Chapter 60: The Wish

Willow rifles through Buffy's weapon bag nearby - frantic. "Oh, God, Oh, God - Demon, demon - what kills a demon?!"

Buffy hears this - tries to talk, unsuccessfully. "Knurrppppph!" She is unable to flame.

"Oh! Nurf? Not nurf! Knife!" Willow says as she snatches an athame from the bag. She tosses it to Buffy - who catches it and thrusts it into the demon's belly. The demon bellows and dies. Both he and Buffy fall to the ground with a painful thud.

Xander and Willow move to Buffy - help her to her feet.

"Okay. That was too close for comfort. Not that slaying is ever comfy... But you know what I mean. If you guys hadn't been here to help-" Buffy says.

Willow appears to be shaken, "But we were. And we did. And we're all fine. Isn't he gonna go poof?"

Buffy shakes her head, "I guess this kind don't. We'll have to bury him or something. Makes you appreciate vampires and most other demons. No muss, no fuss."

"How come Faith was a no show? I thought the mucussy demons were her favorites." Xander says.

"Couldn't reach her - again. She hasn't been hanging out much. Off by herself." Buffy says.

"I detect worry." Xander says.

Buffy nods, "Little bit. Slaying's a hard gig – too much alone time isn't always healthy. Stuff gets pent up."

"We should try to do more socializing with her." Willow says.

"Well, burial detail aside, does this cap us off for the day?" Xander asks.

"You got plans?" Buffy asks.

"I cannot stress enough how much I don't have plans." Xander says.

"No luck reaching Cordelia?" Buffy asks.

Cordelia had recently broken up with Xander after she had caught him and Willow kissing.

"I left a few messages, sixty or seventy..." Xander says. "And you know what bugs me? Okay, we were kissing, it's wrong, but I know that was positively the last time we ever would have kissed."

Willow nods, "Darn tootin'."

"And they burst in, rescuing us without even knocking, I mean this is really all their fault." Xander says.

The girls look at him.

"Your logic does not resemble our Earth-logic." Buffy says.

"Mine is more advanced." Xander says sheepishly.

Willow nods, "At least tomorrow's Monday. Another school day."

"That's right. Focus on school. Focus on yourself. That's the strong Willow way to heal." Buffy says.

"Actually - I was more thinking "Oz will be there and I can beg for forgiveness."" Willow says.

Buffy nods, "That works too."

"I want to be strong Willow. But then when I think I might not ever get to be close to Oz again... it's like all the air goes out of the room." Willow says.

Buffy sighs, "I know the feeling."

They rise. Buffy grabs the demon's legs. Her friends immediately flank her, ready to help drag him off.

"Right. You've been through it all with Angel and you're still standing. So, tell us, wise one, how do you deal?" Xander says.

Buffy contemplates. Then, simply, "I have you guys."

They start to drag him off toward the bushes.

The next day at Gateway High Buffy joins Willow - who is looking more than a little anxious.

"How's it going?" Buffy asks.

"Oz hasn't been to his locker. There may be books in there that he needs, but still he doesn't come." Willow says.

Buffy nods, "What about Cordy? Has Xander seen her?"

"I don't think so. But she is coming in today. Amy saw her last night at the mall." Willow says.

Buffy nods, "How was she?"

"I don't know. Amy said she looked pretty scary." Willow says.

That evening at Payson's Xander sits with Buffy and Willow, watching people on the dance floor - trying not to look suicidal. Some loud laughter draws Xander's attention. Cordelia and Anya stand at another table - with boys, and having a high old time.

Xander takes this in - laughs at a remark of Buffy's. Not satisfied that they noticed, he continues to laugh until he is bellowing. He stops when he realizes that he is a grotesque freak.

Cordelia and Anya look at him, at each other - what a loser. Actually, Buffy and Willow share not entirely different looks.

"Excuse me? I need to be both giving and receiving mirth. Is it too much to ask for a little back up?" Xander asks.

Buffy sighs, "I don't know, Xand. I'm here for you. I'm supporto gal. But I feel kind of funny doing the "us against Cordelia" thing. She's had a rough time."

"It's true. Cordy belongs to the "justified" camp. She should make us pay. And pay and pay and pay and pay... In fact, there's really not enough "pay" to make up for-" Willow says.

"You want to do guilt-a-palooza? Fine. But I'm done with that. Starting this minute - I'm going to grab a hold of that crazy little thing called life and let it do it's magic heal-y thing. What's done is done. Let's be in the moment. Behold the beauty that is now! Who's with me?" Xander says.

