Author: Anne Parnell
Title: Who Can It Be Now
Copyright: July 2002
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers:
Buffy: Season 2 up until Phases.
Highlander: Season 5 until Season finale. Richie Ryan lives.
Keywords: Buffy/ Highlander.
Summary: Things are getting stranger in Alison's
life, especially since she started hanging around Faith and Shaw more… and I don't mean her sense of humor either!
Legalese:
All characters except those noted below with their respective rights, properties, and copyrights are the property of
the respective creators, authors, owners, producers and agencies. These characters are used without permission. No copyright
infringement is intended or meant, and no money will be made from this story. This story may be copied in its entirety, and may be
distributed as long as all copyright information remains.
The character of Shaw Hunter is the property of Tim Knight. He can be contacted at doobytim@aol.com.
The characters of Steven St. Wolf and Ted the Avatar of the Pizza God are the property of Steve Pantovich, as is the universe
in which this story takes place. Steve can be contacted at Steve711@concentric.net.
The characters of Alison Jarman and Dale Evans/Evansdale are mine and anyone who wishes to use them can contact me at anne@kayleyangel.com.
The ‘Paranormal Defense Initiative' is property of Mercedes Lackey, Rosemary Edgehill, and Baen Books and is adapted and used
in this story without permission.
Author's Notes: What do you get when you cross a scared author, a song by an Australian band, and Tim's suggestions? This
story!
Through out the story, references to ‘Who Can It Be Now' by Men At Work will appear. I found it a VERY relevant song to what is
happening in my life at the moment and so it adapted well with this story about Alison's life.
If you would like to see the dress that is bought in this story: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/proddisplay/?prnbr=4A-151116&rfnbr=101&cgnbr=OSCLODRSZZZ&page=2&cgname=OSCLODRSZZZ#&fp_redirected=1
Dedications:
To Steve, Grand High Poobah of the Wandererverse, for giving the original Okays for my stories and for tossing in
a few wonderful ways to add twists and turns to my stories.
To Tim, Comic Adviser – One Liner Extraordinaire, who makes me laugh when I tell him that I haven't watched many TV shows… and
for editing my stories so quickly. Also for having the daunting task of Americanizing my writing (give me a break! I'm an
Aussie!); and for filling me in on basically everything about the elves (and the stories they are from) mentioned in this
story.
Here are the changes from your regular shows:
Buffy:
1. Due to her drowning death at the hands of the Master, Buffy is Immortal.
2. Passion and Becoming never took place, so Jenny and Kendra are still alive and well. Kendra is attending UC Sunnydale.
3. Faith is a good girl… no really… she is… trust me…
Jarman household
18 June 1999
An early morning knock woke Alison up. Groggily getting out of bed, she threw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt before running down the stairs. The knock came again, louder this time. Ali prayed that her Dad slept through it.
Throwing the door open, she came face to face with Shaw and Faith.
"Hey girlfriend," Faith began, looking far too cheerful for this early in the day. <Great, a morning person.> Ali glared at them, pretending she was still mad about them locking her in an abandoned building with Ted the week before.
"Look, AJ. We're sorry about locking you in there… but can't you let bygones be bygones and forgive us?"
<I wonder if I could drag this out a little…> Ali thought and began to shut the door. As she expected, Shaw's arm kept the door from closing fully.
"Please Alison, can you listen to us?" Shaw asked.
"Sure. Fine. Whatever…" Ali finally spoke, putting a fake edge in her voice. She wasn't really angry with them, but she was slightly annoyed for them letting the cat out of the bag regarding her crush with Ted. They'd spent a week taking turns smiling and laughing at each other. But tomorrow night was going to be their first actual date. Ali was looking forward to it.
"Alison, we know it was wrong of us to lock you in the building, but we knew how you felt about him and… well, we guessed he felt the same way about you. I mean giving up his time off to be around you is kind of cute. But we want to make it up to you…" Faith started before grinning and looking at Shaw, who took up the thread.
"We know tomorrow is going to be your first official date with Ted, so we are here to help you prepare," Shaw finished. She hastily amended, "This is Faith's idea."
"How so?" Ali asked suspiciously. <Uh oh.>
"Well, we're taking you shopping!" Faith answered, "and Scottie here has her car, so we're going cruising, shopping, and then… sleep over!"
Alison started laughing. It was the simple things in life that she missed. Apparently Faith and Shaw were determined to give her a little taste of it again.
"Come on in… I can whip us up a quick breakfast if you two haven't eaten yet…"
"No, Alison. You are only getting changed, we are treating you to a big breakfast," Shaw interrupted, before the two girls marched in and dragged Alison upstairs to her bedroom.
"Hey, when did you get the cable in here? It's a new addition to the room," Faith asked.
"How'd you know I didn't have it earlier?"
"Your Dad let me in while we were preparing to lock you guys into the building. Did your Mom get it hooked up for you?"
"Yeah, she felt guilty about something so she got it hooked up. She bought me a new TV and all this stuff to play on it, VCR, Playstation... I think Rhys is trying to score brownie points too, since it's his money she's spending."
With that, Faith threw open her wardrobe and started looking through it.
"Jeans, jeans, t-shirt, jeans, t-shirt, shirt, shirt, track pants, t-shirt, sweater… jeez AJ, where are all your good clothes? Reminds me of the horror stories they told me about Shaw's closet when she got here."
Alison looked embarrassed as she answered, "That's pretty much it. They're all the clothes I have."
"What are you talking about? I've seen photos of you with some stylish clothes on, the long hair flowing…" Faith began only to be jabbed by Shaw. "What?"
Shaw nodded to indicate Ali's look and posture. She had taken a stance of defeat; the look was bleak as she was trying to hide the silent tears that began streaming down her face.
