London, England(Take II)
There was a knocking on the door, "Buffy, wake up," said Giles. "It's time to go."
"Give me a chance to get dressed," Buffy muttered into her pillow.
"They're waiting for us."
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Buffy threw on jeans, a blue t-shirt, tennis shoes, and the jacket she had brought. Then she ran her fingers through her hair and flung open the door. Giles was standing on the other side looking disgustingly bright and chipper. Obviously he was a morning person even with jet lag.
"Let's go," Buffy said heading for the elevator.
They took a taxi to a restaurant called the Copper Kettle. Robert and Elizabeth turned out to be a brawny looking man of about thirty and a girl Buffy estimated to be 13 or 14. She had fiery red hair and a strong accent.
"Buffy Summers, this is Elizabeth Herbert and Robert Jones," said Giles.
"Pleased to meet ya, love" said Elizabeth. "Call me Eliza."
"You may call me Mr. Jones," said Robert. "We haven't heard much out of your friends recently, but they were leaving corpses all over the Underground last week."
"They're not exactly my friends," Buffy grimaced. "Why would they stop?"
"Probly lying low. They know we're onto em," said Eliza.
"They're not really the lying low types. Its a lot more likely that they left and we're on a wild goose chase."
"That may be, but we have to be sure. Can you take us to the Underground now?" asked Giles.
"Of course, follow." Mr. Jones headed for the street.
They followed him to a red Mercedes. Jones got in the driver's seat and Giles got in the passenger side. This left the back seat for Eliza and Buffy. Buffy watched the London scenery go by. This was the first time she'd been out of the Sates. London's buildings reeked of history. She imagined that they were the same as when Angel had walked the streets decades ago. Eliza sat beside her in silence for a while and then started talking.
"I ain't never met the slayer afore, Buffy. I 'ear you're from California. Do you live in 'Ollywood? 'Ave you ever seen any movie stars?" she asked.
"Afraid not. I live in Sunnydale home of the Hell mouth. We don't get movie stars,just supernatural monsters. Does the wolf man count? I've got a friend who's a werewolf," Buffy said.
"You've got friends? I don't have any, besides Robert, but e's me watcher so that don't count."
"Yes I've got a few good friends. I'm beginning to think I'm the only slayer who does. Doesn't Jones let you have a social life?"
"I don't 'ave time for a social life. I'm too busy fighting vampires and when I'm not slaying vamps I'm in training."
"How long have you been in training, Eliza?"
"Seven years."
"Seven years? How old are you?"
"Fourteen."
"You've been killing vampires since you were seven?"
"Not killing vamps, no, but training. Robert found me livin on the streets. I know it sounds like something out of Dickens, but it's true. Me parents are both dead. I never knew either of em. What about you?"
"I've only been the slayer for two years. I live with my mom, my parents are divorced, but I still see my dad."
"You're lucky. The only one I 'ave is Robert, but he's more like me big brother then anything else. 'E tries to be a good role model, but I wish E'd 'ave fun sometimes."
"I know what you mean. Giles is the same way, always so serious, but I guess it's a hard job being a watcher."
"Where are we going, Robert?" Giles asked.
"We're going to the last place they were seen," said Jones.
"Not 'xactly seen," said Eliza. "It's where the last victims were found. Piccadilly Circus Station. It's strange, they weren't choosing such public places until the last one. Maybe that's why they quit."
"Did you have to stake the victims? I mean, how does that work here in London. I know the Sunnydale morgue pretty well by now, but London's such a big city. How would you even know which morgue they were taken to?"
"Vamps in London are a bit more careful about making new ones. There's already a bit of an over population of em here. Your vamps followed the local custom and cut off their victims heads. Very considerate."
"That's certainly not like Drusilla and it isn't really like Spike," said Giles.
"If they didn't follow London's vampires' rules they would be destroyed by their own kind. As Elizabeth already told you, vampires here have to be careful about over population," said Jones.
"Spike might worry about such things but he would have a hard time controlling Drusilla," said Giles.
"What do ya mean?" asked Eliza.
"Drusilla is insane," said Buffy.
"Aren't all vampires?" asked Jones.
"Not like her. I think she was crazy before she became a vampire. She also has visions."
"Visions?" asked Eliza.
"Yes, she can see into the future. Maybe she was also a psychic before she died. I think the two thing may be connected."
"'Er visions and being bonkers?" asked Eliza.
"Yes."
Jones pulled into a parking place very close to the Underground entrance. He jumped out of the car and hurried off without turning to see if the others were behind him. Buffy and Eliza ran after him. Giles was left to lock all the car doors and then follow. Mr. Jones moved and looked like an athlete. He took the stairs to the Underground three at a time. The people going up the stairs had to jump out of the way. Eliza and Buffy followed with a little more care. Giles took up the rear and kept stopping to say excuse me. Buffy decided she had to get him into some sort of fitness program. It was kind of embarrassing to have an out of shape watcher.
The platform was deserted. They walked to the edge of the platform. Jones looked right and left and then jumped down onto the tracks. Eliza jumped down after him. Buffy and Giles stayed where they were and stared at the two of them.
"Do you know when the next train is coming?" asked Buffy.
"Of course, the Underground is rather a haven for the vampires of London. We've been here many times," said Jones.
Buffy shrugged and jumped down beside them. Giles peered down the tracks both ways and then followed. Jones pulled a flashlight out of his pocket and led the way down the tracks.
"We may not have a subways in Sunnydale, but we do have quite a few underground caves. The local vampires find those to be a haven," Buffy said to Eliza.
"Vamps do like dark places, don't they?" Eliza said. "Sometimes I get tired of 'angin around the Underground and grave yards."
"I know what you mean."
After walking for about a half hour they came to opening in the wall. Jones gestured for them to enter. As Buffy entered the room, for room it was, she got a strange feeling, like something was clawing at her insides. It was sort of like the feeling when she had first seen a vampire, but different somehow.
"Do you feel something weird?" she whispered to Eliza.
"Yeah, but just 'ere, not in the other places where they killed," Eliza whispered back.
"What about you Giles?"
"What, Buffy?" Giles asked.
"Do you get a weird feeling from this place?"
"No, but slayers are more sensitive to such phenomena."
"Why don't the two of you go on by yourselves," said Jones. "Elizabeth and I have seen all we want to see."
"Very well, Robert, we shall be back in a few minutes," said Giles.
Buffy wasn't so sure about that, but she bravely walked on wishing that Jones had offered to lend them the flashlight. She could feel Giles behind her in the darkness. As she walked she noticed that ahead there was some light. It was a dim green glow which seemed far off. Buffy felt almost drawn toward it. Giles didn't hesitate either and she wondered if he even saw it. They walked into the glow and suddenly it grew bright and electric light filled her vision so that she couldn't see anything.