"It's true. We're young and free in America... How dare we be spun by love - or the lack of same?" Buffy says.

"Absolutely. It's self indulgent. I'm in. I'm on the joy train." Willow says.

A long beat as they all smile. Bop their heads to the music - look around at passing people.

"That didn't work. Who wants chocolate?" Buffy says.

Willow and Xander raise their hands - Buffy moves off.

Xander absently covers Will's hand with his - worrying it as he glances at Cordelia. "Look at her. Tears of a clown, baby. Or, more like, grins of a sad person. Or is it-"

Willow looks at Xander's hand. Cuts him off. "Xander. Your hand."

Xander realizes what he's doing. Takes his hand off hers. "Oops. Sorry. But why - "oops?" We've always touched digits. It's just friend stuff. Comfort - like chocolate."

"Maybe it used to be. But now that we... It's different." Willow says. "I'm sorry. But if I ever want to make things right with Oz - my hands, my... everything - they have to be for him only."

Xander takes this in - nods. And they just sit there. Silent and uncomfortable.

Buffy's in line when she sees Cordelia saying good night to Anya and heading for the door. She watches as Cordelia tries to conceal a wince of pain when someone bumps into her. Buffy makes a decision. Follows Cordelia outside. "Hey, Cordelia? Wait up."

Cordelia rolls her eyes. Stops. "Did Xander send you to beg for him? because if he did-"

"I'm a free agent, I promise. I just wanted to see how you are." Buffy says.

"Never been better." Cordelia says as she starts to walk away.

Buffy pursues, "No - hey... I was just going to say - if there's anything I can do... If you need anything-"

Cordelia nods, "You know what I need? To be rid of Xander and all things Xander – like his spooky entourage." She starts off.

Buffy stops her one more time. "Please. Cordelia. I know what it's like to be hurt by someone. Hurt so much - you think you're not going to make it." Cordelia hears this. Her eyes flick to Buffy. "The only thing that helped? I told my friends how I felt. And it got a little better."

Cordelia looks like she might relent. She starts to say something when - BAM! A large vamp jumps Buffy. She throws him.

"Do you mind? We were talking!" Buffy says. Vamp comes up again, Buffy punches him, "Cordy, look –" right into Cordelia. They fall into a pile of garbage bags and cans. "— out."

Buffy powers up a fireball and throws it dusting the vamp.

Cordelia emerges from a large heap of trash, holding her side and clearly hurting. Her designer dress is ruined and she's covered in garbage. To add insult to injury - Harmony and the other Cordettes come out of Payson's and see her in this disheveled state. They can't - nor do the try to - contain their glee.

Cordelia turns on Buffy, fuming. "You know what I've been asking myself a lot this last week? Why me? Why do I get impaled? Why do I get bitten by snakes? Why do I fall for incredible losers!? And I think I've finally figured it out. What my problem is. It's-"

The next day at Gateway High…

"-Buffy Summers. That's when all my troubles started. When she moved here." Cordelia says.

Cordelia and Anya walk amid the usual hustle and bustle on their way to class.

"You okay?" Anya asks.

Cordelia nods, "Oh - I pulled some stitches last night. Know why?" She nods across the courtyard to Buffy, Xander and Willow - who sit together in a grassy area, doing schoolwork and talking. "Surprise! It was Buffy's fault!"

Harmony passes. Sneers. "Loved the look last night, Cor. Dumpster chic for the dumped." She flitters off and Cordelia stops - looking tired.

Anya takes off the pendant she wears and drapes it around Cordelia's neck. "Here. You need this more than I do right now."

"Yeah, I could use some luck - and a big stick with pointy sharp bits. If that Buffy wasn't a slayer, I swear-" Cordelia says.

Anya nods, "She's a pain - but Xander's an utter loser. Don't you wish –"

"I never would have looked twice at Xander if Buffy hadn't made him marginally cooler by hanging with him." Cordelia says.

Anya, standing a bit before Cordelia, turns to look at the group. "Really..."

Cordelia nods, "Oh, yeah. I swear... I wish Buffy Halliwell had never come to San Francisco."

Buffy looks at Cordelia and Anya as her Slayer hearing picks up what Cordelia said, "Oh sh…"

Anya turns toward Cordelia - revealing that her face has become a hideous demonic visage. She smiles - a horrible, brown toothed, evil grin - and utters in a gnarly, Deep voice, "Done."

