During "Story Teller"
Chapter 10
"But the story needs to be told!" Andrew wined as Anya dragged him out of the bathroom. A girl ahead of me quickly ducked inside before someone else had the chance to steal her turn.
"And birds need to fly and girls need to use the toilet and why were you videotaping yourself anyway? Sounds like kinky business to me," Anya said as she let go of him.
Andrew held up his camera in defense. "The world is going to want to know about Buffy. It's a story of ultimate triumph tinged with bitterness for what has been lost in the struggle. It's a legacy for future generations," he explained enthusiastically.
"If there are any," Anya retorted. "Buffy seamed to think that this apocalypse is going to actually be, you know, apocalyptic. I think your story seems pretty pointless."
Andrew glanced down, disappointed, but he knew how to work Anya. "Oh, I was going to interview you later today. 'Cause, you know, your unique perspective on the hole thing. Give it editorial balance. . . and glamour."
Anya suddenly looked at it in a new perspective. "Well, balance is important. People don't always take that into account. I could bring that to you. Absolutely." I rolled my eyes as she smiled and they both walked away.
I heard the shower running and waited patiently for the girl to get out. It wouldn't take long. There wasn't much hot water left. I had gotten use to taking cold showers. When she got out I slipped in, and quickly got ready for the day. The line was only going to grow while I was in here, so I didn't keep anyone waiting. When I got out of the shower I quickly changed to jeans and a tank top and slipped out of the bathroom before heading down to breakfast.
"It's morning in Sunnydale," Andrew was saying as I walked in.
I walked past him to grab the cereal from Rona as she asked, "Who the hell's got the low-fat milk?"
I smirked as Andrew had to start his introduction over. "It's morning in Sunnydale and the women of Command Central take the time to fortify themselves for the day ahead."
"Hey!" Xander said.
Andrew glanced at him and corrected himself. "Women and Xander," then to Xander, "Hey, I'm going to do your special intro later. The man who is the heart of the slayer machine."
Xander looked up with a silly little happy grin. "Yeah? The heart?" Andrew really was working everyone pretty damn well. He was either really smart or just naturally talented at sucking up.
And so he continued, "Things are tense in Command Central this morning. Buffy is clearly concerned with some unknown danger and the air is filled with foreboding-"
"Oh, we're out of Raisin Bran," Dawn pointed out as I grabbed the milk from Rona. Low-fat, ugh. But it was all we had left.
"I'll put it on the list," Anya said.
Andrew glanced at them. "That's probably not the unknown danger."
Buffy and Spike walked in, making the kitchen all the more crowded. Spike glanced around, disgusted. "Look at this place. Damn girls dorm's what it is," He lit a cigarette, drawing glares. Since when did he smoke? Funny, I should have noticed sooner.
"That's nice. Second-hand sickness," Dawn muttered, stating my thoughts. I was human again, smoke bugged me.
Andrew looked into his camera. "It's a full house. I think its a good time to do some introductions, don't you, gentle viewers?" The camera pointed in my general direction for a second, I was ready to grab for it if he tried catching me on film. Lucky for him it turned away.
"I'm Amanda and I grew up right here-" Amanda started as the camera faced her.
"Not you, sweetheart. Let's start from the top." He pointed the camera at Buffy, his eyes getting this distant look as if he was seeing something else. "You've already met Buffy. She's beautiful, with a lion's heart and the face of an angel. She's never afraid because she knows her side will always win." First response: What? Someone is lying to Andrew if he really believed that. Heck, he was probably lying to himself.
Spike walked past Buffy, barely glancing at Andrew and it started him talking again, "Buffy and Spike have some kind of history. You can feel the heat between them although, technically as a vampire, he's room- temperature."
Anya's turn to walk by, drawing his camera's attention. "Anya. A feisty waif with a fiery temper and a vulnerable heart that she hides even from herself. And this lovely girl," he pointed the camera at another girl, pausing for a second. "I don't remember her name."
"Oh, for god's sake. Is he doing that again? Can't we make him stop?" Buffy finally asked, fed up with him.
"I don't know. . . if we save the world, it will be kind of nice to have a record of it," Rona suggested.
"And if we don't save the world, then. . . nothing matters," Amanda pointed out.
"Hmm. . . that's catchy, Amanda. Let's make that our slogan," Kennedy said with high sarcasm.
"Yeah, it is kind of strange how you keep saving the world and there's not any proof," Xander said, bringing thing back to our first topic.
"Yeah, you know, for future generations," Anya agreed.
Willow was nodding. "And it does help the girls with training, you know, viewing the tapes."
"Come on, no one else thinks this is idiotic?" Buffy asked, I was about to agree with her, but Xander started talking.
"Or is it important? I mean, Buff, I don't get why this is bothering you so much," he said.
She looked around for someone to agree with her. "Because it's a waste of time. Come on, someone has to agree with me on this-" again I was about to speak, but- "Spike?"
Spike shrugged. "Long as he's not pointing that thing at me, seems like a fine way to keep the boy busy."
I stood up, "Don't worry Buffy, I agree with you, you have at least one person willing to destroy Andrew's new toy if you're not up to it." I stated happily. She actually looked relieved.
"Thanks Beth," Buffy said, giving me a smile before turning back to the others. "Anyway, this is not about keeping busy. This is about war! I'm sorry to jump all over you guys but. . . I have to tell you what's really going on. There's something new. Amanda, Dawn, you're going to stay home from school today. We can survive what's coming but not like this. I had a vision of what's to come. A horrible vision. Hundreds upon hundreds of. . ." I started to tone her out, it was one of her long boring speech moments. Besides mentioning the vision, which actually was kind of interesting, she wasn't saying much.
Hundreds upon hundreds of super vamps. That sounds just joyful. Plenty of fun for the whole family as we all get slaughtered by the never ending storm of evilness. Just another day in the life of a slayer, yeah, that was it.
I waited for Buffy to stop, she had to go to work, then escaped the kitchen before Andrew could come back with the camera. I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels until I found some cartoon show to kill time with. Before I knew it a crowd of Potentials had gathered to watch TV. A lot of them had been trying to avoid me lately, but when I was in charge of the TV, they showed up. Then Andrew came in with the camera and I went upstairs.
Kennedy caught me walking by. "Hey, Beth, wait up!" I paused to see what she wanted, not saying anything but giving her this blank stare. She ignored it, but was nice enough to get to the topic anyway. "I was wondering, you're a slayer, right? So maybe you could talk to Buffy. You should have some say," I wasn't sure about that but I didn't say anything, so she went on. "Well, I was thinking. Maybe some of us girls could go out, you know, just to have fun. Buffy wouldn't let us go alone, but if we had you, a Slayer, then she might say it was okay."
Ah, so that's what she wanted. I wasn't sure what to say. "Well. That's interesting, but. . . I'm not going to bring it up with Buffy." I stated, not trying to be mean about it.
"That's okay. You don't have to." Kennedy said, starting to look happy. That was scary, I wasn't trying to encourage her. That could be bad. She kept talking. "You know I'll bring it up. You just have to come with us. How bad could that be?"
I wonder. "You know what. Do whatever. If you can convince Buffy to let us go, I'll be your baby-sitter." With that said I left. Kennedy was happy enough with me that she didn't even say something about the baby reference.
Now to escape Kennedy. Back downstairs. Andrew wasn't in the living room, but I didn't really want to sit with the pile of girls. Who to talk to? Spike might still be awake, it was worth checking on. If nothing else I could exchange sarcastic comments for a few minutes, that'd kill time.
I opened the door to the basement and heard talking.
"I thought I told you to piss off with this bloody camera. And here you are again with that thing in my face. Sod off 'fore I rip your throat out and eat it-" Spike was saying. He was doing the whole bad boy act, tough walk, glaring face, I would have been impressed if it wasn't an act. He was so liking the camera action.
"Spike, the light was kind of behind you," Andrew said, putting the camera down for a second so that Spike could readjust himself.
