Rating:PG-13
Content: Mild language, nothing you wont hear on the show
Spoilers:Welcome to The Hellmouth through Becoming
Summary: What will happen to Buffy after she leaves Sunnydale and
inadvertantly meets up with Kendra's replacement?
As the bus passed the "You are now leaving Sunnydale" sign, Buffy knew that she could not simply "come back soon". She had sent her one true love into hell, Kendra was dead because of her, she could never go back. Willow and Xander, it hurt her just to think about them, it reminded her of how much better their lives would have been if she had never entered them. Buffy knew she had hurt her mom by leaving, but Joyce Summers never would have accepted the fact that her daughter was the Slayer. Buffy had gotten a glimpse of what the future would be like that night, that terrible night. The night her world had ended. The night when the one thing she had to live for, the one person she could never stop loving, went to hell.
( 3 months later Buffy has gotten a job at a high school in Utah as a clerical assistant for the history teacher. It was exactly the kind of job that Willow would love, but that Buffy couldn't stand. But when you don't have a high school degree, there aren't that many jobs open.)
Stacy Aden, the history teacher at Lewis and Clarke High school had decided that there was something strange about her new assistant. There was the fact that Buffy Summers had given no address, or that she never talked about where she was from, or about her family . In fact, she hardly ever spoke. Stacy knew when she hired an assistant that it would be hard to hide her secret from them. In fact she was surprised that she had been able to keep it this long. Stacy knew it was risky, but she needed the help and if necessary she could lie. She would do anything to protect Michelles' identity as the Slayer.
As Buffy walked through the cemetery, she couldn't help wondering why she was patrolling. There weren't any overbearing watchers hovering over her insisting that she fulfill her duty. But she was restless, and it would do her good to kick some undead butt. She had patrolled every night for two weeks, just to have something to do. As she neared the cemetery, she heard sounds of fighting. * I wonder who got to the vamps first?* she thought. As she got closer she realized that it was a girl fighting three very ugly vampires. The girl spin -kicked one vamp, and punched another, but the third grabbed her from behind, while she struggled the other two got up and moved in for the kill. Buffy knew that was her entrance cue. While the two vamps were advancing Buffy came up behind them and said
"Hey guys, mind if I cut in?" She staked them at the same time. She turned her attention to the vamp holding the girl and said "Hello there, oops, I mean, bye bye now!" and with that she staked him. She helped the girl off of the ground where she had fallen while Buffy was dusting the vamps and was very surprised to see that it was Ms. Adens pet student Michelle Smith. Michelle was equally surprised to see her. It had never occurred to Buffy that when Kendra died, another slayer would be called. Michelle was looking at her with a very confused expression on her face.
"So Michelle", Buffy said," it looks like you do a little slaying in your free time, huh?" Michelles dazed expression was starting to get a little bit distrustful.
"What are you doing here?" asked Michelle. Buffy was sooo not loving this situation. If she told Michelle that she was the Slayer, Michelle would tell Ms. Aden, Ms. Aden would get in touch with Giles', and she would have to go back to Sunnydale, and everything she had been avoiding. " At the risk of sounding repetitive, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?????????" Michelle was clearly getting frustrated. Buffy decided to tell her the truth, just not the whole truth.
"Lets go see Ms. Aden" Buff said firmly. Michelle was obviously confused she kept repeating "who are you?" Buffy realized that Michelle hadn't recognized her. *OK, I have a choice, she said to herself. I can go with Michelle an get officially back into the slayer/watcher gig, probably ending up back in Sunnydale, or I can get my ass out of here while I still can.* To Buffys' Slayer self , the choice was glaringly simple. "I know I'm going to regret doing this" she said to herself as she and Michelle trudged off towards the school.
When the went into the history room, Michelle sulkingly, Buffy hesitantly, Ms. Aden looked up. "Oh Michelle! Back so soon?? And why is Buffy with you?" Michelle grudgingly admitted that Buffy had saved her from being vamp food. "Well this is very interesting." Ms. Aden looked and sounded just like Giles did when they had a particularly nasty demon. Buffy realized she should take the initiative.
" Ms. Aden, look I know this seems wiggy, but I'm here to help, I'm not a demon, or a vampire, or anything like that, so please don't try to kill me.
"What I'm not clear on Buffy, is what exactly you are." Ms. Adens eyes narrowed.
