AN: I got this idea after hearing Sarah wanted to leave Buffy and thinking how they might deal with that, and keep the show. This idea was formed and I just had to write the story. This would have taken place around early-7th season?

The Reincarnation

Ch.1

Flashback

A sound of pain escaped her lips as Buffy clenched her eyes shut. Her mouth remained gaping as she looked down at the hilt of a dagger protruding from her chest and dropped her arms limply. Blood trickled from the corner of her lips. She fell to her knees beside the gateway that had been opened up by the latest evil doer in Sunnydale.

Dulling eyes looked up at her friends and her sister. "I...am not afraid. This is...just part of... the job description of... being a slayer. There will be... a new one... soon, and... she will... be just as... great." She gave a weak smile and fell to the ground unconscious. A small sigh left her mouth as her last breath escaped.

And, with the passing of the slayer's life the gateway to the hell dimension was closed and Sunnydale was for the meantime safe. This did little to console Dawn as she knelt next to her sister's body. Spike stepped close to her and laid a hand on the young girl's shoulder.

Present

"We did it before and it worked," Dawn said vehemently and demanded, "Why not again?" Her hands planted on the hips of her jeans as she looked at the others. She wore a white sleeveless shirt with an oriental print on the front and high, Chinese-style neck that she had taken from Buffy's closet.

Willow looked at Xander then at Anya. She turned back to Dawn. "We're not sure it would work again. And even if it did, last time she seemed so...disappointed that we brought her back."

"She wouldn't this time!" Dawn insisted. "That's probably why she was so willing to give up her life, cause she knew we would bring her back again. You can't let her down, she's counting on you."

Willow shook her head. She was dressed in her "mourning" clothes of black velvet shirt over a long black skirt. Her hair had gotten a bit longer and she pulled most of it back into a clip loosely.

Xander stepped forward and took his turn. "And how do we know that bringing her back won't reopen the gateway, Dawn?" He was in his usual shabby chic style of a button down shirt and jeans.

"It won't. It takes blood and all that voodooey stuff to open it."

He lifted his hand. "That's it, that's all I got." He said to Willow and Anya.

Dawn walked over to Willow and looked at her pleadingly. "What would it at least hurt to try?"

"Ohhh, Dawn..." Willow groaned. "Okay, but if we do a bad thing it's you we all point fingers at when we get yelled at by the cosmic authority figures."

"Yippee!" Dawn smiled and hugged her friend.

"Is it me or is she too happy at the thought of a big cosmic booboo?" Anya asked. She crossed her arms of her floral print cotton dress.

Willow closed the spell book and looked at the others. "Well, all that's left is to see if it worked again."

"So, should someone stay here and look over her grave or what?" Xander asked the others.

"Well, we didn't last time."

"After you've just come out of a grave, you don't particularly like to be stared at," Anya said a bit too knowingly. The others just blinked at her.

Spike walked over to the headstone and sat down beside it. He leaned against it and looked down on the grave as he said, "I'll sit an' wait. The rest of you can go t' your warm beds and get comfy."

Xander looked like he was ready to argue when Willow pulled him away. She nodded to Spike. "Okay, tell us if anything happens. If nothing happens before dawn just get to the house and we'll figure out something then."

The vampire looked up at the witch and studied her for a moment. He nodded finally. She led Xander away through the woods. Anya paused like she wanted to say something, and then left, too. Dawn walked over and knelt before Spike.

"Would you like me to stay with you?" she asked with a concerned look.

"No, Bit, go get some rest," he gave her a small smile.

She straightened and looked around before heading off into the woods. After she had gone, Spike looked down at the grave, his face once more a bit on the sour side. He smoothed a hand over the surface of the recently dug grave. Of course he wouldn't let on to the others, but he hoped this would work much more than even Dawn did. He sighed and settled in for the night.

Hours later, he felt the stirring inside him that alerted him to the coming of the rising sun. He looked towards the horizon and noticed it was true for the lightening of the sky in that area. He stood, obviously there was no more waiting for him and nothing was probably going to happen if it hadn't already. He cursed roundly as he ran towards the Summers home. He slipped in through the back door just as the first rays of light crept over the horizon.

Willow had been a good girl, he saw. She had prepared for him to beat feet back to the house at the same instant of the sun's appearance for she had drawn all the shades and covered the windows. He smiled as he made his way to the stairs to go up and tell them nothing had happened, but upon entering the living room he saw Willow and Dawn curled up on the couch asleep. He smirked and walked over to kneel beside Dawn.

"Dawn," he said quietly and reached out to touch her cheek gently.

Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked a few times as she woke fully. When she did, she sat bolt upright heedless of sitting there in front of Spike in her night clothes; a spaghetti tank and short shorts set. She turned towards him.