"Oh, right," Spike said as he dropped the act and moved to his right, looking at Andrew for approval. "This better, then?" he asked. Andrew nodded and Spike went back to his intro. "I thought I told you to piss off with this bloody camera. And here you are again with that thing in my face. Sod off-"
"Oh please," I muttered, making him pause again in his intro to look up at me, Andrew turned the camera with him, pointing it at my face. I glared at him long enough until he lowered the camera a little. Then I smiled sweetly. "Unlike our good vampire friend here, I really do want to break that camera, so don't go pointing it at me." Andrew looked hurt, but Spike just smirked. I turned to him. "What's so funny? You're acting just as stupid as he is."
"Hey-" Andrew and Spike said together. It was my turn to smirk as I walked out the door.
So much for that plan. Now I didn't know what to do. It had been a late night, and everyone had gone out to practice, so everyone was tired today. No chance of doing anything with them at the moment. Todd had stopped by yesterday to help take the girls out. He walked right inside without being asked. Ta da, not a vamp. That and the fact that the sun was shining at the time convinced Buffy. As a group we killed ten vampires. I counted. Buffy just kind of stood back and watched, letting the potentials do the work. They were getting better. Then Buffy sent us home and she stayed out to do some patrolling alone. I think Andrew followed her with his camera.
Todd had walked us back and we talked. We didn't really have much to say, but it was nice, just talking. He wasn't worried that I was a Slayer, and the fact that I was slightly older then him wasn't bugging him either. Nice to have someone actually talk to me without seeing me as someone else.
Come to think of it we had actually been up rather late, and I was tired. I yawned as I thought of it. Taking a nap didn't sound bad. It would kill some time if nothing else. Maybe Buffy would have something for us to do tonight, maybe not. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to actually be awake.
I walked into a bedroom and realized what the best thing about sleeping during the day was. There were empty beds. I wouldn't have to use a sleeping bag. That was enough to make me smile.
I took off my shoes and crawled into bed. It felt good to actually be in one. Closing my eyes I enjoyed the feeling as I waited to fall asleep.
~
At least I was human, I knew that. But that was all I knew.
Memories flashed of what I looked like. They kept going from one person to the other, but both looked almost exactly alike. Both with Auburn hair, but one had natural black highlights while the other was more blonde. Both had yellow eyes, shining and intelligent, but the expressions, they weren't the same. The two felt like the same person, in a way, but more than that they felt different.
How did my memories get here?
*All memories are here.*
All? As in everyone? Can we all see them?
*No.*
I frowned, or my mind did. Why not?
*Only the Learians can enter the vault.*
So I am a Learian? Yes, you said that. But only one of me is. How does that work?
*You are human now, you were Learian then. Time is not important here. You once were Learian, and can always enter the vault.*
That made no sense. Well, maybe a little sense. How am I here?
*You come in your sleep. You don't know the other ways.*
Did I?
*Yes.*
I can't remember them. It was true, there was no memory of it. Why not?
*You can see your human memories, and the memories of while you were in human form. When you were truly Learian-no one can see those.*
Why am I here?
Silence.
Why am I here?
~
I woke up with a snap, sitting up quickly. Something was wrong, it just felt off. Wait, no it didn't. Things were fine. Perfectly fine. What happened? I had been sleeping. . . oh. Another dream. That was it, nothing to worry about, I hoped. I still didn't remember anything. Could that be a bad sign? I'd give it a few more days before asking Buffy.
Slowly I stretched as I sat up in bed. I paused in the middle of a yawn when I glanced out the window. It was getting dark out. I couldn't have slept that long. If it was really twilight then I would have had to have slept for almost five hours.
Frowning, I climbed out of the bed and found my shoes before going downstairs. Everyone was gathered in the living room. Andrew was sitting in the middle of the couch, looking nervous. His camera was on the table in front of him. Buffy and Willow studied the computer.
"What's going on?" I asked Amanda softly.
She glanced up at me, "Oh, they did this memory thing with Andrew to try to find something about the hell mouth. Willow is researching a knife." I nodded, trying to get her to say more. I didn't really think they knew anything else, though, so it wasn't likely I'd get much information. "Where have you been, anyway?" Amanda wanted to know.
I shrugged the question off. "Just taking a nap."
Moving past Amanda I checked to see who else was in the room. The usual people mostly, Kennedy, Spike, Xander and Anya, a few other scattered Potentials, and Principle Wood, who I still didn't know much about.
I had tried talking to him once, but he basically blew me off, barely giving me a second glance. He considered Buffy a Slayer, but me? I was just a little girl, no one important. Forget the fact that I was older than him, that didn't matter. In his head I was just another of the Potentials.
No one really seemed up for talking, so I couldn't pick up any other information. I took a seat on the couch next to Andrew to wait for Buffy and Willow to finish. Every few minutes they'd murmur something to each other, but mostly Willow just searched.
"I think it's got a shot," I heard Willow say as she glanced back at Buffy. Buff nodded and they both walked back to the living room.
"Guess what, Andy?" Buffy said with a small half smile. "You just won yourself a free vacation to the beautiful downtown Hellmouth."
"So he can do what? Yell at it in its own language?" Spike asked.
Willow half-shrugged. "Maybe."
"What? I'm not following," Wood said.
I agreed with Wood, "Me either."
Buffy glanced at the two of us, not wanting to waste much time explaining. "Look, we have to deal with the seal right away. We already might have to just shut the school down and I am not losing any more territory to The First, it's the only thing we've got."
"The seal responds to the language somehow or The First wouldn't have needed the knife," Willow explained. "Andrew knows the language, can really talk to it, maybe give it commands." Hey, that actually made a little sense.
"Come on. Robin, Spike, let's go," They left to do something, not go after the seal. Andrew was still in the living room. My guess was they were getting weapons.
Kennedy and Andrew both walked into the kitchen, I followed, wanting a drink of water. Kennedy just leaned against the counter as Andrew started video taping her. "So what do you think about the seal thing?" Andrew asked.
Kennedy started complaining almost instantly. It wasn't 'I'm worried something might happen to us.' It was a bunch of crap about Buffy not taking her with her. "So she says 'come on, let's go,' and I'm thinking great, I'm ready, I've been training. Turns out she's not taking me or my girls. Not even taking Willow or Beth. You know who she's taking? The men. And you, Andrew. All the girls get left behind. You wouldn't think Buffy would play it like that. She's not turning out like I thought she'd be." She paused for a beat. "What do you think Beth?" Suddenly both her and the camera were focusing on me.
I blinked, glancing at them. "Mostly I think Andrew needs to lower that camera before I drown it in the sink." Andrew lowered the camera. "And I don't care who Buffy takes. Told ya, I'm not going to go talking to her about that kind of thing, she can run the show."
"Andrew? Where are you? Let's go!" Buffy called.
"Guess you'd better go. M'lady's calling you," Kennedy said, considering my comment. Then suddenly she jumped up, too, running towards Buffy's voice with a look I didn't particularly like plastered on her face. I stared after her, drinking my water, hoping I had said anything to give her an idea.
Best to make sure, so I put down the water and followed after her. She was standing at the front door, arguing with Buffy.
"Come on, the girls could use a break, and besides, we'd have a Slayer with us," Kennedy was insisting. I already didn't like the way this was sounding.
I think Buffy would have said no to whatever Kennedy was asking, but she was in a hurry to leave, and Kennedy wasn't going to give up anytime soon. Spike and Wood were already waiting outside as Andrew videotaped the conversation. To the point though: Buffy wasn't going to fight right now. "Fine, go. Don't be gone too long and Willow's going with you. If anything happens, and I mean anything, come strait back." Buffy glanced at me for a second before turning back to Kennedy. "You're not in charge. You obey everything she says," she was pointing at me.
"What?" I yelled as Buffy walked out the door. Obey me? Was she kidding? Then again, I understood where she was coming from. If they took their orders from Kennedy they'd probably end up fighting a battle they couldn't win. But what had I just gotten into?
Kennedy was smiling. That wasn't a good thing.
The other girls started wondering towards us. "What's going on?" One of them asked.
Kennedy walked over and draped an arm across my shoulders. "Beth here is going to take us out tonight. We're going dancing!"
I froze. Dancing?
Willow walked in just in time to hear that. She looked confused, but maybe she would do something to get me out of this. "What do you mean? Buffy would never allow you to go out like that."
Kennedy was grinning. "But she did. Just now, right before she left. I asked if we could go out to a club, just to relax for a change. She said it was all right as long as you and Beth came. Beth already said she would if I got Buffy to agree." I did say that, didn't I? Damn. Well, maybe Willow wouldn't agree to it.
