AUTHOR'S NOTE: This series was originally inspired by Ripe Wicked Plums'Buffy/Spike fic - Castaway.
Castaway can be found at -
http://dreamwater.net/dmarkedlove/castaway.html

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Giles’ expression changed. "Are you sure that a new slayer hasn’t been called?!" He paused and listened carefully to what his informant was saying. "No, that’s very curious. I agree. Thank you."

The watcher hung up the phone and went to his books to look up a locating spell.

……………………

Part 7 - Riley Returns

Quentin Travers sat down as the councilman popped the tape into the VCR. "I believe this is what you asked for."

The head watcher viewed the tape in silence. "Yes, very good. But it could do with some editing then we will show it to our slayer."

………………..

Giles arrived at the Summers’ home with a stack of books and some magic supplies. Seeing that the two witches were already there, he sighed with relief and took a seat.

Joyce came out from the kitchen. "Would you like to stay for dinner, Rupert?"

"Yes, thank you. I do need to speak with Buffy." The watcher turned toward Tara. "I also need some help from you and Willow."

The blonde witch nodded and headed upstairs to get the other girls. Mrs. Summers came in carrying a drink for Giles.

"Thank you." He accepted the drink, then smiled widely as the tiny monkey came in behind her carrying a tray with hors d'oeuvres. Mr. Peepers held it out, offering them both a stuffed mushroom. "Did he fix them too?"

"Goodness no. This was Willow’s idea. She wanted to put a bib on him like an apron and the rest sort of fell in place." The two adults chuckled as the monkey put the tray down and took a seat between them.

"He’s quite a character." Giles picked the monkey up and looked at him closely. He wanted to make sure that it didn’t look possessed. It seemed far brighter then it should be.

The monkey raised his eyebrows up and down a few times then stuck his fingers in the corners’ of his mouth pulling his lips into a silly wide grin before sticking out his tongue. The doorbell rang, distracting them. Giles set the monkey back down and watched with great amusement as the little creature followed Joyce to the door.

"Oh, Riley. Hello. Was Buffy expecting you?" Mrs. Summers gestured for him to come in.

"Yes. I dropped her off earlier and promised to come back after my meeting. Is she upstairs?" The soldier noticed the monkey with some annoyance. The tiny simian ran from the room shrieking.

"Yes. But she’ll be down in a moment. Giles is waiting for her." Joyce led him to the other room before heading back into the kitchen with Mr. Peepers.

"Hi." Riley gave a pleasant smile as he took a seat next to the watcher just then the two witches bounded down the stairs.

"Hi." Willow gave a wave before taking a seat. She grinned as the little monkey rushed from the kitchen carrying the platter again. "Tara said you needed to see us."

"Yes and Buffy too. We need to do a location spell. There are some unanswered questions involving Faith’s disappearance. I’m not so certain that she’s dead." The watcher sat forward accepting another stuffed mushroom from the monkey. "Thank you." He smiled as the monkey rushed over to Tara and Willow with the plate and held it out. Each of the witches took one, the little monkey glanced back at Riley and hesitated, before finally bringing the tray to him.

The farm boy glanced at the others uncomfortably as he shooed the monkey away. "It just doesn’t seem very hygienic." Mr. Peepers stuck out his tongue at Riley then headed back toward the kitchen. Joyce was calling him.

Riley peered over at the watcher. "Giles, I don’t think that you should tell Buffy anything until you’re certain. There’s no reason to make her anymore scattered then she already is."

Giles studied Riley carefully. "Perhaps you’re right." He turned back toward the witches. "Let’s wait until we’ve found out something concrete." They both exchanged a look, but nodded in agreement.

They became quiet as they heard Buffy coming down the stairs. "Hey, you wanted to see me?" The slayer eagerly took a seat on the other side of Giles. Confused by his sudden throat clearing, she glanced around at the others, but no one was talking.

