Things get more interesting in this chapter. Let me know what you think.
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As they walked up to the door of the Magic Box, Spike froze. Something was wrong, he could feel it. His vampire senses were tingling.
"Spike?" questioned Buffy, observing the sudden change in his demeanor. "What is it?"
He listened intently for a moment, straining to hear what was happening behind the closed door. There were two people talking. One was clearly Giles, but Spike didn't recognize the other man's voice. The conversation did not seem to be going well.
"I think you have a guest luv," Spike said with a frown. "Some bloke with a British accent is arguing with your watcher. Can't make out what they're saying though."
Buffy's eyes grew large and her heart started pounding. "It's Travers," she whispered. "From the watcher's council. He said he was coming."
Spike noticed her rapid heartbeat and knew she was nervous.
"No worries pet. We'll just march on in there, demand that he return your powers, and toss him on the next plane back to England."
Spike's simple plan made Buffy smile, but she knew it wasn't going to be that easy. It never was when the council was involved.
"Well," she said with a sigh. "I guess we should go inside."
Buffy reached for the handle and pulled open the familiar wooden door. The sight that lay before her, however, was anything but familiar. Giles and Travers stood in the middle of the room, shouting and glaring at one another. Willow, Xander, and Anya stood in the only corner that wasn't occupied by members of the council. The rest of the shop was filled with men and women bearing axes, crossbows, and various other weapons. When Buffy and Spike were noticed at the door, the room fell silent. In the next instant, the two women with crossbows had their weapons ready and aimed at Spike's chest. Buffy wanted very badly to kick Spike and say "I told you so."
"Ah, Miss Summer," said Travers with a fake smile. "I'm glad you could join us this evening. And I see you brought along a...friend. William the Bloody if I'm not mistaken."
"It's Spike," growled the vampire. Ok. So maybe things were going to be harder than he'd thought.
"Yes, of course," replied Travers with obvious annoyance. "Well there's no need to stand in the doorway. Come inside, please. We're all friends here."
Buffy turned to Spike and saw him nervously eyeing the two women with crossbows.
"Spike, you don't have to stay. You can..."
"Not happening luv," he interrupted, turning to face her. "There's no way I'm leaving you alone here with Mr. Magoo and his army of look- alikes. Not when you don't have any powers."
She was surprised at his resolve to stay with her, but didn't argue with his decision. It was somewhat ironic that she now trusted Spike more than she did the watcher's council.
They entered the tiny shop and walked over to where Travers and Giles were standing.
Buffy decided to get right to the point. "You said you could help me, Mr. Travers. How exactly do you plan on doing that?"
Travers laced his fingers behind his back and began pacing the room as he spoke.
"I am quite aware of your condition Miss Summers. I must admit, the council was somewhat ill prepared to handle your situation, namely because it has never happened before. You are indeed the first slayer in recorded history to lose her powers. All the others were killed before the prearranged time had arrived. You should be quite proud of your accomplishments."
"Ecstatic," Buffy replied with deliberate lack of emotion. "I'm not dead. Yay me. So then why are my powers gone?"
"My dear, it has been a part of your destiny since the calling of the first slayer. The creators planned for the chosen one to lose her slayer- given strength and abilities once she became too old to carry out her duties. These powers would then be passed on to another, one much younger I assume."
"But this is what I don't understand," interrupted Giles. "Why should Buffy lose her powers if she's still young enough to fight?"
"Yes," continued Travers with a slight nod. "This question was brought up before the council. We have come to the conclusion that Miss Summers is still fully capable of fulfilling her duties as slayer. Therefore, her powers should be restored."
'Her powers should be restored.' Buffy replayed Travers' joyous words over and over in her mind. He was really going to help her. Maybe she'd been wrong about the watcher's council. Maybe they weren't so bad after all.
"However..." spoke Travis.
Buffy's shoulders slumped. Of course there had to be a catch.
"Even though the council has the ability to restore your powers, we must first ask something of you Buffy."
Giles slammed his fist onto the table. "This is unheard of. I won't stand by and watch you blackmail her!"
Travers turned and faced the angry watcher. "Please, Rupert. I'm sure that if you'll only hear our conditions, you will see they are harmless."
Spike growled softly but only Buffy seemed to notice. She silently prayed that he wouldn't lose his patience and try something stupid.
"Our terms are as follows." Travers watched Buffy intently as he spoke. "First, we will require you to send a monthly account of your slayer activities to the council. This way we can review the documents and make suggestions for improvement as is seen fit."
Buffy nodded in agreement, knowing that the worst was yet to come.
"Secondly, you must agree to a complete council evaluation every two months. The evaluation consists of various tests which will record your strength, endurance, and mental ability."
"Ok. I agree," said Buffy, hoping that Travers was done talking. "So now can I have my powers back?"
