New Horizons: Chapter Sixty-Seven
The Continuance
By Annie
10-27-2002
"Ms. Summers?"
Buffy looked up at the man who had spoken her name and then she nodded as she rose to her feet from the uncomfortable chair on which she had been seated for nearly half an hour. The man was dressed in a very pale blue shirt and black pants, in a holster on his hip he had a nine millimeter gun and there was also a set of hand cuffs which jingle-jangled as he walked ahead of her. It was the following morning and the Slayer was a visitor at the Sunnydale police station.
The police officer opened a door with a key-card and held it open so that she could step through it before he closed it, making sure it was locked before turning to her and gesturing for her towards a door a little further down the hall. She smiled her thank you and walked up to it, through the glass window in the top half of it she met the surprised gaze of Jonathan.
She pressed the handle down and pushed the door open; stepping inside and then proceeding up to the dark wooden table where the former Big-Bad-Trio member was seated, as the door silently slid shut. She stopped in front of him and he looked up at her with eyes growing and an expression of slight shame resting in them. Then he looked away, clearing his throat.
"I just came here to say thank you for what you did," she finally spoke and he looked up at her again, his gaze growing remorseful.
"Buffy, I'm so, so sorry for everything. I really wish I could take it back, all of it! It got outta hand, and Warren..." he trailed off as her eyes grew slightly harder. "Alright," he then sighed, "I'm not gonna make excuses."
"Good," she stated. "So, how are you?"
He smiled wearily.
"I'm okay," he then answered. "But I have this feeling that the Slayer doesn't come to the town jail just to check up on the bad guy," he added and she smiled a little back, shaking her head.
"You're right," she agreed. "I just wanted you to know that I really do appreciate what you did, and that I'm gonna talk with them. I'll even testify...if I can come up with some kinda explanation to why I'm involved with this in the first place. And there's always Willow and Xander, if nothing else..."
He smiled at that, nodding.
"You really don't have to, though," he said.
"I know," she replied. "But I think I want to."
"Thank you," he mumbled.
They were silent for a short while and then she said:
"Well then," and turned to walk up to the door again.
"Buffy," Jonathan said as she opened it, and she turned back to him with a quizzical gaze. "The amulets...The stone of Torah and the necklace of Karatka... Where are they?"
Buffy frowned slightly.
"I don't...know, exactly," she answered him.
"Find them," he said now. "And put them somewhere safe, or it's not over."
She swallowed at that and then she nodded before walking out through the door.
***
"Did you know the Trio goes to court today?" Xander asked Willow as she unlocked the door to the Summers home and the two of them walked inside.
"Yeah, I did know that," she then answered with a smile, closing the door and proceeding into the kitchen. "Buffy and I checked the police database and it seems like they've managed to scrape up a decent set of testemonies," she added, walking up to the fridge and opening it before removing the backpack she had been carying from her back and un-zipping it.
"Really?" Xander wondered as she began to unload the fresh bags of blood they had picked up at the butchers.
"Yep," she stated. "Remember the freeze-mojo they used to steal the diamond with?" He nodded. "Well, the guard they froze was thawed and he's more than happy to be put on the stand," she continued. "And there was two or three others. Amazing really. Well, I'm just happy if they can keep Buffy as far away from it as possible," she finished, putting the last bag in the fridge and shutting the door before turning to Xander who was smiling slightly. "What?" she asked and he shrugged.
"Nothing. It's just... Seems like we're really getting used to having Spike around, huh? Getting him blood, making sure everything's the way they should," he then mumbled and Willow smiled a little as well, then nodded.
"Yeah," she agreed. "But you have to admit that he's changed," she added and he met her gaze, nodding as well.
"Could anyone not? Did I tell you I'm gonna be his best man?" he then asked and Willow's eyes grew before they lit up and she smiled widely.
"That's really great of you," she said and he smiled as well.
"Yeah, well," he grumbled. "Underneath it all he's kinda alright...sometimes," he then added and Willow couldn't help but laugh. "What?" he cried indignantly and she just shook her head.
"Nothing. Just sounds like this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship," she answered and he huffed.
"Don't push it," he stated, but when she smiled he returned it. "He's gonna be like a frigging brother-in-law to me, how could I not give him the benifit of the doubt?" he then asked and she nodded, still smiling.
"You couldn't, and I love you for it," she then answered, stepping up to him and embracing him.
"Thanks, Wills," he mumbled, then paused before adding: "Don't tell him all that stuff, 'kay?"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"I won't," she promised.
"Hey, guys. What's going on?" Dawn asked as she entered the kitchen and the two pulled apart, shaking their heads at her still smiling and she smiled back. "Okay, private moment between best-friends-since-childhood, I get it," she added.
