Chapter 79
Buffy looked at Xander as he stared at her. She, Xander, and Angel were in the kitchen. Buffy had just asked Xander to do her and Angel a favor before the phone had rung. "I'll tell her right away. Thank you." Buffy hung up. "Wolfram and Hart. They're e-mailing what they found out about the weapon." She took Angel's hand and looked at Xander. "So, you got it?"
"Wait. I'm not to the 'got it' place yet. I'm still in the neighborhood of 'you gotta be kidding'." Xander said.
"You know it's for the good."
"I don't. Buffy, do you get that? If I do this, that's it for me for this fight. I feel like you guys are putting me out to pasture."
"Of course we're not putting you out to pasture. What does that even mean?"
"Well, you know, it's like.... when a cow gets old and loses an eye or its ability to be milked. The farmer takes it and puts it in a different pasture so it won't have to.... fight.... with the priests. Look, I don't need you to protect me."
"We're not." Angel said.
"I got hurt but I'm not done. I can still fight."
"I know. That's why we need you to do this. Xander, we need someone that we can count on no matter what happens."
"I just always thought that I would.... that I would be there with you guys, you know, for the end."
"Hey!" Buffy said.
"Not that this is the end!"
"Thanks a lot."
"No, no, no.... by 'the end' I meant in a heroic, uplifting way. See I'm still optimistic. You're just thrown off a little by this gritty-looking eye patch."
"I know what you meant."
"I should be at your side. Well, the side that's not taken by Angel. That's all I'm saying."
"You will be. You and Angel are my strength, Xander. You two are the reason I've made it this far. I trust you with my life. That's why I need you to do this for us."
"Ok."
"Also, you can't shoot a bow and arrow anymore and every time you pick up a sword, I worry that you're going to break one of our good lamps." Angel joked.
"Hey!"
"Don't look at me. You're the one who said we're gonna die."
"I never said that we were going to die. I implied that we were going to die. It's totally different."
"Yeah, okay. Sure."
"Besides, if you die, Buff, I'll just bring you back to life. That's what I do."
Buffy chuckled and headed upstairs with Angel to check on Faith. She stopped by Willow's room to tell Will to check her e-mail and to get the scythe. Buffy wanted Faith to feel the power. She walked in to her room. Faith was awake. She lay in bed. Buffy smiled. "Hey, how are you?"
"I feel like I've been blown up."
"Understandable."
"Whatcha got there?"
"Something that I took from Caleb. Thought it was interesting."
"Here," Buffy handed Faith the scythe. Faith took it and closed her eyes. The ghost of a smile played on her lips. "You feel it, too, don't you?"
"Damn.... and damn. That's something."
"I know."
"It's old.... it's strong and it feels like.... like it's mine." Faith locked eyes with Buffy for a beat, then set it down on the bed. "I guess that means it's yours."
"It belongs to the Slayer."
"Slayer in charge.... which I'm guessing is you."
"I honestly don't know. Does it matter?"
"It never mattered to me. Somebody has to lead. Let's vote for Chao-ahn. It's harder to lead people into a deathtrap if you don't speak English."
"It wasn't your fault." Angel said.
"I'm really not looking for forgiveness."
"You're not?"
"What do you guys want me to say? I blew it."
"You didn't blow it." Buffy said.
"Tell that to...."
"People die. You lead them into battle, they're going to die. It doesn't matter how ready you are or how smart you are.... war is about death. Needless, stupid death."
"So here's the laugh riot. My whole life I've been a loner."
"Is that the funny part? Did I miss something?"
"I'm trying to...."
"Sorry! Sorry. Go on."
"No ties, no buddies, no relationships that lasted longer than.... well, Robin lasted pretty long. Boy's got stamina."
"Principal Wood? And you? And in our...." Buffy and Angel flew off the bed. "Ok, so.... Was that the funny part?"
"Okay, the point. Me, by myself, all the time. I'm looking at you, everything you have and, I don't know.... jealous. Then there I am, everybody's looking to me, trusting me to lead them and I've never felt so alone in my entire life."
"Yeah."
"And that's you, every day. Isn't it?"
"I love my friends. I'm very grateful for them. I love Angel so much.... But that's the price of being a Slayer."
"There's only supposed to be one. Maybe that's why you and I can never get along. We're not supposed to exist together."
"Also, you went evil and were killing people."
"Good point. But you did too."
Buffy nodded. "But you're right. I mean, I guess everyone's alone but being a Slayer? There's a burden we can't share."
"And no one else can feel it." Faith looked at Angel. He shook his head. Faith sighed and looked at Buffy. "Thank god we're hot chicks with superpowers."
"Takes the edge off."
"Comforting."
"Mm-hmmm."
"Buffy! Angel!" Willow called.
"Coming." Angel called. "We'll be back."
