"So this is the new school?" Faith asked as they walked around the building to a side entrance.
"Yes, this is it." Giles answered as he opened the door to the basement.
"Guess I'm partially responisble for it being here." Faith spoke softly ,mostly to herself.
"Yes, in a way but thats all in the past now." Angel smiled and rested his hand on her shoulder, "Let's get this done." He urged her into the building.
"Yes, let's" Wesley removed a package from his inner jacket and unwrapped it, "Faith his is a magic enhanced dagger, it will make the non corpreal - corpreal and you can then take care of the First."
"According to our reading, we should find it in the basement by the closed seal. " Giles led the way down the steps.
"Right, like its go to do what we expect." Spike mumbled as he took the rear of the line, he wasnt' really looking forward to seeing the basement again, "It's mostly ......tried it's best to separate the ranks and throw us off...."
They soon stood in front of the seal, Wesley opened a small book and began to read, "This should summon it...."
The Mayors form soon appeared, Faith gasped out loud and stepped back from him, "Faith my girl, you've come back to me." He smiled amiably at her.
" It's not real, Faith." Angel whispered from behind her,.
"I'm not quite ready for this fight.......I wanted to take care of some unfinished business first...." Faith gathered her wits and lunged for the apparition but it was gone.
"Unfinished business...." Angel looked at Spike whose eyes were wide with realization.
"Buffy....it's after Buffy." The blonde vamp raced up the steps the others following him.
"Why would it bother with her now? She's of no danger..." Wesley asked as he fell into a run beside Angel.
"It separates and weakens, if Buffy's gone it weakens those left to fight whether she is a slayer or not."
Spike answered for the dark haired vamp.
"She's an emotional tie for all of us." Angel agreed, "Spike said it earlier, it seperates and weakens."
"And we left her alone and defensless." Giles picked up his pace.
"Well the Potentials are there." Wesley tried to reassure.
Spike rolled his eyes, "Yes that makes me feel so much better."
****
Spike, Angel and Faith arrived outside of the house on Revello Drive first, both vamps sniffed the air as soon as they hit the backyard, "Blood." Angel looked towards Spike.
"Buffy's blood." Spike answered trying to hide the fiear in his voice.
"Thats just freaky, guys." Faith pointed out as she followed them to the back door.
***
Dawn was screaming as she tried to help Buffy and herself up as the refrigerator began to fall towards them.
Buffy's eyes were large as she scrambled trying to shield Dawn.
Suddenly the refrigerator stopped mid air, strong hands began to right it back in it's spot. Spike and Angel
stood on either side of the appliance.
Joyce turned to face the vampires, "Buffy must have some really special talents that have nothing to do with slaying to get you two back here so quickly!"
"Faith!" Spike called out to the slayer.
Joyce turned to face Faith, "I'm not through here, little slayer, you'll have to wait your turn."
"I think you are." Faith lunged towards Joyce the dagger held upright.
"But Faith....you're my girl." Joyce morphed into the Mayor's familiar face, "I"m the only one you can depend on."
"No....not anymore." Faith lunged again.
"You can't hurt me." The Mayor ran his hand through his chest, "I'm just air."
"Not anymore." Faith smirked as the dagger hit home, the mist turned into something solid, a grotesque face appeared on the Mayor's body as the First fell to the ground. Faith pulled the dagger out and plunged it in again, the First let out a loud shriek before it became still and silent.
Angel went to Faith's side, "You did it." He smiled at her before kneeling beside Spike.
Giles and Wesley burst through the door as Dawn asked, "Is it gone, is it over?"
The Watchers knelt by the body and began to examine it, "Congratulations, Faith. You did it."
Faith stood quietly in the kitchen, staring at the half mayor half monster on the floor, she took a deep breath and leaned against the counter, "Are they okay?" She asked Angel over Spike's shoulder.
Angel nodded at her and mouthed the words, "Good job."
