Title: Gone With the Slayer
Disclaimer: These characters are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy wound around a plot devised by Margaret O' Mitchell in her novel Gone With the Wind. Warped huh?
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Spoilers: Set during Season 6 after "As You Were" but before "Hell's Bells".
This fanfic arose from a posting on the Buffy Cross and Stake Spoiler Message Board. One of the posters said she thought there were a lot of similarities between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gone With the Wind so I thought I'd explore the concept. Most of my ideas for fanfics come from inspiration on the board.
Summary: Buffy falls asleep while watching Gone With the Wind and has an interesting dream in which she is Scarlett O'Hara.
* * *
The Kampaar demon lay on the ground bleeding from the gaping wound inflicted by the small blonde girl who towered over it's dying body. It had been a fierce battle and the Scoobies had fought valiantly. Xander had managed to get in a few good jabs to the demon's scaly arms, distracting it for long enough for Buffy to plunge her sword into it's rib cage in what would prove to be the crushing blow. As the demon breathed it's last, a cloud of yellow smoke exhaled from it's mouth and into Buffy's face.
"Pah," Buffy coughed, pushing the creature away from her as it sank to the ground. "It's breath is worse than it's fighting."
"Is it dead yet?" Xander asked, giving it a testing kick with the side of his foot. There was no reaction from the lifeless body.
"I think so," Buffy determined. "But let's make sure." Taking her broadsword she sliced the demon's head clean from it's body. "Now I'm sure," she added glibly. "Who's up for a little television?"
Willow's head popped up from behind a tombstone. "I could go for a flick but nothing scary. I've had enough of that for one night."
"Gone With the Wind is on in a half hour," Anya suggested. "We could watch that."
Buffy and Willow agreed heartily. "I could use a little distraction," Buffy chimed in as she, Willow and Anya turned to head back to her house.
"Great, a chick flick." Xander moaned. "I have got to get some guy friends," He shook his head before falling into step behind them.
* * *
As they entered the house Buffy looked down at the day's mail. "Oh no," she moaned. "I've got a letter from my Mom's lawyer. That can't be good but I don't feel like dealing with it now. I'll read it tomorrow. Tonight let's just hang out and enjoy the movie. Besides, lawyers give me the heeby jeebies."
"Hey Buff, speaking of blood sucking fiends. I haven't seen much of Spike around lately. What's up with him?" Xander asked. "Did he get spooked when Riley was in town and go into hiding or something." Xander chuckled at the image.
"How should I know where he is?" Buffy became defensive immediately. "I'm sure he's off doing whatever evil things vampires do when they can't bite people."
"Actually I kind of invited him to come over here tonight," Dawn announced entering the room with a big bowl of popcorn. "I thought you guys were going to be out all evening and I didn't feel like watching this movie by myself so I invited Spike to come over. He said so long as you guys weren't going to be here he would but since you're back early we can all watch together."
"Actually I'm kinda beat. Maybe I'll just go to my room," Buffy shifted out of her seat. "You guys watch the movie without me."
"Don't leave on my account," a familiar British accent chided. "I should be the one to leave. You just sit back down and watch your movie. I'll go."
Buffy looked in the direction that the voice had come from. Spike stood there with two glasses in his hands looking sullen. "Here little bit," he held out the one glass. "Here's your drink. I'll catch you later."
"No Spike, don't leave." Dawn was at his side in an instant taking his arm. "I hardly ever see you anymore. You used to spend almost every evening with me in the summer, when Buffy was," Dawn turned and looked at her sister. "Well, you know, gone. I really want you to stay. Please."
Spike turned and looked at Buffy sadly. "I really don't think I can tonight Niblet. But we'll do this another time. I promise."
Spike started walking away into the kitchen. Dawn turned to Buffy, pleading with her sister to support her in this.
"Spike," Buffy called out, caving in. "It's ok if you stay and watch the movie with us. I, I mean, *we* don't mind if you're here."
Spike stopped in his tracks surprised by what he has just heard.
"Come on Spike, it'll be fun. It's Gone With the Wind," Dawn added as incentive.
"Yeah, that's a pretty good movie. I saw it at the pictures when it first came out," Spike recalled coming back into the room. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again and since my cable's out. So I guess I could stick around."
Dawn settled on the sofa beside her sister, "Come on the movie's about to start." She motioned for Spike to sit beside her on the end.
Spike hastened over to take his seat as the opening music began, the familiar strains echoing a bygone era and a different way of life.
"Were you around during the Civil War Spike?" Dawn inquired curiously.
"No, that's a bit before my time pet," he smiled. "But Dru came to America for a year or so around then. She and Darla and Angelus had a fine time from what I hear. But even they couldn't hold a candle to the carnage that the humans were inflicting on each other. This movie doesn't even begin to show the horrors that humans did to other humans." He turned and gave a quick glance in Buffy's direction. "Demons get such a bad rap sometimes when really they aren't half the monsters some *people* prove themselves to be."
"Let's just watch the movie," Buffy interrupted. "I love the beginning with the beautiful dresses and the party." She settled into the sofa leaning back and putting her feet up on the coffee table as the opening strains of music filled the room. However, within minutes the Slayer was out like a light and breathing softly in contented slumber.
* * *
The sun had just set at the Summers mansion. Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, Buffy, the eldest daughter was preparing herself for what was promised to be the highlight of the social calendar. She was wearing a creamy white off the shoulder gown covered in tiny crystal beads sewn on the bodice. The skirt was made of the finest silk and accented her tiny waist. Her blonde hair was piled high on her head in regal style with a small decorative comb perched on the top matching her gown. Around her, the room was lit by candles as she sat in front of a dressing table fixing her hair and trying to decide between two different pairs of earrings.
"The party is just getting started. Hurry up Buffy," an excited voice called out from the hallway.
"I'm glad my Daddy decided to make this an evening party so that more of our friends could make it," Buffy said to herself as she descended the stairs. "Particularly Angel from the next plantation. I'm so excited about seeing him."
"Oh Buffy," Willow, a neighbour girl, exclaimed as the blonde girl reached the bottom of the stairs. "I love your dress."
"Do you really like it?" Buffy asked as she twirled around.
"It's the hoopiest," Willow grinned, her own dress a pink confection of lace and funny little kitty cat figures.
