Greetings and salutations. More thanks, more stories.
Angel had burst into the Library to be greeted with an extraordinary sight.
There was Dru, sitting calmly, chatting to Giles, who seemed perfectly all right, if a little nervous.
"Am I missing something here?" He asked. Dru looked over at him, and he noticed there was something…different, something not quite right.
"How are they going?" Giles asked.
"Well enough." Angel said.
"Spike and Buffy are fighting." Dru said suddenly. "Spike's so confident, so sure. He won't win, though. There's a reason for the Slayer's link to her Protector, and he's about to experience it first hand."
"Somehow, I don't think you're barracking for Spike." Angel said. "And how do you know about the Protector's anyway?"
"You'll find I know a lot of things." She answered. Angel stared at her a minute. Then it hit him.
"Your sane." He said, shocked.
"Almost." Giles said. "It seems you, or Angelus, didn't do quite as good a job as you, or he, thought you did."
"Obviously." Angel said. "Is there anything else you've been hiding?" Dru got to her feet and made her way over to him.
"As a matter of fact…" She muttered, wrapping her arms around him and locking him in a passionate kiss. Angel didn't fight for long.
"Um, excuse me?" Giles said, trying to make his presence known. "Sorry to interrupt, but, uh, is that such a good idea?" Angel pulled away, reluctantly.
"He's right." He said. "The…"
"Curse?" Dru finished. "Don't worry. I've already dealt with that."
"You…" Angel began, but was interrupted when the gang walked into with Xander's carrying Buffy gently.
"Did I miss something?" Faith asked.
"Is she alright?" Giles asked.
"Tired." Xander's said, eyeing Druiscilla carefully. "I'm guessing that's Dru?"
"Yes." Angel said. Dru couldn't take her eyes off them. The glow between Xander's and Buffy had finally reached its peak, showing their true power. She couldn't help but be proud of them, all of them. Her children. "Dru, this is…"
"Faith, Willow, Xander and Buffy." Dru said. "So many centuries I've seen you in dreams, in my visions, yet seeing you in the flesh, for the first time…I can't help but be proud of you all."
"Am I missing something here?" Faith asked. "I thought…"
"She was insane?" A tired voice said. "Not as much as she's led people to believe. She's just sneaky." Buffy managed to raise her head a bit. "We wouldn't have gotten this far if it wasn't for her, and I still don't get why she helped us at all."
"Helped us?" Faith asked, now thoroughly confused. "Someone want to explain?"
"Only briefly." Dru said. "Buffy needs her rest. She's more than earned it. Keeping our secret has been hard on her." Everyone looked at her.
"Secret?" Xander's asked, hurt.
"Had to, Xand." Buffy said. "Didn't want to, but if we were going to survive this, I had to. And not just for Dru's sake." She looked over at Faith. "I got a visit. From mom's Jedi master. He told me she was on the level."
"But isn't he supposed to be dead?" Faith asked, more than hurt. How could Buffy keep a secret like this from her?
"Jedi don't die." Buffy said. "They merely become one with the Force. Master Windu has been guiding things since he first found earth over thirty years ago. He's the one that asked Dru to look after mom, and us." Dru gasped.
"The Traveller." She muttered. "I didn't know he was this involved."
"I think we should save the stories for tomorrow." Angel said. "Buffy needs some rest."
"'M fine." The Slayer said. Dru walked up to her and placed her hand on Buffi's forehead.
"Rest, dear one." She whispered. "You will need your strength for the days ahead. Rest. Sleep." Buffy mumbled an argument before drifting into unconsciousness.
"What'd you…?" Faith began.
"No." Angel said firmly. "Take Buffy home and get her into bed. We'll talk tomorrow night. No arguments," He finished as Faith opened her mouth. "or I let Dru do the same to you. Understand?" Faith's mouth snapped shut, and she nodded. "Good. Go." The four filed out, Faith giving the vampires real dirty 'I'd better get some answers' looks. Angel shook his head. "Those four." He muttered.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Angel." Giles said. "You're sounding like a grown up." Angel grunted.
