Divine Interference
Part Fourteen: More than Freaky
Posted: July 28, 2004
Disclaimer": it's somewhere in the previous parts. Trust me.
Author's notes: Damn! I think I got like...I don't even think I can count high enough to count all the reviews I've gotten since I last updated this story! Most are from Queen Boadicea, reviewing every few chapters, but there are others, so many others, and some from people who have, in my knowledge, never reviewed my stories before, and well...THANKS GUYS!!!
This update is about 13 pages, unformatted, and well, I have about fifteen or sixteen more pages to get up, though that's a rough estimate. No, wait, 85-77= it's summer, I don't know! But there are that many pages left to get up here. The more reviews, the more I'll be willing to get it all up here! Just letting you know, lol!
Reader Responses:
Out of Reality: Thanks for the compliment. More and more I'm seeing the word awesome, and it makes me feel all tingly inside! Thanks! As for your questions... I will tell you that I hate tragedies, so that idea is out, though I kinda like it....I already have the ending, and the epilogue typed up, it's just a matter of giving you guys time to digest things. Don't worry, I promise that the ending is more original than the idea!
(There are just too many D stories....at least that I've written. Ever noticed that? I think I have a fixation with the letter D. Divine, Dark Years, Dark Times...I have a few untyped stories that start with D...TOO MANY D's!)
Queen Boadicea (13): Oh, Spanky's being very useful. Just because Xander ain't around to pick on him, doesn't mean I don't have someone to take his place, lol....But yeah, he does get annoying when he's around Buffy. I liked him better evil, myself....better to write too, more of a challenge!
Queen Boadicea (11): Lol, at this point, I'm not really sure what Tara knows or doesn't know. And I don't know what... superfluous, but if Angel isn't it, then I guess that's a good thing, lol.
Queen Boadicea, yet again, lol(9): You know what, even though it's too late for it to happen in this story, give me some time, and I'll definitely have a story written like that! You are right too, to be left by Dru for a Fungus demon...tisk tisk. Oh, and I could bring Dru into it...I love writing that crazy girl! Starts to laugh her head off oh, sorry. Back to reviews, shall we?
Queen Boadicea(8): yeah, I had that misconception, but I did change that part, because well...now that she's Buffy's daughter rather than her sister, I didn't think the wording was right. And the tense issue! It plagues my sleep! I was using scripts from , my first stop for anything episode wise for either Buffy or Angel, and at that point in time, I had major tense issues. I wasn't sure how to change one from the other and all that, but now I've licked it, I hope. If you find any more in this chapter, or the next one, please let me know! I try so hard to catch them, but I think that no matter what, they'll still bug me!
I liked Dawn, mostly because she was my age, and still is, as far as I know, and she almost reminds me of, well...me at times. Bad, I know. She was a real brat, but I can almost understand why. Not that I've learned that I'm not really, my Mom's child, I've got her eighth grade pic to prove it (we look EXACTLY alike! Same face structure, same hair color, and we both wear thick glasses, it's scary!) but...yeah.
Queen Boadicea(6): Ok, first off, I love reviews, but...lol. I'm not totally sure if Angel could tell that Glory wasn't all that she's cracked up to be. She is almost human, being in Ben's body and all...Angel doesn't realize that she's not human until Wes finds it out, I think. I'm having a hard time remembering my own story, but it's all in the past, so why worry?
Queen Boadicea(4): You don't like my Gods? Lol. I'm sorry, I have this issue about loving to write higher powers and whatnot. I'm sorry it's confusing, but I hope that you've managed to figure out what's going on.
Melanie: Lol, the reason why I'm staying very much to the season is because I'm using scripts from the season. Some things are very different, like Dawn doesn't talk, and Angel's there, but other than that...I'm trying to stay as focused as I can. I can tell you that no, Angel will not be going to Plyea. At least not any time soon. Maybe in the middle of the summer, but not now. Fred's a strong girl, she can rescue herself, lol. Seriously, Fred is one of my favorite characters, and I hadn't even thought about her and everything else going on in LA, but Angel has other obligations. As for Buffy dying...my lips are sealed!
Melluvben: Well, that is one way, but that doesn't really cover that damn prophecy. They can't be together until that's taken care of! Pounds her head against wall SHIT! whistles innocently I like the idea, but no. I do have another way to sequel it, though, having to do with Dawn's blood, but I'll get more info to you after the end, so you guys can see what happens, and then decide...
Ok, I think that's all the reviews. I want to thank everyone once more for reviewing! I almost thought I had died and gone to heaven when I logged on, and found ten reviews, all within a day old, and it happened twice!!! You guys have made me a VERY happy writer, and I hope to get another update of something else ASAP, so if you're reading Dark years, of Dark Times, be looking for them!
THANKS!
(START OF CHAPTER)
The sun had set when a car pulled up to the gas station, and Ben stopped the car, looking fearfully at the knights, all in armor with weapons pointed his way. He took a deep breath, grabbing his medical bag, and got out of the car.
Once he was let in, he went right to Giles's side. "You, uh, forgot to mention the costume party outside," he joked, starting to take a look at Giles's wound.
"Sorry. I-I didn't know who else to call." Spike and Angel, both jealous, were in the back room, Angel holding a still sleeping Dawn.
"No, it's okay. I mean, yeah, not ... how I pictured seeing you again, but, uh ... I'll take what I can get." Buffy knew that both Spike and Angel were listening, and the thought she heard an inaudible growl from Angel.
"Thank you...for coming."
"No problem." He looked past Buffy, and she turned to see Angel standing in the doorway, holding Dawn. Ben was staring at the sleeping child.
"So, uh, how are your classes?" she asked, jolting him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, uh, good," he nodded.
AN: Ok, I just realized that because Joyce is not dead, Buffy would not know Ben. So she met him in the cafeteria, while she was still trying to juggle school and Dawn!
Ben decided to do what he could for Giles, and Buffy left him to check on Dawn. When she came back, Ben had put a huge bandage on the wound, and was taking off a pair of surgical gloves.
"All right, I think I got him stabilized, but there's a lot of damage. We need to get him out of here."
"Well, I think the guys with the pointy swords kinda have other ideas."
"Don't they always."
"Look, I know this must seem extra "Outer Limits" to you."
"This? Naah. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. You know, emergency room, full moon on a Saturday night." He saw Angel holding Dawn just on the other side of the door, "Is that your little girl?"
"Yeah," Buffy actually smiled, though wan.
"She looks dehydrated," he said, taking a step closer, to take a look at her, and Angel growled at him. "Father?"
"Yes," Angel said in a no nonsense voice.
"He's a doctor. Or nurse, or training. Just let him take a look," Buffy told him, and he begrudgingly let Ben touch her. "You know, if it gets too weird for you, just tell me, I'll understand."
"Don't worry about me. I won't leave until I've worn out my welcome."
"How soon can you go?" Angel mumbled. Buffy glared at him, taking Dawn from him.
"Go...beat up Spike or something," Buffy shooed him off, "Sorry about him. He's over protective of Dawnie. And me."
"I would be too," he flashed her a smile. Oh, God, he's flirting with me, she thought, but he's helping Giles. She smiled back, what she hoped was a genuine smile. Giles's labored breathing got louder, and Buffy frowned, going over to where he lay. She shifted Dawn a bit, and took Giles's hand.
Angel entered the back room, void of lights, muttering. The doc guy was flirting with her, and it was really getting on his nerves. He was hoping that she would have let him back in by now, but now...
He heard a click of a lighter, and a muffled "Ow." Not needing light, being perfectly suited for the dark, he saw Spike in a corner trying to light a cigarette with bandaged hands. Sometime between taking care of Giles, and keeping Tara out of trouble, Willow had wrapped rags around the cuts.
I can't believe I'm doing this, Angel thought as he stalked towards Spike. Spike gave him a wary look, until Angel snatched the lighter out of his hands.
Spike sighed, "Thanks."
Angel flicked the lighter and held it up so Spike could light his cigarette, "If you take that near Buffy or Dawn, I will kill you." Angel closed the lighter and stuck it into his pocket. Spike nodded his consent. "Have I mentioned today how much I dislike you?"
"A few times, yeah. Maybe not so much in words but...yeah."
"How are your hands?"
"Nothing compared to the little bits we're gonna get chopped into when the Renaissance Faire kicks the door in. And here we bloody sit."
"It's not like we've got much of a choice."
"Could make a break for it! Use General Armor-All as a shield, get to the doc's car, and-"
"Great plan, Spike. And while all the hacking and slashing's going on, what are you gonna be doing, huh? Throwing migraines at 'em?"
"Look, we stay here, we all die! At least this way, some of us might get-"
"No." they both looked up to see Buffy standing there, sans the baby. Angel looked around franticly, to see Willow holding her. "We're all gonna make it. I'm not losing anyone. Check the supplies...see if anyone's hungry," she said, subdued.
"Dissention in the ranks. Seldom a harbinger of glad tidings." The whatever was obviously awake.
"Shut up," Buffy backhanded him, hard.
"Poor frightened girl. You've no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
"Why don't you tell me then?" she crossed her arms across her chest, cold from not holding Dawn close.
"Would it make a difference?" he asked, "What do you know of the beast?"
"Strong. Fast. Hellgod."
"From a dimension of unspeakable torment."
"A demon dimension. I know. She ruled with two other hellgods, right?" Angel moved closer to hear better. He stood beside Buffy, hoping to give her strength just by his presence.
"Along with the beast they were a triumvirate of suffering and despair. Ruling with equal vengeance. But the beast's power grew beyond even what they could conceive. As did her lust for pain and misery. They looked upon her, what she had become ... and trembled."
"A god afraid?" Buffy asked, now nervous.
"Such was her power. They feared she would attempt to seize their dimension for herself, and decided to strike first. A great battle erupted. In the end, they stood victorious over the beast ... barely. She was cast out. Banished to this lower plane of existence, forced to live and eventually die trapped within the body of a mortal ... a newborn male, created as her prison. That is the beast's ... only weakness."
"Kill the man ... and the god dies," Buffy deduced.
