Forbidden Pleasures
Author's Note: Let me have a moment to introduce myself. I'm Jennifer, known as Faith to my friends as I live life easy and I party hearty. When I'm doing neither of those I'm either here on-line or in front of the screen watching the Buffster in action whooping un-dead ass *EG* ... This is the third episode (and part two following Inner Fears) in season one and there's stuff that was covered in "The Erlenmeyer Flask", so if you haven't read that yet, I suggest that is a good place to start as things might be a little muddled ;-) This story is based on an idea by 'Doc, that's why he's also credited *S*
Feedback: Yes please ... the more, the merrier
Spoilers: None
Distribution: Email me and it's all yours *S* .....
Character Pairings: Willow/Oz, Xander/Anya, Buffy/Faith
Anything Else: Thoughts are written in * *. Oh, and from now on Patrick Giles is known as either Nosferatu or the First One, mmm-kay.
Starring (in alphabetical order): Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles Emma Caulfield as Anya Emmerson Eliza Dushku as Faith Adams Elizabeth Anne Allen as Amy Madison Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Anne Summers Seth Green as Daniel 'Oz' Osbourne
Guest Starring: Alexis Denisof as Wesley Whyndam-Price David Boreanaz as Angel
And Introducing: Edward Furlong as Patrick Giles/Nosferatu
... Previously On Buffy The Vampire Slayer ...
"What once shall be, what is shall be no more. The season is approaching, and you need to be conditioned for the time."
"It can't be," Giles softly spoke, "you can't be a --- vampire!"
"Not any vampire," Patrick replied, "he is playing host to a greater destiny, one far greater than any cross-breed can envisage. I am the First One," he finished with a low laugh. He took a step forward towards the group when Anya shoved a cross which had the end sharpened into a point, in his face stopping his advance.
"I see," the First One contemplated. "Any last words?" he asked both Anya and Xander with a smile
"Last words?" Anya repeated.
"Is that all?" the First One simply replied as he grabbed her by the head and twisted it violently, the sickening sound of her neck breaking resonating throughout the cemetery.
"ANYA!!!" Xander screamed. Time seemed to slow at that point for everyone as they watched helplessly as Anya's body slowly fell to the ground and the First One disappearing into the murky darkness. Xander scrambled to his feet and dived across to the lifeless body of his former love where he cradled her gently in his arms. "Anya," Xander spoke, his voice incredibly low as tears rolled down his cheeks.
All the rest of the gang could do was watch, unable to do or say anything at that point which could possibly comfort.
* * * * * * * * * * ... And Now, The Continuation ... * * * * * * * * * *
It had only been seconds since the sudden murder of Anya when the heavens opened and a fine mist of rain began falling over Sunnydale. Everyone slowly walked over to where Xander was cradling the body of the young woman he loved, some of them were okay but a lot of them including the Slayers had nasty injuries, but all were exhausted. In the distance there were the faint sounds of sirens approaching.
Buffy slowly knelt down next to Xander. "Xand," Buffy spoke gently to her friend.
"She's dead Buffy," Xander whispered, his tears mixing with the falling rain that gently hit his face.
"Xander, we have to go," Buffy said resting a hand on his arm, "the cops will be here in a minute."
"I can't ... I don't want to leave her Buff,"
"I promise she will be taken care off, but we need to get you back so we can look at those bruises of yours."
Xander didn't want to leave her side, but he knew in his heart that Buffy was right, Buffy was always right. Xander gently brushed a few locks of hair from her face and gently kissed her forehead. "Good night, Anya." Xander whispered, then gently laid her body on the grass.
"Come on Xand, let's get you home." Buffy said standing one side of him while Faith stood on the opposite side. Then they left in silence, back to Giles' apartment.
As they walked away, nobody saw or sensed as a figure walked around from behind a large tree, their features shrouded under a hooded jacket. "Damn, the prophecy has been forfilled." it whispered before shrinking back into the darkness.
Part 2 (of 2)
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, 10:35pm * * * * * * * * * *
"Xander is finally asleep," Willow said as she slowly walked down stairs into the lounge area. Everyone had returned to Giles' in sombre silence.
"I wish I could have done something rather more constructive than just rushing in like that," Wesley reprimanded himself as Cordelia attended to his cuts.
"It wasn't your fault," the other former Watcher spoke looking over at Wesley.
"What do we do now?" Buffy slowly asked looking around at her friends who all had a more than generous covering of bandages and plasters.
"I don't -- I don't know Buffy," Giles replied hesitantly.
"He's stronger than all of us," Faith commented taking her glance from Buffy and looking around, her gaze falling on Willow and Amy. "What about magic's?"
"We tried that before he squared off with you," Amy said with a sad tone.
"We wasn't powerful enough," Willow finished with the same tone.
"Is there any way we could reverse the incantation?" Oz asked.
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale Hospital, 12:01am * * * * * * * * * *
Hospitals weren't the most fun places to be at the best of times, and the Mortuary must be the worst job to hold. It was the start of the night shift, more commonly known as the 'graveyard' shift. On duty tonight were two competent looking men, both dressed completely in white, they were the attendants that looked after the bodies. One of them walked over to a trolley, on which laid a body shrouded in a white sheet, the attendant looked at his clipboard he was holding and started filling in the details.
"Hmm, Jane Doe, on the toe." the young man said to himself looking at the toe-tag. *hmm, what time is it* he thought to himself as he looked up at the clock, "Twelve-oh-one. Hey Chris it's Saturday ... Par-tay night!"
"Excellent," the other attendant replied walking out of the office where a small black and white television was showing a Frankenstein movie. He walked over to the attendant who was filling the rest of the details and helped him push the trolley into one of several large freezer units.
"So Chris," he asked, "who are you going as to the fancy dress party?"
"Wild Bill Hicup!" Chris replied looking at the Jane Doe.
"Cool," and after a moment, "Who's he?" Chris gave him a brief sideways glance before walking back to the movie that had started leaving the other attendant where he was. "Oh well. Sweet dreams," he spoke to noone in particular as he pulled his head out of the unit and closed the door behind him. All was quiet except for the low humming of the ventilation which circulated the gas around the unit, then, as if some small miracle was taking the sheet began moving, and slowly, quietly a figure emerged from underneath the trolley where they had been laying since the arrival of the Jane Doe.
The figure slowly and delicately positioned themselves at one end of the body and slowly lifted the sheet back to reveal the head and neck of the deceased person. The figure slowly moved it's hands and positioned them either side of the dead woman's face and began whispering in Latin, their eyes changing colour from a light blue to a brilliant amber which pierced the darkness.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Well, the joint's jumping," Xander said looking around at the throng of people that were in the Bronze. The scooby's were all sitting at their usual place, minus Anya.
"Yeah..." Buffy said.
"...Very lively." Faith finished.
"This may be a little silly, but how did we get here?" Oz asked looking around, "the last thing I remembered, I was going asleep at my place."
"I asked you here," a voice spoke from nearby. A young man approached the table. He was short, about five foot five with long-ish dark hair, and he spoke with a pronounced accent. "May I," he said point to a vacant chair.
Buffy, pulled the chair out and the young man slowly sat on it, all eyes gazing on him, he reminded them of someone. "Why?" Buffy asked.
"Two things," the man simply said. "First I come and offer penance for what has transpired. I grieve for your loss Xander, though I doubt it gives you little comfort in hearing, but I had no action in that." he finished lowering his head.
"You're not him are you?" Willow asked looking at the young man. "I mean you are, but you are his consciousness."
"Patrick?" Xander spoke in a low voice, catching on to what Willow was saying.
"Yes. While the demon that controls me rests, I have found that he loosens his control over me slightly. Enough for me to project myself into your dreams."
"Did you know about .. You know?" Buffy asked looking at the young Patrick.
"I was completely unaware of what had happened. I assure you all though, I mean no harm. It is the demon within me that craves destruction and death."
"I really want to believe," Faith said looking over, "but do you know what is going to happen? Is there any weaknesses?"
"He is aware of my powers within me and suspects that I may be capable of this, so he shields his thoughts from me. However, I shall endeavour to find anything and share that information with you all."
"What would he do to you if he found out about this?" Willow asked.
Patrick took a deep breath and looked at her. "If he found out, then he'd probably destroy what's left of my mind. At the moment he needs me as he is unfamiliar with certain dialects used for most incantations."
"You said there were two things?" Oz asked.
"Yes, I sense a disruption. Two will live and one will die, before this night is through."
"Yoda much." Xander spoke flashing a grin.
"I'm sorry, my minds a little jumbled."
"This is great and all," Faith said, "but how do we know this isn't some kind of trick?"
"I cannot prove it Faith," Patrick slowly spoke giving a side long glance to Faith.
"He's telling the truth," Amy said from opposite the table. "I sense no evil in his mind. I think we can trust him."
"Patrick," Willow said, "can you stop your demon-self from inside?"
"No, he uses my power against me. I have been trying but it's not enough. I think, if there is a chance, then he must be weakened before I can attempt it, which means you must fight him. I must go, the demon is awaking. God speed, to you all..."
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale Hospital, 6:21am * * * * * * * * * *
Chris, the attendant was sitting in front of the little television watching what must have been a Frankenstein movie marathon. He slowly reached a hand over and took a fist full of popcorn from a large bowl and started eating it, his eyes glued to the action on the screen. Outside the office, all was quiet, then his attention was distracted by a low thumping noise.
