Sorry i was out of town but here's the next installment...enjoy!
Darla blinked. She looked at the kid and back to Angel before busting out laughing. "I'm sorry what", she asked.
Angel picked up Kathy careful not to stir her from her slumber. "She's mine and Buffy's", he announced prideful at the fact.
She allowed you to change a child but not me", she asked hurt.
"She was born; not bitten she grows more every single day", Angel growled softly.
Darla looked on skeptical. "Vampires can't have children and you are a fool if you believe she is yours. You're old enough to know better Angelus. She's using you", Darla hissed.
"And you're old enough to know I can't be fooled into believing this if it wasn't true and truthfully if she wasn't mine I would still watch over her as if she were. She smells like me Darla and her birth mark on her neck are my bite marks. She's something I never imagine I can have; my redemption."
She stared at the baby for a long time. "You're serious Angelus, this rodent is yours", she asked.
"She's no rodent. Her name is Kathy…Kathy Angela O'Donnellan, he whispered rocking the baby gently.
Darla gasped. That named sounded familiar. "Oh my…after your dead sister", she confirmed. She didn't know what to think of that. "How touching", she managed.
"Would you like to hold her", he asked.
Darla backed away from them. "I've never been good for babies", she told him.
He held Kathy a little more protectively. "I remember but how about a fresh start. All you need is patience like when Dru would wear your ears out with her nonsense about stars aligning and you would listen to her story for hours".
His sire smiled. "Only for you; and sadly they always had good endings", she joked.
"Hold her Darla", he asked again. He pointed to a chair and waited for her to sit before placing Kat in her hands.
Kathy stirred softly opening up those big brown eyes of hers staring at this strange woman before looking for her daddy.
"I'm right here Princess", he told her softly. "And this she's your old man's sire. So that kinda makes her your grandma", he said.
"The slayer will love that", she teased.
"Buffy", he told her tiredly. "Her name is Buffy".
"Anyway how was she born or conceived actually", she asked him looking up to another set of brown eyes.
"I always did manage the impossible", he told her cockily.
She laughed. "I remember".
"Now let's find you a room, shall we", he asked taking Kathy back and puling Darlaup to a standing position.
"What makes you think I'm staying", she smirked at him.
He just grinned that boyish grin. "You always did like a story".
Just Buffy's luck that she would come into Sunnydale and run straight into a vampire. He was a big hairy biker vamp; wearing a leather jacket, chains and boots. "I've always wanted to kill a slayer", he gloated.
Buffy lifted her noise in disgust. "And I've always wanted piano lessons. So really, who's
surprised we have all this unexpressed rage?"
The Biker-Vamp lunged at her only for her to sidestep him easily. When he turned to face her he was greeted with three rapid-fire punches to the face.
"But honestly? I think I'm expressing mine better. Tell you what", she cooed.
The Vamp punched her but she blocked it and held him there."You go find yourself a good anger management class..."
She whipped a stake out from behind her back. "And I'll jam this pokey wood stick
through your heart."
She staked him, slipped the stake back under her jacket and walked away. Truth be told, she needed that, especially since she couldn't kill Darla. "Think that sets the world speed record for closure", she thought out loud grinning. Only to frown and shield her eyes from a bright light in her face,'what gives', she thought.
There was a watch man that was screaming to get her attention. "Hey", he shouted. Buffy relaxed realizing that he was human. "If you're looking for one of those rave parties, you're late. Chased a bunch of kids outta here last night", he informed.
Buffy blinked a few times before she decided to just go with it. "Oh. Yeah, darn, and my fellow ravers will be so disappointed. My turn to bring Bundt Cake.", she told him slyly.
The night watcher shook his head holding in a laugh. "If it was my call, I'd let you do what you want. Not like anybody's using the place. But, they don't pay us enough to argue with the boss, so..."He gestured "out" with the flashlight.
Buffy could take the hint. "I'm already gone", she whispered and started to walk away.
He called after her and Buffy turned expectedly.
"Take your... whatever this is with you", he says picking up a softball-sized, gently glowing orb and handed it to the slayer; who examines it curiously.