No luck there, Willow was smiling. She was looking at Kennedy in that happy sort of girl friend way. I just helped them go out on a date. Yippee. Now I wasn't just a baby-sitter, I was a chaperon. Not to mention I'd have to make sure no vampires sneaked on any of the girls. Shit. This wouldn't be good.
"That sounds great!" Dawn said, standing on the stairs. "I do get to come, too, right?"
I nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, sure. But someone has to stay and watch the house." I took a moment to get my thoughts in order. "Okay, Dawn, you go tell Xander and Anya they have housekeeping duty. Amanda, you go see who wants to go out. If the girl can't understand English she's not coming. Sorry, but I need to be able to keep tabs on all of you," no one here had a problem. I glanced at my watch. It was about seven-thirty. "Okay, we leave in half an hour. That should be enough time for you guys to get ready."
The girls were already leaving. I didn't even ask which club we were going to. Or how we were getting there. We were fresh out of cars so we'd probably end up walking. Willow would know the faster ways there, though. She knew the town pretty well, and it wasn't big so the walk wouldn't be bad.
All the girls had gone off to get dressed, and I decided it wouldn't hurt for me to change clothes, too, but I wasn't going to go all out like they were. I didn't have any clothes for partying, then again neither did most the girls. Willow's and Dawn's wardrobes were being raided, but no one was taking anything from Buffy's. I hope she didn't mind if I did. I'd say sorry and offer to pay for anything if it got ruined.
Lucky for me Buffy and I were about the same size. I chose out a pair of dark blue jeans that hung loosely from my hips. It had to be too big for Buffy, but I like pants baggy. I turned away from all her shoes. She might be able to fight in heals, but I wasn't used to it and I wanted to be able to get us out of trouble. Next came finding a top, and she had a lot to chose from. I turned away from anything pink, orange or white, along with all pastels. Finally I settled on a tight forest green shirt that stopped right above my belly button. I threw my hair into a quick bun and found some chopsticks from dawn to hold it in place before going back downstairs.
It took me ten minutes to get ready. It was more than forty-five minutes after I came down stairs that the others joined me. I was greeted by girls wearing all colors of make up and clothes who looked like they were out to party. Quickly I counted them. Ten girls altogether, including Willow.
"Okay, settle down," their excited chatter hushed. "Just have a couple of rules. We're going with the buddy system. I know it sounds corny, but I don't want any of you alone. If you're separated from your buddy, go find someone else and stay with them. If you find someone else alone, pinch her. Just a little incentive to stay together while making sure you're not the first," there were a few small smiles. "Last, but not least. Don't leave with anyone. I mean that. No going outside, no going to small rooms. I want you where I can find you." I said this with complete seriousness, and I was pretty sure they understood. If they didn't, next time they'd stay home. If there was a next time. "Questions? No? Good. Where are we going?" This I asked to Willow.
She smiled at me, cheerfully. "I was thinking the Bronze. There's a balcony thing above the dance floor you should be able to watch everyone on if you need to, plus they normally have good music."
I nodded. "Fine. That works. Follow Willow." And we did. The girls grouped up with their buddies, and I checked to see who was with who as we walked down the street. As expected the trip didn't take long. The girls probably wouldn't have cared if it took an hour, nor would they have noticed. They were all talking in excited voices, going over everything they planed on doing at the club.
The Bronze used to be a warehouse. You see that from the outside. The sign was the only thing showing that it was a club, that and the groups of young people who showed up every few minutes and went inside.
Inside had tables, a place to buy drinks, a stage where tonight there was a DJ instead of an actual band. The dance floor was already crowded, as were the pool tables off in a corner. The other, darker corners, were occupied with couples who were starting to pair off.
I glanced at my watch. 9 o'clock. If I said we left in an hour the girls might all meet back here by eleven. I told them to be here at ten and the girls branched off, staying with the buddy system just like I said to.
Taking Willows advice I walked up the stairs onto the higher platform. It was mostly empty at the moment, and it was true that I could see most of the club. Willow saw me looking around and waved. I waved back.
The first half hour went by quickly. The music was good, a variety of local bands and hit singles, along with a few other tracks that weren't singles, but were still good. He probably wasn't supposed to be playing them, but no on really cared.
The girls were having fun. Most were flirting or dancing. A couple even played pool. I hadn't noticed any vamps hitting on them so we were doing good. As long as the Potentials didn't get killed the night might be considered a success.
It didn't occur to me that I might be the one in danger. Or at least not until I felt a tap on my should and turned to face Zeke, just grinning at me like he normally would.
He was dressed for a night out, too. He wore his normal cargo pants along with a royal blue tank top covered by one of the nicer button up anime shirts. I didn't recognize the show. Something with girls holding fire and twirling around in magic. Honestly though, that left a lot of options. But the shirt was still cool. I liked it more than the expensive sunglasses that completed the outfit.
"Liz, long time no see," Zeke said as he took off his sunglasses, revealing a new piercing in his eyebrow. It added to the punk/rock look he had going, and normally I would have commented on it, but I wasn't sure of what to say. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" He was joking, and seemed sincere about it. I merely stood confused. Zeke shrugged, taking a step back to lean against a rail.
Suddenly I got my voice back. "What're you doing here?"
He grinned. "Out for dinner. Heard this was a nice enough place." I just stared at him, so he went on. "Did you mean in Sunnydale? Boss wanted me to take care of some business."
That brought up a topic. "Business?" I asked.
"Not about you-in a way." Zeke said casually. "Got a problem with someone who's supposed to be helping us."
"Who'd that be?" I didn't really expect him to answer.
He did anyway. "The witch you met at the house."
Oh. Her, um, I mean it. "You mean The First," I stated.
Zeke looked at me, obviously pleased about something. "It's nice talking to someone who picks up on things. Even if you're a little tongue tied from time to time." So I was right. I had actually been guessing, but being right was good. The whole thing about the witch not really touching the door. . . that was nicely set up by the vampires, but I saw it.
I nodded to Zeke, understanding his comment, but still watching him like a hawk. While he was acting like this was just a friendly visit I couldn't help feeling like something was going on. "So how'd you pull the trap off?" I asked, merely searching for another topic.
Zeke kept his smile, but it didn't seem like he meant it anymore. As if something I said had disappointed him. Must have asked the wrong question. But he kept talking anyway. "Tricked one of the witches, got her to help us, then killed them all. Quite simple.
"And the first?" I asked.
He shrugged. "It wanted you dead, helped us set things up. Things were going just peachy until we found out that it was actually planning to kill you. That we couldn't have so we drew back the vampires." Ah, so that's what had happened. While I'm sure there was more to it, that was a start. Other than that he hadn't given any information away, and what he had said probably wasn't important. He wouldn't slip up like that. "My turn to ask questions," He said. "How far are you in translating that book?"
I blinked. He had to be talking about the book Alucard gave me. I'd been looking it over, but it made little sense. Chris came over a few times and had made a little progress, but we weren't getting anywhere. "Barely started, why?"
Zeke shrugged. "It's the closest thing to an original copy. Only thing that Boss hasn't tampered with. Not to mention it's the original language, that's a plus. You don't have to worry about earlier mistakes."
He seamed to know a lot about it. "Why're you asking?"
Again he shrugged. "Just curious." He paused for a moment. "I'm beginning to see why Alucard doesn't like the guy. Of course, he has personal grudges, but Boss is pretty damn aggravating."
Zeke wasn't that good of an actor so there was no doubt in my mind that he was telling the truth. There had been venom in his voice when he talked about the Boss. But at the same time there was respect.
"Why do you stay with him?" I asked. I wasn't trying to be all noble, I was just curious. Zeke wasn't sure my reasons for asking at first, so I just stared at him, letting him figure it out for himself. He could read me better than anyone, so I was positive he'd figure out what I was asking.
"He's got power. He could crush me, and he would if he thought I was a threat. I'm surprised Alucard lived as long as he did. Boss knew he was deadly. But he won't make the same mistake twice. He watches me oh so carefully now." As he said that Zeke glanced down at the floor below, I glanced with him before remembering I was supposed to keep an eye on me. Zeke smirked as he saw me catch myself, but that was all he did.