Cordy gasps - and stops. Wide eyed. Looks around her. Anya is nowhere to be found. In fact, where a moment before the courtyard was full of people - now only a few kids move skittishly to class. "Anya?" She looks around, but Anya's history. Cordelia takes this in. Looks and sees where Buffy and friends were. There is no one there.

Then Cordelia realizes that she's not in pain anymore. Checks her torso where her wound was. It's GONE. Totally healed. She now looks at the pendant Anya gave her. "I wish Buffy Halliwell had never come to San Francisco." She smiles as the realization sets in - she got her wish. "She was, like, a good fairy. A scary, veiny - good fairy..."

After school it's almost dusk as Cordelia, digging in her purse for her keys, marches toward where she left her car that morning. She's now pretty freaked. She reaches the parking lot and stops in her tracks. Her car is gone. In fact - there are no cars anywhere in sight. The parking lot is totally empty. "Okay. Not funny!"

Cordelia starts pacing - sees the caretaker hustling past. "Hey! You! Where'd you put my car!?"

The caretaker stops. Looks at Cordy quizzically. "Pardon?"

"My auto!? El convertab-lo?" Cordelia asks.

The caretaker shakes his head. She's talking nonsense. "You students aren't allowed to drive and you know it."

"What?" Cordelia asks shocked.

"Go on now, miss. You better get yourself inside before the sun sets." Caretaker says and he scurries off, leaving Cordelia speechless.

Later it's just past dusk and Cordelia, now officially freaked, walks quickly home. All the stores and restaurants are closed, many are boarded-up. It's like a ghost town.

In the distance - Cordelia hears a faint scream. She starts, takes a deep breath. Starts to run. Rounds a corner and slams right into Xander.

Xander catches her - smiles. He's dressed to kill in black leather pants, long dark coat... And his skin is deathly pale. "Well, what do you know? Cordelia Chase."

Cordelia yanks herself out of his grasp. "What is this - some kind of sick joke? Harmony told me you were dead."

"Now why would she say something like that? Let's think..." Xander says.

"Whatever. Just - listen to me. We have to find Buffy. She'll figure out a way to save us. She was supposed to be here and - as much as it kills to say it - things were better when she was around-" Cordelia says.

"Buffy - the slayer?" Xander asks.

"No. Buffy the Dog Faced Girl. Duh! Who do you think I'm talking about?" Cordelia says.

"Bored now." Willow says. "This is the part that's less fun, when there isn't any screaming."

Prue, Piper and Phoebe walk up smiling.

"She's right, Xander." Prue says.

Cordelia, stunned anew at seeing Willow, stammers, "What - what is up with you five and the leather?"

Willow comes to Cordelia, getting into her personal space in a way that is both menacing and sexual.

"What's going on?" Cordelia asks stepping back.

"Play now?" Willow asks.

Xander puts his arms around Willow - pulls her back, nuzzling her. "Not that I don't appreciate your appetite, Will... But I thought we agreed it was my turn."

Piper nods, "Xander is right, Will. It was Xander's turn."

Cordelia can not believe her eyes. "No. No way! I wished us into bizarro land and you guys are still together? I can not win!"

Xander turns his attention back to Cordelia. "Probably not-" And with that Xander face morphs into vampface. "But I'll give you a head start."

Cordelia screams - starts to run. Xander and Willow watch her for a long beat.

Willow smiles. "I love this part."

Xander kisses Willow hungrily - taking his time. "You love all the parts."

"It's always fun when they run." Phoebe says.

Xander takes off after Cordelia at an incredible speed. He catches her and hurls her to the ground. Her head hits the pavement with a sickening crack. She's out cold.

Xander stands over her. Willow, Prue, Piper and Phoebe comes up from behind - pouting.

"No fun. She didn't even hardly fight." Willow says.

Xander snatches Cordelia up off the ground. He's about to bite her when he's stopped by a screeching of tires. Oz's van, with Ozas the wheel man, squeals to a halt at the curb. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Xander and Willow glance at each other - incredulous.

"Oh swell. It's the white hats." Prue says.

Giles, Larry and Nancy, jump out of the van. Giles holds Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Xander and Willow off with a large cross. "I've got them. Get the girl!"

Larry and Nancy drag Cordelia into Oz' van. As soon as they are safely inside, Giles jumps in and they take off. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Xander and Willow just watch, more amused than anything.

"Those people need to find some hobbies." Phoebe says.

At the library Cordelia lies on the table in the library - Giles' coat folded under her head. She's still out like a light. Giles takes her pulse - Oz, Larry and Nancy stand nearby.

"How's she doing?" Oz asks.

