A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys ROCK!!! YEAH!!!

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! It's time to see what's going on back at TC...

Chapter Eight: An Apparition

Terminal City's headquarters was alive with activity and much, much noise. The current stand-in 'leader' stood near the bank of computers that Dix had set up, staring over Luke's shoulder, into one of the bigger television screens. A news broadcast was running on the set, and surprise, surprise, it was about them – the 'transies'.

The glowing screen showed a woman – a reporter, standing in front of a large, elegant, expensively-built building, dodging a great deal of paparazzi and police officers. Apparently, something big was taking place inside the official-looking edifice. Jewel instructed Dix to increase the volume. It was then that the reporter started to deliver her news.

"Good evening, Seattle. Tonight, the Seattle city council is presently holding an exceedingly imperative meeting on the issue that has sparked controversy all throughout the country: the TRANSGENICS. As our sources tell us, these genetically-engineered killing machines that were designed and grown in a laboratory somewhere in Gilette, Wyoming are plotting against our very own city..."

"Yeah right," Jewel snorted. "The only people who are 'plotting' here, is them."

"You can say that again," Dix said shaking his head. "These government officials want nothing more than to wipe away our existence in this planet. Our disappearance in this world, courtesy of them of course, could mean millions of dollars for them."

"Talk about corrupt," Luke chimed in.

"...the Seattle City Council is, at the moment making a decision on what their actions will be towards this menace. These so-called freaks are presently living, on government territory that they have claimed as their own. The name 'Transgenic Central' has titled their city. Imagine that! Animals having their own city!" The woman laughed mirthlessly.

Jewel's face hardened. "We didn't choose to be what we are," she spat under her breath. If Alec and Max were here, they would've stalked over to the woman and they would've given her a good black-eye. And possibly a few broken ribs too.

"That woman is getting uglier by the minute," Dix commented, his eyes narrowing in anger.

They watched the TV, (fuming silently) as the front doors of the building swung open. Men and women dressed in business suits emerged. Most of them were wearing the same grim but determined faces. Uh-oh. Looks bad. Jewel thought. The reported hurried over to the nearest council member and asked: "Good evening, sir. Could you please tell us the results of your meeting?"

The middle-aged man, smiled weakly, and stared straight into the camera, his bright brown eyes glinting with malice. "These transgenics are an insult to humanity, and a danger to us all. They cannot be allowed to live any longer. We have reached a final decision: Genocide."

"Oh no," Jewel clamped a hand over her mouth, as she exchanged horrified gazes with her fellow transgenics.

"So," Max spoke up. "What were those things?"

They were back at the Summers' home. Spike, Robin, and Faith had hung back at Sunnydale High's basement to keep an eye on things while the others 'played nurse' and did some research on the 'freakin' uber-vamps' as what Faith had been prone to calling the vile monsters.

"Turok-Hans," Buffy instantly replied, looking up from Willow's laptop.

"A demonic clan of sorts...who guards the Hellmouth from outside intruders." Willow continued after Buffy, taking a seat beside the petite blonde. Most of the Scooby Gang were seated on the table, while the rest relaxed on sofas, couches, and on the floor. All were listening with rapt attention to what the 'researchers' had to say on their recent battle with the Turok-Hans, as they now know.

The British Watcher slowly sipped his cup of tea, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "I presume that these Turok-Hans are under the control of the First?"

"Yup," Willow confirmed with a nod of her head. "And when the Familiar-guys did that ritual-thingy, they granted the Turok-Hans full access to the outside world. Our world."

"And I presume that the First sent them to do so?" Giles asked, waiting for clarification.

"Exactly!"

"Wait a minute!" all heads turned to Alec who was gesturing wildly, looking very confused. Max struggled not to laugh. He looked all too comical. It was during times like these that she really wished she had a camera.

"Yes?" Giles questioned.

"Could anybody please tell us what the First is?" Alec asked.

"Of course," Buffy said, and went off with the explanation. "The First, is the First Evil. Literally, speaking. And well, that pretty much explains most of it..."

"Most of it," Giles admonished.

"Whatever." Came Buffy's easy reply.

"The First Evil is presumably very powerful, and he or she...we really don't know...could very well destroy the entire human race..." Giles paused at Max's stare. Does this mean we, transgenics will be spared? She asked in her head.

"...and everything the human race ever created."

I guess not.

"Okay everyone," Buffy announced, clapping her hands twice to get every body's attention.. "I'm giving you all the time to rest and recover for the big stuff tomorrow. We'll be leaving right after breakfast. So be sure to get your weapons nice and ready."

The Potential slayers all stood up, stretching sore limbs and helping their friends with their injuries. A few made a beeline for the kitchen, while the others headed out into the backyard to do some sparring sessions, with Kennedy in the lead. It seemed that the girl had a knack for teaching.

Willow and Giles resumed their researching, accompanied by an interested Dawn and Xander. Andrew and Anya had gone out after the potentials, possibly to give them a few facts on what they were about to face. Although both rarely had much information to spare.

Alec looked around the living room for Max, and found her nowhere to be seen. "Hey Buffy," he called out to the eldest slayer who was affectionately polishing a wicked-looking scythe.

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen Max?"

"I think she climbed the roof. She said something about needing some space."

"Thanks," Alec muttered, moving up the wooden staircase, already knowing what Max was doing upstairs. It seemed that when it came to 'thinking', she loved high places. The Space Needle for instance. He reached the second floor, and found a wide-open window at the end of the carpeted hallway. He smiled and started for the window. Just before he reached it, a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Alec."

A voice that sounded like tinkling bells...such a beautiful voice.... No...it couldn't be...

Nevertheless, he forced himself to turn around. And there, standing in the middle of the hallway was the person that had haunted his dreams for more than year...

"Rachel."

A/N: Hahaha!! Rude of me to leave it like that!!! sigh I love cliffhangers!!! They add some mystery to the story...leaves the readers thinking...but of course, to the Buffy fans, I'm sure you'd know how 'Rachel' got there. And I'm sure you guys noticed how she said 'Alec', instead of 'Simon'. Don't worry, I'll explain it in the next chapter :-) Review please!!!