Buffy, Willow and Pike were back in Buffy's car heading upstate. It was really late, but they decided to drive all night because of the warning that The First had given them. Buffy was driving, Willow was in the passenger's seat and Pike was sleeping like a baby in the backseat.
"So, how was your journey?" Willow asked. Her long red hair was tied up in a clip.
"Good, It went, well. Saw Angel, got a few recruits for ya." Buffy said. She looked in her rearview mirror at Pike. She tilted her head and said "Picked up a really hot hitchhiker."
Willow raised her eyebrow and turned to see Pike. "He is a cutie," she said smiling. "You know you never told me what his name was, and for some reason he knows about me."
"Oh gee, sorry Wil," she said looking at her friend. "His name is Pike. I told you about him before. Old friend from LA, the original 'slayerette' if you will."
"Wow, Pike huh? I remember you telling us about him now. What a name. Sounds a little familiar doesn't it?" Willow asked.
Buffy gave her a glance, a cue for Willow to be quiet. "Speaking of relationships, how's Kennedy?"
Willow slumped her head. Buffy, concerned, "Oh God, sorry Will, what happened?"
"Things haven't been going well in a while. After some time after I tested the binding spell on her, it was like a chore to stay together. You know what I mean?" Willow said. She was more stronger about it.
"Yeah I do, I felt the same with Riley." She said, her eyes concentrated on the road. Only a few cars would pass her every now and then.
"So, we are over. She left to go train other girls in the field, not planning to come back anytime soon. Tell you the truth, I'm kind of happy that it. Things have been hectic after that. The students are so obnoxious sometimes, so I decided to go into the city to buy some things. Its good to stroll the city for a day alone. Then I felt the magic use of Amy, then I found you." Willow said smiling.
"I am so glad you were there," Buffy said. "I'd probably be dead if it wasn't for you."
Buffy asked about Xander.
"He's doing a lot better," Willow said smiling. "Everyone is going to be so glad to see you."
"I hope so." She muttered out into the early morning air.
********
They arrived through the gates at seven. Buffy woke up Pike and led the sleepy man to the door Willow was holding open. Once they were through Willow close the door and lead them down to the hall to the teachers offices. "I called Robin, before we left, he said everything is fine, but I want to check up with him first.
"What's he doing up so early?" Buffy asked, supporting Pike on her left side.
"Oh, he was on duty after 3 a.m."
"Ah," She said and Pike pushed away from her saying he could walk around on his own.
When they turned the corridor, Robin waiting for them, "This place has been quiet all night, Willow." He told her first, and they were able to breath easier. "I think the First was living up to it's nickname."
"Yeah, it does like to taunt." Willow agreed, noticing his gaze switch to Buffy.
"Welcome back, Buffy." He smiled and walk to her, she smiled and gave her a hug.
"Thanks, Robin." She said pulling back giving him a smile.
"Who's your friend?" He asked gesturing to Pike who was now slumped against the wall.
She rushed over to him. "Are you okay?" She asked, worried. His eyes where closed and looked like he had almost lost consciousness.
"Yeah," he answered softy. "Just need to sleep more."
Willow turned Robin. "He's Pike." Robin look at her strangely. "P-ike." She said clearly again giving him a friendly glare.
"Is he alright? Do you need help?" Robin asked.
"He's gonna be fine, just tired. You know, like when civilians are trying to keep up with the Slayers, they forget they actually need sleep." She joked with Robin, "and he did get hit on the head." She tended to him and he was leaning on her again. "I'm going to take him up to my room, then go check up on Dawn." Buffy announced. They headed for the stairs, but she abruptly turned around. "My room is still my room?" she asked Willow quickly.
"Yep and the way you left it." Then Willow thought a moment, "Unless Dawn barrowed some of your stuff."
"I hope she didn't take my good clothes." She said as got them to the stairs. "Pike, either you walk or I carry you." She threatened.
*********
Buffy dropped off Pike and her bags off in her room. He fell right back to sleep when his head hit the pillow. She quickly changed into clean clothes and went to Dawn's door. They had a connecting bathroom. They had redecorated it with clips and cut out, it looked like a college dorm. She smiled once it was in sight. Memories of her time at the school kept coming back, she and Dawn spent a lot a time together before she left. She remembered coming back sneaking into Dawn's room after her patrols just to make sure she was okay.
She stop to look at the sign on the door. "Dawn and Evan" with humorous comments stuck up all around it. She smiled and gently opened the door, hoping Evan wouldn't mind the intrusion. Both girls were still asleep. Classes didn't start until ten and Dawn was not an early riser, apparently neither was Evan.
She went to Dawn's bed and sat down on the edge. She looked down at her sister, thought she looked happy. Buffy was glad and stroked her cheek. "Dawn." She called softy not to wake up Evan, who shifted in her bed. "Dawn."
Dawn answered sleepily, not opening eyes, "Ev, to early." She groaned in her sleep turning over. Buffy smiled at her sister's sleep talking.
"Dawn." She called again.
"Go away." She said this time starting to really wake up.
"Dawn, it's me." She said this time rubbing her shoulder.
Dawn is still for a moment, then stretched and yawned. The whole time Buffy watching her. "Good morning, sleepyhead." She said.
