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 Six

Once Megan leaves, everyone remains silent for a few minutes, as if to make sure it's safe to talk again. Finally, Tara speaks, "Um . . . Were there any more prophecies? I don't mean to be rude, but we should probably know everything before we plan what to do."

Buffy smiles wanly. "It's OK, Tara. You're not being rude. You are right, though."

Jeff responds, "I think there is another prophecy that we haven't dealt with." When he finishes speaking, he looks over at Angel.

Angel had put the photocopied pages down on an end table and subconsciously moved towards Buffy when their daughter had made her unexpected appearance in the doorway. Nicholas is the first to see the pages on the table, and he picks them up.

He flips through them quickly and finds the prophecy they hadn't read yet. "OK. Well, this seems pretty basic."

Cordy gets impatient. "What? What's basic? Just read the prophecy."

Nicholas looks at her amusedly, then complies. "Only a great concentration of faith will avert the end."

Buffy speaks, after calmly listening to everyone else. "So we all have a part in what's going to happen. We all have to work together."

Willow agrees with her. "Sure. I mean, every other apocalyptic situation we've survived, we had to work together. Why would this time be any different?"

Xander speaks, "Yeah. Why would this be any different? But . . ." He looks at Buffy, concerned. 'What are we going to do about Megan? That prophecy was serious. I mean, most of them usually are."

Buffy responds, "We'll have to protect her. Find out a way to keep her home on New Year's Eve."

Anya speaks up, "We could probably get Michael to help. He is her best friend, so he wouldn't want her to get hurt."

Xander interrupts her, "Honey, I think he's a lot like I was in high school." He looks meaningfully at Buffy. She looks back at him, understanding what he's saying. He continues speaking, "I've suspected it for a while, but the close call with the car verified it for me."

Willow looks like she doesn't understand at first. Then, the light bulb clicks on. "Oh!"

Cordy, the only other person in the group who really knew Xander most of their time in high school, speaks, "What are you guys talking about? You were a freak in high school. Michael isn't a freak."

Angel responds to her reaction. "Cor. They're saying Michael likes Megan."

Cordelia gets embarrassed. "Oh. Sorry."

Xander accepts. "It's OK. I knew what you thought of me. You only told me practically every day during high school." He grins.

Everyone goes back to the original line of conversation. Angel comments, "You know, Anya, you may have a good idea there. If we could get him to watch Megan, it certainly would free the rest of us up to fight."

Buffy interrupts this time. "We'll probably have to get Spike involved."

Victoria responds, "I'll tell him if we run into him tonight when Nicholas and I go out to patrol."

Buffy speaks again, "I don't mean to change the subject again, but do you have anywhere to stay?" She directs this question towards Jeff and Travers.

Jeff speaks, "No. We didn't get a chance to stop at a hotel before we came over here."

Buffy continues, "Well, we have one more guest room, or you could use the couches down here. I mean, in either case, I couldn't guarantee someone wouldn't have to sleep on the floor, but we have sleeping bags, and plenty of blankets."

Jeff accepts, "Sure. It would certainly make it easier to deal with the prophecies." He looks at Angel. "Could you show us where you keep your resources?"

"Sure. They're down in the basement." The three men head down to the "library."

When the Watchers have left the room, following Angel, the others continue talking.

Riley speaks, "Do we know what we're up against?"

Willow responds, "Probably a lot, since we all have to be involved. This is not some little tiny demon that is easy to get rid of."

Xander interrupts, "Like that fear demon? That was actually pretty funny. Well, after the whole "our fears manifesting" thing was over with."

Willow gives him a look. "In any case, I wouldn't worry about Megan today. I don't

think we should ruin their holiday yet."

Gabriella agrees, "Sure. At the earliest, we should discuss it tomorrow, but it doesn't seem to be necessary, yet."

Riley does not seem to want to get off topic that easily. "Hey, guys. What're we going to do about this "forces of darkness" prophecy?"

Buffy replies quickly, "We'll research, possibly do some training, especially for the people who haven't really fought before, and organize something, like we usually do. Hey, maybe we should teach Megan and Michael some defense tactics. Oh, and Will, do you think you could set up some magical protection, and possibly find a way to contact spirits?"

"Sure. Why?"

"Maybe we should get Giles in on this. I mean we figured we'd all have to get involved. Maybe he can help in some way? Besides, I think it'd be nice if he could meet his son."

Tara speaks up, "That would be kinda cool. And, magically, most likely possible."

Victoria stands up. "Nicholas and I are going to go. We'll call later to tell you if we ran into Spike and told him what's up, or if anything seems strange. " They leave after saying their good-byes.