The characters of BtVS and Angel still do not belong to me. Some may suffer mild to severe injuries, but it's best that way...Don't sue.
PART TWO of LESSONS LEARNED
Cordelia sat in one of the chairs in the waiting room, watching Angel pace back and forth. Through the doorway a frenzied group of people came rushing into the lobby. Giles, Dawn, Willow, Xander, Tara, Anya, Spike and Joyce rushed over to Angel and Cordelia. "Where's my baby?", a frantic Joyce asked.
"We don't know. They went into the ER and the doctors haven't come out yet."
Just then, one of the doctors came over to them, "Mrs. Summers, I presume?"
"Yes?" Joyce is on the verge of a breakdown.
"May I speak to you for a moment?" Once they were out of earshot from the others, the doctor continued. "I really don't know how to tell you this. Your daughter has critical injuries. I really can't say, for certain, if she is going to pull out of this. She is unconscious right now, and I don't know when, or if, she is going to wake up."
At this, Joyce's whole body started to drop, Angel who had been watching the discussion between the two, rushed over a caught Joyce before she fell. Joyce's whole body began to shake with the tears that she was shedding. The rest of the group came over to help console the woman.
"Angel" Willow said, "What happened? Is Buffy...?"
Angel, who had heard the entire story said, "No, she isn't. But she's in a coma. They don't think she is going to make it."
"What about Wesley?" asked Giles
"They didn't say."
Giles went to the doctor. "Excuse me, doctor. The gentleman that was with her... Do you have any news on him?"
"Are you family?"
"Yes. Yes I am."
The doctor led Giles down the hall "I'm sorry, but Mr. Price did not make it. His injuries were two severe. It was too late by the time he arrived."
Giles slowly turned around to the others. His face masked in pain. He looked from Angel to Cordelia and back. They were Wesley's family. "Angel, Cordelia...I don't know how to tell you this. I am so sorry, but Wesley didn't make it." At this, Cordelia started to cry, and turned into Angel for comfort. Angel felt his world slowly slipping away. When he had first heard that Buffy and Wesley were in an accident, he thought it would be bad, but not this bad. He never imagined that he would lose one of his friends today. Angel hadn't cried in a long time. But he cried today. With Cordelia wrapped in his arm, he cried into her hair. He cried for the loss of Wesley and the fact that he could quite possibly lose Buffy. It was a long time before either he or Cordelia could compose themselves.
"Cordy?" Xander went to her. "Cordy I am so sorry. I know how close you are to Wesley. If you need anything, please. Let me know."
Cordelia turned to face the man that had broken her heart a year ago. She saw in his eyes that he was really concerned for her. It touched her deeply. She took his hand in hers, a silent thanks for the kindness he showed her. "Buffy is going to be okay, Xander."
"Yeah. She is. She's the slayer. She has to be all right. She has to..." Cordelia and Xander stayed like that for a few more minutes, taking comfort in each other.
Three days past and there was no change in Buffy. The council had contacted Giles and asked that Wesley's body be returned to England. Giles refused. Wesley's body was finally laid to rest in a cemetery not far from Angel's hotel. Faith was given a day of leave, of course, flanked by four VERY big guards, and attended the service.
"How's B doing?", she asked Angel after the service.
"Not too good. She isn't coming out of it. The doctors don't know if she ever will. It it's not looking very good."
"Well, I think B will be just fine. She's stronger than I am, and I bet she gave it to me a lot worse than she got. In fact, I just may go pay her a visit."
"You think the guards are going to let you do that?"
"Does it matter. I'll just lose the goons, go see her, and go back before they even know I was missing."
"Faith, if you can break out pretty much anytime you want to, why are you still there?" Angel asked her.
"It's my version of redemption. You have Angel Investigations, I have prison."
"You're a good girl, Faith. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently."
"You too, Angel. Except for the whole girl thing. I'm gonna head out. She you around!" With that, Faith pummels all four guards and rushes across the cemetery, in the direction of the hospital.
After everyone payed their final respects to Wesley, they returned to the hospital. As soon as they enter, Buffy's doctor notices Joyce and comes to her. "Mrs. Summers. Your daughter is awake, but I'm afraid there are some complications."
"What kind of complications?"
"Your daughter is suffering from memory loss. I already told her what her name is, and that she had a number of friends and family that were waiting for her outside. Would you like to see her now?"
"Yes, of course." Joyce enters Buffy's room, where Buffy is laying on the bed, looking out the window. At the sound, she turns to see her mother.
"Buffy? Baby? It's your mother."
"Mom?"
"Yes, honey. We were all so worried about you. Everybody is here. Do you want to see them, or do you want to rest?"
"I'd like to see them. The doctor says that it may help with my memory."
"Okay, I'll send in Dawn or Willow."
Both girls enter the room after Joyce had left. They came to Buffy on each side of the bed. "Buffy, are you all right? How do you feel?" Willow asked.
"Dawn?"
"No, I'm Willow, this is Dawn. Your sister."
"I didn't think that I had a sister. Dawn. I'll remember that."
"Buffy?" A voice came from the door to her room.
"Angel! Angel? How do I know you?"
