It's amazing how time flies. Seems like just yesterday our story began. We tend to forget how much time has passed since the beginning. We fall into the story. We fall and are devoured by the beauty of these people's past, present and future. Who remembers how long it's been since the story began? I, myself, couldn't say. But I do know that it started. Here. Here in Central Park long after the tourists and dog walkers had gone.

With a thud and a crack, Trista falls to the ground. Three vampires surround her, Sam and Chloe. The brisk night dries her lips and causes her to shiver. The shivering is over taken quickly though. It is overtaken by a new kind of shiver. A shiver that comes from deep inside when your blood boils, your muscles turn to rock and your eyes burn with a fire yet to be harvested by man. Trista flings herself up just as the vamps close in on Sam. Trista sees a fourth coming behind Chloe. Her jaw tightens and, for the first time, she screams with a general's command, "CHLOE. GET DOWN!"

Chloe rolls. She hits the ground but the ground is not the ground. Well, it is but it's not the park. It's a cemetery, it's raining, and it's cold. Chloe stays on the ground out of the way as Spike leaps over her and takes on two vamps. They engage, leaving Chloe forgotten.

Spike swings at Vamp1 cracking him good in the jaw. At the edge of the trees, Trista paces unseen, watching Spike. She counts under her breath the beats between each hit.

"1…2…3…1…2…3…"

Back at the fight, the vamps have Spike on the ropes. Vamp1 is holding him from the front and Vamp2 from behind. Vamp1 smiles victoriously but his smile quickly fades as he turns to dust, revealing a freaked out Chloe behind him, holding a jagged stick. This gives Spike leeway to break the grasp of Vamp2. He backhands him before he swiftly stakes him. He looks at Chloe, who's breathing heavily.

"It's not usually that hard," he says, almost apologetically.

"I'm okay. We should get back."

Spike nods and they move off. Walking down the street in less than comfortable silence, Chloe and Spike head towards the hotel of the moment. Ever since Trista… well, they've been moving around the city a lot. Seems like nothing is as safe as houses lately. It'll be another few days before they'll be able to move back into Chloe and Sam's apartment but until then, no one can sleep. Giles has gone back to England, mostly against his will, to train the new girls. It took many hours of arguing before Buffy could actually convince him to pack. Andrew, of course, accompanied him. Chloe's cell phone rings. They stop as she answers.

"Hello? Yeah. Okay. Thanks," she hangs up and looks to Spike, "There's a nest on 5th. Might be what we're looking for."

She moves forward but Spike catches her shoulder, shakes his head, "Not tonight. It can wait."

"Wait for what? Wait for Trista to get bored and come and pick us apart? Or are we waiting for her to massacre some random mass of people so we can't even get her back if we wanted to!" Chloe begins to shake, tearing up and pacing. She's lost and alone and her voice cracks as she speaks, "She's my friend and she's gone- I mean, you came back, so she can too, right? She- she can- we can bring her back right? We can give her a soul and she can…" She's crying now. The weight of her pain bearing down on her like a shadow demon that crushes one's chest in the night. Spike doesn't know what to do.

"Come on. Time to go, love," he says.

They move off into the night.

"Oh your nondenominational god! You're lying!" shrieks Trista as her laughter rings throughout the apartment. It's clear that it's not the present because Trista is very happy and very much alive.

Sam walks into the living room from the kitchen of their warm apartment brandishing various junk foods along with his boat of popcorn.

"Did you just say 'nondenominational god'?" he asks as he lays down the food onto the coffee table in front of Chloe and Trista.

"Yeah. I'm being politically correct. It's a thing," Trista replies and proceeds to stuff her face with popcorn.

"A weird thing," follows up Chloe.

"But a correct thing. That's the thing behind the thing. Why it's my thing now," grins Trista.

"Please stop saying 'thing'."

"Oh, little Sammy's head is starting to hurt," laughs Chloe.

"Of course it is. You people talk in circles."

"What movie did you get?" asks Trista

"Apocalypse Now"

"Veto!" yell Trista and Chloe in unison.

"What? It's a great movie!"

"It's a movie that intercuts Marlon Brando's death with cow slaughter. Two words 'vee' and 'toh'," replies Trista, smiling wide.

"Fine, fine, fine. Finey McFinerson," grumbles Sam, "Just remember, I have more war movies and you only get one veto."

"I'm gonna have to kill you soon," says Trista lightheartedly.

