Never the Same

Chapter 8 – I'll bee seeing you.

DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything…

RATING: PG-13 (T) to R (M) - violence, language, angst, horror, possible mild sexual interactions, etc. If you can watch BTVS/AtS and read HP, I doubt you'll have any problem with this story.

TIMELINE: Sequel to "Out of the Blue" and "Red Horizon" (Part 3 in the series), and begin where we left in "Red Horizon" chapter 39, and a bit before BTVS season 7, though it's almost completely AU, with many changes from the real plot.

SUMMARY: BTVS/HP crossover. Sequel to RH. "You can run but you can't hide, evil finds you everywhere. Peace and quiet can no one provide, who said life was ever fair?"

Starting over is something that definitely falls into the 'easier said than done'-category. Buffy and Remus are doing their best to move on, and get used to the changes and the new turn their life has taken, but it's not easy...especially not when living on a Hellmouth.

CENTRAL PAIRING: Buffy/Remus

OTHER PAIRINGS: Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya

Special Thanks to: My Beta – CharmedChick

"I spy with my little eye, something that begins with...T."

"Tree?"

Willow pouted. "How did you know?"

A snort was heard from the passenger-seat. "The only thing in a miles radius is you, me, the car we're sitting in, the pick-up truck in front of us, the road we're driving on and the sky above us. Neither of these things begin with a 'T'. The only thing left is the trees."

"Oh. Right. Stupid logic," Willow muttered, then she lit up. "I know something else with a 'T'. Tara."

Tara laughed. "That might be it - but I was not what you were thinking of."

"But you were- you're always on my mind," Willow said with a cheesy smile. Tara grinned and leaned over, looking her girlfriend seductively in the eyes.

"Prove it."

Willow grinned back. "My pleasure...oh, CRAP!" Willow burst out, turning her eyes back to the road, and stomping hard on the breaks as a girl wassuddenly flung out of the truck in front of them, and landed on the road, coming to a stop first after rolling several meters. Tara flung her door open even before their car had stopped completely, and rushed out towards the girl.

"Are you okay! Can you hear me!" She looked up at Willow who climbed out of the driver's seat. "We need to get her to the hospital."

Willow nodded, and pulled up a cellphone. "I'll call ahead and tell them to expect us." She started todial a number, muttering jokingly to herself at the same time. "So much for our romantic drive in the moonlight..."

"And you're sure she's one of us?" Faith wondered, looking at Willow and Tara.

"Well..." Willow hesitated. "Of course we don't know...not until she wakes up...but it seems to fit. Right?" She looked around the assembled people in Revello Drive's living room.

"Right. 'Cause as far as we know, there's no one else enjoying torturing teenage girls and leaving them to die other than the First," Anya said. "Except rapists. Or murderers. Or psycho-bitches. Or all three of them."

"Thanks, Anya, for that...very interesting input. It cleared up a lot." Giles said, sighing, pulling off his glasses to start cleaning them. "Willow's right. She certainly fits the profile, and it's worth checking into."

"So then we wait," Buffy said. "Until she wakes up, there's nothing we can do. Someone should be at the hospital with her. She shouldn't be alone when she regains consciousness."

"I can do it," Remus raised his arm. "As Giles says, I'm the only one who doesn't have a life. Kidding," he then said, as he saw everybody look at him. "Mostly," he added under his breath.

"Oooh, I volunteer too!" Molly said, waving with her hand enthusiastically. "You know, we could bond, potential to potential, chosen to chosen." She frowned. "Although I'm not sure what we would talk about...I've never been gutted up before. I've never been to an American hospital before either. Do they sell cookies? They always sold cookies in the hospital I went to as a kid. Cookies and tea."

Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Oh, grow up..."

"Well...if someone's supposed to represent the future Slayer-line, I'm not sure Molly's the way to go," Annabelle sniffed. "No offense to you, but you're not exactly exemplary material for representing our calling."

Molly stuck out her tongue.

"Molly and Remus it is," Buffy said, after she finished gulping down her coffee, effectively putting an end to the discussion. "The rest of you lot: Training in the backyard with Faith."

"And what are you gonna do then?" Rhona asked. "Sit here?"

"No," Buffy pouted, putting down her now empty coffee-mug. "I have a job to go to."

"You're firing me!"

"Yes."

"YOU are firing ME?"

"Yes."

"YOU'RE ACTUALLY FIRING ME!"

"YES!" Wood sighed, burying his dark, bald head in his hands. "How many times do I have to repeat myself: You're fired. Effective immediately. Go home."

