Disclaimer: Don't own Smallville, Supernatural, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

When Chloe had finally made it to where they were she'd hardly even batted an eyelash at finding Angel there, that had been enough for Giles to know that there was something wrong with her. His own magician's powers mightn't be what they'd once been due to years of neglecting them in favor of instead devoting himself to his Watcher Duties, but Giles was more than able to feel the difference in her. A glance in Sam's direction was all he needed to know that it wasn't just him. Sam was the girl's conduit, and as such he was the person who'd best feel when something was off with her, or her connection with the Hellmouth, and if the looks Sam kept sending her were anything to go on, something was definitely wrong.

"Something's wrong with her." Buffy joined in in the corner of the room opposite Chloe, watching her intently work on Joyce's mechanical husband. "My Spidey Senses are all over the place yelling 'Danger! Danger! Will Robinson!'."

"Yes, I have noticed something is off." He let out a stuttered breath. "I had hoped that it was just the addition of Angel which had her off kilter."

"Me too, but it's not that." Buffy shook her head as she folded her arms over her chest. "I'm sensing a huge disturbance in the force. Like, this is way beyond boy drama."

The two shared a look of concern before they turned their gazes on the girl with her back to them, concentrating completely on Ted.

Ted's condition was just what Chloe needed. She kept her back to the others and had him open and connected to a laptop as she tried to figure out his software, once she could get him figured out she could run a troubleshooting program on him to see exactly what had gone wrong with him. Not only did this allow her to completely ignore the others without raising any sort of red flags, but it gave her time to herself to smoothen out the plans she'd started formulating after she'd finally stopped crying at home. She'd immediately searched some information, and had lowered her head in regret to find out that Bette Sans Souci had died in an accident six months ago. She'd forgotten to get Willow's last name so it'd be tricky figuring out who in the world she was, the blonde didn't even know where to begin searching.

You've already messed up, Chloe. You've got to do better than this. The people you love are going to die if you don't.

The images she'd seen through Ava's eyes haunted her and left her breathing rapidly in fear.

Her computer beeped, letting her know that yet another one of her searches had come up blank. She had no idea what software Ted's creator had used to make him function, and she could spend years trying to find out. Right now more than ever she needed a win. Just one. She needed something to remind her that she could help, that she could do good things, could make things better. There was so much she needed to do before she—and this was one of them. And yet she was failing Joyce the same way she'd failed Bette and Red. The same way she'd fail everyone if she didn't do something quickly to stop it from happening. That was why she'd put plans into motion, and this needed to be done by then. It had to be.

Starting yet another search, Chloe moved from the laptop to sit in front of Ted. She stared at the bolts, gears and wires that made up his insides. It could take her years to figured out what each and every one of them did, and she didn't have years. She didn't have a day. Everything needed to be ready by this evening. Anything passed that was too late.

In her desperation a little Hellmouth energy seeped out of her fingertips, and her green eyes widened as something deep within Ted seemed to seep it in immediately. For the first time ever Chloe tried to force out more, and when she did the wisps were once more sucked inside of Ted's body. She pushed aside wires and different gears, finally finding what was essentially a heart-shaped container inside of him. Her Hellmouth energy seeped into it, and it trembled, even if only for a second.

Something Bette had told her in the alternate timeline raced through her hand, and Chloe stuck her hand deep into Ted's chest, wrapping her arms around his heart. Grounding herself, she let out a deep breath as she forced a little bit of the door she kept locked inside of her open, and when the energy sprung out she focused it, funneling the surge of energy through her arm into her hand, where it was immediately soaked in by the 'heart'. Her head began to hurt but she ignored it and forced more and more of the Hellmouth energy into the cyborg's body. With each wave of energy the heart seeped in more and more of the system began to become known to Chloe. She could understand it a little better. Its software became unnecessary for her to hack in and 'see' what was happening within its body. Hellmouth energy revitalized Ted's body until his 'heart' was beating in his chest, in her hand. She pushed on, able to access the memory drive, see the memories of Ted and Joyce together. Joyce had been very happy, and the robot was happy to be completing his mission: make Joyce happy. Chloe somehow knew she could, so she did - she strengthened that resolve, and then… and then she added a sub protocol. It would lie dormant in his system until it needed to be activated.

