Title: Life Saver 9/10
Author: David A. Knapton
E-mail: If you want, but it is polite to let the author know you are doing so.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters belong to the owners of BtVS and the Gilmore Girls.
Spoiler: Season 7 of Buffy and mid to late season 1 of Gilmore Girls, so GG timeline is moved a few years.
Rating: 12A/PG-13.
Pairing: Lorelai/Luke plus Buffy canon pairings.
Summery: Set around End of Days Ep. 7.21 and Chosen Ep. 7.22.
Notes: This was inspired by reading a couple of Buffy-Gilmore Girls crossovers and the fact that Hallmark (in the UK) have started showing GG from the first season.
It should also be noted that although a lot of the dialogue in this story comes from the scripts posted on BuffyWorld some of it is changed or even spoken by different people.
Not betad.
'' Thought.
Feedback: If you wish.
Please note I am English, so is my spelling. Live with it.
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"OK, before the vineyard was just, you know, a vineyard, it was a monastery. Could've been put there then," said Willow glancing at Giles who sat on her bed with Rory and two other potentials, going through the books; "Some creepy monks messing with powers they don't understand."
Giles shook his head, "No, it's older than that. It's pre-Christian," he said scratching his head.
"OK. Well, I found reference to stories the monks used to tell about something older. Uh, like, some kind of pagan temple," said Willow.
"Native American?" Giles mused.
"No. I don't know," said Willow in frustration.
"But metal forging wasn't known in America until the white man, unless you subscribe to the theory that suggests someone was here before the people that moved here from Asia around the last ice age," said Rory looking up from the book she was looking through.
"Ugh," Willow sighed. "Okay, maybe we're just going about this the wrong way," she said typing on her laptop. The screen changed to show a site entitled 'History of the Axe', "Maybe we should research the weapon itself. Like...look. Maybe it's the Axe of Dekeron, said to have been forged in hell itself. Lost since the Children's Crusade, where it was said to have killed..." she sat back up, making a face, "Oh. Children. I hope that's not it."
"Well, I have reference to the Sword of Moskva," said Giles, "The, uh...Reaper of the Tigris... how are we supposed to narrow this down? The illustrations are never clear enough," he said in frustration, he stood and leaned on the window. "Oh, damn. We're running out of time. We really haven't got anything useful."
Willow got up and walked to the weapon, picking it up, "Do you sense any of the power that Buffy spoke about?" asked the Watcher.
"Gotta say no. Must be a Slayer thing," said Willow, she looked at Rory and offered it to the potential, "Or the Slayer line."
Rory tentatively gripped the handle, closing her eyes, the others waiting, "Ah not that I really know what it would feel like? I have to say I can feel nothing," she said looking at the Witch and Watcher.
Giles walked over to Willow, "Tapping into magicks might help," he suggested.
"Maybe," mused Willow, "But, I mean, if Caleb is scared of this thing, it must be pretty dangerous. And tapping into that..." said the Witch putting the weapon down carefully.
"Willow, you could do it without endangering yourself," said Giles encouragingly.
"Willow, remember what Paris told you, about being true to yourself," said Rory.
"Paris?" queried Giles.
"Oh sorry. I mean the thing that told us about mum being this Era Matris Trucido. She appeared as one of the girls from my school called Paris," explained Rory.
Giles nodded his understanding, he looked back to Willow who looked worried; "If I tried something big, I'd change," she said. "And then it's all black hair and veins and lightning bolts. I can hardly do a locator spell without getting dark roots," she explained.
"But you saved me and mum," said Rory.
"No, I just channelled the energy," explained Willow, "I can't keep doing that, it's too draining on everyone."
"And if it was necessary to do something big?" said Giles softly.
"Honestly? I don't know," Willow said as she returned to her computer.
Giles sighed, "All right. Do what you can. That's all any of us can do."
"I guess so. Ugh. Man, none of these sound right," Willow said scrolling down lists of various mystical weapons, "I mean, look. Here's one that's just 'm' question mark. What the heck is that?"
Giles walked over, "Let me see... It's not a question mark. It's the international phonetics alphabet symbol for glottal stop," he explained.
"A whoey?" frowned Willow.
"It's sort of a gulping noise," Giles explained. "I'm...remembering something here. Um... Ah. Hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs stand for sets of consonants, as you know."