"I know this must seem strange to you, but believe me I'm here to help"
"How do we know that?"
"Well there's the fact that I saved your ass, and could kick it any day of the week!" Buffy was getting a tad bit annoyed with Michelle.
"Oh Yeah?! Lets see?"
"Na, I'm not into fighting Slayers, too repetitive."
"Girls!!" Now it was Ms. Adens turn to get annoyed.
"Buffy I don't know who you are, why you're here, or what you can do, but I accept your help."
"Good, because the way things looked out there tonight, your going to need it."
"What do mean?" Michelles intellectual side was getting in the way of her glaring at Buffy. Buffy, remembering the way Angel was all cryptic on her in the beginning decided to honor his memory by telling them all she knew. "Okay, here goes, Michelle, remember those vamps that attacked you? Well those vampires are Spikes men."
Michelle and Ms. Aden were clearly confused.
"Buffy, who's Spike, and why do you recognize his men?"
"Spike is a vampire I have fought before, he's strong ,but the real threat is his insane mistress Druscilla. She is loony towns and way evil. But without her, Spike's pretty easy to handle. The problem is, like I said before, Druscilla's crazy, Spike is crazy about her, so together they're deadly. If they're here, it means trouble, for everyone."
Ms. Aden was deep in thought. "I think I've read something about this Spike character, hasn't he killed two Slayers previously?"
"Yeah, two Slayers, and the Anointed One. Also, Dru killed Kendra, the Slayer before Michelle."
Throughout this whole exchange Michelle had been sitting there lost in thought. "But why are they here? I mean, I usually only see like, three vamps a night. Apparently it's really slow here compared to the place that Kendra was, that small town, what was its name? Sunnyhill? I don't remember, anyway, why here, if Sunnyhill or whatever is so full of mystical energy.
"GEEZ!!!! I am soooooooo stupid!!!!! I can't believe I didn't figure it out!! What is wrong with me! It makes perfect sense! Spike is here because this is the closest place to the Hellmouth where he can safely gather forces. They're going full-scale invasion this time, and I am taking Spike down, once and for all.
Ms. Aden and Michelle were standing there gaping open-mouthed at Buffs verbal abuse of herself. Before they had time to speak though, Buffy was talking again. Turning to Michelle she said:
"We're going to find Spike and stop his plans, we have to go now before his forces get to strong.
"But Buffy, you still haven't explained why Spike is here, and not in Sunnydale!"
"Simple, he thinks I'm still there. So now he's going down."
"Do you really think it's a good idea to go off half-cocked like this?"
"Look Michelle", Buffy was pissed now "a surprise attack is our only hope, once he finds out I'm here, they'll be the ones attacking us, we have to go now, and you can come and help me, or, you can get out of my way."
Michelle swallowed. "Yeah, I'll help."
"Good."
Buffy and Michelle went back to the cemetery to find a vampire to tell them where Spikes was holed up. After threatening and staking a few, they found one who cared enough about his life, or lack there of, to answer their questions. Spike was hiding out underground, in the sewer systems of the town. They decided to sneak in and spy on the vamps before deciding what to do. The Slayers walked silently down the tunnel. Buffy was thinking of the time that Xander followed her into the tunnels when she went to look for Jesse. After walking for a while, they stumbled on to a ledge over looking a large cavern. There were plenty of vampires, but Spike an Dru were nowhere to be seen. Suddenly a commotion near the back caught Buffs attention. Spike appeared, clearly furious at the news one of his flunkies had brought.
"What do you mean, you told them where we were?!?!? Now that new Slayer is going to come looking for us and we'll have to take time off of our busy schedule to kill her!!!"
The lesser vamp mumbled something that sounded like an apology.
"That's all right mate, I forgive you, which is why I'm going to let my girl have some fun with you. Oh Ducks??!
Druscilla came into the room, singing to herself.
"Spike, is he for me, darling?"
"All yours my pet."
"Goody"
"About this Slayer, people , be on the lookout, but it shouldn't be to much of a problem, I've never met a Slayer I couldn't handle."
Time seemed to stand still as Buffy did a back flip off of the ledge and into the center of the room.
"Spike, I beg to differ"
"Damn!! What the hell are you doing here?!?!? I thought Angelus killed you!!"
"Well, if you hadn't noticed, the world wasn't sucked into hell, so I would say it would have been a fair assumption that I won."