"Hello?" Chris called, not wanting to move from his chair. There was a few moments of silence followed by a few more banging noises. Chris sighed deeply as he ate the last of the popcorn in his hand and got up out of his seat. "Andy, is that you?" Chris called out poking his head out of the office. He looked around trying to find out where the noise was coming from. "Did you lock yourself in one of the fridges?" he called as he walked over to the walk-in units. He stopped in front of a unit which had a number three labelled on it and looked around. "Andy?" The banging noise stopped, maybe it was all in Chris' head, maybe he was imagining it. Suddenly there came a booming thud as the door to unit three was knocked off it's hinges and hit the floor with a resounding thud.
"Oh God." Chris called wide eyed at the sight in front of him.
In the doorway stood a young woman wrapped in nothing but a white sheet. "Where are my clothes?" she asked with a casual tone.
Chris stood in total silence, unable to understand what was happening. "Oh God!" he said again before he simply passed out, hitting the floor with a thud.
The woman took a couple of steps forward and looked around taking in the unfamiliar scenery. "And where is my Xander?" She sighed and carried on walking through a near set of double doors.
* * * * * * * * * * Summer's Residence, April 29th 9:30am * * * * * * * * * *
Faith was the first to awaken, she had remembered the dream and was trying to figure out the meaning of what was spoken. Faith turned her head slightly and saw Buffy laying next to her side, her back towards her. "Morning, B," Faith said quietly, there was no reply. Faith could have stayed there a little while longer but she felt a necessity to go to the bathroom, so she quietly slipped out of the bed. *I'll wake her up when I get back* Faith thought to herself with a sly grin.
* * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile in another apartment, Willow was sleeping comfortably, snuggled up to Oz.
"Morning," the red head spoke softly yawning.
"Weird dream?" Oz asked kissing her softly on her cheek.
"Definitely," Willow said turning over to face Oz.
"What do you think he meant, 'two will live and one will die'?" Oz said looking into her eyes.
"I don't know, maybe Giles can shed some light." Willow said running her fingers through her boyfriend's hair. "How do you think he'll take the news that we can communicate with Patrick?"
"I don't know," Oz simply replied. "But I think it would be useful if we could have an 'inside man' on the job, so to speak."
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale Hospital * * * * * * * * * *
Chris the attendant stood in front of the open unit, a few medical staff looking around examining the unit.
"Okay." a woman said looking at Chris. She was tall, with a slim build and a short, styled crop of blonde hair. "You're saying that the body in this unit got up and walked out, is that what you're saying?"
"A-ha." Chris simply replied.
"Maybe you just saw the people who stole her body." the woman said as she continued to look at Chris.
"She had a gd-tag on her toe and was wearing the white sheet."
"Chris, somehow I don't think the second coming would happen here in Sunnydale. You're tired, go home."
"Okay," Chris replied turning to leave.
"Oh and Chris," the woman said placing a hand on his shoulder, "stop by the dispensary and pick up some more mind altering drugs."
"Sure." Chris said and walked out.
"I should have stayed in San Francisco." the woman said shaking her head.
"Doctor Holloway," spoke one of the attendants.
"Yes," the woman said turning around.
* * * * * * * * * * Summer's Residence * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey B, you getting up anytime today?" Faith said as she walked back into their bedroom. Joyce was still away at an auction. "Damn B, didn't think I tired you out that much last night." Faith said grinning broadly as she sat on her bed next to Buffy. "Fine, okay, be silent on me B." Faith said getting up again. "I'll just make us some coffee, then I'll make you get up." she finished with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, 9:25am * * * * * * * * * *
"I'm sorry Mr. Giles, I didn't mean to awake you so early," Amy said. She felt a little guilty as she thought she had woken up Giles so early, so as kind of a good will gesture, she offered to make him a cup of tea.
"It's okay Amy, believe me I was already awake," Giles said as he accepted the cup from Amy, "thank you. Now please tell me what happened in this dream you all shared."
* * * * * * * * * *
A few minutes later as Amy finished off telling Giles what had happened, they heard muffled footsteps walk down the stairs, looking around they both saw Xander, who Giles had put in his spare room.
"Good morning Xander," Giles said standing up, "Tea?"
"Please," Xander said, "and thank you for letting me rest in your spare room."
"That's quite alright Xander." Giles said.
"How are you feeling Xander?" Amy asked looking up at him, "No, silly question I guess."
"It's okay, really." Xander said sitting next to Amy. "I know this is weird but with that dream and all, it kinda made the pain less if you know what I mean."
* * * * * * * * * *
Faith was down in the kitchen with two mugs of coffee, when the phone started ringing. She put the mugs down and answered the phone. "Hey Red, how's it going?"
"Pretty good. Did you have that dream as well?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, I'm guessing we all had it. Are you going to Giles?"
"Yeah soon. Is Buffy awake yet?"
"Nah, I'm just gonna go back now and wake her up." Faith replied with a grin on her face.
"Okay, see you at Giles then," Willow said and hung up.
"B!" Faith called out, "Come on, it's time to motivate." She picked up the mugs and walked upstairs back to their bedroom. "Damn B, what's with you today?" Faith said walking over to the bed and placing the mugs on the bedside table. *Well talking won't work, maybe I can shake her awake* Faith thought to herself.
"Come on B, wakey wakey." Faith said lightly shaking her shoulder. "B?". No answer. "Buffy?" Faith spoke quietly.
Faith pulled Buffy over onto her back and looked at her face, she looked so beautiful and peaceful, but cold to touch. Faith wasn't sure what was happening here. "Buffy?" she whispered again placing her hand on Buffy's pulse point, no pulse. "Please?" her voice was now shrill and tears were welling up inside her. Faith placed both her hands on her shoulders and shook her waking her.
"Buffy!" Faith spoke in a loud voice. "Buffy!" she said in a louder voice, tears now rolling freely down her cheeks.
"BUFFY!!!!!!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"This is a most unusual state of events," Giles said. Willow and Oz had joined Amy and Xander who were looking through a couple of books for some kind of prophecy that was connected with the First One.
"Well, at least we know we got someone who might be able to help us," Xander said looking over to Giles.
"And," Willow added, "It just might be possible to find some sort of incantation to reverse what has happened to Patrick."
There was a knock on the door and Xander decided to walk over and open it.
"Two will live and one will die," Giles said repeating the words. "Does that mean three will die, and two will be brought back as vampires?"
Xander opened the door, and then a little hesitantly looked back towards Giles, Willow, Oz and Amy. "Oh, I think it's not gonna be as easy as that." Xander opened the door fully and Giles, Willow, Oz and Amy looked out to the person standing outside.
"My God!" Willow spoke wide eyed.
"Angel!" Giles gasped looking at the figure in the doorway.
"Oh, this is so much stranger than you realise." Angel stated and stepped to one side revealing a slightly shorter blonde woman.
"Xander where did you go, last thing I remember I was in the cemetery. Then the next thing I knew I was in this big fridge with no clothes, I had to take this, this," she hesitated looking at her clothing, "this, fancy dress costume."
"Anya," Xander simply said in complete bewilderment.
"Two will live," Oz said looking at Angel and Anya.
"One will die," Giles finished slowly.
"Faith?" Amy spoke.
"No," Willow said, "I spoke to her before I came here."
There was a short pause, Angel and Amy's looked to Willow, then Xander, Giles, Oz and Amy trying to piece together what was happening.
"Buffy!" Giles blurted out suddenly. "We've got to go!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Faith." Giles called as he knocked on Buffy's front door.
"Why do you suppose Patrick did this?" Willow mused.
"Probably to keep us busy enough so he can do what he needs to," Giles replied knocking on the door again.
"Up here!" they heard Faith yell from inside the house. With that Giles opened the door and they quickly dashed upstairs towards their bedroom.
"Faith are you alright?" Giles asked as they entered into the room. They looked down to the floor where Faith sat with her knees under her chin and her arms wrapped around her legs.
"It's Buffy," Faith said looking up at Giles, her face blotched with red streaks where she had been crying.
"Faith," Buffy groaned softly from the bed.
"B?" Faith looked over to the bed with surprise in her voice.
"Xander quickly close those curtains," Giles said pointing to the window.
"Why? What's wrong with her?" Faith asked as she cast a glance back towards the gang.
Giles walked over to Buffy bed and sat on the end, "Well the other's have told me about the dream you all shared and ..."
"Anya." Faith said in shock when she realised she was standing there alive.
"That's me," Anya replied, "back from the dead. But don't ask me how as I have no idea."
"Two will live, well if Anya was one, who was ..." she trailed off as she took a closer look at Angel. She took a couple of steps forward and without thinking placed a couple of her fingers on his pulse point. "Wait, if you're human then Buffy is a ..."
"Vampire?" Buffy softly spoke from her bed. Faith walked over to the bed and sat by her side. "How did this happen?"
"I, errr, I don't really know." Giles said, "I'm afraid it's back to the books if we want answers."
Hearing that Buffy sighed and closed her eyes, *of all the things that could have happened* she thought to herself *I had to be turned into a Vampire*. Buffy opened her eyes again and opened her mouth to speak, but instead of words she gave a low Vamp growl.
"What's wrong B?" Faith asked running her fingers through her hair.
"I'm just a little hungry," Buffy replied.