Buffy slumped down in the chair in front of the Principal's desk.

"Oh My God. I just knew this was too good to last. Buffy Summers and High Schools, no matter the business there...it always ends with me being thrown out. "

Wood looked amused. "Buffy...there's no work for you here. Everyone's leaving town. Everyone. Half the kids don't even bother showing up anymore. And I thought you should be happy. Now you have time over for the more pressing matters. Such as the big war and the dead..."

"...little girls, I know." Buffy sighed, and stood up, walking towards the exit. Then she spun around, stomping back to the desk. "You can't be firing me!"

Wood groaned. "Buffy..."

"No! You canät fire me! Not like this! Let's do it right. Say it again."

"Huh?"

"Say it again: Say you're firing me. If you're gonna do this, I have to do this my way."

Wood stared at Buffy,breathing deeply and quietly countingto ten, before opening his mouth. "Miss Summers. You're fired. Effective immediately."

"Too late," Buffy snapped, drawing herself up to her full (albeit very short) height. "I quit. I want a letter of recommendation on my desk and a full months extra pay for the suffering this will cause me." She then stomped around the desk to the wall-cabinet, opened it, rose it out of the way, and grabbed a long silver sword, pointing it at a now gawking Wood threateningly, moving slowly towards the exit without moving her eyes from the Principal.

Wood kept gawking even after Buffy had left, before shaking his head and burying his head in the paper work. Only to be interrupted as Buffy came striding back in, returning the sword to its place.

"How did I do?" She asked excitedly, grinning widely and bouncing on her heels. "Even though you're not Snyder and this isn't the library, I think it brought back memories. Was it realistic?"

Wood stared at her like she was crazy. "Very," he finally said in a short tone.

Buffy's grin widened even further in pleasure and she started to dance her way out of the room. Wood sighed and returned to his pile of papers once again. It took five whole seconds before Buffy stuck her head back in through the door. "I should have been an actress."

"Right," Wood said, without looking up. "Go home." He heard the door close. "And for God's sake, get some sleep. Or cut down on the alcohol or whatever it is you're high on," he muttered to himself.

"Hey, Faith," Remus greeted as the dark-haired Slayer stepped into the hospital room. "I thought you were training the potentials?"

"Oh, I was," Faith said. "But I had B take over. She looked- and sounded- like she had a lot of extra and un-needed energy to get rid of. Not that I think the potentials can give her much a challenge."

"Buffy's back? Already? I thought she was at work," Molly frowned.

"And she was. Until she got fired. Or quit. Or whatever. She was a bit fussy on the details, you know?" Faith turned to Remus again. "And overly chirpy. Does she have a PMS problem or something? Except that she gets all happy-go-lucky instead of grumpy?"

"Uhh...not that I know of..." Remus said slowly, staring at Faith like she was mad.

"Right." Faith shrugged, ignoring Remus' look. "You should check on her when you get back. I think the stress is finally getting to her. And I think the chick's awake," she added, as she saw the possible potentials eyes flutter open.

Remus stepped over to the bed, making slow motions so he wouldn't scare her.

"Hey. My name's Remus Lupin. Do you know who you are?"

"Shannon," the girl croaked. "Where am I?"

"Sunnydale hospital," Faith spoke up. "That's Molly over there, and I'm Faith."

"Oh, thank God," the girl breathed. "You're a Slayer?"

"Uh-hu."

"Do you remember what happened?" Molly asked, grabbing Shannon's hand supportively. For once, she was actually serious.

Shannon nodded. "I was being hunted. By these men...they had black robes and...no eyes..."

"Bringers," Faith said knowingly. "Continue."

"I ran...and as I got to the main road, a car picked me up...he was a-a minister or something. At least he looked like it." She choked. "And I was so grateful that he'd saved me. Until he started to speak...he said I was dirty...and that those...Bringers...where his boys. And then he burnt me." Shannon pointed to her neck, removing a bandage to reveal a circular burnt mark. Remus frowned and pulled out his wand. "This won't hurt...just hold still," he mumbled, pointing his wand at the wound and muttering a spell. Then, he pulled the wand away, muttering another spell, and an empty photograph appeared out of nowhere. Molly and Shannon was staring, transfixed, and even Faith looked interested, as Remus pointed his wand at the empty photo and mumbled a third spell, and an exact copy of Shannon's wound appeared on it.

