Too Sweet







Xander walked into the 5-0 headquarters and groaned when everyone stared at him.  "Need my cousin."

"He's off today.  His knee is cranked," Kono said, looking him over.  "Big problems with the kids?"

"About ready to beat my boyfriend to death," he muttered.

She gave him a strange look.  "Is he being bad to you?"

"He's....  If I was a delicate Southern belle, he'd be good."

She snorted, shaking her head.  "You?"

"Yeah.  He's very...sweet.  And nice.  And delicate."  He shook his head quickly.  "He thought I shouldn't have to go take out a demon yesterday."

"Yeah," Steve said from the doorway, lounging in it.  "Want someone to talk to him?"

"I tried.  His brother tried.  He still insists that I'm *delicate*.  He treated me better than I've treated some of the pregnant slayers.  He held my hand last night during a movie at the house.  And insisted on the boys praying last night before bed.  Which meant we had a fight.  Dawn accidentally stepped into that one to complain about Hannibal.  He told her girls should be overprotected because they're *delicate*.  Which meant I looked at him and asked if he thought I had a pussy.  He got horrified and stomped off."  He popped his neck.  "The last four months has been interesting but.... Hannibal and I had a long drink together last night on the patio with Dawn.  He suggested I show William how I stripped on my roadtrip."

"You should introduce him to some of your other ex's," Chin said.  "The ones who've seen you in action."

"He knows most of them.  Told them I was retired now."

"Want me to talk to him?" Kono asked.

"He'd treat you like you were some silly little girl too.  Just like he does Dawn," Xander said.  "Which led to our second fight.  She was yelling at him about having more field and demon experience than he did and she was going to be at the battle the other day.  He told her Hannibal should be doing it for her.  I told him Dawn was going and he could sit on the couch and watch soaps since he had not a clue what was going to happen.  He showed up to supposedly help.  He complained I had a sword."

"I complained you had a sword," Steve quipped. "You should've used something bigger."

"It needed a sword.  My axe wouldn't have dented it, too much silver and that sucker was tough-skinned."  Steve nodded he remembered.  "When that visiting one showed up he tried to tell me to let Hannibal and him handle it."

"I saw you two arguing," Steve said.

"Yeah, over me handling it and making him go vacation in another part of the US.  I was only going to talk to him!"

"I know."  He stared at him.  "Let's have a team dinner, guys.  Xander, bring your boyfriend?"

"Can Danny have one of his fits?"

"Yes.  He can," Steve assured him with a grin.  "He's been pissed off about that."

"Thank you."  He patted him.  "If he feels I hugged you he'll start another fight.  Which means I'll end up punching him.  I don't want to be the abusive spouse."  He walked off to get something to eat.

"I've never pictured Xander as a delicate sort," Chin said.  He called Danny.  "Team dinner on Steve's beach," he said in greeting.  "Us, Xander and his boyfriend....  Yeah, him."  He laughed.  "That's what he was saying.  Feel better."  He hung up.  "He called him a woose."

Steve nodded.  "I agree.  Xander needs someone tougher.  Someone who can fight beside him, not with him."  He stared at Chin.  "Find that video someone sent me."  He walked off.

Chin and Kono went looking for that DVD.

***

Steve let Xander and his boyfriend in, smiling when they took off their shoes at the doorway.  "Someone sent me film of you for your dossier.  Tell me when it was?"

"Sure," Xander agreed, following him to the living room with his boyfriend.  Steve started the film and he grimaced.  "Must've been my first trip through Kenya.  I lost that shirt in a fire-fight right after that."  He tipped his head.  "Considering I had a fractured leg and collarbone, not bad."

"Xander, you're using a sword," his boyfriend complained.

Xander looked at him and nodded.  "Yeah, I am.  I used one a lot.  You'd be surprised at how many things took beheading.  Hell, when the SEALS were sent to take me out, I used a sword on the ones I attacked of them.  Then I trapped them."  He shrugged and went back to watching.  "Not my best effort.  I was tired.  And that's Tigres.  So that's my second day in Kenya.  A month into my trip."

Steve nodded.  "You were that injured?"

"Yeah.  A week earlier I had been in a bigger battle with a demon that tried to turn me into goo.  He's the one that pounded me into the building that fractured those and nearly severed my wrist.  The leather wristband was more function to hold the bandage in place and hide it."  Steve nodded, picking his hand up to look at the scars.  "I did what I could to make it heal quickly and cleanly."

"You did a great job.  There's barely a scar."  He let his wrist go.  Xander's boyfriend was still giving them an incredulous look.  Steve smirked.  "I'm one of the SEALS that got sent to take him out.  We ended up trapped because a well known terrorist came for him to get him on his side.  So we had a three-sided fight and Xander let us handle the terrorist while he handled what the terrorist had been worried about.  We got trapped there."

Xander nodded.  "It was pure bullshit luck too."

"Who has the boys?" Steve asked.

"They're in Lihue with Jo and the minis.  She needed some insanity this weekend."  He grinned.  "They're celebrating their first year anniversary there and wanted the boys to cuddle."

"Your boys are going to bite you," Chin offered, handing Xander a beer.  "They still run from cuddles from everyone but Kono."

"She's pretty and Frank has *such* a crush," Xander countered with a grin.  "Roque is plotting how to trap those two together."

Chin smiled.  "If he was older I might not mind."  He nodded at Xander's boyfriend.  "So when was that, brah?"

"First trip in Kenya.  About a month after I got to Africa.  Not too bad considering I was nursing two fractures and limping."  He sipped his beer.  Then he looked at it and then at Steve.  "You bought girl beer?"

"Shut up," Steve complained.

Xander grinned.  "That's it, I'm buying you a stout kit."

"I heard you bought a beer making system," Steve said.  "How is it?"

"Not bad.  I'm gifting my first production run to Danny."  He looked around.  "He napping off his knee?"

"On the back porch with Grace."  They headed that way.

"Where's my cousins?" Grace complained, scowling at him.

"Lihue.  The girls wanted them more."  He gave her a hug.  "How was school?"

"Much nicer.  The new science teacher is a lot nicer.  She's very smart."

Xander grinned.  "Good."  He kissed her on the head.  "What else did you do today?"

"One of the girls in school was complaining that she's getting boobs."

"You're a bit young," Rachel complained.

"There's been stories all over the internet of girls getting it earlier and earlier.  Some people blame unnatural foods, some blame obesity," Xander said, sitting down near Grace.  "Were you supportive?  That time is really confusing and a lot of kids get angry at everything, including their bodies."

"Boys don't grow boobs," Grace told him.

"We go through a similar process, Gracie.  We don't get boobs but we get other things."

"Oh."  She stared at her mother, who nodded even though she looked upset.  "When do I have to get mad at my body?"