"I haven’t found anything out yet." Giles removed his spectacles to clean them.

"Oh." Buffy seemed rather deflated. Coming quickly from the kitchen, Mr. Peepers appeared again with the hors d'oeuvres. "Awww… how cute. You and Tara bought him an apron." She picked the little monkey up and kissed him as she pulled him onto her lap.

"No, actually it’s a bib. His waist is too small for an apron." Tara explained, chuckling when the tiny monkey reached back and untied it. He handed it to Buffy to look at.

Riley watched the scene with some annoyance. "Buffy, you never did tell us how you ended up with him." He gestured to Mr. Peepers. The monkey clung tighter to Buffy.

"Faith caught him for me." Buffy lifted him and cooed. "Didn’t she? Dark haired mommy brought you home. Yes, she did." She gave him a kiss before placing him back down and heading for the kitchen.

Mr. Peepers and Riley looked at each other. The monkey screeched and ran over to Willow.

"That’s very strange. He seems afraid of you." Giles noted, slightly confused by the rather friendly simian’s reaction. "Huh?"

Mr. Peepers reached out and picked up a stuffed mushroom, flinging it at Riley. The soldier struggled with his sudden urge to violently strike the tiny monkey. Knowing Faith had given him to Buffy, didn’t make it any easier either, luckily the red head intervened.

"No!" Willow snatched him up and wagged her finger. "That was very naughty. You’re going to get a time out for that." She walked toward the stairs with her girlfriend following.

"He must need a nap." Tara suggested. The three disappeared upstairs.

Riley immediately walked toward the kitchen, wiping at his shirt. "Buffy, can I have a towel, please?"

"What happened?" Joyce came out, offering him a dishtowel.

"Nothing really. The monkey just got a little crazy and started throwing food around."

"Oh dear! I just had this carpet cleaned." Mrs. Summers scowled before turning to go back into the kitchen.

As soon as Buffy emerged, Riley trailed after her. "Buffy, can we have a moment?" He nodded his head toward the front door. "In private."

The little blonde let an exasperated sigh as she followed him out.

…………….

Faith lay on the mat, stretching as Quentin came in.

"As promised." The watcher held up the tape. "If you care to join me in the study, Faith, I think we have the proof that you need."

The brunette jumped to her feet, elated. She was going to get to see Buffy. Even if it was only a tape, it was something.

Faith lay on the mat, stretching as Quentin came in.

"As promised." The watcher held up the tape. "If you care to join me in the study, Faith, I think we have the proof that you need."

The brunette jumped to her feet, elated. She was going to get to see Buffy. Even if it was only a tape, it was something.

………………………..

Part 8 - Faith Sees the Tape

Eagerly the slayer took a seat. She turned and gave Quentin a look of gratitude. He merely nodded for them to start the tape. Faith sat back with a smile as the screen was filled with the scoobies and Buffy. The small slayer was holding Mr. Peepers and buying him an ice cream cone.

Faith could feel her eyes fill with tears as she watched the next scene with them at the park. *Buffy was okay!* She choked back her tears and glanced at the head watcher. "Thanks."

"Don’t mention it, Faith. I’m glad to see that Buffy being well and back with her friends makes you happy. That’s a sign of real progress. Perhaps if things continue to go this well, I may rethink my stance on Miss Summers." He stood up and removed the tape, handing it to Faith. "You may hang on to this. There’s a VCR in your room if you care to watch the rest."

Travers smiled as the young slayer raced from the room with the tape. He turned and looked at Smith who sneered.

"You cut out the part with the boy, didn’t you?!" The councilman angrily accused.

Quentin replied rather dryly. "I would watch your tone if I were you, Smith. Many on the Council were never quite convinced of your innocence in that last fiasco. I shouldn’t want to believe that you wish harm to either of the slayers."

Smith stammered, nervously. "Of course not. It’s just that the part with Miss Summers kissing that boy would have played well into our hands. Isn’t keeping them apart the plan?!"

