Summary: When Spike has finally had enough of Buffy's games, an important force in Spike's past shows up in Sunnydale determined to show Buffy a few home truths.
Timeline: post – 'As You Were' (anything up to there is game for spoilers)
Pairing: Spike/Buffy.
Disclaimer: Buffy, Spike and Sunnydale, et al, are property of Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. Joss is All Powerful. I merely use his creations to entertain myself and hopefully others.
Author's Note: This is my first fiction, so if it sucks, sorry. Please, I beg you, R&R. Tell me how to make this better!
Chapter 3Buffy and Arabella walked silently down the street. Every few seconds, Buffy eyed the strange woman beside her warily, trying to understand who, or what, she actually was. The tension in the air was palpable.
Abruptly, Arabella stopped and wrapped her arms about herself.
"Where are we going?"
"Why?"
"It's rather chilly. Especially when you're practically wearing nothing. I was hoping we'd get there soon. Also, my feet are quite sore."
"Oh. The Magic Box. We'll be there in less than five minutes." Buffy started walking again.
"Right." Giving her arms one more rub in an attempt to worm them up. "You really aren't fond of new people are you?"
I don't actually know if you're a person. Buffy thought to herself. "Sorry. Kind of confused here."
"It's perfectly understandable that you don't trust me. It's in your nature."
"Yeah…" Nature?? Buffy didn't know how to react to the casual way Arabella said this. What did she know about Buffy's nature? She didn't know what to think or how to react to half of what Arabella said. The fact that she seemed to know so much about her was unnerving. Especially how she said things in such a casual way. Kind of like Spike.
Now there's a subject I don't want to get into. Buffy was glad that Arabella had shown up when she did for one reason: it stopped her from thinking about a certain vampire and any emotions that she might just be harboring for him. Of course, there actually weren't any. He was just saying all those things to play with my mind.
Buffy suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Whipping around in fright, she swung a powerful fist at the owner hand, only to have it casually catch it before it could connect.
"God, don't do that!"
"Sorry, I said your name beforehand. Caught up in your thoughts?"
"Yes… No! I mean, what?" Buffy shook her head and looked at Arabella, wondering if she could read minds too.
"I asked if you were caught up in your thoughts?"
"Not that kind of what." Buffy rolled her eyes. The way she said that was just like a certain bleached…not going to go there. "What do you want?"
Arabella smirked. Okay, a little bit to similar to the vampire who shall remained nameless.
"The Magic Box."
"Huh?"
"It's a store, right?"
"Yeah."
"That we're heading towards?"
"Yeah…"
"It's right there." She pointed to down the street, where they had just passed.
"Oh…Oh! Um, let's go there then." Buffy quickly headed towards the shop. Hoping that Arabella couldn't see the shade of red she was sure her face had turned.
As they entered the shop, Buffy was relieved to see that almost all the Scoobies were gathered. Xander and Willow sat in their usual positions at the table. Willow was typing away at her laptop while Xander, well Buffy wasn't sure what Xander was doing. He seemed to be just sitting there staring off into space with a small, content smile on his face. Following his gaze, Buffy smiled. He was staring off into Anya as she busied herself at the cash register.
When the doorbells chimed, all three looked up in greeting.
"Hey Bu – " Xander trailed off as he saw the woman who followed Buffy into the shop. Before he could pick his jaw up off the table and react to the stranger a high-pitched squeal was emitted from his fiancé.
"Arabella!?!"
"Anyanka!"
The two women were suddenly in each other's arms squealing and laughing like to schoolgirls.
"Bloody hell woman, what on earth are you doing here? I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I should be asking you that. How are you?"
"Don't get me started." Arabella looked Anya up and down. "Dear Powers, are you human?"
"Yes. And I'm engaged. And have money." Anya smiled her brightest smile as she and Arabella absently sat down on the steps leading to the main part of the shop.
"Let me see." Arabella grabbed Anya's left hand and began to dutifully examine the engagement ring to Anya's delight. "Give me details."
