Xander's Chance

"Evenin'," he greeted Gerry, the station chief.

"We've got no training ops tonight," came the brisk response.

"I'm not bringing in any stragglers," Xander replied. He discovered their whereabouts when he hand-delivered the first round of trainees - minus a few pints of blood - who were stupid enough to challenge him instead of backing off like the experienced Guardians did. "I have a question for you."

The Guardian hesitated then opened the screen door, wary but cognizant that if Xander was at the door, he wasn't there to fight.

"Come on in."

Xander did. His senses picked up six Guardians. Two were in the cozy living area with its worn furniture. Neat and comfortable, their station acted as their home as well as their hub for coordinating operations in LA.

"You know most of the guys," Gerry said.

"You've got two new ones."

"Yeah. You'll see them in a few days."

Xander winked at the female Guardian he fed from the night before. Still pale, she looked ready to run. Their unease was palpable. Gerry alone spoke to him, while two others hung back as the Guardian led him into the hidden room at the back of the house, filled with a small conference table and humming computers. Xander sat, and Gerry poured them both coffee, aware of his addiction for the bitter human drink.

"What can I do for you?" Gerry asked.

"I had a Natural show up on my doorstep."

Gerry's gaze sharpened.

"She's fine," Xander said. "Someone sent her. I need to know who."

"It wasn't us. We'd never send some poor Natural where you could reach them. We cleared Naturals out of the area within five miles of you," Gerry said firmly. "You have a name?"

"First name only."

"It's a starting point." Gerry pushed off from the table and rolled to one computer. "What is it?"

"Jessi."

"Male or female?"

"Female."

Gerry glanced at him then typed the info into the computer. "Why not pry the information out of her mind like you do everyone else?"

"Her talent is the ability to move in stealth mode. As in, I can't read her mind. Or hear her or smell her or sense her, unless she's standing within three feet of me," Xander said in irritation.

"Then unless one of us has been within three feet of her …" Gerry frowned. "It's possible, I guess, that someone's run across her and catalogued her."

The computer finished its search. A list of names appeared. Gerry tapped the table for a moment then began sorting the names.

"Approximate age?"

"Mid-twenties. Blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, five foot nine, hourglass shape. Nice ass, if you catalog that."