DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer - it
all belongs to Joss Whedon.
DEDICATIONS: I'm dedicating this story to my best friends, the rest of Platoon 6: MIA AND MAIJA - my Buffy soulmates, who can completely identify with my obsession. I don't think I can thank you enough for not only encouraging me to write fan fics, but also for introducing me to Buffy! I love you guys! LAURA - my Angel-obsessed friend. We have everything in common. . .except for the fact that you're a Bangel and I'm a Spuffy. . .oh well! I love your comics (especially Oz. . .he he. . .), keep drawing! HEATHER - Despite being the founder of the Anti-Buffy Soviet (which has 2 members - you and your cat), I love you loads, and even though you'll probably hate me for it, this story is dedicated to you too. IMOGEN - although you are far away in that little cottage of yours, I have not forgotten you and never will! Dedicating this story to you so you know that you're still loved.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: So here is my sequel to 'Resurrected', which was like the first episode of my version of Season 8. This takes place right after, kinda like the second episode. However, for all of you that don't know what happened in the first story, here is a recap (in 'Previously, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer' mode):
Spike and Anya were sent back to Earth as humans by an unknown power.
They started making their way to LA, because they wanted to get in touch with the gang for their own personal reasons (i.e. Anya for Xander, Spike for Buffy). And the only person they knew that could help them was Angel (by the way, Cordy's not in a coma for this fic).
The gang, meanwhile, had moved to San Francisco. Buffy was finding it hard to settle back down, but trying her best, as she had managed to buy a house with Willow, Kennedy and Dawn. Xander had bought his own apartment.
Anya and Spike managed to find Angel, who told them that Buffy loved Spike. Spike didn't want to believe this and get his hopes up, but he decided he'd need to see her first. Cordelia happily offered to drive them to San Francisco.
The gang had gathered that night to watch a movie. They received a call from Cordelia telling them she'd be coming that night with a surprise.
Spike and Anya showed up, much to the delight/awe/worry of everybody.
Buffy reacted strangely, avoiding Spike as much as possible. He confronted her about it, and she admitted that she loved him, but needed some 'time and space.'
Anya tried to tell Xander she loved him, but before she could, he referred to her as his 'bestest buddy.' However, deep down, he loved her too, and was just too afraid to tell her the truth.
Now, the story continues.
Stunning Love
Chapter 1
It was an average, demon-free evening in San Francisco. The Scoobies were all up to their own business. Buffy, Willow and Dawn were in the dining room looking up various demons and seeing if any danger was fast approaching.
'This is useless,' Dawn said, as she put down the book, frustrated, and let out an exasperated sigh. 'We haven't been out in ages! All we seem to do these days is look up more pointless stuff in more and more out-of-date books for more pointless information!'
Buffy looked at her with deep annoyance. 'Well, no one's forcing you to look at these books. You could go and study your math.'
Dawn's expression immediately changed. Her eyes widened and she grabbed a book, opening it at a random page. 'Never mind.'
Willow laughed silently. The Summers sisters' bickering was always funny to listen to.
Just then Kennedy came down the stairs. 'Hey,' she walked into the dining room and approached Willow. She planted a light kiss on her lips. 'You guys still looking stuff up?'
'It's what we do best,' Dawn replied, still slightly angry at Buffy. Willow looked up at Kennedy. 'But most of these demons are really grossing me out. Like this one,' Willow pointed at a picture in one of the books. Kennedy looked at it interestingly. 'He feeds on human brains.' Willow made this disgusted face, whereas Kennedy looked quite impressed.
Suddenly, the door opened. It was Anya.
When Anya, along with Spike, had come back from the dead, she (surprisingly enough) had no money and no possessions except for the clothes on her back. She promised the gang she would get a job (and had managed to get one, with Kennedy's help, as a waitress at a local bar) and as soon as she could afford her own apartment would buy one. Until then, she would live in the house with them, bringing in her share of the income. They had all been fine with this, but now that Anya was settling in, she seemed to show no sign of leaving.
As soon as she glanced at them all studying the books, she rolled her eyes. 'Oh, no, not again! Will you for once do something non-demon related?'
Buffy smiled sarcastically. 'Nice to see you too Anya.'
Anya looked at them thoughtfully. 'Well, I guess it's better than not doing anything.' She searched them all with her eyes. 'Where's Xander?'
'He's out,' Willow said.