To save myself from embarrassment I changed the topic. "You said that Alucard 'lived', as in he isn't alive anymore?" I asked.
Zeke paused. "Oh, no, he's alive, or as alive as any vampire," he confirmed. Well, at least I knew where he was to some extent. The Boss had him again. I glanced a way from Zeke for a moment, knowing fully the risk, and when I turned back to him I saw him staring at me as if he was trying to see what was under my skin, what I was thinking.. "Why'd you want to know?"
"Curious," I answered simply, but he didn't stop staring.
We stood in silence for a moment as the music bellowed around us. I wanted to relax, but I wouldn't dare. Zeke was still staring at me and I knew he didn't have to prepare to attack. He would didn't give any warning. He just moved. So I kept my eye on him and we both stood and stared.
"So, how do you feel about the apocalypse?" I asked at last, not knowing of a better topic and finding this one to be something we could relate to. Oh yes, the apocalypse, something we were both fighting on opposite ends of. I wonder who would win.
Zeke's blank stare cracked as he chuckled. "The apocalypse? Well, if it comes then I'll probably not live through it. Boss won't need me anymore and all that. Then again, I hear those ubber vamps are kind of nasty. He might want someone to watch his back."
I grinned. "Yes, and how things are going back at command central, I might get to hold a stake and stand in the background."
"Why's that? You're a Slayer," Zeke stated.
I nodded. "Yeah, but I'm not Buffy, I'm the other Slayer."
Zeke had stopped laughing. "Can't be that bad. Not with the help they're going to need. Buffy should be happy to have you there."
I nodded, agreeing with him. "It's not bad, it's just," I stopped as I tried to think of a way to explain. "They know I'm a Slayer, they know my story, they accept that, but I'm not a part of their lives. I'm just another Potential. Spike's the only one who treats me like I'm in their special clique, but while we might consider each other friends. . . we're really not."
There was another stretch of silence. "Yeah, heard Spike was your brother," Zeke said at last. "That's got to be weird. A Slayer having a brother who spent a hundred years terrorizing Europe."
I nodded. "It's 'bout as weird as a Slayer who's best friend's a vampire who happens to work for her arch nemesis."
Zeke nodded. "Life sucks that way."
Right then I let myself relax. It was true, we might be fighting but I still considered him a friend. I wasn't going to act all wacky just because he might kill me. Wait, he wasn't going to kill me. No, that was the Boss's job. Besides, he could kick my butt any time he wanted to. It was an understood statement that neither of us brought up.
"So, how's life with them?" Zeke asked, motioning to the girls below us.
I shrugged. "Kind of dull. I have to stand in line to use the shower."
He choked back laughter. "Really? That's gotta suck."
I nodded. "Yeah, a little. And this morning I actually had to use non- fat milk. The good stuff was gone."
This time he did laugh. "Sometimes it's good to be a vampire," he murmured.
Shrugging I answered, "Maybe, but being human's kind of nice."
"You had the best of both worlds for a while there," Zeke stated.
"Then Buffy went and died again. I know the story," I said as I stared down at the girls. They had no clue something was going on up here. If any of them even bothered to glance up they probably wouldn't think twice of the strange man standing near by me.
Zeke moved to stand next to me. "Sorry to say, I have to add on to the story."
"How's that?"
"I've got orders that if I see you I have to bring you back with me."
"Figured it was something like that."
Zeke was watching the floor very carefully, his eyes picking out different people, sending signals. "I noticed you came with ten girls. I could have them all killed before you get down the stairs." His voice was blank, emotionless, all business.
I believed him.
"And how do I stop that?"
"Come back with me. That simple. They never need to be involved, you're just suddenly gone and they won't know why. Maybe we'll leave them a note in the morning," Zeke said.
I just stared for a moment. I couldn't say no but. . . If I went with him I was screwed. Wouldn't it be worse if I came back as a vampire and fought against the scoobies? If by some twist of fate the prophecy would come true and I would kill all these vampires, wouldn't it be worth the lives a few girls?
But I couldn't let them die. Watching them having fun, seeing them below me. They were young, and they were happy. I couldn't let him kill them. As stubborn as I was I knew that if I let them die I would never forgive myself. I might be forced to go with him anyway, so why not just give in?
I should have told Zeke that the moment he suggested it because I could see now that my temporary silence was taken as a no. Two men were moving through the dance floor towards Dawn and Amanda. I knew what they were, what they were doing. They were stalking them, and I wouldn't be able to get to them in time.
"Call them back," I asked, sparing a quick glance to Zeke.
"I can't."
"I'll go with you, just call them back."
He shook his head. "I would, but I can't."
I looked around frantically. "I can't get there in time!"
"I know."
For a moment fear slipped through me, seizing my body. I couldn't move, couldn't think, then it faded, and I knew what to do. Without even thinking I grabbed the rail and leaped over it. The landing was hard, too hard. I had fallen from higher before, but for some reason my leg almost gave out, as if I had hurt it earlier. I didn't remember hurting it.
Oh wait, at the house. . . my knee. . . If that slowed me down too much I was going to be pissed. It had been about a week, I should have healed by now. But I guess tendons and ligaments took time. For a normal human it could take weeks to heal, I should be happy that it wasn't as bad for me, but I still started out at a limp.
By the time I reached Dawn the vampire was right behind her, but my limp was gone, so I was doing fine. The vampire didn't see me coming, so I started out with the upper hand. I grabbed his shoulder, turning him around to face me, but mostly pulling him away from Dawn. The vampire looked at me, surprised. I hit him before he had a chance to react.
I glanced at Dawn and Amanda, both were looking at me in shock. Neither of them noticed the other vampire behind them. With a sigh I hit the first vampire again, knocking him to the floor as I pushed past the two girls to grab the other one.
He saw me coming and swung at me. I ducked, grabbed his arm and pulled him off balance. He fell onto my good knee which I thrust into his chest. The vampire dropped to the ground and I turned to the other one that was getting back up.
Dawn and Amanda had backed up out of the way, becoming lost in a crowd of onlookers. The vampires were still in human face, so I wasn't too worried about them making a scene. We didn't want to draw everyone's attention. The fight had attracted the guy behind a counter's attention. He left his work station and half jogged over before the fight started back up.
"Hey, no fighting in here, take it outside," He yelled at us.
I smiled and nodded, glancing up at the balcony. Zeke was staring down, once again wearing his sunglasses. I nodded towards the door and he nodded back. "Yeah, I'll meet them outside," I said, knowing Zeke would hear me. He'd be out in a bit to meet me, too. The vampires were his, so I wouldn't kill them unless they attacked again. I was betting they'd attack, though.
Before heading out I looked for Dawn in the crowd. "Stay inside," I told her. "If I don't come back in soon, don't worry, get everyone at home by eleven, I'll meet up with you later."
"Wait! Where are you going?" Dawn asked, following after me as I walked past the fallen vampires and towards the door.
I glanced at her. "Stay with your buddy, that rule still applies. Don't worry about me," I said, not looking at her again. Then I was outside, and Dawn stayed in. I was going on trust that Zeke wouldn't have the girls killed. He said he wouldn't, and I believed him, but I could be wrong.
~
Hello all! What do you think? I had to have a bronze scene, and I couldn't think of how to fit it in, then I was watching a rerun and I figured it out. So I'm happy now. Chapter 11 is on its way to being done. I should have it out by Monday. (Sorry, it takes a bit of time to edit them, and we all know I'm not good at it). What else. . . can't think of anything, so on with the thank yous.
Beyond the silence: Sorry about any confusion, I'm trying to take care of that. The leg thing comes in later. . . um, I think it's chapter 12 (which should be on soon). And yes, I will explain the Alucard/Spike thing. Thanks again for the review!
Gidgetgirl: Thanks for trying to review, I know ff.net can be screwy, happens all the time. I'm glad you like the actions scenes because I keep thinking I'm messing them up, but I reread this chapter a few times and it seems okay to me. As for people reading the story, it's about the same as normal for me, and I'm getting more than one review per chapter so I'm happy. Thanks for the review! Hope you liked the chapter.
Aussie: Hello! Nice to see new people. You didn't say much so I'll just say thanks! Hope you keep reading.