"The Trio goes to trial today," Willow said and Dawn nodded.
"Yup. I though we could make some popcorn and watch the nine o'clock news," she stated and the two others smiled wider.
"Sounds like a plan," Xander agreed, looking at his wrist watch and adding: "Lunch's up in ten minutes, I have to get to work. I'll see you later?"
The two ladies agreed to that and he left the room, grabbing an apple on the way out.
"When's Buffy getting back?" Willow asked Dawn, who had leaned against the breakfast table and reached for a magazine as the question was asked.
Now she looked up and thought for a moment before answering:
"Around two, I think."
"I really don't get why she felt like she wanted to see them," Willow sighed. "I guess they're lucky to be in jail and not in the hands of her," she added and Dawn smiled.
"Yep," she agreed, turning another page of the mag and stopping to read the headline of the article, her eyes growing slightly. "Wow..." she mumbled. "Have you seen this?"
Willow frowned slightly, eyes questioning before she moved around the table to stand beside the teen, looking down at what she was referring to and the Wicca's eyes grew as well.
The two pages before them was filled with printed text as well as a collection of pictures of the Trio members. And as Dawn turned the page they saw that the article went on to cover the following two as well, to then jump and end at page sixty-eight.
"This is a massive report on everything they've been up to!" Willow exclaimed after scimming through the text briefly. "What magazine is this?"
"Um..." Dawn mumbled, flipping the cover over to check. "National Enquirer. Wow, how did this story get in there?"
"After people read this those guys won't be able to show their faces on the streets, no matter what the verdict," Willow stated, still slightly shocked at the detailed information. "How did the reporter get a hold on this scoop so fast?"
The kitchen door opened and Buffy entered.
"Hey," she said, closing the door.
"Hey," Willow replied. "Look, you HAVE to see this," she then added, grabbing the magazine and walking up to her friend.
Buffy looked quizzical until Willow got the right page and opened the article up.
"Oh, I know," the Slayer then said with a small shrug, and then she smiled a little, Willow's as well as Dawn's eyes growing wondering.
"Are you saying what your voice sounds like your saying?" Willow asked and Buffy smiled just slightly wider. "You had something to do with it?" the Wicca added and now Buffy got a mischeivious look on her face before she nodded.
"What? How?" Dawn asked.
"Oh...I just needed a little bit of vengeance of my own, if you know what I mean," Buffy answered, cocking an eyebrow.
"Vengean-... Anya?!" Willow exclaimed, then she laughed. "You made a wish?"
"Yep," Buffy confirmed. "They put their icky surveilance cameras up tagging my ass all over the city and making my life a living hell, I'm just repaying them. And it won't physically hurt them so I just thought it might be the perfect sollution. Of course, this'll plaster their faces up for all to see in practically the entire world, but that's just a small perk," she then finished and Willow smiled.
"But...Jonathan kinda helped US," Dawn pointed out carefully and Buffy turned to her.
"Yeah, I put a clause in the deal. He'll be spared from the worst of it, and someday, in a FAR off future, he might actually be able to have some kind of normal life. But for now he's gonna be locked up with the two others... Actually that should be punishment enough," she said, smiling a little bitterly. "Andrew's still in some kinda state of shock, and Warren's ready for the loony bin. It's quite tragic, if you look at it like that," she mumbled and Dawn reached out and patted her on the arm.
Buffy smiled a warmer smile at her sister and then the phone rang.
Willow walked up to it and grabbed it.
"Hello?" she said, growing silent as she listened. "Okay... No, that's great. Uh-huh... Wonderful. I'll tell her. Thanks! Bye."
She hung up and turned to the questioning expressions of the two sisters.
"That was Andrea, who's sewing your wedding dress," Willow said and Buffy looked hopeful. "She said that the dress will be delivered on Monday, if you guys can get enough time in to do all the fitting that's left in less than two days."
Buffy smiled widely.
"Phew," she then said and Willow and Dawn laughed.
"What? Were you expecting something to screw up this union you're entering?" Willow asked sarcastically and Buffy grinned, then nodded.
"Yep. I'm telling you, if a warlock turns back time, gives us all amnesia and makes our souls change body with each other THAT wouldn't be as bad as I've anticipated," she stated and Dawn put an arm around her shoulders, comforting.
"Nothing like that'll happen," the younger then said assuringly. "I promise!"
"Thanks, Dawnie," Buffy smiled, putting an arm around her waist. "I've just become a firm believer in never take anything for granted, and so I'm just gonna be prepared for anything."