"Yes, absolutely," said Willow before glancing at the three potentials sat on the bed and rolled her eyes, causing them to smirk.
Giles began to paces, "M plus glottal stop is represented by a picture that's commonly thought to symbolize a sickle or a scythe. It's in thousands of carvings. In Egypt, throughout the ancient world."
Willow sat up, "Carvings like you'd have on a pagan temple?"
"Go back. See what else we can find out about this temple," said Giles picking up the weapon, "The scythe is a symbol of death. Let's see where these pagans buried their dead," he suggested.
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Lorelai sat on the front porch with Rory watching as Xander and Dawn looked through Xander's car. Lorelai put her arm around her daughter's shoulder and drew her into a hug, Rory placing her head on her mother's shoulder, sighing contently. This had become their early evening ritual; the others had started to give them this little space from the normal, at least recently, noisy household. Xander's and Dawn's voices drifted over to their ears.
"Xander, my crossbow is not out here. I told you, I don't leave crossbows around all willy-nilly," said Dawn before pausing, "Not since that time with Miss Kitty Fantastico."
"Hey, did you know I have to take a driving test every year now?" said Xander as he looked in the back.
"Because you're old?" joked Dawn.
"No, because of my eye," Xander said backing out of door, "It's a whole State law. They don't trust my depth perception anymore," he explained.
"That sucks," said Dawn.
Xander straightened, "And you know what's even worse? All the stupid, 'it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye', and 'Hey, Xander, so no more fun and games, huh?' jokes."
Dawn rolled her eyes and sighed, "Giles was just having fun with you."
"That's not the point," said Xander, "It's an obvious joke. It'd be like someone calling me a Cyclops."
"Oh," giggled Dawn, she stopped, clearing her throat at his look, "Okay, so not that funny."
"I mean, uh... give me some 'eye of the beholder' jokes," Xander explained, "You know. Or, uh... some 'eye for an eye' jokes. Or maybe even a post-modern 'I, Claudius' joke, you know. It's about standards, Dawnie."
Dawn looked seriously at him, "I know."
Xander sighed, "Just, uh, be creative."
"Look, everyone's still kind of on guard around you," explained Dawn, "But before you know it..." Xander suddenly put a cloth over her face and Dawn screamed.
Lorelai had a sad look on her face as she watched the struggle, she felt Rory attempting to rise and go to aid Dawn, "It's not what you think Rory," she said holding tightly to her struggling daughter.
"Mum let me go I hafta help Dawn," said Rory still trying to rise.
Lorelai turned and looked sternly at Rory, "I mean it Rory, stay out of it. Xander's doing what Buffy asked him too," she watched as Xander pushed Dawn into the car before getting into the driver's seat and driving away. "He's taking her away from here so she will be safe."
"What? How could she do that to her sister," said Rory standing next to her mother after Xander's car had vanished. "And you knew about it, after all you did to get Buffy to let Dawn train with us and for us to treat her like she was one of us."
"She could, because she loves Dawn, and unlike us, she doesn't have to be here, she can escape it," Lorelai sighed, at that moment she felt very old. "And before you ask, yes I would do the same with you if you would not be in more danger out there on your own, the same with the other girls, I'd take all this from you," she said standing and heading for the door.
Rory stood watching her mother's back as she disappeared into the house, then glanced towards the direction Xander's car had gone before following her mother.
--------------
Lorelai stood in the doorway of Buffy's room as the blonde stood next to the other Slayer lying in bed holding the scythe in front of her. "You feel it too, don't you?" said Buffy.
"Damn. And damn, that's something," exclaimed Faith.
"I know," smiled Buffy.
"It's old. It's strong, and it feels like... like it's mine," said Faith placing it on the bed beside her, "I guess that means it's yours."
"It belongs to the Slayer," said Buffy picking up the scythe.
"Slayer in charge, which, I'm guessing, is you," pointed out Faith.
Buffy sat on the edge of the bed, "I honestly don't know. Does it matter?"
"It never mattered to me," said Faith. "Somebody has to lead. Let's vote for Chao-Ahn. It's harder to lead people into a death-trap if you don't speak English."
"Ah not true anymore," smiled Lorelai walking to the bottom of the bed. "Willow did her thing again to save me and we all had a meeting with the other thing, you know that chooses the potentials and slayers. It gave me a power of my own; I now seem to understand any language any of the potentials speak."
