Summary: Continued…
6th in the "Cold Summer Series"
*~*~*
With the sunrise came new hope. Chandra's sleep the rest of the night had been peaceful. Faith seemed more than willing to help with anything. The two slayers were bonding quite well.
After her shower, Chandra emerged from the bathroom and paused. Angel was sitting on the bed, his back to her, head in his hands. She wondered what exactly it was that he was thinking. Whether he was regretting their night together.
He lifted his head. "I'm sorry." He still wouldn't face her.
She swallowed. "It wasn't your fault. You need to stop blaming yourself. If I wasn't such a whore…"
He turned to her quickly. "You are not a whore."
She grinned a little. "Thank you." Sitting down, she picked up some shoes and proceeded to finish dressing. "But let's face up the facts. A slayer can't have love so she takes comfort in that little bit of lust she can get. Hitting the sack is a privilege. We get it on…"
"Then get gone."
She finished tying her shoe and looked at him. "Yeah."
"Sounds like the road Faith was on when she decided to start killing humans."
Chandra looked at the recently tied shoe. "I don't plan on killing humans."
"But you don't care."
She blinked. "Yes I do."
"And what do you care about?"
*~*~*
"I don't care!" Xander snapped. "She's not good. She never has been, never will be!"
Cordelia nodded. "For once I agree."
Giles sighed. "She is making her amends and paying for her crimes. We all make mistakes. It's life."
Willow nodded. "We should give everyone a chance. I mean, she's spent some time in jail and stuff."
"Not enough time if you ask me," Anya quipped.
"A little prison goes a long way," Gunn retorted.
"She did more than just some little stuff. Like when she switched bodies with Buffy," Dawn scowled. "What would Buffy say if she were here? Huh? Everyone all siding with the evil slayer."
"Now surely she's not all evil," Fred offered.
Giles turned to Wesley, who was leaning against the counter, his arms crosses, his eyes lowered in thought. "Wesley?"
He looked up and managed a half-grin. "Sorry, still thinking about the torturing she did. Silly me." He scowled and began pacing.
Tara looked around the extended Scoobs, now divided. "Well, if she's willing to change, to help out, we could sure use her."
"Like a hole in the head!" Cordelia stood up. "If she's in, I'm out."
"Me too," came from Xander, Anya and Dawn.
Wesley stopped pacing. "I believe you can count me out as well."
Giles looked at the training room that they were in. Cordelia, Xander, Anya, Dawn and Wesley were on one side while Willow, Tara, Gunn, Fred and he were on the other. The lines had clearly been drawn.
"Hey! What's up?" Chandra bounced in and looked around, going to stand by Giles. "Whoa! What's wrong?"
Giles looked at the ones on the other side. "Then leave. If you're all that bloody uncaring and ignorant."
Cordelia scowled and turned for the door then gasped.
Everyone followed her gaze and matched her shocked reaction.
Dawn swallowed and stepped forward. "B-Buffy?"
Buffy smiled and stepped into the room. "Hey guys," she said quietly.
Fred smiled. "Hi!"
Dawn's knees started to give, but Xander caught her in time, sitting her on the couch.
Giles took off his glasses. "Buffy? But how…?"
She smiled. "I'm still wondering that myself. But… here I am!" She opened her arms and did a turn. "Alive."
Tara grabbed Willow's hand tightly. She was trembling. "N-n-not Buffy. You aren't."
Buffy looked to her. "What? Of course I am! C'mon. Test me."
Xander looked her over. "What was the only thing I wouldn't tell you about the summer after high school?"
Buffy smiled. "Male strippers."
Xander smiled and hugged her.
Tara loosened her grip and looked to Willow. "Male strippers?"
Chandra slowly made her way to Buffy. "You died."
Buffy moved from Xander. "Who are you?"
"Chandra. The Slayer."
"Well I'm Buffy. Nice to meet you." She stuck out her hand.
Chandra shook it slowly, then punched her, getting into fighting stance. "That's not Buffy."
Buffy mimicked the stance and prepared to fight.
Wesley stepped between them. "Ladies! Let's not do this. I know this must be hard to come to grips with but Buffy is back." He turned to Chandra. "Please. Relax."
She was breathing heavily. "Can't you feel it?"
Buffy stepped back. "I don't know what your problem is..."
