Because of the changes I have made by making Cordelia and Xander spend time in the summer together and be sexually active, the incident with Willow and Xander being attracted to each other will not occur. Xander has eyes for no one but Cordy. Also, too, Buffy is not quite the same as she was in canon as she had a summer of real healing, not the isolation she had in canon.
As a teacher in a few states, I have always been confused about the way BTVS did the Homecoming episode. At most schools, student council or the class nominates the homecoming court. A girl doesn't run as Buffy did in that episode. I try address that in this chapter.
Thanks so much for my betas, who caused me to rework this chapter a bit and start the next one.
Chapter 19: Enemies Gather
*****The Next Day*****
Tony and Pepper were leaving on Sunday, so they had plans to have lunch with the teenagers, Giles, and Joyce before heading out. They ordered a copious amount of Chinese take-out and had lunch at the mansion, so they could talk freely. However, Tony had a surprise for Xander before he, Bruce, and Pepper left.
"You turn eighteen on Friday, and I had your gift delivered," he told Xander. "Since I can't be here, I wanted you to have it while I was here."
"You did?" Xander asked, his eyes lighting up. "That's really nice of you."
"It's outside," Tony said, standing. He had it delivered while they were eating. Or rather, Happy drove it into town that morning after flying in to pick it up. Happy insisted that he be there to see the look on Xander's face. Although Happy loved all the kids, Xander had a special place in his heart.
They all made their way to the door, and Xander's eyes popped out when he saw the light blue convertible.
"It's a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible," Tony said. "I almost got you a 1964 Ford Thunderbolt, but I thought you might like the convertible as this is California."
"That's amazing, Tony! Thank you," Xander said, hugging him and running to the car.
"A man only turns eighteen once," he said.
"Happy?" Xander said as Happy tossed him the keys. "When did you get here?"
"I wasn't about to miss seeing you get your first car," he said, smiling. "I told the boss that you loved muscle cars, so we found a dealer in Los Angeles that sold some reliable ones. I checked it out myself and drove it here. It will be good enough for your road trip."
Xander gave him a hug as he accepted the keys while his friends surrounded the car.
"It's much bigger than mine," Cordelia said.
"Back then, they made them roomier," Xander said.
"It's probably a gas guzzler," Willow said.
"Who cares?" Faith said with a grin. "It's gorgeous! I love muscle cars, but I wouldn't want a convertible. Not very safe if you're in a wreck."
"That was Mom's thought when she bought me mine," Willow said, smiling at Pepper.
"Well, if you feel like being a convertible, you can hitch a ride with Cordelia or Xander," Pepper said.
"This car takes me back," Joyce said to Giles. "My dad had a car exactly like it."
"Everyone has a car except for me and Faith," Buffy said with a pout. "Just because we don't get tired walking everywhere doesn't mean we don't want a car! I passed my driver's license test."
"Only by one point," Cordelia said with a smirk.
"I don't have mine," Faith said. "Besides, once you have a car, you have to have money for maintenance and gas and insurance. Although muscles cars are great, a motorcycle would be way cooler. They can go super-fast and have more maneuverability. "
"I give the kids gas cards with the cars, and five years maintenance is paid for," Tony said. "However, they will have to get their own insurance as I don't live in the state. Don't worry, my dear slayers, I won't forget about you. Faith, haven't you gotten a check from the Council? There supposed to be paying you monthly."
She looked surprised and shrugged. "I don't think so," she said. "My watcher just gives me money when I ask."
"She's probably keeping it in an account for you," Tony said. He glanced at Giles, who knew that he wanted him to find out. Giles nodded in understanding.
Xander and Cordelia were in the front seat. Oz and Willow had hopped in the back. "Come on, Buffy. There's lots of room," Willow called out.
"Yes, you can sit in front with me, Faith," Cordelia said, moving over. The car could easily sit six.
"Hey, take a picture," Xander asked Pepper, who was the most reliable.
Pepper nodded and pulled out her phone. "Smile," she ordered. They all posed while she took a few shots.
When they drove away, Joyce looked at Tony and said, "You are spoiling them."
He just grinned. "I can't help it. They are such incredible kids, who have been risking their lives to save others and even keep the planet safe. It is the very least I can do," he said.
