History Always Repeats Itself

By kimbyann

AN: I'm so sorry for the delay!  I've been having major laptop problems, which have prevented me from having access to anything.  But I am back online, and hopefully done with any and all issues!  Anyhow, here is a new chapter, hope you enjoy!  As always, feedback is appreciated.   

The conversation had so far consisted mostly of Buffy explaining everything that had happened since Giles had left for England.  At the end of it she let out a breath.  Getting it out had been, cathartic almost.  Not hearing any response from her mentor, she said, "So, enough about me, anything new with you?"

            Giles chuckled, and Buffy knew he was polishing his glasses.  "Nothing that compares with all of that."

            "Well I always was an overachiever."

            Buffy could hear the smile in his voice, "You were never short of phenomenal."  There was a pause, "I hardly know what to say to all of this."

            "Say that you'll help me.  Say that you know something.  I'm going nuts Giles, I'm so confused, nothing is making sense anymore.  I need help.  I need you."  She rushed, "And I'm not asking you to come back.  I wouldn't do that.  But you have resources we don't.  You have to know something!"

            Again, there was a pause, "Actually, I have never heard of any Slayer being…involved with a vampire, nor for that matter any demon, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.  I would not put it past the Council to have covered up anything they deemed as disreputable behavior."  Giles stopped speaking for a moment, carefully considering his next words, "I will do what I can to help you with this Buffy, but I can't make any promises."

            Buffy let out a sigh of relief, "Just knowing I have your support is enough."

            "That is not to say I approve of your actions, but it is your life and your decision.  Though I am happy to hear that you have ended this…affair."

            Swallowing hard, Buffy was grateful Giles couldn't see her face, "Yeah…me too." 

            "Alright then, I shall begin making some discrete inquiries, and see what I can discover."

            "Thank you Giles, for everything."

***

Willow watched pensively as her friend paced up and down the kitchen.  It had been one week, one very long week full of phone calls and research on all sides.  Currently, Buffy was talking intently on the phone to her Watcher.  Hard as Willow tried, she could not concentrate on the book in front of her, instead she struggled to hear bits of the conversation occurring over the phone.  With a disappointed sigh, she watched as Buffy bid goodbye and hung up.  "Nothing?"  Willow asked.

            Buffy dropped down into the seat next to her friend, "Nothing, less than nothing.  It's been a week and he can't find anything!"

            "I'm sure there will be something soon," Willow said, laying a comforting hand on Buffy's arm.

            "Giles doesn't think he's going to find anything in the journals he has.  He's made a few inquires and all he's been able to gather is that any information about relations between Slayers and demons would have been covered up, so it's pretty much hopeless." 

            Willow chewed her lip, "Well he could keep asking around, couldn't he?"

            Buffy shot her friend a rueful look, "This is the Watcher's council we're talking about.  Any information you want from them you have to pry from their uptight British asses.  I mean, what's he gonna do?  Go to Quentin Travers and say, 'Excuse me old chap, but my Slayer's been boinking a vampire, and wants to know if that's common behavior or if she's just a freak.'" 

            Willow started giggling, "Oh be serious, Giles would never use the word boinking."

            Buffy rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean."

Still chuckling, Willow closed the book that was in front of her.  "I do.  What about Spike?"

            Buffy tensed, "I already talked to him."

            Wanting to inquire further, but not wanting to push, Willow left her alone.  "I know you'll probably not want to hear this, but what about Anya?"  Seeing the look of horror on Buffy's face, Willow rushed through her next sentence, "Look, I know things are weird between you, and she's all demony again, and really not your favorite person, but she also seems to be the only one with any knowledge about this.  

            Buffy groaned, letting her head fall down and hit the table.  "I hate it when you do that?"

            Willow frowned, "Do what?"

            "Use logic.  It's really annoying."

            Smiling as she rose from the table, Willow replied, "Well I'll try not to in the future, but seriously Buffy, I think Anya may be your best hope."  With a quick pat on Buffy's still lowered head, Willow left the room. 

            Slowly, Buffy raised her head up from the table, "Guess it's time I bit the bullet."

***

            Buffy stared at the "Magic Box", trying to find the strength of will to open the door and go in.  She'd been staring at it for about five minutes now, and had so far found that the will was not forthcoming.  The door burst open suddenly, startling Buffy from her revelry, and causing her to jump back.  "Jeez Anya, you scared me!"

            Standing in front of with a frown, the blonde shot a glare at Buffy.  "Must you stand out here like this?  You're scaring the customers.  You look like some crazy stalker or something.  Either come in or go away!"  Not waiting to see Buffy's reaction, she spun around and stormed back into the shop. 

            Gathering up her courage, Buffy grabbed the door before is slammed, and followed her in.  "I need to talk to you Anya."

            Not looking at her, Anya returned to her spot behind the counter, sorting through papers.  "If this is about Spike again, I don't have time for it."

            "It's not…well I mean, it kind of is, but not how you're thinking…It's about what you said about Slayers and vampires."

            Anya finally stopped and looked up at Buffy, "What about them."

            Buffy shifted uncomfortably, "You said I wasn't the first to be involved with one."

            Anya snorted and went back to sorting the papers, "Is that all?  Well, you're not, so stop acting like you're worlds gonna end cause you slept with a vampire.  I mean you slept with Angel, right?  Only difference I see is that Spike is much more well compacted."

            Buffy shot her a glare, "There's a lot more difference than that!  Angel had a-" she stopped, "Never mind, that's not why I came."

            "Then why did you come?  I'm very busy."

            "I wanted to know what you knew about…the other Slayers."

            Anya stopped and looked up at Buffy, "The other Slayers?"

            Nodding her head, Buffy continued in a rush, "Yes, the ones involved with vampires.  I need to know.  I tried talking to Spike, and he didn't know anything.  Giles has been checking with the council, but hasn't found anything…I'm desperate Anya.  I have to know what's happening.  I don't understand what is happening.  You're the only one who seems to know anything.  Please, will you help me?