Marie | Buffy's footsteps echoed in the empty streets as she made for home. Any passing observer might think her to be yet another young college student, out in the brisk night air. Her face was a study in concentration. Who knows, she thought, what Dawn's been up to all this time. The streets were quiet. Been quite a day, she reflected. As she neared her home, her footsteps slowed, uncertain. What am I gonna do about Dawn, Mom? Am I doing the right things, for her? I wish you were here... so much. |
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It didn't last long. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a figure ducking into a crypt. The door flew open and clanged against the wall, as the vampire hurtled through. Buffy was behind him instantly. The vampire stumbled on the steps and turned, snarling, his back to the crypt wall. Buffy came through the door as he turned. She was rushing, not wanting her victim to get away, unsure whether there was a way out other than the way she'd come in. She glanced to either side first, looking directly across the crypt just in time. He charged her, intending to tackle her. He'd been a linebacker for Sunnydale High, and his form was perfect. Unfortunately for him, the Slayer was faster than the average football player. She sidestepped his rush, and spun a kick into his hip as he passed, knocking him just off course enough that he crashed into the doorframe, rather than passing through the still-open doorway. "You're exactly what I needed," Buffy's voice was cheerful. After fighting demons and gods, it was almost refreshing to deal with an ordinary old vampire again. "You have no idea of the day I've had." He turned and came at her, swinging huge fists in wide, roundhouse arcs. She just kept talking, ducking or blocking each blow as it came in. "This guy, Marcus, for starters. Know him?" She ducked under a swing and stepped forward a pace so she was off to his side. The vampire, confused at the question, shook his head. Buffy started to kick at his knee, but he surprised her by swinging his arm back, catching her in the back of the head. Standing on one foot, she lost her balance momentarily, and fell forward, tucking into a roll at the last moment. The roll carried her to her feet, and she grabbed an old board lying on the floor. Now that's convenient, she thought with satisfaction. "Not to mention Spike! Isn't my life confusing enough already?" she asked as she brought the board up to block the vampire's swing. He looked even more confused and shook his head as the board made a cracking sound. His fist had broken it in two. "Well, aren't we kung-fu," she told him. Her opponent shrugged, a little surprised himself, and gave her a small smile. He swung at her again, but she blocked with one of the broken pieces, and smacked the other against his elbow. He had no time to howl in pain as she drove the first piece into his heart. He exploded into dust. |
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"That was too easy," she said to the empty crypt. She left the crypt, closing the door behind her and glanced around, hopefully. Nothing moved. "Fine," she muttered as she walked across the graveyard. "So much for today." |
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God, I'm beat. |
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Buffy paused before opening the kitchen door. She listened intently for a second. Great, voices in my kitchen. Can this night get any better? "Look, Little Bit, I know I'm not really au courant with teenage behavior, but isn't one shower usually enough?" "No." Dawn's voice had a strange edge to it, and Buffy's sisterly instincts went on full alert as she listened. "It was really just ewww in there. My hair still smells smoky." There was the sound of something slamming, a cabinet door, perhaps. Dawn continued, "and I'm going to have to dry clean my pants from sitting in something really gross." "Was it worth it?" "No... Not really." There was silence for a bit, and Buffy put her hand on the doorknob. Before she could turn it, Dawn began speaking again. "It wasn't any fun. The music made my ears hurt and I've still got flashy things in my eyes from the lights. I don't even like techno music. I don't know why I went." Buffy's eyes narrowed. Dawn talking about music and lights. Dawn went to a club? "I guess I just wanted to go out with my friends," Dawn was saying. "Have some fun. Buffy at least got to go to the Bronze at my age." "Well, it can't have been a total waste." "Naw... I told you. There was this one cute guy." Dawn sounded wistful, and Spike growled. From the porch, Buffy struggled to wipe the smile off her face at Spike's reaction and remind herself of her irritation. Dawn talking about guys. Deep breath. Okay. Let's get to the bottom of this. She flung the door open and was satisfied to see the two of them jump. Spike took one look at Buffy's expression, hopped off the counter, and started edging towards the open door. "Buffy, you're home!" He waved his hand at Dawn expansively. "And see, here's Dawn, safe and sound." Turning to Dawn, he told her as he took another step towards the door, "Bit, it's been fun, but, places to go, things to kill. You know the score." Buffy grabbed Spike by the collar. "You're not going anywhere." She glared at Dawn and pointed towards the living room. "And neither are you." Buffy continued to glare at Dawn until Dawn set down her drink and headed to the living room. Buffy dragged Spike with her, ignoring his squawking about his precious coat. "Now sit!" They plopped down on the couch, Spike's movement aided by Slayer-strength. "Lights? Music? Boys?" Buffy barked. "Talk!" Spike looked at Dawn. "Dawn, you she'll just ground. Me she'll turn into vacuum food." He turned back to Buffy. "Look, luv, it wasn't really anything. Just one of those whaddy-you-callums, raves. She had her own water bottle and nothing happened. She's fine, see?" Buffy turned to Dawn. "Is this true?" "Buffy, I just..." "Just what?" Buffy put her hands on her hips. "You lied to me - you said you were going to a movie, and instead you went to a rave? How could you be so stupid? There's stuff wandering around out there and-" "There's always stuff wandering around out there," Dawn burst out. "I just wanted to go out with my friends and have some fun! Be normal for a change! You never let me do anything! Go to school, Dawn. Come straight home, Dawn," she mimicked her older sister. "I just wanted to have fun and maybe meet some cute guys. And guess what, I met one! And nothing happened!" There was a long pause, as Buffy digested Dawn's outburst. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Spike fidgeting quietly. Raising her chin, she folded her arms and stared at him, waiting. Spike didn't meet her eyes for several seconds. Finally he said softly, "not quite true." Dawn fixed him with a murderous glare. "Spike, shut up." Spike smiled apologetically, distinctly uncomfortable with both sisters glaring at him at the same time. "Dawn," he said, hesitating, "fainting in front of a new beau might have been acceptable in my day, but now, not so much. Tell Buffy what happened. Might be important." Buffy buried her face in her hands. "I so don't want to deal with this now." She brought her hands down, and sat down on the coffee table in front of Dawn. "Dawn, talk to me. Remember, I control the credit cards in this family." Dawn was sullenly picking at a small hole in the couch cushion. "It wasn't anything. I just saw this cute guy, as I was leaving. And I guess the music and the heat just got to me for a minute." Her head came up and she looked thoughtful. Buffy frowned. "What else?" "It might have been just a trick of the lights, but he looked like he recognized me. I've never seen him before." Buffy stood up. "We'll talk about this in the morn..." She checked the time. "Later on. Go to bed now, you look tired." Dawn stomped up the stairs. She paused halfway up and asked, "You're going to ground me, aren't you?" Buffy looked at Dawn. She was remembering all of the times she had desperately wished to be normal herself, and all of the nasty things that had happened to her. "I don't know yet. Maybe. Probably not for long, though. Much too tired to talk about this now." Spike got up from the couch. "Don't be too hard on her. Probably won't try it again." He walked to the door, and paused with his hand on the knob. "Slayer, we need to have a talk with her about boys." Buffy rolled her eyes as she pushed him out the door. "What are you, the After-School-Vampire? She's already had the dating-boys-talking-to." She cut off his outraged look by shutting the door, and leant against it for a minute before starting to lock up for the night. Maybe he won't scare the pants off any boy Dawn brings home, she thought as she clicked off the living room lamp. Right, and maybe he'll join us for our next beach party, too. Buffy climbed the steps to her own bedroom. Oh, very, very tired now. Going to bed. Need some quality time with Mr. Gordo. |
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Wonder who's the boy at the rave. Spike's gonna have to have a word with him. Kid needs to know that Dawn has someone watchin' out for her. Spike leered at the empty street, a wickedly gleeful expression at the idea. Too many strangers in good old Sunny D. lately. 'Bout time they discovered that the Big Bad's still here. His wanderings had led him to the steps leading to Giles' place, and he paused, hesitating. Blood. Spike frowned, his eyes narrowing. But not entirely... human. Brightening at the prospect of some demon action, he glanced around the empty courtyard a few times before realizing the trail led to Giles' door. Bloody hell, it's got to be that Marcus fellow. Spike scowled. Should've known. Can't trust anyone with strange blood. And the way he was looking at Buffy today - like he knew her. Spike inhaled deeply on his cigarette, scornful. Acting like he knew her better than anyone else. Spike snorted. We'll just see about that. Peering through the window next to the door, he had a sudden shock, as did Giles, who was glancing through the same window at the time. With simultaneous shouts, they both leapt back. A second later, Giles opened the door. "Good God, Spike! What the hell are you doing? It's almost one in the morning - what do you want?" "What am I doing? What are you doing? Looking out the window at blokes!" Spike threw down his cigarette and ground it out with his toe furiously. "You about gave me a bloody heart attack." "Your heart doesn't beat." "Yeah, well." Spike glanced past Giles curiously. "That Marcus fellow staying here?" Giles rolled his eyes and nodded. "Thought so." Spike looked smug. "Figured I'd check on you. Try and do a good turn around here, and what bleedin' thanks d'ya get? Huh!" |
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Simon had ditched the rave soon after the girl had been carried away. A long walk back to the bus station and he was in the worse part of town. The same part, he was sure, that would have the best crash spots for someone traveling on a tight budget. After carefully scouting the area, he noticed a motel room door sagging in its frame. Quietly he pushed it open, waiting until his eyes adjusted to the dark interior. It was empty. Score, he thought. Dropping his bag on the bed, he laid down on the old mattress, using his bag as a pillow. He stared at the ceiling, caught between making sense of what he'd seen and falling asleep. The curtains were partially open and the street lights were forcing their way into the room as he closed his eyes and replayed the clear unemotional tone saying: "They'll use you, manipulate you for their needs." He closed his eyes, the day's events and his own dreams tumbling around upon themselves, then turning dark and violent against his mind's eye. Gasping, he sat up, but it was another minute before he registered that he was awake. He desperately tried to remember the dream, but the details were already fading. Frustrated, Simon helplessly fell back. A few deep breaths later, he'd finally collapsed into the abyss of dreamless sleep. |
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Spike made his way to Tara's apartment, finishing the last of the beer. He threw the empty bottle into the gutter and took a right, heading towards the apartment. I don't like the sound of all this, Spike, my man. Bloody wolf-things. Bloody Marcus. Who the hell does he think he is, comin' here and messin' about with 'is bleedin' wolves? Close on that thought came another. Bloody postman, that's what I am. Should have a uniform. Soddin' babysitter, then a soddin' postman. Soddin' vampire, that's what I am! He tripped over a step and realized he'd arrived at the girls' apartment complex. Now what? he asked himself. No point goin' in, everywhere'll be locked up. Then he saw the light was on in their living room. He made his way around the side of the building, and climbed over the low wall onto the patio. The curtains were drawn to, so he tapped on the patio door. There was a rustle, then he saw Tara's face peering out, somewhat fearfully. Her eyes widened when she saw the blond vampire staring back at her, and she unlocked then opened the patio door. |
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