Finding You

Part Eighteen

Buffy hopped through her window and turned quickly, sliding it shut as quietly as possible. She hoped her Mom would come in and check after she'd gotten her pajama's on, it'd seem more reasonable then having her street clothes on. Punishment would logically be less severe. She quickly declothed herself and slipped into her regular nightly attire and climbed into bed. As she was reaching for the phone, her Mother walked in. She didn't look happy.

"Buffy, it's eleven o'clock."

"I've been in here for a while..."

"No, you haven't. I came in and checked to see if you were here right at eleven. I know you have that habit to come in through the window."

"Never miss a thing, huh? That's what mom's are for," Buffy sighed. "Look, I'm not gonna lie. I have been here for a little while...but I got sidetracked."

"Angel," Joyce narrowed her eyes. "It was him, right?"

"No...no run in with the vampire express."

"That is -- a good excuse..." Joyce trailed off, but not without an agitated huff. "I just worry, you have this nightlife and I think the worst when you're late."

"Well, hey, if I'm ever late coming in call Giles."

"Why Mr. Giles?" Joyce blinked.

"Because he's my Watcher?"

"You must have missed that part of the lore."

"Oh, well, okay. There's this group of stuffy British guys in England called the Watcher's Council. They're like a guide for the Slayer, show her the ropes, do the research -- all the stuff *I* wouldn't be caught dead doing. So if I'm out, he's your best bet."

"I see. So that's why you're always in the library?"

"Pretty much. Anyway, I'm feeling kind of beat...I'm gonna go to sleep now, have to get ready for PT Night and all."

Joyce smiled thinly and kissed her daughter on the cheek. "Good night, dear. Sweet dreams."

Buffy returned the smile. "Thanks. I'll try to do that."

Joyce nodded slightly and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Buffy settled down under the covers, forgetting all about her phone call in her quest for a dreamless slumber.

Buffy and Willow stared silently across the table at Xander who was picking at his lunch food. He finally looked up to see the girl's staring at him and shifted around uncomfortably.

"Can I not eat in peace?" He snapped.

"It is peaceful," Buffy retorted. "You're just uncomfy 'cause Cordy's over there with her girlfriends."

Xander dropped his fork, giving an almighty look of hate. "Is this what this is about? Look, so I closet-dated her and I didn't tell you guys. We've all kept secrets before. This is stupid!"

"Stupid?" Willow repeated irately. "You're the one dating Cordelia."

"You guys are overreacting. So we're dating, it's High School. It's not like it'll last!" Xander's voice was rising. "That's it, I'm gone." He stood up, his chair falling back in the process.

Buffy shook her head at him. "Now who's overreacting?"

Xander stopped, giving it some thought. "I am falling back on your level, huh? Okay, I'm gonna finish my lunch and have a nice lip-locky outing in the janitor's closet. Any complaints?"

"Well, look on the bright side. He could've turned out gay..."

Willow crossed her arms over her stomach, leaning back in her chair. "I guess."

By now, dozens of students had overheard Xander's shouting and it was all being filtered through the cafeteria. When it finally reached Cordelia, the story had completely been twisted. Harmony leaned in to her friend with a smirk.

"Heard you and Xander go do it in your closet."

Cordelia glowered. "*What*?!"

Harmony shrugged and poked at her steak fingers with a spoon. "It's true isn't it? You and Xander have been dating since third grade. I hear he says it's not gonna last through high school..."

"No, it's not true! God, where did you hear this?"

"From Todd...he said Xander was arguing with what's-her-name over there. Like, he's dating her too only no one knows."

"What's-her-name would be...?"

"The weird girl."

"Buffy?! Okay, you know what?"

"What?"

"Yes, I am dating Xander Harris. No I *don't* care what you say or what you've heard, none of it's true -- except for the Buffy part, that I'm not sure of but highly doubt -- and if you have any qualms with it well that's just peachy!" Cordelia stood up, giving each of her friends their own glares and then marched over to Buffy's table. She pulled up a chair and sat down without even acknowledging them.

Buffy was impressed. "Think you'll make it through the day?"

"No," Cordelia grumbled. "This is all your fault."

"My fau--no, I'm not even gonna try..."

Xander glanced over to Cordelia. "Hi?"

She stared back. "Hi."

"Well, that was bracing," Buffy said to Willow as they entered the library. "I never knew there could be so much tension at lunch."

"Mhm, must be the beets. Or were they radishes?" Willow decided against giving that any thoughts as she sat on the tabletop next to her friend. "I really wasn't expecting that from Cordelia, of all people..."

"I guess there's a good person hidden under all the layers of Cordyness. Hey, at least now we know she has a soul!" Buffy nudged Willow with a small, teasing grin.

