DISCLAIMER: Whedon's characters, any recognizable dialogue, and the canon events of their storyline are not mine.
A/N: 19 September 2017
When I first wrote Chapters 13-18, I had intended to edit it down significantly. However, after the deaths of three loved ones, I wasn't in a good headspace – plus this storyline has some triggers for me personally – so I avoided taking the time to go over the material again before it was originally posted. It's been a year since I posted Ch 18 (and two years since posting the initial eight chapters). Late this summer, I was finally ready to come back at this with fresh eyes. After hacking away large portions, I tried to smooth rough edges left by removing content – my apologies for any bumpy transitions or spots that may be confusing. Truthfully, I'm not entirely happy with the result and I'll probably edit further if I find the time.
The basic plot/storyline/character arcs remain the same as the original version.
As always, feedback welcome and greatly appreciated.
[
A/N: 10 June 2016
See Chapter 12.
There will be an appearance by a pair of OCs. See A/N at end of this chapter for my explanation as to why I am intrigued by the possibility (though, not necessarily convinced) of this loophole.
CHAPTER 13
Dancing in the Streets
It had been a long and eventful Halloween night. And the sun had yet to rise.
In the wee small hours of the morning, as Buffy returned from Spike's crypt, she danced and sang her way through the cemetery as she considered the state of things.
Life is so confusing … Death makes it more confusing … Maybe if I could figure out what I'm here for …
Without realizing it, she had wandered toward her former resting place. When it dawned on her where she was headed, her casual stroll (with occasional pirouette) turned into an intentional walk, nearly a march, as she approached her own gravestone.
I should be dead – and I don't mean momentarily dead like when Xander did CPR on me … not "mostly dead" … I mean "all dead." I'm standing here looking at my own grave. Why am I even here? You know, other than the obvious – the fact that Willow couldn't leave well enough alone. I suppose the Powers That Be could have rejected her request, caused the spell to backfire. But I'm here. So, I'd like to think there's a reason. I really want to believe it.
"There's a life that I am meant to lead. Even now, I feel its heat upon my skin – a life of passion that pulls me from within, a life that I am aching to begin." [1]
How do I do that? Where do I begin? I'm staring at evidence of what could have been the ending of the story.
ANNE
1981-2001
BELOVED SISTER
BELOVED FRIEND
The chiseled lettering is all true, but really, it's only part of the story.
Buffy leapt up onto the headstone bearing her middle name and continued to sing. Then, she jumped down and began to run away from her past – or at least, away from the stone that marked her grave. Her mind and her body continued to spin and dance as she made her way home.
[
Buffy had left Spike alone with his thoughts … and a cassette that should be speaking, but was now singing.
So … she's not sure where we stand. And this should surprise me not one bit. Future-Buffy warned me that her behavior would be strange. I guess I should have expected as much, but this is more difficult than I thought it would be. To have her, truly have her for a couple hours … and then, back to this. Everything in me wants to grab her and kiss her, press her up against a wall and … which would probably qualify as pushing things too fast and is likely what I did the first time around.
His intent to avoid listening to the cassette and limit his drinking had, in a word, failed. Staring down at his handwritten timeline of future events and listening to her voice continuing to sing to him through the speakers, his mind sought help from future-Buffy.
If only you could come back again and I could ask you questions … lots and lots of questions. Imagine how many questions I'm going to have when the next apocalypse hits the fan.
It was so much simpler when I just did not care. At. All.
After a little more drink and a lot more thought, Spike resigned himself to the fact that he would endure anything for that girl – both versions of her.
I suppose it will all be worth it – to save the world, be a hero, … and get the girl.
[
Just as the dark sky began to give way to the dawning of the day, there was unusual activity in the atmosphere. Anyone who was awake and aware would have seen it – lighting bolts crisscrossing the cloudless sky. After a few minutes, those tendrils of electricity swirled together into a funnel cloud that touched ground in one of the larger parks in Sunnydale. When the funnel dissipated, in its place stood a group of well-dressed life-sized marionettes surrounding someone wearing a fire engine red zoot suit with black and white wingtip shoes. The one in red looked around and opened his mouth:
"I'm home where music fills the air. I'm home where a thousand lovers cry, swoon, and sigh. And I'm home where every violin plays a treat as sweet as a honeycomb. Wherever music plays, I know I'm home." [2]
Speaking as he continued, "Dorothy Gale was right – there is no place like home." Sashaying down the sidewalk, he added, "Find me appropriate accommodations while I have a look around."