Buffy wasn't sure what the thing was but from past experience she knew it had to do with something bad. "Right. Thanks."
The next day Buffy readied a breakfast tray for her mother. She felt accomplished; she made a whole hot breakfast with French toast, juice, and coffee. It looked all edible and she was very pleased because the most she had to prepare for others was blood and breast milk and her body did that already.
Buffy selected one flower from a bunch and placed the single stem in a thin vase before turning to get a cup when Dawn entered. Her baby sister was yawning and stretching. Without turning around Buffy warned her not to touch anything.
Dawn hated when she did that. Buffy was extremely hard to sneak up on; even though she wasn't trying. She stopped after Buffy choked slammed her against a door. Sometimes it was tough having the slayer as sister."Jahvol, mein sibling. Who died and made you the Iron Chef ", Dawn asked.
Dawn spotted the flowers, started to jam two or three more into the vase.
Buffy was already tense, plus she was crabby from missing her Angel Kat. "Look: Mom's sick, I made her a nice, non-instant breakfast for once, and I don't want you..." Buffy snapped turning around angrily when Dawn knocked over the vase. "...doing that", Buffy finished.
Joyce came in looking a bit crest fallen. "Morning, guys. Ooh, check out the "pamper Mom" platter. You two do all this", she asked pleased.
"Buffy helped.", Dawn stated taking credit for everything.
Buffy huffed. She just did all this work and that brat come in breaks shit and then wants to take full credit."I didn't "help", Buff insisted.
Joyce smiled lightly at her eldest daughter. "I'm sure you did", she said tiredly. "And neither one of you are pregnant, failing, or under indictment" she asked checking for reasons for this loving meal and Buffy being home.
Both girls shook their heads.
"Not this year. Angel Kat is all I need but you could start to get along with her daddy, since he'\s going to be in the picture. A LOT", Buffy added since her mom was checking for reasons. "But really we just knew you were feeling less than great, so..." she trailed off again.
Joyce nodded. "The headache they said would go away came back. And brought some friends along with."
Buffy hated not being in control. "So they don't know what's wrong."
Joyce nodded. "Not yet", she said sadly.
"That's unacceptable. We need a second opinion", Buffy stated firmly.
"We need a first opinion first, honey."
"Okay. Let's go now."
Buffy started to get up but Joyce just drew Dawn to her for a little Mom-ly hug.
"Buffy, I know you're concerned, but don't be. I'm still the Mom, which means I get to worry about you two. And it's a good thing, because you're a vampire slayer and you...(squeezing Dawn )...you're my little pumpkin' belly."
Buffy couldn't help but feel jealous. "You ever have names for me", she asked.
Joyce thought about it lovingly. "No, I think you were always just... Buffy"
"I got some names for you..." Dawn told her. Buffy looked deadly.
"Wait - what are you two hanging around here for? Isn't this Mr. Giles' big day", Joyce asked.
Ding-Ding! The little bell over the Magic Box door jingled as Buffy enters. She stopped, impressed and took a look around. The place was fully set up. It had mystical volumes, exotic bottles, skulls and bones and a wide variety of other magical paraphernalia all stood neatly stacked on display and a few things were marked "On Sale!"
Giles stood in the middle of it all looking extremely proud dressed in a purple wizard's hat and cloak. Buffy looked at Giles and his get up with a raised eyebrow. There was a long pause before he took off the costume and set it aside.
The bell rung again only this time it was Dawn that rushed in. The younger slayer was breathless trying to keep up with the older one.. "Told you, you couldn't ditch me.", she told her big sis who was breathing evenly. Dawn went off to go browse and hopefully not brake anything while Giles and Buffy talked.
"Not to worry. I have a very good feeling about this place. Magic's a small niche market, but think about it: Sunnydale. Monsters. Supply. Demand. Be lines around the block in no time", he told his slayer.
"Buffy, are you all right? You seem distracted", he asked concerned.
"Slayer-wise, I'm tip-top. But Mom's still sick, and we don't know what the deal is and Darla's back and Angel Kat is trying to keep her daddy sane".
"She is getting medical attention?"
"Who mom or Darla? Who by the way is like, 'oh my boy Angelus… my darling boy.' If she wasn't human she'd be dust by now…again", Buffy stated.
