Buffy's nose twitched as the smells of eggs, toast and bacon wafted into her room. Snuggled deep into her blankets, cocooned in sleepy warmth her awakening conscience fought between the desires of sleep and food. After several minutes hunger won out and her eyes fluttered open followed by a slow luxurious stretch of her well toned body. She then threw the blankets from her in a determined way giving into the eventuality that a new day had begun.
Barefoot but comfortably dressed in her favorite cotton sushi pajamas she made her way down stairs, her mood and step improving as she approached the heavenly scent coming from the kitchen. The room was awash in noon day light casting her mother in an angelic brightness as she finished transferring the fruits of her labor to a plate and laid it on the center island just as Buffy was entering.
"Mmmmm, smells wonderful mom. And you've really got the timing down." Buffy said with closed eyes and flaring nostrils as she took her seat.
"Well it's gotten pretty easy what with your enhanced senses ever since your calling." Her mother grinned placing her own plate on the island across from her daughter and taking a seat herself. "Go ahead and eat and when you're ready, I want to hear about last night."
Buffy knew her mother was anxious to know what happened but also knew that she would give a better report after she got some food in her body. So Buffy dug in without a word, savoring the delicious food with gusto. When all that remained was half a piece of toast and two pieces of bacon she sighed and contemplated how to begin. Carefully she thought keeping in the fore front of her mind that her audience was her mother.
"Well as you already know, my slayer senses went wonkers as the sun set last night. But I followed Merrick's training and mentally prepared myself to sense the location of the vamps and be with the shadows." She paused, idly taking a bite from a piece of bacon before continuing.
"The first one was masquerading as a catholic school girl breaking into the high school with some guy who thought he was going to get lucky. Guess he doesn't know how lucky he really is." Buffy grinned at the thought of what he thinks he missed and the truth.
"Anyway, as he was crawling through a window, I took her from behind quiet as can be. The next was about to take two girls walking home. They heard him combusting but thought it merely the wind. I got seven others before they had even located any prey. They were all keeping to the dark making my job a whole lot easier. None of them even knew what hit them until it was too late." Buffy finished and slowly bit into the final piece of toast that she had wrapped around the last piece of bacon, savoring both the taste of the food and the memory of the clean kills with extreme satisfaction.
Her mother, in spite of her concern for what her daughter was doing couldn't help smiling and feel a slight glow of pride. But memory of the concern that Buffy expressed last night about the number of the vampires she had encountered was her first question.
"You were worried about the number you encountered last night. I admit I was expecting this town to be demon free but couldn't they have been just a group passing through?" Joyce Summers asked hopefully.
"I wish you were right but from what Merrick taught me it's not likely. They seemed too familiar with the town and anytime there's this many, they most likely have a master." Buffy finished quietly, memories of her much too recent failings flooding her thoughts.
"Buffy, I know how much you respect what Merrick taught you but isn't it possible that it's just an aberration and you've taken care of all of them last night?" Joyce continued to press, not wanting to think of the greater danger that Buffy would be in if there was indeed a master in Sunnydale.
Buffy sat back, taking a deep slow breath in, and then slowly exhaled. "Mom, if I assume that it's an aberration and there are no more and I'm wrong I could be killed in a trap. On the other hand if I prepare for a master being behind this and I'm wrong, at least I'll be prepared for any thing that happens."
Buffy then looked her mother right in the eyes and with a calm determined voice continued. "Besides, I've learned my lesson the hard way. I ignored Merrick's nine months of training before and people died, including Merrick because he believed in me in spite of my stupidity. I will not fail him again. I thought you understood this mom. Why are you fighting me on this?" Buffy finished imploringly, tilting her head slightly to the left with her eyes softly questioning.
Joyce mentally kicked herself for allowing her own fears to undermine her daughter's confidence and determination. She reached across and took Buffy's hand before speaking.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart. It's just wishful thinking on my part. I hate to think of you in danger and my motherly instincts just kick in and try and tell me that every thing is ok when I know they're not. Ever since that night you broke down and told me all about you being the Slayer and that there were vampires and demons I've been fighting against my own internal denial." Joyce paused, considering how to shore things up.
Before she could though Buffy snorted and exclaimed. "Yea, at least you're not calling a mental ward and trying to get me checked in anymore."
Joyce's face flushed with embarrassment at the memory. "But I didn't follow through with it, did I?"
Buffy couldn't help snickering at the memory of taking a fireplace poker and twisting it into a pretzel to her mother's amazement, then following up by fading into a shadow right in front of her eyes.
"Well it took a little convincing on my part to stop you." Buffy grinned mischievously.