"His name is Xander. He's over there. I love him very much. And he loves me." Anya beamed brightly at Xander. Not taking in the confused look he and the other two in the room were sharing. "Even more than money. The wedding is in a week. I tried to get you an invitation, but Henry said you were on retreat. You will come?"
"I wouldn't miss it. Why are you human? I mean, it explains your sudden disappearance a few years back. I asked Hoffie, but he refused to talk about it. I thought you were dead! Even though, really, not possible. Well it is now, but we won't talk about that. Anyways, I've missed you! And what are you doing here of all places, with the Slayer? Kind of strange, really."
Anya was about to answer when Xander cleared his voice.
"Um hi, Xander here. The fiancé. Just out of curiosity, who are you, why are you here, and should we be afraid of making wishes or anything around you?" He looked expectantly at the two women, the expression on his face mirrored by Buffy and Willow.
"This is Arabella. She's not a demon, although much more powerful than one. But she won't hurt you. She's good."
"And for some reason I'm still saying, huh?"
Arabella stepped forward with a bright smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I never thought I'd see the day when a man got Anyanka's heart." She stepped forward and gave him a light hug. Xander stood there, not reacting with an even more confused look on his face.
Willow stood from her chair and walked over to the keeper. Giving a small wave she said, "Hi, I'm Willow. So you're old friends with Anya? How old? Because, I mean, Anya's old. Like 1200. But I guess you already knew that since you're friends with her. How old are you anyways? If you're not a demon, but know demons, are you a witch? I'm a witch. Well I was a witch. But not anymore, no spells here. No-siree. I'm a magic free woman… I'm going to sit down now." Willow hastily made a retreat to her computer where she sat down nervously.
"I'm not a witch. I'm about 750 give or take a few years." Arabella smiled warmly, instantly liking the red headed girl who seemed so meek, although she could sense the power radiating from her. "I would love to explain everything to you, but I really must make some phone calls. I'm not supposed to be here. Yet. A bloody Shenhrak demon decided that I would be the perfect sacrifice to the demigod she worships. So she kidnaps me from my bed and brings me here. Killed her of course. So now I'm here, in my pyjamas and nothing else. I was coming here on business next week anyways, so I figure this is just the Powers way of telling me to hurry up. Really must talk to them about their form of memos. You'd think it would be easier to just call or email. So, as I was saying, I need to make a few calls. Tell a few people I'm alright and get my belongings and finances sent here tomorrow. Is it all right if Anya explains who I am while I get that done? I'm rather bored of the story myself."
Buffy stepped forward, preparing to demand Arabella for explanations, but before she could Anya was ushering her into the office while Arabella reassured her she would pay for the long distance bills and not use any of Anya's money. Anya came out laughing at something and sat down at the table.
Xander and Willow just sat there, staring at where the strange British woman had been standing. Still trying to absorb that she could say so much in such a short amount of time.
Buffy stepped forward and placed her hands on her hips. Looking at Anya with an expression between anger and annoyance, she demanded in full Slayer-mode, "I want answer, now. And since whoever or whatever that is in there doesn't seem to see the significance of this fact, you are going to give them to me."
Anya smiled brightly. "Arabella asked me to. You might want to sit down, this is complicated. I just have to get a book that Giles keeps behind the counter and I'll start."
Anya calmly walked over to the counter and ducked down. When she reappeared she had a large, old book in her hands. Dropping it on the counter, she started to flip through the book leisurely. All eyes were on her, waiting anxiously for her explanation. Stopping her flipping she looked up brightly. "Ari's a anuñhàti for the Powers."
"An anu-whata?" Xander looked at Anya curiously, then at Willow.
"Don't look at me, I couldn't tell you how to say that one."
Huffing, Anya continued. "Wait to ask questions. I was pausing for effect. She's a Keeper. A record keeper for the Powers That Be. She observes and records. Ari specializes in demons and supernatural beings. She's assigned to specific demons and spends time with them, recording as many details as possible about them. But she actually does this with everything and everyone she comes across. Everything she experiences gets recorded for the Powers to use. Oh, and she can recall anything that she has recorded at anytime. It's really strange and creepy when she does that. Plus, she's always right when you try to argue about something that has happened in the past."