Wesley placed his hands on Chandra's shoulders. "Let's get you some fresh air." He steered her out, passing Buffy.
Dawn was still trembling. "Buffy?"
She smiled and sat next to her. "I'm here Dawn."
Dawn smiled and wrapped her sister in a hug.
*~*~*
Wesley sat down by Chandra on the curb and clasped his hands together. "Would you like to talk about it?"
She looked down. "What can I say? Your super slayer is back."
Wesley took off his glasses. "You are still very important."
"Right. I'm bringing the apocalyptic child." She sighed. "When I touched her... Wesley it was like a cold chill that came over me and I knew, I just knew that wasn't Buffy."
He paused to think. "What if you're just scared? Nervous I mean. About Buffy being back? About rejection?"
She shook her head. "Wesley, I've been rejected most of my life. It's something I'm used to. This was danger. Pure and simple."
*~*~*
Dawn held onto Buffy's hand. She was afraid that if she let go that maybe her sister would once again leave her. Everyone left them alone to give them a little family time. But once the door was close, neither sister could speak.
"So," Buffy finally said. "I guess this is a little bit of a shock."
Dawn smiled. "Yeah, but you know, the good kind of shock."
Buffy looked down. "There are things that I've seen, since I died. Things are going to change me a little. But I don't want to change how I act with you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if I start acting all cookey and stuff, I'm not trying to. I just… I just have some things that I need to sort out."
"Oh. That's okay."
"It won't be okay if it ends up hurting you. And I don't want that."
"You won't hurt me."
"Do you trust me Dawn?"
"Of course."
She smiled.
*~*~*
Angel and Faith were sitting in the hotel room playing cards when Chandra got back. By the sour look on Angel's face, she figured he was losing quite a bit of money to the other slayer.
"Chandra!" he chimed happily. "Wanna join us?"
She didn't smile back. "No thanks."
Faith frowned. "What's up, C?"
She looked at Angel. "Buffy. She's kind of… back."
Angel blinked and watched her. "Back?"
*~*~*
Spike turned off the TV and sighed. "What are you doing here?"
Darla smiled and stepped further into the crypt. "Came to see how the straight life is treating you."
"Yeah? Well, you saw. Now leave."
She chuckled. "Now, William, is that any way to treat family?"
"I almost staked Drusilla and she was my sire. I have no problem with dusting you." He stood and grabbed a pack of cigarettes. "What are you really doing here?"
She smiled and swayed her hips as she walked to him. "I'm here to bring back Angelus."
"And just how do you plan on doing that?"
"I brought back Buffy."
Spike nearly choked on his cigarette. "What?"
"I brought her back." She sat in his chair. "You see, I figure I can get two birds with one stone here. I didn't bring her back as herself you see. I brought her back under my control. So we give Angelus his one moment of happiness with the blonde bimbo and that's one thing out of the way. Then Dru had this perfect little vision. About a key."
Spike growled. "You're not touching Little Bit."
She laughed. "And just how do you think you're going to stop me? Tell your little group that Buffy's not really back? Break their hearts? And who's to say they'd even believe you? They didn't believe the new slayer when she sensed it."
"Chandra knows?"
"Oh yes. But no one will believe her, or you. Buffy is what they want. So it's Buffy they've got."
*~*~*
Angel swallowed. "Hello, Buffy."
The grinned a little. "Hi, Angel."
They sat across the small table from each other, each with a cup of coffee, each silent. The tension was so thick you could almost see it.
She cleared her throat. "So, how are you?"
"Good."
She nodded.
"I'm going to be a father."
She did a double take. "What?"
He nodded. "I, uh, slept with Chandra. Something in her blood made it so that my… Well, in any event, it's not as good of a thing as you would hope."
She watched him, waiting for more.
"The child is supposed to bring about the end of the world."
"Oh God, Angel, I'm sorry." She reached her hand out and placed it over his.
He looked at her hand, the warmth seeping into his skin. His other hand covered hers and stroked her knuckles. "I missed you. I was so upset when I didn't get to say goodbye."
She looked at their hands as well. "I missed you too."
He pressed his lips together. "I should go check on Faith and Chandra."
"Faith is here?"
"Yeah."
She stood. "I'll go with you."
*~*~*
Faith pulled open the door and jumped back, almost bashing into Angel.
He grinned. "Door service?"
