Q/A: Guest - I don't know when I might give Buffy another power. As it rests now Buffy technically has two. Although Charmed Wikia listed Augmentation more as an ability than a power. Still Prue, Piper and Phoebe only has one at this point. So I think it should be awhile before she gets another power to balance things out.

Chapter 23: When She Was Bad

Xander and Willow are walking home, by a nearby cemetery, eating ice cream cones.

"Okay, hold on..." Willow says.

Xander smiles, "It's your turn."

Willow nods, "Okay, Um... In the few hours that we had together, we loved a lifetimes worth."

"Terminator." Xander says.

Willow smiles, "Good. Right."

Xander nods, "Okay. Let's see... It's a madhouse! A m-"

"Planet of the Apes." Willow says.

Xander shakes his head, "Can I finish, please?"

Willow nods, "Sorry. Go ahead."

Xander smiles, "Madhouse!"

Willow waits a beat to make sure he's done, "Planet of the Apes. Good. Me now. Um..."

"Well?" Xander asks.

"I'm thinking. Okay. Use the force, Luke." Willow says.

Xander looks at her. "Do I really have to dignify that with a guess?"

Willow shrugs, "I didn't think of anything. It's a dumb game anyway."

Xander sighs, "You got something better to do? We played rock-paper-scissors long enough, okay? My hand cramped up."

"Well, sure, if you're ALWAYS scissors, of course your tendons are gonna stretch-" Willow says.

Xander interrupts Willow, "You know, I gotta say, this has really been the most boring summer ever."

Willow nods, "Yeah, but on the plus side, no monsters or stuff." She sits on the stone wall.

Xander leans on the wall next to her, looking off towards the graveyard. "I know, but I'm so restless! I'm actually glad school is starting again."

Willow rolls her eyes, "Yeah, and that has nothing to do with a certain girl that we both know that is the Charmed Slayer?"

"Please. I'm so over her." Xander says casually. "Did she, uh, say when she was getting back, about which I don't care?"

Willow shakes her head, "I haven't heard from her. I mean, I got a couple of postcards after she went to L.A. and then, like, nothing."

Xander sighs, "Yeah, I never heard... well, she's probably having fun with her dad."

"And you don't care." Willow says.

Xander ndos, "Okay, so maybe there's some interest. I'm a man, I have certain desires. Certain needs..."

"I don't wanna know." Willow says.

Xander shakes his head, "Don't you? I got a movie for you." He dabs his cone at her, leaving ice cream on her nose.

Willow stares at him wryly. "Xander..."

"Come on." He dabs again, "You're Amish, you won't fight back because you're Amish, I mock you with my ice cream cone, Amish Guy..."

"Witness. My nose is cold." Willow says.

"Let me get that -" Xander says as he makes as if to lick it.

Willow starts back, laughs. "Xander!"

"What can I say? It makes your nose look tasty." Xander says as he daubs her nose with a napkin.

Suddenly they notice vampire on the other side of the wall from them, the dirt and the tux hanging on him speaking of a fresh rising. The kids see him and start back - Willow clumsily jumping from the wall - he easily vaults it, coming swaggeringly at them.

Xander steps in front of Willow, "Willow, go!"

"Xander -" Willow shouts.

The vampire jumps Xander. Xander steps back and slugs the vamp - but it isn't phased, grabbing his neck and pulling him in for the kill.

Willow desperately searches about for some kind of weapon, finally grabbing the vampire's arm, trying to wrench him off Xander -

Suddenly Buffy is there as she grabs the vampire's shoulder. She pulls back and spins him around, straight into the path of a lightning fist.

The punch is followed by a roundhouse kick - and another. The vampire finally gets time enough to lunge at Buffy - who easily flips him onto the ground, turning to the others.

"Hi guys." Buffy says.

The vampire rears up behind Buffy and without looking back she slams her foot into his chest, sending him flying back into a tree with a broken branch sticking out of it. The vampire slams backwards right onto it, exploding into dust the moment he's impaled.

Buffy doesn't even look back. "Miss me?"

Xander and Willow hug Buffy, excited to see her. Xander perhaps slightly more so.

"Buffy!" Willow says.

Buffy smiles, "Hey, Will."

Xander smiles, "Man, your timing really doesn't suck."

"When did you get back?" Willow asks.

Buffy smiles, "Just now. Dad drove me down. And I knew you losers would be getting into some kind of trouble."

Willow nods, "I think we had the upper hand. In a subtle way."

"Does either of you even have a cross? Very sloppy..." Buffy says.

Xander rolls his eyes, "Well, it's been a slow summer. That was the first vampire we've seen since you killed the Master."

Buffy sighs, "It's like they knew I was coming back."

"What about you?" Xander asks. "How was your summer? Did you slay anything?"