While there was enough energy for him to run for a while within him, Chloe pushed in more and more. She didn't know when she'd be able to charge Ted up again so she pushed passed the splitting headache and continued to push more and more Hellmouth energy inside of him. A part of her wondered what exactly his heart was made of. It easily consumed her Hellmouth energy and didn't let a bit of it seep out - which meant that even with that toxic energy inside of him it would be safe for Joyce to touch him. Only once the pain was too great, her vision dancing with black spots, did Chloe disconnect herself from Ted. She pulled her trembling hand away and held it by the wrist, a flinch of pain on her face. And yet she pushed the pain away and, with the knowledge she was still sifting through in her mind, began to reassemble Joyce's husband. It took her a while, it was trial and error, and yet in the end, with Ted in one piece, Chloe stared at him. She wondered whether Joyce had a thing for the actor John Ritter, because Ted had an uncanny resemblance to him.

Shaking her head, Chloe crossed her fingers and turned him on. For a second there was nothing, and then the sound of Ted being booted up purred to life.

Joyce glanced up immediately at the sound and dropped the book in her hand. "Ted?

Ted was silent for a minute before he blinked his eyes open and yawned as he stretched. "Now that was a nice rest!"

"TED!" Joyce sobbed as she raced towards him and threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest.

Ted hugged her close and looked down at her in confusion. "Is everything okay, honey?"

Joyce ignored the question and brokenly whispered a 'thank you so much!' to Chloe before kissing her husband.

Chloe smiled. At least she'd been able to help someone. And yet… her smile dropped immediately. She didn't know how, but she did.

Taking in a deep breath, Chloe moved towards the window and fingered the curtain open to peer outside.

There, on Giles' lawn, were a pack of Hellhounds. They all sat. Watching. Waiting. Just like they had when she'd gone to see Angel. Except now she knew why.

Taking in a deep breath, Chloe let the curtain fall closed and turned back around the others to see Sam making his way towards her. She met him halfway, but instead of stopping, grabbed his hand and dragged him behind her as she went to where Dean and Angel were. Both men looked up as she arrived with Sam, and when Angel's gaze went to her locked gripped on Sam's hand a part of her wanted to let go immediately, but she fought that and took in a deep breath. "I've had a vision of Cordelia and John. They're together trying to figure out a way to stop the curse, but I've seen them both die." Immediately she had all three males' full attention. "I need the three of you to work together to find them before they're killed."

"Who kills them?" Dean wanted to know dangerously as he stood.

"I don't know," Chloe admitted. "I just saw that they did die. And that John knows who killed him. That's all."

"Knowing dad, he's got tons of people who hate him enough to kill him," Sam whispered.

"There's a Hellmouth involved, I don't know how or why, but there is. You have to keep Cordelia far away from it." She took in another deep breath as she turned to Sam. "Sam, they're going to need your ability to both track individuals using something personal of theirs, and your ability to teleport. I know it takes a lot out of you, but it's the only way that they're going to be able to catch up with John and Cordelia in time." She turned to Angel. "They're going to need your knowledge on curses and how to break them. You need to find a way to get their curse to break without them dying."

Angel stood as well and nodded. "Of course. I will."

She turned to Dean. "You're the only one who can talk Cordelia down."

He two took steps and engulfed her into a tight hug. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, not until they're both safe," she whispered as she hugged him back just as tightly. "You have to leave now, Dean. You have to bring her back safe and sound."

"I will," he promised.

Sam and Dean were out getting some things that would be needed for their trip. They'd agreed to go and get some things from Angel's as well while he continued to go over the books. Everything was moving so fast, terrifyingly, suspiciously so. If it wasn't for the fact that Chloe had gone to talk to Joyce and Ted the second the boys had left Buffy would've dragged her away and demanded some sort of explanation, and she had a feeling that was exactly why Chloe was having such a long chat with Joyce and Ted. Buffy's Spidey Senses were going insane telling her that there was something going on. She was near a panic attack, and if Chloe didn't butch up and leave the protection of Joyce's side Buffy was going to yank her away and get the truth out of her once and for all.