"Her pulse is strong." Giles says.

"What was she doing wearing blue? Everybody knows vampires are attracted to bright colors." Nancy says.

"That's Cordelia. It's better to look good than to feel... alive." Larry says.

"Go watch the perimeter - in case those vampires followed." Giles says.

Oz, Larry and Nancy gather weapons and exit.

At the Bronze the place is hopping - but the clientele has changed. It is now only vamps who move in and out of the place. Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Willow and Xander.

There are vamps everywhere - representing a bevy of eras... All partying. They smoke, dance... A few feed on helpless victims.

Xander greets a seventies looking vamp who stands with a cue stick by the pool table - upon which a fresh male victim is gagged and bound. "Slap my hand, dead soul man..."

Xander and the buddy slap. Then the 70's looking vamp chalks up his cue... Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Willow and Xander pass two large vamp guards and move through some velvet curtains into a private room.

Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Willow and Xander approach a high backed chair. The Master rises and turns to them. "Ahhhh. Xander, Willow, Prudence, Phoebe and Piper.

The Master, irritated, reaches into the chair, lifts up a beautiful young girl – who is bitten but still squirming.

"Hungry? I lost my taste for this one. She kept looking at me. I'm trying to eat and she looks at me..." The Master says.

Prue, Phoebe, Piper, Willow and Xander hesitate. But Phoebe and Will are licking their lips.

"Go on." The Master says.

Phoebe and Willow morphs to vampface, they grab the catch - bites into her with relish. Phoebe and Willow drags her away to finish the job.

The Master watches them, wistful. "I remember that lust for the kill..." He shrugs off the reverie. "So. Any news from the street?"

"Had a prime kill - an old crush, actually - but that wannaslay librarian showed up. A sad loss." Xander says.

"He'll be dealt with soon enough." The Master says.

"Weird thing: Girl kept talking about Buffy, we had to get Buffy here. Isn't that what they call the Slayer?" Prue says.

Phoebe and Willow returns. Wiping the blood from their mouths.

"Buffy." Phoebe says. "Ooooh. Scary."

Xander nods, "Someone has to talk to her people. That name is striking fear in nobody's heart."

They notice that the Master's expression has turned grave.

"This girl spoke of summoning a slayer here? Now, of all times? And you didn't kill her?" The Master says.

"Well, they had crosses –" Phoebe says.

The Master pounds his fist onto a table. Seething. "The plant goes into operation in less than 24 hours! You find that girl and kill her before she contacts the Slayer – or I'll see all of you kissing daylight."

In the library Cordelia stirs and starts to moan.

Giles runs from his office. Moves to her.

Cordelia manages to focus - sees that it's Giles. Tries to talk sense. "Giles. It's my fault. I wasn't- I made this stupid wish-"

"Please. You must be still-" Giles says.

Cordelia, frustrated, tries even harder. "No! You have to get Buffy. Buffy changes it. It wasn't like this. It was better. I mean, the clothes alone... But people were happy - mostly - and... Wait. Why are you here? And she's not.. I mean, you were her Watcher."

"How did you know I was a Watcher, I never –" Giles says as he stops. Turns, listening.

"What?" Cordelia asks.

"Thought I heard something." Giles says as he moves quickly and quietly to the book cage. Throws open the cabinet. There are just a few weapons left in there - he grabs a cross and a long stake. "I want you to start again and explain everything very carefully.

As Giles turns back the door slams shut in his face. Phoebe and Willow grins at him, holds up the keys. Behind them, Xander holds Cordy from behind, his hand over her mouth. Prue and Piper stand beside Xander. All of them in vampface.

"You're in a big cage." Willow says.

"Not too bright, book guy." Xander says.

Furious, Giles slams the cross up against the bars of the cage. Willow and Phoebe starts back, growling.

"So you're a Watcher, huh?" Prue asks.

Xander smiles, "Watch this." He sinks his teeth into Cordelia's neck... Her eyes go glassy with shock. Staring at Giles.

Giles watches - horrified - from the cage. rips it, trying to shake the door free - but it's no use.

Xander looks to Willow, Prue, Piper and Phoebe as he feeds. He nods and Willow latches onto the other side of Cordelia's neck. Prue and Piper each grab one of Cordelia's wrists and latch on to them as Phoebe stands watching smiling. They drain her in symbiotic ecstasy.

Giles is like a deer in the headlights as Cordelia's lifeless body drops in front of the cage.

Prue, Phoebe, Piper, Xander and Willow bail without ceremony. Their business attended to.