~Rave
Chapter 10
"But the story needs to be told!" Andrew wined as Anya dragged him out of the bathroom. A girl ahead of me quickly ducked inside before someone else had the chance to steal her turn.
"And birds need to fly and girls need to use the toilet and why were you videotaping yourself anyway? Sounds like kinky business to me," Anya said as she let go of him.
Andrew held up his camera in defense. "The world is going to want to know about Buffy. It's a story of ultimate triumph tinged with bitterness for what has been lost in the struggle. It's a legacy for future generations," he explained enthusiastically.
"If there are any," Anya retorted. "Buffy seamed to think that this apocalypse is going to actually be, you know, apocalyptic. I think your story seems pretty pointless."
Andrew glanced down, disappointed, but he knew how to work Anya. "Oh, I was going to interview you later today. 'Cause, you know, your unique perspective on the hole thing. Give it editorial balance. . . and glamour."
Anya suddenly looked at it in a new perspective. "Well, balance is important. People don't always take that into account. I could bring that to you. Absolutely." I rolled my eyes as she smiled and they both walked away.
I heard the shower running and waited patiently for the girl to get out. It wouldn't take long. There wasn't much hot water left. I had gotten use to taking cold showers. When she got out I slipped in, and quickly got ready for the day. The line was only going to grow while I was in here, so I didn't keep anyone waiting. When I got out of the shower I quickly changed to jeans and a tank top and slipped out of the bathroom before heading down to breakfast.
"It's morning in Sunnydale," Andrew was saying as I walked in.
I walked past him to grab the cereal from Rona as she asked, "Who the hell's got the low-fat milk?"
I smirked as Andrew had to start his introduction over. "It's morning in Sunnydale and the women of Command Central take the time to fortify themselves for the day ahead."
"Hey!" Xander said.
Andrew glanced at him and corrected himself. "Women and Xander," then to Xander, "Hey, I'm going to do your special intro later. The man who is the heart of the slayer machine."
Xander looked up with a silly little happy grin. "Yeah? The heart?" Andrew really was working everyone pretty damn well. He was either really smart or just naturally talented at sucking up.
And so he continued, "Things are tense in Command Central this morning. Buffy is clearly concerned with some unknown danger and the air is filled with foreboding-"
"Oh, we're out of Raisin Bran," Dawn pointed out as I grabbed the milk from Rona. Low-fat, ugh. But it was all we had left.
"I'll put it on the list," Anya said.
Andrew glanced at them. "That's probably not the unknown danger."
Buffy and Spike walked in, making the kitchen all the more crowded. Spike glanced around, disgusted. "Look at this place. Damn girls dorm's what it is," He lit a cigarette, drawing glares. Since when did he smoke? Funny, I should have noticed sooner.
"That's nice. Second-hand sickness," Dawn muttered, stating my thoughts. I was human again, smoke bugged me.
Andrew looked into his camera. "It's a full house. I think its a good time to do some introductions, don't you, gentle viewers?" The camera pointed in my general direction for a second, I was ready to grab for it if he tried catching me on film. Lucky for him it turned away.
"I'm Amanda and I grew up right here-" Amanda started as the camera faced her.
"Not you, sweetheart. Let's start from the top." He pointed the camera at Buffy, his eyes getting this distant look as if he was seeing something else. "You've already met Buffy. She's beautiful, with a lion's heart and the face of an angel. She's never afraid because she knows her side will always win." First response: What? Someone is lying to Andrew if he really believed that. Heck, he was probably lying to himself.
Spike walked past Buffy, barely glancing at Andrew and it started him talking again, "Buffy and Spike have some kind of history. You can feel the heat between them although, technically as a vampire, he's room- temperature."
Anya's turn to walk by, drawing his camera's attention. "Anya. A feisty waif with a fiery temper and a vulnerable heart that she hides even from herself. And this lovely girl," he pointed the camera at another girl, pausing for a second. "I don't remember her name."
"Oh, for god's sake. Is he doing that again? Can't we make him stop?" Buffy finally asked, fed up with him.
"I don't know. . . if we save the world, it will be kind of nice to have a record of it," Rona suggested.
"And if we don't save the world, then. . . nothing matters," Amanda pointed out.
"Hmm. . . that's catchy, Amanda. Let's make that our slogan," Kennedy said with high sarcasm.
"Yeah, it is kind of strange how you keep saving the world and there's not any proof," Xander said, bringing thing back to our first topic.
"Yeah, you know, for future generations," Anya agreed.
Willow was nodding. "And it does help the girls with training, you know, viewing the tapes."
"Come on, no one else thinks this is idiotic?" Buffy asked, I was about to agree with her, but Xander started talking.
"Or is it important? I mean, Buff, I don't get why this is bothering you so much," he said.
She looked around for someone to agree with her. "Because it's a waste of time. Come on, someone has to agree with me on this-" again I was about to speak, but- "Spike?"
Spike shrugged. "Long as he's not pointing that thing at me, seems like a fine way to keep the boy busy."
I stood up, "Don't worry Buffy, I agree with you, you have at least one person willing to destroy Andrew's new toy if you're not up to it." I stated happily. She actually looked relieved.
"Thanks Beth," Buffy said, giving me a smile before turning back to the others. "Anyway, this is not about keeping busy. This is about war! I'm sorry to jump all over you guys but. . . I have to tell you what's really going on. There's something new. Amanda, Dawn, you're going to stay home from school today. We can survive what's coming but not like this. I had a vision of what's to come. A horrible vision. Hundreds upon hundreds of. . ." I started to tone her out, it was one of her long boring speech moments. Besides mentioning the vision, which actually was kind of interesting, she wasn't saying much.
Hundreds upon hundreds of super vamps. That sounds just joyful. Plenty of fun for the whole family as we all get slaughtered by the never ending storm of evilness. Just another day in the life of a slayer, yeah, that was it.
I waited for Buffy to stop, she had to go to work, then escaped the kitchen before Andrew could come back with the camera. I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels until I found some cartoon show to kill time with. Before I knew it a crowd of Potentials had gathered to watch TV. A lot of them had been trying to avoid me lately, but when I was in charge of the TV, they showed up. Then Andrew came in with the camera and I went upstairs.
Kennedy caught me walking by. "Hey, Beth, wait up!" I paused to see what she wanted, not saying anything but giving her this blank stare. She ignored it, but was nice enough to get to the topic anyway. "I was wondering, you're a slayer, right? So maybe you could talk to Buffy. You should have some say," I wasn't sure about that but I didn't say anything, so she went on. "Well, I was thinking. Maybe some of us girls could go out, you know, just to have fun. Buffy wouldn't let us go alone, but if we had you, a Slayer, then she might say it was okay."
Ah, so that's what she wanted. I wasn't sure what to say. "Well. That's interesting, but. . . I'm not going to bring it up with Buffy." I stated, not trying to be mean about it.
"That's okay. You don't have to." Kennedy said, starting to look happy. That was scary, I wasn't trying to encourage her. That could be bad. She kept talking. "You know I'll bring it up. You just have to come with us. How bad could that be?"
I wonder. "You know what. Do whatever. If you can convince Buffy to let us go, I'll be your baby-sitter." With that said I left. Kennedy was happy enough with me that she didn't even say something about the baby reference.
Now to escape Kennedy. Back downstairs. Andrew wasn't in the living room, but I didn't really want to sit with the pile of girls. Who to talk to? Spike might still be awake, it was worth checking on. If nothing else I could exchange sarcastic comments for a few minutes, that'd kill time.
I opened the door to the basement and heard talking.
"I thought I told you to piss off with this bloody camera. And here you are again with that thing in my face. Sod off 'fore I rip your throat out and eat it-" Spike was saying. He was doing the whole bad boy act, tough walk, glaring face, I would have been impressed if it wasn't an act. He was so liking the camera action.
"Spike, the light was kind of behind you," Andrew said, putting the camera down for a second so that Spike could readjust himself.