"So let me get this straight. She works for the Powers That Be recording information about demons like a video camera? But she's not a demon, just a few hundred years old and as strong as Glory?" Buffy looked at Anya in absolute disbelief.
"Yes. It's all right here." Anya pushed the book forward. Automatically, Willow reached out grabbing it and began pouring over the text. "Technically, she's a higher being. But you'd never know it. She once told me that her most important records were made through the bonds she's made with demons and humans alike. She knows everyone. Her parties are the most anticipated events. And they live up to the expectations. They're unbelievable. This one time, in the 15th century…"
As Anya chattered on about demons, music and decorations Buffy got up and stealthily made her way over to the office to listen to what Arabella was saying on the phone.
"Patrick, I don't care what time it is, or that it's a Friday…Look, I pay you an exorbitant amount of money to do what I ask. I don't ask for much…No! I will not wait until Monday. If you want to see another pay check with my signature on it you will have the suitcases at my flat in LA here tomorrow morning, along with my credit cards and all other belongings I have deemed necessary… You'll bloody well get it done or you won't have a job come Monday…This conversation is over. I expect my belongings here by 9am."
Buffy heard the click of the phone and then more dialling. There was a long pause while Arabella waited for whomever she was calling to pick up.
"You wanker…You knew that demon was going to attack me in LA…Stop playing dumb. You could have at least given me a bloody hint…No! I do not find it amusing. I'm standing in a magic shop in Sunnydale, California in my pyjamas while the slayer, a rather powerful witch, Anyanka, and her fiancé…Stop laughing…Yes, I'm fine…" Her voice softened as she continued speaking, "Of course I miss…"
Buffy walked back to wear the others were sitting when it was apparent that Arabella's phone call was not going to teach her anything other than a few new terms in English slang. Plopping herself down in her chair, she looked around at her friends.
"Will, can you confirm anything Anya's told us?"
"All of it." Willow looked up with a smile from the now large pile of books she was buried in. "Arabella is a, well, in simplest terms, a higher being. Her role is to record life. She gets sent by the Powers to record information about demons and other beings that have important roles in keeping the balance between good and evil. But she doesn't just stand by passively like a Watcher. She gets really involved in their lives and takes part in everything that they do if she can."
"Everything?" Xander squeaked, thinking about what that could apply.
"Oh, yes," Anya chirped, "She told me about this one time with a succu – "
"ANYA!" The three other Scoobies shrieked, dreading to think where this story could lead.
"What? Xander asked." Anya pouted and started to fidget with her engagement ring.
"As I was saying, she said she was coming to Sunnydale for work. This means that she's her for a reason, and from her track record it's probably a big reason."
Buffy groaned, "Does that mean research?"
Willow smiled apologetically.
Before anyone could say anything else, Arabella came strolling back into the room with a big grin on her face. "Finished talking about me yet?"
"Yes… I mean, we weren't. Well we were, we were just wondering when you'd be… um…" Xander picked up a book and started reading the first page he opened it to.
"Right. Well, I have a favour to ask you Anya. I'm having the belongings I was going to bring up her next week delivered tomorrow morning here, if that's all right. And I was hoping that I could stay at your place tonight seeing as, well, I don't have anything but what I'm wearing right now."
"I would say yes, but our apartment is full of relatives right now and we don't even want to go back there. Xander's uncle looks at me strangely."
"Oh, that's understandable. Could I possibly spend the night here while I wait for my belongings?"
At the other end of the table Willow was whispering something to Buffy and giving her her resolve face. Rolling her eyes, Buffy smiled brightly.
"You could stay with us. My sister's at a friend's tonight and you could use her bed." Buffy smiled through gritted teeth, not liking the idea at all.
"Thank-you. I won't be any trouble, and I'll be out of your hair by tomorrow and into a hotel as soon as I can."
With that, the Scoobies and Keeper got up and parted, the Scoobies silently agreeing to start their research first thing in the morning.
**********
A/N: I know this chapter was pretty much lacking any Buffy, Spike or other Scooby action – I just had to explain who Arabella was before I can get on with the story. Next Chapter: Lots and Lots of Spike!