"You're the father figure round here, Rupert." He said. "I just back them up."
"Over protective big brother?" Dru suggested.
"Funny." He muttered. "Now, what did you mean when you said you'd dealt with the curse?" Dru giggled.
"Gypsy's are so very gullible." She said. "Tell them one thing and they'll believe it instantly. There was never a clause." Angel's jaw dropped. "I traded the spell they were going to use with one that gave you your soul, permanently. It's similar to the one I used to keep my soul tied to my body when Angelus turned me." Angel tried to speak, but no words were coming out. "Proud of me?"
"Amazing." He muttered, trying to wrap his head around it all. "How long has this been in the works?"
"Longer than we've know each other." She said. "Since I was about…five?"
"Good God." Giles muttered. "I can't believe it. How does one so young plan something like this?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow." Dru said. "You need rest as well." Giles nodded. "We'll see you tomorrow night." With that, she and Angel left, leaving a rather stunned Giles in their wake. There was definitely more to this group than meets the eye. He sighed. I need another drink. Good thing it's not a school night.
Casa de la Summers
"I can't believe she kept this from us." Faith fumed.
"I'm sure she had her reasons." Willow said, trying to calm the Slayer down. "She did mention that Windy guy…"
"Windu?" Joyce said suddenly. Couldn't be. "Mace Windu?"
"Not sure." Xander said. "She just said your old master had told her to trust Dru in a dream, called him Master Windu."
"That's not possible." Joyce muttered. "I never even told her his name."
"Then how'd she know it?" Faith asked. "Unless…"
"It was actually him." Joyce whispered.
"Wow." Willow gasped. "That's…wow. I mean, this is…"
"Extremely Hellmouthy." Faith finished. "I'm sorry, mom, but this is a bit of a coincidence. Think about it, Dru shows up, trying to convince B to trust her. Then she has this dream about your old master telling her to trust Dru. I'm sorry, but I don't like it."
"I knew you wouldn't." A voice said suddenly. "That's the other reason I didn't tell anyone."
"Buffy, you should be resting." Joyce said, moving to her daughter's side.
"I know, but I couldn't just lay down and sleep without some sort of explanation." Buffy explained. She looked over at Faith, then Xander. "I owe that much at least." She let her mother guide her to a chair, her eyes never leaving her Protectors face. She took a breath. "Okay, before I start, any questions?"
"How long?" Faith asked. Her voice was hard and accusing and it took all Buffy had not to flinch. She suddenly wished she could turn back time and correct this.
"'Bout a week." She said. "I figured it out on the night Xander started walking."
"Why?" Faith asked again. Xander could see, could feel, Buffy's distress over Faith's harshness, and the block she had erected between the two. He understood Faith's feelings, but this was getting too much for him.
"Master Windu." Buffy said simply. "It was the same night. I was exhausted, still getting used to the whole Slayer/Protector link. Xander's body had used a hell of a lot of energy getting him back to full health in the one night, and I was feeling the effects."
"But I didn't…" Xander began, then he figured it out. "You absorbed my exhaustion then, like you did tonight." Buffy nodded tiredly.
"I'd fallen asleep as soon as I'd closed my eyes, and when I opened them again…"
Flashback.
Buffy looked around her. She was in some strange round, room. Around her were different types of chairs. Some of them looked like normal chairs. Others, however…
Buffy changed her view to the large windows and gasped at the sight. Outside was a large cityscape, which would have been fine, except for the vehicles flying past the windows, and the size of the buildings.
"Coruscant." A voice said. "As your mother would remember it. The jewel of the Republic." Buffy spun to see a bald man. That didn't mean he was old, because he didn't look it. He was wearing thick, brown robes over a simple, cream tunic and pants of similar material. "Welcome to the Jedi Temple, the meeting place of the old Jedi Council."
"How is this possible?" Buffy asked. "How do you know my mother? Who are you?"
