Three
Author's Note: Now, let me introduce myself. I go by many names, but commonly I go by either 'Doc or Andy and I'm the other half of the web team. I write the html code that produce Boca del Infierno, and is one of a few sites that I maintain. I'm heavy on the 'net' ... you can mainly find me surfing the web, chatting, generally having a laugh. If I'm not there then I'm usually out pubbing with my mates or watching Buffy in action ... This is the fourth episode in season one and like the others is linked to "The Erlenmeyer Flask, and the two-parter Inner Fears and Forbidden Pleasures", so if you haven't read them yet, I suggest that is a good place to start as things might be a little muddled ;-) Faith isn't involved in this part as she's off on vacation so I have been asked to write this on my own .. Happy reading ...
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: Carmen Electra as Annabella Fugazzi/Bajang Harris Yuelin as Quentin Travers Brian Thompson as Mulo Terrance Stamp as Terrance Douglas
And Introducing: Edward Furlong as Patrick Giles/Nosferatu
* * * * * * * * * * Two Months Previous - Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale California * * * * * * * * * *
Things look considerably different from last year. A few months after the attempted ascension by Mayor Richard Wilkins a new mayor was called into office, his first act was to demolish and re-build the Sunnydale High School. It had taken time to get the funding together but before too long approval had been given and demolition had started four weeks ago. Now it looked like the school was never there, chain-link fencing surround an empty plot that contained construction materials and offices.
" -- okay, we'll start work over in section one." one of the workmen said to another as they studied a structural plan of the new high school.
"Chief," a workman called as he approached the two men.
"Yeah Jack what is it?" the site foreman replied.
"You know you told me to clear the concrete foundation from section four and re-lay it. Well we were clearing the rubble and we saw something bizarre underneath."
"What have you got Jack?" the foreman asked walking back to where Jack had came from.
"I can't explain it sir. All I can say is that we found it exactly under the concrete foundation, and it's made of ... it looks like crystal."
"Crystal!?" They reach the spot where the concrete had been excavated and the foreman knelt down to examine what Jack was taking about.
"It's incredible looking isn't it? I mean just looking at it. I wonder how long it's been here, or who put it here in the first place?"
"You know what this means Jack," the foreman said looking up at him.
"Sir," Jack replied.
"More delays," the foreman simply stated with a resigning sigh.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 1st, 10:04am * * * * * * * * * *
"Yes, it's quite impressive Willow, but what am I looking at?" Giles asked.
Willow was sitting with Giles on the couch looking at something on Patrick's laptop computer. Given Giles' rather reluctance with modern technology he'd asked Willow to search through the compact disc that Jennifer had given him a few days earlier. What Willow had found was quite interesting. What was displayed in the computer monitor was a colour photograph of a monolithic structure, circular in design which was eight feet wide and high. Underneath was a caption which read "Kansas City, USA - 4/18/1998"
"Remember how they had to stop building the new high school a little while back."
"Yes," Giles replied, "there was something buried underneath our high school."
"Well," Willow continued, "the archaeological team finally revealed today what they unearthed." Willow leaned forward and grabbed the local newspaper and showed Giles the front page which had a photograph of the same monolithic structure that was in the photo.
"Have you found any other information pertaining to this object Willow?" Giles asked comparing the photographs.
"Only one piece," Willow replied. She reached into a small carry bag she had brought with him and pulled out a small printed document and handed it to Giles. "A document that Patrick had written as part of his studying, 'The Mythology Of The Hellmouth - A Dissertation On Hellmouth Activity'."
"Patrick was studying the Hellmouth?" Giles asked.
"In detail in fact. I read through it last night, and although I think that some of the information he gave is subject to conjecture, I can't help to feel that he has discovered more about the Hellmouth than us -- and we live on a Hellmouth."
"Interesting," Giles said slowly leafing through the pages of the document.
"Did you try that number Xander found?"
"Yes," Giles said, he closed the document and placed it on the coffee table. "It turns out to be the Archaeological Society based in New York, they hold the other pieces. The pages were given to them by my nephew and they know he holds part of the document ... they're asking if they can have the rest of the pages."
"Are you going to give them the pages Giles? I mean, don't they realise how much importance is being placed on these pages right now?"
"Indeed, but they claim that they can keep the pages safe. I told them that I would think about it and let them know." Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them with a piece of tissue.
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale High School - Construction Site * * * * * * * * * *
It's been seven weeks since the Archaeological Society arrived at the High School to uncover the artefact they had uncovered. The archaeologists were milling around the artefact taking photographs and taking measurements before they removed it from the site and taken back to the society for further analysis.
A young woman entered the construction area and started walking over to the excavation area. She was tall, with long hazel coloured hair and dull grey eyes. She was wearing white Armani suit with a pair of thin rimmed sun glasses to top off the ensemble. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Terrance Douglas." she called out to the team.
A short man in his late twenties was crouching at the edge of the hole, he was deep in through as he stared, mesmerised by the beauty of the artefact.
"Mr. Douglas?" the woman repeated looking down at the man. This snapped him out of his thoughts and looked up at the woman calling his name
"Yes, hello." Terrance finally answered, "Can I help you Ms ..."
"Fugazzi. Annabella Fugazzi." she replied offering her hand to the man. "I'm from the Archaeological Society based in New York."
"Excellent," Terrance replied shaking Annabella's hand. "I heard that you seen something like this before Ms. Fugazzi that's why I asked you here, you came highly recommended."
"Oh please, call me Anna." Annabella replied looking at the artefact. "I was part of an initial team who discovered a piece like this in Kansas City about two years ago, it was exactly the same as this piece we're looking at."
"Interesting," Terrance replied. "Say can I get you a coffee?"
"Thank you, yes." Anna replied.
"Good," Terrance said with a small smile. "There's a coffee shop across the way. Why don't I buy you one and you can tell me about this artefact here."
"Okay," Annabella replied with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * Oxford University, Student Campus - 16th April 1998 * * * * * * * * * *
Extracts From 'The Mythology Of The Hellmouth - A Dissertation On Hellmouth Activity'
Although the design itself is quite simplistic the artefact itself is quite remarkable. From analysing remains from a similar monolith found in the former Soviet Union we believe that the choice of crystal for it's design was deliberate and quite ingenious.
Up until now the popular held belief was that a Hellmouth was located over a mystical convergence where it is most strongest, the energies emanating from what we call 'lay lines' providing the necessary energies. We now know this is part true. We believe the monolith is in fact a resonating crystal formed in this particular shape to amplify and focus these energies at a specific point, and there are to date, an unknown number of these resonating crystals here on Earth. The question though is, if these chrysalis are directed related to the formation to a Hellmouth then why is demonic activity on this planet as low as it currently is?
Two men sat in one of the student's dorm rooms discussing the document.
"This is quite a revealing report," one of the men said thumbing through it. "How much of it is based of actual evidence?"
The younger man sat opposite rubbing his palms together. "Well Sir, obviously my finding are based on the pieces that we have. Although most of the report is quantifiable based from both the artefacts and the analysis reports, I'd have to say that ninety percent of it is accurate. Which is good considering that I've never seen one in tact, Mr. Travers."
"Well," Quentin began placing the document on a nearby table. "It seems my instincts in you were correct. How would you like to actually see one in tact? I could go a long way to your course credit."
"You mean to actually see this piece in it's entirety?" the young man asked.
"Yes. You see, you have a much firmer grasp on the mechanics on this structure than most others and we would like you there to ... let's say gather final data and to make sure it's handled safely. Can we count on you young man?"
"Yes Sir," he replied with eagerness in his eyes.
"Good," Quentin replied handing the man a plane ticket. "Your flight leaves for Kansas City, USA tonight so pack what you need now. A car will pick you up this afternoon and take you to the airport and another will collect you on your arrival. All accommodation for the duration has been arranged for." Quentin adjusted his glasses and stood up to leave. "Good luck on this one. I'm sure it will be a complete success Patrick."
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment 12:01pm - Present Day * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey Giles," a voice called. Nothing, no sign of recognition. "Hey Giles!" the voice called a little louder.
Suddenly aware someone was behind him almost sent him jumping out of his seat. Looking around behind him he saw Buffy, Faith and the rest of the Scooby's standing there.
"Oh, Buffy, hello." Giles said trying to regain some composure, "I didn't hear you arrive."
"Engrossed much Giles," Xander commented as he looked over the coffee table which was covered in papers and books. "What y'a reading anyway."
"Oh, just some information that Willow retrieved from that compact disc," Giles replied dropping the document he was reading on top of the other stuff.
Faith glanced down at what Giles was reading. "Wow, that sounds like heavy reading there Giles. I'd probably save something like that for bedtime material." the slayer idly commented raising her right eyebrow slightly.
"You'd read that to get you to sleep," Buffy retorted to her girlfriend with a mock pout.
"You know I tease," Faith replied flashing Buffy with a sly smile and a playful wink. "You know noone can tire me like you can B!"
"Please can we stop ladies before you drive me to a visual I'd rather not see," Xander mocked holding both hands up.
"Do you know anything more?" Oz asked sitting on the couch with Willow close by him.
"Well," Giles started, "it definitely looks like he'll be using the Hellmouth as part of the ritual. In light of this artefact that was buried in, or rather under the school, I'm guessing he'll be needing that quite desperately."
"How much would you think this Nosferatu demon would know about this information?" Buffy asked, she knew the answer but for the moment she was clinging to the hope that he didn't.
"I'm afraid he'd know everything." Giles answered slowly.
"Giles," Faith asked, "if he needs this thing so bad why don't we just go to the site and destroy the thing. No artefact, no worries -- right?"
"I'm afraid I don't know," Giles replied, "I haven't had the chance to look through the whole document."
