Chapter Four

The silence in the Hyperion lobby was eerie. Somehow, despite the numerous demons and monsters that they had battled on the streets, Charles Gunn and four of the younger, inexperienced slayers that Buffy still had not learned the names of, had been the only lives lost in the battle. The severely wounded were dropped off at the local hospital, but all were expected to make it through. They were slayers now after all, and their healing abilities would have them feeling better in no time.

What remained in the lobby that night was an exhausted blonde slayer, a dirty brunette slayer, a drained red haired witch, a distraught one-eyed carpenter, a stressed watcher, two en-souled vampires, a emotional blue demon with the face of a fallen friend, an excited yet worried former key to an unknown hell dimension, a geeky young man who was still surprised at the help he had been able to provide and 10 other new slayers that had no idea how to control their new powers.

News of Wesley's untimely death earlier on in the battle that night had stunned the Scoobies. Despite not knowing him as well as Angel's crew, they had known him and Giles was saddened to hear about the loss of his one time colleague. Faith tried to hide her sadness about his death, but Buffy could tell by the way she was standing that she was more upset than she wanted anyone to know. Buffy hadn't heard the whole story about what happened in L.A. when Faith was here. Faith hadn't been welcoming with the information but Buffy could only assume by the pain Faith was hiding about Wes' death that he had forgiven her for any wrongdoings she had done before.

Cordelia's death had left them all just as upset. After all, she had been a member of the Scooby gang not all that long ago. Buffy knew from the stories that Angel told her that Cordelia had changed over the years, and she wished that she had gotten to know that Cordelia Chase instead of the one she remembered. Her death had obviously caused Xander the most pain, because as much as he had tried to deny it, she had been his first real girlfriend, and he loved her in his own way. He had already lost the love of his life tonight, and to find out he had lost Cordelia only made his heart hurt more.

Angel had felt it best not to mention Connor… at least not right now. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to say even when he explain it to them, but he knew if he tried tonight it would fall on deaf ears.

It was Giles that broke the silence by clearing his throat. He had taken the past few moments of silence to look at Buffy and could see the exhaustion written all over her face. Not only had she just fought in two apocalyptic battles in one day, but she had prevailed in them both. He knew that despite her leadership role to the new slayers she would welcome his direction and authority.

"I suggest we all get some rest… Willow, if you don't mind, perhaps you could tell everyone the room situation you have prepared," Giles said while looking at the witch, who was sitting on the couch with her eyes barely open.

"Sure," she said, standing from her comfortable spot as the new slayers gathered around her. She quickly gave out rooming assignments, two to a room. She had to alter her plans a little due to the 4 injured but it didn't affect her previous plans too much.

As soon as room assignments were announced, everyone gathered what little they had and made their way to their rooms. The silence lingered, with exception of Andrew's chatter as he followed behind Giles like a puppy dog looking for a bone. Buffy was the last to make her way up the stairs toward the room she would be sharing with Dawn. She had watched as everyone else made their way up the stairs and as Angel and Spike made their way into their respective sleeping quarters with a sad Ilyria next to them. Buffy had wanted to say something to them, but she found that she was too tired to get into a conversation as deep as the one she needed to have with both of the vampires. Instead she walked slowly up the stairs, just as everyone had before her just minutes before, and took the long trek down the hall to where she would be sleeping next to her sister.

As she walked she couldn't help but let all the emotions of the past day and night hit her. She tried to block out the pain, the fear, the anger, the excitement and the anticipation of what was to come, but it was impossible. She had been through a whirlwind these past hours, and she knew that this was only the beginning now. There was so much to do, and she knew that, but she also knew that she wasn't going to be able to do any of it if she didn't get some much needed sleep… and a very necessary shower. But instead, Buffy fell asleep almost as quickly as she lay her tired body down on the bed, before she even had a chance to shower.

When she woke the next morning to the sounds of girls laughing outside her door, she immediately ran to the shower, hoping that there was still some hot water left for her.

