A/N: Here it goes....

2

Buffy yawned and climbed out of bed rubbing her eyes. She looked around her small but perfect room and it was illuminated nicely in the moonlight. For some reason she could not sleep tonight even though she was tired. Her bed was a comfy double futon and she loved it so much but there was something bothering her tonight.

The Slayer stood and stretched like a cat in her sweats and spaghetti strap top and padded out of the room bare-footed. She walked down the corridor passing Dawn's room, passing Giles room and passing Willow and Kennedy's room to turn and walk down the large winding staircase to the ground floor and then made her way to one of the three bathrooms in the house.

At night when everyone had gone to bed the house was cold and empty, lonely. Buffy was used to loneliness and it hardly bothered her at all anymore. She reached the bathroom and turned the light on stepping inside and crossing to the basin which she scooped cold water up and splashed into her face.

Her face instantly cooled, and she did it a couple of more times relieved at the way it made her feel a little better.

She left the bathroom and went to the basement door pulling it open and jogged down the steps into the darkness. A stream of moonlight entered through the small window that was high up on the wall. It illuminated all the equipment of the training room. She had a new scarecrow dummy, weapons of all kinds of sharpness hung on the wall, hundreds on them. Their weapons collection had grown.

In on corner was a cupboard that if she opened she would see contained axes and various stakes.

Weight contraptions, treadmills and exercise bikes were located in the on the main floor of the room but there was a wide space of mat left in the middle and that was where the girls would fight each other in hand to hand combat. Buffy wandered around to one side where a lone of five punch bags hung from the ceiling and she passed those as well.

She reached the far corner where a glass display case was kept. Buffy leaned on the case and looked in at the scythe. The weapon that had helped her win the war and make more Slayers like her and Faith. If she had never found the scythe there would have been no way they would have won.

She unclipped the lip of the case and lifted it up, reaching into the box she picked the scythe up and instantly the power of the Slayer flew up through her hands, her arms and filled her. It was a hot, strong power one of woman after woman who lost their lives for the good cause. She whirled the scythe around and it whistled through the air. The Slayer looked at the red and silver scythe a few seconds more before replacing it back in the case and looking into it as the weapon glinted at her. Sure Buffy felt power when she held it but she also felt complete, at peace.

Buffy Summers was twenty four now, her sister nineteen and all grown up. So much had changed since they had last watched the sunset on Sunnydale but so much had remained the same too. She was still surrounded by her friends, still a Slayer even if she wasn't the Slayer and she still missed those who they had lost in the past. Their ghosts still haunted her.

"Buffy"

She jumped and turned around letting out a sigh of relief as she saw it was only Dawn. Her sister made an apologetic face and crossed the room toward her. Dawn had grown up a lot since Sunnydale, she looked different, older and she was stronger, not in terms of physical ability but spiritually. Although Dawn could kick ass if it was life or death stuff. Her shiny brown hair had been cut in a bob that framed her face wonderfully and she had grown a little taller making her even more taller than Buffy. The shape of her face had set and she was a beautiful woman.

"Way to give me a heart attack" Buffy murmured.

"I didn't realize it was so easy to sneak up on a Slayer" Dawn smiled "What's up? It's like three a.m. and you're not in the land of nod"

She motioned at her "Neither are you"

Dawn nodded "Okay, good point. I just came down for a snack and thought I heard something down here"

Buffy smiled "The restless Summers' women"

They both grinned at each other. Dawn crossed over to the case where the scythe was held and looked in.

"It is pretty" She acknowledged "In a 'let's slaughter vampires' way"

Buffy came up to the side of her "Not just vampires, it multitasks with little sisters too"

She mock trembled "Ooh, scary"

"Let's go back to bed, before I really test the multitask theory" Buffy quirked an eyebrow.

The two sisters walked slowly though the room and back up the stairs. They walked back to their rooms and said goodnight before the Slayer retreated to her bedroom closing the door behind her she let out a sigh.

She crossed over to her bed and sat down looking out of her window at the moon. They were doing the right thing here, setting up an operation, still fighting back the darkness and now there was more Slayers she had more free time, it was true. For Buffy however something still felt unresolved, loose ends needed to be tied up but she didn't know what they were. She just sensed there was something missing.

Whatever it was it was sure to some back her way sooner or later – she was betting sooner.

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Robin was a teacher at a local college, which was good considering the last school he was principal of no one had graduated and the whole town had collapsed. He left early to teach the kids philosophy and history. He and Faith still had something going on although neither of them classed each other as boyfriend and girlfriend and Buffy figured that Robin was trying to ease the promiscuous Faith into a relationship without her realizing it.

