Here we are, at it again. This chapter is probably a little shorter than the past few, but it's as important as any. There are 8 chapters left... so things are about to go downhill really, really fast. We'll welcome back the goddess AND the British Ministry this chapter.
Just to clear up a few things... Anya is evil. Remember the whole thousand years plus as a vengeance demon? Imagine seeing the former love of your life marrying another woman after standing you up at the altar. Anya's being driven by two things... whatever power brought her back was evil and secondly, revenge. Warren's role is also in revenge. And notice how they're attacking two of the people Buffy loves and knows the most. Harry's purpose becomes evident soon. Dawn's power is something that's been coming a long time now. Ever since she gave up her powerspot to Amanda when she thought she was a Slayer, I thought she could have a different superpower. She is, after all, made up of mystical energy and the American Ministry wishes to use it. That's all I'm saying for now.
So... wedding over, let the chaos and mayhem begin again!
Once again, we're starting at the same place we left off.
- - - - -
Chapter 23
Straight Up With A Twist
- - - - -
Anya slowly crossed the kitchen, not taking her eyes off Dawn. "The best thing I can tell you is where your daughter is," she said quietly.
Dawn's eyes were wide with both shock and surprise. "Where? Can you tell me? Can you show me?"
"In the mountains," Anya said smoothly. "The big ones, you know, where all those happy families spend more money than they own to go and play in places where they can't breathe."
Dawn stopped moving and paused, looking thoughtful. "The Rockies."
"It's the perfect place to hide their base," Anya said carefully, gaging on Dawn's reaction. "Under all that snow..."
Dawn was still deep in thought when Anya walked over to her, gently taking her hand. "I know what it's like to lose someone you love, Dawnie. But in your case, you can do something about it, tomorrow if you want to. I'm not going to say anything else unless you want me to tell you everything I know."
"Why are you doing this?" Dawn asked.
"Because I'm standing at the same place you are. I stand here waiting for the world to swallow me back up because I don't want to be alive anymore. The one thing I had to live for just got married to someone else and it sucks. I'm doing this because I can feel your pain. If I were a vengeance demon, I'd be kicking someone's ass right about now."
"I don't know why you came back," Dawn said, reaching for the plate, "but I'm glad you did. I've missed you."
"Yeah," Anya said, stepping back. "Anyway... I'll be in my new room if you ever want to talk... but I figure I'll let you go. It's... past my bedtime..."
Dawn watched as Anya made her uncomfortable exit. She glanced at the sandwich in front of her and sighed. "Things used to be so much easier when there was an apocalypse to worry about," she muttered, before grabbing the plate and snapping off the lights behind her.
- - - - -
In her dream, Buffy was dancing. It was a magnificent feast and the entire gang was surrounding her, lost in the grand waltz. She turned to her partner and grinned as he swept her in another circle. As they continued to dance, the music began to fade away. Soon they were barely moving, lost in each other's eyes, the people around them fading from existence.
Buffy opened her eyes and glanced into those, shivering at the amount of love in them. She knew her eyes reflected the way her own heart felt and she could feel that intensity pouring into her touch. He spun her around again, this time pulling her closer. "Can you feel it?" he asked deeply.
As she pulled back to gaze into his face, she could feel herself nodding.
Suddenly, the phone rang next to her ear.
Buffy jumped up, the dream fading from her memory, her hands searching her bed for the phone and finally finding it. "Hello?" she asked in a quiet gasp.
"Meet me at the entrance in five minutes," came Faith's reply.
Buffy's eyes sought out her alarm clock. It was just after three in the morning. "What is it?"
"Just meet me. Make sure you're dressed for the weather."
A loud clap of thunder shook her room and she turned to see sheets of rain pouring down. She rose quickly and pulled on clothing. Glancing at the clock one last time and at her warm, comfortable bed, she grabbed her raincoat and ran down the hall.
Faith was waiting by the front door, a flashlight in hand under her long raincoat. "You're not gonna like what you're gonna see."