"The second and third questions are easily answered." The man said. "I am Jedi Master Mace Windu. I trained your mother." Buffy gasped. "The second is a little more complicated. What you are seeing is merely an image of what was. I have brought you here because we need to talk."
"Excuse me, but aren't you supposed to be dead?" Buffy asked. Mace nodded.
"A true Jedi does not die." He said. "They merely become one with the Force. That is how this is possible."
"Oh." Buffy said. "I get it. I think." Mace grinned.
"You are like her." He said. "Curious. Extremely sensitive to others feelings. Stronger than anyone realizes."
"Thanks." Buffy bowed slightly. "So, what do we need to talk about?" Mace walked over to the window.
"There is a time coming when you will need to update this image." He said. "When you, your sister and your Protectors will need to travel back to the Empire, and end what was started, as it was prophesied."
"Another prophecy?" Buffy asked disgustedly. "Am I going to die again?" Master Windu chuckled.
"No, not this time." He assured her. "But there are some things you need to do first."
"The Judge." Buffy guessed. "We're all over it."
"You will not succeed without Druscilla's help."
"Let me guess." Buffy said. "I have to trust her, 'cause she's all on my side and stuff, right?"
"Yes." Mace chuckled. "I'm afraid so."
"You'll forgive me if I don't invite her in anytime soon?" Buffy asked. "It is really getting hard to keep track of who are the good guys and who are the bad guys around here."
"I know this is hard to believe…"
"No kidding." Buffy muttered.
"…But I assure you, Druscilla is necessary if you are to succeed." Mace finished. Buffy sighed.
"Alright, I'll trust her." She said. "But I'm guessing I still can't tell anybody then."
"Do you really want to explain this to them?" Mace asked. Buffy shook her head.
"Not really."
Now.
"So that's it." Buffy finished tiredly. "A couple of days later, Dru came through with the goods. Sent a message through Willy the snitch about the second Judge bit."
"I was wondering how we kept coming up one step ahead of Spike." Willow said.
"Dru'd fill us in before telling Spike, mostly the day before." Buffy explained. Her gaze moved between her friends and family. "I'm sorry for keeping it a secret, but I needed Dru to trust me and this was the only way. Please…" She looked over at Faith. The Dark Slayer glared at her before finally giving in.
"It's okay." She said, wrapping her arms around Buffy. The blonde Slayer breathed a sigh of relief as the walls came down. "I understand. I was just a bit ticked, that's all."
"Thankyou." Buffy whispered.
"Now, I think everyone needs some sleep." Joyce said, getting up. "Willow, Xander, you're both welcome to stay."
"We couldn't…" Willow began.
"Nonsense." Joyce interrupted. "I'm not letting either of you walk home, especially you, Willow." The red headed Protector looked at her sheepishly. Ever since her training had begun, Mrs Summers had been real protective of her newest apprentice, even more so when she found out about her parents rather detached attitude towards their only daughter. "Call your parents, while Faith and I set up some beds."
"I'll put Buffy to bed." Xander said, walking over to his Slayer.
"I can walk." She muttered as he picked her up gently.
"I know." He said. "But I want to feel useful."
"Silly boy." Buffy muttered.
"Hanging around Dru too much, sis?" Faith teased. Buffy stuck her tongue out, lacking the energy to do anything else. "'Night." Faith called cheerfully.
The next night, the group filed into the Library, including Joyce, Xander's mother and Doyle. They saw Angel and Dru were already there, with Giles frantically searching through his books.
"Giles, what's the panic attack?" Faith asked. "We've dealt with the Judge. Or, we're about to, anyway." She looked over at the five pieces.
"I'm afraid we may have bigger problems." Giles explained.
"There's some kind of ship just outside our solar system." Angel explained. "We just heard about it on the radio." Joyce stiffened, then reached into her handbag and pulled out her comlink.
"R4, there's a ship just outside the borders of the system." She said. A short whistle sounded through the com. "Well what are you waiting for? Scan it already! Check non-terrestrial frequencies while you're at it. I want to make sure that, whoever this guy, he's alone." There was another short burst of whistles, followed by silence.