Chloe finally excused herself from Joyce and Ted and went to the kitchen. Buffy was about to follow when Angel did the exact same thing.

Once he's gone I'll make my move.

"Why did that feel like a goodbye?"

Chloe stood with her back to Angel, her glass filling with water. She hesitated a breath before turning towards him, glass in hand. "Do you really want to make up for everything that Angelus did to me?" When he nodded silently, she sighed and placed the glass on the counter. "I didn't just see Cordelia dying. It was Buffy, and… Sam. Because of me they die. I can't—I won't be the reason they die." She took in a deep breath. "I need you guys to save Cordelia, and I need you to make sure that not only is the curse broken—but that they're safe." Her green gaze lowered as she took in a deep breath. "Angel, I'm trusting you to keep the people I love safe."

"What's happening, Chloe?" Angel asked softly.

"I've seen the future, Angel." She finally looked up at him, met his brown gaze. "I've seen all hell broke loose. And I know what has to happen to stop it. I can do it. I just—I need to know that everyone is going to be safe."

"What are you planning?" He stepped closer, suspicion dark in his gaze. "Chloe, don't do anything stupid."

"I'm not going to die or anything, Angel, I like living," she reassured him with a small smile as she put the glass down. "But I do need to do something, and I can't do it while worrying about what is happening to everyone at that time."

"What are you planning?" Angel repeated, that suspicion still highly dark in his eyes. He almost looked like Angelus in that moment.

"I need you to find someone for me," she said instead of answering his question. "Her name is Willow, but I don't know her last name. She might have some connection to Sunnydale, I'm not sure. She's a redhead and would be considered a… a witch. I know it's a lot to ask with so little leads, I'm sorry, but it's all I have. If you do find her, though, don't make contact. Just let me know. Please."

"What's so important about this Willow person?" Angel wanted to know curiously.

"I want to make sure she's not killed," Chloe responded. She wasn't ready to disclose what else she'd found out in the other timeline, not yet at least. No. There was too much to do, to prepare for, and this was only going to limit her already limited time to get them all done. "Please."

The vampire stared down at her before taking in a deep, unnecessary breath before he nodded. "Yes. To everything." He hesitated a second before brushing a golden lock out of her face. "I will protect the people you love."

"Thank you," she whispered before surprising them both by throwing herself at him, hugging him tightly. Things were so horribly off between them, they might never be what they'd once been, and he could hurt her unlike anyone she'd ever known - without even trying! But he'd been her first true love. He'd been the man who made her a woman. She'd grown up by his side, and had loved both his light and dark sides. No matter what happened between them, he'd always be important to her.

Angel was frozen for a second before he wrapped his arms around her. "Promise me you're not going to do anything stupid, Chloe."

"I promise," and she meant it. Her plan wasn't stupid in the least bit. It was the safest plan, for everyone. "Please take care of yourself too, Angel. You're a part of that list of people I want protected too."

There was a moment silence, and then his grip around her tightened. "If you say so."

"I do."

Angel finally left the kitchen and went back to where his books were. Finally. Buffy took the opportunity to go to the kitchen and found Chloe peering out of the window into Giles' back yard while she slowly sipped from a glass of water. The Slayer was curious what the girl could be staring at so intently, but when she moved closer to look outside, Chloe jumped and let the curtains fall closed as she turned to face her.

"Buffy! You surprised me!" Chloe gasped as she put down the glass of water.

"What were you looking at?" Buffy asked curiously.

"Nothing, I was just looking out into the distance while thinking, that's all." Chloe turned to face her and took in a deep breath. "I was also trying to figure out how to ask a favor from you and Giles."

"What favor?" Buffy moved closer, eyes narrowed.

"I need you two to go back with Joyce and Ted to Sunnydale. Tonight. I bought your tickets already." She bit her bottom lip and looked around before she moved closer. "I went to an alternate reality today."

Buffy blinked, not sure whether she was more shocked about the travel plans, or Chloe's last statement. She decided to concentrate on the latter since it seemed more… weird. "Like, spiritually—?"

