Life and Death After High School

Written By: Buffy Anne Harris
Rating: PG 13
Summary: The first in a 4 story series.
There's a new vampire in town and she's
she's out to get the slayers. (takes place
after gradutaion.)

Disclaimer: I am not in any way affilated with the show.
I don't not own any of the characters from the show. I do
own rights to any characters I have made up. No copy rght
infirgment intended.

| 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
| 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 |
81 |

============================================ The Morning After Part 1 ============================================ Buffy Summers' eyes slowly began to open as the late afternoon sun filled her room, she had been asleep for the last eighteen hours after her battle with the mayor. Her dreams haunted by his demonic figure, and thoughts of her fellow fallen slayer, faith. As she sat up and looked out her window at the sun that would be sinking on the horizon in just a few short hours she sighed. As her thoughts drifted to Angel and the last moment they looked on one another. A small tear rolled down her cheek as she sat there, wondering if she went to the mansion would she maybe see him one last time. She shook the image off as she heard the front door open. Down stairs Joyce Summers entered the house, she placed her bag down on the floor next to the door. A feeling of terror and worry had set in after driving past the school on her way back into Sunnydale. She had left at Buffy's request, but now she worried if she had done the right thing, "Buffy!!" she called out fear and hopefulness in her voice. Buffy heard her mother's voice from upstairs, and stood up next to her bed, "mom... mom I'm upstairs." She called as she slid into her slippers, and walked to her bedroom door, she stepped in the hallway as her mother ran up the stairs and saw her there. Joyce ran to her daughter, and throwing her arms around Buffy she hugged her. Tears filled Joyce's eyes. "Buffy, thanks god." She said not letting go. "When I saw the school.... Oh god I didn't know what to think. Is everyone else..." she trailed off. Not even sure she wanted to know exactly what happened, in many ways since finding out who her daughter really was, Joyce just wished she could forget, to go back to her once semi-normal life, to think that her daughter was just an ordinary teenager. But Joyce had excepted that now; there was no way to go back. No way to forget. "We lost a few, but it could have been a lot worse. Only about ten students died, and a few parents. And well principal Snyder." Buffy told her mother, as they both slowly let go. "But we made it." She said. Buffy still hadn't fully processed everything. Her mind felt like it was a few steps behind everything else in her life and world around her. "But it's over?" Joyce asked, "the mayor is dead?" she continued as she looked at her daughter with worry and hope, fear and happiness. She was so glad Buffy had made it she had survived. Buffy looked back in the door of her room and to the window, then looked towards her mother, "it's over." She said simply those words encompassed so much more then just the mayors death. They were the ending of an entire chapter in this slayer's life. And soon the next one would begin. ============================================ The Damage is Done Part 2 ============================================ Xander Harris walked quietly through the halls of Sunnydale Community Hospital he had come to know his way around this building all too well, over the last few years. He had seen his friends injured and cared for here, and he himself got a personal visit to have a cast placed on his arm after an encounter with Angelus' flunkies. But now he was here for another reason. He stood in front of room 403. His mind going over events in repetition as he opened the door and stepped into Faith's room. There she lay. Bruised and beaten on the bed. Her body hooked up to machines to monitor her. Xander walked closer and stood above her next to the bed. She had been his first. And then she had tried to kill him. He seemed to have that effect on women he thought as he remembered Ms. French, the substitute science teacher who had been a praying mantis lady. She had had plans to mate with Xander and then eat his head. Xander shook the thoughts from his mind and returned his glance to Faith. He lightly brushed the hair from her face. Then pulling a chair from the wall he sat down and took her hand. He wasn't sure why he had come to see her. But he felt like he should stay with her a while. ============================================ The Clam Before the Storm Part 3 ============================================ Night began to set in as Willow Rosenburg sat in the bronze; it had only opened an hour ago. She was there watching her boyfriend Oz, on stage warming up for a performance. Willow had to admit she loved to watch Oz and the Dingoes Ate My Baby perform. they stepped up to the microphones and began to play the song that Oz had written for her, called “She Knows”. *Lyrics* She flies from a blinding light And spirals to my heart I try to find my mind But don't know where to start Won't ever Can't ever find my sanity Won't ever Can't ever 'til I hear Her calling for me *End* As she sat there enjoying the music she was joined by Buffy, "Buffy, hey. How you been?" Willow asked concern in her eyes after all her friend had been through. Buffy looked like someone had ripped her heart out and threw it on the ground. "How's your mom?" Willow added. Buffy tried to smile. "She doing ok." Buffy answered about her mom but avoided answering about herself, she looked around a moment, "So Oz, is playing tonight huh?" she asked noticing the band. She also noticed a lot of what was left of the senior class there. They had all been copping and some had chosen to block it all out. While others were in a state of shock that they wouldn't soon forget. And there were a few there who seemed to not only be celebrating their graduation but also their survival. *Lyrics* She knows that She knows that She knows that side of me Can't help it Can't help it Can't help that side of me Just a little more Just a little more Just until I know what I'm feeling Just a little more Just a little more to find my sanity *End* Willow noticed Buffy looking around, "It's surreal. I had like a dozen people asking me what it was. Well, what the mayor was. People who I figured didn't even know my name. One person even asked me if we were really alive or if this was what death was like." Willow informed Buffy on the events since she had arrived at the Bronze, "I told him we survived." Willow added with a smile, then added, "unless this is what death is like…" she trailed off, as the music continued. *Lyrics* I'm lost in a thousand nights But sun shines at my feet I'd walk through a thousand fires And next to me she'd be Won't ever Can't ever find my sanity Won't ever Can't ever 'til I hear Her calling me *End* "We made it Will." Buffy assured her. Though in truth Buffy felt dead, or at least everything that made her who she was felt that way. "It's over. Now we get to move on to the next big evil." She added. As she took a sip of Willow's soda. *Lyrics* She knows that She knows that She knows that side of me Can't help it Can't help it Can't help that side of me Just a little more Just a little more Just until I know what I'm feeling Just a little more Just a little more to find my sanity She knows that side She's calling back for me I've lost my mind I'd never believed *End* "Next?" Willow asked sounding both anxious and worried, she really didn't want to see any more evil. "Well at least it can't get much bigger." Willow added sounding almost sure of it. "After all it's hard to beat and 200 foot giant snake demon." She smiled as the band started to finish the song and she saw Oz smile down to her. *Lyrics* She knows that side She's calling back for me I've lost my mind 'Til she's calling for me she's calling for me she's calling for me She knows that She knows that She knows that side of me Can't help it Can't help it Can't help that side of me Just a little more Just a little more Just until I know what I'm feeling Just a little more Just a little more to find my sanity She knows that She knows that She knows that She knows that She knows that She knows that She knows that She knows that *End* ============================================ Boys Just Wanna Have Fun Part 4 ============================================ The sun had set. And the moon hung now in the sky, as a young girl who looked at first glance to be no more then 19 or 20. As she walked down the street in and out of the lamplight you could see her short blonde hair shine the dim light. She carried herself with and air of certainty, youth, naivete, and innocence. As she walked she heard footsteps behind her. It was the sound of a group of 5 teenaged boys who had seen her and were now following her. She looked back catching a small glimpse of them. Then began to run. She turned the corner into an alley. The boys gave chase following her into the dark alley. She was standing behind a dumpster, when what appeared to be the leader of the little pack spoke, "Come out! Come out! Where ever you are!" he called as the group began to knock over crates and trashcans. "Come on now, we've not gonna hurt you. We just want to have a little fun with you." He added. Behind the dumpster the girl smiled ironically as she stepped calmly into the open. "Well, that's too bad." She said grinning, it threw the boys off who had now all stopped what they were doing and were just standing there looking at her. Then she took a few steppes closer noticing the group of vampires who had closed off the alley. "But that's ok. Because I plan to hurt all of you." She grinned as her face slowly changed revealing her true vampire visage. One of the boys nearest to her let out a scream. And she quickly grabbed him and snapped his neck. "Consider that the rest of yours first and only warning, I hate screaming. You scream you will die a hell of a lot sooner." She warned as she watched their heads nod and the vamps grab them by the arms. She watched her minions hold the boys then looked down at the dead body at her feet. "Bring him too." She said stepping over him. Two of her servants grabbed the body as they all followed her out of the alley. ============================================ Whispers in the Night Part 5 ============================================ Giles sat in his apartment he was reading over an ancient text. He looked up from the book and looked around his little home. There were boxes of books stacked everywhere. It was actually one of the best jobs Giles had seen Wesley do since his arrival in Sunnydale. Giles had had Wesley and Cordelia box and transport all the books from the library here, for safe keeping. There was no use blowing them up with the mayor. Giles stood up closing the book in his hand and walking over to one of the boxes. He placed the book down and lifted the lid of one of the boxes. Then he felt a presence, as if someone were there with him. He looked up, and turned to look behind him. No one was there. So he turned back to the box there on top lay an old dust covered book only a few finger prints were on it, probably from Cordelia or Wesley. It looked as though it hadn't been open or read in years. Then in the air Giles caught a familiar sent, and thought he heard a whisper, "read it…." He shook his head it had been a long week. But yet he did open the book, opening it wide to the middle he looked down at an engraving then read the caption beside it. He grew flush. The color left his face as he managed to find a seat on the couch. He turned the page slowly as it all began to sink in. Then he realized he had to find Buffy and as quickly as possible. Her very life lay in the balance. He stood shutting the book and quickly walking to the door grabbing his keys from the table that sat beside the entrance, and his coat from the rack in the corner. He opened the door and rushed out the book under his arm as he put on his coat and made his way to his beat up car. ============================================ I Wanna Play with the Toys Part 6 ============================================ Out front of an Old Catholic church a group approached "this is good." A female voice says as they step into the light. There stands a group of Vampires some are holding their prey, two others hold a lifeless body. While the female of the group steps to the front. "Well I think it's time to play." She says sweetly as the vampires holding the dead boy, let his boy fall to the ground, his black hair is now dusty from a patch of dirt he has landed in. The female smiles. She walks over to one of the soon to be victims and takes him by the hand leading him away from the vampire that had held him, "what's your name?" she asked sweetly her human face showing as she leaned close to him staring into his eyes. "Ah… Steve." He answered fear and worry in his voice as his hands shook noticeably. She could tell he was terrified, as were his friends it was a smell she had grown to love over the centuries. And it was heavy in the air around the boy. She smiled as her hand a hand down his chest. She always loved this. Making them think she might spare them. She raised her other hand and ran it through his short brown hair. She could feel him relaxing. She leaned in close and kissed his lips gently, then her lips wondered down his chin to his neck. As she opened the top buttons on his shirt and kissed his chest. She stopped and looked up at him, she smiled and said, "I'm Katherine." She whispered and kissed him again softly. "Don't be scared." She continued, "I'm not going to hurt you." She ran her fingers through his hair, and then down to her hand was on the back of his neck. She fiddled with the hair on the nap of his neck. "I want to give you something," she paused running her free hand up and down his arm, "If your good and prove yourself to me I'll let you live, in fact, you'll live forever, you'll never get old or sick, and you'll never die." She whispered her voice alluring and tempting. "Would you like that?" she asked, as she gazed in his eyes. He simply nodded, and she then turned holding his arm. She looked at her minions, "Well gentlemen lets begin." She said with a smile. "Start with him." She said pointing to the smallest of the boys they had taken; he began to struggle and to break away. However the vampires held him dragging him over to a large wooden post that lay on the ground. The boy tried in vain to fight. He begged and screamed as two others vampires joined the vampires that were holding him. The two new vamps picked up the post. Holding it in position as the others, who had the boy began to move in closer, directing the boy's body to the post. The large six-foot post was incredibly sharp at one end. And it pierced the boys flesh; he was still alive as they mounted his body on the wood like he was a stuffed trophy. They then drove the implement into the ground. Blood dribbled down the wood to the lawn of the church. As a small tingle of blood came out of the boy's mouth, as he gurgled his last breath. Katherine looked at the other two boys they were trying to break away from their captors. She grinned then looked a Steve, "Well isn't this fun?" she asked over the shouts and cries of the other two boys, as they too began to meet the same fate as their friends. Katherine noticed Steve looked ill, sad, and afraid. "What's the matter?" she asked with a pout. "Are you having second thoughts?" Steve shook his head his eyes unable to look away as his closest friends since childhood were grossly impaled in front of him. "No… no…." he quickly said still shaking his head, he didn't want to anger her. He feared that she might kill him as well. "Good." She replied and looked at the handy work of her minions, she smiled. Her head turned to Steve, her face transformed, "because I meant what I said you'll live forever." She stayed turned away, normally she would just kill him, but he hadn't screamed o fought to save his friends he had obeyed her. And that was the test. Then she quickly turned grabbing him tightly and biting in to the flesh of his neck. She felt the skin rip apart as she bit in harder, she drained him of just enough, then let go of her hold on him. She held him up with one arm as she brought her right wrist up to her mouth and bit into her own flesh. Then she placed the open wound near his mouth and made him drink. ============================================ A Matter of Urgency Part 7 ============================================ In the driveway of a small ranch style house on Revello drive as car pulled to an abrupt halt. The driver a middle-aged man in a suit stepped out and made he was to the door carrying a large leather bound book. The man knocked on the door franticly. As Joyce Summers opened the door and looked out, she was surprised to see him, "What's wrong." She asked noticing the sweat on his forehead. "Where is Buffy?" he asked hesitantly a bit as he made his way inside and shut the door, "I need to find her immediately." He added worry filled his voice as he spoke. Joyce had never seen Rupert Giles like this. She had gotten to know him over the summer when Buffy and ran away. And then had gotten to know first hand what he was like as a teenager only a few months ago. Joyce looked at him as they walked into the living room; "she went out to the Bronze. She needed to get out after everything that happened, to relax. Why?" Joyce's face changed to that of a worried mother, if Giles was here trying to find Buffy it probably meant one thing. Buffy was in danger. "What's going on. And don't tell me to stay out of it, for her own good. I'm not staying out of it any more. I've almost lost my daughter too many times." Giles looked at the woman she was right she should know what was happening, and he could understand how she felt. Buffy was like a daughter to him and if he were in Joyce's position he would react the same way. "Very well. I'll explain on the way to the Bronze. We need to find Buffy, now." Giles told her as he watched her grab her bag and jacket. ============================================ In the Wake of Tragedy Part 8 ============================================ Giles and Joyce made it on to the porch when she heard the phone ring, "it could be Buffy." She stated, and headed back inside to make sure just in case. As she went inside Giles headed to his car to start it. He entered the car and placed the key in the ignition. The car made a rumble and what almost sounded like a death rattle, then finally turned over. As the car started the radio Giles had in his car came on. He was about to reach for the dial to turn it off, when he heard the announcer saying, "the police have yet to announce the names of the four teenaged boys who were brutally murdered earlier this evening. They have no suspects at this time as to who may be responsible for their deaths or the horrible way they were killed. They are contacting the families of the boys at this time. Once again four teenaged boys were found on the lawn of Sunnydale catholic church this evening three were impaled on post driven into the ground the forth boy was nailed to the door. The police ask that if you have any information to bring the parties responsible for such an unspeakable act that you dial 555-7684. In further news…." Giles quickly reached for the dial seeing Joyce exit the house. He knew now that his hunch was right and Buffy was in very real danger. ============================================ A Friend Left Unprotected Part 9 ============================================ Xander stood from his seat next to Faith's bed; he looked down at her motionless body. "I'll be back in a minute." He said simply leaving the room and heading to the snack machine down the hall and around the corner, he reached the machine and began to debate, "Twinkies… or… Ho-ho's?" he asked himself. As down the hall at the nurses' station a group entered walking quickly down the hall. The nurse on duty saw them and quickly got up and stood in the hallway in their path. "I'm sorry visiting hours are over, please leave and come back tomorrow or I'll be forced to call security." She insisted placing her hand up in a stop fashion. The group came to a halt as Katherine stepped to the front. "What’s the problem?" she asked looking at her boys and petting the chin of her newest playmate Steve. "I don't like being kept waiting." She added. As one of her boys looked at her, "the nurse says we can't go any further." He told her with a smile. "Is that so?" Katherine asked and looked from her boys to the nurse. "Did you say that?" she asked the nurse. Katherine had a wild look in her eyes and she could tell she frighten the nurse. "You know boys there is a simple solution to this particular problem." She stated simply looking at the nurse and taking a few steps closer to the young woman. She was pretty maybe 25 or 27 her long brown hair was worn up in a bun on the back of her head. "We just kill her." She added as her face and those of the group changed. Katherine noticed the fear in nurses' eyes as she started to take a few steps back about to bolt. The nurse stumbled over her own feat falling to the floor. As the vampires surrounded her, Katherine watched as her boys ripped the young woman apart. "Ok enough playing, time to get what we came here for." She said simply. ============================================ And the Night Rolls On Part 10 ============================================ Buffy and Willow sat together listening as The Dingoes Ate My Baby were finishing their last set. Buffy had surprisingly been having really great time tonight. All was quite on the Sunnydale front as far as she knew. And she had earned a much-needed night off from patrol. And with the Mayor out of the way what was there to worry about she thought. Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed her mom and Giles come in the doors of the bronze. They spotted her and quickly made their way through the crowd as the Dingoes played their last song of the night, "Fate". *Lyrics* Time is healing I'm ahead Find a reason once again Take a moment out of time I’ll be standing back behind On a wing So out of line Taken in So out of time All it takes is living I want to fly I’ve never known fate I’ve never known your name I’ve never known fate *End* When they reached the table Giles looked out of breathe. "Buffy… thank god we found you." She said gasping for air. He leaned against an empty chair. And Buffy looked at both of them. She noticed how worried and sad her mother looked, and she began to get uneasy as Giles continued, "Your life… is in danger." He was still catching his breath as he spoke, trying to talk over the music. *Lyrics* Sound the season In my head I’ll be better off ...again You'd rather die this evening You would never know Up ahead and far below *End* Then Buffy interjected, "What are you talking about Giles? I'm fine the Mayor's history. And all is right in Sunnydale. She was both anxious and apprehensive, what could Giles be talking about. She looked at him waiting for him to explain and she glanced at Willow, who looked even more worried then Buffy was. On stage Oz noticed the group as he continued to play. *Lyrics* On a wing So out of line Taken in So out of time All it takes is living I want to fly I’ve never known fate I’ve never known your name I’ve never known fate *End* Willow looked from Buffy to Giles she was confused. “Wait but we just beat the mayor. Don’t we get like an intermission?” she asked hopeful though knowing that the answer was no. Evil just never knew how to take a vacation in this town. *Lyrics* Someone take me home Get me out of here... Someone take me home Get me out of here... Someone take me home Get me out of here... Someone take me home Get me out of here... Oh, oh, oh, oh get me out of here Oh, oh, oh, oh get me out of here *End* As the looks continued the Dingoes finished their song and Oz made his way to the table. "What’s with the pow-wow?" he asked placing an arm around willow and looking over the faces of everyone there. He noticed the serious faces and the fact that Giles was sweating and figured something must be up and not of the good. "Buffy, I found an ancient text this evening. And in it predicts the death and mutilation of a slayer in order to bring strength to a new master. One more powerful then any vampire you've ever faced." Giles began he looked serious and distraught. "It shall start with the ritual killing of three boys." He said and paused remembering the report he had heard on the scanner while waiting in the car for Joyce. "Buffy there were three boys found murdered on the lawn of a church tonight just as described in the book another was found hanging in the door way gutted and ripped apart." He finished and looked at her seriously. "Giles I'm fine." Buffy said then looked at her mother who looked terrified, "Mom it's ok. We took care of the last prophecy where I died this is no different I promise." She insisted. Then it dawned on her, "wait Giles you said a slayer is killed?" Buffy asked as her mind began to work over time. "Well yes. Why?" Giles replied unsure why she had asked. She sat there shaking her head. Realizing what it meant, she began to stand. Grabbing her things she looked at the others who looked confused. Then a light bulb went off for Giles he knew now what Buffy was thinking, "oh lord I came to warn the wrong slayer." He paused for a moment then said a single name, "Faith." "Exactly. Why would any one in their right minds come after a fit slayer when there's one laying in a hospital bed unconscious and unable to fight back?" she asked as they all started grabbing their things, "if they need a slayer that's where they will go first." She added as they began to head for the doors. ============================================ Losing Faith Part 11 ============================================ Buffy, Giles, and the others walked into Sunnydale Community Hospital. It was quite too quite. They started down the hall. Buffy held a stake in her hand. "Ok everyone be on your guard. If they are here, we need to be careful, if they did what Giles said to those kids then this could get dangerous." She paused and looked at her mom. "If it does mom you Willow and Oz get out of here, no arguments. I don't need any of you getting hurt." She insisted. When she looked back down the hall and saw the nurses body. She felt sick. "Don’t look guys," she said simply standing in their way. "Willow keep my mom here." She ordered. "Buffy what is it?" willow asked not seeing the body then she caught a small glimpse of a pool of blood. "Right will do Buff. Just be careful." She said and took Joyce's arm "this way Mrs. Summers." She said as she and Oz steered Joyce around the corner. "Giles who ever did this wasn't alone, it would take a lot more then one vamp or demon to do that to someone." She swallowed hard as they started down the hall there was barely any where to step with out stepping in blood or on parts of the nurse. If it weren't for the blood stained hat, and the nametag, there would be no way to identify her. They made it to Faith's room; there was blood on the door and the doorknob. "God Giles I know Faith tried to kill me and help the mayor but she didn't deserve to die with out a chance." She said almost in tears and she watched him open the door, he walked in the room ahead of her. Buffy stood in the doorway not sure she could walk in. From in side she heard a frantic call. "Buffy quickly!!" Giles yelled and Buffy ran into the room pushing the door open wide. There lying beaten on the floor was Xander. He was bruised and bleeding. Buffy stood there almost in shock then went to Giles and Xander. "Oh Xander!" she exclaimed, "Is he?" she asked not sure what to think she felt so responsible for all of this. Why was he there? Why hadn't they gotten here sooner? She looked at Giles her eyes pleading for an answer as he felt for a pulse. "He's alive." Giles replied a sound of joy and relief in his voice. He looked down at the boy, with concern and worry. As Buffy sighed with relief, she too looked at her friend then remembered Faith. Had Faith been so lucky? She looked up at the bed. It was empty. Fear filled her eyes and heart, as she looked back to Xander and Giles. Xander began to come around, "Faith…." He whispered, and collapsed back in to a state of unconsciousness. As he did. Buffy ran from the room for a doctor, leaving Giles to tend to Xander. ============================================ Time to Wake up Sweetie Part 12 ============================================ In a dark room of a boarded up old house a figure stood in the shadows. She was watching the young girl that lay on the bed. She was already injured. She had heard word that there were two slayers and that one, this one had crossed over to be naughty. But the most intriguing thing was that she had heard that both slayers fought each other. This one, called Faith, was left in a coma. She tilted her head. "Interesting," Katherine said standing up from the chair she sat in to walk over to the bed. "You amuse me. I'm not easily amused." She began as she walked around the bed letting her hand lightly drag across the covers; "I've actually found my self asking if I should really kill you. I mean it's not everyday a slayer goes bad. It's quite the event you see." She pondered as she encircled the bed and sat down beside Faith's body. Katherine extended a hand and gently stroked Faith's head. "Not to mention the fact that there is just no fun at all in killing someone whom won't wake up," she added. Katherine looked down at the girl. "The sun is rising. Well we have until tonight to decide I suppose. And even if I don't kill you. That boy who tried to protect you, will probably bring the other slayer right to me." She grinned as she thought about Xander, "he fought well, for one so young. I suppose that's why I let him live… or at least one of the reasons. Of course if he proves loyal to you I may have to make him like my others. Besides I'm always looking for a new pet." Katherine mused as she slowly rose from the bed and stepped away. "I'll be back to check on you later. Be sure to scream if you wake up." She started out of the room leaving Faith tied to the bed. ============================================ In the Light of Day Part 13 ============================================ Buffy had sent the others on a research mission and had stayed at the hospital with Xander. The doctors were with him now as she sat in the hallway. She wasn't sure how he was. She hadn't felt like this since finding Kendra lying dead in the library. It was a horrible feeling of worry, guilt, and fear. And Buffy hated it. She hated not knowing. As she sat there preparing for the worse and trying not to think about how she would tell Willow if anything did happen to Xander, a doctor stepped into the hallway. "Hello, Ms. Summers?" he asked as he walked over to her, "you're a friend of Xander's, correct?" he asked and she just nodded taking a deep breath. "He's asking for you. We told him you were here when he came around. He'll be fine. He suffered some internal bleeding but we stopped it, everything else was minor in comparison. You can see him if you like," the doctor offered. Buffy smiled and out of reflex hugged him. "I'll take that as a yes," he said as she squeezed him. As she pulled away he led her into Xander's room. Xander lay on the bed he was conscious and hooked up to some machines his head was bandaged all around. And his arm was in a sling. "Buffy…" he whispered, his throat hurt when he talked. Buffy made her way over to the bed as the doctors and nurses left the room leaving them alone. Buffy sat down on the bed a tear in her eye. "Xander are you ok?" she asked soundly worried about him. "What happened? Who did this?" she noticed she was asking a lot of questions and he was hurt, so she stopped to give him a chance to answer as she took his hand. Xander swallowed, then began to speak, "The doctors said I should be able to go home tomorrow as long as the internal bleeding doesn't start again," he informed her. She sighed with relief. "There were too many of them Buffy," he began to explain the events of the night before. "They were in her room when I got back from the snack machine, I tried to stop them from taking her, but…" he trailed off unable to say anymore. "It's ok." She squeezed his hand. "I'm gonna get her back and make sure who ever did this pays," she swore. "You just get better. Cause I don't know what I'd do if I lost you now. I don't think I could handle that." She shook her head as tears filled her eyes. She knew she had lost Angel but she wouldn't lose Xander. ============================================ Packing up the Past Part 14 ============================================ Cordelia Chase walked out of her large walk in closet her arms filled with a mound of clothing. She made her way to her bed nearly stumbling on the way. She lay the clothes down, and looked over the bed. Laid out on it were clothes, photo albums, and other objects she couldn't bare to part with. She walked over to her dresser on top of it was a small wooden jewelry box. She lifted the lid of the keepsake. She looked inside to see that everything was there then took it over to her bed. She opened the small box one last time and removed a heart-shaped locket from inside. She held it up in the light. It had been a Valentines Day gift from Xander. And she had kept it even after everything that had happened. Slowly she placed the necklace back into the box and shut the lid gently then laid the box into her suitcase that lay open on her bed. From downstairs she could hear the arguing and fighting of her parents. It had become the nightly ritual around the Chase house since the IRS had shut down Daddy's business. She shook it off and continued to pack. She finished putting her clothes in her bags and reached for a photo album. She had pictures of her, her family and her friends, since she was a little girl. However she had picked up the album from senior year. She flipped through the pages; it had been so full at the beginning of the year. She had remembered that she almost thought she might have to buy a second album. There were pictures of her with harmony, and ones of her with the so-called Scooby-gang. She turned the pages coming close to the end. There were so few pictures of the end of school. There were a few of her in her prom dress, and a couple of her from before graduation. And pre-snake-demon-giant-monster-mayor came out to play. But that was all. There weren't many of her with friends. After the Xander fiasco the people who she had considered friends she just couldn't stand to be around. And the people who used to fight for her attention and to begged to be friends with Cordelia Chase now snubbed her. But the thing that bugged her most of all about the whole thing wasn't her lack of friends. It was that she had let Xander get close enough to her to be hurt by him. She had never let any guy she dated that close. And he had broken her heart. She shut the album and placed it down on the bed with the others. She slowly stood up and zipped her bags shut. Then she picked up her things and walked to her bed room door. She placed her luggage down outside the door in the hall and looked back in her room one last time. Then shut off the light and walked down stairs, leaving the photo albums lying on the bed. ============================================ As Ineffective as Worrying Part 15 ============================================ In the apartment of Rupert Giles Willow and Oz sat on the couch they were enthralled in their research. After seeing what they had at the hospital they knew these vamps meant business. Suddenly the sound of a book slamming and a chair moved. Willow looked up to see Mrs. Summers leave the room headed for the kitchen. Giles followed her, “god this must be so rough on her.” Willow commented as she slowly shut the book. Oz looked up and at Willow. He could tell it was taking its toll on Willow too and not just Joyce. He reached over and took her hand. He looked at her with sympathetic eyes and said, “We’ll figure it out.” He assured her with a smile. Even though he was worried too. Willow looked at Oz, then glanced at his hand. She looked back up at him, “What if we don’t? What if we’re already too late? What if Faith is…” she trailed off. Granted Willow wasn’t exactly on the Faith bandwagon ever but still she didn’t want to see anyone killed. Especially when they didn’t have a chance to fight back. She looked down and away from Oz. Oz lifted his hand and touched her chin turning her face to him and he kissed her forehead gently. As he pulled away he offered assurance to her. “We’ll figure this out. It’s ok Will.” He hated seeing her so worried and afraid. And he always felt like there was nothing he could do. But for Willow just having him there to hold her hand helped to ease the fear and worry. It helped to see things she never had before. ============================================ New to All of This Part 16 ============================================ Meanwhile as Willow and Oz spoke in the living room Joyce leaned against the kitchen counter as Giles walked into the Kitchen behind her, “Joyce….” He trailed off unsure what to say in this situation. How could he assure he that things would be all right when he himself feared the worst? A few tears rolled down the woman’s face, “Why is this happening. I thought now that the mayor was gone…” she paused a moment as she turned to face him, “I thought maybe now Buffy would be save, she could live a normal life. Is that so hard to believe? And that poor girl, Buffy told me some of the story but to be taken from the hospital and to have god knows what happen to you….” She stopped as the tears came quicker now and she couldn’t go on. “Yes well that’s why we’re here. We need to find out exactly what is going to happen so we can help Buffy stop it.” Giles said taking his glasses off, and taking a step closer to Joyce, “We just need to get a step ahead of them.” He continued to even sure that he still had the faith to lead them. He wasn’t even a watcher now. And he felt rather responsible for what happened to Xander and Faith. He should have known. He should have realized that Faith would be the easy target. She would be the one they were after and not Buffy. “We’re not a step ahead of them!” Joyce replied angrily and crying, “their ahead of us.” She sobbed, as tears flow from her eyes freely, “Rupert I don’t want to lose my daughter.” She said simply. Giles lowered his head not sure what to say. He understood all to well how she felt. “I know, I don’t want to lose her either. Buffy is very dear to me as well Joyce,” was all he could say he looked back up at the tear stained face of the disheveled woman. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect her.” He added quite seriously as he placed his glasses back on his face. The last words he spoke seemed to give a small amount of comfort and relief to Buffy’s mother. ============================================ We’re Not So Different Part 17 ============================================ Outside sunlight streamed across the sky as inside a small house Vampires lay around, there were a few dead bodies lying on the floor scattered. Katherine walked through the house looking over all her followers. Each she had hand picked and sired some had been with her for centuries, others only decades and then there was her newest addition Steven. He was fresh and young. Perhaps a bit headstrong but he was fresh blood. She smiled as she walked past his sleeping body. She made her way upstairs. Only her most prized were allowed to be up here. She looked in one of the Bedrooms and saw her three most prized pupils. She smiled their still young and virile bodies lay asleep. Normally she too would be asleep. Or if she couldn’t sleep she would pick one of many from her stock and have him help her past the time until sunset. But this day was different. She shut the door behind her and continued down the hallway. There were a few other rooms that lay empty for now, and then at the end of the hall was the now occupied guestroom. In deed I t was a special occasion. Its not every day one has a slayer over. She walked to the door and opened it stepping inside. She saw the battered body of the young girl lying on the bed and she made her way over. “You know Faith it occurs to me we aren’t that different.” She said walking around the bed looking at the unconscious girl on the bed she knew she probably was unable to hear her, yet Katherine continued. “I was once just like you, in every respect. I was ambitious. I believed I was above all other beings on earth. I was wrong then. But then the most amazing thing happened….” She trailed off a moment as she walked towards the boarded up window and leaned against it as though she were looking out on to the street below. “I was found by a very powerful vampire, I fought him out of fear. I tried to save my own life and failed he feed from me. But the blood from a wound I have given him dripped into my mouth.” She looked back at the girl with honesty. “Quite by chance actually. When I rose the next night everything was different. I was stronger and healed. Then I hunted the vampire that had sired me. I believed he deserved proper thanks. And I gave it to him. I tortured him. Dipping a hand in holy water. The hand just his hand shriveled into dust and exploded. It was quite the sight. It took me a week to kill him. Not because I couldn’t kill him, but because I wanted to see just how strong he was to take his power as I killed him.” Katherine smiled and walked back over to the bed. “I found that it made me stronger. I hunted other vampires of power to obtain their power. Then one fateful night I encountered a slayer. And as I took her life over that week the power I absorbed was more then enough to sustain me for years.” She continued to explain. “Then I became the slayer of slayers you might say. It was actually quite ironic. But that story I will save for another time. I plan to choose a prodigy soon and for that I’m going to need another slayer to feed from. That’s where using you as bait comes in. so that I can catch dear sweet Buffy.” ============================================ When You Dream Part 18 ============================================ Buffy sat by Xander’s bed he was asleep now. And she hadn’t been able to bring herself to leave him. She had gone to the hall to call Giles a little while ago. There was still no news then. And he had promised to call the moment they found something. Buffy lowered her head and laid it on Xander’s chest. She had been so tired lately and she fell asleep there. A few moments later Buffy woke up and stood she heard music out in the hallway and walked to Xander’s door waking out into a field of tall grass. She began to wade through the tall blades following the sound of the music to a clearing. There was Oz and his band playing to one side. And willow laid on her belly on the ground watching. Mixed among the field she could see Cordelia walking away slowly not looking back. Then she saw Angel. He came from the field and stood before her. And spoke, “Listen for the whispering.” He said pointing into the field. Buffy looked and saw a shadowy figure lurking there in the mist. When she turned back to Angel he and stepped back into the tall grass. “Angel!” she called out as she saw him begin to walk away. “It’s time to move on.” Angel said and continued to walk she saw him and Cordelia’s paths come together as they continued to walk. She turned back to try to see who the figure in the grass was and then Xander tapped her on the shoulder from behind. She turned, “The answer is close.” He said and then she could feel more tapping at she shoulder as suddenly she really woke up there in the hospital and looked up to see a nurse. “Sorry to wake you miss but I need to change Mr. Harris’ I.V.” The nurse said as Buffy sat up and the nursed continued her work. The images from Buffy’s dream stuck in her mind, as she tried to figure out what it all meant. ============================================ The Time Has Come to Say Goodbye Part 19 ============================================ Cordelia Chase had driven by Buffy’s house and the bronze she wasn’t even sure why but she felt like she had to say goodbye to them. She pulled up to the curb out front of the apartment complex were Giles lived, it was the only place left to look that she could think of. Unless they were still hanging out in the library even though it was rubble. She thought but knew better. She turned off the engine of her car. Her father had lost his. And Cordy was forced to sell hers in order to afford this one and the trip she was about to take. It was beat up. And not something she wanted to be seen driving. But at least it would get her were she was going. Well she hoped it would any way. She looked out the car window at the door to the apartment, “Well here goes.” She said to herself as she opened the car door and headed for the apartment. She stood at the door she was about to knock when she heard Willow inside saying something. Cordelia leaned her ear against the door so she could hear better. “Giles, I found something. Something big. Really big,” Willow stated. Cordelia heard footsteps and figured Giles must have rushed over to her to see what she had found. There was no reply from Giles and Cordy leaned closer to the door. Finally Giles replied, “I need to get this to the hospital and Buffy now. Willow and Oz, you take Joyce home. I’ll call you after I talk to Buffy.” Giles directed them. This was a break. He just hoped it wasn’t too late. Cordelia was about to move form the door but was caught by what Willow said next, “Giles, make sure to find out how Xander is. I mean other then the one call that we got from Buffy we don’t know much…” she trailed off a bit then added. “Make sure