"What is it?" Buffy asked, sounding confused. After their Sunday meeting that day, where Faith has disclosed what she'd seen Anya doing, Faith had been strangely quiet.
"Come with me," Faith said, beckoning her outside.
Once out in the rain and wind, it was impossible to speak without screaming and giving themselves away. Faith motioned with the flashlight and the two made their way down to the dirt road and began walking north. In the distance, from a flash of a lightning bolt, a van was parked on the side of the road.
It was the van Faith had described.
Buffy wiped the rain from her face as the two reached the large black vehicle. They quickly peered inside. Buffy was relieved to see it was empty. Faith moved around to the back and opened the heavy door and stepped inside. Buffy quickly followed.
"This," Faith said, shaking the rain off her coat and stepping toward a series of monitors hanging from the ceiling. "Looks like someone's been spying."
"You said Anya had an accomplice," Buffy said, gazing into each of the pictures. "What did he look like?"
"He had dark hair, dark eyes, with a serious nerd complex," Faith replied. "He kept using Andrew's name, like he knew the kid."
Buffy's eyes darkened and she glanced around, almost in a panic. "Warren."
"Who?" Faith asked.
"Get out of the van! Now! Go!" Buffy cried, grabbing Faith's arm and dragging her from the van. The moment they cleared it, a loud beep sounded from behind them and a large explosion threw them both forward into the mud and dirt.
Faith moaned, rolling over and slowly standing up. Buffy was next to her, on her knees. "Crap," Faith muttered. "Looks like we'll never find out why they were using that--"
"They wanted us to find it," Buffy replied, gazing at the large flames now leaping from the back of the van. "Warren has that kind of effect. Especially when he knows that there are..."
"What is it, Buffy?" Faith asked suddenly. "What's wrong?"
"Warren was brought back for someone," Buffy realized. "He had to have been. Which means that Anya was brought back for someone, too."
Faith looked even more confused standing there in the cold rain. "What did Warren--"
"Willow," Buffy said softly. "He's coming for Willow. I mean, she killed him. In a really bad, powerful magical sort of way."
"And Anya?" Faith asked tentatively.
"That isn't Anya," Buffy said, gesturing to Faith as the two walked back toward the campus, leaving the burnt-out shell of a van behind. "The Anya I knew is dead and has been for four years. She came back for a reason. We have to figure out what that reason is before someone is hurt. And I want you and Tara to watch Wil's back. Warren is wicked with the magicks and the technology. If he hurts Willow, it'll just give me an excuse to kill him again."
"What about Anya?" Faith wondered as the two began the long walk down the driveway.
"If she attempts to do anything to hurt anyone I love, I will kill her," Buffy said seriously as she stopped walking, thunder clapping loudly above them. "But you and Tara--"
"We'll watch Willow," Faith promised. "I'd ask Kennedy and maybe one of Tara's other Slayers to keep their eyes on Dawn... she could be a potential target. In fact, Irina warned her she was."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed as the started walking again. "It looks like we'll be watching everyone's backs as usual."
"The question remains," Faith said as they finally reached the door. "Who's watching ours?"
- - - - -
Dawn was still sitting in the cafeteria staring at her sandwich as Faith and Buffy returned. Although she didn't hear them, she could sense that something was up. She was going over what Anya said in her mind. And what Buffy said.
Why was it that so many people were giving her so much advice when she never asked for a word of it?
She glanced at the large clock on the wall over the door and sighed. It was nearly four in the morning.
Making up her mind, she abandoned the sandwich and took the quick walk into the dormitories and found herself on the third floor. Lightning lit up the passage, making it appear as though she were walking in her sleep or drifting through a dream.
She finally stopped at a door and put her hand on the doorknob. Knowing what she was about to do, she took a deep breath. It was now or never time.
She pushed open the door and peered inside. Three out of the four beds were occupied, with Percy having gone back to London. She found who she was looking for, curled up in the corner of his bed, a soft smile on his face.