"I have." Willow said holing her boyfriends hand for comfort. "The thing is made of crystal, I'm not sure what we'd need to destroy it, or even if we can."
"Well," Giles said a little deflated, "since this is going to take place in a matter of days, perhaps we should increase the patrols around the High School."
"Good idea Giles," Buffy said in agreement. "What about these pages, what's happening to those? Willow told me."
"Well, I was contacted yesterday by a woman from the society," Giles reached across to the table and rifled around until he found a notepad. "A woman named Annabella Fugazzi asked me if she can inspect the pages to check for authenticity. I told her that I wasn't entirely happy about giving her the pages but she assured me of the safety. I said that I would think about it."
"When is she coming?" Oz asked.
"This afternoon, but she isn't taking the pages away, she only wants to look at them. Apparently she's here because she supposedly knows a thing or two about the artefact."
* * * * * * * * * * Rosenberg's Residence 2:02pm * * * * * * * * * *
After their earlier meeting at Giles, everyone decided to go their separate way. Xander and Anya had decided it was a sunny enough day to spend some private time at the beach, and Oz had to meet Devon and the rest of the Dingoes for band practice. So it left only the chosen two and Willow, three friends spending quality time doing absolutely nothing but enjoy each other's company.
"Maybe it's Italian," Willow said in mid-conversation.
"Yeah, probably red." Faith agreed as she laid on top of Willows' bed next to Buffy
"I dunno," Buffy said still not convinced, "I can't help to feel something weird, it's like I'm getting a real evil vibe here."
"Whoa, B, you start getting evil vibes just from a name now." Faith retorted.
"Well if it makes you feel better," Willow said looking at Buffy, "I could search for her on the net."
"Please," Buffy said with giving her wicca friend a lob-sided smile.
"Okay. I'll search for the name, see what I can find." Willow walked to her laptop and tapped a few buttons on the keyboard.
"You know how much I love y'a B," Faith said, "but I don't think you'll get anything bad on this woman, not everything is unusual hon."
"Maybe," Buffy agreed be-grudgingly.
"Hey, this is unusual," Willow said a few moments later.
"You were saying honey," Buffy said and walked over to see what Willow had got.
"I only found one reference to 'Fugazzi', but it wasn't on the net. No, the computer found the reference on that compact disc that the woman gave Giles." Willow tapped a few more keys. "Actually, I didn't realise an internet search would look in places that was not on the net, I wonder if it searches my hard drive as well." Willow added as an after thought.
|d:\slang\search\cgi-bin="Fugazzi+Anabella" - Netscape | |Navigator | |File Edit View Go Favorites Help | | | |Slang / Thesaurus | | | |-F- | |FUGAZZI - Slang meaning FAKE or PHONEY (something that is not | |real). | |See also - FAKE, PHONEY, FORGERY, IMMITATION, IMPOSTOR, BOGUS |
"Hah! I knew there was something off with her." Buffy exclaimed looking at the screen.
"Maybe," Willow pondered. "Well, maybe she's some sort of demon. Let me just quickly check the Watcher's database, see if they have the inside scoop on this person." Willow quickly tapped more keys, this time searching for the person. "Okay," Willow said after a few moments, "I got one match. Annabella Fugazzi, special representative working for the Archaeological Society in New York City. See file Giles, Patrick Robert."
"So what, she's clean?" Faith asked, "she's no demon."
"No," Willow answered, "it doesn't look like it. Though I wonder how she's connected with Pat." After a couple of seconds Willow brought up Patrick's files.
"Patrick Robert Giles," Buffy read over Willows' shoulder. "Born twenty- fifth December, nineteen seventy-five --"
"Christmas babe, cool." Faith said.
"Oh look here." Buffy said looking at the bottom of the screen. "Eighteenth of April nineteen ninety-eight. Kansas City USA. Supervisory of artefact in National Park, to co-ordinate with Annabella Fugazzi from the Archaeological Society in New York City. Records pertaining to the artefact were classified by Patrick Robert Giles at the request of the Watcher's Council of Great Britain."
"Well I guess that mystery has been cleared up then," Faith said stretching her arms back. "Hey, why don't we take a stroll over to the Espresso Pump for some much needed caffeine?"
"I'm in," Buffy said smiling.
"De-caf for me," Willow said.
* * * * * * * * * *
Annabella was with Giles for about an hour before she finally left his apartment, disappointed and empty handed. She had come for to get the remaining pages but hadn't really counted on the reluctance of Rupert Giles. She knew the power the pages wrought and so she needed to get them. She pulled a flip phone from her inside jacket pocket and dialled a number.
"Yes," the voice answered.
"He has the pages." Anna said walking towards her car.
"Did you see them?" the voice spoke after a moments. silence.
"Yes, they are being kept in the casket. What should I do?"
"Leave it to me. What about the artefact?"
"It's ready to be moved to San Diego in five days time." Anna said fishing for her car keys in her purse before pulling them out and unlocking the door
"Good." the voice said. "Come back, we have things to do."
"What about the pages?"
"Like I said, leave that to me. We'll get those pages, one way or another." There was a brief pause before the phone line went dead. Annabella put her purse on the passenger seat then started the engine of her car and drove off.
* * * * * * * * * *
"No! Don't go in there!" Buffy whimpered, staring at the gruesome sight in front of her.
Xander winced and Willow covered her eyes. "Oh God no."
A horrifying scream echoed throughout the room.
"Oh God yes," Xander muttered.
The two slayers, Willow, Oz, Anya, Xander and Amy were at Willows' surrounded by snacks and watching having a marathon Freddy Krueger horrorfest.
"You know," Oz mused, "there are some horror movies that are severely over- rated. Sadly Freddy's Dead is one of them."
"Yeah man," Xander agreed, "It's more like a serial comedy than a horror flick."
Faith looked down at the watch on Buffy's wrist and gave a mournful sigh. "Time to motivate B,"
"Patrol time," she said, standing up.
"Wait I think he's still alive," Xander said, his eyes still fixed on the screen in front of him.
Buffy shook her head. "Sorry, don't like to keep the bloodsucking psychos waiting."
Willow looked at them worriedly. "Don't forget your stakes," she said, pointing under the bed where Buffy had hidden them.
"Wanna come with?" Faith asked Willow who was cuddling up next to Oz.
"Nah, I think we'll stay here and finish off the marathon .. unless you wanna go on patrol Oz?" she finished looking at her boyfriend.
"Nah rather stay and watch the blood spewing psycho on the vid with you." Oz replied.
"Okay," Buffy said, "Xand, you two in?"
"Not me," Anya said getting up slowly, "I think I've overdosed on those Twinkies."
"You want me to stay with you?" Xander offered.
"No it's okay, I'll be alright. I'll see you tomorrow." Anya said kissing her boyfriend. "Be good, though." she added as an afterthought.
He rubbed his hands together. "Me? Bad? Never."
* * * * * * * * * *
"This is soooo boring," Xander whispered.
Buffy, Faith and Xander were strolling in the nearby park, which was almost completely deserted.
"Regret not going with Anya?" Buffy said smiling.
"Yeah Xand wouldn't you rather be in bed doin' the horizontal mamba?" Faith smirked.
"I'm young," Xander replied. "And no doubt we'll make up for it tomorrow."
Suddenly a scream echoed from the playground.
Xander jumped and the Slayers began running in the direction of the scream. Xander followed as best he could. They dashed in between the swings and before them was about seven vampires and a teenage girl in their grasp.
"Hey," Buffy shouted. "Hungry? How about a stake?" Then she burst into action, kicking the first vampire over to the side. Faith was there soon after taking on the vamp that was nearest to her, stake at the ready.
"B that was lame!" Faith called as she was pounding her vampire.
Buffy dusted a vamp and glanced sideways at Faith. "What d'a mean 'lame'?"
"Oh come on," Faith exclaimed dusting her vamp. "That 'How 'bout a stake'?" she finished with a grin.
Xander was fighting the vampire who was holding the girl as best as he could. He attempted to stake it several times missing by miles each time. Finally he just took out a cross and burned the vampire. It screamed and released its hold on the girl. She fell to the ground staring up at her saviour.
"Thank you," she said breathlessly.
Xander gave her a quick smile. "Go."
She hesitated.
Suddenly the vampire grabbed Xander from behind, knocking the cross into the brush. The girl shrieked.
"Go!" Xander shouted at her before the vampire dragged him to the ground.
The girl paused, unable to decide whether to leave and save herself or try to help her rescuer.
"Hold on Xand," Faith called, "We'll be there as soon as!"
Suddenly the decision was taken from her. Xander's foot shot out kicking her ankle. She stumbled forward then glanced back at him. He was against a tree, a vampire on top of him. He looked at her and shouted over and over and over for her to leave him. She hesitated for a second then ran as quickly as she could back to her own house.
Xander struggled to free himself but the vampire's grip was too strong.
"Buffy! Faith!" he yelled, desperately.
He glanced over to see them struggling against the other four vamps.
His attention focused back on the vampire attacking him. Its fist shot out and hit him in the face repeatedly with such force that with every punch his head slammed against the tree.
"You look real tasty," the vampire said, grinning as he paused.
"You too," Xander managed to reply. Suddenly the vampire's foot lashed out catching Xander square in the ribs. He dropped painfully on his side where another kick rammed into his head.
"Xander!" He heard both slayers cry.
"Buff," he whispered. *Please don't make this the end*, he thought desperately. *At least I saved someone else*, was his last thought before the vampire went into a flurry of kicks that sent him reeling into darkness.
"Xander!" Buffy screamed as she saw him go down, his eyes closing. She glanced away for just a second but the vampires saw her eyes focus elsewhere and took advantage of that moment. Two of the vamps grabbed her arms, yanking the stake from her hand and throwing it into the nearby brush.
