Jessica drank her fourth coke at the Bronze and slumped further into the booth accompanied with Willow and Tara."Um Jess, I think those are enough cokes for tonight." Willow said gently as she took the bottle from Jessica's hand. Jessica just gazed and gave her a blank stare."Will, I didn't ask for this, I swear I just wanted Buffy back, not being called as the next slayer."she replied wearily. All day she had been taking her anger at the punching bag and dissolving her anger into cokes. "I don't care what Giles says, I am not gonna do any slaying until Buffy comes back."Jessica finished by expressing a pout."Jessica, I know you don't want this but you have to learn how to accept your fate." Jessica's narrow went sharp."Being the slayer, the chosen one is not my fate! To me it's like having some kind of burden on me or being cursed." Willow just gawked at her."Jess, being the slayer is not a curse, it's um k-kinda like having a blessing."."From hell" Jessica muttered under her breath."Giles can't force you to do this-" But Jessica interrupted her."Damn Right Giles can't force me to do this, even if he signs me on as with the council, all Im going to do is just quit." Willow sighed and propped her elbows on the table."You know Giles is not going to like that comment." Jessica rolled here eyes."Wether Giles likes it or not, Im not going to be the next slayer until Buffy comes back." she remarked and with that got up and left. In fury, she walked briskly out of the Bronze and into the graveyard. Jessica was about to take the path home when she caught sight of a vampire rising out of a fresh grave. She quietly snuck behind a tree and snuck a wooden stake out of her pocket and crept behind the creature. She grabbed the vampire from it's collar and pinned him furiously to the ground."I though the slayer was gone."the vampire asked with a sheer smirk. She gave him fierce kick in response."Don't you ever talk about my cousin like that!". Jessica kicked him harder this time, sending him rolling on the floor."What you think it's easy being the slayer?" (kick, punch)"Doing mindless task for many people, you think is a easy job?" She placed her stake in the air and plunged it into the vampire's heart. It exploded into dust into seconds. Jessica took a step back and brushed off dust from her jacket.She tried to steady herself before she let her knees drop to the ground. She leaned against a headstone and buried her face into her hands. Warm tears feel from her cheeks. She brushed a strand of hair from her face and looked at the grave. She weakened even more. It was Buffy's grave. Jessica sat down and gazed at the carved words."She saved the world alot." Jessica let out a bitter laugh."You just didn't save the world Buff, you saved me."she said softly."And everyone here still needs you, Giles told me the other day that I was the next one to be called according to the council. I don't believe that Buffy, I want you back, Being the slayer without the one that keeps you going is not the slayer."she scuffed some dirt from her shoe and and plucked a rose from the rosebush and laid infront of the graveYou did save the world alot."she added before turning back and heading home in the dark night. She opened the door and closed it quietly behind her. She silently went upstairs to peek into Dawn's room. She was fast asleep. She knelt beside her and pulled the covers around Dawn's body. She took a step back and gazed at her cousin. Her long brown hair was knitted in a braid and she she seemed to sleep peacefully for the first time in weeks. It had nearly been four weeks since Buffy's death, and Dawn seemed to be like zombie. She comforted her many times. Jessica knew it was her turn now to protect Dawn, and she was ready to accept that fate, but not for being the next slayer
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"Jessica, Giles said he wanted to speak of you, he wants you in right know." Willow called behind her. Jessica stopped reading and closed it. She walked into the danger room.She took a seat facing him, waiting for the news to shoot forward. Whatver he said, she was prepared for it."Jessica, I know you don't want to be the next slayer, I know you feel uneasy about it, I know you want Buffy I understand, we all would like Buffy back very much, but you have to understand that is not possible Jessica-" But Jessica cut him off before she could finish."No Giles, you don't understand It is possible to get Buffy back, and the thing is called magick(that's how they spell it on Buffy) And I am not going to be able to learn or acquire this fate of being the slayer, Not now, not ever Im sorry Giles, but my job know is to protect Dawn." "I understand very damn well Jessica, and you are going to be the next slayer!"He shouted. Jessica took a step back, startled by Giles reaction. But then her features went rigid."No that's were you are wrong, you cannot force me to be the next slayer, if they sign me, on I'll do my best to fail!"she screamed back in fury. Suddenly Giles grabbed Jessica by the arm and looked her straight in the eye."You are going to be the next slayer if it's the last thing I do." Jessica wriggled from his grasp ."You can do all you want, Im not going to let my cousin go." "You are bringing dishonor to slayers everywhere." he said calmly. Jessica gave him one last look"You can't force me to do anything I don't want.."she seethed and slammed the door behind her.
