\u201cReleased?\u201d Puzzled, Wesley peered down at the open logbook searching for any sign of Faith\u2019s name. He requested the desk clerk check again. \u201cShe was brought in no more than an hour ago on rather serious charges. Either the American legal system is far more efficient than I imagined or you are making a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n
The man behind the desk shut the book against further prying eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s you that is making the mistake, bub.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley bristled at the man\u2019s tone. Standing straight, his hands on his lapels, he stared back determinedly. \u201cPerhaps you remember a brunette?\u201d<\/p>\n
After a short pause, he nodded, \u201cMaybe I do. Attitude, dimples, leather pants?\u201d<\/p>\n
Now they were getting somewhere. \u201cYes! That\u2019s the one,\u201d Wesley kept looking around the open station from desk to desk trying to catch sight of the officers who took Faith into custody. \u201cIs she in the detention area? I\u2019d like to arrange counsel for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI already told you she ain\u2019t under arrest,\u201d he barked impatiently. \u201cHow many times do I gotta tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sighing deeply, the desk clerk buried his face in his hands and rubbed hard. \u201cI\u2019m getting tired of your face. Leave or I\u2019ll let you check out the detention area on a permanent basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley\u2019s eyes widened at the threat. \u201cOh. There is no need to be rude about a simple inquiry. My\u2026 friend was arrested tonight and I won\u2019t leave without some satisfaction as to her whereabouts.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is the problem?\u201d Giles stepped up to the counter next to Wesley. He had been parking the car having decided to allow the younger man the privilege of taking the initiative regarding his Slayer.<\/p>\n
However, he had not been willing to let the new Watcher go on his own. No matter that Faith had a new Watcher, Giles still felt a sense of duty and responsibility toward her and\u2014 dare he even think it\u2014 friendship.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis\u2026this officer refuses to explain Faith\u2019s whereabouts,\u201d Wesley sputtered angrily.<\/p>\n
Giles raised a brow. \u201cIs that so,\u201d he glanced at the desk clerk\u2019s badge, \u201cOfficer Ledger? I dare say there is some misunderstanding. It might be prudent if\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe. Ain\u2019t. Here.\u201d His face flushed a beefy red color. \u201cYou English people got some problem with English? Sheesh. Your little brunette just left. She made a quick statement to one of our detectives and then she left.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley and Giles exchanged glances. It was the latter who finally spoke up, thanking Officer Ledger for his time. They made a hasty retreat. When they reached the parking lot, Wesley stopped short. \u201cThere is something very unorthodox about this whole business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree,\u201d Giles nodded, \u201cbut if what I think has happened has actually happened then tonight may not have been a complete tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Feeling drained, Wesley muttered, \u201cI could really use a cup of tea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s find Faith first,\u201d Giles suggested clapping him on the back. \u201cI think it\u2019s high time to fill you in on a few details about your Slayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scene 85<\/strong><\/p>\n Moving West on State Street, Xander drove slowly in order to make the trip last a little longer. Chances were that this would be his only opportunity at driving the classic car. Buffy sat next to him and Willow was in the passenger seat. They had stuffed the trash bags with Cordelia\u2019s belongings in the back, not bothering with putting it in the trunk.<\/p>\n \u201cCould you go any slower?\u201d Buffy eyed the speedometer. \u201cI could\u2019ve gotten there and back by now.\u201d<\/p>\n Xander strummed his fingers against the steering wheel. They had come to a stop at a red light. \u201cI was just doing a little thinking, Buffster,\u201d he offered up his most charming smile.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh!\u201d Willow gulped ominously. \u201cXander thinking!\u201d She quickly made a closing zipper motion across her mouth when he gave her the stink eye.<\/p>\n Buffy just stared back waiting for the bomb to drop.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s awful isolated in that mansion,\u201d Xander pointed out. He had been thinking about Cordelia being on her own up there with only a vampire for company. It was one thing for them to team up for patrol or to train together in the basement, but he did not like the idea of her sleeping at the mansion.<\/p>\n \u201cCor is better off hiding out than being out and about where that crosathnam demon can track her,\u201d Buffy countered even though she did not exactly like the idea either.<\/p>\n Despite Willow\u2019s zipped lips, she offered up, \u201cBut it\u2019s not very secure there. We just walked in. The gate was broken. Parts of it are wide open to anyone or any thing who feels like coming for a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s still the idea of Cordelia staying at my house,\u201d Buffy frowned at the idea. Giles had a point about not putting her mother in any danger.<\/p>\n A car horn honked behind them prompting Xander to notice the green light. He put his foot down on the gas pedal and started the car moving again. \u201cBack to the thoughts I thunk. We should camp out for the next few days. Buffy can patrol the perimeter while the rest of us set up security inside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCamp out, huh?\u201d Buffy mulled over the idea for a few seconds. Picturing Cordelia and Angel living together even for safety\u2019s sake made her stomach churn. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Xander. We should stick around just in case something bad should happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow\u2019s eyes widened, \u201cDo you really think the demon will track Cordelia down again?\u201d<\/p>\n It took a second for Buffy respond, realizing that her best friend\u2019s idea of bad was a lot different than her own. Her plan to oust Cordelia and keep her own feelings for Angel at bay had gone so wrong. Those two just seemed to be getting closer and there was nothing like a tragedy to spur things along.<\/p>\n Buffy had to trust her instincts. \u201cWe\u2019ll be there if he does,\u201d she answered. \u201cSo maybe we ought to go home first to get our stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t forget to stop by the all night Quick Mart,\u201d Willow reminded them that there was probably no food in the house. \u201cWe\u2019ll need goodies.\u201d<\/p>\n Since Xander was already halfway through the intersection of State and Crawford, it looked like he was in agreement. He quipped, \u201cFirst stop, Revello Drive.\u201d<\/p>\nElsewhere . . .<\/h3>\n