A/N: Hope your enjoying the story so far. Here's chapter 3. I'll try to have 4 up later this week.


3

I loved them like they were my own daughters.

Yet for nearly twenty years I put them danger

Now that they have received their respite

They'll wake up to face the horrors again

And this time I won't be there for them

This is the greatest sorrow I have ever felt

-Rupert Giles 1954-2032


T'lum sat in her quarters aboard the Rapture watching as the stars streaked past. She knew that the the trip to Earth would take very long because her parents had taken her once when she was a child. She was interrupted from her thoughts by a chime at the door. "Come," she said without taking her gaze from the window. "Captain Pratt," she said stoically, "I assume that you are here to make sure that I am comfortable." Spike stopped in we tracks, "Well, yeah. You are a guest on my ship." T'lum turned to face him, "I am as well as I can be considering the fact that I am the prisoner of a vampire." Spike rolled his eyes, "Hey, I'm a Starfleet captain, and you don't build a career here by eating people. I'm not like others, and whether you believe it or not I'm trying to help you." T'lum looked back towards the window, "We will find out when we reach Earth." Spike sat down in one of the chairs, "T'lum, you need to get over yourself love. If I wanted to hurt you I would have done so by now." She spun around and with no emotion in her voice said, "I doubt it."

Spike felt like his head was going to implode, "Listen you, there was a time when I was bad as bad could get. I killed two slayers." She looked him up and down, "Then what changed?" Spike looked up at her, "I did; it's a long story and I don't feel like telling it, but I got my human soul back." T'lum sat in a neighboring chair, "So if you have everything figured out, where do I fit in?" Spike leaned over and took her hand, "You're the most important girl in the universe right now. The first slayer to be called in four centuries, and the first ever to not be human." T'lum had nothing more to say, "Captain Pratt..." "Spike," he interrupted, "Call me Spike."

"Very well, Captain Spike," T'lum said, "Who are the past slayers that will train me?" Spike looked at her, "Now that would be telling love, and I don't want to ruin the surprise." She looked up at the captain, "Vulcans do not like surprises." Spike let a malicious smile cross his face, "I know."


Angel was sitting at his desk when he had received notification call that the Rapture had entered the system. He had spent the last two hours drawing up orders for everyone involved in this situation. This was going to be one hell of a period of adjustment. A sound filled his ears, and he looked up to find five people shimmering into existence. He stood up just as the transport completed, "Welcome back Spike," he said, "You've seen to the comfort of our guests?" Spike drooped his head, "Well I was going to eat Commander Riker, but had second thoughts. It would take forever to get rid if the beard hairs that I'd get stuck in my teeth." Riker had a look on his fave that told the centuries old admiral that a chord had been struck. Angel looked the commander over as well as Data and Worf, "As of this moment everything you see and everyone you will speak too is classified information. Speak of this to any unauthorized persons and it will be treated as an act of treason. Do I make myself clear?" The three officers looked at the admiral, "Yes sir." next he walked over to T'lum, "You're the new slayer. Congratulations just doesn't seem to be the right thing to say." She looked up at him, "You are a vampire as well." Angel felt himself chuckle for the first time in years, "I am, but you're safe. Follow me everyone."

Angel led them to his bookshelf and opened the hidden room, "Meet the rest of the family." He started working on the controls and steam began to rise from the pods, "Buffy Summers; the greatest slayer to ever live, Faith Lehane; She's a true warrior, and Willow Rosenberg; Genius level I.Q. and quite the witch as well.

A couple doctors came in just as the pods were reaching the final stages. Buffy's was the first to open, and the doctors put her on a gurney and moved over to Faith as she emerged. They placed her on a gurney as Angel made his way to Willow's tube. He lifted her out and carried her to a gurney, "Angel you look funny," she said weakly before falling asleep.