"Make sure you show me what car you want to get Buffy before you buy," she said.
"Don't worry," he said. "However, I think either a Porsche or a Chevy Camaro would be best for her. Of course, the Ford GT or Mustang would be good choices for her also. "
"I see a lot of tickets in her future," Joyce said.
"She has incredible reflexes," Happy said. "She'd be an excellent race car driver, actually."
"Hank, her father, leased a Shelby Cobra once that was so cute," Joyce said. "That was a sign he was having a midlife crisis."
"That is a good car," Tony said. "I have one."
"Of course, he does," Giles said with a sigh. A Shelby Cobra was a very nice car. Maybe, he should see about trading his junker in.
"Dr. Banner, do you think you can help Oz?" Joyce asked the unassuming man, who was watching things from the porch.
"I do," Bruce said. "I think manipulating his gene and activating the mutant gene will at least give him control of his abilities." While he was there, he had managed to get a blood sample of Oz in wolf form. Of course, it had been necessary to knock the wolf out, but Oz had given permission for their actions.
"So you can't cure him?" she asked.
"No, I don't think that's possible," Dr. Banner said. "I did look at some other wolves he gave me information on, and the werewolf virus attaches itself to every part of the DNA. The mutant gene, though, may be enough to allow him awareness when he transforms, which would give him control."
"No more mindless beast," Tony added.
"Exactly," Dr. Banner said.
"When do you think you'll be able to help him?" Joyce wondered.
"Possibly in a few months," Dr. Banner said. "I want to be very sure before I give him anything."
"That's good," Joyce said, appreciating his control. Her phone beeped, and she pulled it out. It was Phil, asking her what she wanted to eat for their dinner date.
Tony saw her smile down at her phone and had to ask. "Who is putting that smile on your face?" he asked.
"Tony, that is none of your business!" Pepper admonished.
"Oh, it's okay," Joyce said. "I've been seeing the new history teacher, Phil Coulson."
"Really?" Tony asked, grinning. "The guy who had dinner with us? That's great!"
"I think so," Joyce said. "He knows about the supernatural as Faith had saved him twice from vampires. Both times, he was trying to help a victim when Faith arrived. He's a good man."
"That's fortuitous," Tony said. "It's good that your new beaux is in the know. It means you won't have to lie to him."
"Yes, it makes things easier," she admitted. It was very nice having a nice attractive man want to spend time with her. Not having to hide her daughter's calling made things much easier.
Xander came back with the car, and Willow hugged her mom goodbye.
"I will see you at Thanksgiving," Willow said.
"So we won't see you guys until when?" Buffy asked.
"When you get out for Christmas break, you get two weeks, right?" Tony asked.
They nodded. "Maybe you can come to New York the twenty-six?" he suggested.
"Will's not spending Christmas with you?" Xander wondered.
"Actually, Hanukkah is always over by the first two weeks of December, so my parents don't care if I'm with Mom at Christmas," Willow said.
"So we're going to spend Christmas apart?" Xander asked, frowning. "We'll miss Charlie Brown Christmas."
"Grow up, Xander," Cordelia said, elbowing him in the side. "Don't make Willow feel bad for wanting to spend a first Christmas with her mom. You guys can video chat you lame cartoon and dance."
"Fine," Xander said, still looking glum. Willow smiled at his actions while Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"Okay, you have our numbers," Pepper said, hugging Willow and then Buffy and Cordelia. "Call us if you need something. Try to stay out of trouble. Be safe. Be smart."
"Oh, I forgot to show you my dress choices for homecoming next week. I'm running for homecoming queen," Cordelia said. "I'll send you pictures."
"Please do," Pepper said. "I'm sure you'll win."
"I don't know. This year, your daughter was nominated," Cordelia said.
"It's a joke," Willow said. "Someone's trying to reenact Carrie."
"It's the Tony effect," Cordelia said. "Your reputation has gone up a lot since the truth about your adoption and relationship with Pepper and Tony."
"People are very shallow," Willow said.
After the grown ups all left, Buffy turned to Faith. "You wanna go spar?"
"Sure," Faith said.
"Let's go cruisin'," Xander said to Cordelia.
"Why don't you follow me home since I drove here?" she said.
