Author: Tiara

Rating: Same as the show.

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters in this story, they're Joss Whedon's and everyone else who has rights to them. I am just borrowing them for entertainment for others. A lot of the scenes are very similar to "Welcome to the Hellmouth and The Harvest." But I made a lot of changes, and those are mine.

Author's Notes aka (What’s going on in this story?) : I got the idea for this from a challenge on someone’s website, so some of the ideas belong to her, such as: Human Angel, Giles being the watcher of Angel’s mom, Dawn at the beginning. But I have changed the ideas, molding them into my own sweet design. =) I hopefully will make a whole lot of these. So as the season goes on and on, you’ll noticed more changes.

Summary: Just like the except Angel is HUMAN!! Yay! Oh, and Dawn’s here from the very beginning.

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In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.

Sunnydale High School at night looked intensely creepy to some. Not only did it look like a haunted place, but it was a place where most tests and pop quizzes took place! The side of the building to the main entrance had double doors. The halls were bare, past the trophy case and at the library turned to the right down another hall and straight to the science classroom. The counter in front of the window is covered in various things. A skeleton, some vertebrae, jars of things in formaldehyde, a skull and a microscope. A fist punches through the window pane and reaches in to undo the clasp.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” The girl asks her companion as he helps her inside.

“It's a great idea, now come on.” The boy urges her. Once inside, he takes her by the hand and they walk. Curious, the girl asks, “Do you go to school here?” “I used to. On top of the gym it's so cool. You can see the whole town.” He answers while continuing down the hall.

“I, I, I, I don't wanna go up there.” the girl replies, letting the nervousness creep into her voice. Smirking, the boy leers at her playfully, “Aw, you can't wait, huh?”

Exasperated, the girl clarified, “We're just gonna get in trouble.” “Yeah, you can count on it.” He leaned in to kiss her. Almost kissing, the girl turned abruptly, drawing a quick breath, looking down the hall. “What was that?” She squeaked. “What was what?” The boy asks impatiently.

“I heard a noise.” She said, trembling slightly. “It's nothing!” The boy told her, becoming more impatient. “Uh, uh, maybe it's something.” The girl mumbled. The boy saw the way she looked nervous, uneasy. He smiled, leering at her again, “Or maybe it's some *thing*!”

Glaring at him, the girl grumbles, “That's not funny.” Looking down the other hall, the boy bellows, “Hellooooo!” Then turns to his girl, “There's nobody here.” Quietly, she asked, “Are you sure?” Looking back down the hall, the boy sighed, “Yes, I'm sure.”

“Okay.” The girl replied before she turned back to him. Her face was hideous, with large contours, wild yellow eyes, and sharp glistening teeth. Growling, she grabbed him and savagely bit him. He grunted in pain as they sunk to the floor.

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 1 ~~~~~~~~~~

She tossed and turned. Wanting desperately to fight, to get away from them. But she couldn’t . . . she was helpless as her eyes laid on a lair of vampires. Lights flickered off the dank cave walls. Visions attacked her senses. A cemetery, she knew she saw one, but it disappeared. An ugly looking vampire. Tensing she prepared to fight it, when visions of vampires appeared. She watched as other demons appeared, then strange looking artifacts

Waking, Buffy Summers sighed when she realized she was safe at home. Well, not her home, but her new home. With her mom. And gabby eleven year old sister . . .

Suddenly, the door opened and Buffy nearly jumped. “Mom says to hurry up! I’ve been waiting in the car for almost an hour!” Dawn Summers grumbled while adjusting her backpack.

Frowning, Buffy grabbed one of her pillows and chucked it over to the door, “You were not,” Buffy said while getting out of bed. Dawn managed to avoid the pillow, and proudly sneered at her sister, sticking her tongue out at her, “Missed me.”

“Buffy? Dawn?” Came their mothers voice from down stairs, “You don’t want be late for your first day at school, girls.” Sighing, Buffy sat back down on her bed, “No, we wouldn’t want that. .”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy was surprised at how many students were at the school when her mother pulled up. She gazed out the window and glanced at the name of the school. “Okay!” Joyce said as her daughter hopped out of the jeep, “Have a good time. I know you're gonna make friends right away, just think positive.” She said while giving her daughter thumbs up.

Buffy leaned in so she could look through the open car door and gave her mother a quick nod. She turned to go and closed the door behind her. “And honey?” Buffy stopped to look back at her mom again. “Try not to get kicked out?” Her mother asked in a meek voice.

“I promise.” Buffy said.

“Yeah right,” Dawn huffed under her breath. “Okay.” Joyce said before driving off with her other daughter.

Taking a deep breath, Buffy braced herself. This was going to be easy . . .

Nearby, a boy was doing his usual bob and weave through the crowd of high school students on his skateboard. “'Scuse me, comin' through, pardon me, 'scuse me, whoa!” Xander Harris shouted as he almost hit someone, “'Scuse me, not sure how to stop! Please move, whoa, 'scuse me...” He trailed as he noticed a cute blonde climbing the steps. She looked really tiny and really cute, “Whoa!” He stared at her, causing him to not notice that he was headed right for the stair railing. He crashed into it and fell beneath it, grunting in pain.

His best friend, Willow Rosenberg walked up to him, stepping high to avoid tripping over his legs. “I'm Okay.” Xander said lamely. “I feel good.” Willow looked down at him, smiling, and pulled her hair behind her ear.

“Willow!” Xander shouted, “You're so very much the person that I wanted to see!” Stiffly, Xander got to his feet. “Oh, really?” Willow asked as they started walking toward the school. “Yeah. You know, I kinda had a problem with the math.” Xander admitted, slinging his board under his arm. “Uh, which part?” Willow asked. “The math.” Xander replied, “Can you help me out tonight, pleeeease, be my study buddy?”

“Well, what's in it for me?” Willow asked. Xander took a moment, then cried, “A shiny nickel!” Not wanting to disappoint him, Willow smiled, “Okay. Do you have 'Theories in Trig'? You should check it out.” Xander frowned, “Check it out?” Smiling broader this time, Willow clarified, “From the library? Where the books live.” Xander nodded, “Right, I'm there! See, I wanna change...”

They walked until they heard a familiar voice, “Hey, hey!” Smiling, Xander greeted his friend, “Hey, Jesse, what's what?” Jesse smiled this time, “New Girl!” Xander nodded, remembering seeing her earlier, “That's right, I saw her. Pretty much a hottie!” Trying not to show jealousy, Willow covered it by adding, “I heard someone was transferring...” Excitedly, Xander asked, “So tell!”

Jesse frowned, “Tell what?” “What's the stitch, what do ya know about her?” He asked. Jesse looked at Xander strangely, “New girl!” Frowning, Xander mumbled, “Well, you're certainly a font of nothing!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy was seated in the principal‘s room. She felt a nervous butterfly, getting urge to fly up to her throat, but she pushed it down as Mr.,. Flutie sat down across from her. Her school records in his hands, he looked them over.

“Buffy Summers,” He read out loud, “sophomore, late of Hemery High in Los Angeles. Interesting record, quite a career...” Wincing, Buffy waited for him to lecture her but was shocked when he took the sheet he had been reading and tore it into four pieces.

“Welcome to Sunnydale!” He said happily, “A clean slate, Buffy, that's what you get here. What's past is past. We're not interested in what it says on a piece of paper, even if it says...” Glancing down he read, “Whoa.” Buffy’s smile disappeared. She knew that look. Most of her teachers had it when she started doing her nightly job, “Mr. Flutie...” Mr. Flutie corrected her, “All the kids here are free to call me Bob.” “Bob...” She said with a nod.

Correcting her again, he said, “But they don't.” He started to reassemble the torn sheet. Buffy watched, while trying to explain, “I know my transcripts are a little... colorful.”

Smiling brightly, Mr. Flutie rambled on, “Heeey... We're not caring about that. Do you think, uh, 'colorful' is the word?” He taped the paper, trying to fix that damage, “Not, uh, 'dismal'?” Buffy took the gently defensive, “Wasn't *that* bad!” Regarding her seriously, Mr. Flutie said, “You burned down the gym.” Buffy exhaled, “I did, I really did, but... You're not seeing the big picture here, I mean, that gym was full of vampi... asbestos.” She corrected herself. Are you trying to get yourself caught?

Mr. Flutie shook his head, “Buffy, don't worry. Any other school they might say 'watch your step', or 'we'll be watching you'... But, that's just not the way *here*. We want to service your needs, and help you to respect our needs. And if your needs and our needs don't mesh...” He placed the poorly repaired sheet back into her file and slapped it shut.

Giving him a thin, nervous smile, Buffy cringed inwardly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy hurried out of Mr. Flutie's office. Sighing again, she opened her bag, rummaging through it as she walked into the hall right in front of a girl and a boy. The girl bumped into her, making Buffy lose her grip on the bag and spill its contents.

“Oh! Sorry!” Buffy shouted. The girl mumbled, “That's okay.” Then moved on with the boy. Buffy looked down at the mess, “Oh...” What a day . . .

Xander glanced over his shoulder at the noise. Looking back, he quickly went over and squatted down next to her to help her gather her things. He blurted, “Can I have you?” Buffy looked up, giving him a confused look. Cringing, Xander chuckled, “Can I help you?”

Buffy smiled, “Thanks.” Xander tried another approach, taking his time, “I don't know you, do I?” She shook her head, “I'm Buffy. I'm new.” Xander smiled as he said her name in his mind. He liked it, “Xander. Is, is me. Hi.” he smiled.

Getting to her feet, Buffy started, “Um, thanks.” Xander nodded, “Well, uh, maybe I'll see you around... maybe at school... since we... both... go there.” He bit the inside of his mouth. Giving him a thin smile, Buffy answered, “Great! It was nice to meet you.” Then she started down the hall. Xander sighed shaking his head. Was he an idiot or what? Unimpressed with his attempts to be cool. “We both go to school.” He grimaced, “Very suave. Very not pathetic.”

He glanced down and noticed a object still on the floor. Suddenly he shouted, “Oh, hey!” He bent down, picking it up, “Hey, you forgot your... stake!” He said puzzled. Buffy doesn't hear him and continued down the hall. Xander holds on to the stake, wondering what someone would do with it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy watched as her teacher wrote, 'The Black Death' on the black board and then turned to the class, “It's estimated that about 25 million people died in that one four-year span. But the fun part of the Black Plague is that it originated in Europe how?”

Buffy, wrote down the notes. She never used to do this, but even though it was annoying to do, she did it anyway. She was starting over. Might as well try and do good in the grades department, right? She listened as the teacher continued, “As an early form of germ warfare. If you'll look at the map on page 63 you can trace the spread of the disease into Rome, and then north...”

Panicking, Buffy glanced around for help. Okay, so she couldn’t do the book learning thing without a book. Was it her fault that she didn’t have one? Luckily, a brunette that was sitting next to her, leaned over to share her book. “Thanks.” Buffy whispered.

