Hearing a banging noise I grabbed my jacket and walked into my mom's room where she and Buffy stood looking at a hole in the wall, both looking awkward and guilty "Nice. adds a touch of class to the room" I snigger as my mom gives me the eye.
She looks down at the mask in her hand and turns around to hang it on the wall over the hole. It's carved from a reddish wood with cutouts for eyes, which are slanted inward to appear very evil.
There is a series of long, pointed teeth with extra long fangs for incisors set into the upper lip, there is no lower jaw portion "Uh, look!" mom exclaims as she hangs the mask on its hook "It's, uh, Nigerian".
"We got a very exciting shipment in at the Gallery. I, um, thought I'd hang a few pieces in here. It cheers up the room," I raise my eyebrow at my mom's explanation of her artwork "It's angry at the room, Mom. It wants the room to suffer," I retort as my mom nods with a huff "You have no appreciation of primitive art,".
She looks over to Buffy apprehensively "You going out?" I look at my sister and noticed she was holding a sweater looking uneasy "Oh. Um... well, i-if it's okay. I, um... I'd like to find Willow and Xander".
Mom gives Buffy a small smile before she looks at me and notices I'm dressed to go out too "Oh no missy, you are not going out" my mouth drops open in shock "why the hell not?".
Mom sighs and crosses her arms "That's why, your sudden attitude and you've been rude to your sister ever since she came home," I breathed angrily feeling like I wanted to spit fire "Oh so she does a disappearing act and yet I'm in trouble?".
I put my hands on my hips as Mom and I stared each other down "Fine" I hissed giving Buffy a dirty look as I walk out of the room "Will you be slaying?" I heard Mom ask Buffy as I stood by the door where they couldn't see me.
"Only if they give me lip," Buffy says weakly "Well, then, um... You know, w-why don't I drive you?" Mom asked as I heard keys jangling "Uh, I mean, they could be anywhere,".
"Mom... if you don't want me to go, just say so. I could just say here a try to talk with Nikki," Buffy offered as my eyes widened "let her go!" I shouted hearing a sad sigh come from the other side of the door.
"Bedroom, Nikki" Mom ordered as I smirked walking to my room and shutting the door, putting my radio on loud enough Mom would know I wasn't in the mood to talk but not loud enough she would come in to turn it down.
Sliding my window up I jumped out and landed gracefully on the ground and walking away with a smirk knowing my mother wouldn't even know I was missing.
The gang is silent as they all stand outside Giles' apartment building "You know, I—maybe it's too late. Maybe we should just come back tomorrow" Buffy says, but no one makes a move to go. Buffy looks at the door, then back at the others "What if he's mad?" she whispered upset.
"Mad? Just because you ran away and abandoned your post and your friends, your sister who needed you. Made your mom, and him lay awake every night worrying about you?" Xander exclaimed before looking at Oz and Willow "Maybe we should wait out here,".
Buffy gives him a look as she turns around to face the door, reaches for the knocker and taps it a few times. Giles opens the door and sees Buffy standing there flanked by the others, his face remains expressionless for a long moment.
"Check it out. The Watcher is back on the clock," Xander awkwardly laughs as Giles slips on his glasses "And just when you were thinking career change, maybe becoming a... a looker or a... a seer,".
"Thank you, Xander" Giles mutter as he looks at Buffy "Welcome home, Buffy" Buffy smiles up at him as he pulls the door open further and steps back so they can all come in.
Giles puts the kettle on as everyone sits in his living room "I got in a few hours ago, but I wanted to go see my mom & Nikki first" Buffy said as the other looked at each other awkwardly unknown to Buffy.
"Yes. Yes, of course. How, how did you find her?" Giles asks as Buffy smiles at him "Well, I pretty much remembered the address," Giles lets out a small laugh missing her jokes "Ah, eh, I mean, uh...".
The teakettle in his kitchen whistles "How are things between you?" he notices the whistling "Ah. Excuse me" he stands and goes into the kitchen "Hey, so you're not wanted for murder anymore," Oz tells Buffy breaking the silence as she smiles gratefully "Good. That was such a drag".
"So where were you? Did you go to Belgium?" Buffy gives Xander an odd look "Why would I go to Belgium?" Xander shrugs at his friend "I think the relevant question is why wouldn't you?" he smiles widely and giggles "Belgium!" They both laugh.
Giles gets the cups out of his cupboard. He smiles as he listens to the conversation in the living room, pleased that they are getting along so well again so quickly but the nagging thought of how he was going to tell Buffy about Nikki, he and the younger Slayer had gotten closer in Buffy's absence and since her attack he'd become more protective of her, Nikki's blasé attitude to her trauma wasn't fooling him.
"What about you, Xander? What's up with you?" Buffy ponders as Xander shrugs "Oh, you know, same old, same old" Giles removes his glasses and leans with his arm against the cupboard, enjoying the sound of the elder Slayer's voice again after so many months, he just hoped things would get better for all of them.
"Hardly" Cordelia scoffs "Okay, I lied, a whole lot is new" Xander says as Buffy looks between the two of them "Well, that's good, isn't it? New is good" Giles shakes himself out of his reverie and puts his glasses back on.
Giles lifts up the serving tray and takes it into the living room "Here we are then" he sets the tray on the coffee table "Cheer us up" He sits down in his chair and takes the teapot.
