Grids snuck up to an exterior entrance to the gym, trying the door and finding it locked. She glanced around, making sure there was no one there before breaking the lock and entering the gym. She made her quiet way across the gym into the locker-room to the body. She knelt, checking for any signs of foul play and found a distinctive bite mark in the boy's throat. "Great."

The double doors to the library swung shut behind her as she swept in, "Okay, what's the sitch?"

The librarian partially emerged from the stacks, "Sorry?"

"You heard about the dead guy, right? The dead guy in the locker?"

He stepped fully into the light, standing on the upper level, "Yes."

Grids dropped her bookbag on the study table and started up the stairs, "'Cause, it's the weirdest thing. He's got two little, little holes in his neck, and all his blood's been drained." She finally reached the Englishman, "Isn't that bizarre? Aren't you just going, 'ooh'?"

He sighed, "I was afraid of this."

"Well, I wasn't! It's my first day! I was afraid that I was gonna be behind in all my classes, that I wouldn't make any friends, that I would have last month's hair. I didn't think there'd be vampires on campus. And I don't care."

"Then why are you here?" he asked softly.

"To tell you that... I don't care, which... I don't, and... have now told you, so... bye." She turned away, her exit feeling a good deal more awkward now.

"Is he…that is… w-will he... rise again?"

She paused, turning back to him in confusion, "Who?"

"The boy."

"No. He's just dead."

"Can you be sure?"

She nodded, "To make you a vampire they have to suck your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It's like a whole big sucking thing. Mostly they're just gonna kill you. Why am I still talking to you?" Grids turned and returned to the lower level of the library.

Coricopat moved over to the railing where he could see her better, "You really have no idea what's going on, do you? You think it's coincidence, your being here? That boy was just the beginning."

"Oh, why can't you people just leave me alone?" She snapped.

"Because you are the Slayer." He recited as he descended the stairs, "Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt—"

Grids interrupted him, joining in for about a line and then diverging, "With the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of their evil blah, blah, blah... I've heard it, okay?"

"I really don't understand this attitude. You, you've accepted your duty, you, you've slain vampires before..."

"Yeah, and I've both been there and done that, and I'm moving on."

"What do you know about this town?" He slipped into his office, glancing briefly over his shoulder at her.

Slightly relieved at the subject change, Grids replied drily, "It's two hours on the freeway from Neiman Marcus?"

"Dig a bit in the history of this place. You'll find a, a steady stream of fairly odd occurrences. Now, I believe this whole area is a center of mystical energy," he re-emerged with four books in his arms and set them on the table, "that things gravitate towards it that, that, that you might not find elsewhere."

"Like vampires."

"Like zombies," he set a volume in Grids' arms, "werewolves" another volume "incubi" a third book, "succubi," the final book, "everything you've ever dreaded was under your bed, but told yourself couldn't be by the light of day. They're all real!"

Grids looked from the books to the librarian, "What? You, like, sent away for the Time-Life series?"

"Actually…yes," he replied, glancing at the books.

"Did you get the free phone?"

"Um, the calendar," he blinked in confusion.

"Cool! But, okay," she dropped to books in his arms, "first of all, I'm a Vampire Slayer. And secondly, I'm retired. Hey, I know! Why don't you kill 'em?"

Coricopat was completely taken aback by that, "I-I'm a Watcher, I-I haven't the skill..."

"Oh, come on, stake through the heart, a little sunlight... It's like falling off a log.

"A-a Slayer slays, a Watcher—"

"Watches?" Grids supplied.

"Yes. No!" He finally set the books down on the table again, "He trains her, he, he-he prepares her—"

Griddlebone tensed at that, lashing out at him, "Prepares me for what? For getting kicked out of school? For losing all of my friends? For having to spend all of my time fighting for my life and never getting to tell anyone because I might endanger them? Go ahead! Prepare me." Her expression dared him to challenge anything she'd said. The two of them stood there, staring at each other for a long moment before Grids turned and left the library in disgust.

Coricopat was left standing there, looking at the still swinging door, "Damn." He hurried to catch up to her.

From behind one of the stakes, Tugger emerged with the Trig book. "Say WHAT?"

Coricopat caught up with Grids outside the library, catching her by the arm and guiding her to the wall, lowering his voice, "The influx of the undead is getting worse. The…the supernatural occurrences, it's been building for years. There's a reason why you're here and a reason why it's now!"

