Chapter 4 Bia

The city faded and the trees were surrounding them. The place headquarters so to speak was hidden. Buffy knew the plans of this place before she left and what Giles wanted to build out here. It was to be a safe haven and a place of rest but also a place where battle plans could take place but to the public crowd it was a private school for girls. Angel drove on the winding dirt path until he pulled up to the building. The building was built to look old to make it feel timeless. Buffy smiled seeing the building it was smaller than your average college university but bigger than a high school. Actually Buffy thought it looked like Hogwarts. Buffy then saw the school sign 'Bia School for Young Gifted Women' and under it, it read 'Educatone Praeteritum Praesens Futurum.' Buffy smiled looking at the school as Angel parked.

"Home sweet home," Dawn muttered as everyone started to get out of the Jeep.

"Giles actually did it," Buffy commented and Angel nodded.

"Yeah we all live here," Angel added.

"Yup and when we're not traveling Angel teaches." Dawn slipped in and Buffy looked to Angel with a curious look.

"You teach?" Buffy asked and he nodded as they headed up the steps. "What do you teach art?"

"History," Angel answered and Buffy smiled a little she could see it.

"And weapons training and hand to hand combat." Dawn finished and Angel nodded as he took out some keys and opened the front door well at least one of them. Buffy and Dawn went inside and Angel closed the door and locked it. Buffy then saw him go to a little screen and punch in something. "Place is guarded by magic and normal security systems." Dawn explained and Buffy nodded and Angel walked passed them and Buffy followed. She looked around the place and it was very pretty. She figured this late at night the students should be asleep. They followed Angel through the school and then came down a hall and kept walking. They then hit a flight of stairs and went up.

They hit another wall and walked all the way down and stood in front of a door and on it was a sign 'Rupert Giles Headmaster' Buffy smiled again that was his lifelong dream and he's earned it. Angel could tell Giles was still up and motioned for her to stay here because he knew she would shock Giles. Angel opened the door and an older gentleman sat a desk reading and next to his book was his favorite malt scotch. Giles looked up and saw Angel standing before him and smiled. He took off his glassed, got up and went to welcome the vampire home.

Over the years after Buffy left Giles and Angel did become friends, Angel was a value asset he always had been even as Angelus. Giles went back to his desk pulling out a bottle and a glass for Angel.

"Oh no Giles I'm good we actually have a uh problem," Angel began and Giles put away the beverage and looked up at Angel wondering what problem was going on. "Uh," Angel didn't know how to say it so he turned around and Buffy knew it was her cue. She stepped out of the shadows and into the room and Giles' eyes widen. He stood up slowly staring at Buffy his former slayer. Angel just stood there letting the moment happen knowing it was both hard, upsetting and yet joyous as Buffy was here after all these years.

"Buffy," Giles managed to say but it sounded like he was out of breath. "My god," And he came around from his desk and hugged her. Buffy wasn't expecting that but accepted it and held back the tears holding what she always considered her father. Giles pulled away and placed a kiss on her cheek smiling. "Buffy," He said again but then it hit him she looked exactly the same she looked so young, younger than Dawn now. Already thousands of questions were forming from the four people and hopefully there was an answer for each of them.

Buffy sat in a chair before the big desk and it felt like high school all over again. Angel stood in the corner, Dawn was in a chair next to Buffy and Giles sat at his desk.

"The Immortalibus Cognatione?" Giles asked and Buffy nodded. "The Immortal Clan never heard that before," Well that was a dead end.

"They must be new," Angel added.

"How?" Buffy asked.

"Well they shot at us with guns not the normal weapons of choice." Angel pointed out and Buffy nodded remembering the guns.

"Well it does sound like it was planned out and I'll call the others." Giles stated but that wasn't what he was interested in he was interested in why Buffy still looked twenty and not forty. Buffy knew he was studying her. "You haven't aged a day," Angel and Dawn were wondering why as well.

"Please tell me you have answer." Buffy wanted to know but again Giles at this moment didn't have one. Buffy let out a sigh of frustration. "It's ok we'll figure it out."

"Unless she's like Connor," Dawn spoke up and Buffy looked to her little sister who could now pass looking like her older sister. "Connor hasn't aged he's what thirty four but he looks nineteen."