Anya perked up. A look of interest washed over her face. She started babbling. 'Out? Where? At work? Or is it leisure... with some co-workers? Or on a date? Would you say he was happy before he left, or really casual about it? What was his precise tone-
'Anya!' Buffy snapped. 'Xander's out, OK? We don't know where, we don't know who with, or anything else for that matter.'
'Oh. . .' Anya looked away, embarrassed.
When Xander had left her at the altar, she had been extremely angry with him. But as time passed, she'd managed to get over him, yet realised that she still did in fact have feelings for him. Of course, she wasn't going to admit this to anyone, but everyone around her knew (except for Xander, who was completely oblivious to this fact, even though he himself had feelings for her). This is what made them all smirk at each other after her outburst.
'It's just, I. . .uh. . .needed to ask him something. Yeah! Needed to ask him something!'
She had a triumphant look on her face. Dawn and Buffy exchanged glances. 'We're sure he'll be back soon,' Dawn assured her. And as if by magic (which it really wasn't this time) Xander came through the door. 'Oh yes! I am the champion!' He lifted clenched fists over his head victoriously. 'I got promoted!'
'That's great Xander!' Buffy smiled at him enthusiastically, as did everyone else with words of support.
'I know! I haven't even been working there that long, and already my boss - she's really great - has taken a liking to me.'
'She, eh?' Willow grinned. 'Our little Xander doesn't have a crush, does he?'
Xander paused, stunned. 'No, no. . .of course not.' He was hesitating. It was because Anya was in the room, but everyone else perceived it as though he was shy about it.
'Oh come on!' Dawn joked. 'You like her really, don't you Xand?'
He smiled nervously. 'No guys, I really don't like her that way. . .'
They started taunting him. 'Xander and his boss sitting in a tree. . .'
'Ah, if she has any interest in me, she must be a demon,' he laughed it off, but was getting annoyed at the fact they were all saying this in front of Anya. He didn't want her to think he was seeing anybody else.
He turned to the stairs. 'I'm gonna go take a shower. . .' All of them sat there smiling. All of them except Anya. Willow was the first to notice. 'Hey, Anya, are you O-
'I've just remembered, I've got something to do,' Anya quickly interrupted.
Dawn looked surprised. 'But you just came here. . .'
'Yeah well, you know me. Always forgetting this kind of stuff. Can't talk, already late.' She rushed out of the door as fast as she could, trying to hold back tears. Why was Xander moving on so quickly without her? They were meant to be together, not him and some trampy whore of a boss. And it wasn't like her to cry, especially over some guy. Hadn't all those years as a vengeance demon taught her that? Men are scum. You should never rely on men, or be emotional over them, that's what she had been taught.
But the more Anya thought about it the faster she walked. She needed a hard drink, and she needed it fast. She made her way to the closest bar she could think of.
**********
As they watched Anya walk out, a couple of them cringed, while the others looked at where she had been standing, with painful expressions.
'Do you think she'll be OK?' Kennedy asked.
'Of course,' Buffy said, although she didn't seem too sure about it herself. 'She just needs some time to cool off. There's always gonna be feelings between those two. When Anya's found someone and Xander's alone, he's gonna feel the same way as she is right now.' They all nodded in silent agreement, as they turned back to the ancient books.
**********
Anya had found her perfect place, sitting at the bar, slightly drunk on a few vodkas, conversing with the bartender. She had heard the thing about how bartenders were like therapists except with drinks, and she was testing that theory by telling him all her problems.
'I mean, I don't still love him - well, I do - but come on! You think he'd need a bit more time to get over me! I mean, look at this!' She straightened herself out and pointed at her body. 'Wouldn't it take you a bit of time to get over hot sweaty sex with this body?!' The bartender raised his eyebrows. 'Absolutely,' he said, as if trying to shush her.
'It's not easy being the only person in a house without someone! You got Buffy - she's the slayer - she's got this on/off thing with Spike - he's an ex-vampire, but became human when he was brought back to life.'
Anya never would've told anyone about any of this, but when she was drunk, you could never stop anything leaving her mouth. However, the bartender didn't seem to react at all bizarrely as most humans would have.
'Then there's Dawn, Buffy's sister, who's OK I guess, but she's always got some guy chasing after her,' Anya continued, rolling her eyes as she said the last part. 'Then there's Willow. She's this majorly powerful witch that almost destroyed the world a couple of years ago. Even she's got someone!'