She managed a small smile back at him, this doing the right thing took alot out fo a girl, but it sure did make you feel good all over.
"I think it's done for,Niblet." Spike went to kneel by his girls, "You two okay?" His eyes met Buffy's and she gave him a pale smile and nodded. Dawn began to cry as she hugged Buffy tightly to her.
"Niblet, big Sis needs to get to the hospital, okay." Spike gently pryed Dawn from Buffy, "Buffy, can you stand?"
She nodded, "Sure Slayer healing will start any min........" She slurred the last word and slumped to the floor.
"Buffy!" Dawn began to gather Buffy in her arms again as fresh blood poured from her sisters wounded arm.
"Bit,,,Dawn. She'll be okay." Spike held Dawn close and patted her back as he watched Angel scoop Buffy up from the floor.
Buffy's eyes fluttered open, "I'm okay, Dawn."
" Faith and Angel, please take Buffy to the hospital. Dawn do you need to go as well?" Giles turned to the younger girl.
"No, I'm okay. But Buffy.....it was Mom and then it....." Fresh tears started up again. Spike held her closer murmuring comforting words in her ear.
"Spike can you please stay with Dawn, make sure she's okay? Wesley and I will dispose of this," He kicked the monster on the floor, "It has to be a ritual burial."
"And could someone turn down that blasted music coming from the upstairs!" He added as he and Wesley began to haul the body out the back door.
As if on cue, Amanda's voice called out, "Dawn." In a moment she appeared in the kitchen, her eyes went wide when she surveyed the mess, "What happened?"
"The first evil happened." Spike growled as he held Dawn protectively against him. He watched as Angel and Faith carried Buffy out of the house.
"Is she gong to be alright?" Amanda asked after the door closed behind them.
"Yes, but no thanks to you lot upstairs at party central." Spike began to look Dawn over once she was calm,
"You sure you're okay, bitesize?"
"I'm okay, it's just been a really bad night. Shouldn't we go to the hospital with Buffy."
"No, you need to stay here and rest..." Spike started but was interrupted.
"But I want to go, make sure she's okay."
.
"I'll stay here with you Nib, they'll call if they need us. You'll be okay."
"And we're here." Amanda looked up towards the ceiling.
Spike rolled his eyes as he led Dawn to the living room and settled her on the couch with an afghan tucked around her. This attack from the first only proved that he was right, Buffy was going to have to leave as soon as possible and she would need backup with her. There were lots of vamps and demons that held long grudges.
****
"You're pacing." Faith smiled as Angel made another pass in front of her.
"I'm not.....I'm.."
"You're just walking back and forth in front of these same four chairs, she's going to be okay." She stood and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"She's been in there a long time." Angel stared at the closed door,
"Not even an hour." Faith looked at the clock on the wall.
"Are you friends of Ms. Summers?" A nurse walked into the waiting area.
"Yes." The couple replied together.
"She's fine, a little beat up, she should definitely avoid walking at night by herself, Sunnydale has more then it's share of muggers. The wound on her face was only superficial but the one on her arm took several stitches. She'll be ready to leave in a few minutes." The nurse smiled as she left the room.
"Told you she'd be fine." Faith grinned as Angel let out a huge sigh of relief.
Buffy entered the room a few minutes later, she was freshly bandaged and carrying a perscription for pain relievers. "Hey." She smiled at the two waiting for her.
"You look ....." Faith bit her lip.
"Rough, I know. Let me tell you, no more slayer healing sucks big time." Buffy winced.
"But you're okay and its all over now." Angel put his arm around her and gently led her to the car.
"Faith, it's kind of fuzzy. But thanks, you really were up to the job." Buffy's words were so sincere that Faith almost blushed.
"It was nothin."
"No, it was something Faith. You did good tonight." Angel told her as he started thr vst.
"Thanks." The dark haired girl repled an almost shy smile on her face.
Angel parked the car at a close by Pharmacy, "Faith can you get this filled?" He nanded her Buffy's prescription and some money.