"Unfortunately, the identity of the human vessel has never been discovered."
"I don't understand. Now, I've seen Glory. Not a whole lot going on in the hairy chest department."
"You have seen a glimpse of the true beast. Her power was too great to be completely contained. She's found a way to escape her mortal prison ... for brief periods, before her energies are exhausted and she's forced back ... into her living cell of meat and bone."
"What about Dawn? The Key?" Angel clarified.
"The key ... is almost as old as the beast itself. Where it came from, how it was created ... the deepest of mysteries. All that is certain is that its power is absolute. Countless generations of my people have sacrificed their lives in search of it, to destroy it before its wrath could be unleashed.
"But the monks found it first," Buffy was checking her facts.
"Yes, and hid it with their magicks."
"Why didn't they just destroy it? If the key is as dangerous as-"
"Because they were fools. They thought they could harness its power for the forces of light. They failed, and paid with their blood."
"What does...what does she-it do? What was it created for?" Angel put his arm around Buffy's shoulders. He knew she was having a hard time comprehending the information, because he was in the same boat.
"It-She was created ... to open the gates that separate dimensions. The beast will use her power ... to return home and seize control of the hell she was banished from."
Buffy couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. The general looked at her in surprise. "That's it? That's Glory's master plan ... to go home?"
"You misunderstand. Once the key is activated, it won't just open the gates to the beast's dimension. It's going to open all the gates. The walls separating realities will crumble. Dimensions will bleed into each other. Order will be overthrown and the universe will tumble into chaos ... all dark ... forever."
Buffy took a deep, wavering breath. Angel put a hand under her arm, in case she collapsed. This was her daughter they were talking about, a child she gave birth to, carried around for nine months...
"That ... is what she was created for," He finished.
"I-I can't." Buffy stalked out of the room, finding another room, unoccupied.
Angel looked in dismay at the General, and Spike, before trailing after her. "Buffy..."
"Do you think it's true? What he said?" she was sitting on a table in the middle of the room.
He sighed, and sat down next to her, taking her hands in his own, rubbing them for comfort, "I don't know."
"Destroyer of the universe...every mother hopes her baby grows up to be something special... She doesn't even have to grow up," she sniffled. She placed her head on Angel's shoulder, "What are we going to do?" she whispered.
"I won't let anything happen to her, I promise, Buffy. Or you. I love you both too much. I would die before letting anything happen to you." He wrapped his arms around her, and they sat there in silence for a while.
In the back room, where the general was tied up, Willow was trying to feed Tara, while Spike took a moment to study the baby who was also the Key. He didn't see anything different about her, from other babies he had seen. Sure, she was still alive after crossing his path, but...
"Wriggling!" Tara cried, upset.
"Come on, baby, you have to eat something."
"Ya want me to try?" Spike said awkwardly, coming up behind Willow.
"I don't know, she doesn't know you very well...and I'm kinda getting used to picking fruit out of my hair."
Ben was over by the sink, rinsing some gauze to be used again, once dried. It wasn't exactly sanitary, but... He would do the best he could.
"You!" the general whispered, not wanting the attention of anyone but Ben, who stopped what he was doing, but didn't look at him. "You are not a part of this, are you?"
"Just a friend of the family," he still wouldn't look at him.
"Would you die for them?" this got Ben's attention, and he finally turned to look at the general in the eye. "Because that is what your future holds if you align yourself with the Slayer and her misguided people."
"It's my life, and I'll do what I please with it."
"It's not just your life. Unimaginable legions will perish, including everyone here. You can stop this. You can save all their lives by ending one. The little girl. The key. Destroy it, and the will of the beast will be broken, she will fade, a distant memory...and all of this madness will end."
Ben just glared at him.
Buffy was standing next to Giles later on, now holding Dawn when Ben came up behind her. She jumped.
"Sorry."
"Is...Is he gonna be ok?"
"He was hurt pretty badly."
"It's because of me," she muttered, "all my fault."
"No it isn't." He walked around behind her to get something from his bag.
"You don't know what's happening."
"I don't have to." He rummaged around in his bag while talking, grabbing a syringe, and started filling it from a bottle, "I just know that sometimes terrible things happen to good people. It shouldn't, but ... it does." He flicked the needle to get the air out. "It's nobody's fault. It's just the way life is," he turned and gave Giles the shot. Buffy frowned in distaste. Anything that had to do with hospitals and doctors she didn't like.
"Will that help?" Ben didn't answer, turning away from Buffy. "Ben?" he dropped the syringe, shattering it. He put a shaky hand to his forehead. Buffy stared at him, confused and scared. She hadn't yet put any of the pieces together.
Ben ran into the main room, "Let me out! You have to let me out!"
"Ben?" Buffy followed him.
"You don't understand. I gotta get out, open a door, now!" Angel and Spike ran up behind Buffy.
"What's going on?" Angel asked.
"I-I don't know. He just freaked out."
"Let me out!"
"Will, open a door..." Angel said, perplexed. If he knew more of what had been happening, then he would have put things together, but he had been out of town too often.
"NO! AH!" Ben brought up his hands as if to defend his head, but morphed into Glory in the process. She turned the movement into a leisurely stretch. Buffy stared in horror at the blonde, Angel coming up beside her, trying to block Dawn from her.
"Well, well, well, little Ben finally did something right."
"The Beast," The general said.
"Hey, it's Gregor!" Glory cried. She grabbed a hubcap lying around, and threw it like a Frisbee. It hit the general, Gregor, in the chest. The body fell against the bonds, dead. "And now it's not."
Spike rushed at her with a yell, Angel right behind. She batted Spike away like a rag doll, slamming both he and Angel against the wall. Tara looked panicked as Willow closed her eyes to do a spell.
Buffy stood rooted on the spot, panicked. Glory rushed at her, grabbing Dawn from her embrace, and threw her at Willow, both hitting the closest wall.
"Dawn!" Buffy screamed from her place on the floor. She pushed herself up and through the door, just in time for the barrier to close behind Glory and her daughter. She can't get past. "DAWN!" Buffy ran back inside, now limping slightly from some injury that had just registered, "Willow!" Willow looked at her, her eyes already black. Buffy ran back out as Willow started the releasing spell.
The barrier went down, and Buffy looked around in horror. All the knights were dead, lying around like unwanted kindling. She slowly walked forward, not wanting to stare at the dead, but not being able to help it.
Willow, Tara, Spike and Angel burst out of the building, even the vampires stopping at the scene of carnage.
"We have to-" Willow started.
Buffy was still walking slowly, traumatized. A body nearby croaked, "The Beast."
Tara whimpered and hid her face in Willow's shoulders.
"The car! Get the keys!" Spike cried, an idea. He ran off to find them as Angel moved towards Buffy.
"Buffy! We have to find Dawn," Angel told her.
"We can't let Glory-" Willow started. Buffy sank down to the ground.
"Buffy?" Angel called, worried, "Buffy!" tears started streaming down her face. Angel crouched down beside her, "Buffy, please! Buffy!"
"Buffy, you have to get up!" Willow cried.
"Let's get her inside," Angel said, picking her up. He set her down in a chair. "Will, try to wake her up. Giles, how are you doing? Will you be alright to move in a bit?"
"Don't worry about me, I'll be just-ow," he moved.
"Better part of a century spent in delinquency just paid off," Spike bragged, "Hotwired Ben's auto. Who's for gettin' the hell out of here?"
"You sure you're going to be ok?" Angel ignored him, talking to Giles.
"Don't worry about me, how's Buffy?"
"The same," Angel said, staring nervously at her, "Still."
"It's been almost half an hour," Willow pointed out.
"But she'll be alright, right? She's the slayer," Spike said.
No one said anything for a moment, "Will, try it again," Angel ordered. He just seemed to have taken over the role of leader, and no one had made a fuss.
"All right, but ... I'm not even sure she's, you know ... really in there."
"Just try."
She scooted down so she was directly in Buffy's face, "Can you hear me? Buffy! Buffy! Buffy?" she shook her head.
"BUFFY!" Spike yelled at her, "She can't just be brain-dead. I mean ... she's still Buffy, somewhere in there, right?"
"We're not gonna get Dawn back by sittin' around here," Giles mentioned.
"You're not gonna get Dawn back any way you slice it, it's for Buffy to decide," Angel threw back at him.
"Good, panic. That oughta help," Giles pushed himself up, grunting in pain.
"We should move her. U-unless we shouldn't. Should we?" Willow asked, confused, "Couldn't that make it worse? I think I read that somewhere."
"It's impossible to know for sure. Losing Dawn, after all that Buffy's been through ... I think it's pushed her too far into some sort of catatonia," Giles said, regaining some balance.
"You don't need a diploma to see that. Snap her out of it," Spike said, moving towards her. He grabbed her shoulders, and started to shake her. "Buffy! Oi, rise and shine, love!"
"Spike," Angel warned.
"Come on, people. Girl's endowed with Slayer strength. It's hardly the time to get dainty. Buffy!"
"We tried that!" Willow exclaimed. In response, Spike slapped Buffy hard across the face. No reaction whatsoever.
"Ow!" he grabbed his head in pain, "Bloody hell!"
"Well, we didn't try that..." Willow had to admit.
"Are you insane?" Angel asked, pulling Spike away from Buffy, "We could be dealing with neurological damage here. You want to kill her?"
"We have to do something. I can't just sit here watching. You waste time with kid gloves. I'm willing to wager, when all is said and done, Buffy likes it rough." Angel hauled back and punched Spike in the face. Spike returned the favor.
"Separate," Willow said, looking at them with a stern expression. They two creatures of the night were pushed apart by something neither could see. They both looked in shock at Willow. She glared at them, "Buffy's out. Glory has Dawn. Sometime real soon, she's gonna use Dawn to tear down the barrier between every dimension there is. So if you two wanna fight, do it after the world ends, okay?" Angel glared at Spike, before moving over towards Buffy again.
"All right. First we head back to Sunnydale. We'll get in touch with Xander and Anya. Xander will take Giles to a hospital. Anya will take care of Tara. Angel, Spike, you find Glory. Check her apartment; see if she's still there. Try anything stupid, like payback, and I will get Very Cranky. Everyone clear?