She fought against them as hard as she could but was quickly subdued and bound with rope.
"Faith!" Buffy called out.
"She ain't helpin' you slayer." the vamp gloated. From Buffy's view she could see that Faith was also in the same predicament as her.
"What do you want?" she said as calmly as she could.
The vampires just grinned. "Oh you'll find out soon," one of them said.
Buffy stared at Xander's still form, praying he would wake up and rescue them or even wake up at all but he did not move.
They started to carry the slayer's away but the one in front stopped suddenly. "What should we do with the boy?" he asked.
Another shrugged. "Throw him in the bushes. No one will find him and he won't wake up for days. By then it will be too late."
Buffy felt her blood run cold. One of the vampires walked to where Xander was laying. With one swift kick, Xander went flying into a tree. The vampire stared at Buffy with a big smirk on its face.
Don't react, she told herself. Don't give them the satisfaction that they got to you.
"You bastard!" Faith screamed.
"I didn't realise you knew my parent's so well," the vampire chuckled. With what sounded like an extremely painful kick he sent Xander's body into the tick shrubs.
"Let's go," it said, rejoining the others.
"Where to?" Buffy blurted out.
The vampires glanced at each other. Then one shrugged and sent a swift punch to the side of Buffy's head plunging her into blackness.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 2nd * * * * * * * * * *
"Have you seen Buffy or Faith?" Willow asked Giles the next morning. "Or Xander?"
Giles shook his head. "Are they missing?"
Willow nodded, worriedly. "They went patrolling last night and haven't been back home since."
Giles frowned. "Why hasn't Buffy's mother called and said anything?"
"She's away for the week."
"What about Xander's mother?"
Willow shrugged. "Haven't heard anything from her."
Giles frowned harder. "She probably doesn't even know he's gone. I swear in all my life I've never seen such uncaring parents." he muttered in disgust.
"So, uh, should we search for them?" Willow asked.
Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief. "Ah, yes that would be wise. What are your plans for today?"
"Well I'm supposed to meet Oz, he's getting a new amp for the band."
"Okay, you go with Oz, and we'll meet here about" Giles paused and looked at his watch, "about half past five." Willow nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh, Willow," Giles called after her. "Please don't worry too much. I'm sure they're fine."
* * * * * * * * * *
Faith woke up with a splitting headache. *In need of Advil much?* she thought putting a hand to her head. Slowly she sat up and looked around. She was seated on a cold cement floor in some sort of jail cell and next to her was Buffy still out cold. She saw two vampires just outside the door of the cell glaring at her.
"Hey B," Faith said softly shaking her girlfriend.
Buffy let out a silent moan and her eyes fluttered open. "Mmmooawh!" she groaned.
"Yeah, know the feelin' there B." Faith said as she gently helped Buffy up.
"What do we do?" Buffy quietly muttered looking at the vampires.
"Break out?" Faith suggested. "Hey guys," she said slowly turning to face the vampires. "Can you do me a favour and come here for a minute? Yes both of you."
The two stupid vampires smiled at the pretty girl enticing them and lumbered forward, with no idea of who she was. To them they were just another meal.
Faith slowly reached into her back pocket and gently pulled out her stake and held it so the vamps couldn't see it. They were standing directly by the door and one of them smiled stupidly at her while the other gave her a measuring look. Faith ran forward and staked the stupid one in the heart. The other one jumped in surprise then stepped away. Faith smiled. "I'm sorry I got your clothes all dusty. Oops," Faith reached out of the bars of her cell and yanked the vampire close to her by the lapels. It snarled and struggled but it didn't have a chance. Faith staked it then inspected the lock on the cell door. It wasn't a padlock which she could snap in, well, a snap. It required a key which both Faith and Buffy saw on a table just out of her reach. Faith sighed. "Getting out of here is going to take a lot more work then I thought," she murmured.
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow shrieked loudly.
"What is it?" Giles asked frantically.
Willow pointed at the ground. "It's-it's..." She paused, embarrassed. "It's a squirrel."
Giles rolled his eyes.
Willow shrugged. "Just keep looking."
The gang had searched almost all of the cemeteries by then and most of the alleyways but there was no sign of the slayers or Xander.
"It seems like they've just disappeared," Giles murmured after a few minutes of searching. "Maybe we should just go back to my place and research. That could give us some perspective on were and how to search for them."
Willow and the others nodded and they turned and trudged back through the darkness in the hopes of finding an answer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy strained for the thousandth time to reach but could not. They had been trying all day and for most of the night, thinking up ways to reach the keys. She glanced out the barred window at the rising sun. She wondered if Willow and Giles were searching for her and if Xander was okay.
*I'm sure they'll be coming for us soon*, she thought frantically. We have to escape. Once again she reached through the bars to the keys. Once again they were merely inches too far away. She growled in frustration.
The cell was becoming light again. Buffy and Faith were starving for they hadn't eaten in almost two days now. Now Faith thought about Xander, wondering if Willow and Giles or any of the others had found him, wondering if he was awake yet, or even if he was dead.
Faith walked over to Buffy and wrapped her hands around her waist. "Hey, B." Faith whispered." Xander will probably be fine even if he hasn't woken up yet."
Buffy yawned. She sat down onto the floor and leaned against the wall. "Yeah." Buffy sighed. "Hon,"
"Hmm," Faith replied still clutching her around the waist.
"I'm just gonna have a little rest okay?"
"Sure B," Faith replied softly kissing her on her neck.
"Faith," Buffy said.
"Hmmm," Faith replied again.
"Don't let go of me."
"Never," Faith said pulling her close to her body
As a new day began, both Buffy and Faith fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 3rd * * * * * * * * * *
"Okay, so no luck?" Oz asked the next afternoon.
Giles shook his head. "Not really. Actually, there are a few vampire rituals to go on this time of year but none of the require a slayer. A slayer would make the spells stronger but isn't necessary."
Willow took a deep breath and sat down on one of Giles' chairs. "I guess we can continue searching tonight." *Please don't make it too late*, she prayed with all her might for Buffy and Xander.
* * * * * * * * * *
When Xander finally woke up he had such a bad headache he bet even the world's biggest aspirin would help him.
He let out a small groan and carefully opened his eyes. He was lying in a dense group of bushes and trees. His entire body ached. His head was killing him, his left wrist felt broken and his chest throbbed like crazy and hunger pains shot through his stomach. Slowly the events that led up to this came back to him.
*Buffy and Faith*, he thought suddenly. He could not see her anywhere and if she had escaped she wouldn't have just left him there. No she must be in some sort of trouble. *How long have I been out anyway?* he wondered.
Slowly, agonisingly, he pulled his left hand out from under him. He winced in pain. *Yep, definitely broken*. He checked his watch. It read Wednesday, 7:30 pm. He sighed. He had been unconscious for two days in the woods of some park and his parents probably didn't even realise he was gone. He wondered if Willow and Giles had looked for him yet. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
*Hello!* Xander told himself, struggling to sit up. What got you into this situation in the first place? Vampires! And let's see you're unprotected in a forest at night. No that's not vulnerable. He grimaced as he sat up, cradling his arm close to his stomach.
Xander bolted upright suddenly when he heard a crackling noise coming from the path on his left. "Xander?" he heard a voice call.
He smiled with relief. "Anya?" he managed to croak before collapsing back onto the ground.
He heard running footsteps and soon Anya, Willow and Giles were kneeling beside him.
"Are you ok?" Giles asked worriedly.
"Never been better," he replied, once again attempting to sit up.
"Is Buffy here?" Willow asked, glancing around.
Xander shook his head, biting his lip to keep from crying out as spasms of pain shot across his head.
Giles peered at him, concerned. "We need to get you to a hospital."
"No," he said. "I'm not going anywhere until we find Buffy."
Anya and Willow looked like they were about to argue but Giles saw the determination in Xander's eyes. "Fine. But at least come to my apartment to get you bandaged up."
Xander nodded in agreement and, with the support of Willow and Anya staggered to his feet and finally left the park.
* * * * * * * * * *
"What happened?" Giles asked as he carefully bandaged Xander's wrist.
Xander rolled his eyes. "We went out for Chinese food."
Willow grinned, giddy with relief that Xander was back to his joking self. "Seriously."
"Well," he said. He went on to explain about them being attacked and that he didn't know where they had taken Buffy.
Giles sighed. "Well, I do believe that since Buffy and Faith were, ah, 'in the neighbourhood' as Americans say it, they decided to take her to make their spell stronger."
Willow raised her eyebrows. "So they're being held captive somewhere?"
Giles nodded.
"Great," Xander muttered. "Hey, Giles do you have any Advil or something?"
"Cabinet bathroom," he replied.
As Xander went down the hall to the bathroom, Willow turned to Giles.
"Exactly how many people do they need for this ritual?" she asked.
"Well," Anya answered, "without the Slayer's they would need at least four but with her, they only need one more." Willow and Giles looked at her for a moment in silence. "What? A thousand year old demon can't know a thing or two?"
Suddenly a loud crash echoed through the house.
They bolted from their seats, running to the hall. On the way, Giles picked up a stake.
"Xander?" Willow shouted.
There was another thud then a curse.
The site that greeted them was of Xander on the ground, a vampire on top of him. Glass was all over the floor along with several flowers.
"Hey guys" Xander said. "Kinda need some help in case you didn't notice."
The vampire snarled at them then picked up a piece of glass and threw it at Giles. The stake flew from his hand as he jumped out of the way. The vamp smiled then caught Xander in a brutal headlock, yanking the panting boy to his feet. Everyone froze.
"How about you let him go and we'll let you go," Giles said, edging toward the fallen stake. The vampire's grip on Xander's neck tightened.
"How about I get another sacrifice and you let me?" it shot back.