Buffy and Xander each take a cookie from the tray "So were you, like, living in a box, or what?" Cordelia asks as Buffy looks at her cookie self consciously "Well, it's a long story".
"So skip the heartwarming stuff about kindly old people and saving the farm and get right to the dirt" Xander laughs as Giles pours several cups of tea "Perhaps Buffy could use a little time to adjust before we grill her on her summer activities "What he said" Buffy agrees.
"Fair enough. In fact, you can leave the slaying to us while you settle in. We got you covered," Xander tells the Slayer holding up his large cross, "I noticed. You guys seem down with the slayage, all tricked out with your walkies and everything," Buffy grins as Cordy rolls her eyes "Yeah, but the outfits suck. This whole Rambo thing is so over. I'm thinking more sporty, like Hilfiger maybe,".
"Still, we were getting good. We dusted nine out of ten," Oz looks at his girlfriends and whispers "Six out of ten," Willow pouts as she looks at Buffy "Six out of ten,".
"Whatever, we were kicking a little undead booty," Xander grins as Buffy looks at them all confused "Why isn't Nikki taking care of the Slaying?" the others all look at each other until Cordelia talks without thinking "Well she's still like PTSD after what happened you with..."
Giles cleared his throat and Cordelia looked up like she suddenly realized what she was saying. Buffy looked at everyone in the room and noticed they all looked uneasy like they were hiding something "What?".
"It's just she's been a little more.." Willow tries to find the right words "sociopathic" Cordelia offers as the other look at her but don't try to argue the label "What's wrong with her?" Buffy asks already noticing her sisters attitude change at home, Nikki already had a dark outlook on life but this was different.
Giles put his teacup down and looked at the Slayer "I think it's something she will tell you about when she's ready, we shouldn't push her"
Climbing back through my window I frowned when I didn't hear any music coming from my stereo until I noticed my mom stood in my room tapping her foot looking furious as Buffy stood next to her looking very sheepish.
"Well, young lady?" Mom asked giving me a chance to explain myself, throwing my bag on my bed I sighed "You know the score, I snuck out, you discipline me. Let's just get on with it" I told her as she looked at me shocked.
"I do not understand what is going on with you young lady but if your sister hadn't come in here to talk to you, I wouldn't have even known you were gone," My eyes shot to Buffy who looked at me like a deer in the headlights.
"You narked on me?" I growled at my sister who looked lost for words, I felt a wave of anger drown me as I looked over my 'perfect' sister "All the times you snuck out and I didn't say shit to mom about it!" Buffy didn't say a thing she just looked at me guiltily.
Mom sighed as Buffy took a step closer to me "What happened to you?" she asked quietly as I looked at her confused "Giles and the others said something happened to you" my body felt cold as my Mom lifted her head up slowly to look at me.
"What are you talking about?" She asked Buffy whose eyes never left mine "Has someone hurt you?" Mom questioned looking at me questioningly "talk to me baby" she whispered softly her angry face and tone missing.
I started to breathe a little faster knowing a panic attack wouldn't be far behind if I thought about it too much "I can't" I whispered with no emotion "Nikki.." Buffy started as they both looked at me sadly "What happened?".
"Nothing!" I snarled trying to keep my power in control "Nik..." Buffy said as she tried to hold my hand "get out" I mumbled moving away but they didn't listen "GET OUT!" I screamed loudly making the two of them jump.
"We're not going anywhere," Mom told me but I just wanted to be alone "Yes, you are" I whispered lifting my hand up and pushing them both out of my bedroom with my telekinesis before the door slams shut and locks itself.
"Nikki!" I heard my mom bang on the door a few times before it goes quiet, getting under the covers of my bed I curled up and let out my tears and anger as my mind replayed that night in my head over and over.
Walking into the library during a free period I let out a loud yawn, I had nightmares all night, and I woke up extra early so I could avoid having to deal with my mom and Buffy asking me questions.
Seeing the empty library I put my bag on the table and lay my head on it hoping to get a few minutes rest before having to go back to class or having to solve some kind of mysterious death, hell on the Hellmouth.
Angelus slid the dagger under my top as my heart started to pound, he leaned in closer to my face "Princess there's more than one way to break a woman" lifting the knife up he tore through my shirt and I suddenly got the message.
"Don't you dare touch me" I shouted but my voice wobbled and Angelus smirked "I'm going to do a lot more than touch you beautiful" he promised as he climbed on top of me.
Feeling a heavy hand on my shoulder I shot up with a roar putting my hands up ready to fight, only to see my friends looking back at me in pity as Xander has his hands up in defense "Don't do that!" I told him roughly as he nods looking guilty.
"Nightmare?" He questions putting his hands down slowly as I pulled myself back together "more like flashback" I told him trying to smile before I smelt something bad, looking at the table I noticed a rotten-looking cat in a cage close to where my head had been laid.
"What the hell is that?" I groaned as the others began to do their own things except for Oz who is inspecting it closely, apparently not bothered by its stench "It looks dead. It smells dead" Xander nods at Oz in agreement "Yet it's movin' around. That's interesting".
I glare at the two of them "And yet, you put it next to my head. Interesting," I sarcastically retort "Nice pet, Giles. Don't you like anything regular? Golf, USA Today, or anything?" Cordelia scoffs as she sits opposite Willow to help with the research.