Giles just stares. Then he gets a cudgel from the weapon cabinet to break the lock on the book cage door. It finally gives and the door flies open. He moves to Cordelia, checks her pulse - although his expression betrays the fact that he knows it's a futile gesture.

Oz and Larry enter, both looking shell-shocked and bloodied. Giles looks up from Cordy's body.

"They hit us right outside." Larry said.

"Nancy?" Giles asks.

"Dead. One of the witch vamps got her." Oz says.

Giles nods, "Would you mind - could you take her body to the incinerator? I've got some business..."

Oz nods, "Yeah." He and Larry start to gather Cordelia up - take her off. They are just about out the door when Giles stops them.

"One moment." Giles says as he leans down - takes the pendant Anya gave Cordelia off her neck. Then indicates that they can go. Without further comment, Oz and Larry take off.

Back at the Bronze Prue, Piper, Phoebe, Xander and Willow enter the private room.

"The deed is done." Prue says.

The Master nods, "You killed the girl who was looking for the slayer?"

Willow flops into a chair.

"It was too easy." Xander says.

"I felt cheap." Willow says.

The Master smiles, "Excellent. The opening will commence as scheduled."

"So - you're pleased?" Phoebe asks.

The Master nods, "Ecstatic."

"Then... Can we play with the puppy?" Willow asks motioning between herself and Phoebe.

"Be my guest." The Master says.

Phoebe and Willow are clearly delighted by this news.

In the library Giles is on the phone. "...yes, I understand, but it's imperative that I see her. Here. Well, when will you...? You are her Watcher, I would think she'd at least check in to... Yes. I'm aware there is a great deal of demonic activity in Cleveland. It happens, you know, that Sunnydale is on a Hellmouth... it is so!" He gives up. "Just give her the message, if you ever see her again."

Giles. hangs up, frustrated. He sighs. Opens a research book.: There will be no sleep tonight.

At the Bronze Willow and Phoebe approach a cell.

"Bored now." Willow says.

Phoebe nods, "Daytime is the worst."

"Cooped up for hours. Can't hunt..." Willow says.

Angel lies curled on the floor - perhaps sleeping. Perhaps hoping they'll go.

Willow moves along a wall, choosing from a row of torture implements, finally taking a long, rusty pair of scissors. "But the Master said we could play."

Phoebe unlocks the gate, as she and Willow go inside the cell. "Isn't that fun, puppy?"

No answer.

"Puppy's all quiet. Come on. Don't be a spoilsport." Willow says.

"I know you like it when we come." Phoebe says.

Willow crawls on top of Angel - sits on his back. Runs her hands through his dirty hair... Then, without warning – violently yanks his head back. He grunts from the strain - but still says nothing. She leans down - gets in his face – licks him. Then whispers... "Guess what today is? Today the plant opens, it's a big party."

"You remember we told you about the plant." Phoebe says.

"All those people you tried to save... It'll be quick for them." Willow says.

Phoebe grins, "Not for you, though. It's gonna be slow for you."

Angel takes this in - clearly distraught by the news. And again - lightning fast - Willow flips him so it's his chest she's sitting on.

"That's right, Puppy. Willow and Phoebe's gonna make you bark." Willow says.

Phoebe reaches down grabs his shirt rips it open. Buttons scatter. Angel's chest is covered in horrible blistering wounds. "Oooh. Maybe we went too hard on you last time..."

Xander lights a match and throws it on top of Angel's chest, where it hisses and burns. Angel writhes, trying not to scream. "Too hard? No such thing."

Willow looks up - sees Xander standing at the bars - a box of matches in his hand. "Watch it with those things. You almost got my hair."

Xander moves into the cell. Hands Willow the box of matches. Runs a hand lovingly over her head. "Sorry. Carried away." He takes a seat in the opposite corner of the cell.

"Don't you want to - ?" Phoebe asks.

Xander shakes his head, "No thanks, baby. I just want To watch you two go."

Phoebe and Willow smiles. They turn back toward Angel. Willow lights a match.

In the library Giles, excited, enters from his office - another book in hand. "Here it is. Look." He puts the book in front of Larry and Oz, who sit at the table carving stakes.

The book is turned to a picture of Anya's pendant. The actual pendant sits beside it on the table.

"It's what Cordelia was wearing. The symbol of Anyanka." Giles says.

"Don't think I know her." Oz says.

Giles nods, "Anyanka raised a demon to ruin her unfaithful lover. The demon did her bidding - but then cursed her and turned her into a sort of... patron saint for scorned women. Apparently, the cry of a wronged woman is like a siren's call to Anyanka."