"What are you going to do?" Angel asked.
"I'll help Buffy." He nodded his agreement.
"The world is spinning," Tar cried, "Straight to a new day! Big day. Big, big day."
"Shh, shh." Willow soothed her, and Tara whimpered.
"Uh ... Will?" Spike took a step forward, and Willow looked at him, "Now, uh, don't turn me into a horned toad for asking, but ... what if we come across Ben?" Angel nodded in agreement.
"I-I don't think a doctor's what Buffy needs right now."
"Well, yeah, especially not one who also happens to be Glory," everyone but Angel looked at him like he had three heads.
"What do you mean?" Giles asked.
"You know. Ben is Glory."
"You mean ... Ben's with Glory?" Willow asked, trying to wrap her mind around the concept, ""With" in what sense? They're working together?"
"No. No. Ben is Glory. Glory's Ben. They're one and the same."
"When did all this happen?" Willow asked.
"Not one hour ago! Right here, before your very eyes! Ben came, he turned into Glory, snatched the kid, and pfft! Vanished, remember?" he turned to Angel, "You do remember...?" Angel nodded. Willow and Giles looked at him like he was crazy, "Is everyone here very stoned? Ben! Glory! He's a doctor, she's the beast. Two entirely separate entities sharing one body. Like a bloody sitcom. Surely you remember."
"So you're saying ...Ben and Glory...Have a connection," Willow pondered over the news.
"Yes, obviously, but what kind?" Giles asked.
"Oh, I get it. That's very crafty. Glory's worked the kind of mojo where anyone who sees her little presto-change-o instantly forgets. And yours truly, being somewhat other than human ... stands immune."
"That must be it." Angel agreed.
"So ... Ben and Glory ... are-are the same person?" Willow asked, "Glory can turn into Ben, and Ben turns back into Glory. And anyone who sees it instantly forgets."
"Kewpie doll for the lady," Spike said sarcastically, pointing at Willow.
"Excellent. Now. Do we suspect there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?" Giles asked. Willow looked from him to Spike, with a questioning gaze. Spike and Angel both sighed loudly.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"You sure you know what you're doing?" Anya asked. It was a few hours later, and she had come to help out. Willow was taking candles from her leather bag, and putting them on a table in Xander's apartment.
"I think so. I don't know. It's ... not exactly well-explored territory, but ... I gotta try."
"A spell like this could be really dangerous for Buffy. And you," Angel said from the doorway.
"Time ... oh, time is coming."
"What are you doing here?" Willow asked, going over to Tara, "shh, it's ok, I'm here."
"Spike didn't want me tagging along. And as easily as I could have caught him, I wanted to help you."
"You two will look after her while I'm..."
"Sure. What do I do?" Anya asked. She glanced at Angel, "Oh, come on in already."
"Mostly ... just ... be here for her. And, and there's some pills in my knapsack. Half of one every two hours keeps her ... pretty mellow."
"Y-you think you'll be gone more than two hours?" Anya asked.
"Wish me luck," Willow shrugged.
"Okay," Anya reached over to give Willow a punch in the arm, with false cheer, and forced enthusiasm, "Good luck!"
"Thanks," she turned to Tara, "Okay. Be good now, sweetie. I-I'll be back as soon as I can, okay? We're good?" Tara just stared at Willow while she talked to her, but didn't reply. Willow softly kissed her forehead, and turned away. Tara whined and held out her hand towards Willow.
Willow took a deep breath, gathering up her things and walked towards Xander's closed bedroom door.
"Good luck," Angel said softly, Anya copying him not a moment later.
Willow entered the dark bedroom, closing the door behind her. She started setting up, putting a candle on the bedside table, and lit it. She put another on the other table, on the other side, and lit it. She then put two more candles on another small table, and lit them. While she did all this, the body of Buffy sat in a chair against the wall, motionless.
Willow took another deep breath, sitting on the corner of the bed, to face Buffy. She seemed to go into a trance.
Outside the bedroom, Angel stood with his ear to the door, trying to hear something. "A glass works much better for that, "Anya told him, "They're in the cupboard if you want one."
(SCENE CHANGE)
Willow was suddenly in an apartment. It seemed to be underground, with no natural lighting. She heard voices from the other room, and she started walking towards them, only to find that there weren't any real walls. She hid behind the couch to listen, peeking out to see what was going on.
Angel and Buffy sat opposite each other at a small table in what seemed to be the kitchen.
"Would you like some more?" Angel asked, holding a teakettle.
"No thanks," Buffy said quietly.
"I'm really sorry I kissed you like that."
"You are?" Buffy asked, an unidentifiable emotion flashing over her face.
"Well, not for the kiss itself..."
"Good, I mean... as far as kisses go, I thought it was well above average."
"It was incredible. I just - I-I think, maybe we'd be asking for trouble rushing back into things. Not that I don't want to - rush. Believe me, I do."
"Right. You spoke to the Oracles and they said you were cured for good. But how do we know that they really speak for the Powers? I mean they could be - pranksters."
"Or there could be another loophole."
"Exactly. And then the two of us would be in even deeper and it's 'grr' all over again."
"It would be smart to wait a while. See if this mortal thing takes," Angel agreed.
Willow, from behind the couch, listened in confusion. What were they talking about?
"Exactly. And even if it does, it's still complicated."
"You're still the Slayer. And I'm not sure what I am now. I don't know what my purpose is. I can't just wedge myself into your life back in Sunnydale. It wouldn't be good for either of us. Not to mention the fact that you just started college. And what about slaying? I mean, if you had me to worry about, you might not be as focused."
"Are you going to pull out a pie chart on me now? Because I get it, it's not necessary," Buffy said, sounding offended, but by what, Willow couldn't tell.
Angel stood with a sigh, and moved to the chair beside her, "I'm not saying I don't want you. You know how much... I'm just saying it's worth the wait to be sure this is right. I need to be sure you won't get hurt again."
Buffy stood up, and Willow could tell she was either offended or angry, "You know it's a good thing I didn't fantasize about you turning human only about 10 zillion times, because today would have been a real let down," she didn't look at him as she moved over next to the stove, and silence reigned for a moment, "So how does the mature plan go? You call me? I call you? What?"
Angel stood as well, moving over to where she stood by the stove. "We stay in touch - just not..."
"Literally. - Funny." They stared at each other a moment, before Buffy walks past him, "Okay, I'd better..."
"Right. Remove the temptation."
Buffy spun back towards him, "So, we'll - talk soon?" she put her hand on top of his on the counter. They both stared at the two hands for a moment. Angel grabbed her hand, then reached out and pulled her into a deep kiss. They stumbled back into the fridge, and Buffy jumped up to wrap her legs around his waist.
Willow hid her eyes in shock. She really didn't need to be seeing this. She didn't understand what was going on.
Angel picked her up and carried her over to the kitchen table. Willow heard the shatter of things being cleared off it, and hoped to God they weren't going to have sex right there.
After a few seconds, he picked her up again, and still kissing, they walked past Willow's hiding place, and through the doors behind her, managing to close them.
Willow stared at the doors in shock, wondering what the hell she was seeing.
"That was when she was conceived." Willow jumped and spun, to see Buffy behind her, "A day that was never supposed to happen, a day turned back by the Powers themselves. Only Angel was supposed to remember. He didn't want it ruining my life. Now look what happened..." she looked down, not meeting Willow's questioning gaze.
Suddenly Willow was in the same apartment, and Buffy, this time in a flowery dress, was pacing. Willow ducked behind what little barrier there was, as Angel came down the steps, defeated.
"I'm guessing that expression isn't because they were all out of fresh OJ at the deli.-What happened?"
"Nothing happened. - I just..."
"Where have you been?"
"I went to see the Oracles. I asked them to turn me back."
"What?-Why?"
"Because more then ever I know how much I love you."
Buffy backed away from him, "No. No, you didn't."
He followed her slowly, "And if I stayed mortal one of us would wind up dead, maybe both of us. You heard what Mohra said."
"Mohra is dead. We killed him," Buffy pleaded
"He said others would come."
"And he was right," Willow jumped; another Buffy was standing next to her, but the same one as before. "They always come," she said, and it sounded eery, because the Buffy across the room said the same thing.
"And they always will. But that's my problem now, not yours, remember?"
"No, I won't just stand by and let you fight, maybe die, alone."
"Then we fight together."
"You saw what happened last night. If anything, I'm a liability to you. You take chances to protect me, and that's not just bad for you, it's bad for the people we were meant to help."
"So what? You just took a whole 24 hours to weigh the ups and downs of being a regular Joe and decided it was more fun being a superhero?"
"You know that's not it. How can we be together if the cost is your life, or the lives of others?" he took her into his arms, "I know. I couldn't tell you. I wasn't sure - if I could do it if I woke up with you one more morning."
"I understand...so, what happens now?" the Buffy in Angel's arms asked.
"But I really don't. None of this would have happened if he hadn't..." the Buffy beside Willow said.
"The Oracles are giving us back the day, turning back time, so I can kill Mohra before his blood makes me mortal."
"When?"
"Another minute."
Buffy started to cry, "A minute? No. No, it's not enough time!"
"We don't have a choice. It's done." "How am I supposed to go on with my life knowing what we had? What we could have had?"
"You won't. No one will know but me."
"And yet I remember it. All. I relive it every time I hold her. Every time he leaves the room...I remember," the Buffy beside Willow murmured.
"Everything we did!" the Buffy on the other side of the room cried, crying.
"It never happened."
Buffy shook her head, and so did the one across the room, "It did. It did. I know it did! I felt your heart beat."
"Buffy..." he kissed her, and once he released her, she looked at the clock, Willow noticed the minute is almost up.
"No! Oh God. It's not enough time." Angel sniffled, tears running down his face too, "Shh, please. Please." He gripped her tighter to him, crying. "Please, please."
"No. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget," she repeated.
There was a white flash, and Willow stood in the Magic Box. Buffy, now wearing a sleeveless blouse and a pale skirt carried a book over to a bookshelf. She put the book in its place, paused a moment, then turned away.