Giles comes down from the stacks "I'm trying to find out how and why it rose from the grave. It's not as if I'm going to take it home and offer it a saucer of warm milk,".
He looks at my frazzled state "are you okay?" I sit back down in the chair next to the cat "peachy keen" I mumbled as Oz looks up "Well, I like it. I think you should call it Patches".
I frowned at him kicking my feet up on the table "What about Dust?" the guys all look at me confused until I let out a morbid laugh "because it bit it?" The boys are the only ones to find my joke funny.
"What about Buffy's welcome home dinner tonight? I had told her mom we'd help out. Bring stuff" my eyes open in shock I had no idea about any 'welcome home' dinner "I'm the dip," Cordelia says aloud as everyone looks at her but she doesn't notice and continues reading.
"We should figure out what kinda deal this is. I mean, is it a-a gathering, a shindig or a hootenanny?" Oz question as I look at him confused "What's the difference?" I question still peeved about being left out on the details.
"Well, a gathering is brie, mellow song stylings; shindig" he nods to Cordelia "dip" Cordelia smiles "less mellow song stylings, perhaps a large amount of malt beverage; and hootenanny, well, it's chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny" I smile at Oz's descriptions.
"Well, I hate brie," Xander tells us as Cordy nods "I know. It smells like Giles's cat" Giles sighs frustrated "It's not my-" I let out a laugh cutting him off "It's in your library G" Giles looks at me seriously "It came from your house".
I go silent at that piece of information "what'll we talk about at a gathering, anyway? 'So, Buffy, did you meet any nice pimps on your travels? And oh, by the by, thanks for ruining our lives for the past three months'." Xander grumbles as Willow frowns at him "Xander...".
"You know what I mean. She doesn't want to talk about it, we don't want to talk about it, so why don't we just shut up and dance?" Xander explains to us as Willow shrugs in agreement "Well, Buffy said she did want to loosen up, you know, have some kid time,".
She looks to Oz "Aren't you guys rehearsing tonight? Why don't you play at the party?" Oz nods looking at her in understanding "Yeah, I think I could supply some Dingo action,".
"Uh, I-I'm not sure that, a, a, um... shindig..." Giles says looking at Oz who corrects Giles' terminology "Hootenanny," Giles just nods adjusting his glasses "H-hootenanny i-i-is really the order of the day. Uh, uh, it should... maybe something a little more intimate. I-I-I mean Buffy has just got home. I'm, I'm sure she's still feeling a little disoriented,".
"All the more reason to make things more lively" I add as I stop rocking on the chair, I did not want to have to sit and have a stupid dinner with Buffy and my mom "and a big party says, 'Welcome, Buffy'," I exclaim tapping Giles on the back as he turns to me suspiciously.
"Okay, so one vote from the Old Guy for a Smelly Cheese Night, and how many votes for actual fun, huh?" Xander calls out to everyone but Giles raises their hand and smiles.
"Alright, alright. Have it your way. I'm just glad to have her home" Giles says giving up as I grin getting up from the table "What are you doing?" Giles asks as I walk into his office "Nothing" I sing-song picking up his phone.
I bring the phone up to my ear and played with the curly cord waiting for the call to be picked up "Big party at the Summers house, BYOB! Be there and tell all your friends".
After finishing my makeup I looked at my outfit for the party my mom was unknowingly about to throw, walking out my door I telekinetically locked it not wanting anyone to use it as the designated make-out area.
Buffy walked out of her room in a bright pink dress looking very much like the good little daughter in contrast to my almost all black outfit "Nice dress" I tell her as she crosses her arms looking uneasy.
"Thanks" She mumbles looking at clothes confused "You going to a party?" I smirked at her as I heard the doorbell ring "Something like that" We both walked downstairs as the bell rang again.
Buffy opened the door and an older lady stood on the other side, not what I was expecting at all "Hey, there you are!" she says as she walks into my house like she owned it "Not thinking about any more flights of fancy, I hope".
I grin as Buffy looks like she can't believe her comments, and just closes the door "Nikki, this is Pat. Pat this is Nikki" I stop laughing once Pat gives me a once over "So you're Nikki, I see what Joyce means".
I look at her confused wondering if I should be offended by her obvious judgment "Joyce said there was room for one more, so I said forget facial night and let's party!" she smiles happily, way too happy "I bet you like empanadas" Pat holds out the container to Buffy, who takes it and gives her a fake smile.
"Do you want to see my mom?" Buffy asks as Pat smiles again "Please" crossing my arms I growl at the top of my voice "MOM!" giving Pat a fake smile as she looks at me in shock.
"Oh, Pat! Good. Girls, I hope you don't mind" Mom says as the two women embrace "did we have a choice?" I mutter getting a dirty look from my mom as the two women fawn over each other "Hi! You look great!".
The doorbell rings again and Buffy turns around to answer it, It's Devon with the band "Hey, Nikki So where do you want the band to set up?" He walks into the living room and looks around for a good spot "Oh over here!" I show him as Buffy pulls on my arm "Wh-the band?"
I smile at the two girls following Devon in carrying parts of the drum set before giving Buffy a look "This band, god are you blind" Buffy lets go of my arm as I show Devon where to set his stuff up in the corner of our living room.
The doorbell rings again and I turn to Buffy who is stood watching me with her arms crossed "Well?" I asked as she sighs and walks off to answer the door "This party is gonna be great Nikki" Devon grins as I shrug "I know".
