Author: SayraLouise.
Distribution: Just fanfic.net at the moment.
Summary: Post-"Chosen". A where do they go next fic. Deals with all surviving Scoobies to a greater or lesser extent but with more emphasis on Faith, Xander, and Dawnie to begin with at least.
Rating: Not sure. PG? So far not much in way of language or sex or slash. Might not stay that way however.
Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognise. Please don't sue. I have enough financial problems as it is. I promise I'll play nice… maybe.
"The Consequences of Prevailing"
Chapter 1: To Prevail.
It was surreal, watching the "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign plummet into the crater that had been Sunnydale. Over the years this group of people had been witness to a myriad of surreal situations, but this… they didn't think anything would ever, could ever, manage to be more surreal than this.
It was with a bizarre numbness that the Sunnydale natives, survivors, turned back to the school bus and started the journey to the next town where they would rest, recuperate and decide where to go from here. The newly formed Army of Slayers were excited about their new powers and the fact that they could now return to their lives, their families, their friends. They were relieved that it was all over and things could return to normal. Unlike the Sunnydale veterans they were just too young and too naïve to know any better.
For the Sunnydale veterans, and four in particular, the mood was more morose: grief and relief warring for prominence. They had lost two of their friends, comrades, lovers… family and the pain of that loss was sharp, fresh, even for those who had never been particularly fond of one or the other. They had lost their home, indeed in the case of Xander, Willow, Andrew and Dawn, the only home they'd ever known. So many memories had been formed there, both good and bad, and they knew they could never revisit those places again. Their memories would have to remain just that, memories, with only each other to help them reminisce. With a sudden blossoming of pain so raw she could almost feel the wound bleed Dawn realised that her mother's grave was gone, her bones scattered amongst the rubble. An almost hysterical urge came over her to run back and fetch the, to take them with her. Knowing she could not, would never be able to identify, let alone find, them, she began to weep quietly although not so quietly that Xander, sitting beside her, didn't hear. Placing an arm round her he held her, letting her cry into his chest, making soothing noises, his own grief too numbly new to express. Across the isle her sister began to weep, Giles taking the place of consoler for his heartbroken Slayer.
It was unnaturally quiet at the front of the bus where the Scoobies sat, none of the usual friendly banter and laughter that characterised the mood when they were together. Even Faith, not a fully paid up member, was silently caught up in memories: of the Mayor and prison, of Finch and the warrant still hanging over her head. Looking down at Rona whose head was on Faith's lap, her eyes closed despite the attempts by Faith and Vi and several others to keep her awake, her wound still bleeding although not as heavily, Faith realised that this was a whole new world, hopefully one slightly less crap than the old one. She looked at Robin, sat in front of her, driving the bus and wondered if he and their promise of a relationship would be the thing to make this brave new world that little bit lighter, or that little bit shittier. Faith looked out of the window, trying not the think about the blood on her hands- in one sense literally as she kept pressure on Rona's wound.
At long last they pulled up outside the hospital. Most of the wounds the new Slayers had collected had healed quite significantly on the drive over but Rona's stomach wound was still major enough to allow them significant worry. While the others managed to hobble inside mostly unaided Rona had to be carried and, reluctant to abandon her charge, it was Faith who carried her despite the danger of recognition. The Scoobies themselves had come out of the desolation relatively unharmed. Giles had his customary head wound and the rest of them had scrapes and bruises. It was nothing they hadn't lived through before and they were unconcerned.
While the girls were being treated, Xander inquired about motels and malls in the area. They were desperately low in supplies seeing as everything they owned had just recently been thoroughly trashed. While the hadn't envisaged such widespread destruction, in an act of forward planning almost unheard of by the Scoobies, they (Buffy, Xander, Willow and even Dawn) had entrusted Giles with financial details, which he had meticulously noted in his diary, and ATM cards that he had carried into the battle. The may have lost all their possessions but between them they should be able to raise enough cash to get a bed for the night, food to eat, and some clothing to wear.
When the media appeared, desperate to get eyewitness accounts from the survivors of Sunnydale's fate, Giles and Buffy went round the girls to explain the cover story (Earthquake, locals commandeering a school bus, picking up passengers as they fled) and hoped that they would have the presence of mind not to say anything too suspect. Faith retreated to the bus and lay down on the back seat, trying to not be seen.
Once all the girls had been treated, and those requiring monitoring admitted, they piled back onto the school bus. Giles and Wood left the number of Dawn's cell phone with the hospital, claiming responsibility for the girls until such time as their own parents could be contacted. Settling first to find a motel and rooms for the night Wood drove while Xander directed. Knowing that food and clothing would be a priority Dawn, much calmer after her earlier cry, took it upon herself to do a quick survey of clothing sizes and favourite Doublemeat meals. Faith helped. Buffy and Willow sat with Giles to discuss plans for the immediate future. Andrew, sitting alone, and missing his video camera, looked around the bus.
"Working together," he thought to himself, "the heroes will always prevail." His view on life both shaken and reassured by the days victories and losses, he nodded and turned to talk to Shannon sitting in the seat behind him.
A/N: This is a first draft so if you see any mistakes please tell me. Its been quite a while since I watched "Chosen" and I wasn't overly fond of it when I did so some of the details may be a little messed up, sorry. What did you think?
Was originally posted at "Foundations" but I didn't like the title…. Kinda like this one better. Kinda. Suggestions would be appreciated but possibly not taken on board.