New and Old

Episode 11

Los Angeles Airport:

            Cindy stepped off the plane. It was a beautiful day in southern California. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. It was pretty warm considering it was winter. Jake stepped off the plane after her.

            Cindy was supposedly the new vampire slayer, the Chosen One. Jake was returning to his old home. He didn't feel right going back after leaving a few months earlier. It was going to be weird for him.

            They gathered their luggage and walked outside the airport.

            "Taxi!" Jake shouted.

            "You know," Cindy began, "This isn't New York City."

            "Don't tease me!" Jake said as the cab pulled up.

            "Where to, sir?" the driver asked.

            "Sunnydale, please," Jake told him.

            "Why would you wanna go there?" the driver questioned, "You have to be crazy to go there!"

            Jake didn't answer. He put their luggage in the trunk and got in next to Cindy. The driver pressed the gas and they were off to Sunnydale.

Council Headquarters:

            Buffy sat in here room, all alone. She was still shaken over the recent events that had just occurred. Sarah was dead. She had saved Buffy's life by sacrificing her own. Giles had been fired and was no longer aloud to help out the gang.

            Buffy wondered how she would be able to get Giles to help her in tight situations, without getting in trouble with Quentin. Giles had been like a father to her, ever since she met him. She couldn't just forget about him. He'd always helped her out of tight situations.

            There was a knock at her door.

            "Yes," she said.

            "Buffy," Willow called, "Quentin wants us to meet and discuss the new slayer's arrival."

            "Alright," Buffy said, "I'll be right there."

            Buffy slipped on a sweatshirt over her tank top. She wanted to dress appropriately for this meeting. That's when a thought popped into her head.

            'What if I quit working for the council?' she thought to herself.

            She quickly erased that thought. She would think about it later. She opened her door and headed for the meeting room.

            She got in and sat down next to Willow, who turned and smiled. Everyone else was already there. That's when she noticed someone new. She wondered who she could be.

            "Hello there, Buffy," Quentin said, "So nice of you to finally join us."

            Buffy didn't say anything and neither did anyone else.

            "As all of you know, supposedly a new slayer is supposed to arrive today," Quentin told them, "And an old friend will be returning for his job back."

            "Who would this be?" Xander questioned.

            "His name is Jake," Quentin said, "He used to work for us, but then left. Now he will be returning to help this slayer."

            "That's it? You woke me up just for that!" Anya exclaimed.

            "Of course not," he continued, "I have some rather bad news also."

            "And that would be…?" Angel asked.

            "Faith and Wesley have been killed," he said in a quiet voice.

            "What?" Buffy asked confused, finally talking.

            "They were killed tracking down those mutant vampires over in Europe," he finished.

            Everyone was quiet for a few moments. Everyone had their head down.

            "And also some good news," he added.

            "What's that?" Willow asked.  

            "A new watcher will be taking Mr. Giles's place," Quentin said, pointing to the woman sitting next to him, "Her name is Michelle Aldridge."

            Michelle had shoulder-length brown hair and green eyes. She was kind of tall and looked pretty young to be a watcher.

            "Hello," the new watcher said, "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

            "Now Buffy," Quentin began, "I know your history with new watchers and how you don't like obeying them. I expect to hear good things from Miss Aldridge about you. Do you understand?"

            "Yes, sir," Buffy replied.

            "Well, I have to go greet Cindy and Jake," Quentin said, "I know that you will all respect Miss. Aldridge like the adults you are."

            He stood up and walked out of the room.

            "So Buffy," Miss Aldridge began, "I've heard a lot about you from Mr. Travers."

            "I see," Buffy said.

            "Is there anything else I should know about you?" she questioned.

            "Well, let's see," Buffy started, "I saved the world more times than I can count, I died twice…oh and I dated two vampires and a military soldier.

            "Oh?" Miss Aldridge was surprised at the response, "That's really interesting."

            "Weren't expecting an answer like that, were you?" Buffy asked.

            "Actually, you are right," she replied, "I wasn't expecting that kind of answer."