"We are very close" Angel said uncomfortably "How are you feeling?"
"Awful. I feel like a just got ran over by a couple of cars."
"You did." Dawn put in.
"Ah, Dawn, maybe we should wait outside." Willow escorted Dawn out of the room.
"Angel. This is really frightening. I don't remember anything. I don't want to remember anything. My brain hurts too much as it is. I don't want any new information."
"We'll take it easy on you at first. You'll start remembering things. You remembered me, didn't you?"
"Yeah. Oh, this girl came by to see me. I don't remember her name, but I guess she was a friend. She brought me this." Buffy held up a flower. No doubt Faith had grabbed one before she left the cemetery. "She told me that I was going to be okay, that if I 'wussed' out she'd be really pissed at me. There was something about her, though. I really liked her."
Angel smiled. He had to remember to tell Faith about this. She would get a kick out of being Buffy's friend again.
"Buffy?" She looked up to see a striking couple in the doorway. She knew immediately that they were together. They looked perfect together.
"Buffy, this is Xander and Cordelia."
"Hey Buffy. You feeling okay? You gave us all a big scare." This from Xander.
"Buffy. I'm really sorry that this happened. I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am!" And once again Cordelia began to cry.
"Alright, everyone. I need to talk to Buffy alone. There you go. Come along." The British voice belonged to an older man, but not too old. She got a familiar feeling with this man. She knew him very well.
"Dad?"
"No Buffy, I'm not your father. Not in the biological sense anyway. I'm Giles. I'm your watcher. Do you know what a watcher is?
"Not exactly. Is this something that I'm going to end up felling stupid about?"
"Probably, yes. I just wanted to tell you. This may be for the best. Not that it won't come back to you, just don't make it a point to remember things from your past. Let it come back naturally. In the meantime, the doctors say that you will be able to go home tonight. It seems you are healing unusually fast. Imagine that. Anyway, wonderful news isn't it? Remember what I have said, and rest assured that I have your best interests at heart. I'll let you get some rest, now. Feel better, Buffy."
"Thanks, Giles..."
That night, Buffy is released from the hospital and is taken back to Sunnydale. Everyone comes to her house with her, including Angel and Cordelia. "I'm going to go up stairs and take a shower", Buffy said, and walked to the stairs.
Still down in the living room, the others began to talk about what needs to be done. "Spike and I will do the patrolling for the time being" Angel began "we'll take groups with us as well."
"Can I patrol, too?" Dawn asked.
"Actually Dawn, I was hoping that you would watch Buffy. I know she can't really remember anything right now but I don't want her running off anywhere. I need you to pacify her for the time being, until we can see if she remembers how to fight."
"Actually, Angel. I'm not quite sure that is a good idea." Giles spoke up, and all eyes looked on him questioningly.
"And remind me why we wouldn't want the slayer to slay?" Xander asked.
"I was a fool to think that I could keep this from you all. I do not condone my actions, but I believe that it is best for Buffy. The council contacted me after the accident. They asked for Wesley's body."
"Yeah, this is a repeat of all the things that you have already told us" Cordy said getting frustrated.
"Yes, well, they also asked for the body of the slayer. After Buffy died, they have no way of telling if she is alive or not. When I refused both bodies, they sent other watchers to the funeral. They know that only Wesley died. The council was not at all happy when Buffy past her 18th birthday 'test'.
"They will try and come after her again and again until Buffy is dead. Only one other slayer had ever made it past the birthday test. They waited until the poor girl would go into a battle, and they would send several demons to attack her at once. She didn't last but a week or two. I doubt Buffy would do that much better.
"The council told me that as soon as Buffy began to fight again, they would give her the same treatment. I would rather lose the slayer than lose Buffy. Forgive me if you think that it is selfish, but I stand firmly on this principle."
"But what if Buffy's memory returns on it's own?" Willow asked.
"I would beg her to leave Sunnydale. For that matter the country. She could go anywhere, besides England of course. She wouldn't be able to tell any of you were she was going or contact you after you she left. She would be alive, though dead to us. I think it is a small price to pay for her to live out her life."
"Giles, there is something that I have always wondered. Why does the council kill the slayers? Wouldn't they be glad to have a slayer mature? Maybe it would be like with vampires, and the slayers would just get stronger every year."
"Cordelia, I have asked myself that question many times. In fact, the only person who knows about that is the head of the council. Every time the leader dies, the knowledge of why the slayer must die is passed down to the next leader. To be perfectly honest. I think they find it best if the slayers are unattached, or too young to question their orders."
Xander spoke up, "Well, considering Buffy is both very well attached and questions everyone, you'd think they would give up and let her be."
"Well, we've got other problems besides the slayer", Spike said, "Word is that Soldier Boy got turned. He's been visitin' an old friend of mine. Says he let her drink from him every night. Then he stops by the other night and says he doesn't want to live the was he's been living."
"Well, Buffy did breakup with him for a vampire" Cordelia said, "maybe he thought he could get her back this way. Sort of sweet if you think about it. I was wrong...kind of gross really."