Suddenly, the bartender became alert. 'A witch, you say?' Anya turned to look at him directly. She just brushed his reaction away though. 'Yuh-huh. She's gay too. I mean, a gay witch with a not quite clean history, a new slayer's in love with her. And I still can't get anyone! Not even Xander who I'm totally in love with!' She slammed her head down on the bar. Then she lifted it up again, rubbing it with her hand. 'Ow. . .'
She rested her chin on it this time. 'I better go. . .' She got up slowly and made her way out the door.
Anya walked to the house wondering what she was gonna tell everybody when she got back. She definitely couldn't tell them she'd been moping about Xander the past couple of hours. She'd come up with something when she got there, she always did.
She walked up to the door, got out her key, and after several failed attempts to place it into the keyhole, just managed. To her surprise, the only person up was Dawn, wearing pink pyjamas.
'Anya! You're back!' She came to give her a big hug, and then suddenly stopped, crinkling up her nose as if she'd smelt something foul. 'You've been drinking haven't you?' Anya frowned slightly. 'Just a bit.'
Dawn smiled. 'Well, I'm just glad you're OK. I wanted to stay up and see that you came back alright. But we better keep it down,' she gave a cheeky grin. 'The rest of them all think I'm asleep.'
'Where are they?' Anya asked curiously.
'Early night,' Dawn replied. 'They kept saying you could take care of yourself, but I wanted to stay up and wait for you. Now that you're here, we can both go to bed!'
Anya smiled at her. 'Thanks for waiting up for me.' She climbed tiredly up the stairs, and managed to throw herself onto her bed without even getting under the covers.
Anya had been so drunk, however, that she hadn't realised as she was going to the house that she was being followed. Followed, unfortunately, by someone that knew everything about the people living in the house she had just walked into. Followed by someone who had intended to hurt someone living in that house.
It was the bartender.
**********
AUTHOR'S NOTE: More coming soon. In the next chapter, we find out what that sneaky bartender is up to, and Spike makes his appearance, helping the gang get to the bottom of the problem. Also, if you like this fic and haven't read the first one, please go check it out, it's called RESURRECTED, and if you review I'll love you forever.
DEDICATIONS: I'm dedicating this story to my best friends, the rest of Platoon 6: MIA AND MAIJA - my Buffy soulmates, who can completely identify with my obsession. I don't think I can thank you enough for not only encouraging me to write fan fics, but also for introducing me to Buffy! I love you guys! LAURA - my Angel-obsessed friend. We have everything in common. . .except for the fact that you're a Bangel and I'm a Spuffy. . .oh well! I love your comics (especially Oz. . .he he. . .), keep drawing! HEATHER - Despite being the founder of the Anti-Buffy Soviet (which has 2 members - you and your cat), I love you loads, and even though you'll probably hate me for it, this story is dedicated to you too. IMOGEN - although you are far away in that little cottage of yours, I have not forgotten you and never will! Dedicating this story to you so you know that you're still loved.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: So here is my sequel to 'Resurrected', which was like the first episode of my version of Season 8. This takes place right after, kinda like the second episode. However, for all of you that don't know what happened in the first story, here is a recap (in 'Previously, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer' mode):
Spike and Anya were sent back to Earth as humans by an unknown power.
They started making their way to LA, because they wanted to get in touch with the gang for their own personal reasons (i.e. Anya for Xander, Spike for Buffy). And the only person they knew that could help them was Angel (by the way, Cordy's not in a coma for this fic).
The gang, meanwhile, had moved to San Francisco. Buffy was finding it hard to settle back down, but trying her best, as she had managed to buy a house with Willow, Kennedy and Dawn. Xander had bought his own apartment.
Anya and Spike managed to find Angel, who told them that Buffy loved Spike. Spike didn't want to believe this and get his hopes up, but he decided he'd need to see her first. Cordelia happily offered to drive them to San Francisco.
The gang had gathered that night to watch a movie. They received a call from Cordelia telling them she'd be coming that night with a surprise.
Spike and Anya showed up, much to the delight/awe/worry of everybody.
Buffy reacted strangely, avoiding Spike as much as possible. He confronted her about it, and she admitted that she loved him, but needed some 'time and space.'
Anya tried to tell Xander she loved him, but before she could, he referred to her as his 'bestest buddy.' However, deep down, he loved her too, and was just too afraid to tell her the truth.