"AJ? What's wrong?" Faith asked, hoping she could make it better.
"T-that w-was before P-Percy. I-I got rid of it all after it happened."
"Open mouth, insert foot." Faith's voice softened. "Sorry AJ, I hadn't realized that. Come on, let's get you changed into something cool and we'll be off."
Faith pulled out a violet shirt and a black singlet; she tossed them to Alison and then picked out a pair of black jeans. Rummaging around the small selection of shoes, she found a hidden pair of black Nikes and pulled them out as well. Looking for accents, Ali pulled out a pair of violet hair slides that she had bought and ended up never wearing.
Pushing the startled Alison into the bathroom with her selected wardrobe, Faith looked pleased with the image that should come out of the bathroom. < If only she would embrace that inner model… she would definitely give Cordy and me a run for our money.>
A few minutes later, Alison walked out of the bathroom. Her hair was clipped back on one side only, leaving the other hanging slightly over her face. She had left the shirt partially undone to show off the singlet underneath and hadn't bothered to tuck it into the jeans.
Shaw nodded her approval while Faith made the obligatory catcall. "Yeah baby! Make Ali…" Now Faith started singing, "Feel like a WOMAN." Ali rolled her eyes in time with Shaw.
The three of them left the bedroom just as Alison's Dad woke up. He stood in the doorway of his room and smiled at the look of the three girls.
"You three look like you are about to be up to some serious mischief," he joked. Ali smiled because he was having a good morning.
Faith looked over the three and had to agree, they did look like they were up to something; they were dressed to thrill. She had on a pair of almost customary black leather pants with a vibrant red, short, tight top. Shaw had on a deep blue silk shirt and black jeans. Simple yet nice.
"They're taking me out for breakfast and then we're going window shopping," Ali told him, a smile coming to her face.
"Have fun sweetheart, I can look after myself until one of my aides turns up," he informed her.
<One of his aides? Ha! I like how he tries not to be an embarrassment in my life, if only he knew that no matter what, I love him!>
"Sure thing Daddy, take care," she said after giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
Then the three of them ran down the stairs and out to where Shaw had parked her car. Ali halted as she saw the cherry red '67 Mustang in the drive. She whistled at the car, impressed.
Shaw opened the car up and motioned Faith into the back so Ali could sit up front. After they had all gotten in, Shaw backed the car down the drive and headed out onto the road.
"This car is so cool, Shaw," Ali gushed. "Where did you find it?"
"Actually, she found me," Shaw said easily.
"Huh?"
Faith's voice chimed in from the back. "Hey Hunter, show her your favorite trick."
Warning bells went off in Ali's head. "Please tell me you're not going to pop a wheelie or something."
"Nothing so dangerous," Shaw said, breaking into laughter with Faith. She cocked her head to one side, as if she were listening to something only she could hear. "Watch, no hands."
Shaw took her hands off the steering wheel and the car suddenly jerked, weaving left to right and back again. Ali yelped and braced her hands on the dashboard. "SHAW MADISON HUNTER ARE YOU CRAZY!!!"
"No, but Sharillon is," the crazy elf girl said with a grin.
"What the Hell is…"
//I am Sharillon.// came a female voice inside Ali's head. Ali started looking around, knowing Faith was laughing at the funny look in her eyes. When the car's engine revved in a way that suggested laughter, she put two and two together.
"Shaw, your car's alive?!?"
"Sharillon is an elvensteed," Shaw said proudly.
Before she could ask, Shaw (with smart alec comments from Faith) explained that Sharillon was a shape shifting horse from the lands typically inhabited by the fairy races such as elves. <Like Shaw's mother,> she thought before remembering that her mother had worked for British Intelligence. She got the gist of it and felt a laugh in her mind that suggested that Sharillon (Shari for short, she heard in her mind) had a sense of humor worse than either of her friends.
//You have no idea,// the horse snickered.
"Great!" Ali moaned. She glanced at how the steering wheel didn't even move while the car made a left turn onto Main Street. She winced. "Uh Shaw, could you at least look like you're driving it. That really wigs me out." She cocked an eyebrow. "And why an old Mustang?"
Shaw smiled as she put her hands on the steering wheel. "Beyond the fact that an orphaned teenager needs to watch her money? Sharillon likes keeping the horse motif. And people like this old model; they think she is cool."
"She likes it, huh?" Shaw nodded. Ali smiled. "She looks it." She laughed when Shari shouted, //Thank you!// "But that ‘car driving itself' thing is still creepy."
"Yeah," Faith laughed, " it's like Maximum Overdrive. Real Stephen Kingy."
"Shut up, Faith!" Ali shouted.
"Targets locked, will trail from behind. This is just an observatory mission at this time. Targets are not to be apprehended unless orders are given to the contrary."
Shari pulled into the car park and the three hungry girls jumped out and walked into the diner. They grabbed the first booth available and piled in. Snickering, Faith and Shaw started looking at the menus while Ali sat back and enjoyed the sight. The giggles attracted a waitress who slowly strolled over to them and looked at them expectantly.
After Faith ordered enough for a whole army, they sat back and waited, content with the silence… for about a minute before…
"So you and Teddy boy, go AJ! That's one fine piece of beefcake you're going to be dating…"
"FAITH!" Ali yelled, once again blushing to her roots.
"What? I'm impressed. Shy little Ali is growing up to be such a BIG girl!" Faith continued, well aware of the embarrassment that her friend was going through.
"Shaw… make her stop it!" Ali whined.
"Not a chance," Shaw said with false apologies. "It will give me a break from her."
"Why me?" she asked again just as the food arrived in front of them.
The three girls dug into the food, oblivious to the crowd around them. Faith had ordered two of the biggest combos on the menu; waffles and hot cakes with syrups and jam, bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, coffee for her, tea for Ali, and orange juice for Shaw.