Spike perked up when he heard that Buffy broke it off with captain commando. "So, the Slayer got tired of her little boy toy. Well, this is good news! And now that he's turned, I can kick the wankers ass once and for all. Been wantin' to do it for a while, now. As soon as night falls, I say we all go after the little army boy. I get first dibs, though."
"Spike. We just can't go kill him. Maybe he's good. Even if Buffy doesn't love Riley, she still cares for him, she'd be heart broken if you killed him."
"Red, Buffy doesn't know Riley from your watch. She couldn't possible care if we dusted a ~vampire~ or not. What do you think, Peaches?"
"Well, I'm a little bias, but he ~is~ a vampire. What if he killed someone? You can't think that he is still the same person. He's a demon now. I don't think that we should actively seek him out, but if he comes around any of us, I think we should handle the situation like we would any other."
"I believe that Angel is right. We will patrol as usual, and keep all of this from Buffy. I don't want anything to trigger her memory. I was afraid that seeing Angel would cause something to happen, but that was avoided, so let's do all that we can to make sure that nothing tips her off. Willow, I believe that Buffy has a number of weapons in her room. If you would remove those I would be most appreciative. Also, let's refrain from making any demon references that would, like wise, trigger a memory. This will be a difficult task, but if we are mindful of what we say-"
"-And cover each other's asses!"
"Thank you for putting that so well Xander. But yes, if we work together, Buffy will never have to know. Is everyone in agreement?"
Everybody in the room knew the stakes were high, and willing to do everything to keep Buffy out of the loop. The group heard a noise on the stairs as Buffy came towards the living room. "Don't mean to interrupt the little pow-wow going on here, I was just getting something to drink."
"Try not to fall in, S-Buffy" Spike said in a lazy voice.
"Shut up Spike- wait! I know Spike! See, don't even have to try to remember, Giles, it's all coming to me. Well not all, just a little bit...okay, Spike's name and that's it. But the rest will come, eventually I'm sure." With that, Buffy walks into the kitchen.
"Oh yes, one more thing" Giles said addressing the group, "try to refrain from those charming nicknames you all have. No Slayer, no Dead Boy or anything along those lines."
"It isn't going to be easy keeping Buff in the dark, so exactly how long are we supposed to keep this little secret?" Xander asked
"I suppose we take it one day at a time. I have no doubt that her memory will return, however, I have no wish to think about what must be done when that happens."
"Well what about research? Not that I wouldn't mind NOT researching, but isn't that what you guys do? Like, all the time?"
"Cordelia, we research, you do your nails."
"Xander? Research? That's a laugh! I'll have you no that my research skills are excellent. Even Wes-" Cordelia's face fell, her eyes began to tear up again, and Xander moved to her side, putting an arm around her shaking shoulders. "I'm sorry, Cordy." And for lack of anything else to say, "I bet you are great at research."
Cordelia smiled up at him, and just then, Buffy returned to the room. "You two are so CUTE together. Don't you think they're cute? How long have you two been together, anyway?"
At this, Cordelia moved away from Xander's embrace and moved next to Angel.
"Buff, Cordy and I aren't together."
"Oh. Well you should be. You two are so cute together."
"Yeah. Got that the first billion times you said it!" Anya bit out.
"Oookaaay. Anyway, what do I do for fun around here?"
"Farm boy, usually." Spike couldn't help but give a little humor to the situation.
"Spike" Giles warned "that is more than enough."
"Who's farm boy?"
"Me" Angel quickly put in. "It's a stupid nickname that Spike likes to call me. Farm boy."
"Strange. But I was thinking more along the lines of going out."
"Buffy, given your current state of health, I do not think that that is such a good idea."
"But Giles! I'm feeling fine! It's not like my memory is going to get any worse! I'm so bored I could scream!"
"I'm sorry, Buffy, but I must put my foot down on this."
"Fine. I'm too tired to talk about this tonight, but I will definitely be ready tomorrow." And with that, Buffy returned to her bedroom.
"Yes, I think it is best if we all retired for the evening. We can discuss more of this tomorrow, when we are all feeling a little more rested."
The group complied with Giles. Before long, it was time for everyone to leave for their respective houses. Cordelia and Angel were given an invitation to stay with Giles. Nobody slept very well that night.
Buffy spent the entire night thinking about her life. She wondered what her life was like before. But more than that, she wondered how she caught such a cutie as Angel. She had no doubt that they were a couple. He was the first person that she recognized, and that little comment Spike made just sealed what she already thought...and hoped. "Farm boy" she muttered out loud. Spike is one strange guy.
The next morning, Buffy decided to go for a walk. She threw on a pair of exercise pants and a tank top, and went outside. Nothing about the town seemed familiar to Buffy. She made sure to pay attention to the street signs, so she would be able to find her way back home. She had made a turn on a dead end street, and found herself standing in front of a house that seemed familiar to her. Without another thought, Buffy walked up to the door and rang the bell.
The door opened and a haggard looking man stood in the doorway, his eyes squinted against the sun. "Buffy? Good heavens, what are you doing out by yourself?"
"Giles! This is your house! I had no idea. Cool. Can I come in?" With that, Buffy breezed past him and into his house. "Nice pad."
"Thank you, but once again, how did you get here and why are you out by yourself?"