"Oh, right," Spike said as he dropped the act and moved to his right, looking at Andrew for approval. "This better, then?" he asked. Andrew nodded and Spike went back to his intro. "I thought I told you to piss off with this bloody camera. And here you are again with that thing in my face. Sod off-"
"Oh please," I muttered, making him pause again in his intro to look up at me, Andrew turned the camera with him, pointing it at my face. I glared at him long enough until he lowered the camera a little. Then I smiled sweetly. "Unlike our good vampire friend here, I really do want to break that camera, so don't go pointing it at me." Andrew looked hurt, but Spike just smirked. I turned to him. "What's so funny? You're acting just as stupid as he is."
"Hey-" Andrew and Spike said together. It was my turn to smirk as I walked out the door.
So much for that plan. Now I didn't know what to do. It had been a late night, and everyone had gone out to practice, so everyone was tired today. No chance of doing anything with them at the moment. Todd had stopped by yesterday to help take the girls out. He walked right inside without being asked. Ta da, not a vamp. That and the fact that the sun was shining at the time convinced Buffy. As a group we killed ten vampires. I counted. Buffy just kind of stood back and watched, letting the potentials do the work. They were getting better. Then Buffy sent us home and she stayed out to do some patrolling alone. I think Andrew followed her with his camera.
Todd had walked us back and we talked. We didn't really have much to say, but it was nice, just talking. He wasn't worried that I was a Slayer, and the fact that I was slightly older then him wasn't bugging him either. Nice to have someone actually talk to me without seeing me as someone else.
Come to think of it we had actually been up rather late, and I was tired. I yawned as I thought of it. Taking a nap didn't sound bad. It would kill some time if nothing else. Maybe Buffy would have something for us to do tonight, maybe not. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to actually be awake.
I walked into a bedroom and realized what the best thing about sleeping during the day was. There were empty beds. I wouldn't have to use a sleeping bag. That was enough to make me smile.
I took off my shoes and crawled into bed. It felt good to actually be in one. Closing my eyes I enjoyed the feeling as I waited to fall asleep.
~
At least I was human, I knew that. But that was all I knew.
Memories flashed of what I looked like. They kept going from one person to the other, but both looked almost exactly alike. Both with Auburn hair, but one had natural black highlights while the other was more blonde. Both had yellow eyes, shining and intelligent, but the expressions, they weren't the same. The two felt like the same person, in a way, but more than that they felt different.
How did my memories get here?
*All memories are here.*
All? As in everyone? Can we all see them?
*No.*
I frowned, or my mind did. Why not?
*Only the Learians can enter the vault.*
So I am a Learian? Yes, you said that. But only one of me is. How does that work?
*You are human now, you were Learian then. Time is not important here. You once were Learian, and can always enter the vault.*
That made no sense. Well, maybe a little sense. How am I here?
*You come in your sleep. You don't know the other ways.*
Did I?
*Yes.*
I can't remember them. It was true, there was no memory of it. Why not?
*You can see your human memories, and the memories of while you were in human form. When you were truly Learian-no one can see those.*
Why am I here?
Silence.
Why am I here?
~
I woke up with a snap, sitting up quickly. Something was wrong, it just felt off. Wait, no it didn't. Things were fine. Perfectly fine. What happened? I had been sleeping. . . oh. Another dream. That was it, nothing to worry about, I hoped. I still didn't remember anything. Could that be a bad sign? I'd give it a few more days before asking Buffy.
Slowly I stretched as I sat up in bed. I paused in the middle of a yawn when I glanced out the window. It was getting dark out. I couldn't have slept that long. If it was really twilight then I would have had to have slept for almost five hours.
Frowning, I climbed out of the bed and found my shoes before going downstairs. Everyone was gathered in the living room. Andrew was sitting in the middle of the couch, looking nervous. His camera was on the table in front of him. Buffy and Willow studied the computer.
"What's going on?" I asked Amanda softly.
She glanced up at me, "Oh, they did this memory thing with Andrew to try to find something about the hell mouth. Willow is researching a knife." I nodded, trying to get her to say more. I didn't really think they knew anything else, though, so it wasn't likely I'd get much information. "Where have you been, anyway?" Amanda wanted to know.
I shrugged the question off. "Just taking a nap."
Moving past Amanda I checked to see who else was in the room. The usual people mostly, Kennedy, Spike, Xander and Anya, a few other scattered Potentials, and Principle Wood, who I still didn't know much about.
I had tried talking to him once, but he basically blew me off, barely giving me a second glance. He considered Buffy a Slayer, but me? I was just a little girl, no one important. Forget the fact that I was older than him, that didn't matter. In his head I was just another of the Potentials.
No one really seemed up for talking, so I couldn't pick up any other information. I took a seat on the couch next to Andrew to wait for Buffy and Willow to finish. Every few minutes they'd murmur something to each other, but mostly Willow just searched.
"I think it's got a shot," I heard Willow say as she glanced back at Buffy. Buff nodded and they both walked back to the living room.
"Guess what, Andy?" Buffy said with a small half smile. "You just won yourself a free vacation to the beautiful downtown Hellmouth."
"So he can do what? Yell at it in its own language?" Spike asked.
Willow half-shrugged. "Maybe."
"What? I'm not following," Wood said.
I agreed with Wood, "Me either."
Buffy glanced at the two of us, not wanting to waste much time explaining. "Look, we have to deal with the seal right away. We already might have to just shut the school down and I am not losing any more territory to The First, it's the only thing we've got."
"The seal responds to the language somehow or The First wouldn't have needed the knife," Willow explained. "Andrew knows the language, can really talk to it, maybe give it commands." Hey, that actually made a little sense.
"Come on. Robin, Spike, let's go," They left to do something, not go after the seal. Andrew was still in the living room. My guess was they were getting weapons.
Kennedy and Andrew both walked into the kitchen, I followed, wanting a drink of water. Kennedy just leaned against the counter as Andrew started video taping her. "So what do you think about the seal thing?" Andrew asked.
Kennedy started complaining almost instantly. It wasn't 'I'm worried something might happen to us.' It was a bunch of crap about Buffy not taking her with her. "So she says 'come on, let's go,' and I'm thinking great, I'm ready, I've been training. Turns out she's not taking me or my girls. Not even taking Willow or Beth. You know who she's taking? The men. And you, Andrew. All the girls get left behind. You wouldn't think Buffy would play it like that. She's not turning out like I thought she'd be." She paused for a beat. "What do you think Beth?" Suddenly both her and the camera were focusing on me.
I blinked, glancing at them. "Mostly I think Andrew needs to lower that camera before I drown it in the sink." Andrew lowered the camera. "And I don't care who Buffy takes. Told ya, I'm not going to go talking to her about that kind of thing, she can run the show."
"Andrew? Where are you? Let's go!" Buffy called.
"Guess you'd better go. M'lady's calling you," Kennedy said, considering my comment. Then suddenly she jumped up, too, running towards Buffy's voice with a look I didn't particularly like plastered on her face. I stared after her, drinking my water, hoping I had said anything to give her an idea.
Best to make sure, so I put down the water and followed after her. She was standing at the front door, arguing with Buffy.
"Come on, the girls could use a break, and besides, we'd have a Slayer with us," Kennedy was insisting. I already didn't like the way this was sounding.
I think Buffy would have said no to whatever Kennedy was asking, but she was in a hurry to leave, and Kennedy wasn't going to give up anytime soon. Spike and Wood were already waiting outside as Andrew videotaped the conversation. To the point though: Buffy wasn't going to fight right now. "Fine, go. Don't be gone too long and Willow's going with you. If anything happens, and I mean anything, come strait back." Buffy glanced at me for a second before turning back to Kennedy. "You're not in charge. You obey everything she says," she was pointing at me.
"What?" I yelled as Buffy walked out the door. Obey me? Was she kidding? Then again, I understood where she was coming from. If they took their orders from Kennedy they'd probably end up fighting a battle they couldn't win. But what had I just gotten into?
Kennedy was smiling. That wasn't a good thing.
The other girls started wondering towards us. "What's going on?" One of them asked.
Kennedy walked over and draped an arm across my shoulders. "Beth here is going to take us out tonight. We're going dancing!"
I froze. Dancing?
Willow walked in just in time to hear that. She looked confused, but maybe she would do something to get me out of this. "What do you mean? Buffy would never allow you to go out like that."
Kennedy was grinning. "But she did. Just now, right before she left. I asked if we could go out to a club, just to relax for a change. She said it was all right as long as you and Beth came. Beth already said she would if I got Buffy to agree." I did say that, didn't I? Damn. Well, maybe Willow wouldn't agree to it.
