A/N: I'm a Buffy newbie, so I apologize in advance if some of my facts are mixed up or incorrect. This is supposed to be set in Season 6. I do not own Buffy or Dollhouse.


"No way! I'm through!"

"But, Buffy—"

Buffy paced around the library, frustrated. "Giles, I have been doing this slayer gig for six years now. I have died and been resurrected upwards of three times; I've lost Angel and to top it off, the last time my friends resurrected me, which, by the way, was three days ago, I was ripped out of heaven." Buffy slammed her hands down on the table. "I'm tired, depressed and I DON'T WANT TO SLAY VAMPIRES ANYMORE! Leave me alone!"

"Buffy, you are the chosen one; you cannot escape your destiny."

Buffy threw her hands up in the air. "Screw destiny! I quit!" She ripped off her cross necklace, tossing into the nearest trashcan before storming out the door.

"Oh dear."


"Hello Echo. How are you feeling?"

"Did I fall asleep?"

"For a little while."

"Shall I go now?"

"If you like."

Echo looked up at the blonde neurosurgeon standing over her. For some reason, he looked familiar, though she couldn't grasp why. She looked around the room, noticing the various computers and gadgets. Technology is nice, she thought. She climbed out of the chair.

"Would you like to go swimming," offered the neurosurgeon with a grin.

"Yes, swimming is nice."

"Go on then." Topher watched as Echo took one last look around the room before walking down the stairs toward the pool. He turned to Boyd. "What the heck happened out there?! She came back covered in dust, dirt and blood! What mission did you have her on?! She should get checked out by Doctor Saunders!"

"She already did," answered Boyd calmly. "No lasting effects, no bites, no bruises, no cuts. She can hold her own as a slayer."

"Then why'd DeWitt yank the mission?"

"She malfunctioned while on patrol. Accidentally killed a human, turned bad, then tried to redeem herself by leading the potential slayers. Unfortunately, three of them were killed; we couldn't put anymore innocents in danger."

"So now what do we do with her?"

"We keep her here." Topher looked up as DeWitt entered the room, cool as ever. "We keep her here at the Dollhouse; she is now longer needed for this mission. She will go on other engagements as needed."

"But—"

"We cannot release her; she still has one more year on her contract."


"I can't believe Giles would do this to me!" Buffy jiggled the lock on the door, grumbling in frustration as the door refused to give.

"It's not Giles fault Buffy. We weren't sure if you went to Heaven or Hell." Willow paused, trying to gauge her friend's mood. She spoke quietly. "We thought we were doing the right thing."

"Well, apparently, it was the wrong thing Will." Buffy yanked the key from the lock, shoving it in her pocket, before giving the door a swift karate kick, shards of wood littering the dorm room floor.

"Well, that was unnecessary," Willow intoned, walking gingerly over the pieces, grabbing her Wiccan book.

"Well, ya know what Will? At least it got us in the room."

"Ya know what Buffy? I'm sorry we yanked you out of heaven, I've sorry you have this destiny thing that puts tremendous amounts of pressure on you and I'm sorry about Angel, but you know what? You don't have to take it out on me!"

"Fine!" Buffy stepped over the shards of wood, grumbling to herself. She flung her clothes off her bed, pulling out her box of slayer gear. Swearing under her breath, she flung everything out of the chest and into the trashcan.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'm giving up slaying."

"What?! Buffy, you—"

"I know, I know. I'm the chosen one. Heard it before Will; it's become a frickin mantra for my life."

Willow glared at her friend. "Fine. Give up slaying. See if I save your ass again." She picked through the debris, making her way to the door.

Buffy looked up, watching Willow's retreating back. "Where are you going?"

"I'm meeting Tara at the Wiccan meeting; I haven't seen her all day." Willow walked out the door, not even bothering to look back.

Buffy glared at the door, fighting back tears. "At least you have someone to love."