"I got bored. Took a walk. Saw house. Thought 'familiar'. Rang bell. Hi!
"Excellent" Giles said, sounding like he meant the complete opposite.
"Well, you shouldn't have come without someone. Give me a moment to take a shower and get dressed, and I will take you back home."
"You're no fun! Fine. Go ahead. I'll just keep myself busy." Looking around the room, noticing all the dusty books, Buffy thought, 'Busy, but definitely not entertained'. She went over to the books and started glancing at the titles. Most of them were in another language, she noticed with frustration. One book in particular struck her. It was a beautiful book. It was obviously very old, and the pages were brittle and yellow, but it had a symbol on the front of it that she found beautiful and intriguing.
Opening the cover, she read 'In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will face the forces of darkness..." That is really depressing, Buffy thought. She flipped through the pages, scanning the pages. She paused at the words 'The End'. She opened the book fully on that page, and began to read. 'The forces of darkness will raise the devil, and the world will battle. Light and Darkness, shall together, end existence. The world will know no salvation.
The Light will parish and the Darkness will rule. The Key will cease to be, unknown, and the Power will cease to be, unknowingly. United they can not stand, Separated they will fall.' "Weird."
"Buffy? What are you doing?"
"Duh! Reading, Giles"
"Yes, of course, but, you don't read."
"I'm illiterate?!"
"No...it's just...Bloody hell! Sorry."
"You've got some weird books, here Giles. I mean WEIRD books. Talking about a key and slayers and power. It's just weird. You should go see a movie or something."
"Did you say key?"
"Yeah! It's right here." Buffy shows the book to him. Giles reads the page again and again. Finally, he lifts his head up to Buffy. "Oh Dear".
"Giles, what's the big? It's not even one o'clock yet."
"Xander, this is extremely important."
"Where's Angel and Spike?" Buffy asked.
"Uh...they went out last night. Really tied one on. I'm guessing they won't get over their hangovers until, oh I don't know, sunset." Xander said.
"Oh. Must be quite a hangover."
"You have no idea..." Cordelia mumbled.
"Cordelia, would you mind taking Buffy out. She must be getting tired of always sitting around, never going anywhere. Perhaps you should take her shopping." Giles prayed that Cordelia would get the hint.
"Sure! Anything to get out of research!"
"Research? What are you researching?"
"Oh! Uh, a have a paper. You know, research for a paper." Cordelia replied, grinning at her fast thinking.
"But it's summer."
Cordelia's smile faded. "Summer school?"
"Oh" was all Buffy got out as Cordelia ushered her to the door. Xander mouthed 'good save' to her as she walked out, which she replied by sticking her tongue out at him.
"Okay Giles, what did you find?" Willow asked
"Buffy has inadvertently stumbled upon a prophesy. I am not very sure what it means, but it has refrences to both Buffy and Dawn."
"All right. So tell us what this prophesy is all about."
Giles read the same text that Buffy had found earlier, then said, "I think it would be best if we took it line by line, and referenced as we went."
"Well I,for one, know exactly what the first line means. I mean the forces of darkness will raise the devil. I'm pretty sure that statement is self explanitory."
"Xander has a point."
"But what about the Darkness and Light ending existance together. Doesn't that sound a little strange. Why would the good guys help end the world?"
"I'm not sure, Willow" Giles began "but it does seem odd that the Light has something to do with not only the world's end, but it's own. The Light will parish...I'm afraid I'm at a loss."
"Okay, moving on. The Key will cease to be, unknown. What about that?"
"Oh, Oh, it could mean that Dawn will be killed, not for being the Key, but for another reason!"
Everyone turned to look at Anya, mouths gaping. "Yes" Giles stuttered, "that could be an explanation. Amazing."
"What? You don't live over a thousand years and not learn how to read between the lines."
"Of course. Next, the Power shall cease to be, unknowingly..."
"Well we can't take it in the same context as we did the Key, because that would mean that Buffy wouldn't know that she was the Slayer, and as we all know, she is very well aware of that fact."
"Xander, you're brilliant. I mean you're wrong, but there's the answer. Buffy *doesn't* know that she is the Slayer. She thinks she is a normal girl. Which means that this prophesy is about to happen"
"You're right, Willow. So the only things that we are at a loss for is why good and evil would work together."
"But Giles, that's impossible. The good guys never help the bad guys. It just isn't done."
"Xander's right, Giles. The only way that would happen, is if we, the good guys undoubtedly, didn't *know* that we were helping out the bad guys"
"Willow has a point. There is no way that Buffy, even if she unknowingly is the Slayer, would do anything to help the Dark side."
"Wow, Xander, you sound like Luke. You know, Star Wars? What ever."
"Hey guys! I think you're missing the point."
"And what point would that be, Anya?"
"It says that the Power helps the Darkness. You said it yourself, *we* are the Light. The good guys. We help the Darkness."
"But we are not knowingly going to do anything for the Darkness."
"Actually" Giles voice sounded very grave "we are doing that at this very moment."
"We are keeping the Slayer *unknowing*. We are helping the Darkness by taking away the protector of the Light. We are going to end the world, by not letting Buffy's memory return."