Xander was very happy to do so, and he could not believe that he had his own wheels. Things were going so well, though, that he couldn't help but worry. The good times will be over soon since they loved on a hellmouth, so he was going to enjoy every minute he could.
He turned on his radio and followed after his beautiful queen.
******Wednesday at School*******
When they were in their first period class, Willow was reading the paper. "Oh, no!" she exclaimed.
A few students looked at Willow, who realized she'd drawn too many eyes. "There was a mauled student last night," she said.
Her classmates all frowned while Buffy and Xander exchanged a look before staring at Oz.
"It wasn't him," Willow whispered, glaring at them. "I was with him all night."
"Was he here or at Faith's?" Buffy asked.
"He was here," Willow said.
"I didn't go anywhere," Oz said, hoping it was true.
"Just to be safe, go to the place Tony prepared tonight," Buffy said. "Willow can stay there. Faith can take Thursday."
"Okay," Willow said.
After class, Scott came up to her and asked her to go to the dance with her.
Buffy opened her mouth to say yes—she did need a date, after all. However, her mind flashed to the last time she danced with Angel. Then her night with Foggy and Matt. Instead of accepting, she found herself telling him no. She wasn't ready to go out after a bad breakup. Scott seemed to understand and walked away.
"What did he want?" Willow asked. "Did he ask you to the dance? I told you that he liked you!"
"He did ask," Buffy said. "But I told him no. I'm just not feelin' it."
"But you need a date," Cordelia said. "You don't wanna be a fifth wheel."
"I'll just go with Faith, so don't worry. She already told me she was going stag 'cause she didn't want to be tied down," Buffy said.
At lunch, she saw Faith and confirmed that she was still willing to hang with Buffy at that dance.
"Hot, single bitches—we will have a blast!" she said with a grin.
"Has anyone wondered why Faith is here during lunch so often?" Willow wondered as Buffy and Faith went to get some food. Willow was sitting at the table with Oz, Xander, and Cordelia.
"She's probably lonely," Oz said.
"There's only some much training you can do in the day," Xander added. "Socializing is the main reason most of stay going to school anyway."
Willow nearly opened her mouth to argue that point but then shrugged and decided to let it go.
When night arrived, Buffy patrolled and didn't see any sign of a wolf or new demon. She was going to stop at the Bronze for a bit when she sensed someone following her. It didn't take much for her to get a drop on the person, but it wasn't at all what she expected.
"Angel?" she said as shock reverberated through her.
He snarled and ran away, but she chased after him. However, he disappeared.
How could it be him? What was happening? He didn't seem to recognize her—his eyes had been wild.
Where would he go? How did he get there?
How was she going to contain him? There was no question that she would contain him and not kill him. It could be her Angel since it was when she stabbed him with the sword. There was no way she could just stake him and got about her business like he was just another beast. He was more beast than man right now, and she didn't know how much time had passed in the hell dimension he had been sent to. With the way he was acting, she suspected it was a long time.
The questions whirled in her mind, and she wanted desperately to tell someone, but she knew how each friend would react. Normally, she'd talk to Giles as he was always objective. However, she couldn't do that to him. Angelus had killed the woman he loved. It would be cruel of Buffy to ask him for help.
She almost called Matt, but she knew that he couldn't be told about Angel—not the truth and not over the phone.
It left only one person—she called Natalie. Willow's bodyguard met her at the Bronze, and Buffy told her about spotting Angel.
"Do you want me to help you put him down?" Natalie asked. She understood that it might be hard for the teen to kill the man she loved twice.
"No!" she exclaimed. "That's exactly what I don't want. I want to contain him to see if he is Angel or if it's Angelus. That's why I don't want anyone else to know. They might decide to just kill him."
Natasha wondered how she should handle this. The vampire was clearly a threat to all of them, but Fury wanted her to get close to the slayer. Doing this with her would instill a level of trust and gratitude that she would need, especially if she ever found out about her role with SHIELD.
"Okay," she said. "What are you thinking?"
"We need to go get some blood. I was thinking he's probably starving. If he did attack someone, that's why," Buffy said.
"I can do that," Natalie told her.
"I will track Angel. We should lure him to the containment house that Tony built for Bruce," Buffy said.