"I .. errrr, heh," Xander said nervously, "I hope that's hungry for food that's, err, like something that isn't blood."
"It's okay," Angel said from the foot of the bed, "I know it might sound a little grotesque but if she craves it enough I brought a small supply from L.A. that she can feed from."
"Thanks Angel," Buffy said, "but I'd rather try to avoid it if I can. If I change my mind, you'll be the first to know though."
"Well," Giles said quickly in an attempt to rid himself of the rather vivid thought that had just entered his head. "If it's alright with you Buffy we'd better get back to my apartment and start the research."
"Okay," Buffy said looking around the room at the rest of the gang. "Could you guys give us a moment of privacy please?"
"Oh, of course. We'll be downstairs when you are ready," Giles said before turning around and walking out of their room with the rest of the group in tow.
"Faith," Buffy said when they were alone. "You know those thoughts you have that you shouldn't?"
"Err, no, not really," Faith replied puzzled.
"Well I was thinking, what if we can't change, you know me and Angel back to normal. Will you still love me even though I'm a horrid Vampire?"
"B, don't even think that," Faith said as she laid next to her girlfriend on their bed. "Oh, now I understand what you meant." Faith rolled on her side as Buffy did the same so they were face to face. "Look Buffy, I won't say that I know what has happened, I won't even say that we'd definitely be able to change it. I'm sure we can though, 'cause I don't think the rest of the gang will stop researching, and I know you'll have to drag me from Giles' place to get me to stop researching this," Faith said with a small smile. "But I know that whatever happens, I will still be here for you and I will always love you."
"Never leave me?" Buffy spoke as she softly stroked Faith's cheek.
"Never ever," Faith said smiling as she moved her head forward and kissed Buffy softly on her lips. "And remember, next time you bring up the whole dating a Vamp thing, I'll have to remind you about dating Angel for what, three years?"
"Oh yeah," Buffy said grinning slightly, "should have remembered that." once again finishing the sentence with another growl.
"I'm guessing you're hungry," Faith said looking at her lover in the eyes.
"Kinda," Buffy said.
"Tell you what B, I'll give the breakfast order to Angel while you get dressed, okay." Faith gave Buffy a chased kiss before slipping out of bed and over to the bedroom door.
"Hey Honey," Buffy called as get started getting out of the bed, "can I wear your leather pants?"
Faith turned back and looked at Buffy with her mouth open. "I don't believe you B. All this time I've been trying to get you in leather pants ... Sure, but if you get blood on them ..." Faith trailed off flashing a grin at Buffy.
* * * * * * * * * *
In an abandoned warehouse Nosferatu sat quietly, he was waiting for someone, more importantly he was waiting for something. Everything was going as he planned, the diversions he was throwing at the Slayers to put them off long enough for him complete his preparations for the great night when the Earth will be plunged into perpetual darkness and demons will once again walk the land. What he didn't plan on however, was the power the body's previous owner at it tried to regain control of it's body once more. He could feel him attacking in his mind, using all his mental powers to break out of his confinement and when Nosferatu slept he sometimes saw him there in his dreams, relentless in his attempts. After all the planning, after all the work, the First One was not going to be thwarted by the consciousness of a little boy.
"Sire," a voice spoke breaking the thoughts of the First One.
"Speak," he said looking up at the vampire.
"I bring the manuscript that you asked for," he said as he handed the First One what seemed to be nothing more than about two dozen loose pages. The First One looked at the pages and studied them briefly.
"What about the other segments?" The First One asked looking back at the Vamp.
"The second segment was where you said it was Sire, it will be with us before tomorrow morning. But we are at a loss of where to look for the final piece."
"Never fear, by the time the second segment of the manuscripts is in my grasp we may know more. But whatever happens, I must have all three parts if the K'os Ta'Mogan is to take place."
"I understand sire," the Vampire replied.
"Good. Now leave."
* * * * * * * * * *
"So, what has happened here?" Oz asked as he sat in Giles' apartment surrounded by a small pile of books.
Giles looked up from his books for a moment to clean his glasses. "Well," he said looking over to Oz, "It's like, Buffy is Buffy and Angel is Angel but in essence their souls have been swapped over. Angel has Buffy's soul, and for lack of a better word her life force, and Buffy -- " He trailed off as he saw Buffy return from the kitchen area with Giles' favourite "Kiss the Librarian" mug
"I'm just gonna sit over here," Buffy said a little quietly walking over to the dining table away from the rest of the gang.
"It's okay Buffy," Willow said trying light-hearted humour, "we don't smell."
"No," Buffy said quickly, "it's just that I'm drinking ---" she stopped and looked down at the mug.
"So, are we looking for one of those orb thingies ... you know like the one we used to give Angel his soul back?" Xander asked quickly in an attempt to avoid the mental imagery of the contents of the mug.
"Well," Giles replied, "we certainly do need an orb however the one used in Angels' case gave him a soul. We already have the souls, we just need to, err swap them back so to speak." Giles looked over to the door as there was a knock. Seeing as all the gang was there he wasn't sure who it was so he stood up and walked over. "However," he continued talking, "I'm not exactly which orb will do the trick."
"So we're still at square one?" Buffy asked looking at Giles. "Urgh, I really hate this stuff," she finished as an afterthought.
Giles opened the door a little carefully and looked at who was knocking. Outside stood a tall female with long flowing blonde hair and bright sparking blue eyes.
"Rupert Giles?" the woman asked.
"Yes," Giles spoke, "how can I help you?"
"Well, it's me who might be able to help you actually. One of your friends contacted me over e-mail yesterday, I'm Jennifer Daniels."
"Please, please come in," Giles said opening the door a little wider allowing the woman to come in. She entered the apartment and Giles closed the door behind her.
"Thank you." Jennifer said looking at Giles, then looking around at the rest of the group until her gaze fell upon Willow. "Was you the one who sent the e-mail?"
"Actually," Willow replied, "it was."
"Thanks for doing that." Jennifer said with a small smile. "I'm not sure if this will help -- yet." she continued looking through her shoulder bag. "But Patrick studied different kind of demons, especially one called the First One."
"Yeah, we kinda met him already," Faith said for the first time with a little sadness in her voice.
"I was kind of studying his specialities," Jennifer continued as Giles approached her with a cup and placed it on the coffee table in front of Jennifer. "Oh thank you Mr. Giles. Anyway, I saw Patrick before he left to come here and he was acting kinda, I dunno, not himself. He asked me to guard this for me." With that she pulled her hand out of her bag and placed what looked like a small red crystal orb on the coffee table.
"Good Lord," Giles said looking at the orb in astonishment. "Is that what I think it is? I thought they were all destroyed?"
"What is it?" Angel asked, also looking at the orb.
"May I?" Giles said pointing to the orb.
"Please," Jennifer said handing it to Giles. "It's called the Orb of Ha'beron. It's main function is to act as a sort of mystical storage area when transferring souls between two people."
"Freaky timing." Buffy said walking over to Giles who was studying the orb.
"So what else do we need beside this orb?" Amy asked looking everywhere except at Jennifer.
"Well, if I am correct we need a trans-migration spell," Giles said.
"Oh, I think we got one of those," Willow said excitedly looking through a nearby stack of books.
"I also come to give you this," Jennifer continued as she reached back into her bag and pulled out a compact disc. She took a brief look at it before also handing it to Giles.
"May I ask what is on it?" Giles asked looking at the disc.
"Patrick wrote a lot, personal stuff, reference material. I'm really not sure if it will help but there might be something on there that could be relevant."
"You said that you studied the First One," Amy said finally gazing at Jennifer, "you know what has happened to Patrick?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Is there anything we can do to, you know, reverse the action?"
Everyone looked at Jennifer in anticipation, all wanting to hear the same answer. "Well," she finally said a little slowly. "You got to understand this has never been done, so I'm afraid -- no."
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, 1:30pm * * * * * * * * * *
Everyone was still in research mode, Jennifer had decided that she couldn't really contribute much to the group so she decided to leave, and Amy wanted to go out for a stroll around Sunnydale. There wasn't really much for Buffy to do and she never really thought of herself much as a research person so he laid quietly on Giles' couch, her head resting across Faith.
"How's Buffy?" Willow asked softly looking up from the book she was reading.
"She's sleeping," Faith replied looking down at her girlfriend and softly running her fingers through her hair. "Any luck finding the spell?"
"I know there is one here somewhere," Willow said looking at the stack of books. "We'll change them back Faith, everything's gonna be alright."
Faith looked down at the sleeping slayer, laying there so calm and peaceful it made her appreciate how much she really loved Buffy, no matter what she looked like. "I wish everything could be alright," Faith spoke softly. "I mean with Pat. You know, I'm not really sure that I could -- you know --"
"Yeah," Willow agreed, "I doubt if Giles could do it either Faith. He knows it's not Pat doing all of this, it's the demon within him doing all this evil. I wish there was a spell or something. Hey, did you notice Amy when that woman was here." Willow said changing the subject.
"Yeah, is it me or was she -- a little jealous like?"
"I think she thought she may have had some kind of competition, seeing they were both friends and all."
* * * * * * * * * *
It was a quiet Sunnydale day as Buffy sat in the park watching the kids play on the carousel.
"Hmm, it's safe to conclude that I am asleep," Buffy said to herself. "Either that or I have really heavy sun block on." From where she was sitting, Buffy saw a familiar person sitting on one of the swings singing to himself.