"Oh wow," said Faith.
"And she got a title to go with it, Etna Mattress Treacle or something," said Buffy.
"Era Matris Trucido," corrected Lorelai, "It means Mistress Mother of the Slayer, apparently I'm connected to all the potentials, and you two, somehow, but we haven't figured out what that means yet, except the language thing."
Faith smirked, "Does that mean we gotta call you mum?"
"No," said Lorelai sternly before giggling, "But if you want to call me Mistress, go ahead.
"In your dreams Mother," laughed Faith before the humour left her face as she looked at Buffy, "I screwed up," she said sadly.
"It wasn't your fault," said Buffy.
Faith looked away, "I'm really not looking for forgiveness."
"You're not?" said Buffy.
"What do you want me to say? I blew it," Faith said sighing.
"You didn't blow it," stated Buffy.
"Tell that to..."
"People die," said Lorelai a little steel coming into her voice, "You led us into battle, some of us are gonna die. It doesn't matter how ready you are or how smart you are. War is about death. Needless, stupid death," she said sitting on the opposite side of the bed to Buffy.
"So, here's the laugh riot. My whole life I've been a loner," pointed out Faith.
"That's the funny part? Did I miss something?" frowned Buffy.
"I'm trying to..."
"Sorry. Sorry. Go," apologised Buffy.
"No ties, no buddies, no relationships that lasted longer than... well, Robin lasted pretty long," Faith said with a grin, "Boy's got stamina."
"Principal Wood... And you? And in my..." exclaimed Buffy standing up, making Lorelai give a little laugh.
"Don't tell me you two got wriggly," said Faith with what looked like pain coming into her eyes.
"No. No. No, no," Buffy assured her sister Slayer. "We're just good friends. Or mortal enemies, depending on which day of the... was that the funny part?"
"Okay. The point. Me, by myself all the time," Faith tried to explain. "I'm looking at you, everything you have, and, I don't know, jealous. Then there I am. Everybody's looking to me, trusting me to lead them, and I've never felt so alone in my entire life."
"Yeah," said Buffy quietly swallowing and looking down.
"And that's you every day, isn't it?" pointed out Faith.
"I love my friends," Buffy reassured the other Slayer, "I'm very grateful for them. But that's the price. Being a Slayer," she said sadly.
"There's only supposed to be one. Maybe that's why you and I can never get along. We're not supposed to exist together," said Faith.
"What because a bunch of guys decided that was how it was supposed to be!" said Lorelai.
"No not just that... My instincts tell me I should fight on my own, not place others in danger. I'm sorry you can't understand, maybe it's just one of those Slayer things," said Buffy.
"Or maybe it's part of what was done to the First Slayer," mused Lorelai.
"What do you mean?" asked Faith.
"Well I don't know really," said Lorelai, "But maybe the Shadowmen were to frightened that a Slayer would question why they didn't do more than just watch from the sidelines while she fought the enemies of the world."
Buffy exchanged a look with Faith before turning back to Lorelai, "You think that's why they are called watchers? Because as much as I have certain issues with Giles at the moment, I can't see him just standing by and watch me or anyone else do all the fighting."
"Of course not," smiled Lorelai, "And the same with Luke. But what about all those others that died in that bombing in London."
"Now those I could see just standing by and watching," nodded Buffy. "I'll hafta think about it."
"Right," said Lorelai. "So Faith, tell us about Robin, what was he like in bed?"
"And on that note I'm out of here," said Buffy heading for the door, the other two women's laughter ringing in her ears.
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"So guys found anything?" asked Buffy walking into Willow's room a little later, where Willow and Giles were continuing the search for information on the scythe and the Guardian with Rory.
Giles looked up from the book he was going through with Rory. "Willow may have found reference to the scythe," he held up a sheet of paper with the m plus glottal symbol on it. "Unfortunately it is in thousands of carvings throughout the ancient world."
Buffy frowned as she studied the symbol, "I've seen this marking somewhere!"
"Well the scythe is a symbol of death. So we are trying to find out where the pagans that inhabited the area around the vineyard buried their dead," Giles explained.
"The old cemetery on the north side of the town," said Buffy. "Will you know the one that City Hall announced last year that they were planning on reopening?"
"You mean Crow Lane. What about it?" frowned the redhead.
"That's where I've seen this symbol," said Buffy.