They walked into Willow's room. The red head turned to look at Buffy and Angel. "What papers? What folder?"
"Huh?"
"Wolfram and Hart said you have some papers that could help us out with this."
"They didn't send anything about the sythe?" Buffy asked.
"Not yet. They haven't found much. They just gave us some different websites to check out. What papers?"
Angel slapped his forehead. "Damn it! We left it in the limo."
"Ohhh.... Those papers." Buffy said. "I knew that. I'll call and...."
"No, I'll just go get them. I don't trust Wolfram and Hart too much to bring us back the full papers and that amulet thing."
"You sure? I could go with you."
"You're needed here."
Buffy nodded and walked Angel out to the van. It was only ten in the morning. She held his hands, afraid to let him go. "Last time you took a road trip, I got kicked out of the house."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about it this time. You're secure." He kissed her gently. "Be safe."
"I'll try. I can't gurantee anything, but I promise I'll try."
"Good." He gently grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around him and held tightly, laying a kiss on the exposed part of his chest where his shirt was unbuttoned. "You better watch it or I'll take you with me and we'll have some fun in the limo on the way back."
"Oh...." She kissed his chest again and added a little lick.
"Ooook...." Angel kissed her one last time and then got in the van. "I'll be back in a few hours."
"I love you."
"I love you." He started the car and Buffy backed away. She gave a little wave as he pulled out of the drive way and headed for LA.
Later that night, Buffy took the scythe and headed to the cemetery. It seemed to be leading her there. So, Buffy walked her familiar path through the graveyard. She came across a wrought-iron gate overgrown with dead vines and opened it, curious. Inside, she found an ancient stone pyramid that she had never seen until now. The iron door was topped with a runic symbol. Buffy approached and kicked it inward, sending it sliding down the a set of stone steps and into a ceremonial chamber. She entered to find a pagan temple lit by torches set in wall sconces. Jars and baskets were clustered in the corners. Buffy peered into the shadows, looking all around her for some clue as to what this place was. Suddenly a voice rang out from behind a sheer curtain and an elderly woman, dressed in the robes of an ancient culture appeared.
"I'd forgotten. I'd forgotten how young you would be. Comes from the waiting. The mind plays tricks. I see you've found our weapon."
"Who are you?" Buffy asked.
"One of many. Well.... time was. Now I'm alone in the world."
"So what are you? Some kind of ghost?"
"No, I'm as real as you are. Just.... well, let me put it this way: I look good for my age. I've been waiting." She held out her hands and Buffy gave her the scythe. "You pulled it out of the rock. I was one of those who put it in there."
"What is it?"
"A weapon. A scythe. Forged in secrecy for one like you who.... I'm sorry. What's your name?"
"Buffy."
"No, really." Buffy merely shrugged and the woman continued. "We forged it in secrecy and kept it hidden from the Shadow Men who...."
"Yeah, met those guys. Didn't really care too much for 'em even when I was evil."
"Evil?"
"It was a thing.... Spell actually. Long story."
"Ah, yes. Then you know. And they became the Watchers and the Watchers watched the Slayers.... but we were watching them."
"Oh, so you're like.... what are you?"
"Guardians. Women who want to help and protect you. We forged this centuries ago, halfway around the world."
"Hence the Luxor Casino theme."
"Forged there, it was put to use right here.... to kill the last pure demon that walked upon the earth. The rest were already driven under. And then there were men here, and then there were monks. And then there was a town.... and now there is you. And the scythe remained hidden."
"I don't understand. How is it possible that we didn't know any of this?"
"We hid, too. We had to until now. We're the last surprise."
"Does this mean I can win?"
"That is really up to you. This is a powerful weapon." She handed the scythe back to Buffy.
"Yeah."
"But you already have weapons. Use it wisely and perhaps you can beat back the rising dark. One way or another, it can only mean an end is truly near."
Suddenly a pair of hands shot out from behind the curtain and seized the Guardian's head, twisting it violently and snapping her neck. The old woman's lifeless body dropped to the ground to reveal Caleb standing behind her. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part on account of her neck snappin' and all. Did she say the end is near.... or here?"
Then he attacked. Buffy wrestled with Caleb as he tried to wrest control of the scythe from her. She recovered and whacked him in the side of the head with one end of the weapon, then hit him in the gut with the other, then again with the blad. Three fast shots. Caleb let go and Buffy leapt backward. He rushed her and unleashed a punch that shattered a stone column to dust on contact.
"You're not slipping out of this fight, girl. Can't you see? You can't stop me. I can just keep going back for more. It's like being re-born." Caleb taunted.