"I'd like to see you try," says Chloe, grinning.

"I wouldn't," says Sam. He grins and grabs a pillow off the sofa and leaps on Trista, "Mine is an evil laugh!"

The three scream and laugh as Sam mock suffocates her.

Spike sits in one of the two hotel rooms in the dark. He drinks a large glass of half blood, half bourbon. He hears the talking and movement of the other room and wants no part of it.

He sighs sadly and speaks, "Lost a lot of people in my time. People I loved. People I cared about. It always ends the same. They kick, I get…" he takes a big swig of his blood, "and then there's the drinking."

Sam walks out from the shadows, worse for wear. It's clear he's really feeling the weight of the situation.

"Know how you feel."

Spike shakes his head, "Doubt that." He pulls out a flask and tosses it to Sam who catches it and takes a deep gulp.

"Your sis isn't holding up too well."

"I know"

They sit drinking their respective drinks. Silent. Barely moving. Alone.

In a bar far from the hotel, far from any living being, loud grunge metal roars. The place is packed from head to toe with demons. In the far corner, Trista plays pool with a Thraxis demon. She's, as usual, amazing looking. She's dressed up in knee high leather boots, black corset and a black pinstripe mini skirt.

"Look, I'm winning. I'm also getting bored. So we can quit now and I kill you for the hell of it."

"Don't you mean 'or'?"

"Dunno," she grins and gets a good grip of her pool cue, "Let's find out."

The Thraxis shrinks back, terrified. Trista smiles, throws the cue onto the table and clasps her hand on the Thraxis's shoulder. She says, "Hell, I'm just messing with ya." She laughs and moves away, leaving the Thraxis to catch his breath. Trista moves out into the back alley, takes out a cigarette.

"Trista," says a threatening vamp coming up behind her. He's big, he's mean, and he's pissed.

"Can I help you?" asks Trista, unafraid.

"We have to talk. Seems you torched my nest a few days ago."

Trista rolls her eyes and stomps out her cigarette as she replies, "You should be thanking me. That place was a monster eyesore. And besides, you're lemmings are dumbasses. They needed to be taught a lesson."

BigVamp cracks his knuckles as he advances on Trista, "No. I think it's you that needs to be taught the lesson."

Trista sighs, annoyed.

Inside the bar, everything abruptly stops when Big Vamp comes sailing through the doors from the alley. The music cuts off and everyone just stares. BigVamp gets to his feet as Trista saunters in behind him. He takes a swing at her but she catches his fist. She then slams her palm into his nose, breaking it. She cracks him in the knee, causing that to break also. She grabs him and starts beating his head into the wall. As she does this she says, "You don't seem to get it. I'm stronger than you," she then calls to all of the patrons, "I'm stronger than all of you. You think you're big and bad because you're demons, well you've all just been downgraded." She grabs BigVamp by the neck and breaks it, but to prove her point, continues to pull until BigVamp's head comes clean off and he dusts.

"How strong is she?" asks Chloe.

"We're not sure," Buffy replies, shaking her head sadly.

"So, we know nothing," sighs Sam.

Willow, Buffy, Faith, Chloe, Sam and Spike are sitting in their hotel room. The Scooby meeting is in midswing.

"We do know something," offers Spike, "she's a slayer turned vampire with the potential to kill us all."

"That is like Slayer Concentrate," says Willow.

"Means nothing. If I can fight a Hellgod, I can fight a overly peppy vamp."

"There's fighting now? When did we get to fighting? I thought there was still saving afoot but then we made a leap to fighting" says Chloe, starting to freak.

"It's okay," says Sam softly to Chloe. He puts his arm around his sister protectively. He nods at Buffy to continue.

"Will, did you try the locator spell again?"

"It was a bust. There's something really powerful protecting her. You know, now that I'm saying that out loud it seems kind of unnerving."

"Try very unnerving," says Buffy as she rises, taking general position, "Faith, you said you were at a magic shop when you found out about Trista? Go back there. Maybe the shopkeeper knows more than she's leading on. Chloe, Sam, you two'll come with me, we'll check some of Trista's usual haunts, see if anyone's seen her. Will, try to find her."

"But the locator-"

"You still know how to use a computer. Do you're Willow thing."