Giles stood up, "Are you sure?"
"Giles, I spend more time in the cemeteries than the undead. I'm sure."
"Right, we should check it out immediately," said Giles.
"I'll check it out, you keep researching," said Buffy heading towards the door.
"You should take someone with you, just in case," called out Giles.
Buffy stuck her head around her bedroom door to see Faith and Lorelai still laughing on her bed, "Lorelai, you up for a little recon."
Lorelai got up smiling slightly, "Sure, where we going?"
"Giles found out something that may have something to do with the scythe, I wanna check it out." On the way to the stairs, they grabbed Madeline and Louise.
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Buffy and the three potentials walked down the stairs, the Slayer holding the scythe in her right hand, when Spike walked in the front door. "Honey, I'm home," he smirked up at her.
"Yeah," said Buffy.
Spike sighed as he saw the scythe, "And you did it. Fulfilled your mission. Found the Holy Grail. Or the Holy Hand Grenade, or whatever the hell it is."
"Yeah it's the scythe. You like," said Buffy.
"Well, pointy and wooden is not exactly the look I wanna know better, but it does have flair," said Spike.
Spike followed Buffy and the others into the kitchen. "Uh, last night...was just a glitch," he said moving to stand in front of the Slayer, "A bit of cold comfort from the cellar dweller. Let's don't make a thing out of it," he said nervously.
Lorelai raised an eyebrow at Buffy and Madeline and Louise exchanged smirks.
"Great," said Buffy, "I have work to do."
"Oh, yeah. Another solo mission, of course," said Spike.
"No, Lorelai, Madeline and Louise are going with me. Is that okay with you," said Buffy.
"That's fine. You don't have to get shirty about it," said Spike.
"I'm not shirty," said Buffy a little exasperated. "And what is shirty? That's not even a word."
"All right. All right. Big secret mission. It's fine," said Spike holding up his hands.
"It's not a secret. Well, I mean, it is, but that's the point of the mission, said Buffy, "Find out the secret. This thing was forged by... I don't even know. I mean, something about... a tomb on unconsecrated ground. That's what I have to do. I need to find out what this is and why I have it."
"And that's the thing the preacher man was so anxious to keep out of your mitts," concluded Spike.
"That it is," said Buffy with a little faraway smile.
"Well, maybe I'll swing by the vineyard when you go, make sure he's sitting tight," said Spike.
"Great," said Buffy.
"Okay," said Spike turning to leave.
Buffy looked at the three grinning potentials, "Wait for me out front," she said before rushing out the backdoor after the Vampire. "You're a dope," she said.
"I'm a what?" Spike frowned.
"You're a dope. And a bonehead. And you're shirty," exclaimed Buffy.
"Have you gone completely carrot-top," asked Spike.
"Do you see this?" said Buffy holding up the scythe, "This may actually help me fight my war. This might be the key to everything. And the reason I'm holding it is because of you. Because of the strength that you gave me last night, okay I was going after it anyway but it's you who got me through the last 24 hours. Look, I am tired of defensiveness and weird mixed signals. You know, I have Faith for that. Let's just get to the truth here, Okay? I don't know how you felt about last night, but I will not..."
"Terrified," said Spike turning away.
"Of what?" frowned Buffy.
Spike let out a slow sigh, "Last night was... God, I'm such a jerk. I can't do this."
"Spike..."
"It was the best night of my life," said Spike quietly. "If you poke fun at me, you bloody well better use that, 'cause I couldn't bear it. It may not mean that much to you, but...
"I just told you it did," pointed out Buffy.
Spike sighed again, "Yeah...I hear you say it, but I've lived for soddin' ever, Buffy. I've done everything. Done things with you, I can't spell, but... I've never been close to anyone. Least of all, you. 'Til last night. All I did was... hold you, watch you sleep. And it was the best night of my life. So, yeah... I'm... terrified."
"You don't have to be," Buffy tried to reassure him. "Maybe when..."
"No," said Spike throwing his hand up in the air, "Let's just leave it."
"Okay," said Buffy quietly.
Spike sighed, "Well go be heroes," he said walking into the night.
Buffy walked around to the front of the house to see three potentials stood smirking at her, "What!" she asked as they joined her.
"Nothing," said Lorelai walking by the Slayer's side. "So shirty huh," she giggled.
"Oh shut up," snapped Buffy.
