Convergence
The looming Multor demon kept hold of the crystal as he watched the lights of the opening in the floor turn into each other. Red twisting into black and moving again in a dance with the single stream of while light stretching out from the bloody stone. The hulking red demon turned back to the short frog-like demon beside him and grinned with his words. "This time, we've done it."
The green rough-skinned demon eyed the humans taking on the vampire guards one by one. "Have to agree with you on that one." He backed away from the portal and into the shadows. The small demon, and acting second, stood and watched his personal handy work. Sixty years of rewriting future and history
The Tomar and their leader surrounded the portal ready to leap in before their plans could be ruined like last time. They were taking no chances. The red demon prepared to leap in first, but turned his head to the humans now all gaping at the sight. "Whichever one of you is her, I have beaten you! This time the slayer has lost more than just her life."
Michelle, Willow and Xander stood only slightly in front of Sam, Tara and Christian, past the back entrance. But Sam pushed her way to the front of the group and stared down the large demon a few feet away." I would not bet on that."
The red demon was about to laugh at the older woman, when recognition dawned on him and his face fell into a frown. He narrowed his eyes at her. "It can't be." He was too busy working out the puzzle in front of him to see the vortex begin to change, as green crept into the glowing mix cut into the ground.
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Buffy felt the vortex pushing her forward. Spike was right beside her, and both were ready for the ride through time and space to be over. The noise of the lit tunnel buzzed on as they traveled endlessly and the journey seemed to be taking much longer this time.
Spike looked ahead of him at the wall of color they were following. They could still see a line of red ahead, but as it disappeared, the green string widened and filled the tunnel.
Ahead, they both saw something completely different. An ending, with one pattern of white light circling in and out of red and green, seeming to blink into each other. Buffy felt a smile play at her lips. "I think we're almost there."
Spike had seen the change in the brightness ahead as well and was trying to prepare himself for a better landing than the last time he'd been spit out of one of the tunnels. "Be ready. Probably gonna land in the middle of a fight." He yelled so he could be heard above the noise.
"Right." Buffy hollered back just as they both lurched forward and past the barrier both had seen, and straight up in the air as they passed up from the vortex cut into the main showroom floor. At the last second they each directed their weight in opposite directions enough to land at the hole's edge instead of right back into it.
Buffy landed comfortably on her feet, only to turn and see she was surrounded by demons of any race and creed her mind could have conjured. "This is one of those, out of the frying pan, into the fire kind of weeks, you now?" She looked up and said to a white scaly demon a good foot taller than her staring her down with a confused look.
Spike had come to the same conclusion as he stared at a vampire he was fairly sure he'd met sometime in the 20's. He scanned to his right of the vampire and saw the familiar sight of the red demon he knew would have the crystal. "But, at least we get to see ol' friends."
Buffy turned and saw the demon, then past to see her friends at the ready still in an atmosphere of dust. "Always a plus."
Without another word, Spike pulled back and wholloped the hulking leader of the Tomar square across the chin causing him to fall towards the waiting Scoobies and the crystal to roll out of his still bloody hand.
That was the only signal needed for the demons and the humans to begin the fight.
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"Do you think they're back now?" Anya asked Dawn who was pacing on the dark sidewalk, stake in hand and barely keeping herself from hyperventilating.
"I don't know Anya. How would I know?" Dawn answered with exasperation still looking for signs of change with what little view she had of the back door.
Richard listened to the pair squabble and kept on eye on his new demon comrade just in time to see him drop to the ground.
The ladies both ran to the fallen punk along with Richard to help him stand up.
"Whoa. That's a rush." Zeek said and shook his head vigorously as his demon half came forth making his chin protrude and his skin take on a pinker pigment, before looking back at the store and to the people helping him up. "Whatever they were going to do to change the vortex, it's done." He announced.
"Time for us to join them then." Richard said to Zeek and took note of the elongated chin before the four went in to find a battle already going. Michelle had two demons on the ropes near the back of the shop. Willow and Tara had several in holding spells, Christian was holding a hand high causing another demon to be throw across the room, Sam had two demons herself, and seemed to be doing rather well.