Lots of people have turned up, and the party is in full swing, Buffy wondered how Nikki had pulled this off without their mother raising hell but she thinks it has something to do with her mom and Pat downing Schnapps in the kitchen.
Dingoes Ate My Baby are set up in the corner of the living room and are playing "Never Mind." Half of Sunnydale High must be in attendance all of whom had been treating her sister like she was a queen.
She throws one party and they all fall in love with her, Buffy had to admit that she was a little jealous as she looked around the place is so densely packed with people they almost can't get past each other without almost sticking together.
Buffy glances around at all the people, not sure who half of them are, trying to find Willow until she spots her watching Oz and nodding to the song he was playing "Hey!" Buffy greets as Willow smiles at her "Hey!" she replies listens to the band.
"This is large!" Buffy says after a silence for the two of them "You like? It was supposed to be a few of us but Nikki kinda invited everyone" Willow laughed seeming like she didn't mind her sisters total takeover of a party that should have been Buffy's.
"Yeah. It's great" Buffy agreed somewhat as she looks back at the band "I-I was just sort of hoping it would be... us" She admitted quietly "Sorry. What?" Willow says as she shows that it's too loud to hear.
"This is amazing, but I was sort of hoping we could just hang together, the gang" Buffy shouts but Willow points to the band and makes like she totally can't hear Buffy, she turns her attention back to Oz and smiles at him.
Buffy senses that Willow is more into watching Oz play with the band than anything else at the moment and leaves her alone. Walking away she notices her sister making out with a good-looking guy with curly hair.
Seeing Cordelia listening to the music Buffy walks up to her "Whose that?" she asks pointing over to her sister who was now nodding to music as the guy is stood behind her with his arm wrapped around her waist.
Cordelia follows Buffy's line of view "Nikki's boyfriend, duh" she tells Buffy simply as the blonde Slayer looks at her in shock, her sister had a boyfriend and she didn't know. They used to tell each other everything, what was happening to her sister?
"What?" Buffy says dumbly as Cordelia rolls her eyes "her boyfriend, the boy that was her friend but now are dating" Buffy felt out of place suddenly "When did that happen?" Cordelia stopped listening to music and turning to Buffy looking at her like she was stupid "In the summer, he's been chasing her for ages".
Buffy's eyes moved over to her sister who was looking back at her whilst her boyfriend held onto her tightly, she was happy that Nikki had found someone but the pit of jealousy in her stomach only increased.
"Yeah she's totally protective of him and he's the same," Cordy explained "He's the hottest guy in our year but no one tries anything in fear Nikki will destroy them," Cordy laughed fondly.
Buffy just nodded watching as Cordelia walked off wondering when her sister and her frienemy got on such good terms that Cordelia didn't have any snide remarks or negative things to say, she even looked happy to be friends with Nikki.
Looking back over to Willow, Buffy changes her mind, deciding that she wants to talk to her now. She touches Willow on the arm and indicates they should go someplace to talk, Willow, lets Buffy lead her away through the crowd.
Buffy finds a relatively quiet spot in the dining room where they can talk "Is everything okay?" Buffy asks as Willow looks at her "You... You seem to be avoiding me, i-in the one-on-one sense".
Willow looks surprised "What? This isn't avoiding. See? Here you are, here I am," Buffy looks at her best friend still a little unconvinced "So we're cool?" Willow nods her head fervently "Way! That's why, with the party, 'cause we're all glad you're back,".
Willow isn't being very convincing, but Buffy decides to accept it for now "Okay" Willow smiles "Okay. Good" She goes back to watch the band again but Buffy isn't at all positive that everything's good.
Buffy walks back into the crowd and notices her sister with the band now as they start to play some riff before Nikki grabs onto the microphone and holds on to it tightly as she begins to sing.
'Cause baby now we got bad blood/ You know it used to be mad love/ So take a look at what you've done/ 'Cause baby now we got bad blood
The crowd of teens goes wild for her sister as she sings with Oz and his band but Nikki's eyes were trained on Buffy who walks closer to the crowd and sees Xander making out with Cordelia. She tries to walk by without being noticed, but Xander sees her.
Now we got problems/ And I don't think we can solve them/ You made a really deep cut/ And baby now we got bad blood
Cordelia doesn't stop kissing him on the face and neck while he talks to Buffy "Hey, Buff, uh... what are you doing?" Buffy shrugs trying not to look out of place "was just taking a break from all this wacky fun".
Did you have to do this?/ I was thinking that you could be trusted/ Did you have to ruin what was shining now it's all rusted/ Did you have to hit me where I'm weak baby I couldn't breathe/ I rubbed it in so deep/ Salt in the wound like you're laughing right at me/ Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times/ You and I
"Some kind of party, huh? I guess a lot of people are glad to have you back" Xander tells her as she crosses her arms watching her sister belt out the song, she didn't even know her sister sang but she knew this song had meaning for Nikki, what was it though?.
'Cause baby now we got bad blood/ You know it used to be mad love/ So take a look at what you've done/ 'Cause baby now we got bad blood
"It seems like people I didn't even know missed me" Buffy mumbled as she looked into the crowd shocked to see her mom and Pat watching Nikki singing from the doorway, they clapped and danced among themselves looking like they were having a blast.