Giles looked at the prophecy, then back up to the group. "Oh Dear"
the end
PART TWO of LESSONS LEARNED
Cordelia sat in one of the chairs in the waiting room, watching Angel pace back and forth. Through the doorway a frenzied group of people came rushing into the lobby. Giles, Dawn, Willow, Xander, Tara, Anya, Spike and Joyce rushed over to Angel and Cordelia. "Where's my baby?", a frantic Joyce asked.
"We don't know. They went into the ER and the doctors haven't come out yet."
Just then, one of the doctors came over to them, "Mrs. Summers, I presume?"
"Yes?" Joyce is on the verge of a breakdown.
"May I speak to you for a moment?" Once they were out of earshot from the others, the doctor continued. "I really don't know how to tell you this. Your daughter has critical injuries. I really can't say, for certain, if she is going to pull out of this. She is unconscious right now, and I don't know when, or if, she is going to wake up."
At this, Joyce's whole body started to drop, Angel who had been watching the discussion between the two, rushed over a caught Joyce before she fell. Joyce's whole body began to shake with the tears that she was shedding. The rest of the group came over to help console the woman.
"Angel" Willow said, "What happened? Is Buffy...?"
Angel, who had heard the entire story said, "No, she isn't. But she's in a coma. They don't think she is going to make it."
"What about Wesley?" asked Giles
"They didn't say."
Giles went to the doctor. "Excuse me, doctor. The gentleman that was with her... Do you have any news on him?"
"Are you family?"
"Yes. Yes I am."
The doctor led Giles down the hall "I'm sorry, but Mr. Price did not make it. His injuries were two severe. It was too late by the time he arrived."
Giles slowly turned around to the others. His face masked in pain. He looked from Angel to Cordelia and back. They were Wesley's family. "Angel, Cordelia...I don't know how to tell you this. I am so sorry, but Wesley didn't make it." At this, Cordelia started to cry, and turned into Angel for comfort. Angel felt his world slowly slipping away. When he had first heard that Buffy and Wesley were in an accident, he thought it would be bad, but not this bad. He never imagined that he would lose one of his friends today. Angel hadn't cried in a long time. But he cried today. With Cordelia wrapped in his arm, he cried into her hair. He cried for the loss of Wesley and the fact that he could quite possibly lose Buffy. It was a long time before either he or Cordelia could compose themselves.
"Cordy?" Xander went to her. "Cordy I am so sorry. I know how close you are to Wesley. If you need anything, please. Let me know."
Cordelia turned to face the man that had broken her heart a year ago. She saw in his eyes that he was really concerned for her. It touched her deeply. She took his hand in hers, a silent thanks for the kindness he showed her. "Buffy is going to be okay, Xander."
"Yeah. She is. She's the slayer. She has to be all right. She has to..." Cordelia and Xander stayed like that for a few more minutes, taking comfort in each other.
Three days past and there was no change in Buffy. The council had contacted Giles and asked that Wesley's body be returned to England. Giles refused. Wesley's body was finally laid to rest in a cemetery not far from Angel's hotel. Faith was given a day of leave, of course, flanked by four VERY big guards, and attended the service.
"How's B doing?", she asked Angel after the service.
"Not too good. She isn't coming out of it. The doctors don't know if she ever will. It it's not looking very good."
"Well, I think B will be just fine. She's stronger than I am, and I bet she gave it to me a lot worse than she got. In fact, I just may go pay her a visit."
"You think the guards are going to let you do that?"
"Does it matter. I'll just lose the goons, go see her, and go back before they even know I was missing."
"Faith, if you can break out pretty much anytime you want to, why are you still there?" Angel asked her.
"It's my version of redemption. You have Angel Investigations, I have prison."
"You're a good girl, Faith. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently."
"You too, Angel. Except for the whole girl thing. I'm gonna head out. She you around!" With that, Faith pummels all four guards and rushes across the cemetery, in the direction of the hospital.
After everyone payed their final respects to Wesley, they returned to the hospital. As soon as they enter, Buffy's doctor notices Joyce and comes to her. "Mrs. Summers. Your daughter is awake, but I'm afraid there are some complications."
"What kind of complications?"
"Your daughter is suffering from memory loss. I already told her what her name is, and that she had a number of friends and family that were waiting for her outside. Would you like to see her now?"
"Yes, of course." Joyce enters Buffy's room, where Buffy is laying on the bed, looking out the window. At the sound, she turns to see her mother.
"Buffy? Baby? It's your mother."
"Mom?"
"Yes, honey. We were all so worried about you. Everybody is here. Do you want to see them, or do you want to rest?"
"I'd like to see them. The doctor says that it may help with my memory."
"Okay, I'll send in Dawn or Willow."
Both girls enter the room after Joyce had left. They came to Buffy on each side of the bed. "Buffy, are you all right? How do you feel?" Willow asked.
"Dawn?"
"No, I'm Willow, this is Dawn. Your sister."
"I didn't think that I had a sister. Dawn. I'll remember that."
"Buffy?" A voice came from the door to her room.
"Angel! Angel? How do I know you?"
"We are very close" Angel said uncomfortably "How are you feeling?"