"Sure, be right back." She waved as she entered the Pharmacy.
"So, been a big night, huh?" Angel turned to Buffy as they waited.
"Yeah, big night." She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat.
"Buffy, about Spike." Angel hesitated for a moment.
Buffy's eyes opened, "What about him?"
"I don't know the whole story, but I do know about the soul and why he says he got it." Angel tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, "What do you think about it? I mean he's obviously been here fighting beside you."
She took a deep breath before she spoke carefully thinking about each word, "I think he's sincere and a good fighter, he's saved my butt several times."
"And..." Angel asked a question in his eyes.
"And I'm tired and really don't want to talk about it right now." Buffy closed her eyes again.
Faith came back to the car a small bag in her hand, "Here you, Buffy."
"Thanks." Buffy answered softly and then the car was quiet again.
***
"It's them!" Dawn cried out from her place by the front window.
Spike stood up and walked towards the front door, several Potentials sat up from thier pallets on the floor.
Angel opened the front door letting Buffy and Faith in ahead of him. "Buffy!" Dawn ran to her sister, "You really are okay?"
"Yes, just tired. I think I'm just gonna go lay down now." She paused at the bottom of the steps when Spike lay his hand on her good arm.
"Buffy, do you need anything?" He asked softly.
She smiled tiredly, "No, just going to take my meds and go to bed, I'll see you in the morning?"
"Yeah, in the morning." He stepped back and let Dawn follow her sister up the stairs. Avoiding anyone else he went towards the basement.
Angel and Faith watched with interest, "So brooding comes naturally to your kind." Faith whispered under her breath.
Angel shook his head at her, "Very funny."
"Faith? Could you please tell us about the fight with the First?" One of the Potentials asked eagerly.
Faith looked to Angel, he nodded his head, "Go ahead, tell them. I'm going to go out for awhile."
"Okay, but don't brood too much." Faith told him as she sat down surrounded by Potentials.
***
Dawn and Buffy were settled into Buffy's bed when there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in." Buffy called out drowsily.
"Buffy, I'm sorry to bother you. I wanted to check on you." Giles closed the door behind him, "And we have to talk about some important changes in your life."
"I know...no slayer healing for one thing." Buffy smiled good naturedly at Giles.
"Yes there is that. But this has to do with your future. You and Dawn will have to leave Sunnydale and leave soon." Giles sat down in the chair beside the bed.
"Leave? Why?" Buffy asked suddenly wide awake.
"We have to move?" Dawn sat up beside her sister.
"Yes, it's for your own safety. You aren't in a position to defend yourself against the many with grudges against you here in town. I've acquired some funding for you to get set up in a new town, you can go back to school." Giles smiled as he patted Buffy's hand.
"But this is our home." Buffy shot back, "Mom's house."
"And our friends are here." Dawn chimed in.
"I'm sorry, but you really have no choice. It's for your own safety Buffy, but it's for Dawn's safety too." Giles through in his trump card knowing Buffy would never risk Dawn's safety.
Buffy chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully, "When?"
"Within the next few days." Giles bent over and touched herr arm, "Think of this as a new beginning."
"But we don't want a new beginning." Dawn frowned, "We don't want to leave everyone."
Buffy put her hand on Dawn's arm, "Dawnie, we may not have a choice."
Giles sighed as he watched Buffy comforting Dawn.
"Okay, the heavy sigh.....what else haven't you told us?" Buffy asked suspiciously.
"It's a minor detail, but you'll need someone with you for at least a little while, someone who can protect you while you get settled." Giles shuffled uncomfortably in the chair, "I would be happy to do it, but with all thats happened I have to gather the remaining Watcher members and get things straightened out and of course we have to plan for Faith taking over. I can come as soon as everything is taken care of but until then, you'll need some muscle. I......I believe you'll have at least a couple of volunteers for the job."
"Great, I have to move and I get a babysitter." Buffy groaned.