They walk down the sidewalk alongside the cemetery, Xander keeping close to Buffy. Willow tries to keep up.

"Strictly R&R. Hung out, partied... shopping was also a major theme." Buffy says.

Xander nods, "Well, you haven't lost your touch. That vampire -"

Buffy nods, "I did kind of wail on him, didn't I?"

"I really like your hair." Xander says.

"So, how did you guys fare?" Buffy asks. "Did you have any fun without me?"

"No." Xander says.

Willow glares at Xander, "Yes."

"Summer was a little yawnworthy. Our biggest excitement was burying the Master." Xander says.

There is a subtle hardening in Buffy's face whenever they mention that name. Neither friend notices.

"That's right, you missed it! Right out by that tree." Willow says as she points to a tree in the cemetery deep in the graveyard. "Giles buried the bones and we poured holy water and chanted and we got to wear robes! Even your cousins were there."

"Very intense. You shoulda been." Xander says.

"Have you seen Giles?" Willow asks.

Buffy is staring at the tree Willow pointed at. She answers crossly, "Why would I call Giles? I'll see him at school."

Xander smiles, "Man, I'm really glad you're back."

"Yeah." Buffy says unconvincingly, as she looks at the tree. "Me too."

The next day Xander, Willow and Buffy walk up to Giles and Ms. Calendar in the hall at schoo.

"Giles!" Willow says excitedly.

Xander nods, "Hey. G-man! What's up?"

Giles frowns, "Nice to see you and don't ever call me that."

Ms. Calendar smiles, "Hey, kids."

Giles turns his attention to Buffy, "How are you?"

"Alive and kicking." Buffy says.

Willow nods, "Buffy killed a vampire last night!"

A few surrounding students react to that.

"Uh, I think you can get a little more volume if you speak from the diaphragm." Buffy says.

Willow looks down at the floor, "Sorry."

Ms. Calendar looks at them confused, "We got vampires? I thought the Hellmouth was closed."

Giles shakes his head, "Closed, not gone. The mystical energy it emits is still concentrated in this area."

Xander nods, "Which means we're still the undead's favorite party town."

"This vampire - could you tell where he might be from?" Giles asks.

Buffy shrugs, "Local talent. Fresh. He was still wearing his funeral ensemble."

"Which means there are other vampires about, and they're already killing. I should have been on top of that. I wonder if they're here for some particular purpose..." Giles said.

Buffy sighs, "You're the Watcher. I just work here."

Giles looks at Buffy and then nods, "Well, I have to consult my books."

Xander looks to his watch, "Eight minutes and thirty three seconds. Pay up." He looks at the others as Willow digs a dollar out of her pocket. "I called ten minutes before you had to consult your books about something."

"We better get to class." Willow says.

The three kids start off.

"Buffy." Giles says as Buffy stops and turns back to him. "I realize you've only just returned, but when you're ready, I think we should start your training again."

"I'm ready. I'll see you after school." Buffy says.

Giles nods, "Well, I understand if you need a few days to -"

"I'm ready." Buffy says.

After school Buffy rain blows on a training post, Giles watching her with a small blossom of concern in his eyes. "Buffy... I think that's enough... Buffy!" Giles says.

At this last she jerks back from the post and with all her might kicks it, easily snapping it in half. Looks at Giles, breathing heavily, a trickle of sweat on her forehead.

"Safe to say, you've stayed in shape." Giles says.

Buffy nods, "Well, I'm ready for anything those vampires want to throw at me."

Somettime during the night Buffy awakes with a start, gasping and sweating. She is completely freaked, sitting up and running her hands through her hair. She looks around the dark room.

Buffy hears a noise, looks out the window. She stares, but she doesn't scream. "Hello."

Angel is crouched outside the window. "Mind if I come in?"

Buffy nods, "Be my guest."

Angel steps gracefully in, standing near her bed. "How are you?"

"Peachy." Buffy says. There is a moment of uncomfortable silence. "So, is this a social call? It's kind of late. Or, it is for me. For you this is, what, lunch hour?"

Angel bridles slightly, "It's not a social call."

"And that means grave danger. Gosh, it's so good to be home." Buffy says.

Angel sighs, "I'm sorry. I wish I had better news."

Buffy nods, "Let me guess. Some of your cousins have come for a family barbecue, and we're all on the menu."

"The Anointed One. He's been gathering forces somewhere in town. I'm not sure why." Angel says.

Buffy sighs, "I guess I'll find out soon enough."

Angel frowns, "You don't sound too concerned."

"I can handle myself. I could use a little action, anyway." Buffy says.

Angel nods, "Don't underestimate the Anointed One just because he looks a child. He has power over the rest of them. Its source is deep, and old. They'll do anything for him."