***
"What exactly are we looking for?" Spike asked as Buffy pulled out a whole drawer out of the desk in the crummy basement where the Trio's last hide- out still stood untouched - if you excluded the chalk marks and carefully applied dust used for fingerprint search which had been left behind as a small token from the SDPD.
Buffy turned the drawer upsidedown, emptying the contents onto the desk and then quickly going through it before she straightened her back and put her hand in one of the pockets of her jeans, bringing out a folded up peice of paper and handing it to him. He took it and unfolded it, looking at the two objects in the picture covering it.
"The talismans," he concluded and she nodded. "So, the legends are true..." he grumbled. "Which means..."
"...that the crazed demon queen and her darling demon king aren't in fact dead, only contained in their prisons again," she filled in for him. "So, we need to find them and put them somewhere VERY safe."
He smirked a little and then nodded, reaching her the picture, but she made a dismissive gesture and so he crumpled it up and threw it over his shoulder before getting to work. They cleared the space of the room fairly quickly and moving the couch they both looked up at each other with smiles spreading on their faces: a safe in the floor was revealed.
"How do we open the bloody thing?" Spike asked and Buffy went down on her knees, a wrinkle appearing between her eyebrows as she grew concentrated.
Then she reached out a hand and turned the handle. Pulling at the door it then opened easily and she smirked with satisfaction.
"Brilliant!" the vamp stated appreciatively and she smiled wider as she met his gaze.
"Why, thank you," she said. "Guess the Trio of S.W were a little too cocky in a variety of ways," she added wryly and Spike smirked at her.
Then they both leaned over the shadowy compartment of the safe, Buffy doing the honors and reaching down into it. Her fingers grasped something which felt a lot like a box and as she brought it up she concluded that was exactly what it was. Repeating the gesture she caught a hold of a second one. Grabbing one each they got to their feet.
"Where to?" he wondered.
"The museum," she answered and he nodded.
***
"Giles! Bring the popcorn!" Dawn yelled from the couch and the Watcher obliged her, grabbing the huge bowl with the cream white contents and taking the opportunity to get a handfull ahead of everyone else as he entered the living room.
They were all gathered in one spot for the first time since the party and they were all enjoying it, talking of the week that had past and how all the preparations were coming. Anya stating proudly that she had gotten a hold of a caterer and so the food part was taken care of, everybody patting her on the back if not literally then by throwing very appreciative verbal praises her way.
Giles sat the popcorn down in the middle of the small group where the coffee table usually stood, but which had now been removed so that everybody could have the propor view of the TV screen. Hands were immediately extended to grab a fistful and soon began the munching.
"These are good," Willow stated and Dawn nodded.
"I know, aren't they? I seriously think this is the best brand," she agreed and Willow nodded.
Tara smiled, leaning back and putting her head against Willow's shoulder.
Buffy and Spike were curled up on the couch, Buffy having his arms around her and listening contently to her friends talking. This was how she always wanted it to be like, and she made a vow to begin a struggle so that they could have it like this more often. Dawn was seated to Buffy's left, her eyes going from checking the screen - so that she could turn the sound up - to whomever was adressing her.
Sarah was seated by Spike's legs, resting her back against the part of couch beside them and Giles had sat down next to her; they were conversing silently and easily. Jake was talking with Hank, they seemed quite engulfed in whatever topic was on for the evening. Xander was leaning back on his arms with Anya seated between his legs, resting her back against his chest.
Finally, Willow and Tara were sitting closely together in front of Dawn, who had her legs up on the couch.
"Oh!" Dawn exclaimed, grabbing the remote which had been resting on her lap and hitting the volume plus button eagerly. "It's starting!"
A pretty, dark haired news anchor came into veiw and she smiled at the camera, bidding them good-evening. Everybody said a happy good-evening back and then they grew silent, listening as the woman began to speak.
"It was with help from outer sources that the Sunnydale police department could finally apprehend the elusive criminals raging the city with robberies and vandalism during these past six months. The three standing accused are men in their early twenties, a fact which baffled police comishioner and sheriff Thomas Copper. Bob was outside the courthouse earlier today as the trial against the trio commenced. Bob?"
"Yes, thank you, Lila. As you said: the young age of these three men is extraordinary when you think of what they have accomplished during their half year of mayham and confusion. Stealing not only a precious diamond, but also a priceless necklace from the Sunnydale Museum of Fine Arts and commiting fellonies ranking from buying stolen goods themselves, to what some say: murder..."
"They're going away for life," Dawn mumbled and Buffy nodded a little.