Xander's eyes were bulging. Willow knew acting fast would be a necessary thing.
Suddenly, Giles snatched up the stake. The vampire shifted uncertainly.
"Not so sure now, huh?" Willow said, bravely.
Xander looked like he was about to faint. "Really not the time for mocking," he managed to rasp.
"Right." Giles tightened his grip on the stake and charged at the demon. Before it could react, Giles staked it directly in the heart. Xander collapsed to the ground in a pile of dust and glass, choking and gasping for air.
Anya rushed over to him. "Are you ok?"
"First of all, I don't believe I have been asked that question more in one day. And second what do you think?"
Anya smiled sympathetically. "Getting knocked out for two days straight then nearly getting strangled to death. I understand." She helped him to his feet.
"Although," he said, panting, "I did pick up some valuable information."
Giles came over to them. "What is that?"
"Where Buffy and Faith are being held."
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy suddenly sat upright. She had been sitting for an hour thinking about how she could reach that key. Faith stirred behind her and opened her eyes. "Hey B, what y'a doin?" Faith asked.
"I got an idea, we're getting out of here." Buffy said.
"Nice thought B," Faith muttered standing up.
Buffy pulled her stake out and, grasping it firmly in her hand, reached for the keys using the stake to drag them closer. Then she dropped the stake and reached with her hand. With just a bit of stretching, she snatched them up and quickly unlocked the door.
"Hey good wicked thinkin' B!" Faith exclaimed.
As they closed the cell door the outer door to the room opened and two vampires came in.
"Hey," Faith said, picking up her stake and getting into a fighting stance. Then she flew into action, dusting one of them and kicking the other into the wall. Faith punched the other one over and over again until finally she staked it. Then they she rose, Buffy brushing herself off and they headed for the door. Three more figures blocked her way. They looked sideways at each other and lifted their stakes ready to dust them until one spoke.
"Buff, Faith, spider sense going wacko?"
Buffy laughed, overcome with joy and relief. The voice belonged to Xander. She reached out and hugged him. "You're ok," she said. She felt his body tense. "No you're not." She pulled back and looked at him. He looked exhausted, bruised and beaten, his left wrist bandaged up and more bandages peeking out from his hastily buttoned shirt. There were more bruises around his neck and he was wincing.
"I am ok, really, Buffy," he said. "Even though my head feels like a nuclear bomb just exploded in it. Are you girls ok?"
Buffy smiled. It was so like Xander to think about others before himself. "Yeah, we're fine."
"We'd better go," Faith said.
"Yeah, getting captured by bloodsucking demons just doesn't strike me as fun," Xander said.
Willow laughed as they quietly made their way down the hall.
Buffy was dying to ask how they had found her but getting out of there was more important. Suddenly, Willow tripped and fell against a wall with a loud thud. All of them froze.
"They're coming!" Faith hissed. "Go!" They all began to run. Faith noticed Xander falling behind. She grabbed his right arm and pulled him along as fast as she could.
The vampires were gaining on them. Buffy glanced back and saw there were at least five. And then the vampires were upon them. Buffy fought harder than she thought she could in her state of hunger. Beside her she saw Giles stake one of the vampires. Xander was also fighting well despite his condition. Willow was behind Oz crossbow in hand thinking of a good spell to use. Suddenly, the tables turned. Willow's cross was knocked out of her hand and Giles was thrown down. One of the vampire kicked Xander in his broken wrist making him double over in pain. Buffy staked the vamp she was fighting then went to help the others. Oz was trying to re-load the crossbow as vampire was leaning in to bite Willow when Faith and Buffy double-staked it through the back. It was harder that way but whatever got the job done especially with two ... Giles had gotten back up and was fighting one especially resilient vampire.
"Giles!" Buffy shrieked, hoping to distract the vampire. It worked and vampire looked in her direction. Giles leapt into action, staking the vampire while its back was turned.
Buffy looked over to see Xander slowly sitting up cradling his hand.
Thank God she thought as her attention was taking by a female vampire. This one seemed to have a black belt in karate but was slow on the uptake. Buffy backed against a wall as the vampire flew at her. Buffy leaped out of the way at the last minute and the vamp slammed into the wall. Buffy threw it to the ground and staked it.
Finally Faith dispatched the last vampire and they continued as best they could definitely more tired and bruised than before.
"Is it getting darker or is it just me?" Willow asked quietly.
"Definitely not you," Buffy replied.
Faith sighed. "And from my experiences darker isn't better."
They made a sharp turn and stopped.
Willow almost screamed but Oz clapped a hand over her mouth. Before them lay a very tall very big demon. It was about eight feet tall, with long talons and pointy teeth. It's skin was tinged slightly green and was covered with hair. Its eyes were closed and it seemed to be sleeping.
Buffy looked around desperately for something to fight the demon blocking their path. She glanced at the ceiling. Pipes ran all the way down to the exit. And idea occurred to her.
"Guys," she whispered. "Do you think you can hold on to those pipes for a little bit while we destroy this guy?"
They all nodded.
"Great." Buffy made footholds for each of them and they were soon dangling from the pipes.
"Wrap your feet around the pipes so you can stay on longer," she advised then turned her attention to the demon in front of her. They crept forward, their only weapons a couple of stakes and themselves.
"Hey ugly!' Faith called. The demon's eyes opened. "I think you'd better get a refund from your plastic surgeon."
The demon roared and charged her. Buffy cartwheeled out of the way and the demon paused unsure where Buffy had gone. Buffy heard a muffled scream and looked up. Willow must have fallen and now was dangling ten feet off the ground, holding onto Xander's left hand for dear life. Xander face was in a grimace of pain for that was the broken wrist. Oz was inching over bit by bit but Faith wasn't so sure he would make it in time.
Suddenly the slayers heard the demon roar. They went into action kicking it in the face and sending it sprawling. Then they hopped on it and Buffy lifted her stake, slamming it directly into the demon's eye. It screamed in agony and Buffy poked at its eye over and over again until the demon lay still. Then Faith quickly stabbed it in the heart to make sure it was completely killed then ran to help Willow. Faith leaped in the air and grabbed hold of the pipe. Then she reached out a hand to Willow. Willow grabbed it and carefully made her way over to the wall where, using the crumbling bricks as foot holds was finally safe on the ground. Giles did the same and so did Xander.
Faith hopped down last and led the way out from the sewers, back into the safety of the moonlight.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 4th * * * * * * * * * *
The next morning the gang met at Giles' apartment. The slayers were relieved to see Xander looking better after a good night's rest. His wrist had been set and he had been treated at the hospital for a concussion.
"Everyone better?" Willow asked when she came in arm-in-arm with Oz.
They all nodded with smiles.
"Good." Willow sat down on Giles' sofa.
"So a good nights rest did us well, huh?" Giles said.
"Yeah, I guess we were kinda tired after the, uh, fun we had last night, right?" Xander put in. He frowned when he thought over what he had just said. "Wait that came out wrong."
Faith and Buffy rolled her eyes. "I'm just glad we got out of there alive." Buffy said smiling.
"Me too," Willow agreed.
Xander rolled his eyes. "Will, I would think so."
They all chuckled.
Giles looked up from the newspaper he was reading with a look of disbelief in his eyes.
"What is it?" Buffy asked.
He handed her the newspaper.
She read the article out loud. "Sunnydale PD were called to the site of the Sunnydale High School last night where twelve members of the Archaeological Society were found murdered. Unconfirmed reports of neck ruptures on eight or more of the victims. Stolen was the artefact that was discovered on the site that was set to go to San Deigo."
"So what? It was another diversion?" Willow pondered.
"Maybe," Oz answered. "But why take the artefact when we got the pages still?"
"Indeed." Giles said. "I only imagine that they next target will be here."
"Wow! The fate of the world rests in six pieces of paper," Anya said to noone in particular.
* * * * * * * * * *
In the abandoned warehouse Nosferatu was smiling as he looked around. Everything was almost at hand and he only needed one more thing to complete the preparations. He turned his head as two figure approached him from the darkness.
"I see you are both well." he said smiling.
"Indeed Sire," one of them spoke. "But the pages..."
"Patience is a virtue," Nosferatu said as one of the figures walked into the light, "soon Annabella."
"Soon," she smiled.
"As you Jack, I see you collected the artefact in fine fashion."
"Indeed," the other person spoke. Stepping next to Annabella the person smiled, it was the team leader of the society.
"Ahh, after all this time. Now we are as one again," Nosferatu said with a smile as he looked at them. "Mulo," he said looking at the man, "and Bajang." he continued looking at the woman. "After tomorrow's moon the humans will never see sunlight again, and we will once more reclaim this Earth as our own."
"Sire," another vamp spoke coming out of the darkness, "what of the one who went on the hunt for you?"
"Indeed, bring him forward." Nosferatu said with a glint in his eye.
There was a moment of silence before the vampire who lead the attack in the park walked forward and stood in front of the First One, not hiding the fear in his eyes from his sire.
"You knew my orders, yet you deliberately chose not to follow them. Why?"
"Sire, with all forgiveness. We had overpowered the Slayers easily, we thought if we killed them it would make the task easier."
"Commendable performance," the First One mused to himself, "However, you still didn't retrieve what I asked you to get, did you?"
"N-no," the vampire stammered.
There was a moment's silence as Nosferatu was in thought before finally speaking. "Very well ... but for that you will have to die. I hope you understand."
"But site, please ...." the vamp tried to protest as two burly looking ve he would make it in time.