"I didn't get it until I was fourteen."

Xander shook his head.  "They're saying that the girls who have it happen, it just stretches it out.  They still get their later girl things at the teenage years.  Though I have heard stories of eleven-year-olds having kids," he said quietly.

"Who would...."

"Boys," Xander reminded her before she got started.  "Their age, or older boys.  And a lot of them are born due to the King of Parties, Budweiser."

Rachel grimaced.  "That's sad."

"Yeah.  It is," Xander agreed.  "And she's nine?"

Rachel swallowed some of her iced tea.  "It's about time to have that talk with her," she agreed.

Danny flopped down next to Xander.  "I talked to one of the guys in my old squad.  Remember Charlie?"

"Redheaded guy?  Looked like a redheaded Santa?" Grace asked.

"Yup, him.  His daughter Megan just found out she is pregnant.  Boyfriend just a year older.  Went to a party he didn't know about.  Found out the other day in gym class when she collapsed due to 'gas pains'."

"Isn't she...  Thirteen?" Rachel asked.  Danny shook his head and pointed down.  "Twelve?"

"For another six months."

Rachel shuddered.  "We'll talk about that later girl stuff this weekend, Gracie."  Danny gave her a pointed look.  "Together with your father."  Danny grinned.

Xander hugged her.  "Remember, if you have questions, you can ask one of us.  Even me."

"I can do that."  She punched him on the arm.  "Where's your boyfriend who treats you like a girl?"

Xander pointed behind him.  "Who told you that?" Rachel asked quietly.

Gracie snorted and looked at her mother.  "Oh, please!  I watched them shopping for the boys when we were getting me a new school uniform, Mom.  He was opening doors, had a hand on Xander's lower back, all that stuff I've seen boys do for their girlfriends.  I even saw him get horrified when Xander holy water sprayed the demon trying to hump his car like the dog does the tree out back."

Xander nodded.  "I did holy water spray him.  It got him off the bumper."  He shook his head and took a sip of his beer.  "I hope some day a boy or girl treats you with respect and love, Gracie.  I really do, and I hope it doesn't take you too long to find him or her."

"You're so silly."  She pinched him on the leg with an evil smirk.  "I'm going to find one of those elves in LA and date them."  She hopped up.  "Let me get some water."  She ran off.

Xander shrugged.  "I haven't heard that they're *bad*," he admitted.  "Connor said they're kinda uptight though.  Apparently they hate miniskirts and anything that shows flesh from between the shoulders to the knees."

"That might not be so bad then," Danny admitted.  Rachel scowled.  "You want her flashing it?"

"No!"  She sipped her tea.  "She'll be fine.  We'll make sure she grows up into a good, strong woman.  One who can defend herself and others if she must but isn't going to start hunting."

"She's not, she has no reason to hunt," Xander agreed.  "Watching me and Dawn hunt and get injured has made sure she doesn't want to do it unless it's *really* necessary.  She has asked me what would happen if she's older and there's an apocalypse battle like the one they had on the news the other day.  I told her if that was going to happen and she felt she absolutely had to jump in, to come to me and I'd give her enough lessons on how to get through something like that and help.  Then I suggested that people like nurses and doctors helped in other ways without having to fight."

Rachel smiled.  "I could adore her being a doctor and that is a very good idea, Xander."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Thank you."  She got up and went to find her daughter to talk to her about that.

Danny and Xander shared a look and Xander shrugged.  "She needs self-defense training anyway.  She's going to need a few good bats to get the boys off her ass when she's older."

"Yeah, I did make a pretty girl," Danny said with a grin.  He relaxed.  "When was that?"

"Kenya.  First trip."

"Huh."  He took Xander's beer to drink.  "Thanks."

"Welcome.  I'm giving you a present from the house soon."

Danny grinned.  "Can't wait to taste that."  He got comfortable and elevated his sore leg, propping it up on a table to rest his knee.

"Danny, lower than your hip or it can lock," Xander said quietly.  Danny shifted things so his leg was lower than his hip.  Xander grinned.  "The boys were absolute bastards so they're in Lihue getting mob-cuddled."

Danny cackled, punching him on the arm.  "That's so mean, Xander.  Did Jake get to bring some of his favorite vines to plant?"

"Nah.  We're hiding that plant."  He settled in, taking the bottle of water from Stan.  "Thanks."

"Welcome, Xander.  Must we really talk to her about such matters?"

"You'd rather she decided to find out on her own?" Xander asked.  "Considering she was using my computer to look up something that one of her older classmates mentioned?"  Stan shuddered.  Danny gave him a curious look.  "She mentioned playing pony games in a book she was reading," Xander said dryly.  "Grace wasn't sure what sort of trick riding it was."  He sipped his water.

"Yeah," Danny said, heaving himself up and going in to talk to her about that.  Rachel had apparently heard.

Steve looked over from the grill.  "You don't have blockers on your computer?"

"Not even Jake can get online, Steve.  Beyond that, since they still have their last memories I'm pretty sure he doesn't need to look that stuff up to see what it is."

Steve shook his head.  "Probably not, no."   He went back to grilling.  "Xander, I put you on a pork chop.  The rest of us are having tuna."

"Thanks, man.  It's creepy that the taint crept up again."

Steve nodded.  "It was."  He smiled as Grace ran out and went to hide.  "We'll leave you alone and talk later, Gracie."

"Thank you, Uncle Steve," she called from her hiding spot.

Xander cleared his throat.  "From this vantage point, we can see your back.  It's very bright.  Go up the tree."  He pointed.  "To the back side."  She grinned at him and moved to climb it.  Xander got up and helped her.  She scrambled up once she caught the bottom branch.

Steve looked.  "She's good at that."

"He taught 'er," Danny quipped, coming back out.  He looked up.  "The pink fits in really well up there."  Xander grinned at him.  Danny punched him on the arm.  Xander hissed and winced.  "For not telling me too."

"Yay."

Xander's boyfriend scowled at him.  "Don't bruise him."  He looked at it.  "Are you okay?"

Xander looked at him.  "I've had worse than that from him when we were wrestling and I was twelve, William.  I'm *really* tough and nearly immortal.  If I could survive Russia with the flu, I can survive us getting into cousin wrestling matches."

"Still, it's going to bruise."

Xander looked at his arm then at him.  "You've seen how many of my scars?"

"That's in the past," William said firmly.

Xander snorted and shook his head.  "No it's not.  Hate to say it but Hawaii still has a dragon problem and a lot of other ones that I have to help with.  That's why I got retired out here."  He drained his water.  "Danny, want another girly beer?"

"Please."  He drained his beer and handed over the bottle.  Xander took it to throw out.  He looked at his cousin's boyfriend.  "That sort of thing pisses Xander off to no end.  I tried it once.  He about killed my dumb ass."  William stomped off.  Danny stared at his back.  Maybe he had to have a boyfriend discussion.  He heard Xander yell 'who is it' and headed for the front door with Steve.  They blew the door in and rushed in.