to tells us if he’s gonna be alright.” Cordelia was shocked and a bit hurt no one had called her. No one had told her. True she and Xander had ended on bad terms but Willow sounded really worried, which had to mean he was hurt and in the hospital. And none of them had bothered to tell her. And from the sound of things they were getting ready to face some big evil. And apparently all her help in high school was no longer welcome. She heard them coming to the door and quickly ran back to her car. Slouching down she peaked a bit and watched them all come out. She started her car hoping they wouldn’t notice her and she pulled away from the curb and drove away down the street. ============================================ What’s in the Past is Done Part 20 ============================================ 1054 - The City State of Genova, Italy In the local cemetery a young girl was fighting off a group of attackers. She managed to flip one of them into a near by open grave. However the other two managed to grab her from behind. She flung her head back hitting one square in the face causing his nose to bust open. Then with her now free arm she grabbed the other throwing him to the ground and grabbed a near by branch of wood. Then she drove the stake into his heart, his body exploding into dust. The one she had knocked back started to charge her and she raised the stake behind her back and he impaled him self on it. His ashes fell all around and over her. Then from behind her she heard clapping. “Well done.” A male voice said still clapping; the girl stood looking behind her to see another vampire the master of these it would appear. He took a step closer as the first vampire managed to pull himself from the grave, as the older vampire spoke, “I must say very impressive, slayer. You will be probably the finest slayer I have every had the pleasure of killing.” “I’m not dead yet,” the girl replied her long blonde hair hung done around her from the fight. She glanced over her watcher lay on the ground near by. She couldn’t tell if he was still breathing. Then she looked back at the vampire. “I won’t die easily. You will have to fight me,” she said simply. Her clothes were that of a farmer, they were tattered and ripped from battle with the vampires she had faced that night. “I would not have it any other way,” the vampire replied and made a bow. And they began to fight. It was a heated battle but in the end his strength overwhelmed that of the young slayer and he held her in his arms tightly squeezing the life from her. She let out a whimper of pain as he whispered into her ear, “How does it feel to know you are about to die?” he asked as she fell unconscious. He moved his hand over her mouth grabbing her head and moving it to one side in a jerking motion. He bit into her neck his fangs tearing her soft tender young flesh and he felt the power of her life fill his body as he drained her blood. A small scratch that he had gotten in battle formed a bead of blood as he held her. And the blood rolled down his hand and into the mouth of the slayer. He felt her heart stop and her body grow limp. Then he let her lifeless body fall to the ground. He let out a sigh as the last of his pupils pushed the body of the slayer into the open grave. And covered it over with dirt. ============================================ Who is That Girl? Part 21 ============================================ The sun shown down on the shoulders of a young girl walked into the small West Coast town of Sunnydale, California. Her long auburn hair was done up off of her neck. On her back she carried what resembled a camping pack. As she continued to walk into town she passed a sign that read: “Welcome To Sunnydale”. She smiled knowing she had finally reached her destination. She looked at the town that lay before her. The quiet streets and scenic houses were misleading. For she knew what truly lurked there, ever present yet hardly ever seen. She walked on. As she reached the heart of the town, there were people everywhere scurrying to and fro. She walked down the main street unnoticed. Everyone in their own worlds. With their own problems. With their own desires. Their own cares. No one was taking the time to notice those around them. Yet she noticed each one. Among the crowd, she felt the presence of a demon and turned to see a man with his daughter on his shoulders. To everyone else he looked normal. He could live a normal existence. But she could tell what he was beneath the surface. She smiled at the man and continued on. ============================================ No Use Crying Part 22 ============================================ Cordelia Chase entered Sunnydale Community Hospital. She made her way to the nurses’ station, noticing that one of the hallways had been cordoned off. Probably something else no one bothered to tell her about. She looked at the nurse who was on the phone with a look of impatience. “Which room is Xander Harris in?” she asked. The nurse merely held up one finger in a motion for her to wait. Cordy was of course in no mood for this she put her finger on the phone hanging it up. She held down the small buttons. “I asked a question. Which… Way… To… Xander… Harris’… Room?” she said again slowly this time, making sure to emphasize each word. The nurse looked at her angrily and pointed in the direction for his room. Cordy smiled, “Thanks.” And let up the hook. The nurse heard the person on the other end asking if she was there and went back to her conversation. Cordelia continued down the hall to Xander’s room. She was about to go when she peaked in and saw Buffy sitting there with him, holding his hand. Inside the room, Xander lay in the hospital bed, the guardrails on both sides of the bed, wires extended from his body, attaching themselves to machines and monitors close by. Buffy’s outreached hands held his through the bars. Cordelia watched and a small tear formed in her eye. She could hear them talking softly. “It was the strangest thing,” Buffy stated in closing to Xander, she had finished describing to him the events that unfolded in her dream. She looked down on him with worry and compassion in her eyes. Xander met her eyes weakly, “I know, Buff, we’ll find her.” He tried sounding reassuring, yet he was feeling so tired. He was wrestling with his eyelids, trying to keep them from shutting. Buffy could sense that he was fatigued and she knew he needed his rest. “You’re tired, you need to rest,” Buffy stated with compassion and caring in her voice. “I’m going to stay with you until Giles calls with news. Then I will have Willow and Oz stay with you while I go and hunt down the vamps who did this to you.” As she finished, she stood, letting go of his hand, and pulling the cover up over him. Cordelia stood there in the hallway watching. Unsure how to feel. Unsure of anything. Xander’s eyes slowly shut as he began to drift off to sleep. And Buffy sat back down in her chair to watch him sleep. She reached out and held his hand. A few moments later, she could tell he was sound asleep. She leaned close and gently kissed him on the forehead. Then sitting back in her chair, she watched his slowing breath as he slept. Out in the hall, a tear rolled down the cheek of Cordelia Chase, as she slowly turned and walked away. When she reached the end of the hall, she paused a moment, wiped the tears from her eyes, and whispered, “Goodbye,” then resumed her journey down the cold sterile hospital corridor. ============================================ Night Descends Slowly Part 23 ============================================ The evening was approaching as Katherine lay in her bed one of her many disciples lay beside her asleep. She slowly rose from the bed grabbing a shirt from the nightstand and placing it over her body. She looks down at the one who lay sleeping. And smiled. Then she turned and walked from the room. She could hear the sounds of her family waking. So they would go out hunting. And what fun they would have. She walked down the corridor a few of the vampires she had sired were already up and preparing. She opened the door to Faith's room. She stepped in the wooden floors were cold against her bare feet. She slowly made her way over to the bed. “I’ve been thinking a lot since I last spoke with you.” She said simply as she made her way to the bed. Faith lay there; her restraints had been removed. As Katherine sat down on the bed she lay a hand on Faith's head innocently and tenderly. “You were the right choice,” Katherine whispered into her ear as her ran her fingers through her hair. Faith turned over and smiled exposing a wound that Katherine had inflicted to the tender flesh of her neck. And slowly she sat up leaning her self against the headboard of the elegant antique bed she lay on. “And soon you will ingest the raw power of your first slayer.” Katherine declared as she smiled looking at her new daughter, as the wound on Faith's neck began to heal itself. =========================================== Everything is Going to be Fine Part 24 ============================================ A lime green van pulled up out front of a small ranch style house that sat on Revello Drive. Inside Willow Rosenburg pulled open the side door of the van. Stepping out on to the pavement of the driveway she was joined by her boyfriend Oz and her best friend Buffy's mother Joyce Summers. Hey made their way to the house silently. And Oz took Willow's hand as they walked. Once inside the house Joyce, "Would either of you like something to drink?” Joyce asked heading quickly to the kitchen she was trying to avoid the fear and worry that filled her. “It’s no trouble really. I have sodas,” she added as they gave each other a look and followed her into the kitchen. "That’s ok Mrs. Summers.” Willow tried to sound polite she could tell that she was scared. “Really we’re good.” Willow assured her with a weak smile. She looked to Oz for support, as they both sat down at the Kitchen Island. Ms. Summers was scrambling around the kitchen she pulled open the refrigerator door, “Are you two sure? It’s no trouble. Really.” She was trying to keep herself busy anything to keep from thinking about what they had seen at the hospital. And to keep from thinking about what had happened to Xander. Though her efforts were in vain she couldn’t wipe the images and knowledge from her mind. And she felt as though she should be out doing something trying to help. But what could she do? Other then get in Buffy's way like the way she had with the two little kids they found dead. Who turned out to be a demon. Oh there was just so much that Buffy went through and there was nothing Joyce could do. Oz could see the strain and worry on her face and offered the only words he could to the woman. “Everything is going to be fine. We beat the mayor. Buffy can handle it.” He smiled it seemed to ease the worried looks on both Joyce and Willow's faces, but was Oz convinced himself? ============================================ Out After Dark Part 25 ============================================ Out side the Sunnydale Community Hospital a beat up 63 Citroen Coupe pulled into the parking lot coming to a rumbling stop. Giles shut off the engine and was about to exit the vehicle when he felt as though someone was in the car with him. He looking in the backseat nothing and out all the windows. It was as if he were being watched. Then he heard it the same whispering he had heard the night before, this time he was sure of it. “Watch for the one in the shadows.” It whispered the voice so familiar yet so new. He could hear pain in the voice, longing. Yet unlike before Giles did not dismiss the voice. For this time he replied, “Who? Who is it?” he asked, confused and bewildered. “Who should I watch for?” he continued to look around trying to find the source to the mysterious whispering. Nothing. Then after a few moments the voice merely stated, “Faith is the key.” Then there was nothing further. The voice had gone much to Giles' dismay. There was something about it. Something just told him to trust it. Thought he didn’t know or understand why. ============================================ It’s a Big Party Part 26 ============================================ Night had now fallen all around Sunnydale as a group made their way through the streets of Sunnydale, ahead of all of them was Katherine beside her walked Steve. Katherine smiled as they continued on. “Soon we’ll have what we need and I’ll have my first daughter.” She mused; she had wanted to take Faith out tonight to hunt. But she was still weak. And until she brought her the blood of a slayer she would stay that way. Unable to go out and have any fun. Now all Katherine had to do was find Buffy, and manipulate her right where she wanted her. Not that it would be hard. From all she had learned Buffy was a slayer that followed her heart and not her head. And that would ultimately be her greatest downfall. They continued on they caught sight of a few small children playing in the street. Katherine smiled, “Oh good I was starting to get hungry. What about you boys?” she laughed as they started to make their way over to the children, encircling them. “Look what we have here. They were playing hop scotch,” she said bending down and picking up the small stone that lay on chalk drawn game. The five children were a little scared now there were about ten people standing in a circle around them. Some of them were laughing. The oldest of the group held the hands of two of the smaller children, and spoke, “What do you want?” His hands were trembling and they had all huddled in a group. The vamps began to move around them in a circle. With each rotation they got closer to the children. There was a scream. A woman came running out of one of the houses near by. She was yelling at them to leave. Katherine saw her. And turned her face shifting and the children began to scream. Two of her minions grabbed the mother and killing her in front of the children then began to fight over the scraps. Then the group turned on the children. Katherine was the first to grab a child pulling the youngest from the arms of the others. She jerked the maybe six-year old girl’s neck to one side and then tore into her flesh with her glimmering fangs. Blood dribble down the side of the girl’s body as she fell limp in her arms and she cast her away like a small rag doll. As she watched the others grabbing and ripping at the other children fighting for who would feed on them. As they finished feeding, bodies lay scattered in the blood soaked street. The once white chalk outline of a hop scotch game now was splattered and coasted with blood. A tiny shoe was all that lay there untouched by the onset of the massacre. ============================================ What Happens Next? Part 27 ============================================ Oz and Willow had left Joyce’s home in order to go to Willow's for a few Wiccan supplies. Willow had figured they would need all the help they could get. They had told Joyce to stay inside and not to invite anyone in. No mater what. And now they were getting back in the van that sat parked in front of Willow's house. “So you got everything?” Oz asked looking at the supplies they had gathered. Willow examined everything, “Just about. Though there are a few things I don’t have that we might need. You feel like stopping by the magic shop?” she asked, as she watched him shut the side van door and open hers, for her. She climbed in and he went around the front of the van and got in the other side. “Not a problem.” Oz remarked as he placed the keys in the ignition and started the van. He pulled away from the curb and looked over at Willow. “We’ll figure this out,” he pledged to her. He could tell she was deep in thought and just assumed it was about the whole situation with Faith and Xander. “Oh I know. It’s not that,” Willow said straightaway. In truth she was thinking about what had happened between her and Oz before graduation. And the lack of them being close since. He had kissed her forehead to comfort her after the hospital while they were at Giles' but that was all. Nothing. She had started to think that maybe he thought it was a mistake. Or maybe he just wasn’t attracted to her. Oz looked over at her as he drove down the street heading in the direction of the magic shop. “Then what’s bothering you Will?” he asked as he continued to drive. Willow took a deep breath. Then she just said it. “Do you not find me attractive?” she asked worried that his reply would be yes. She really didn’t want to lose him and after the time they had spent together she had come to realize just how much she really loved him. Oz was thrown off a bit by this question. “What?” she asked shocked that she could even think that. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Just being around her made him feel more complete and alive then anything else in his life. Willow wished she could take back the question, “Nothing, Never mind.” She wasn’t even sure she wanted to hear the answer. She wasn’t sure if she could take hearing him tell her that he didn’t find her attractive and that it had all been a mistake and he didn’t love her that way after all. But she had to know, “Well do you?” she asked again. Oz pulled the van to a stop at a stop sign and looked over at her giving her his attention. “Of course I find you attractive.” He placed one of his hands on her check delicately. “I love you Willow.” He smiled as he said those words to her. And he meant them with all his heart. Willow smiled but still felt confused, “Well then how come since well in the van before graduation, you haven’t kissed me?” she asked sounding hurt and bewildered. There were so many things running through her mind. Oz smiled. And kissed her lips affectionately. “I’m sorry. I just thought you might want some time. I didn’t want to be that guy that makes everything about sex. We’re more then that,” he explained to her his voice loving and soft. He ran his hand through her hair as he added, “I never meant to make you feel like I didn’t want you.” Willow smiled, she felt so happy at that moment. But there were things the y had to do. Though she did wish she could just stay there like that the rest of the night. “Oz… I love you too. And I know we’re more then that. But it’s ok to kiss me. Actually I kind of miss it. And it really helps. Especially when things get Hellmouthy.” ============================================ Lurking in the Darkness Part 28 ============================================ There was a rustling in the bushes outside the Summers’ residence. Joyce Summers went to the kitchen window and peered out into the night air. Only darkness. She told herself it was probably just a neighbor’s dog or cat. And slowly she backed away from the window and she continued to walk over to the refrigerator. She opened the door and took a bottle of spring water from a shelf. Then she proceeded to return to the living room, to wait for Oz and Willow to get back. She sat down on the sofa. Then the noise came again. This time it was louder, and it sounded like it had come from the front porch. She turned on the couch and opened the curtain of the large picture window slowly. Still nothing. She then stood. And getting up from the couch she went to the front door. She hesitated but then cautiously opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. While hiding in the bushes unobserved by the woman, was a young girl with her auburn hair pulled up. The girl crouched there, watching Joyce. *So this is the mother of the slayer.* she thought. As she continued to merely watch and observe the woman’s nervous body language. Then the rattled middle-aged woman stepped back inside glancing over her shoulders a few times. Once inside Joyce locked the door. Then the girl in the bush stood and looked at the house. She glanced up and noticed an open window of the room above the porch. She crouched back down a bit then in one quick seamless motion she propelled herself onto the roof of the porch. She went to the window, and then glanced a bit around to make sure no one was watching. And the parted the curtains and climbed into the room, freely. ============================================ I Have a Plan Part 29 ============================================ “So what you’re basically telling me is that the vamp that took Faith used to be a slayer. And on a full moon she wants to kill Faith so that she can take her power?” Buffy asked summing up the rather long-winded account of the passage that Willow had found and Giles had just finished telling her in the hallway of Sunnydale Community Hospital, just outside room 211, where Xander was admitted. “Oh and you keep hearing voices whispering to you,” Buffy added looking as if she were putting things together. Giles looked at her quite seriously. It had taken him nearly twenty minutes to explain everything she had managed to compress in just a few sentences. “Well, yes. Essentially,” Giles replied then quickly added; “However it was only one voice. Not voices.” Buffy didn’t give him time to go back into all of it all over again, she interrupted, “Good.” Giles looked a bit muddled my this response, then Buffy finished, “That gives us two days to find her and get Faith back. And to get rid of this vamp.” She glanced back into Xander's room as she spoke. Then turned her attention back to Giles. Who felt it necessary to comment on the situation further, “Yes, however, Buffy, we do have a few obstacles. This vampire doesn’t work alone. You’ve seen what they are able to do. Xander is inactive. And we will also have to contend with Oz's situation over the next two nights as well. We still have no place to lock him up,” he reminded her. “And then there is the fact we still don’t have a plan or a way to locate Faith of the vampire Katherine.” Buffy shook her head. “Oh, I have a plan. I find her. Then I run a stake through her heart.” Buffy stated simply, looking once more over her shoulder at Xander. There was not going to be any auguring with her on this one. “Giles this is personal. No one. I mean no one goes after my friends. And you guys are staying out of harms way on this one. I don’t want any one ending up in the hospital. This is my fight. And something tells me I won’t have to look to far to find her.” ============================================ Get Out of This Town Part 30 ============================================ Cordelia sat in her car. She had been parked in front of what was left of the high school for almost an hour now ever since leaving the hospital. She wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. Then taking a deep breath she turned on ignition of her car. The radio came on as she pulled away from the school and began to head for the high way. On the radio Beth Hart’s new song “L. A. Song” was playing. And Cordelia found herself lost in the words and music of the beautiful song. *Lyrics* She hangs around the boulevard She's a local girl with local scars She got home late. She got home late She drank so hard the bottle ached And she tried. And she tried And