"Oh god, and after your little demonstrations I can't believe I let you talk me into going to a cemetery with you. After that vampire crawled from his grave and you turned him to dust I was this close to checking us both in." Joyce held her thumb and forefinger a hair breathe apart in front of Buffy's face.
Buffy's voice took on a nearly desperate tone as she beseeched her mother. "But the point is why I broke down. I broke down because I screwed up so bad just because I wanted to be normal so dad wouldn't leave. Well it didn't work. He's gone and I've learned to accept that I'm not normal. But I won't accept screwing up again."
Joyce responded to her daughter with quick clarifications. "Buffy, there is nothing about you that is not normal. Being the slayer just makes you more."
Buffy sighed dejectedly. "I wasn't talking about being the slayer. I was referring to how I was trying to pretend that I wasn't attracted to girls, a lot. And if I hadn't been trying so hard to be a sociably acceptable straight girl so that dad wouldn't hate me I wouldn't have screwed up and got Merrick killed."
Joyce sighed, and then spoke calmly trying to convey as much comfort and love as she could. "Buffy, being who you are is completely normal. Denying your nature is what's not normal. You've accepted that you're gay. Now you just need to understand that being gay is not abnormal. The only way you could be abnormal would be if you continue to try and be something you're not." Still holding Buffy's hand she squeezed it reassuringly.
"Be nice if dad thought that way." Buffy hung her head sadly.
"Honey, I wish I could tell you that your father would accept you no matter what, but I can't. On the other hand I don't know for sure that he wouldn't. It's something that you're going to have to discuss with him yourself. But no matter what he does, it doesn't change that you are an incredible, loving, caring and wonderful young woman. And I love you for who you are, not what your father or anyone else thinks you should be." Joyce reached to tilt Buffy's head up so that Buffy could see her smile and hopefully the unconditional love she felt for her daughter.
Buffy sighed and slowly smiled in resignation to her mothers determined onslaught of encouragement. "Well in a town like this it's probably a non issue. If there are any other lesbians here they're probably so deep in the closet nothing would bring them out."
"Well dear, in a town that shouldn't have had any vampires but turns out to be overrun with them who's to say that there's not a large and active lesbian community here." Once Joyce got on an encouragement kick, she really had trouble stopping.
"Yea right mom. I can see it now. Right between the chess club and glee club is the rainbow sisterhood." Buffy giggled at the image and quickly asked her next question.
"So, oh great knower of all things gay how should I dress my first day of school. Butch or femme?" Buffy smirked at her mothers little gasp.
Quickly recovering, Joyce pounced on an answer. "Buffy, you might be the big bad slayer but you are totally femme." Joyce hesitated for a moment. "But of the domineering, got to have your own way kind of femme." She couldn't help but burst out laughing as Buffy's lower lip extended into a magnificent pout.
"Enough now." Joyce places both her hands atop Buffy's. "Tell me how you're going to handle this master. I'm all ears now." She then tilted her head and raised her eyebrows to let Buffy know she wanted to hear what she had to say.
Buffy looked at her mother and recognized the assuring expression and internally sighed in relief.
"Well... I prefer to catch them before they can set up their trap. They should still be together someplace secluded. Then I use the crossbow to take some out from a distance. This should disrupt them and cause them to break ranks looking for me. When they break ranks, I take out the smaller groups as quickly as possible without revealing myself. Hopefully by the time they regroup I'll have trimmed their ranks enough to pick the rest of them off again with the crossbow. If they don't break ranks, they'll try to encircle me, but since they can't see me, that won't be easy unless I get careless. Merrick said they don't adapt well and that I should use their natural instinct to lash out and attack against them. If I'm patient and they don't all head off in all directions I should get them all." Buffy gave a big sigh and leaned back in her chair while giving her mom what she hoped was a confident smile.
Joyce pondered what Buffy had said for a minute. "Well I know you won't get careless but what happens if they do the last part, just take off in all different directions?"
Buffy chuckled as she imagined a couple dozen vamps all scattering like roaches. "Kinda depends on how many there are. If there are a lot of them, I'm going to be home reeeeally late. Chasing them all down won't be easy but it's actually safer for me. It will just take a lot longer."
Joyce was torn as to which scenario she would prefer. She kept her face placid while trying to decide if she wanted her daughter home early but with greater risk or less risk but she'd be up late worrying that her baby wouldn't be home at all. She then smiled and picked up her glass of juice. "Here's to them scattering but there's only a few of them."
Buffy quickly grabbed her glass and clinked it to her mom's. "I'll definitely drink to that." But in the back of her mind she didn't have much hope of things going so easily.