"What's going on Spike, are you trying to take over the world again? 'cause we've talked about this. Remember what happened last time? I kicked your sorry ass and you spent two months in a wheelchair. Boy, you guys sure do have a selective memory. But I don't, and I can clearly recall you saying you were going to leave this country, well low and behold, Spike didn't keep his promise. For punishment, I'm thinking somewhere along the lines of you dying, K'?"
Throughout this exchange, all of the vampires had made a circle around Spike and Buffy. Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy saw Michelle still crouched on the ledge. Buffy turned her attention back to Spike.
"So Spike, kinda sad isn't it that a big, powerful demon like you can't take on little ole' me. I mean it's no wonder Druscilla preferred Angel, at least he wasn't a sissy man."
"All right, that's enough Slayer, we'll discuss this later, after I kill you."
"Are you going to fight me, or just have all your little friends get killed when they try?"
"Slayer, your starting to bug me, stop talking and start fighting."
Spike rushed Buffy and she ducked out of his way, she kicked him in the stomach and sent him flying. Noticing that Michelle was still up on that ledge, Buffy decided to exit. She was intelligent enough to realize that even if she fought and killed Spike, the other vampires would attack her with ferocity for killing their leader. She did a spectacular jump and landed on the ledge next to Michelle. "We're leaving" she said. They ran down the tunnel and climbed up onto the street.
As they made their way back to the school Michelle was brooding over the fact that Spike had called Buffy "Slayer". She was the only Slayer, but then, why was Buffy called Slayer?? it didn't make any sense. As they walked silently Buffy knew what Michelle was thinking about. But she didn't want to answer the other girls questions.
"Michelle? Spike knows that he can count on my fighting against his little plot, so whatever he's doing, he's gonna do it soon. We have to be ready. We should attack tomorrow. Right now though, I'm going home to sleep. You should go tell Ms. Aden that we're not dead. See you later."
Michelle went back to the school and stayed there late reading up on Spike and Druscilla with Ms. Aden. They talked about Buffy, and Michelle told her about how Spike had called Buffy "Slayer". Ms. Aden said she would read up on the subject, but that now they had more important things to worry about, and ally was an ally, no matter how secretive.
The next day when Buffy entered the classroom no one was there. She saw some books open on the desk and went to look at them. They were new books, and the page one of them was turned to had a passage that read : Spike and Druscilla were last seen in Sunnydale, where they were fought by the Slayer and her Watcher, a Mister Rupert Giles.
Buffys thoughts were in a panic. *What am I going to do??? They know about me, and they'll make me go back. I can't go back!! I can't!!* But then she reflected on the fact that the passage didn't mention her name. Maybe Ms. Aden would assume that Kendra was the one who had fought Spike and Dru.
As Buffy was standing there mulling over her thoughts Ms. Aden and Michelle came rushing in, definitely agitated. "Buffy, there's a problem, Michelle went back to the vampires hideout, and they were gone. There wasn't a trace of them. They must have cleared out immediately after you left.
"Damn!!! I should have known Spike wouldn't have waited for me to come kill him. They've gone to Sunnydale, to the Hellmouth. Damn!!!"
"Okay, then we need to leave for Sunnydale immediately.
"NO!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not going there with you, Michelle can fight this on her own, and Giles can help. I am NOT going."
Ms. Aden walked over to Buffy and looked her straight in the eye. "Buffy, I know you've got issues, But Spike and Druscilla are dangerous, and if we don't stop them, it could mean the end of the world. We need your help, and your coming with us, now come on, we have to get ready."
"All right" Buffy grumbled, obviously not happy, but what Ms. Aden said was true, they did need her. *A fat lot of help that's been to anyone though, Willow, Xander, Giles, Angel, her mom they had all needed me , and I had let them down. And now I'm going back. Call me crazy.*
An hour later saw them on the highway halfway to Sunnydale. Buffy was moping in the back, and Michelle was catching up on her school work. The drove in silence, all of them thinking about what was in store for them.
When they got to Sunnydale, they went immediately to Sunnydale High. Since it was Saturday, Ms. Aden didn't think that Giles would be there, but Buffy knew that no matter what happened, Giles would always take sanctuary in his beloved Library. Ms. Aden and Michelle went in, but Buffy convinced them to let her stay out there, and that she would be in in a minute.