"Probably," she grumbled. "If they can get the witness' stories to stick. Warren is loosing it and so he might be locked up at some psyche ward somewhere... But Andrew and Jonathan are looking at heavy duty sentences. Although, the fact that Warren really was the mind behind it all should help them just a bit; and, of course, Jonathan's involvement in the bust..." She trailed off, playing with Spike's fingers with her own before sighing slightly. "I knew all of them... I guess that's what's bugging me. I can't understand how it could come to this," she grumbled.
"Well, that's what you get when you put a brain the size of a pea in someone's head and it decides to blow itself up to be big and important," Xander stated and she smiled slightly. "Seriously, Buff. Warren had huge, major delusions of grandure... His pea just finally bursted," he added and most of the females made a disgusted look at that comparison.
"Well, I must concur," Giles then said, nodding. "All must we stand for our actions, sooner or later," he then added and Buffy smiled wider.
"True," she then agreed.
"Buffy," Xander said slowly and she turned her gaze at him, questioning. "Confession time," he mumbled, looking slightly embarrased and a little nervous.
"What?" she wondered and he sighed, meeting Anya's eyes who had turned her head to look at him and then he answered:
"I did this...thing. I'm not sure if it was a good thing, only I know that I would've lost Ahn if I didn't do it," he grumbled and she raised her eyebrows.
"Go on," she urged, and he did.
"Well, when I was going to find her I went to this old little man, the sorcerer, and he helped me locate her in the Hellmouth. And he said that all he wanted was a favor, and that I wouldn't be able to refuse him once he came to me for it... Well, the other day he came, and what he wanted was a book which he said was his journal and so...I gave it to him," he stated quickly.
Giles blinked and then he sat a little straighter.
"This book wouldn't have happened to be located at the Magic Box, would it?" he then asked and Xander turned his gaze into the Watcher's.
Swallowing slightly the young man then nodded.
"Yeah," he answered slowly.
"It wouldn't have happened to be bound in leather, would it?" Giled asked and Xander's eyes grew a little.
"Uh-huh," he grumbled and Giles drew a small breath.
"With a feather imbedded in the cover?" he asked and Xander didn't need to answer, his eyes disclosed it all and Giles got to his feet. "And you GAVE this stranger the bloody BOOK?!" he exclaimed and Xander got to his feet as well, after gently pushing Anya into a seated position.
"Well, otherwize something would've happened to Anya!" he stated, a helpless look on his face and Giles combed one hand through his hair, sighing.
"Well, what we're you thinking making such a deal with this demon in the first place?" he wondered and Xander looked from him to the others.
"Stop," Buffy suddenly said, rising and meeting Giles' gaze firmly. "He didn't know, Giles. And if it was necessary to save a life, then it was alright," she added, looking at Xander as she finished and he looked a tad hesitant, but grateful.
"I'm really sorry," he mumbled.
"No, I am," Giles stated and Xander looked up as there was a softer tone in the Watcher's voice. "I shouldn't have lost my temper like that, it really isn't your fault. I've been afraid of something like this happening, though...and now it has, and I wish I could have been there. To stop it," he then added and everybody looked at him wondering.
"What do you mean 'you've been afraid'?" Buffy was the one to ask and Giles met her gaze.
"That darker part of the prophecy," he answered silently. "It's beginning to be set in motion. That book... I should've thought of locking it in the safe, dammit!"
Sarah got to her feet, and put a hand calmingly on his arm. He looked at her and she smiled. He returned it, placing a hand on top of hers and squeezing it slightly.
"Sorry," he then said with an apologetic look at the others. "That diary must've been important for some reason..." he added, growing thoughtful. "Tomorrow we should start to research this sorcerer."
Xander turned to Buffy again.
"Buffy, I can't tell you how crappy I feel right now. If this threatens Katie even the slightest..." he said, but Buffy interrupted him midsentence, shaking her head a little.
"Don't beat yourself up over it," she stated gently. "We'll deal with it. It's okay," she added, and though he didn't look quite convinced he seemed to relax slightly before turning an anxious gaze into the vamp's still seated on the couch.
"You agree with her?" Xander asked. "Or do you wanna take a swing at me?"
Spike met his eyes with a serious expression before a small smirk grew on his lips.
"Nah, no swinging necessary. Wouldn't want my best man to wear a black eye to my wedding," he then stated and Xander smiled a little at that.
"So, then that's concluded. Wonderful!" Dawn said with a smile before gesturing to the TV. "Could we please watch the exclusive with Warren now? I wanna see what he has to say for himself."
Buffy, Xander and Giles sat down and everybody's eyes were on the screen as the introduction music started up.
"Creepy," Dawn grumbled and Buffy took her hand.
"I know," she then said, looking at the flashes of wanted criminals' snap shots and then the slowly emerging one of the master mind behind the Trio from Hell. "I know," she mumbled.