She emerged clean and refreshed, feeling like a new person. She couldn't explain the feeling that was inside of her… but she knew that things would be different now. She stayed locked away in her room for over an hour, using that time to think long and hard about what was going to happen next, and she knew she needed to discuss her plans with the Scoobies before anything could get started.

Willow and Giles sat comfortably in the lobby of the Hyperion Hotel on the couches, going through some books that Angel had managed to save from the evil law firm before it perished in the battle. Faith was back in her spot on the counter, legs propped up the length of it and she was playing the PSP she had found in the office just hours before. Xander was behind the counter, staring off into space.

Buffy smiled at the sight of them as she made her way down the stairs. It was Xander who saw her first and when he smiled at her, Buffy could see that the sleep had really helped him.

"Buffster! It's great to see you!" he exclaimed getting the attention of the others.

"How'd ya sleep B?" Faith questioned after pausing her game and swinging her legs around so they were dangling over the edge playfully.

"Honestly, I think the shower this morning was even better than the uninterrupted sleep," Buffy said with a little laugh. She turned then to face the two that were seated on the couch. "I know it's a little early, but we should discuss plans," Buffy said, slipping right back into slayer and leader mode. Giles smiled at her statement and shut his book quietly.

"Yes… I am interested to hear what you have come up with," he responded, sitting up further in the seat as Willow set her book aside. Xander made his way closer to them so he could be in on the conversation and Faith stayed seated on the counter, already close enough to be involved.

It took a few minutes, but once Buffy got started, she really moved. She told them all about her plans to open a slayer school. Somewhere for the new slayers to be trained properly and learn to use their powers to the best of their ability. She talked about how she wanted to teach them and how she was hoping Faith would be by her side for the ride and would help with the girls. She talked about having Giles rebuild the Council, knowing that there had to be at least a few Watchers who had survived. She even managed to excite Willow when she explained how she wanted her to start a coven of her own… one that worked directly with the slayers. She was so precise in her explanation, that Giles couldn't help but be impressed.

"Jeez Buff… you really thought this all out didn't you?" Willow asked when Buffy finally paused long enough for someone to get a word in.

"Well… I guess… it all just kind of came to me when we were driving to L.A.," she said, almost sounding a little worried. "You don't think it's a good idea?" She directed the question toward Giles, and he was both honoured and relieved to see her want his opinion once more.

"I think it's brilliant Buffy… I think it as all very manageable as long as everyone does what is needed of them. And I still have some contacts that I will attempt to get in touch with as soon as possible. I believe the sooner we begin work on this project, the better."

"Yeah, and all those newbies running around here need some serious training to keep the hyperness down… crazies were up at the ass crack in the morning running around like maniacs on speed," Faith replied from where she was seated.

"Perhaps you should get them all together and do a small workout this afternoon… just to get some of their energy out," Giles offered, glancing from Buffy to Faith and back again. Faith just looked at Buffy.

"Sounds good to me… what about you B?"

"Sure," she said, happy that everyone had liked her very well thought out plan for the future. "I think I need to talk to them anyway. Xander? Can you make sure everyone is in the conference room in an hour for a meeting and for training?" Buffy asked focusing her attention now on the one-eyed man.

"Yep," he said clapping his hands together. The sound echoed off the walls and he stood from where he was seated and started toward the stairs. He didn't hesitate as he walked up them, beginning to shout out the names of the girls.

Faith jumped down from the counter then and began to dig through her pockets in her jeans.

"I'm gonna go for a smoke before we get this started," she said as she finally managed to find the pack of cigarettes she had been looking for and pulled one out, holding it between her lips. She didn't wait for a response but she could almost hear Buffy rolling her eyes as she walked out the back door.

Willow was the next to stand up. She took the book she had been reading and began to make her way toward the office.

"I'm so excited… I'm going to get started right now!" she said, sounding like a child who had just been told she was going to Disneyland. She squealed a little bit before turning around on her toes and skipping off toward the office doors.