As their eyes traveled over the foray, they spotted Buffy wielding fists and a stake taking out one vampire after another, only stopping to dispatch the random slimy demon. Spike was apparently busy with one particular demon who didn't seem to have the good sense to stay down.
Other demons were taking random shots at the warriors while they were to busy fighting to defend themselves. Willow and Tara were having trouble keeping their spell up, and Christian kept switching from demon to demon as he repelled them to defend himself.
Zeek, and Richard moved into the fight and Dawn and Anya stayed on the outskirts, taking out the random tired demons as they tried to escape.
Sam sliced the head off of a blue demon and kicked behind her when she heard squishing feet stepping up from behind. She turned and found an oozing mucus demon on his back. Her sword happily went into his chest. She watched him dissolve, then looked back at the fight going on, and leapt into it once more.
Michelle only had one demon now, and the witches were letting the few demons in their spells, go just as the slayer killed another demon. Essentially feeding her the fights as she became ready.
Dawn and Anya were holding off a Vampire, and it looked as though Anya would be staking him in a bout a second, which she did.
Xander crunched the nose of a horned demon with the head of his axe. The demon fell over to his knees and the male Scoobie took one swing, separating the demon's brains from his brawn.
Christian tossed a demon across the room with his magics once again then walk to the unconcious demon and staked it through the heart, remembering that if worse came to worse that would kill just about anything.
Richard and Zeek took turns, one demon at a time, punching and hitting, although Richard tended to let Zeek do most of the hitting.
And then there was Spike, then Buffy fending off the last few of the more formidable foes they were facing, alive, fighting, and here where they belonged.
Buffy hit hard and quick, then took out her enemy with precision. Spike, although just as deadly, always seemed to be hiding the smile he had when in a battle. He lived for the fight.
Together, they managed to first thin, then obliterate the line of the Tomar. Several found a way out. Some pushed past the defenders of the exit, Dawn and Anya, others simply dodged out the front door after breaking it down.
Arms flailed and groans echoed after the smack of a boot in someone's face. The crunching of bone and the splatter of blood filled the room as much as any other noise. The noise, and the cumulative sound was familiar to most in the room by now, and the others had gotten used to it before the last demon fell.
When the Scoobs were able to slow down and take note of who was left standing and who was not, no one was surprised to see that not everyone had come out unscathed. But all were standing, breathing hard and looking over the massacre. The bodies. The blood. The ooze and the ash. All remnants of the demons, and thankfully many decomposed instantly.
But Sam, Spike and Buffy's eyes went to one body in particular just when the Scoobies were able to finally taking in the fact that the blonde duo were indeed back, and both alive.
As soon as she spotted the maroon muscled back of the fallen beast, Sam walked past the others as if in a trance. He would have what she needed to complete her mission of 60 years. She kept an even pace and strode up to his back and drew out her steps when she walked around to face him.
He laid on his side, partially curled into a ball. When she looked down she saw he was trying to protect the item that had been in her position until a day earlier.
Through a bloodied eye, the leader looked up to see who wore the sensible black running shoes, to see the face that he still couldn't believe was looking down at him. He managed to gurgle a whimper past his mouth now filled with his own blood. "You're gone."
"No." Sam said and reached down plucking up the stone still coated with a mixture of colored blood. "I've just been waiting to do this."
With no ceremony, Sam bent down, set the crystal on the ground in front of her, and used her blade's hilt to smash the it.
The enchanted stone exploded in a sharp crunch and burst out with a fiery light that swept through the shop with a fierce speed. Then all at once the light leapt to the vortex, and blinked out, taking the doorway with it.
Suddenly the room that had been filled with the buzzing of the lighted door to places unknown left behind a quiet darkness. In that moment, the Multor's life ended as well, and he smoldered before the group before a similar fire took him in a burst, only leaving a charred outline of the missing body.
A moment passed before both Spike and Buffy felt the eyes of the group fall on them.
Spike turned from the group to Buffy and felt himself smile.