Buffy sighs, "Is that it? Is that everything? 'Cause you woke me up from a really nice dream."

"Sorry. I'll go." Angel says as he heads for the window. Stands facing it as Buffy hunkers down in bed, facing away from him. "I missed you."

Buffy can't reply, but the hardness in her face melts away. After a couple of beats she turns, her true emotions about to spill out— "I missed -" But he's gone. She stares at the window, unhappy.

The next morning Buffy walked down into the kitchen to find Prue, Piper and Phoebe there.

"Buffy?" Prue said from her place at the kitchen table.

Buffy looked to her eldest cousin, "Yeah?"

"Is something wrong?" Prue asks. "Your dad said you were distant all summer."

"I'm fine." Buffy says with a sigh as she moves towards the fridge.

Piper looks to her sisters and shakes her head, "Buffy this is us. You don't have to hide what your feeling."

Buffy turns and glares at Piper and then sighs, "I've been having some bad dreams since I almost died."

The sisters get up and move to Buffy pulling her into an embrace. "Want to talk about it?" Prue asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "It's something I have to deal with myself. But thanks for the offer."

Phoebe smiles sadly, "We're here if you want to talk."

"I know Pheebs, thanks." Buffy says.

Later at school Buffy is with Willow and Xander.

"Angel came by? Wow. Was there, I mean, was it having to do with kissing?" Willow asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "Willow, grow up. Not everything is about kissing."

Xander nods, "Yeah! Some stuff is about groping." He looks to Buffy, worried. "It wasn't about groping?"

"Hello, Hormones on Parade... it was pure shop talk. You know, vampires? Ring a bell? Pointy teeth, they walk by night..." Buffy says slightly irritated.

"What'd he say?" Willow asks.

Buffy shrugs, "Something's up. Nothing I can't handle."

"Xander nods, "Oh! Hey! Did you guys know? Cibo Matto is gonna be at The Bronze tonight."

"Cibo Matto? They're playing?" Willow asks.

Xander rolls his eyes, "No, Willow, they'll be clog-dancing."

"Cibo Matto can clog-dance?" Willow says excited before realization crosses her face. "Oh, sarcasm. Right."

Xander nods, "We should attend, no? If you're not busy with fighting or anything."

"Sounds like fun." Buffy says.

Cordelia arrives, a jock in tow. "Oh, look. It's the Three Musketeers."

Brief confusion crosses the Willow, Buffy and Xanders faces.

"Was that an insult?" Buffy asks.

Xander nods, "Kinda lacked punch."

"The Three Musketeers were cool." Willow says.

Cordelia considers that, "I see your point..."

Xander nods, "I would have gone with 'Stooges'."

Cordelia rolls her eyes, "Well, I just meant you all hang out together. So, did you guys fight demons all summer?"

Panic from the three.

"Yes! Our own personal demons!" Willow says.

Xander nods, "Such as lust... and, uh... thrift."

Buffy hasn't quite moved past the Three Musketeer's comment yet, "I think I would have to go with 'Stooges' also."

"What are you guys talking about?" Cordelia asks. "I'm talking about big squiggly demons that come from the ground. Remember, on prom night, with all the vampires?"

Buffy sighs, "Cordelia. Your mouth is open. Sound is coming from it. This is never good."

They draw her away from the jock, who's not really paying attention anyway.

Xander nods, "You see, we can't mention that stuff in front of other people. Buffy being the Slayer and all."

"You haven't been talking about your little adventure all summer, have you?" Willow asks.

Cordelia shakes her head, "Are you nuts? You think I would tell anyone that I spent the evening with you guys? Besides, it was all so creepy. That Master guy, screaming..." Once again, nobody notices the effect the name has on Buffy. "I don't even like to think about it. Your secret is safe with me."

Buffy nods, "That works out great. You don't tell anyone I'm the Slayer, and I won't tell anyone that you're a moron." She leaves, leaving Cordy a little hurt and the others a little nonplussed.

That evening at the Bronze Buffy enters looking around. She Sees Xander and Willow, and starts crossing to them. As she makes her way through the crowd, Angel appears before her. It takes her just a second to throw up her defenses. "Oh. Hi again."

Angel smiles, "Hi."

"Is there danger at the Bronze?" Buffy asks.

Angel sighs, "I can't help thinking I've done something to make you angry. That bothers me more than I'd like."

Buffy shakes her head, "I'm not angry. I have no idea where that comes from."

"What are you afraid of? Me? Us?" Angel asks.

"Uh, could you contemplate getting over yourself? There's no 'us'." Buffy says a little put off. "I'm sorry if I was supposed to spend the summer mooning over you, but I didn't. I moved on. To the living." She leaves, heads for Xander and Willow. Passes Cordelia, who appears to have overheard the exchange.