When Ms. Aden and Michelle entered the Library they saw a red- headed boy an girl, a dark-haired girl and boy, and a middle aged man with glasses look up in surprise, they all had an air of unhappiness and distress around them. "Can I help you?" asked the man with glasses.
"Yes. We're looking for a Mister Rupert Giles."
"I am Mr. Giles"
"Could we possibly speak privately to you Mr. Giles?" Ms. Aden was eying the students with distrust.
"Actually, anything you have to say to me can be said in front of them, they know all of my secrets, you cannot surprise them. Also, it will save me the trouble of telling them later."
The two girls and two boys nodded their heads in agreement.
"All right then. My name is Stacy Aden, this is Michelle Smith. Michelle is the current Slayer, I am her Watcher. We have come to ask for your help, because you live on the Hellmouth and are acquainted with Spike and Druscilla. We came across them in our town, and we have reason to believe that they are coming here to bring hell to earth."
"Oh my." Giles was very flustered. "Oh dear. It did not occur to me that when Kendra died another Slayer would be called."
"Why not? Isn't it the normal procedure."
"You will find, Madam, that life on the Hellmouth is anything but normal. We frequently experience strange phenomenon that does not occur anywhere else. For instance, that boy over there, (pointing at Oz) he's a Werewolf. And the boy, (Xander) he has, at one time or another been involved with a preying mantis and a 5oo- year old mummy."
"Thank you Giles, since when do I inform total strangers about your pathetic love life? The least you can do is leave my pathetic one alone."
"HEY!!!" The brunette exclaimed. "Xander!"
The red-head laughed and grinned at Oz.
Mr. Giles continued, "So you see, we have many supernatural occurrences which is why all of these students help me, even now, when the Slayer is gone."
"Oh yes, I was so sorry to hear about your Slayer, I'm sure Kendra was a wonderful girl, and a great Slayer."
"Pardon me?" Giles and the kids were looking at her strangely.
"Yes, Kendra, your Slayer that died."
"Ms. Aden, Kendra was not my Slayer, her Watcher was Sam Zabuto. "
"Well then who was your Slayer, was she the one before Kendra?"
"No. My Slayer is a girl named-
He cut of as the Library doors clicked open, and a petite blonde walked hesitantly in. Everyone was silent as she made her way towards them. Ms. Aden wondered why Buffy was so shy all of a sudden, and why the Librarian and the kids were staring at her as though she had two heads.
The silence was broken as Buffy spoke. "Hey guys." She said it softly, as though they would bite. Willow squealed "BUFFY!!!", and rushed to envelope her in a hug. Xander quickly followed, along with Oz and Cordelia. All four of them were jumping up and down and screaming with delight, while Giles merely stared and mumbled something about coming back. Ms. Aden turned to Michelle and said "I think we missed something."
After a minute Buffy tore herself away from her friends and turned to Giles. "Giles I'm so sorry" she whispered, and hugged him tightly. Addressing all of them she said, " I am so so sorry".
Suddenly everyone was talking at once.
"Where were you?"
"We tried to find you, but you disappeared!"
"I missed you so much!"
"I like your outfit."
"Are you still Slaying?"
"I don't understand, how can Buffy be the Slayer?"
This last question brought everyone back to reality." Well, It's a long story," Giles began.
