Blood of Enemies, Blood of Friends
Chapter 2 - A New Day
In the early hours of the morning, Buffy began tossing and turning. She was plagued by one dream after another of Spike sacrificing himself to save the world.
She awoke with tears streaming down her face. She had always known that Spike would come through for them. That was one of the reasons she had stood steadfastly by him, even though it caused a huge rift between the Scoobies. She knew that the other reason was that she felt responsible for him. He had regained his soul because of her. She did love him, but it wasn't the kind of romantic love that she hoped to find some day when she is ready.
There was a light tap on the door. Buffy got out of bed and opened the door to see Angel standing in the hallway.
"Buffy, I heard you crying."
She was puzzled and then realized. "Oh yeah, vampiric hearing. I tend to forget."
"Can I do anything for you?" Angel asked.
"Not really, but I don't see myself going back to sleep; so, you might as well come in," she replied.
Angel entered the room and sat in a chair in the corner. Buffy sat back down on the bed and looked at Angel. She spoke softly, "I keep dreaming about Spike and what he did for us. He was the one person that I expected to survive. I still can't believe that he died to save the world."
"If there is one thing that I have learned in the past hundred years, it is that anyone can change if they really want to," replied Angel.
"My friends never believed it was possible for Spike to change, but I could see it. When he got his soul back, everything changed. They just refused to see it."
"Buffy, with everything that Spike did in the past, it is understandable that your friends would have difficulty trusting him."
"Yes, but they should have trusted me. Things got so bad before the battle. Giles set up Spike, so that Robin could kill him. The potentials chose to elect Faith as their leader. Things were so bad that my friends asked me to leave my own house."
"When I saw you in Sunnydale, you never mentioned any of this."
"I didn't know what to say. I felt like I had lost everyone in the world except for Spike."
"But you did lead them into the final battle, right?" Angel asked.
"Yes, we struck a truce before the final battle, but things are not the same as they were before they turned their backs on me. I am scared that the friendship and trust we all had for each other will be ruined forever, especially with Giles. He is still barely speaking to me."
"Buffy, I wouldn't worry too much about it. We all make mistakes. This isn't the first time that things have been rough, and it won't be the last. Time really does heal all wounds. Giles is willing to come to me for help now, and whatever you did, my torturing him was worse. He will come around. Just give it time."
She smiled. "Thank you. I needed someone to tell me that."
****************
Battle weary though he was, Giles arose early, as he did every morning. During the past few months, he had made a habit of getting out of the house and enjoying the early morning hours. He found that he craved the quiet, after spending each night with the din of many teenage voices.
He found Wesley behind the desk in the lobby. "Good morning, Wesley."
"Good morning, Mr. Giles. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Can I get you a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please."
Giles and Wesley sat down to a cup of tea, and began to talk. Giles gave Wesley details of the battle against the First, and Wesley filled in Giles about their resent acquisition of Wolfram and Hart.
Giles was surprised at how much Wesley had grown and changed. He wasn't the sniveling little weasel that he had been back in Sunnydale. He had grown into a strong warrior for the light, though from what Willow had said, Wesley did take a walk on the dark side not too long ago. It seemed that being fired from the Watcher's Council was probably one of the best things that could have happened to him. Giles was truly amazed at the man Wesley had become.
Giles excused himself and left the hotel to take his morning walk.
****************
Andrew woke up alone in his room. He wasn't entirely sure what to do; so, he dressed and walked down the hall to knock on Dawn's door.
Dawn and Shannon were already awake, but the other two Slayers were still asleep. They told Andrew to hang on, then they dressed, and went down to the lobby with him.
The hotel was quiet. Most of the others were still sleeping. The three sat in chairs around a coffee table. Andrew was the first to speak. "So what do you guys think is going to happen with that guy from the magic school?"
Shannon responded, "I think he is going to ask the Slayers to go there to help fight that Volde-something guy."
Dawn looked sad. Shannon was worried about her friend. "Dawn, what's wrong? The magic school might be a good idea. Besides, it isn't like any of us has any place else to go."
"I know but I am not a Slayer like the rest of you. I know we haven't known each other long, but you are the only close friend I have that is my age. If you go to the magic school, I'll be left here alone."
Andrew felt bad for her. "But Dawnie, I am close to your age, and I think of you as my friend."
Dawn and Shannon both looked at him with a smirk. Dawn spoke what they were both thinking. "I don't know if I want to be your friend, Andrew. After all, you killed the only friends you had."
