1 Title: The Unexpected Variable
Author: Jillian K.
Disclaimer: BTVS is the property of Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon. This fiction is for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: This is the sequel to "Experimental". In a very different Sunnydale Buffy Summers reinvents the role of the Slayer but when the vampire she loves returns will he be friend or foe? B/S? S/D?
Author's note: First a brief recap of 30+ chapters. The slayer before Buffy decided to go public with the knowledge of vampires and demons. The govt. dealt by establishing the Initiative sometime in the seventies with its base in Sunnydale. The institution serves both as a type of international defense guard and research facility. Spike had spent the last fourteen years as a research subject until he manages to escape. Maggie Walsh contacts Buffy for help, as the Slayer is a well-known entity (pseudo- celebrity). Buffy finds Spike but feels sorry for him and takes him into her home instead of back to the lab. Eventually a relationship develops but is threatened by the knowledge that the Initiative is slowly killing Spike through the chip in his head. He and Buffy infiltrate the Initiative and manage to disable the chip before being discovered by Riley. Spike tries to kill Riley but Buffy stops him and he eventually gives in. Riley arranges for him to leave Sunnydale but Buffy stays to face up to the Master who has awoken to threaten Sunnydale. This story takes place eight months after Spike has left.
Chapter 1
Rupert Giles contemplated his Slayer for the umpteenth time and tried to figure what was wrong. To the undiscerning eye the girl was as well adjusted as any Slayer could hope to be. She worked hard and was undeniably devoted to her call. Her close-knit group of friends supplied her emotional ties. For security and guidance she had him. Why then did she seem so wistful at times? What could she be longing for?
The Slayer in question was currently engaged in the intricacies of the katana. Although the weapon was all but obsolete in this century, Giles wanted Buffy to learn all the time-honored methods of the Slayer. One never knew when they would be needed.
Aside from working with traditional weaponry, Buffy also had extensive knowledge of state-of-the art firepower courtesy of the Initiative. The agency along with the Council of Watchers had helped make Buffy Summers into one of the most capable Slayers ever. And yet training could only do so much. Giles knew that Buffy's power and aptitude came from within her. The skills were learned but the essence was entirely hers.
But as bright as she burned there was part of her that remained in shadow. Giles could only hope that she would someday reveal to him what had happened to make her like this.
************
"SPIKE!"
Buffy's scream rang through the empty room. Another night, another nightmare. She should be used to them by now.
At first the dreams had been pleasant and served to establish a connection between her and the vampire she loved. Lately, they had been anything but.
Her dreams turned into nightmares in which she was forced to watch Spike die. Night after night it was the same. It disturbed her so much that often she could no longer sleep.
That was the case tonight.
Seeing that she had zero chances of having a peaceful rest, Buffy did what came natural to her: she went on patrol.
The Sunnydale cemetery was the obvious choice. The Initiative monitored the recent arrivals as a way to control the vampire population but now and then a fledging vampire would slip by and Buffy would have to take care of it. She really didn't mind. It was her job and it distracted from the effect that the nightmares had.
Tonight was her lucky night. Two brand new vamps were awaiting her stake. They actually managed to give her an active ten minutes before she took them down.
After the dust had settled, she did a quick scan for any other members of the undead. She picked up a vibe behind a small mausoleum. With a head held high in predatory pride she headed for the structure. A sharp stake twirling in her right hand.
The Slayer'smuscles readied to pounce on the undead target but then she caught a glimpse of a familiar leather coat.
Angel.
The vampire disregarded the stake in her hand and greeted her warmly. Buffy smiled back. Seeing Angel was always good even with the awkwardness that came from an attempted relationship.
"Buffy, I have to say I didn't expect you here. You don't usually patrol this close to dawn"
The Slayer shrugged. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to make myself useful. What about you? Shouldn't you be sleeping already?"
"I still have about an hour before the sun becomes an issue. And anyhow I parked the car close by just in case of an emergency"
Buffy grinned inwardly. The Angel-mobile had often been his owner's salvation from the harsh light of day.