"Yes we've learned that while he came back from the dimension at fifteen his body slowed down in aging here meaning by numbers he's thirty but in actual I don't know biological earth time he looks nineteen." Giles tried to explain and it made sense well sort of. "He's thirty four but he slowed down in aging and it probably helps that he's part vampire too." Connor was explained but not Buffy. "I suggest we get some rest and we'll figure this tomorrow as the others arrive." Rest was needed but it didn't mean it would happen.

Buffy was shown to her room and this is where she was going to stay. She looked around the place it was spacious enough for everything she needed along with her own bathroom. She felt out of place though completely out of place. Everyone moved on with their lives and this school was center piece. She didn't want them to dwell on her but deep down she hoped they missed her as much as she missed them.

"Buffy?" A voice asked and she turned around and they were right he looked like he hadn't aged either. Connor was awoken by Angel knowing he would want to see Buffy and be upset no one woke him. He stood there in sweats and t-shirt and couldn't believe Buffy was here and home again. He couldn't hold himself back and ran to hug her. She didn't push him away but embraced him the first person she really accepted into her arms willingly and wanted to hold. Angel leaned against the door smiling at the moment as Buffy held his son. He wished over and over Connor was Buffy son, their son. Connor pulled away looking at Buffy and she had a small smile and placed her hand on his cheek. They both still looked young just the way she left them. She, Angel and Connor looked the same everyone aged and grew there had to be a connection with Angel and Connor she just didn't know what or why.

"Connor we should let Buffy rest," Angel suggested and he turned to his father nodding but he didn't want to leave Buffy. She gave him reassuring eyes that she won't be gone when he wakes up. Connor left the room and went back to bed although he probably wouldn't fall asleep for some time. "If you need anything I'm three doors down." Buffy nodded and Angel left her be.

Buffy rolled over and opened her eyes the room was slightly lit by sunlight and she sat up. She slept through the night and looked around her room it was peaceful and quiet. Buffy got out of bed and put on a small sweater she was a chilly being so far up north was different even for a California girl and Fall was in the air. Summer was dying and Fall was settling in she hadn't seen Fall in a long time the weather where she lived had two seasons hot and hotter. Buffy opened her door and walked down the hall and as she descended the stairs there were girls everywhere. Some where young like ten others were sixteen and seventeen. No one recognized her because these slayers were not the ones from the Hell Mouth.

Buffy kept walking through the girls' dorm and smelt food. She walked into the huge cafeteria as some girls sat at the tables and ate, talking, giggling and reading. This was rather cool all of them were slayers. Class would begin in an hour so everyone needed to eat and get ready.

"Buffy," A voice said and it was Dawn she motioned for Buffy to follow her and she did. "We have a cooler place to eat." She took Buffy to a different room with a long table. The plates were set and she could smell a really good meal being cooked. She wondered who did the cooking and peered into the kitchen and saw Angel making food. He came out setting more dishes out and Connor came in.

"Morning pops," He said and sat down ready to eat. Connor looked up and motioned for Buffy to sit he could sense her tension and she needed to relax they were safe here. Buffy took a seat next to Connor as Giles came in with a book he always had a book. The Headmaster took his seat at the head of the table and Angel set a cup of hot tea before him.

"Thanks Angel," Giles said and went back to the reading and Dawn took a seat and got ready to eat. "Oh Angel if possible I want you take some of the level seven girls out on patrol kill this nasty demon." Giles said and Angel nodded as he was finishing up.

"Level seven?" Buffy asked and her former Watcher.

"Oh yeah we got a system in place basically level sevens are like the sophomores in high school, eights are the juniors, nines seniors and ten are the graduates and they get sent out all over the country." Dawn explained and Buffy nodded. "They have to go through a huge test to see what level they're on and some stay at certain levels yeah." Angel then started to set food down she didn't know Angel could cook and she turned to Connor.

"Yeah for someone who's on a complete liquid diet he's an amazing cook." Connor told Buffy and she smiled as Angel set more food down. Buffy reached for the eggs as Dawn reached for her food. Angel had everything set out and he took his seat with a cup of blood. Buffy felt warm eating he could cook and very well.