Now Buffy and Giles were alone. Buffy watched as Giles gathered the books he had been reading into a neat pile and began to stand.

"Giles?"

"Yes?" Giles said, turning to face his blonde slayer and sitting back down where he had been before.

"I had one more idea…"


Buffy stood there in the center of the conference room waiting patiently for the new slayers to come in. Giles sat in a chair in the back of the room, watching his slayer as she waited and Faith sat next to him with her eyes closed, lounging in her chair. Willow and Xander were sitting in a chair on the other side of Giles, already in full planning and research mode with Will working hard at her computer and Xander drawing up plans of some sort. Just as Giles looked down at his watch, the conference room door opened and a flood of girls walked in chattering up a storm. Vi, Rona, Kennedy and Dawn walked in last, Dawn shutting the door behind them.

"Where's Andrew?" Buffy asked, wondering why he wasn't with them as she had specifically requested he be there. But before anyone could provide an answer, the door opened once more and Andrew came barging in, out of breath, like he had been running to get to the meeting.

"Sorry I'm late… there was a James Bond marathon on the television… it was hard to tear myself away," he offered as he shut the door and leaned against the wall next to Dawn. All of the new slayers, as well as Buffy and Giles rolled their eyes at his explanation.

"I called you all here because I wanted to talk to you all directly about the plans we have been making. I am sure you are wondering what exactly we are going to do now. And after discussing it this morning, we have decided we are going to be opening a slayer training school of sorts. A place where all the new slayers can come to learn everything they need to know to make them the best slayer possible," Buffy explained.

She saw as small smiles broke out on their faces. While some of them disliked her when they first arrived in Sunnydale, and throughout their entire time staying there, they had found that since they had survived the battle with the First, the way she acted and the things she did made more sense to them. It was almost like they were able to understand her better now that they had their slayer powers.

"I understand if you want to go back to your homes and live your lives there. But I was kind of hoping that you would want to stay. I know that it has been a rough couple of days, but I wanted you all to know how proud I am of you. You were great out there and I couldn't have asked for anything better. Some of you still have a lot to learn, while others I saw step up. You may not think I noticed, but I promise you I did."

Buffy walked up to Rona with that same purpose she had when she had talked to the Scoobies outside of the bus. She stood so she was right in front of her and their eyes met.

"Power," Buffy said firmly as she did. Rona's eyes went wide with amazement and shock as she realized that Buffy had actually given her a compliment. Buffy noticed the look on Rona's face and smiled as she continued. "Out of all the slayers here I believe you are the strongest. Back in Sunnydale I saw you… and I saw you fight with ease against those uber vamps… and you did it all with a broken arm! Your power is an asset and it will be necessary in the future I can promise you that. If you stay here with us, you will learn to control it… and the others will rely on it," Buffy said proudly.

Rona for her part was trying to hide the pride she had. The legendary slayer had just told her she was powerful. She was trying to hide behind her toughness that she always kept in front of her. But Buffy didn't let her… she pulled her into a hug, which Rona found she was unable to resist. When it ended, Buffy gave Rona a reassuring nod, and turned so she was facing Vi.

"Fury," she said. Vi's expression turned to one of embarrassment as Buffy started to talk. It made her chuckle out loud a little before she continued. "Don't look at me like that… like you just got caught taking a cookie out of the jar before dinner time. I saw you during the battle… and you were a one woman wrecking crew. When the battle fully erupted you were taking vamps out one by one with that blinding passion and rage rolling off of you in waves. I saw the same rage during the battle last night… and you were a force of nature out there. Your biggest strength is also going to be your biggest curse however. I have seen first hand what fighting with that much passion and rage can do… and it can cloud your judgment… and if you stay here we can help you keep that passion, but also teach you how to not let it make you arrogant. You have a lot of heart… and that's is what will make you a great slayer," Buffy finished.