"Wicked," Molly breathed, turning to Shannon with a grin. "Remus can do the coolest thing- he does this cracking thing, that's really awesome, and- "

" - Then what?" Faith wondered, interrupting Molly's rambling. "Was that when he stabbed you and threw you out of the truck?"

Shannon shook her head slowly, putting the bandage back in its place. "No. He gave me a message to give to the Slayer. Then he stabbed me...and then he pushed me out."

"What was the message?"

Shannon swallowed, hesitating. "H-he said...he said it was for the real Slayer...Buffy."

Faith clenched her fists. "I'll make sure she gets it," she said through gritted teeth.

Shannon nodded, apparently not noticing. "Alright..."

"'I have something of yours?' That's what he said?"

"Yeah. And feel special, B," Faith said, grinning. "It was meant for you specifically. Do you know him or something? Maybe you've had an affair?" She said, her eyebrows waggling suggestively.

"It could be anything," Buffy muttered, pacing around the kitchen, ignoring Faith's comment. "Another potential...a weapon...if...maybe..." she sighed. "We know nothing about this guy, Faith. What he had...it could be anything...anyone- or nothing. It could be a trap. Who knows what he's capable of."

"And I don't care. I say we go there, take back whatever he says he has, and get out. Fast. Simple. And fun." Faith grinned, shrugging.

Buffy let out a frustrated cry. "But my point is that we're walking blind. We know he looks like a priest, and that's it."

"So more research?" Faith groaned. "B, I see your point, I do, but sitting around looking for facts that don't exist...it's not my thing. I say we find him and kick his butt. He's one man. We're two Slayers, one with magic, plus we've got one vampire, two wiccans, an ex-demon and a carpenter, not to mention your mojo-swinging boyfriend - and we have an army of potentials in desperate need of experience- and exercise. I say the odds are in our favor."

Buffy frowned. "Yeah...but who knows what he's got at his disposal? Shannon said the Bringers were his."

"We've taken out several Bringers before. I don't see the problem." Faith complained, swinging an arm around Buffy. "Come on, B. Don't you ever want to cut loose? Do something wild and crazy? And I don't mean in the way you was acting earlier - that was just plain weird."

Buffy flushed. "You noticed that, huh?"

"Yeah. I mean, honestly. Were you high or something?"

"I might have drunk a little too much coffee," Buffy mumbled.

Faith snorted, clearly not believing her. "Right."

"I was! Buffy and coffee don't mix."

"If you say so. But honestly, B, come on!" Faith pouted. "I want to kick some ass- we have a priest that is in serious need of being kicked, and we're Slayers - the chosen two!" She flung out with her hands. "I don't see the problem- we can take him. Easily! If you really want to, we can check the place out first, to make sure he doesn't have any super army of demons waiting or something. Are you in or not? 'Cause if you're not, I'll just go by myself."

Buffy sighed. "Fine. But we're checking the place out first. And we bring the others. I'm not ready to die yet, and neither are you, I expect, so we should have back-up."

Faith shrugged. "You're the boss."

"No eyes, but look at him," Faith said, nodding towards the Bringer they were following. "Is he Daredevil or something?"

Buffy snorted, and then quickly interrupted herself, giving Faith a glare. "Be quiet!"

"You're so tense B," Faith said, grinning widely. "Doesn't wolf-boy keep you satisfied?"

Buffy gave Faith another glare. "I don't see how my sex-life- "

"- Or lack thereof," Faith added.

"- Has got anything to do with this." Buffy paused, before adding: "And my sex-life is just fine, thank you very much. Fantastic even."

Faith chuckled. "Whatever you say B."

"It is!" Buffy insisted, then frowning. "Whenever we get the time."

"Or place. Which is never," Faith said knowingly. "Considering the floor in your room is overcome with potentialsof all ages with the beginnings of super-hearing."

Buffy gave her a long look. "I am so not discussing this with you," she finally said, turning her attention back to the Bringer.

Faith snickered.

"I'm bored," Faith whined. "Can we head back? It feels as if we've been walking for hours, and there's no sign of anything or anyone else in sight."

"Which might very well be what the priest wants us to think," Buffy said calmly, keeping moving through the bushes.

Faith groaned. "Remember what I said? About cutting loose? Have some faith!"

"I think you have more than enough for both of us. And I also think we've found the nest," Buffy added.

"Or in this case...the vineyard. What kind of guy lives in a vineyard?" Faith frowned. "Either way, I doubt we'll stumble upon an army in there. It's too small."

"Looks can deceive."

Faith rolled her eyes. "I think you make this harder than it has to be."