"I'm sorry. But time and patience can both be great comforts in...", he trailed off as the bell rung signaling a new comer.
Willow entered. "Giles! Where's your hat and cloak", she asked.
Dawn ran over to Willow and ranted about some talismans but Buffy thought it was time to get down to business.
"Actually, I've got a little Scooby- centric deal to deal with first", she stated.
She reached into her knapsack and produced the orb from the other night and put it on the counter. "I put it before the group... What the hell is this", she asked her watcher and best friend. They make educated guest and suggest Buffy goes back to the site for more information. Buffy and Dawn started to leave but Willow called her back.
"Buffy, wait. Go easy on her", Willow said softly.
The slayer narrowed her eyes. "Why. No one is going easy on me. I have to deal with mom's sickness and Darla's all over Angel", she ranted.
Willow paused. "Angel sire who was also one of his mistresses is alive again…breathing and all", she asked shocked.
"Yeah and both her and Dawn are getting on my last nerves."
"I can't help it. I have all this involuntary empathy for Dawn, 'cause she's, you know, a big spaz….But Darla should rot in hell", Will stated.
"Yeah but she's so annoying, especially now Mom's sick and Dawn 's all over her, while I have to be the grown-up, and they're like the giggle twins and how come I never get to be the Little Pumpkin Belly? "
"While I don't feel qualified to address that last part, I can tell you, Dawn 's not just the youngest. She's the baby. Maybe your Mom needs that now."
Buffy was getting madder by the minute. Willow was her friend. "Like Dawn even cares what – You have no idea how much I wish I were an only child these days. And FYI Dawn is not a baby…Kathy is a baby and she's even more mature and well mannered then Dawn ", Buffy snapped.
Willow looked at Buffy a moment to see if she really meant that and Buffy did. Their look was broken by the sound of a crash. Buffy closed her eyes.
"Oops", replied Dawn .
Later Buffy had to go to the hospital to get her mom's medicine after she was not feeling well when they got back to the house. Buffy busted out of a door marked "PHARMACY", examining the fine print on the orange plastic bottle as she walked up the hallway, barely noticing the gurney wheeling in the entrance, coming her way.
Ben saw Buffy alone and smiled."Hey. It's um, Buffy, isn't it", he asked happily. Buffy just looked at him. "Ben. But you can just call me
"Man-Nurse" like everyone - whoa!"
The patient on the gurney suddenly convulsed violently. Ben tried holding him down, but even using all his strength, it was not happening.
"I don't belong here! I have important instructions! Fascists!", the patient screamed.
Buffy calmly, efficiently strode to Ben's side, and with one Slayer-strength hand, she held the patient down.
"Or not. Let's strap him. For your own good, promise", he assured the guy on the gurney. Then he turned to Buffy and said, ".Not to be rampantly sexist in the workplace but, you've got some serious muscles for a girl."
Buffy suddenly realized what she did and backed off immediately. That was really a dumb move. Ben noticed Buffy's discomfort and made a joke to lighten the mood. He thought that she had a really nice smile. The moment was over when the patient grabbed Buff's arm.
"Hey', she shouted as he pulled the bottle of pills to his face.
"Doesn't even help, doesn't make a damn bit of difference", he shouted angrily.
Buffy started to pull her hand back, then stopped and looked at the man. It was the man who gave her the orb thing. " I've met this guy. He's not crazy", she told Ben.
Ben looked at her strangely. "If you say so..."
The Night watchman tightened his grip on Buffy's arm staring at her. "They're coming at you. Don't think you're above it, missy! They come through the family...They get to... your family...",he trailed off letting go of her wrist.
Buffy stood there rooted to her spot. She didn't take well to threats especially ones about her family. She had an inky feeling about what was happening to her mom.
Inside the factory that Buffy patrolled around last night was a monk. He was hastily re-setting a fallen candle amidst a group of candles at the floor entrance. He then pulled out a Sunnydale map frantically and unfolded it, and studied the grids. Next he took out a magic marker, and, searching, cross-references until he found what he was looking for.