"No. Like, I literally was in a different reality, one in which Angel never came to Sunnydale, and because of that the Master rose. Things were very very different." She hugged herself. Her skin was paler than normal and showcased dark bags under her eyes that Buffy somehow hadn't noticed until that moment. Whatever had happened in that other timeline had visibly traumatized her. "In that reality I never left Sunnydale… and I was with Sam."

"Wow." A little blindsided by this huge revelation, Buffy leaned against the edge of the counter and eyed her friend. "How did you, uh, reality travel?"

"Sam's been there, apparently, he used a magical wishing coin - long story - I ended up with it when I was doing our laundry and I end up over there." She took in a deep breath. "So many things were different just because Angel had never gone there. I—it's shocking." Her green eyes met Buffy's. They were darker than Buffy remembered. "I saw things over there, Buff. Things about us, about what's going to happen over here. It's not pretty, people we love die. And Azazel is mixed in it. He's behind it all."

Suddenly the sudden travel plans made sense. "You want Giles and me to go over there and talk with the new Watcher and Slayer about Azazel's visit - about what he was doing." She scratched her arm, feeling more in her element now that she knew what the plan was. Whenever things were starting to go wonky, things happened to Chloe, so this weird reality jump had to be somehow connected to what was going down - to why the hellhounds were roaming the earth - to Azazel's visit to Sunnydale. Chloe was right, they couldn't leave that in Wesley's and the new Slayer's hands! Buffy and Giles needed to go to Sunnydale and take a look at everything for themselves! They had already stopped one Apocalypse and thus had more experience than their replacements! "You think that whatever he was doing in Sunnydale is connected to whatever's going to happen?"

"Yes." Chloe nodded. She hesitated, almost as if afraid to say the next part: "Buffy, I saw you die."

Having already figured that that might be the case, Buffy nodded as she took in a deep breath. "What about Giles?"

"I'm not sure, but he was very injured, I couldn't tell for sure." Chloe looked sick at her stomach, paler than usual. "Buffy, I get why you and Giles are circling each other, neither making a move, but we don't know what the future's going to bring. All we know is that our lives consist of one Apocalypse after the other, and we can never be sure that we'll come out of them alive." She reached out and grabbed Buffy's hand, squeezing it. "You're my best friend, Buff. I love you, and I want you to be able to find happiness, no matter how unconventional. I mean, just look at your mother for crying out loud." Chloe's smile was genuine wand soft. "When I was fixing Ted I managed to access his memory and I could see flashes of them together. Despite how incredibly unconventional their relationship is they're very happy together. And I want that for you. If there's anyone who deserves to be happy, it's you."

Emotion clogged Buffy's throat, and all she could do to convey how much that meant to her was to draw her best friend into a tight hug. "I love you."

Chloe's grip around her was just as tight. "And I love you."

At the sound of the door opening, and the boys returning from getting what they'd need for their trip, the girls separated and gave each other smiles.

This was going to be hard as hell to do, especially with two other guys, but Sam would have to deal with it. They'd start driving in the direction his tracer spell was indicating as the route that Cordelia was on, and when they were close enough that he could pinpoint exactly where Cordelia and their father was, he'd had to teleport them - and that would leave him completely drained of his power for a while, so that meant that if there was danger awaiting them on the other side, Sam would have to rely heavily on Dean and Angel - which was probably a part of the reason why Chloe had asked the vampire to come along. It hurt Sam's manly ego, but he understood it, and it needed to be done to save Cordelia, as well as their father.

That didn't mean he had to like it though. And he didn't. He also didn't like the feeling that they were being shoved off and gotten out of the way. There was something going on with Chloe, he could feel the energy inside of her way off, but she wasn't going to open up — and he didn't have time to pry it out of her. After they came back with Cordelia he was going to sit her down and figure out exactly what was wrong with her.

As everyone said their goodbyes, Sam slipped away from the others and found Chloe already outside, hugging at herself as she stared up at the stars. He went to stand next to her and stared up at the stars as well. "What happened to you this evening? And don't tell me 'nothing' because I can feel how conflicted you are right now."