"What's wrong with Angel?" Willow asks.

Buffy shrugs, "Beats me." The band starts playing. Buffy looks over at Angel, still hovering about in the back. She grabs Xander's hand. "Let's dance."

"Uh, uh..." Xander says.

But she's leading him on the floor. They start to dance. Buffy's moves are a little too close, a little too hot. It's pure bad girl, and Xander doesn't know whether to be suspicious, aroused, or panicked.

Xander is looking a little upset. Buffy smiles at him. "Xander, did I ever thank you for saving my life?" Buffy asks.

"No." Xander says.

Buffy brings her body up against his - is she gonna kiss him? - then whispers in his ear, "Don't you wish I would?"

And with that, she leaves. Leaves the floor, leaves The Bronze, leaves a wake of unhappiness behind her.

She is about twenty feet out when she hears her name. "Buffy."

Buffy stops, turns as Cordelia steps out of The Bronze towards her.

"You're really campaigning for bitch of the year, aren't you?" Cordelia asks.

Buffy smirks, "As defending champion, are you nervous?"

Cordelia shake her head, "I can hold my own." She steps towards Buffy. "We've never been close, Buffy, which is nice, 'cause I don't like you very much. But you have, on occasion, saved the world and all that stuff, so I'm gonna do you a favor."

"Joyous me." Buffy says.

"Your friends can't do it, 'cause they like you. And they're sort of afraid of you." Cordelia says.

Buffy rolls her eyes, "What's the favor?"

"I'm going to give you some advice. Get over it." Cordelia says.

Buffy frowns, "Excuse me?"

Cordelia nods, "Whatever's causing the Joan Collins 'tude, deal with it, embrace the pain, spank your inner moppet but get over it, 'cause pretty soon you won't even have the loser friends you've got now."

"I'd say it's about time for you to mind your own business." Buffy says.

Cordelia shakes her head, "It's long past. Nighty night." Buffy turns and leaves. Cordelia watches her go. As she does, we see two vampires emerge from the shadows behind her, moving slowly toward her. "I'll just go see if Angel feels like dancing."

Getting no response, Cordelia turns to go - and the vampires grab her. Hand over mouth, they drag her off.

Cordelia is brought in to The Factory by a pair of vampires. They bring her down the steps and push her into the dark - near pitch dark - room. Go back up and shut the door on her.

Cordelia is terrified. She looks back at the door, at the back room. Takes a step forward, her eyes slowly adjusting. Taking another step and she nudges a hand with her foot.

She jumps back, then looks down at the figure on the floor. Kneels, pulling the figure onto her lap, seeing that it is Ms. Calendar.

Ms. Calendar groans, she's unconscious. Her face bloody and bruised.

"Ms. Calendar? Oh God..." Cordelia says as she looks around at the dark, up the stairs. "What do they want?" As her eyes adjust she notices another woman is there also. Cordelia sets Ms. Calendar down gently and moves over to the other woman. "Ms. Halliwell?" Cordelia recognizes the woman as Buffy's cousin's - Phoebe.

Buffy enters the graveyard from the street. She is lost in thought, wandering seemingly aimlessly. She sees the tree that Willow said the Master was buried under. She heads toward it.

As she nears it she slows down. Her expression changes - or rather sets, like concrete. She stops. The Master's grave is empty.

Buffy tries very hard to stay controlled. She takes but one faltering step back. She looks back at the grave, shaking, whispering to herself. "He's dead, he's dead... he's dead..."

The next morning Buffy comes downstairs in the manor. Prue and Piper are the only ones there. "Buffy have you seen Phoebe?"

Buffy shakes her head, "No. Did they not come home last night?"

Prue and Piper shakes their heads. "No." Piper says.

Buffy sighs and nods, "Something might be up I don't know. The Master's grave was dug up, he's gone."

Prue is suddenly out of her chair and walking quickly towards the key rack, "Your sure?"

Buffy nods, "Very."

Prue nods, "Then we better go see Giles."

A shorttime later Buffy, Piper and Prue walk into the school lounge and head towards Giles, Xander and Willow.

"That's a very interesting point about trout! That you made just now." Xander says.

Giles looks at Xander confused, "Trout?" Then he sees Buffy, Piper and Prue. "Trout! Yes! The trout... is a fish. Good morning! Did you sleep well?"

Buffy nods, "Like a rock. The Master's gone."

Giles frowns, "I'm sorry?"

Buffy looks to Prue who nods, "The Master. I went by his grave last night and they have a vacancy."

Giles frowns, "Good god."

Prue sighs, "That's not the worst of it either. Phoebe's missing."

Willow blinks, "What would somebody want with Master bones? Who would take your cousins?"