She smiled. "Hardly." She opened the door wider and lost her smile when she saw Buffy. "Hi, B."
Buffy smiled. "Hi Faith."
Angel stepped in, Buffy in toe. "How's Chandra?"
"She's taking a bath. She wasn't feeling that great."
He nodded. "I'm going to check on her really quick." He glanced at Buffy before heading into the bathroom.
Faith looked to Buffy and sighed. "B, I'm sorry."
Buffy nodded. "It's okay. Dying kinda put a new prospective on everything." She smiled. "I'd like to start over with you."
Faith smiled. "I think I'd like that too, B."
"Let's go out."
"Out?"
"Dancing? You know, like how we were Bronze that one time?"
Faith smiled. "You sure you're up to that?"
Buffy nodded. "Just let me go home and change really quick then I'll come back here. I have a new place to show you."
*~*~*
Angel closed the bathroom door behind him. Chandra was lying in the tub with her eyes closed, relaxing. He smiled and turned to go.
"You can stay if you want."
He turned to her again to find one eye open.
"I'm just resting my eyes. Do you want to talk?"
He smiled and leaned on the sink. "I don't know. I just came to make sure you were doing okay."
She nodded. "I'm okay. How's Buffy?"
He crossed his arms and his ankles and looked thoughtful. "She's really here."
"So that would be a good thing, right?"
He nodded, still not looking at her. "Yeah."
"You okay there, Angel?"
Chandra nodded and stood, pulling the drain in the tub. "Wanna hand me a towel?" He complied. As she dried herself off, she sighed. "I'm going to tell you what I told Wesley. I don't think that's Buffy."
He glanced at her. "What?"
She wrapped the towel around herself. "Not Buffy. When I shook her hand, I just knew."
"Are you sure? I mean, I've been talking to her for the last hour and I didn't see any difference. She even still smells like her."
She scrunched her nose. "Ew."
He grinned. "Sorry, but still. I mean, everything that I feel is telling me that it's really her."
"Everything that you feel? What about logic? She had to have been brought back. So then why? Why is she here?"
"Maybe because she's needed."
"Right. Because the other two slayers that are here are just fuck-ups. Thanks." She scowled and ran a comb through her long black hair.
He looked down. "I didn't mean that."
She shrugged. "Whatever."
He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her neck. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
She closed her eyes. "Something doesn't feel right, Angel. Something bad is going to happen soon."
*~*~*
Faith smiled and followed Buffy as they strode down the street. "So where we heading?"
Buffy smiled. "It's a surprise. Someplace new I heard about."
As they rounded the corner, Faith could feel the bass from the music pumping into her veins. Her hips began to sway immediately and she nodded. "Sounds good."
The place would have been hard to find had it not been for the bumping music and the big doorman out front. He nodded to Buffy as she brought Faith to the entrance and opened the door for them. Inside was a whirlpool of black lighted bodies dancing on a glittering floor while others stood at the bar surveying the scene. The high-tech music flooded the room and Faith's mind as she immediately headed to the dance floor. Buffy joined her and soon the two were tangled in a provocative dance.
Darla and Dru peeked out from one of the corners and watched. "Perfect," Darla smiled.
Faith was having the time of her life. She was letting loose and no one was getting killed in the process. Buffy seemed to be having just as much fun, smiling at the rogue slayer and pressing herself closer. Faith started to feel a little warm inside as Buffy's hand strayed to her hip, pulling her closer.
Buffy smiled to Faith's confused look. "Just go with it," she said as she moved her other hand to the back of Faith's head and pulled her in for a kiss.
*~*~*
Angel opened the bathroom door and furrowed his brow. "Faith? Buffy?"
Chandra emerged behind him in her robe. "Looks like they bailed."
His eyes landed on a note:
"Angel,
Went out with B for the night. See you in the morning.
Faith"
"Well good for them." Chandra lay back on the bed.
Angel furrowed his brow. "I wonder what they're doing."
*~*~*
Faith ran her hand through Buffy hair and broke the kiss. "B?"
She smiled. "Right here."
Faith shook her head slowly and looked around. The place seemed so much darker now. She didn't really notice it before but the place was full of shadows and danger. Even Buffy's face was changed in the low light. Faith's eyes darted around the room, checking everything out and landed on the large mural with the name of the club.