"Uno, Due...Thanos venga per te. Tre, quattro... Dovete chiudre le porte." (Author's Notes: Rough translation "One, Two... Freddy's coming for you. Three, Four... better lock your door.")
"You know," Buffy said as she walked over to the swings, "they actually made those movies in English, you didn't have to go to the bother of learning another language to understand what was being said."
"How did you know what I was saying?" the person asked back.
"Lucky guess," Buffy replied sitting down on the other swing. "How are you holding up Patrick?" Buffy asked looking across.
"Annoying," Patrick said with a simple smile. "Besides reciting movie lines in foreign languages, I've also recited the entire Abba back catalog in an attempt to drive him out of my mind through sheer insanity.." he finished with a smile.
"Any luck?" Buffy asked grinning.
"No, but it finally made him fall asleep, which was also good."
"She came today --" Buffy began after a moment of silence.
"Wait," Patrick said holding his hand up towards Buffy, "please don't tell. The more I know, the more 'he' knows. But I may have a little something for you."
"Really," Buffy said perking up slightly.
"There's a manuscript The First One is after, he needs it to perform the incantation. By tonight, he'll have two out of the three parts, the other part is somewhere -- hidden."
"Where is this other part?" Buffy asked hopefully.
"I can't tell you -- I don't know. Ask Giles about it, he'll know. Once you have it though it will be in the bag." he finished raising his eyebrows as if to emphasise something.
"Okay," Buffy said, not really sure what he was saying.
"I have to go," Patrick said turning his head and staring into the distance, "You have to go. Nove, dieci...non dormirai piu --"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Hey B," Faith spoke smiling down at Buffy as she woke up. "Thought you were gonna sleep the whole day away you know."
"You were here the whole time?" Buffy asked looking up at Faith with a little yawn.
"Yeah, the whole time B," Faith replied before leaning down and kissing her on her forehead.
"Hello Buffy," Giles said walking over to her and Faith, "how are you after your little sleep?"
"Better," Buffy replied looking at Giles.
"Oh, here," he said putting a mug in front of her on the coffee table. "I thought you -- you know, might be, err, hungry."
"Thank you Giles," she said taking the mug and looked at the contents. "Hey Angel, how can you drink this stuff, it has no taste."
"It's an acquired taste Buffy," Angel replied with a smile.
"Yeah don't I --" Buffy trailed off and looked at Angel sitting opposite. "Hey, is that double-double chocolate chip ice cream ice cream you're eating there?"
"I, I was curious as to the taste," Angel replied in self-defence.
"Does that include the Twinkies and the Donuts big man," Faith added with a sly grin.
"Giles, can I ask you something?" Buffy asked.
"Oh course Buffy, you know." Giles replied sitting on his couch.
"While I was asleep I had another dream with --"
"Patrick?" Giles guessed.
"Yeah. He told me that Nosferatu was gathering a manuscript. That he had two of the three parts and I think it's needed for the K'os Ta'Mogan he has to do."
"Hmm," Giles mused, "I'm not aware of a manuscript of the top of my head. Did Patrick give any clues as to what it is or where the final part is?"
"No," Buffy replied. "All he said was that once we have it, it will be in the bag."
"In the bag," Faith repeated to herself.
"Maybe something he brought with him from England?" Willow suggested standing behind Giles.
"Possibly," Giles said, "I'll go and check through his belongings." Giles stood up and walked up to the spare room Patrick was staying in.
"Hey Willow, where's Oz?" Buffy asked.
"Oh, he's over at the Bronze setting up for tonight's gig." Willow replied.
"You okay down there B?" Faith asked softly brushing a few stray strands away from her face.
"This still feels, I dunno, a little strange." Buffy replied looking up at her girlfriend, "You know Buffy the 'Vampire' Vampire slayer." she finished with a smile.
"Hey, they could make that into a television series," Xander said as if from nowhere, "I'd watch it."
"Hey Xand," Buffy said with a smile, "How's Anya?"
"She's okay. Still can't believe what happened to her,"
"Tell me about it," Faith said looking at Xander, "Dying and then mysteriously coming back to life."
"Hey, I just noticed something," Buffy said looking around the room, "I thought Wesley and Cordelia came with you Angel. Where are they?"
"I sent them back to L.A. to look over the office," Angel replied.
"You know, my nephew never ceases to amaze me," Giles spoke as he walked down the stairs. The gang looked over to Giles who was carrying some sort of wooden box that had to metal hinges on one edge. "I found this among his belongings that be brought from England."
"What is it?" Angel asked trying to figure out what Giles was holding.
"The manuscript that Patrick told Buffy about," Giles replied sitting next to Willow on the couch. "I can't imagine where it came from or how old it is." He opened the wooden lid and pulled out the contents. He placed on the table a handful of written loose pages.
"So the fate of the world rests in these six pages," Xander said looking at the manuscript. "Wow."
"Can you understand it Giles?" Willow asked looking also looking at the pages.
"A little," Giles replied, "Mainly relates to black magic's. Spells which were thought lost -- Oh, hello." Giles turned to the last page and looked at the bottom. "I think there are pages missing here."
"What makes you say that?" Faith asked looking at Giles.
"This incantation here," he said pointing at the last page, "It finishes part way."
"But could that just continue on another part?" Buffy asked.
"I don't think so," Giles replied opening the box up again. "Oh, what's this?" Giles opened the lid fully where a piece of paper was taped on the inside of the box.
"What is it Giles?" Willow asked.
"To be honest I haven't got a clue," Giles answered. He looked up and his gaze fell on the compact disc that was given to him earlier. "Maybe you can search through that disc to see if there is anything on it."
"I still gotta search through these four books for the incantation but I'll look through it after," Willow said picking up one of the books.
"Hey, I know a little about computers, maybe I can look for you," Xander offered.
"Okay Xander if you wish," Giles said handing the disc to him. "Patrick's laptop is over there."
* * * * * * * * * *
Another day was ending in Sunnydale. The gang had been in research for most of the day and for one them it was time for a break. Angel sat mesmerised in the back garden, watching the sunset. He hadn't seen the sun setting since he was turned, he'd forgotten how beautiful it'd looked.
Angel was distracted by a soft coughing sound. "Are you okay out here?" Angel turned around and saw Buffy standing in the doorway.
"I'd forgotten what a sunset looks like," Angel replied with a small smile. "How are you?"
"Do you get used to it?" Buffy asked walking over to where Angel was sitting.
"It's a strange experience, no doubt about it." Angel replied. "But it's just as weird suddenly being alive again after two and a half centuries."
"If you could -- you know stay human ---" Buffy began.
"Not for me Buffy," Angel simply replied.
"Why not? To be able to experience what you normally can't? To watch the sun rise and set every day?"
"No, I experienced all that once before -- now it's become my forbidden pleasure. To see things I can't, to experience foods I shouldn't." Angel finished with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Hey guys, I think I got something here." Xander exclaimed from the dining table.
"Really, already," Giles called from the kitchen. He walked out quickly and over to Xander along with Faith and Willow.
"What you got Xand?" Faith asked looking over his shoulder.
"I was looking through his journals when I came across this entry," Xander replied pointing to the screen.
From the Journal of Patrick Robert Giles - Tuesday 23rd, June, 1998
I have been here now for two weeks, studying the aspects of this land. To be honest, it's a different approach to the training, it's taught me a lot, not just in the information but my reflexes, using my strengths to their full potential.
It's been three days, but I've finally managed to crack the code. That must have been the toughest part since I got here as the locals use a completely different system when it comes to writing characters and letters. Like the ancient Egyptians they use a series of pictures to represent characters.
The images, from left to right represent the standard characters one through nine, but of yet I am still to find the character for zero.
End of Journal.
Looking back at the piece of paper on the inside of the box Xander began to read the images on the piece of paper. "Hmm, let's see. We have a 2-1-2, 5- 6-9, 7-3-8 and 3. Could be a phone number."
"We could search the phone book," Willow suggested.
"Oh, I think I saw one of those phone book programs on his computer," Xander offered, "I could look through there."
"Good thinking," Giles said, "both of you. Xander you look for this number."
"And we can do the spell," Willow added. "I found it."
* * * * * * * * * * The Bronze, 9:21pm * * * * * * * * * *
The spell had gone through without problems and both Buffy and Angel were once more as they were. Buffy, Angel and Faith went out on patrol before Angel left for to go back to Los Angeles and the Slayers caught up with the gang at the Bronze to watch the Dingoes play.
"I'd have to chalk these couple of days as the weirdest in my life," Xander said.
"Definitely," Buffy agreed leaning her head against Faith's shoulder. "May I never drink blood again."
"What was that like?" Willow asked out of curiosity.
"Kinda like double-double chocolate chip ice cream without the double- double chocolate chip." Buffy said jokingly.
"What's gonna happen now?" Anya spoke looking around the group.
"I dunno," Oz answered, "If those pages are as important as we think, we gotta keep them safe."
"Oh I think I know what happens now?" Faith spoke.
"Really?" Buffy said looking at Faith, "What happens next?"
"I get a dance from my sexy ex-vampire of a girlfriend and we don't think about this again until tomorrow." Faith replied with a sly smile.
"Sounds good to me honey." Buffy replied with a smile as she lead Faith onto the dance floor followed by the rest.