"Trophy? Horrible conversation piece?" Xander says.

Buffy sighs, "They're gonna bring him back." She stares at Giles. "They're gonna bring the Master back to life and I seem to recall you telling me he was history."

Giles sighs, "Buffy, I've never heard of a revivification ritual being successful -"

Piper shakes her head, "But you've heard of them."

"Thanks for the warning." Buffy says.

Willow nods, "Buffy, Giles did bury him in hallowed -"

Buffy glares at Willow, "This is Slayer stuff, okay? Can we have less from the civilians, please?"

"Payson Patricia Halliwell!" Prue says. "That will be enough out of you. I don't know what's gotten into you. But I've had enough. You have had nothing but an attitude since you came home from your Dad's."

Mr. Snyder walks over to the group just then, "I believe that some of us have classes." He looks to Giles. "Some of us have jobs." He looks to Prue. "And some of us don't need to be on campus."

Prue looks to Snyder, "This is a family emergency. My sisters are missing. Buffy and I were just asking her friends if they had seen them."

Snyder frowns, "Make it quick this is a school and these three need to be in class." Snyder turns and walks away.

Giles nods, "Prue, Piper maybe you two and I should take this into the library. Principal Snyder's right though you three should be in class. We'll find out what's going on."

Buffy, Willow and Xander head off to class. Prue, Piper and Giles head to the library.

"When was the last time you saw them?" Giles asks as they enter the library.

"Last night." Prue says.

Piper nods. "Phoebe had a date, she never came home."

That evening in the library Giles crosses to the center of the room, book in hand. "All right, I've got something. It's latin, so bear with me. Um, to revive the vampire, they need his bones," he looks sheepishly looks at Buffy, "which they have... and, uh, the blood... this is very unclear... of the closest person, someone connected to the vampire."

"That'd be me." Buffy says.

Piper nods, "That explain Phoebe's disappearance though. They might have kidnapped her to force Buffy to come to them."

Giles nods, "Perhaps..."

"Buffy nods, "We were very close. Way close. We killed each other, okay? It really promotes togetherness. Besides Piper is right what better way to lure me than to kidnap someone I love. And I love my cousin's more than anything in this world."

"Well, is there anything on WHEN the ceremony might take -" Xander says.

A rock smashes through the window behind Xander's head. He ducks - everyone moves, alarmed. Buffy just spins and catches the rock. Wrapped around it is Phoebe's necklace, and a note.

"This is Phoebe's." Prue says looking at the necklace.

Everyone looks at each other. Buffy takes the note, opens it. "Come to the Bronze before it opens, or we make her a meal."

"They're gonna cook her dinner?" Xander asks before realization dawns on him. "Please pretend I didn't ask that."

"What do we do?" Willow asks.

Buffy nods, "I go to the Bronze and save the day."

"I don't like this." Xander says.

Giles nods, "Nor I."

Piper and Prue nod in agreement.

"Well, you guys aren't going." Buffy says.

"Buffy?" Prue says.

"What do you mean?" Willow asks.

Buffy sighs, "I can't be looking out for you three while I'm fighting." She looks to her cousins, "And I don't want to risk loosing anymore family."

"What about the rest of the note?" Piper asks.

Buffy looks back over the note, "What rest?"

Willow nods, "The part where it says, 'PS this is a trap'?"

Prue nods, "You'll be playing right into their hands."

"And their hands are gonna get slapped." Buffy says.

Xander nods, "We should at least go in force. Stock up stakes."

Buffy shakes her head, "I can handle it."

Willow frowns, "Stop saying that! God, what's wrong with you?"

Prue nods, "I have to agree, Buffy. This isn't like you."

"Cordelia may be dead." Xander says.

Buffy stops, looking at them. "This is my fight." She takes off, leaving them to look at each other.

Buffy is almost at the Bronze when Angel approaches. She turns to him, exasperated. "You know, being stalked isn't really a big turn-on for girls."

"You need help. Someone to watch your back." Angel says.

Buffy shakes her head, "You sure you don't mean my neck?"

"Why are you riding me?" Angel asks.

Buffy nods, "Because I don't trust you. You're a vampire. Or is that an offensive term? Should I say 'undead American'?"

Angel frowns, "You have to trust someone. You can't do this alone."

"I trust me." Buffy says.

Angel shakes his head, "You're not as strong as you think."

"You think you could take me?" Buffy asks.

"What?" Angel asks with confusion.

Buffy nods, "Come on, you must have wondered... a vampire, the Slayer, I know you've thought about it. If it came down to a fight... could you take me? Why don't we find out?"

Angel shakes his head, "I'm not gonna fight you."

"No? Big strong vampire like yourself?" Buffy says.

Angel frowns, "Buffy..."