After finishing her second waffle and syrup, Alison leaned back and looked around the diner. Stifling a grin, she watched a pair of 20-somethings sitting in the booth opposite them. All of them wore the same green colored clothes, and their hair was a similar length and cut.
<Hmmm, I wonder if I should mention to them that the days of ‘Robin Hood' are long gone… heaven help them if Faith spots them! God, they look like evergreen FBI Agents.>
Deciding to ignore them, she went back to her breakfast. Grabbing a piece of toast, she listened to the plans for the rest of the day.
"So we go looking for talent, shopping, I'm thinking maybe a movie…" Faith informs them.
"Whose house are we sleeping over at?" Ali asked suddenly.
"Mine. Ulric does not mind since he likes Faith and he believes you are a good influence on me," Shaw spoke up, before drinking some juice.
"Me or Faith? Cause I can't see anyone thinking Faith was a good influence except maybe in sex ed!" Ali chirped, trying to get Faith at least once.
"HEY!" Faith yelled, not expecting that kind of comment from Alison.
"Yes! Bout time I got one over you!" Ali celebrated, blue eyes twinkling.
"Bring it on Short Stuff… I'll beat you every time and you know it… anyways, if it wasn't for you, Shaw wouldn't have been grounded last week!"
"It was not Alison's fault that Snyder is a goblin or that Percy is a worthless child raping sub human bastard," Shaw spat out.
"Hey, we are staying at your house Scottie… you've got cable! But maybe we'll stop by your place to pick up some munchies!" Faith remembered suddenly. Ali groaned as Faith and Shaw beamed at her.
"Okay, but please don't mention anything about the nurse who'll probably be there… remember it's Dad's ‘aide'."
"Sure thing, Pepperoni Princess," Faith retorted, drawing rolling eyes from Ali and Shaw.
Eventually the mountain of food dwindled and the three girls were satiated. Shaw stood up and went to pay for their meal, while Faith and Ali slowly headed toward the door. After Shaw caught up, they went straight to where Sharillon was parked and couldn't find her.
//Sharillon?// Shaw sent out, trying to find her "car." Faith and Ali looked all around for the Mustang.
//Yes Shaw?//
//Where are you?//
//I'm the black Beetle parked near the door. Call it a joke on Alison. Faith won't fall for it this time, but Alison probably will.//
Shaw hid her grin and pretended not to know where Sharillon was parked. Faith noticed the look and shot a glance at the worried Ali before grinning.
"Shaw?" Ali asked.
"Yes, Alison?" she answered as she turned towards Ali.
"How can someone steal a car that can drive itself?" Ali asked, quite perplexed.
//They can't.// Ali jumped as Sharillon's voice spoke in her head, just before the black Beetle pulled up in front of them.
//But I can change shapes.//
Alison shook her head. <I can't get used to the whole idea of shape changing cars.>
//Don't you mean shape-shifting horses that disguise themselves as cars?//
"ARGHHH!!! Why me!?!"
//Because we like you. If we didn't we wouldn't bother.//
"Target locked, ready to move."
"Stay in place, Agent."
"But, sir…"
"I said stay in place. We're changing Agents tracking the targets until they reach their destination."
"Yes, sir."
"Since we take our breaks overlapping each other's, we occasionally spend a little too long on break. It's not on purpose, but I really like Ted, so it's nice to be able to spend non-work time with him since we haven't gone on our first date yet. Oh God! I'm so nervous about tomorrow night. What if it's a nightmare? What happens if he thinks I'm a f-fool? W-what if I-I s-spill something on me? If-f-f…" Ali started babbling.
"AJ! Chill. Everything's gonna be alright. He likes you, okay?" Faith cut in mid-babble.
"D-do you think so?" she asked uncertainly.
"Alison, if he did not like you, then why would he be asking you on a date?" Shaw interjected.
"Okay, I-I believe you…" Ali accepted.
//Shaw, we are almost there. Which entrance do you want?//
//The one closest to Victoria's Secret, please.//
//Are you sure?// she asked before getting Faith's opinion. //Faith? The entrance near Victoria's Secret?//
//Absotively posulute!// Faith cheered.
//Teenagers…// Shari sighed.
Sharillon swiftly entered the Mall's parking lot and navigated herself to the best available spot.
//No changing forms this time, Sharillon. Unless it is back to your usual Mustang. I do not want people to talk about seeing a car change shapes.//
//Spoil my fun, Shaw!//
//We will make it up to you later.// Shaw promised gaily.
The three girls walked into the Mall and Faith herded them toward Victoria's Secret. Alison wasn't paying attention and didn't notice the store Faith was heading for until it was almost too late.
"FAITH! I can't go in there!" she almost screamed as they stood at the doorway.
"And why not?" Faith asked teasingly, raising an eyebrow.
"It's embarrassing!"
"It's a clothes store, so what if it's a place to buy risqué underwear… they have top quality dresses in there." Faith countered. She jerked a thumb at Shaw. "Ask Galadriel here."
"Alison, Faith is right. This store has plenty of nice dresses that are not embarrassing to wear. I was of a similar opinion when Faith first brought me here in April, but together I found a beautiful dress. Perhaps we can find one for you as well."
"Okay, I'll give it a shot. But no underwear shopping in here, Faith."
"Spoil my fun!" Faith pouted.
"You do remind me sometimes of Sharillon, Faith," Shaw cut in.
"How so?" Faith fell for the bait.
"No reason," she answered with a coy smile. She didn't answer when Sharillon beamed, //Thank you for the comparison!//
"The Spookie horse is still waiting. They must be inside the Mall. Scouts 1 and 2 move forward and remember, stay out of sight. Scouts 3 and 4, continue observing the horse."