Suddenly the slayers heard the demon roar. They went into action kicking it in the face and sending it sprawling. Then they hopped on it and Buffy lifted her stake, slamming it directly into the demon's eye. It screamed in agony and B
Author's Note: Now, let me introduce myself. I go by many names, but commonly I go by either 'Doc or Andy and I'm the other half of the web team. I write the html code that produce Boca del Infierno, and is one of a few sites that I maintain. I'm heavy on the 'net' ... you can mainly find me surfing the web, chatting, generally having a laugh. If I'm not there then I'm usually out pubbing with my mates or watching Buffy in action ... This is the fourth episode in season one and like the others is linked to "The Erlenmeyer Flask, and the two-parter Inner Fears and Forbidden Pleasures", so if you haven't read them yet, I suggest that is a good place to start as things might be a little muddled ;-) Faith isn't involved in this part as she's off on vacation so I have been asked to write this on my own .. Happy reading ...
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: Carmen Electra as Annabella Fugazzi/Bajang Harris Yuelin as Quentin Travers Brian Thompson as Mulo Terrance Stamp as Terrance Douglas
And Introducing: Edward Furlong as Patrick Giles/Nosferatu
* * * * * * * * * * Two Months Previous - Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale California * * * * * * * * * *
Things look considerably different from last year. A few months after the attempted ascension by Mayor Richard Wilkins a new mayor was called into office, his first act was to demolish and re-build the Sunnydale High School. It had taken time to get the funding together but before too long approval had been given and demolition had started four weeks ago. Now it looked like the school was never there, chain-link fencing surround an empty plot that contained construction materials and offices.
" -- okay, we'll start work over in section one." one of the workmen said to another as they studied a structural plan of the new high school.
"Chief," a workman called as he approached the two men.
"Yeah Jack what is it?" the site foreman replied.
"You know you told me to clear the concrete foundation from section four and re-lay it. Well we were clearing the rubble and we saw something bizarre underneath."
"What have you got Jack?" the foreman asked walking back to where Jack had came from.
"I can't explain it sir. All I can say is that we found it exactly under the concrete foundation, and it's made of ... it looks like crystal."
"Crystal!?" They reach the spot where the concrete had been excavated and the foreman knelt down to examine what Jack was taking about.
"It's incredible looking isn't it? I mean just looking at it. I wonder how long it's been here, or who put it here in the first place?"
"You know what this means Jack," the foreman said looking up at him.
"Sir," Jack replied.
"More delays," the foreman simply stated with a resigning sigh.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 1st, 10:04am * * * * * * * * * *
"Yes, it's quite impressive Willow, but what am I looking at?" Giles asked.
Willow was sitting with Giles on the couch looking at something on Patrick's laptop computer. Given Giles' rather reluctance with modern technology he'd asked Willow to search through the compact disc that Jennifer had given him a few days earlier. What Willow had found was quite interesting. What was displayed in the computer monitor was a colour photograph of a monolithic structure, circular in design which was eight feet wide and high. Underneath was a caption which read "Kansas City, USA - 4/18/1998"
"Remember how they had to stop building the new high school a little while back."
"Yes," Giles replied, "there was something buried underneath our high school."
"Well," Willow continued, "the archaeological team finally revealed today what they unearthed." Willow leaned forward and grabbed the local newspaper and showed Giles the front page which had a photograph of the same monolithic structure that was in the photo.
"Have you found any other information pertaining to this object Willow?" Giles asked comparing the photographs.
"Only one piece," Willow replied. She reached into a small carry bag she had brought with him and pulled out a small printed document and handed it to Giles. "A document that Patrick had written as part of his studying, 'The Mythology Of The Hellmouth - A Dissertation On Hellmouth Activity'."
"Patrick was studying the Hellmouth?" Giles asked.
"In detail in fact. I read through it last night, and although I think that some of the information he gave is subject to conjecture, I can't help to feel that he has discovered more about the Hellmouth than us -- and we live on a Hellmouth."
"Interesting," Giles said slowly leafing through the pages of the document.
"Did you try that number Xander found?"
"Yes," Giles said, he closed the document and placed it on the coffee table. "It turns out to be the Archaeological Society based in New York, they hold the other pieces. The pages were given to them by my nephew and they know he holds part of the document ... they're asking if they can have the rest of the pages."
"Are you going to give them the pages Giles? I mean, don't they realise how much importance is being placed on these pages right now?"
"Indeed, but they claim that they can keep the pages safe. I told them that I would think about it and let them know." Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them with a piece of tissue.
* * * * * * * * * * Sunnydale High School - Construction Site * * * * * * * * * *
It's been seven weeks since the Archaeological Society arrived at the High School to uncover the artefact they had uncovered. The archaeologists were milling around the artefact taking photographs and taking measurements before they removed it from the site and taken back to the society for further analysis.
A young woman entered the construction area and started walking over to the excavation area. She was tall, with long hazel coloured hair and dull grey eyes. She was wearing white Armani suit with a pair of thin rimmed sun glasses to top off the ensemble. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Terrance Douglas." she called out to the team.
A short man in his late twenties was crouching at the edge of the hole, he was deep in through as he stared, mesmerised by the beauty of the artefact.
"Mr. Douglas?" the woman repeated looking down at the man. This snapped him out of his thoughts and looked up at the woman calling his name
"Yes, hello." Terrance finally answered, "Can I help you Ms ..."
"Fugazzi. Annabella Fugazzi." she replied offering her hand to the man. "I'm from the Archaeological Society based in New York."
"Excellent," Terrance replied shaking Annabella's hand. "I heard that you seen something like this before Ms. Fugazzi that's why I asked you here, you came highly recommended."
"Oh please, call me Anna." Annabella replied looking at the artefact. "I was part of an initial team who discovered a piece like this in Kansas City about two years ago, it was exactly the same as this piece we're looking at."
"Interesting," Terrance replied. "Say can I get you a coffee?"
"Thank you, yes." Anna replied.
"Good," Terrance said with a small smile. "There's a coffee shop across the way. Why don't I buy you one and you can tell me about this artefact here."
"Okay," Annabella replied with a smile.
* * * * * * * * * * Oxford University, Student Campus - 16th April 1998 * * * * * * * * * *
Extracts From 'The Mythology Of The Hellmouth - A Dissertation On Hellmouth Activity'
Although the design itself is quite simplistic the artefact itself is quite remarkable. From analysing remains from a similar monolith found in the former Soviet Union we believe that the choice of crystal for it's design was deliberate and quite ingenious.
Up until now the popular held belief was that a Hellmouth was located over a mystical convergence where it is most strongest, the energies emanating from what we call 'lay lines' providing the necessary energies. We now know this is part true. We believe the monolith is in fact a resonating crystal formed in this particular shape to amplify and focus these energies at a specific point, and there are to date, an unknown number of these resonating crystals here on Earth. The question though is, if these chrysalis are directed related to the formation to a Hellmouth then why is demonic activity on this planet as low as it currently is?
Two men sat in one of the student's dorm rooms discussing the document.
"This is quite a revealing report," one of the men said thumbing through it. "How much of it is based of actual evidence?"
The younger man sat opposite rubbing his palms together. "Well Sir, obviously my finding are based on the pieces that we have. Although most of the report is quantifiable based from both the artefacts and the analysis reports, I'd have to say that ninety percent of it is accurate. Which is good considering that I've never seen one in tact, Mr. Travers."
"Well," Quentin began placing the document on a nearby table. "It seems my instincts in you were correct. How would you like to actually see one in tact? I could go a long way to your course credit."
"You mean to actually see this piece in it's entirety?" the young man asked.
"Yes. You see, you have a much firmer grasp on the mechanics on this structure than most others and we would like you there to ... let's say gather final data and to make sure it's handled safely. Can we count on you young man?"
"Yes Sir," he replied with eagerness in his eyes.
"Good," Quentin replied handing the man a plane ticket. "Your flight leaves for Kansas City, USA tonight so pack what you need now. A car will pick you up this afternoon and take you to the airport and another will collect you on your arrival. All accommodation for the duration has been arranged for." Quentin adjusted his glasses and stood up to leave. "Good luck on this one. I'm sure it will be a complete success Patrick."
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment 12:01pm - Present Day * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey Giles," a voice called. Nothing, no sign of recognition. "Hey Giles!" the voice called a little louder.
Suddenly aware someone was behind him almost sent him jumping out of his seat. Looking around behind him he saw Buffy, Faith and the rest of the Scooby's standing there.
"Oh, Buffy, hello." Giles said trying to regain some composure, "I didn't hear you arrive."
"Engrossed much Giles," Xander commented as he looked over the coffee table which was covered in papers and books. "What y'a reading anyway."
"Oh, just some information that Willow retrieved from that compact disc," Giles replied dropping the document he was reading on top of the other stuff.
Faith glanced down at what Giles was reading. "Wow, that sounds like heavy reading there Giles. I'd probably save something like that for bedtime material." the slayer idly commented raising her right eyebrow slightly.
"You'd read that to get you to sleep," Buffy retorted to her girlfriend with a mock pout.
"You know I tease," Faith replied flashing Buffy with a sly smile and a playful wink. "You know noone can tire me like you can B!"
"Please can we stop ladies before you drive me to a visual I'd rather not see," Xander mocked holding both hands up.
"Do you know anything more?" Oz asked sitting on the couch with Willow close by him.
"Well," Giles started, "it definitely looks like he'll be using the Hellmouth as part of the ritual. In light of this artefact that was buried in, or rather under the school, I'm guessing he'll be needing that quite desperately."
"How much would you think this Nosferatu demon would know about this information?" Buffy asked, she knew the answer but for the moment she was clinging to the hope that he didn't.
"I'm afraid he'd know everything." Giles answered slowly.
"Giles," Faith asked, "if he needs this thing so bad why don't we just go to the site and destroy the thing. No artefact, no worries -- right?"
"I'm afraid I don't know," Giles replied, "I haven't had the chance to look through the whole document."