Author's Note: Let me have a moment to introduce myself. I'm Jennifer, known as Faith to my friends as I live life easy and I party hearty. When I'm doing neither of those I'm either here on-line or in front of the screen watching the Buffster in action whooping un-dead ass *EG* ... This is the third episode (and part two following Inner Fears) in season one and there's stuff that was covered in "The Erlenmeyer Flask", so if you haven't read that yet, I suggest that is a good place to start as things might be a little muddled ;-) This story is based on an idea by 'Doc, that's why he's also credited *S*
Feedback: Yes please ... the more, the merrier
Spoilers: None
Distribution: Email me and it's all yours *S* .....
Character Pairings: Willow/Oz, Xander/Anya, Buffy/Faith
Anything Else: Thoughts are written in * *. Oh, and from now on Patrick Giles is known as either Nosferatu or the First One, mmm-kay.
Starring (in alphabetical order): Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles Emma Caulfield as Anya Emmerson Eliza Dushku as Faith Adams Elizabeth Anne Allen as Amy Madison Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Anne Summers Seth Green as Daniel 'Oz' Osbourne
Guest Starring: Alexis Denisof as Wesley Whyndam-Price David Boreanaz as Angel
And Introducing: Edward Furlong as Patrick Giles/Nosferatu
... Previously On Buffy The Vampire Slayer ...
"What once shall be, what is shall be no more. The season is approaching, and you need to be conditioned for the time."
"It can't be," Giles softly spoke, "you can't be a --- vampire!"
"Not any vampire," Patrick replied, "he is playing host to a greater destiny, one far greater than any cross-breed can envisage. I am the First One," he finished with a low laugh. He took a step forward towards the group when Anya shoved a cross which had the end sharpened into a point, in his face stopping his advance.
"I see," the First One contemplated. "Any last words?" he asked both Anya and Xander with a smile
"Last words?" Anya repeated.
"Is that all?" the First One simply replied as he grabbed her by the head and twisted it violently, the sickening sound of her neck breaking resonating throughout the cemetery.
"ANYA!!!" Xander screamed. Time seemed to slow at that point for everyone as they watched helplessly as Anya's body slowly fell to the ground and the First One disappearing into the murky darkness. Xander scrambled to his feet and dived across to the lifeless body of his former love where he cradled her gently in his arms. "Anya," Xander spoke, his voice incredibly low as tears rolled down his cheeks.
All the rest of the gang could do was watch, unable to do or say anything at that point which could possibly comfort.
* * * * * * * * * * ... And Now, The Continuation ... * * * * * * * * * *
It had only been seconds since the sudden murder of Anya when the heavens opened and a fine mist of rain began falling over Sunnydale. Everyone slowly walked over to where Xander was cradling the body of the young woman he loved, some of them were okay but a lot of them including the Slayers had nasty injuries, but all were exhausted. In the distance there were the faint sounds of sirens approaching.
Buffy slowly knelt down next to Xander. "Xand," Buffy spoke gently to her friend.
"She's dead Buffy," Xander whispered, his tears mixing with the falling rain that gently hit his face.
"Xander, we have to go," Buffy said resting a hand on his arm, "the cops will be here in a minute."
"I can't ... I don't want to leave her Buff,"
"I promise she will be taken care off, but we need to get you back so we can look at those bruises of yours."
Xander didn't want to leave her side, but he knew in his heart that Buffy was right, Buffy was always right. Xander gently brushed a few locks of hair from her face and gently kissed her forehead. "Good night, Anya." Xander whispered, then gently laid her body on the grass.
"Come on Xand, let's get you home." Buffy said standing one side of him while Faith stood on the opposite side. Then they left in silence, back to Giles' apartment.
As they walked away, nobody saw or sensed as a figure walked around from behind a large tree, their features shrouded under a hooded jacket. "Damn, the prophecy has been forfilled." it whispered before shrinking back into the darkness.
Part 2 (of 2)
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, 10:35pm * * * * * * * * * *
"Xander is finally asleep," Willow said as she slowly walked down stairs into the lounge area. Everyone had returned to Giles' in sombre silence.
"I wish I could have done something rather more constructive than just rushing in like that," Wesley reprimanded himself as Cordelia attended to his cuts.
"It wasn't your fault," the other former Watcher spoke looking over at Wesley.
"What do we do now?" Buffy slowly asked looking around at her friends who all had a more than generous covering of bandages and plasters.
"I don't -- I don't know Buffy," Giles replied hesitantly.
"He's stronger than all of us," Faith commented taking her glance from Buffy and looking around, her gaze falling on Willow and Amy. "What about magic's?"
"We tried that before he squared off with you," Amy said with a sad tone.
"We wasn't powerful enough," Willow finished with the same tone.
"Is there any way we could reverse the incantation?" Oz asked.
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale Hospital, 12:01am * * * * * * * * * *
Hospitals weren't the most fun places to be at the best of times, and the Mortuary must be the worst job to hold. It was the start of the night shift, more commonly known as the 'graveyard' shift. On duty tonight were two competent looking men, both dressed completely in white, they were the attendants that looked after the bodies. One of them walked over to a trolley, on which laid a body shrouded in a white sheet, the attendant looked at his clipboard he was holding and started filling in the details.
"Hmm, Jane Doe, on the toe." the young man said to himself looking at the toe-tag. *hmm, what time is it* he thought to himself as he looked up at the clock, "Twelve-oh-one. Hey Chris it's Saturday ... Par-tay night!"
"Excellent," the other attendant replied walking out of the office where a small black and white television was showing a Frankenstein movie. He walked over to the attendant who was filling the rest of the details and helped him push the trolley into one of several large freezer units.
"So Chris," he asked, "who are you going as to the fancy dress party?"
"Wild Bill Hicup!" Chris replied looking at the Jane Doe.
"Cool," and after a moment, "Who's he?" Chris gave him a brief sideways glance before walking back to the movie that had started leaving the other attendant where he was. "Oh well. Sweet dreams," he spoke to noone in particular as he pulled his head out of the unit and closed the door behind him. All was quiet except for the low humming of the ventilation which circulated the gas around the unit, then, as if some small miracle was taking the sheet began moving, and slowly, quietly a figure emerged from underneath the trolley where they had been laying since the arrival of the Jane Doe.
The figure slowly and delicately positioned themselves at one end of the body and slowly lifted the sheet back to reveal the head and neck of the deceased person. The figure slowly moved it's hands and positioned them either side of the dead woman's face and began whispering in Latin, their eyes changing colour from a light blue to a brilliant amber which pierced the darkness.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Well, the joint's jumping," Xander said looking around at the throng of people that were in the Bronze. The scooby's were all sitting at their usual place, minus Anya.
"Yeah..." Buffy said.
"...Very lively." Faith finished.
"This may be a little silly, but how did we get here?" Oz asked looking around, "the last thing I remembered, I was going asleep at my place."
"I asked you here," a voice spoke from nearby. A young man approached the table. He was short, about five foot five with long-ish dark hair, and he spoke with a pronounced accent. "May I," he said point to a vacant chair.
Buffy, pulled the chair out and the young man slowly sat on it, all eyes gazing on him, he reminded them of someone. "Why?" Buffy asked.
"Two things," the man simply said. "First I come and offer penance for what has transpired. I grieve for your loss Xander, though I doubt it gives you little comfort in hearing, but I had no action in that." he finished lowering his head.
"You're not him are you?" Willow asked looking at the young man. "I mean you are, but you are his consciousness."
"Patrick?" Xander spoke in a low voice, catching on to what Willow was saying.
"Yes. While the demon that controls me rests, I have found that he loosens his control over me slightly. Enough for me to project myself into your dreams."
"Did you know about .. You know?" Buffy asked looking at the young Patrick.
"I was completely unaware of what had happened. I assure you all though, I mean no harm. It is the demon within me that craves destruction and death."
"I really want to believe," Faith said looking over, "but do you know what is going to happen? Is there any weaknesses?"
"He is aware of my powers within me and suspects that I may be capable of this, so he shields his thoughts from me. However, I shall endeavour to find anything and share that information with you all."
"What would he do to you if he found out about this?" Willow asked.
Patrick took a deep breath and looked at her. "If he found out, then he'd probably destroy what's left of my mind. At the moment he needs me as he is unfamiliar with certain dialects used for most incantations."
"You said there were two things?" Oz asked.
"Yes, I sense a disruption. Two will live and one will die, before this night is through."
"Yoda much." Xander spoke flashing a grin.
"I'm sorry, my minds a little jumbled."
"This is great and all," Faith said, "but how do we know this isn't some kind of trick?"
"I cannot prove it Faith," Patrick slowly spoke giving a side long glance to Faith.
"He's telling the truth," Amy said from opposite the table. "I sense no evil in his mind. I think we can trust him."
"Patrick," Willow said, "can you stop your demon-self from inside?"
"No, he uses my power against me. I have been trying but it's not enough. I think, if there is a chance, then he must be weakened before I can attempt it, which means you must fight him. I must go, the demon is awaking. God speed, to you all..."
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale Hospital, 6:21am * * * * * * * * * *
Chris, the attendant was sitting in front of the little television watching what must have been a Frankenstein movie marathon. He slowly reached a hand over and took a fist full of popcorn from a large bowl and started eating it, his eyes glued to the action on the screen. Outside the office, all was quiet, then his attention was distracted by a low thumping noise.