No luck there, Willow was smiling. She was looking at Kennedy in that happy sort of girl friend way. I just helped them go out on a date. Yippee. Now I wasn't just a baby-sitter, I was a chaperon. Not to mention I'd have to make sure no vampires sneaked on any of the girls. Shit. This wouldn't be good.
"That sounds great!" Dawn said, standing on the stairs. "I do get to come, too, right?"
I nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, sure. But someone has to stay and watch the house." I took a moment to get my thoughts in order. "Okay, Dawn, you go tell Xander and Anya they have housekeeping duty. Amanda, you go see who wants to go out. If the girl can't understand English she's not coming. Sorry, but I need to be able to keep tabs on all of you," no one here had a problem. I glanced at my watch. It was about seven-thirty. "Okay, we leave in half an hour. That should be enough time for you guys to get ready."
The girls were already leaving. I didn't even ask which club we were going to. Or how we were getting there. We were fresh out of cars so we'd probably end up walking. Willow would know the faster ways there, though. She knew the town pretty well, and it wasn't big so the walk wouldn't be bad.
All the girls had gone off to get dressed, and I decided it wouldn't hurt for me to change clothes, too, but I wasn't going to go all out like they were. I didn't have any clothes for partying, then again neither did most the girls. Willow's and Dawn's wardrobes were being raided, but no one was taking anything from Buffy's. I hope she didn't mind if I did. I'd say sorry and offer to pay for anything if it got ruined.
Lucky for me Buffy and I were about the same size. I chose out a pair of dark blue jeans that hung loosely from my hips. It had to be too big for Buffy, but I like pants baggy. I turned away from all her shoes. She might be able to fight in heals, but I wasn't used to it and I wanted to be able to get us out of trouble. Next came finding a top, and she had a lot to chose from. I turned away from anything pink, orange or white, along with all pastels. Finally I settled on a tight forest green shirt that stopped right above my belly button. I threw my hair into a quick bun and found some chopsticks from dawn to hold it in place before going back downstairs.
It took me ten minutes to get ready. It was more than forty-five minutes after I came down stairs that the others joined me. I was greeted by girls wearing all colors of make up and clothes who looked like they were out to party. Quickly I counted them. Ten girls altogether, including Willow.
"Okay, settle down," their excited chatter hushed. "Just have a couple of rules. We're going with the buddy system. I know it sounds corny, but I don't want any of you alone. If you're separated from your buddy, go find someone else and stay with them. If you find someone else alone, pinch her. Just a little incentive to stay together while making sure you're not the first," there were a few small smiles. "Last, but not least. Don't leave with anyone. I mean that. No going outside, no going to small rooms. I want you where I can find you." I said this with complete seriousness, and I was pretty sure they understood. If they didn't, next time they'd stay home. If there was a next time. "Questions? No? Good. Where are we going?" This I asked to Willow.
She smiled at me, cheerfully. "I was thinking the Bronze. There's a balcony thing above the dance floor you should be able to watch everyone on if you need to, plus they normally have good music."
I nodded. "Fine. That works. Follow Willow." And we did. The girls grouped up with their buddies, and I checked to see who was with who as we walked down the street. As expected the trip didn't take long. The girls probably wouldn't have cared if it took an hour, nor would they have noticed. They were all talking in excited voices, going over everything they planed on doing at the club.
The Bronze used to be a warehouse. You see that from the outside. The sign was the only thing showing that it was a club, that and the groups of young people who showed up every few minutes and went inside.
Inside had tables, a place to buy drinks, a stage where tonight there was a DJ instead of an actual band. The dance floor was already crowded, as were the pool tables off in a corner. The other, darker corners, were occupied with couples who were starting to pair off.
I glanced at my watch. 9 o'clock. If I said we left in an hour the girls might all meet back here by eleven. I told them to be here at ten and the girls branched off, staying with the buddy system just like I said to.
Taking Willows advice I walked up the stairs onto the higher platform. It was mostly empty at the moment, and it was true that I could see most of the club. Willow saw me looking around and waved. I waved back.
The first half hour went by quickly. The music was good, a variety of local bands and hit singles, along with a few other tracks that weren't singles, but were still good. He probably wasn't supposed to be playing them, but no on really cared.
The girls were having fun. Most were flirting or dancing. A couple even played pool. I hadn't noticed any vamps hitting on them so we were doing good. As long as the Potentials didn't get killed the night might be considered a success.
It didn't occur to me that I might be the one in danger. Or at least not until I felt a tap on my should and turned to face Zeke, just grinning at me like he normally would.
He was dressed for a night out, too. He wore his normal cargo pants along with a royal blue tank top covered by one of the nicer button up anime shirts. I didn't recognize the show. Something with girls holding fire and twirling around in magic. Honestly though, that left a lot of options. But the shirt was still cool. I liked it more than the expensive sunglasses that completed the outfit.
"Liz, long time no see," Zeke said as he took off his sunglasses, revealing a new piercing in his eyebrow. It added to the punk/rock look he had going, and normally I would have commented on it, but I wasn't sure of what to say. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" He was joking, and seemed sincere about it. I merely stood confused. Zeke shrugged, taking a step back to lean against a rail.
Suddenly I got my voice back. "What're you doing here?"
He grinned. "Out for dinner. Heard this was a nice enough place." I just stared at him, so he went on. "Did you mean in Sunnydale? Boss wanted me to take care of some business."
That brought up a topic. "Business?" I asked.
"Not about you-in a way." Zeke said casually. "Got a problem with someone who's supposed to be helping us."
"Who'd that be?" I didn't really expect him to answer.
He did anyway. "The witch you met at the house."
Oh. Her, um, I mean it. "You mean The First," I stated.
Zeke looked at me, obviously pleased about something. "It's nice talking to someone who picks up on things. Even if you're a little tongue tied from time to time." So I was right. I had actually been guessing, but being right was good. The whole thing about the witch not really touching the door. . . that was nicely set up by the vampires, but I saw it.
I nodded to Zeke, understanding his comment, but still watching him like a hawk. While he was acting like this was just a friendly visit I couldn't help feeling like something was going on. "So how'd you pull the trap off?" I asked, merely searching for another topic.
Zeke kept his smile, but it didn't seem like he meant it anymore. As if something I said had disappointed him. Must have asked the wrong question. But he kept talking anyway. "Tricked one of the witches, got her to help us, then killed them all. Quite simple.
"And the first?" I asked.
He shrugged. "It wanted you dead, helped us set things up. Things were going just peachy until we found out that it was actually planning to kill you. That we couldn't have so we drew back the vampires." Ah, so that's what had happened. While I'm sure there was more to it, that was a start. Other than that he hadn't given any information away, and what he had said probably wasn't important. He wouldn't slip up like that. "My turn to ask questions," He said. "How far are you in translating that book?"
I blinked. He had to be talking about the book Alucard gave me. I'd been looking it over, but it made little sense. Chris came over a few times and had made a little progress, but we weren't getting anywhere. "Barely started, why?"
Zeke shrugged. "It's the closest thing to an original copy. Only thing that Boss hasn't tampered with. Not to mention it's the original language, that's a plus. You don't have to worry about earlier mistakes."
He seamed to know a lot about it. "Why're you asking?"
Again he shrugged. "Just curious." He paused for a moment. "I'm beginning to see why Alucard doesn't like the guy. Of course, he has personal grudges, but Boss is pretty damn aggravating."
Zeke wasn't that good of an actor so there was no doubt in my mind that he was telling the truth. There had been venom in his voice when he talked about the Boss. But at the same time there was respect.
"Why do you stay with him?" I asked. I wasn't trying to be all noble, I was just curious. Zeke wasn't sure my reasons for asking at first, so I just stared at him, letting him figure it out for himself. He could read me better than anyone, so I was positive he'd figure out what I was asking.
"He's got power. He could crush me, and he would if he thought I was a threat. I'm surprised Alucard lived as long as he did. Boss knew he was deadly. But he won't make the same mistake twice. He watches me oh so carefully now." As he said that Zeke glanced down at the floor below, I glanced with him before remembering I was supposed to keep an eye on me. Zeke smirked as he saw me catch myself, but that was all he did.