"Freeze," Steve shouted, pulling his gun.  They sent a gas grenade at him and knocked him out.  By the time he came to, regular PD was arriving.  Danny and Xander were missing.  Grace was crying.  Steve made himself get up.  "Any idea who they were?" he demanded.

Rachel handed over a note.  "They left it."  She went back to cuddling her daughter.  "You know Uncle Steve and his team won't let them keep Danno or Xander," she soothed.  "If anything, Xander will probably beat them to death."  Grace nodded, resting against her shoulder.  "Steve?"

"Go to the house, Rachel.  Make sure it's safe."  He looked at Stan.  Who nodded he'd help.  Steve read the note and growled.  "At least it's not blood hunters," he muttered, heading to get his weapons.  Kono and Chin were gathering their things too.  He showed them the note.

"You have to rescue Xander," William said frantically.

Kono stared at him.  "William, the people who did this?  Xander defeated their first boss.  Twice.  The second time he killed them and the guards."  William shuddered.  "We might not get a chance to rescue them.  Xander might do it for us."  He stomped off.  "Damn that's annoying," she complained.

"Yes it is," Steve said.  "We'll have a talk later."  She gave him an evil smirk.  So did Chin.  "Let's go, people."  They rushed out.  They had to find Danny and Xander before Xander made a huge damn mess on their island.

Why would they think Xander had access to some mythical treasure?  Even if he did, why would Steve know where it is and have access?

***

Dawn strolled into the office, holding up a bag.  "This treasure?"  They all paused to stare at her.  "Lavelle found it.  He hid it from everyone in a certain hunter's lockbox."  She tossed it to Steve.  "If it's not that I have no idea what it is.  Hannibal's confused too.  He's never heard of it."  She looked at the note then groaned.  "He tried to take the slayer in Kenya hostage too.  She castrated someone getting free."  She called Buffy.  "I need the reports on when the Kenyan slayer had to get herself free recently.  They've decided to take Xander hostage with his cousin to get some sort of mystical treasure."  She nodded.  "That's Steve's email, yeah.  Thanks, Buffy.  Hell no, this is Xander we're talking about.  We're going to rush in and pick up the pieces."

"She should meet Xander's boyfriend," Chin quipped.  "They think about Xander the same way."

Dawn said that and laughed, smiling at him.  "Buffy said she knows Xander's tougher than William thinks and acts.  After all, he put up with twenty girls with PMS at once and no chocolate or midol in the house.  That's when the midol altar started."  She hung up.  "Give her five to pull it up, Steve."  He nodded, going to log in and check his email.

Kono looked in the bag.  "Where did this come from?"

"One of the dragons found it hidden by a volcano underneath a buried ancient body.  It dug it up," Dawn said, pulling up the newspaper article she had seen at the college.

Kono grimaced.  "Yummy.  Ancient dead skeletons."

"Well, I guess if you're an archeologist or something like that, they might be," Dawn quipped.  She grinned.  "Which one do you think will lose their temper first?  I know if they touch Danny Xander will lose it."

"Probably him," Chin decided.  "Can you do a location spell?"

"Already tried.  Closest I could get was the west end of Oahu."

"That's a whole lot of area," Steve complained, coming out with the email.

"Sorry.  It's blocked somehow.  It could be that there's a native shrine or some other protected building there.  It could be that they're near another magic user and he's protected his area so no one can find him or her.  I've sure as hell hidden my apartment, Xander's house, and a few other places where I might have to hide.  Including your house, Steve."  Steve smiled at her for that.

Kono looked up a number and called.  She could learn to be a Xander instead of Steve's protege today.  "Franklin, Kono.  Someone has Danno and Xander hostage to get some mystical treasure.  West Oahu.  Any idea?"  She listened, making notes.  "No, it's the same people that attacked a slayer in Kenya.  Apparently Xander took out their leader a few years back."  She made another note, scratching one out.  "That does help.  Let us know if you hear something?  Thank you."  She hung up and slid the note over.  "We have it narrowed to the south-west side of Oahu."

"Little bit smaller area," Steve decided.  He looked at the map up on the wall.  "There shouldn't be anything protected there."

Dawn cleared her throat.  "I know this spot is but he's not there.  It's too far inland.  That's the demon school."  Steve nodded, making a note on the map.  She circled an area.  "I felt him around here but couldn't pinpoint."

Steve looked.  "Let's start here," he decided, pointing at an area.  "There's an old factory there that's closed."  They nodded.  "Dawn, stay on call?"

"Sure."  She strolled out, going to tell Hannibal.

***

Xander looked up as Steve walked into the warehouse carefully.  He was still hanging by his wrists and looked like shit but there were a few dead bodies around him.  "Danny's in the back room."  He nodded his head.  "Please pick the locks?  I've gotta pee.  I've been thinking about it too long."

"Sure," Steve said calmly.  "Any of them left?"

"Maybe the ones that went for Danny.  I killed all these ones."  He got let down and went to pee.  "Oops, I missed one."  Before they could move the guy screamed and then Chin and Kono winced at the sound of snapping bones.  The guy wailed and tried to crawl at Steve.  "Have fun with him.  He's the new leader after the last one left life."  He went to the bathroom and closed the door without a slam.

Steve looked at him.  "Cuff him and get a bus."  He moved to find Danny.  He was alone.  "Did you kill them?"

"No, they ran when Xander killed their people.  Went out the window to avoid him."  Steve got him undone.  "Where is he?"

"Peeing."

Danny nodded, going to check on him.  He forced his way into the bathroom, looking Xander over.  "I don't want you to ever do that again," he warned.  "You do not take torture for me."

"I've had worse on a date," he sighed, looking at him.  Danny hugged him.  "Let me wash my hands."  He did that and hugged him back.  "Thanks, Danny," he said quietly.

"Welcome.  Still, giving me ulcers, Xander."

"Sorry!"  He grinned.  "At least you don't have to do any paperwork this time."  He zipped his pants up and they walked out together.  One of the paramedics rushed his way then paused and stared at him.  "Butterflies please?  Maybe some neosporin?"

"We can take you to the ER," the paramedic offered.  There were rumors that this one was like McGarrett - you didn't get him to the ER short of something life threatening and only if they didn't think they could home-treat or were unconscious.  Or if Detective Williams nagged them enough.

Xander snorted.  "Please!  I've had worse on dates while I was the bush in Africa."  They got him bandaged and checked Danny over.  "No, he's fine.  I made sure."

Steve looked at him.  "You made sure?" he asked calmly and quietly.

