PART 2
Spike had just finished disposing of the demon body and he had decided to head back to his crypt. He was hungry and knew that the Slayer was out of blood. When he was about 100 yards from his crypt he noticed someone in a black coat dusting themselves off. At that particular moment in time, a fresh grave had just released a fledgling and it was about to pounce on the person in black.
He had just started running in to take out the vamp when the person ducked and back kicked the vamp. Before he could even blink, the fledgling had been dusted. Only about 3 seconds had passed since he first noticed the stranger in black. Spike was rooted to his spot. He was surprised, amazed, and shocked. Who was this........oh, it's a girl...........Who was this girl? When her head whipped around toward him and he saw her expression shift to one of shock and horror. He was about to say something to her and had even started opening his mouth when she turned and ran. Spike's feet had seemingly grown roots because all he could do was stare after her with his mouth hanging open in absolute shock. A few seconds passed before he came back into the realm of reality and decided to head back to Buffy's. He could eat at any time, after all, it wasn't often that something left him speechless.
****
Buffy had just gotten out of the shower and was walking into her bedroom wearing just a towel. She turned on the light and saw him sitting on her bed.
"All clean now, luv?"
"Get out before I stake you."
He looked down at his hands and just waited.
"Well?" He remained silent as if lost in thought and his brow started to knit together. Buffy saw the slight change on his face. She grabbed her bathrobe and some clean underwear and walked back to the bathroom.
When she returned, she noticed that he had not moved. "Spike, what's wrong?"
Spike slowly looked up at her, took an un-needed breathe and said, "Maybe nothing but I think it has possibilities. I saw something in the graveyard that was unusual to say the least."
"Unusual for normal graveyards, or unusual for hellmouth graveyards?"
He took another breath and explained to her what he had seen.
After hearing his tale, Buffy sat down on the bed next to him and just thought for a moment. "So, you're saying that there's a chick in town with your fashion sense and she's not a vampire, and she fights like a slayer."
"Well, basically yeah. I mean, I don't know how good she is with tougher competition but she didn't even turn around to see where to kick. And another thing,........something just wasn't right about her."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I can't place it but...........something was off."
"Ok, we ask around, do a little recon, and see what we can find out about her."
****
Once she had dusted the fledgling her spider sense had told her that there was another vampire near by. A familiar vampire. After turning her head to confirm her instinct, she panicked. She thought that she had prepared herself for this, but no amount of preparation would have helped her. All she could do was run from the pain.
She didn't know how far she had gone or how long she had been running but she knew that he hadn't followed. Leaning against a tree for support she just tried to get her breathe and her bearings. She would not cry. There had been too many tears already and she was stronger than that. Anne didn't know who she should talk to first but she knew it had to be done. If she was going to help them, then she needed to be on their team. And in order to be on their team, she would need to tell them about herself. No one would believe her, but she would prove it, she had to.
****
"Buff. That's not very much to go on to start researching." Everyone had gathered at the MagicBox the next day. It was a Saturday so Dawn was there too. Anya was helping a customer and Willow, Xander, Dawn, Buffy, and Spike were gathered around the research table.
"I know that Xander. But we do need to try to figure out who this chick is. I mean, the fact that it left SPIKE a little wiggy makes me nervous."
Dawn was having a hard time figuring out why Buffy and Spike were so freaked out. "I don't get what the big deal is. So there's now a girl in town that can take care of herself. So what?" No one could argue with her logic.
"Thanks for spending money here. Have a good day."
The Scoobs at the table were engrossed in their discussion and did not notice the new customer walking through the door. "Hi! Can I help you with something?" Anya was ready to please as long in brought in more money. "Yes, I think you can."
****
She had stood back and away watching the shop. Everyone was there but Giles. Sighing with sorrow she knew he wouldn't even be coming in. He had moved to England and would not move back to Sunnydale for a couple years. He had been one of her mentors and she missed him. *You sod, this can't wait. Just pick up your feet and move in there.*
Anne was so not looking forward to this. She thought she knew what she would say, but, then again, how much could she really tell them?
After a few more minutes she moved forward and walked in the door. She was greeted by a tinkle of bells as the last customer walked out past her.