"So Buffy, is he any good?" asked Louise from just behind the Slayer.
Buffy sighed, "I should have just done this on my own."
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The four walked up to a pyramid shaped tomb, without a second's hesitation Buffy kicked down the door, which slid down a short flight of steps.
Buffy and the three potentials walked down into the tomb. It was lit inside, although dimly, by torches, giving it an orange hue. Buffy and Lorelai looked around cautiously and Madeline and Louise exchanged a curious look.
A woman's voice came from behind a wispy drape. "I'd forgotten. I'd forgotten how young you would be."
The four turned to see a very old woman with long white hair open the drapes and stand before them.
"Comes from the waiting. Mind plays tricks. I see you've found our weapon," said the woman.
"Who are you?" asked Buffy.
"One of many. Well...time was. Now I'm alone in the world," said the woman sadly.
"So what are you. Some kind of ghost?" asked Lorelai.
The woman chuckled softly, shaking her head, "Nope. I'm as real as you are. Just...well... let me put it this way. I look good for my age. I've been waiting," she held out her hands and Buffy handed her the scythe without hesitating; "You pulled it out of the rock. I was the one who put it in there."
"What is it?" asked Buffy.
The woman admired the scythe as if remembering, "A weapon. A scythe. Forged in secrecy for one like you who... I'm sorry. What's your name?"
"Buffy," said the Slayer.
"No, really," said the woman, Buffy shrugged. "We forged it in secrecy and kept it hidden from the Shadowmen, who..."
"Yeah. Met those guys. Didn't really care too much for 'em," said Buffy.
"What you do not know is that she who they made the First Slayer was my own daughter Antiope, they came in the night into our camp, killing the guards, they stole her away..."
"I've heard that name before," Madeline interrupted, her face brightened as she looked at the woman, "Antiope was the name of an Amazon queen."
The woman smiled sadly, "She would have been, alas for the Shadowmen. They became the watchers and the watchers watched the slayers. But we were watching them."
"Oh! So you're like..." frowned Buffy, "What are you?"
"Guardians," explained the woman, "Women who want to help and protect you. We forged this centuries ago, halfway around the world."
"Hence, the Luxor Casino theme," said Buffy.
"Forged there, it was put to use right here...to kill the last pure demon that walked upon the Earth. The rest were already driven under," said the woman. "And then there were men here, and then there were monks. And then there was a town, and now there was you. And the scythe remained hidden."
"I don't understand. How is it possible that we didn't know any of this?" said Buffy.
"We hid too. We had to until now. We're the last surprise," smiled the woman.
Lorelai remembered something then, "Something, don't know what, told us that the mother of the First Slayer, ah Antiope... was the Era Matris Trucido and that the title was now mine. What does all that mean exactly?"
"Era Matris was the title given to the leader of my tribe. Trucido was added later, the Shadowmen thought it was they that gave me it, but it was the First Good."
"The First Good," asked Louise.
"Yes child. As there had to be a first evil so there has to be a first good and ever have they battled for dominion. My tribe and others had always striven for good. Yet the Shadowmen thought to defeat evil by using evil," the woman looked at the four before her. "The goodness that is your heart will always now be in conflict with the evil the Shadowmen placed within all of you."
"Giles, my Watcher, said that as far as he knew, it was only given to you because you were the First Slayer's mother and nothing more," said Buffy.
"The watchers would say that. No child, I was given it because it was I that slew the last pure demon here on the Hellmouth."
"Can we win?" asked Buffy suddenly.
"That is really up to you. This is a powerful weapon," said the woman handing the scythe back to Buffy.
"Yeah," Buffy mused.
"But you already have weapons," pointed out the woman.
"Oh," said Buffy.
"Use it wisely and perhaps you can beat back the rising dark," said the woman. "One way or another, it can only mean an end is truly near..."
Suddenly there were hand either side of the woman's head, which forced it violently to one side, a sickening cracking noise echoed off the walls and the woman fell silently to the ground.
Buffy looked back up to see Caleb standing there. "I'm sorry. I didn't catch that last part on account of her neck snapping and all. Did she say the end is near... or here?"
Buffy swung the scythe at Caleb, but he grabbed it with ease, pushing her away. "Get out of here," the Slayer shouted at the potentials as she placed herself between Caleb and them.
"Don't you go far, I'll get to you soon enough," sneered Caleb as he punched Buffy in the face.