"Hello?" Chris called, not wanting to move from his chair. There was a few moments of silence followed by a few more banging noises. Chris sighed deeply as he ate the last of the popcorn in his hand and got up out of his seat. "Andy, is that you?" Chris called out poking his head out of the office. He looked around trying to find out where the noise was coming from. "Did you lock yourself in one of the fridges?" he called as he walked over to the walk-in units. He stopped in front of a unit which had a number three labelled on it and looked around. "Andy?" The banging noise stopped, maybe it was all in Chris' head, maybe he was imagining it. Suddenly there came a booming thud as the door to unit three was knocked off it's hinges and hit the floor with a resounding thud.
"Oh God." Chris called wide eyed at the sight in front of him.
In the doorway stood a young woman wrapped in nothing but a white sheet. "Where are my clothes?" she asked with a casual tone.
Chris stood in total silence, unable to understand what was happening. "Oh God!" he said again before he simply passed out, hitting the floor with a thud.
The woman took a couple of steps forward and looked around taking in the unfamiliar scenery. "And where is my Xander?" She sighed and carried on walking through a near set of double doors.
* * * * * * * * * * Summer's Residence, April 29th 9:30am * * * * * * * * * *
Faith was the first to awaken, she had remembered the dream and was trying to figure out the meaning of what was spoken. Faith turned her head slightly and saw Buffy laying next to her side, her back towards her. "Morning, B," Faith said quietly, there was no reply. Faith could have stayed there a little while longer but she felt a necessity to go to the bathroom, so she quietly slipped out of the bed. *I'll wake her up when I get back* Faith thought to herself with a sly grin.
* * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile in another apartment, Willow was sleeping comfortably, snuggled up to Oz.
"Morning," the red head spoke softly yawning.
"Weird dream?" Oz asked kissing her softly on her cheek.
"Definitely," Willow said turning over to face Oz.
"What do you think he meant, 'two will live and one will die'?" Oz said looking into her eyes.
"I don't know, maybe Giles can shed some light." Willow said running her fingers through her boyfriend's hair. "How do you think he'll take the news that we can communicate with Patrick?"
"I don't know," Oz simply replied. "But I think it would be useful if we could have an 'inside man' on the job, so to speak."
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale Hospital * * * * * * * * * *
Chris the attendant stood in front of the open unit, a few medical staff looking around examining the unit.
"Okay." a woman said looking at Chris. She was tall, with a slim build and a short, styled crop of blonde hair. "You're saying that the body in this unit got up and walked out, is that what you're saying?"
"A-ha." Chris simply replied.
"Maybe you just saw the people who stole her body." the woman said as she continued to look at Chris.
"She had a gd-tag on her toe and was wearing the white sheet."
"Chris, somehow I don't think the second coming would happen here in Sunnydale. You're tired, go home."
"Okay," Chris replied turning to leave.
"Oh and Chris," the woman said placing a hand on his shoulder, "stop by the dispensary and pick up some more mind altering drugs."
"Sure." Chris said and walked out.
"I should have stayed in San Francisco." the woman said shaking her head.
"Doctor Holloway," spoke one of the attendants.
"Yes," the woman said turning around.
* * * * * * * * * * Summer's Residence * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey B, you getting up anytime today?" Faith said as she walked back into their bedroom. Joyce was still away at an auction. "Damn B, didn't think I tired you out that much last night." Faith said grinning broadly as she sat on her bed next to Buffy. "Fine, okay, be silent on me B." Faith said getting up again. "I'll just make us some coffee, then I'll make you get up." she finished with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, 9:25am * * * * * * * * * *
"I'm sorry Mr. Giles, I didn't mean to awake you so early," Amy said. She felt a little guilty as she thought she had woken up Giles so early, so as kind of a good will gesture, she offered to make him a cup of tea.
"It's okay Amy, believe me I was already awake," Giles said as he accepted the cup from Amy, "thank you. Now please tell me what happened in this dream you all shared."
* * * * * * * * * *
A few minutes later as Amy finished off telling Giles what had happened, they heard muffled footsteps walk down the stairs, looking around they both saw Xander, who Giles had put in his spare room.
"Good morning Xander," Giles said standing up, "Tea?"
"Please," Xander said, "and thank you for letting me rest in your spare room."
"That's quite alright Xander." Giles said.
"How are you feeling Xander?" Amy asked looking up at him, "No, silly question I guess."
"It's okay, really." Xander said sitting next to Amy. "I know this is weird but with that dream and all, it kinda made the pain less if you know what I mean."
* * * * * * * * * *
Faith was down in the kitchen with two mugs of coffee, when the phone started ringing. She put the mugs down and answered the phone. "Hey Red, how's it going?"
"Pretty good. Did you have that dream as well?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, I'm guessing we all had it. Are you going to Giles?"
"Yeah soon. Is Buffy awake yet?"
"Nah, I'm just gonna go back now and wake her up." Faith replied with a grin on her face.
"Okay, see you at Giles then," Willow said and hung up.
"B!" Faith called out, "Come on, it's time to motivate." She picked up the mugs and walked upstairs back to their bedroom. "Damn B, what's with you today?" Faith said walking over to the bed and placing the mugs on the bedside table. *Well talking won't work, maybe I can shake her awake* Faith thought to herself.
"Come on B, wakey wakey." Faith said lightly shaking her shoulder. "B?". No answer. "Buffy?" Faith spoke quietly.
Faith pulled Buffy over onto her back and looked at her face, she looked so beautiful and peaceful, but cold to touch. Faith wasn't sure what was happening here. "Buffy?" she whispered again placing her hand on Buffy's pulse point, no pulse. "Please?" her voice was now shrill and tears were welling up inside her. Faith placed both her hands on her shoulders and shook her waking her.
"Buffy!" Faith spoke in a loud voice. "Buffy!" she said in a louder voice, tears now rolling freely down her cheeks.
"BUFFY!!!!!!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"This is a most unusual state of events," Giles said. Willow and Oz had joined Amy and Xander who were looking through a couple of books for some kind of prophecy that was connected with the First One.
"Well, at least we know we got someone who might be able to help us," Xander said looking over to Giles.
"And," Willow added, "It just might be possible to find some sort of incantation to reverse what has happened to Patrick."
There was a knock on the door and Xander decided to walk over and open it.
"Two will live and one will die," Giles said repeating the words. "Does that mean three will die, and two will be brought back as vampires?"
Xander opened the door, and then a little hesitantly looked back towards Giles, Willow, Oz and Amy. "Oh, I think it's not gonna be as easy as that." Xander opened the door fully and Giles, Willow, Oz and Amy looked out to the person standing outside.
"My God!" Willow spoke wide eyed.
"Angel!" Giles gasped looking at the figure in the doorway.
"Oh, this is so much stranger than you realise." Angel stated and stepped to one side revealing a slightly shorter blonde woman.
"Xander where did you go, last thing I remember I was in the cemetery. Then the next thing I knew I was in this big fridge with no clothes, I had to take this, this," she hesitated looking at her clothing, "this, fancy dress costume."
"Anya," Xander simply said in complete bewilderment.
"Two will live," Oz said looking at Angel and Anya.
"One will die," Giles finished slowly.
"Faith?" Amy spoke.
"No," Willow said, "I spoke to her before I came here."
There was a short pause, Angel and Amy's looked to Willow, then Xander, Giles, Oz and Amy trying to piece together what was happening.
"Buffy!" Giles blurted out suddenly. "We've got to go!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Faith." Giles called as he knocked on Buffy's front door.
"Why do you suppose Patrick did this?" Willow mused.
"Probably to keep us busy enough so he can do what he needs to," Giles replied knocking on the door again.
"Up here!" they heard Faith yell from inside the house. With that Giles opened the door and they quickly dashed upstairs towards their bedroom.
"Faith are you alright?" Giles asked as they entered into the room. They looked down to the floor where Faith sat with her knees under her chin and her arms wrapped around her legs.
"It's Buffy," Faith said looking up at Giles, her face blotched with red streaks where she had been crying.
"Faith," Buffy groaned softly from the bed.
"B?" Faith looked over to the bed with surprise in her voice.
"Xander quickly close those curtains," Giles said pointing to the window.
"Why? What's wrong with her?" Faith asked as she cast a glance back towards the gang.
Giles walked over to Buffy bed and sat on the end, "Well the other's have told me about the dream you all shared and ..."
"Anya." Faith said in shock when she realised she was standing there alive.
"That's me," Anya replied, "back from the dead. But don't ask me how as I have no idea."
"Two will live, well if Anya was one, who was ..." she trailed off as she took a closer look at Angel. She took a couple of steps forward and without thinking placed a couple of her fingers on his pulse point. "Wait, if you're human then Buffy is a ..."
"Vampire?" Buffy softly spoke from her bed. Faith walked over to the bed and sat by her side. "How did this happen?"
"I, errr, I don't really know." Giles said, "I'm afraid it's back to the books if we want answers."
Hearing that Buffy sighed and closed her eyes, *of all the things that could have happened* she thought to herself *I had to be turned into a Vampire*. Buffy opened her eyes again and opened her mouth to speak, but instead of words she gave a low Vamp growl.
"What's wrong B?" Faith asked running her fingers through her hair.
"I'm just a little hungry," Buffy replied.