Xander worked on a building site and it had taken him a long time to climb up the career ladder to become boss again after the loss of one of his eyes. He also got disability money that he put into the money they kept to maintain the house and those that lived in it.

Willow owned an occult bookshop that also sold various other magick stuff and her business was doing well. Flower Meadows needed magick supplies too.

Buffy had had a job but had quit when it got in the way of slaying. Dawn was in college as were a lot of the other girls.

Andrew had a part time job working at a video store and spent the rest of his time shadowing Giles and trying to become a Watcher.

Giles kept the whole place going, paying bills from money earned by the others and sorting out taxes and medical insurance for everyone. It didn't sound much but without him they would be pretty lost.

Buffy spent most of her days with the girls out shopping or going to see movies or whatever. Not being the only Slayer meant she could be more like a normal girl without worrying that the whole world's fate rested on her shoulders alone.

She hadn't had a boyfriend in the three years they had left Sunnydale and she was fine with that – she was okay by herself for now, a man would just complicate things. The Slayer needed to spend a little quality time with Buffy Summers.

Then there was Angel – he was still in L.A but he and the other members of the gang Gunn, Wesley, Fred, Cordelia and their new guy James still came up now and then to help or to swap info. Buffy wasn't sure how she felt about Angel, she would always love him in a first love way but now she wasn't the only Slayer she had a lot of spare time and there was a possibility they could get back together. Buffy wasn't ready yet and Angel still had his mission but it was always in the back of their minds.

Right now though the only thing on Buffy's mind was whether Pacey and Joey were ever gonna get it together and admit their feelings or if Dawson would always ruin things. She sat in front of the large TV and watched Dawson's Creek whilst munching on popcorn.

Andrew shuffled in and dropped down next to her "Hey, Buffy! Ooh Dawson's Creek! Inner turmoil, teen angst. It's all good"

Buffy looked at him and frowned.

"Training with Giles is going great!" He enthused grabbing the popcorn bowl from her "I think I'll be a fully fledged Watcher before the next Star Wars film comes out. Here's hoping"

Buffy's frown deepened.

"So, Dawson is cool huh?" He nodded looking at her desperately.

She stared back at him, a look of horror.

"O-kay" Andrew stood "I'll just...Giles probably needs me anyway"

With that he scampered out of the room leaving her blissfully alone again. She turned her attention back to the TV screen and tried to forget all the complicated stuff that was running through her head.

"Hey, B" Faith slumped down next to her and put her feet up on the coffee table.

Buffy sighed "Can't a girl watch a little TV?"

"Sure" She shrugged "So long as it isn't this crap. 'Oh, Dawson!' puh-lease" Faith grabbed the remote and changed the channel to some kind of wrestling.

"WWF? That's all fake!" Buffy protested taking the remote back and changing it back too.

Faith sighed "You need some serious fun, B. Come on, you and me let's go scope out some clubs. We can even pretend to Giles we're looking for vamps. Although with your romantic track record that might not be entirely a lie..."

Buffy glared at her "I'm sure you and Robin have something better to do"

Faith waved a dismissive hand "I do what I want he does what he wants. Besides he won't be home for hours yet. A little clubbing – what harm's it gonna do? First beer is on me"

The two Slayers looked at one another and simultaneously smiled. One wickedly the other coyly.

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Buffy watched from the side of the club as Faith danced in her usual sexed up way. Buffy had taken a breather and was now drinking the beer Faith had promised her. They hadn't been here long but already the other Slayer was making quite a lot of male friends. That was the way it always was with Faith and Buffy knew if she wanted to she could attract a fair amount of attention herself. However the not-ready-for-a-boyfriend thing still applied to her. Not that most of these men were looking for a long-term thing.

"Hello"

Buffy turned around but found no one there. She frowned then turned back sipping her beer. It had to be her ears playing tricks on her or someone talking to someone else.

"Hello" It came again and she looked around "Down here!"

Buffy followed the voice down to underneath a table she stood by. Crouched down on the floor was a man with white-blond wavy hair and sparkling blue eyes. He had an earring in one ear and an eyebrow piercing but he looked very much like someone she had used to know. Someone she tried hard not to think too much about. He was all crunched up underneath the table but she could see he wore a dark blue T-shirt and black jeans.

Buffy's brow knitted together "Why are you under a table?"

"Hiding" He said then added, "Some guy is after me"

Buffy looked down at him, dubious "Why?"

