SECOND
CHANCE
NOTE: I own none of the Scooby gang because they belong to mean old Joss.
A/N: This story takes place at the beginning season seven of Buffy and season four of Angel. When Wesley was booted out of AI (he so had it coming) he went back to Sunnydale. Buffy's alive (yay) and if you're wondering how Angel gets back from the sea without Wesley's help... well, he never goes. I was just wondering, if Buffy died, who was the new slayer? If any of you know... don't tell me. You'll ruin my moment. Now on with the story.
CHAPTER 4
Wesley and Autumn sat staring at each other, eyes locked, as if they were both trapped in silence. Autumn had listened to the rugged looking guidance counselor, which was difficult with her short attention span, and it was like he talked in gibberish. The stillness around them wasn't exactly awkward, more like comprehensible
"This is crazy!" Autumn suddenly exclaimed, banging a fist on Wesley's desk, breaking the strange quiet.
"A normal reaction," Wesley said calmly.
Autumn popped up from the seat. "This is all really... neat but I don't have a clue about what you're saying."
"You're awfully high strong about this."
"What is this slayer thing? I've never even heard of it."
"I'm telling you, Autumn, you are the next slay—"
Autumn held a hand in the air, indicating for him to stop. "Don't finish that sentence."
Wesley also stood. "Autumn, sit down. We must talk about this."
"Listen, there is nothing to talk about."
The woman from the main desk appeared in Wesley's cubicle. "Autumn, the nurse can see you now." She left out again.
Autumn turned back to Wesley. "I'm sorry to disappoint you but you obviously have the wrong girl. Anyway, I have to go home. My head is killing me and you haven't made it any better." She turned and departed the cubicle.
Wesley sighed deeply, sitting back down.
The nurse let Autumn call her parents and her father would be over quickly to pick her up. After gathering her stuff Autumn sat outside the bench in the office, waiting on her dad, her book bag sitting next to her. Autumn heard a bell go off and classroom doors flew open, releasing students. Maggie moved through the crowd up to Autumn.
"Hey, Autumn," Maggie smiled. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Autumn released a sigh. "I'm hoping."
"What happened to you back there?" Maggie asked, her face going from adorable and perky to serious.
Autumn shook her head. "I don't even know how to explain it. I just—" Autumn looked over to see her mother at the front entrance. "Uh, Maggie, I have to go." Autumn let her book bag hang from her shoulders. "Can I call you tonight?"
"Sure," Maggie nodded.
Autumn headed over to her mother. "Mom, what are you doing here? I thought Dad was coming."
"Your father had something to do at the last minute," Mrs. Tucker clarified, a firm look on her face. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. But I'm kind of sick. Why would Dad say he'd be here and then not—?"
"Autumn," her mother cut in. "He just couldn't make it, plain and simple. Come on." Mrs. Tucker turned on her heel and left out.
Autumn quickly caught up with her.
The car ride home was pretty silent. Autumn wondered what was really up with those dreams, what Wesley had been babbling about, and why her father would just dump her off. Her father was the least of Autumn's worries, though. Autumn stared out the window, looking at Sunnydale pass by. There wasn't exactly much to see.
Maggie approached the Summers house when she was finally released from the torments of school. Sadly, she hadn't had time to stop off for coffee, as she guessed that Giles was timing her getting home. When Maggie rung the bell she honestly couldn't believe whom it was. Giles looked at her from inside.
"Now that's just creepy," Maggie muttered.
"What did you say?" Giles asked.
"Oh, nothing." Maggie chuckled a little.
Giles allowed Maggie in the house and led her to the dining room, where they saw Buffy, Willow (at her laptop), and Xander all sitting around the table.
"Everyone, you remember my niece, Margaret," Giles introduced as if he was presenting the queen.
Everyone greeted her at the same time.
"Hello again," Maggie waved, slightly discomfited. "Oh, and, please, it's Maggie, not Margaret. You know except for when I'm in trouble." She laughed madly. The room exchanged the same glanced and clearly shared the same thought about the excitable girl. "Oh, yes, well..." Maggie just took a seat, closing her mouth as Dawn entered.
"Hi," Dawn addressed, sitting her book bag down. "You will not believe what happened in school today. It's all over."
"What is it, Dawn?" Buffy asked concerned.
"Some girl freaked out in her History class, screaming like she completely lost it or something," Dawn told the story.
Buffy grimaced a little, thinking that the story had something to do with the Hellmouth.
"Actually it was English class," Maggie piped up, looking down at the table. The entire room looked at her. "Uh, so I hear."
"You know, I got a call from Wesley today," Buffy said. "He was acting weird and asked if I really died."
"Maybe all that tweed he wears has finally made him crack," said Xander, looking over Willow's shoulder at the laptop's screen. "I mean can you imagine anything dorkier to put on every d—" Xander stopped when he caught a slight glare from Giles. "Even though it is the latest thing."
A/N: This chapter is short and cruel. Feel free to sue me. Please review.