"Great. Can I get a ride then? These vamps wore me out and my car is in for inspection"
The vampire nodded and they began walking to the cemetery's parking lot. Each seemed lost in their thoughts. After a while Angel broke the silence.
"Why haven't you been sleeping?"
Buffy sighed. Leave it to Angel to get to the point. He had an uncanny ability to see into people's psyches. It was downright annoying sometimes.
"Don't make such a big deal about it. I had a few nightmares once in a while but nothing to write home about"
"Nightmares? Are you sure?"
"Of course I am sure. I know what constitutes a nightmare and I know that I am having them. But then again its probably an aftereffect of the slaying"
"What I meant is that they may not be just simple nightmares. They can be visions or prophetic dreams"
Buffy stopped in her tracks. Prophetic dreams? Was she seeing Spike's eventual demise?
"I hadn't thought of it"
"Well I am not a hundred percent sure but you may want to ask Giles about it. I remember Helen having prophetic dreams every once in a while"
Helen was Buffy's predecessor. She was the Slayer that had chosen to go public in order to avert the apocalypse. Angel had watched over her as he did now Buffy. The current slayer suspected that he had harbored deeper feelings than friendship but had chosen not to act on them. Helen Marshall had married, produced offspring and died at a ripe old age. Angel remained alone and waited for the next slayer to emerge.
"I'll ask him. Helen's watcher was a type A chronicler. If she was having unusual dreams, then he must have written about them in the diaries"
The vampire nodded absentmindedly as if his mind had gone traveling down memory lane. A remnant of sorrow settled about him.
Buffy could relate. She knew all about loss.
******
As the pair departed the cemetery a lone figure emerged from the shadows of the crypt where it had been hiding. The creature had managed to pick up most of the conversation and seemed enraptured by the Slayer's words. It wanted to hear more.
The vampire had stayed away long enough. It was time for a change.
.TBC
Author's note: I only have and inkling of where this story is going. Please read and review.
Author: Jillian K.
Disclaimer: BTVS is the property of Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon. This fiction is for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: This is the sequel to "Experimental". In a very different Sunnydale Buffy Summers reinvents the role of the Slayer but when the vampire she loves returns will he be friend or foe? B/S? S/D?
Author's note: First a brief recap of 30+ chapters. The slayer before Buffy decided to go public with the knowledge of vampires and demons. The govt. dealt by establishing the Initiative sometime in the seventies with its base in Sunnydale. The institution serves both as a type of international defense guard and research facility. Spike had spent the last fourteen years as a research subject until he manages to escape. Maggie Walsh contacts Buffy for help, as the Slayer is a well-known entity (pseudo- celebrity). Buffy finds Spike but feels sorry for him and takes him into her home instead of back to the lab. Eventually a relationship develops but is threatened by the knowledge that the Initiative is slowly killing Spike through the chip in his head. He and Buffy infiltrate the Initiative and manage to disable the chip before being discovered by Riley. Spike tries to kill Riley but Buffy stops him and he eventually gives in. Riley arranges for him to leave Sunnydale but Buffy stays to face up to the Master who has awoken to threaten Sunnydale. This story takes place eight months after Spike has left.
Chapter 1
Rupert Giles contemplated his Slayer for the umpteenth time and tried to figure what was wrong. To the undiscerning eye the girl was as well adjusted as any Slayer could hope to be. She worked hard and was undeniably devoted to her call. Her close-knit group of friends supplied her emotional ties. For security and guidance she had him. Why then did she seem so wistful at times? What could she be longing for?
The Slayer in question was currently engaged in the intricacies of the katana. Although the weapon was all but obsolete in this century, Giles wanted Buffy to learn all the time-honored methods of the Slayer. One never knew when they would be needed.
Aside from working with traditional weaponry, Buffy also had extensive knowledge of state-of-the art firepower courtesy of the Initiative. The agency along with the Council of Watchers had helped make Buffy Summers into one of the most capable Slayers ever. And yet training could only do so much. Giles knew that Buffy's power and aptitude came from within her. The skills were learned but the essence was entirely hers.