“And this popular plague led to what social changes? Steve?” Steve is saved from the question as the bell rings. The students get up to leave. Getting to her feet, the brunette smiled, “Hi! I'm Cordelia.” She offered her hand for Buffy. Accepting it, Buffy smiled back, “I'm Buffy.” The two got up and move outside of the room.

“If you're looking for a textbook of your very own there's probably a few in the library.” Cordelia offered. Sighing at the advice, Buffy nods, “Oh, great, thanks. Uh, Where would that be?” “Oh, I'll show you, come on.” She leads Buffy away from the classroom. "So you're from Hemery, right? In L.A.?”

Buffy glanced at the fashionable girl. She hesitated a moment before answering, “Uh, yeah.” Is there a portfolio out there on me or something?

Cordelia sighed, “Oh, I would *kill* to live in L.A. That close to that many shoes?” Buffy grinned, laughing at that. Cordelia reminded her of someone.... someone she knew but..... then it hit her. Cordelia reminded her of her. She shook her head. That was silly.

“Well, you'll be okay here. If you hang with me and mine, you'll be accepted in no time.” Putting a certain tone in her voice, Cordelia pointed out, “Of course, we do have to test your coolness factor. You're from L.A., so you can skip the written, but let's see.” Cordy thought a moment, “Vamp nail polish.”

Puzzled at the question and startled at Cordelia’s waiting stare, she uncertainly mumbled, “Um, over?” Rolling her eyes, Cordelia muttered, “So over. James Spader.” Grinning, Buffy answered, “He needs to call me!” Smiling pleasantly at that, Cordelia continued, “Frappaccinos.” Thinking this one over, Buffy answered, “Trendy, but tasty.” Finally, Cordelia let out, “John Tesh.” Buffy answered, deadpanned, “The Devil.”

Cordelia nodded, “That was pretty much a gimme, but... you passed!” Smiling, Buffy said cheerily, “Oh, good!” They turned towards a drinking fountain. a red head was standing there. She straightened up when she saw them heading towards her.

Cordelia let a wicked grin past her face before shouting, “Willow! Nice dress!” She gestured to the plaid dress she wore, “Good to know you've seen the softer side of Sears.” Willow stumbled, trying to defend herself against Cordelia, “Uh, oh, well, my mom picked it out.” She softly cringed. That wasn’t the answer she was looking for. Surely enough, Cordelia would be able to chew her up for that one, “No wonder you're such a guy magnet. Are you done?” She sighed.

Willow looked at the fountain, then back at Cordelia. Then understood, “Oh!” She turned and left. Buffy watched her go for a moment, then looked back at Cordelia after she started talking again.

Sneering at the girl, Cordelia explained, “You wanna fit in here, the first rule is: know your losers. Once you can identify them all by sight-” She glanced after Willow, “they're a lot easier to avoid.” Buffy let out a nervous laugh and nodded. She looked at Willow again, who had gone through the door at the end of the hall. Willow looked back at them before she continued walking. Buffy didn’t know why, but she felt sorry for what Cordelia had just put that girl through.

Cordelia‘s voice snapped her out of it, “And if you're not too swamped with catching up you should come by the Bronze tonight.” Confused, Buffy asked, “The who?” Was that some band or something? Correcting her, Cordelia repeated, “The Bronze. It's the only club worth going to around here. They let anybody in, but it's still the scene. It's in the bad part of town.” Nodding, Buffy asked, “Where's that?” She stopped outside the library doors.

“About a half a block from the good part of town.” Laughing, she explained, “We don't have a whole lot of town here. But, um, you should show!” “Well, I'll try.” Buffy looked toward the library, “Uh, thanks.” Adjusting her books, Cordelia said, “Good. So, um, I'll see you in gym, and you can tell me absolutely everything there is to know about you.”

Sighing Buffy murmured to herself, “Great! Oh, that sounds like fun.” Quietly, she entered the library. Looking around, she noticed that no one was there.... and the room was terribly creepy. Feeling a little abandoned, she called out, “Hello? Is anybody here?” She looked at the counter and noticed a newspaper with a picture that had been circled. The caption above the picture read 'Local Boys Still Missing'. Buffy frowns, That’s weird . . .

Out of no where, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Jumping, she spun around, startled, “Oooh!” She exhaled when she saw a stuffy old Harvard looking man, “Anybody's here!” “Can I help you?” He asked. Buffy took in the English accent, and explained, “I was looking for some, well, books. I'm new.”

What Buffy guessed was the librarian, smiled faintly, “Miss Summers?” How’d he.... “Good call! Guess I'm the only new kid, huh?” Buffy shrugged. “I'm Mr. Giles.” He said, “The librarian. I was told you were coming.” He headed around, behind the counter.

“Great!” Buffy placed her hands down onto the counter, “So, um, I'm gonna need 'Perspectives on 20th Century...'“ Mr. Giles interrupted, “I know what you're after!” With a big grin, he pulled out a large old book with the word 'VAMPYR' written in gold leaf on the front cover. Buffy looked up at him with an uneasy gaze. No, no, no, no, no . . .

“That's not what I'm looking for.” She whispered. Mr. Giles glanced down at the book, then back up at her, “Are you sure?” “I'm way sure.” Buffy almost snapped. Confused, Giles picked up the book, “My mistake.” Putting the book back behind the counter. Straightening back up, he cleared his throat, “So, what is it you said...” Glancing around, he sees her go out of the library. Their first encounter leaves him puzzled, “Well . . .”

“She seemed jumpy,”

Giles glanced back into his office, and at his nephew, “Ah, yes.” He reached up and took his glasses off. He tiredly massaged the spot on his nose where his glasses had been laying, “She is either, not the Chosen girl-” “Oh, she is the *Chosen* girl.” “Yes, or she refuses to take her responsibility seriously.” He said.

“Listen, Uncle Giles,” Angel said while stepping out from his office, “Ever since mom . . . I am thankful that you took me in when she died. And I know how hard it is for you to deal with another Slayer, now. Especially one who was only a Slayer for a year--not to mention that she was chosen way too late--which, by the way I blame that stupid Watcher’s counsel for, but you and I both know that that’s her. And you have a job to do.”

Nodding, Giles placed his glasses back on, “Yes, I guess you’re right,”

“Aren’t I always?”

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy couldn’t believe this day. This wasn’t how she planned it would go. During lunch, she had approached Willow, that girl Cordelia was so mean to. Quite frankly, Buffy thought she was a sweet nice girl. They talked a little bit about helping her out in her classes, about social standards when it came to Cordelia, and that librarian came up again. Willow went on about how he was new here too. She had frowned at that. That was kind of weird. She also mentioned that his nephew was going to start attending the high school as soon as he arrived in town. That equaled one thought: Stuffy Harvard Old Guy Junior.

Shortly after, that guy Xander had popped up with another guy, Jesse. Buffy observed that Xander seemed funny in a . . . stale sort of way, but funny nonetheless. The pair greeted her like everyone else; wanting to know more about her. That startled her again. But when Xander pulled out a wooden stake, she was even more startled, covering up by saying its another form of self-defense. Then they started asking her all the vital stuff: what she goes for in a guy, where she lived, what she’s into. She was going to keep clamed up when Cordelia interrupted. She and the two guys started fighting until Cordelia mentioned a dead guy. Buffy had tensed at that. Cordelia explained that some dead guy was found in a girl’s locker room. Buffy tried to get more information out of her, but she didn’t have anything else to add. She excused herself and rushed down to the locker room. Hopefully, the body would still be there.

And she was right. He was there. And dead. And he had two little puncture marks on his neck. After leaving the room, she headed straight for the library. Barging in, she shouted, “Okay, what's the sitch?” She looked around and found that Giles guy in the stacks, “Sorry?”

“You heard about the dead guy, right?” Buffy explained, “The dead guy in the locker?” Stepping into the light, Giles answered, “Yes.” Dropping her bag on the table, Buffy headed up the stairs, “'Cause, it's the weirdest thing. He's got two little, little holes in his neck, and all his blood's been drained.” She stopped once she met him, “Isn't that bizarre? Aren't you just going, Oooh?” She watched as he frowned slightly, “I was afraid of this.”

“Well, I wasn't!” Buffy exclaimed, “It's my first day! I was afraid that I was gonna be behind in all my classes, that I wouldn't make any friends, that I would have last month's hair. I didn't think there'd be vampires on campus.” She paused, then added, “And I don't care.”

Lifting a brow, Giles asked, “Then why are you here?” Buffy stumbled, “To tell you that... I don't care, which... I don't, and... have now told you, so... bye.” She turned, but before she could leave, Giles asked, “Is he, w-will he... rise again?” Turning back to see him, she asked, “Who?” “The boy.” He said. Frowning again, Buffy let her hands drop to her sides, “No. He's just dead.” “Can you be sure?” Buffy sighed, she hated explaining that whole blood exchange thing to people, “To make you a vampire they have to suck your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It's like a whole big sucking thing. Mostly they're just gonna kill you. Why am I still talking to you?” Buffy asked, more to herself as she turned to go down the stairs.

Giles moved over to the railing, “You really have no idea what's going on, do you? You think it's coincidence, your being here? That boy was just the beginning.” Whirling around, Buffy shouted, “Oh, why can't you people just leave me alone?” Taking a steady voice, Giles explained, “Because you are the Slayer. Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires...”

Buffy interrupted, “With the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of their evil blah, blah, blah... I've heard it, okay?” Frowning at her bluntness, attitude, and lack of proper speech, Giles said, “I really don't understand this attitude. You, you've accepted your duty, you, you've slain vampires before...”

She returned that annoyed tone into her speech, “Yeah, and I've both been there and done that, and I'm moving on.” “What do you know about this town?” He went into his office. Buffy shrugged, “It's two hours on the freeway from Neiman Marcus?” Giles ignored her comment, “Dig a bit in the history of this place. You'll find a, a steady stream of fairly odd occurrences. Now, I believe this whole area is a center of mystical energy, that things gravitate towards it that, that, that you might not find elsewhere.” He came back out, with some books and set them on the table. Buffy guessed. “Like vampires.” Buffy watched as he put the volumes of books into her arms, one by one while he listed them off, “Like zombies, werewolves, incubi, succubi, everything you've ever dreaded was under your bed, but told yourself couldn't be by the light of day. They're all real!” He said in a warning tone. Buffy scowled, “What? You, like, sent away for the Time-Life series?”

Drawing back, Giles answered, “Ah, w-w-w-yes.” Taking a sudden interest, she asked, “Did you get the free phone?” Giles shook his head, “Um, the calendar.” “Cool!” Buffy nodded, then shook her head. What was she doing? She wanted to get out of there, “But, okay,” She handed back the books to him, “first of all, I'm a Vampire Slayer. And secondly, I'm retired. Hey, I know! Why don't you kill 'em?”