"I have." Willow said holing her boyfriends hand for comfort. "The thing is made of crystal, I'm not sure what we'd need to destroy it, or even if we can."
"Well," Giles said a little deflated, "since this is going to take place in a matter of days, perhaps we should increase the patrols around the High School."
"Good idea Giles," Buffy said in agreement. "What about these pages, what's happening to those? Willow told me."
"Well, I was contacted yesterday by a woman from the society," Giles reached across to the table and rifled around until he found a notepad. "A woman named Annabella Fugazzi asked me if she can inspect the pages to check for authenticity. I told her that I wasn't entirely happy about giving her the pages but she assured me of the safety. I said that I would think about it."
"When is she coming?" Oz asked.
"This afternoon, but she isn't taking the pages away, she only wants to look at them. Apparently she's here because she supposedly knows a thing or two about the artefact."
* * * * * * * * * * Rosenberg's Residence 2:02pm * * * * * * * * * *
After their earlier meeting at Giles, everyone decided to go their separate way. Xander and Anya had decided it was a sunny enough day to spend some private time at the beach, and Oz had to meet Devon and the rest of the Dingoes for band practice. So it left only the chosen two and Willow, three friends spending quality time doing absolutely nothing but enjoy each other's company.
"Maybe it's Italian," Willow said in mid-conversation.
"Yeah, probably red." Faith agreed as she laid on top of Willows' bed next to Buffy
"I dunno," Buffy said still not convinced, "I can't help to feel something weird, it's like I'm getting a real evil vibe here."
"Whoa, B, you start getting evil vibes just from a name now." Faith retorted.
"Well if it makes you feel better," Willow said looking at Buffy, "I could search for her on the net."
"Please," Buffy said with giving her wicca friend a lob-sided smile.
"Okay. I'll search for the name, see what I can find." Willow walked to her laptop and tapped a few buttons on the keyboard.
"You know how much I love y'a B," Faith said, "but I don't think you'll get anything bad on this woman, not everything is unusual hon."
"Maybe," Buffy agreed be-grudgingly.
"Hey, this is unusual," Willow said a few moments later.
"You were saying honey," Buffy said and walked over to see what Willow had got.
"I only found one reference to 'Fugazzi', but it wasn't on the net. No, the computer found the reference on that compact disc that the woman gave Giles." Willow tapped a few more keys. "Actually, I didn't realise an internet search would look in places that was not on the net, I wonder if it searches my hard drive as well." Willow added as an after thought.
|d:\slang\search\cgi-bin="Fugazzi+Anabella" - Netscape | |Navigator | |File Edit View Go Favorites Help | | | |Slang / Thesaurus | | | |-F- | |FUGAZZI - Slang meaning FAKE or PHONEY (something that is not | |real). | |See also - FAKE, PHONEY, FORGERY, IMMITATION, IMPOSTOR, BOGUS |
"Hah! I knew there was something off with her." Buffy exclaimed looking at the screen.
"Maybe," Willow pondered. "Well, maybe she's some sort of demon. Let me just quickly check the Watcher's database, see if they have the inside scoop on this person." Willow quickly tapped more keys, this time searching for the person. "Okay," Willow said after a few moments, "I got one match. Annabella Fugazzi, special representative working for the Archaeological Society in New York City. See file Giles, Patrick Robert."
"So what, she's clean?" Faith asked, "she's no demon."
"No," Willow answered, "it doesn't look like it. Though I wonder how she's connected with Pat." After a couple of seconds Willow brought up Patrick's files.
"Patrick Robert Giles," Buffy read over Willows' shoulder. "Born twenty- fifth December, nineteen seventy-five --"
"Christmas babe, cool." Faith said.
"Oh look here." Buffy said looking at the bottom of the screen. "Eighteenth of April nineteen ninety-eight. Kansas City USA. Supervisory of artefact in National Park, to co-ordinate with Annabella Fugazzi from the Archaeological Society in New York City. Records pertaining to the artefact were classified by Patrick Robert Giles at the request of the Watcher's Council of Great Britain."
"Well I guess that mystery has been cleared up then," Faith said stretching her arms back. "Hey, why don't we take a stroll over to the Espresso Pump for some much needed caffeine?"
"I'm in," Buffy said smiling.
"De-caf for me," Willow said.
* * * * * * * * * *
Annabella was with Giles for about an hour before she finally left his apartment, disappointed and empty handed. She had come for to get the remaining pages but hadn't really counted on the reluctance of Rupert Giles. She knew the power the pages wrought and so she needed to get them. She pulled a flip phone from her inside jacket pocket and dialled a number.
"Yes," the voice answered.
"He has the pages." Anna said walking towards her car.
"Did you see them?" the voice spoke after a moments. silence.
"Yes, they are being kept in the casket. What should I do?"
"Leave it to me. What about the artefact?"
"It's ready to be moved to San Diego in five days time." Anna said fishing for her car keys in her purse before pulling them out and unlocking the door
"Good." the voice said. "Come back, we have things to do."
"What about the pages?"
"Like I said, leave that to me. We'll get those pages, one way or another." There was a brief pause before the phone line went dead. Annabella put her purse on the passenger seat then started the engine of her car and drove off.
* * * * * * * * * *
"No! Don't go in there!" Buffy whimpered, staring at the gruesome sight in front of her.
Xander winced and Willow covered her eyes. "Oh God no."
A horrifying scream echoed throughout the room.
"Oh God yes," Xander muttered.
The two slayers, Willow, Oz, Anya, Xander and Amy were at Willows' surrounded by snacks and watching having a marathon Freddy Krueger horrorfest.
"You know," Oz mused, "there are some horror movies that are severely over- rated. Sadly Freddy's Dead is one of them."
"Yeah man," Xander agreed, "It's more like a serial comedy than a horror flick."
Faith looked down at the watch on Buffy's wrist and gave a mournful sigh. "Time to motivate B,"
"Patrol time," she said, standing up.
"Wait I think he's still alive," Xander said, his eyes still fixed on the screen in front of him.
Buffy shook her head. "Sorry, don't like to keep the bloodsucking psychos waiting."
Willow looked at them worriedly. "Don't forget your stakes," she said, pointing under the bed where Buffy had hidden them.
"Wanna come with?" Faith asked Willow who was cuddling up next to Oz.
"Nah, I think we'll stay here and finish off the marathon .. unless you wanna go on patrol Oz?" she finished looking at her boyfriend.
"Nah rather stay and watch the blood spewing psycho on the vid with you." Oz replied.
"Okay," Buffy said, "Xand, you two in?"
"Not me," Anya said getting up slowly, "I think I've overdosed on those Twinkies."
"You want me to stay with you?" Xander offered.
"No it's okay, I'll be alright. I'll see you tomorrow." Anya said kissing her boyfriend. "Be good, though." she added as an afterthought.
He rubbed his hands together. "Me? Bad? Never."
* * * * * * * * * *
"This is soooo boring," Xander whispered.
Buffy, Faith and Xander were strolling in the nearby park, which was almost completely deserted.
"Regret not going with Anya?" Buffy said smiling.
"Yeah Xand wouldn't you rather be in bed doin' the horizontal mamba?" Faith smirked.
"I'm young," Xander replied. "And no doubt we'll make up for it tomorrow."
Suddenly a scream echoed from the playground.
Xander jumped and the Slayers began running in the direction of the scream. Xander followed as best he could. They dashed in between the swings and before them was about seven vampires and a teenage girl in their grasp.
"Hey," Buffy shouted. "Hungry? How about a stake?" Then she burst into action, kicking the first vampire over to the side. Faith was there soon after taking on the vamp that was nearest to her, stake at the ready.
"B that was lame!" Faith called as she was pounding her vampire.
Buffy dusted a vamp and glanced sideways at Faith. "What d'a mean 'lame'?"
"Oh come on," Faith exclaimed dusting her vamp. "That 'How 'bout a stake'?" she finished with a grin.
Xander was fighting the vampire who was holding the girl as best as he could. He attempted to stake it several times missing by miles each time. Finally he just took out a cross and burned the vampire. It screamed and released its hold on the girl. She fell to the ground staring up at her saviour.
"Thank you," she said breathlessly.
Xander gave her a quick smile. "Go."
She hesitated.
Suddenly the vampire grabbed Xander from behind, knocking the cross into the brush. The girl shrieked.
"Go!" Xander shouted at her before the vampire dragged him to the ground.
The girl paused, unable to decide whether to leave and save herself or try to help her rescuer.
"Hold on Xand," Faith called, "We'll be there as soon as!"
Suddenly the decision was taken from her. Xander's foot shot out kicking her ankle. She stumbled forward then glanced back at him. He was against a tree, a vampire on top of him. He looked at her and shouted over and over and over for her to leave him. She hesitated for a second then ran as quickly as she could back to her own house.
Xander struggled to free himself but the vampire's grip was too strong.
"Buffy! Faith!" he yelled, desperately.
He glanced over to see them struggling against the other four vamps.
His attention focused back on the vampire attacking him. Its fist shot out and hit him in the face repeatedly with such force that with every punch his head slammed against the tree.
"You look real tasty," the vampire said, grinning as he paused.
"You too," Xander managed to reply. Suddenly the vampire's foot lashed out catching Xander square in the ribs. He dropped painfully on his side where another kick rammed into his head.
"Xander!" He heard both slayers cry.
"Buff," he whispered. *Please don't make this the end*, he thought desperately. *At least I saved someone else*, was his last thought before the vampire went into a flurry of kicks that sent him reeling into darkness.
"Xander!" Buffy screamed as she saw him go down, his eyes closing. She glanced away for just a second but the vampires saw her eyes focus elsewhere and took advantage of that moment. Two of the vamps grabbed her arms, yanking the stake from her hand and throwing it into the nearby brush.
