"Clay, where's Chris?"
Mere scanned the surrounding area.
"I don't know."
"Have you seen her Lori?"
"No. Last time I saw her was when she was talking to Angel."
"She probably just went out to get some air. She'll be here in a little bit."
After about twenty minutes Giles, Joyce and Angel returned from visiting Buffy.
"Xander, Willow, she wants to see you guys and Chris."
Angel looked around the group.
"Where is she?"
"We don't know. We can't find her. She was here one minute and gone the next."
Angel thought for a minute. He looked at his watch. 12:15.
"They're going to use her."
"What? Angel what are you talking about."
"They need Slayer's blood for the spell. I'm not the only vampire in town with lineage to the Master."
Willow's eyes went wide.
"Spike!"
"We need to find her, fast."
Chris struggled against their grip.
Why did I even leave the guys? I guess it was better them getting me without a huge fight breaking out in the waiting room of a hospital. Though, I do feel sorry for whoever cleans the bathrooms.
"Do you guys really think you're going to succeed at the spell?"
"Well, seeing as how your friends don't know where you are, they won't be a problem."
Chris smiled.
Except for the fact that we have one of ya'lls radios.
Angel went to explain the situation to Buffy.
"Well, you guys have to get her back. If they do that spell, well, we'll have a dead Slayer on our hands, not to mention my friend, and plus, those crazies will have control over Sunnydale's demon population."
"You think they took her back to the Initiative?"
"Probably not. It's so close to the time the ritual is suppose to take place they probably took her straight to wherever they're performing it."
"And how are we suppose to know where that is?"
"The radio."
"The radio?"
"The radio that I gave to Chris and Xander. Go ask them where it is. If they're communicating then maybe you guys can figure out where they took her."
The nurse walked into the room.
"I'm sorry sir, Ms. Summers needs her rest. You're going to have to leave."
Angel nodded.
"I love you. Be careful. Get her back."
"I love you too. She'll be here to visit you in no time."
Angel kissed her forehead and ran out of the room and down to the waiting room.
"Ok, Xander, where's the radio you guys were using?"
"Um…"
Xander felt around his jacket and pulled out the radio.
"Right here."
"Ok, Buffy said since its so close to them performing the ritual they probably took her to the place where its being performed. Only problem is, we don't know where that is."
"But, if we eavesdrop on their radio communication, then we can figure it out."
"Right."
Xander turned the knob and the group listened intently.
"Williams, do you have the girl? Over."
"We were successful in capturing her. Over."
"Proceed to location. Over."
"We're 5 minutes away. Over."
They heard Chris yelling in the background.
"We're going to put the girl under sedation. Over."
"Confirmed. Over."
"Did she say Magic Shop?"
"That's what it sounded like. Though, why would they be performing the spell at the magic shop?"
"Lots of magic stuff?"
"No, she wasn't telling us where they were taking her because she doesn't know. She was telling us where they were. The soldier said they were five minutes away from the place. So, we have to think, what's five minutes away from the Magic Shop that's sacred ground?"
The group fell silent.
"The church. The one that burnt down when Spike did that ritual with you and Dru."
"They tore it down after it burnt."
"Yeah, but if there was ever a church built there, it would be sacred ground."
"Well, I guess lets get going. We only have ten minutes before they start the spell."
"I have a question. Who's casting it for them?"
Ethan Rayne stood before the group of government officials and scientists. Maggie Walsh approached him.
"I want to thank you for coming on such short notice."
"Well, I am hurt that you thought of Ripper before me, but anything that is going to help me be rid of that Slayer and her pesky friends."
"Professor, they're here with the girl."
"Ah, good. Let us begin. Bring out the vampire."
Four men brought out a very drunk Spike.
"Hey, I know you. You're that bitch that put the chip in my head."
"Nice to see you again too Hostile 17. Bring the girl."
Spike watched as Chris was brought forth and was held in front of him.
"Drink."