"Found me with his girl" He looked sheepish.

She rolled her eyes "Goodbye"

"No wait!" The man crawled out but stayed crouched low "Listen, I need your help. My name's Josh and I need to talk to you – you're a Slayer, right?"

Buffy looked at him then "How'd you know?"

"Good hair, nice body, unapproachable stance" He shrugged "I've come to recognize the signs"

"Really? Well, recognize this sign" She stuck up her two fingers at him and started to walk away.

"Buffy!" He called after her.

She stopped and turned back to him slowly "How'd you know my name?"

"You're her. You're the girl he found me with" Josh stood now, looking around nervously.

"What?"

"The guy who's after me is after me because of you" Josh came up to her "He found me with you and now he won't leave me alone"

Buffy folded her arms over her chest "I've never met you"

"Yeah, well, someone who wears your face...and body, has" He smiled arrogantly.

She sighed, infuriated "What are you talking about?"

"She was a demon or something...I don't know. She was wearing you when I first met her" He shrugged "But she could be anyone by now. Her boyfriend, I think – tall dark and brooding has been after me ever since"

Buffy glared at him "What you're saying makes no sense"

"You're telling me. I'm living it"

"There's a demon that looks like me?"

"She doesn't look like you she is you" Josh enthused.

Buffy shook her head "That's impossible"

"She told me her name was Buffy Summers, a Slayer 'cept she said the Slayer. I felt great, I mean a Slayer! Not every guy can say he's done a Slayer" Josh grinned.

Buffy arched an eyebrow "You wanna get back to the relevant parts?"

"Right, well we got...down to it and then the next thing I know she's telling me that they need me. I asked who 'they' were but she didn't tell me. Her boyfriend, I didn't even know about, barged in and I ran like hell. He's been tracking me ever since"

Buffy looked at him "So, how did you know she was a demon and not really me?"

"I saw her true face. Hot – in a demon kind of way"

"She said 'they' need you?" She mused aloud to herself.

Faith strolled over, eyeing up Josh "Hey, B. Well, would you look at that. Boy's a spitting image of Spi–"

"We have to find Giles now" Buffy interrupted "This could be–"

"Dangerous?" Came a familiar voice from behind them "Yeah, I'd say so"

All three of them turned to see Angel stood behind. His arms were folded over his broad chest and he wore the trademark black duster with a black shirt and black jeans. His lips were in a sort of smirk.

"Angel?" Buffy stepped forward.

"That's him!" Josh yelled "Oh, crap!" He ran away.

Before Buffy could ask him what he was talking about Angel drew back his arm and hit her full force in the face with his forearm. She flew backward over the table and crashed into the staircase. Dazed she shook the hair from her face and saw Faith fighting Angel. Or not Angel. Josh had said the demon's there be a demon that looked like Angel? It had to be. Buffy jumped up and ran toward them

"Faith! Get that guy and get him to safety" The Slayer grabbed 'Angel' around the neck and wrenched him away from the brunette.

"B?" Faith hesitated.

"Do it!"

Faith nodded and turned running away into the escaping crowds. Buffy groaned as Angel elbowed her in the face and she fell to the floor. He turned and picked her up slamming her back down onto a nearby table. He was the mirror image of Angel; every little detail was perfect except his eyes held only anger and nothing more.

Angel grabbed her around the neck and began to throttle her "You're prettier then her. We'll have to fix that"

He let his fist arc down to smash her face in. Buffy blocked his hand with hers and kicked the heel of her boot into his abdomen making him release her and sprawl backward. Buffy jumped from the table and got ready into a defensive stance but he wasn't there. She turned around just in time to for a fist to careen into her face. Her vision blurred as she fell to the floor, striking her head on the corner of a chair on the way down. She willed herself not to pass out as pain exploded behind her eyes. Blinking she saw Angel's handsome face above her as he grabbed the lapels of her jacket and lifted her off the floor. Buffy grabbed at his hands and tried to free herself.

"She's gonna need a little work around the eyes but the rest of her is just right" Angel tilted his head to the side "Don't suppose I can borrow yours?"

He grinned evilly and leaned in Buffy was ready to headbutt him but was surprised when he kissed her roughly on the lips running backward and slamming her into a wall hard. She slid to the floor and he let go of her, her vision had just begun to clear when he kicked her in the face. She almost passed out and then when he kicked her in the face again she finally slipped away into the darkness.