Xander nodded.  "Because I'd have to kill them harder if they touched my cousin."  They shared a look.  Steve nodded, patting him on the shoulder.  Xander winced and hissed but the paramedic handed him an ice pack.  "Thanks, man."  He saw his boyfriend having a hissy fit and sighed.  "Shit," he muttered.

Steve looked back and nodded.  "No being on the crime scene!" he yelled.  The PD guys helping clean up the mess moved William back.  "He's fine."  He looked at Danny.  "Any clues?"

"Some mystical Cross of Cortez or something that got hidden here by someone who found it in Florida or maybe Cuba."  He shrugged and winced.  "Pulled my shoulder."

"That's fine."  He got handed an ice pack.  "What happened?"

"They threatened to torture me to make Xander talk.  Xander broke one then and they decided to torture him instead.  Which is what he had planned."

"I told you I was going to kill them all if they had touched you," Xander quipped.  "Can I have a stitching pack for later?" Xander asked, looking over his shoulder.  "That's going to take a few."  The paramedic gave him one with a smile.  "Thanks."  Xander signed the form and walked over to where the others were waiting.  "The one in the blue shirt was sneering that of course I knew where it was because it was my job to make sure of all supernatural treasures here.  I told him I'm retired and my only job was to train my kids.  He hated that I had kids."  He shrugged.  "He threatened my kids and that's when the rest of them died."

Steve nodded.  "I would've too, Xander.  Calm down."

"I'm fine.  Can I escape?"

"We can drive you home," Danny offered.  "Or you can camp on my couch since the boys are still in Lihue."

"I might take you up on that."  He rubbed his sore shoulder and put the ice pack back on it.  "I need a steak.  I nearly bit one of them I'm so hungry."  He walked off.  "Kono, can I bum your keys?"

"No, Xander."

"Damn.  I was going to get a burger."

"We can stop on the way home."  She smiled.  "You good?"

"I'm fine."  She nodded, looking him over.  "I've had worse sparring with Hannibal.  Relax about it."

"Okay."

William finally got free and managed to come over.  "You're injured!  Why aren't you going to the hospital!" he demanded then glared at Danny.  "Aren't you supposed to protect him?"

"No, it's my job to protect him," Xander said bluntly.

"At least he killed them," William complained, trying to find all the injuries.  "I'll drive you to the ER since the paramedics won't."

"I'm not going to the ER.  They offered but I don't need one, William.  For that matter, I'm the one that killed them."  William gasped and stepped back.  "They threatened my cousin and my boys.  They knew better.  I took down their boss for threatening my slayer at the time."  He looked at Danny and Steve, then at Kono.  "I need a burger."  He walked off.  "There's a Burger King up the road.  I'm heading there.  Pick you up anything, Danno?"

"No, Xander.  Thanks."  Xander nodded, strolling off.  He glared at William, who was trying to glare at him.  "I didn't want him to volunteer to take the abuse but he did.  He shoved me out of the way to do it.  So do not yell at me for him being noble and shit."  He stood up to get into his face.  "Xander is like that in case you haven't noticed.  He's very much a white knight still.  Even with all the battles he's been in.  Nothing you say or I say can change that." 

He poked him on the chest, making him back off.  "For that matter, we need to have a Come To Jesus Meeting as I've heard them called by some coworkers.   We need to have one *real* bad about how you treat my cousin like a frail, fragile *girl* instead of the competent *guy* he is.  Even my daughter thinks how you treat him is too girly and I realize that makes her smarter than average but if a nine-year-old girl knows then the adults around us sure as hell do!" 

He poked him again and followed when he backed up looking confused.  "I don't know why you keep trying to push Xander into a little femme mold but it will stop or I will stop it for you.  I'm the oldest in the family outside my dad and even *he* said to kick your ass over how you treat Xander."  He poked him again.  William took a swing and Danny knocked him down and out.  Danny sneered.  "You're not good enough for my cousin.  He needs someone who appreciates him and all he does and has done, not someone who wants him to suddenly wear heels and be flaming."  He stomped off.

"Steven, that asshole needs to have a talk about how to be a real man and unfortunately I'm too wiped to give it to him properly.  Would you wake his dumb ass up and finish talking to him about why he wants my poor cousin to be his girlfriend?  I'll be busy signing Xander up on multiple dating sites.  Maybe he'll find someone nice on one of them."

"I can do that," Steve agreed, glancing around.  No reporters.  No Xander.  No Dawn.  Hannibal but no Dawn.  "Hannibal, he's at Burger King."

"Doesn't shock me any since he hates fighting that way," he admitted, staring at William.  "I'm going to see if his brother really wants him alive.  Even I've seen how badly he treats Xander.  Hell, even Abby heard somehow."  He walked off, following Xander so they could talk.  Xander probably needed to vent.

Danny found his car keys.  "Let me pick him up and put him on my rathole apartment's spare couch."  He stomped off.  It would be bad for him to kill his cousin's boyfriend.  He might not get away with it.  Steve could probably hide a body like a pro though.

***

The next day, Dawn knocked on William's door, smiling when he answered it.  "Hi.  I'm with the Xander Appreciation Society - the one that doesn't hold his former dates."  She punched him then calmly walked in and kicked the door shut.  She could show him what a real woman could do and why Xander wasn't a woman.

***

Xander was sulking but he was off hunting dragons to take his bad mood away.  Faith hadn't let him come pick up the boys yet because the minis were cranky about giving them up.  He'd have to go save them later.  He checked, finding a text from Grace.  Who was in school today.  So she shouldn't be texting anyone.  He read it and grimaced.  "Yeah, that's not going to be a happy thing."  He hurried off.  He had just the right thing.

***

Steve looked up, shivering slightly.  "Why is it cold in here?  Did someone turn up the A/C again?" he demanded, coming out of his office to talk to his team.  Danny was looking comfortable.  Kono was shivering.  Chin was wearing a jacket.  Steve looked outside and paused.  "That's snow."

"We noticed," Kono complained.  "I don't know why there's snow but it needs to fucking stop!  It's freaky!"

"Dawn's in class.  Hannibal had no idea.  Waiting on a text back from Xander," Danny said when Steve started to open his mouth.  Finally he got a call.  "Williams.  Xander!"  He leaned back.  "What the fuck is going on?"  He listened.  "Andrew's ice capsule is too strong," he repeated dryly.  "Why are you using an ice capsule?  There's a what blowing fire at my daughter's school?" he demanded, sitting up.  "So it is dead?  That's good!" 

He listened.  "No, I did not get the text saying it's a bit too strong," he said sarcastically.  "Yeah, the text message network must be slow today."  He scowled at his phone.  "Is Grace and everyone all right?  Thank God and thank you for handling that.  Sure, we can tell the governor so he can make excuses.  Did you only use one so we can pass that information on?"  He made a note.  "That's good to know, yeah.  And that the original worked that much."  He shook his head quickly.  "Thanks, Xander.  Be safe and go hide.  Sure, get the boys from the mini slayers."  He hung up.  "There was a fire breather on top of Grace's school trying to toast his way inside.  He used one of the ice capsules."