Giles stood up, "Think about it and try to get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."
TBC
"Yes, this is it." Giles answered as he opened the door to the basement.
"Guess I'm partially responisble for it being here." Faith spoke softly ,mostly to herself.
"Yes, in a way but thats all in the past now." Angel smiled and rested his hand on her shoulder, "Let's get this done." He urged her into the building.
"Yes, let's" Wesley removed a package from his inner jacket and unwrapped it, "Faith his is a magic enhanced dagger, it will make the non corpreal - corpreal and you can then take care of the First."
"According to our reading, we should find it in the basement by the closed seal. " Giles led the way down the steps.
"Right, like its go to do what we expect." Spike mumbled as he took the rear of the line, he wasnt' really looking forward to seeing the basement again, "It's mostly ......tried it's best to separate the ranks and throw us off...."
They soon stood in front of the seal, Wesley opened a small book and began to read, "This should summon it...."
The Mayors form soon appeared, Faith gasped out loud and stepped back from him, "Faith my girl, you've come back to me." He smiled amiably at her.
" It's not real, Faith." Angel whispered from behind her,.
"I'm not quite ready for this fight.......I wanted to take care of some unfinished business first...." Faith gathered her wits and lunged for the apparition but it was gone.
"Unfinished business...." Angel looked at Spike whose eyes were wide with realization.
"Buffy....it's after Buffy." The blonde vamp raced up the steps the others following him.
"Why would it bother with her now? She's of no danger..." Wesley asked as he fell into a run beside Angel.
"It separates and weakens, if Buffy's gone it weakens those left to fight whether she is a slayer or not."
Spike answered for the dark haired vamp.
"She's an emotional tie for all of us." Angel agreed, "Spike said it earlier, it seperates and weakens."
"And we left her alone and defensless." Giles picked up his pace.
"Well the Potentials are there." Wesley tried to reassure.
Spike rolled his eyes, "Yes that makes me feel so much better."
****
Spike, Angel and Faith arrived outside of the house on Revello Drive first, both vamps sniffed the air as soon as they hit the backyard, "Blood." Angel looked towards Spike.
"Buffy's blood." Spike answered trying to hide the fiear in his voice.
"Thats just freaky, guys." Faith pointed out as she followed them to the back door.
***
Dawn was screaming as she tried to help Buffy and herself up as the refrigerator began to fall towards them.
Buffy's eyes were large as she scrambled trying to shield Dawn.
Suddenly the refrigerator stopped mid air, strong hands began to right it back in it's spot. Spike and Angel
stood on either side of the appliance.
Joyce turned to face the vampires, "Buffy must have some really special talents that have nothing to do with slaying to get you two back here so quickly!"
"Faith!" Spike called out to the slayer.
Joyce turned to face Faith, "I'm not through here, little slayer, you'll have to wait your turn."
"I think you are." Faith lunged towards Joyce the dagger held upright.
"But Faith....you're my girl." Joyce morphed into the Mayor's familiar face, "I"m the only one you can depend on."
"No....not anymore." Faith lunged again.
"You can't hurt me." The Mayor ran his hand through his chest, "I'm just air."
"Not anymore." Faith smirked as the dagger hit home, the mist turned into something solid, a grotesque face appeared on the Mayor's body as the First fell to the ground. Faith pulled the dagger out and plunged it in again, the First let out a loud shriek before it became still and silent.
Angel went to Faith's side, "You did it." He smiled at her before kneeling beside Spike.
Giles and Wesley burst through the door as Dawn asked, "Is it gone, is it over?"
The Watchers knelt by the body and began to examine it, "Congratulations, Faith. You did it."
Faith stood quietly in the kitchen, staring at the half mayor half monster on the floor, she took a deep breath and leaned against the counter, "Are they okay?" She asked Angel over Spike's shoulder.
Angel nodded at her and mouthed the words, "Good job."
She managed a small smile back at him, this doing the right thing took alot out fo a girl, but it sure did make you feel good all over.