Willow watched in confusion as this Buffy walked past her. She turned around to follow, and was standing around a fire, at night. "ooo-kay..."
Buffy was sitting to her right, and across from Buffy stood a figure.
"Hey ... I know you. You're, you're the first original Slayer who tried killing us all in our dreams." The First Slayer didn't look at Willow, just stared at Buffy, "How've you been?"
"Death is your gift," it said.
"Death is my gift?" Buffy asked.
"Wait, death is her what?" Willow asked.
"Death is your gift." Willow turned to look at Buffy, only to be in the Magic Box again. Once more, Sleeveless Blouse Buffy walked across, put a book in the bookcase, paused, and walked off.
Willow looked on, confused. She saw something out of the corner of her eye, and turned to see Buffy, now wearing jeans and a black tank top walking down the hall in the Summer's house.
"Where are you going?" Willow asked, confused, "I can't keep following you around like this, Buffy. We have to go." Tank top Buffy pushed the door open at the end of the hall, and continued walking. "You have to talk to..." Willow entered the room, realizing it's Joyce's room, with no furniture, "...me." Willow slowly walks around the room, looking at the graveyard plots on the floor. There was one for Jesse, though no body resided within, Jenny, Ford, and a couple of the kids at school. Each plot was complete with a sprinkling of leaves.
Tank top Buffy stood, staring at the headstones.
"I'm sorry," Willow said, thinking that was what she was supposed to say.
"Don't be," Buffy's voice was deathly calm, "Death is my gift."
"Yeah, I keep hearing that, but," Buffy started walking towards the door on the other side, "I'm not exactly sure what it means."
"It's really not that complicated." Willow followed her through the door, and they were in the apartment, in Buffy's room. Dawn was lying on Buffy's bed, looking small and frail.
"Not for you maybe."
Buffy sat beside Dawn on her bed, "It's what I do." Willow looked at the child, who wasn't moving, but breathing shallowly, and seemed to be crying. "I mean, come on, you've known me ... for how long? It's what I'm here for. It's all I am." Buffy turned to look at her child, her face void of emotion. She picked up the pillow from next to the baby, stopping her from rolling of the bed, a thing they did when she was younger, and placed it over Dawn's head.
"Buffy! Stop! No!" Buffy was extremely calm as she help the pillow in place, amid the kicking and screaming of the child underneath. "God, NO!"
"What?" slowly, the baby stopped fighting, and its cries could barely be heard, "I keep telling you, Will. I-I figured it out. Death is my gift."
The baby stopped moving, and Willow stared in horror at Buffy.
Suddenly, Willow's back in the apartment, "Okay ... now this is weird."
"Would you like some more?" Angel asked, holding a teakettle.
"No thanks," Buffy said quietly.
"I'm really sorry I kissed you like that."
"You are?"
"Well, not for the kiss itself..."
"Good, I mean... as far as kisses go, I thought it was well above average."
"It was incredible. I just - I-I think, maybe we'd be asking for trouble rushing back into things. Not that I don't want to - rush. Believe me, I do."
"Right. You spoke to the Oracles and they said you were cured for good. But how do we know that they really speak for the Powers? I mean they could be - pranksters."
"Or there could be another loophole."
"Exactly. And then the two of us would be in even deeper and it's 'grr' all over again."
"It would be smart to wait a while. See if this mortal thing takes," Angel agreed.
Willow, from behind the couch, listened once more. She was close to figuring it out, but she had no clue what was going on.
"Exactly. And even if it does, it's still complicated."
"You're still the Slayer. And I'm not sure what I am now. I don't know what my purpose is. I can't just wedge myself into your life back in Sunnydale. It wouldn't be good for either of us. Not to mention the fact that you just started college. And what about slaying? I mean, if you had me to worry about, you might not be as focused."
"Are you going to pull out a pie chart on me now? Because I get it, it's not necessary," Buffy said.
Angel stood with a sigh, and moved to the chair beside her, "I'm not saying I don't want you. You know how much... I'm just saying it's worth the wait to be sure this is right. I need to be sure you won't get hurt again."
Buffy stood up, "You know it's a good thing I didn't fantasize about you turning human only about 10 zillion times, because today would have been a real let down. - So how does the mature plan go? You call me? I call you? What?"
Angel stood as well, moving over to where she stood by the stove. "We stay in touch - just not..."
"Literally. - Funny." They stared at each other a moment, before Buffy walks past him, "Okay, I'd better..."
"Right. Remove the temptation."
Buffy spun back towards him, "So, we'll - talk soon?" she put her hand on top of his on the counter. They both stared at the two hands for a moment. Angel grabbed her hand, then reached out and pulled her into a deep kiss. They stumbled back into the fridge, and Buffy jumped up to wrap her legs around his waist.
Willow hid her eyes in shock, even if this was the second time she had seen it. She still didn't need to see her best friend like this.
Angel picked her up and carried her over to the kitchen table. Willow heard the shatter of things being cleared off it again.
After a few seconds, he picked her up again, and still kissing, they walked past Willow's hiding place, and through the doors behind her.
Then Willow was in the Summer's hall again, with Buffy not to far ahead, "Buffy, will you just stop a second and listen to me? Buffy!" Willow rushed ahead of Buffy, trying to stop her, "you have to stop doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Killing Dawn."
"Why?"
"Because this isn't what happened."
"Will, I did this."
"In your imagination! None of this is real! You're stuck in some loop."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Excuse me."
"Buffy, why are you doing this?" She followed her into the room full of graves. "Leave Dawn alone! What is this?"
"My gift. This is what I do."
"I'm not talking about this, I'm talking about..."Willow follows impatiently through the door, but instead of being in the apartment, she's in the Magic Box, now with two Buffies. "This..."
The Buffy in the blouse walked over to the bookshelf again, carrying a book. She put it on the shelf, and paused.
"Right here, it happened. I know it's something small, but..." time seemed to reverse, and Blouse Buffy placed the book back on the shelf. "It's something. What?"
"Don't go there, Will," Tank Top Buffy said.
"I'm not! You're the one who keeps dragging me back here! A-and you wouldn't be doing that if you weren't trying to show me something."
"Do I?"
"Buffy, come on. I-it's your brain. Just tell me." Blouse Buffy put the book back again. "What happened here?"
It wasn't the Buffy wearing the tank top that spoke, like she was expecting, "This was when I quit, Will."
"You did?"
"Just for a second," Tank Top Buffy spoke this time.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"I can't stand this anymore," Angel said impatiently, heading towards the bedroom door.
"What are you doing?!" Anya cried.
"I'm helping!"
"What if you kill both of them!?"
"I won't." But he wasn't too sure. He silently pulled the door open, and slipped into the room, ignoring Anya's angered mutterings. He sat on the bed, without moving Willow, and took her hand.
He appeared in the magic shop, behind Willow, and a Buffy wearing jeans and a black tank top. At one of the side bookcases, a Buffy wearing a blouse and skirt stood.
"What happened here?" Willow asked.
"This was when I quit, Will," the Buffy wearing a skirt said.
"You did?" Willow asked.
"Just for a second," Tank Top Buffy spoke this time.
"I remember. I was in the magic shop," Blouse Buffy said. "I put a book back for Giles," Tank Top Buffy said. "Nothing special about it. And then it hit me," Blouse Buffy continued. Angel watched in confusion.
"What hit you?" Willow prodded.
"I can't beat Glory." Tank top Buffy said. "Glory's going to win."
"You can't know that," Willow said to the Buffy beside her.
"I didn't just know it." Tank top Buffy said. "I felt it. Glory will beat me." Blouse Buffy stared off into space. "And in that second of knowing it, Will..." Tank Top Buffy looked away, not meeting anyone's gaze, not that it was hard. "I wanted it to happen." Blouse Buffy said.
"Why?"
"I wanted it over. This is ... all of this ... it's too much for me." Blouse Buffy said, gazing around, still not noticing Angel. "I just wanted it over." Tank Top Buffy said, "If Glory wins ... then Dawn dies." Blouse Buffy said. "And I would grieve. People would feel sorry for me. But it would be over. And I imagined what a relief it would be." Blouse Buffy looked at her feet. "I killed Dawn." Tank Top Buffy whispered from beside Willow.
Angel was about to make his presence known, when Willow spoke up, "Is that what you think?!"
"My thinking made it happen." Tank Top Buffy answered. "Some part of me wanted it. And in the moment Glory took Dawn..." Blouse Buffy took over. Angel thought it was worse than watching twins. "I know I could have done something better. But I didn't. I was off by some fraction of a second." Tank top Buffy said. "And this is why..." Blouse Buffy said, "...I killed my child."
"I think Spike was right back at the gas station," Willow muttered, "Snap out of it!" Both Buffies turned to stare at her.
"What?" they said as one. More than freaky.
"All this ... it has a name. It's called guilt. It's a feeling, and it's important. But it's not more than that, Buffy. Buffyies. You've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders since high school. And I, I know you didn't ask for this, but ... you do it every day. And so, you wanted out for one second. So what?"
"I got Dawn killed."
"Dawn isn't dead!" Angel said from where he stood, by the door.
"Hello! Your daughter, not dead yet!" Willow stared in shock at Angel for a minute, "But she will be if you stay locked inside here and never come back to us."
"But what if I can't?" Tank Top Buffy asked.
"Then I guess you're right. You killed your daughter." Willow turned to leave the Magic Box, glaring at Angel in surprise and confusion.
"WAIT!' Tank Top Buffy called, spinning around, "Where are you going?"
"Where you're needed," Willow retorted, "Are you coming?"
(SCENE CHANGE)
Willow breathed a sigh as she reentered her body; Angel did likewise, though the breath was unneeded. Across from them, Buffy started to come to, sitting up straighter, looking around, breathing heavily, while Willow and Angel just watched her.
Then Buffy burst into tears.
Though Angel's first instincts were to go to her, he let Willow wrap her arms around Buffy as she cried. After awhile, Willow motioned him over, and he held both women as tears of his own trickled silently down his face.