"It never hurts to be prepared. I'm moving closer."

Faith rolled her eyes. "I think not. Let's go back. We're wasting timeon nothing. It'll just bethe priest andmaybe one or two Bringers in there. Probably drinking their asses off. The Bringer we were following really looked like he wanted a refill. I doubt we'll meet much resistance. If any."

Buffy gave the vineyard one last, long look, before turning back. "Fine."

Faith grinned. "Yay."

"So B had a plan - "

" - It was mostly Faith's," Buffy corrected.

"Right. Whatever. You're too modest, B." Faith grinned, before turning back to the group of Scoobies and potentials, sitting in the living room, looking up at the two Slayers attentively. "Anyway, we've been looking around a bit, and we found the priest in a vineyard, alone, except possibly a couple of Bringers. So we think we should go there, take the bitch out, grab whatever he stole from us, and get back. We get some action, the potentials some real life experience and we reach our goal. Piece of cake."

"Good initiative, Faith," Giles said, nodding towards the dark haired Slayer appreciatively. "Doing some reckon first and not rushing into things. Very good."

Faith grinned, looking pleased. Buffy was silent, not bothering to correct Giles. It would just make her seem petty and jealous.

"Well, B wanted to bring all the potentials, but I think that's a little unnecessary. I say we bring those who've been here the longest. The first eight - Kennedy, Annabelle, Molly, Chloe, Rona, Vi, Amanda and Chao-Anne. The rest can stay behind."

"What if that's what he wants? To lure us away- the old bait-and-switch. It might be a trap." Spike spoke up.

"That's what I said," Buffy muttered to herself, but no one seemed to hear, except Remus, who gave her a sympathetic look.

Faith shrugged. "Willow, Tara, Joyce an Anya could look after them. You too, Spike. That way, we're guarded in all directions, right?"

"That's good." Giles said. "I'll stay behind as well, I think."

"Alright- everyone who comes along, grab a weapon," Faith clapped her hands together.

"This is crazy," Rona whined. "Brining us into battle. I came here for protection, not to fight."

Kennedy shrugged. "Then stay behind. I'm sure someone else will be happy to take your place. This is what I've been waiting for."

"Plus, you heard what they said," Annabelle spoke up. "They checked the place out first- or at least Faith did. Not sure about Buffy. She seems to be mostly in the way."

"Or put us in danger," Chloe nodded. "Remember when the First was here, living with us? Buffy was in the same room, and she didn't notice. If Faith hadn't showed up, we never would have known."

"It couldn't really hurt us," Molly frowned. "Non-corporeal, remember? Plus, if Faith hadn't gone to that Potential's place, we never would have known anyway."

"Yeah, still, I think Faith's cooler. She at least seems to know what she's doing," another Potential said. "Buffy seems insecure. Like earlier. She didn't even take credit for her plan in case we would have thought it bad."

"That's not insecure. That's modest," Vi said.

"Same thing," Kennedy shrugged. "Either way, Buffy has always seemed to be the weak link in the chain to me."

"You sung another tune when she kicked your ass," Molly sing-songed. Kennedy glared, and opened her mouth to retort, but suddenly, Xander came in and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Ladies. You're not fighting, are you?"

"No," Kennedy smirked. "Molly and I just have to agree to disagree."

Xander sighed. "Is this the whole who's-the-better-Slayer-gig?" He rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Let me tell you something. Both Faith and Buffy have their strengths and weaknesses. They are both just as good, but in different ways. All in all, they complement each other. And I might have known Faith longer, but I knew Buffy first, and let me tell you: She doesn't let herself be pulled down. She died, but she came up kicking. When Buffy returned, I was unfair to her, I regret that, and I'm trying to make it up to her. I don't care if I'm never forgiven, 'cause I won't forgive myself. I deserve it. 'Cause she's one hell of a girl- no, woman- and one hell of a Slayer. You're scared? That's smart. You got questions? You should. But don't doubt her motives, and don't doubt for a second that she can protect you. She cares more about you than you'll know. Trust her."

The potentials looked at each other. Suddenly, someone cleared a throat. Xander spun around. "Buffy! Faith! Hi!" His voice sounded strangely high-pitched. "You heard that?"

"Every word," Buffy said, her eyes glassy as she walked up to Xander and gave him a long hug. "And just so you know - I forgive you."

"Well, as much as the whole teary reunion thing is very touching," Faith said, "we've got a priest to kill."