Buffy lunged at Caleb with the scythe and this time he ducked under its blade, avoiding contact. Buffy pressed the attack, swinging and thrusting. Caleb couldn't be touched. He smiled and stood upright: a target. Buffy swung the axe blade right at his neck and Caleb, without looking, shot a hand up and caught the scythe in mid-swing, stopping it cold. With his other hand, Caleb punched Buffy so hard she flew backward into the far wall, sending up a cloud of dust. She dropped the scythe on impact.
Caleb and Buffy both reached for the scythe simultaneously. Caleb got there first and held the scythe up for all of a split-second as Buffy kicked it from his grip and caught it in the same motion. She spun, catching Caleb behind the knees with the scythe's shaft, and lifted him off his feet. He crashed to the dusty floor. Buffy spun the scythe, stake-end first, and thrusted it downward straight at Caleb's throat. He caught it an inch above his face and twisted hard, flipping Buffy over. Now it was her turn to hit the ground. Caleb leapt to his feet and Buffy staggered to hers, just in time to receive a devastating punch to the face. It sent her reeling backward. Caleb just kept hitting her, a maniacal grin on his face. Buffy tried to defend herself but she was running out of steam. She lay on the floor, writhing in pain as Caleb circled her, not even out of breath.
"You know, I gave you ample warning. I told you not to interfere. And you chose not to heed." Caleb said. Buffy charged across the room at him and he deftly side-stepped, using her own momentum to flip her up onto a sarcophagus-like stone platform. She kicked him backward but he quickly recovered and lifted her up, hurling her through a stone column. She was nearly unconscious. Caleb scooped up the scythe and twirled it in his hands as he stood over her. "I was kinda hopin' it'd go this way." He raise the scythe over his head for the killing blow.
"HEY!" Caleb turned and took a massive blow to the head, sending him careening across the room and into the wall. He dropped the scythe and landed on the floor, dazed and half-conscious. Buffy looked up to find Angel standing over her, his hand held out to help her up. She took it and he lifted her to her feet. "I told you not to get in any trouble."
"I couldn't help it." Buffy said.
Caleb got to his feet, royally pissed. Angel moved toward him but Buffy held him back. "Ah. This is one of those things you have to finish yourself, right?"
"Really kinda is. Sorry, I know how you like to fight off the bad guys that like to beat me up, but he's overstepped his bounds with me."
Angel backed away with a smirk and leaned casually against a stone column, enjoying the show, as Caleb stalked toward Buffy. She scooped the scythe up from the ground and stood her ground. "You are so gonna lose this time."
Caleb rushed Buffy and she swung the scythe around in a lightning-quick series of blows. Caleb dodged them all and wrenched the weapon from her grasp, kicking her backward into the wall. He aimed the pointed stake end at her and thrust forward. She dodged at the last instant and the shaft slammed into the rock, embedded up to the hilt. Buffy hurled Caleb away and ripped the scythe from the wall, charging at him full speed.
Caleb swung at her, one punch after another, but Buffy ducked and weaved, then whipped the scythe's blade around sideways in a deadly arc, catching Caleb full in the chest. He stopped, stunned, as Buffy ripped the blade back out, opening him up from one side of his body to the other. He staggered backward, laughing at her for a brief moment, before his eyes went wide and he collapsed to the floor. His eyes stared sightlessly up at her.
Buffy turned to Angel, winded. "See, under control." She walked to Angel, who steadied her.
"Well, at least you could tell me you missed me. I was gone all day and...." Buffy looked up at Angel and silenced him when their lips met in a kiss, tender at first, but building to real passion. Angel wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, pressing her gently against a column and winding his fingers in her golden hair. After a minute, Buffy pulled away and looked at Angel. He smiled. "Well, I guess that qualifies as happy to see me."
"I just want to bask." There was a short pause. "Okay, I'm basked. God I missed you today."
"I stopped by the house and they said you left a little after I did. Nobody knew where you went."
"The mansion. I just wanted some time to myself.... only this time willingly. What are you doing here?"
"Not saving the damsel in distress, that's for sure."
"Oh, you know me. Not much with the damseling." She reached down and picked up the scythe. "But I meant.... How'd you find me?"
"How do I usually find you?"
"I swear, you vampires. Didn't anybody ever tell you the whole 'smelling people' thing's a little gross?" Buffy smiled and then went back to business. "Did you get it?"
Angel walked over to the steps and picked up the file. "Right here. The driver didn't even notice it was there."
"Good. I really think we're going to need it. The First's army is getting bigger."
"Yeah, well, it failed once and I'm going to tell you...."
Caleb suddenly leapt up and clubbed Angel viciously in the head with a carved wooden idol. Buffy stared at him in shock. He glared at her wildly, his eyes jet black and leaking a bloody ichor. It streamed down his cheeks and out of his nose and mouth. "Are you ready to finish this, bitch?"
