Epilogue
"Surveillance tapes are inconclusive from all buildings in the Downtown area. At this time, no arrests have been made, and no one has been identified as taking part in the downtown riots last night. The police are calling this a case of Teen Angst gone crazy. The gangs, it would seem, have disappeared into thin air"
Click.
"And quite the electric storm we had last night, here in Sunnydale. With all the other strange happenings, a major thunderstorm flew in very fast, dumping softball size hail, strong winds and lightning. Funnel Clouds were reported from the eastern side of the city at about 4 am. If you heard the loud winds that sounded like a train in your living room, and ran to the basement, that's what you were running from. Turning to the 5 day forcast"
Click.
"Are Angels real? Do you believe that God has sent a special someone to come and look over you? Well, friends, rejoice, because Christ our Savior is alive, and he is sending his Angels to look over us even as we speak"
Click.
"Dawn?" Joyce asked from the Kitchen. "Why don't you turn off the television. Come get some breakfast before the bus gets here."
With a sigh, Dawn hit the "off" button, carefully stepping over the broken glass and chairs. "If I had a party and the house looked like this, I'd have been grounded for life. But, nothe great Buffy gets away clean"
"Dawn?" Joyce called from the kitchen again.
The young girl threw her arms up and stomped into the kitchen.
***
"Room 103Here it is," Buffy said, stifling a yawn. "When do her hours start?"
"Not for five more minutes," Willow answered. "And don't go in early, she gets very upset at that."
"Oh, manLast night I fought with a fallen Angel-turned-Demon, and a Vampire so ancient, he probably knew Fred Flinstone, but nowWell, I'm scared to death to talk to this woman."
"I knowShe's a bit intimidating."
"You weren't so nice last time you had something to say to the Professor."
"Yeah, well, I didn't have to talk to her right after saying mean things."
Buffy sighed, then yawned, rubbing her eyes. She turned and sat down on the bench next to the door, and Willow joined her.
"How did your mom take the house being destroyed?" Willow asked.
"Really well, after she finally stopped crying. It's not the first time the house was destroyed by a gang of dead people."
"I'll take Vampires anytime. That isBefore Vampires."
"Yeah, well, the insurance company won't pay for the damagesWe just can't explain the damage, and we're too far away from downtown to blame the riots. The Council, I think, told Giles they'd pick up the tab."
The door opened slowly, and the Professor slipped her head out, looking down at the two girls on the bench. "You want to see me?" she asked.
The Professor opened the door and let them in, moving around and sitting behind her desk. The office was rather small and dark. Books lined the walls, and a portrait of Abraham Lincoln adorned the back of the door.
"Uh, Professor Higges?" Buffy asked. "Um, how are you today?"
Higges crossed her hands under her chin and looked at Buffy. "Ms. Summers, my time is very valuable. Don't waste it."
"Uh, right," Buffy said, looking at Willow. "Um, you seewith the riots that took place and all last night, combined with a very, very busy weekendwe just weren't able to finish our papers in time for your class today."
"Why does that not surprise me, Ms. Summers?" Higges asked. "You, Ms. Rosenberg, I'm shocked. You should know better than to wait until the last second and try to finish in a hurry. I suppose the two of you want an extension?"
The two girls nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry. My policy does not allow this. I'm sorry if your lives are just too busy for school, but, if you don't have the time to do your homework, you shouldn't be in college.
"I mean, what would I say to my other students? How would it be fair to the people who worked hard to get it done on time? I would just be throwing it in their faces."
"Well, we've gotten everything else in on time, and we've scored high on all the tests and papers you've assigned. We're just asking for one more day to finish up the fine details for you," Willow said.
"I'm not here to just teach you about history, ladies. I'm also here to teach you responsibility. You have to learn how to get things in on time. I mean, do you even know what the real world is like?"
Buffy's eyes lit up with surprise and anger. "Excuse me?" Buffy said forcefully, stifling a small laugh.