"What? Um, I can't exactly do that love. Chip and all. Get a bleedin headache."
"Your chip has been deactivated for the ritual. Now, drink."
"You know as much as I wanna tear into the Slayer's neck, that much more, I don't want to die. So, I don't think I'll be drinking."
"Spike, right? Spike, there are worse ways to die than a simple staking. For instance, being dismembered, the head being last of course. Wouldn't wanna end the fun too early."
Spike looked at Chris's unconscious form.
If I so much as lick her neck this professor bitch won't have to kill me. Buffy will.
"Just so I know what I'm dying for, why exactly do you want to control the demon population?"
"To have the ultimate army and control the government."
"Right, just as long as it's a noble cause."
Spike leaned towards Chris's neck. He could smell her sweet blood pumping just below the surface. The smell overwhelmed him and his true face emerged. Just as he was about to sink his fangs into her jugular, he heard the guard next to him cry out.
"I'm REALLY sick of my friends getting kidnapped."
Maggie Walsh looked up to see the Slayer's friends had surrounded them. She heard a helicopter sound overhead. It touched down nearby and the United States Army surrounded the Initiative.
"Professor Maggie Walsh, you are to cease and desist. I have orders from the President of the United States to put you and all of your men under arrest and to transport you to Washington D.C."
"General, you can't just barge in here and close down my operation."
"I can and I will. We received an anonymous call from a civilian who told us you were plotting against the United States. You have also put the lives of several civilians at risk. Men, please put Professor Walsh and her men under arrest."
Several armed guard trucks pulled up and the professor and the Initiative boys were loaded on to them.
"I wonder who made the call."
Buffy lay in her bed, and laid the receiver back on the phone at the same time Nurse Simpson walked in.
"Ms. Summers, were you using the phone?"
"No."
She cocked an eyebrow at her.
"What?"
She smiled sweetly at her and the nurse returned the smile and exited the room.
I hope they made it in time.
When Chris came to she was back in the mansion. Her entire body ached, but…
I'm not dead. Big plus there.
She slowly got up and padded into the living room. The gang was sitting around watching television. Angel heard her come in.
"Hey. How are you feeling?"
"Good. Buffy!"
She ran over and gave her friend a hug.
"Whoa. Loosen up that grip girly. I did just get a bullet pulled out of my gut."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"It's ok. We thought you weren't ever going to wake up again. We even sent Clay in to do that whole "Love's first kiss thing." It didn't work. So, either Clay isn't your knight in shining armor, or that was some major tranquilizer they gave you."
"How long have I been out?"
"Couple of days."
"Damn. That stupid spell crap took up all my shopping time. Someone's going to get their ass kicked."
"Well, Buffster here called the President and gave them a tip that the Initiative was betraying the United States. The Initiative was disbanded and all of them were arrested."
"I guess that ass kicking will just have to wait."
"You did good Chris. I'm really proud of you."
She looked around the room at her friends.
"I'm lucky."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I have you guys."
"Well, personally, I think we're all pretty lucky to have Buffy and Chris in current Slayer status. I would just like to extend my thanks to both of you."
"Thanks Xander."
Buffy hugged him and gave him a kiss.
"That goes double for me."
"Does that mean I get a real kiss?"
"I'll leave that to Mere."
She kissed him on the cheek. She looked to Mere and winked at her. As if on cue Mere jumped up and grabbed Xander in a lip lock.
"Whoa, it's getting a little warm in here."
"What do you guys say we get ready and go shopping today?"
All the guys groaned.
"Buffy, shouldn't you rest?"
"Actually, I'm feeling great. Sure I've got a big hole in my stomach, but I feel good. Now, we're going shopping, so everybody get ready."
After a long day of shopping and a few boring flicks, Chris and her friends prepared to go home the next day. Chris was in her room packing when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in."
She turned to see Giles come in.
"Giles. How are you?"