"I'm so sorry for hurting you," she whispered, sitting on the very edge of his bed and reaching for his hand. "But there's something I have to do. I'm going to get her back, Draco. And when she's back, things might change... but for now..."
"Dawnie?"
She nearly jumped when she saw him staring at her with those clear silvery eyes, glittering in the lightning flashing into the room. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to come and see you," she said, gesturing toward the door. "Can we go out there? I don't want to wake anyone."
He nodded and got out of bed while she crept to the door and stepped out into the dark hallway. He followed her, closing the door softly behind him. "Dawn, it's the middle of the night."
"I know where our daughter is," Dawn said quietly. "Or at least Anya does. And I'm going to ask her tomorrow to tell me how to get to Joy. I wanted to tell you because... in case something happens..."
He blinked and sighed heavily, reaching for her hand. "Nothing is ever going to happen to you, Dawn, because I won't let it. If you want to go on some doom-and-gloom mission, you're just going to have to accept the fact that I'm coming along."
She paused, glancing up into his face, squinting in the darkness. "Are you serious?"
"More serious than I have ever been," Draco replied honestly. He reached for her face and brushed it gently with his fingertips. "She's my daughter, too. Because of my Father, I never knew she existed. If we get her back, I promise..."
"Don't make any promises you can't keep, please," Dawn begged. "I've watched people get hurt by those they love. My Dad left my Mom. Angel and Spike both left Buffy. If Xander hadn't gotten married Saturday, I would have lost all faith completely... I thought you had abandoned me and I could see myself with Joy many years down the road doing the exact thing my Mom did with Buffy and me. It hurts to be abandoned by your Father."
"Tell me about it," he said darkly. "I know that a lot of people think I'm just like my Dad. But I'm not. I want to be good. I want to be something better than just a dark wizard, because they're really frowned upon. But, bloody hell, Dawn. My Dad didn't fall in love and get married for the passion. He did it for the excuse of having a wife and his bloody position in society. I have loved you for so long... that every day I didn't see you or even know if you were still alive... a piece of me died inside."
Tears were filling her eyes. She blinked and looked down, willing them to go away.
"I'm tired of it, Dawnie. I don't want to go away and you can't make me. I'm here, for better or for worse. You need my help to find our daughter. And by whatever will is out there, I'm going to do it. For all of us."
"You know," Dawn said, struggling to keep her emotions in line, "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"There's more," he chuckled, reaching out for her.
She stepped into his arms, laying her head on his shoulder. His strong arms around her were comforting, giving her strength to face the first of many battles ahead. She would go to Anya in the morning. And then she and Draco would go and find Joy. They would take her home. And this would all be over.
- - - - -
"Wh-What?" Tara gasped, nearly dropping the spoon she was using to stir her coffee. "N-No... no way... you c-can't possibly be asking me to d-do what you are asking me to do... this is W-Willow!"
"I know," Faith said in a low voice, bending closer to the Watcher. "But I need a Watcher with me on this and Xander's enjoying South Padre for the week. Could you draw any more attention to this?"
Tara turned to her, fighting the instinct to just run away. "B-But, when Willow and I are to-together, bad things tend to ha-happen, very b-bad things."
Across the library, the telephone rang. Buffy reached for it on her desk and answered it promptly. She nearly dropped the phone when she heard the voice on the other line. "Lupin?"
Tara shut up at once and turned to Buffy with an interested look on her face. Faith turned from her and crossed the room to talk with Kennedy and Mel.
"It has been so long since..."
"Miss Summers, this isn't a safe line... this line could have been tapped. I need to speak with you urgently now because your very lives are in danger."
Buffy's heart began to hammer. "Y-Yes..." she said, snapping her fingers toward Faith. Faith quickly rushed over and Buffy snapped on the speaker phone and set down the receiver onto the cradle.
"Your lives are in danger," Lupin's voice announced as it bounced off the thousands of books in the large library. "The American Ministry has sent us one message and only one. They will come for her."