The Blue Devil.
*~*~*
Spike stepped into the Magic Box and looked around. "Anyone here?"
Anya peeked up from behind the counter. "Spike!" She frowned. "Do not frighten me like that! I could have hurt myself."
He smiled. "Mores the pity." He sat down and propped his feet up. "So where's the gang?"
She started to count her money. "They are preparing the party."
"What party?"
"Buffy's welcome home party."
*~*~*
Cordelia raised up on her tiptoes and taped up the streamer. "There." She smiled at her handy-work before crashing back off the stool as a vision hit her.
Giles instantly caught her and brought her to the couch. "Cordelia? What is it?"
"Incoming!" she cried out.
Wesley and Xander raced in from the kitchen. "What is it?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and brought a hand to her head. "A dance club. Dark, fast paced music… Buffy's there… With Faith… Oh no!" She opened her eyes.
Xander knelt beside her. "What is it?" he asked as he gently took her hand.
She looked to him. "Darla and Drusilla. They're there."
*~*~*
Faith backed up from the dance floor quickly. "You know what? I'm not feeling all that great. I think I'm gonna get outta here and head back to the hotel."
Buffy took her hand, holding her back slightly. "Why? Not having fun?"
"No, not anymore." She tried to tug her hand away.
But the other slayer held on. "Maybe when the others join the party…"
As if on cue, Darla and Dru stepped out onto the dance floor in full vampire form. Buffy smiled at Darla. "Hello, mother."
Faith paled. "Oh shit."
*~*~*
While Wesley and Giles went to find Angel, Xander stayed with Cordelia. She was laid out on the couch, her head propped up on some pillows. He sat by her on the floor and handed her a glass of water. "You okay?"
She took the water and forced a smile. "Yeah, thanks."
He swallowed. "How… how much does it hurt? I mean, how can you take it?"
She shrugged and sipped the water. "It's what I do. It's how I help now. There are a lot of people who need help. And this is what I do for them. I give the messages."
He looked at her face. "You've changed."
She smiled. "Is that a bad thing?"
He chuckled. "No. It's a very good thing." He took the water and set it on the coffee table for her. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
She shook her head a little. "I'll be okay I think."
He licked his lips and leaned over her, closing his eyes. She met him halfway and kissed him softly. But nothing more. They simply enjoyed the kiss and pulled back. He stroked her face gently. "You know I still care, right?"
She nodded. "Me too."
He smiled and pulled a blanket over her. "Get some rest."
She took his hand and kissed it, saying the two words Xander Harris never thought he'd hear from Cordelia Chase. "Thank you."
*~*~*
Angel and Chandra jumped into the back of Giles' car, loaded with stakes and an axe. Wesley gave them the summary of Cordelia's vision, which was a summary itself. Darla and Dru were at a dance club with Buffy and Faith. It was little to go on, but it was enough to bring up the defenses.
*~*~*
Darla stepped in front of Faith while Drusilla stayed to the back, trapping her there. "Such a pity," Darla sighed. "You could have been really useful."
Dru raised her hands to the sides of Faith's head and started to chant in Latin. Faith felt her head start to fog. She blindly threw a bunch towards Buffy who caught her fist with little effort. The fog thickened and choked her mind…
*~*~*
Chandra watched form the backseat and gasped as she pointed. "There! There!"
Giles turned immediately turned to the front of the Blue Devil club and parked. The fighting four jumped out and barraged into the building.
Buffy spotted them first. "Shit." She looked to Darla. "Hit me." Darla vamped and did so, sending her and Buffy into a fight as Dru continued on Faith.
Angel charged in front and spotted Dru with Faith. "No!" he cried out as hr tackled his childe from the side, pulling her from the slayer who crumpled to the ground. Dru jumped back to her feet and quickly ran for the door.
Chandra focused her attention on the blonde vampire and assisted her predecessor. Within no time, they had the upper hand and Darla fled as well.
Buffy turned to her. "Thank you."
Chandra nodded. "Anytime."
Angel grabbed Buffy and looked her over. "Are you okay?"
She nodded.
Wesley and Giles were knelt next to Faith, who hadn't opened her eyes. "It's a spell," Wesley said softly.
Giles nodded. "Probably to kill her. She's in a coma."
Chandra swallowed and watched them.
Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy who smiled into his chest where no one could see.