To save myself from embarrassment I changed the topic. "You said that Alucard 'lived', as in he isn't alive anymore?" I asked.
Zeke paused. "Oh, no, he's alive, or as alive as any vampire," he confirmed. Well, at least I knew where he was to some extent. The Boss had him again. I glanced a way from Zeke for a moment, knowing fully the risk, and when I turned back to him I saw him staring at me as if he was trying to see what was under my skin, what I was thinking.. "Why'd you want to know?"
"Curious," I answered simply, but he didn't stop staring.
We stood in silence for a moment as the music bellowed around us. I wanted to relax, but I wouldn't dare. Zeke was still staring at me and I knew he didn't have to prepare to attack. He would didn't give any warning. He just moved. So I kept my eye on him and we both stood and stared.
"So, how do you feel about the apocalypse?" I asked at last, not knowing of a better topic and finding this one to be something we could relate to. Oh yes, the apocalypse, something we were both fighting on opposite ends of. I wonder who would win.
Zeke's blank stare cracked as he chuckled. "The apocalypse? Well, if it comes then I'll probably not live through it. Boss won't need me anymore and all that. Then again, I hear those ubber vamps are kind of nasty. He might want someone to watch his back."
I grinned. "Yes, and how things are going back at command central, I might get to hold a stake and stand in the background."
"Why's that? You're a Slayer," Zeke stated.
I nodded. "Yeah, but I'm not Buffy, I'm the other Slayer."
Zeke had stopped laughing. "Can't be that bad. Not with the help they're going to need. Buffy should be happy to have you there."
I nodded, agreeing with him. "It's not bad, it's just," I stopped as I tried to think of a way to explain. "They know I'm a Slayer, they know my story, they accept that, but I'm not a part of their lives. I'm just another Potential. Spike's the only one who treats me like I'm in their special clique, but while we might consider each other friends. . . we're really not."
There was another stretch of silence. "Yeah, heard Spike was your brother," Zeke said at last. "That's got to be weird. A Slayer having a brother who spent a hundred years terrorizing Europe."
I nodded. "It's 'bout as weird as a Slayer who's best friend's a vampire who happens to work for her arch nemesis."
Zeke nodded. "Life sucks that way."
Right then I let myself relax. It was true, we might be fighting but I still considered him a friend. I wasn't going to act all wacky just because he might kill me. Wait, he wasn't going to kill me. No, that was the Boss's job. Besides, he could kick my butt any time he wanted to. It was an understood statement that neither of us brought up.
"So, how's life with them?" Zeke asked, motioning to the girls below us.
I shrugged. "Kind of dull. I have to stand in line to use the shower."
He choked back laughter. "Really? That's gotta suck."
I nodded. "Yeah, a little. And this morning I actually had to use non- fat milk. The good stuff was gone."
This time he did laugh. "Sometimes it's good to be a vampire," he murmured.
Shrugging I answered, "Maybe, but being human's kind of nice."
"You had the best of both worlds for a while there," Zeke stated.
"Then Buffy went and died again. I know the story," I said as I stared down at the girls. They had no clue something was going on up here. If any of them even bothered to glance up they probably wouldn't think twice of the strange man standing near by me.
Zeke moved to stand next to me. "Sorry to say, I have to add on to the story."
"How's that?"
"I've got orders that if I see you I have to bring you back with me."
"Figured it was something like that."
Zeke was watching the floor very carefully, his eyes picking out different people, sending signals. "I noticed you came with ten girls. I could have them all killed before you get down the stairs." His voice was blank, emotionless, all business.
I believed him.
"And how do I stop that?"
"Come back with me. That simple. They never need to be involved, you're just suddenly gone and they won't know why. Maybe we'll leave them a note in the morning," Zeke said.
I just stared for a moment. I couldn't say no but. . . If I went with him I was screwed. Wouldn't it be worse if I came back as a vampire and fought against the scoobies? If by some twist of fate the prophecy would come true and I would kill all these vampires, wouldn't it be worth the lives a few girls?
But I couldn't let them die. Watching them having fun, seeing them below me. They were young, and they were happy. I couldn't let him kill them. As stubborn as I was I knew that if I let them die I would never forgive myself. I might be forced to go with him anyway, so why not just give in?
I should have told Zeke that the moment he suggested it because I could see now that my temporary silence was taken as a no. Two men were moving through the dance floor towards Dawn and Amanda. I knew what they were, what they were doing. They were stalking them, and I wouldn't be able to get to them in time.
"Call them back," I asked, sparing a quick glance to Zeke.
"I can't."
"I'll go with you, just call them back."
He shook his head. "I would, but I can't."
I looked around frantically. "I can't get there in time!"
"I know."
For a moment fear slipped through me, seizing my body. I couldn't move, couldn't think, then it faded, and I knew what to do. Without even thinking I grabbed the rail and leaped over it. The landing was hard, too hard. I had fallen from higher before, but for some reason my leg almost gave out, as if I had hurt it earlier. I didn't remember hurting it.
Oh wait, at the house. . . my knee. . . If that slowed me down too much I was going to be pissed. It had been about a week, I should have healed by now. But I guess tendons and ligaments took time. For a normal human it could take weeks to heal, I should be happy that it wasn't as bad for me, but I still started out at a limp.
By the time I reached Dawn the vampire was right behind her, but my limp was gone, so I was doing fine. The vampire didn't see me coming, so I started out with the upper hand. I grabbed his shoulder, turning him around to face me, but mostly pulling him away from Dawn. The vampire looked at me, surprised. I hit him before he had a chance to react.
I glanced at Dawn and Amanda, both were looking at me in shock. Neither of them noticed the other vampire behind them. With a sigh I hit the first vampire again, knocking him to the floor as I pushed past the two girls to grab the other one.
He saw me coming and swung at me. I ducked, grabbed his arm and pulled him off balance. He fell onto my good knee which I thrust into his chest. The vampire dropped to the ground and I turned to the other one that was getting back up.
Dawn and Amanda had backed up out of the way, becoming lost in a crowd of onlookers. The vampires were still in human face, so I wasn't too worried about them making a scene. We didn't want to draw everyone's attention. The fight had attracted the guy behind a counter's attention. He left his work station and half jogged over before the fight started back up.
"Hey, no fighting in here, take it outside," He yelled at us.
I smiled and nodded, glancing up at the balcony. Zeke was staring down, once again wearing his sunglasses. I nodded towards the door and he nodded back. "Yeah, I'll meet them outside," I said, knowing Zeke would hear me. He'd be out in a bit to meet me, too. The vampires were his, so I wouldn't kill them unless they attacked again. I was betting they'd attack, though.
Before heading out I looked for Dawn in the crowd. "Stay inside," I told her. "If I don't come back in soon, don't worry, get everyone at home by eleven, I'll meet up with you later."
"Wait! Where are you going?" Dawn asked, following after me as I walked past the fallen vampires and towards the door.
I glanced at her. "Stay with your buddy, that rule still applies. Don't worry about me," I said, not looking at her again. Then I was outside, and Dawn stayed in. I was going on trust that Zeke wouldn't have the girls killed. He said he wouldn't, and I believed him, but I could be wrong.
~
Hello all! What do you think? I had to have a bronze scene, and I couldn't think of how to fit it in, then I was watching a rerun and I figured it out. So I'm happy now. Chapter 11 is on its way to being done. I should have it out by Monday. (Sorry, it takes a bit of time to edit them, and we all know I'm not good at it). What else. . . can't think of anything, so on with the thank yous.
Beyond the silence: Sorry about any confusion, I'm trying to take care of that. The leg thing comes in later. . . um, I think it's chapter 12 (which should be on soon). And yes, I will explain the Alucard/Spike thing. Thanks again for the review!
Gidgetgirl: Thanks for trying to review, I know ff.net can be screwy, happens all the time. I'm glad you like the actions scenes because I keep thinking I'm messing them up, but I reread this chapter a few times and it seems okay to me. As for people reading the story, it's about the same as normal for me, and I'm getting more than one review per chapter so I'm happy. Thanks for the review! Hope you liked the chapter.
Aussie: Hello! Nice to see new people. You didn't say much so I'll just say thanks! Hope you keep reading.
~Rave