She didn't even give Vi a chance to think about what she had said, before she pulled her close and hugged her briefly like she had Rona before her. They smiled at one another as the hug ended and Buffy couldn't help but shake her head a little and smile bigger as she turned so she was directly in front of Kennedy.

"Captain," she stated. "Ken as much as I thought you were a bratty pain in the ass… which you totally are… the truth is I don't know that we would be standing here if it wasn't for you. You really stepped it up… and you didn't have to. You were the one training most of the girls… you were the one they were looking to for answers when I wasn't around. As much as you like to call me 'General Buffy' you are a general all the same."

Kennedy laughed a little at the comment but knew that there was a lot of truth behind Buffy's words.

"You acted like a leader Ken… from the moment you walked into my house and still standing here right now. I watched you and saw as you inspired the others, how you made decisions that were necessary in the heat of the battle. You protected the weaker girls and you were the one they were relying on when it got bad out there. Your leadership skills will be valuable with us… and they will be called upon countless times from this moment forward. I need you with me as a leader… don't be afraid to lead them."

When Buffy was finished Kennedy couldn't help but step forward and wrap her arms around Buffy. They both had those cocky smiles on their faces when the hug ended, and Kennedy lightly and playfully punched Buffy on the arm before Buffy looked at her sister.

"Dawn… I'm so proud of you. You fought so amazingly well… where did you learn to fight like that?" Buffy asked.

"What? You think I never watched you?" Dawn questioned back. The sisters hugged once more. This hug lingered longer than the others but once it ended, Buffy was right back into slayer mode when she finally got to Andrew.

He was sitting on the floor with his head leaning back against the wall. He was looking up at the ceiling, clearly not paying attention to a word Buffy had been saying. Buffy slapped him lightly upside the head and startled him out of the daydream he was having.

"Stand up," she commanded to him. He did so on shaky legs, not having any idea what was going on. "There are no words to describe how annoying you can be. You are by far the biggest geek I've ever known and that's saying a lot considering Xander has been my best friend for so long. Sometimes I wonder how you managed to survive through all of this… and even more so how the girls, or Giles," she said looking back at her watcher, "haven't killed you."

Andrew took a breath and held it in. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Faith had now woken up from her little nap in the chair and was leaning forward with her elbows on her knees and her face resting in her hands. She had that smirk on her face that always seemed to scare the crap out of him.

"So Andrew, you may be a geek… but you are OUR geek. And I know I've never said this to you and it's long over due, but I'm proud of you. You could have turned on us at any moment with the First, but instead you didn't back down and stood strong by our side. We never told you how much we appreciated the things you did for us… the cooking, the cleaning. While you may have originally been a hostage in my home, you turned out to be so much more. And last night you proved just how valuable you are to the team… when your quick thinking helped us win the battle. So what do you say Andy… you think you are willing to call us your friends… your family?"

Andrew leaped forward then, at a speed so fast it surprised everyone in the room, and hugged Buffy fiercely.

"Oh Buffy! I'm so happy… I can't tell you what this means to me. It's like I really am Vegita from Dragonball Z, the once evil and proud Sayian prince now fighting on the side of earth's hero…" Andrew started to ramble.

Buffy held out her hand in protest.

"Okay Andrew… you are losing major points right now in the macho category," Buffy said as she attempted to pry the now crying Andrew off of her and glancing back toward the others for help. He was still wiping at his eyes when Faith stood and started stalking over toward him, making his tears stop instantly and his heart jump into his throat with fear.

"I forgot… you and I were just about to get cozy before that dragon showed up," Faith began as she continued to move slowly and predator like toward him. Finally she was right in front of him and he stood there, slightly shaking with nerves. Faith tilted her head to the side, threw on that cocky smirk of hers.

"Give us a kiss," she said.

Andrew didn't waste a minute. He was out the door of the conference room in the blink of an eye, running up the stairs and dodging anyone that happened to be in his way. Faith chuckled before she started after him.