London, England: Take 3
"I want to take you to the first murder site next. Except they're not exactly sure it belongs with the others," said Beatrice.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because it doesn't quite fit the pattern. It isn't in an out of the way place. It was at the Piccadilly Circus Station. Also it was an Underground worker, a man. Perhaps he just saw something he shouldn't. He wasn't decapitated."
"Let me guess, he had a stake through his heart."
"How did you know that?"
"That's the other way to kill a vampire, or keep one from rising."
"Of course. I still think you two are rather odd."
"Maybe you're right, but strange things do happen. There are more things then are dreamed of in your philosophy, Horatio."
"I don't know, I dream of a lot of things, but come on vampires? What's next the wolf man?"
"I hope not."
"I was just kidding, Katherine."
"Come ladies, I think we should get out of here," said Van Helsing.
"I think you are afraid of the dark," said Beatrice.
"Not of the dark, but there are other things to be afraid of."
"Is there some reason you two are trying to frighten me or is it just some American custom?"
"I am Dutch. I don't know any American customs."
Beatrice shrugged and led the way out of the closet. She walked very quickly. We had to run to keep up. I wondered if she really was as tough as she acted or if it was just a front. I had the feeling that she had to pretend to be tough to get ahead in the Scotland Yard. We headed back to her car and Beatrice drove just as insanely as she had on the way there.
Her parking job was surprisingly good. We all jumped out and hurried to the station. Beatrice led the way to a deserted newspaper stand. The platform was as empty here as at the first station. Perhaps that was only because it was one in the afternoon, afte lunch, but too early for people to be going home. Beatrice opened the door of the stand and pointed. There was a bloodstain on the wooden floor.
"This is the other thing that doesn't fit. The other murder sites were all in access tunnels and supply rooms, but this would have been out in the open if anyone had bee here," said Beatrice.
"Are you saying there could have been a witness?" I asked.
"If there was, they're too frightened to say anything."
"I could certainly understand how they would be," said Van Helsing.
"From what we've heard and seen I doubt this killer or killers is the type to leave behind any witnesses. It must have been empty when they came."
There were no interesting clues in the newspaper stand either. I had the feeling that whoever these people were, they were quite experienced at leaving no trace. We exited and stood on the platform, each with our own thoughts. Suddenly I had a strange feeling that someone was watching us.
Van Helsing's face looked like he felt it to. Even Beatrice frowned and searched the darkness beyond the electric lights. We all stood perfectly still, listening. I heard the sound of footsteps echoing, coming towards us. No one moved. Out of the darkness came two figures. A tall figure and a shorter one. As they came closer they resolved themselves into a man and a girl. The man wore wire rimmed glasses and had brown hair. The girl was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and had long blonde hair.
"Giles, what is going on? Did we just get turned around without knowing it?" the girl asked her companion.
"I don't believe so. If we had, Robert and Elizabeth would be here waiting. I think we are somewhere else," said the man.
"I never thought I'd see it," Van Helsing muttered to me.
"See what?" I asked.
"A slayer. There should not be a slayer here, there are no more slayers."
"Excuse me, what is a slayer?"
"She is," he pointed at the girl.
I did not give Van Helsing the satisfaction of asking what the hell he was talking about. I decided it was best to just wait and see. I hoped Beatrice hadn't heard what he said or we would have a lot of explaining to do. As they got closer they looked up and saw us at last. The man smiled at us, but the girl looked less certain of our friendliness. They climbed up and joined us on the platform.
"Good afternoon, Ladies and sir, I'm afraid we're a bit lost," said the man.
"No kidding," said Beatrice. "I know what we're doing down here, but what in bloody hell are you two doing on the Underground tracks?"
"Katherine, why don't you speak to Sergeant White for a moment," said Van Helsing.
I didn't have to be psychic to know what he was thinking. He was thinking that what we were about to talk about was going to be too much for our Scotland Yard friend to handle.
"Beatrice, would you come with me," I said.
She looked at Van Helsing for a moment and then back at me, "All right," she said.
We went over into a corner by a coffee machine and I got ready to use one of my talents. I was planning to hypnotize her into thinking nothing strange was going on. Before I could do anything, however she put her hand on my shoulder and shook her head.
"Whatever you were going to do, don't bother. It won't work on me," she said.
"What do you mean, I wasn't going to do anything," I felt myself blush. I am not a good liar.
"You shouldn't try to lie to a telepath, Katherine. I may not be able to read you very well, but I can tell when you're lying."
I'm sure my mouth was hanging wide open. Beatrice laughed out loud. She looked over to where Van Helsing was standing talking to our visitors and then back at me.
"You are looking at Scotland Yard's only telepath. I'm a mutant too, my dear. I can't read you very well, but I know what you are and Van Helsing. He has pretty strong defenses for an empath. Someone's been teaching him, but a full telepath can always get something from an empath. Not that I pry. We British telepaths have our own code. We don't go where we aren't invited, but you two have been practically shouting. And those new arrivals have no real shields at all. I know they believe in vampires and you two believe in vampires so I have to assume we're dealing with vampires. Don't worry about me telling my superiors at Scotland Yard. They already think I'm weird enough. That's why they sent me to help you. I just want to see this through even if I can't tell anyone. If the murders stop they won't care how we did it and I won't tell if you don't."
"I'm impressed, Beatrice. Of course you can see it through. I have a feeling that we're going to need all the help we can get. let's go back to the others."
I wasn't kidding. We would need all the help we could get. I looked at the man and the girl and shook my head. I didn't know what they were doing here or where they were from, but I had a bad feeling that they needed our help. I wondered if they would accept it.
Van Helsing watched as we walked back over. He raised his eyebrows in question. I looked back and then shrugged.
"Well?" he whispered.
"She's in," I said.
"What do you mean, she's in?"
"Later. Has my friend introduced himself yet?" I asked the man and the girl.
"No," said the man, "and neither have we. I am Rupert Giles and this young lady is Buffy Summers."
"I am Dr. Johann Van Helsing, this is Katherine Drummond and Detective Sergeant Beatrice White," said Van Helsing.
"Van Helsing?" asked Buffy.
"Yes, I am related."
"The more famous Van Helsing was his Great great great Grandfather," I added.
"But Van Helsing never had any children," said Giles.
"Maybe not in your world," I said.
"In our world, wait a minute what are you saying?" asked Buffy.
"I'm afraid you've traveled quite a bit farther then you thought," said Van Helsing. "You are in another universe."
"I have heard theories about alternate universes, but I never thought it was true," said Giles.