"Okay," Buffy took a deep breath as the vineyard came into sight. "My suggestion's this- set up a perimeter and guard the door. I don't want anything getting in behind us. I'll take my team first - Remus, Kennedy, Annabelle, Molly, Chloe and Rona. Faith - you, Xander, Vi, Amanda and Chao-Anne are back-up, if that's alright with you, Faith?"

"You're the boss," Faith said, shrugging.

"And don't you forget it," Buffy added jokingly, before returning to focus. "If this, against all odds, is a trap, we give the signal, and you guys come in, guns a-blazing. Or crossbows. You get the picture."

"So what's the signal, oh, high and mighty Buff?" Xander asked.

"Lots and lots of yelling."

"Got it."

"Let's go."

Molly entered the vineyard behind Remus, who had his wand raised, looking around nervously. "What is this place?"

"A vineyard," Kennedy stated, sounding annoyed. "Or weren't you listening earlier?"

"I know that!" Molly snapped, then shuddered. "It just...gives me the creeps."

"Go home then."

"Guys, please," Remus hissed, looking over at Buffy. "Buffy?"

"I'm fine...it's just...it feels as if it's too easy. Shouldn't we have met at least some resistanceby now? Where are the Bringers we followed before?"

"My guess? To your left," Remus said. Buffy quickly turned her attention to the Bringer, and after three kicks, she broke its neck.

"Look out!" She yelled at the potentials, as she got sight of a second bringer. Kennedy quickly fired of her crossbow, impaling the bringer in the heart, and he fell to the floor, dead.

"Good work," Buffy nodded, and was about to keep walking again, when suddenly, a man stepped out of the shadows.

"Well, now you girls are just burning with righteousness, aren't you? Problem is, you think you're blazing like suns, when really you're burning like matchsticks in the face of the darkness. You having fun? Now, I hope my boys haven't worn you out too much...I need you fit for when I purify you."

Buffy stared at the man incredulously. "So I guess you're the priest, huh?"

The priest smiled. "Call me Caleb."

"Whatever. I heard you have something of mine."

Caleb chuckled. "Well, I do now. You liked my little message, did you? You know, I ruined a perfectly good knife on that girl. Got her soiled blood all over the place. I may have to get a new truck."

Buffy narrowed her eyes.

"So, you're the slayer. The slayer. The real one - the other one might think she's the one, but really-she's just the reserve. You're the leader. The strongest, the fastest, the most aflame with that most precious invention of all mankind - the notion of goodness. The slayer must indeed be powerful." Caleb smirked, and before Buffy had time to react, he swung out with his arm, hitting Buffy with a punch that sent her flying across the room. He grinned smugly. "So, what else have you got?"

Remus, who's eyes had widened in shock as Caleb sent his girlfriend flying, didn't waste any time. He raised his wand and sent of a spell, but Caleb ducked out of the way, and pushed Remus down. Remus tried to get up, but Caleb grabbed his shirt, head-butting him and then sent him flying to the other side of the room, right into a wine tank, that burst apart, and the red liquid started to spray out across the room, washing Remus into a corner, where he came to a stop, unconscious.

"Let's go!" Kennedy yelled, and just as she was about to kick at Caleb's back, several Bringers appeared out of the hidden shadows, attacking her and the other potentials, except Molly, who had hurried over to Remus' side and went undetected. Caleb spun around, and grabbed Kennedy, grinning all the while, before throwing her into a stack of wine barrels.

"Kennedy!" Rona yelled, and started to make her way towards her, only to be grabbed by Caleb. "I don't think so, Miss." Rona screamed, as Caleb broke her arm and sent her reeling back in agony. He chuckled and picked up a fallen knife, which he tossed to a Bringer. The Bringer swung back, ready to plunge it into Rona's abdomen, only to be interrupted by an arrow.

"You really have a thing for stabbing people, don't you?" Faith sneered, charging at Caleb, while the rest of her group started to fight the Bringers.

"Buffy!" Xander got sight of his blonde friend, and rushed over. In the mean time, Caleb was looking Faith up and down.

"Well, look who wants to come out and play. So you're the other one."

"The name's Faith," Faith bit out, punching at Caleb, who caught her hand in his easily.

"Faith. As in the faith of the God's. Do you pray?"

"Not really, no," Faith said, kicking out with a leg. Caleb smirked, and hit her hard over the head, sending her crumbling to the floor.

"You should." He kicked her hard in the side, and she was sent flying, straight into Kennedy, who had just gotten up. "It might save you from the fires of hell."