"Come on. Kick my ass." Buffy says. The smile in her eyes is tending toward the crazed. Angel growls, low. "Now we get to see who we're really dealing with."

Angel stops, controlling himself. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

Buffy remembers Phoebe. Hiding a flash of guilt, she replies. "I do."

"Well, you're wasting time." Angel says.

Buffy looks to the Bronze, back to him. "Just stay out of my way."

"Happy to oblige." Angel says. Buffy goes off. After a beat, he follows.

Buffy enters the Bronze, walking slowly, looking about her. Not as confident as she was around the others. She holds out her hand powering up a fireball.

She hears crying. Looks near the stage and finds a girl huddled on her knees, back to Buffy, and wearing Phoebe's coat. Her eyes narrow suspiciously as she takes a slow step forward.

"That's not Phoebe. She's not so weak she would be crying around with vampires around. Not with everything we've seen."

The girl rises laughing and turns to Buffy. "Phoebe... she didn't come..."

"Where is she?" Buffy asks.

"I'm not supposed to tell..." The girls says.

"I don't like this." Angel says from behind Buffy.

"What?" Buffy asks.

"There's the bait. Where's the hook?" Angel asks.

Buffy looks around - and the vampire jumps her! She instinctively rolls, flips the vampire over. Comes up onto her feet and steps on the vampire's neck. She looks around some more. "You're right. Why would they send just one?"

Back at the library Prue, Piper, Willow and Xander talk as Giles continues to puzzle over his books.

"I still think we should have gone with her." Willow says.

Xander nods, "Buffy's about to lose it. I think we should be trying to reach minimum safe distance."

Prue looks to Piper, "Willow is right we should have. This is a trap I know it."

Piper nods as she stands she is about to move towards the doors when Giles speaks up. "Aha! This Latin is translated from the Sumerian, and rather badly, which makes it difficult. But the person closest to the Master actually translates as the nearest - physically. The person or persons who..." He realizes what he's saying when he says it. "...were with him when..."

"When what?" Willow asks.

Giles looks at the four of them, dead certainty on his face. "It IS a trap..."

Piper looks around noticing too late that they are surrounded. She raises her hand to freeze the room when Prue stops her.

"...it just isn't for her." Giles says.

"We have to get them out. If you freeze the room you freeze Willow, Giles and Xander." Prue says. "That makes them easy targets."

Piper nods as she lowers her hands.

At the Bronze Buffy has just finished tying the vampire's hands behind her back with Angel's belt. She hands her off to him. "Watch her. Don't kill her if you don't have to."

"Buffy, what's going on?" Angel asks.

Buffy nods, "I'll be back." She takes off at top speed.

A shorttime later Buffy runs in to the library, finds much overturned. She stops spotting Xander and Prue. "Xander? Prue?" She runs over Prue as she is struggling to get up. She is beaten and bloody. Xander is stuggling to get up also, he has also been beaten.

"Where are the others? What happened?" Buffy asks as she moves to help her cousin up.

Xander glares at Buffy, "Vampires. The ones you could handle yourself."

Prue nods, "They got Piper."

Buffy nods, "Where did they take Piper, Giles and -"

Prue shakes her head, "We don't know."

"I don't know what your problem is - what your 'issues' are, and as of now I officially don't care! If you'd worked with us for five seconds you could have stopped this." Xander says.

Prue looks to Xander and knows he's right. But she also knows now is not the time for this. "We have to find them."

Buffy nods, "We have to think. Why did they take them?"

Xander frowns, "If they hurt Willow I'm gonna kill you."

Prue steps in front of Xander, "Lay off, Xander. Buffy has been…"

Buffy suddenly realizaes, "Why did they take them and not the two of you?"

"Giles said the ritual was, um... they needed people close to the Master... physically close, when he..." Xander says.

"The ones who were with him when he died." Buffy says.

Xander nods, "Giles, Willow... Cordelia."

"Piper, Phoebe." Prue says.

Buffy nods, "And Ms. Calendar."

"Odds are, they've got the complete set by now." Xander says.

Buffy sighs, "We just have to find out where."

"How?" Prue asks.

Back at the Bronze Prue, Xander and Angel stand watching something as Buffy uses the vampire as a punching bag.

"One more time." Buffy says as she hauls the vampire up. "Where are they?"

The vampire smirks, "You're too late. Your friends are dead."

"Tell me where they are." Buffy says.

The vampire shakes her head, "What are you gonna do, kill me?"

Buffy nods, "As a matter of fact, yes." She punches the vampire in the face. She flies back, landing on top of the pool table. Buffy comes around the table, calmly unhooking her cross necklace, Angel gave her. She holds it above the vampire's face and as the vampire moans in pain, Buffy drops the necklace into the vampire's mouth. Clamps it shut with her hands.