"What does she do?" Larry asks.

"She grants wishes." Giles says.

"Cordelia wished for something? If it was a long and healthy life, I think she should get her money back." Oz says.

Giles shakes his head, "Well, she said something about everything being different. The world wasn't supposed to be like this. That it was... better... before. . ."

"Okay, the entire world sucks because some dead ditz made a wish? I just wanna be clear." Larry says.

Giles shrugs, "I'm not sure. She said the Slayer was supposed to be here. To have been here already."

"Well, that certainly woulda been helpful." Oz says.

Giles nods, "I've tried to contact her, but..." He closes the book. "I'm going to need to research this Anyanka further. I have some volumes at home... or, I think they're at home... I'm a little rusty with all this..." He heads out. "You two get some sleep."

"Watch your back." Oz says.

Giles is heading home when something catches his eye down the street. He slows.

A large truck with a cheery sign on the side that reads "SAN FRANCISCO LOVES RECYCLING!" is stopped on the street. And it looks as if a number of San Francisco citizens are being forced into the back of the truck by two vamps.

Giles pulls over, grabs his cross and some stakes. He jumps out of the car. He moves toward the truck. He thrusts his cross at the vamps - grabs a few of their intended victims away from them. "Run!"

And they do - taking off down the dark street as fast as their trembling legs can carry them. Giles reaches out for another helpless woman when the third vamp lunges at him from around the truck - bringing him to the ground. Giles' cross and stakes fly from his hands and go skittering onto the pavement.

The vamp comes to pick Giles up.

"Put him in the truck!" A vamp says.

Suddenly the vamps are gone having been dusted by someone. Giles looks up at… "Buffy Summers?"

"That's right..." Buffy says as she turns. She is dressed down for combat, black shirt and fatigue pants. Her hair is pulled back and tight so it won't get in her eyes. The cross on her necklace isn't there as an accessory. And on one side of her face she sports a significant battle scar. "Want to tell me what I'm doing here?"

Later at Giles apartment Giles has been going through books. Buffy stands, not helping.

"Aha! Here. In order to defeat Anyanka, one must destroy her powercenter. This should reverse all the wishes she has granted, rendering her mortal and powerless again. You see, without her powercenter she'll be just an ordinary woman again and all this will be different. I'd say my watcher muscles are not completely atrophied after all." Giles says.

"Great. What's her powercenter?" Buffy asks.

"Dyeh - Ahhum, doesn't say." Giles says.

"Why don't I put a stake through her heart?" Buffy asks. "Or a fireball up her…"

Giles shakes his head, "She's not a vampire."

"You'd be surprised how many things that'll kill." Buffy says.

"I don't want to kill her, Miss Summers. Merely reverse whatever effect she has had on this world." Giles says.

"You're taking a lot on faith here, Jeeves." Buffy says.

"Giles." Giles says.

"Kill the bad fairy - or destroy the bad fairy's powercenter, whatever – and all the troubles go away." Buffy says.

Giles shakes his head, "I'm sure it's not that simple, but..."

"World is what it is. We fight and we die. Wishing doesn't change that." Buffy says.

"I have to believe in a better world." Giles says.

Buffy nods, "Go ahead. I have to live in this one."

Giles is frustrated: tries another line of reasoning. "Cordelia knew that I was meant to be your watcher. She said she knew you –"

"She was probably just a big fan." Buffy says.

Giles nods, "The Master sent his most vicious disciples to kill her. She must have posed some threat to him. He's up to something... those people being herded in vans - I know he's behind it."

"The Master." Buffy says.

"Supreme vampire in these parts. Lives on the outskirts of town, in an old club." Giles says.

"You know where he lives? And nobody's even tried to take him out?" Buffy says.

Giles shakes his head, "People have tried..."

"Well, point the way. Might as well do some good while I'm here." Buffy says.

Giles shakes his head, "You can't just walk in and –"

"You wanna stay here and play make believe, fine - I'm not gonna be any help to you anyway. There's one thing I'm good at. The kill." Buffy says as she picks up her crossbow.

"At least lets muster some kind of force –" Giles says.

Buffy shakes her head, "I don't play well with others. Now I'm gonna ask you once, and then I'm gonna become cranky. Where's this club?"

Later at the Bronze, Buffy comes in a back way - is surprised to find the place completely empty. She wanders past the stage, the bar. Nothing. It's deserted. She finds the stairs leading down to the cells.