Stuttering, Giles explained, “I-I'm a Watcher, I-I haven't the skill...” Scoffing, Buffy muttered, “Oh, come on, stake through the heart, a little sunlight... It's like falling off a log.” Giles explained, “A, a Slayer slays, a Watcher...” “Watches?” Buffy suggested. Giles answered, “Yes. No!” He sat down the books. “He, he trains her, he, he, he prepares her...”

Taking the defensive again, Buffy asked, “Prepares me for what? For getting kicked out of school? For losing all of my friends? For having to spend all of my time fighting for my life and never getting to tell anyone because I might endanger them?” She nearly snapped, “Go ahead!

Prepare me.” She waited, but he just kept looking at her, maybe in shock. Buffy exhaled, then turned, leaving the library in disgust. Giles hesitated for an instant, then mumbled to himself, “Damn!” Then he ran after her.

Little did that pair know that a third set of ears had listened to their entire conversation. Xander walked out from behind the stacks, “What?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy kept up her steady pace until Giles called after her, “It's getting worse!” Buffy sighed. Was this guy persistent or what? “What's getting worse?” He guided her over to the wall and spoke with her in a low voice, “The influx of the undead, the... supernatural occurrences, it's been building for years. There's a reason why you're here and a reason why it's now!”

Buffy corrected him, “Because now is the time my mom moved here.” She tried to evade him, but he placed his arm out to stop her. “Something's coming, something, something... something is, is gonna happen here. Soon!”

She sighed, exasperated, “Gee, can you vague that up for me?” Giles sighed, “The signs, as far as I can tell, point to a crucial mystical upheaval, very soon. Days. Possibly less.” “Oh, come on!” Buffy sighed, “This is Sunnydale! How bad an evil can there be here?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(AN: This scene happens while Luke is preparing, we all know what he does here. Prays, talks, its all very creepy)

“I don’t understand that girl’s attitude. She’s the Slayer, she shouldn’t act that way. From my notes, Merrick trained her until his death,” Giles said as he walked unpacked various items from a box. They were mostly a new shipment of books he ordered from England.

Angel sighed at his Uncle. Even though he, too, never seen a Slayer act like that, he figured she was just a . . . well he wouldn’t go that far. But his mother was, indeed, a well disciplined Slayer and always followed the rules no matter what. A part of that made Angel think that maybe that was why she did die.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to be the Slayer anymore,” Angel guessed while balancing the tip of a rather sharp knife on one of his fingers. “That is impossible,” Giles said, “She shouldn’t act this way and she shouldn’t think that way. She should be here, and we should be discussing vampire activity.”

“Don’t worry.” Angel said, “Look, I’m gonna go hunt some vampires. I’ll be back later.” Angel picked up his black jacket and slipped it on. “Uh, yes, oh, and do try to be careful,” Giles added, but he was already out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy glanced at her reflection in the mirror as she held two outfits in her hands. Holding a shiny black outfit up to the mirror, Buffy said sarcastically, “Hi! I'm an enormous slut!” She held up the blue floral dress, “Hello! Would you like a copy of 'The Watchtower'? I used to be so good at this.” She let the items fall.

Her mother came into the room, “Hi, hon.” Buffy returned her dresses to the closet, “Hey,” Joyce asked tentiavily, “Are you, uh, going out tonight?” Buffy nodded, “Yeah, I'm going to a club.” Dawn, then entered the room just in time to hear that, “I bet they’ll be boys there.” Buffy sent an annoyed look at Dawn. Joyce started, “Oh. *Will* there be boys there?” Buffy sighed, “No, Mom. It's a nun club.” Joyce winced, “Well, just be careful.” Buffy smiled, “I will.”

“You know, I think we can make it work here, girls,” Joyce said happily, “I've got my positive energy flowing... I'm gonna get the Gallery on its feet... Oh, uh, we may have found a space today.” “That's great.” Buffy said. “Oh, and that school is a, a very nurturing environment, which is just what you need.” Joyce told her older daughter. Buffy started, “Well, actually...” Seeing this, Joyce recovered, “Oh, not too nurturing. I know, you're sixteen, I've read all about the dangers of over-nurturing.” Buffy moved to her bed and laid out a couple of outfits.

“It's hard. New town and everything... It is for me, too. I'm trying to make it work.” She said, then took one of her daughter's hands into hers, then did the same with her second daughter, “I'm going to make it work.” Buffy smiled, “We know.” Joyce smiled, “Oh, you're a good girl, Buffy, you just fell in with the wrong crowd. But that is all behind us now.” Buffy nodded while removing her hands, “It is. From now on I am only going to hang out with the living.” At her sister’s and mother’s look Buffy quickly corrected, “I mean, lively. People.” Buffy moved back to her closet with an awkward look on her face.

“Hmm. Okay.” Joyce took her younger daughter by the hand, “You have fun.” Then she walked out of the room with Dawn. She absently tossed over her shoulder, “Mom. Can you forbid Buffy to kiss any boys tonight.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy picked out some slacks, a knit shirt, and a blue over shirt that was only buttoned up at the middle. She easily walked down a dark street. As she moved, she distinctively heard another set of footsteps behind her. But she shrugged it off. After walking for a ways, she still could hear those footsteps trailing her. When she got a chance, she ducked down an alley and looked around for a place to hide. A cat yowled and kicked some cans as it ran away. Spying something above her, Buffy jumps up as the dark figure comes into the alley. As he slowly walked along, Buffy waited in a handstand on a bar high above the pavement. When the figure passed underneath her, she swung down and kicked him in the back. Knocked to the ground, Buffy positioned herself above him with a foot on his chest.

He smiled up at her, looking very much amused, “Ah, heh. Is there a problem, ma'am?” “Yeah, there's a problem.” Buffy shot back after coming out of a haze. She was surprised at how handsome he looked . . . what was she talking about? “Why are you following me?”

His voice was calm, “I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I don't bite. Not much, anyway.” Buffy frowned. That wasn’t at all what she expected to hear. Moving back, her face was very perplexed.

“Truth is, I thought you'd be taller, or bigger muscles and all that. You're pretty spry, though.” He commented as he massaged the back of his neck. “What do you want?” Buffy asked as she let her arms fall to her side. This guy didn’t seem like he was going to attack her. Then why the hell had he followed her?

“The same thing you do.” He answered, more seriously. Oh this should be good, Buffy thought, “Okay. What do I want?” Taking a few steps toward her, he answered, “To kill them. To kill them all.” She was surprised for a second, but recovered quickly, “Sorry, that's incorrect. But you do get this lovely watch and a year's supply of Turtle Wax. What I want is to be left alone!” She snapped and started a determined walk away.

He stared at her steadily, “Do you really think that's an option anymore? You're standing at the Mouth of Hell. And it's about to open.” She stopped, turning to him and looked at him with a wide-eyed gaze. He reaches into his jacket and pulled out a small box. “Don't turn your back on this.” He tossed her the box, “You've gotta be ready.”

Buffy lifted her chin, “What for?” “For the Harvest.” He turned and started back the way he came. Buffy called out to him, “Who are you?” “Let's just say... I'm a friend.” He said quietly. “Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend.” She said exasperated.

He smiled at her, secretively, “I didn't say I was yours . . .” Buffy stared after him for a moment, then opened the box. It contained a silver cross and chain. She took it out, holding it in her hand and took another glance in his direction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Bronze was everything she expected it to be. Loud, busy, and filled with loud rowdy teens. Buffy was almost lost until she spotted a familiar face. “Hey!” Willow saw her, “Oh, hi!” Buffy walked around her and took a seat on the stool next to her. Willow turned to face her, “Hi!” Buffy noticed her anxiety, “Oh, you're here with someone?” Willow shook her head, “No, I'm just here. I thought Xander was gonna show up.” Buffy thought a moment, then asked, “Oh, are you guys going out?” Willow almost blushed, “No, we're just friends. We used to go out, but we broke up.” Buffy frowned, “How come?” Willow sighed, “He stole my Barbie.” Buffy looked at her, confused. Seeing this, Willow explained, “Oh, we were five.”

“Oh.” Willow nodded, “I-I-I don't actually date a whole lot... lately.” Buffy frowned again. “Why not?” Stuttering, Willow mumbled, “Well, when I'm with a boy I like, it's hard for me to say anything cool, or, or witty, or at all. I-I can usually make a few vowel sounds, and then I have to go away.” Buffy smiled, “It's not *that* bad!”

Willow shook her head, “No, i-it is. I think boys are more interested in a girl who can talk.” Buffy frowned. The boys she had been with were more interested in . . . other areas . . . “You really *haven't* been dating lately.” “It's probably easy for you.” Willow thought.

Buffy cringed inwardly. “Yeah, real easy.” Willow saw the way she wasn’t in a happy mood and started, “I-I mean you don't seem too shy.” Buffy looked back up at her, “Well, my philosophy, do you wanna hear my philosophy?” She asked after wiping a wisp of her hair from her face. “Yeah, I do!”

“Life is short.”

Willow rolled the phrase off her tongue, “Life is short.” Buffy frowned, “Not original, I'll grant you, but it's true. You know? Why waste time being all shy and worrying about some guy, and if he's gonna laugh at you. Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.” She spoke from personal experience.

“Oh, that's nice!” Willow said, even though the thought of dieing scared her to, well . . .death. Buffy looked up and saw him on the upper level. What is with that stuffy librarian? “Um, I'll be back in a minute.” Buffy said as she got up to go. Willow glanced at her, “Oh, tha-that's okay, you don't have to come back.” Smiling, Buffy said again, “I'll be back in a minute.” Willow nodded, then whispered to herself, “Seize the moment.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy found the librarian easily. Out of everyone, including herself, he was the only one on the top level that seemed way out of place. “So,” She began as she saddled up beside him, “you like to party with the students. Isn't that kinda skanky?” Giles frowned, “Oh, right, this is me having fun. Watching... clown hair prance about is hardly my idea of a party. I'd much rather be at home with a cup of Bovril and a good book.”

That was something new. This Watcher actually seemed to have a sense of humor. With Merrick, Buffy had to work extra hard. Buffy said, “You need a personality, stat!” Giles pointed to the crowd below, “This is a perfect breeding ground for vampire activity. It's dark, it's crowded... Besides, I knew you were likely to show up, and I have to make you understand...”

Buffy nodded, “...that the Harvest is coming. I know, your friend told me.” She watched as Giles stared at her, “What did you say?” Buffy frowned, “The Harvest. That mean something to you? 'Cause I'm drawing a blank.” “I'm not sure. Uh... W-who told you this?” Giles asked.

Buffy sighed, recalling their earlier meeting, “This... guy. Dark, gorgeous in an annoying sort of way. I figured you two were buds.”

