Title: A New Life
Disclaimer: Do I really need to state the obvious? I don't own Buffy or Stargate. Never have, never will. Waah!
Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland
The crush of people at the baggage claim section slowly dissipated as the conveyor belt ground to a halt. Dawn was fuming. Both of her suitcases, containing three pairs of her favorite Italian shoes plus a wedding gift for Buffy, were missing. Her "sister's" luggage, on the other hand, had made the transatlantic voyage without so much as a scratch.
"It's so not fair," Dawn whined. "Why is it that it's always my stuff that gets lost?"
"Guess you're just lucky that way," her companion said. "You know the drill. We'll fill out a claim form and they'll show up in a couple of days."
"But what if they don't show up before I head out to Vegas? What will I wear to the wedding? What will I wear until the wedding?"
"Just borrow something from one of the girls. Heck, if you want to live dangerously, borrow something from Faith."
Dawn snorted in amusement. "Let's head over to customs and get out of here."
SGC, Colorado Springs
Daniel sat in Hammond's old office, thoroughly annoyed at the current situation. The Ancient outpost in Antarctica was off limits until the nations in the know came to some sort of agreement on access to the site. Unfortunately, Jack was still on ice there and, as such, was off-limits as well. The Stargate had also been shut down, hampering Sam's attempts to contact Earth's allies in search of help for reviving Jack and effectively stranding Teal'c on Earth. To top everything off, General Hammond had once again been replaced by Dr. Weir.
"Dr. Jackson, you do realize that this is not a good time," Dr. Weir frowned at the archaeologist. His request for a few days of leave, even if they were much deserved, was not something that she wanted to grant.
"Why not? It's not as if we are using the 'gate right now. No new missions. Nothing happening on the defrosting of Jack O'Neill front. You may recall he's the one that saved the planet from Anubis and is now stuck in Antarctica. No, we're just sitting around twiddling our thumbs until the politicians decide if and when we start up again." Across from her desk, Daniel slouched in a chair. "I'll be around for another day or two so I'll be available if there is a sudden outbreak of common sense."
"Can't your trip wait?"
"I'm attending a wedding," Daniel said. "I don't think the bride would be amused if I asked her to postpone it."
"I see."
"I doubt it," Daniel said as he slowly stood up. "She's threatened to rip off the arms off anyone who get's in the way of the big day."
"Very well, Dr. Jackson. Your request is approved, just make sure that we can reach you in case you are needed."
Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland
An hour after Dawn and "Buffy" Summers had cleared customs and filled out the claim forms for the missing luggage, the pair were still at the airport. Both girls were anxious to head out to the Calendar School for Girls. Dawn wanted nothing more than a hot shower but "Buffy" was ready become Vi again. As one of the surviving Sunnydale potentials, Vi had been chosen as Buffy's substitute at Dawn's request. For the most part, she had enjoyed her time impersonating the senior slayer but she was anxiously waiting to be herself again.
"That bitch," Dawn muttered.
"Which bitch," Vi asked as if she didn't already know the answer. The Summers girls did not get along with Kennedy. She could sympathize. The dark haired slayer had pissed Vi off once too often as well.
"Miss I Need an Attitude Adjustment. I can't believe they left her in charge even if she was the ranking slayer," Dawn bitched. "There had better be a damn good reason for her not sending someone."
"Maybe the others killed her before she could tell them we were flying home."
"Somehow, I don't think we're going to be that lucky," Dawn replied. "So, do you think we have enough cash on us for cab fare or should we look for an ATM?"
SGC, Colorado Springs
"Daniel, wait up," Sam called out as she saw her friend exiting Weir's office.
"Sam," he acknowledged as he waited for her to catch up. "Any word from our allies?"
"Just the Tok'ra," she said tiredly as she joined him in heading down the hallway. "They may be able to lend us a hand. Dad thinks that he can convince them to loan us a small ship so that we can go looking for the Asgard."
"How soon?"
"A couple of days, a week maybe," she replied. "Of course, actually being able to do anything with it depends on Dr. Weir."
"You know, if it's a cloaked vessel your dad could just sneak it in," Daniel said semi-seriously.
"That's Plan B," she said. "So, did she give you the time off?"
"Yes, but she wasn't too happy about it."
"I hear that there's a lot of that going around these days," she said as they waited for the elevator.
Calendar School for Girls, Cleveland
"Dawn's here" one of the younger slayers yelled as she peered out from her bedroom window at the taxi. At the announcement, half a dozen slayers barreled down out of their rooms and ran down the stairs to greet the senior slayer's sister.
Dawn opened the door to the main building were she was met by the young slayers. Vi, still looking like Buffy, trailed behind her.
"Tell us about Rome!"
"No, tell us about the Immortal," a second voice interrupted.
"No, what about Buffy," a third voice overruled.
"Yeah, why don't you tell us about Buffy? What kind of monster is she sleeping with this year," a pissy voice called out.
Dawn turned towards Kennedy. "Jealous much?"
"Jealous of that bottle blonde? Hardly. Besides, I don't swing that way."
"And men everywhere are thankful for it," Dawn shot back. "As for Buffy's new guy, he's human and tough enough to survive a decade or so in a hell dimension."
"He's probably crazy then."
"Kennedy, why don't you just go back to whatever it is you were doing," Vi said quietly.
Just as Kennedy was about to snipe back, Willow entered the room. "I think that's a good idea. Kennedy your class is waiting. Dawn why don't you head upstairs for now. Vi, let's get you back to looking like yourself."