Title: Of Magic and Machinations (12/?)

Author: Jeffrey Patrick

Type: B/X… because I love 'em so.

Description: There's a new Slayer headed for Sunny D? What's her deal, you ask? Read on, Herbert!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but a half empty bottle of Diet Coke (or is it half full?), and an autographed picture of Elvis that he signed for me last summer in Yellowstone. Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own the Buffster and everything related to the show. I just borrow them for my playtime.





"So he knew Whistler was in town?" Xander asked.

"Yes. I… I get a high creep factor from him. Something isn't right." Buffy was pacing her living room floor. Xander was seated on the couch.

"He's not Angelus. I dusted him myself."

"Note how little death seems to be stopping us," Anya said. "Xander and I came back… so did Angel, we think."

"It does seem trendy," Oz agreed.

"We should call Giles," Willow added. "He should let the Council know about Whistler. Anything relating to the PTB is big."

"Agreed," Buffy said. "In the meantime, let's get Xander back into his own body. Oz, you collect Angel. If he won't come willingly…"

"I'll come get you," Oz promised.

"I'll get everything set up," Willow said. "I could use a hand, though."

"I'm in," Xander said. "It'll keep my mind off killing Angel… at least until I evict him from my studly body."

Buffy smiled. "I'll call Giles. Anya said he was vague about the reason for his trip. I wonder what's going on?"

"G-man has a secret," Xander said. "I think the Whistler thing points to big trouble. Maybe Giles sensed something was up and wanted to check it out before worrying the rest of us."

"Maybe. But if he DID sense something was wrong, he should have taken someone with him." Buffy glanced out the window. It was still dark. "The sun will be up soon. Let's get busy."







"It's shaping up to be a lovely day, Rupert."

Giles didn't look out the open window. It was the only one in the room. A ray of sunlight pierced the darkness that surrounded him. It was an unusually bright day… for England anyway.

"Your girl should be here shortly," Rayne said. "She and that boy of hers."

Giles said nothing.

"How do I know, you ask?" Ethan continued. "Because it was written, of course. Strange how many prophecies are out there about young Miss Summers. Oh, wait… It's Mrs. Harris now, isn't it?"

Giles didn't even look up.

"Come now, Rupert. Silence is no way to survive these things. Surely you know that."

"He's not going to talk," a woman said. "Not unless you start the torturing."

Giles glanced to his right, but the voice was coming from the shadows.

"Ah," Ethan said, "but I think Ripper and I can work out something for our mutual benefit. After all, it's not really his girl that you want."

Giles raised his head. He appeared confused.

"Oh, Ripper," Ethan said with a laugh. "Did you actually think this was about the Slayer? She's only a small part of the bigger picture."

"That's enough," the woman said. "He doesn't need to know of our plans."

"If you don't want Buffy then who…" A sudden realization crept over Rupert Giles. "Oh, God. The children."






Sarah Potts didn't wait for the train to slow down. Instead, she leapt from the box car she had stowed away in, tucked into a flying roll, and landed squarely on her feet. She could feel the Hellmouth. It permeated the air of the place with a foulness… a tangible evil. She had felt similar evils before, but nothing so intense as she felt that first moment in Sunnydale.

"Okay, now," she said aloud. "Now let's find this… Buffy."






"Did he put up a fight?" Buffy asked Oz as he led Angel into the Magic Box.

"No," Oz replied. "He came willingly."

Angel waited, as though he expected Buffy to say something to him. Instead, she turned and walked toward the back of the store, where Xander and Willow were busy setting up for the spell.

"How's it going back here?"

"It's of the good," Xander said. "Stinky herbs are all smoky."

"And the crystals are in place," Willow said. "Let's get started."

"Yeah. Let's." Buffy's face said more than her words.

"Still couldn't reach Giles?" Xander asked.

"No. I have a really bad feeling about this."

"The Council had no info?" Willow asked.

"I can't reach the Council either."

"What are we gonna do?" Xander said, placing his arms around her.

"We're gonna give him another day. If I can't get him tomorrow, I'm going over there."

"Not alone," Xander assured. "What about Dawny?"

"She can stay with us," Willow said. "But hopefully Giles will call."

Buffy nodded. "I'm sure he will."

Xander shot Willow a glance. She looked as uncertain as Buffy.

"Let's get you back where you belong," Buffy said, barely managing a smile.






Sarah had walked into the town proper. Night had already fallen. She wasn't surprised in the least when she was accosted by two newly risen vamps.

"What do we have here, Larry?" one of them asked. "Looks like someone lost her way."

"Yeah. Lost her way," Larry repeated. "Good one, Darryl."

"Darryl and Larry?" Sarah asked. "Is this like the Newhart show or something? Because I gotta say, you guys look nothing like you do on those reruns."

"You're kinda cocky, girl," Darryl said. "Gonna have to teach you a little respect."

"Yeah," Larry said. "Respect. Gonna teach her respect."

"Oh, I know respect," Sarah said. "Who doesn't love Aretha? Although, I'm surprised that you two are into oldies."

"Kill her," Darryl said. "She's annoying."

"Yeah. Annoying."

Sarah ducked causing Larry's wild punch to miss by a mile. She came straight back up with an uppercut that launched the vamp upwards. She dropped into a leg sweep that brought Darryl to the ground, and quickly followed with a stake to his heart. He erupted into a cloud of dust.

"Darryl?" Larry said, obviously frightened.

"Darryl is dust," Sarah said. "Guess whose number is up next?"

Larry turned and bolted. He got ten feet before a stake hit him from behind.

"Let me guess," said a woman's voice from behind Sarah.

The Slayer spun into a fighting stance, to find a woman in a wheelchair. Standing next to her was a man, slightly shorter than the Slayer. He had an unusual scent.

"You're a new Slayer," the redhead said matter-of-factly.







The Magic Box was dark. The spell had been done. Its participants had parted for the night, leaving Buffy and Xander alone in the dark.

They had been kissing for nearly half an hour. Passion had overwhelmed them, and there was no longer any reason to hold back. Xander's shirt had been unbuttoned by Buffy a few moments earlier. She had knelt and started a trail of kisses from his navel to his neck.

Xander laughed.

"What?" she asked.

"It tickles," he whispered. "I'll get over it."

"You better," she said before resuming.

"God, it's good to be back in MY body. I feel much healthier. Much stronger."

"Good," Buffy said. He could imagine her smile even though it couldn't be seen in the dark. "I'm gonna put you to the test."

"Hey, Buff?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"I know that… we're technically already married."

"Mmm-hmm?"

"But… you think you might want to marry me again? Since I missed the ceremony and all?"

She kissed him more passionately than he had ever been kissed. "I want nothing more than to be your wife. YOUR wife. If I have to marry you a zillion times to get it right, I will. I love you, Xander."

"I love you, Buff."

"Then, uh… how about you shut up and show me already?"

"I like the way you think, Mrs. Harris."

"I KNEW you would, Mr. Harris."


To Be Continued…