"Awful. I feel like a just got ran over by a couple of cars."
"You did." Dawn put in.
"Ah, Dawn, maybe we should wait outside." Willow escorted Dawn out of the room.
"Angel. This is really frightening. I don't remember anything. I don't want to remember anything. My brain hurts too much as it is. I don't want any new information."
"We'll take it easy on you at first. You'll start remembering things. You remembered me, didn't you?"
"Yeah. Oh, this girl came by to see me. I don't remember her name, but I guess she was a friend. She brought me this." Buffy held up a flower. No doubt Faith had grabbed one before she left the cemetery. "She told me that I was going to be okay, that if I 'wussed' out she'd be really pissed at me. There was something about her, though. I really liked her."
Angel smiled. He had to remember to tell Faith about this. She would get a kick out of being Buffy's friend again.
"Buffy?" She looked up to see a striking couple in the doorway. She knew immediately that they were together. They looked perfect together.
"Buffy, this is Xander and Cordelia."
"Hey Buffy. You feeling okay? You gave us all a big scare." This from Xander.
"Buffy. I'm really sorry that this happened. I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am!" And once again Cordelia began to cry.
"Alright, everyone. I need to talk to Buffy alone. There you go. Come along." The British voice belonged to an older man, but not too old. She got a familiar feeling with this man. She knew him very well.
"Dad?"
"No Buffy, I'm not your father. Not in the biological sense anyway. I'm Giles. I'm your watcher. Do you know what a watcher is?
"Not exactly. Is this something that I'm going to end up felling stupid about?"
"Probably, yes. I just wanted to tell you. This may be for the best. Not that it won't come back to you, just don't make it a point to remember things from your past. Let it come back naturally. In the meantime, the doctors say that you will be able to go home tonight. It seems you are healing unusually fast. Imagine that. Anyway, wonderful news isn't it? Remember what I have said, and rest assured that I have your best interests at heart. I'll let you get some rest, now. Feel better, Buffy."
"Thanks, Giles..."
That night, Buffy is released from the hospital and is taken back to Sunnydale. Everyone comes to her house with her, including Angel and Cordelia. "I'm going to go up stairs and take a shower", Buffy said, and walked to the stairs.
Still down in the living room, the others began to talk about what needs to be done. "Spike and I will do the patrolling for the time being" Angel began "we'll take groups with us as well."
"Can I patrol, too?" Dawn asked.
"Actually Dawn, I was hoping that you would watch Buffy. I know she can't really remember anything right now but I don't want her running off anywhere. I need you to pacify her for the time being, until we can see if she remembers how to fight."
"Actually, Angel. I'm not quite sure that is a good idea." Giles spoke up, and all eyes looked on him questioningly.
"And remind me why we wouldn't want the slayer to slay?" Xander asked.
"I was a fool to think that I could keep this from you all. I do not condone my actions, but I believe that it is best for Buffy. The council contacted me after the accident. They asked for Wesley's body."
"Yeah, this is a repeat of all the things that you have already told us" Cordy said getting frustrated.
"Yes, well, they also asked for the body of the slayer. After Buffy died, they have no way of telling if she is alive or not. When I refused both bodies, they sent other watchers to the funeral. They know that only Wesley died. The council was not at all happy when Buffy past her 18th birthday 'test'.
"They will try and come after her again and again until Buffy is dead. Only one other slayer had ever made it past the birthday test. They waited until the poor girl would go into a battle, and they would send several demons to attack her at once. She didn't last but a week or two. I doubt Buffy would do that much better.
"The council told me that as soon as Buffy began to fight again, they would give her the same treatment. I would rather lose the slayer than lose Buffy. Forgive me if you think that it is selfish, but I stand firmly on this principle."
"But what if Buffy's memory returns on it's own?" Willow asked.
"I would beg her to leave Sunnydale. For that matter the country. She could go anywhere, besides England of course. She wouldn't be able to tell any of you were she was going or contact you after you she left. She would be alive, though dead to us. I think it is a small price to pay for her to live out her life."
"Giles, there is something that I have always wondered. Why does the council kill the slayers? Wouldn't they be glad to have a slayer mature? Maybe it would be like with vampires, and the slayers would just get stronger every year."
"Cordelia, I have asked myself that question many times. In fact, the only person who knows about that is the head of the council. Every time the leader dies, the knowledge of why the slayer must die is passed down to the next leader. To be perfectly honest. I think they find it best if the slayers are unattached, or too young to question their orders."
Xander spoke up, "Well, considering Buffy is both very well attached and questions everyone, you'd think they would give up and let her be."
"Well, we've got other problems besides the slayer", Spike said, "Word is that Soldier Boy got turned. He's been visitin' an old friend of mine. Says he let her drink from him every night. Then he stops by the other night and says he doesn't want to live the was he's been living."
"Well, Buffy did breakup with him for a vampire" Cordelia said, "maybe he thought he could get her back this way. Sort of sweet if you think about it. I was wrong...kind of gross really."
Spike perked up when he heard that Buffy broke it off with captain commando. "So, the Slayer got tired of her little boy toy. Well, this is good news! And now that he's turned, I can kick the wankers ass once and for all. Been wantin' to do it for a while, now. As soon as night falls, I say we all go after the little army boy. I get first dibs, though."