She fought against them as hard as she could but was quickly subdued and bound with rope.
"Faith!" Buffy called out.
"She ain't helpin' you slayer." the vamp gloated. From Buffy's view she could see that Faith was also in the same predicament as her.
"What do you want?" she said as calmly as she could.
The vampires just grinned. "Oh you'll find out soon," one of them said.
Buffy stared at Xander's still form, praying he would wake up and rescue them or even wake up at all but he did not move.
They started to carry the slayer's away but the one in front stopped suddenly. "What should we do with the boy?" he asked.
Another shrugged. "Throw him in the bushes. No one will find him and he won't wake up for days. By then it will be too late."
Buffy felt her blood run cold. One of the vampires walked to where Xander was laying. With one swift kick, Xander went flying into a tree. The vampire stared at Buffy with a big smirk on its face.
Don't react, she told herself. Don't give them the satisfaction that they got to you.
"You bastard!" Faith screamed.
"I didn't realise you knew my parent's so well," the vampire chuckled. With what sounded like an extremely painful kick he sent Xander's body into the tick shrubs.
"Let's go," it said, rejoining the others.
"Where to?" Buffy blurted out.
The vampires glanced at each other. Then one shrugged and sent a swift punch to the side of Buffy's head plunging her into blackness.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 2nd * * * * * * * * * *
"Have you seen Buffy or Faith?" Willow asked Giles the next morning. "Or Xander?"
Giles shook his head. "Are they missing?"
Willow nodded, worriedly. "They went patrolling last night and haven't been back home since."
Giles frowned. "Why hasn't Buffy's mother called and said anything?"
"She's away for the week."
"What about Xander's mother?"
Willow shrugged. "Haven't heard anything from her."
Giles frowned harder. "She probably doesn't even know he's gone. I swear in all my life I've never seen such uncaring parents." he muttered in disgust.
"So, uh, should we search for them?" Willow asked.
Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief. "Ah, yes that would be wise. What are your plans for today?"
"Well I'm supposed to meet Oz, he's getting a new amp for the band."
"Okay, you go with Oz, and we'll meet here about" Giles paused and looked at his watch, "about half past five." Willow nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh, Willow," Giles called after her. "Please don't worry too much. I'm sure they're fine."
* * * * * * * * * *
Faith woke up with a splitting headache. *In need of Advil much?* she thought putting a hand to her head. Slowly she sat up and looked around. She was seated on a cold cement floor in some sort of jail cell and next to her was Buffy still out cold. She saw two vampires just outside the door of the cell glaring at her.
"Hey B," Faith said softly shaking her girlfriend.
Buffy let out a silent moan and her eyes fluttered open. "Mmmooawh!" she groaned.
"Yeah, know the feelin' there B." Faith said as she gently helped Buffy up.
"What do we do?" Buffy quietly muttered looking at the vampires.
"Break out?" Faith suggested. "Hey guys," she said slowly turning to face the vampires. "Can you do me a favour and come here for a minute? Yes both of you."
The two stupid vampires smiled at the pretty girl enticing them and lumbered forward, with no idea of who she was. To them they were just another meal.
Faith slowly reached into her back pocket and gently pulled out her stake and held it so the vamps couldn't see it. They were standing directly by the door and one of them smiled stupidly at her while the other gave her a measuring look. Faith ran forward and staked the stupid one in the heart. The other one jumped in surprise then stepped away. Faith smiled. "I'm sorry I got your clothes all dusty. Oops," Faith reached out of the bars of her cell and yanked the vampire close to her by the lapels. It snarled and struggled but it didn't have a chance. Faith staked it then inspected the lock on the cell door. It wasn't a padlock which she could snap in, well, a snap. It required a key which both Faith and Buffy saw on a table just out of her reach. Faith sighed. "Getting out of here is going to take a lot more work then I thought," she murmured.
* * * * * * * * * *
Willow shrieked loudly.
"What is it?" Giles asked frantically.
Willow pointed at the ground. "It's-it's..." She paused, embarrassed. "It's a squirrel."
Giles rolled his eyes.
Willow shrugged. "Just keep looking."
The gang had searched almost all of the cemeteries by then and most of the alleyways but there was no sign of the slayers or Xander.
"It seems like they've just disappeared," Giles murmured after a few minutes of searching. "Maybe we should just go back to my place and research. That could give us some perspective on were and how to search for them."
Willow and the others nodded and they turned and trudged back through the darkness in the hopes of finding an answer.
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy strained for the thousandth time to reach but could not. They had been trying all day and for most of the night, thinking up ways to reach the keys. She glanced out the barred window at the rising sun. She wondered if Willow and Giles were searching for her and if Xander was okay.
*I'm sure they'll be coming for us soon*, she thought frantically. We have to escape. Once again she reached through the bars to the keys. Once again they were merely inches too far away. She growled in frustration.
The cell was becoming light again. Buffy and Faith were starving for they hadn't eaten in almost two days now. Now Faith thought about Xander, wondering if Willow and Giles or any of the others had found him, wondering if he was awake yet, or even if he was dead.
Faith walked over to Buffy and wrapped her hands around her waist. "Hey, B." Faith whispered." Xander will probably be fine even if he hasn't woken up yet."
Buffy yawned. She sat down onto the floor and leaned against the wall. "Yeah." Buffy sighed. "Hon,"
"Hmm," Faith replied still clutching her around the waist.
"I'm just gonna have a little rest okay?"
"Sure B," Faith replied softly kissing her on her neck.
"Faith," Buffy said.
"Hmmm," Faith replied again.
"Don't let go of me."
"Never," Faith said pulling her close to her body
As a new day began, both Buffy and Faith fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 3rd * * * * * * * * * *
"Okay, so no luck?" Oz asked the next afternoon.
Giles shook his head. "Not really. Actually, there are a few vampire rituals to go on this time of year but none of the require a slayer. A slayer would make the spells stronger but isn't necessary."
Willow took a deep breath and sat down on one of Giles' chairs. "I guess we can continue searching tonight." *Please don't make it too late*, she prayed with all her might for Buffy and Xander.
* * * * * * * * * *
When Xander finally woke up he had such a bad headache he bet even the world's biggest aspirin would help him.
He let out a small groan and carefully opened his eyes. He was lying in a dense group of bushes and trees. His entire body ached. His head was killing him, his left wrist felt broken and his chest throbbed like crazy and hunger pains shot through his stomach. Slowly the events that led up to this came back to him.
*Buffy and Faith*, he thought suddenly. He could not see her anywhere and if she had escaped she wouldn't have just left him there. No she must be in some sort of trouble. *How long have I been out anyway?* he wondered.
Slowly, agonisingly, he pulled his left hand out from under him. He winced in pain. *Yep, definitely broken*. He checked his watch. It read Wednesday, 7:30 pm. He sighed. He had been unconscious for two days in the woods of some park and his parents probably didn't even realise he was gone. He wondered if Willow and Giles had looked for him yet. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
*Hello!* Xander told himself, struggling to sit up. What got you into this situation in the first place? Vampires! And let's see you're unprotected in a forest at night. No that's not vulnerable. He grimaced as he sat up, cradling his arm close to his stomach.
Xander bolted upright suddenly when he heard a crackling noise coming from the path on his left. "Xander?" he heard a voice call.
He smiled with relief. "Anya?" he managed to croak before collapsing back onto the ground.
He heard running footsteps and soon Anya, Willow and Giles were kneeling beside him.
"Are you ok?" Giles asked worriedly.
"Never been better," he replied, once again attempting to sit up.
"Is Buffy here?" Willow asked, glancing around.
Xander shook his head, biting his lip to keep from crying out as spasms of pain shot across his head.
Giles peered at him, concerned. "We need to get you to a hospital."
"No," he said. "I'm not going anywhere until we find Buffy."
Anya and Willow looked like they were about to argue but Giles saw the determination in Xander's eyes. "Fine. But at least come to my apartment to get you bandaged up."
Xander nodded in agreement and, with the support of Willow and Anya staggered to his feet and finally left the park.
* * * * * * * * * *
"What happened?" Giles asked as he carefully bandaged Xander's wrist.
Xander rolled his eyes. "We went out for Chinese food."
Willow grinned, giddy with relief that Xander was back to his joking self. "Seriously."
"Well," he said. He went on to explain about them being attacked and that he didn't know where they had taken Buffy.
Giles sighed. "Well, I do believe that since Buffy and Faith were, ah, 'in the neighbourhood' as Americans say it, they decided to take her to make their spell stronger."
Willow raised her eyebrows. "So they're being held captive somewhere?"
Giles nodded.
"Great," Xander muttered. "Hey, Giles do you have any Advil or something?"
"Cabinet bathroom," he replied.
As Xander went down the hall to the bathroom, Willow turned to Giles.
"Exactly how many people do they need for this ritual?" she asked.
"Well," Anya answered, "without the Slayer's they would need at least four but with her, they only need one more." Willow and Giles looked at her for a moment in silence. "What? A thousand year old demon can't know a thing or two?"
Suddenly a loud crash echoed through the house.
They bolted from their seats, running to the hall. On the way, Giles picked up a stake.
"Xander?" Willow shouted.
There was another thud then a curse.
The site that greeted them was of Xander on the ground, a vampire on top of him. Glass was all over the floor along with several flowers.
"Hey guys" Xander said. "Kinda need some help in case you didn't notice."
The vampire snarled at them then picked up a piece of glass and threw it at Giles. The stake flew from his hand as he jumped out of the way. The vamp smiled then caught Xander in a brutal headlock, yanking the panting boy to his feet. Everyone froze.
"How about you let him go and we'll let you go," Giles said, edging toward the fallen stake. The vampire's grip on Xander's neck tightened.
"How about I get another sacrifice and you let me?" it shot back.