She laughed at the little pointed comment. "Yeah, I guess so. Oh well...maybe they deserve each other. And like Xander said, it probably won't last through High School..."

"I really didn't like that he said that part though. That was...wrong somehow. I mean when you date you should think long-term," Buffy pouted.

"I think that's just a girl thing."

"Oh..." Buffy shifted her attention to the librarian as he was exiting his office. "Hey Giles."

"Ah, good afternoon Buffy, Willow. How was er...lunch?"

Willow giggled, "He's making conversation, Buffy. Or trying."

"I think someone's had too many moments of Miss Calendar for today," Buffy taunted. "Lunch was so interesting, Giles, but it'd bore you to death. And what would we do without you?"

"I see. Well, I was just on my way to--"

"See Miss Calendar," Buffy finished easily. "Don't worry, we'll stay here and figure out ways to prevent St. Vigeous. Sharpen many stakes."

"Actually I was going to go to my house and collect some materials, but it would be good of you to stock up on weaponry. I'll be back before sunset," Giles stole quickly out of the library.

"Me and my extra big mouth," Buffy sighed.

"It's okay Buffy, we should probably do that anyway. Better safe than really dead and sorry."

"I know, I'm just whining. Let's make that fated visit to the wood shop class and get some chair legs."

"Can we sit and sulk first?"

Almost a little too eagerly, Buffy replied, "Sure!"

Anything was better than spending the evening sharpening stakes. Or make snacks and punch for the dreaded Parent Teacher Night.

Part Nineteen

Later that night, Buffy and Willow gathered around the punch table while watching the parents pile into the student lounge. Buffy proudly had finished making the punch and was now serving it to all who asked.

"This is great Buffy," Willow beamed. "You did such a good job."

"Thanks, not that I'm gushing with pride already but it did turn out okay. And sure Mom talked to Snyder and...sure I got off for being the Slayer, but it's been a good night."

Then the lights shut off. Buffy stared up at the ceiling, huffing.

"Or it was until about three seconds ago."

"Maybe the power went out, no need to jump to conclusions," Willow attempted to comfort.

"I'm gonna check things out...just in case. Go to the library and keep everyone there, okay?"

"Sure, yeah, I'll take your Mom with me."

"Thanks." Buffy nodded and whisked herself away down the hall in search of anything lurky.

Spike paced along the main hall of Sunnydale, puffing on one of his cancer sticks. "This is great...not only did we turn the power out, but we have to *find* the people as well." He turned abruptly to look at Absalom. "You're a bleedin' idiot."

Absalom scowled. "It makes them afraid."

Spike laughed. "Yeah, I'll bet. The power goes out, boogity-boogity. What are the poor humans going to do? You realize this means we might have to catch them as well, mate?"

"Builds an appetite."

"Well maybe I wasn't looking for a damned appetite, I'm hungry enough as is. You know, sod it, I--" Spike trailed off and lifted his gaze upwards. "You hear that?"

Absalom tilted his head to the side, trying to listen for whatever might be making a noise. He could hear some shuffling about above.

Spike chuckled, "Someone's in the ceiling..."

Absalom shook his head. "I think it's just rats."

"What good are you for? You're the nutjob who turned off the lights! I'll never forgive you for that you know. I'm running this show here, now. Get your men in here and what-all, fan them out and have them find the people."

"All right, then what?"

Spike stared. "Then you eat the people. You elongate your fangs, you push the persons head to the side and then you bite. Then you suck. And then you drain. Then you leave them for the police to find in the morning. Did you get all that?"

Absalom snorted. "Yes. They'll be here in a minute," and he left out the front door of the school.

Spike started back down the hall, taking extra-long and bitter drags of his cigarette as he went on. "Can't trust anyone, really, everyone around here is a blockhead. Steamin' madmen..."

"I'm getting that," Buffy said from behind him.

Spike whipped around. "Where the hell did you come from?"

"The ceiling," she replied simply.

"Christ! That bastard...I swear, if you don't stake him first then I'll..."

"Be dust before you can really decide what to make of your sentence," and with that said she withdrew the mop she'd been hiding behind her back.

Spike seemed unfazed. "You're going to kill me with *that*? Oh, please."

"Oh it doesn't come off as intimidating?" Buffy feigned an irritated pout. "Darn. Maybe this will." She cracked the mop in half and tossed the part with the mop attached aside. Spike backed up a step. "Oh, see? Slayer knows best."

"Do we really need weapons?"

"Yes, we really do."

Then Absalom with his gang of vampires stepped through the doorway. Buffy shrank back and Spike mocked her with a laugh.