"Well, it was delightful getting back to my flat. Um, I just wanted to come in and tell you that I'm extremely proud of the way you handled things in Buffy's absence. You did a wonderful job, and I'm sure your watcher would be very pleased with you."
She laughed.
"Excuse my laughter, but Dorian? Proud of me? Yeah, when pigs fly, which around here might be kinda common. Do pigs fly a lot around here?"
"Christine, I spoke to Dorian on the phone. Though he did tell me not to repeat this, he said that he couldn't have wished for a better girl to be assigned to. I know you think he's all books and doom, but listen to him every once in a while. He cares a great deal for you."
She thought about what he had just told her.
"Thanks Giles. For telling me what Dorian said, and for telling me that you're proud of me. That means a lot coming from you. I know why Buffy likes you so much."
She hugged him briefly.
"Well, they really sent me in here to tell you that dinner was ready."
"Great. I'll be in there in a minute."
After a wonderful dinner and a full nights sleep, the gang packed their things to head back to LA and get on the plane to go home.
"I'm gonna miss havin another Slayer to watch my back. Heck, I'm just gonna miss you guys."
"We're a phone call away. I'm glad we got you guys out, and that you're ok."
"Don't be a stranger. Call me every once in a while."
"You got it."
"Mere, Clay, Lori thanks for all the help you gave us. Chris is lucky to have a crew like you guys. I'm gonna miss ya'll."
She hugged all three of them and kissed Clay on the cheek. Chris saw him blush and she smiled.
"Chris thanks for helping get us out. You're a big help and I'm glad we've got you on our team. People like you guys are a rare find."
"Thanks Angel. I'm gonna miss you; you're hot and you compliment me."
He smiled and hugged her.
"Bye."
"Goodbye Chris. Clay, you keep this girl, she's special. Mere, Lori thanks for all your help."
Clay and Angel shook hands and he hugged Mere and Lori, giving them a peck on the cheek. Chris thought they were going to melt on the spot.
Oh god!
"Xander, Will, what can I say. I love you guys!!"
"Aww, we love you too Chris. You're a great Slayer and a wonderful person."
"Thanks Willow."
"Thank you for helping us out Chris. You're a lifesaver."
"I'm gonna miss you guys."
She came to Giles and simply hugged him.
"Thank you."
"Any time you need us, just give me or Dorian a call."
"Most definitely."
"Cordelia, Oz um, it was really nice meeting you. Cordelia, sorry for when I was rude to you. I was just stressed and exhausted. I didn't mean it."
"Yeah yeah. I know. Buffy gets cranky all the time. I can deal."
"Oz, thanks for letting us use your van and stuff. You're a pretty cool guy."
"You're pretty alright yourself."
She looked around for her friends.
"Guys, we've gotta go. We're gonna miss our flight if we don't get to LA soon."
Mere and Xander broke apart from a heated kiss and Lori quit looking for Spike.
Note to self: Stake Spike next time I see him.
"Bye guys. We'll definitely be back this summer."
"Hopefully under less stressful circumstances."
The four piled into the car and waved goodbye one final time. Chris started the engine, "Home, here we come," and drove off down the street.
"We did a good thing here."
"And, I got these great new shoes."
Chris shot Meredith a look in her mirror.
"What?"
Early July
Chris lay in the floor of her room listening to her new Nickleback CD. Her phone rang and she got up to get it with a grumble.
"Hello?"
"Chris, its Dorian. We have a bit of a problem."
"What is it now?"
"Well, um, quite possibly the end of the world. We may need some help on this one. I would advise possibly calling Mr. Giles or Buffy."
Not again!
"Ok, I'll call them. I'll be over there with the gang in a little while."
She hung up with Dorian and dialed Buffy's number.
"There goes my night off."
"Hello?"
"Buffy, we've got trouble."
"When do you need me there?"
"Soon."
"We'll be there tomorrow."
She hung up and threw her phone on the floor.
"It's gonna be a long week."
The End