Buffy couldn't help it. After everything that had happened, and everything she'd seen and everywhere she'd been, only one thing came to mind to say to her friends. "Hey guys. Anything happen while we were out?" She asked with a smile.
Christian let one short chuckle escape, before he saw no one was laughing. He cleared his throat and decided pointing out the obvious was a good idea. "It worked."
Sam stood back up from her position near the shattered remains of the stone and nodded. "Of course it worked. Emerson was always precise with is notes."
Unfortunately the youngest Summers wasn't letting any of this cordial talk ruin her good day. "Buffy!" Dawn ran up to her sister and grabbed her in a hug to be rivaled.
That was the cue to the others. First Willow, then Xander soon followed by Tara and Anya. Each member showed their excitement at the reunion, asking questions and taking turns hugging and greeting the pair. Well, Xander and Spike only shared a manly "We've saved the day once again" kind of handshake, but the meaning was there. After the main group came The new Scoobs, and a new Slayer, all happy to see The Slayer and Former vampire in the right time and place.
They introduced Zeek, who found that after the vortex was gone, his demon was easily pulled back.
The one person who stood back was Sam, waiting and watching, and smiling as tears ran down her face.
Buffy and Spike found themselves hit with all the things that had happened while they were gone. From Michelle, Richard and Christian showing up, to Faiths spirit to rest, then the research, how Zeek got involved. It took them a full ten minutes before anyone realized someone was missing.
"Then Sam showed up, and everything just seemed to fall into place." Xander threw in after the long explanations.
Buffy looked over her friend's shoulders. "Sam?"
"Yeah," Spike peaked behind them as well. "Where are you pet? No need to hide."
Everyone turned to see Sam wiping her eyes. It took both Buffy and Spike a minute for their eyes to adjust to the image of the woman who was, only minutes ago from their perspective, 25. Even for Buffy who had seen Sam months ago, at this age. But it didn't take long.
Sam still had tears in her eyes when she walked towards the two and took them both in one oversized hug. "It is so-o good to see you again." She cried.
Buffy couldn't help it. Before she knew it she was crying along with Sam. She let go of the retired Slayer and turned back to her friends. She smiled across the line at Dawn, Willow Xander, Tara, Anya. Then took another look at the mess the store was in and shook her head then let the corners of her mouth go up. "It's so good to be home."
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Giles stood for a moment, looking over his new surroundings. "Strange," He said out loud as he gazed at the numerous grave markers, statues and crypts that dotted the grounds.
"What is Mr. Giles?" He heard the woman, the demon expert from the meeting earlier, ask from behind him. He still held the magical door open as she passed through, instantly traveling from The Council's Headquarters to Sunnydale.
"Hmm?" He mused, then realized he's actually spoken. "I was just thinking how odd it is. At one time I found myself at home in London only, no other place fit quite right. But I find myself similarly content in a cemetery."
The woman, now through the door straightened out her jacket and pushed the few loose black strands of hair behind her ear. "Occupation hazard." She stated. "I have found myself quite comfortable in an abandoned cave of Xort demons once."
Giles let the door shut and nodded to the woman. "I see." He pointed towards the gate beyond two crypts. "I believe we should try The Magic Box first."
"Ah yes. I would like to see that. I believe Michelle said you have the Corton Chronicles available?"
They headed to the exit side by side, each carrying a satchel. "Yes, I asked Anya to hold on to it. There may be information of use to Buffy in the future." He continued going over other texts Michelle's mother, and their foremost expert on demons, may wish to look over during her stay.
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By the time the band of warriors arrived at the magic shop, they were still sharing the events of the past week, and Sam of the last 6 decades.
"I had no idea, about any of it." Buffy said, still stunned to hear about Sam's children and the life she led. "You didn't say anything."
"No, I couldn't. Although you and Spike did try to keep some details to yourselves, I couldn't take the chance that you'd tell me anything about my personal life. If I had known, I may have made some different decisions. It could change everything."
Xander shook his head as he and Richard, along with Christian and Dawn fell into chairs surrounding the research table. Anya stayed at the door, holding it as Michelle Tara and Zeek walked through followed by Willow, Spike and finally Buffy and Sam.