Part Fourteen: More than Freaky
Posted: July 28, 2004
Disclaimer": it's somewhere in the previous parts. Trust me.
Author's notes: Damn! I think I got like...I don't even think I can count high enough to count all the reviews I've gotten since I last updated this story! Most are from Queen Boadicea, reviewing every few chapters, but there are others, so many others, and some from people who have, in my knowledge, never reviewed my stories before, and well...THANKS GUYS!!!
This update is about 13 pages, unformatted, and well, I have about fifteen or sixteen more pages to get up, though that's a rough estimate. No, wait, 85-77= it's summer, I don't know! But there are that many pages left to get up here. The more reviews, the more I'll be willing to get it all up here! Just letting you know, lol!
Reader Responses:
Out of Reality: Thanks for the compliment. More and more I'm seeing the word awesome, and it makes me feel all tingly inside! Thanks! As for your questions... I will tell you that I hate tragedies, so that idea is out, though I kinda like it....I already have the ending, and the epilogue typed up, it's just a matter of giving you guys time to digest things. Don't worry, I promise that the ending is more original than the idea!
(There are just too many D stories....at least that I've written. Ever noticed that? I think I have a fixation with the letter D. Divine, Dark Years, Dark Times...I have a few untyped stories that start with D...TOO MANY D's!)
Queen Boadicea (13): Oh, Spanky's being very useful. Just because Xander ain't around to pick on him, doesn't mean I don't have someone to take his place, lol....But yeah, he does get annoying when he's around Buffy. I liked him better evil, myself....better to write too, more of a challenge!
Queen Boadicea (11): Lol, at this point, I'm not really sure what Tara knows or doesn't know. And I don't know what... superfluous, but if Angel isn't it, then I guess that's a good thing, lol.
Queen Boadicea, yet again, lol(9): You know what, even though it's too late for it to happen in this story, give me some time, and I'll definitely have a story written like that! You are right too, to be left by Dru for a Fungus demon...tisk tisk. Oh, and I could bring Dru into it...I love writing that crazy girl! Starts to laugh her head off oh, sorry. Back to reviews, shall we?
Queen Boadicea(8): yeah, I had that misconception, but I did change that part, because well...now that she's Buffy's daughter rather than her sister, I didn't think the wording was right. And the tense issue! It plagues my sleep! I was using scripts from , my first stop for anything episode wise for either Buffy or Angel, and at that point in time, I had major tense issues. I wasn't sure how to change one from the other and all that, but now I've licked it, I hope. If you find any more in this chapter, or the next one, please let me know! I try so hard to catch them, but I think that no matter what, they'll still bug me!
I liked Dawn, mostly because she was my age, and still is, as far as I know, and she almost reminds me of, well...me at times. Bad, I know. She was a real brat, but I can almost understand why. Not that I've learned that I'm not really, my Mom's child, I've got her eighth grade pic to prove it (we look EXACTLY alike! Same face structure, same hair color, and we both wear thick glasses, it's scary!) but...yeah.
Queen Boadicea(6): Ok, first off, I love reviews, but...lol. I'm not totally sure if Angel could tell that Glory wasn't all that she's cracked up to be. She is almost human, being in Ben's body and all...Angel doesn't realize that she's not human until Wes finds it out, I think. I'm having a hard time remembering my own story, but it's all in the past, so why worry?
Queen Boadicea(4): You don't like my Gods? Lol. I'm sorry, I have this issue about loving to write higher powers and whatnot. I'm sorry it's confusing, but I hope that you've managed to figure out what's going on.
Melanie: Lol, the reason why I'm staying very much to the season is because I'm using scripts from the season. Some things are very different, like Dawn doesn't talk, and Angel's there, but other than that...I'm trying to stay as focused as I can. I can tell you that no, Angel will not be going to Plyea. At least not any time soon. Maybe in the middle of the summer, but not now. Fred's a strong girl, she can rescue herself, lol. Seriously, Fred is one of my favorite characters, and I hadn't even thought about her and everything else going on in LA, but Angel has other obligations. As for Buffy dying...my lips are sealed!
Melluvben: Well, that is one way, but that doesn't really cover that damn prophecy. They can't be together until that's taken care of! Pounds her head against wall SHIT! whistles innocently I like the idea, but no. I do have another way to sequel it, though, having to do with Dawn's blood, but I'll get more info to you after the end, so you guys can see what happens, and then decide...
Ok, I think that's all the reviews. I want to thank everyone once more for reviewing! I almost thought I had died and gone to heaven when I logged on, and found ten reviews, all within a day old, and it happened twice!!! You guys have made me a VERY happy writer, and I hope to get another update of something else ASAP, so if you're reading Dark years, of Dark Times, be looking for them!
THANKS!
(START OF CHAPTER)
The sun had set when a car pulled up to the gas station, and Ben stopped the car, looking fearfully at the knights, all in armor with weapons pointed his way. He took a deep breath, grabbing his medical bag, and got out of the car.
Once he was let in, he went right to Giles's side. "You, uh, forgot to mention the costume party outside," he joked, starting to take a look at Giles's wound.
"Sorry. I-I didn't know who else to call." Spike and Angel, both jealous, were in the back room, Angel holding a still sleeping Dawn.
"No, it's okay. I mean, yeah, not ... how I pictured seeing you again, but, uh ... I'll take what I can get." Buffy knew that both Spike and Angel were listening, and the thought she heard an inaudible growl from Angel.
"Thank you...for coming."
"No problem." He looked past Buffy, and she turned to see Angel standing in the doorway, holding Dawn. Ben was staring at the sleeping child.
"So, uh, how are your classes?" she asked, jolting him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, uh, good," he nodded.
AN: Ok, I just realized that because Joyce is not dead, Buffy would not know Ben. So she met him in the cafeteria, while she was still trying to juggle school and Dawn!
Ben decided to do what he could for Giles, and Buffy left him to check on Dawn. When she came back, Ben had put a huge bandage on the wound, and was taking off a pair of surgical gloves.
"All right, I think I got him stabilized, but there's a lot of damage. We need to get him out of here."
"Well, I think the guys with the pointy swords kinda have other ideas."
"Don't they always."
"Look, I know this must seem extra "Outer Limits" to you."
"This? Naah. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. You know, emergency room, full moon on a Saturday night." He saw Angel holding Dawn just on the other side of the door, "Is that your little girl?"
"Yeah," Buffy actually smiled, though wan.
"She looks dehydrated," he said, taking a step closer, to take a look at her, and Angel growled at him. "Father?"
"Yes," Angel said in a no nonsense voice.
"He's a doctor. Or nurse, or training. Just let him take a look," Buffy told him, and he begrudgingly let Ben touch her. "You know, if it gets too weird for you, just tell me, I'll understand."
"Don't worry about me. I won't leave until I've worn out my welcome."
"How soon can you go?" Angel mumbled. Buffy glared at him, taking Dawn from him.
"Go...beat up Spike or something," Buffy shooed him off, "Sorry about him. He's over protective of Dawnie. And me."
"I would be too," he flashed her a smile. Oh, God, he's flirting with me, she thought, but he's helping Giles. She smiled back, what she hoped was a genuine smile. Giles's labored breathing got louder, and Buffy frowned, going over to where he lay. She shifted Dawn a bit, and took Giles's hand.
Angel entered the back room, void of lights, muttering. The doc guy was flirting with her, and it was really getting on his nerves. He was hoping that she would have let him back in by now, but now...
He heard a click of a lighter, and a muffled "Ow." Not needing light, being perfectly suited for the dark, he saw Spike in a corner trying to light a cigarette with bandaged hands. Sometime between taking care of Giles, and keeping Tara out of trouble, Willow had wrapped rags around the cuts.
I can't believe I'm doing this, Angel thought as he stalked towards Spike. Spike gave him a wary look, until Angel snatched the lighter out of his hands.
Spike sighed, "Thanks."
Angel flicked the lighter and held it up so Spike could light his cigarette, "If you take that near Buffy or Dawn, I will kill you." Angel closed the lighter and stuck it into his pocket. Spike nodded his consent. "Have I mentioned today how much I dislike you?"
"A few times, yeah. Maybe not so much in words but...yeah."
"How are your hands?"
"Nothing compared to the little bits we're gonna get chopped into when the Renaissance Faire kicks the door in. And here we bloody sit."
"It's not like we've got much of a choice."
"Could make a break for it! Use General Armor-All as a shield, get to the doc's car, and-"
"Great plan, Spike. And while all the hacking and slashing's going on, what are you gonna be doing, huh? Throwing migraines at 'em?"
"Look, we stay here, we all die! At least this way, some of us might get-"
"No." they both looked up to see Buffy standing there, sans the baby. Angel looked around franticly, to see Willow holding her. "We're all gonna make it. I'm not losing anyone. Check the supplies...see if anyone's hungry," she said, subdued.
"Dissention in the ranks. Seldom a harbinger of glad tidings." The whatever was obviously awake.
"Shut up," Buffy backhanded him, hard.
"Poor frightened girl. You've no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
"Why don't you tell me then?" she crossed her arms across her chest, cold from not holding Dawn close.
"Would it make a difference?" he asked, "What do you know of the beast?"
"Strong. Fast. Hellgod."
"From a dimension of unspeakable torment."
"A demon dimension. I know. She ruled with two other hellgods, right?" Angel moved closer to hear better. He stood beside Buffy, hoping to give her strength just by his presence.
"Along with the beast they were a triumvirate of suffering and despair. Ruling with equal vengeance. But the beast's power grew beyond even what they could conceive. As did her lust for pain and misery. They looked upon her, what she had become ... and trembled."
"A god afraid?" Buffy asked, now nervous.
"Such was her power. They feared she would attempt to seize their dimension for herself, and decided to strike first. A great battle erupted. In the end, they stood victorious over the beast ... barely. She was cast out. Banished to this lower plane of existence, forced to live and eventually die trapped within the body of a mortal ... a newborn male, created as her prison. That is the beast's ... only weakness."
"Kill the man ... and the god dies," Buffy deduced.
"Unfortunately, the identity of the human vessel has never been discovered."