Giles frowned. That sounded a lot like his . . . no. No, it couldn‘t be him. He was off somewhere hunting vampires. “No. The Harvest. Did he say anything else?” Buffy nodded, remembering all his comments on her, “Something about the Mouth of Hell. I *really* didn't like him!” She turned back to the band. Giles moved around Buffy, leaning on the railing and looked down at the crowd, “Look at them, throwing themselves about, completely unaware of the danger that surrounds them.”

Knowing the feeling, and wanting that feeling again, Buffy sighed, “Lucky them.” Giles sighed this time, “Or perhaps you're right. Perhaps there is no trouble coming, the signs could be wrong. It's not as though you've been having the nightmares.” Buffy blank look turned into a frown. For the first time she wondered what Cordelia was doing. Anything to get her mind off what he just told her. But considering what she did know if Cordelia, she was probably off doing what she used to do. Hanging out with her superficial friends, gossiping about boys or whoever they could poke fun at. She probably guessed a boy would have approached her by now, and she would brush him off cruelly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I didn't say I'd never slay another vampire.” Buffy defended herself, “It's not like I have all these fluffy bunny feelings for them, I'm just not gonna get way extracurricular with it. You know, if I see one, sure I'll...” Giles interrupted, “Will you be ready? There's so much you don't know about them, about your own powers. A vampire appears to be completely normal until the feed is upon them, only then do they reveal their true demonic visage.”

“You're like a textbook with arms, I know this.” Giles ignored her, “The point is, a Slayer should be able to see them anyway. Without looking, without thinking. Can you tell me if there's a vampire in this building?”

Buffy frowned, “Maybe...” “You should know. Even through this mass and this... din, you should be able to sense them.” He drew a breath, encouraging, “Well, try! Reach out with your mind.” Buffy looked around, “You have to hone your senses, focus until the energy washes over you, until you, you feel every particle o-of-”

“There's one.” Buffy said. “W-where?” Pointing, Buffy shouted, “Right there, talking to that girl.” Giles began, “You don't know...” “Oh, please! Look at his jacket. He's got the sleeves rolled up, and the shirt! Deal with that outfit for a moment.”

Again, perplexed, Giles asked, “It's dated?” Buffy snapped her gaze to him, “It's carbon dated. Trust me, only someone living underground for ten years would think that was still the look.” “But you didn't... hone.” “Oh, no.” Buffy whispered as she leaned over the balcony to get a better view. Giles stared down to where the girl the vampire was chatting with came into better sight, “Isn't that...”

“Willow.” Buffy whispered. “What's she doing?” Giles asked. “Seizing the moment!” Buffy said, frustrated with herself as she hurried down to rescue Willow. But the vampire was already leading her out of the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I don’t believe this,” Buffy silently cursed as she just came back from *attacking* Cordelia with a stake. She thought she was one of the undead, not one of the most popular girls at her school who had every connection in the whole damn town!

Giles caught up with Buffy, “That *was* quick. Well done! I-I need to go to the library. This Harvest thing...” Buffy shook her head, trying to make her way out of the mass, “I didn't find them!” He grabbed Buffy by the arm and turned her to face him, “The vampire is not dead?” “No, but my social life is on the critical list.” Buffy snapped. Giles let go of her, “So, what do we do?” Even more frustrated, Buffy snapped, “I'll take care of it!” “I-I-I need to come with you, yes?”

“Don't worry.” Buffy continued walking, “One vampire I can handle.” She hurried off.

Nearby, Jesse frowned, “So, um, what did you say your name was?” The girl smiled, “Darla.” Jesse nodded, “Darla. You know, I haven't seen you around before. Are you from around here?” “No, but I have family here.” Darla explained. “Have I met them?” Jesse asked. Darla shrugged, “You probably will.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Master rises out of the pool of blood as Luke kneeled and looked on. He steps out of the pool over to Luke and offers his hand. Luke takes it, “Master!”

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 4 ~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy hurried out of the Bronze, searching for Willow. Where was she? She couldn’t have moved so fast, could she? Oh, what if she was with him right now, and that vampire was killing her? OH, she wouldn’t let that happen. “Hey, you're leaving already?” Xander asked as he spotted her glancing around the room.

“Oh, Xander! Have you seen Willow?” Buffy asked, hurriedly. Xander shook his head, “Not tonight, no.” Buffy tried again, “She left with a guy.” Xander frowned, “We're talking about Willow, right? Scorin' at the Bronze, work it girl...” He said happily. Little Willow was growing up. “No, I need to find her.” Buffy said, “Where would he take her?”

“Why?” Xander rubbed his hands together as if he had a sudden brainstorm, “Oh, hey, I hope he's not a vampire, because then you might have to slay him.”

Taken aback, Buffy stopped, “Was there a... a school bulletin? Was it i-in the newspaper? Is there anyone in this town who doesn't know I'm the Slayer?” Xander couldn‘t believe this girl, “No. I only know that you *think* that you're the Slayer, and the reason why I know that...” Buffy shook him off, “Well, whatever, it doesn't matter, just tell me, where would Willow go?”

Xander stared at her, realizing something, “You're serious!” Buffy stared at him, deadly serious, “We don't find her and there's gonna be one more dead body in the morning.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh, okay, th-this is nice... and scary. Are you sure this is faster?” Willow asked. Weren’t they going for ice cream? And why was this guy, Thomas, as he said, going through this dark creepy place. They reach the mausoleum. “Hey! Ever been in one of these?” Willow glanced at it, “No. Thank you.” She turned away.

“Come on.” The boy urged, coming up behind her and pulling her hair back, “What are you afraid of?” He moved in toward her neck. She let out a yelp as he grabbed her and pushed her into the mausoleum. Willow tripped down the stairs and stopped up against the stone coffin. “That wasn't funny!”

He moved down the steps, and she backed away from him, against a wall. “I think I'm gonna go.” She squeaks. “Is that what you think?” He moved toward her again. She skirted by him, but only because he let her. Darla blocks her way out of the mausoleum. “Is this the best you could do?” She mocked. “She's fresh!” He protested. “Hardly enough to share.” Darla reminded him. “Why didn't you bring your own?” He asked.

Darla gave him a look, “I did.” Jesse stumbled into the mausoleum, holding his neck, “Hey! Wait up!” “Oh, my God, Jesse!” Willow cried as she saw him. He looked weak and collapsed. Willow tried to catch him and broke his fall. Jesse slurred, “Y'know, you gave me a hickey.” Thomas gave Darla a look. Darla shrugged, “I got hungry on the way.”

Concerned and frightened, Willow helped Jesse up, “Jesse, let's get outta here.” Darla shook her head, “Oh, you're not going anywhere.” “Leave us alone!” Willow said. Darla shook her head again, “You're not going anywhere until we've *fed*!” Darla leered at Willow, her face changing into a hideous display of distorted flesh and sharp teeth.

Willow screamed, falling back down next to Jesse. “Well, this is nice.” Buffy announced, pleasantly, as she walked into the crypt. Xander followed right behind, “I-it's a little bare, but a dash of paint, a few throw pillows... call it home.” She moved behind the coffin to draw the vampire away from the others. “Who the hell are you?” Darla growled.

“You mean there's actually someone in this town who doesn't know already?” Buffy tossed back, “Whew, that's a relief, I'm telling you! Having a secret identity in this town is a job of work.” “Buffy, we bail now, right?” Xander asked as he glanced at the male vampire who snarled, “Not yet,”

“Okay, first of all, what's with the outfit?” Buffy gestured to the male vamps threads, “Live in the now, okay? You look like DeBarge!” The vampires closed in on her. Turning to Darla, Buffy continued, “Now, we can do this the hard way, or... well, actually there's just the hard way.” “That's fine with me.” Darla said. Buffy lifted a brow, “Are you sure? Now, this in not gonna be pretty. We're talking violence, strong language, adult content...”

Just then, Willow’s date charged behind her in lightening speed. But just as quickly, Buffy pulled out a stake and neatly jams the makeshift stake into his chest. Buffy winced slightly at the puncture sound, then relaxes as she feels the vampire fall back and here’s that familiar roar before he turned to dust.

Willow and Xander were speechless as they watched. They didn’t expect that. Darla also had a wide-eyed expression, but she was not willing to let her take her like that. She slowly circled her. “See what happens when you roughhouse?” Buffy gestured to the dust behind her. “He was young,” Darla snapped in disgust, “and stupid!” “Xander, go!” Buffy shouted at him.

“Don't go far!” Darla hissed, then attacked, delivering a high punch, but Buffy blocked it. Meanwhile, Xander helped Willow pick up Jesse. He was very weak. Darla threw a backhand punch, but Buffy blocked again and followed up with a front snap kick to Darla's stomach. As she leaned forward from the pain, Buffy slammed her elbow into Darla's back.

Darla hit the wall with a loud thud, and fell to the floor, winded. “You know, I just wanted to start over. Be like everybody else. Have some friends, y'know, maybe a dog... But, no, you had to come here, you couldn't go suck on some other town.” Buffy said while moving above the vampire and placing her hand on the side of the wall.

“Who are you?” Darla glared up at her. “Don’t you know?” Before Buffy could continue, a pair of strong hands clamped around her throat and lifted her off the ground, “I don't care,” Luke said slowly, He threw her across the room. He reached down and grabbed Darla, lifting her to her feet, “You were supposed to be bringing an offering for the Master! We're almost at Harvest, and you dally with this child!”

“We had someone.” Darla tried to explain, frightened now, “But then she came. She killed Thomas. Luke, she's strong.” He stared at her, “You go. I'll see if I can handle the little girl.” He approached Buffy as she started to get up, still a little dazed. Darla quickly climbed the steps, looked back once and ran out of the door. Luke attacked Buffy with a double punch, but she blocked it and delivered a punch to his gut and a hopping front snap kick to his jaw. He stepped back, but isn't fazed, “You're strong.” He backhanded her, causing her to go flying, “I'm stronger.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Xander and Willow were supporting Jesse as they run. Willow’s feet were tired and she was breathing in deep, “We'll get the police, it's just a few blocks up.” They kept running until a group of vampires appeared. They backed away but Darla was right behind them . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You're wasting my time.” Luke said calmly as he watched her back away up the stairs toward the exit. “Hey, I had other plans, too, okay?” Buffy squirmed. Luke shoved the heavy lid off of the coffin. Reacting, Buffy did a cartwheel onto and over it to avoid getting hit by it and kicked Luke in the chest with both feet, knocking him down. She hurried, grabbing the stake from the floor, and lunged at Luke, but he was too quick for her, and grabbed her by the wrist.

“You think you can stop me? Stop us?” He grabbed the stake with his other hand and broke it. Then he grabbed her by the shirt, “You have no idea what you're dealing with.” He snarled before throwing Buffy onto the rim of the now open coffin. She rolled off onto the floor, dazed. Luke started toward her, quoting scripture, “And like a plague of boils, the race of man covered the Earth.

