An untimely death leaves talented first year brain surgeon Elizabeth Duke rather dissatisfied with her lot in life. So when a bearded guy in white offers her a second chance, Beth is ecstatic. Of course, he says he's one of the Powers That Be & that she has a mission in a town called Sunnydale. Beth agrees & surprises the St Peter wannabe with her fast affirmation. The deal is:
There is a book which has been accidentally sent to the Sunnydale High School library with a load of other books. The forbidden tome is called "The Codex of Celitar" & is deemed too dangerous for the controversial Slayer, Buffy Summers & her Watcher, Rupert Giles, to find & read. Beth has to find the book & bring it to the London Watcher Council Headquarters. Her mission is to be completed within one school semester.
When Beth opens her eyes, she's in hospital & a bunch of doctors are telling her she's a miracle case. For some reason, they can't tell the difference between Beth's face & Faith's (The PtB allowed her to keep her face) Unfortunately, a dark haired bloke & a blonde chick bust in & try to kill her. Fortunately, its sorted when they see her face & hear her (abbreviated) story & dark boy goes back home to LA.
Some fragment of Faith must remain, because Beth is no longer afraid of the dark; in fact, she revels in it. & after an initially shaky start with the existing Slayer –apparently Faith was a real bitch, who knew?- Beth settles into her Slayer role quite comfortably. She & Buffy share Giles & Beth is accepted by the Scooby Gang. Spike, however is not happy about having another Slayer around to order him about. He changes his mind when he hears she's becoming a brain surgeon.
What the PtB guy neglects to tell her is that she won't be given a new body; she's been using an existing one, a slayer's body, & this slayer cannot come back; she is rogue & must die so another Slayer can be called. So while Faith may be gone, her body remaining alive is keeping another from taking her place. Hence, Beth must die. Again. Hence, the PtB have screwed Beth over-6 months of life? I don't think so.-
So when the gorgeous Spike asks for her help with a little brain problem, Beth sees a mutual advantage in the making. Of course, it helps that Spike thinks she's as hot as she thinks him…
In short, Spike promises to Sire Beth if she gets rid of his chip. She studies secretly & with only a month to go, she performs the surgery. With the chip out, Spike Sires her & with Faith's body officially "dead" a new slayer is called & the PtB are happy & will stay that way as long as Beth keeps a low profile. Buffy is not let into the plan until it's too late & then she can't really blame Beth for wanting to 'live'. She, Giles & the Scoobies agree to help keep the pair out of the spotlight. This of course means Spike either has to discreetly kill alone or give up wide spread destruction altogether, & killing alone lacks the thrill of the hunt…so he gives it up; right up until the Initiative realises the chip isn't functioning anymore. One last scourge for Spike & his new mate.
Chapter I