Dawn's eyes snapped open and widen, she bolted upright in bed. "BUFFY!" she screeched and jumped into her sisters arms, holding her tight. Buffy returned the hug. "Oh my god your actually back! I'm so glad your home!" Happily.
"What's wrong?" Evan said confused sitting up in bed.
"Buffy's back!" Dawn said leaving the hug and turning to Evan, as if she would join in on the celebration.
"Oh." She said looking at them confused, then fell back on the pillows. "Going back to sleep now." She sighed, "Keep it down." She cuddled back into bed.
Dawn laughed, trying to keep herself quieter, she turned back to Buffy, "That's Evan, not a morning person- Oh my god your hair!" She exclaimed then leaped back into Buffy's arms. Dawn heard Evan groan at her and grabbed Buffy's hand and took her out of the room. "might as well let her sleep so she's coherent for classes." She closed her door then leaped into her sisters arms again.
"I forgot how huggy you get when you just wake up." Buffy said. Dawn sat them down on the couches in the hall.
"Yeah-" then her eyes opened fully again, "Love the hair." Dawn smiled.
"Thank you." Buffy gave her a look. "I loved that you haven't changed anything."
"Well, I cut my hair but it grew out already." Dawn shrugged. "So how have you been, you stopped telling me stuff after you left-"
"Buffy your back!" Giles interrupted her. He was in his sweats and Buffy new he had just gotten back from his morning run. "I've missed you so much." He said as she stood and he pulled her into his arms.
"Hey, Buffy!" Xander called next, fresh from bed, Willow next to him. They hug next, "Good choice with the hair." He commented and she beamed at him. She look up at him and realized she had forgotten that his eye was really gone. "Someone's looking at the eye." He said with good humor.
"Sorry."
"It's alright, used to it." He smiled.
"It's good to be back." She continued to beam at them all, she sat back down next to Dawn. The rest of them sat.
"I hear you brought back a male suitor, and he's currently sleeping in your bed." Xander said. Buffy glared at Willow.
"What?" Giles piped up.
"His name is Pike, and I told you all about him before."
"Pike! L.A., motorcycle, slay vamps Pike?" –Dawn.
"The one Willow and I used to say was your imaginary friend, Pike?" Xander joked.
"Who?"-Giles.
"He's the guy she met right after she became the slayer." Dawn spoke up. "I only caught a glimpse of him once, he was so cool."
"He's here?" Giles asked to confirm.
"Yeah, I ran into him in LA, then Chicago… we've been kind traveling together since Cleveland."
"Oh." Giles got the hint that they were together and mind began to go through all of Buffy's boyfriends.
"Shouldn't be too bad, it's not like he's a Vampire." Xander said, then turned to Buffy, "He's not is he?"
**********
It wasn't long before her all-nighter started to catch up with her. She could goes days without sleep, but when she was dealing with the First last year, she learned to sleep whenever she got the chance, besides it was a school day everyone else had things to do. She put on her pj's and crawled into bed next to Pike. They slept the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon, waking up only to partake in each other company a couple of times.
They were up and dressed in time for dinner. Buffy looked in her mirror. Her hair was being to fade and her routes were starting to show, she'd need to change her hair soon.
"Ready to go to dinner?" Pike asked her.
"Yeah." She turned around and linked arms with him, "Ready to meet everybody?"
"As I'll ever be."
When Buffy walked in the dinning hall she was surprised by how full it was. She forgot how many students 52 was. She noticed most of the girls looking at her and spreading stories. Willow had her take Kennedy's old seat next to her. She said hey to all the other staff members at the table and Willow was kind enough to make the introductions of Pike.
"Looks like your puppy followed you all the way home." Faith joked as Buffy went past her to her chair. Pike one side Willow on the other and Xander across from her. Xander introduced himself to Pike as Buffy looked around the room for Dawn. She was heading to one of the tables with Evan and Matt, but caught Buffy's eye and went to the staff table instead, standing behind the empty chair next to Xander.
"Hey, have a good nap?" Dawn asked her.
"Good, how were classes?"
"Giles is teaching the finder points of cross-referencing." Said Evan.
"Fun."
"Like a hole through the head." She extended to shake Buffy's, Buffy accepted it. "Sorry about earlier."
"No problem. I would have done the same." She turned to Matt. And shook his hand, "You must be Mathew."
"Yeah," He smiled, "It's nice to meet the only woman that made my Grandfather quake in his boots. Well except for my aunt." Buffy shrugged then froze, she forgot who he was, Quentin Travers' grandson. He didn't seem like his grandfather, at least that was a good sign. Plus she had heard such raves about his aunt.
To recover she quickly introduced Pike. "It's good to finally met ya, Dawn. Buffy talks about you all the time." They talked for a few minutes.
"Well we better go to our table."
"Why don't you eat here tonight?" Buffy upset that her sister will have to leave her so soon. "There are empty seats."
"No, Fiona and Sophie will be here any minute, and we can't take Clem and Andrew's seats, that's too mean they cooked dinner. We'll talk after dinner." And Dawn left the table with her friends.
"Wait, Clem's here?"
"Yep since, December." Xander answered. "He helps Andrew out in the kitchen and does other things."
"He's the school mascot." Willow chimed in.