Now we got problems/ And I don't think we can solve them/ You made a really deep cut/ And baby now we got bad blood
"Did Giles say he was going to be late?" Buffy asked trying not to look in Xander's direction as Cordelia still ignored her presence in favor of kissing Xander's neck "Uh, he was Library Man last time I saw him. But he'll be here. He wants to celebrate your homecoming. We all do. I mean, it's great to have the Buffster back,"
Did you think we'd be fine? / Still got scars on my back from your knife / So don't think it's in the past / These kind of wounds they last and they last / Now did you think it all through?/ All these things will catch up to you / And time can heal but this won't / So if you come in my way, just don't / Oh, it's so sad to think about the good times / You and I
Buffy smiles at her friends' words but she was listening to the words her sister sang so deeply as Xander tries to get Cordelia's attention "Isn't it?" Cordelia looks at Buffy with an unconvincing smile "Totally!" She nods before looking at Xander coyly "Except you were kinda turning me on with that whole Boy Slayer look".
'Cause baby now we got bad blood / You know it used to be mad love / So take a look at what you've done / 'Cause baby now we got bad blood
"Was I now?" Xander grins like a horny schoolboy which he was "You bet, Nighthawk" They smile and giggle at each other, and resume their kissing. Buffy grimaces definitely feels like the odd person out.
Now we got problems / And I don't think we can solve them / You made a really deep cut / And baby now we got bad blood
"Well, I'll just be, uh..." Buffy gives up when neither of them looks at her "oh, yeah" she turns and leaves them as looks around before her gaze stops on Nikki's boyfriend, Buffy bit her lip, wondering if she should go introduce herself and interrogate him.
Band-aids don't fix bullet holes / You say sorry just for show / You live like that, you live with ghosts / Band-aids don't fix bullet holes / You say sorry just for show / You live like that, you live with ghosts / Hm, if you love like that blood runs bad
Looking back to Nikki who was giving her a small glare and finishes her song, Buffy surmised the glare was for her to back off as she watched as Nikki walks back over to her boyfriend with a grin as he pulls her in for a kiss.
Walking over to the snack table she gathers up empty cups, she needed something to keep her busy. A guy reaches in front of her and grabs a handful of party mix, leans his head back and dumps it into his mouth as most of it spills to the sides and onto the floor.
Buffy just gives a shrug her mom will clean up later, grabbing a few more cups and turns to go throw them out, she passes two guys talking and overhears their conversation "Hey, what's the deal with this party, anyway?".
"This party? Heard it was for some chick that just got out of rehab" the guys says as he takes a drag from his joint, Buffy stares at them, less than happy about that rumor, but she ignores them and continues on toward the kitchen.
"Now, how you holding up, Joyce, hm? Really," Buffy stops when she hears Pat ask that question "Really? I'm... I don't know. While Buffy was gone, I tried to bond with Nikki but she just pushed me away, she's just so angry at everyone,".
Hearing her mom sigh sadly hurt Buffy, but she also felt angry at her sister for making their mom so upset "Nikki couldn't care less about finding Buffy or helping her but I just knew that if I could put my arms around Buffy and tell her how much we loved her, everything would be okay".
Buffy smiled at her moms' words suddenly feeling better "But?" Pat pressed making Buffy frown "Having Buffy home, I-I thought it was gonna make it all better, but in some ways, it's almost worse" Buffy takes her mom's words hard, and runs up the stairs to her room.
A trauma team is trying to revive a burn victim. A nurse holds a pair of defibrillation pads ready while the doctor pumps his chest and another nurse bags him "Breathe. Breathe"
The man is flat-lining, The heart monitor beeps insistently while the cursor just moves flatly across the screen "Alright, look. These burns are too extensive. It's 7:43. Let's call it".
He walks off as the one nurse puts away the bag while the other put away the defib pads. The man on the bed has severe second- and third-degree burns all along the right side of his face and body.
His eyes suddenly pop open as he sits up on the bed, leaving a puddle of blood on the pillow "Oh, my God!" The nurse screams as the man starts violently hitting people out of his way as he goes.
Feeling a tap on my shoulder I turn to see Willow looking confused "Have you seen Buffy?" I look at the crowd but frown when I don't see my sister, in fact, I hadn't seen her since I finished singing.
"Come on," I tell Willow as we make our way upstairs where we find Buffy stuffing her things back into her bag "You're leaving again?" Buffy gives me a quick glance and goes back to packing.
"What, you just stopped by for your lint brush and now you're ready to go?" Willow cries out as I glare at my sister "It's not like anyone will mind," I let out a laugh at my sisters' childish ways.
"Oh, no. Have a great time, don't forget to not write," I hiss at her with heavy sarcasm as she turns to face me sobbing "Why are you attacking me? I'm trying,".
"Wow, and it looks so much like giving up!" I tut as she continues to cry "I'm just trying to make things easier," I shake my head at her words as Willow frowns "For who?".
"You guys were doing just fine without me, teaming up for slaying and getting yourself a boyfriend," Buffy bawled as she put more into her bag "We were doing the best we could! It's not like we had a lot of choice in the matter," Willow scoffs as I look at my sister annoyed.
"Sorry that I had to leave, but you don't know what I was going through" Feeling my stomach tighten I remembered my mom telling me Buffy was going through a 'rough patch'
Grabbing Willow's arm I nodded for her to leave, turning back to my sister I walked into her room silently "What you went through? What about what we went through?" I whispered dangerously.