"I don't understand. Now, I've seen Glory. Not a whole lot going on in the hairy chest department."
"You have seen a glimpse of the true beast. Her power was too great to be completely contained. She's found a way to escape her mortal prison ... for brief periods, before her energies are exhausted and she's forced back ... into her living cell of meat and bone."
"What about Dawn? The Key?" Angel clarified.
"The key ... is almost as old as the beast itself. Where it came from, how it was created ... the deepest of mysteries. All that is certain is that its power is absolute. Countless generations of my people have sacrificed their lives in search of it, to destroy it before its wrath could be unleashed.
"But the monks found it first," Buffy was checking her facts.
"Yes, and hid it with their magicks."
"Why didn't they just destroy it? If the key is as dangerous as-"
"Because they were fools. They thought they could harness its power for the forces of light. They failed, and paid with their blood."
"What does...what does she-it do? What was it created for?" Angel put his arm around Buffy's shoulders. He knew she was having a hard time comprehending the information, because he was in the same boat.
"It-She was created ... to open the gates that separate dimensions. The beast will use her power ... to return home and seize control of the hell she was banished from."
Buffy couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. The general looked at her in surprise. "That's it? That's Glory's master plan ... to go home?"
"You misunderstand. Once the key is activated, it won't just open the gates to the beast's dimension. It's going to open all the gates. The walls separating realities will crumble. Dimensions will bleed into each other. Order will be overthrown and the universe will tumble into chaos ... all dark ... forever."
Buffy took a deep, wavering breath. Angel put a hand under her arm, in case she collapsed. This was her daughter they were talking about, a child she gave birth to, carried around for nine months...
"That ... is what she was created for," He finished.
"I-I can't." Buffy stalked out of the room, finding another room, unoccupied.
Angel looked in dismay at the General, and Spike, before trailing after her. "Buffy..."
"Do you think it's true? What he said?" she was sitting on a table in the middle of the room.
He sighed, and sat down next to her, taking her hands in his own, rubbing them for comfort, "I don't know."
"Destroyer of the universe...every mother hopes her baby grows up to be something special... She doesn't even have to grow up," she sniffled. She placed her head on Angel's shoulder, "What are we going to do?" she whispered.
"I won't let anything happen to her, I promise, Buffy. Or you. I love you both too much. I would die before letting anything happen to you." He wrapped his arms around her, and they sat there in silence for a while.
In the back room, where the general was tied up, Willow was trying to feed Tara, while Spike took a moment to study the baby who was also the Key. He didn't see anything different about her, from other babies he had seen. Sure, she was still alive after crossing his path, but...
"Wriggling!" Tara cried, upset.
"Come on, baby, you have to eat something."
"Ya want me to try?" Spike said awkwardly, coming up behind Willow.
"I don't know, she doesn't know you very well...and I'm kinda getting used to picking fruit out of my hair."
Ben was over by the sink, rinsing some gauze to be used again, once dried. It wasn't exactly sanitary, but... He would do the best he could.
"You!" the general whispered, not wanting the attention of anyone but Ben, who stopped what he was doing, but didn't look at him. "You are not a part of this, are you?"
"Just a friend of the family," he still wouldn't look at him.
"Would you die for them?" this got Ben's attention, and he finally turned to look at the general in the eye. "Because that is what your future holds if you align yourself with the Slayer and her misguided people."
"It's my life, and I'll do what I please with it."
"It's not just your life. Unimaginable legions will perish, including everyone here. You can stop this. You can save all their lives by ending one. The little girl. The key. Destroy it, and the will of the beast will be broken, she will fade, a distant memory...and all of this madness will end."
Ben just glared at him.
Buffy was standing next to Giles later on, now holding Dawn when Ben came up behind her. She jumped.
"Sorry."
"Is...Is he gonna be ok?"
"He was hurt pretty badly."
"It's because of me," she muttered, "all my fault."
"No it isn't." He walked around behind her to get something from his bag.
"You don't know what's happening."
"I don't have to." He rummaged around in his bag while talking, grabbing a syringe, and started filling it from a bottle, "I just know that sometimes terrible things happen to good people. It shouldn't, but ... it does." He flicked the needle to get the air out. "It's nobody's fault. It's just the way life is," he turned and gave Giles the shot. Buffy frowned in distaste. Anything that had to do with hospitals and doctors she didn't like.
"Will that help?" Ben didn't answer, turning away from Buffy. "Ben?" he dropped the syringe, shattering it. He put a shaky hand to his forehead. Buffy stared at him, confused and scared. She hadn't yet put any of the pieces together.
Ben ran into the main room, "Let me out! You have to let me out!"
"Ben?" Buffy followed him.
"You don't understand. I gotta get out, open a door, now!" Angel and Spike ran up behind Buffy.
"What's going on?" Angel asked.
"I-I don't know. He just freaked out."
"Let me out!"
"Will, open a door..." Angel said, perplexed. If he knew more of what had been happening, then he would have put things together, but he had been out of town too often.
"NO! AH!" Ben brought up his hands as if to defend his head, but morphed into Glory in the process. She turned the movement into a leisurely stretch. Buffy stared in horror at the blonde, Angel coming up beside her, trying to block Dawn from her.
"Well, well, well, little Ben finally did something right."
"The Beast," The general said.
"Hey, it's Gregor!" Glory cried. She grabbed a hubcap lying around, and threw it like a Frisbee. It hit the general, Gregor, in the chest. The body fell against the bonds, dead. "And now it's not."
Spike rushed at her with a yell, Angel right behind. She batted Spike away like a rag doll, slamming both he and Angel against the wall. Tara looked panicked as Willow closed her eyes to do a spell.
Buffy stood rooted on the spot, panicked. Glory rushed at her, grabbing Dawn from her embrace, and threw her at Willow, both hitting the closest wall.
"Dawn!" Buffy screamed from her place on the floor. She pushed herself up and through the door, just in time for the barrier to close behind Glory and her daughter. She can't get past. "DAWN!" Buffy ran back inside, now limping slightly from some injury that had just registered, "Willow!" Willow looked at her, her eyes already black. Buffy ran back out as Willow started the releasing spell.
The barrier went down, and Buffy looked around in horror. All the knights were dead, lying around like unwanted kindling. She slowly walked forward, not wanting to stare at the dead, but not being able to help it.
Willow, Tara, Spike and Angel burst out of the building, even the vampires stopping at the scene of carnage.
"We have to-" Willow started.
Buffy was still walking slowly, traumatized. A body nearby croaked, "The Beast."
Tara whimpered and hid her face in Willow's shoulders.
"The car! Get the keys!" Spike cried, an idea. He ran off to find them as Angel moved towards Buffy.
"Buffy! We have to find Dawn," Angel told her.
"We can't let Glory-" Willow started. Buffy sank down to the ground.
"Buffy?" Angel called, worried, "Buffy!" tears started streaming down her face. Angel crouched down beside her, "Buffy, please! Buffy!"
"Buffy, you have to get up!" Willow cried.
"Let's get her inside," Angel said, picking her up. He set her down in a chair. "Will, try to wake her up. Giles, how are you doing? Will you be alright to move in a bit?"
"Don't worry about me, I'll be just-ow," he moved.
"Better part of a century spent in delinquency just paid off," Spike bragged, "Hotwired Ben's auto. Who's for gettin' the hell out of here?"
"You sure you're going to be ok?" Angel ignored him, talking to Giles.
"Don't worry about me, how's Buffy?"
"The same," Angel said, staring nervously at her, "Still."
"It's been almost half an hour," Willow pointed out.
"But she'll be alright, right? She's the slayer," Spike said.
No one said anything for a moment, "Will, try it again," Angel ordered. He just seemed to have taken over the role of leader, and no one had made a fuss.
"All right, but ... I'm not even sure she's, you know ... really in there."
"Just try."
She scooted down so she was directly in Buffy's face, "Can you hear me? Buffy! Buffy! Buffy?" she shook her head.
"BUFFY!" Spike yelled at her, "She can't just be brain-dead. I mean ... she's still Buffy, somewhere in there, right?"
"We're not gonna get Dawn back by sittin' around here," Giles mentioned.
"You're not gonna get Dawn back any way you slice it, it's for Buffy to decide," Angel threw back at him.
"Good, panic. That oughta help," Giles pushed himself up, grunting in pain.
"We should move her. U-unless we shouldn't. Should we?" Willow asked, confused, "Couldn't that make it worse? I think I read that somewhere."
"It's impossible to know for sure. Losing Dawn, after all that Buffy's been through ... I think it's pushed her too far into some sort of catatonia," Giles said, regaining some balance.
"You don't need a diploma to see that. Snap her out of it," Spike said, moving towards her. He grabbed her shoulders, and started to shake her. "Buffy! Oi, rise and shine, love!"
"Spike," Angel warned.
"Come on, people. Girl's endowed with Slayer strength. It's hardly the time to get dainty. Buffy!"
"We tried that!" Willow exclaimed. In response, Spike slapped Buffy hard across the face. No reaction whatsoever.
"Ow!" he grabbed his head in pain, "Bloody hell!"
"Well, we didn't try that..." Willow had to admit.
"Are you insane?" Angel asked, pulling Spike away from Buffy, "We could be dealing with neurological damage here. You want to kill her?"
"We have to do something. I can't just sit here watching. You waste time with kid gloves. I'm willing to wager, when all is said and done, Buffy likes it rough." Angel hauled back and punched Spike in the face. Spike returned the favor.
"Separate," Willow said, looking at them with a stern expression. They two creatures of the night were pushed apart by something neither could see. They both looked in shock at Willow. She glared at them, "Buffy's out. Glory has Dawn. Sometime real soon, she's gonna use Dawn to tear down the barrier between every dimension there is. So if you two wanna fight, do it after the world ends, okay?" Angel glared at Spike, before moving over towards Buffy again.
"All right. First we head back to Sunnydale. We'll get in touch with Xander and Anya. Xander will take Giles to a hospital. Anya will take care of Tara. Angel, Spike, you find Glory. Check her apartment; see if she's still there. Try anything stupid, like payback, and I will get Very Cranky. Everyone clear?