****
"Do you have anything specific you're looking for?"
"Sort of. I.....Anya, I need to talk to all of you."
The smile on the blonde's face wavered a little and then disappeared being replace by a look of confusion. "How do you know my name? Have we met?" On this last part her smile came back a little. "That's it, we've meet before but I don't remember you."
"Anya, stop" Interrupted the brunette in black. Xander looked up and across the shop to his girlfriend. "An, hun, everything ok?"
As Anya turned around to look at Xander, Willow and Dawn, who were facing the door, looked up. Buffy was talking to Spike when they dropped mid sentence to notice everyone looking towards the door. Willow, Dawn, and Xander all had the vague idea that they had seen this customer somewhere before. Ok, sure, it helped that she was wearing a duster that looked like Spike's but she had dark hair and carried herself with an air of confidence.
Buffy turned in her chair to see what had caught everyone's attention. She was the girl standing behind Anya and realized that she fit the MO of Spike's mysterious encounter last night.
Spike turned at the same time Buffy did. He saw her and his eyes absorbed every bit of her outward appearance. Long brunette hair with a touch of copper to it, attractive but deadly features, slim body, and black clothing. She was dressed entirely in black. Form fitting jeans, boots, and tank top were all black. On top of that she wore a duster, not unlike his own. His visual perusal went back to her face and looked at her eyes. They were a clear blue that could reflect every emotion under the sun if given the chance. He was captivated by her eyes. They reminded him of something. Something from long ago. Another lifetime perhaps.
Anne gathered what courage she could muster and slowly stepped forward. "Good morning everybody." As she looked at each person in turn she tried very hard to avoid eye contact with Buffy and Spike. But try as she might she felt her eyes being pulled to Spike. She was inwardly squirming although her outward appearance did not betray her emotions. When their eyes locked, her body and nerves calmed down. It was not peace but it was quiet that descended upon her tumultuous emotions.
The room was quiet as what seemed to be hours passed by. In actuality, it was only a matter of moments before the silence was broken. It was Anya who spoke. "Um, ok. Well, every one else is here so I guess you can talk. They weren't doing anything important. Just discussing someone Spike saw at the cemetery last night." When Anya had started speaking, Anne had broken eye contact with Spike and slowly refocused on Anya. As she got to last part about the cemetery, Anne's eyes flashed back to Spike almost questioningly.
Buffy turned to question Spike with her eyes but he didn't look at her. He stood and moved a step toward Anne. "It was you last night, wasn't it?" After a pause, she answered him.
"Yes, it was."
At this point the Slayer stood and walked to where she would be in between the two figures in black. "Well, since you came to us do you mind telling us who you are and what you're doing here?"
Ok, here was a safe answer. "My name is Anne. I'm here to help you." Buffy looked less then impressed. "Explain what happened last night." Anne looked from Buffy to Spike and back to Buffy. "I was defending myself. I didn't exactly fancy becoming an appetizer for some idiot fledgling."
"I saw you kick him. You're not big enough to be able to get that much power behind a kick, especially without ever looking at the target."
"I was trained by the best." Anne just looked at Spike as she said this. Her countenance was one that read of irrefutable truth to her statement.
"Hey, guys?" It was Willow who had finally found her voice. "Do you think, maybe, we could just all sit down instead of trying to intimidate her by pushing her out the door?" The Slayer looked at Willow and sighed. If she wanted answers then she would actually have to have this Anne person come in and explain. She was not a patient person by nature, but Giles was not here now to help keep her calmed. He was not here to take over on the research organization. Now it was everybody. They worked together as a team, now so more than ever.
"Anya, I think it's close enough to noon to warrant closing the shop." The ex-demon sighed noticeably. "Ok, fine it only means that we make a little less money today." Xander walked over to her and kissed her. "An, it's ok. There are no other customers here right now and it's been slow all day."
Dawn pulled out an extra chair for Anne at the table and Buffy, Spike, and Xander all re-took their seats. Anne was watching Anya as she locked the front door, flipped over the closed sign and moved to lock the cash register. When she came over to the table she sat in the empty chair next to Xander.