The Continuance
By Annie
10-27-2002
"Ms. Summers?"
Buffy looked up at the man who had spoken her name and then she nodded as she rose to her feet from the uncomfortable chair on which she had been seated for nearly half an hour. The man was dressed in a very pale blue shirt and black pants, in a holster on his hip he had a nine millimeter gun and there was also a set of hand cuffs which jingle-jangled as he walked ahead of her. It was the following morning and the Slayer was a visitor at the Sunnydale police station.
The police officer opened a door with a key-card and held it open so that she could step through it before he closed it, making sure it was locked before turning to her and gesturing for her towards a door a little further down the hall. She smiled her thank you and walked up to it, through the glass window in the top half of it she met the surprised gaze of Jonathan.
She pressed the handle down and pushed the door open; stepping inside and then proceeding up to the dark wooden table where the former Big-Bad-Trio member was seated, as the door silently slid shut. She stopped in front of him and he looked up at her with eyes growing and an expression of slight shame resting in them. Then he looked away, clearing his throat.
"I just came here to say thank you for what you did," she finally spoke and he looked up at her again, his gaze growing remorseful.
"Buffy, I'm so, so sorry for everything. I really wish I could take it back, all of it! It got outta hand, and Warren..." he trailed off as her eyes grew slightly harder. "Alright," he then sighed, "I'm not gonna make excuses."
"Good," she stated. "So, how are you?"
He smiled wearily.
"I'm okay," he then answered. "But I have this feeling that the Slayer doesn't come to the town jail just to check up on the bad guy," he added and she smiled a little back, shaking her head.
"You're right," she agreed. "I just wanted you to know that I really do appreciate what you did, and that I'm gonna talk with them. I'll even testify...if I can come up with some kinda explanation to why I'm involved with this in the first place. And there's always Willow and Xander, if nothing else..."
He smiled at that, nodding.
"You really don't have to, though," he said.
"I know," she replied. "But I think I want to."
"Thank you," he mumbled.
They were silent for a short while and then she said:
"Well then," and turned to walk up to the door again.
"Buffy," Jonathan said as she opened it, and she turned back to him with a quizzical gaze. "The amulets...The stone of Torah and the necklace of Karatka... Where are they?"
Buffy frowned slightly.
"I don't...know, exactly," she answered him.
"Find them," he said now. "And put them somewhere safe, or it's not over."
She swallowed at that and then she nodded before walking out through the door.
***
"Did you know the Trio goes to court today?" Xander asked Willow as she unlocked the door to the Summers home and the two of them walked inside.
"Yeah, I did know that," she then answered with a smile, closing the door and proceeding into the kitchen. "Buffy and I checked the police database and it seems like they've managed to scrape up a decent set of testemonies," she added, walking up to the fridge and opening it before removing the backpack she had been carying from her back and un-zipping it.
"Really?" Xander wondered as she began to unload the fresh bags of blood they had picked up at the butchers.
"Yep," she stated. "Remember the freeze-mojo they used to steal the diamond with?" He nodded. "Well, the guard they froze was thawed and he's more than happy to be put on the stand," she continued. "And there was two or three others. Amazing really. Well, I'm just happy if they can keep Buffy as far away from it as possible," she finished, putting the last bag in the fridge and shutting the door before turning to Xander who was smiling slightly. "What?" she asked and he shrugged.
"Nothing. It's just... Seems like we're really getting used to having Spike around, huh? Getting him blood, making sure everything's the way they should," he then mumbled and Willow smiled a little as well, then nodded.
"Yeah," she agreed. "But you have to admit that he's changed," she added and he met her gaze, nodding as well.
"Could anyone not? Did I tell you I'm gonna be his best man?" he then asked and Willow's eyes grew before they lit up and she smiled widely.
"That's really great of you," she said and he smiled as well.
"Yeah, well," he grumbled. "Underneath it all he's kinda alright...sometimes," he then added and Willow couldn't help but laugh. "What?" he cried indignantly and she just shook her head.
"Nothing. Just sounds like this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship," she answered and he huffed.
"Don't push it," he stated, but when she smiled he returned it. "He's gonna be like a frigging brother-in-law to me, how could I not give him the benifit of the doubt?" he then asked and she nodded, still smiling.
"You couldn't, and I love you for it," she then answered, stepping up to him and embracing him.
"Thanks, Wills," he mumbled, then paused before adding: "Don't tell him all that stuff, 'kay?"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"I won't," she promised.
"Hey, guys. What's going on?" Dawn asked as she entered the kitchen and the two pulled apart, shaking their heads at her still smiling and she smiled back. "Okay, private moment between best-friends-since-childhood, I get it," she added.