Once all members of the troupe were safely inside, Anya shut the door and promptly locked it before joining the others who were settled at the table, on the stairs and even atop the counter. She thought to herself that if people kept joining the group, she'd have to purchase more seats.
"What 'bout Ashton?' Spike said and settled atop the counter.
Sam let a gentle smile take her face. "He was very happy, I think. "He died four years ago, but he went after so many lifetimes, I don't think her was ever scared. Just worried about you two. We knew we'd have the power needed to complete the ritual, or rather let the Tomar complete it," She paused and studied the faces all looking her way. All of the people she'd heard of so many years ago, and others that she'd only just come to know. "I don't think either of us would have guessed the power was here all along. I just had a missing piece."
Buffy stood beside Sam and nodded. "Yeah, we usually get it done around here."
"Provided you have all the pieces." They heard a familiar British voice call from the training roo. They all turned to see Giles standing in the entrance with an familiar woman. "Which it appears was provided."
Buffy hopped towards the father figure and grabbed him in a hug. "Giles!"
For once, he noticed, she was keeping her strength in check. With tentative arms he returned the embrace. "Glad to see you were able to end the impromptu vacation."
She let go of her watcher and cocked an eyebrow. "Vacation?"
He chuckled at her and stepped back. "Yes, well..."
Dawn beamed a grin to the man and he held arms out for her.
One quick clap and two hops across the room and he found himself nearly pulled over from the force of her grip. "Good Lord, Dawn."
Dawn loosened her grip, that although lacking in super strength, was still vigorous. "Sorry."
"Giles, not that we aren't extra happy to have you here, but, why are you here?" Willow babbled and asked, in a Willow-esque manor only the redhead possessed.
"Ah, yes." Rupert, now free from Dawn's grasp turned to motion the silent woman forward. She looked over the faces until she saw one she hadn't seen in weeks. "Michelle."
Michelle stood up and smiled to the woman. "Mama." And the two walked to each other to share a brief hug. The older woman stood back, but kept a light hold on her daughter's shoulders. "I here you have had an interesting evening."
"Yes." Michelle said and grinned back to her watcher, Richard, and her friend Christian, then back to her mother. "We all have."
Buffy watched happy to see things going well for her new sister, but Willow had a point. "You came here to deliver Michelle's mother?"
Giles straightened up and took off his glasses before walking to the familiar research table and leaning against it. "Not as such. You see, Michelle was sent here because the hellmouth needs a protector. While you were gone, another slayer had to, well for lack of a better term, man your post." Giles stood back up and walked towards the mother and daughter, and smiled down at Michelle. "But Buffy is home now, and I'm afraid we have some other problems that could use the Slayer."
Xander shook his head. "So now you want to send Buffy away."
"'Ey mate. Not liking the sound of this plan." Spike echoed the concern.
Giles spun and looked first at Xander, then Spike. "No, not Buffy. Michelle." He turned again to Michelle and nodded towards her. "But where you need to go, well, it's demon infested. And I'll want your mother," Again he turned to look at the to youngest watcher seated at the table. "And Richard, along with Christian."
The young men exchanged a look before looking back at the head curiously.
"I've found a Shaman in the are that is willing to help Christian with his craft, and the problems these demons are causing are magical in nature. Michelle will need a spell-caster."
Dawn looked over to the young watcher her crush had been on for some time now. "Where?"
Giles looked back at the young woman. "Africa."
Dawn's heart fell. "Africa?"
"Yes," Giles continued. "Yes and with the aid of the doors, travel there will be simple."
Dawn smiled. "Oh. Cool."
Giles saw the exchange of looks between the watcher and the youngest Summers and shook his head slightly. "Yes, well. What do you say?" He turned back to Michelle.
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Ok, I am so-o sorry this took so long to get out. I kept writing on paragraph and getting stuck. A lot of characters to think about in this one. so.. anyway, hope it was at least slightly worth the wait. Oh.. and there is one last chap coming.. sooner or later.