Now, the story continues.
Stunning Love
Chapter 1
It was an average, demon-free evening in San Francisco. The Scoobies were all up to their own business. Buffy, Willow and Dawn were in the dining room looking up various demons and seeing if any danger was fast approaching.
'This is useless,' Dawn said, as she put down the book, frustrated, and let out an exasperated sigh. 'We haven't been out in ages! All we seem to do these days is look up more pointless stuff in more and more out-of-date books for more pointless information!'
Buffy looked at her with deep annoyance. 'Well, no one's forcing you to look at these books. You could go and study your math.'
Dawn's expression immediately changed. Her eyes widened and she grabbed a book, opening it at a random page. 'Never mind.'
Willow laughed silently. The Summers sisters' bickering was always funny to listen to.
Just then Kennedy came down the stairs. 'Hey,' she walked into the dining room and approached Willow. She planted a light kiss on her lips. 'You guys still looking stuff up?'
'It's what we do best,' Dawn replied, still slightly angry at Buffy. Willow looked up at Kennedy. 'But most of these demons are really grossing me out. Like this one,' Willow pointed at a picture in one of the books. Kennedy looked at it interestingly. 'He feeds on human brains.' Willow made this disgusted face, whereas Kennedy looked quite impressed.
Suddenly, the door opened. It was Anya.
When Anya, along with Spike, had come back from the dead, she (surprisingly enough) had no money and no possessions except for the clothes on her back. She promised the gang she would get a job (and had managed to get one, with Kennedy's help, as a waitress at a local bar) and as soon as she could afford her own apartment would buy one. Until then, she would live in the house with them, bringing in her share of the income. They had all been fine with this, but now that Anya was settling in, she seemed to show no sign of leaving.
As soon as she glanced at them all studying the books, she rolled her eyes. 'Oh, no, not again! Will you for once do something non-demon related?'
Buffy smiled sarcastically. 'Nice to see you too Anya.'
Anya looked at them thoughtfully. 'Well, I guess it's better than not doing anything.' She searched them all with her eyes. 'Where's Xander?'
'He's out,' Willow said.
Anya perked up. A look of interest washed over her face. She started babbling. 'Out? Where? At work? Or is it leisure... with some co-workers? Or on a date? Would you say he was happy before he left, or really casual about it? What was his precise tone-
'Anya!' Buffy snapped. 'Xander's out, OK? We don't know where, we don't know who with, or anything else for that matter.'
'Oh. . .' Anya looked away, embarrassed.
When Xander had left her at the altar, she had been extremely angry with him. But as time passed, she'd managed to get over him, yet realised that she still did in fact have feelings for him. Of course, she wasn't going to admit this to anyone, but everyone around her knew (except for Xander, who was completely oblivious to this fact, even though he himself had feelings for her). This is what made them all smirk at each other after her outburst.
'It's just, I. . .uh. . .needed to ask him something. Yeah! Needed to ask him something!'
She had a triumphant look on her face. Dawn and Buffy exchanged glances. 'We're sure he'll be back soon,' Dawn assured her. And as if by magic (which it really wasn't this time) Xander came through the door. 'Oh yes! I am the champion!' He lifted clenched fists over his head victoriously. 'I got promoted!'
'That's great Xander!' Buffy smiled at him enthusiastically, as did everyone else with words of support.
'I know! I haven't even been working there that long, and already my boss - she's really great - has taken a liking to me.'
'She, eh?' Willow grinned. 'Our little Xander doesn't have a crush, does he?'
Xander paused, stunned. 'No, no. . .of course not.' He was hesitating. It was because Anya was in the room, but everyone else perceived it as though he was shy about it.
'Oh come on!' Dawn joked. 'You like her really, don't you Xand?'
He smiled nervously. 'No guys, I really don't like her that way. . .'
They started taunting him. 'Xander and his boss sitting in a tree. . .'
'Ah, if she has any interest in me, she must be a demon,' he laughed it off, but was getting annoyed at the fact they were all saying this in front of Anya. He didn't want her to think he was seeing anybody else.
He turned to the stairs. 'I'm gonna go take a shower. . .' All of them sat there smiling. All of them except Anya. Willow was the first to notice. 'Hey, Anya, are you O-
'I've just remembered, I've got something to do,' Anya quickly interrupted.