"Did she-"

He shook his head with a sorrowful look. "Nothin' at all."

She fell against him sobbing. He enfolded her in his arms and rested his chin atop her head, just holding her as she let out her grief. Her sobs woke Willow who turned with a sleepy look to them and guessed the rest.

"I'm sorry, Dawn. I tried."

Across town, early morning light streamed in through a window into a bedroom that from the furnishings was obviously for a teenage girl. The ultimate proof was in the bed, curled up under the covers. She was a few years older than Dawn with raven black hair that was thick and fell in waves around her. Silky strands caressed the milky pale skin of her angelic-looking face in sleep. There was a strong set to her jaw, though, and an inquisitive arch to her brow. She had the most adorable slightly upturned nose that crinkled in response to something she must be dreaming.

The clock ticked over from 6:59 to seven o'clock, causing the alarm to go off. She jerked awake, her crystal blue eyes flying open. A hand went out of its own accord from years of practice to shut the alarm off. Her brows drew together in consternation and she slowly sat up. She looked down at her hands and then her eyes went around the room. They stopped in the mirror directly across from her bed. Her eyes got wide as a realization seemed to hit her.

"Of al the..." she shook her head at the sound of her voice and quickly got out of bed. Her short figure hurried over to her closet and threw open the doors. She perused the contents as if seeing them with new eyes and then down at her body, glancing back at the mirror. She grabbed a pair of low-rise black jeans with lace up sides and a sleeveless blue shirt that matched her eyes. Then she grabbed underwear and ran into the bathroom.

After taking a shower and changing into the clothes she selected, she returned to her room for the rest of the morning routine. She dried her hair on the highest setting to get it done quickly and rushed through applying her make-up. She turned and slipped on a pair of platform sandals, grabbed her purse, and ran from the house. She hurried across town, not stopping until she reached her destination. She paused outside an oh-so-familiar house.

Dawn drew away from Spike eventually and rubbed at her nose. She looked up at him sheepishly. She brushed her hair back from her face and turned to look at Willow. "I suppose we should start preparing for life without Buffy..."

"Yes, of course, we-" Willow was cut off by a knock at the door. She looked between Spike and Dawn with a slightly confused look.

Spike stood and backed towards the kitchen cautiously. Willow got up and went to the door, followed by Dawn closely. She opened the door and looked out at the girl on the other side. She had never seen this girl before with the long dark hair and large bright eyes. She could have been called Snow White for her looks. Dawn cocked her head to the side and spoke first.

"Cassidy?" her brows were knit together. "What are you doing here, and so early?"

"You know her, Dawn?" Willow asked, looking at the younger girl beside her.

"Yeah, she went to my school. Her name's Cassidy Winters, though I don't talk to her any really." She looked at Cassidy again. "...why are you here?"

"It seems you're only half correct about my identity," Cassidy began, "Though, I'm sure you would prefer me talking about mystic-y stuff inside rather than out in the open."

Willow nodded slowly with a perplexed look and moved back to allow the younger girl in. Dawn and she exchanged looks as Cassidy walks inside. She walked to the middle of the living room and then turned back to face them. She rested her hands on her rounded hips and sighed.

"We have a big problem here," Cassidy said with a sigh. "Yes, I'm Cassidy, but it seems I am also someone else who you both know very well." She shook her head, trying to clear it and think of the best way to put what she had to tell them. She lifted her face to look at them again. "I'm Buffy Summers, also. I don't know how...I just seem to be both."

Dawn frowned at her. "Cassidy, if this is some sort of sick joke...so help me..." Her hands balled into fists at her sides and she took a step towards the other girl.

"It's not." Cassidy pursed her lips. "Its not like my soul took over this body cause I'm not having that 'crowded' feeling, if you know what I mean, and I'm still Cassidy. I just seem to have suddenly been awakened to a past life as your sister and the slayer."

Willow walked over to her and looked her in the face. "You're telling the truth, aren't you?" She paused and thought. "I suppose I could test you by asking you something only Buffy would know." She thought for a moment. "Not long after you moved here in High School we had a sleep over together and you told you had a crush on someone at school already. Who was it?"

Cassidy frowned. "Of course you would ask THAT...embarrass me while you're at it..." She gave a big sigh and went slightly cross-eyed as she said, "Xander..."

Dawn burst out laughing. "You had a crush on Xander!"

"I take it you believe me now?"

"Yup," Willow nodded with a wide smile. "And it seems my spell didn't work the same way it did last time. This is really odd, you being reincarnated instead of returning in your old body like last time."

Cassidy/Buffy looked at Willow. "You did another spell to bring me back?"

Willow immediately pointed at Dawn. "She practically forced me to."