Anne's brow crinkled up in thought and she tilted her head as she looked at Anya's left hand which was sitting on the table. Everyone at the table except Xander and Anya were looking at Anne who was looking at Anya. The silence was broken when Anne finally spoke. "Xander, how long are you going to make Anya wait before you tell everyone?"
His head snapped up in shock. "Wha-what are you talking about?" Anne leaned her elbows on the table and shifted her wait onto them as she fixed Xander with a hard glare. "This late in the ballgame I don't care what your excuse is anymore." Xander just gaped at her with wide eyes. Anya was looking at her quizzikly but with a smile of appreciation. Dawn, looking back and forth, finally said what everyone else was thinking. "Um, tell us what guys?"
Anne had not changed positions and she was still glaring at Xander. When it became appearant that he would not, or most likely could not speak for himself, under her breath but loud enough for them to hear it she said, "Whelp."
She leaned back in her chair and looked at Dawn with a much softer expression and then a smile. "While everyone was preparing for the final confrontation with Glory, Xander asked Anya to marry him. They're engaged." At this news everyone seemed to snap out of the atmosphere of the room and they jumped up and congratulated the happy couple. Spike just sat there staring at Anne. She turned her head to look at him. After a second she just grinned and shrugged her shoulders.
Spike grinned back at her. He was obviously suppressing the urge to laugh. With a motion of his head he indicated towards the training room. He may not know her, but she knew him. She knew what he meant and so she stood and walked to the training room door. Spike was right behind her. Once the door was shut they both just started laughing outright.
He didn't know why, but Spike was enjoying this girl's company. He had been especially pleased when she had called Xander a whelp. It was also an added bonus that she had pretty much left the whelp speechless. With a grin still on his face he asked. "How did you know all that?" Anne looked at him. She was just starting to control herself and then her smile faded. "Would you believe me if I told you? Because I'll just say right now that I wouldn't believe me."
Spike had been leaning against the wall, after a minute of silence as they just looked at each other he walked towards her until they were less then a foot apart. He spoke quietly, so quiet that only enhanced hearing would be able to hear him, even at this distance. "Who are you?"
**** (tbc)
Spike had just finished disposing of the demon body and he had decided to head back to his crypt. He was hungry and knew that the Slayer was out of blood. When he was about 100 yards from his crypt he noticed someone in a black coat dusting themselves off. At that particular moment in time, a fresh grave had just released a fledgling and it was about to pounce on the person in black.
He had just started running in to take out the vamp when the person ducked and back kicked the vamp. Before he could even blink, the fledgling had been dusted. Only about 3 seconds had passed since he first noticed the stranger in black. Spike was rooted to his spot. He was surprised, amazed, and shocked. Who was this........oh, it's a girl...........Who was this girl? When her head whipped around toward him and he saw her expression shift to one of shock and horror. He was about to say something to her and had even started opening his mouth when she turned and ran. Spike's feet had seemingly grown roots because all he could do was stare after her with his mouth hanging open in absolute shock. A few seconds passed before he came back into the realm of reality and decided to head back to Buffy's. He could eat at any time, after all, it wasn't often that something left him speechless.
****
Buffy had just gotten out of the shower and was walking into her bedroom wearing just a towel. She turned on the light and saw him sitting on her bed.
"All clean now, luv?"
"Get out before I stake you."
He looked down at his hands and just waited.
"Well?" He remained silent as if lost in thought and his brow started to knit together. Buffy saw the slight change on his face. She grabbed her bathrobe and some clean underwear and walked back to the bathroom.
When she returned, she noticed that he had not moved. "Spike, what's wrong?"
Spike slowly looked up at her, took an un-needed breathe and said, "Maybe nothing but I think it has possibilities. I saw something in the graveyard that was unusual to say the least."
"Unusual for normal graveyards, or unusual for hellmouth graveyards?"
He took another breath and explained to her what he had seen.
After hearing his tale, Buffy sat down on the bed next to him and just thought for a moment. "So, you're saying that there's a chick in town with your fashion sense and she's not a vampire, and she fights like a slayer."
"Well, basically yeah. I mean, I don't know how good she is with tougher competition but she didn't even turn around to see where to kick. And another thing,........something just wasn't right about her."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I can't place it but...........something was off."