"What are you going to do?" Angel asked.
"I'll help Buffy." He nodded his agreement.
"The world is spinning," Tar cried, "Straight to a new day! Big day. Big, big day."
"Shh, shh." Willow soothed her, and Tara whimpered.
"Uh ... Will?" Spike took a step forward, and Willow looked at him, "Now, uh, don't turn me into a horned toad for asking, but ... what if we come across Ben?" Angel nodded in agreement.
"I-I don't think a doctor's what Buffy needs right now."
"Well, yeah, especially not one who also happens to be Glory," everyone but Angel looked at him like he had three heads.
"What do you mean?" Giles asked.
"You know. Ben is Glory."
"You mean ... Ben's with Glory?" Willow asked, trying to wrap her mind around the concept, ""With" in what sense? They're working together?"
"No. No. Ben is Glory. Glory's Ben. They're one and the same."
"When did all this happen?" Willow asked.
"Not one hour ago! Right here, before your very eyes! Ben came, he turned into Glory, snatched the kid, and pfft! Vanished, remember?" he turned to Angel, "You do remember...?" Angel nodded. Willow and Giles looked at him like he was crazy, "Is everyone here very stoned? Ben! Glory! He's a doctor, she's the beast. Two entirely separate entities sharing one body. Like a bloody sitcom. Surely you remember."
"So you're saying ...Ben and Glory...Have a connection," Willow pondered over the news.
"Yes, obviously, but what kind?" Giles asked.
"Oh, I get it. That's very crafty. Glory's worked the kind of mojo where anyone who sees her little presto-change-o instantly forgets. And yours truly, being somewhat other than human ... stands immune."
"That must be it." Angel agreed.
"So ... Ben and Glory ... are-are the same person?" Willow asked, "Glory can turn into Ben, and Ben turns back into Glory. And anyone who sees it instantly forgets."
"Kewpie doll for the lady," Spike said sarcastically, pointing at Willow.
"Excellent. Now. Do we suspect there may be some kind of connection between Ben and Glory?" Giles asked. Willow looked from him to Spike, with a questioning gaze. Spike and Angel both sighed loudly.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"You sure you know what you're doing?" Anya asked. It was a few hours later, and she had come to help out. Willow was taking candles from her leather bag, and putting them on a table in Xander's apartment.
"I think so. I don't know. It's ... not exactly well-explored territory, but ... I gotta try."
"A spell like this could be really dangerous for Buffy. And you," Angel said from the doorway.
"Time ... oh, time is coming."
"What are you doing here?" Willow asked, going over to Tara, "shh, it's ok, I'm here."
"Spike didn't want me tagging along. And as easily as I could have caught him, I wanted to help you."
"You two will look after her while I'm..."
"Sure. What do I do?" Anya asked. She glanced at Angel, "Oh, come on in already."
"Mostly ... just ... be here for her. And, and there's some pills in my knapsack. Half of one every two hours keeps her ... pretty mellow."
"Y-you think you'll be gone more than two hours?" Anya asked.
"Wish me luck," Willow shrugged.
"Okay," Anya reached over to give Willow a punch in the arm, with false cheer, and forced enthusiasm, "Good luck!"
"Thanks," she turned to Tara, "Okay. Be good now, sweetie. I-I'll be back as soon as I can, okay? We're good?" Tara just stared at Willow while she talked to her, but didn't reply. Willow softly kissed her forehead, and turned away. Tara whined and held out her hand towards Willow.
Willow took a deep breath, gathering up her things and walked towards Xander's closed bedroom door.
"Good luck," Angel said softly, Anya copying him not a moment later.
Willow entered the dark bedroom, closing the door behind her. She started setting up, putting a candle on the bedside table, and lit it. She put another on the other table, on the other side, and lit it. She then put two more candles on another small table, and lit them. While she did all this, the body of Buffy sat in a chair against the wall, motionless.
Willow took another deep breath, sitting on the corner of the bed, to face Buffy. She seemed to go into a trance.
Outside the bedroom, Angel stood with his ear to the door, trying to hear something. "A glass works much better for that, "Anya told him, "They're in the cupboard if you want one."
(SCENE CHANGE)
Willow was suddenly in an apartment. It seemed to be underground, with no natural lighting. She heard voices from the other room, and she started walking towards them, only to find that there weren't any real walls. She hid behind the couch to listen, peeking out to see what was going on.
Angel and Buffy sat opposite each other at a small table in what seemed to be the kitchen.
"Would you like some more?" Angel asked, holding a teakettle.
"No thanks," Buffy said quietly.
"I'm really sorry I kissed you like that."
"You are?" Buffy asked, an unidentifiable emotion flashing over her face.
"Well, not for the kiss itself..."
"Good, I mean... as far as kisses go, I thought it was well above average."
"It was incredible. I just - I-I think, maybe we'd be asking for trouble rushing back into things. Not that I don't want to - rush. Believe me, I do."
"Right. You spoke to the Oracles and they said you were cured for good. But how do we know that they really speak for the Powers? I mean they could be - pranksters."
"Or there could be another loophole."
"Exactly. And then the two of us would be in even deeper and it's 'grr' all over again."
"It would be smart to wait a while. See if this mortal thing takes," Angel agreed.
Willow, from behind the couch, listened in confusion. What were they talking about?
"Exactly. And even if it does, it's still complicated."
"You're still the Slayer. And I'm not sure what I am now. I don't know what my purpose is. I can't just wedge myself into your life back in Sunnydale. It wouldn't be good for either of us. Not to mention the fact that you just started college. And what about slaying? I mean, if you had me to worry about, you might not be as focused."
"Are you going to pull out a pie chart on me now? Because I get it, it's not necessary," Buffy said, sounding offended, but by what, Willow couldn't tell.
Angel stood with a sigh, and moved to the chair beside her, "I'm not saying I don't want you. You know how much... I'm just saying it's worth the wait to be sure this is right. I need to be sure you won't get hurt again."
Buffy stood up, and Willow could tell she was either offended or angry, "You know it's a good thing I didn't fantasize about you turning human only about 10 zillion times, because today would have been a real let down," she didn't look at him as she moved over next to the stove, and silence reigned for a moment, "So how does the mature plan go? You call me? I call you? What?"
Angel stood as well, moving over to where she stood by the stove. "We stay in touch - just not..."
"Literally. - Funny." They stared at each other a moment, before Buffy walks past him, "Okay, I'd better..."
"Right. Remove the temptation."
Buffy spun back towards him, "So, we'll - talk soon?" she put her hand on top of his on the counter. They both stared at the two hands for a moment. Angel grabbed her hand, then reached out and pulled her into a deep kiss. They stumbled back into the fridge, and Buffy jumped up to wrap her legs around his waist.
Willow hid her eyes in shock. She really didn't need to be seeing this. She didn't understand what was going on.
Angel picked her up and carried her over to the kitchen table. Willow heard the shatter of things being cleared off it, and hoped to God they weren't going to have sex right there.
After a few seconds, he picked her up again, and still kissing, they walked past Willow's hiding place, and through the doors behind her, managing to close them.
Willow stared at the doors in shock, wondering what the hell she was seeing.
"That was when she was conceived." Willow jumped and spun, to see Buffy behind her, "A day that was never supposed to happen, a day turned back by the Powers themselves. Only Angel was supposed to remember. He didn't want it ruining my life. Now look what happened..." she looked down, not meeting Willow's questioning gaze.
Suddenly Willow was in the same apartment, and Buffy, this time in a flowery dress, was pacing. Willow ducked behind what little barrier there was, as Angel came down the steps, defeated.
"I'm guessing that expression isn't because they were all out of fresh OJ at the deli.-What happened?"
"Nothing happened. - I just..."
"Where have you been?"
"I went to see the Oracles. I asked them to turn me back."
"What?-Why?"
"Because more then ever I know how much I love you."
Buffy backed away from him, "No. No, you didn't."
He followed her slowly, "And if I stayed mortal one of us would wind up dead, maybe both of us. You heard what Mohra said."
"Mohra is dead. We killed him," Buffy pleaded
"He said others would come."
"And he was right," Willow jumped; another Buffy was standing next to her, but the same one as before. "They always come," she said, and it sounded eery, because the Buffy across the room said the same thing.
"And they always will. But that's my problem now, not yours, remember?"
"No, I won't just stand by and let you fight, maybe die, alone."
"Then we fight together."
"You saw what happened last night. If anything, I'm a liability to you. You take chances to protect me, and that's not just bad for you, it's bad for the people we were meant to help."
"So what? You just took a whole 24 hours to weigh the ups and downs of being a regular Joe and decided it was more fun being a superhero?"
"You know that's not it. How can we be together if the cost is your life, or the lives of others?" he took her into his arms, "I know. I couldn't tell you. I wasn't sure - if I could do it if I woke up with you one more morning."
"I understand...so, what happens now?" the Buffy in Angel's arms asked.
"But I really don't. None of this would have happened if he hadn't..." the Buffy beside Willow said.
"The Oracles are giving us back the day, turning back time, so I can kill Mohra before his blood makes me mortal."
"When?"
"Another minute."
Buffy started to cry, "A minute? No. No, it's not enough time!"
"We don't have a choice. It's done." "How am I supposed to go on with my life knowing what we had? What we could have had?"
"You won't. No one will know but me."
"And yet I remember it. All. I relive it every time I hold her. Every time he leaves the room...I remember," the Buffy beside Willow murmured.
"Everything we did!" the Buffy on the other side of the room cried, crying.
"It never happened."
Buffy shook her head, and so did the one across the room, "It did. It did. I know it did! I felt your heart beat."
"Buffy..." he kissed her, and once he released her, she looked at the clock, Willow noticed the minute is almost up.
"No! Oh God. It's not enough time." Angel sniffled, tears running down his face too, "Shh, please. Please." He gripped her tighter to him, crying. "Please, please."
"No. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget. I'll never forget," she repeated.
There was a white flash, and Willow stood in the Magic Box. Buffy, now wearing a sleeveless blouse and a pale skirt carried a book over to a bookshelf. She put the book in its place, paused a moment, then turned away.