"The Trio goes to trial today," Willow said and Dawn nodded.
"Yup. I though we could make some popcorn and watch the nine o'clock news," she stated and the two others smiled wider.
"Sounds like a plan," Xander agreed, looking at his wrist watch and adding: "Lunch's up in ten minutes, I have to get to work. I'll see you later?"
The two ladies agreed to that and he left the room, grabbing an apple on the way out.
"When's Buffy getting back?" Willow asked Dawn, who had leaned against the breakfast table and reached for a magazine as the question was asked.
Now she looked up and thought for a moment before answering:
"Around two, I think."
"I really don't get why she felt like she wanted to see them," Willow sighed. "I guess they're lucky to be in jail and not in the hands of her," she added and Dawn smiled.
"Yep," she agreed, turning another page of the mag and stopping to read the headline of the article, her eyes growing slightly. "Wow..." she mumbled. "Have you seen this?"
Willow frowned slightly, eyes questioning before she moved around the table to stand beside the teen, looking down at what she was referring to and the Wicca's eyes grew as well.
The two pages before them was filled with printed text as well as a collection of pictures of the Trio members. And as Dawn turned the page they saw that the article went on to cover the following two as well, to then jump and end at page sixty-eight.
"This is a massive report on everything they've been up to!" Willow exclaimed after scimming through the text briefly. "What magazine is this?"
"Um..." Dawn mumbled, flipping the cover over to check. "National Enquirer. Wow, how did this story get in there?"
"After people read this those guys won't be able to show their faces on the streets, no matter what the verdict," Willow stated, still slightly shocked at the detailed information. "How did the reporter get a hold on this scoop so fast?"
The kitchen door opened and Buffy entered.
"Hey," she said, closing the door.
"Hey," Willow replied. "Look, you HAVE to see this," she then added, grabbing the magazine and walking up to her friend.
Buffy looked quizzical until Willow got the right page and opened the article up.
"Oh, I know," the Slayer then said with a small shrug, and then she smiled a little, Willow's as well as Dawn's eyes growing wondering.
"Are you saying what your voice sounds like your saying?" Willow asked and Buffy smiled just slightly wider. "You had something to do with it?" the Wicca added and now Buffy got a mischeivious look on her face before she nodded.
"What? How?" Dawn asked.
"Oh...I just needed a little bit of vengeance of my own, if you know what I mean," Buffy answered, cocking an eyebrow.
"Vengean-... Anya?!" Willow exclaimed, then she laughed. "You made a wish?"
"Yep," Buffy confirmed. "They put their icky surveilance cameras up tagging my ass all over the city and making my life a living hell, I'm just repaying them. And it won't physically hurt them so I just thought it might be the perfect sollution. Of course, this'll plaster their faces up for all to see in practically the entire world, but that's just a small perk," she then finished and Willow smiled.
"But...Jonathan kinda helped US," Dawn pointed out carefully and Buffy turned to her.
"Yeah, I put a clause in the deal. He'll be spared from the worst of it, and someday, in a FAR off future, he might actually be able to have some kind of normal life. But for now he's gonna be locked up with the two others... Actually that should be punishment enough," she said, smiling a little bitterly. "Andrew's still in some kinda state of shock, and Warren's ready for the loony bin. It's quite tragic, if you look at it like that," she mumbled and Dawn reached out and patted her on the arm.
Buffy smiled a warmer smile at her sister and then the phone rang.
Willow walked up to it and grabbed it.
"Hello?" she said, growing silent as she listened. "Okay... No, that's great. Uh-huh... Wonderful. I'll tell her. Thanks! Bye."
She hung up and turned to the questioning expressions of the two sisters.
"That was Andrea, who's sewing your wedding dress," Willow said and Buffy looked hopeful. "She said that the dress will be delivered on Monday, if you guys can get enough time in to do all the fitting that's left in less than two days."
Buffy smiled widely.
"Phew," she then said and Willow and Dawn laughed.
"What? Were you expecting something to screw up this union you're entering?" Willow asked sarcastically and Buffy grinned, then nodded.
"Yep. I'm telling you, if a warlock turns back time, gives us all amnesia and makes our souls change body with each other THAT wouldn't be as bad as I've anticipated," she stated and Dawn put an arm around her shoulders, comforting.
"Nothing like that'll happen," the younger then said assuringly. "I promise!"
"Thanks, Dawnie," Buffy smiled, putting an arm around her waist. "I've just become a firm believer in never take anything for granted, and so I'm just gonna be prepared for anything."