Buffy barely raised the scythe in time to deflect a crushing blow from the wooden idol Caleb wielded like a club. She flipped backwards and came up only to catch a swiping blow to the head. Caleb tossed the idol aside and stalked toward her as she jumped to her feet, the scythe held at the ready. "Okay, how many times do I have to kill you? Ballpark figure?"
"You understand nothing." Buffy swung the blade at him but he caught the shaft and held it, using it as an anchor as he punched her repeatedly in the face. Then he brought his fist from below in an uppercut so powerful it lifted Buffy off her feet and slammed her into the ceiling. Caleb dropped Buffy to the ground, then lifted her off her feet by her neck, his hands choking off her air. "You think you have power over me?" With a cry of rage, Buffy broke his grip on her throat and kicked him backward with a roundhouse blow to the head. He regained his feet and turned toward her. "Stupid girl. You'll never stop me. You don't have the ba...."
Buffy swung the axe low in an upward arc and buried the blade between Caleb's legs. "Who does nowadays?" His mouth dropped open in an O of shock and agony. Using all her preternatural strength, Buffy ripped upward with the blade, slicing Caleb's body neatly in two, ending him for good.
Across the room, Angel got to his feet and brushed himself off. He turned around, searching the room for Caleb. "Okay, now I'm pissed. Where is he?"
Buffy looked down at her feet, first to one side, then the other. "He had to split." She held a straight face for a beat, then cracked up. Angel chuckled, happy to see Buffy laughing. Then he removed the silver amulet with a multi-faceted crystal at its center from his pocket. "Remember this?"
"I can already tell you, I have nothing that goes with that."
"It's not for you."
"Splainy?"
"I read a lot of the files, but I don't know everything. I do know that it's very powerful and probably very dangerous. It has a purifying power.... cleansing power.... possibly scrubbing bubbles. The translation is.... anyway, it bestows strength to the right person who wears it."
"And the right person is?"
"Someone ensouled but stronger than human. A champion. As in me."
"Or me."
"No. I don't know nearly enough about this to risk you wearing it. Besides, you've got you're real cool axe-thing going for you."
Buffy paused. "Maybe neither of us."
"What do you mean?"
"You said it yourself that you don't know enough about it to risk me wearing it. Why the hell would I let you wear it?"
"Then who else is going to wear it?" Angel paused as Buffy looked at him. "Spike?" She nodded. "Why him?"
"Why not him? He's ensouled. He's just as strong as you are."
"You would risk him?"
"I won't risk you. You won't risk me. What other choice do we have? Besides, I think Spike deserves this. He's fought by my side.... our side for a long time. You've even learned to put some trust in him." Without letting the discussion go any further, Buffy turned and walked out into the night. Angel followed. "Have you talked to the gang in LA? If we lose.... if this thing gets past Sunnydale, then it's days, maybe hours, before the rest of the world goes. We need a second front."
"I talked to them and they said they're ready. Gunn's even getting his old gang ready for it."
"Good."
"So, what did you do all day at the mansion?"
"I thought about things. I worked through a lot. I even thought about us."
"Neither of us should do that. It never ends well."
"I'm not breaking up with you. I could never do that, but I figured some stuff out. I'm definitely not getting fat grandchildren in the offing now that Connor's gone. But I don't think that really matters anymore now. You know, in the midst of all this insanity, a couple of things are actually starting to make sense. I'm not done growing up yet."
"And the other?"
"The other being us.... you and me." Buffy sighed and stopped, leaning against a large headstone. "I always feared there was something wrong with me. You know, because I couldn't make it work. But then you and I found each other again and we're still going strong. I always thought that I wasn't meant to be with.... well, anyone."
"Because you're the Slayer?"
"Because.... ok. Here's how I thought of it. This all goes full circle. I'm cookie dough. I'm not done baking. I'm not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm going to turn out to be. I make it through this and the next thing and the next thing and maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then, you know, you'll be there to eat m.... or enjoy warm, delicious cookie-me. And you know what I realized? I finally remembered exactly what heaven felt like. It was knowing you would always love me. It was knowing that no matter what, I would be loved by you and everyone else in my real family. I couldn't put it into words until just now, when I saw you and felt you. Jasmine.... Connor.... it was all just there to bring us closer together."
"So, you've finally decided that you're ready to be the one?"
"Yeah. I am. I want to be your one."
"Well, at least I'm the one that gets to...." Angel paused and looked at Buffy. "Do I have to go with the cookie analogy?"
Buffy smiled and wrapped herself in his arms. "I know that you'll keep your promise."
"I will never leave you Buffy."
"And I take comfort in knowing that you'll be there to help me through everything."
"Good." Angel lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly. As she laid her head back on his chest, he said, "Let's go home. I think we both need rest."
"Limo?"
"Yeah. The van's at the Hyperion."
"Yay! Comfy leather seats."
"At the expense of an evil law firm." He took her hand and they headed back towards the gates of the graveyard.