"Yours is….interesting." Buffy was stuck for words, then looking around she asked quickly, "Have you seen Angel yet? Is he here?"
Willow nodded towards the study. "I saw him go in there a few minutes ago."
Buffy hiked up her skirts and rushed off towards the room. Upon entering she took on a feigned expression of boredom. "Oh Angel. I didn't know you were here. I'm so glad you could make it to our little soiree." Buffy batted her eyelashes demurely. "The party would have been completely ruined if you hadn't been here."
Angel stood across the room from Buffy with a tortured look in his eyes. He was wearing a grey suit with a cream waistcoat. Buffy admired the cut of the tailoring across his broad shoulders. "I had to see you Buffy," he took a few steps towards her and then stopped short looking down at his hands.
Her heart skipped a beat. "I'm very pleased to hear that," she cooed.
"I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving Sunnydale. Immediately." Angel emphasized the last word.
Buffy couldn't believe her ears. "But why?"
"I think too much of you to doom you to the life we would have together. It would never work with us. There are things about me that I can't tell you. That you can never know. It's better that we not see each other ever again," Angel explained.
Buffy was on the verge of tears, "How can you say this?"
"Buffy," Angel chided her. "You could have your pick of the young men at this party here tonight and I'll wager that any one of them could make you happier than I ever could. Besides there's a rumour that Sunnydale will be attacked by a demon army. I have to go to try and stop them."
"But Angel," Buffy sobbed dramatically. "I love you."
"I'm sorry Buffy," Angel avoided her eyes. "I'm leaving tonight. Goodbye." With those words he left the room.
Enraged, Buffy picked up a nearby crystal vase and heaved it at the wall watching it smash to pieces.
Upon impact a startled figure peeked up from behind the sofa where he had been reclining. "Bloody hell," the blond haired man exclaimed standing up. "What did you do that for?" He had a British accent Buffy noted and wore a very stylish black suit with a red waistcoat, very flattering on his slim figure.
"I didn't know there was anyone else in here. You should have made your presence known sir," Buffy fired indignantly.
"What, and miss all the fireworks?" the blond man smirked. "You're quite the handful. What's your name anyway?"
"Buffy O'Hara-Summers," Buffy announced.
"You're kidding me right," the blond man laughed. "Buffy O'Hara-Summers?" He started laughing harder at the thought of it.
Yes," Buffy responded indignantly. "My mother was an O'Hara and my father's name is Summers so I took both their names. Do you have a problem with that?"
The man laughed some more.
Buffy brushed past him her cheeks aflame with embarrassment. "This conversation is over. It's beneath me."
At that comment the blond man lifted his head up and sneered. "What did you say?" he snarled.
"It is beneath me," Buffy repeated slowly. "Much like you yourself are sir."
In an instant Spike was upon her pushing her down to the floor. Buffy had no time to cry out for help, his mouth was at her throat, his face contorted in rage into some sort of demonic visage.
"Get off of me," she insisted, pushing him away with more strength than she knew she possessed and he flew across the room into a small writing desk.
Picking himself up, the look of surprise on the man's face was only comparable to that of Buffy's own amazement at what she had done.
"Well, somebody's a lot more than meets the eye," the man smirked. "This is going to be more fun than I thought." Picking up a letter opener from the broken desk he threw it at Buffy. She deftly sidestepped it catching it in one hand.
"Is that all you've got?" she bantered tossing it to the floor. Continuing the battle they traded blows around the room matching each other in strength and agility. Buffy's fighting was only hampered by the awkwardness of her enormous skirt. The blond man seemed to relish every blow she rained down upon him. Buffy was strangely put off by how natural this all seemed to her as they combined their physical assaults with verbal ones. At one point Buffy seemed to have the upper hand on her opponent as she hit him on the back with a marble bust causing him to fall to his knees.
"Ouch," he cried out. "That hurt."
"It was supposed to," Buffy retorted.
The blond man looked behind the girl, calling out, "Say, isn't that Angel behind you." As Buffy turned around he flung a nearby Louis XIV chair, knocking her to the floor. In a single leap he was upon her pinning her arms to the floor. "By the way, I don't know if I mentioned it or not but I really like your dress." He then bared his mouthful of sharp teeth and leaned down towards her throat meaning to bite her.
A clicking sound behind him caused him to look around. A tall woman stood there with a rifle aimed at the back of his head.
"Get the hell away from my daughter," she ordered.
Backing away he returned to his human face. "This isn't finished," he decreed as he stalked out of the room. "Bloody women."
"Buffy, are you all right," Buffy's mother immediately turned to face her daughter with a look of concern on her face. "Who was that?"
"I don't know Mom. But he was certainly no gentleman," Buffy pouted looking after him with interest. "You'd better get back to the party," she pointed out to her mother. "People will be wondering where you are. I'm alright now."
Buffy's mother gave her a hug and returned to the party. As the older woman left the room a figure emerged from the shadows of the deep green velvet curtains.
"Who are you?" Buffy asked, startled, not looking for another fight.
"My name is Merrick, but that's not important. I'm here to tell you who you are," the strange man explained. "You are the chosen one. The one girl in all the world who can fight the forces of darkness and protect the world from the vampires."
"What are you on?" Buffy laughed, relieved to discover that this was probably just one of her Dad's drinking buddies who'd had a bit too much rum punch.
"I'm serious. Dead serious," Merrick continued. "I couldn't say anything until I was certain, until I saw what you did there with that vampire. Now I know that you are indeed the chosen one."
"He was a vampire?" Buffy managed only half surprised. "But, I'm just a girl," Buffy stammered making excuses. "I'm a lover, not a fighter."
"You can be both," Merrick added. "But you have to be ready. The forces of darkness are descending on Sunnydale and you're the only one who can save us. Come and see me tomorrow night. I'm staying at Miss Kitty's boarding house in town. I'll help you prepare for the fight but only you can defeat them."
"But I don't want to," Buffy disagreed. "I don't want to fight evil things. I just want a normal life. Thanks but I think I'll pass."
"It's not your choice to make," Merrick emphasized. "Come and see me and I can tell you more." With those words Merrick left the room.
Buffy stood there startled, not knowing what to think. Willow rushed into the room breathless, "Buffy," she managed. "It's horrible, I just heard we're at war. There are demons headed for Sunnydale. All of the men and some of the tougher girls are going off to try and stop them."
