Title: The Beginning of a New Age

Author: Kristin Hulett

Summary: The extended Scooby Gang gets together for the holidays. When two unexpected guests arrive with a series of prophecies, the celebrations are somewhat unceremoniously halted.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to own any of the characters established on either Buffy or Angel. Those characters are all the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. However, all characters that are new to this story, the children of Buffy, Angel, Xander and Anya, Christopher Bishop, Gabriella, Victoria, Nicholas, and the representatives from the Watcher's Council, and the concept of this story are mine. In any case, nobody sue me, because it would be pointless. You wouldn't get much.

Time Period: 2020, about ten years after the end of "Immortal Miracles".

Part Two

The entire extended Scooby Gang had arrived to celebrate the holidays. Buffy had planned a big party for Christmas Eve, and checked with Willow to make sure she wouldn't be offended. It was organized that Cordelia, her boyfriend, Oz, and Gunn would stay with Buffy and Angel, while Riley, Gabriella, and Wesley would stay at Willow's house.

However, that night the entire group descended on the Bronze to party with Xander and Anya, with the exception of Felicity and Jamie, who were home with a sitter.

"So, Cordy, how's LA these days?" Buffy asks.

"Well, there haven't been any big demon rulers or anything, which I guess you'd know since we haven't called to get help. I've been busy helping Chris make his movies."

"What about the rest of you guys?" Angel comments. "Not that what you've been doing isn't important, Cordelia."

Wesley answers. "I've been researching the minor demons we've fought, to be assured that nothing big is going to occur. Gunn has been taking care of the remaining vampires in the city, after he slayed the ones that killed his sister."

Gunn speaks up. "I think they are in hiding, too afraid to come out and bite anyone. By the way, who's out "doing security", since we're all here?"

"Well, Victoria is probably out patrolling with Nicholas, and Spike is probably out there, too." Buffy responds. Almost simultaneously, Angel asks if she wants to dance. They go to the dance floor, followed by Xander and Anya, and Cordelia and Christopher.

Around midnight, Buffy goes and finds Megan and Michael. "OK, guys. It's time to leave. You still have school tomorrow. Then it will be winter break, and you can stay out longer." After a few minutes of arguing, the two teens follow her back to the adults. The entire group heads out the door to walk home.

After Xander, Anya and Michael split off to go to their apartment building, Cordelia makes a comment to Buffy. "I still can't believe you have three kids. Although Jamie is really adorable."

They arrive at Buffy and Angel's house, and the people staying with Willow and Tara start getting into their cars to head over there. Megan goes immediately into the house. A couple minutes later, the adults follow her in. Angel pays the sitter, and she leaves to go home.

Fifteen minutes later, the adults all head up to their rooms. Buffy stops off to check on the kids, and then goes to her and Angel's room and goes to bed.

The next day, at school, Megan barely makes it through her classes because she is anxious about the start of winter vacation. Finally, the last bell rings and she is allowed to go home. She quickly stops at her locker to drop off her books, and heads off the school grounds.

Michael leaves his last class a few minutes after his best friend, due to an impromptu student-teacher conference about his grades. As a result, he misses Megan in her rush out of school. He ends up about ten feet behind her. He sees her crossing the street in front of the school, and a few seconds later he sees the car speeding towards her.

Michael breaks into a sprint towards Megan, yelling her name. She stops to see who is calling her. Michael launches himself into a flying tackle to collide with her, knocking her out of the way to hit the grass across the street.

By this time, the other students leaving school have realized what almost happened. One girl runs to get Buffy, knowing that Megan's her daughter. In a few minutes, she comes running out and stops by where the two teenagers are sprawled on the grass. Megan is starting to sit up, looking dazed, and Michael looks like he is in pain, with his left arm twisted underneath him.

Buffy and Megan help Michael get up carefully, favoring his arm, and they all go to Buffy's car.

"I'm taking you guys to the doctor, especially to check out your arm, Michael, and to make sure neither of you have anything majorly wrong with yourselves." Buffy says when she starts the car. "But first I'm calling your house, Michael, to tell your parents what happened." She pulls out her cell phone and dials the Harris apartment.

A few seconds later, Anya answers. "Hello?"

"Hi. Anya? It's Buffy. I'm calling to tell you that I'm taking your son to the doctor's."

"Why? What happened?"

"Apparently, Megan almost got hit by a car, and Michael knocked her out of the way. I don't think either of them actually got hit, but I think Michael landed on his arm. I figured I would tell you so you wouldn't be surprised when he gets home."

"They almost got hit by a car!!!"

"They're fine. I'll drop Michael off at home after we're done at the doctor's."

"OK. I'm glad they're not hurt badly. I guess I'll see you guys later."

"Bye."

Not long after this phone conversation ends, they pull into a parking space in front of the doctor's office. Buffy herds the teens into the waiting room.

About half an hour later, both of them are examined and they walk out of the building. Michael is wearing a cast on his left arm, which is the only visible wound on either of them.

A few minutes later, Buffy pulls up in front of the apartment building where Xander and his family live.

"I'm going up with you, Michael. Megan, you can stay here or come with us. I'm giving you the choice."

Megan decides to stay in the car while her mother and best friend go up to the apartment. Five or ten minutes later, Buffy returns to the car.

"I'm sorry. I had to explain that Michael's arm wasn't a life-threatening injury to Anya. Ready to go home now?"

Megan just nods, obviously too deep in thought to answer verbally. Buffy starts the car and they head home.

When they arrive, Angel meets them at the door.

"You're late! What happened? Are you all okay?"

Buffy answers. "We're fine. We just had a minor emergency. Did Felicity get home fine?"

"Yeah, I picked her up. What do you mean, a minor emergency?"

"I'll tell you, if you let us get inside the door to sit down."

Half an hour later, Buffy and Megan had told their story to the adults in the house. Angel is the first one to speak.

"I think we're staying in tonight. Cordy and you guys can go out if you'd like, but I think these two have had enough excitement for today."

Oz speaks up. "Do you think we should tell the others about this? I mean, I would want to be told about something like this if I was in their situation."

Buffy responds. "Yeah. I guess we should call Will. But I'm too worn out, so could someone else let her know?" The adrenaline that was a result of her fear for her daughter and her best friend had dissipated, leaving Buffy exhausted.

"I'll call her and then I'll call for some takeout, so you don't have to worry about cooking dinner." Angel replies.

Cordy adds. "I think we'll stay in tonight. We've already been to the Bronze earlier in the week and besides, it's no fun without a big group of people. And we can help clean up after dinner, too."

And so, the night was planned.