She glanced down at Dean's Impala, which they would be driving most of the way. "Why didn't you tell me about the alternate universe? The one in which Angel never came to Sunnydale?"

He froze. How in the world did she know about that?

"I accidentally went there today," she responded, as if having read his mind. "I met the alternate you - and alternate others." The blonde exhaled loudly, slowly, and turned to face him, expression blank. "You wished for a universe in which I'd never met Angel?"

He stared down at her, so horribly put on the spot and not sure how to respond except with the truth. But this was such a horrible time for the truth! "Yes."

"Then why didn't you stay there?" She asked softly.

The temptation to look away was immense, but instead of giving into it, Sam took in a deep breath and squared his shoulders as he stared down at her shadow-covered face. "When we get back from saving Cordelia, you and I need to have a long talk."

For a moment she didn't respond, but then she slowly nodded. "We do." She cleared her throat. "Don't do anything heroic which will get you killed, okay? I need you to be extra careful."

"Of course."

"No." She glared up at him, as if his rapid response had pissed her off. "I'm not just saying it, Sam. I'm telling you to be careful. You could die, okay? Don't let that happen. Please."

He had no idea what she was going on about, but he could feel it through their connection. She was scared. It was why he gave the command serious thought to let her know he wasn't brushing it off, as he nodded. This time he stared her in her green eyes when he promised: "Of course."

She continued to look up at him, but this time must've seen something different, because relief filled her greens. "Good."

The next bit was a little too quick for him to really focus on. He stood there, shocked, because Chloe had pulled him down and basically climbed up his body to hug him. It was almost like he was a tree and she a monkey, and the thought made him laugh as his arms wrapped around her and he hugged her tightly, holding her close.

"Come back safe and sound," she whispered in his ear.

He smiled brightly and held her closer. "I promise."

It'd been a night of goodbyes. Not only had Dean, Sam and Angel left in the Impala, but Buggy, Giles, Ted and Joyce had gotten in a taxi to head towards the airport to catch the flights Chloe had bought for them with the money she'd saved during her time with Angelus, Spike and Drusilla. It'd given Chloe the time she needed to cry some more, pack up, and then make the last call she needed to make. And that was why she was here in her living room, recounting the whole damned thing.

Kal listened in silence before he looked up at her finally. "I see."

She licked her lips, waiting for more of a reaction than that.

"So, I'll let Lucy know to put Azazel on our list." Kal's eyebrow raised. "You're doing this because of him, aren't you? So once he's dead—."

"Azazel's very powerful," Chloe interrupted quickly, worriedly.

"So is the Last Son of Krypton," Kal informed her, almost insulted. "And let's be real here - Lucy's probably the most dangerous and terrifying person alive. Once she's on his scent that Animus demon won't have a chance." He grinned toothily. "And if we really want him to suffer we'll make him spend time with Lois."

Unable to believe that she was laughing, Chloe leaned hard against Kal and smiled when he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Thank you."

"For threatening to throw your cousin at Azazel?"

"No." She shook her head. "For taking the news about me so well."

There was a moment's silence, and then Kal sighed. "Chloe, I'm an alien. Who am I to judge you?"

She laughed once more and wrapped her arms around her. "I love you."

"Yes, well, I am lovable," Kal informed her before he sighed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "If you need me, Little Cousin, call for me. I will keep an even more watchful ear out for your voice, and if you're in danger I will hear it and come for you."

"Thank you," Chloe whispered. "Can you tell Spike if he asks you if you know why I'm so MIA?"

"He won't like it," Kal informed her.

"Why do you think I'm putting it off?" Chloe wanted to know. "But if I don't do this—."

"Yeah. I know." Kal squeezed her. "We'll get Azazel. Don't you worry about that. And once we do I'm coming for you, personally."

Chloe closed her eyes, smile in place. "I'll be waiting."

The sound of a car drawing to a stop outside caught their attention.

With a sigh, Kal stood. "Remember, I am a call away." And with that he was gone.

A knock sounded on the door.

Wiping at her eyes, Chloe stood and went to the door, opening in to find a group of people on the front porch. "I'm sorry for the last minute request."