The vampire writhes, smoke pouring out of her mouth.

"But since I'm not gonna kill you any time soon, the question becomes, how do we pass the time till then?" Buffy asks.

Prue looks to Xander and Angel. She can tell they are just as uncomfortable with Buffy's methods as she is. "If we didn't need the information I wouldn'condone this one bit."

Buffy pulls the cross out by the chain. "So. One more time."

In the Factory Cordelia is tending to a still unconscious Ms. Calendar and Phoebe. The door opens, Cordelia starting back as a big vampire enters. "Please... go away... what do you -" The vampire slugs her, knocking her cold. Starts dragging all three women up the stairs.

Upstairs the Anointed One walks past the old, rusted surgical table holding the Master's bones in the middle of the room. He holds a goblet in his hands. He reaches the head of the table, and Absalom, who wears a black ceremonial robe. On either side of the table are two floorlength wooden torches.

The Anointed One hands him the goblet. Absalom looks up at the balcony. Where two vampires start hauling on a chain. Willow, Giles, Ms. Calendar, Cordelia, Phoebe and Piper are hung upside down on meathooks attached to the chain. They are all unconscious as they are positioned directly above the Master's skeleton.

Absalom dips his finger in the goblet. Goes to the first body - Willow - and makes a small 'x' on her forehead.

The other vampires from a semi-circle around the side of the table as Absalom continues on to each boy, repeating the ritual.

Under the Balcony Buffy, Prue, Xander and Angel have snuck in.

The four of them creep along in the dark until they can see the center of the room.

They see the skeleton laid out on the table. Above it, they see Willow, Giles, Ms. Calendar, Corselia, Piper and Phoebe. The vampires in a semi-circle, six quietly chanting figures. Absalom and the Anointed One at the head.

Buffy can't move. Her eyes widen with fear and remorse.

The Anointed One produces a curved knife, hands it to Absalom, who says a silent prayer over it.

"Buffy. Buffy!" Prue says.

Buffy snaps out of, looks at Prue.

"We gotta do something now." Xander says.

Buffy nods, "You three get the others out of here." She looks to Prue. "Please just do it my way Prue. I would feel much better knowing your looking after your sisters."

Prue sighs and nods, "Okay Buffy. Be careful."

"We'll need you to distract the vampires." Angel says.

Buffy nods, "Right." She starts toward the ceremony.

"What are you gonna do?" Xander asks.

Buffy stops, turns back. "I'm gonna kill them all." She turns and walks away. "That oughta distract them."

Absalom finishes his prayer, kisses the knife. "For the Old Ones, for his pain. For the Dark."

The vampires repeat it solemnly, one after the other.

Absalom brings the knife to the first throat - that of Willow.

Suddenly one of the vampires explodes into dust.

Absalom screams, an inhuman shriek that galvanizes the vampires into action. They effectively flank Buffy, and two of the vampires rush her simultaneously.

Buffy roundhouses them both in the jaw, staggering them back as third one gets her from behind but she elbows him in the throat.

They are trying to surround Buffy - full frontal assault hasn't paid off. She dodges about the boxes and machines, quick and alert.

Absalom sees Buffy's occupied. Roughly grabs Willow's face, brings the knife to her throat when Willow, Cordelia, Piper, Phoebe, Giles and Ms. Calendar are moved away, towards the balcony.

Prue is using her power bring each of their friends, and her sisters to them.

"The sacrifices! Stop them!" Absalom screams.

One of the vampires peels off upstairs, leaving Buffy with the other two.

Buffy kicks one of the vamps, then jumps, grabbing the top box and flipping herself over the pile, landing on her feet - and still holding the box, she brings it over her head and smashes it over the other's head.

Buffy powers out a side kick to the face. The vampire flies back into the corner.

The other vampire slams into Buffy and they both go down.

As Prue uses her power to bring everyone closer. Angel and Xander pull them off the chain to the safety of the Balcony.

A vampire crests the stairs - and Angel turns, his vampface now on. The vampire charges - Angel throws himself at him. They grapple, stepping onto some rotted boards covering a hole. It breaks, the two of them falling down to the lower level.

Buffy is under a vampire, struggling to keep her from biting her. Her hand sweeps the floor, coming up with a box shard. She slams it into her back, pushing her off right before she's dusted.

The other vamp climbs swiftly to the ramp above Buffy's head, trying to escape.

Buffy sees him. She runs, jumps - grabs a pipe under the ramp and swings her legs up and through the wooden slats, tripping him up, sending him flying to the ground. He lands hard.

The vampire on the Balcony shove a shard of wood at Angel's heart - Angel grabs it and shoves harder, sending it backwards through the vampire dusting him.

