his holier than thou act especially since he does 
it only to get on my nerves. Still that just means that he still 
cares, that he is still human under all that religion crap. Oh I'm 
not as cold and distant as I give on, there is a bit of old Willow's 
bleeding heart left in there among the grim reality of the world. As 
far as I am concerned they all live in denial of what the world is 
really like. Xander with his faith and Buffy with her black and white 
theory, Giles has the right idea, but he's part of the problem not 
the solution as far as I'm concerned. So why do I hang with these 
people? First off they are my friends and second where else can a 
girl get a chance to fuck with things on a global scale. 

We are all sitting around the round table in Giles library. It's a 
staring contest, it always starts with a staring contest. The table 
is precisely situated so we each represent a direction. Giles has 
always had a thing for symbolism I guess. So what are we doing here? 
Well the same as usual arguing about the limits of our activities, 
the ethical ramifications of our actions over the years and what to 
do next. I doze off during the progress report and I don't return to 
the land of living until Giles starts handing out assignments. Which 
in itself is strange, but I play along none the less.
There is a portal opening up in Brazil in about three weeks 
time, Giles reads from his big book of impending dooms. 
I'll look into it, Xander nods leaning back in his chair with 
his feet firmly on the table. 
But make sure the local slayer gets the credit, Buffy states 
from her seat, there is a simple computer in front of her and she is 
her driven self as usual, Ms Moral High Ground.
There is a disturbance under way in London, Giles reads and 
gives me that look of his, that disapproving look that I've done 
something that I'm not supposed to do.
I'll take care of it in due time, is my answer. I'm not sure 
of it yet truth to be told, it could be good and then again it could 
be bad. I'm into asking questions not dispensing divine judgment.
Willow you know the rules, Buffy states calmly looking up 
from the computer. She's calm and collected, the result of extensive 
training and grooming by that corporation she now works for.
Yes I know the rules, but I just don't follow them to the 
letter, I retort. To say I joined this group willingly would be the 
understatement of the next five millennium; rather Giles shamed me 
into joining it. My retort doesn't draw the reply I was hoping for; 
instead of an outburst I only get a sigh.
We'll leave it in your capable hands then, Giles nods and 
continues with his reading. Finally there is a migration of vampires 
heading for London, he says in that calm voice of his.
They'll be dust before they arrive, Buffy says. 
The fuck they will, I shout as I stand from my chair. London 
is my territory if there is going to be killings there I will be the 
one doing them! 
We know London is your domain Willow, but given your track 
record with the group? Giles starts.
I'll play second fiddle, Buffy says before I can really dig 
into Giles. Is that acceptable Miss Rosenberg? She asks and the only 
thing I can do is nod my agreement and sit back down like a good 
little girl.
Very well then, I'm sure you are all tired from your 
respective journeys so I suggest we retire and reconvene in the 
morning and then I'll tell you why I summoned you here, Giles says 
and that's the end of it, he closes the book and leaves. He doesn't 
like it when we fight, it shatters the perfect little image he has of 
us as protectors of the innocent. I head for my room quietly avoiding 
both Xander and Buffy. 

To be continued?