6th in the "Cold Summer Series"
*~*~*
With the sunrise came new hope. Chandra's sleep the rest of the night had been peaceful. Faith seemed more than willing to help with anything. The two slayers were bonding quite well.
After her shower, Chandra emerged from the bathroom and paused. Angel was sitting on the bed, his back to her, head in his hands. She wondered what exactly it was that he was thinking. Whether he was regretting their night together.
He lifted his head. "I'm sorry." He still wouldn't face her.
She swallowed. "It wasn't your fault. You need to stop blaming yourself. If I wasn't such a whore…"
He turned to her quickly. "You are not a whore."
She grinned a little. "Thank you." Sitting down, she picked up some shoes and proceeded to finish dressing. "But let's face up the facts. A slayer can't have love so she takes comfort in that little bit of lust she can get. Hitting the sack is a privilege. We get it on…"
"Then get gone."
She finished tying her shoe and looked at him. "Yeah."
"Sounds like the road Faith was on when she decided to start killing humans."
Chandra looked at the recently tied shoe. "I don't plan on killing humans."
"But you don't care."
She blinked. "Yes I do."
"And what do you care about?"
*~*~*
"I don't care!" Xander snapped. "She's not good. She never has been, never will be!"
Cordelia nodded. "For once I agree."
Giles sighed. "She is making her amends and paying for her crimes. We all make mistakes. It's life."
Willow nodded. "We should give everyone a chance. I mean, she's spent some time in jail and stuff."
"Not enough time if you ask me," Anya quipped.
"A little prison goes a long way," Gunn retorted.
"She did more than just some little stuff. Like when she switched bodies with Buffy," Dawn scowled. "What would Buffy say if she were here? Huh? Everyone all siding with the evil slayer."
"Now surely she's not all evil," Fred offered.
Giles turned to Wesley, who was leaning against the counter, his arms crosses, his eyes lowered in thought. "Wesley?"
He looked up and managed a half-grin. "Sorry, still thinking about the torturing she did. Silly me." He scowled and began pacing.
Tara looked around the extended Scoobs, now divided. "Well, if she's willing to change, to help out, we could sure use her."
"Like a hole in the head!" Cordelia stood up. "If she's in, I'm out."
"Me too," came from Xander, Anya and Dawn.
Wesley stopped pacing. "I believe you can count me out as well."
Giles looked at the training room that they were in. Cordelia, Xander, Anya, Dawn and Wesley were on one side while Willow, Tara, Gunn, Fred and he were on the other. The lines had clearly been drawn.
"Hey! What's up?" Chandra bounced in and looked around, going to stand by Giles. "Whoa! What's wrong?"
Giles looked at the ones on the other side. "Then leave. If you're all that bloody uncaring and ignorant."
Cordelia scowled and turned for the door then gasped.
Everyone followed her gaze and matched her shocked reaction.
Dawn swallowed and stepped forward. "B-Buffy?"
Buffy smiled and stepped into the room. "Hey guys," she said quietly.
Fred smiled. "Hi!"
Dawn's knees started to give, but Xander caught her in time, sitting her on the couch.
Giles took off his glasses. "Buffy? But how…?"
She smiled. "I'm still wondering that myself. But… here I am!" She opened her arms and did a turn. "Alive."
Tara grabbed Willow's hand tightly. She was trembling. "N-n-not Buffy. You aren't."
Buffy looked to her. "What? Of course I am! C'mon. Test me."
Xander looked her over. "What was the only thing I wouldn't tell you about the summer after high school?"
Buffy smiled. "Male strippers."
Xander smiled and hugged her.
Tara loosened her grip and looked to Willow. "Male strippers?"
Chandra slowly made her way to Buffy. "You died."
Buffy moved from Xander. "Who are you?"
"Chandra. The Slayer."
"Well I'm Buffy. Nice to meet you." She stuck out her hand.
Chandra shook it slowly, then punched her, getting into fighting stance. "That's not Buffy."
Buffy mimicked the stance and prepared to fight.
Wesley stepped between them. "Ladies! Let's not do this. I know this must be hard to come to grips with but Buffy is back." He turned to Chandra. "Please. Relax."
She was breathing heavily. "Can't you feel it?"
Buffy stepped back. "I don't know what your problem is..."