"Not necessarily. Faith has changed quite a bit and for the better, I might add. So we must ask ourselves what could have inspired such a remarkable transformation." Quentin stood up to leave. "And of course, it always comes back to Miss Summers. Better our slayer is happy and hopeful. It will give her goals to work toward. Seeing Miss Summers again would still be the ultimate prize. That Mr. Smith is what gives us control and loyalty." With that Travers left to go prepare for their evening training.

……………..

Faith sat in her room, watching the tape over and over. Tears ran down her cheeks as she gazed at Buffy’s image. *Damn! I love you so much.* She traced Buffy’s lips on the screen, leaning her forehead against the tv.

The tape was so wonderful. It was all happy scenes. Although Faith knew Buffy well enough to sense the air of sadness about the other slayer. She perceived that as a possible good. *Maybe she misses me too.*

Faith rewound the tape and played it again. It was filled with images of the scoobies and Buffy doing all sorts of things… shopping, playing with Mr. Peepers, and having dinner with Mrs. Summers. One thing Faith couldn’t help but notice was the absence of Riley. She beamed when Quentin opened the door.

"Are you ready for a spot of training?"

"I’m your girl." Faith jumped to her feet and grabbed her jacket.

Smith stood in the doorway glaring at the group as they left with Faith. This wasn’t going at all the way he had intended. It was time for some active interference on his part. The councilman stormed out of the mansion, prepared to bring in assistance.

……………………

"Yes? What is it, Riley? You want to vent some more?" Buffy wearily took a seat. She was trying to be understanding and fair toward her former boyfriend, but it was becoming a greater struggle with each passing moment.

"No, that’s not it." He sat next to her on the porch swing and took her hand. "I want to tell you that I forgive you. And that I will wait for you to readjust to your life back in Sunnydale, because you will. You’ll adjust, Buffy. Maybe this thing with Faith was just a fluke. It doesn’t matter though. She’s gone, but I’m still here. I know you don’t want to be alone. You need somebody who loves and understands you, and I still do."

Riley forced back his guilt over deceiving the little slayer. She looked so broken-hearted when he mentioned that Faith was gone. But this was for the best, even if Faith was still alive, they didn’t belong together. Buffy belonged with someone who truly loved her and could take care of her like he would.

Buffy fought back her tears as she thought about the possibility of Faith really being gone forever. *No, Giles will find out!* She shoved at him and tried to stand. But the farm boy pulled her into his arms easily, she was sobbing too hard to fight him.

A creaking sound to his right caught his attention; he spun around to see Spike perched up against a tree, smoking.

The vampire pushed off and walked toward them. "You alright, slayer?" He tilted his head as he took in Buffy’s tear stained face.

"Get lost, Spike!" The Iowa boy growled fiercely.

Buffy couldn’t miss the venom in Riley’s tone. It surprised her slightly. She pulled away and looked toward the vampire. "Yes, I’m fine. Thanks." With that the slayer got up and went into the house. Leaving the two men standing on the porch glaring at one another.

………………

Willow took a seat next to Giles. "When do you want to do that spell?"

"Tomorrow." The watcher pushed the pile of books toward the little red head and sat back, wondering at all the strange behavior among the group. They obviously all knew something that he wasn’t privy to.

Willow took a seat next to Giles. "When do you want to do that spell?"

"Tomorrow." The watcher pushed the pile of books toward the little red head and sat back, wondering at all the strange behavior among the group. They obviously all knew something that he wasn’t privy to.

………………

Part 9 - Best Case Scenario

Spike came into the house and sat down. "Hi Joyce."

"Spike, what a pleasant surprise. Can I offer you a drink?" Mrs. Summers smiled, happy to have another guest. The house had been empty for far too long.

"Yes, that would be swell." He smirked as he noticed Riley’s scowl.