"I .. errrr, heh," Xander said nervously, "I hope that's hungry for food that's, err, like something that isn't blood."
"It's okay," Angel said from the foot of the bed, "I know it might sound a little grotesque but if she craves it enough I brought a small supply from L.A. that she can feed from."
"Thanks Angel," Buffy said, "but I'd rather try to avoid it if I can. If I change my mind, you'll be the first to know though."
"Well," Giles said quickly in an attempt to rid himself of the rather vivid thought that had just entered his head. "If it's alright with you Buffy we'd better get back to my apartment and start the research."
"Okay," Buffy said looking around the room at the rest of the gang. "Could you guys give us a moment of privacy please?"
"Oh, of course. We'll be downstairs when you are ready," Giles said before turning around and walking out of their room with the rest of the group in tow.
"Faith," Buffy said when they were alone. "You know those thoughts you have that you shouldn't?"
"Err, no, not really," Faith replied puzzled.
"Well I was thinking, what if we can't change, you know me and Angel back to normal. Will you still love me even though I'm a horrid Vampire?"
"B, don't even think that," Faith said as she laid next to her girlfriend on their bed. "Oh, now I understand what you meant." Faith rolled on her side as Buffy did the same so they were face to face. "Look Buffy, I won't say that I know what has happened, I won't even say that we'd definitely be able to change it. I'm sure we can though, 'cause I don't think the rest of the gang will stop researching, and I know you'll have to drag me from Giles' place to get me to stop researching this," Faith said with a small smile. "But I know that whatever happens, I will still be here for you and I will always love you."
"Never leave me?" Buffy spoke as she softly stroked Faith's cheek.
"Never ever," Faith said smiling as she moved her head forward and kissed Buffy softly on her lips. "And remember, next time you bring up the whole dating a Vamp thing, I'll have to remind you about dating Angel for what, three years?"
"Oh yeah," Buffy said grinning slightly, "should have remembered that." once again finishing the sentence with another growl.
"I'm guessing you're hungry," Faith said looking at her lover in the eyes.
"Kinda," Buffy said.
"Tell you what B, I'll give the breakfast order to Angel while you get dressed, okay." Faith gave Buffy a chased kiss before slipping out of bed and over to the bedroom door.
"Hey Honey," Buffy called as get started getting out of the bed, "can I wear your leather pants?"
Faith turned back and looked at Buffy with her mouth open. "I don't believe you B. All this time I've been trying to get you in leather pants ... Sure, but if you get blood on them ..." Faith trailed off flashing a grin at Buffy.
* * * * * * * * * *
In an abandoned warehouse Nosferatu sat quietly, he was waiting for someone, more importantly he was waiting for something. Everything was going as he planned, the diversions he was throwing at the Slayers to put them off long enough for him complete his preparations for the great night when the Earth will be plunged into perpetual darkness and demons will once again walk the land. What he didn't plan on however, was the power the body's previous owner at it tried to regain control of it's body once more. He could feel him attacking in his mind, using all his mental powers to break out of his confinement and when Nosferatu slept he sometimes saw him there in his dreams, relentless in his attempts. After all the planning, after all the work, the First One was not going to be thwarted by the consciousness of a little boy.
"Sire," a voice spoke breaking the thoughts of the First One.
"Speak," he said looking up at the vampire.
"I bring the manuscript that you asked for," he said as he handed the First One what seemed to be nothing more than about two dozen loose pages. The First One looked at the pages and studied them briefly.
"What about the other segments?" The First One asked looking back at the Vamp.
"The second segment was where you said it was Sire, it will be with us before tomorrow morning. But we are at a loss of where to look for the final piece."
"Never fear, by the time the second segment of the manuscripts is in my grasp we may know more. But whatever happens, I must have all three parts if the K'os Ta'Mogan is to take place."
"I understand sire," the Vampire replied.
"Good. Now leave."
* * * * * * * * * *
"So, what has happened here?" Oz asked as he sat in Giles' apartment surrounded by a small pile of books.
Giles looked up from his books for a moment to clean his glasses. "Well," he said looking over to Oz, "It's like, Buffy is Buffy and Angel is Angel but in essence their souls have been swapped over. Angel has Buffy's soul, and for lack of a better word her life force, and Buffy -- " He trailed off as he saw Buffy return from the kitchen area with Giles' favourite "Kiss the Librarian" mug
"I'm just gonna sit over here," Buffy said a little quietly walking over to the dining table away from the rest of the gang.
"It's okay Buffy," Willow said trying light-hearted humour, "we don't smell."
"No," Buffy said quickly, "it's just that I'm drinking ---" she stopped and looked down at the mug.
"So, are we looking for one of those orb thingies ... you know like the one we used to give Angel his soul back?" Xander asked quickly in an attempt to avoid the mental imagery of the contents of the mug.
"Well," Giles replied, "we certainly do need an orb however the one used in Angels' case gave him a soul. We already have the souls, we just need to, err swap them back so to speak." Giles looked over to the door as there was a knock. Seeing as all the gang was there he wasn't sure who it was so he stood up and walked over. "However," he continued talking, "I'm not exactly which orb will do the trick."
"So we're still at square one?" Buffy asked looking at Giles. "Urgh, I really hate this stuff," she finished as an afterthought.
Giles opened the door a little carefully and looked at who was knocking. Outside stood a tall female with long flowing blonde hair and bright sparking blue eyes.
"Rupert Giles?" the woman asked.
"Yes," Giles spoke, "how can I help you?"
"Well, it's me who might be able to help you actually. One of your friends contacted me over e-mail yesterday, I'm Jennifer Daniels."
"Please, please come in," Giles said opening the door a little wider allowing the woman to come in. She entered the apartment and Giles closed the door behind her.
"Thank you." Jennifer said looking at Giles, then looking around at the rest of the group until her gaze fell upon Willow. "Was you the one who sent the e-mail?"
"Actually," Willow replied, "it was."
"Thanks for doing that." Jennifer said with a small smile. "I'm not sure if this will help -- yet." she continued looking through her shoulder bag. "But Patrick studied different kind of demons, especially one called the First One."
"Yeah, we kinda met him already," Faith said for the first time with a little sadness in her voice.
"I was kind of studying his specialities," Jennifer continued as Giles approached her with a cup and placed it on the coffee table in front of Jennifer. "Oh thank you Mr. Giles. Anyway, I saw Patrick before he left to come here and he was acting kinda, I dunno, not himself. He asked me to guard this for me." With that she pulled her hand out of her bag and placed what looked like a small red crystal orb on the coffee table.
"Good Lord," Giles said looking at the orb in astonishment. "Is that what I think it is? I thought they were all destroyed?"
"What is it?" Angel asked, also looking at the orb.
"May I?" Giles said pointing to the orb.
"Please," Jennifer said handing it to Giles. "It's called the Orb of Ha'beron. It's main function is to act as a sort of mystical storage area when transferring souls between two people."
"Freaky timing." Buffy said walking over to Giles who was studying the orb.
"So what else do we need beside this orb?" Amy asked looking everywhere except at Jennifer.
"Well, if I am correct we need a trans-migration spell," Giles said.
"Oh, I think we got one of those," Willow said excitedly looking through a nearby stack of books.
"I also come to give you this," Jennifer continued as she reached back into her bag and pulled out a compact disc. She took a brief look at it before also handing it to Giles.
"May I ask what is on it?" Giles asked looking at the disc.
"Patrick wrote a lot, personal stuff, reference material. I'm really not sure if it will help but there might be something on there that could be relevant."
"You said that you studied the First One," Amy said finally gazing at Jennifer, "you know what has happened to Patrick?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Is there anything we can do to, you know, reverse the action?"
Everyone looked at Jennifer in anticipation, all wanting to hear the same answer. "Well," she finally said a little slowly. "You got to understand this has never been done, so I'm afraid -- no."
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, 1:30pm * * * * * * * * * *
Everyone was still in research mode, Jennifer had decided that she couldn't really contribute much to the group so she decided to leave, and Amy wanted to go out for a stroll around Sunnydale. There wasn't really much for Buffy to do and she never really thought of herself much as a research person so he laid quietly on Giles' couch, her head resting across Faith.
"How's Buffy?" Willow asked softly looking up from the book she was reading.
"She's sleeping," Faith replied looking down at her girlfriend and softly running her fingers through her hair. "Any luck finding the spell?"
"I know there is one here somewhere," Willow said looking at the stack of books. "We'll change them back Faith, everything's gonna be alright."
Faith looked down at the sleeping slayer, laying there so calm and peaceful it made her appreciate how much she really loved Buffy, no matter what she looked like. "I wish everything could be alright," Faith spoke softly. "I mean with Pat. You know, I'm not really sure that I could -- you know --"
"Yeah," Willow agreed, "I doubt if Giles could do it either Faith. He knows it's not Pat doing all of this, it's the demon within him doing all this evil. I wish there was a spell or something. Hey, did you notice Amy when that woman was here." Willow said changing the subject.
"Yeah, is it me or was she -- a little jealous like?"
"I think she thought she may have had some kind of competition, seeing they were both friends and all."
* * * * * * * * * *
It was a quiet Sunnydale day as Buffy sat in the park watching the kids play on the carousel.
"Hmm, it's safe to conclude that I am asleep," Buffy said to herself. "Either that or I have really heavy sun block on." From where she was sitting, Buffy saw a familiar person sitting on one of the swings singing to himself.