"Because now is the time my mom moved here…" She went to move past him, but he stopped her.

"The signs point to a crucial mystical upheaval, very soon. Days. Possibly less."

She looked at him for a long moment, "Oh come on! This is Sunnydale! How bad an evil can there be here?"

It was very much the wrong question to ask.

.o.o.

Grids stood in front of her mirror that evening, a dress in each hand. She held up a short black dress, "Hi! I'm an enormous slut!" Switching dresses she surveyed the blue floral one now in front of her, "Hello! Would you like a copy of 'The Watchtower'?" She sighed, tossing the dresses onto the bed, "I used to be so good at this…"

Jenny paused in the doorway, watching her daughter for a moment. "Are you going out tonight honey?"

"If I can find anything to wear, I'm planning to go out to a club."

Jenny arched a brow gracefully. "Will there be boys there?"

Grids hung up the dresses, no point in getting rid of them yet, as she replied, "No, Mom. It's a nun club."

Jenny grinned at that and her expression slipped. "Just be careful, honey. It's a new town and you should watch out. I know it's smaller than LA, but that doesn't make it safer. So... watch your step alright?"

Grids turned from the closet, offering her mom a slight smile, "I'm always careful, Mom."

"Good," she said softly, and come in further to start fluffing pillows and otherwise tiding up the room. "I really think we can make it work here, you know? We might have already found a space for the gallery and everything."

"That's great."

"Thanks," Jenny said. "And the school here seems nice. Have you met many people yet?"

"Some, yeah. Got invited to go tonight, so...that's maybe promising."

"Oh honey, that's fantastic. Well, I hope you have fun. Try to be in at a decent time though. And of course be careful."

"I'll do my best to be in on time, and I'll be careful. Thanks, Mom."

"Have a good night honey," Jenny said, leaning over to kiss Grids on the cheek before heading downstairs to make herself a cup of tea.

Grids finally found something to wear and slipped out of the house, making her way to the Bronze. She made her way down the dark streets, pausing when she thought she heard someone behind her. She continued on her way until she came to an ally, ducking down it and seeking a hiding place. She glanced up and moved swiftly to be out of sight before whoever it was could round the corner.

A moment later a broad shouldered man came around the corner, glancing around.

Grids swung down from her position on a bar high above the pavement. She brought her feet slamming solidly into his back. With a muffled sound he hit the ground, bouncing up almost instantly.

She crouched at the ready, her eyes narrowed, "Why are you following me?"

He brushed his auburn hair back from his face and smirked. "I know what you're thinking but don't worry. I won't bite."

She relaxed very, very slightly and stepped back a pace, "That didn't answer my question..."

"Who says I'm following you?" he asked, still smirking.

"Why come down this alley if you weren't?"

"Maybe it's a shortcut to my place," he replied, brushing it off.

"And your footsteps matching my pace for the last four blocks?"

"Maybe I like seeing if I can keep a beat. It's a good skill to have for dancing after all."

She looked him over, "You dance then."

"When I get the time. I like to keep in shape."

"So I see. Can I do something for you, or can I go on my way?"

"Go on your way if you like," he replied and held up a hand. "But remember, you're standing at the mouth of Hell. And it's about to open."

She turned to go, but stopped, facing him again, "What..? What do you want?"

"You're standing at the mouth of hell darling." He reached into his jacket and drew out a jewelry box, tossing it at her. "You can't turn your back on it and you have to be ready."

She caught the box, "What for?"

"The Harvest," he replied, turning his back as if to leave.

"The what? Who are you?"

"Look it up," he replied and turned back to flash her a grin. "And let's just say I'm a friend."

"Maybe I don't want a friend."

"I never said I was yours," he replied with a cheeky flash of his teeth before sliding away into the night

Grids watched him go before finally opening the box to find a silver cross and chain inside. She gently withdrew it, glancing in the direction he'd gone again. She fastened the necklace around her throat and continued on her way.

.o.o.

She finally reached the Bronze, paying the doorman and slipping inside. She wove her way through the crowd, not seeing anyone she recognized until she was practically at the bar. The blond approached, offering Mistoffelees a smile, "Hey."

"Oh," he jumped slightly from where he'd been getting a soda. "Hi."

She moved past him and sat on a stool next to him, "You here with someone?"

He blinked at her in confusion for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I'm just here. Tugger might show up later but between now and then it's just me, being here."