[
As Giles passed the theater on his way to the Magic Box, the musical memories of the previous night came flooding back. Once inside, he began to pull texts from various shelves. When the others arrived, he was already hip-deep in research. Everyone exchanged hellos as if it were an ordinary day.
Not long after, Anya was behind the register, counting the cash while singing: "Your love gives me such a thrill, but your love won't pay my bills. I want money. That's what I want." [3]
Buffy cleared her throat. "Funny you should … uh, so did anyone – besides Anya – uh, this morning or last night, you know, um … burst into song?"
Everyone exchanged glances before they began speaking rapidly, in quick succession.
"We thought it was just us."
"It was bizarre. We were talking and then it was like …"
"Like you were in a musical."
"Yeah!"
Xander hurriedly added, "Now that we've established these were not isolated events ... Do you think it will happen again?"
Giles removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "I don't know. That's what I've been researching since I got here earlier. I have yet to formulate a theory. Obviously, we should continue looking into this."
"With the books." Willow added, looking at the pile of open volumes on his desk.
Tara questioned, "Do we have any books on this?"
Sitting down at his desk, Giles commented, "Interesting bit of trivia: the script of a musical is actually called 'the book.' So if this is all one big musical, then we are dealing with lots of books." He chuckled to himself.
Ignoring his attempt at a joke, Willow asked, "Is it just us?"
Buffy went to the front door, opened it, and stuck her head out for a moment. She walked back to the table to grab her jacket and headed for the door as she said, "It would appear that we have company – a company of singers and dancers, to be precise. I'm gonna have a look around town."
[
When Buffy returned from her stroll, Giles could tell by the look on her face that something more was weighing on her mind than simply the songs that surrounded them. He led her to the training room where they could talk privately.
"Giles, it was bad enough before I died – questioning my purpose, seeking out the First Slayer to get some answers … which were cryptic at best. So, if 'death is my gift' and I gave it, what do I have left to give? Why am I here?"
"You're needed."
"That's the best you've got? Wow, Watcher training sucks. Shouldn't you be prepared with some words of inspiration in the event that your Slayer needs a pep talk?" Groaning, she added, "Maybe I'll just quit."
"This is not something you can quit. Even though Kendra was called and then, Faith, you're obviously still chosen as a Slayer – you retain the strength and all that comes with being The Slayer. As for the Slayer line, I have something to tell you, something I learned while I was back in England. It had slipped my mind until this morning. I got a letter yesterday from my brother, who I had the opportunity to visit with while I was there. Thinking about him reminded me about this."
"Suspense sufficiently built. Spill."
"When you died, there was another Slayer called … just not here. There is another Hellmouth in Cleveland. I was told by the Council that she is there. Do you remember Lydia? She was in the group that came with Quentin Travers when we were dealing with Glory. As I was arriving in the UK, she was leaving to give some additional support to the young Slayer and her inexperienced Watcher. At some point – perhaps when we clear up this melodious haze – I should get in touch with them. In the future, they may come across information that would help us out. And they could certainly benefit from our experience."
[
Just after lunch, Giles received an unexpected phone call from L.A. It was Wesley Wyndam-Pryce's voice on the other end of the line.
"Angel had a disturbing dream. He described an odd man with glasses who spoke … and sang to him about making breakfast, specifically a cheese omelet. Then, he said, 'You eat the omelet; the omelet does not eat you.' [13] After getting up this morning, he told us about it. Then, we all started singing." He cleared his throat. "I have even found myself bursting into song."
Giles asked, "What, pray tell, did you sing?"
"I'm in love with a girl named Fred!" [4]
They spoke a bit longer. When Giles hung up the phone, he told Buffy that Angel and a few of his colleagues felt they should come give some assistance. Buffy was not overjoyed to hear that they would have visitors, but perhaps they had something useful to contribute.
Spike had been coming through the basement door just in time to overhear the news. He immediately turned around to go back to his crypt. "Well, this just keeps getting better and better. Fine. I'll just let her come to me when she's bloody ready," he muttered to himself.
[
The well-dressed demon wandered around looking for opportunities to cause fatal frivolity. He attempted to justify his presence and activities in Sunnydale:
"It's a public service, really – this spell that hangs in the air. Helping people confront their fears and tell the truth, bringing things to the surface where they can be seen. The music will inspire them to drop the façade."
Though he was anything but sweet, we will call him that from here forward: Sweet.