"And I want to hear all of it"
"All right then, but where to start? Okay. About two years ago Buffy moved to Sunnydale from Los Angeles. Very soon after she arrived was the Harvest. You have heard of it perhaps?" At Ms. Adens nod, Giles continued. "Buffy killed the Vessel, and prevented the harvest. Soon after that the Anointed One, a small boy, was brought to the Master. Around this time last year, the Master was preparing to open the Hellmouth. Buffy went to fight him, but it was prophesied that she would die. Well, she did die, but Angel and Xander brought her back to life. She found the Master, and killed him. Three months later, after Summer Vacation, his minions tried to bring him back. They intended to use our blood to resurrect him, but Buffy stopped them and broke the Masters bones. Soon after that Spike and Druscilla came to town, they attempted to kill Buffy, but she prevented that. 8 months ago Spike sent the order of Teraka after Buffy, because they didn't want her interfering in Spikes attempt to restore Druscilla to full health. For the ceremony, they needed her sire, a vampire named Angel. But 100 years ago he was cursed by the gypsies with a soul, so he frequently helped us, and he and Buffy became.... close. During all of this Kendra came to town. She was another Slayer, she had been called when Buffy died. Together they stopped the assassins, saved Angel, and thoroughly injured Spike. Unfortunately Druscillas' full health was restored, but Spike was confined to a wheelchair for quite some time. Around the time of Buffys seventeenth birthday Spike and Druscilla were attempting to reassemble the Judge, the demon that can burn the humanity out of you and cannot be destroyed. Then, Angel lost his soul, and became Angelus, a creature of unspeakable evil. This was extremely hard on Buffy, because they were very close. However, through Zanders' quick thinking she was able to defeat the Judge, using a very large gun stolen from the Army. She fought Angelus, but did not kill him. During the next couple of months Angelus inflicted mental torture on Buffy. He threatened all of us, and Jenny Calendar, a gypsy from the clan that cursed him. Three months ago Angelus tried to bring forth the demon Acathala. During that time period Buffy found the disk that contained the ritual to restore Angels soul. Jenny had been working on it the night she died. Angelus sent Buffy a message to meet him at the cemetery that night, and while she fought, we were going to attempt the restoration. Angels message was just to lure Buffy away, and while we were in the Library a large group of Vampires attacked us. They knocked Willow unconscious, broke Zanders arm, and then kidnapped me. Angel was having trouble resurrecting Acathala, so he decided to torture me until I gave him the answer. Druscilla came in then, and slit Kendras' throat. Kendra was strong, but Druscilla hypnotizes her prey, so Kendra didn't have a chance. For the next few hours I was unconscious, so maybe Buffy could continue?"
"Sure. After I realized it was a trick, I ran back to the Library. When I got there the vamps, Giles and Cordelia were gone. Kendra was dead, and as I was standing there the Police came and thought I had done all of that. I hit the cop, and ran. I went to the hospital to see Willow, she was still unconscious. I found out that no one knew were Giles was, so I went to his house. When I was there I met Whistler, a demon sent to even the score between good and evil. When I was leaving, I ran into Spike. He told me that he wanted to take Angelus down, because he was sick of him flirting with Dru. He said that without his help I couldn't defeat Angelus. We went back to my house, to talk strategy, but my mom was there, and so was one of Angels guys. We staked him, but my mom saw, and I was forced to tell her about Slaying. She tried to stop me when I left, but I forced my way through her. She said "if you leave, don't even think about coming back". Of course, I left. I went to the school to get the sword, saw Snyder, he expelled me, and I left. I went to the mansion they were holed up in, saw Xander, and told him to get Giles. When I got there, the ceremony was beginning. I staked one vamp, started fighting another, and Spike knocked Angel unconscious. Dru attacked him, and while I finished off the other vampires, Spike put a sleeper hold on her. Then Angel got up, and we fought, he almost killed me, but I hit him in the face. He was in front of the statue when I saw its' jaws opening wide. Suddenly though, his soul was returned to him. So he was Angel again, but then I had to kill him, to stop Acathala." Buffy was in tears by now.
Willow leaned over to give Buffy a hug. "It's going to be okay, Buffy."
Ms. Aden let out a long breath. "Whew, it sounds like you're a very powerful Slayer, Buffy, we'll need that, if we have to go up against Spike and Druscilla.
Giles was surprised. "Spike and Druscilla are back? Oh dear."
" Yeah, Giles, they're back, they're going to try to end the world, but this time, I'm going to stop them for good. Here's the plan, Willow, you surf the net and try to find places they could be with a small army of vampires. Xander, you, Cordy and Oz whittle stakes, sharpen the crossbows arrows, and prepare spray bottles of holy water. Giles you look up world -ending demons that Spike and Dru could have gotten a hold of. Ms. Aden, you can help whoever you like, and me and Michelle are going to practice.
Everyone skittered to their assigned tasks, leaving Michelle and Buffy in the middle of the room. They practiced their kicks and punches, but Buffy was very much more experienced then Michelle, and won their fights easily. When they were taking a break, Willow got off the computer and came and sat down by Buffy. "I'm so glad you're back Buffy, I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Will."
"Buffy, have you seen your mom?"
"No. She said I could never come back, so I won't."
"Buffy, you know she didn't mean that . You have to go talk to her, make her understand about being the Slayer and all. And besides, if you don't live at home, where will you live?"
"Actually, I was thinking of staying at Angels' old apartment. And my mom will never accept the fact that I'm the Slayer."