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Twenty-four of the Master's remaining thirty-one children slowly departed the dark cavern that imprisoned the grotesque creature. They had received their instructions on trapping the Slayer and ending her life. It was also made abundantly clear to each and everyone that failure would not be tolerated. Either the Slayer died this night or they did.
They emerged quietly into the dark cemetery, twenty-four monsters of the night with a mission; to kill a Slayer. Robert was in the lead determined to not fail his master. He looked back to insure that everyone was following in position and satisfied himself that they were. The sun had set an hour previously and the winter night was calm and quiet. Not even a breeze stirred the trees that abounded in the darkened graveyard. A moonless night further hid their quiet progress as they glided across the well kept lawns. Robert began to revel in the power he felt commanding so many of his brethren. Surely there was no way they could fail he told himself and thoughts of slayer blood caused his demonic passions to swell in anticipation.
A poofing sound broke the stillness of the night and an involuntary cry of alarm arose from back in the ranks. Robert quickly turned, just in time to see another of his brethren mysteriously turned to dust.
"Separate!" He yelled the predetermined command per the master's instructions. Twelve previously designated scattered quickly and raced away to join again at their final destination.
The ten remaining all turned and spread out. Robert scanned the darkness searching vainly for some indication of the slayer's whereabouts. The line of vampires slowly spread, widening their search area as they slowly advanced. Robert jerked his whole body to the right as another exploded into dust.
"To the right, quickly before she gets away." Robert called and his orders were followed with swift precision. But before they moved even a couple yards another was removed from their ranks to the far left and as everyone turned again towards this new attack the vampire just to Roberts left froze, the sight of his heart transfixed with an arrow just before his entire body softly exploded into dust.
Robert's anger swelled within, cold desire flashed through his thought's as he cried out. "She's got a cross bow. Spread quickly apart and try to surround her." But they still had no idea where she was as they all moved to follow Robert's command.
Robert seethed with desire for the blood of the Slayer. His anger flaming his base desires. Robert never felt the higher emotions of mercy or compassion and what he called love was only a twisted expression of selfish desire. But he could and did feel hunger, lust, anger and in the presence of his master total abject fear.
Another of his charges dissipated in dust with only a broken cry of pain to announce his passing. Robert began to feel those same tendrils of fear intermixing with his rage and anger.
He searched the darkness and shadows desperately, urging his remaining troops on. His voice was beginning to waver as he issued short terse commands while his cold body began to feel the icy fear of inevitable destruction. The fear he had felt of failing his master quickly became a distant concern to mere survival.
Robert looked back to the left and his eyes widened in disbelief as he found no one there. He staggered a few steps desperately looking for those he knew should be there protecting his flank. He sucked air one more time into his dead lungs to voice a desperate cry.
"Where have you gone? You can't abandon me!"
His blood chilled in his body as an all consuming fear pervaded his mind. Turning back to his right to marshal his remaining brethren he discovered only the quiet of the night and shadows that approached like stalking lions.
With distended eyes he forced his legs to move at incredible speed, born on the wings of fear. He felt the cool night air breeze over his body as he put distance between himself and the silent death of the graveyard. He began to feel safer as he charged into the darkness between the trees just before he felt the painful tearing and rendering of his un-beating heart as final death in the shape of a sharpened wooden stake slammed into his chest.
A swirl of dust was all that remained as a singular shadow sped away into the night.
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The designated twelve had regrouped in the industrial warehouse district. Their patience was rewarded with the appearance of a lone girl walking home from the Bronze night club. They captured her and took their positions as the master had instructed them. They fully expected Robert to appear at any moment to announce the death of the Slayer. But if the Slayer showed instead they were confident that the Master's trap would succeed.
Two of the twelve stood in the middle of the alley, holding the frightened girl between them, blood dripping from her neck. Fear paralyzed her, only silent tears slowly flowed down her face, tears she shed for her inevitable demise.
The other ten held their positions, expecting to be relieved but nonetheless prepared for battle. Their anticipation of both desires warred within their dead cold breasts. Yet they waited and a terrified girl silently wept.
Buffy looked down upon the trap set for her. Hidden in the shadows she marked the position of each vampire. Ten encircled the open area, hidden in the shadows of the surrounding buildings, all with their backs to the walls. While she analyzed the situation, her heart thudded in fear as she beheld their helpless victim. Her enhanced senses heard the barely stifled sobs that occasionally escaped the poor girl's throat. The only time she felt fear this night was fear for the safety of the girl. She knew that if she started to take out the perimeter guards, it would increase the danger to the girl. All her senses screamed that she must protect her. She knew her first priority was to get the innocent to safety and protect the girl with her own life if need be. She couldn't risk playing it safe because she knew in her heart that the girl would die before she could reach her if she took the safe route. The only way was to take out the two holding the girl first and then whisk the frightened girl to safety, or at least some place where she could protect her. She made up her mind and slipped away to set her desperate plan in motion.