He circled a spot on the Sunnydale map and smiled to his self. He hurriedly started to gather up his meager belongings when suddenly it was a big "BOOM" sound.
He looked up at the enormous, industrial-sized steel door at the end of the factory floor. "He once again heard the noise and he looked for a place to run; only there was nowhere to go.
On the fifth time he heard it, the door broke and in walked this blonde lady dusting herself off wearing heels. Her eyes brightened and she started to smile. Her name is Glory. "There you are! I have been looking all over for you!"
Not soon after she had the monk tied to a chair being tortured with duct tape on his mouth. "You know when you think about it. I'm the victim here", she told the monk sounding extremely hurt."First off, I don't even want to be here. And I don't mean this room, or city, or state or planet; I'm talking the whole mortal coil now. You know it's disgusting. The food, the clothes, the people – I could crap a better existence than this. But okay, let's focus...", she ranted pacing back and forth.
There was an older watch man behind her tied up. She paid no attention to the man and continued her rant. "And feel free to tell me if this next part gets too personal, I'm told I have boundary issues, but I am hurt - YES - by your incredibly selfish behavior. Newsflash, hairdo: It's not always about you", she shouted.
"All I want is THE KEY!"
Darla stood staring at the little rodent in front of her. She decided that the kid did kind of favor Angelus a little and wasn't so bad when she was quiet or sleeping. Her boy was a completely different person around Kathy. He was happier and more carefree around led her to one thought; his curse. One quick sack in the hay stack could get her boy back.
It was risky because Angelus never was one for taking orders or following directions. If she didn't appeal to his demon he would kill her, she knew that much but she was dying anyway. She had yet to tell Angel about her disease. These mortal feelings were getting harder and harder to hide. She really didn't want to unleash the world most feared vampire but she didn't want to die. Over four hundred years was not enough time.
"What are you doing", Cordy asked checking in on the baby only to be extremely alert when she found Darla hovering over Kathy.
Darla turned and smirked. "Just watching", she said sweetly but Cordy shivered at it.
"Don't get any crafty ideas. I love my job and life so if you harm this baby", Cord warned coming over to check for injuries.
Darla laughed. "I'm not afraid of you", she sneered.
It was Cordiela's turn to smirk. "it's not me you need to be afraid of", she warned again. Cord then proceeded to pick up the baby and walk out of the room.
Darla huffed wishing she could just kill the ex cheerleader…both of them.
"I'm sorry, Cordiela's very picky", Angel stated right in front of her. She jumped at the sight of him and he smiled.
"I could think of better words", she teased choosing to ignore him scaring the mess out of her.
"You'll get use to her", he told her gently.
"I'm too old to get use to new things... Angelus", she spoke softly.
"Yes", he asked noticing the change in her voice.
"How much do you remember of your human life", she asked testing the waters.
His eyes became distant and his face became one of stone. He was completely unreadable. She knew he wanted to dismiss the subject and the bitter memories but he knew she only asked for a reason.
"Not much. I remember being a disappointment, a lazy drunk, sleeping with tons of women. My father, I despised him he was abusive and condescending", he stated harshly.
"I really did do you a favor", she muttered. It wasn't for his ears but he heard them. "Your sister", she pushed. "Do you remember her", she asked.
He smiled. It was bittersweet but at least it was more than stone. "I remember everything about her. I was supposed to be her protector…I was her Angel and I took the most joy in killing her". By the end of his story he was growling.
"I'm sorry Angelus", she whispered.
"No you're not Darla…not yet but its still good to hear", he admitted.
She relaxed. "I wasn't that much better", he told him. "The black sheep if you will", she mused. "When they brought me back they started me where I left off. I'm dying Angel".
Buffy decided to fight magic with magic. She was going to figure out what that man was talking about. She even phoned Angel up and asked him to come baby and all. She was still in the dark about Darla staying with them. Angel was waiting on the perfect time to tell her.
It was just after summerset when Angel came. She greeted him at the door with a big kiss. "Hey Stranger", she teased kissing him again. "Where is my baby", she asked when she noticed that it was just him.
"At the mansion with the babysitter. You said you were doing magic and I don't want our baby exposed to anymore magic", he stated very protectively.