As the doctors took the three women to the infirmary Riker stepped up next to the admiral. "Permission to speak freely sir." Angel turned to face the commander, "Granted." Riker shifted uncomfortably and stared back at Angel, "Why are we here? You could have sworn us to secrecy over a comm link. There is simply no reason for us to have come." Angel turned his head slightly as he considered what Riker had said, Let me ask the three of you something. When you fought that nest; what was it like?" The three officers looked at each other, "They were fierce and strong... too strong," Worf stated. "We should have been aware of their existence from the word go," Riker added. "That decision was not mine commander," Angel said as he closed the bookshelf, "Even I have superiors."

"What is to be expected of us?" Data asked. "You are here to help with their adjustment to the change." Angel replied. "Wait one damned minute!" Riker shouted, "You're the one who knows them. Shouldn't that be your job?" Angel glared at Riker, "I'm over six hundred years old. I may know them, but I am not a person of this time. Nor do I wish to have them studied like rats which is what most of the intelligence staff would want. You three are prime examples of the 24th century. You a highly decorated officer and a brilliant tactician, Worf is an extraterrestrial, and Data is an android. I'm not asking for a life time commitment. Just some time to help them."

Riker suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for this man, "I'm sure we could take a few days and assist. Just do me a favor. Stop with the cloak and dagger. Contact Captain Picard and keep him in the loop. I realize he's a bit more high profile than you're used to, but I assure you he can be trusted."


Buffy head swam as consciousness returned to her. She wasn't sure if the room was spinning or she was, but either way she wanted off. Slowly she opened her eyes only to find herself staring into bright lights. "This ones awake," she heard someone say, "Inform the admiral." She willed herself to sit up. Noticing that she was in some kind of medical ward her thoughts immediately to her friends. Slowly turning her head she spotted Faith and Willow on beds and wearing similar blue scrubs to her. A swish sound caught her attention and she looked towards the door to see at least one familiar face walk in. He looked odd wearing a red turtleneck and a black vest with gray shoulders and chest. She also noticed four golden pips on his collar, but the chiseled face and platinum hair gave it away, "Spike," she muttered hoarsely.

"Hello Buffy, it's been a long time." Buffy scowled for a minute, "How long were we out for?" Spike sat down at the foot of her bed, "Buffy the year is 2378. You've been in stasis for over three hundred fifty years." Buffy sat in silence for a moment, "That means I'm almost four hundred years old!" Spike chuckled a bit, "Chronologically yeah, "Spike said, but biologically you're still thirty-two." A soft groan interrupted them as Willow began to sit up, "Some of us are trying to sleep here." Buffy carefully slipped off her bed and wobbled over to Willow's, "We've slept long enough Will." The redhead rubbed her eyes, "Did those scientists show their faces?" Spike shook his head, "No, but something much bigger is on the horizon."

One of the doctors went over to Faith's biobed to take some readings when he was grabbed and thrown by the brunette, "Who the hell are you people?" Buffy rolled her eyes as Spike turned around, "That will be quite enough of that." Faith immediately calmed down, "Spike, where am I?" Spike smiled, "You're in the old slayer compound." Buffy shook her head, "I thought the slayer organization was disbanding." Spike began helping the three women up, "It was so the Watchers took over; then in 2199 Starfleet Intelligence took over the Watchers Council."

"Starfleet?" Willow asked curiously. Spike did his best to look propagandist, "Starfleet is the exploration and defense arm of the United Federation of Planets." Willow smiled from ear to ear, "You mean like space ships and aliens?" Spike deflated after he exuberant reaction, "Yeah something like that." Buffy let a few moments pass, "And this federation is like the government?" Spike nodded, "Think of it like America, but with planets instead of states."

Faith looked rather annoyed as she looked around, "Not that I don't enjoy playing Rip Van Winkle, but why the hell are we here?" Spike looked at her, "I'll let the admiral bring you up to speed. For now I suggest you all get dressed," he said as he pulled out three bags from a locker and handed one to each of them, "Keep in mind that I am sorry. These bloody people have no sense of fashion anymore."