Wesley placed his hands on Chandra's shoulders. "Let's get you some fresh air." He steered her out, passing Buffy.
Dawn was still trembling. "Buffy?"
She smiled and sat next to her. "I'm here Dawn."
Dawn smiled and wrapped her sister in a hug.
*~*~*
Wesley sat down by Chandra on the curb and clasped his hands together. "Would you like to talk about it?"
She looked down. "What can I say? Your super slayer is back."
Wesley took off his glasses. "You are still very important."
"Right. I'm bringing the apocalyptic child." She sighed. "When I touched her... Wesley it was like a cold chill that came over me and I knew, I just knew that wasn't Buffy."
He paused to think. "What if you're just scared? Nervous I mean. About Buffy being back? About rejection?"
She shook her head. "Wesley, I've been rejected most of my life. It's something I'm used to. This was danger. Pure and simple."
*~*~*
Dawn held onto Buffy's hand. She was afraid that if she let go that maybe her sister would once again leave her. Everyone left them alone to give them a little family time. But once the door was close, neither sister could speak.
"So," Buffy finally said. "I guess this is a little bit of a shock."
Dawn smiled. "Yeah, but you know, the good kind of shock."
Buffy looked down. "There are things that I've seen, since I died. Things are going to change me a little. But I don't want to change how I act with you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if I start acting all cookey and stuff, I'm not trying to. I just… I just have some things that I need to sort out."
"Oh. That's okay."
"It won't be okay if it ends up hurting you. And I don't want that."
"You won't hurt me."
"Do you trust me Dawn?"
"Of course."
She smiled.
*~*~*
Angel and Faith were sitting in the hotel room playing cards when Chandra got back. By the sour look on Angel's face, she figured he was losing quite a bit of money to the other slayer.
"Chandra!" he chimed happily. "Wanna join us?"
She didn't smile back. "No thanks."
Faith frowned. "What's up, C?"
She looked at Angel. "Buffy. She's kind of… back."
Angel blinked and watched her. "Back?"
*~*~*
Spike turned off the TV and sighed. "What are you doing here?"
Darla smiled and stepped further into the crypt. "Came to see how the straight life is treating you."
"Yeah? Well, you saw. Now leave."
She chuckled. "Now, William, is that any way to treat family?"
"I almost staked Drusilla and she was my sire. I have no problem with dusting you." He stood and grabbed a pack of cigarettes. "What are you really doing here?"
She smiled and swayed her hips as she walked to him. "I'm here to bring back Angelus."
"And just how do you plan on doing that?"
"I brought back Buffy."
Spike nearly choked on his cigarette. "What?"
"I brought her back." She sat in his chair. "You see, I figure I can get two birds with one stone here. I didn't bring her back as herself you see. I brought her back under my control. So we give Angelus his one moment of happiness with the blonde bimbo and that's one thing out of the way. Then Dru had this perfect little vision. About a key."
Spike growled. "You're not touching Little Bit."
She laughed. "And just how do you think you're going to stop me? Tell your little group that Buffy's not really back? Break their hearts? And who's to say they'd even believe you? They didn't believe the new slayer when she sensed it."
"Chandra knows?"
"Oh yes. But no one will believe her, or you. Buffy is what they want. So it's Buffy they've got."
*~*~*
Angel swallowed. "Hello, Buffy."
The grinned a little. "Hi, Angel."
They sat across the small table from each other, each with a cup of coffee, each silent. The tension was so thick you could almost see it.
She cleared her throat. "So, how are you?"
"Good."
She nodded.
"I'm going to be a father."
She did a double take. "What?"
He nodded. "I, uh, slept with Chandra. Something in her blood made it so that my… Well, in any event, it's not as good of a thing as you would hope."
She watched him, waiting for more.
"The child is supposed to bring about the end of the world."
"Oh God, Angel, I'm sorry." She reached her hand out and placed it over his.
He looked at her hand, the warmth seeping into his skin. His other hand covered hers and stroked her knuckles. "I missed you. I was so upset when I didn't get to say goodbye."
She looked at their hands as well. "I missed you too."
He pressed his lips together. "I should go check on Faith and Chandra."
"Faith is here?"
"Yeah."
She stood. "I'll go with you."
*~*~*
Faith pulled open the door and jumped back, almost bashing into Angel.
He grinned. "Door service?"
