psinex@yahoo.com Blood and Iron Chapter 4 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: Everyone here is Marvel's, except for Buffy and Co., who're 20th Century Fox's. Please don't sue. -------------------------------------------------------- Mass. Acad.: 9/9/2003: 19:00 hrs EDT: Quad: -------------------------------------------------------- "I'm telling you, he's got to be here," Buffy insisted to Ray. The sisters, with a nervous-looking Nate and a frowning Erik, sat in casual gear on one of the benches in the quad, waiting for Buffy's promised visitor. "You never told us he was a vampire," Erik frowned. "Who cares ?" Nate mumbled, rising. He tromped off, looking at the ground and sighing. "He's really taking the news about Steve hard," Ray gulped. "Who wouldn't ? Stevie's in Sinister's clutches," Buffy said, shivering. "We have to do something, but -" "'YOU KIDS don't have to do anything,'" Erik said in a contempt-laced imitation of Scott. "'WE'LL find Steve.' Bull. Like I couldn't -" "You missed me," a laughing voice called. Erik jumped out of his seat, yelling, as Angel strode around the bench and sat beside Buffy with a smile. "Damnit, don't DO that !" Erik yelled, blue energy crackling around him. "Down, magnet boy," Ray muttered, dragging Erik away from Buffy and Angel. "I've talked to some of my ... associates," Angel said. "They know people who know the Marauders - Sinister's not unknown to the vampiric community. I don't like hanging with the old crowd, but they do keep abreast of the world's assassins." His face twisted in contempt, and he added, "Sort of like the crows keeping track of predators - a free meal's guaranteed." Buffy tried to keep the fear from her voice as she said, "Thanks. My mom and dad can only do so much." She looked at Angel and added, "You're here for more than just Steve, aren't you ?" "Yes," Angel said gently. He caressed Buffy's cheek with one hand, drawing a blush from her. "You've grown up," the vampire smiled. "Well ..." Buffy said, trying not to giggle. #For a much older dead guy, he is HOT !# she thought. "And with your growth, vampirekind will begin to take notice," Angel said sadly. "You're a nascent Slayer, Buffy. You're going to draw all sorts of unpleasant attention. I've talked to Giles - I'd like to try and help you train, give you pointers on handling the undead." #YESYESYES !!!# Buffy thought. She merely shrugged and said, "If you want. What about Ms. Frost and Mr. Cassidy ?" Angel smiled and said, "Sean Cassidy and I ... we know each other. And Emma's so love-sotted with Giles that she'll do anything he asks. We'll start tomorrow night." He gave Buffy a peck on the cheek and walked into the woods, while Buffy sighed. #Hope he doesn't see me as a little sister,# she prayed ... -------------------------------------------------------- "Shhh." Image of a net being thrown over Frank. "Well, Leech DOES think that'd be funny. But Leech thinks it's more likely he'll laugh at the pail." SPLOOOOSH ! "AAUGH !" Image of Frank, steam coming out of his ears. "Uh-oh ..." -------------------------------------------------------- "What the - " Nate, Leong, and Lew ducked fast as a pshockwave of telekinetic energy raced down the boys' dorm hallway towards them. "WHUT TH' HELL WAS THAT !?" Lew yelled. Nate winced as a dripping, fuming Frank Richards stomped past them, clad in shorts and sandals. "I was going to the POOL to get wet, thank you," he muttered, sighing as he looked at the damage to the bathroom his TK-pulse had caused. "You turned it into a desert ..." Nate gulped, seeing sand drift in and out of the pocket reality. Frank concentrated, and the bathroom reverted to what it had been. "Make sure Mr. C checks the plumbing," Frank pouted. -------------------------------------------------------- Girls' Dorm: -------------------------------------------------------- "Gwen, you have that math assignment ?" Gwen Parker looked up from her diary and smiled distractedly at Nga, Claudette, Nicole and Naomi's study group on the other bed. "Sorry," Gwen shrugged. "I did it in study hall - the sheet's already in Ms. Frost's office." "Those brains must be nice to have," Naomi smiled at her roommate. "Let me guess - you're so terribly concerned over your bluegrass collection, you're not eating right," Nicole sniffed. "That was weak, Nicky," Claud pouted. "Yeah," Luna called, running in with snacks. "We all oughta try to get along - " "AAAUGH ! CLICHE ALERT !!" Nga shrieked. The girls broke into giggles, and Nicole offered Gwen a cupcake. "Sorry. I get a little bitchy on an empty stomach," Nicole said. "No mprobm - theshe are GREAT," Gwen said. Ray entered, beaming, and said, "The rhubarb filling's OK ?" "Rhubarb !? Sugah, ya jes' made a friend f'r life," Naomi grinned. "Ah ain't had rhubarb anythin' since ah was at home. Ya cook often ?" "Only when ... I'm bummed," Ray sighed. She sat in a chair Naomi offered her and let Buffy give her a pat on the shoulder. "Mom and Dad'll find him," Buffy said. "Don't ever give up, Ray," Nga added. "Leong and I barely got away from the Marauders years ago, but we did it with help from Illyana and Shan. Steve's got tons of X-Men looking for him." "You're right," Ray smiled faintly. "It's just been so long - Naomi ? What's wrong ?" Naomi looked around, then glowered and asked, "Anyone seen mah comb ? Gold an' silver-colored ..." "No clue," Gwen shrugged. "This stinks," Claud frowned. "I've been missing a hairpin from my room that Granmere gave me." "A thief ... ?" Ray asked. The girls looked at each other, but Luna frowned and said, "That's silly. We've talked - we know each other pretty well now !" "AAUGH ! EEK ! AH KNOW WHAT'S TAKIN' STUFF !!" Naomi screamed. The girls yelled as a sudden downpour filled the room, and lightning struck at one of the corners. "POWER DOWN !" Ray yelled. The storm vanished, leaving a blushing Naomi to hold up a very dead mouse. "EWWW ..." Luna moaned. "That is SO grotty," Claud winced. Sarah just took the mouse and dropped it in a plastic bag. "Babies," she muttered, pinning the bag shut with a bone. "It's just a MOUSE." She left, while the others traded looks. Finally, Luna whispered, "If she's not afraid of a mouse, what DOES scare her ... ?" -------------------------------------------------------- NEXT: Truth or Dare !! -------------------------------------------------------- end _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com