The looming Multor demon kept hold of the crystal as he watched the lights of the opening in the floor turn into each other. Red twisting into black and moving again in a dance with the single stream of while light stretching out from the bloody stone. The hulking red demon turned back to the short frog-like demon beside him and grinned with his words. "This time, we've done it."
The green rough-skinned demon eyed the humans taking on the vampire guards one by one. "Have to agree with you on that one." He backed away from the portal and into the shadows. The small demon, and acting second, stood and watched his personal handy work. Sixty years of rewriting future and history
The Tomar and their leader surrounded the portal ready to leap in before their plans could be ruined like last time. They were taking no chances. The red demon prepared to leap in first, but turned his head to the humans now all gaping at the sight. "Whichever one of you is her, I have beaten you! This time the slayer has lost more than just her life."
Michelle, Willow and Xander stood only slightly in front of Sam, Tara and Christian, past the back entrance. But Sam pushed her way to the front of the group and stared down the large demon a few feet away." I would not bet on that."
The red demon was about to laugh at the older woman, when recognition dawned on him and his face fell into a frown. He narrowed his eyes at her. "It can't be." He was too busy working out the puzzle in front of him to see the vortex begin to change, as green crept into the glowing mix cut into the ground.
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Buffy felt the vortex pushing her forward. Spike was right beside her, and both were ready for the ride through time and space to be over. The noise of the lit tunnel buzzed on as they traveled endlessly and the journey seemed to be taking much longer this time.
Spike looked ahead of him at the wall of color they were following. They could still see a line of red ahead, but as it disappeared, the green string widened and filled the tunnel.
Ahead, they both saw something completely different. An ending, with one pattern of white light circling in and out of red and green, seeming to blink into each other. Buffy felt a smile play at her lips. "I think we're almost there."
Spike had seen the change in the brightness ahead as well and was trying to prepare himself for a better landing than the last time he'd been spit out of one of the tunnels. "Be ready. Probably gonna land in the middle of a fight." He yelled so he could be heard above the noise.
"Right." Buffy hollered back just as they both lurched forward and past the barrier both had seen, and straight up in the air as they passed up from the vortex cut into the main showroom floor. At the last second they each directed their weight in opposite directions enough to land at the hole's edge instead of right back into it.
Buffy landed comfortably on her feet, only to turn and see she was surrounded by demons of any race and creed her mind could have conjured. "This is one of those, out of the frying pan, into the fire kind of weeks, you now?" She looked up and said to a white scaly demon a good foot taller than her staring her down with a confused look.
Spike had come to the same conclusion as he stared at a vampire he was fairly sure he'd met sometime in the 20's. He scanned to his right of the vampire and saw the familiar sight of the red demon he knew would have the crystal. "But, at least we get to see ol' friends."
Buffy turned and saw the demon, then past to see her friends at the ready still in an atmosphere of dust. "Always a plus."
Without another word, Spike pulled back and wholloped the hulking leader of the Tomar square across the chin causing him to fall towards the waiting Scoobies and the crystal to roll out of his still bloody hand.
That was the only signal needed for the demons and the humans to begin the fight.
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"Do you think they're back now?" Anya asked Dawn who was pacing on the dark sidewalk, stake in hand and barely keeping herself from hyperventilating.
"I don't know Anya. How would I know?" Dawn answered with exasperation still looking for signs of change with what little view she had of the back door.
Richard listened to the pair squabble and kept on eye on his new demon comrade just in time to see him drop to the ground.
The ladies both ran to the fallen punk along with Richard to help him stand up.
"Whoa. That's a rush." Zeek said and shook his head vigorously as his demon half came forth making his chin protrude and his skin take on a pinker pigment, before looking back at the store and to the people helping him up. "Whatever they were going to do to change the vortex, it's done." He announced.
"Time for us to join them then." Richard said to Zeek and took note of the elongated chin before the four went in to find a battle already going. Michelle had two demons on the ropes near the back of the shop. Willow and Tara had several in holding spells, Christian was holding a hand high causing another demon to be throw across the room, Sam had two demons herself, and seemed to be doing rather well.