They both turned when they heard Buffy’s voice. She was coming downstairs, carrying her monkey. The little fellow was wearing the tiniest pair of pants rolled at the cuffs and a t-shirt that had written across it the words, Momma’s Boy.

Spike chuckled when he saw the monkey. "Fancy that… You’ve got a maternal side, slayer." He noticed Riley tense up and grinned. "Give him here." The vampire held out his arms, interested in having a closer look at the monkey.

Mr. Peepers gazed up at him wide-eyed. Spike smelled strange, compared to the others, but the monkey didn’t detect any malice so he went willingly into the vampire’s arms.

"Aww… would you look at that. He knows who he likes." Spike snickered when he noticed the animal’s apparent dislike for Riley. The little monkey was sitting in Spike’s lap, but constantly checking on Riley’s whereabouts. "It’s okay, little fellow. I don’t like Captain Cardboard either." The vamp whispered, laughingly.

Mr. Peepers climbed off Spike’s lap and headed for the kitchen. He returned carrying the plate of hors d'oeuvres, which he held out for Spike. The vampire was amused at how well trained Buffy had her pet. It made sense though. The slayer always kept everyone on a short leash. Spike reached for a stuffed mushroom, giving the monkey a pat on the head. "That a boy. Behave for your mum."

Riley watched with jealously. Perhaps he was going about this all wrong. If Spike was going to pretend to like the little pest, maybe he should too.

"Hey there, little fellow. I’ll take one of those." Riley gestured toward the tiny monkey’s serving tray.

Mr. Peepers looked at the farm boy and back at Spike who nodded, encouraging the little monkey’s mischief.

Mr. Peepers calmly went to Riley and poured the tray onto his lap. Spike roared with laughter as the soldier leapt up cursing.

"Slayer, where did you get such a fine animal?! I must have one." The bleach blonde held out his arms as the monkey ran to him.

Riley reached toward them, but Spike held him away. "You weren’t going to try and hurt him, were you?! Not a big ole boy scout, like yourself!"

The women had run into the room from the kitchen. "What’s going on in here?"

"The little guy tripped and dropped the tray and this ponce starts carrying on and scarin’ the poor fellow." Spike held the monkey protectively, glaring at the flustered soldier.

"Riley! I’m ashamed of you! He’s just a baby!" Buffy took the tiny monkey from the vampire. "Thanks Spike." She headed upstairs with the witches following.

Spike rocked back on his heels, gloating. He was going to have to bring that little animal a present. It gave him such a sense of satisfaction to watch Riley stand there and sputter.

"I’ve had it with you!" The farm boy reached for Spike, but Giles stood up between the two of them.

"That’s enough! You’re both acting like children!" The watcher turned and looked at Spike. "Shame on you for encouraging a simple-minded animal to misbehave." He glanced at Riley. "And shame on you for being so easily drawn in. I’m somewhat surprised at your lack of maturity, Riley. Now sit down and be quiet before I throw both of you out!"

The two rivals eyed at each as they took their seats.

…………….

Faith went through the factory, staking each vamp with minimal effort. Spinning her stake, she caught the last one and turned around grinning. One of the accompanying watchers marked down her score as they headed back toward the mansion. It was a controlled test so simple enough for the young slayer.

Faith glanced back at Quentin. "So Jeeves, were you serious about maybe letting me talk to Buffy soon? Cause if I do this right I can go back to Sunnydale, can’t I?"

Travers smiled as he answered. "The name is Quentin Travers. You may call me, Mr. Travers."

"Okay Q. As I was saying, you’re gonna let me go back if I agree to do everything your way, right?"

"I’m considering that option, Faith. However, best case scenario would be if you both worked for the Council again."

"No way, B would ever do it… unless you rehired Giles." Faith unsheathed her sword and hung it in the weapons cabinet. "Well, I’m pretty beat. Goodnight." The brunette raced off to her room to watch to tape of Buffy again.

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