"Understood."
Faith directed them toward the dress racks. Ali stood in front of them and was hesitant to look through them, in case it was one of Faith's pranks. She turned back to Faith and noticed at the front of the store were the same two guys from the diner, green suits and all.
"Hey Shaw?"
"Yes Alison?"
"Is it possible that we might've been followed from the diner?" she asked cautiously, stealing glances at the men in green.
"Hey, AJ. We're young and so good looking… wouldn't you follow us?" Faith interrupted, hearing Ali's question.
"Alison, if someone was at the diner, it is quite logical for them to be at the Mall, since it is the weekend. But if you are worried, then maybe we should check it out…" Shaw offered, sounding dubious.
"Thanks Shaw, but nah; it'll be okay. You're right. It makes sense for them to come to the Mall. I guess I'm just being paranoid." She sighed. "Comes from living on the Hellmouth."
"Paranoid? Embarrassed is more like it, Short Stuff."
"Shut up Faith!"
They slowly worked through the racks, putting aside any dresses that caught Alison's fancy before she went into the dressing room to try them on. One by one she modeled the dresses for the toughest critic there could ever be… Faith, who shot down every choice she'd made.
"Nah, it doesn't let you flaunt your assets properly."
"Dress is too long; doesn't show off your legs."
"Nope, not that one, neckline is too high."
After trying on the last dress that they had found, Ali went back through the racks in case she missed one. Her hands brushed against one dress and she hesitated on it. The material felt like cotton but with a bit of difference. The dress was a shade of pale pink, with spaghetti straps and an A-line skirt. Right next to it was the exact same dress in black. She pulled the hanger down and held the dress in front of her and it fell to just above her knees. Ali couldn't believe her luck, the dress was perfect!
"Wow! This is, this is so perfect! It's gorgeous," she exclaimed excitedly.
"Which color are you going to choose?" Faith asked.
"The black, pink is so not my color."
She pulled the tag out to check the size and that's when she noticed a problem. Within seconds, Ali's face dropped and she dropped the dress.
"Alison? What is wrong? Are you all right?" Shaw asked noticing Ali's distress.
Ali ran for the door and barreled straight into one of the men wearing green, knocking him to the floor.
"S-so so sorry," she apologized, holding her hand out to help him back up. "Sorry, my bad. Should've been watching where I was going."
"That's alright," he answered. <Oh no, what's happening? She's not supposed to be able to notice us. Need an excuse... ummm...>
He grabbed her hand and she struggled to help him back up.
"Could you direct me to the pet shop? I've lost my way..." he asked pitifully. <I hope that works, she must not know about us.>
"Yeah, sure. It's straight down there and it's the last shop on the right, just before the exit," Ali answered, pointing out the way.
"Thank you," he replied before walking off the way Ali had pointed. <That was too close. This mission shouldn't be this hard.>
Ali watched him go for a little while before finding a seat and sitting down. Looking at her hands, she couldn't believe her misfortune. <Something good is finally happening in my life, but I can't be really happy because life keeps kicking me when I'm down. I don't have enough to afford that dress! Why did I agree to come shopping with the others?>
Faith and Shaw exited the store with two bags in their hands. Seeing Ali moping, they headed toward her.
"Hey Short Stuff, why'd you run off?" Faith's voice asked, penetrating her thoughts and startling her out of her self-pity.
"It's so unfair!"
"What is AJ?"
"I really love that dress, but there is no way I can pay for that... I'm struggling to put food on the table and paying the bills and gas for my car for work!. I can't afford to buy a dress for a date."
That's when she noted the bags in the other girls' hands. <This bites. They can shop ‘til they drop yet I struggle to balance my grocery bill!>
"Cheer up Shorty... This is your lucky day!" Faith said, dropping the bags into Ali's hands.
"W-what?"
"What Faith is trying to say, and somewhat miserably at that, is that today is about us apologizing for locking you and Ted in the building. So we are treating you all day. Not just breakfast, but also everything else we are doing today. We have bought you the both the pink and black dresses." Her smile became somewhat mischievous. "Also, Faith bought a few little extras for you."
Alison stared at Faith. "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to wish I was so dead?"
Faith grinned. "'Cause you know me, girlfriend!"
Alison glanced at Shaw, who gave her a look that did have sympathy this time. "Welcome to my world."
Dale Evans strode through the Mall, pretending to look for the pet shop in case he was being watched, which he knew he was. The Target he had bumped into was definitely observant. Once he was sure he was out of sight of the targets, he made a dash to the exit. <How could I have been so clumsy? I've been doing this for far too long. Could it be because SHE is the one I have been looking for? To help me out of this mess?>
He approached the group watching the Spookie's car and walked to the commander. The look on the commander's face made Dale feels queasy and uneasy.
"Evans!" the Agent in charge snapped.
"Yes Sir!"
"Can you give us a report on the situation at hand?"
"Sir, the Spookies' first stop was Victoria's Secret. They helped Target 3 pick out some dresses. Target 3 left the store in tears, but Targets 1 and 2 bought the dresses she'd chosen," Dale answered, unsure on how the commander would react.
"Could you repeat that?" the commander asked amid chuckles and laughs from the other agents.
"They're shopping, Sir. Target 3 looks to have an upcoming date and she wants to look her best. It seems that Target 3 couldn't afford the dress and was upset in regards to the issue. Target 1 and 2 bought her the dresses. Target 3 seems different somehow."
"First a horse that pretends to be a car named after a horse, now three Spookies acting like human teenagers and going into Victoria's Secret. I'm not looking forward to writing that report. Archer, Maddens, continue tracking the Targets," the commander snapped in disbelief. He sighed as he watched the other two Agents run off.
"Evans, can you explain what you mean that Target 3 is different?"