"That's not fair. Willow is the one who killed Warren. Besides, I have since repented for killing Jonathan. I am a changed man. I am good now."
Dawn figured that he did have a point. After all, he did fight by their side in the battle against the First. Besides, she kind of liked that he always treated Shannon and herself like they were grown up and not just dumb kids.
Andrew continued, "Besides, if the magic school wants the Slayers that means Buffy and Giles will go too, and you would have to go with them because Buffy is your legal guardian. If anyone gets left behind, it will be me."
The three sat quietly thinking about what Andrew had said. Dawn and Shannon were both happy at the prospect of staying together. They were also sad for Andrew. He wasn't all bad. If he had gotten in with good kids instead of that evil nerd Warren, he probably would never have done those evil things.
Over the next hour the other new Slayers joined the group in the lobby. They were all talking at once - discussing the battle, shedding the occasional tear over those they lost in the fight, and contemplating what would come next.
After some time, Buffy, Faith, Willow, Kennedy, and Xander joined them. Giles had also returned from his walk but was quietly speaking to Wesley on the other side of the room.
Giles walked over to the group. "As I am sure you are aware, we are all currently without any possessions of our own to speak of. The Watcher's Council had a vast amount of resources that are always at the disposal of the senior official of the council. It appears at this time, that the most senior official left alive is I. Early this morning, I went to the bank and withdrew some funds. Each of you will be given $1000 to purchase clothing and toiletries at the local shopping district this afternoon. Only purchase what you need immediately, as you will most likely be traveling with these items. We will worry about more long term solutions at a later time."
A wave of excitement flowed through the girls in the group. Nothing could brighten the mood of a group of teenage girls like the prospect of shopping with someone else's money.
The group climbed back into the bus, only this time instead of outrunning the end of Sunnydale, they were heading for the mall. Giles believed this could actually be worse. Though he himself needed to purchase some items, he would never understand the lore of shopping for these girls.
Prior to disembarking from the bus, Giles made the announcement that they all must meet back at the bus with their purchases by 3:00pm. That would give them enough time to get back to the Hyperion and prepare for their dinner with Professor Dumbledore.
****************
While everyone else was shopping, Faith spent some time talking with Angel. As a wanted criminal, she had decided that hanging out at the mall would be a bad idea. Buffy had promised to get some clothes and things for Faith. Also, Wesley went to retrieve Robin from the hospital, and Faith wanted to be there as soon as he returned.
"How are you holding up?" Angel asked Faith.
"Pretty well, actually. The whole battle with the First Evil, this is the kind of thing that I am supposed to be doing. Fighting on the side of good, it was like I finally found myself, like I had some kind of greater purpose. Sounds kind of dumb, doesn't it?"
"No, it makes perfect sense. I experienced the same thing, when I first started helping Buffy."
"It helps talking to someone who understands," Faith noted.
"Faith, what are you planning on doing now?" asked Angel.
"Well, I originally figured on coming back here and turning myself in, but Buffy wanted me to wait. She had a feeling that we would be needed. Maybe it has something to do with that wizard guy coming tonight."
"We will find out soon enough," replied Angel.
"Yeah, and in the meantime, I get to spend some time with Robin."
"What kind of man could handle Faith the Vampire Slayer?" Angel questioned.
"Who else but the son of a Vampire Slayer?" Faith quipped.
"Are you talking about me?"
Faith turned to see Robin entering the lobby with Wesley. Without a moment of hesitation, Faith leapt from her seat, sprinted toward the entryway, and threw herself into Wood's arms. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," she whispered, before capturing his mouth with hers.
"It seems that Robin here has inherited something of his mother's abilities," commented Wesley.
"And what is that?" asked Angel.
"He seems to be a remarkably quick healer," Wesley replied.
****************
Xander was standing beside a rack of sweaters. He hated the mall. There were too many colors to choose from, and he was beginning to feel confused. Back in high school he used to let Buffy and Willow pick things out for him. The two of them had loved to shop for anything. Later Anya had taken over shopping for him. 'God, I miss her,' he thought. The sweaters became a blur as the tears filled his eyes and threatened to fall.
Willow saw the tears in Xander's eyes. She had unintentionally wandered into the men's department after storming off during a fight with Kennedy.
"Xander, are you OK?"
He turned toward his best friend. "Oh hey, Will. Sorry, I was just thinking about Anya. For the past couple of years she picked out all my clothes for me. I feel lost without her."
Willow knew that he meant more than just being lost buying clothing. She had felt completely lost without Tara for a long time. "If you want, I could help you, like back when we were in high school."