The two holding the trembling girl felt her fear, but fear of their master was the only thing keeping them from driving their slavering fangs into her tender throat. They had already tasted of her sweet blood to prepare her as bait. That appetizer had only wet their appetites for more, but obedience kept them in check. So they waited, occasionally licking their lips, their hunger carefully restrained. They both scanned the darkness around them, ignoring the tempting morsel held between them.
Their gaze took in all the darkness, except for that on the ground. They expected something that could be seen, something that would appear upright. They didn't expect a shadow that slowly crept across the ground like a ghostly fog, unseen until it creeps up your legs, chilling your flesh with its cold vapor. But that particular discomfort was denied them. The only and last thing they felt was the sharp pain caused by two stakes piercing their backs.
Buffy caught the girl as she fell and disappeared quietly into the dark. The surrounding guards quickly noticed the loss of the two and a couple of them observed the disappearance of the girl into the shadows.
"That way" One yelled as he took off in pursuit. The rest followed, close on his heels, bloodlust urging them on.
The leader stopped at the head of the dark alley, darkness so deep that only those spawned in the depths of hell could see. And see they could, the narrow alley, the high walls and a mysterious shadow, blending almost imperceptibly with the darkness, almost, but not completely. A portion of the dark was slightly lighter than the rest. The Slayer was unable to fully hide her charge. Focused on the lighter darkness, the ten slowly advanced. They knew there was no way out. They had the Slayer trapped. But their mistake was they thought the shadow they could see was the Slayer. What they didn't see was the crossbow aimed with deliberation from the darkness just to the side of where their gaze was fixed.
Their slow advance stopped as their lead suddenly disappeared in a cloud of dust, and before they could recover, another left their ranks in the same manner. Now only eight, the ones in front questioned the wisdom of their current positions.
From behind there was one who still had his wits about him. "Charge quickly before she can reload!"
Another was gone as they began their charge and then another before they closed on the Slayer. Six remained to reach the end of the alley and then two more expired without even seeing the stakes that ended their existence. The next two stopped in shock at seeing their leads disappear unexpectedly and thus were totally unprepared for the sword blade that separated their heads from their bodies.
One of the remaining two, the one with the wit to call the charge, dove forward keeping low to the ground to split the Slayers attention. He grasped wildly, having realized the she could not be seen. As he heard the soft sound of his remaining support being extinguished his clawed hand contacted the warm leg of some one standing. With instinctive reactions, his claws racked out to grasp and slash with deadly intent. To his momentary gratification he heard a hissing sound, the indrawn breath of someone feeling pain. But his moment was merely that as a razor sharp blade separated his head from his shoulders.
Buffy waited in the shadows, watching the EMTs' load the girl into the ambulance. She waited until they left, their flashing lights disappearing into the night.
With the girl safely away, Buffy gathered herself and slowly made her way home.
Buffy strained to maintain her self in the shadows as she leapt up to her window, entering quietly, ignoring the searing pain in her thigh and the blood freely dripping down her leg. Once inside, she let go her spell that kept her hidden and sat slowly on the end of her bed. Taking a deep breath, she made a decision. She decided not to hide her injury and ask for help.
"Mom, I'm home" She called out.
She heard her mother's quick steps down the hall and blinked her eyes against the sudden light as her mother flicked the wall switch upwards.
"Buffy, are you all right..." Joyce's voice died as she looked at her daughter removing her head covering and then took in the blood dripping down her leg.
"Oh. My. God." Joyce fell to the floor in front of her daughter, placing her hands on her injury, desperately examining the injury to her precious daughter.
Buffy place her hands on her mother's head, willing her to look at her face and not her injured leg.
"Mom, it's not that bad. But I could use your help cleaning it up. Could you get the med kit out of my closet and I'll tell you what to do."
Joyce nodded and quickly retrieved the medical kit. Following Buffy's calm instructions, Joyce helped her out of her clothes and attended the wound. After cleaning the wound and taping it closed followed with bandages, Joyce helped Buffy into a loose night shirt. After easing Buffy into bed, she crawled in next to her, resting Buffy's head on her shoulder. Very softly she stroked Buffy's hair and in moments her little girl, the Slayer sighed and fell into a deep sleep.