"No, no, we appreciate your need to understand yourself," Quentin Travers responded as he motioned his men to enter and get her things, which had been packed up. "Do not worry, Miss Sullivan, we will find out exactly how you are connected to the Hellmouth energy, and will help you figure out how to control it."

"It was wise of you to reach out to us," Gwendolyn Post announced as she stepped to stand next to Quentin. "We understand Mr Giles' fatherly protection, but it is in your own good interest that we help."

"Of course." Chloe nodded as the men emerged with all of her things. She locked the door behind her and closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath.

Throwing herself on her childhood bed, glad that her mom and Ted were letting her and Giles stay here during their trip to Sunnydale, Buffy yawned. While they needed to be here, she wanted to get back home as soon as possible. There was something going on with Chloe and Buffy didn't like the idea of her being there by herself, even if only for a couple of days. Whatever was going down would go down soon and Buffy planned on being next to her friend when she did.

Sitting up, Buffy reached into her bag to search for her phone, but instead felt something odd inside. She pulled it out and found a folded up letter with her name written on it in Chloe's handwriting.

Nerves budding in her stomach, she unfolded it and started to read.

Dear Buffy

If I'm lucky you'll find this while in Sunnyvale, or at least on the airplane in mid-air. It's not that I don't trust you, in fact, I trust you more than anyone else. I haven't told the others in our group what I'm going to tell you. But they deserve to know, because, like you, they've been influenced by me without even realizing it. Their lives have been changed, put in danger, because of me. And I'm so sorry.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Buffy, something extraordinary happened to me. As you already know, I visited another reality, but what you don't know is that I've learnt something unbelievable. There's a reason you and I have always felt so connected. It's because we are.

I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I swear I didn't.

In this other reality Sam and I were together, but his curse didn't activate. Do you know why?

Sam's family curse is activated when a male member of the Winchester family becomes romantically entangled with another human being - male or female. Should they actually fall in love with this other person, the curse will kill them both and not just the partner.

The reason Sam and I were fine was because he was not in love with another human being.

I'm not a human being, Buffy. The reason why I've managed to stay alive despite everything that had happened to me - is because I'm not really alive - or I am - but not in the way that I should be.

We were wrong, Buffy. Wrong about so many things. About my mother. My father. My connection to the Hellmouth. Sam's connection to me. Yours.

The hellhounds have been following me. They don't attack. They watch. They wait. And now I know why.

I wasn't an accident. I wasn't a mistake. I didn't unintentionally steal anything from my mother by being born.

Gabe isn't my father.

The Master isn't my father.

Azazel isn't my father.

I don't have a father.

I don't have a mother.

I had a guardian who faced the Master, who lost her life while facing the Master. She thought he might realize the truth of what I was, she was trying to protect me.

I always despised Moira, Buffy, but she died to keep me safe - and I can't let you do the same thing. I've seen it happen in a vision, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you or anyone else I love.

Don't bother rushing back. I'm not here. But I'm fine. I've gone to visit the Watchers Council. They've wanted to study me for a while, and assure me they have a place where I can stay during my visit where no one can get to me - not Azazel - no one. They won't be able to find me, much less take me, or… or use me. That's how I keep you all safe: I keep myself locked up somewhere where I can't be used by Azazel or anyone else. That way you live. Sam lives. Cordelia and John too. Everyone lives and I get to be in a place where I can continue this existence that shouldn't even be.

The Watcher Council don't know the truth. As far as they are concerned I'm just a normal girl who got caught in a meteor shower, was mutated, and that mutation somehow made her a natural Conduit of the Hellmouth.

I'm not a Conduit, Buffy.

I'm not a normal girl.

I'm not even alive.

Not really.

I don't know the details, I don't know why, but I was created. When Moira worked her darkest of magics with the help of the Master, she wasn't trying to harness the power of the Hellmouth, as he'd thought and led me to believe as well. She was trying to create a body for me to inhabit, and she used her own DNA to help my creation, so in a sense she was my mother. I was energy, Buffy. Just energy. And you'll say something like 'all life is energy', and I agree, which is why I say I'm alive - kind of.

