Author's choice by All4Spike +15
Responses: 0
Categories: Season 7
Characters: Andrew Wells, Anya, Buffy, Caleb, Clem, Dawn, Ensemble, Faith Lehane, Giles, Original Characters, Quentin Travers, Robin Wood, Spike, The First Evil, Willow, Xander
Summary:

Inspired by a post in one of the BtVS fan groups on Facebook...

In the closing moments of S7 Ep9: Never Leave Me, Quentin Travers gave the gathered Watchers the instruction, "Give me confirmations on all remaining operatives. Visuals and tacticals. Highest alert. Get them here as soon as possible. Begin preparations for mobilization. Once we're accounted for, I want to be ready to move."

But what if... instead of in the very next moment, the explosion at the CoW HQ happens a few hours, or maybe even a day or two later?

Hence, the majority of surviving active Watchers and support personnel escape the explosion, and are already on their way with whatever Potentials and supplies they have gathered up.

What happens when they arrive in Sunnydale about a week after Giles and the first batch of Potentials?

I'd like:

Travers being all pompous and trying to take over, and Buffy standing up to him as she did in Checkpoint, telling him to find a way to make himself and the other Watchers useful, or get out of her way.

Buffy confidently defending her decision to rescue Spike, and insisting upon making him her second-in-command.

Watchers actually accepting that the situation is well in hand, and making themselves useful by researching, organising accommodation and training for Potentials, and paying for stuff. Plus, respectfully making suggestions, rather than giving orders.

And from there onwards.

Not compulsory, but I'd prefer the Hellmouth destroyed without them doing the 'Call all the Potentials' spell, which I always felt to be illogical, and totally out of character for Buffy to come up with, considering how much she resented being Called without her knowledge or consent.

Also, at some point Buffy & Spike should take time for The Talk, so that if you go the same way with the scrubbing bubbles amulet, Spike believes her declaration in the Hellmouth.

I haven't included the Potentials' names in the character list, so you can do with them as you'd like.

Have fun!