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Jessica stood silent in her room. It had been three days since she wouldn't talk with anyone. Not even Dawn, or Willow, the one she had got closest to. She knew the same thing kept repeating in her mind.......Im not ready, I have to take care of Dawn. Dawn tried to convince her many times, but Jessica didn't reply. She was stubborn to the fact of being the next slayer. She needed Buffy to help her out in this and everything a slayer should be helped in.
_________________________________________________________________Willow opened the book and looked down at the unfamiliar language in front of her."Anyone know how to read pig latin?"she said as she wrinkled her nose."Maybe in the farm."Xander replied with a grin. Willow gave him a small smile walked to the danger room to ask Giles what it meant, when she caught sight of Giles in a deep conversation on the phone. She sneaked in a bit closer to hear what he was saying."You don't understand Travers, she absolutely refuses to be the next slayer, unless somehow we bring the former slayer back." Willow tried hard not to gasp, Giles was talking to the Watchers Council in England! Willow dropped the book and rushed back to tell Xander. Xander just gapped at his friend."I swear, Xand, Giles said that Jessica has turned like Faith or something, and you know how the watcher's get concerned about new slayer's in Sunnydale." Xander rolled her eyes."Last time they came here they practically killed Buffy and threatened to close the shop and deport Giles to England."he said with anger."It's to delicate for them to come here at this time, I heard Giles for them to come back so Jessica can be forced to be the slayer, and Jess totally has given Giles the cold shoulder since he has told her about being the next slayer." "We have to stop them before they come!"Anya cried out in panic"Maybe this time they'll find out Im a former demon!.Willow rolled her eyes. "Too late, there on there way."a voice said behind them. All three Scoobies turned to see a very stubborn Giles."Why are they coming?"Willow asked in a firm voice. "Tomorrow." Giles replied."They have to make Jessica the next slayer." Xander noticed that his friend started to panic."You can't force Jessica to be the slayer!"the redhead argued. " I can't but they can." he said softly."Giles, she has a reason for not accepting there terms, she is in a fragile state right know and she isn't ready!"Willow cried out in fury."She will never accept it!"Xander added."And is to much work for her know Giles, make them go back!"Willow said through tears streaming down her face. Giles gave her a sympathetic look."Im sorry Willow, it has already been arranged." he said and turned back, leaving the three friends in frustration.
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Jessica put the last dish in the dish washer and headed for the living room just to dissolve. All day she had been cleaning, the shopping, and picked up Dawn from her school. She was about to go upstairs to check on Dawn when the doorbell rang. She peeked in the whole and caught site of red hair. It was Willow. She opened the door to see Willow and Tara. "Um Hi, Willow, Tara come in." she gestured for them to take a seat on the sofa and sat down herself."How's Dawnie?"Willow asked. "She's doing a bit better, she still improving herself, but yeah she's doing much better she's asleep right know." Willow gave her a small smile, but then her features turned tense."Um Jessica,what were about to say is going to hit you hard, and don't go all kung fu on Giles, but um I heard him talking to the Watcher's council today in England and um they sad they wanted to come and talk to you, possibly even force you to be the slayer.". Jessica stood still, trying to think over the information Willow had just told her. Force her to be the slayer?"They can't force me! They don't have that kind of power!" Jessica replied."Yes they can last year they threatened to deport Giles back to England if Buffy didn't pass her tests!" "Jess, there pretty rough people and you have to deal with them sooner or later."
"Um sometimes I really don't get nervous about them.......just a bit last time they came they asked if me and Willow were registered witches." Tara said and then backed down. Jessica managed to give her a week smile and turn back to Willow."So what do I do?"she asked in panic."Just be yourself and don't do anything stupid." Willow replied cheerfully and a little hope in her voice. She crossed her fingers and gave Jessica a big grin. Jessica gave her a dreadful smile. "Thanks for the news Will." "You welcome Jess, but me and Tara have to go, you know, um working on spells and all um witchy goody stuff." They both hugged Jessica and closed the door and leaned against the door frame. She was tired all of all the mess she had been going through after Buffy had died.She was drained and weary and thought she barely had time for anything, especially the most important thing, Dawn, slaying just didn't fit in her schedule these days. She had to focus on Dawn and that was it. Only Buffy would have been the one to keep her on her feet
these days. To train her and keep her balance in this world. Everyday she felt as she kept getting dreary, that her strength was growing dimmer a bit more everyday. She felt vulnerable and scared of facing all the responsibilities that laid in front of her. She was scared of her future, the past the beginning. Everything. She had to face the council sooner or later.