"Giles, we've got to go back. My mom did not give me permission to travel to another universe," Buffy tried to push Giles back towards the tracks.
"I doubt that you shall be able to go back the way you came. If you could I have a feeling the vampires would have already done so. This is not a world conductive to their health and freedom," said Van Helsing.
"Oh I don't know, a world without any other vampires, might seem like paradise to them," I said.
"What are you talking about, no other vampires?" Buffy turned back towards us.
"Well, my dear young slayer, there are no more of your kind in our world because there are no more vampire kind. All of them were destroyed at one time," Van Helsing explained.
"All of them? And how do you know who I am, if we are in another world as you say."
"I know who you are because if things had been different my father would have been a watcher and even perhaps myself, as my great ever so great grandfather was before us."
"That is true, Van Helsing was a watcher even in our own world, Buffy. His slayer was the famous Mina, but that was mentioned in the book because Mr. Stoker only heard rumors of that story," said Giles.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean your father might have been a watcher and you might have too?" this was something Van Helsing had never mentioned to me.
"What did you think your mother was Katherine, she was a slayer. My father was supposed to be her watcher, but he found her too late," said Van Helsing. "As for me, well if things had been different you might have been my slayer."
"That's a laugh."
"Wait a minute, would you two shut up and tell us about all the vampires being destroyed," said Buffy.
"Yes, I'd like to hear about that as well," Beatrice finally put her two cents worth in.
"Well a little less then twenty years ago a certain sorcerer performed a great spell. This spell destroyed all the vampires in our world. It is as simple as that," said Van Helsing.
"Not so simple," I muttered.
"A Sorcerer?" asked Giles. "How could any sorcerer have the power to cast such a spell? And could he come and visit our world?"
"Giles, do you want to put us out of work?" Buffy joked.
"I'm afraid he's busy enough here. He calls himself Dr. Strange and he's our universe's Sorcerer Supreme," I said.
"Dr. Strange, isn't there a comic book about him?" Buffy asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised. It's strange the way universes seem to mix, at least in fiction."
"Yeah, these two look sort of familiar to me," said Beatrice. "Isn't there some telly show about a vampire Slayer and there was a movie too."
"I think you're right, not that I watch that sort of thing," I said.
As a matter of fact I had watched both the movie and television series of "Tillie the Vampire Slayer", but I didn't want to admit it. It was kind of a guilty pleasure. Buffy stared at us in disbelief.
"Are you saying I'm a television show?" Buffy looked bemused.
"Don't worry about it, we're probably a comic book," I said. "Traveling universes is an odd thing."
"Let us get back to the matter at hand," said Van Helsing. "I take it that you two are following the vampires that have been terrorizing our version of London."
"I would have to agree with that," said Giles. "How long have they been here?"
"A few months," Beatrice answered.
"Time must flow differently here," said Giles. "The last murder on our side was a few days ago."
"I wouldn't be surprised if it did," I said.
"Who cares how time runs in this universe, Giles. I want to know if we'll be able to get back to our universe," said Buffy.
"If you can't go back the way you came, I think I know someone who could help you," said Beatrice.
"You know someone who could help them?" asked Van Helsing.
"I'll tell you about it later. Right now we should worry more about finding these vampires."
"If they've been leaving bodies around like they did in our universe they shouldn't be too hard to find," said Buffy.
"It may be more difficult then you think. We have talents of our own and we haven't been able to find many clues. What makes you think you'll do so much better?" I have to admit the slayer was getting on my nerves.
"I'm a slayer, it's my job."
That's when I realized this girl could get dangerous. She wasn't looking at me strangely yet, but I didn't like the idea of hanging out with a slayer. She might not be too understanding of my special non undead lifestyle. She might decide to slay me, which would really put a damper on our relationship. We headed back for the surface and
I noticed Buffy watching me as I stepped into the daylight. I smiled at her as I enjoyed the sunshine and did not burn.
Beatrice insisted that Giles, Buffy, and Van Helsing get in the back. I almost regretted being in the front seat as she peeled back into traffic. Perhaps as a psychic she felt she didn't need great driving skills. I supposed she knew what the other drivers were going to do before they did.
Giles and Van Helsing were having a great old time in the back seat talking about famous watchers and slayers in their own respective universes. I thought about what he had said about my mother. She was a vampire slayer even if she called herself the hunter. I wonder sometimes if she would have wanted me to live knowing what I would be like. I mean I don't think of myself as an evil monster, but then maybe no vampires do. How would I know, the only other vampires I've met were from another universe and they had their own rules to live by. From what Giles was saying about the vampires in his universe they were a pretty nasty bunch. Was vampire blood corruptive of more then the body? If any was it would be Baron Blood's. Was he evil before he became a vampire? Was I just kidding myself with my self righteous refusal to drink blood without some form of consent? Was I really any better then the vampires Buffy killed? I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer. Van Helsing would say yes, but what would Buffy or Giles say if they knew? Did I want to ask such a question?
"Where are we going anyway?" Buffy asked.
"To the site of the latest murder. Perhaps there are more clues there then in the other two places we visited," said Beatrice.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," I said. "These two seem to be good at covering their tracks."
"Yeah, but now you've got us," said Buffy.
"From what I've heard, Katherine, a slayer's senses are especially attuned to tracking vampires. Perhaps Buffy will be able to learn more from her instincts then we have been able to by observation," said Van Helsing.
"Besides, Buffy and I have dealt with these vampires many times before. We know them fairly well," said Giles.
"I suppose that is an advantage," I said.
"Know your enemy and all that," said Beatrice.
"Speaking of which, why don't you tell us a bit about the vampires?" asked Van Helsing.
"Sure," said Buffy. "Their names are Spike and Drusilla. They are both from England originally. Spike is somewhat honorable, but quite nasty. Drusilla is just plane insane. I think she was always crazy, but becoming a vampire made her much much worse. She's also psychic."
"Sounds like a fun pair," I said. "How did you meet them, you're an American. Do you live in England with Giles here?"
"No I'm from Sunnydale California. They were living in Sunnydale up until a few months ago."
"What drove them back to England?" I was starting to get a crick in my neck from turning around in the seat.
"I'm sorry to say I chased them here, not on purpose, but it was my fault none-the-less," Buffy stared out the window for a moment avoiding my eyes.
"Tell us about it."
"We made a deal. Spike helped me destroy a demon and I let them go."
"You let them go?" asked Beatrice. "Isn't that against your job description or such like?"
"Yes, it is, but there were extenuating circumstances," said Giles. "That is why we had to come after them now."