"The Hulk House is what Faith calls it," Natalie said. "That sounds perfect. No need to worry about him getting out of that thing if it's designed for the Hulk."
"That's my thinking also," Buffy said.
"Where do you think he might be?" Natalie asked.
"The mansion was where Angel lived, so that's the most likely place," Buffy said.
"That's convenient," Natalie said. "I will meet you there."
Buffy thanked her and watched her walk away. The woman moved so silently that Buffy thought she could be mistaken for a slayer.
*****Thursday******
Mayor Wilkins knew that an ancient vampire was in town, and he considered the best way to get in touch with him. He looked at his deputy mayor. "I need a meeting with Kakistos, the town's newest evil resident. Get one of the boys to put the word out," he ordered.
"Mr. Trick is his right hand," Frank his vampire bodyguard said. "You could get a message to him."
"Good idea, Frank," Wilkins said. "Alan, try to track down Mr. Trick."
After his deputy left to do his bidding, his secretary gave him the bulletin from the high school. One of his vampire bodyguards was standing at the ready.
"Tony Starks was back in town but left," he read. "I don't like billionaire superheroes in my town. If the Rosenberg girl survives the school year, I hope she plans on going to school out of town. Oh, it looks like slayerfest is starting tonight. Darn it. I forgot to place my bet. What do you think, Frank? Will the new slayer survive?
"I put twenty on her going out in the first hour," Frank said with a smirk.
Mayor Wilkins chuckled. "I think our little Faith may surprise you—she's scrappy. Didn't have the advantages of the Summers girl. We should send a fruit basket or something to Mr. Trick for organizing such a fun event." Buffy Summers had shown herself to be extremely resourceful, so he would not easily count her out. Stopping Angelus had been a real comeback after he'd so violently dismantled her support team. He wasn't sure why the devious vampire killed a teacher instead of Buffy's mother, but it still hurt enough to cause her to send the vampire to hell. It was a good thing since he and that crazy vamp Drusilla had nearly ruined his own plans by awakening a competitor that would've stolen his thunder.
The slayer had a purpose, which is why he kept her around. However, they definitely didn't need two slayers on the hellmouth, so he was hopeful one of them would fall after tomorrow's festivities.
*****At Tony's Mansion Now Slayer Headquarters*****
Although Natalie had brought blood to the Hulk House and promised to keep Buffy's secret, Buffy didn't manage to find Angel again. Luckily, though, tonight, she did spot a werewolf that wasn't Oz. It was fighting with Angel not far from his one-time home. Her appearance on the scene distracted Angel enough that the werewolf got away. She knew that she needed to catch the wolf as tonight was the last night of the full moon. However, she had to get Angel contained.
"Angel, are you okay? It's me, Buffy," she said, holding up her hand while reaching for the blood she was carrying in her bag.
Angel snarled but didn't run off, so she took that as a good sign. Carefully, she pulled the lid of the container, so he could smell the blood. "Are you hungry, Angel?" she asked. He stepped a bit closer, and she put the lid back on it. After she put it back in her shoulder bag, he growled at her in annoyance and came even closer.
"Angel, it's me. I need you to follow me, okay?" she said.
He snarled in rage and lunged for her, so she took off running toward the mansion.
Buffy was relieved that the night had ended with assurances that Oz was not mauling people. Now that he had Tony's super-duper cage to go into, there was no way that he could escape. However, finding that Angel somehow was back rattled her entirely. Still, he was chasing her, and she knew she was going to get him in the Hulk House. His snarl did not sound much like the man she knew.
There was still some of the man in him, though, because he kept coming back to their new headquarters, his old home. Keeping him there was a good idea. Tony's containment for the Hulk that was not exactly in the house itself. Unlike the werewolf containment, he needed stronger enforcement, so he had one built behind the house. That would mean she shouldn't need an invitation from Faith. However, she knew that the slayer's keen hearing would notice Angel's presence.
Angel was still following her, so she made a beeline for the back of the mansion, relieved when he showed no interest in the front of the house. Buffy managed to get Angel to go inside the Hulk House and grabbed the container of blood from her sachel. The door was open as she had left it the night before ready. Quickly, she put the blood on the floor and went out the other door on the opposite side of the room, shutting it behind her. While he was busy drinking, she hit the control that trapped him inside. He wasted no time and ran to the walls, testing his strength against them. There was a door with a window, so she could see inside. One of the walls turned translucent if she wanted to see him that way also.