When Clem brought the food tray to the staff table he stopped and gave Buffy a hug. They began to eat and Buffy began to dread the meeting of her and the two older slayers she had heard so much about. All the slayers she met, who used to be part of the Unchosen talked about them. They did so much. Fighting vamps, taking care of others. She'd only been able to handle one at a time on her best days.
The women entered together laughing and went straight to there seats. "Welcome back, Buffy." said the curly haired Slayer. "I'm Sophia, this is Fiona." She smiled and seemed very sweet and smiling. Buffy noticed that Xander didn't take his eyes off her since she walked in.
"Good to finally meet you." She said to Sophie, "You too, Fiona, I've heard a lot about you both. Jenny wanted me to say hi, for her."
"Jenny?" Willow inquired, putting food on her plate.
"She's one of the Slayers guarding the new Hellmouth." Said Fiona, passing some of the trays down the table. "I've heard a lot about you, mostly from Dawn." She said nicely.
"You talk to Dawn a lot?" Buffy asked a little surprised, she didn't like being so negative to someone just because of their name.
"Well with her being so close to Evan and Matt, it was bound to happen. I took them skiing over break." She said.
"Skiing? She didn't tell me that." Buffy sounded upset.
"Yeah, she was pretty good, once she got over her fear of the cold."
"Yeah, she's a California girl, the cold really gets to us." Buffy said lightly, taking food on her plate.
"Yeah, she great kid. Great with research, doing very well in her classes too."
"You're her teacher too?"
The meal went on, Fiona was asked a question by Giles about her day. Fiona told him that he needed to cover her classes for the next day because she need to take Evan to the doctor. Sophia and Xander started their own conversation and she heard Pike talking to Clem on the other side of her. She asked Willow to help catch her up at all the gossip going around the school.
Willow whispered to Buffy, "Evan is her ward. They thought she was a potential…" And quickly gave her the lowdown on her sisters new best friend. When she heard about the possible brain tumor she could only think of her mother. Buffy listened to the rest of what Willow was saying, trying to push the bad memories away when it seemed like out of nowhere, Sophie and Xander started kissing. That cause all other thoughts to move away. She looked around and it didn't seem to bother anyone else. Even Fiona, who was sitting next to her seemed more into her conversation with Giles.
Willow looked at Buffy and what she was looking at. Willow gave her a smiled, "Well they're together," she whispered to her, the room was loud enough no one really heard them. "she's been great for him. He was kind of scared to start anything because of Giles."
"What about Giles?" Buffy asked.
"I thought I told you," Willow told her about Sophie and Giles and she nodded, "but he got over it and now…" she faded out taking a bite of food. Buffy picked up her water glass and took a sip, "At least their better than Giles and Fiona, I can feel them playing footsy under the table right now."
Buffy choked on her drink, and began to cough, "You alright?" everybody asked her, Willow started to laugh at her and Buffy brought herself under control.
"I'm fine." She said weakly, Pike pat her on the back.
***********
After dinner Giles asked Buffy to take a walk with him. He said something about things being kept more private if they keep moving. He asked her about her trip she told him all of it, about visit from the first and her run ins with Pike, leaving out only the things he didn't need to know about.
"The First isn't through with us yet, I'd wager. It's first plan failed, I have know idea what a back up plain would be."
"At least we're stronger now."
"Yes, but we must be prepared." Their was a few moments of quiet before Giles spoke up again, "So this Pike.." Buffy rolled her eyes preparing for the boyfriend talk. "He's been with you since Cleveland."
"No I met up with him back in LA, he followed me to Chicago and Cleveland."
"So he was stalking you." He remarked.
"Oh come on," she started, "he's known me longer than you have. And since when did you get so concerned about my boyfriends?"
"I've always been but now, after your track record has become more and more disconcerting and I being the 'parent' feel the need to now concerned."
"Oh well then." She went through the 411 of what he's been doing since they parted back before she came to Sunnydale. "…But hey a plus, he's not a vampire, I gotta get super bonus points for that?"
"I supposed. But you know your military record." He joked.
"Oh if your gonna criticize my life relationships…" then she though, "Do I have to bring up stupid things you've done. I would have criticized your relationships but they weren't that bad." She let them walk a little, "But since were talking about them, Quentin Travers daughter?" He didn't answer. "Oh and she's a slayer too. Isn't there a old watcher rule saying 'watcher and his slayer aren't allowed to date'."
"Well no, actually one the books it's says that out of need to be near the Slayer a Watcher is allowed to marry his Slayer to keep her from taken out of his care or getting to much attention."
"To much attention? And, well, eww!"
"They were different times, it was inappropriate at some times for a man and women to be traveling together outside of wedlock, it caught to much attention. In most cases the relationships remained professional until the end of the Slayer's time." He said sounding like the walking library she knew and loved.
"In most cases." She repeated, "I bet those 'other' cases make for some pretty saucy Watchers' Diaries."
"I will change the subject now and remind you that Fiona is not her father, nor is Matt."
"I know, I get that. It's just the name, it always makes me antsy." She confessed. "But everyone says she's okay and she seems to like Dawn alright…" She paused.
"You think she's perfect don't you?" he asked reading her expression. She shrugged. "She's not, everyone has their problems." He assured her. They walked on and they talked more about what she missed and how Dawn was fairing and the girls she recruited. She was quiet curious on how Kristy was doing.