she tried. And she tried But nothings clear in a bar full of lies So she takes. And she takes She takes. And she takes She understands when she gives it away She says 'Man I gotta get outta this town Man I gotta get outta this pain Man I gotta get outta this town Out of this town and out of L. A.' *End* A tear slid down Cordelia’s face as she turned a corner she could see the on ramp for the highway now. Soon she would be out of Sunnydale. She let out a sigh as the car came to a stop at the stoplight. She waited for the light to change as the song continued. And she thought about all the fights her parents had been having. How her life had completely changed. And how now she was no longer sure of anything. *Lyrics* She’s ashamed she’s ashamed She knows heaven wouldn’t want her any way. She left a note by the phone Don't leave a message cause this ain't a home. And she cried. And she cried And she cried. And she cried She cried so long her tears ran dry Then she laughed. And she laughed She laughed. And she laughed Cause she knew she was never coming back She says 'Man I'm gonna get outta this town Man I'm gonna get outta this pain Man I'm gonna get outta this town Out of this town and out of L. A.' *End* The light then changed and Cordelia drove her car onto the on ramp of the highway. Her mind drifted back to times when things had been happy. She smiled as she remembered how her and Xander first kissed. Sure her life was in danger because of a psycho bug man cosmetics salesman but she still longed for how some things had been less complicated then. And the song continued. *Lyrics* It's all she knows it's all she hates It's all too much for her to take She can't be sure just where it ends Or where the good life begins So she took a train. She took a train To a little old town without a name She meant a man he took her in But he feed her all the same bullshit again Cause he lied. And he lied He lied. And he lied He lied like a salesman selling flowers So she screamed. And she screamed And she screamed. And she screamed It's a different place but the same old thing *End* Cordelia’s car continued down the dark highway. Her eyes filled with tears. She remembered how hurt she had felt finding Xander with Willow. She had felt so betrayed and so heart broken. She let go of the steering wheel with one hand and wiped her eyes again. And then she thought about seeing him there in the hospital hurt. She had wanted to hold his hand. To smile at him when he woke up. And she didn’t understand why. After all he had put her through she still cared about him. Then she had seen Buffy with him. She knew it was innocent. It was Buffy after all. She pined for Angel not Xander Harris. But Cordelia had still felt jealously. And as her mind continued to wonder the song continued to play its final verse. *Lyrics* It's all I know it's all I hate It's all too much for me to take Can't be sure where it begins Or if the good life lies within So she said 'Man I gotta get outta this town You know I gotta get back on that train Man I gotta get outta this town I'm outta my pain So I'm going back to L. A.' Back to L. A. Back to L. A. I'm going back to L. A. I'm going back to L. A. *End* ============================================ There’s Some One in the House Part 31 ============================================ Joyce sat on the couch. When a knocking on the front door suddenly startled her. She got up and walked to the door. And opening the door as far as the chain would let her she saw Willow and Oz on the porch. She shut the door then removed the chain and opened it. Letting them in. “We got everything.” Willow began filling her in. “Now we just have to wait for Buffy and Giles to get here. Then we come up with a game plan.” Willow and Oz carried the boxes of magic supplies into the living room and sat them down on the coffee table. Joyce followed after locking the door once more. Upstairs a shadowy figure lurked watching from the top of the stairs just out of sight. She noticed the box and nearly felt like laughing, *They think that’s going to stop Katherine?* she thought. Then continued to observe them waiting for a moment to make her presence known. Joyce looked down at the box. It smelled of sage and other herbs. "I got a call from Buffy just before you got here. She’s on her way. Giles is staying with Xander for now. she said it would take her a little while to get here she was walking.” Joyce explained as she picked up an odd looking candle. "What’s this for?” she asked. Just then a voice came from upstairs. "It’s a summoning candle. And useless.” A girl stood at the top of the stairs looking down at the group, with a smile. She saw Oz and Willow both grab crosses from the box. And spoke, "If you think I’m a vampire think again. I didn’t need an invitation.” She laughed, “You should really remember these things,” she added, she noticed the confused looks on their faces as she came down the stairs quickly. ============================================ Coming Home Part 32 ============================================ Buffy reached the porch of her house to hear fighting and yelling coming from inside. “mom” she whispered and went for the door. It was locked. She stepped back and kicked it open rushing inside she noticed a girl fighting with Oz. Buffy quickly ran over and kicked the girl square in the back knocking her to the floor. “Oz, Willow, get my mom out of here.” She yelled and saw them start to take Joyce into the kitchen. Then the girl began to get up. “Ok you people just aren’t very friendly,” she complained. Then turned to face Buffy. Her auburn hair that had once been up in a perfect bun was now falling all around her shoulders. She held a fighting stance. Then Buffy and her began to fight. The girl matched Buffy in every way. Then after knocking Buffy back from her the girl let her guard down a bit as she stood near the window. Buffy came at her. And they both went through the window and onto the porch. The girl made it to her feet. And they continued Buffy kicked her through the railing of the porch and onto the yard. Then followed. And the fight continued. They were both beginning to tire. And the girl kicked Buffy into the tree. “would you just stop a second?” the girl asked. Buffy got back to her feet and punched the girl in the face. “Who the hell are you and why were you in my house?” she demanded. The girl dropped her stance as she held he hand to her now bloody nose. And Buffy stood there impatiently. The girl looked at her. “My name is Samatha. And I’m here to help.” She said still holding her nose so that her words were slurred a bit. "I got to give you credit Slayer you’re tough.” She removed her hand slowly as her nose began to heal. “Now can we talk or do you want to keep destroying your house?” ============================================ Guilt and Blame Part 33 ============================================ Giles sat in room 211 of Sunnydale Community Hospital, Xander's room. The boy was just waking up. “Buffy?” he asked as his eyes fluttered. And he began to look around. Then he saw Giles. “Where did Buffy go?” he asked not sure exactly what happened while he was asleep. Giles sat up straight up noticing Xander was awake, “Buffy headed home to get a few things. She wants to try to find the vampires that attacked you.” He explained, knowing that he himself had been against the idea of Buffy going alone, he looked down at Xander, “She’s going alone,” Giles added soundly less then happy and less then confident. Xander shook his head, “This is my fault. If I had been able to…” he trailed off thinking about the past evening and the fight that had taken place in this very hospital. “Maybe if they hadn’t taken Faith…” he continued to shake his head. When Giles interrupted, “No Xander if this is anyone’s responsibility it is mine. I should have realized that they would go after the most vulnerable slayer. I should have come here first not wasted the time I did going to warn Buffy. I should have sent Joyce for Buffy and come here.” Giles said taking the blame and guilt for himself. “It wasn’t your fault. You said your self there were too many. And after seeing what they did to the nurse on duty we’re all just thankful that you’re still alive,” Giles looked at the boy. The pain was evident on both of their faces they both felt as though they could have prevented what was inevitable. ============================================ Who the Hell Are You? Part 34 ============================================ Buffy watched Samatha carefully as they both walked back into the house. Buffy was still leery of this girl. “Ok now start explaining.” She said as they made it inside and shut the door behind them. Buffy looked up as her mother, Oz and Willow returned to the room, “She says she’s here to help. And she’s got ten minutes to convince me.” Buffy explained adding the last part while looking straight at Samatha. Samatha stood near the steps. "I was about to explain, but your friends here got a little kung-fu and didn’t give me a chance. Then you came in and well the rest is how you say history.” Samatha said sweeping her long auburn hair back and putting it up in a quick ponytail it would do until she had a chance to fix it properly. “My name is Samatha. I was sent here by a sort of organization. I believe you know Whistler?” she said asking Buffy. Buffy nodded as Samatha finished explaining, “He’s a colleague of mine you might say. We answer to the same people, or rather demons. But he works a little less actively then me. And for this one you’re gonna need a proactive kind of help.” "I don’t need any help thanks. I’m going to handle this.” Buffy explained cutting Samatha off. She didn’t trust Samatha, at least not yet. Then Samatha cut her off. “No I don’t think you realize what you’re up against. Sure Katherine is a vamp. But she was a slayer. And on hell of a slayer.” She explained. She failed to mention that she herself once knew Katherine when she was human and the slayer. “She doesn’t work alone she has an arsenal of followers ready to do her biding at a moments notice. And she’s obviously here to kill you. Because I can bet you aren’t the one she’s been looking for.” Buffy and the others looked confused looking for, then Willow spoke, “Looking for? Who has she been looking for.” Both Buffy and Samatha’s heads turned to look at Willow when she spoke, “oh sorry was I not suppose to cut in?” she asked as Oz took her hand. Samatha shook her head, “No it’s alright. She’s been looking for centuries for a sort of prodigy. Someone she could sire and train to be just like her.” Samatha explained as she noticed they had begun to look more at ease and not so untrusting of her. Buffy looked at her seriously, “Someone like her? You mean a slayer?” she asked as she began to look worried. Samatha merely nodded. “Yeah. But it would have to be one that showed her self to be worthy in Katherine’s eyes. One that believed the way she did when she was a slayer that she was the most Supreme Being. One that could prove that she could do true evil.” Samatha explained and Buffy looked really worried now. Buffy swallowed hard and then looked up at Samatha and the others, making eye contact with Willow. Willow knew exactly what Buffy was thinking, “Like having killed a guy, and then tried to help destroy Sunnydale.” Willow voiced Buffy's thoughts. ============================================ Well, Well, Well Part 35 ============================================ A group of vampires stood in the park. One of them a female sat on a near by bench. "I’m growing impatient. How does it take this slayer to find someone?” she asked anger and frustration evident her voice as she continued, “You would think she would be intelligent enough to find me. I left her a trail of bodies. Literally.” She sighed, this slayer must be slow was all she could think. And the night was growing thin soon the sun would rise. Then they would return to her home. Then from behind her a familiar voice, “Having Problems my sweet?” the male voice asked with almost a chuckle as he approached her and placed his hands on her shoulders gently. Katherine smiled; she knew that voice, that touch, “Nothing I can’t handle.” She reached up placing a hand on one of his then turned to look in his eyes. Looking up at him she greeted him, “Hello Terrance.” She kissed his hand lightly licking his index finger. He smiled as he spoke, “It’s been a while…” he knelt down beside the bench. “What was it Greece when I last saw you?” he asked looking her over, “You cut your hair I see,” he added slowly reaching for her hair and running his fingers through it. “And you changed your look,” she replied noticing his dark, Goth clothing like that of a teenager. “Last time I saw you… you were in a suit, and trying to play nice.” She sounded almost disappointed. “But I must say I like the leather.” She smiled grabbing the belt hoop of his leather pants and pulling him close to the bench. He growled, but not in a treating way, but rather as if he enjoyed it. “And what are you doing in Sunnydale?” he couldn’t help but ask. Even though he knew it was probably something to do with her hunger for slayers. She always had a taste for them. She smiled at him and kissed him, not answering the question she merely posed another, "I could ask you the same thing. In fact I’m wondering.” She never had to actually ask any of her disciples a question and she never asked any one twice. They always did, as they were told, Terrence, even though he was her favorite, was no different. His face transformed into his true vampire visage, “heard the mayor was dead, the Hellmouth was here, and that you were paying a visit. I figured easy carnage,” was his reply. And it was good enough for Katherine as she stood pulling him up with her. She put her arm around his shoulders and grinned evilly as they lead the vampires out of the park for some real chaos and disorder. ============================================ Home Alone Part 36 ============================================ Back at Katherine’s boarded up house, Faith sat alone, and bored. She had wanted to go out with the others, but Katherine had told her to stay put, because she was still weak from being in a coma, and her fight with Buffy. Even being a vampire now she would need time to heal. Faith kicked a wall. Splintering the wood. “Who in the hell does she think she is giving me orders?” she demanded, her voice echoing through the empty house. Faith wanted to be out. She hated being cooped up especially when she had so much energy to burn. And after waking up, changed. She had been hungry. And she had a desire to hunt. This place was already boring, and that bitch Katherine wasn’t gonna let her have any fun until the full moon from the sound of things. Faith felt an urge to just go out anyway. To hunt and kill. But the sun was going to rise soon. And she knew what that meant. No more beating the crap out of people in the daylight. She growled. The anger growing inside of her. Her face shifted. As she kicked in one of the doors. Wood fragment flew through the air. “At least when I was human I could have found someone and kicked their ass when I got bored during the day.” She complained. Already she was not enjoying this. Of course if she could have gone out she might not have gotten so bored or hungry. She picked up a near by chair and through a drywall wall. Chalk like dust rose in the air. As it settled she could see a hole in the wall leading into another room. She laughed. “Weak my ass!!” she exclaimed. ============================================ The Sun Also Rises Part 37 ============================================ Samatha was boarding up the front window of the Summers’ house. She had offered to do the job while Buffy went with Oz and Willow to pick up Giles and Xander from the hospital. She looked over at Joyce, her hands full, “Could you hand me that hammer?” she asked. Samatha waited for Joyce to grab the hammer and hand it to her, then as she began to nail up board after board she spoke, “You know, I’m just here to help. I can tell you’re a little nervous around me. But I promise I don’t bite.” She smiled looking over her shoulder at the woman. Joyce almost reminded her of her mother. Her smile slowly faded and turned to a look of longing and sadness. She glanced back at Joyce; “Buffy will be fine. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to keep her safe,” she reassured her. Joyce smiled faintly. She was actually wondering more about this girl. “Um… Samatha?” she asked and the girl nodded her head, “Are you? I mean were you?” Joyce wasn’t sure how to ask, I mean how do you ask someone you just meant if they were a vampire. Samatha could see where this was going. “No. I’m not a vampire. Demon yes. Evil no.” Samatha looked back at Joyce as she finished the last board, “That should hold for now. Until you get a new window any way.” Then she got back to the previous topic, “See vamps can’t be out in the day light, they tend to go poof. And well the sun is up. So to stand in front of a broke window in daylight would be hard for a vampire. But you were close; I was human once you know. Just like vampires were once human.” Joyce looked a little less confused but she still wasn’t sure exactly. “Oh,” was the only reply she could muster as her mind began to process the events of the past few days a little bit more. It seemed any more that once she began to process one set of events another would come along and blow her mind again. ============================================ In Light of it All Part 38 ============================================ Giles walked down the hallway of Sunnydale Community Hospital. He had just talked to Buffy a few minutes ago, he knew she and the others were on their way. And Xander was in his room; the doctor was checking him over to make sure he was ok to go home, while Giles was in need of a nice cup of tea. He made his way to the cafeteria in the hospital. He stood in the line a few moments behind a few doctors and interns. When he reached the counter he asked for cup of hot tea. He was given a Styrofoam glass of hot water and a Lipton iced tea bag. He let out a small sigh, and took the tea any way it would have to do until he got home and could make some the proper way. He paid for the terrible substitute he was forced to endure. And then placed the tea bag in the cup. And began his walk down the hallway. As he walked making his way back to Xander's room he felt as if someone was following him. He turned no one there. There was a sent of perfume in the air. And a gently breeze in the closed building brushed his face. It was an odd feeling. One he had never experienced before. He shut his eyes a moment. And could almost feel a touch on his cheek, then nothing. The sensation passed. He stood there in the hallway moment thinking perhaps that he had imagined it all. Then he almost thought he heard his name whispered, “Rupert….” ============================================ Chance Meeting Part 39 ============================================ The doctor left Xander's room finally and he sat there on his bed he had just gotten dressed and was buttoning his shirt when a familiar face wheeled past in a wheelchair. “Hey man!” a voice called from the door. “What did you do to get in here?” Larry asked making his way into the room. Xander looked up shocked to see Larry and having a slightly hard time buttoning his shirt with just one arm to do it with. And he found himself wishing the really cute nurse who had taken his blood this morning would come back to help with his shirt. He looked at Larry. “Got the business end of a group of vamps the other night.” Xander noticed Larry’s wheelchair. “How bad?” was all he asked. “Paralyzed. Permanently according to the doctors. Compliments of the good mayor.” Larry replied, with a slight frown he had been hit by the tail of the mayor during the fight almost everyone took him for dead. He had been out for hours afterwards. "I woke up yesterday and I couldn’t feel anything below my waist,” he explained. Xander gave him a look of sympathy. Actually in the grand scheme of things Larry had been lucky. Others had died. “You dealing with it ok?” Xander asked, finally getting a button on his shirt fastened. Larry nodded, “Well it could be worse. Though I’m pretty good at the wheel chair thing. I won like five races with the interns already.” He said sounding proud of himself. “Besides I have a pretty good support system. Mark has been great.” He told Xander, mentioning his study. “Mark is the guy I’m seeing, then there’s my family of course.” Xander halfheartedly smiled, almost every time he talked to Larry, Larry managed to get more and more of an impression that he was gay. “Well you know that’s important.” Xander stammered. As he saw Giles walk into the room. “Oh and look Giles is here. It’s almost time for me to get out of here. But I’ll see you.” Xander said nervously as he stood almost loosing his balance he sat back down on the bed, "I’m fine. I’m good,” he said quickly. ============================================ Living in the Past Part 40 ============================================ 1467 - Paris, France The Cathedral of Noter Dame was quite and still. A young man a thief ran to the doors pleading for sanctuary. A simple priest opened the doors. He ushered the boy in. “What is you name my child? And why do you beg for sanctuary?” the priest asked. The boy shook with fear; "I am called Terrance, my lord. I stole the purse of a woman. She gave chase.” He said simply the boy was clearly frighten, and the priest did not understand why he would be so frighten by a woman. He led the boy through the elegant building. There was yet another knock at the door. The boy begged the priest not to leave him. The priest managed to sooth the boy, and then made his way back through the Cathedral to the doors. “Yes?” he asked as he opened them and saw a young woman standing before him. She was dressed in the finest robes and her long blonde hair hung down around her in curls. She smiled at the little man. "A boy, he came this way I’m looking for him.” She said sounding polite and clam, and least for now. “You haven’t perchance seen a young beggar, dirty brown hair. He’s rather spry.” She described the young boy he had just taken in. “Yes ma’am I have. He has requested the sanctuary of the church.” The priest simply replied. He was about to shut the doors, when the woman placed a hand in the way holding the door open. “May I come in I just wish to retrieve a personal object he has, he may keep the money in my purse if his situation is that dire, I merely wish a small keepsake from within.” She sounded sincere and the priest ushered her into the walls of the Cathedral. Once inside she stood in front of him her back to the short little man. Her face shifted and she turned quickly. Tearing into the flesh of the priest and ripping at his robes. She left his lifeless body there and went in search of the boy. She found him huddled in the corner of a small room where the priest had left him. “You know it takes a