"All right then, keep your chintzy piece of wood. C'mon now," Spike waved the go-ahead to the vampires and they all approached Buffy as quickly as possible. Half of them tripped on their forward march, and Buffy took off down the opposite hall towards the library. Spike let out an agonizing yell.

"Do you all do *nothing* right?!"

"Giles!" Buffy shouted as she ran into the library. "We need weap--" She broke off, seeing Giles, Jenny, Cordelia, and Xander all unconscious on the floor. She nearly tripped over Willow. At the top of the stairs stood a slightly tall, thin and pale woman with long black hair. She was wearing a nightgown. Buffy wanted to know who this was.

"Hello, precious," the girl said to Buffy.

"Who are you?" Buffy demanded. "What did you do?"

"They were playing with pretty toys..." She raised one of the stakes. "I am Drusilla."

"Oh, you're Drusilla..."

"Come here, dearie." Drusilla curled back a finger, smirking.

Buffy took a step back, shaking her head. "Not gonna happen."

"Hmm, you are a stronger one." Drusilla backed up. "She lays within." She pointed to Giles' office. "We will meet again." She smiled sadistically at Buffy and turned, disappearing within the stacks and out the back door.

Buffy knelt down by Willow and nudged her. "Willow! Willow, wake up..."

Willow groaned and rolled over on her back. "Am I dead?"

Buffy hugged her tightly. "No, you're not! You're so not, thankfully."

"This girl came out of nowhere...I--I couldn't..."

"It's okay, Will. Can you stand?"

"Y-yeah..." With Buffy's help, Willow stood. "I'll see to everyone else, find your Mom."

"She's not in here?"

"She is, I just don't know..."

Buffy cut her off. "I do." She separated from Willow and went into Giles' office to find her mother keeled over on the desk. "Mom!" She gently shook her and sat her up, relaxing at only seeing a bruise on her cheek. It could have been worse. "Mom?" She lifted her voice a tad louder.

Joyce's eyes fluttered open. "Buffy?"

"Mom!" She embraced her momentarily. "A girl did this to you?"

"Y-yes, dear...she was um, very strange."

"But you're okay?"

"I'm fine, dear. Go help your friends."

"Okay. I have to go...save some people from a potential massacre. Stay here, okay?"

Joyce nodded and gave Buffy a little push. "Go on."

Buffy slipped back out of the office to find all her friends seated around the table. "Everyone all right?"

"No," Cordy snapped. "I did not appreciate getting clocked over the head!"

"Cordelia, calm down," Xander said. "What's the what, Buff?"

"Spike and a lot of minions are here. I need some weapons, Angel, and you guys to stay put while I horde the parents into a room."

"I'll go get Angel," Xander volunteered.

"Thanks. Giles, when I leave blockade the door." She held up one finger, silencing him. "No potential buts. I'm doing this, they're spread out I'm sure. I have to move fast. So guys? Hurry!"

Giles tossed her the stake he'd been holding on to since Drusilla knocked him out. "Be careful, Buffy."

"I will." Buffy gave them all as much reassurance as she could with one single smile before darting out the front doors. Jenny and Giles moved to shove a bookcase in front of it. Xander took that as his cue to go get Angel.

Part Twenty

Buffy inched around the corner, seeing a couple of vampires walking begrudgingly through the halls.

"I don't see why the school had to be so big," the first one snorted.

"It's a trick," the second one said in a suspicious tone. "They're out to get us."

The first one gave him a funny look. "How much of that druggie did you eat today?"

"Not enough," he snickered.

"Lucky for me..." Buffy said while stepping into view. "He's quite high, and you're...well, since I haven't had the opportunity to have a chat with you and make judgments...I'll just kill and move on."

The bigger, and more sober of the two moved forward. "So you're the girl that's giving us the trouble."

Buffy glanced him over, punched him back in the face and sent the stake home. She spoke to his dust, "Sorry, I lacked a pun for that. Drugged-boy, it's your turn."

He ran screaming towards her and shoved her down to the ground. Buffy kneed him in the groin and turned him over. He was wailing now, hands clenched in said-area while she shoved the stake in his heart.

"Again, I lack a pun. This just isn't my night."

As she stood up, a set of arms clamped around her body and pulled her closer. She twitched, sensing it was familiar and raised her head slightly. She squealed.

"Angel!"

"Hey," he grinned. "Got an extra stake?"

"Yes, and don't sneak up on me like that. I could've been way into the moment and you would've been on the floor and -- I could very well turn this into a really bad metaphor so let's stop there."

"Good idea," he drew his arms away and she handed him a stake. "I took out some vampires in the other hall. The parents locked themselves up in a classroom and there's a few guarding the door trying to get in."

"At least they're accounted for. So Angel, still wanna come to school with me?"