I wondered what Giles considered extenuating circumstances. I don't think I would let any vampires go, but then look who was talking. I let myself go all the time. Beatrice zoomed into another parking place. We all unstuck ourselves from her car and headed down the stairs. This Underground Station was as empty as the other two, but it was getting pretty late. It was past the peak commuting hours for sure. Buffy went first and I followed right behind.
Half the lights were out above the platform. We jumped down onto the tracks. Beatrice pulled out a small flashlight. I stayed back a little because the light bothered my night vision. Beatrice ran the light up and down the tracks as we headed for yet another service room.
"What are you looking for?" I asked.
"I'm not sure, just looking," she said.
This room was similar to the first one we had visited. Buffy flipped on the lights. Dried blood was pooled in the middle of the floor.
"Are they always this messy?" I asked.
"Spike wouldn't be, but if Drusilla is mad at him she's probably being messy to get back at him," Buffy said.
"Why would this Drusilla be angry with her partner?"
"It's a long story."
"Does it have to do with the demon?"
"Kind of."
"You're not being very talkative."
"I don't want to talk about it."
I thought back to that television show we had talked about it earlier. I remembered something about Tillie having a boyfriend who was a vampire called Saint Kind of an ironic name if you think about it. In the season finale there was something about a demon that Tillie had to stop. She had to kill her friend.
"It had something to do with a friend of yours didn't it?" I asked.
"This is not the best time to talk about it," said Buffy.
"Talk about what?" asked Beatrice joining us. "I hate people I can't read."
"What do you mean read?" Buffy asked.
"I'm a telepath, I can read minds, but don't worry I can't read yours or Katherine's. What do you think?"
"They've definitely been here."
"I think we knew that," I said.
"Yeah, but do you know which way they went?" Buffy asked.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
Buffy walked to the back of the room and disappeared behind a cabinet just as Giles and Van Helsing came in. They looked at us expectantly. I shrugged and went to the back of the room. I looked around the cabinet and saw a hole in the wall. Beatrice, Giles, and Van Helsing joined Buffy and I.
"Where do you think this goes?" Buffy asked Beatrice.
"Don't' look at me. I didn't know this was down here. It probably goes all over the city," Beatrice said.
"I personally don't want to go down there tonight," said Van Helsing.
"The great Van Helsing is afraid of the dark," Beatrice would not let go of her little joke.
"I told you, I'm not afraid of the dark, besides it's always dark down here. I just think it would be better if we got a good night's sleep before we go exploring tunnels which might have vampires at any corner."
"I would have to agree with Johann," said Giles.
"Thank you, Rupert," said Van Helsing.
Great they're on a first name basis already. Van Helsing winked at me. I had the feeling that he thought I might do some investigating on my own. We trooped back to Beatrice's car and I wondered what people though of our little group. Not that there was much of anyone to see us, but I still felt we were sticking out like sore thumbs. I guess people would just see as as strange tourists. Beatrice drove like a maniac to our hotel and then told us that she'd be back at seven the next morning.
Giles checked Buffy and himself into rooms down the hall from mine and Van Helsing's. I offered to take Buffy to get something to wear to bed. Buffy looked at me strangely and then agreed to go with me. We walked in silence to the nearest store. We walked in an realized that it was a very snooty place. Buffy turned and started to leave just as one of the clerks came up to us.
"How may I help you ladies?" she asked.
"The young Lady needs a new wardrobe. Her luggage was lost by the airline," I said.
"Oh, how horrible for you, dear," the clerk said. "Let me show you our wares."
Buffy looked at me and I nodded so she shrugged and followed the clerk. I did some looking around on my own while she was busy. I found a black silk dress for 100 pounds, which I couldn't resist. This trip was ending up even more expensive then I thought. The clerk had helped Buffy pick out a few things so I took out my Mastercard and charged the whole thing. We went back to the hotel loaded down with packages.
"You didn't have to do that," Buffy said.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Buy all these clothes for me."
"Don't worry about it. I get the feeling that I make you uncomfortable."
"What do you mean?"
"I make you nervous, don't I?"
"Yeah, you do."
"Can you put a finger on why?"
"I don't know, there's this weird feeling I get when I'm near a vampire."
"You get it around me?"
"Sort of, but not exactly."
"Maybe its because I might have been a slayer, if there were still vampires here. My mother was a slayer and I have some interesting powers of my own. Maybe slaying runs in the family in our universe."
I looked at her and wondered if I should say anything else. It wasn't really my favorite subject to discuss. While I thought about what to say we entered the hotel. A bell boy hurried up to us and grabbed some packages. Nice service at this place Van Helsing picked. The elevator was soon packed with the three of us. I tipped the bellboy after he dropped the packages off in Buffy's room. Then I sat down and watched her unpack the stuff from the bags.
She looked at me and said, "I still can't believe that there are no vampires left here."
"Actually, there's one guy who says there are still vampires around, that they're just hiding better then they used to, but I haven't seen any proof." I said.
"Who's that?"
"A man who calls himself Blade, but he's also known as the Daywalker. He is rumored to hunt vampires, but I know from Doctor Strange that there are no vampires left. "
"Your world is pretty strange."
"In its own way, it is. But whose isn't?"
I watched her brush her hair and wondered if this was what it is like to have a slumber party. Having grown up on the charity of the state, I never had girl friends to sleep over with. Buffy could feel me watching her and I waited for her questions.
"So does Van Helsing try to take care of you as much as Giles does me?" she asked.
"Not exactly," I said. "He and I have only met once before. We keep being thrown together in strange circumstances. He lives in Holland and travels all over the world investigating occult phenomena. Somehow he's convinced his university to pay for this as research. I live in Seattle and investigate other things."
"Investigating?"
"I used to be part of the Seattle PD, but I recently retired and started my own detective agency.
"You said you have interesting powers, what did you mean by that?"
"I'm a mutant, a human with extraordinary powers. Van Helsing is a empath, he can sense emotions. I have a certain healing factor, that helps me heal quickly," I did not mention that it keeps me alive and non-vampire at least in the day time.
"Vampires aren't the only strange things in this universe are they?"
"Are they the only strange things in yours?"
"No, one of my best friends is a good witch and another is a werewolf. I've met zombies, ghosts, and demons. I've pretty much seen it all."
"But I don't think you have mutants."
"Maybe not. At any rate, I should grab some sleepage or I will be one very cranky slayer in the morning."
"Good night, Buffy," I said.
"Good night, Katherine," Buffy jumped into bed.
I decided I would get some sleep as well and check do a little late night research shortly before dawn. As Van Helsing had pointed out, there wasn't really day or night in the Underground, but I would prefer any confrontation with Spike and Drusilla to be in near daylight where I could escape above ground if worse came to worse. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
There was a knocking on the door, "Buffy, wake up," said Giles. "It's time to go."