***
"What exactly are we looking for?" Spike asked as Buffy pulled out a whole drawer out of the desk in the crummy basement where the Trio's last hide- out still stood untouched - if you excluded the chalk marks and carefully applied dust used for fingerprint search which had been left behind as a small token from the SDPD.
Buffy turned the drawer upsidedown, emptying the contents onto the desk and then quickly going through it before she straightened her back and put her hand in one of the pockets of her jeans, bringing out a folded up peice of paper and handing it to him. He took it and unfolded it, looking at the two objects in the picture covering it.
"The talismans," he concluded and she nodded. "So, the legends are true..." he grumbled. "Which means..."
"...that the crazed demon queen and her darling demon king aren't in fact dead, only contained in their prisons again," she filled in for him. "So, we need to find them and put them somewhere VERY safe."
He smirked a little and then nodded, reaching her the picture, but she made a dismissive gesture and so he crumpled it up and threw it over his shoulder before getting to work. They cleared the space of the room fairly quickly and moving the couch they both looked up at each other with smiles spreading on their faces: a safe in the floor was revealed.
"How do we open the bloody thing?" Spike asked and Buffy went down on her knees, a wrinkle appearing between her eyebrows as she grew concentrated.
Then she reached out a hand and turned the handle. Pulling at the door it then opened easily and she smirked with satisfaction.
"Brilliant!" the vamp stated appreciatively and she smiled wider as she met his gaze.
"Why, thank you," she said. "Guess the Trio of S.W were a little too cocky in a variety of ways," she added wryly and Spike smirked at her.
Then they both leaned over the shadowy compartment of the safe, Buffy doing the honors and reaching down into it. Her fingers grasped something which felt a lot like a box and as she brought it up she concluded that was exactly what it was. Repeating the gesture she caught a hold of a second one. Grabbing one each they got to their feet.
"Where to?" he wondered.
"The museum," she answered and he nodded.
***
"Giles! Bring the popcorn!" Dawn yelled from the couch and the Watcher obliged her, grabbing the huge bowl with the cream white contents and taking the opportunity to get a handfull ahead of everyone else as he entered the living room.
They were all gathered in one spot for the first time since the party and they were all enjoying it, talking of the week that had past and how all the preparations were coming. Anya stating proudly that she had gotten a hold of a caterer and so the food part was taken care of, everybody patting her on the back if not literally then by throwing very appreciative verbal praises her way.
Giles sat the popcorn down in the middle of the small group where the coffee table usually stood, but which had now been removed so that everybody could have the propor view of the TV screen. Hands were immediately extended to grab a fistful and soon began the munching.
"These are good," Willow stated and Dawn nodded.
"I know, aren't they? I seriously think this is the best brand," she agreed and Willow nodded.
Tara smiled, leaning back and putting her head against Willow's shoulder.
Buffy and Spike were curled up on the couch, Buffy having his arms around her and listening contently to her friends talking. This was how she always wanted it to be like, and she made a vow to begin a struggle so that they could have it like this more often. Dawn was seated to Buffy's left, her eyes going from checking the screen - so that she could turn the sound up - to whomever was adressing her.
Sarah was seated by Spike's legs, resting her back against the part of couch beside them and Giles had sat down next to her; they were conversing silently and easily. Jake was talking with Hank, they seemed quite engulfed in whatever topic was on for the evening. Xander was leaning back on his arms with Anya seated between his legs, resting her back against his chest.
Finally, Willow and Tara were sitting closely together in front of Dawn, who had her legs up on the couch.
"Oh!" Dawn exclaimed, grabbing the remote which had been resting on her lap and hitting the volume plus button eagerly. "It's starting!"
A pretty, dark haired news anchor came into veiw and she smiled at the camera, bidding them good-evening. Everybody said a happy good-evening back and then they grew silent, listening as the woman began to speak.
"It was with help from outer sources that the Sunnydale police department could finally apprehend the elusive criminals raging the city with robberies and vandalism during these past six months. The three standing accused are men in their early twenties, a fact which baffled police comishioner and sheriff Thomas Copper. Bob was outside the courthouse earlier today as the trial against the trio commenced. Bob?"
"Yes, thank you, Lila. As you said: the young age of these three men is extraordinary when you think of what they have accomplished during their half year of mayham and confusion. Stealing not only a precious diamond, but also a priceless necklace from the Sunnydale Museum of Fine Arts and commiting fellonies ranking from buying stolen goods themselves, to what some say: murder..."
"They're going away for life," Dawn mumbled and Buffy nodded a little.
