The end of school neared. Buffy was sitting in history, counting the seconds as they passed by. Fifty. Forty nine. Forty eight. Forty seven.
"So, in conclusion, what caused the first world war?" Mr. Clifton asked. He searched the room for volunteers. No avail. "Mr. Gregory?" The boy whose hat was pulled over his eyes, a typical sleeping tactic used by most the student body, remained in leaned forward position. "Mr.Gregory!" the teacher yelled. One of his friends kicked his foot, making his head spring up to attention. "Nice for you to fit my class into your busy sleeping schedule."
"No problem," he replied.
Twenty-five. Twenty-four.
"So you can tell me what caused the first world war?" Mr. Clifton questioned, his arms folding over his chest.
"Ignorance," Hal Gregory slowly said, watching for an assuring look from the teacher.
"Ignorance of…"
"Ignorance of… people."
"Of people. Well, I can see you're really stretching this thin, so if I may I'll jump in. World War I started because of intense nationalism in Europe throughout the 19th and into the 20th century. Not to mention rivalry among its nations and hostile military alliances." The bell released its noise of freedom. "Be sure to read chapter fifteen and answer the questions that follow."
The students who weren't already out the door couldn't hear the assignment over rustling papers and the slamming of books. The teacher went behind his desk and prepared his bag to bring home.
Buffy walked down the halls to the library. On her way past her locker she met with Willow, Oz, and Xander. "Hey guys," she said happily.
"Someone's chipper," Xander observed.
"School's over for the rest of the day and the following two days. I'd say that's means enough to smile."
"Here here," Oz seconded.
"I'm gonna meet you guys at the library. I have to rendezvous with Cordelia."
"She too cool for our meetings about the undead and soulless?" Buffy asked.
"Buff, she's friends with Harmony, that can't possibly be the reason." He turned and ran down the hall.
"That boy's whipped like cream," Buffy said as she watched him nearly fall as he rounded the corner. They all shrugged and headed to the library. Giles was in his office looking through some books. "Hey Giles."
"Buffy." Giles slipped his glasses back on and walked out to join them. "You ready for some training?"
"It was an okay day, thanks. But enough about me, how about you?"
"Oh yes. How was your day?" Giles said with a smile, entertaining her.
"No, see I already answered the question sarcastically. New subject." Buffy moved over to the counter.
"That would be training," Giles reminded.
"A subject other than that." Giles gave her a stern look. "Can't you just have bad news about stuff that's happening like normal watchers?" Just then Spike came walking in dressed in his black attire and leather coat. "Spike!"
"Hello luv." Spike walked over to Buffy and gave her a kiss.
"What are you doing here? Wait, how are you here?"
"It's rainin'. No direct sunlight. Grey clouds as far as the bloody eye can see."
"That's definitely of the not good," Buffy stated.
"I've been out dustin' vamps most of the day."
"Isn't that sweet?" Buffy asked her friends.
"Better than candy," Willow assured.
"I never even noticed the rain. Are you sure?" Giles asked Spike.
"Actually now that you mentioned it, it could've just been a quick spell. Then again, if it had stopped, the sun would be shinin' through that window on the ceiling, right Rupert?"
Everyone observed the dark firmament through the skylight. The sound of the rain was pretty loud as well. "Sounds like it's coming down hard," Willow said.
"This definitely wasn't the quick drizzle type," Spike inputed.
Xander walked in, soaking wet. He shook his hair dry and ran his hands through it. "It looks like we need to start loading up animals two by two." He took notice of Spike's presence. "What's the undead English patient doing here?"
"Hey, I was out slaying vampires all day while you were sittin' at a desk doin' nothin'. So why don't you sod off?" Spike directed to Xander.
"I would've been out there if I didn't have school."
"Doin' what? You're not that much help in the field."
"Hey, I do plenty pal."
"Oh yes, running your head into their fists is a great strategy."
"Knock it off!" Buffy yelled. "While you two are fighting there are vampires out there probably looking for a snack." Buffy turned her attention towards Giles. "Sorry Giles but the training date's gonna have to wait." Buffy grabbed her bag and took Spike's hand. "C'mon." Everyone followed her out.
"So Xander, how'd it go with Cordelia?"
"Well, after she yelled about how her convertible top was down and now contains a generous size swimming pool, she suggested we should stay apart tonight."
"Suggested or told?" Spike asked.
"I'm sorry did it sound like I wanted your opinion?"
They walked outside and were welcomed with screaming. Xander recognized the red shirt and black skirt. "Cordelia!" He ran ahead, not even considering the fact he was weaponless. The male vampire pulled her close and she screamed as he moved in for a bite. Xander charged him from the side and knocked him over. Cordelia crawled a couple steps then stood up shakily. She looked back and saw her boyfriend lay a punch against the demon's face, how brave. When he tried to punch him again, the vamp blocked it and punched him in the stomach. Then he grabbed the back of his shirt and tossed him to the ground.
Buffy blocked the next punch. "That's not very nice." With that she tossed him across the pavement. She walked over to the patch of grass across the way where he landed. The vampire did a back kick, which Buffy blocked with her left arm. She backhand punched him in the face and jabbed her elbow in his gut. She blocked the next kick with her forearm and brought an upper cut to meet his jaw. He tried to punch her face but Buffy dodged it and kicked his side twice. She pulled a stake from her jacket and plunged it into his chest. He screamed before turning to dust.
Cordelia snapped out of her near death replay, it's not like it was the first time, and ran over to her boyfriend. "Xander!" She crouched down beside him. "Xander?" She leaned her head down to see if his eyes were open. He made some noises of pain. "You're all right!" She gave him a big hug, falling onto the wet, dirty pavement.
Xander was a little surprised but quickly returned the embrace. He looked down and noticed she was on the ground. This was a big deal because she hated feeling dirty let alone be dirty. She pulled away and punched his arm. "Ow."
"You scared me. I thought you were hurt!"
"Sorry?" Xander said, unsure of what she wanted to hear, and feeling very confused.
"You better be." She helped him stand up. "But thank you."
"You're welcome," he said with a smile. He leaned in and kissed her. She pulled his face closer and kissed him deeper. Between kisses he said, "I'm gonna help Cordelia home. Ya know, make sure nothing else happens to her."
"You do that." Buffy knew what they were really going to do.
Xander and Cordelia hopped in her car and sped off. "It's nice to know who you can count on," Spike said, walking towards Buffy and wrapping his arms around her.
"Leave him a alone Spike," she said nicely. "He deserves some fun too. We had ours early this morning."
"And more later right?"
"We'll see." Buffy moved away from him and shot him her sexy, alluring smile.