[
Late that night, the L.A. contingent arrived in Sunnydale. When they did not find Buffy at home and the shop had closed, they went to Giles' apartment.
"She headed out for patrol hours ago. But with recent events, who knows what she might have run into and where she might be by now," Giles told them.
"Even with the rain, I can probably still track Buffy's scent," Angel said as he headed for the door.
Wes stayed with Giles to talk Watcher-to-Watcher and put their heads together. Lorne accompanied Angel when he went looking for Buffy.
While they were walking, Lorne began humming, but quickly changed to singing the melody on "doo doo-doo doo, doo doo doo-doo-doo doo-doo." He tapped his feet in every tiny puddle along the way. Soon, he found a lamppost to swing around. Then, he began to sing the lyrics that went with the tune, "I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain. What a glorious feeling! I'm happy again."
Surprisingly, Angel joined in: "I'm laughin' at clouds so dark up above. The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love." [5]
Lorne just shook his head, saying, "Oh, Babycakes! You've got it bad for this girl. Still? After all this time?"
"Shut up. There she is. Don't you dare embarrass me."
"Like I would do – or say – anything to embarrass you!" Lorne feigned disbelief before admitting, "Well, okay – maybe I would."
Trying to look casual, Angel leaned against a monument. Just as Buffy came past, she saw him and rolled her eyes.
"At least, you could tell me you're glad to see me," Angel whined.
Buffy replied, "If you have anything useful to add, then I'm glad you're here. If not, you're just another ensemble member, who – I might add – isn't very helpful in daylight hours."
"I brought Wes to help Giles with the book research. He wanted to get away from the office for a few days anyway. And I brought Lorne ... 'cause he's the only one I know who specializes in mystical musicology."
She gave Lorne a long look before turning her attention back to Angel. "So … what? You're the chauffer? You wanted to take in a show? You're just here for your looks?"
"Chauffer, yes. Show, yes. JUST for my looks?"
As they made their way back through downtown, Buffy got them caught up on what little she knew. Having witnessed some dancing that turned deadly, she showed them the evidence. The trio passed by the town square where folks had been frolicking earlier in the day. Now, there were rain-soaked piles of ash.
The silken-voiced Pylean was completely in his element. He took one look at his surroundings and pulled a fitting song from the catalogue in his mind (which he would have been able to do without the current spell). "On a central square ... It ignited there like a beacon coming out of the dark. You can feel it. You can follow the spark. It started then and there – and here we are." [6]
Angel was glaring at Lorne as he said to Buffy apologetically, "Sorry. I mean, he normally sings a lot, but we may have to put a muzzle on him while we're here."
"Look, Sugar Pie, I will sing my honey bunches of O - - - klahoma! anytime I please. And there's nothing you in your imminent broodiness can do about my joy of singing!"
Buffy just laughed at their interaction. "Well, Lorne, I think you have a beautiful voice."
"Thanks, Sunshine!" Lorne put his arm around Buffy's shoulder as they continued on their way.
When they got back to Giles' apartment, it was decided that Wes and Lorne could stay with Giles, but that it would be better for Angel to stay at the Magic Box, so that he could use the tunnels during the day.
As Giles handed Angel sheets and towels, he explained, "There is a couch you can sleep on and there is a small bathroom with a corner shower that Buffy sometimes uses after her workouts. It is not ideal and far from luxurious, but it will have to do for now."
Buffy walked back to the Magic Box with Angel. She showed him where everything was, including the basement access to the tunnels.
"Spike uses this often, doesn't he?"
"The smelling thing again?"
When she walked away, Angel chose not to answer her question. He took a look around the shop and commented on a few items, then wandered back into the training room and examined the weapons and equipment. "Giles did a nice job setting this up for you. How is your training going?"
"Really? We're gonna make small talk?"
"Well, I guess not." He looked around again. "Seeing all this just reminds me how much I enjoy – enjoyed – watching you fight. And fighting alongside you."
She did not reply, but rather turned to go. He grabbed her upper arm. They stood that way for a moment and he held her gaze. He leaned down to kiss her. At the last second, she turned her face downward and pressed her lips closed to punctuate the sentiment.
"Right," was all he said before releasing his hold on her arm.
As she walked away, she softly said, "Goodnight."
[
[
Although it was still technically nighttime in California, morning had broken in Cleveland, Ohio. Eileen Sherwood-McKenney, guardian and soon-to-be adoptive parent of the now orphaned Ruthie, was preparing breakfast and steeling herself against the grumpiness she would have to endure when she tried to wake the teenager.