They were back to staff floor when they heard Dawn and Pike's laughter coming over from the couches. Buffy walked up to them with a smile on her face. "Well it seems the two of you are getting along."
"Yep." Dawn smiled.
"Yeah, she's not the brat you told me about." Pike joked.
Buffy was going to defend herself to them but Dawn just laughed knowing it was a joke. "He told me about what happened when you road off with him after you killed Lothos. Oh and Buffy, I also heard about that sexy outfit you wore in Vegas. Scandalous." Dawn told her to which Buffy glared at him. "He's a lot more interesting then Riley. Not too evil, good choice."
"Well I'm glad you approve."
"I also think he'd make a great bother-in-law." She said causally and Buffy was now glaring at her. Pike froze just after Dawn said but then burst out laughing again.
"Man the two of you are gitty today." She sat down next to Dawn. "What are you doing tonight?"
"Done with homework, so I was just gonna go look at some of the field request and do some research stuff. Unless you have a better idea?"
"I'm thinking field Watcher Training, more specifically taken a Slayer out to patrol." Buffy suggested.
"Oh that would be so much fun!"
"You could work on your fighting skills too, Dawn." Giles suggested to them.
"Okay." Said Buffy and Dawn.
"I'm gonna go change." Dawn said running off to her room, "can't fight in these shoes." She called back to them.
"Is this a sister-bonding thing or can anyone tag along?" Pike asked as they stood.
"Sister-bonding, sorry." She leaned in and gave him a hug and a quick kiss. She knew Giles was still standing behind them.
"Buffy, I'm ready." Dawn called to her from her room.
"Okay, be right there." Called to her than turned back to Pike and whispered, "Be careful of Giles, I think he's gonna give you the 'you hurt her, you're in lots and lots of pain' speech." And with that she was gone. Pike processed what she said and looked up at Giles. He read the look on the older man's face. He was gonna get the talk.
*********
A few hours later. The front door smashed open and a furious Dawn marched through and ran up stairs. Buffy came in after her and called, "Dawn!"
Faith walked over to her from the sitting room as Buffy closed the door. "What's with the Mini-B?"
"She is so immature sometimes!" Buffy started. "It was a small thing, we were in a graveyard and a vampire attacked from behind her and I killed it. For some reason she got pissed off at me."
"I guess she feels that she doesn't need to be coddled anymore B. She is seventeen, I mean she's probably not even a virgin anymore." Faith said.
"Excuse me? I do not coddle her," she glared at Faith. "And – how would you know?"
"Hey, I'm just sayin', when I was her age-,"
"You were already killing people?" Buffy raised her eyebrows and walked away. Faith just watched after her co-slayer, hurt.
Xander walked into the rec room to see Pike watching television, drinking a beer. "You know, not a good idea to be drinking around the students. But since Giles isn't around, let me in on one." He said smiling as he took the seat next to Pike on the couch.
"Like I would give any of these brats my beer," Pike laughed as he gave Xander a beer.
Xander saw the dog tags that Pike was wearing, "You know, I have some experience in the field too." He said as he took a sip.
"Nice man," Pike began talking military talk. Xander tried to go along with the conversation. Pike asked him a question, and it wasn't a yes or no this time.
"Alright so, I haven't been in the field. One Halloween I was possessed by a soldier, so I got some of the left over memories from it. But most of its gone now." Xander said.
"It's cool man." Pike said.
"So did you play any football in High School?" Xander asked.
"Nah, I hated sports, especially in school. The jocks hated me, - so did the cheerleaders, except Buffy of course."
"Good, so we do have something in common, we were both losers in High School, and we didn't go to college, sweet!" he said.
"Hell ya," Pike chimed in, they toasted their beer bottles. They continued talking man talk about women and who was hot on television. Soon Willow came in and sat in the chair diagonally from Xander.
"Ooh, can I join?" Willow beamed.
Pike laughed, "Sure!" and handed her a beer.
"Just be careful. You and drinking not always a good combination."
"So you keep reminding me. But your here to watch me." She smiled and started to watch TV with them. "Say, I think Baywatch is on."
Pike and Xander both looked at each other and smiled in unison.
*********
"Dawn!" Buffy yelled as she stood in the bathroom, outside of her door. "Dawn, I'm sorry okay? I knew you could have taken that vampire out. Its just from instinct is all."
No Answer. Buffy gave up and sat on her bed and turned the television on. There was a knock on the door as Pike came in.
"Hey little lady." He said closing the door. He took off his tee shirt and pants, wearing only boxer briefs he slipped into bed next to her.
"You want to go to bed?" Buffy asked, Pike could tell that she was upset. He sat up and started to massage her neck and shoulders.
"Not if you want me too." He said. Buffy closed her eyes, she loved his massages. "What's wrong?"
"Its Dawn, she's acting like she's fifteen again. She gets pissed off at me for everything."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Pike asked sweetly. Buffy turned around and kissed him.
Pike slid down her spaghetti strap off her shoulder and kissed her neck as Buffy's hands wandered Pikes shoulders and back. Buffy, taking control, removed her top and pushed Pike back against the pillows. Pike unclasped her bra and threw it to the side. Pike started to take off his underwear when-
The door opened and Dawn shrieked. "Oh my god! she covered her eyes and turned around. "I am so sorry!"