Dawn grinned widely. "Aren't you glad to be back with us?"

Spike who had stood watching from the doorway to the kitchen just behind Cassidy finally spoke up. "Yes, aren' you glad t' be back with us?" He said in a rich, smooth tone as he looked her new body over.

"Spike!" She spun around. "You...you were there...eavesdropping on us?"

"Actually, I was in here with the girls when you knocked on the door and took shelter from the light opening the door would let in, love," he smirked. "You just didn' take the time t' notice me." He stepped towards her, still eyeing her. "Had you forgotten me already?"

"No, you scarred me for life, thank you," she rolled her eyes and turned back to her sister. "Yes, I am. But, now I'm going to have to get used to this new body...probably train it all over again for fighting. I also have to deal with school again and all that, and I have this girl's family to deal with." She shook her head. "And I think I've gotten a lot shorter."

"An' a nice set of breasts," Spike said dryly, earning him a glare.

"Well... you could always put off college," Dawn said. "And we make good money from the magic box... and even could get a job or something if you really want to."

Cassidy shook her head slowly. "And my family?"

"I'm sure we'll think of something," Willow put her hand on Cassidy's shoulder. "Uh, would you want us to call you Buffy or Cassidy?"

"I guess you can call me Buffy in private," she shrugged. Then she looked at Spike. "Except for you, of course." She smiled humorlessly, and then she looked back at Dawn. "But, you need to get on to school. You're not off the hook because of my death anymore." She smiled.

Dawn nodded and took off up the stairs. Willow followed suit so she could get changed. Cassidy headed for the kitchen with Spike following her. She opened the fridge and pulled out the orange juice carton. She grabbed a glass and poured herself a drink. She left out the carton and stood there drinking the juice she had poured. She started to walk back into the living room when Spike took hold off her arm. She looked up at him.

"We got t' talk, love," Spike said to her. "I've been sick with grief since you gave your life up t' close the gate. I even sat at your grave all night after they performed the ceremony in hopes that it worked."

"And what...you wanted a medal?" she quirked a brow at him.

He frowned, now noticing even more when it was Buffy talking and when it was Cassidy. Buffy was never THAT much of a smartass. He clenched his jaw for a moment before speaking again. "No, but you come in here actin' as if I were just some rat t' be wiped from your presence."

"I'm sorry...happy?" she looked up at him expectantly.

"Not yet," he ground out before jerking her against him and covering her mouth with his.

Her eyes went wide with surprise, but seconds later they droop close and her arms go around him. It was true that Cassidy was somewhat shorter than Buffy, so soon he lifted her into his arms and set her on the counter for better access to her. She did not seem to mind in the least, either way. He finally drew back and leaned his forehead against hers, both breathing raggedly.

"You obviously don' realize how much I had missed you, love," he said huskily. "And how havin' you die on us again made me use this bloody soul of mine overtime." He gave her another kiss before saying. "I don' like t' beg, you know, but I'd be anythin' for you...as long as I was yours."

"Oy, please...cut...sappiness...before...I...get...tooth-ache," she said haltingly with mock pain and holding her cheek. She smiled and gave him a light kiss. "I'll think about it, that's all I can promise you. I have a lot to deal with at the moment obviously and you just threw your own towel into the ring."

He nodded. "That's all I ask, love." He set her back down on her feet.

She smoothed her clothes and then turned just as Dawn entered ready for school. She put on a smile for her sister and went for the cookie jar. "Do you need money for lunch?"

"Nah, I'm fine," Dawn smiled and waved to them both as she left.

Cassidy looked back at Spike. "I don't have a time limit, do I?"

He smiled and came around to her side of the counter. He leaned against the cabinets above her head and looked down upon her with his lopsided, full of himself, smile. "Aye, two minutes, love."

She shook her head and headed for the living room, saying "You hold me to that and you know what the answer will be...love." He heard her chuckle.

Cassidy shook her head vigorously. "No, no, noooo. No way are you getting me to go there."

Cassidy and Willow were seated on the couch a few hours later. Willow had called the others over so they could tell them what had happened. Xander and Anya sat there a bit shocked. Willow had informed Giles over the phone. He would have to inform the other watchers, of course. But, Willow wanted them to inform someone else.

"Come on, he needs to know," Willow said sternly. "I told him when you died the first time and we've been keeping in contact ever since. And, this time I can't just tell him myself. He'll want to see it for himself."

"I am not going to L.A. to tell Angel that I have just lived through an episode of Tale of the Body Thief," she crossed her arms. "And that's that."

