Author: Blackcherrymeg

Title: A New Life

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.

Chapter 13

---Buffy's POV---

I got up from my seat and walked to Faith who hadn't really said much. "Hey so do you want to go kick some butt?"

"The Council members are human we can't do anything."

"Correction, we can't do anything the police know about. The Council members are just as demonic as the nasties we fight everyday and night. Come on Faith."

"Alright B sounds good to me."

I nodded and went back to Spike who was waving some baby toy in front of Brittany's face and she smiled wildly at this. "Hey love what did Faith say? Is she in for the fun?"

"She said she was up to it. Little Joyce didn't deserve this...she doesn't even know about slayers. This is my entire fault! I shouldn't have gotten you guys involved and I should have stayed in LA!"

"With that wanker Riley?" Spike spat out towards me.

"No before I knew you and Loraine. Before I came to Sunny Dale. I could have called in some favors around the city."

"Now pet you're being a bit hard on yourself. You didn't know this would happen...and if you knew about us and Brittany would you have stayed in LA?"

I looked up at Spike and knew what he was saying was right. I wouldn't have stayed in LA. "You're right Spike...Let's just get back Joyce. I feel so bad that Tara ended up staying here with us for so long."

"Don't worry about her pet. I was talking to her and she's found an interest here. Let's get Joyce home and safe." I nodded and took Brittany into my arms. She put her head against my collar bone and was fast asleep in no time.

"I'm going to call Willow and Giles to baby-sit Britt. Do you think they'll mind?"

"No love, they adore Brittany." I nodded in agreement and called Willow, then Giles and asked them. They agreed without hesitation. After gathering all of what Brittany needed I drove to Giles' place. I knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before he answered. He was in his usual attire. Just a sweater and old-man pants. I laughed to myself at that description.

"Good morning Buffy, what made you need baby-sitters at such short notice?"

"Well a member of the Council came to my house and said he was checking up on me, but then this morning we found my little cousin missing form her room and a note signed ours truly, Ronald Klein."

"My goodness! I knew Ronald back in college. He was such a nice young fellow. I would never think this to be his style. Well I guess the surprises never stop coming. Willow will be arriving shortly; I do presume you have everything ready for Brittany?"

"Yeah I packed her diaper bag and she has enough formula. Well everything's packed for her. By chance do you know where the Council could be found?"

"I do know their location, but Buffy dear...I'm afraid they are much too strong for the slayer."

"How about the –slayers-, a witch, and a pissed off British dad?"

"Well that might do it."

"Good because it's what I have. I have to go now." I gave Brittany a kiss on her cheek and handed her to Giles. "Make sure you read the directions for the formula I wrote down." I said, then Giles handed me a paper that had the location information for the Council...more specifically, Ronald Klein.

Getting into my car I drove to the airport where Spike, Faith, and Tara would be. It took a long forty minutes to reach the airport and Sunny Dale's not that big of a town! I thought to myself. I pulled into the airport parking lot and walked fast to the little coffee shop in the airport. Spike and Faith were ordering things while Tara sat quietly at a small booth next to the window. I sat down with her after entering the building.

"Hey Tara, so are you ready?"

"I have meditated a lot and feel prepared to do any kind of spell that is asked of me. Though I hope it's nothing too extreme..."

"Don't worry, I will not ask you to do anything that will endanger your abilities to control your magic."

Tara just looked down at the small cup of coffee that was between her hands. Spike and Faith soon joined us. Spike sat next to me and Faith was next to Tara. "So what is the plan B?" Faith asked, finally sounding intrigued by the big battle. I always knew she was a sucked for fighting.

"We go into the Council's building telling them we are ready to negotiate a deal no the subject of Brittany and Joyce. Nothing too drastic to make it seem fake; just enough to make them let their guard down. They know I won't let them kill Brittany so I'm thinking...I offer giving her up for adoption?"

Spike looked at me like I was crazy. "Are you bloody nuts slayer? We aren't giving our daughter up to get the other nibblet back. It might sound selfish, but I won't do it!"

"Spike don't worry. I have already arranged who will be 'given' custody of Brittany. Willow offered to do any paper work if it got that far. I would never give Brittany up and you know that Spike!" I shot back harshly.

"Ok we don't need a lovers' quarrel here."

"Ok..." Spike just turned towards the window to distract himself.

"After we shake on the deal we get Joyce back and the papers I presume will be handed over to me for signing. That's when Tara will have finished a protection spell over Joyce and the rest of us so they can't touch any of us for about... how long will it last?"

"I know a spell that will last for a good fifteen minutes. Other than that we will need ingredients."

"Right well we don't have time for ingredients and all that. Once we're protected the weapons will be brought in by Spike who will have been standing outside waiting. We fight, they die and the war's done."

"How long did it take you to come up with that one B?"

"As long as my showers last."

"Oh so about...forever!" Faith joked. We all laughed then got up and walked outside.

"Buffy we have a witch let's just teleport instead of wasting money on some bloody plane."