"Give me a chance to get dressed," Buffy muttered into her pillow.
"They're waiting for us."
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Buffy threw on jeans, a blue t-shirt, tennis shoes, and the jacket she had brought. Then she ran her fingers through her hair and flung open the door. Giles was standing on the other side looking disgustingly bright and chipper. Obviously he was a morning person even with jet lag.
"Let's go," Buffy said heading for the elevator.
They took a taxi to a restaurant called the Copper Kettle. Robert and Elizabeth turned out to be a brawny looking man of about thirty and a girl Buffy estimated to be 13 or 14. She had fiery red hair and a strong accent.
"Buffy Summers, this is Elizabeth Herbert and Robert Jones," said Giles.
"Pleased to meet ya, love" said Elizabeth. "Call me Eliza."
"You may call me Mr. Jones," said Robert. "We haven't heard much out of your friends recently, but they were leaving corpses all over the Underground last week."
"They're not exactly my friends," Buffy grimaced. "Why would they stop?"
"Probly lying low. They know we're onto em," said Eliza.
"They're not really the lying low types. Its a lot more likely that they left and we're on a wild goose chase."
"That may be, but we have to be sure. Can you take us to the Underground now?" asked Giles.
"Of course, follow." Mr. Jones headed for the street.
They followed him to a red Mercedes. Jones got in the driver's seat and Giles got in the passenger side. This left the back seat for Eliza and Buffy. Buffy watched the London scenery go by. This was the first time she'd been out of the Sates. London's buildings reeked of history. She imagined that they were the same as when Angel had walked the streets decades ago. Eliza sat beside her in silence for a while and then started talking.
"I ain't never met the slayer afore, Buffy. I 'ear you're from California. Do you live in 'Ollywood? 'Ave you ever seen any movie stars?" she asked.
"Afraid not. I live in Sunnydale home of the Hell mouth. We don't get movie stars,just supernatural monsters. Does the wolf man count? I've got a friend who's a werewolf," Buffy said.
"You've got friends? I don't have any, besides Robert, but e's me watcher so that don't count."
"Yes I've got a few good friends. I'm beginning to think I'm the only slayer who does. Doesn't Jones let you have a social life?"
"I don't 'ave time for a social life. I'm too busy fighting vampires and when I'm not slaying vamps I'm in training."
"How long have you been in training, Eliza?"
"Seven years."
"Seven years? How old are you?"
"Fourteen."
"You've been killing vampires since you were seven?"
"Not killing vamps, no, but training. Robert found me livin on the streets. I know it sounds like something out of Dickens, but it's true. Me parents are both dead. I never knew either of em. What about you?"
"I've only been the slayer for two years. I live with my mom, my parents are divorced, but I still see my dad."
"You're lucky. The only one I 'ave is Robert, but he's more like me big brother then anything else. 'E tries to be a good role model, but I wish E'd 'ave fun sometimes."
"I know what you mean. Giles is the same way, always so serious, but I guess it's a hard job being a watcher."
"Where are we going, Robert?" Giles asked.
"We're going to the last place they were seen," said Jones.
"Not 'xactly seen," said Eliza. "It's where the last victims were found. Piccadilly Circus Station. It's strange, they weren't choosing such public places until the last one. Maybe that's why they quit."
"Did you have to stake the victims? I mean, how does that work here in London. I know the Sunnydale morgue pretty well by now, but London's such a big city. How would you even know which morgue they were taken to?"
"Vamps in London are a bit more careful about making new ones. There's already a bit of an over population of em here. Your vamps followed the local custom and cut off their victims heads. Very considerate."
"That's certainly not like Drusilla and it isn't really like Spike," said Giles.
"If they didn't follow London's vampires' rules they would be destroyed by their own kind. As Elizabeth already told you, vampires here have to be careful about over population," said Jones.
"Spike might worry about such things but he would have a hard time controlling Drusilla," said Giles.
"What do ya mean?" asked Eliza.
"Drusilla is insane," said Buffy.
"Aren't all vampires?" asked Jones.
"Not like her. I think she was crazy before she became a vampire. She also has visions."
"Visions?" asked Eliza.
"Yes, she can see into the future. Maybe she was also a psychic before she died. I think the two thing may be connected."
"'Er visions and being bonkers?" asked Eliza.
"Yes."
Jones pulled into a parking place very close to the Underground entrance. He jumped out of the car and hurried off without turning to see if the others were behind him. Buffy and Eliza ran after him. Giles was left to lock all the car doors and then follow. Mr. Jones moved and looked like an athlete. He took the stairs to the Underground three at a time. The people going up the stairs had to jump out of the way. Eliza and Buffy followed with a little more care. Giles took up the rear and kept stopping to say excuse me. Buffy decided she had to get him into some sort of fitness program. It was kind of embarrassing to have an out of shape watcher.
The platform was deserted. They walked to the edge of the platform. Jones looked right and left and then jumped down onto the tracks. Eliza jumped down after him. Buffy and Giles stayed where they were and stared at the two of them.
"Do you know when the next train is coming?" asked Buffy.
"Of course, the Underground is rather a haven for the vampires of London. We've been here many times," said Jones.
Buffy shrugged and jumped down beside them. Giles peered down the tracks both ways and then followed. Jones pulled a flashlight out of his pocket and led the way down the tracks.
"We may not have a subways in Sunnydale, but we do have quite a few underground caves. The local vampires find those to be a haven," Buffy said to Eliza.
"Vamps do like dark places, don't they?" Eliza said. "Sometimes I get tired of 'angin around the Underground and grave yards."
"I know what you mean."
After walking for about a half hour they came to opening in the wall. Jones gestured for them to enter. As Buffy entered the room, for room it was, she got a strange feeling, like something was clawing at her insides. It was sort of like the feeling when she had first seen a vampire, but different somehow.
"Do you feel something weird?" she whispered to Eliza.
"Yeah, but just 'ere, not in the other places where they killed," Eliza whispered back.
"What about you Giles?"
"What, Buffy?" Giles asked.
"Do you get a weird feeling from this place?"
"No, but slayers are more sensitive to such phenomena."
"Why don't the two of you go on by yourselves," said Jones. "Elizabeth and I have seen all we want to see."
"Very well, Robert, we shall be back in a few minutes," said Giles.
Buffy wasn't so sure about that, but she bravely walked on wishing that Jones had offered to lend them the flashlight. She could feel Giles behind her in the darkness. As she walked she noticed that ahead there was some light. It was a dim green glow which seemed far off. Buffy felt almost drawn toward it. Giles didn't hesitate either and she wondered if he even saw it. They walked into the glow and suddenly it grew bright and electric light filled her vision so that she couldn't see anything.