"There is one last requirement," the gray-haired man continued. "It is a test of loyalty to the council. We need to know that your allegiance lies with us." He paused to let his words sink in. "You must kill a demon, a demon of our choosing. Since you are without powers, your friends may help you with this task."
Buffy felt slightly relieved. A demon she could handle, especially with the help of her friends.
"Let me guess," she said dryly. "This demon is twenty feet tall with poisonous fangs and razor-sharp spikes and the only way to find him is by flying to the moon."
Travers grinned at her sarcasm. "Of course not. This demon is a vampire, I'd say about 5'8", with blond hair and rather striking cheekbones, and oh yes...he's standing right beside you."
With a gasp Buffy turned to Spike and met his gaze. She felt numb inside, as though no emotion could suit the way she felt. Spike's eyes were filled with shock, and then realization, and then...fear? 'Of course he's afraid,' she thought. 'He thinks I'm going to kill him.'
Buffy looked around at each of her friends and saw that they all wore the same stunned expression. Even Giles appeared speechless.
"Well Miss Summers? Do we have a deal?"
Buffy looked at Travers and was sickened by the obvious pleasure in his eyes. He enjoyed hurting her, making her and her friends suffer like this. It was all just a game to him.
"Get out now," she whispered.
"Excuse me?" asked Travers, straining to make out her response.
She straightened her shoulders and glared at the heartless man.
"I said, Get. Out. Now!"
This was not the reaction Travers had been expecting. He knew she wouldn't be keen on the idea of killing the vampire, but he never imagined she would flat out refuse him like this.
"Young lady, I think you are making a terrible mistake. If you don't agree to our terms, your powers will be gone for good."
Buffy was getting angrier by the second. "Spike fights for me now. I'm not going to kill him."
"You heard the woman," said Spike finally finding his voice. "And I don't bloody well appreciate being used as a bargaining tool."
Travers sighed with exasperation. "As you wish. If this is how you feel Miss Summers I'm afraid we cannot help you." He took a small card out of his pocket and placed it on the countertop. "This is where I can be reached if you change your mind. We shall remain in Sunnydale for a few days before returning to England. Once we leave the states, the offer will be terminated."
"You may think you've won Travers, but this isn't over!" Giles yelled as the heavy-set man headed for the door.
Travers turned around and smiled. "There are no winners or losers in this one Mr. Giles, but I truly hope Miss Summers will come to her senses eventually."
With that, he exited the shop. The remaining council members followed his lead and filed out of the room one by one. When the last of them had gone Xander ran over to the door and slammed it shut, making sure it was securely locked.
Buffy had been running on adrenaline for the past fifteen minutes, and now that the ordeal was over, she felt very tired.
Willow was the first to break the silence. "Don't worry Buffy. I'm sure there's another way to restore your powers. I mean I haven't found anything yet but there has to be something right?"
Again the room fell silent.
Xander cleared his throat. "Am I missing something here? The man gave us a way to help Buffy. He practically handed it to us on a silver platter and we're just going to throw it away?"
"Easy for you to say," replied Spike. "You're not the one he wants fitting into an ashtray."
"I could sell you an urn," cut in Anya. "Urns are much more tasteful than ashtrays. They also come in a wide variety of colors."
"Ok, everybody just stop!" shouted Buffy holding up her hands in frustration. "We're not going to get anywhere by arguing like this. No one is staking Spike. Is that clear? We have to figure out something else. Willow, you keep researching. Let me know if you find anything useful. Giles, start reviewing the old watcher diaries and see if they mention something like this happening before. Besides that, there's nothing else we can do tonight."
Everyone nodded and pretended to look busy with something. No one wanted to make Buffy more upset than she already was. She'd been through enough for one night.
"Will, I'm going to head back to the dorms now. I just need to...clear my head a bit."
"Sure Buffy," replied the witch with a sympathetic smile. She knew Buffy needed some time alone to think things over.
Spike followed Buffy outside and noticed that she was looking unusually pale.
"Are you feeling alright luv?" he asked with concern.
Buffy put a hand up to her forehead and closed her eyes. "Yeah I'm fine. Just a little tired I guess." She took a small step but her leg gave out from under her. Stumbling, she grabbed onto the sleeve of Spike's jacket.
Spike put a steadying arm around her waist until she had regained her balance. "Maybe you should go back inside pet. You're looking a little under the weather."
The disoriented slayer let go of his sleeve and shook her head. "No. I'm fine, really. I must have just tripped on something. See? Standing on my own two feet now and everything." Buffy spoke with more confidence than she felt.
Spike knew she was keeping something from him, but he didn't want to start an argument. "Alright slayer. If you say so."
They started walking down the empty street, both lost in their own thoughts.
'Well at least things can't get any worse,' Buffy told herself. 'Right?'
