"Well, it doesn't look like any vampires are out tonight," said Buffy as she and Angel entered the school library. "Angel and I think they haven't found out about Amanda yet. They're probably laying low until they get orders from her."
"Yes, well, that's understandable," said Giles.
Buffy noticed that everyone but Cordelia was sitting in the library.
"I thought you guys were going home," Buffy said.
"Are you kidding?" said Xander. "And miss out on our buddy Ian explaining how he can take on a super vamp and win? I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Speaking of which," said Buffy, looking at Ian, "just how is it you can fight a vampire? For that matter, how do you even know they exist? Most people don't believe in them."
"As I said," said Ian, "my name is Ian Wynn and I grew up in Chicago. Until 1981 when Sebastian Berman killed my sister."
"Yes, you mentioned that," said Angel. "That doesn't answer Buffy's questions."
"Perhaps Rupert could answer that question," said Ian. "He is a Watcher, after all."
"You know about Watchers?" Giles questioned.
"Of course," said Ian. "I even knew one. His name was Jerry Caan. He lived in Chicago at the same time I did."
"Yes," said Giles. "Unfortunately his Slayer was killed. In 1981, I believe it was. Oh my goodness."
"What is it, Giles?" Buffy asked.
"The Slayer that Caan trained," said Giles. "Her name was Marlene Wynn. She was your sister?"
"Yes," said Ian. "My twin sister. She was about twelve minutes older than I was but we were always very close. So close, in fact, that I seemed to have inherited her Slayer abilities as well. That's how I can hold my own against vampires. While I'm not a Slayer I do have their skills and abilities. Jerry trained both my sister and I."
"There's no mention of a twin brother in Caan's journals," said Giles.
"He never told anyone," said Ian. "He said since I wasn't technically a Slayer the council had no control over me. But we were quite a team, let me tell you. I'd be the 'helpless' human victim out in the wrong place at night. When a vampire tried to make me a midnight snack, Marlene would jump in. Then the vampire was in for quite a shock when it was faced with not one but two Slayers, so to speak. We were quite affective."
"Until 1981," said Willow. "When your sister was murdered."
"Yes," said Ian. "She was on her way home to train when the Berman Brothers suddenly surprised her. Somehow I knew she was in trouble. I went immediately to help her but I was too late."
"There are documented cases of twins knowing such things," said Giles. "Probably some sort of psychic or telepathic link because they were both fertilized from the same egg."
"For Identical twins, yes," said Ian. "It's not that way for fraternal twins."
"Yes, of course," said Giles.
"Anyway," said Ian, "I haven't been in Sunnydale very long. I wasn't sure where any of the local vampire hangouts were. When I discovered that Buffy was the Slayer I figured she'd know. So I just bided my time. I figured eventually she'd lead me to Sebastian."
"Just how did you know I was the Slayer?" Buffy asked.
"I sensed it," said Ian. "I can't explain it. Somehow I just knew you were the Slayer. I can tell you I was surprised that first night in the hallway when you showed up with a vampire. I couldn't understand what a Slayer would be doing with a vampire."
"I have a soul," said Angel.
"Yes, I learned that," said Ian. "The infamous Angelus who now goes by Angel and fights his own kind protecting humans."
"Something like that," said Angel.
"I knew you were going to meet Amanda tonight," said Ian. "So I followed you. I knew the Bermans would be with her. I lost you for a while. Then I saw Angel entering that secret doorway. So I just followed him and you know the rest."
"I'm glad you were there," said Buffy. "Amanda was everything Angel and Giles said she was. I hope it's a while before we meet another vampire that powerful."
"Not to worry," said Giles. "To the best of my knowledge she's the only Slayer who became a vampire. So I don't think you'll have to worry about another one any time soon."
"What are you going to do now?" Xander asked Ian. "You dusted Sebastian. Seems like your mission is over."
"That one is," said Ian. "Sunnydale isn't the only place plagued by vampires and other demons. And Buffy can't be everywhere at the same time. I can return to Chicago where I'm sure there are vampires roaming around. They're in for quite a shock when I get there."
"I can imagine," said Giles.
"Well, thanks for the help," said Buffy.
"My pleasure," said Ian. "Maybe Marlene will rest a little easier now. Her murderer has been punished and I can settle down and begin to live a reasonably normal life."
"Good luck," said Buffy. "I know the vampires in Chicago are going to have their hands full with you."
"Angel," said Ian, "it's nice to see Buffy has someone like you on her side. From what I've heard you've been a big help to her."
"I do what I can," said Angel.
"Well," said Ian, "I should get going. I only came here to take care of Sebastian. It will be nice to get back home. I'm sure a lot has changed in the last twenty years."
"Most certainly," said Giles.
"If any of you make it to Chicago, be sure to look me up," said Ian.
"We'll do that," said Buffy.
"Well, a male Slayer," said Xander. "Who would have thunk it?"
"Technically he's not a Slayer," said Giles. "There can only be one at a time and that one is always female."
"Yeah, well he's the next best thing," said Buffy. "I wonder if there are any others out there like him? Twins of former Slayers?"
"That's an interesting thought," said Giles. "I shall have to research that."
"Oh, great," said Willow. "Something else to research."
"Don't worry, Will," said Xander. "I'm sure you'll do great. A couple of hours on the Internet and I'm sure you'll find everything you need to know."
"You know," said Giles, "not all information is on that little box. A great deal of it is still contained in books."
"Books?" questioned Xander nervously. "You mean like hours and hours of wading through boring, irrelevant information for hours on end until we find that one piece of information that you usually know all ready?"
"It's hardly that bad," said Giles.
"Just look at it this way, Xander," said Buffy. "It'll keep you out of trouble."
"Yeah," said Xander unenthusiastically. "And out of the social scene as well. Not that I have that much worry about it anyway."
"Don't worry, Xander," said Buffy in her usual upbeat, cheerful tone, "I'll tell you all about it."
"Thanks a lot," said Xander. "Thanks a whole lot."
Angel just smiled as he realized that things were pretty much back to normal.
The End