"You wouldn't understand," Buffy tried again as I let out a little laugh "I wouldn't understand? What's wrong B? You feeling left out?" I taunted as she looked at me sadly "That is nothing compared to what I.. we've been through," I hissed as she flinched.
"This isn't easy, Buffy! I know you're going through stuff, but... so am I," I told her as she sighed "I know that you were worried about me, but-" I interrupted her with a snarl "Not everything is about you!".
Giles speeds along to the Summers' house as best he can in his decrepit car. He looks left and right in anger and fear. "Unbelievable" he tuts as he begins to mocks Joyce "'Do you like my mask? Isn't it pretty? It raises the dead!' Americans".
He looks ahead in time to see that he's about to hit someone "Jesus!" He shouts as he slams on the brakes and begins to skid. He hits the man, who falls onto the hood of the car, bounces off of the windshield and slides off as the car comes to a stop.
The man rolls a few times on the pavement before coming to rest, Giles stares in shock at the man lying in the road "My God" He quickly gets out of his car and looks at the man's form lay on the ground "Are you alright?".
After receiving no answer he rushes over to the man and feels for a pulse on his neck "Are you hurt?" the man rolls over, and Giles sees that he's in an advanced state of decay.
"Good God" Giles shouts as he jumps up in shock, the zombie grabs Giles by the coat and lifts him up as it gets to its feet as other zombies approach from an alley. The zombie has Giles bent back on the hood of his car.
Giles gets his foot underneath him and pushes kicks him off. He rolls off of the hood and scrambles back into the car, locking the door. The zombies start pounding on the car. Giles reaches for the ignition and discovers the keys missing.
He searches his pockets. Nothing. he looks out onto the street, and there they are "Oh, good show, Giles" He says sarcastically mocking himself as the Zombies continue to try to get inside of his car.
He thinks for a moment what to do, then reaches underneath the dash and pulls out some wires, he quickly he unravels and strips the appropriate ones as a zombie punches through the window and reaches in for him.
Giles touches the wires together. They spark, and the engine starts up "Like riding a bloody bicycle!" He puts the car in gear and drives off, slowly leaving the zombies behind.
"You have no idea how much I missed you. Everyone. I wanted to call every day," Buffy cries but I feel no remorse for my sister "That doesn't matter, Buffy. It doesn't make it okay that you didn't,".
Mom walks into the room with Willow and sees the bag on Buffy's bed "What is this? Is this some sort of a joke?" Mom questions and I cross my arms as Buffy scrambles for words "Mom, please, could you, could you just-"
Mom interrupts "No, I can't just! Buffy, what is this?" she shouts louder motioning to Buffy's clothes in the bag "She was running away again" I tell her as Buffy glares at me "No, I wasn't" she pauses looking very confused "I'm not sure".
"Well, you better get sure and explain yourself right away! If you think you can just-just take off any time you feel like it-" Mom begins but Buffy just puts her hands up looking upset "Stop it! Please! I don't know. I don't know what I'm doing,".
Buffy rushes from her room and heads downstairs Mom, Willow and I follow right on her heels. She stops at the front door and turns into the living room where she finds Xander and Cordelia locked in a passionate embrace, blocking her way out.
"Don't you leave this house, young lady!" Mom screams out but Buffy doesn't stop her determined walk "You know what? That's it" She runs up behind Buffy, grabs her arm and turns her around to face her "You and I are going to have a talk".
The band stops playing and most of the people stop talking, suddenly the level of noise in the room is reduced to just a few voices. Buffy looks around at everyone staring at them "Mom, please-".
Beck walked over and put his arm around my neck as I turned to him "Maybe you should go home and I call you later, this will get messy" Beck looks at me as I nod at him knowing he'd want to stay with me.
Beck taps on my mom's shoulder in comfort as he walks past her "Thank you for coming Beckett" she thanks but her eyes never leave Buffy as some other party goers follow Beck out the front door noticing the change in atmosphere.
Xander and Cordelia come into the living room as Buffy looks around more embarrassed "Please mom, not here..." but mom just interrupts her looking mad "You know what? I don't care. I don't care what your friends think of me, or you for that matter, because you put me through the wringer, Buffy," Mom inhales deeply.
"I mean it" she exhales and inhales some more "and I've had schnapps" she exhales "me too!" I shout as mom gives me a look before turning back to Buffy "Do you have any idea what it's been like?".
"Mom, this isn't the time-" Buffy starts as Willow looks around worried, Oz comes up next to her as mom interrupts again "You can't imagine months of not knowing. Not knowing whether you're lying dead in a ditch somewhere or, I don't know, living it up-"
Buffy interrupts in turn "But you told me! You're the one who said I should go. You said if I leave this house, don't come back. You found out who I really was, and you couldn't deal. Don't you remember?".
People are thinking this is a drag and start to leave making me pout "Buffy, you didn't give me time. You just dumped this thing on me and you expected me to get it. Well, guess what? Mom's not perfect, okay? I handled it badly. But that doesn't give you the right to punish me by running away,".
"Punish you? I didn't do this to punish you!" Buffy scoffs as I step forward "Well, you did. You should've seen what you put her through," I shouted at my sister who let out a cry "Great. Thanks. Anybody else want to weigh in here?" she turns and sees Jonathon "How about you by the dip?".