Buffy tried to get up. She could almost see Giles paging through an old volume and stopping on a picture of Satan with lightning coming from his hand to a man’s. Like a massacre. She listened as Luke continued, “But on the third day of the newest light would come the Harvest. And the blood of men will flow as wine . . .” He could see the Master sitting in an intricately carved chair even as he spoke, “When the Master will walk among them once more. The Earth will belong to the old ones.” Luke leaned into Buffy, facing her, “And Hell itself will come to town.” He grabbed Buffy and growled. He lifted her by the throat and threw her toward the coffin. Buffy landed in the coffin, she glanced next to her and lets out a quick scream as she spots the skeleton. Then remained silent, only breathing heavily while glancing up and seeing nothing. She slowly started to get up, but suddenly Luke jumped up and into the coffin. Luke smiled widely, “Amen,” He moved in to bite Buffy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy struggled as Luke closed in on her. He tried to get him off, but he was too strong. With a quick slash of his fingernail, Luke moved her shirt, just enough to expose her neck. Buffy gasped, trying to prepare of the sharp pain she was about to receive when she heard Luke hiss of pain. Confused, Buffy, opened her eyes and watched Luke grip his hand as small mists of smoke rose from it. Even more confused, Buffy lowered her gaze and saw the silver cross that had fallen out from the inside pocket of her shirt.

Buffy was about to bring her leg up, and kick him out when he was suddenly jerked back and out of the coffin. She watched and listened as she heard a struggle then a scuffling noise as someone ran away. Buffy slowly started to get up like she had earlier with Luke, but was surprised once again as the mysterious man appeared above her. She let out a tiny shriek.

He smiled down at her while she glared up at him, “Please don’t do that! Like, ever!.” He offered his hand to her, and she tentatively took it, all the while ignoring that strange feeling she felt. He helped pull her out, but before she could thank him she remembered her friends. And started raced outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy ran to catch up with Willow, Xander and Jesse. She hoped that they were alright, just as she heard a vampire roar and a girl screaming. She ran faster. Willow, on the ground, about to be bitten by a vampire, shrieked, “No! Get off!”

“Hey!” Buffy shouted. The vampire looked up, and Buffy snapped kicked him off of Willow. He got up and ran away like a scar-dy vamp. Willow was shocked by what she saw. Buffy would have comforted her, but she was too busy. She had to find the others. She quickly started the hunt again. Willow got up and ran after her.

Xander was being dragged away by two vampires. Willow watched, her eyes widening before she found her voice, “Xander!” The vampires shot their gaze at her. Buffy takes advantage of the opening and jumped in, high punching one and side kicking the other. She noticed a dry branch on a tree and breaks it off. As one of the vampires get up she plunges the stick into him. Willow rushed over to Xander who was still on the ground, “Xander, are you okay?”

Xander moaned, “Man, something hit me.” Buffy glanced around, “Where's Jesse?” “I don't know.” Willow said desperately, “They surrounded us.” That girl grabbed him and took off.” Xander grunted, Buffy kept her gaze scanning the area, “Which way?” Xander sighed, “I don't know.” Buffy stands up straight and slowly scanned the cemetery again, “Jesse.”

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 5 ~~~~~~~~~~

The globe spun as Giles moved to stop it, all the while lecturing and making his way down to where Buffy, Willow, and Xander were at the table. “This world is older than any of you know.” Giles explained, “Contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons demons walked the Earth. They made it their home, their... their Hell. But in time they lost their purchase on this reality. The way was made for mortal animals, for, for man. All that remains of the old ones are vestiges, certain magicks, certain creatures...”

“And vampires.” Buffy added as she held the ice pack to her elbow. “Okay, this is where I have a problem. See, because we're talking about vampires. We're having a *talk* with vampires in it.” Xander said, frustrated. “Isn't that what we saw last night?” Willow piped in. “No. No, th-those weren't vampires, those were just guys in thundering need of a facial. Or maybe they had rabies. It could have been rabies. A-and that guy turning to dust? Just a trick of light.” She quipped, “That's exactly what I said the first time I saw a vampire. Well, after I was done with the screaming part.” Willow made a small noise, “Oh, I, I need to sit down.”

Buffy glanced down at her, “You are sitting down.” Willow gave a small nod, “Oh. Good for me.” “So vampires are demons?” Xander guessed. Giles adjusted his glasses, “The books tell the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human, mixed their blood. He was a human form possessed, infected by the demon's soul. He bit another, and another, and so they walk the Earth, feeding... Killing some, mixing their blood with others to make more of their kind. Waiting for the animals to die out, and the old ones to return.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darla and Luke walked down the sewer tunnel. Darla lead the way as Luke forced Jesse to keep moving, “Move.” He snarled. When they reached the Master’s lair, Luke forced Jesse down the slope to the floor below. The Master approached them looking at the boy Luke held, “Is this for me?” Luke nodded, “An offering, Master.” Darla smiled, “He's a good one. His blood is pure.”

The Master looked at her steadily, drawing an obvious conclusion, “You've tasted it.” Darla looked down in shame. The Master started, “I'm your... faithful dog. You bring me scraps.” Scared, Darla whimpered, “I, I didn't mean it...” The Master continued, “I have waited. For three score years I have waited. While you come and go I am stuck here, here in this house of...” he spats, “worship! My ascension is almost at hand. Pray that when it comes...” He reached out, taking Darla by the neck, “I'm in a better mood.”

“Master, forgive me,” Darla begged, “We had more offerings, but there was trouble. A girl.” Luke confirmed this, “There was a girl. She fought well and she knew of our breed. It is possible that she may be...” The Master let go of Darla, “...a Slayer!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“And that would be a what?” Xander asked. Giles explained, “For as long as there have been vampires, there's been the Slayer. One girl in all the world, a Chosen One.” Buffy smiled, “He loves doing this part.” Giles sighed, “Alright. The Slayer hunts vampires, Buffy is a Slayer, don't tell anyone. Well, I think that's all the vampire information you need.” He summed up. Xander lifted a hand, “Except for one thing: how do you kill them?” Buffy took the defensive, “*You* don't, *I* do.”

Xander started, “Well, Jesse's my-” Buffy interrupted, “Jesse is my responsibility. I let him get taken.” Xander shook his head, “That's not true.” Willow looked up at Buffy, “If you hadn't shown up they would have taken us, too. Does anybody mind if I pass out?” She asked as she realized what could have happened. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Buffy coaxed, “Breathe.” Willow nodded, “Breathe.” “Breathe.” Buffy repeated, “This big guy, Luke. He talked about an offering to the Master. Now, I don't know what or who, but if they weren't just feeding then Jesse may still be alive. I'm gonna find him.”

“Uh, this may be the dumb question, but shouldn't we call the police?” Willow suggested. “And they'd believe us, of course.” Giles replied. “Well, we don't have to say vampires.” Willow stammered, “We, we could just say that there's a, a bad man.” “They couldn't handle it even of they did show up. They'd only come with guns.” Buffy explained, shaking her head. “You have no idea where they took Jesse?” Giles asked for the third time. “I looked around, but soon they got clear of the graveyard, they could have just, voom!” Buffy made a little motion with her hand.

“They can fly?” Xander looked surprised. “They can drive.” “Oh.” Willow tried to think back, “I don't remember hearing a car.” “Let's take an enormous intuitive leap, shall we, and say they went underground.” Giles said. “Vampires really jam on sewer systems.” Buffy agreed, “You can get anywhere in the entire town without catching any rays. But I didn't see any access around there.” Xander shrugged, “Well, there's an electrical tunnel that runs under the whole town.”

“If we had a diagnostic of the tunnel system it might indicate a, a meeting place, it would, uh... I suppose we could go to the building commission.” Giles considered. “We *so* don't have time.” Buffy pointed out. Speaking up, Willow said softly, “Uh, guys? There may be another way.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile in the Master’s lair he and his followers discuss the Slayer. After getting confirmation from Luke, they decide to use Jesse as bait to get her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow has the city plans on the computer monitor. “There it is.” Buffy points it out. “That runs under the graveyard.” Willow commented. “I don't see any access.” Xander said. “So,” Giles began, “all the city plans are just, uh, open to the public?” Willow stumbled, “Um, well, i-in a way. I sort of stumbled onto them when I accidentally decrypted the city council's security system.” Giles smiled faintly as Xander scolded her, “Someone's been naughty.”

Frustrated, Buffy moved away, “There's nothing here, this is useless!” Giles looked at her, “I think you're being a bit hard on yourself.” Buffy snapped, “You're the one that told me that I wasn't prepared enough. Understatement!” She exhaled, “I thought I was on top of everything, and then that monster, Luke, came out of nowhere...” She paused as she remembered the fight in the mausoleum. “What?” Xander asked.

“He didn't come out of nowhere.” She said in wonder, “He came from behind me. I was facing the entrance, he came from behind me, and he didn't follow me out. The access to the tunnels is in the mausoleum! The girl must have doubled back with Jesse after I got out! God! I am so mentally challenged!” “So, what's the plan? We saddle up, right?” Xander asked.

Gently, Buffy started, “There's no 'we', okay? I'm the Slayer, and you're not.” “I knew you'd throw that back in my face.” Xander stated. Buffy sighed, “Xander, this is deeply dangerous.” Xander sighed this time, “I'm inadequate. That's fine. I'm less than a man.” Willow started, trying to lighten the mood, “Buffy, I'm not anxious to go into a dark place full of monsters. But I do want to help. I need to.”

“Well, then help me.” Giles said as he moved to her to look at the computer screen, “I've been researching this Harvest affair. It seems to be some sort of preordained massacre. Rivers of blood, Hell on Earth, quite charmless. I'm a bit fuzzy, however, on the details. It may be that you can wrest some information from that dread machine.” Everyone stared at him. He looked back at them all, “That was a bit, um, British, wasn't it?”

Smiling, Buffy said, “Welcome to the New World.” Giles ignored her, “I want you to go on the 'Net.” Getting that, Willow nodded, “Oh, sure, I can do that.” She started to type “Then I'm outta here. If Jesse's alive, I'll bring him back.” Buffy said confidently. “Do I have to tell you to be careful?” Buffy turned back, giving Giles a ‘I’ll be fine’ look and leaves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy made huge strides for the side gate. She was in a major hurry, and she wouldn’t let anything stop her. “And where do we think we're going?” Mr. Flutie’s voice said.

Buffy froze. Except that. “We?” She turned to face him, “I... Me...” “We're not leaving school grounds, are we?” He asked and Buffy wanted to smack him if he didn‘t stop regarding her as a ‘we’. “No! No, I'm... just admiring the fence. You know, this is quality fence work.” Oh, not lame at all . . .

Mr. Flutie started, “Because if we were leaving schools grounds on our second day at a new school, after getting kicked out of our old school for delinquent behavior... Do you see where I'm going with this?” Buffy listened, then started, “Mr. Giles!”