Buffy grinned and kissed him wrapping her arms around him. "You're so smart", she stated proudly.
He kissed her one last time before detangling away from her and leading her to her room. She was grinning too much and her heartbeat on top of her arousal was killing him. "Buffy, you wanted me here to do a spell with you", he reminded her.
"Oh yea… business", she reminded herself clamping down on the 'lets jump Angel' part of her brain. "After", she asked eagerly.
He just laughed.
When they got there Buffy immediately started to dump a lot of stuff on the floor. There was Candelabra-type incense holders and a bunch of brightly-colored incense sticks. With Angel's help, Buffy started to set things up.
"Thanks again for coming. I totally appreciate the help", she told him. "I know with Darla all human and Wolfram Hart", she ranted.
Angel took a hold of her hand to calm her down. "You're what matters most", he told her tucking her hair behind her ear.
Buffy grinned happy that he came all the way down here for nothing, just because she asked. "Even if I need you to hold candles and light sand", she asked warily.
Angel nodded. He started to pour brightly colored sand around her as Buffy started to light the incense sticks. As she closed her eyes Angel watched her like a hawk waiting for any signs and alert if he had to do something drastic. He hated magic and he hated feeling helpless watching her do this but he was happier then he would have been when he found out she did this shit by herself.
There was a knock at the door and Angel went to go get it so as to not disturb Buffy. He knew it was Dawn before he opened the door. "What are you guys doing", she asked.
Angel stuttered not really sure if Dawn was suppose to know.
"EW…are you doing the nasty", she asked.
If Angel could blush this would have been a good time. "um aren't you a little old to know about that", he asked making sure the door was closed behind him.
"I'm not a kid", she shouted at him. "Now what are you and Buffy hiding", she asked.
He had a better idea. "Eh..What if I taught you how to speak Gaelic instead…Buffy doesn't even know how. You would be one up in the language department", he asked.
Dawn face brightened dramatically as she dragged Angel to her room.
After a little more chanting Buffy opened her eyes and everything was completely different. Buffy was a little wobbly and disoriented but stands anyways. Everything was brighter and was glowing. Buffy slowly exited her room and went out into the hall way dazed.
Buffy slowly headed downstairs and ran into her mom, who was going out. Buffy truly looked at her and there was nothing out of the ordinary wrong with her. She wasn't under any spells or no demon foul play. Buffy blinked confused a couple of times before ensuring that Angel and herself could handle Dawn and to enjoy.
They talked a little more before Buffy noticed a photo of her mom, herself and Dawn at the hospital with Kathy. Buffy took a step closer to the picture and held it up. Dawn image was flicking in and out of existence. Buffy slammed the picture back on the table and tired to race back to Dawn 's room to put Distance between Dawn and Angel but while under the spell she took much longer then she would like.
As Buffy barged into the room, much like Dawn 's image the room flickered out of reality. She saw what she saw normally, Dawn 's bed room only for it to change into a nursery for Kathy.
"... uffy... Buffy...", Dawn was shouting at her. 'It was no fair Angel was her friend too and he was way cooler then Buffy because he made history kind of fun', thought an aggravated Dawn. He was telling her about his life before and Buffy had to ruin it; probably to go at it like rabbits. Dawn was not having it.
Angel watched on warily, he could tell Buffy was still under the spell.
Buffy just looked at Dawn, who was fading in and out.
"Buffy! Who said you could come in my room?"
Buffy looked at her coldly. Angel tensed and moved to get up when Buffy uttered the words. "you're not my sister".
Angel was shocked, mouth a gap. He knew Dawn smelt weird but she also smelt like Buffy. Come to think of it she smelt a lot like Buffy. He frowned lost in thought.
"Tch' yeah! Like I even want to be related to your smelly... Ow! What are you doing", Dawn yelled back.
Buffy grabbed Dawn hard and Dawn struggled against Buffy's slayer strengths. "What are you", the slayer yelled.
Angel was quickly behind Buffy trying to separate the sisters. At this rate Dawn was going to have a pretty big bruise.
"Let me go you freak. Angel make her let go of me", she cried.
"Buffy let go", Angel said softly.