But as bright as she burned there was part of her that remained in shadow. Giles could only hope that she would someday reveal to him what had happened to make her like this.
************
"SPIKE!"
Buffy's scream rang through the empty room. Another night, another nightmare. She should be used to them by now.
At first the dreams had been pleasant and served to establish a connection between her and the vampire she loved. Lately, they had been anything but.
Her dreams turned into nightmares in which she was forced to watch Spike die. Night after night it was the same. It disturbed her so much that often she could no longer sleep.
That was the case tonight.
Seeing that she had zero chances of having a peaceful rest, Buffy did what came natural to her: she went on patrol.
The Sunnydale cemetery was the obvious choice. The Initiative monitored the recent arrivals as a way to control the vampire population but now and then a fledging vampire would slip by and Buffy would have to take care of it. She really didn't mind. It was her job and it distracted from the effect that the nightmares had.
Tonight was her lucky night. Two brand new vamps were awaiting her stake. They actually managed to give her an active ten minutes before she took them down.
After the dust had settled, she did a quick scan for any other members of the undead. She picked up a vibe behind a small mausoleum. With a head held high in predatory pride she headed for the structure. A sharp stake twirling in her right hand.
The Slayer'smuscles readied to pounce on the undead target but then she caught a glimpse of a familiar leather coat.
Angel.
The vampire disregarded the stake in her hand and greeted her warmly. Buffy smiled back. Seeing Angel was always good even with the awkwardness that came from an attempted relationship.
"Buffy, I have to say I didn't expect you here. You don't usually patrol this close to dawn"
The Slayer shrugged. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to make myself useful. What about you? Shouldn't you be sleeping already?"
"I still have about an hour before the sun becomes an issue. And anyhow I parked the car close by just in case of an emergency"
Buffy grinned inwardly. The Angel-mobile had often been his owner's salvation from the harsh light of day.
"Great. Can I get a ride then? These vamps wore me out and my car is in for inspection"
The vampire nodded and they began walking to the cemetery's parking lot. Each seemed lost in their thoughts. After a while Angel broke the silence.
"Why haven't you been sleeping?"
Buffy sighed. Leave it to Angel to get to the point. He had an uncanny ability to see into people's psyches. It was downright annoying sometimes.
"Don't make such a big deal about it. I had a few nightmares once in a while but nothing to write home about"
"Nightmares? Are you sure?"
"Of course I am sure. I know what constitutes a nightmare and I know that I am having them. But then again its probably an aftereffect of the slaying"
"What I meant is that they may not be just simple nightmares. They can be visions or prophetic dreams"
Buffy stopped in her tracks. Prophetic dreams? Was she seeing Spike's eventual demise?
"I hadn't thought of it"
"Well I am not a hundred percent sure but you may want to ask Giles about it. I remember Helen having prophetic dreams every once in a while"
Helen was Buffy's predecessor. She was the Slayer that had chosen to go public in order to avert the apocalypse. Angel had watched over her as he did now Buffy. The current slayer suspected that he had harbored deeper feelings than friendship but had chosen not to act on them. Helen Marshall had married, produced offspring and died at a ripe old age. Angel remained alone and waited for the next slayer to emerge.
"I'll ask him. Helen's watcher was a type A chronicler. If she was having unusual dreams, then he must have written about them in the diaries"
The vampire nodded absentmindedly as if his mind had gone traveling down memory lane. A remnant of sorrow settled about him.
Buffy could relate. She knew all about loss.
******
As the pair departed the cemetery a lone figure emerged from the shadows of the crypt where it had been hiding. The creature had managed to pick up most of the conversation and seemed enraptured by the Slayer's words. It wanted to hear more.
The vampire had stayed away long enough. It was time for a change.
.TBC
Author's note: I only have and inkling of where this story is going. Please read and review.