"Check. On board to get Willow-y"

"Good. Spike-"

"Might be good to leave him here. Maybe there'll be a repeat of last time. You know, minus the weird vampy love making session," says Sam. Buffy freezes, as does everyone else in the room. No one told her what went on that night. All she was told was that Trista came to the room. She looks to Spike. He doesn't avert her gaze. She's shocked and a little hurt, but she recovers and says, "Stay with Willow."

"But mo-om! I don't like selling cookies! Girl Scouts are evil. And they're hair pullers!"

"Now, Trista-"

"And Susie is crazy! She was sticking crayons up her nose and giggling when they won't come out!"

Mrs. Abberly scoops up her eight-year-old daughter into her arms and says, "Well, now that's just not healthy."

"She went to the hospipal three times!" Trista says enthusiastically, holding up three fingers to illustrate her point.

"Hospital, dear. 'Hospital' with a 'T'."

"'Hospipal' is better," says little Trista stubbornly.

"Well, I suppose if you don't want to go to Girl Scouts anymore then you don't have to."

"Thank you, mommy," says Trista as she wraps her arms around her mom's neck.

"Are you ready for your bath?"

"Mommy, I'm big enough to take one by myself!"

"But you'll always be my little Apple Cheeks!" says Trista's mom as she tickles her little girl.

"I will! I'll always be your good little baby."

A scream pierces through the memory, causing it to shatter. Another mother drops to the floor dead as her daughter, a little one of only six or seven, sits screaming and crying in the corner. Trista looks around the spacious and well furnished home. She calls to her lackeys that are waiting at the doorway, "Now this is where we should set up shop."

"Trista," says Augustus, an average sized vamp. He motions to the little girl.

"Oh. Right," she moves to the little girl and scoops her up in her arms. She says to the girl in a sugary sweet tone, "You see, they can't come in until I kill everyone that lives here. And you," she touches the little girls nose, "my little Apple Cheeks, are the only one left." She smiles at the little girl and bares her fangs.

Willow's working away on the computer and combing through the newspapers as Spike walks in, carrying a grocery bag.

"Find anything, Red?"

"Nothing really tell-tale. There've been a series of mass murders that are really making headlines but they've been happening all over the city."

"So she's been on the move," he says as he takes out a beer from the case in the bag. He offers one to Willow.

"No thanks," she says almost uncomfortably as she waives away the bottle.

"Suit yourself."

At this point, Buffy, Chloe and Sam walk in. Willow asks Buffy hopefully, "Anything?"

She shakes her head. Willow sighs and says, "We're a font of nothingness too."

Sam moves over to the TV, turns it on and starts flipping channels.

"I guess we're just gonna have to sit. Wait for her to make a move."

"…officers on the scene say it was nothing short of a bloodbath. All the children and employees are dead…"

Buffy turns to the TV and says to Sam, "Turn it up."

"The orphanage was allegedly broken into late last night by, what witnesses say, a small blonde woman of about twenty. If you have any information…"

Sam, unable to take anymore, switches it off.

Faith walks into the shop once again and makes a beeline for the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper smiles, expecting the visit.

"Greetings-"

"Look, you're gonna have to cut the crap and tell me what you know."

"You speak as if you're sure I know something."

"Let's try this again."

Faith grabs the shopkeeper and punches her. She then holds her down by her neck and snarls, "You're going to tell me everything you know about the girl that came here the other night."

"Pretty thing. She was lost. She had to dig deeper."

"Great. Riddles."

"Depends on who's doing the digging," the shopkeeper replies. She begins to laugh, "You're all gonna die," she cackles more and more, her amusement growing. Faith tenses and tightens her grip.

"Who says?"

"Who doesn't?" the shopkeeper inquires, still very amused, "It's in the text."

"What text?" asks Faith as she lets go of the keeper.

"The text! Haven't you been listening?" replies the keeper, no longer amused.

"What're you playing at?"

"Not playing," says the shopkeeper, "I'm sorry you couldn't find what you're looking for. It's really a shame. What you need to understand is that this was all set in motion years ago. You can't change it and you can't stop it. It's over."

The shopkeeper then attacks Faith with a ball of magical fire. Faith dodges it and launches herself at the shopkeeper. She slams her into the wall and then knocks her out with a few sharp punches.

"You can't do this!"

"I have to! She slaughtered an orphanage, Chloe. There's no going back."

The gang is gathered, in the middle of a heated argument.

"You don't know that!"

Buffy, jaw set and eyes burning, replies, "I do."