"Who's R4?" Willow asked.
"R4-C9." Buffy explained. "Mom's astromech droid. He manages the StarShot, the ship mom flew from Coruscant that she's got stashed away somewhere."
"And I've not met it why?" Faith asked as Willow's voice failed her.
"Firstly, its him." Joyce said pointedly. "And secondly, we haven't had the time."
"Droid?" Willow asked finally. "As in 'android'?"
"Yeah, guess so." Buffy said as Joyce waited for R4's answer. "Though he looks more like a rolling trash can." There was an angry burst of whistles from her mother's comlink. "Sorry, R4." Buffy said apologetically.
"Well?" Joyce demanded. There was a long explanation of whistles, followed by a rather rude sounding noise. "R4, behave yourself! My daughters are listening in here!" The droid whistled apologetically.
"Well?" Buffy asked. "I couldn't catch all of it. Just something about…machine?"
"Automated." Joyce corrected her. "The ships an automated messenger transmitting a distress call over multiple frequencies. It's from home." Buffy and Faith looked over at their mother.
"Mom?" Faith asked. A message from home either meant the Empire had found them, or was getting close. Neither was a good thing.
"It's from a group calling themselves the Rebel Alliance." Joyce continued. "They're looking for anyone who can help them against the Empire. They're transmitting an extra message on an old Jedi frequency, though I'm not sure if they realize it. It's asking for me personally, telling me to return."
"Could be a trap." Buffy said. "Might be that Dark Nerdy guy." Joyce smiled at her daughter's obviously purposeful mangling of Vader's name.
"Either way, we have to wait another month for the wormhole to open." She said. "So there's still time to prepare."
"Maybe we can drop a Judge piece off when we get there." Willow suggested. "There's no way anyone from here will get there for years."
"What's this 'we' thing?" Joyce asked. "I don't think you should come."
"Like hell!"
"What? No way. Faith goes I go." The two protectors protested.
"Who said either of them were going anywhere?" Joyce said.
"Excuse me?" The Slayers said at the same time.
"There is no way I'm letting you go off against this guy alone." Buffy said.
"Damn straight." Faith agreed.
"Girls…" Joyce began. The girls glared at her. "Force help me, Willow's been giving you lessons with the 'resolve face', hasn't she?" The two girls nodded and continued to stare. "Alright, alright, I give in. You can go."
"Yes!" Buffy Faith leapt into the air, slapping each other five.
"That means we go too." Xander informed her. Willow nodded in agreement, her own resolve face in place. Joyce groaned and nodded. Dru giggled.
"Could've told you you'd be taking them all." She said. "You didn't have a choice. They'll all be needed." Buffy grinned over at the seer.
"Think you could convince her I'll pass high school without homework?" She asked.
"Elizabeth Anne Summers…" Joyce warned. Buffy flinched.
"Mom!" She whined. Faith stared at her mother, then Buffy.
"Your name's Elizabeth?" She asked incredulously.
"I hate that name." Buffy muttered. "Makes me sound like a snob. I'm not a snob. Am I?"
"'Course not." Xander said, moving closer to her. "Though it is kinda cute."
"Fine." Buffy muttered. "But only in private, okay, Alexander?" Xander winced.
"Alright, I won't use it." He muttered. "That was pretty unfair." Dru giggled.
"No wonder you've been hanging around them." She said to Angel. "I haven't laughed this much in centuries." Angel grinned.
"They have that effect on you." He said. "I remember when I first talked to her…"
"Before you start swapping stories about B, you mind explaining what's going on?" Faith asked. Dru nodded as they all sat.
"It really starts when my visions started." She started. "I was about five, so when I started seeing people that I didn't even know, I got scared out of mind. I went to my parents, begged them to make it stop. They took me to the doctors, the local church, anything they could think of to help me. It wasn't until I met my Aunty Jacqueline that I found the truth."