            Willow leaned over and whispered to her friend, "Do you have to be so mean? It's only her first day."

            Buffy didn't reply. She stared angrily at the new watcher. She was angry that Giles had been fired and angry that this woman would be taking his place. She didn't feel like dealing with this.

            The door opened and Quentin entered. He had a smile on his face.

            "I see we are getting along," he said.

            "Yup," Xander replied.

            "Well, our guests have arrived," he stated.

            He walked into the room. Jake and Cindy entered.

            "Hey guys," Jake said, "How's it going?"

            "Just fine," Angel answered.

            "Hello," Cindy said, "It's good to see some of you again."

            "Cindy, Jake," Quentin began pointing to everyone, "That's Angel, Willow, Buffy, Anya, Xander, and Miss Aldridge, the new watcher."

            "Hello," they both said together.

            "Why don't you have a seat and I'll explain our current situation," Quentin told them.

            Jake and Cindy went and sat down on the other side of Miss Aldridge. She smiled at them. Cindy smiled back, but Jake didn't.

            "Ok," Quentin began, "First of all, I'm going to need to run some tests on you, Cindy, to see if you are truly a slayer. After this meeting, we'll do that. Second, we are currently facing a hell god. At first, it was believed she was unbeatable, but due to some close observation, she seems to be weakened by pure feelings, such as rage."

            "I see," Jake said sullenly, "Things haven't changed here at all…except for the fact that Sarah isn't here…and Giles isn't either.

            "I'm sure you'll get used to it," Quentin said, "Come Cindy, its time for the tests.

            "Excuse me," Jake said, "I'd like to come and see these tests."

            "You can't," Quentin said.

            "I'm going to," Jake said.

            "You are forbidden to enter."

            "Just watch me."

            "All right, follow me you two."

            Cindy stood up and headed for the door, Jake followed. Quentin led them both down a long hallway. It was semi-dark here. The door at the end was opened and the three of them entered. Then it was closed behind them.

            "To see if a girl is really the slayer, she has to be put through a test. A test consisting of speed, strength, agility, stamina, and intelligence," Quentin told Cindy.

            "How does this test work?" she asked.

            "You must enter through that steel door. Inside there is an obstacle course with all kinds of dangerous feats that only a slayer would be able to complete. I will watch you on this monitor," he explained.

            "It can't be that hard, right?" she questioned.

            "If you do not have the powers of the Chosen One, you will fail," Quentin informed.

            "Are you kidding me?" Jake questioned, "She could die!"

            "Well, if she's really a slayer, she'll be fine," he replied.

            "I can't believe this!" Jake exclaimed, "This is crazy!"

            He ignored Jake and headed over to the computer and pressed a button. The steel door slid open, revealing a dark room.

            "You will only be equipped with this stake," he said, handing her the piece of wood, "Good luck!"

            "Be careful," Jake warned.

            "I'll be out soon!" she smiled and took the stake.

            She entered the room, unsure of what obstacles awaited her. The steel door shut behind her and the lights came on.

            Quentin turned on the monitor so he could watch her progress.

            "If any harm is done to her, you will pay dearly!" Jake shouted, "I swear!"

            "Right," Quentin replied.

            Cindy was all alone in the course with only a stake as a weapon. Now that the lights were on, she could see that the tunnel was very long. There were no clear obstacles that she could see.

            She gripped the stake in her hand and began walking. Not after more than three steps, a large stone slab slid upwards. She turned her head and looked into the passageway. It was darkness.

            Suddenly, a giant tentacle reached out and grabbed her. Cindy screamed in fear. She gripped the stake and stabbed it into the tentacle several times. It fell to the ground, dead.

            Cindy continued walking towards the exit. It seemed like there were no more dangers, but she knew that wasn't true. She walked about fifteen feet, when she stepped on a weird looking tile. It went downwards. Suddenly, arrows appeared on the walls.

            "Uh oh!" Cindy shouted.