"You do that often? Come here alone?"

He shrugged slightly. "Well, there's not really anywhere else to go if I don't want to be in the house..." he paused before continuing. "So yeah, often enough. They usually have decent music if nothing else. And," he shrugged. "Tugger's usually here just as often."

She nodded, leaning back against the bar, "So are you seeing anyone?"

Mistoffelees blinked and gave her a somewhat shocked look. "What? No, I... why?"

"I..." She realized how that could sound, "Oh, no nothing like that. I was just curious."

He hesitated again and shrugged. "Alright. Sorry, not used to being asked that. But no, I'm not. Why, are you?"

"No, I just moved here remember?"

"Well, I don't know. Long distance is possible isn't it? I mean, probably not advised for a whole host of reasons, but it happens."

"No, I'm not seeing anyone. Maybe sometime soon, but for now it's better to just settle into life."

The shorter nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Probably wise."

"On the other hand, life is short, so we'll see."

He arched a brow. "Life is short? That's hardly the normal words out of a teenager's mouth."

She managed a bit of a smile, "Well, I'm not a normal teenager. I'm from L.A. remember?"

"True I suppose," he said. "But still, it seems a little... I don't know, harsh?"

"...There was a body stuffed in the locker at school today and 'life is short' is harsh?"

"Point," he said softly, leaning back against the bar, shoulders shrinking slightly.

She sighed, "I'm sorry, that was out of line..."

"No, it," he floundered and shrugged. "It's fine. It's just hard to deal with sometimes."

"...You've had to deal with it before?"

There was a pause and Mistoffelees nodded slightly. "Yeah, I mean, sometimes. Stuff just keeps happening. I mean, as much as anyone can we're just unlucky. But I mean, big cities have lots of gang violence and stuff, we're just big city violence with a smaller population. Which okay, doesn't make a whole lot of sense but that's how it seems to be..."

"No..." She thought about what the librarian had told her earlier, "It makes a lot of sense."

He blinked. "It does? How?"

"I...well, it doesn't have to be a big city to have things like that happen after all."

"No, but how does it make sense," he continued to frown at her. "I mean... most towns don't have these problems."

"I...I don't know. Forget I said anything."

For a long moment Mistoffelees considered before shrugging. "Sure. Do you want anything to drink then or something?"

"I..." She shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

"Well, alcohol is off the table for all obvious reasons," he said with a faint grin. "But we have the best selection of carbonated beverages and Italian sodas. There's ice cream too."

"Hm, I may have to see about an Italian Soda…," she said, before continuing. "If it makes you feel any better that saying 'life is short' has a follow-up."

"Oh?" he asked, glancing back from where he was considering the Italian Soda flavors.

"Seize the moment. After all, if life's short, might as well make it worth it."

For a moment he considered her before nodding.

She looked around, frowning as she saw the librarian on the next level up, "I'll be right back…"

"Oh that's okay. You don't have to come back," he said with a shrug though his eyes followed where she'd been looking and he blinked rapidly for a moment.

She shook her head, "I'll be back in just a minute."

He nodded slightly at that, eyes still toward where the librarian was standing.

Grids climbed the stairs to where she'd seen the librarian. "So, you like to party with the students. Isn't that kinda skanky?"

"Oh, right, this is me having fun. Watching... clown hair prance about is hardly my idea of a party. I'd much rather be at home with a cup of Bovril and a good book."

"You need a personality, stat!"

He frowned at her, "This is a perfect breeding ground for vampire activity. It's dark, it's crowded... Besides, I knew you were likely to show up, and I have to make you understand—"

"That the Harvest is coming. I know, your friend told me."

"What did you say?"

"The Harvest. That mean something to you? 'Cause I'm drawing a blank."

"I'm not sure. Uh... W-who told you this?"

"This... guy. Dark red hair, gorgeous in an annoying sort of way. I figured you two were buds."

"No. The Harvest. Did he say anything else?"

"Something about the Mouth of Hell. I *really* didn't like him!" She turned away to lean on the railing as the band finished its song.

As they started another song, Coricopat moved around Buffy to lean on the railing and look down at the crowd, "Look at them, throwing themselves about, completely unaware of the danger that surrounds them. Or perhaps you're right. Perhaps there is no trouble coming; the signs could be wrong. It's not as though you've been having the nightmares."