"DAWN!" Buffy yelled as she covered herself with her tank top. Pike quickly pulled his briefs back up and pulled the covers over himself. Buffy quickly put on her shirt and pulled Dawn into the bathroom and shut the door. Pike gave a big sigh and fell backwards, his head hitting the backboard.
"I am so sorry! I had no idea! Its not like you left the lights off!" Dawn said pleading with her sister. "Plus, I didn't see anything, just your back, I swear!"
Buffy just glared at her sister, then slowly, a smile crept on her face, and the both laughed hysterically.
"I guess we are even now huh?" Dawn said trying to talk.
"I guess we are." Buffy said calming down. Dawn smiled and gave Buffy a hug.
"Now you go back to my future brother in law and make looooovvvvvvvveeeee." Dawn said in a sexual voice. Buffy shook her head and kissed Dawn goodnight. As she turned to open the door to her room she turned around.
"By the way, are you a virgin?" Buffy asked.
Dawn, shocked by her question didn't answer. Dawn hit her playfully on the arm and turned her sister around and pushed Buffy back into her room. The door closed behind her.
Pike was watching TV holding his head, still under the covers. "You ok?" Buffy asked as she sat on the bed.
"Yeah, made my head hurt more. Man your sister, what a buzz kill." He said turning off the TV.
"Tell me about it, I could never do anything with Ril-, other boyfriends, when she was in the same house as me." Buffy said. She smiled.
"So what did you two talk about in there?" Pike asked.
"Well," she said, she was on all fours climbing sensually up the bed and straddled Pike. "She said that we should continue our – you know."
"She did, did she?" Pike smiled. He took her face in his hands and pulled her into a deep kiss.
"Wait, hold on." Buffy leaned over to the nightstand and turned off the light. There was a long silence and then "Do you think she's still a virgin?"
*********
The next morning, Buffy went into the dinning room, which was empty by the time she got there. She had slept in with Pike, who was with Xander jogging. Xander had lost a lot of weight since Buffy last saw him. He had began to do morning jogs with Giles. Buffy was happy that he was feeling better about himself. Buffy made her way through the circular tables and pushed chairs in as she walked. Felt like she was back in High School.
She entered the kitchen where she saw Clem tasting some soup from a large pot. "You'd better watch your skin there, don't want to get burned."
Clem was startled and dropped his spoon in the pot. "Darnit! Oh Hey Buffy, you scared me half to death." He was about to put his fleshy large hand in the pot.
"Wait," Buffy said, "Let me get that." She smiled and took the spoon out for him. "You are really doing a great job here Clem." Buffy said wiping her hands on a napkin.
"Gee, Thanks Buffy. Always good to hear a compliment from the head slayer. The girls are nice enough but they sorta get rude. They don't appreciating how much Andrew and I do for them."
"Clem, that's just how teenage girls act sometimes. It's kind what I did to my mom."
"So they kind of think of me like a parent?" He concluded happily. "I can live with that."
"Sure, Clem." Buffy smiled not about to break his mood. "Well I'm gonna go say hi to the girls. I'll see you at lunch." She waved goodbye to Clem and left the Kitchen.
Buffy walked to the students dorm hall and went into the senior suite and knocked on Kristy's door. Kristy opened the door, with curlers in her hair and a bathrobe. She was on late patrol last night and got an pass from her morning training class.
"Buffy, hey." Kristy said. Followed by a few seconds of silence.
" . . . Can I come in?" Buffy asked. Kristy seemed to snap out of her world.
"Oh sure." Kristy let her inside. Buffy walked in and sat in the girl's computer chair. Her room was full of expensive clothing, bed sheets, candles. A laptop computer, with AIM logged in. A plasma flat screen TV on the wall.
"Wow you really came prepared." Buffy said looking around the room. Kristy started to pull out the rollers.
"Yeah, well, my dad's rich. He only wants the best for me." Kristy said.
"I heard that you mostly stay in your room. You don't even come down to eat."
Kristy glanced down at the floor. "Why do you care?" Buffy stood up.
"You should really try to get to know some of these girls. They might not be rich or have really nice clothes like you but they are good people." Buffy knew what the girl was going through. She probably didn't want to come to the school. She had a life, a pretty good one, and she had lots of friends. Just like she did.
"Thanks but no thanks, they don't like me anyway." Kristy brushed her hair in the mirror on her dresser. "Now if you don't mind, I need to get ready, I have class in 30 minutes. Willow gets really grouchy if were late.
Buffy stood there just for a moment. She had wanted to tell her that she was not alone, that she used to be her, but what good would it do. She wanted to tell her that there was no reason for her and her fellow Slayers to get along, but then she always had trouble with it. Trouble with Kendra, Faith and some of the older Slayers.
"Something else you wanted?" Kristy turned back to her, because Buffy hadn't moved.
Buffy's mouth opened to speak but nothing came out. "No" she finally said and left the room.
