Hi guys! Here's another chapter for you! I hope you enjoy!
Cataclysmic, Harry2, Phoenix*Moon 13, Anne, Thought, Angelica, Chelle86, NicolaAfyon, Jess AKA BRTW, JeRee, thank you guys so much for all of your reviews.
Plato, I plan on bringing Spike into it, but only briefly and not in that way. Although it would be a great obstacle, I think she has enough to deal with. I had toyed around with some other ideas, (like Mystique appearing like Spike) but tossed them out cause I couldn't figure out how to get them to logically work into the flow of the story.
miz, umm, Faith died before the story even started... it's mentioned in the first chapter.
dawn of the new world, yeah, the ending was slightly intentional in that way.
Meri, I can't believe that one was your favorite so far, it was so angsty, although I had to add that little bit at the end. And yes, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, definitely lots of things to lust after there. That man is just one fine speciman. Oh, don't get me started. And shame on you for giving me ideas about things to do to Riley. Urgh. I've actually got so many ideas that won't fit into the plot of this story that I may have to write a sequel when I'm done. Who knows, we'll see.
organized-chaos, are you psychic? Cause believe me, danger is so on its way. Hee hee, I'm so cruel to my fav couple.
Tanydwr, my little clause about all the demons should never really cause a problem with my fic cause it's not going to last that long, but I'd like to think that it wouldn't include them. And I promise I'll read your story the moment I have time to. My computer was giving me fits and my husband spent most of the week trying to fix it. He just finished it today. And as soon as I have a huge chunk of time, I'll read, I promise.
Pol, believe me, I've watched the show probably too many times to be considered healthy for a woman my age. And I've watched that season a bit since it was the season of the naked Spike. And yes, she continually sent him mixed signals. She would tell him no and then practically attack him. Remember the protests outside the house, just before she did him anyway? I'm not condoning his actions in any way, because when a women says no then you should stop. But I do believe she had him thoroughly confused.
My reviewers just kick ass!!!!
Thanks to my beta PuNKyCoWGiRL!
Chapter Sixteen
Buffy slowly came awake with the knowledge that she was not alone. It wasn't just the extra breathing and heartbeat that she was hearing, but the fact that she was cuddled up against a warm body. At some point in the night, her hand had found its way under the guy's shirt. She could tell by her tingling senses that the man she was up against was Logan.
She stifled a groan as she remembered what happened to lead up to this position. Buffy wasn't sure why this man caused her to open up and be comforted by him. Logan challenged her and wouldn't back down from her or the fight. Nobody else had been that way towards her, except Spike.
Then she realized that the thought of Spike wasn't accompanied by it usual heart rendering pain. It still hurt, but not like it did. Buffy sighed. It meant she was moving on, something that she knew would happen one day, but she had tried postponing for as long as possible. It had been one of the reasons she had held off grieving. She was afraid that once her heart mended that his memory would fade until she no longer remembered him or his sacrifice.
Moving slowly so she wouldn't end up with a belly full of claws, she sat up. Buffy looked down at the sleeping man next to her. She had caught glimpses of Logan sleeping before and he always seemed so tense. But now, he was relaxed and peaceful, the hard lines of his face smoothed out. Logan had told her once that he never slept well and a thought flickered across her mind before disappearing - what was the cause of this restful sleep?
Buffy had no desire to talk to him just yet. There were several things she had to do first. She silently climbed out of bed, grabbed an extra set of clothes, and went into the bathroom to change. When she came out, she pulled the amulet out of the pocket in the jeans she had worn the day before, then pulled her hair back into a messy ponytail.
The tiny slayer crept out of her room and went in search of Bobby and Rogue. She had a feeling that the two of them were denying her orders, so she headed in that direction.
Just as she suspected, the two young mutants were in the demon library with Wesley.
"I thought I told you I didn't want you in here anymore?" Buffy asked calmly, with one eyebrow raised, as she leaned against the doorframe.
Rogue's jaw dropped comically as she searched for something to say. Bobby, however, spoke up. "We're not going to stop, so you might as well live with it."
Buffy surprised them by smirking slightly. She pushed off the doorframe and walked over to the table they were sitting at. "I had a feeling you were going to say that. Let's make a deal."
"What kind of deal," Bobby asked.