"Well Sir, whereas Target 1 is definitely non-human, the ears being pointed and hidden by one of those Spookie illusions, Targets 2 and 3 are somewhat different to our usual Spookies. Target 2 would definitely be considered one. It looks like she may be possessed."
"You base your theory on a maybe?"
"Sir, there seems to be a girl inside of Target 2. I don't know whether it is a holy possession or if Target 2 might be a medium of some sort."
"Describe.."
Dale drew a deep breath, hesitant to continue since he knew his commander would have a problem with what he was about to describe.
"The spirit inside Target 2 looks to be that of a human female, approximately 19 to 21 years old, with Grecian or Mediterranean features, and is dressed in armor; that's the bit which tipped me off. The armor seems to be relatively old looking and it's either of Greek or Roman origin, like you'd see in the movies Ben Hur or Spartacus." His commander nodded; apparently he liked old movies. "Whereas Target 1 carries a sword hidden on its body, Target 2 doesn't seem to have any, neither does the girl inside."
The commander at Dale stared in disbelief. His best Agent was describing something he had never heard of before. If Spookies were somehow becoming a medium for spirits, they would be more dangerous than ever!
"And this Target 3. What can you tell me?"
"Target 3 doesn't seem to be a Spookie."
"WHAT?"
"Sir, all I could see was a shimmery image, which looked like armor, around the body. I would probably say that it's some kind of protection spell, but unfortunately I can't tell as of yet. Also, Target 3 bumped into me in the store and seemed to be able to follow me for some distance, as if she wasn't affected by the stealth technology woven into the suits."
"That's impossible, unless you're directly in front of the Spookie."
"Apparently it isn't, Sir. The stealth tech only affects those who are Spookies. If Target 3 can see past it then Target 3 is obviously not a Spookie," Evans countered reluctantly. "Although she's obviously associating with the other two. She may not even know they're not human."
"Agent Evans, take a break…" the commander mumbled.
"What Sir?" Dale couldn't believe his ears.
"You're dismissed. Return to base camp until you are called upon for tonight's duty."
"Yes Sir." With that, Dale Evans left to do as ordered, the sinking feeling in his stomach becoming worse by the minute.
Faith, Ali and Shaw headed the opposite way from where Shari was parked, heading further into the Mall. They passed several different shops, stopping every now and then to look at the goods placed on display in the windows.
"Hey Ali, do you need new shoes to go with the dress?" Faith inquired while looking at a pair of stilettos with three-inch heels.
"No Faith!" Ali moaned, not even going there. "And even if I did, those things would not be the shoes I would go for!"
"So lil Miss Tomboy has nice shoes?" Faith asked sweetly. She raised an eyebrow at the heels. "One thing, though; with those one you'd take a little of the ‘short' out of ‘Short Stuff.'"
Ali looked guilty as she confessed, "There was one pair I just couldn't get rid of. They belonged to Mom and she gave them to me about a week before she left. Best pair of shoes I've ever worn."
"Well, I'm going to cruise the music shop, you wanna?" Faith asked as they passed the food court.
"Nah, I'm going to the book store. Shaw?"
"I will look at the books too," she said with a smile at Ali. "That store plays its music as loud as the Bronze does. Besides, they might have the new Hastings or Tregarde novels."
"Spoil my party, I'll be back in 15."
"Meet you here then," Ali agreed as they split up.
"What the hell has gotten into Evans?" Maddens asked Archer.
"I don't know, but I can't believe he let a Spookie touch him. But what are we doing watching these Spookies? They don't act like they're dangerous," Archer replied, stopping to face Maddens.
"Even so, they may know where to find the dangerous kind. Just ‘cause these are acting like normal teenagers, we can't forget the mission we signed up for."
"But that was a while ago. These have been the only Spookies we've seen in years and they don't even act like Spookies." Archer glanced at the two in the bookstore again. "Even though Evans might be right about Short Stuff; she's got some kind of effect over her, but I don't see any Spookie traits like the other two."
Maddens shook his head. "Even though these ones are acting like normal humans, we can't forget that we have also gone up against those which want world domination. That was what we agreed to, protecting the innocent from menaces like those."
"Ummm, Maddens…"
"Yes Archer?"
"Can you see the third Spookie? There are two over in the bookstore but I can't get a visual on the third."
Archer and Maddens scanned the shops in front of them. Both were beginning to get very nervous as they couldn't find the subject of their search.
"This is your fault Archer!" Maddens hissed out.
"My fault? How do you figure that?"
"You took your eyes off the intended targets. So you get to tell the commander that we lost her."
"You did too. Hang on, can you still see two Spookies in the book store?"
"Yes."
"Good, got a visual on the third Spookie." He pointed at the girl with the warrior spirit inside of her, who was carrying a bag with the logo of a music chain. "She's coming from the music store. That might explain why Target 1's in the bookstore."
Maddens blinked. "How?"
"Can you imagine how hard rock and roll is on those ears?" Archer asked with a chuckle.
"Don't be stupid."
"Did you find anything interesting, girlfriends?" Faith asked as she snuck up behind the engrossed Ali and Shaw.
"Shit! Faith you scared me," Ali said as she jumped.
"There is one very big benefit from being half-elven," Shaw mentioned as she faced Faith.
"Oh yeah? What's that sis?"
"I heard you step on a candy wrapper two aisle away," she answered with a smirk.
"Smartass!"
After struggling with several bags, the girls made it out to Sharillon, who had shocked them by staying in the one place.
"Shotgun!" Ali yelled causing Faith to groan.
"Oh grow up!" Faith shot back.
"You're just jealous that I thought of it first."
"Darn tootin!"
"Suffer!" Ali said as she climbed into the front seat.