"Spike. We just can't go kill him. Maybe he's good. Even if Buffy doesn't love Riley, she still cares for him, she'd be heart broken if you killed him."
"Red, Buffy doesn't know Riley from your watch. She couldn't possible care if we dusted a ~vampire~ or not. What do you think, Peaches?"
"Well, I'm a little bias, but he ~is~ a vampire. What if he killed someone? You can't think that he is still the same person. He's a demon now. I don't think that we should actively seek him out, but if he comes around any of us, I think we should handle the situation like we would any other."
"I believe that Angel is right. We will patrol as usual, and keep all of this from Buffy. I don't want anything to trigger her memory. I was afraid that seeing Angel would cause something to happen, but that was avoided, so let's do all that we can to make sure that nothing tips her off. Willow, I believe that Buffy has a number of weapons in her room. If you would remove those I would be most appreciative. Also, let's refrain from making any demon references that would, like wise, trigger a memory. This will be a difficult task, but if we are mindful of what we say-"
"-And cover each other's asses!"
"Thank you for putting that so well Xander. But yes, if we work together, Buffy will never have to know. Is everyone in agreement?"
Everybody in the room knew the stakes were high, and willing to do everything to keep Buffy out of the loop. The group heard a noise on the stairs as Buffy came towards the living room. "Don't mean to interrupt the little pow-wow going on here, I was just getting something to drink."
"Try not to fall in, S-Buffy" Spike said in a lazy voice.
"Shut up Spike- wait! I know Spike! See, don't even have to try to remember, Giles, it's all coming to me. Well not all, just a little bit...okay, Spike's name and that's it. But the rest will come, eventually I'm sure." With that, Buffy walks into the kitchen.
"Oh yes, one more thing" Giles said addressing the group, "try to refrain from those charming nicknames you all have. No Slayer, no Dead Boy or anything along those lines."
"It isn't going to be easy keeping Buff in the dark, so exactly how long are we supposed to keep this little secret?" Xander asked
"I suppose we take it one day at a time. I have no doubt that her memory will return, however, I have no wish to think about what must be done when that happens."
"Well what about research? Not that I wouldn't mind NOT researching, but isn't that what you guys do? Like, all the time?"
"Cordelia, we research, you do your nails."
"Xander? Research? That's a laugh! I'll have you no that my research skills are excellent. Even Wes-" Cordelia's face fell, her eyes began to tear up again, and Xander moved to her side, putting an arm around her shaking shoulders. "I'm sorry, Cordy." And for lack of anything else to say, "I bet you are great at research."
Cordelia smiled up at him, and just then, Buffy returned to the room. "You two are so CUTE together. Don't you think they're cute? How long have you two been together, anyway?"
At this, Cordelia moved away from Xander's embrace and moved next to Angel.
"Buff, Cordy and I aren't together."
"Oh. Well you should be. You two are so cute together."
"Yeah. Got that the first billion times you said it!" Anya bit out.
"Oookaaay. Anyway, what do I do for fun around here?"
"Farm boy, usually." Spike couldn't help but give a little humor to the situation.
"Spike" Giles warned "that is more than enough."
"Who's farm boy?"
"Me" Angel quickly put in. "It's a stupid nickname that Spike likes to call me. Farm boy."
"Strange. But I was thinking more along the lines of going out."
"Buffy, given your current state of health, I do not think that that is such a good idea."
"But Giles! I'm feeling fine! It's not like my memory is going to get any worse! I'm so bored I could scream!"
"I'm sorry, Buffy, but I must put my foot down on this."
"Fine. I'm too tired to talk about this tonight, but I will definitely be ready tomorrow." And with that, Buffy returned to her bedroom.
"Yes, I think it is best if we all retired for the evening. We can discuss more of this tomorrow, when we are all feeling a little more rested."
The group complied with Giles. Before long, it was time for everyone to leave for their respective houses. Cordelia and Angel were given an invitation to stay with Giles. Nobody slept very well that night.
Buffy spent the entire night thinking about her life. She wondered what her life was like before. But more than that, she wondered how she caught such a cutie as Angel. She had no doubt that they were a couple. He was the first person that she recognized, and that little comment Spike made just sealed what she already thought...and hoped. "Farm boy" she muttered out loud. Spike is one strange guy.
The next morning, Buffy decided to go for a walk. She threw on a pair of exercise pants and a tank top, and went outside. Nothing about the town seemed familiar to Buffy. She made sure to pay attention to the street signs, so she would be able to find her way back home. She had made a turn on a dead end street, and found herself standing in front of a house that seemed familiar to her. Without another thought, Buffy walked up to the door and rang the bell.
The door opened and a haggard looking man stood in the doorway, his eyes squinted against the sun. "Buffy? Good heavens, what are you doing out by yourself?"
"Giles! This is your house! I had no idea. Cool. Can I come in?" With that, Buffy breezed past him and into his house. "Nice pad."
"Thank you, but once again, how did you get here and why are you out by yourself?"
"I got bored. Took a walk. Saw house. Thought 'familiar'. Rang bell. Hi!