            The arrows flew from the walls. She jumped and dove out of the way, bending and twisting to avoid getting hit. Finally, she got passed the arrows.

            That's when she stepped on another tile. This time, nothing happened. Cindy looked around, waiting for something to happen. That's when a giant boulder fell from the ceiling.

            "Where did that come from?" she yelled.

            The boulder picked up speed as it headed towards her. She began to run for her life. The boulder was rolling faster. It was right on her tail. She was almost at the exit, but didn't know if she could make it. She made it to the end and dove to her left.

            The boulder crashed into the wall. Then the floor disappeared and the boulder fell through the hole.

            Suddenly, another stone slab raised and a person came out. Cindy had a feeling that this was no ordinary person.

            "Slayer," it hissed.

            "Vampire!" she yelled back.

            It ran at her, bearing it's fangs. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the stake. Good thing she didn't lose it while running. She was unprepared for the vampire's attack. It kicked her to the ground. She stood up and rushed it, giving it a roundhouse kick.

            The vampire recovered and ran at her punching. It got in a few good punches but Cindy got in more. She grabbed the stake and then shoved it into the vampire's heart.

            "No!" the vampire yelled as it exploded to dust.

            Cindy made her way to the door. It seemed that there wasn't any obstacles left.. The steel door opened and she walked back into the control room.

            "Good job!" Quentin said, "You are a slayer."

            She looked at Jake, who mouthed good job and then smiled. She smiled back.

            "You two should get back to the meeting room," Quentin instructed, "They are probably discussing important matters."

            Jake and Cindy exited the room and headed towards the meeting room. They entered and sat down in the same seats as before.

            "Did you pass?" Angel questioned.

            "Yes," Cindy replied.

            Miss Aldridge began, "We have discussed some ways that we can stop this hell god. Is there any way that we can bring her to us?"

            "All I have to do is call her," Buffy said.

            "What do you mean?" Miss Aldridge asked.

            "She wants me dead," Buffy told her, "She will stop at nothing to have me killed."

            "What ever happened to the old times, when we could just patrol for vamps and the occasional demon?" Xander asked.

            "They are long gone," Angel answered, "The Hellmouth has grown stronger and more powerful beings are being attracted to it."

Downtown Sunnydale:

            Buffy was alone, patrolling the downtown area of Sunnydale. Everyone else was scattered all over Sunnydale. There was never anything really exciting in the center of town. She just picked it so that she could have some time off to think.

            That's when Buffy was attacked. A large demon, that looked like a slug came out of the shadows and tried to smother her. A young woman came running up. She just stood there. The slug demon then turned on the woman.

            "I just know I'm gonna regret saving this human's life," she said.

            Buffy looked off to her right and saw a face she never thought she would've seen again. It was Spike! But wasn't he supposed to be dead? He had a sword in his hand and was about to slice the slug. He raised the sword and drove it into the slug. Unfortunately, it turned into a human. Buffy guessed that the woman had something to do with it. She was most likely a vengeance demon.

            They both screamed in terror and pain. Buffy knew why Spike yelled in pain. It was because he still had that chip in his head.

            "I'm sorry," Spike said, pulling the sword out of the guy.

            Buffy took off her jacket and covered the naked, wounded guy with it. Spike held the sword in his hand and looked at it.

            "Right. Wrong. All wrong. Wrong maneuver. Not hardly helpful," Spike said

            Buffy was a little confused. A bunch of people came running over and carried the guy inside. One of them called an ambulance.

            "God please help me!" Spike shouted, "Help me!"

            Now Buffy was really confused. She had no idea what Spike was talking about.

            "No. No. Too much. Too much. Too much. Too much. Too much. Too much. Too much. Inside me all the way," Spike yelled, "Deep, deep, deep inside me!"

            "Look, Spike, whatever you're doing..." Buffy began.

            "Get away. Get. Uhh…!" Spike yelled.

            "Do it somewhere else. I am through with this," Buffy said.

            "Oh, oh, lucky girl. Call it quits. Now, there's an option. If only it were so easy. If only…If only…If only…What the hell are you screaming about? I can hear you. No need to SHOUT!" Spike screamed.