As their eyes traveled over the foray, they spotted Buffy wielding fists and a stake taking out one vampire after another, only stopping to dispatch the random slimy demon. Spike was apparently busy with one particular demon who didn't seem to have the good sense to stay down.
Other demons were taking random shots at the warriors while they were to busy fighting to defend themselves. Willow and Tara were having trouble keeping their spell up, and Christian kept switching from demon to demon as he repelled them to defend himself.
Zeek, and Richard moved into the fight and Dawn and Anya stayed on the outskirts, taking out the random tired demons as they tried to escape.
Sam sliced the head off of a blue demon and kicked behind her when she heard squishing feet stepping up from behind. She turned and found an oozing mucus demon on his back. Her sword happily went into his chest. She watched him dissolve, then looked back at the fight going on, and leapt into it once more.
Michelle only had one demon now, and the witches were letting the few demons in their spells, go just as the slayer killed another demon. Essentially feeding her the fights as she became ready.
Dawn and Anya were holding off a Vampire, and it looked as though Anya would be staking him in a bout a second, which she did.
Xander crunched the nose of a horned demon with the head of his axe. The demon fell over to his knees and the male Scoobie took one swing, separating the demon's brains from his brawn.
Christian tossed a demon across the room with his magics once again then walk to the unconcious demon and staked it through the heart, remembering that if worse came to worse that would kill just about anything.
Richard and Zeek took turns, one demon at a time, punching and hitting, although Richard tended to let Zeek do most of the hitting.
And then there was Spike, then Buffy fending off the last few of the more formidable foes they were facing, alive, fighting, and here where they belonged.
Buffy hit hard and quick, then took out her enemy with precision. Spike, although just as deadly, always seemed to be hiding the smile he had when in a battle. He lived for the fight.
Together, they managed to first thin, then obliterate the line of the Tomar. Several found a way out. Some pushed past the defenders of the exit, Dawn and Anya, others simply dodged out the front door after breaking it down.
Arms flailed and groans echoed after the smack of a boot in someone's face. The crunching of bone and the splatter of blood filled the room as much as any other noise. The noise, and the cumulative sound was familiar to most in the room by now, and the others had gotten used to it before the last demon fell.
When the Scoobs were able to slow down and take note of who was left standing and who was not, no one was surprised to see that not everyone had come out unscathed. But all were standing, breathing hard and looking over the massacre. The bodies. The blood. The ooze and the ash. All remnants of the demons, and thankfully many decomposed instantly.
But Sam, Spike and Buffy's eyes went to one body in particular just when the Scoobies were able to finally taking in the fact that the blonde duo were indeed back, and both alive.
As soon as she spotted the maroon muscled back of the fallen beast, Sam walked past the others as if in a trance. He would have what she needed to complete her mission of 60 years. She kept an even pace and strode up to his back and drew out her steps when she walked around to face him.
He laid on his side, partially curled into a ball. When she looked down she saw he was trying to protect the item that had been in her position until a day earlier.
Through a bloodied eye, the leader looked up to see who wore the sensible black running shoes, to see the face that he still couldn't believe was looking down at him. He managed to gurgle a whimper past his mouth now filled with his own blood. "You're gone."
"No." Sam said and reached down plucking up the stone still coated with a mixture of colored blood. "I've just been waiting to do this."
With no ceremony, Sam bent down, set the crystal on the ground in front of her, and used her blade's hilt to smash the it.
The enchanted stone exploded in a sharp crunch and burst out with a fiery light that swept through the shop with a fierce speed. Then all at once the light leapt to the vortex, and blinked out, taking the doorway with it.
Suddenly the room that had been filled with the buzzing of the lighted door to places unknown left behind a quiet darkness. In that moment, the Multor's life ended as well, and he smoldered before the group before a similar fire took him in a burst, only leaving a charred outline of the missing body.
A moment passed before both Spike and Buffy felt the eyes of the group fall on them.
Spike turned from the group to Buffy and felt himself smile.