Xander nodded his consent, and Willow began pulling items from the racks.
"Willow, how did you do it? How did you move on with your life after losing Tara?"
Willow gave Xander a quizzical look, "Um, hello, remember evil Willow. I didn't exactly handle Tara's death well. I just held tight to the anger. And, I don't recommend trying to end the world, especially so close to the world almost ending because of the First."
"But, Will," said Xander, "look at you now. I know you will never forget Tara, but you have moved on. Speaking of which, where is Kennedy?"
"I don't know. We had kind of a fight, and she went off to shop on her own."
"What happened?"
"We were talking about the power of being a Slayer. She has been stoked since yesterday and cannot seem to talk about anything else. I tried to warn her to accept the power, but not to get overcome by it. Been there, done that, never want to see dark Willow again. Anyway, she told me that it isn't the same thing, and that I can never know what it is like to feel the power of being a Slayer."
"She should still listen to your warning. We don't need another early Faith on our hands," said Xander.
"I don't think it will get that bad. Maybe we both just overreacted."
"You're probably right. I'm sure it will be fine, Will." Xander found that he really didn't believe that anything would be fine for them.
Willow finished picking out a wardrobe for Xander, and then they went off to have lunch.
****************
Giles turned to find Buffy standing beside him, "Buffy, don't you have your own shopping to do?"
"Done," she said, holding up several large bags to show him. "I thought you might like some company."
Giles could see that Buffy was really trying. She may have thought he was angry that she slammed the door in his face, but what he was feeling was hurt. He knew that this was her way of making amends. "Ok, but realize that I am going to purchase what I want. There will be no trying to make over the Watcher," he said sternly but with a smile.
"Oh please, Giles, just a little bit?" Buffy begged.
"Well maybe I will let you pick out one outfit, but only one."
Buffy squealed. She had always wanted to make over Giles.
They spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for Giles. True to his word, he allowed Buffy to choose one outfit for him. She picked out a pair of acid washed jeans, a dark gray sweater, a pair of black boots, and a black soft leather jacket.
"Buffy, you do realize that this is Los Angeles and that it is summer," commented Giles.
"Yes, but I have a feeling we are going to be going to England soon," she replied.
Giles had the same feeling.
Chapter 2 - A New Day
In the early hours of the morning, Buffy began tossing and turning. She was plagued by one dream after another of Spike sacrificing himself to save the world.
She awoke with tears streaming down her face. She had always known that Spike would come through for them. That was one of the reasons she had stood steadfastly by him, even though it caused a huge rift between the Scoobies. She knew that the other reason was that she felt responsible for him. He had regained his soul because of her. She did love him, but it wasn't the kind of romantic love that she hoped to find some day when she is ready.
There was a light tap on the door. Buffy got out of bed and opened the door to see Angel standing in the hallway.
"Buffy, I heard you crying."
She was puzzled and then realized. "Oh yeah, vampiric hearing. I tend to forget."
"Can I do anything for you?" Angel asked.
"Not really, but I don't see myself going back to sleep; so, you might as well come in," she replied.
Angel entered the room and sat in a chair in the corner. Buffy sat back down on the bed and looked at Angel. She spoke softly, "I keep dreaming about Spike and what he did for us. He was the one person that I expected to survive. I still can't believe that he died to save the world."
"If there is one thing that I have learned in the past hundred years, it is that anyone can change if they really want to," replied Angel.
"My friends never believed it was possible for Spike to change, but I could see it. When he got his soul back, everything changed. They just refused to see it."
"Buffy, with everything that Spike did in the past, it is understandable that your friends would have difficulty trusting him."
"Yes, but they should have trusted me. Things got so bad before the battle. Giles set up Spike, so that Robin could kill him. The potentials chose to elect Faith as their leader. Things were so bad that my friends asked me to leave my own house."
"When I saw you in Sunnydale, you never mentioned any of this."
"I didn't know what to say. I felt like I had lost everyone in the world except for Spike."
"But you did lead them into the final battle, right?" Angel asked.
"Yes, we struck a truce before the final battle, but things are not the same as they were before they turned their backs on me. I am scared that the friendship and trust we all had for each other will be ruined forever, especially with Giles. He is still barely speaking to me."
"Buffy, I wouldn't worry too much about it. We all make mistakes. This isn't the first time that things have been rough, and it won't be the last. Time really does heal all wounds. Giles is willing to come to me for help now, and whatever you did, my torturing him was worse. He will come around. Just give it time."
