Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. WWE does. Except Lincoln, which is mine
FLASHBACK - 1 MONTH AGO
Dave was becoming increasing agitated. He had 2 murders on his hands but no suspect to collar. He knew that the perp was a vampire, but he couldn't arrest him, at least in theory he couldn't. What if he did though? He could go hunt the vampire down and then present him to his superiors at the Bureau. He'd be exposing a dark secret that eluded the general public for centuries if not longer. He presented the idea to Lincoln, but he was completely against it, not a surprise to Dave. After he thought it through completely himself, he agreed it was best to keep the existence of vampires a secret.
If demons were exposed to be living amongst humans, it wouldn't stop there. Slayers would also be exposed. Dave wasn't a conspiracy nut but he knew the world's governments would hunt demons, vampires and slayers alike for their own purposes, running experiments and such. He couldn't imagine Lincoln going through that, he didn't want to.
Dave sighed as he popped a fresh breath mint into his mouth. He sat in his vehicle outside an old early 1900s-style homestead on the outskirts of Los Angeles. One night he'd followed Lincoln out to this location and was doing some recon on the house. He didn't want the slayer to know that he was following him so he decided to check out the house on his own.
He took his time scoping out the house from his SUV. He reached over to the passenger seat, grabbed his military-grade grey binoculars and peered through them. He noted no movement outside the house. The windows were covered with dark drapes so he couldn't tell if any source of light was on inside.
Dave cleared his throat and stepped out of his vehicle that was parked yards away from the house. If someone was inside, he didn't want them to know he was there. The night air was cool and crisp, the wind only blowing lightly. Dave checked himself before walking up to the house, making sure his gun was prepped and ready.
He reached the door and opened it carefully. He wasn't sure if this was a residence or not, it was very old and looked abandoned. Dave decided to take a chance and walk in anyways. Immediately he noticed it was dusty inside. It was dark so Dave pulled out a small flashlight from his pocket. He also drew out his gun and began to walk around, careful to be silent.
The inside of the house looked just as old as the outside. Wallpaper was peeling away from the panels, picture frames were obstructed with dust and there was a musky odor lingering in the air. Dave continued through the narrow hallway until he stood outside a set of double doors. He opened one of them slightly and entered what appeared to be the living room of the manor. He noticed there were candles that lined the wall. They were lit&
Dave began to hear muffled breathing behind him.
As soon as he turned around he was hit in the head by a blunt object. He collapsed on the floor and held his head, dropping his gun. A man grabbed the weapon and pointed it at Dave.
"Who are you?" The man shouted in a thick British accent.
"FBI& I'm FBI" Dave said weakly, rubbing his head. He attempted to stand up but quickly fell down. He felt like he was going to pass out.
"Can I see some identification?" The man then asked politely. Dave nodded and reached into his back pocket for his badge. He opened it and flashed it to the man wielding the gun.
"Looks legit. Why are you here in my house?" the stranger asked.
"I'd like my gun back first." Dave said dryly. The man smiled faintly and handed Dave back his firearm. Dave stood up and re-holstered his weapon.
"I& I was checking something out." Dave replied. He looked around trying to regain his focus.
"Checking for what?" the man inquired further.
"My name is Agent David Batista. I'm here because I& I was tailing a friend. He came here."
The man stared at Dave quizzically and shifted.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Look it might sound crazy but my friend visited your place and I followed him because I wanted to see where he was going every night. He came here a few times and "
"Well maybe your friend came here to take a look at the house. It is a historical site you know."
"Yeah, maybe but I think it was for something else. His name is Lincoln Burros."
The man swallowed hard and turned his back towards Dave.
"I don't know anyone by that name sorry."
"Look Mr.& "
"Grint, Victor Grint."
"Mr. Grint, I'm sure my friend came here. He went inside and was here for at least an hour each visit."
Dave was getting the impression that this man was hiding something. Perhaps he didn't want to acknowledge knowing Lincoln because he was aware of Lincoln being the slayer. Why would this man know that? Why would Lincoln tell him of all people?
"Well sir I don't know what to tell you. I'm quite sure "
"I know about Lincoln being a vampire slayer."
Victor froze. He stood silent for a few seconds before removing his glasses to wipe them with a white cloth he took out from his back pocket.
"Interesting." He simply replied.
"So you don't deny knowing Lincoln then, or the fact that he's a slayer?"
Dave scanned Victor for a further reaction. He then began to speak.
"Look I understand your unwillingness to confirm that you know Lincoln and the fact that he's "
"How do you know Lincoln?" Victor asked coldly.
"I& I met him at a crime scene. He told me about him and vampires and demons and such. It was kinda hard to believe him at first but "
"Agent Batista is it? Listen, you think you have things figured out but let me inform you that you do not. It is best that you go back to where you came from and leave this alone. It's neither your business nor your concern." Victor walked towards a window and peered outside. "Did you bring anyone else with you?"
"No I didn't." Dave answered.
"Good. Now leave."
"May I ask why?"
"Because Agent Batista you don't seem to understand that this isn't something you should be poking around in. The existence of vampires and demons goes back a long ways and& ugh please just kindly leave."
"No. I'm not leaving until you tell me who you are and why Lincoln visits you."
Victor sighed.
"I am Lincoln's watcher."
"His what now?" Dave asked puzzled.
"I'm His Watcher. A Watcher guides and trains a slayer, sort of a mentor."
"So Lincoln comes to you for advice and stuff?"
Victor Nodded.
Dave placed his hands in his pockets and began pacing around. He sighed.
"What about slayers? I mean what's the deal with them?"
Victor was silent for a few seconds before giving in to the agent's curiosity.
"The origin of the slayer dates back to the dark ages, when demons ruled the earth. A slayer is a chosen one, one out of 9, one who is gifted with the abilities to defeat these evils. They have superhuman strength, senses and powers. Whenever a slayer falls, a new one is immediately called to replace-"
"Wait, what do you mean 'fall'?"
"You must understand that a slayer's job is a dangerous one. Slayers are born and killed all the time."
Dave frowned. "How long is the life span of a "
"Most slayers don't live past their 29st birthday." Victor replied calmly.
"So& How long has Lincoln been a slayer?"
"A little over a year." Victor replied. "He is very exceptional at his duties, although he can be very stubborn at times."
"Yeah I know." Dave said slightly chuckling. Victor noticed this.
"May I ask the nature of your relationship with Lincoln is?"
"Excuse me?"
"What is the nature of your relationship with Lincoln?"
"He's been um helping me with a case. 2 kids killed, I assume by a vampire."
"And what? Do you think that you're going to be able to arrest the vampire if you find him? Throw him in prison, case closed?"
"No I don't. Look, I understand the difficult position I'm in. I'm not trying to cause any trouble either you or Lincoln. I& I just want to help."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Victor cleared his throat. "Do you care about him?"
"What?"
"Lincoln. Do you care about him?"
Dave stood silent for a few seconds before he nodded. Victor swallowed and sighed.
"Lincoln is a very emotionally fragile person. I don't want to see him get hurt."
"Neither do I." Dave acknowledged.
"Wonderful."
"I should be going. Thank you." Dave walked out of the parlor and headed towards the front door.
"WAIT!" Victor called. He walked up to Dave and peered into the agent's eyes.
"Take care of him will you?"
Dave nodded. He opened the door, walked to his vehicle and got inside. He thought about the conversation he just had with Lincoln's watcher.
'Slayers die all the time?' He thought to himself. He began to think about Lincoln; about how vulnerable he was, putting his life on the line every night. Dave didn't want Lincoln to become one of the countless slayers in history to die before the age of 29. He resolved himself to stand by Lincoln no matter what.