"Get back here you little fucker! Quit being such a pussy! Grow a pair for once! I ain't gonna hurt you!" Faith yelled as she ran after him.

Buffy stood watching out the open door and could do nothing but laugh as she watched the scene unfold. Andrew ran around the couches in the main lobby with Faith right behind him. The remaining slayers and Scoobies followed out the door to watch the antics just as Faith reached out and grabbed Andrew. He let out a squeal… one that made Buffy want to cover her ears.

"Ken… our new leader… please help me!" Andrew pleaded as he looked over the group of new slayers watching with huge smiles on their faces. Faith was holding him in a headlock and he was frantically flailing his arms trying to break free from her hold.

"Asking a woman to defend you huh Andy?" Ken replied with a laugh.

"Oh please Ken! You know the only reason you aren't over here helping him out is because you know I'd smoke you," Faith responded with that signature grin.

"Oh… so scared Faith. The scary slayer act doesn't really work for you anymore… I think you're getting a little soft on us," Ken countered back. Faith's grin turned to that devious smirk as she gripped even tighter on Andrew's head and began to tickle him in the stomach. He started laughing, and Faith didn't let up, even when it seemed he was having trouble breathing.

"Please… anyone… help… me," he tried to say in between the torture. Ken glanced back at her sister slayers… and without words they instantly knew what she was asking of them. Before anything else was said, they took off running, all of them, directly toward Faith.

"It's your turn now Faith!" Kennedy shouted.

"Oh fuck no!" Faith exclaimed, releasing Andrew from the hold and bolting up the stairs with a slew of new slayers directly behind her.

"Think we are going to get any training done today Buff?" Willow asked as she came up behind Buffy. Buffy couldn't help but chuckle a little and smile to herself watching as the girls all dog piled on top of Faith and began to tickle her endlessly.

"Probably not… but that's okay, we have time," she said right before she took off running toward the group, ready to help Faith in any way she could.


The rest of the afternoon was spent working hard to get Buffy's plan moving. They knew that they couldn't stay in L.A. forever, but the biggest debate was where exactly they wanted to go. In the four hours they had been planning, that was one thing they still hadn't managed to agree on. Faith had left to go smoke when evening fell, Xander had fallen asleep with his head resting on some books at the table, Willow was still frantically typing away on her computer with her eyes watering from looking at it for so long, and Giles hadn't gotten off the phone for longer than 5 minutes at a time.

Buffy rubbed her temples and brushed her long blonde hair out of her face as she glanced up at the clock. The sun had set but it was still early… only 7 o'clock. She stood from her seat, stretching her arms up to the sky before heading out of the conference room they had been in since that afternoon and toward the office to get a glass of water.

"Hey love," Spike said as she entered the office. Buffy jumped slightly when he said it, but recovered without him noticing.

"Hi," she said. She still hadn't taken any time to figure out in her own head what she felt about Spike being back. She knew what she had said to him just before the Hellmouth closed on top of him. She also knew what he had said back to her. And he was right. She didn't love him… she never could love him… at least not the way he wanted her to. But she did care about him, and she was glad to see that he was indeed… well alive was the wrong word… undead?

"How's the plans for world domination going in there?" Spike asked with a little chuckle. He sat down in the chair behind Angel's desk and kicked his feet up, resting them on the desk in front of him.

"Slow," Buffy responded, dragging the word out and grabbing a bottle of water out of the small fridge next to the door. "How are you?"

"I'm here… don't ask me how… never really did get much of the info on it love… all I know is when Sunnydale collapsed I thought I would be dust. Turns out I was dust, but only for a short bit before I found myself here in L.A."

"I'm glad… you know… that you're here," Buffy said, turning to head back out of the office. She knew that he was going to want to talk to her more, and she wasn't sure what she would say.

"Buffy… I think you and I need to have a chat," he said, standing from the chair and heading over toward the door where she stood. He reached the door and closed it softly, looking directly into her eyes.