Buffy looked at Xander as he stared at her. She, Xander, and Angel were in the kitchen. Buffy had just asked Xander to do her and Angel a favor before the phone had rung. "I'll tell her right away. Thank you." Buffy hung up. "Wolfram and Hart. They're e-mailing what they found out about the weapon." She took Angel's hand and looked at Xander. "So, you got it?"
"Wait. I'm not to the 'got it' place yet. I'm still in the neighborhood of 'you gotta be kidding'." Xander said.
"You know it's for the good."
"I don't. Buffy, do you get that? If I do this, that's it for me for this fight. I feel like you guys are putting me out to pasture."
"Of course we're not putting you out to pasture. What does that even mean?"
"Well, you know, it's like.... when a cow gets old and loses an eye or its ability to be milked. The farmer takes it and puts it in a different pasture so it won't have to.... fight.... with the priests. Look, I don't need you to protect me."
"We're not." Angel said.
"I got hurt but I'm not done. I can still fight."
"I know. That's why we need you to do this. Xander, we need someone that we can count on no matter what happens."
"I just always thought that I would.... that I would be there with you guys, you know, for the end."
"Hey!" Buffy said.
"Not that this is the end!"
"Thanks a lot."
"No, no, no.... by 'the end' I meant in a heroic, uplifting way. See I'm still optimistic. You're just thrown off a little by this gritty-looking eye patch."
"I know what you meant."
"I should be at your side. Well, the side that's not taken by Angel. That's all I'm saying."
"You will be. You and Angel are my strength, Xander. You two are the reason I've made it this far. I trust you with my life. That's why I need you to do this for us."
"Ok."
"Also, you can't shoot a bow and arrow anymore and every time you pick up a sword, I worry that you're going to break one of our good lamps." Angel joked.
"Hey!"
"Don't look at me. You're the one who said we're gonna die."
"I never said that we were going to die. I implied that we were going to die. It's totally different."
"Yeah, okay. Sure."
"Besides, if you die, Buff, I'll just bring you back to life. That's what I do."
Buffy chuckled and headed upstairs with Angel to check on Faith. She stopped by Willow's room to tell Will to check her e-mail and to get the scythe. Buffy wanted Faith to feel the power. She walked in to her room. Faith was awake. She lay in bed. Buffy smiled. "Hey, how are you?"
"I feel like I've been blown up."
"Understandable."
"Whatcha got there?"
"Something that I took from Caleb. Thought it was interesting."
"Here," Buffy handed Faith the scythe. Faith took it and closed her eyes. The ghost of a smile played on her lips. "You feel it, too, don't you?"
"Damn.... and damn. That's something."
"I know."
"It's old.... it's strong and it feels like.... like it's mine." Faith locked eyes with Buffy for a beat, then set it down on the bed. "I guess that means it's yours."
"It belongs to the Slayer."
"Slayer in charge.... which I'm guessing is you."
"I honestly don't know. Does it matter?"
"It never mattered to me. Somebody has to lead. Let's vote for Chao-ahn. It's harder to lead people into a deathtrap if you don't speak English."
"It wasn't your fault." Angel said.
"I'm really not looking for forgiveness."
"You're not?"
"What do you guys want me to say? I blew it."
"You didn't blow it." Buffy said.
"Tell that to...."
"People die. You lead them into battle, they're going to die. It doesn't matter how ready you are or how smart you are.... war is about death. Needless, stupid death."
"So here's the laugh riot. My whole life I've been a loner."
"Is that the funny part? Did I miss something?"
"I'm trying to...."
"Sorry! Sorry. Go on."
"No ties, no buddies, no relationships that lasted longer than.... well, Robin lasted pretty long. Boy's got stamina."
"Principal Wood? And you? And in our...." Buffy and Angel flew off the bed. "Ok, so.... Was that the funny part?"
"Okay, the point. Me, by myself, all the time. I'm looking at you, everything you have and, I don't know.... jealous. Then there I am, everybody's looking to me, trusting me to lead them and I've never felt so alone in my entire life."
"Yeah."
"And that's you, every day. Isn't it?"
"I love my friends. I'm very grateful for them. I love Angel so much.... But that's the price of being a Slayer."
"There's only supposed to be one. Maybe that's why you and I can never get along. We're not supposed to exist together."
"Also, you went evil and were killing people."
"Good point. But you did too."
Buffy nodded. "But you're right. I mean, I guess everyone's alone but being a Slayer? There's a burden we can't share."
"And no one else can feel it." Faith looked at Angel. He shook his head. Faith sighed and looked at Buffy. "Thank god we're hot chicks with superpowers."
"Takes the edge off."
"Comforting."
"Mm-hmmm."
"Buffy! Angel!" Willow called.
"Coming." Angel called. "We'll be back."
