Disclaimer: I do not own anything; Characters belong to Joss Whedon & Mutant Enemy. However this story is my own.
Summary: It's been ten years since Chosen & Buffy is now leading the life of a 'normal woman' and leaving all things Slayer related to the hundreds of others scattered across the globe. But when a familiar face shows up out of the blue looking for her help will she give up her 'normal' lifestyle and get back into the swing of things as The Slayer?
A/N: Please let me know what you think by reviewing! Let me know what you like about it & what you don't like, and anything you think I should add. On with the fic!
THE ACE OF SPADES
CHAPTER ONE
'Revealations'
To look at Buffy Summers you'd think she was an ordinary 30 something. At times she even forgot her past, it all seemed like a distant memory or a bad dream she once had.
She'd moved to San Francisco four years previously, despite vowing never to step foot back in California. It held too many bad memories for her but after living in Rome with her sister for the past six years she'd decided maybe it was time she faced her fear and came back home.
She'd almost immediately found her dream apartment, nice building with a doorman, friendly neighbours and some of the best views of the city. And since she'd gotten a big payoff thanks in large part to Giles when she'd distanced herself from Slaying and The Council she could easily afford it.
She slipped easily back into life in the US, it was like she'd never been away she even managed to land herself a pretty awesome job as a receptionist for some big shot software developer. Life certainly was a far cry from the life she'd previously had in Sunnydale.
The years she had spent there protecting the world from vampires, demons, hell gods and 'the original evil' that had created them. Once Sunnydale was destroyed her whole outlook on the world changed she was not the one and only Slayer anymore, there were hundreds upon hundreds of girls taking on the responsibility. At first she along with the rest of the Sunnydale Alumni, gathered and trained the baby Slayers but pretty soon they outgrew her teachings. She decided at that point it was a good time to call it quits and start the life she'd always wanted to live.
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Buffy opened the door to her apartment, with two large bags of groceries in either hand and her cell phone tucked under her chin "So when does your flight come in?" she asked her sister.
"We land at 6, so I'll probably be at your apartment around 7:30" Dawn's voice was heard.
"Great" Buffy exhaled "I can't wait to see you Dawnie, feels like forever"
"It's only been a month Buffy" Dawn giggled
"I know I just miss you sometimes… geez whoever would've thought it" said Buffy putting down her groceries on the kitchen table.
"I would, I'm totally awesome. Anyways I gotta pack I'll see you in a few days"
"I love you Dawn"
"Love you too"
Buffy sighed heavily and placed her cell phone on the table, begrudgingly putting her groceries away. This was a weekly routine, she'd finish work and then shop come home put her items away and veg in front of the TV for the rest of the night. Truth be told Buffy now found her 'normal' life boring. Thatt was until she met Mike, he was ruggedly handsome, that was obvious, with his thin yet muscular build, and his green eyes were a startling contrast to his dark hair. He was kind and very generous. She pulled out her cell phone and texted him 'Bored out of my mind, rescue me?'
After a while her phone beeped 'Your place, 20 minutes'. He'd replied, now Buffy was in a state of panic she'd not showered this morning due to a slight mishap with her alarm. The fact she'd snoozed it five times might've been the problem. She made a dash for the bathroom, turning on the shower and quickly stripping off her clothes. She jumped in and made quick work of washing her hair and body before dashing back out and deciding on an outfit to wear.
In her haste she didn't hear her cell phone ring. And it was one call she really couldn't afford to miss.
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Spike's body slammed against the wall, with an aggressive growl he rose to his feet. "So not much for the talking then eh?" he asked his opponent, wiping his bloody mouth.
"I can tell you nothing" the vampire replied.
"Well that's a shame." Spike snarled. Lunging forward at the vampire capturing him in a head lock "The way I see it, you've got two choices mate. You can tell me where to find your boss or I kill you"
"If you kill me how will you find my boss" asked the vampire.
"Good question" said Angel groggily getting up. "But believe me we have our sources"
"Nobody can bring him to his knees" chuckled the vamp
Spike had heard enough and staked the vampire.
"Spike!" exclaimed Angel "What part of don't stake him do you not understand?"
"Oh I understood perfectly, he didn't know anything you great poof" Spike dusted himself off
"He knew where Ace was holed up, we're never gunna find him if you keep staking his minions" Angel sighed walking away.
The two vampires had been working tirelessly to find this new demon who'd hit the scene a month ago, they still didn't know his intent but then again he was hardly going to show his face and tell them his master plan as much as it annoyed the both of them they were stuck in the 'square one' phase of the game.
They were still trying to cope with the losses of those from the battle with Wolfram & Hart, they'd won but it still didn't give either of them the satisfaction they thought it would. So they carried on fighting the good fight all in the name of Cordelia, Fred and Wesley. The car ride back to the newly reformed Angel Investigations office located back at the Hyperion Hotel was a quiet one, both of them lost in thought, as they pulled up Connor rushed outside to them.
"What's going on?" asked Angel worriedly.
"You better get inside" Connor's tone was grave. Quickly both vampires rushed inside.
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Gunn stood silent in the reception area as the three men walked in. "Any joy?" he asked.
"Might've gotten somewhere if somebody wasn't as stake happy" sighed Angel.
"Oh that's right blame me" spat Spike
"Well all I'm saying is if you didn't stake the guy, he might know a little more than the jack squat we do now" Angel fumed
"He didn't know anything and he certainly wasn't gunna share. At least we've got one less vampire minion to contend with" Spike explained
"We might not have you to contend with if you keep pulling this crap!"
"Is that some kind of threat Peaches?" asked Spike
"Stop! This fighting between the two of you isn't helping… besides we've received another note" said Connor.
"A note?" sighed Spike "what happened to the good old days when demons used to just show up so we could give them a kicking"
"Right there with ya buddy, but you guys might wanna take a look at this" said Gunn producing the piece of paper.
Angel and Spike scanned it quickly. "So what does this mean?" asked Angel
"Ace has basically taken you out of the game Dad, it's obvious his interest isn't in you" said Connor
Angel looked deflated
"So it's me who he's interested in?" asked Spike "But why?"
"Doesn't say" said Gunn
"The note was delivered via courier, we were able to get an address" smiled Connor.
"Where is it?" asked Angel.
"San Francisco"
Angel started pacing the room "Well we'll go to San Francisco"
"Dad didn't you read it, this isn't your fight"
"Yeah but Spike can't do this on his own" stuttered Angel
"I can too!" Spike protested
"No you can't, you can't even follow simple orders Spike. You'll get yourself killed"
"This isn't your fight Peaches, leave it with me" Spike smirked heading for the door.
"You can't go to San Francisco!" Angel blurted.
"Why the bloody hell not?"
"It's not our territory, its hers" Angel said quietly.
Spike stood ridged "She's back?"
"Has been for a while now" said Angel
"And you didn't tell me" Spike snapped
"I didn't think you'd wanna know"
"She who?" asked Gunn
"Buffy…" said Angel