“What?” Buffy clarified, “He asked me to get a book for him. Uh, from the store, 'cause I have a free period, and I'm a big reader. Did it mention that in my transcripts?” Mr. Flutie repeated, “Mr. Giles?” Buffy snapped her fingers, “Ask him.” Mr. Flutie moved to the gate, swinging the gate closed, “Well, maybe that's how they do things in *Britain*, they've got that royal family and all kinds of problems,” He locked it, “but here at Sunnydale nobody leaves campus while school's in session. Are we clear?”

“We're clear.” Buffy said. “That's the Buffy Summers I want in my school. Sensible girl with her feet on the ground!” He turned and left. Buffy watched him go. When he was gone a ways, she crouched and leaped the fence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow and Xander walked down a hall while Willow wrote down, “Murder, death, disaster. What else?” Xander thought a moment, “Paranormal, unexplained, did you get natural disasters?” Willow nodded, “Earthquake, flood.” Xander added, “Rain of Toads.” Willow wrote it down, “Right.” Xander stopped and exclaimed, “Rain of Toads! Do you think they'd have anything like that in the paper?” Willow sighed, “I'll put it on the computer search. If it's in there, it'll turn up. Anything that'll lead us to vampires.”

“And I, in the meantime, will help by standing around like an idiot.” Xander said. Willow tried to help his ego, “Not like an idiot, just... standing. Buffy doesn't want you getting hurt.” They stopped in front of their next class. “I don't want you getting hurt.” Xander sighed heavily, “This is just too much. I mean, yesterday my life's like, 'Uh- oh, pop quiz'. Today it's 'Rain of Toads'.”

“ I know.” Willow glanced around, “And everyone else thinks it's just a normal day.” Xander continued, “Nobody knows. It's like we've got this big secret.” “We do.” She reminded, “That's what a secret is, when you know something other guys don't.” “Right. Look, maybe you should get to class.” He indicated the door. Willow corrected him, “You mean 'we'. We should get to class.” “Yeah.” “Buffy'll be okay. Whatever's down there, I think she can handle it.” Willow said. “Yeah, I do, too.” He agreed. “So do I.” She whispered, though the two were still a little tense with worry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy walked in slowly, looking and listening as she entered the crypt. She scanned the area. Satisfied that no one was there, she walked down the steps to the floor. She whipped her head around, when she heard a rat behind her, but the continued on. She came across a locked gate with a chain. She lifted the lock, guessing whether or not she could break it. Letting it go she exhaled, “I don't suppose you've got a key on you?”

The mysterious young man stepped out of the shadows, “They really don't like me dropping in.” Buffy turned, doing a little half spin, “Why not?” He shrugged, “They really don't like me” Buffy couldn‘t help her little sarcastic tone, “How could that possibly be?” He scoffed, and stepped closer to her, “I knew you'd figure out this entryway sooner or later. Actually, I thought it was gonna be a *little* sooner.”

“Sorry you had to wait.” Buffy retorted, “Okay. Look, if you're gonna be popping up with this cryptic wise man act on a regular basis can you at least tell me your name?” He answered, “Angel.” “Angel.” Buffy said, “It's a pretty name. For a guy and all.” She turned to the tunnel entrance. Angel moved up behind her, “Don't... go down there.”

Buffy turned back, “Deal with my going.” “You shouldn't be putting yourself at risk. Tonight is the Harvest. Unless you can prevent it,” He dropped his voice to a whisper, “the Master walks.” “Well, if this Harvest thing is such a suckfest why don't you stop it?” She challenged. Angel shook his head, “'Cause I'm afraid.” She looked at him for a moment, not expecting him to say that. Especially since he took care of Luke last night. Shrugging, she spun quickly, kicking open the doors to the tunnel. She turned back to him.

“They'll be expecting you.” Buffy took a step toward him, “I've got a friend down there. Or at least a potential friend. Do you know what it's like to have a friend?” She watched as he lowered his eyes as a look of sadness filled them. “That wasn't supposed to be a stumper.” Buffy said, softly. They look at each other a moment longer. “When you hit the tunnel’s head east towards the school. That's where you're likely to find them.” Angel said.

“You gonna wish me luck?” Angel says nothing. They look at each other for another moment, then Buffy turned and headed into the tunnels. He watched her go, he softly whispered, “Good luck.” Then he headed inside....

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 6 ~~~~~~~~~~

Giles is reading from a volume, “'For they will gather and be gathered. From the Vessel pours life.' P... Pours life...” He turned the page back to the picture of Satan feeding power to a man. “'On the night of the crescent moon, the first past the solstice it will come...' Of course. That's tonight.” He said.

“What’s tonight?” Asked Xander as he came in. “What are you doing here? I thought you were suppose to be in class.” Giles said.

“Well, uh, I kinda was gonna go save Buffy.” He held out a hand, “But as you can see, I didn’t. And I’m here. And I had a few questions. More questions, that is.” Giles sighed, “Yes?” He moved around, getting out a white dry board. “Okay, so, crosses, garlic, stake through the heart.” Xander started. “That is how it is done.” Giles said. “Cool!” Xander said in a fake happy voice, “Of course, I don't actually have any of those things.” “Yes, well, I have a unlimited supply of those things here and at home.” Giles said while looking back at the book.

“So, what else?” Xander asked. Giles frowned, looking back at the boy, “What else ...?” Xander said, “For vampire slayage.” Giles thought, “Ah, fire, beheading, sunlight, holy water....” Xander noted one of them, “You've done some beheading in your time? As a Watcher?”

Giles shook his head no, “But the last Slayer I trained, she had. She used a very large axe with double points on a vampire that she used to know. He was a bouncer, if you will, at a club. He had a very thick neck for a man not much above six feet tall, and he was....” Giles trailed when he saw Xander stare at him. “Never mind,” Giles said. They were both quiet again.

“So . . .what’s tonight?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy quietly walked down the tunnel. She had a very weird feeling boiling in the pit of her stomach, but she ignored it. Vampires. She had to concentrate on vampires. She glanced down at her feet when she saw a rat crawl over her boots. She barely noticed it, squaring her shoulders, a choosing a tunnel.

She continued walking for a moment when she heard a noise. She whirled around, looking, searching and then she felt him behind her. She froze for a moment, before whirling back around.

“No success?”

She exploded, “God, Angel. Could you make any less noise? What are you doing down here anyway? I thought you said you were scared.” She reminded him as she watch him watch her intently. “I just said that to get you going.” Angel explained, “See, I figured you do exactly the opposite of what I told you to. And low and behold . . .”

Buffy stared at him, not knowing if she should laugh or scream, “Alright. You were right. Happy? Now go.” He stood his ground, “No. I’ve seen you work in the crypt last night-”

“You were spying on me?” Buffy said, even more annoyed.

Angel continued, “Because I was worried, and I was right. Look, you don’t go into a nest of vampires without back out. I’m coming with you.”

Buffy thought about how sincere his words were before she sighed heavily, “Fine.” Angel smirked at her and she almost let her hand fly free of the tight fist it made and straight into his jaw. Buffy started down the tunnel. They stayed close together, bodies tense, ready for anything that decided to jump out.

They moved down another tunnel and glanced around the shadows. Buffy kept her eyes ahead of her when she heard Angel ask, “Why do you avoid all this?” Buffy glanced at him, “What?” He clarified, “Why didn’t you just tell your Watcher that you were the Slayer, and deal with it?” He asked.

Buffy frowned, “Look, Angel. I... I’ve dealt with a lot of stuff since becoming the Slayer and let me tell you, it royally sucks. More than vamps do. It’s hard enough trying to explain to my mom why I always came home so late, or why I snuck out the night before, but I also have to deal with my little sister. And she is always snooping around in my room. And she usually squeals on me when I do sneak out so I can save the world. There, was that good enough for you?”

Angel raised his hand, “Sssh. Do you feel that?” He asked. Buffy glanced around, “Feel what?” “That?” Angel asked, his voice very serious. Buffy waited another moment, “I don’t feel anything.” “There’s something nearby.” Angel said. Buffy sighed, “All I ‘feel’ is annoyed .”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Okay, now they're close.” Buffy said as they continued. Angel glanced at her, and she explained, “No more rats.” Angel nodded in understanding. He looked ahead, and noticed a dark shape laying on the ground. “There’s something three.” “Jesse!” Buffy cried, hurrying over to him.

Jesse reacts and jumped up. “J-J-Jesse,” Buffy breathed. She was surprised that he wasn’t dead. Jesse sighed, looking at her, “Buffy. What are you doing here?” He asked while looking around nervously. “Jesse, are you okay?” Buffy asked him. Jesse shook his head, “I am not okay, on an *epic* scale.” Buffy glanced down at the ground. There was shackles around Jesse's ankle. “We gotta get outta here!” Jesses said.

“It's cool,” Buffy said, “I’m like a superhero. Hold on a sec...” She breaks the shackles. Angel asked, “Do you think anyone heard that?” He shot a look down at Buffy. She glared up at him, “Sue me for vampires to use heavy metal.” Angel spotted shadows moving on the walls and start to run down the tunnel. Vampires run around the corner.

Jesse glanced at Buffy, “They knew you were gonna come. They said that I... I was the bait.” Buffy rolled her eyes, “Oh, great, now you tell me.” They rounded a corner and are met by vampires. Buffy shouted, “Oops!” Jesse shook his head, “Oh, no, no, no, no!” Buffy glanced at him, “Do you know another way out?” Jesse started, “I dunno. Maybe. C'mon!” They ran. At another intersection they see eyes to their right. “Wait, wait. They brought me through here, there, there should be a way up. I hope!” Jesse leads them to a chamber.

“ I don't think this is the way out.” Angel said. “We can't fight our way back through those things. What do we do?” Buffy asked. Jesse spoke up, “I got an idea.” They glance at him, and see that he’s vamped out, “You can die.”

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 7 ~~~~~~~~~~

In the chamber, Buffy struggled with her feelings. All she could think about was how Xander and Willow were going to react to the news, “Jesse. I'm sorry.” Jesse looked down at her, “Sorry? I feel good, I feel strong! I'm connected, man, to everything!” Angel struggled with the door, trying to close it. “I, I can hear the worms in the earth!” He went on. “That's a plus.” Buffy said sarcastically. “I know what the Master wants. I'll serve his purpose. That means you die.” Jesse said happily. Angel looked back at them, “Buffy, the cross!” Without another word, she held the cross, the one she had used on other vampires, up to Jesse's face.

He growled at her. “Jesse, I don’t want know what I’m going to tell Xander,” Buffy said, more to herself than to him. Jesse growled again, “Tell him, ‘You're like a shadow to me now.’” Jesse charged Buffy, making her hit the wall. He jumped to the other side of the room, facing Buffy.