"Where's Angel?" Buffy demanded.
"He's leaving right now," Willow answered. "He's outside getting ready to go."
Buffy rushed out to the front of the house to see Angel get into his car and drive off.
"Where's he going?" she asked turning to one of the party guests.
"Oh, he's going to fight the demon threat," the man answered.
"Well, I can fight demons too," Buffy decided. "I'll show Angel that there's more to me than he thinks. Then he'll realize that we should be together after all. He can't just run off and leave me like that."
"Buffy," her mother ran over to her. "Can you believe it? War?"
"I'm going to go and fight Mom," Buffy explained.
Joyce laughed holding her daughter close to her. "Buffy," she chided. "Don't joke about things like this. You're sixteen years old and a girl. What would you do in a war? I know why you really said that?
Buffy stared at her mother in disbelief. "You do?" she carefully asked.
"Yes," Joyce said, looking off down the driveway at the black car pulling out onto the main road. "You want to be near Angel. Now Buffy there are lots of better ways you can help than by making silly jokes." Joyce shook her head. "You really need to start thinking more realistically sometimes. Everything in the world doesn't revolve around boys and clothes you know."
"I wish," Buffy sighed walking away from her mother dejectedly.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw the blond vampire skulking away. "That man," she asked Ethan Wilkinson, one of her father's employees who was attending the party. "Who is he?"
"Why that's Spike Butler. He's an infamous scoundrel," Ethan replied.
"How did he get into the party?" she demanded.
"Your father offered an open invitation to the community and he responded. I'd watch out for him Miss. They say he's up to no good, involved with smuggling and all sorts of devious schemes. You'd best avoid him."
Buffy jutted out her chin, "I'm quite certain I'm not interested in ever seeing the likes of him again."
* * *
The Scoobies sat watching Gone With the Wind, enjoying commenting on the clothes, the accents and even the acting when Xander, alerted by the lack of comments from Buffy turned to see why she was so silent.
"Would you look at Buffy," he pointed out. "She's fast asleep. Is that a little bit of drool on her chin?"
"Stop it," Spike admonished him. "Leave her be. She's had a hard night fighting demons and she works all day at that burger place. Can you blame her for being tired?"
Xander had been put in his place. "I was just teasing. She looks like she's dreaming."
"Well, I hope it's something pleasant at least," Willow said hopefully.
As the commercial break ended the group turned their attention back to the glowing box in front of them.
* * *
The corpses were strewn around the rose garden like a scattered bouquet Buffy thought to herself. Albeit a bouquet that was oozing green blood but considering the location it seemed like a pretty good metaphor to her.
"I knew these pruning sheers would be handy for more than just trimming the hedges," Buffy observed driving them into the chest of the last demon. "That makes how many since I started last week?" she asked Merrick who had been observing from a distance.
"That's seventeen demons and twenty-three vampires so far," he calculated looking at his notebook.
"That's pretty good isn't it? I guess I'm ready for the battle now," Buffy enthused.
"You still have a lot to learn," he cautioned. "There's so much you need to know before you can take on this threat. I don't want you going out unprepared."
"I really appreciate everything you've done for me." Buffy confided in Merrick, "I feel like a different person."
"As much as it is your destiny to be a Slayer. It is mine to be a Watcher." He paused smiling. "But I've really enjoyed getting to know you too Buffy. You're a very unique woman, Slayer or not," the older man stopped talking for a moment. The sudden sound of footsteps alerted him to someone's approach. "Quick, on your toes."
Buffy's sister Dawn came along the path that led to the rose garden and green house at the end of the property. Buffy intercepted her before she got to the rose garden. "What are you doing down here?" she asked trying to look past her sister.
"Nothing. Just a little gardening," Buffy explained looking down at the gardening sheers still in her hand which were dripping a little green blood. Seeing that she tossed them on the ground. "What do you want?"
"I just came by to see what you're up to," Dawn looked down at the gardening sheers with a look of disgust. "You've been coming out to this old greenhouse for the last two weeks. We don't even use it anymore. I don't see why you'd want to come out here. The roses are terrible."
"That's just because noone is taking the time to look after them. So that's what I'm doing. You can run along back to the house now. Thanks Dawn," Buffy was trying to rush her sister off.
"Is someone in there with you?" Dawn looked around her. "Have you got a beau back here? Daddy wouldn't approve?"
Buffy just shook her head. "I'm all by myself. So just leave me be. I don't need you under my feet all the time." Buffy saw a large vampire coming up behind Dawn. She quickly knocked her younger sister to the ground where she rolled under a nearby thorny hedge.
With Dawn out of immediate danger Buffy went after the vamp. It was about six feet tall and ferociously tough. As Buffy swerved to avoid it's attack Merrick rushed forward to help by tossing her a stake. Plunging it into the vampire's chest Buffy ran over to see how Dawn was. While her back was turned, a second vampire snuck up behind Merrick and grabbed him.
"Hey Slayer," she called out to her. "I've got your Watcher". The vampire then proceeded to plunge her fangs into Merrick's neck.
Just then two vampires came at her as if from nowhere and engaged her in a fight, not letting her get close enough to save Merrick. Without any weapons Buffy was reduced to hand-to-hand combat with the vampires but had no means of finishing them off. Spying the pruning sheers on the ground she cartwheeled over to where they lay and proceeded to decapitate the two vampires who burst into ashes. Rushing over to Merrick she got there just in time to see the satiated vampire who had fed off of him drop his lifeless body to the ground with an evil grin on her face.
Buffy held the pruning sheers to the vampires neck who just stood there with tiny rivulets of Merrick's blood still dripping from her fangs. "You may have gotten us. But there are many more to follow. You cannot possibly win."
Buffy closed the sheers on the vampire's neck and with her final breath she mouthed the words, "You'll never win." before exploding into ashes.
Buffy fell to the ground beside Merrick's body in shock at what had just happened. She tried to check for a pulse but found none.
"Buffy, why did you shove me into the bushes?" Dawn's annoyed voice came from behind her. "My gown is ruined."
Buffy was jolted back into reality. Dawn mustn't see Merrick's body. "Go back to the house," Buffy ordered trying to drag Merrick's ample frame behind a bush.