Caleb grabbed Annabelle, who came rushing towards him, with a sword, easily snapping her neck. "Or maybe not." He grabbed Annabelle's sword, smirking.

"NO!" Molly rushed towards Caleb, leaving Remus' side, as the werewolf sat up, looking slightly groggy, but alive.

"MOLLY, NO!" Remus screamed, and he stood up, shakily, lifting his wand, only to have his eyes widen as he saw it was broken in a half.

"Yes," Caleb said, as he neared Molly, who realized her mistake and started to back up, frozen in fear. Caleb smirked, as Molly raised her arm to stab him, but he easily grabbed her arm, and then her neck, lifting her off the floor. On the other side of the room, Buffy stood, and started to rush towards Caleb, but was intercepted by Bringers and had to fight them off.

"So you're his favorite?" Caleb asked, nodding towards Remus, who now seemed to be wandlessly gathering a large ball of swirling icy blue flames in his hand. Beads of sweat was dropping from his forehead.

"Do you think he likes you enough to save you?" Caleb whispered in Molly's ear. Remus raised his arm, and sent the ball towards Caleb, who didn't even blink as the ball hit his back, dissipating. "That made me all itchy," Caleb stated out loud, then smirked at Molly, who whimpered. In the background, Remus was moving closer, as he was conjuring another ball of flames- this time a sparkling red. "I guess he doesn't," Caleb whispered again, before plunging the sword he was holding in between her ribs. Molly let out a gasp and her eyes widened, before she slumped to the floor as Caleb let go off her, dead.

"NO!" Buffy had finally fought of the Bringers, and she rushed at Caleb one more time, avoiding his punches, and even landing a few of her own.

"I'm impressed," Caleb stated, then punched Buffy hard in the face: Blood came rushing out of her nose, and from her lips. "Or maybe not." Suddenly, Caleb let out a scream of surprise as his clothes caught on fire, and Buffy saw her chance and punched the priest hard - this time, it was his turn to fly across the room. Buffy caught sight of Remus, his hand still sparkling red from the newly thrown fire-ball. He was sweaty and panting hard, and his eyes were glassy.

"Rem!"

Remus sunk down to his knees beside Molly, in the red wine that covered the floor.

"We have to retreat," Buffy said softly, putting a hand on his shoulder, but didn't get a reaction. "Remus, please," Buffy begged. "Don't fall apart on me now." Remus looked up at her, and without a word, he lifted Molly's body up from the floor, and made his way towards the exit, Buffy covering his back, keeping the Bringers at bay.

"EVERYONE, RETREAT!" Xander yelled, helping Kennedy up. "Let's go."

Faith punched a Bringer hard, one last time, before scooping Annabelle's body up from the floor and rushing out, followed by Rona and the other potentials.

"Buffy!" Xander yelled at his friend, waving at her to hurry up. Easier said than done, as all the Bringers were rushing at her and Remus at the same time, now that the rest of the gang had left. He didn't notice Caleb sneaking up behind him, his robes still smoking, but with the fire put out. He didn't notice until Caleb had spun him around - and then it was too late.

"You're the one who sees everything, aren't you? Well, let's see what we can't do about that." Caleb plunged his thumb into Xander's left eye, gouging it out, making Xander scream in agony. "You're the heart too, aren't you? We'll see if that's the case when I've cut it out."

"XANDER!" Faith yelled from the exit, coming back in, wondering what was taking them so long. She charged at Xander, thinking it better to get him - and herself - away from Caleb, instead of charging at the priest one more time and get her ass kicked- even Faith had to admit that was the most likely scenario. They both fell to the floor, several feet away from Caleb, who looked on, but not doing anything to stop them, as Faith jumped to her feet, and helped Xander up, along with Vi who'd rushed in after her, and they each supported one of his arms, stumbling towards the exit,along with Buffy and Remus, who'd finally caught up with them.

"I'll bee seeing you," Caleb said to the eerie silence that was left behind, standing alone in the middle of the destruction, his dark eyes glinting. The First stepped out from the shadows behind him, dressed in the form of Molly.

"I can't wait," she said softly.

Remus and Buffy dug Annabelle and Molly's graves in silence. The only sounds heard was the occasional sobbing from a potential. Finally, the graves were finished, and the two girls' bodies were dumped down into them. Without a word, Remus went inside, giving his shovel to Faith so she could cover Molly's grave up. Buffy looked after him a long time before she started to cover up Annabelle's grave. She'd never felt so guilty. This was all her fault. She let out a long sigh and took a look at the dark haired Slayer working beside her. Faith's face were like stone. No expression was revealed there, but Buffy thought she must feel guilty as well. After all, it had been both their plan...Buffy shook her head to clear her thoughts, and shuffled another shovel, full of dirt and sand, onto the open hole in the ground.