Once they were all in, Sharillon pulled out of the car park and headed towards Sun Cinema.
"Spookie horse is on the move. All targets are inside. Agents Evans and Mitchell are to tail from afar. And Evans…"
"Yes Sir?"
"Don't screw up."
The three girls settled into the cinema's seats and chatted while the previews were showing.
"So the other week… how far did you two go?" Faith asked since Ali hadn't spoken to them with many details about that night.
"WHAT?" Ali answered stunned. <Does she think I am a slut or something, sleeping with him as soon as we find we like each other? And in an abandoned warehouse?!?>
"Don't take it like that, AJ. Sheesh. I'm just asking if you two actually kissed… I know you wouldn't sleep with him just yet. I know you're still coming to terms with what Percy the Prick did to you."
"Well… yeah…" Ali admitted, blushing bright red. Luckily the lights had dimmed, saving Ali from being picked on relentlessly by Faith.
"So is he a good kisser?" Faith pried again as the movie began.
"How would I know? I've only been kissed by two guys…"
"Did you see fireworks?"
"Shhhhhh!!!!" the crowd hissed.
"Mm, yeah…" Ali felt her face flame in embarrassment.
"So was there tongue involved?" Faith asked cheekily.
"Shut up, we're trying to watch the movie!" someone yelled behind them.
Faith and Ali turned around to see who had yelled. A movement caught Ali's eye and she saw two of the guys in green sitting down not far from them. <Those guys again? Five rows back and to the left. Who are these guys!?>
"Just cause you're jealous that she's getting some and you're not…"
"FAITH!! How could you?" Ali blurted out. <How could she say that in front of everyone? Oh man I am NEVER going to live this down!>
"What? They don't know who you are Shortie… just go with the flow," Faith replied with a devil-may-care smile.
"Shaw, I'll meet you outside, I need to cool down," Ali said while standing up. As Ali was heading out of the cinema, she noticed that the two guys were not looking at the movie, but rather at Shaw and Faith.
"Spookie 3 has just left the cinema. I repeat, Spookie 3 has just left the cinema," Agent Evans called through quietly.
"Copy Evans. Maddens, keep an eye on her. Evans, Mitchell, continue surveillance on the other two Spookies."
"Confirmed," Evans replied.
"Wow! Did you see that?" Mitchell asked, eyes glued to the screen. Evans spun back towards the two he was monitoring and found their seats vacant.
"Mitchell!" Evans yelled. <Could my day get worse?>
"What?" Mitchell replied, barely shifting his gaze.
"You were supposed to keep an eye on them while I called through."
"Who?"
"The two Spookies… the ones we have been tailing all day long…"
"Oops! Sorry. It's just I really wanted to see this movie and well…"
"You can tell the commander that you are an imbecile!"
"Shhhhh!!!"
Faith and Shaw headed towards the lobby to find Ali waiting for them. She was eating a bag of mixed candies and smiling.
"Are you all right, Alison?" Shaw asked with concern.
"Yeah I'm fine. Faith shocked me that's all."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so electric!" Faith joked back.
"You can't anything seriously, can you?"
"Nope!"
"Why not?"
Faith's smile faded just a bit. "Grew up on the streets, that's why. But enough of ancient history. Let's
rock!"
The girls giggled and walked out of the lobby with Faith taking the lead.
"Hey, did you see those guys about five rows back and on our left?" Ali asked
"Someone's got a roving eye! Were they hot?"
"That's not what I meant. One of them was the guy I've seen all day… I think we're being followed, guys."
"Alison, I am sure we are not being followed. I have not noticed anyone following us. Maybe it is just a common face…" Shaw offered.
"Yeah, maybe." Alison wasn't so sure. "So where to now?"
"Back to Scottie's place to chill."
"But first a detour to your place, Alison. We need refreshments!" Shaw eagerly added.
"Cool, that means I can show Dad the dress and grab my shoes…"
Later that night
The girls were sitting in front of the TV surfing through the channels looking for something worthwhile. Finally they came to an agreement to watch a Leonardo DiCaprio marathon.
"I can't believe that they are showing This Boy's Life followed by Romeo+Juliet and Titanic," Ali said when she noticed the listing of the movies to come.
"Man, I never really liked This Boy's Life… something about that girl Pearl just bugged me," Faith said.
"No offence Faith but I would have thought that the story line would have upset you more," Ali replied back.
"Yeah well, bridge over that particular life. I've moved past it now, he can't touch me anymore."
They watched This Boy's Life in silence. It was the first time that Shaw had seen it but she had only made one comment about the whole thing.
"Faith, is the whole reason why Pearl ‘bugs' you based on the fact that she looks like you would have when you were younger?"
"Not a chance. No way would I have ever looked so dorky!"
It was part way through Romeo + Juliet when the girls decided to get something for dinner. Seeing that Ali had disappeared into the bathroom, Shaw and Faith decided to order pizza from their favorite delivery guy.
Romero's Pizza
"Romero's Pizza. Ted speaking."
"Studmuffin, it's Faith."
Ted muffled a groan as he heard the ever-hyper voice of Faith on the phone.
"What can I do for you Faith?" he asked.
"Hmmm, a number of things but I don't think AJ will approve. Anyways, speaking of AJ, she's over at Shaw's house with us… and we want details on where you are taking her tomorrow…"
"Is that the only reason you are calling?"
"Nope, we need munchies. Can you deliver us a couple of Meat Lovers' and whatever Ali usually has?" Faith ordered.
"Be there in about half an hour."
"Thanks Teddy Boy."
Hunter/Johansen household
"So who were you talking to?" Ali asked as she came out of the bathroom.
"Oh, just a certain hunk of yours. He's bringing around a couple of pies for us. And I told him we were going to talk about what he has planning to do with you," Faith replied with a smirk.