"I'm telling Mom what you did to me," Dawn pouted storming off towards the house while trying to pick thorns out of her sleeves.
Buffy sat beside the body of her Watcher and began to cry She felt the loneliness and despair of her situation well up inside her. She had heard nothing of Angel since he left and she felt so alone.
From behind a nearby tree the figure of Ethan Wilkinson was observing. He was carefully making notes of Buffy's actions being sure to note her fighting style in both strengths and weaknesses.
* * *
A week later Buffy was still trying to put on a brave face but her mother noticed that something was off. "What's the matter Buffy?" the older woman asked, concerned for her daughter. "Did you and Dawn have a fight? She told me you pushed her into a bush last week but I'm sure she was just exaggerating. You know how emotional she gets." Joyce brushed a few hairs back from Buffy's face. "Tell me what's bothering you."
"Nothing's wrong Mom," Buffy lied, not knowing how to tell her mother the truth of the situation. "I'm just kind of tired lately. Too many cotillions and soirees I guess. If I do another waltz I'm sure my feet are going to fall off."
"Oh is that all. Well you know there's more to life than parties and clothes young lady. One day you'll realize that," Joyce pointed out. "Why don't you go and see Mammy, he's been waiting for you since nine o'clock to start your lessons."
Mammy Giles was Buffy's new tutor. He had only arrived that morning, much to Buffy's surprise. She didn't think she needed any more schooling but when Mr. Giles had approached her parents his credentials had been so good and he came with such exceptional references that they hired him on the spot.
Buffy entered the library cautiously, not knowing what to expect from this new tutor. She didn't see him anywhere so she began examining the volumes on the shelves of the library. Buffy wasn't much of a scholar which was probably why her parents had leapt at the idea of her getting a first rate education from this tutor.
"I expect this is what you're looking for," a voice startled her. Buffy spun around as a tall man with glasses dropped a heavy book on the desk in front of where he stood.
"That's not the text book for my studies, is it?" Buffy asked in alarm. Then upon closer inspection she saw the word VAMPYR on the cover. "I don't want that." she immediately asserted.
"Oh, but I think you do," Giles reiterated. "You are Buffy O'Hara-Summers, am I correct? The Vampire Slayer?"
"Yeah, so," Buffy twirled her hair trying to look uninterested. "I don't do that anymore. I gave it up."
"Oh, I see," Giles nodded. "What about when the demons and the vampires come, what then?"
"They already did come," Buffy flashed back to Merrick's lifeless body. "And they killed my Watcher. I don't want to be the Slayer anymore. I don't want to see anymore death."
"If you don't fight them you will see many die. Those you love will be in imminent danger and you will be the only one who can save them," Giles explained.
"Who are you anyway?" Buffy asked slightly annoyed.
"I'm Giles, Mammy Giles. Your new Watcher," he revealed.
Buffy burst into laughter despite the seriousness of the situation. "Mammy? What kind of name is Mammy?"
"It's short for Emmanuel actually," Giles smiled nervously. "My parents were going to name me Rupert but my father felt that I might get teased too much so instead they went with Emmanuel and in university I got the nickname Mammy which unfortunately has stuck."
"So you're my new Watcher?" Buffy looked up at him. "How long a life expectancy do you guys have anyway?"
"Oh," Giles shuffled a little uncomfortably. "About the same as Slayers."
"So what do we do now?" Buffy asked.
"We prepare," Giles told her as he brought down countless books from the shelves. "There is a threat to Sunnydale and we need to be ready."
"I thought I was ready," Buffy reflected. "But I couldn't defeat them. What if they're too strong?"
Giles put a reassuring hand on Buffy's shoulder. "We'll get through it together."
* * *
Buffy stood admiring the hat in the window as much as she admired her own reflection. Wartime rations had done wonders for her figure.
"Excuse me, Buffy?" a timid voice from behind her interrupted. "My name is Parker, Parker Abrams. We met at the Manning's cotillion last week."
Buffy spun around to see a doe eyed youth looking at her admiringly. "Yes of course. I remember you."
"I just had to say how much I admire you and I know you can't possibly think much of me but I'm going off to fight the demons with all the other men. I was wondering if you'd like to go out for a coffee some time," Parker uttered without taking a single breath.
"I'd like that," Buffy smiled. Parker was pretty cute and Buffy had still had no word from Angel. Buffy didn't know if he was even alive or dead. It was time to move on.
"Are you going to the Monster Bazaar tomorrow night?" Parker inquired.
"Why yes, I was planning to," Buffy nodded.
"Perhaps you would do me the pleasure of having the first dance with me," Parker requested.
"I'd be happy to. Good day to you sir," Buffy smiled walking away towards her father's carriage. On the ride back to her house Buffy reflected on her happy meeting with Parker. His family owned an estate over in the next town. He was very well connected. Buffy was feeling very fortunate indeed that he had decided to bestow his favour on her.
Upon telling Giles the good news he grew very displeased. "You're going to a party?" he spurted. "But there is still far too much to be done. The necessary training has to be completed. There is still a great deal we don't know about this demon threat headed towards Sunnydale. We need to continue researching this."
"You're my tutor, you know I'm terrible at research" Buffy pointed out. "Plus, going to a party would really relax me and I'll fight better if I'm all relaxed. Won't I?"
Giles was forced to agree.
"Besides," she pointed out. "The Monster Bazaar is being held to raise funds for the war effort. I have to do what I can."
"We can't afford to be careless Buffy," Giles cautioned. "Sherman is a formidable opponent."
"Who's Sherman?" Buffy asked innocently.
"Why that's the demon army leader," Giles explained. "He's some sort of super vampire. He was a powerful wizard before he was turned but he was defeated back in the 1400's and sent to a hell dimension. If he returns he will be virtually unstoppable. He has been killed twice already and yet he has come back."
"That's a pretty neat trick," Buffy observed. "I wouldn't mind learning that one."
Giles was visibly annoyed at her flippant attitude. "These troops lead the way for his march into Sunnydale. If they make it into Sunnydale they will summon him. His goal is to harness the power of the Hellmouth and open the portal to the demon dimension causing unspeakable torment for all living creatures."
To Be Continued.