Buffy couldn't help it. After everything that had happened, and everything she'd seen and everywhere she'd been, only one thing came to mind to say to her friends. "Hey guys. Anything happen while we were out?" She asked with a smile.
Christian let one short chuckle escape, before he saw no one was laughing. He cleared his throat and decided pointing out the obvious was a good idea. "It worked."
Sam stood back up from her position near the shattered remains of the stone and nodded. "Of course it worked. Emerson was always precise with is notes."
Unfortunately the youngest Summers wasn't letting any of this cordial talk ruin her good day. "Buffy!" Dawn ran up to her sister and grabbed her in a hug to be rivaled.
That was the cue to the others. First Willow, then Xander soon followed by Tara and Anya. Each member showed their excitement at the reunion, asking questions and taking turns hugging and greeting the pair. Well, Xander and Spike only shared a manly "We've saved the day once again" kind of handshake, but the meaning was there. After the main group came The new Scoobs, and a new Slayer, all happy to see The Slayer and Former vampire in the right time and place.
They introduced Zeek, who found that after the vortex was gone, his demon was easily pulled back.
The one person who stood back was Sam, waiting and watching, and smiling as tears ran down her face.
Buffy and Spike found themselves hit with all the things that had happened while they were gone. From Michelle, Richard and Christian showing up, to Faiths spirit to rest, then the research, how Zeek got involved. It took them a full ten minutes before anyone realized someone was missing.
"Then Sam showed up, and everything just seemed to fall into place." Xander threw in after the long explanations.
Buffy looked over her friend's shoulders. "Sam?"
"Yeah," Spike peaked behind them as well. "Where are you pet? No need to hide."
Everyone turned to see Sam wiping her eyes. It took both Buffy and Spike a minute for their eyes to adjust to the image of the woman who was, only minutes ago from their perspective, 25. Even for Buffy who had seen Sam months ago, at this age. But it didn't take long.
Sam still had tears in her eyes when she walked towards the two and took them both in one oversized hug. "It is so-o good to see you again." She cried.
Buffy couldn't help it. Before she knew it she was crying along with Sam. She let go of the retired Slayer and turned back to her friends. She smiled across the line at Dawn, Willow Xander, Tara, Anya. Then took another look at the mess the store was in and shook her head then let the corners of her mouth go up. "It's so good to be home."
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Giles stood for a moment, looking over his new surroundings. "Strange," He said out loud as he gazed at the numerous grave markers, statues and crypts that dotted the grounds.
"What is Mr. Giles?" He heard the woman, the demon expert from the meeting earlier, ask from behind him. He still held the magical door open as she passed through, instantly traveling from The Council's Headquarters to Sunnydale.
"Hmm?" He mused, then realized he's actually spoken. "I was just thinking how odd it is. At one time I found myself at home in London only, no other place fit quite right. But I find myself similarly content in a cemetery."
The woman, now through the door straightened out her jacket and pushed the few loose black strands of hair behind her ear. "Occupation hazard." She stated. "I have found myself quite comfortable in an abandoned cave of Xort demons once."
Giles let the door shut and nodded to the woman. "I see." He pointed towards the gate beyond two crypts. "I believe we should try The Magic Box first."
"Ah yes. I would like to see that. I believe Michelle said you have the Corton Chronicles available?"
They headed to the exit side by side, each carrying a satchel. "Yes, I asked Anya to hold on to it. There may be information of use to Buffy in the future." He continued going over other texts Michelle's mother, and their foremost expert on demons, may wish to look over during her stay.
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By the time the band of warriors arrived at the magic shop, they were still sharing the events of the past week, and Sam of the last 6 decades.
"I had no idea, about any of it." Buffy said, still stunned to hear about Sam's children and the life she led. "You didn't say anything."
"No, I couldn't. Although you and Spike did try to keep some details to yourselves, I couldn't take the chance that you'd tell me anything about my personal life. If I had known, I may have made some different decisions. It could change everything."
Xander shook his head as he and Richard, along with Christian and Dawn fell into chairs surrounding the research table. Anya stayed at the door, holding it as Michelle Tara and Zeek walked through followed by Willow, Spike and finally Buffy and Sam.