-------------------------------

"She's waking up"

Buffy grumbled and opened her eyes, blinking vigorously. Up above her she saw Dawn, leaning next to her and pressing something cold onto her face. She looked around and saw some of the other Slayers were gathered around her as well and Xander and Willow.

"Give her some breathing space" Giles appeared to the side of her and ushered them back.

Buffy indicated she wanted to sit up and he helped her do so. They were back at The Slayer Sanctuary and were in the front room. Her head was pounding and Dawn held the ice pack to the side of her face.

"Faith, did she get...Josh?" Buffy asked, her mind still a little muddled.

"Damn right she did" Faith grinned and Buffy saw her over in the corner with a secure hand on Josh's shoulder.

"Angel! It was Angel!" Buffy whirled to Giles.

"Yes, Faith filled us in and...Josh told us the story of this demon that looks like you and it's fair to say that there is more than one and another has taken Angel's form as well" Giles said gently.

"I saw someone else there, too" Josh said looking nervous as they all turned to look at him "She looked like her" He pointed toward Willow.

Willow looked shocked "Me? A demon? No, no, no. I'm just regular human, I swear!"

Giles frowned "Did you see anyone else?"

"I didn't stay long" Josh shrugged.

"Okay, I'm getting a freaky notion here" Xander raised his hand "But does anyone else think that–"

"Someone's collecting the whole set?" Buffy said grimly "Looks like"

Andrew was sitting over in one corner and he piped up smiling "Cool! It's our evil doubles!"

"Nope, had one of those already" Willow said.

"Me too...kind of" Xander said sheepishly.

Faith looked at Andrew "I think you're safe anyway. Ain't no-one going to wanna double you"

"Hey! I resent that!" He folded his arms moodily.

"Buffy, are you all right?" Giles asked, concerned "You took quite a blow"

She nodded "Yeah, I know. I felt it. Angel...this demon was really strong"

"So, what are we saying here?" Kennedy asked "That demons are getting cosmetic surgery to look like us?"

Giles frowned "Maybe. Although I'd be willing to bet they need to...join with a human to do it, someone who looks slightly like one of us"

"Big leap in logic" Xander said.

Giles shook his head "No, not really. Josh said that the demon Buffy said they needed him, now, I hate to bring this up but he does look rather like–"

"Spike" Buffy finished gravely.

Everyone turned somber knowing the feelings Buffy had had about Spike. He had been a vampire with a soul, like Angel but not, he hadn't started out with a soul and he had tried to kill Buffy many times. Then he got a chip in his head that stopped him hurting humans and had become a reluctant member of the gang. Buffy and Spike had a hate-hate relationship until he fell in love with her when shortly afterward she had started on a destructive relationship with him that ended very badly. He came back with a soul and the Buffy decided the chip needed to be removed after it malfunctioned and was causing him pain. Buffy had seen Spike become a good man and then he had saved them all and destroyed the Hellmouth with the aid of a mystical necklace Angel had provided. The necklace had a cleansing power and had ended up dusting Spike as well. Not before Buffy told Spike she loved him and he replied 'No you don't. But thanks for saying it'. She still missed Spike but he had died good, a hero – a champion.

"Well," She said softly "At least they're missing a piece"

Xander cleared his throat "They might come after Josh"

Josh paled at that.

"Or find someone else" Giles said.

Buffy nodded slowly "Okay. Any idea why they want to make evil copies of us?"

"The Dark Scoobies!" Andrew looked excited "Cool! Like the Dark Jedi's but with vampires and Slayers and Watchers and–"

"Somebody shut him up" Kennedy rolled her eyes.

Giles frowned "I have no idea. Perhaps they think you might find it unnerving fighting yourself and your friends"

"I'd kill you all in a heartbeat" Buffy said then at their looks added, "If I knew you were really evil demons"

Willow smiled a little "Thanks, I feel much better. So, what do we do now, Giles? Try and find these demons?"

"I'd say the first thing we do is call Angel and warn him" Giles stood "After all he is being imitated by one of them"

"I don't want to be rude or anything but why would the demons want to copy Spike?" Rona asked, from her sitting position on the floor "I mean he's dead"

They all turned to look at Buffy.

She looked at the floor "I don't know. Maybe they don't realize"

"Or perhaps they do and they think that re-creating Spike will put you off your game, Buffy" Giles placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

She took a deep, deep breath "They'd be right. Look, I'll call Angel tell him to get up here if he can and then we can find these things and kill them"

"Sounds like a plan" Josh nodded then after a second added "Who's Spike?"

A/N: Patience, Spuffy fans, Patience! Please review.