o-0-o- Here's the next chapter. I'd love to know what you think. I appreciate reviews o-0-o-
Buffy had just finished explaining to the big group of Slayers what was going on. They now knew that they were going to be fighting another war, possibly to the death. Most girls shrugged it off, it's what they were supposed to do. All the slayers knew that death was always a likely end for them. They were protectors, they were fighters. This was their job.
A few girls had something to say, however.
"Why do we have to go? I'm getting sick of almost dying all the time."
"Excuse me?" Buffy snapped.
"Why do we have to go? Why do we always have to risk our lives?"
"You want to go back to Rome? Fine with me. We'll get the pilot to fly you cowards back once we're in L.A." Buffy said, disgusted.
The small group of girls were momentarily silent, but one still had something to say.
"We're only going because your vamp lover boys are in trouble. I don't think you actually care about the Apocalypse part... We're all slayers here. You don't get to talk to us like our leader. Anyway, who do you think you are-"
Before the girl could say another word, Buffy had her pinned against the plane's wall. Buffy was about to give this slayer brat a piece of her mind, when all of a sudden, she felt a gentle tug on her arm.
Buffy turned around and saw Willow, her anger vanishing.
Willow gave her a huge smile and a quick hug, but turned to the girl Buffy nearly pummelled.
"Did you really just ask her who she was? Did all that garbage actually come out of your mouth?" Willow questioned.
The girl seemed out of things to say and kept her mouth shut, sensing Buffy wouldn't hold back on her if she said another word.
"You wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for Buffy," Willow said, looking straight into the silent slayer's eyes. "None of you would be here."
Buffy looked to here friend and said, "Don't worry about it. I don't even care what they think right now."
"Even if you don't care what they have to say, I do. They don't know you, I do. I've got a few things to say first... All you girls may be Slayers but Buffy's THE Slayer. She gets to talk to you like your leader because she is. I don't see any of you ever organizing the plans to save anything or anyone. Honestly, what have you ever sacrificed? Who among you have died to save others? None of you. Buffy has, though. Do I need to get started on the fact that she can kick every one of your asses?" Willow looked at each girl, nobody had anything to say. "Good," Willow muttered.
She grabbed Buffy by the arm, and took her to a corner where they could talk privately. The look on Buffy's face changed suddenly, as something just dawned on her. "Will, how the hell did you get on the plane? We were flying."
Willow just grinned and showed Buffy her index finger. "The whole master of magic thing and the having powers stuff kinda comes in handy every now and then."
Just then, Buffy saw, what looked like a man who was feeling very sick, walking, seemingly drunk towards them.
"What the-? Who's that?" Buffy questioned.
"That's the Xand-man. I think he's a little sick. I flew him here with me," Willow laughed.
"Hi Buffy. Nice to see you. Point me towards the washroom," Xander said in a hurry, looking about ready to throw up.
Buffy grinned and pointed him in the right direction.
"You guys came. You literally flew here," Buffy said, amazed.
"Well of course. You know me and Xander haven't missed any Apocalypses, why start now? We don't want to miss all the fun," Willow said with a sad smile.
"Is Dawn totally pissed at me?" Buffy said, cringing slightly.
"A little bit, yeah. But she knows you're doing what you have to do."
"Whoa, she took it well," Buffy said, relived.
"I left some stuff out," Willow told her.
"She tried to grab on to me and Xander to get here. She said you could do they Slayer thing, that's what you do, but she was gonna come too. I knew you wouldn't want that for her. It's too dangerous, so I kind of had to use a spell to keep her where she was so we could leave... But don't worry it only lasted a minute and Giles is with her now... Speaking of Giles, he sounded kind of ashamed of himself or something. What's that about?" Willow asked.
"Watcher dearest, knew about the whole Apocalypse thing and about Angel and Spike needing my help in this, and he didn't tell me. He didn't tell me Will," Buffy answered, feeling slightly betrayed by Giles still.
"Come on Buff, I know it was wrong, but you can't really blame the guy," Xander said, coming out of the washroom.
"Someone's feeling better," Buffy said sarcastically.
"He was wrong, but he's looking out for you. He thought you would go because of Angel, and that something would happen to you. You know he's still iffy on Angel's goodness."
"Okay Xander, I'm going to say this one more time, and that's it, because I'm getting really annoyed. I'm going to L.A. to help Angel, yes, you're damn right there. I'm going to help him in a freakin' war. Apocalypse to be precise. Apocalypse plus Slayer equals 'be in L.A.' And yeah, I'm aware of Giles' theory on Angel being bad, but I don't believe it or care. I'm worried about Angel, I'm not gonna lie. He's always with me. But I don't ever forget that I'm the Slayer. First and foremost I'll be there to fight."
"Buy you'll be thinking about him the whole time, oh yeah and Spike too. This is going to be interesting. L.A. is definitely the place you need to be," Xander said, annoying Buffy further.
"Okay it's shut up Xander time, I see that," he said.
Buffy's expression softened. "Come here ding dong. Where's my hug?"
Xander walked over to Buffy, and gave his friend a hug. "Where's my Willow?" he asked. "It's group hug time, Xander sandwich," he joked, as Willow joined the love-fest.
"I missed you guys," Buffy said, as they broke apart.
"Ditto," her friends responded.
"I think I'm gonna hit the sack. I want to attempt to get some sort of sleep. We're gonna be in L.A. by morning. And I need a clear brain for all the drama that I'm sure is gonna ensue."
"She wants her beauty sleep so she'll look pretty for Angel," Xander teased.
"Xander, dear friend, do you have a death wish?" Buffy asked him.
"Goodnight Buffy."
"That-s better Xand- man," she said, blowing him a kiss.
"Night Buffy," Willow said, giving her a hug.
Buffy made her way to the back of the plane and got into one of the seats. She tried to sleep, she really did. But sleep would not come for awhile. She hated to admit it, but Xander was kind of right.
Almost all she thought about was Angel, and then she thought about Spike, then back to Angel. It was always back to Angel. A lot has happened in a year. Things were certainly going to be interesting.