Dawn looked surprised. 'But you just came here. . .'
'Yeah well, you know me. Always forgetting this kind of stuff. Can't talk, already late.' She rushed out of the door as fast as she could, trying to hold back tears. Why was Xander moving on so quickly without her? They were meant to be together, not him and some trampy whore of a boss. And it wasn't like her to cry, especially over some guy. Hadn't all those years as a vengeance demon taught her that? Men are scum. You should never rely on men, or be emotional over them, that's what she had been taught.
But the more Anya thought about it the faster she walked. She needed a hard drink, and she needed it fast. She made her way to the closest bar she could think of.
**********
As they watched Anya walk out, a couple of them cringed, while the others looked at where she had been standing, with painful expressions.
'Do you think she'll be OK?' Kennedy asked.
'Of course,' Buffy said, although she didn't seem too sure about it herself. 'She just needs some time to cool off. There's always gonna be feelings between those two. When Anya's found someone and Xander's alone, he's gonna feel the same way as she is right now.' They all nodded in silent agreement, as they turned back to the ancient books.
**********
Anya had found her perfect place, sitting at the bar, slightly drunk on a few vodkas, conversing with the bartender. She had heard the thing about how bartenders were like therapists except with drinks, and she was testing that theory by telling him all her problems.
'I mean, I don't still love him - well, I do - but come on! You think he'd need a bit more time to get over me! I mean, look at this!' She straightened herself out and pointed at her body. 'Wouldn't it take you a bit of time to get over hot sweaty sex with this body?!' The bartender raised his eyebrows. 'Absolutely,' he said, as if trying to shush her.
'It's not easy being the only person in a house without someone! You got Buffy - she's the slayer - she's got this on/off thing with Spike - he's an ex-vampire, but became human when he was brought back to life.'
Anya never would've told anyone about any of this, but when she was drunk, you could never stop anything leaving her mouth. However, the bartender didn't seem to react at all bizarrely as most humans would have.
'Then there's Dawn, Buffy's sister, who's OK I guess, but she's always got some guy chasing after her,' Anya continued, rolling her eyes as she said the last part. 'Then there's Willow. She's this majorly powerful witch that almost destroyed the world a couple of years ago. Even she's got someone!'
Suddenly, the bartender became alert. 'A witch, you say?' Anya turned to look at him directly. She just brushed his reaction away though. 'Yuh-huh. She's gay too. I mean, a gay witch with a not quite clean history, a new slayer's in love with her. And I still can't get anyone! Not even Xander who I'm totally in love with!' She slammed her head down on the bar. Then she lifted it up again, rubbing it with her hand. 'Ow. . .'
She rested her chin on it this time. 'I better go. . .' She got up slowly and made her way out the door.
Anya walked to the house wondering what she was gonna tell everybody when she got back. She definitely couldn't tell them she'd been moping about Xander the past couple of hours. She'd come up with something when she got there, she always did.
She walked up to the door, got out her key, and after several failed attempts to place it into the keyhole, just managed. To her surprise, the only person up was Dawn, wearing pink pyjamas.
'Anya! You're back!' She came to give her a big hug, and then suddenly stopped, crinkling up her nose as if she'd smelt something foul. 'You've been drinking haven't you?' Anya frowned slightly. 'Just a bit.'
Dawn smiled. 'Well, I'm just glad you're OK. I wanted to stay up and see that you came back alright. But we better keep it down,' she gave a cheeky grin. 'The rest of them all think I'm asleep.'
'Where are they?' Anya asked curiously.
'Early night,' Dawn replied. 'They kept saying you could take care of yourself, but I wanted to stay up and wait for you. Now that you're here, we can both go to bed!'
Anya smiled at her. 'Thanks for waiting up for me.' She climbed tiredly up the stairs, and managed to throw herself onto her bed without even getting under the covers.
Anya had been so drunk, however, that she hadn't realised as she was going to the house that she was being followed. Followed, unfortunately, by someone that knew everything about the people living in the house she had just walked into. Followed by someone who had intended to hurt someone living in that house.
It was the bartender.
**********
AUTHOR'S NOTE: More coming soon. In the next chapter, we find out what that sneaky bartender is up to, and Spike makes his appearance, helping the gang get to the bottom of the problem. Also, if you like this fic and haven't read the first one, please go check it out, it's called RESURRECTED, and if you review I'll love you forever.