"Do you know what the real world is like? I mean, if I let you slide, you'll try to slide on your bosses, and then what good–"
"Oh shut up, you pompous windbag!" Buffy said, surprising Willow. "Do we know what the real world is like? We've seen far more in this world than you have, Lady. We were in the downtown area last night, watching innocent civilians get beaten and bloodied. I've a friend who's parents beat him. I've lost good friends, and nearly been killed myself. For a while, I even lived on my own and paid for myself! Don't you dare ask me if I know what the real world is! You live in your little "cubby hole" up here and hide away from the world, looking down on College students, trying to make yourself feel more important by making their lives living hell."
"Excuse me, young lady!"
"No!" Willow yelled, standing up. "She–she doesn't have to excuse you. If that makes sense. She's right. We work damn hard for you, and it's not enough. Well, if you can't give us just the incyest amount of room to finish these papers, thenthen screw you!"
"Yeah!" Buffy yelled, standing up. "We'll flunk your class, maybe, but we'll take it again with a different, better Professor, and erase the grade! Then, we'll go to the Dean of Students and explain why we dropped out of your class and see what he has to say!"
"C'mon, Buff. We don't have to be here," Willow said, turning to leave.
"Wait," Higges said. She sat, looking at the floor in deep thought for a moment. "You havedone well so far with the readings and tests. I wouldto see you waste another semester with anprofessor. I'll give you until 12 tomorrow to have them on this desk. Any later, though, and they're failed papers, understand?"
Buffy and Willow looked at each other and smiled. "No probs."
"Good. Now, one more thing. If you ever speak to me or any other Faculty member that way again, I'll put you both on Review before the student board. Now, get out."
Buffy and Willow ran out the door and down the hall laughing and jumping. "That went well!" Buffy laughed. "Now, I can get started on the paper!"
***
As Willow finally got home that evening, the window to her room was open. Tara was down at Xander's, playing cards with him and Anya. A slight breeze blew into the room, and she noticed on the desk lay a yellow envelope. The paper was an old parchment, carefully made and folded, with white ink on the top of the envelope.
"Willow," the envelope read.
She carefully opened the letter and unfolded the papers.
My Dearest Friend Willow,
I hope this letter finds you doing well. Look on top of your dresser, next to your jewelry box. Enclosed in a small, red box are seven golden wings, crafted by one of the best sculptors up here. He was born in the 7th century, but I think his work is a little over-rated. Still, each wing is a gift to you, Buffy, Anya, Tara, Xander, Giles, and even Spike for your help over the last couple of days. They are our way of saying "Thanks." They don't have any magical abilities or anything, but they were blessed by Peter himself, so they should be lucky. Oh, but don't touch the top black one. That one was cursed. It is meant for your Vampire friend. If it had been blessed, it would have burned him. We figure with a curse, it should serve him better.
I'm sorry I couldn't deliver these wings to you, personally. It would have been good to talk without a Vampire or Fallen trying to destroy the world. However, in order for me to make up for blundering most of the case, I'm being sent out immediately on another case. I think it will mostly be in Los Angeles. Know anywhere I can stay? Just kidding, just kidding!
Please, tell Xander that he has grown so much since I last saw all of you. His courage and strength grow every day, and he has found angirlfriend.
Tell Buffy that she has earned the respect of even the highest Archangels here, and that's no small thing. She is so much more powerful than the days when you first met her.
Finally, for you: You have become such a wonderful person. I feel that I've done real good in the world by helping protect you. I wish I could protect you the rest of your life, but you are far too powerful, now, to need my help. If ever you feel alone, just talk. I will hear youeventually.
Once again, thank you dearly for your help, and maybe, someday, our paths will cross again.
With Love,
Christopher,
Archangel of the 4th Order
***
(Writers note: I enjoyed writing this so much. The story just sort of took a form of its own and came through my fingers. I'll try to clean it up and resubmit it again as a finished product sometime soon. First, I want to write another tale involving a different kind of creature that takes place after Joyce's death. Sorry, it's not going to be an Angel or a Saint, or anything heavenly. Then, maybe a romance. Anyway, I'm so glad so many of you enjoyed this story, and thanks for taking the time to read, and leave reviews.
Oh, and a huge thanks to Alicia for putting up with my nagging: "is it good? Why do you like that part? Why didn't you like that part? Does this sound like Spike?"
--Blades.)