Jonathon freezes in the middle of bringing a chip laden with dip to his mouth and looks around nervously at everyone suddenly staring at him "No, thanks. I'm good" Xander steps up beside me "You know, maybe you don't want to hear it, Buffy, but taking off like you did was incredibly selfish and stupid".
"Okay! Okay. I screwed up. I know this. But you have no idea! You have, you have no idea what happened to me or what I was feeling!" Buffy shouts at us looking hysterical "Did you even try talking to anybody?" Xander questions like the rest of us.
"There was nothing that anybody could do. Okay? I just had to deal with this on my own," Buffy tells him as he scoffs "Yeah, and you see how well that one worked out. You can't just bury stuff, Buffy. It'll come right back up to get you,".
"As if I even could've gone to you, Xander. You made your feelings about Angel and I perfectly clear," Buffy hisses as Xander looks down "Look. I'm sorry that your honey was a demon, but most girls don't hop a Greyhound over boy troubles," I spit out at my twin.
Cordelia intercedes stepping out in front of us "Timeout. Put yourself in Buffy's shoes for just a minute. Okay? I'm Buffy, a freak of nature, right? Naturally, I pick a freak for a boyfriend, and then he turns into Mr. Killing Spree, which is pretty much my fault-"
Buffy interrupts with a shriek "Cordy! Get outta my shoes!" Cordy looks at Buffy hurt "I'm just trying to help, Buffy" Willow cuts in behind us "Buffy, you never-" Buffy cries out near the breaking point "Willow, please. I can't take this from you, too".
"Let her finish! You at least owe her that," I yell at my sister who looks over to me angrily "God, Nikki! Do you think you could at least stick to be a bitch to me on your own behalf?".
"Fine! You stop acting like a child, I'll stop being a bitch you!" I hiss as Buffy steps up to me "Oh, you wanna talk about being a child?" I just smirk at my sister willing to hash this out right now.
"Okay. I'm gonna step in now" Oz says as he gets between us as he obviously sees the Slayer fight coming "being Referee Guy" I stare in my sister's eyes as she looks right back at me.
"No, let them go, Oz. Talking about it isn't helping. We might as well try some violence" A zombie suddenly smashes through the living room window and comes in as others follow right behind.
"I was being sarcastic!" Willow cried out as a zombie grabs Xander, and they start to wrestle. Another one grabs a Stoner's head and twists it violently, breaking his neck.
Xander gets the upper hand on the slow-moving zombie and throws him back out of the window, Willow and Oz scramble to help out, The remaining party guests all try to drive the zombies out, but aren't very organized about it.
Xander breaks away from the crowd "Xander, kitchen!" Buffy calls out "I got your back!" Xander shouts back as she tosses him an andiron from the fireplace, and they run into the kitchen with Cordelia close behind.
A zombie jumps on me and I launch myself into a hopping side kick to his gut, sidestepping a punch I swing under his arm with an uppercut to his jaw, but he isn't fazed.
He swings at me with both arms, knocking me aside, I see mom watching me fight, cringing at every blow. I punch the zombie twice in the face and then duck past him as he lunges at me with his arm trying to grab me.
He turns around and tries to make a grab for me, but mom comes up behind him with a vase and smashes it over his head. I see the others are having limited success keeping the zombies out of the house as I leg sweep the zombie and knocks him down "Are these vampires?" mom questions frightened.
"Uh, no," I tell her breathing heavily as the zombie gets back up "Nikki, heads up!" I turn as she tosses me a piece of the broken window frame I catch it out of the air and stab the zombie with it but he just looks up at me as though I'd just pinched him "Okay stabbing, no go" I say as the zombie starts to get back to his feet.
Mom hits the zombie repeatedly over the head with a broken piece of wood as Jonathon is holding a guitar, ready to smash it over the zombie "We got to get 'em back outside!" I shout wondering how Buffy was getting on in the kitchen.
"On three!" mom calls out as Devon grabs the zombie by the back, Oz and mom each grabs an arm "One... Two... Three!" together they drag him to the front door where I wait to slam it shut.
The three of them throw the ghoul out and barricade themselves against the door after I slam it shut, the zombie slams himself against it, trying to get back in "Okay! We're gonna have to barricade this door!" I say to them as they nod looking terrified.
"We need some help out here!" I call out toward the kitchen as Buffy rushes into the living room to help "Grab that table!" Oz shouts to Buffy who runs for the table.
Buffy drags the table back and positions it against the door, she leans into it while Devon goes off to get another one, Xander shows up to help too when suddenly the zombie punches through the door and makes a grab for Oz's shoulder.
"Upstairs!" Buffy shouts out as she runs up the stairs and into mom's room as Willow, Xander, mom and I follow her. At the top of the stairs, mom sees Pat lying unconscious on the floor further down the hall "Oh, Pat!".
She rushes over to Pat as Willow and Buffy run over to help also "Oh, God..." mom gasps as Pat wakes, Willow and mom help her up, each getting under one arm "Careful!" Buffy instructs as Pat groans.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry" As we stand by the stairs to defend against any Zombies "I got you. Okay" mom whispers to Pat who looks worse for wear "How much Schnapps did you give her?" I joke as mom helps Pat along "Not funny, Nicola!".