Xander gets Willow, the last one, off the chain. A dazed Giles is helping Ms Calendar.

"Are you all right?" Giles asks Ms. Calendar.

Ms. Calendar nods, "I think so. My head..."

Prue looks to her sisters, "Are you both okay?"

Piper nods, "Yeah I'm fine. Pheobe?"

"I'm good. Where's Buffy?" Phoebe says.

Xander looks down at Buffy Pummeling her remaining opponent. "She's working out her issues."

Prue nods and looks to her sisters, "I think Buffy needs a little help. Power of Three help."

Piper and Phoebe nod as they and Prue stand at the edge of the Balcony and start to chant. "The Power of Three will Set Us Free."

The vampire flies into the corner under the balcony from the force of one of Buffy's blows.

"Enough!" Absalom says as he steps out of the shadows. He is holding a sledgehammer. "Your day is done, girl. I'll grind you into a sticky paste. And I'll hear you beg before I smash in your face."

Buffy stands by the big torch, listening. "So, are you gonna kill me? Or are you just making small talk?" It's then that she feels the sisters' magic and looks up at her cousins and smiles, "The Power of Three." She closes her eyes and concentrates augmenting their spell. Then she opens her eyes and powers up a fireball. "Bring it."

Absalom rushes Buffy, swinging back the hammer. At the same time, the other vampire does as well, from the opposite direction.

Buffy throws a fireball at Ansalom dusting him. She quickly grabs the torch beside her and impales the last vampire dusting him.

The sledgehammer drops to the ground in front of Buffy.

Buffy takes a moment, breathing hard. Quiet in victory. Looks at something, her expression changing. She picks up the sledgehammer.

Xander helps Willow to her feet.

"It's over." Willow says.

"No, it's not." Prue and Xander say. They look at each other and nod knowing what has to happen for it to finally be over. For Buffy to finally be at peace with what happened.

Buffy stares at the Master's bones quietly for a moment, then swings the sledgehammer and smashes the skull in. She swings again, smashing the Master to powder, the grunts of her efforts rising to a roar, still she swings it, again, again, out of control.

Angel approaches, slowly. He touches her shoulder and she stops. Drops the hammer, shaking. She starts crying just before he folds her into his arms.

"It's okay... it's okay..." Angel says.

Prue, Piper and Phoebe come down from the balcony and walk over to Buffy. Angel pulls away from Buffy and the sisters pull their crying cousin into an embrace.

The next morning Buffy is walking with Prue and Giles. The swagger has gone out of her step a bit. "I don't think I can face them."

Prue smiles at Buffy, "Of course you can."

Buffy shakes her head, "I can't! What am I gonna say? 'Sorry I almost got your throats cut. What's the homework?'"

Giles looks to Prue who nods, "Punishing yourself like this is pointless."

Buffy sighs, "It's entirely pointy! I was a moron. I put my best friends and my cousins in mortal danger - on the second day of school!"

Prue sighs, "Buffy…" She is unsure what to really say at this point other than to be there to support Buffy.

Giles nods, "What are you going to do, crawl into a dark cave for the rest of your life?"

"Would it have cable?" Buffy asks

Giles stops, turns to Buffy and Prue. "Buffy, you acted wrongly, I admit, but believe me, that was hardly the worst mistake you'll ever make. That wasn't nearly as comforting as it was meant to be."

"Well, points for effort. I'll see you." Buffy says as she goes to head inside.

Prue puts a hand on Buffy's shoulder, "You want me to come with you?"

Buffy shakes her head, "This is something I have to do alone. Just like I will have to do it again when I get home from school."

Prue nods, "I understand. And Buffy I'm proud of you."

Buffy smiles, "Thanks, Prue." She heads inside into the classroom. She slowly makes her way to the back row, where Willow and Xander sit, talking. The seat next to Willow is empty. Hesitantly, Buffy approaches. Willow turns and looks up at her.

"Buffy." Willow says.

Buffy smiles, "Hey."

Willow motions towards the empty seat, "We saved you a seat..."

Buffy smiles gratefully, sits.

Xander leans over to say, "There's a rumor going around that Mr. Cox is the most boring teacher in the entire world. Like I think he won a belt or something."

"Lucky us." Buffy says.

Willow nods, "Well, I hear he nods off a lot, so that's a plus."

"So, are we bronzing tonight?" Xander asks.

"Wednesdays it's kind of beat." Willow says.

Xander smiles, "Well, we could grind our enemies into talcum powder with a sledgehammer, but, gosh, we did that last night."

Buffy laughs, relaxing. "Normally I would love to, but there is something else I have to do tonight."

"Don't tell me Giles has you patroling?" Willow asks.

Buffy shakes her head, "No. Apologizing to my family. But you know what you guys can come along and watch me embarrass myself."