            Spike bent over in pain. He stood up and then laughed, still holding the sword.

            "Get it. The joke's on me. Lots of laughs. Yeah. Hey, bring the wife and kiddies. Come see the show 'cause it's going to be a circus. This...just the beginning, luv. A warm-up act. The real headliner's coming, and when that band hits the stage, all of this...all this...will come tumbling in death and screaming, horror and bloodshed. From beneath you, it devours. From beneath…" Spike said then started to cry.

            Spike turned and ran away. Buffy followed him. She entered a cemetery, where she noticed a church. She walked up to it and pushed the door open. She walked in and looked around the inside of the dark church.

            "Hello," Spike said.

            "What the hell is going on?" she questioned.

            Spike didn't have his shirt on. It was in his hand and he held it out for her.

            "It didn't work. Costume. Didn't help. Couldn't hide," he said.

            "No more mind games, Spike," she told him.

            He looked down at the ground, "No more mind games. No more mind."

            Buffy reached for his chest. There were scars there that were healing.

            "Tell me what happened to you," she said.

            Spike flinched, recoiled, and then looked her in the eyes.

            "Hey, hey, hey! No touching. Am I flesh? Am I flesh to you? Feed on flesh. My flesh. Nothing else. Not a spark. Oh, fine. Flesh then. Solid through. Get it hard; service the girl," Spike yelled and began unzipping his jeans.

            She smacked away his hand, disgusted, "Stop it!"

Spike reflexively reached up and grabbed her by the throat. Buffy grabbed his shoulder and threw him across the room. Spike landed on top of some pews, breaking them into pieces. He sat up a little, propped on his elbows behind him.

"Right. Girl doesn't want to be serviced. Because there's no spark. Ain't we in a soddin' engine?" he said.

Spike looked around the room. Buffy walked over to him.

"Spike, have you completely lost your mind?" she asked

"Well, yes. Where've you been all night?"

"You thought you would just come back here and... be with me?"

"First time for everything."

"This is all you get. I'm listening. Tell me what happened."

"I tried to find it, of course."

"Find what?"

"The spark. The missing...the piece that fit. That would make me fit. Because you didn't want...God, I can't...Not with you looking."

Spike stood and walked over to a nearby window. He stood there, mostly in shadow, his body directed away from her. He looked back over his shoulder at her.

"I dreamed of killing you."

Keeping an eye on him, Buffy bent down to pick up a large splinter from the broken pews at her feet to use as a stake, if necessary. Spike started pacing.

"I think they were dreams. So weak. Did you make me weak, thinking of you, holding myself, and spilling useless buckets of salt over your...ending? Angel…he should've warned me. He makes a good show of forgetting, but it's here, in me, all the time. The spark. I wanted to give you what you deserve, and I got it. They put the spark in me and now all it does is burn."

Buffy's face showed shock, disbelief and, finally, comprehension.

"Your soul."

"Bit worse for lack of use."

Buffy turned to face him.

"You got your soul back. How?"

"It's what you wanted, right? And…and now everybody's in here, talking. Everything I did...everyone I…and him...and it...the other, the thing beneath…beneath you. It's here too. Everybody. They all just tell me to go...go...to hell.

"Why? Why would you do that…?"

"Buffy, shame on you. Why does a man do what he mustn't? For her. To be hers. To be the kind of man who would nev…to be a kind of man.

Spike walked toward the 6-foot-tall crucifix altarpiece at the front of the chapel.

"And she shall look on him with forgiveness, and everybody will forgive and love. He will be loved."

Spike's stood only a foot away from the crucifix, staring at it.

"So everything's okay, right?"

Spike embraced the crucifix, resting one arm over each side of the cross bar, and rested his head in the corner of the vertex. His body sizzled and smoke rose from where it touched the cross.

"Can…can we rest now? Buffy...can we rest?"

Buffy began to cry. Spike's exhausted body laid on the cross, burning.