Howdy! Hehe, it's been a while since I've been writing, but it IS summer, and I AM lazy!! Well, hopefully I'll get off my bottom and do something productive, but until then, I'm going to write the next chapter of 'The Love Apocalypse'!
Disclaimer: I do not own this particular show, even though I seem to know, everything about their foe!
"Yes, Rupert Giles, please."
The wait for Giles' response was long and Tara was growing impatient. The Watchers' Council had said that he was available, yet he was not answering his phone. Finally, she got an answer, where she heard the ever so familiar voice of her good friend, Giles.
"Hello?" Came the British voice.
"Giles? This is Tara. Something's happening here and we may need your help."
There was a quick pause from the other end. In a low voice, Giles huffed, "Is Buffy alright?"
Frantic, Tara answered. "Y-yes! She-she's alright. But there's this thing. It's c-called a Rysterca. It's a love demon and it's come to Sunnydale, reeking havoc."
Silence. Waves of memory came flushing back to Giles of his childhood, of the days when he was a rebellious teenager. "I am very familiar with the Rysterca. It...Is a demon that is truly good, and can be reasoned with. However, it also is very determined, and very powerful. There is no way to stop it, Tara."
Minutes passed, and Willow stood watching Tara talk on the phone. Exhausted, Willow went to check on Buffy. She was sitting on the couch when Willow came in, her arms wrapped around herself. "Anything?"
Willow shook her head, looking down at Buffy. She sat next to her, her hands in her lap. "Buffy, are you okay?"
Not sure at the moment, Buffy sighed. "I don't know, Will. Everything's been so complicated. Bringing me back from the dead, Giles leaving, now this. I don't know if I can handle it."
Willow's eyes became small, and she continued to look at her. "Buffy, it's going to be alright. I'm here for you. Your friends are all here for you. And Dawn too. She needs you, Buffy. We all do."
Buffy managed the closest thing to a smile. They always needed her, to be the strong one. To protect them in the face of danger. But whenever she needed someone, she was either alone, or with Spike. Spike. He scared her the most, out of everything. She was scared of Spike, as much as she wouldn't admit it to herself.
Even though she needed to be strong for everyone, being in Heaven, and then coming back, made her weak. But she needed to be strong for them, and she would be.
"Thanks Will. I'll be okay. I just need to fight this thing." Getting up, she wrapped her arm around Willow's shoulders, and Willow did the same. Looking into Willow's eyes, she smiled. "You're my best friend, Willow. You and Xander."
Willow smiled back. "I know, Buffy. You're mine too." They walked back into the Magic Box, where Tara had just gotten off the phone with Giles.
She put the phone back into the receiver, and looked less then eager. "That was Giles. He said that he knows the Rysterca, and that there's no way to stop it."
"Then I'll find a way." Buffy pressed.
Looking at Willow, Tara frowned slightly. "The demon is good, though. We can reason with it."
Looking shocked, both Buffy and Willow looked surprised. "I've never had to reason with a demon..." Buffy said quietly.
Shockingly, Willow laughed. Both girls turned to the witch, who tried to suppress her giggles. "Sorry-can't-help-it!"
All of a sudden, all of them were laughing, and all the weeks of pain and hardship were poured out of Buffy, and she was relieved of all the weakness inside of her.
Walking into the Magic Box was Dawn, who again, looked confused by the laughter. "Okay, I just have to know. What is so funny?" Looking angry, Dawn was met with more laughter from the three girls. "Never mind. I think I don't want to know."
Walking towards Dawn, Buffy stopped laughing abruptly. "It's nothing, Dawnie. We're finding a lead on the demon. It's called a Rysterca."
Brightening, Dawn looked over at Tara and Willow, and then back to Buffy. "Can I help you? Can I fight the demon?"
Shaking her head, Buffy pulled Dawn into a hug. "I love you, Dawn."
Pushing away from Buffy, Dawn held her at arm's length. "Buffy, no offense, but every time you tell me that something is up. What's wrong? You can tell me."
"It's nothing Dawn, really. I just want you to know that."
At the hospital
"Mr. Harris, it seems that you can be released tomorrow morning. That is, if everything goes well during the night."