"Angel some of the girls have placed their application to get to level eight." Giles said and Angel nodded and Buffy still looked confused. "Oh uh for the combat level Angel scores them on a level of eight through ten." Giles answered. "Spike is five through seven and then Dawn is four six and the lower numbers is usually based on activities they do." Buffy nodded understanding a little more.

"Well I hate to keep asking questions but I didn't come here for the eggs." Buffy stated and Giles put the book down. "We were attacked by these people and they sent a rather large beast thing for Angel."

"And it wasn't random attack they went after Buffy and myself for a reason." Angel added and Giles nodded and took his glasses off thinking.

"We won't know much until the others arrive and patrol." Giles had to remind them there wasn't much to go on at the moment and they needed to wait. But both Angel and Buffy knew something was going on they could feel it.

The day went on Buffy walked around the school class had started so the halls were empty and she found Angel's classroom on the door is said Professor Angel and she smiled. Buffy opened the door slowly and looked in these weren't you're traditional class rooms. They had desks but the room was warm with books, the warm stone of the building the only thing was the window had the blinds drawn. But it wasn't hallow like her class rooms from high school it felt calming. Buffy stood in the back of the room as Angel was at the front he looked like a teacher. He was talking about something and Buffy thought about how she lied to her mother saying Angel was her history tutoring and she wished he was.

The day went on and Buffy walked outside seeing a court yard of young girls maybe around seven or eight in a block formation doing moves. But the instructor training them she recognized her it was Kennedy. Buffy made her way over to the girls and Kennedy looked up.

"Buffy?" She asked. "Girls take a second," She ordered and then ran over to Buffy. "Buffy!" And jumped into her arms giving her a brief hug. "You're back." Buffy smiled and nodded. "Come one meet some new recruits." Kennedy took Buffy's hand and dragged her to the block. "Everyone I want you to meet Buffy Summers the oldest and strongest vampire slayer."

"Hello Buffy," The girls all said at once. Buffy smiled seeing all the younger standing there.

"Pretty cool huh?" Kennedy asked and Buffy nodded. "Would you like to join us for class?" And Buffy looked around and back at the girls and nodded saying yes.

Buffy then meet up with Giles as he walked the school and walked side by side with him.

"So what do you think?" Giles asked as they walked.

"Very different than high school." Buffy commented and Giles smiled as they walked together. It felt nice to be walking side by side again.

"So where did you live?" Giles asked.

"Equator," Buffy answered and she thought about it, she did miss it but most of all she missed the Vargas family and she hoped they were ok and happy. "It was different but very nice."

"Any activity?" Giles was asking if there were any vampires or anything like that. She nodded meaning she's kept up with her skills over the years. "Well once classes are over we'll sit down and talk Xander should be in tonight along with Spike and Faith Willow won't make it in until tomorrow." Buffy nodded and a group of girls ran passed them laughing yes this was very different. "Buffy if you'd like I can offer you a position here." Buffy looked up indicating she would think about but first they needed to figure what attacked her and Angel and why.

The girls of the school were in their dorms upstairs as the evening was winding down. Angel was going to take some of the more experienced ones out tonight on patrol and Buffy was going to go with them. While Buffy was in the back dining room Xander came into the building and saw Angel talking to Kennedy.

"Where is she?" Xander asked and Angel saw him coming up to him but Xander didn't bother for a response and headed to the back area and Buffy was sitting at the table. She looked up seeing Xander and couldn't move. They just looked at one another for a moment and Xander sat down slowly. "Where were you?" He asked.

"Hello to you too Xander," Buffy said.

"Excuse me," Giles stepped in. "After everyone comes home we'll get debriefed ok." Giles knew Buffy didn't want to repeat herself over and over again. Xander brushed it off and looked back to his old friend.

"As long as she doesn't leave us." He added and Buffy got up and left she knew Xander out of all of them would be the hardest to face because he never could fully understand her actions.

"Buffy," Giles called out to her but she didn't stop and then he glared at Xander as he sat there. Buffy left the dining hall and walked out to the main entrance and Angel saw her and she looked not upset but angry. Angel went right after her and pulled her aside.