She turned to look at him, her eyes wide, "The…" She drew a deep breath, "I didn't say I'd never slay another vampire. It's not like I have all these fluffy-bunny feelings for them, I'm just not gonna get way extracurricular with it. You know, if I see one, sure I'll—"

Coricopat cut her off, "Will you be ready? There's so much you don't know about them, about your own powers. A vampire appears to be completely normal until the feed is upon them, only then do they reveal their true demonic visage."

"For God's sake, you're like a textbook with arms, I know this."

"The point is, a Slayer should be able to see them anyway. Without looking, without thinking. Can you tell me if there's a vampire in this building? You should know. Even through this mass and this... din, you should be able to sense them. Well, try! Reach out with your mind." He watched her as she looked around, "You have to hone your senses, focus until the energy washes over you, until you, you feel every particle of—"

"There's one."

"W-where?" He blinked in confusion.

"Right there," She pointed, "Talking to that guy with dark hair."

"You don't know—"

"Oh, please! Look at that jacket. He's got the sleeves rolled up, and the shirt! Deal with that outfit for a moment. It's carbon dated. Trust me, only someone living underground for ten years would think that was still the look."

"You missed the point, but…"

Grids froze as she realized who the boy was, "Oh, no…"

"Isn't that—"

"Mistoffelees."

"What's he doing?"

"Well, he doesn't exactly know about 'the mouth of hell' or whatever it is." She replied as she started down the stairs, hoping to get there before Misto could leave with the vamp.

However, she couldn't get through the crowd in time and the vampire lead Mistoffelees out. He looked a little unsure about the whole thing but, well, moments were made to be seized apparently and the other hardly looked too intimidating.

Grids muttered under her breath as she realized she'd lost sight of them. She slipped into the back area and breaks a leg off of a chair, beginning her search. She heard a motion to her left and startled, grabbing the person by the throat and pushing her up against the wall. She let go, stepping back when she recognized the girl, "Bombalurina!"

"God! What is your childhood trauma?"

"Have you seen Mistoffelees? Did he come by here?"

"Why? Do you need to attack him with the stick? Jeez!"

Grids retreated, emerging back onto the main floor. Coricopat met her, "That *was* quick. Well done! I-I need to go to the library. This Harvest thing..."

"I didn't find them!" She started off again.

He caught her by the arm and turned her to face him, "The vampire is not dead?"

"No, but my social life is on the critical list. And Mistoffelees isn't looking like living man of the year candidate quite yet either."

He released her "So, what do we do?"

"I'll take care of it. One vampire I can handle." She slipped through the crowd again, slipping out of the building and trying to figure out which way they would have gone.

As she was walking down the street she all but ran into Tugger who was finally arriving at the club. "You're leaving already?" he asked, but it sounded slightly strained.

"Oh, Tugger! Have you seen Mistoffelees?"

"Not tonight," he replied.

"He left with a guy. I..."

"Wait, Misto?" he gaped at her. "Misto left with a guy? What sort of guy? What sort of left with are we talking about here?"

"Look, it doesn't really matter right now. I need to find him. Where might they have gone?"

"Why?" he asked, voice leaning toward harsh. "Do you know something little M doesn't? Is the guy a vampire? Do you have to slay him?"

She gaped at him, "Was there a-a school bulletin? Was it in the newspaper? Is there anyone in this town who doesn't know I'm the Slayer?"

"I know you think you're this slayer, but that's only cos I was in the library earlier. I mean, what's with you? Are you and the librarian in some creepy crazy club or something? You're not trying to recruit Misto are you?"

"Damn it, Tugger! It doesn't matter, just tell me, where would Mistoffelees go?" Her voice edged toward desperate.

Tugger blinked at her, suddenly registering her tone. "You... you sound serious. He's not really in trouble is he?"

"We don't find him and there's gonna be one more dead body in the morning!" She knew that was blunt, but damn it, there wasn't time for this.

"Oh," Tugger said and turned his head. "Alright. That way." She nodded slightly, murmuring a thanks as she headed quickly in that direction. He paused. "Hey! Wait up," he said rushing after her.

She glanced at him, "You shouldn't come."

"He's my friend," he said. "And I have an idea where he might have gone. You aren't going without me," he informed her, setting his jaw stubbornly.

She looked up at him, "Fine, but when we get there you get him and get the hell out of there."

He nodded quickly. "Alright," he said, movements jittery.

"We'll...we'll find him."

"Good," he said. "Let's go then."