Angel grabbed him from behind and threw him out of the chamber into the advancing vampires, knocking them all down. He goes back to trying to close the door. “Help,” Angel grunts as he tried to close the heavy door. Buffy jumped up, moving to the door, she tried to use her strength to close it. Buffy gasped as the door closed on a vampire's arm. The vampire pulled its arm back out of the door and Buffy slammed it shut, locking the latch. The vampires pounded on the door. “We need to get out of here.” Buffy breathed.

Angel glanced around the dim lighted room, until he spotted a grate in the ceiling, “Up there.” Buffy leaped on top of a barrel and began to pry the grate open. The vampires have started to bend in a corner of the door. They twist it and push it in further. Buffy manages to get the grate open, “Go.”

Angel hesitated a moment, then crawled up into a ventilation duct. A vampire started to struggle through the bent corner of the door. He reached in and pulled the latch open as Angel got through the grate. Buffy followed him quickly as the first vampire entered the chamber. He followed them through the grate into the duct. Angel and Buffy crawl quickly, both using their strength in speed to move.

Finding a ladder up to a manhole, he started climbing the rungs. Buffy followed. The vampire was right behind them. Angel pushed open the manhole cover and climbed out into daylight. He turned to help Buffy out. The vampire grabbed her ankle and tried to pull her back down. Buffy let out a tiny shriek and Angel pulled her into his arms, “Angel, pull!” Buffy cried.

He pulled on her harder, her hands coming to rest on his. The vampire's hand slowly is exposed to the sunlight and burns. The vampire lets go, hissing loudly. They tumble backwards to the ground. Still resting in his arms, Buffy and Angel gasp for breath. Angel lets his head fall back onto the ground, sighing. A moment later, he looked at her and said, “That was fun.” Buffy glanced at him, then shook her head while standing up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“She escaped? She walks free when I should be drinking her heart's blood right now? Careless...” The Master chided one of his children. “Master,” One of them spoke up, “we had her trapped!” The Master looked at him, “Oh, are you going to make excuses?” The vampire remained silent. “You are all weak. It has been too long since you have faced the Slayer. Huh. It is no matter to me. She will not stop the Harvest. Just means there'll be someone worth killing... when I reach the surface. Is Luke ready?” The Master asked.

“He waits.” He spoke up. The Master sighed, “It's time. Bring him to me.” Colin turned to retrieve Luke when The Master spoke up, “Ah, Colin... You failed me. Tell me you're sorry.” Colin whimpered slightly, “I'm sorry.” “There. That wasn't so bad, was it? Hold on...” The Master stabbed his finger into Colin's face, “You've got something in your eye.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giles is still doing his research when he hears someone come in, “Buffy?” “It's just me.” Willow said, “So there's no word?” Giles sighed, “Ah, not as yet, no.” Willow started, “Well, I-I'm sure she’s... great.” “Did you find anything?” Xander asked from across the table, a big book in his hands.

Willow moved closer, “I think, maybe... I surfed through the old newspapers around the time of that big earthquake back in '37? And for several months before there were a rash of murders.”

She handed him her printouts. “Great!” Giles said, and Xander and Willow give him a look, “I-I mean, well, not, not 'great' in a good way, uh, um, uh, go on?”

“Well, they sound like the kind you were looking for.” She flipped through the printouts, “Throats, blood...” Giles nodded, “It's all coming together. I rather wish it weren't.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, The Master is performing the ritual that will make him and Luke one. Luke; the vessel. Has a new three corner star mark on his forehead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow is looking at one of Giles' volumes, when the door burst opened. She looked up to see Buffy come in . . . . with a guy . . .

“Uh, hi Buffy,” Willow said. Unsure if she should talk about the vampires. Buffy shook her head, “It’s okay. He knows. Angel, this is Willow, and that’s Xander, and that over there is-” Angel interrupted, “Hey, Uncle Giles.” Stunned, Buffy looked at Giles, then at Angel, “Uncle?” “Ah, yes.” Giles said, “Angel is my nephew. His mother was my one and only older sister. Uh, so....” “He knows.” Buffy nodded, then glared at Angel, again. “Giles he’s the guy-” “Followed you into the alley last night?” Giles said, “Yes, I know. He contacted me while you were out, and explained that he got the information from a weakened vampire. I told him to follow you, to help you.” Buffy frowned. “Okay, I’m not handy capped.”

“Did you find Jesse?” Xander asked, interrupting. “Yeah.” Buffy said sadly. “Was he dead?” Willow asked hesitantly. “Worse.” Buffy sat down at the end of the table, “I'm sorry, guys. We were too late.” Xander got up, “And they were waiting for us.” Willow nodded, sadly, but tried to look on the bright side, “At least you two are okay.” Xander kicked a trashcan violently. Buffy touched her forehead, startled. “I don't like vampires. I'm gonna take a stand and say they're not good.” Xander said.

Buffy turned to Giles, “So, Giles! Got anything that can make this day any worse?” He moved over to the whiteboard and put down his pen, “How about the end of the world?”

“Knew I could count on you.” She said calmly. “This is what we know. Some sixty years ago, a very old, very powerful vampire came to this shore, not just to feed.” Giles explained. “He came 'cause this town's a mystical who's it.” Buffy stated.

“Yes. The Spanish who first settled here called it 'Boca del Infierno'. Roughly translated, 'Hellmouth'.” Giles explained, “It's a sort of, um, portal between this reality and the next. This vampire hopes to open it.” Buffy nodded, “Bring the demons back.” “End of the world.” Angel muttered.

“But he blew it!” Willow cried, “Or, I mean, there was an earthquake that swallowed half the town, and him, too.” “You see, opening dimensional portals is a tricky business. Odds are he got himself stuck, rather like a, uh, cork in a bottle.” Giles explained. “And this Harvest thing is to get him out.” Xander guessed. “ It comes once in a century, on this night. The Master can draw power from one of his minions while it feeds. Enough power to break free and open the portal.

The minion is called the Vessel, and he bears this symbol.” He draws a three-pointed star on the whiteboard.

“So, I dust anyone sporting that symbol, and no Harvest.” Buffy guessed. “Simply put, yes.” Buffy nodded at Giles, “Any idea where this little get-together is being held?” Giles stammered, “There, there are a number of possibilities.” Xander started, “They're goin' to the Bronze.” Willow glanced at him, “Are you sure?” Xander sighed, “Come on. All those tasty young morsels all over the place? Anyway, that's where Jesse's gonna be, trust me.”

Giles grabbed his coat and started out of the library. The others begun to follow. “Then we should get there. The sun will be down before long.” Buffy told him, “I gotta make a stop. Won't take long.” Giles put on his coat, “What for?” Buffy shrugged, “Supplies.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy hurried to her closet and pulled out a heavy, black jacket. She was almost ready to head out, when her mother walked into the room, “Buffy?” “Mom!” Buffy shouted. Joyce looked to her daughter’s attire, “You're going out?” Buffy looked at her mother, “I have to.” She puts on her jacket. “I didn't hear you come in last night.” Her mother stated. “I was really quiet.” Buffy squirmed.

“ It's happening again, isn't it? I got a call from your new principal. Says you missed some classes today?” Joyce said, worried. “I was running an errand.” Buffy tried to explain. “We haven't finished unpacking, and I'm getting calls from the principal.” Her mother said, sounding even more worried and nervous. “Mom, I promise, it is *not* gonna be like before. But I *have* to go.” Buffy pleaded.

“No.” Joyce said firmly. “Mom?!” “The tapes all say I should get used to saying it. No.” Buffy tried again, “This is really, really important.” “I know. If you don't go out it'll be the end of the world. Everything is life or death when you're a sixteen-year-old girl.” Buffy tried again, “Look, I don't have time to talk about this...”

“Buffy, you've got all the time in the world, you're not going anywhere. Now, if you wanna stay up here and sulk, I won't hold it against you. But if you wanna come down,” Joyce gestured to the door, “I'll make us some dinner.” Buffy watches her leave and can't believe what just happened. She leaned against the closet door, taking a deep breath and exhaled. Her mom wasn’t standing outside the door. She turned and opened the closet again and pulled out a chest. It has a large box in it full of her stuff. She pulled out the box to reveal what's underneath.

Stakes, crosses, garlic, bottles of holy water. She pulled a bunch out and placed it in her sports bag. She took a particularly sharp stake and concealed it in her jacket sleeve. She closed the chest, zipped the bag closed, and went over to her door to make sure her mother wasn’t nearby.

Sighing, she grabbed the bag, sliding it out of the window onto the roof. She was about to jump out when Angel popped his head inside her window. Gasping again, Buffy glared at him, “Do you know how annoying the snake slither approach is?” Angel shrugged, “C’mon. Sun just set. We gotta move.” He moved away from the window, letting Buffy climb out when the door opened, “Buffy, mom wanted-” Dawn stopped when she saw her sister looking at her . . . with a guy out on their roof! Dawn looked at her sister, confused, “What’s going on?” Buffy sighed.

“Nothing, Dawn. Go away,” Buffy started out her window again when Dawn said, “Does mom know you’re sneaking out with a boy?” Buffy’s eyes widened, “What-Dawn I am not-” She glanced at Angel who was smirking slightly. Buffy frowned at him, telling him with her eyes that he was not helping.