She went down and out to the gym pavilion. It was connected to the main building but she was closer to the outside entrance then the walkway. She decided to drop in on a few of them. The training classes were in the morning and were spilt into three sections: weapons, hand to hand, and basic exercising. Anyone on patrol the night before would be excused and the teachers would rotate. Today Robin was on weapons, Curtis was on hand to hand, and Faith was taking over the other. Buffy watched from the doors, everyone so wrapped up in class to notice her. She thought they all were doing a great job, well except for Faith who was letting her girls do what ever the hell they wanted.
By the time she finished observing, first period had ended and the girl went off to other classrooms. Second period was mostly regular classes, she ran into Pike and he said he was going to go help Xander in the shop class. So she was once again alone. She did take a peak at Willows algebra class and Fiona's literature class, but it reminded her way to much of high school. She just wanted to hang out with someone but everybody had a job or a class. She realized she let it happen, being the slayer became her job. She didn't have anything else going for her.
She went around some more and caught Dawn struggling through her speech in Addison's class. She glance at her and then at Matt. She let her imagination run wild about him being Dawn's boyfriend and she left the room quickly. Then to Xander and Pike having fun with the girls in wood shop. Even Andrew had something to do, he was compiling a grocery and supply list. She finally decided the other place for her to go was the rec room with the big television. "Might as well check up with my soaps."
She was surprised to see the big screen already on and "Cruel Intentions". From the door she didn't see who was watching so walked in farther. She realized Faith was stretched across the couch. "Hey, B. Wanna watch with me?" Faith said looking at Buffy as she came in. Buffy nodded and took the chair. "Nothing like a movie about spoiled rich kids to pass the time."
Buffy just remained there silent.
"It gets kind of boring when they have normal classes. Usually I sleep through them, wake up and go out later but they needed me to take the morning class. It's been that way since Kennedy left.
"Oh, I saw your excellent teaching work." Buffy joked.
"Hey, I'm no teacher, never even graduated from high school. I couldn't stand going to school with kids and they seem to think I can teach them. That's why I go away all the time." Faith groaned.
"Yeah tell me about it." Buffy sighed.
"You know Robin thinks I should actually try to finish up my high school education here." Faith smirked, "I told him it wouldn't matter, "Faith" is dead, Willow set 'Nicole' up with a fake degree in 'recreation', he just said something about I'd knowing I graduated." Laugh, "He's such a teacher sometimes."
"Yeah, I guess ." Buffy was staring at the television not really watching. It took her a few minutes to realize Faith was watching her. "What?"
"Things usually pick up around noon, and if not you can come with to my guitar lesson."
Buffy laughed thinking she was joking, Faith's stoicism made her stop. "Your not joking are you?"
"No. There is never anything to do around here to nightfall so I picked up a hobby." Faith said turning back to the screen. "The place is pretty happening I think you should come along."
No one knew were Buffy and Faith had run off too. People had seen them earlier that day but then after lunch they just disappeared, no one was to worried but the longer they were out the more theories about where they had run off to.
"They probably got a call about some demon activity and had to get out there quickly." Giles assured Dawn. They were all sitting up at the staff table at the beginning of dinner. Dawn's friends weren't around so she was sitting in Buffy's seat waiting for her. Fiona had taken Evan to the doctor that afternoon and had taken Matt along as well for a check up.
"I don't know, G-man, maybe they got into a fight and in the mist of it all found out they're deep seeded feelings for each other and ran off to get married." Xander joked, but only got glares. Sophie patted him on the arm much like the way Anya would, "Since when am I not allowed to make a joke?"
They started to eat dinner. Robin wasn't as concerned as Pike or Dawn because he was used to Faith disappearing. He knew they'd show up eventually. They were all relieved when they heard them coming into the dinning hall.
They were together, and to everybody's shock they were laughing. Dawn went to her. "Where we're you?" Dawn asked Buffy, "And why are you carrying drumsticks?"
Buffy twirled the drumsticks in her hand. "Um, we went out. Fiona knew." She down at her hand, "And these-"
"You had your guitar class today." Robin burst out. Faith nodded, "You told me last night."
"Yes I did." Faith said taking her seat. Willow moved to the other side of the table giving Dawn her seat. "Buffy looked bored just hanging around so I took her along. Looks like she found some else to do with drumsticks other than slay a vampire. She fell in love with the drums."
Willow, "Since when did you take up the guitar?"
"Hey, music is my thang' red. Since I know so much bout' it, figured I give it a shot at playin' it." Faith said, moving her hands as she talked. Willow nodded her head and then everyone looked at Buffy.
"Um, like she said, I was bored." Buffy laughed. "Pike, why don't you join our future band? You could be the bassist and lead singer."
Pike chuckled, "Yeah right, being backed up by two girls." He rolled his eyes.
"Two girls that can kick your ass, hon'." Faith said. They all laughed.
Xander, a little confused about the two actually hanging out with each other spoke up. "Too bad the name 'Slayer' was taken."
Faith and Buffy joined the table.
A couple days later. Buffy decided to take a few swimming laps in the indoor pool. She loved to swim, mostly to forget things, she could feel free. She heard Willow yell to her. Buffy took off her goggles and looked up at her friend.
"Hey Buffy, you want to come with me and Xander to the mall?"
"Sure!" Buffy swam to the ladder and climbed out. Willow handed her a towel to dry herself off. She was wearing a two piece bikini. Tomorrow was Buffy's birthday today. She was upset that no one had mentioned anything to her. But now she was heading to the mall with her best friends. Presents!