Mom and Willow have to drag Pat the rest of the way in and lie her down on a large padded wicker chair and footrest while Buffy and I try to get the door closed to keep a zombie out.
Willow feels for a pulse on Pat's neck "She's-" mom gasps looking at Pat sadly "Oh, God! Pat! She's dead!" The zombie gives the door a good bump, knocking me back and into the far wall.
Getting up on all fours I see Buffy manages to shove the zombie back a bit as Willow, Xander and Mom run to help, all four of them are pushing against the door to get it closed.
"What do we do if they get in?" Mom questions "I kind of think we die" Xander answers as the zombie at the door overpowers Buffy and the others, pushing the door in violently.
Joyce and Xander fall to the floor as the zombie comes in and backhand punches Buffy, sending her into the wall. Xander tries to grab the zombie from behind, but it throws a backhand punch and hits Xander in the jaw.
Xander goes flying onto the bed and rolls off of the far side onto the floor, running over to the Zombie I start to struggle with it as I hear my mom's relieved voice behind me "Oh, God! We thought you were-".
Turning my head, I see my mom try to hug Pat "No mom!" I shout as Pat grabs her outstretched arms and pushes her hard onto the bed, mom rolls off next to Xander as Pat bends down to pick up the mask and holds it to her face as she stands back up.
Feeling myself being thrown through the air I groan as I look up and notice the eyes of the mask suddenly glow a very bright red, and the mask integrates itself into Pat's face.
The zombie immediately stops fighting and falls to his knees, screaming and cowering before Pat "Generally speaking, when scary things get scared, not good" Xander informs my mom who just nods.
I see Willow looking at the mask transfixed by its stare "I live, you die" Buffy tries to get between them but Pat turns to her, and its eyes flash, mesmerizing Buffy.
It backhand punches her and sends her flying into the closet door and she crumples to the ground, she raises herself up on her hands and sees Willow back away from Pat fearfully "Willow, don't look!" Buffy shouts from the floor.
Pat's eyes flash again at Willow and she freezes, Pat strides over to her and grabs her by the jaw and the back of her head, I lunge at Pat and grabs her diving out of the bedroom window, thinking that diving through windows was becoming my thing.
The two of us fall onto the roof and roll down and off, we hit the railing of the back porch and break it, fall over some bushes and roll into the backyard. Getting to my feet quickly I notice Pat doing the same, quickly moving away I put some distance between myself and the Demon Pat, shading my eyes as I go.
"Not looking" I mumble trying to keep away from as she tracks after me "Not looking!" I call again evading her arms. Pat tackles me to the ground and turns me over, I immediately cover my eyes with my arm.
I snap kick Pat off of me and she flies across the yard, getting to my hands and knees I scramble over to the shovel, turning around with the shovel raised Pat is stood behind me and flashes her eyes at me again, this time making me freeze.
Feeling everything slow down I tried to move but nothing was happening "Nikki!" shaking my head Oz's voice brings me out of my trance as Pat flash freezes Oz, I back up and raise the shovel.
"Hey, Pat!" I shout as she snaps her head around to look at me again as I jam the shovel into the demon's eyes, embedding it in its head. Pat grabs the shovel handle and tries to pull it out, but she can't "Made you look" I punned with a grin.
Suddenly in a flash of white light Pat disappears taking the mask with her, looking over at Oz he shrugged "never mind" walking back into the house with Oz I'm immediately talked by my mom "Honey!".
AS she lets go everyone slowly walks into the now chaotic looking living room "everyone okay?" I ask as they all pretty much nod "So, is this a typical day at the office?" mom questions looking at Buffy and me.
"No. This was nothing" Buffy tells her as we all turn to each other awkwardly "Nice moves" Xander compliments Buffy who smiles "You too" Willow smiles, and goes to hug Buffy, they hold each other close for a long time.
Giles looks on from the other side of the room and breathes deeply looking relieved as everyone compliments each other, Buffy looks over at me and her smile falters "Good job". I just look at my sister emotionless and walk past her not ready to forgive her so easily "Whatever".
Principal Snyder is in his office he's getting some files from his cabinet when there is a knock on his door "come in" he says monotonously, It opens and Giles comes in.
Snyder glances over to see who it is and goes to his desk "Do we have an appointment?" He questions as Giles shakes his head "I'd like to have a word with you" Snyder drops the files on his desk and turns to face Giles.
"If that word is Buffy, then I have two words for you: 'good' and 'riddance'. Now, if you don't mind, I have an appointment with the Mayor," Snyder tells the librarian "You can't keep her out of this school,".
Snyder pulls on his jacket "I think you'll find I can," Giles glares at the snide man "You had no grounds for expelling her," Snyder smirks at Giles loving this "I have grounds, I have precedent and a tingly kind of feeling,".
"Buffy Summers is a minor and is entitled to a public education. Your personal dislike of the girl does not legally entitle you to-" Snyder interrupts quickly "Why don't you take it up with the city council?".
He grabs the files and his briefcase and heads for the door "I thought I'd start with the State Supreme Court," Snyder stops and faces him "You're powerful in local circles, but I believe I can make life very difficult for you, professionally speaking," Giles looks at Snyder confidently "And Buffy will be allowed back in,".
"Sorry. I'm not convinced" Snyder says as he tries to go again but Giles grabs him by the lapel and shoves him back into his filing cabinet grinning manically as Snyder at him nervously "Would you like me to convince you?".