"I'm guessing you're taking extra sessions with me and Logan to help with the fighting, right?"
"Yeah," Rogue said sheepishly.
"I'm willing to let you guys help with the research stuff, but absolutely no fighting. I can handle it, and if I absolutely have to have help, I can always ask. Is that a deal?"
"What about magic?" Rogue hesitantly asked.
Buffy's eyes narrowed slightly. "What about it?"
"Bobby and I have been learning magic."
The blond shot Wesley a glare.
"I found them a tutor. She's taking all of the necessary precautions," Wesley informed her.
"Fine." She turned back to the students. "But no dark magic or finding spells to help me with patrolling. Just binding and closing hellmouth stuff."
Rogue stood and held out a gloved hand. "Deal."
With a smile, Buffy shook it. Then she dug the amulet out of her pocket. "You've got an assignment. I need to know what you can find on this."
"Where did you find it?" Wesley asked, as he looked it over.
"A demon I killed the other night. There were two others who got away. I've never seen their kind before. I just know that they're up to something."
"This is so cool!" Bobby said.
Buffy just raised an eyebrow and picked up a book.
*********
Logan woke up and blinked several times to get his bearings. He remembered that he had stayed in Buffy's room that night and he turned to see if she was still there. A sigh escaped his lips as he realized she wasn't. A quick glance around the room told him she had already left.
A low growl rumbled deep in his chest as disappointment flooded through him. While he had not been expecting hugs and kisses in the morning, he had expected her to be there when he awoke.
He stood up and stretched out all of the kinks that had formed during the night and realized that he was the most rested he had been in years. While Buffy's presence had the tendency to excite him, it also calmed his inner beast.
Logan picked up his shoes and belt and headed to his room to shower and change. As he showered, he thought back to the night before. He honestly hadn't expected Buffy to open up as much as she did, but he could tell that she was still holding part of herself back. But either way, it was a step in the right direction.
When he was finished he headed out in search of Buffy. He was surprised when he found her sitting with Bobby and Rogue in the demon library.
Buffy looked up as he entered the room. An apology shone in her eyes as she smiled at him and a corner of his mouth went up in response. He watched as she took a deep breath and then asked, "Do you want to help?"
His face broke out in a huge smile and he sat down and asked, "Where do I start?"
**********
The next few days passed quietly while they pored through all of the books. Buffy allowed Logan to get closer to her. She always went to him for rides into town and often he would patrol with her. Every time he tried to discuss their feelings, however, she would change the topic but link her arm with his as a signal that she wasn't quite ready, but one day she would be.
They had found information on the demon they had killed. While the Terash looked fierce, it was actually quite weak and easy to kill. Its main advantage was the fact that it could teleport - moving from one place to another instantaneously. But they still hadn't discovered anything about the amulet.
It was a Thursday night when Fred and Wesley joined the research team with somber looks.
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked.
"Wesley and I need to go back to L.A.," Fred said softly. "We're not needed there like right this second, but something' is brewin' and Angel needs us."
"Besides," Wesley said as he adjusted his glasses, "you're more than capable of handling things here. I've gathered all the information I can on a newly formed hellmouth."
Buffy nodded sadly. "When do you need to leave?"
"Not until Saturday," Fred answered. "The crisis isn't suppose to happen until Monday, so Angel says."
"I'm gonna miss you guys," Buffy said with tears in her eyes, but she hastily wiped them away. "So are you guys up to some last minute research before you go?"
"Always," Wesley answered warmly.
**********
The next afternoon Buffy's cell phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hi Buffy!"
"Hey Clem! What's up?"
"Just wanted to let you know about some things."
"Like what?" Buffy asked.
"There's been talk about a gathering tonight at the hellmouth. There's over fifty Terash demons in town."
"Fifty!" Buffy cried, causing the people in the room to briefly look up at her. "How could I have missed that many of them?"
"Probably because of their teleporting abilities," Clem said, trying to soothe her.
"I found it!" Bobby yelled from behind her.
"Hold on a sec, Clem," Buffy said. Then she rested the phone on her shoulder. "What did you find?"
"The amulet in a book. It's used in rituals to open the hellmouth."
"Great," Buffy muttered. She held the phone back up to her ear. "Do you know what time this gathering is tonight?"
"Last I heard it was at midnight."