She smiled. "Hardly." She opened the door wider and lost her smile when she saw Buffy. "Hi, B."
Buffy smiled. "Hi Faith."
Angel stepped in, Buffy in toe. "How's Chandra?"
"She's taking a bath. She wasn't feeling that great."
He nodded. "I'm going to check on her really quick." He glanced at Buffy before heading into the bathroom.
Faith looked to Buffy and sighed. "B, I'm sorry."
Buffy nodded. "It's okay. Dying kinda put a new prospective on everything." She smiled. "I'd like to start over with you."
Faith smiled. "I think I'd like that too, B."
"Let's go out."
"Out?"
"Dancing? You know, like how we were Bronze that one time?"
Faith smiled. "You sure you're up to that?"
Buffy nodded. "Just let me go home and change really quick then I'll come back here. I have a new place to show you."
*~*~*
Angel closed the bathroom door behind him. Chandra was lying in the tub with her eyes closed, relaxing. He smiled and turned to go.
"You can stay if you want."
He turned to her again to find one eye open.
"I'm just resting my eyes. Do you want to talk?"
He smiled and leaned on the sink. "I don't know. I just came to make sure you were doing okay."
She nodded. "I'm okay. How's Buffy?"
He crossed his arms and his ankles and looked thoughtful. "She's really here."
"So that would be a good thing, right?"
He nodded, still not looking at her. "Yeah."
"You okay there, Angel?"
Chandra nodded and stood, pulling the drain in the tub. "Wanna hand me a towel?" He complied. As she dried herself off, she sighed. "I'm going to tell you what I told Wesley. I don't think that's Buffy."
He glanced at her. "What?"
She wrapped the towel around herself. "Not Buffy. When I shook her hand, I just knew."
"Are you sure? I mean, I've been talking to her for the last hour and I didn't see any difference. She even still smells like her."
She scrunched her nose. "Ew."
He grinned. "Sorry, but still. I mean, everything that I feel is telling me that it's really her."
"Everything that you feel? What about logic? She had to have been brought back. So then why? Why is she here?"
"Maybe because she's needed."
"Right. Because the other two slayers that are here are just fuck-ups. Thanks." She scowled and ran a comb through her long black hair.
He looked down. "I didn't mean that."
She shrugged. "Whatever."
He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her neck. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
She closed her eyes. "Something doesn't feel right, Angel. Something bad is going to happen soon."
*~*~*
Faith smiled and followed Buffy as they strode down the street. "So where we heading?"
Buffy smiled. "It's a surprise. Someplace new I heard about."
As they rounded the corner, Faith could feel the bass from the music pumping into her veins. Her hips began to sway immediately and she nodded. "Sounds good."
The place would have been hard to find had it not been for the bumping music and the big doorman out front. He nodded to Buffy as she brought Faith to the entrance and opened the door for them. Inside was a whirlpool of black lighted bodies dancing on a glittering floor while others stood at the bar surveying the scene. The high-tech music flooded the room and Faith's mind as she immediately headed to the dance floor. Buffy joined her and soon the two were tangled in a provocative dance.
Darla and Dru peeked out from one of the corners and watched. "Perfect," Darla smiled.
Faith was having the time of her life. She was letting loose and no one was getting killed in the process. Buffy seemed to be having just as much fun, smiling at the rogue slayer and pressing herself closer. Faith started to feel a little warm inside as Buffy's hand strayed to her hip, pulling her closer.
Buffy smiled to Faith's confused look. "Just go with it," she said as she moved her other hand to the back of Faith's head and pulled her in for a kiss.
*~*~*
Angel opened the bathroom door and furrowed his brow. "Faith? Buffy?"
Chandra emerged behind him in her robe. "Looks like they bailed."
His eyes landed on a note:
"Angel,
Went out with B for the night. See you in the morning.
Faith"
"Well good for them." Chandra lay back on the bed.
Angel furrowed his brow. "I wonder what they're doing."
*~*~*
Faith ran her hand through Buffy hair and broke the kiss. "B?"
She smiled. "Right here."
Faith shook her head slowly and looked around. The place seemed so much darker now. She didn't really notice it before but the place was full of shadows and danger. Even Buffy's face was changed in the low light. Faith's eyes darted around the room, checking everything out and landed on the large mural with the name of the club.
The Blue Devil.