Anya and Xander were restless, and both were flipping through channels on the hospital television. They both turned to the doctor, and smiles lit their faces.
After the doctor walked out, Xander stretched out his arms. "Finally," Xander sighed, holding Anya's head on his chest. "I can't stand another day in here."
"Xander honey, the TV isn't that bad. I mean you've got Charlie's Angels, Legally Blonde, and an amusing sitcom called Barney. It seems to capture the hearts of all young children everywhere."
"Aun, Barney is a show for infants." Xander said with a laugh.
"Yes, well, I've only been human for so long, and I still need to know the joys of being young."
Rolling his eyes slightly, Xander just stroked Anya's hair, warm and radiance reflecting off of his soul.
Anya lifted her head off of his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. "Xander, I'm worried. Our wedding is three months away and our perfect day will be ruined unless you stand."
Trying not to meet her eyes, Xander sighed, his chest expanding and then lowering gently. "I know, Aun. It won't be ruined. I promise." Just at that moment, he reached for the side table, to which he brought out a brochure to a paradise island. On the cover of the brochure was 'Atlantis: Paradise Hotel'. Eyes widening, Anya snatched the magazine from Xander's grasp and shoved it under her nose. Her eyes paced back and forth from page to page, the pupils in her eyes dilating with delight.
"Xander! Do you know where this is?" The excitement in her voice was easily sensed.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure, sweet heart." Xander said, looking adoringly at his fiancé.
"This is Atlantis! The ultimate get-away! Are you saying we could go here for our honeymoon?"
"Only if it makes you happy, Hun." The corners of his lips turned upright into a sincere and blissful smile, right before they were met with Anya's passionate kiss.
Pulling away gently, Xander explained. "Well, my aunt, the ONLY aunt who actually likes me decided to pay for our honeymoon, and suggested this place. So she'll be paying for the entire trip."
Smiling again, Anya laid her head back on his shoulders, the Atlantis brochure locked between her fingers.
Later that night, at the Magic Box
The red-headed witch was sleeping soundly on the wooden table inside of the magical store. Standing above her was none other than Dawn, who was making mocking faces at Willow. A loud snore escaping her mouth, Dawn fell to the floor in hysterical laughter.
Emerging from the training room, Buffy climbed onto Dawn and pulled her to her feet. "Dawn! Leave Willow alone. She's tired."
Immediately, Willow woke up from her unconscious period and sat straight in her seat. "Don't let the frogs take me!" Blushing fiercely, Willow stood up and walked briskly to the counter, meeting Tara.
"We've been here all day, why not go out?" Tara said, putting her arm around Willow's waist.
"Tara, I don't think Willow is up to..."
"Sure!" Willow chimed, brightening her face. "The Bronze, anyone?"
Frowning slightly, Buffy was still altogether pleased to be able to go out and have some fun. "Well, okay Will, if you're there, I'm there." Beaming, Buffy looked towards Willow, meeting another friendly smile.
Dawn was already jumping up and down on the balls of her feet, stimulation surging through her veins. "That's great, now can we go? I'm so bored. I need some major partying."
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Chapter 5 is going to get a little Spuffy. Well, okay, a LOT more Spuffier, but I can't resist. Also, Xander is going through some hardships, but that's a given. Also, some unexpected things can happen at the Bronze, but I'm not sure yet. You'll just have to see for yourself
Thanksies to some very important reviewers!!
Drusilla: Thanks for your review. I will try and update as much as I can Yah, I hate Angel and Riley. They DO NOT belong with Buffy.
Ariel: You are my numbero uno reviewer, girl! You rock so much!! Sorry to give it away for you, but Xander and Anya do not get married on the show:( You'd have to watch the show to know why. Also, Buffy doesn't want everyone to know she loves Spike, because he's so bad. Which is okay by me And Spike has always loved her. It's so sweet. Any who, thank you for your way awesome reviews. Your faithfulness to my fic has made me go on! And thanks for introducing me to this site!
Bri: Thanks for your review! I'm so glad that you're reading my story. I hope you enjoy it!! BFF
Well, until next time, this is StakeMeSpike04 saying I MISS BTVS.