"You still have to go to your house and tell her you're okay. She's been worried sick about you."
"Will, I really don't want to go now, I have to save my energy."
"If you don't go now, I'll tell Giles, and have him drag you over there."
"All right, all right. I'll go. Tell Giles I'll be back in an hour."
As Buffy approached her house, she felt a wave of dread come over her. She really did not want to go in, but she had told Will she would. She walked up the front steps and rang the doorbell. "Just a minute", called Joyce Summers from somewhere inside the house. She opened the door and gasped. "Buffy!!! Is it really you? Oh honey, I'm so sorry about everything!!!
"It's okay mom, it was a big shock, and hard to believe. Maybe in a couple of days you can come by the Library and Giles will tell you the sitch. He loves doing that part."
"Are you home for good?"
"Actually, I thought I might move into Angel's old apartment. It'd be safer for everyone involved, and you wouldn't be in danger."
"Buffy no, you're 17. You can't live by yourself."
"Mom, I'll still see you all the time, but this will be better. I promise."
"Well, I guess your mind is made up, so, okay."
"Great. Now I have to go back to the Library, we have a crisis."
"I'm going with you. I just got my daughter back, I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"All right, but there might be potential danger, just so you know."
As they walked towards the Library, Buffy filled her Mom in on what she had been doing the past three months, who Ms. Aden and Michelle were, and about Spike and Druscillas' evil plot.
"When they got to the Library they were met by a chorus of "Buffy, we've got trouble!"
"What's the trouble?"
Giles stepped out of his office. "Actually it's more catastrophic then just simple trouble."
"Xander grinned. "Well Giles, all that dictionary reading paid off. I can officially announce that no one can understand a word you say. Congrats!"
"Thank you Xander, as I was about to say, there is a prophecy set for tonight. It's in rather choppy Latin, but I managed to translate it."
"On the night of the third moon from the solstice, (that's tonight) the Slayer shall face her biggest challenge ever. The vampires shall choose a Master (that will most likely be Spike) and wreak havoc upon the Slayer and her army. They will attempt to bring hell to earth. The Queen will fall and from her blood shall rise a long forgotten ally. The Slayer shall fight well, but she will be defeated."
"So you see, we'd better start preparing, if we don't want you to lose."
"Now Buffy, were do think Spike would likely be?"
"Well, if their Mansion's still standing, it'd be my bet they'd go
there."
"All righty then! We move out, Buffy and Michelle going for the big
guys, me and Cordy doing reconnaissance, and Giles Will and Oz should
stay here, and keep researching."
"Wait! I want to go! I feel fine, Please??!!!!!?"
"Come on Will, you can't go, you're still weak! Buffy, tell her!!"
"He's right, Willow. You shouldn't go, what if you got hurt? I'd never
forgive myself!"
"Come on then, lets go!!" Michelle was getting impatient.
The foursome headed out of the Library. As they neared the mansion,
Michelle and Buffy went ahead, because they would enter through a
skylight, and distract the sentries while Xander and Cordelia staked
them. Then they would all go after Spike and Dru.
Buffy was brooding over the last sentence of the prophecy . "The Slayer
will fight well, but she will be defeated." Not a great motivater to go
into battle. Oh well, it couldn't be helped. She had already defied one
prophetic disaster, God willing tonight she would deny another.
Walking on the roof, Michelle saw Spike and Druscilla arguing just under
it. Motioning to Buffy to be quiet, she pressed her ear against the
glass. Muffled voices could be heard from within.
"Dru baby, we've got to do it soon! You know I don't go in to much for
prophesies', but this one is so bloody specific that I've got to try. It
says the bloody Slayer will lose!! Finally she'll be out of our hair,
and we will make the world wish they had been sucked into hell!!!!"
"Hell. My Angel is in Hell. I can feel his 'eart burning. It aches so.
Oh my poor dark Angel!! I want my Daddy!! Oh, Oh, Daddy! Come back!"
"Dru!! You don't need your Daddy!!! I'm hear, remember, and we're going
to take over the world. Lets not forget that ducks!"
Suddenly there was a loud sound of glass breaking and Buffy and Michelle
flew through the skylight. Buffy landed on her feet, turned to Spike and
smiled. "Hey Spiky! Long time no see!! I heard you read the prophecy! If
I do recall correctly, I will lose, but, Uh oh, Dru dies!. The horror!!!