London, England: Take 3
"I want to take you to the first murder site next. Except they're not exactly sure it belongs with the others," said Beatrice.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because it doesn't quite fit the pattern. It isn't in an out of the way place. It was at the Piccadilly Circus Station. Also it was an Underground worker, a man. Perhaps he just saw something he shouldn't. He wasn't decapitated."
"Let me guess, he had a stake through his heart."
"How did you know that?"
"That's the other way to kill a vampire, or keep one from rising."
"Of course. I still think you two are rather odd."
"Maybe you're right, but strange things do happen. There are more things then are dreamed of in your philosophy, Horatio."
"I don't know, I dream of a lot of things, but come on vampires? What's next the wolf man?"
"I hope not."
"I was just kidding, Katherine."
"Come ladies, I think we should get out of here," said Van Helsing.
"I think you are afraid of the dark," said Beatrice.
"Not of the dark, but there are other things to be afraid of."
"Is there some reason you two are trying to frighten me or is it just some American custom?"
"I am Dutch. I don't know any American customs."
Beatrice shrugged and led the way out of the closet. She walked very quickly. We had to run to keep up. I wondered if she really was as tough as she acted or if it was just a front. I had the feeling that she had to pretend to be tough to get ahead in the Scotland Yard. We headed back to her car and Beatrice drove just as insanely as she had on the way there.
Her parking job was surprisingly good. We all jumped out and hurried to the station. Beatrice led the way to a deserted newspaper stand. The platform was as empty here as at the first station. Perhaps that was only because it was one in the afternoon, afte lunch, but too early for people to be going home. Beatrice opened the door of the stand and pointed. There was a bloodstain on the wooden floor.
"This is the other thing that doesn't fit. The other murder sites were all in access tunnels and supply rooms, but this would have been out in the open if anyone had bee here," said Beatrice.
"Are you saying there could have been a witness?" I asked.
"If there was, they're too frightened to say anything."
"I could certainly understand how they would be," said Van Helsing.
"From what we've heard and seen I doubt this killer or killers is the type to leave behind any witnesses. It must have been empty when they came."
There were no interesting clues in the newspaper stand either. I had the feeling that whoever these people were, they were quite experienced at leaving no trace. We exited and stood on the platform, each with our own thoughts. Suddenly I had a strange feeling that someone was watching us.
Van Helsing's face looked like he felt it to. Even Beatrice frowned and searched the darkness beyond the electric lights. We all stood perfectly still, listening. I heard the sound of footsteps echoing, coming towards us. No one moved. Out of the darkness came two figures. A tall figure and a shorter one. As they came closer they resolved themselves into a man and a girl. The man wore wire rimmed glasses and had brown hair. The girl was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and had long blonde hair.
"Giles, what is going on? Did we just get turned around without knowing it?" the girl asked her companion.
"I don't believe so. If we had, Robert and Elizabeth would be here waiting. I think we are somewhere else," said the man.
"I never thought I'd see it," Van Helsing muttered to me.
"See what?" I asked.
"A slayer. There should not be a slayer here, there are no more slayers."
"Excuse me, what is a slayer?"
"She is," he pointed at the girl.
I did not give Van Helsing the satisfaction of asking what the hell he was talking about. I decided it was best to just wait and see. I hoped Beatrice hadn't heard what he said or we would have a lot of explaining to do. As they got closer they looked up and saw us at last. The man smiled at us, but the girl looked less certain of our friendliness. They climbed up and joined us on the platform.
"Good afternoon, Ladies and sir, I'm afraid we're a bit lost," said the man.
"No kidding," said Beatrice. "I know what we're doing down here, but what in bloody hell are you two doing on the Underground tracks?"
"Katherine, why don't you speak to Sergeant White for a moment," said Van Helsing.
I didn't have to be psychic to know what he was thinking. He was thinking that what we were about to talk about was going to be too much for our Scotland Yard friend to handle.
"Beatrice, would you come with me," I said.
She looked at Van Helsing for a moment and then back at me, "All right," she said.
We went over into a corner by a coffee machine and I got ready to use one of my talents. I was planning to hypnotize her into thinking nothing strange was going on. Before I could do anything, however she put her hand on my shoulder and shook her head.
"Whatever you were going to do, don't bother. It won't work on me," she said.
"What do you mean, I wasn't going to do anything," I felt myself blush. I am not a good liar.
"You shouldn't try to lie to a telepath, Katherine. I may not be able to read you very well, but I can tell when you're lying."
I'm sure my mouth was hanging wide open. Beatrice laughed out loud. She looked over to where Van Helsing was standing talking to our visitors and then back at me.
"You are looking at Scotland Yard's only telepath. I'm a mutant too, my dear. I can't read you very well, but I know what you are and Van Helsing. He has pretty strong defenses for an empath. Someone's been teaching him, but a full telepath can always get something from an empath. Not that I pry. We British telepaths have our own code. We don't go where we aren't invited, but you two have been practically shouting. And those new arrivals have no real shields at all. I know they believe in vampires and you two believe in vampires so I have to assume we're dealing with vampires. Don't worry about me telling my superiors at Scotland Yard. They already think I'm weird enough. That's why they sent me to help you. I just want to see this through even if I can't tell anyone. If the murders stop they won't care how we did it and I won't tell if you don't."
"I'm impressed, Beatrice. Of course you can see it through. I have a feeling that we're going to need all the help we can get. let's go back to the others."
I wasn't kidding. We would need all the help we could get. I looked at the man and the girl and shook my head. I didn't know what they were doing here or where they were from, but I had a bad feeling that they needed our help. I wondered if they would accept it.
Van Helsing watched as we walked back over. He raised his eyebrows in question. I looked back and then shrugged.
"Well?" he whispered.
"She's in," I said.
"What do you mean, she's in?"
"Later. Has my friend introduced himself yet?" I asked the man and the girl.
"No," said the man, "and neither have we. I am Rupert Giles and this young lady is Buffy Summers."
"I am Dr. Johann Van Helsing, this is Katherine Drummond and Detective Sergeant Beatrice White," said Van Helsing.
"Van Helsing?" asked Buffy.
"Yes, I am related."
"The more famous Van Helsing was his Great great great Grandfather," I added.
"But Van Helsing never had any children," said Giles.
"Maybe not in your world," I said.
"In our world, wait a minute what are you saying?" asked Buffy.
"I'm afraid you've traveled quite a bit farther then you thought," said Van Helsing. "You are in another universe."
"I have heard theories about alternate universes, but I never thought it was true," said Giles.
