Alexandar Tomassi blinked as he heard Olivia's report on the special operations team's kidnaping of Willow Rosenberg, his face darkening with barely controlled anger. "Well," he snarled, "that was a grade a cockup. Did you reprimand them?" "Yes, sir," Olivia nodded as the dusky skinned woman continued "we confirmed Willow's story through two sources, and I've docked the men's pay." "We're lucky Rosenberg didn't just tell us off and leave," Alex admitted thoughtfully. "Any idea why she didn't?" "Curiosity, partially," Olivia said. "And I think she understands the importance of the Slayers... if not necessarily supporting the Watchers," she smiled faintly. "She was with Rupert when he told the Council off, wasn't she?" Alex smiled with honest amusement. "And she's very loyal to Giles," Olivia cautioned. "I don't plan to put her in a conflict of loyalties," Alex said dryly. Olivia paused, reaching up and touching the earpiece she usually wore in the Watcher's headquarters. "We've gotten another information request from our LA agent, may I...?" she asked her superior politely. "Go ahead, the work must always go first," Alex nodded. Olivia left her superior and headed to the command deck, a room that was buzzing with the whir of computers and communications, almost like a NASA facility monitoring a space launch. 'Of course here the computers are drawing on occult data, not star maps and weather data,' she silently mused. "Ma'am," Joe Dawson turned as he heard her enter, the casually dressed grey haired American leaning on his cane, "it looks like Wolfram and Hart are screwing around with dimensional gates again. Several Slayers in the field there want to intervene before anything nasty gets through." "What's your call?" Olivia asked as she took her seat. "They're all kids," Joe said wryly, "but Angel and his crew are there, too. A joint assault might be wise." "Sounds like a plan," Olivia said, "do it." "Plan A is a go," Joe said into his radio, "but report back if anything goes wrong. We'll also try to reroute support there as needed." Over the next half hour Olivia coolly dealt with several information requests as well as coordinating Slayer activities, moving people like pieces on a chessboard. Turning from the main screen with a sigh she saw Lydia Chalmers lurking in the doorway and waved the woman in. "Ms. Rosenberg is on the roof, preparing her protective spell," Lydia reported, "she wanted to warn you there may be some interference with our systems." "Should we shut down?" Olivia wondered. "No," Lydia pushed up her glasses, "but Willow advised making sure all our surge protectors are working." Olivia chuckled to herself as she called in the tech crews to go over their gear. "I sometimes forget she was a computer nerd before becoming a witch," she admitted. A few minutes later the lights flickered a moment, then steadied before Willow tiredly entered the command center. "It's done," the reddish brown haired woman reported, "I've layered on added shields and wards to the castle." "Are you all right?" Lydia asked, hurrying over to Willow's side. 'Well isn't that cute?' Olivia hid a smile. "I'm fine," Willow reassured the older woman with a smile, "just tired." Turning to Olivia she added, "While my additions should help, you really need to make sure you have in house help to maintain them." "We have good staff," Olivia said firmly, "it shouldn't be a problem." Willow looked faintly skeptical as she asked, "Then why did you have to call me to help in the first place?" Olivia winced, "Point." Lydia gave Olivia a 'I told you so' look as she said, "We'll do our best, Miss Rosenberg." Olivia smiled faintly, "It's late, and I'm sure you haven't eaten. Would you care for some dinner, Willow?" "Please," Willow smiled back. "Lydia, escort Willow to our cafeteria," Olivia said as she saw Lydia blush faintly, "and make arrangements for a room too." "I could always find a inn at the city nearby..." Willow offered mildly. "The only one there is a dump," Olivia reassured her, "trust me, I know." Lydia smiled as she touched Willow's arm, "And our cafeteria is at least as good as any restaurant in town. If not better, frankly." Willow smiled finally, "All right, lead on." Lydia lead them through busy corridors of the facility, receiving friendly glances as well as curious looks towards Willow. Quietly Lydia said, "Don't be offended, please. We're a very tightly knit group, so anyone new draws interest." "I understand," Willow agreed. Mentally Willow found herself making notes of the castle and scenery around them, too. She was nearly finished a novella at home, and it occurred to her a gothic romance might be a idea for her next work. A remote castle, a mysterious lady of the house and possible romance might be fun to write... "You have the oddest look on your face," Lydia noted as they reached a large set of doors. "Just plotting," Willow admitted. Lydia laughed as they entered the cafeteria, which more resembled a classy restaurant without the annoying wait staff. "Your books?" she guessed as she lead the way to the counter. "You know about...?" Willow blushed. "We do keep extensive files on important individuals," Lydia smiled. "If it helps any, I eagerly devour Willow Rosebloom's books." "I'm going to die," Willow groaned. Lydia chuckled, more than a bit amused by how cute Willow was being. "Two regular dinners, please," she asked the young man behind the counter. "Coming right up," he agreed as he put the order to the chef in the back. Within a few minutes they were served and sitting at a corner table, digging in to a surprisingly good meal. "I'm impressed," Willow admitted after a moment. "Are you really that ashamed of your books?" Lydia asked, sounding surprised. "I know they're not great literature, but..." "I'm not ashamed of them, exactly," Willow mused, "but they're not really that significant to me. Basically, they just help pay the bills..." "Until you write the great American novel?" Lydia guessed teasingly. "I'm not that ambitious," Willow smiled, "but I would like to publish a more serious book eventually." "Why not write on one witchcraft?" Lydia suggested eagerly. "There hasn't been a serious book on the topic in years..." Willow looked faintly pained, "I'm not sure my path in witchcraft is one I'd want others to follow, you know." Lydia winced. "I'm sorry," she said, well aware of Willow's somewhat spotty past, "I didn't think..." "It's all right," Willow forced a natural looking smile onto her face, reaching out to pat Lydia's hand reassuringly. The rest of the meal Lydia carefully kept the conversation much lighter, passing on amusing Slayer related stories, sharing some gossip on Giles and talking about other mutual friends and acquaintances. Willow chuckled at one account then suddenly yawned, looking embarrassed. "Sorry," she smiled, blushing. "I guess it's been a long day," Lydia smiled as she stood and offered Willow a hand, "lets get you to your quarters." Still talking comfortably they made their way up two levels in the rebuilt castle where several guest suites had been set up. Stopping in front of a door Lydia produced a keycard from her pocket and swiped the reader, opening the door with a soft click. "Here," Lydia handed the card to Willow, "once swiped the door is keyed to this card only and can't be opened by any other one except by a command override." "Sounds private," Willow admitted as she put the card in her pocket. Lydia smiled as she gave Willow a searching look, "Sometimes privacy is a good thing." Then she took a step forward and gently pressed her lips to Willow's. But as soon as she felt her stiffen and pull away Lydia drew back, blushing as she said, "I'm sorry." "No, I am," Willow sighed softly then added with a sad smile, "You're a nice lady, but I'm not... free." Lydia looked sullen, "I read your file, you're not dating anyone." Willow felt a flash of irritation at that, but kept it out of her voice. "Maybe not," she said, "but I don't do casual." Lydia nodded, "It seems I got my wires crossed, please excuse me." Then, back stiff with embarrassment, Lydia stalked off. "This has just not been my night," Willow sighed as she went into her suite.
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