lot of skill to steal from me,” she said getting closer to the boy she picked him up by the throat. “So you have a better fate then death.” She smiled and then sunk her sharp incisors into the flesh of his neck. ============================================ No It’s Not That Part 41 ============================================ Oz was checking in at the front desk to make sure Xander was ready. As Buffy and Willow stood in the waiting room, as Willow spoke in almost a whisper, “Ah Buffy,” she began. She had so, wanted to talk to Buffy ever since the night her and Oz had slept together. But with the mayor’s accession and then this whole Faith being kidnapped thing she hadn’t had a chance. But she really needed to talk to her, "Um… there is something I’ve been wanting to talk about with you. And well it’s been on my mind a while. And I just really need to tell you, I mean you are my best friend Buff. “ Buffy was a little worried by her best bud’s, tone and ushered her over to a waiting room bench. “What is it Will?” she asked there was concern in Buffy's voice as she devoted her attention to her friend completely, “Is it about Xander? Will I promise he’ll be fine and I’m going to stop the vamps that did this I swear.” Buffy told her with conviction. But before Buffy could continue Willow cut her off, “No Buffy it’s not that. I mean sure I’m worried about Xander and I have complete confidence in you but this isn’t about that.” Willow said rather quickly. "It’s about me and Oz.” Willow told her a look of worry and almost fear on her face. Buffy took Willow's hands and looked at her, “What, what is it Will. You can tell me anything,” Buffy said simply feeling so stupid for just assuming that the problems with Faith were the only ones that were important. And that no others even existed. She frowned a bit. Willow was nervous. And she wasn’t sure if Oz would even want her telling Buffy. But how could she not tell Buffy this was the biggest thing to happen in her life thus far. Even bigger then becoming a witch or finding out about all the weirdness of the Hellmouth. “Well we… we… we you know. “ she said and looked at Buffy. There was a look of confusion on Buffy's face at first then she realized what Willow was saying, “oh god Will,” was all she could say this was not the news she had expected not even close. Buffy wasn’t sure how to react or even what to say, “When?” was the only thing that came to mind. Willow looked at her sincerely, “The night before graduation. We were all worried we might not live and everything. And then… well that’s why I was late for graduation.” Willow told her they sat there together quietly, Buffy just trying to be there for her. She knew how confusing it was after. But at least Willow had a normal guy. Well all but three nights of the month that is. ============================================ A New Place to Call Home Part 42 ============================================ Cordelia Chase walked up a flight of rickety stairs; she was on her way to her new apartment in L. A. So far from what she had seen the health department back in the early fifties should have shut down the building. She was amazed it was still standing. And the thought of her living her was inconceivable. But it was the only place she could afford at least until she got an agent and some work. She just hoped her plans to become a model and an actress paid off. After leaving Sunnydale she had felt so empty. She finally reached the room 42D. “What fun,” she muttered to herself as she unlocked the door and went inside. She shut the door behind her and placed her bags on the floor, then turned on the light. The room was awful. It was dirty and it had a stench. And one that Cordelia rather not find out what caused. She felt nauseated just being there. She let out a deep sigh and looked at the half-hazard couch that came with the apartment. “So that’s what furnished means,” she said in a scarstic tone. Well at least she wouldn’t be here for long. She hoped. ============================================ The Killing Fields Part 43 ============================================ Joyce sat in the living room and turned on the TV, as Xander and Giles also looked up at the TV in his room. And Buffy and Willow noticed a broadcast in the waiting room, they were joined by Oz. Everyone was watching the same scene of carnage and destruction only in different places. A reporter walked along a field of bodies that lay scattered in the park. Sheets hid the blood and true horror of the events that had unfolded. The reporter began to speak as each group turned up the TV’s they were near. “Never in all my years of journalism have I seen such a massacre. Last night the police estimate that at 12:45 p.m. a group managed to get entry into the Sunnydale Shelter. The bodies of the sixty people, both children and adults were found here in the Sunnydale Park in the early morning hours. They had all been brutally murdered and mutilated; the police have limited the area we may show on this broadcast for the sheer horror of the scene. Each body was carefully placed after death. The coroner is still determining the exact cause of death. However he has said that most of the victims were ripped at. Their throats literally ripped out. For most he said death was instantaneous. This is channel five news reporter, Amanda Kurtshall reporting in Sunnydale Community Park.” She finished. Then the channel switched over to the anchorman, who sat behind his desk at the newsroom. The look of shook and horror was stamped on the faces of all who watched, and on the crew at the station. Buffy, Joyce, and Giles each turned off their TV’s in shock. And with renewed conviction to stop the vampires who were doing this. ============================================ Research, and a History Lesson Part 44 ============================================ Giles had taken the others to the Summers’ home to prepare and have Samatha fill everyone in, while he went home to get a few books and to research the occurrences he had been experiencing. He had to admit the whispering intrigued him. And he was uncertain what to make of it all. He opened his door and walked into the empty apartment. And it was as if he had traveled back in time. And opera play on the record play he refused to throw out. It was a familiar one. And one he had not brought himself to listen to in a long time. There were rose petals lying on the floor all around him leading up the stairs to his loft. He felt a sudden sickness seeing the champagne and glasses on the table. And a note near by read upstairs. He could hardly breath. How was this happening? Not again, please dear lord, was all he could think the images in his mind were too strong. He felt like he would collapse. Yet he didn’t he forced himself to climb the stairs. There on his bed sat Jenny. She smiled at him. “Hello Rupert,” she said simply. She looked in his eyes. His soft gentle eyes. And she was filled with a feeling of pre joy. Yet at the same time an overwhelming sadness. Giles was flabbergasted; he started to go to her to hold her in his arms. But she held up a hand to stop him, “No Rupert. We can’t.” She walked to him and touched his cheek her hand just going through his skin, with no feeling. "I can’t touch and you can’t feel me,” she explained sadness in her voice a longing of unrequited love. “Jenny…” he whispered wanted so much to take her in his arms and not let go. "I’ve missed you so much…” he was at the verge of tears. “When I found….” He couldn’t even continue the sentence. She held up a finger near his lips not touching him as if to say shh… it will be ok. "I know. I know. I’ve missed you too,” if she had been able to cry the tears would have been flowing from her eyes. “Rupert I came back to warn you about Katherine. And to tell you to watch Samatha she’s not exactly what she says. And to tell you goodbye. You have to live now for you. Not waiting for me.” She told him. “We’ll be together soon enough, and I can wait.” She felt her energy fading, "I have to go now. But I’ll always be with you Rupert….” She trailed off as she faded into a mist and the room and apartment changed back to the way they had looked earlier that day. But the opera down stairs continued to play on the record player. As Giles sunk to the floor unsure what to make of the events a tear in his eyes slowly rolled down his cheek. ============================================ Dreams Can Foretell Events Part 45 ============================================ Buffy had been preparing in the kitchen, when the lack of sleep the night before had set in and she drifted off for a few minutes. It was the first time since she had zonked out at the hospital that she had slept at all. She found herself on a path in what seemed like the woods in Weatherly Park. She followed the trail until she reached a clearing. She saw faith standing there with two others, their backs were turned to them and Buffy couldn’t see their faces. She looked around and saw Willow and Xander standing to one side holding a leash and on the end of it was Oz. Only he wasn’t a werewolf. Then she saw Giles and her mom both standing off to one side they were discussing something but she couldn’t hear what anyone was saying. There were two other figures lurking in the trees. Then she heard Faith speak. “You still haven’t figured it out have you?” Faith asked walking closer to Buffy, “You can’t save me. It’s about you now.” “What’s about me?” Buffy asked she was confused. She watched as Faith walked over to Xander and ran a hand down his chest, “You’re gonna loose a friend no matter what you do. The question is who are you willing to let go. And who will you save.” Faith continued. She touched Willow's hair. “The choice will be yours when the time comes,” she added. “So why are you telling me this?” Buffy demanded, as she moved Faiths hands from Willow. And pulled her away. "I don’t know really. I just figured I might warn you. See Katherine has plans. I don’t like orders.” Faith replied and walked over to the two figures in robes. “You can’t really beat them. And it’s time to go. The party starts soon. Don’t want to be late.” With that Buffy felt her mother’s hand on her shoulder lightly shaking her to wake up. “Buffy honey I ordered pizza for everyone it’s in the living room.” Joyce said with a smile, “You should eat something.” ============================================ A Day of Anticipating Part 46 ============================================ Katherine walked into Faith’s room, she saw the busted door and the substantial hole in the wall. “Faith dear is there something you want to talk about?” she asked walking over to the young girl. Katherine stopped and examined the hole. Faith sat up on the bed and gave Katherine a look like she was pissed beyond belief. “Yeah, how bout the fact that you keep cooped up here in this damn falling down piece of shit house and you didn’t even bring me back something to eat. I’m hungry too you know.” She growled, it was obvious Faith wasn’t fond of the idea of not getting out. Katherine gave her a concerned motherly look. “Now Faith we talked about this. You know that you can’t feed until the full moon and you kill Buffy. And your power is complete.” Katherine sat down on the bed and touched Faith’s hair gently. But Faith jerked away and hissed at her. Katherine was more then a little displeased by this display and slapped Faith across the face in one quick motion. “You’ll do well to remember who saved you, and brought you out of that coma. And obey me.” Katherine warned as Faith placed a hand on her face in shock that Katherine had slapped her. “Now be patient and wait soon enough you’ll feed and Buffy will die.” Katherine finished. She stood from the bed and slowly walked to the door. Katherine looked back over her shoulder at Faith. “Now be a good girl and clean up your mess.” Katherine added as she walked from the room slamming the door behind her. Faith sat on the bed anger grew and her face shifted, “Bitch!” she said half under her breath as she thought about how much better things were with the mayor. He appreciated her and treated her a hell of a lot better than this loon job. Plus he always had a present for her. Then Faith came to a decision, tonight when everyone went out for the hunt so would she. But secretly of course. ============================================ What Dreams May Come Part 47 ============================================ Buffy and Angel stood together on a lush lawn. He was smiling down at her. The moon shone down on them as he held her in his arms. He could smell her hair. He pulled away just a bit. “Buffy…” he whispered to her, “is this real?” he asked a softness in his voice, as he ran a hand through her hair. She just smiled, and leaned up and kissed him. As the kiss grew in passion and intensity Buffy's face changed. And angel pulled away from her. When he looked on her there was a look of horror and shock. “Buffy… Oh god you’re…” he couldn’t even finish his sentence. Buffy raised a finger to his lips to quite him. She leaned up and kissed him again. Then pulled away. “You made me…” she whispered her face had transformed in to the demonic visage of a vampire. “So we could be together forever,” she added. Around them lay the bodies of children and adults all torn apart and feed from. Angel took a few steps back. The screams of a young child. Buffy spoke, “Did I miss one?” she asked and grabbed the child before Angel could stop her, she was feeding from the child. Angel watched the life leave the eyes of the young child as it’s eyes shut for the last time and it’s little head fell limp to his chest. “Buffy no…” was all he could utter. She pulled her fangs from the neck of the young boy. And looking up at Angel she cocked her head to one side, “did you want some?” she asked. With those words Angel woke up in his small apartment with a start. Sweat broke on his forehead. The image still locked in his mind he knew he needed a walk. But it was day. ============================================ The Way Things Go Part 48 ============================================ Samatha walked into the living room where Joyce, Buffy, Willow, Oz, and Xander were eating Pizza and making stakes. As she came in form the kitchen, Giles came in the front door. “Ok good everyone is here now.” Samatha said looking at all of them. “Now Buffy and I have a plan. But we may need help,” she said giving each of the Scooby members a look. “Well I can try but at sun down…” Oz began he was about to tell her he was a werewolf but she stopped him before he could. “Yeah I know you wolf out. Not a problem I can work around it.” Samatha said looking directly at Oz. He looked confused how did she know. Willow or one of the others must have told her. “And no. no one told me. It’s one of my powers I can sense the supernatural.” She informed him. “Any this is how it is going to go,” she began and looked to Buffy. Buffy stood to continue, “Me and Samatha are going to patrol tonight try to figure out where this whole thing is going to go down. Since there is a possibility that Faith might still be alive and in a Coma we have to find out where Katherine is going to do the ritual tomorrow night. It’s the one way we find Faith.” Buffy told them all then looked at Willow, “Will we need you to find a containment spell one that might help protect Faith and me from the ritual.” Samatha then jumped in taking over, “everyone else is on weapons detail and werewolf watch. The last thing we need is to have to hunt down a werewolf right now.” She turned to Giles and Joyce, “We need you guys to come up with a diversion for tomorrow night. There are going to be a lot of vamps. It’s just Katherine’s style.” Buffy and Samatha finished explaining as everyone went to work. Katherine looked to Buffy, “Have you gotten a hold of your other friend? Cordelia?” she asked. With the mention of the name Xander looked up. “I can go by her place and fill her in.” he offered not that he would be welcome there but there wasn’t much he could do here with his arm in a sling. ============================================ Jealously, Envy, and Greed Part 49 ============================================ Faith sat in her little room she was really beginning to hate it here. And sun set was still a couple hours away. So she would be stuck here until then. She had to admit it sucked so far being a vampire. Well other then the strength. But she had that before hand. Of course there was the fact that she couldn’t be killed. That was a plus. But she wanted more. She wanted the power Katherine had. And she planed to get it. By any means necessary. Including going through Katherine if she had to. Katherine may have sired her. But Faith had no intention of being her lap dog and doing what she was told. One thing the mayor had taught her was she was second fiddle to no one. She was strong enough to stand on her own. And that was exactly what she planed to do. She could smell the sent of blood down stairs. They were feeding. And of course Katherine’s orders to Faith were not to feed. Faith kicked a small doll head that lay on the floor though a paint covered window. A stream of sunlight poured in hitting her feet. She hissed and backed away. “Damn it!” she muttered, as she sat back down on the bed. ============================================ Haunting Images Part 50 ============================================ Angel walked through his new apartment. It was nearly empty other then the bed that sat in one corner and the refrigerator, there was no other furniture. This time he didn’t want to put down too many roots. He didn’t want to become that involved in anything anymore. And after his disturbing dream about Buffy he was feeling more and more like not being here. He needed to get out. However, there were a couple hours until sunset. If he left he would have to be careful and stick to the swears. He walked to his door and out into the hall. Not bothering to lock the door he went to the basement of the apartment building avoiding any rays. He checked to make sure no one was watching him then pushed the door leading into the basement open. He found a way down into the swears from there. And he made his way through the swears of L. A. his mind drifted back to the night he and Buffy had been patrolling in the swears. When they had broken up. He swallowed hard. Now was not the time to think about that. He couldn’t think about her. Every time he did it only hurt more to be away form her. But he knew it was for the best. For her best. Even if it wasn’t what either of them wanted it was what had to be done. She deserved more then he could ever offer her. She deserved to live in the light. Not in the dark. Not to be confined in places like this for the rest of her life. He looked around the tunnel, no one deserved that. ============================================ The Past is a Painful Place Part 51 ============================================ 634 BC- Mesopotamia A young girl works in the fields her long auburn hair tied up so as not to hang down in her face, she hears her mother calling her name, “Nephonia… Nephonia…” the woman calls from a small hut in the distance. The girl stood and gathered up her things about to head back to the humble home. As she began her journey back the earth beneath her gave way as it shook and thundered under her feet. She screamed as she fell into a cavern below. She lay there unconscious a strange being hovered other her. He looked down at her, sadness and pity in his eyes. Her breaths became shallow. As the creator picked up her body carrying her deeper into the chasm. He made his way through the darkness easily. With every few steps he would look down at the girl, checking to make sure she was still breathing. He reached what seemed to be a primitive living area and lay her down on a rock. Then taking a small flint dagger from near by he pierced the tip of one of his fingers. A strange glowing green substance came forth and he placed his finger on the child's forehead. The green ooze seeped into her skin. Then he sat down beside her to wait for her to awaken. When she did she would be a hybrid demon, and human. ============================================ No More Good-bye’s Part 52 ============================================ Xander Harris arrived at the Chase house it was about and hour and a half until sunset. He knocked on the door, *Maybe this wasn’t a good idea* he thought, as he stood there shifting his weight from one foot to the other. *She hates me. The sight of me makes her want to hurt me. And I’m on her doorstep. She’ll probably have her dad call the cops on me. Or finish the job the vamps started.* As his mind wondered and he tired to think of what he was going to say, Mr. Chase opened the door. “Xander?” he asked confused, “What are you doing here?” Xander turned around to face the still suave looking man. He may be broke but he was still higher on the social ladder then Xander was. “Well. I was in the neighborhood, and well I realized that Cordelia and I never exchanged things… you know the things you have of one another’s after a break up… and well… I have them in the car…” he paused and pointed back behind him at Joyce’s Jeep Cherokee Sport. “So is she…ah home?” Xander asked not even convinced he bought his totally bogus story. Mr. Chase looked past Xander at the Jeep, then looked back at the boy very seriously, “She left last night. Her mother and I were having a discussion and when we had finished we found a note in her room, saying she was moving out on her own. She called this morning to tell us she was alright and in Los Angeles,” he didn’t look all that happy about it. But then he didn’t look too broken up either. Xander on the other hand was shocked, “She left? She just left?” he asked. He had to admit this was not what he expected to find out going over to Cordelia’s house. He expected being told to leave and possibly something being thrown at him but not this. He had a feeling of sadness. She was gone. Really gone. And he never got to tell her that it was him who paid for her dress to the prom and not Wesley. “Yes. I’m sorry. If you like you can go up stairs and see if she left your things.” Mr. Chase offered. Xander merely shook his head and declined then walked back down the walk to the Jeep as the middle-aged man shut the front door. Xander climbed into the car, and just sat there a moment letting it all sink in. But it wasn’t sinking in. *How could she just leave. I mean sure we didn’t always get along but we were all friends. And she just left.