After they were done, Buffy went inside and found Remus sitting in the living room, his broken wand in hand. He looked defeated, and his eyes were puffy, as if he'd been crying. Buffy stepped up to him.

"You need help with that?"

"Huh?" Remus looked up at Buffy, and then down at the broken wand again. "Oh...right. Sure." He gave the wand to Buffy, who pulled out her own and started to mumble a complicated repairing spell. Slowly, the wand seemed to fuse itself together, but it still looked a little bent.

"I think that'sthe best I can do...I'm not Ollivander...it might act a little wonky, but - "

" - It's fine," Remus said quietly, cutting her off. "Buffy..." he stood up, sighing, placing his hands on Buffy's shoulders. The Slayer flinched away, out of his reach.

"What?"

"Can we talk? I-I really need...well...I need...actually, I'm not sure what I need," Remus finished, letting his arms fall down his sides.

Buffy bit her lip. "Maybe later. I-I'm sorry, but I think I need to be alone." She turned on her heel, and ran out of the house, knowing very well that if she stayed, she'd break down. Again. And everyone would think her weak. Again. Plus, she wouldn't be able to stand the accusations Remus- and everyone else- was surely going to throw at her. She didn't notice Remus' hurt and wounded look.

As Buffy left, Giles and the rest of the Scoobies came inside.

"Ah, Remus," he said. "Just the one I was looking for. I-I have a mission for you. For you and Spike actually. I-I think it would be good for you to get away for a bit." He looked sympathetic. "You...had a special bond to Molly. I understand that being here...it must be hard."

"Does Buffy know?"

"What?" Giles looked surprised.

"Does Buffy know about the mission?" Remus asked, sounding slightly impatient.

"Oh. O-of course. It was her idea, actually, but she wasn't sure you'd want to leave her."

Remus thought it over for a few seconds. It might do him good to get out...distance himself for a bit. Even if it was with Spike. And if Buffy wanted him to leave... He sighed. It was obvious Buffy needed some distance herself right now. "I'll go," he finally said, although a bit hesitantly. "If you're sure Buffy is okay with this..."

"Excellent." Giles grinned, and clamped down a hand on his shoulder. "I'll keep everything under control, don't you worry. And Buffy's just fine."

Buffy sighed as she finally returned, several hours later. She'd been patrolling the streets, taking her anger out at every evil thing that moved, and felt she now had a little better perspective on things. She couldn't be blamed for what happened- of course, she would still blame herself, but that was another matter entirely. And Remus...well, looking back, she realized he'd honestly just wanted to talk. And she'd brushed him off, when he obviously needed to be comforted. She was such a bad girlfriend. And he'd been nothing but supportive. She opened the door to Revello Drive, and stepped inside, frowning, as she found the house empty.

"Hello?"

"Oh, hello, Buffy." Giles smiled, coming out of the kitchen with a cup of tea. "You're back. Good. I had some entries I wanted to look over with someone..."

"Where is everyone?" Buffy wondered, shrugging her jacket out.

"They're all out. Partying, actually. Faith thought the Potentials needed some fun, and I agree."

"Partying?" Buffy said, staring at Giles incredulously. "We have an apocalypse on our hands, and they're out partying?"

"Yes."

Buffy let out a frustrated cry and started to pace around the room. "Remus too?" She finally asked, not wanting to believe he'd be in on this...bloody madness...really - the world was ending - and they go out partying.

"Eh...no." Giles pulled off his glasses and started to clean them with his sweater. He looked uncomfortable. "I sent him on a mission. With Spike."

"What?" Buffy hissed, after getting over her shock. "You sent Remus away? Why? Spike I understand; I don't like him, and for the most part no one else does either, so it's no wonder you don't want him around, but Remus? Why would you do that?"

"Buffy," Giles said patiently, and talking very slowly, as if talking to a small child. "You need to understand- we are not running things your way. You are not the one in charge. And that's lucky, considering what has happened."

Just as Buffy opened her mouth to wonder what the hell Giles was playing at, the door opened, and the Potentials and Scoobies came in, laughing and joking. Buffy turned her attention to them. "Where have you been?" She asked, crossing her arms. "I can't believe you people! Where the hell are your priorities! You go out, partying, when we're having trouble up to our necks! There's an apocalypse out there, people!"