"You didn't…" she started watching the grinning Dark Slayer. "You wouldn't!"
"Alison, you do remember who you are talking about?" Shaw asked.
"Oh shit! You would! Faith how could you do that to me?" an embarrassed Ali asked.
"Hey, you obviously don't know me too well. Sure I tease but how often do I follow through with it?" Faith replied defensively.
"Not often I know. But still, I'm just so nervous about the whole date. I just want everything to be perfect, you know?"
"Yeah AJ, I know. For the first time in ages you can see things improving in your life. Just remember though, you now have a boyfriend but you had your friends longer. Don't forget us completely."
"Never Faith. I've been too long without friends, so I am not going to throw you guys away anytime soon," Ali reassured her, knowing exactly what Faith was talking about. Too many people tended to forget the ones who would be around to clean up the mess of a broken relationship.
They settled back to continue watching Romeo + Juliet but before long there was a knock on the door. Faith stood up to answer it and before she got more than five paces Ali dashed into one of the other rooms just to be on the safe side of Faith's teasing.
<Scaredy Ali,> she thought. Faith opened the door to let Ted come in. He was standing there with three pizzas, garlic bread, and a bottle of mineral water.
"Hey Faith, can I come inside to put these down or are you just going to take em and run?" he asked casually.
"Is that a hint that you want to come in and check out your girl?" she teased.
"Maybe."
"Sure come inside. Is this your last delivery for tonight?"
"Just about. When Cesar found out who I was delivering to, he gave me a little extra time," Ted answered as he followed Faith into the lounge room where Shaw was sitting.
"Hey Shaw, how are you?"
"I am fine Ted. How are you tonight?"
"Pretty good," he replied while looking for Ali.
"She's hiding in the other room, Pepperoni Boy," Faith informed him, pointing to the room Ali had run into.
"Hiding?"
"Yeah she's hiding in case we say something embarrassing to you about her."
He set down the pizzas and everything he was carrying and headed the way pointed out by Faith. He looked into the room and saw Ali sitting there with her head in her hands.
"Ali? Is anything wrong?" he asked, making her jump since she never heard him coming. She looked at him and smiled.
"Nothing's wrong Ted. It's just… I'm feeling really happy now and I fear it's all going to shatter. I think something is going to try to ruin it for me."
He walked over to her, and wrapped her in his arms.
"I know how you feel but the two of us, with our friends will, make this work. No one is going to take that away from us. But I really should be heading back to work. You know how Cesar can be…"
"Okay, I'll walk you out then."
Ali walked outside with Ted to say her private goodbyes. She walked far enough away from Shaw's front door that Faith wouldn't see what they were doing together.
"So I'll pick you up at your house at six?" Ted asked quietly.
"Sure thing," Ali replied, trying to hide her nervousness.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow Ali." Ted surprised Ali by kissing her on her lips before hopping into his car and driving off, before she knew what was happening.
Bemused and stunned, Ali stood in the middle of the road, grinning madly.
A sudden noise behind her snapped her back to her senses. Whirling around, Ali took a quick look at the interruption, instinctively half-going into an aikido stance. Standing in front of her was not the vampire she expected, to rather but two of the men in green that she had seen several times during the day.
"Who are you guys?"
"Please ma'am, you are required to come with us," one of them said.
"Like Hell I'd be caught dead going anywhere with you two."
One of them approached her and reached out to grab her arm, but she smacked his hand away. He tried again, this time with greater force, but Ali broke free of his grasp again.
"Don't you dare touch me!" she screeched while taking up her favorite aikido stance.
"Did you hear that?" Shaw asked Faith.
"Hear what sis?" She noticed how tense Shaw suddenly became.
"Alison."
As one of the men tried for her again, Ali struck, moving faster than she had ever thought she could. The first guy tried to catch her in his arms, but the petite woman dodged to her left. As his body stumbled forward and took up the space she'd just vacated, she brought her right leg up and drove the sole of her foot into the back of his knee with all the force she could muster.
The man fell to the ground with a pain-filled scream. The second man saw what happened and rushed to help his mate out. Ali noticed him coming and remembered her favorite Atemi move. She quickly struck out again and saw the second attacker move his arms out of the way but exposed his stomach. Using a simple Geri Waza, Ali managed to drop the second guy to the ground.
She moved quickly into a Gedan no Kamae version of the Hanmi. She watched as her attackers stood up and quickly surrounded her, more coming in to the fight than earlier. In her peripheral vision, she saw Faith and Shaw sneaking out behind them and slowly moving in to her rescue. Giving them time to reach her, she moved again, this time trying a roundhouse kick.
One of the attackers went down and crawled towards a vehicle. Concentrating on the problem at hand, she breathed a sigh of relief when the other two started.
"What took you guys so long?" she rasped out.
"Sorry AJ, but her Holiness here couldn't see who was attacking you…" Faith apologized as she threw a punch, which knocked one guy backwards ten feet.
"You couldn't see?" Ali asked in disbelief.
"Not until I came in closer to you. They must be able to shield themselves from me somehow. But why did it not affect you or Faith?" Shaw asked as she ducked a blow.
"I don't know Shaw, but these are the same fools I have seen following us all day," Ali answered as caught her breath. Looking around her, she noticed that every single attacker was out for the count.
"Back up. We need…" the agent who crawled to the car began calling into the microphone before he was knocked out.
Agent Dale Evans held his hand after the blow. He never really intended to knock out a fellow agent, but he needed the Spookies to stay safe for the moment. He needed their help and it wouldn't come if they were locked up.
He watched as the three girls looked around and headed back inside. When the door shut behind them, he quickly went to help his men up.
<She has to be the one…>
"You know AJ… for someone who doesn't work well under pressure, I think you just kicked some serious ass!"