But Buffy, I'm not human. I don't know how many more times I have to say that, to write it out, before it finally sinks in. I can't believe it, I'm still trying to.

Do you know what my alt!timeline cousin told me was the reason why Sam's curse didn't activate? Do you want to know her exact words?

They were, and I quote: "Of course not, silly! It's because you're not even close to being one of its triggers! Your body was created by Aunt Moira using dark magics, her DNA, and the Master's unknowing help… it's merely a vessel to house your true form - formless energy. I mean, you told me yourself, you're basically a golem. A clay exterior brought to life by magic for a purpose. And that purpose was to give your energy a safe place, a way to hide, to blend in human society. You were made into a baby so that you'd have years to grow up and grow stronger. Aunt Moira made sure you were in the meteor shower so that it would strengthen you, and it did. Aunt Moira risked - and gave her life for to protect you against the Master… and others." She then realized she'd gotten sidetracked, shook her head, and continued with another laugh. "So, yeah. Sam's curse never activated because he's always been in love with you - the Hellmouth disguised as a human."

I didn't want to believe her, but it made so much sense. It explained so much!

It's why I had that connection with the Hellmouth energy from the beginning.

It's why I can tap into it without dying.

It's why I could sense it - track it - when the Master ascended.

It's why I can drink Hellmouth energy infused drinks without issue.

It's why my blood is potent yet poisonous!

It's why demons can sense me no matter where I am and are drawn to me. Hell! Dru kept calling me HELL and I NEVER GOT IT!

It's why wherever I am soon becomes Hellmouthy.

Because it is.

Because I am.

Buffy. I'm not a conduit of the Hellmouth energies. I AM the Hellmouth energy.

It's why you and I are connected - you're meant to patrol the Hellmouth and protect those around it…

I'm the Hellmouth disguised in human form, and I'm going to be used to destroy the world and kill everyone I love.

You included.

So that's why I've given you all the pieces of the puzzle I know to help you all survive - and I've taken myself out of the equation. Azazel can't use me if I'm hidden away and protected by the Watchers Council. When it's safe, if you still want to see me, I'll be under the supervision of Quentin Travers and Gwendolyn Post.

Once again, I'm sorry Buffy.

I didn't know.

And I'm doing all in my power to try and stop this. I swear.

Yours

Chloe

PS - can you please tell Gabe and Jenny that I'm on vacation somewhere? I don't want them worrying about me.

Buffy stared up from the letter, eyes wide. "Chloe, you idiot!"

And with that she got up and raced to Giles' room.

Chloe sat in the plush seat on the private jet that would take her to the Watchers Council's headquarters in England. Quentin was on the phone talking to the others back at the headquarters, preparing everything while his men loaded in Chloe's things and readied for take off. Gwendolyn was in the cockpit. Chloe kept her gaze out of the window and tapped her fingers against her thighs in a clear nervous tick. There were tons of doubts in her mind but she pushed them back. This was the only way she could see things working out without anyone dying. Her friends were going to be pissed at her when they found out, but they'd be able to visit, if they wanted. Quentin had assured her of that. This wasn't a suicide mission. This was containment.

Ending his phone call, Quentin turned to Chloe with a smile. "I hate flying."

"I'm not too fond of it either," she admitted.

He nodded and glared down at his watch only to frown. "We should've been in the air already." He peered passed Chloe down the aisle as someone boarded the jet. "Where is everyone? We should've been wheels-up—!"

A muted sound pierced the cabin before suddenly Quentin's eyes were wide, crimson beginning coat his shirt.

Chloe's eyes widened. He'd been shot! They were under attack! She quickly fought with her seatbelt only to feel something pierce her neck. Heat flooded into her. Someone had injected something into her. But what? Were they going to kill her? All around her the world began to spot, and she couldn't move. Her whole body felt heavy as if it was being weighed down by bricks. She tried to scream Kal's name but her lips wouldn't budge.

The last thing she saw, as she slumped forwards in her seat, held in place by her seatbelt, was the life draining out of Quentin Travers' eyes.

TBC