Steve's phone beeped with a text message.  "Sorry, I think they made it too strong," he read.  Then he walked off complaining.  "Kono, you have tact, call the governor."

"Hell no.  Chin, it's your turn."

Chin complained but did call.  "This is Detective Kelly with 5-0.  I'm sure he's waiting to hear from one of us, yes."  He glared at his cousin.  "No, I can explain why we have snow.  There was a fire breathing dragon on top of a school full of children.  The new weapons system comes with an ice capsule for such occasions.  So he used it since the dragon was trying to gain entry by burning the school down.  Yes, it was Xander and yes it was his cousin's school but I doubt it'd matter."

"He had to use two today," Danny quipped.  "The other was at that Christian academy."

"Danno said that he had to use another one earlier at the Christian academy up the road from that school for about the same reason.  No, he did warn us that it was a bit too strong but the text message network is a bit slow today.  No, he said everyone's fine."

"When they used it in artillery designing Xander's world to kill the demonic spiders in Manhattan's felony lab, it lowered the temp in Manhattan by about twenty degrees in July," Danny said.

Chin repeated that.  "So we'll have some nice fall weather tomorrow probably, sir.  You have a good day, we're getting a new call out."  He hung up and glared at everyone.  "I hate that."

"Better you than people who just grunt, point, and shoot things," Danny said with a point at Steve.  "Or me because he hates me thanks to Xander."

Steve sent a message to the others who had use of the dragon system to warn them about the ice capsules being a bit strong.  That way they were warned.  Because it was strange to see Hawaii with snow.  Even if it was just a dusting on the grass it was still way too weird.

***

Xander looked up from the security line in the airport at the cleared throat.  Reporter.  Great!  "Yes?" he asked.

"The governor said to ask you why we suddenly have snow, Mr. Harris?" she asked, sounding hopeful.

"Did you guys hear that two schools had fire breathers on top of them?"  He advanced in the line.  She walked beside him.

"I had heard that over the scanner we keep in the office, yes."

"The fastest way to kill them and save the school, plus the kids inside, was to use the new weapons system that was designed and the ice capsule weapons that augment it."  She nodded slowly.  "So I had to use two today."  She nodded again, just as slowly.  "They're kinda strong.  They're weakened from the original formula, which in that realm lowered the temperature in July in Manhattan by twenty degrees for three days."  He grinned.  "It was the safest way to protect those kids.  I'm sorry if it hurt anything else.  We didn't think it'd be that strong."

"I'll let that be known.  It shouldn't cause any crop damage.  I hope."  He winced.  "Though, saving the children is a good thing."  Xander got through the metal detector.  "What about if it happens again?"

"We play it as the situation calls for," he said then waved and hurried off to his gate.  "Going to be late picking up the babies."

"Thank you."  She called her boss on her walk back to her car to tell her what he had said.  It was good that they had weakened it some.  Honolulu was smaller than Manhattan and had less buildings.  It probably would've dropped them below freezing.

***

The governor glared at the reporter who had just asked him a stupid question.  "No, I don't believe he should have used those.  They caused havoc with our environment and weather."

"So he should've let the children in the schools be burned to death?" another reporter asked, looking interested.

"Of course not!" he shouted.  "How can you say such things!"

"If that's your two choices at the time, which are you going to use?" another reporter asked.  They all looked interested now.  The next election was starting to gain speed.  This was going to be pivotal to his campaign.

"I would've tried to get the children into the storm shelter," the governor said.

"Neither school has one," his assistant said quietly.  "They're not mandated since schools are closed during large storms, sir."  The governor glared at her.  "They don't.  I checked.  My daughter goes to the Christian school he saved."  She looked at the mass of reporters.  "I'm very glad that he saved the children.  I'm also glad that none of the children had to see the dragon be eliminated.  Mine would've probably started to cry."  She smiled.  "We'll see if we can weaken that particular weapon some more."

Someone in the crowd shook her head.  "They said it's the proper weapon for that situation.  Any weaker and it would've only stunned it, which meant using another capsule to blow it up," he said.  "We asked the head of the chemistry department at U of Manoa."

"Interesting," the governor said through clenched teeth.  He walked off.  His assistant followed.  He glared at her.

"If I hadn't, you would've looked much worse, sir.  They'll take it from me because I'm a parent of an affected child.  You were looking like you were willing to sacrifice the children."  She headed for the cars.

The governor muttered something as he walked.  He paused when he heard giggling.  He looked around.  So were the reporters.  "What is that?" he demanded.  His guard shrugged, looking around also.  Then suddenly there was the sound of tinkling bells and another giggle.

"No, I don't think that's possible for humans to do, so if you must then you'd have to change to fit that request," a tiny, cute sounding female voice said.  "Congratulations on your new life as a pig .... well, you know what."  Then the bell sound went off again and the giggling disappeared.

"What was that?" one of the reporters yelled.  They were all staring at the new governor pig.  Well, half pig.  He still had some human features.  He was half his usual height.  He had human ears.  He was standing upright but otherwise he was pink all over, had the snout, the new mouth, his hands and feet were now hooves.

Someone hung up her phone.  "Dawn Summers said it was probably a type of fairy.  She has no idea how to undo it."  They all stared at her.  "I called someone who conferenced her in from her boyfriend's phone.  She said she'd have to look at it later because she's taking a critical test today that if she flunks she can't pass the class so she'll see him after dinner," she told the guards in a rush.

"We can do that," he agreed, hurrying the governor off.  Hopefully someone could undo the damage.

***

Steve looked up as Dawn was led in by one of the Governor's guards.  "Problems?"

"You didn't see on the news where a wishing well fairy turned him into a pig fucker because he was muttering about it?" Dawn quipped, sitting down.  "It can't be undone.  Even she said she can't undo it."  The guard stomped off.  "Sorry, dude, I tried."  She looked at Steve and shrugged.  "He said it.  She heard.  Pity."  She stood up.  "Anyway, he wanted to make sure I got home safely tonight and Hannibal was following us so I'm going to let him do his caveman impersonation so I forget that I had three finals today."  She strolled out.  "Hannibal, I need comforted."  He hauled her to the car and took her home.

Steve shook his head.  "I thought Dawn was less insane than Xander."

"Xander helped raise her," Danny said with a smirk.  "Did you hear she talked with William?"

"And had to have the arrest warrant removed," Chin said dryly.  "The officer taking the complaint said it was bad of her but if it was his family he'd have beaten him too.  Apparently William was whining that his poor, innocent, suffering Xander was being made to be too macho and tough by his family and they were not appreciative of his suit to help Xander be gentle again."