"I think it's done for,Niblet." Spike went to kneel by his girls, "You two okay?" His eyes met Buffy's and she gave him a pale smile and nodded. Dawn began to cry as she hugged Buffy tightly to her.
"Niblet, big Sis needs to get to the hospital, okay." Spike gently pryed Dawn from Buffy, "Buffy, can you stand?"
She nodded, "Sure Slayer healing will start any min........" She slurred the last word and slumped to the floor.
"Buffy!" Dawn began to gather Buffy in her arms again as fresh blood poured from her sisters wounded arm.
"Bit,,,Dawn. She'll be okay." Spike held Dawn close and patted her back as he watched Angel scoop Buffy up from the floor.
Buffy's eyes fluttered open, "I'm okay, Dawn."
" Faith and Angel, please take Buffy to the hospital. Dawn do you need to go as well?" Giles turned to the younger girl.
"No, I'm okay. But Buffy.....it was Mom and then it....." Fresh tears started up again. Spike held her closer murmuring comforting words in her ear.
"Spike can you please stay with Dawn, make sure she's okay? Wesley and I will dispose of this," He kicked the monster on the floor, "It has to be a ritual burial."
"And could someone turn down that blasted music coming from the upstairs!" He added as he and Wesley began to haul the body out the back door.
As if on cue, Amanda's voice called out, "Dawn." In a moment she appeared in the kitchen, her eyes went wide when she surveyed the mess, "What happened?"
"The first evil happened." Spike growled as he held Dawn protectively against him. He watched as Angel and Faith carried Buffy out of the house.
"Is she gong to be alright?" Amanda asked after the door closed behind them.
"Yes, but no thanks to you lot upstairs at party central." Spike began to look Dawn over once she was calm,
"You sure you're okay, bitesize?"
"I'm okay, it's just been a really bad night. Shouldn't we go to the hospital with Buffy."
"No, you need to stay here and rest..." Spike started but was interrupted.
"But I want to go, make sure she's okay."
.
"I'll stay here with you Nib, they'll call if they need us. You'll be okay."
"And we're here." Amanda looked up towards the ceiling.
Spike rolled his eyes as he led Dawn to the living room and settled her on the couch with an afghan tucked around her. This attack from the first only proved that he was right, Buffy was going to have to leave as soon as possible and she would need backup with her. There were lots of vamps and demons that held long grudges.
****
"You're pacing." Faith smiled as Angel made another pass in front of her.
"I'm not.....I'm.."
"You're just walking back and forth in front of these same four chairs, she's going to be okay." She stood and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"She's been in there a long time." Angel stared at the closed door,
"Not even an hour." Faith looked at the clock on the wall.
"Are you friends of Ms. Summers?" A nurse walked into the waiting area.
"Yes." The couple replied together.
"She's fine, a little beat up, she should definitely avoid walking at night by herself, Sunnydale has more then it's share of muggers. The wound on her face was only superficial but the one on her arm took several stitches. She'll be ready to leave in a few minutes." The nurse smiled as she left the room.
"Told you she'd be fine." Faith grinned as Angel let out a huge sigh of relief.
Buffy entered the room a few minutes later, she was freshly bandaged and carrying a perscription for pain relievers. "Hey." She smiled at the two waiting for her.
"You look ....." Faith bit her lip.
"Rough, I know. Let me tell you, no more slayer healing sucks big time." Buffy winced.
"But you're okay and its all over now." Angel put his arm around her and gently led her to the car.
"Faith, it's kind of fuzzy. But thanks, you really were up to the job." Buffy's words were so sincere that Faith almost blushed.
"It was nothin."
"No, it was something Faith. You did good tonight." Angel told her as he started thr vst.
"Thanks." The dark haired girl repled an almost shy smile on her face.
Angel parked the car at a close by Pharmacy, "Faith can you get this filled?" He nanded her Buffy's prescription and some money.
