Chapter Three

2003

Dawn, Xander and Willow sat around the TV in the Summer's home for their traditional movie night. "This is where we got up to last time," said Anya, coming in with more popcorn. She hated it when their nights of normalcy were interrupted by an apocalypse all the time.

"I wonder where Giles and the other potential's are?" Dawn asked.

"Don't worry Dawn. I'm sure they're fine," answered Willow.

"Well, what about buffy? They're never out this long on patrol unless something's happened. What if…."

"Dawn," snapped Anya. " Willows right. We shouldn't have to worry all the time. That's not our job, it's the slayer's. She can handle herself right?"

" That's not what I said…." started Willow.

"guys!" Interrupted Xander. "this is like the most important part of the film. You know…..what the trilogys been leading up to? Ring in fire…..will they save the world or won't they? Could you at least pretend to watch?"

Willow and Anya rolled their eyes.

" Xander…we already know how it ends," laughed Anya.

"Yeah," said Willow. "We go through it every week!"

1999

"So, where's Angel?" asked Willow after a moment. "I thought you guys were coming back here after patrol?"

"Angel?" said Buffy. "Uh - yeah. He had to….to leave."

Xander and Willow looked at each other.

"Oh, don't tell me you guys have had another row already?" said Xander jokingly. "How many fights can one couple have in a year….forget I said that!" he finished quickly as he looked at Cordelia. She chose to ignore him.

"I thought you guys were alright now. You now, after that whole Faith/Angel set up thing?" she looked at Buffy expectantly, proving that she did listen every now and then.

Buffy shrugged. "No. Everything's fine. Absolutely fine. I just decided that it would be better if I came back alone. Besides - I kind of need to borrow something of Giles's."

"Oh, really?" he asked her.

Buffy nodded. "Just…a book or something."

"Is there a demon around? Should we be worried?" asked Wesley seriously. "I do wish that you'd tell me these things first. I am the watcher now, remember?"

Buffy looked at him briefly. "I'm so glad you grow out of this Wes," she muttered.

"What?" he asked her.

She shook her head. "Nothing."

"There's something different about you," said Oz, speaking for the first time. She had forgotten how quiet his voice was. She had practically forgotten about him - so much had changed

She turned to face him, startled. "What do you mean?" she exclaimed. I knew this was a bad plan, she thought desperately.

"You look older, that's all. Your hair or…something," he answered her calmly. Then he once again lapsed back into the silence that was more usual for him. Buffy realised that Oz had to have noticed something very different for him to comment like that. She realised that everyone was staring at her now.

"I just want to borrow a damn book. What's the problem with that?" Everyone stared at her in shock.

"Nothing Buff," murmured Xander. "It's just - you're not into the whole research thing, right?"

"Things change," she muttered.

………………………………...

"Ok guys," said Spike, slowly standing up. "It's not what you think".

"Don't you even get me started on what I think Spike," said Angel dangerously.

"Yeah," said past Buffy, raising the stake in her hand. "You've got some nerve coming back here."

Spike looked at the younger Buffy and smiled wistfully. It was amazing how much she'd changed. All the things she was about to go through, it was so unfair on her. Is it really me thinking all this? He thought.

"What are you smiling for? Ok, that's it," once again Spike felt pain across his face as she hit him. He also felt something else. Buffy pulled a metal chain out of her weapons bag and tied it around his wrists.

"I never knew you liked this sort of thing slayer." The words slipped out of his mouth before he realised what he had said. He searched her eyes - not sure what for. There was a slight hesitation. Had she wondered about him even then? Even just a little bit? She had to have known that it wouldn't have lasted with Angel. Had she ever wondered about the darker side of things?

"You're coming with us to the library," she stated. "You have to answer a lot of questions. Then I'll have fun killing you."

" Maybe that's not one of your better plans pet," Spike told her.

"She's not your anything," snapped Angel as they began to move. "So don't call her that."

"You'd be surprised mate," grinned Spike.

2003

The Turuk-han began the long walk to the summer's home. The First's instructions had been clear. Destroy them all. With the slayer not in the same time - the hell mouth was left unprotected. It was theirs.

1999

Buffy was startled when the door to the library crashed open. Her first instinct was to hide, but she was the centre of attention - and she simply froze as Angel and past buffy stormed in with Spike as they're prisoner.

"Look who's back in…oh my god!" past Buffy froze as well.

"What's going on?" exclaimed Angel.

"I haven't the faintest idea," whispered Giles. All the Scooby gang were on their feet now. The next thing Buffy new, her past self had crossed the room. Past Buffy whirled round and kicked Buffy hard in her stomach - which sent Buffy flying backwards into the open book cage. The next thing she knew, Buffy had been locked in there - with Spike.

"Ok, start explaining. Is this some new trick that the mayor has planned? Or Faith?"

Buffy glanced at Spike. "Ok fine," she finally gave in, rolling her eyes. "We got no choice right? Well, you may not believe us. Or you may choose not to. But we're….. from the future."

"What?" Angel practically shouted.

"It's true," added Spike.

"That's why we wanted Giles's books," continued Buffy, uncomfortable with the silence.

"We need your help to get home!"

To be continued………..