Angel looked at Picard through his monitor, "You do understand that if I accept you into my confidence the level of secrecy must be maintained. Only those that need know will know, yourself included." Picard nodded, "Admiral, I've never thought myself important enough to be informed about everything, but I do expect to know when my crew are going into something like a vampire nest." Angel scowled, "Until recently there were very few vampires left. With magic returning vampires are able to reproduce again, and now there's not just human on the menu." Picard leaned forward in his chair just a bit, "Admiral, I'm not sure that I believe you now."

Angel bit back a tiny bit of frustration, "I won't lie to you captain, the only reason we're having this conversation was a glowing recommendation from Riker. With a new slayer being called that means that things are far worse and moving far faster than I am comfortable with. Having you and the Enterprise with us could make all the difference." Jean Luc took a sip of his tea, "Admiral, I appreciate the consideration, but I'm afraid that I will need more convincing." Angel sat back, "Well done Picard, I see what you're doing. You're try to figure out whether I'm blowing smoke, mad, or truthful." With a smile Picard answered, "Even you have to admit that it's a lot to take in." Angel punched in a few codes causing a set of coordinates on Picard's screen, "If you're on board we'll meet you there in a week. If not I'll make sure you get your officers back as promptly as possible."


Buffy looked down at the maroon unitard that Spike had given her to wear. He was absolutely right. She heard a "Aw hell no!" come from the room next door. Imagining the outfit that her fellow slayer would look like. She stepped out of the changing room just as an irritated Faith stepped out. She was wearing what appeared to be a green body stocking with a darker green vest, "I hate the future," she said as Willow stepped out wearing a similar outfit to Faith only in brown. "I don't know," she said, "It's all snug and comfy." Faith rolled her eyes, "Of course you would thing so." After a moment a person wearing a uniform with a gold collar entered the area, "I'm hear to take you to the conference room. The admiral wished to see you."

As they walked through the compound Buffy marveled at how extensive it had been remodeled. Bright lights and muted colors were everywhere. The walked into what she remember to be the old main control room only to find a large table surrounded by chairs. Once in the room the security officer left them alone. Faith immediately sat in a chair and kicked her feet up onto the table. "That table is two hundred years old. Please remove your feet," Came a familiar voice from behind the group. Buffy gasped when she turned around, "Angel!" He was wearing a similar uniform to the others, but his had a gold trim accented by a belt with an odd symbol on it and strange bars on his color.

Willow looked at their old friend, "You're this admiral we keep getting told about?" He simply nodded. When Starfleet Intelligence took over the Watchers Council Spike and I were given a choice." Faith smirked, "Join or leave?" Spike stepped through the door, "That's right love, so we joined." Three more people joined in and faith was instantly ready to fight when she saw a large demon in the group.

"What are you doing?" Willow asked trying to snap faith out of it. "Oh bloody heel, he's not a sodding demon," Spike muttered, "He's a Klingon." Buffy raised her hand, "Color me confused a Klinong?" Worf grunted, "It's pronounced Klingon." Willows eyes lit up, "So you're like an alien or something?"

Angel sat down at the head of the table and motioned for spike and the others to join him, "We don't really use the term alien anymore unless it's something we have yet to understand. Species doesn't matter to the federation so much... We're all people." The light fades from the red head's eyes, "I'm sorry mister Klingon." "His name is Worf," the man with the white skin said with a flat tone. "And this is Lieutenant Commander Data," Angel said. "Data?" Faith asked, "Are you like a robot or something?" Data let confusion pass on his face for a moment, "I am an android."