"Sure, be right back." She waved as she entered the Pharmacy.
"So, been a big night, huh?" Angel turned to Buffy as they waited.
"Yeah, big night." She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat.
"Buffy, about Spike." Angel hesitated for a moment.
Buffy's eyes opened, "What about him?"
"I don't know the whole story, but I do know about the soul and why he says he got it." Angel tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, "What do you think about it? I mean he's obviously been here fighting beside you."
She took a deep breath before she spoke carefully thinking about each word, "I think he's sincere and a good fighter, he's saved my butt several times."
"And..." Angel asked a question in his eyes.
"And I'm tired and really don't want to talk about it right now." Buffy closed her eyes again.
Faith came back to the car a small bag in her hand, "Here you, Buffy."
"Thanks." Buffy answered softly and then the car was quiet again.
***
"It's them!" Dawn cried out from her place by the front window.
Spike stood up and walked towards the front door, several Potentials sat up from thier pallets on the floor.
Angel opened the front door letting Buffy and Faith in ahead of him. "Buffy!" Dawn ran to her sister, "You really are okay?"
"Yes, just tired. I think I'm just gonna go lay down now." She paused at the bottom of the steps when Spike lay his hand on her good arm.
"Buffy, do you need anything?" He asked softly.
She smiled tiredly, "No, just going to take my meds and go to bed, I'll see you in the morning?"
"Yeah, in the morning." He stepped back and let Dawn follow her sister up the stairs. Avoiding anyone else he went towards the basement.
Angel and Faith watched with interest, "So brooding comes naturally to your kind." Faith whispered under her breath.
Angel shook his head at her, "Very funny."
"Faith? Could you please tell us about the fight with the First?" One of the Potentials asked eagerly.
Faith looked to Angel, he nodded his head, "Go ahead, tell them. I'm going to go out for awhile."
"Okay, but don't brood too much." Faith told him as she sat down surrounded by Potentials.
***
Dawn and Buffy were settled into Buffy's bed when there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in." Buffy called out drowsily.
"Buffy, I'm sorry to bother you. I wanted to check on you." Giles closed the door behind him, "And we have to talk about some important changes in your life."
"I know...no slayer healing for one thing." Buffy smiled good naturedly at Giles.
"Yes there is that. But this has to do with your future. You and Dawn will have to leave Sunnydale and leave soon." Giles sat down in the chair beside the bed.
"Leave? Why?" Buffy asked suddenly wide awake.
"We have to move?" Dawn sat up beside her sister.
"Yes, it's for your own safety. You aren't in a position to defend yourself against the many with grudges against you here in town. I've acquired some funding for you to get set up in a new town, you can go back to school." Giles smiled as he patted Buffy's hand.
"But this is our home." Buffy shot back, "Mom's house."
"And our friends are here." Dawn chimed in.
"I'm sorry, but you really have no choice. It's for your own safety Buffy, but it's for Dawn's safety too." Giles through in his trump card knowing Buffy would never risk Dawn's safety.
Buffy chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully, "When?"
"Within the next few days." Giles bent over and touched herr arm, "Think of this as a new beginning."
"But we don't want a new beginning." Dawn frowned, "We don't want to leave everyone."
Buffy put her hand on Dawn's arm, "Dawnie, we may not have a choice."
Giles sighed as he watched Buffy comforting Dawn.
"Okay, the heavy sigh.....what else haven't you told us?" Buffy asked suspiciously.
"It's a minor detail, but you'll need someone with you for at least a little while, someone who can protect you while you get settled." Giles shuffled uncomfortably in the chair, "I would be happy to do it, but with all thats happened I have to gather the remaining Watcher members and get things straightened out and of course we have to plan for Faith taking over. I can come as soon as everything is taken care of but until then, you'll need some muscle. I......I believe you'll have at least a couple of volunteers for the job."
"Great, I have to move and I get a babysitter." Buffy groaned.
Giles stood up, "Think about it and try to get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."
TBC