Author notes: See chapter 1.

Author's note: This story takes place right around the time Faith arrived. However, after Kendra died, a different slayer arrived instead...

Beta: By Sigma


Chapter 2

The two Slayers had told Giles everything they knew, and he had begun to research immediately. However, they didn't have anything to do, so they walked slowly through the cemeteries, talking quietly.

" I can't imagine living for eternity. How…?"

" ...does it feel?" finished Eve.

Buffy nodded.

" Lonely. After a few decades, when everyone that you make friends with keeps dying, you become scared of getting to know anyone. And you know what else?"

" What?" asked Buffy.

"Ugly vamp"

"Yeah," laughed Buffy "I know. To have to see them decade after decade..."

"No," shouted Eve "behind you!"

She flipped over Buffy and kicked a vampire who was trying to sneak up behind her. The two quickly started to fight off about five vampires who had been circling them quietly. As soon as the last was dusted, the Slayers grinned at each other.

" That is so much fun!" Buffy declared, "It's way better than a gym."

" Yeah, I find it more relaxing."

Chatting, they walked to the Bronze to meet the others. As they entered, they could see Oz and Willow dancing while Xander and Cordelia argued noisily at their usual table.

" They always fight," whispered Buffy in Eve's ear.

A handsome guy came towards Buffy he smiled and set next to her. "Hey, do you know that you look exactly like this one actress?"

" And who would that be?"

The guy grinned at her and extended his hand, "Dance with me and I'll tell you."

As Buffy touched it, its warmth such a contrast to Angel's chill, she could only think of Angel. Tears sprang into her eyes, "No," she said firmly, "I just had..." What could she say? I just had to send my boyfriend to hell? As she hesitated, the song she and Angel had danced to come on. She bit her lip and ran away.

Eve chased her and caught up as Buffy reached the exit door.

Buffy began to sob, "I'm not usually like that...This is so hard...living each day with the memories...the dreams. It's like a nightmare. Sometimes I wonder if I was the one who was sent to hell. I can't be with anyone else, you know. It's too painful. I keep thinking that I'll wake up and he'll be perched outside my window, looking in with his big, chocolate eyes..." She sniffed and wiped off her tears "I'm tired. I just want to go home. Please...don't tell anyone about this."

Eve nodded, and the two of them quickly said their goodbyes and left.


A week later, after their usual patrol, Eve and Buffy were back in the Bronze. Buffy, slightly bored, saw a couple dancing. She couldn't take her eyes off them.

The girl was tall, thin, and very pretty, with long, black hair and big, blue eyes. She seemed to look almost like a princess and she smiled at her partner. He was even taller with brown hair, a narrow nose, and deep hazel eyes. As they moved to the music, they kissed and seemed to be in their own little world.

" Why don't we do that?" asked Cordelia, "After all, I'm so much better looking than her, and I can do that, too!"

Xander just shrugged and followed her as she went to greet some of her friends. Oz and Willow were talking quietly and snuggling, while Buffy just watched the couple on the dance floor.

" Jealous?" asked Eve, sadly.

" I...I..." Buffy looked startled. She had forgotten about the others in her group. "Um, well, yeah. But in a good way you know. Not 'I want to do that with that guy.' More 'I wish I was doing that with my guy.' " She sighed heavily.

All night, guys would come over and ask both Buffy and Eve to dance, although Buffy just refused their offers.

" Hey, your sister is a good dancer," grinned one of the guys as he returned with Eve.

" That's it, I am so out of here!"

" Yeah, it's about time for us to go, too." Willow smiled softly at her. She knew how depressed Buffy was, and she wanted to help her.

As they headed home, the gang took a shortcut through one of Sunnydale's many cemeteries. They were surprised to notice Giles examining a grave. They quietly sneaked up behind him, but Cordelia stepped on a branch and it snapped loudly.

Giles jumped and spun around, sticking a cross in Cordelia's face, "Beware, evil one!"

" You can say that again," giggled Buffy.

" Hey!" complained Cordelia, "I am not evil!"

Giles frowned at them, "Aren't you supposed to be at the Bronze?"

" Yeah, we were just there." said Buffy "But what are you doing here? Last time I checked, you weren't exactly a vampire slayer."

" I am more then capable of looking after my self, and I resent the implication that I..."

He was interrupted by a scream. The group dashed off, Buffy leading the way. They came upon a terrified girl, pressed against the wall as a demon fought a brown-haired girl, who was being closely watched by a man, half-hidden in the shadows.

" Go home!" Buffy snapped at the now-sobbing girl, "Now!"

The frightened girl raced away as fast as she could. Buffy spun to help the brown-haired girl, only to see the girl kill the demon.

As she turned to face Buffy, Buffy looked a bit surprised. It was the girl who had been dancing at the Bronze, and the man, who now stepped out of the shadows, was the handsome guy she'd been dancing with.

" Let me guess. You're a slayer.," sighed Buffy.

The girl smiled, brushing her hair away from her face with her hand, "Yes, I am. You must be Buffy"

"That's me."

The man came over to the girl and swept her into a passionate kiss, "Are you ok, Heaven? That was a Disora demon!"

Giles seemed surprised, "How did you know what kind of demon that was?"

The handsome man just smiled, "I certainly should know. I am her watcher, after all."

TO BE CONTINUED