"So why are we here Angel?" Buffy asked. Angel tapped the arrow on his chest, "Angel to Riker, Bring her in. A moment later a bearded man entered with a girl following him. "This is Commander Riker and the recently called slayer T'lum." Buffy was shocked to here that a new slayer had been called. As she looked at the girl she noticed that she had slanted eyebrows, pointed ears, and a slightly green hue to her skin, "She's not human." The new slayed stopped and looked at Buffy, "I am indeed not human," she said without an ounce of emotion in her voice. "T'lum is a Vulcan," Angel said, "They're one of the founding races of the federation. "You are slayers," T'lum stated. "I'm not a slayer," Willow said shyly." Buffy turned back to Angel, "How can there be a slayer here, and one who's not human at that?" Angel shrugged, "I have no idea, but there was a prophecy that when she was called the three of you would be needed." He handed the blonde a data pad.

Buffy read the prophecy and gasped when she finished, "Dawn wrote this?" Angel nodded, "Yes she did." Willow raised her hand like she was back in school, "What does it mean, 'Under a desert sun vampires walk?'" This time it was Spike who spoke up, "Vampire are immune to the effects of a non native sun. I can go to Vulcan or Andoria and sunbathe in the nude and be just fine." Data looked up at Spike, "Sunbathing on Andoria would be inadvisable since the average temperature during summer is negative twenty-eight degrees." Riker shook his head, "He was just making an example Data."

"We believe Magic is returning," Angel stated, "There are new vampire nests popping up all over the quadrant, and now that a new slayer has been called it's something to take seriously." Buffy stared into space, "Have any Hellmouths opened?" Angel shook his head, "No, not that we have seen." Buffy stood up and looked at Faith, Willow, and then T'lum, "We need to train."


(Delta Quadrant – Unimatrix 01)

The Borg Queen hung in her alcove watching a cube assimilated a Talaxian freighter. While their technology was far from impressive their biological strengths made them worthy of perfection. Certainly there was no need to spend the resources to assimilate an entire planet's worth, but when the collective ran across a ship... That was acceptable.

As she monitored the situation she was distracted by a faint string of voices in her mind. With a slide in her concentration she focused on the string. A surge of shock ran through her synthetic spine when she heard , PARTICLE DENSITY CHANGE IN SECTOR 7-3-1-9-0... LOCATION ALPHA QUADRANT. PARTICLE IDENTIFIED AS PARTICLE 010. WE WILL ASSIMILATE." She lowered herself out of her alcove and into her body. Slowly she walked to one of her guardian drones and stroked his face. Starring into its orange eyes she whispered, "Omega is reemerging. Soon it will be ours."


Buffy sat in her room in a little bit of a huff. Willow was practically swooning over the technological marvel that was Data as Faith was in the courtyard sparring with Worf. It was beginning to eat at her that just yesterday she was here with her friends. Family, and slayers. Just as the sun dropped under the horizon the door chime when off. Without thinking she walked over to answer as the doors obediently slid open revealing Angel. "Hey Buffy," he said as he stepped into the room. "I didn't invite you in."

Angel looked at her and smiled, "This is a Federation base and I'm it's commander. This is technically my room." Buffy nodded a bit, "Oh I see." Angel sat down, "Look I know that this is a lot to drop on you at once. I'm sorry." Buffy walked over to the window and looked at the darkening sky, "I know you are, and it's not your fault. Yesterday everyone was here, but Giles, Xander, and Dawn are gone. I have no idea what to do with myself and this outfit just isn't me." As she turned around to look at he she realized that he wasn't wearing a uniform. Instead he was wearing black pants with a blue button up shirt and a black coat. "You look like your old self, and I look like a gymnastics reject."

Angel took her by the hand, "You now live in a world where all of a persons basic needs are taken care of. On this planet there is no poverty, disease, or war." She slowly pulled her hand back as a tear escaped down her cheek, "That sounds wonderful. Now, whats up with the clothes." Angel smiled, "Money is a rare commodity these days. Food, shelter, clothing are all provided, but people do earn a currency that they use for luxury items." Angel pulled out a small card with a number showing on a digital readout, "I just happen to have to have some to go on a shopping spree before we depart in the morning."


A/N: Hope you liked it. Please read and review.