Buffy glanced uneasily at Willow, who had just arrived with Giles in tow. They both looked confused but quieted instantly when they heard Lupin's anxious voice again.
"Are... are you getting this message?"
"Loud and clear," Buffy said quietly. "What can you tell us?"
"You have a mole in your inner circle," Lupin replied with earnest. "This much we know. Someone is giving the Ministry information. Dates, times, meeting agendas... everything. Nothing you say or do on that campus is safe. I bring orders from Minister Fudge himself. He advises all of our people to return to England at once, although it is not an order. I am, however, acting on the Order and give the advisement that Harry Potter and his friends remain behind. This is a serious threat to both you and the Ministry here. It will be his assignment to decide what that threat entails."
"All right, we'll pass the message along," Buffy said, her voice shaking slightly. "What else is there?"
"There has been a prophecy," Lupin replied, sounding apprehensive. "The details aren't very clear, but I will speak this to you. One of you carries a great power that can bring about the end of the world... or at least bring control of the world to the Ministry. That person must suffer a great loss for any will of the Ministry to be undone. Lastly... someone will betray you. It is this informant for the American Ministry of whom I speak of. You will know she exists as soon as her cover is undone..."
As he spoke this, Kennedy turned ever so slightly in her winged-back chair, catching the remains of the conversation.
"I have said enough. We will contact you again if necessary. Mr. Weasley arrived here this morning with a very interesting story to tell. Good day to you, we will be in touch."
The line went dead.
Buffy sat there, staring at the phone for a long while. She finally glanced up at Faith. "You know what you're supposed to do. Kennedy!" she called out.
Kennedy stood up and walked toward her, a complacent smile on her face. "Yes, Buffy?"
"I want you to go and find Dawn. I believe she's out by the stables this morning. I want you to keep an eye on her. This is life-or-death."
Kennedy nodded, smiling slightly. "Don't worry, Buffy... no harm will come to her." That said, she left.
"Do you really think that was wise?" Giles asked as the doors swung shut behind the younger Slayer.
"No," said Buffy quietly, standing up. "But right now we know this: someone here is in danger. And someone here had better start telling me the truth or else someone's going to die."
"Does anyone just miss the apocalypse?" Willow asked timidly. Next to her, Tara chuckled slightly. The two exchanged a brief, tense look before glancing back to Buffy.
"Keep your eyes open and your ears peeled. Faith and I have more information about the Ministry's informants. But because this room is tapped, here you go." She opened the wooden box and removed several long ivory envelopes. She handed one to each Giles, Tara and Willow. "They will tell you everything you need to know. Faith and I will make sure the other Watchers get them. This is a very serious situation that needs to be taken very seriously. It also has instructions on what will happen."
With a heavy sigh, Buffy pressed her necklace into the box's crevice to seal it. "Someone here isn't be at all honest. We need to find out who this person is and why they're doing this. If we don't, someone we love is going to die. And I have a very bad feeling that person will be Dawn."
"Dawnie?" Willow gasped. "Why her?"
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Buffy asked, crossing her arms. "Irina told us of the signs. Dawn's daughter was taken away from her. Naturally they figured Dawn would be back. We just have to make sure she doesn't go back."
"She won't," Tara promised as Faith nodded crisply next to her. "We promise."
"Good," said Buffy, turning her back to stare at the Slayers outside, training by the athletic complex. "They don't need to know this. They're not ready for this. None of them are. Not yet. And neither are we."
- - - - -
Dawn sank back into the shadows, having spied Anya sitting underneath a tree and staring out over the campus.
The entire complex glittered in the distance, nearly a half mile from campus, on a small hill overlooking the entire valley. Anya was perfectly content to just sit here and plot out her next move. She didn't expect it to be walking toward her, looking tentative and reluctant. "Dawn," Anya greeted, sitting up.
"I didn't want to disturb you," Dawn replied quickly, standing directly in front of her. "Am I disturbing you?"
What an interesting choice of words. "Not at all," Anya said, patting the ground next to her. "Sit down."