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As they walked up to the door of the Magic Box, Spike froze. Something was wrong, he could feel it. His vampire senses were tingling.
"Spike?" questioned Buffy, observing the sudden change in his demeanor. "What is it?"
He listened intently for a moment, straining to hear what was happening behind the closed door. There were two people talking. One was clearly Giles, but Spike didn't recognize the other man's voice. The conversation did not seem to be going well.
"I think you have a guest luv," Spike said with a frown. "Some bloke with a British accent is arguing with your watcher. Can't make out what they're saying though."
Buffy's eyes grew large and her heart started pounding. "It's Travers," she whispered. "From the watcher's council. He said he was coming."
Spike noticed her rapid heartbeat and knew she was nervous.
"No worries pet. We'll just march on in there, demand that he return your powers, and toss him on the next plane back to England."
Spike's simple plan made Buffy smile, but she knew it wasn't going to be that easy. It never was when the council was involved.
"Well," she said with a sigh. "I guess we should go inside."
Buffy reached for the handle and pulled open the familiar wooden door. The sight that lay before her, however, was anything but familiar. Giles and Travers stood in the middle of the room, shouting and glaring at one another. Willow, Xander, and Anya stood in the only corner that wasn't occupied by members of the council. The rest of the shop was filled with men and women bearing axes, crossbows, and various other weapons. When Buffy and Spike were noticed at the door, the room fell silent. In the next instant, the two women with crossbows had their weapons ready and aimed at Spike's chest. Buffy wanted very badly to kick Spike and say "I told you so."
"Ah, Miss Summer," said Travers with a fake smile. "I'm glad you could join us this evening. And I see you brought along a...friend. William the Bloody if I'm not mistaken."
"It's Spike," growled the vampire. Ok. So maybe things were going to be harder than he'd thought.
"Yes, of course," replied Travers with obvious annoyance. "Well there's no need to stand in the doorway. Come inside, please. We're all friends here."
Buffy turned to Spike and saw him nervously eyeing the two women with crossbows.
"Spike, you don't have to stay. You can..."
"Not happening luv," he interrupted, turning to face her. "There's no way I'm leaving you alone here with Mr. Magoo and his army of look- alikes. Not when you don't have any powers."
She was surprised at his resolve to stay with her, but didn't argue with his decision. It was somewhat ironic that she now trusted Spike more than she did the watcher's council.
They entered the tiny shop and walked over to where Travers and Giles were standing.
Buffy decided to get right to the point. "You said you could help me, Mr. Travers. How exactly do you plan on doing that?"
Travers laced his fingers behind his back and began pacing the room as he spoke.
"I am quite aware of your condition Miss Summers. I must admit, the council was somewhat ill prepared to handle your situation, namely because it has never happened before. You are indeed the first slayer in recorded history to lose her powers. All the others were killed before the prearranged time had arrived. You should be quite proud of your accomplishments."
"Ecstatic," Buffy replied with deliberate lack of emotion. "I'm not dead. Yay me. So then why are my powers gone?"
"My dear, it has been a part of your destiny since the calling of the first slayer. The creators planned for the chosen one to lose her slayer- given strength and abilities once she became too old to carry out her duties. These powers would then be passed on to another, one much younger I assume."
"But this is what I don't understand," interrupted Giles. "Why should Buffy lose her powers if she's still young enough to fight?"
"Yes," continued Travers with a slight nod. "This question was brought up before the council. We have come to the conclusion that Miss Summers is still fully capable of fulfilling her duties as slayer. Therefore, her powers should be restored."
'Her powers should be restored.' Buffy replayed Travers' joyous words over and over in her mind. He was really going to help her. Maybe she'd been wrong about the watcher's council. Maybe they weren't so bad after all.
"However..." spoke Travis.
Buffy's shoulders slumped. Of course there had to be a catch.
"Even though the council has the ability to restore your powers, we must first ask something of you Buffy."
Giles slammed his fist onto the table. "This is unheard of. I won't stand by and watch you blackmail her!"
Travers turned and faced the angry watcher. "Please, Rupert. I'm sure that if you'll only hear our conditions, you will see they are harmless."
Spike growled softly but only Buffy seemed to notice. She silently prayed that he wouldn't lose his patience and try something stupid.
"Our terms are as follows." Travers watched Buffy intently as he spoke. "First, we will require you to send a monthly account of your slayer activities to the council. This way we can review the documents and make suggestions for improvement as is seen fit."
Buffy nodded in agreement, knowing that the worst was yet to come.
"Secondly, you must agree to a complete council evaluation every two months. The evaluation consists of various tests which will record your strength, endurance, and mental ability."
"Ok. I agree," said Buffy, hoping that Travers was done talking. "So now can I have my powers back?"