Xander's eyes were bulging. Willow knew acting fast would be a necessary thing.
Suddenly, Giles snatched up the stake. The vampire shifted uncertainly.
"Not so sure now, huh?" Willow said, bravely.
Xander looked like he was about to faint. "Really not the time for mocking," he managed to rasp.
"Right." Giles tightened his grip on the stake and charged at the demon. Before it could react, Giles staked it directly in the heart. Xander collapsed to the ground in a pile of dust and glass, choking and gasping for air.
Anya rushed over to him. "Are you ok?"
"First of all, I don't believe I have been asked that question more in one day. And second what do you think?"
Anya smiled sympathetically. "Getting knocked out for two days straight then nearly getting strangled to death. I understand." She helped him to his feet.
"Although," he said, panting, "I did pick up some valuable information."
Giles came over to them. "What is that?"
"Where Buffy and Faith are being held."
* * * * * * * * * *
Buffy suddenly sat upright. She had been sitting for an hour thinking about how she could reach that key. Faith stirred behind her and opened her eyes. "Hey B, what y'a doin?" Faith asked.
"I got an idea, we're getting out of here." Buffy said.
"Nice thought B," Faith muttered standing up.
Buffy pulled her stake out and, grasping it firmly in her hand, reached for the keys using the stake to drag them closer. Then she dropped the stake and reached with her hand. With just a bit of stretching, she snatched them up and quickly unlocked the door.
"Hey good wicked thinkin' B!" Faith exclaimed.
As they closed the cell door the outer door to the room opened and two vampires came in.
"Hey," Faith said, picking up her stake and getting into a fighting stance. Then she flew into action, dusting one of them and kicking the other into the wall. Faith punched the other one over and over again until finally she staked it. Then they she rose, Buffy brushing herself off and they headed for the door. Three more figures blocked her way. They looked sideways at each other and lifted their stakes ready to dust them until one spoke.
"Buff, Faith, spider sense going wacko?"
Buffy laughed, overcome with joy and relief. The voice belonged to Xander. She reached out and hugged him. "You're ok," she said. She felt his body tense. "No you're not." She pulled back and looked at him. He looked exhausted, bruised and beaten, his left wrist bandaged up and more bandages peeking out from his hastily buttoned shirt. There were more bruises around his neck and he was wincing.
"I am ok, really, Buffy," he said. "Even though my head feels like a nuclear bomb just exploded in it. Are you girls ok?"
Buffy smiled. It was so like Xander to think about others before himself. "Yeah, we're fine."
"We'd better go," Faith said.
"Yeah, getting captured by bloodsucking demons just doesn't strike me as fun," Xander said.
Willow laughed as they quietly made their way down the hall.
Buffy was dying to ask how they had found her but getting out of there was more important. Suddenly, Willow tripped and fell against a wall with a loud thud. All of them froze.
"They're coming!" Faith hissed. "Go!" They all began to run. Faith noticed Xander falling behind. She grabbed his right arm and pulled him along as fast as she could.
The vampires were gaining on them. Buffy glanced back and saw there were at least five. And then the vampires were upon them. Buffy fought harder than she thought she could in her state of hunger. Beside her she saw Giles stake one of the vampires. Xander was also fighting well despite his condition. Willow was behind Oz crossbow in hand thinking of a good spell to use. Suddenly, the tables turned. Willow's cross was knocked out of her hand and Giles was thrown down. One of the vampire kicked Xander in his broken wrist making him double over in pain. Buffy staked the vamp she was fighting then went to help the others. Oz was trying to re-load the crossbow as vampire was leaning in to bite Willow when Faith and Buffy double-staked it through the back. It was harder that way but whatever got the job done especially with two ... Giles had gotten back up and was fighting one especially resilient vampire.
"Giles!" Buffy shrieked, hoping to distract the vampire. It worked and vampire looked in her direction. Giles leapt into action, staking the vampire while its back was turned.
Buffy looked over to see Xander slowly sitting up cradling his hand.
Thank God she thought as her attention was taking by a female vampire. This one seemed to have a black belt in karate but was slow on the uptake. Buffy backed against a wall as the vampire flew at her. Buffy leaped out of the way at the last minute and the vamp slammed into the wall. Buffy threw it to the ground and staked it.
Finally Faith dispatched the last vampire and they continued as best they could definitely more tired and bruised than before.
"Is it getting darker or is it just me?" Willow asked quietly.
"Definitely not you," Buffy replied.
Faith sighed. "And from my experiences darker isn't better."
They made a sharp turn and stopped.
Willow almost screamed but Oz clapped a hand over her mouth. Before them lay a very tall very big demon. It was about eight feet tall, with long talons and pointy teeth. It's skin was tinged slightly green and was covered with hair. Its eyes were closed and it seemed to be sleeping.
Buffy looked around desperately for something to fight the demon blocking their path. She glanced at the ceiling. Pipes ran all the way down to the exit. And idea occurred to her.
"Guys," she whispered. "Do you think you can hold on to those pipes for a little bit while we destroy this guy?"
They all nodded.
"Great." Buffy made footholds for each of them and they were soon dangling from the pipes.
"Wrap your feet around the pipes so you can stay on longer," she advised then turned her attention to the demon in front of her. They crept forward, their only weapons a couple of stakes and themselves.
"Hey ugly!' Faith called. The demon's eyes opened. "I think you'd better get a refund from your plastic surgeon."
The demon roared and charged her. Buffy cartwheeled out of the way and the demon paused unsure where Buffy had gone. Buffy heard a muffled scream and looked up. Willow must have fallen and now was dangling ten feet off the ground, holding onto Xander's left hand for dear life. Xander face was in a grimace of pain for that was the broken wrist. Oz was inching over bit by bit but Faith wasn't so sure he would make it in time.
Suddenly the slayers heard the demon roar. They went into action kicking it in the face and sending it sprawling. Then they hopped on it and Buffy lifted her stake, slamming it directly into the demon's eye. It screamed in agony and Buffy poked at its eye over and over again until the demon lay still. Then Faith quickly stabbed it in the heart to make sure it was completely killed then ran to help Willow. Faith leaped in the air and grabbed hold of the pipe. Then she reached out a hand to Willow. Willow grabbed it and carefully made her way over to the wall where, using the crumbling bricks as foot holds was finally safe on the ground. Giles did the same and so did Xander.
Faith hopped down last and led the way out from the sewers, back into the safety of the moonlight.
* * * * * * * * * * Giles' Apartment, May 4th * * * * * * * * * *
The next morning the gang met at Giles' apartment. The slayers were relieved to see Xander looking better after a good night's rest. His wrist had been set and he had been treated at the hospital for a concussion.
"Everyone better?" Willow asked when she came in arm-in-arm with Oz.
They all nodded with smiles.
"Good." Willow sat down on Giles' sofa.
"So a good nights rest did us well, huh?" Giles said.
"Yeah, I guess we were kinda tired after the, uh, fun we had last night, right?" Xander put in. He frowned when he thought over what he had just said. "Wait that came out wrong."
Faith and Buffy rolled her eyes. "I'm just glad we got out of there alive." Buffy said smiling.
"Me too," Willow agreed.
Xander rolled his eyes. "Will, I would think so."
They all chuckled.
Giles looked up from the newspaper he was reading with a look of disbelief in his eyes.
"What is it?" Buffy asked.
He handed her the newspaper.
She read the article out loud. "Sunnydale PD were called to the site of the Sunnydale High School last night where twelve members of the Archaeological Society were found murdered. Unconfirmed reports of neck ruptures on eight or more of the victims. Stolen was the artefact that was discovered on the site that was set to go to San Deigo."
"So what? It was another diversion?" Willow pondered.
"Maybe," Oz answered. "But why take the artefact when we got the pages still?"
"Indeed." Giles said. "I only imagine that they next target will be here."
"Wow! The fate of the world rests in six pieces of paper," Anya said to noone in particular.
* * * * * * * * * *
In the abandoned warehouse Nosferatu was smiling as he looked around. Everything was almost at hand and he only needed one more thing to complete the preparations. He turned his head as two figure approached him from the darkness.
"I see you are both well." he said smiling.
"Indeed Sire," one of them spoke. "But the pages..."
"Patience is a virtue," Nosferatu said as one of the figures walked into the light, "soon Annabella."
"Soon," she smiled.
"As you Jack, I see you collected the artefact in fine fashion."
"Indeed," the other person spoke. Stepping next to Annabella the person smiled, it was the team leader of the society.
"Ahh, after all this time. Now we are as one again," Nosferatu said with a smile as he looked at them. "Mulo," he said looking at the man, "and Bajang." he continued looking at the woman. "After tomorrow's moon the humans will never see sunlight again, and we will once more reclaim this Earth as our own."
"Sire," another vamp spoke coming out of the darkness, "what of the one who went on the hunt for you?"
"Indeed, bring him forward." Nosferatu said with a glint in his eye.
There was a moment of silence before the vampire who lead the attack in the park walked forward and stood in front of the First One, not hiding the fear in his eyes from his sire.
"You knew my orders, yet you deliberately chose not to follow them. Why?"
"Sire, with all forgiveness. We had overpowered the Slayers easily, we thought if we killed them it would make the task easier."
"Commendable performance," the First One mused to himself, "However, you still didn't retrieve what I asked you to get, did you?"
"N-no," the vampire stammered.
There was a moment's silence as Nosferatu was in thought before finally speaking. "Very well ... but for that you will have to die. I hope you understand."
"But site, please ...." the vamp tried to protest as two burly looking ve he would make it in time.
Suddenly the slayers heard the demon roar. They went into action kicking it in the face and sending it sprawling. Then they hopped on it and Buffy lifted her stake, slamming it directly into the demon's eye. It screamed in agony and B