"Of course. How many are going to be there, do you know?"
"I overheard conversations at the bar," Clem explained quickly. "There was a lot of them talking about being there along with the Terash demons."
"All right. Thanks for letting me know, Clem."
There was a pause before Clem asked, "Do you need any help?"
"I'll let you know since I know you're not big with the violence," Buffy said with a smile.
"But I'll do anything to help keep the world as it is."
"I know, but thanks anyway. I'll talk to you later. Bye." She turned to Logan. "I think we need to assemble the x-men."
*********
Buffy watched in amazement as the table in front of her became a 3-d image of the clearing in the woods where the hellmouth was. She was gathered with the x-men plus Bobby, Rogue, Wesley, and Fred in one of the conference rooms beneath the mansion.
"Wow," she said in awe. "That should make planning a little easier."
"What exactly is the problem?" The professor asked, effectively calling the meeting to order.
"About a week ago, Logan and I were patrolling. We killed a demon and he had this amulet," Buffy replied, holding up said amulet. "We saw two other demons run away then they vanished. Now demons with amulets on a hellmouth usually signals big trouble. Apocalypse trouble. So I started researching with the help of Bobby and Rogue.
"Today I received several pieces of information. First, Clem called about a demon gathering tonight on the hellmouth. Then, Bobby found the info about the amulet." She looked at Bobby, letting him know that it was his turn.
Bobby grinned as he began talking. "There are four other amulets like this out there, and they are used with opening hellmouths. We figured the Terash demons were looking for this amulet to help open the hellmouth."
"But if we have one of the amulets, why are we worried?" Storm asked.
"Because they don't need all five of them to open the hellmouth," Bobby explained. "As a matter of fact, they only need one. The more amulets they have, the faster the hellmouth opens."
Jean looked puzzled as she said, "I'm not sure I understand."
Rogue spoke up. "The amulets act as a focal point for the magic used to open the hellmouth. The more amulets that are present, the stronger the focal point - the faster the opening of the hellmouth."
"So what you're saying is, is that they can open it with one, it'll just take four times as long," Jean said, trying to sort it out as she said it.
"Yes," Rogue said with a bob of her head.
"And you think they're going to do this tonight?" Scott asked.
"More than likely," Buffy answered. A determined look appeared in her eyes as she slightly raised her chin. "I need to ask you guys for help."
"What kind of help?" Scott asked.
"Clem told me that there are over fifty of these Terash demons and there are other demons planning on being at the ritual tonight. I can't fight all of them and stop the apocalypse, even though those Terash demons aren't that tough. You don't have to help if you don't want to," Buffy said with a slight tremor in her voice. "But I would appreciate it."
Logan grinned. "You know where I stand on this, darlin'. I'll be right beside ya."
"Thanks, Logan."
"Bobby and I can come too," Rogue said.
"No. I know I was younger than you when I started, but that was because I was chosen. Besides, our deal was that you could research, but no fighting remember?"
"But what about the spell?" Rogue protested. "You said we could help with the magic."
Buffy sighed. "What do I need to look for to stop the spell?"
"The book mentioned a long and involved chant, the blood of an unclean, and the amulets," Bobby said.
"Then it's not a problem. As long as I can keep them from completing the chant and bleeding we'll be fine." Buffy said in relief. She really didn't want the kids out there fighting.
"But…"
"No buts," Logan growled. "If she said no, then she said no. Don't push it."
"Plus, I need someone with Fred and Wesley to stay here and guard that last amulet in case they come after it," Buffy said, hoping that would pacify the two teens.
"Guarding will be fine," Rogue said dejectedly and Bobby nodded in agreement.
A brief silence descended on the group until Kurt asked, "Opening the hellmouth would unleash hell on earth, right?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Buffy answered.
"Then I think I should help mein friends in stopping it from happening. I'll be with you."
The rest of the x-men nodded their heads in agreement. They had always believed in protecting their world. It was just a matter of shifting it from evil mutants to demons.
"All right," Buffy said with a slight smile. "Are you sure you guys want to do this? I wouldn't have asked…"
"Buffy!" Scott interrupted. "We want to help."
"Ok," she said, not seeing Wesley and Fred sharing a smile in the corner of the room.
"So how do we go about stopping an apocalypse?" Scott asked with an eager look.