"We can't leave you here alone with him," said Louise.
Buffy punched Caleb as hard as she could, which caused him to stagger backwards. "I said get out," the Slayer growled as she stepped up to Caleb going to hit him again but he blocked the punch and returned one of his own.
Lorelai hesitated for a moment before pulling Madeline and Louise towards the door.
Caleb seemed much stronger than before, he tried to punch Buffy again but she ducked and his punch destroyed a stone pillar behind her. "Ha ha ha ha. You're not slipping out of this fight girl. Can't you see? You can't stop me. I can just keep going back for more. It's like being reborn," he said.
Outside Lorelai quickly looked around, she pointed off to the left, "Over there," she said as she led Madeline and Louise into some bushes.
"We're not leaving," said Louise as the three crouched down by the bushes while still able to watch the door to the tomb.
"Of course not," whispered Lorelai, "We might not be strong enough to take preacher guy but if, god forbid, Buffy loses, everyone will need to know... Whoa who's that?" she said as she saw a tall dark haired man approaching the door.
"What a hunk," smirked Louise.
"Can you keep your mined on the job at hand here!" whispered Lorelai. "He might be a hunk, but he could also be a vamp," she pointed out.
"He does look kinda pale, but I don't think it matters, 'cause there's Spike," whispered Madeline pointing at the blond Vampire approaching the gate just down from their hiding place.
Buffy swung the scythe at Caleb's head, but he ducked and threw her against the wall. As she began slipping to the floor, he kicked her into the air and punched her in the stomach before she fell to the ground again. He kicked her in the head and made a grab for the scythe, but Buffy kicked it out of his hands and into the air and used Caleb's momentary distraction to get to her feet again.
As the scythe was falling towards the ground, Buffy grabbed it and kicked Caleb to the floor. As she went to stab him with the stake-end, he stopped her from plunging it into his chest, laughing as pushed her away, taking the scythe away from her and throwing it to the ground as he stood up and walked toward her.
She fell to the floor when he punched her several times. "You know, I gave you ample warning. Told you not to interfere, but you chose not to heed." He casually walked away from her.
Buffy slowly rose and after a moment charged toward Caleb, but he deflected her and threw her onto a sarcophagus. She kicked him and he picked her up by the lapels and swung her body into a stone pillar knocking one of the stones loose.
She fell to the ground, and Caleb picked up the scythe. "I was kind of hoping it'd go this way."
As Caleb swung the scythe back to finish off the Slayer, a male voice called out, "Hey!" and a fist connected with Caleb face, knocking him down.
Buffy looked up to see Angel standing above her. He held out his hand helping her to her feet. "I was never much for preachers."
"Angel," exclaimed Buffy, many emotions coming to her eyes.
"You look good," said Angel gently.
"You look timely. And also good," Buffy said smiling.
"Heard maybe you needed a hand," said Angel returning the smile. Caleb got to his feet. Angel started to move to finish him off, but Buffy stopped him. "Ah, one of those things you have to finish yourself."
"Really kinda is," said Buffy with an apologetic smile.
Angel backed toward a pillar so he would be out of the way but still see the show. Caleb walked toward Buffy, murder in his eyes.
Angel crossed his arms, licking his lips, "You are so gonna lose," he smirked.
Buffy bent and grabbed the scythe from the floor growling between clenched teeth, "You are gonna pay for those girls," she said.
Buffy swung the scythe at Caleb's head but he ducked, she continued in a complete spin and again Caleb avoided it. He wrenched the weapon from the Slayer's hands hitting her hard with it across the face, sending her into the wall where Caleb attempted to impel her with the spiked end, but Buffy rolled to the side and the spike embedded into the wall.
Buffy kicked Caleb away and pulled the scythe out of the wall, she swung it at him, he ducked, she fainted another swing at his head but as he attempted to avoid it, she brought it in lower, imbedding the scythe into his midsection.
Caleb had a look of shock as he straightened up, he stepped back and laughed manically as he fell backwards into the drapes his eyes staring blankly as he rolled onto his side.
"See? Under control," said Buffy.
Angel smiled as he walked away from the pillar and towards Buffy, "Well...at least you could tell me you're glad to see me."
Buffy dropped the scythe to the floor and closed the distance with Angel, pressing herself against his body, kissing him deeply.