A few days later, Willow and Cassidy walked into the hotel and stood looking around for signs of life. Willow, no longer in mourning, was wearing jeans and a burgundy top. She looked up as Fred came down the stairs. Fred spotted her and hurried the rest of the way down. She had on a jean jacket over a white shirt with a floral skirt. They embraced briefly and then stood back. Willow motioned to Cassidy. She was still slightly pouting and had thrown on tight black pants and a scoop neck, sleeveless black top.

"Fred, this is Cassidy Winters," Willow said while looking around some more. "Where's Angel and the others?"

"Out, but they should be back soon," Fred smiled and motioned them over to the couch to take a seat. "Want a drink or something to eat?"

"We're fine, thanks," Cassidy said and looked at Willow. "If we have to wait very long, I am making a break for it."

"Fred, ya got any rope?" Willow asked dryly with a wide grin.

"Willow?"

They turned and saw Angel enter the hotel; along with Gun, Cordelia, Connor, and Wesley. He walked down to stand in front of them. He smiled slightly. He was in dark slacks and a black silk shirt.

"I'm glad to see you again so soon," he said. "But, I'm also worried since we tend to meet under bad circumstances."

"Well, this time it's a mixed bag," Willow looked down at her clasped hands. "Buffy died again. She gave her life to close a gate that had been opened to a hell dimension."

"Oh lord," he closed his eyes as the others behind him all gave sad looks of their own. Fred came over to stand next to Willow. "You said a mixed bag...that means there is better news? You were able to revive her again?"

Willow shook her head. "No."

"Then what could the good news be? And who is this?" he seemed to draw his own conclusion. "Is she the new slayer...is that your good news?"

"Um, well, you're close," she motioned to Cassidy beside her. "This is Cassidy Winters, the new slayer. She's also Buffy Summers reincarnate."

Cassidy bites her lip and gives a small wave. "Hi there."

Angel walked over to stand in front of Cassidy, looking down at her with drawn brows. "Buffy?"

She raised her bright blue eyes to him. "Yes?"

"You...it's really you in there?"

"This body isn't like some sort of costume," she crossed her arms. She stood quickly and turned to Willow. "There, you made me come and tell him about what happened; we did. We can go now."

"Wait right there, Buffy," Angel took her arm and turned her to face him. "You didn't want to tell me about this?"

"You left, what do you care what goes on in Sunnydale?"

Cordelia, Wesley, and Gun took that as their cue to beat feet towards the back room. As she passed, Cordelia, wearing a dark gold strappy dress, flashed a small friendly smile to Cassidy. Fred and Willow walked up the stairs discussing some magic books Fred had been reading. Connor remained behind his father, looking at Cassidy. He wore jeans, faded black tee, and a worn jacket.

"This is the almighty slayer I keep hearing about?" he looked her up and down. "She's not that big and tough looking."

Angel smirked. "You HAVE seemed to have gotten a bit shorter."

"I know," Cassidy growled, and then she looked back at Connor. "And this lil pissant is...?"

"My son," Angel sobered and moved between them. "And no taking your anger at me out on him. If you still have issues with me, it isn't his fault. It was before he was born anyways."

"You must be so proud of him, he seems to take after you, Angelus," Cassidy smiled acidly.

Lorne had walked in wearing a cream colored suit with a dark green shirt underneath. He saw the fight that was brewing. He quickly walked over and took Connor by the arms to steer him away. "Let's go, kiddo. This seems to be a conversation for the adults."

"Look, we need to talk about this, obviously," Angel sat down and looked up at Cassidy. "I'm sorry you were still carrying around the pain of me leaving. But, as Willow knows, I am still here for you."

"Okay, I'm sorry for snapping at you and Connor," Cassidy crossed her arms in a defensive gesture. "It's just...I don't know if it's the Buffy or Cassidy in me, but I just want to crawl into a hole until I figure this all out...but instead I'm being paraded around as the eighth wonder of the world."

"That's understandable," he reached out and touched her arm.

"So, that includes me going home to my comfy bed."

"Fine, I'll go find Fred and Willow." He stood and started to walk away, but then paused and looked over his shoulder at her. "And, I think I may just come with you."

Cassidy walked into the house again late that night. She had just stepped across the threshold when she was jerked to the side by strong arms. Spike held her against him, his arms wrapped around her body.

He leaned his face close to her neck and murmured in her ear, "I can hear your heart racing every time I touch you." He pressed his nose into her thick raven hair. "You smell so good."

"You might as well stop, cause I haven't made my decision yet," she said huskily.

He slowly let go of her, then darted his hands forward to tickle her sides briefly. She yelped and jumped nearly five feet across the room. She turned to glare at him playfully, but her eyes caught sight of the figure standing in the doorway. Angel was watching them with a frown. Spike followed her gaze to see the other vampire standing there.

"What's he bloody doin' here?" Spike asked.

"I want to know the same thing about you," Angel retorted.