“Dawn, just go. Please. And don’t tell mom a thing.” Buffy begged. Dawn crossed her arms, “Fine. I won’t tell mom. But when you come back you have to tell me everything.” “Fine!” Buffy said, “Now go.” She watched as her sister moved out of her room. Buffy turned to face Angel, “You. Are. An. Ass.” She said through gritted teeth. He smiled at her again, “Yeah, well you forgot handsome.” He said before taking her bag and jumping off the roof. She scooted down the roof and looked down at him, “How did you do that?” He looked up at her, “I jumped. C’mon.”

~~~~~~~~~~ Part 8 ~~~~~~~~~~

The Bronze had become silent, that was the first thing that tipped Buffy off. She tried the door, “It's locked.” “We're too late.” Giles said. “I didn't know I was gonna get grounded!” Buffy cried in protest. “Can you break it down?” Buffy glanced at the heavy door, “No, not that thing. Um... You guys try the back entrance, and I'll find my own way.” “Right. Come on.” Giles said.

“Uh, wait! Guys! Here!” She handed Willow her bag, “You get the exit cleared and the people out. That's all! Don't go Wild Bunch on me.” She let her gaze fall on Angel. Giving him the hint that this was her job, not his. “Uh, see you inside, then.” Giles said before he, Xander, Angel, and Willow ran around to the back.

Willow tried the door but had no success, “No joy!” Xander sighed, “We've gotta get in there before Jesse does something stupider that usual.” Giles snapped his gaze at Xander, “You listen to me. Jesse is dead. You have to remember that when you see him, you're not looking at your friend. You're looking at the thing that killed him.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke, finished feeding off of another girl. He listened as his link to the Master grew louder, “Almost free!” Luke could hear him cry. “Give me moooooore!” Finished with the girl, he dropped her body to the ground. He waited as Darla went over to Jesse. She grabbed Cordelia, preparing to take her to Luke. “This one's mine.” Jesses said while holding her by the chin. Darla scoffed, “They're all for the Master.” She pulled on Cordelia. Jesse let go of her, “ I don't get one?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy watched as Luke brought Cordelia roughly against him. She had spotted the mark on his forehead and was about to make herself known when a vampire tried to attack her. She easily takes him out, knocking him off and over the railing.

Look watched as the vampire fell to the ground with a loud thud. He glanced up and saw her leaning over the railing, “Oh, I'm sorry, were you in the middle of something?” “You!” Luke cried. Buffy stared down at him, “You didn't think I'd miss this. Did you?” “I hoped you'd come.” He snarled.

“Be right down,” Buffy stepped away from the railing and executed a round off to get down. She landed on a pool table, perfectly. A vampire attacked from her right. Buffy easily moved off of the table, grabbing a pool cue on the way. When she landed on the floor, she thrust the long stick into her attacker.

“Okay, Vessel boy.” Buffy removed her jacket, “You want blood?” Luke growled, “I want yours.” He let go of Cordelia, who promptly pushed herself away from him, “Only yours.” Shrugging, Buffy replied, “Works for me.” Them she ran and cart wheeled up onto the stage, and immediately launched into a full spinning kick. Luke staggered into a pile of chairs. Buffy assumed a fighting position, ready for whatever look was going to try and pull on her. Luke got up and growled.

He came at her, swinging, but she ducked the punch and came up behind him. He tried a backhand punch, but she blocked him, holding onto his arm and gave him three hard kicks to his stomach before he shook loose. She pulled out her stake and lunged at him. He blocked it, knocking the stake from her grip. Luke, then, lifted her up and threw her into a pile of boxes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giles, Willow, Angel, and Xander finally managed to break in. “Hurry,” Giles called as Xander and Angel ran in to see exactly what was happening. They saw Buffy down, and for a moment, they both contemplated over going to her. She got up, letting them know she was alright. Angel turned his attention to the crowd and gestured for Xander to follow. In a low voice, Xander muttered, “C'mon, Let's go, C'mon, C'mon, C'mon! C'mon!” He and Angel help escort the people to safety while Giles guided the people to the back door. He whispered hoarsely, “Hurry up! Come on! Through this door! Come on, This way!” He took the chance and glanced up at the stage.

Buffy spun around, landing another hit to Luke's face, knocking him into another pile of boxes. Buffy turned to see a vampire grab Xander. Thinking fast, she grabbed a cymbal from a drum set and threw it at the vampire like a Frisbee. Xander saw it coming, his eyes widened for a second, before ducking. The cymbal decapitates the vampire. Xander got back up in time to say, “Head's up!”

Buffy can't resist a chuckle, but is grabbed from behind by Luke. Choking, Buffy let’s her mouth fall open at the as the air is slowly taken out of her....

Cordelia was knocked to the floor, Jesse hovered above her. She struggled as he grabbed her arms. Letting out a tiny shriek. “Hold still! You're not making this easy!” Jesses snarled. “Jesse, man!” Xander shouted as he held a raised stake in hand, “Don't make me do it.” Jesse turned to look up at Xander, “Buddy!”

Buffy could barely see, Luke was holding her too tight from behind. “I always wanted to kill a Slayer,” He whispered. Buffy thought as she closed her eyes.

Giles and Willow were still guiding people out. Giles decided to speed up the process, “Quickly, Quickly! We're going to have to open the front as well!” He crossed to the other side of the room in front of some stairs. Before he could react, Darla jumped him, taking him to the ground.

“Jesse!” Xander shouted, “I know there's still a part of you in there.” Jesse jumped up, “Okay... Let's deal with this. Jesse was an excruciating loser who couldn't get a date with anyone in the sighted community! Look at me. I'm a new man!” He said sincerely.

“Master! Taste of this... and be free!” Luke roared and moved in to bite Buffy. But before he got to, she snapped her head back to land a head butt in his face, knocking him off of her and back to the wall. “How'd it taste?” Buffy asked, breathing in deeply.

Giles struggled with Darla on the floor. He tried to throw her off of him but she was too strong. Willow looked around. Xander was busy with Jesses and Angel was getting more people out threw the front door. Taking things into her own hands, she approached them while taking out a jar of holy water, “Get off of him!” Darla, distracted, looked up at her just as Willow threw the holy water at her. It burned her face, steam raising from her the burns. She quickly ran from the club, screaming.

Jesse grabbed Xander by the jacket and lifted him around against a wall. Xander moved, so the stake pointed at Jesse's chest. He looked down at it, “Ooo! Alright. Put me out of my misery. You don't have the guts.” A fleeing patron bumped into Jesse, impaling him on the stake. Xander let go of the stake just as Jesse began to fall. He turned to ashes before he even hit the floor. Xander sighed. He did it.... well, he didn’t exactly, he did have a little push. Well, if not for him, but for Jesses but still.... His thoughts were interrupted as two vampires grabbed him.

Buffy grabbed a microphone stand and held it like a javelin. Luke sneered at her, “You forget, metal can't hurt me.” “There's something you forgot about, too.” Buffy shot back, “Sunrise!” She threw the stand at the window behind Luke. He ducked, and it broke the window behind him. A bright light poured in through it. Buffy glanced around wildly, then found the stake she dropped on the stage. Luke shielded his face with his hands, expecting to be burned, but stopped when he realized the light was only a bright lamp. Before he could turn, Buffy lunged at him from behind and jammed the stake home.

“It's in about nine hours, moron,” She said pleasantly as she kept her hand firmly on the stake. She gave it a little jiggle, making sure the stake was firmly in his heart. Luke began to stagger off of the stage. He could almost see the Master trying the confinements of his realm as he continued to stagger. Luke fell from the stage and turned to ash as he hit the ground, almost hearing the Master as he feels his death and falls to his knees, crying, “Noooooooo! Noooooooo!”

Buffy stared at Luke's ashes, hands on her hips, she let out a content sigh. The two vampires that had grabbed Xander see the remains of Luke. Lifting her gaze to meet theirs, Buffy stared at them. The vampires regarded her expression, panicked, then ran. Leaving Xander behind.

Just as Angel was about to head inside, two vampires came rushing out, looking terribly scared. He was too tired to go chase after them, but he was surprised that they did look scared. He smiled, “She did it.” He muttered, “Well, I’ll be damned.” Quietly he walked inside.

Buffy hopped down to the floor. Giles and Willow meet her, “I take it it's over.” “Did we win?” Willow asked, “Well, we averted the apocalypse.” Buffy took her coat, “I give us points for that.” Xander came to meet them with Angel, “One thing's for sure: nothing's ever gonna be the same.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunnydale High the next Monday. Everything appeared normal as Buffy walked along and overhears Cordelia talking with another girl. “Well, I heard it was rival gangs. You know, fighting for turf? But all I can tell you is they were an ugly way of looking. And Buffy, like, knew them! Which is just too weird. I mean, I don't even remember that much, but I'm telling you, it was a freak show!” She gossiped.

The girl went on, “Oh, I wish I'd been there!” Cordelia nodded, “You should have been there. It was so creepy...” She and her friend walk off. Buffy sighed, walking until she met up with Xander. “What exactly were you expecting?” She asked him. Xander shrugged, “I don't know, something. I mean, the dead rose. We should at least have an assembly.”

They ran into Giles and Willow, and the four continued to walk, “People have a tendency to rationalize what they can and forget what they can't.” Giles informed. Buffy glanced at the two newbies, “Believe me, I've seen it happen.” Willow shook her head, “Well, I'll never forget it, none of it.” Giles sighed, “Good! Next time you'll be prepared.” Xander frowned, not liking that sound, “Next time?” Willow stared at Giles with the same expression, “Next time is why?” Giles stopped, “We've prevented the Master from freeing himself and opening the mouth of Hell. That's not to say he's going to stop trying. I'd say the fun is just beginning.”

Willow eyes went wide, “More vampires?” “Not just vampires. The next threat we face may be something quite different.” He said excitedly. Buffy shrugged, “I can hardly wait!” Giles continued, “We're at the center of a mystical convergence here. We may, in fact, stand between the Earth and its total destruction.” Buffy shrugged again, holding her lollipop closer to her lips, “Well, I gotta look on the bright side. Maybe I can still get kicked out of school!” The three students continued walking to class. Giles stayed behind and watched them go.

Xander spoke up as he followed, “:Oh, yeah, that's a plan. 'Cause lots of schools aren't on Hellmouths.” Maybe you could blow something up. They're really strict about that.” Willow suggested. “I was thinking of a more subtle approach, y'know, like excessive not studying.” Buffy explained. Giles turned to go back to his library, lifting his glasses slightly, “The Earth is doomed.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“No, seriously,” Buffy went on, “I think we could definitely get away with it. I mean, it was *your* suggestion, Will,” Willow smiled, “Yeah it was. But how could we pull it off?” She wondered just as Buffy stopped, causing Willow and Xander to bump into her. They looked at her, then looked at whatever she was staring at.

Angel stood a few feet away, staring at Buffy. Xander watched as Buffy didn’t move or speak. Just stood. Willow also noticed this, and grabbed Xander by the arm, “Uh... Xander, didn’t you say you needed help with Math?” She asked as she practically dragged Xander away from Buffy.

Buffy and Angel slowly approached each other. They a footstep away from each other, neither speaking, but both awkwardly standing. Buffy finally spoke up, “Thanks again, for helping.” “You’re welcome. For saving your life.” Angel said. Buffy tilted her head to the side, “I didn’t say I was thanking you for that.”

“How’d you deal with your sister? “Angel asked, changing the subject. Buffy groaned, “Oh, let’s see. She only kept me up last night for-what? Two and a half *hours*.” Angel smiled again, “Yeah, I figured she might.” “No thanks to you.” She huffed, “What are you doing here anyway?” He gestured to the book he held in his hands, “Being busy with English, writing, and rythmetic.” Buffy looked back up at him with a nervous expression, “You mean you’re going to school? Here?”

He explained, “Yeah. I didn’t have time to finish high school last year. Uncle Giles wanted me to finish school. Says I got a lot to learn. So, I’m doing what he asked, being senior.”

“Okay.” Buffy sighed. “I can deal with that. What are the odds that I’d see you again anyway?” Angel smile grew, “Oh, the odds are pretty good.” He then turned, moving around her. She turned to watch him walk a few ways. He then turned back to look at her, smiling again. Then started again.

Buffy stared after him. Her mouth slightly parted, she let out a little gap. Then brought her lollipop back up to her lips. Oh was he annoying! “I hate you.” She grumbled before following, even though she felt her cheeks flush as he turned and said in a sly voice, “I know you do.” Then left.

The End.

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