Angel's snarling and banging, though, was making a huge racket. Yep, Faith would notice the commotion.
Resigning herself, she walked into Faith's home, which they had now dubbed Slayer HQ since Faith vetoed Scoobie Central. She found Faith in the kitchen, making a snack.
"Yo, B. What's up? Did you find the monster that was definitely not Oz?" she asked. She had been on Oz patrol, so Buffy had gone out solo.
"I did," Buffy said. "And I need you to come outside, please. I have something to show you."
"Sure," Faith said, grabbing her sandwich as she followed Buffy outside.
"Faith, do you trust me?" Buffy asked her.
"Well, of course. Why wouldn't I?" Faith asked, puzzled by the question.
"I need you to do me a huge favor—the biggest," Buffy said.
"Okay," Faith said. "What's up?" She took another bit of her sandwich.
"I want to keep this between us for a week or so. Can you do that? Don't tell the watchers or anyone?" Buffy asked.
"Not even Willow?" Faith asked in surprise.
"No," Buffy said.
Faith was a bit excited that Buffy wanted to trust her with something and not the others, so she was going to do whatever she asked.
"You heard my sordid tale about Angel, right?" Buffy said. She nodded. "Well, I don't know if anyone told you that when I started the fight with Angelus—Angel's soul was gone. The monster that had killed Jenny was there. He had started the ceremony to bring hell onto our world, so I knew I had to kill him. Of course, I didn't know that Willow was going to restore his soul, so when I killed him, he was no longer Angelus. Angel was back."
"No shit? That's pretty sucky," Faith said. She had heard a bit, but Buffy hadn't said anything since she made the joke about necrophilia.
"Angel didn't remember anything. I told him that I loved him, and then I stabbed him with the sword," Buffy said, grim as she recalled the second worst memory of her life.
"That's intense," Faith said. Could she kill the man she loved to save the world? She hoped so.
"I'm telling you this now, so you don't freak out and overreact," Buffy said. She was leading Faith to the back of the house. The noise Angel was making would not be heard by a normal person, but Oz would hear if he didn't call down.
"What's that noise? Is someone in the Hulk House?" Faith said. That's what she called the building when she heard it was in case something caused Dr. Banner to go green while on the hellmouth. Tony said they were to lure the Hulk into the building.
"Yes," Buffy said. She approached and led Faith through the door. Then she hit the control that made one of the walls translucent.
"Who the hell is that?" Faith asked. "Why is there a vamp in there?"
"It's Angel," Buffy said. "I don't know why, Faith, but he's back. He was in a hell dimension for a very long time."
"He killed that student!" Faith exclaimed as she put it together.
"Maybe," Buffy said. "Or it was another wolf. I've got him contained, and I want to give him time. I don't think that's Angelus."
"B that's an incredible risk to take," Faith said, frowning.
"But is it that much of a risk?" Buffy asked. "He is in the Hulk House, so he's completely contained. Once he calms down, it won't take long for us to find out if it's Angel or Angelus."
"How can you tell?" Faith said.
"Angel is sweet, unassuming, and thoughtful—he reads poetry," Buffy said. "Angelus is a diabolical ass, who uses words to tear you apart."
Faith felt a stab of sympathy as she thought about what the monster had probably said to Buffy. "Has he talked to you yet?" Faith asked.
Buffy shook her head. "No," she said. "He seems like a rabid animal, so I am assuming he spent many years in a hell dimension. There's no telling what he saw or how he was tortured. It may take some time before he comes back to himself."
"This face killed the woman Giles loved, though, right?" Faith asked.
"I know," Buffy said. "Giles will be pissed, which is why I can't tell him or the others until we know for sure it's Angel and not Angelus. Will you help me?" Buffy asked.
"Okay," Faith said. "How can you get blood to him?"
"There's a slot on the door, where food can go through. We'll have to pour the blood in a water bottle or something, so it won't spill," Buffy said.
"How much does he have to have?" she wondered.
"He's probably been without for a long time, so if we can give him blood in the morning and at night, I think he'll calm down and come to himself," Buffy said.
