Author's Notes: Set four years after 'Becoming' part two. Buffy ran away, and didn't come back. Now, four years later, she's about to be reminded of who and what she really is.

Rating: PG-13. Language and strong themes. Sorry, kiddies.

Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise is mine. Don't sue, please.

Feedback: Very welcome. Constructive criticism is welcome; flames will be used to help me toast marshmallows.

Chapter Notes: Thanks again for the reviews. A note, however: if you're confused by something, let me know precisely what it is you're confused by! Then, if I can explain it, I will. Just saying that my story confuses you isn't the best way to review...That said, I know that the story is confusing. Purposefully so. I'm a confusing writer. I know what's going on, though, so just...ride it out!

Chapter Six: Bonds

"By blood and bone, I call. By sweat and tears I call. By home and hearth and right of Haghd, I call." Buffy lit the candle in front of her and passed it to Alex, who lit his from hers and passed the flame on.

"By blood and bone, I command. By sweat and tears I command. By home and hearth and right of Haghd, I command." She used the knife to cut both of her palms. Blood dripped into the bowl, which she then passed on. The others did as she had done.

"By blood and bone, I bind. By sweat and tears I bind. By home and hearth and right of Haghd, I bind." She gripped Alex's hand tightly, their blood mingling. He gave her a fiercely protective look as they all joined together.

"By blood and bone, by sweat and tears, by home and hearth and right of Haghd, let it be done!"

"Let it be done," echoed around, everyone repeating it. Energy raced through them all, and Buffy's eyes glowed bright white.

Then she looked around at them all – Alex and Sarah and Marta and Michelle and Mandy and Clare and Lexie and all the others.

"This is going to be hard," she warned.

"You will do it, slave."

"No."

"Annie, don't fight them!"

"I won't kill you, Alex! I love you!"

"Love...Annie, listen to me...you have to live, you mustn't fight them now. Pick your fights. Remember? Pick your fights. You've got to live. For Amelie, and for Charlotte. Charlotte's only three, Annie, you can't leave her..."

"I can't let you go, Alex. I need you."

"Slave!"

"Annie, I'll always be with you. Blood and bone, sweat and tears, home and hearth and right of Haghd, remember? I love you."

"Slave! Do it!"

"I love you, Alex. I'm so sorry."

She woke up screaming, and she couldn't stop. Hands surrounded her, touching her, trying to help her, but she couldn't bear it. She'd killed him, her mate, her love. She'd killed Alex.

Finally Max gathered her up in his arms and she sobbed into his chest as he murmured soothing noises. "It's alright, Annie, it's alright, you're safe. We're safe. They're not going to hurt you anymore."

"I killed him," she whimpered. "He said I had to kill him. I killed him, Max."

"Alex wanted it that way," he soothed her, stroking a hand over her hair. "And he's still here, in the bond. And you have Charlotte to remember him by, and Toby and Zack, and we all remember him. He's not forgotten."

"But I killed him." She pushed him away then, struggling to her feet. She'd fallen asleep on the couch. Dozens of people were squeezed into her lounge. More were arriving even as she watched. "Where's Hattie?"

"She's playing with the other kids," Ella told her quietly. "Ethan's watching them."

Buffy nodded, rubbing her shoulder, stiff from lying on it. "Is everyone here, almost?"

"Mostly," Max told her quietly. "We're waiting on Jake and Samantha, and Toni ran out for some crackers for the kids. Even Tom and Dave are here – bound and gagged." He flashed a malicious grin.

"We should...set up the spell, then." Buffy tried to step forward, but almost fell. Half a dozen hands reached out to help her; she fended them off gently. "I'm alright, guys."

"Yeah, sure," Sarah snorted from the stairway. She pushed her way through the crowd and pulled out her penknife. "Hand, Annie." Rolling her eyes, Buffy lifted her hand. Sarah nicked her palm and Buffy's, and pressed the cuts together. They breathed in unison for a moment, then Buffy smiled tightly in thanks and went to find Ethan.

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Coming next chapter:

Return to Sunnydale

Confrontation between Max and Angel