Title: Judgement
Summary: When Buffy fought the Master, she died. Death has come for her . . .
Author: Dave A
Rating: PG
Feedback: PLEASE
Spoilers: Set During Season 1, Buffy has just drowned in the master’s lair
Disclaimers: Joss is the man, everything belongs to him. Terry Pratchet Owns Death as he is used in this story. I’ll put him back when I’m done.
Distribution: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Buffy_Angel_FanFics2001 and anyone who asks.
Notes: This is my second attempt at FanFic. I’d love feedback but…be gentle
Dedication: To Nick for showing me the Discworld books.
Buffy opened her eyes. She was still in the master’s lair. She took up a fighting stance and glanced around her. He was gone. ‘He must have left for the surface.’ Buffy thought. She started to head towards the entrance to the church when Angel came rushing in.
“Angel” Buffy said. Angel ignored her and rushed right past Buffy and knelt down beside a pool of water. Buffy followed his progress and saw a body on the floor. Angel pulled it out of the water. It was Buffy.
“What’s going on?” Buffy asked quietly
Angel checked Buffy’s breathing and her pulse. He looked up to a point above Buffy’s right shoulder. Buffy turned to look and saw Xander standing in the entrance to the cave.
“She’s dead.” Angel Said.
Buffy stared at Xander in shock. ‘Dead, I can’t be dead’ she thought.
“No. She’s not dead.” Xander said as he rushed down the steps to where Buffy’s body was.
“She’s not breathing.” Angel said
“But if she drowned, there’s a shot. CPR.” Xander gasped.
“You have to do it.” Angel said, “I have no breath.”
Xander took his coat of and began using CPR on Buffy.
“I said I can’t be dead.” Buffy shouted. Xander and Angel carried on oblivious to her statement.
THEY ALL SAY THAT.
The words had arrived in Buffy’s head without going through the niceties of passing through her ears. “What…Who’s there.” Buffy said in a quiet voice.
I HAVE MANY NAMES . . . BUT ON YOUR WORLD I AM CALLED DEATH.
“Death . . . But I’m not dead!” Buffy said weakly.
I’M AFRAID YOU ARE. YOU DROWNED.
Buffy stepped back and sat on a rock. ‘I’m dead.’ Buffy thought, ‘Which means the world will end.’
“I can’t die now.” Buffy said out loud “The World will end if I don’t stop the Master.”
IT’S OUT OF MY HANDS. AND NOW . . . Death pointed his scythe at the two figures desperately trying to bring Buffy back . . . IT’S OUT OF YOURS TOO.
“I can’t let him win.” Buffy stood up and walked over to Angel and Xander. Xander was still pumping her chest trying to get her to breathe again. “I have to go back.” She stated.
YOU ARE DEAD. YOU CANNOT RETURN.
“So what happens to them then?” Buffy asked indicating Angel and Xander. “And too the rest of the world?” THAT IS NOT YOUR CONCERN.
“Damn right it’s my concern, these are my friends.” YOU CANNOT KNOW THE FUTURE.
“I must.” Buffy shouted.
Death took an hourglass from inside his robe and studied it. Buffy saw her name written on it. All the sand was at the bottom.
IT IS YOUR TIME. Death stated simply.
“No it’s not.” Buffy began to rant. “It can’t be my time. I can’t die. The world rests on my shoulders and then I die. I get that. That’s the Slayer gig. It’s what happens. But I can’t die now. It’s too soon. It’s not my time.” She said again.
YOU MUST COME WITH ME NOW.
“Come where, to do what?” Buffy asked.
YOU MUST COME. Death said again.
“No.” Buffy stood up to the grim reaper and stared him straight in the eye sockets. “I must go back.” She said firmly.
AND DO WHAT? Death asked FIGHT. AND THEN DIE AGAIN. Buffy nodded. “If that’s what it takes.” She said simply.
NO. Death turned and began to walk towards the far wall of the church. AND YOU MUST COME WITH ME NOW.
“No.” Buffy shouted. “If I do then the world will end.” IF IT IS FATED TO DO SO.
“Where does that leave you?” Buffy asked trying a new approach.
Death stopped and turned back to her. . . I . . . DON’T KNOW. Death said quietly.
“Out of a job. For a start.” Buffy said. “Why not let me go back. I can stop him. I can end this.”
BUT IT IS YOUR TIME. “Why can’t it be my time later.” Buffy asked “much later.” She added under her breath. Death looked confused for a second. Well as confused as a skull can look anyway. I’M SORRY? “Well, seems to me it’s all the same in the end isn’t it?”
WELL YES. I SUPPOSE.
“Then why can’t you come for me in fifty years say?” Buffy asked
BECAUSE IT IS YOUR TIME NOW. Death held up the hourglass for Buffy to see. YOUR SANDS HAVE RUN OUT. IT IS YOUR TIME.
“Look, I have to go back and help them.” Buffy said quietly.
Death wandered around the church for a few minutes. IT WOULD BE A GREAT MISUSE OF MY POWERS. He said finally.
“If you don’t then you won’t have any powers.” Buffy said simply.
VERY WELL. Death came over to her. BE GOOD CHILD. I WILL BE BACK FOR YOU SOMEDAY.
Death held the hourglass back up for Buffy to see. He began to tip the glass so the sand end would be at the top.
“Wait.” Buffy shouted. Death looked at her again. “I have to know.” Buffy said. “What waits for people when they die?” Buffy asked. “After you’ve collected them I mean.”
Death looked back at the hourglass.
JUDGEMENT.
Death turned the hourglass round fully.
“C’mon.” Xander said quietly. He had been trying CPR for the last few minutes and Buffy wasn’t responding.
Suddenly there was a sharp intake of breath and Buffy opened her eyes.
“Buffy.” Xander said.
Buffy started to cough some water up and then lay back on his jacket.
“Xander?” Buffy asked.
“Welcome back.” Xander smiled at Buffy.