Angel is huddled in a corner - trembling. His head on his knees. Buffy sees this. Sees that he's not the Master. She's about to go when Angel looks up at her.

For a brief moment they lock eyes. Angel is astounded. He knows her. But Buffy registers less than nothing. Turns again to leave.

Angel finds his voice - moves to the bars of the cage, desperate. "Buffy? Buffy Summers?" Buffy stops. Turns back. "I - it's you. I mean, you don't remember - how could you? But-"

"How did you know my name?" Buffy says suspiciously.

"I waited. I waited here for you. But you never... I was supposed to help you." Angel says

Buffy eyes his cage - his wounds, dubious. "You were gonna help me."

Angel nods, "The Master rose. He let me live - To punish me. I kept hoping – maybe you'd come. My destiny."

Buffy can't believe her ears. "Is this a "get in my pants" thing? You San Francisco guys all talk like I'm the second coming."

"I'm... sorry. I just meant-" Angel says.

Buffy's run out of patience. "I don't have time for stories. Where's the Master?"

"They're at his factory. It starts tonight." Angel says.

"Factory?" Buffy asks.

"I - I can take you there." Angel says hopeful.

Buffy considers. Gives him the once over. Then she kicks the door of his cell open. She waits for him to exit but he's already gone as far as his chains will allow. Exasperated - she starts to break his shackles - then her cross swings toward him. Angel instinctively backs off. Buffy observes this. Gets it. "You've got to be kidding." She starts to walk away - leaving Angel bound.

But Angel calls after her. "Wait! I won't hurt you."

"No, you'll leave that to your Master." Buffy says.

"You don't believe I want to help you." Angel says as he opens his shirt. "Believe I want him dead."

Buffy looks at his wounds, at his face. Considers.

At a Processing Plant The Master, stands near a conveyor belt that runs the length of the room. On one side of him stand Willow and Xander, on the other side of him stand Prue, Phoebe and Piper - all decked out for a fancy ceremony. They all face a cheering throng of vampires.

The Master, jubilant, is addressing the assembled crowd. "Vampires! Undeniably, we are the world's superior race. Yet we have always been too parochial. Too bound to the mindless routine of the predator. Hunt and kill... Hunt and kill... Titillating? Yes. Practical? Hardly... Meanwhile –the humans, with their plebeian minds, have brought us a truly demonic concept: Mass production."

Buffy, crossbow discreetly at her side, and Angel hide behind a refrigeration unit, listening to the Master's oratory.

"What's the plan?" Angel asks.

Buffy hands him a stake. "Don't fall on this." She spots the three women standing next to The Master. She recognizes them from her mother's funeral as her cousins. Her Watcher told her they died two years ago, shortly after the funeral.

Buffy lets out a sigh, resolute in what she has to do even if they were her family.

The Master continues his speech. "The days of compromise, of living alongside the humans, are over. It's time to take them out. Time to treat them like... well, let's not mince words here - like the cattle they are!"

The crowd cheers.

"We really are living in a golden age." Xander says.

In Giles' apartment, the dining table is littered with various mystical items, crystals, sage roots, etc... He's got a text in front of him and he's nervously making his way through a summoning ritual. "Anyanka, I beseech thee, uh..." He looks back at the text. Finds his place again. "In the name of all women scorned - come before me!"

Giles lights a mixture of herbs in a chalice. Waits. Nothing seems to happen. Then, from the shadows, steps Anya.

"DO you have any idea what I do to a man who uses that spell to summon me?" Anya says.

Giles is both triumphant at his success and terrified of her.

At the Processing Plant….

"Bring the first!" The Master says nodding to one of his henchmen - who grabs a screaming girl from the holding pen. Then he stuns her with a cattle prod and straps her to the conveyer belt.

"She's still alive here, see? For freshness." The Master says.

Now the conveyer belt moves the wild eyed girl into an open chamber.

Angel and Buffy move unnoticed through the crowd. Everyone is too rapt by the spectacle of the machine to pay attention to them. They separate - Buffy heading for the center of the room, Angel moving to the pen where the humans are.

Plastic tubing system fills with blood, sending it into a large container. Wild Eyed Girl's eyes flutter - and go dead.

A Henchman opens a tap in the killing machine. Fills a wine glass full of blood and delivers it to The Master.

The Master moves up onto a platform at the end of the plant. He raises his glass to the gathered crowd in a toast, ecstatic. "Welcome to the future!"

Buffy stands amidst the crowd - shoulders the crossbow and aims it at the Master. She shoots.