* Xander thought as a feeling of hurt washed over him. ============================================ Night Coming on Fast Part 53 ============================================ Oz and Willow were in the basement of Buffy's house, she was helping him put shackles on his wrist and ankles, “are you sure you’ll be ok down here?” Willow asked concern on her face, "I mean I know we don’t have much choice at this point since the sun is setting in a few minutes. But are you sure?” she continued. She was worried about him. He just smiled and placed a chained hand on the side of her head, "I’ll be good.” He told her and they placed their foreheads to one another’s. looking deep in her eyes he gave her a gentle kiss. She sighed as they pulled away. "I’ll check on you,” she promised with a faint smile. She always hated this. She loved Oz so much and she hated not being around him. Even if it was only three nights a month. She still hated it. "I have to run to the magic shop and go home for some books. But I’ll be back,” she added. That was a thought Oz didn’t like her going out at night alone with a crazed killing vamp on the streets. “Don’t go by yourself.” He said slowly pulling his hand from her head. “Make sure someone is with you,” he added concern evident in his voice. Willow nodded and they kissed one last time before he motioned for her to go. It was almost time for him to change and there was no cage to make sure he didn’t hurt her. Just the chains. She got up slowly and climbed the stairs. Then left the basement closing the door behind her. Buffy pushed a large cabinet in front of the door, “That should take care of Oz till morning,” she said and looked at Samatha. Then looked to Willow, “he’ll be fine, and I showed mom how to work the tranquilizer gun. There shouldn’t be any problems,” Buffy assured her friend, as the sun sank outside. Down in the basement there was a moan of pain as Oz slowly began to change. His fingers getting longer, and hair covering his body. He growled unable to stay standing long in the wolf form with the chains on his feet. ============================================ On My Own Part 54 ============================================ Cordelia Chase walked out on to the strip of L. A. She walked along the crowded streets. She had just left the office of a modeling firm. She carried a small portfolio with her. As she walked she felt like hanging her head. It was after sunset now and she couldn’t help but miss the bronze and hanging out. As she walked, half wondering the streets she found herself standing in front of a club. *Well after the day I’ve had I think I could use a night out.* she thought, she got into the line and waited. Finally the bounce let her into the club. She could hear the band on stage playing. It was Oleander, they were playing “I walk alone”. *Lyrics* I can't take this anymore And I'm almost pretty sure I've been here before I can't take this any longer I won't heal until I'm stronger Strong enough to not be afraid Of what anybody thinks Of what anybody says About the way About the way I am Oh I'll wait until the day When those feeling fade away Then I'll make my break *End* She walked around kind of feeling like a fish out of water. Usually she had a friend or two with her when she went out. This was the first time she had ever gone to a club alone. And she suddenly realized what it must have been like for Willow, when Cordy used to pick on her. She let out a sigh and made her way over to the bar for a coke. And listened to the band on stage *Lyrics* I can't take this any more And I'm almost pretty sure I've been here before I can't take this any longer I won't heal until I'm stronger Strong enough to not be afraid So I leave it up to you Yeah I leave it in your hands Respect your wishes and your demands But if it was up to me Honey we'd already be back at home And living out a dream Living out Everybody and everything I've known Never taught me how to stand up on my own Had to learn it from the one who let me go Now I walk alone, yeah I walk alone yeah Living blissfully *End* Cordelia found her self lost in the music just trying to get her mind off everything. Especially everything in Sunnydale. But the more she listened to the song the more she found herself drifting back to those memories. The song went into its last verse and she continued to sit alone. *Lyrics* I guess you had to step away To make me want to be A bigger man, a bigger man than that I need you by my side As I take it all in stride I put away, I put away my pride Oh I leave it up to you Yeah I leave it in your hands Respect your wishes and your demands But if it was up to me Honey we'd already be back at home And living out... Everybody and everything I've known Never taught me how to stand up on my own Had to learn it from the one who let me go Now I walk alone, yeah I walk alone yeah I walk alone I walk alone I walk alone I walk alone I walk, oh yeah *End* ============================================ Keep in Mind Part 55 ============================================ Xander sat on the front porch of the Summers’ house Buffy was going to be going out to patrol in a little while and he had just told everyone about Cordelia. And he just sat there starring out at the night sky, as Buffy walked out on to the porch. “You ok?” she asked walking over and taking a seat near her friend. Xander instantly looked at her, “Who me. Are you kidding? I’m great never better,” he said trying to sound chipper and cheerful. But his act wasn’t fooling Buffy. This guy had just had one ex who tried to kill him snatched and another one flee. He wasn’t ok and Buffy could tell. “Xander just keep in mind I’m your friend and you can talk to me, no matter what,” she placed a hand on his shoulder, “So are you sure you’ll be ok here with mom and Willow?” she asked. She was leaving them there to make sure Oz stayed put and to keep them off the streets. If Samatha was right the killing was only going to get worse. Xander nodded, "I’m good. We’ll be fine.” He looked down and away form Buffy the fact was he felt weird around her now. he had had the strangest dream in the hospital. He was in a field. And everyone was there. But it wasn’t like it was really his dream. Buffy gave him a faint yet confronting smile, “You Cordelia doesn’t know what she gave up,” Buffy told him, and she meant it. Xander looked over at her and smiled faintly the funny thing was he really wasn’t thinking that much about Cordy. ============================================ A Night on the Town Part 56 ============================================ Angel walked around a night club in down town L. A. he had followed who he had thought was another vampire here to make sure there wasn’t a feeding frenzy. He looked around but couldn’t find the vampire that had gotten his attention. *He couldn’t have just vanished* he thought. As on the stage Oleander started in on another set with the song “Why I’m Here”. *Lyrics* It's the reason for my pain In a season to celebrate I don't wanna be filled with hate For anybody, but it's too late Everybody's been in my face Telling me I'm a disgrace Showing me the things that I must face Telling me that they need their space I can't love you anymore I'm scared of the sound of it *End* He continued through the crowded club, as the song continued. He was trying not to think about Buffy or the others. And he was trying to make his way through the din and to find the vamp before any one ended up an easy meal. Then he saw him, as the song began to wind down and come to its end. *Lyrics* It's the reason why I'm down I'm beaten been pushed around Hit the ceiling without a sound Everyone I know considers me a clown I can't love you anymore I'm scared of the sound of it I can't love you anymore Woman I just wanted more I can't love you anymore yeah I'm scared of the sound of it And woman I just wanted more It's the reason why I'm here It's the reason why I'm here It's the reason why I'm here It's the reason *End* The vampire had gone to the bar and was sitting next to a brunette. Angel watched a moment waiting for the moment to make his move, then the girl turned slightly, a familiar face. *It can’t be!* he thought as he looked at the girl astonished. ============================================ Fast and Furious Part 57 ============================================ Katherine led a group of vampires through the streets of Sunnydale, after the massacre the night before everyone was instructed to stay in doors by the police. The streets were empty. And she was hungry. Time for some creative thinking. She looked over and smiled at Terrance. He simply smiled back. He knew what she was thinking. It was one thing he was good at. He nodded. It was time to pay a little visit to the university dorms. He had to admit it was rather easy to get in with the open door policy during parties you could just walk right in. And most of the time they would put a big signs on the lawn ‘If You Want To Party Come On In!’. He had to admit college students weren’t all that bright. But it made for an easy meal. “Let’s go,” with those words the group began to quicken headed in the direction of the college. Soon there would be a real party there. ============================================ We Meet Again Part 58 ============================================ angel watched as Cordelia walked to the dance floor with the vampire he had been tracking. He was still shocked to see Cordelia there. He watched staying out of sight. He waited until they started out of the club then he followed. Staying back a few yards as they walked down the street. He watched the vampire pull Cordelia into an alley and ran to catch up. In the alley… Cordelia pulled away from the guy, “Ok that’s enough I’m out of here. I have no interest in getting groped by you,” she said and started to walk away, only to be grabbed by the vampire. His face shifted, and he spoke, “Actually I thought we could neck.” He grinned bearing his fangs. Cordelia looked at him and screamed then elbowed him in the stomach. Managing to get away from him just as Angel rounded the corner and entered the alley. Angel ran at the vampire his game face on he grabbed the vampire by the shirt and threw him against a wall. The vamp stumbled, as Angel pulled a stake from his jacket. The vamp got up and rushed him knocking the stake from his hands and they both landed on the ground. Cordy spotted the stake and ran and picked it up. Then looking at the two battling vampires she realized one was Angel. “Angel?” she asked watching them fighting. Angel kicked the vamp off of him and into a stack of crates. Then he looked at Cordy, as he jumped to his feet, “Hi,” he said simply and grabbed the stake from her and ran to the vamp. The vampire had managed to get to his feet only to be punched then staked by Angel. Dust flew in the air as the vampire exploded into dust. And Angel went to Cordelia, “Are you ok?” he asked, he had to admit it was weird seeing her. It was weird seeing anyone from Sunnydale. ============================================ Every Once and a While Part 59 ============================================ Willow and Xander were in Joyce’s car on the way to her place to get a few books and some Wicca supplies. As they drove in the Jeep Cherokee Sport Willow could tell that something was on Xander's mind. After all he had been her best friend since they were little, and they had gotten closer over the years. Too close at one time. “Xander what’s bugging you?” she asked concerned for her friend. Xander continued to drive with his one good arm, he glanced over at Willow, “It’s nothing he insisted.” But he knew it wasn’t. Ever since he had been in the hospital he had had the strangest feeling like he knew something but couldn’t remember it. "I’ve just not been myself lately.” He told her and tried to smile so she would know he was ok. Willow frowned, it hurt a bit that he didn’t want to tell her. But she didn’t want to press it. He would talk about it when he was ready she thought. “Ok, Xand. I’m here if you want to talk,” she offered, they were getting close to her house now. Without even taking his eyes off the road Xander spoke, “Willow, every once in a while I get this feeling like I have the best thing in the world. And it’s right in front of me. But at the same time I feel like I’m never gonna really have it.” He told her trying to explain some of the things he had running through his mind. He wasn’t talking about her, but Willow thought he was. She swallowed, “Ah… Xander maybe we…” she began then Xander realized what I had sounded like. He cut her off, “Oh god no, not you Willow…” he jumped in quickly then realized that didn’t come out right either, "I mean, not that you aren’t great, but you’re with Oz. And I respect that. I’ve learned from that one. And it won’t happen again.” he assured her. She let out a small sigh of relief. “Oh, well then what is it?” she asked she was a little confused now, could he be talking about Cordelia? She didn’t know but it was obviously really stuck in his head. And she was his friend she would be there for him. “It’s just…” he began. But Xander didn’t know how to put his feelings in to words. He recognized the emotion, but didn’t know how to tell Willow what he was thinking. ============================================ Starry Skies Part 60 ============================================ Buffy and Samatha walked along the street they were on patrol. Buffy had her duffel bag hanging on her shoulder. She had brought plenty of stakes and holy water, and in her hand she carried her crossbow, loaded and ready. Samatha was unarmed it would seem but she could more then take care of herself without weapons. she was wearing a tee shirt and simple pair of jeans. She wasn’t much for flashy clothes. She dressed plain to blend in better. They walked along the empty streets. “Well the curfew should help keep the causalities down.” Samatha commented on the police enacted curfew after the events of the previous night. Now we just have to hope that Katherine doesn’t find any open invitations any where,” she added and looked over at Buffy. Buffy continued to walk. They were near one of the many cemeteries of Sunnydale. It reminded her of the frat party she had attended with Cordelia and almost got eaten by a giant snake. Then she remembered, the college. It was the end of the year for them there would be a lot of dorm parties all week. “Oh god. I think I know where they’re going for take out.” Buffy said simply. She took off sprinting Samatha at her heals. They ran in the direction of Sunnydale Junior College. Samatha matched every step Buffy took. She didn’t tire. She just ran. ============================================ Parental Issues Part 61 ============================================ Giles sat in the living room of the Summers’ house he was reading over some of his books his mind still on the events at his apartment earlier that evening. He hadn’t told Buffy. And he was quite worried having her out alone with Samatha after the warning he got from Jenny. He tried to shake the image as Joyce entered the room. He looked up at her from his books, she didn’t look well. She looked frighten and worried. Joyce saw he was researching, “Is there any thing I can do to help?” she asked, she really wanted to be able to help Buffy. Joyce hated always being forced to the sidelines when Buffy needed her, the most. Giles removed his glasses slowly and looked at the woman as he stood. “No that’s quite alright. I don’t think there is much we can do until we had a lead as to where the ritual is going to take place tomorrow night. If we knew that then we might be able to get the drop on Katherine.” He informed her. In truth he still felt somewhat uncomfortable around her ever since the incident with the chocolate bars. And after seeing Jenny tonight he wasn’t sure of anything any more. “Please Rupert. I want to help my daughter. And I know that she needs help right now. I’m so tired of being kept in the dark. And not being able to help. I’m her mother. And I love my daughter,” the woman stated quite clearly as she stood before him unwavering in her position. Giles placed his glasses back on then looked at Joyce very resolutely. "I understand. I do. However there isn’t much either of us can do.” With those words Joyce cut him off, "I don’t think you do understand. You have no idea what it is like to have her shut you out of her life. I know she wants to protect me but I need to be there too. You weren’t asked to leave when she wasn’t sure she would be able to beat the mayor. I was,’ she was upset and it showed in her voice. She continued even though she could feel the tears begin to well in her eyes, “You are always there for her. She tells you things she would never tell me. Because she doesn’t want to worry me. But I deserve to know. I’m her parent not you.” Those last words seem to cut right into Giles. He frowned and lowered his head. Joyce was right. Buffy was her daughter and she did have the right to be informed of what was going on. But he too loved her like a daughter, and those words hurt. “You’re right. And I am sorry,” was the only reply he could muster. ============================================ The First Time We Met Part 62 ============================================ 1671 - The American Colonies A girl stepped off of a small rowboat that had brought her to shore from the large ship that sat in the harbor. She looked around the sun shining down on her. She was a slave. But soon she would change that. She and others like her were ushered from the boat to a small building. There were rich gentlemen standing all around inspecting the stock of slaves. She was the first to be pulled on to the stage. She could have broken her restrains at any time but she chose to wait. Posing as a slave was the only way any one like her could have traveled to the New World. The biding began. It went on for a while then she sensed a presence a demon like herself. She scanned the crowd trying to find it. Trying to figure out if it was good or evil. Then a man stepped forth, his clothes were a bit outlandish, and he made a final outstanding bid for her. No one dared to bid over him. She was ushered down to him. And he took her out on to the street, and into an alleyway. He reached down taking her chains and snapping them. “Clever way of getting across,” he complemented her. "I got to admit I’m impressed Nephonia.” He knew her name her true name and one she had not heard uttered since the day she had been changed. She looked at him with astonishment, “Who are you?” she asked nearly demanding an answer. Yet she did not raise her voice she could tell he was stronger than she was and she didn’t feeling like a confrontation in the middle of town. The man took off his hat and smiled at her, “The name is Marcus,” he told her. “At least that’s what I’ve been using. I tend to have to change it from time to time,” he added smiling. "I think you know what that’s like. What are you going by now?” he asked her. She could tell he wanted to help her and she felt relieved, she had never known another demon, at least not that wanted to help her. “Camille,” she old him. Later their names would change yet again, they would be Whistler and Samatha. ============================================ Watching at a Distance Part 63 ============================================ Faith stood on the street across from Buffy's house she watched as Xander and Willow arrived. She smiled wondering if she should just kill them now. but then she really wasn’t hungry any more. She glanced back at the house behind her and the two bodies that sat leaned against one another on swing that hung on the porch. They had been a nice meal. Faith grinned then turned her attention back to the house across the street. She wanted to know what was going on. And what the others had planned. She got closer hiding in the bushes and staying out of sight, she listened to Xander and Willow talking in the living room, she could hear them just slightly through the near by window. They were talking about a spell the little witch was looking for. “Well Buffy said I should find a spell that would protect her and Faith. I think I found one. It looks like it could work. But… well I’m not sure I can pull it off yet.” Faith heard Willow say. Faith smiled nearly ready to laugh, as she thought *protect me. That’s one thing I don’t need anymore.