And guess what?!?!?! I've got backup! With this, Xander and Cordy ran
in, staked the four sentries, taking them completely by surprise, and
ran over to Buffy.
"We got them all, Buff. Notice the dust?"
"Good job, Xander. Now you and Cordy should get out of here. Go to the
Library and tell Willow everything is good."
With that Buffy turned her attention to Spike.
"Spike, remember Kendra? Well Michelle is here to avenge her, she'll
kill Druscilla, and I'll kill you."
"I don't bloody think so Slayer."
"Spike." Druscilla was getting worried.
"Yeah pet, you go have your fun, I'll kill the mean Slayers and we'll
shall have a feast."
"Yes Spike, I'll go get Daddy."
"What!!!" Spike attention was diverted by the fact that Buffy had kicked
him, obviously wanting to get on with the fight.
"Don't worry Spike, there will be time enough to get Druscilla, once
we're done with you."
"Yeah Slayer. You like to talk big, but when was the last time you
fought me without another Slayer? Huh?"
"Spike, stop stalling."
Buffy aimed a punch at his face that he was barely able to avoid, he
tried to sweep her feet out from under her, but she jumped and kicked
him over. In an instant, he was on his feet again, but she round housed
him. Spike was staggering now, but he wasn't giving up. He punched Buffy
in the face, and she grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground.
Suddenly, the room was enveloped in white light. Druscilla was standing
in front of a huge white ball, clapping her hands and laughing
gleefully. Spike and Buffy stopped, mid-attack and stared. Michelle was
fighting a sentry that Xander had missed. they were fighting furiously
and didn't take time out to look at the light.
"Noooo!!!!!!!!!!!!" Spike ran to Druscilla and attempted to stop the
spell.
"Dru!! What the hell are you doing?!!"
"Spike, I must have my fun also."
Then her face contorted, she whimpered, and turned to dust. During their
exchange, Buffy had crept around behind her, and plunged the stake
home.
"Spike launched on to Buffy, and started to beat her furiously. He
kicked and punched with a rage unequaled, all the time screaming "DRU!!"
Buffy couldn't match the insanely angry vampire for even one blow.
He was beating her to a pulp. He punched her harder then she had ever
been punched before, she fell to the ground, thinking to herself, *this
is it. I'm going to die.* Then she lost consciousness.
Spike lowered his head to her neck. Killing her wouldn't bring Dru
back, but it would make him feel a helluve' a lot better. Just as he was
about to bite her, he was forcibly torn off of her and thrown into the
wall.
When she came to, Buffy realized she was lying in some ones' arms, and
that they were strangely familiar. She opened her eyes, (and got a
searing headache) and looked around her. She wasn't in the Library, or
the Mansion, or her house, but the surroundings were vaguely familiar.
She looked up into a pair of deep chocolate eyes that she had thought
she would never see again.
"Angel?" Angel, is it really you?"
"It's me Buffy."
"Oh God Angel, I thought you were gone forever."
"I missed you so much. I love you."
"I love you too, Angel."
She realized now that she was in Angels apartment, and that Willow and Xander and Cordelia were over in the corner, and Giles was talking to
Ms. Aden and Michelle.
When everyone saw she was awake they came and sat down by Angel.
"Guys? What's going on?"
"Well Buffy," Giles was polishing his glasses with his handkerchief. "It
appears that Druscilla wanted to open the portal into Hell, and bring
Angelus back. But, Angelus was Angel now, so when Spike was about to
kill you, Angel saved you."
"Guys? Do you think you could let me and Angel have some time alone?
"Sure Buffy. We'll be back in a while."
"Bye."
They all went out, softly closing the door behind them.
"Angel, promise me that you'll never leave me again."
"I promise Buffy, we'll always be together.
As Buffy Summers let herself into the house that she shared with Angel,
she thought about how good her life was. Willow and Oz lived next door,
Xander and Cordelia lived down the street, the Watchers Council let her
retire from Slaying, and she and Angel were getting married.
He had asked her on the fifteenth anniversary of the night they met. He
blindfolded her and too her to the alley, and they had a romantic
candle- lit picnic. Then he got down on one knee, and asked her to
spend the rest of her life with him.
As she walked into the house and heard Angel talking to Willow in the
kitchen and Oz and Xander watching TV. in the den, she smiled to
herself. Life was good.
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Epilogue
15 years later