The Master sees the arrow and yanks Xander in front of him. Xander takes the arrow in the shoulder.

Angel frees the humans. Many scatter - but Oz, Larry and a few brave souls break wood from the pen and go after their captors.

Vamps and Humans go at it everywhere.

Xander tugs at the arrow as she sees Angel.

"Uh oh. Puppy got out." Willow says as she, Prue, Piper and Phoebe sprint to join the fight.

In Giles apartment Anya circles slowly towards Giles, who counters.

"Cordelia Chase. What did she wish for?" Giles asks.

Anya smiles, "I had no idea her wish would be so... exciting. A brave new world. I hope she likes it."

"She's dead." Giles says.

"It happens." Anya says.

Giles nods, "You're going to change it back." Anya moves toward him more directly, but he stands his ground. "I'm not afraid of you. Your only power lies in the wishing."

Anya grabs him by the throat in a vice-like grip. "Wrong."

In the Processing Plant Buffy is throwing a vamp off her as Xander approaches, pulling the arrow from his shoulder. He looks truly pissed - moves to stab Buffy with it as she is preoccupied with yet another vamp.

Angel sees Xander moving towars Buffy and he throws himself between Xander and Buffy. He punches Xander, sending him sprawling. Turns to Buffy.

Buffy sees the stake Xander plunged into Angel's chest. There is a heartbeat before he turns to dust. "Buffy-" And he's gone.

Buffy registers this with nofeeling. She simply steps through Angel's dust to get to Xander and continue the fight.

Buffy trades blows with Xander and Piper, her eyes completely empty.

In Giles Apartment Anya still holds Giles in her iron grasp.

"This is the real world now. There's no going back. This is the world we made." Anya says. Choking, Giles looks at her and sees the pendant, just like the one Cordelia had. "Isn't it wonderful?"

In the Processing Plant Buffy stakes Piper. Then spins and stakes Xander. Both of them dust.

Buffy spins to continue the fight. Encounters Prue. She pounds Buffy in the face - but Buffy doesn't fall. She gives as good as she gets. They go at it.

Willow moves to help Prue. She doesn't notice Oz until it's too late... Oz slams her into a jagged piece of broken wood that juts from the battered holding pen. She's history.

At Giles Apartment Giles stops clawing at Anya's iron grip and snatches her pendant off her neck. This action produces genuine terror in Anya's face. She lets go briefly, and he stumbles back.

"No!" Anya says as she flies at him - and he decks her, sends her flying back into a corner. She looks up as he puts the pendant on the table and grabs some desktop object that can be used as a mallet. "Trusting fool! How do you know the other world is any better than this?"

"Because it has to be." Giles says.

He swings the mallet down on the pendant.

At the Processing Plant Prue has Buffy off her feet. She brings Buffy close and buries her fangs in Buffy's neck and begins to drain her.

Suddenly there is a flash of white light and the wish is reversed. Cordelia alive again stands before the school.

"I wish Buffy Halliwell had never come to San Francisco..."

Anya turns toward Cordy and she snarls, "Done."

Nothing happens. Anya looks deeply perplexed.

Buffy looks to Willow and Xander, "Excuse me for a moment." She gets up and walks over to Cordelia, "Cordy can I have a word in private?"

Cordelia is about to object when Buffy gives her a look and then she nods. Buffy leads Cordelia away from Anya.

"I know we've never considered each other friends but I would like to think we are friends." Buffy says. "The use of the W word should never ever be used where someone can hear you!"

"W word? Oh you mean wish?" Cordelia asks.

Buffy nods, "Yes wishes can have nasty consquences, Cordy. A few months ago Prue, Piper, Phoebe and I came across a genie and made some wishes by accident. Prue wished to be a teenager again and was invariably killed. Piper made a wish and our next door neighbor at the time rapidly aged. Phoebe's wish got her a new power but it was taken from a demon who came looking for her. And my wish sent me into a future where Piper was alone and Prue and Phoebe were dead. So you see wishes are not to be taken lightly. Never say I wish in front of anyone."

Cordelia nods, "Thanks for the warning, Buffy. Can I ask… You say your cousin Prue was killed, but she's alive…"

Buffy nods, "We got the genie to reverse the wishes."

Cordelia nods, "Thanks again. I'll add that to the list of rules to use while living in San Francisco."

Buffy nods, "Your welcome. And about the wish you said. I understand, really I do. A lot of things have happened because I moved here. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had not been here."

Cordelia nods as she and Buffy walk away from each other with an unspoken truce between the two of them.