* she peeked in the window and saw Giles enter the room. She almost missed being apart of the group. She shook off the memories. She had had her first taste of blood. She had liked feeding off that couple across the street. And it was a hell of a lot better then always being left out and ignored by their little group. The only time she had ever felt like she belonged and was welcome sure as hell wasn’t with them. It had been the mayor. He would have done anything for her. And she had to admit she missed him. ============================================ Reminders of the Past Part 64 ============================================ A dark man and woman with dark hair walked down the streets of L. A. they were silent for a while then finally the woman spoke, "You know Angel, I want to thank you for saving my life back there. And well..." she trailed off wondering how to phrase the next part. "I was wondering what are you doing in L. A. any way?" she asked Cordelia never was much for subtlety. Angel looked over at her, he smiled she had been the first person he saw that made him truly miss Sunnydale, and Buffy. "When I left I came here. It seemed as good a place as any,” he told her. Then added, “You know I could ask you the same question.” They continued to walk and were approaching her dismal little apartment. Cordelia swallowed hard realizing he would see the shambles that was her new home. "My parents aren’t in exactly the best place financially. And well I figured I try to make it on my own,” she told him leaving out the fact that she had had a terrible time at the modeling agency and that she had no money a crappy apartment and a clunker for a car. Angel looked down at his feet his hands in front of him as he fiddled with them as he often does, “Understood. Looks like we both needed to get away. How did everyone take your leaving?” he asked and looked up at her. Cordelia felt a rush of pain and heartache and just plain old fashion anger, “They don’t know. They were too busy with some new evil, to even notice I left,” she informed him with a tone of scarsium in her voice, “Some stupid vamp that took Faith. I think Buffy said her name was Katherine.” Cordelia concluded. Angel’s expression suddenly changed. The little color in his face he had faded, he looked at Cordy and grabbed her arm brining her to a stop, “Did you say Katherine? And that she has Faith?” he asked a look of complete and utter seriousness on his face, he looked literally like he had seen a ghost. Cordelia looked at him oddly, she wasn’t sure why he was acting so weird not that he was the poster boy for normal, “Yeah why what’s she and ex or something?” she asked as watched as he just shook his head it was obvious they went back a good way. “Not quite. Let’s just say I know her, from a very long time ago,” he said simply adding, “She sired the master, he sired Darla, and well Darla sired me,” he informed her letting go of her arm finally. Cordelia gave him a look like she wasn’t entirely surprised but that she was almost repulsed, “Geez you know you have a really twisted family tree. If I were you I’m not sure I’d want to make such a public announcement about it,” she looked at him as began a story about Katherine…. ============================================ Memories Sometimes Surface Part 65 ============================================ 1823 - London, England Two young women sat in a couch riding the streets of London, their long blonde hair was elegantly placed up and they were adorn in the finest clothing. With them rode a man with dark hair and brooding eyes, and another woman. The third woman sat quietly her stringy dirty brown hair hung down around her shoulders and her less then common clothing. She was a peasant. The coach pulled up behind a fine house. And the group exited each woman was helped out by the man. And as the two blondes walked ahead to the house the man walked with the third. He took her hand and smiled. She felt a little nervous and couldn’t believe she was being invited into such a lovely home. As they entered the home a voice called out, “Ah… my children have returned,” the kindly sounding male voice said. He was sitting in a chair and his back was turned to the door where the group entered. Then the first blonde spoke, "I’m not your child though.” She said sweetly as a another male entered the room. He was tall and built like an ox, his dirty blonde hair and probing eyes fell on the first blonde. She smiled at him, “Hello Lucas.” She said simply as he came to her and picking her up he spun her around, then kissed her. He looked on her, as the others entered the room, “Angelus, Darla,” he greeted the blonde and the man, then looked at the new comer, “who’s your friend?” he asked still holding the other woman in his arms. The woman in his arms looked up at him, "A new little friend of Angel’s, my love,” she told him, with a smile. She kissed him gently, "I missed you, why didn’t you come with us tonight? You know the hunt is no fun without you,” she pouted. Luke was her favorite. The man in the chair stood, and faced them. He was dressed in stately clothes. “He had an service to perform for me, my dear Katherine,” he told her, as he made his way to the others. “Now is this all you have brought back?” he added placing a hand on the young brunette’s head. She was suddenly very frightened. “You disappoint me.” Then Katherine spoke, “You should have come, you sit home too often. Besides I got hungry,” she informed him with a smile, “At least we brought her home for you,” she added with a grin and took Luke’s hand in hers, as Angelus grabbed the girl and held her for the man. “Well I suppose she’ll do.” He said as his face shifted and he grabbed the girl and bite into the flesh of her neck. He drained the life and blood from her body. Her eyes glazed over and she slowly fell limp. Her eyes open the entire time she watched the faces of those around her who seemed to delight in the pain she felt. She let out a small moan of pain. Blood dribbled down her neck slightly. She could feel its warm presence. And so desperately she wished to scream, but she was unable to. All she could do was look into the eyes of those around her pleading silently for her life. Though the effort was in vain. Slowly her eyes shut for the last time and the man pulled his teeth form her neck, then licked the remaining blood that had escaped him from her neck. He let her lifeless body fall to the floor. “Ah… I thank you,” he said simply looking over the group. "I take care of all my family.” Katherine said with a smile as she looked up at Luke. He and the vampire who had just feed had been the her creations. And Darla and Angelus were her grandchildren. “Now then Joseph won’t you join us tomorrow evening. You know how I love to hunt with all of the family.” He smiled and glanced down at the girl that lay dead on the floor, he had more important plans then just feeding he was searching for the Hellmouth, and a way to open it. "I will consider it.” He said simply. ((authors note: Joseph Hendrick Nest was the mortal name of the master. According to the Buffy trading cards)) ============================================ Tempting Fate Part 66 ============================================ In a quiet apartment a man sat on a couch he was crouched over a stack of books he sat up slowly taking the glasses from his face and running a hand through his hair. He stood, and walked over to a desk where candles, herbs, and a pentagram sat. He picked up a near by book. It was dust covered and old the leather binding that held it’s aged and yellow pages together was worn and tattered. He opened it to a small passage. It was written in old ink. And looked like it had been written in a quail pen. He looked over the words as he reached into a small dish and took a bit of a sacred herb in his hand. He tossed it into the flame of the center candle that sat atop the pentagram as he recited the words, “interium matis scara. Rise now and come before me.” A mist formed around the candle as it drifted down around the table and to the floor beginning to fill the room, Rupert Giles continued, “draneius castus de interium. I call on you.” The mist rose in the room and he could hardly see in front of him. Then a soft voice came from behind him, “let me rest Rupert.” The voice said as Jenny Calendar’s form appeared behind the man. Giles swallowed hard not turning yet. He could feel her presence; "I had to see you again. It’s so hard without you,” he began nervously. He began to turn to look on her. She stopped him, “no don’t look it will only make it will only make it harder. I can’t stay. And it’s time for you to let me go.” She looked at him and wanted to cry even seeing him from the back was so much to handle. She loved him with al her heart. But it wasn’t meant to be. She knew that. And she had served her purpose. It was time for her to go. Yet so much she wanted to stay. “Just let me look at you one last time. Let me kiss you. The spell I used will let us touch one last time,” he said in barely a whisper, it was all he could do to hold together. Slowly he turned to behold her. They came together in each other’s arms one last time. ============================================ First Impressions Part 67 ============================================ Buffy and Samatha reached the dorms of Sunnydale Community College a party was in full swing and on the lawn was a group of vamp crashers, “Well looks like I get to see you in action.” Buffy said to Samatha taking aim with the crossbow. She let it fire hitting one of the lead vamps in the heart he exploded into dust. The female leading the group turned anger in her eyes, as she saw the ashes fall to the ground. Katherine gave looked to the others to pan out. And the vamps changed direction and started after the slayer and Samatha. “Gee you think I got her attention?” Buffy asked looking over at Samatha. She loaded the crossbow again and took down two more vamps before the group was in hand to hand range. When they reached her. She threw the crossbow at one, knocking him to the ground. Then began to fight the other four or five that remained. Katherine and Terrance watched from a slight distance as Samatha began to fight as well. Samatha made her way throwing vamps out of her path as if they were rag dolls until she reached Katherine, “What took you so long old friend I was beginning to think you’d never show,” the vampiress stated. As the two began to battle and Terrance went to take care of the slayer who was now down to three vamps. "I’m no friend of yours Katherine, where’s the slayer?” Samatha demanded as she looked over and saw that Buffy was now being held by the others. Katherine smiled seeing Buffy captured, “Now I think you and you’re little slayer are hardly in the position to ask any questions.” She slapped Samatha across the face as she spoke, “And as for Faith she’s mine now. You want her back, come to the woods tomorrow night. The full moon promises to be a big party indeed.” With those words Terrance hit Buffy over the back of the head knocking her unconscious. Her body fell to the ground. “See you tomorrow Sammy.” She said and they group walked away leaving Samatha standing near the limp body of Buffy. Samatha bent down picking up Buffy. She knew Katherine wouldn’t kill them until tomorrow she needed to feed. With her thoughts and an unconscious slayer she began walking towards Buffy's house. ============================================ The Wiccan Way Part 68 ============================================ Willow sat in Buffy's bedroom, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be working on a spell near Mrs. Summers yet. She still had lingering issues from nearly being burned at the stake. She looked over her book once more. “Ok this should work.” She told her self still wishing that Amy and Michael were there to help her with it. She wasn’t exactly the most powerful Wicca around alone. But Amy was still all a rat in her room, and Michael was on some family vacation. Willow figured his parents freaked after graduation. Not that she could say she blamed them. But the spell should work. All she needed now was something of Buffy's and something of Faith's. Buffy's wasn’t hard to get after all Willow was right there in her room. But that still left something of Faith's. And Samantha and Buffy had said they needed a spell to protect both of the slayers from Katherine. So she needed something of Faith's. Not to mention she didn’t want to use something Buffy wouldn’t want used. She looked around the room and then walked to the window. She looked out and could see Xander standing in the yard. He looked a little more then down. And she felt uneasy with him out there alone. After all he had already had one run in with Katherine’s goones. And just look at what had happened to him. His arm in a sling, again. And he had had to stay over night at the hospital. And his head was all bandaged up. He looked worse then she had, when she had that bookshelf land on her. ============================================ A Decision Part 69 ============================================ Angel and Cordelia stood on the street out front of her building. “If Katherine’s in Sunnydale, I have to go back,” he said simply. “Buffy can’t fight her alone. No slayer has ever fought her and lived.” He stated shaking his head in a worried fashion. “You should get in and off the streets.” He added. He knew the sun would be up soon, and he had to figure out a way to get back to Sunnydale. He had to get back by tomorrow night. Cordelia looked at him the story he had told her had been far from a fairy tale, “Wait how are you gonna get back the sun comes up in like two hours, and it’s a good four hour drive to Sunnydale. What with the congestion on the highway. You won’t make it tonight.” She stated simply. Cordelia was far from a fool and knew more then she usually admitted. She just didn’t usually care all that much. Angel shook his head, "I don’t know. I just know I have until sun down tomorrow to get there. Katherine won’t fight or kill Buffy until then. She has to wait for the full moon. And if she has Faith too…” he trailed off. Katherine grew stronger after killing each slayer he could only begin to imagine how strong she would be after two of them. Cordelia shook her head she could believe she was actually about to suggest this but what the hell, "I’ll drive you. You can stay down and covered or what ever in my backseat. But we can’t leave until morning I have to do something first. But we’ll get to Sunnydale in plenty of time for you to play the hero. You’ll have to stay at my place tonight. Not that it’s the Ritz. In fact far from. But it’s the least I can do. I mean hell you saved my life again. And after all I’m pretty much over the fact that at one point you tried to kill me.” Cordelia rambled on as they went into her building and her meager little apartment. ============================================ Feeling Useless Part 70 ============================================ Alexander Levell Harris sat on the steps of one of his best friends home, Buffy Summers. He had been out there for a while now just thinking. And his mind had been wondering all night. Ever since the car ride with Willow his mind had been racing. He had almost told her that something he wasn’t even sure of himself. He had almost told her about the strange memory he had of Buffy kissing his forehead in the hospital. And then of the weird dream he had had afterwards. He had been in a field with Buffy, and he still couldn’t make sense of it all. But he didn’t tell his oldest friend. And he didn’t tell her why he wasn’t worried about Cordy. He didn’t tell her that it was because all he was thinking about was Buffy and how he felt like he was having feelings for her again. The feelings that he had thought he put behind him long ago. Feelings that were resurfacing. Of course it wasn’t the only feelings he had right now. He also felt useless and left out. Which was a feeling he was getting used to over the past few months. Sure he had been key guy in stopping the mayor. But all he had done was break in to the armory again and swipe a bunch of explosives, and then put together a big bomb. He wasn’t exactly the big hero. And it was an affliction that he had been dealing with for a while. And once again he was plagued by it. I mean everyone had something important to do. Willow was upstairs right now working on a spell. Giles was researching. Oz was a werewolf. But in the morning he’d be helping Willow get her spell ready. Hell even Buffy's mom had a job. She had to help Giles with a distraction. And then there was the new girl, Samatha; she even got to be important. She was out patrolling with Buffy right now. What was Xander's big job? To drive Will to her house then back here. And to make sure he rested after his stay in the hospital. So there he was left on the porch, his arm in a sling, his head bandaged, and sulking. He couldn’t even put up enough of a fight to protect Faith the other night. He couldn’t stop them from taking her. Or at least stalled them till Buffy got there. He shook the memory off. Then he looked down Revello drive. He noticed a figure in the dim street light. It was headed in his direction and kind of quickly. Then he realized it was Samatha. He was pretty sure of that. But there was something in her arms. She was carrying someone. He squinted his eyes a bit to try and make out who it was. Then as Samatha got closer and passed under another street lamp he saw the golden blonde hair that hung down shimmer in the light. It was Buffy. “Oh god Buff.” He murmured barley able to speak, as the demon that carried the fallen slayer came into the yard. Xander ran to help, “What happened?” he choked out. His mind was in a whirlpool of thoughts, as he took some of the weight from Samatha and helped her get Buffy into the house. Then he blurted out, “What did you do?” he was worried and upset and didn’t realize that he was accusing the one who saved Buffy of hurting her. Samatha was shocked, as they lay Buffy on the couch. She couldn’t believe she was being accused of this. But she ignored it for now, “It was Katherine. We had a run in with her. There were too many of them.” She said simply, looking down at the unconscious slayer that lay on the couch before her. Xander still seemed unconvinced, but he was too worried to argue. He looked down at Buffy, worry and fear in his eyes, as he gently brushed her hair back and out of her face. Samatha stood there watching the boy who had knelt down beside the couch. And she realized why he had been so protective and quick to judge. He was in love with the slayer. It was plain to the eye. And she nodded her head as she left the room. ============================================ In the Early Morning Part 71 ============================================ The sun began to rise outside as the door to the basement slowly creaked open. Willow Rosenburg stepped down the first few steps; she gazed down into the cellar. She didn’t see Oz as she called, “Oz.” she called to her boyfriend. As she stood there waiting Oz lay on the floor his body going through the final changes from his werewolf form to that of a human. He heard her voice calling to him. He answered as he slowly sat up. "I’m still here. And me.” She heard his voice it was such a comfort. And as the words reached her she began down the stairs with the keys to the chains that bound him. Not forgetting that as a wolf his clothes were probably thrashed she also carried a blanket and a set of new clothes for him to change into. “Ok I have the keys.” She said as he came into view, she could see his back as he sat turned away from her. She was right there were just scraps of clothes left. She paused as she looked at him. Then shook it off. She got closer, "I brought you a blanket she said handing it to him as he wrapped it around himself she unlocked his hands and handed him the keys. “Do you need any more help?” she asked blushing a bit. He smiled and shook his head; “No I think I got it. “ he answered unlocking his feet. And removing the chains. He couldn’t help noticing Willow looked a little worried, “So what did I miss last night?” he asked. Willow turned her back as he got up and started to get dressed, “Ah… well Samatha and Buffy had a brush with Katherine. Buffy got knocked out. She’s upstairs. Xander was checking on her. And I think I found a spell,” she told him. It had been chaos since Samatha and Buffy got back. They had gotten Buffy upstairs to rest. And she hadn’t woken up yet. And Buffy's mom had completely freaked out. Xander had nearly come to blows with Samatha and Giles hadn’t come back yet. She actually thought Oz was lucky to be a werewolf and having missed it. Oz finished putting his paints and shirt on, he was throwing a button up shirt on over his tee shirt as he said, “Is Buff alright?” he knew being slayerless wasn’t a good thing right now. And after all Buffy was their friend. He finished dressing and came up behind Willow, who had simply half nodded her head to answer his question. He placed his arms around her and turned her around. Then looking in her eyes, he added, "It’s going to be alright.” He sounded so assuring as he kissed her lightly. And Willow felt like he was right. ============================================ I Dreamt a Dream Part 72 ============================================ Buffy found herself in the bronze, she could see Willow and Oz on one of the couches, and they were in each other’s arms. And she turned looking around she saw Giles and her mother. They were standing near a table watching her and talking. She turned again; it was as if she were being turned around slowly on a platform. She had no control of it. As she turned she saw Angel standing in a corner. He lowered his head and she continued to turn. Next she saw Cordelia who looked away as Buffy looked at her. Then her eyes fell on Xander he was all healed and he smiled at her. Then she turned again and came to a stop. That was when she saw Samatha standing on the stage. Sam smiled at her, then Katherine stepped out from back stage. Buffy tried to scream to warn Samatha but no sound came from her. Then she watched as Katherine slit Samatha’s throat and her body fell to the floor. Buffy screamed but was unable to move. And no one else moved from where they were. She was unable to stop it from happening. And there was no sound just an eerie still silence. Then it was broken as Katherine licked the blood from the knife and spoke, “Give up slayer it’s over.” She said. Katherine walked down off the stage and to Willow and Oz first. Quickly she stabbed Willow in the heart. Then as Oz got up to protect Willow, Katherine thrust the knife in his stomach. Then pushed him back and off the sharp knife. He fell to the couch and took Willow in his arms one last time. Katherine wasted no time and went to Giles and Joyce. She came behind Joyce and grabbing her hair she pulled her back and slit he throat before Giles could move. Then she stabbed Giles in the side of the head quickly his head fell to the table with a thud. And Joyce’s dead lifeless body fell from her chair. There was nothing Buffy could do she couldn’t move. Then she saw Terrance the vampire that had knocked her out. He came up along side Angel, and then in a swift motion of a sword he took Angel’s head. Angel turned to dust and Buffy just watched mortified, as Terrance went to Cordelia next. He dropped the sword and grabbed the girl. Then in a quick flawless movement he snapped her next and she fell to the ground. Her body likes a rag doll lying there. She looked to Xander he was all that was left. Behind him stood Faith. Buffy shook her head how could this be happening. Then she watched as Faith grabbed him and jerked his head to one side. Her face changed and she bit into his flesh. Buffy watched trying to break free of the invisible force that held her. But there was nothing she could do. Nothing but watch as all of her friends were killed right in front of her. She saw Xander fall to the floor. The silence of all of it was too much. It was the most terrifying moment in her life. The dream continued as Xander entered Buffy's bedroom and saw her lying there. ============================================ A Moment Alone Part 73 ============================================ Xander walked in to Buffy's bedroom, where they had moved her last night. He saw her still out of it on the bed. And he walked over. Then he pulled a chair over to the bed. This was getting to be all too familiar for him sitting at the bedside of a fallen friend. And it was something that never got easier. He had sat by Willow, then Cordelia, and Faith, and now Buffy. He reached out and took her hand. “God Buff this is all my fault. If I had been able to stop those vamps none of this would have happened.” He sighed as a tear found it’s way down his cheek. "I can’t lose you Buffy,” he said softly, "I mean come who am I supposed to battle dark forces with? And who’s gonna keep me from getting pummeled. I need you Buff.” He looked down at her and brought her hand up and kissed it lightly. “Besides I…” he trailed off a moment afraid to say what he felt. "I love you Buffy.” He concluded as he sat there wishing she would wake up. Moments passed as he sat there not letting go of her hand. Then she finally started to come around. Her eyes fluttered. Then she sat up in bed sweat formed on her brow, and she yelled, “No… Xander…” her heart was racing. She felt like it would leap out of her chest. And though she was awake and in her own room she still felt like she was at the bronze surrounded by dead friends. Xander quickly grabbed Buffy, “Buff, it’s ok,” he told her no sure she even heard him. He tried to turn her so that she could see him; "I’m here. It’s ok,” he repeated. He could tell she was upset. But why? What was she dreaming about? He didn’t know. All he knew was she was awake. And she was upset. He pulled her close trying to calm her. Buffy still felt like she was there in the Bronze, it was a few moments before the images faded enough for her to realize that she wasn’t there. And for her to see that she was in her room. Then she realized that Xander was there. He was holding her. She hugged him. “Xander…” she trailed off. She had never been so happy to see him in her life; “It was a dream. Thank god. It was just a dream,” she told her self. Then she began to repeat it over and over again. She had never had a dream that seemed so real. Or that scared her so much. The thought of just watching all of her friends be killed and to be powerless to stop it. She shook her head. The images were so real. And they were so fresh in her mind. ============================================ Long Ride Part 74 ============================================ An old beat up car with cardboard covering the back windows sped down the highway. Inside a black cloth hung separating the front and back seats. A young girl sat in the front seat she was well dressed and her long dark hair was put up neatly. She sat in the driver’s seat her mind focused on the road ahead. In the back seat a man dressed in black jeans and a dark blue crushed velvet button down shirt sat. Next to him on the seat lay a pile of black cloths that had a bit of smoke lingering around them. They still smoldered from his dash to the car in the sunlight. And he looked nervous. He had every reason to be. He was in a car returning to the town where the one woman he ever loved lived. The woman he couldn’t be with. The woman he had to leave behind. And in that town was the one vampire that he considered being the most dangerous vampire ever sired. There had been a time when all Katherine had to do was look at him and he would know her bidding and he would obey. All of the vampires that followed her would. That had been a long time ago. And well before he was cursed with his soul. Then there was the fact that he was traveling in a car in the day. If one piece of cardboard should fall out of place he wouldn’t have long to fix it. Or he would cease to be. All that would remain would be a pile of ash. In the front seat Cordelia Chase continued to drive. She glanced up at her rear view mirror. She had forgotten for the moment that it would be useless to her on this trip. “You know it is really annoying not being able to use my rear view mirror,” she said a slight tone of sarcasm in her voice. She was never one for not saying exactly what she was thinking. When she got no response from Angel she added, “Are you still back there? Or am I going to have to stop and vacuum out the back seat?” her tone was snide. The last thing she wanted to have to do was dust bust this piece of junk car to clean up vamp dust. Angel heard her words and smiled shaking his head as he answered, “I’m still here.” All he could think was, *Well that’s Cordelia.