"All right," Faith said.
"I really appreciate this, Faith," Buffy said.
"Hey, us slayers have to stick together," Faith said. "I got your back."
Buffy watched the snarling Angel for several minutes before she turned the screen off, and she said goodbye to Faith. "I'm going to patrol some more and see if there's another wolf in town. I'll see you tomorrow," Buffy said. "Be ready at eight, okay?"
"Just so you know, I always put out on the first date," Faith said, giving her a wink.
Buffy laughed and gave a final wave. She had asked Faith to come with her to the dance because she wasn't ready to go with another guy. Scott had asked, but she turned him down.
Faith knew Diane would shit bricks when she found out, but she would keep her word. This was the first time Buffy had every asked her for anything, and she was determined to help her friend.
*****The Next Night*****
Although they had talked about renting a limo for homecoming and all going together, they had nixed the idea after Xander got his car. He wanted to take Cordy in it, so they all were going in their own vehicles. Buffy and Faith were going to walk from Buffy's since it wasn't far. Buffy had on a red dress with spaghetti straps, and she had put her hair up. Faith had kept hers down while wearing a sexy silver dress.
"Why didn't we get one of them to drive us?" Buffy asked as she realized walking in heels wasn't a good idea.
"We didn't want to horn in on the couples. Having your mom drop us off would have been extremely lame," Faith said. "That's why I'm carrying my shoes."
Buffy shrugged. "Not a bad idea," she said, taking hers off and following suit.
"What did Giles say when you told him there had been another wolf in town?" Faith asked.
"He cleaned his glasses and was disappointed that the full moon was over. I didn't catch the wolf, so we'll have to be extra vigilante next month," Buffy said.
"Well, it's great that it wasn't Angel," Faith said.
"So great," Buffy said. If it had been Angel that killed the student, her friends would be even angrier with her.
As they walked, they were speculating on if Cordelia was going to win homecoming. Buffy was also on the homecoming court, but she hadn't felt like campaigning for it. Willow was horrified over the idea of winning and getting pigs blood poured on her. No amount of assurances would convince the girl that would never happen. Buffy and Xander were both wondering why they let her watch Carrie. Since neither Buffy nor Willow were interested in winning the crown, both girls were campaigning for Xander's girlfriend to win.
"Queen C has it in the bag," Faith said.
"I'm not completely sure about that," Buffy said. "Jonathan told me that the nerds and the band geeks were voting for Willow. Also, the science club and anyone that is socially inept in any way. Then there's the whole Pepper Potts is her bio mom, and everyone is kissing up to her."
"Who do you think Xander votes for?" Faith asked.
"Hmmm. I don't know," Buffy said. "I'm voting for myself only so that I'll have at least one vote."
Faith laughed. "Two. I'll vote, too," she said. At the dance, anyone in attendance could pick up a voting sheet.
They were halfway there when they heard a woman shout for help. Naturally, they did what they do and ran toward the voice. Buffy recognized the cowboy vampire as she'd had a run-in with him before, but he had gotten away due to Angelus distracting her. Buffy was annoyed to see that the voice that cried for help was not human. It was his annoying wife.
"Good job, Candy," the cowboy vamp said.
Both slayers faced the couple. "What? You two wanted to die tonight?" Buffy asked.
"Sorry, but that's not on the menu, little lady. Tonight's a special night—very special," Cowboy vamp said.
"Lyle, are you gonna shoot them or what?" Candy asked.
Lyle the cowboy vampire smirked. "That's not the plan, sweetheart. We're the distraction," he said.
Buffy watched as Faith was shot in the back with a dart, and then she collapsed. Buffy turned to see a dark-skinned guy holding a dart gun. Before she could react, she was shot with the dart.
Everything went dark.
*****To Be Continued*****
Yes, I am aware that the episode Angel appeared in was two weeks before the homecoming episode, but that's okay. This is fanfiction, and I pushed them up a bit. The dart bit will be explained in next chapter. I know making you wait four months for an update is not cool, and I am very sorry. A year ago, I would have never have done that. For me, the covid shut down didn't make for more writing time. This summer does, however, so the next chapter WILL be much faster. Thanks for sticking with this story! Comments and reviews are always very appreciated. Thanks!