"I think I did too! But who were those guys?" Ali asked again. She couldn't believe the rush she'd gotten from the adrenaline. < Is this how Shaw and Faith feel?>
"Rejects from a Robin Hood movie?" Faith suggested. "I'm going to check in with Boss Man, Alfred and Calendar Girl to see if they know of any groups who dress like that." <Other than Rob and Liam.>
The other two begin eating their pizza while Faith called in. They sat in comfortable silence while eating and watching the end of Titanic, although Shaw's eyes kept flicking around the room keeping watch.
"Hey Shorty, boss man wants a word with you…" Faith called out to them.
Ali quickly got up and rushed to the phone.
"Hello?"
"Alison, it's Steve. Faith was just telling me what had happened. Are you alright?"
"Hi Steve, I'm fine, just a little shaken, really. Do you know who would want to try that?"
"That's what I want to find out. I am concerned about why people would go after you without the others being around."
"Could be because I pose no threat…" Ali said weakly.
"That's not what I hear. I want you to tell me everything you can remember about these guys, okay?" he asked gently.
"Okay, well it went like this…" she said, filling him in on every detail she could remember.
"…There are two bits I don't understand though. Why couldn't Shaw see them until she was basically on top of them? The other is how the hell did I do so much damage?" Ali concluded.
"The answer to the first one is seriously, not sure. The second one, I believe I'll leave up to you to ask your two partners for tonight. I think Faith or Shaw knows the answer, I'll bet any money on it."
"Thank you Steve. So what do we do?"
"Sit tight, I'll be looking up what I can find out for you. But I am sending over Amy, Willow, and Oz just in case they decide to attack again. I was going to send in Cordelia but she's a little too preoccupied at the moment…" he said with a sly tone in his voice.
"I appreciate it Steve. I'll let the others know unless you want to talk to them?"
"I'll have a chat to Shaw, just want to know what happened from her side."
"I'll get her for you. Thanks again Steve," she said gratefully.
She walked back into the lounge room and saw Faith peering through the curtains. Shaw was still watching the whole room.
"Shaw, Steve wants to talk to you."
"Thank you, Alison," she replied as she stood to go into the kitchen.
Ali sat back down and looked around the room. She was still puzzled by Steve's answer that Faith or Shaw knew why she had done so much damage.
"Faith, just so you know… Amy, Willow, and Oz are coming over."
"Oh good. Backup!"
"The other thing is… do you know how I was able to fight that many people?" she asked curiously.
"Good learning?" Faith quipped.
"What are you hiding?"
"The fact is Alison, Faith was worried about you and so was I. So I cast a few protection spells on you so it would take more time for anyone to be able to overcome you in a fight. And if it took them longer to overcome you, then it gave us more time to reach you. I hope you are not mad at us…" Shaw explained as she walked back in the room.
"Although it does freak me a little for you to have cast some mojo over me… that was WAY wicked! I felt so alive afterwards…"
The others chuckled at her. She still was sitting with a look of awe on her face from what she accomplished.
"You know AJ, if it wasn't for you… Spockette here may not have been around," Faith said suddenly. She watched Ali closely since she could virtually see her brain ticking over in her head. Ali could see how there was some fright in Faith's eyes, and she already knew how Shaw worried about losing her home.
"Elven… that's it! Maybe that's why Shaw couldn't see them," Ali exclaimed suddenly.
"What do you mean Alison?" Shaw asked, tensing up.
"You said it yourself, somehow you were shielded from seeing them. The only difference really between you and us is that you are half ELVEN… and they were able to shield from your elven eyes," she stressed her point.
"You know what, Ladyhawke? Short Stuff may be onto something. I'll call Boss Man, Ali, to fill him in on your theory. Hopefully it helps with his search. Keep watch out the window since Shaw can't see them ‘til it's too late."
Ali moved to where Faith had just vacated. She sat near the window and glanced out of it every now and then. She could see that the bodies they had struck down were no longer on the road and that concerned her.
Moments later, Ali saw a few figures walking towards the door. Recognizing Willow, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Shaw, the cavalry has arrived…"
She watched Shaw as she went to open the door, and then backed her up in case there was a surprise attack.
"Hey Shaw, Ali. Where's Faith?" Willow asked as she came inside and moved aside for Amy and Oz to follow.
"Calling Steve again," Ali answered.
"Shaw, are you okay?" Amy fretted over her cousin.
"I am fine Amy. We all are."
"Good."
They walked back into the lounge room after Shaw had locked the door. By then Faith rejoined them and filled them in with Steve's comment that Alison may have been onto something with the elven theory.
"But who would want to take Shaw? I mean she's a good guy…" Ali asked.
"Some people do not react well with people who are different," Shaw answered. "One thing I am a little familiar is racism or those who view us as…"
"Test subject comes to mind," Faith bluntly added, making Ali shiver.
"I was thinking slaves, Faith," Shaw said dismally.
"Until Steve, Jenny, and Giles can figure it out, you are going to have to be extra careful. We don't even know for sure if Shaw is the intended victim. Ali, you were outside by yourself when they tried to get you to come with them," Amy concluded.
"So what are we doing for the rest of the night?" Ali asked.
"Dunno," Oz answered.
"We'll do what we were planning on doing anyways. Remember Vulcan girl has cable…" Faith answered.
Settling back down, the five girls outvoted the one male over what they were watching for the evening.
Meanwhile
Unknown location
"Sir, those Spookies just managed to wipe out two monitoring teams. Three little girls versus ten of us, and they cleaned the floor with us," Agent Maddens reported.
"If that is the case, bring them all in. These three Spookies are obviously a danger to society. I want them here by 2100-tomorrow night. Understand?"
"Sir, yes Sir!"