A look of pain crossed Spike's face as he watched from his hiding place behind a pillar.
"That bitch," whispered Buffy/First in his ear.
"Well, I guess that qualifies as happy to see me," said Angel as they broke apart.
Buffy smiled up into Angel's eyes, "Angel, what are you doing..." she shook her head, "Don't even. I just want to bask," still looking into Angel's eyes, then she snapped out of it, "Okay, I'm basked. What are you doing here?"
"Not saving the damsel in distress, that's for sure," Angel said wily.
"Oh, you know me," Buffy said picking up the scythe, "Not much with the damseling."
"Got your share of distress, though," said Angel.
"You heard?" surmised Buffy.
Angel walked over to the wall and picked up a folder from a gap in the wall, "I got coverage on the whole thing. It's very gripping. It needs a third act."
Buffy shook her head at him, "You have to leave L.A."
"It's the First, right? The First evil. The power that tried to convince me to kill myself," said Angel.
"Yeah. It's gotten a little more ambitious since then. It's raising an army," explained Buffy.
"Yeah, well, it failed once," said Angel, "And I'm here to tell you..." Without warning, Caleb stood up behind Angel and knocked him down by hitting him on the back of the head with a cat statue.
Caleb walked up to Buffy, black blood streaming from his eyes and nose, "Are you ready to finish this, bitch," he said swinging the cat statue at her but she blocked it with the scythe but the power of the swing sent the Slayer backwards cross the floor.
She swung again as she rose but he blocked with the statue before quickly hitting Buffy across the face with it sending her to the ground again and threw it at Buffy's head but missed.
Buffy stood again, holding the scythe ready to attack again. "Ok...how many times do I have to kill you?" she quibbled, "Ballpark figure."
"You understand nothing," sneered Caleb.
Buffy swung the scythe at Caleb but he grabbed it, holding it still he punched Buffy in the face twice causing her to stumble to the side. Before she could recover, he lifted her in the air, pressing her back against the low ceiling.
Buffy struggled but could not free herself.
Caleb finally let her fall to the floor. He bent down and grabbed her by the neck, "You think you have power over me," said Caleb through gritted teeth.
Buffy broke free of his grip and with a spinning kick knocked him to the floor.
"Stupid girl," Caleb said as he stood, "You'll never stop me. You don't have the ba...
As Caleb got to his feet Buffy twirled the scythe swinging it up between his legs. Caleb's eyes went wide. "Who does nowadays?" she smirked.
Caleb looked down incredulously at the scythe lodged in his groin. Buffy swiftly pulled the scythe up through his body, slicing him in two.
Angel slowly began to come around and stood, very angry, "Okay, now I'm pissed. Where is he?" he asked looking around.
Buffy glanced to her right then her left before looking back at Angel, "He had to split," she giggled devilishly.
"Yeah, she needs you real bad," whispered the First to Spike, who had remained hidden in the shadows watching.
Angel picked up the folder again and offered it to Buffy. "I'll have the guys go through that. See if there's anything new. Reliable source?" she said.
"Not remotely," Angel told her.
"Mm, any port in an apocalypse," Buffy mused.
"I, uh, brought something else as well," said Angel hesitant taking an amulet out of his pocket and holding it up for Buffy to see. It was a 2" diameter round crystal pendant in a silver starburst setting hung from a coarse silver chain.
Buffy shook her head, "I can already tell you, I have nothing that goes with that."
"It's not for you," Angel told her.
"Splainy?" asked Buffy.
"I don't know everything," explained Angel, "It's very powerful and probably very dangerous. It has a purifying power, a cleansing power, possibly scrubbing bubbles. The translation is, uh...anyway, it bestows strength to the right person who wears it."
"And the right person is?" pressed Buffy.
"Someone ensouled, but stronger than human. A champion. As in me," said Angel.
"Or me," pointed out Buffy.
"No. I don't know nearly enough about this to risk you wearing it. Besides, you got that real cool axe-thing going for you," said Angel.
Spike slipped out without being noticed.
"So you're gonna be with me in this," mused Buffy.
"Shoulder to shoulder. I'm yours," smiled Angel.
"No," said Buffy adamantly.
"No, what?" frowned Angel.
"No. You're not gonna be in this fight," said Buffy heading for the door.
Angel cut her off, "Why the hell not?"
"'Cause I can't risk you," said Buffy softly.