Just a few hours ago, Warren had found Anya sitting in the exact place and informed her that they'd been scoped. The van was destroyed but what the Slayers hadn't figured out yet, hopefully, was that it was their intention to be scoped. Warren had had a secondary plan, which included using an old hunting shack about two miles away for a new headquarters. He also had a car there, just in case he and Anya needed to make a quick getaway.
The news shocked her. She would have expected them to figure it out a little sooner. It was disappointing, really. What had Buffy's mind turned to?
"I want to know," Dawn said, charging ahead, her voice breaking into Anya's thoughts. "Tell me how to get to my daughter."
Anya sat up straighter and gazed at Dawn intently. "You're serious."
"Never more," Dawn replied.
This was too easy.
"Follow the path for two miles until you get to the old shack," Anya began, until her attention was drawn to someone else lurking in the shadows. "Well, well, well..."
Kennedy suddenly appeared. Dawn looked mildly shocked. "Kennedy?"
"I've been sent to follow you," Kennedy admitted, glancing at Anya. "I assume you have all that you need?"
Anya grinned at her. "I really do."
Kennedy gave her a relieving smile before disappearing back into the trees.
"What was that all about?" Dawn asked curiously.
"Just some stuff between old friends," Anya replied cheerfully. "Really. Go on."
"You were just telling me--"
"Oh, right!" Anya exclaimed, tapping her head casually. "I must have had a really blonde moment there... but I... uh... just follow the path. Someone will be waiting in a black car. Ride with them to the airport. Get on the helicopter there. It will know where to take you. The walk is kind of strenuous, so you should probably leave right away."
Dawn nodded. "Thank you. That's all I needed to know."
"Right," Anya said, her grin spreading evilly on her face as Dawn left her sight. "Have a good trip... Dawnie."
Dawn found the path easily and quickly felt along the bushes until she found her bag. Pulling it over her shoulder, she started to walk.
Suddenly, there was a crunch in the ground behind her.
She paused, ready to attack whoever it was. As she turned around, a stake in hand, she screamed when she saw who it was. As did the person she was attacking.
"Draco! What the hell are you doing here?" she gasped, putting a hand to her heart. "You scared me to death!"
"Remember what I told you last night?" Draco asked, annoyed as he took her elbow and quickly began walking northwest. "I'm coming with you."
"Oh," Dawn said, suddenly remembering as she hurried to keep pace with him. "Right."
"I just keep thinking," he said as they hurried along the path. "Tonight may be the first night I ever get to see my daughter."
Dawn hadn't thought of that.
- - - - -
Inside the library, Buffy turned in her seat to see the guest Angel and Spike had invited. Irina stood there, bathed in immortal white light, glowing benevolently. She seemed more concerned when Buffy had told them about the phone call from the British Ministry.
"Something is not right," Irina said, puzzled. "Something moves without our sight... something moves to destroy this light."
"Again with the rhymes," Willow said quietly. She and Tara exchanged another glance.
Buffy turned to Willow and Tara. "Get Harry Potter and his friends in here, now. And bring Dawnie, too."
They exchanged their last glance before setting off.
Far across campus, Faith was climbing a few scattered rocks. She had seen the blonde head of Draco Malfoy. Knowing that wherever he went, he was surely following Dawn, Faith followed.
What she didn't expect to come across was Anya lounging in the safe crook of a tree branch, looking like the cat who had swallowed the canary.
She was even more shocked to see Kennedy sitting on the ground underneath her, looking paralyzed. "But why would she do that?"
"Because I told her to, you idiot," Anya replied, examining her hands and sighing pristinely. "And I have you to thank for this wonderful miracle, Kennedy. Without you, the final phase wouldn't be complete."
It was all Faith could do to not jump out and throttle the both of them right there and then.
She crouched low, trying to silence her thoughts enough to hear more.
But in a way, she'd already heard enough.
- - - - -
To be continued...
Chapter 24 - Dawn and Draco make their way to Joy; Kennedy is discovered as the mole.