"The office building has teleportation protection all around the perimeter. They won't expect us to just walk in."

"We're going to just walk in? I don't think they'll like that too much."

"Why do they have to know?"

Faith understood and we all walked to where we would board the plane and were soon ready to take off.

---Many hours later---

"Ladies and gentlemen please exit carefully, for we are at our destination. Have a good trip." A preppy voice came from the front of the plane. I got ready to leave and we stepped out and rushed to the nearest cab in sight. We arrived at a huge brown mansion.

"Are you sure this is where they're at love?"

"This is it. Giles once said that the Council isn't modest with their money." They all nodded and followed me to a tall iron black gate. I looked at the surveillance Camera then to Tara. She nodded and understood.

A ball of fire emerged from her hands and hit the camera in burst into flames. I took off my backpack that I had carried and pulled out four cloaks. "What are those pet?"

"Just ordinary cloaks I bought from some Halloween store."

"Trying to feel magical there B?"

"They have an invisibility spell cast over them. Put them on and let's go." They did as I said and Tara broke the gates with a spell. We walked into the old building after getting right past the guards.

"Buffy what floor?" Tara whispered quietly. We could see each other, but someone without a cloak couldn't see us.

"The third floor, he said it's a tall black door. Let's go and check it out."

We followed the directions and found the door with no problem. I tested the knob and it was unlocked to my surprise. I opened it and peeked inside first. Joyce was tied to a chair with rope and chains. I looked to a desk in the front by a large window. Ronald was sitting there going through some papers. Spike had been left in the hallway carrying a bag of weapons.

I walked in front of the desk and took the cloak off. Ronald looked up a bit startled by my presence. "Hello Ronald... I believe we've met before."

"How did you get in here?"

"We have some connections. Now I came to negotiate this little problem we have here."

"And what problem is that miss Summers?"

"That's Mrs. Crawford. And I'm sure you know what problem we have." I bent over his desk and leaned in towards his face. "You want my baby out of my life and you have my baby cousin."

"So you've come to strike a deal?" He asked loosening his tie nervously.

"Getting a little worried? Somebody must be pretty powerful to get into this building."

"What do you propose we do?"

"I give Brittany up for adoption and you give back Joyce."

"That's too easy. There's a catch."

"It's not easy! I find that it's a bit better than you killing her so I will give her up for adoption where she has a nice family!"

"I suppose that will do...Let me untie Joyce and then I will hand you the papers." He got up and was untying Joyce as I slipped on the cloak for a second. I looked around and saw Tara, she was chanting and soon looked at me then nodded.

"It's done Buffy. Now would be a good time to kill him." I nodded and told her to get spike. I slipped off the cloak and found Ronald with Joyce at his desk.

"Is everything in order Mr. Klein?"

"Yes everything is in order. Is there somebody in particular you want to adopt Brittany?"

"I spoke to a girl yesterday and she said she would be willing to adopt Brittany. Now hand over Joyce." Ronald pushed Joyce slightly and she came towards me. Tara, Spike, and Faith took their cloaks off and Spike was the first to throw an arrow. It hit Ronald in the chest and he fell over.

"I'd said that earns me ten points, right love?" Spike asked with sarcasm.

"Sure honey." He smirked at me and then we all ran back down the stairs. Spike took Joyce to the car, while the others and I stayed to fight. Just as I planned all the other members came running to the alarm that had gone off. Tara came into play as she blasted them with fireballs and I went into action with swords. Faith threw great kicks and punches.

---An hour later---

Tara slumped against a wall for support; the magic had drained all her energy. I stood above the last of the dead Council members and Faith was checking pulses. "Looks like their all dead B. Let's hit it."

The way home was quiet, but comforting. Spike drove and I was up front holding his hand. Faith, Tara, and Joyce were all asleep in the back. We boarded the airplane and were fast asleep until the annoying voice came on telling us we were on the ground. We all got off and took our car home. We pulled into the driveway of Giles' place and I ran in to get Brittany.

"Buffy you're back! Oh thank heavens you're well!" Giles said as he came up to me with Brittany wide awake in his arms.

"Hey sweetie, did you miss your mommy?" I cooed at Britt.

"Hey Buffy everything go according to plans?" Willow asked coming out of the kitchen/

"Everything's ok." I smiled and turned towards Giles who was cleaning his glasses.

"You do know what this means right Buffy?"

"Yeah I know exactly what it means." I smiled brightly and walked back to the car where Spike's smile widened when he saw Brittany.

I buckled her in and we were ready to go. "What took you so long, love?"

By now Faith and Tara were both awake. "Giles wanted to talk to me for a few."

"Oh what did he want to say?" Spike asked as he backed out of the driveway.

"He just wanted to make sure I knew what all of this meant."

"And what does it mean?" He looked over at me.

"Yeah B spill. What does it mean that the Council's dead?"

"No Council...no vampires...no slayers. Welcome to the normal life everyone." I said as we pulled in front of the house.

THE END!!!!

---Thanks for all your reviews and all your ideas! I hope you enjoyed the ending!!---