* then he added, “How much further?” He looked to the window, not much of a view. Just the side panel of an old shipping box. But then the alternative was not one someone in his condition would be likely to enjoy either. Cordelia looked around for a sign then she finally saw one up ahead. As it came into view she replied, “About two hours maybe more.” And she could tell this was going to be a long ride. Angel after all wasn’t much of a conversationalist. And she was dreading seeing Xander again. Especially if he was receiving any more of Buffy’s attention like he did in the hospital. Then she wondered if she should tell Angel about the kiss she had witnessed. But then what would be the point. He’d get to see for himself soon enough, she thought. Xander and Buffy were probably all over each other by now. Her mind had and was continuing to blow everything out of proportion. She knew it. But for some reason she just couldn’t shake this feeling. And she couldn’t believe she was actually jealous. And about Xander Harris of all people. ============================================ Emotions Rise and Tempers Flair Part 75 ============================================ In the living room of the Summers’ house Joyce sat on the couch. She was worried about Buffy, and angry about the whole situation. Her daughter was putting her life on the line. And not being able to really do anything to protect her. Then Rupert Giles entered the house. The front door opened and he walked in. in his hands he carried a stack of books. He looked disheveled. And he was wearing the same suit he had the day before. His mind was still consumed by the visitation he had the night before with the spirit of his lost love Jenny Calendar. He didn’t even notice Joyce sitting there. Joyce looked up and stood as he walked into the living room, “Where were you last night? Buffy found that group of vampires, and they nearly killed her.” She was angry and the hurt and pain shown in her voice. She hadn’t wasted a moment to jump and blame Giles. Giles was both shocked and worried by the news. If in their first encounter Buffy had failed, what would happen tonight? “Is she alright?” his concern evident in his voice, as it shifted from that of Jenny to that of the slayer. It was no secret that he thought of her as a daughter. Joyce instantly answered, yet her tone was harsh and cold towards the English librarian and watcher, “Yes, no thanks to you. She’s upstairs. Xander is checking on her now.” the disquieted middle aged woman told him. “She has been unconscious since last night. But Samatha is sure she’ll be all right. If she hadn’t been with Buffy last night she might be dead,” the anger filled Joyce’s voice as she spoke she was barley able to look at the man who Buffy had put so much trust in. Rupert lowered his head, “Do you know the details?” he inquired. He realized she was perplexed by everything that had happened, but he needed to piece together the events. He needed to understand how they had gotten the better of Buffy. In order to prevent it from happening tonight. Should Buffy wake up. Joyce of course was too furious right now to even think straight. And with the little she had been told she wouldn’t have been able to be much assistance. However, she was going to give Giles a piece of her mind, “Now all of the sudden you care? Last night you were no where to be found. And you just sent her out there. You didn’t know what she was even going up against. Did you? Did you?” the hurt and anger were spilling out of the woman now. “And you just left. You weren’t even here when Samatha carried her home.” she knew deep down she was being a bit hard on him. But still she was so full of resentment and jealously because he had a relationship so close to her daughter. One she could never compete with. Buffy told him more then she told her own mother. And that fact hurt. Then he hadn’t been here when Buffy needed him. Rupert took his glasses from his face and holding them he rubbed the bridge of his nose as he spoke, "I am sorry Joyce. What would you have me do?” he asked looking up at her seriously. “Have her never slay again?” he added as his emotions began to get the better of him. “Yes!” Joyce nearly shouted. That was the one thing she wanted more then anything else. For her daughter to live a normal and safe life. For all of this to be over. For things to just be the way they had been before Buffy found out about this dark world she had been introduced to. Giles looked at the woman, he knew what she wanted could and would never happen. “Do you think I enjoy watching her risk her life every single night in order to protect everyone? I don’t. And it’s not that simple. She is the chosen one. We both know that. And it has to be this way.” “But why? She is just a child. She shouldn’t have to face death like this. Why can’t it be as simple as her stopping? And just forgetting?” Joyce asked d tears beginning to form in her eyes. And she looked at him. She just wanted her daugheter to be safe and happy. She shook her head and turned and left the room. ============================================ The Heart of the Matter Part 76 ============================================ In the basement of the house, Willow was still in Oz's arms. She felt safe and as if things really would be all right. He was so comforting to her. She rested her head on his shoulder as he ran his fingers lightly through her hair. He stoked her hair back out of her face, “It’s going to be ok,” he repeated. Not only trying to convince his worried girlfriend but also himself. With Buffy hurt he worried about Willow. There was no way for him to be there tonight. For him to protect her. He would be here chained in the basement again. And he would be there with her. He found himself afraid that he might not see her again. If he lost her he wouldn’t be able to live without her. And the thought that when he woke up tomorrow and de-wolfed and she might not be there was too much for him. He held her closer and kissed her forehead. He just wanted to hold her and not let go. To just linger there in her arms. Nothing else matter. Not now. She was all that mattered. And holding her was all he could do. ============================================ Friends or Something More Part 77 ============================================ Xander rocked Buffy back and forth in his arms. “It’s ok Buff,” he told her. It worried him to see her like this. She was still crying in his arms after waking up from her dream he hadn’t left her. Not even to go tell the others she was awake. He couldn’t leave her. Not like this. She just held him and cried no his shoulder, the dream replaying over and over in mind as she watched friend after friend fall. Then to see Faith feed from Xander. She shook her head. Trying to shake the images from her mind. She didn’t want to see them. She didn’t want to remember them. “Xander…I saw…” she couldn’t even put it in to words. How could she tell him she watched Faith drain him of his life? She couldn’t eve process it all. Xander just pulled away a bit and placed a finger near his lips, “shh…. Buffy it’s ok. It was nightmare. It’s over now. It’s ok. I’m here,” he told her. As he reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes. “It’s all ok. You’re awake now. And you’re ok. That’s all that matters,” he added. He was so happy to see her awake. Though it hurt to see her so scared. He had meant what he had said before. She hadn’t heard him. But he meant it when he said he loved her. He always had. Since the first time he saw her. Though over the years he had given in and settled to be just friends. All along wishing it was something more. ============================================ In Preparation Part 78 ============================================ Oz and Willow walked up the stairs from the basement and made their way into the kitchen. There at the kitchen island sat Samatha on a stool. She was looking over a few books. There were a freshly mad stakes lying on the counter next to her books. She had been up the entire night reading old chronicles that documented Katherine, while she prepared weapons for the battle tonight. She looked up from her work to see the teens enter. “Morning already?” she asked noticing Oz was his human self. She hadn’t even realized when the sun had risen. “Yeah. Traditionally.” Oz replied briefly. He had always been a man of little words. He found they only got in the way of what you really meant to communicate most of the time. Things just never come out right when you let words get in the way. The fewer the better. Willow held his hand as they walked to the kitchen island and Samatha. She looked down at the old leather bound books. She had never seen a book that looked so old not even in Giles' books. And he had quite the collection. “What are you reading?” she asked. She glanced at the writing it was in a language she didn’t recognize. Samatha looked at Willow and Oz, she might as well tell them. “They’re ancient text, written by others like me. We’ve been watching Katherine for a long time. We watch all slayers and watchers. It is our purpose,” she explained. Then after a brief moment of silence, she continued, “Millenniums ago a demon walked the earth. She was the last of her kind and she had taken it upon herself to watch the slayers. How they came to be I don’t even know. The text that describes the beginning of the human age and the end of the age of demons is very old and I can’t even read it. But I do know that that demon mixed her blood with others. Giving them the knowledge to find the slayer and to watch her and her watcher. I’m one of those hybrids. Though I was only made so to save my life. I wasn’t exactly chosen like the others,” she explained the best way she knew how. Willow wasn’t sure what to say. She understood what Samatha was saying. But it was still a little weird. Even for living on top of the Hellmouth. “So you were a human. But a good demon made you a demon. And now you look after watchers and slayers.” Willow said in a, I can sum up big things kind of way. “What I don’t get is if you’ve been watching Buffy this whole time how come we just see you?” Oz asked as he sat down on a stool and put his arms around Willow's waist. "I haven’t been. The demon that was sent to watch Buffy was killed. Battling your mayor. We are immortal but there are ways still to kill us.” Samatha informed them. “My sister, not human sister, but fellow demon like myself, watched all of you for a very long time. She was here because of the Hellmouth. And when Buffy arrived she watched her as well.” Willow looked at her and was trying to think of who it was. But she could think of who it might be “Who was it she finally asked. “You knew her as Harmony I think. She was bitten in the fight. The vampire feed and killed her. We can’t survive being feed from. The vampire can’t either of course. Our blood is a toxin,” Samatha explained seeing the questioning looks on their faces. After all they had known Harmony since they were kids. "I know you’re wondering how she was a demon aren’t you?” she asked and Willow nodded as did Oz, “We change our age. She moved here when she was five, or when she looked that way. We can make ourselves as young the age we where when we were reborn. All of the ones chosen were created when they were very young. We can then age until we reach the human age of 21. Then we start again. I was made when I was sixteen. So there’s never much change for me.” ============================================ Truth Behind It All Part 79 ============================================ 1053 - The City State of Genova, Italy The sun shone down on a pair of young girls as they walked along the roadside. One had long blond hair. It was tied up in a loose bun to keep it out of her face. Her clothes were dirty and tattered. The other had auburn hair, a little shorter then her champion’s. It was hanging loose around her shoulders. Her garments were better maintained. It was nearing sunset as they came to a cabin. "I will let you go now. Remember tell not your watcher of my presence. No one must of my kind. It would cause much danger.” The girl with the auburn hair said. “Go now. You hunt tonight. I shall be near always watching.” She assured her. The girl nodded and turned to enter the cabin. She looked back over her shoulder and already her acquaintance was gone. The young blonde walked into the cabin, a man stepped from the shadows as if to attack her. She quickly flipped him over herself and to the ground. Then smiling she offered him her hand and helped him to his feet. “Very good. You are improving,” he commented while trying to rub the hurt from his back. “You are doing quite well as a slayer Katherina.” He added. She smiled though she did not see the point in these useless exercises. They were not a surprise. And did not really prepare her. And she did not need preparing. After all she was the chosen. All others with mere humans and were below her. Though her mind was on the woman she had meant that day. She was a demon. And had great power. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of the one that would later be known as Samatha. ============================================ A Kiss is Just a Kiss Part 80 ============================================ In Buffy's bedroom, Xander helped his friend, who had just managed to shake the images from her dream, to her feet. “Buffy are you sure you’re up to this?” he asked with concern in his voice. After seeing her carried home limp in Samatha’s arms from her first meeting with Katherine he had no desire to see it again, or to see worse. "I’m fine really,” she assured him and stood on her own. She stumbled and Xander managed to catch her and support her, “Ok, granted I’m a little dizzy right now. But it will pass,” she added. She had to admit that vamp had hit her head pretty hard. She still felt a little queasy from it. "I just need to rest up for tonight’s fight.” Xander looked at her there holding on to him to stay standing; he didn’t want to see her fight. Ad he couldn’t help but think how to keep Buffy safe they should just let Katherine have her. And he felt guilty for it. But how could he not think it. “Buff…” he began but trailed off not even sure what he was going to say. Buffy looked up at Xander as he helped her sit back down on the bed. “What is it Xander?” she asked. She never liked it when her friends just trailed off. It usually meant they were worried or they had really bad news to tell her. Xander took a deep breath, "I don’t want you to fight Katherine tonight. I don’t want to see you laying there on the bed unconscious again. I can’t. I saw you there in the hospital when Angel feed off of you. Sure you made him. Doesn’t matter in my book. And when you go sick and he was evil and almost killed you. Then last night. I don’t want to see you like that again,” he told her a serious look on his face as his head lowered a bit. "I can’t handle it Buffy. And this whole thing is my fault,” he added. He still blamed himself. “There are a lot of things I’ve done I wish I had done differently. I’m sorry.” He wasn’t just talking about Faith at this point. He was talking about all the mistakes he had made. And maybe if he had done things differently… his mind wondered off. Buffy looked at Xander and took his hand. “What happened to Faith isn’t your fault. I couldn’t have taken that many vamps you did what you could. I’m just glad you’re ok. When I saw what they did to the nurse and then saw you laying there on the floor of Faith's room…I’ve never been so scared in my life,” she told him her voice sincere and soft. “You’re one of my best friends Xander. I know what you felt like seeing me. I felt the same way when I was sitting with you in the hospital.” She looked at him and tried to smile a bit. Xander looked up at her. He wanted to believe she did know how he felt. But he couldn’t. “No you don’t Buffy. You can’t…” he trailed off a moment then he looked back at her, “Because I’m still in love with you,” he said in almost a whisper. He could barley believe he had said it. And what he did next he would never be able to believe. ============================================ Be a Good Girl Part 81 ============================================ Katherine kicked Faith's door open. Then slowly and calmly she walked into the room. Her demeanor was soft and genteel as she walked towards the bed where Faith lay starring at the ceiling. The room was bare except for the bed, and the small pile of rubble and broken bits of drywall that lay near the hole Faith had kicked in the wall. Katherine looked at the girl lying there. She watched as Faith slowly sat up. Then she spoke her voice was sweet and kindly sounding. “You went out last night. Didn’t you?” she paused a moment to give Faith a chance to answer. But Faith just sat there without saying a word. She crossed her arms and stared at Katherine. Then Katherine began again. Her voice more agitated now, "I understand you wanting to… explore your new existence. I do. However, I did tell you to stay home last night. Now didn’t I?” she walked closer until she had reached the foot of the bed and stood in front of Faith. As she waked her face shifted and she took on her vampiric form. She looked Faith in the eyes, as she spoke. “You disobeyed me,” her voice had become harsh and cold, as she pointed out that Faith had gone against her. Then in a quick and sudden movement her hand flew through the air back handing Faith across the face. The force applied to the blow cause Faith to fall over on the bed to her side. She looked up at Katherine without saying a word. She was holding the side of her face with her hand and trying to prop herself up with the other hand. She looked through her tousled hair that now hung over her face slightly blocking her view of the vampire. Then Katherine continued, “You deliberately disobeyed me,” her voice now was filled with anger and rage, “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out? Do you really believe I am that stupid Faith?” she nearly yelled as her anger mounted. Katherine took a deep breath and gathered her composure. Then she looked at the young girl. “If you disobey me once more you will get to see the sun again. And it will be the last thing you ever see. I can guarantee it. Cross me Faith and I will torture you until you beg me to kill you,” she paused briefly as she took a hold of Faith's hair, and pulled her up off the bed. She was trying to stand on her knees to elevate the pain of her hair being pulled. But Katherine had lifted her just enough to where her shins barley touched the bed, so that her hair was supporting her full weight. Then Katherine looked into her eyes. “Do you understand me?” she asked. But when Faith gave no reply Katherine threw her across the bed and into the neighboring wall. Faith hit the wall. Small bits of dry wall scattered as Faith fell to the floor with a thud. Her lip was now bleeding. Katherine walked to her and grabbed her by the arm pulling her up and slamming her against the wall. Then with Katherine’s other hand she grabbed Faith by the neck and held her to the wall just off the floor. Her tip toes barely scraping the floor. Then Katherine repeated the question, “Do you understand me?” this time her voice was demanding. Faith looked at her as she raised her hands and grabbed a hold of Katherine’s arm. Faith didn’t like being held by the throat even if she didn’t breath now. It was still uncomfortable. “Yes.” she stated simply, as Katherine let go of her and she fell back to the floor. Faith looked up at her from the floor, as she tried to lift herself up a bit from the hard wooden floor. She could see Katherine smiling. Katherine smiled then offered her hand to faith and helped her to her feet. She dusted her off a bit and ushered her to the bed. “Good,” she said still smiling as she gave Faith a little kiss on the forehead. “That’s my good girl,” she added before she turned and left the room. She shut the door behind her leaving Faith alone in the room. Once Katherine had gone Faith stood and walked close to the door, "I understand I want to put a stake in your heart and watch you crumble into nothing you cold ass bitch.” Her words came out almost under her breath as she opened her door; she saw one of the vamps in the hall and smiled at him. Then with a small motion of her finger she intrigued him to enter the room. Hell if she was stuck here she might as well have a little fun.
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