"Giles, we've got to go back. My mom did not give me permission to travel to another universe," Buffy tried to push Giles back towards the tracks.
"I doubt that you shall be able to go back the way you came. If you could I have a feeling the vampires would have already done so. This is not a world conductive to their health and freedom," said Van Helsing.
"Oh I don't know, a world without any other vampires, might seem like paradise to them," I said.
"What are you talking about, no other vampires?" Buffy turned back towards us.
"Well, my dear young slayer, there are no more of your kind in our world because there are no more vampire kind. All of them were destroyed at one time," Van Helsing explained.
"All of them? And how do you know who I am, if we are in another world as you say."
"I know who you are because if things had been different my father would have been a watcher and even perhaps myself, as my great ever so great grandfather was before us."
"That is true, Van Helsing was a watcher even in our own world, Buffy. His slayer was the famous Mina, but that was mentioned in the book because Mr. Stoker only heard rumors of that story," said Giles.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean your father might have been a watcher and you might have too?" this was something Van Helsing had never mentioned to me.
"What did you think your mother was Katherine, she was a slayer. My father was supposed to be her watcher, but he found her too late," said Van Helsing. "As for me, well if things had been different you might have been my slayer."
"That's a laugh."
"Wait a minute, would you two shut up and tell us about all the vampires being destroyed," said Buffy.
"Yes, I'd like to hear about that as well," Beatrice finally put her two cents worth in.
"Well a little less then twenty years ago a certain sorcerer performed a great spell. This spell destroyed all the vampires in our world. It is as simple as that," said Van Helsing.
"Not so simple," I muttered.
"A Sorcerer?" asked Giles. "How could any sorcerer have the power to cast such a spell? And could he come and visit our world?"
"Giles, do you want to put us out of work?" Buffy joked.
"I'm afraid he's busy enough here. He calls himself Dr. Strange and he's our universe's Sorcerer Supreme," I said.
"Dr. Strange, isn't there a comic book about him?" Buffy asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised. It's strange the way universes seem to mix, at least in fiction."
"Yeah, these two look sort of familiar to me," said Beatrice. "Isn't there some telly show about a vampire Slayer and there was a movie too."
"I think you're right, not that I watch that sort of thing," I said.
As a matter of fact I had watched both the movie and television series of "Tillie the Vampire Slayer", but I didn't want to admit it. It was kind of a guilty pleasure. Buffy stared at us in disbelief.
"Are you saying I'm a television show?" Buffy looked bemused.
"Don't worry about it, we're probably a comic book," I said. "Traveling universes is an odd thing."
"Let us get back to the matter at hand," said Van Helsing. "I take it that you two are following the vampires that have been terrorizing our version of London."
"I would have to agree with that," said Giles. "How long have they been here?"
"A few months," Beatrice answered.
"Time must flow differently here," said Giles. "The last murder on our side was a few days ago."
"I wouldn't be surprised if it did," I said.
"Who cares how time runs in this universe, Giles. I want to know if we'll be able to get back to our universe," said Buffy.
"If you can't go back the way you came, I think I know someone who could help you," said Beatrice.
"You know someone who could help them?" asked Van Helsing.
"I'll tell you about it later. Right now we should worry more about finding these vampires."
"If they've been leaving bodies around like they did in our universe they shouldn't be too hard to find," said Buffy.
"It may be more difficult then you think. We have talents of our own and we haven't been able to find many clues. What makes you think you'll do so much better?" I have to admit the slayer was getting on my nerves.
"I'm a slayer, it's my job."
That's when I realized this girl could get dangerous. She wasn't looking at me strangely yet, but I didn't like the idea of hanging out with a slayer. She might not be too understanding of my special non undead lifestyle. She might decide to slay me, which would really put a damper on our relationship. We headed back for the surface and
I noticed Buffy watching me as I stepped into the daylight. I smiled at her as I enjoyed the sunshine and did not burn.
Beatrice insisted that Giles, Buffy, and Van Helsing get in the back. I almost regretted being in the front seat as she peeled back into traffic. Perhaps as a psychic she felt she didn't need great driving skills. I supposed she knew what the other drivers were going to do before they did.
Giles and Van Helsing were having a great old time in the back seat talking about famous watchers and slayers in their own respective universes. I thought about what he had said about my mother. She was a vampire slayer even if she called herself the hunter. I wonder sometimes if she would have wanted me to live knowing what I would be like. I mean I don't think of myself as an evil monster, but then maybe no vampires do. How would I know, the only other vampires I've met were from another universe and they had their own rules to live by. From what Giles was saying about the vampires in his universe they were a pretty nasty bunch. Was vampire blood corruptive of more then the body? If any was it would be Baron Blood's. Was he evil before he became a vampire? Was I just kidding myself with my self righteous refusal to drink blood without some form of consent? Was I really any better then the vampires Buffy killed? I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer. Van Helsing would say yes, but what would Buffy or Giles say if they knew? Did I want to ask such a question?
"Where are we going anyway?" Buffy asked.
"To the site of the latest murder. Perhaps there are more clues there then in the other two places we visited," said Beatrice.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," I said. "These two seem to be good at covering their tracks."
"Yeah, but now you've got us," said Buffy.
"From what I've heard, Katherine, a slayer's senses are especially attuned to tracking vampires. Perhaps Buffy will be able to learn more from her instincts then we have been able to by observation," said Van Helsing.
"Besides, Buffy and I have dealt with these vampires many times before. We know them fairly well," said Giles.
"I suppose that is an advantage," I said.
"Know your enemy and all that," said Beatrice.
"Speaking of which, why don't you tell us a bit about the vampires?" asked Van Helsing.
"Sure," said Buffy. "Their names are Spike and Drusilla. They are both from England originally. Spike is somewhat honorable, but quite nasty. Drusilla is just plane insane. I think she was always crazy, but becoming a vampire made her much much worse. She's also psychic."
"Sounds like a fun pair," I said. "How did you meet them, you're an American. Do you live in England with Giles here?"
"No I'm from Sunnydale California. They were living in Sunnydale up until a few months ago."
"What drove them back to England?" I was starting to get a crick in my neck from turning around in the seat.
"I'm sorry to say I chased them here, not on purpose, but it was my fault none-the-less," Buffy stared out the window for a moment avoiding my eyes.
"Tell us about it."
"We made a deal. Spike helped me destroy a demon and I let them go."
"You let them go?" asked Beatrice. "Isn't that against your job description or such like?"
"Yes, it is, but there were extenuating circumstances," said Giles. "That is why we had to come after them now."
