"Giles, how is this possible? Buffy died remember? And now she's here, upstairs, sleeping. It doesn't make sense"
"Well, if any of you think I have the answers you are sadly mistaken."
The entire gang sat around the living room, waiting. Their protector, best friend, lover, sister, daughter, long thought dead, was upstairs, lying in Angel's bed.
"Hey, why so glum?"
Faith came in from patrol, along with Lily. She looked around the room at their expressionless faces.
"Um, well, we've had an old friend show up."
"Giles, just tell her. Faith, Buf--"
"Um, hello?"
All eyes turned to the stairs where she was standing. She looked into all the faces and the wave of memories washed over her again. She felt her legs falter, and she would have fallen down the stairs if it hadn't been for Angel's quick reaction. He helped her over to the couch and she sat. She was surprised when the red-head enveloped her in a hug.
"I've missed you so much."
Buffy pulled away from her and got up from her seat. She felt woozy again but kept her footing.
"Ok, I have no idea what's going on. I started having all these memories a few days ago when I met this Jonathan guy and then I come to LA and I see you people and I'm passing out and you all seem to know me, but I have no idea who any of you are. Well, I do, but I don't know your names, or how I know you, just that you trigger these flashes and that you are very familiar to me," They watched as she paced back and forth. She looked exactly like she had 3 years ago except for the fact that her hair had grown longer and she looked slightly older.
"Now, I don't know why this is happening to me, but its got something to do with you people, and..."
When her eyes fell on Angel and Dawn she stopped. They both had tears running down their face. She smiled at them briefly and continued
"...if you could give me any information, I would appreciate it."
"Buffy, I know this all must be very confusing for you, as it is for us, but if you would sit down, I'm sure we can both get some answers."
Buffy sat back down in her seat next to Willow. She saw the British man take off his glasses and clean them with his handkerchief. It was familiar to her, as if she'd seen him do it thousands of times.
"Now, since you don't seem to recall any of our names, I suggest we start by introducing ourselves. Willow, how about we start with you."
"Willow Rosenberg. I've known you since we were in the 10th grade. We were best friends." Buffy saw the tears well in her eyes.
"Xander Harris. Me and Will here are your best friends. We've shared in many life changing events and averted many apocalypses together."
He smiled his goofy smile at her. She caught site of his wedding band.
"You're married."
"Uh, yeah, me and Anya got engaged before...um, we got married a couple years ago."
She smiled at him and gave him a hug. Curiouser and curiouser.*
"I'm Anya, Xander's wife. I use to be a demon and when I turned back into a human your group accepted me. We are friends."
Xander leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
"Tara. Willow's girlfriend. We only knew each other a year or so. You accepted me as part of your family. I considered you my sister."
She smiled weakly at Buffy.
"Cordelia Chase. I was a bitch to you in school, but some how, you befriended me anyways. I worked with the Slayerettes while living in Sunnyhell, and now I work for Angel."
Ok, demons? Slaying? What is goin on?
Giles saw Buffy's look of confusion come back.
"Charles Gunn. We never really met. I feel like I know you though, with the stories and all."
Gunn looked to Wesley and he cleared his throat.
"Wesley Windom Price. I was your Watcher after Mr. Giles was fired from the council. We never really had a wonderful relationship. You never respected me and I did the same in return. I hope maybe we could change that."
"Faith. We were sistah's B. The Chosen two. You tried to help me when I got into some bad stuff. I pushed you away. We pretty much had that love hate thing going on... you loved to hate me. I missed you B."
"I'm Lily. I was called in your place when you died. We've never met, but you're just about the greatest Slayer to have ever lived."
Lily looked over at Faith, and was surprised when she had a content smile on her face. She use to get mad when people would talk about how great Buffy was. Things had changed.
"Rupert Giles. I served as your Watcher your entire calling. You were like my daughter. Welcome home."
He smiled at her, and she could see the pain leave his eyes.
"Dawn Summers, your sister. You died to save me."
Dawn got up and ran upstairs. Buffy wanted to go after her and comfort her, but the last person had caught her full attention.
"Angel. We were involved, romantically. Basically you were the love of my life. Still are."
He looked at her with hooded eyes. Everyone looked at him in amazement. They had all tried getting through to Angel, trying to get him to open up and talk about her, but to no avail. I finally said what I've wanted to say since the very first time I saw her. She wanted to run to him and throw her arms around his neck and let him kiss her breathless. She just smiled and listened to Giles.
"Well, now that we've gotten the pleasantries out of the way, how about you describe these visions you've been having."
"Hey, wow, I thought I was the only one who got the visions around here."
Everyone gave Cordy the look of death.
"Oh, right, Ms. Slays-a-lot comes back and it's "all hale Queen Buffy."
"Shut up CC."
"Um, well, needless to say, they are triggered when I see you guys or anything that looks remotely familiar to me. It's like I have lived an entirely different life from the one I remember."
"Well, what's your life like?"
Xander gave her another goofy smile.
"Well, I was born and raised in New York. I've lived there my entire life, and I'm now an attorney. I came to LA on business. I have a cat named Trinity, and my best friend, Wilson. I pretty much lead a boring, work run life."
"Sounds of the norm. Like what you always wanted, eh B?"
She just looked at the brunette, Faith? So, tough, yet so innocent. She was young and agile, but her eyes were old. They looked like they had seen so much pain and disappointment. Much like Angel's. She looked over at him. He was staring at his boots.
"...I say we just give it some time. What do you say to that Buffy?"
"Oh, um, what?"
"I was saying that maybe you should stay the rest of your trip here, at the hotel, and just give you some time to get to know us, remember."
"Oh, well, I would be imposing, and I don't want to do that."
"No, we have like 125 rooms. You won't be imposing. We would love to have you around. It's been such a long time since we've seen you."
"Well, I guess that's alright. Just let me go pack my things back at my hotel and call my boss."
"I'll go with you."
Angel stood and grabbed his duster. They walked out into the night.
************
The two sat in silence almost the entire way to the hotel.
"What happened to me?"
"Well, maybe we should..."
"Angel, don't play cryptic with me. Just tell me."
She rubbed her temples.
"You died about three years ago."
"Died? How?"
"It's very complicated. What you are, uh, were. You sacrificed your life to save the entire world. It's difficult to explain, but one day, you'll understand."
She let out a sigh. Her entire life had been turned upside down in less than a week. She had a sister, a man who was in love with her, and a group of adoring friends. What more could she ask for? But, in the back of her mind, she knew what she wanted. For all of this to have never happened. For her to still be in NYC living her normal life. Worrying about her next case and whether or not she was going to win it, not who she was and why she was having memories from her 'previous life.'
"So, tell me, what do you do? I mean you guys live in a hotel for crying out loud."
"I'm a private investigator. Angel Investigations is my business. We help those with, well, I guess you'd say supernatural problems. Demons and such."
"Sounds, uh, interesting. Did you really mean what you said about loving me?"
She saw him fidget in his seat.
"Yes."
She decided it was best not to pursue the conversation. Obviously it made him uncomfortable.
"Turn left here."
Angel parked the car and they both got out.
"Good evening Ms. Summers. How are you tonight?"
"As well as can be expected of a workaholic Frank."
She gave him a weak smile.
"Could you have a bell boy come up to my room? I'll be checking out tonight. I'm going to stay with some old friends."
"Yes ma'am. Right away. Billy will be up in a few minutes."
"Thanks."
They walked into the Lobby of the hotel and climbed into the elevator.
"What floor?"
"20."