Buffy, Xander, and Willow came back from there day at the mall. It wasn't like Sunnydale, but it was close enough. It was late, so they decided to call it a night. Buffy carried her shopping bags into her bedroom. Pike was sleeping, so she didn't turn on the light. There was a small desk by the window, she put her bags on the top of it. Buffy smiled as Pike started to snore. She went into the bathroom .
In just an hour it would be her birthday, and not one word was mentioned about it. Buffy guessed it was ok, since her past parties went pretty badly. But it was her birthday, she would be twenty three tomorrow. Like Angel had said, she should be start thinking about family. That was a scary thought. Buffy got undressed and put on sweat pants and a large shirt. As Buffy went into bed, Pike awoke suddenly.
"Buffy, hey." He said, his eyes full of sleep. "Sorry you scared the shit out of me. What's wrong?" he said seeing that she was upset.
"Oh, nothing." Buffy said as she snuggled next to him Pike kissed her on the top of the head and they fell asleep.
Buffy awoke from a knock on the door. It took her a minute to snap out of her post-sleep confusion and wake up. Pike wasn't there and she looked at the clock, it wasn't even midnight yet. She ran to it as someone knocked again. She pulled open the door, Bridget was standing there.
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked immediately.
"Oh, I need you're help with something." She said uncomfortably looking at her shoes. Buffy looked down at herself and realized she was barely dress. "You might want to change first."
**********
"I'm sorry to bother you but I really need your help." Bridget says as they made they're way down to the gym.
"Where is everybody else?"
"They're out, it's a big patrol night. The girls are being evaluated next week in their training level. The extra training sessions were posted on the board."
"Ah. I guess I missed that." Buffy said continuing to feel bad about herself. "So what is it you need my help with?"
"I think someone's gotten into the gym and I rather not go in there alone."
"Oh," They were just outside the inner door to the gym pavilion. "Why do you think that?"
"The alarm was tripped. It could just be some of the local boys breaking in." Bridget said. Buffy nodded and went through the dark hallway with Bridget right beside her. "Main gym." Bridget whispered to her.
They went forward to the gym door. Buffy could sense at least one person in the gym. She told Bridget to hang back as she went in first. She went in with confidence if this just was some local boys, she would scare the shit out of them. But for some reason this situation seemed very familiar.
She walked into the middle of the room and realized there was absolutely no light in the room. That wasn't right, she thought, she knew there were big windows on two sides of the room there should have been more light. She stopped trying to see and heard breathing, she concentrated on that and she became very alert. They're were more then just one or two people in the room, she took a deep breath and smiled. She felt other Slayers.
"10," Screamed the others in pitched black room, she knew she heard Willows voice. "9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" The lights when on. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Her friends shouted.
The room was decorated for a party. A big 'Happy 23 Birthday!' sign over the windows that had the shades rolled down. The tables to the left were loaded with food and drinks, the table on the right was packed with presents. She started laughing and she looked around at her friends and well wishers. All the classic friends were there, including Xander and Giles' dates. Dawn was there with her friends. Evan had been in the mood to celebrate ever since she found out her CAT scan came back negative for tumors. They were the only student there. Faith and Robin of course were there. Curtis and Bridget were there but Addison was not, she had to watch the girls. Andrew and Clem were also around.
Pike went to her gave her a hug and a kiss. "Happy Birthday."
After that it was a montage of hugs and happy birthday's. Willow turn up the music and the bar was declared open for business. "We're you surprised?" Willow asked.
"We'll I'm surprised you guys tried this again." She laughed, Pikes arm was around her shoulders as she talked to Willow and Xander. "Come on both of Buffy's surprised parties ended in not so happy endings."
"Yeah, well, what better than breaking tradition." Willow said.
"Besides even when we didn't throw you a surprise party your birthday's still left something to be desired." Xander added.
"Thanks." Said Buffy sarcastically.
The party went on, and so did the events. Presents were opened. Willow, Xander and Faith got together and got her a drum set. She had gotten really into the lessons, she found beating the hell out of the drums was the most fun she was having. Frank her teacher told her had great potential. Giles made some remark about her not being allowed to play them at night. Dawn got her a new cross, it was gothic looking, with ruby's on it. Buffy assured her it wasn't stolen, she had found it at a flee market. Sophie was a witness. The Watchers gave her a leather bound journal, that was from Addison as well, so that she could right down her experience for future ages. It was a beautiful journal is also came with a dagger or a leader opener she couldn't tell and had already had a few drinks. Giles told her he had no idea what get her but she had one coming so if she found something she wanted he'd get it for her. The biggest surprise was the gift from the Sisterhood. They gave her a three day spa vacation. She was upset that there was not a present from Pike, but he said she'd get it when they were alone.
As the evening went on the fun continued. There was dancing and drinking. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. The three minors even managed to sneak a few drinks. They stuck a couple of shots into their cokes. Giles saw them and brought it to Ona's attention. "We'll they're almost 18." She said in a slur.
"Yes, but the drinking age is 21 in this country." Giles reminded her. "Buffy would be to happy."