She smiled. "Thank you. I needed someone to tell me that."
****************
Battle weary though he was, Giles arose early, as he did every morning. During the past few months, he had made a habit of getting out of the house and enjoying the early morning hours. He found that he craved the quiet, after spending each night with the din of many teenage voices.
He found Wesley behind the desk in the lobby. "Good morning, Wesley."
"Good morning, Mr. Giles. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Can I get you a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please."
Giles and Wesley sat down to a cup of tea, and began to talk. Giles gave Wesley details of the battle against the First, and Wesley filled in Giles about their resent acquisition of Wolfram and Hart.
Giles was surprised at how much Wesley had grown and changed. He wasn't the sniveling little weasel that he had been back in Sunnydale. He had grown into a strong warrior for the light, though from what Willow had said, Wesley did take a walk on the dark side not too long ago. It seemed that being fired from the Watcher's Council was probably one of the best things that could have happened to him. Giles was truly amazed at the man Wesley had become.
Giles excused himself and left the hotel to take his morning walk.
****************
Andrew woke up alone in his room. He wasn't entirely sure what to do; so, he dressed and walked down the hall to knock on Dawn's door.
Dawn and Shannon were already awake, but the other two Slayers were still asleep. They told Andrew to hang on, then they dressed, and went down to the lobby with him.
The hotel was quiet. Most of the others were still sleeping. The three sat in chairs around a coffee table. Andrew was the first to speak. "So what do you guys think is going to happen with that guy from the magic school?"
Shannon responded, "I think he is going to ask the Slayers to go there to help fight that Volde-something guy."
Dawn looked sad. Shannon was worried about her friend. "Dawn, what's wrong? The magic school might be a good idea. Besides, it isn't like any of us has any place else to go."
"I know but I am not a Slayer like the rest of you. I know we haven't known each other long, but you are the only close friend I have that is my age. If you go to the magic school, I'll be left here alone."
Andrew felt bad for her. "But Dawnie, I am close to your age, and I think of you as my friend."
Dawn and Shannon both looked at him with a smirk. Dawn spoke what they were both thinking. "I don't know if I want to be your friend, Andrew. After all, you killed the only friends you had."
"That's not fair. Willow is the one who killed Warren. Besides, I have since repented for killing Jonathan. I am a changed man. I am good now."
Dawn figured that he did have a point. After all, he did fight by their side in the battle against the First. Besides, she kind of liked that he always treated Shannon and herself like they were grown up and not just dumb kids.
Andrew continued, "Besides, if the magic school wants the Slayers that means Buffy and Giles will go too, and you would have to go with them because Buffy is your legal guardian. If anyone gets left behind, it will be me."
The three sat quietly thinking about what Andrew had said. Dawn and Shannon were both happy at the prospect of staying together. They were also sad for Andrew. He wasn't all bad. If he had gotten in with good kids instead of that evil nerd Warren, he probably would never have done those evil things.
Over the next hour the other new Slayers joined the group in the lobby. They were all talking at once - discussing the battle, shedding the occasional tear over those they lost in the fight, and contemplating what would come next.
After some time, Buffy, Faith, Willow, Kennedy, and Xander joined them. Giles had also returned from his walk but was quietly speaking to Wesley on the other side of the room.
Giles walked over to the group. "As I am sure you are aware, we are all currently without any possessions of our own to speak of. The Watcher's Council had a vast amount of resources that are always at the disposal of the senior official of the council. It appears at this time, that the most senior official left alive is I. Early this morning, I went to the bank and withdrew some funds. Each of you will be given $1000 to purchase clothing and toiletries at the local shopping district this afternoon. Only purchase what you need immediately, as you will most likely be traveling with these items. We will worry about more long term solutions at a later time."
A wave of excitement flowed through the girls in the group. Nothing could brighten the mood of a group of teenage girls like the prospect of shopping with someone else's money.
The group climbed back into the bus, only this time instead of outrunning the end of Sunnydale, they were heading for the mall. Giles believed this could actually be worse. Though he himself needed to purchase some items, he would never understand the lore of shopping for these girls.
Prior to disembarking from the bus, Giles made the announcement that they all must meet back at the bus with their purchases by 3:00pm. That would give them enough time to get back to the Hyperion and prepare for their dinner with Professor Dumbledore.
****************
While everyone else was shopping, Faith spent some time talking with Angel. As a wanted criminal, she had decided that hanging out at the mall would be a bad idea. Buffy had promised to get some clothes and things for Faith. Also, Wesley went to retrieve Robin from the hospital, and Faith wanted to be there as soon as he returned.
