Giles and the others were contemplating rushing Amanda. They knew they didn't stand a chance against Amanda. She was not only a vampire but also a former Slayer. But they might be able to distract her long enough for Angel and Ian to intervene. If they were fast enough they might be able to save Buffy.
But they also knew they would never be fast enough. Amanda's vampire skills would allow her to strike Buffy before they could get to her. Not even Angel was fast enough to get to Buffy before Amanda cut her throat.
"Hey, bitch," said Buffy as Amanda drew closer. "You could really use a breath mint, you know that?"
"Feisty to the end aren't we?" asked Amanda.
"Or, we're more than that," said Buffy.
Suddenly Buffy pulled her leg up and reached into her boot. She pulled out her special stake she called "Mr. Pointy". Before anyone else could move she shoved upwards driving the stake deep into Amanda's chest.
"You know," said Buffy as Amanda stared at her in disbelief, "it always surprises me when that little trick actually works."
Amanda Walken didn't say a word. She just stared at Buffy for a moment and then turned to dust. The dust collapsed to the floor as Buffy rolled out from underneath Amanda's remains. She stood up and looked at the pile of dust that had once been this fearsome vampire.
"Well, for all her blustering she really wasn't that smart, was she?" Buffy asked.
"Buffy, are you okay?" Willow asked as her friends gathered around her.
"Yeah, a little bruised up but otherwise I'm fine," said Buffy. "She was one tough vamp, that's for sure. As soon as we started fighting I knew I couldn't beat her with strength alone. So I had to fake her out. Make her think she was really getting to me."
"So you weren't really loosing as badly as it appeared?" questioned Giles.
"Naw," said Buffy. "I just let her think that. I had to get her off guard. Until I could use Mr. Pointy."
"Mr. Pointy?" Ian asked. "You named your stake?"
"Sure," said Buffy. "It's my lucky stake. And if we're going to do the question and answer thing I think you have a couple of questions to answer. Like just who the hell are you?"
"My name is Ian Wynn," said Ian. "As I told Sebastian, I'm originally from Chicago."
"You said he murdered your sister?" Angel said.
"Yes, he did," said Ian. "Actually, all three of the Berman Brothers were involved. But Sebastian was the one who actually killed her. She lived just long enough to tell me who had done it. After I buried her I went looking for them. I always seemed to be one step behind them. When I got to Sunnydale and found out they were still here I knew I finally had my chance to get them."
"Hey guys," said Xander, looking around, "I don't want to be the pooper of the party here, but do you think we could find someplace else to do the interrogation? This place kind of gives me the creeps."
"Xander is right," said Cordelia. "This dank air isn't doing a thing for my complexion."
"Miss Summers just saved your lives," said Ian. "I'd think you'd be a bit more appreciative instead of standing there complaining."
"Oh, don't be too hard on her," said Buffy. "She's just being the Cordy we all know and love. But they're right. Willow, your mom thinks you were with me. So if she asks just tell her we had a sleepover at Cordy's. That way we'll be covered."
"Why my house?" protested Cordelia. "If word about that gets out my reputation will be ruined."
"Relax, Cordelia," said Buffy. "It's just for the moms. No one is going to tarnish your reputation."
"Not any more than it all ready is," said Xander.
"Giles," said Buffy, "can you see they get home? Angel and I need to check out the town and make sure the vampires aren't trying to have a field day with us tied up here."
"Of course," said Giles.
"Great," said Buffy. "Ian. We'll meet you at the school library in a while. There are still a few questions I have for you."
"I'm sure you do," said Ian smiling. "And I look forward to answering them."
"So," said Buffy as she and Angel moved through the streets of Sunnydale, "what do you think Ian's story is?"
"He's not a vampire," said Angel. "But the way he was fighting in there. I don't know. There's something strange about him. He stood up to Sebastian better than he should have been able to. Sebastian was the strongest of the three. And I nearly didn't beat Mordecai."
"Well," said Buffy, "it doesn't look like there are any vamps out right now. They're probably waiting for Amanda to give them the go ahead. They're going to be waiting a long time."
"Somehow they'll learn what happened," said Angel. "They always do. But I don't think we have to worry too much about them tonight. Most vampires won't go against her and risk making her angry. They'll wait until they know she's been killed."
"Let's get to the library," said Buffy. "I'm interested in know who Ian really is. And how he could stand up to a super vamp."
"I'm with you," said Angel.
Together the two turned and headed for the school. They knew by the time they got there Giles and Ian would be waiting for them.