"Oh, well we'll cut them off in a minute then." She said and gave him a kiss. "I mean what trouble are they gonna get into, we're all watching them." He gave her a look and she nodded. She took his arm, and they headed for the trio of minors. Sophie was talking to Andrew when Fiona tapped her on the arm and whispered in her ear.
They did it smoothly and taking the drinks out of the younger kids hands. Then Giles whispered to Dawn, "No more, or I'll tell Buffy." Fiona and Matt's interaction went with more complaining and Evan just smirked at Sophie.
But the party went on. It wasn't until 3 am that the party broke off and everyone scampered to there own rooms. Buffy was to tired to care that she had one more present coming to her and fell right to sleep. "Maybe this wouldn't be a bad Buffy birthday at all." She thought as she drifted off to sleep.
************
Buffy was walking but she wasn't alone. All of her Slayer Sisters were with her. They were marching down the hall, Buffy was in the lead. They march down the hall unending until Buffy realized she did not know where they going. She turned around and looked at her fellow slayers. Some she knew, some she didn't. Faith was next to her, as was Jenny and Fiona. Some of the students were in the rows behind them.
"What's wrong, B?" Faith asked her.
"I don't know the way." Buffy said.
"Is there a way?" Jenny asked.
Fiona looked around, "I think we keep going forward." She points to the endless hallway, which is now a door. The door had a picture of the scythe painted on it.
"Or we go through the door." Says Faith.
"Who's gonna open the door." Said one of the unknown Slayers.
"Buffy's in charge," Said Vi.
Buffy turns around and she reaches for the knob. She doesn't open it. "Is it really mine to open?"
She looked over to Faith, "Yeah, B. Go on."
"But what's in there?" Buffy said cautiously.
"We'll never know if you don't open the door for us."
All eyes were on her as she turned the knob and the picture of the axe burned itself in the door and the door began to open on it's own. With a flash of light they were all in the new room.
It was like looking in a mirror they could see themselves starting back themselves but the reflections they saw were worn and tearful.
"What happened?" They asked they're reflection.
"We have fallen asleep." The reflections replied.
They all watched themselves. Buffy looked at herself, she could see the tears that were in her eyes. She reached forward tried to touch her mirror self, it couldn't be real, but she felt flesh. Buffy closed her eyes for a moment but when they opened again, she was the reflection. They all were, the people they were before was gone. They felt empty and wrong, disconnected. Some began to cry, others began to scream.
***********
Buffy startled awake. There was an alarm, high pitched and piercing. For a spilt second she reached blindly for her clock but realized that wasn't the right alarm. Pike was up too and looked at her. Buffy just ran out into the hall. It was the security alarm. There was an intruder in the school.
All of the staff left they're rooms at the same time. Giles called out that it was coming from the student dorms and everyone ran off in that direction.
Buffy lead the way, Pike ran back into his room and grabbed an M-16 from his closet. Giles looked at him concerned but let it pass. Fiona, Sophie, Giles, and Xander were right behind Buffy as they jogged to the student hall. Pike told everyone to stop.
"Stop!" he called out to everyone. Buffy looked at Pike questionably. "Can't you smell it? – Carbon Monoxide."
"Oh my God," Buffy called to everyone. "Only slayer's follow me! Pike will lead teachers and watchers to block all entries, we are not letting anyone out of here alive!"
Buffy told Faith to have her stand by her, she wanted the two of them to go in first. "B? How are we going to get in there? We defiantly have no gas masks."
"I don't know." Buffy said calmly. Sophie and Fiona were behind them. The four girls crept behind the wall, the hall was foggy. "I can't see a thing!"
Sophie was behind Fiona. Suddenly a hand covered her mouth from behind and the figure dressed in black stabbed a syringe in her neck. Sophie was knocked out immediately. The soldier dragged her away.
Buffy
turned to Fiona. "Ona, Go into
my bedroom and -," Buffy stopped.
"What is it?" Fiona
asked.
"Sophie's gone."
A grenade was flung by there feet and more gas was let out. "Go, go, go!" Buffy yelled as they ran down the hall. They flew down the steps into the main hall and saw everyone, Willow, Robin, Giles, Pike, Xander and Curtis knocked out.
"This can't be happening." Fiona said in disbelief. Buffy ran to her friends on the floor.
"No!" she yelled. The front door opened and a woman in black camouflage appeared, with three other men. They had guns.
"Buffy, this way!" Faith said coughing from the gas. She picked Buffy up and the three girls ran. They entered the dinning hall. Buffy tried to break open one of the large windows but it was no use. The doors shut.
"Oh no," Fiona gasped. "We are trapped."
Buffy saw gas coming up from the air vents. "This is the end." Faith said.
"No! There has got to be another way!" Buffy yelled at Faith. Fiona started to cry. Buffy knew that even if they were to open the locked doors, it would be full of gas. Buffy looked up at the ceiling. There were skylights. But there was no way up there. She started to feel light headed. The world spun around her. She looked at Faith, she was down. Fiona was down too. Buffy fainted.
Camouflaged
soldiers ransacked the student hall.
They all had gas masks on and carried out the girls one by one. All of them were gassed in there sleep. One of the soldiers stood in the hall. The gas was clearing, and she took off her mask.
Sam Finn called, "Lets
get them out of here." She smiled.
End Chapter Ten
End Book One.