"How are you holding up?" Angel asked Faith.
"Pretty well, actually. The whole battle with the First Evil, this is the kind of thing that I am supposed to be doing. Fighting on the side of good, it was like I finally found myself, like I had some kind of greater purpose. Sounds kind of dumb, doesn't it?"
"No, it makes perfect sense. I experienced the same thing, when I first started helping Buffy."
"It helps talking to someone who understands," Faith noted.
"Faith, what are you planning on doing now?" asked Angel.
"Well, I originally figured on coming back here and turning myself in, but Buffy wanted me to wait. She had a feeling that we would be needed. Maybe it has something to do with that wizard guy coming tonight."
"We will find out soon enough," replied Angel.
"Yeah, and in the meantime, I get to spend some time with Robin."
"What kind of man could handle Faith the Vampire Slayer?" Angel questioned.
"Who else but the son of a Vampire Slayer?" Faith quipped.
"Are you talking about me?"
Faith turned to see Robin entering the lobby with Wesley. Without a moment of hesitation, Faith leapt from her seat, sprinted toward the entryway, and threw herself into Wood's arms. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," she whispered, before capturing his mouth with hers.
"It seems that Robin here has inherited something of his mother's abilities," commented Wesley.
"And what is that?" asked Angel.
"He seems to be a remarkably quick healer," Wesley replied.
****************
Xander was standing beside a rack of sweaters. He hated the mall. There were too many colors to choose from, and he was beginning to feel confused. Back in high school he used to let Buffy and Willow pick things out for him. The two of them had loved to shop for anything. Later Anya had taken over shopping for him. 'God, I miss her,' he thought. The sweaters became a blur as the tears filled his eyes and threatened to fall.
Willow saw the tears in Xander's eyes. She had unintentionally wandered into the men's department after storming off during a fight with Kennedy.
"Xander, are you OK?"
He turned toward his best friend. "Oh hey, Will. Sorry, I was just thinking about Anya. For the past couple of years she picked out all my clothes for me. I feel lost without her."
Willow knew that he meant more than just being lost buying clothing. She had felt completely lost without Tara for a long time. "If you want, I could help you, like back when we were in high school."
Xander nodded his consent, and Willow began pulling items from the racks.
"Willow, how did you do it? How did you move on with your life after losing Tara?"
Willow gave Xander a quizzical look, "Um, hello, remember evil Willow. I didn't exactly handle Tara's death well. I just held tight to the anger. And, I don't recommend trying to end the world, especially so close to the world almost ending because of the First."
"But, Will," said Xander, "look at you now. I know you will never forget Tara, but you have moved on. Speaking of which, where is Kennedy?"
"I don't know. We had kind of a fight, and she went off to shop on her own."
"What happened?"
"We were talking about the power of being a Slayer. She has been stoked since yesterday and cannot seem to talk about anything else. I tried to warn her to accept the power, but not to get overcome by it. Been there, done that, never want to see dark Willow again. Anyway, she told me that it isn't the same thing, and that I can never know what it is like to feel the power of being a Slayer."
"She should still listen to your warning. We don't need another early Faith on our hands," said Xander.
"I don't think it will get that bad. Maybe we both just overreacted."
"You're probably right. I'm sure it will be fine, Will." Xander found that he really didn't believe that anything would be fine for them.
Willow finished picking out a wardrobe for Xander, and then they went off to have lunch.
****************
Giles turned to find Buffy standing beside him, "Buffy, don't you have your own shopping to do?"
"Done," she said, holding up several large bags to show him. "I thought you might like some company."
Giles could see that Buffy was really trying. She may have thought he was angry that she slammed the door in his face, but what he was feeling was hurt. He knew that this was her way of making amends. "Ok, but realize that I am going to purchase what I want. There will be no trying to make over the Watcher," he said sternly but with a smile.
"Oh please, Giles, just a little bit?" Buffy begged.
"Well maybe I will let you pick out one outfit, but only one."
Buffy squealed. She had always wanted to make over Giles.
They spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for Giles. True to his word, he allowed Buffy to choose one outfit for him. She picked out a pair of acid washed jeans, a dark gray sweater, a pair of black boots, and a black soft leather jacket.
"Buffy, you do realize that this is Los Angeles and that it is summer," commented Giles.
"Yes, but I have a feeling we are going to be going to England soon," she replied.
Giles had the same feeling.