Disclaimer: These characters are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy wound around a plot devised by Margaret O' Mitchell in her novel Gone With the Wind. Warped huh?
Sharing: If you would like to share this feel free to do so however just let me know where it's headed.
How to do that? Email me at elizard100@yahoo.ca
Spoilers: Set during Season 6 after "As You Were" but before "Hell's Bells".
This fanfic arose from a posting on the Buffy Cross and Stake Spoiler Message Board. One of the posters said she thought there were a lot of similarities between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gone With the Wind so I thought I'd explore the concept. Most of my ideas for fanfics come from inspiration on the board.
Summary: Buffy falls asleep while watching Gone With the Wind and has an interesting dream in which she is Scarlett O'Hara.
* * *
The Kampaar demon lay on the ground bleeding from the gaping wound inflicted by the small blonde girl who towered over it's dying body. It had been a fierce battle and the Scoobies had fought valiantly. Xander had managed to get in a few good jabs to the demon's scaly arms, distracting it for long enough for Buffy to plunge her sword into it's rib cage in what would prove to be the crushing blow. As the demon breathed it's last, a cloud of yellow smoke exhaled from it's mouth and into Buffy's face.
"Pah," Buffy coughed, pushing the creature away from her as it sank to the ground. "It's breath is worse than it's fighting."
"Is it dead yet?" Xander asked, giving it a testing kick with the side of his foot. There was no reaction from the lifeless body.
"I think so," Buffy determined. "But let's make sure." Taking her broadsword she sliced the demon's head clean from it's body. "Now I'm sure," she added glibly. "Who's up for a little television?"
Willow's head popped up from behind a tombstone. "I could go for a flick but nothing scary. I've had enough of that for one night."
"Gone With the Wind is on in a half hour," Anya suggested. "We could watch that."
Buffy and Willow agreed heartily. "I could use a little distraction," Buffy chimed in as she, Willow and Anya turned to head back to her house.
"Great, a chick flick." Xander moaned. "I have got to get some guy friends," He shook his head before falling into step behind them.
* * *
As they entered the house Buffy looked down at the day's mail. "Oh no," she moaned. "I've got a letter from my Mom's lawyer. That can't be good but I don't feel like dealing with it now. I'll read it tomorrow. Tonight let's just hang out and enjoy the movie. Besides, lawyers give me the heeby jeebies."
"Hey Buff, speaking of blood sucking fiends. I haven't seen much of Spike around lately. What's up with him?" Xander asked. "Did he get spooked when Riley was in town and go into hiding or something." Xander chuckled at the image.
"How should I know where he is?" Buffy became defensive immediately. "I'm sure he's off doing whatever evil things vampires do when they can't bite people."
"Actually I kind of invited him to come over here tonight," Dawn announced entering the room with a big bowl of popcorn. "I thought you guys were going to be out all evening and I didn't feel like watching this movie by myself so I invited Spike to come over. He said so long as you guys weren't going to be here he would but since you're back early we can all watch together."
"Actually I'm kinda beat. Maybe I'll just go to my room," Buffy shifted out of her seat. "You guys watch the movie without me."
"Don't leave on my account," a familiar British accent chided. "I should be the one to leave. You just sit back down and watch your movie. I'll go."
Buffy looked in the direction that the voice had come from. Spike stood there with two glasses in his hands looking sullen. "Here little bit," he held out the one glass. "Here's your drink. I'll catch you later."
"No Spike, don't leave." Dawn was at his side in an instant taking his arm. "I hardly ever see you anymore. You used to spend almost every evening with me in the summer, when Buffy was," Dawn turned and looked at her sister. "Well, you know, gone. I really want you to stay. Please."
Spike turned and looked at Buffy sadly. "I really don't think I can tonight Niblet. But we'll do this another time. I promise."
Spike started walking away into the kitchen. Dawn turned to Buffy, pleading with her sister to support her in this.
"Spike," Buffy called out, caving in. "It's ok if you stay and watch the movie with us. I, I mean, *we* don't mind if you're here."
Spike stopped in his tracks surprised by what he has just heard.
"Come on Spike, it'll be fun. It's Gone With the Wind," Dawn added as incentive.
"Yeah, that's a pretty good movie. I saw it at the pictures when it first came out," Spike recalled coming back into the room. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again and since my cable's out. So I guess I could stick around."
Dawn settled on the sofa beside her sister, "Come on the movie's about to start." She motioned for Spike to sit beside her on the end.
Spike hastened over to take his seat as the opening music began, the familiar strains echoing a bygone era and a different way of life.
"Were you around during the Civil War Spike?" Dawn inquired curiously.
"No, that's a bit before my time pet," he smiled. "But Dru came to America for a year or so around then. She and Darla and Angelus had a fine time from what I hear. But even they couldn't hold a candle to the carnage that the humans were inflicting on each other. This movie doesn't even begin to show the horrors that humans did to other humans." He turned and gave a quick glance in Buffy's direction. "Demons get such a bad rap sometimes when really they aren't half the monsters some *people* prove themselves to be."
"Let's just watch the movie," Buffy interrupted. "I love the beginning with the beautiful dresses and the party." She settled into the sofa leaning back and putting her feet up on the coffee table as the opening strains of music filled the room. However, within minutes the Slayer was out like a light and breathing softly in contented slumber.
* * *
The sun had just set at the Summers mansion. Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, Buffy, the eldest daughter was preparing herself for what was promised to be the highlight of the social calendar. She was wearing a creamy white off the shoulder gown covered in tiny crystal beads sewn on the bodice. The skirt was made of the finest silk and accented her tiny waist. Her blonde hair was piled high on her head in regal style with a small decorative comb perched on the top matching her gown. Around her, the room was lit by candles as she sat in front of a dressing table fixing her hair and trying to decide between two different pairs of earrings.
"The party is just getting started. Hurry up Buffy," an excited voice called out from the hallway.
"I'm glad my Daddy decided to make this an evening party so that more of our friends could make it," Buffy said to herself as she descended the stairs. "Particularly Angel from the next plantation. I'm so excited about seeing him."
"Oh Buffy," Willow, a neighbour girl, exclaimed as the blonde girl reached the bottom of the stairs. "I love your dress."
"Do you really like it?" Buffy asked as she twirled around.
"It's the hoopiest," Willow grinned, her own dress a pink confection of lace and funny little kitty cat figures.