"We're just all in shock ok." He assured her and she nodded. "Come on I'll help you get your weapons." Buffy nodded meaning let's take a walk but before they went very far two more people were there Faith and Spike.

"Buffy?" Spike asked and walked up to her but she held her ground. She was hoping he had moved from her but it didn't look like it. He stepped back giving her some space as she walked passed them and she gave a Faith a quick glance of a hello. Angel followed her out to the Jeep knowing this might be a little bit more overwhelming than he thought. Buffy took the cover off the crates and Angel helped her carry everything inside. Giles, Faith, Spike, Connor, Dawn, Xander, Angel and Buffy were in the small dining room and Buffy opened the boxes of weapons.

"Wow pet," Spike began and lit up a cigarette as she took out some serious guns. "What are all those for?" He asked as she laid them out on the table.

"Protection." Buffy answered and Angel smirked as he helped her.

"From what?" Spike asked and Buffy ignored him as she laid everything out. Connor saw a cool looking gun and reached for it but Buffy grabbed his hand stopping him.

"Dangerous makes a loud boom." She said and Connor sat back down. All the weapons guns and swords alike were removed and laid out on the table. The table was covered in weapons now with what Buffy accumulated over the years.

"So," Xander started. "We get to pick one or something?" He asked and Giles sighed.

"No nimrod," Spike jumped in. "Basically Buffy armed herself means we should do the same." Buffy nodded. Not everything could be killed by a stake and not everything could be killed by a gun so it was best to be diverse in both at this point. "You trained yourself?" he asked and Buffy nodded like it was no big deal.

"Ok let's get to the point." Giles needed everyone to stay on track. "We'll fill in Willow tomorrow now Angel and Buffy were attacked and it wasn't random. Angel was also attacked by a rather large monster as well. Before Buffy killed the last of her assassins he told her that more would come."

"Ok so what they always come it could have been truly random." Xander added.

"Same men well same type attacked Angel and Dawn besides for them to find me in a remote location like that where for the most I lived off the grid it wasn't random." Buffy explained it was highly unlikely to find someone like that when they isolate themselves. "They wanted me dead."

"And Angel too?" Faith asked.

"Yeah and I'm pretty sure if we didn't warn you guys you were next." Buffy added.

"Why us?" Faith asked she was putting some information together killing Angel and Buffy would be a huge blow to the team but why go after everyone else.

"Systematic kill the leader if possible if not take the seconds in command they probably hoped they killed us all." Angel explained.

"Are we safe here?" Connor asked looking around.

"For now yes strength in numbers." Giles answered and yes they were safe amongst each other.

"So just one attack sends you flying back home," Xander started.

"Actually I drove here," Buffy corrected him.

"Point is you left us for fifteen years and now you're back because you have a strange little feeling." Xander sounded upset. "Well once again thanks for the awful fifteen years."

"I had to leave." Buffy started and it was turning into an argument.

"Yeah like the last time," Xander reminded her.

"You had no idea what I was going through." Buffy defended herself.

"Oh boo hoo you killed your evil boyfriend," Xander was really starting to make her angry and that might not be a good idea with all these weapons on the table that she knew how to use. "You left us because you couldn't handle something what are you so afraid of?"

"What are you afraid of?" Buffy shot back. "This time I wasn't the only slayer you should have been fine on your own or do you need me to babysit you twenty four seven?" Buffy asked.

"It would have been nice to know where you went." Xander added and at the same time Buffy stood up in her chair very angry now.

"It would have been nice if you didn't rip me out of heaven!" Buffy yelled and everyone was quiet that statement hit everyone in the room hard. "You have no idea what I go through day in and day out. I sacrificed so much for you and all you do is complain. I left because I needed peace from you!" She wasn't directed all this to Xander. "I was done!" She then looked around the dining room. "I didn't want to learn and fight anymore!" She directed her attention to Giles. "I didn't want to see mom!" She turned to Dawn. "I didn't want to feel disgusted!" She turned to Spike. "I wanted out of leadership!" She then looked to Faith. "I didn't want to feel pain!" It was more a cry than a yell when she looked at Connor. "I didn't want to feel loss," She was quieter when she looked to Angel. "I've done so much for you guys and all I asked in return was peace but I never got it. I had to leave I couldn't take it anymore and if this keeps up I will leave again and I won't come back. If this attack was a sign of another apocalypse you're all on your own I'll just take Angel, Connor and Dawn with me and we'll just watch and let it burn." Everyone was quiet understanding what she was offering.

