Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Anita Blake belongs to Hamilton, Angel belongs to Joss, os does Buffy if ny should show up.
Title: Safe in St. Louis
Author: Kate R.
Rating: Teen to Adult
Pairings: Normal for the books and Wes/Asher, Dawn/Damian
Summary: Wesley finds a new life after Season 3 of Buffy ends differently.

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"What happened wherever you're from?" Anita asked again. Wesley took a deep breath before speaking.

"An ascension," he told them, "In Sunnydale. It was stopped by the Slayer Buffy Summers but I'm afraid the price of it was rather high. Most of the fighters died, several we could not find the bodies of but with the Watcher's Council standing in the wings, waiting to take Dawn into their Slayer Breeding Program, I did not have time to look. I took her and we've been running ever since. This is the first time we've stopped running in three years."

"Did he ascend?" Jean-Claude asked.

"Yes," Wesley answered. "He was killed by an explosion of massive proportions. That was the only reason I had even a three day head start on the Council, Dawn and I could have died as easily as her sister and mother did."

"Damn!" Jean-Claude hissed, "You are safe here, Mr. Pryce. No one will bother you. That is my word."

"I'll take that as set then," Wesley told him, "As you are known to be most honorable. That's why I brought us here. Other Masters would seek to use us. I will give you my magic for this, not because you ask it, but because I know there must be give and take in all things."

"It is not necessary, but I will take it as the good faith it is given in," Jean-Claude told him, "Now, as there were people watching your house, I would like it if you stayed here for a time, just until I have made it clear you are not to be bothered."

". . . Thank you," Wesley told him, now sure of what he'd been praying was not so, "And Miss Blake? If your Damian can reach Dawn and help her I would take it as a favor if you'd let them be."

"That bad, huh?" she asked.

"Your Damian is the only one I have ever seen her break down against," Wesley told her, "She must feel safe in his arms. I know she is too young to be anything but a date but anything at all could help her now."

"I'll let them be," Anita agreed, "And I am sorry."

"It is all right," Wesley told her, still leaning into Asher, "We all have our quirks. You are very blunt, I can tell."

"I am that I am," Anita told him. Wesley laughed then, and nodded.

"Yes, you are," he said, "And that is needed."

He'd fallen asleep on the couch after he'd finished speaking. Anita ha lookd at Jean-Claude then.

"Do you think anyone else lived?"

"Yes," he answered, "I do. I will make a few calls."

She nodded and watched him walk away. He was angry right now, furious, and his power was going to lash someone and he'd prefer it not be anyone he loved. Which meant he was going to aim it at the people who were watching that house.

Good. She, personally, thought they deserved it. Chasing a girl and her only protector for three years. She hoped he made it hurt.

Really bad.