I. Again With the Future
***
"Mom?"
Buffy chopped carrots. She had never learned to cook, the Summer's household was known by every delivery man in Sunnydale. However she had learned that she could chop vegetables as stress relief instead of killing Him. The Scoobies always knew that salads and party platters were not a good sign.
"Laura I'm in here."
Buffy looked at her daughter. She looked like Buffy. Most people these days addressed them as sisters. They had the same build and the same features. However when Buffy looked at her she saw Spike. The only physical reminder of Spike was the hair, which only she knew to be his natural color and the clear blue eyes.
However Laura's personality was all Spike. She had her father's tendency to walk in a room like she owned it. She had her father's courage and loyalty. She also could read people like he did.
"And her father's stubbornness," Buffy muttered.
"He would say it was yours," Laura replied sweetly.
Buffy chopped more vegetables.
"I'm going to start patrolling."
Buffy stopped and looked at her twenty-one year old daughter.
"No."
Spike had been sneaking out to teach her. Buffy would not hear of her daughter patrolling, but Laura had staked her first vampire at nine and it was her blood to continue. She wanted to, but Buffy attempted to give her a normal life and a normal life did not include cemeteries. Sunnydale was still frequented by vampires, wanting to see the old haunts of some of the greats. There were still those who wanted to challenge the legendary Slayer and her Vampire companion.
However things were normal, if such things could be said about Sunnydale.
"Mother, you will listen to me."
Buffy put down the knife and crossed her arms.
"You always talk of danger, well that isn't true for two reasons. The first is that I have been trained since birth to fight. I can protect myself. I don't know if it is you or dad, but I have strength and healing capacities. I am not some regular child. You never wanted me to fight because you were raised normal and you hated finding out that you were meant to be more. I've never had that problem. My father's a vampire remember. I grew up with witches, ex and present demons, werewolves, and Watchers. My normality is being a fighter.
"The second is that you don't want me to do it because you are afraid of loosing me, you've always been afraid of loosing all of us. That is the stupidest thing. You haven't lost a single person in your life due to the supernatural. There is no one who has come into contact with you who has ever been harmed. Dawn is owner of her own gallery and is famous for her photos. Willow is in England as the Wicca consultant to the Council. Giles is the head of the Council. Tara is playing mother to the new slayer in Australia. Xander and Anya pretty much own Sunnydale and have populated it with their five kids. Even Angel is still living in Las Angeles. Cordy was killed in a car accident, totally natural. The only thing I see you doing for those who love you is that you have changed everybody to realize their potential. No one would be where they are today without you. They all stood by you and fought for you, when the odds were unknown. Now I am asking for the same respect from you. I can feel myself drawn to helping, drawn to kill off the evil.
"I won't do it without your approval. However this is the calling I have. Let me do it."
Buffy looked at her child. She had never been so scared of loosing anything in her life as she had this girl. However Laura was right. Come what may, Laura had to realize her potential.
"How did you get so smart?" Buffy said through tears.
"Well it certainly wasn't you or dad," Laura remarked, "I'd guess it was Willow or Dawn."
Buffy hugged her daughter, knowing that her daughter would soon step into the arena to which she was born.
***
***
"Mom?"
Buffy chopped carrots. She had never learned to cook, the Summer's household was known by every delivery man in Sunnydale. However she had learned that she could chop vegetables as stress relief instead of killing Him. The Scoobies always knew that salads and party platters were not a good sign.
"Laura I'm in here."
Buffy looked at her daughter. She looked like Buffy. Most people these days addressed them as sisters. They had the same build and the same features. However when Buffy looked at her she saw Spike. The only physical reminder of Spike was the hair, which only she knew to be his natural color and the clear blue eyes.
However Laura's personality was all Spike. She had her father's tendency to walk in a room like she owned it. She had her father's courage and loyalty. She also could read people like he did.
"And her father's stubbornness," Buffy muttered.
"He would say it was yours," Laura replied sweetly.
Buffy chopped more vegetables.
"I'm going to start patrolling."
Buffy stopped and looked at her twenty-one year old daughter.
"No."
Spike had been sneaking out to teach her. Buffy would not hear of her daughter patrolling, but Laura had staked her first vampire at nine and it was her blood to continue. She wanted to, but Buffy attempted to give her a normal life and a normal life did not include cemeteries. Sunnydale was still frequented by vampires, wanting to see the old haunts of some of the greats. There were still those who wanted to challenge the legendary Slayer and her Vampire companion.
However things were normal, if such things could be said about Sunnydale.
"Mother, you will listen to me."
Buffy put down the knife and crossed her arms.
"You always talk of danger, well that isn't true for two reasons. The first is that I have been trained since birth to fight. I can protect myself. I don't know if it is you or dad, but I have strength and healing capacities. I am not some regular child. You never wanted me to fight because you were raised normal and you hated finding out that you were meant to be more. I've never had that problem. My father's a vampire remember. I grew up with witches, ex and present demons, werewolves, and Watchers. My normality is being a fighter.
"The second is that you don't want me to do it because you are afraid of loosing me, you've always been afraid of loosing all of us. That is the stupidest thing. You haven't lost a single person in your life due to the supernatural. There is no one who has come into contact with you who has ever been harmed. Dawn is owner of her own gallery and is famous for her photos. Willow is in England as the Wicca consultant to the Council. Giles is the head of the Council. Tara is playing mother to the new slayer in Australia. Xander and Anya pretty much own Sunnydale and have populated it with their five kids. Even Angel is still living in Las Angeles. Cordy was killed in a car accident, totally natural. The only thing I see you doing for those who love you is that you have changed everybody to realize their potential. No one would be where they are today without you. They all stood by you and fought for you, when the odds were unknown. Now I am asking for the same respect from you. I can feel myself drawn to helping, drawn to kill off the evil.
"I won't do it without your approval. However this is the calling I have. Let me do it."
Buffy looked at her child. She had never been so scared of loosing anything in her life as she had this girl. However Laura was right. Come what may, Laura had to realize her potential.
"How did you get so smart?" Buffy said through tears.
"Well it certainly wasn't you or dad," Laura remarked, "I'd guess it was Willow or Dawn."
Buffy hugged her daughter, knowing that her daughter would soon step into the arena to which she was born.
***