"Uno, Due...Thanos venga per te. Tre, quattro... Dovete chiudre le porte." (Author's Notes: Rough translation "One, Two... Freddy's coming for you. Three, Four... better lock your door.")
"You know," Buffy said as she walked over to the swings, "they actually made those movies in English, you didn't have to go to the bother of learning another language to understand what was being said."
"How did you know what I was saying?" the person asked back.
"Lucky guess," Buffy replied sitting down on the other swing. "How are you holding up Patrick?" Buffy asked looking across.
"Annoying," Patrick said with a simple smile. "Besides reciting movie lines in foreign languages, I've also recited the entire Abba back catalog in an attempt to drive him out of my mind through sheer insanity.." he finished with a smile.
"Any luck?" Buffy asked grinning.
"No, but it finally made him fall asleep, which was also good."
"She came today --" Buffy began after a moment of silence.
"Wait," Patrick said holding his hand up towards Buffy, "please don't tell. The more I know, the more 'he' knows. But I may have a little something for you."
"Really," Buffy said perking up slightly.
"There's a manuscript The First One is after, he needs it to perform the incantation. By tonight, he'll have two out of the three parts, the other part is somewhere -- hidden."
"Where is this other part?" Buffy asked hopefully.
"I can't tell you -- I don't know. Ask Giles about it, he'll know. Once you have it though it will be in the bag." he finished raising his eyebrows as if to emphasise something.
"Okay," Buffy said, not really sure what he was saying.
"I have to go," Patrick said turning his head and staring into the distance, "You have to go. Nove, dieci...non dormirai piu --"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Hey B," Faith spoke smiling down at Buffy as she woke up. "Thought you were gonna sleep the whole day away you know."
"You were here the whole time?" Buffy asked looking up at Faith with a little yawn.
"Yeah, the whole time B," Faith replied before leaning down and kissing her on her forehead.
"Hello Buffy," Giles said walking over to her and Faith, "how are you after your little sleep?"
"Better," Buffy replied looking at Giles.
"Oh, here," he said putting a mug in front of her on the coffee table. "I thought you -- you know, might be, err, hungry."
"Thank you Giles," she said taking the mug and looked at the contents. "Hey Angel, how can you drink this stuff, it has no taste."
"It's an acquired taste Buffy," Angel replied with a smile.
"Yeah don't I --" Buffy trailed off and looked at Angel sitting opposite. "Hey, is that double-double chocolate chip ice cream ice cream you're eating there?"
"I, I was curious as to the taste," Angel replied in self-defence.
"Does that include the Twinkies and the Donuts big man," Faith added with a sly grin.
"Giles, can I ask you something?" Buffy asked.
"Oh course Buffy, you know." Giles replied sitting on his couch.
"While I was asleep I had another dream with --"
"Patrick?" Giles guessed.
"Yeah. He told me that Nosferatu was gathering a manuscript. That he had two of the three parts and I think it's needed for the K'os Ta'Mogan he has to do."
"Hmm," Giles mused, "I'm not aware of a manuscript of the top of my head. Did Patrick give any clues as to what it is or where the final part is?"
"No," Buffy replied. "All he said was that once we have it, it will be in the bag."
"In the bag," Faith repeated to herself.
"Maybe something he brought with him from England?" Willow suggested standing behind Giles.
"Possibly," Giles said, "I'll go and check through his belongings." Giles stood up and walked up to the spare room Patrick was staying in.
"Hey Willow, where's Oz?" Buffy asked.
"Oh, he's over at the Bronze setting up for tonight's gig." Willow replied.
"You okay down there B?" Faith asked softly brushing a few stray strands away from her face.
"This still feels, I dunno, a little strange." Buffy replied looking up at her girlfriend, "You know Buffy the 'Vampire' Vampire slayer." she finished with a smile.
"Hey, they could make that into a television series," Xander said as if from nowhere, "I'd watch it."
"Hey Xand," Buffy said with a smile, "How's Anya?"
"She's okay. Still can't believe what happened to her,"
"Tell me about it," Faith said looking at Xander, "Dying and then mysteriously coming back to life."
"Hey, I just noticed something," Buffy said looking around the room, "I thought Wesley and Cordelia came with you Angel. Where are they?"
"I sent them back to L.A. to look over the office," Angel replied.
"You know, my nephew never ceases to amaze me," Giles spoke as he walked down the stairs. The gang looked over to Giles who was carrying some sort of wooden box that had to metal hinges on one edge. "I found this among his belongings that be brought from England."
"What is it?" Angel asked trying to figure out what Giles was holding.
"The manuscript that Patrick told Buffy about," Giles replied sitting next to Willow on the couch. "I can't imagine where it came from or how old it is." He opened the wooden lid and pulled out the contents. He placed on the table a handful of written loose pages.
"So the fate of the world rests in these six pages," Xander said looking at the manuscript. "Wow."
"Can you understand it Giles?" Willow asked looking also looking at the pages.
"A little," Giles replied, "Mainly relates to black magic's. Spells which were thought lost -- Oh, hello." Giles turned to the last page and looked at the bottom. "I think there are pages missing here."
"What makes you say that?" Faith asked looking at Giles.
"This incantation here," he said pointing at the last page, "It finishes part way."
"But could that just continue on another part?" Buffy asked.
"I don't think so," Giles replied opening the box up again. "Oh, what's this?" Giles opened the lid fully where a piece of paper was taped on the inside of the box.
"What is it Giles?" Willow asked.
"To be honest I haven't got a clue," Giles answered. He looked up and his gaze fell on the compact disc that was given to him earlier. "Maybe you can search through that disc to see if there is anything on it."
"I still gotta search through these four books for the incantation but I'll look through it after," Willow said picking up one of the books.
"Hey, I know a little about computers, maybe I can look for you," Xander offered.
"Okay Xander if you wish," Giles said handing the disc to him. "Patrick's laptop is over there."
* * * * * * * * * *
Another day was ending in Sunnydale. The gang had been in research for most of the day and for one them it was time for a break. Angel sat mesmerised in the back garden, watching the sunset. He hadn't seen the sun setting since he was turned, he'd forgotten how beautiful it'd looked.
Angel was distracted by a soft coughing sound. "Are you okay out here?" Angel turned around and saw Buffy standing in the doorway.
"I'd forgotten what a sunset looks like," Angel replied with a small smile. "How are you?"
"Do you get used to it?" Buffy asked walking over to where Angel was sitting.
"It's a strange experience, no doubt about it." Angel replied. "But it's just as weird suddenly being alive again after two and a half centuries."
"If you could -- you know stay human ---" Buffy began.
"Not for me Buffy," Angel simply replied.
"Why not? To be able to experience what you normally can't? To watch the sun rise and set every day?"
"No, I experienced all that once before -- now it's become my forbidden pleasure. To see things I can't, to experience foods I shouldn't." Angel finished with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Hey guys, I think I got something here." Xander exclaimed from the dining table.
"Really, already," Giles called from the kitchen. He walked out quickly and over to Xander along with Faith and Willow.
"What you got Xand?" Faith asked looking over his shoulder.
"I was looking through his journals when I came across this entry," Xander replied pointing to the screen.
From the Journal of Patrick Robert Giles - Tuesday 23rd, June, 1998
I have been here now for two weeks, studying the aspects of this land. To be honest, it's a different approach to the training, it's taught me a lot, not just in the information but my reflexes, using my strengths to their full potential.
It's been three days, but I've finally managed to crack the code. That must have been the toughest part since I got here as the locals use a completely different system when it comes to writing characters and letters. Like the ancient Egyptians they use a series of pictures to represent characters.
The images, from left to right represent the standard characters one through nine, but of yet I am still to find the character for zero.
End of Journal.
Looking back at the piece of paper on the inside of the box Xander began to read the images on the piece of paper. "Hmm, let's see. We have a 2-1-2, 5- 6-9, 7-3-8 and 3. Could be a phone number."
"We could search the phone book," Willow suggested.
"Oh, I think I saw one of those phone book programs on his computer," Xander offered, "I could look through there."
"Good thinking," Giles said, "both of you. Xander you look for this number."
"And we can do the spell," Willow added. "I found it."
* * * * * * * * * * The Bronze, 9:21pm * * * * * * * * * *
The spell had gone through without problems and both Buffy and Angel were once more as they were. Buffy, Angel and Faith went out on patrol before Angel left for to go back to Los Angeles and the Slayers caught up with the gang at the Bronze to watch the Dingoes play.
"I'd have to chalk these couple of days as the weirdest in my life," Xander said.
"Definitely," Buffy agreed leaning her head against Faith's shoulder. "May I never drink blood again."
"What was that like?" Willow asked out of curiosity.
"Kinda like double-double chocolate chip ice cream without the double- double chocolate chip." Buffy said jokingly.
"What's gonna happen now?" Anya spoke looking around the group.
"I dunno," Oz answered, "If those pages are as important as we think, we gotta keep them safe."
"Oh I think I know what happens now?" Faith spoke.
"Really?" Buffy said looking at Faith, "What happens next?"
"I get a dance from my sexy ex-vampire of a girlfriend and we don't think about this again until tomorrow." Faith replied with a sly smile.
"Sounds good to me honey." Buffy replied with a smile as she lead Faith onto the dance floor followed by the rest.