"Ok, we ask around, do a little recon, and see what we can find out about her."
****
Once she had dusted the fledgling her spider sense had told her that there was another vampire near by. A familiar vampire. After turning her head to confirm her instinct, she panicked. She thought that she had prepared herself for this, but no amount of preparation would have helped her. All she could do was run from the pain.
She didn't know how far she had gone or how long she had been running but she knew that he hadn't followed. Leaning against a tree for support she just tried to get her breathe and her bearings. She would not cry. There had been too many tears already and she was stronger than that. Anne didn't know who she should talk to first but she knew it had to be done. If she was going to help them, then she needed to be on their team. And in order to be on their team, she would need to tell them about herself. No one would believe her, but she would prove it, she had to.
****
"Buff. That's not very much to go on to start researching." Everyone had gathered at the MagicBox the next day. It was a Saturday so Dawn was there too. Anya was helping a customer and Willow, Xander, Dawn, Buffy, and Spike were gathered around the research table.
"I know that Xander. But we do need to try to figure out who this chick is. I mean, the fact that it left SPIKE a little wiggy makes me nervous."
Dawn was having a hard time figuring out why Buffy and Spike were so freaked out. "I don't get what the big deal is. So there's now a girl in town that can take care of herself. So what?" No one could argue with her logic.
"Thanks for spending money here. Have a good day."
The Scoobs at the table were engrossed in their discussion and did not notice the new customer walking through the door. "Hi! Can I help you with something?" Anya was ready to please as long in brought in more money. "Yes, I think you can."
****
She had stood back and away watching the shop. Everyone was there but Giles. Sighing with sorrow she knew he wouldn't even be coming in. He had moved to England and would not move back to Sunnydale for a couple years. He had been one of her mentors and she missed him. *You sod, this can't wait. Just pick up your feet and move in there.*
Anne was so not looking forward to this. She thought she knew what she would say, but, then again, how much could she really tell them?
After a few more minutes she moved forward and walked in the door. She was greeted by a tinkle of bells as the last customer walked out past her.
****
"Do you have anything specific you're looking for?"
"Sort of. I.....Anya, I need to talk to all of you."
The smile on the blonde's face wavered a little and then disappeared being replace by a look of confusion. "How do you know my name? Have we met?" On this last part her smile came back a little. "That's it, we've meet before but I don't remember you."
"Anya, stop" Interrupted the brunette in black. Xander looked up and across the shop to his girlfriend. "An, hun, everything ok?"
As Anya turned around to look at Xander, Willow and Dawn, who were facing the door, looked up. Buffy was talking to Spike when they dropped mid sentence to notice everyone looking towards the door. Willow, Dawn, and Xander all had the vague idea that they had seen this customer somewhere before. Ok, sure, it helped that she was wearing a duster that looked like Spike's but she had dark hair and carried herself with an air of confidence.
Buffy turned in her chair to see what had caught everyone's attention. She was the girl standing behind Anya and realized that she fit the MO of Spike's mysterious encounter last night.
Spike turned at the same time Buffy did. He saw her and his eyes absorbed every bit of her outward appearance. Long brunette hair with a touch of copper to it, attractive but deadly features, slim body, and black clothing. She was dressed entirely in black. Form fitting jeans, boots, and tank top were all black. On top of that she wore a duster, not unlike his own. His visual perusal went back to her face and looked at her eyes. They were a clear blue that could reflect every emotion under the sun if given the chance. He was captivated by her eyes. They reminded him of something. Something from long ago. Another lifetime perhaps.
Anne gathered what courage she could muster and slowly stepped forward. "Good morning everybody." As she looked at each person in turn she tried very hard to avoid eye contact with Buffy and Spike. But try as she might she felt her eyes being pulled to Spike. She was inwardly squirming although her outward appearance did not betray her emotions. When their eyes locked, her body and nerves calmed down. It was not peace but it was quiet that descended upon her tumultuous emotions.