"Excellent" Giles said, sounding like he meant the complete opposite.
"Well, you shouldn't have come without someone. Give me a moment to take a shower and get dressed, and I will take you back home."
"You're no fun! Fine. Go ahead. I'll just keep myself busy." Looking around the room, noticing all the dusty books, Buffy thought, 'Busy, but definitely not entertained'. She went over to the books and started glancing at the titles. Most of them were in another language, she noticed with frustration. One book in particular struck her. It was a beautiful book. It was obviously very old, and the pages were brittle and yellow, but it had a symbol on the front of it that she found beautiful and intriguing.
Opening the cover, she read 'In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will face the forces of darkness..." That is really depressing, Buffy thought. She flipped through the pages, scanning the pages. She paused at the words 'The End'. She opened the book fully on that page, and began to read. 'The forces of darkness will raise the devil, and the world will battle. Light and Darkness, shall together, end existence. The world will know no salvation.
The Light will parish and the Darkness will rule. The Key will cease to be, unknown, and the Power will cease to be, unknowingly. United they can not stand, Separated they will fall.' "Weird."
"Buffy? What are you doing?"
"Duh! Reading, Giles"
"Yes, of course, but, you don't read."
"I'm illiterate?!"
"No...it's just...Bloody hell! Sorry."
"You've got some weird books, here Giles. I mean WEIRD books. Talking about a key and slayers and power. It's just weird. You should go see a movie or something."
"Did you say key?"
"Yeah! It's right here." Buffy shows the book to him. Giles reads the page again and again. Finally, he lifts his head up to Buffy. "Oh Dear".
"Giles, what's the big? It's not even one o'clock yet."
"Xander, this is extremely important."
"Where's Angel and Spike?" Buffy asked.
"Uh...they went out last night. Really tied one on. I'm guessing they won't get over their hangovers until, oh I don't know, sunset." Xander said.
"Oh. Must be quite a hangover."
"You have no idea..." Cordelia mumbled.
"Cordelia, would you mind taking Buffy out. She must be getting tired of always sitting around, never going anywhere. Perhaps you should take her shopping." Giles prayed that Cordelia would get the hint.
"Sure! Anything to get out of research!"
"Research? What are you researching?"
"Oh! Uh, a have a paper. You know, research for a paper." Cordelia replied, grinning at her fast thinking.
"But it's summer."
Cordelia's smile faded. "Summer school?"
"Oh" was all Buffy got out as Cordelia ushered her to the door. Xander mouthed 'good save' to her as she walked out, which she replied by sticking her tongue out at him.
"Okay Giles, what did you find?" Willow asked
"Buffy has inadvertently stumbled upon a prophesy. I am not very sure what it means, but it has refrences to both Buffy and Dawn."
"All right. So tell us what this prophesy is all about."
Giles read the same text that Buffy had found earlier, then said, "I think it would be best if we took it line by line, and referenced as we went."
"Well I,for one, know exactly what the first line means. I mean the forces of darkness will raise the devil. I'm pretty sure that statement is self explanitory."
"Xander has a point."
"But what about the Darkness and Light ending existance together. Doesn't that sound a little strange. Why would the good guys help end the world?"
"I'm not sure, Willow" Giles began "but it does seem odd that the Light has something to do with not only the world's end, but it's own. The Light will parish...I'm afraid I'm at a loss."
"Okay, moving on. The Key will cease to be, unknown. What about that?"
"Oh, Oh, it could mean that Dawn will be killed, not for being the Key, but for another reason!"
Everyone turned to look at Anya, mouths gaping. "Yes" Giles stuttered, "that could be an explanation. Amazing."
"What? You don't live over a thousand years and not learn how to read between the lines."
"Of course. Next, the Power shall cease to be, unknowingly..."
"Well we can't take it in the same context as we did the Key, because that would mean that Buffy wouldn't know that she was the Slayer, and as we all know, she is very well aware of that fact."
"Xander, you're brilliant. I mean you're wrong, but there's the answer. Buffy *doesn't* know that she is the Slayer. She thinks she is a normal girl. Which means that this prophesy is about to happen"
"You're right, Willow. So the only things that we are at a loss for is why good and evil would work together."
"But Giles, that's impossible. The good guys never help the bad guys. It just isn't done."
"Xander's right, Giles. The only way that would happen, is if we, the good guys undoubtedly, didn't *know* that we were helping out the bad guys"
"Willow has a point. There is no way that Buffy, even if she unknowingly is the Slayer, would do anything to help the Dark side."
"Wow, Xander, you sound like Luke. You know, Star Wars? What ever."
"Hey guys! I think you're missing the point."
"And what point would that be, Anya?"
"It says that the Power helps the Darkness. You said it yourself, *we* are the Light. The good guys. We help the Darkness."
"But we are not knowingly going to do anything for the Darkness."
"Actually" Giles voice sounded very grave "we are doing that at this very moment."
"We are keeping the Slayer *unknowing*. We are helping the Darkness by taking away the protector of the Light. We are going to end the world, by not letting Buffy's memory return."
Giles looked at the prophecy, then back up to the group. "Oh Dear"
the end