"Yours is….interesting." Buffy was stuck for words, then looking around she asked quickly, "Have you seen Angel yet? Is he here?"
Willow nodded towards the study. "I saw him go in there a few minutes ago."
Buffy hiked up her skirts and rushed off towards the room. Upon entering she took on a feigned expression of boredom. "Oh Angel. I didn't know you were here. I'm so glad you could make it to our little soiree." Buffy batted her eyelashes demurely. "The party would have been completely ruined if you hadn't been here."
Angel stood across the room from Buffy with a tortured look in his eyes. He was wearing a grey suit with a cream waistcoat. Buffy admired the cut of the tailoring across his broad shoulders. "I had to see you Buffy," he took a few steps towards her and then stopped short looking down at his hands.
Her heart skipped a beat. "I'm very pleased to hear that," she cooed.
"I wanted to tell you that I'm leaving Sunnydale. Immediately." Angel emphasized the last word.
Buffy couldn't believe her ears. "But why?"
"I think too much of you to doom you to the life we would have together. It would never work with us. There are things about me that I can't tell you. That you can never know. It's better that we not see each other ever again," Angel explained.
Buffy was on the verge of tears, "How can you say this?"
"Buffy," Angel chided her. "You could have your pick of the young men at this party here tonight and I'll wager that any one of them could make you happier than I ever could. Besides there's a rumour that Sunnydale will be attacked by a demon army. I have to go to try and stop them."
"But Angel," Buffy sobbed dramatically. "I love you."
"I'm sorry Buffy," Angel avoided her eyes. "I'm leaving tonight. Goodbye." With those words he left the room.
Enraged, Buffy picked up a nearby crystal vase and heaved it at the wall watching it smash to pieces.
Upon impact a startled figure peeked up from behind the sofa where he had been reclining. "Bloody hell," the blond haired man exclaimed standing up. "What did you do that for?" He had a British accent Buffy noted and wore a very stylish black suit with a red waistcoat, very flattering on his slim figure.
"I didn't know there was anyone else in here. You should have made your presence known sir," Buffy fired indignantly.
"What, and miss all the fireworks?" the blond man smirked. "You're quite the handful. What's your name anyway?"
"Buffy O'Hara-Summers," Buffy announced.
"You're kidding me right," the blond man laughed. "Buffy O'Hara-Summers?" He started laughing harder at the thought of it.
Yes," Buffy responded indignantly. "My mother was an O'Hara and my father's name is Summers so I took both their names. Do you have a problem with that?"
The man laughed some more.
Buffy brushed past him her cheeks aflame with embarrassment. "This conversation is over. It's beneath me."
At that comment the blond man lifted his head up and sneered. "What did you say?" he snarled.
"It is beneath me," Buffy repeated slowly. "Much like you yourself are sir."
In an instant Spike was upon her pushing her down to the floor. Buffy had no time to cry out for help, his mouth was at her throat, his face contorted in rage into some sort of demonic visage.
"Get off of me," she insisted, pushing him away with more strength than she knew she possessed and he flew across the room into a small writing desk.
Picking himself up, the look of surprise on the man's face was only comparable to that of Buffy's own amazement at what she had done.
"Well, somebody's a lot more than meets the eye," the man smirked. "This is going to be more fun than I thought." Picking up a letter opener from the broken desk he threw it at Buffy. She deftly sidestepped it catching it in one hand.
"Is that all you've got?" she bantered tossing it to the floor. Continuing the battle they traded blows around the room matching each other in strength and agility. Buffy's fighting was only hampered by the awkwardness of her enormous skirt. The blond man seemed to relish every blow she rained down upon him. Buffy was strangely put off by how natural this all seemed to her as they combined their physical assaults with verbal ones. At one point Buffy seemed to have the upper hand on her opponent as she hit him on the back with a marble bust causing him to fall to his knees.
"Ouch," he cried out. "That hurt."
"It was supposed to," Buffy retorted.
The blond man looked behind the girl, calling out, "Say, isn't that Angel behind you." As Buffy turned around he flung a nearby Louis XIV chair, knocking her to the floor. In a single leap he was upon her pinning her arms to the floor. "By the way, I don't know if I mentioned it or not but I really like your dress." He then bared his mouthful of sharp teeth and leaned down towards her throat meaning to bite her.
A clicking sound behind him caused him to look around. A tall woman stood there with a rifle aimed at the back of his head.
"Get the hell away from my daughter," she ordered.
Backing away he returned to his human face. "This isn't finished," he decreed as he stalked out of the room. "Bloody women."
"Buffy, are you all right," Buffy's mother immediately turned to face her daughter with a look of concern on her face. "Who was that?"
"I don't know Mom. But he was certainly no gentleman," Buffy pouted looking after him with interest. "You'd better get back to the party," she pointed out to her mother. "People will be wondering where you are. I'm alright now."
Buffy's mother gave her a hug and returned to the party. As the older woman left the room a figure emerged from the shadows of the deep green velvet curtains.
"Who are you?" Buffy asked, startled, not looking for another fight.
"My name is Merrick, but that's not important. I'm here to tell you who you are," the strange man explained. "You are the chosen one. The one girl in all the world who can fight the forces of darkness and protect the world from the vampires."
"What are you on?" Buffy laughed, relieved to discover that this was probably just one of her Dad's drinking buddies who'd had a bit too much rum punch.
"I'm serious. Dead serious," Merrick continued. "I couldn't say anything until I was certain, until I saw what you did there with that vampire. Now I know that you are indeed the chosen one."
"He was a vampire?" Buffy managed only half surprised. "But, I'm just a girl," Buffy stammered making excuses. "I'm a lover, not a fighter."
"You can be both," Merrick added. "But you have to be ready. The forces of darkness are descending on Sunnydale and you're the only one who can save us. Come and see me tomorrow night. I'm staying at Miss Kitty's boarding house in town. I'll help you prepare for the fight but only you can defeat them."
"But I don't want to," Buffy disagreed. "I don't want to fight evil things. I just want a normal life. Thanks but I think I'll pass."
"It's not your choice to make," Merrick emphasized. "Come and see me and I can tell you more." With those words Merrick left the room.