Danny snickered, shaking his head.  "Xander was basically a hood rat growing up.  His parents let him do everything because they didn't pay a bit of attention.  He, Jesse, and Willow used to run the town all hours of the day and night.  They played really mean pranks.  Hell, Willow used to stitch him up thanks to her mom's medical books.  Xander has never been the delicate sort." 

He leaned back and put his feet up.  "Matt, the first time Xander came over for a few weeks of vacation at my mom's insistence, tried to get Xander to wake up from a nightmare.  We woke Xander up to take him to the ER because we had ta take Matt for his new concussion.  Xander had kicked him into the dresser at the wrong angle."  Chin whimpered, shaking his head.  "Mom forgave him since he was asleep when he did it.  He got moved ta my room and it was better."

"Has she seen pictures of the boys?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I told her when they first got out here and send new ones whenever I get 'em.  She's promising to come visit his heathens.  Especially with the new baby being a girl.  Mom thinks he won't let her be girly at all.  I sent that video."

"What video?" Kono asked.  Danny found it online again and showed it to her.  She was snickering.  "Imahoistan," she giggled.

"Now I can quote him when one of us has kids," Chin quipped.

"That's harsh," Steve said.

"Yeah, well, it worked.  Only three teenage moms outta all the slayers," Danny said with a smile.

"Even better," Kono agreed, replaying it.  "I can't imagine living in a house full of that many girls.  Altar of midol?"

"He and Andrew created an altar in the kitchen with a pyramid of midol bottles," Danny said.  "Apparently they needed it."

Steve nodded.  "With that many teenage girls it'd probably be that or tranquilizers."

"Or funny mental problem drugs," Danny agreed with a smile.  "Just one daughter can sometimes make you need them."  Kono laughed.  "Laugh now but one of the girls in her class is hitting puberty early so she asked Xander."

She shuddered.  "I hated those years."

"Xander said some kids are hitting it at eight and nine," Steve said.  "Though the end problems still come at the same time."  She walked off shuddering.  "How is Xander getting the boys home?"

"Boat.  That way he's out of contact for a few days."  They shared a smirk.  Then looked outside.  "You wanna borrow a real shirt, Steven?  Since, ya know, it's cold and all that?"

"I might need one," he admitted, looking at the slight fall of snow on the ground.  "This is insane.  Usually only the mountain peaks get a few flurries."

"Could be worse.  He could've had to use three," Chin said dryly.

"Or five," Danny agreed with a smirk.

"No thanks."  Steve walked off shaking his head.  He had to have a warm shirt somewhere.

***

Xander walked into the slayer compound, taking off his sunglasses to stare at the scowling baby in front of him.  "Yes, they're going home."

"No!  They're ours!" she shouted and ran off.  "He's trying to take the babies!" she shouted.

Xander shook his head and walked in humming.  He picked up the kids and put them on the couch.  He also lightly spanked the one trying to sneak them off.  "We don't live over here."

"You could," Faith offered with a grin, holding Jo.  "They're going to sulk."

"They've had them all week.  If they want babies that much they can have some when they're older."  He took Jo too with a grin.  "We're going to boat back because the airlines think I need more adult help in case of emergencies."  He looked at the boys.  "Bags?"  Frank pointed at one of the girls.  "Bags," he ordered.

"No!  Meany!"

Xander looked at her.  "You shout at me again and watch me spank."  She shrank back.  He stared at her.  "You're being a brat.  You knew they weren't staying when I dropped them off.  I reminded you of that then too."

"So?" she said, starting to pout.  "We need the cuddles."

"Then you ask for cuddles," he told her.  "You don't steal for cuddles."  She slumped and whimpered, looking at the boys, who were ignoring it.  "Want a hug?"  She shook her head.  Xander picked her up and hugged her anyway.  She curled up against his shoulder.  "We still love you but this behavior problem is not good for you and it's making the boys sad too," he said quietly in her ear.  "If you want cuddles, you *ask*.  You do not take unless it's someone like the family.  Now, why are you so huffy for cuddles?"

"No one likes us," she whined.

Xander sighed.  "I'm sure they do.  Do you remember when you got to the house and the kids at the daycare stared at you for three days?"  She nodded.  "Is it worse than that?"

"There's been some picking," Faith said.   "The teacher got pissed at her for it."

"Why is it her fault?" Xander asked.

"She didn't fight back."

Xander looked at her.  "Sometimes you gotta have a mouth, but be respectful about it.  Those kids will never know what it's like to be you."

"I had cramps in class and they said I needed to potty," she said quietly.

"Got that one straightened out.  There's a higher level demon that lives up the street and each time he comes out onto his back porch it sets off cramps," Faith said.  She sat down to watch the master at work.  No one handled the minis like Xander did.

"Have we thought about switching schools?"

"The other's a public and larger."  Xander shrugged.  "We do have an exceptional mind."  She pointed at one of the older ones.  "She can't go to the public school."

Xander looked at her.  "They finally sent you over?"  She nodded.  "Injured or to chat with Dawn?"

"Neither.  One of my teachers and I got into it about me working on my third language during a math lesson I'd done a few weeks back."  She rolled her eyes and hugged the boys.  "Let me get their things, Xander."

Xander looked at the one he was holding.  "You need to be more like her than like me or Willow was," he said quietly.

"I can't be that mouthy," she said, staring at him.

He smiled.  "You can.  I've heard you doing it to the other slayers."

"They're slayers.  The others...."

"If you say 'normal' I'm *so* going to spank the Buffy complaint out of you," he said dryly.  She nodded, ducking her head.  "So's Hannibal.  So am I, Chrissy."  She looked at him.  "Really.  Even normal people can handle some of the hunting stuff.  That's why they put us on the Lifetime network now and then in crappy movies.  Just because the kids don't understand doesn't mean they won't understand.  Beyond that, who cares what some little craphead thinks?  Are you dating them?"  She shook her head quickly, making a grossed out face.  "Then ignore the little bastards.  They're not worth the stress and the stress gets you in trouble when you act out."

"I guess."  She slid down off his hip, staring at him.  "Can't we keep the boys?  Some day we'll need boyfriends."

Xander snorted.  "If they're raised here, they'll consider you like a sister so it'll never happen."

"Oh."  She nodded and looked at Faith, who nodded.  "Shoot."  She walked off pouting.  "I need ice cream."

"That is a slayer weapon of destruction," Xander quipped.  Faith grinned at him.  "Any one else need some talking time?"  The girls gathered around to get his opinion on problems.  A lot of it was still new kid stuff.  Which he got because Hawaii had a native culture that even picked on Steve sometimes for being a mainlander by birth, even if he was third generation local.  When they were done he looked at the smart one.  "What happened?"