I wondered what Giles considered extenuating circumstances. I don't think I would let any vampires go, but then look who was talking. I let myself go all the time. Beatrice zoomed into another parking place. We all unstuck ourselves from her car and headed down the stairs. This Underground Station was as empty as the other two, but it was getting pretty late. It was past the peak commuting hours for sure. Buffy went first and I followed right behind.
Half the lights were out above the platform. We jumped down onto the tracks. Beatrice pulled out a small flashlight. I stayed back a little because the light bothered my night vision. Beatrice ran the light up and down the tracks as we headed for yet another service room.
"What are you looking for?" I asked.
"I'm not sure, just looking," she said.
This room was similar to the first one we had visited. Buffy flipped on the lights. Dried blood was pooled in the middle of the floor.
"Are they always this messy?" I asked.
"Spike wouldn't be, but if Drusilla is mad at him she's probably being messy to get back at him," Buffy said.
"Why would this Drusilla be angry with her partner?"
"It's a long story."
"Does it have to do with the demon?"
"Kind of."
"You're not being very talkative."
"I don't want to talk about it."
I thought back to that television show we had talked about it earlier. I remembered something about Tillie having a boyfriend who was a vampire called Saint Kind of an ironic name if you think about it. In the season finale there was something about a demon that Tillie had to stop. She had to kill her friend.
"It had something to do with a friend of yours didn't it?" I asked.
"This is not the best time to talk about it," said Buffy.
"Talk about what?" asked Beatrice joining us. "I hate people I can't read."
"What do you mean read?" Buffy asked.
"I'm a telepath, I can read minds, but don't worry I can't read yours or Katherine's. What do you think?"
"They've definitely been here."
"I think we knew that," I said.
"Yeah, but do you know which way they went?" Buffy asked.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
Buffy walked to the back of the room and disappeared behind a cabinet just as Giles and Van Helsing came in. They looked at us expectantly. I shrugged and went to the back of the room. I looked around the cabinet and saw a hole in the wall. Beatrice, Giles, and Van Helsing joined Buffy and I.
"Where do you think this goes?" Buffy asked Beatrice.
"Don't' look at me. I didn't know this was down here. It probably goes all over the city," Beatrice said.
"I personally don't want to go down there tonight," said Van Helsing.
"The great Van Helsing is afraid of the dark," Beatrice would not let go of her little joke.
"I told you, I'm not afraid of the dark, besides it's always dark down here. I just think it would be better if we got a good night's sleep before we go exploring tunnels which might have vampires at any corner."
"I would have to agree with Johann," said Giles.
"Thank you, Rupert," said Van Helsing.
Great they're on a first name basis already. Van Helsing winked at me. I had the feeling that he thought I might do some investigating on my own. We trooped back to Beatrice's car and I wondered what people though of our little group. Not that there was much of anyone to see us, but I still felt we were sticking out like sore thumbs. I guess people would just see as as strange tourists. Beatrice drove like a maniac to our hotel and then told us that she'd be back at seven the next morning.
Giles checked Buffy and himself into rooms down the hall from mine and Van Helsing's. I offered to take Buffy to get something to wear to bed. Buffy looked at me strangely and then agreed to go with me. We walked in silence to the nearest store. We walked in an realized that it was a very snooty place. Buffy turned and started to leave just as one of the clerks came up to us.
"How may I help you ladies?" she asked.
"The young Lady needs a new wardrobe. Her luggage was lost by the airline," I said.
"Oh, how horrible for you, dear," the clerk said. "Let me show you our wares."
Buffy looked at me and I nodded so she shrugged and followed the clerk. I did some looking around on my own while she was busy. I found a black silk dress for 100 pounds, which I couldn't resist. This trip was ending up even more expensive then I thought. The clerk had helped Buffy pick out a few things so I took out my Mastercard and charged the whole thing. We went back to the hotel loaded down with packages.
"You didn't have to do that," Buffy said.
"Do what?" I asked.
"Buy all these clothes for me."
"Don't worry about it. I get the feeling that I make you uncomfortable."
"What do you mean?"
"I make you nervous, don't I?"
"Yeah, you do."
"Can you put a finger on why?"
"I don't know, there's this weird feeling I get when I'm near a vampire."
"You get it around me?"
"Sort of, but not exactly."
"Maybe its because I might have been a slayer, if there were still vampires here. My mother was a slayer and I have some interesting powers of my own. Maybe slaying runs in the family in our universe."
I looked at her and wondered if I should say anything else. It wasn't really my favorite subject to discuss. While I thought about what to say we entered the hotel. A bell boy hurried up to us and grabbed some packages. Nice service at this place Van Helsing picked. The elevator was soon packed with the three of us. I tipped the bellboy after he dropped the packages off in Buffy's room. Then I sat down and watched her unpack the stuff from the bags.
She looked at me and said, "I still can't believe that there are no vampires left here."
"Actually, there's one guy who says there are still vampires around, that they're just hiding better then they used to, but I haven't seen any proof." I said.
"Who's that?"
"A man who calls himself Blade, but he's also known as the Daywalker. He is rumored to hunt vampires, but I know from Doctor Strange that there are no vampires left. "
"Your world is pretty strange."
"In its own way, it is. But whose isn't?"
I watched her brush her hair and wondered if this was what it is like to have a slumber party. Having grown up on the charity of the state, I never had girl friends to sleep over with. Buffy could feel me watching her and I waited for her questions.
"So does Van Helsing try to take care of you as much as Giles does me?" she asked.
"Not exactly," I said. "He and I have only met once before. We keep being thrown together in strange circumstances. He lives in Holland and travels all over the world investigating occult phenomena. Somehow he's convinced his university to pay for this as research. I live in Seattle and investigate other things."
"Investigating?"
"I used to be part of the Seattle PD, but I recently retired and started my own detective agency.
"You said you have interesting powers, what did you mean by that?"
"I'm a mutant, a human with extraordinary powers. Van Helsing is a empath, he can sense emotions. I have a certain healing factor, that helps me heal quickly," I did not mention that it keeps me alive and non-vampire at least in the day time.
"Vampires aren't the only strange things in this universe are they?"
"Are they the only strange things in yours?"
"No, one of my best friends is a good witch and another is a werewolf. I've met zombies, ghosts, and demons. I've pretty much seen it all."
"But I don't think you have mutants."
"Maybe not. At any rate, I should grab some sleepage or I will be one very cranky slayer in the morning."
"Good night, Buffy," I said.
"Good night, Katherine," Buffy jumped into bed.
I decided I would get some sleep as well and check do a little late night research shortly before dawn. As Van Helsing had pointed out, there wasn't really day or night in the Underground, but I would prefer any confrontation with Spike and Drusilla to be in near daylight where I could escape above ground if worse came to worse. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.