Buffy was on attack mode. "No, I will not let her hurt me or our family. Stay the hell away from my mother…Stay the hell away from my child", she screamed when Angel forcefully detached her from her sister.
There was a long silence in the room and Angel started to become uncomfortable with the huge amount of fear in the room. Dawn looked traumatized. He was about to break the silence when the phone rung. "Honey you should get that", he whispered.
She glared at him and angrily answered the phone. "What", she barked.
Turns out Giles found some information on the globe but the case surrounding her mother was a mystery. Unfortunately Giles information wasn't exactly great. Something big was coming and Angel suspected that it was already here. She convinced him that she was going to patrol alone and she would see him back at the mansion. He told her he would go after making sure Dawn was truly okay. Buffy sneered scornfully but knew if something happened Angel could handle it.
"Come out, come out where ever you are", the slayer called as she walked into the old darkened factory. She hears something running around on the floor and flashed her light in that direction. By the stained walls she saw a man barely conscious in a chair and rushed over and quickly untied him.
Hey. It was you, planted the thing, the... Dagon's Sphere, right? I have it. We're not alone, I've got friends who can help you. Don't worry", she assured.
His eyes peered into hers trying to communicate something.
The slayer smirked." I'm stronger than I look".
Right behind Buffy was Glory trying to be as silently as possible. The monk tried to warn Buffy but she was a complete airhead about it.
"I've got some experience with stuff like this."
Glory mock-whispered "Shh" to the Monk, as she got closer to the blonde.
"And best of all...", the slayer trailed off and without looking backwards she caught Glory directly in the throat. "I'm not stupid", she finished proudly.
She whirled on Glory to face her and Glory easily removed Buffy's hand and backhanded the slayer. Buffy flew to the other side of the room and slammed into the wall. Buffy looked up at Glory bewildered at her strength.
"You sure about that last part", Glory smirked.
Buffy managed to stand up not backing down only to go face first into another wall. The two fought and Buffy was getting beat badily. This cocky wanna be run way model was throwing her around like a ball. Buffy got in a couple good hits and grabbed the monk and headed straight for the window. The two fell but Buffy took the most of the fall. She quickly helped him to his feet and started to quickly hurry away from the scene. He was slowing her down and wanted to stop.
"We gotta keep moving", she told him urgently.
"My journey's done, I think", the Monk told her.
"Don't get metaphory on 're going", she said bluntly not giving into her broken ribs and twisted ankle. The monk wasn't moving however.
"You have to... The Key. You must protect The Key", he told her.
"Protect the Key. Right. I know, we'll do it together! Far, far from here", she agreed wanting nothing to do with this place..
"Many have... died... many more, if you don't... keep it safe...", he trailed off.
BUFFY face twisted in confusion. "How? What is it", she asked.
"The Key is energy. It's a portal. It opens the door...", he stated hoarsely.
"That round glowy thing?"
The monk shook his head. "For centuries it had no form at all. My brethren... its only keepers. Then...", he pointed to the factory. "The abomination... found us. We had to hide The Key... Gave it form. Molded it flesh, made it human. And sent it to you."
The pieces where coming together in her head. Dawn was the Key and Buffy was mad as hell.
"You put that thing in my home", she screamed in rage. She had a baby and a clueless mother who she didn't want in harm's way.
"We knew the Slayer would... protect...", he tried to explain but Buffy kept going.
"My memories... my mom's...", she ranted.
Buffy looked at him and for a moment he was totally clear and focused on her.
"She's not my sister", Buffy told him forcefully.
The monk looked at her sadly. "She doesn't know that."
The hell mouth just added a new foe to the mix. Apparently she wanted something called a key...but she knew it as Dawn . Buffy went up the stairs in the quiet mansion limping wanting to kiss her daughter and then go see Dr. Angel so he can patch her up before she went to patch up things with Dawn . Dawn was as much of a victim as she was and they needed to be semi cool with the thing that was in her protecting.
She went to the nursery and froze. There was that demon bitch holding her daughter in the rocking chair with Angel hovering over them.
Buffy threw her stake at Angel who caught it effortless right above his heart. "What the hell is going on here" she asked.
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