"Same old same old," she complained, sitting down with the boys, putting Jo on her lap.  "Oh my god, I'm a Muslim woman. I must have a shoe bomb," she said dryly.

Xander looked at Faith, who shrugged.  "I talked to the teacher, and she about thought the same thing.  Then I pointed out, hey, genius, and hey, slayer, and the teacher got huffy.  So she's going to the more expensive school."

Xander nodded.  "That makes more sense.  We want the girls to be as normal as possible but sometimes people are their own worst enemy.  Any threats?"

"We had one," Faith admitted.  "Which I took to the local PD with her.  They went to talk to the person about us being slayers and that's where our violent streak comes out at."

Xander huffed.  "That's a PR problem really."  She nodded.  "Which I have no idea how to solve.  Did Doyle?"

"He sighed and said sometimes people were dumb."

"He's right.  Call Bri.  See if she's got something to help with that mess?"  Faith grinned and did that.  He looked at the slayer.  "I know very well how smart you are.  I also know very well how peaceful you are since you're almost Buddhist in your diet."  The girl grinned as she ducked her head.  "Have you talked to the local mosque?"

"No.  They were mean."

Xander looked up then nodded.  "Want me to talk to them with you?"

"They hate slayers."

"Yay."  She giggled at his deadpan response.  "You know what, they're going to hate it more since I've been recording visions on  Qatar's hellmouth opening."  She gaped.  He nodded.  "Six now.  Two of mine."

"Shit," Faith said.  "Really?"  He nodded.  "When?"

"Looked like spring with some of the flowers in town.  Doyle's got a whole bunch of them.  I compared the others to mine.  It'll definitely open and there will definitely be a few kraken tentacles."

"Charming!" Faith complained.  She walked off talking about that.

Xander looked at her.  "I have no idea what to tell you.  That whole region of the globe hates slayers."  She nodded she knew that.  "Is there only one mosque?"

"There's one further away.  I'm too little to drive."

"Yes you are."  He considered it.  "What about their school?  They usually have their own."

"It's crappy educationally and I'm already well ahead of my grade level there.  I asked."

"Pity.  Are others better?"  She handed over a pamphlet.  He read it over, nodding slowly.  "Have you talked to them?"

"Yes."

"And they said....."

"I passed the entrance exam.  I'm waiting on a ruling from Giles."

"He's not sure why you need to go somewhere more expensive," Faith said.  "I mentioned it to Doyle."

"Because she's three grades ahead of where she should be," Xander said.  She repeated that and those two talked.  Faith smiled and nodded, getting a squeal from the girl and a hug of both of them.  "Welcome.  Let me know if you need more help or anything."  He winked and grinned.  "Now, any other house problems?"  They shook their heads.  "Then I've rented a boat to take us back home so I don't have to fight with the airlines over only having me as an adult."  He stood up.  "C'mon, guys and Jo.  Car's outside."  They ran for it.  "Congrats, Pooch.  Great job walking finally."  Pooch grinned at him.  Xander took Jo and her diaper bag.  "If you need more help, yelp."  He strolled off after the boys, opening the car door so they could climb into their assigned seats.

Faith looked at her slayers.  "You guys can come to us too.  You know that, right?"

"Xander makes things better easier," the littlest one said with a grin.

Faith patted her on the head.  "Yeah, he does.  That's why all the slayers go to him about stuff."  The girls smiled and headed for the ice cream themselves.  Jo had kept them up for days.  Even Pooch hadn't been able to make her calm down.

***

Xander walked the boys into daycare four days later, smiling at the workers.  "Now that there's no longer a lynch mob over the dragon and ice thing."  The head of the daycare laughed and took Jo from him.  "That is Lolitta Jolene.  We call her Jo.  Pooch is *very* attached to her."

"That's fine," she promised with a grin for the baby, who smiled back.  "We're very open here so he can sit and play near you today, Jo."  She smiled at the boys.  "Hi, boys."  They all smiled and waved.  "Good job, Pooch.  Go play."  They ran to play.  She put Jo into a playpen near where Pooch was building with blocks, getting a happy smile.  She looked at Xander.  "They're adorable."  He nodded.  "Did you get the bill this month?"

"No, I did not."  He pulled out his card and let her run it from the office.  She came out scowling.  "There's no way it declined."

"No, it went through.  I just saw a past due in your account so I fixed it."  He winced and hissed.  "I was sure you had paid.  I'll check on it."  Xander wrote out the new address, getting a smile.  "Thank you, Xander.  Go grocery shopping."

"I've gotta mow," he admitted.  "Then grocery shop."  She giggled.  "Behave, boys.  Watch Jo for her.  Let me go mow."

"Vines?" Jensen said with a pout.

"No, I won't take out your vines with the mower."  Jensen grinned and went back to crashing cars together.  He put on his sunglasses.  "Have fun."  He strolled off.  He had a stop to make before he got gas for the lawnmower.  And of course they weren't in the office.  He went to the bar instead.  "Franklin, my man."  The bartender gaped at him.  "I'm not in hiding now."

"I knew that.  You hadn't been in for a while.  William was taking your attention."  Xander rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "We heard."

"I pointed that out a few times.  So did Dawn from what I heard."  He leaned on the bar.  "Upcoming prophecies are saying very mean things for the hellmouth in Qatar."

"That's going to suck," he said, considering that.  "How many?"

"Two from me.  Three from other seers.  One from Doyle himself."

"Oh, shit," he muttered.  Xander grinned.  "That's seriously going to be a problem."

"Yeah, just slightly," Xander said dryly, straightening up.  "I'm going to tell McGarrett but he's out of the office blowing up somewhere else."

"He was looking for someone who spoke Pakistani earlier," Franklin said.

"I don't know more than a few words.  I know more Hindi.  The only one I know who does is one of the mini slayers in Lihue.  She's native and had to leave because the local ultra conservative militia yahoos wanted to kill her."  He called his cousin.  "If you still need someone who speaks Pakistani, one of the minis does.  She's a native from upper Pakistan.  She's going for Dawn's record on languages and math really.  Yeah, her.  Welcome."  He hung up.  "Speaking of, she's gotten some outrageous shit for being Muslim."

Franklin winced.  "We heard.  Paul had to step in and tell someone off for her."  Xander beamed back at Paul, who waved.  Xander bought him a beer for that.  "The others?"

"Staring kids.  Kids who will never understand until they're older.  A few bullies.  A higher demon living near the school keeps setting off slayer warning cramps."

"It happens to most kids," Franklin said.

"I know.  It'll get better."  He shrugged.  "Okay, I'm off to mow the lawn while not cutting up Jensen's favorite plants."  He walked off shaking his head.

The bartender looked around.  "That's a good warning.  Even if all the visions are wrong, it's a good warning."