They walked into Willow's room. The red head turned to look at Buffy and Angel. "What papers? What folder?"
"Huh?"
"Wolfram and Hart said you have some papers that could help us out with this."
"They didn't send anything about the sythe?" Buffy asked.
"Not yet. They haven't found much. They just gave us some different websites to check out. What papers?"
Angel slapped his forehead. "Damn it! We left it in the limo."
"Ohhh.... Those papers." Buffy said. "I knew that. I'll call and...."
"No, I'll just go get them. I don't trust Wolfram and Hart too much to bring us back the full papers and that amulet thing."
"You sure? I could go with you."
"You're needed here."
Buffy nodded and walked Angel out to the van. It was only ten in the morning. She held his hands, afraid to let him go. "Last time you took a road trip, I got kicked out of the house."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about it this time. You're secure." He kissed her gently. "Be safe."
"I'll try. I can't gurantee anything, but I promise I'll try."
"Good." He gently grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around him and held tightly, laying a kiss on the exposed part of his chest where his shirt was unbuttoned. "You better watch it or I'll take you with me and we'll have some fun in the limo on the way back."
"Oh...." She kissed his chest again and added a little lick.
"Ooook...." Angel kissed her one last time and then got in the van. "I'll be back in a few hours."
"I love you."
"I love you." He started the car and Buffy backed away. She gave a little wave as he pulled out of the drive way and headed for LA.
Later that night, Buffy took the scythe and headed to the cemetery. It seemed to be leading her there. So, Buffy walked her familiar path through the graveyard. She came across a wrought-iron gate overgrown with dead vines and opened it, curious. Inside, she found an ancient stone pyramid that she had never seen until now. The iron door was topped with a runic symbol. Buffy approached and kicked it inward, sending it sliding down the a set of stone steps and into a ceremonial chamber. She entered to find a pagan temple lit by torches set in wall sconces. Jars and baskets were clustered in the corners. Buffy peered into the shadows, looking all around her for some clue as to what this place was. Suddenly a voice rang out from behind a sheer curtain and an elderly woman, dressed in the robes of an ancient culture appeared.
"I'd forgotten. I'd forgotten how young you would be. Comes from the waiting. The mind plays tricks. I see you've found our weapon."
"Who are you?" Buffy asked.
"One of many. Well.... time was. Now I'm alone in the world."
"So what are you? Some kind of ghost?"
"No, I'm as real as you are. Just.... well, let me put it this way: I look good for my age. I've been waiting." She held out her hands and Buffy gave her the scythe. "You pulled it out of the rock. I was one of those who put it in there."
"What is it?"
"A weapon. A scythe. Forged in secrecy for one like you who.... I'm sorry. What's your name?"
"Buffy."
"No, really." Buffy merely shrugged and the woman continued. "We forged it in secrecy and kept it hidden from the Shadow Men who...."
"Yeah, met those guys. Didn't really care too much for 'em even when I was evil."
"Evil?"
"It was a thing.... Spell actually. Long story."
"Ah, yes. Then you know. And they became the Watchers and the Watchers watched the Slayers.... but we were watching them."
"Oh, so you're like.... what are you?"
"Guardians. Women who want to help and protect you. We forged this centuries ago, halfway around the world."
"Hence the Luxor Casino theme."
"Forged there, it was put to use right here.... to kill the last pure demon that walked upon the earth. The rest were already driven under. And then there were men here, and then there were monks. And then there was a town.... and now there is you. And the scythe remained hidden."
"I don't understand. How is it possible that we didn't know any of this?"
"We hid, too. We had to until now. We're the last surprise."
"Does this mean I can win?"
"That is really up to you. This is a powerful weapon." She handed the scythe back to Buffy.
"Yeah."
"But you already have weapons. Use it wisely and perhaps you can beat back the rising dark. One way or another, it can only mean an end is truly near."
Suddenly a pair of hands shot out from behind the curtain and seized the Guardian's head, twisting it violently and snapping her neck. The old woman's lifeless body dropped to the ground to reveal Caleb standing behind her. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part on account of her neck snappin' and all. Did she say the end is near.... or here?"
Then he attacked. Buffy wrestled with Caleb as he tried to wrest control of the scythe from her. She recovered and whacked him in the side of the head with one end of the weapon, then hit him in the gut with the other, then again with the blad. Three fast shots. Caleb let go and Buffy leapt backward. He rushed her and unleashed a punch that shattered a stone column to dust on contact.
"You're not slipping out of this fight, girl. Can't you see? You can't stop me. I can just keep going back for more. It's like being re-born." Caleb taunted.