The room was quiet as what seemed to be hours passed by. In actuality, it was only a matter of moments before the silence was broken. It was Anya who spoke. "Um, ok. Well, every one else is here so I guess you can talk. They weren't doing anything important. Just discussing someone Spike saw at the cemetery last night." When Anya had started speaking, Anne had broken eye contact with Spike and slowly refocused on Anya. As she got to last part about the cemetery, Anne's eyes flashed back to Spike almost questioningly.
Buffy turned to question Spike with her eyes but he didn't look at her. He stood and moved a step toward Anne. "It was you last night, wasn't it?" After a pause, she answered him.
"Yes, it was."
At this point the Slayer stood and walked to where she would be in between the two figures in black. "Well, since you came to us do you mind telling us who you are and what you're doing here?"
Ok, here was a safe answer. "My name is Anne. I'm here to help you." Buffy looked less then impressed. "Explain what happened last night." Anne looked from Buffy to Spike and back to Buffy. "I was defending myself. I didn't exactly fancy becoming an appetizer for some idiot fledgling."
"I saw you kick him. You're not big enough to be able to get that much power behind a kick, especially without ever looking at the target."
"I was trained by the best." Anne just looked at Spike as she said this. Her countenance was one that read of irrefutable truth to her statement.
"Hey, guys?" It was Willow who had finally found her voice. "Do you think, maybe, we could just all sit down instead of trying to intimidate her by pushing her out the door?" The Slayer looked at Willow and sighed. If she wanted answers then she would actually have to have this Anne person come in and explain. She was not a patient person by nature, but Giles was not here now to help keep her calmed. He was not here to take over on the research organization. Now it was everybody. They worked together as a team, now so more than ever.
"Anya, I think it's close enough to noon to warrant closing the shop." The ex-demon sighed noticeably. "Ok, fine it only means that we make a little less money today." Xander walked over to her and kissed her. "An, it's ok. There are no other customers here right now and it's been slow all day."
Dawn pulled out an extra chair for Anne at the table and Buffy, Spike, and Xander all re-took their seats. Anne was watching Anya as she locked the front door, flipped over the closed sign and moved to lock the cash register. When she came over to the table she sat in the empty chair next to Xander.
Anne's brow crinkled up in thought and she tilted her head as she looked at Anya's left hand which was sitting on the table. Everyone at the table except Xander and Anya were looking at Anne who was looking at Anya. The silence was broken when Anne finally spoke. "Xander, how long are you going to make Anya wait before you tell everyone?"
His head snapped up in shock. "Wha-what are you talking about?" Anne leaned her elbows on the table and shifted her wait onto them as she fixed Xander with a hard glare. "This late in the ballgame I don't care what your excuse is anymore." Xander just gaped at her with wide eyes. Anya was looking at her quizzikly but with a smile of appreciation. Dawn, looking back and forth, finally said what everyone else was thinking. "Um, tell us what guys?"
Anne had not changed positions and she was still glaring at Xander. When it became appearant that he would not, or most likely could not speak for himself, under her breath but loud enough for them to hear it she said, "Whelp."
She leaned back in her chair and looked at Dawn with a much softer expression and then a smile. "While everyone was preparing for the final confrontation with Glory, Xander asked Anya to marry him. They're engaged." At this news everyone seemed to snap out of the atmosphere of the room and they jumped up and congratulated the happy couple. Spike just sat there staring at Anne. She turned her head to look at him. After a second she just grinned and shrugged her shoulders.
Spike grinned back at her. He was obviously suppressing the urge to laugh. With a motion of his head he indicated towards the training room. He may not know her, but she knew him. She knew what he meant and so she stood and walked to the training room door. Spike was right behind her. Once the door was shut they both just started laughing outright.
He didn't know why, but Spike was enjoying this girl's company. He had been especially pleased when she had called Xander a whelp. It was also an added bonus that she had pretty much left the whelp speechless. With a grin still on his face he asked. "How did you know all that?" Anne looked at him. She was just starting to control herself and then her smile faded. "Would you believe me if I told you? Because I'll just say right now that I wouldn't believe me."
Spike had been leaning against the wall, after a minute of silence as they just looked at each other he walked towards her until they were less then a foot apart. He spoke quietly, so quiet that only enhanced hearing would be able to hear him, even at this distance. "Who are you?"
**** (tbc)