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"Um Willow, I think there here,"Jessica said as she pointed to a group of bitter-looking men and woman"The head of the council is the old man woman at the magic shop accompanied with all the scoobies. Jessica walked over to the older group of council, straight to Travers and supplied a nervous smile."Hi um Im-" But the man interuppted her ."Yes your the next slayer, Jessica Wakefield." Jessica shot Willow a desperate look but the witch only gave her a thumbs up."Uh yeah, that's me Jessica the so- not- Im -not -going -to- be -the -next -slayer Wakefield." She stated in a firm voice."Oh I think you well Jessica, we can arrange that.". Jessica fidgited with the edge of her sweater. She sighed. She knew she was trapped somehow.Jess, can you hear me? a voice said. Jessica looked around dazed.It's Willow, just be yourself okay, and tell them your not ready! Jesscia smiled. Thanks Will she responded and walked where the older watcher stood."Um can we talk like somewhere more privete. she said gesturing to the back room. Travers agreed and lead her in. She took a seat and pasted a fake smile on her face. She probaly was going to fake the whole thing. She tried not to be nervous and be as calm as she could possibly be."Giles has told me that you have refused to be the next slayer unless the former slayer, Buffy Summers comes back to life." Jessica just nodded solemnly and bit her lip to keep from crying."Look, Im sorry tell the Watcher's Council Im not ready, Im sorry right know I have a full responsibility to maintain, Dawn." Travers gave her a grim look."Miss Wakefield, I can assure you that being the slayer will not get into life's way, you have already been called. Really there's nothing we can do." "But there is something I can do, I can quit, I can't accept this now, the state of being is to fragile to be wagered."She replied in a harsh voice."Miss Summers, I am quite tired of all the nonsense arguing, be the slayer or Dawn shall be removed of your custody."
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Willow gaped at her friend."Ar-are you sure that he said he would remove Dawn from your custody?"Willow stammered. Jessica just gave her a blank look. Ever since Buffy had died, with the help she had gotten half custody of Dawn, Giles was really the legal guardian but the court had given her half since Giles was busy at the Magic Shop, the court reluctantly agreed."Do they have that kind of power, Will?"she asked wth a hint of fear. "Jess, you have to realize they do have that kind of power."Willow added gently.Jessica nodded."Will, I always thought somehow I was strong enough for anything. And they can do anything to me, calling me a bitch or beat the hell out of me, but never ever take Dawn away from me. That's where I weaken. Dawn will always be the strong spot in me.Like Buffy is. I always thought I could handle things, things and emotions that were so much stronger then I was. So I guess I was really wrong." She was on the verge of tears, but she blinked them back."Jess, I promise you, you'll get through this, I know you will you are so strong." Jessica let out a mid-laugh."Yeah? Well now they like took everything away from me. All I want is Dawn. That's all Im asking for, not being the slayer." With that, she gave Willow a quick hug and peeked in the front."Dawn, it's time to go home."she called. Dawn came in and gave her a weary smile and slung her backpack on her shoulders,"Im ready.". She said goodbye to everyone but Giles and walked out."Dawn, um we have to talk." she said softly as they entered the house. Dawn shot her a panicked look."What? Are you okay? Are you sick?"she said her voice breaking on the verge of tears. "Im okay Dawnie, it's not me, it's the damn council." She suggested for Dawn to take a seat on the sofa and then sat down beside her cousin. She pushed a strand of blonde hair from her face and then sighed."Um Dawn, the council implied, okay really threatened that if I do not agree with there terms, and become the next slayer, that I would not have custody of you anymore." Dawn's eyes widened and burst into tears."You have to agree Jessica, please do it for me." Jessica began to cry and cradled Dawn in her arms.."Dawn, the only thing important to me right know is taking care of you, and the timing right know isn't just right know, Buffy just died." Dawn cried harder and buried her head into Jessica's arms as Jessica stroked her hair. Her gaze met Jessica's and gave her a serious face."Jess, please just agree with them being the next slayer won't interfere with you and me, Please."she said through tears. A memory flashed in Jessica's mind."But always, there is advantages, you can still live a normal life, love, give and recieve and being the slayer."She met Dawn's gaze and nodded."I will it Dawnie, I'll do it for you."
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Jessica gave Willow a weak thumbs up as she entered the danger room and gave Giles a weak smile."Um I have something to tell you."she said softly. She leaned against the door frame and sighed. Giles took off his glasses and met her gaze." Your not going to kill me into pieces during this converstion are you?"he asked. Jessica rolled her eyes."No, I just came here to tell you that I am going to be the next slayer and I have accepted my fate as the slayer."she said softly, waiting for his reaction. Giles smiled a big grin,"Oh thank god you finally came to all your senses! I will be honored to be your next watcher."