Buffy lunged at Caleb with the scythe and this time he ducked under its blade, avoiding contact. Buffy pressed the attack, swinging and thrusting. Caleb couldn't be touched. He smiled and stood upright: a target. Buffy swung the axe blade right at his neck and Caleb, without looking, shot a hand up and caught the scythe in mid-swing, stopping it cold. With his other hand, Caleb punched Buffy so hard she flew backward into the far wall, sending up a cloud of dust. She dropped the scythe on impact.
Caleb and Buffy both reached for the scythe simultaneously. Caleb got there first and held the scythe up for all of a split-second as Buffy kicked it from his grip and caught it in the same motion. She spun, catching Caleb behind the knees with the scythe's shaft, and lifted him off his feet. He crashed to the dusty floor. Buffy spun the scythe, stake-end first, and thrusted it downward straight at Caleb's throat. He caught it an inch above his face and twisted hard, flipping Buffy over. Now it was her turn to hit the ground. Caleb leapt to his feet and Buffy staggered to hers, just in time to receive a devastating punch to the face. It sent her reeling backward. Caleb just kept hitting her, a maniacal grin on his face. Buffy tried to defend herself but she was running out of steam. She lay on the floor, writhing in pain as Caleb circled her, not even out of breath.
"You know, I gave you ample warning. I told you not to interfere. And you chose not to heed." Caleb said. Buffy charged across the room at him and he deftly side-stepped, using her own momentum to flip her up onto a sarcophagus-like stone platform. She kicked him backward but he quickly recovered and lifted her up, hurling her through a stone column. She was nearly unconscious. Caleb scooped up the scythe and twirled it in his hands as he stood over her. "I was kinda hopin' it'd go this way." He raise the scythe over his head for the killing blow.
"HEY!" Caleb turned and took a massive blow to the head, sending him careening across the room and into the wall. He dropped the scythe and landed on the floor, dazed and half-conscious. Buffy looked up to find Angel standing over her, his hand held out to help her up. She took it and he lifted her to her feet. "I told you not to get in any trouble."
"I couldn't help it." Buffy said.
Caleb got to his feet, royally pissed. Angel moved toward him but Buffy held him back. "Ah. This is one of those things you have to finish yourself, right?"
"Really kinda is. Sorry, I know how you like to fight off the bad guys that like to beat me up, but he's overstepped his bounds with me."
Angel backed away with a smirk and leaned casually against a stone column, enjoying the show, as Caleb stalked toward Buffy. She scooped the scythe up from the ground and stood her ground. "You are so gonna lose this time."
Caleb rushed Buffy and she swung the scythe around in a lightning-quick series of blows. Caleb dodged them all and wrenched the weapon from her grasp, kicking her backward into the wall. He aimed the pointed stake end at her and thrust forward. She dodged at the last instant and the shaft slammed into the rock, embedded up to the hilt. Buffy hurled Caleb away and ripped the scythe from the wall, charging at him full speed.
Caleb swung at her, one punch after another, but Buffy ducked and weaved, then whipped the scythe's blade around sideways in a deadly arc, catching Caleb full in the chest. He stopped, stunned, as Buffy ripped the blade back out, opening him up from one side of his body to the other. He staggered backward, laughing at her for a brief moment, before his eyes went wide and he collapsed to the floor. His eyes stared sightlessly up at her.
Buffy turned to Angel, winded. "See, under control." She walked to Angel, who steadied her.
"Well, at least you could tell me you missed me. I was gone all day and...." Buffy looked up at Angel and silenced him when their lips met in a kiss, tender at first, but building to real passion. Angel wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, pressing her gently against a column and winding his fingers in her golden hair. After a minute, Buffy pulled away and looked at Angel. He smiled. "Well, I guess that qualifies as happy to see me."
"I just want to bask." There was a short pause. "Okay, I'm basked. God I missed you today."
"I stopped by the house and they said you left a little after I did. Nobody knew where you went."
"The mansion. I just wanted some time to myself.... only this time willingly. What are you doing here?"
"Not saving the damsel in distress, that's for sure."
"Oh, you know me. Not much with the damseling." She reached down and picked up the scythe. "But I meant.... How'd you find me?"
"How do I usually find you?"
"I swear, you vampires. Didn't anybody ever tell you the whole 'smelling people' thing's a little gross?" Buffy smiled and then went back to business. "Did you get it?"
Angel walked over to the steps and picked up the file. "Right here. The driver didn't even notice it was there."
"Good. I really think we're going to need it. The First's army is getting bigger."
"Yeah, well, it failed once and I'm going to tell you...."
Caleb suddenly leapt up and clubbed Angel viciously in the head with a carved wooden idol. Buffy stared at him in shock. He glared at her wildly, his eyes jet black and leaking a bloody ichor. It streamed down his cheeks and out of his nose and mouth. "Are you ready to finish this, bitch?"