Ruthie, still asleep, was dreaming a most unusual dream. She was with three other girls: one was younger with long hair and was wearing a unique pendant, an older girl was carrying a wooden stake, and there was a red-haired girl. They were all singing.
When Ruthie had woken up and began to explain the dream to Eileen, she mentioned, "There was a strange man who I've seen in dreams before, but normally, he has those square slices of cheese. This time, he had some kind of cheese that looked disgusting – like it had gone bad or someone had rolled it around in ashes, or both. He said, 'This cheese – the Sleighlett – stands alone, but is better when paired. The Slayer could stand alone, but are stronger in pairs.' And when he was talking about things being in pairs, he pointed at a bottle of white wine. The label said Summers Winery, California – but it was weird … the year on the label kept switching back and forth between 1981 and 2001."
Just as Ruthie finished explaining the dream, Eileen began to discuss its possible interpretation with Lydia, who was visiting from England. Lydia immediately concluded they not only needed to contact Rupert Giles, but they would likely be making a trip to California sooner than any of them had expected.
The three of them had finished getting dressed, having breakfast, and packing for their anticipated trip. They waited a couple hours before calling the West Coast. Since Lydia had met Giles on previous occasions, she was the one on the phone explaining Ruthie's dream. Then, they discussed what it might have to do with current circumstances in Sunnydale.
Giles paused as he processed the new info. "All things considered, perhaps the three of you should come for a visit. It would have been in order at some point, but it seems now is as good a time as any."
[
When Giles got off the phone, he relayed the information – both about the dream and the fact that the Cleveland Slayer and her Watcher would be making a visit, accompanied by Lydia.
Buffy deliberately breathed evenly as she took this in. "So … more houseguests. I guess we'll have to find room for them at my house." Then, she groaned, "I wonder if Lydia ever made peace with the fact that Spike and Anya work with us, because now we get to add Angel and Lorne to the mix. Oh, that poor young Slayer and Watcher – getting thrown into the deep end of the pool. It's gonna be a fun couple of days! That is all they're staying, right? Just a few days?"
"One would hope."
[
Sweet was thoroughly enjoying that the whole town was following his lead. He seemed to derive pleasure and power from stirring up emotions and then watching people become overwhelmed by and succumb to their feelings.
All around town, whirling dervishes became their own funeral pyres. This was a common scene that, by now, all of the Scoobies had seen play out. It is said that seeing is believing, but it does not necessarily bring understanding or solutions. At this point, they had more questions than answers.
[
Suddenly awake, Daniel Osbourne (a.k.a. Oz) sat up in bed, saying aloud, "That was a new level of peculiarity."
He picked up the phone and dialed a couple of Sunnydale numbers, finally getting someone to answer when he called the Magic Box. "Hey, Giles. This is Oz. Sorry to call out of the blue, but … let's just say that I suspect strange things are afoot at the Circle K."
"Do tell." Giles was mildly disturbed by the fact that these phones calls were becoming frequent events.
"I woke up from a dream where I was singing songs I've never heard. There was this odd fellow … after he offered me a platter of Kraft singles, he showed me a poster for a show called The Change: Another Teenage Werewolf Musical. Then, he said, 'You sing the musical, but the musical does not singe you.' Does that mean anything to you guys?"
Giles considered this. "Hmm. 'Singe,' you say."
"As in 'to scorch or char' …"
As Giles put Oz on speaker phone, he replied, "Yes, I know the meaning of the word. And yes, it has particular meaning at the moment. There appears to have been a spell cast over our fair town. I guess I should revise that statement since we have also heard from allies in L.A. and Cleveland. So, it seems to extend to certain people who know our little group, even if they live outside of Sunnydale. It is a musical spell of some kind – singing of show tunes and dancing in the streets – sometimes when people are alone, but more apt to manifest when people get together."
"We should figure out what kinda deal this is, what kind of get together triggers it. I mean, is it a gathering, a shindig, or a hootenanny?"
The group huddled around the phone exchanged glances, but Angel was the one to speak up. "What's the difference?"
Oz replied in a disappointed tone, "Guys, really … we've been over this before … you know, the last time Buffy went away and then came back. Buffy, apologies about bringing up the old – you know, if that was too on the nose."
Buffy took the comment in stride. "No, that's fair … I went away and came back. You speak truth. Though that time my reason for leaving wasn't death … well, not mine anyway. But I don't see how that helps us right now."