"Chill, B," Faith said. "We all needed some fun. We've lost two friends."

"Exactly! And this is how you honor their sacrifice? By trying to PARTY the troubles away?"

"Sacrifice?" Kennedy wondered. "That's what you call it? They were murdered."

"Yes," Buffy snapped. "I know. They were murdered. By a priest. Caleb's his name. Remember him? Evil. Super-strong. Kicked our butts easily. Maybe we should focus on finding out what the hell or who the hell he is?"

"B, just stop talking," Faith sighed. "That's the only thing you do. Talk."

"And lead us into death-traps," Chloe muttered, and a murmur of agreement were heard. For a second, Faith looked uncomfortable.

"Well...she couldn't have known," she said, knowing very well in her own (and much bigger part) in all this.

"No. But she should have," Rona said accusingly, her arm heavily bandaged. "If you truly cared about our lives, you would have checked that mad priest out before we rushed straight into his nest. We trusted you. And you practically lead us all to death."

"We can't have you as a leader, Buffy," Willow said softly. "I'm sorry, but we can't. We don't know each other anymore, and trying to pretend anything else is just denial. You don't know us- you don't care about our lives."

"Is that what you think?" Buffy exclaimed. "That I don't care? Well, I do care. Hell, I think I care too much. I made a mistake, I admit that. Anyone could do the same, and if I remember correctly, you were all in on the plan. You thought it was brilliant, even!"

"Don't try to blame this on us," Xander spoke up from the couch, his eye heavily bandaged. "You screwed up. Deal with it. Buffy, I stood by you. I trusted you. And it might be the hole were my eye should be that's talking, but...you broke that trust. You lead us all into battle...without knowing what you were getting into."

"Xander's right," Giles said. "You're growing reckless."

Buffy spun around to face Giles. "I see how it is. You've planned this. Sending Remus away so I wouldn't have anyone to stand by me..."

"Oh, come on!" Giles exclaimed. "You're chasing ghosts, Buffy."

"You know what? I'm sick of you," Kennedy snapped, the other Potentials nodding in agreement. "You are nothing without your boyfriend. If he's not here, then you fall apart. It's pathetic, and we can't have someone like that as our leader."

"Yeah. For once in your life, take responsibility for your actions and don't run away. But I guess that's what you do best," Joyce spoke up softly.

"Mum..."

"No, Buffy. You can't keep going on like this. You have to grow up."

Buffy stared around the room, gawking. "So it's back to that again, huh? I disappear, and you think it's my fault. Then you find out that's not what happened, and you go all apology. And then, I make one mistake...and you think I'm running away from my problems. Again. Who's running here? I'm not the one who goes partying when things become too hard for you to handle! People are dying! Molly and Annabelle are dead!"

"Exactly," Giles said. "They're dead. And you're responsible."

Buffy opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Speechless, she turned to Faith, hoping that she would back her up and tell them the truth...but Faith turned her head the other way, refusing to meet Buffy's eyes. "Guys..."

"You don't know us, anymore, Buffy," Joyce spoke up again. "And we don't know you. We can't trust you. And you can't trust us. Without trust...you can't lead."

"You're not a leader," Giles said. "You come back into this world, after years of absence, and think you're in charge. News flash: Things change. And if you can't deal with that, if you can't deal with the fact that you are not number one, that you have fallen back to the end of the line instead of standing at the front...then you shouldn't be here at all."

"You're throwing me out? I live here! I can't believe you're doing this..."

"We're not throwing you out, Buffy," Willow said. Joyce looked up at her daughter.

"We're giving you a choice, darling. Make it."

Buffy stared at them, hoping for any kind of recognition, any sign that someone - anyone - would stand up for her. But none did. Those that weren't looking at her in disgust, mistrust or with otherwise hateful looks, weren't meeting her eyes at all.

"Fine." Buffy snapped, swallowing. "You want me to make a choice. Fine. I'll make it easy for you." She stalked towards the hallway, pushing her way past the many potentials standing in the way. "You don't want me here, so I'll go. But don't come crawling back to me when things go wrong."

"Well, with the problem out of the way, I don't see what would go wrong," Kennedy snapped.

Buffy narrowed her eyes and looked around the room one last time, before grabbing her jacket. "Screw you," she finally said, and with that she opened the door.

"Yeah, 'cause that's so mature!" Rona called after her, as the door slammed shut.

A/N: So much for that friendship, huh? God, I am so mean...please, keep reviewing! Not many chapters left to go!

/Ida