"Xander's never wrong," one said quietly, gulping his scotch and water.  "Sometimes his timing is off.  Doyle's still the higher power's mouthpiece."  The others nodded.  "So I guess we should probably warn our contacts over there."  He found his phone in his pocket and looked over his contact list while he got another drink.  He'd need a drink for this.

***

The Pakistani slayer smiled at Danny.  "Hi, Cousin Danny."

"Hi, Sheema.  Can we ask you for a huge favor?"

"Sure."  She smiled at Faith.  "They're here."

"Be safe."

"Of course," Danny snorted.

She patted him on the arm.  "I'm very good at self defense so even if the unthinkable happens I'll turn into Xander."  He snorted but smiled and led her back to the car.  She got in and smiled at Steve.  "Xander was looking for you."

"Why?" he asked, looking back at her.

"Visions.  The Qatar hellmouth is going to open he said."

Steve considered that.  "They won't let slayers near there."

"Nope."  She smiled.  "He said someone saw that the kraken does stretch over there."

"I'll get those from him later."  He started the car.  "We need someone to translate what's on a tape for us.  They're people smugglers."

"That's fine."  She smiled.  "How do you think I got to the US?"  Danny stared back at her.  "Not like Xander had papers for me.  The US didn't want him to send any more slayers back either."

"I used to wonder how Xander had those contacts," Danny admitted.

"He dated them," Steve quipped.

She giggled.  "Not always.  Hai's people helped him get me to Cleveland.  Well, LA and then that group got me sent to Cleveland."

"Sounds good to me.  I know he only removed the ones that had problems."

"We had a militia that wanted to go back to the eleventh century."

"Ah!" Steve said with a nod and a grin.  "I heard about them.  You good?"

"I'm fine.  Xander stopped them.  A lot."  Danny snorted.  "Twice.  Then my mother agreed I could be safe.  We video talk all the time though.  And it means she doesn't have to worry about setting me up for an extravagant wedding like my sister."

Danny looked at her.  "You can get married."

"Boys are icky."

"They probably will be for a few more years," he agreed.

"Then again I'm a lesbian so yeah, they're icky."

He grinned.  "Even better.  Means no one has to worry about you dating the wrong guy and getting knocked up by accident."

"Ewww.  No, if I find a darkling of my own, she can have the children."  She grinned.  "I don't want to be a pregnant slayer and I'd die of all the extra layers I'd have to wear when I'm hiding in Scotland for my own protection."  She touched his hand.  "Are you coming for the remembrance?"

"I am."  She smiled and nodded.  They took her to the local office, where an officer stared at her.  "I am Pakistani.  I do speak the language."  He smiled.  "And I'm a slayer."

"Good to know.  I knew you guys were multi-ethnic.  I've seen some of the African ones."

"Xander gathered me as well."  She looked at the video Steve started.  "Volume?"  He handed her some headphones and she grimaced.  "Taliban mother-fuckers," she muttered.  She rewound the tape and went over the whole conversation.  When she was done she smiled and handed it over.  "He's using a southern dialect so there's some words that're popular slang.  I put down what I think they mean and underlined them."  She pointed.  "That's the only contextual one that might make a difference.  Though he called you a sheep fucker many times."

He patted her on the shoulder.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  She grinned.  "I'm happy to help and some day I'll take Dawn's research spot."  She grinned at Danny.  "Can I get a milkshake on the way home?"

"Shaved ice is more native."

"Yeah but that's koolaid flavored and I want a strawberry and cream from the shop up the street."

He handed her a five.  She squealed and hugged him.  "Right there and back."  She ran off.  "She's eleven," he said with a small shrug.  "At least Buffy never taught her about shoes."  He took the translation and laughed at some of it.  "He did call you a sheep fucker."  He turned the page and nodded.  "That's one bad comment."

"Um, guys?" one of the officers said, leaning in.  "The young lady with you just told someone off for sneering at her."

"She good?" Danny asked without looking up.

"Probably."

"She's one of the mini slayers," Steve said.

"Oh!"  He went to make sure she was fine.  He glared at the person nagging her.  "Slayer?"  She smiled at him.  The woman gasped.  He stared at her.  "Yes, they are multi-ethnic.  Did you need escorted?"

"I only wanted a milkshake."  She smiled.  "Thank you for protecting me from the adults, Officer."  She went inside to get her shake and came back out.  He escorted her back.  "By the way, I'm Sheema.  I'm one of the few language oriented slayers."  She slurped and sighed in pleasure.  "That's so good.  There's something that a milkshake can cure that shaved ice can't."

He smiled.  "Too true."  He held the door open for her, getting a grin back.  She bounced up the hall back to Danny to give him his change.  "The older woman who was berating her for being Muslim has hopefully been chastised enough for nagging a child, sir."  He walked off to make that note.  Now and then they could use some other language help.  His boss looked over his arm.  "She said her name is Sheema and she's one of the mini slayers, sir," he said quietly.

"Languages are a great help sometimes," he agreed.  "Why the escort?"

"Some forty-ish woman trying to look twenty was nagging her for her hijab."

"Some people are less than tolerant."  He smiled at the detectives and young slayer.  "Miss, if you have more problems like her, let us know?"

"Only with my teacher and Xander swore up and down he'd come talk to her if I kept having problems."  She smiled.  "Thank you though."

"You're welcome."

"Is she under arrest?" some woman outside sneered.  "Her kind should be."

Steve glared at her, making her back down.  "No, actually Slayer Sheema is very helpful and was just translating for us."  That made the woman huff off.  "Get a life," he growled. 

"Racist bitch."  Danny put on his sunglasses and looked at her.  "You don't listen to their sort.  They have no brains.  You have huge brains and they're jealous of them and the fact that you don't have bad hair days."

Sheema laughed.  "I do but I can cover it up easier."  She smiled at a young woman rollerblading their way.  She got out of the way.  She sighed in pleasure.  "I'm so glad I'm hitting puberty."

"Don't ask me to give that talk," Danny said, shivering.  "I'm still tryin' ta figure out what to tell Gracie."

She grinned.  "Xander told us about her."  She got into the backseat again and buckled up.  They took her home.  She bounced inside.  "They even protected me from the bigot."

"People like that need shot in indelicate spots," Faith snorted, taking the milkshake to get a drink.  "Hmm."  She handed it back.  "Where?"

"Ice cream shop near the big police station."  She grinned. "Cousin Danny bought it for me."

"That's sweet of him.  Go do homework."  She jogged up the stairs to do that.  "Those without homework have yoga," she called up the stairs.  The little ones all ran down to put in the tape and follow along.  Faith went to make dinner.  It was tough being the mommy but she was doing okay so far.  Even if Xander and Dawn did have to help a whole lot.

The End.

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