"There is one last requirement," the gray-haired man continued. "It is a test of loyalty to the council. We need to know that your allegiance lies with us." He paused to let his words sink in. "You must kill a demon, a demon of our choosing. Since you are without powers, your friends may help you with this task."
Buffy felt slightly relieved. A demon she could handle, especially with the help of her friends.
"Let me guess," she said dryly. "This demon is twenty feet tall with poisonous fangs and razor-sharp spikes and the only way to find him is by flying to the moon."
Travers grinned at her sarcasm. "Of course not. This demon is a vampire, I'd say about 5'8", with blond hair and rather striking cheekbones, and oh yes...he's standing right beside you."
With a gasp Buffy turned to Spike and met his gaze. She felt numb inside, as though no emotion could suit the way she felt. Spike's eyes were filled with shock, and then realization, and then...fear? 'Of course he's afraid,' she thought. 'He thinks I'm going to kill him.'
Buffy looked around at each of her friends and saw that they all wore the same stunned expression. Even Giles appeared speechless.
"Well Miss Summers? Do we have a deal?"
Buffy looked at Travers and was sickened by the obvious pleasure in his eyes. He enjoyed hurting her, making her and her friends suffer like this. It was all just a game to him.
"Get out now," she whispered.
"Excuse me?" asked Travers, straining to make out her response.
She straightened her shoulders and glared at the heartless man.
"I said, Get. Out. Now!"
This was not the reaction Travers had been expecting. He knew she wouldn't be keen on the idea of killing the vampire, but he never imagined she would flat out refuse him like this.
"Young lady, I think you are making a terrible mistake. If you don't agree to our terms, your powers will be gone for good."
Buffy was getting angrier by the second. "Spike fights for me now. I'm not going to kill him."
"You heard the woman," said Spike finally finding his voice. "And I don't bloody well appreciate being used as a bargaining tool."
Travers sighed with exasperation. "As you wish. If this is how you feel Miss Summers I'm afraid we cannot help you." He took a small card out of his pocket and placed it on the countertop. "This is where I can be reached if you change your mind. We shall remain in Sunnydale for a few days before returning to England. Once we leave the states, the offer will be terminated."
"You may think you've won Travers, but this isn't over!" Giles yelled as the heavy-set man headed for the door.
Travers turned around and smiled. "There are no winners or losers in this one Mr. Giles, but I truly hope Miss Summers will come to her senses eventually."
With that, he exited the shop. The remaining council members followed his lead and filed out of the room one by one. When the last of them had gone Xander ran over to the door and slammed it shut, making sure it was securely locked.
Buffy had been running on adrenaline for the past fifteen minutes, and now that the ordeal was over, she felt very tired.
Willow was the first to break the silence. "Don't worry Buffy. I'm sure there's another way to restore your powers. I mean I haven't found anything yet but there has to be something right?"
Again the room fell silent.
Xander cleared his throat. "Am I missing something here? The man gave us a way to help Buffy. He practically handed it to us on a silver platter and we're just going to throw it away?"
"Easy for you to say," replied Spike. "You're not the one he wants fitting into an ashtray."
"I could sell you an urn," cut in Anya. "Urns are much more tasteful than ashtrays. They also come in a wide variety of colors."
"Ok, everybody just stop!" shouted Buffy holding up her hands in frustration. "We're not going to get anywhere by arguing like this. No one is staking Spike. Is that clear? We have to figure out something else. Willow, you keep researching. Let me know if you find anything useful. Giles, start reviewing the old watcher diaries and see if they mention something like this happening before. Besides that, there's nothing else we can do tonight."
Everyone nodded and pretended to look busy with something. No one wanted to make Buffy more upset than she already was. She'd been through enough for one night.
"Will, I'm going to head back to the dorms now. I just need to...clear my head a bit."
"Sure Buffy," replied the witch with a sympathetic smile. She knew Buffy needed some time alone to think things over.
Spike followed Buffy outside and noticed that she was looking unusually pale.
"Are you feeling alright luv?" he asked with concern.
Buffy put a hand up to her forehead and closed her eyes. "Yeah I'm fine. Just a little tired I guess." She took a small step but her leg gave out from under her. Stumbling, she grabbed onto the sleeve of Spike's jacket.
Spike put a steadying arm around her waist until she had regained her balance. "Maybe you should go back inside pet. You're looking a little under the weather."
The disoriented slayer let go of his sleeve and shook her head. "No. I'm fine, really. I must have just tripped on something. See? Standing on my own two feet now and everything." Buffy spoke with more confidence than she felt.
Spike knew she was keeping something from him, but he didn't want to start an argument. "Alright slayer. If you say so."
They started walking down the empty street, both lost in their own thoughts.
'Well at least things can't get any worse,' Buffy told herself. 'Right?'