"Right you are. I can't speak to song and dance pairings, but food and music – that's a different foxhunt altogether. A gathering is brie, mellow song stylings. Shindig – dip, less mellow song stylings, perhaps a large amount of malt beverage. And a hootenanny – well, it's chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny. Any of this sounding familiar?"
Buffy clarified: "This is more like we're caught in some kid's crazy Broadway nightmare that includes what could become rioting in the streets, plus a BBQ or pig roast. Except this spell prefers to charbroil people."
Oz mulled that over and then stated, "I see. So, disco inferno with a twist … and I'm gonna guess some shouting." After a pregnant pause on both ends of the phone, Oz concluded, "Well, good luck with that. Sounds like a hot time in the old town."
[
At the Bronze, the Scooby gang plus their L.A. friends were gathering for an evening of simultaneous fun and intel gathering.
Angel watched Buffy from a distance. Remembering the day two years ago when he had briefly been human, he momentarily regretted the decision he had made in erasing that day, but decided to take advantage of the opportunity before him by asking Buffy to dance.
Seeing sparks begin to rise from the dance floor, Buffy suggested that the DJ play slow songs – or else the patrons and the Bronze would likely go up in smoke. She returned to Angel's arms for the next song.
Spike watched from the shadows, knowing that Angel was aware of him. There was no love lost between the two vampires, but Buffy seemed to stir up their competitive nature. During the slow dance, they were both singing about their obsessive love for Buffy, but they did not hear one another.
As the song ended and the DJ put on something with a faster tempo, a group of young people danced their way through the doors of the Bronze out into the street. The teenagers seemed to be in some kind of trance, repeatedly singing a few phrases until they had been consumed by their passions that manifest themselves as fire. Onlookers witnessed more death as the dancers were engulfed in flames.
The crowd broke up for the night and Angel suggested that he help Buffy make a sweep through town – or at least, a few of the cemeteries. He was hoping to capitalize on his time alone with her and perhaps provoke a little nostalgia.
As he began to sing, Buffy put her hand over his mouth to prevent the next lyric from escaping, saying simply: "That was then. This is now."
They continued to patrol. Angel pouted. Buffy ignored.
[
Spike had followed Buffy and Angel for a short while, but then returned home. He sat with a drink in one hand and a pen in the other, his journal on his lap. He intended to write poetry, but lately when he sat down with that intent, what came from his pen were song lyrics. Words in ink were somehow absorbed by the air and then, made into sound.
Tonight's magical musical composition ignited love and incited anger within him. He downed what remained in his glass and said aloud, "Game on!" He would not let Angel waltz in here and reap the rewards of his efforts with Buffy.
[
The effects of the spell continued to escalate. Sweet strutted down the middle of the street in the center of town, snapping his fingers to the beat of the rhythm of the night.
Admiring the ashen spots on sidewalks, he grinned as he sang: "Darkest hour before the dawn. Times we know will soon be gone. Flames of freedom fill the air. I can hear them calling: love is a fire burning … and I want to burn." [7]
A/N:
So, about the OCs from Cleveland … In #6.22, when Giles returns to deal with dark Willow, he and Buffy are in the training room talking while Willow is under the binding spell. Buffy says the following to Giles and he does not contradict or correct her: "I don't understand why I'm back … But it was my time, Giles. Someone would have taken my place." Looking at that comment on face value, one could argue that the Slayer line goes through both Faith and Buffy at this point. However, when you take into account that it is the only season finale of BtVS not written and directed by Whedon, it is entirely possible that this dialogue was simply an error. For purposes of this fic, I am adopting the viewpoint that there is a fork in the road of the Slayer line.
I would be curious to hear opinions for or against this loophole that David Fury included in #6.22.
Many thanks for reading. Until next time…
~Jen
10 June 2016
SONGS in this chapter:
[1] Little Women (2005 Broadway) "Astonishing"
[2] Phantom (Yeston/Kopit) (1991 Houston) "Home"
[3] Motown: The Musical (2013 Broadway) "Money (That's What I Want)"
[4] Once Upon a Mattress (1959 Broadway / 1960 West End / 1964, 1972, 2005 tv) "Song of Love"
[5] Singin' in the Rain (1952 film / 1983 West End / 1985 Broadway) "Singin' in the Rain"
[6] The Light in the Piazza (2005 Broadway) "Statues and Stories"
[7] Eddie and the Cruisers (1983 movie) "Season in Hell"