Disclaimer in part 1.
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Giles wasn’t sure when he became suspicious. Certainly before Willow’s announcement. But after Cordelia left. He hadn’t mentioned his concerns to the others. At first, in case they were unfounded. Then, he wanted them gone. Where they would be safe from this new danger. Until he found it’s cause. So, he allowed his unknown and unseen enemy to continue to plot. And manipulate. He had been interested in how he would dispose of Xander:
“Hey Giles.” The young man stood near the library counter. He attempted to look calm, but the librarian knew something was wrong. He wasn’t making any wise cracks. Besides, they were overdue for the next phase of the plot against them.
“Xander. Is something wrong?”
“No. Not really.” How to continue. “The thing is, my folks sprung a surprise on me last night. Some distant relative died, and left me some money. Only a couple of thousand.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sorry about the relative, but it was kind of them to leave you the money.”
“Yeah. Only, it’s not exactly money. It’s a ticket. On a plane. To Europe.”
“Oh.” He was disappointed. This was too obvious. “Why such an unusual legacy?”
“According to my folks, this guy always wanted to travel. To see the world. Only he got stuck running the family business. Never went anywhere. So, in his will, he divided his money among all the young male relatives, but stipulated that it had to go towards holidays.”
“Quite an, um, unusual relative.”
“Yeah, Dad said he was weird. His whole house was covered with travel posters.”
Perhaps not as obvious as he thought. Or a coincidence? “I’m still not sure where the problem is.”
“I have to be back before school starts. My folks won’t let me miss any classes. They expect at least a couple of ‘C’s this year.”
“Then you’ll have to leave immediately. A-and you’ll be able to see Cordelia while you’re there.”
“What about you? What about Buffy?”
Giles couldn’t help the smile coming to his face. “Xander, what you all seem to forget is that I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself. Have done for several years in fact. As for Buffy. I have faith in her. She will return. When she’s ready. In the meantime, Willow is still researching. A-and Oz is searching while his band is touring. There is nothing more any of us can do.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m sure. In fact, I insist on it.” How else was he to find out what his enemy was up to?
Everything was in place. The boy was leaving in two days’ time. Then his enemy would be alone. Completely vulnerable. And completely unsuspecting.
He’d researched long into the boy’s life. Looking for the angle. The right approach. He had been the hardest to dispose of. It was only through a genealogy search that he had found the eccentric relative. And his will. Oh, that wonderful will. A quick visit to discuss the latest travel options, a few drops in his drink, and the old fellow was making the greatest journey of all.
“Ah, Ripper. You would have been proud of me, once. Now, all you feel for me is disdain. But soon, that will change. It will be terror. And awe. At my brilliance. This will end our argument completely. I am the better man. And the most superior brain. Too bad I have to destroy you to prove it.” Ethan felt a pang of, well, not conscience. Regret, perhaps? Then shrugged it off. And began to hum.