*~*~*
Spike stepped into the Magic Box and looked around. "Anyone here?"
Anya peeked up from behind the counter. "Spike!" She frowned. "Do not frighten me like that! I could have hurt myself."
He smiled. "Mores the pity." He sat down and propped his feet up. "So where's the gang?"
She started to count her money. "They are preparing the party."
"What party?"
"Buffy's welcome home party."
*~*~*
Cordelia raised up on her tiptoes and taped up the streamer. "There." She smiled at her handy-work before crashing back off the stool as a vision hit her.
Giles instantly caught her and brought her to the couch. "Cordelia? What is it?"
"Incoming!" she cried out.
Wesley and Xander raced in from the kitchen. "What is it?"
She squeezed her eyes shut and brought a hand to her head. "A dance club. Dark, fast paced music… Buffy's there… With Faith… Oh no!" She opened her eyes.
Xander knelt beside her. "What is it?" he asked as he gently took her hand.
She looked to him. "Darla and Drusilla. They're there."
*~*~*
Faith backed up from the dance floor quickly. "You know what? I'm not feeling all that great. I think I'm gonna get outta here and head back to the hotel."
Buffy took her hand, holding her back slightly. "Why? Not having fun?"
"No, not anymore." She tried to tug her hand away.
But the other slayer held on. "Maybe when the others join the party…"
As if on cue, Darla and Dru stepped out onto the dance floor in full vampire form. Buffy smiled at Darla. "Hello, mother."
Faith paled. "Oh shit."
*~*~*
While Wesley and Giles went to find Angel, Xander stayed with Cordelia. She was laid out on the couch, her head propped up on some pillows. He sat by her on the floor and handed her a glass of water. "You okay?"
She took the water and forced a smile. "Yeah, thanks."
He swallowed. "How… how much does it hurt? I mean, how can you take it?"
She shrugged and sipped the water. "It's what I do. It's how I help now. There are a lot of people who need help. And this is what I do for them. I give the messages."
He looked at her face. "You've changed."
She smiled. "Is that a bad thing?"
He chuckled. "No. It's a very good thing." He took the water and set it on the coffee table for her. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
She shook her head a little. "I'll be okay I think."
He licked his lips and leaned over her, closing his eyes. She met him halfway and kissed him softly. But nothing more. They simply enjoyed the kiss and pulled back. He stroked her face gently. "You know I still care, right?"
She nodded. "Me too."
He smiled and pulled a blanket over her. "Get some rest."
She took his hand and kissed it, saying the two words Xander Harris never thought he'd hear from Cordelia Chase. "Thank you."
*~*~*
Angel and Chandra jumped into the back of Giles' car, loaded with stakes and an axe. Wesley gave them the summary of Cordelia's vision, which was a summary itself. Darla and Dru were at a dance club with Buffy and Faith. It was little to go on, but it was enough to bring up the defenses.
*~*~*
Darla stepped in front of Faith while Drusilla stayed to the back, trapping her there. "Such a pity," Darla sighed. "You could have been really useful."
Dru raised her hands to the sides of Faith's head and started to chant in Latin. Faith felt her head start to fog. She blindly threw a bunch towards Buffy who caught her fist with little effort. The fog thickened and choked her mind…
*~*~*
Chandra watched form the backseat and gasped as she pointed. "There! There!"
Giles turned immediately turned to the front of the Blue Devil club and parked. The fighting four jumped out and barraged into the building.
Buffy spotted them first. "Shit." She looked to Darla. "Hit me." Darla vamped and did so, sending her and Buffy into a fight as Dru continued on Faith.
Angel charged in front and spotted Dru with Faith. "No!" he cried out as hr tackled his childe from the side, pulling her from the slayer who crumpled to the ground. Dru jumped back to her feet and quickly ran for the door.
Chandra focused her attention on the blonde vampire and assisted her predecessor. Within no time, they had the upper hand and Darla fled as well.
Buffy turned to her. "Thank you."
Chandra nodded. "Anytime."
Angel grabbed Buffy and looked her over. "Are you okay?"
She nodded.
Wesley and Giles were knelt next to Faith, who hadn't opened her eyes. "It's a spell," Wesley said softly.
Giles nodded. "Probably to kill her. She's in a coma."
Chandra swallowed and watched them.
Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy who smiled into his chest where no one could see.