Buffy stood there startled, not knowing what to think. Willow rushed into the room breathless, "Buffy," she managed. "It's horrible, I just heard we're at war. There are demons headed for Sunnydale. All of the men and some of the tougher girls are going off to try and stop them."
"Where's Angel?" Buffy demanded.
"He's leaving right now," Willow answered. "He's outside getting ready to go."
Buffy rushed out to the front of the house to see Angel get into his car and drive off.
"Where's he going?" she asked turning to one of the party guests.
"Oh, he's going to fight the demon threat," the man answered.
"Well, I can fight demons too," Buffy decided. "I'll show Angel that there's more to me than he thinks. Then he'll realize that we should be together after all. He can't just run off and leave me like that."
"Buffy," her mother ran over to her. "Can you believe it? War?"
"I'm going to go and fight Mom," Buffy explained.
Joyce laughed holding her daughter close to her. "Buffy," she chided. "Don't joke about things like this. You're sixteen years old and a girl. What would you do in a war? I know why you really said that?
Buffy stared at her mother in disbelief. "You do?" she carefully asked.
"Yes," Joyce said, looking off down the driveway at the black car pulling out onto the main road. "You want to be near Angel. Now Buffy there are lots of better ways you can help than by making silly jokes." Joyce shook her head. "You really need to start thinking more realistically sometimes. Everything in the world doesn't revolve around boys and clothes you know."
"I wish," Buffy sighed walking away from her mother dejectedly.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw the blond vampire skulking away. "That man," she asked Ethan Wilkinson, one of her father's employees who was attending the party. "Who is he?"
"Why that's Spike Butler. He's an infamous scoundrel," Ethan replied.
"How did he get into the party?" she demanded.
"Your father offered an open invitation to the community and he responded. I'd watch out for him Miss. They say he's up to no good, involved with smuggling and all sorts of devious schemes. You'd best avoid him."
Buffy jutted out her chin, "I'm quite certain I'm not interested in ever seeing the likes of him again."
* * *
The Scoobies sat watching Gone With the Wind, enjoying commenting on the clothes, the accents and even the acting when Xander, alerted by the lack of comments from Buffy turned to see why she was so silent.
"Would you look at Buffy," he pointed out. "She's fast asleep. Is that a little bit of drool on her chin?"
"Stop it," Spike admonished him. "Leave her be. She's had a hard night fighting demons and she works all day at that burger place. Can you blame her for being tired?"
Xander had been put in his place. "I was just teasing. She looks like she's dreaming."
"Well, I hope it's something pleasant at least," Willow said hopefully.
As the commercial break ended the group turned their attention back to the glowing box in front of them.
* * *
The corpses were strewn around the rose garden like a scattered bouquet Buffy thought to herself. Albeit a bouquet that was oozing green blood but considering the location it seemed like a pretty good metaphor to her.
"I knew these pruning sheers would be handy for more than just trimming the hedges," Buffy observed driving them into the chest of the last demon. "That makes how many since I started last week?" she asked Merrick who had been observing from a distance.
"That's seventeen demons and twenty-three vampires so far," he calculated looking at his notebook.
"That's pretty good isn't it? I guess I'm ready for the battle now," Buffy enthused.
"You still have a lot to learn," he cautioned. "There's so much you need to know before you can take on this threat. I don't want you going out unprepared."
"I really appreciate everything you've done for me." Buffy confided in Merrick, "I feel like a different person."
"As much as it is your destiny to be a Slayer. It is mine to be a Watcher." He paused smiling. "But I've really enjoyed getting to know you too Buffy. You're a very unique woman, Slayer or not," the older man stopped talking for a moment. The sudden sound of footsteps alerted him to someone's approach. "Quick, on your toes."
Buffy's sister Dawn came along the path that led to the rose garden and green house at the end of the property. Buffy intercepted her before she got to the rose garden. "What are you doing down here?" she asked trying to look past her sister.
"Nothing. Just a little gardening," Buffy explained looking down at the gardening sheers still in her hand which were dripping a little green blood. Seeing that she tossed them on the ground. "What do you want?"
"I just came by to see what you're up to," Dawn looked down at the gardening sheers with a look of disgust. "You've been coming out to this old greenhouse for the last two weeks. We don't even use it anymore. I don't see why you'd want to come out here. The roses are terrible."
"That's just because noone is taking the time to look after them. So that's what I'm doing. You can run along back to the house now. Thanks Dawn," Buffy was trying to rush her sister off.
"Is someone in there with you?" Dawn looked around her. "Have you got a beau back here? Daddy wouldn't approve?"
Buffy just shook her head. "I'm all by myself. So just leave me be. I don't need you under my feet all the time." Buffy saw a large vampire coming up behind Dawn. She quickly knocked her younger sister to the ground where she rolled under a nearby thorny hedge.
With Dawn out of immediate danger Buffy went after the vamp. It was about six feet tall and ferociously tough. As Buffy swerved to avoid it's attack Merrick rushed forward to help by tossing her a stake. Plunging it into the vampire's chest Buffy ran over to see how Dawn was. While her back was turned, a second vampire snuck up behind Merrick and grabbed him.
"Hey Slayer," she called out to her. "I've got your Watcher". The vampire then proceeded to plunge her fangs into Merrick's neck.
Just then two vampires came at her as if from nowhere and engaged her in a fight, not letting her get close enough to save Merrick. Without any weapons Buffy was reduced to hand-to-hand combat with the vampires but had no means of finishing them off. Spying the pruning sheers on the ground she cartwheeled over to where they lay and proceeded to decapitate the two vampires who burst into ashes. Rushing over to Merrick she got there just in time to see the satiated vampire who had fed off of him drop his lifeless body to the ground with an evil grin on her face.
Buffy held the pruning sheers to the vampires neck who just stood there with tiny rivulets of Merrick's blood still dripping from her fangs. "You may have gotten us. But there are many more to follow. You cannot possibly win."
Buffy closed the sheers on the vampire's neck and with her final breath she mouthed the words, "You'll never win." before exploding into ashes.
Buffy fell to the ground beside Merrick's body in shock at what had just happened. She tried to check for a pulse but found none.
"Buffy, why did you shove me into the bushes?" Dawn's annoyed voice came from behind her. "My gown is ruined."