"Maybe there's another way," offers Willow.

"There's not and you know it."

Chloe rounds on her, "You were planning this from day one! You were never going to try to bring her back! You were-"

"You know that's not true," says Willow, cutting her off.

"Look. We have no choice," begins Buffy.

"No! No. There's always a choice," says Sam. He stands, shaking. He's overwhelmed by his emotions. He turns to face them all, "I know you guys don't know Trista like Chloe and I, but please understand me when I say that she is a good person. She's a hero and more than that she's our leader. I know that it's dangerous and it's hard but she's not some crazy vampire. She's Trista. And she's worth saving."

Everyone is quiet, absorbing the weight of what Sam has said. They don't just absorb, they understand and, even more, they believe. Sam smiles self consciously and says, "I think we should-"

He doesn't finish his sentence. He never will. He's cut off by his neck breaking. He's cut off by his being murdered. By Trista. As Sam's body falls to the ground, Trista smiles. She looks to the shocked gang and says, "Hey."

Buffy doesn't skip a beat, she tackles Trista. They roll into the hallway. They take their respective stances and go at it. It's clash of the titans. Buffy swings, Trista blocks and punches, Buffy reels back but recovers. She spin kicks Trista in the face, sending her back. Faith and Spike come running into the hallway. Trista takes a painting of the wall and slams it into Faith's face. She attacks Faith with three swift movements, knocking her out. Without missing a beat, she elbows Buffy in the face and turns to face Spike. She looks at him with recognition and caring. She asks in a confused, scared voice, "Spike?" This causes him to pause long enough for her to kick him in the face, sending him hard back into the hotel room. Willow comes rushing out and screams, "Bind!" but it bounces off of Trista and flings back onto Willow, she falls to the ground paralyzed. Trista turns back to Buffy. Buffy launches herself, doling out quick, graceful moves that send Trista reeling. She goes to swing again but Trista blocks, blocks, swings, but this time Buffy's ready for her. She ducks and comes back up. She spins in the air, kicking Trista in the face with both feet before landing. She lands a few punches but Trista recovers. She pounds on Buffy, punch after punch after punch. She grabs Buffy by the back of the head and smiles at her. She then flings Buffy out of the nearby window at the end of the hall. Faith comes back up, fuming. Trista grins at her and then sprints down to the other end of the hall, Faith following close behind. Trista dives and flies out of the other window.

On the ground, she lands on her feet, glass shattering around her. She goes off into the night, leaving the destruction behind her.

"Buffy!" Spike yells, as he rushes to her. He helps her pick herself up, "You alright, love?"

"I'm okay," she groans, "I'm okay. Is anyone else hurt?"

"Willow had a magic ricochet but she's okay."

"And Sam?"

Spike just shakes his head. This hurts Buffy, but even more, it angers her. She says, "Let's go. We have to get back up there."

In the master bedroom of their new nest, Trista sits, painting her nails as Augustus paces. He speaks in an almost spazzy tone, "It's not that it wasn't a great victory but I just thought- just thought that you'd be stronger. You know, what with the Slayer Vamp mix thing."

Trista rolls her eyes and says, "I held back."

"You what?"

"I fought with that bitch instead of just ripping her heart out," she says this with no contempt, just stating a fact. She continues, "I threw her through a window instead of throwing her into a grave."

Utterly confused, Augustus asks, "Um. Why?"

Trista shrugs as she walks over to her closet, "No reason to," she flings the closet door open revealing a young, terrified victim. She grabs the victim by the hair and drags him across the room as she says, "Besides, if I killed her now, then it would have had to be a quick death," she addresses her victim as she says, "And that's just a waste, isn't it?" She smiles as she morphs into vamp face. She devamps and pushes her victim's head towards the ground. "There was a weird thing, though. Willow shot some spell thing at me and it just, I dunno, bounced."

"Do you think it has anything to do with-"

"Ssshh!" cuts off Trista, "I don't want the others to hear about it."

"Sorry."

"Yeah. Okay. I think I'm gonna go to bed."

"Goodnight," says Augustus before he backs out, unsure on if he should bow or not. Trista turns to her victim.

"Funny kid, isn't he?" she looks at the large mirror hanging on the wall and smiles at her nonreflection. Suddenly, Trista's reflection is visible. It flickers in the mirror and is gone. Trista falls backward staring shocked at the mirror where her reflection just was.

"What the…"