Connor couldn't help but smile on the inside knowing if she left he could go this time. There was some strange feeling he got with her a connection. At first he thought it was because his father knew and trusted her and so should he but now that wasn't it. Angel wouldn't mind doing that just up and leave and live out the rest of Earth's days with Buffy, Dawn and his son it would be nice his own family. A very small part of him was just hoping Xander would keep testing Buffy so one they could leave and two he get a good punch out of him. Dawn would be packed and ready in five minutes thinking about leaving with Angel, Connor and her sister sat just fine with her. All four have been through more than their fair share. Either they let go of the past and move on or Buffy leaves again. They couldn't find her for fifteen years so what makes them think they could find her again.

"Anyone think I'm kidding?" She asked and no one answered she wasn't fooling around. "I'd like to know why the hell Angel and I were attacked and why the hell when I come back to help you people you get upset."

"He's upset," Spike pointed to Xander and Buffy held up her hand telling him to be quiet or he can spend the rest of eternity as dust.

"Now we're done for the night and I'm laying down some new rules. You have a problem with me taking over, you don't understand why I wanted to be alone, or don't like me leaving because sometimes even I can only take so much then the door is right there." Buffy stated and everyone remained quiet and no one left. "Good now get out." She was fuming still so the best thing to do was to let her be. Xander stormed out and everyone followed him slowly.

A few hours passed and Angel returned from patrol but nothing to report that was out of the ordinary. Buffy was still in the dining room cleaning some of her guns and Connor walked in watching her.

"You know how to put it all back together again?" He asked because the gun she had now was in pieces as she cleaned it. Buffy looked up and nodded and he thought that was cool. Connor walked further in and sat down next to her and went to reach for a part but she stopped him.

"I have a system." She said meaning don't touch and Connor nodded and watched as she finished cleaning one gun and started to reassemble it. She did it pretty quickly too and Connor was impressed.

"Can you teach me?" He asked and Buffy looked up at him. "You know how do all this." He stated and Buffy nodded she then looked to the table and reached over and grabbed a gun and stood up and Connor followed. She then handed him the rifle and he took it. "Don't worry the safety is on." She showed him and he nodded. "Two rules one you point a gun you better be ready to shoot," Connor nodded. "Two no such thing as a warning shot." Connor smiled and Buffy got behind him and started to show him how to hold a rifle.

Angel made his back to the dining room to check on Buffy and when he walked in he saw Buffy and Connor.

"Right," Buffy said as Connor answered a question and Angel leaned up against the entrance to watch. "Ok now when you need more ammo," Buffy started and showed Connor. "Hit this part and the cartage comes out," Connor nodded and pressed the button looking thing and the ammo cartage came out and he held it. "Get another one and slam it back in." Connor did what he was told and Buffy nodded. "Ready to rock and roll."

"Cool," Connor said and looked to Buffy with the same smile his father had. "What about that gun?" He asked pointing and Buffy looked over and gave a small giggle.

"Uh my mini grenade launcher?" She asked and he nodded. "You don't want to mess with that besides baby steps." Connor smiled.

"Seriously teach me rather know and never have to use it than not know and need it." Connor explained and Buffy nodded he made sense. Then Buffy turned around seeing Angel standing there and she wondered how long he was there. "You've been shot at?" And Buffy looked up.

"Yeah once or twice." She answered and sat down as Connor held the rifle.

"What was it like?" Then someone cleared their throat. "Oh hey dad,"

"Having fun?" Angel asked as he came into the dining room and Connor nodded holding the rifle it was his new toy now. "We should call it a night."

"Nothing on patrol?" Connor asked looking at the rifle and then placed in the spot where he got it from.

"No nothing that screams out at us well stuff screamed but,"

"I get it," Connor cut his father off. "Guess I'll get some sleep."