Buffy was jolted back into reality. Dawn mustn't see Merrick's body. "Go back to the house," Buffy ordered trying to drag Merrick's ample frame behind a bush.
"I'm telling Mom what you did to me," Dawn pouted storming off towards the house while trying to pick thorns out of her sleeves.
Buffy sat beside the body of her Watcher and began to cry She felt the loneliness and despair of her situation well up inside her. She had heard nothing of Angel since he left and she felt so alone.
From behind a nearby tree the figure of Ethan Wilkinson was observing. He was carefully making notes of Buffy's actions being sure to note her fighting style in both strengths and weaknesses.
* * *
A week later Buffy was still trying to put on a brave face but her mother noticed that something was off. "What's the matter Buffy?" the older woman asked, concerned for her daughter. "Did you and Dawn have a fight? She told me you pushed her into a bush last week but I'm sure she was just exaggerating. You know how emotional she gets." Joyce brushed a few hairs back from Buffy's face. "Tell me what's bothering you."
"Nothing's wrong Mom," Buffy lied, not knowing how to tell her mother the truth of the situation. "I'm just kind of tired lately. Too many cotillions and soirees I guess. If I do another waltz I'm sure my feet are going to fall off."
"Oh is that all. Well you know there's more to life than parties and clothes young lady. One day you'll realize that," Joyce pointed out. "Why don't you go and see Mammy, he's been waiting for you since nine o'clock to start your lessons."
Mammy Giles was Buffy's new tutor. He had only arrived that morning, much to Buffy's surprise. She didn't think she needed any more schooling but when Mr. Giles had approached her parents his credentials had been so good and he came with such exceptional references that they hired him on the spot.
Buffy entered the library cautiously, not knowing what to expect from this new tutor. She didn't see him anywhere so she began examining the volumes on the shelves of the library. Buffy wasn't much of a scholar which was probably why her parents had leapt at the idea of her getting a first rate education from this tutor.
"I expect this is what you're looking for," a voice startled her. Buffy spun around as a tall man with glasses dropped a heavy book on the desk in front of where he stood.
"That's not the text book for my studies, is it?" Buffy asked in alarm. Then upon closer inspection she saw the word VAMPYR on the cover. "I don't want that." she immediately asserted.
"Oh, but I think you do," Giles reiterated. "You are Buffy O'Hara-Summers, am I correct? The Vampire Slayer?"
"Yeah, so," Buffy twirled her hair trying to look uninterested. "I don't do that anymore. I gave it up."
"Oh, I see," Giles nodded. "What about when the demons and the vampires come, what then?"
"They already did come," Buffy flashed back to Merrick's lifeless body. "And they killed my Watcher. I don't want to be the Slayer anymore. I don't want to see anymore death."
"If you don't fight them you will see many die. Those you love will be in imminent danger and you will be the only one who can save them," Giles explained.
"Who are you anyway?" Buffy asked slightly annoyed.
"I'm Giles, Mammy Giles. Your new Watcher," he revealed.
Buffy burst into laughter despite the seriousness of the situation. "Mammy? What kind of name is Mammy?"
"It's short for Emmanuel actually," Giles smiled nervously. "My parents were going to name me Rupert but my father felt that I might get teased too much so instead they went with Emmanuel and in university I got the nickname Mammy which unfortunately has stuck."
"So you're my new Watcher?" Buffy looked up at him. "How long a life expectancy do you guys have anyway?"
"Oh," Giles shuffled a little uncomfortably. "About the same as Slayers."
"So what do we do now?" Buffy asked.
"We prepare," Giles told her as he brought down countless books from the shelves. "There is a threat to Sunnydale and we need to be ready."
"I thought I was ready," Buffy reflected. "But I couldn't defeat them. What if they're too strong?"
Giles put a reassuring hand on Buffy's shoulder. "We'll get through it together."
* * *
Buffy stood admiring the hat in the window as much as she admired her own reflection. Wartime rations had done wonders for her figure.
"Excuse me, Buffy?" a timid voice from behind her interrupted. "My name is Parker, Parker Abrams. We met at the Manning's cotillion last week."
Buffy spun around to see a doe eyed youth looking at her admiringly. "Yes of course. I remember you."
"I just had to say how much I admire you and I know you can't possibly think much of me but I'm going off to fight the demons with all the other men. I was wondering if you'd like to go out for a coffee some time," Parker uttered without taking a single breath.
"I'd like that," Buffy smiled. Parker was pretty cute and Buffy had still had no word from Angel. Buffy didn't know if he was even alive or dead. It was time to move on.
"Are you going to the Monster Bazaar tomorrow night?" Parker inquired.
"Why yes, I was planning to," Buffy nodded.
"Perhaps you would do me the pleasure of having the first dance with me," Parker requested.
"I'd be happy to. Good day to you sir," Buffy smiled walking away towards her father's carriage. On the ride back to her house Buffy reflected on her happy meeting with Parker. His family owned an estate over in the next town. He was very well connected. Buffy was feeling very fortunate indeed that he had decided to bestow his favour on her.
Upon telling Giles the good news he grew very displeased. "You're going to a party?" he spurted. "But there is still far too much to be done. The necessary training has to be completed. There is still a great deal we don't know about this demon threat headed towards Sunnydale. We need to continue researching this."
"You're my tutor, you know I'm terrible at research" Buffy pointed out. "Plus, going to a party would really relax me and I'll fight better if I'm all relaxed. Won't I?"
Giles was forced to agree.
"Besides," she pointed out. "The Monster Bazaar is being held to raise funds for the war effort. I have to do what I can."
"We can't afford to be careless Buffy," Giles cautioned. "Sherman is a formidable opponent."
"Who's Sherman?" Buffy asked innocently.
"Why that's the demon army leader," Giles explained. "He's some sort of super vampire. He was a powerful wizard before he was turned but he was defeated back in the 1400's and sent to a hell dimension. If he returns he will be virtually unstoppable. He has been killed twice already and yet he has come back."
"That's a pretty neat trick," Buffy observed. "I wouldn't mind learning that one."
Giles was visibly annoyed at her flippant attitude. "These troops lead the way for his march into Sunnydale. If they make it into Sunnydale they will summon him. His goal is to harness the power of the Hellmouth and open the portal to the demon dimension causing unspeakable torment for all living creatures."
To Be Continued.