"What about?"

"You know what about… you told me you loved me Buffy," Spike said with a little irritation in his voice. Buffy walked around him then and went to the chair he had previously occupied. She didn't sit in it but she kept her back to Spike before she responded.

"And you told me that I didn't… what's there to talk about?"

"Was I wrong?" There was silence between them then. Buffy knew he already knew the answer, but he had to hear it from her before he could let it go. She owed him that much… he had been willing to die so all of them could live. Before she could respond, she felt his hand on her shoulder. "Buffy?"

"No… you were right," she said as she turned to face him. She had tears in her eyes that she tried to push back but she couldn't keep them from surfacing. "I wish I did mean it… and I do care about you, but I will never love you… not like that," she finished.

Spike bit his lip then, and Buffy noticed the look in his eyes change. It wasn't anger or hatred… it was sadness. He truly did love the blonde slayer… and he knew in that instant that she would never love him back. He released his hand from her shoulder and took a step back, forcing out a small smile.

"It's alright… I just had to hear you say it you know," Spike said. Buffy smiled a little back at him and their eyes locked for just a second. She moved around him then, gripping her water bottle tightly and headed back toward the door. She stopped as she got to it with her free hand on the handle.

"I'm sorry Spike," she said quietly with her back still turned to him.

"Well if you ever change your mind… I'll be here," Spike said with a gleam of hope in his unbeating heart. Buffy didn't say anything more, she just turned the handle and walked out the door, never looking back.

She considered going back to the conference room… but she needed to get away, even if it was just a few minutes. So she made her way out to the back and sat down on the bricks, looking up into the night sky. Her mind was reeling with thoughts… her conversation with Spike had really gotten her more rattled than she had wanted to admit.

"Nice night out isn't it B?" came a raspy voice from the shadows. Buffy turned then and a smile instantly lit up her face.

"I was wondering where you went," Buffy said as Faith made her way over to her sister slayer, taking a seat next to her.

"I saw you talking with ole Spikey Boy… didn't want to interrupt."

"Oh that… yeah well…"

"You think you are gonna try to make it work? You and Spike I mean?" Buffy's head snapped around quickly to look at Faith.

"That's a big fat no," she quickly pointed out. "Besides… I think with this new life and journey we are about to have… I should be more focused on that than my love life anyway."

"So why do you seem so down then?" Faith asked. The sincerity in her voice surprised Buffy, even though she had seen the changes in Faith the past couple of days. Buffy found it easy to talk to the girl that she had once wished death upon… the girl she once considered her biggest enemy.

"I don't know… I wish I could snap out of it though," Buffy said, taking another sip of her water.

"Then I know just the thing," Faith said with a huge smile plastered on her face.

"What's that? And if it has anything to do with you and me naked together… I don't want to hear about it," Buffy said with the same smile across her lips.

"Now while that would be amazing, I think what you need right now is to get out… I bet the newbies could use a night out to get their energy out too. What do ya say B? You up for a night of drinking and dancing?" Buffy didn't even have to think about it. It was like Faith had jumped into her head and sifted through all her thoughts and found exactly what she needed to take her mind off of everything.

"That actually sounds awesome," Buffy replied. "Let me go shower and get ready to go… give me about an hour?" Faith rolled her eyes and stood up, offering Buffy a hand which she gladly accepted.

"You never get ready in an hour… I'll give you two. I'll go round the rest of the gang and tell them the sitch… you get ready to go and we'll all meet in the lobby around 9ish."

"Alright… I'll see you then," Buffy said as she headed back into the house, leaving Faith outside to finish the cigarette she had lit just a moment before.

"Oh and B?"

"Yeah?" Buffy asked, turning back around so she could face Faith.

"That thing about you and me… naked… that can totally be worked out if you want," Faith said, raising her eyebrows suggestively. Buffy couldn't help but laugh, but she didn't respond. Instead she went back in the house and ran up the stairs, looking forward to a night out to unwind.