"You need me in this," pressed Angel.
"No, I need you gone," said Buffy shaking her head.
"Why?"
"If I lose, if this thing gets past Sunnydale, then it's days, maybe hours, before the rest of the world goes," explained Buffy. "I need a second front, and I need you to run it."
"Ok..." Angel said crossing his arm, "That's one reason. What's the other?"
Buffy walked out of the tomb, "There is no other."
Angel followed her, "Is it Spike?" Lorelai exchanged a look with the others. Buffy stopped walking and turned to face the Vampire. "You're not telling me something. And his scent, I remember it pretty well."
"You vampires. Did anybody ever tell you the whole smelling people thing's a little gross?" said Buffy a little anger coming to her voice, she turned and walking away.
Angel followed, "Is he your boyfriend?"
Madeline and Louise exchanged a smirk, sensing the jealousy in this new guy's voice.
"Is that your business?" asked Buffy.
"You in love with him?" asked Angel, "Ok, maybe I'm outta line, but this is kind of a curve ball for me. I mean, we are talking about Spike here," he pointed out.
"It's different. He's different. He has a soul now," Buffy explained.
Angel stopped a little stunned, "Oh. Well..."
"What?" asked Buffy.
"That's great," Angel said a little sourly before mumbling to himself, "Everyone's got a soul now."
"He'll make a difference," pointed out Buffy.
Angel was still mumbling, "You know, I started it. The whole having a soul. Before it was all the cool new thing."
"Oh, my God. Are you 12?" exclaimed Buffy.
Lorelai suppressed a giggle.
"I'm getting the brush off for Captain Peroxide. It doesn't necessarily bring out the champion in me," said Angel.
"You're not getting the brush off. Are you just gonna come here and go all Dawson on me every time I have a boyfriend?"
"Aha!" said Angel triumphantly, "Boyfriend."
"He's not. But...he is in my heart," said Buffy softly.
"That'll end well," he said walking over to a tombstone and leaning on it.
"What was the highlight of our relationship? When you broke up with me or when I killed you?" Lorelai exchanged a confused look with the other two. "I'm well aware of my stellar history with guys..." Buffy sighed leaning on the tombstone beside Angel, "And, no, I don't see fat grandchildren in the offing with Spike, but I don't think that really matters right now." she chuckled, "You know, in the midst of all this insanity, a couple things are actually starting to make sense. And the guy thing..." she sighed again, "I always feared there was something wrong with me, you know, because I couldn't make it work. But maybe I'm not supposed to."
"Because you're the Slayer?" surmised Angel.
Buffy looked at Angel, "Because... Ok, I'm cookie dough. I'm not done baking. I'm not finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm gonna turn out to be," she explained, "I make it through this, and the next thing, and the next thing, and maybe one day I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then, you know, if I want someone to eat..." her eyes went wide at what she had said. All three potentials giggled quietly. "Or enjoy warm, delicious cookie me, then... that's fine. That'll be then. When I'm done."
"Any thoughts on who might enjoy..." Angel sighed a little irritated, "Do I have to go with the cookie analogy?" he asked.
"I'm not really thinking that far ahead. That's kind of the point," said Buffy gently.
Angel handed the amulet to Buffy, "I'll go start working on the second front. Make sure I don't have to use it," he said beginning to walk away.
Buffy called after him, "Angel." he stopped and turned to look at her, "I do... sometimes think that far ahead," she told him.
"Sometimes is something," said Angel smiling.
"Be a long time coming. Years, if ever," pointed out Buffy.
Angel shrugged, "I ain't getting any older," he said walking away.
Buffy stood as Angel vanished into the night. She turned to where the others were hiding, "Come out you three," she ordered. The three potentials rose and walked over to her. "I seem to remember telling you three to get out of here!"
"I figured it was better for us to watch... just in case Caleb won, you know so we could warn everyone," said Lorelai. "So what happened? We didn't see him come out."
"I suppose you did the right thing," Buffy mused before allowing a big smirk to cross her face; she lifted the scythe, "Caleb, sliced and diced."
The three potentials gathered around her excitedly.
"Come on let's get back to the house," said Buffy beginning to walk away.
"So... cookie dough?" smiled Lorelai as she fell into step with the blonde Slayer, Madeline and Louise letting out a laugh from behind them.
Buffy sighed, "I defiantly should have come here by myself."