Chapter 3Introductions

Blue perused Giles' bookshelf with interest, knowing full well that she was being watched very closely.

The Doctor was looking intently at Buffy and Willow, making them both feel decidedly nervous. Giles apparently noticed this, as he cleared his throat, moving slightly into the Doctor's line of sight.

"Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please!"

Buffy got fed up of being stared at.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

"I'm the Doctor, and I'm looking for Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."

"Well, you found her," replied Buffy, as Xander tore his gaze away from Blue, who was now walking around Oz in circles, her long neck craning in most peculiar fashions. She seemed to be making her mind up about something.

"Doctor Who?" Demanded Xander.

"Don't ask stupid questions." Was the only reply he got.

Giles returned with the tea, and motioned for everyone to sit, and help themselves from the tray.

"So, what exactly brings you here, erm, Doctor?"

The Doctor's reply was cut off by Blue's sudden exclamation.

"Weeleeam?"

Spike looked up sharply.

"Lia?"

"Who else?"

There followed at this point five minutes of confusion as Spike and Blue launched themselves at each other, punching and hugging. Occasionally, a phrase such as

"You haven't changed a bit, luv!"

Or

"Wherras you look like Beelly Idol."

Was heard. Eventually, the reunion subsided.

"We met in Paris in 1904," explained Spike. "Good times."

There was a moment of silence as this piece of information, along with the idea of Spike and Blue being let loose on an unsuspecting Paris sunk in.

"Anyway," the Doctor broke the silence. "As I was saying before being interrupted, we've come to save the world." He took the silence as an invitation to continue. "We know you're as good as five humans and a vampire can be…"

"Four humans." Blue indicated Oz. "Dees one. Dees one is almost like me. He isn't Shoeran, but he changes."

"We know you're as good as four humans, a vampire and a werewolf can be, but you won't save the world this time without us. So we come in peace, to save your world."

Giles frowned.

"Very…noble…but, you say your world as though you aren't a part of it. Are you not…"

"Human? No. I'm a Timelord. The Timelord, now, as I'm the only one left."

"And your friend…is she demonic or alien?"

"Deemoneec? Ees dat an eensult?"

"No! No, I assure you, I intended no insult. I only wish to be clear on matters."

Blue extended her neck to its full, and considerable, height and stared imperiously at Giles.

"I am from de Shoera deemension."

Giles removed his glasses, his mouth opening and closing like that of a surprised goldfish.

"Good Lord, I thought that was a myth!"

"You know of eet?"

"I have a great deal of literature on it. I'd be interested if you would tell me all about it sometime."

Pacified, Blue nodded.

"Eef you would educate me een de leeterature of dis world."

Replacing his glasses, Giles nodded.

"Waaiit a minute." Xander's confusion had obviously not been abated. "For those of you in our studio audience who are me, what and where is the Shoera dimension, and what actually is your name, because you've been called two."

"We weell be goin' to de Shoera deemension beeforr too long."

Xander nodded.

"And your name?"

"Preencess Liaphrérèllilyareth Marraetia lla Sorraeti." She shrugged. "Lia ees fine. Only he calls me Blue."

"You never said you were royalty!"

"You never asked."

Another awkward pause filled only by the sounds of Giles' dishwasher.

"So," said Oz finally. "Another apocalypse, huh?"

The Doctor nodded, helping himself to a custard cream.

"The TARDIS detected a rift in time, and we found that a ship fell through it, onto Earth. We don't know exactly what race the aliens are, but we know their intentions aren't friendly."

"A friend of mine told us dat de vompires werr actin' strangely, so we came to find you. Tell us aboot dem."

"Well, normally, their not known for their brains…" Buffy started.

"Watch it, Slayer."

"Can it, bleach boy."

"Butt out, whelp."

"Both of you shut up! Usually, they just feed, or kill for fun, but the last couple of nights, they've been sedating their victims. Believe me when I tell you that vampires and dart guns are not a happy combination."

"Did you notice anything odd about the weaponry?"

"Really hi-tech, aside from that, I was too busy trying to be any place that was else."

"Wise move. Go out again tonight. Take Blue, or Lia, whichever you'd rather be called. Bring back a weapon."

"What about the rest of us?"

"Willow, isn't it?"

The redhead nodded.

"The rest of us, Willow, are going to have a lesson in Jiggery-pokery."