"Well I can't miss out on the after school death and mayhem..."

"Glad you're enjoying." Buffy glanced around. "We should go find the parents."

"We need to go find that Slayer," Spike seethed. "Ab ol' boy, you really are a useless bint you know that? Cripes, I mean...Dalton's done better than you. And he's a sissy."

"We're looking."

"Well look harder. Use your noggin', or your nose. And get this damn door open so I can have a bite to eat."

Absalom looked on the four vampires in his presence. "Where did the other few go?"

"To find the Slayer," one of the four replied.

"They're all dead," Spike grumbled.

"You don't know that," Absalom said.

"Yeah, I do know that. I know this Slayer, she shows up at the wrong time."

And of course, on cue, Buffy retorted.

"Got that right."

Spike winced and turned. "Typical. You four, go get her."

"What about me?" Absalom asked.

"Go fall on a stake," Spike hissed and headed down the hall to find one of those fire axes. He stopped in front of it and read the sign aloud, "For emergencies only." He broke the glass and took it out. "Close enough."

"Think you'll hold?" Buffy glanced to Angel as he braced himself for two vampires.

"I'll be all right."

Buffy sent a kick forward into the first vampire and whipped around in time to punch the other in the face. She sent him sprawling against the wall.

Willow twiddled a stake in her hand, glancing around feeling rather bored. "You think we'll make it out okay?"

Cordelia looked at her. "Bluntly?"

"No, please."

"Okay, sure, we'll be super!"

Willow sighed and looked to Xander. He merely shrugged. Letting her eyes wander she noticed Joyce was nowhere to be seen.

"Uh, guys? Where's Buffy's Mom?"

Spike drove Buffy down the ground, pinning her beneath him as he punched her relentlessly in the face. Angel wasn't too far away laying on the ground unconscious. Buffy had managed to uphold all her energy to fight Spike, but she was quickly depleting of all her sources.

Stopping just briefly, he glanced to where the ax he had was at. He murmured something under his breath at it not being there and just as he looked forward, it hit him in the face.

"You get the hell away from my daughter," Joyce said while giving Spike a withering look.

He held the back of his head and scooted backwards and up to his feet.

"Women!" And with that, he stumbled down the hall.

Joyce dropped the ax and helped Buffy stand. "Sorry, honey, I just couldn't sit still."

"How'd you get out without Giles seeing you?"

"Oh I went out that backdoor. It's really very handy."

"Oh..." Buffy shifted her attention to Angel and both she and Joyce took their turns saying his name to wake him up. He finally came to and Buffy threw her arms around him.

"I'll go let the people out and get your friends," Joyce offered and went over to the door and knocked.

Snyder stood at the back of the room on a chair so he could see over everyone's head. "No one opens that door!"

One of the teachers rolled her eyes at Snyder and opened it anyway. She was greeted with the sight of Joyce holding an ax.

"Uh...oh!" Joyce tossed it aside and upheld a smile. "Sorry, you can all come out now. Those people left."

Each one of the parents slowly nodded as it sunk in. They filed out and all went directly home.

"So you guys are all okay?" Willow asked the Slayer and her boyfriend.

Buffy glimpsed Angel curiously. "Yeah, are you?"

"I'll be fine, nothing a good night's sleep won't cure."

"Yeah, well, none of that," Xander quipped. He received a swat in the side from Cordelia. "Uhh...joking, really."

"Well, we better head out," Joyce said. "I need to sleep so I can catch my flight tomorrow."

"Right," Buffy said and stood up -- not without a pained wince. "Angel, did you bring your car?"

"No, Xander and I walked back. I didn't want to seem conspicuous," Angel replied.

"Smart boy, looks like you get an extra ride home curtesy of Mom."

Joyce simpered. "I'm dropping you two off his apartment, remember?"

"Oh, right!" Buffy's smile grew. "You guys, get rides home okay? Giles, Miss Calendar?"

"Of course," the couple said in unison.

"Thanks. I'll see the rest of you..well, I'll check in."

Willow stifled a giggle. "Bye Buffy."

"Bye Willow. And the rest of you guys -- be good." Buffy linked hands with Angel as he stood and they followed Joyce out of the library.

"If it weren't for school Monday, I bet they wouldn't even come up for air," Cordelia sneered.

"Buffy said she'd check in," Willow pointed out. "She wouldn't back up on her word."

"Sure she'll check in," Cordelia nodded. "On Monday morning when we see her in the library."

"That's not funny," Willow sunk down in her chair.

"But true," Xander defended. "They'll be doing the nasty aaallll weekend long..." He propped his feet up on the table and nodded firmly. "All weekend long."

"Teenagers," Giles muttered. To be continued....