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 6
Autumn read the book Maggie gave her during her free period only getting slightly interested. When she and Jeff entered the house, Autumn had the book in hand. Later that afternoon, going into evening Autumn lay stretched out on her bed going over some homework. She looked towards the book that was on her nightstand, tempted to pick it up. Autumn slowly reached out to it but pulled back.
Don't even think about it, Autumn chided herself.
Still though she was quite intrigued. When Autumn finally completed the homework she grabbed the book but before she could even open it the girl heard what sounded like screaming going on. Autumn left her room, abandoning the book, and going downstairs. Her parents were, once again, at each other's throats.
Mr. Tucker held up a bill in his hand. "What the hell is this? You spent two hundred dollars last month at Macy's. What did you get there?"
"I can't seem to remember. Could it be... clothes?" Mrs. Tucker retorted.
"You'd better watch it!"
"Oh, I'm so scared. The almighty beer guzzler!"
"I had a few drinks, dammit! What do you care?"
"Mom, Dad, stop it," said Autumn, coming to stand nearly in between them.
"I care because my husband has completely changed," Mrs. Tucker shouted, ignoring Autumn. "You don't even seem to care about your own children anymore!"
"Me? You're the one blowing up my damn money!"
"Your money?"
"Guys, look. This is so retarded. Just stop it," Autumn cut in.
"Stay out of this!" Mr. Tucker suddenly shouted at her.
"Don't yell at her!" Mrs. Tucker ordered.
"She's my fucking daughter. I'll yell at her whenever I damn well please!"
Before Autumn could say anything the doorbell rang. Autumn trudged to answer the door, having to leave her parents to continue going at it. When Autumn opened the front door, her eyes widened. It was Wesley standing on the other side.
"Mr. Pryce?" Autumn felt a groan coming on.
"Autumn, I have to talk to—" Wesley heard the arguing going on. "Is everything all right?"
Autumn quickly stepped out of the house, closing the door. "Of course. Everything's... fine. So what is it?"
"I really have to talk to you. And I need for you to listen."
Autumn had a choice to make. It was either go for a little walk with her guidance counselor or go back inside and listen to her parents duke it out.
"I'll get my jacket."
Wesley and Autumn strolled down the street, both equally quiet. Autumn didn't really have anything to say and her mind wasn't on Wesley. What was the deal with her parents? Wesley finally decided to break the silence going on between them.
"You're the next Slayer."
"That's what you start out with?" Autumn asked. "I thought adults had to be more subtle."
"I'm not like most adults," Wesley told her simply. "You're the next Slayer, that covers it."
"Stop saying that. What makes you even think it?"
"I know. The dreams, your school record—"
"You saw my record?" Autumn cut in.
"You have the natural Slayer edge. You're the one, Autumn," Wesley continued, ignoring her interjection.
Autumn felt like laughing. "The one, huh?"
"Yes," Wesley practically snapped, catching the red haired girl by surprise. "In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone with stand up against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of the darkness. She is the Slayer."
"I gotta admit, nice saying. Where'd you get it?"
"The Watcher's Academy," Wesley replied.
"The what?" Autumn inquired confused.
"To put it simply, every Slayer has a watcher and all watchers train and the Watcher's Academy."
"Hold on. This is weird. Just stop for a second."
The two of them stopped walking.
"I see what this is," said Wesley.
"What?" Autumn asked.
"You're believing it," Wesley smirked slightly.
"No, I'm not!" Autumn thought for a minute. "OK. Maybe I am. But why me?"
Wesley shrugged. "Can't answer that. But I know you have to believe me."
"I have to believe you?"
"Yes. I'm a teacher, I can put you in detention."
Autumn laughed a little. "Teacher wanna be really."
"Got me there," Wesley agreed.
"Mr. Pryce?"
"Wesley," he corrected.
"But you're a teacher."
"Teacher wanna be," he corrected again just for fun.
"If I am this Slayer thing, and I'm not saying I am, then why do you care if I am so much?"
"Let's just say... I have nothing better to do these days."
Autumn gave him a sort of a sideways smile even though part of her still didn't believe it.
When Autumn made her way back home she saw that her parents had stopped arguing, which was relief for her. She also hoped that neither of them noticed that she had left. Autumn went into her room, dropping her jacket into a nearby chair. When she looked on the bed the book wasn't there. The bed was bare. Autumn looked all over the room for it.
"Hey." Autumn turned to the doorway to see Jeff, with the book in hand. "Looking for this?"
Autumn scowled. "Give that here." She went to stand before him.
"What is it? Some new history book?"
"Yeah," Autumn replied with a snap. "Now fork it over."
He tossed it at her and Autumn caught it quickly and quite easily. Both teenagers formed a strange look of awe.
"What kind of gym class are you taking?" Jeff asked, an eyebrow raised.
Autumn shrugged and left to go on a search for dinner.
A/N: I tried to make Wesley cool. Really I did. But it's like trying to make Steve Urkel social able. Okay, that comment is gonna cost me. Please review.