Buffy barely raised the scythe in time to deflect a crushing blow from the wooden idol Caleb wielded like a club. She flipped backwards and came up only to catch a swiping blow to the head. Caleb tossed the idol aside and stalked toward her as she jumped to her feet, the scythe held at the ready. "Okay, how many times do I have to kill you? Ballpark figure?"
"You understand nothing." Buffy swung the blade at him but he caught the shaft and held it, using it as an anchor as he punched her repeatedly in the face. Then he brought his fist from below in an uppercut so powerful it lifted Buffy off her feet and slammed her into the ceiling. Caleb dropped Buffy to the ground, then lifted her off her feet by her neck, his hands choking off her air. "You think you have power over me?" With a cry of rage, Buffy broke his grip on her throat and kicked him backward with a roundhouse blow to the head. He regained his feet and turned toward her. "Stupid girl. You'll never stop me. You don't have the ba...."
Buffy swung the axe low in an upward arc and buried the blade between Caleb's legs. "Who does nowadays?" His mouth dropped open in an O of shock and agony. Using all her preternatural strength, Buffy ripped upward with the blade, slicing Caleb's body neatly in two, ending him for good.
Across the room, Angel got to his feet and brushed himself off. He turned around, searching the room for Caleb. "Okay, now I'm pissed. Where is he?"
Buffy looked down at her feet, first to one side, then the other. "He had to split." She held a straight face for a beat, then cracked up. Angel chuckled, happy to see Buffy laughing. Then he removed the silver amulet with a multi-faceted crystal at its center from his pocket. "Remember this?"
"I can already tell you, I have nothing that goes with that."
"It's not for you."
"Splainy?"
"I read a lot of the files, but I don't know everything. I do know that it's very powerful and probably very dangerous. It has a purifying power.... cleansing power.... possibly scrubbing bubbles. The translation is.... anyway, it bestows strength to the right person who wears it."
"And the right person is?"
"Someone ensouled but stronger than human. A champion. As in me."
"Or me."
"No. I don't know nearly enough about this to risk you wearing it. Besides, you've got you're real cool axe-thing going for you."
Buffy paused. "Maybe neither of us."
"What do you mean?"
"You said it yourself that you don't know enough about it to risk me wearing it. Why the hell would I let you wear it?"
"Then who else is going to wear it?" Angel paused as Buffy looked at him. "Spike?" She nodded. "Why him?"
"Why not him? He's ensouled. He's just as strong as you are."
"You would risk him?"
"I won't risk you. You won't risk me. What other choice do we have? Besides, I think Spike deserves this. He's fought by my side.... our side for a long time. You've even learned to put some trust in him." Without letting the discussion go any further, Buffy turned and walked out into the night. Angel followed. "Have you talked to the gang in LA? If we lose.... if this thing gets past Sunnydale, then it's days, maybe hours, before the rest of the world goes. We need a second front."
"I talked to them and they said they're ready. Gunn's even getting his old gang ready for it."
"Good."
"So, what did you do all day at the mansion?"
"I thought about things. I worked through a lot. I even thought about us."
"Neither of us should do that. It never ends well."
"I'm not breaking up with you. I could never do that, but I figured some stuff out. I'm definitely not getting fat grandchildren in the offing now that Connor's gone. But I don't think that really matters anymore now. You know, in the midst of all this insanity, a couple of things are actually starting to make sense. I'm not done growing up yet."
"And the other?"
"The other being us.... you and me." Buffy sighed and stopped, leaning against a large headstone. "I always feared there was something wrong with me. You know, because I couldn't make it work. But then you and I found each other again and we're still going strong. I always thought that I wasn't meant to be with.... well, anyone."
"Because you're the Slayer?"
"Because.... ok. Here's how I thought of it. This all goes full circle. I'm cookie dough. I'm not done baking. I'm not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm going to turn out to be. I make it through this and the next thing and the next thing and maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then, you know, you'll be there to eat m.... or enjoy warm, delicious cookie-me. And you know what I realized? I finally remembered exactly what heaven felt like. It was knowing you would always love me. It was knowing that no matter what, I would be loved by you and everyone else in my real family. I couldn't put it into words until just now, when I saw you and felt you. Jasmine.... Connor.... it was all just there to bring us closer together."
"So, you've finally decided that you're ready to be the one?"
"Yeah. I am. I want to be your one."
"Well, at least I'm the one that gets to...." Angel paused and looked at Buffy. "Do I have to go with the cookie analogy?"
Buffy smiled and wrapped herself in his arms. "I know that you'll keep your promise."
"I will never leave you Buffy."
"And I take comfort in knowing that you'll be there to help me through everything."
"Good." Angel lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly. As she laid her head back on his chest, he said, "Let's go home. I think we both need rest."
"Limo?"
"Yeah. The van's at the Hyperion."
"Yay! Comfy leather seats."
"At the expense of an evil law firm." He took her hand and they headed back towards the gates of the graveyard.