Willow watched in confusion as this Buffy walked past her. She turned around to follow, and was standing around a fire, at night. "ooo-kay..."
Buffy was sitting to her right, and across from Buffy stood a figure.
"Hey ... I know you. You're, you're the first original Slayer who tried killing us all in our dreams." The First Slayer didn't look at Willow, just stared at Buffy, "How've you been?"
"Death is your gift," it said.
"Death is my gift?" Buffy asked.
"Wait, death is her what?" Willow asked.
"Death is your gift." Willow turned to look at Buffy, only to be in the Magic Box again. Once more, Sleeveless Blouse Buffy walked across, put a book in the bookcase, paused, and walked off.
Willow looked on, confused. She saw something out of the corner of her eye, and turned to see Buffy, now wearing jeans and a black tank top walking down the hall in the Summer's house.
"Where are you going?" Willow asked, confused, "I can't keep following you around like this, Buffy. We have to go." Tank top Buffy pushed the door open at the end of the hall, and continued walking. "You have to talk to..." Willow entered the room, realizing it's Joyce's room, with no furniture, "...me." Willow slowly walks around the room, looking at the graveyard plots on the floor. There was one for Jesse, though no body resided within, Jenny, Ford, and a couple of the kids at school. Each plot was complete with a sprinkling of leaves.
Tank top Buffy stood, staring at the headstones.
"I'm sorry," Willow said, thinking that was what she was supposed to say.
"Don't be," Buffy's voice was deathly calm, "Death is my gift."
"Yeah, I keep hearing that, but," Buffy started walking towards the door on the other side, "I'm not exactly sure what it means."
"It's really not that complicated." Willow followed her through the door, and they were in the apartment, in Buffy's room. Dawn was lying on Buffy's bed, looking small and frail.
"Not for you maybe."
Buffy sat beside Dawn on her bed, "It's what I do." Willow looked at the child, who wasn't moving, but breathing shallowly, and seemed to be crying. "I mean, come on, you've known me ... for how long? It's what I'm here for. It's all I am." Buffy turned to look at her child, her face void of emotion. She picked up the pillow from next to the baby, stopping her from rolling of the bed, a thing they did when she was younger, and placed it over Dawn's head.
"Buffy! Stop! No!" Buffy was extremely calm as she help the pillow in place, amid the kicking and screaming of the child underneath. "God, NO!"
"What?" slowly, the baby stopped fighting, and its cries could barely be heard, "I keep telling you, Will. I-I figured it out. Death is my gift."
The baby stopped moving, and Willow stared in horror at Buffy.
Suddenly, Willow's back in the apartment, "Okay ... now this is weird."
"Would you like some more?" Angel asked, holding a teakettle.
"No thanks," Buffy said quietly.
"I'm really sorry I kissed you like that."
"You are?"
"Well, not for the kiss itself..."
"Good, I mean... as far as kisses go, I thought it was well above average."
"It was incredible. I just - I-I think, maybe we'd be asking for trouble rushing back into things. Not that I don't want to - rush. Believe me, I do."
"Right. You spoke to the Oracles and they said you were cured for good. But how do we know that they really speak for the Powers? I mean they could be - pranksters."
"Or there could be another loophole."
"Exactly. And then the two of us would be in even deeper and it's 'grr' all over again."
"It would be smart to wait a while. See if this mortal thing takes," Angel agreed.
Willow, from behind the couch, listened once more. She was close to figuring it out, but she had no clue what was going on.
"Exactly. And even if it does, it's still complicated."
"You're still the Slayer. And I'm not sure what I am now. I don't know what my purpose is. I can't just wedge myself into your life back in Sunnydale. It wouldn't be good for either of us. Not to mention the fact that you just started college. And what about slaying? I mean, if you had me to worry about, you might not be as focused."
"Are you going to pull out a pie chart on me now? Because I get it, it's not necessary," Buffy said.
Angel stood with a sigh, and moved to the chair beside her, "I'm not saying I don't want you. You know how much... I'm just saying it's worth the wait to be sure this is right. I need to be sure you won't get hurt again."
Buffy stood up, "You know it's a good thing I didn't fantasize about you turning human only about 10 zillion times, because today would have been a real let down. - So how does the mature plan go? You call me? I call you? What?"
Angel stood as well, moving over to where she stood by the stove. "We stay in touch - just not..."
"Literally. - Funny." They stared at each other a moment, before Buffy walks past him, "Okay, I'd better..."
"Right. Remove the temptation."
Buffy spun back towards him, "So, we'll - talk soon?" she put her hand on top of his on the counter. They both stared at the two hands for a moment. Angel grabbed her hand, then reached out and pulled her into a deep kiss. They stumbled back into the fridge, and Buffy jumped up to wrap her legs around his waist.
Willow hid her eyes in shock, even if this was the second time she had seen it. She still didn't need to see her best friend like this.
Angel picked her up and carried her over to the kitchen table. Willow heard the shatter of things being cleared off it again.
After a few seconds, he picked her up again, and still kissing, they walked past Willow's hiding place, and through the doors behind her.
Then Willow was in the Summer's hall again, with Buffy not to far ahead, "Buffy, will you just stop a second and listen to me? Buffy!" Willow rushed ahead of Buffy, trying to stop her, "you have to stop doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Killing Dawn."
"Why?"
"Because this isn't what happened."
"Will, I did this."
"In your imagination! None of this is real! You're stuck in some loop."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Excuse me."
"Buffy, why are you doing this?" She followed her into the room full of graves. "Leave Dawn alone! What is this?"
"My gift. This is what I do."
"I'm not talking about this, I'm talking about..."Willow follows impatiently through the door, but instead of being in the apartment, she's in the Magic Box, now with two Buffies. "This..."
The Buffy in the blouse walked over to the bookshelf again, carrying a book. She put it on the shelf, and paused.
"Right here, it happened. I know it's something small, but..." time seemed to reverse, and Blouse Buffy placed the book back on the shelf. "It's something. What?"
"Don't go there, Will," Tank Top Buffy said.
"I'm not! You're the one who keeps dragging me back here! A-and you wouldn't be doing that if you weren't trying to show me something."
"Do I?"
"Buffy, come on. I-it's your brain. Just tell me." Blouse Buffy put the book back again. "What happened here?"
It wasn't the Buffy wearing the tank top that spoke, like she was expecting, "This was when I quit, Will."
"You did?"
"Just for a second," Tank Top Buffy spoke this time.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"I can't stand this anymore," Angel said impatiently, heading towards the bedroom door.
"What are you doing?!" Anya cried.
"I'm helping!"
"What if you kill both of them!?"
"I won't." But he wasn't too sure. He silently pulled the door open, and slipped into the room, ignoring Anya's angered mutterings. He sat on the bed, without moving Willow, and took her hand.
He appeared in the magic shop, behind Willow, and a Buffy wearing jeans and a black tank top. At one of the side bookcases, a Buffy wearing a blouse and skirt stood.
"What happened here?" Willow asked.
"This was when I quit, Will," the Buffy wearing a skirt said.
"You did?" Willow asked.
"Just for a second," Tank Top Buffy spoke this time.
"I remember. I was in the magic shop," Blouse Buffy said. "I put a book back for Giles," Tank Top Buffy said. "Nothing special about it. And then it hit me," Blouse Buffy continued. Angel watched in confusion.
"What hit you?" Willow prodded.
"I can't beat Glory." Tank top Buffy said. "Glory's going to win."
"You can't know that," Willow said to the Buffy beside her.
"I didn't just know it." Tank top Buffy said. "I felt it. Glory will beat me." Blouse Buffy stared off into space. "And in that second of knowing it, Will..." Tank Top Buffy looked away, not meeting anyone's gaze, not that it was hard. "I wanted it to happen." Blouse Buffy said.
"Why?"
"I wanted it over. This is ... all of this ... it's too much for me." Blouse Buffy said, gazing around, still not noticing Angel. "I just wanted it over." Tank Top Buffy said, "If Glory wins ... then Dawn dies." Blouse Buffy said. "And I would grieve. People would feel sorry for me. But it would be over. And I imagined what a relief it would be." Blouse Buffy looked at her feet. "I killed Dawn." Tank Top Buffy whispered from beside Willow.
Angel was about to make his presence known, when Willow spoke up, "Is that what you think?!"
"My thinking made it happen." Tank Top Buffy answered. "Some part of me wanted it. And in the moment Glory took Dawn..." Blouse Buffy took over. Angel thought it was worse than watching twins. "I know I could have done something better. But I didn't. I was off by some fraction of a second." Tank top Buffy said. "And this is why..." Blouse Buffy said, "...I killed my child."
"I think Spike was right back at the gas station," Willow muttered, "Snap out of it!" Both Buffies turned to stare at her.
"What?" they said as one. More than freaky.
"All this ... it has a name. It's called guilt. It's a feeling, and it's important. But it's not more than that, Buffy. Buffyies. You've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders since high school. And I, I know you didn't ask for this, but ... you do it every day. And so, you wanted out for one second. So what?"
"I got Dawn killed."
"Dawn isn't dead!" Angel said from where he stood, by the door.
"Hello! Your daughter, not dead yet!" Willow stared in shock at Angel for a minute, "But she will be if you stay locked inside here and never come back to us."
"But what if I can't?" Tank Top Buffy asked.
"Then I guess you're right. You killed your daughter." Willow turned to leave the Magic Box, glaring at Angel in surprise and confusion.
"WAIT!' Tank Top Buffy called, spinning around, "Where are you going?"
"Where you're needed," Willow retorted, "Are you coming?"
(SCENE CHANGE)
Willow breathed a sigh as she reentered her body; Angel did likewise, though the breath was unneeded. Across from them, Buffy started to come to, sitting up straighter, looking around, breathing heavily, while Willow and Angel just watched her.
Then Buffy burst into tears.
Though Angel's first instincts were to go to her, he let Willow wrap her arms around Buffy as she cried. After awhile, Willow motioned him over, and he held both women as tears of his own trickled silently down his face.