"Night," Angel and Buffy said at the same time and Connor waved good bye and was off.

"Teaching him about weapons?" Angel asked and Buffy shrugged and went back to cleaning. Angel sat down and let his head rest in one hand. "You haven't slept much have you?" He asked.

"Been traveling for like a week now of course not." She answered as she took apart another gun.

"These were gifts?" Angel asked looking around trying to keep the conversation alive.

"Just a few," Buffy answered and the two smiled. "Yeah uh never thought I would learn but a family lived close to taught me." Angel gave a curious look. "Not everyone is nice plus it slows down the crap out of demons and vampires." Angel nodded looking at her collection.

"You need to get some sleep though because whatever is going on it's only going to get worse." Angel stated.

"I know," Buffy added quickly and went back to cleaning.

"I'm just saying,"

"Angel," Buffy started. "I'm not running again and if I do I won't make the mistake of leaving you, Connor and Dawn." She assured him that was Angel's fear that she would run again and he wouldn't be able to find her.

"Loss?" He asked and looked to Buffy and she looked to him. "Loss and pain what did that mean?"

"Nothing," Buffy answered but Angel wanted to know.

"Meant something."

"Angel can we just," She paused for a moment. "Can we just not talk about this now?"

"Buffy you and I have a lot to talk about and we can just brush it off especially if we're going to work side by side again." Angel stated and it was clear.

"You were never the one to talk." Buffy reminded him.

"You'd be surprise what fifteen years can do." Angel added. "But we need too."

"Not now I," Buffy knew she was going to need to face Angel and talk about their past but now wasn't it.

"Get some sleep." Angel said and got up he wasn't going to push this any further than it needed to go.

"Angel," Buffy called to him and he turned around waiting for her say what she had to say. She just stared at him wanting to say something. "I'm sorry," That's not what she wanted to say but she was sorry. "I'm sorry I left but,"

"Buffy I understand I was never upset I just missed you." He came back over and sat down next to her and Buffy nodded. "I missed you but I knew you were ok and I understood why you did what you did. I didn't like it but understood and I'm not mad ok." Buffy nodded at least Angel was on her side. Connor felt like he was on her side as well, Giles and Dawn seemed to be on the fence, Spike didn't know, Faith didn't seem to care and Xander was against her leaving.

"Sometimes I wished I had found you and taken Connor and Dawn with. Would have been like a family." Buffy said and Angel nodded, family something that these two knew about but never got a chance to actually feel it. "I'm sorry I ran but," He then hushed her by cupping her cheeks and that sent a shock wave through her she missed his touch.

"It's ok and we've made through thick and thin once we'll do it again ok." Angel assured and she nodded and he did something that was unexpected but so natural he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you in the morning." Angel then got up and left and now Buffy was alone with her thoughts. She felt a tear forming but quickly wiped her eye before it could fall. She thought Angel had left but he saw that moment and wanted to know what she was feeling. Something was eating at her but she wasn't ready just yet to talk. But he knew their talk wasn't going to go smoothly they never truly did for both it felt like pulling teeth. The worst was yet to come and he wasn't thinking the end of the world worse either. No fighting was easy physically but talking and sharing emotions that is hard to do and no one can truly master that. Buffy went back to cleaning it was the only way to keep her mind focus on one thing and not the outside world. She took in a deep breath and went back not really caring how late she would be up.

So a few people are ok with Buffy leaving and one isn't. Willow will be in the next chapter and we'll start to figure out what's going on. And this isn't the last bit of drama you're going to see oh no we got Angel and Buffy drama next. Also hopefully I explained why Connor hasn't aged and soon we'll figure out why Buffy hasn't either. And anyone got a guess why Connor likes Buffy or at least has taken a liking hopefully I'm making it not too plain as day. More on the way any guesses on what's to come? Comments and reviews are welcomed thanks for reading.

The school's name and meaning and yes the idea came from X-Men, yes I'm a total geek: Bia- Greek goddess known for force and power and she also is the one who bound the god Prometheus as punishment for stealing fire and giving it to man…needless to say that's why I choose this name for a school of slayers.

Educatone Praeteritum Praesens Futurum: Education for the Past the Present