Once all members of the troupe were safely inside, Anya shut the door and promptly locked it before joining the others who were settled at the table, on the stairs and even atop the counter. She thought to herself that if people kept joining the group, she'd have to purchase more seats.
"What 'bout Ashton?' Spike said and settled atop the counter.
Sam let a gentle smile take her face. "He was very happy, I think. "He died four years ago, but he went after so many lifetimes, I don't think her was ever scared. Just worried about you two. We knew we'd have the power needed to complete the ritual, or rather let the Tomar complete it," She paused and studied the faces all looking her way. All of the people she'd heard of so many years ago, and others that she'd only just come to know. "I don't think either of us would have guessed the power was here all along. I just had a missing piece."
Buffy stood beside Sam and nodded. "Yeah, we usually get it done around here."
"Provided you have all the pieces." They heard a familiar British voice call from the training roo. They all turned to see Giles standing in the entrance with an familiar woman. "Which it appears was provided."
Buffy hopped towards the father figure and grabbed him in a hug. "Giles!"
For once, he noticed, she was keeping her strength in check. With tentative arms he returned the embrace. "Glad to see you were able to end the impromptu vacation."
She let go of her watcher and cocked an eyebrow. "Vacation?"
He chuckled at her and stepped back. "Yes, well..."
Dawn beamed a grin to the man and he held arms out for her.
One quick clap and two hops across the room and he found himself nearly pulled over from the force of her grip. "Good Lord, Dawn."
Dawn loosened her grip, that although lacking in super strength, was still vigorous. "Sorry."
"Giles, not that we aren't extra happy to have you here, but, why are you here?" Willow babbled and asked, in a Willow-esque manor only the redhead possessed.
"Ah, yes." Rupert, now free from Dawn's grasp turned to motion the silent woman forward. She looked over the faces until she saw one she hadn't seen in weeks. "Michelle."
Michelle stood up and smiled to the woman. "Mama." And the two walked to each other to share a brief hug. The older woman stood back, but kept a light hold on her daughter's shoulders. "I here you have had an interesting evening."
"Yes." Michelle said and grinned back to her watcher, Richard, and her friend Christian, then back to her mother. "We all have."
Buffy watched happy to see things going well for her new sister, but Willow had a point. "You came here to deliver Michelle's mother?"
Giles straightened up and took off his glasses before walking to the familiar research table and leaning against it. "Not as such. You see, Michelle was sent here because the hellmouth needs a protector. While you were gone, another slayer had to, well for lack of a better term, man your post." Giles stood back up and walked towards the mother and daughter, and smiled down at Michelle. "But Buffy is home now, and I'm afraid we have some other problems that could use the Slayer."
Xander shook his head. "So now you want to send Buffy away."
"'Ey mate. Not liking the sound of this plan." Spike echoed the concern.
Giles spun and looked first at Xander, then Spike. "No, not Buffy. Michelle." He turned again to Michelle and nodded towards her. "But where you need to go, well, it's demon infested. And I'll want your mother," Again he turned to look at the to youngest watcher seated at the table. "And Richard, along with Christian."
The young men exchanged a look before looking back at the head curiously.
"I've found a Shaman in the are that is willing to help Christian with his craft, and the problems these demons are causing are magical in nature. Michelle will need a spell-caster."
Dawn looked over to the young watcher her crush had been on for some time now. "Where?"
Giles looked back at the young woman. "Africa."
Dawn's heart fell. "Africa?"
"Yes," Giles continued. "Yes and with the aid of the doors, travel there will be simple."
Dawn smiled. "Oh. Cool."
Giles saw the exchange of looks between the watcher and the youngest Summers and shook his head slightly. "Yes, well. What do you say?" He turned back to Michelle.
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Ok, I am so-o sorry this took so long to get out. I kept writing on paragraph and getting stuck. A lot of characters to think about in this one. so.. anyway, hope it was at least slightly worth the wait. Oh.. and there is one last chap coming.. sooner or later.