"Probably," she grumbled. "If they can get the witness' stories to stick. Warren is loosing it and so he might be locked up at some psyche ward somewhere... But Andrew and Jonathan are looking at heavy duty sentences. Although, the fact that Warren really was the mind behind it all should help them just a bit; and, of course, Jonathan's involvement in the bust..." She trailed off, playing with Spike's fingers with her own before sighing slightly. "I knew all of them... I guess that's what's bugging me. I can't understand how it could come to this," she grumbled.
"Well, that's what you get when you put a brain the size of a pea in someone's head and it decides to blow itself up to be big and important," Xander stated and she smiled slightly. "Seriously, Buff. Warren had huge, major delusions of grandure... His pea just finally bursted," he added and most of the females made a disgusted look at that comparison.
"Well, I must concur," Giles then said, nodding. "All must we stand for our actions, sooner or later," he then added and Buffy smiled wider.
"True," she then agreed.
"Buffy," Xander said slowly and she turned her gaze at him, questioning. "Confession time," he mumbled, looking slightly embarrased and a little nervous.
"What?" she wondered and he sighed, meeting Anya's eyes who had turned her head to look at him and then he answered:
"I did this...thing. I'm not sure if it was a good thing, only I know that I would've lost Ahn if I didn't do it," he grumbled and she raised her eyebrows.
"Go on," she urged, and he did.
"Well, when I was going to find her I went to this old little man, the sorcerer, and he helped me locate her in the Hellmouth. And he said that all he wanted was a favor, and that I wouldn't be able to refuse him once he came to me for it... Well, the other day he came, and what he wanted was a book which he said was his journal and so...I gave it to him," he stated quickly.
Giles blinked and then he sat a little straighter.
"This book wouldn't have happened to be located at the Magic Box, would it?" he then asked and Xander turned his gaze into the Watcher's.
Swallowing slightly the young man then nodded.
"Yeah," he answered slowly.
"It wouldn't have happened to be bound in leather, would it?" Giled asked and Xander's eyes grew a little.
"Uh-huh," he grumbled and Giles drew a small breath.
"With a feather imbedded in the cover?" he asked and Xander didn't need to answer, his eyes disclosed it all and Giles got to his feet. "And you GAVE this stranger the bloody BOOK?!" he exclaimed and Xander got to his feet as well, after gently pushing Anya into a seated position.
"Well, otherwize something would've happened to Anya!" he stated, a helpless look on his face and Giles combed one hand through his hair, sighing.
"Well, what we're you thinking making such a deal with this demon in the first place?" he wondered and Xander looked from him to the others.
"Stop," Buffy suddenly said, rising and meeting Giles' gaze firmly. "He didn't know, Giles. And if it was necessary to save a life, then it was alright," she added, looking at Xander as she finished and he looked a tad hesitant, but grateful.
"I'm really sorry," he mumbled.
"No, I am," Giles stated and Xander looked up as there was a softer tone in the Watcher's voice. "I shouldn't have lost my temper like that, it really isn't your fault. I've been afraid of something like this happening, though...and now it has, and I wish I could have been there. To stop it," he then added and everybody looked at him wondering.
"What do you mean 'you've been afraid'?" Buffy was the one to ask and Giles met her gaze.
"That darker part of the prophecy," he answered silently. "It's beginning to be set in motion. That book... I should've thought of locking it in the safe, dammit!"
Sarah got to her feet, and put a hand calmingly on his arm. He looked at her and she smiled. He returned it, placing a hand on top of hers and squeezing it slightly.
"Sorry," he then said with an apologetic look at the others. "That diary must've been important for some reason..." he added, growing thoughtful. "Tomorrow we should start to research this sorcerer."
Xander turned to Buffy again.
"Buffy, I can't tell you how crappy I feel right now. If this threatens Katie even the slightest..." he said, but Buffy interrupted him midsentence, shaking her head a little.
"Don't beat yourself up over it," she stated gently. "We'll deal with it. It's okay," she added, and though he didn't look quite convinced he seemed to relax slightly before turning an anxious gaze into the vamp's still seated on the couch.
"You agree with her?" Xander asked. "Or do you wanna take a swing at me?"
Spike met his eyes with a serious expression before a small smirk grew on his lips.
"Nah, no swinging necessary. Wouldn't want my best man to wear a black eye to my wedding," he then stated and Xander smiled a little at that.
"So, then that's concluded. Wonderful!" Dawn said with a smile before gesturing to the TV. "Could we please watch the exclusive with Warren now? I wanna see what he has to say for himself."
Buffy, Xander and Giles sat down and everybody's eyes were on the screen as the introduction music started up.
"Creepy," Dawn grumbled and Buffy took her hand.
"I know," she then said, looking at the flashes of wanted criminals' snap shots and then the slowly emerging one of the master mind behind the Trio from Hell. "I know," she mumbled.